Sikeston boys rebound from slow start to pick up first win

Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Sikeston's Eldridge Gibson prepares to go up for two of his 11 points against Blytheville, Ark. on Tuesday night. Looking on is Sikeston's Keldon Warfield (42). (Chris Pobst, Staff)

BLYTHEVILLE, ARK. -- The Sikeston Bulldogs shook off a sluggish first half and eventually pulled away from the Blytheville Chickasaws in Blytheville, Ark. Tuesday night, 68-43.

It was the Bulldogs' first game of the season and it wasn't short on season-opening mistakes.

"We've had very little time," Sikeston head coach Gregg Holifield said. "I thought our effort was good but you could tell our timing was off and we're out of sync, which will take some time."

Sikeston (1-0) had trouble throughout the first two quarters of simply, holding on to the ball. Turnovers didn't help the visitors from Missouri gain any rhythm as the Bulldogs scored 17 first half points -- four in the second quarter alone.

The Chickasaws didn't fair much better, scoring six points in the first quarter and just 13 total points at the half.

The Bulldogs, however, began to chip away their rust at the beginning of the third quarter. Led by Will Holifield and Janeil Hatchett's five points apiece, Sikeston ran off a 13-4 run in the first three minutes of the second half. They pulled away from the Chickasaws by as much as 16 points in the third quarter.

"We haven't had many practices as a team and you just have to shake off that rust," senior Will Holifield said. "The second half we came out better. We were a lot more fluid offensively and were passing, cutting and moving a lot better."

That momentum carried into the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs scored 28 points in the last eight minutes.

"I felt like we got better in the second half," said coach Holifield. "We created more turnovers, got into a flow and just played better overall."

Holifield, Corey Porter and Eldridge Gibson each had 11 points to lead the Bulldogs. Gibson, who came off the bench, added eight rebounds and four steals. Porter hauled in eight boards as well.

Terry Jamison, who scored three points and pulled down six rebounds, led the Bulldogs defensively with six steals. Gibson, Hatchett and Darryl Howard all had four steals apiece.

Sikeston had 11 players score at least two points and had a total of 26 steals and 49 rebounds.

Blytheville was led in scoring by Russell Royals' 12 points. Kyle Walker added eight and Will Harrison chipped in with seven including two 3-pointers.

"We came out and ran them and got them a little tired, although we were a little winded ourselves," Will Holifield said. "We were just able to step up our game and make shots in the second half."

Sikeston's next game will be on Thursday when they host Park Hills Central.

Junior Varsity

Sikeston improved to 4-0 with a 78-44 win over Blytheville on Tuesday.

Sikeston1342328--68
Blytheville671416--43

SIKESTON (68) -- Kil'ron Coleman 5, Eldridge Gibson 11, Janeil Hatchett 8, Darryl Howard 6, Caleb McGee 5, Vashawn Ruffin 2, Terry Jamison 3, Will Holifield 11, Keldon Warfield 3, Corey Porter 11, Treston Pulley 3. FG 24, FT 14-25, F 14. (3-pointers: Hatchett 1, Howard 1, McGee 1, Holifield 1. Fouled out: none.)

BLYTHEVILLE (43) -- Keandre Diamond 3, Will Harrison 7, Russell Royals 12, Malik Moore 2, Devione Sherman 3, Miles Hooks 4, Kyle Walker 8, Greg Mckillon 2, Marquise Coleman 2. FG 18, FT 2-14, F 19. (3-pointers: Harrison 2, Royals 2, Sherman 1. Fouled out: none.)

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