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Bulldogs ruin Bernie's plan 63-41
SIKESTON -- The Bernie Mules came into Friday night's contest at Sikeston with a clear strategy.
The plan was, basically, to play keep away against the Class 4, No. 4 ranked Bulldogs in an effort to try to keep the game close.
But that strategy can be negated if you fall behind early.
The Bulldogs ruined that plan and jumped out to a 13-0 lead to start the game en route to a 63-41 win over Bernie in front of a large crowd at the Field House.
"I thought our guys came out ready to play and ready to go," Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield said. "We built a lead and that was a key tonight."
The Bulldogs never trailed and were never seriously threatened after opening the game with the fast start.
Bernie coach Brad Botsch knew early on that his team was in trouble.
"We needed to start out either with the lead or right there at it," Botsch said. "We wanted to try to pull it out and slow it down and I thought we had a good game plan to do that but once we got behind we had to try to attack more. That's going to lead to turnovers and missed shots."
The Mules' Brandon Sparks and B.J. Jennings hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut Sikeston's lead to 13-6 with four minutes left in the first quarter, but the Bulldogs finished the period with a 6-1 run to lead 19-7 after one.
Bernie (21-5) never got closer than 10 the rest of the way.
Sikeston continually distanced themselves from the Mules in the second quarter, taking a 32-17 lead into halftime.
"We wanted to try to pull it out and make (Sikeston) come out and dribble penetrate the gaps and kick to shooters," Botsch said. "We didn't shoot the ball very well but that's because they close out so quickly on us. I thought we had some opportunities to hit some shots but they didn't fall. They don't give you an open look for very long. You've got to come to the Field House and play extremely well if you want to compete with Sikeston."
The Bulldogs (20-3) blew the game open in the third quarter, starting the half with a 12-2 run capped by Jairius Ray's first 3-pointer of the season.
Sikeston carried a 48-24 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs led by as much as 54-24 early in the fourth, but the Mules showed no quit and never allowed the mercy clock to be set in motion, eventually cutting the lead to 20 with a minute to go.
"I have never seen a program that just never has a possession where they're not going as hard as they can," Botsch said. "They just never let up. If you have a little stretch where you don't play well or don't shoot it well or don't get back or don't rebound, they're going to hammer you."
Reese Porter led the Bulldogs with 16 points. J.T. Jones followed up with 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks.
Ray added 12 points and six rebounds.
Sikeston out-rebounded Bernie 29 to 18. The Bulldogs shot 28 of 52 (54 percent) from the field, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range.
Bernie was 6 of 18 (33 percent) from 3-point range.
Because of the Mules' strategy, the Bulldogs only forced 15 turnovers, but they had just four turnovers themselves.
"You just have to stay solid and be patient defensively," Holifield said. "They do a great job of controlling the tempo. You have to give them credit, they're good at what they do. They work hard and they're disciplined in many ways. They're a good team and very well coached. They've got a chance to advance on and do some great things. They're a team that we have a lot of respect for in our area."
Bernie was led by Jennings' 12 points.
It's the Bulldogs' fifth straight win over Bernie since the series was renewed.
Bernie, ranked No. 10 in Class 2, is the top seed in District 1 at Bloomfield. Botsch is hoping his team's experience against the Bulldogs will benefit his team in the district tournament.
"Sikeston is the most relentless team and program I've ever seen," Botsch said. "They never let up. They're obviously extremely well-coached. They're, to me, the premier class program in southeast Missouri. Just look around in the stands with their fans and the following that they have, it's just really amazing what they do here. We appreciate the opportunity to play against a class program like Sikeston. It helps prepare us for our districts."
It's the seventh straight year Sikeston has won at least 20 games and it's the eighth time overall under Holifield. By comparison, Sikeston only had eight 20-win seasons in school history prior to 2006.
"It's a great accomplishment because it's a difficult thing to do," Holifield said. "I'm really proud of our players this year. It's been a difficult year with all of our injuries. Our guys have stuck together and hung together. I'm proud of our teams in the past. They set the foundation for this. It's a total team effort this year and into the past as well."
Sikeston will host DeSoto in its final regular season game on Thursday at 6 p.m.
| Bernie | 7 | 10 | 7 | 17 | -- | 41 |
| Sikeston | 19 | 13 | 16 | 15 | -- | 63 |
BERNIE (41) -- B.J. Jennings 12, Jake Wagner 9, Bubby Schwent 6, Brandon Sparks 6, Troy Kirkpatrick 2, Justin Stanfield 2, J.R. Pregel 2, Joey Walker 2. FG 8, FT 7-10, F 10. (3-pointers: Wagner 3, Sparks 2, Jennings 1. Fouled out: none).
SIKESTON (63) -- Reese Porter 16, J.T. Jones 13, Jairius Ray 12, Zach Harrison 9, Chris Scott 4, Dantrell Brown 3, Corbyn Blissett 2, Dominique Dyes 2, Marqese Parks 2. FG 25, FT 4-7, F 16. (3-pointers: Ray 1, Brown 1, Harrison 1. Fouled out: none).
Junior Varsity
Sikeston 58, Bernie 25
Sikeston's J.V. team improved to 16-2 with a 58-25 win over Bernie's junior varsity.
Sikeston only led 21-20 at the half but out-scored the Mules 37-5 in the second half.
Ja'lon Marr led the Bulldogs with 19 points, eight rebounds and five steals. Juwon Kimble scored 14 points.
Deterio Newman had a team-high seven steals.
| Bernie | 6 | 14 | 3 | 2 | -- | 25 |
| Sikeston | 11 | 10 | 16 | 21 | -- | 58 |
BERNIE (25) -- Brandon Sparks 12, Devin Trammel 6, Gavin Smith 5, Trey Kirkpatrick 2. FG 3, FT 1-2, F 1. (3-pointers: Sparks 4, Trammel 2. Fouled out: none).
SIKESTON (58) -- Ja'lon Marr 19, Juwon Kimble 14, Chris Appleton 6, Phayzun Fobbs 5, Sam Cox 5, Antonio Bennett 4, Donnell Cobb 3, Victwon Riley 2. FG 18, FT 1-2, F 12. (3-pointers: Marr 3, Appleton 2, Fobbs 1, Cox 1. Fouled out: none).