Dexter, Missouri - The Stoddard County Athletic Association has released the varsity boys basketball seedings for the SCAA Tournament to be held in Dexter on Monday, January 25th - January 29th at the Bearcat Event Center.  

Woodland received the #1 seed followed by Dexter and Bloomfield with the #2 seed and #3 seed respectively.

2015 - 2016 SCAA Tournament Seedings

1. Woodland

2. Dexter

3. Bloomfield

4. Advance

5. Bell City

6. Puxico

7. Bernie

8. Richland

Photos credit to Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times Manager/Editor.  Ethan Flowers takes the ball down the court during the Twin Rivers vs Dexter 2015 Christmas Tournament game.

Dexter, Missouri - The Bernie Mules and the Dexter Bearcats have built a healthy rivalry over the years.  It is one of the biggest basketball rivalries in southeast Missouri.  Each team had something to prove as they took the court at the Bearcat Event Center.

It was nearly a flawless performance by the Dexter Bearcats.  They shot 10 for 11 from the charity stripe, hit 25 field goals and sank five 3-pointers to outscore the Bernie Mules 65 - 42.

Dexter immediately jumped out to an 11 – 0 lead in the first four minutes of the first period before Nate Dillinger put two on the board for the Bernie Mules.  Dexter recorded double digits in each of the four periods.  At half-time they led by 16 points.

Dexter out-scored Bernie 24-14 in the third quarter to take a 52-26 lead into the fourth.  Their largest lead of the game, but not enough to run the mercy clock.

"We have struggled coming out of the gate many times this year," commented Dexter head boys basketball coach Josh Dowdy.  "We are beginning to understand that we have to get off the bus and be ready to play from the opening tip.  We did that tonight.  Our defensive intensity was real good for most of the game."

Bearcat Powerhouse Gabe Jackson recorded 9 points in the first quarter on his way to a game-high 21 points.

"I sound like a broken record, but we wanted to throw it in to our big man and take what the defense gives us.  He made some nice moves tonight once he faced the basket.  He continues to rebound real well defensively," Dowdy said of Jackson.

Ethan Flowers tallied 15 points for the Bearcats including two 3-pointers.  

"Ethan has had a great week," continued Dowdy.  "He is shooting it, driving it, and serving as a good leader for us."

With Jason Jarrell on the bench with an injury, Jacob Pedigo has stepped up for Dexter.  He recorded 11 points, three buckets, one 3-pointer and was 100% from the free throw line adding 2 more to the score board. 

"Jacob has done a tremendous job of stepping in for Jason.  He continues to play with confidence," stated Dowdy.  "And there is Heil....what can you say....He is the role player every coach wants.  I am glad he is a Bearcat!"

Ryan Mayo recorded two treys finishing with 10 points.  It was a full team effort by the Bearcats.  

"Ryan Mayo had another nice start for us tonight.  He is knocking down some perimeter shots and working real hard away from the ball.  Our team is excited to see his progress," Dowdy said.

"It was nice to get some kids in tonight," continued Dowdy.  "Jacob Crumley comes to practice every day and has been a good influence on our younger kids and does anything we ask of him.  It was nice to see him get that stick back."

Bernie's Nate Dillinger had a team-high 17 points.  He tallied the first six points of the game for the Mules.  Alex Whitehead, the only other Mule to record double digits, finished with 12 points.  Whitehead completed three treys, one bucket and one free throw.

Final Score Dexter 65, Bernie 42

Dexter  16  12  24  13  -  65

Bernie    7    5  14  16  -  42

Dexter (65) – Jacob Crumley 2, Dawson Kasting 2, Jacob Pedigo 11, Ethan Flowers 15, Tyler Heil 4, Ryan Mayo 10, Gabe Jackson 21.  FG 25, Ft 10/11, F 8. (3-pointers: Jacob Pedigo 1, Ethan Flowers 2, Ryan Mayo 2.  Fouled Out: None).

Bernie (42) - Jayce Burk 3, Alex Guzman 3, Nate Dillinger 17, Alex Whitehead 12, Gavin Brown 3, Dalton Hobgood 4.  FG 14, FT 8/12, F 8.  (3-pointers: Jayce Burk 1, Nate Dillinger 1, Alex Whitehead 3, Dalton Hobgood 1.  Fouled Out: None)

Dexter, Missouri - The Bernie Mules junior varsity team traveled to the Bearcat Event Center this evening to take on the Dexter JV Bearcats.

Dexter jumped out to a 26-14 lead at the end of the first period and continued to dominate the JV Mules.  Bernie JV managed to come back within 8 at the half, but fell short in the fourth period with on 7 on the board.  Offensively the Bearcats had six players to score in double digits. 

Sophomore Marcus Woodson #4 had a spectacular night recording a game-high 17 points for the Bearcats.  He hit two of his three treys in the first quarter and tallied four two-pointers.

“Marcus Woodson has had a great week,” stated Dexter boys basketball coach Josh Dowdy.  “He is a kid that has spent a lot of time at the park over the summer.  It is nice to see all that work pay off!”

Kole Kelley #3 recorded double digits contributing 14 points.  He hit four 3-pointers in the first half and was 100% at the charity stripe.

“Kelley was on fire tonight,” commented Dowdy.  “He is another young man that wears his driveway out!”

Seth Rogers #10 added 12 points including one trey and Nate Gargas #12 scored 10 points.  Dawson Kastings #24 also tallied 10 points for the Bearcats including one trey.  Ben Sindle #23 also contributed 10 points, one 3-pointer, two buckets and was 3 for 3 in free throws.

Two Bernie Mules fell into double digits.  Hunter Slavings tallied a team-high 14 points, four treys and one bucket.  Weston Zoll recorded 12 points all on 3-pointers.  

Final Score Dexter JV 75, Bernie JV 55

Dexter    26    16   21  12 - 75 

Bernie    14   20  14     7 - 55

Dexter (75) - Kole Kelley 14, Marcus Woodson 17, Seth Rogers 12, Nate Gargas 10, Ben Sindle 10, Dawson Kastings 10, Braxton Foster 2. FG 28, FT 10/12, F 7. (3-pointers: Kole Kelley 4, Marcus Woodson 3, Seth Rogers 1, Ben Sindle 1.  Fouled Out: None).

Bernie (55) - Wyatt Barrett 2, Weston Zoll 12, Ridge Littleton 9, Weston Cornstock 4, Alan Pippins 5, Hunter Slavings 14, Josh Ellenburg 9.  FG 21, FT 3/3, F 14. (3-pointers: Weston Zoll 4, Ridge Littleton 1, Alan Pippins 1. Fouled Out: None).

The Dexter JV Bearcats will be back in action on Tuesday, January 19th.  They travel to Puxico.  Game time 6:00 p.m.  The Bernie JV Mules will take on the Bloomfield Wildcats in Bloomfield.

Photo credit to Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times Manager/Editor.  Shown in the photo is Bernie Mules Hunter Slavings guarding Dexter's Marcus Woodson.

Dexter, Missouri - The Lady Bearcats were up by only one point at the end of the first half 18-17 over the Neelyville Tigers before breaking out into a defensive battle in the third quarter to secure their 55 - 41 win at their second home game of the season in the Bearcat Event Center.

“We changed the defenses at the start of the third quarter for about three possessions.  Neelyville either turned the ball over or we forced them into some quick shots,” commented Dexter girls basketball coach Chad Allen.  “We got some easy looks out of that half court trap we were doing.  That sort of set the tone for the second half.”

“We didn’t shoot well in the first half or the last game we played,” continued Allen. “I think they did a pretty good job in the second half doing that and got to the free throw line more.”

Coming out of the break........“We told them to really concentrate and attack the rim and try to get to the free throw line,” stated Allen. “Also get the ball inside to our post.  I think we did a pretty good job in the second half doing that and got to the free throw line more.  We got the ball inside to our post more also.” 

Dexter did get to the line more in the second half.  If you look at the free throw stats that was a big stab in the game as Dexter shot 75% sinking 12, while Neelyville hit only 2 of their 16 attempts.

“There has been times that we didn’t shoot free throws very well, but for the most part we shot well so far this year,” Allen said.  “Just getting to the line and knocking them down really can win a lot of games.  That was a big factor tonight and not only the defensive end but also getting to the free throw line and making them.”

Dexter’s freshman Chaylea Mosby tallied a game-high 18 points including four 3-pointers.  Two in the first quarter and two in the third quarter and she shot 100% at the charity stripe.

Senior Dakota Reynolds hit two 3-pointers and three buckets contributing 12 points for Dexter. 

Krysten Garrison recorded 11 points and was 7 for 8 in free throws.

“The main thing is……I am proud of them,” stated Allen.  “It’s just the fight they have in them because a lot of times when you aren’t shooting the ball well you don’t guard as well either.  These girls fight all throughout the game.  They find a way to grind out a game. They also did the same against Kennett.”

The Lady Cats were able to shut down Neelyville's powerhouse Shelby Moon.  She recorded only 8 points for the Tigers, two treys and one bucket and did not score at all in the fourth quarter. 

J'Kayla Fowler was the only Tiger in double digits tallying 10 total points all on 2 point baskets.

“We really concentrated on her last time we played them and also tonight,” Allen said of Moon.  “ I thought our girls did a great job defending Moon as well as the rest of the girls.  I thought we played very well defensively all game long.”

On Saturday, January 16th the Lady Cats (12-2) will travel to Jackson in a one-day shootout.  They play Miller Career Academy at 2:30 p.m. at the Jackson High School gym.

“They are the same team as in the past.  They have the same coach. They still play the same. They are long and athletic,” Allen said of Miller Career.  “ As long as we can get out there and guard like we have been guarding then I feel good about it.  Of course we just have to keep playing.”

Final Score Dexter 55, Neelyville 41

Dexter          11  7   16  12  -  55

Neelyville    10  7   14  10  -  41

Dexter (55) - Dakota Reynolds 12, Melanie McKuin 7, Cheyenne Mosby 2, Krysten Garrison 11, Harley Allen 3, Chaylea Mosby 18.  FG 18, FT 12/16, F 17. (3-pointers: Dakota Reynolds 2, Harley Allen 1.  Fouled Out: None).

Neelyville (41) - Shelby Moon 8, Jentri Worley 7, Maggie Eaker 4, J’Kayla Fowler 10, Chelsea Petty 6, Christina Russom 6.  FG 18, FT 2/16, F 14.  (3-pointers: Shelby Moon 2, Jentri Worley 1.  Fouled Out: None).

Dexter, Missouri - The Neelyville Lady Tigers junior varsity team traveled to the Bearcat Event Center on Thursday evening hoping for a win.  Dexter's Meghan Trout wasn't about to let that happen.  She tallied a game-high 16 points for the Bearcats to secure a 51-37 win.

Natalie Sitze recorded 14 points for Dexter including three 3-pointers.

Dexter recorded double digits in each of the four periods.  

Finals Score Dexter JV 51, Neelyville JV 37

Neelyville   9    8   14    6  -  37

Dexter       10  20  10  11  -  51

Neelyville (37) - Alexis Bell 7, Jentri Worley 5, Rhegan Tutor 9, J’Kayla Fowler 14, Nicole Smith 2.  FG 12, FT 12/25, F 12. (3-pointers: Alexis Bell 1.  Fouled Out: None).

Dexter (51) - Riley Allen 2, Maycie Martin 11, Natalie Sitze 14, Meghan Trout 16, Keirstan Keirsey 3, Madyson Crockett 5.  FG 15, FT 4/7, F 19. (3-pointers: Natalie Sitze 3, Keirstan Keirsey 1, Crockett 1.  Fouled Out: None)

Photo credit to Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times Manager/Editor.  Shown in the photo is Maycie Martin pounding the ball down the court for two.