sports@standard-democrat.com
MAPLEWOOD -- Last year the Maplewood-Richmond Heights Blue Devils were responsible for giving the Sikeston Bulldogs its first loss of the season.
On Friday night, Sikeston wanted a little payback.
The Bulldogs got it with a 60-43 victory in its first ever trip to MRH High School in Maplewood, a suberb of St. Louis.
Not only did Sikeston avenge last year's game, but they bounced back from a disappointing overtime loss to Charleston on Wednesday.
"I was proud of how we responded," Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield said. "It's not an easy place to come play. We had a hiccup Wednesday night, but hopefully we'll get back on track and become better each day."
MRH, the state's No. 7 ranked team in Class 3, tried to slow the game down with a patient, ball-control offense. After winning the tip, they didn't attempt a shot for the first two minutes of the game.
The strategy worked as MRH (7-6) led 5-3 after one quarter of play.
The pace picked up somewhat in the second quarter as Sikeston started the period with a 10-0 run, highlighted on back-to-back 3-pointers by Chris Scott and Dominique Dyes and an inside basket by J.T. Jones to give the Bulldogs a 13-5 lead.
MRH was able to shift the momentum back and managed to tie the game at 17-17 by halftime.
"The whole plan was to slow the game down to try to take away some of the things that they do well, which is not let them get out and run and not let them get off wide open 3's and try to make sure we keep J.T. contained," MRH coach Corey Frazier said. "For the most part, we executed the game plan and I'm really excited about that."
But the second half belonged to Sikeston (10-2).
The Bulldogs started the third quarter on a 12-0 run to take a 29-17 lead and they were never seriously challenged again.
The Blue Devils got no closer than nine points the rest of the way.
"Just momentum -- Sikeston came out with one of their patented runs," Frazier said. "They jumped on us and you expect good teams to do that. I told the guys that the first three minutes of the second half is crucial. If you don't come out ready to play the first three minutes of the second half then you're going to be in trouble. And we were."
Sikeston led by as much as 39-23 in the third quarter, but the Blue Devils were able to cut the lead to 42-33 by the end of the quarter.
"We really put some good pressure on the basketball and got some points off turnovers," Holifield said. "The kids did a good job of working together, unselfish play, and attacking the rim much better in the second half than we did in the first half."
Sikeston salted the game away in the fourth quarter, going on a 16-4 run to start the period to lead 58-37 after a scoop layup by Scott with 3:22 left in the game.
Sikeston's Reese Porter tied a season-high with 19 points, with 17 coming in the second half. He was 7 of 7 from the field. Jones finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and four steals.
"J.T. did a good job and he's so unselfish," Holifield said. "Reese has really stepped up the last two games and has played as well as he's played all season. I expect him to have a great second half. I like our team and I like our kids. They stick together and they work hard."
Scott finished with nine points while Corbyn Blissett added eight points with eight assists.
MRH was led by 6-foot-5 Jaylon Matthews with 16 points.
Sikeston out-rebounded the Blue Devils 32 to 24 in the game. The Bulldogs also forced 23 turnovers while committing just 12 themselves.
"Sikeston is a good program -- a solid program," Frazier said. "I expect them to make a run in state. It's always going to be a good program. They play hard. They play well together and they're a good team. It's not just one person. They do it as a collective unit. It was a better effort than we've had the last three games and I'm really proud of them that we hung in there."
Sikeston will host Farmington on Tuesday with junior varsity starting at 6 p.m.
Sikeston 3 14 25 18 - 60
Maplewood-Richmond Heights 5 12 16 10 -- 43
SIKESTON (60) -- Reese Porter 19, J.T. Jones 13, Chris Scott 9, Corbyn Blissett 7, Ja'lon Marr 5, Jairius Ray 4, Dominique Dyes 3. FG 21, FT 9-18, F 15. (3-pointers: Blissett 1, Scott 1, Dyes 1. Fouled out: none).
MAPLEWOOD-RICHMOND HEIGHTS (43) -- Jaylon Matthews 16, Lamar Agard 7, Andrew Weaver 6, Ramon Agard 6, Reggie Gyunn 4, Tyre Taylor 2, Qwamine Jackson 2. FG 17, FT 3-9, F 15. (3-pointers: Weaver 2. Fouled out: none).