Portageville girls beat Charleston to remain perfect

Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com

CHARLESTON -- The Portageville Lady Bulldogs continued their winning ways in Charleston Monday night, downing the Lady Bluejays 76-44.

Leading 40-27 at the half, Portageville (6-0) turned up the defense in the second half, outscoring the Lady Bluejays 36-17.

"Charleston played us pretty tough in the first half," said Portageville coach Eric Ellerbrook. "Their defense did a good job against us."

The second half, we started putting some things together. We made some adjustments at half time and I proud of the way we played good team defense in the second half tonight."

Portageville was led in scoring by Brittney Walker's 21. Courtney Chamberlain and Anna Long had 15 and 12 respectively.

Charleston was led in scoring by Jerquawnda Sherrell's 18. Kariah Simpson scored 11.

Portageville also won the junior varsity contest 42-29. Roneisha Ray led the Lady Bulldogs in scoring with 21.

The Lady Bulldogs will be back in action Thursday when they travel to Kennett while Charleston will host Malden. Both junior varsity games will tip off at 6 p.m.

Notre Dame 87, NMCC 58

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Emily Brumitt and Jane Morrill each had 21 points as Notre Dame won in its home debut against New Madrid County Central.

Alex Fowler added 11 points for the Bulldogs (2-2), who had 10 players score.

Shameika Williams had 29 for NMCC (2-3).

Notre Dame won the junior varsity game 60-13.

NMCC will play again on Thursday when they host the Dexter Lady Bearcats. The junior varsity game will begin at 6 p.m.

Dexter 80, Senath 19

DEXTER -- Still stinging from back-to-back loses to close out the Farmington Invitational Tournament this past week, the Dexter Lady Bearcats took out their frustrations on the visiting Senath-Hornersville Lady Lions with a 80-19 laugher Monday.

The Lady Lions appeared ready to make a game of it when Brittney Wyrick's bucket pulled Senath to 7-4, but Dexter's strength and quickness began to surface as the lead was expanded to 12-4 before Katelyn Gibson connected on two free throws to cut the margin to 12-6.

Dexter began to size up its opposition, and a full-court press began to take its toll. The Lady Bearcats forced eight turnovers over the final minutes of the first quarter and turned a close game into a 26-9 advantage heading into the second period.

Dexter's relentless pressure continued to wreck havoc in the second as the Lady Lions cold only manage a bucket by McKenzie Harris and free throw by Kasey Mara as the Lady Bearcats busted the game open, 48-12, heading into the locker room.

Dexter had four players score in double figures, with Katelyn Heil leading the way with 20. Jill Temples worked her way to a 15-point effort, while

Ashlee Taylor and Abbie Warren both battled inside for 14 and 11 points, respectively.

With the win, Dexter improves to 2-2 on the young season. The Lady Bearcats opened the season at the Farmington Invitational where they defeated Lutheran South, 52-36, in the first round.

Dexter then fell to the Farmington Lady Knights 54-48. The loss sent the Lady 'Cats to the third-place game when they fell to the No. 4 Poplar Bluff Lady Mules, 60-58.

The Lady Bearcats will next be in action Thursday when they will travel to New Madrid County Central for a game against the Lady Eagles. Junior varsity action is set to tip off at 6 p. m. with varsity play to follow.