Top-seeded Sikeston ends season for Central boys basketball team

DEXTER, Mo. -- The Central boys basketball team looked across the court as Sikeston players celebrated with their fifth consecutive district championship and saw what it wanted to become: a capable, confident team able to win any time it steps on the floor.

Sikeston used its size, speed and strength to post a decisive 77-61 win Thursday night in a Class 4 District 1 championship game that really wasn't that close.

Senior guard Vashawn Ruffin scored 24 points and junior forward J.T. Jones added 20 as the Bulldogs advance to next week's Class 4 sectional action.

"They're a nice ballclub," Central coach Drew Church said. "They've been in the wars, they've been in the battles. They know how to play in big games. Our group hasn't done that."

The Bulldogs (25-2) may not have been as tall as the Tigers, but they were bigger, quicker and stronger. That combination parlayed into a 15-2 run spanning the first and second periods that broke open a close game and gave Sikeston a comfortable lead throughout.

Cape Central's Jalen Reddin, left and Jamal Cox try to get past Sikeston's Jairius Ray for a loose ball during the Tigers' loss to the Bulldogs in the Class 4 District 1 Boys Basketball Tournament Thursday, Feb. 28, at Dexter High School in Dexter, Mo. (ADAM VOGLER)

And when the Tigers (16-11) did show signs of life, Sikeston quickly answered with a mini-run that boosted its lead even more.

"We knew if we let Central stay around, we were in for a dogfight," Jones said. "Coach wanted us to get on the floor, rebound and get all the loose balls."

Which they did.

"We had trouble stopping the bleeding at times," Church admitted. "That's what Sikeston does. They're a team of runs, and they're good at it."

Central remained as close as seven points late in the second quarter after Al Young canned a 3-pointer. But Kyland Gross hit a couple free throws to put the Bulldogs up 39-27, and Jones had a put-back at the halftime buzzer that gave the Bulldogs a 43-29 lead.

Cape Central's Al Young tries to get around Sikeston's JCord Sheehy during the Tigers' loss to the Bulldogs in the Class 4 District 1 Boys Basketball Tournament Thursday, Feb. 28, at Dexter High School in Dexter, Mo. (ADAM VOGLER)

A 17-10 third-quarter advantage boosted the lead to 60-39, Ruffin taking an outlet pass and going coast-to-coast for a buzzer-beating layup that left the Central players open-mouthed.

"Sikeston's a great ball club," Central's lone senior, Garan Evans, said after scoring 16 points in his final game in a Tigers uniform. "Their fans, their teams, the coaches, they're all great. I hope they can do their best. I wish them luck."

The Bulldogs' aggressive defense out front exposed a flaw that has bitten the Tigers all season: ballhandling.

"They're definitely physical," Church said. "It wears on you. You always have someone right with you. Having to handle the ball under pressure every single second. We did some things that played right into what they wanted to do."

A bright spot for Church is the relative youth of his team. Evans is the lone senior; junior Jamal Cox is a 6-foot-6 forward who led the Tigers with 17 points. Young, a freshman guard, contributed nine points.

Central’s Chase Hagerty takes a shot over Sikeston’s J.T. Jones during the championship game of the Class 4 District 1 tournament Thursday in Dexter, Mo. (ADAM VOGLER)

"My team understands this feeling," Evans said. "They have confidence, and I believe in them. I'm proud of this team and the players."

As dark as things got Thursday night, the Tigers' future is bright.

"This group has bought in [to the program]," Church said. "We are going to miss Garan. But you will hear from this team again."

Central 12 17 10 22 -- 61

Sikeston 19 24 17 17 -- 77

CENTRAL (61) -- Sentrell Blackmon 3, Al Young 9, Garan Evans 16, Chase Hagerty 7, Jamal Cox 17, Mikey Jones 4, Andre Statam 5. FG: 26, FT: 3-7, F: 23. (3-pointers: Young 3, Evans 2, Statam 1. Fouled out: Statam)

SIKESTON (77) -- Jairus Ray 10, Kyland Gross 4, Vashawn Ruffin 24, J.T. Jones 20, Reese Porter 2, Jeterrance Harris 2, Markeith Bratcher 15. FG: 26, FT: 22-30, F: 13. (3-pointers: Bratcher 2, Jones 1. Fouled out: none)