Dexter MO - After a week long layoff, the Dexter Lady Bearcats were forced to take on the Perryville girls with out the services of leading scorer Brittany Harris.  Fans wondered how the girls would fare without their senior leader.  The answer, "just fine thank you!"

The Lady 'Cats got a slow start with a couple of missed shots and a turnover.  Paige Patterson got the scoring started with a free throw, followed by a basket by Mollie Whitehead.  Alison Jarrell delivered on the first of five three pointers on the night, and another three point shot by Hannah Noe.  Paige hit another basket giving the Cats a 11-0 lead. 

The Bearcats increased their score to 16-2 with a three-point basket by Mollie Whitehead and a field goal by Noe.  Momentum began to swing toward the Perryville Pirates at that point in the game as they mounted a scoring drive to cut into the Bearcat lead. 

With the score of 16-8, Erica Cobb was able to hit a 3-point shot to keep the Bearcats on top 19-13 at the end of the first quarter.

Katelynn Frazier came out hot in the second quarter posting the first 6 points of the second quarter.  Perryville continued to hang around playing the 'Cats tough.  At one point, the Pirates had cut the Bearcat lead to only 9-points, 28-19. 

With a quick timeout by Chad Allen and assistant coach Eric Sitz, the Lady 'Cats found a new inspiration both offensively and defensively.  The Bearcats went on a commanding 15 - 0 run to close out the quarter with a score of 42 - 19.  Alison Jarrell led the 'Cats on the scoring run by raining down two 3-point shots.

The hot topic at half time was Defense.  The Lady Cats seemed convinced that there was a better way to finish this game and they came out in the third quarter the intent to show that they could shut down the Pirates. 

That is exactly what the 'Cats delivered as they went on another commanding offensive run for the first six minutes of the third quarter.  This time, the Bearcats held the Pirates scoreless while posting 17-points extending their lead to 60-19.  The third quarter ended with the Cats holding a comfortable 70-25 lead. 

The fourth quarter passed quickly as the continuous "mercy" clock was engaged.  Both teams were able to add a few additional points to the scoreboard making the final score 81-34. moving the girls season record to 16-1.

The Lady Cats had 5 players in double figures.  Alison Jarrell was the top of the scoring column with 15-points on the night.  She was followed by Paige Patterson had 12-points, Hannah Noe and Maollie Whitehead each had 11-points and Katelyn Frazier added 10-points.

Coach Chad Allen was pleased with the Lady Bearcats extra effort after the critical turning point of the game.  It was evident that adjustments during timeouts and at halftime prompted the 'Cats to regroup and get more focused on their defensive efforts.

"Coming out, I thought we came out a little flat early on," noted Coach Allen.  "We didn't have as much intensity as we have been having in other games."

"Having Brittney out of the line up may have thrown us off a little in the beginning.  She is a good defensive player and almost unstoppable inside at the post." added Coach Allen.  "But I thought the girls adjusted and did really well, especially the last three quarters. 

"Perryville is a good team that is very well coached," explained Allen.  "They just aren't that deep and I think we just wore them down in that 3rd quarter."

The varsity will be in action on Saturday at Charleston High School in the Coaches against Cancer classic as they will take on the number 1 ranked team in Class 5 the St. Joseph Academy Angels.  Game time is 4:30 p.m.

"It's gonna be a huge test for us and I'm excited we get the opportunity to play St. Joe Academy." said Coach Allen.  "They are always a powerhouse team out of St. Louis and we will definitely see where we are at."

"Hopefully we will have Brittney back by then.  We will find out Thursday," added Chad.  "But even if we have to play without her it will be a great game for us for a great cause.  It will definitely prepare us down the road for playoff time."

Junior Varsity Action

The JV Lady Cats moved to 6-0 on the season with a 67-17 win over the younger Pirates. 

Defense was the name of this game as the Lady Pirates were held scoreless in both the first and third quarter.  Dakota Reynolds, MaKayla Waldner, Melanie McKuin and Karoline Keirsey were all in double figures for the young Cats. 

Offensively, the JV 'Cats were able to aggressively attack the Pirates defense.  Dexter had a hot shooting hand and were able to nail the outside shot.  The 'Cats also found that the transition game off of Perryville turnovers helped their scoring column quickly.

Defensively, the Bearcats were very intense and swarmed the basketball.  They left little ability for the Lady Pirates to get setup and into their offense.