Tigers ring in new year at Dexter

Fresh off a 2023 Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament championship, the Cape Central Tigers set their sights on SEMO Conference play. The Tigers will travel to take on a Bearcats team who have not defeated Central since the 2020-21 season, a two-point victory.

Cape Central and Dexter will tip off at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Dexter High School.

The Tigers are at 8-3 this season with the three losses coming with multiple players out injured, Max Vogel, Marquel Murray, Matayo Rivers and LaTroy McIntosh. Dexter, on the other hand, is off to a rough start currently sitting at 3-7 and 0-2 in the conference (losses to Charleston and Jackson).

Dexter’s last win came against the Bernie Mules in the opening round of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament, 50-47. The Bearcats were quickly bounced from the tournament by eventual champions Malden and Richland (Essex). Dexter has several new faces this season but senior center Ethan Zebelin remains a stable constant.

“Ethan can score quite a bit inside,” Allen said earlier this season of the 6-foot-4 post player. “He’s a beast on the boards. He’s our main rebounder.”

Another player who has also shown some flashes, even as a sophomore has been John Sepulvado who has been handed the reins of the offense as point guard.

“He has done a great job for us,” Allen said. “He’s another one who is just going to keep getting better.”

Central has been rolling ever since their injured players returned, winning every Christmas tournament game by at least 20. In the championship against their rival Jackson, Vogel and Murray each scored in double figures. Senior guard Jay Reynolds said Vogel made a huge difference in helping them to their second consecutive championship win.

“I feel like he doesn’t get enough love,” Reynolds said. “For everything he’s battled through with his knee injury, he’s a fighter man. That’s my right-hand man, and we definitely can’t do this without him.”

As good as Murray has been for the Tigers thus far, scoring in double figures regularly and making the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament all-tournament team, head coach Drew Church knows he can be even better.

“We have to get him more aggressive,” Church said. “He’s so unselfish that he doesn’t wanna hurt anyone’s feelings, but we need him to attack.”