Dexter falls to Jackson in physical game

Dexter's Scott Admire (No. 3) eyes a 3-point shot while teammate Derek Demaree (No. 45) sets a screen during action at Jackson against the Indians Friday night. Jackson defeated the Bearcats 60-52. [Click to enlarge]

JACKSON - The physical play of Jackson paid dividends in the fourth quarter as the Indians wore down the visiting Dexter Bearcats and earned a 60-52 win at home Friday night.

Dexter battled from behind all night but a 12-foot baseline jumper by Josh Miller and a score in the paint by Kyle Espey with 28 seconds on the third period clock salvaged a 43-43 tie with the muscular Indians heading into the final eight minutes of play.

A sweet pass in traffic by Espey to Derek Demaree at the 6:15 mark tied the score at 45 early in the fourth, but a 3-pointer by Jackson's Brad Eaton, his only basket of the game, seemed to turn momentum away from the 'Cats, 48-45.

Dexter's Derek Roberts (No. 11) gets tangled up with a Jackson defender under the basket during basketball action Friday night at Jackson. Roberts was fouled on this play and the physical play of the Indians proved to be more that the Bearcats could handle. Jackson defeated Dexter, 60-52. [Click to enlarge]

Miller (13 points) answered with a basket to narrow the gap to 48-47, but the 'Cats were unable to answer a 6-0 run by Jackson that gave the Indians command of the game at 54-47.

Dexter could only manage two free throws by Demaree and a trey by Miller down the stretch while Jackson's Jason Schafer (11 points) scored and Nick Fiehler (8 points) connected on four of six free throws to nail down the win.

"I think their strength just wore us out," Dexter coach Eric Sitze said when asked about the fourth quarter that saw Jackson outscore Dexter 17-9. "I don't know if I've ever seen a team that as physically strong as that team, and I know I haven't seen a player as strong as McNeely (Tyler). He's going to be one of the strongest players I'll ever see. I thought they just wore us out tonight."

McNeely worked all night in the paint and scored a game-high 22 points. Most of them came from gaining good position close to the basket and moving people out of his way for offensive rebounds.

"Derek just couldn't get open down low," Sitze said. "He was banging with McNeely all night. McNeely's a great player and he's going to wear a lot of people out besides Derek Demaree. Jackson's a good basketball team."

Coach Sitze has voiced concerns about his team's ball handling and the fact that they are not a physically strong team. The lack of bulk and muscle under the boards became apparent against the Indians.

Sitze said they were trying to get the ball inside to Demaree where he's been effective, but they had little success against Jackson.

"It was had to get it to Demaree," he said. "We were even running different plays to get it to him, but when he was coming through the lane two or three of those big strong guys were pushing him around and he's just not getting to the spot."

A bright spot in the loss for Dexter was the play of several players off the bench.

"Kyle Espey (eight points including two 3-pointers) came in and played a good game for us I thought," Sitze said. "Scott Admire and Levi (Rawson) - all those guys came into that second quarter - played hard defense. I didn't think our starters were playing very hard defense.

"Some of those guys (starters) are a little to comfortable with their position right now and I've got a lot of guys on that bench that want to play," he continued. "If they want to show me they can work hard in practice and play the way I ask them to play, there is going to be some other guys getting a chance too."

Dexter trailed 19-13 after the first quarter, but sparked by the bench, fought back to only trail by two (30-28) at the intermission.

Another bright spot for the Bearcats was six 3-pointers on the night which helped keep the game close.

The first six games on the schedule for Dexter are tough each and every year and the loss now leaves the Bearcats supporting a 2-2 record. Last season the 'Cats started out 3-3 before completing a 20-plus win season that saw them battle for the Class 4 District 1 championship at end.

Dexter will next be in action Tuesday night when the Bearcats will host the Twin Rivers Royals. Junior varsity play is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. with varsity action to follow.

DEXTER - (fg-fta-ftm-tp) Admire 0-2-2-2, Roberts 0-2-1-1, Miller 5-2-2-13, Guethle 3-2-2-10, Espey 3-0-0-8, Rawson 0-2-1-1, Demaree 7-2-2-17. Totals: 18-12-10-52.

JACKSON - Eaton 1-1-0-3, Mirly 0-2-2-2, Fiehler 2-6-4-8, Puisis 4-3-3-12, McNeely 9-6-4-22, Schafer 5-1-0-11, Poythress 0-2-2-2. Totals: 21-21-15-60.

3-Pointers: Dexter 6 (Guethle 2, Espey 2, Miller 1, Demaree 1); Jackson 3 ( Puisis 1, Eaton 1, Schafer 1).

Junior Varsity

Dexter 36, Jackson 57

Dexter's junior varsity team fell to 1-3 on the season with the loss to Jackson.

Aaron Jackson paced the 'Cats with 13 points, including four 3-pointers and 1 of 3 from the foul line.

Austin Matthews had a strong game with eight points and Eric Rinehart chipped in with seven for Dexter.

The young Bearcats were at a huge height disadvantage going up against Jackson's 6-foot-9 Aaron Redecker. Redecker only scored 11 points but he blocked several shots and forced Dexter to alter others in the paint.

DEXTER - Jackson 4-3-1-13, Mayer 0-2-1-1, Becker 1-2-1-3, Rinehart 2-4-2-7, Matthews 2-5-3-8, Foushee 1-3-1-3, Satterfield 0-2-1-1. Totals: 10-21-10-36.

JACKSON - Bollinger 3-2-2-8, Ellers 2-0-0-4, Fredrich 0-2-1-1, Garcia 0-1-0-0, Pridemore 1-2-1-3, Kennedy 2-2-1-5, Stone 8-6-4-20, Leet 1-3-3-5, Redecker 5-3-1-11. Totals: 22-21-13-57.

3-Pointers: Dexter 6 (Jackson 4, Rinehart 1, Matthews 1); Jackson 0.