SJHS girls fall to Cape Central

Sikeston's Mercedes Turner (13) tries to put up a shot.

SIKESTON - Sikeston's eighth grade girls basketball team hosted a doubleheader with Cape Central on Monday night at the Sikeston Middle School.

In the "B" game, Central led 18-3 at halftime and never looked back, defeating Sikeston 38-5 in the contest.

Sikeston jumped out to an early 6-0 lead in the first quarter of the "A" game, but Central responded in the second half to down Sikeston 20-16.

Sikeston led 8-6 at the half, but Central outscored the Lady Bullpups 10-4 in the third quarter to erase the first half deficit. Central used a full-court press in the third that caused turnover problems for Sikeston.

Taking advantage of Sikeston miscues, Central went on a 10-0 run that covered much of the third quarter.

Sikeston's Vonteria Applewhite hit a 15-foot jump shot at the buzzer to end the run by Central. After three quarters of action, Central led 16-12.

The Lady Bullpups didn't quit after Central led 18-12 midway through the fourth quarter. Mercedes Turner hit a key jump shot that kick-started a 4-0 run and Sikeston trailed 18-16 with 45 seconds left in the contest.

Central hit a lay up with 20 seconds to play and Sikeston could not dent the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Central held on to a 20-16 victory over Sikeston.

Applewhite led Sikeston with 10 points, while Turner chipped in six points for the only two scorers for the Lady Bullpups.

The eighth graders will be back in action today on the road at 6 p.m. against Poplar Bluff.