Eagles oust 'Cats from SEMO Conference tourney

Jerry Jarrell photo Dexter's Bobby Rawson looks up after wrestling the ball away from a New Madrid County Central player during SEMO Conference tournament action Wednesday at Sikeston. The Eagles defeated Dexter, 51-44.

Dexter only trailed 23-20 at the half, but the Bearcats went ice cold in the third period and could only manage five points in the frame as the Eagles pulled away for an 11-point advantage, 35-25.

David Hessling (11 points) connected on back-to-back 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help energize Dexter late but the deficit was to much for the Bearcats to overcome.

Jerry Jarrell photo Dexter's David Hessling (left) and New Madrid County Central's Donte Jenkins (No. 10) both put on the brakes to try and gather in a loose ball during the Eagles' 51-44 win over the Bearcats Wednesday at the SEMO Conference tournament in Sikeston. Jered Stephens (No. 12) moves up on the play from behind.

"I wouldn't say it was one of or better basketball games," Dexter coach Rob Nichols said after the loss. "Defensively it wasn't to bad. By our stats we got out rebounded by three. Offensively we couldn't get into any kind of flow.

"They let them be physical with us and their defense took us out of some stuff," Nichols continued. "We couldn't finish around the basket. Ealy, I don't know how many blocks he had, but he really intimidated around the basket."

Dexter had a poor night shooting the ball (15-of-45, 35 percent), highlighted by a 1-for-11 effort in the deciding third period that sealed the Bearcats' fate.

"I think we were a little bit tired," Nichols pointed out. "That's three games in three nights and then to go up against a big physical basketball team like that, you really need your legs under you and I'm not sure we had them."

Logan Carwile paced Dexter offensively with 11 points, eight coming in the fourth period as the 'Cats were forced to press the issue offensively with time running out.

"I don't think they (the team) laid down," Nichols said when asked how his team is responding the tough start. "They had every opportunity to lay down in the third and fourth quarter and they didn't. I don't how bad we got down, but we cut it to seven or six. We're not the most offensively gifted team in the world, but we've got enough weapons that when we execute we can be decent offensively, I think."

The setback was the fourth of the season for the Bearcats, who continued to be matched up with some of the area's best teams. Dexter now as regular season loses to Charleston and Sikeston, and tournament setbacks against Cape Notre Dame, and now, New Madrid County Central. Notre Dame is the tournament's No. 1 seed, while Sikeston is No. 3, Charleston No. 4 and NMCC is No. 5. Once the 'Cats tangle with the tournament's No. 2 seeded Jackson Indians in a regular season game Dec. 11 on the road, they will have played the conference's top five teams in a span of 15 days.

In other tournament action Wednesday, No. 6 Poplar Bluff defeated No. 7 Cape Central, 51-46, and No. 8 Kennett defeated No. 10 Caruthersville, 67-36.

Thursday's schedule will feature the two semifinal games in the championship bracket. No. 1 Notre Dame will take on No. 4 Charleston at 6 p. m., while the game between No. 2 Jackson and No. 3 Sikeston will follow at approximately 8 o'clock.

Friday, No. 5 New Madrid will take on No. 6 Poplar Bluff in the consolation bracket title game at 5:30, with the third-place game in the championship bracket to follow at 7 p. m. with the tournament's championship game will tip off at approximately 8:30.

Kennett 67, Caruthersville 36

The Kennett Indians overcame a sluggish start to blow out Caruthersville 67-36.

Down 11-10 after a quarter, Kennett used a strong pressure defense to force numerous Tiger turnovers and outscored Caruthersville 30-10 in the second quarter, putting the game away.

Jarvis Finley scored 15 for the Indians (1-2) while Jimmy Gooden chipped in 12.

Caruthersville (0-2) was led by Caleb Moss who finished with 8.

Poplar Bluff 51, Cape Central 46

The Poplar Bluff Mules used a quick start to build a big lead on the Tigers and held on for a 51-46 lead.

The Mules built a 36-15 halftime lead but Cape Central kept chipping away, getting back to 50-44 with 15 seconds remaining. However, Poplar Bluff held on for the win.

Poplar Bluff (1-2) was led in scoring by Jay Raulston's 19 and Jordan Chaligoj with 11.

Cape Central (1-4) were led by Garrett Pannier's 13.