The stage was set for Holt, area powerhouse, and Sikeston, newcomer to the tournament. It was for first placein the St. Dominic Imo's Christmas Tournament, a spot held by Fort Zumwalt South for the past five years.

Sikeston wanted to come to the St. Louis area and play against local talent about whom they had seen and heard, so they were invited to the tournament with few knowing what to expect from them.

Most people in the crowd couldn't even figure out where Sikeston was located in Missouri, much less know that they would go toe to toe with a team like Holt. But in the end, it was Sikeston that came away with a 76-68 victory.

It was a standing room only event, not typical for a game that isn't a rivalry, but this game felt exactly like one and the fans made sure you heard them.

Holt's fans, mostly students, shouted "H-O-L-T Holt Holt Holt," throughout the game.

Both sides would shout together when at three minutes into the game, Holt senior Dantiel Daniels dunked, an exciting moment for anyone to watch.

Yet even with his heroics, Sikeston wasn't shaken, landing almost all their 13 points as three-pointers.

The first quarter would end with Holt holding on to a 14-13 advantage.

The second quarter would be all about free throws, which were keeping Holt close after a three-pointer spree by Sikeston. The the end of the first half, Sikeston led, 30-22.

The third quarter would bring a change of momentum for a short time and Holt would fight back to make the score 43-46 in favor of Sikeston. Then at five minutes left, due to several missed shots by Sikeston, and a circus style one-hand dunk by Daniels, the game would end up tied 49.

Even with Daniel's athleticism and James Robinson's nearly flawless free-throw shooting, Sikeston had capitalized on too many free throw opportunities and their senior guard Will Holifield was a 3-point machine, keeping Sikeston ahead in the fourth quarter.

With the loss, Holt fell to 8-1–A crushing feeling for some Holt players.

"I don't wanna talk," said Daniels, before walking over to receive his All-Tournament Team Award.

"It's tough, but they beat us, plain and simple, all we can do now is move on and improve on our mistakes," said coach Chuck Williams.