Festus reaches district title game after Class 5 District 1 semifinal win

(DeSoto) The Festus Tigers will play for their first district championship in 9 years after they defeated Sikeston 54-47 in the Class 5 District 1 boys’ basketball semifinals Tuesday night on J98.

Festus managed to grab the lead after a defense-dominant first quarter.

The Tiger offense played much better in the second quarter, building as large as a 14-point lead and going up 25-13 at halftime.

But Sikeston would rally behind their best player.

Dontrez Williams scored a game-high 15 points and helped the Bulldogs briefly take the lead.

But Festus grabbed it back before the fourth quarter, and one of the Tigers’ best players helped them put it away.

Arhmad Branch finished with 8 points, while Eric Ruess paced Festus with 14.

Connor Westhoff added 10 points and was the Applebee’s of Farmington Player of the Game.

Tigers head coach Jason Therrell says it was a true team effort.

Festus improves to 21-5.

In the other semifinal, the North County Raiders came up short, falling to Cape Central 54-38.

There was a lot of offense early, including from North County.

Both teams struggled for points the rest of the way.

Unfortunately, the Tigers had a few more buckets than the Raiders.

North County ends the season with a record of 15-13.

Cape Central will face Festus in the Class 5 District 1 championship game Friday night, which you can hear on J98.

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