POPLAR BLUFF -- Sikeston's ninth grade basketball team beat Dexter in the Poplar Bluff Tournament on Thursday night, 35-26.
The Bulldogs trailed by four points at halftime, but came back to outscore the Bearcats 22-9 over the final two quarters to pull out the win.
"I was really proud of the guys," said Sikeston coach Chris Sarakas. "We had a tough loss the night before, and were a little sluggish in the first half. At halftime, I told the guys that both teams were tired, and the team that wanted it the most would come out on top. Our players responded, and that's all a coach can ask for."
Blake Taylor and Julian Beard both had big nights for the Bulldogs, scoring 11 points each.
Dexter was led by Satterfield with 10. Sikeston (5-5) will face the Bearcats again on Monday when they play host to Dexter at the Field House.
CHARLESTON -- Sikeston's eighth grade basketball team added another mark to the win column on Thursday night, beating Charleston on the road, 54-41.
It's the third win the Bullpups have posted this week, improving to 5-5 after a 2-5 start.
"We've had a good week," said Sikeston coach Kevin Self. "They're starting to play better and figure out what it's all about."
Sikeston had four players finish in double figures. Dominique McCray and Tommie Strong led the way with 12 points each. Scott Droddy had 11 and Brandon Washington scored 10. "That's the balance we're looking for," said Self. "They are just playing real unselfish now. We've got several kids stepping up that able to score. That was our biggest problem early."
The eighth grade team will be back in action next Wednesday, taking on Cape Central in the Cape Central Tournament. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Sikeston also beat Charleston in Thursday's B-game, 35-25. Chase Johnson led the charge with 11 points. With the victory, the B-team improves to 2-2.