The Dexter Tigers girls basketball team has a history of playing strong defense. The Tigers are hoping that tradition continues during the 2016/2017 season.
“When you put on that uniform there is a certain expectation that you are really going to get after it defensively. This group has to earn that and want that,”Dexter coach Jody Grant said. “They need to work really hard, we have had great defensive teams in the past, but it took a lot of work from those teams.”
Dexter returns 10 players from a team that won 14 regular season games and reached the semifinals where they fell to eventual class C state champion Narraguagus.
Megan Peach returns and is expected to provide senior leadership for the Tigers. Peach is the leading scorer and rebounder for Dexter.
“I think that (being a leader) is part of her (Peach) game that needs to continue to grow and I think it has,”Grant said. “Some of that responsibility is on her.”
Peach added, “Every year I have been here we have had great senior leaders. I want to be that.”
The Tigers did lose a lot of toughness from last year’s team with the graduation of Skyler Theodore and Katie Batron. The Tigers starting point guard Cidney Pratt is currently sidelined with a torn ACL.
“We lost two important starters (Theodore and Batron) last year. They were our toughness. Not that they were the only two, but they were tough and hard nosed,”Grant said. “If we start the year without her (Pratt) that will be a deficiency for us. She has been the point guard for this group throughout the years.”
Abi Webber and Ashley Reynolds will provide senior leadership in the backcourt. Kayli Cunningham is another player with plenty of experience. Sophomore Kaylee Deering played well in a preseason win over Madison on December 3rd.
Rebecca Batron returns to basketball after one year away. The junior provides a lot of athleticism.
“Katie Batron’s younger sister Rebecca Batron has come back to basketball, “Grant said. “She is a gifted athlete and can do a lot of things.”
Eastern Maine Sports picked Dexter to finish sixth in class C north. Click here for the girls basketball predictions.
Schedule
- 12/10- @ Bangor Christian- 1 PM
- 12/12- VS Penquis- 7 PM
- 12/15- @ Schenck- 7 PM
- 12/17- @ PCHS- 6:50 PM- Live Audio
- 12/19- @ Central- 6:50 PM- Live Audio
- 12/21- VS PVHS- 7 PM
- 12/28- VS Bucksport- 6:50 PM- Live Audio
- 1/4- @ PVHS- 6:30 PM
- 1/6- @ Stearns- 7 PM
- 1/9- VS Foxcroft- 7 PM
- 1/17- VS Bangor Christian- 5:20 PM- Live Audio
- 1/20- VS Schenck- 7 PM
- 1/25- @ Penquis- 7 PM
- 1/27- VS PCHS- 6:50 PM- Live Audio
- 2/1- VS Central-
- 2/3- @ Foxcroft- 6:50 PM- Live Audio
- 2/6- @ Bucksport- 7 PM
- 2/8- VS Stearns- 7 PM