NMCC eighth graders roll 36-0

SIKESTON - The Sikeston 8th grade football team dropped its season opener on Tuesday at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium, 36-0 to New Madrid County Central.

NMCC took charge of the game on its opening possession as Kony Ealy took an end-around for a 4-yard touchdown.

Sikeston never could get going on offense. With the starting quarterback injured early in the first quarter, the Bulldog running attack was non-existent. And when the Bulldogs did put together a drive, three lost fumbles would thwart the scoring chance.

NMCC took a 14-0 lead on a 75-yard fumble return by Dontre' Jenkins. Lennies McFerren tacked on the two-point conversion run.

NMCC took a 22-0 lead before halftime as Ealy took another end-around 24 yards for a touchdown. Jenkins ran in the two-point conversion.

NMCC extended the lead in the third quarter on another fumble return, this time one by the NMCC quarterback only to see him recover the fumble and lateral to McFerren for a 35-yard touchdown to make it 28-0.

McFerren added a 72-yard touchdown run on an option pitch from Jenkins. Rodney Anderson tacked on the two-point conversion run to reach the final margin.

McFerren finished with 105 yards rushing on eight carries.

Sikeston was led by Eli Jackson with 70 yards rushing on 13 carries.

Sikeston also lost the "B" game 6-0 to the NMCC 7th grade team. The only touchdown was scored by Carlandas Thornton.

CHARLESTON - The Sikeston girls tennis team lost to Charleston 7-2 on Tuesday afternoon.

Sikeston's lone singles winner was sophomore Jenni DeWitt, who beat Kara True 8-2. DeWitt and Tess Marshall also teamed up for Sikeston's only other win in doubles as they beat Kati Luehmann and Mandy Shankle 8-4.

"Jenni had a great match," said Sikeston coach Lynne DeWitt. "Jenni and Kara both had great shots. Jenni and Tess had a very good doubles match."

Varsity results

Singles

1. Jenni DeWitt (S) def. Kara True, 8-2

2. Kati Luehmann (C) def. Tess Marshall, 8-2

3. Allison DeField (C) def. Danielle Ahlfield, 8-1

4. Mandy Shankle (C) def. Emily Bowman, 8-5

5. Jade Schwieger (C) def. Brittney Bohannon, 8-1

6. Lindsey Burke (C) def. Brittney Bard, 8-3.

Doubles

1. DeWitt/Marshall (S) def. Luehmann/Shankle, 8-4

2. True/DeField (C) def. Bowman/Bohannon, 8-0

3. Schwieger/Burke (C) def. Bard/Ahlfield, 8-6

Junior varsity Singles

7. Ellie Hensley (S) def. Kayla McKenzie, 6-4

8. Emily Pace (S) def. Leuhmann, retired

9. Megan Underhill (S) def. Mary Kate Shoemaker, 6-3

Doubles

1. Pace/Underhill (S) def. Maggie Fox/Catherine Stallings, 6-3

2. Murray/Allen (S) def. Tara Triplett/Hannah Showmaker, 6-2

PUXICO - The Sikeston volleyball team improved to 3-4 on the season with a 25-23, 29-27 road win against Puxico.

"We finally ended up on the winning side of an extremely close match," said Sikeston coach Steve Beydler. "But we're still having trouble terminating the ball. But it's nice to end up on the winning side for a change."

No stats were available at press time but Beydler was pleased with the improvement his team showed.

"Our serving has improved and our defense is keeping the ball up a lot," said Beydler. "But we're still trying to find a good combination of hitters. We're still tinkering with that."

Sikeston also competed in the 40-team B.A. Sports SEMO Volleyball Classic over the weekend.

The team were divided up into eight pools. Sikeston was able to take third in its pool.

Sikeston lost its first two matches to Seckman (22-25, 18-25) and New Haven (16-25, 21-25).

Sikeston then beat Clarkton (25-23, 25-22) and Oran (25-16, 25-14). The Lady Bulldogs were eliminated from the tournament by Senath-Hornersville (20-25, 24-26).

MALDEN -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs softball team defeated Malden 10-0 on Tuesday.

"The girls came out and played with a lot of intensity," said Sikeston coach Tiffany King.

"Today was an energy booster," she added, for her team which was playing its ninth game in eight days.

Winning pitcher Molly Brinkmeyer tossed a one-hitter with seven strikeouts, one hit batsman and one walk.

Red-hot with the bat, Brinkmeyer had her second straight perfect performance at the plate with four hits in four at-bats. Brinkmeyer drove home two runs and is on a 7-for-7 hit streak.

Paige Silverthorn chipped in with two hits in four at-bats with a RBI and a stolen base. Erin Wibbenmeyer, Beth Ziegenhorn, Kaitlyn Turnbow and Kaycie Williams stroked a hit apiece.

Sikeston (6-10) hosts East Prairie today at 4 p.m.