Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Bloomfield, Missouri – The #7 seed Dexter fought a first-class battle against the #10 seed Portageville Bulldogs. They defeated the Bulldogs 54 – 49. Way to go Bearcats!
"We had a good first half and then in the second half I think we got tired a little bit," Dexter head coach Rob Nichols said. "It said a lot about our kids, especially playing three sophomores, plus we play several juniors who don't have much experience.
Cole Renken #33, a 6' 3" sophomore had a tremendous game against Portageville. He earned a game-high 18 points. Peyton Pollock #12, a 6' 1" junior tallied 16 points for the Bearcats. D.J. Dowdy #11 registered 10 points.
The Bulldogs did not go down without a fight. They trailed by 16 going into the half, their 3rd quarter rally put them within just 3 points of a win. A.V. Banks tied the game with his free throw at 49 all with just 49 seconds left in the game.
D.J. Dowdy quickly drove the ball down the court and hit a basket putting the Bearcats on top 51 - 49. Bearcat fans were on their feet!
With just nine seconds left in the game, Cole Renken took a shot inside the paint to increase Dexter's lead to four points, 53 - 49.
"That was a big play there at the end," Nichols said. "We were expecting to shoot free throws and we never get to that point because we made a play and got an easy bucket."
A foul by the Bulldogs gave Peyton Pollock a chance to add another point and ensure a win for the Bearcats.
Final Score: Portageville Bulldogs 49 – Dexter Bearcats 54
Portageville Bulldogs 5 7 20 17 - 49
Dexter Bearcats 9 15 11 19 - 54
Portageville (49) – Fradreico Walton 9, Carlos McGee 6, Jaylin Mosby 6, Chris Garmon 2, Derrick Prigel 10, A.V. Banks 11, Caleb Gooch 5. FG 17, FT 11/15, F 18 (3-pointers: Jaylin Mosby 2, A.V. Banks 2, Fouled Out: none)
Dexter (54) – D.J. Dowdy 10, Peyton Pollock 16, Ethan Flowers 7, Chandler Young 3, Cole Renken 18. FG 19, FT 12/21, F 15 (3-pointers: D.J. Dowdy 1, Peyton Pollock 2, Ethan Flowers 1, Fouled Out: none)
The Dexter Bearcats will be back in action on Friday, December 27th at 8:30 p.m. when they take on the Indians of Hayti.
The Bulldogs of Portageville will play Van Buren at 1:00 p.m. in the 3rd consolation game of the tournament on Friday, December 27th.
