X-OUT: TIGER SHOWCASE MUTATES INTO ALL-MALE EVENT

The Tiger Showcase, Cape Central's annual one-day basketball bonanza, has dropped the X chromosome this year.

Unlike years past where the Showcase featured three boys and three girls games, this year's event will feature four boys games, which will include Cape Central, Jackson, Notre Dame and New Madrid County Central.

Each of the area teams will be pitted against a team from the St. Louis region with the action getting started at noon today. All the games will be played at the Tiger Field House.

Girls basketball fans shouldn't fret, however, as Notre Dame will hold its first annual girls shootout which will feature Notre Dame, Central, Jackson and Poplar Bluff on Jan. 20.

With today's eight-team field consisting of three state semifinalists and two defending state champions, this could be the best overall competition in the Showcase's six-year history.

The Showcase will begin with Notre Dame and Whitfield at noon, followed by Jackson and Parkway South at 1:30 p.m.; New Madrid and Jennings at 3 p.m. and Cape Central and Vianney at 4:30 p.m.

New Madrid vs. Jennings

Perhaps the most anticipated game of the day will be New Madrid against Jennings. Both teams made it to the Class 3A Final Four last year with the Eagles claiming the championship.

New Madrid comes in with a record of 6-3 record, but has played a ridiculously tough schedule. The Eagles, led by Dereke Tipler's 19.7 points per game, won the Sikeston Invitational earlier this year.

Jennings, which went 26-6 last year, is struggling at 3-7. Edward Glass is getting 21.6 points per contest. Jennings has been to the state semifinals four times since 1993 and is coached by Cape Central graduate Randy Carter.

Notre Dame vs. Whitfield

New Madrid isn't the only defending state champion in this field.

Whitfield, which squeaked past Scott City in the 2A quarterfinal, won the title last year.

Whitfield, though, brings in a modest record of 6-4, while Notre Dame stands at 8-3.

Notre Dame features a balanced attack as Jonathan Ressel is getting 15 points and eight rebounds per game, while Cory Beussink is averaging a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds per contest. Mark Rubel and Doug Schaefer average 12 points apiece for the Bulldogs.

Notre Dame's biggest responsibility will be containing Whitfield's Dan Oppland who is averaging 24 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Cape Central vs. Vianney

Both Central and Vianney come into the Showcase licking some wounds.

Both teams have just two wins, with Central standing at 2-7.

The Tigers have been outsized in every game and this one will be no exception. Steve Austin, a 6-foot-9 senior, averages 12 points and 10 rebounds per game, while 6-5 senior forward Steve Campbell gets eight points and six rebounds per contest. Steve Waterkotte, a 6-1 guard scores 10 points per game.

Central, which gets even scoring from about 10 players, has only one double-figure scorer. Chris Cole is averaging 10 points per game, while Michael Cox pulls down a team-high seven rebounds and T.J. Erlacker dishes out a team-high five assists per contest.

Jackson vs. Parkway South

Going by records, the Indians should be favored to win this one as Jackson is 6-3 and Parkway South is 2-7.

Parkway South, which has been hampered by some injuries, is led by Blake Urbani who averages 10 points a game. Freddie Bueler puts in about 9.5 points per contest.

Jackson is led by Seth McDowell, who plays much bigger than his 6-foot-2 frame. McDowell scores 16 points and pulls down seven rebounds per contest, while perimeter players Brad Hilbert and Matt Ferrell are scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively.

TIGER SHOWCASE* Noon -- Notre Dame vs. Whitfield

* 1:30 p.m. -- Jackson vs. Parkway South

* 3 p.m. -- New Madrid vs. Jennings

* 4:30 p.m. -- Cape Central vs. Vianney