No. 6-seeded Stanberry extends run to postseason
ROSENDALE, Mo. — The Class 1 District 14 girls championship Friday at North Andrew High School was not your typical one-seed vs. two-seed. It was No. 4 King City pitted against scrappy No. 6 Stanberry with the winner advancing to sectionals. King City led by 10 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter but couldn’t hold the lead. Stanberry started dumping the ball down low to 6-foot-2 junior Kaitlyn Mercer, who came on strong to begin the fourth quarter with back-to-back layups giving the Bulldogs their first lead since 6 minutes, 38 seconds were left in the second quarter. After a Morgan Luke 3-pointer, Stanberry pulled away for good in securing a 53-39 come-from-behind victory.
Strange night favors Fighting Irish
Lafayette’s 6-foot-5 freshman, Jeff Leeson, took full advantage of an uncontested shot as he slammed it home for a 16-point lead to begin the fourth quarter. The Fighting Irish (18-6, 6-0 MEC), put a strangle hold on the MEC conference after downing Chillicothe 66-55 in a foul-frenzied affair at Lafayette High School.
Maryville boys overwhelm Benton
Benton junior Matt Prichett’s 3-pointer with one minute remaining in the first half Friday cut Maryville’s lead to four. But Maryville’s Tyler Peve converted a layup, thanks in part to a well timed dish from Nic Mattson to make Benton’s halftime deficit six. This proved to be the closest Benton came to ever leading at Springer Gymnasium as the Spoofhounds began the second half on an 8-0 run and cruised to a 51-36 Midland Empire Conference victory.
Hamilton stifles King City
HAMILTON, Mo. — After a couple of key steals for Hamilton’s Keagan Prather late in the first-half, the Hornets’ full-court pressure stifled King City’s every attempt to gain momentum by forcing turnovers. Behind the Hornets’ press, No. 1-ranked Hamilton successfully defended its home court 63-41 on Tuesday night.
Benton boys lose to Platte County
In years past Benton always defended its home court successfully against Platte County. Friday night, however, was a different story as the Pirates won 64-47 at Springer Gymnasium.
Benton girls blast Harrisonville
The Benton Cardinals wasted no time in jumping out to a 10-point lead against Harrisonville on their way to a 58-23 blowout in the Cardinals home opener Friday night at Springer Gymnasium. Both teams initiated the full-court press in the first quarter, however, Benton capitalized off the Wildcats' turnovers and built a 20-6 first-quarter advantage. "We wanted to make sure we came out and concentrated on the things we could control and limit our mistakes," Benton coach Brett Goodwin said.
Team Calloway hosting amateur boxing event
When most kids are preparing for Christmas and enjoying their break from school, a select few are gearing up for the annual Missouri State Silver Gloves amateur boxing tournament. Team Calloway Family Health and Fitness Club hosts today's event, marking the first time St. Joseph has hosted a Silver Gloves State tournament. The first bout is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. "I remember all the way back to when I was boxing in this tournament and we always had to travel to St. Louis," said Rob Calloway, who recently retired from his professional boxing career in order to train his son and other local amateur boxers. "It feels great to finally have it in our hometown for once so all the friends and family can come watch."
Savannah girls claim own Invitational title
SAVANNAH, Mo. - Add another accolade for Savannah and Kate Gallahger as the Savages bested Bishop LeBlond for the Savannah Invitational title, 54-45, on Saturday at Savannah High School.
Hamilton confounds Orrick
ORRICK, Mo. - When Keagan Prather broke loose for 66 yards on the opening play Monday night, the Hamilton quarterback merely hinted at the success the Hornets would have against Orrick. Prather scored three first-quarter touchdowns, and running back Trevor Dixon added four more during the game's remainder as Hamilton dismantled the two-time defending state champions, 51-13, in their Class 1 sectional at Orrick High School. Hamilton's victory ended Orrick's state-best 40-game winning streak and avenged a loss to the Bearcats from last year in the same playoff round.
Lawson fires on all cylinders while downing South Harrison
LAWSON, Mo. - After Lawson's Taylor Akey fumbled the snap on the first play, it seemed destined to be one of those nights as the Cardinals hosted South Harrison in a Class 2 regional playoff game. However, Lawson showed grit and patience, holding off the Bulldogs for a 40-13 victory. The Bulldogs' (8-3) made things interesting as quarterback T.J. Heitz completed three of his first four passes, each for more than 12 yards, to open the third quarter.
Trenton powers past LeBlond
Unfortunately for Bishop LeBlond, it was the same story with a different foe as Trenton dismantled the Golden Eagles 47-7 Friday night at Eagle Field. The Bulldogs (2-7) wasted no time in jumping out to a 21-0 lead behind running back Dalton Preston's pair of touchdownsÂ- - two 48-yarders early in the first quarter. "Dalton is a good football player, and we have known that all year," said Trenton coach Wes Croy. "He really has been our main weapon since our starting quarterback got hurt in Week 5."
Griffon Notebook: Western ground game proves bruising
Thanks to Drew Newhart's impressive aerial displays, Western's passing offense has garnered most of the attention during the team's flawless start.
Griffons crack AFCA Top 25 as Pittsburg State looms
Missouri Western football coach Jerry Partridge picked up his fourth coaching win of the season on Saturday, marking the first time he has started 4-0 as Griffons head coach.
St. Joseph Christian mauls Elwood
St. Joseph Christian and Elwood ran to the field to start the second half, only to see that Mother Nature had taken over by engulfing the entire field with fog that limited visibility to almost zero. But the Lions were able to build up enough of a first-half lead that they coasted to a fog-ridden 66-34 victory.
Mid-Buchanan rolls past Bishop LeBlond
Mid-Buchanan leaned on Alex Whitmore on Friday night, and Whitmore's three rushing touchdowns handed the Dragons the edge in a 32-6 victory against Bishop LeBlond. The Dragons wasted no time as they mounted a 12-play opening drive, which Whitmore capped with a 1-yard touchdown run. The Dragons led 6-0 after a failed conversion. The Golden Eagles' first drive wasn't as successful when starting quarterback Mike Lierz threw an interception on LeBlond's first play - Lierz's first attempt - and the Dragons capitalized with a field goal.
Irina Falconi claims 2nd USTA title in as many days
Irina Falconi defeated Caitlin Whoriskey two times in two days in The Heartland Clinic USTA Women's Classic single-elimination tournament at the Noyes Tennis Complex. Falconi accomplished this feat on Sunday by defeating Whoriskey 6-3, 6-3 in the singles championship.
Falconi wins doubles, reaches singles final
Irina Falconi was doubly successful Saturday. The Georgia Tech player advanced to the finals in the singles bracket and earned a share of the doubles title at the Heartland USTA Women's Classic.
Falconi marches on at USTA in doubles, singles
After knocking out the No. 1 seed, Irina Falconi couldn't help but feel confident. But the quarterfinals brought a new challenge Friday during the Heartland Clinic USTA Women's Tennis Classic at Noyes Tennis Complex. Falconi was the favorite against Olga Boulytcheva but needed to survive a tiebreaker to secure her spot in the semifinals, winning 4-6, 6-1, 7-6, (9-7).
St. Joseph boxer Wilson to be featured on Showtime
When local 118-pound professional boxer Andre Wilson steps through the ropes tonight in Temecula, Calif., it will be the biggest night in the 26 year-old's 14-fight career. Wilson (11-2-1, 9 KOs) will be featured in an eight-round, co-main event on Showtime's ShoBox: The New Generation Championship Boxing network when he squares off against California native Chris Avalos (10-0, 8 KOs). "This fight is going to open new doors, and people will actually realize who I am in the world," Wilson said. "Especially with Gary Shaw being the promoter of the fight, and we all know Shaw is like the Don King of the smaller weight classes."
Nurski wins his 8th at Fairview
It was no surprise that Brad Nurski was able to lock down his eighth Fairview Men's Club Championship on Sunday in a successful defense of his 2008 title.
Nurski, Thrasher tied at Fairview; Diederich leads at Moila
Brad Nurski is on his way to a repeat performance in the Fairview Golf Course Men's Club Championship. But he'll have to wade through a crowded field to earn back-to-back titles.
Mudcats shut out Mustangs
Errors ruined for the St. Joseph Mustangs what was shaping up to be a pitchers' duel against the Chillicothe Mudcats.
Mudcats topple Mustangs
With sole possession of first place in the MINK League's North Division at stake, Ben Baker put on a workmanlike pitching performance in his first mound start of the season, but was victimized by three St. Joseph errors in the Mustangs' 4-3 loss to the Chillicothe Mudcats on Wednesday night.
Griffons good as gold during Moila victory
Caleb Carter and Aaron Lisenbee had something in common with Mother Nature in the final day of the Moila InvitationalÂ-Â- - they both were hot. The duo of Missouri Western golfers caught fire when it matteredÂ-Â-Â-, carding three straight birdies on the final three holes at Moila Country Club to wrap up first place with a Sunday 66 totaling a 130 for the tourney.
Cameron man enjoys run with World of Outlaws
Tim Newman boasted few of the resources that most of the World of Outlaws drivers relied on Friday night at U.S. 36 Raceway. The Cameron, Mo., man runs a 360-cubic-inch engine, while most of the cars in the nation's top sprint car series are 410-cubic-inch engines. Plattsburg, Mo., race enthusiast Bill Willsey owns Newman's car. World of Outlaws series leader Donny Schatz leans on NASCAR star Tony Stewart for team ownership.
Mustangs show some pluck, slip by Mudcats
The famous San Diego Chicken generally steals the show with side-splitting antics as the mascot travels the country entertaining baseball fans. But he had some competition Friday night. The St. Joseph Mustangs' Kyle Wooden stole the show in front of 2,733 fans at Phil Welch Stadium by driving in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs. Wooden and the Mascots defeated MINK League foe Chillicothe Mudcats 2-1.
Mustangs remain perfect
The St. Joe Mustangs begin the season with back-to-back victories after downing the Building Champions of Overland Park, Kan., in a 6-5, come-from-behind victory in front of 1,411 fans.
St. Pius penalty bests LeBlond
St. Pius X's Hilary Torres stepped up to the spot with Wednesday's Class 1 district championship on the line. And the junior embraced the moment, slotting the penalty into the left side of the net late in the first half to give the Warriors a 1-0 victory over Bishop LeBlond.
