Dexter Daily Statesman: High School Sports: Dexter soars into semifinals (02/23/10)

David Jenkins photo/SEMO News Service Dexter's Ryan Windham (5) goes up for a shot against Fredericktown during the first quarter of Monday's Class 4 District 1 quarterfinal game at the Bearcat Event Center.

Holding a 15-point lead at the half, the Dexter Bearcats knew they had no room for a third-quarter letdown against Fredericktown.

"We knew coming out the first three minutes if we didn't play, they'd cut it to under a 10-point game (and then) they were going to be there the rest of the night," Dexter coach Rob Nichols said. "We wanted to focus on that first three minutes coming out and extending that lead."

Dexter did just that, using a 9-0 run in the third to break the game open and roll to a 73-41 win in the first round of the Class 4, District 1 Tournament Monday night at the Bearcat Event Center.

In the other first-round game, Perryville downed Ste. Genevieve 48-44.

Leading 34-19 at the half, the 'Cats and Fredericktown played even the first four minutes of the third period before Dexter put the game on ice.

Bryn Hester opened the run with a basket at the 3:50 mark of the quarter, then Alan Flannigan added a pair of free throws to make it 48-29. Jon Bowman's three-point play pushed the lead over 20 points for the first time all night, then Gary Summers capped the run with a pair of foul shots with 2:32 left in the period to make it a 53-29 game.

Dexter did not let up in the final period, keeping the lead above 20 the rest of the way and pushing the lead past 30 points (70-39) on Summers' field goal with 2:40 left in the game.

"It's fantastic how the other guys have stepped up to carry the scoring load," Flannigan, the team's leading scorer, said. "Ever since the Jackson game, Brandon (Stoker) has had a lot of confidence and is shooting the ball real well. Bryn has stepped up and knocked down shots for us also. That stretches defenses and opens up the inside, which as a big guy I like."

The Bearcats (15-11) led almost wire-to-wire, going on a 20-2 run in the opening period to lead by 15 (22-7) after one period.

"We started off quick," said Nichols. "We were up 22-5 there early, played well and played with a lot of intensity."

Leading the way early for Dexter was Stoker, who scored 10 of his 15 points in the opening period to fuel the Bearcats' offense.

"He got a lot of his off of defense," Nichols said. "He created a few steals and got out on the break."

Flannigan led the Bearcats with 21 points, while Bowman added 12 in the win.

Ryan Gifford paced Fredericktown with 11 points.

Dexter will take on Sikeston in the district semifinals Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., while Perryville and top-seeded Notre Dame will tangle in the first semifinal at 6 p.m.

"First off, we've got to keep the turnovers down," said Nichols. "Second, we've got to control the tempo -- we can't run with them all night. We're going to have to control the boards and keep them off the offensive boards. ... That's a lot of things you've got to do well right there to put the win together."