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Day: October 4, 2022

VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP: CHC falls to McDonald County in three sets; Jasper sweeps Thomas Jefferson

Posted on by Lucas Davis

COUGARS FALL TO MUSTANGS

ANDERSON, Mo. — McDonald County hosted College Heights and earned a three-set win over the Cougars on Monday.

The Mustangs earned a sweep with a 25-21, 25-16 and 25-22 performance over College Heights (16-6-1).

College Heights’ Lauren Ukena finished with 20 digs and seven service points, while Libby Fanning had nine kills. Ava Masena finished with 15 digs defensively for the Wildcats, while Maddy Colin had 19 assists.

McDonald County’s Carlie Martin and Megan Elwood recorded eight kills apiece, while Madison Parker and Layla Wallain added seven kills apiece.

Mac County’s Jayden Forcum had 25 assists, while Hay Nay Wat had a team-high 23 digs. 

McDonald County is at Lamar on Tuesday. 

College Heights hosts Verona on Tuesday.

 

JASPER SWEEPS TJ

Thomas Jefferson hosted Jasper and fell 25-21, 25-11 and 25-19 on Monday.

Mary Nguyen finished with three aces, three digs, a kill and five assists. Nico Carlson had an ace, four digs, four kills, one assist and a block, while Gabbie Hiebert had eight kills and a dig.  Lannah Grigg added three digs and an assist, while Macie Shifferd had five digs. Marley Flanagan had an ace and four digs, while Maggie Sutton added one dig and an ace.  

Thomas Jefferson is at Verona on Thursday.

 

CARTHAGE FALLS AT BENTONVILLE
Carthage suffered a 3-0 loss at Bentonville (Ark.) on Monday.
The set scores were 25-21, 25-19, 25-6.

GIRLS TENNIS ROUNDUP: Joplin falls at district tourney; Carl Junction tops Neosho to advance

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

Area girls tennis squads competed at team district tournaments on Monday. 

 

CLASS 3 DISTRICT 6

Sixth-seeded Joplin suffered a 5-0 season-ending loss to third-seeded Lee’s Summit West on Monday in the quarterfinals of the Class 3 District 6 tennis tournament.

In doubles action, LSW’s Anna Taylor and Regan Clewell defeated Emma Watts and Brynn Driver 8-4, while Campbell Gann-Mindy Evans beat Jensen Vowels and Mya Ndedi Ntepe 8-2 and Nicollette Walters-Ellie Garlich topped Bonnie Smith and Alex Carson 8-3.

In completed singles matches, Walters beat Driver 6-0, 6-1 and Garlich defeated Smith 6-0, 6-1.

In other action, second-seeded Raymore-Peculiar beat seventh-seeded Carthage 5-0 and fourth-seeded Lee’s Summit North beat fifth-seeded Barstow 5-4. 

 

CLASS 2 DISTRICT 6

Second-seeded Carl Junction defeated seventh-seeded Neosho 5-0 in the opening round of the Class 2 District 6 tournament on Monday.

In doubles, Carl Junction’s Jenna Besperat and Naiyah Wurdeman defeated Claudia Martensen-Sydnee Minton 8-0, while CJ’s Isabella Read and Alyssa Graves beat Keely Keeton-Emma VanDorn 8-1 and Emily Rice and Emily Higgins topped Claire Burghart-Abby Coutu 8-1.

In completed singles matches, Wurdeman defeated Keeton 6-1, 6-0 and Read topped Minton 6-0, 6-0.

In other action, fourth-seeded Willard beat fifth-seeded Webb City 5-1 and third-seeded Branson defeated sixth-seeded Parkview 5-0.

Carl Junction meets Branson in the semifinals on Tuesday. 

Also of note, Carl Junction’s doubles team of Besperat and Wurdeman finished second in the individual district tournament, advancing to the sectional round of the state tournament. 

Glendale’s Lucy Huang and Olivia Edwards were the top doubles teams, while Glendale’s duo of Ann Beatty and Chloe Stenger were the top two singles players.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Carthage walks off in extras over Monett; Neosho cruises past Grove

Posted on by Lucas Davis

CARTHAGE 4, MONETT 3 (8 INNINGS)

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Monett rallied back from an early hole to take a one-run lead over Carthage in the later stages of the game before the Tigers tied it with a run in the sixth inning before walking the win off in the bottom of the eighth inning.

With one out and the bags empty in the last of the eighth inning, Alexis Smith singled to right field for Carthage (16-12) before Ashlynn Jackson followed with a double to right field to put runners at second and third. Brooklyn Dolon-Main came up clutch for the Tigers after hitting a sacrifice fly to center field to score Smith and send Carthage home with the win in extras.

Jackson started and took a no-decision for the Tigers after allowing three runs, one earned, on seven hits, a walk and five strikeouts in four innings. Addison Wallace worked four scoreless innings of relief to earn the win, scattering four hits, walking two and striking out five. 

Kilee Wilson took the loss for Monett (7-15) after allowing four runs, two earned, on eight hits, a walk and 12 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.

Dolon-Main finished with two hits and an RBI, while Lexa Youngblood, who doubled, and Smith each had a hit and scored a run. Addison Bayless went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Jenna Calhoon had a hit and Shelby Hegwer scored a run.

Carthage is at Neosho to wrap up COC action on Tuesday.

 

NEOSHO 9, GROVE 0

NEOSHO, Mo. —  Neosho improved to 20-4 with a non-conference win.

Autumn Kinnaird had three hits with a pair of home runs and drove in four runs for the Wildcats, while Becklynn Garrett went 4-for-4.

Carleigh Kinnaird and Abbie Carpenter added two hits apiece. 

Olivia Emery earned the shutout win in the circle, allowing just four hits and a walk. She struck out three. 

The Wildcats led 3-0 when they added four runs in the fourth. A two-run sixth put the finishing touches on the victory. 

Neosho hosts Carthage on Tuesday for a COC contest. 

SOFTBALL: McDonald County defeats Webb City in pitcher’s duel

Posted on by Lucas Davis

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City and McDonald County have developed a softball rivalry in recent seasons, playing for a district title each of the previous two seasons.

Webb City and McDonald County added their latest chapter Monday.

McDonald County junior pitcher Nevaeh Dodson and Webb City sophomore pitcher Laney Taylor engaged in an old-fashioned duel and combined for 20 strikeouts (Dodson 12, Taylor 8), and each team played clean softball with no errors in a swift game that was over in 90 minutes.

Dodson’s solo home run in the third and two more runs in the fifth propelled McDonald County to a 3-1 win to start the final week of the regular season.

“That’s absolutely what it was, clean softball both sides,” McDonald County coach Heath Alumbaugh said. “We were able to scratch out a few hits when we needed it with some perfect timing and that’s the difference in the ballgame. Defensively clean both ways, both pitchers pitched well, and sometimes the ball bounces your way and sometimes it doesn’t.”

“I’m proud of the way the girls came out and played today,” Webb City coach Shauna Friend said. “We had a few small mistakes and in a game like that with two competitive teams, you just can’t afford that and so that was the difference in the score. Both pitchers did a great job in the circle, and we just needed to round up a few more hits.”

Dodson enjoyed an outstanding game for the visiting Mustangs, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a solo home run, and her sacrifice in the fifth helped set up a second McDonald County run. She earned the victory in the circle with one earned run allowed on five hits with 12 strikeouts and one walk over seven innings and 105 total pitches.

“That’s what Nevaeh does for us,” Alumbaugh said. “She’s going to go out in the circle, throw strikes and give us a chance defensively. Then, she can be a threat at the plate. That’s why she’s in the leadoff spot. She can do a lot of things—hit for a little power and she dropped down a sacrifice bunt when we needed it. She’s a very versatile player.”

Dodson struck out at least one in all seven innings, highlighted by her striking out the side in the second and the third.

Jacie Frencken delivered an RBI double in the two-run fifth, and Carlee Cooper, Natalie Gillming and Reagan Myrick rounded out the Mustangs’ six hits with one each.

Taylor took the loss, and she allowed three runs (all earned) on six hits with eight strikeouts and one walk over seven innings and 95 total pitches.

Freshman left fielder Alex Maturino led off the fifth with a double, stole third, and scored Webb City’s lone run when she came home on Sydney Strickland’s 4-3 RBI groundout.

Elizabeth Rhuems, Strickland, Kenzie Wynn and Addison Brown contributed one hit each to the Cardinals’ five hits against Dodson.

McDonald County and Webb City could meet again very soon in the district tournament.

“The fun thing about it, Coach Friend does a great job,” Alumbaugh said. “They’re always well-coached. We know it’s going to be a battle every year. This game, just fortunate to come out on the winning end of it tonight.”

“That’s the plan,” Friend said. “See them again in districts. They’re a good ball club, and we hope to end up playing them in the end.

“We’ve been up and down all season. It’s been a roller coaster at times. Like we’ve said all year, we’re young and the girls are getting a lot of good experience that’s not going to only benefit us in districts this year but into future years. Overall, I’m pleased with how the girls have come out this year and hopefully, we can finish strong and peak next week.”

McDonald County improved to 16-7 overall, and the Mustangs return to action Tuesday on the road against Monett. The Mustangs complete their regular season with games Friday and Saturday in the Carthage Tournament.

Webb City dropped to 16-16 overall, and the Cardinals finish out Central Ozark Conference play Tuesday against Joplin. The Cardinals finish their regular season Saturday against Kickapoo and Rock Bridge.

 

SPRINGFIELD TOURNAMENT

The Cardinals went 3-2 at the Springfield Tournament over the weekend.

Webb City earned wins over Rogersville (8-7), St. Teresa’s Academy (20-2) and Seneca (6-1). The Cardinals suffered losses to Liberty (10-5) and Willard (8-1). 

 

 

MONDAY’S FULL STATS: Webb City HS (webbcitycardinals.com)

SOFTBALL: Joplin snaps skid against Glendale on Senior Night

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Joplin snapped its four-game losing streak as the Eagles earned a 2-1 win over Glendale on Senior Night on Monday at the JHS Athletic Complex.

Joplin senior shortstop Izzy Yust fields a ball during the Eagles’ win over Glendale on Monday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

The Eagles scored a run in the first inning before the Falcons briefly tied the game up in the top of the sixth with a single tally. Joplin answered right back with a go-ahead run crossing the plate in the last of the sixth on the way to victory. The Eagles snapped a four-game losing streak with the win, improving its record to 21-9.

“(Tonight’s win) was huge especially when you have a big conference game tomorrow,” Joplin coach Brenden Schneider said. “It is a momentum builder and a confidence builder for us. We are just hoping that we can continue with this momentum but find our bats a little more tomorrow.”

SENIOR NIGHT

Joplin starting pitcher Jill McDaniel and starting shortstop Izzy Yust were both honored after the game on Senior Night ceremonies.

“What is there to say about those two?” Schneider said. “They are two of the best kids you could ask for as a coach. They do everything you ask of them with a smile because they understand the process. They understand what it means to be a leader, and they have both been team captains for three-plus years and have been phenomenal in the role. What I am the most proud of is that they’ve helped teach our younger players how we play the game and how we go about our business here at Joplin.”

IN THE CIRCLE

Joplin senior Jill McDaniel winds up before delivering to the plate in her final home start of her career for the Eagles on Monday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

McDaniel dominated in the final home start of her career, earning the complete-game win in the circle for the Eagles after allowing one unearned run on one hit, two walks and 13 strikeouts in seven innings.

“We couldn’t have done it today without Jill,” Schneider said. “She went out to the circle and owned it with 13 strikeouts and like two walks and she hit a girl. That is just battling in the circle. When you only give up one hit, it puts the rest of your team in a pretty good position and we needed every bit of her effort because we only scored two runs, and I don’t think either of them were earned.”

Zoe Denny took the loss after allowing two unearned runs on four hits and two strikeouts in six innings of work.

GAME ACTION 

Joplin sophomore Libby Munn hits a line drive during the Eagles’ win over Glendale on Monday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

Joplin took the early lead when Abby Lowery, who reached on a fielder’s choice, came around to score on a passed ball for a 1-0 advantage. 

The Falcons tied the game up at 1-1 after back to back two-out errors in the top of the sixth inning allowed Samantha Caldwell to score.

The Eagles didn’t wait long to respond. Joplin’s Riley Kelly led off the top of the sixth inning with a single before courtesy runner Carlie Howard stole second and went to third when Yust reached via a Glendale error at third. Howard later scored on a passed ball to give Joplin its 2-1 advantage.

AT THE PLATE

Bailey Ledford, Jadyn Pankow, McDaniel and Kelly each had hits for Joplin.
Caldwell had the lone hit for Glendale.

ON DECK

Joplin hits the road for its final Central Ozark Conference game of the season with a matchup at Webb City on Tuesday. The Eagles close the regular season with a game at Waynesville on Thursday.

“The conference is so tough,” Schneider said about the COC. “Every Tuesday and Thursday you know you’re going to hook up with somebody who is going to give you their very best. Webb is no different. They play so hard and are going to find ways to get things done. We are going to have to play with an energy and an attitude that we can compete with them if we want to come out of there with a win.”

 

FOOTBALL: Latest Missouri Media rankings released

Posted on by Jason Peake

Listed below are the latest Missouri Media’s high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

Joplin is ranked sixth in Class 6. The Eagles improved to 5-1 with last Friday’s 42-28 win over Republic. Joplin will host Carl Junction this Friday for homecoming.

Also of note, undefeated Nixa is ranked fourth in Class 6.

In Class 5, Carthage remained on top of the poll, while Webb City is ranked fourth.

Carthage (5-1) received 9-of-10 first-place votes this week. Webb City moved up one spot this week after improving to 4-2 on the season. Webb City hosts Carthage this Friday night in a key COC showdown.

Nevada (5-1) is ranked eighth in Class 4. After falling to 4-2, McDonald County is receiving votes in Class 4. 

In Class 2, Seneca (6-0) is ranked third and Lamar (5-1) is ranked fourth. Seneca hosts East Newton this Friday, while Lamar hosts Nevada.

Sarcoxie (6-0) is receiving votes in Class 1. 

The 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; Joe Andrews, Warrensburg Star Journal; Tommy Rezac, KFEQ St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; JC Reeves, Southeast Missourian/semoball.com; Jason Peake, Somo-sports.com.

 

MISSOURI MEDIA RANKINGS

First-place votes in parenthesis.

CLASS 6
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Liberty North (8), 6-0, 98, 1
2. CBC (1), 5-1, 90, 2
3. Lee’s Summit North, 5-1, 77, 3
4. Nixa (1), 6-0, 75, 4
5. De Smet, 3-3, 57, 5
6. Joplin, 5-1, 48, 6
7. Troy, 4-2, 45, 7
8. Marquette, 5-1, 27, 9
9. Blue Springs South, 4-2, 18, 10
10. Raymore-Peculiar, 4-2, 6, 8
Also receiving votes: Rock Bridge (5-1), 5; Seckman (5-1), 4

CLASS 5
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Carthage (9), 5-1, 99, 1
2. Francis Howell (1), 6-0, 91, 2
3. Lebanon, 6-0, 77, 4
4. Webb City, 4-2, 66, 5
5. Camdenton, 6-0, 57, 6
6. Holt, 5-1, 53, 7
7. MICDS, 5-1, 41, 3
8. Eureka, 6-0, 35, 9
9. Timberland, 5-1, 15, 8
10. Oak Park, 5-1, 10, 10
Also receiving votes: Jefferson City Helias (4-2), 6

CLASS 4
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. St. Mary’s (10), 5-1, 100, 1
2. Kearney, 6-0, 90, 2
3. Smithville, 5-1, 78, 3
4. Center, 6-0, 67, T4
5. Union, 6-0, 62, T4
6. Hillsboro, 6-0, 51, 6
7. Hannibal, 4-2, 41, 7
8. Nevada, 5-1, 30, 8
9. Rockwood Summit, 5-1, 18, NR
10. West Plains, 4-2, 7, 10
Also receiving votes: McDonald County (4-2), 6

CLASS 3
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Cardinal Ritter (10), 6-0, 100, 1
2. Pleasant Hill, 6-0, 88, 2
3. Valle Catholic, 6-0, 82, 3
4. Lutheran North, 4-2, 67, 7
5. Lutheran St. Charles, 3-3, 51, 4
T6. St. Pius X, 4-2, 41, 5
T6. Maryville, 4-2, 41, T8
7. Savannah, 6-0, 32, NR
8. Kennett, 5-1, 19, 6
10. Park Hills Central, 5-1, 16, T8
Also receiving votes: Reeds Spring (4-2), 7; Chillicothe (4-2), 4; St. Charles West (5-1), 2

CLASS 2
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Blair Oaks (10), 6-0, 100, 1
2. Lafayette County, 6-0, 84, 2
3. Seneca, 6-0, 82, 3
4. Lamar, 5-1, 70, 4
5. Richmond, 5-1, 57, 5
6. Bowling Green, 6-0, 46, 6
7. Macon, 6-0, 34, 7
8. MV-Liberty, 6-0, 31, 9
9. Centralia, 5-1, 25, 8
10. Lift for Life, 5-1, 14, 10
Also receiving votes: Trenton (6-0), 3; Houston (6-0), 2; New Madrid County Central (5-1), 2

CLASS 1
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Monroe City (7), 6-0, 97, 1
2. East Buchanan (3), 5-1, 92, 2
3. Mid Buchanan, 6-0, 79, 3
4. Marionville, 6-0, 69, 4
5. Gallatin, 6-0, 61, 5
6. Lincoln, 5-1, 42, 6
7. Scott City, 5-1, 34, 7
T8. Adrian, 5-1, 25, 9
T8. Cole Camp, 6-0, 25, 8
10. St. Vincent, 5-1, 13, 10
Also receiving votes: Sarcoxie (6-0), 5; Portageville (5-1), 4; South Shelby (5-1), 4

GIRLS GOLF: Nevada’s Cameron takes third at Big 8 tourney

Posted on by Jason Peake

MARSHFIELD, Mo. — Nevada’s Emree Cameron finished third individually and Lamar was the second-place team at the Big 8 Conference Girls Golf Tournament on Monday at Whispering Oaks Golf Course.

Springfield Catholic cruised to the team championship with a 325, while Lamar (389) and Cassville (393) finished second and third, respectively, in the team standings. 

Rounding out the team standings were Rogersville (398), Mount Vernon (406), McDonald County (421), Monett (424) and Seneca (452).

Hollister, Marshfield, Nevada and Reeds Springs do not field full squads. 

Individually, Marshfield’s Marlee Edgeman birdied a playoff hole to earn medalist honors. After 18 holes, Edgeman and Springfield Catholic’s Lyla Louderbaugh both carded 6-under-par 64.

Nevada’s Cameron shot a 2-under-par 68 to finish third. 

“Our conference has three of the best girls in the state,” Nevada coach Brian Leonard said, mentioning Cameron, Edgeman and Louderbaugh. “Emree had a good day on the course. Any time you can shoot close to par or under par…you have had a good day.  Emree was hitting her driver good today, but some of her approach shots were further from the hole than she would have liked. She had several putts lip-out, but she still had a good day.”

Cassville’s Avery Chappell (75) finished fourth and Lamar’s Victoria O’Neal (76) took fifth. 

Springfield Catholic’s Grace Tiedemann (78) and Sarah Han (87) finished sixth and seventh. 

Monett’s Claire Nation placed eighth with an 88 and Mount Vernon’s Kenadi Killingsworth tied for ninth with an 89. 

Monett’s Katie Geiss finished 11th with a 90 and Mount Vernon’s Madi Phillips took 12th with a 93. Cassville’s Madi Barton, McDonald County’s Kyla Moore and Nevada’s Paige Hertzberg tied for 13th place with scores of 96. 

Coach Leonard noted Hertzberg tied her personal best score.

“Paige had a string of three pars in-a-row on No. 18, No. 1 and No. 2 which helped her stay on track for her PR today,” Leonard said. 

Just missing all-conference recognition were Lamar’s Zavrie Wiss and McDonald County’s Fayth Ogden and Kelsie Lilly, as all three tied for 17th with scores of 101.   

Nevada’s Riley Severance tied for 22nd with a 102. 

“I was very proud of my three girls,” Leonard said of Cameron, Hertzberg and Severance. “They played hard, had a few bad holes here and there, but still fought back for a very respectable finish in our conference.”

Seneca’s top finisher was Madison Collinsworth (31st, 110). Also competing for Seneca were Madison Auman (35th), Elizabeth Olson (37th), Layna Barwick (38th) and Olivia Wade (51st). 

Also competing for McDonald County were Raygan Allgood (46th) and Scout Watson (47th). 

Nevada, Lamar, Monett and Mount Vernon will be among the teams competing at the Class 2 District 3 tournament on Thursday at Randel-Hinkle Municipal Golf Course.

 

Pictured are the top performers from the Big 8 Conference Girls Golf Tournament. Courtesy photo.

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