Basketball

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.

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.

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.

3 return to floor for Wildcats

November 12, 2024

Young team to rely on experience to stay competitive The Cassville boys basketball team has only three returning starters this season, and the Wildcats will look to rely on their experience to stay competitive in the Big 8 and beyond. Caleb Reynolds, Cassville boys basketball coach, said the program is moving in the right direction, and the Wildcats aim to keep it that way.

Year in Photos — Barry County hoops

August 13, 2024

Exeter’s Jesse Eaton directs the play during a home basketball game last season.

Year in Photos — Cassville girls basketball

August 6, 2024

Cassville’s Elly Ramaeker battles for a loose ball in a contest against Monett last year.

Year in Photos — Cassville boys basketball

July 30, 2024

Publisher’s note: Throughout the summer, the Cassville Democrat will feature the best unprinted photos from each team photographed during the 2023-2024 athletics seasons. — KT Cassville’s Jonathan Dunbar creates space near the hoop during a contest against Springfield Catholic last season.

July 16, 2024

The Cassville boys basketball team will be on the younger side this winter, all the more reason to make as much progress as possible in the summer. Caleb Reynolds, Cassville boys hoops coach, said the Wildcats had a busy June, participating in a varsity shootout in Berryville, Ark., a JV shootout in Nixa and a twoday camp at the University of Missouri in Columbia.