SHS routs Chickasaws 70-37

SIKESTON -- Although they have somewhat of a different look, the Sikeston Bulldogs used the same formula to continue their unbeaten streak spanning from a historic season a year ago.

Ferocious defense and team-oriented scoring led to a 70-37 victory over visiting Blytheville, Ark., on Tuesday night at the Sikeston Field House during Sikeston's season opener.

The Bulldogs have won 31-straight games and 49-straight at home.

"We controlled the ball," Jamison said. "We all shared the ball and tried to be unselfish."

Much like last season, Sikeston (1-0) took advantage of a deep bench and an unselfish offensive attack to spread their scoring around.

"They can do that and that's our formula," Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield said. "We try to play nine to 10 guys and hopefully we can put guys in there that can continue to do that."

Four players scored in double figures for the Bulldogs. They were led by Markeith Bratcher's 17 points and received a spark from J.T. Jones, who had nine rebounds in the first half alone. Jones finished as the Bulldogs third-leading scorer with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

"We just need our players off the bench to keep playing their role," Jamison said. "We need to keep up our unselfish play."

Jamison added 14 points and four steals while Vashawn Ruffin chipped in 12 points.

"That's what we have to do on the offensive end," Holifield said. "Hopefully, we get better. We've got a lot of things we need to work on but, our kids are working hard and have a great attitude."

A close first quarter, which ended 18-13 in Sikeston's favor, eventually ballooned into a big Bulldog lead.

Sikeston began the second quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers -- one from Jamison and another from Bratcher. Before they knew it, Blytheville saw Sikeston up their margin to 15 points in the first four minutes of the frame.

The Bulldogs' defense limited the Chickasaws to just two field goals and seven points in the second quarter. Blytheville's Greg McKillion, a 6-5, Division I football recruit, scored all of the Chickasaws' seven points -- two field goals and three free throws.

In the first half, Sikeston stole the ball away from Blytheville eight times and caused six turnovers. At the half, the Bulldogs held a comfortable 41-20 lead.

"I thought we had good pressure on the basketball the majority of the time," Holifield said about his defense. "There's some things we have to work on, like we got beat off the dribble some of the time. We can definitely make a lot of improvement. At times we played well and at times I thought they hurt us in certain areas."

Sikeston opened the second half with a 13-6 run and proceeded to take advantage of turnovers and stifle the Chickasaws offense.

The Bulldogs outscored Blytheville 20-10 in the third quarter and led 61-30. They finished out the game with nine points in the final quarter.

"I thought we really played well as a team," Holifield said. "I thought we played with good intensity. They hurt us on the boards at times, but they're a very big and athletic team. I thought the biggest thing was that we played well together.

"It was team-oriented. That's what we do."

Sikeston point guard Caleb McGee scored five points but dished out five assists.

McKillion led Blytheville with 13 points and had 11 rebounds, three blocks and three assists. Ray Golphin added seven points and six rebounds.

Sikeston forced 20 Blytheville turnovers while limiting themselves to 12.

Sikeston will travel to Dexter to take on the Bearcats on Friday for their first SEMO conference game of the year. The junior varsity game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

Junior Varsity

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston junior varsity Bulldogs rebounded nicely from their first loss in 52 games with a 54-21 victory on Tuesday to improve their record to 3-1.

Dantrell Brown led Sikeston with 11 points. Jarius Ray, Aundrea Golden, Reese Porter and Jeterrence Harris each added eight in the win.

Blytheville 13 7 10 7 -- 37

Sikeston 18 23 20 9 -- 70

BLYTHEVILLE (37) -- Ke'Andre Diamond 5, Michael Bell 4, Shaq Smith 2, Damion Wilson 2, Ray Golphin 7, Harold Beverly 4, Greg McKillion 13. FG 15 FT 5-12 F 12 (3-pointers: Diamond 1, Golphin 1. Fouled out: none.)

SIKESTON (70) -- Kil'Ron Coleman 2, Kyland Gross 2, Cord Sheehy 3, Caleb McGee 5, Vashawn Ruffin 12, Terry Jamison 14, J.T. Jones 13, Markeith Bratcher 17, Keldon Warfield 2. FG 25 FT 12-13 F 19 (3-pointers: Sheehy 1, McGee 1, Ruffin 1, Jamison 1, Jones 1, Bratcher 3. Fouled out: none.)