Sikeston, Missouri – The Dexter Bearcats varsity boys basketball team jumped out to a 23 - 13 lead by half-time, but the Kennett Indians prevailed in the end in the opening game of the SEMO Conference Tournament in Sikeston.
Dexter seeded #9 put the first two points on the board and led at the end of the first quarter 10 - 5. Senior Peyton Pollock was on fire tonight hitting three treys on his way to a game-high 13 points.
"We had a real good first quarter against Sikeston and tonight against Kennett we were able to play well for a half," stated head basketball coach Josh Dowdy. "It may not show up on the scoreboard, but we are making some strides."
Kennett exploded in the second half to tie the game 23-23 with just under 4 minutes left in the third period. They scored double digits in the 3rd and 4th period rallying to victor with a score of 47-39.
"We did not handle their pressure in the second half. If we had handled their pressure at all, the result would have been different," continued Dowdy. "The biggest disappointment was how poor our transition defense was tonight. We know to transition back on defense by stopping the ball and protecting the rim.....it did not happen in the second half and it is another reason we came out on the losing end."
Jason Jarrell hit one trey along with Addison Moore who also added a 3-pointer. Jacob Pedigo and Cole Renken both tallied 6 points each for the Bearcats.
"Jacob Pediog gave us some good minutes and we will need his production to be successful. Addison Moore started tonight and helped slow down our offense and it is nice to have a kid that calms us down. I was proud of both of those guys tonight."
Dowdy also experienced his first injury of the year, Ethan Flowers, a junior is out for two to three weeks with a stress fracture in his foot. He did however remain on the sidelines supporting his fellow teammates.
"It is difficult to see a kid who has worked so hard, who has put in all the extra time sit out due to an injury. Ethan is like the "perfect attendance kid". He will have a difficult time sitting on the sidelines," explained Dowdy. "I believe he will come back even stronger!"
Final Score #8 Kennett 47, #9 Dexter 39
Dexter 10 13 3 13 - 39
Kennett 5 8 14 20 - 47
Dexter (39) – Noah Kronk 2, Jason Jarrell 7, Peyton Pollock 13, Jacob Pedigo 6, Austin Chesser 2, Cole Renken 6, Addison Moore 3. FG 15, FT 3/6, F 10. (3-pointers: Peyton Pollock 3, Jacob Pedigo 1, Jason Jarrell 1, Addison Moore 1. Fouled Out: None)
Kennett (47) – Eddie Wilson 6, Rantrell Caruthers 7, Carlos Turner 10, Fred Gooden 6, Jahaida Childres 6, Jad Kenny 12. FG 20, FT 7/9, F14 (3-pointers: None. Fouled Out: None)
Kennett will play the #1 seed Jackson in a quarterfinal on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m.
Dexter will be back on Tuesday as well at 8:30 p.m. in the consolation bracket playing the Cape Central Tigers. The Tigers lost to the Poplar Bluff Mules.
"Well Cape Central is the #2 seed so this is another opportunity for us to get better. They have two division 1 athletes surrounded by other good players and a seasonal coach so it will be a tall task," stated Dowdy. "Our kids understand what they are up against....we are trying to break every detail down after each game so we can learn from our mistakes."
