Dexter, Missouri - It takes time to build a softball program and the JR Intensity girls softball team is trying to make their mark in Stoddard County, Missouri. This is their second season on the mound competing against teams in Missouri and Arkansas.
“These ladies are learning each and every day,” commented coach Chris Asberry. “Hopefully they will stay with it and help their respective high school programs in the future.” Athletes are from several local towns in and around Stoddard County.
The JR Intensity Softball team competed in the Chaos Tournament in Jonesboro and the 7 in Spring Tournament in Perryville already this season.
There next game will be in the Arkansas Extreme Challenge in Jonesboro slated for Saturday, May 21, 2016. On June 3rd, 4th and 5th they will compete in the Mt. Dew Classic in Jonesboro, Arkansas and on June 25thand 26 they will play in the Southeast Missouri State University Tournament in Cape Girardeau.
“We have also been in talks with other coaches in towns such as Bernie, Poplar Bluff, and New Madrid to help schedule local games in the future,” stated Asberry. “The bottom line is the more games we get in the more experience we get and more we learn.”
The following 14u fast-pitch softball athletes who participate on the JR Intensity Softball Team are: Kelsey Carrier, Hope Hartman, Sydney Asberry, Mikayla Dodson, McKenzie Yount, Alexa Werneck, Kylie Miller, Payton Phelan, Madeline Parker, Hannah Pyles, Victoria Bess, Kaiti Payne, Emilie Johnson, and Savanna Jaco.
Dexter, Missouri - Are you ready for some BASKETBALL? The Dexter Bearcats Boys Basketball Camp 2016 is slated for May 31st - June 2nd. It is open to grades kindergarten through 8th grade. (Boys entering these grades in August 2016). Athletes will receive a Dexter Bearcats Basketball Camp T-shirt.
The basketball camp features team concepts, ball handling and passing instruction, defensive concepts, ability/age grouping, as well as contests and games.
Contests include Hot Shot, Free Throw, Chair Dribble, 2 Ball Lay-Ups, Lane Slides, One-on-One, and Team Play. Each contest winner will receive a certificate.
Kindergarten - 2nd grade camp will be 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, May 31st - June 2nd.
3rd, 4th and 5th grade camp will be 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, May 31st - June 2nd.
6th, 7th, and 8th grade camp will be 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, May 31st - June 2nd.
All camps will be held in the Bearcat Event Center in Dexter. The cost is $25 and payable to Dexter High School. Please register by Tuesday, May 17th so t-shirts can be ordered by May 20th; however you may also register the first day of camp.
If you have any questions please contact Coach Josh Dowdy at (573) 421-0023.
Advance, Missouri - Brian Whitson, a senior at Advance High School, has signed a letter of intent to play golf at John A. Logan College located in Carterville, Illinois.
He is the son of Marvin and Pam Whitson.
Whitson led the Hornets to the team title at the Class 1 sectional tournament last week at The Oaks at Tan-Tar-A in Osage Beach, Missouri, and a spot in this week's MSHSAA state tournament.
"I have been playing golf with my dad since I was able to walk and hold a golf club," Whitson stated. "Through the years, I have also played several other sports. I have been involved with basketball, baseball, and football. Although I enjoy each of these sports, I seem to have excelled in golf the most."
"My ulitmate goal is to earn a degree in Education and eventually become a coach myself. I have been blessed with several great coaches in my life and I would like to some day help others to reach their fullest potential in the sport of their choice," continued Whitson.
John A Logan's golf program for men is one of the best in the country and the Volunteers are a two-time National Champion! There were second in 2010 and third in 2012. Two members of the Volunteers men's golf team have claimed national medalist honors. Marceio Rozo in 2010 and Filip Timmerman in 2011.
The Volunteers have made 12 consecutive appearances in the NJCAA National Tournament and never finished lower than 8th place. They are also the reigning Great Rivers Athletic Conference and Region 24 Tournament Champions. Logan College has produced the last nine individual Region 24 Tournament medalists and 16 Volunteers have earned All-American Honors.
Shown in the photo standing from left to right: Advance Golf Coach Neil Miles, John A Logan College Coach Tom Ferris, and Advance Athletic Director James Hamlin. Seated from left to right are Marvin Whitson, Brian Whitson, and Pam Whitson.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Bearcats finally got their opportunity to play Potosi in the Class 1, District 1 Semifinal today on their home court. Severe weather all week kept pushing the match back. Top-seeded Dexter won three doubles matches and the first two singles matches to secure their 5-0 win.
Varsity Doubles:
No. 1 Ethan Flowers/Addison Moore (D) def. Kyle Ziegler/John Rubb (P) 8-1
No. 2 Zach Potts/Joshua Kohlbaker (D) def. Aaron Wright/Colin Boyer (P) 8-1
No. 3 Jacob Crumley/Will Brehmer (D) def. Gabe Adams/Eli Hampton (P) 8-5
Varsity Singles:
No. 2 Zach Potts (D) def. Dylan Wilson (P) 6-1, 6-1
No. 5 Tyler Stevenson (D) def. Colin Boyer 6-3, 6-1
Dexter (10-2) is the defending District Champion and will take on Notre Dame (5-7) in the District Championship on Friday, May 13th at 2 p.m. in Dexter.
Notre Dame is ranked #3 and defeated #2 seeded Arcadia Valley 5-3 on Wednesday, May 11th.
Dexter has played Notre Dame twice this season according to head tennis Coach Kurt Lovelady. Dexter beat Notre Dame 8-1 in both of those matches.
Dexter, Missouri - Chandler Young became the latest in his family to sign a national letter of intent to play baseball at the college level. His older brother Chase, a 2013 Dexter graduate, is currently competing on the baseball diamond at Freed-Hardeman University. Chandler will join him in the fall.
"It is awesome," Chandler Young said. "it is something you kind of strive for whenever you are a kid. My brother Chase signed when I was a freshman. I saw him sign and knew at that moment I really wanted to compete at the college level and see how I could perform."
"My dad has coached baseball and has been very successful at it," continued Young. "I have also seen my older brother achieve on the field. It is the sport I have seen my family have success with growing up and I have always felt like the baseball diamond is where I can be very successful.
Longtime head baseball coach Brian Becker has had both brothers on his varsity squad. "Anytime one of your players signs a letter of intent to go to college you are always proud of them," commented Becker. "I am extremely proud of Chandler. He is a kid that has put in a lot of hard work and deserves to reap the benefits of that."
Becker recalled Chandler's ability to deliver at the plate under pressure since his very first high school at-bat. "His first varsity at-bat I had the bunt sign on and he missed a bunt," Becker said. "He had two strikes on him so I called him down to the third base coaching box and said, 'You better find a way to get on base.' and he got a base hit.
Young has served many positions on the field. He has been extremely versatile as a corner infielder, outfielder and a pitcher. He hopes to keep his options open as he heads off to college.
"It is kind of undecided right now," Young said. "I am looking to play a corner infield or outfield position. But I would also be interested in pitching as well and haven't ruled that out."
Coach Becker thinks hitting could be Young's best asset at the college level. "I would say in college he would probably be a better hitter than anything because he has got a really good stroke at the plate and I think he will do well down there."
Freed-Hardeman is an NAIA school that competes in the American Midwest Conference in baseball.
"It is a great place," stated Young. "It is a Christian college and it is a small college so class sizes are smaller and education is a big factor for me. They also have a winning program that is currently ranked nationally. They are second in their conference right now and hopefully they can build on that in their tournament. It is a successful program as well that offers good academics."
Young plans to major in Psychology and minor in Business at Freed-Hardeman. "I hope to open my own practice, contract out to people, obtain customers and build a business."
Shown in the photo seated are from left to right Christine Young, Chandler Young, Marty Young. Standing from left to right are Cody Boyer, Derek Urhahn, and Brian Becker.
