Sports

As the girls basketball season comes into its final weeks of play, the Cassville squad is focused on one major goal — a Big 8 West title. Tom Hubbard, Lady Wildcats coach, said his players hold their destiny in their hands, as every team in the division is saddled with one loss...

No team shined as bright as Cassville in the 19-team Gem City Scramble in Diamond on Jan. 11, as the Lady Wildcats bagged their fourth team tournament title of the season. Cassville won the event with 173 team points, with West Plains coming in second at 148 and Jay High School (Okla.) third with 134.5...

The Cassville boys wrestling team has been missing some grapplers, but things are looking up for the Wildcats with the Big 8 Tournament around the corner. Nathan Fortner, Cassville wrestling coach, said the focus for his boys is on individual finishes, as the team is returning some wrestlers that have been out but are still missing some weights...

The Southwest boys basketball team is taking a page out of the Ricky Bobby playbook this season — they like to go fast. The Trojans (9-6) played three games last week, defeating Sarcoxie, 48-46, and Verona, 72-49, but falling to Cassville, 57-54. “It’s good to get to play, and we are in shape and used to it,” said Rusty Roe, Southwest coach. “We’ll have another three-game week this week at the Spokane Tournament. At this point, we are conditioned enough to make it through weeks like this.”...

The Cassville boys basketball team picked up a 57-54 win over Southwest on Friday.

The Cassville wrestling team had three athletes on the mats in Monett Saturday, each of whom brought home a medal. Gabe Hunter wrestled at 138 points and took second in the tournament, while Kurt Deaver (106 pounds) and Jake Anthonysz (145 pounds) each settled for fifth place...

For only the second time since November, the Purdy girls basketball team had all five of its regular starters on the floor Friday, and it paid off. The Lady Eagles overcame a 10-point deficit in the third quarter to come away from Cassville with a 46-41 win...

The Cassville boys wrestling team went 1-4 at the Diamond State Duals on Dec. 29, 2020, in Bentonville, Ark., but had several strong individual showings. As a team, the Wildcats defeated Fort Smith Northside (Ark.), 38-36, but fell to Bentonville West (Ark.), 45-30; Greenwood (Ark.), 43-31; Ozark, 63-18; and Springdale Har-Ber (Ark.), 48-27...

Multiple local athletes raked in more than just presents over the Christmas break. At the Southwest Holiday Tournament, six boys and seven girls from local squads were named to the All-Tournament teams. The Cassville girls were the stars of the tournament, taking first place and securing the Most Valuable Player award for Sharayah Seymour. Marionville won the boys tournament...

When it comes to fishing for trout at Roaring River State Park, not many can say they do it as often or as well as Tim Homesley. For about 50 years, Homesley, owner of Tim’s Fly Shop just north of the river, has been pulling out trout by the thousands, and he enjoys offering tips to anglers hoping to make the best of their fishing trips to the crystal clear waters of Roaring River...

In only its second year of official varsity status, the Cassville girls wrestling team is on track for some big accomplishments — and soon. This year, the team has wrestled in the NWA Tournament at Bentonville West (Ark.), the McDonald County Tournament and the Diamond State Tournament at Springdale Har-Ber (Ark.), taking third in the first tourney and winning the last two...

One of my favorite athletes of all time, Wayne Gretzky, once said, “The highest compliment that you can pay me is to say that I work hard every day, that I never dog it.” The Great One’s statement is spawned from sports, but it transcends the ice in his case and can just as easily be applied to life and a career...

Barry Sanders was one of the most gifted athletes I ever watched. His agility and sudden acceleration made him nearly un-tackleable by a solo defender. His exit from the NFL left a bitter taste in the mouths of sports fans, as Sanders, while in his prime, made the decision to retire...

The ultimate sign of respect for any prep athlete is to be named to the All-State team. The list contain the names of athletes that have not only excelled at during the regular season, but also displayed their talents in a playoff run. For Cassville, six athletes made the Class 3 list, including: Jericho Farris, Jaiden Reibert, Patrick Dunker, Drake Reese, Zach Coenen and Zach Carney...

The hottest basketball team in the area — without question — is the Purdy boys squad. The Eagles improved to 8-0 on the season Friday with a decisive, 52-19 win over Cassville in a game where Purdy was a step quicker on the floor all night long and held the Wildcats to just 5 second-half points...

The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) confirmed Monday that the 2021 MSHSAA State Wrestling Championships will not be held at the University of Missouri due to continued questions and uncertainty of venue availability relative to COVID-19...

Half of Cassville’s starters earned All-District awards this season. The Wildcats had 11 players on the teams, including: Zach Coenen, Jericho Farris, Jaiden Reibert, Hayden Sink, Patrick Dunker, Zach Carney, Brett Cooper, Hunter Chasteen, Spencer Moeller, Graysen Ewing and Drake Reese...

The final state football rankings were released on Monday, with Cassville, Lamar and Marionville making the lists. Full rankings follow, with first-place votes in parenthesis.  1. Raymore-Peculiar (10), 12-2 2. DeSmet, 6-1  3. Liberty North, 9-3  4. CBC, 4-2...

The winter sports playoff and classification structure will look much different this year due to COVID-19. The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) recently announced multiple changes, district assignments for basketball and wrestling and class assignments for swimming, along with different playoff formats...

Several players on the Cassville football team will be sporting more medals on their letter jackets thanks to the Big 8 Conference. Earning post-season honors for Cassville were: Jericho Farris, Zach Coenen, Drake Reese, Brett Cooper, Killian Barbee, Jaiden Reibert, Zach Carney, Hunter Chasteen and Patrick Dunker. Coach Lance Parnell also earned a recognition...

Editor's Note: This column accompanies a "Congratulations Wildcats!" section in the Dec. 9 print edition. For more photos from throughout the season and congratulatory wishes, pick up a copy of the paper at the stand or in our office! In the face of a worldwide pandemic threatening to end the season at any point, the Cassville football team missed no games and gave itself and all of Wildcat Nation a bright spot in 2020 and a 14-week campaign that will be remembered for many, many years to come...

After a furious comeback to gain a 4-point lead with a minute to go in Saturday’s state semifinal against Maryville, jubilation turned to despair by the final horn and the Wildcats were left with long hugs, wet shoulders and red eyes. Cassville trailed 17-0 at the end of the third quarter, but the Wildcats’ resiliency was all full display with a four-touchdown fourth quarter. ...

There is not much more painful for a prep athlete, especially a senior, than a state semifinal or state final loss. The Cassville football team has unfortunately endured both in the last two seasons, and while the final result did not come to fruition, there is plenty to be said about what the back-to-back Final Four appearances mean to the storied program...

Purdy High School Senior Lauren Schallert signed a letter of intent to continue her education and play softball for Cameron University in Lawton, Okla., at a special ceremony hosted by her coaches, Lori Videmschek and Jennifer Cornelius, and her parents, Todd and Tracy Schallert, on Nov. 18...

For three quarters, the Wheaton boys (2-1) looked out of sync and were just happy to remain a point down to Verona (1-2). However, basketball games are not three quarters long, and the fourth quarter was a one-sided surge that turned a 27-26 hole into a 37-30 win...

It took until the final seconds for the state semifinal to be decided on Saturday, and it fell the way of Maryville with a passing touchdown with 11 seconds left to seal a 30-28 victory. Cassville was down 10-0 at halftime and 17-0 at the end of the third quarter, but the Wildcats managed to put up 28 points in the final frame, leading for almost a minute of play as time was winding down...

Cassville High School football will travel to Maryville on Saturday to play in the state semifinal football game. The field is located directly behind Maryville High School, located at 1503 South Munn in Maryville. Kick-off is at 1 p.m., and gates open at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $7 per person, and passes are not accepted...

While fans do not know who will win on Saturday, one thing they can be assured of is the clock will be moving and possessions will be prized as Cassville (10-2) travels to Maryville on Saturday for the Class 3 semifinal. Both teams are tradition-rich and enter the game with plenty to prove...

Time and time again, Cassville’s football team has shown its ability to do two things — punch in scores just before halftime and play a stronger second half than first. Saturday was a Cassville classic in that regard, as the Wildcats rolled to a 41-16 state quarterfinal victory over Buffalo...

A simple study of human characteristics often reveals amazing insights. For instance, a family that has four children, raised by the same parents who grow up in the same house and are taught the same values and principles, will still wind up with children who have their own distinct personalities...

The inaugural Wildcat Futsal Tournament had more than 30 participants and raised about $1,200 for the Cassville Soccer Program.

The Wildcats used another powerful second half of play to propel themselves to the state semifinals with a 41-16 win over Buffalo at home Saturday. Cassville started the game strong, forcing a three-and-out and a punt. The Wildcats then went 61 yards in 5 plays, with Jericho Farris punching in the opening score on a 4-yard run...

After a 20-day layoff, the Cassville football team answered several questions with emphatic force in a powerful district title win over Mt. Vernon on Friday. “I was extremely pleased with how we came out,” said Lance Parnell, Cassville coach. “We played with physicality and discipline in the first quarter to build a lead. ...

It was the sweetest type of revenge for Cassville on Friday, as the Wildcats lived up to their top district seeding and defeated Mt. Vernon, one of only two teams they have lost to all season long, to earn a second consecutive district title. Having not played since Oct. 30, Coach Lance Parnell was a bit worried his team may be too relaxed at the start of the contest, but the Wildcats quickly dashed his concerns...

When I moved to Cassville almost 7 years ago, there was one big part of my life that I was essentially forced to give up — playing and refereeing soccer. The sport had been a major part of my life since I started playing at the age of 3. I spent much of my youth traveling from Little Rock, Ark., to tournaments in Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Louisiana...

Cassville High School Senior Jordyn Stafford will run both cross country and track in the fall of 2021 at Missouri Southern State University.

The Cassville football team fought its way to a second consecutive district championship Friday, using a dominating second half to defeat Mt. Vernon, 35-13.  Cassville started the contest with a quick score. A few plays after getting good field position on a pooch kick, Jericho Farris took advantage of a big block upfield by Drake Reese to gain 37, setting up Zach Coenen for a 2-yard plunge into paydirt. ...

It has now been two full weeks since the Cassville football team has taken a competitive snap. While the week-one layoff was earned due to the success of the regular season, getting the Wildcats a bye in the playoffs, the dreaded virus of many names caused Reeds Spring to forfeit the district semifinal with the Wildcats roughly 24 hours before kickoff...

Action was fast and furious last week in Columbia as the best cross-country runners in the state descended on the town to decide who was best. In Class 3, Cassville sent its boys team. Pace Evans, finished 37th in 17:34.9; Caleb Leach was 125th in 19:26.8; Ethan Bohmke took 139th in 19:58.1; Jacob Martinez was 140th in 19:59.2; Charles Elliot finished 157th in 21:20.4; and Donald Pettyjohn was 161st in 24:15.4...

The Missouri State Trap Shooting Championship was set to take place in May 2020, but COVID-19 forced the event to be postponed until October. In the meantime, Southwest students were not able to practice or compete during the summer months. Parents and shooters did the best they could to keep students from losing the skills they had gained. ...

Jolie Evans, Jordyn Stafford and Annie Moore, cross-country runners at Cassville, received a send-off from their classmates as they headed to the state meet.

The Cassville football team will play for a district title on Nov. 13. Doug Martin, Cassville athletic director, said at about 11 a.m. Thursday, the Wildcats’ semifinal opponent, Reeds Spring, was forced to forfeit Friday’s contest due to issues related to COVID-19...

A bye week was just what the Cassville football team needed as it prepares for its district semifinal against Reeds Spring on Friday. The Wildcats used the rare district bye week to focus internally and to get focused on the Wolves. “We had a great week of practice,” said Lance Parnell, Cassville coach. “We got a chance to work on some things that you normally don’t get to due to always preparing for that week’s game.”...

While technically they will be running in Boone County, it might as well be Barry County north at the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Cross-County State Championships at the Gans Creek Recreational Area in Columbia on Saturday...

The Big 8 Conference West Division released its All-Conference volleyball team. This year’s squad contains a trio of names familiar to Cassville fans, as Sharyah Seymour was named to the First Team; Olivia Holman, Second Team; and Avery Crain, Honorable Mention...

It was on the back of a five-touchdown performance from Jericho Farris Friday that Cassville secured the No. 1 district seed and a bye this week as the playoffs begin. Farris took no prisoners in Cassville’s 44-21 win over McDonald County Friday, scoring on the ground, through the air and on special teams...

With a win over McDonald County on Friday, the Cassville football team once again secured the No. 1 district seed. This year, a special bonus came with the high seed. “It is the first time in my 25-year coaching career that we have ever had a bye,” said Cassville Coach Lance Parnell. “I view it as a positive. Our boys worked hard and finished the season strong to earn the off week.”...

The soccer season for Cassville boils down to a series of one-game playoffs beginning Saturday. The No. 5 seeded Wildcats play No. 4 seed Aurora with the right to advance to face No. 1 seeded Logan-Rogersville on Monday at 5 p.m. Monett, the No. 2 seed, and No. 3 Greenwood battle at 7 p.m...

The Cassville softball team landed four players on the All-District team this year.

West East Monett at Carl Junction Cassville Bye Mt. Vernon Ash Grove at Pierce City Hollister at Reeds Spring Seneca at Aurora West Plains Bye Marshfield at McDonald County Hillcrest at Logan-Rogersville Seneca at Monett, 6-27 McDonald County at Cassville, 21-44...

The Cassville football team secured the No. 1 seed in the district tournament Friday with a 44-21 win over McDonald County on Senior Night. The win came largely on the back of Jericho Farris, who tallied 5 touchdowns in the win. Cassville started the contest by forcing a turnover on downs and taking the ball at its own 26. Six plays later, Zach Coenen found the edge for a 49-yard touchdown run, and a 2-point play put the home team up 8-0...

Red hot and heading into the final game of the season, Cassville isn’t playing for all the marbles, but the Wildcats are playing for a large portion of the marble bag on Friday. A win by the Wildcats secures no worse than a conference co-championship. Additionally, a victory gives the team the No. 1 district seed and a first-round playoff bye...

There is no need to spend two days breaking down the chart and wins or waiting until Saturday to know what seed the Cassville football team will secure — as long as the Wildcats bag a win on Friday. With one game left in the season, Cassville currently sits atop of the Class 3, District 6 standings, which are as follows:...

The volleyball action will be fast and furious Monday, as Cassville will host the Class 3, District 12 tournament. No. 4 Seneca and No. 5 Cassville open play at 5 p.m., followed by No. 3 Aurora and No. 6 East Newton at 7 p.m. No. 1 Mt. Vernon awaits the winner of the Cassville-Seneca match on Tuesday at 4 p.m., with No. 2 Lamar taking on the Aurora-East Newton victor at 6 p.m...

The Southwest volleyball team played 11 games last week, winning six of them and finishing fourth in its 37th Annual Volleyfest Tournament. Southwest beat Hurley in a 5-set marathon, winning the final three sets to start the week, and followed that by downing Gentry (Ark.) the following night...

West East Seneca at Monett McDonald County at Cassville East Newton at Lamar Springfield Catholic at Hollister Mt. Vernon at Marshfield Nevada at Aurora Logan-Rogersville at Reeds Spring Pleasant Hope at Pierce City Reeds Spring at Aurora, 20-22 Cassville at East Newton, 42-0...

Looking back on a Friday-night win, Cassville Coach Lance Parnell was more than pleased with everything outside of three defensive plays. “I thought we played well and hard,” Parnell said. “Seneca took advantage of us on three big plays. That’s a bug we haven’t fully got rid of this year, but outside of that, I thought we played well.”...

A close and tough game Friday was blown open in the second half by Cassville, which Coach Lance Parnell said is a testament to the team’s determination to get wins at this point in the season. The breaking point came in the third quarter. Quarterback Hayden Sink scored on a 10-yard diving run, then Seneca hit a big pass for a 79-yard touchdown...

Playoff time for area softball teams has now arrived, and for the Lady Wildcats, a chance to extend their season begins in Rogersville at the Class 3, District 4 tournament. The Lady Wildcats earned the No. 2 seed and are slated to play Seneca, the No. 7 seed, at 4:30 p.m...

The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) announced changes to the postseason dates for both fall softball and boys soccer. Due to COVID-19 related issues, including venue limitations and travel concerns, modifications to the postseason have been made...

The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) has partnered with HomeTown Ticketing (HTT) to serve as the official digital ticketing partner. Digital ticketing will be used for all state championship events and is an option for all other playoff contests at the discretion of the host manager...

West East Reeds Spring at Aurora Cassville at East Newton Hollister at Mt. Vernon Lamar at Seneca Marshfield at Logan-Rogersville Nevada at McDonald County Monett at Springfield Catholic Miller at Pierce City Seneca at Cassville, 21-42 East Newton at Nevada, 7-52...

The Cassville football team used a strong second half to extend a lead and get a win over Seneca, 42-21. Cassville started the contest with a punishing ground game, going 65 yards on the turf, less one short pass, with Zach Coenen breaking free for a 29-yard touchdown run.

A 50-0 win over rival Monett provided several answers to questions that Cassville Coach Lance Parnell had about his team. The Wildcats dominated the Cubs from the opening kickoff and fixed several problems that plagued them in a loss to Lamar. With the win under their belt, Parnell explained to his team what he wanted to see happen next...

Cassville Football Coach Lance Parnell challenged his team ahead of Friday’s Barry County Brawl in Monett, and boy, did they respond. The Wildcats blew by the Cubs, using a 29-point second quarter to lead the way to a 50-0 win. “I told the team before the game they would learn their character as a football team depending on how they came out tonight, and they did,” Parnell said. ...

The Cassville girls cross-country team has been setting area courses on fire. Five times this season, the Lady Wildcats have competed as a team, and five times, they have collected first-place honors. The latest came at Lamar. Varsity girls results from Lamar: Jordyn Stafford, fourth; Annie Moore, seventh; Jolie Evans, eighth; Marianne McCrackin, 16th; Maddie Bowyer, 29th; and Ella Reuter, 43rd...

West East Monett: Will not play Seneca at Cassville East Newton at Nevada Logan-Rogersville at East Newton Butler at Lamar Marshfield at Aurora McDonald County at Reeds Spring Mt. Vernon at Springfield Catholic Agape High School at Pierce City Pierce City at Marionville, 20-47...

Monett Athletic Director Daryl Bradley issued a tweet on Saturday stating that all football activities, including Friday night's varsity game at Lamar, have been cancel for the week.
“Due to injuries, COVID-related issues and concern for player safety, we felt it was the best decision for the athletes and program,” said Russ Moreland, Monett superintendent. ...

The Barry County Brawl developed into a Barry County maul on Friday, as Cassville barnstormed its way to a 50-0 win at Burl Fowler Stadium. The Wildcats found the end zone early and often, putting up 36 points in the opening half and seemingly scoring without even trying...

If Cassville Coach Lance Parnell was a doctor, and his patients were asked to critique his bedside manner, he would likely receive low scores in one category – sugar coating the diagnosis. Parnell does not use flowery language. He knows one way to address situations, and that is head on and with honesty...

Gaining yards this season has not been a problem for the Monett football team. The Cubs (2-3) have racked up nearly 1,500 yards of offense but have struggled in the category that matters most — turning drives into points. “We have moved the ball, just not finished drives,” said Derrek Uhl, Monett coach. “We have got to find a way to finish.”...

The football rivalry between Cassville and Monett plays second fiddle to no other gridiron matchup. Grandfathers, fathers and sons sit around and discuss playing in what has become one of the most heated events in the county. It is as intense a rivalry as can be found in not only southwest Missouri, but in the entire state...

Coming off the heels of a stellar performance in Logan-Rogersville, a 40-20 loss at home Friday to Lamar was not how the Wildcats drew up the week. Lance Parnell, Cassville coach, said the performance was a poor one all around. “It was not a very well coached, played or executed game on our part,” Parnell said. “Lamar did a great job. They were much more physical than us. They controlled the line on both sides of the ball and did what they wanted to offensively.”...

West East Pierce City at Marionville Cassville at Monett Nevada at Seneca McDonald County at East Newton Marshfield at Reeds Spring Springfield Catholic at Logan-Rogersville Lamar at Mt. Vernon Hollister at Aurora Lamar at Cassville, 40-20 Buffalo at Aurora, 35-36...

A determined Lamar team invaded Wildcat Stadium Friday and handed Cassville its second loss of the season, 40-20. The game was a challenge from the opening kick. The ball rolled off the tee as Drake Reese hit it, giving Lamar good field position at the Wildcats 48...

Freddy Joe Gurwell, 73, of Cassville, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, at his home. He was born Nov. 26, 1946, in Wichita, Kan., son of Gene and Margaret Gurwell. He grew up and completed his education in Chanute, Kan. At the age of 17, he joined the Navy, where he served for the next four years. ...