Slow start kills Sikeston in loss to Notre Dame

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Sikeston's girls basketball team suffered is fifth loss of the season on Thursday night, falling 64-50 to area power Notre Dame.

Sommer McCauley did the most damage, scoring 19 points to lead Notre Dame to its ninth win.

"She's a hard-nosed player that comes right at you," said Sikeston coach Lee Brooks. "She is their key, they really feed off her. If you can stop her, you can stop their team."

Sikeston lost the game in the first quarter as the home team jumped out to a 22-13 lead. Sikeston played them tight the rest of the way, but the early deficit proved to be too much to overcome.

"We came out kind of sluggish," said Brooks. "By the time we figured out we could play with them, it was a little too late. The good thing was we just kept fighting back."

Laura Weissmueller scored 14 for Notre Dame.

Whitney McCray and Nyketia Johnson led Sikeston with 14 and 12 points respectively.

"Nyketia is our unsung hero," said Brooks. "She's just so quick and reads the pass so well. She's the fire of our defense. I can't praise her enough. Whitney McCray is just a horse. She also does a great job for us."

Sikeston (8-5) will travel to Chaffee on Monday. The Lady Bulldogs will then host Poplar Bluff next Thursday. Notre Dame won Thursday's junior varsity game 61-29.

PORTAGEVILLE -- Rachael Blunt scored 17 points and Taylor Nelson added 14 as Dexter blew past Portageville, 71-28 on Thursday night.

The Lady Bulldogs played with Dexter early, but were outscored 16-4 in the second quarter, 24-8 in the third, then 15-6 in the fourth.

Behind Blunt and Nelson, Jessica Freeman and Charlotte Johnson each scored 11.

Brown led Portageville with 12.