By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The Lady Bearcats continue to impress on the volleyball court. When the Jackson Lady Indians came to town Thursday night, the ‘Cats played strong and picked up wins on both the JV and Varsity levels, moving their records to 3-0.

The JV ‘Cats defeated Jackson in straight sets - 25-9, 25-16 - to continue an unbeaten streak (for the freshman) that runs over two years strong.

The Varsity squad was forced into a three set match for the first time this season, but still came out with a victory - 25-20, 25-27, 25-20 - after some intense competition .

“I knew Jackson was going to be tough, and my girls went out and played as a team,  ” head coach Lauren Hutchcraft said. “They stayed fired up, dug deep, and played hard.  They didn't get frustrated or mentally down when they made mistakes on the court.  After losing the second set by two, they could have easily given up.  However, they didn't and I couldn't be more proud of them.”

  Hannah Noe had an outstanding game setting up her hitters - she totaled 23 assists, 5 digs, 5 kills, 2 aces, and was 9 / 10 from the service line.

“Hannah Noe always gives solid performances, and she didn't disappoint me tonight by any means!  She is an all-around great volleyball player,” Hutchcraft said.  “She can serve, hit, block, and set.  She can do it all, and well!  She is truly a great team player.  I felt Jessica Lindsey and McKenzie Mitchell had good performances tonight, as well.”

The Lady ‘Cats, currently ranked No. 12 in Class 3, will go on the road to face Cape Central in their next matchup on Tuesday (Sept. 6).

“I am expecting the unexpected - I'm going to be prepared for anything and everything,” Hutchcraft noted.  “They lost to Bloomfield (currently ranked No. 4 in Class 2) in three sets this season, so it must've been a very good game for both teams. We’ll have to play our best!”


The matchup between Dexter and Cape Central is set to get underway with JV action at 6:00 p.m., and Varsity action immediately following.

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Photo above
Coach Lauren Hutchcraft gets her girls fired up during a break from Thursday night’s action against Jackson.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The Dexter Bearcats will face a tough test on the road Friday night in the Park Hills Central Rebels.


The ‘Cats ended the Rebels’ season during the 2010 Class 3 playoffs in a 28-20 game played at Park Hills. Looking at the final score, it was a game that either team could have won.

“We’ve gotta go to their house. They’re going to be extremely fired up and ready to play,” head coach Aaron Pixley said. “The last time we played them was there in a very good playoff game; a game they think the should have won.”

The Rebels opened their 2011 campaign with a 28-13 win against St. Vincent; the Rebels’ backfield duo - Cody Harrison and Daniel Marler - rushed for over 100 yards each, as PHC racked up 353 total yards on the offensive.


After opening the season against Ste. Genevive - a team that runs a spread offense and attempted 25 passes in 43 plays 0 the Bearcats will have to make some extreme defensive adjustments for the Rebels.

Park Hills runs an offense reminiscient of Gosnell, Ar. (a DHS opponent from days long gone) featuring multiple double-tight sets, and almost always have three backs in the backfield. This, coupled with a massive offensive line - the Rebels guards each weigh in at over 300 lbs. - and two big, physical running backs, could be problematic for any team’s defense, but Coach Pixley feels his squad is up to the task.

“It’s a different football team to prepare for, that’s for sure. It’s not like we had three weeks to prepare for Park Hills like we did with Ste. Gen,” Pixley noted, “but practice has been better each day.”


 “Park Hills is scary because there’s a lot of trash to run through. If you’re in the wrong position and the running back is in the right position, hits a lane, then he can pop it out there, and if theres no one there, he’s gone.”

“They’ll spread you out a little bit, but they really like going double-tight with three backs. Two of their running backs are over 215 lbs.,” Pixley added. “Their line is big, their tight ends are huge. They’re going to try to make a point of getting physical, downhill, and really running hard and grinding it out. They’re going to want to run the clock out, so we’ll have to swarm and be physical on defense, but I think we’ve adjusted well to it.”

“They’re a very good football team, very big powerful team, and we’re going to have to play to win,” Pixley added. “They’re going to be gunning for us, and our kids have to be ready for it. We’re going to up there and get off that bus ready to play hard for four quarters, because they’re going to bring it all night long.”

Kickoff for the contest is set for 7:00 p.m.

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By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. - The Dexter Lady ‘Cat tennis team split the match with the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules Thursday (Sept. 1) afternoon.


The JV squad defeated the Mules 8-3 and moved to 2-0 on the season. The doubles duo of Alison Jarrell and Paige Patterson, along with Mollie Whitehead and Taylor Owens, had the best JV doubles matches, winning 6-0 and 6-1, respectively. In JV singles, Owens and Whitehead both blanked their opponents 6-0.

On the Varsity side, Jamie Manuel and Hailee Hubbard dominated in their doubles match, winning 8-1. Baylee Cooper and Erica Morgan won a very close 9-7 doubles match.

Senior Shanna Gant battled back from an early deficit to win her singles match in a tiebreak.

“Varsity lost 4-5, [but we] played well....Bluff is tough,” coach Leanne Dooley said.   “Shanna Gant came from behind, 1-4, to win 9-7, and the others played hard also.”

The Lady ‘Cats next match is scheduled for Tuesday (Sept. 6), when the Kennett Lady Indians come to town.


The match is set to get underway at 4:00 p.m.

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Photo above Senior Shanna Gant fires back a shot during the Lady ‘Cats’ match against Poplar Bluff on Thursday afternoon. Gant, and partner Jessica Snider, fell to Caroline Penney and Victoria Bottorff in doubles action.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The Dexter Bearcats were hard at work preparing for their next opponent Wednesday evening. Head coach Aaron Pixley noted the Park Hills Central Rebels as being "a completely different team" than the Ste. Gen. Dragons - and for good reason.
The 'Cats won't see a spread-style offense when they make the trip to Park Hills Friday night; they'll see double-tight, power running formations.
Photo Above: head coach Aaron Pixley and defensive coordinator Rick Schwab go over some defensive adjustments with the d-line.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The Lady ‘Cats took to the courts in their second match in as many days this afternoon.


After opening the season with a 9-0 victory over the Charleston Lady Bluejays, the Lady ‘Cats moved on to face the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs - and they didn’t let up; Dexter’s JV and Varsity squads won every match.

The ‘Cats faced some tougher competition against the Bulldogs, with some close finishes in the single’s matches.

Jamie Manuel, Baylee Cooper, and Jessica Snider all participated in the most competitive singles matches for the Lady ‘Cats, with Snider coming up with more heroics in another come-from-behind victory.


“She had a very tough match again,” coach Leann Dooley said of Snider. “She had to come from behind at the end and win a tie-break.”

“Baylee [Cooper] had a very strong match,” Dooley added. “She also had to come from behind.”

Dexter’s JV squad saw their first action of the season, and Dooley seemed equally pleased with her younger girls.


“JV played great tennis,” Dooley noted. “Their hard work is paying off.”

The Lady ‘Cats will be on the road Thursday (Sept. 1) afternoon when they face off against the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules.


The match is set to get underway at 4:00 p.m.

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Photo Above:
Senior Jessica Snider returns a shot during her singles match against Kelsey Dial. Snider won the match 9-8, after winning the tie-break game 7-2.