Southwest
Hooping for the holidays
The field at the 42nd Annual Southwest Boys Holiday Tournament is as competitive as ever, with last year’s champion retaining the No. 1 seed and two Barry County schools looking to dethrone the title-holder.
Southwest volleyball players honored
Eight Southwest High School volleyball players earned Academic All-State. They were: sophomore Olivia Hnem; juniors Rylee Hobbs, Emma Outhouse and Marissa Freeman; and seniors Montana Skelton, Riley Flippo, Laura Henry and Kaleigh Tull. The varsity grade-point average was 3.87. In other postseason honors, Freeman and Henry were each recognized. Henry, a setter, was named to both the Class 2 All-District team and All-SWCL Conference team. She led the team in assists and serve percentage. Freeman, a middle, was named to the All-SWCL Conference team. She led the team in kills, blocks and aces.
Trojans trying for trio of trophies
The past two seasons for the Southwest boys basketball team have been a couple of the best in its history. Winning back-to-back district titles under Rusty Roe, the Trojans are under new management this season with Jeff Treat taking over coaching duties.
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.
Southwest announces tip-off candidates
Five young ladies will vie for Tip-off Queen at Southwest High School on Nov. 26. They include, from left: senior Addison Keates, sophomore Jazmyn Rivas, junior BreeAhna Paulsen, junior cheer Candidate Abigail Callison and freshman Brianna Taft.
Southwest hangs hat on serves
Of all the things the Southwest volleyball team did well this season, it was best at serving. The Lady Trojans, who ended their season in a straight-sets loss to New Heights Christian Academy in the Class 2, District 11 Tournament, served at a 94% clip.
Local students harvest knowledge through Agriculture Education on the Move
This fall, third grade classrooms across Missouri — including at Exeter and Southwest — are harvesting knowledge as students participate in Agriculture Education on the Move (Ag Moves). Through this initiative of Missouri Farmers Care, students discover how their lives are intertwined with agriculture through hands-on learning led by passionate educators in their classrooms.
Pink Out celebrates quindecennial
The Hmen Sisters, Olivia and Abi, help decorate the gym in advance of Pink Out 15 at Southwest High School. The event marked the 15th season the Lady Trojans have celebrated breast cancer awareness with a special event.
41 years of digs and kills
Southwest’s Laura Henry (No. 10) sets teammate Marissa Freeman for a kill attempt in a matchup with Pierce City Saturday at Southwest’s Volleyfest, the 41st year of the tournament.
Lady Trojans turning things up a notch
Accomplishing a double-digit win total last year, the Southwest volleyball team — led by four experienced seniors and one junior — aims to take it up a notch this season. Finishing 10-19-3 last season and winning 7 of their final 10, Coach Steve Voyak said the sky is the limit as the 2024 campaign is underway.
