Nobody asked me but...the holidays are upon us and that means one thing...high school basketball tournaments.
The 62nd Annual seMissourian Christmas Tournament in Cape and the 50th Bloomfield Christmas Tournament are area traditions that usually serve up some great basketball.
Charleston, Notre Dame, Jackson and Scott County Central earned the top four seeds in the former U-High tourney. Charleston should roll to the semifinals with a first round game against Oak Ridge and a second round matchup with the winner of Cape Central and Oran.
The marquee matchup in the second round should pit Scott Central against Bell City. This will be the third meeting of teams that don't really like each other. Can the Braves win a third straight over the Cubs? I say yes.
In my humble opinion, the semifinals at Cape should be Charleston battling Scott Central and Notre Dame versus Jackson. The Jays don't always play stellar ball at the tournament, but they should get past the Braves.
Notre Dame defeated Jackson in the SEMO Conference Tournament and should repeat the feat. "The Factory" is not at full staff with point guard Shawn Sherrell hurting due to a hand injury. I like Notre Dame to keep the momentum going after the big road victory over Sikeston and win the title over Charleston.
* At Bloomfield, it is Malden's tournament to lose. The Wave earned the No. 1 seed followed by Doniphan, Portageville and Puxico.
If Tony Jones can stay out of foul trouble, I like the East Prairie Eagles to reach the semifinals and face Malden. The Eagles have a nice perimeter game with Paris Tipler, Randy Woods and M.C. Williams. However, Jones is the horse pulling that plow.
In the other semifinal matchup, Doniphan should cruise into the round and face Portageville. The Bulldogs are undefeated, but they haven't played a quality opponent up until this point.
Portageville has a couple of question marks with the outside shot of Trey Mosby and the consistency of freshman Kony Ealy. Jim Bidewell is a quality coach who always seems to have his troops playing well at the right times. Don't be surprised if Portageville gives Doniphan a run for their money. I'll still take the Dons.
Look for a Malden and Doniphan matchup in the finals with the Wave taking the title.
* I would handicap the Dyersburg Tournament that Sikeston will participate in, but I have no clue who the teams are. Brighton...Munford? Why must Sikeston fans endure this Tennessee version of the Carbondale Tournament. Two things that I know Sikeston will face.
First, Sikeston will probably play the best team in the tourney in the first round just like they always did in the Carbondale Holiday Tournament and the Superman Classic over in Metropolis.
Second, crowds will be sparse. Don't expect a crowd that will rival the SEMO Conference Tourney finals.
I would love to see Sikeston in the U-High Tournament. I know I am beating a dead horse, but wouldn't it be cool to see a potential Scott Central and Sikeston matchup? Which brings me to...
And finally, nobody asked me but...my Christmas wish list.
1. Sikeston joins the U-High Tourney.
2. Sikeston and Scott Central start scheduling basketball games between each other.
3. The girls have their own SEMO Conference Tournament.
4. The football and basketball final fours in all classes in Missouri will be televised for all in the state to see. Illinois broadcats every game in both classes, and they have a final eight. Why can't Missouri do it to?
5. High school basketball installs a shot clock.
6. Last, but not least, the Dallas Cowboys win another Super Bowl title.