Sikeston makes St. Dominic Tournament finals for seventh straight year

O'FALLON, Mo. -- For the seventh straight year the Sikeston Bulldogs will be playing in the championship game of the St. Dominic Christmas Tournament.

Top-seeded Sikeston defeated No. 4 seed Fort Zumwalt West 80-60 on Wednesday in the semifinal to reach the title game. Sikeston will play No. 2 seed Fort Zumwalt South Thursday night at 8:15 for the championship. South defeated third-seeded Timberland 62-57 in the other semifinal.

This marks the third straight year and the fourth time in five years that Sikeston and Fort Zumwalt South will play for the championship in the St. Dominic Tournament. South's only win against the Bulldogs came two years ago.

"They're very solid," Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield said. "I think they're going to be a tough opponent. They have great personnel, length and athleticism, plus they're also well-coached. We're looking forward to it. I think it will be a tough challenge."

In Wednesday's game against Zumwalt West, Sikeston (8-0) never could shake the Jaguars until the fourth quarter where the Bulldogs out-scored them 27-16.

In the fourth, the Cougars trimmed Sikeston's lead to 57-52 with 6:30 left in the game, but Sikeston went on an 11-0 run with an offensive putback by Trey Jenkins, two free throws by Jason Moore, a steal and layup by Don Larry, a layup by Kevin Jones after a steal and assist from Larry, and then a conventional 3-point play by Larry to lead 68-52.

The Cougars scored six straight points to cut the lead to 10, but Sikeston once again went on a big run, this time a 12-0 run to seal the game.

"I thought our pressure wore on them somewhat," Holifield said. "We got points off turnovers. Our up and down pace seems to wear on teams at times. I thought at that moment in the fourth quarter it definitely played into our favor. I thought our guys did a great job of responding. We showed a lot of character and heart and I thought we played great the last five minutes of the game."

Zumwalt West (8-3) controlled the game from the opening tip, leading throughout the entire first quarter by as many as six points before Sikeston managed to cut the lead to 19-17 after one.

Sikeston's defense took charge in the second quarter as the Bulldogs out-scored the Cougars 18-3 in the period.

Zumwalt West's lone field goal was a 3-pointer by Jake Hampton with a minute to go in the half. Sikeston led 35-22 at halftime.

"It was a very physical game," Holifield said. "It was a tough game for us. They're a well-coached, physical team. I thought our guys responded and did a great job."

Zumwalt West re-established itself in the third quarter, out-scoring the Bulldogs 22-18, to trim the Sikeston lead to 53-44 entering the fourth quarter.

Sikeston had a balanced scoring attack once again with five players reaching double figures led by junior guard Fred Thatch with 21 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Jones followed up with 18 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Moore scored 12 points. Larry and Jenkins each had 11 points.

The Bulldogs had 19 assists to 10 turnovers. Sikeston caused 17 turnovers against the Cougars.

"We were very balanced," Holifield said. "We're unselfish and we do a good job of finding the open man. I thought we did a great job in our primary break with 3-on-2 advantages and getting layup opportunities."

Fort Zumwalt West 19 3 22 16 -- 60

Sikeston 17 18 18 27 -- 80

FORT ZUMWALT WEST (60) -- Jake Hampton 19, Michael Cessna 12, Josh White 11, Spencer Strode 7, Marquis Majors 4, Jack Strassner 4, John Chestnut 3. FG 16, FT 7-12, 19. (3-pointers: Hampton 5, White 1, Chestnut 1. Fouled out: Strode, Majors).

SIKESTON (80) -- Fred Thatch 21, Kevin Jones 18, Jason Moore 12, Don Larry 11, Trey Jenkins 11, Phayzun Fobbs 7. FG 24, FT 17-23, F 16. (3-pointers: Moore 2, Jones 2, Fobbs 1. Fouled out: none).