SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Bulldogs will be seeking their fourth district title in-a-row when the Class 4, District 1 Tournament kicks off Monday at the Sikeston Field House.
Sikeston (20-4), earned the second seed in the district as rival Notre Dame (19-6) is the top seed. Sikeston defeated Notre Dame 78-63 in the semifinals of the SEMO Conference Tournament at the Field House on Dec. 9 and then lost to the Bulldogs at Notre Dame 62-54 one week later.
The two teams have played for the district championship the last six seasons with Sikeston winning four, including the last three in-a-row.
"The district is full of quality teams," said Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield. "Notre Dame has had a great year. Perryville has had a great year, as well as Dexter. On a given night any district team can beat the other so you have to be prepared and ready to play. Hopefully we'll play as well as we can.''
Perryville (20-6) received the three seed and will take on Ste. Genevieve (9-15) in the first round at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. The winner will play Sikeston at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Sikeston won a close game at Perryville 70-61 in December.
Dexter (13-12) will take on Fredericktown (16-9) at 6 p.m. on Monday in the other first round match-up. The winner will play Notre Dame at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in the semifinals with the championship game set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night at the Field House. Sikeston is hosting the event after Dexter hosted the last two years.
"We really love playing at home and our players love playing there and we play well there, so we're looking forward to that," Holifield said. "It's always a great time and a fun atmosphere. I really hope our fans get a chance to come out and watch some of it."
GIRLS
The Sikeston girls basketball team is seeded third in the Class 4, District 1 Tournament that begins on Tuesday at the Field House.
Sikeston (15-9) will take on Fredericktown (6-19) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the first round with the winner scheduled to play second-seeded Notre Dame (13-12) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Sikeston did not play Fredericktown in the regular season but lost to Notre Dame 71-42 on Jan. 12.
The defending champion Dexter Lady Bearcats (21-4) earned the top seed and will play the winner of Perryville (11-12) and Ste. Genevieve (14-12) on Thursday night at 6 p.m.
Dexter defeated Sikeston 69-34 on Dec. 15 and Notre Dame 65-57 in their first game of the season. However the Lady Bearcats fell to Notre Dame 52-51 on the road Feb. 6.
"I know our girls are definitely going to be focused this next week," Dexter coach Chad Allen said. "We are going to take the next couple of days off then get back in the gym Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and try to prepare for districts."
The girls championship is slated for Friday at 6 p.m.
-- The SEMO News Service contributed to this story.
Dexter v. Fredericktown, 6 p.m.
Perryville v. Ste. Genevieve, 7:30 p.m.
Notre Dame v. Dexter/Fredericktown winner, 6 p.m.
Sikeston v. Perryville/Ste. Genevieve winner, 7:30 p.m.
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
Perryville v. Ste. Genevieve, 6 p.m.
Sikeston v. Fredericktown, 7:30 p.m.
Dexter v. Perryville/Ste. Genevieve winner, 6 p.m.
Notre Dame v. Sikeston/Fredericktown winner, 7:30 p.m.
Championship, 6 p.m.