Stories from Friday, December 30, 2011

sports@standard-democrat.com CAPE GIRARDEAU -- From 1975 to 2002, the Charleston Bluejays dominated the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament unlike any other team, winning a remarkable 15 titles in the 28-year span. However, in recent times the Bluejays have not had as much success in the tournament, failing to reach the final eight straight years...

sports@standard-democrat.com BLOOMFIELD -- Despite several chances to take the lead in the final minute of play, Portageville couldn't deny the Kennett Indians their third-straight Bloomfield Christmas Tournament championship. Down by one in the final minute of play, the Bulldogs watch Kennett dominant the boards on their way to a 55-52 win...

SIKESTON -- The Standard Democrat will not publish a paper Monday in observance of New Year's Day, and the offices will be closed. Regular publication will resume Tuesday with offices opening at 7:30 a.m. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday...

sports@standard-democrat.com CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong for the Scott County Central Braves. Much of Scott Central's woes, however, can be credited to the efforts of the Notre Dame Bulldogs. Notre Dame dismantled the three-time defending Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament champion Braves, 76-39, on Thursday at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau...

O'FALLON -- For the second straight year, the Sikeston Bulldogs are the champions of the St. Dominic Christmas Tournament. The top-seeded Bulldogs broke open a close game at the half and defeated the host school, St. Dominic, 64-48 on Friday night. Sikeston (10-2) led 29-26 at halftime and then pulled in the third quarter, outscoring the Crusaders 20-8 in the frame on their way to the tournament title...

By Chris Pobst sports@standard-democrat.com CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Friday night's win over the Notre Dame Bulldogs couldn't have been any sweeter. Not only did they best 15 other teams and win the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament, they broke a strand of eight-straight years without hoisting a trophy and added their 16th tournament title to their already overflowing trophy case...

sports@standard-democrat.com DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- The New Madrid County Central Eagles took care of Tipton, Tenn. on Thursday during their seventh-place matchup at the Dyersburg Christmas Tournament, 49-39. CJ Chism led the Eagles with 11 points while Lamonte Nelson and Willie Jimmerson added 10 and nine points also...

sports@standard-democrat.com BLOOMFIELD -- Playing in the third place game of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament, Dexter saw Doniphan grab a late four-point lead before holding on for a 62-55 win. "It seemed like both teams were struggling for energy a little bit at different points in the game," Dexter head coach Rob Nichols said. "I don't know how much is fatigue and what part is just the let down from last night since both of us lost heartbreakers...

PORTAGEVILLE -- Pauline Ward, 92, died Dec. 29, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

PUXICO -- Jo Ann Cookson, 71, died Dec. 28, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 31, 1939, in Lavelle, daughter of the late William "Short" and Imogene Hartwell Braswell, she had lived in the Puxico and Wappapello area her entire life. She was a former member of the Paducah Club in Puxico. She worked as a presser for SEMO Imprints...

SIKESTON -- Betty Slaughter, 67, died Dec. 18, 2011, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born March 2, 1944, in East Prairie, to the late Samuel and Lilly May Bolden, she had been employed at an egg processing plant. She was first married to Red Turner and later to Vincent Slaughter who both preceded her in death...

For more pictures and stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Sikeston moviegoers can count on being able to catch the latest releases at a cinema close to home for at least the next few years. James Tashie, executive vice president of Malco Theatres, confirmed his company reached an agreement with Central Realty in St. Louis, owners of the shopping center on East Malone where the Malco Trio is located...