I have been with the Standard Democrat sports department since 2007. I took over as sports editor in May of 2011 and have been slightly crazy about sports since I can remember. I attended Southeast Missouri State University and Scott County Central High School. I co-created our sports web show "The Last Word" and my two children, Elijah and CJ. I was married to my wife, Angie, in May of 2014. I love to golf, I am an avid NBA2K gamer and root for the Fighting Irish on Saturdays.

Slight shakeup in area's Top 5 teams and players

Posted Monday, January 26, 2015, at 10:51 PM

There's a small change in this week's Top 5 teams and players after last week. There might be an even bigger shift coming up soon.

1. NMCC (17-2)
NMCC is off to its best start in school history. 17 wins in the first 19 games surpasses NMCC's previous best of 16-3 during the 2001-02 season. They will look to move on to 18 wins and stay atop this Top 5 on Tuesday when they take on South Pemiscot for their only game of the week. They'll host four-straight home games next week starting with a rematch of the SEMO Conference championship game against Poplar Bluff (Feb. 3), Caruthersville (Feb. 9), then finish out their SEMO Conference schedule with Jackson (Feb. 13) and Sikeston (Feb. 17).

2. Notre Dame (14-3)
Notre Dame kept it's second spot after breezing through wins against Advance and Saxony Lutheran last week. Poplar Bluff, however, is starting to grow on me. We'll see how long the Bulldogs of Cape County can stick after a game against Park Hills Central on Tuesday then Jackson on Friday in a rematch of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament final.

3. Poplar Bluff (14-2)
After a win at Jackson, the Mules rise to No. 3 and may continue to do so after this weekend. Poplar Bluff goes on the road to Cape Central on Friday (which I think is one of the better matchups of the season though Bluff handed Cape Central a 79-69 loss during the SEMO Conference tournament already) then take on St. Charles (18-2) for a very tough game at home on Saturday.

4. Jackson (13-5)
The Indians took a 77-62 loss from Poplar Bluff last Tuesday and slipped down a peg. They go to Pacific on Tuesday then take on Notre Dame on Friday. A win over ND will certainly shake things up a bit.

5. Cape Central (14-4)
The Tigers have a chance to make a statement this Friday when they host Poplar Bluff. Like I mentioned above, the Mules have already knocked off Cape Central by 10 earlier this year but if the Tigers pull this one off this poll will be officially busted. Cape Central has Perryville first on Tuesday but all eyes will be on Friday's very important SEMO Conference contest.

First five teams out:
Scott County Central
Charleston
Sikeston
Bernie
Senath-Hornersville

Top 5 players:
1. Blake Reynolds, Jackson, Sr.
2. Delfincko Bogan, Charleston, Sr.
3. Willie Jimerson, NMCC, Sr.
4. Chris Stocks, Poplar Bluff, Sr. (He didn't like being on the bubble so he went out and scored 25 against Jackson)
5. Andre Statam, Cape Central, Sr.

On the bubble (in no particular order):
Fred Thatch, Sikeston, Fr.
Al Young, Cape Central, Jr.
Javarcus Word, NMCC, Soph.
Jeffery Porter, SCC, Jr.
Javonta Daniel, SCC, Sr.
Quinn Poythress, Notre Dame, Sr.
Braden Wendel, Jackson, Sr.
Victor Dukes, Senath-Hornersville, Sr.
Cortez Dobbins, Malden, Sr.