By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

DEXTER, Mo. - After many late nights, early mornings, and hard-fought contests, the winter sports season has finally come to a close.  Awards, honors, and the coveted “D” athletic letters were given out Monday, March 7, night during Dexter High School’s annual Winter Sports Banquet.

After brief opening remarks from DHS Athletic Director Chuck Powers, the floor was given to Lady Bearcat Basketball head coach Chad Allen.  Allen’s young squad, who typically started at least three freshman, finished their season with an impressive 17-9 record, along with a District Championship.  Allen cited the young ladies’ work ethic and determination as key components of the group’s success.

“We started out rough, and I thought it would be a long season after opening at the Farmington Tournament,” Allen commented.  “Despite that adversity, our girls never gave up.  They always played hard, and never lost faith in themselves.”


After being eliminated by Farmington in the State Sectional Tournament, Allen seemed hopeful about the Lady ‘Cats’ future.

“I think we’ve got a great shot at winning our district next year, and hopefully advancing to the Quarterfinals,” Allen said.  “It won’t be an easy road, but as long as they keep up the hard work, I expect great things from this group.”


Every member of the squad lettered, with Raezheem Miller, Taylor Owens, Kendra Stevenson, and Mollie Whitehead each receiving their first athletic letter.

The Lady ‘Cats give out four individual awards at the end of each season, with Katelynn Frazier winning the Defensive Award, Brittany Harris winning the Rebound Award, with a 9.8 rebounds per game average, and Team MVP, and Whitehead winning the Free-Throw Award, with a 73% effort from the line.

The freshman Bearcat boys basketball team ended the season with a 7-5 record, with big come-from-behind wins over Poplar Bluff and Sikeston.  The young ‘Cats also won the Poplar Bluff Freshman Tournament.


The JV boys basketball team ended their season with a 10-9 effort.  The JV ‘Cats had several close games, and could have easily had a better record. 


“We had four games decided by two or three points,” head coach Shawn Guethle commented, “so we could easily have finished with 13 or 14 wins, but I’m proud of our guys’ effort.  They played well, played hard, and I’m excited to see some of these guys up on varsity next season.”

The Varsity boys finished their season at the 14-12 mark.  Head coach Rob Nichols bragged on his squad’s hard work and grit on the court.


“Three of our six seniors missed several games due to injuries or illness,” Nichols commented.  “Its hard being injured during your senior year, and sometimes it seems easier to throw in the towel and say ‘It just wasn’t meant to be’, but none of these guys did.  It just speaks to the integrity of these seniors.  When they leave DHS, they’ll do positive things wherever they go; they’ll do things that you’ll all be proud of.”

All 11 members of the squad lettered.  Alan Flannigan took home the Free-Throw Award, with a 75% effort on the season, the Rebound Award, averaging 12.52 a game, and Team MVP, averaging 22 points per game.  Flannigan broke the single-season record for rebound average, which had been in place since 1976, and ended his career as a Bearcat with over 1,400 points and 700 boards.  Jake Cox won the Defensive Award.

The Kickin’ Cats dance team also lettered every member of the squad.  Coach Mauri Kennedy credited the girls’ effort, with 10 new members and nine seniors, as well as the team’s supportive parents, on another great season.

Head coach Michelle Kirkley gave high praise to her 11 varsity cheerleaders and their families. 


“These are 11 of the finest young ladies I’ve ever worked with, and 11 of the most supportive sets of parents I’ve ever seen,” Kirkely said.  “It was a fantastic year.  I’m going to miss my two seniors, but I’m excited about another year with these nine ladies.”

All 11 of the basketball cheerleaders lettered.  The squad was named champions of the Stoddard County Tournament, and finished fifth (out of 19 squads) at state.  Madison Pixley, Ashely Mick, Jessica Norman, Taylor Martin, McKenzie Mitchell, and Sydney Graves were all named to the All-County Cheer squad, with Pixley and Mitchell making their third and second consecutive appearances on the squad, respectively.

“Our record doesn’t quite show the quality of a team we had this year,” head wrestling coach Rick Schwab said of his team.  “We fought a lot of injuries and sickness this year.  We ended up 8-5 in duels, had three medalists at the Tiger Classic, and five medalists at the SEMO Conference tournament.  We took sixth place at districts, had four state-qualifiers, and one state medalist, the first since we moved into Class 2 in 2004.”

Cody Stevens, Trevor Waldner, Zach Lacy, and Dylan Hardin were four of the 17 of the Dexter grapplers who lettered, and all four advanced to the State Tournament.  Waldner was the first freshman to qualify for the tournament since 2004, and Stevens won the sixth-place medal at the 160 pound weight class.


The wrestlers give out three awards for the season - Most Improved, Most Aggressive, and Team MVP - with Stevens taking all three home. 


It’s been another great season for Bearcat athletics, and everyone at the ShowMe Times looks forward to another great season next year! Make sure to keep checking back with the ShowMe Times for all your Bearcat athletics stories and updates!

Photos above
Top Photo: Six Bearcat athletes were recognized with individual awards at Monday evening's Winter Sports Banquet. Atheletes include (front row, from left) Cody Stevens, Most Improved Wrestler, Most Aggressive Wrestler, and Team MVP; Alan Flannigan, Rebound Award, Free-Throw Award, Team MVP; Jake Cox, Defensive Award; (back row, from left) Katelynn Frazier, Defensive Award; Brittany Harris, Rebound Award and Team MVP; and Mollie Whitehead, Free-Throw Award. (ShowMe Times photo by Andrew Cato)