If you ask Dexter coach Chad Allen how his Lady Bearcats got to be the top seed heading into the Lady Royals Classic, which begins Saturday in Brosley, the answer is simple.

"My girls work well together," he says.

Allen and his team sit in the precarious position of being labeled the best in a field of 16 teams, meaning they will get everyone's best shot, beginning with No. 16 seed East Carter when the tournament starts at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Although they enter that game as the favorites, Allen knows his team must be cautious of having too much confidence.

"Being the No. 1 seed brings added pressure," he says. "You have a target on your back."

Not only will the Lady Bearcats draw the best game from each of their opponents, but they face a pool this year that includes several teams that figure to give them a challenge.

Ozark Foothills Conference favorites Naylor and Greenville figure to make strong showings. The third-seeded Lady Eagles have yet to lose a game this season, while the Lady Bears are a threat as the sixth seed. Doniphan is the fourth seed.

Kelly, which lost to Dexter in the final last year, is the second seed.

In the second round, Dexter could face a matchup with the host Twin Rivers Lady Royals, who have the No. 8 seed. Last year as the ninth seed, Twin Rivers upset the top-seeded team in the second round.

"There are definitely some good teams out there," Allen says. "It will be hard to win it."

Besides their good team chemistry and teamwork, the Lady Bearcats also possess the skills to make a deep run in the tournament.

"We can score from almost every position, and all of our girls bring great intensity," Allen says.

The Lady Bearcats find their success through their speed, pushing the tempo and creating as much offense as they can through their defense.

"We like to press and create turnovers and put pressure on our opponents on both ends of the floor," Allen says.

Junior point guard Jill Temples runs the offense for the Lady Bearcats with plenty of help down low from fellow junior Katelyn Heil, who leads the team in both scoring and rebounding.

"Jill has a lot of responsibility setting up our offense and she is also a great defender," Allen says.

Adding to the Lady Bearcats' mental toughness is a characteristic that is shared by all athletes.

"These girls hate to lose," Allen says. "They are competitors."

Even though they have earned an honor in the top seed of the Classic, Allen and his team have larger goals.

"We are going to keep on working hard to go far this year," he says.