Kennett, Missouri - The Dexter Bearcats girls basketball team experienced little difficulty defeating the Kennett Lady Indians after a long winter nap of 18 days without a game.
Coach Chad Allen said with the cancellation of the Farmington game, the girls hadn't had a game since December 22, 2016. Though the girls put in some long 3-hour practices sometimes it's hard to comeback from being off so long, but the Lady Cats came out defensively early on and built a 40 - 11 lead at the half.
Probably one of the best defensive efforts Bearcat fans have seen all season.
"We were so active tonight on both ends tonight," commented head coach Chad Allen. "We shot the ball well too. Most importantly I think we created a lot off our defense. We had a lot of transition points and a lot of points on turn overs. When you can guard like that good things are going to happen offensively."
The fans also saw a little different defensive action by the Lady Cats against Kennett, a perhaps a new twist on defense.
"It's a little different for the girls. We call it a jackhammer," commented Allen. "It's not quite a straight 1-3-1 defense. The middle person has to cover and trap the corners and its an anticipater when the ball is up top. We keep our big around the basket and protect the rim and the middle person is trapping and reading passes. Its a great defense and we used it at Three Rivers and called it a Jackhamer as well."
You want someone long and athletic on top of it," continued Allen. "Hannah and Maycie are both long and athletic. Maycie can read so well. We also did a good job in the second half as well. It has given us a chance to use it and work on it and become successive running it."
Three Cats were in double figures. Sophomore Chaylea Mosby led with 16 points including three treys. Junior Hannah Thurmon recorded 11 and senior Cheyenne Mosby contributed 10 points. Lauren Davis tallied 9 points all on 3-pointers.
"She can flat out shoot it and if she has any space at all she will flat knock it down," stated Allen about Lauren's efforts. "She is doing great things for us and will get more playing time as the year continues."
"Neelyville It is going to be tough. If we can be this active like we were tonight we can do well" finished Allen.
Kennett's Dakayla Duckworth led the Indians with 11 points. Heidi Shetley finished with 9 points.
Final Score Dexter 68, Kennett 29
Dexter 16 24 18 10 - 68
Kennett 5 6 14 4 - 29
Dexter (68) - Maycie Martin 2, Rylee Allen 2, Natalie Sitze 7, Meghan Trout 5, Cheyenne Mosby 10, Hannah Thurmon 11, Harley Allen 6, Chaylea Mosby 16, Lauren Davis 9. FG 25, FT 8/9, F 14. (3-pointers: Lauren Davis 2, Chaylea Mosby 3, Harley Allen 2, Meghan Trout 1, Natalie Sitze 1. Fouled Out: None).
Kennett (29) - Anna Wheeler 2, Dakayla Duckworth 11, Hadley Hilburn 3, Tyneshia Wilson 2, Kayton Harris 2, Heidi Shetley 9. FG 12, FT 4/8, F 9. (3-pointers: Hadley Hilburn 1. Fouled Out: None).
Submitted Photo
