Class 4 Sectional pits Dexter in rematch with Park Hills

sports@standard-democrat.com

DEXTER -- The Dexter Lady Bearcats handed Park Hills Central their first loss of the season in mid-January.

If the Lady Bearcats have it their way they'll also hand them their last.

The two teams will square off tonight at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff during a Class 4 sectionals game as Dexter tries to take the next step in a return to the final four.

"We played them once before and we know it's going to be a tough game again," Lady Bearcats' head coach Chad Allen said of Park Hills. "We're going to have to look at the film and try to see what we can do to improve from last time.

"We beat them decent last time, but any game from here on out we have to be ready to play and ready to get after them."

Up to this point, Dexter's 77-58 win over Park Hills is the Lady Rebels' only loss since. Park Hills carries a 26-1 record into sectionals and beat their two Class 4, District 2 opponents, Farmington and North County, by a combined 34 points.

Dexter on the other hand demolished Kennett, 75-17, in the Class 4, District 1 semifinals before squeaking by rival Notre Dame, 65-58, for the championship in overtime. It was the Lady Bearcats' fourth straight district title and pushed them to 24-3 on the year.

Allen sees a team that matches up in a lot of way to his when looking ahead to Park Hills.

"They're pretty similar," Allen said. "They run a 2-2-1 back to a 2-3. We sort of play that way defensively as well. Their personnel, they have two good post players and a good point guard. They really try to get the ball in the post. That's one thing we've been trying to look at these past few days of practice."

Before their loss to the Lady Bearcats, the Lady Rebels had won 12-straight before their Jan. 20 meeting and have won their last 14 contests since.

20 points from senior Hannah Noe in their last meeting led Dexter while fellow senior Erika Cobb and Paige Patterson had 18 points each. Senior Alsion Jarrell had 15 points in the contest, all on 3-pointers.

For Park Hills it was Sydney Skaggs and Megan Skaggs leading the charge with 21 and 14 points respectively. Mackenzie Jones added 11 points to the Lady Rebels' cause.

If Dexter wants another double-digit victory they'll likely need another big performance from their leading scorer, Noe.

After an impressive regular season, Noe has kept it up with a combined 48 points in her team's two district games.

She finished the overtime win over Notre Dame with 27 points, including six in overtime.

For their second meeting with the Lady Rebels, Allen expects a similar defense, he wouldn't be surprised if Park Hills switched things up on offense.

"From what other coaches have told us and other information we've gathered they usually play the same way defensively," Allen said. "So I really don't think we'll see much of a change defensively.

"Offensively they could definitely change some things. We're just getting prepared as we can for this game. The main thing is if we just concentrate on the defensive end I think the offensive end will take care of itself."

Tip off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.