Dexter, MO - The Lady Cats softball team has several new players this year according to head coach Starla Pulley. They begin their season on the road against the Bloomfield Lady Wildcats on Tuesday, March 22nd.
"Senior Lexi Laramore (first year) and junior Molly Simmons (first year) will bring some athleticism to the team and some grittiness this year," commented Pulley. "We have returning Kaylee Hazel and Tatyanna Little Whiteman, both sophomores, but played roles in the outfield last year and will continue to do so this year. Abbie Sandage is a junior, but hasn't been able to play due to an injury. She is pushing through and will be a great asset."
The team finished 8-10 last year and could break the 500 mark this year. They must stay healthy and continue to work hard and they will improve.
"We are fortunate to have a great group of young ladies that come out and work hard," continued Pulley. "It's not just about them, it's about what will be best for the team. We have to be more aggressive on the bases and execute more effectively with less errors. We have been working hard on pressure situations in practice as well."
Returning senior Kennedy Bess is a four-year player. "She is one of the most coachable players and just a great leader for the other teammates. She is always positive and tries to help other teammates," stated Pulley. "She caught for us last year and will do so again this year and she commanded that position. She is also a pitcher and versatile in multiple positions."
"Junior Kinleigh Chappell played short last year and is just such a great athlete. She is quick and I think will be even more comfortable in her shortstop position this year," continued Pulley. "She also can play pretty much any position I ask her to play. She is a great teammate and very vocal on the field."
"Amelia Jenkins, sophomore, is returning as a pitcher. As a freshman she did an excellent job for us last year and will continue this year. Even as a sophomore she brings a lot of experience to the team. She's a good leader and sometimes I forget she is only a sophomore."
Dexter will play in the Stoddard County Athletic Association (SCAA) Tournament April 18th - 20th. Swing Pink is slated for Saturday April 23rd. The Lady Cats will play their first home game on March 28th against Twin Rivers.
2022 Dexter High School Softball Schedule: (All games are at 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
Tue 3/22 @Bloomfield
Fri 3/25 @Doniphan
Mon 3/28 vs Twin Rivers
Tue 3/29 vs Risco
Thu 3/31 @Bernie
Mon 4/4 vs Oran
Tue 4/5 vs Malden
Thu 4/7 vs Puxico
Fri 4/8 @Clearwater
Mon 4/11 vs NMCC
Tue 4/12 @Charleston
Thu 4/14 @East Carter County
4/18 - 4/20 SCAA Tournament - TBA
Fri 4/22 vs Advance
Sat 4/23 Dexter Wing Pink Tournament - TBA
Mon 4/25 @Woodland
Tue 4/26 vs Ellington
Thu 4/28 @Senath Hornersville
Fri 4/29 @Caruthersville
Wed 5/4 vs Portageville
5/6 - 5/12 Districts - TBA
Roster: #14 Kennedy Bess, #4 Lexi Laramore, #11 Emily Hester, #1 Abbie Sandage, #12 Molly Simmons, #9 Kinleigh Chappell, #15 Amelia Jenkins, #10 Kaylee Hazel, #7 Tatyana Little Whiteman, #16 Kaden Jackson, #13 Alexis Sisk, #18 Payton Short, #8 Symphony Jarrell, and #20 Isabella Pittman.
Dexter, MO - Coach Eric Sitze has three seniors with a lot of experience and has high expectations for these guys. Dylan Sitze, Cy Worley and Matt Hardin have played varsity golf for three years as Dexter High School Bearcats and are prepared for their senior year.
"We have three seniors that have played varsity for us over the past 3 years," commented head golf coach Eric Sitze. "Dylan Sitze, Cy Worley and Matt Hardin bring a lot of experience to our team this year. I know they have all worked hard this past summer on improving their game. We need them to go low for us in our tournaments to give us a chance to be competitive. Miller McLaughlin is also a senior playing for us this season."
I am looking forward to seeing what this team can accomplish. We have some seniors back with a lot of experience and we have a couple freshmen Ben Christian and Tucker Temples that will hopefully be getting some varsity experience this year," continued Sitze. "So a lot of it depends on how well the kids handle the spring elements. I know I have seen a lot of these kids out playing tournament golf in the summer and working on their game so I am looking forward to seeing their progress over the next few months."
Dexter had three state qualifiers in 2021, Ryan Collier, Matthew Hardin, and Dylan Sitze
"I think our team will be competitive, golf is a hard game. We just want to go out and do the best we can every match," stated Sitze. "You have to keep grinding at this game. We want to fight for every stroke. Some days it may not go our way, you just have to make good decisions, try to stay positive and put yourself into position to go as low as you can."
Ethan Zabelin and Alyssa Warren also return with JV and some Varsity experience.
2022 Dexter High School Golf Schedule:
Tue 3/22 @Kennett Quad 4 p.m.
Wed 3/23 (HOME) vs Caruthersville, Malden, and Bloomfield 4 p.m.
Mon 3/28 @Notre Dame Invitation 11:00 a.m.
Mon 4/4 @Sikeston Invitational Noon
Wed 4/6 @Farmington Invitational 9 a.m.
Thu 4/7 @Cape Quad 3:30 p.m.
Mon 4/11 @Poplar Bluff Invitational 10 a.m.
Tue 4/12 @Notre Dame Quad 4 p.m.
Mon 4/18 @Jackson High School Invitational 10 a.m.
Thu 4/21 @Perryville Invitational (JR Varsity) 10 a.m.
Fri 4/22 @Saxony Quad Noon
Mon 4/25 @Caruthersville 4 p.m.
Wed 4/27 (HOME) Dexter Quad 4 p.m.
Mon 5/2 @SEMO Conference Tournament 10 a.m.
Thu 5/5 @Poplar Bluff 4 p.m.
Mon 5/9 District Tournament TBA
5/16 - 5/17 Missouri State Tournament TBA
Pictured from left to right are Dylan Greene, Alyssa Warren, Tucker Temples, Garrett Coons, Ethan Zabelin, Kaden Lirley, Miller McLaughlin, Cy Worley, Ben Christian, Matt Hardin, Dylan Sitze, Rylee Corlew, and Ty Carmode
Dexter, MO - The Dexter High School will begin their season on Saturday, March 19th at Clearwater High School. The Bearcats will play at 10 a.m. They will also compete against the Malden Green Wave at noon.
Dexter will compete in the Stoddard County Athletic Association (SCAA) Tournament from April 18th - 21st and the SEMO Conference Tournament from April 18th through April 21st.
The Bearcats will feature four seniors, seven juniors, three sophomores, and seven freshmen.
Seniors are #2 Taylor Condict, #3 Adam Saylors, #4 Camden Riley, and #7 Braxton Greenfield.
Juniors are #1 Kaeden Kennedy, #8 Cole Gibson, #9 Andrew Saylors, #11 Cole Nichols, #12 Brock Wyman, #16 Ben Howard, and #21 Logan Jelinek.
Sophomores are #10 Ryan Young, #18 Keller Fralick, and #22 Preston Fitzpatrick.
Freshmen are #5 Noah Alford, #6 Hunter Larson, #13 Cooper Buchanan, #14 Beau Carrier, #15 Jackson Howard, #17 Lee-Michael McDonald, and #20 Fisher Menley.
Fans will have at least nine opportunities see them at home at East Park.
2022 DHS Baseball Schedule
Sat 3/19 @Clearwater 10 a.m. and Malden @ Noon
Wed 3/23 @Kennett 4 p.m.
Thu 3/24 vs Jackson (H) 4 p.m.
Fri 3/25 @NMCC 4:30 p.m.
Mon 3/28 vs Poplar Bluff (H) 4 p.m.
Tue 3/29 @Portageville 4:30 p.m.
Thu 3/31 @Bernie 4:30 p.m.
Fri 4/1 vs Cape Central (H) 4 p.m.
Mon 4/4 @East Carter County 4:30 p.m.
Tue 4/5 @ Perryville High School 4:30 p.m.
Wed 4/6 vs Notre Dame (H) 4 p.m.
Fri 4/8 vs Advance (H) 4:30 p.m.
Mon 4/11 vs Sikeston (H) 4 p.m.
Tue 4/12 vs Holcomb (H) 4:30 p.m.
Thu 4/14 @Chaffee 4:30 p.m.
4/18 - 4/21 SCAA Tournament
Mon 4/25 vs Doniphan (H) 4 p.m.
Tue 4/26 @Twin Rivers 4:30 p.m.
4/29 - 5/2 SEMO Conference Tournament Varsity Only
5/6 - 5/7 SEMO Conf. JV Tournament
Mon 5/9 vs Farmington (H) 4 p.m.
Tue 5/10 @Kelly High School 4:30 p.m.
5/13 - 5/21 Districts Varsity Only
The Mules Booster Club has named Alexis Rowland and Logan Hite of Poplar Bluff High School the January Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Logan, a sophomore wrestler, finished the season with a record of 41-10, with 25 pins. He went undefeated at the Hillsboro Duals, and placed third in the St. Charles Invitational, Bring the Hammer and Patriot Classic. He was the 2022 SEMO Conference champion and Class 4 District runner-up, winning his opening match of the state tournament, and finished in the top 12 of his weight class. In the classroom, he maintains a 10.38 grade point average.
“Logan has worked extremely hard in the off-season and throughout the season to progress on the mat,” said Kelton Thompson, his coach. “Logan is a very good example to all of his teammates by displaying a strong work ethic in the classroom and wrestling room.”
Alexis, a senior wrestler, had a season record of 38-8, with 29 pins. She placed first at the St. Charles Invitational, Capital City and Bring the Hammer tournaments. She was the 2022 SEMO Conference champion and Class 4 District runner-up, finishing in the top 8 at the state tournament, picking up two wins, just one shy of being a medalist. In the classroom, she maintains an 11.07 GPA.
“Lexy has been a model of consistency and hard work over the past year. She has put in the work during the off-season and has made tremendous progress on the mat,” said Thompson, her coach. “She has beat several high-quality wrestlers this year and is continuing to develop on the mat. She is a great student and takes her academics very seriously.”
Pictured: Logan Hite and Alexis Rowland are presented the Athletes of the Month awards on Tuesday, Feb. 15, by Booster Club vice president Brian Taylor.
Article and photo by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
Dexter, MO - The Dexter Middle School 8th grade volleyball team announced their upcoming schedule and roster for the 2022 season.
Coach Jennifer Bolin stated that they are excited about the upcoming season.
2022 8th Grade Volleyball Schedule
Mon 2/28 Bernie (Home) 5:30 p.m.
Tue 3/01 Bell City (Home) 5:30 p.m.
Thu 3/03 Bloomfield (Away) 6:00 p.m.
Mon 3/07 Jackson (Away) 4:30 p.m.
Tue 3/08 Richland (Home) 5:30 p.m.
Thu 3/10 Puxico (Home) 5:30 p.m.
Tue 3/15 Kennett (Away) 5:00 p.m.
Thu 3/17 Woodland (Away) 6:00 p.m.
Sat 3/19 Jackson 8th Grade Tournament 8:00 a.m.
Mon 3/21 Poplar Bluff (Home) 5:30 p.m.
Tue 3/29 Scott City (Home) 5:30 p.m.
Thu 3/31 Advance (Away) 6:00 p.m.
04/04 - 04/08 SCAA Tournament (Away) TBA
8th Grade Volleyball Roster
#5 Emily Bolin
#21 Cali Comfort
#8 Madison Creado
#1 Klaire Essner
#25 Keeleigh Flanigan
#10 Karis Kennedy
#22 Blair Medley
#15 Kenli Musgrave
#11 Meredith Nea
#16 Elizabeth Norris
#23 Lauren Sindle
#18 Mattie Thompson
