SCAA: Tourney win should boost Bearcats' confidence

BLOOMFIELD – The Dexter High School varsity boys basketball program finds itself in an unfamiliar place this winter. Following eight consecutive winning seasons, the Bearcats have labored to a 4-12 mark.

“There is the confidence factor,” fifth-year Bearcat coach Chad Allen said. “In getting out there and playing, some of (the players) are afraid to fail.”

That wasn’t the case on Wednesday.

Dexter blew past Bell City from the opening tip en route to a 72-34 romp in the consolation semifinal of the Stoddard County Athletic Association Tournament at Bloomfield High School.

Dexter came into Wednesday’s game having lost seven consecutive games and nine of its last 10 outings.

“They just have to get out there and play and have some confidence,” Allen continued. “Part of that is being young and making young mistakes.”

That is what happened with some regularity in the Bearcats’ tourney-opening loss (48-45) to Richland (Essex).

“We’ll have a foul (by a player) 50 feet from the basket, with four fouls,” Allen said. “Those kinds of things. We’re not taking bad shots. I think that it is just a confidence factor for some of them.”

Against the Cubs (5-12), Dexter raced out to an 18-4 lead by the end of the first period, as Allen got offensive production out of six players, four of whom will be returning next season.

One of those players was junior shooter Tucker Temples, who recently returned after suffering a concussion.

“Not having everybody together can throw you off, as well,” Allen said.

Temples scored in each of the four periods and totaled 11 points. He was one of five Bearcat players who scored in double figures.

Senior center Ethan Zebelin led Dexter with 18 points while sophomore forward Devin Turnbo (12 points), freshman Hunter Massey (10 points), sophomore forward Gibson Booker (10 points), and senior point guard Nathan Harris (nine points) also contributed.

The Bearcats stretched their advantage to 35-13 by halftime and were never challenged in the second half.

Massey scored seven of 10 points in the final period, as the youngster gained confidence with each possession.

Following the tournament, Dexter has seven regular-season games remaining with three of those (Sikeston, Puxico, and Poplar Bluff) having winning records.

“We need to try and make a run right now in the second half of this season,” Allen said. “Our District (Class 4 District 1) is a District where I think that we can compete and have some success. We have to keep working and we’ve got to get better until we get in the District tournament.”

Bell City was led by junior Dawson Loomes, who tallied 10 points while senior Logan Stubenrauch (nine points) and sophomore Kale Richardson (eight points) also were productive.

Dexter moves on to battle Bernie (7-7) in the consolation championship game today at 4:30 p.m.

The Mules topped Advance 43-38 in the other consolation semifinal on Wednesday.

Bell City will host North Pemiscot (0-10) on Monday at 7:30 p.m.