Notre Dame blows past SHS

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Notre Dame ended Sikeston's girls basketball season on Wednesday night in the Class 4, District 1 Tournament.

Notre Dame didn't shoot the ball particularly well, but got several second and third attempts, pulling down 28 offensive rebounds in a 75-43 victory.

"If you give a team three chances at every shot, they're supposed to win," said Sikeston head coach Lee Brooks. "We just didn't box out and gave up too many second and third chances."

Notre Dame led the entire way, opening the game with a 7-0 run. Sikeston's first points came from Joy Daniel with five minutes left in the period. It was the first of several lob passes down low to the Sikeston center, who finished with 19 points in the loss.

"Joy played her best game of the season," said Brooks. "She played an excellent game tonight."

After two Daniel baskets shaved the lead down to 7-4, Notre Dame's Sommer McCauley iced a 3-pointer to increase the lead to six.

McCauley had a huge night for the Lady Bulldogs, scoring a game-high 20 points with 10 coming in the first quarter.

"Sommer is capable of doing a lot more than she does," said Notre Dame head coach Jerry Grim. "She's a strong kid and she's explosive."

Notre Dame held a 20-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and outscored Sikeston 17-6 in the second frame to make it 37-17 at halftime.

Things turned from bad to worse for Sikeston the second half. Notre Dame started the third quarter with 12-0 run to open the floodgates and never looked back, rolling to the 32-point victory.

"At this point, I think we are playing as well as we have played all season," said Grim. "But I still think we're capable of doing better."

Behind McCauley, Ali Tyson scored 16 points and Sierra Ellis had 12. Ashley Millham was held to a season-low nine points.

"You have to give credit to Notre Dame," said Brooks. "We came out saying Ashley wasn't going to beat us, and she didn't. But their other girls stepped up."

Notre Dame improves to 18-7 and will face Dexter in the district championship game on Friday night at 6 p.m. Sikeston's season ends at 10-16.

"We fell somewhat short of our expectations," said Brooks. "We had the material, but didn't come to play every night. We beat ourselves a bunch of nights. As far as a good bunch to coach, I couldn't ask for any better. They gave me all they had every night. Some nights, they just didn't have it."