Sikeston, Missouri - New Madrid County Central improved their record earning their fourth straight win upsetting the Dexter Bearcats 50 - 36 at the Sikeston Field House on Monday, December 5, 2016 during the SEMO Conference Play-In game.
NMCC's defense all but stopped Dexter's 6'4" Gabe Jackson proving to be a great advantage. Jackson, who scored double digits in his first two games of the season against powerhouses Charleston Bluejays and Sikeston Bulldogs was held to just 6 points in the first half and very little playing time in quarters number three and four.
The Bearcats also had 22 turnovers to the Eagles' 10 and trailed by 8 points at the half.
Frustrated by his team's lack of offense, Coach Josh Dowdy said, "At this time we are having to focus on coaching effort, attitude, and communication. Those factors have to be a standard for any basketball team to be successful."
New Madrid County Central forced the Bearcats into seven turnovers in the first quarter.
Junior Clay Mullins led the Cats with 13 points and eight rebounds. Six of those points were on 3-pointers.
Kole Kelley, Alan Pippins, and Ben Sindle each recorded one trey.
"We have yet to have five kids routinely sprint the floor," commented Dowdy. "Sprinting the floor is a basic part of the game. We will work on that in the coming weeks."
NMCC was led by Jaurous Haynes with 14 points and Javarcus Word who added 10 points to the scoreboard.
Final Score Dexter 36, NMCC 50
Dexter 4 10 9 13 - 36
NMCC 15 7 11 17 - 50
Dexter (36) - Kole Kelley 3, Jason Jarrell 3, Nate Gargas 2, Alan Pippins 3, Ben Sindle 3, Clay Mullins 13, Ryan Mayo 2, Gabe Jackson 6. FG 1, FT 9/10, F 8 (3-pointers: Kole Kelley 1, Alan Pippins 1, Ben Sindle 1, Clay Mullins 2. Fouled Out: None).
NMCC (50) - Palmer Campbell 9, Johnny Walker 4, Craig Beasley 1, Javarcus Word 10, Eddie Grandberry 9, Ronnie King 3, Jaurous Haynes 14. FG 20, FT 4/5, F 13. (3-pointers: Palmer Campbell 3, Javarcus Word 2, Eddie Grandberry 1, Ronnie King 1. Fouled Out: None).
"We have a good group of kids that I feel want to represent our program the right way," continued Dowdy. "There is a difference in wanting it to happen and actually making it happen. We will work on finding that right mix."
"Fortunately it is early in the season and we have time to clean it up," stated Dowdy. "Once we buy in to the basic standards, then we can move forward with the X and O's."
Dexter will face Kennett at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at the Sikeston Field House. The winner will play Notre Dame at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7, 2016.
