Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Bearcats varsity boys basketball team entered Tuesday’s nights match-up with the Notre Dame Bulldogs with the intentions of attacking their match-up off the dribble.
"We made some early mistakes in the process, but all in all we were able to get some easy baskets and it allowed us to get to the free throw line," Dexter head basketball coach Josh Dowdy said.
Dexter made 26 of 37 baskets from the charity stripe. Jason Jarrell #10 and Ethan Flowers #24 were 100% at the free throw line recording 8 and 4 respectively. Jacob Pedigo recorded 7 of his 10 attempts.
“I believe 26 is by far the most free throws we have made all season,” commented Dowdy.
“They run at you and force you to make plays,” Dowdy said of Notre Dames defense. “We had close to 20 turnovers. On the flip side, we were able to score 69 points and that is a big number for us. Notre Dame is a team that gets after you on defense and I am glad we stayed the course by continuing to drive to the rim."
Coach Dowdy earned his 4th conference win of the season beating the Notre Dame Bulldogs 69-60 at the Bearcat Event Center. They face Cape Central on Friday night before heading into Districts.
“Four SEMO Conference wins for our school and this community…...wow.......these kids deserve some pats on the back,” stated Dowdy. “It has been a while and I hope our younger guys build off the foundation that these guys have started.”
Jason Jarrell, Ethan Flowers, Jacob Pedigo and Gabe Jackson each recorded double digits for the Bearcats.
Jarrell tallied a game-high 18 points recording five buckets and 8 free throws in only 3 quarters of play.
Jackson recorded 17 points and had 14 rebounds. Flowers contributed 15 points on three treys, a bucket and four free throws. Pedigo added 13 points.
"These kids have grown to accept and understand their role,” Dowdy said of his team. “Again we had 4 guys in double figures, then there is Tyler Heil and Ryan Mayo and you just can’t put a price tag on them from an energy stand point!”
Notre Dame never recovered from the 5 point deficit in the first period. They made a run in the second quarter scoring 20 points, but Dexter continued to battle it out and outscored Notre Dame 41 – 33 in the second half securing their win.
“We have had some real solid second halves as of late,” stated Dowdy. “I feel like we executed on the defensive end early in the game with the exception of some post touches and our lack of blocking out. I give credit to the kids of Notre Dame. Dohogne and Ketcher do a good job of spreading out and creating space inside. We were a little better in the second half of taking that away.”
“These kids have come together as a group. We have some real solid senior leadership,” continued Dowdy. “The locker room has more chatter than it did in early December. This is a real coachable group and fun to work with each day.”
Dexter (14-10) will be back in action on Friday, February 26thwhen they host Cape Central. It’s Senior Night. Game time 6:00 p.m.
“Just can’t be more proud of these guys. Four wins in the SEMO Conference and to start the year I would never have thought,…..now in practice it is amazing how close these kids have become.”
Final Score Dexter 69, Notre Dame 60
Dexter 12 16 23 18 - 69
Notre Dame 7 20 11 22 - 60
Dexter (69) - Jason Jarrell 18, Jacob Pedigo 13, Ethan Flowers 15, Tyler Heil 3, Ryan Mayo 3, Gabe Jackson 17. FG 20, FT 26/37, F 19. (3-pointers: Ethan Flowers 3. Fouled Out: None).
Notre Dame (60) - Andrew Legrand 6, Blake Bauwens 15, Josh Seabaugh 2, Ross Essner 11, Tanner Robert 1, Winston Welter 3, Jake Edwards 6, Dawson Dohogne 6, Carson Ketcher 7, FG 23, FT 11/19, F 25. (3-pointers: Blake Bauwens 1, Ross Essner 1, Winston Welter 1. Fouled Out: Winston Welter).
