Basketball

Fourth-year Puxico High School boy’s basketball coach Bryant Fernetti, who also serves as the school’s athletic director, has no one to blame but himself when he takes a glance at the Indians’ non-conference schedules this winter.

The FSCB Holiday Classic expands to 16 teams for the first time in its history. Discover the teams to watch, returning stars, and contenders for the title in this December's basketball showdown.

The good news emanating from Dexter High School athletics is that the Bearcat football program is involved in a historically successful season.

The Dexter High School girls basketball program has strung together three consecutive non-losing seasons, but if the Bearcats hope to make it four successful seasons, it is going to take a good dose of coaching acumen from veteran leader Eric Sitze and a whole lot of Kate Nichols.

ST CHARLES, Mo. — A tenacious defender with a knack for getting to the rim, Jadis Jones has always been a step ahead of the competition, and his immediate impact on the Division I level at Lindenwood University has been undeniable. This week, the Ohio Valley Conference recognized his stellar debut by naming him Freshman of the Week, a promising start to what could be a stellar college career...

The Woodland High School girl’s basketball team recently wrapped up its initial week of “official” practice as it “tries to build off the successes that we’ve had the last few years,” according to veteran Cardinal coach Paul Lynch.

“Tonight, we honor the boys that turned into men, and the men who turned into leaders,” Sarah Holt proclaimed as she inducted the 2004 and 2005 PBHS Mules basketball teams into the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of fame on Thursday. “These championships were built on their coaches and their families.”...

Tickets for the 36th Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet are on sale for the ceremony to be held Thursday, Oct. 10, at E.T. Peters Gym. Tyler Hansbrough, Ben Hansbrough and the 2003-04 and 2004-05 PBHS Mules basketball teams will be honored that evening...

The lore of athleticism flowing through the halls of Caruthersville High School over time has been a storied one.

Darrin Scott, former Jackson High basketball coach, embraces a new role at Saxony Lutheran, driven by faith and community impact. At a recent FCA Prayer Breakfast, Scott emphasized the power of prayer in coaching.

In a move designed to enhance convenience and efficiency, Sikeston Athletics has announced the adoption of a cashless ticketing system for football, basketball, and volleyball games. Starting with the upcoming season, fans will have the option to purchase tickets online at https://www.gobound.com/mo/schools/sikeston using a credit or debit card...

SIKESTON — Namarius Banks-Warren, a recent graduate of Scott County Central and a talented athlete, has signed to play at Missouri Valley College. While the Vikings may not be a powerhouse program, they offer Banks an opportunity to continue his athletic career and pursue his dream of becoming a first-generation college graduate...

Saxony Lutheran announced on Friday, August 23, that former Jackson coach Darrin Scott has been hired as the Crusaders' boys basketball coach. Scott last coached the Indians in 2022, finishing with a 14-14. He coached the Indians for 18 years and won eight district championships since 2010...

SIKESTON — Aiming to build momentum this upcoming season after several challenging years, Sikeston is eager to get back to competing at a high level. While the road ahead may be tough, the Bulldogs are determined to prove themselves and make a positive impact on the field...

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) has fired the starting gun on a new era for high school basketball, giving the green light for a 35-second shot clock in select varsity tournaments and shootout events. This game-changing decision, approved by the MSHSAA Board of Directors on June 13, 2024, is set to inject a dose of high-octane action into the Missouri high school hoops scene. ...

The month of August may not bring basketball to the minds of many, but if you are a really talented high school hoopster, then there isn’t a month on the calendar when working on your game can be dismissed.

SIKESTON — A familiar face from the hardwood is returning to the Sikeston Field House, but this time on the sidelines. Parker Long, who helped lead the Bulldogs to a 52-5 record and a third-place finish in 2018, has been named an assistant coach. “He was ready to come back to this area after graduation and fortunately, we had a position open,” said Sikeston head coach Gregg Holifield. ...

SIKESTON — The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is set to welcome a new class of legends, and among them is a powerhouse basketball program that has dominated the hardwood for decades. The Charleston Boys Basketball Program, a perennial contender with a storied history, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Tuesday, September 17, at the Cape Girardeau Drury Plaza Hotel & Convention Center...

The Woodland High School varsity boy’s basketball squad wrapped up its summer training recently in a harried fashion.

The adage in sports is often that staying on top of achievements can be more difficult than the climb upward, but veteran Risco High School boy’s basketball coach Brandon Blankenship envisions his 2024-25 squad being capable of doing that this coming season after watching the work his athletes put in this summer. “We are bringing back a ton of experience,” Blankenship said after recently watching his team battle Puxico in a scrimmage at Delta High School.

It’s been eight years since the last time Bell City finished with a winning boys basketball record. In that time, the Cubs have accrued just 18 wins. Take off last year, it’s 10 wins. Take off the past two years, it’s just five wins in five seasons...

MALDEN, Mo. - Malden High School boys basketball finished their summer training in preparation for the 2024 through 2025 season. Head basketball coach Mike Kilgore said his main focus was on development this summer. While losing some key seniors, he just wants to make sure the younger players on his roster are ready to step up when the season starts...

Part of a generational class that helped transcend the Ladycats into a Class 1 powerhouse, Addison Nichols of Delta got top honors at the 2024 Semoball Awards as this year’s My Daddy’s Cheesecake Girls Basketball Athlete of the Year. One of Southeast Missouri’s leading scorers, Nichols got a reputation around the boot for being ice cold from distance, and it showed with her clutch performance up and down the area...

DELTA – Often is the case in the off-season that fans can’t get a grasp on how good a team will be during scrimmages or open gyms. That doesn’t apply to the Puxico High School boy’s basketball squad.

DELTA – The Bell City High School varsity boy’s basketball squad was much improved last winter for several reasons, including a much-improved offense. The Cubs averaged over 52 points per game, which was the most productive that the program had been since 2017.

DELTA – Being physically active might be a problem in the world of some teenagers throughout America, but that doesn’t include Risco High School senior athlete Sammy Smith.

SIKESTON, Mo. – The path to college basketball is rarely a straight line, but for Asher Britt, every challenge has been met with the same quiet intensity: a refusal to fail. From a season-ending injury to balancing a demanding academic workload, the newly minted Semoball Scholar-Athlete has consistently found ways to overcome obstacles and excel both on and off the court. ...

Part of a Woodland team that’s taken such a big step forward over the past few years, Korbin Kinder’s junior season quickly approaches, and he’s looking to take the Cardinals basketball team to newer, greater heights. The Cardinals, having struck together more than 20 wins last season but falling short early in district play, had a mixed bag when looking back on their 2024 season, with many highs and many lows...

PUXICO – Ben Sindle has been guiding the Bloomfield High School varsity boys basketball program for 12 months, but the roller-coaster ride that he and his Wildcat athletes have endured may make it seem longer.

SIKESTON — The future of Sikeston basketball was on full display at the YMCA Tuesday, as dozens of young Bulldogs dribbled, passed, and shot their way through a high-energy camp designed to develop their skills and love for the game. Led by Sikeston varsity coaches and players, the four-day camp, which concludes Thursday, is broken into two sessions – first through fourth grade in the morning, and fifth through eighth grade in the afternoon...

PUXICO – There wasn’t a lot NOT to like about how the Puxico High School varsity boy’s basketball team played last winter, particularly at the defensive end of the court.

High school athletes returned to the fields, diamonds, gyms, and weight rooms this week following a mandated week break by the MSHSAA last week, and no school is seeking to continue its positive mojo more so than those athletes and coaches at Caruthersville High School.

DEXTER – The South Pemiscot High School boy’s basketball squad showed last winter that it could handle high-pressure situations, as it surprised many by advancing to the MSHSAA Class 2 State Finals and finishing fourth. However, with six of its top seven players returning for the 2024-25 season, the question remains how will that group handle significantly higher expectations?

MALDEN, Mo. - Quamareous Farmer approached his senior basketball season filled with nerves. After battling an ankle injury his junior year, he was unsure how he would be able to come back and perform. He was unsure if he would be able to play at all...

DEXTER – The first two seasons of Jackson High School basketball under Indian Coach Kory Thoma have gone extremely well. Under his guidance, the Indians have combined for 40 wins and an appearance in the MSHSAA Class 6 State Finals in 2023, where his team took fourth place.

PUXICO - The Puxico Indians’ basketball squad has stayed busy during the summer, and the head coach Bryant Fernetti said the focus is to grind and get better. The Indians are looking to build on last year’s historic state tournament run by taking part in a number of camps and leagues to enhance their skills and strengthen their team dynamic. ...

It’s no secret that the Dexter High School varsity boy’s basketball program took a step in the wrong direction last season.

Dom Guglielmo has traversed this country throughout his life being a “military kid and a football coach.” Two-plus years ago, he moved to Caruthersville to serve as a physical education teacher and varsity football coach, and he has seemingly found a home.

In the previous seven basketball seasons leading up to last winter, the Bernie High School boy’s squad had never endured a losing record, and it had never averaged fewer than 55.7 points per game for the season.

BROSELEY — Twin Rivers High School wasted no time filling its head basketball coaching position for the Royals. After spending six years under longtime coach Seth McBroom, who took the coaching position at Kennett, the Royals will be under direction for next season...

SIKESTON — In a major boost for Southeast Missouri State and the Bootheel region, Sikeston High School standout PJ Farmer has committed to play college basketball for the Redhawks. The versatile 6-foot-2 rising senior guard is one of the most coveted recruits in the state. His commitment marks a significant victory for SEMO coach Brad Korn, who has been actively pursuing Farmer throughout his high school career...

The Richland Rebels boys basketball team finished one of their most successful seasons in recent memory with a loss in the Class 1 quarterfinal against eventual state champion Chadwick. For a team who finished 14-14 in 2023, a 23-8 record with a quarterfinal appearance is a big win but the Rebels are itching to get back on top...

The Mavericks, a basketball team playing in the 2024 Summer Boys High School Basketball League at the Cape Girardeau Sportsplex, are a group of friends who decided to create their own team. A few of the boys have played for the Cape Central Tigers while others have not made the team for one reason or another...

The Delta Bobcats finished the 2023-24 boys' basketball season with seven wins for the second straight year. With a team full of sophomores transitioning into juniors, playing in summer events such as the Rib City Classic in Poplar Bluff on May 31 and the Chaffee Varsity Summer Shootout, which just concluded on Wednesday, June 5, is paying dividends for the team's development...

DONIPHAN — The Doniphan Donettes basketball team will look to enhance its competition for next season with the addition of its new basketball tournament. The Donettes will host the inaugural River City Classic, a new eight-team girls basketball tournament consisting of some of the best teams in the area. The tournament will be at Doniphan High School from Dec. 2-7 and is sponsored by River City Coffee & Tea...

The lore of athleticism flowing through the halls of Caruthersville High School over time has been a storied one.

Behind first-year head coach Noel Trimmer, Kelly Hawks basketball is coming off one of their best seasons in recent memory. The team finished with a 21-6 record and reached the Class 3 District 2 semifinal where they fell to a well-shooting Notre Dame team, led by former head coach Jeremy Brinkmeyer...

After a month-long coaching search following the resignation of longtime head coach Drew Church, Cape Central announced its selection of Lamont Frazier to be the next head coach of its boys basketball team on Tuesday. Frazier, a native of Charleston, Missouri, is no stranger to the area, nor is he a stranger to coaching in the area as he previously coached at Poplar Bluff back in the early 2010s...

After what some may call a disappointing 2023-24 season for Advance hoops, the Hornets jumped right into summer league ready to step things up. Four out of the Hornets’ six wins came in the final month of the season and got the squad into the Class 2 District 3 Championship game against Puxico. With a new coach in Dalton Wilson, it took Advance a while to gel as a team, but success followed once they did...

DONIPHAN - The winning legacy of the Doniphan Donettes basketball program will be upheld for many years to come thanks to head coach Adam Epps and members of the Donettes basketball team. The Donettes hosted their annual Donette Basketball Youth Skills Camp last week and the participation for the event continues to grow each year. Epps, along with members of the team, opened their gym to work with young girls who were interested in enhancing their skills...