The Charleston Bluejays were awarded the top seed in the annual Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament that will be played at the Show Me Center.

Charleston, which has won the tournament 15 times but has not reached the title game the past four years, will kick off the tournament against No. 16 Delta at 9 a.m on Dec. 26.

Defending champion Bell City is the tournament No. 2 seed and will open against No. 15 Oak Ridge. Bell City, a Class 1 school, was the surprise of last year's tournament, winning the title from the No. 5 spot. The Cubs defeated No. 3 Jackson, a Class 4 school, 84-76 in the title game.

Jackson again will enter the tournament as the No. 3 seed and will face No. 14 Meadow Heights in the opening round. Jackson has reached the championship game in each of the last four years, claiming titles in 2003 and 2004.

The Indians are followed in seeding by No. 4 Scott County Central, No. 5 Notre Dame, No. 6 Scott City, No. 7 Cape Girardeau Central, No. 8 Oran, No. 9 Leopold, No. 10 Woodland, No. 11 Kelly, No. 12 Advance, and No. 13 Chaffee.

The four-day tournament will conclude with a 7:30 p.m. championship game Dec. 29.

-- Southeast Missourian