SEMO Conference tournament will begin today

The SEMO Conference boys basketball tournament will start today after Monday's scheduled first-round games joined the list of cancellations due to icy road conditions.

Fifth-seeded Notre Dame and second-seeded Jackson both will finally play their season openers tonight among the three games at Sikeston High School. Notre Dame will christen the tournament with a 5:30 p.m. game against No. 4 Charleston; Jackson will follow against No. 7 Poplar Bluff at 7 p.m.; and No. 1 Sikeston and No. 8 New Madrid will meet at 8:30 p.m.

First-round action will conclude Wednesday, when No. 3 Cape Central faces No. 6 Kennett at 7:30 p.m. The original schedule will stay in place with the semifinals Thursday and the championship Friday.

In other weather-delayed tournaments: The Lady Devil Invitational in Chaffee, Mo., will begin Wednesday with four first-round games; the final night of the Oran Invitational has been rescheduled for Dec. 21 (5 p.m. consolation, 6:30 p.m. third place, 8 p.m. championship).

In girls swimming, the Splash Out Cancer meet scheduled for today at Central Pool has been postponed until Dec. 17.

-- From staff report