SEMO Conference: Dexter GBB holds off rallying Crusaders in tourney opener

No one expected perfection from the Dexter High School girl’s basketball squad in its first contest of the 2023-24 season, and the Bearcats weren’t perfect. However, for it being the first time that Dexter faced an opponent this winter, and that opponent being a pretty good team themselves, Monday’s thrilling 47-46 victory over Saxony Lutheran in the opening round of the SEMO Conference Tournament was pretty darn good.

“I’ve got a good bunch of girls,” veteran Bearcat coach Eric Sitze said following the win. “I’ve got a lot of good components.”

That was evident in the opening half, as the No. 6-seed Bearcats (1-0) took a 28-17 lead by halftime.

“We were more active in the first half,” Sitze said. “Our defensive rotations were a lot better in the first half.”

The No. 3-seed Crusaders (1-1) showed in the third quarter that their halftime adjustments were prophetic, as they trimmed the margin to 36-31 at the end of the third quarter with six points in the quarter by senior post Evie Caruso and five points in that period from junior guard Abigail Haley.

“Saxony picked it up a level,” Sitze said. “They played harder. They came at us more aggressively.

“I thought that they were the more aggressive, faster-looking team in the third quarter.”

Speed is an aspect of play that Sitze feels his team can utilize, because size isn’t one. In the final eight minutes, the smaller Bearcats continually drove the ball and drew fouls, as the Bearcats outshot Saxony Lutheran 8-2 in the final quarter.

“We should be able to get up and down the floor,” Sitze said. “We should be able to press people (defensively) and get up and down the floor and make it an up-and-down game.”

Dexter uses 5-foot-7 senior Allison Turnbo in the post, where she had to guard Caruso, who was every bit of five to six inches taller than Turnbo. Having said that, Turnbo scored half of her eight total points in the final quarter to help seal her team’s win.

Bearcat senior guard Abbie Lloyd connected on a couple of early 3-pointers and finished with 12 points while junior guard Kate Nichols totaled 15 points, including a late jump hook from the left block that provided her team with critical points as the game hung in the balance.

Averee Ackman and Klaire Essner each had five points in the win while Mauriona Menley added a basket for Dexter.

Caruso paced the Crusaders with 17 points while Haley (14 points), Tomora Criddle (nine), Maddie Preusser (three), Annie Adams (two), and Sadie Elmore (one) also contributed.

Dexter moves on to play No. 2-seed Jackson (2-0) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the semifinal round. The Indians topped No. 7-seed Sikeston 71-43 on Monday.

Saxony Lutheran will play in a consolation semifinal against the Bulldogs (1-2) on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.