Columbia, Missouri - Ethan Stevens came home with some nice hardware from the Missouri State Wrestling Tournament this weekend.

Stevens placed third in the Class 2, 182-lb weight division on Saturday finishing his senior year of high school with a record of 42-5 in the 182 lb weight division.. 

He won in the first round by pin over Hunter Wilkins of John Burroughts in 4:17. 

In the quarterfinals Ethan won by decision over Caleb Shanks of Cameron 13-5. 

He lost his semifinal match on Friday by decision to Tage McNutt of Benton 6-4. 

On Saturday in the Consolation semifinal Stevens won by decision over Wade Hahn of Ste. Genevieve 6-1 and in his third place match he faced Shanks once again winning by decision over Caleb Shanks of Cameron 2-1.

He finished his senior year with a record of 42-5. As a freshman he had a record of 34-15, his sophomore year he went 31-7.  As a junior he placed 4th at State in the 170 lb weight division and finished the season with a 35-2 record. 

Ethan was a four time District Champion and a two time State Medalist.

"Ethan improved every year and ended his high school career with an overall record of 142-29," commented Dexter's head wrestling coach James Sneed.  "Ethan is a 3 sport athlete and to compete at the level he does while playing other sports shows just what kind of athlete he really is".

"Going into his Senior year our goal all along was State Champion.  Although he fell a little short of Champion, a third place finish is something to be proud of, the top 4 kids in that weight class were so evenly matched," continued Sneed.  "We had lost to Tage McNutt (Benton 36-12) who finished 2nd in State this year earlier in the year in the Excelsior Springs Tournament 3-2 and then again in the semifinals by a score of 6-4.  Beat Caleb Shanks (Cameron 51-9) the #2 ranked kid in Class 2 182 lb weight class in the Quarterfinals 13-5 and again in the 3rd place match 2-1."

Congratulations Ethan Stevens!  The entire community is proud of you!

Dexter, Missouri - On January 28, 2016 during the semi-final game against the Bloomfield Wildcats in the Stoddard County Athletic Association Tournament, Dexter High School athlete Ethan Flowers broke the Career 3-Point Record for Dexter Senior High School.

Ethan currently has 162 three-pointers in his career as of publication date.  He beat previous Bearcat boys basketball athlete Shawn Guethle who held the record at 142.

“I was a senior at Dexter High School, Class of 2000, and I guess I established the 3-Point Record of 142,” commented Shawn Guethle, former Dexter High School alumnus.  “I also hold the most 3-pointers in a season with 81 total my senior year.”

Ethan is the son of Tim and Kim Flowers of Dexter.

Shawn has known Ethan and his family for years.  “I am extremely proud of him and if I had to give up the record then I am glad it went to a kid like him. He is modest and humble on and off the court.”

“When Ethan was in 3^rd grade his coaches were Chris Guethle and Chris Hyten,” stated Guethle.  “When Ethan was in about the 5^th grade I was coaching at the high school level and began watching the younger athletes.”

“Then in 7^th grade I coached middle school basketball and there was Ethan Flowers,” continued Guethle.  “Had him a couple years in junior varsity, but I have known him and family for many years!”

It takes a lot of dedication to the sport and a multitude of hours in the gym practicing to become a great shooter.  Ethan is devoted and passionate about the game.

“Ethan has really put the time and effort into his game,” commented Dexter head boys basketball coach Josh Dowdy.  “To have somebody with those kinds of work ethic accomplish something like this, that’s what you want to see.  Those are the types of people you want to see break records and Ethan certainly fits that bill nicely.  The way he goes bout his business is to be admired.  He is a definitely a role model for all future Bearcats.”

Ethan also leads the Dexter boys basketball team in assists.  “I don’t think you will find that on most teams…a guy that leads his team in assists and three point shots,” stated Dowdy.  “He lets the game come to him.  In fact, I have asked him recently if he has ever had a three point shot blocked.  He told me … no.  That was my attempt of trying to encourage him to shoot it more.”

Ethan has had a pretty good career at Dexter. He had tied the Single Game Record of 8 treys against Sikeston. Six of those eight came in the 4th quarter.  he currently has 65 3-pointers for this season.  The record is held by Guethle at 81, but there are still two games left and a District Tournament.  Fans will be cheering Ethan from the sidelines.

"Before our first game of the SCAA Tournament, my parents told me I had like 8 to tie and 9 to break the record.  I guess they told me a little lie," stated Flowers in an interview after the Bloomfield vs Dexter semi-final game.  "I hit a couple in that first game and then hit five tonight.  After the game, My brother, Owen, came up to me and told me I had broke it."

"I wish Mr. Guethle had been here for this game since he was the record holder," continued Flowers.  "We have been 'trash talking' a bit about me beating his record."

Guethle was on hand Tuesday night for the presentation and acknowledgement of Ethan's accomplishment. 

“I got to watch him all these years and he has worked hard on his shot,” continued Guethle.  “He was always asking how to tweak his shot or what he was doing wrong.  He wanted to be a good shooter and he worked until he got it. This was his night! “

“There is no doubt that he will be successful in his future.   If he decides to play ball in college, he will be successful.”

If you have ever had a chance to watch Ethan right before a game, he is methodical about his 3-point shots.  Each game he goes around the perimeter shooting threes usually twice and when he makes his last shot he heads to the bench ready for the game.

"I try to go around a couple of times," explained Ethan with a grin.  "It felt great knowing all the practicing and shooting is paying off, something I have been aiming towards."

Ethan will be back on the court at the Bearcat Event Center on Tuesday, February 23rd when they host Notre Dame.  His last DHS home game will be Friday, February 26th against Cape Central.  It will be SENIOR NIGHT!

“Our games are numbered now and I will miss seeing #24 letting it fly,” Dowdy said.  “I think I can speak on behalf of our entire team and town……..WE ARE VERY PROUD OF HIM!”

Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter R-XI School District is excited to announce Mr. Kevin Goltra as their new Head Football Coach for the 2016-2017 school year.

Coach Goltra has 15 years of notable coaching experience; 4 as a head coach and 11 as a defensive coordinator.  Early in Goltra’s career, he coached as the defensive coordinator at a school in Northwest Missouri and as a linebacker coach at a junior college in North Dakota.  He served as head coach at Obion County High School and Kenwood High School in Tennessee.  While at Obion County, he helped transform a team that made the Class 4A Playoffs and at Kenwood he led the Knights to the Class 5A playoffs.  Most recently, he was at Lake County School District in Tiptonville, TN.    

Coach Goltra is an experienced teacher, reaching Level 5 status in TN.  He has previously taught Government, Psychology, Sociology, World History, and U.S. History.  He also holds a Master’s of Science in Educational Leadership.  Coach Goltra is married to Tiffany.  They have five children ages 17, 16, 12, and twins who are 3. 

Coach Goltra indicates his coaching philosophy is centered on hard work, accountability, and doing things the right way.  He believes hard work and attention to detail are the focal points to being able to compete against schools that may be bigger or have superior athletes.  He looks forward to moving to this area and building a top-notch programs that the students, administration, and community can be proud of. 

Superintendent, Mr. Mitchell Wood is pleased to welcome Coach Goltra as the new football coach stating, “Coach Goltra has the right combination of character, experience, enthusiasm, and vision to take on the unique opportunities and challenges of the position at Dexter High School.  He has a proven track record of success on the field, and getting his players to play at the next level.”

Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Bearcats varsity boys basketball team entered Tuesday's night match-up with the Poplar Bluff Mules with all intentions of stopping Mules' two powerhouse athletes, Marcedus Leech and Willie Lucas.  Dexter's defense did just that as it managed to hold Leech completely scoreless.  Lucas however managed to pull out and tallied a game-high 27 points.  It would be the first time in 4 years and only the 2nd time in 15 years that Dexter would overpower Poplar Bluff in boys basketball.

It was the fourth quarter that the Bearcats really shined and proved they were a substantial team to beat.   With a record of 13-10 they are earning their stripes this year on the court! The Mules were up 32-24 at the half, but Dexter eliminated that deficit and took their first lead of the game 38-37 when Jason Jarrell recorded a layup with just 3 minutes to go in the third period.  The Mules answered back with a bucket at the buzzer.

The Bearcats had an explosive fourth quarter finish. Jason Jarrell hit two to take the lead once again in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.  Ethan Flowers recorded a trey and Jacob Pedigo hit a field goal.  It was tied 45-45 with 5:35 left in regulation.  Pedigo hit a bucket then got fouled and hit two more from the charity stripe. It became a battle of free throws in the last two minutes of the game, but enough to beat Poplar Bluff 61-57. 

"The story of the game was the job Tyler Heil did on defense," stated Dexter head basketball coach Josh Dowdy.  "We have a lot of respect for Leech and Lucas.  We were trying to make someone else beat us, and Heil executed our game plan perfectly.  It's one thing having a plan, but it is another carrying it out."

"Heil will sleep well tonight," Dowdy continued. "He finished with one point and 20 stops.  I love a kid who takes pride in getting stops."

Gabe Jackson and Jacob Pedigo each recorded 16 points for Dexter.  Jackson tallied 14 points in the paint and two on free throws.  Pedigo scored half of his total points in the final quarter of the game.

"I knew we were in good shape when Gabe was yelling for the ball," stated Dowdy.  "Pedigo played with a lot of poise on offense and attacked the glass well."

Jason Jarrell contributed 13 points and Ethan Flowers recorded 10 point.  Flowers added four 3-pointers to his high school record.

"We started out a little slow, but gained some confidence throughout the game," Dowdy said.  "The guards did a tremendous job handling the ball and Gabe did an outstanding job of altering shots and standing his ground.  He also did what Gabe does - REBOUND!"

Final Score Dexter 61 - Poplar Bluff 57!

"WOW!" Dowdy said of the Bearcats win. "A big win for these guys."

Dexter will be back in action on February 23rd when they host the Notre Dame Bulldogs.

Dexter          13  11  14   23  - 61

Poplar Bluff  18  14    7  18  -  57

Dexter (61) - Jason Jarrell 13, Jacob Pedigo 16, Ethan Flowers 10, Tyler Heil 1, Ryan Mayo 5, Gabe Jackson 16.  FG 21, FT 15/25, F 17.  (3-pointers: Jason Jarrell 1, Ethan Flowers 2, Ryan Mayo 1.  Fouled Out: None).

Poplar Bluff (57) - Tyler Cline 11, Rodney Houston 2, Tristen Francisco 8, Willie Lucas 27. FG 17, Ft 12/16, F 23. (3-pointers: Tyler Cline 3, Tristen Francisco 2, Willie Lucas 4.  Fouled Out: None).

Dexter, Missouri - Ethan Flower, senior at Dexter High School, was recognized for breaking the school 3-point record. 

Ethan has currently made 160 three-pointers in his career. 

On January 28, 2016, he broke the record against Bloomfield in the semi-final game of the SCAA Tournament. 

Shawn Guethle, who graduated in 2000, held the record before Ethan eclipsed his mark of 142.

The ShowMe Times will have a feature article later in the week with comments from Guethle, Coach Josh Dowdy, and Ethan Flowers.

Congratulations Ethan!