December 6, 2014
Sikeston cruises past Dexter in home opener
sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- New Dexter head coach Josh Dowdy had a game-plan against the Sikeston Bulldogs and he was sticking to it. No matter what. Dowdy's tactic to slow the tempo of the game and keep the ball away from the Bulldogs worked early, but the Bearcats couldn't generate enough offense as Sikeston cruised to a 52-27 SEMO Conference win in its home opener at the Field House on Friday night...
sports@standard-democrat.com
SIKESTON -- New Dexter head coach Josh Dowdy had a game-plan against the Sikeston Bulldogs and he was sticking to it.
No matter what.
Dowdy's tactic to slow the tempo of the game and keep the ball away from the Bulldogs worked early, but the Bearcats couldn't generate enough offense as Sikeston cruised to a 52-27 SEMO Conference win in its home opener at the Field House on Friday night.
"We were wanting to limit possessions," Dowdy said. "They're a great basketball team. They have an unbelievable program. I've watched them over the years and have a whole lot of respect for them. And I knew if we ran up and down with them all night long they would come out on top in a big way."
Dexter started the game by spreading the floor, passing the ball around, working the clock and forcing Sikeston to extend its defense.
Early on it was working as the Bearcats took a 3-2 lead on Austin Chesser's 3-pointer. Dexter still led after three minutes of clock had already burned off.
But Sikeston switched from its traditional 2-3 zone and went man-to-man and was able to begin forcing turnovers.
The Bulldogs went on a 10-2 run to end the quarter, including a 30-footer at the buzzer by junior guard Dominique Dyes to lead 12-5.
"We wanted to make them do something they're not used to doing and sure enough they had to come out and play man but they were pretty good at it," Dowdy said.
Dexter's strategy is not anything new to Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield, who has seen numerous teams try it over the years.
However, it is new to most of the Sikeston players, but Holifield was pleased with how his team handled it.
"I thought we played well," Holifield said. "Dexter did a good job of trying to control the tempo. I thought our guys stayed within themselves offensively and defensively and I thought we showed a lot of patience. We've spent a lot of time the last couple days defensively and I think some of that carried over."
Sikeston (2-0, 1-0 SEMO Conference) continued to extend its lead throughout the second quarter, starting the period on a 15-2 run to take a 27-7 lead on a Fred Thatch shot in the paint.
Dexter's Peyton Pollock stopped the bleeding momentarily with a 3-pointer, but it was answered with a 3-pointer by Sikeston's Jaylen Mallory to take a 30-10 lead into halftime.
Despite the margin, Dowdy continued his strategy in the second half.
"We tried to execute the game plan and I still like how we tried," Dowdy said. "We had some times where we lost some composure and it just didn't work out. We're going to improve from it. This game made us better. We're trying to learn with poise. We still have a young bunch and I'm looking forward to what we look like in February."
Sikeston's lead swelled to 43-14 in the third quarter until Dexter's Ethan Flowers hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
The Bulldogs enforced the mercy clock through some of the fourth quarter, leading by as much as 48-17 on an Anthony Coleiro conventional 3-point play with 5:29 left in the game.
Holifield was able to clear his bench moments later.
"I thought Dexter really played hard," Holifield said. "(Dowdy's) team works hard and he's going to be very successful there."
The victory marked Holifield's 400th in his coaching career and it's the Bulldogs' 15th straight win against Dexter.
Sikeston was led in scoring by Dyes' 11 points and four assists. Thatch and Juwon Kimble each scored 10 points.
Dexter (0-2, 0-2 SEMO) was led by Chesser's 12 points.
Sikeston out-rebounded the Bearcats 19 to 13 in the game.
The Bulldogs forced 22 turnovers against the Bearcats while turning the ball over 11 times themselves.
"I like our team a lot," Holifield said. "They're hard-working. They have good attitudes. They seem to come in every day wanting to get better. We just have a lot of work to do and we know that. We just have to stay positive and continue to work."
Sikeston will next play in the SEMO Conference Tournament on Monday where they garnered the third seed and will play No. 6 Charleston at 7 p.m.
Dexter got the ninth seed in the tournament and will play at 5:30 on Monday against eighth-seeded Kennett.
Dexter 5 5 7 10 -- 27
Sikeston 12 18 13 9 -- 52
DEXTER (27) -- Austin Chesser 12, Peyton Pollock 5, Jacob Pedigo 3, Ethan Flowers 3, Noah Kronk 2, Cole Renken 2. FG 4, FT 7-7, F 7. (3-pointers: Chesser 2, Flowers 1, Pollock 1. Fouled out: none.)
SIKESTON (52) -- Dominique Dyes 11, Fred Thatch 10, Juwon Kimble 10, Anthony Coleiro 9, Jaylen Mallory 6, Corbyn Blissett 4, Donnell Cobb 2. FG 17, FT 3-5, F 15. (3-pointers: Dyes 3, Mallory 2. Fouled out: none.)
Junior varsity
The Sikeston J.V. team improved to 4-1 on the season with a 63-49 win over Dexter.
Sikeston led 31-19 at the half and 49-34 entering the fourth quarter.
Sikeston was led by Earnest Fobbs with 15 points and eight rebounds. Marquan Nelson followed up with 14 points and three steals. Don Larry added nine points and three steals.
Dexter was led by Gabe Jackson's 20 points and Drew Kasting's 10 points.
Dexter 9 10 15 15 -- 49
Sikeston 15 16 18 14 -- 63
DEXTER (49) -- Gabe Jackson 20, Dawson Kasting 10, Ryan Mayo 8, Trevor McDonald 5, Bo McMillin 4, Isaiah Hightower 2. FG 21, FT 7-20, F 15. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none.)
SIKESTON (63) -- Earnest Fobbs 15, Marquan Nelson 14, Don Larry 9, Phayzun Fobbs 6, Jason Moore 6, Sam Cox 6, Camden Sapp 3, Austin Branch 2, Dylon Mills 2. FG 20, FT 8-13, F 20. (3-pointers: Moore 2, Nelson 2, Larry 1. Fouled out: E. Fobbs.)
Advertisement
Advertisement