Sports
Scorewboard, Dec. 18
The Cassville girls basketball team (5-2) is on a 3-game win streak after a Monday night win over Wheaton on the road, 53-22. The Lady Wildcats also defeated Reeds Spring, 40-36, on Dec.

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.

Successful season shadowed by Monett losses
A 13-win season can’t be seen as unsuccessful for the Cassville boys soccer team, but a few key losses are overshadowing the double-digit win total. Jake Forste, Cassville soccer coach, said being as competitive as the Wildcats were, even in losses, made for an exciting season.

Driving for a dozen
A dozen wins and a district tournament victory are the main goals for this year’s Exeter girls basketball team. Jennifer Young, Lady Tigers’ coach, said with a trio of returners and three more players with significant minutes, Exeter is poised to improve.

Wildcats set goal to take 7 or more to state
The Cassville boys wrestling team has set a goal to take more of its members to the state tournament than ever before. Nathan Fortner, Cassville wrestling coach, said the Wildcats’ process preseason involves setting three team goals and three individual goals for each wrestler.

Starting with a ship
The Purdy boys basketball team is under new management this season, and the first taste of action saw the new coach’s squad win the tournament at his previous place of employment. The Eagles are off to a 3-0 start to the season, taking home the Verona Tip-Off Classic trophy with a 71-44 win over Hurley, a 63-60 win over Pleasant Hope and a 45-44 victory over Blue Eye.

Undefeated division champs!
Seven Valleys Soccer Club completed its fall season playing in the Midwest Select Soccer League in Joplin. The SVSC U15 team, pictured, went undefeated with a record of 8-0, winning first place in their division and allowing only 3 goals during the season. The U12 team finished 6-2, third in their division, falling just short of first place on the last day of the season. The U10 team had a record of 5-2-1 and also finished in third place in their division. Seven Valleys Soccer Club, based in Cassville, offers competitive soccer in the spring/fall seasons for players born from 2010-2017. It offers free community events during the winter and summer. Tryouts for the spring season will occur the afternoon of March 1.

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.
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.