Dexter, Missouri – The Dexter Bearcats boys basketball program will be under new leadership this year as Coach Josh Dowdy takes to the court.  Coach Dowdy is a 1993 graduate of Dexter High School and will lead the season with five returning athletes from last season.

“I am so thankful to get this opportunity to coach in the town I grew up in,” Dowdy stated.  “I love Dexter and I love being a BEARCAT!”

“It is a bond that has brought a lot of awesome people together and I hope I can give back to these guys even half of what my teachers and coaches taught me in these hallways,” continued Dowdy.  “I want them to have and feel what I experienced as a young man growing up in Dexter.”

Dowdy hopes for senior leadership from Noah Kronk and Peyton Pollock as well as Matt Sims.

“Both Kronk and Pollock look like they want to pick up from where they left off on the football field,” Dowdy said.  “They are both great teammates and should provide some solid senior leadership for the rest of the guys.  Kronk is a real hard worker and we look for him to have a nice season.  Pollock has practiced real well early.  He can shoot it from the perimeter and will help us in the ball handling department.”

“Matt Sims has joined us this year,” added Dowdy.  “Matt is a good boy and I am glad he made the decision to play.  We hope he can come in and eat up some minutes in the paint.”

“Austin Chesser, Ethan Flowers, and Cole Renken spent most of their time on the varsity as sophomore,” Dowdy said of three of Dexter’s seven juniors on the team.  “Austin and Ethan can shoot the ball and are similar in that they love to compete.  Ethan has put in a lot of extra time.  He should have a big year.  Austin will add some grittiness.  He is not afraid to put his body on the line.  Cole has worked hard over the off season to get physically stronger.  We expect Cole to provide a valuable presence for us inside.” 

The other four juniors are Tyler Heil, Jacob Pedigo, Addison Moore, and Adam Webb.  “Heil, Moore, Pedigo, and Webb will all move up from the Junior Varsity this year,” continued Dowdy.  “Tyler Heil has a motor that does not stop.  Addison Moore has a great understanding of the game.  Jacob Pedigo is stronger this year and can shoot the ball real well.  Adam Webb adds some more size to our squad.  All of these guys will add some depth to our team.”

Jason Jarrell is the only sophomore on the team.  He was starting point guard on the JV team last year and will play on the varsity this year.  “Jarrell is our lone sophomore.  Jason is a nice athlete who will play the point, which is a challenge for a sophomore.  He handled it well this summer and I am confident he will be up for the task,” stated Dowdy.

Dexter will open at home on Tuesday, December 2nd against the Charleston Bluejays.  They travel to Sikeston on Friday evening.  Game times are 6:00 p.m.

"It will be a battle every night," commented coach Dowdy.  "That will make it fun for the fans and might turn a coach bald.  Hopefully the competition will collectively help all teams be prepared for district play."

Sikeston will host this year's Class 4 District Tournament.  Teams featured will be Dexter, Sikeston, Notre Dame, Perryville, Cape Central, and Kennett.

"We are aware of our schedule and the challenges we face," continued Dowdy.  "Our approach is simple.  We want to be playing our best basketball by the time the SCAA Tournament rolls around.  These guys want a chance to raise that trophy!"

"We have had a good start," stated Dowdy.  "The kids have shown good energy and are trying to improve on some fundamentals.  We have to learn to talk on the floor, close out, block out an value the ball.  Just little things that are necessary to compete.  it has been tough for several years now and hopefully we can point this thing in the right direction.  We don't know if we will win more games, be we are trying to remain patient.  We just want to be more competitive!"

2014-15 DHS Boys Basketball Schedule

12/2/2014	6:00 PM		Charleston
12/5/2014			at Sikeston
12/16/2014	7:30 PM		Jackson
12/19/2014	7:30 PM		Richland (Essex)
1/6/2015			at Perryville
1/6/2015	7:30 PM		at Perryville
1/9/2015	7:30 PM		Woodland
1/13/2015	7:30 PM		Bloomfield
1/16/2015	7:30 PM		at Bernie
1/20/2015	7:30 PM		Puxico
1/23/2015	6:00 PM		at Central (New Madrid County)
2/6/2015	7:30 PM		at Advance
2/10/2015	6:00 PM		at Bell City
2/13/2015	7:30 PM		Kennett
2/17/2015	7:30 PM		at Poplar Bluff
2/24/2015			at Notre Dame (Cape Girardeau)
2/27/2015			at Central (Cape Girardeau)

Bernie, Missouri - Last year the Mules saw seven seniors graduate.  They experienced a great season finishing 23-6.  They won the SCAA Tournament in Dexter, the Holcomb Invitational Tournament and finished second in the 16-team Bloomfield Christmas Tournament.

The Mules earned a #1 seed in the Holcomb Invitational this year which begins on Monday, December 1st taking on the #8 seeded Risco at 6 p.m. in Holcomb.

The Mules will return 7 seniors and 3 juniors to the varsity squad this year giving them some advantage over other teams who do not have so many experienced athletes playing.  They will also have some new opponents this year in the Class 2 District.  Chaffee has been added to the district along with Scott County Central.  Other participants in Class 2 District 1 are Bloomfield, Campbell, Holcomb, Cooter, and South Pemiscot.  Portageville, Senath-Hornersville, and Hayti will no longer participate in the district, all moving to Class 3.

Seniors are Matt Vernon, Login Wood, Brandon Sparks, Caleb Ellenburg, Devin Trammell, Gavin Smith, and Blake Gilmore.

Juniors are Alex Whitehead, Haydn Owens, and Trey Kirkpatrick.

Varsity teams consists of Blake Gilmore #2, Matt Vernon #3, Login Wood #4, Brandon Sparks #10, Caleb Ellenburg #11, Alex Whitehead #20, Haydn Owens #23, Devin Trammell #24, Gavin Smith #35, and Trey Kirkpatrick #40.

Below is the 2014 - 2015 Varsity Schedule.  Head Basketball Coach is Brad Botsch and Assistance Coach is Jason Long.

The 2014 Media All-Region Football Team was announced today.

Congratulations to Jared Deal, Offensive Lineman for the Dexter Bearcats who made the Class 3 First Team Offense!

Second Team Offense included Peyton Pollock, QB and Ethan Stevens, WR.

First Team Defensive honors went to Drake Mitchel, DL; Noah Kronk, LB; and Dylan Bazarian DB.

Second Team Defensive honors went to Ethan Stevens, P.

Below is a complete list of the Class 3 Media All-Region Football Team members:

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB – Jake Bridges, PH Central, Jr. 5’10, 162 lbs.

RB – Blaine Riddle, Potosi, Sr. 5’10, 185 lbs.

RB – Austin Brewer, Ste. Genevieve, Jr. 5’8, 170 lbs.

WR – Hunter Strange, PH Central, Sr. 6’3, 180 lbs.

WR – Brayden Manion, PH Central, Sr. 6’1, 166 lbs.

WR – Drew Schmelzle, Ste. Genevieve, Sr. 6’3, 160 lbs.

OL – Colin Bess, PH Central, Sr. 6’6, 235 lbs.

OL – Bud Hilburn, Kennett, Sr. 6'2, 225 lbs.

OL – Dakota Pope, PH Central, Sr. 6’1, 220 lbs.

OL – Jared Deal, Dexter, Jr. 5'7, 215 lbs.

OL – Russell Harrington, PH Central, Jr. 6’1, 233 lbs.

ALL PURPOSE – Edward Wilson, Kennett, Jr. 5'10, 170 lbs.

K – Drew Schmelzle, Ste. Genevieve, Sr. 6’3, 160 lbs.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB – Peyton Pollock, Dexter, Sr. 6'1, 200 lbs.

RB – Brandon Maberry, PH Central, Sr. 6’2, 191 lbs.

RB – Drew Harlow, PH Central, Jr. 6’2, 210 lbs.

WR – Ethan Stevens, Dexter, Jr. 5'8, 175 lbs.

WR – Trevor Green, Perryville, Sr. 5'11, 175 lbs.

WR – Asten Newsom, New Madrid, Sr. 6'4, 217 lbs.

OL – Brandon Richardson, PH Central, Sr. 6’4, 259 lbs.

OL – Kade Jett, Ste. Genevieve, Jr. 6’1, 266 lbs.

OL – Britt Harris, Kennett, Jr. 6'0, 210 lbs.

OL – Zack Drennan, Potosi, Sr. 5’11, 220 lbs.

OL – Chaz Brown, Kennett, Sr. 6'4, 285 lbs.

ALL PURPOSE – Malik Stevenson, New Madrid, Sr. 5'11, 175 lbs.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL – Colin Bess, PH Central, Sr. 6’6, 235 lbs.

DL – Drake Mitchell, Dexter, Sr. 6'0, 210 lbs.

DL – Brandon Maberry, Central, Sr. 6’2, 191 lbs.

DL – Wayland DeClue, Potosi, Sr. 6’1, 190 lbs.

LB – Drew Harlow, PH Central, Jr. 6’2, 210 lbs.

LB – Logan Dowdy, Ste. Genevieve, Jr. 5’9, 183 lbs.

LB – Noah Kronk, Dexter, Sr. 6'0, 210 lbs.

LB – Bud Hilburn, Kennett, Sr. 6'2, 225 lbs.

DB – Blaine Riddle, Potosi, Sr. 5’10, 185 lbs.

DB – Brayden Manion, PH Central, Sr. 6’1, 166 lbs.

DB – Dylan Bazarian, Dexter, Sr. 5'9, 175 lbs.

P – Jake Bridges, PH Central, Jr. 5’10, 162 lbs.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL – Rylan Matthew, Fredericktown, Sr. 6’3, 175 lbs.

DL – Grayson York Sr. New Madrid, 6'5, 220 lbs.

DL – Dalton Craig, SR. Kennett 6'1, 195 lbs.

DL – Dylan Wright, Potosi, So. 6'0, 195 lbs.

LB – Jahaida Childress, Jr. Kennett, 5'9, 190 lbs.

LB – Logan Comfort, Sr. PH Central, Sr. 6’0, 175 lbs.

LB – Dalton King, Fredericktown, Jr. 6’1, 220 lbs.

LB – Jacob Coleman, Potosi, Sr. 5’9, 160 lbs.

DB – Matthew Williams Fredericktown, So. 5’8, 140 lbs.

DB – Anthony Hawkins, Sr. Kennett 5'9, 170 lbs.

DB – Tyler Sprouse, New Madrid CC, Jr., 6'0, 175 lbs.

P – Ethan Stevens, Dexter, Jr. 5'8, 175 lbs.

COACH OF THE YEAR – Kory Schweiss, PH Central

Dexter, Missouri - Media Day was recently held at the Bearcat Event Center.  The DHS Basketball Cheerleader roster was announced for the 2014-2015 school year.

Freshmen Cheerleaders are Morgan Aldridge, Lexie Barnes, Maci Daniels, Rhylan Hillis, Addie Kruse, and Bailee Williams.

Sophomore Cheerleaders are Macy Graves, Kelsey Kendrick, Emily Page, and Ashlynn Wyman.

There is only one junior Cheerleader and that is Victoria Trammell.

Senior Cheerleaders are Shyann Jines, Courtney Potts, and MacKinlee Rogers.

Dexter, Missouri - The 2014-2015 Kickin' Cats Dance Squad team was announced at a recently held Winter Media Day.

"I have a great group of girls this year," stated Misty Everett, English Instructor and sponsor of the Kickin' Cats Dance Team.  "I have a lot of younger dancers, but they are very talented and highly motivated."

Their first performance of the season will be at the DHS Varsity boys basketball home game on December 2nd at the Bearcat Event Center.

The only senior on the squad this year is Brooke Anderson.

There are no juniors on the team.

Sophomores are Hailey Anderson, Kelly Ash, Jackie Kiger, Taylin Leija, Angel Maze, Melissa McKuin, Chelsea Mullins, Kaylea Murdock, Caroline Powers, and Myca Sutton.

Freshman members are Michaela Gard, Hannah Gibson, and Megan Simmons.

The Lady 'Cats Dance Team will be dancing at many of the half-time performances during the basketball season.