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).
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Lady Bearcats all but silenced the Jackson Lady Indians tonight at the Bearcat Event Center winning their 20th ballgame of the season 59 – 35.
“Our girls really came out with a lot of effort and had a lot of energy tonight," stated Dexter head girls basketball coach Chad Allen.
The Bearcats found success, as Chaylea Mosby and Dakota Reynolds led the team with 17 points and 16 points respectively. Krysten Garrison pitched in another 10 points for Dexter.
Jackson was paced by Rylee Stafford with 11 points.
“Jackson has been on a roll lately winning several games in a row and haven’t lost a game since December or so,” commented Allen. “Coach Abernathy does a great job with them.”
“But for the first time I think we guarded full court. Just really got after them and pressured them. I thought that was the main difference of the game,” Allen continued.
Senior Dakota Reynolds jumped out early with her impressive 3-point shot abilities hitting one early in the first period and two more in the second quarter finishing with four for Dexter.
Harley Allen and Chaylea Mosby also recorded two treys each.
By the fourth quarter, the Lady Cats held a 30-point margin over Jackson. They continuously shot the ball great tonight, shooting 48% overall and executed from the perimeter as well.
“I really think we executed for the first time offensively throughout the whole game,” Allen said. “We have had spurts and have looked good, but tonight we really executed well. We got some high percentage shots and we knocked them down. When you do that it definitely makes your defense better as well.”
Dexter held Jackson’s offense to just one player in double digits and prevented Tomsu from scoring throughout the game.
“They are good offensive team. Cassidi Tomsu is their leader and she does a great job. She creates for others, she’s a great shooter and they have other good shooters on their team as well. I just thought we really matched up with them and didn’t really give them to many great looks.”
“Early on in the game we gave them a couple of baskets inside and we didn’t match up well. Other than that we guarded extremely well.”
Final Score Dexter 59, Jackson 35
Dexter 10 19 13 17 - 59
Jackson 6 10 6 13 - 35
Dexter (59) – Dakota Reynolds 16, Melanie McKuin 4, Cheyenne Mosby 2, Krysten Garrison 10, Harley Allen 8, Chaylea Mosby 17, Rylee Allen 2. FG 22, FT 7/8, F 7. (3-pointers: Dakota Reynolds 4, Harley Allen 2, Chaylea Mosby 2. Fouled Out: None).
Jackson (35) – Cassidi Tomsu 5, Autumn Reid 5, Nikki Sotak 5, Rylee Stafford 11, Mallorie Maintz 2, Nicole Humphreys 7. FG 13, FT 4/5, F 9. (3-pointers: Cassidi Tomsu 1, Autumn Reid 1, Nikki Sotak 1, Rylee Stafford 2. Fouled Out: None).
Dexter improved their record to 20 - 4. With 20 games under his belt for the season Allen commented about the girls ability to step up with such a tremendously tough schedule.
“You know especially after losing Hannah Thurmon at the very beginning of the year,” Allen said. “And looking at the season you get 20 wins at this point it just shows you how these girls have stepped up without Hannah and have done really such a great job especially playing such a tough schedule.”
Thursday night the Lady Cats will host district rival the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs at the Bearcat Event Center. Game time is 6:00 p.m.
“Sikeston has really improved the program these passed couple of years,” stated Allen. “Coach Schonhoff has done an excellent job with them. They can flat out get after you defensively. As long as we make sure we take care of the ball and play as good defensively as we did tonight I think we have a good shot. We are going to have to play well Thursday night.”
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter junior varsity girls basketball team hosted the Lady Indians of Jackson on Monday evening at the Bearcat Event Center.
Freshman Natalie Sitze recorded a team-high 12 points for Dexter. She also tallied one trey.
Jackson’s 6’ freshman Michala Stone poured in a game-high 15 points.
Final Score Dexter JV 32, Jackson JV 41
Dexter 4 4 14 10 - 32
Jackson 7 13 12 9 - 41
Dexter (32) - Rylee Allen 4, Maycie martin 6, Natalie Sitze 12, Meghan Trout 4, Keirstan Keirsey 2, Madyson Crockett 4. FG 13, FT 5/8, F 12. (3-pointers: Natalie Sitze 1. Fouled Out: None).
Jackson (41) - Laura Bertrand 1, Grace Pehle 4, Emma Masterson 4, Krista Martin 4, Kalli Mayfield 13, Michala Stone 15. FG 18, FT 5/7, F 12. (3-pointers: None, Fouled Out: None).
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 3rd grade his coaches were Chris Guethle and Chris Hyten,” stated Guethle. “When Ethan was in about the 5th grade I was coaching at the high school level and began watching the younger athletes.”
“Then in 7th 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 is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Teachers of America, and the Varsity Tennis. He also earned the 2014 Most Rebounds Award and the 110% Award in 2015 at Dexter High School.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!”
