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Day: October 5, 2021

PREP SOFTBALL: Joplin holds off Glendale in extra innings for 8-7 win

Posted on by Lucas Davis

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Joplin found itself on the positive end of a seesaw battle that ended with the Eagles holding off Glendale for an 8-7 win in non-conference action on Monday.

With the win, the Eagles improved their record to 14-13 on the season. 

Joplin’s Jill McDaniel earned the complete-game win after allowing seven runs on 14 hits, three walks and six strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings. 

Anna Baker took a no-decision after allowing two runs on six hits and seven strikeouts in four innings. Riley King took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits, two walks and two strikeouts in five innings of relief work.

Glendale started the scoring in the bottom of the first with two runs to take the lead before Joplin tied the game up in the fourth on a two-run home run from Madisyn Tracy. 

The Eagles scored twice more in the fifth to take the lead, 4-2, thanks to an RBI single to center from Maria Loum and a run-scoring double to center by Jadyn Pankow.

The Falcons tied the game up with two runs touching home in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run double from Meegan Randall. 

Joplin added two runs in the top of the seventh on back to back RBI singles from Izzy Yust and Abby Lowery to give the Eagles a 6-4 advantage, but Glendale answered again with Karsyn Phillips scoring two with a double in the bottom half to send the game into extras.

After a scoreless eighth, Lowery gave the Eagles the lead for good with a two-out, two-run home run to center field for an 8-6 advantage.

Glendale’s Madison Owrey singled home a run with two outs, with the Falcons moving the tying base runner to third on the play, but the Eagles recorded the final out before the tying run could score.

Yust and Lowery each had three hits to lead the Eagles. Lowery homered and drove in three, while scoring a run and Yust scored once and drove in one. Tracy homered, drove in two and scored a run, while Pankow doubled on the way to two hits, a run scored and an RBI.

Joplin is at Neosho on Tuesday. 

 

PREP SOFTBALL: McDonald County earns run-rule win over Webb City

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

ANDERSON, Mo. — McDonald County locked up the No. 1 seed for the district tournament after earning a 15-0 win over Webb City on Monday in a non-conference softball clash.

The Mustangs recorded their 15 runs on 17 hits and needed just four innings to end the game early due to the run-rule. 

Up 1-0, the Mustangs scored six runs in the third and then added eight more in the fourth.

Eight different players recorded a hit for McDonald County. Jacie Frencken went 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBI, while Mariana Salas drove in three runs on three hits, including a home run.

Nevaeh Dodson, Carlee Cooper, Madeline McCall, Adasyn Leach and Katelynn Townsend all contributed two hits apiece for the Mustangs. Reagan Myrick and Cooper scored three runs apiece.

Dodson was the winning pitcher. She gave up just one hit and one walk while striking out nine.

Laney Taylor took the loss after allowing seven earned runs in three innings. 

Morgan Brannon had Webb City’s lone hit. 

Both teams are in Class 4 District 6 for the postseason. 

The Mustangs are now 18-5, while the Cardinals are 13-10.

In last weekend’s action at the Springfield Tournament, McDonald County beat West Plains 17-2 and lost 10-0 to Lee’s Summit North. At the same event, Webb City beat Park Hill South 5-4. 

Webb City is at Carthage on Tuesday, while McDonald County hosts Monett on Tuesday.

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Carthage outlasts Bentonville in five sets

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Carthage earned a hard-fought 3-2 non-conference prep volleyball victory over Bentonville on Monday.

Carthage defeated Bentonville 25-22, 25-15, 17-25, 15-25, 15-9.

Sydnee Dudolski had 19 kills and 10 digs for the host Tigers, while Mia Camarillo had 12 kills. Grace Pickering and Sophie Shannon had five kills apiece.

Raven Probert was credited with 88 assists, while Olivia Bourgault had 19 digs.

Carthage (14-11-1) hosts Neosho on Tuesday night.

GIRLS TENNIS: Joplin suffers district tourney loss

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

The Joplin High School girls tennis team competed as a group for the final time in 2021 on Monday night. 

Fifth-seeded Raymore-Peculiar defeated fourth-seeded Joplin 5-2 in a quarterfinal matchup of the Class 3 District 6 team tournament at the JHS athletic complex.

Raymore-Peculiar advanced to meet top-seeded Lee’s Summit West on Tuesday, while Joplin’s team season concluded. 

Joplin senior Astrid Cardenas hits a forehand during Monday’s district tournament at the JHS courts. All photos by Israel Perez.

Joplin won the No. 1 doubles match, as Astrid Cardenas and Emma Watts defeated Chantelle Sheldon and Sarah Jenson 8-1.

“Astrid and Emma have been playing really good tennis, especially for the last two weeks particularly,” Joplin coach Jeff Williams said. “They played well again tonight. They led the way for sure.”

At No. 2 doubles, Ray-Pec’s Shannon Finn and Isabella de Leon edged Joplin’s Abry Stayton and Mya Ndedi-Ntepe 8-6.

The visitors also won at No. 3 doubles, as Gabriela Vides and Naomi Ropp defeated Cloey Blank and Brynn Driver 8-5.

“We had some close matches in doubles, but we weren’t able to come out on top in those,” Williams noted. 

In singles action, Cardenas defeated Sheldon 6-3, 6-2.

In other completed singles matches, Raymore-Peculiar’s de Leon defeated Stayton 6-4, 6-3, Jenson beat Ndedi-Ntepe 6-2, 6-4 and Vides topped Blank 6-4, 6-2.

Joplin’s Mya Ndedi-Ntepe lunges to return a volley during Monday’s district tournament at JHS.

The dual ended as soon as Raymore-Peculiar reached five wins, so Watts and Driver did not complete their singles matches. 

Williams noted his team’s seniors will be missed. He added the Eagles improved this fall.

“Cloey Blank played her final match tonight,” Williams said of the senior. “Of course Astrid is also a senior and she’ll play next week at state. But we’ve had good senior leadership this season. I think all of the girls got progressively better throughout the season and I think they had a good time, too. Overall, our team got better as the year progressed and that’s what you want to see.” 

Although the team season is now over for the Eagles, Joplin’s doubles team of Cardenas and Watts will compete at next week’s individual state tournament in Springfield. 

In another district quarterfinal, sixth-seeded Carthage suffered a season-ending 5-0 loss to third-seeded Lee’s Summit. Lee’s Summit advanced to play No. 2 Lee’s Summit North in the other semifinal. 

 

Joplin’s Abry Stayton hits a forehand during her singles match against Raymore-Peculiar on Monday. All photos by Israel Perez.

 

Emma Watts serves during doubles play on Monday against Raymore-Peculiar. Watts and Astrid Cardenas won their doubles match 8-1.

 

Joplin’s Brynn Driver hits a backhand during Monday’s district tournament matchup against Raymore-Peculiar.

 

Joplin senior Cloey Blank returns a serve during her singles match against Raymore-Peculiar on Monday night at the JHS court.

 

Joplin’s Abry Stayton is pictured during Monday’s district tournament.

GIRLS TENNIS: Carl Junction trio advance to state tourney

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

Three players from Carl Junction High School have earned a spot at the state girls tennis tournament. 

The Carl Junction duo of Jenna Besperat and Nicole Sherwood finished first in the doubles bracket at the Class 2 District 6 tournament on Monday, securing a berth to next week’s state tourney in Springfield. 

The Bulldogs defeated Willard’s Kaytlyn Ibarra and Kristen Flynn  6-4, 6-3 in the championship match. The Tigers also qualified for state as the runner-up.

Carl Junction’s Naiyah Wurdeman also earned a state berth by finishing second in the singles bracket. Willard’s Alice Go was the district champion in singles, as she defeated Wurdeman 6-3, 6-2 in the title match. 

The Class 2 state singles and doubles tournament begins on Oct. 14 in Springfield.

 

NEOSHO DOUBLES TEAMS FALL

Neosho’s doubles teams suffered first-round losses at the Class 2 District 6 tournament on Monday.

Neosho’s Jasmine Martinez and Georgia Housh suffered a 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 loss to Johnson and Perez of Parkview.

Neosho’s Lyndsey Doke and Alex Olsbo lost to Webb City’s Kinzlea Smith and Walker Hoffman 6-1, 6-0.

The Wildcats did not have an entrant in singles. 

 

DISTRICT TEAM TOURNAMENT IS TUESDAY

The Class 2 District 6 district team tournament begins at 4:30 on Tuesday. 

No. 5 Neosho is at No. 4 Parkview, while No. 3 Webb City hosts No. 6 Hillcrest at the Joplin Athletic Complex. 

The Neosho-Parkview winner meets No. 1 Willard on Wednesday, while No. 2 Carl Junction awaits either Webb City or Hillcrest.

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Thomas Jefferson falls short at Jasper

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

Jasper defeated Thomas Jefferson 3-1 on Monday in a prep volleyball clash.

The Eagles defeated the Cavaliers 21-25, 25-12, 25-15, 25-21.

Lannah Grigg led the Cavaliers with seven kills, six blocks and three aces, while Alexis Stamps had seven kills.

Nico Carlson added three kills and four blocks.

Mayson Solum handed out 12 assists.

Thomas Jefferson (10-12-3) hosts Verona on Thursday. Jasper (18-8-2) hosts Drexel on Tuesday. 

PREP SOFTBALL: Early offense leads Carthage past Monett

Posted on by Lucas Davis

MONETT, Mo. — Carthage scored four runs in the first inning and eight in the first three frames on the way to a 9-1 win over Monett on Monday.

After crossing home four times in the first inning, the Tigers scored a single tally in the second and added three more runs in the third inning. Carthage wrapped its scoring with a run in the top of the sixth.

Jensyn Elder earned the complete-game win in the circle after allowing one unearned run on two hits, two walks and seven strikeouts in seven innings.

Kendra Parsons took the loss after allowing nine runs, eight earned, on 10 hits and seven walks in seven innings.

Mary Grace Richmond and Kate Potter each singled to start the game for the Tigers before Landry Cochran and Presley Probert followed with back to back RBI singles to push the lead to 2-0. Cochran scored on an error later in the inning and Natalie Rodriguez brought home the final run on an RBI groundout. 

Probert singled to right to bring home a run in the top of the second, while Richmond singled home a run in the top of the third. Cochran brought home a run on a fielder’s choice and later scored on a wild pitch to push the lead to 7-1.

Probert reached on an error to start the sixth and came around to score later in the inning on a passed ball.

Richmond (two runs and an RBI), Potter (one run scored) and Probert (two RBI and two runs scored) each had two hits in the win for Carthage. Cochran had a base hit, an RBI and scored a team-high three runs. 

 

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Joplin rallies for 3-1 win over McDonald County

Posted on by Lucas Davis

ANDERSON, Mo. — After dropping the opening set, Joplin rallied back to earn a 3-1 win over McDonald County on Monday.

The Mustangs started off with the momentum after winning the first game 25-20. The Eagles turned their fortunes around quickly after winning the final three sets 25-20, 25-14 and 25-14 to seal the victory.

Angelina Schramm led Joplin with 20 kills and five digs, while Abby Edwards had 11 kills, and six digs. Emma Floyd had eight kills and Allie Lawrence finished with six kills and four aces. Kaya Cooper had 23 assists, while Abby Hembree finished with 20 assists. Paisley Parker had 22 digs.

Megan Elwood had 11 kills and 17 digs to lead McDonald County. Samara Smith had 10 kills and Kloe Myers finished with seven. Abby Wiseman finished with 33 assists, while Kirklyn Kasischke had 18 digs.

Joplin is at Ozark on Tuesday.

GIRLS TENNIS: Thomas Jefferson tops Nevada in district semifinals

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

The Thomas Jefferson Cavaliers earned a 5-1 win over Nevada on Monday in a semifinal contest of the Class 1 District 12 girls tennis tournament. 

The Cavaliers won two of three doubles matches.

Thomas Jefferson’s Allison Ding and Jeanna Jeyaraj defeated Laura Kimmell and Halley Elkington 8-1.

Nevada’s Susannah Kimmell and Abbigale Baldwin defeated Kyla Ryan and Emalee Ro 8-4, but TJ’s Jessica Joseph and Warda Morsy edged Kourtnee Vestal and Kallie Erwin 9-8 (7-0 tie-breaker).

The matchup ended when the Cavaliers earned three wins in singles play.

Ding defeated Laura Kimmell 6-0, 6-0, Jeyaraj beat Elkington 6-1, 6-1 and Yang topped Susannah Kimmell 6-4, 6-2.

The Cavaliers will host College Heights at 3:30 on Wednesday in the district championship match. 

College Heights defeated Lamar 5-4

 

 

GIRLS GOLF: Carthage’s Bryant wins COC title; Joplin takes third as team

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Carthage senior Hailey Bryant capped her regular season finale as a Tiger in the best way possible—winning the Central Ozark Conference title with a first-place score of 42-41—83 at Schifferdecker Golf Course on Monday.

Carthage senior Hailey Bryant won the Central Ozark Conference golf tournament with an 83 on Monday at Schifferdecker Golf Course. Contributed Photo.

“It was super exciting,” Bryant said. “But, honestly, I didn’t have the best round today. It actually felt like the worst round I’ve had all season. But, I have really been looking forward to playing in this year’s conference tournament after taking second place the last two years, and those both kind of stung a little bit. So this year, I was really looking forward to it. 

“I have been working on a lot of different things … I think it was a rough day for most of the girls. I was just happy I could make some things work and scramble to get a win today.”

Despite taking the top spot, Bryant—who finished eighth in the state tournament a year ago—felt like she didn’t even play her best golf in the COC match. That bodes well for her confidence as she heads into the postseason with eyes on a Class 3 state title. 

“Golf is so confusing,” Bryant said. “You can have a day where you put up one of your worst scores so far and still win. Today has helped me with my perspective a little bit.”

”I am very excited,” Bryant said with a smile when asked about her excitement for her final run at a state title. “Since my freshman year, I have been building up for this. I am very excited that it is so close. I am a little bittersweet because it’s my senior year … but I am very excited to see what I can do.”

In terms of the team showings, Willard took first place with a score of 400, while Nixa finished in second at 408. Joplin rounded out the top three with a score of 410.

Joplin had three golfers in the top 15, led by Lindsey Belnap’s 48-47—95 to finish in fifth and earn all-COC honors.

“Honestly, I am just excited for them,” Joplin coach Shannon Neill said. “They all played well today. Lindsey Belnap, our junior, shined today. Her game is really coming on. Today, she hit fairways. Her driver was really good, and she got up and down when she needed to. She also played smart around the greens. … We are excited because we are close. Looking at those scores, Willard with a 400, we are getting there.”

Carthage (412) took fourth and Webb City (417) placed fifth, while Branson (423), Carl Junction (458) and Ozark (467) rounded out the team scores.

ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS

Also earning all-conference honors were Nixa’s Mia Farrar, who took second overall with an 85, Ozark’s Maddie Greenlee (third; 86), Webb City’s Laya McAllister (fourth; 43-46—89), Belnap, Republic’s Izzy Benson (sixth; 96), Branson’s Maci Rogers (seventh; 97), Willard’s Madi Mills (eighth; 98) and Aubrey Foster (ninth; 99) and Webb City’s Sophia Coulson (10th; 47-53—100).

OTHER AREA SCORES

Joplin’s Kenna Haley finished just outside the top 10 after tying Willard’s Kylee Hopper with a 103. Sophia Schwartz carded a 105 to finish in 15th place for Joplin. Drew Yockey finished in a tie for 21st with a 109.

“We talk about peaking at the right time,” Neill said. “I think that is showing right now. … Our goal this season has always been to stay positive and show growth and improvement. Going into districts, I think they are ready for that. Hopefully, we will get a few girls to state.” 

Carthage’s Shay Gaddis scored a 108 to finish in a tie for 19th with fellow Tiger Ava Lacey (108). Caitlin Derryberry finished out with a 113 to place in a tie for 26th. 

Webb City’s Sydney French shot a 109 to tie for 21st, while Jacie Crouch carded a 119 to tie for 33rd.

Alex Teeter shot a 114 to close in a tie for 28th with Anna Burch (114) for Carl Junction, with Chloe Mitchell tying Rylee Sprague for 30th after both shot a 115.

UP NEXT

Area teams will compete at their respective district tournaments the week of Oct. 11.

 

PREP FOOTBALL: Latest Missouri Media rankings released

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

The Missouri Media high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, have been released following Week 6 of the 2021 season.

Joplin is ranked third in Class 6, while Carthage is second in Class 5. Webb City is ranked fourth in Class 5.

In Class 4, Nevada is ranked ninth, while McDonald County is now receiving votes. Aurora is receiving votes in Class 3. Lamar remains on top of the Class 2 poll. 

Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King, The Daily Journal; Jason Peake, SOMOSports.com; Brian Rosener, Poplar Bluff Daily American Republic.

 

MISSOURI MEDIA RANKINGS

First-place votes in parentheses.

CLASS 6

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

     T1. CBC (4), 5-1, 94, 1 

      T1. Liberty North (5), 4-1, 94, 2 

  1. Joplin (1), 6-0, 78, 3
  2. Lee’s Summit North, 6-0, 67, 4 
  3. DeSmet, 4-2, 63, 5
  4. Nixa, 5-1, 43, 7 
  5. Hazelwood Central, 6-0, 32, 8
  6. Park Hill South, 6-0, 30, 9
  7. Francis Howell, 5-1, 29, 6
  8. Raymore-Peculiar, 4-2, 14, 10 

Also receiving votes: Kirkwood (5-1), 5; Liberty (4-2), 1

CLASS 5

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

  1. Jackson (10), 6-0, 100, 1
  2. Carthage, 6-0, 88, 2  
  3. Holt, 6-0, 82, 3 
  4. Webb City, 4-2, 61, 4
  5. Lebanon, 6-0, 57, 6 
  6. Raytown, 3-1, 56, 5
  7. Platte County, 4-2, 30, T8 
  8. Jefferson City Helias, 5-1, 28, T8 
  9. Fort Osage, 5-1, 22, 7
  10. Rockwood Summit, 6-0, 13, NR  

Dropped out: No. 10 Ladue

Also receiving votes: Ladue (5-1), 12; Glendale (4-1), 1

CLASS 4

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

  1. Smithville (9), 6-0, 99, 1
  2. MICDS (1), 6-0, 90, 3  
  3. Hannibal, 6-0, 80, 4
  4. West Plains, 5-1, 68, 2
  5. Union, 6-0, 60, 5
  6. Lincoln College Prep, 6-0, 49, 6

     T7. McCluer, 5-1, 31, 7

     T7. Vashon, 6-0, 31, 8

  1. Nevada, 5-1, 25, 10  
  2. Hillsboro, 5-1, 9, NR

Dropped out: No. 9 Warrensburg

Also receiving votes: McDonald County (5-1), 4; St. Dominic (3-3), 4

CLASS 3

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

  1. Odessa (10), 6-0, 100, 1
  2. St. Mary’s, 4-1, 90, 2
  3. Valle Catholic, 6-0, 80, 3
  4. Boonville, 5-1, 58, 6 
  5. St. Pius X, 5-1, 54, 4 
  6. Blair Oaks, 5-1, 53, 7
  7. Lutheran North, 3-3, 38, 5
  8. Park Hills Central, 5-1, 29, 9 
  9. Mexico, 5-1, 25, 10
  10. Cardinal Ritter, 3-3, 11, 8

Also receiving votes: Center (4-1), 8; Aurora (5-1), 3; Kennett (5-1), 1  

CLASS 2

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

  1. Lamar (10), 6-0, 100, 1
  2. Fair Grove, 6-0, 87, 2 
  3. Hallsville, 6-0, 81, 3 
  4. Ava, 6-0, 58, 4  
  5. Butler, 6-0, 56, 5 

     T6. Lafayette County, 5-1, 48, T6 

     T6. Lutheran St. Charles, 4-2, 48, T6

  1. Duchesne, 4-2, 26, 8 
  2. Richmond, 5-1, 23, 9 
  3. Bowling Green, 5-0, 20, 10

Also receiving votes: Warsaw (6-0), 2; New Madrid County Central (6-0), 1  

CLASS 1

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

  1. Windsor (9), 6-0, 98, 1
  2. Mid Buchanan (1), 6-0, 88, 2 
  3. Hayti, 5-0, 73, 4 
  4. Marionville, 6-0, 67, 5
  5. East Buchanan, 6-0, 63, 6
  6. Harrisburg, 6-0, 40, 7
  7. Monroe City, 5-1, 39, 3
  8. Thayer, 5-1, 36, 8
  9. Hamilton-Penney, 4-2, 18, 9
  10. Skyline, 4-2, 13, 10

Also receiving votes: Marceline (5-1), 9; West Platte (5-1), 6. 

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