Sports

For Cassville senior Jolie Evans, the reward for running is the result at the end, and the standout is will start a new chapter of rewards next year as a runner for Washburn University. Evans signed recently to the school, running cross country in the fall, indoor track in the winter and outdoor track in the spring.

The Southwest boys basketball team has started the season at 4-3, with three seniors and three juniors leading this year’s squad. Rusty Roe, Southwest boys basketball coach, said the Trojans lost two starters from last season in Cruz Marquez and Caden Uthe, but they return plenty of firepower.

Five seniors are on the Cassville boys basketball roster this season, aiming to lead the team to new heights and under new management. Clayton Bagby, Cassville boys basketball coach, said he is excited to be returning to his roots.

Through the season, the Cassville volleyball team’s goals shifted to a focus on team cohesion, building a program under a new coach and nurturing young talent. Paige Huddleston, Cassville volleyball coach, said the Lady Wildcats (2-27) made some big strides despite their record.

Nine returning letter winners aim to lead the Southwest girls basketball team to a winning season this year, and the Lady Trojans say the only thing in their way is themselves. Destiny Jalbert, Southwest girls basketball coach, said the Lady Trojans feel some pressure this year to perform well.

A giant leap forward is what the Cassville boys wrestling program hopes to do this season, returning multiple state qualifiers and welcoming a buzz-creating freshman class. Nathan Fortner, Cassville wrestling coach, said about 20-25 boys will come out for the team this year, led by a trio of returning state qualifiers.

Cassville’s Senior softball pitcher Alyssa Whisenhunt, takes advantage of early signing period by signing her national letter of intent to play college softball at Independence Community College in Independence, Kan., where she plans a study course to become an Athletic Trainer. Her accolades at Cassville include three-time All-Conference Pitcher; three-time All-District Pitcher; two-time All-Region Pitcher, Rookie of the Year and Pitcher of the Year, carrying a 2.3 ERA. Alyssa is the daughter of Jerry and Melissa Whisenhunt, of Cassville.

A district championship appearance last season has this year’s Cassville girls basketball team hungry for more, and the Lady Wildcats will hope to achieve their goals under new management. Clayton Bagby takes over the program, headed up by Reed Smith for just one season last year, that went 14-14, its first .500 season since 2017-2018, defeating East Newton and Mt.

LeCompte, Stillings representing Varsity Spirit at Pearl Harbor Parade Two Cassville High School cheerleaders will travel nearly 4,000 miles from home for an upcoming performance. Jillian LeCompte and Caysee Stillings will be representing Varsity Cheer at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii, Dec.

The Cassville boys soccer program has made small strides each season improving its play style and record, and the Wildcats earned an achievement this season not accomplished in the last 13 — a winning record.