Sports

Lady ‘Cats set wins record
A new era of Cassville girls soccer is dawning following a record-setting season that ended in one of the most painful ways in the sport — a penalty shootout. This year’s Lady Wildcats set the record for wins with a 13-6-2 mark, besting the 11-10 record of the first varsity season in 2019, and it tied its season record for shutouts with 8.

Eagles continue chasing district title
Since the 2020 season canceled for COVID, the Purdy baseball team has been living a “Groundhog Day” experience. Setting the goal every season to win a district title, the last four attempts in a row have all come to an end thanks to one opponent — Marionville.

Senior completes both season goals; girls improve, eye 2025
Cassville senior Ashton Wheeler had two goals for himself coming into this season of track and field: break the school record in long jump and medal at state. On May 18, he could say he accomplished both.
Purdy makes pair of hoops hires
The Purdy school district announced the hiring of two professionals on May 21, both of which have 32 years of experience in education. A lifelong athlete, Stephanie Heman made her name at Joplin High School, graduating in 1987 and going on to play basketball and volleyball for Pittsburg State University, whereshegraduatedin1991with her Bachelor’s in Education.

‘Cats place in Big 8 Pickleball tournament
The pickleball courts at Monett City Park witnessed a day of intense competition and camaraderie as the second annual Big 8 Conference Pickleball Tournament unfolded on April 24. Sponsored by Veregy and Security Bank of Southwest Missouri, and with substantial support from the Monett/ Cassville YMCA, the tournament showcased the talents of 58 players from four area schools.

Cassville freshman golfs at state
A wet, and at times rain-delayed, 2024 Boys State Golf Tournament in Springfield on May 13-14 saw 92 golfers competing, and Cassville’s Dennis Craig was in a select few of the field. One of only six freshmen to compete at the Par 72 Rivercut Golf Course, Craig shot a 93 (+21) on Day 1 and an 87 (+15) on Day 2 at the Rivercut Golf Course, finishing in 80th place overall with the combined 180.

Humphries doubles up
Southwest High School Senior Robert Humphries medaled in both the mile and 2-mile on Friday and Saturday at the Class 2 State Track and Field Championships in Jefferson City. Humphries ran the 2-mile in 10:08.87, bettering his time by more than 6 seconds and finishing seventh in the field of 16.
Melton, Heim get Hall of Fame nods
A Cassville native and a Monett native will be two of six individuals inducted into the 2024 class of the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame (SASHOF) in October. The six-person class, plus one “Era of Excellence” team entry, represents a group of inductees whose competitive and energetic skills have set them apart.

Williams breaks school record set in 2000
Three Cassville thinclads will compete in four events at the MSHSAA Class 3 State Championships this weekend, and one Lady Wildcats added some emphasis to her qualification by breaking a school record set at the beginning of the millenum.

2 Trojans trekking to state
Two Southwest High School runners have advanced to the Class 2 State Track and Field Championships, scheduled for Friday and Saturday. At the Class 2, Sectional 3 meet in Blue Eye on Saturday, senior Robert Humphries finished fourth in the mile and 2-mile at Sectional 3 at Blue Eye High School.