Sikeston Junior High takes two from Dexter on Tuesday

DEXTER -- Although the Sikeston eighth grade basketball team had to scratch and claw, they came up with the victory against the Dexter Bearcats on Tuesday, 56-52.

Sikeston began the contest by looking up at a 13-2 deficit. Although they came back to tie the game at the half, at 27 all, they went into the fourth quarter down by four points.

They used the free throw line and crucial defensive stops to pull away.

"We had to battle," Sikeston coach Derek James said. "Dexter has a really good team. It seemed like we had to claw back all night to stay in it. We hit our free throws towards the end and had some big steals that turned into layups. It was a good win for us."

Sikeston, who hit 7 of 9 free throws in the fourth quarter to seal it, was led by Jaylen Mallory's 22 points. Dominique Dyes added 20 points as well.

Sikeston (3-0) will travel to Poplar Bluff on Thursday.

SIKESTON (56) -- Jaylen Mallory 22, Dominique Dyes 20, Cedric McIntyre 8, Deterio Newman 4, Victwon Riley 2. FG 22 FT 11-13 F 14 (3-pointers: Mallory 1. Fouled out: none.)

DEXTER (52) -- Young 20, Renken 13, Chesser 8, Pedigo 7, Flowers 4. FG 18 FT 13-16 F 9 (3-pointers: Chesser 2, Flowers 1. Fouled out: none.)

SEVENTH GRADE

Sikeston 61, Dexter 36

DEXTER -- Although Dexter's Jason Jarrell poured in a whopping 36 points on Tuesday night, the Sikeston seventh grade basketball team came away with a win, 61-46.

"That's pretty much unheard of, from me anyway," Sikeston coach Eric Voorhees said. "(Jarrell) was inside and outside. He's a great ball player."

Sikeston (3-0) started out a bit slow falling behind 7-2 to begin the game. They eventually bounced back to tie the game at the end of the first quarter. They broke the game wide open by outscoring the Bearcats 20-9 and lead 31-20 at the half.

"That's pretty uncharacteristic of us to begin slow," said Voorhees. "We were eventually able to wear them down and take control. The kids played hard and it was a good win for us."

Phayzun Fobbs led Sikeston's efforts with 18 points while Sam Cox added 16. DeShawn Aldridge chipped in 10 points.

The Bulldogs will try and continue their unbeaten streak tonight when they take on the Cape Central Tigers during the Sikeston seventh grade invitational tournament at 6:30 p.m.

SIKESTON (61) -- Phayzun Fobbs 18, Sam Cox 16, DeShawn Aldridge 10, Jayden Lane 8, McKenzie Worth 4, Billy Finley 2. FG 24 FT 3-9 F 15 (3-pointers: Fobbs 2. Fouled out: none.)

DEXTER (46) -- Jarrell 36, Northcutt 4, Parrot 2, Babb 2, Simmons 2. FG 17 FT 6-9 F 5 (3-pointers: Jarrell 2. Fouled out: none.)