Sikeston, NMCC advance

Sikeston's Keyarra Blissett (30) tries to grab a loose ball with a host of Charleston players (Photos by Josh Mills, Staff)

Lady Bulldogs and Lady Eagles will meet Thursday in semifinals of the consolation bracket

BROSLEY -- The 11th Annual Twin Rivers Lady Royals Christmas Classic continued on Monday evening, as Sikeston advanced past Charleston, 51-40, and New Madrid County Central downed Kennett 52-20. Sikeston will now face NMCC on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.

Charleston started out with the lead over the Lady Bulldogs, but with six minutes left to go in the second quarter, Sikeston took the lead and the Bluejays saw nothing but tail-lights, as they saw their lead disappear never to return.

The Lady Bulldogs led at the half 25-19, after outscoring Charleston 15-4 in the second quarter.

"We had a good showing," Sikeston head coach Homer Jackson said. "We had some junior varsity players come up and change the chemistry."

Kennett's Jessie Greenway tries to drive around NMCC's Shameika Williams

Sikeston's Amber Minner led all scorers in the game with 19 points and Jackson said she helped control the game offensively for the Lady Bulldogs.

Jackson also said that his team will work on being able to control the lead as they go into their game against NMCC on Thursday afternoon.

Charleston's Jerquawnda Sherrell led the Lady Bluejays in scoring with 12 points.

The Lady Bluejays were 8-for-17 at the line, while Sikeston went 9-for-14.

Sikeston will take on NMCC Thursday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.

The New Madrid County Central Lady Eagles came out firing on all cylinders against the Kennett Lady Indians, as they defeated Kennett 52-20.

The Lady Eagles led after the first quarter 22-5, and at the half 37-9.

"I felt like this was our best overall team effort all year long," NMCC head coach David Crockett said. "Kennett played hard. We (just) executed on offense and on defense."

"I'm proud of our girls--after having to forfeit Saturday's game because of the weather, they could've hung our heads, but they didn't. They came out and played hard, and that was big."

The Lady Eagles' leading scorer was Shameika Williams, who scored 17, while Jasmine Beasley and Jasmine Flennoy each contributed 14 points apiece.

Kennett was led in scoring by Jessie Greenway, who scored 12 points in the loss.

NMCC shot 6-for-12 at the charity stripe, while the Lady Indians were 1-for-

4.

Crockett said his team would have to come ready to play against Sikeston on Thursday, and that his team never takes anything for granted.

NMCC meets up with Sikeston Thursday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.