Central vs. Notre Dame Basketball

Notre Dame senior Dylan Essner, center, scores against Central in the first half of their semifinal game Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Central's James Lane is introduced Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Notre Dame senior Liam Maher hits a three pointr over Central defender Terrance Howard Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

James Lane defends against Liam Maher Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

James Lane shoots over Jacob Tolbert Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Tigers fans cheer in the Jungle Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Footwear in the Central Jungle Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Zach Boerboom, left and James Lane defend against Notre Dame's Jacob Tolbert in the semifinal game Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Notre Dame coach Kevin Roberts Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Central cheerleaders watch the action Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Zach Boerboom defends against Jacob Tolbert Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Notre Dame and Central cheerleaders listen to the national anthem Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Central's Andrew Williams defends against Notre Dame's Matt Helle Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Central senior Kevin Casasola shoots a free throw with 11 seconds remaining against Notre Dame in the semifinal game Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Notre Dame senior Luciano Starling takes the court Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

James Lane, left, and Jacob Tolbert take the jump ball to start their semifinal game Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Notre Dame and Central play in front of a crowded house Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Notre Dame's Liam Maher holds off Central defender Blake Ozbun Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Central fans await a free throw Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Central coach Drew Church talks to the Tigers Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Zach Boerboom (44) and Blake Ozbun (12) head to the locker room after beating Notre Dame Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Central fans cheer for the Tigers as they head to the locker room after beating Notre Dame in the semifinal game Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Nick Koeppel shoots over Andrew Williams Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Central fans Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Kevin Casasola sinks a three pointer over Notre Dame's Ke-Ke Kellum Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Cape Central fans await a free throw during the semifinal game against Notre Dame Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Notre Dame defends against Central in the semifinal game Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009, during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Notre Dame's Nick Koeppel dribbles the ball down court Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)

Notre Dame's Jacob Tolbert chases after a loose ball during their game against Central Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)

Cape Central's Terrance Howard passes the ball quickly before being knocked out of bounds by Notre Dame defenders Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)

Cape Central's Andrew Williams gets helped up off the floor by teammates after a collison under the basket Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)

Notre Dame's Nick Koeppel makes a lay-up Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)

Notre Dame fans during the ND-Central game Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)

Cape Central's Kevin Casasola handles the ball during their game against Notre Dame Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)

Cape Central's Zach Boerboom goes for a lay-up during their game against Notre Dame Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)

Cape Central take on Notre Dame Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)

Notre Dame's Nick Koeppel drives in for a lay-up Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)

James Lane, left and Alex Carroll, right, fight for a loose ball Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)

Notre Dame's Matt Helle takes a shot while under pressure from Central's Andrew Williams Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)

Notre Dame fans do the roller coaster Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)

Notre Dame fans during the ND-Central game Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)

Notre Dame's Ke-Ke Kellum drives for the basket Tuesday night at the Show-Me Center. (Tim Brumitt)