Sports
Wildcats nailing down QB, RBs
The Cassville football team lost its senior quarterback last season, but the Wildcats will return some experience in the backfield. Clay Weldy, Cassville football coach, said three players have been taking reps under center this summer: sophomore Bodee Rose and juniors Garrett Ewing and Joseph Burton.
Bagby made Lady Wildcats head coach
For the second time in as many seasons, the Cassville girls basketball team has a new head coach. After a late resignation of former coach Reed Smith, Cassville hired from within, tapping boys assistant Clayton Bagby to lead the program.
Grossman plays in AAU Nationals tournament
Participating in high-level youth sports when living in a rural area can be a challenge, but Emerson Grossman’s love for volleyball is taking her placed. Coached by her coach mother to start playing in middle school, the 6-foot Cassville junior fell in love with the sport in seventh grade.
Cassville gridiron schedule changes
The Cassville football team’s regular-season schedule has been released, and there’s a change Wildcat Nation won’t miss. For the past five years, the Barry County Brawl has been in Week 6 for three and Week 3 for two.
Year in photos — Local girls hoops
Wheton’s Lily Ray drives to the hoop in a tournament game against Cassville last season. Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@cherryroad.com Purdy’s Jessi Hoppes puts up a shot in a game against Exeter last season.
Year in photos: Cassville basketball
Editor’s note: Throughout the summer, the Cassville Democrat will feature the best unprinted photos from every local team photographed in the 2021-2022 athletics season. — KT
Pollreisz promoted to head coach
Cassville native Levi Pollreisz has been promoted from assistant to Culver-Stockton College head women’s volleyball coach, announced recently by Athletic Director Pat Atwell. “We are excited to promote Levi to the position of head women’s volleyball coach,” Atwell said.
4 venues chosen to host championships
At its regularly scheduled meeting, the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Board of Directors discussed a number of proposals submitted by entities hoping to host championships in the sports of basketball, cross country, volleyball and wrestling, and the activity of music.
Garcia, Hughes named to Class 2 Second Team
The Purdy baseball team next spring will have something only one other Class 2 team in the state will have — two returning All-State players. Junior infielder Ezequiel Garcia and junior outfielder Travis Hughes were named to the Class 2 Second Team.
Karl Zinke: Royals need to finally embrace their youth
Dayton Moore has always been a vocal opponent of purposefully tanking a season for his Kansas City Royals. The former general manager, who is now the team’s president, has refused to sell off his roster in order to have the worst record and nab the top pick in the following summer’s Major League Baseball draft.
