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SEMO lands productive transfers to bolster thin WR groupTom DavisThe biggest positive for the Southeast Missouri State football program as it begins spring drills on Tuesday will be the fact that senior quarterback Paxton DeLaurent doesn’t have his arm in a sling any longer.
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Jackson opens girls soccer season with overwhelming winBy Jacob Blassingame ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian
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COLUMN: Hope springs eternal for SEMO when OVC slate arrives (3/18/24)By Tony Capobianco ~ Southeast MissourianAt SEMO athletics, it seems like a tradition to struggle against non-conference opponents and enter the Ohio Valley Conference slate feeling confident in the team's chances of turning the season around and making a run towards the championship. The softball team went 9-12 against non-conference opponents before dominating the OVC on their way to the regular season title. ...
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Mules open BB season with thriller over New Madrid (3/17/24)Tom DavisBERNIE – Veteran Bernie High School baseball coach Marcus Massey knew he would be counting heavily upon senior Jayden Robinett this spring. The senior athlete not only is a stellar shortstop for the perennially good Mules, but he is also Massey’s top arm on the mound.
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Road back to the top for SEMO FB continues on Tuesday (3/17/24)Tom DavisThe fact remains that in three of the past six football seasons, Southeast Missouri State has won nine games in three of those seasons (2018, 2019, 2022), won the Ohio Valley Conference championship twice (2019, 2022), and advanced to the FCS Playoffs in each of those nine-win campaigns...
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Track & Field season kicks off at the Notre Dame Frozen Invite (3/17/24)Southeast MissourianLocal athletes from all over Southeast Missouri and beyond kicked off the 2024 track and field season at the Notre Dame Frozen Invitational on Saturday, March 16, in Cape Girardeau. Five performances met the MileSplit US Second Team standard, three of which came from local athletes...
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Cape Central downs Sikeston, 1994 Tigers championship team honored (3/15/24)2By Clay HerrellA massive fifth inning propelled the Cape Central Tigers to a season opening 9-2 win over the Sikeston Bulldogs. Prior to the contest, Cape Central honored the 1994 State Championship baseball team. “It’s amazing,” Steve Williams, coach of the 1994 team said. “Some of these guys I haven’t seen in a really long time. I’ve been gone for ten years so to be able to come back with this group we have that was so special is really an awesome thing.”...
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Kelly’s Peters tabbed Scott-Mississippi MVP following breakout junior campaign (3/15/24)By Cole Lee ~ Southeast MissourianAfter leading the Kelly Hawks to both Scott-Mississippi Conference championships and a fifth-place plaque over the holidays, it was only right Ross Peters took home one more honor. The outstanding junior guard, averaging nearly 18 points a night for coach Noel Trimmer’s 21-6 Kelly Hawks, claimed the Scott-Missippi Conference Player of the Year award last weekend...
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Jenkins, Jones lead NMCC's MBCA Award sweep (3/14/24)Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratSIKESTON – New Madrid County Central's championship run has earned top recognition from the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA). Dontre Jenkins has been named Class 3 Coach of the Year, while phenom Jadis Jones claimed his second consecutive Class 3 Player of the Year Award and all-state honors...
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Irby named Bootheel Player of the Year, Fowler earns Coach of the Year (3/14/24)1Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratSIKESTON – After a stellar season that included a deep playoff run, Portageville's girls' basketball program dominated the Bootheel Conference Awards. Kellye Fowler was named Coach of the Year, leading a talented squad that saw sophomore Taryn Irby earn Player of the Year honors...
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Gorman finds perfect fit with Central Methodist (3/14/24)Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratSIKESTON — They say the best cornerbacks are rarely noticed – dictating the game in the shadows. Sikeston’s Trey Gorman took that principle to heart. Opponents actively avoided throwing his way – his 19 pass breakups and single interception spoke volumes, even within limited opportunities. His lockdown reputation, forged in the face of those challenges, ultimately earned him a spot on the Central Methodist University roster...
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Catfish coach to bring World Series experience to Capaha (3/14/24)Tom DavisThe Cape Catfish often speak of possessing a “championship culture” in every aspect of the organization, and so bringing in a player who has first-hand experience of winning the ultimate baseball championship, a World Series, only makes too much sense.
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One Dream, One Team, One Shot: Kayden Minner's unforgettable state championship moment (3/12/24)4Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratSIKESTON, Mo. — For a long time Kayden Minner fought to picture his graduation with anything but a sense of loss. But even in the cruelty of competition, there’s room for incredible victories. No high school athlete should have a medical chart as thick as their playbook, yet that's the reality he faced with three knee injuries and countless hours of rehab — a career that was a constant battle against injury, his body seemingly conspiring against his dreams...
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Ruff saves best for last (3/12/24)Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratSIKESTON — AJ Ruff wasn't supposed to steal the spotlight. Known for his slick passing, tenacious defense and steady hand guiding the New Madrid County Central offense, not the one dropping daggers. But, in the most high-stakes moments at the MSHSAA Class 3 State Championship Game, a new Ruff emerged – confident, clutch, and essential to NMCC's victory...
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Title Defense Complete, Legacy Secured: Brotherhood breeds back-to-back state titles for NMCC (3/11/24)1Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratCOLUMBIA, Mo. — Through victory and adversity, the seniors of New Madrid County Central faced every battle as a united front. Fighting back-to-back, locked arm-in-arm and constantly pushing each other to be better. It was that unshakeable brotherhood — the foundation of success — that elevated the Eagles (28-3) to a second consecutive MSHSAA Class 3 Show-Me Showdown Title with a resounding 86-65 win over Summit Christian Academy at Mizzou Arena on Saturday, March 9...
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Sikeston native wins Cage of Honor 91 main event (3/10/24)By Tony Capobianco ~ Southeast MissourianSikeston native Gavilan Bland won the middleweight title when he defeated Tavae Lewis by TKO in the second round at Cage of Honor 91 on Saturday, March 9, at the AC Base Arena. Bland went 39-5 as a high school wrestler in Sikeston, finishing his career with a fourth-place medal at the 2008 state championships. He went on to wrestle collegiately at Missouri Baptist...
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Sikeston falls in quarterfinals to Vianney (3/9/24)34Derek James ~ Special to the Standard-DemocratKIRKWOOD, Mo. – The Sikeston Bulldogs knew what they had to do to defeat Vianney in the Class 5 quarterfinals. Executing that game-plan, however, was problematic. The Golden Griffins seemed to have answers for everything the Bulldogs threw at them as they defeated Sikeston 71-54 on Saturday afternoon at St. John Vianney Catholic High School...
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NMCC wears down Thayer, advances to Class 3 title game (3/9/24)Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratCOLUMBIA, Mo. — From the opening bell, New Madrid County Central didn't just defend the court against Thayer, they owned it. The No. 1 Eagles’ (27-3) were a vise, squeezing the No. 3 Bobcats (22-9) into submission during the 57-44 victory in a semifinal bout Friday night at the 2024 Show-Me Showdown at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri...
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COLUMN: SEMO’s Hess looks to be among the best (3/9/24)By Tony Capobianco ~ Southeast MissourianWith the career Southeast Missouri State running back Geno Hess has had over his six seasons, one would think he would be a locked-in pick for the NFL Draft. Had he worn a more prolific uniform. Hess finished his Redhawk career with 5,111 rushing yards and 63 touchdowns. In 2022, he rushed for 1,691 yards and 21 scores to be voted 2023 OVC Male Athlete of the Year...
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Quincy lands Sikeston powerhouse Keodrick Sherrod (3/8/24)1Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratSIKESTON — Game film doesn't lie. Watch Keodrick Sherrod run, and a few things become clear: this kid hits the hole with force, runs with a low center of gravity, and sheds tacklers. His hard-charging style makes defenders flinch and linebackers brace for impact...
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Strikeouts and Second Chances: Mallory Lemonds signs with Mineral Area College (3/8/24)By Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratBENTON, Mo. — A back brace was a stark reminder of what Mallory Lemonds had lost. Months earlier, she dominated on the mound. Then, a devastating injury threatened to derail her dreams. But beneath that physical constraint, beneath the months of rehab and uncertainty, her determination only hardened. That resolve was rewarded as the Kelly High School senior inked her future with Mineral Area College, securing her place back on the diamond...
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Redhawks bring the boomsticks to Marshall (3/8/24)4By Tony Capobianco ~ Southeast MissourianWest Virginia, mountain momma. Take SEMO home, country road. The Southeast Missouri State baseball team travels to Marshall for a weekend series at 5 p.m., Friday, 2 p.m., Saturday, and noon Sunday, March 8-10. It will be the first-ever matchup between the Redhawks (6-8) and Thundering Herd (4-8), a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Redhawks will have the honor of being the third visiting team to play on the newly built Jack Cook Field in Huntington, West Virginia...
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Sharp's 35 points lift Austin Peay to 101-98 OT win over North Florida in ASUN Tournament (3/6/24)4Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratDemarcus Sharp, the Charleston phenom with a knack for the clutch, continues his rise on the national scene. Last night, he proved why, scoring 35 points to propel Austin Peay (19-14) to a thrilling overtime victory over North Florida (16-17) in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. ...
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NMCC sends message with 70-38 quarterfinal win over Kingston (3/5/24)Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratPARK HILLS, Mo. – New Madrid County Central’s 70-38 quarterfinal round win over Kingston wasn’t so much a contest as it was a statement to the rest of the Class 3 Field. The final score doesn’t do justice to how thoroughly the No. 1 Eagles (26-3) dominated, exposing the vast gulf between the two teams and their athletic edge against the Cougars (19-10) at Parks Hills Central High School on Saturday, March 2...
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Portageville's season ends in quarterfinal loss to Principia (3/5/24)Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratPORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — The final buzzer sounded on Portageville’s season, the 50-42 Class 2 quarterfinal loss to Principia marking a heart-wrenching end to the team’s incredible journey on Friday, March 1. As the game unfolded, the Lady Bulldogs (23-6) confidence grew, the execution sharpened, and they battled toe-to-toe with the No. 5 Lady Panthers (22-7), but initial struggles ultimately proved too much to overcome...
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Cape Catfish hire experienced, successful Texan to guide team in 2024 (3/4/24)1Tom DavisThere is a level of expectation that comes with signing up to be a part of the Cape Catfish baseball organization, and Phil Butler doesn’t find that intimidating, he embraces it.
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SEMO’s Palmer powering through start of senior season (3/4/24)By Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.comSoutheast Missouri State shortstop Ben Palmer has been on quite the offensive start three weeks into the 2024 season. The senior has not only reached base safely in every game this season but also tied his career high in home runs when he hit his fifth bomb during Saturday’s doubleheader in which SEMO swept by a combined score of 25-3...
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Big second half lifts Sikeston over Bluff in district semifinal, 82-61 (3/2/24)1Derek James ~ Special to Standard-DemocratBONNE TERRE, Mo. – All season long it seemed that Sikeston and Cape Central were on a collision course to meet in the Class 5, District 1 championship game. Saturday’s semifinal games may have been a bit more competitive than most thought it would be, but the matchup became official after top-seeded Sikeston used a big second half to pull away from fourth-seeded Poplar Bluff 82-61; and then second-seeded Cape Central held off a furious rally from third-seeded Farmington to win 52-47.. ...
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Redhawks soar past Rockets on Cameron’s walk-off homer (3/2/24)By Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.comSoutheast Missouri State outfielder Josh Cameron started Friday’s game against Toledo by robbing a potential home run and ended it with a homer of his own. On the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the ninth inning, the SEMO senior slammed a walk-off blast to lift the Redhawks over the Rockets 6-5 on March 1, at Capaha Field...
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Sikeston rolls in district opener, defeats North County 90-35 (2/29/24)1Derek James ~ Special to the Standard-DemocratBONNE TERRE, Mo. – After an outstanding regular season, the Sikeston Bulldogs lost their first and only game one week ago to a talented Father Tolton Catholic squad in Columbia. There were questions on how the Bulldogs would respond after having their undefeated season snapped in the regular season finale, but Sikeston took care of business on Thursday in the Class 5, District 1 opener, dispatching of tournament host and eighth-seeded North County, 90-35...
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Tempers flare in sectional showdown, NMCC claims hard-fought win over Charleston (2/29/24)2Dennis Marshall - Standard-DemocratCHARLESTON, Mo. — Emotions boiled over as New Madrid County Central’s fight for back-to-back state titles took a chaotic turn in a heated 74-55 sectional round win at Charleston on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Both teams put in the work, scrapping for every board and loose ball, the intensity reflecting the high stakes of the rivalry matchup. However, it was the Class 3 No. 1 Eagles’ (25-3) championship mettle and veteran poise that ultimately outmatched the Bluejays (14-15) and the charged atmosphere...
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C5D1 GBK: Defense sparks Sikeston’s win over Windsor (2/29/24)Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratHILLSBORO, Mo. — Wham! Bam! Pow! Sikeston landed blow after blow on Windsor, its pressure defense and explosive offense proving too much in a 75-59 opening-round victory in the MSHSAA Class 5 District 1 Tournament at Hillsboro High School on Wednesday, Feb. 28...
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Portageville defies all odds, erases 20-point second-half deficit in a sectional stunner (2/27/24)Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratNEELYVILLE, Mo. – Sometimes, the script flips in an instant. For Portageville, its MSHSAA Class 2 Sectional showdown against Neelyville seemed all too familiar. Yet, when all hope appeared lost, a spark of defiance ignited, and the impossible became reality...
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C3D1 BKB: NMCC rolls to fourth straight district championship (2/27/24)Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratPORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — New Madrid County Central proved once again that its talent is simply on another level with an 86-56 win over Malden in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 24. Fueled by the star power of Jadis Jones and BJ Williamson, the top-ranked Eagles (24-3) cruised the victory over the Green Wave (21-6), taking another step on their quest to defend their state title...
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SEMO Baseball reloads through JUCO transfers (2/27/24)2By Tony Capobianco ~ Southeast MissourianSoutheast Missouri State outfielder Michael Mugan hit his fourth home run of the season to lead the Redhawks to a series-salvaging 10-3 win over St. Thomas on Sunday, Feb. 25, at Capaha Field. "Kind of a frustrating weekend for us on a lot of parts," Mugan said. "We were struggling to let the ball get to us coming off that weekend at Dallas Baptist. We were out in front all weekend and we made some adjustments as a team where we weren't gonna get beat deep and just kind of let it come to me."...
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Portageville storms back to beat Lady Tigers (2/27/24)1By D'COURTLAND CHRISTIAN, Daily American RepublicNEELYVILLE — The Neelyville Lady Tigers basketball season comes to an end in this year’s Class 2 state tournament after an intense battle. While proving they were the best team in their respective districts, the Neelyville Lady Tigers clashed with the Portageville Lady Bulldogs on Monday in the first round of the Class 2 state tournament...
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Breaking: Semoball Awards fall sports finalists announced (2/26/24)By Tony Capobianco ~ Southeast MissourianThe Semoball Awards finalists for fall sports were announced Monday morning on a selection show broadcast live on SEMO ESPN Radio and streamed on the Semoball.com Facebook page. The finalists were selected by a sports panel made up of representatives from the Southeast Missourian, Standard Democrat, Dexter Statesman, Daily American Republic, and Delta Dunklin Democrat...
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Owens leads Charleston to 14th straight district title (2/25/24)By Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.comIn a district tournament with three 20+ win teams, it was two teams with sub-.500 records who played for the title. The Charleston Blue Jays defeated the hosting Notre Dame Bulldogs 71-65 to win the Class 3 District 2 championship on Saturday, Feb. 24, at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau. The two teams have met four times this season, with Charleston winning three times...
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Josh Earley reflects on his SEMO career (2/24/24)2By Clay Herrell ~ Southeast MissourianTwo season’s ago Josh Earley made the decision to transfer to Southeast Missouri State. With his time at SEMO coming to a close, Earley said he doesn’t regret his decision. “10 times out of 10 I would do it again,” Earley said. Earley was honored alongside Dylan Branson and Aquan Smart prior to Saturday’s contest in which the Redhawks lost 82-72...
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C3D1 BKB: Malden rallies for revenge over East Prairie (2/24/24)Dennis Marshall – Standard DemocratPORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Malden and East Prairie waged a thrilling battle in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Semifinal matchup on Thursday, Feb. 22. But in the end, the second-seeded Green Wave (21-5) emerged victorious with a 60-49 win over the third-seeded Eagles (21-7), avenging a recent loss and settling this season's rivalry in the process...
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C3D1 BKB: Jones’ surge leads NMCC past Portageville (2/24/24)By Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratPORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Jadis Jones's 31-point outburst powered New Madrid County Central to an 80-52 victory over Portageville in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 semifinal on Thursday, Feb. 22. The fourth-seeded Bulldogs (17-11) challenged the top-seeded Eagles (23-3) throughout the first half, trailing by just 35-33 at the break. However, Jones took over after halftime, scoring 15 points in the third quarter alone to propel the team to a decisive win...
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New pitch calling system changing the game for Redhawks baseball (2/23/24)By Clay Herrell ~ Southeast MissourianTechnology has continued to make its way into the game of baseball. It is now making its way to the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks baseball program as a donation of the Gameday Signals electronic pitch-calling system has changed things for the Redhawks...
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Veteran Oran hoop coach calls it a career after storied run (2/23/24)3Tom DavisBLOOMFIELD – Midway through its MSHSAA Class 2 District 3 semifinal boy’s basketball game on Thursday against top seed Puxico, Oran had pulled to within 43-40 and were scaring the bejesus out of any fan wearing orange and black. “Oran is always going to be prepared,” Indian coach Bryant Fernetti said after his team pulled away for a 74-62 win. “They are probably going to change things up, give you different looks, and they are going to play really, really hard.” That last statement couldn’t describe a team coached by veteran Eagle coach Joe Shoemaker more so.
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C2D3 BKB: Top-seed Puxico pulls away for W over stubborn Oran (2/23/24)Tom DavisBLOOMFIELD – The Puxico High School varsity boy’s basketball squad has been here before. Literally.
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Johnson scores 39 as Notre Dame knocks of Kelly in C3D2 semis (2/23/24)By Tony Capobianco ~ Southeast MissourianJeremy Brinkmeyer went to Kelly after being an assistant coach at Notre Dame to coach the Hawks for two years before returning to run the Bulldogs this year. The fates of his current team and the seniors he once coached collied in the Class 3 District 2 semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 22, with the Bulldogs winning 69-59 and advancing to the C3D2 title game on Saturday, Feb. 24...
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Slow start dooms Sikeston as Jackson storms to victory (2/22/24)1Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratSIKESTON — Jackson stormed past Sikeston 50-29 at the Field House on Wednesday, Feb. 21, ending the Lady Bulldogs' (11-12) five-game winning streak. The Lady Indians (14-8) came out firing, with Lilly Watkins scoring all 10 of her points in the first quarter to help build a 21-7 lead...
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C3D1 BKB: Portageville edges Caruthersville in dramatic finish (2/22/24)Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratPORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Controversy and clutch plays defined the final seconds of Portageville’s 75-74 victory over Caruthersville in a MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 Tournament opener on Tuesday, Feb. 20, as a technical foul for a premature celebration became the turning point in a stunning finish...
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C1D2 BKB: SCC rallies for 73-65 win over Delta (2/22/24)Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-DemocratESSEX, Mo. — Despite missing key players, Scott County Central refused to go down without a fight, pulling off a thrilling 72-65 victory over Delta in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 1, District 2 Tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 20. "We knew we were walking into this one with a short bench,” said SCC coach Tim Carlisle. ...
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COLUMN: For ‘gritty’ Redhawks, first win felt like a long time coming (2/22/24)By Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.comIt was no coincidence that the first home game of the 2024 baseball season at Southeast Missouri State University was a mid-60 degree day. The sun was out with no sign of winter weather to be seen or felt, and just enough wind for the Redhawks to take advantage of, as they rallied in the sixth inning to beat Murray State 8-7 on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Capaha Field...
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600 Wins and Counting: Holifield reflects on milestones and memories (2/21/24)Derek James ~ Special to the Standard-DemocratSIKESTON, Mo. – It’s more than just red and black for Gregg Holifield. It’s the roar of the Field House, the faces in the stands, the generations of fans who bleed Sikeston pride. With 600 wins, his legacy isn’t just personal – it’s woven into the fabric of this town. Today, he opens up his playbook and invites us to walk down memory lane, reliving the moments that shaped him, his players and the very heart of Sikeston basketball...
Sports
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Girls Soccer: Kelly at Jackson (3/18/24)The Jackson Indians defeated the Kelly Hawks 15-0 Monday, March 18 in Jackson, Mo.
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Notre Dame Frozen Invitational (3/16/24)Local athletes kick off the track & field season at Notre Dame High School on March 16.
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SEMO Baseball vs. Western Kentucky (3/16/24)Southeast Missouri State defeated Western Kentucky 8-7 on Saturday, Marck 16 at Capaha Field.
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NMCC at 2024 Class 3 Show-Me Showdown (3/11/24)Photos from New Madrid County Central's a 86-65 win over Summit Christian Academy in the MSHSAA Class 3 State Championship at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
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Cage of Honor 91 (3/10/24)Sikeston native Gavilan Bland defeated Tavae Lewis to win the 185-lb pro title at Cage of Honor 91 on Saturday, March 9, at the AC Base Arena.