DONIPHAN - For the last seven years, the Doniphan Dons have produced some of the top basketball teams in Southeast Missouri.
Even though the Dons claimed just one district championship in that span in 1998, they were still a dangerous opponent for any team in the area.
But the Dons have found themselves in a 2-8 hole this season and the schedule hasn't gotten any easier.
The Dons will host the Sikeston Bulldogs in a SEMO Conference battle tomorrow night with jayvee action starting at 6 p.m.
The team's struggles this year is something that is new in Don Country.
"We're not used to it -- we've won 20 games for the last seven years," said Doniphan head coach Shane Benson. "The kids are a little disappointed, but we feel like we're getting better and we feel like we're a pretty good 2-8 team. We've played just about everybody close."
Doniphan has defeated Sikeston three times in their four meetings, but the Bulldogs won on the Dons' home court two years ago.
"Sikeston obviously has a pretty good team, they have had the last several years," said Benson. "They're very talented and athletic. We know we've got our hands full."
The Bulldogs enter the game with a 6-5 record, but three of the losses were by two points or less. Another defeat was by six points.
But the Bulldogs rebounded from a tough 56-55 loss to Charleston with a solid 54-35 win over Malden on Tuesday.
"I thought we played extremely well after we got settled in against Charleston from the second quarter on," said Sikeston head coach Gregg Holifield. "I'm very pleased with our team right now. Our players are very positive and they've got good work ethic about them. I think they've got a goal and objective of what they want to accomplish."
The Bulldogs have been led by the inside play of junior Lontas McClinton, who averages about 19 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Senior Justin Freeman and junior guard Lavar Morgan also reach double figures for the Bulldogs.
"They're so big and strong inside and we know that we've got to deal with them, especially McClinton and Freeman," said Benson. "We've had a lot of trouble with the boards and that's one of the things that concerns us with Sikeston."
Part of Doniphan's problem is that they've had trouble filling the shoes of graduated 6-11 center Adam Crader, who is now playing for the Southeast Missouri State Indians.
"They beat us twice last season when they had the big man inside (Crader)," said Holifield. "He presented a lot of problems to us, but even this year they've got good basketball players. They have such great tradition the last seven or eight years in their program. I know they've struggled, but at any point in time they're very capable of breaking out and having an outstanding team."
Doniphan is led the junior guard tandem of Danny Kellas and Shayne Talburt. Both are 6-2 and are excellent outside shooters. Kellas scores about 17 points per game while Talburt pumps in about 16.
The lone senior in the starting lineup, Brian Pulliam, is a 6-3 forward that is also capable of putting up big numbers. He averages 15 points per game. Pulliam scored 33 points in the Bloomfield Tournament against Malden.
Point guard Josh Hewett is also a long range threat while 6-foot forward Dale Anderson is an aggressive inside man for the Dons.
"They're very capable of shooting the basketball and they're a good offensive team," said Holifield. "We've got to defend them and make sure they don't put up big offensive numbers. If they do that then we've got problems."
Plus, the two teams aren't just conference foes. Doniphan is also in Sikeston's district.
"It's a very important game for us," said Holifield. "No. 1 they're a 3A District team. To get a good seed in the district tournament, this is a team that we must beat."
But Benson isn't even considering district play right now. He's just looking to improve his team's morale for the rest of the regular season.
"We're just trying to win a ballgame and get as good as we can," said Benson. "I feel like this is important because if we can beat a team like Sikeston then we can gain some confidence and possibly we'll be able to win some of those games down the stretch."