The Central Ozark Conference, which has 12 members in football and 14 in all other sports, has decided to split the conference into two divsions—the East side of conference and the West side of the conference—according to sources.
The divisions in the COC are listed below:
West Division (football)
Carthage, Joplin, Neosho, Webb City, Republic, Willard
As the new terrain of the Central Ozark Conference begins to take shape, SoMo Sports had a chance to have a conversation with Joplin High School athletic director Matt Hiatt to get a feel for things from a local perspective.
Following quite a bit of shakeup over the last several weeks, or months depending on if you’ve been involved with the situation, there looks to be a set path for the COC to continue next season with 14 teams, 12 of which will compete in football against each other.
“We’re happy that we’ve been able to solidify our conference and continue to move together as a group of schools,” Hiatt said when asked about Joplin’s stance on the realignment. “Obviously, as we moved through this process with schools identifying what was important to them as far as the realignment goes—travel is something that is a top priority that is on our list. We’re hoping that as a conference, we can structure our setups in various different sports to limit travel as much as possible.”
The COC teams remaining in the conference after the departure of Branson and Carl Junction earlier in the fall are Carthage, Joplin, Neosho, Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Webb City and Willard. Joining the COC in all sports will be Glendale, Kickapoo, Lebanon, Waynesville, while Parkview and Springfield Central will compete in every sport but football.
“When you’re adding schools such as Lebanon, Waynesville, Parkview, Central, Kickapoo and Glendale, that only enhances the competition level in our sports,” Hiatt said about the benefits of the new additions to COC. “While all schools may struggle at a particular sport and are good at others, across the board this conference is going to be extremely competitive. These 14 schools are going to bring a lot to the table in terms of athletic programs.”
Of course, there are new concerns to deal with from several standpoints. For the ADs and coaches, with 12 teams in football and 14 teams in the rest of the sports, playing every team in the conference would be very demanding, difficult to do or even impossible in some cases. While nothing is set in stone, there is a preference and belief that the conference will be divided up into divisions based on factors such as location and school size and that the majority of the conference games on the schedule for each sport would be against divisional teams. There is also a possibility of neutral-site games, but that wouldn’t be viable in every sport.
“Everything is still in the works, but I think the thing we would like to see is that there are divisions set up,” Hiatt said. “Obviously, there would need to be some crossover among those divisions, but we would like to see geography being a huge factor in how those divisions are set up so that we are not routinely putting our kids on a bus to some of those farther schools such as Lebanon and Waynesville. … There are going to be times when we have to go to those schools, however, we believe it is in our best interest to structure our conference in a way where that’s not happening consistently.”
For football in particular, five games would be scheduled within the division (if two six-team divisions) and the remaining games on the schedule would be crossover games with the other division to ensure all games would be within the conference.
Divisions within the conference would not only help with the scheduling, but would also ease the burden of student-athletes either being forced to leave school early or get home extremely late by potentially avoiding road trips of 120 miles or more multiple times in each sport, which is the biggest concern for parents of student-athletes on the far east and west sides of the conference.
Of course, if you decide to have divisions—regardless of how many you ultimately have—the question of how you decide a conference champion is brought up.
“That is all still being discussed, and there are a lot of things that have to be worked out—how are we going to set up our divisions? Are those teams going to be set up based upon geography and enrollment, and how is that going to look?” Hiatt said about the possibility of division winners playing for a conference championship. “I think something that is important to all of us is that we maintain some sort of semblance of a conference championship and the ability to select our kids as all-conference in some fashion. So, there are a lot of things to work through, and those are things that are important to all schools.”
All of this reshuffling can be confusing, and no one knows that more than the athletic directors, who tend to act as middle men when conferences are tasked with adding schools. The final decisions are made between the superintendents of the conference schools, who take input from the local school board and the athletic directors, who take input from their coaches, principals, parents and student-athletes.
When asked if the COC, or any of the local conferences for that matter, are set for the time being, Hiatt believed there could be more movement in the near future as schools figure out what is important to them.
“I would not be surprised if you continue to see some movement over the next few years,” Hiatt said. “I think every school is being asked to evaluate what is important to them. Whether that’s travel, enrollment or success. The answer to those questions by each school is going to guide them to what is best for them.”
As far as the Eagles were concerned, Hiatt was concrete on Joplin’s stance in the COC.
“I can only speak for Joplin—being able to move into the COC and renew our local rivalries with the schools that are close to us is something that was huge to us and want to see that continue as best it can,” he said. “As far as that goes, we want to be local and limit travel like we used to have to do in the Ozark Conference. We are a proud member of the COC and believe it is the best fit for us.”
Carl Junction will be leaving the Central Ozark Conference for a fresh start in a new league — the Ozark Mountain Conference.
After weeks of speculation, the Carl Junction School District on Wednesday officially confirmed the move to the new conference beginning in the fall of 2024.
Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, Branson, Bolivar, Carl Junction, Rogersville, Marshfield and West Plains will compete in the newly formed Ozark Mountain Conference.
“The formation of the new Ozark Mountain Conference enables our districts to strengthen our activity and athletic programs while improving our student-athletes,” the Ozark Mountain Conference Superintendents said in a joint statement.
The Ozark Mountain Conference brings together districts that are similar in enrollment numbers, as well as shared values and community beliefs, the press release said.
“Moving to a new conference will be better for our student-athletes, giving them the opportunity to compete with schools our size,” said Carl Junction Board of Education President Larry Cowger.
For the remainder of this school year, the six schools will work collaboratively in preparation for competing in the new Ozark Mountain Conference during the 2024-25 school year.
“In all my years in Carl Junction, I have never been more excited for our students and community,” Carl Junction Superintendent Dr. Phillip Cook said in the press release. “Joining the Ozark Mountain Conference allows our student-athletes to compete at a high level with similarly sized, outstanding school districts in which each has a rich tradition of excellence.”
Carl Junction’s current MSHSAA enrollment number is 735, by far the smallest school in the COC. Joplin has an enrollment of 1664 and Nixa is at 1478 (Grades 9-11, not including Grade 12).
After competing in the Big 8 Conference for decades, Carl Junction joined the Central Ozark Conference at the start of the 2016-17 school year.
The COC will be at eight teams without Carl Junction and Branson. With that, COC football teams will need to add a couple of non-conference games to their schedules.
With the departures of Rogersville and Marshfield, the Big 8 will be at nine teams going forward.
Just last month, Big 8 schools Hollister, Springfield Catholic and Reeds Springs announced they would be joining the Mid-Lakes Conference for the 2024-25 school year.
Carthage’s Owen Derryberry and Carl Junction’s Jack Spencer were the top two finishers at the COC Boys Golf Tournament. Derryberry won a second playoff hole after the two were tied after 18 holes.
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — With the pressure on, and with an individual conference championship on the line, Carthage’s Owen Derryberry sank a dramatic 30-foot putt to put a final exclamation point on a long day of golf.
Derryberry’s impressive putt concluded a second playoff hole against Carl Junction’s Jack Spencer and gave the CHS junior medalist honors at the 2023 Central Ozark Conference Boys Golf Tournament on Tuesday at Briarbrook Golf Course.
That’s not all. Derryberry’s performance led the way as Carthage captured the COC’s team championship.
“I feel really good right now,” Derryberry said. “I started out rough today, but I pulled it together and played pretty well. It was like a sigh of relief to see that last putt go in. I’m just proud of our whole team for being COC champs. We want to win districts next. That’s the next goal.”
On a near perfect day to play, Derryberry and Spencer both fired 1-under-par 71 at the conclusion of 18 holes.
The first playoff hole, No. 10, ended with the pair still deadlocked.
After two swings on No. 18, Derryberry ended the tourney in dramatic fashion, converting from 30 feet out.
“He got really hot today,” Carthage coach James Newman said of Derryberry. “He had five birdies in six holes and that gave him a lot of confidence. He’s a gritty player. And on that last putt, you could see the confidence…he knew he made a good putt.”
The Tigers turned in a four-person score of 308, three strokes better than Carl Junction, to capture the team championship.
“I’m really proud of them,” Newman said moments after his team posed for photos with the conference championship plaque. “I feel excellent about how they played today. They were struggling the last few weeks to their standards. They were playing really well at the beginning of the year and they’re playing really well right now. It feels good to watch them succeed out there and to see their hard work come to fruition.”
Carthage senior Max Templeman tied for fifth place with a 76 and classmate Britt Coy tied for seventh with a 77.
Also for the Tigers, senior Ben Nicholas shot an 84 and sophomore Luke Lewis carded 103.
Of note, Carthage finished sixth at last year’s COC tourney in Branson.
This year, the Tigers have won four tourney championships (Joplin, Horton Smith, Pittsburg, COC) ahead of postseason play.
Carthage’s Owen Derryberry putts during Tuesday’s Central Ozark Conference Boys Golf Tournament at Briarbrook Golf Course.
SPENCER, BULLDOGS SETTLE FOR SECOND
Carl Junction finished second in the team standings.
That’s been a common theme of the ’23 season, Bulldogs coach Ryan Jones noted.
“We’re a good golf team and we continue to finish second,” Jones said. “It can be frustrating, but we are a very good golf team. Maybe our time is coming. The COC is a really tough conference. This might be the most-talented field that I can remember in 20 years. For us to be second and in the mix, I won’t lose sight of that. If it was easy to win, everyone would do it. We’re waiting for our moment. We’ll get there.”
Just a sophomore, Spencer had an impressive showing, but could only watch as Derryberry sank the winning putt.
“Owen made a great putt,” Spencer said. “I don’t feel like I lost the playoff hole…he just made a really good putt. Owen’s a good friend and he’s a great player.
“I thought I played really solid today,” Spencer added. “I bogeyed the first and third holes, but didn’t have any bogeys after that. I played pretty steady. When you shoot 1-under with three birdies that means you’re playing pretty consistently. I had a lot of stress-free pars. I putted better today and that’s something I’ve been struggling with. Of course, more than anything, I wanted to win.”
Coach Jones noted he was proud of Spencer’s performance.
“Jack is a competitor and a bulldog,” Jones said. “I appreciate the way he plays the game. He’s going to attack and he competes his tail off. Jack’s a talented kid and he had a good day.”
In addition to Spencer’s runner-up finish, Carl Junction senior Jacob Teeter was one of five players who tied for seventh place with a 77.
Just outside of the top 10 was junior Tommy Walker, who carded 78. Also competing for the Bulldogs were freshmen Austin Baker (85) and Logan Lowry (86).
SATTERLEE LEADS JOPLIN
Joplin sophomore Harry Satterlee tied for third place, as he and Nixa’s Noah Naugle both shot 74.
Satterlee was the medalist at last year’s COC tourney in Branson, but his repeat bid fell just a few strokes short.
“I thought Harry played pretty consistently,” Joplin coach Jack Pace said.
Joplin finished seventh in the team standings with a 332.
Also competing for the Eagles were Ian Surbrugg (80), Dylan Bozarth (88), Hobbs Campbell (90) and Cash Tyson (101).
“330 or so isn’t bad,” Pace said of the team finish. “A couple of years ago, 330 probably would have won some tournaments. But golf in this area has gotten a lot better.”
THIS ‘N THAT
Defending champion Nixa finished third in the team standings behind Carthage and Carl Junction with a 312.
Ozark finished fourth in the team standings with a 321 and Webb City finished fifth with a 329.
Rounding out the team standings were Willard (330), Joplin (332), Branson (338), Republic (343) and Neosho (380).
Cooper Forth (79) and Braxten Cahoon (80) led the way for Webb City, while Levi Lassiter (85), Braden McKee (85) and Jackson Lucas (94) also competed.
The Neosho Wildcats were led by Colby Shadwick (89) and Collier Hendricks (93).
The top 10 finishers were recognized as all-conference performers. There were actually 11 golfers who garnered all-COC recognition this year due to ties.
Carthage’s Templeman tied with Republic’s Jace Henry for fifth, as both carded 76.
In addition to Carthage’s Coy and CJ’s Teeter, tying for seventh place with 77s were Ozark’s Boston Huddleston, Willard’s Cole McMillan and Republic’s Cason Bekemeier.
DISTRICT TOURNEYS AWAIT
Area squads head to their respective district tournaments on Thursday.
Carl Junction and Webb City will compete at the Class 4 District 3 tournament at Whispering Oaks Golf Course in Marshfield.
“I want to have a solid day for my team, so maybe our whole team can go to state,” Spencer said.
Joplin, Carthage and Neosho are among the schools competing at the Class 5 District 3 tournament on Thursday at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield.
“I feel good about districts,” Newman said. “We’re going to leave tomorrow and play a practice round and just hang out together. I just hope they leave Rivercut feeling like they did their best.”
The Carthage High School boys golf team poses with the COC championship plaque on Tuesday at Briarbrook Golf Course. Photo by Jason Peake.
2023 CENTRAL OZARK CONFERENCE BOYS GOLF TOURNAMENT
(At Briarbrook Golf Course)
TEAM BY TEAM RESULTS
CARTHAGE (308): Owen Derryberry 71, Max Templeman 76, Britt Coy 77, Ben Nicholas 84, Luke Lewis 103.
CARL JUNCTION (311): Jack Spencer 71, Jacob Teeter 77, Tommy Walker 78, Austin Baker 85, Logan Lowry 86.
NIXA, Mo. — Joplin dropped a Central Ozark Conference basketball doubleheader at Nixa on Saturday inside Eagle Fieldhouse.
Nixa’s girls finished strong to upend Joplin 63-36 before the Nixa boys rolled to an 83-50 win over Joplin in the day’s finale.
In Saturday’s other COC action, Carl Junction’s girls beat Willard 65-50, while Carthage’s girls and boys both suffered losses at Republic.
NIXA GIRLS 63, JOPLIN 36
Joplin stayed within striking distance for most of the game, but Nixa outscored Joplin 22-7 in the fourth quarter.
“In spite of way too many turnovers, we were able to play with Nixa through three quarters,” Joplin coach Luke Floyd told SoMo Sports. “Unfortunately, I felt like we quit in the fourth quarter. Our halfcourt defense was extremely good throughout the game, but when you have over 40 turnovers you aren’t going to beat anyone…especially teams as good as Nixa. I was extremely disappointed in how the girls finished the game. At some point they are going to have to realize that they are a good basketball team and then consistently play that way. We should be beyond the point of feeling sorry for ourselves and not competing.”
Joplin fell to 10-10 overall and 1-3 in the COC.
Brooke Nice scored 18 points and hit three 3-pointers to lead Joplin, while Ella Hafer added 12 points.
Macie Conway scored 28 points to lead Nixa. Ranked fourth in Class 6 by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association, Nixa improved to 17-4 overall and 4-0 in the COC.
Despite numerous early turnovers, Joplin only trailed by six at the end of the first quarter at 10-4.
Hoops from Emma Floyd and Nice cut Joplin’s deficit to three in the second quarter, but Nixa finished the first half on a 15-7 run to take a 27-16 lead at intermission.
Nice scored 10 of Joplin’s 13 points in the third quarter, but the visitors trailed 41-29 entering the fourth quarter.
A breakaway layup by Hafer cut Joplin’s deficit to 10 early in the final frame, but Nixa used a 10-3 run to pull away for good. Overall, the hosts closed the game on a 22-5 spurt.
Joplin hosts Ozark at 7:30 on Monday night. The Tigers are ranked eighth in Class 6.
NIXA BOYS 83, JOPLIN 50
Nixa’s boys showed why they’re ranked fourth in Class 6 by the MBCA. Nixa built a 22-point lead by halftime en route to a convincing COC win.
Joplin fell to 14-6 and 2-2 in the COC.
Always Wright scored 21 points to lead Joplin, while All Wright had 20 points. Both Wright brothers hit three 3-pointers.
Nixa improved to 18-3 and 4-0 in conference action.
Jaret Nelson scored 26 points for Nixa, while Kael Combs had 19 and Colin Ruffin added 16.
Nixa doubled up Joplin early at 18-9.
Brantley Morris drained a 3-pointer for the visitors, but Nixa’s Colten Berry scored inside just before the buzzer, giving the hosts a 20-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Nixa scored the first 11 points of the second quarter to take a 31-12 lead.
Joplin received free throws from All Wright and a hoop from Quin Renfro, but Nixa took a 38-18 lead after five points from Ruffin and a layup by Combs.
Always Wright hit a pair of jumpers late in the first half, but Nixa’s lead was 45-23 at the break.
Joplin put together a 10-2 run in the third period, but the visitors still trailed 64-39 heading into the fourth quarter. The final outcome was never in doubt during the final eight minutes.
Joplin hosts Ozark on Tuesday night.
CARL JUNCTION GIRLS 65, WILLARD 50
WILLARD, Mo. — The Carl Junction girls basketball team took control in the second quarter and pulled away further in the third period for a 65-50 win over Willard on Saturday in Central Ozark Conference action.
Carl Junction led 14-8 at the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs then outscored the Tigers 16-9 in the second period to take a 30-17 lead at intermission.
Carl Junction won the third period 21-11 to go up 51-28 entering the fourth quarter.
With a fifth straight win, Carl Junction is now 16-5 overall and 3-1 in the COC.
Destiny Buerge poured in 31 points on 12 field goals and five free throws to lead the Bulldogs, while Kylie Scott added 20 points on nine buckets and two charities.
Brielle Adamson scored 18 points on six 3-pointers for the Tigers (11-11, 2-2 COC).
Carl Junction’s girls are at Webb City on Monday night.
Willard’s boys defeated Carl Junction 58-51. No other information on the game was available to SoMo Sports.
REPUBLIC GIRLS 76, CARTHAGE 44
REPUBLIC, Mo. — A slow start was too much to overcome for the Carthage girls basketball team.
Republic rode a big first quarter to a 76-44 win over Carthage on Saturday in Central Ozark Conference action.
In a clash between Tigers, Republic outscored Carthage 22-9 in the first period to take control.
Up 39-24 at halftime, the hosts outscored the visitors 18-9 in the third quarter to go up 57-33.
Kianna Yates scored 19 points to lead Carthage, while Lauren Choate added 12 points. Carthage slipped to 9-12 and 0-4 in the COC.
Missouri State recruit Kaemyn Bekemeier poured in 38 points for Republic (15-5, 4-0 COC), while Rilynn Finley added 13 for the Tigers, who are ranked 10th in Class 6.
Carthage is at Neosho on Monday.
REPUBLIC BOYS 57, CARTHAGE 40
REPUBLIC, Mo. — The third quarter proved crucial as Republic’s boys defeated Carthage 57-40 on Saturday.
Republic held a 25-20 lead at intermission, but the hosts outscored the visitors 22-9 in the game-changing third period to take a 47-29 advantage.
Carthage won the fourth period 11-10, but it was far from enough.
Carthage dropped to 15-5 overall and 1-3 in COC action.
Max Templeman scored 13 points to lead Carthage, while Joel Pugh added 12. Both players hit two treys. Clay Kinder added seven points for Carthage.
Republic is now 14-7 and 4-0 in the conference.
Avery Moody scored 15 points to lead Republic, while Devon McMillin had 13 and Ahlante Askew added 12.
Nixa’s girls finished strong to upend Joplin 63-36 before the Nixa boys rolled to an 83-50 win over Joplin in the day’s finale. 