Sports
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.
Exeter hoopster awarded in Aurora
Kylee Cole, of Exeter, raked in a bushel of postseason awards for her basketball play at Aurora this year. Cole averaged 20.9 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game and 1.8 steals per game. She made 112 three-pointers shooting at a 37.5% clip, setting a new school record making her 9th all-time in single season three-pointers made. Cole’s 626 points also puts her 42nd all-time in Missouri single-season scoring. Cole helped the Lady Houn’ Dawgs to a 25-5 season, a school record for wins, and a second consecutive district championship, the first Aurora repeat in history. For her efforts, Cole was named First Team All-Big 8 East, MBCA Class 4 District 12 All-District Team and Player of the Year, MBCA Class 4 All-State, 4SBCA First Team All-Area, Springfield News-Leader Dominant Dozen Team and All-O-Zone Honorable Mention. Cole is the daughter of Jason and Tracie Cole and the granddaughter of Linda and the Lat eJohn Cole, and Howard and Jackie Burns, of Exeter.
100+ attend youth camp
The Cassville football program held its annual youth camp for grades 2-5 on May 6-8, with more than 100 children participating. The camp is run by high school and middle school football coaches, as well as the high school football players. Marck Recycling sponsored the camp shirts.
Hat trick-ville
At 12-5-1 this season and 8-1-1 in its last 10 matches, the Cassville girls soccer team is seeing no shortage of success, and things coming in threes.
