Sports

Wheton’s Lily Ray drives to the hoop in a tournament game against Cassville last season. Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@cherryroad.com Purdy’s Jessi Hoppes puts up a shot in a game against Exeter last season.

Editor’s note: Throughout the summer, the Cassville Democrat will feature the best unprinted photos from every local team photographed in the 2021-2022 athletics season. — KT

The Purdy baseball team next spring will have something only one other Class 2 team in the state will have — two returning All-State players. Junior infielder Ezequiel Garcia and junior outfielder Travis Hughes were named to the Class 2 Second Team.

Editor’s note: Throughout the summer, the Cassville Democrat will feature the best unprinted photos from every local team photographed in the 2021-2022 athletics season. — KT .

Coming into this season the defending Class 1 state champion, expectations for the Purdy softball team were high, even though the Lady Eagles were young. A 16-8 season, falling to Miller in the district semifinals, 12-11, was not exactly how Coach Lori Videmschek had things drawn up, but it was not a disappointment.