Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter varsity girls basketball program has had their best season in the school’s history and was only one win away of becoming the first state champions. The Dexter community is extremely proud of them and no matter what the final score they are winners in our hearts and memories forever. We love our Lady Bearcats!
“Overall, I am proud of our girls,” stated Dexter’s head coach Chad Allen. “They fought hard all game long and we definitely gave Incarnate all they wanted. Last year we played scared and today we didn’t play scared. We got after them on both sides of the ball, both offensively and defensively.”The Bearcats only lead in the game was in the first minute when they were up 2 – 0. Incarnate answered with a 13 point run, but Dexter answered back with three treys of their own. Alison Jarrell hit back-to-back 3-pointers to rally the Bearcats at the end of the first quarter. Hannah Noe answered with one as well. Incarnate Word lead by only 4 points going into the second period.
“I owe all the guards that play around me,” stated Alison Jarrell. “I can’t get the ball without them passing it and getting me good looks.” Jarrell hit a total of three treys for Dexter during the game.
Bearcat fans spent a lot of time on their feet cheering for the Lady ‘Cats. There were a few tense moments when a girl would fall or go sliding across the court for the ball. Both teams were very aggressive with getting the ball and getting down court to their respective goals. By half-time Dexter was only down by 8 points, it was still anyone’s game. The crowd gave the girls a standing ovation as they left the court at half-time.
“The first half I felt like we gave up a few too many offensive rebounds and the second half we missed a few shots we normally make,” continued Allen. “If we had done those two things it definitely would have been a lot closer and we would definitely made a good game out of it.”
Hannah Noe #10 tallied a team-high 16 points for the Lady Bearcats including three treys. She has had an awesome year being the first of four Lady ‘Cats to hit their 1,000th career point. She earned that prestigious honor against the Kennett Indians back in January of this year. As a senior, knowing it was her last high school game, emotions were high and at the end she showed her fellow teammates the true spirit of the game, giving hugs and shedding tears on the court.
Alison Jarrell #12 finished the game with a total of three 3-pointers totaling nine points. A senior and the second player of the four who earned their spot in the Dexter hall of fame hit her 1,000th career point against the Kennett Indians. The same game as Noe. She plans to attend Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri and play for the Lady Crusaders Basketball Team. Erika Cobb, also a senior, added 4 points to the board. She became the third Lady ‘Cat to hit her 1,000th career point this year against the Jackson Indians. After graduation from high school, Erika will be joining the Three Rivers Lady Raiders in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
“I didn’t feel like we were scared at all,” commented Erika. “We came out there and played as hard as we possible could.”
Senior Paige Patterson #22 shot 50% from the floor and recorded 10 points. She too had an awesome year hitting her 1,000th career point during a District play-off game against the Kennett Indians. She also plans to attend Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri and play for the Lady Crusaders Basketball Team.
"Coming into this game I really thought it definitely helped being here last year," Allen said. "I thought our semifinal game was the best game we've played all year offensively and defensively. To get here to the championship game and get the monkey off our back of getting fourth place is huge. Our girls didn't play scared, got after it and I'm proud of them."
Dexter completes their season with an impressive 27 – 4 record. Hannah Noe, Alison Jarrell, Erika Cobb and Paige Patterson will graduate this year and they will be missed on the court. Good luck and we hope to watch your college games next season!! Once a Bearcat always a Bearcat!!!
As for the rest of the Lady 'Cats we will see you on the court next year for some great Bearcat Basketball!! It's been an awesome year and we are so proud of each and every one of you. One Team One Dream says it all!!
Final Score Incarnate Word 60 Dexter 43
Dexter 13 7 10 13 - 43
Incarnate Word 17 11 15 17 - 60
Dexter (43) - Hannah Noe 16, Paige Patterson 10, Alison Jarrell 9, Erika Cobb 4, MaKayla Waldner 2, Melanie McKuin 2 FG 16, FT 5/6, F 16 (3-pointers: Alison Jarrell 3, Hannah Noe 3. Fouled Out: none)
Incarnate Word (60) - Napheesa Collier 33, Nakiah Bell 9, Abbey Huff 6, Gwen Adams 12 FG 22, FT 13/17, F 10 (3-pointers: Nakiah Bell 3. Fouled Out: none)
