Welcome to the Holiday Hoops Edition!
It’s the 29th Annual First State Community Bank Holiday Classic, and the opening round did not disappoint. We had stars showing out, wild finishes, and one game so bizarre, it might go straight into the Southeast Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame — if there is one. Let’s break it all down.
Perryville Pirates Outpace Oak Ridge Bluejays
Let’s kick things off with No. 8 Perryville taking on No. 9 Oak Ridge. And folks, let me tell you, Aby Amberger is putting together one heck of a season. She dropped 27 points on Oak Ridge to lead Perryville to a 54-43 win. The Pirates started slow but found their rhythm late and pulled away in the fourth.
For Oak Ridge, Madyson Ruehling continues to light it up, adding another 26 points to her already impressive season. But it wasn’t enough, as Perryville moves on to face top-seeded Jackson on Sunday.
Woodland Cruises Behind Massa’s Big Night
Next up, the No. 4 Woodland Cardinals took care of business against No. 13 Scott City, winning 53-29. How about sophomore Addyson Massa? She’s on her way to becoming a star in Southeast Missouri hoops. The sophomore phenom scored 26 points, showcasing her range and ability to take over a game.
Woodland’s defense was just as impressive, forcing turnovers and turning them into buckets in transition. For Scott City, Skylar Watson led the way with 11 points, but the Rams couldn’t keep up with Woodland’s firepower. The Cardinals will face Scott County Central in the quarterfinals.
Nikki Adams Carries Scott County Central
Speaking of Scott County Central, senior Nikki Adams proved why she’s one of the best players in the area, putting up 34 points to lead the Bravettes past No. 12 Kelly, 59-56. Adams was an absolute force in the post, scoring at will and keeping Kelly at arm’s length every time they made a run.
Kelly didn’t go quietly, though. Kaylee Still led the Hawks with 15 points, and Cecily Hall chipped in 11. But in the end, Scott County Central held on for the win and advanced to a matchup with Woodland.
St. Vincent Scores 102 Straight Points
No. 2 St. Vincent faced No. 15 Meridian, and folks, this one got out of hand in a hurry. Meridian opened the game with a free throw to take a 3-0 lead. That was their last bucket. St. Vincent proceeded to score 102 straight points in one of the most dominant performances you’ll ever see. Is that a state record? We don’t know, but it’s worth a phone call.
Rylee Robinson led the Indians with 21 points, including five three-pointers. Six St. Vincent players finished in double figures as the Indians showed why they’re one of the top Class 2 teams in the state. Meridian, to their credit, competed to the final buzzer, but this one was all St. Vincent.
Saxony Lutheran Pulls the First Upset
Hosting No. 10 Saxony Lutheran pulled off the day’s first upset, defeating No. 7 Meadow Heights 58-31. Freshman Kenzie Keys led the Crusaders with 14 points, showing poise beyond her years. Saxony found itself in a hole early but dominated the second half, going on a massive run to put the game away.
Meadow Heights got 11 points from Jaycee Shelton, but they couldn’t find answers for Saxony’s defense after halftime. Saxony moves on to face St. Vincent, while Meadow Heights will try to regroup in the consolation bracket.
Cape Central Wins OT Thriller Over Chester
Now, let’s talk about chaos. No. 6 Cape Central faced No. 11 Chester in a game that had everything — a big comeback, a technical foul, an intentional foul, and a clutch shot to send it to overtime. In the end, junior Abigail Davenport hit a dagger with 10 seconds left in OT to give Cape Central a 62-61 victory.
Brooklynn Moss led the Tigers with 15 points, while Davenport added 13 despite battling through an injury. Chester’s Lexie Mott was incredible in the loss, scoring 25 points and keeping the Jackets in it until the very end. Cape Central advances to face Delta, but make no mistake — this game was an instant classic.
Delta Survives Wild Game Against Cairo
If you thought the Cape-Chester game was wild, you haven’t heard about Delta vs. Cairo. Third-seeded Delta rolled to a 77-31 win, but the story was Cairo’s roster. They had 11 players listed on their roster, but only showed up with five players. One got injured in the third quarter. Another got hit in the face with a pass from her own teammate and left with a bloody nose. Two more fouled out late in the fourth quarter – on purpose. By the end, Cairo was down to one lonely player trying to survive against Delta.
For Delta, it was business as usual. Grace Ancell led the way with 21 points, while Jade Berry added 12. The Ladycats move on to face Cape Central in what promises to be a competitive quarterfinal.
Final Thoughts
Day 1 of the Holiday Classic had a little bit of everything. From Nikki Adams putting on a clinic to St. Vincent’s jaw-dropping performance to the insanity of Delta-Cairo, it was a day to remember. And the best part? We’re just getting started.
Buckle up, folks. It’s going to be a wild ride. Stay tuned for Day 2.