District 9 basketball: Brendin Sankey’s double-double, Dawson Cook’s 15 lifts Moniteau boys into semis
CHERRY TWP — Moniteau boys basketball rocketed its way into the District 9 Class 2A semifinals Wednesday night — fueled by its female counterparts.
The Warriors (17-7) cruised past Kane 61-38 in the quarterfinals at Moniteau High School, never trailing in the contest. The lead was 36-16 at halftime and the margin ballooned to 25 in the second half.
The game started 90 minutes late, due to a late start to the girls playoff game, a 46-42 Warrior win.
"Our girls did a great job winning that one, and that game kept us focused on our job at hand," Moniteau coach Jake Jewart said. "Then we just came out and played together.
"I love watching our guys play, how unselfish they are."
Dawson Cook had 15 points and seven rebounds for the Warriors. Brendin Sankey added 12 points and 10 boards, Andrew Zepeda 11 points and five assists.
Talon Scheaffer led Kane (11-12) with 11 points, three assists and three steals. The Wolves were plagued by 23 turnovers, including 14 in the first half alone.
The Wolves sank only 5 of 18 free throws. Kahne Jamerson led the team with 10 rebounds.
Moniteau began the second quarter with a 16-2 run, opening up a 31-9 lead that was never challenged.
Wednesday’s game marked Moniteau’s first since a 66-24 loss to Clarion in the KSAC Tournament.
“We were embarrassed by that. ... That game wasn’t us,” Sankey said. “We were motivated to come out tonight and show who we really are.
“The strength of our team is the way we play together and feed off each other. That’s what sparked that (second-quarter) run. We just started rolling, playing like we can. Everyone who was on the floor tonight contributed.”
Jewart pointed out the effectiveness of sophomore Connor Andre coming off the bench.
“We were able to get Connor some minutes tonight, and the guys made it a point to get him involved,” the coach said. “No matter who we send on the court, we function as a unit. That’s how we win.”
Moniteau advances to play Redbank Valley — a team it has defeated twice this season — in the semifinals Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.
KANE 38
Eric Novosel 3-7 1-4 7, Talon Sheaffer 3-8 2-4 11, Phinn Chamberlain 2-5 0-4 4, Kahne Jamerson 3-4 1-2 7, Nate McCormack 0-3 0-0 0, Lucas Wensel 0-2 0-0 0, Keller Chamberlain 3-5 0-0 6, Tysin Boschert 1-4 0-0 2, Isaiah Smith 0-0 1-2 1. Totals: 15-38 5-18 38.
MONITEAU 61
Ian Ross 3-11 0-2 8. Brendin Sankey 5-6 2-3 12, Weston Cook 2-4 0-0 4, Dawson Cook 4-14 5-7 15, Andrew Zepeda 5-10 0-0 11, Brennan Kelly 1-3 0-0 2, Carson Minnear 2-4 0-0 5, Connor Andre 2-2 0-1 4. Totals: 24-54 7-13 61.
Kane 7 9 10 12 — 38
Moniteau 15 21 11 14 — 61
3-point goals: Kane 3 (Sheaffer 3), Moniteau 6 (Ross 2, D.Cook 2, Zepeda, Minnear)
Tuesday: Moniteau vs. Redbank Valley, site and time TBD
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Moniteau's Dawson Cook (24) passes the ball around Kane's Kahne Jamerson (24) in a District 9 Class 2A boys basketball quarterfinal game on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Weston Cook (20) attemtps to keep control of the ball in a District 9 Class 2A boys basketball quarterfinal game against Kane on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Brendin Sankey (5) jumps for the ball at tip-off in a District 9 Class 2A boys basketball quarterfinal game against Kane on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Dawson Cook (24) dribbles in towards the net in a District 9 Class 2A boys basketball quarterfinal game against Kane on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Weston Cook (20) attempts a shot on the net in a District 9 Class 2A boys basketball quarterfinal game against Kane on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau coach Jake Jewart celebrates after the team scores against Kane in a District 9 Class 2A boys basketball quarterfinal game against Kane on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Ian Ross (1) looks to pass the ball in a District 9 Class 2A boys basketball quarterfinal game against Kane on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Ian Ross (1) attempts a shot at the netin a District 9 Class 2A boys basketball quarterfinal game against Kane on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Weston Cook (20) drives in towards the net while Kane's Nathan McCormack (25) guards him in a District 9 Class 2A boys basketball quarterfinal game on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
