By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

The Dexter Middle School volleyball teams can’t seem to lose so far this season. The Lady ‘Cats have already posted a tournament win for the 7th grade squad, and both the seventh and eighth grade teams have yet to lose a game.

On Monday (March 21), the Lady ‘Cats faced off against Scott City. In the first set of the seventh grade match, Julia Hahn put up 10 points in Dexter’s 25-9 win. The Lady ‘Cats also won the second set 25-10, with Lauren Thrower and Mary Kate Miller each netting five points. Shyann Jines had an excellent game for the eight grade ‘Cats in both sets, netting 11 points in the first set, leading the Lady ‘Cats to a 25-4 victory. Scott City put up more of a fight in the second set, but Dexter was able to win 25-21. Jines had 13 points in the set.

Tuesday (March 22) night saw the Lady ‘Cats pitted against Bernie. Miller netted seven points in the first set of the seventh grade match and helped the Lady ‘Cats take the first set 25-18. The Lady ‘Cats also won the second set 25-11, with Hahn getting seven points. Courtney Potts put up nine and seven points respectively in the eighth grade match. The Lady ‘Cats won both sets, 25-2 and 25-23.


The ‘Cats were in action again on Thursday (March 24) night against Advance. Hahn was again top scorer for Dexter in the first seventh grade set, earning 15 points in the 25-9 victory. Advance battled back in the second set, but Miller put up five points in the 25-23 win. In the eighth grade match, Potts put up seven points in the first set, leading the ‘Cats to a 25-6 win. Afton Harris put up three points for Dexter in the second set, and the Lady ‘Cats won 25-21.

The DMS 'Cats will be holding an incredible event during their March 31 game against Poplar Bluff. The event has been dubbed 'Dig Pink' by head coach Melissa Hahn and assistant coach Kara Lummukka, and is designed to raise both awareness and money for breast cancer research.

"The girls will be wearing pink headbands and socks, we will be playing the game with a pink ball and the referees will be using pink whistles," Coach Hahn said. "Each player will be calling a local business and asking them to donate an item for our silent auction, and we will be selling 50/50 raffle tickets the night of the game."

The coaches hope that this event will catch on and hopefully become an annual fundraiser for the team to be able to host.

"This is something that we envision growing and becoming an annual charity event that allows our middle school volleyball players an opportunity to give back to our community," Hahn continued. "The money raised will go to the 18 Fore Life organization, which will designate the funds be used to help someone fighting breast cancer."

A form will full details of the event can be viewed here.



Make sure to keep checking back with the ShowMe Times for more updates on these two outstanding teams, as well as a full report on the 'Dig Pink' event!

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

FISK, Mo. - Dexter’s JV baseball team faced Twin Rivers in a double-header Monday (March 28) afternoon. The young ‘Cats split the two games, winning 6-5 in the first and losing 8-7 in the second.

In the first game, Dalton Putnam went two-for-three at the plate, with one RBI. Joseph Greer, Logan Northern, Cody Neldon, and Owen Flowers all went one-for-two at the plate for the ‘Cats, and Nathan Sadler hit in one of his three plate appearances for an RBI.


Northern got his first start of the year in the game, and head coach Brian Becker was pleased with the youngster’s outing.

“Logan threw his first game on the mound this year for us today, and he did a heck of a job,” Becker said. “He started three up, three down in the first, and had a K to start the second. He walked the next batter, but got a double-play the next batter.”


 DJ Dowdy came in to close out the fifth inning, and gave up two runs, but struck out the final two batters of the contest.

“Our defense, with the exception of the fourth and fifth innings, we played a pretty good ballgame,” Becker continued. “We swung the bats well and got a good outing from Logan to help our pitching staff out.”

Putnam again had a good outing at the plate in the second game, where he went two-for-three, with three RBI’s and a bases-loaded double in the fifth to start a six-run scoring rally. Neldon was one for four, Greer and Nick Noble were both one-for-two, and Northern was one-for-two with a solo shot in the fourth inning.

Putnam got the start for the ‘Cats, but was only able to make it through one-plus inning. Noble came in and threw the rest of the contest.

Despite the loss, Becker expressed pride at his team’s grit in the game.


“We were down seven-nothing early, but Logan hit his home run to make it seven to one in the top of the fourth,” Becker said. “We gave up another run in the fourth, and that hurt us, but we battled back. We had two outs in the fifth, and we started hitting well. Flowers walked, Dowdy got hit by a pitch, and Northern walked before Putnam hit his three RBI double. I was proud of how we came back - it would have been easy to pack up - but I was proud of our boys for making a valiant comeback.”



Both the JV and Varsity squads will be in action Tuesday (March 29) at Oran.


“They’re a very good program, very well coached,” Becker commented. “Any time you play [Oran], you better come prepared for a battle. They’re a tough team year in and year out. Weather permitting, Owen Flowers will get the start.”


First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

Photos above Top Photo: Joseph Greer awaits a pitch during the first game of Monday's JV doubleheader at Twin Rivers. The young 'Cats split on the day with the Royals, winning the first game 6-5 but losing the second game 8-7.
Bottom photo: Dalton Putnam delivers a pitch from the rubber in the second half of Monday's doubleheader at Twin Rivers.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

The Bell City Lady Cubs softball team have already had a good start to their 2011 season. So far, the young squad - led by lone senior Alicia Metcalf - has had some good wins against Leopold and Richland, but caught their first loss of the season against Dexter on Thursday (March 25).


Coach Andy Roberts, entering his second season at the helm of the softball team, was excited about his young team’s chances this season.

“We’re young - we have six sophomores - but we’ve got a lot of ability,” Roberts said. “We still make some mistakes, but they’re all things we can correct. They play hard, and are no trouble to coach. We need to hit better, but again, they’re coachable, and over time we’ll get better.”


Roberts noted his team’s defense as the team’s strong suit this year.

“Our defense is solid - up the middle, good centerfield, shortstop and second base, great catching,” Roberts continued. “Our overall infield play is good. We have some inexperience in the outfield, and we’re working with that.”


“Lindsey Rendleman pitched the whole game Monday, and did a pretty good job,” Roberts said of his sophomore ace. “She had five walks in the game - four in the first inning - but once she got settled down, she got a good rhythm. She has the potential to be one of the better pitchers around here.”


“Trish Slagley,” Roberts continued on his junior shortstop, “is going to be a great hitter for us this year. Hopefully she’ll be able to put some runs on the board this season.”

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

The Advance Lady Hornet softball team - a young squad under head coach James Hamlin - looks to impress everyone in the County Tournament with their ability.

Hamlin, entering his fifth season as head coach, noted his team’s ability, despite their youth and a loss in their season opener against Malden.


“We’re young, but we’ve got a lot of potential,” Hamlin said. “We’re making progress every day, and with some experience, we’ll be successful. We’re just still on a learning curve with some of the girls.”

Offensive production wasn’t cited as a concern by Hamlin, but defense and pitching both were.


“We’ve got some girls coming back that can hit pretty well,” Hamlin continued. “We’re just not as strong defensively as we have been is past seasons, and we’re going to have to work on that. We’ll also have to have some pitchers step up this season, but I’m not terribly worried about that.”


Hamlin didn’t cite anyone as a ‘star’ on the team, but rather noted his squads teamwork and willingness to work together.


“Some seniors are stepping up into some leadership roles,” Hamlin continued. “There just isn’t anyone blowing me out of the water right now. We only had 14 days before our first game, but the girls work hard every day. They’re not only great athletes, but they’re great kids as well.”


By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

The Bloomfield Wildcats have jumped around a lot in regards to their golf team. The team had traditionally been Class 1, switched to Class 2 a couple years ago, and decided to move back to Class 1 this season. Despite all the competition changes, the Wildcats have managed to put together a solid team in the last several years under coach Travis Westbrook.


Westbrook, now going into his sixth year as Bloomfield’s golf coach, is enthusiastic about his group’s potential this year.


“We had six kids come out this year, four of which are returning players,” Westbrook said. “We’ll compete well against other Class 1 schools, and hopefully send a few individuals to state, if not the team as a whole.”


Westbrook noted the leadership that he had returning as keys to his squad’s success this year.

“Seth Hill is the only state-qualifier from last year coming back,” Westbrook continued. “He went to state his freshman year, as well. He’s finished somewhere in the middle of the pack - probably the 60’s - both times.”

“Austin Cooper, a junior, is another good leader,” Westbrook commented. “He’s missed the cut at districts by less than ten shots in his first two years, and he’s been working hard to lower his scores all summer and in practice.”

Talent has also been noticed by Westbrook in one of his younger players.


“Ryan West, a freshman, has been stepping up big,” Westbrook continued. “He played in Gateway Junior PGA tournaments all summer, and fared pretty well, but he was forced to drop out when he broke his arm. He hits the ball well, and plays within his capability.”


Westbrook noted his team’s power as their strong suit this year, but really hasn’t had much of a chance to evaluate their short game.


“Our length off the tee is going to be great this year,” Westbrook said. “Its just been tough - they only uncovered the greens two weeks ago - so we haven’t had much of a chance to chip and putt.”

Photos above The 2011 Bloomfield Wildcat golf team consists of (from left to right); Ryan West, Zac Goode, Austin Battles, Gene Masters, Austin Cooper, and Seth Hill.