Sikeston rolls over DeSoto 89-38

Sikeston's Jairius Ray looks to pass around a DeSoto defender on Thursday night at the Sikeston Field House. (David Jenkins photo)

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston senior class went out in style on Thursday in their final regular season game of the season.

The Bulldogs routed DeSoto 89-38 on Senior Night at the Field House to improve to 21-3 on the season to head into the district tournament next week on a positive note.

The Sikeston seniors improved to 101-11 in their four-year varsity career to tie them with last year's seniors as the winningest class in school history.

And Thursday night was a time of recognition for the eight seniors on the Bulldog roster.

"I'm proud of our seniors," Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield said. "They've had a great career and hopefully we can continue on. They've been great workers and part of great programs. I couldn't be more pleased. It's an entire team effort. When these guys were freshmen they were out here competing against our varsity every day which helped us get into a position to go undefeated state champs, and they've continued on throughout their career. They've been a part of four special teams."

Sikeston blitzed DeSoto from the start and never looked back. They raced out to a 33-13 first quarter lead and a 58-21 lead at halftime.

"I thought we came out aggressive," Holifield said. "We were attacking and got some shot opportunities that were falling and that allowed us to build a lead. It was just a good effort all around."

The Bulldogs forced 29 turnovers on the Dragons, 22 of which came in the first half. They out-rebounded DeSoto 32 to 12

Sikeston carried a 76-32 lead into the fourth quarter to trigger the mercy clock.

Sikeston has defeated DeSoto six straight times, including twice in the playoffs, last losing to the Dragons in 2004.

Sikeston's seniors combined for 68 points in the game.

Chris Scott led the way with 16 points and six assists. Reese Porter had 13 points and Jairius Ray added 10.

Sikeston received the top seed in the Class 4, District 1 Tournament. They will play the winner of fourth-seeded Kennett and fifth-seeded Dexter on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

"We had a very good regular season but now a new season begins with districts," Holifield said. "We still have goals we want to reach and hopefully we can continue to play well."

DESOTO (38) -- Shawn Leonard 7, Grant Fauth 7, Clay Thomas 6, Robbie Nickelson 6, Brendan Roland 5, Hayden Radford 3, Jeremy Edwards 2, Ryan Snudden 2. FG 12, FT 5-6, F 15. (3-pointers: Radford 1, Leonard 1, Fauth 1. Fouled out: none).

SIKESTON (89) -- Chris Scott 16, Reese Porter 13, Jairius Ray 10, J.T. Jones 8, Dominique Dyes 8, Corbyn Blissett 6, Luke Williams 6, Dantrell Brown 5, Marqese Parks 5, Zach Harrison 5, Juwon Kimble 3, Steven Baker 2, Ja'lon Marr 2. FG 30, FT 11-17, F 7. (3-pointers: Scott 3, Brown 1, Parks 1, Harrison 1. Fouled out: none).

Junior varsity

Sikeston 68, DeSoto 13

Sikeston's J.V. team finished its season with a 17-2 record after a 68-13 win over DeSoto's junior varsity.

Sikeston led 23-2 after one quarter and 40-5 by halftime.

The Bulldogs were led by Juwon Kimble's 14 points. Sam Cox scored 13 points and Ja'lon Marr added 11.

The junior varsity Bulldogs set its own milestones this year, including winning the SEMO Conference regular season J.V. title for the seventh time in eight years.

DESOTO (13) -- Matt Zerillo 4, Zach Smith 3, Ryan Snudden 3, Grant Fauth 3. FG 4, FT 2-5, F 9. (3-pointers: Fauth 1. Fouled out: none).

SIKESTON (68) -- Juwon Kimble 14, Sam Cox 13, Ja'lon Marr 11, Antonio Bennett 8, Kentrez Pope 6, Phayzun Fobbs 5, Deterio Newman 5, Donnell Cobb 4, Victwon Riley 2. FG 28, FT 6-10, F 9. (3-pointers: Newman 1, Cox 1. Fouled out: none).