**Bootheel Conference Tournament Preview: Teams and Players to Watch**
The Bootheel Conference Tournament is set to tip off this weekend at Senath-Hornersville High School—pending roads clear up from this recent icepocalypse. Here’s a watchlist of key teams and standout players to keep an eye on throughout the tournament:
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### 1. Portageville Girls (16-3)
The Bulldogs might be one of the most dominant teams in the conference this year. They have beaten every conference opponent by 20-plus points so far this season, with Malden being the only exception, posing a 19-point differential against the Green Wave.
Senior athletic sensation **Glo Farmer** has been their difference maker. She is nearly unstoppable when driving to the basket and is expected to deliver multiple performances with 20 or more points as she leads her team in pursuit of their third straight conference title. Don’t overlook **Alise Hickenbottom**, who can ignite her own scoring streaks when opponents focus too heavily on Farmer.
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### 2. Malden Girls (12-5)
Small but mighty, the Malden girls team is among the smallest in the conference but also one of the most resilient. Their ability to run the floor makes them a tough team to beat. Opponents have struggled and will continue to struggle to contain the Green Wave in transition, making Malden a threat in every matchup.
Their height remains a disadvantage, but multiple scoring threats keep defenses on their toes. **Carsyn Cohen** and sophomore sharpshooter **Carly Cobb** have been especially crucial. Cobb is a lights-out shooter when she heats up, and Cohen’s maturity and leadership have kept the team near the top of the conference standings, securing the No. 2 seed as they aim for a conference championship.
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### 3. South Pemiscot Boys (11-3)
Much like the Malden girls, the South Pemiscot boys are a small but mighty squad. Notably, there isn’t a single player in their rotation over six feet tall. Despite this, they kicked off their season with an impressive 9-0 run before facing their first loss.
Senior **P.J. Farmer** has become a household name for the Bulldogs over the past few years. Quick, athletic, and acrobatic in the paint, he’s a formidable force in transition. However, junior **Ty Campbell** has been the team’s leading scorer and biggest clutch performer this season. Additionally, never sleep on **Parker Carlisle**, one of the best three-point shooters in the conference, adding yet another scoring weapon to their deep rotation.
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### 4. Hayti Boys (11-4)
One of the biggest hurdles for South Pemiscot in this tournament will be the top-ranked **Hayti Indians**. This team has a lot of unfinished business and is unquestionably one of the scariest teams in the conference—and possibly all of Southeast Missouri.
Their roster is filled with scoring and defensive threats that extend to every player on their bench. Guard **J’Vonta Payne** is one of the best in the conference—calm and collected under pressure with a lightning-quick crossover and outstanding court vision. Payne is also a top scorer, making the Indians’ offense extremely potent.
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### 5. Malden Boys (11-6)
The Green Wave have all the right pieces this season under head coach Steve Fowler. With big men **Tristin Moncrief** and **Dynetez Dobbins** controlling the paint and sharp-shooting guard **Drew Fowler** leading the perimeter attack, this team is well balanced.
They also boast strong depth, with sophomore **Kannon Brown** putting up impressive “sixth man of the year” numbers off the bench. Malden handed South Pemiscot their first loss of the season and is still looking to make a statement as the season winds down. Despite falling to Hayti in their last matchup, the Green Wave have just as much chance as anyone at claiming the No. 2 seed and competing for the conference title.
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### Honorable Mention
– Senath-Hornersville Boys
– Gerry Castillo Campbell Boys and the Siebert Family
– Senath-Hornersville Girls and **Halle Jamerson**
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### Full Rankings
**Girls:**
1. Portageville
2. Malden
3. Campbell
4. Hayti
5. Senath-Hornersville
6. Holcomb
7. South Pemiscot
**Boys:**
(Full boys’ rankings were not specified but focus remains on those detailed above.)
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Stay tuned as the Bootheel Conference Tournament kicks off this weekend. Expect intense competition, standout performances, and plenty of exciting basketball action!
https://www.dddnews.com/sports/kaelins-corner-bootheel-conference-tournament-watchlist-704ff679
