SEMO Conference Tournament: Top Teams
Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the top five teams from last weekend’s SEMO Conference Tournament in Sikeston. Cape Girardeau Central defeated Sikeston for the championship to break the Bulldogs’ four-year stranglehold on the tournament title. Cape Girardeau Central:…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the top five teams from last weekend’s SEMO Conference Tournament in Sikeston. Cape Girardeau Central defeated Sikeston for the championship to break the Bulldogs’ four-year stranglehold on the tournament title.
Cape Girardeau Central: The No. 3 seed Tigers were impressive all week in winning the championship. Their experienced backcourt of 5’8” 2020 point guard Tyrus Reddin and 6’2” 2020 Doreante’ Tucker controlled games. Reddin is a quick floor general who was disruptive on defense with his ball hawking and explosive on offense with his speed and burst off the dribble. Tucker is a creative slasher who got to the basket with regularity. He scored 24 points in the championship game victory. Both are now capable of knocking down a 3-pointer, which makes them more difficult to defend. The Tigers also unveiled a future standout in 6’6 2023 Cameron Williams, a skilled young forward with a big body and a nice shooting touch. He scored 14 points off the bench in the championship game. The Tigers were Class 4 state quarterfinalists a year ago.
Sikeston: For those who thought the winning might slow down after the Bulldogs graduated so many standout players the past two seasons; think again. Sikeston found itself playing for a fifth consecutive title after knocking off No. 1 seed and big rival Charleston in Friday night’s semifinals. The Bulldogs are built around two stellar 2020 performers in 6’0 combo guard Payton Allen and 6’4 forward Clark Steward. Howard had a tremendous tournament as he averaged about 20 points a game. He has a lot of offensive tools with floaters, mid range jumpers and a solid 3-point stroke. Steward is a point forward who has crafty moves around the basket with good ball handling and passing skills to facilitate the offense. Class of 2020 guard Leroy Atkins emerged as an offensive weapon with his consistent long range shooting while 6’1 2021 Lonas McClinton fills many roles.
Charleston: The top-seeded Bluejays we’re surprised by their rivals from Sikeston in the semifinals, but they rebounded with a convincing 81-63 victory over Kennett in the third-place game. The Bluejays are covered in three vital areas with 5’10 2020 Terridean Bogan at point guard, 6’2 2020 sharpshooter Samuel Bledsoe on the wing and 6’6 2020 All-Stater Blessin Kimble in the post. All three showed the ability to dominate stretches of games with their specific skill sets throughout the tournament. On defense, when the Bluejays got their full court press working, they could break open a close game by causing a flurry of turnovers which led to easy baskets. Charleston finished third in the Class 3 state tournament last year and have an excellent chance for another Final Four trip this season.
Kennett: The No. 7 seeded Indians made ways on opening with a first round upset of No. 2 seed Cape Girardeau Notre Dame in the first round. The leader of the upset was Quav’aun Harrell, a long and athletic 6’3 2020 wing who seemed to get buckets from everywhere. He was easily one of the best offensive players in the tournament and a new revelation for me. A good offensive compliment to Harrell was 6’3 2022 wing Ben McMullan, who displayed a consistent stroke from :-point range.
Cape Notre Dame: After their first-round loss to Kennett, the Bulldogs egrouped to win three games and the consolation title. Notre Dame has one of SEMO’s best all-around players in 6’4 2020 Justice Thoma, a solidly built wing with good handles, explosive hops and a mid range jumper that is money. 6’5 2021 forward Caleb Legrand had a very productive tournament with his scoring and shot blocking while 5’10 2020 point guard Tyler Landewee kept opposing defenders off balance with his ability to change speeds.