Dexter, Missouri - The Lady Bearcats were up by only one point at the end of the first half 18-17 over the Neelyville Tigers before breaking out into a defensive battle in the third quarter to secure their 55 - 41 win at their second home game of the season in the Bearcat Event Center.
“We changed the defenses at the start of the third quarter for about three possessions. Neelyville either turned the ball over or we forced them into some quick shots,” commented Dexter girls basketball coach Chad Allen. “We got some easy looks out of that half court trap we were doing. That sort of set the tone for the second half.”
“We didn’t shoot well in the first half or the last game we played,” continued Allen. “I think they did a pretty good job in the second half doing that and got to the free throw line more.”
Coming out of the break........“We told them to really concentrate and attack the rim and try to get to the free throw line,” stated Allen. “Also get the ball inside to our post. I think we did a pretty good job in the second half doing that and got to the free throw line more. We got the ball inside to our post more also.”
Dexter did get to the line more in the second half. If you look at the free throw stats that was a big stab in the game as Dexter shot 75% sinking 12, while Neelyville hit only 2 of their 16 attempts.
“There has been times that we didn’t shoot free throws very well, but for the most part we shot well so far this year,” Allen said. “Just getting to the line and knocking them down really can win a lot of games. That was a big factor tonight and not only the defensive end but also getting to the free throw line and making them.”
Dexter’s freshman Chaylea Mosby tallied a game-high 18 points including four 3-pointers. Two in the first quarter and two in the third quarter and she shot 100% at the charity stripe.
Senior Dakota Reynolds hit two 3-pointers and three buckets contributing 12 points for Dexter.
Krysten Garrison recorded 11 points and was 7 for 8 in free throws.
“The main thing is……I am proud of them,” stated Allen. “It’s just the fight they have in them because a lot of times when you aren’t shooting the ball well you don’t guard as well either. These girls fight all throughout the game. They find a way to grind out a game. They also did the same against Kennett.”
The Lady Cats were able to shut down Neelyville's powerhouse Shelby Moon. She recorded only 8 points for the Tigers, two treys and one bucket and did not score at all in the fourth quarter.
J'Kayla Fowler was the only Tiger in double digits tallying 10 total points all on 2 point baskets.
“We really concentrated on her last time we played them and also tonight,” Allen said of Moon. “ I thought our girls did a great job defending Moon as well as the rest of the girls. I thought we played very well defensively all game long.”
On Saturday, January 16th the Lady Cats (12-2) will travel to Jackson in a one-day shootout. They play Miller Career Academy at 2:30 p.m. at the Jackson High School gym.
“They are the same team as in the past. They have the same coach. They still play the same. They are long and athletic,” Allen said of Miller Career. “ As long as we can get out there and guard like we have been guarding then I feel good about it. Of course we just have to keep playing.”
Final Score Dexter 55, Neelyville 41
Dexter 11 7 16 12 - 55
Neelyville 10 7 14 10 - 41
Dexter (55) - Dakota Reynolds 12, Melanie McKuin 7, Cheyenne Mosby 2, Krysten Garrison 11, Harley Allen 3, Chaylea Mosby 18. FG 18, FT 12/16, F 17. (3-pointers: Dakota Reynolds 2, Harley Allen 1. Fouled Out: None).
Neelyville (41) - Shelby Moon 8, Jentri Worley 7, Maggie Eaker 4, J’Kayla Fowler 10, Chelsea Petty 6, Christina Russom 6. FG 18, FT 2/16, F 14. (3-pointers: Shelby Moon 2, Jentri Worley 1. Fouled Out: None).
