By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

BELL CITY - The Dexter Bearcats were well represented in the final night of the Middle School SCAA Tournament, with the seventh grade squad facing off against the Puxico Indians in the third-place game, and the eighth graders facing the Bloomfield Wildcats in the championship game.

The young Bearcats’ defense was dominant throughout the entire contest with Puxico, as they held the Indians to single-digits in the first three quarters of the game. Everyone in the DMS starting five found the basket in the opening frame, but the Bearcats’ offense exploded in the second quarter, led by Jason Jarrell’s 15 point effort.


Gavin Northcutt led the ‘Cats with 7 points in the third quarter, while teammate Jackson Babb hit a trey in the fourth.


Puxico’s offense surged in the fourth quarter, racking up 20 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Dexter’s commanding lead, as the ‘Cats went on to a 55-42 victory to claim third place in the tournament.

In the eighth grade contest, the ‘Cats jumped out to a quick lead after an Ethan Flowers trey ball, but Bloomfield kept the game within reach, with Dexter holding a 14-8 lead after the first quarter.

Jacob Pedigo put up 8 points in the second quarter, and with the help of an Austin Chesser three, the ‘Cats took off to a 28-13 lead at halftime.

Cole Renken and Chandler Young both dominated the boards in the contest, and both of Dexter’s ‘bigs’ had buckets in the third quarter to help the ‘Cats to a 39-19 lead.

Alex Whitehead came off the bench and hit a big three in the fourth quarter, while Tyler Heil came in with a bucket to help finish off the Wildcats and crown the Bearcats SCAA Champs.

The Bearcats will have a few days off before their next game - the two squads will be in action again on Monday (Nov. 21) when they host the Poplar Bluff Mules.


Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Thanks to SMT Reader - and Bearcat Dad - Marty Young for the photo!