If you’ve passed by the Bearcat Event Center the past two days you’ve seen a lot of activity taking place as over 400 athletes and 46 schools gathered for the 2nd Annual Rib City Classic. This year’s basketball extravaganza has continued to grow to new record levels and is quickly becoming a showcase of high school athletics.

The event involves three different age categories of Middle School, Junior Varsity and Varsity level High School basketball teams from all around the area. Teams as far as St. Louis, Salem and area teams come to participate in the two-day tournament.

Teams are guaranteed to have at least 6 games with a maximum of 8 games during the tournament.

The action has quickly become one of the premier events held in the Midwest as the tournament is attracting state champion level teams such as Sikeston, Soldan International of St. Louis and Imagine College Prep of St. Louis.

In the 2010-11 MSHAA State Championship, Soldan International lost to St. Francis Borgia in the Semi-Finals 71 to 58. St. Francis Borgia advanced on to the finals and lost to the Sikeston Bulldogs by a score of 74 to 56.

The finals of the 2011 Rib City Classic found Sikeston and Soldan in the championship. The Bulldogs graduated four starters from last season while Soldan International arrived with all starters from the 2010-11 season filling their roster.

The action was fast and furious but in the end, the Soldan Tigers dominated the championship defeating the Bulldogs of Sikeston by over 20 points.

“This is the best shootout that I’ve ever been to and we are coming back.” complimented Soldan International Head Coach Justin Tatum. “I’m sure going to tell every school in St. Louis about this.”

Dexter’s team was a little shorthanded, as several of the Bearcat players were unavailable for the tournament. However, Dexter has a very respectful showing finishing .500 in their bracket, defeating Clarkton in the first round before losing to Doniphan in the semi-finals.

Other teams involved in the Rib City Classic were Jackson, Howell County, Twin Rivers, Poplar Bluff and Caruthersville. The Caruthersville Tigers brought their best effort to the courts and were noted as being about the 4th best team in the tournament.

“Overall the tournament went extremely well” said Rib City Classic organizer Chad Allen. “And this event would not be possible without the help of all the volunteers and sponsors.”

The good times continue on June 17th and 18th with the Girls Rib City Classic. This weekend will host 36 girls team from around the area to the Dexter Campus.

Additional information about the Rib City Shootout can be found at http://www.ribcityshootout.com/index.html.

It was a fun time Thursday night at the Dexter Sports Complex as Week 2 of the DPR ball season came to a close.

A cool breeze swept through the area, creating an enjoyable night for players, coaches and fans. At the end of two complete weeks in the summer season, there have been no games cancelled or delayed because of rain.

On the Major League diamond, Schlief Chiropgractic and Backworks Chiropractic had a double-header set of games.

Coaches are invited to send their games' scores and highlights to the ShowMe Times. Items should be emailed to amiller@showmetimes.com or click "Submit Event" at the bottom of the ShowMe Times homepage.


Photos above: Top Photo - Ben Dyle of Rainey-Mathis Funeral goes through his prep to bat in a games against First Midwest Band. First Midwest Bank won the game, 10-8. Bottom Photo - Tyler Stevenson of Backworks Chiropractic defends first base in a game against Schlief Chiropractic and Wellness. (SMT photos by Annabeth Miller)

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The ShowMe Times will be out enjoying the youth league action this week, and a complete photo gallery of photos from area youth league games from Week Two of this DPR season will be posted this weekend on the ShowMe Times!

The Dexter Aquatic Center opened on Memorial Day, and already this summer the center has been a busy place. An Average of 225 patrons and afternoon have been cooling off at the Aquatic Center - getting a break for this summer's heat. The high attendance mark so far this summer is 400 patrons. Swim lessons at the Adquatic Center begin in July. Lifeguards this summer include Austin Hatch, Bradley Lane, Brooke Stoker, Dalton Putnam, Joseph Greer, Kaitlin Viers, Kaleigh Evans, Luke Robinson, Megan Good, Owen Flowers, Sydney Graves, Tyler Miller, Wes Hilfiker. Admissions are handled by Kris Vandeven and Tammy Crowley; concessions by Debbie Tipton and Lindsey Hindman; Aqua Aerobics is led by Kim Lambert. Managers of the Aquatic Center this summer are Michelle Cannon and Lisa Phillips.

Student athletes in Stoddard County will be able to take advantage of a special opportunity to help prepare for the upcoming school sports season.

Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter will be sponsoring free health physical clinics for all student athletes in grades 7 through 12 in Stoddard County. The clinics will be held from 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 2 at the Dexter high School cafeteria.

Students may pickup a physical form and the student information and insurance portions of the form should be completed prior to getting a physical. Students may pick up a physical form from Dexter High School or Dexter Middle School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on or after July 27, 2011.

Physicals will be given by the medical staff of Missouri Southern Healthcare and is provided as a service of the medical center to the community.

By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

Monday's hot temperatures translated to "hot" bats and "hot" games as Week Two of the Dexter Park and Recreation baseball/softball games got underway at the Sports Complex. A good crowd of parents, family, friends and fans enjoyed the evening at the Complex.

Fans and players alike enjoyed the cooler temperatures and nice breeze as the sun set Monday evening, with games on all the fields at the complex.

Tyler Stevenson (top photo) smacked one in the third inning as the Backworks Chiropractic defeated Schlief Chiropractice and Wellness in the Major League. With only three teams in the Major League this season, these fellas are going to be meeting one another often on the diamond. National League pitches use a pitching mount and the league utilizes 75-foot bases.

And in the Instructional League (photo right) ... well, a girl just has to do what she has to do. The Instructional League kids continued to learn more about the game of baseball.

Coaches are invited to send their games' scores to amiller@showmetimes.com or click "Submit Event" on the bottom bar of the ShowMe Times homepage.

The ShowMe Times will be out enjoying the youth league action this week, and a complete photo gallery of photos from area youth league games this week will be posted this weekend on the ShowMe Times!