Web posted
Friday, March 7, 2008
Dexter celebrates its state appearance
By JUDITH ZACCARIA
Courier Staff Writer
The celebration was short-lived perhaps, but it was enjoyed by the people in Dexter on Wednesday in a full gym at Dexter High School. They were sending their girls' basketball team to the school's first state tournament. Dexter lost its first game and was eliminated.
This was the first time a Dexter basketball team has made it to state. And ironically, it will be the last time the Cardinals will send a team to state, since Dexter and Cedar Vale will be combining sports teams beginning this spring.
But that didn't seem to be on the minds of the 200 or so people at the pep rally -- more than half of the town.
The event got off to a rousing start with the team's fight song -- recognized by some outsiders as the music of the Notre Dame fight song. Hooray for the Fighting ... Cardinals!
The crowd was pumped. "It's just great!" said a clapping Merla Green, who went to Dexter High School and has two nieces on the team. "It's wonderful."
"We're just proud of them," said booster club president Dena Artherton.
The cheerleaders had a workout in preparation for their stint in Hays. They led the audience in rousing renditions of "The Hey Song" and "Eye of the Tiger" that had everyone clapping and stomping.
Several male alumni -- Cody Kahrs (black dog ears wig), Josh Hein (red dog ears) and Dusty Kelly (in his own red curly hair) -- romped about the court reliving the girls' history on their way to state.
Ironically, the impostors never made a basket but shot the ball in every direction but toward the rim -- evoking much laughter from the audience.
Debra Lathers, a fan from South Haven, was on hand to wish the girls encouragement and to give them a basket of goodies and balloons from the office of Dr. Nick Rogers of Arkansas City.
Coach Debbie Callison and assistant coach Jim Fanning spoke briefly. The girls will "give you a lot of game," Callison said. The team is "pure magic," Fanning said.
Alumni Cody Kahrs spoke about the word "team." T is for team; E is for everyone; A is for accomplishment; M is for more. You always want one more win, Kahrs said.
Kuntz, who himself went to state 21 years ago for Wheatland, read a speech he had written for the team. He reminded them that when they were in his class as freshmen, he predicted that they would go to state.
"Tomorrow you guys are the greatest team in the world," Kuntz said.
"I just knew they had the talent and the capabilities," he said after the rally. "You know it when you see it."
On her way out of the rally, Dexter Elementary School teacher Lisa Stinson said she knows the team in a different way. Several of them are Big Sisters for Big Brothers Big Sisters and are often in her classroom. "We're awfully proud of this team," Stinson said.
A charter bus for students left early Thursday and returned last night.
Many townspeople went to Hays and plan to be there for as long as the tournament lasts.
If the team goes forward in the state competition, "You won't be able to find a dog to play with in this town by Saturday," said Jack Drake.
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