Dexter concludes the regular season with a win vs. PCHS
DEXTER — The Dexter Regional High School boys finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 71-39 victory over neighboring rival Piscataquis Community High School on Feb. 5.
The victory improved the Tigers’ record to 8-10, with the team’s third win in four games and fourth in the last six contests, and solidified Dexter’s position for the Class C North tourney. The team grabbed the ninth of 10 spots in the region and the Tigers are set to travel to eighth-seeded Calais High School (8-10) for a preliminary round contest — likely to be held on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
PCHS finished the year at 8-10, ending 12th in the Class D North Heal Point standings with the top 10 going on to the postseason. The Pirates had won the first meeting with Dexter, earning a 58-52 home victory back on Dec. 23.
ON TO THE POSTSEASON — Dexter senior Kody Kimball shoots a jumper in the first quarter of the team’s regular season finale vs. PCHS on Feb. 5. With the 71-39 victory, the Tigers solidified the team’s position for the Class C North tournament. No. 9 Dexter is set to travel to eighth seed Calais for a prelim matchup.
In the Feb. 5 matchup Dexter jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the early minutes as three Tigers connected on shots from the floor. PCHS senior Brady Gaw then sank a pair of 3-pointers to make play 8-6 before an 8-2 run for the Tigers.
Seniors Bryce Cooper and Kody Kimball had a half dozen points each in the opening quarter and they both finished with 17 points to lead all players on the night.
Classmate Isiah Robinson got to double figures with his 10 points, as did sophomore Silas Saine with another 10 in the second half.
SHOOTER’S TOUCH — PCHS freshman Nate Beckwith shoots over Dexter sophomore Shane Bowden (23) and freshman Landen Sillanpaa (32) in the third quarter of the Feb. 5 game in Dexter.
Cooper had another six of his points in the second quarter as part of a 17-5 Tiger advantage for a 35-15 lead at the half.
The 71 points are the most of Dexter’s 18 games in 2025-26. The Tigers had scored 66 twice before against the same opponent, a 66-54 win vs. George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill on Jan. 6 and two weeks later in a 66-44 victory in Blue Hill on Jan. 20
Gaw and Lander tied for the PCHS lead with 12 points each. Half of Lander’s came from the free throw line, including five foul shots in the third quarter. The Pirate starting five, including senior Noah Kain and freshmen Nate Beckwith and Finn Goulette, combined for all 39 of the team’s points.
KEEP AWAY — Sophomore Will Simpson avoids the reach of PCHS junior Chase Lander in front of Dexter senior Kody Kimball (5) and sophomore Silas Saine (12). A 71-39 win gave Dexter a regular season record of 8-10, with PCHS also finishing at 8-10.
Before tipoff, senior team personnel were recognized. The three Dexter senior players are Bryce Cooper, Kody Kimball and Isiah Robinson along with manager Ella Buschman and Abagail Trafton of the Tiger cheer team.
The game was the final one on the court for PCHS’ two seniors Brady Gaw and Noah Kain.
FOOT RACE — Tiger senior Bryce Cooper has a step on Pirate freshman Nate Beckwith, with PCHS junior Chase Lander trailing the play.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Dexter 71, PCHS 39
PCHS 10 5 14 10 – 39
DEXT 18 17 21 15 – 71
PCHS (8-10: Gaw 12, Laner 12, Beckwith 7, Kain 6, Goulette 2
Dexter (8-10): Cooper 17, Kimball 17, Robinson 10, Saine 10, Bowden 6, Simpson 4, Mountain 3 Farnsworth 2, Sillanpaa 2
LOW POST — Sophomore Shane Bowden goes up for a shot under the basket with PCHS freshman Caleb Hammac defending.