Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter boys basketball team knew coming into Tuesday's nights game that the Charleston Bluejays had shut them down several years in a row and are typically a powerhouse to beat. Unfortunately despite a couple of leads by the Bearcats throughout the second half, the Bluejays came out on top 60-56 at the Bearcat Event Center.
Charleston jumped out to a 20-7 lead in the first quarter to take a game-high 13 points lead, but the Cats' drive and will to beat these pesky Bluejays shifted and Dexter earned a one point lead. Senior Jason Jarrell #10, hit a pair from the charity stripe to give the Bearcats their first lead since the opening minute of the game 38-37 with just a little over 2 minutes left in the third quarter.
"It looked pretty bleak early in the game, but we pushed through and started buckling down defensively," commented Dexter head boys basketball coach Josh Dowdy. "Overall the adversity we faced early on especially with the foul trouble and we have Dawson Kasting out. That doesn't help in our depth department. Overall I am very proud of them."
Last year Gabe Jackson had a special knack of staying in the game, this year he got into some foul trouble. He sat out several minutes of the game, but still managed to earn 16 points for Dexter.
Clay Mullins had a good game. He finished with one trey and a team-high 17 points.
"He had some bright eyes early on, but we talked about driving the pressure." stated Dowdy of Mullins efforts. "He can dribble the ball and get to the rack.
Jason Jarrell also finished in double digits adding 12 points to the board. He had one 3-pointer.
The schedule does not get any easier for the Bearcats (0-1). On Friday evening they face another powerhouse, the Sikeston Bulldogs and on their turf. Next week it's another tough week as they take part in the SEMO Conference Tournament potentially facing Sikeston again as they are the #1 seed. Dexter must get past New Madrid County Central on Monday at 5:30 p.m.
Charleston (3-0) will host Notre Dame on Friday night.
Final Score Dexter 56, Charleston 60
Charleston 20 11 12 17 - 60
Dexter 7 16 20 13 - 56
Charleston (60) - Jaquavis Rodgers 13, Latrell Porter 3, Demarcus Sharp 6, Mardareyon Clark 20, Jeremy Tucker 8, Delontre Fisher 10. FG 22, FT 12/19, F 26 )3-pointers: Jaquavis Rodgers 3, Latrell Porter 1, Fouled Out: Porter)
Dexter (56) - Kole Kelley 3, Jason Jarrell 12, Nate Gargas 2, Alan Pippins 4, Clay Mullins 17, Ryan Mayo 2, Gabe Jackson 16. FG 14, FT 25/34, F 20. (3-pointers: Kole Kelly 1, Jason Jarrell 1, Clay Mullins 1. Fouled Out: Mayo)
