Raiders to contend with tough foes, weather in coming days

The Three Rivers Raiders men's basketball team might have to contend with more than some tough competition over the next few days.

The National Weather Service has placed much of southeast Missouri, southern Illinois and Arkansas under a Winter Storm Warning for Thursday and Friday as ice and snow are forecast to overspread the area. The storm could jeopardize contests against Arkansas Baptist (Saturday at home), Southwestern Illinois (Sunday in St. Louis) and Lincoln Trail (Tuesday in Robinson, Ill.)

However, if the games do get played, the Raiders (8-2) will have three straight tough tests.

Arkansas Baptist enters Saturday's contest with a 5-5 record, having won four of its last five games after a 1-4 start. The Buffaloes are led in scoring by freshman guard Deonta Thomas, who averages 13.2 points per game, and sophomore guard James Parker at 12.8 ppg. Sophomore Charleston Dobbs leads Arkansas Baptist in rebounding at 5.1 rebounds per contest, while Thomas adds five boards per game. Thomas also adds 4.5 assists and 2.90 steals per game.

Southwestern Illinois was 7-1 ahead of Wednesday night's contest against Rend Lake. The Blue Storm split a pair of games with Region XVI foe Mineral area earlier this season, losing 80-56 at MAC on Nov. 5 before winning the rematch 88-74 a week later at home in Belleville, Ill.

SWIC is led in scoring by freshman Kyle Lemons at 18 points per contest, while sophomore guard Jaquail Townser adds 15 per contest. Freshman guard Falando Wilkinson adds 11.8 points per game, while forwards Brandon Book and Jacob Tolbert add 10 points apiece each game. Tolbert leads the Blue Storm with six rebounds per game, while Romondo Ray and Hunter Reine each average 5.8 boards per night and Dominic Page adds five rebounds per contest.

Lincoln Trail is 5-4 after seeing a three-game winning streak snapped by Lake Land on Wednesday night. The Statesmen handed Three Rivers its last loss, an 86-70 setback on Nov. 9, and also defeated Lewis and Clark 91-83 on Nov. 26.

Sophomore guard Dennis Hightower leads Lincoln Trail in scoring at 18.4 points per game, while sophomore guards Caleb Begle and Tyler Alexander average 10.2 and 9.9 points per night, respectively. Sophomore center Jesse Tesmer leads the team in rebounding with 5.8 boards per contest, while Hightower adds five rebounds per game.