Commonwealth Winter Sports Preview 2013

A LOOK AT WINTER SPORTS FOR ASH GROVE, WALNUT GROVE AND WILLARD

WINTER ‘13-’14 SPORTS PREVIEW A special publication by the Ash Grove Commonwealth and the Willard Cross Country Times Previews by Michael Misfeldt • Photos by James Hanson, Michael Misfeldt, Ryan Squibb and submitted photos November 20, 2013

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Winter Sports Preview

B2 - Nov. 20, 2013

Ash Grove Commonwealth/Willard Cross Country Times

ASH GROVE PIRATES BASKETBALL

VARSITY & JV BASKETBALL ROSTER

VARSITY & JV SCHEDULE Games start at 6 p.m. * Times TBA

Nov. 26........................................................ Crane H Dec. 2-7...................................... Strafford Tourn.* A Dec. 10.................................................. Lockwood H Dec. 13..................................................... Spokane H Dec. 17............................................Mount Vernon A Dec. 20...............................................East Newton A Dec. 26-Jan. 3...................... Walnut Grove Holiday A

Classic (Varsity)* Jan. 7............................................... Pleasant Hope A Jan. 10............................... Greenwood Laboratory A Jan. 14................................................... Fair Grove A Jan. 21................................Skyline Hickory County H Jan. 24......................................................Strafford A Jan. 28.....................................Springfield Catholic H Jan. 30-Feb. 1............................... Nixa Invitational A

Tourn. (Varsity)* Feb. 7........................................................... Miller A Feb. 11.....................................................Stockton H Feb. 14........................................................ Clever H Feb. 18........................................................Aurora H Feb. 21................................................. Marionville H

Garrett Cline.................................................. senior 6’5” Zach Dinwiddie............................................. senior 5’11” Cody Allhands............................................... senior 5’10” Jesse Moore................................................... senior 6’3” Kaleb Blackwell.............................................. senior 5’10” Brandon Gravelin............................................junior 6’2” Logan Langley................................................junior 5’10” Ben Weinreis.......................................... sophomore 6’2” Stone Fields........................................... sophomore 6’ Kalen Holt.............................................. sophomore 5’10” Jackson Bagley....................................... sophomore 5’9” Jacob Moreland..................................... sophomore 6’1” Eli Byerly................................................... freshman 6’ Tyler Howell.............................................. freshman 6’2” Austin Atkins............................................. freshman 5’8” Paul Chavez.............................................. freshman 5’10” Paul Brugh................................................ freshman 6’ Nic Pocius................................................. freshman 5’9” Max Cashio.............................................. freshman 5’10” Jeremy Nicholson .............................................Head Coach Matt Gravelin.............................................. Assistant Coach

Ash Grove boys basketball returns key starters, looks to improve on last season’s 19 wins Nineteen wins. That’s how many wins the Ash Grove boys’ basketball team had last season but that wasn’t enough to get them past their Class 3, District 12 basketball tournament, as the Pirates lost to Mt. Vernon in their second round game 69-40.

This season head coach Jeremy Nicholson is hoping for, and expects, more.

“This year I want to pick up where we left off,” said Nicholson. “I expect our players to know what is expected of them and to show up with enthusiasm and a willingness to get better every day.”

Ash Grove lost three players off last season’s team, Alex O’Brien, Joe Christensen, and Quinton Frame but will return first team all-district and all-conference guard, senior Cody Allhands, second team all-conference guard, sophomore Ben Weinreis, Mid-Lakes all-conference honorable mention selectee forward, senior Kaleb Blackwell and senior forward Garrett Cline.

With three all conference players returning the outlook for this season seems very good.

“We have good experience back from the last couple of years and I expect this team to build on the success it had from last year,” said Nicholson. “We will take it day to day and just simply try and get better.”

The Pirates were 4-2 last season in the Mid-Lakes Conference, with losses coming against Strafford and Skyline and this year’s conference battles look to be just as tough.

“Each and every game in our conference will be a battle,” said Nicholson.

“Our destination will be to win our conference, but it will take a lot of work to get there.”

Ash Grove competed in three tournaments last season, going 2-1 in the Strafford Tournament, beating Southwest (Washburn) 8075 and Fair Grove 61-55 before losing to Strafford in the championship game 71-31. The Pirates won the Walnut Grove Holiday Classic defeating Niangua (5333), Fordland (61-44) and Fair Play (62-52). Ash Grove

also won the Miller Tournament beating Sarcoxie (6051), Spokane (59-51) and Purdy (63-58).

The Pirates were seeded fifth in last year’s Class 3, District 12 tournament in Seneca, defeating Diamond 71-69 before losing to Mt. Vernon 60-49.

This season the district tournament will take place in Mt. Vernon and besides Ash Grove and Mt. Vernon, other teams in the

Front row, Ben Weinreis, Brandon Gravelin, Jesse Moore, Cody Allhands, Zach Dinwiddie, Garrett Cline, Tyler Howell and Jacob Moreland. Back row, Paul Brugh, Max Cashio, Austin Atkins, Logan Langley, Eli Byerly, Paul Chavez, Jackson Bagley, Kalen Holt and Nic Pocius. Not pictured, Caleb Blackwell and Stone Fields.

Good luck to all area athletes 112 E. Boone • Ash Grove, MO 65604 (417) 751-2527

tournament will be Clever, Diamond, East Newton, Sarcoxie, Seneca and Southwest (Washburn).

“Last season we took big strides in getting our program headed in the right direction,” said Nicholson.

“We gained a lot of confidence and showed signs of being a quality team.”

The Pirates will open up at home this season against Crane Nov. 26.

To Ash Grove, Walnut Grove and Willard athletic departments

Good luck

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Winter Sports Preview

Ash Grove Commonwealth/Willard Cross Country Times

Nov. 20, 2013 - B3

ASH GROVE LADY PIRATES BASKETBALL VARSITY & JV GIRLS BASKETBALL ROSTER Varsity Nikke Ogle Abby Arico Alexa Owens Jamie Mauss Sierrah Bland Madi Johnson Halee Cashio Erin Weinreis Morgan Allred Lakin Simmerman Katie Skelton

MAYS MART

Junior Varsity Mallory Keith Stefani Duncan Hannah Robinson Kayley Stafford Hailey Woods Sydnee Cashio Josse McGregor Kayla Keene Kaylee Underwood Kara Leeper Head Coach Jesse Alsup

VARSITY & JV SCHEDULE

J. Tanner Rust, DDS

Games start at 6 p.m. except where noted * Times TBA

Nov. 25................................. Lockwood H Dec. 2-7........................Ash Grove Lady H

Classic (Varsity)* Dec. 9.............. Southwest of Washburn A Dec. 12...................Springfield Catholic H Dec. 16....................................... Clever A Dec. 19.......................................Aurora A Dec. 30-Jan.3..................Pink and White A

Tourn. (Varsity)* Jan. 6..................................... Fair Grove H

Jan. 13.......................................... Miller H Jan. 20-25..........Bolivar Tourn. (Varsity)* A Jan. 27............................ Marion C Early A Jan. 30......................................Strafford H Feb. 3............................. Mount Vernon A Feb. 6.............................. Pleasant Hope H Feb. 10.................................... Stockton A Feb. 13.........................................Crane A Feb. 17.............. Skyline Hickory County A Feb. 20.................................Marionville A

Returning all starters, Lady Pirates look to go beyond last year’s elite eight finish The Ash Grove High School girls’ basketball team, exceeded all expectations last season and went 24-7 and all the way to the elite eight before losing to St. James. This season they are looking to go further.

“The Lady Pirates worked hard in the off-season and are ready to compete, so that they can achieve their goals.” said head coach Jesse Alsup.

Ash Grove was tied for second in the Mid-Lakes Conference with a 4-2 record and ran away with the Class 1, District 12 crown, after being seeded No. 1, defeating Sarcoxie 53-21, Southwest (Washburn) 6743 and East Newton 42-31.

The Lady Pirates also defeated Fair Grove 67-56 in their sectional round, before losing to St. James in the quarter finals 63-54.

The Lady Pirates finished the 2012-13 season ranked fifth in the state.

The Lady Pirates have a great shot of repeating what they did last season as all five starters are returning, led by seniors Lakin Simmerman, first team all-state (coaches poll), all-district and all-conference and second team all-state (sportswriters poll); Madi Johnson, first team all-state (coaches poll), all-district and allconference; Halee Cashio, first team all-district, honorable mention for all-conference; and Katie Skelton, first team all-district, honorable mention for all-conference.

“I am really excited for our senior season,” said Johnson. “We were happy to win districts last season, but we really want to win a state title this season.”

Besides the aforementioned seniors, Ash Grove will also have seniors Abby Arico, Jamie Mauss, Erin Weinries, Nikki Ogle and Sierrah Ballard on the squad this season.

“Jamie is a versatile player with a balanced skill set that makes her a great complimentary piece,” said Alsup.

“Nikki provides depth off the bench and Sierrah provides quickness off the bench.”

The Lady Pirates play in what Alsup calls one of the toughest conferences in the area.

“The Mid-Lakes Conference is traditionally one of the toughest conferences in southwest Missouri, if not the toughest in the state,” said Alsup. “So every night we play a conference game we will have to come ready to play.”

Last season Ash Grove played in three tourna-

ments, winning the Ash Grove Lady Classic, with victories over Lamar (8236), Strafford (65-50) and Marionville (46-40).

The Lady Pirates went 2-2 in the Pink and White Tournament in Springfield, defeating Marshfield (5642) and West Plains (43-38) but losing to Ozark (47-53) and Miller Career Academy (50-68) and 2-1 in the Bolivar Tournament, defeating Aurora (58-35) and Springfield Hillcrest (65-56) before losing to Branson in the championship game 44-45.

This season the district tournament will be held in Mt. Vernon and besides Ash Grove and Mt. Vernon, Clever, Diamond, East Newton, Sarcoxie, Seneca and Southwest (Washburn) will also be competing.

“Ash Grove will fight through a tough Mid-Lakes Conference schedule,” said Alsup. “Several teams in our conference made a very good showing in the postseason last year. Some key non-conference games will be against Mt. Vernon and Southwest, who is in our district, Morrisville and defending Class 2 state champion Crane.”

Ash Grove opens the season Nov. 25 against Lockwood and will host the Ash Grove Lady Classic from Dec. 2-9. The Lady Pirates will also compete in the Pink and White Tournament at Drury University from Dec. 30 - Jan. 3 and the Bolivar Tournament from Jan. 20-25.

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Winter Sports Preview

B4 - Nov. 20, 2013

Ash Grove Commonwealth/Willard Cross Country Times

WALNUT GROVE TIGERS BASKETBALL High expectations welcome Walnut Grove boys basketball season Last season the Walnut Grove High School boys’ basketball season came to an end at the hands of Fair Play in their Class 1, District 5 semifinal game, 6446.

This season, head coach Darine Meinders is confident and thinks that his team can compete with anyone on the court.

“We are very excited and have high expectations for the season,” said Meinders.

“We feel that we have the depth and talent to be a very good team. Our team is a very close-knit group that has a common goal of being the best we can be as a team.”

The Tigers finished the 2012-13 season with a 1513 record and second-place finish in the Polk County Conference at 5-2, losing

only to Wheatland 70-63 on Dec. 13, and Dadeville 4840 on Jan. 29.

The Tigers did lose four players to graduation, but Meinders has some playmakers coming back including junior Dallas Hawk, who was first team all-conference in the Polk County Conference for Walnut Grove and first team alldistrict for Class 1, District 5; and sophomore Dallas Meinders, who was a second team all-conference selection at Chadwick for the Mark Twain Conference and a first team all-district selection for Class 1, District 4. Also returning for Walnut Grove is senior Cody Sederburg and sophomore Hunter Brown. Meinders also said he will have six other kids fighting for playing time this season.

“We expect our kids to play hard on both ends of the floor,” said Meinders.

“We will play a very aggressive style and are very excited as we have kids that are dedicated to the program.”

The Tigers competed in three tournaments last season, going 2-2 in the Walnut Grove Holiday Classic, beating Chadwick and Hurley, but losing to Marionville and Verona and finished third in both the Golden City Tournament and Halfway Tournament.

Walnut Grove went 2-1 in the Golden City Tournament, beating Bronaugh and Lockwood, but losing to Liberal. The Tigers went 2-1 in the Halfway Tournament, defeating Halfway and Weaubleau but losing against Humansville.

In the Class 1, District 5

tournament, Walnut Grove beat Sheldon 50-44 before losing to Fair Play in the semifinals.

Walnut Grove had to travel to Willard for last season’s district playoffs, this season though, the Tigers will be hosting the Class 1, District 5 tournament. Besides Walnut Grove, Dadeville, Everton, Fair Play, Golden City, Halfway, Lockwood and Sheldon will be at the tournament. The Tigers were the fourth seed at last season’s tournament.

Meinders thinks with the new system, his team should be competitive and will contend for this season’s Polk County Conference title.

“When you put in a new system, it always takes a while, but our kids have worked hard and bought

in to what we are wanting to do,” said Meinders. “We expect our kids to play hard and be mentally and physically tough. If you do those things everything else will take care of itself.”

The Tigers will open the season on the road going to Marion C. Early on Nov. 26, and will play in their first tournament when the

Tigers take part in the Humansville Tournament from Dec. 2-7. Walnut Grove will play their first home game on Dec. 17 against Blue Eye. The Tigers will also host the Walnut Grove Holiday Classic from Dec. 20-31 and will play in the Halfway Tournament from Feb. 1015.

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VARSITY & JV SCHEDULE Games start at 6 p.m. except where noted * Times TBA

Nov. 26..................................Marion C. Early A Dec. 2-7............ Humansville Tourn. (Varsity)* A Dec. 10................................... Miller (Varsity) A Dec. 13................................. Galena (Varsity) A Dec. 16.............................................Blue Eye H Dec. 19............................. Wheatland @ 5:30 A Dec. 20-31...................Walnut Grove Holiday H

Classic (Varsity)* Jan. 3.............................. Macks Creek @ 5:30 A Jan. 7.................................................... Exeter H Jan. 10................................Hermitage @ 5:30 H Jan. 17.................................... Climax Springs H Jan. 21.............................................. Fordland H Jan. 24...............................Weaubleau @ 5:30 H Jan. 27......................................Pleasant Hope A Jan. 31............................. Humansville @ 5:30 H Feb. 4...................................Dadeville @ 5:30 H Feb. 7.....................................Halfway @ 5:30 A Feb. 10-Feb. 15....... Halfway Tourn. (Varsity)* A Feb. 18.................................. Fair Play @ 5:30 H

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Winter Sports Preview

Ash Grove Commonwealth/Willard Cross Country Times

Nov. 20, 2013 - B5

WALNUT GROVE LADY TIGERS BASKETBALL State champ Lady Tigers looking for repeat How do you improve on being the Class 1 state champion? You repeat and maybe go undefeated, and that’s what Walnut Grove head coach Rory Henry is hoping to do this season.

“We are looking forward to a great year and have very high expectations,” said Henry. “We won a state championship and return everyone from that team and would like to repeat as state champions but know it will be tough.”

The Lady Tigers ran through nearly everyone that they played last season, going 30-2, only losing to Mt. Vernon (49-42) in the Aurora Tournament on Nov. 27 and Crane (55-46) on Jan. 14. In fact, the Lady Tigers have won 17 games in a row and will carry that over into this season when it starts.

To make things a little easier for the Lady Tigers, every single player from last season’s championship team is returning including, Heather Harman, who

was first team all-state, alldistrict, all-Ozark, all-conference and was the Polk County Conference most valuable player; Lexi Harman, who was first team all-state, all-district and all-conference; Karsyn Hejna, who was first team all-conference and second team all-district and Madisyn Freeze, who was a second team all-conference selection. Henry said that Audree Crain will also be an impact player this season.

Walnut Grove went 7-0 in the Polk County Conference last season and will be the favorites going into this season as well.

The Lady Tigers competed in three tournaments last season, going 1-1 in the Aurora Tournament, defeating Bolivar but losing to Mt. Vernon, and winning both the Walnut Grove Holiday Classic (4-0) and the Seymour Tournament (3-0).

In the Walnut Grove Holiday Classic, the Lady Tigers defeated School of the Ozarks, Galena, Southwest

Back row, Audree Crain, Katelynn Garoutte, Miranda Allison, Raylie Hejna, Lexi Harman, Karsyn Hejna, Heather Harman. Front row, Mikayla Louderbaugh, Madisyn Freeze, Carrigan Comstock, Megan Shuler, Shelby Harman. Not Pictured Ellen Hayter.

(Washburn) and Pleasant Hope. They also defeated Fordland, Gainesville and Seymour in the Seymour Tournament.

Walnut Grove was seeded first in the Class 1, District 5 tournament and defeated Sheldon (88-12), Lockwood (85-32) and Dadeville (6426) en route to the district championship.

The Lady Tigers ran through the state tournament until the final game defeating St. Elizabeth 7852 in Bolivar, Drexel 64-45 in Clinton, Chadwick 6642 in the semifinals and

Chamois 47-46 in the state championship game. The last two games were played in Columbia.

Walnut Grove will host this season’s Class 1, District 5 tournament, which will feature Dadeville, Everton, Fair Play, Golden City, Halfway, Lockwood, Sheldon and Walnut Grove.

“We return a two-year letterman from an acl injury and a six-foot-tall freshman with a lot of potential,” said Henry. “Needless to say, the expectations are very high for this team.”

VARSITY & JV GIRLS BASKETBALL ROSTER 3 4 5 10 11 12 14 15 21 22 23 33 44

Megan Shuler....................... senior forward 5’6” Madisyn Freeze........................ senior guard 5’6” Lexi Harmon............................ senior guard 5’8” Shelby Harmon.............sophomore forward 5’5” Carrigan Comstock.................. junior guard 5’4” Miranda Allison.................... senior forward 5’8” Karsyn Hejna........................... senior guard 5’9” Heather Harmon...................... senior guard 5’9” Ellen Hayter............................. junior guard 5’5” Mikayla Louderbaugh...... freshman forward 5’9” Audree Crain.............. junior guard/forward 5’7” Raylie Hejna..................... freshman forward 6’0” Katelynn Garoutte........... freshman forward 5’8” Head Coach: Rory Henry Assistant coach: Diedra Parks Mangers: Taylor Dobson, Bayley Harmon, Miranda McVay, Grace Miller and Aspen White

VARSITY & JV SCHEDULE Games start at 6 p.m. except where noted * Times TBA

Dec. 2-7...................................... Fair Grove Tourn. (Varsity)* H Dec. 10.................................................................Greenfield H Dec. 14.....................................................................Crocker A Dec. 17....................................................................Principia H Dec. 19.................................................... Wheatland @ 5:30 A Dec. 21-30.......................................... Walnut Grove Holiday H

Classic (Varsity)* Jan. 3 Macks Creek A Jan. 6.......................................................................... Buffalo H Jan. 10.......................................................Hermitage @ 5:30 H Jan. 14........................................................... Marion C. Early A Jan. 16...................................................................Marshfield A Jan. 20..........................................................................Crane A Jan. 24...................................................... Weaubleau @ 5:30 H Jan. 27.............................................................Pleasant Hope A Jan. 31.................................................... Humansville @ 5:30 H Feb. 4..........................................................Dadeville @ 5:30 H Feb. 7............................................................Halfway @ 5:30 A Feb. 10-15..................................... Seymour Tourn. (Varsity)* A

Looking forward to an exciting sports season

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Winter Sports Preview

B6 - Nov. 20, 2013

WILLARD TIGERS BASKETBALL Willard Tigers look to better 17-9 record with leadership, experience Led by then junior Chris Kendrix and now graduated Kolbe Kinghorn, the Willard High School boys’ basketball team took the district crown, but lost by one point in their sectional round against Springfield Kickapoo 31-30.

“Last season surpassed expectations,” said head coach Lamont Frazier. “Being that it was only our first season, the team worked hard and got what they deserved. Every individual that was a part of the program did his job to the best of their abilities right down to the last game.”

Willard finished the season 17-9 and 4-3 in the Central Ozark Conference (large schools) and only lost three players to graduation, one of those players being all-district and all-conference selectee Kinghorn, from last season’s squad.

One of those players that is returning is all-conference and all-district selectee Kendrix, who has verbally committed to play at Missouri State after graduation. Kendrix averaged 20.4 points per game to lead the Tigers to go with his 6.7 rebounds per game average.

Besides Kendrix, the Tigers also return seniors Skylar Baker, ZaKorey Barr, Cainen McGinnis and Montana Craig along with junior Levi McGinnis.

We are looking forward to this season, we will have plenty of experience returning,” said Frazier. “That experience will be valuable as this year’s team will not be one to sneak up on people like last season.”

Willard entered district play last season as the No. 2 seed and beat Joplin 73-47 in the semifinals and then

beat Springfield Parkview 60-51 in the district finals.

Besides the district tournament, Willard also competed in the Willard FourState Classic, going 2-1 with wins over Ft. Scott High School (44-31) from Ft. Scott, Kan. and Springdale Har-Ber High School (53-51) from Springdale, Ark. The only loss came at Broken Arrow High School (54-36) from Broken Arrow, Okla.

The Tigers were 1-1 in the Blue and Gold Tournament, defeating Greenwood (58-34), but losing to Branson (58-49) and went 2-1 in the Nixa Invitational, defeating Mt. Vernon (52-41) and Hogan Prep Academy (55-46), but losing to Kickapoo (67-45).

Willard will host this season’s Class 5, District 12 tournament. Joining Willard will be Joplin, Neosho, Springfield Central and Springfield Parkview. Willard is hoping to repeat as district champions and win a COC championship.

“Expectations are high and hopefully we are up to the challenge,” said Frazier.

“Basketball in southwest Missouri is challenging night in and night out.”

Willard will open the season at the Key-Sport Tip-Off Classic in Rolla on Nov. 30 before returning home to host the Willard Four-State Classic from Dec. 3-7. Willard will also compete in the Midwest Showdown Shootout in St. Louis on Dec. 14, the Blue & Gold Tournament at Missouri State University from Dec. 2630 and in the Tournament of Champions at Missouri State University from Jan. 16-18.

Good luck this upcoming winter season!

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VARSITY & JV SCHEDULE Games start at 6 p.m. except where noted * Times TBA

Chris Kendrix

Ash Grove Commonwealth/Willard Cross Country Times

Nov. 25-27................................ Willard JV Tourn.* H Nov. 30...........................Key Sport Tip-Off Classic A Dec. 5-7.......... Willard Four-State Classic (Varsity)* H Dec. 10............................................ Parkview @ 5 A Dec. 14...Midwest Showdown Shootout (Varsity)* A Dec. 19..............................................Hillcrest @ 5 A Dec. 20..........................................Marshfield @ 5 H Dec. 26-30............Blue and Gold Tourn. (Varsity)* A Jan. 7............................................. Rogersville @ 5 H Jan. 14............................................... Branson @ 5 A Jan. 16-18..... Tournament of Champions (Varsity)* A Jan. 21........................................Carl Junction @ 5 A Jan. 24................................................. Bolivar @ 5 A Jan. 31.................................................Central @ 5 H Feb. 7...........................................................Ozark A Feb. 11................................................. Webb City H Feb. 14................................................... Carthage A Feb. 17-22................................... Ozark JV Tourn.* A Feb. 18.................................................... Republic A Feb. 21......................................................Neosho H Feb. 25.......................................................... Nixa H

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Ash Grove Commonwealth/Willard Cross Country Times

Winter Sports Preview

Nov. 20, 2013 - B7

WILLARD LADY TIGERS BASKETBALL

VARSITY & JV BASKETBALL ROSTER Annie Adams.................................................... senior Shelby Barrett.................................................. senior Raven Mammah............................................... senior Mallory Kurtz................................................... junior Ali Perry........................................................... junior Mariah Stewart................................................ junior Fija Schlichting................................................. junior Rachel Williamson............................................ junior Chelsea Yates................................................... junior Ty Brown.................................................sophomore Jessica Fox................................................sophomore Loren Inman............................................sophomore Shilee Schooling.......................................sophomore Jamie Taylor.............................................sophomore Breanna Bates............................................. freshman Madison Bradley......................................... freshman Kennedy Burch............................................ freshman Kelsie Carroll............................................... freshman Presleigh Doke............................................ freshman Amber Hillman............................................ freshman Della Ontiveras............................................ freshman Bridget Shepley........................................... freshman Alisha Wells................................................. freshman

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Head coach Mike Percival Assistant coach Michael Crews Amanda Cox

VARSITY & JV SCHEDULE Games start at 6 p.m. except where noted * Times TBA

Nov. 25......................................................Monett @ 5 A Nov. 30.............................. Key-Sport Tip Off @ 3 p.m. A Dec. 2-4............................................Willard JV Tourn.* H Dec. 5-7...............................Willard Four-State Classic* H Dec. 12.......................................................... Stockton A Dec. 19......................................................Central @ 5 H Dec. 27-31......... Pink and White Lady Classic (Varsity)* A Jan. 6...........................................................Bolivar @ 5 H Jan. 9................................................................... Joplin A Jan. 13.......................................................Branson @ 5 A Jan. 17......................................................Lebanon @ 5 A Jan. 20............................................................ Glendale H Jan. 23.................................................................Ozark H Jan. 30............................................Springfield Catholic H Feb. 2-8......................................Seneca Varsity Tourn.* A Feb. 10.........................................................Webb City H Feb. 13...........................................................Carthage A Feb. 17............................................................Republic A Feb. 20............................................................. Neosho H Feb. 24..................................................................Nixa H

Lady Tigers ready for solid season, more wins The season may not have ended the way Willard High school girls’ basketball coach Mike Percival wanted, but he knows that last season’s squad was young and this season’s squad will be ready.

“We played with a basic core group of sophomores with one senior and a couple of juniors and competed for the district championship title,” said Percival. “This year we will be a year older and with a large amount of varsity experience returning.”

The Lady Tigers finished the season 11-15 last season, losing in the Class 5, District 12 championship game to Parkview 53-40.

Willard defeated Neosho in the semifinals 37-33 to reach the championship game.

Willard did lose first team all-district and second team all conference selection Amber Percival to graduation, but does have four starters returning this season, including senior guard Shelby Barrett and juniors Makenzie Parker (guard), Ali Perry (forward), Mariah Stewart (forward), Rachel Williamson (guard) and Chelsea Yates (forward).

“Barrett provides us with defensive presence, leadership and speed,” said Percival. “Parker has more speed on both ends of the floor, Stewart has great potential to be a force inside, Williamson is a point guard type player who has the potential to set the tone de-

fensively and Yates is a post player who will provide us with a physical presence inside on both ends.”

Willard will also rely heavily on senior Raven Mammah, junior Mallory Kurtz and sophomore Jessica Fox. The Lady Tigers finished 1-6 in the COC last season, but Percival is looking forward to this season and feels his team will be better.

“We are very excited to see what this season will bring for us,” said Percival.

“We have a very well-rounded group talent-wise and are hoping this will work to our

advantage throughout the season. We will also bring a couple of younger players to the table that we feel will be strong players for us by district time.”

Willard will host this season’s Class 5, District 12 tournament, that will feature Joplin, Neosho, Springfield Central and Parkview.

Districts will start on Feb. 26.

Willard will open the season on Nov. 25 when the Lady Tigers travel to Monett.

Willard will host their first home game on Dec. 19, when they play against district opponent Springfield

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Central. The Lady Tigers will also compete in four tournaments this season, beginning with the Key Sport Tip-Off on Nov. 30 in Rolla, the Willard Four-State Classic from Dec. 5-7, the Pink and White Lady Classic at Drury University from Dec. 27-31 and the Seneca Tournament from Feb. 3-8.

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Winter Sports Preview

B8 - Nov. 20, 2013

Ash Grove Commonwealth/Willard Cross Country Times

WILLARD TIGERS WRESTLING

WRESTLING ROSTER

VARSITY & JV SCHEDULE

Games start at 5:30 p.m. except where noted * Times TBA

Dec. 7......Neosho Varsity Tourn.* A Dec. 11.................. Kickapoo and A

Rolla@ 5 Dec. 12................ Marshfield and A Camdenton Dec. 17.... Nixa and Reed Springs A Dec. 18.......Central and Republic H Dec. 27-28........... Kinloch Classic A Holiday Tourn. (Varsity) @ 9 a.m.

Jan. 18............................Republic A

Varsity Tourn.* Jan. 23............ Buffalo and Bolivar A Jan. 25.......... Kickapoo JV Tourn.* A Feb. 1.........COC Tourn. (Varsity)* H Feb. 8.................. Nixa JV Tourn.* A Feb. 8....................Francis Howell A

Varsity Tourn. @9:30 a.m.

Kaleb Crook...................senior Connar Loderhose.........senior Thomas Massengale......senior Logan Tindle..................senior Nick Yanez.....................senior Kaleb Anderson.............junior Quintin Bisbey...............junior Gage Blake....................junior Sky Cope.......................junior Caleb Cron....................junior Jack Dubois....................junior Stacy Eveland................junior Austin McMillen.............junior Blake Parton..................junior Wyatt Smith..................junior

Kyle Caldwell........ sophomore Tyler Carcione....... sophomore Colton Kyle........... sophomore Seth McCarter...... sophomore Brice Pattison........ sophomore Keith Robison....... sophomore Stephen Wade...... sophomore Tyler Wisdom........ sophomore Hunter Yeargan..... sophomore Monty Allums.......... freshman Brandon Burks......... freshman Niko Chavez............ freshman Collin Conner.......... freshman Morgan Earl............. freshman Martin Edison.......... freshman

Joe Holden............... freshman Matt Kirkland........... freshman Gavin Kopplin.......... freshman Cameron Lawhon.... freshman Noah Lawson.......... freshman Curtis Love.............. freshman Tyler Moss............... freshman Diego Munoz.......... freshman Joey Nordstrom....... freshman Bryan Rollhaus......... freshman

Tyler Sartin.............. freshman Christian Smart........ freshman James Stagner.......... freshman Head Coach, Kiiler Stephens Assistant Coaches, John Presley, Chris Jennerjohn and Caleb Gibbens

Community Community starts with starts with neighbors Willard wrestling reloading for another neighbors who care. strong season care.

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Jan. 7............ Ozark and Carthage A Jan. 11...... Monett Varsity Tourn.* A

Feb. 14-15........Districts (Varsity)* A Feb. 20-22..............State (Varsity) A Tourn.*

Jan. 16..................Rogersville and A

Lebanon @ 5

in the second wrestleback in the 132-pound weight class. Loderhose went 2-3 and lost in the fifth-place Chet Din Cornelison, Agent match the 138-pound weight class. St.Massengale 304 E Jackson Ste 6B went 1-2MOand lost in the Willard, 65781 second wrestleback in the Bus: 417-742-3562 152-pound weight class. www.myagentchet.com Yeargan went 1-2 and lost in the second wrestleback in the 170-pound weight class and 1201375 Duane Faller went 0-2 and lost in the first wrestleback in the 182-pound weight class.

This season the expectations are lofty for the Tigers and Stephens thinks his team will do very well.

“This season our expectations are very high,” said Stephens. “We did a ton of

off-season wrestling and on the road before the TiChet Cornelison, Agent expect to see the rewards gers finally hosting Spring304 E Jackson St. Ste 6B this season. With five state field Central and Republic Willard, MO 65781 qualifiers returning and a on Dec. 18.

Bus: 417-742-3562 lot of young talent I believe The Tigers will also host www.myagentchet.com this team has the potential the COC tournament this ® State Farmwith hasany a long heritage of helping out incompete the community. That’s why I’m to compete team.” season and will The Class 3, District in two other tournaments, ® 3 Get to a better State tournament will be held in the Kinloch Classic Holiday Branson this season on Feb. Tournament at Springfield 14, besides Branson and Parkview on Dec. 27-28 and Willard, Camdenton, Carl the Monett Tournament on Junction, Carthage, Leba- Jan. 11. State Farm, Bloomington, IL 1201196 non, Marshfield, McDonald County, Neosho, Republic, Rolla, Glendale, Hillcrest, Parkview and Webb City will also be in Branson to compete.

Willard will open their season on Dec. 7 at the Neosho Tournament. Willard’s first four meets are

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Last season, the Willard High School wrestling team thought they would be rebuilding, instead they just reloaded, going 11-3 on the season and finished ranked 32nd after the state wrestling tournament.

“Going into last season we felt like it was a rebuilding year, however it ended up being a very productive year for our program,” said head coach Kiiler Stephens.

The Tigers were able to win two very tough meets in Monett and Republic and had four wrestlers ranked in the top 10 in state when the season was finished.

Connar Loderhose finished sixth in the state wrestling tournament and was ranked fifth in the 138-pound weight class with a 45-15 record, Thomas Massengale was ranked seventh in the 152-pound weight class with a 37-20 record, Cody White finished the season ranked fifth in the 160-pound weight class and Hunter Yeargan was ranked sixth in the 170-pound weight class with a record of 38-6.

“Loderhose was both an all conference and all-state selection at 138,” said Stephens. “Yeargan was the first freshman in school history to be crowned district champion. We had six wrestlers earn all-conference last season and White was crowned COC (Central Ozark Conference) champion before a season-ending knee injury.”

Willard sent five wrestlers to last season’s state wrestling tournament. Kaleb Crook went 1-2 and lost

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