Five Takeaways: A look at Sikeston
The Sikeston Bulldogs have been a premier program down in Southeast Missouri for a number of years. This year is no different as the Bulldogs are currently 16-1 and again one of the top contending teams in Class 4. The Bulldogs rolled into the St. Louis area over the weekend and came away with the championship of the Fort Zumwalt North Tournament. Sikeston defeated Priory 83-53 in the championship game on Saturday.
Sikeston has had its season stopped by eventual state champion Vashon in the state tournament the past two seasons. They lost an overtime thriller to the Wolverines in the 2016 state semifinals and last year in the state quarterfinals. A potential trip to the Final Four this season means that Sikeston would have to see Vashon, St. Mary’s or perhaps Confluence Academy in the state quarterfinals again, so the road is not easy.
Here are five takeaways from what we witnessed from the Sikeston Bulldogs:
Fred Thatch is the go-to guy.
The powerful 6’3″ 2018 guard recently surpassed the 2,000-point mark and became the school’s career leading scorer in the same game. Thatch is a physical force on the court as he can muscle his way in the paint to get buckets and rebounds. He is also a fine perimeter player with the ability to knock down jumpers and drop dimes. A Saint Louis U. signee, Thatch has been a star at Sikeston for four varsity seasons and any hopes of a deep postseason run by the Bulldogs’ start with him.
Fred Thatch has plenty of help
The Bulldogs have plenty of firepower on the perimeter to compliment Thatch. 2019 guard Kevin Jones is an energizer bunny whose motor is constantly moving. Jones is perfect for Sikeston’s full-court pressure defense as he’s in constant motion and shooting the passing lanes. He is also very good in transition. The Bulldogs have also been bolstered by the addition of 6’1″ 2019 twin guards Parker and Owen Long, who came to Missouri from Jasper, AL. Parker Long is a sweet-shooting guard with excellent range while Owen Long is a nice point guard who can also shoot it. And coming off the bench is 5’11” 2020 guard Peyton Howard, a talented player with good shooting range and a nice feel for the game.
Emergence of Trey Jenkins
The development of 6’7″ 2019 forward Trey Jenkins has a low-post threat has provided the Bulldogs with an added dimension. A three-year varsity player, Jenkins established himself as a strong rim protector on defense early in his career. As his career progresses, Jenkins has continued to improve on offense as he has enjoyed some big scoring games during the season.
Meet the press
Any team that faces Sikeston had better be ready to face full-court pressure for the full 32 minutes. The Bulldogs pick up opposing teams when they get off the bus and there’s really no let-up as they bring in waves of players in an effort to wear down the opposition. A big example of that pressure was in Saturday’s championship game when they led Priory 26-23 with four minutes left in the first half. A close game turned into a rout as the Bulldogs’ pressure kicked in during a 15-0 run to take a 41-23 lead at halftime.
Future is bright
The graduation of Thatch after the 2018 season means that Sikeston will be losing what is probably the best player in the school’s history. However, there will be a strong nucleus returning with Kevin Jones, the Long twins and Peyton Howard on the perimeter and Jenkins to anchor the inside play.