LEBANON, Mo. — Carl Junction’s girls rolled to a dominating victory in their opener of the I44 Lady’s Classic Basketball Tournament at Lebanon High School.
The Bulldogs put up 35 points in the first quarter and held a commanding 57-16 lead by intermission en route to the blowout win.
Five players scored in double figures for Carl Junction.
Kylie Scott scored 21 points and Destiny Buerge added 20 points to lead the Bulldogs.
Hali Shorter added 15 points on five 3-pointers, Klohe Burk had 11 points and Dezi Williams scored 10.
Ranked first in Class 5, the Bulldogs (16-1) will meet Lee’s Summit West at 9 p.m. on Friday in the tourney semifinals. Lee’s Summit West beat Eldon 84-71.
TROY GIRLS 51, JOPLIN 22
LEBANON, Mo. — Troy jumped out in front and never looked back in a win over Joplin to open the I44 Lady’s Classic basketball tournament hosted by Lebanon High School on Thursday.
Troy led 29-12 at halftime and outscored Joplin 23-11 in the second half en route to the win.
Bailey Ledford led the way for Joplin with seven points. Serafina Auberry and Jill McDaniel each had four in the loss.
Ava Meyers finished with 21 points to lead Troy in scoring, while Lilly Robinson added 15.
Joplin plays St. Charles at 4:30 p.m. in the consolation bracket on Friday.
COLLEGE HEIGHTS GIRLS 76, VERONA 38
VERONA, Mo. — College Heights Christian coach John Blankenship was pleased with his team’s performance on Thursday night.
“This was one of our best team efforts of the year,” Blankenship said. “Our defense was strong, our transition game was working and we shot really well. We were 12-for-26 from the 3-point line. We had six players knock down at least one 3-pointer. We have been working really hard on our shooting.”
Addie Lawrence made four 3-pointers for the Cougars, while Jayli Johnson, Allie Stout and Ava Lett all hit two treys apiece. Jesalin Bever and Maddy Colin each made one 3-pointer.
Lawrence scored 16 points to lead CHC, while Johnson had 12 points, four assists and two steals.
Also for the Cougars, Colin contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Libby Fanning had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Lett scored seven points and Stout had six. Lauren Ukena had eight steals to go along with four points and three assists.
Bever contributed five points, three boards and two steals and Kinley Marsh chipped in two points and six rebounds.
College Heights is now 10-8, 2-0 in conference games.
The Cougars host Wheaton at 6 p.m. on Friday night.
CLEVER GIRLS 43, WEBB CITY 38
CLEVER, Mo. — Webb City dropped a non-conference road game on Thursday night in Clever.
The Cardinals are now 12-6.
Webb City is at Carthage on Tuesday night for a COC clash.
WEBB CITY BOYS 51, EAST NEWTON 43
GRANBY, Mo. — Webb City improved to 14-4 on the season with Thursday’s non-conference road victory.
Webb City led 30-15 at halftime, and the Cardinals held a comfortable 41-22 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals were up by 20 points for a large part of the second half before getting their reserves playing time in the fourth quarter.
Joe Adams scored 14 points to lead the Cardinals, while Eli Pace added 11. Barron Duda and Alex Martin contributed nine points apiece for the Cardinals.
Robert McFarland scored 14 points for East Newton, while Braxton Wolfe added 12 and Marshal Renner had nine.
The Patriots fell to 7-13.
Webb City is at rival Carthage on Tuesday night.
THOMAS JEFFERSON BOYS 54, GOLDEN CITY 52
GOLDEN CITY, Mo. — Thomas Jefferson erased a halftime deficit with a strong third quarter on the way to a 54-52 win over Golden City in Ozark 7 Conference and district action on Thursday.
The Cavaliers (13-4, 2-0 Ozark 7) trailed 23-21 by the intermission before outsourcing the Eagles (12-8, 0-1 Ozark 7) 18-11 in the third period to gain a 39-34 cushion. Thomas Jefferson held Golden City off down the stretch to preserve the win.
““I thought our kids did a nice job defensively tonight,” Thomas Jefferson coach Chris Myers said to SoMo Sports. “They hit some big shots there late to make it interesting, but our kids responded well and hit some key free throws down the stretch. This was a big win as it had huge conference and district implications.”
Jay Ball had 19 points and 14 rebounds for a double-double to lead Thomas Jefferson in the win. Tyler Brouhard had 18 points, seven rebounds and five steals in the win. David Triplett finished with 14 points, including four 3-pointers, while Kip Atteberry had four assists and three points.
Golden City was led in scoring by Hosh Reeves’ 21 points, while Ty Force added 16 points and Spencer Parrill eight points in the loss.
SENECA BOYS 39, MONETT 37
SENECA, Mo. — Ethan Altic scored 18 points to lead the Indians, while Morgan Vaughn added nine.
Missouri state golf action concluded on Tuesday, with several local golfers wrapping up their play in the second of the two-day tournaments. Below is a roundup of all the local student-athletes in action.
CLASS 5
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Joplin’s Hobbs Campbell finished in a tie for 62nd after scoring a second-round 84 to total 167 at Dalhousie Golf Club. Harry Satterlee was disqualified upon completion of his second round of play.
Rockhurst’s Will King shot a 69-72—141 and Staley’s Bryson Oots scored a 70-71—141 to tie for first place in the individual standings. Chaminade’s John Guerra took third with a 73-71—144.
Rockhurst won the team championship by 15 strikes over Priory with a 295-300—595.
CLASS 4
NEW BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — In Class 4 action, Carl Junction’s Jack Spencer earned all-state honors after finishing in a tie for seventh place after matching his Day 1 score with a second-round 76 to shoot a 152 at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club.
Neosho’s Xander Woodward carded a 79 in the second round to total 164 and finish in a tie for 32nd.
Webb City’s Keegon Dill shot an 83 on the first day and duplicated that number on the second day for a 166 total to finish in a tie for 43rd. CJ’s Zach Wrensch shot an 84 in the second round to finish in a tie for 43rd with a 166 as well.
Jacob Teeter scored an 83 in the second round to finish in a tie for 51st for the Bulldogs with a 168.
Webb City’s Levi Lassiter shot an 85-90—175 to place in a tie for 70th.
Bolivar’s Aiden Asby took first with a 73-71—144, while Lutheran South’s Andrew Hennen shot a 74-71—145 to take second place. Fort Zumwalt South’s Joseph Friedel placed third with a 74-75—149.
Webster Groves won the team title by eight strokes over Lutheran South with a 333-303—639.
CLASS 3
SEDALIA, Mo. — Nevada’s Owen Swearingen closed his second round with a 75 after an opening-round 70 to finish in a tie for third place with Father Tolton Regional’s Christian Rischer with a 145, one stroke off the lead, to earn all-state honors at the Sedalia Country Club.
Monett’s Jaxon Bailey earned all-state honors after tying for sixth place with a 72-75—147.
Also for the Cubs, Jacob Hoyt tied for 42nd after shooting a 84-86—170. David Southard tied for 51st with an 85-88—173. Clay Butterworth closed with a 93 to shoot a 196 and finish in 81st.
Seneca’s Elijah Olson tied for 59th with a 90-86—176, while Jace Wilson carded a 94-94—188 to place 74th.
Hallsville’s Logan Cox (71-73—144) and Samuel Schoeberl (70-74—144) tied for first.
Father Tolton Regional won the team state title by 14 strokes over Bishop LeBlond with a 295-292—587.
CLASS 2
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Sarcoxie’s Eli Ellis scored a 91 to finish with a 178 to finish in a tie for 28th at the Columbia Country Club.
Matthew Swayne shot a 96 to finish with a 195 in a tie for 54th for the Bears.
Lamar’s Koen Littlejohn finished with a 103 in the second round to post a 196 to place in a tie for 58th.
Pierce City’s Tyler Johnson (98-99—197) and Ashton Medlin (101-39—197) tied for 62nd and Mount Vernon’s Carter Meirick (104-103—207) placed 68th.
Hermann’s Trigg Lindahl earned medalist honors with a 70-78—148, while California won the team title with a 332-339—671.
CLASS 1
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — McAuley Catholic’s Rocco Bazzano-Joseph finished in a tie for 20th place to lead area golfers after carding a 86-87—173 at Rivercut Golf Course.
Evan D’Amour tied for 34th with a 92-87—178 for the Warriors. Vincent Martinez shot a 113-110—223 to finish 80th.
Thomas Jefferson’s Jacob Jarrett took 42nd place after a 95-92—187, while Jack Tyrrell finished in a tie for 44th for the Cavs with a 96-94—190. Luke Miller carded a 98-95—193 to finish in a tie for 49th. Caden Myers closed with a 98 in the second round to shoot a 198 for 57th place.
Purdy’s Brady Garner finished 71st with a 111-96—207.
College Heights’ Logan Decker took 82nd with a 122-125—247.
Westran’s Logan Bain took medalist honors with an 81-75—156, while Cole Camp took the team title by three strokes over Marceline with a 335-343—678.
MILLER, Mo. — College Heights used a walk-off double from Joshua Anderson to earn an 8-7 win over fifth-seeded Jasper in the opening round of the Class 2 District 12 Tournament at Miller High School on Friday.
The Cougars (6-12) took a 3-1 lead into the seventh inning before the Eagles (7-13) scored a pair of runs to tie the contest and send it into extra innings. Both teams traded four-run innings in the eighth frame to send it to the ninth where CHC’s Kelton Welch led off with a walk before stealing second to get into scoring position. With one away, Anderson doubled to left field to bring home the winning run in walk-off fashion.
College Heights takes on top-seeded Marion C. Early at 4 p.m. on Monday at Miller High School in the district semifinals.
Nicholas Brueggemann started and took a no decision after allowing six runs, two earned on six hits, a walk and a strikeout in two innings. Ben Thomas allowed one run on four hits, a walk and seven strikeouts in six innings of relief. Smoke Ezell earned the win in relief after allowing one hit in one scoreless inning of work.
Gavin Wampler started and took a no-decision after allowing four runs on four hits, five walks and six strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. Clay Brown took the loss after allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in one inning.
Caleb Evans, who doubled, had two hits, an RBI and a run scored, while Anderson matched him with two hits, including a double, one RBI and one run scored to lead the Cougars at the plate. Brueggemann had a hit, two RBI and a run scored, while Liam Nelson had a hit, three walks, an RBI and a run scored.
Xander Metcalf had three hits and two runs scored, while Wampler Braden Rush, Seth Haddock and Hayden LeMasters each had two hits.
Joplin’s Byler Reither fires to first for an out in the Eagles’ win over Carthage on Saturday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
Joplin built an early 6-1 lead before Carthage rallied to tie the game in the top of the seventh before the Eagles answered with a two-out run-scoring single by Jackson Queen in the bottom half to send his team to an 8-7 walk-off win over the Tigers in district action to wrap up play on Saturday at the JHS Athletic Complex.
Justin McReynolds doubled to right field with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to get a runner in scoring position. Queen then followed with a shallow liner over the head of the Carthage first baseman to plate McReynolds for the winning run.
Joplin’s Brady Mails started and took a no-decision after allowing five runs, three earned, on eight hits and two strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. Alex Isbell pitched 1 1/3 relief innings and allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits, a walk and a strikeout. Joe Jasper earned the win in relief after pitching a scoreless seventh inning on one hit and a strikeout.
Carthage’s Bradyn Tate took the complete-game loss after allowing eight runs, four earned, on 12 hits and two strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.
Carthage’s Bradyn Tate delivers to home on the Tigers’ loss to Joplin on Saturday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
Carthage plated a run in the top of the first inning with a run coming home on a fielder’s choice before Joplin answered in the bottom of the frame with a three-run first at-bat. Bodee Carlson led the inning off with a double before scoring with one out on a double to left-center two batters later by Kyler Stokes. McReynolds singled to right to plate a run and Queen wrapped the scoring with a sacrifice fly.
Joplin doubled its output in the second inning with three more runs touching home Carlson and Ethan Guilford each had RBI singles, while Byler Reither picked up an RBI on a groundout.
Mails brought home the seventh run of the game in the third inning with a safety squeeze to score Layten Copher, who singled to lead off the inning, to push the lead to 7-1.
The Tigers trimmed the lead to five in the top of the fourth when Sylas Browning doubled home a run.
Parker Copeland brought Carthage back into striking distance in the top of the fifth after doubling home two runs with a line drive off the wall in right field with two outs in the inning to make the score 7-4. Browning followed with an infield hit to the hole between second and first to score the third run of the inning, cutting the lead to two.
Kanen Vogt doubled to left-center field to lead off the inning before courtesy runner Kaden Arr came around to score on a passed ball to cut the lead down to one, 7-6.
Carthage led off the top of the seventh with a walk from Braxdon Tate before he stole second on the first pitch of the next at-bat to get into scoring position. Logan Carmickle followed with an RBI double off the wall in right to tie the game at 7s.
Carlson and Stokes each had two hits, scored two runs and drove in one for Joplin. McReynolds had three hits, scored once and drove in one. Guilford had two hits with a run scored and an RBI, while Copher had two hits and scored a run.
Carmickle had three hits, two RBI and a run scored for Carthage. Braxdon Tate had two hits and scored three runs. Copeland had two hits, two RBI and scored a run, while Browning had two hits and drove in two.
Joplin’s Bodee Carlson doubles to left in the Eagles’ district win over Carthage on Saturday at the JHS Athletic Complex. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
SMITHVILLE 10, JOPLIN 1
Joplin took a brief 1-0 lead before Smithville answered with 10 runs over the next three innings on the way to a win over the Eagles on Saturday at the JHS Athletic Complex.
The Warriors took control of the game with four runs scoring in the fourth, another in the fifth and five runs crossing home in the sixth.
Mason Crimm earned the complete-game win after allowing one run on five hits, a walk and three strikeouts in seven innings.
Reither took the loss after allowing four runs on three hits, two walks and six strikeouts in four innings of work. Jasper, Tyler Duley and Eli Sotlar all worked in relief for Joplin.
Joplin took the initial lead with a two-out run scoring in the bottom of the third when Reither doubled to left-center field to plate Landon Maples, who reached with a bunt for a hit to lead off the frame.
Smithville answered back with a crooked number, touching home four times in the top of the fourth to take control, 4-1. Garrett Pulse and Noah Vollenwider had back to back RBI singles before Ben Murawski doubled to right-center field to plate a pair of runs and cap the scoring.
The Warriors added a run on a wild pitch in the top of the fifth inning to push the lead to 5-1.
Smithville put the game out of reach in the sixth inning with five runs scoring in the frame, which was highlighted by a two-run double from Andrew Hedgecorth.
Maples had two hits and scored a run to lead Joplin at the plate, with Reither, Stokes and Guilford all collecting hits for Joplin.
SMITHVILLE 7, CARTHAGE 2
Carthage’s Kanen Vogt records a putout on a foul popup in the Tigers’ loss to Joplin on Saturday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
Smithville hung crooked numbers on the scoreboard in the first, third and fourth innings on the way to a win over Carthage in the second game of the day on Saturday.
The Warriors built a 7-0 lead by the end of the fourth before the Tigers plated a pair of runs in the fifth inning.
Austin Miller allowed a run on four hits, a walk and two strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings to earn the win. Lucas Noecker allowed one unearned run on two hits, a walk and two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings of relief.
Copeland took the loss after allowing seven runs, five earned, on 12 hits, two walks and a strikeout in six innings.
Hedgecorth singled home a run on a line drive to center before coming around to score on the same play on a Carthage error. Chester Brooks hit a solo home run in the third inning and Ryker Edwards added an RBI single to push the lead to 4-0. A third run came home on a sac fly. Ryan Weers and Edwards added an RBI single in the top of the fourth inning.
Copeland doubled to right field to score a pair of runs in the fifth inning for Carthage.
Braxdon Tate had two hits and scored a run to lead Carthage at the plate, while Copeland doubled and had two RBI. Carmickle, Browning and Clay Kinder each had hits for the Tigers.
Edwards had three hits, two RBI and scored a run, while Brooks and Hedgecorth each had two hits, two runs scored and one RBI.
WEBB CITY SPLITS WITH MARSHFIELD
WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City split a non-conference doubleheader with Marshfield on Saturday at Chuck Barnes Field.
The Cardinals won the opener 2-1 before the Bluejays took the second game 12-9.
In Game 1, the Cardinals plated two runs in the bottom of the first inning when Cade Wilson singled with the bases loaded, allowing Kenley Hood and Jeremiah Leaming to score.
The Bluejays pushed across a run in the second on a walk, single and fielder’s choice. Neither team scored the rest of the way.
Webb City’s Gavin Stowell was the winning pitcher. Stowell struck out nine and limited Marshfield to one run on two hits and four walks in five innings.
Cooper Crouch earned the save after tossing two scoreless innings in relief. Crouch fanned five and did not allow a hit.
Webb City recorded seven hits.
Wilson went 2-for-3 with two RBI, while William Hayes, Cy Darnell, Kaylor Darnell, Kolton Eilenstein and Hood contributed one hit apiece.
Marshfield’s Kyler Massie took the loss, but only allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out five.
In Game 2, Marshfield scored two runs in the first, five in the second and one in the third for an 8-0 lead.
The Cardinals pushed across four runs on two hits and an error in the bottom of the third to trim their deficit in half.
Webb City added two runs in the fifth. Hayes doubled to right, took third on an error and came home on Hood’s RBI groundout. Later in the inning, Wilson contributed a run-scoring double, trimming Marshfield’s lead to 8-6.
The Bluejays erupted for four runs on three hits and an error in the sixth for a 12-6 lead.
The Cardinals got a run back in the bottom of the sixth, as Hayes delivered a sac fly to right. Webb City added two runs in the seventh on Aidan Brock’s double.
The Cardinals recorded 10 hits. Cy Darnell, Hayes and Brock had two hits apiece. Jeremiah Leaming, McQuade Eilenstein, Kolton Eilenstein and Wilson added one hit apiece.
Gage Chapman took the loss after giving up seven runs on seven hits in 1 1/3 innings.
Drew Vonder Haar, Leaming and Hayes all pitched in relief.
Marshfield’s Easton Arthur earned the win after limiting the Cardinals to three earned runs on three hits 3 1/3 innings.
Owen Curley had three hits for the Bluejays, while Kyle Jones drove in three runs.
Webb City (12-14) is at Neosho on Tuesday.
CARL JUNCTION 5, SPRINGFIELD CATHOLIC 1
The Bulldogs scored all five of their runs in the game-changing fifth inning while limiting the Irish to a single tally in the sixth at Joe Becker Stadium.
Carl Junction’s Shane Diskin was the winning pitcher. He went six innings and allowed one run on five hits while striking out nine.
Lucas Vanlanduit tossed a scoreless seventh.
Vanlanduit drove in two runs on two hits for the Bulldogs, while Diskin had two RBI and Bentley Rowden had one. Arlen Wakefield contributed two hits.
Cole Schoen took the loss after giving up four earned runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out seven. Weston Cline gave up one run on three hits in 1 2/3 innings.
Ben Smith had two hits for Class 3 No. 1 Catholic.
GLENDALE 6, CARL JUNCTION 1
Ranked second in Class 5, the Falcons plated three runs in the top of the first inning before the Bulldogs answered with a single tally in the bottom half after Wakefield tripled and scored on Kyler Perry’s grounder.
The Falcons added an insurance run in the fourth and two more in the fifth for a 6-1 advantage.
The Bulldogs were limited to three hits, two by Wakefield and a triple by Logan Eck.
Eck went four innings on the mound, allowing three earned runs on five hits and three walks.
Vanlanduit and Gaige Carson pitched in relief for the Bulldogs.
Glendale’s Drew Wedgeworth was the winning pitcher. He went the distance and allowed just one run on three hits.
Brayden Biggers had two hits for the Falcons, while Carter Lewis drove in two runs.
MOUNT VERNON SOFTBALL 2, COLLEGE HEIGHTS 1
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. — Mount Vernon scored single tallies in the fourth and sixth inning and held off a late rally by College Heights (with McAuley) in a win on Saturday in the Mount Vernon Softball Tournament.
Molly Daniels earned the complete-game win after allowing one unearned run on five hits, two walks and 13 strikeouts in seven innings.
Maddy Colin was saddled with the tough-luck, complete-game loss after allowing two unearned runs on two hits, one walk and 10 strikeouts in six innings of work.
The Mountaineers took the lead in the fourth with a run coming home on a CHC error and pushed the lead to 2-0 in the sixth off an RBI single to right field by Rae Downing.
CHC got on the scoreboard in the seventh on an RBI single from Jayli Johnson.
Downing had one hit, one RBI and scored a run to lead Mount Vernon.
Johnson had two hits and an RBI to lead College Heights at the plate.
EAST NEWTON SOFTBALL 6, COLLEGE HEIGHTS 1
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. — East Newton scored three times in the first to take the lead and added insurance throughout in a win over College Heights in the Mount Vernon Softball Tournament.
The Patriots added runs in the second, sixth and seventh frames to build an insurmountable lead.
Addie Lawrence doubled home a run in the seventh inning to get the Cougars on the scoreboard.
Gracie Ford earned the complete-game win after allowing one run on seven hits and five strikeouts in seven innings.
Colin took the complete-game loss after allowing six runs, two earned, on seven hits and 13 strikeouts in seven innings.
Lawrence had two hits and drove in one, while Aaliyah Perez and Kloee Williamson each had two hits.
College Heights held an 8-3 lead after four innings before erupting for 11 runs in the fifth inning on the way to a five-inning win over Wheaton to earn the claim of co-Ozark 7 Conference champions on Friday.
The Cougars (5-9, 3-1 Ozark 7) scored 19 runs on 10 hits, including 11 runs on two hits, eight walks, two bit-by-pitches and two errors in the fifth inning.
Ben Thomas started and earned the complete-game win after allowing three runs, one earned, on eight hits, a walk and four strikeouts in five innings.
Kelton Park started and took the loss after allowing nine runs, four earned, on two hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings.
Nicholas Brueggemann led the Cougars at the plate after going 3-for-3 with four RBI and three runs scored, while Thomas had a hit and three RBI. Austin Miller had a hit, scored three runs and drove in two, while Bowen Sitton had a hit, one RBI and scored four times. Kelton Welch had a hit, two RBI and scored a run.
LAMAR 9, MCAULEY 0
LAMAR, Mo. — Lamar scored five runs in the first two innings and added four runs late on the way to the win on Friday.
The Tigers opened with three runs in the first inning before adding two in the second. After a single tally in the fifth, Lamar wrapped the scoring with three runs in the sixth inning.
Mason Gastel earned the win after allowing one hit and one walk while striking out 11 over five shutout innings. Stetson Wiss pitched two scoreless relief innings, allowing two hits and striking out three.
Kable Reichardt took the loss after allowing nine runs, five earned, on eight hits, two walks and four strikeouts in six innings.
Gastel had two hits, three RBI and two runs scored to lead Lamar in the box, while Ty Wilhite had two hits, two RBI and scored a run.
Rocco Bazzano-Joseph and Bradley Wagner each had a hit for McAuley.
WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City trailed 5-0 early before rallying in front with crooked numbers on the scoreboard throughout the middle innings only for Class 6 second-ranked Nixa to push across three runs in the sixth inning to regain the lead for good on the way to the Central Ozark Conference and district win on Wednesday.
Webb City’s Kolton Eilenstein rounds third in the Cardinals’ loss to Nixa on Wednesday. Photo by Israel Perez.
The Eagles (24-1, 6-0 COC) scored five times on five hits in the top of the seventh inning to take a commanding lead before the Cardinals (11-13, 4-4 COC) trimmed the deficit to 5-2 after a pair of runs crossed home in the bottom half of the inning, highlighted by a sacrifice fly from Cy Darnell.
Webb City’s Kolton Eilenstein came up with an RBI single and it was followed by a two-run double by William Hayes in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game at 5-5. Eric Fitch tripled to right field in the next at-bat to bring the go-ahead run in the form of Hayes to give the Cardinals the advantage, 6-5, after a four-run frame.
Wyatt Vincent doubled to left-center in the top of the fourth to score Caeden Cloud to tie the game once again, but Webb City responded once more with three runs in the bottom half of the inning with Eilenstein driving home the go-ahead runs with a two-run single up the middle to go up 9-6.
Nixa cut the Cardinals’ lead to 9-8 with two runs in the fifth inning before taking the lead for the final time with a three-run sixth inning. Jaret Nelson had a two-run single before coming around to score later on a fielder’s choice.
Webb City’s Kaylor Darnell delivers a pitch to home plate during the Cardinals’ loss to Nixa on Wednesday. Photo by Israel Perez.
Rylan Evans earned the win in relief after allowing three unearned runs on three hits and two strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. Hardy Dougan started and took a no-decision after allowing six runs, four earned, on four hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings.
Walker Sweet took the loss after allowing five runs, three earned, on five hits, two walks and three strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings of relief. Kaylor Darnell started and earned a no-decision after allowing six runs on eight hits, a walk and a strikeout in 3 1/3 innings. Gage Chapman pitched two scoreless innings in relief, walking two and striking out two.
Nelson had four hits, including a double, three RBI and scored twice, while Rylan Michel had two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored to lead Nixa at the plate. Sam Russo, Tanner Grant and Cloud all had two hits for the Eagles. Russo and Cloud scored twice, while Grant had an RBI and two runs scored.
Eilenstein finished with two hits, three RBI and two runs scored, while Fitch had two hits, including a triple, and an RBI. Hayes had a double, two RBI and scored a run. Kenley Hood also registered a hit for Webb City.
CARL JUNCTION 3, OZARK 2
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Carl Junction trailed 2-0 after two innings before using a three-run fourth inning as the catalyst on the way to a Central Ozark Conference win on Wednesday.
The Bulldogs (7-12, 2-4 COC) trailed by a pair of runs entering the fourth inning when back to back one-out walks followed by an Ozark error allowed the first Carl Junction run to cross the plate. Logan Eck singled to center field to pick up an RBI in the next at-bat to tie the game at 2-2. A fielder’s choice by Arlen Wakefield later in the inning brought home the go-ahead run.
Brody Baumann singled home a run in the first inning and Alex Nimmo singled home a run in the second inning to account for Ozark’s offense.
Kyler Perry earned the win on the mound after allowing two runs, one earned, on eight hits, four walks and four strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. Lucas Vanlanduit earned the save after recording the final out of the game.
Brady Dodd took the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on three hits, four walks and three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. Gage Depee surrendered one hit and struck out one in 1 2/3 relief innings.
Cole Wilson had two hits and scored a run to lead CJ at the plate, while Eck had a hit and an RBI.
REPUBLIC 3, JOPLIN 0
REPUBLIC, Mo. — Republic took the lead with a first-inning run and added insurance in the fourth and sixth frames on the way to a shutout win over Joplin in Central Ozark Conference action on Wednesday.
Three straight batters reached with one out via a walk, hit-by-pitch and walk before a fielder’s choice by Trace Harrington gave the Tigers (12-10, 5-2 COC) a 1-0 lead over the Eagles (10-11, 5-2 COC). Gavyn Beckner pushed the lead to 2-0 with an RBI single in the fourth before he added another RBI single in the sixth to make the score 3-0.
Beckner also pitched a complete-game shutout to earn the win on the mound, scattering four hits, walking two and striking out four in seven innings.
Ethan Guilford took the loss after allowing three runs on eight hits, three walks and two strikeouts in six innings.
Byler Reither, Kyler Stokes, Jackson Queen and Landon Maples all had hits for Joplin.
COLLEGE HEIGHTS 12, JASPER 9
JASPER, Mo. — College Heights used a five-run first inning and a four-run fifth inning to build an insurmountable lead in a win over Jasper on Wednesday.
The Cougars (4-9) took control in the top first when Kelton Welch singled with the bases loaded and Smoke Ezell followed with a bases-loaded walk to make the score 2-0. The first-inning scoring was capped with two runs coming home on a Jasper error.
CHC added single tallies in the second and third innings on an RBI single from Welch and an RBI single from Austin Miller.
Ben Thomas started the four-run fifth inning with a two-run double to center before Welch singled home two runs in the next at-bat on a ground ball through the left side to push the lead to 11-2.
Jasper scored six runs in the sixth inning to cut the lead to two before the Cougars added insurance in the seventh.
Nicholas Brueggemann earned the win after allowing seven runs, six earned, on seven hits, three walks and three strikeouts in five innings. Thomas earned the save after allowing two runs on three hits, two walks and a strikeout in two relief innings.
Braden Rush took the loss after allowing six runs, four earned, on four walks, two hits and two strikeouts in two innings. Clay Brown allowed six runs, five earned, on six hits, eight walks and four strikeouts in five relief innings.
Welch had four hits, four RBI and a run scored to lead CHC at the plate. Thomas had a hit, two RBI and a run scored.
COLLEGE HEIGHTS SOFTBALL 3, PIERCE CITY 2
College Heights Christian (with McAuley Catholic) softball trailed 2-1 heading into the sixth before tying the game before walking off in the bottom of the seventh on the way to the win over Pierce City on Wednesday.
Addie Lawrence doubled to lead off the sixth inning for the Cougars (18-2) before coming around to score two batters later on an RBI single to right field by Aaliyah Perez to tie the game at 2-2.
Jayli Johnson singled with one out in the seventh before stealing second and coming around to score the winning run in walk-off fashion on an RBI double to center by Kloee Williamson.
Maddy Colin earned the complete-game win after allowing two runs on seven hits and nine strikeouts in seven innings.
Mollie Beeson took the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on nine hits, a walk and six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
Johnson had four hits and scored a run to lead CHC at the plate, while Williamson had two hits and an RBI. Perez had a hit and an RBI, while Lawrence had a hit and scored a run.
Juli Lowe and Jilian Mack each had hits and drove in a run for Pierce City (13-8).
College Heights (with McAuley) scored in every inning on the way to clinching the Ozark 7 Conference title with a 12-0 win in five innings over Golden City on Monday.
The Cougars (17-2, 4-0 Ozark 7) tallied single runs in the first two innings before hanging crooked numbers (two, four, four) in each of the final three innings en route to the title-clinching win.
Maddy Colin earned the complete-game shutout win, surrendering just one hit, while walking one and striking out 12 for College Heights.
Brooke Beerly took the loss after allowing eight runs, on nine hits and three walks in 3 1/3 innings. Sienna Wirth allowed four runs, one earned, on three walks and a hit in 1 1/3 relief innings.
Holding a 2-0 lead in the last of the third inning, Jayli Johnson scored on a wild pitch before Colin singled home a run in the next at-bat to push the lead to 4-0.
Johnson came up with a two-run triple to right field an inning later before Kloee Williamson brought a run home with an RBI double to left to push the lead to 7-0 in the next at-bat. Colin logged a sacrifice fly later in the inning to bring home Williamson.
Johnson picked up another RBI in the fifth with a bases-loaded walk before Addie Lawrence reached on an error that allowed three runners to score later in the inning to end the game via run-rule.
Johnson had two hits, including a triple, three RBI and three runs scored to lead CHC at the dish. Williamson doubled on the way to two hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Lawrence had one hit, scored a run and drove in one. Lauren Ukena and Kaitlyn Bates, who doubled, each had a hit and scored twice, while Avery Eminger singled, scored a run and drove in one.
JASPER, Mo. — College Heights (with McAuley) earned a 7-0 win against Liberal in the semifinals and closed the day with a 2-1 win over East Newton in the championship round to win the Jasper Invitational softball tournament on Saturday.
COLLEGE HEIGHTS 2, EAST NEWTON 1
East Newton scored a run in the first inning and held that lead all the way until the bottom of the sixth when College Heights (16-2) scored a pair of two-out runs to take the late lead and held on to win the championship game.
Maddy Colin was hit by a pitch with one out in the last of the sixth frame and was on second base two batters later when Lauren Ukena doubled to center field to score Colin and tie the game at 1-1. The Cougars took the lead in the next at-bat when Avery Eminger singled to center field to push across the go-ahead run.
Colin earned the complete-game win in the circle after allowing one unearned run on three hits, a walk and 16 strikeouts in seven innings.
Gracie McMahan took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits, two walks and four strikeouts in six innings.
Eminger and Ukena each had a hit and drove in one, while Ukena added a run scored. Colin walked and scored a run, while Addie Lawrence had the only other hit for CHC.
Josie Guinn had two hits to lead East Newton at the plate.
COLLEGE HEIGHTS 7, LIBERAL 0
College Heights (15-2) plated four runs in the first inning and Colin rode the run support to a shutout over Liberal (with Bronaugh) in the semifinals on Saturday.
The first five batters reached in the first inning for CHC, with Lawrence and Colin both picking up RBI singles during that stretch. Eminger and Kallie Spencer drew walks with the bases loaded to push home the final two runs of the inning. The Cougars added a single tally in the second inning and added two insurance runs in the sixth en route to the win.
Colin struck out 14 and scattered three hits in a six-inning shutout performance to earn the win.
Jordan Goodell took the loss after allowing five runs on three hits, six walks and two strikeouts in two innings. Kyla Porter allowed two unearned runs on five hits and a walk in four relief innings.
Jayli Johnson had three hits and scored a run in the leadoff spot for CHC. Lawrence had two hits, scored three runs and drove in one, while Colin had two hits and two RBI. Spencer had a hit and drove in one.
JASPER, Mo. — College Heights (with McAuley) held a 1-0 lead before a five-run fifth inning sealed a 7-0 win over Lamar in the first round of the Jasper Invitational softball tournament on Friday.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the third inning, the Cougars (14-2) took complete control after striking for five runs, all coming with two outs, on five hits. Addie Lawrence started the scoring in the fifth with a two-run double to left field before Maddy Colin doubled Lawrence home in the next at-bat for a 4-0 lead. Avery Eminger picked up an RBI later in the inning after getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded before Lauren Ukena wrapped the scoring with an RBI single to left in the next at-bat.
Colin pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out 16 while scattering two hits and walking one in seven innings.
Madison Caruthers took the loss after allowing seven runs on 11 hits, a walk and three strikeouts in six innings.
Aaliyah Perez had three hits and scored a run, while Lawrence doubled, had two hits, three RBI and scored twice for CHC. Colin doubled twice and drove in two, while Jayli Johnson had two hits and scored twice.
College Heights is in the semifinals at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
VERONA, Mo. — College Heights softball (with McAuley) defined exactly what a big inning at the plate meant after scoring 14 runs in the third inning on the way to a 15-0 win in three innings over Verona in Ozark 7 Conference action on Thursday.
The Cougars (11-2, 3-0 Ozark 7) amassed 13 hits in the third inning alone, with eight of them resulting in runs being scored. The first six batters in the lineup all had two hits apiece and combined for 11 RBI and 11 runs scored.
Maddy Colin earned a three-inning no-hit win in the circle, striking out nine along the way.
Yoselin Martinez took the loss after allowing 15 runs on 14 hits, five walks and two strikeouts in three innings.
College Heights took the lead in the second inning on an RBI single to center field by Libby Fanning before the floodgates opened in the third frame.
The first five batters of the third inning reached base on hits, with CHC taking advantage of three Verona errors on the way to a 4-0 lead. The next three batters walked for the Cougars, which forced in another run, before Jayli Johnson singled home two runs to push the lead to 6-0. Two more runs came home on a double from Kloee Williamson, with Addie Lawrence following with an RBI double to left to plate Williamson. Colin highlighted the inning with an inside-the-park home run for two RBI and a 13-0 lead. Kaitlyn Bates added her second hit of the inning later in the frame on a single to center to plate a run and wrap the scoring.
At SoMo Sports, we understand the importance of student-athletes competing in prep sports in terms of development, both mentally and physically, for young adults who are preparing for life after high school.
Not only does competing in prep sports help build character, but it also provides student-athletes with tools such as communication, leadership and self-drive that will benefit them as they continue on life’s journey.
With that in mind, SoMo Sports wanted to honor the top athletes in the area who put in countless hours of hard work during practice, workouts, games/meets as well as on their own time by naming them as a SoMo Sports Athlete of the Year.
The Athlete of the Year selections go out to the top area athlete in each sport during the fall, winter and spring prep seasons.
The standout athletes are chosen by SoMo Sports reporters Jason Peake and Lucas Davis, who tirelessly cover prep sports for Joplin and its surrounding communities during the school year. Along with nominations by area coaches, SoMo Sports used individual accomplishments during the regular season and postseason as well as team success as factors for choosing each Athlete of the Year.
The SoMo Sports Athletes of the Year awards will be divided up in three stories—fall, winter and spring. Each sport will have an Athlete of the Year, and if warranted, there may be one or two honorable mentions per sport as well.
The SoMo Sports Athletes of the Year three-part story is sponsored by Cell Phone Medics.
SOMO SPORTS WINTER ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
Boys Basketball
Nickhai Howard, senior, Webb City
Nickhai Howard was a true stat-sheet stuffer for the Webb City Cardinals. A 5-foot-11 do-it-all point guard, Howard averaged 14.3 points, eight rebounds, five assists and just under three steals per game as a senior. Howard earned first team all-COC honors after the season, which ended in a district championship game. Howard is heading to Labette Community College in Parsons, Kansas, where he’ll be competing in one of the top JUCO basketball conferences in the nation.
Honorable Mention: Always Wright, Joplin; Miller Long, College Heights
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Lacy Stokes, senior, Mount Vernon
Stokes, a 5-foot-4 senior left-handed point guard who is committed to Missouri Southern, capped off a remarkable prep career with an incredible senior season. She finished the season averaging 25.8 points per game, 6.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 6.1 steals per game on the defensive end. Along with fellow senior Ellie Johnston, Stokes helped lead Mount Vernon to a runner-up finish in the Class 4 state tournament while winning the Big 8 Conference as well as the Class 4 District 12 championship along the way. The Mountaineers finished the season with a 28-4 record and had a 15-game winning streak leading into the title game.
Stokes was named to the Missouri Class 4 All-State team, while earning Class 4 District 12, Big 8 East and 4 State Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year honors. Stokes’ top scoring performances in a senior season that she surpassed 2,000 career points includes 42 points against McDonald County, 41 points against Springfield Catholic and 39 points against Vashon in the Class 4 state semifinals
Honorable Mention: Destiny Buerge, Carl Junction; Kayleigh Teeter, McAuley Catholic
GIRLS SWIMMING
Emma Lacey, senior, Carl Junction
In a stellar end to her solid prep swimming career, Emma Lacey recorded an all-state finish in three events and played a key role as the Carl Junction Bulldogs finished sixth at the Class 1 MSHSAA Swimming and Diving Championships. The sixth-place showing was the best in program history for Carl Junction. A senior, Lacey finished fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1 minute, 7 seconds. The Bulldogs’ 200-yard medley relay team of Lacey, Skyler Sundy, Sophia Hensley and Chloe Miller finished second with a time of 1:50.
Carl Junction’s 200 freestyle relay team of Lacey, Alanza Montez, Sundy and Miller placed third in 1:39. The Bulldogs just missed another all-state finish in the 400 freestyle relay, as Lacey, Miller, Montez and Sundy were ninth with a time of 3:46.
Lacey, a four-time state qualifier, played a crucial role as the Bulldogs won the Central Ozark Conference championship for the second straight season. At the COC meet, Lacey won the 50 freestyle and swam a leg of two winning relays (200 freestyle, 400 freestyle). She was the runner-up in the 100 breaststroke.
Honorable Mention: Chloe Miller, Carl Junction; Madison Riley, Carthage
BOYS WRESTLING
Cayden Auch, senior, Neosho
Auch, an Arkansas Little-Rock commit, made the most of his final season in what was a storied career with the Wildcats. Auch, wrestling at 160 pounds in his senior season, finished the year with a 49-0 record on the way to winning his fourth straight Class 3 state title. Auch’s 3-0 record in the state tournament came by major decision, fall and by decision in the title match over Liberty’s Wyatt Haynes. Auch, the first Neosho wrestler to go undefeated on the way to a state title since Curtis Longstreet and Blake Stauffer, was also named the Missouri Class 3 Wrestler of the Year.
GIRLS WRESTLING
Annie Moore, sophomore, Cassville
Moore, wrestling at 112 pounds, finished her second prep season with a 34-1 record on the way to winning the Class 1 state title. The exclamation point at the end of the season in the form of a state title was the first in Cassville history. On her way to her first state title and second state tournament appearance, Moore finished with three falls in the Class 3 sectional tournament and went 3-0 with three falls to close out her season as champion.
Thomas Jefferson finished with a final score of 188 as a team to win a nine-hole triangular match against McAuley Catholic (208) and College Heights (252) at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club on Tuesday.
Thomas Jefferson’s Owen D’Amour took first medalist honors after shooting a six-over-par 42 on the front nine holes, while Jack Tyrrell followed up with a 44 to take second medalist honors. Jake Jarrett added a 50, while Luke Miller carded a 52. Caden Myers shot a 54 to round out the TJ scoring.
McAuley’s Evan D’Amour took third medalist honors with a team-low 46. Joe Lupicki carded a 51, while Daniel Wagner shot a 53. Cade Englert scored a 58, with Rocco Bazzano-Joseph rounding out the Warriors’ scoring with a 62.
Luke Johnson led the Cougars with a 57, while Matthew Winters scored a 59. Ashley Buchanan and Emily Winters each shot a 66, while Marley Woodford scored a 70 for College Heights.
College Heights Christian boys basketball returns three starters who will not only lead the Cougars this season, but next year as well.
College Heights’ returnees are highlighted by junior Miller Long, who averaged 16.5 points and 5.1 rebounds last season. Sophomore Curtis Davenport is also back after averaging 10.9 points and seven rebounds a game as a freshman. Junior Haden Beck brings back 4.6 points and three rebounds from last season.
“The three returning starters we have all had good experience last year and are still underclassmen,” Johnson said. “It makes a big difference. This is Miller’s third year as a starter, and he is a really good leader for us. Curtis played inside for us last year, but he can move outside even standing at 6-5. Haden started the second half of the year for us last season. … We are looking for a lot out of him this year.”
Junior Ethan Adel and senior Evan Burton figure to fill out the starting five for the Cougars. Junior Ethan Meeks, a 6-foot-6 Joplin transfer, figures to see heavy minutes as the sixth man or a spot starter this season. Johnson will be looking for his remaining reserves to carve out their roles as the season progresses.
One thing College Heights will rely on heavily this season for production on both sides of the floor is its size and ability to create matchup problems inside. When it comes to areas the team will need to work on, the play at the guard positions will be key.
“We have really stressed about focusing on developing a good inside game,” Johnson said. “We can always go back out with it, but with our size, hopefully our inside game is our strength.
“The guard position is a little suspect, and a little what we are worried about right now. It comes with experience. Hopefully, by January, it will have taken care of itself.”
It didn’t take long for COVID to have an impact on the Cougars’ season. Originally, College Heights was supposed to open the season with a matchup against Rich Hill. After the Tigers were forced to quarantine both the boys and girls teams, College Heights was forced to find a new opponent, which turned out to be Chadwick tonight in the season opener.
“It will be interesting to see how they handle it,” Johnson said about his team’s ability to adapt this season. “Almost all of our kids have already been in quarantine (this year). Only about one or two haven’t. … It’s a new type of adversity.”
College Heights’ matchup is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be played at Ozark Christian College.
Despite the loss of the dominating play and leadership from Emmy Colin to graduation, the College Heights Christian girls basketball team has the expectations of continuing the program’s recent success with a shift in focus.
Colin, a four-year starter, averaged 17.2 points, 5.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game her senior season. That production is irreplaceable for any single Cougar this season, so College Heights is looking for the bevy of its returning experience to work as a cohesive unit to duplicate last season’s success.
“We certainly relied pretty heavily on her last year,” CHC coach John Blankenship said. “But I think we are going to be really balanced this year. I think we will have four of five kids who can get into double-digit (scoring) every game if they play well. So, I think it is going to be more of a team effort and not relying on just one individual this year.”
Leadership will be important this year as the Cougars transition to a team-oriented style of play. College Heights has four seniors on the roster who will be in charge of that shift in mentality—Kaynahn Burk, Grace Bishop, Lainey Lett and Catie Secker.
“It will really be vital,” Blankenship said. “They will give us the consistency we need. They know my program. They know what we need to do. They work hard and set the tone for the underclassmen every day in practice. They just know what the expectations are, and they go out and meet them every day. I think that senior leadership will play a key part in bringing along our underclassmen as well.”
The projected starting five for the Cougars this season is Kaynahn Burk, sophomore Klohe Burk, Bishop, Lett and Secker. Though, sophomore Jayli Johnson may also see a starting role at some point, opening the season with heavy minutes as the sixth man.
“I think our top six kids can compete against anybody,” Blankenship said. “They play really well together and have played together for a couple years, the seniors for four years, so they know how to play off of each other. Our team unity is really good.”
Though the offensive production may be coming from different players this season, the Cougars will still have the same team traits the program is known for—speed and press defense.
“We plan on getting up and down the floor this year with a lot of defensive pressure and transition game,” Blankenship said. “I am hoping we play eight or nine deep. Some of our younger kids are going to have to step up and give us some good minutes.”
Repeating last year’s success will be no easy feat. College Heights finished the season with a 26-2 record and a district title. With the strength of his first six players and the potential from his underclassmen, Blankenship feels that as long as the Cougars show the same work ethic and mentality, it is certainly possible to duplicate the success from a year ago.
“I think it is going to take the same concepts we implemented last year,” Blankenship said. “It starts in practice, just showing up every day mentally ready to practice hard and take every drill seriously. If they do that, with their athleticism, that skill will come along and we will develop quickly. I think we have a chance to do really well again this year.”
COLUMBIA, Mo. — College Heights Christian’s girls captured the Class 1 crown at Saturday’s MSHSAA Cross Country Championships at Gans Creek Cross Country Course.
It’s the first state title in girls cross country for the school. College Heights has been the runner-up three times and third once, according to the MSHSAA website.
On Saturday, College Heights finished with 91 points and Valle Catholic was second with 109. Harrisburg (116) and Van Buren (118) were third and fourth.
College Heights senior Grace Bishop finished the 5-kilometer race fourth with a time of 20:48. Bishop went to the front early in the race and stayed there until the end.
Also for the Cougars, Klohe Burk was 22nd (22:27), Jayli Johnson finished 32nd (23:00), Madelynn Jordan placed 61st (24:08), Shelbi Post was 62nd (24:10), Madi Carson finished 80th (24:48) and Avery Parker was 92nd (25:09).Jasper’s Olivia Moss was 44th, McAuley Catholic’s Kendall Ramsey was 56th, Thomas Jefferson’s Sarah Mueller finished 69th and Liberal’s Abby Barton was 95th.
Blue Eye’s Riley Arnold was the individual medalist with a time of 18:45.
CLASS 1 BOYS
Jasper’s Hunter Hinds was the lone runner from the Joplin region to earn a top-25 finish. A senior, Hinds placed 11th with a time of 17:32.
Liberal had three runners finish in the top 60, as Bryson Overstreet finished 39th, Max Dingman was 47th and Rowdy Myers was 58th.
Thomas Jefferson’s Kip Atteberry finished 51st and College Heights’ Caleb Quade was 76th.
GIRLS BASKETBALL