Area sports digest 3/16/06

Bank of Missouri wins playoff opener

The undefeated Bank of Missouri basketball team opened play in the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department's men's basketball playoffs for Division I with a 73-66 victory on Sunday night against Charleston.

Former Southeast Missouri State player Derek Winans led Bank of Missouri with 25 points, while Vinny Biles paced Charleston with 27.

In the other semifinal, Tammy's Daycare beat the Toreadors from Cairo, Ill., 47-45 behind Ricky Smith's 18 points. Kalin Lowe had eight for the Toreadors.

The final is Sunday at the Osage Community Centre.

In Division 2, former Jackson standout Jack Puisis scored 22 points to lead Twin City Pharmacy past Ballers 74-64. Brad Thompson scored 21 points in defeat.

The Head Hunters outscored Alliance Bank 80-76 with Dan Schaab scoring 30 points. David Deisher scored 22 for Alliance Bank.

In Division 3, the SEMO Net Poppers defeated TG Missouri 62-21. Tim Alvarez scored 15 for the winners; Chad Beussink had 14 in defeat.

The Dirty Birds beat the Rollmen 64-54 despite Jermaine Harrington's 23 points. Roy Woodard led the Birds with 19.

In Division 4, Screen Arts edged Rushing Marine 40-38. Steve Fowler scored 16 for Screen Arts; Todd Rushing had 11 for Rushing Marine.

In the other semifinal, Chris Simmers scored 15 points to lead the Sweat Hogs in a 56-41 victory against Corrupt Donkeys. Chris Winkler scored 13 for the Donkeys.

Newell edged in drag racing finale

Bill Newell of Cape Girardeau finished second in the night-ending Super Pro Class final at the Sikeston Drag Strip on Saturday.

Newell finished in 5.109 seconds with a speed of 136.32 mph. His dial-in time was 5.10.

Linden Hills of Fremont finished first in the division. He posted a time of 5.192 seconds -- on a 5.17 dial-in -- and averaged 128.93 mph, but had a better time off the start (.581 to .575).

Kohlfeld Scorpions rugby off to 3-0 start

The Kohlfeld Scorpions rugby team upset the St. Louis Bombers 27-15 on Saturday in a match at the Bombers' new complex in Earth City, Mo.

Alan Kloss had three scores in the second half after Kevin Tucker had scored the game's first points. Tucker had three point-after kicks and a penalty kick. Scott Johnson was named the Scorpions' most valuable offensive player, while defensive honors went to Tim Basler.

The Scorpions (3-0) play March 25 against the St. Louis Hornets in a Missouri Rugby Union playoff match at Forest Park in St. Louis.

They had opened the spring season with a 62-17 victory against the SIU Barbarians in Carbondale, Ill., on March 4. Leading scorers in that match were Kloss, Josh Goodrich and Scott Johnston with two each; while Basler, Matt Koetting, Kevin Rudolphi, Derek Stewart and Tucker each scored once.

-- From staff reports