DEXTER SOLIDIFIES CLAIM AS TOP BOYS HOOP TEAM IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Dexter has left little doubt that it is the best boys basketball team in the region.

Still undefeated at 16-0 and ranked fourth in Class 3A, the Bearcats disposed of Advance rather easily Friday night, 87-68, in the championship game of the Stoddard County Tournament.

Advance, ranked fourth in 1A, was playing without its starting point guard, Adam Rainey, but it's unlikely he alone would've made up the difference.

Another state-ranked opponent looms in Dexter's future as the Scott City Rams travel south to Bearcat territory on Feb. 18.

Scott City is ranked second in Class 2A and stands at 17-1. Scott City would be considered an underdog against Dexter considering it has split games with Advance.

Scott City, however, defeated Dexter last year 72-61.

Second thoughts

Notre Dame's boys have lost three of their last four games and it seems that the second quarter has been particularly disastrous.

In their last three losses (against Scott City, Cape Central and Jackson) the Bulldogs have been outscored 57-15 an average of 19-5 in the second quarter.

Conversely, the Bulldogs have played well in the first quarter, outscoring those same three opponents 37-22 for an average of 12-7.

A fresh face

Chaffee's Jennifer Vandeven, just a freshman, is among the leading scorers in the region this year.

The young point guard has, in her last three games, put up the best three-game scoring total of any girl this season with 20-, 30- and 26-point performances for a total of 76 points.

Vandeven's burst over her last three games has moved her from fifth place to second place among the region's scorers. She is now averaging 17.1 points per contest.

Vontrice Blackmon of Scott County Central had 75 points over three games earlier this year. Marissa Essner has the highest two-game total of 57 points.

Rising talent

Vandeven is one of several underclassmen making a big impact on the local girls basketball scene.

Of the top 10 scorers in the Southeast Missourian coverage area, there are only two seniors Blackmon and Oran's Sara Heisserer.

There are as many freshmen as seniors on the list as Vandeven and Delta's Rebecca Below (15.5 points per game) represent the freshman class. Several teams in the area are loaded with freshman and sophomore talent.

On the boys side, however, nine of the 10 top scorers are seniors. The only non-senior is Scott Central's Todd Blissett, who is a junior.

On tap next week

There will be several intriguing matchups this week in both boys and girls basketball.

On Tuesday, Portageville visits Cape Central and Sikeston treks north to Jackson in a game which could have implications on district tournament seeds.

On Thursday, Notre Dame's girls will play at Jackson and on Friday night Notre Dame's boys travel to Portageville.

In wrestling, Jackson goes to Cape Central on Tuesday.

Leading scorers in the Southeast Missourian coverage area

(Through Friday's games)

Boys

Games Points Avg.

1. Jreece Johnson, Scott Co. Central 16 487 30.4

2. Garrett Broshuis, Advance 15 341 22.7

3. Ronald Watson, Scott City 17 330 19.4

4. Jamie Essner, Kelly 15 287 19.1

5. Ryan Weatherspoon, Scott City 17 330 18.7

6. Ryan Wichern, Perryville 13 219 16.8

7. Todd Blissett, Scott Central 15 246 16.4

8. Tory Meyr, Jackson 16 262 16.4

9. Jason Greer, Woodland 13 200 15.4

10. Gabe Hotop, St. Vincent 14 203 14.5

Highest game: Johnson, 49 vs. Kelly

Girls

1. Vontrice Blackmon, Scott Central 12 255 21.3

2. Jennifer Vandeven, Chaffee 14 240 17.1

3. Marissa Essner, Kelly 12 200 16.7

4. Andrea Koeper, Jackson 12 194 16.2

5. Rebecca Below, Delta 13 201 15.5

6. Lisa Millham, Notre Dame 14 205 14.6

7. Sara Heisserer, Oran 11 157 14.3

8. Jamie Amberger, Perryville 12 168 14.2

9. Brandy Miller, Scott Co. Central 12 159 13.3

10. Deana McCormick, Notre Dame 14 184 13.1

Highest game: Essner, 38 vs. East Prairie.

ATTENTION COACHES: If you have a player who deserves to be on this list, please contact the Southeast Missourian at 1-800-879-1210, ext. 127.