~Kelly, Portageville, Scott Central win; Chaffee falls
SIKESTON -- Sikeston's girls basketball team suffered its second loss of the season Monday night, falling to Farmington 59-37 in a rematch of last year's 3A District 1 championship game.
The Lady Bulldogs had two key injuries in the game. Kerri Jones was sent to the hospital with a dislocated finger, then Joy Daniel went down with an ankle injury.
The Lady Bulldogs struggled without their top two post players, being outscored 29-18 in the second half.
"We didn't block out, and I thought that was the difference," said Sikeston head coach Lee Brooks. "They pressed us well and played a good game. Coach McFarland had his kids ready to play."
Daniel led all Sikeston scorers with 13 points. For Farmington, Natalie Bess led the charge with 19 points.
Sikeston (3-2) has another tough challenge ahead tonight, traveling to Doniphan.
In Monday's junior varsity game, Farmington defeated Sikeston 55-17. Nyketia Johnson led the Lady Bulldogs with six points.
BENTON -- The Lady Hawks of Kelly reached the .500 mark on Monday night, cruising past struggling East Prairie, 56-26.
Kelly Essner scored 14 points for the Lady Hawks, followed by Ashley Kern with 10 and Christy Kluesner with eight.
"The girls came out and played real well," said Kelly coach Rod McQuerter. "We were a little disappointed after our game against Delta (in the Chaffee Tournament). Tonight, the girls played very hard defensively and we competed well all night long."
Michelle Redman paced East Prairie with 14 points. Aisa Tipler contributed 10 points for the Lady Eagles.
Kelly (3-3) will be back in action Dec. 28, competing against Malden in the Twin Rivers Tournament.
PORTAGEVILLE -- Janil Booker scored 18 points and Katie Duggans contributed 14, leading Portageville to a 63-52 win over Campbell on Monday night.
The win over their Bootheel Conference rival was Portageville's first victory of the season. The Lady Bulldogs are now 1-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
The Lady Bulldogs held a commanding 49-18 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Campbell was able to score 25 points in the final frame, but it wasn't enough.
Laura Thompson paced the Lady Camels with 21 points, followed by Miranda Grindstaff with 12. Portageville will host NMCC on Thursday.
CHAFFEE - Rebecca Below scored 37 points as the Delta Lady Bobcats rolled past Chaffee 74-31 on Monday night in Chaffee.
Delta led 24-7 after one quarter and 32-13 at the half.
Things got worse for Chaffee in the second half as the Lady Bobcats out-scored them 42-18.
"The kids really played hard and gutted the game out," said Delta coach Randy White. "We had four or five kids go home early from school with the flu. But they hung in there and worked hard. I was very pleased with the effort."
Below, who earlier this year scored 42 points in the Chaffee tournament, also pulled down 15 rebounds.
"She just had an outstanding game," said White. "She is really playing well."
Sarah M. Cook followed up with 16 points and Katrina Flores had 10 points. Sarah Jo Cook had seven points but pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds.
"I thought at times we blocked out really well," said White. Jennifer Vandeven led Chaffee with 14 points.
Delta (6-0) will play at Charleston on Monday at 6 p.m. Delta won the junior varsity contest 40-20.
MORLEY -- Janet Penrod nailed four 3-pointers and scored 26 points overall in a 73-38 win over Oran on Monday night. Christina Valenzuela added 21 points for the Bravettes, followed by Brittany Godwin with 10.
For Oran, Erica Dirnberger led the way with 15 points. Teresa Hodges contributed nine.
Scott Central (4-1) will host South Iron on Jan. 3.