Sports

A Cassville athlete has earned the state’s highest sports honor, and many other Wildcat and Lady Wildcats fall sports participants have earned conference and district awards. Emerson Grossman, a senior and three-year starter for the Lady Wildcats volleyball team, was named Class 3 All-State by the Missouri Volleyball Coaches Association.

The Purdy boys basketball team turned in a 17-win season last year, and although the team has a new look, the Eagles have set their sights on a 20-win campaign, and with plenty of returners to accomplish that goal. Heath Carmichael, Purdy boys basketball coach, said the Eagles intend to be in the mix for a conference title and in good positioning for district play.

Hailey Buckner, 8, of Cassville harvested her first deer, a doe, on Nov. 11 while hunting with her father, Dan Buckner, in Shannon County.

It has be come a habit for the Cassville girls basketball team to win 14 games in 28 tries, and it’s one the Lady Wildcats want to break. At 14-14 for two consecutive seasons, Cassville Girls Basketball Coach Clayton Bagby said one of the main goals this season is to finish above .500.

Clayton Bagby, Cassville girls basketball coach, speaks at the inaugural “Meet the Squad” event on Friday night.

The Exeter trap team recently competed in its conference shoot, with two boys and two girls taking first and second. Jeremiah Reed placed first for the boys, and Star Xiong was first for the girls. In second place were Tristan Voyles for the boys and Lily Stephenson for the girls. Team members in picture include: Jeremiah Reed, Tristan Voyles, Lily Stephenson, Jacob Stevenson, Briley Hargus, Brexton Bowman, Coy Aldridge and Ava Aldridge. Not pictured: Star Xiong, Rain Xiong, Tanner Raney. The team’s coaches are Lee Tripp and Donnie Gautney.

Tigers bring experience into season with more favorable matchups It took until February for the Exeter boys basketball team to find its first win in a 4-21 campaign last year, and the Tigers hope experience over the last few years will translate to a more competitive squad in the gym this season. Tremayne Williams, Exeter boys basketball coach, said that’s the key goal this season — to be competitive night in and night out.

“LOVE and TEAM” is the motto for the Southwest High School girls basketball team this season, which is looking to find new success with only twothirds the number of players compared to last season. Destiny Jalbert, Southwest High School girls basketball coach, said building chemistry with the eight-girl roster is goal No.

Three starters return to the Cassville boys basketball team this season, hoping to continue its defense-first mindset while upping production on the offensive end. Caleb Reynolds, Cassville boys hoops coach in his second year at the helm, said inexperience may provide a challenge this season, but not one the Wildcats cannot overcome.