By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

Saturday (March 12) is a big day for the Bernie Mules basketball team. The Mules will be facing New Haven to see who advances to the State Finals in Columbia, Mo. If the Mules are able to advance, it will be the team's second consecutive trip to the Final Four.


 Bernie head basketball coach Brad Botsch was pleased with his team’s progression this season.

“Throughout the year with as many teams that have keyed on Jordan [McGowan], its improved everyone else’s skills,” Botsch said. “They’ve gained confidence as the season has gone on, and any one of them can step up in a big game situation and feel good about their skills in a big game situation.”


 McGowan, the three-point ace of the squad, as well as Sammy Walker, will both have to have great games for the Mules.

“They’ve [New Haven] got a big 6’9” kid, and we’ll have to try to keep him pushed off the block,” Botsch continued. “We have to keep them off the glass. [Jordan] McGowan and [Sammy] Walker will both have to have great games.” Botsch credited New Haven’s discipline and patience as key attributes in their success.

“They [New Haven] only play five kids - they rarely sub. That’s why they’re so fluid and patient,” Botsch said. “A very patient team on offense that rarely makes mistakes - a real formidable foe. They play real fundamental man-to-man defense, with great helpers. They’re a solid team all-around. They run a set offensive play almost every trip down the floor, and are very focused on what they want to do.”

Despite the pressure that such a big game can bring on players and coaches alike, Botsch remained adamant that his kids were focused and ready to play.

“We try to treat each game as a single event and take things one game at a time,” Botsch commented. “The team we’re playing on Saturday is independent and different from anybody we’ve faced. The kids had a great practice today, and I think they’re really focused on giving their absolute best effort. We feel pretty good about it.”



Botsch noted controlling tempo as a key point in his gameplan.


“It will be important for us to try to dictate tempo of the game, but its so difficult to do it against a team this disciplined,” Botsch said. “We can’t allow them to get into their offense and get what they want all the. We time don’t have the depth to play with a real quick tempo, but we still tend to play at a faster pace than they [New Haven] do.”

Tipoff for Saturday’s (March 12) game is set for 1:00 p.m., at the Bearcat Event Center in Dexter, Mo.


Make sure to check back with the ShowMe Times for the full story on the game Saturday!




By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

The Dexter Bearcats have announced the Varsity baseball roster for the 2011 season. Head coach Brian Becker typically fills his roster with veteran players, but that's not the case this season. The Bearcats lost six Seniors last year that were all solid ballplayers.

This year's team will have only two Seniors, and Becker is looking for many of the younger kids to step in to full time positions at the Varsity level.

The Seniors this season are Bryn Hester and Josh Sifford. Hester will be in the "hot box" at 3rd Base for the Bearcats this season. Hester has been a solid fielder and been very useful to the team as a utility player in past seasons. As a switch hitter, Hester has been one of the top hitters for the Bearcats and will anchor the team at the plate.

Josh "SIFF" Sifford rounds out the Bearcats Senior leadership this season, and all expectations are pointing to a tremendous year. As a Sophomore, Sifford was awarded both All-Conference and All-District honors. However, a broken leg suffered in football during his Junior year limited his playing time and he didn't fully recover until late in the 2010 Season, when he got valuable playing time at 1st Base. The most notable highlight from last season was his performance at the plate. This year, Sifford will be in center field and will look to continue his outstanding work at the plate.


There will be a lot of Sophomores on the field this season for Becker and assistant coach Aaron Pixley. Chase Young comes into this season with high expectations after getting some playing time at the end of last year's season. Young also battled back from an injury during basketball and didn't become healthy until the end of the season, but batted over .400 in the final few games. Young is quick and has an excellent glove on the infield. It is expected that he will fill the shortstop role for the 'Cats this season.

Jordan Miller will be one of the sophomores to watch this season, and he will be taking command of the catcher position for the Bearcats.

"He's a good kid and very coachable", Becker said.

Miller has a strong arm that continues to improve, and he is noted as a young man that will do anything he is asked by the coaching staff.

There will be a battle between several excellent athletes to see who will join Sifford in the outfield. Daniel Fitts brings a lot of speed to the team. Zach Watson has also shown a lot of promise in Spring workouts, as he has been swinging the bat really well. Brad Potts, D.J. Dowdy and Alex Cliff have also performed well in all sports and will be an asset to the team wherever they are positioned.

The slashing, dashing running back for the Bearcat Football team, Josh Overall will move to 2nd Base position this season. Overall has always been a strong infielder and should perform very well at the position.

The greatest challenge facing the Bearcats this season is in a very young and inexperienced pitching staff. Of 130 innings pitched last season, 122 of those innings graduated with last years Seniors.

"We are currently searching for arms on the mound to go along with an inexperienced team overall." Becker commented.

The good news is that there are nine kids that have thrown from the mound in the past, but several are Freshman.

"So far, the freshman haven't looked too bad and have shown great potential." says Becker.

Owen Flowers will likely be at the head of the Bearcats' rotation this season.

"Owen is not a flamethrower," Becker commented, "but he has worked hard in the off season to become a pitcher. He spots the ball really well, has a good change up and his breaking ball keeps getting better."

The weather has not helped the practice schedule thus far, as the Baseball Bearcats have held most of their practices indoors at Southwest Elementary and the Bearcat Event Center.

"We have only had one day on the field due to the weather," Becker commented, "and we may not get back out until the first game."

The 'Cats will be in action next Friday (March 18) at Doniphan. First pitch is scheduled for 4:15 p.m.

Make sure to check back with the ShowMe Times for full previews and game coverage of all the 2011 Dexter Bearcat Spring Sports teams!

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

The Bearcat Event Center played host to the Class 1 State Sectional games Tuesday, night. In the evening’s opener, the Scott County Central Braves faced off against the Risco Tigers at 6 p.m. In the 7:30 nightcap, the Naylor Lady Eagles faced the Delta Lady Bobcats.


In the boys game, Scott Central rolled past Risco, winning by 67 points. Scott Central standout Otto Porter ended the evening with a double-double, scoring 21 points and hauling in 16 rebounds, despite being plagued by a respiratory illness.

“Bubba’s [Porter’s nickname] been kind of sick with what we think is bronchitis, but he battled through it,” SCC head coach Kenyon Wright said after the game. “We don’t have to shoot outside a lot because we have a little size, and we like to get buckets in the paint.” Other notable performers for the Braves were Stewart Johnson, leading the way with 27 points, and Lawrence ‘Reggie’ Woodson, who chipped in 13.

“Stewart can put points up. Just like all my kids, he can put the ball in the hole if given the opportunity,” Wright said of Johnson, “and I think he was given more of an opportunity tonight. He took advantage of the chances he got when they were blocking him [Porter] down.”

“Reggie’s done well off the bench down the stretch,” Wright said of Woodson. “He came in there and got seven steals in about two quarters, took it down, and put the ball in the hole to get some offense rolling for us. He’s probably our fourth leading scorer, and coming off the bench, he does a good job of getting in there and playing hard.”



Despite the lopsided score, Wright praised Risco’s effort.

“We knew tonight was going to be a team effort. Risco did a good job of sticking to their gameplan and pressed us and ran the floor hard, and got some easy buckets that we weren’t able to keep in front of them.”

Risco head coach Brandon Blankenship credited his team’s hard work throughout the year as a key contribution to their successful season, despite the night’s tough loss.

“Throughout the year I thought we’ve given a great effort,” Blankenship said after the game. “It’s just tough, with Scott County being so good, that they can make you look like you aren’t doing a whole lot out there even though you are. I’m just proud of our kids for not quitting. They got down big early, and it would have been easy to throw in the towel, but I don’t feel like they did.”



Notable performers for the Tigers were Jeremy Fowler, Austin White, and Christopher Pavy, who led the team in scoring with eight points apiece.

“We have four to five guards who can hit outside shots for us,” Blankenship said of Fowler and White. “We knew it would be tough with Otto [Porter] for us to get anything inside, and he blocked most of our attempts in the first half, so we were trying to drive and kick to the outside, and they [Fowler and White] were able to knock some down for us.”

Blankenship praised SCC star Porter, and again credited his team’s effort in the paint.


“We were in this position last year when we played them, so we halfway knew what to expect,” Blankenship commented on Porter. “We knew we couldn’t contain him with the personel we had, but we didn’t give him many open looks, and I was proud of that. He’s just that good of a player.”

The Scott County Central Braves will move on to the next round of the State Playoffs, where they will face Chadwick on Saturday, March 12 at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.


 Photos above Top Photo: Otto Porter puts up a shot during Tuesday night's State Playoff action at the BEC.
Middle photo: Risco's Brandon Bixler posts up against SCC's Otto Porter.
Bottom photo: Lawrence Woodson puts in two of his 13 points during Scott County Central's 108-41 victory over Risco Tuesday night.

                                                                     

	1st Q	2nd Q	3rd Q	4th Q	FINAL
SCOTT COUNTY	31	35	29	13	108
RISCO	11	8	8	14	41

SCOTT COUNTY: S. Johnson - 27 O. Porter-21 Steward-17. D. Porter-14. Woodson-13. Freed-5. T. Johnson-4. Johnson-3. Minner-2. C. Porter-2.

RISCO: C. Pavy-8. White-8. Fowler-8. G Bixler-6. J. Pavy-5. Bennett-2. Cummins-2. Bixler-2.

Naylor vs. Delta Girls




Naylor and Delta faced off in the nightcap at 7:30. After a close contest, Naylor was able to defeat Delta by a final score of 55-50. The Lady Eagles will move on to face Exeter on Saturday (March 12) at Three Rivers College. Tipoff is set for 2:45 p.m.

The 2011 Bearcat Softball team roster was announced this week by Coach Tammy Crowley. Team members include:

• Chelsey Berry
• Ashley Brown
• Veronica Brown
• Brittany Bryant
• Erika Cobb
• Taylor Owens
• Riley Rickman
• Kendra Stevenson
• Jerrica Wood
• Emily Triplett
• Mollie Whitehead
• Bethany Christian
• Courtney Rasor
• Tiffany Watson
• Whitney Layton
• Eleshia Martin
• Lauren Massingill
• Alec Jackson

Congratulations and best of luck this spring, Lady Bearcats!!!

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)