Bulldogs rush past Blytheville in season opener

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- There was one thing that kept the Sikeston Bulldogs' season opener from being 'great', according to Sikeston head coach Gregg Holifield.

"The only thing that kept us from really looking good tonight was shots that we normally make, we didn't," Holifield said. "If you make shots you look great."

Sikeston's J.T. Jones puts up a 3-pointer over Blytheville's Larry Bolden on Tuesday night at the Sikeston Field House. (David Jenkins photo)

And they still won by 37 points.

Despite shooting 39 percent from the floor, the Sikeston Bulldogs rolled past visiting Blytheville, Ark., Tuesday 66-29 at the Sikeston Field House.

J.T. Jones led all scorers with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Zach Harrison added 10 while Reese Porter chipped in nine.

"We just had first-game jitters I guess," Jones said. "We didn't have that many turnovers, but I think we played good as a team."

Jones, who is coming off an all-state season as a junior where he helped lead the Bulldogs to a Class 4, third-place finish a season ago, had a uncharacteristically off-night from the field. The 6-3 senior shot 31 percent (8 of 26) on the game which included 1 for 5 from behind the arc. He struggled the most in the first half going 4 of 17 (24 percent).

"Those are shots he'll make," Holifield said about Jones. "He's a hard worker and he's going to work hard to get the ball.

"Other than a couple of three's, I thought our shot selection was pretty good," added Holifield. "We missed shots underneath but we were getting the ball where it needed to be."

Sikeston's Zach Harrison goes up for a layup around Blytheville's Jermaine Smith on Tuesday night at the Sikeston Field House. (David Jenkins photo)

Despite his shooting woes, Blytheville head coach Jeff Flanigan was okay with Jones taking outside shots. Once Sikeston's leading scorer got going under the basket, Flanigan knew it would be a long night.

"J.T. killed us last year in Blytheville," Flanigan said. "Our guys reminded themselves of that. We would have let him shoot as many three's as he wanted because he's such a force down low. Once they got it down there, that hurt us."

The Bulldogs (1-0) went ahead 13-7 after the first quarter on 5 of 19 shooting. They extended that lead by halftime behind nine second quarter points from Jones. Harrison, a 6-1 senior, provided some spark with five steals on the game creating turnovers that went for transition layups on the other end.

"He really stepped up and played a good game tonight," Jones said about Harrison. "I think he helped us in every aspect."

Although their offense wasn't as crisp as they would have liked it to have been, Sikeston's famed full-court pressure defense looked in near mid-season form.

"It all starts with their defense," Flanigan said. "We prepared for it, but seeing it live and preparing for it are two different things. Early I think we adjusted and got some things that we wanted, we just couldn't get buckets to fall."

As a team, Sikeston forced Blytheville into 23 turnovers. Jones had six steals and junior Ja'lon Marr added four.

"We played good team defense and put pressure on the ball," Jones said. "We made them make a lot of turnovers."

Sikeston, who led 31-13 at halftime, outscored the Chickasaws 29-9 in the third quarter that included a 14-4 run. Jones scored 11 in the quarter while Harrison and Dominique Dyes added five apiece.

The Bulldogs closed the third frame with a 12-2 run that gave them a 60-22 advantage going into the fourth quarter. The final period was played with a running clock due to the 35-point mercy rule.

"I think we're trying to ascend to that level and get our kids to understand the type of intensity you have to play with to be able to compete at a high level. I love playing Sikeston because of that," Flanigan said. "It prepares us for our conference grind. With our young team, they need to understand that this is where you need to try and get to. The only way you do that is play."

Blytheville, who is still searching for their first win with an 0-5 record, was led by Darius Furlow's nine points.

Sikeston, who is Class 4's second ranked team according to the MBCA/MOsports.com preseason poll, will be on the road Friday when they take on the Dexter Bearcats at the Bearcat Event Center. Junior varsity action will start at 6 p.m.

"We missed shots that we're normally going to make but we're going to get better each day," said Holifield. "This team has a good attitude and I think they'll continue to work."

Blytheville 7 6 9 7 -- 29

Sikeston 13 18 29 6 -- 66

BLYTHEVILLE (29) -- Marquise Selvey 2, Darius Furlow 9, Dmarquas Evans 3, Larry Bolden 4, Mike Williams 3, Jonathan Dougan-Banks 4, Kevineon Whitfield 2, Malik Cason 2. FG 12 FT 3-5 F 14. (3-pointers: Furlow 1, Evans 1. Fouled out: none.)

SIKESTON (66) -- Chris Scott 5, Dominique Dyes 8, Jaylen Mallory 2, Marqese Parks 2, J.T. Jones 22, Reese Porter 9, Stephen Baker 3, Zach Harrison 10, Luke Williams 1, Ja'lon Marr 4. FG 25 FT 9-14 F 13. (3-pointers: Scott 1, Dyes 2, Jones 1, Harrison 1. Fouled out: none.)

Junior varsity

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston junior varsity basketball team pulled out a close 57-54 victory against Blytheville Tuesday during the first game of the night.

Juwon Kimble led the Bulldogs with 15 points. Ja'lon Marr added 12 while Phayzun Fobbs chipped in with 10.

Sikeston fell behind 40-37 entering the fourth quarter, but outscored Blytheville 20-14 in the final frame. Fobbs scored eight of his 10 in the fourth period.

Mahlik Lewis led the Chickasaws with 20 points. Mike Williams III scored 17.

Blytheville 10 16 14 14 -- 54

Sikeston 20 10 7 20 -- 57

BLYTHEVILLE (54) -- Patrick Beasley 2, Robert Moss 9, Isaac Kelly 2, Mike Williams III 17, Mahlik Lewis 20, Henderson 4. FG 21 FT 11-16 F 13. (3-pointers: Moss 1. Fouled out: none.)

SIKESTON (57) -- Victwon Riley 2, Phayzun Fobbs 10, Deterio Newman 3, Jaylen Mallory 7, Antonio Bennett 2, Donnell Cobb 5, Juwon Kimble 15, Luke Williams 1, Ja'lon Marr 12. FG 20 FT 14-18 F 14. (3-pointers: Newman 1, Kimble 1, Marr 1. Fouled out: none.)