Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Bearcats boys tennis team begin their season at home on Thursday, March 24th against the Poplar Bluff Mules.
They return all but two starters off of their 2015 historic season, finishing 11-1 and advanced to the Class 1 State Quarterfinals.
"Our only graduates off of last year's squad were Brooks Propst and Noah Kronk," said Coach Kurt Lovelady. "So we have six lettermen returning from last year that saw some varsity action. We have got a good, strong team coming back that has been playing a lot over the winter. Some have even been going over to Paducah, playing this winter so they don't have much rust to shake off."
Returning varsity starters are high school seniors Ethan Flowers, Josh Kohlbaker, and Addison Moore along with junior Zach Potts.
"We just finished our varsity boxes last week," continued Lovelady. "We have four seniors a couple of juniors in starting slots right now, but things could change.
Lovelady expects to fill the other varsity slots with seniors Tyler Stevenson and Jacob Crumley, junior Will Brehmer, or sophomore Matthew Chesser.
"I see the bottom part of our varsity being very competitive," stated Lovelady. "All eight of those guys had very good records last year and it should be very competitive to see who earns those bottom varsity spots."
Dexter will open at home on Thursday, March 24th at 4:00 p.m. against Poplar Bluff.
"Poplar Bluff is a lot like us," Lovelady said. "They have a lot of returning players and boys that go to camps in the summer. They also put in a lot of time."
Dexter will have five home matches against Poplar Bluff, Notre Dame, Cape Central, Sikeston, and end with Poplar Bluff again in May. They also have five away matches against Cape Central, Notre Dame, Poplar Bluff, and Sikeston twice. They even host the Poplar Bluff Invitational on April 2nd.
"It's about the same schedule as last season," stated Lovelady. " Poplar Bluff is undergoing new school construction so we will be lucky enough to host the Poplar Bluff Invitational in Dexter."
Dexter will compete in the Class 1, District 1 with Notre Dame, Cape Central, Potosi, Arcadia Valley, DeSoto, and North County at the end of the season. Dexter beat Notre Dame 5-0 in Districts last year, but lost to John Burroughs in the State Quarterfinal.
Ethan Flowers,a senior, finished 8th in the state in individual doubles with teammate Noah Kronk last season. He ended with a 17-6 record.
"He's worked a lot," Lovelady said. "He has gone to Springfield and worked with some pros. He's well on his way and has some rust to shake off after basketball season, but he will progress quickly and be tough to beat this year."
2016 Dexter High School Boys Tennis Schedule
3/24 Poplar Bluff Home
3/29 Notre Dame Home
3/30 Cape Central Away
4/2 Poplar Bluff Tournament Dexter
4/5 Notre Dame Away
4/7 Poplar Bluff Away
4/13 Sikeston Away
4/16 Cape Central Tournament Cape Girardeau
4/25 Cape Central Home
4/27 Sikeston Home
4/30 Farmington Tournament Farmington
5/3 Sikeston Away
5/5 Poplar Bluff Home
Dexter, Missouri - The annual Hits for Hope middle school volleyball fundraiser is slated for Tuesday, March 22nd at T.S. Hill Middle School between the Dexter Little Lady Cats and the Bernie Mules. Game time is 6:00 p.m. with the 7th grade taking the floor first.
"We are excited this year to play on the court at the middle school," commented T.S. Hill Middle School Principal Scott Kruse. "The gym is already decorated with pink volleyballs made by our students and we hope to have a packed house for the event! I am always proud of these kids and what they do to help those with cancer."
Each year the athletes play in honor of someone who is fighting the cancer battle, survived their battle or passed away from cancer. All proceeds will benefit 18 FORE Life.
People from around the area and local businesses have graciously donated items for a silent auction to be held during the event. Volunteers will man the silent auction in the lobby of the middle school. Pink t-shirts with the Hits for Hope logo will also be sold to raise money.
These young athletes will be dressed in pink uniforms, pink whistles will be used by the referees and the game is always played with a special pink volleyball.
The 18 FORE Life originated in 2000, when four friends got together an decided it would be fun to raise some money for a good cause by hosting a golf tournament. In 2002, love offerings were sent out for the first time to families all over Southeast Missouri battling cancer and in need of love, hope, and encouragement.
After losing Ben Kruse in 2004, the event grew into much more than a golf tournament. The phrase Celebrate/Give/Remember was coined and guided the efforts of organizers, sponsors, volunteers and golfers as hundred gathered for the 2005 event and over $100,000 was raised.
To date, 18 FORE Life has given away just over 1.2 million dollars in love offerings.
Please join the 7th and 8th grade girls volleyball team on Tuesday, March 22nd and raise money for an awesome cause! Thank you in advance for your patronage!
Playing on the 7th grade team are: Hannah Pyles, MeKenzie Yount, Bailey Chamberlain, Destiny Durham, Karlee Keirsey, Payton Phelan, Chloe Thurmon, Bronwen Young, Shelby Bishop, Molley Murphy, Mikayla Dodson, Mattilyn Williams, and Sydney Asberry.
Playing on the 8th grade team are: Colby Christian, Emily Jarrell, Margo Nea, Alexa Werneck, Blair Rogers, Madilyn Hampton, Sydney Patrick, Madeline Parker, Kelsey Carrier, and Audrey Lutmer.
Bloomfield, Missouri - Spring has sprung and that means it's time for BASEBALL and SOFTBALL! The Bloomfield Little League will have their annual registration Sunday, March 20th at the Bloomfield City Park from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Age categories T-ball 4-6, Boys 7-8, Girls 7-8, Boys 9-10, Girls 9-10, Boys 11-12, Girls 11-12.
Contact Jill Gibbs by sending her a message on Facebook. To follow the Youth Baseball League click HERE.
Photo credit to Happy Snaps Photography.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter High School held their Annual Winter Sports Recognition program on Thursday, March 10th. Winters sports consists of girls and boys basketball, wrestling, cheerleading, and dance.
BOYS BASKETBALL:
"The Free Throw Award goes to a guy that shot 57-75 from the line this year," commented coach Josh Dowdy. "What is even more impressive is he was 37-41 (90.2%) in the fourth quarter when we always seemed to need them the most."
Ethan Flowers received the Free Throw Award and the MVP Award. Flowers averaged 14 points per game and broke the Dexter High School 3-point Record with 175 treys. He is a senior and the son of Tim and Kim Flowers.
"The Rebounding Award goes to a guy that led our District in rebounding," stated Dowdy. "He snagged 300 rebounds on the year. That's 11.1 RPG. The Rebounding Award goes to our Gentle Giant, Gabe Jackson. While he is standing up here before you, let me say on behalf of his teammates that we were very proud to hear this week that Gabe is a member of the Class 4 District 1 All-District Team. Gabe also received Honorable mention in the SEMO Conference."
Gabe Jackson, sophomore, earned the Rebounding Award. He led the SEMO Conference with 300 rebounds. He is the son of Dale and Kim Jackson.
"The recipient of the Defense Award goes to a guy who has been labeled as 'Annoying', 'Boney', ' maybe a little off-center', 'but always relentless," stated Dowdy.
Senior Tyler Heil received the Defensive Award. He is the son of Dan and Connie Heil.
GIRLS BASKETBALL:
At the time of the banquet, the Lady Cats were still in action with games to play in Jackson and Farmington. A later article will feature their awards.
WRESTLING:
"The Most Aggressive Wrestling Award goes to the wrestler which has the most Takedowns," stated coach Sneed. "And this year leading the team with 88 is Ethan Stevens. Ethan is a 2 time winner of this award."
Senior Ethan Stevens earned the Most Aggressive Wrestler Award and the Most Valuable Player Award. Stevens placed third at the MSHSAA State Championships in Columbia, Missouri this season. He won a fourth straight District Title finishing with 88 take-downs and a career record of 142-29. He is also a 4-time District Champion.
"This wrestler was JV all last year and this year stepped into the varsity spot and had an overall record of 27-22," commented Coach James Sneed. "He improved throughout the season and we look for great things from him next year both on the football field and in the wrestling room." 2016 Most Improved Wrestling Award went to Christian Yarber.
Christian Yarber, a sophomore, received the Most Improved Wrestler Award. Yarber finished the season with a record of 27-22.
CHEERLEADING AND DANCE:
There are no specific awards for Cheer and Dance. Those that Lettered for the first time are in a separate article on the ShowMe Times.
Photos credit to Delaney Pullen / Dexter High School Yearbook Staff
Dexter, Missouri - Fourteen athletes who lettered for the first time were recognized at the Dexter High School Winter Sports program on Thursday, March 10th.
In boys basketball Ryan Mayo received a letter.
Dalton Green, Wyatt Chastain, Dawson Jones, John Tucker, Jeff Featherston, and Rachel Huntsman received a letter in wrestling.
Rae-Ann Riddle received a letter in cheerleading.
Haley Cornett, Amber Scott, and Hannah Smith earned a letter in dance.
Cidney Gathings, Chaylea Mosby, and Olivia Sitzes received a letter in girls basketball.
Shown in the photos from left to right: Haley Cornett, Rachel Huntsman, Dawson Jones, Wyatt Chastain, Ryan Mayo, Amber Scott, and Chaylea Mosby. Not available for photo were Dalton Green, John Tucker, Jeff Featherston, Rae-Ann Riddle, Hannah Smith, Cydney Gathings, and Olivia Sitzes.
Photo credit to Delaney Pullen / Dexter High School Yearbook Staff
