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GIRLS SOCCER: Young Webb City squad will be led by four returners

Entering the 2023 season, Webb City’s girls soccer team will once again have several underclassmen in big roles. 

In 2022, the Cardinals went 13-9 overall and fell to Branson in the district semifinals. 

“We had the youngest squad we’ve ever had last year, led by our three seniors, and the majority of our starters were freshman and sophomores,” Webb City coach Nick Harmon said. “We’ll be even younger this year with only two returning seniors. Despite being so young collectively, we are excited about their potential.”

Webb City must overcome the loss of three senior standouts—Anea Bemo, Austyn Mickey and Delaney Duke.

Bemo scored a team-high 22 goals last season and earned all-conference, all-district, all-region and all-state recognition as a forward. She is now playing at William Jewell. Mickey was an all-district defender who is playing at Crowder College, while Duke was an all-conference, all-district and all-region goalkeeper who has taken her talents to Park University.

“We only graduated three seniors last year, but all three played crucial roles for us their entire high school career,” Harmon noted. “Delaney is the best goalkeeper we’ve ever had, Bemo the best forward and Austyn is the best leader we’ve ever had. The key for our group this year is not dwelling on the past or their accomplishments. We expect this group to learn from Anea, Delaney and Austyn. But this year is about this group of players and what they can accomplish. Despite our youth, we have talent and we’re excited to see players step up and fill those roles.”

Webb City has four key performers back in the lineup this spring—senior midfielder Cree Vaden, senior defender Skylar Martin, junior midfielder Riley Whitehead and junior forward Sophia Booher. The four players are expected to lead the way this spring.

Vaden led the team in assists last season with 12 and earned second team all-district honors. 

“Cree has great passing, spatial awareness and vision,” Harmon said. “She will be our field general this year in the midfield. Cree has more varsity experience than any player on the roster. She was a starter on the most successful team we’ve had in school history three years ago. I anticipate both the players and coach to lean on Cree this year for leadership.”

Martin earned honorable mention all-district honors. 

“Skylar is a tough defender with varsity experience,” Harmon said. “She tackles well and isn’t afraid to be physical. We’re expecting her to win physical battles against opposition forwards this year.”

Harmon noted Whitehead has battled injuries in her career, but expects her to contribute nicely this season.

“Riley has had a tough two years so far,” Harmon said. “As a freshman, she worked her way into the starting lineup the year we went 22-4 and made the quarterfinals. But she tore her ACL the first game. Last year, she was recovering from a broken ankle bone, so this year might be her first full season in which she gets to play. She’s easily one of the most experienced and talented players we’ve got. So we’re anxious to get her healthy and back out there.”

Booher was the team’s second-leading scorer last year with 10 goals. 

“Sophia has excellent pace and a rocket of a shot,” Harmon said. “She made great strides last year as a sophomore playing alongside Bemo. So we expect her to pick up where she left off last year and continue scoring goals for us.”   

Other athletes expected to play key roles this season are sophomores Jenna Schulz, Kirra Long, Ruby Channel, Gabrielle Stodghill and Kaylee Kenney. 

Schulz, Long and Channel are defenders, while Stodghill and Kenney are midfielders.

Harmon noted his program features a large group of sophomores and freshmen, many of whom could earn a spot in the starting lineup this season.

“Within that group, there are a number of freshman and returning JV players who have potential to challenge for spots at the varsity level,” Harmon said. “With our squad being so young this year and playing time being wide open, we’re excited to watch them compete for spots in the varsity 11.”

Harmon said he’s seen a lot of positives during early-season practices.

“I like the caliber of athlete we have,” Harmon said. “We aren’t returning a ton of experience, but we’ve got a group that brings a positive mentality and work ethic every day. They seem eager to learn and improve, which I believe will lend us success in the postseason.”

Asked about team strengths, Harmon said there’s a lot to like about this year’s group.

“We have a lot of speed and talent up top, with multiple players who can finish,” he said. “I think our attacking threats this year will have more balance. Our midfield is experienced and our back line is experienced. We have a good collective team mentality. If they can continue to work hard and take things one day at a time, we will show tremendous growth throughout the course of the season. By the time we get to the postseason, I believe we will be ready to make a run.”

Webb City is scheduled to compete at this weekend’s Lebanon Tournament. 

The Cardinals have road games at McDonald County (3-27) and Aurora (3-30) before their home opener on March 31 against Rogersville. 

BASEBALL PREVIEW: McAuley returns nearly entire squad in 2023

After going 6-9 a year ago and graduating just one senior in Bryan Jones’ first season at the helm of McAuley baseball, the Warriors return nearly every starter from last year’s team with the intent to use that experience and take the next step in 2023.

“The 2023 season has high expectations for the team,” Jones said to SoMo Sports. “Last year was a new philosophy and growing year with tremendous success. The players worked hard and improved every day and saw their success play out. We expect to continue our success and make a run at the 2023 conference and district titles.”

In total, McAuley returns 10 players who either started or lettered at the varsity level a year ago, and that group is highlighted by the six seniors—P/3B Kable Reichardt (first-team all-district; second-team all-conference), C Jack Jones (second-team all-district), OF Noah Black, OF Kendall Jones, INF Joe Staton (first-team all-conference) and P Trey Martinez.

Also returning for the Warriors are junior P/INF Rocco Bazzano-Joseph (second-team all-conference and district), junior OF/C Bradley Wagoner (second-team all-district), junior 1B/P Chase Gardner, sophomore OF/P Michael Parrigon (first-team all-conference and district) and sophomore 3B/P Tripp Miller.

“The Warriors will be returning a close-knit team that has gained experience and had success on the field with seven players winning postseason, conference and district awards,” McAuley coach Bryan Jones said. “And, six of those players return to the team for the 2023 season.”

Reichardt and Bazzano-Joseph will anchor the rotation this season. Reichardt led the team in wins with three and finished with a 3.75 earned-run average, while Bazzano-Joseph finished with two wins and a 3.09 ERA. Gardner, Wagner, Parrigon, Miller and sophomore Brek Sickman will also see time on the bump. 

Bazzano-Joseph hit .341 at the plate while leading the Warriors with 11 RBI and stole five bases. Parrigon brings back a .345 average as well as four RBI and nine stolen bases. Staton batted .336 and had four RBI and 10 stolen bases. Jack Jones hit .321 with four doubles, five RBI and six stolen bases, while Kendall Jones hit .312 and had five RBI and six stolen bases.  Reichardt batted .297 with six RBO and seven stolen bases, while Wagoner hit .293 with four RBI and five stolen bases.

McAuley opens the season at home with a matchup against Cassville on Friday.

STATE HOOPS: Carl Junction ready to make up for lost time

As they prepare for the final two games of what’s been a remarkable season, the Carl Junction girls basketball team is ready to make up for lost time.

Members of this year’s senior class were part of Carl Junction’s undefeated 2020 squad that advanced to the Final Four, but didn’t get to compete because the state tournament was canceled due to concerns over the coronavirus.

It’s safe to say it was a heartbreaking end to a stellar season. On top of that, Carl Junction’s last two seasons ended one win short of the semifinals. 

If you ask Bulldogs coach Brad Shorter, he’ll tell you his team remains highly-motivated by those past disappointments.

“I think there is some extra motivation with our kids,” Coach Shorter said. “You can see it in their eyes. Our kids have wanted this opportunity and now they’ve created this opportunity for themselves. 

“2020 was devastating for our basketball program,” Shorter added. “We didn’t get to finish it and we felt like we had a great shot at winning it that year. This year’s group is different, but our seniors were part of that group. Hopefully that extra motivation will help us. We know there are three other great basketball teams in the tournament, so we’ll have to be well-prepared.” 

The Bulldogs get their shot at redemption this weekend.

Carl Junction (29-1) meets Cape Girardeau Notre Dame (23-5) at 6 on Friday night in a Class 5 semifinal of the 2023 MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown inside the Hammons Student Center on the campus of Missouri State University.

For Shorter and the Bulldogs, the goal is simple.

“I want to see us peak this weekend,” Shorter said. “I think we’re getting close. We seem to be getting better each day. Playing a lot of tremendous basketball teams always helps. We just have to bring our ‘A’ game. I told the girls all of the work is done. The hay’s in the barn. We just have to be ready to bring our best effort. We just hope we can play well and we hope we can finish the way we want to.”

 

Pictured is the Carl Junction High School girls basketball team. The Bulldogs are 29-1 ahead of this weekend’s Class 5 Show-Me Showdown in Springfield.

A CLOSER LOOK: THE CARL JUNCTION BULLDOGS

After beating Lincoln College Prep in Saturday’s quarterfinals, Carl Junction enters the Show-Me Showdown on a 24-game winning streak.

Coach Shorter noted it’s been rewarding to still be going to practice every day at this time of the year.

“It’s been terrific,” Shorter said. “As much as I don’t want this season to end, and I don’t think our kids want this season to end, but the beauty of it is we know we have two games left. That makes it nice to be able to finish out a season knowing what you’ve got left.” 

Carl Junction’s starting lineup features senior guards Destiny Buerge, Hali Shorter and Klohe Burk, junior forward Kylie Scott and sophomore guard/forward Dezi Williams. 

The 4-States Basketball Coaches Association’s Player of the Year and Carl Junction’s all-time leading scorer, Buerge averages 25 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists per game.

The 6-foot-3 Scott is averaging 14 points, nine rebounds, three blocked shots and two assists per game.

Burk averages eight points and two steals per game, Hali Shorter averages four assists, three points, three rebounds and 1.5 steals per night, while Williams contributes seven points, seven boards and three assists per contest.

Carl Junction’s reserves are senior Allie Wrestler, junior Anna Burch, sophomore DeShaye Buerge and freshman Jadyn Howard.

Winners of eight straight district championships, Carl Junction is ranked first in Class 5 by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association. 

Also of note, Central Ozark Conference champion Carl Junction owns wins over two teams that beat Notre Dame during the regular season—Nixa and Republic.

 

A CLOSER LOOK: THE NOTRE DAME BULLDOGS

Notre Dame defeated John Burroughs 43-35 in the quarterfinal round.

Notre Dame is tied for eighth in the MBCA poll. The Bulldogs won a district title for the fifth straight season. 

Notre Dame has won 11 of its last 13 games. 

“They’re really good,” Shorter said. “They remind me of a number of teams, including ourselves. They play a matchup zone. They have more length than we do. They’re fundamentally sound and they do a lot of nice things on the floor. We’re going to have to box them off and limit their possessions. The biggest thing for us is that we are secure with the basketball and that we get the looks we want.” 

The Rubel sisters are key performers for Notre Dame. Freshman Brie Rubel scored 16 points in the quarterfinals, while senior Tori Rubel had 15 points and 12 rebounds and freshman Kate Rubel contributed 11 rebounds and four points. 

Senior Anna Garner is another player to watch for Notre Dame, which also has the Bulldogs as its mascot.

Like Carl Junction, Notre Dame lost in the quarterfinals the past two seasons after qualifying for the semifinals in 2020.

 

THIS ‘N THAT

Sapulpa, the lone team that has defeated Carl Junction this season, won the Oklahoma 5A state championship last weekend. Of note, Carl Junction was not at full-strength in that meeting, which took place in the title game of the Fort Smith Tournament of Champions. 

Carl Junction is heading to the Final Four for the fourth time in seven years under Shorter. The Bulldogs finished fourth in 2017, were the runner-up in ’18, and again, didn’t get the opportunity to compete after qualifying in ’20.

 

STATE SCHEDULE

In Friday’s second Class 5 semifinal, defending champion West Plains (23-7) takes on Lutheran St. Charles (25-5) at approximately 8 p.m.

Saturday’s Class 5 Show-Me Showdown title game is scheduled for 8 p.m. inside Great Southern Bank Arena. The third place game is at noon on Saturday. 

 

MORE INFORMATION: 

MSHSAA 2022-2023 Class 5 Girls Basketball State Tournament Matchup: Notre Dame (Cape Girardeau) vs. Carl Junction

 

Brad Shorter’s Carl Junction girls basketball team takes on Cape Girardeau Notre Dame at 6 on Friday night in a Class 5 semifinal in Springfield.

BASEBALL PREVIEW: Experience and depth to lead the way for Neosho in 2023 season

The Neosho baseball program has two important pillars to build off of for the upcoming 2023 season.

The Wildcats finished with a 14-16 record last season in Bo Helsel’s first year at the helm of the program and are ready to improve upon that record after returning nearly every starter from a year ago while also welcoming an influx of newcomers to the varsity level.

“This team is very excited,” said Helsel, a longtime assistant before taking over last year. “We have more depth than I can remember on a Neosho team. We also have a lot of senior leadership and experience. Nearly all of our seniors have varsity-level experience on the mound and in the field. We also have a great group of juniors who will push for time. Our sophomore class is very deep and I can see a few of those players pushing for varsity time this season.”

Neosho returns six seniors to the varsity squad—SS/P River Brill, UTL/P Kael Smith (all-conference HM and all-district), UTL/P Carter Fenske, C Eli Zar (second-team all-COC, all-district), OF/P Wyatt Shadwick (all-district) and OF/P Austin Rodriguez. Also returning to the varsity lineup is junior 3B and pitcher Quenton Hughes. 

The Wildcats also add senior DH/3B Dante Igisomar and welcome two juniors—UTL/P Noah Lawson and 2B/P Colton Southern. Also joining the varsity roster this season are sophomores Hudson Williams (2B/P), Denver Welch (OF/P) and Kanten Smith (C/P) as well as freshman OF/P Brody Crane.

“In my second year at the helm of Neosho baseball, my expectations are at an all-time high,” Helsel said. “I believe this group has the guts and drive to work hard in practice everyday and go and win baseball games. We are a focused group who I am excited to be a part of.”

Brill, Hughes and Zar figure to be the top three in the lineup for Neosho, with Shadwick, Rodriguez and Crane making up the middle of the order. Smith, Igisomar (DH) and Southern project to round things out.

Neosho’s rotation sets up with Smith, Austin Rodriguez, Hughes and Fenske. Brill projects as the closer, with Shadwick, Lawson, Welch, Williams, Bostyn Patterson, Liam McInturff, Alex Rodriguez, Brodie Arthur and Brody Crane all potentially working in relief out of the pen.

“We need to hit,” Helsel said about what improvements he wants from his team over last season. “If we had averaged two more runs a game last year, we would have five to six  more wins. I know we have great depth and solid starting pitching, but we need to score runs. It doesn’t matter how our kids get on base, we just need to challenge the defense every inning for us to be successful.”

With so much varsity experience returning coupled with the youth infusement to provide depth, it’s no wonder why the expectations are high around the Wildcats’ program this spring. After struggling mightily two years ago, Neosho bounced back to improve by 10 wins and finish just below .500. If Neosho continues that trend 2023 could be a big season for the Wildcats.

“I expect us to compete for a conference and district championship,” Helsel said. “Anyone who plays in the COC knows that schedule is a gauntlet. We have the talent and experience to make a run in districts as well. We will be moving up to Class 6 this season because our school continues to grow rapidly, but I believe we are ready for that.

“Our strengths are depth and experience. We have many kids with tons of playing time at the varsity level. We went from a four-win team in 2021 to a 14-win team last season. I believe we will continue to grow on that and send our seniors out with a season to remember.”

Neosho opens the season on the road at Carl Junction in a non-conference matchup scheduled for 2 p.m. on March 18.