High school basketball fever has hit Southeast Missouri.

During the first hour today of first-day ticket sales for the upcoming Scott County Central-Sikeston and Oran-Saxony Lutheran boys' basketball doubleheader, Show Me Center Director David B. Ross reported that 1,500 tickets had been sold. Ross estimated that as many as 2,000 tickets could be sold by the end of today.

Fans arrived as early at 7:45 a.m. to wait in line for their chance to purchase tickets to the historic Feb. 11 mathchup between Sikeston and Scott County Central. The two teams last met 38 years ago. Both schools are ranked in the top 10 of their respective classes.

About 25 people waited in line before the box office opened at 9 a.m. Some fans in line declined to comment because they said they had skipped work or school to buy tickets.

"There's been a lot of excitement for this game, even for people that don't go to either school," Show Me Center marketing director Shannon Buford said. "We have teams that haven't met for nearly 38 years, are highly ranked and are meeting on an NCAA floor. The stars have aligned for this game."

Jennifer Reynolds of Sikeston was one of the first people in line. She arrived at 8 a.m.

"We wanted to see the game of the century," said Reynolds, who purchased 25 tickets for friends and family in the area. "It's been so many years since they've played one another and I expect it to be a great game."

Scott County Central graduate Lester Gillespie bought 12 tickets for family and friends, many of whom attend or graduated from one of the two rival schools. He said the experience will be priceless for the players and community.

"We need more of this to happen," said Gillespie, whose son D.D. played for Scott County Central last season. "Hopefully this will be a stepping stone for the future.

"It's great for the players to have the opportunity to face one another and play on a college basketball court," he said. "Maybe the two schools can play on a regular basis in the future."

While Scott County Central and Sikeston fans were the majority of ticket purchasers shortly after the box office opened, fans from other schools also made the drive to Cape Girardeau so they can ensure their seat for the game. Zach Essner and three fellow classmates of Kelly High School wanted to witness the historic matchup.

"This is a huge rivalry," Essner said. "Since our school played both of these teams, we wanted to be here and see how they fared against one another. The atmosphere should be electric."

Tickets for the doubleheader included general admission to the 6 p.m. Oran-Saxony Lutheran and 7:30 p.m. Scott County Central-Sikeston games.

Tickets are $5 for youth and $7 for adults older than eighteen years of age and may be purchased at the Show Me Center box office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by calling 651-5000. Phone orders will be assessed a $5 mailing and handling fee regardless of the amount of tickets purchased.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628