Women can discover nature through rabbit hunting
Puxico, Missouri - The Valentine’s Day weekend is the perfect time for Southeast Missouri women to relax and have fun hunting rabbits, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). The annual Women’s Rabbit Hunting Clinic is scheduled for Feb. 11, beginning at 8 a.m., near Duck Creek Conservation Area.
“This is a very hands-on course and is an environment where anyone can learn, even if they’ve never fired a gun before,” said Conservation Agent Mic Plunkett.
The clinic begins with an introduction to rabbit hunting, where the women learn rabbit species identification, hunting techniques, safety and regulations. They then learn how beagles assist in hunting rabbits before testing their shooting capabilities with expert instruction.
"We ensure each participant gets an opportunity to target shoot with one-on-one instruction before we take them to the field to hunt,” Plunkett said.
After target practice and classroom instruction, the group is accompanied by guides while they try their hand at hunting rabbits. At the end of the day, there’s instruction on cleaning and cooking the harvest before the new hunters share their hunting stories.
Plunkett said those who sign up should come prepared for camaraderie, shared adventures and excitement.
"Every part of the clinic is designed to take someone through the whole experience step by step to ensure safety, a fun time and an understanding of why hunting is important,” Plunkett said.
“This rabbit hunting clinic is part of the Conservation Department’s mission to help people discover nature by spending time outdoors,” Plunkett said.
For more information and to sign up for the Women’s Rabbit Hunting Clinic, call the MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at (573) 290-5730. For more information about rabbit hunting in Missouri, go online to mdc.mo.gov/hunting.
Van Buren, Missouri - The 2017 Van Buren JV Boys Basketball Tournament will be held at the Van Buren High School Gym on Jnauary 9th, 12th, and 14th.
Seeds are as follows: #1 Van Buren, #2 Dexter, #3 Greenville, #4 Liberty, #5 Winona, #6 East Carter, #7 Ellington, and #8 Clearwater.
On Monday, January 9th Van Buren will play Clearwater at 4:30 p.m. at 5:45 p.m. Liberty will play Winona, at 7:00 p.m. Dexter will play Ellington and at 8:15 p.m. Greenville will play East Carter.
Semifinal games are slated for Thursday, January 12th with the consolation side of the bracket beginning at 4:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. Championship semifinal will be at 7:00 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
7th Place will be played on Saturday, January 14th at 4:00 p.m. Consolation game will be at 5:15 p.m. Third place game will be at 6:30 p.m. and the Championship game will be at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday evening.
Bloomfield, Missouri - Dexter seeded #2 upset the No. 1 seed Hayti to win the 60th Bloomfield Christmas Tournament for the first time in 12 years. Hayti's one and only championship win was in 2007.
"Winning this tournament was one of our primary goals this season especially after coming so close last season," commented Dexter boys basketball coach Josh Dowdy. Dexter finished second to Kennett in the 2015 Bloomfield Christmas Tournament.
"I just wanted something like this (winning the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament) to help them realize that hard work does pay off," continued Dowdy. "I know they have questioned that many times when I have told them to "get on the line". Gabe Jackson and Jason Jarrell were so good this week. I could tell many times in the huddle that they did not want to experience what we did last year."
Bearcat Junior Gabe Jackson recorded 12 points and senior Jason Jarrell tallied 10 points. Jackson finished the tournament with a total of 54 points and Jarrell finished with 49 points.
Jackson and Jarrell were also named to the 2016 Bloomfield Christmas All-Tournament Team.
"I have always told Gabe to always use two hands when rebounding, passing, and catching," Dowdy said of Jackson. "I looked over at the end of the night and he was raising that big trophy with two hands.....and all I thought was maybe he does listen to me every now and then!"
The Dexter Bearcats outscored Hayti by single digits in every quarter on their way to a 57-34 victory! They scored eight 2-pointers and four treys in the first half.
Clay Mullins calculated a game-high 17 points for Dexter. He increased his team's lead 30-18 with a 3-pointer just before the buzzer at the end of the first half.
"Clay had a real nice tournament," stated Dowdy. "He has been a great addition to this group. he is a talented player but most importantly he has come in here and learned what we are trying to do and has blended in with these guys like he has been here forever."
Alan Pippins brings a lot of energy to the group. He and Sindle come out with enthusiasm and lift the team.
"Alan is the guy that will just do whatever is asked of him," Dowdy said. "He will handle the ball, knock down crucial free throws, and is just real coachable. He had a big week for us as well."
Hayti attempted to rally turning to a full court press after half-time, but it was not enough and allowed Dexter to claim their first Bloomfield Christmas Tournament under head coach Josh Dowdy and their first title since 2004.
Kedron Rollings contributed 10 points while Kobe Cooper finished second in scoring for Hayti with nine points.
Hayti drops to 8-3 with the loss. Dexter improves above the 500 mark to 6-5 with the win.
"When I first met these boys may of them were riding their bikes to practice," reflected Dowdy. "I still remember a curly headed boy who I had just met would not leave the gym after we got through working out. Five years later he is still one of the last guys out of the gym. This is none other than Ben Sindle. He has become a role player each year. It's just one example of why this team had some success up here this week. Ben has put in extra work and that had made him a real threat. He is so deserving of any success that he has on and off the court."
"Dawson Kasting seldom played in middle school. You wouldn't ever think that now - his persistence and character has carried him through," continued Dowdy. "Ryan Mayo is very similar. He was our sixth man his eight grade year. I could not be more proud of these kids and the lessons they have learned through basketball."
"What can I say about our Junior Varsity. These guys deserve this as much as the guys on the floor. They pushed us in practice over the break, cheered us on from the bench, and just provided that extra spark. They collectively were our "sixth man!"
Ben Sindle and Clay Mullins each shot two 3-pointers for the Bearcats. Kasting and Mayo contributed four each and Braxton Foster his a basket late in the fourth quarter.
What a great experience it has been for the Dexter Bearcats. They will be back in action on Friday, December 6, 2017 for their Winter Homecoming against the Woodland Cardinals. Game time is 6:00 p.m. with Homecoming Court named prior to the start of the varsity game.
Final Score Dexter 57, Hayti 34
Dexter 13 17 10 17 - 57
Hayti 9 9 7 9 - 34
Dexter (57) - Jason Jarrell 10, Braxton Foster 2, Ben Sindle 6, Clay Mullins 17, Dawson Kasting 4, Ryan Mayo 4, Gabe Jackson 12. FG 21, FT 9/13, F 11. (3-pointers: Sindle 2, Mullins 2. Fouled Out: None).
Hayti (34) - Kobe Cooper 9, Darius Jones 6, Kedron Rollings 10, Kemron Rollings 6, Dayon Moore 2. FG 14, FT 1/4, F 14. (3-pointers: Jones 2, Cooper 1, Kedron Rollings 1. Fouled Out: Kemron Rollings).
"One last thing! We had a big student section at each game. You could hear them roar above the crowd at times. It was just awesome!"
"I also want to mention the hard work of our manager Carson Hankins. His spirit helped us raise that trophy!"
Bloomfield, Missouri - The No. 6 seeded Kennett Indians upset the #5 seeded Bloomfield Wildcats in the 3rd Place game of the 60th Annual Bloomfield Christmas Tournament 53-41.
The only points in the first quarter for Bloomfield were Peyton Bell's pair of 2-pointers. Kennett led 9-4 at the end of the first period.
Jay Davis hit a 3-pointer for the Indians as the buzzer sounded at the end of the first half to pad Kennett’s lead to 18-11 at the end of the 2nd quarter.
Kennett's Jad Kenny came out of the locker at half-time and put away 17 points in the second half.
The inside dominance helped Kennett increase its lead to 33-24 by the end of the third quarter.
The Indians led by as much as 13 points in the fourth quarter before Bloomfield trimmed the deficit to the final score.
Kennett's Jaylean Kinnon tallied 15 points. Jay Davis added nine points.
Tim Hector and Peyton Bell paced Bloomfield with nine points.
Final Score Kennett 53, Bloomfield 41
Kennett 9 9 15 20 - 53
Bloomfield 4 9 13 17 - 41
Kennett (53) - Jay Davis 9, Patrick Maddox 6, Jarvis Stewart 4, Dawson Britt 2, Jaylean Kinnon 15, Jad Kenny 17. FG 24, FT 4/7, F 20. (3-pointers: Davis 1. Fouled Out: None).
Bloomfield (41) - Jacob Hector 3, Dalton Phillips 5, Tim Hector 9, Kyle Anderson 2, Matt Gibbs 1, Austin Phillips 7, Peyton Bell 9, Alex Gibbs 5. FG 13, FT 8/17, F 15. (3-pointers: Peyton Bell 1, Alex Gibbs 1, Tim Hector 1, Dalton Phillips 1. Fouled Out: None).
Bloomfield, Missouri - The No. 4 seeded Malden Green Wave came back from a 10 - 0 deficit to beat the #7 seeded Portageville Bulldogs 52-50 in the 5th Place game of the 60th Annual Bloomfield Christmas Tournament.
At the beginning of the 4th quarter they were tied 32-32 when Malden scored the first seven points to take the lead 39-32. The Green Wave increased its lead to 43-33 with just a little over three minutes left in the game. The Green Wave maintained a two-possession lead until Portageville hit its fourth trey of the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to the final score of 52-50.
Malden's top scoring athletes exploded in the second half. Dushawn Butler recorded nine of his team-high 14 points for Malden in the second half. Malcom McBride tallied eight of his 13 points in the second half and Tyler Ison scored eight of his 12 points in the second half.
Portageville (5-5) was led in scoring by Ian Torrey. He hit eight 2-pointers, two 3-pointers and made two free throws to finish with 24 points.
Chris Garmon also finished in double digits for the Bulldogs. He scored 10 points on four two 2-pointer and two made free throws.
Final Score Malden 52, Portageville 50
Portageville 15 8 9 18 - 50
Malden 6 11 15 20 - 52
Portageville (50) - Hunter Gates 4, Luke Darst 6, Ian Torrey 24, Chris Garmon 10, Daniel Carter 3, Alex Riddle 3. Fg 20, FT 4/12, F 12. (3-pointers: Darst 2, Torrey 2, Riddle 1. Fouled Out: Gates).
