Sports

Wildcats set goal to take 7 or more to state

December 4, 2024

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

December 4, 2024

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!

December 4, 2024

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

November 27, 2024

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.

Lady Trojans double numbers

November 27, 2024

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.

November 27, 2024

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

November 20, 2024

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.

November 20, 2024

The Purdy girls basketball program is back in business. Unable to field a team in the 2023-2024 season, a dozen years after back-to-back state championships, Coach Stephanie Heman said eight girls are reviving the storied squad.

Bulldogs feeling fresh

November 20, 2024

Few high school basketball teams this season will be as fresh as Wheaton’s. With new Head Coach Josh Wiseman at the reins, the Bulldogs — who went 19-9 and were district runner-up last season — have just one full-time starter and one bench player coming back to the squad that graduated six.

Lady Eagles get double-digit wins

November 12, 2024

For the first time in eight seasons, the Purdy volleyball team achieved a double-digit win total. The Lady Eagles, who had only three seniors and a majority of freshmen this season, finished at 11-22-3, falling in the Class 2, District 10 quarterfinals to Sarcoxie, 3-0 (21-25, 15-25, 13-25).