By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

When one thinks back on great players in the history of Lady Bearcat Basketball, several names come to mind: Michaela Scott, Leah Tippen, Amy & Stephanie Rose, Rachel Blunt, and Taylor Nelson. Two other names could arguably be added to that list: Katelyn & Cathryn Heil.

Katelyn and Cathryn, both 20, are the twin daughters of Dan and Connie Heil, and are 2009 graduates of Dexter High School. Both girls are also currently playing basketball at Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri at Rolla).


Both were excellent student-athletes during their time at DHS. Both girls were on the honor roll all four years of high school, as well as members of Dexter Honor Society. Cathryn was top ten percent all four years, with Katelyn making the list her senior year.

Cathryn was a three-time All-Conference & All-Region, two-time All-District, and All-State selection in volleyball, as well as a state-qualifier in high jump her senior year. Katelyn was named First Team All-Conference, All-District, All-Region, and All-State in basketball during her junior and senior seasons, went to state in tennis doubles and sectionals in the 4X100 meter relay her junior year.

The Heil family moved to Dexter from Savannah, Mo. the summer before the girls were to start eighth grade.


“The toughest thing was moving to a new place and not knowing anybody,” Katelyn said. “Basketball wise, it was tough because its hard to find your niche in a team that has already been playing together for that long.”


“The girls were amazing,” Cathryn added. “Before we knew it, it was like we had been on the team all along. It also helped a ton that we got involved with each other off the court. I made great friends through basketball, and I contribute a lot of our successes to those friendships.”

After great high school careers, and capping of a 28-2 senior season with a trip to state, the girls had to make a decision on where they would play college ball. Both received attention from Missouri S&T and Missouri Southern State University. Cathryn was recruited by Maryville University and Missouri Western State University, with Katelyn receiving letters from Tennesee State and West Point. Cathryn credited S&T’s academics and Rolla’s hometown feel as deciding factors for her.

“They [S&T] have a great program with a lot of girls that we’ve played against and with a different times,” Cathryn commented. “Also, great academics - the best mix of athletics and academics for me. Rolla was also a perfect fit. It's a small town with a hometown feel.”


Katelyn also noted the university’s size as an important point for her.


“It fits me well as a person,” Katelyn said. “It wasn’t so big that I’d feel lost, but it’s big enough for me to grow.”

Missouri S&T head basketball coach Alan Eads attributed the twins’ athletic ability and size as reasons the school pursued the twins.


“We had seen them in some summer shootouts between their junior and senior years,” Eads said. “We were needing three players, especially at the wing and guard position. I liked their athletic ability and size, as well as their ability to score, especially Katelyn.”

The girls struggled slightly during their first college practices, but Eads said that it was typical of freshman.


“They both had a rough transition into the college game,” Eads continued. “It took a while for them to adjust to the increased tempo and physicality from high school to college, but it's common for freshman to go through that.”

According to Eads, both girls have also had significant injuries during their first two years at Missouri S&T.


“Katelyn missed seven or eight games early this season with a severe high ankle sprain,” Eades said, “but she’s been back since January. Cathryn was injured for most of her freshman season, so this is her first year as a full-time player.”


Both girls have been getting playing time this season, and are expected to get more next year.


“Katelyn has been starting off and on since January,” Eads said. “She also could be an everyday starter next year. It all depends on how much work she puts in this summer with conditioning - she’ll play a lot, regardless of whether she starts or not.”


“Cathryn, having missed most of her freshman season due to injury, is a little behind Katelyn, “Eads continued. “It might be a little tougher for her to start next year, as they both play the same position, but she should still play quite a bit. She’s a good defensive player with great athletic talent.”

Despite facing early adversity from injuries, the twins’ hard work has paid off. The Lady Miners have been selected for the NCAA Division II Tournament this season. It is the Lady Miners’ third trip in school history, second trip in four years, and first time for the Heil twins.

“This is huge,” Katelyn said. “The teams selected are the best of the best. Hopefully we can keep proving how good we are.”

“Its a huge honor,” Cathryn added. “The hard work that we’ve put in all year - the long road trips and many hours away from home and school - is paying off. It's worth it to see our dream of reaching the NCAA Tournament come true. The excitement on campus about our season has been fun to experience, too.”


The Lady Miners have put together quite the impressive season, going into the tournament with a 20-7 record. S&T will be in the Midwest Regional, held in Houghton Mich., and are seeded sixth. Third-seeded Wisconsin-Parkside will face off against S&T Friday (March 11) at 11:00 a.m. The game is a rematch of a contest from mid-January, where S&T lost in triple overtime, 80-77.

“We’re playing Wisconsin-Parkside on Friday,” Eads said. “It was a triple-overtime loss for us back in January, but it was a very close, very good game. Hopefully we’ll be able to get some revenge.”


 Despite the large time commitment involved in any college sports, Eads noted that both girls have kept their grades up, as well as keeping a good head on their shoulders.


“They’re both just great kids,” Eads commented. “They are both 3.8-plus GPA kids and are very involved on campus. They are very well-liked, good teammates. They’d do anything for the team, and do anything to win. They both have that winner’s mentality.”

Make sure to stay tuned to the ShowMe Times for updates on both of these incredible young ladies as their careers progress, as well as tournament updates from the NCAA Division II Tournament!




Photo provided by Missouri S&T Sports Information.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

Saturday (March 12) is a big day for the Bernie Mules basketball team. The Mules will be facing New Haven to see who advances to the State Finals in Columbia, Mo. If the Mules are able to advance, it will be the team's second consecutive trip to the Final Four.


 Bernie head basketball coach Brad Botsch was pleased with his team’s progression this season.

“Throughout the year with as many teams that have keyed on Jordan [McGowan], its improved everyone else’s skills,” Botsch said. “They’ve gained confidence as the season has gone on, and any one of them can step up in a big game situation and feel good about their skills in a big game situation.”


 McGowan, the three-point ace of the squad, as well as Sammy Walker, will both have to have great games for the Mules.

“They’ve [New Haven] got a big 6’9” kid, and we’ll have to try to keep him pushed off the block,” Botsch continued. “We have to keep them off the glass. [Jordan] McGowan and [Sammy] Walker will both have to have great games.” Botsch credited New Haven’s discipline and patience as key attributes in their success.

“They [New Haven] only play five kids - they rarely sub. That’s why they’re so fluid and patient,” Botsch said. “A very patient team on offense that rarely makes mistakes - a real formidable foe. They play real fundamental man-to-man defense, with great helpers. They’re a solid team all-around. They run a set offensive play almost every trip down the floor, and are very focused on what they want to do.”

Despite the pressure that such a big game can bring on players and coaches alike, Botsch remained adamant that his kids were focused and ready to play.

“We try to treat each game as a single event and take things one game at a time,” Botsch commented. “The team we’re playing on Saturday is independent and different from anybody we’ve faced. The kids had a great practice today, and I think they’re really focused on giving their absolute best effort. We feel pretty good about it.”



Botsch noted controlling tempo as a key point in his gameplan.


“It will be important for us to try to dictate tempo of the game, but its so difficult to do it against a team this disciplined,” Botsch said. “We can’t allow them to get into their offense and get what they want all the. We time don’t have the depth to play with a real quick tempo, but we still tend to play at a faster pace than they [New Haven] do.”

Tipoff for Saturday’s (March 12) game is set for 1:00 p.m., at the Bearcat Event Center in Dexter, Mo.


Make sure to check back with the ShowMe Times for the full story on the game Saturday!




By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

The Dexter Bearcats have announced the Varsity baseball roster for the 2011 season. Head coach Brian Becker typically fills his roster with veteran players, but that's not the case this season. The Bearcats lost six Seniors last year that were all solid ballplayers.

This year's team will have only two Seniors, and Becker is looking for many of the younger kids to step in to full time positions at the Varsity level.

The Seniors this season are Bryn Hester and Josh Sifford. Hester will be in the "hot box" at 3rd Base for the Bearcats this season. Hester has been a solid fielder and been very useful to the team as a utility player in past seasons. As a switch hitter, Hester has been one of the top hitters for the Bearcats and will anchor the team at the plate.

Josh "SIFF" Sifford rounds out the Bearcats Senior leadership this season, and all expectations are pointing to a tremendous year. As a Sophomore, Sifford was awarded both All-Conference and All-District honors. However, a broken leg suffered in football during his Junior year limited his playing time and he didn't fully recover until late in the 2010 Season, when he got valuable playing time at 1st Base. The most notable highlight from last season was his performance at the plate. This year, Sifford will be in center field and will look to continue his outstanding work at the plate.


There will be a lot of Sophomores on the field this season for Becker and assistant coach Aaron Pixley. Chase Young comes into this season with high expectations after getting some playing time at the end of last year's season. Young also battled back from an injury during basketball and didn't become healthy until the end of the season, but batted over .400 in the final few games. Young is quick and has an excellent glove on the infield. It is expected that he will fill the shortstop role for the 'Cats this season.

Jordan Miller will be one of the sophomores to watch this season, and he will be taking command of the catcher position for the Bearcats.

"He's a good kid and very coachable", Becker said.

Miller has a strong arm that continues to improve, and he is noted as a young man that will do anything he is asked by the coaching staff.

There will be a battle between several excellent athletes to see who will join Sifford in the outfield. Daniel Fitts brings a lot of speed to the team. Zach Watson has also shown a lot of promise in Spring workouts, as he has been swinging the bat really well. Brad Potts, D.J. Dowdy and Alex Cliff have also performed well in all sports and will be an asset to the team wherever they are positioned.

The slashing, dashing running back for the Bearcat Football team, Josh Overall will move to 2nd Base position this season. Overall has always been a strong infielder and should perform very well at the position.

The greatest challenge facing the Bearcats this season is in a very young and inexperienced pitching staff. Of 130 innings pitched last season, 122 of those innings graduated with last years Seniors.

"We are currently searching for arms on the mound to go along with an inexperienced team overall." Becker commented.

The good news is that there are nine kids that have thrown from the mound in the past, but several are Freshman.

"So far, the freshman haven't looked too bad and have shown great potential." says Becker.

Owen Flowers will likely be at the head of the Bearcats' rotation this season.

"Owen is not a flamethrower," Becker commented, "but he has worked hard in the off season to become a pitcher. He spots the ball really well, has a good change up and his breaking ball keeps getting better."

The weather has not helped the practice schedule thus far, as the Baseball Bearcats have held most of their practices indoors at Southwest Elementary and the Bearcat Event Center.

"We have only had one day on the field due to the weather," Becker commented, "and we may not get back out until the first game."

The 'Cats will be in action next Friday (March 18) at Doniphan. First pitch is scheduled for 4:15 p.m.

Make sure to check back with the ShowMe Times for full previews and game coverage of all the 2011 Dexter Bearcat Spring Sports teams!

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

The Bearcat Event Center played host to the Class 1 State Sectional games Tuesday, night. In the evening’s opener, the Scott County Central Braves faced off against the Risco Tigers at 6 p.m. In the 7:30 nightcap, the Naylor Lady Eagles faced the Delta Lady Bobcats.


In the boys game, Scott Central rolled past Risco, winning by 67 points. Scott Central standout Otto Porter ended the evening with a double-double, scoring 21 points and hauling in 16 rebounds, despite being plagued by a respiratory illness.

“Bubba’s [Porter’s nickname] been kind of sick with what we think is bronchitis, but he battled through it,” SCC head coach Kenyon Wright said after the game. “We don’t have to shoot outside a lot because we have a little size, and we like to get buckets in the paint.” Other notable performers for the Braves were Stewart Johnson, leading the way with 27 points, and Lawrence ‘Reggie’ Woodson, who chipped in 13.

“Stewart can put points up. Just like all my kids, he can put the ball in the hole if given the opportunity,” Wright said of Johnson, “and I think he was given more of an opportunity tonight. He took advantage of the chances he got when they were blocking him [Porter] down.”

“Reggie’s done well off the bench down the stretch,” Wright said of Woodson. “He came in there and got seven steals in about two quarters, took it down, and put the ball in the hole to get some offense rolling for us. He’s probably our fourth leading scorer, and coming off the bench, he does a good job of getting in there and playing hard.”



Despite the lopsided score, Wright praised Risco’s effort.

“We knew tonight was going to be a team effort. Risco did a good job of sticking to their gameplan and pressed us and ran the floor hard, and got some easy buckets that we weren’t able to keep in front of them.”

Risco head coach Brandon Blankenship credited his team’s hard work throughout the year as a key contribution to their successful season, despite the night’s tough loss.

“Throughout the year I thought we’ve given a great effort,” Blankenship said after the game. “It’s just tough, with Scott County being so good, that they can make you look like you aren’t doing a whole lot out there even though you are. I’m just proud of our kids for not quitting. They got down big early, and it would have been easy to throw in the towel, but I don’t feel like they did.”



Notable performers for the Tigers were Jeremy Fowler, Austin White, and Christopher Pavy, who led the team in scoring with eight points apiece.

“We have four to five guards who can hit outside shots for us,” Blankenship said of Fowler and White. “We knew it would be tough with Otto [Porter] for us to get anything inside, and he blocked most of our attempts in the first half, so we were trying to drive and kick to the outside, and they [Fowler and White] were able to knock some down for us.”

Blankenship praised SCC star Porter, and again credited his team’s effort in the paint.


“We were in this position last year when we played them, so we halfway knew what to expect,” Blankenship commented on Porter. “We knew we couldn’t contain him with the personel we had, but we didn’t give him many open looks, and I was proud of that. He’s just that good of a player.”

The Scott County Central Braves will move on to the next round of the State Playoffs, where they will face Chadwick on Saturday, March 12 at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.


 Photos above Top Photo: Otto Porter puts up a shot during Tuesday night's State Playoff action at the BEC.
Middle photo: Risco's Brandon Bixler posts up against SCC's Otto Porter.
Bottom photo: Lawrence Woodson puts in two of his 13 points during Scott County Central's 108-41 victory over Risco Tuesday night.

                                                                     

	1st Q	2nd Q	3rd Q	4th Q	FINAL
SCOTT COUNTY	31	35	29	13	108
RISCO	11	8	8	14	41

SCOTT COUNTY: S. Johnson - 27 O. Porter-21 Steward-17. D. Porter-14. Woodson-13. Freed-5. T. Johnson-4. Johnson-3. Minner-2. C. Porter-2.

RISCO: C. Pavy-8. White-8. Fowler-8. G Bixler-6. J. Pavy-5. Bennett-2. Cummins-2. Bixler-2.

Naylor vs. Delta Girls




Naylor and Delta faced off in the nightcap at 7:30. After a close contest, Naylor was able to defeat Delta by a final score of 55-50. The Lady Eagles will move on to face Exeter on Saturday (March 12) at Three Rivers College. Tipoff is set for 2:45 p.m.

The 2011 Bearcat Softball team roster was announced this week by Coach Tammy Crowley. Team members include:

• Chelsey Berry
• Ashley Brown
• Veronica Brown
• Brittany Bryant
• Erika Cobb
• Taylor Owens
• Riley Rickman
• Kendra Stevenson
• Jerrica Wood
• Emily Triplett
• Mollie Whitehead
• Bethany Christian
• Courtney Rasor
• Tiffany Watson
• Whitney Layton
• Eleshia Martin
• Lauren Massingill
• Alec Jackson

Congratulations and best of luck this spring, Lady Bearcats!!!