TIGERS ON ROAD TO DISTRICT TITLE GAME; CENTRAL PLAYS VISITOR AGAINST JACKSON TONIGHT

With just a 2-6 home record entering the Class 4A, District 1 Tournament at the Tiger Field House, the host Cape Central Tigers may have figured out the secret to winning on their own floor.

They've become guest in their own home.

Because of their position in the district bracket, the second-seeded Tigers were considered the visiting team against third-seeded Poplar Bluff. The Tigers wore their dark road uniforms, used the visiting bench and were the guest on the scoreboard for the first time all season.

The result was a 62-59 semifinal victory that set up tonight's rematch for the district title against top-seed Jackson. Once again, Central will play the role of "guest" when the two rivals square off at 7:30 p.m.

Considering Wednesday's result, the Tigers shouldn't mind.

"We talked about it a little bit (before the Poplar Bluff game)," said Central senior Chris Bergerson. "We got to sit on the other bench on the other end of the court and wear the other uniforms. It was a mental thing, but we knew if we came prepared we could win at home."

Thanks to Bergerson's 20-point scoring outburst in the third quarter, Central rallied to advance to the title game. He finished with a game-high 26 points as the Tigers beat Bluff for the third time this season.

Jackson didn't have to rally in its semifinal contest, but the Indians did need a strong finish to finally shake fourth-seeded Farmington from the tournament. Cory Daniel scored eight straight points in the fourth quarter as the Indians pulled away for a 60-51 win. The victory was Jackson's third of the year over the Knights, setting up a championship showdown between the two Cape County rivals.

The two adversaries split the two games they played this season. Central upset the Indians 51-46 in the second round of the University High School Christmas Tournament. Earlier this month, Jackson got back at the Tigers with a 54-51 victory in the Tiger Field House.

Last year at Farmington, Central blew the Indians away 77-49 for the district title. Coming into that game, both squads had also split two previous games.

Considering the Tigers' struggles on their home floor, another thing to look at might be Jackson's success at Central this season. The Indians have appeared quite at home in the sometimes hostile Central gym.

In fact, the Indians have equaled the Tigers' total of season-victories in the Field House with an undefeated 3-0 mark. Jackson beat SLUH in the Tiger Shootout, knocked off the Tigers at Central and Wednesday's win over Farmington kept the Indians on pace with the Tigers.

* The Class 4A, District 1 girls championship game starting before the boys game (6 p.m.) is another rematch between top-seeded Poplar Bluff and No. 2 Jackson.

But it's certainly nothing new for the two teams. The Lady Indians and Lady Mules have faced each other in the district title game every year since 1991. Jackson claimed the district crown every season except for 1994.

"It's going to be another tough game," said Jackson coach Ron Cook. "We're pretty evenly matched teams. We've probably got better size, but they have the quickness."

Both teams have beat each other this season. Jackson hammered the Lady Mules in Poplar Bluff Jan. 5, but Bluff edged the Lady Indians in double overtime earlier this month in the title game of the Charleston Invitational.

Jackson, ranked third in the 4A poll, is 22-2. The Lady Mules, ranked right behind the Lady Indians in fourth, are 24-2.

* In the 3A, District 1 Tournament at Dexter tonight, top-seeded Charleston (22-5) meets third-seed New Madrid (16-9) in the boys title game at 7:30 p.m. The Eagles upset state-ranked and second-seed Doniphan Wednesday night 63-48.

No. 1 Doniphan will face No. 2 New Madrid/No. 3 Kennett in the girls final at 6 p.m.

* Tonight at Park Hills in the 3A, District 2 Tournament, top-seed Perryville (21-6) faces No. 2 Park Hills for the girls title at 6 p.m.

In the boys' bracket, No. 4 Park Hills plays second-seed North County at 8 p.m. for the boys crown. The host Rebels upset top-seed Arcadia Valley in overtime Thursday night 89-81.