ST. PETERS, Mo. — Nevada senior Ben Hines capped his stellar prep career by winning two individual events at Saturday’s MSHSAA Class 1 Swimming and Diving Championships at the St. Peters Rec-Plex.
Hines won the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 20.28 seconds. He repeated as state champ in the event.
An Alabama recruit, Hines also won the 100-yard butterfly in 50.14 seconds.
Webb City had two athletes compete in the diving competition. Logan Thibault advanced to the finals and placed 13th (319.05). Carson Forcum was 22nd (123.35) in the prelims.
Webb City freshman Micah Brouwer finished 23rd in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:06.
Carthage junior Ezekiel Ramirez finished 21st in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:56. Ramirez took 22nd in the 100 freestyle with a time of 53.05.
Nevada’s Cody Leung finished 10th in the 200 individual medley (2:03) and Monett’s Matthew Fillinger was 22nd in the same event with a time of 2:09. Leung was 13th in the 100 breaststroke (1:02). Monett’s 400 freestyle relay team placed 21st. Isaac Lindsey, Jackson Dearing, Andrew Kranz and Fillinger competed.
Glendale won the Class 1 team championship with 297 points. MICDS was second with 266 and Parkway West was third (217.5).
Month: November 2020
BASKETBALL: PSU rolls through Tabor in exhibition; Gorillas ready for 2020 season to get underway
PITTSBURG, Kan. — It took less than 10 minutes of action for Pittsburg State men’s basketball to take control in a season-opening 109-49 win over Tabor in an exhibition contest on Saturday at John Lance Arena.
The Gorillas, who held the lead for all but 15 seconds, shot 60 percent from the field (46-77) in the win, limiting the Blue Jays to 33 percent shooting (20-59) in the loss. Pittsburg State also shot well from beyond the arc in the win, connecting on 14-of-25 attempts to finish at 56 percent.
“Defensive execution, which I thought we did a good job of,” Pittsburg State coach Kim Anderson said when asked what he was looking for out of his team in their exhibition with Tabor. “We did a pretty good job guarding the ball. Offensively, it’s efficiency. We are trying to be efficient and not turn the ball over a lot. We didn’t. … We shot the ball well, got to the basket and rebounded.
“I think they were thrilled to play today. … We are only going to play 22 games, at the most, in the regular season. Every game, I think, has maybe got a little more importance to it than it would in the past, when maybe you would play 30 games.”
Pittsburg State finished with five players in double figures, with forward Gwarren Douglas leading the way off the bench with a team-high 22 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers, to go along with four rebounds. Forward Bobby Arthur-Williams Jr. finished with 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including 2-for-3 from the perimeter, and a team-high eight rebounds. Martin Vogts and Antonio Givens II each added 15 points, with Vogts adding four rebounds, three assists and two steals and Givens five rebounds and two steals. Ike Moore scored 10 points and was second on the team in assists with six.
The Gorillas didn’t take long to assert themselves as the better team, building up a 12-point advantage thanks to a 9-for-14 start from the field through the first six minutes for a 20-8 lead. Arthur-Williams and Givens each had six points during the early run. Pittsburg State’s margin hit the 20-point threshold, 36-16, with six minutes left in the first half, and the Gorillas closed out the first 20 minutes of action on a 20-3 run to head into the locker room with a 56-19 cushion.
“I thought we did a good job, especially in the first half defensively,” Anderson said. “We had worked a lot on some different things and did it. I thought our guys did a good job of controlling the game.”
Pittsburg State caught fire from the perimeter in the second half, knocking down 8-of-10 shots from 3-point range. The Gorillas limited the Blue Jays to 39 percent shooting in the second half, cruising to the win.
“We set a goal at halftime and every point that Tabor scored over that goal, (the team) was going to run,” Anderson said. “That motivated them pretty well. They actually made the goal, so they don’t have to run. I thought after the first five minutes we were a little sloppy in the second half. I thought we settled down and did a pretty good job.”
SEASON OUTLOOK
Pittsburg State, selected to finish seventh in the MIAA preseason coaches poll, open the season on Nov. 21 with a road matchup at Central Oklahoma. The Gorillas are projected to have the same starting five in the opener as their exhibition with Tabor—Arthur-Williams, Givens, Quentin Hardrict, Vogts and guard Ryan Pippins.
“I think we are going to shoot the ball pretty well,” Anderson said. “Defensively, we’ve had a scrimmage with (Southwest Baptist) and we’ve had this game, and maybe we are better than I thought. At least right now. We still have a lot to work on, but we will see what happens in the next week.
“I think there is a tremendous amount of competition on this team. I love that. I think we’ve got three or four guys who can play at point guard. We have some height on the inside, and hopefully we’ve got good shooters.”
Of course, the Gorillas will have plenty of depth this season. Figuring to see time in the rotation includes forward Xavier Womack, Douglas and guard Ike Moore, forward Zach Burch as well as guard Ray Elliott (DNP), forward Dejon Waters Jr. (DNP) and guard RJ Lawrence (DNP), with others in line for minutes as well.
“I think we are fairly deep,” Anderson said. “When we go play (Central Oklahoma) next week, we will find out if we are ‘good’ deep, if our depth is going to be a strength for us. We had four guys sitting out that would have played today, someway. I don’t know how I would have played them, but they all would have played significant minutes.”
“If you look at it now, I think this is probably the deepest team I’ve had (since coming over to Pittsburg State),” Anderson continued. “Obviously, when you have a team this deep, you have to do a good job of managing minutes and getting guys engaged. So, I’d rather have that problem than the other problem, which is not having enough (depth).”
As far as what Anderson would like to see his team improve on as the season gets underway?
“Just better execution and more consistency,” Anderson said. “I think sometimes we get a little sloppy, our mind wanders a little bit. I think that is probably the main thing.”
Just like every other collegiate, prep or professional program currently in session or on the verge of starting up, managing the COVID pandemic and safety protocols has been a top priority for the Gorillas, and Anderson has been pleased with how serious his players are taking their responsibilities to be as safe as possible.
“It’s just a part of their life now,” Anderson said. “They know that if they want to play basketball and continue to be here and get their education, they have to do this stuff. Everybody has to realize that, too. I think they’ve done a great job. I hope that we can continue and stay relatively healthy.”
And while the Gorillas have done all they can to ensure their health for the start of the season, they know, along with every other team in action, that playing out the season may be out of their hands. You can be sure, no matter how many games get played this season, each one of them will have a significant meaning.
“I think we just have to feel fortunate that we are getting the opportunity to play,” Anderson said. “The people who are in charge are working as hard as they can to give us that opportunity, and that includes our institution. But that also includes our city people and our county people. It’s for real. Day by day, we just have to approach it.”
Cross Country: Area runners earn all-region honors
A large number of Joplin-area cross country runners earned all-region honors from the Southwest Cross Country Coaches Association.
CLASS 5
Joplin’s Hobbs Campbell and Carthage’s Mariques Strickland were first-team selections to the Class 5 boys all-region team.
On the second team were Joplin’s Zaben Barnes and Evan Matlock and Carthage’s Malcolm Robertson. Joplin’s Micah Bruggeman and Ian Horton were recognized on the honorable mention team.
The Runner of the Year was Tyler Harris of Kickpoo, while Kickapoo’s Jeremy Goddard was Coach of the Year.
On the girls side, Joplin’s Jennalee Dunn was a first-team selection. Joplin’s Allie Keizer and Sage Mitchell were on the second team.
The Runner of the Year was Klarie Brown of Kickapoo. Nixa’s Lance Brumley was Coach of the Year.
CLASS 4
Webb City’s Joseph Dawson and Roman Borboa, Neosho’s Kaden Cole and Carl Junction’s Collin Emmert were first-team selections on the boys team.
On the second team were Webb City’s Dustin Brockmiller and Owen Weller.
Honorable mention picks were Webb City’s Jose Banda-Antillon, Sam Winesburg and Evan Stevens, Monett’s Julio Cruz and Carl Junction’s Logan Carnes.
The Co-Coaches of the Year were Webb City’s Dustin Miller and West Plains’ Joe Dixon. The Runner of the Year was Riley Simpson of West Plains.
On the girls side, Webb City’s Riley Hawkins, Hally Philpot and Abi Street were second-team picks. On the honorable mention team were Neosho’s Bailey Miller and Riley Kemna, Carl Junction’s Alanza Montez, Nevada’s Allie Rains and Webb City’s Isabelle Lopez.
West Plains’ Brayden Kantola was the Runner of the Year and Alicia Gunter was Coach of the Year.
CLASS 3
Lamar’s Kiersten Potter was the Runner of the Year on the girls side.
Potter, Aurora’s Kaci Singer and Aubrey Boatwright, Mount Vernon’s Rilee Simons and East Newton’s Ellie Hicks and Alonna Eytcheson were on the first team.
Second-team picks were Cassville’s Jordyn Stafford, Annie Moore and Jolie Evans and Aurora’s Sarah Lopez. On the honorable mention team were Aurora’s Destiny Jaramillo and Maisie Phillips, Lamar’s Kara Morey and Jessica Coble and East Newton’s Gracie Johnson. Aurora’s Melanie Crockett was the Coach of the Year.
As far as Class 3 boys, East Newton’s Jake Holt was Coach of the Year and El Dorado Springs’ Daelen Ackley was Runner of the Year.
Lamar’s Joe Kremp and Ethan Pittsenbarger, East Newton’s Gabe Bergen, Kelton Sorrell and Chase Sorrell were first-team picks.
On the second team were Cassville’s Pace Evans, East Newton’s Garrett Downum and Lamar’s Quintin Webb. Honorable mention picks were Lamar’s Blaine Breshears and Jacob Morrison and East Newton’s Marcus Shaeffer.
CLASS 1
College Heights’ Grace Bishop and Klohe Burk were first-team selections on the girls side. CHC’s Jayli Johnson, McAuley Catholic’s Kendall Ramsey and Jasper’s Olivia Moss were named to the second team.
Honorable mention picks were Madi Carson, Madelynn Jordan, Avery Parker and Shelbi Post of College Heights and Thomas Jefferson’s Sarah Mueller.
College Heights’ Phillip Jordan was named Coach of the Year. Blue Eye’s Riley Arnold was the Runner of the Year.
As far as the boys team, Jasper’s Hunter Hinds was a first-team selectio. Thomas Jefferson’s Kip Atteberry and Liberal’s duo of Max Dingman and Bryson Overstreet were listed on the second team, while Liberal’s Rowdy Myers and Wheaton’s Zane Johnson were honorable mention picks.
The Co-Runners of the Year were Blue Eye’s Ryan Cardenzena and Plato’s David Held. Blue Eye’s Jacob Thompson-Krug was Coach of the Year.
Swimming: Joplin finishes season at state meet
ST. PETERS, Mo. —The Joplin High School boys swim team concluded the 2020 season alongside the state’s best at Friday’s MSHSAA Class 2 Swimming and Diving Championships at the St. Peters Rec-Plex.
Joplin’s 200-yard freestyle relay team of Zane Newman, Jacob Glenn, Zane Reavley and Ben Wardlow finished 20th with a time of 1:34. The time is a new personal best for the Eagles.
Wardlow finished 21st in the 100 freestyle with a time of 50.54 and also took 22nd in the 50 free with a personal best time of 22.65.
Wardlow and Reavley are seniors, while Glenn and Newman are sophomores.
FOOTBALL: Carthage’s perfect season comes to an end with first blemish against Webb City
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Despite an undefeated regular season, the Carthage Tigers’ 2020 football campaign has come to an end. The Tigers’ normally reliable offense sputtered in a 42-21 defeat by rival Webb City at David Haffner Stadium on Friday night.
The win crowned the Cardinals (10-1) Class 5 District 6 champions, and Carthage (9-1) was left with the runner-up trophy after winning the Missouri Class 5 state championship a year ago.
“You never have words, you don’t prepare anything for something like that,” Carthage coach Jon Guidie said of his postgame message to his players whose seasons, and some their high school careers, have come to an end. “You just want them to know that we’re still proud of them and that we love them and we’re going to be here for them if they need anything. The result tonight, that doesn’t dictate who they are as people or who they’re going to become as people.”
With 2:29 left in the second quarter, Carthage forced the Webb City offense to punt, which would have been the Tigers’ first defensive stop of the game, and a possible turning point. Trailing 21-7, Carthage potentially had a chance to put together a scoring drive and go into the half looking at just a single-score deficit.
Instead, though, the punt was fumbled by the Tigers around midfield, and after several players from each side appeared to scoop up the ball only to lose control, the Cardinals recovered it and set up shop at the Tigers’ 43-yard line. Two plays later, Webb City quarterback Cole Gayman underthrew a pass to Mekhi Garrard down the sideline, but the senior wide receiver read the throw and came back to it, shaking his defender in the process for a 40-yard score.
That touchdown was the second of three unanswered by the Cardinals that stretched the score to 35-7, where it would stay until Carthage’s senior quarterback Patrick Carlton got the Tigers close with his arm, going three-of-five through air for 38 yards on the drive, before scoring on the ground from 5 yards out with 8:04 left in the game.
“It was huge,” Guidie said of the swing the muffed punt had in the game. “It’s been something we worked on all week long, our punt return. We didn’t like where we were at with it. We put two kids back to ensure we were going to field it. We tried to come up and make a play on it, missed it. And then we gave up the big fade for a score there. Not much fun at halftime, but we challenged them to come out and have some pride in themselves, and I thought they came out and battled pretty well in the second half.”
The next of those three consecutive Webb City scoring drives not only put points on the board for the Cardinals, but took valuable time Carthage needed to mount a comeback off the game clock. The Cardinals took the opening kickoff of the second half and burned nearly six minutes on an 11-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in a 39-yard touchdown run by senior running back Devrin Weathers. Weathers finished the night with 152 rushing yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns.
Gayman was efficient through the air, completing four of his seven passes for 103 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Carthage’s Carlton continued his usual production, totaling 249 yards of offense on nine of 20 passes and 26 rushing attempts, but the rest of the Tigers’ attack combined for just 76 total yards.
LEAVING NO DOUBT: Webb City rolls past Carthage in district title game
CARTHAGE, Mo. — The Webb City Cardinals entered the highly-anticipated showdown at Carthage in an unfamiliar position — the underdog.
But by night’s end, there was no doubt who was still the top dog in Southwest Missouri.
Looking nothing like a lower seed, second-seeded Webb City took control early and rolled to a convincing 42-21 victory over top-seeded and previously undefeated Carthage on Friday night in the Class 5 District 6 championship game at a packed David Haffner Stadium.
Webb City (10-1) captured a district championship for the 21st straight season and advanced to next Friday’s quarterfinal round, where the Cardinals will host Lebanon (7-3).
“I’m just amazed at the kids’ effort and how hard they played,” Webb City coach John Roderique said. “We had a fantastic week of practice. I’m just so, so proud of our players and coaches. Playing that team brought the best out of us. I can’t say enough about the effort of our kids.”
Carthage ends the season at 9-1. The loss snapped Carthage’s 18-game win streak and put an end to the Tigers’ hopes of repeating as state champion.
The longtime rivals who have been getting together on the gridiron for more than 100 years met for the first time as a pair of defending state champions.
And perennial power Webb City, the 15-time state champ, was in an unfamiliar position—on the road as the lower seed. The Tigers were the team that came into the night as the top seed with an unblemished record.
“We put on our scouting report that they were the defending state champions, they were undefeated and they were the No. 1 seed,” Roderique said.
Webb City junior wide receiver and defensive back Cohl Vaden, who hauled in a touchdown pass, ran for another score and recovered a muffed punt, said the Cardinals were not only highly-motivated for the clash, but also well-prepared.
“This win is big for our program,” Vaden said. “There was a lot of hype coming into this game. We just wanted to play next week. We had a good week of practice. Our coaches tell us everything they know.”
With a solid performance on both sides of the ball, and taking advantage of Carthage’s miscues, Webb City took a 28-7 lead into halftime. The Cardinals led 35-7 entering the final frame.
Offensively, the Cardinals were able to sustain drives. Defensively, Webb City limited Carthage to 102 yards in the first half.
“You try to control the game with your offense,” Roderique said. “That’s grinding it out and getting first downs. The defense didn’t give up big plays. Our quarterback played well. The guys up front played well. We had a good plan going in and the kids executed it pretty well.”
NAMES & NUMBERS
Webb City racked up 349 yards on 49 plays, with 246 rushing and 103 passing.
Senior Devrin Weathers ran 19 times for 152 yards with a pair of scores. Senior quarterback Cole Gayman added 54 rushing yards on 12 carries, while junior Dupree Jackson added 31 yards on 10 carries.
Gayman completed 4-of-7 passes for 103 yards with two touchdowns, with Mekhi Garrard and Vaden hauling in touchdown receptions.
Webb City had no turnovers and just one penalty.
Defensively, Treghan Parker made seven tackles, Eli Goddard had six, Cooper Crouch made 5.5 and Brayden Hollingsworth added five.
Carthage finished with 325 yards on 62 plays, 202 rushing and 123 passing.
The Tigers had five penalties and two costly turnovers. Senior quarterback Patrick Carlton ran 26 times for 126 yards in his prep finale.
GAME RECAP
Carthage’s first drive ended when Carlton’s pass was intercepted by Webb City’s Crouch, and the Cardinals took over with great field position on the 28.
Webb City needed just three plays to score, as Weathers sprinted to a 15-yard touchdown at the 7:22 mark of the opening frame.
The Cardinals extended their lead to 14-0 when Jackson plunged into the end zone from 1-yard out on the first play of the second quarter. The TD capped a seven-play, 64-yard drive.
Carthage’s Justin Sneed took the ensuing kick 81 yards to get the Tigers on the board with a much-needed response.
But the visitors answered with an 11-play, 80-yard scoring drive. Gayman completed a 37-yard touchdown pass to Vaden, giving the Cardinals a 21-7 lead with 7:33 left in the second quarter.
“It was a boot,” Vaden said. “He bit and I went up. It was a good ball.”
After Webb City was forced to punt late in the first half, the Tigers were unable to secure the ball. Vaden recovered the loose ball that bounced several times.
“I was trailing behind and I saw the ball pop up and I was there,” Vaden said. “I think that was pretty big.”
“That was a big one,” Roderique said. “I didn’t know if that ball was ever going to get picked up by anybody. It bounced around and about 25 guys touched it.”
Two plays later, Gayman connected with a wide open Garrard on a 40-yard touchdown strike. The score gave Webb City a comfy 21-point cushion.
The Cardinals got the ball to start the second half and put together an 11-play, 80-yard drive, with Weathers sprinting to a 39-yard touchdown, going nearly untouched up the middle on a counter. That made it 35-7.
The Tigers threatened late in the third quarter, but an incomplete pass resulted in a turnover on downs.
Carlton scored on a 5-yard QB keeper with 8:04 remaining, but a 9-yard run by Vaden on a reverse with 4:31 left made it 42-14.
“Gary (Clinton) got a good block on the edge,” Vaden said. “That allowed me to walk in.”
Carthage’s Hudson Moore hauled in an 8-yard touchdown reception with just under a minute to play for the final margin.
It was Carthage’s first setback since they lost to Webb City 32-7 in Week 5 of the 2019 season.
Up next for the Cardinals is Lebanon, a 52-18 winner over Glendale. The quarterfinal clash will be at Cardinal Stadium on Friday, with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
MORE ON CARTHAGE
For more on Carthage, including thoughts from Tigers coach Jon Guidie, click the link below to read Jordan Larimore’s story.
FOOTBALL: Carthage’s perfect season comes to an end with first blemish against Webb City
CLASS 5 DISTRICT 6 CHAMPIONSHIP
WEBB CITY 42, CARTHAGE 21
Webb City 7 21 7 7—42
Carthage 0 7 0 14—21
Scoring Summary
WC: Devrin Weathers 15 run (Cameron Clark kick)
WC: Dupree Jackson 1 run (Clark kick)
CAR: Justin Sneed 81 kick return (Caleb Calvin kick)
WC: Cohl Vaden 37 pass from Cole Gayman (Clark kick)
WC: Mekhi Garrard 40 pass from Gayman (Clark kick)
WC: Weathers 39 run (Clark kick)
CAR: Patrick Carlton 5 run (Calvin kick)
WC: Vaden 9 run (Clark kick)
CAR: Hudson Moore 8 pass from Carlton (Calvin kick)
Records: Webb City 10-1, Carthage 9-1.
FOOTBALL: West Plains knocks off Carl Junction in Class 4 District 5 title game
WEST PLAINS, Mo. — Carl Junction rallied back from a 14-point deficit in the second half before West Plains pulled away to a 41-26 win in the Class 4 District 5 title game on Friday.
The Bulldogs took the lead with the first touchdown before the Zizzers responded with three unanswered scores, ultimately taking a 28-14 advantage into the intermission. Carl Junction scored twice unanswered out of the locker room to cut the lead to 28-26, but West Plains used a Bulldog turnover to score twice inside 90 seconds of game action in the fourth quarter to build an insurmountable lead on the way to the win.
The Bulldogs, who turned it over four times in the loss, end the season with a 6-6 record. West Plains improved to 10-1 and will face Helias Catholic in the quarterfinals.
Carl Junction took the opening possession but was bitten by the turnover early, as Alex Baker was picked off on the second play from scrimmage. The Bulldogs’ defense returned the favor on their first possession when Blake Poorman picked off West Plains QB Dagen Kenslow and returned it deep into Zizzers’ territory.
A 17-yard completion from Baker to Drew Patterson gave the Bulldogs a first down with a goal-to-go situation. After three unsuccessful attempts inside the 5-yard line, running back Brady Sims found paydirt from 4 yards out to the left pylon to give Carl Junction a 7-0 lead with 7:35 left in the first.
West Plains responded with a nearly seven-minute drive that ended with Connor Lair punching it in from 3 yards out to tie the game at 7-7 with 58 seconds left in the first quarter.
After a Bulldog three-and-out, the Zizzers took their first lead of the game when Kenslow found Lair over the middle on third down for a 40-yard touchdown to make the score 14-7 with 10:33 left in the first half.
Carl Junction drove into West Plains territory on the ensuing drive before Baker was picked off for a second time in the first half, but again the Bulldog defense answered with a turnover of their own, forcing Titus Seley into a fumble.
The Bulldogs followed with a turnover on downs, and after a 38-yard run by Kenslow— reversing the field on the long gain — the Zizzers took a 21-7 lead over Carl Junction after Seley crossed the goal line from a yard out with 4:16 left in the first half.
It looked as if the Bulldogs were going to be forced into a three-and-out punt on their next possession, but a roughing-the-punter penalty on West Plains gave Carl Junction new life. On the ensuing play, Baker found Drew Patterson on a deep route for a 65-yard touchdown pass to trim the margin to 21-14 with 1:44 left in the first half.
West Plains needed just 1:33 to find the scoreboard again, with Seley the benefit of a hook-and-ladder lateral off the completion from Kenslow for a 34-yard touchdown with seven seconds on the clock to send the Zizzers into the intermission with a 28-14 lead over Carl Junction.
Carl Junction found the scoreboard first in the second half when Baker found Drew Beyer over the middle on play-action for an 11-yard touchdown with 3:50 left in the third quarter, with the point-after kick no good, to trim West Plains’ lead to 28-20.
After forcing a punt, the Bulldogs used a 13-yard pass from Baker to Kyler Perry and a 10-yard pass from Baker to Noah Southern to set up a 1-yard rushing score from Sims. The two-point conversion was no good, cutting West Plains’ lead to 28-26 with 9:58 in regulation.
The Zizzers pushed their lead back to two possessions following a 3-yard touchdown run from Seley. Baker was intercepted on the following CJ drive, which turned into a 13-yard touchdown for Seley on the next West Plains’ possession to boost the lead to 41-26 with less than seven minutes in regulation, swinging the momentum for good.
SCORING SUMMARY
Carl Junction 7 7 6 6 — 26
West Plains 7 21 0 13 — 41
FIRST QUARTER
CJHS—Brady Sims 4 run ( kick)
WPHS—Connor Lair 3 run ( kick)
SECOND QUARTER
WPHS—Lair 40 pass from Dagen Kenslow ( kick)
CJHS—Drew Patterson 65 pass from Alex Baker ( kick)
WPHS—Titus Seley 34 pass from Kenslow ( kick)
THIRD QUARTER
CJHS—Drew Beyer 11 pass from Baker (kick fail)
FOURTH QUARTER
CJHS—Sims 1 run (two-point fail)
WPHS—Seley 5 run (kick)
WPHS—Seley 13 run (two-point fail)
Missouri Southern Coaches Show to air on Fox Sports Joplin beginning Monday
The Missouri Southern Coaches Show will begin this Monday, November 16 as the show will open up with the first week of MIAA basketball.
This year, the show will come live from Jefferson’s in Joplin on 430 S, Geneva Ave. Suite 100. Each week at 6 p.m., host Justin Maskus will talk with MSSU head coaches Ronnie Ressel and Jeff Boschee, as well as players from both teams and other Southern head coaches throughout the winter and spring.
The show will air live on Fox Sports Joplin at 101.3 and 107.9 FM and 1340 and 1560 on the AM dial.
Football: Carl Junction meets West Plains in district title game
CARL JUNCTION AT WEST PLAINS
What: Class 4 District 5 championship game
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: West Plains’ Zizzer Stadium
Records: Carl Junction 6-5, West Plains 9-1
What’s at stake: The winner advances to the Class 4 quarterfinals on Nov. 21 against either Helias Catholic or Warrensburg.
OUTLOOK: Top-seeded West Plains averages 44 points per game and allows 17. Second-seeded Carl Junction is scoring 27 points per game and allowing 23. West Plains advanced with a 35-2 win over McDonald County, while Carl Junction defeated Hillcrest 43-6.
Doug Buckmaster’s Bulldogs have won 5 of 6 games since beginning the season 1-4 in the always-tough Central Ozark Conference.
Carl Junction senior quarterback Alex Baker has passed for 2,608 yards with 26 touchdowns. Leading receivers for the Bulldogs are Cole Stewart (955 yards), Noah Southern (769 yards) and Drew Patterson (559 yards). Senior Brady Sims has rushed for a team-high 1,087 yards.
Defensive leaders for the Bulldogs are Southern (141 tackles), Hunter Row (89 tackles) and Jaycob Colgin (77 tackles).
West Plains quarterback Dagen Kenslow has passed for 1,117 yards. Leading receivers for the Zizzers are Titus Seley (406 yards) and Heston Miller (350 yards). A senior, Seley has rushed for 1,743 yards and 22 touchdowns. Defensive leaders for West Plains are Connor Lair (105 tackles) and Seley (102 tackles).
HOW TO WATCH: https://www.mshsaa.tv/
GAME OF THE YEAR: Webb City set for showdown with rival Carthage
The showdown local prep football fans have been waiting for is finally here.
Longtime rivals Webb City (9-1) and Carthage (9-0) will meet with the season on the line in Friday’s Class 5 District 6 championship game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at David Haffner Stadium in Carthage.
“Playing for a district championship is always a goal,” Webb City coach John Roderique said. “And now we have an opportunity to play for a district championship. It’s an opportunity to advance in the playoffs. And there’s only one team that ends the season on a win.”
These two programs have been meeting for more than 100 years now. And this is the first time they’re getting together with both teams being defending state champions.
Webb City won last year’s Class 4 state championship, while Carthage is the defending Class 5 champ.
“I’m really proud of both programs for where we finished last year,” Roderique said earlier this season. “It’s awesome to experience that with two schools this close. But this year is a new season for both teams.”
Second-seeded Webb City advanced with last Friday’s lopsided 48-13 win over Ozark, while top-seeded Carthage held off Branson 55-35.
Friday’s winner advances to the quarterfinals on Nov. 20 against the Lebanon-Glendale winner, while the team that falls short on Friday will see the 2020 season come to an abrupt end.
The two schools did not meet during the regular season, as the Week 4 game was canceled because the Tigers had a large number of players in quarantine.
Carthage has won 18 straight games entering Friday. The last team to beat the Tigers? Webb City. The Cardinals defeated the Tigers 32-7 in Week 5 of the 2019 season.
Webb City has won three straight against Carthage since the Tigers knocked off the Cardinals in 2016.
Webb City is averaging 41.5 points per game, while allowing 14.1 points. Carthage is scoring 40.8 points per game and allowing 17.1 on defense.
“They’re extremely talented and they have a lot of experienced guys,” Roderique said of Carthage. “They’re tough to defend. The backfield with (Patrick) Carlton and (Luke) Gall, those guys are extremely good. They’ve got speed with the power reads and the jet sweeps. They’ve got some guys they can throw it down the field to. Patrick is a quality player who has been playing a long time. They have more dimensions. They can hurt you in a lot of different ways.”
Roderique noted the keys to this one are simple.
“Turnovers and field position are always going to be a factor,” Roderique said. “And the game is usually decided on who plays the best up front.”
THE CARDINALS
Webb City is averaging 330 rushing yards and 67 passing yards per game.
Senior Devrin Weathers has recorded 1,326 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns. A Kansas State recruit, Weathers is averaging 133 rushing yards per game.
Junior Dupree Jackson has racked up 638 rushing yards and eight scores. Senior quarterback Cole Gayman has rushed for 507 yards and eight touchdowns. Gayman has passed for 628 yards on 34 completions. Leading receivers are Gary Clinton (197 yards), Cohl Vaden (179 yards) and Mekhi Garrard (116 yards).
Defensive leaders for the Cardinals are Treghan Parker (78 tackles, three interceptions), Matt McDaniel (62 tackles, four sacks) and Brayden Hollingsworth (54 tackles, three sacks).
MORE ON THE TIGERS
Click here to read Lucas Davis’ story on Carthage:
TICKETS
Many are calling this week’s Webb City-Carthage rivalry clash the game of the week in the state of Missouri. With that, a large crowd is expected for the game. There are no capacity limits.
Carthage athletics director Mark Holderbaum said tickets to the game are not being pre-sold and must be purchased before the game at the gate.
Gates will open to the public at 6. Admission is $5 for ages six and up. No credit cards or checks will be accepted, cash only.
HOW TO LISTEN
If you don’t want to attend the game in person, you have two options on the radio.
https://www.kneo.org/sports.html
or
https://boxcast.tv/channel/j3s1xvixjxtgxliszrlf
HOW TO WATCH
The price to stream is $10.
FOOTBALL: Carthage excited for clash with Webb City in district finals
Speaking with Carthage coach Jon Guidie leading up to his team’s playoff matchup with Branson, he was aware of the possibility the Tigers might come out a little rusty after earning a first-round bye in the district playoffs.
Though the final score may not show it, the Tigers and Pirates were in a dogfight before Carthage pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 55-35 win. The Tigers had a pair of turnovers in the first half, which eventually turned into two touchdowns for the Pirates, but held a 28-21 lead by the intermission. After both teams traded a pair of touchdowns in the third, Carthage scored 13 unanswered in the final frame to seal the win.
“I didn’t think we played as well as we could have, or should have, and if you ask the kids, I think they will tell you the same,” Guidie said. “You go back and watch the film, and we just made way too many mistakes. A lot of it was effort and mental mistakes, things that I think we can fix.
“That is what has been frustrating, but also pleasing. We’ve had to overcome some things. You are frustrated because we are making those mistakes, turning the ball over early on, and then we would come out, put it together and overcome those things. This late in the season, we don’t want to be making those same mistakes.
“I think the kids, for the most part, understand why it is frustrating to coaches when we put a game plan together, practice it all week and then don’t go out and execute it as well as we want. Every team, starting now, is going to be better than the last one we faced. So, you can’t be making those same mistakes. We’ve been happy to overcome them, but it’s going to get tougher and tougher.”
Carthage quarterback Patrick Carlton led the way with six total touchdowns in the win. He was 8-for-9 passing for 155 yards and three scores, while carrying the ball a team-high 20 times for 101 yards and three more touchdowns. Running back Luke Gall added 16 carries for 135 yards, a touchdown and a fumble, while WR Justin Sneed caught two passes for 57 yards and two touchdowns. Rylee Baker added two receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown.
While the team may not have been satisfied with its performance in the playoff opener against Branson, in the end, Carthage did earn the win in somewhat convincing fashion to advance to the district finals.
“In the second half, we made a couple of adjustments offensively and hit a quick one, had a pick and scored again,” Guidie said. “Those two really quick ones felt like it swung the momentum in our favor, but we didn’t keep it. It felt like we lost it there again in the second half. We just couldn’t get out of our own way. We just kept plugging along offensively and kept that lead. Fortunately, it was enough.”
In the Class 5 District 6 finals, it is a matchup much of the area couldn’t wait to see in the regular season—the reigning Class 4 state champion Webb City Cardinals taking on the reigning Class 5 state champion Tigers. Unfortunately, COVID protocols prevented it from happening, as Carthage was forced to pull out of its Week 4 matchup with 25 players forced into quarantine.
“It was tough on everyone—the kids, the coaches and the community,” Guidie said. “To have those kids quarantined, and not being able to practice all week, it was tough on all of us.
“Certainly, with the players, that is a huge game for them. They wanted to go out and compete. Missing that opportunity, especially for the seniors, it was tough on them. But, here we are, we’ve stayed the course and now we get that opportunity.”
As previously stated, this is no ordinary district finals matchup. Aside from both teams being reigning state champions, Carthage (9-0) and Webb City (9-1) are also the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in Class 5, according to the Missouri Media football rankings. The production has not dipped from either team in its quest to repeat as state champions.
“Just basing it on this year alone, this feels like two heavyweights going to battle,” Guidie said. “(Webb City) is really impressive again this year. You can see their improvement from Week 1 to now. They are very athletic, fast and physical, and they are playing at a really high level. I think we are, too. I think we have made strides since the start, and we have had to deal with injuries and overcoming those types of things, and I think it has made us better. We have become more cohesive as a unit, allowing us to rely on each other in those tough times.”
Webb City is coming into the game averaging 41.5 points per game on offense, while allowing 14.1 points of defense. Carthage is scoring 40.8 points per game, allowing 17.1 on defense.
“You have to be disciplined against them,” Guidie said of the team’s keys on defense. “I think that is where you get in trouble. If you are not disciplined with your eyes and with your fits, that’s when they take advantage of you. That’s what we addressed every day in the practice this week.”
“They have been really good,” Guidie said about his offensive line and their importance to the offense. “They are playing at a really high level. It seems like every week, we always go back and put it on our offensive linemen, ‘If you guys can go out and have a great game, we have a chance.’ Those guys accept it every week and know how important they are. I would put our tight ends in that conversation as well.”
Of course, the biggest difference between the matchup scheduled for Week 4 and the district finals is the location. Week 4 was scheduled to be played in Webb City, while this week will be played at David Haffner Stadium.
“We are very excited and very much looking forward to it,” Guide said. “We hope we can perform well for our community. It is going to be a huge atmosphere. There is going to be a huge crowd, and hopefully it will be a good football game.”
Boys swimming: Joplin Eagles, area athletes set for new-look state championships
The Joplin-area will once again be well-represented at the MSHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving Championships.
The Joplin Eagles will compete at the Class 2 event on Friday at the St. Peters Rec-Plex, while other local schools are entered in Saturday’s Class 1 meet.
Joplin is sending six athletes to state.
The Eagles’ 200-yard freestyle relay team of Ben Wardlow, Zane Reavley, Zane Newman and Jacob Glenn earned a trip to state by swimming a qualifying time during the regular season.
Wardlow and Reavley are seniors, while Newman and Glenn are sophomores. Seniors Kohl Cooper and Jonah Hensley are the relay’s alternates.
“It’s a good group,” Joplin coach Ali Stauffer said. “It’s pretty much the same group that went last year. Four of them have been there before, so they know what to expect.”
Wardlow also qualified in two individual events—the 50-yard freestyle and the 100 free. Wardlow is seeded 24th in the 50 and 20th in the 100. The relay is seeded 21st.
The Eagles are no strangers to the state meet.
Wardlow, Reavley and Newman swam legs on Joplin’s 200 freestyle relay team that earned all-state recognition by placing eighth at last year’s meet.
Also, Reavley, Wardlow and Glenn swam on Joplin’s 200 medley relay team that finished 16th at state last year, earning honorable mention all-state honors.
Wardlow is a repeat qualifier in the 50 and 100 freestyle. In 2019, he placed 16th in the 100 and 24th in the 50.
A one-day meet is a change from the past, as each class previously competed over two days, with prelims one day and finals the next.
The qualifying requirements also changed this fall, as each meet has been reduced to a one-day affair with timed finals only. In previous years, the top 32 swimmers in each event qualified. This year, only the top 24 advanced.
No spectators are being allowed at this year’s event due to the pandemic, but MSHSAA will broadcast the event on its website for a fee.
“It’s going to be a lot different this year because of COVID, but at least they’re having a state meet,” said Stauffer, who is assisted by Aaron Stump. “I’m just glad we were able to have a full season. None of my guys came down with anything this season, so that was great. I’m just really glad my seniors are getting to go back to state. The boys are ready to go. I know they’re excited.”
AREA ATHLETES QUALIFY IN CLASS 1
Webb City, Carthage, Nevada and Monett all have athletes competing in the Class 1 event.
Webb City’s Micah Brouwer, Carson Forcum and Logan Thibault all advanced with their respective qualifying performances during the season.
Just a freshman, Brouwer will compete in the 100-yard breaststroke, where he’s seeded 22nd.
Forcum and Thibault will compete in the 1-meter diving competition. Forcum is a junior who is making a return trip to state, while Thibault is a sophomore.
Webb City coach Shawn Klosterman noted all of his relay teams would have advanced to state if the field hadn’t been reduced from 32 qualifiers down to 24.
Carthage junior Ezekiel Ramirez advanced in the both the 100 freestyle and the 200 free. He’s seeded 23rd in the 200 and 24th in the 100.
The Tigers also would have had relay teams at state if the number of qualifiers had not been reduced, Tigers coach Braden McBride confirmed.
Led by defending state champion Ben Hines, Nevada is taking seven athletes to state.
Hines and Tretin Raney are seniors, while Braylin Brooks and Jeremiah Hoss are juniors. Karter Evans and Daylan Hearth are sophomores, while Cody Leung is a freshman.
Hines is the defending champion in both the 50 free and 100 free. Hines is the top seed in the 50 free and is seeded second in the 100 butterfly.
Monett will be represented by senior Noah Holmes, juniors Jackson Dearing, Andrew Dixon, Turner Goodson, Andrew Kranz and Isaac Lindsey, sophomore Matthew Fillinger and freshman Ryan Goodson.
MORE INFO:
https://www.mshsaa.org/cmspages/BSWChampInfoCentral.aspx
JOPLIN-AREA COLLEGE SIGNINGS
The following players have signed letters of intent on to continue their athletic and academic careers:
—Webb City’s Cole Gayman and Treghan Parker both signed to play baseball at Missouri Southern.
—Carthage’s Kaden Kralicek signed to play baseball at Pittsburg State.
—College Heights Christian’s Grace Bishop signed to play soccer at John Brown University.
—Carl Junction’s Salma Lewis signed to play volleyball at Drury.
—Carl Junction’s Jillian Kennedy signed to play volleyball at Missouri Southern.
—Neosho’s Cayden Auch signed to wrestle at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.
—Neosho volleyball player Abby Jarvis inked with Cottey College.
—McDonald County’s Lily Allman signed to play golf at Missouri Southern.
—Carthage’s Katie Crowe signed to play softball at Labette Community College.
—Mount Vernon’s Lacy Stokes signed to play basketball at Missouri Southern.
—Nevada’s Abby Harder signed to play softball at William Jewell.
—Cassville’s Jordyn Stafford signed with Missouri Southern for track and field.
SOCCER: Neosho’s season ends in the quarterfinals after loss to Glendale
NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho soccer saw its impressive season come to an end in the quarterfinal round of the Class 3 playoffs following a 3-1 loss to Glendale on Tuesday at Bob Anderson Stadium.
“We played hard, which I knew we would,” Neosho coach James Carter said. “I really thought we played well, and I thought we played our style until the very end. If you are going to go out in the last game of the year, that’s the way you want to go out—attacking and possessing, that sort of stuff. If you were just going to sum it up, they scored on the couple chances they got and we didn’t. That is just kind of what the game came down to today.”
Neosho closes the season with a 19-2 record, earning a district title and sectional win in the process.
“It really was domination from beginning to end, and we played a lot of games and a lot of good teams,” Carter said. “It’s important to play well in the playoffs and get hot in the playoffs and be playing your best soccer, but if you look back at a regular season like that, to be that good consistently every day is incredibly hard to do. Props to them because they showed up every day against teams we should beat and teams we shouldn’t beat — all that stuff — and played some great soccer. It was a great season to look back on.”
Both teams were feeling each other out throughout the first half before Glendale was awarded a free kick just outside the 18-yard box after nearly 30 minutes of scoreless action. Andrei Balanean converted the free kick into a goal in the 27th minute to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead, the margin at the intermission.
“I think it took us some time to settle in,” Carter said. “What we found in the last 10 minutes is that when we were attacking, we were the most comfortable and they were the most uncomfortable.”
Glendale took advantage of a miscue on the defensive end by Neosho near the 18-yard box, which resulted in a goal from Haiden Casper to put the Falcons up 2-0 in the 53rd minute of action.
“That was tough,” Carter said. “I didn’t feel like they had a ton of chances in the second half. The ones they got, they made them count. We had a lot of possession in our half and final third, and just couldn’t get one in until late. That was the theme of the day for us.”
The final goal from Glendale came from Charlie Raridon from in close during the 66th minute.
Neosho got on the board with 33 seconds of time left on the clock when Trey Darcy found the back of the net.
SAYING GOODBYE
The Wildcats graduate 11 seniors—Kayden Wood, Trey Darcy, Vance Montgomery, Carlos Hernandez, Alberto Robledo, Walker Stipp, Diego Vargas, Brandon McIlvaine, Melvin Lopez as well as Freddie Oxlaj and Jayzee Rubio.
“It’s hard to put it into words,” Carter said. “What I told them, I think this program is really in debt to that senior class. It’s probably a debt we’ll never be able to repay. They just gave us so much—four straight district championships, sectional wins, quarterfinal wins and a trip to the state playoffs. They really set the standard. … I told them I know this is a tough loss, but when you look back at the regular season we put together, it’s one for the record books. We are really proud of that.”
Basketball: PSU women picked fourth in preseason coaches poll
The Pittsburg State University women’s basketball team was picked fourth in the 2020-21 Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) preseason coaches poll that was released on Tuesday as part of the MIAA’s Virtual Media Day.
“We are getting geared up like everybody else,” Pittsburg State coach Amanda Davied said. “We have quite a few returners who are really excited about this upcoming season. We have some newcomers and we have a good balance between our two groups. We’re like everybody else, we’re going through the COVID situation and we’re trying to remain optimistic.”
Pittsburg State received 140 points in the poll. Emporia State University received 153 points to earn the top spot. Nebraska-Kearney was picked second with 146 points, while Central Missouri had 143 points to land third.
The Gorillas return three starters and seven letterwinners from a 2019-20 squad that went 17-11 overall record while going 13-6 in the MIAA.
Junior guard Tristan Gegg led the MIAA in scoring a year ago (17.9 ppg), earning third-team All-MIAA honors. Junior guard Kaylee DaMitz, a first-team All-MIAA pick, averaged 13.8 points and an MIAA leading 5.5 assists per game. Senior guard Maya Williams of Carthage contributed 11.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game a year ago.
“The veterans have done an outstanding job of being leaders,” Davied said. “Our newcomers have great followership. It’s been a great balance. I’m really excited about their competitive nature. We’re just really excited about the upcoming season.”
Davied returns for her third season leading her alma mater. Davied has a 38-22 record directing the Pitt State program.
2020-21 MIAA Coaches Poll
- Emporia State (4) 153
- Nebraska-Kearney (6) 146
- Central Missouri (3) 143
- Pittsburg State 140
- Fort Hays State (1) 125
- Missouri Western 109
- Central Oklahoma 104
- Washburn 79
- Northwest Missouri 76
- Missouri Southern 65
- Newman 55
- Northeastern State 37
- Rogers State 28
- Lincoln 14
Basketball: PSU men picked seventh in MIAA preseason poll
The Pittsburg State University men’s basketball team was picked in a tie for seventh place in the 2020-21 Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) preseason coaches poll that was released on Tuesday as part of the MIAA’s Virtual Media Day.
“Obviously, as every coach is right now, we’re excited about the season,” Pittsburg State coach Kim Anderson said at Tuesday’s virtual press conference. “We’re also optimistic about the season. We have nine new players and seven returning players. We’re looking forward to the season. I think the league is going to be great as always. Every night when you go out to play you have to be ready.”
Pittsburg State received 75 points in the poll to finish tied for seventh with Fort Hays State. Northwest Missouri, the defending MIAA champion, was the unanimous No. 1 in the poll with 13 first-place votes and 169 points. Missouri Southern received one-first place vote and 147 points to land at No. 2. Washburn (140), Rogers State (123) and Missouri Western (122) rounded out the top five spots.
The Gorillas posted a 12-18 overall record in 2019-20, with a 7-12 mark in the MIAA.
Anderson has three players back who started 10 or more games in 2019-20—senior guard Dejon Waters Jr. (8.9 ppg), senior forward Antonio Givens II (8.2 ppg) and senior forward Xavier Womack (4.9 ppg).
Two other players—junior guard Ray Elliott (6.7 ppg) and redshirt sophomore guard R.J. Lawrence (9.3 ppg)—started five games apiece a year ago.
Anderson is set to begin his fourth year as the Gorillas head coach. He has a 46-44 mark leading the Pitt State program and a 347-206 career record.
“The game was taken away from these ladies and these guys over the past seven, eight, nine months,” Anderson said. “Our guys are excited to play.”
2020-21 MIAA Coaches Poll
- Northwest Missouri (13) 169
- Missouri Southern (1) 147
- Washburn 140
- Rogers State 123
- Missouri Western 122
- Central Oklahoma 106
7t. Fort Hays State 75
7t. Pittsburg State 75
- Lincoln 67
- Nebraska-Kearney 64
- Central Missouri 60
- Emporia State 56
- Northeastern State 55
- Newman 17
Basketball: MSSU women picked 10th in preseason poll
The Missouri Southern women’s basketball team was picked to finish 10th in the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) preseason coaches poll that was released on Tuesday as part of the MIAA’s Virtual Media Day.
The Lions finished 10-18 overall last season and 7-12 in the MIAA, as they secured a berth into the postseason tournament last March.
“We’re just excited to get started,” Lions coach Ronnie Ressel said during Tuesday’s virtual press conference. “We get to play in a week and a half. It’s 22 games that we get to play this year. Probably back in August we didn’t think we’d get this opportunity. Of course, it’s the MIAA. So every game is going to be a battle and a challenge. But we’re just extremely excited to get the opportunity.”
Southern has eight players back from last year’s team, with six having starting experience.
Leading the charge will be 6-foot-3 senior center Zoe Campbell, who finished the season with a conference-best 62 blocks and was third on the team in scoring (8.8 ppg).
Fellow seniors Brooke Stauffer and Megan Jackson will help guide the Lions through an all-MIAA schedule. Juniors Layne Skiles and Kaiulani Jones and sophomores Emily Kuntze and Madi Stokes add depth.
Junior Amaya Johns is a transfer from Frank Phillips College and senior Carley Turnbull transferred from Monmouth College.
Freshmen on the roster are Kaitlin Hunnicutt, Hailey Grant, Anna Hall and Biance Stocks.
“Our returning kids, they understand the MIAA,” Ressel said. “We’re excited about our transfers and four freshmen. They’ve worked extremely hard in our preseason and I think they’ve done a really good job of buying in and competing everyday.”
Emporia State topped the coaches poll with four first-place votes. Nebraska-Kearney followed up in second with the most first-place votes being selected with six, while defending regular season and MIAA tournament champions Central Missouri slotted in third with three first-place votes. Pittsburg State and Fort Hays State rounded out the top five with the Tigers picking up a first-place vote.
The Lions will head to Edmond, Oklahoma to open up the 2020-21 season with Central Oklahoma on Nov. 19 at 5:30.
“Getting off to a good start will be important,” Ressel said. “In our league, there’s no easy games. So it will be extremely important to get off to a good start. With everything going on with COVID and everything else, I think it will be a battle to see who can stay the healthiest. I think a team that has some depth can have a lot of success this year because you don’t know from week to week what you’re going to have. It’s going to be important that every kid is prepared and ready to play.”
2020-2021 MIAA Women’s Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll
- Emporia State (4) – 153 points
- Nebraska Kearney (6) – 146 points
- Central Missouri (3) – 143 points
- Pittsburg State – 140 points
- Fort Hays State (1) – 125 points
- Missouri Western – 109 points
- Central Oklahoma – 104 points
- Washburn – 79 points
- Northwest Missouri – 76 points
- Missouri Southern – 65 points
- Newman – 55 points
- Northeastern State – 37 points
- Rogers State – 28 points
- Lincoln – 14 points
Basketball: Missouri Southern men picked second in MIAA preseason coaches poll
The Missouri Southern State University men’s basketball team was picked to finish second in the 2020-21 Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) preseason coaches poll that was released on Tuesday as part of the MIAA’s Virtual Media Day.
Missouri Southern went 23-8 overall and finished third in the MIAA regular season standings last year, falling 78-76 to Northwest Missouri in the MIAA Tournament’s championship game.
The Lions had qualified for the NCAA Tournament before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s safe to say the Lions are ready to make up for lost time.
“We’re just excited to play,” Lions coach Jeff Boschee said during Tuesday’s virtual press conference. “All of our guys have been through a lot, from getting their season cut short last year and then dealing with the uncertainty of what was going to happen this season. Not being able to start practice for a month and not being able to use our gym…the guys are just ready to play. We don’t care where we play. Whether we’re home or away, we’re going to have fun with it and treat everything as a challenge and go get it. I’m interested to see how we do against other guys.”
Northwest Missouri was picked first in the poll with 169 points and 13 first-place votes. The Lions were second with 147 points and one first-place vote, followed by Washburn at No. 3, Rogers State at No. 4 and Missouri Western at No. 5. Central Oklahoma was sixth, followed by Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State at seventh. Lincoln, Nebraska-Kearney, Central Missouri, Emporia State, Northeastern State and Newman round out the coaches poll.
The Lions return five players from last year’s team. Leading the way is All-MIAA, All-Region and All-American Cam Martin.
A 6-foot-9 senior forward, Martin was a finalist for the Bevo Francis Small College Basketball Player of the Year Award after averaging 24.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, while shooting 58 percent from the field and 81 percent from the free throw line.
He set the MSSU single-game scoring record with 54 points at Missouri Western and became the only player in Lions’ history to score 700 or more points in a season twice.
“His play speaks for itself,” Boschee said. “He’s going to score. He’s going to demand double teams. I think the leadership part of it and the defensive side of things is where he needs to make a bigger jump than where he was last year.
“I think the biggest thing where he needs to improve is on the defensive side,” Boschee added. “He gets tentative defensively because he doesn’t want to pick up cheap fouls. He’s got to better in pick and roll situations. He’s got to be a more vocal leader and hold people accountable on our team, especially with so many new guys.”
Sophomore Winston Dessesow, sophomore Kyle Younge, senior Stan Scott and junior Christian Bundy are MSSU’s other returning players. Martin Macenis and Tyriqe Jackson both practiced with the Lions last season but utilized a redshirt season and have all four years of eligibility remaining.
RJ Smith is a transfer from Sam Houston State that brings size (6-5, 215) to the lineup, as well as experience. A senior, Smith started in all 31 games a season ago for the Bearkats and averaged 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds. Junior Yagizhan Selcuk (6-8) comes to Southern from Division I Montana, where he played in 11 games as a sophomore, averaging 2.5 points and 1.1 rebounds.
Freshmen Keryn Collins, Lawson Jenkins, Jalen Parker and Avery Taggard round out the roster.
Missouri Southern Southern will open up the 2020-21 season with a trip to Central Oklahoma on November 19 at 7:30 p.m. The team’s home opener is set for December 3 at 7:30 p.m. against Northeastern State.
“We’re just excited to be getting close to starting,” Boschee said. “With everything that happened last year, it was tough to stay goodbye to our guys. I’m excited about this group.”
2020-2021 MIAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll
- Northwest Missouri (13) – 169 points
- Missouri Southern (1) – 147 points
- Washburn – 140 points
- Rogers State – 123 points
- Missouri Western – 122 points
- Central Oklahoma – 106 points
T7. Fort Hays State – 75 points
T7. Pittsburg State – 75 points
- Lincoln – 67 points
- Nebraska Kearney – 64 points
- Central Missouri – 60 points
- Emporia State – 56 points
- Northeastern State – 55 points
- Newman – 17 points
Basketball: MIAA preseason coaches polls released
The MIAA basketball preseason coaches polls were released on Tuesday morning as part of the MIAA’s Virtual Media Day.
2020-2021 MIAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (13) – 169 points
2. Missouri Southern (1) – 147 points
3. Washburn – 140 points
4. Rogers State – 123 points
5. Missouri Western – 122 points
6. Central Oklahoma – 106 points
T7. Fort Hays State – 75 points
T7. Pittsburg State – 75 points
9. Lincoln – 67 points
10. Nebraska Kearney – 64 points
11. Central Missouri – 60 points
12. Emporia State – 56 points
13. Northeastern State – 55 points
14. Newman – 17 points
*Coaches Cannot Vote For Their Own Team
2020-2021 MIAA Women’s Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Emporia State (4) – 153 points
2. Nebraska Kearney (6) – 146 points
3. Central Missouri (3) – 143 points
4. Pittsburg State – 140 points
5. Fort Hays State (1) – 125 points
6. Missouri Western – 109 points
7. Central Oklahoma – 104 points
8. Washburn – 79 points
9. Northwest Missouri – 76 points
10. Missouri Southern – 65 points
11. Newman – 55 points
12. Northeastern State – 37 points
13. Rogers State – 28 points
14. Lincoln – 14 points
GRAND FINALE: College Heights’ Bishop ends cross country career on a high note
Grace Bishop described her four-year high school cross country career as a “crazy ride.”
Another way to describe it would be phenomenal.
A senior, Bishop concluded her cross country journey by leading College Heights Christian School to the Class 1 girls state championship on Saturday at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia.
After a fourth-place finish individually, Bishop took her spot on the awards podium twice, first to receive her all-state medal and then a few minutes later to help accept the Cougars’ team championship trophy.
“I’m just so proud of our team and all the hard work we put in this season,” Bishop said Monday. “I’m so glad all of our hard work paid off.”
In her final prep cross country race, Bishop toured the 5-kilometer course in 20 minutes, 48 seconds. In a race featuring 165 runners, Bishop went to the front early and stayed there.
She was in fifth place after the first 1,000 meters. Bishop had moved up to fourth by the 3K mark and remained there the rest of the way.
“I knew I had to go out fast or I might get boxed in,” Bishop said. “My first kilometer was my fastest (3:45). Once I got up ahead, I just tried to increase my lead against the girls that were behind me.”
Bishop said a few minutes after she finished the race, and as she watched her teammates cross the finish line one-by-one, she eventually came to a realization that the Cougars had accomplished their lofty goal of securing a previously elusive state crown.
“It was crazy,” Bishop said. “Joy and gratitude rushed over us. We were all crying. We were just so happy we accomplished our goal. When they handed us the plaque, it was so surreal. It was such a fun experience to have with the team.”
The Cougars were confident a team title was a possibility ahead of the event.
“We had looked at the MoMileSplit virtual meet and they had us ranked third,” Bishop added. “We knew it was possible to win it, but we knew we’d have to run our best.”
Bishop said she and her teammates feel proud they were able to accomplish something that had never been done by a girls cross country team at CHC.
“We’re leaving a legacy,” she said. “When I started my freshman year there were only a few girls on the team. Now we have a full team and one that won a state championship. I hope that encourages more girls to run. I think more people in our school are excited about cross country now, so I’m excited to see what the lasting impact of this championship will be.”
A STANDOUT CAREER
It was a fitting end to a stellar prep career for Bishop, a multi-sport standout.
Although she didn’t give cross country a try until her freshman year of high school, Bishop’s individual accomplishments in the sport are eye-opening.
The daughter of Jill and Brad Bishop ended her prep cross country career as a four-time conference champion, a two-time district champ and a three-time all-state honoree.
“I definitely didn’t think I’d be a good runner,” Bishop said. “And when I came out my freshman year, I never would have thought that we’d win a state championship. I’m so grateful. I’ve learned a lot during these four years about life through running. It’s been a lot of fun, but there’s been a lot of hard work and sacrifice. It’s been a crazy ride the last four years.”
In her last three state appearances, Bishop finished fourth as a senior, 13th in Class 2 as a junior and 22nd in Class 2 as a sophomore.
“I know she says she didn’t realize how good she was going to be, but it’s not surprising to me,” College Heights coach Phillip Jordan said of Bishop’s success. “She’s an extremely hard-working individual. She also has natural ability.”
So what’s been Bishop’s key to success.
“It took a lot of time on my own,” she said. “I ran more on my own before the sun rose this year than I had in the past. Early-morning running, that’s what did it. I play club soccer year-round, so finding the balance of training for soccer and training for cross country was tough.”
Speaking of soccer, Bishop will play that sport at the next level, as she’s committed to continuing her athletic and academic career at John Brown University in Arkansas.
At CHC, Bishop has participated in cross country, basketball, track and field and soccer. She also plays club soccer in Springfield.
In basketball, Bishop is poised to have a big senior year after she earned first team all-district and all-conference honors as a junior and a sophomore.
With a grueling cross country season now behind her, Bishop was asked if she was going to take a couple of nights off before joining the girls basketball team’s preseason practices.
Her answer spoke volumes.
“I’ll be at basketball practice today and then later tonight I’m going to Springfield for soccer practice,” she said. “I’m ready. Days off are not a thing in my life.”
