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Dexter rallies past Sikeston
SIKESTON - In the preseason, Sikeston Bulldog head coach Gregg Holifield said for his team to compete, they'll have to out-work their opponent.
That hard work almost paid off on Friday night as the Bulldogs nearly pulled off an early-season upset as they lost to Dexter 48-46 in front of a large crowd in their home opener at the Field House.
The Bulldogs were heavy underdogs in the game but relentless work on the offensive boards and intense defensive pressure gave them a 38-30 lead early in the fourth quarter.
However they couldn't sustain the intensity as the Bearcats were able to overtake the Bulldogs down the stretch.
"Inexperience more than anything else," said Holifield of his team's collapse. "We didn't handle situations very well. We were ahead 38-30 and we went very flat and started standing around. We had an eight-point lead and before I know it, it was tied 38-38. That's the difference in the game. Bottom line."
Sikeston had a chance to win with time running out. Junior point guard Kash Bratcher was unable to get a clean look so he tried to get it to sophomore guard Julian Beard.
But Beard couldn't get off a shot in time as the buzzer sounded just before he heaved up a desperation, off-balance 3-pointer that was off the mark.
"Sikeston out-played us for at least three quarters," said Dexter coach Eric Sitze. "We didn't shoot the ball well, which is a credit to their defense. We didn't really do anything to them on defense. And when you do those things you're not going to have a good chance of winning. They out-played us."
Dexter's 6-5 swingman Chris Guethle scored 12 of his game-high 17 points in the fourth quarter.
He also went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final few minutes.
"We just stayed in there and hung around," said Sitze. "Fortunately we were close enough to make a little run at them and get the ball to the free throw line there at the end."
Sikeston (0-2) trailed 15-11 after one quarter but took control of the game in the second as they out-scored Dexter 13-6 to take a 24-21 lead into halftime.
Sikeston continued to pull away in the third with more work on the offensive glass, taking a 37-30 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Bearcats (2-0) were able get several baskets with a furious transition game, leading to uncontested layups.
"We were letting the guard release and trying to get an easy look because we were struggling in the halfcourt offense," said Sitze. "It got us to where we could get back in the game."
Sikeston's lead began to slip away with numerous turnovers caused by Dexter's full-court press.
"We're going to be in close games all the time and we've got to be a team that handles situations down the stretch," said Holifield. "We don't have moral victories. We're in a position where we have to put teams away and we didn't do it tonight."
The Bulldogs also shot poorly from the field, making just 3-of-12 from 3-point range and just 40 percent overall. They turned the ball over 20 times.
But their work on the boards kept them in the game as they had 31 rebounds overall.
"They out-rebounded us bad," said Sitze. "The only kid I remember rebounding was Chris. We got some big ones there at the end."
Sikeston was led in scoring by two unexpected sources off the bench -- 5-foot-11 forward Drew Cole and 6-3 senior forward Josh Alvarado -- who both had 10 points.
Cole also had six rebounds and Alvarado had five rebounds against Dexter's taller front line.
"They just banged and battled their hearts out and played their tails off," said Holifield.
"They showed me some aggressive effort tonight. That's what we've been looking for and I was very proud of that effort. I thought our entire team played hard except for about a two or three minute spurt there in the fourth quarter."
Bratcher had seven assists while Beard had nine points, five rebounds and two steals.
"Our team attitude is so much better this year than last year," said Holifield.
"When you make changes like we've made, it's incredible the difference kids can make that want to practice and work. Our entire team attitude is so much better than it was at any point in time last year. And I know in my heart we'll get better and improve as a team."
Sitze said he was surprised at how competitive the Bulldogs were after losing so many players from last year.
"I didn't expect that," said Sitze. "They lost a lot of kids from last year. I think they've really bounced back well. They're playing really well right now."
Sikeston will compete in the Sikeston Invitational Tournament on Tuesday when they play New Madrid County Central at 7:30 p.m.
The Sikeston JV team fell to 1-4 on the season with a 56-53 loss in overtime to Dexter.
Sikeston got 18 points, nine rebounds, four steals and four blocked shots by Cortne Beasley.
Andrew Sales had 12 points with six rebounds and four assists. Cameron Wiggins added seven points with five rebounds and two blocks.
Dexter was led by Drew Satterfield's 24 points. Cole Smith and Derek Chamberlain each had 10 points.