Columbia, Missouri - The Dexter Lady 'Cats will be waking up this morning with a little fire to get back to the court after last night's loss to the St. Pius Warriors 59 - 34. Today's game could be noted as the Class 4 State Championship for public schools as opposed to Saturday's game between the two private school powerhouse teams.
Carl Junction (27-3) suffered a tough loss to Incarnate Word last night by a score of 47 - 24. The Bearcats, with a 22 - 9 season record, are focused on ending on a good note. This is the third attempt for the Bearcats in the consolation bracket and they have settled for 4th place in both previous attempts.
Carl Junction is located in Jasper County in the Southwest part of Missouri with an enrollment of 1,006 students, compared to Dexter's 633 students. The Lady Bulldogs have two strong weapons in 6' 1" senior Alex Vogt with 13.4 points per game average and 6' 2" junior Megan Scott with 11.4 points per game average. Vogt is shooting 57% from the field and is a strong inside force for the Lady Bulldogs. Carl Junction is not quite the strong outside shooting team with only one strong threat from the outside, Emma Frack, with 44 three-pointers on the year with a 32% three-point percentage.
This contrasts to the Lady Bearcat's total of 203 three-point shots on the year, led by Chaylea Mosby's amazing 108 made three pointers at a 47% rate. As of today, Mosby is tied for 8th place in the All-Time History of Missouri Lady's Basketball for 3-Point shots made in a season. Harley Allen has dumped in her share of 3-point baskets with 39 for the season, which is second on the team, followed by Sitze with 26 three-pointers made.
Dexter is a well-rounded team with strong stats in all areas of the game. Natalie Sitze has 110 assists on the season followed by Mosby with 74 and Hannah Thurmon with 53 assists. Thurmon's mark on assists is a strong stat considering she is one of the Bearcat's post players.
Thurmon also leads the Lady 'Cats in rebounding with 168 rebounds. Mosby is a close second with 131 followed by Rylee Allen off the bench with 104 rebounds. Two other notable "off-the-bench" players for the 'Cats are Maycie Martin and Megan Trout. Martin is currently 3rd on the team in field goal percentage making 52% of her shots and Megan Trout is that high energy defensive backup point guard that allows the LBB to never miss a beat when she enters the game.
Krysten Garrison has posted some incredible numbers coming off a major shoulder surgery at the beginning of the season with an solid 14.2 per game average on scoring, placing her as the second leading scorer on the team.
As you can see, the Dexter LBB is completely solid from starters to bench so they enter the game today in a good position to earn the 3rd place trophy. The Lady Bearcat program has an incredible group of coaches that has formed this tradition over the years. Head Coach Chad Allen enters the game with a carer winning record of 223 wins and 66 losses. His highly valued assistant coach Eric Sitze has a strong background leading the Boys's Basketball program to a final-four appearance in the early 2000's.
Game time is at 12:45 today from the MIZZOU Arena. Catch the action on the big screen at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall where they will again host a Lady Bearcat Watch Party beginning at noon on Friday!
