Sports
Wildcats speed into season
The Cassville boys track team is shifting its focus some this year, going from a distance running team to one more adept at sprinting and throwing. Clay Weldy, Cassville boys track coach, said 11 Wildcats return to the team this year, and 14 have joined.
Bulldogs bring ‘sneaky good’ potential
With six returning starters taking to the diamond for Wheaton this season, Bulldogs Baseball Coach Tucker Dermott said this year is one of the most promising for his squad to be “sneaky good.” Excited for Wheaton’s positional and lineup versatility, as well as its pitching depth and experience, Dermott said the Bulldogs have a lot of players up for spots who can play anywhere. “Being a small team in the past, I’ve had to make it work because of our lack of depth,” he said.
New faces tee off with Wildcat 3
A year of growth in 2023 ended at the district tournament, and with three returners on the roster, Cassville’s boys golf team is looking to break back into the big dance. Senior Cole Watts will lead a squad of nine golfers this season.
Rebuilding with mechanics
Six starters return to a Southwest softball team billing itself as in a rebuilding year and ready to battle through growing pains. Emily Snyder, Southwest softball coach, said the Lady Trojans have been working through the summer to improve, specifically in regard to mechanics.
Cassville hoops grows through inexperience
A young Cassville boys basketball team took to the court this season with little experience, and after 27 games, the Wildcats went from leaning on a few players to competing night in and night out as a team.
‘Cats stalking district title
With six returning starters and the first district win in eight years, the Cassville baseball team is setting championship goals this season.
Cassville girls making strides
The Cassville girls basketball team was a shade away from a .500 record this season, but how much the team has improved year-to-year is in the scorebook. Cassville Girls Basketball Coach Clayton Bagby said the Lady Wildcats (12-15, 3-3) endured a transition year and made themselves better during it.
Tigers searching for 4
The Exeter baseball team is entering this season with high expectations having lost only two players, and the Tigers are taking aim at a fourth straight Ozark 7 title and a deeper run in districts. Matt Tripp, Exeter baseball coach, said the young Tigers squad struggled to reach potential last season, but the outlook this year is on the up.
Young Lady Bulldogs grow through tough year
With only two seniors and a slew of underclassmen, the Wheaton girls basketball team knew there would be growing pains this year.
Faith of a champion
James wins Cassville's 3rd state title; Roark medals for first time Cassville senior Faith James wrestled her final high school match on Thursday, and she left the mat with a new title to add to her resume — state champion. Upon pinning Oak Grove's Lauren Phillips in 2:12 in the 135-pound title bout of the 2024 MSHSAA State Championships at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, James screamed, jumped and cried as she began to process accomplishing the biggest goal of her prep career.
