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Month: August 2022

VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP: Seneca beats Neosho in five sets; CJ and Joplin fall in openers

Posted on by Lucas Davis

SENECA DEFEATS NEOSHO IN FIVE SETS

NEOSHO, Mo. — Seneca opened the season with a thrilling five-set road win over Neosho on Tuesday.

The Indians were in a hole early but responded quickly and held off the Wildcats for a 24-26, 25-21, 25-21, 17-25 and 15-11 opening victory. 

Seneca’s Brylee Sage had 41 assists to go along with two aces and a block assist, while Parker Long finished with a team-high 18 kills. Jera Jameson had 13 kills and a block kill, while Braxton Raulston had 11 kills and 18 digs. Ella Graham added 20 digs.

Neosho’s stats were not made available by time of publication.

Seneca hosts Reeds Spring on Thursday.

Neosho is at East Newton on Thursday.

 

CARL JUNCTION FALLS TO KICKAPOO

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — A few close sets went the other way for the Carl Junction Bulldogs.

In the opener of the 2022 season, Kickapoo defeated Carl Junction 3-1 on Tuesday night in prep volleyball action. 

In a back and forth affair, the Chiefs edged the Bulldogs 25-21, 25-15, 23-25, 25-21. 

Senior setter Logan Jones handed out 45 assists for the Bulldogs.

Carl Junction senior Destiny Buerge compiled 18 kills, 13 digs and two aces, while sophomore Karissa Chase added 11 kills and two blocks.

Junior Sara Buchele contributed eight digs and two aces. 

Carl Junction (0-1) travels to Rogersville on Sept. 6.

 

JOPLIN FALLS TO NEVADA, PEMBROKE HILL

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Joplin hit the road to open the season and suffered a 2-0 loss to Nevada and a 2-0 loss to Pembroke Hill on Tuesday.

The Eagles (0-2) fell 25-8, 25-21 against the Raiders and lost 25-19, 25-19 to the Tigers.

Paisley Parker had five kills and three digs, while Bailey Owens and Raelin Calderon each added four kills against Pembroke Hill to lead Joplin. Kaya Cooper had nine assists and three digs, while Jayla Hunter had 12 digs and two aces. 

The Eagles were led by Bailey Owens’ six kills against Nevada, while Hunter added 14 digs. Abby Hembree had eight assists, while Cooper finished with five. Calderon had two blocks.

Joplin hosts Cassville at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

 

GIRLS TENNIS ROUNDUP: Joplin tops Carthage; Neosho falls to Nixa

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

JOPLIN 6, CARTHAGE 3

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Joplin’s girls tennis team opened up Central Ozark Conference play on a high note, as the Eagles earned a 6-3 win at Carthage on Tuesday. 

Joplin won two of the three doubles matches.

At No. 1 doubles, Carthage’s Kianna Yates and Daniela Marquez edged Emma Watts and Brynn Driver 8-6.

Joplin’s No. 2 doubles team of Jensen Vowels and Mya Ndedi Ntepe beat Katie Barton and Abigail Samuel 8-3.

At No. 3 doubles, Joplin’s duo of Alex Carson and Bonnie Smith defeated Beverly Garcia-Hernandez and Mireya Mendez-Lopez 8-3.

The Eagles won four of the six singles matches.

At No. 1 singles, Watts defeated Yates 8-5. Carthage’s Marquez topped Ndedi Ntepe 8-5 at No. 2 singles.

Joplin’s Vowels beat Barton 8-2, while Driver defeated Garcia-Hernandez 8-3 and Carson topped Samuel 8-3.

Carthage’s Mendez-Lopez edged Jaydn Elder 8-6. 

Both teams have home matches on Thursday, as Carthage hosts Ozark and Joplin entertains Branson.

 

NIXA 9, NEOSHO 0

NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho dropped its season opener to the visiting Eagles. 

In doubles, Nixa’s Arabella Cosgrove and Abigail Fulnecky defeated Neosho’s Claudia Martensen and Lyndsey Doke 8-0, while Samantha Fulneckey and Ellie Sorgenfrei topped Keely Keeton-Sydnee Minton 8-2 and Jocelyn Cosgrove-Emily Peterson beat Lauren Nageotte-Claire Burghart 8-0.

The Eagles won all six singles matches over the Wildcats by identical scores of 8-0. 

Neosho takes on Republic on Thursday. 

 

BOYS SOCCER ROUNDUP: Webb City tops Carl Junction; Carthage beats Republic; Neosho defeats Branson

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

WEBB CITY 2, CARL JUNCTION 0

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Webb City’s boys soccer team opened the 2022 season on a positive note, as the Cardinals defeated Carl Junction 2-0 on Tuesday night at Bulldog Stadium. 

Webb City’s goals were scored by Luis Gallardo and Alex Flores. 

Both teams return to action on Thursday. Webb City hosts Monett and Carl Junction is at Parkview. 

 

CARTHAGE 3, REPUBLIC 0

REPUBLIC, Mo. — Carthage defeated Republic 3-0 in boys soccer action on Tuesday night.

Carthage’s Welle Welle scored in the 33rd minute for the lone goal of the first half.

The visitors added two unanswered goals in the second half. Eric Garcia scored in the 43rd minute, with Silas Laytham assisting. 

Henry Hernandez added the final goal in the 75th minute, with the assist going to Welle. 

Carthage hosts College Heights on Thursday night.

 

NEOSHO 3, BRANSON 1

NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho opened the season with a 3-1 win over Branson in front of the home crowd on Tuesday.

The Wildcats were led by Chris Ornelas, who had a pair of goals in the win. Andy Lopez also found the back of the net for Neosho, with Byron Gomez picking up an assist in the win.

In goal, Jonathan Tribby finished with four saves, while Bailey Motley added three.

Neosho is at Webb City on Saturday.

 

SOFTBALL: Carthage rallies past Seneca in Tigers’ home opener

Posted on by Lucas Davis

CARTHAGE, Mo. — It was a tale of two games for the Carthage Tigers during their 14-6 home-opening blowout victory Tuesday against Seneca within the Fair Acres Sports Complex.

Seneca plated three runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth to build a 5-1 lead, then Carthage scored four in the fourth, seven in the fifth, and two in the sixth.

Carthage improved to 4-1 already early in the season, while Seneca dropped its opener.

“We came out a little bit complacent,” Carthage coach Stephanie Ray said. “We had a big weekend, and I think once we got our feet under us again and played our softball, picked our speed up, started making plays, and we got better looks once we got through our second and third time at the plate. Things started falling into place once we got runners on.

“It took us a little bit of time to adjust. Typically, if we can make it through our lineup in the first two innings and get ourselves right in the third inning, back to the top, we can do what we do.”

Senior center fielder Landry Cochran’s RBI single started the Tigers’ scoring in the third after a slow start against Seneca freshman pitcher Abby Jamros.

Carthage sent 22 batters to the plate in the fourth and fifth against Jamros.

Ashlyn Brust, Cochran, and Alexis Smith each led the way with three hits, Ashlynn Jackson and Shelby Hegwer each had a pair, and Brooklyn Dolon-Main and Aven Willis rounded out the 15-hit attack with one each. Brust, Cochran, and Smith each doubled.

Brust scored four runs and Smith, Willis, and courtesy runner Marley Bartosh each scored twice, while Brust and Jackson each drove in two.

Addison Wallace earned the victory in relief with one run (unearned) on four hits over three innings with one strikeout and no walks.

Jamros and Kenzie French led Seneca with two hits each, Jamros collected three RBI, French scored twice, and Kahli Fields also contributed a double to Seneca’s seven hits.

Jamros took the loss, and she allowed 12 runs (six earned) on 13 hits over five innings with four strikeouts and four walks.

Carthage returns to action Friday and Saturday in the 18th annual Paige Neal/Christina Freeman Invitational Tournament hosted by Joplin.

The Tigers open Friday with pool games against Monett, Blue Springs, and Neosho.

Carthage finished second at the Morrisville Tournament during the season’s first weekend with victories against Lebanon (8-6), tournament host Marion C. Early (4-3), and Nevada (13-1) before a 7-6 loss in nine innings against Sherwood.

Carthage plays a third tournament early in the season with the Ozark Fall Festival (Sept. 9-10) coming after Central Ozark Conference games against Joplin (Sept. 6) and Ozark (Sept. 8). At that point, the Tigers will have already completed half their season.

“The last couple years, we’ve packed three tournaments right at the very beginning of our season,” Ray said. “It’s good and it’s bad, you know. Once you start playing that many games, it’s hard to throw a practice, but we do have two practices this week. We’ll continue to work on the things we need to, from the weekend and (Tuesday).

“We’ll play five games this week, then we’ll have Labor Day weekend. We come back next week, we play Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I think with a young team, it gives us plenty of opportunities to get out there and see what we’re made of, move some things around, make some adjustments in our lineup, defense, and pitching, so when we get into the heart of conference, we’ll be ready to go.”

SOFTBALL: Joplin opens at home with walk-off win over McDonald County

Posted on by Lucas Davis

It might be one of the most improbable walk-off wins you’ll ever see on a softball diamond, but it was certainly a memorable way to end Joplin softball’s home opener.

Joplin senior Jill McDaniel delivers to home plate during the Eagles’ win over McDonald County. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

The Eagles came to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning trailing McDonald County 3-2. Junior Bailey Ledford singled up the middle before senior Izzy Yust reached base with a bunt hit to put runners on first and second. Following a pair of flyouts, Ledford stole third base to put runners on the corners when sophomore Abby Lowery went opposite field with a two-out single to right-center to plate Ledford, tying the game at 3-3.

With the winning run on third base, senior Jill McDaniel—who earned the win in the circle for the Eagles—popped a ball straight up the shoot in front of home plate, with the ball ricocheting off the catcher’s mitt and falling to the turf as the winning run touched home plate for a 4-3 Joplin victory on Tuesday at the JHS Athletic Complex.

“I am just proud that this year this team has already demonstrated the ability to fight time and time again,” first-year Joplin coach Brenden Schneider said. “They just show up to the park and play, and you could see that from the beginning. They got down two runs early, but there was no give. Our shoulders were high and our heads were up. We were just going to play and let the chips fall where they may.”

With the win Joplin improves to 5-1 on the young season after a 4-1 showing at the Kickoff Classic tournament hosted by Aurora.

IN THE CIRCLE

McDaniel went the distance, earning the win after allowing three unearned runs on four hits, 11 strikeouts and four walks on 110 pitches.

“She is demonstrating more and more each game of what you want to see in the mentality of a varsity pitcher,” Schneider said about his starter’s ability to shake off the two-run first and finish the game out as the winning pitcher. “She is not letting little things get to her. … I think her belief in her teammates and their belief in her is the thing that helps us the most. … Jill, having pitched such a great game, it was a little poetic that she found a way to win the game at the plate as well.” 

Junior Nevaeh Dodson took the tough-luck loss for the Mustangs after allowing four runs, two earned, on seven hits, four walks and 11 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

HOW WE GOT THERE

Joplin junior Bailey Ledford rounds third before scoring during the Eagles’ win over McDonald County on Tuesday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

McDonald (1-1) took advantage of three walks and a miscue by Joplin to score a pair of runs on passed balls for an early 2-0 advantage in the top of the first inning.  

Joplin cut the lead in half in its first at-bat, with sophomore Riley Kelly doubling to left-center field to plate Jaydn Pankow, who reached with a single to center, to make the score 2-1.

“You are kind of stopping their momentum a little bit by getting that run,” Schneider said. “That double was huge. Our girls do such a good job of just finding a way.”

The Eagles clawed their way back to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth inning when Ledford drew a two-out walk to reach base. She advanced to second on a wild pitch and took an aggressive turn around second, forcing a throw from home to third, which got away and allowed Ledford to score for a 2-2 tie.

“Finding ways to scrape runs across is critical,” Schneider said. “For Bailey Ledford, to be smart enough and aggressive enough to get to third base and then just decide to take home, too. Then, she steals third at the end on her own. That is a varsity player doing varsity player things. That was a great job by her.”

McDonald County junior Nevaeh Dodson delivers to home during the Mustangs’ loss to Joplin. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

The Mustangs rallied back in the top of the sixth inning when senior Amanda Pacheco came up with a pinch-hit RBI single to right field to score the runner from second for a 3-2 advantage.

IN THE BOX

Ledford, Kelly and Lowery each doubled and had two hits apiece for the Eagles. Ledford scored twice, while Kelly and Lowery each picked up an RBI.

Dodson and junior Katelynn Townsend each had hits and scored a run for the Mustangs.

ON DECK

Joplin is on the road against Cassville on Thursday.

McDonald County hosts Marshfield on Thursday.

GIRLS GOLF: Carl Junction wins Joplin Invitational team crown; Nevada’s Cameron is top individual

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

Carl Junction claimed the team championship and Nevada’s Emree Cameron was the individual medalist at Tuesday’s Joplin Lady Eagle Invitational girls golf tournament at Schifferdecker Golf Course. 

Carl Junction topped the team standings with a four-person score of 424.

Joplin was second in the team standings with a 427, while Webb City was third with a 460 and Republic took fourth with a 483.

Rounding out the team standings were Joplin B (496), Seneca (523) and Webb City B (527).

Nevada’s Cameron easily captured individual medalist honors, as she shot a 5-under-par 66. She had seven birdies and made par on nine holes. 

Nevada coach Brian Leonard said Cameron’s 66 is a school record for the lowest 18-hole round. 

Emree Cameron

“Emree started out with a couple of bogies in her first four holes,” Leonard said. “I told her she might have a few bogies but she’ll also have several birdies to offset those bogies…and she did. She birdied three holes on the front nine for her 1-under-par 35.  

“She then held it steady at par until she birdied No. 15,” Leonard added. “After this hole, she took advantage of her length off the tee. Her length off of the tee provided her several short wedge shots into the green for her approach shots. She dialed in her wedge shots into the green with four birdies on her last four holes for her 4- under-31 to finish with her 66.”

Just a sophomore, Cameron finished fourth at last year’s Class 2 state tournament. She also won this event a year ago. 

Republic’s Izzy Benson was the runner-up with a 90 and Joplin’s Drew Yockey finished third with a 94.

Nevada’s Riley Severance placed fourth with a 101, while Carl Junction’s Anna Burch finished fifth with a 102 and Carthage’s Shay Gaddis was sixth with a 103.

Rounding out the top 10 were Webb City’s Jacie Crouch (104), Joplin’s Kenna Haley (105), Nevada’s Paige Hertzberg (105) and Carl Junction’s Rylee Sprague (106). 

Carl Junction’s Alex Teeter was 11th (107), followed by Joplin’s Gwen Zamanzadeh (109) and Carl Junction’s Olivia Teeter (109), who tied for 12th. 

Webb City’s Farryn Holcomb (113) finished 14th, while Joplin’s duo of Taylor Colson and Chloe Friend tied for 15th with scores of 114. 

There were nearly 40 golfers competing at the event. 

 

FULL RESULTS: Lady Eagle Invitational 8/30/22 Event :: Tournament Results (golfgenius.com)

SOFTBALL: New-look Webb City drops home opener to Wyandotte

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Every game is a good learning experience when you have a lineup loaded with underclassmen.

That realization was a positive takeaway for the Webb City Cardinals following an 11-1 non-conference prep softball setback to Wyandotte (Okla.) on Tuesday. 

Webb City features a new-look lineup with plenty of youth this fall. The Cardinals had six freshmen, a sophomore and three juniors in Tuesday’s lineup. 

“Every time we step on the field the girls are improving and learning,” Cardinals coach Shauna Friend said. “They’re getting more experience, which will definitely help us down the road. Today was a good learning experience for the girls.”

The Cardinals couldn’t generate much offense in this one, as the hosts managed just two hits—one apiece by Dawsyn Decker and Alexandra Maturino. 

The Bears plated four runs in the top of the first inning on two hits, two hit batters, a walk, a fielder’s choice and an error. The biggest blast of the opening frame was Brylen Bartley’s two-run double to left.

Wyandotte added a single tally in the fourth on Kaydence Harjo’s RBI double to left.

The Cardinals, who dropped their season opener at Nevada one night earlier, had runners on second and third with two outs in the fifth, but they were stranded.

Wyandotte added two insurance runs in the sixth before pushing across four more runs in the seventh to blow the game open. 

Webb City’s lone run of the game came in the bottom of the seventh, as Maturino singled to center, went to second on Rylynn McFarland’s sacrifice bunt and then scored on an error when the Bears misplayed Sydney Strickland’s grounder.

“We made some mistakes early and gave them some free baserunners,” Friend said. “But overall, we didn’t hit the ball like we needed to. That’s something we’ll continue to work on throughout the season.” 

Freshman Karsyn Cahoon started in the circle for Webb City. A right-hander, Cahoon took the loss after allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits and three walks in five innings. 

Cahoon, who struck out six, settled in nicely after a difficult first inning.

“She’ll do fine for us,” Friend said. “That was her first varsity start, so we expected her to be a little nervous. After the first inning, she came back and did a good job for us.” 

Sophomore Laney Taylor pitched the final two frames for the Cardinals. She gave up six runs, none earned, on five hits.

Starting for the Cardinals on Tuesday were freshmen Cahoon (P), Liz Rhuems (C), Lily Hall (2B), Kylee Sargent (3B), Madeline Barchak (DP) and Makenzie Wynn (1B), sophomore Addison Brown (LF) and juniors Strickland (RF), Decker (CF) and Jensyn Pickett (SS).

Wyandotte, already playing its 17th game of the season, received a stellar pitching performance from Josilynn Wyrick. Wyrick allowed just one hit and struck out 10 in five innings to earn the win. 

Bartley tossed two innings in relief for the visitors, who improved to 13-4. Harjo drove in four runs on two hits for the Bears.

“Wyandotte is a good team and they have good pitching, so that was good for us to see,” Friend said.

Webb City (0-2) is at Monett on Thursday. 

The Cardinals will also compete at the Paige Neal/Christina Freeman Invitational on Friday and Saturday at the Joplin Athletic Complex.

“That will be another good experience for us,” Friend noted.

 

 

FULL STATS: Webb City HS (webbcitycardinals.com)

SOFTBALL: Webb City falls to Nevada in ’22 opener

Posted on by Jason Peake

NEVADA, Mo. — Webb City’s late-game rally fell short, as Nevada held on for an 11-8 victory over the Cardinals on Monday in the opener of the 2022 prep softball season at Bushwhacker Field.

The Cardinals trailed 8-4 when they plated three runs in the top of the sixth inning. But the Tigers responded with three runs in the bottom half.

The visitors made things interesting late in the game, scoring once and threatening to do further damage in the seventh before the hosts recorded the final out. 

Webb City’s Kylee Sargent went 3-for-4 with two doubles and scored three runs, while Liz Rhuems drove in three runs.

Dawsyn Decker and Lily Hall added two hits apiece for the Cardinals, while Jensyn Pickett, Decker and Sargent added one RBI apiece.

Laney Taylor took the loss. She went 3 1/3 innings in the circle, allowing six runs, three earned, on five hits and two walks. 

Jo Jarmin pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits.

Nevada’s Peyton Eaton was the winning pitcher. She allowed seven earned runs on 10 hits and struck out five.

Ella Heathman drove in three runs on three hits, including a home run. Kirstin Buck added two hits for the Tigers, while Skyler Burns drove in two runs.

Both squads have been assigned to Class 4 District 7 this season. 

Nevada improved to 3-2 on the season. The Tigers are at Cassville on Tuesday. 

Webb City (0-1) hosts Wyandotte (Okla.) at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the home opener. 

 

VOLLEYBALL: Webb City drops match to Bentonville West

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

CENTERTON, Ark.  — In the 2022 debut, Webb City won the opening set before dropping three straight in a non-conference setback at Bentonville West.

The Wolverines overcame the early set loss and defeated the Cardinals 12-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-15.

Brenda Lawrence led the Cardinals with 16 kills and eight digs, while Kate Brownfield compiled 11 digs and nine kills and Aubree Lassiter added 10 kills.

Setter Kyah Sanborn handed out 31 assists to go along with seven digs and five kills. 

Libero Sophia Crane had a team-high 13 digs and three aces.

Webb City (0-1) hosts Harrisonville at 5:30 on Thursday night inside the Cardinal Dome.

VOLLEYBALL: Thomas Jefferson tops Purdy in 5 sets

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

The Thomas Jefferson Independent volleyball team earned a 3-2 win over Purdy on Monday. 

The Cavaliers won the match 25-11, 21-25, 23-25, 25-8, 15-10.

Thomas Jefferson’s Mary Nguyen compiled 16 assists and 11 aces, while Lannah Grigg recorded 13 kills to go with two aces and a block.

Nico Carlson contributed six aces and five kills, while Gabbi Hiebert had six kills and Alexis Stamps added five kills and two aces.

The Cavaliers improved to 3-3. 

Thomas Jefferson is at Greenfield on Tuesday night.

GIRLS GOLF: Carl Junction returns bevy of experience that is ready for success

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Carl Junction girls golf is in a prime position to be extremely competitive over the course of the upcoming 2022 season.

After graduating one player from a season ago, the Bulldogs return two state qualifiers from two years ago—senior Rylee Sprague and junior Anna Burch—as well as senior Jasmine Woerner, sophomore Alex Teeter and sophomore Olivia Teeter. Senior Angel Washington also figures to make and impact at the varsity level.

“There has been excitement since we’ve started up practice,” Carl Junction coach Corey Clingan said. “Our top seven players all have a chance to contribute to this team this year, and I continue to hear them pushing each other to get better every day at practice.”

While there are plenty of experienced returners, that doesn’t necessarily transfer to success on the course. Fortunately, along with that experience comes talent—something the Bulldogs have a plethora of as well.

“As this team continues to grow, I have high hopes that the experience they bring to the table will allow them to be successful in the regular season tournaments,” Clingan said. “I also hope for us to make a jump in the COC standings in comparison to the last two years. 

“The cohesiveness of this team is something that we haven’t had the last couple of years. I feel like the leadership and determination is there, and I expect the hard work to pay off as this season progresses.”

What’s most intriguing about the Bulldogs this season is that their strength is also their weakness. They don’t have a standout golfer, but they have a varsity squad with every player capable of putting up a low number. 

“Some teams have a heavy hitter or anchor, as in they have a golfer who can give them a low score right off the bat,” Clingan said. “One thing we have is that all five players in our varsity spots are very similar in scoring, which could be an advantage or disadvantage depending on the day.”

Carl Junction takes part in the Joplin Invitational on Tuesday at Schifferdecker Golf Course.

 

SOCCER: Carthage returns plenty of experienced players committed to success

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Despite graduating six starters and 12 total players from last year’s team that finished with a 14-10 record and a defeat in the district title matchup, the Carthage boys soccer team brings back a bevy of experienced players and welcome several new players who are all committed to getting the Tigers to that next level of competitiveness in 2022.

“This is the most committed group I’ve had during the summer in several years,” Carthage soccer coach Jacob Osborne said to SoMo Sports. “Most of our varsity players came to all of the workouts. We consistently had over 60 players coming each week. They are very hungry for the season to start.”

The Tigers welcome back six seniors—MF George Laytham, D Kleverzon Paz, MF Eric Garcia, F Neyzer Ramos, F Jorge Mendes and GK Julio Lopez.

“George has been a standout player for us for the past two seasons,” Osborne said. “Physically, he sticks out because of his height (6-foot, 3-inch), but his play causes him to stand out as well. He is very smart and skilled. He usually plays defensive midfielder, but he has the ability to both create opportunities and to score goals from outside the box.”

Also back at the varsity level are juniors Welle Welle, MF Henry Hernandez and F/D Silas Laytham.

“Welle will be one of the very top players in our area this season,” Osborne said. “He is a special player who is one of the most-talented kids to come through our program. Something unique about Welle is how versatile he is. He mostly played as a striker last season and finished the year as our leading scorer with 15 goals, but he also was our best defender so he would play center back in certain games.

“He is talented enough to be an offensive player of the year for our district or region, but he has the talent where if he plays as a defender he could also be the defensive player of the year for our district or region. … He will likely see time in all central roles between striker, midfield, and defense. … He is also our leader. He has potential to be one of the best leaders we have had. He has a very positive attitude and he brings an energy to games and practice that can be infectious.”

With a large senior class a year ago, that means there will be several new faces making the varsity squad for the Tigers—senior D Charlie Snow, senior D Nestor Vasquez, junior MF Anderson Reyes, junior MF Bryan Ordonez, junior D Danilo Lopez, junior D Edson Lopez, junior D Marvin Najera, junior GK Isaias Tello, sophomore D Eri Mendez and sophomore MF Aldo Sanchez.

And while it might take a few matches at the varsity level to gain enough comfortability, Coach Osborne believes it won’t take long for the newcomers to make an impact as they get up to speed.

“We had 12 seniors last season so we have a lot of unfamiliarity within our squad,” Osborne said. “It will take some time for our team to gel while we also try to figure out what combinations work best. I believe in the players we have to figure it out once they get some time and games under their belts.  

“I expect there to be an adjustment period. We will have to have several players that will have to take on much larger roles, but I believe they are ready to. We have talented players that have shown up with great attitudes. With how many players we lost from last year, I believe some teams could overlook us, but I think we can surprise some teams because we still have a lot of talent and they appear to have the right mindset.”

Carthage opens the season on the road, traveling to Republic for a 6:30 p.m. matchup on Thursday.

“I believe the biggest keys will be whether we get enough kids to step up into the bigger roles that are now available,” Osborne said. “I believe the players are ready for it, but we have to go out and show that we are.”

FOOTBALL: First Missouri Media rankings of ’22 season released

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

The Joplin area is well-represented in the Missouri Media’s first high school football rankings of the 2022 season.

The rankings are compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from across the state.

Carthage and Webb City are ranked first and second, respectively, in Class 5. The Cardinals are tied for second with Fort Osage. 

Joplin is ranked ninth in the Class 6 poll. 

In Class 4, Nevada is tied for third, while Carl Junction is receiving votes.

In the Class 2 poll, Lamar is ranked first and Seneca is fifth.

This year’s Missouri Media panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cole Young, PrepsKC; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Tommy Rezac, KFEQ St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; JC Reeves, Southeast Missourian/semoball.com; Jason Peake, Somo-sports.com; Brian Rosener, Poplar Bluff Daily American Republic.

 

MISSOURI MEDIA RANKINGS

First-place votes in parenthesis.

CLASS 6
Rank, team, Rec., Pts.
1. CBC (10), 1-0, 100
2. Liberty North, 1-0, 88
3. Lee’s Summit North, 0-1, 72
T4. DeSmet, 0-1, 67
T4. Nixa, 1-0, 67
6. Raymore-Peculiar, 1-0, 54
7. Troy, 1-0, 40
8. Marquette, 1-0, 19
9. Joplin, 1-0, 18
10. SLUH, 1-0, 13
Also receiving votes: Rockhurst (0-1), 10; Kickapoo (1-0), 1; Park Hill (1-0), 1

CLASS 5
Rank, team, Rec., Pts.
1. Carthage (10), 1-0, 100
T2. Fort Osage, 1-0, 77
T2. Webb City, 0-1, 77
4. Francis Howell, 1-0, 68
5. Lebanon, 1-0, 51
6. Jackson, 0-1, 45
7. MICDS, 1-0, 43
8. North Kansas City, 1-0, 35
9. Jefferson City Helias, 1-0, 27
10. Holt, 0-1, 15
Also receiving votes: Glendale (1-0), 5; Grain Valley (0-1), 5; Camdenton (1-0), 2

CLASS 4
Rank, team, Rec., Pts.
1. St. Mary’s (7), 1-0, 97
2. Smithville (3), 1-0 92
T3. Nevada, 1-0, 69
T3. Vashon, 1-0, 69
5. Kearney, 1-0, 55
6. Union, 1-0, 39
7. Hillsboro, 1-0, 32
8. Center, 1-0, 30
9. West Plains, 1-0, 26
10. Hannibal, 0-1, 22
Also receiving votes: Lincoln College Prep (1-0), 10; St. Dominic (1-0), 5; Carl Junction (1-0), 2; North County (1-0), 2

CLASS 3
Rank, team, Rec., Pts.
1. Lutheran St. Charles (7), 1-0, 96
2. St. Pius X (2), 1-0, 88
3. Cardinal Ritter (1), 1-0, 82
4. Lutheran North, 1-0, 66
5. Pleasant Hill, 1-0, 46
6. Chillicothe, 1-0, 43
7. Reeds Spring, 1-0, 40
8. Valle Catholic, 1-0, 28
9. Kennett, 1-0, 19
10. Maryville, 0-1, 18
Also receiving votes: Park Hills Central (1-0), 10; Odessa (1-0), 9; Southern Boone (0-1), 4; Oak Grove (0-1), 1

CLASS 2
Rank, team, Rec., Pts.
1. Lamar (10), 1-0, 100
2. Blair Oaks, 1-0, 81
3. Lafayette County, 1-0, 79
4. Richmond, 1-0, 60
5. Seneca, 1-0, 54
6. Hallsville, 1-0, 53
7. Ava, 1-0, 28
8. Lift for Life, 1-0, 25
9. Mountain Grove, 1-0, 19
10. Bowling Green, 1-0, 18
Also receiving votes: St. Michael (1-0), 17; St. Francis Borgia (1-0), 7; Centralia (1-0), 3; MV-Liberty (1-0), 3; Fair Grove (1-0), 2; Macon (1-0), 1

CLASS 1
Rank, team, Rec., Pts.
1. East Buchanan (10), 1-0, 100
2. Monroe City, 1-0, 86
3. Thayer (0-0), 69
4. Mid Buchanan, 1-0, 68
5. Marionville, 1-0, 46
6. Adrian, 1-0, 38
7. Harrisburg, 1-0, 26
8. Lincoln, 1-0, 22
9. St. Vincent, 1-0, 20
10. Hayti, 0-1, 15
Also receiving votes: Hamilton-Penney (0-1), 14; Fayette (1-0), 12; Gallatin (1-0), 10; Duchesne (0-1), 9; Butler (1-0), 8; Ash Grove (1-0), 7.

 

VOLLEYBALL: College Heights returns every starter for upcoming season with a new home court

Posted on by Lucas Davis

After a 17-14-2 campaign a year ago, College Heights volleyball returns all of its starters with high expectations for 2022 and will be playing at a new venue as well.

With the recent addition of the ETG Sports complex to the facilities for College Heights, that means the volleyball team (as well as both basketball teams) have a much larger venue to play in front of the home crowd. Along with the new home court, the Cougars also return every starter from last season, putting them in position to build off last year’s success.

“We are super blessed to be practicing in a new gymnasium,” CHC coach Mary Colin said. “We have three courts, and 25 girls out for the program. The girls are getting a lot of great reps, and are filling the gym with hype and hustle. We are excited for a fun, competitive season. These girls were successful last year and everyone is returning. I have seen improvement in every single starter from last year.”

The Cougars welcome back senior OH Lauren Ukena, senior OH Addie Lawrence, senior OH Lindsay Griesemer, senior MB Marley Woodford, senior libero Ava Mesena, junior S Maddy Colin and sophomore MB Libby Fanning.

“These girls are powerful, aggressive and love the game,” Coach Colin said. “They have fun playing, and are always looking to improve.”

The keys to success for College Heights are simple. Play as a collective unit and play to its strengths as a team.

“I think we need to slow down, be thankful for every chance we get to play the game, be together and grow as teammates and healthy citizens in a very fast-paced world,” Coach Colin said. “Along the way, of course, we want them to hit harder, block balls and serve more aces!”

College Heights opens the season hosting Lockwood on Tuesday.

“Staying healthy would be great! These are three and four-sport varsity athletes who are also working at a very high academic level,” Colin said ahead of the start to the season. “I want them to stay healthy spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.”

BOYS SWIMMING: Carthage wins Zizzer Invitational in ‘22 season opener

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

WEST PLAINS, Mo. — In a stellar start to the 2022 season, the Carthage High School boys swim team won the Zizzer Invitational on Saturday at the West Plains Aquatic Center’s outdoor pool. 

Carthage topped the team standings with 453 points. West Plains took second with 343, while Poplar Bluff was third with 270 points.

Rounding out the team standings were Camdenton (186), Monett (179), Greenwood (167), Hillcrest (118) and Parkview (92).

In a superb showing, the Tigers won three events, took second in three others and also recorded state-qualifying times in eight events at the first meet of the season.

Carthage’s 200 medley relay team of Kellen Frieling, Braxton McBride, Will Wallace and Eli Cox placed first in a state-qualifying time of 2:01.06. 

The Tigers took second in the 400 freestyle relay, as McBride, Cox, Frieling and Wallace recorded a qualifying time of 4:03. 

Carthage finished fifth in the 200 freestyle relay, with Trey Nye, Daryl Martin, Landon White and William Wright recording a qualifying time of 2:03.

McBride won the 50 freestyle in a state-qualifying time of 26.36 seconds. McBride also took second in the 100 freestyle in 57.77 seconds, another qualifying time.

Frieling finished first in the 100 backstroke with a state-qualifying and pool record time of 1:04.23. Frieling placed third in the 200 freestyle with a state-qualifying time of 2:10.14.

Wright, Wallace and Aydan Nye finished second, third and fourth in the 400 freestyle. Wright (2:31) and Wallace (2:33) finished third and fourth, respectively, in the 200 individual medley. Both had state-qualifying times. 

Cox and Noah Blackford finished third and fourth, respectively, in the 100 backstroke. 

Finishing fifth in their events were Blackford (200 IM), Trey Nye (50 free) and Cox (100 butterfly). White was sixth in the 100 fly.

Monett’s Matthew Fillinger placed second in the 100 butterfly with a state-qualifying time of 1:03.64. He was second in the 200 free in 2:08, another qualifying time.

Monett’s Jayden Apostol finished second in the 100 breaststroke in 1:19.

The Cubs were third in the 200 freestyle relay with a qualifying time of 1:56.

Carthage is hosting an invite on Tuesday at the Fair Acres Family YMCA. The meet begins at 5 p.m.

 

The Carthage boys swim team poses after winning the Zizzer Invitational on Saturday. Courtesy photo.

VOLLEYBALL: Joplin brings back battle-tested team with high expectations for 2022

Posted on by Lucas Davis

The Joplin volleyball program has plenty to be excited for in the upcoming 2022 season.

After graduating three players from last season’s 15-12-5 campaign that included a district title, the Eagles return five seniors and a junior who either started or saw heavy rotation a year ago. With that experience coming back, coach Desiree Felker is excited for the possibilities with this team in her second season at the helm.

“We saw a lot of success towards the end of our season last year, and we want to build off of that going into this season,” Felker said to SoMo Sports. “Winning a district championship last year was something these kids hadn’t experienced, and they have set their goals much higher coming into the season.”

Joplin welcomes back senior setter Kaya Cooper, senior OH Abby Edwards, senior S Abby Hembree, senior DS/L Jayla Hunter, senior DS/L Paisley Parker and junior MB Bailey Owens. The Eagles also expect senior OH Serafina Auberry, who has varsity experience, junior MB/RS Raelin Calderon, junior MB/RS Janiah Vaughn, junior DS Abigail Eckert and sophomore S Adalynn Noirfalise to make and impact on varsity this season.

“We have a very athletic group of kids in our rotation, and that is going to help us in long rallies and tough games,” Felker said. “We have a relentless, gritty approach to defense that allows us to extend rallies, and if we can clean things up when we get out of system, and we can find people to put the ball away, we can be pretty scary.”

And while the Eagles didn’t have a lot of time together over the summer as a complete group, Coach Felker believes that some of the adversity her team dealt with during that time will be beneficial in the long run for Joplin this season by making them a more well-rounded team. From the progress she saw over the offseason, she is excited for this team’s potential when they hit their stride.

“We have worked a lot on playing to our strengths as a team,” Felker said. “Working on playing fast and setting the tempo, and bringing things back under control when things get chaotic. We want to be extremely tough behind the service line and we want to win the serve-pass game night-in and night-out. If we can do that, we will win some of those games we lost last year, or that we split in tournaments. Our strengths this year are a little different from our strengths last year, so it has been an adjustment for some of our kids.”

In order to get where they want to be, the Eagles are going to have to continue the progress shown in the offseason over the first several weeks of the season while the varsity unit logs more time together on the court. Timing and consistency will be Joplin’s biggest obstacle on offense as the season gets underway, according to Felker, but the good news is the defense and ability at the net to put pressure on other team’s offense will help balance out their play.

“If everyone knows where we are trying to go, and is willing to do what it takes to get there, we can do big things,” Felker said about the keys to success for her team this year. “We have some great leaders in our junior and senior class. They are excellent at setting the example, bringing the younger girls under their wings and working their butts off everyday. We have a lot of girls that I think are going to do great things to impact our program’s culture and their impact will be felt for years to come.”

Joplin opens the season on the road at Pembroke Hill on Tuesday before hosting Cassville at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

CROSS COUNTRY: Returning standout Campbell to lead Joplin this fall

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

After a standout junior season, Hobbs Campbell appears poised to have a big senior year for the Joplin High School cross country team. 

And it’s not a stretch to say Joplin will feature one of the state’s best runners this fall.

“I think Hobbs’ primary goal is to chase after a state title,” Joplin coach Dustin Dixon told SoMo Sports. “There’s not many kids in Missouri that can say that’s at the top of their list, but he’s one of them. We feel like he’s got a good shot. He’s more fit than he has ever been at the end of August. He’s looked really strong in practice.”

In a stellar 2021 season, Campbell was the runner-up at the Central Ozark Conference championships. He placed fourth at the district meet and finished 14th at the Class 5 state championships with a time of 15 minutes, 45 seconds.  

Hobbs Campbell

Campbell also put together a breakthrough track season last spring. At the Class 5 state track meet, Campbell placed second in the 1600 and was fifth in the 800. 

In addition to Campbell, the Eagles have three other returning athletes who ran at last year’s Class 5 state championships — junior Ian Horton and sophomores Chance Tindall and Grey Edwards.

At last year’s COC Meet, Tindall took 14th and Horton finished 23rd. At state, Horton was Joplin’s second finisher after Campbell, placing 49th.

Edwards, last year’s No. 7 runner at state, had some injuries last fall but is coming off a solid track season.

Aidan Koch and Parker Durham, both juniors, are other athletes who are competing for varsity spots. 

Joplin’s boys are the defending COC champs. They took a full squad to state. Dixon would love to see the Eagles repeat that success.

“I think our boys team is going to be pretty good again this fall,” Dixon said. “I think we were the only team in Class 5 that ran multiple freshmen at the state championships.”

On the girls side, Joplin must overcome the loss of one of the program’s best-ever distance runners — Jennalee Dunn. 

“You can’t replace Jennalee Dunn, at least not quickly,” Dixon said. “Our girls team is in kind of a rebuild. We have some girls back who have been in the No. 6 or No. 7 spot before. We’re going to have quite a few girls that have little to no varsity experience. But a lot of our girls have had good summers. We’ve got some work to do on the girls side, but if we stay healthy, I like our chances to be competitive.”

Junior Allie Keizer, a returning state qualifier, is the team’s top returning performer from last season. 

“She’ll probably lead the way for us,” Dixon noted. 

Keizer was the team’s second finisher at last year’s conference race, placing 11th. She finished 14th at the district meet and was 96th at state. 

Junior Averi Burks is another athlete who will be a key performer.

“She had a great summer and is looking really strong,” Dixon said. 

Seniors Mairi Beranek and Cylee Gilreath also return with prior varsity experience. They were 24th and 50th, respectively, at last year’s conference event.

Masyn Briggs, a junior, is another runner who is expected to contribute at the varsity level.

Joplin’s girls were second in the team standings at last year’s COC event, one year after winning a conference crown. 

The main goal for both teams is to make steady progress throughout the fall, with peaking at the end of the season in mind. 

“We are confident that we can run our best at the time of the year when we need to be at our best,” Dixon said. “The kids know that and I think it will show. We’ll be ready to go when the end of October gets here.”

The Eagles hosted a warm-up meet on Saturday. They’ll compete at the annual SWCCCA Meet on Sept. 3 in Bolivar. The Southern Stampede is slated for Sept. 17.

GIRLS TENNIS: Joplin wins 3rd place match at inaugural Interstate Championships

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

The host Eagles ended the inaugural Joplin Interstate Championships with a victory.

Joplin defeated Willard 5-4 in the third-place match of the Interstate Championship’s Challengers Bracket on Saturday at the JHS tennis courts.

In their tourney finale, Ben Coltharp’s Eagles had a strong showing in the singles matches after they dropped two of three doubles contests to start the dual.

Joplin’s Mya Ndedi Ntepe serves during the Joplin Interstate Championships girls tennis tournament at the JHS courts. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

At No. 1 doubles, Willard’s Alyssa Flynn and Evie Sly defeated Joplin’s Emma Watts and Mya Ndedi Ntepe 10-7. At No. 2 doubles, Willard’s Gracie Chunn and Jacey Wilson edged Joplin’s Jensen Vowells and Brynn Driver 11-9.

Joplin’s Alex Carson and Bonnie Smith won the No. 3 doubles match by forfeit.

The Eagles won four of the six singles matches to secure the match victory.

At No. 1 singles, Watts beat Flynn 10-6. Willard won at No. 2 and No. 3, as Sly defeated Ndedi Ntepe 10-8 and Chunn topped Vowels 10-7.

Driver defeated Jayden Troutt 10-7 at No. 4 singles and Carson beat Wilson 10-4 at No. 5.

At No. 6 singles, Joplin’s Jadyn Elder won by forfeit over Katelyn Long. 

In Saturday’s semifinals, Willow Springs defeated Joplin 5-2.

Joplin’s Vowels and Ndedi Ntepe won the No. 2 doubles match 6-3 over Claire Clarkstone and Melaina Wilson.

Joplin’s Elder defeated Briana Hann 6-4 at No. 6 singles for the team’s other win.

The Eagles defeated College Heights Christian 5-3 in the first match of bracket play.

In doubles, Joplin’s Watts-Driver defeated Natalie Brueggemann and Emery Yantis 6-0, while Vowels and Ndedi Ntepe beat Ella Bishop and Jeanna Smathers 6-2. College Heights’ Avery Baker and Isabelle Clevenger defeated Carson-Smith 6-2 at No. 3 doubles.

In completed singles matches, Joplin’s Watts beat Brueggemann 6-1, Vowels defeated Bishop 6-2 and Driver topped Smathers 6-0. CHC’s Yantis edged Ndedi Ntepe 7-6 (7-4) and Clevenger defeated Smith 6-3.

In other action, College Heights defeated Webb City (score unavailable). The Cardinals also suffered a 5-0 loss to Willow Springs on Saturday.

In Saturday’s Challengers Bracket championship match, Willow Springs defeated Harrisonville 5-2.

Bentonville West defeated Rogers 6-0 in the Champions Bracket championship. Staley beat Rogers Heritage 5-3 for third place.

 

CARL JUNCTION RESULTS

After going 2-1 on Friday, Carl Junction competed in the Champions Bracket on Saturday. 

Staley defeated Carl Junction 5-0 and the Bulldogs beat Rogersville 5-1 in the consolation semifinals.

Against Rogersville, Isabel Read and Emily Rice won singles matches, while Carl Junction swept the three doubles matches. Jenna Besperat and Naiyah Wurdeman defeated Archer-Coryell 6-4, Read and Alyssa Graves beat Wubbena-Powell 6-2 and Rice and Emmy Higgins defeated Wood-Bybee 6-4.

In the fifth-place match, Lee’s Summit North defeated Carl Junction 5-1. Read won CJ’s lone match during singles play.

The 16-team tourney was held at both JHS and at Millennium Family Fitness.

 

Joplin coach Ben Coltharp gives instructions to Emma Watts and Mya Ndedi Ntepe during the Joplin Interstate Championships. Assistant coach Colin King is also pictured.

 

Jensen Vowels hits a backhand during tourney play. All photos by Shawn Fowler.

 

Alex Carson is pictured during the Joplin Interstate Championships.

SOFTBALL: Carthage falls in Morrisville Tournament title game

Posted on by Lucas Davis

MORRISVILLE, Mo. — Carthage dropped a heartbreaker to Sherwood, 7-6 in nine innings, in the championship game of the 28th annual Morrisville Softball Tournament on Saturday.

The Tigers went 3-1 at the event. Details of the title game were unavailable at the time of publication. 

Carthage’s Addison Wallace, Landry Cochran and Jenna Calhoon were named to the all-tourney team. 

 

CARTHAGE 13, NEVADA 1

Carthage scored twice in the first inning and three more in the third to build a 5-1 cushion. Carthage plated four runs in fourth and three more in the sixth to end the game after five innings.

Wallace earned the win in the circle after allowing one run on three hits and three strikeouts in five innings of work.

Peyton Eaton took the loss after allowing 13 runs, 10 earned, on 13 hits, three walks and two strikeouts in five innings.

Calhoon had two hits, including a three-run home run and a double, to go along with a game-high six RBI and two runs scored. Cochran had two hits, a game-high four runs scored and an RBI. Lexa Youngblood had two hits, two runs scored and an RBI, while Alexis Smith drove in two and had two hits and Ashlyn Brust had two hits and scored twice.

Caylee Holcomb had a double and drove in a run for Nevada. Kara Phillips also doubled. 

Carthage hosts Seneca on Tuesday.

 

The Carthage Tigers pose after finishing second at the Morrisville Softball Tournament. Courtesy photo.

SOFTBALL: Carl Junction closes final day of Kickoff Classic with split

Posted on by Lucas Davis

AURORA, Mo. — Carl Junction closed out the Kickoff Classic hosted by Aurora High School with a 9-5 win over Duncan, Oklahoma, and a 7-6 loss to Branson on Saturday.

The Bulldogs (2-2) opened the day by scoring nine runs in the first four innings against the Demons on the way to a five-inning win. Branson scored three runs in the second inning to build a lead it would never relinquish.

 

CARL JUNCTION 9, DUNCAN 6

The Bulldogs used a four-run bottom of the first to rally and added two runs in the second, a run in the third and two more in the fourth while holding off Duncan to earn the opening win.

Hannah Cole started and earned the win after allowing six runs, two earned, on nine hits and two strikeouts in four innings. Kiley Spencer pitched one scoreless inning.

Hannah Cantrell had three hits and three runs scored out of the leadoff spot for CJ, while Madi Olds doubled and tripled on the way to three hits, two RBI and a run scored. Izzie Southern had two hits, including a double, and a team-high three RBI. Ryleigh Palmer had a hit, drove in two and scored a run.

 

BRANSON 7, CARL JUNCTION 6

Branson broke a 1-1 tie with three runs scoring in the second inning before pushing across three more runs in the fifth and holding off Carl Junction in the last of the fifth to preserve the win.

Dailey earned the win for Branson after allowing five runs, four earned, on eight hits, two walks and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. 

Spencer took the loss after allowing seven runs, three earned, on five hits, two walks and a strikeout in six innings pitched. 

Izzie Southern led Carl Junction at the plate with a 3-for-3 game, including a home run and two doubles. Palmer had two hits and scored two runs, while Cantrell had two hits and scored a run. Olds had a home run and three RBI.

Carl Junction is on the road against Cassville at 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

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