Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Poplar Bluff, MO – Senior Erika Cobb helped propel the Bearcats to a victory with back-to-back 3-pointers in the first two minutes of the game. A little foul trouble early in the game put seniors Hannah Noe and Alison Jarell in a pickle, but the Bearcats persevered and defeated Park Hill 59 – 42 in the Class 4 state sectional.
“At the start of the game we definitely wanted to try to put a lot of pressure on them,” commented Dexter’s head basketball coach Chad Allen. “We actually got in some foul trouble, but our pressure was good and we wore them down. Overall, I thought our sophomores stepped up and had a great game tonight.”
“Erika Cobb did a really good job at the start of the game,” continued Allen. “She looked to score, was really active and stepped up at the beginning for us.”
It was a little scary going into the second quarter. The Bearcats were up by only by 2 points. However Hannah Noe came back off the bench and tallied eight points to help increase the margin by ten points going into the locker at half-time.
“The first time we played Park Hills they played us close the first half,” Allen said. “I thought if we put pressure on their guards they would have a tough time getting the ball and if we continued to pressure we could wear them down. The second half I thought we did just that.”
Dexter’s defense kept the Rebels to only nine points in the third quarter. Sophomore MaKayla Waldner hit two treys and drew a charge in the fourth quarter off Sydney Skaggs who fouled out. Skaggs led Park Hills with a team-high 15 points before leaving the game and was the only Rebel in double figures.
“It was a big charge,” commented Allen. “I could see it coming and MaKayla was definitely excited about it. Coach Size and I were excited too.”
Hannah Noe tallied a game-high 20 points for the Bearcats.
Erika Cobb added 18 points including four 3-pointers.
Paige Patterson and Dakota Reynolds each added 6 points.
MaKayla ended the night with a total of 7 points, two treys and one free throw.
Park Hills ends their season with a record of 26 – 2, both losses were to the Dexter Bearcats.
Dexter will advance to the Class 4 state quarterfinals. The Lady ‘Cats 25 – 3 will play Battles out of Columbia, Missouri (12 – 15) on Saturday, March 15th at the Farmington Civic Center. Game time 6:00 p.m.
When asked about Battles, “I’ve already got some film on them. We will break it down and get ready for them,” stated Allen.
