Sikeston, Missouri - The five-time defending District Champions had a bit of a scare Thursday evening falling behind to the Kennett Lady Indians in the first half of the Class 4, District 1 Tournament semifinal game.
Dexter jumped out to a 10 – 5 lead to start the game, but was held to only 9 points in the second quarter while giving up 17 points to the Lady Indians putting Kennett ahead at the end of the half 22-19.
Top-seeded Dexter rapidly turned that 3-point deficit into a 33-24 lead by the end of the third quarter to ensure a victory. Dakota Reynolds came out of the locker room after half time and scored all but two of Dexter’s 14 points in the third period.
“That was huge. I think Dakota came out and hit three threes and that really got us started offensively,” commented Dexter coach Chad Allen. “That set the tone for the second half. I thought our defense keyed off of that and we were a lot more active because we knocked down some shots.”
The Lady Indians were held to just two from the charity stripe in the third period. They recorded only six points in the fourth quarter.
“We just didn’t play very well that first half and Kennett had a lot to do with that,” Allen said. “Coach Vaughan is a really good coach and he has done a great job with that program this year. We just struggled to score. The second half we just did a much better job of being more active and more aggressive.”
Dakota Reynolds recorded a game-high 19 points including five 3-pointers for Dexter. Krysten Garrison tallied 13 points. Harley Allen added a couple of treys and Chaylea Mosby hit one trey.
Dexter (21-5) will face the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs on Friday evening in the Class 4, District 1 District Championship at the Sikeston Fieldhouse. Game time is 6:00 p.m. The Lady Bearcats have won the last 5 District titles.
Final Score Dexter 45, Kennett 30
Dexter 10 9 14 12 - 45
Kennett 5 17 2 6 - 30
Dexter (45) – Dakota Reynolds 19, Krysten Garrison 13, Harley Allen 6, Chaylea Mosby 7. FG 18, FT 1/1, F 10. (3-pointers: Dakota Reynolds 5, Harley Allen 2, Chaylea Mosby 1. Fouled Out: None).
Kennett (45) – Dakayla Duckworth 7, Darcy Campbell 2, Hadley Hilburn 1, Marquesha Mister, 8, Heidi Shetley 12. FG 10, FT 10/17, F 4. (3-pointers: Dakayla Duckworth 1, Marquesha Mister 2. Fouled Out: None).
