College Heights Christian Archives

GIRLS HOOPS ROUNDUP: College Heights wins big; Thomas Jefferson falls to Liberal

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Jason Peake

COLLEGE HEIGHTS 60, LOCKWOOD 30

DIAMOND, Mo. — College Heights Christian’s girls basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the Gem City Classic with Tuesday’s dominant 60-30 win over Lockwood.

Libby Fanning led College Heights with 20 points, while Allie Stout added 14 points. Also for the Cougars, Ava Lett scored eight points, Maddy Colin had seven, Jesalin Bever and Kinley Marsh added four points apiece and Karly Dorris had three.

“Our full court press was effective in the first quarter which gave us some extra possessions on the turnovers,” College Heights Christian coach John Blankenship said. “Ava Lett hit two big 3-pointers early in the game. This is huge for us, as it stretches out the defense and opens things up in the middle for Libby Fanning. Allie Stout also had two 3s and several layups in transition. Kinley Marsh and Molly Long gave us some really good minutes in the post tonight. We have a tough matchup with Miller on Thursday, but I like how our young team is developing.”

The Cougars will meet Miller at 7:30 on Thursday night at Diamond High School.

The other semifinal will feature Diamond vs. Sarcoxie at 6 p.m.

LIBERAL 57, THOMAS JEFFERSON 27

Thomas Jefferson suffered its first loss of the season to Liberal on Tuesday night inside the TJ Fieldhouse.

With the loss, the Cavaliers fall to 2-1 on the season.

Liberal led 17-11 at the end of the first quarter, but the visitors extended their lead to 36-14 by halftime.

The Bulldogs were up 52-15 by the end of the third period.

Gabbi Hiebert led Thomas Jefferson in scoring with 14 points, while Lannah Grigg added 11 in the setback. Sarah Mueller contributed two points.

Thomas Jefferson is at Galena on Thursday.

STATE TRACK: TJ’s Atteberry, McAuley’s Ramsey earn all-state honors

Posted on May 20, 2023May 20, 2023 by Jason Peake

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Thomas Jefferson senior Kip Atteberry concluded his stellar prep career by making one final trip to the awards podium at the MSHSAA Track and Field Championships.

Competing in Class 1 on Saturday at Adkins Stadium, Atteberry finished fourth in the 3200-meter run with a time of 10:15.

Atteberry earned a pair of medals on Friday after finishing fourth in the 1600 and fifth in the 800. With that, Atteberry earned all-state honors in three events.

At last year’s state meet, Atteberry took third in the 3200, fourth in the 1600 and seventh in the 800.

Atteberry wasn’t the only local state medalist.

McAuley Catholic junior Kendall Ramsey finished sixth in the girls 1600 with a time of 5:39 to earn a spot on the podium.

On Friday, Ramsey finished ninth in the 3200. The top eight in each event are medalists.

It was Ramsey’s second straight year competing at state, as she finished 10th in the 3200 in ’22.

In other boys events, McAuley Catholic senior Joe Staton finished 14th in the pole vault (9-5.25) and McAuley sophomore Tripp Miller finished 16th in the javelin (115-4).

In other girls action, Thomas Jefferson’s Lannah Grigg was 13th in the discus (98-7) and teammate Avery Hocker finished 16th in the triple jump (29-6).

On Friday, Thomas Jefferson’s Macie Shifferd took 13th in the 3200 (13:13) and Nico Carlson placed 13th in the high jump (4-9). TJ’s Gabriella Hiebert finished 14th in two events, the long jump (15-2.75) and the high jump (4-7).

LIBERAL FARES WELL IN CLASS 1

Liberal’s Wyatt Pryor finished third in the discus and teammate Kale Marti was fifth in the high jump.

On the girls side, Liberal’s Taylor Swarnes was sixth in the girls 400, Abby Barton was sixth in the 800 and Kylee Melton finished seventh in the pole vault. Liberal’s girls were fifth in the 4×400.

COLLEGE HEIGHTS COMPETES IN CLASS 2

College Heights Christian junior Caleb Quade just missed a spot on the podium after finishing ninth in the triple jump (40-7.75).

On Friday, Quade finished 10th in the long jump (19-8.25).

The Cougars finished 12th in the prelims of the 4×200 relay on Friday, with Logan Decker, Levi Durling, Quade and Colsen Dickens competing.

JASPER’S SMITH CAPTURES GOLD, FOUR MEDALS

Jasper sophomore Crystal Smith won the girls 100-meter hurdles in 15.27 seconds.

Smith earned a medal in four events in Class 2. In addition to capturing gold in the 100 hurdles, Smith finished fourth in the high jump (5-2.5), seventh in the 200 (26.98) and eighth in the 300 hurdles (49.16).

OTHER CLASS 2 HIGHLIGHTS

Sarcoxie’s 4×200 relay team of Jocelyn Benito, Madison Chrisman, Jordyn Misner and Abbey Lawyer finished fifth.

Pierce City’s Hayden Kramer was third in the discus and teammate Emma Hunt finished fifth in the 3200 and sixth in the 1600.

On the boys side, Sarcoxie’s Jaron Malotte placed third in the 110 hurdles and Diamond’s Zachary Roughton placed fourth in the 300 hurdles.

SOFTBALL: College Heights sweeps twinbill, improves to 18-5

Posted on May 3, 2023 by Jason Peake

The College Heights Christian (with McAuley Catholic) softball team swept a doubleheader on Tuesday at the College Heights Athletic Complex.

The Cougars defeated Greenfield 18-0 in three innings in the opener and East Newton 7-0 in the nightcap.

College Heights is now 18-5 on the season.

In Game 1, College Heights erupted for 11 runs in the bottom of the first inning.

The Cougars plated seven more runs in the second inning, and the game ended after the top of the third due to the run rule.

Kloee Williamson and Jayli Johnson both went 3-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored, while Lauren Ukena homered and drove in four runs. Johnson had two doubles.

Maddy Colin had two RBI, while Addison Lawrence, Allie Stout, Aaliyah Perez, Avery Shumaker and Emma Angel all contributed one RBI apiece.

Johnson was the winning pitcher. She allowed one hit and struck out two in three innings.

Colin was stellar in the circle in Game 2.

Colin struck out 14 and allowed just three hits in seven innings to earn the pitching victory.

The Cougars out-hit the Patriots 10-3.

Colin had three hits at the plate, while Williamson and Johnson contributed two hits apiece. Williamson homered, while Colin and Johnson tripled. Lawrence and Colin recorded doubles.

The Cougars scored twice in the third, four times in the fifth and once in the sixth.

College Heights will conclude the regular season on Thursday with a home game against Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Mac County, Carl Junction, McAuley all earn wins; East Newton tops CHC

Posted on May 2, 2023May 2, 2023 by Jason Peake

MCDONALD COUNTY 9, CARTHAGE 0

ANDERSON, Mo. — McDonald County improved to 15-7 on the season by earning a 9-0 non-conference victory over the Carthage Tigers on Monday.

McDonald County senior right-hander Weston Gordon earned the complete-game shutout victory. Gordon allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out six. Gordon retired 18 straight batters before giving up a hit in the seventh.

The Mustangs pushed across multiple runs in the first three innings before adding a single tally in the fourth.

Tucker Walters and Jack Parnell both delivered run-scoring singles in the bottom of the first inning to give the Mustangs an early 2-0 lead.

McDonald County added two runs in the second, as Cross Dowd hit an RBI single before a run scored on a Carthage error for a four-run cushion.

Destyn Dowd’s grand slam to left field gave the Mustangs an 8-0 lead in the third.

In the fourth, Parnell hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Isaac Behm, for a 9-0 lead.

Carthage’s lone hits were recorded by Blayne Lilienkamp and Taylor Stevens-Diggs.

Clay Kinder was charged with the loss. He surrendered eight runs on six hits and six walks and struck out three in three innings. Eider Lyckman allowed one run on two hits in three innings.

Carthage (3-23) hosts Neosho at 4:30 on Tuesday at Joe Becker Stadium.

McDonald County hosts Bentonville West on Thursday.

CARL JUNCTION 14, MOUNT VERNON 1 (5 INNINGS)

MOUNT VERNON, Mo. — Carl Junction rode a seven-run second inning to a run-rule win over the Mountaineers on Monday.

Up 7-1 after two innings, the Bulldogs added a single tally in the third, four runs in the fourth and two in the fifth to end the game early.

Carl Junction recorded 11 hits, with eight different players contributing at least one.

Bentley Rowden went 2-for-4 with three RBI, Deacon Endicott went 2-for-3 with two RBI and Cody Hollingsworth drove in two runs on two hits.

Drew Massey also had two RBI, while Wyatt McAfee, Lucas Vanlanduit, Aidan Streight, Endicott and Massey all scored two runs apiece.

Endicott and Massey both homered, while Rowden had two doubles.

Gaige Carson earned the pitching victory. He allowed one unearned run on two hits in four innings while striking out five.

Logan Eck pitched a scoreless inning.

Mount Vernon’s lone hits were recorded by Braden Dodson and Brayden Jameson.

Payton Jones took the loss after allowing seven earned runs on six hits and two walks.

Carl Junction (9-14) hosts Ozark on Tuesday.

Mount Vernon (10-9) is at Springfield Catholic on Tuesday.

MCAULEY CATHOLIC 13, BRONAUGH 2 (5 INNINGS)

McAuley Catholic scored crooked numbers in every innings on the way to a five-inning win over Bronaugh on Monday.

The Warriors (7-10) opened the game in a 2-0 deficit before scoring three times in the bottom of the first inning, five times in the second, three more runs in the third and twice in the fourth on the way to the win.

Rocco Bazzano-Joseph earned the win after allowing two unearned runs on three hits and eight strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.

Tucker Duncan took the loss after wallowing eight runs, seven earned, on four walks and two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings.

Joe Staton had a hit and scored three runs, while Noah Black had a hit, scored twice and drove in once. Bradley Wagner had a hit and two RBI. Bazzano-Joseph had a hit, drove in two and scored a run.

McAuley is at Northeast Vernon County on Wednesday.

EAST NEWTON 11, COLLEGE HEIGHTS 1

East Newton scored four times in the first inning and never looked back in a win over College Heights on Monday at Joe Becker Stadium.

The Patriots added two runs in the second frame, three in the fourth and two more insurance runs in the seventh.

Braiden Vanlue earned the win after pitching four scoreless innings on one hit, two walks and five strikeouts.

Jayce Walker took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits, two walks and three strikeouts in three innings.

Josh Anderson had a hit and scored a run for College Heights (6-10).

Vanlue had three hits and scored a run for East Newton.

College Heights hosts Jasper on Tuesday.

SOFTBALL: College Heights rallies late to beat Clever

Posted on May 2, 2023 by Jason Peake

A three-run sixth inning proved to be the difference as the College Heights Christian (with McAuley Catholic) softball team earned a 3-0 victory over Clever on Monday at the CHC Athletic Complex.

The Cougars improved to 16-5.

The contest was scoreless when the Cougars pushed across three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

In the game-changing frame, Kloee Williamson singled before Jayli Johnson hit an inside the park home run to right field.

Later in the inning, Maddy Colin doubled to center and Lauren Ukena laid down a sac bunt before Addison Lawrence hit an RBI single for a 3-0 lead.

Colin was the winning pitcher. In a stellar performance, Colin struck out 14 batters, gave up just two hits and walked none.

Johnson and Lawrence had two hits apiece for the Cougars.

Clever’s Sydnee Thrasher took the loss. She allowed three runs on eight hits and struck out four.

College Heights hosts Greenfield on Tuesday and Diamond on Thursday to conclude the regular season.

SOFTBALL: College Heights drops twinbill at Pittsburg

Posted on April 29, 2023 by Jason Peake

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The College Heights Christian (with McAuley Catholic) softball team dropped both games of a non-conference doubleheader at Pittsburg, Kansas, on Saturday.

Pittsburg won the opener 7-4 and the Dragons topped the Cougars 1-0 in the second game.

In the opener, the Dragons led 4-2 when they pushed across three runs in the sixth inning.

The Cougars rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough.

Maddy Colin took the loss after giving up five earned runs on nine hits while striking out eight in six innings.

Kloee Williamson went 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored. Jayli Johnson and Colin drove in two runs apiece. Johnson tripled and Colin doubled.

Pittsburg’s Roary Hunziker was the winning pitcher. She allowed four runs on eight hits and struck out nine in the complete-game effort.

Pittsburg’s Mya Russell had three hits and scored three runs, while Heather Mowdy and Megan Johnston drove in two runs apiece.

In the second game, Pittsburg plated the game’s lone run in the third inning after an error and a wild pitch.

Colin took the hard-luck loss despite allowing no earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out five.

The Cougars were limited to three hits, two by Johnson and one by Colin.

Georgia Boekhout was the winning pitcher. She struck out nine in the complete-game shutout.

Johnston had two of Pittsburg’s four hits.

College Heights is now 15-5 on the season.

The Cougars host Clever at 4:30 on Monday.

College Heights will host Greenfield on Tuesday and Diamond on Thursday to conclude the regular season.

TRACK & FIELD: College Heights competes at El Dorado Springs

Posted on April 12, 2023April 12, 2023 by Jason Peake

EL DORADO SPRINGS, Mo. — College Heights Christian was among the schools competing at the El Dorado Springs Relays on Tuesday.

The College Heights girls finished fifth in the team standings, while the CHC boys were 13th.

For the College Heights girls, Jayli Johnson was the runner-up in the 400, Lauren Ukena took second in the 200 and Maddy Colin placed third in the discus and fifth in the high jump.

CHC’s Marla Anderegg placed third in the 1600 and sixth in the 800, Bailey Peoples finished fourth in the triple jump and Jesalin Bever took fourth in both hurdle races. Ukena was sixth in the 300 hurdles.

CHC’s 4×400 relay of Bever, Amelia Hagale, Johnson and Ukena took second. The CHS girls finished third in the 4×200 relay, with Johnson, Bever, Amelia Hagale and Ukena competing.

College Heights’ Caleb Quade won the boys high jump by clearing 5-11.75. Quade also placed fourth in the triple jump.

Also for the Cougars, Steven Calandro was seventh in the 110 hurdles and Colton McMillan finished eighth in the 1600.

The Cougars were seventh in the 4×200 relay, with Zach Beaty, Derek Bowman, Colsen Dickens and Levi Durling competing. The 4×800 relay took seventh, with Beaty, Calandro, Ian Edwards and Jace Edwards running.

Jasper’s Noah Neher won the boys discus (137-2.5). On the girls side, Jasper’s Crystal Smith won the 200, the 100 hurdles, the 300 hurdles and the high jump.

TRACK & FIELD: College Heights Christian squads gain experience at Republic

Posted on March 28, 2023March 28, 2023 by Jason Peake

REPUBLIC, Mo. — The College Heights Christian School track and field squads competed at the Republic Classic on Monday.

The College Heights girls finished fifth in the team standings, while the CHC boys were sixth.

Host Republic won both team championships, with Fair Grove taking second in both divisions.

College Heights scored 63 points in the girls meet.

CHC’s Jesalin Bever was the runner-up in the 100 hurdles (18.19 seconds), Maddy Colin took second in the high jump (4-9.75), Jayli Johnson finished third in the 400 (1:06) and Lauren Ukena placed fourth in the 300 hurdles (54.7).

Marla Anderegg was fifth in the 800 (2:46) and seventh in the 1600 (6:17), while Bailey Peoples took fifth in the triple jump (28-11.75) and Colin was sixth in the discus (78-10).

The CHC girls finished second in the 4×200, second in the 4×400 and third in the 4×800. The 4×200 and 4×400 relays featured Bever, Amelia Hagale, Johnson and Ukena. The 4×800 consisted of Johnson, Anderegg, Hagale and Ukena.

Stockton’s Kylie Hunter won the 100 in 14 seconds flat and took first in the 400 in 1:04. She was the runner-up in the 200 (28.49).

Aurora’s Maisie Phillips won both hurdle races and teammate Makena Hall won the pole vault.

On the boys side, the Cougars compiled 46 points.

College Heights’ Caleb Quade took second in the high jump (6-0), Ethan Ukena was fourth in the triple jump (39-0) and Colsen Dickens finished fourth in the 400 (54.91).

Jace Edwards finished seventh in the 300 hurdles and eighth in the 3200, while Ian Edwards was eighth in both the 110 hurdles and the 300 hurdles.

College Heights’ 4×200 relay team of Dickens, Quade, Ukena and Logan Decker finished second in 1:37.

The team of Ukena, Quade, Derrick McMillan and Dickens placed fourth in the 4×400, while Quade, Ian Edwards, Zach Beaty and Jace Edwards took fourth in the 4×800.

The Cougars were fifth in the 4×100, with Dickens, Derek Bowman, Ukena and Decker competing.

Stockton’s Braden Postlewait won two events, the 800 in 2:07 and the 1600 with a time of 4:43.

Aurora’s Daunte Floyd won the 110 hurdles.

TRACK & FIELD: Carthage sweeps team titles at McDonald County

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Jason Peake

ANDERSON, Mo. — In the opener of the 2023 track and field season, Carthage’s girls and boys both captured the team championships at McDonald County’s Ebenee Munoz Memorial Stampede on Wednesday.

Carthage’s girls compiled 197.5 team points to finish on top of the standings. Monett (134) and Cassville (103) were second and third, with McDonald County (93.5) fourth.

Carthage’s boys took first in the team standings with 187 points. East Newton was second with 105, Cassville was third with 101 and Monett was fourth with 100.

GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS

Carthage’s Lexa Youngblood had a memorable start to her sophomore season, as she won two individual events and was also part of two winning relays.

Youngblood took first in both the 100-meter dash (12.71 seconds) and the 400-meter dash (1:02).

Also winning individual events for Carthage were Joey Hettinger (long jump), Karlie Nichols (discus), Lilly Holmes (shot put) and Maggie Boyd (1600).

In the 4×100 relay, Carthage’s team of Alexis Patrick, Youngblood, Aven Willis and Hettinger took first in 52.22 seconds.

The Tigers also won the 4×400 relay in 4:21, with Willis, Evelyn Carrol, Boyd and Youngblood competing.

The Tigers were second in the 4×800 relay, with Grace Brown, Katy Witherspoon, Lauren Choate and Boyd competing. Carthage was also second in the 4×200 relay, with Willis, Trisha Kanas, Kamryn Dininger and Patrick running.

Carthage’s Jaidyn Brunnert took second in both the triple jump and the 100 hurdles and she was third in the 300 hurdles.

Also taking second in their individual events were Hettinger (high jump), Witherspoon (3200) and Nichols (shot put). Willis placed third in the 200 and Carrol finished third in the high jump.

College Heights Christian’s Jesi Bever was second in the long jump and fourth in the 100 hurdles, while teammate Maddy Colin placed fourth in the high jump.

Also for CHC, Jayli Johnson and Lauren Ukena finished third and fourth in the 100, while Marla Anderegg placed fourth in the 1600 and fifth in the 800.

The Cougars placed third in the 4×800, with Johnson, Anderegg, Amelia Hagale and Ukena competing.

Jasper sophomore Crystal Smith had a big meet, as she won four individual events—the high jump, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and the 200-meter dash.

Other individual event winners in the girls meet were Cassville’s Annie Moore (pole vault) and Jolie Evans (800), Monett’s Addalyn Brownlee (triple jump) and Sadie Camp (3200) and McDonald County’s Anissa Ramirez (javelin).

McDonald County’s Analisa Ramirez was the runner-up in the javelin, while Anna Price took third in the pole vault and Peyton Cooper was third in the discus.

BOYS HIGHLIGHTS

Winning individual events for Carthage were Miguel Solano (400), Daryl Martin (300 hurdles), Haydon Cooper (pole vault) and Micah Lindsey (shot put).

Carthage’s Trenton Yates finished second in three events—the 110 hurdles, high jump and triple jump. Yates was third in the 300 hurdles.

Also taking second for the Tigers were Braxton McBride (100), Solano (1600), Devin Smith (3200), and Kruz Castor (long jump). Caleb Fewin finished third in the 3200 and Solano was third in the 800.

Carthage finished second in the 4×400, with Castor, Jackson Hettinger, Darrin Witt and Jonah Eby competing.

The Tigers also placed second in the 4×800 (Trey Nye, Skuylor Honeycutt, Michael Lanyon, Fewin).

McDonald County’s Josh Pacheco (long jump, triple jump) and Andrew Moritz (javelin) claimed first-place finishes for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs won the 4×100 relay (Samuel Barton, Dalton McClain, Tucker Dill, Esteban Martinez-Olvera) and the 4×200 relay (Martinez-Olvera, Aidrian Short, McClain, Pacheco).

Cassville won the 4×400 (Charles Elliott, Caleb Leach, Peter Littlefield, Jacob Martinez) and the 4×800 (Elliott, Matteo Lumetta, Martinez, Caleb Leach).

Monett’s Konner Poynter had a memorable meet, winning the 100, 200 and 110 hurdles.

Other individual event winners were Monett’s Julio Cruz (3200) and East Newton’s Chase Sorrell (800, 1600), Michael Crowe (high jump) and Dominic Shaw (discus).

College Heights’ top finish came in the 4×200 relay, as the team of Colsen Dickens, Derek Bowman, Ethan Ukena and Logan Decker took second.

Also for the CHC boys, Dickens finished third in the 400, Caleb Quade placed third in the high jump, Decker finished fourth in the long jump, Ukena took fourth in the triple jump and fifth in the 200 and Ian Edwards was sixth in the 110 hurdles.

The Cougars were fifth in the 4×100 relay and sixth in the 4×800.

McDonald County Ebenee Munoz Memorial Stampede

Girls team standings: Carthage 197.5, Monett 134, Cassville 103, McDonald County 93.5, Jasper 65, College Heights Christian 51, East Newton 22, Southwest 20, Wheaton 10.

Boys team standings: Carthage 187, East Newton 105, Cassville 101, Monett 100, McDonald County 94, Jasper 67, College Heights 48, Southwest 21, Gentry 6, Wheaton 5.

BASEBALL: College Heights outslugs El Dorado Springs in ’23 opener

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Jason Peake

In the 2023 opener, the College Heights Christian School baseball team earned a 15-11 victory over El Dorado Springs on Tuesday at Wendell Redden Stadium.

The Cougars scored multiple runs in four innings, with three runs in the third, six in the fourth, two in the fifth and four in the sixth.

El Dorado Springs scored all 11 of its runs in the fourth inning.

Six different players recorded a hit for College Heights.

Josh Anderson went 2-for-4 with four RBI and four runs scored. Caleb Evans and Austin Miller added two hits apiece, while Ben Thomas drove in three runs.

Recording one hit apiece were Jayce Walker, Smoke Ezell and Thomas.

The Cougars used five pitchers—Walker, Anderson, Thomas, Ezell and Miller. Thomas and Ezell each struck out five batters.

Ezell was the winning pitcher.

College Heights (1-0) is at Riverton on Friday.

DISTRICT HOOPS: College Heights advances to title game

Posted on February 23, 2023February 23, 2023 by Jason Peake

VERONA, Mo. — Second-seeded College Heights Christian held on late for a 61-59 win over third-seeded Purdy on Wednesday night in a semifinal contest of the Class 2 District 12 boys basketball tournament at Verona High School.

The Cougars will meet No. 1 seed Marionville at 6 p.m. on Friday in the district championship game.

On Wednesday, Purdy led 19-18 at the end of the first quarter, but CHC had built a 33-28 lead by intermission.

College Heights held a 43-39 lead by the end of the third period.

The Cougars were clinging to a 47-45 lead with five minutes to play and they were up 58-56 with a minute to play on their way to a close win.

Purdy finished the season with a record of 17-11.

College Heights is now 23-5 on the season. Ranked sixth in Class 2, Marionville is 25-2.

Marionville beat fifth-seeded Verona 77-50 in the other semifinal.

HOOPS: College Heights engineers Senior Night sweep against McAuley

Posted on February 11, 2023 by Jason Peake

The College Heights Christian girls outscored their rival McAuley Catholic 31-14 in the first and third quarters on their way to a 47-28 win on Friday evening at the College Heights Athletic Complex on Senior Night.

With McAuley Catholic’s defense keyed on slowing down or stopping College Heights sophomore and leading scorer Libby Fanning, open perimeter shots became available for College Heights’ guards.

Ava Lett stepped up to the challenge and knocked down four 3-point shots Friday on her way to a team-high 14 points, including five points during a critical 12-0 run in the fourth quarter that extended the Cougars’ lead from 35-25 to 47-25.

“We’ve got a lot of kids that can score,” College Heights coach John Blankenship said. “Ava Lett stepped up and had a great game tonight, shot well, and Maddy Colin. We had three kids around double-digits. Our scoring was balanced tonight, which makes us a better team than if Libby’s scoring 25 points and the rest have four, six or eight. I like that balance more.”

Fanning recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, Colin added eight points, senior Addie Lawrence finished with five points, seniors Jayli Johnson and Lauren Ukena each added four points, and Kinley Marsh’s free throw resulted in her lone point scored.

McAuley Catholic played nearly even with College Heights in the middle quarters Friday and entered the fourth down 35-23 after Lett hit one of her four trifectas late in the third.

“We came out flat in the first half,” Blankenship said. “Coach (Mike) Howard does a great job with his kids. We’ve played so often. He knows us, who to guard, and what to expect. We try and throw in a few wrinkles here and there and had some success with a little bit of a variation we had on their zone offense against their extended 2-3 (zone).

“We had to make some adjustments at halftime and talked about our energy and our passion. We picked that up. We were not very intense with our defense in the first half, so the kids responded well and had a strong second half.”

The Cougars honored their seniors before the boys varsity game.

“Jayli, Lauren, and Addie, they’ve been so committed to our program over the four years,” Blankenship said. “They’ve made our team and our program so much better. One of the goals we always have for our seniors is to make the program better.

“Defensively, Lauren and Jayli are just tenacious and we’re able to extend our pressure with their speed. They read in the passing lanes really well and Lauren had several steals and layups tonight.

“Addie, she’s a great shooter. She struggled from the floor a little bit tonight, but she’s having so much trouble with her knee and that makes it hard. She’s capable of knocking down four to six threes a night, which makes the defense have to get out and guard her and that opens up our interior with Libby a little bit more.

“Our seniors are key in what we’re doing and they’ll certainly be missed when they graduate.”

College Heights improved to 14-10 overall and 5-0 in the Ozark 7 Conference, and the Cougars have a big one Tuesday on the road against eighth-ranked in Class 1 and fellow unbeaten in Ozark 7 play Golden City (20-4 overall, 4-0 Ozark 7).

Kloee Williamson led McAuley Catholic with 14 points, the trio of Lily Black, Avery Gardner and Vanessa Diaz each produced four points, and Kendall Ramsey added two points.

The Warriors dropped to 8-16 overall and 3-2 Ozark 7, and they return home Tuesday one last time this season to face Bronaugh.

College Heights boys 55, McAuley Catholic 31

College Heights scored eight of the game’s first 10 points, McAuley Catholic answered with a 13-0 run to go ahead 15-8 late in the first quarter, and College Heights entered halftime with a 35-21 lead after turning a 19-16 deficit upside down with a 19-2 stretch to end the first half.

The Cougars, in fact, earned a 39-12 advantage after McAuley’s last lead at 19-16.

“We picked it up on defense and we did a little better job taking care of the ball,” College Heights coach Eric Johnson said. “Our offense got some more looks and we got some steals off the press too that got us some easy baskets early. We weren’t too happy with our start because we had three or four turnovers and they hit some open shots.”

Caleb Quade scored a game-high 19 points, including 15 of them in the first half to spark the Cougars, and seniors Curtis Davenport and Bo Sitton each finished in double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Davenport scored nine of his points during that 19-2 run before the half.

Jayce Walker and senior Noah Hipple each contributed five points, Colsen Dickens scored three points, and senior Ben Thomas reached the scoring column with a made free throw.

College Heights’ four seniors, who have been a part of two district championships during their high school career so far, were honored before the game Friday.

“They’ve been with us all four years and Curtis has been a four-year starter,” Johnson said. “Ben, Bo, and Noah, they’ve been with the varsity last two years and they’ve stepped up this year and filled their roles. All four are great kids, and it’s been real enjoyable coaching them.”

College Heights improved to 19-5 overall and 5-0 Ozark 7, and the Cougars have one more conference bout Tuesday on the road against Golden City (16-8 overall).

Noah Black led McAuley Catholic with nine points, Bradley Wagner added seven, Rocco Bazzano-Joseph hit a pair of threes for his six points, Jack Jones and Joe Staton each had four points, and Kable Reichardt added one point.

The Warriors fell to 6-18 overall and 1-4 Ozark 7, and they return home Tuesday for their last home game of the season with a clash against Bronaugh.

4-STATES CHALLENGE: College Heights never trails in commanding win over Liberal

Posted on December 18, 2022December 18, 2022 by Jason Peake

WEBB CITY, Mo. — The College Heights Christian Cougars turned a 6-4 lead in the first quarter into a 30-8 lead halfway through the second behind a 24-4 stretch and College Heights never trailed during a 53-26 win Saturday afternoon against Liberal in the opening game of the 4-States Challenge at the Cardinal Dome.

“We made some adjustments,” College Heights coach Eric Johnson over the background sounds of Dire Straits’ “Walk of Life” between games. “We got some steals off our press, and we got some layups. I don’t think we hit a three all night, but we didn’t have to with the ball on the inside. We came out second half and had a good third quarter.

“They played back-to-back too. They played Lamar last night. You’ve got to learn now because maybe at districts later on, you’ll have back-to-backs. We came out with a lot of energy at both ends.”

College Heights, after Saturday’s impressive win and Friday’s 61-48 win over Diamond, improved to 7-2 overall this season and the Cougars do not return to action until Jan. 3 on the road against Bronaugh.

Six-foot-five senior Curtis Davenport and 6-4 junior Caleb Quade have been a formidable duo on the inside for the Cougars all season, and Saturday proved to be no different.

Davenport and Quade combined for nine points during the Cougars’ decisive 17-0 run that saw the score go from 13-8 to 30-8 in nearly four minutes.

Davenport finished with a game-high 17 points and his seven points in the third helped College Heights enter the fourth with a 48-18 lead.

Quade scored all 12 of his points in the first half with seven of them in the first quarter.

Nine players entered the scoring column Saturday for College Heights — Bo Sitton added eight points, Steven Calandro scored all five of his points in the fourth, Liam Nelson contributed four points and his pressure defense helped produce multiple easy scoring opportunities, the trio of Jayce Walker, Logan Decker and Ben Thomas each added two points, and Noah Hipple netted a free throw for his lone point.

PREP HOOPS: College Heights splits twinbill with Diamond

Posted on December 17, 2022December 17, 2022 by Jason Peake

The College Heights Christian girls basketball team suffered a 63-44 loss to Diamond on Friday night.

“Tonight was Game 2 of a five-game stretch where our schedule is really tough,” CHC coach John Blankenship said. “Diamond is a great team with speed, size, and athleticism. We dug ourselves in too big of a hole in the first quarter being outscored 20-4.”

Blankenship noted his team performed much better after the opening frame.

“We had a great second and third quarter, scoring 17 and 15 points in each of those quarters,” Blankenship said. “Some of our shots began to fall. We cut their lead to single digits in the third quarter. I was very pleased with how my team responded after a poor first quarter. Our guards are getting closer to becoming a consistent threat from 3-point range. When that comes together with our post play, we’ll be a great team. I’m confident we will get there and put it all together.”

Libby Fanning led College Heights with 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals, while Maddy Colin added seven points, seven boards and three steals.

Also for the Cougars, Jayli Johnson scored seven and had three assists and Molly Long contributed six points and three rebounds.

College Heights (4-4) plays Pierce City on Monday.

In the varsity boys game, College Heights defeated Diamond 61-48.

No other information on the boys game was available to SoMo Sports at the time of publication.

The Cougars improved to 6-2 ahead of Saturday’s game against Liberal at the 4-States Challenge. The CHC-Liberal game is scheduled for noon at Webb City High School.

PREP HOOPS: College Heights sweeps district rivals in commanding fashion

Posted on December 6, 2022December 7, 2022 by Jason Peake

The College Heights Christian girls scored the first 17 points of the second half to build a commanding 40-15 lead on their way to a 56-27 win on Monday night over the visiting Purdy Eagles at the College Heights Athletic Complex.

College Heights trailed Purdy 13-12 with 5 minutes, 23 seconds remaining in the second quarter, but the Cougars held a 44-14 advantage the rest of the game, including 11-2 to close out the second quarter, 19-4 in the third quarter and 33-12 overall in the second half.

Defense fed into offense for College Heights.

“Our defensive intensity wasn’t where it needed to be in the first half,” College Heights coach John Blankenship said. “We got into a little bit of foul trouble, and we just weren’t moving our feet on the press and reaching too much. We had a discussion at halftime about ball movement on the offensive end and they responded well.

“Our team identity is our defense and our transition game. We get out there on defense, get some steals, and it leads into our transition game where we get high-percentage shots. We had some good looks in the first half, but we were 25 percent from the floor. We picked that up, of course, in the second half and started knocking down shots.”

College Heights senior guard Lauren Ukena finished with a double-double and the latter number indicative of the Cougars’ heightened intensity defensively on Monday — 11 points and 11 steals.

Maddy Colin scored a game-high 13 points to pace College Heights in the points column, while Jayli Johnson added nine, Libby Fanning eight, Ava Lett five, Jesalin Bever four, Molly Long three, Allie Stout two and Kinley Marsh one.

Purdy freshman Courtney Patterson led the Eagles with nine points.

College Heights improved to 3-2 on the season and the Cougars return home Friday for a contest against New Covenant Academy.

COLLEGE HEIGHTS BOYS 66, MILLER 31

It turned out to be a case of second verse, same as the first in the nightcap of the varsity doubleheader Monday night.

College Heights and Miller were tied at eight in the first quarter, then the Cougars scored the final 10 of the first and the first 12 of the second for a 30-8 lead and never looked back.

Curtis Davenport’s first basket of the fourth pushed the game into running-clock and it stayed there for the vast majority of the rest of the game.

“We just did a better job on defense,” College Heights coach Eric Johnson said. “We got some steals, some layups, and some good shots. It was a matter of refocusing.”

In the home and season opener against Providence Academy (Ark.), played almost two weeks earlier, Davenport scored a game-high 32 points during a 64-51 win for the Cougars.

On Monday night, junior forward Caleb Quade scored a game-high 25 points, highlighted by 12 points during that decisive 22-0 scoring run.

“We needed him,” Johnson said. “At the Pierce City tournament his last two games, he didn’t play as well as he could for us. I think he decided to make up for it by not playing well over there. It gives us that second scorer inside, between him and Curtis. Caleb stepped up tonight and had a good first half, a good night for us.”

Quade also had 21 points in the win at home against Providence Academy.

College Heights outscored Miller 58-23 after that early tie score.

Davenport, Ben Thomas, and Jayce Walker each scored eight points, Bo Sitton six, Ethan Ukena four, Logan Decker three, and Zach Beaty and Liam Nelson chipped in two each.

Nate Hill and Owen Weiss each led Miller with seven points.

Before the game, Davenport was recognized for reaching and surpassing 1,000 career points with his 32-point night against Providence Academy giving him the milestone.

College Heights improved to 4-1 on the season with the win Monday and the Cougars are back in action Friday on the road against Hermitage.

PREP HOOPS: College Heights boys take 2nd at Pierce City; CHC girls finish 3rd at Gem City Classic

Posted on December 4, 2022December 5, 2022 by Jason Peake

CHC BOYS RUNNER-UP AT PIERCE CITY

PIERCE CITY, Mo. — The College Heights Christian boys basketball team settled for the runner-up plaque at the Pierce City Invitational.

In the event’s title game, top-seeded Marshfield defeated second-seeded College Heights 65-57 on Saturday night.

College Heights led 18-13 at the end of the first quarter, and the Cougars were clinging to a 31-29 advantage at halftime.

Marshfield pulled ahead for good by outscoring the Cougars 22-9 in the third quarter.

Up 51-40 entering the fourth period, Marshfield held off CHC late. The Cougars outscored the Blue Jays 17-14 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough.

Curtis Davenport scored 19 points to lead College Heights. A senior forward, Davenport was named to the all-tournament team.

College Heights (3-1) hosts Miller at 7:30 on Monday night.

Pierce City Invitational

Title game: Marshfield 65, College Heights 57

Third place: Billings 43, East Newton 36

Fifth place: Pierce City 67, Verona 64

Seventh place: Crane 74, Exeter 66

CHC GIRLS THIRD AT GEM CITY CLASSIC

DIAMOND, Mo. — With a strong finish, College Heights Christian’s girls basketball team defeated East Newton 47-36 in the third-place game of the Gem City Classic on Saturday.

“This was a great win for our program,” CHC coach John Blankenship said. “There were several lead changes throughout the game. However, we outscored them 21-8 in the fourth quarter, including 9-for-10 from the free throw line to secure the win.”

Maddy Colin scored 15 points to lead the Cougars, while Libby Fanning added 12 and Ava Lett had nine. Fanning was named to the all-tourney team.

“Ava and Maddy also had two huge steals down the stretch which led to four crucial points,” Blankenship said. “Jayli (Johnson) and Lauren’s (Ukena) defense was a major factor in containing their key players.”

The Cougars led 23-18 at halftime against the Patriots.

College Heights went 2-1 at the Gem City Classic, beating McAuley (52-10) and falling to Miller (37-26) before Saturday’s finale.

College Heights (2-2) hosts Purdy on Monday, with two quarters of JV play scheduled for 5 p.m.

Gem City Classic Girls Tournament

Title game: Miller 44, Diamond 33

Third place: College Heights 47, East Newton 36

Fifth place: Greenfield 60, Sarcoxie 22

Seventh place: Lockwood 37, McAuley Catholic 28

DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL: College Heights overpowered by Jasper in district title match

Posted on October 26, 2022October 26, 2022 by Jason Peake

The Jasper Eagles never trailed during a dominant 3-0 win (25-17, 25-19, 25-14) Tuesday evening over the College Heights Christian Cougars for the Class 1 District 11 title at the Thomas Jefferson Fieldhouse.

Jasper went on a 5-0 run early in the first set to go ahead 12-6 and then a 4-0 run later on after the Cougars trimmed it to 18-15.

Jasper and College Heights traded more punches and runs in the second set, as the Cougars overcame a 6-2 deficit early on to earn a 20-17 score after their 4-0 run.

Jasper sophomore middle hitter Crystal Smith ended the Cougars’ run with a kill and the Eagles’ three straight points gave them a six-point cushion late in the set with only two points to go for 25.

College Heights Christian’s Addie Lawrence is pictured during Tuesday’s district title match against Jasper. Photo by Derek Livingston.

College Heights earned three tie scores early in the third set before Jasper built a commanding 21-8 lead with a 13-0 scoring run.

“Jasper played great,” College Heights coach Mary Colin said. “They played great, and we knew they would. They’re a good team. They’re fun to watch. They’re fun to play. We prepared for them and we had the tools in our tool belt. We just came out on the wrong side.”

College Heights’ Lauren Ukena and Addie Lawrence finished with 11 and 10 kills respectively. Maddy Colin led the Cougars with 24 assists, Ava Masena made nine digs and five different Cougars served one ace.

College Heights finished the season 23-10-2 overall.

“I just told the girls they had a great season,” Coach Colin said. “Lots of great stats. They’re a fun group of kids. They’re in there encouraging each other. They love this game, but even as much as they love this game, they love each other so it’s not just the game that ended today, it’s their volleyball family that ended. We already miss each other. We want to see each other tomorrow and seasons come to an end and that’s part of the journey. This was a great journey with some great kids.”

College Heights seniors Ukena, Masena, Lawrence, Lindsay Griesemer, Marley Woodford and Sophia Wilkins played their final high school games on Tuesday.

“I’m standing here with Hannah Graham, who was their junior high coach,” Coach Colin said. “One of the seniors hugged her and said we’ve had you since we were in seventh grade, which is true. That’s going to happen at a small school. We get to watch them for six years, not just four years. They have come along and when they were young in high school, they took their turn watching the older girls and when it was their turn, they stepped in and they played some great volleyball.”

Jasper improved to 25-8-3 overall with a 3-1 record against College Heights this season and the Eagles will play host Drexel (28-5) in a Class 1 sectional match on Thursday.

College Heights Christian’s Elizabeth Fanning hits a kill at the net against Jasper on Tuesday night. Photo by Derek Livingston.

Ava Masena serves for the College Heights Christian volleyball team on Tuesday against Jasper on Tuesday at Thomas Jefferson. Photo by Derek Livingston.

CHC’s Lindsay Griesemer passes to a teammate on Tuesday. All photos by Derek Livingston.

Elizabeth Fanning attempts to block Livia Dumm’s kill attempt.

FOOTBALL: College Heights falls short in Week 6

Posted on October 1, 2022 by Jason Peake

The College Heights Christian School 8-man football team suffered a 52-46 loss to Norborne (with Hardin-Central) on Friday night at Joplin High School.

The Cougars led 46-44 at the end of the third quarter, but the Pirates recorded the lone score of the final frame.

College Heights led 22-20 at halftime before both teams erupted for 24 points apiece in the third quarter.

The Cougars recorded 484 yards of offense, 380 through the air and 104 on the ground.

College Heights sophomore quarterback Logan Decker passed for 380 yards on 17 completions with four touchdowns and one interception.

Decker also ran nine times for 77 yards and two scores.

Cannon Miller hauled in six passes for 178 yards with two touchdowns. Miller’s touchdown receptions were from 32 yards and 58 yards.

Caleb Quade had 98 receiving yards on five catches with one TD, while Bo Sitton caught four passes for 90 yards with one TD.

Decker scored both of College Heights’ touchdowns in the first quarter, a 1-yard run and a 23-yard run.

Sitton scored on a 60-yard reception in the second quarter.

Miller caught both of his touchdown passes in the third period, and Quade had a 65-yard TD reception during the frame.

The Pirates scored on a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter to go ahead for good.

College Heights (1-5) is at Lockwood next Friday.

CROSS COUNTRY: College Heights reloaded for ’22 season

Posted on August 11, 2022August 12, 2022 by Jason Peake

The College Heights Christian School boys cross country program had a stellar 2021 campaign.

The Cougars not only captured the Ozark 7 championship, but also advanced their entire squad to the state meet.

Entering the 2022 season, College Heights returns nearly every key performer from last year’s team. With that, the expectations are set high for the reloaded Cougars.

“We are excited to compete this year,” College Heights coach Phillip Jordan said. “There is a bit of uncertainty with the boys, as we have several playing other sports and cross country will be their secondary sport. However, we have talented runners who have experience and understand what it takes to compete at a high level.”

Returning runners for the CHC boys are seniors Derrick McMillan and Corban Thomas, juniors Jace Edwards, Steven Calandro, Caleb Quade and Brayden Youngberg.

At last year’s Ozark 7 Meet, Quade finished third, McMillan was fifth, Edwards finished eighth, Thomas took 10th and Youngberg was 11th.

The Cougars advanced their entire boys squad to state last fall by finishing third at the district meet. Quade (54th) and McMillan (56th) were the top performers at state.

“The strengths of our boys team will be our experience and the understanding of what it takes to compete at a high level,” Jordan noted.

Also of note, the team would have also returned Rolen Sanderson this year, but he is no longer attending CHC.

Newcomers to watch on the boys squad are sophomore Josiah Thomas and freshmen Colton McMillan and Will Porter.

As Jordan noted, many of the Cougars will also be competing in either soccer or football.

“We only have three full time runners, so naturally the biggest question mark will be how will our boys playing other sports stay in shape to run competitive times? The solution is simply these kids putting in the work on their own,” Coach Jordan said. “If they can find the time between sports, academics, and rest then we will have a shot to reach our goals.”

College Heights’ girls also won a conference championship last year and had two athletes advance to state.

College Heights returns senior Jayli Johnson and juniors Madelynn Jordan, Madi Carson and Katie Moss.

Johnson took first at last year’s conference meet, with Carson fifth and Moss 10th. Johnson, a multi-sport standout, placed fifth at the district meet to lead the Cougars. She finished 39th at state. Carson also competed at last year’s state meet.

“On the girls team, we are looking to bounce back after a tough season in 2021,” Coach Jordan said. “We are healthy and have a ton of potential and also hope to be competing for a chance to qualify as a team for state. The strengths of our girls team is our balance and consistency. We have a great balance between our classes and an understanding of working together to make each runner better.”

Newcomers on the girls team are sophomores Kinley Marsh and Marla Anderegg and freshmen Amelia Hagale and Jesalin Bever.

Coach Jordan noted an area of concern is inexperience at the varsity level.

“We will rely on a few runners who haven’t run cross country before or haven’t run at the high school level,” he said. “The regular season will be important to give these girls experience and confidence that they can compete to their potential.”

Coach Jordan said the main key to success for both teams is simple.

“Consistency,” he said. “We have to consistently work, have positive mindsets, and improve throughout the season. Also, we need to develop a firm understanding of what it takes to reach the highest level. I believe both of our teams have a chance to defend their Ozark 7 Conference championships and also will be in position to qualify for the state meet.”

The Cougars are scheduled to begin the season at the SWCCCA Meet in Bolivar on Sept. 3.

BOYS DISTRICT HOOPS: College Heights boys claim 2nd straight district championship, advance to sectional round

Posted on February 27, 2022February 27, 2022 by Jason Peake

VERONA, Mo. — After last year’s historic postseason run, the College Heights Christian boys basketball team was left wanting more.

That extra motivation showed on Saturday.

Ignited by a second-quarter surge, and with a stellar overall performance, top-seeded College Heights Christian rolled to a 71-57 win over third-seeded Verona in the championship game of the Class 2 District 12 tournament inside a packed Verona High School gymnasium.

“That’s a great win,” College Heights coach Eric Johnson said. “We played well. You just never know when you play on someone else’s court in a district championship game. They came out hot, but we were able to match them basket for basket. And when they cooled off, we kept going. I’m proud of our kids. They came ready to play. They stepped up.

“It helped us that we were in this game last year,” added Johnson, who recently surpassed 650 coaching victories. “It’s a great feeling. Our seniors experienced it last year and they wanted that feeling again. The goal is to win in the next round too. We’ll enjoy this tonight and then get ready for the next one.”

After capturing a second straight district championship, College Heights advances to the sectional round of the state tournament, where they’ll meet Blue Eye at 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday at Carthage High School.

“This feels really great,” College Heights senior guard Miller Long said. “We were expecting to win this all year. I wouldn’t want my senior year to end any other way. It’s great to put in the hard work and see it pay off. We know we can go farther this year.”

Members of the College Heights Christian Cougars celebrate after Saturday’s 71-57 win over Verona in the district championship game. College Heights is in the sectional round for the second straight year.

College Heights made its first-ever state appearance last year, falling to Crane in the sectional round. This year, the Cougars hope to go one step further.

“Last year’s experience is going to help us tremendously,” Long said. “Last year, we didn’t know what to expect going into sectionals. This year we know what to expect and I think we’re going to do great.”

Ranked fifth in Class 2 by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association, College Heights hiked its record to 23-4.

Senior Ethan Meeks scored 22 points to lead the Cougars, as the 6-7 forward recorded 11 hoops in the paint.

Long added 18 points with two 3-pointers and junior forward Curtis Davenport had 16 points. Senior point guard Ethan Adel contributed nine points while running the show.

Verona ends the season with a 17-11 record.

Sophomore Jacob Stellwagen scored 22 points and hit four 3-pointers for the Wildcats, while senior Jaiden Carrasquillo and freshman Jessy Gamel added 13 points apiece. Verona made 10 treys in the game.

GAME RECAP

As far as a key to victory, the Cougars used good ball movement to get high-percentage shots in close. The taller Cougars imposed their will inside. Besides three treys, College Heights recorded nearly every other basket in the lane.

“That was our game plan,” Johnson said of getting the ball inside. “We were able to hurt them inside. We knew that was where our advantage was.”

College Heights led 24-18 at the end of a back and forth first quarter that featured 10 lead changes.

The Cougars took control in the second period, outscoring the hosts 21-11.

Everything was clicking for the Cougars, who closed the first half on a 16-2 run for a 45-29 halftime advantage. Meeks scored 10 in the second period.

The Wildcats stayed within striking distance by making three treys in the third quarter.

Nevertheless, late hoops from Meeks and Long gave CHC a comfy 59-40 lead heading into the final frame.

The Cougars would never relinquish their lead in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats trimmed their deficit to 12 before the visitors responded with six of the next eight points.

Johnson noted a tough regular-season schedule has the Cougars battle-tested for the postseason.

“It was probably the toughest schedule College Heights has ever had,” Johnson said. “That was on purpose. We wanted to play good teams and that pays off at this time of year.”

The College Heights Christian Cougars pose with the district championship plaque on Saturday in Verona. Photo by Jason Peake.

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