Hayti clinches final four berth, Dexter wins district title

DEXTER, Mo. (KFVS) - A district title and a final four spot were both on the line Saturday in Dexter, and neither game disappointed.

No. 10 Hayti and No. 1 Puxico faced off in the day’s first game, fighting for a place in the Class 2 Final Four in Columbia.

And after two quarters, it was Hayti well ahead with a 16-28 lead over the state’s top-ranked team.

Quickly though, Hayti’s lead dwindled with Landan Burchard willing Puxico back into the game, Colton Stroud and other teammates aiding to cut the deficit to just 3.

But Hayti, having already weathered a state semifinal this season, albeit in football, bent but didn’t break.

J’Vonta Payne and Nicolia Sohahong-Kombet helped Hayti keep a slight gap over Puxico, keeping the game at just 2 or 3 scores the rest of the way.

It wasn’t comfortable. But it was a win, 49-54 for Hayti. And one that sends the Hayti Indians to their first final four this decade.

“That right there is what built them for this moment, making the final four in football and losing that tough game,” Indians head coach K.C. Gilmer said, noting Hayti’s loss to Putnam County in the Class 1 state semifinals last fall. “Now here we are in this game to get to the final four, and they weren’t going to be denied.”

Payne also noted that it’s his first trip to the final four, a culmination of four years at Hayti, but also years of work prior to high school.

The Indians will face Penney next Friday in Mizzou Arena, with the winner moving on to Saturday’s state championship game.

Dexter goes back-to-back

Notre Dame versus Dexter was balanced pretty much the entire way.

What started with Will Guethle and John Sepulvado shooting lights out in the first for the Bearcats gave way to Braedyn Roberts and Cole Adams scoring consistently inside for the Bulldogs.

Both teams kept trading blows, with plenty of fouls and even a technical late in the 4th.

But Dexter’s ability to score inside with Devin Turnbo helped the Bearcats separate themselves late in the 3rd, holding a steady margin at the 4th that forced Notre Dame to foul.

Dexter had no problem with free throws late, making just about every attempt to grow that gap to a double-digit victory, 47-59.

It’s Dexter’s first back-to-back titles since the 1950s.

The Bearcats will face Potosi this coming Tuesday, with the winner advancing to the state quarterfinals.

Tuesday’s game will be played at Farmington High School, with tipoff set for 6 p.m.

Just the scores

Class 2 State Quarterfinal // Puxico 49, Hayti 54

Class 4 District 1 Championship // Notre Dame 47, Dexter 59