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Sikeston freshman end year with win
Bulldogs claim Jackson Tourney with OT victory
JACKSON -- The Sikeston freshman basketball team wrapped up its season in thrilling fashion on Saturday afternoon by capturing the Jackson Tournament championship with a 40-38 overtime victory over Cape Central.
The Bulldogs finished 14-2 on the season with both losses coming in overtime with a split squad roster in both games. The group went undefeated in their seventh and eighth grade seasons to finish 35-2 in three junior high seasons.
"I was very pleased with the season we had," Sikeston coach Chris Sarakas said. "This group has always shown that they are winners and that they love to compete. When this game went into overtime I felt good about our chances because these guys have always been able to step up and battle in those situations."
Sikeston jumped out to a 13-3 first quarter lead but Cape Central cut the lead to 22-14 at the half and rallied to take a 31-26 lead heading into the fourth.
But Sikeston's defense stepped up and was able to force overtime tied at 36-36.
In overtime, Chris Word scored both of Sikeston's baskets, including the game-winner.
With the score tied at 38-38, Word came up with an offensive rebound and scored on the putback with 2.5 seconds remaining.
Cape Central called timeout and ran a final play as Devon Johnson's halfcourt heave looked to be on target, but it bounced off the back of the rim, sending Sikeston's players into celebration.
Word led the Bulldogs with 10 points followed by J.T. Jones with eight points.
Jamal Cox led Cape Central with 27 points, including 26 in the first three quarters before the Bulldogs made some defensive adjustments in the fourth quarter and overtime.
"It was a thrilling game and a great way to end our season," Sarakas said. "We've never won this tournament so I was happy for this group to be the first ones to do that. Hopefully they will continue to work and get better as they move up to the varsity and junior varsity teams in the coming years."
Cape Central 3 11 17 5 2 -- 38
Sikeston 13 9 4 8 4 -- 40
CAPE CENTRAL (38) -- Jamal Cox 27, Devon Johnson 7, Travis Simmons 2, Jacob Boerboom 2. FG 16, FT 3-6, F 11. (3-pointers: Johnson 1. Fouled out: none).
SIKESTON (40) -- Chris Word 10, J.T. Jones 8, Reese Porter 6, Jairius Ray 6, Chris Scott 3, Marqese Parks 2, Peyton Boyd 2, Steven Baker 2, Zach Harrison 1. FG 17, FT 6-11, F 11. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: Porter).