December 17, 2016
Sikeston rolls past rival Notre Dame in tribute to longtime announcer
SIKESTON -- Last Friday, the Sikeston Bulldogs were flying high after clinching the SEMO Conference Tournament title with a win over Jackson in the championship game. Just three days later the mood changed as the team, and all of Sikeston, learned of the sudden passing of Bob Depro, longtime teacher and Sikeston Bulldogs public address announcer for decades...
By Derek James ~ Standard Democrat
SIKESTON -- Last Friday, the Sikeston Bulldogs were flying high after clinching the SEMO Conference Tournament title with a win over Jackson in the championship game.
Just three days later the mood changed as the team, and all of Sikeston, learned of the sudden passing of Bob Depro, longtime teacher and Sikeston Bulldogs public address announcer for decades.
Before Friday night's contest against Notre Dame, Depro's legacy was honored with a video tribute while the Bulldog Bleacher Bums and Red Peppers left flowers in his empty seat at the scorer's table of the Field House.
It was a heartfelt and somber moment for all in attendance, yet somehow Sikeston had to wipe away the tears and play a basketball game.
Despite dealing with the emotions of losing a beloved teacher and friend, Sikeston dominated Notre Dame for a 75-33 SEMO Conference win.
For Sikeston sophomore Kevin Jones, he, like every other player on the team, has never known a time when Depro wasn't calling the game.
"We all set out that we were going to beat Notre Dame for Mr. Depro and that game was dedicated to him," Jones said. "We put our all into it. It's going to be awkward not hearing that 'Kevin Jones for 3' or 'Fred Thatch for 3' but we're all going to work through it knowing his spirit's still there and he's still there with us, so we'll push through."
Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield, who has been the head coach of the Bulldogs since 1998, said Depro did not miss a single game in his 18 years coaching the team.
He said the players took the news hard throughout the week.
"He was really important to our kids," Holifield said. "Mr. Depro meant a lot to every one of us and so many of our guys have grown up knowing Sikeston basketball for years and they've been in this Field House from the first grade on and they were upset by the news and I thought they played emotional tonight. He really meant a lot to them."
In a show of class and solidarity, Notre Dame showed its support and respect with its players wearing red socks, its large student body that made the trip to Sikeston decked out in red, and its coaches dressed in red.
Notre Dame coach Paul Unterreiner also wrote a letter earlier in the week to the Sikeston team and coaching staff offering his condolences and support, which was signed by the entire Notre Dame basketball team.
"Coach Unterreiner called me earlier in the week after he learned of Mr. Depro's passing and that just shows you the class organization they have," Holifield said. "It really puts in perspective the important things in life. Seeing the way Notre Dame handled this difficult time for us, I have nothing but the utmost respect for their coaching staff, team and their school. That was a very classy thing for them to do and I expect nothing less from them."
As for the game, Sikeston held a 13-8 lead in the first quarter before Notre Dame managed to tie things up at 13-13 after a 3-pointer by Noah Arnzen at the buzzer.
Sikeston (6-0, 2-0 SEMO Conference) took over from there as junior Don Larry scored three straight baskets on a follow-up tip-dunk and back-to-back steals and layups to trigger a 10-0 run.
Notre Dame (3-4, 0-3 SEMO) was still in striking distance at 23-15 after a Dawson Dohogne basket, but Sikeston finished the half on a 16-3 run to take a 39-18 lead into halftime.
Sikeston out-scored Notre Dame 26-5 in the second quarter.
"I thought we settled down after the first quarter and we played much better," Holifield said. "I thought our intensity was good defensively. We scored some points off turnovers and rebounded the ball well in the second quarter on. That's the key to our success, we've got to play hard, pressure the ball and rebound. We started attacking the basket which helped us."
Sikeston continued the roll in the third quarter, out-scoring Notre Dame 30-10 to take a 69-28 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
"Our defense was a big key," Jones said. "We've worked so hard trying to get better and develop it. Our defense is what helped us make the game a bigger score."
Sikeston forced 19 turnovers against Notre Dame and only had six turnovers themselves.
The Bulldogs also dominated the boards, grabbing 40 rebounds in the game to Notre Dame's 20.
Sikeston's Fred Thatch led all players with 26 points, 16 rebounds, six assists and two steals, all coming in three quarters of action.
"I thought Fred was great on the boards," Holifield said. "He was aggressive. He was attacking the glass. If Fred's doing that then we have a chance to have a really good team."
Larry had a season-high 13 points with five rebounds and three steals.
"I thought Don's effort was outstanding," Holifield said. "He really played well. He works hard and I was pleased to see him have some success."
Jones finished with nine points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Sikeston will be off until Dec. 27 when they play in the St. Dominic Christmas Tournament. The defending champion and top-seeded Bulldogs will play No. 8 seed Lutheran-St. Charles at 6 p.m. in the first round of the tournament.
Notre Dame 13 5 10 5 -- 33
Sikeston 13 26 30 6 -- 75
NOTRE DAME (33) -- Brandon Noel 6, Winston Welter 5, Carter Dame 5, Kam Dohogne 5, Dawson Dohogne 4, Blake Bauwens 4, Noah Arnzen 3, Thomas Crippen 1. FG 8, FT 5-11, 19. (3-pointers: K. Dohogne 1, Arnzen 1, Bauwens 1, Welter 1. Fouled out: none).
SIKESTON (75) -- Fred Thatch 26, Don Larry 13, Kevin Jones 9, Trey Jenkins 7, Payton Howard 7, Phayzun Fobbs 4, Jason Moore 4, Dylon Mills 3, Camden Sapp 1, JeQuan Ray 1. FG 26, FT 17-28, F 15. (3-pointers: Howard 1, Thatch 1. Fouled out: none).
__Junior varsity__
The Sikeston J.V. team dropped its first game of the season with a 56-49 loss to Notre Dame, which avenged a defeat to Sikeston in the Notre Dame Junior Varsity Tournament in November.
Sikeston (5-1) led 41-38 entering the fourth quarter but couldn't hold on.
Sikeston was led by Payton Howard with 15 points. JeQuan Ray had 12 points and Clark Steward added 11 points with seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. B.J. Hill had seven rebounds and seven assists.
Notre Dame 11 11 16 18 -- 56
Sikeston 16 13 12 8 -- 49
NOTRE DAME (56) -- Crippen 13, Dohogne 11, Halter 9, Compas 7, Dannenmueller 7, Parker 6, Floyd 3. FG 14, FT 10-17, F 13. (3-pointers: Halter 3, Dohogne 1, Floyd 1, Dannenmueller 1. Fouled out: none).
SIKESTON (49) -- Payton Howard 15, JeQuan Ray 12, Clark Steward 11, Ricky Scott 4, Colby Henson 3, B.J. Hill 2, Kenyon Smith 2. FG 18, FT 7-12, F 16. (3-pointers: Henson 1, Ray 1. Fouled out: none).
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