Sports
Barry County Bows entering third year of youth archery
A new club in the Cassville area may one day help a local youth put a turkey on the Thanksgiving table. Lindsay Doucet, coach for the Barry County Bows, which is organized through the Barry County 4-H Club, said the srchery club began in May 2023 with a goal of expanding opportunities for local youth.
Lady Trojans double numbers
The Southwest girls basketball team has doubled its roster from last year, embarking on a season without no seniors and under new management. Shawn Johnson, former assistant coach in his first year as head coach, said he brings 23 years as a coach, including 13 in JV or junior high basketball and 10 in varsity softball, and he’s excited to see what the Lady Trojans can do this season.
Thanks for Fridays
How many people does it take to put on a home football game? Fall Fridays are sacred to Wildcat Nation, and to make the experience the best it can be, many volunteers and school staff work year-round. Lance Parnell, Cassville athletic director, said there’s a lot that goes into the four or five Fridays the Wildcats get to play at home each year, not counting any postseason contests.
Lady Wildcats bring back 8 letterwinners
With eight of the Lady Wildcats’ nine letterwinners from the 2023-2024 season returning to the fold, the Cassville girls basketball team has its sights set on being the first team above .500 since 2017-2018.
Lady Eagles hoops is back!
The Purdy girls basketball program is back in business. Unable to field a team in the 2023-2024 season, a dozen years after back-to-back state championships, Coach Stephanie Heman said eight girls are reviving the storied squad.
Bulldogs feeling fresh
Few high school basketball teams this season will be as fresh as Wheaton’s. With new Head Coach Josh Wiseman at the reins, the Bulldogs — who went 19-9 and were district runner-up last season — have just one full-time starter and one bench player coming back to the squad that graduated six.
Lady Eagles get double-digit wins
For the first time in eight seasons, the Purdy volleyball team achieved a double-digit win total. The Lady Eagles, who had only three seniors and a majority of freshmen this season, finished at 11-22-3, falling in the Class 2, District 10 quarterfinals to Sarcoxie, 3-0 (21-25, 15-25, 13-25).
3 return to floor for Wildcats
Young team to rely on experience to stay competitive The Cassville boys basketball team has only three returning starters this season, and the Wildcats will look to rely on their experience to stay competitive in the Big 8 and beyond. Caleb Reynolds, Cassville boys basketball coach, said the program is moving in the right direction, and the Wildcats aim to keep it that way.
Middle school football teams win Big 8 Conference titles
After finishing the season undefeated this fall, both the Cassville Middle School Seventh and Eighth Grade Football Teams have been named Big 8 Conference Champs in their respective divisions. 'Both of these groups played with tremendous effort and I couldn’t be prouder of their progress,' said Robbie Artherton, Head CMS Football Coach.
Third-grade Mighty Mites runners-up in Tournament of
After placing first in their division, the third-grade Cassville Wildcat Mighty Mite football team finished second at the Tournament of Champions in Harrison, Ark., falling to Seneca in the championship. On Saturday, the team earned a 12-6 win against Carthage, and in the championship on Sunday afternoon, after two lightning delays, the Wildcats suffered a 26-0 loss against the undefeated Indians.
