Sports

New Purdy Volleyball Coach Barry Wheeler has been coaching for nearly four decades at the club, high school and collegiate levels, and after retirement and a short stint at Amazon, he found his way to the Lady Eagles’ gym.

Seven of the Cassville football team’s 12 linemen are incoming sophomores this season, aiming to gain experience and carry on the Wildcats’ tradition of physical play in the trenches. Clay Weldy, Cassville football coach, said the linemen corps consists of three seniors, two juniors and seven sophomores.

Publisher’s note: Throughout the summer, the Cassville Democrat will feature the best unprinted photos from each team photographed during the 2022-2023 athletics seasons. — KT Cassville’s Aubrey Stoufer gets past her defender for a layup in last year’s Southwest Holiday Tournament championship.

The Cassville volleyball team has more seniors on its roster this year than positions on the floor, and the Lady Wildcats’ confidence is blooming because of it. Paige Huddleston, Cassville volleyball coach, said the team’s 20 contact days began in June with games in Mt.

Publisher’s note: Throughout the summer, the Cassville Democrat will feature the best unprinted photos from each team photographed during the 2022-2023 athletics seasons. — KT Cassville’s Aidan Cook stretches for a shot in a contest against Nevada last season.

July 19, 2023 Fishing has been good all week. We got some needed rain and the river came a bit, at 28 CFS as of Sunday.

Three seniors are taking leadership roles on the Cassville football team’s offense, guiding a slew of juniors and sophomores at the running back, receiver and tight end positions. Clay Weldy, Cassville football coach, said seniors Bryson Jacobson and Garrett Ewing return at running back and wide receiver, respectively, and Cosmo Rhoads, returning to the team after playing soccer last year, is set to start at tight end.

Cassville’s Tori Mitchell pushes to the finish line in the Cassville High School Cross Country Invitational last year, taking 10th place in 22:37.36. Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@cassville- democrat.com

With three starters gone, the Cassville girls basketball team approached its 20 days of summer workouts as an opportunity to scope a new starting lineup and get as many players as possible some minutes on the floor. Clayton Bagby, Cassville girls basketball coach, said the summer session started May 22 and ended June 20.

As the season ramps up, the game should start slowing down for Cassville quarterback Bodee Rose. Wildcats Football Coach Clay Weldy said with 11 starts under his belt, the starting spot under center is all but promised incoming junior.