New Madrid, Missouri – The Dexter Bearcats ended their 3-game winning streak when the New Madrid County Central Eagles flew away with the win Friday night in New Madrid. 

“Our goal was to come out with a lot of energy, playing our style,” NMCC head basketball coach Travis Day said.  “I knew their defense was going to pack it in the paint on Willie.  We told our shooters to have your hands and feet ready and if you are wide open let it fly.”

NMCC definitely let it fly in the first half hitting 8 three-pointers to secure a comfortable half-time lead 46 – 20.

Willie Jimerson paced the Eagles with a team-high 19 points including one 3-pointer.  Deon Jenkins tallied 12 points and Vontre Jones finished with 11 points.

Drew Palmer hit three treys adding nine for the Eagles.  Mikael Walker added 9 points. Kiel Causey and Javarcus Word both scored 8 points.

“That’s kind of our style,” continued Day. “Willie is our head guy, but we usually have a lot of guys contribute night-in and night-out.  We are good about sharing the ball and our style allows for a lot of people to get their hands on the ball.

Dexter put together a better second half scoring 7 three-pointers and outscoring NMCC by 11 points, but it was not enough to overcome the first half deficit.

“I was very proud of how the kids battled back in the second half,” stated Dexter head basketball coach Josh Dowdy.  “Real proud.  It would have been easy to quit and we did not do that tonight.  Tyler Heil came in and gave us some big minutes.  I have been coaching for 10 years and have been around quite a few kids and there is not a better teammate than that young man.  His actions on the court are the epitome of a great teammate.  I am just glad he had a chance to shine and he did with some big block-outs, a charge, and a stickback.”

Jason Jarrell tallied a team-high 19 points including one 3-pointer. 

Austin Chesser added 17 more along with hitting two treys.

Ethan Flowers finished with 16 points including four 3-pointers.

Peyton Pollock hit one trey and finished with 8 points.

“Our goal was to make them shoot over the top of us.  Unfortunately, they were eight of eleven behind the arc in the first half.  I do wish we would have contested a little bit more, but you have to pick your poison against a team like NMCC,” continued Dowdy. “If you go out and guard them they are more than capable of getting to the rim.”

New Madrid County Central ranked #4 in Class 3 improved their record to 17-2 with the victory over Dexter.

“We were also able to run a few things offensively in the second half that I feel will make us better down the stretch,” stated Dowdy.  “I believe it is worth noting the way Coach Day handled the game.  There were some times where he could have kept his foot on the gas and he didn’t.  That shows a lot about his character and New Madrid County Central as a whole.”

Dexter will now face Puxico in the SCAA Tournament on Monday at 8:00 p.m. They are ranked #3 with Puxico ranked #6.  Games will be played at Bloomfield.

Final Score New Madrid 83, Dexter 68

NMCC   23   23   20  17  -  83

Dexter     6   14   21   27  -  68

NMCC (83) – Willie Jimerson 19, Mikael Walker 9, Kiel Causey 8, Javarcus Word 8, Chris Farr 3, Drew Palmer 9, Asten Newsom 4, Vontre Jones 11, Deon Jenkins 12.  FG 33, FT 9/15, F 16. (3-pointers: Kiel Causey 2, Javarcus Word 2, Drew Palmer 3, Willie Jimerson 1.  Fouled Out: None.)

Dexter (68) – Jason Jarrell 19, Peyton Pollock 8, Jacob Pedigo 4, Austin Chesser 17, Ethan Flowers 16, Tyler Heil 2, Matt Sims 2.  FG 27, FT 6/9, F 12.  (3-pointers: Ethan Flowers 4, Austin Chesser 2, Peyton Pollock 1, Jason Jarrell 1.  Fouled Out: None)