Bloomfield, Missouri - As the Stoddard County Athletic Association tournament continues with first round action tonight in Bloomfield, the Dexter Bearcats junior varsity advanced with a strong win over the Bell City Cubs by a score of 56 to 28. 

The final score was not reflection of the overall game as the junior varsity Cubs kept the game close in the opening quarters.  The Bearcats were only able to find a 3-point lead at the end of the first quarter and only led at half time by a score of 20 to 14.

A low scoring half, the Bearcats' Blake Horton and Austin Chesser were able to nail a 3-pointer each in the opening quarter.  Noah Kronk was able to contribute one field goal also.  The 2nd quarter remained cold offensively with Horton and Jacob Murdock were able to drop in 2-points each from the field. 

Fortunately for the Bearcats, they were near a perfect 5 of 6 at the free throw line.  Chesser and Kronk added two of the free throws each and Austin Aldridge added one. 

"Bell City came out ready and gave us all we wanted for the first half," commented JV coach Shawn Guethle.  "They really outworked us." 

With only one point in the first half, Austin Aldridge for the 'Cats had a dynamic second half scoring 10 additional points.  Aldridge combined with the other Austin (Chesser) for 13 of the 24-points in the third quarter. 

Having dominated the third quarter, the Bearcats began the final period with a 24 point lead.  Jacob Pedigo lit up the night from three point land with two three-point shots in the quarter. 
 
"In the second half, we turned up the defensive intensity and our depth started to wear them down a little," noted Guethle.  "We started to play very unselfishly and spread the ball around to the open man very well."

With the #2 seed in the SCAA tournament, the Bearcats Junior Varsity will be back in action on Thursday afternoon, January 24.  Game time is at 4:00 PM when the 'Cats will take on the #3 seed Bloomfield Wildcats.