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Sikeston hammers Soldan from opening tip 72-40
SIKESTON -- For several years, Missouri high school boys basketball fans wanted to see a matchup of two of the state's finest Class 4 programs in Sikeston and Soldan.
The two finally met for the first time ever on Friday at the Sikeston Field House, albeit, perhaps a couple years later than most thought as Sikeston rolled to a 72-40 victory over the Tigers.
The Bulldogs (13-3) controlled the game from the opening tip as the St. Louis school hung tough for a quarter, but could not keep pace the rest of the way.
"I thought we played well," Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield said. "I thought we dictated the tempo. Defensively we set the tempo. Our guys up top really worked hard."
It was a quality win for the Bulldogs coming off Tuesday's overtime loss to Jackson.
"They came in Wednesday and Thursday and had great practices," Holifield said. "I really like our team. They have good attitudes, they're hard-working. Who knows how things will end up, but for what it's worth I think these guys have a chance to really be good just because they have great attitudes."
The Bulldogs raced out to a 13-4 lead to start the game. Soldan (6-11) managed to cut the lead to two after a 7-0 run, but Sikeston regrouped and still led 19-15 after one.
Sikeston's defense took over in the second quarter as the Bulldogs continued to extend its lead. A Chris Scott 3-pointer with 2:25 left in the half capped an 18-2 run by the Bulldogs to lead 35-17.
Sikeston took a 37-21 lead into halftime.
Soldan head coach Darvin Whitley could see that his team was in trouble early on.
"They were able to play harder longer than us," Whitley said. "We tried to come out and match their intensity and I think we did, but it looked like they were more prepared, more in shape than we were."
Sikeston blew the game open in the third quarter, out-scoring the Tigers 20-8 to take a 57-29 lead heading into the fourth.
The Bulldogs out-scored Soldan 15-11 in the final period.
"We did look at a lot of film over them," Whitley said. "We tried to pick apart their zone. That pressure is faster than what the tape shows. I think we kind of let down a couple possessions, missed a few layups and got our head down. With us having such a young team, it's just hard for them to fight back."
Sikeston and Soldan always seemed to be on a collision course in state tournament play over the past several years, but a matchup never happened.
The year of Sikeston's state championship in 2011, St. Francis Borgia knocked off Soldan in the opposite state semifinal game as the Tigers eventually took third.
Soldan won the state championship the following year, but Sikeston was eliminated in the quarterfinals by one point by Imagine College Prep.
Sikeston took third in the state playoffs last year, but following its championship two years ago, Soldan has been rebuilding.
Soldan's lineup features four seniors, no juniors six sophomores and two freshmen.
"We're trying to get it back," Whitley said. "We're trying to prepare these guys for districts. We enjoyed the trip here. We know the history of both ball-clubs with Soldan going to state four years in a row and winning it in 2012 and Sikeston has been playing so well. They play hard. We always love to come down to this area and try to play against that good talent."
Sikeston out-rebounded the Tigers 39 to 18 and they forced 18 turnovers. Soldan misfired on all 10 of its 3-point attempts.
"Sikeston is good," Whitley said. "They're athletic, they're strong, they finish well around the basket and they shot the ball well. They're a solid team. They're very well-coached and they play hard. They play very hard."
The Bulldogs were led by senior forward J.T. Jones with 22 points, 14 rebounds, five steals and two blocks.
Soldan's young squad had no answer for the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder.
"He was pretty big and pretty strong," Whitley said. "A couple times he just moved our guys out of the way. He's such a big body and a pretty tough matchup for us. I tried to switch it up and go zone, but when we went zone he just pushed us out the way and got the ball and then we went man and he still moved us out of the way and got it. He had a great game tonight."
Reese Porter scored 10 points with six rebounds. Zach Harrison also scored 10 points.
Soldan was led by sophomore Courtney Barlow's 15 points.
"They're very athletic, they're quick and I knew they would compete," Holifield said of Soldan. "I thought they did some good things. I thought our players adjusted and adapted well. Overall I think it was a good team effort."
Sikeston will play at Dexter on Monday in a makeup game with junior varsity action starting at 6 p.m.
| Soldan | 15 | 6 | 8 | 11 | -- | 40 |
| Sikeston | 19 | 18 | 20 | 15 | -- | 72 |
SOLDAN (40) -- Courtney Barlow 15, Juwauan Jefferson 7, Cortlen Brooks 7, Christian Simms 6, Jaylen Swan 3, Jervonta Jones 2. FG 15, FT 10-17, F 19. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none).
SIKESTON (72) -- J.T. Jones 22, Reese Porter 10, Zach Harrison 10, Dominique Dyes 9, Chris Scott 9, Marqese Parks 5, Corbyn Blissett 3, Jairius Ray 2, Jaylen Mallory 2. FG 22, FT 16-22, F 16. (3-pointers: Dyes 2, Scott 1, Jones 1. Fouled out: none).
Junior varsity
The Sikeston J.V. team improved to 10-1 with a 60-23 win over Soldan. The Bulldogs led 39-10 at the half.
Juwon Kimble led all scorers with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Jaylen Mallory added 14 points with four steals.
| Soldan | 3 | 7 | 5 | 8 | -- | 23 |
| Sikeston | 17 | 22 | 16 | 5 | -- | 60 |
SOLDAN (23) -- Clayton Howard 4, Trevaughn Perry 4, Dezmod Kimple 3, Justin Kimple 3, Cameron Jacobs 2, Keylon Patterson 2, Jllon Johnson 2, Aeneas Banks 2, Arnold Adams 1. FG 7, FT 6-12, F 17. (3-pointers: J. Kimple 1. Fouled out: none).
SIKESTON (60) -- Juwon Kimble 17, Jaylen Mallory 14, Ja'lon Marr 10, Donnell Cobb 5, Phayzun Fobbs 5, Victwon Riley 4, Deterio Newman 3, Sam Cox 2. FG 21, FT 12-22, F 14. (3-pointers: Newman 1, Mallory 1. Fouled out: none).