By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

Dexter native Marcus Greer, the son of Matt and Lisa Greer, is doing great things on the basketball court at his new home in St. Louis.

Marcus' team, the Titans, recently won the Midwest March Madness Youth Basketball Tournament, held in Indiana.

Marcus (kneeling, far left on front row) is currently in fifth grade, and is attending school at Our Lady of the Pillar School in Ladue, Mo.

By Alan Hedrick
ShowMe Times Sports

(Houghton, Mich.) – Katelyn and Cathryn Heil of Dexter, entering their second season at Missouri S&T, were unable to keep up with the hot shooting of Wisconsin-Parkside as the Missouri S&T Lady Miners fell 73-55 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in Houghton, Mich. S&T finished its season with 20 wins, marking just the third time in school history that the program has had 20 or more wins.

The Lady Miners,(20-8) after not playing for two weeks, were rusty early falling behind  6-0 three minutes into the contest. S&T missed its first four shots from the floor and had a turnover before Julie Meyer made a lay-up for its first points of the game.

The Rangers (23-6) were deadly from the floor making 14 of its first 15 shots on its way to building a double digit lead nine minutes into the contest.

The Lady Miners got as close as 15-6 before Parkside went on a 16-4 run spanning five minutes to take its biggest lead of the ball game at 31-10 at the 5:39 mark.

S&T started to get its offense going over the final five minutes of the half eventually cutting the deficit to 10 on a pair of free throws by Fareedah Washington with 0:10.3 left in the half.

Kaitlyn Bettiga’s driving lay-up on the ensuing possession sent the Rangers to the locker room with a 35-23 advantage.

Parkside cooled slightly after its hot start making just 2-of-7 from the floor the rest of the half but still shot 73 percent. The Rangers dominated in the paint outscoring the Lady Miners 28-to-16.

S&T shot 10-for-28 (36 percent) from the floor and were tied in rebounding at 14 apiece with Parkside..

Each side exchanged a pair of buckets in the first two minutes of the second half before the Lady Miners began to chip away at the lead. Trailing by 10, Courtney Kemp and Chelsea Stangel each hit a three in a 6-2 run that brought them within 44-38 with less than 15 minutes to play.

Rooney was just too tough to stop, as she scored 11 of her game-high 26 points in the game-deciding 15-2 run stretching the Rangers lead to 59-40 with less than 10 minutes to play. Rooney also hit a trio of threes in the run.

From that point, S&T didn’t get any closer than 14 points the rest of the contest. The trio of Rooney, Bettiga and Beyer accounted for 61 of Parkside’s 73 points. The Rangers finished the game shooting nearly 70 percent (32-for-46) from the floor and scored 44 points in the paint. They also turned 18 Lady Miner turnovers into 27 points. S&T shot 52.4 percent in the second half and finished the game 21-of-49 (43 percent) from the floor. On the glass the Lady Miners finished with a 26-to-22 advantage. Washington had 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Lady Miners. Kemp scored all 11 of her points in the second half while Meyer added 10 more.

                                               

	1st Half	2nd Half	FINAL
MISSOURI S&T	23	32	55
WISCONSIN-PARKSIDE	35	38	73

MISSOURI S&T: Fareedah-14. Kemp-11. Meyer-10. Parks-8. K. Heil-5. Stangel-3. Sample-2. Mims-2.

WISCONSIN-PARKSIDE: Rooney-26. Bettiga-16. Beyer-15. Trussell-7. Hogen-5. Slivka-2. Ruchti-2.

Photos provided by Missouri S&T Sports Information.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

DEXTER, Mo. - After winning all of their playoff games, save one, by double digits, the Bernie Mules (ranked fourth in the state, 26-4 record) were one game away from advancing to the Final Four for the second consecutive year. The only thing standing between the Mules and a trip to Columbia was the New Haven Shamrocks (ranked seventh in the state, 24-4 record). After a hard fought battle, the Mules came out on top, winning by a 58-50 final score.

“I think our kids, especially in the second half, did whatever they had to do to win the game,” Bernie head coach Brad Botsch said. “We hit our open looks, got some penetration, and got their [New Haven] kids in foul trouble (Austin Peirick and Lance Gerlemann both fouled out in the fourth quarter) a little bit, and did a better job screening. They took us out of what we wanted to do in the first half, but the second half effort was just tremendous.”

Bernie’s star senior Jordan McGowan, who typically shoots outside insanely well, was a little off in the first half, but Botsch credited teammates Cameron Shipman and Jesse Shelton as key contributors to the victory.


“Jesse [Shelton] gets a lot of his points off penetration, but Cameron [Shipman] has really shot the ball well of late,” Botsch commented. “[Shipman] really helped carry us in the sectional game. I thought our kids did what they had to do, especially with them [New Haven] covering up Jordan [McGowan] as hard as they were.”



Botsch stated in an earlier interview that McGowan and Sammy Walker would both have to have great games in the paint.


“We wanted to keep that big kid pushed off the block, and he still got a few points on us,” Botsch said, “but Sammy [Walker] did a great job of getting him out of the paint. Sometimes there’s not a whole lot you can do when the kid has nine inches on you - Sammy’s only about six feet tall - but his strength and his heart kept him going.”


“Jordan, for the most part, did a real good job on that Gerlemann kid inside,” Botsch continued. “He did give up a few offensive rebounds at different times in the game, but overall, he did a tremendous job inside.”

McGowan credited his team’s heart, as well as dominance on the glass, as key factors in the victory.

“We played with tremendous heart tonight,” McGowan said. “Rebounding was phenomenal tonight, and that was a big part of our gameplan. It took a lot to get ready for their bigs, but we worked hard in practice all week. We knew making shots in key situations was a big point for this game, and my team did that tonight. We knew we were going to have to work really hard on #40 [Elijah Fleer] and get him out of the paint. He hit some shots, but you can’t hardly stop 6’9”.”

McGowan, who set the state record for charges drawn in a career, drew two more charges in the contest.


“I think I hit 80 tonight,” McGowan continued. “We really focused on pressuring the ball, and not letting them [New Haven] run as much time off the clock as they’re known for. We knew we’d get beat of the dribble a couple times, but I was able to pick up a couple charges on it, and that really helped power my team to the top tonight.”

The Mules will advance to the Final Four for the second time in as many years. Bernie will face off against Wellington-Napoleon on Thursday (March 17) at 3:20 p.m. The Final Four will be held at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.

                                            

	1st Q	2nd Q	3rd Q	4th Q	FINAL
BERNIE	10	9	16	23	58
NEW HAVEN	8	16	13	13	50

BERNIE: McGowan-22. Shipman-14. Walker-9. Shelton-7. Eaves-3. Turner-3.

NEW HAVEN: Engelbrecht-16. Fleer-12. Menke-8. Peirick-6. Gerlemann-4. Tritch-4.




In the day’s second contest, the Couch Lady Indians (24-3) and the Meadow Heights Lady Panthers (25-3) faced off in a double-overtime thriller.


 After the final buzzer sounded, the Couch Lady Indians came out on top, and will advance to the Final Four. The Lady Indians will face North Platte on Thursday (March 17) at 6:40 p.m., at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.



Photos above Top Photo: Bernie players and coaches celebrate their 58-50 victory over New Haven.
Middle Photo: Bernie’s Jesse Shelton puts up a shot over two New Haven defenders.
Bottom photo: Couch’s Jordan Hale (white jersey) battles Jillian Mills (#24) for a loose ball.

                                                                     

	1st Q	2nd Q	3rd Q	4th Q	OT 1	OT 2	FINAL
COUCH	8	11	8	12	6	15	59
MEADOW HEIGHTS	5	18	3	13	6	5	50


COUCH: Hower-27. Neptune-13. Hale-8. Roberts-6. Nessling-5.


MEADOW HEIGHTS: Welker-19. Bollman-14. Dietiker-6. Gureton-6. Morse-3. Cook-2.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

When one thinks back on great players in the history of Lady Bearcat Basketball, several names come to mind: Michaela Scott, Leah Tippen, Amy & Stephanie Rose, Rachel Blunt, and Taylor Nelson. Two other names could arguably be added to that list: Katelyn & Cathryn Heil.

Katelyn and Cathryn, both 20, are the twin daughters of Dan and Connie Heil, and are 2009 graduates of Dexter High School. Both girls are also currently playing basketball at Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri at Rolla).


Both were excellent student-athletes during their time at DHS. Both girls were on the honor roll all four years of high school, as well as members of Dexter Honor Society. Cathryn was top ten percent all four years, with Katelyn making the list her senior year.

Cathryn was a three-time All-Conference & All-Region, two-time All-District, and All-State selection in volleyball, as well as a state-qualifier in high jump her senior year. Katelyn was named First Team All-Conference, All-District, All-Region, and All-State in basketball during her junior and senior seasons, went to state in tennis doubles and sectionals in the 4X100 meter relay her junior year.

The Heil family moved to Dexter from Savannah, Mo. the summer before the girls were to start eighth grade.


“The toughest thing was moving to a new place and not knowing anybody,” Katelyn said. “Basketball wise, it was tough because its hard to find your niche in a team that has already been playing together for that long.”


“The girls were amazing,” Cathryn added. “Before we knew it, it was like we had been on the team all along. It also helped a ton that we got involved with each other off the court. I made great friends through basketball, and I contribute a lot of our successes to those friendships.”

After great high school careers, and capping of a 28-2 senior season with a trip to state, the girls had to make a decision on where they would play college ball. Both received attention from Missouri S&T and Missouri Southern State University. Cathryn was recruited by Maryville University and Missouri Western State University, with Katelyn receiving letters from Tennesee State and West Point. Cathryn credited S&T’s academics and Rolla’s hometown feel as deciding factors for her.

“They [S&T] have a great program with a lot of girls that we’ve played against and with a different times,” Cathryn commented. “Also, great academics - the best mix of athletics and academics for me. Rolla was also a perfect fit. It's a small town with a hometown feel.”


Katelyn also noted the university’s size as an important point for her.


“It fits me well as a person,” Katelyn said. “It wasn’t so big that I’d feel lost, but it’s big enough for me to grow.”

Missouri S&T head basketball coach Alan Eads attributed the twins’ athletic ability and size as reasons the school pursued the twins.


“We had seen them in some summer shootouts between their junior and senior years,” Eads said. “We were needing three players, especially at the wing and guard position. I liked their athletic ability and size, as well as their ability to score, especially Katelyn.”

The girls struggled slightly during their first college practices, but Eads said that it was typical of freshman.


“They both had a rough transition into the college game,” Eads continued. “It took a while for them to adjust to the increased tempo and physicality from high school to college, but it's common for freshman to go through that.”

According to Eads, both girls have also had significant injuries during their first two years at Missouri S&T.


“Katelyn missed seven or eight games early this season with a severe high ankle sprain,” Eades said, “but she’s been back since January. Cathryn was injured for most of her freshman season, so this is her first year as a full-time player.”


Both girls have been getting playing time this season, and are expected to get more next year.


“Katelyn has been starting off and on since January,” Eads said. “She also could be an everyday starter next year. It all depends on how much work she puts in this summer with conditioning - she’ll play a lot, regardless of whether she starts or not.”


“Cathryn, having missed most of her freshman season due to injury, is a little behind Katelyn, “Eads continued. “It might be a little tougher for her to start next year, as they both play the same position, but she should still play quite a bit. She’s a good defensive player with great athletic talent.”

Despite facing early adversity from injuries, the twins’ hard work has paid off. The Lady Miners have been selected for the NCAA Division II Tournament this season. It is the Lady Miners’ third trip in school history, second trip in four years, and first time for the Heil twins.

“This is huge,” Katelyn said. “The teams selected are the best of the best. Hopefully we can keep proving how good we are.”

“Its a huge honor,” Cathryn added. “The hard work that we’ve put in all year - the long road trips and many hours away from home and school - is paying off. It's worth it to see our dream of reaching the NCAA Tournament come true. The excitement on campus about our season has been fun to experience, too.”


The Lady Miners have put together quite the impressive season, going into the tournament with a 20-7 record. S&T will be in the Midwest Regional, held in Houghton Mich., and are seeded sixth. Third-seeded Wisconsin-Parkside will face off against S&T Friday (March 11) at 11:00 a.m. The game is a rematch of a contest from mid-January, where S&T lost in triple overtime, 80-77.

“We’re playing Wisconsin-Parkside on Friday,” Eads said. “It was a triple-overtime loss for us back in January, but it was a very close, very good game. Hopefully we’ll be able to get some revenge.”


 Despite the large time commitment involved in any college sports, Eads noted that both girls have kept their grades up, as well as keeping a good head on their shoulders.


“They’re both just great kids,” Eads commented. “They are both 3.8-plus GPA kids and are very involved on campus. They are very well-liked, good teammates. They’d do anything for the team, and do anything to win. They both have that winner’s mentality.”

Make sure to stay tuned to the ShowMe Times for updates on both of these incredible young ladies as their careers progress, as well as tournament updates from the NCAA Division II Tournament!




Photo provided by Missouri S&T Sports Information.

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!