Tribe routed by defending state champion Charleston

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- The Charleston Bluejays showed the Kennett Indians why they are the defending Class 3 state champions and one of the area's most tradition-laden programs, taking a 21-point lead over the Tribe to the break on the way to a 79-49 rout here Friday night.

In other area games, it was Clarkton 86, Holcomb 63; and East Prairie 66, Hayti 49.

At Charleston, the Indians (6-10, 1-3 SEMO Conference) fell behind 21-6 after one period and trailed 39-18 at the half against a Charleston team that, while not as strong as last year's team, is still one of the best in the area.

"I talked to the kids about that before the game -- it's tradition," Kennett coach Jim Vaughan. "You walk in that gym and see all those banners and it doesn't matter who's not there anymore. What matters is what's been instilled in them."

The Bluejays blew the game open in the third quarter, outscoring Kennett 23-11 in the period to take a 62-29 lead to the final period.

"I told the kids after the game -- we got beat 30 -- but I was pleased with the fact that I didn't see any give-up," said Vaughan. "I think we tried to attack the basket more tonight than we have all year."

Charleston's Donald Dixon led all scorers with 22 points, while Brian Parham pumped in 18 and Terrell Smith finished with 10.

Jarvis Finley led the Tribe with 16 points.

Kennett is back on the court Monday when it takes on South Pemiscot in the first round of the Bootheel Conference Tournament.

East Prairie 66, Hayti 49
At Hayti, the East Prairie Eagles stunned host and state-ranked Hayti.

"We are extremely pleased with the way our kids played tonight against a very good Hayti team," said East Prairie coach Matt Schonoff. "I think this is the best game we've played all year."

With the win, East Prairie moves their record to 9-9 on the season and has now won four of their last five games.

Hayti, ranked No. 5 in Class 2, led 25-23 at the half but East Prairie rebounded in the third quarter and retook the lead 47-43. The Eagles then ran away with the game in the final quarter, outscoring Hayti 19-6.

Tony Jones led East Prairie in scoring with a game-high 26 points while M.C. Williams added 14. Scot Davis and Ryan Jones each scored 11.

Shawn Jones led Hayti (13-3) with 13 while George Hamilton and Jamestic Gooden scored 11 and 10 respectively. Hayti was held to 23 percent shooting on the night.

Hayti is off until Thursday night when it takes on the Kennett-South Pemiscot winner in the semifinals of the Bootheel Conference Tournament.