Sports

Jalbert: Injuries may pose challenge for Lady Trojans What: 10th Annual Southwest Holiday Tournament When: Dec. 27-29 More: Eight teams competing The Southwest girls basketball team takes the No.

Cassville Cheer changes state routine 20 minutes before performing Just before performing in the Small CO-ED division at state, the Cassville Cheer squad learned part of their routine would be considered illegal — so they fixed it and finished third. With only 20 minutes before hitting the stage, Cassville Cheer Coach Victoria Henbest said the team practiced an alteration to the routine, and it paid off.

The seventh and eighth grade middle school girls basketball teams have completed their season, with both teams finishing strong in the Big 8 West Division Tournaments. Cassville Middle School was host to the seventh grade conference tournament. After a very close game against Seneca, the Lady Wildcats finished with a win, 21-18, making the Wildcats the Big 8 West Division Champions. The seventh-grade team, from left: Estrella Garcia, Raegan Doucet, Briley Artherton, Molly Cox, Haeven Stewart , Addy Ramaeker, Kynzleigh Scott, Riley Doucet, Kamille Tucker and Lexie Meltabarger. Coach Matt Holtzman is pictured in the back row.

The Cassville boys wrestling team earned its first tournament win of the season on its first attempt and for the first time at home. The inaugural Cassville Tournament was held on three mats at the FEMA Event Center and middle school gymnasium on Saturday, with four Wildcats earning first-place medals, another four finishing in second place and one taking third.

Exeter student body invited to help celebrate achievement A star of the Exeter softball team has made her intentions known after she graduates in May, signing to play softball at State Fair Community College in Sedalia. With the whole Exeter student body invited to attend, Crumpler said the signing on Friday was exciting, but also a bit scary.

On Oct. 14, three former Cassville football standouts took part in the MIAA contest between Missouri Southern State University and Pittsburg State University.

Two state medalists and a state qualifier return this year to the Cassville boys wrestling team, one which is growing in size and full of youth. With only one senior and 13 freshmen, the Wildcats are building a program hoping to contend for a team state title in coming years.

Cassville Volleyball Coach Paige Huddleston said many teams may have written off the Lady Wildcats this year due to last year’s 2-27 record — that was a mistake. Returning all but one senior from the 2022 squad, the Lady Wildcats turned things around in a big way, finishing the year at 17-15-3 and breaking four school records in the process.

The Cassville girls wrestling team is primed for action this season, returning a pair of state qualifiers, one of whom was a runner-up in her weight class. Nathan Fortner, Cassville wrestling coach, said goals are set for the team throughout the season, but improvement if the over-arching aim.