Dexter rallies past Naylor for Twin Rivers title (12/23/07) Lady Bearcats wear down Naylor in fourth quarter for second straight championship in Twin Rivers Lady Royals Holiday Classic

Dexter beats Kelly to reach Twin Rivers tournament final (12/21/07) Bearcats will play Naylor; Kelly to face Portageville for third; NMCC plays for ninth

Bearcats, Bluejays put on offensive display Friday (10/05/08) DEXTER -- An offensive powder keg exploded all over Charles Bland Stadium on Friday night. The Dexter Bearcats and the Charleston Bluejays compiled almost 1,000 yards of total offense between them with the Bearcats coming out on top of the high scoring affair in a close 49-42 final...

Bearcats win shootout with Charleston (10/05/08) There was a shootout at Charles Bland Stadium in Dexter Friday night. And when the smoke had finally cleared, it was the Bearcats that were left standing after fighting off the Charleston Bluejays, 49-42, on Homecoming night. The game was an offensive bonanza for football fans, as the two teams raced up and down the field scoring at will. ...

Dexter slams SHS (10/03/08) DEXTER -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldog volleyball team made the trip to Dexter High School on Thursday night only to come back with a 25-14, 25-9 loss to the Lady Bearcats. At times the Lady Bulldogs went on a couple scoring runs that was aided by a few errors by the Lady Bearcats, but head coach Steve Beydler said that lack of consistency was the downfall of this match...

Dexter serves its way to win over Sikeston (10/03/08) Bernie pulls out tight match against Zalma

Young Bearcats split with Kennett (10/03/08) Dexter's Chase Young (No. 45) is brought down by two Kennett defenders after a nice gain during Thursday's 8th grade game at Charles Bland Stadium in Dexter. Kennett scored late in the fourth quarter to lock up a 16-6 win over the young Bearcats. Dexter got a measure of revenge later when the freshman Bearcats posted an impressive, 45-6, win over the visiting Indians...

'Cats open league play at home against Bluejays (10/02/08) Coming off their first win of the season, the Dexter Bearcats will be looking to make it two in a row when they host the Charleston Bluejays on Homecoming night at Charles Bland Stadium Friday. Dexter broke through for a 41-7 win over Malden last Friday, and will need another big effort against Charleston in the Bearcats' SEMO Central Conference opener...

DHS netters pick up two match wins over Sikeston (10/02/08) Dexter's Lady Bearcats tennis team picked up two win at home Wednesday against Sikeston. The two teams completed an earlier match that was postponed because of rain at Sikeston, then played the regularly scheduled match. In both matches, Dexter posted 9-0 wins...

Sikeston soccer and tennis teams fall (10/01/08) JACKSON -- The Sikeston Bulldog soccer team fell to 2-12 on the season with a 4-0 loss to the Jackson Indians on Tuesday. A breakdown in the second half was the back-breaker for the Bulldogs in an otherwise tight first half. It was 1-0 Jackson at half time but three goals in a span of five minutes proved to much for the visiting Bulldogs...

Lady Tribe wins 14th game, stays perfect in Bootheel play (09/30/08) CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- The Kennett Lady Indians volleyball served 16 aces on the night as it stayed perfect in Bootheel Conference play with a 25-14, 25-14 win over the Caruthersville Lady Tigers here Monday. "Our serving game was on real good," Kennett coach Laura Ort said. "We worked on it in practice a little on Friday. We've really just talked about hitting our spots and being more effective servers."...

Sikeston volleyball earns win against Bluejays (09/30/08) CHARLESTON -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs picked up another win on the volleyball court Monday evening as they defeated the Charleston Lady Bluejays 25-14 and 25-14. Sikeston finished the contest with 17 aces total. Leading the way in the stat column for the Lady Bulldogs was Asia Liggins with five kills, four aces and six digs, Madeline Davis with three kills, six aces, five digs and two blocks and Keyarra Blissett had three kills and three aces. Mandy Moore also had 11 digs in the victory...

Dexter resumes regular-season play with SCAA win over Lady Hornets (09/30/08) Lady Bearcats, Lady Mules compete Saturday at ASUTournament

Dexter, Bernie win at Arkansas State Playday (09/29/08) By DAR STAFF JONESBORO, Ark. -- Dexter won one of the four titles at the ASU Playday on Saturday night while Bernie won a consolation title. The Lady Bearcats beat Trumann, Ark. 25-21, 25-19 in the Silver Bracket final. After losing to West Memphis, Ark. in pool play Saturday at the Arkansas State University Tournament, the Mules got revenge later in the afternoon as they beat West Memphis, Ark., in a rematch for the Scarlet Division consolation championship...

Lady Bearcats win ASU Tourney division (09/29/08) JONESBORO, Ark. -- The Dexter Lady Bearcats won the silver tournament bracket in the ASU Tournament over the weekend. The Lady Bearcats, now 12-5-3 on the season, played in the black division of the tournament which is the upper division. In pool play, Dexter fell to Houston 24-26 and 20-25, split with Crowley Ridge Academy 25-17 and 24-26 and split with Cabot 25-20 and 15-25...

Dexter overcomes turnovers, beats Malden 41-7 (09/28/08) By ROB TATE ~ DAR Sports Writer MALDEN -- It had been a bumpy road for the Dexter Bearcats leading up to Friday night. Having no wins on the season -- let alone a lead at any time -- the Bearcats' fortunes changed with 28 first-half points in a 41-7 win over Malden...

Bearcats notch season's first win against Green Wave (09/28/08) MALDEN -- There were a lot of firsts for Dexter at Malden Friday night...including a win. Dexter scored first and played with the lead for the first time this season, Jake Cox came up with the team's first interception of the season and the defense held an opponent to single digits for the first time in four tries. All these firsts helped pave the way for Dexter's first win of the season, a 41-7 decision over the Green Wave...

Bearcats win first game (09/28/08) MALDEN -- The first win seems to be the hardest for a team to get. But after four weeks the Dexter Bearcats finally got their first win over the Malden Greenwave in a 41-7 game. "Anytime you get a win it's a positive and we needed it bad," said Pixley. "Quite honestly I was worried about it. Whenever your 0-4 you don't know how your going to respond to anything. They were a little quiet before the game and I didn't really know how to take that but they came out playing hard."...

Dexter netters blanked by Jackson (09/26/08) Dexter's Lady Bearcats tennis team suffered a 9-0 loss at home Thursday to the visiting Jackson Lady Indians. "Jackson is a very strong team," Dexter coach Leanna Dooley stated. "Our girls are working hard, but their lack of court time shows against tough competition...

Bell City pounds out victory over Dexter (09/26/08)

Lady Bearcats take first at Oak Ridge meet (09/26/08) OAK RIDGE -- Dexter's Lady Bearcats cross country team took first place at the 10-team meet at Oak Ridge Thursday. Brittney Waldner's third-place finish paced the winning effort with a time of 20:59, followed by Lizzie Kohlbaker, who finished fourth with the same 20:59 time...

Dexter looking for first win against Malden (09/25/08) As The Dexter Bearcats prepare to try and break a four-game losing streak and win their first game of the season at Malden Friday night, a closer look at some key statistics shows why the team as been fighting an up hill battle. Granted, the competition has been tough, and injuries have played havoc with the Bearcats' lineup, but there has also been a recurring story line in the four lopsided losses to open the season...

Jackson hands Sikeston loss on diamond (09/23/08) JACKSON -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs softball team dropped a close one on Monday afternoon on the road to the Jackson Lady Indians, 2-0. The two runs were unearned, one coming in the second inning and the other in the third. Sarah Hopson was handed the loss as she lasted all seven innings. Hopson walked two and struck out three while only giving up three hits...

Dexter rallies late to down Woodland, remain undefeated in SCAA play (09/23/08) MARBLE HILL -- Dexter fought back from a 16-7 deficit in the third and deciding game to pull out a 18-25, 25-19, 25-22 win on the road against the Woodland Lady Cardinals Monday. "Woodland has an all-around good team," a relieved Dexter coach Kris Vandeven stated after the match. "They hustle and hit the ball hard...

Winless Dexter football tries to stay positive (09/21/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer DEXTER -- The Dexter Bearcats had streaks of solid play Friday night against Poplar Bluff, but a 38-13 loss Friday put the Bearcats in rather unfamiliar territory. This is the first 0-4 start for the Bearcats since 1994 and the last time they started 0-5 was 1990 when Dexter went eight games before getting a win...

Mules get muddy, get moving (09/21/08) By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor DEXTER -- With a big smile and plenty of the family business stuck in his facemask and on his jersey, Poplar Bluff senior Austin Williams soaked up the Mules' 38-13 win Friday night. "It feels great," said Williams, whose family runs a sod farm. "I hate nothing more than losing. I'm ready to get this season rolling like it should."...

Mules run past 'Cats; (09/20/08) By JERRY JARRELL Daily Statesman Sports Editor Zach Ferguson rushed for 179 yards and scored four touchdowns as the Poplar Bluff Mules used a punishing ground attack to churn out a, 38-13, win over the Dexter Bearcats at Charles Bland Stadium on a rainy Friday night...

Lady 'Cats sweep Bernie (09/19/08) "This was embarrassing," is how Bernie coach Jeff Rodgers responded after Dexter rolled to a surprisingly easy, 25-17, 25-12, varsity win after the Lady Bearcats staged a Game 3 rally in the junior varsity game for a, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23, win and the sweep of their SCAA rivals to the south Thursday at home...

Dexter slams Bernie (09/19/08) DEXTER -- During the first set of the Dexter-Bernie volleyball match, the Lady Bearcats found themselves down by a 12-10 score with the Lady Mules threatening to take over the game. Bernie had control of the ball and delivered a shot over to the Dexter side. Cathryn Heil received the ball into the air for the first touch only to be followed by McKenzie Mitchell who tipped it just over the net on the second touch to make it an 11-12 game...

Dexter, Poplar Bluff expect physical battle (09/18/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Dexter Bearcats are looking to avoid the program's first 0-4 start in 14 years, and they know it won't be easy when they host Poplar Bluff at 7 p.m. Friday. "We expect a physical football team," Dexter coach Aaron Pixley said. "They play hard all the time, they have good athletes. They have a lot of kids back and are very capable, they have played some tough schools."...

Sikeston looking to carry their momentum north to Jackson (09/18/08) SIKESTON--Optimism is in high volume around the Sikeston Bulldog football program as they prepare to travel to Jackson to take on the Indians Friday night. "I think our kids are optimistic," Sikeston head coach Kent Gibbs said. "You talk to them around school and there is a lot more optimism within our football program. The outlook of our kids that 'hey, we have a real shot at winning these games' is so much better. Our boys are excited to play and that just makes things a lot better."...

Poplar Bluff tennis team beats Dexter (09/17/08) By DAR STAFF The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules tennis team captured their fourth win of the season with a 7-2 victory over Dexter on Tuesday afternoon. Jenni Hubbard, Allie Poteet, Kelsey Olsen, Rachael Brodell and Emily Gilmore each won their singles matches by a combined average of four points per game over the Bearcats...

SHS drops straight set match to Puxico (09/17/08) SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldog volleyball team had another rough go at it on Tuesday against the Puxico Lady Indians. Sikeston fell in two straight sets of 25-10 and 25-12. "We just need to practice," Sikeston head coach Steve Beydler simply said. "Our transition game is nowhere where it needs to be."...

Sikeston netters fall at home to Lady Mules (09/16/08) SIKESTON-- The Sikeston Lady Bulldog Tennis team fell to the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules Monday 7-1. Sikeston's lone victory in the home meet came from Jacarra Lampkin, who defeated Poplar Bluff's Jessica Gray 8-5 in their singles match. "Jacarra (Lampkin) had a great singles match," Sikeston tennis coach Lynne DeWitt said. "She fought hard and won."...

Bearcats win cross country meet (09/16/08) BENTON -- Dexter's cross country team earned its first win over the season Saturday during a meet at Kelly High School. The girls' win was led by Brittney Waldner and Lizzie Kohlbaker, who first second and third, respectively, with times of 21:58 and 22:40...

Dexter holds off Bloomfield, moves to 2-0 in SCAA (09/16/08) A Game 2 rally by Bloomfield came up just short and allowed the Dexter Lady Bearcats to notch a, 25-18, 28-26, win in a matchup of SCAA conference schools Monday at Dexter. Dexter came out strong in front of the home crowd in the first game, quickly building a 9-point lead (15-6) then increasing the advantage to 21-11 before Bloomfield finished on a 7-4 run. ...

Late score propels Sikeston past Dexter (09/14/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer SIKESTON -- Sikeston was hungry to beat Dexter on Friday night, and it showed. The Bulldogs made key conversions and stops when they needed to as they beat the Bearcats for the first time in their last seven meetings, 49-27...

SHS Wins shootout (09/14/08) SIKESTON -- It has been nothing but Dexter Bearcat dominance over the Sikeston Bulldogs on the football field for the last six years. On Friday night though, the Bulldogs ended the Dexter winning streak in a 49-27 victory at Sikeston Public High School Stadium...

Second half comeback falls short for Bearcats, lose 49-27 (09/14/08) By Chris Pobst SEMO News Service SIKESTON -- It has been nothing but Dexter Bearcat dominance over the Sikeston Bulldogs on the football field for the last six years. On Friday night though, the Bulldogs ended the Dexter winning streak in a 49-27 victory at Sikeston Public High School Stadium...

SHS looks to end slump against Dexter (09/11/08) SIKESTON -- Coming into Friday night's game with a series lead of 44-19 over Dexter, one might think that Sikeston should have no problem with their week three opponent. Six of those last 19 games however, show the Bearcats winning each contest and outscoring the Bulldogs 179-24. Sikeston head coach Kent Gibbs says that his squad is hoping to regain the win column come Friday night...

Dexter looks to snap losing streak against Sikeston (09/11/08) A battered and bruised Dexter Bearcats football team will try to get on the winning track this Friday when the team travels to Sikeston for a clash with a much improved Bulldogs team. In recent years, the matchup with the Bulldogs as been a sort of "get well" game for the Bearcats, who have dominated their larger Class 4 Highway 60 rivals. ...

Oran scores early in 16-2 win (09/10/08) ORAN -- The Oran Lady Eagles had no problems scoring runs in their game against the Jackson Lady Indians junior varsity squad as they came away with a 16-2 win. The Lady Eagles scored 12 runs in the first two innings while allowing only two Jackson runs to score in the first inning...

Lady Bearcats remain undefeated with win over Cape's Lady Tigers (09/10/08) Cathryn Heil's resounding kill off a Cape Central error put an exclamation mark to the end of Dexter's Game 1, 25-12, win and the Lady Bearcats rallied for a, 25-22,, win in the second game to remain undefeated on the season and keep the Lady Tigers winless during volleyball action Tuesday at Dexter High School...

Dexter towers over Richland (09/09/08) DEXTER -- The Dexter Lady Bearcats volleyball team improved to 3-0 on the season by defeating the Richland Lady Rebels Monday evening in two games by scores of 25-8 and 25-13. The Lady Rebels jumped out early in the first game but Dexter's squad came rolling back into the game and eventually took control and never looked back...

Jayvee Bearcats defeat New Madrid County Central (09/09/08) Jerry Jarrell photos Dexter's junior varsity football team defeated New Madrid County Central, 7-6, at Charles Bland Stadium in Dexter Monday. Dexter running back Colby Reed (No. 23, left) tries to fend off a Eagles' defender for additional yards, while Jake Cox (No. ...

Waldner paces DHS cross country team in season opener (09/09/08) JACKSON -- Dexter High School had four girls medal in the cross country team's first meet of the season at Jackson Saturday. Junior Brittney Waldner was the top performer with a third-place finish, while sophomore Lizzie Kohlbaker finished 12th, junior Hannah Baker 19th and freshman Malinda Mayo 19th...

Lady 'Cats down Lady Rebels in home, conference opener (09/09/08) Still without the services of the injured Abbie Warren, seniors Jessica Satterfield and Cathryn Heil picked up the slack with another strong effort at the net as Dexter's Lady Bearcats' defeated Richland, 25-8, 25-13, Monday in the team's home opener...

Dexter in familiar spot with 0-2 start (09/07/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer DEXTER -- The Dexter Bearcats were looking to make last week's loss a distant memory and early in the first quarter against Gosnell (Ark.), they were headed in the right direction. The Bearcats converted three first downs before Gosnell's Cody Mace got his hands on a Ben Mills pass and returned it for a touchdown...

Pirates pound out win over Bearcats (09/07/08) By JERRY JARRELL Daily Statesman Sports Editor Can one play change the outcome of a football game? You better believe it can. Dexter took the opening kickoff against Gosenll, Ark., and was putting together a spirited drive that appeared destined for the end zone when the Pirates Cody Mace picked off a Ben Mills pass at the five yard line and raced 95-yards to score. ...

Dexter passes first road test with win over Jackson (09/05/08) JACKSON -- Dexter passed its first road test with flying colors as the Lady Bearcats battled for a three-game win over the Jackson Lady Indians Thursday, 25-23, 22-25, 25-19. Seniors Jessica Satterfield and Cathryn Heil both had big nights at the net, combining for 29 kills. Satterfield knocked down 17 and added a team-high 12 digs to go along with nine assist and two blocks. Heil charted 12 kills and a team-high 11 assists to go along with nine digs and one block...

Rain suspends Lady Bulldogs tennis match (09/04/08) SIKESTON -- Rain played havoc in the Dexter and Sikeston tennis match Wednesday afternoon in Sikeston. Midway through doubles play the matches had to be suspended because of a steady light rain that left the courts too slippery to play. No make-up date has been announced...

Sikeston netters shutout by Jackson (09/03/08) SIKESTON -- The Sikeston girls tennis team got off to a rocky start Tuesday afternoon, falling to the Jackson Lady Indians 9-0. "This was our first match and the girls were nervous," said Sikeston coach Lynne DeWitt. "We will build on today and look forward to Dexter today and Caruthersville on Thursday."...

DHS Booster Club tourney in the making (09/03/08) The Dexter Bearcat Booster Club will host its third annual golf tournament on Saturday, October 4, 2008 beginning at noon and registrations are currently being taken. Players may make their own teams or if they prefer, may be placed on a team. The entry fee is $50 per person for the four-person scramble with flights, prizes, and places to be determined by the number of entrants. Extras include Mulligans, 50/50 and Ladies Tee Box...

Dragons take to the air in win over Bearcats (09/03/08) STE. GENEVIEVE - Dexter and Ste. Genevieve hooked up in yet another aerial shoot-out to open the 2008 season, but this time around there was too much Kory Faulkner and not enough Bearcat defense as the Dragons rolled to an easy, 49-19, win Friday night at home...

Dexter rallies to down Kennett in season opener (09/03/08) KENNETT -- Dexter overcame a injury and a scrappy much of Kennett Lady Indians as the Lady Bearcats posted a come-from-behind, 14-25, 25-16, 25-21, Tuesday on the road in the season-opener for both volleyball squads. With a revamped starting lineup due to the loss of Dexter's Abbie Warren to injury, Kennett took advantage of the situation and got off to a quick start in front of the home crowd with a 25-14 win in the first game. ...

Lady Indians start season 0-1 (09/03/08) KENNETT - Dexter overcame an injury and a scrappy much of Lady Indians as the Lady Bearcats posted a come-from-behind, 14-25, 25-16, 25-21, Tuesday on the road in the season-opener for both volleyball squads. With a revamped starting lineup due to the loss of Dexter's Abbie Warren to injury, Kennett took advantage of the situation and got off to a quick start in front of the home crowd with a 25-14 win in the first game. ...

Dexter relies on leadership in quest to return to playoffs (08/31/08) By Chris Pobst ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com DEXTER -- After a 1-3 start to last year's campaign, the Dexter Bearcats pulled off a five-game win streak that gave them a chance to claim the Class 3 District 1 title against rival New Madrid County Central in the last regular season game of the year...

Dragons slay Dexter with quick strikes (08/31/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer STE. GENEVIEVE -- Dexter quarterback Ben Mills dropped back to pass near his own end zone and fired to the left side to Ryan Windham but after the ball bounced off Windham's hands, Ste. Genevieve's Jeremy Vaeth grabbed the ball and ran across the goal line for a Dragons touchdown...

Dexter looks for better start to season (08/26/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer DEXTER -- The Dexter Bearcats are looking regain that familiar growl they had at the end of last season. After starting last season 1-3 and being outscored 114-63, the Bearcats won five of the next six games to finish 6-4...

Grand rusher: Hessling returns to backfield after gaining 1,011 yards last year (08/26/08) By ALEX ABATE | DAR Sports Writer Dexter senior running back Nick Hessling is quick to deflect attention. However, a glance at his statistics from last season may draw a second look. Hessling rushed for 1,011 yards and finished with 10 touchdowns as the Bearcats finished the season 6-4. He carried the ball 200 times and averaged 5.1 yards per carry. Hessling has played football since fifth grade but has been in the backfield since eighth...

Dexter, Portageville trying to put pieces together (08/24/08) DEXTER-- The savory smell of barbecue was in the air Friday night at Charles Bland Stadium in Dexter, but it was football that was on everyone's mind. The Dexter Bearcats, Portageville Bulldogs, Kennett Indians and Scott City Rams came to participate in the Dexter Jamboree...

Football jamboree slated for tonight at Dexter (08/22/08) Dexter High School will hosts its annual Football Jamboree tonight at Charles Bland Stadium, starting at 6 o'clock. The jamboree will feature varsity and junior varsity squads from Kennett, Scott City and Portageville, along with host Dexter The jamboree format will have teams playing on both halves of the field, with both running a predetermine number of offensive plays. After that, the teams switch opponents and repeat the process...

Lady Bearcats to rely on Heil's experience (08/21/08) DEXTER -- Losing four out of six varsity players would definitely put any team in a rebuilding year situation for the upcoming season. But, for first year head coach Leanne Dooley and her Dexter High School girls tennis team's case, they have one half of the 2007 first place district doubles team and state qualifier Katelyn Heil returning to the squad as their leader on the court...

Dexter to build on last season (08/20/08) DEXTER -- Last year was what Dexter head coach Kristen Vandeven called a "developmental year" for the Lady Bearcat's volleyball team. They finished with a 16-15-1 overall record (4-3 conference record) and did not fulfill their expectations with a fourth place finish during the conference tournament and a second place finish in the district tournament...

Dexter 2008 football schedule (07/18/08) Aug. 29 -- at Ste. Genevieve Sept. 5 -- Gosnell (Ark.) Sept. 12 -- at Sikeston Sept. 19 -- Poplar Bluff Sept. 26 -- at Malden Oct. 3 -- Charleston Oct. 10 -- at Caruthersville Oct. 17 -- New Madrid County Central Oct. 24 -- at Perryville Oct. 30 -- Kennett...

Dexter's new summer baseball program deemed a success by Bearcats' coach (07/13/08) By JERRY JARRELL Daily Statesman Sports Editor This summer marked the first time since who-knows-when Dexter didn't have an organized Babe Ruth baseball program. Instead, like many other communities and schools in the area, Dexter opted for a team made up of only Dexter players. A team more in the line of a high school squad, which will help the younger players make the transition from youth league to playing for the Bearcats...

Double Play (07/09/08) Dexter second baseman Cody Stevens attempts to turn a double play in this sequence of photos from Tuesday's junior varsity game against the Charleston Squirrels. Stevens fielded a ground ball and stepped on second (left photo) for one out, then avoids the slide of Charleston's Zach Chasteen (No. 16) to make the throw to first . Dexter was unable to complete this double play and eventually lost the game, 17-6, but the Dexter varsity came out on the winning end of the second game, 11-7...

Triple threat: Katelyn Heil is Standard Democrat's top female athlete (07/07/08) Dexter junior shined while competing in tennis, basketball and track

Redbirds light up scoreboard in sweep (06/26/08) The Dunklin County Redbirds sizzled offensively from the outset of their doubleheader with Dexter, sweeping the Bearcats at Indian Park, 19-9 and 15-0, to avenge a June 19 loss. Dunklin County (32-6) started their offensive onslaught in the first inning of game one, plating four runs on three hits, capped by Logan Dollins' two-run double that scored Gage Blue and Adam Grantham to make the score 4-0...

Bearcats split doubleheader (06/19/08) Dexter's junior varsity Bearcats split a doubleheader Wednesday on the road at Bloomfield, winning the matchup of jayvee teams, 9-2, then dropping a 6-0 decision to the Wildcats' varsity squad. Dexter's Ryan Vanover (No. 40, above left photo) is safe at second after beating the throw to Bloomfield second baseman Jake Jackson, while Dexter shortstop Garrett Wray (right) applies the tag to Bloomfield's Jacob McNeil after he tried to advance to second on a misplayed ball. ...

Catching up with: Chad Allen (06/17/08) By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer The 2007-08 basketball season brought more than one change for Chad Allen. Besides leaving Puxico for Dexter, Allen switched from coaching boys to coaching girls. As it turned out, the transition couldn't have gone much more smoothly...

Southeast Missouri has first full-contact football camp (06/15/08) Excitement high at first day of contact camp; Coaches feel the event was past due in area

First-ever full contact SEMO Football Camp was way over due according to area coaches (06/15/08) SIKESTON -- There was a general consensus out on the practice field between most of the head coaches at rainy Sikeston High School on Friday afternoon, that the first-ever Southeast Missouri Area Football Coaches Association full contact football camp was way, way overdue...

Dexter's new summer league opens with split against Legion squads (05/30/08) Dexter's new independent league baseball team opened the season with a split against Sikeston's two American Legion squads, winning the varsity game, 4-2, and dropping the junior varsity tilt, 9-2. The Dexter team has emerged from necessity after the Rabe Ruth program basically folded this season, according to Dexter baseball coach Brian Becker...

Bearcats place three on the All-District team (05/25/08) Hessling, Miller and Noe are honored

'Cats fall one run short in district title game (05/15/08) CAPE GIRARDEAU - The baseball season came to a heart-breaking conclusion for Bearcats Wednesday night at Notre Dame Regional High School as the Bulldogs defeated Dexter, 3-2, in the Class 3, District 1 championship game. The loss caps a story book season for the Bearcats who had to replace seven senior starters lost to graduation, but surprise most observers with a 17-7 season record that included a share of the prestigious SEMO Conference regular season title...

Sikeston golfers end season in middle of state pack (05/14/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com SPRINGFIELD -- Dakota Trevino and Bill Green ended the Class 3 state golf championships in the middle of the pack Tuesday afternoon. Trevino shot an 81 Tuesday to finish a 167 for the tournament, finishing in 56th place. Green ended his high school career with an 87 Tuesday finishing with a 170 in 65th place out of 128 participants...

Dexter, Bernie, Naylor reach district baseball finals (05/14/08) By DAR STAFF While rain postponed the MSHSAA Class 2 District 3 semifinals Tuesday, three area teams pushed their way into district championship games. The games at Three Rivers' Raider Field will be played today with the final still set for 4 p.m. Thursday, weather permitting...

Strong finish leaves Hillis fourth (05/14/08) By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor REPUBLIC -- Trent Hillis stormed back Tuesday at the MSHSAA Class 4 state golf championship but the Poplar Bluff sophomore couldn't catch Kevin Kring. Hillis birdied two of his final three holes and finished with the only sub-par round of the day but ended up fourth, three strokes back...

Stause leads Bearcats into district title game (05/14/08) CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Playing with the youthful exuberance you would expect from a sophomore, Dexter's Cody Stause pitched the Bearcats into the championship game of the Class 3, District 1 tournament Tuesday night with a 8-1 win over the Kennett Indians...

Area teams score often in district play (05/13/08) CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Kennett Indians jumped out to a big early lead and held off a late charge by the Doniphan Dons to take a 9-5 win in the first round of the Class 3, District 1 Tournament at Notre Dame Regional High School Monday. In other District 1 games, it was Notre Dame 18, New Madrid County Central 1; Perryville 9, Sikeston 1; and Dexter 4, Fredericktown 3...

ROUNDUP: Dexter rallies past Fredericktown (05/13/08) By DAR STAFF CAPE GIRARDEAU -- David Hessling hit a two-run triple to left in the fifth inning and Tyler Scott had the go-ahead hit in the sixth as Dexter rallied to beat Fredericktown 4-3 in the first round of the MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 tournament Monday...

Bluff's Hillis in hunt for all-state honors (05/13/08) By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor REPUBLIC -- Trent Hillis didn't like how he played the first round of the MSHSAA Class 4 state golf tournament Monday, so he was surprised to see his name among the leaders. The Poplar Bluff sophomore shot a 4-over 76 at Island Green Golf Course and is tied for 14th, five shots off the lead heading into today's final round...

Dexter rallies past Fredericktown in first round of district tourney (05/13/08) CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Daviad Hessling broke for home with the pitch and Tyler Scott's bunt was perfect to score the winning run in Dexter's 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Fredericktown in the first round of the Class 3, District 1 tournament Monday at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau...

Local players honored on all-conference team (05/09/08) By Josh Mills ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com SIKESTON -- Seven local baseball players were named to the SEMO Conference 1st Team for the 2008 season. From Dexter Eric Windham (P), Caleb Miller (IF) and Mason Noe (IF) were selected. Sikeston s first team selections included Chase Ferrell (C) and Scott Droddy (IF)...

Mills pitches Dexter to victory over Tribe (05/08/08) DEXTER, Mo. -- Ben Mills has not made many starts on the mound this season for the Dexter Bearcats. But one couldn't tell that Wednesday against the Kennett Indians. In just his second start of the season, Mills scattered 10 hits and pitched out of several jams to lead Dexter to an 8-2 victory over the Tribe at East Park...

Mills pitches 'Cats to victory over Kennett (05/08/08) DEXTER, Mo. -- Ben Mills has not made many starts on the mound this season for the Dexter Bearcats. But one couldn't tell that Wednesday against the Kennett Indians. In just his second start of the season, Mills scattered 10 hits and pitched out of several jams to lead Dexter to an 8-2 victory over the Tribe at East Park...

Dexter misses shot at out-right SEMO Conference title (05/07/08) NEW MADRID - Dexter has produced more than its share of late inning heroics that resulted in walk-off wins this season and now the Bearcats know how it feels to be on the losing end of one of those games. Kyle Marshall's single over a drawn in infield sent Jarrett Allen sliding home with the winning run as New Madrid County Central pulled out a 7-6 walk-off win in the seventh inning at home over the Bearcats Tuesday...

Bearcats rattle the bats in win over Bulldogs (05/06/08) Jarrett Laird scattered five hits over five innings and the Bearcats banged out 15 hits as Dexter defeated Portageville, 15-5, Monday at Dexter's East Park ball field. Ben Mills collected his third hit of the game, a line drive to left, in the bottom of the fifth to end the game. Portageville had elected to intentionally walk pinch hitter Caleb Stanley to load the base and set up a double play possibility with Dexter just one run away from ending the game early...

Lady Bearcats end season with 16 wins and SCAA conference, regular season titles; four seniors play their last game for DHS (05/06/08) Dexter's Lady Bearcats softball team wrapped up another successful season Monday with a 15-1 win at home over the Bloomfield Lady Wildcats. Dexter connected for 11 hits, including a grand slam by Kelsey Flanigan in the first, to take the SCAA win. The game was called after just five innings when the mercy rule came into the play...

Dexter defeats Gideon; Bernie splits day-night double header games (05/02/08) GIDEON -- Dexter needed all seven innings, but the Lady Bearcats were finally able to overcome a gritty Gideon team and howling winds to post 3-0 win Thursday on the road. "The wind played a big factor in the game," Dexter coach Tammy Crowley said. "We were hitting into it (the wind) and it was blowing the ball back towards the infield."...

Lady Bearcats pound out win over Lady Mules (05/01/08) A tough 6-2 loss to Twin Rivers in extra innings Tuesday had the Lady Bearcats ready to take their frustrations out on someone. Unfortunately for Bernie, it was the youthful Lady Mules who were next in line. Dexter scored in every inning and brought the game to an end early with seven runs in the fourth as the Lady Bearcats defeated the Lady Mules on the road, 19-1, Wednesday in a SCAA game shortened by the mercy rule...

Dexter's McKuin one-hits Green Wave (04/30/08) MALDEN - Garrett McKuin threw a complete game one-hitter to out-duel Malden's Jordan Gregory as the Bearcats defeated the Green Wave on the road Tuesday, 3-1. McKuin went seven innings and recorded seven strikeouts to lead the Bearcats to their 13th win of the season against four losses. The junior right-hander only faced four batters over the minimum, mixing up his fast ball and curve to keep the Green Wave off balance...

Dexter's Holden captures Class 3, District 1 golf championship (04/29/08) FARMINGTON -- Dexter sophomore Chance Holden tied for first place at the Class 3, District 1 golf tournament at Crown Point Golf Club in Farmington, while the Bearcats finished second as a team. With the win, Holden advanced to the state tournament, May 12-13 at Rivercut Golf Club in Springfield...

Lady Bearcats claim SEMO Central conference title (04/29/08) CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Dexter's girls track team took top honors at the SEMO Central Conference track meet Monday at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau. Dexter finished ahead of second place Kennet by 52 points to easily take the title. Dexter finished at 156, while Notre Dame was third (100), New Madrid County Central fourth (56), and Charleston and Caruthersville tied for fifth with 44 points...

'Cats rally to take third place at conference tourney (04/29/08) CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Dexter staged yet another last ditch rally to take third place at the SEMO Conference baseball tournament with a 5-4 win over Jackson Monday at Capaha Park on the Southeast Missouri State University campus in Cape Girardeau. Dexter, the tournament's No. ...

Bearcats open tournament play at home today against a tough Kelly Hawks squad (04/25/08) Dexter High School will begin its quest for a SEMO Conference Tournament title today at home against the Kelly Hawks. The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p. m. at Dexter's East Park ball field. Dexter enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed after the Bearcats have put together a 6-1 conference record, 10-3 overall. Kelly, the tournament's No. 9 seed, earned a shot at Dexter by defeating No. 8 New Madrid County Central, 11-7, in the tournaments only play-in game Thursday at New Madrid...

Lady Bearcats win Kennett track meet (04/24/08) KENNETT -- Dexter's Lady Bearcats brought home first place honors from the Kennett Invitational, aided by five first-place finishes. The Dexter boys finished fifth in a 10-team filed. There were nine girls teams competing. The Lady 'Cats were again strong in the relay events, winning the 4x800 (10:54) and 4x400 (4:21) while taking second in the 4x200 (1:56.3)...

Bulldogs dominate 'Cats (04/24/08) Sikeston's experience and team depth overwhelmed Dexter Wednesday in high school tennis action as the Bullodgs soundly defeated the Bearcats, 8-0. Dexter tennis coach Dennis Keith was missing some players for various reason and had to move up some junior varsity players to fill out the varsity roster...

Tribe shines at own Invitational (04/23/08) Kennett golfers also record another win

ROUNDUP: Bearcats edge Cape Central (04/23/08) By DAR STAFF CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Dexter Bearcats scored four first-inning runs but needed a late rally to knock off Cape Central 8-7 on Tuesday. Jared Laird scored on a sacrifice bunt by Ben Mills in the fifth inning for the winning margin. After surrendering a pair of runs to start the game, the Bearcats (10-3, 6-1 SEMO) took advantage of control issues by the Tigers' starting pitcher to take their early lead. ...

Bearcats stand up to Central Tigers in pivotal SEMO Conference victory (04/23/08) CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Tuesday's baseball game between the Cape Central Tigers and the Dexter Bearcats wasn't for the faint of heart. Both teams went toe-to-toe like two prize fighters and never gave an inch. But in the end, it was the Bearcats who were still standing atop the SEMO Conference standing after an 8-7 victory over the Tigers...

Dexter looks impressive in easy win over Portageville (04/22/08) Dexter's Lady Bearcats were clicking on all cylinders Monday, pitching, hitting and defense. The combination practically ended the game before it started Monday as Dexter defeated the visiting Portageville Lady Bulldogs, 15-0, in three innings. Stephanie Jackson threw a no-hitter for her three innings of work, the defense played flawless ball and the Lady 'Cats banged out 11 hits in just two innings at the plate...

Clearwater's Swofford throws no-hitter in defeat (04/22/08) By DAR STAFF Clearwater's Tisha Swofford threw her third no-hitter in four games but walked eight as the Lady Tigers lost 5-0 Monday at Greenville. The Lady Tigers had their best chance to score when Lydia Wymore led off the second inning with a double, only to be stranded on second as Sara Condray retired the next three hitters in order...

No love: Mules finish fourth; Bhatt falls short of title (04/20/08) By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer Poplar Bluff's Malay Bhatt found an imposing opponent Saturday in Sikeston's Daniel Agung in the singles final of the Poplar Bluff Invitational, as he fell 8-2. The Mules finished fourth, earning four points, while Cape Central claimed first place with 12 1/2. Sikeston came in second with 8 1/2 points, while Farmington finished third with 6 1/2 and Dexter finished in fifth...

ROUNDUP: Parish, Vancil toss no-hitters (04/18/08) By DAR STAFF Libby Parish and Carlee Vancil each pitched no-hitters Thursday to lead their teams to wins. Neelyville 11, Clearwater 0 Parish struck out four and walked one at home for Neelyville. Parish found her success by forcing Clearwater into ground ball after ground ball...

Sikeston golfers finish eighth at Saxony Invitational (04/18/08) Dexter's Chance Holden is medalist for the tournament

Holden sizzles to take medalist honors (04/18/08) CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Dexter sophomore Chance Holden took medalist honors and the Bearcats had an impressive third-place finish at a 20-team tournament hosted by Saxony Lutheran Thursday at Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau. Holden carded a round of 1-over-par 73 to win medalist honors by one stroke, while the Bearcats were edged out of a second place finish by one-stroke. ...

Lady 'Cats defeat Bloomfield for SCAA tourney title (04/18/08) ADVANCE -- Dexter scored three runs in the first inning then used a solid defensive effort and the pitching of Stephanie Jackson to hold on for 3-1 win over Bloomfield in the championship game of the SCAA softball tournament Thursday at Advance. "You've got to say something good about all the girls," Dexter coach Tammy Crowley said after the game. "It wasn't just one or two players, it was the whole team. They all played great and I couldn't be more proud of them."...

Oran continues winning ways against Advance (04/17/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com ORAN -- The Oran Eagles continued their winning ways Wednesday afternoon swatting the Advance Hornets 13-0. The Eagles put the game out of reach early with eight runs in the home half of the first inning. Oran continued to add on to that lead with one in the second and two in each the third and fourth inning...

Fundamentals help 'Cats fabricate win over Indians (04/17/08) Even Dexter baseball coach Brian Becker has to be impressed with this year's team. After building a quick 6-0 lead over Jackson, the Bearcats must have had that sinking feeling as they watched the Indians begin to chip away and eventually overtake them, 7-6, with two runs in the sixth...

Oran defeats Dexter on the road (04/16/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com DEXTER -- The Oran Eagles improved to 7-1 on the season as they defeated the Dexter Bearcats 7-5. Steven Dooley got the win for the Eagles allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks. He also struck out nine batters in five innings of work. Kody Campbell picked up the save...

Bearcats come up short against Dooley and Oran (04/16/08) Oran's offense staked pitcher Steven Dooley to an early 6-0 lead and that was all the all-state hurler needed as the Eagles defeated the Dexter Bearcats, 7-5, Tuesday at the East Park ball field in Dexter. Dooley worked five innings to pick up the win, allowing six hits and walking two. The hard-throwing right-hander set nine Dexter batters down on strikes while working with a big early lead...

Dexter, Bloomfield will settle who is tourney champions (04/16/08) ADVANCE -- Dexter and Bloomfield will meet for the SCAA tournament title Thursday after the top two seeds advanced to the championship game with wins Tuesday at Advance. Number one Dexter pounded No. 4 Woodland, bringing the 10-run rule into play, during a 17-6 win, while No. 2 Bloomfield sent No. 3 Bernie to the third-place game with a 9-4 decision...

ROUNDUP: Sikeston tennis shuts out Mules (04/15/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com POPLAR BLUFF -- The Sikeston tennis team blanked Poplar Bluff 9-0 on the road Monday afternoon. "I thought we played well today," said Sikeston head coach Brian James. "It's only our second match, so we're behind some of these other teams that have several matches in and maybe a tournament or two in...

Miller's homer edges Mules (04/15/08) By DAR STAFF DEXTER -- Caleb Miller's two-run home run and his six innings of work on the mound led Dexter past Poplar Bluff 3-2 Monday. "Bob is a player," Dexter coach Brian Becker said of Miller, using his nickname. "No two ways about it. Even though he's just a junior, he's a big part of the leadership on this ballclub...

Miller's bat, arm help 'Cats defeat Mules (04/15/08) Caleb Miller pitched six strong innings and added a two-run home run to help his cause as the Bearcats defeated the Poplar Bluff Mules, 3-2, Monday in SEMO Conference baseball action at Dexter's East Park ball field. The victory extended the Bearcats current win streak to three games after Dexter picked up two wins Saturday, defeating South Pemiscot, 12-2, and Twin Rivers, 6-1...

Lady 'Cats defeat Doniphan, improve record to 3-1 (04/13/08) Dexter's Lady Bearcats improved to 3-1 on the season with a 6-4 win over Doniphan at home Friday. Senior Amanda Dooley had two hits, including a 2-run home run and scored twice, while Stephanie Jackson (1-1) went the distance on the mound to pick up the win...

ROUNDUP: SIkeston soccer shuts out Harrisburg (04/10/08) Oran, Cooter baseball teams win convincingly

Bearcats improve match record to 7-1 (04/10/08) Dexter defended its home turf and improved its match record to 7-1 with a win over the Cape Central Tigers at Hidden Trails Country Club Wednesday. Sophomore Chance Holden led the Bearcats with a round of 1-over-par 37, which was good for medalist honors in the dual match with the Tigers...

Offenses post crooked numbers (04/09/08) By DAR STAFF ZALMA -- Joey Morey struck out seven and Greenville's offense dominated Zalma in a 25-2 win in five innings Tuesday. "I was pleased with our bats hitting the ball after a long layoff," Greenville coach Jason Hill said. "We had a good all-around offensive attack."...

Dexter silences Charleston (04/09/08) Bearcat pitching holds Charleston to three base hits

Dexter defeats Charleston, extends win streak to three (04/09/08) Dexter hitters banged out 10 hits and the Bearcats made it three straight wins with a 6-4 decision over the Charleston Bluejays Tuesday at the East City Park ball field in Dexter. Mason Noe, Caleb Miller, Matt Banken and Tyler Scott each collected two hits as the Bearcats improved to 6-1 on the year...

Dexter walks off with win over Sikeston (04/08/08) Caleb Miller hits walk-off home run to beat Bulldogs

ROUNDUP: Miller's home run lifts Dexter (04/08/08) By DAR STAFF DEXTER -- After falling into a three-run hole late against Sikeston on Monday, Dexter appeared to be in trouble before Caleb Miller capped a four-hit burst in the final inning with a walk-off home run to send the Bearcats to a 6-4 win. Miller's home run followed a single by Mason Noe that drove in Jared Laird and Ben Mills, who both reached on singles to start the inning. Garrett McEwen got things started by singling up the middle...

Mules golfers back on top (04/08/08) Poplar Bluff wins title by 22 strokes

Miller's walk-off homer lift 'Cats over Bulldogs (04/08/08) By JERRY JARRELL Daily Statesman Sports Editor Caleb Miller's 3-run walk-off home run propelled the Dexter Bearcats to a 6-4 SEMO Conference win over the Sikeston Bulldogs Monday at home. Miller deposited a 1-0 offering off Sikeston pitcher Scott Droddy over the fence in left center to cap a seventh-inning rally that saw the Bearcats erase a 4-1 deficit to take the win...

Bearcats stumble against Bulldogs (04/03/08) CAPE GIRARDEAU - Notre Dame scored three runs in the sixth inning to break open a tight ball game and help the Bulldogs to a 6-3 win over the Dexter Bearcats in SEMO Conference baseball action Wednesday. Dexter had just manufactured a run in the fifth to tie the game at 2-all, before the Bulldogs used three hits and a throwing error to score three times and take command of the game...

Sikeston tennis blanks Dexter (04/01/08) Staff reports SIKESTON -- The Sikeston tennis team rolled over Dexter 9-0 on a cool, windy Monday afternoon. "It was good to finally get a match in," said Sikeston tennis coach Brian James. "I thought for the first time out, we played pretty decent. We'll get a very good test on Thursday against Farmington."...

Lady Bearcats have strong showing at 10-team Notre Dame Relay meet (04/01/08) CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Dexter High School's track and field team competed at the 10-team Notre Dame relays Saturday on a cold and windy day, with the girls team bringing home a first, second and third in the three divisions contested at the meet. Dexter's girls took first place in the sprinters division, second in the field division and third in the distance division...

DHS netters get blanked at Sikeston (04/01/08) SIKESTON -- Dexter High School's tennis team ran into a buzz saw against the Sikeston Bulldogs and came away with a 9-0 loss on the road Monday. The Bulldogs dominated the Dexter squad, limiting the Bearcats to just seven games won in the nine matches contested...

Coaches all-state team includes Porter, Penn and others (03/30/08) Six local players recognized by state basketball coaches

Dexter keeps Kelly reeling (03/27/08) Scott delivers for Dexter with two down in the fifth

Doniphan players lead OFC selections (03/27/08) DAR Staff The All-Ozark Foothills Conference was led by three Dons and a pair of Lady Eagles. Charles Wilson, Chandler Wilson and Tyler Collins led Doniphan to the OFC title while coach Jason Andrews was named Coach of the Year. Clearwater, Naylor and Twin Rivers each placed two players on the team. Luke Hillis and Kyle Randolph qualified from Clearwater, while Eagles Travis Thomas and Caleb Johnson and Royals Kenny Johnson and Dylan Stockton were also honored...

ROUNDUP: Bloomfield gets early lead, beats Advance (03/27/08) By DAR STAFF ADVANCE -- The Bloomfield Wildcats got off to a strong start Wednesday against Advance and improved to 2-1 on the season with a 10-5 win. The Wildcats scored three times in the first inning and tacked on four more runs in the fifth to put the game out of reach...

Scott delivers in Dexter win over Kelly Hawks (03/27/08) Tyler Scott's two-out single with the bases loaded plated three runs and Eric Windham picked up his second win of the season on the mound as the Dexter Bearcats defeated the Kelly Hawks, 4-1, at home Wednesday in SEMO Conference baseball action. Windham and Kelly pitcher Craig Irvin were locked in a pitcher's duel through four innings before Ethan Lee's RBI single in the fifth broke the scoreless battle and pushed the Hawks a head 1-0...

SCAA coaches announce year end hoops awards (03/27/08) BLOOMFIELD -- Bell City's Nick Niemczyk repeated as Player of the Year and the Cubs placed four players on the first team as the coaches announced their SCAA year end basketball awards. Niemczyk led the Cubs to a undefeated regular season in SCAA play as well as the conference's annual tournament championship...

Lady Tribe makes Dexter pay for errors (03/26/08) Trailing by two runs and sputtering on offense midway through the fifth inning, things looked bleak for the Kennett Lady Indians. However the Lady Tribe did not cash it in, scoring five runs in the bottom of the fifth to pull out a 6-2 victory over the Dexter Lady Bearcats Tuesday at Indian Park...

All-state team released (03/26/08) Eight local players honored by Missouri sports writers.

Holden sets DHS record by shooting 33 at HTCC (03/26/08) It wasn't the best day for golf, but it didn't seem to bother Dexter's Chance Holden. On a cool and windy day, on a course still trying to recover from the record rain fall of the past week, Holden carded a round of 3-under par 33 on the front nine at Hidden Trails Country Club to set a new school record during the Bearcats' match against New Madrid, Malden and Bloomfield Tuesday...

ROUNDUP: Mules win title by two strokes (03/25/08) By DAR STAFF JACKSON -- Poplar Bluff defended its title Monday at the Notre Dame Invitational beating the host by two strokes. Trent Hillis tied for second to lead the Mules at Bent Creek Golf Course while Corey Poteet tied for eighth as Poplar Bluff edged Notre Dame 338-340...

Dexter girls slide by New Madrid County Central (03/25/08) Nine run fourth inning lifts the Lady Bearcats in opener

Jayvee 'cats play double header (03/25/08) A Twin Rivers player slides safely into second base as the ball eludes Dexter shortstop Josh Sifford during Monday's junior varsity double header at home. Dexter had the tying run thrown out at home plate in the bottom of the seventh, after the Bearcats had rallied from a 4-1 deficit in their final at bats. ...

Lady Bearcats open with win over NMCC (03/25/08) NEW MADRID -- The Dexter Lady Bearcats used a big fourth inning to get past the NMCC Lady Eagles 9-4 Monday in the season-opener for both teams. Dexter scored nine runs in the fourth inning on only two hits, taking advantage of several Lady Eagle mistakes...

Bearcats post win over "Jays (03/25/08) Aided by two forfeits, Dexter High School's tennis team recorded its first win of the season, 5-4, Monday at home over the Charleston Bluejays. With only five varsity players, Charleston was unable to field one doubles team and was short one singles player. Of the matches played, Charleston won four of the seven matches played, but the two forfeits, Dexter took he match, 5-4...

Heil's record-breaking season leads Dexter (03/24/08) The junior averaged 18.4 points per game en route to Standard Democrat girls basketball player of the year honors.

Dexter netters drop opener to Poplar Bluff (03/21/08) Dexter High School's tennis team got off to a disappointing start to the season at home Thursday, dropping a 6-3 decision to the Poplar Bluff Mules. Dexter got singles wins from Ryan Windham in the No. 3 singles slot and Dusty Potter in the four position. The doubles team of Potter and Tyler Batchelor went to a tiebreaker before defeating the Mules' No. 3 doubles team of Navneet Hundal and Anderson Gilberto, 9-8 (7-4)...

Dexter's Heil wins SEMO Conference post season honor (03/20/08) POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Some of the best coaches and players in Southeast Missouri shared the spotlight Wednesday night as representatives from the member teams of the SEMO Conference gathered in the student center of Poplar Bluff High School for the 50th annua Poplar Bluff Letter Club Basketball Banquet...

ROUNDUP: Naylor's Lane perfect in opener (03/18/08) By DAR STAFF Chelsea Lane and the Naylor Lady Eagles couldn't have gotten off to a better start this spring than a 15-0 win Monday over Risco. Lane pitched a perfect game for the Lady Eagles, striking out 10 hitters in four innings. Courtney Sullivan picked up a pair of hits and scored three times for the Lady Eagles. She was one of several players who contributed offensively for Naylor...

Dexter defeats Campbell in season opener (03/18/08) Five Dexter pitchers combined to limit Campbell to four hits over six innings as the Bearcats opened the 2008 baseball season with a 12-2 win over the Camels Monday at the East City Park ball field. Dexter banged out eight hits and scored in each of the first four innings before pushing across three in the sixth to bring the 10-run rule into play and end the game...

Hitting the Links (03/11/08) Jon Bowman of Dexter hits a shot on the par-5 second hole at Hidden Trails Country Club Monday. Bowman and the rest of Dexter HIgh School's golf team are taking advantage of the improving weather conditions to get ready for the season opener Tuesday (March 18) at Kennett. Watching in the background is Dexter golf coach Eric Sitze...

Dexter goes cold, falls in Class 4 sectional (02/28/08) Lady Bearcats can't find basket in second half; end season at 22-5

Farmington puts Lady Bearcats' dreams on ice (02/28/08) PARK HILLS, Mo. -- All season long the Dexter Lady Bearcats were known as a high-scoring basketball team, averaging 65 points per game. Wednesday night, the offense disappeared. Facing a Farmington team that finished second in state a year ago, the Lady Bearcats were unable to find the basket in the second half, losing 48-35 to the Knightettes in a Class 4 Sectional Wednesday night...

Lady 'Cats win second district title since 2005 with win Saturday (02/26/08) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Before the season, the Dexter Lady Bearcats made a deal with coach Chad Allen that if they won districts the team could shave his head. Today the coach is bald after Dexter's 47-41 win over Fredericktown in the Class 4, District 1 finals Saturday afternoon...

District champs: Dexter girls claim crown (02/25/08) Dexter rallies in second half to claim district championship; Lady Bearcats erase halftime deficit, then shave coach's head

Perryville girls fall in district semifinal (02/23/08) Dexter jumped on Perryville early in their Class 4 District 1 girls basketball semifinal at the Perry Park Center on Friday, and the Pirates never had a chance to mount a rally. The Bearcats opened an 11-point lead after the first quarter, and cruised to the 64-31 victory...

Sikeston ends Dexter's season (02/21/08) PERRYVILLE - There are reasons why the Sikeston Bulldogs are the state's third-ranked team in Class 4. The main one is they're good. Hampered by injuries and a flu-type bug working its way through the team, the Sikeston Bulldogs still had the horses to defeat the Dexter Bearcats, 59-39, and advance to the Class 4, District 1 championship game Wednesday at the Perry Park Center in Perryville...

Dexter boys win, face top seed in semifinals (02/19/08) By DAR STAFF PERRYVILLE -- Sophomore John Bowman hit two of his five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help Dexter close the door on Ste. Genevieve in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 tournament on Monday. With the 81-68 win, the fifth-seeded Bearcats advanced to Wednesday's semifinals, where they will face top-seed Sikeston...

Dexter lives to play again (02/19/08) Sophomore sparks win over Ste. Genevieve in district tournament

ND boys hope district gives chance for vengeance (02/18/08) When Notre Dame's Ryan Willen sat out the first five games this season with a stress fracture in his ankle, the Bulldogs lost twice to Sikeston. The first loss was by 33 points in the third-place game of the SEMO Conference tournament. The other was a five-point loss during the regular season...

Local teams ready for district play (02/17/08) By Josh Mills ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com PERRYVILLE -- The Class 4 District 1 boys and girls basketball district tournament will be getting underway Monday evening at the Perry Park Center in Perryville. In the boys bracket, the Sikeston Bulldogs will be rolling into Perryville with the No. 1 seed, receiving a bye in the first round. Sikeston's first contest will be against the winner of the St. Genevieve (4) vs Dexter (5) game at 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening...

Naylor beats Donettes; Twin Rivers runs past Hayti (02/17/08) By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer NAYLOR -- The Naylor Lady Eagles outscored Doniphan 12-2 in the second quarter to build a double-digit lead and sent their seniors out on top with a 48-34 victory over the Donettes. Naylor senior Hailee Deckard, who will play for the University of Missouri-St. Louis next season, led the way in her final home game, scoring 13 points...

Dexter teams set sights on Class 4, District 1 tourney (02/17/08) A season's worth of wins and tournament titles will pale in comparison to a district championship. After the pain of preseason conditioning, and the grind of a 12 week season, it will all come to an end in the span of just 32 minutes for all but one girl's team and one boy's team at this week's Class 4, District 1 tournament at the Perry Park Center in Perryville...

Bearcats end regular season with win over Cape Central (02/17/08) Dexter played its best all around game of the season and the results were a convincing, 71-43, SEMO Conference win over the Cape Central Tigers Friday on Senior Night for the Bearcats. "Personally, I didn't know we could play that well," Dexter coach Rob Nichols said after the surprisingly easy win. "That's the best we've played all year. Defensively, rebounding, offensively, they just played with a lot of confidence and it showed on the court."...

Sikeston's Bland still alive in Columbia (02/16/08) Sikeston senior out of running for state title, can still finish third

Tigers drop regular-season finale to Bearcats, 71-43 (02/16/08) The Central boys basketball team hoped for a solid performance to warm up for Monday's Class 5 District 1 basketball tournament. The Tigers were forced to settle for a lopsided defeat, falling at Dexter 71-43. Central trailed by 10 at halftime, then the Bearcats pushed the lead to 25 entering the fourth quarter...

Trio of Mules wrestlers stay alive at state (02/15/08) By DAR STAFF COLUMBIA -- Paul Swesey got off to a good start in his quest for another allstate medal. The Poplar Bluff senior advanced to the second round of the MSHSAA Class 3 championships with a pin Thursday in his 189-pound match. Swesey, who is making his fourth straight state appearance, finished sixth last season...

ROUNDUP: Dexter girls pull away from Twin Rivers (02/15/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com BROSELEY -- The Dexter Lady Bearcats overcame a slow start to defeat the Twin Rivers Lady Royals on the road Thursday night, 83-54. The Lady Bearcats, ranked seventh in Class 4, came out a little sluggish after their loss to Poplar Bluff on Wednesday night...

Sikeston's Bland cruises in first match (02/15/08) Staff reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com COLUMBIA -- Sikeston wrestlers Gavilan Bland and Jacob Murphy began their quests for state wrestling titles Thursday night in Columbia. Bland, making his third-straight appearance at the state championships, dominated Jonathan Dahlman of Webb City in the first round, winning by technical fall 17-2. He will wrestle Warrensburg's Dan Schreimann today...

Lady Bearcats end regular season with 20 victories (02/15/08) BROSELEY - For a half, it looked like Dexter might have to wait for another night to pick up win number 20. The Lady Bearcats started like they finished in Wednesday's loss to Poplar Bluff, but a half time pep talked from coach Chad Allen did the trick as Dexter opened up the offense and played shut-down defense over the final two quarters to win going away and spoil Senior Night for the Twin Rivers Lady Royals, 83-54...

Comeback trail: Poplar Bluff rallies to beat Dexter (02/14/08) By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor DEXTER -- Poplar Bluff made up for a horrendous second half back in December by putting together a brilliant one Wednesday night to climb into the race for the SEMO Conference title. The Lady Mules rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat Dexter 61-53, producing a three-way tie atop the SEMO standings with the Lady Bearcats and Jackson...

Lady Mules surge past Dexter in second half (02/14/08) Poplar Bluff win forces three-way tie atop SEMO Conference

Lady 'Cats fall at home to Lady Mules (02/14/08) A 10-point Dexter lead heading into the second half melted away like winter's ice on a warm day as the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules defeated the Lady Bearcats, 61-53, on Senior Night to grab a share of the SEMO Conference's regular-season championship. Poplar Bluff senior Aereill Davis spearheaded a furious third quarter rally that saw the Lady Mules turn a 27-17 deficit into a 41-35 lead heading into the fourth quarter...

Two Bearcat wrestlers advance to state tourney (02/12/08) ST. LOUIS -- Dexter High School's Mikey Henley and Brittany Waldner both finished in the top four at the Class 2, District 1 wrestling tournament in St. Louis and will be representing the Bearcats at the state tournament, Feb, 14, 15 and 16 at Columbia...

Dexter closes case for top seed in districts (02/10/08) Bearcats defeated Perryville 52-36 for second win against a top Class 4 District 1 foe in the week.

Malden holds back Puxico (02/10/08) By DAR STAFF Puxico missed a shot to tie Friday night as it fell to Malden, 51-48. Malden jumped out to an early lead and had a 15-8 edge after the first quarter. "They got off to a 7-0 start and we had our backs against the wall," Puxico coach Josh Dowdy said. "We responded and started turning up the defensive intensity. I thought we executed better offensively than we have all year long."...

Tribe takes its revenge on Dexter (02/10/08) The Kennett Indians remembered their last meeting with the Dexter Bearcats all too well. In that game, the Bearcats led by 15 points at the half before holding on for a six-point win at the SEMO Conference Tournament...

Kennett hammers Dexter (02/10/08) KENNETT, Mo. -- The Kennett Indians remembered their last meeting with the Dexter Bearcats all too well. In that game, the Bearcats led by 15 points at the half before holding on for a six-point win at the SEMO Conference Tournament. "We had a little thing against Dexter," Kennett junior Blake Parr said. "They beat us last time we played them this year and we felt like we needed to get revenge."...

Lady 'Cats pass another physical test, lock up district tournament's top seed (02/10/08) If Dexter coach Chad Allen wanted his Lady Bearcats battle tested heading into district play he's getting his wish. For the third straight game, the Lady Bearcats have found themselves in a fast paced, physical game and for the third time they have passed the test with a win. The most recent game came Friday at home as Dexter defeated Perryville, 52-36, in a clash of Class 4, District 1 teams...

ROUNDUP: Campbell edges Caruthersville for Bootheel title shot (02/08/08) By DAR STAFF SENATH -- Campbell reached the finals of the Bootheel Conference Tournament with a 61-59 win over the Caruthersville Lady Tigers here Thursday night. The Lady Camels made four free throws in the final 10 seconds to secure the win. "We kind of went through a rough spell where we were trying to see what kind of team we were going to be with our new juniors and everybody kind of finding their role," Campbell coach Daren Ellsworth said. ...

Dexter earnsugly win overLady Tigers (02/08/08) It wasn't the Lady Bearcats' best effort of the season, but a win is a win. Dexter appeared sluggish from the outset, but the Lady 'Cats still found their way around the court for a 58-42 SEMO conference win at home Thursday over the Lady Tigers of Cape Central...

Bell City holds off Clarkton in battle of ranked teams (02/08/08) Nick Niemczyk hit five 3-pointers and tallied 35 points before fouling out late in the game as Bell City fended off a furious Clarkton comeback for an 81-78 victory in boys basketball Thursday. The Cubs (20-2) led by 16 points at the half, but Clarkton outscored Bell City 52-39 in the second half to close the gap...

Cubs return to the court and clobber Bearcats (02/07/08) Nick Niemczyk scored 31 points and the Bell City Cubs knocked down 12 3-pointers to defeat Dexter, 81-56, in a game that was suspended Tuesday because of dangerous weather conditions and completed Wednesday. With the win, Bell City improved to 19-2 on the season and completed an undefeated SCAA campaign with a 7-0 record. Earlier, Bell City added its third-straight conference tournament title to this year's impressive resume...

ROUNDUP: Portageville gets key district win over East Prairie (02/06/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com EAST PRAIRIE -- The Portageville Bulldogs earned a key district win over East Prairie, defeating the Eagles 79-68 in overtime. East Prairie, playing their first game in 10 days, fought back from a 14-point deficit and held a 63-61 lead with less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation. However Portageville's Dominic Trotter hit a game-tying shot as time expired, sending the game into overtime...

Weather forces Dexter's game to be suspended (02/06/08) Dexter's game with Bell city was delayed, then postponed due to the threat of possible tornado activity in the area Tuesday night. School officials were notified of the pending tornado threat while play was underway in the third quarter. After a brief announcement of what was transpiring outside, those in attendance either made a quick exit or sought shelter in Dexter High School's auditorium or gymnasium locker rooms...

Dexter wins overtime battle at Notre Dame (02/05/08) Lady Bearcats overcome poor foul shooting to get win

Dexter snaps losing streak to Notre Dame with OT win (02/05/08) CAPE GIRARDEAU - With their leading scorer on he bench and the momentum clearly with Notre Dame, it would have been easy for Dexter's Lady Bearcats to quit. Not this team. Trailing by four points with just over two minutes to play, Dexter scratched out a 51-51 tie at the end of regulation then delivered a knockout punch in overtime to earn a hard-fought 63-56 win over the Lady Bulldogs Monday, the program's first at Notre Dame Regional High School...

ND girls suffer 63-56 OT loss to Dexter (02/05/08) Notre Dame's bid to derail the Dexter girls basketball team's perfect run in the SEMO Conference looked fairly rosy heading into overtime Monday night at Notre Dame. The Bearcats' leading scorer, junior Katelyn Heil, had fouled out during the final 20 seconds of regulation. The Bulldogs had the momentum of a buzzer-beating shot by freshman Allyson Bradshaw. And the Bearcats' struggles from the free-throw line were helping offset Notre Dame's problems against the press...

New Madrid earns key conference win against Mules (01/30/08) Risco rallies in fourth quarter to knock off the North Pemiscot Mustangs

'Cats pick up SCAA victory against Rebels (01/30/08) ESSEX - Dexter got off to a quick start, then got balanced scoring with four players in double figures as the Bearcats defeated the Richland Rebels, 64-49, for an SCAA win on the road Monday. Senior Kevin Hart again led the Bearcats offensively with a game-high 22 points. Hart was consistent, scoring eight points in the first and then six in each of the next three periods before fouling out at the three-minute mark in the fourth...