By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor

It’s the lesser known competition during Stoddard County Tournament week, but the squads who lead the cheers, do those back flips and tumble and dance work hard to prepare and perform for this week.

The cheer squads from the eight teams are in a competition this week as well – each and every time they step foot on the Bearcat Event Center floor. The eight squads from the conference will be just each game of the tournament by a trio of judges. The judges are there for each and every game, and just the cheerleaders on a set of criteria:

• Voice – including if words and phrasing is clear, loud, articulate and understandable
• Appearance – appropriate, safe attire and neat
• Arm Motions – controlled and distinct, corresponding with words
• Formations & Spacing – the use of the floor and transitions and positions
• Jumps, Stunts and Mounts – skill, level of difficulty, and execution
• Showmanship & Spirit Projection – impact, energy, effectiveness, performance quality, smiles and personality
• Crowd Involvement – use of positive crowd response and creativity.

In addition, Dexter Assistant Athletic Director Alana Dowdy said each girl on each squad is also judged by a second set of standards.

A team trophy will be awarded Friday night during the presentation of awards at Center Court, and the All-County Cheer Squad will be announced as well at that time.

Photo Above: The Bernie Mule Cheer Squad will take to the BEC floor on Monday night for the Bernie-Woodland game in the opening night of the Stoddard County Tournament. Cheer team members include (front row- Sierra Eberle (Sophomore), Alexis McGowan (Sophomore); (middle row) Lari Spitzer (Freshman, Co-Captain), Katie Baker (Junior, Captain), Blakely Bradshaw (Freshman); (back row) Jordan Ellenburg (Sophomore), Paige Mays (Junior), Ellen Snider (Junior), Caitlyn Mayberry (Junior). (Photo submitted by Bernie Cheer coach Melissa Marquis)

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

Your top-seeded team for the 2012 SCAA Tournament is the defending champion Dexter Bearcats!

Coach Rob Nichlols’ squad have put together a 7-9 record so far this season, but are a perfect 4-0 in SCAA play. The Bearcats posted blowout wins over Richland and Woodland, and hold a 15 point victory over the Bloomfield Wildcats; DHS tacked on a 10 point decision over the Puxico Indians last week.

“The goal every year is to win it,” Nichols said. “We’re going to come out, play hard, and do our best to put ourselves in a position to win.”

“I think the kids are excited to get to play on their own floor,” he continued. “Hopefully we’ll be able to put on a good show for the home crowd.”

The Bearcats are led by seniors Tyler Miller and Jake Lee. Both measure in at 6’3”, and are consistently one-two in scoring. Miller tends to play out on the wing, while Lee handles paint duties for the ‘Cats.

Sophomore Cody Neldon is establishing himself as a serious threat on both ends of the floor. The 5’10” guard has really come out of his shell since the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament, and is one of the Bearcats’ best penetration threats.

The Bearcats pulled in the No. 5 seed in the JV bracket; the young ‘Cats will face No. 4 Woodland, while the Varsity squad will take on No. 8 Bell City, in the opening round of the tournament.

The ‘Cats are in a unique situation this year: not only are the hosting the tournament, but they are defending their 2011 SCAA titles in all three areas (Varsity, JV, and Cheer) of the tournament.

The JV ‘Cats will get things underway in the 4:30 contest on Monday afternoon, while the Varsity squad will close Monday’s games in the 7:30 p.m. contest.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The Advance Hornets are your No. 2 seed for the 2012 SCAA Tournament. The Hornets have put together a 10-6 record under coach Andrew Halford so far this season.

The Hornets are a perfect 4-0 in SCAA play, with wins over Richland, Bernie, Puxico, and Bell City.

Halford was quick to point out the grit and determination of his players, as well as the fast-paced style of play his team favors on both ends of the floor.

“Our team is continuing to improve as the season goes on. We have kids that are dedicated to working hard, and our team benefits from this,” he said. “We look to push in transition and play a fast paced game. Also, try to put a lot of pressure on opposing teams defensively.”

The Hornets will have a tough task in the paint during their opening matchup: stopping 6’11” Richard Forshee of the Richland Rebels. Ethan Barr, Advance’s 6’4” junior post, will most likely be matched up with Forshee.

“We are looking to come out strong for the tournament,” Halford said. “Our team expects to play hard and continue to improve.”

“No matter where you are seeded in any tournament throughout the year, your team has to be ready to come out, play hard, and play smart,” he continued. “We simply [need to] do the things we work on daily to come out with positive results.”

The Hornets also picked up the No. 2 seed in the JV bracket, where they open against the No. 7 Bell City Cubs.

Advance won’t open the tournament until Tuesday (Jan. 24) night; the JV contest is set to tip at 4:00 p.m., while the Varsity will hit the court at 7:00.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The Bernie Mules are your No. 3 team in the 2012 SCAA Tournament. Head coach Brad Botsch’s squad has compiled 11-5 record so far in the 2011-2012 season.

The Mules are the most experienced team in SCAA play this year, and they have a 3-3 record to show for it. The Mules sport nearly 40 point victories over both Woodland and Bell City, and a 65-44 win at Bloomfield. The Advance Hornets and Dexter Bearcats both hold single-digit wins over Bernie, and Puxico handed the Mules a 20-point defeat to spoil the Mules‘ homecoming on Friday night.

Head coach Brad Botsch expects his team to perform well in the tournament, but ultimately wants them to keep their eyes on the prize: a third-straight trip to the Show-Me Showdown.

“We are really emphasizing improvement in strategic areas,” Botsch said.  “Our kids are working hard and we feel like if we can improve some in a couple of areas, we can really compete well when districts roll around and that is our main focus every year.” 

The Mules are led by the one-two scoring attack of David Baker and Matt Eaves; the junior and senior both play a hybrid post/forward position and average double-digit points.

The Varsity Mules will open the tournament against the Woodland Cardinals. While having already blown them out earlier this year, Botsch pointed out the team’s improvement as the season has progressed.


“It seems as if Woodland is playing better of late.  We handled them earlier in the year at Bernie, but we sure won't be overlooking them or taking anything for granted,” he said.  “We'll come ready to play hard and compete.”

The JV Mules picked up the No. 1 seed in the tournament, and earned a bye in the seven-team bracket. They will open the tournament on Wednesday (Jan. 26) at 5:30 p.m., when they afce the winner of Monday’s Woodland/Dexter matchup.

The Varsity squad tips off at 6:00 p.m. on Monday.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The Bloomfield Wildcats are the No. 4 seed in the 2012 SCAA Tournament. The Wildcats have compiled a 6-7 record this far into the 2011-2012 season.

In SCAA play, the Wildcats have picked up one win, a 74-41 decision at Richland, and two losses, coming against the Bernie Mules (65-44) and Dexter Bearcats (61-46) on their home floor.

Coach Justin Karnes’ team is led by Brett Ruch; the junior guard hits clutch shots when his team needs them, and has shown a propensity to hit the deep ball with ease.


Seniors Adam Vandiver, measuring in at 6’3”, and Thomas Forkum, at 6’1”, provide great pressure in the paint and do a solid job on the glass.

The JV Wildcats picked up the No. 5 seed in their bracket; both teams will open the tournament against the Puxico Indians.

The JV squad tips off at 5:30 on Tuesday, while the Varsity closes Day Two of the tournament at 8:30.

Head coach Jason Karnes was unavailable for comment on this story.