Kelly girls win opener against Chaffee

BENTON -- The Kelly Lady Hawks opened their season with a 61-39 Scott-Mississippi Conference win over Chaffee on Thursday.

"I'm very proud of the effort the girls gave tonight," said Kelly coach Rod McQuerter. "They've had 25 long days of practice and it was good for them to get out and play a game. We're looking forward to seeing what these girls can accomplish this season."

Kelly Essner led the Lady Hawks with 12 points, while teammates Brittany Ponder, Leigh Ann Buchheit and Mindy Robert scored 10 each.

Rachel Kline and Jessica Burnett contributed eight and six, respectively.

Kelly, the defending regular-season conference champions, led 27-18 at the half, then put the game away by outscoring Chaffee 20-8 in the third period.

SIKESTON -- Sikeston's freshmen basketball team rode a solid defense to a 43-31 win over Poplar Bluff on Thursday.

"Our players came out with a lot of defensive intensity, which we've been stressing in practice, and it really paid off tonight," said Sikeston coach Chris Sarakan.

The Bulldogs (1-2) got balanced scoring from several players, led by Dustin Hampton, Caleb Johnson, Scott Droddy and Tommie Strong with six points apiece.

Terrance Wofford and Stephen Jackson chipped in with five and four, respectively.

SIKESTON -- Sikeston's eighth-grade team fell to Poplar Bluff 35-21 on Thursday.

"We just didn't play very well," said Sikeston coach Kevin Self. "We need to go back to work on the basics."

Demetrius Jackson had eight points and Robert Brooks six for the Bulldogs (0-3).