Ozark Preps Illustrated January 2011

ozark i l l u s t r at e d January 2011

a ’s e r The

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Bass Pro

REWIND

“The Streak”

Marshfield’s Lady Jays

A l l -Ti m e

TOC TEAM

Tiger Tradition Ozark Wrestling

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I was pleasantly surprised by the response of the ad we placed i l l u s t r at e d i l l u s t r at e d in the December issue of Ozark Preps Illustrated. The magazine was distributed on Friday, and by the very next Monday, we had i l l u s t r at e d i l l u s t r at e d an opportunity with a new client.

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Varsity Contractors, Inc., will definitely advertise in Ozark Preps Illustrated again near What originally an e d i l l u s t r at e d i l lin i lbegan l u s tas u the str r at at future. ed ad to help promote local prep athletes soon turned into a viable business I would encourage other owners i l l u s t r at e d illu illustr s t r atopportunity. at ebusiness ed ed d to consider using this advertising platform. i l l u s t r at e d

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Robert Rayl,

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Advertise in this i l l u s t r at e d

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Senior Vice President, Varsity Contractors, Inc.

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i l l u s t r at e d i l l u s t r at e d To reserve ad space, please contact OZARK PREPS ILLUSTRATED at i l l u s t r at e d i417.770.0003 i l l u s t r at e d l l u s t r at e d or email at sales@ozarkpreps.com

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LETTER EDITOR

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from the

Dear Readers,

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Editor-In-Chief

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bshive@ozarkpreps.com

PW

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I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and is already enjoying a Happy New Year! It has been a busy past few weeks here at Ozark Preps Illustrated, between the holiday season and the winter sports which are now in full swing. However, we love what we do, and hope that you enjoy reading each issue of Ozark Preps Illustrated that we produce on a monthly basis as much as we enjoy piecing them together.

In this issue, we have our usual columns, sections and departments that have become a big hit with our readers, including Photo Finish, Milestones and Time Out. We are introducing a new column this month called “On The DL,” in which Dr. J.P. Simanis—a physician at Citizen’s Memorial Hospital— will write about a medical topic related to high school sports each month. In this month’s column, Dr. Simanis dispels some of the myths associated with the common cold and flu virus. In Chalk Talk, Central girls basketball coach Callie Newton talks about her own high school basketball coach, and how Coach Newton is now realizing the impact she has on her student-athletes. In his End Zone column, Scott Puryear provides his usual stellar commentary on the local high school sports scene. This month, Scott ranks his Top Five memories of the early years of the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions.

Speaking of the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, Ozark Preps Illustrated names its All-Time Tournament of Champions team in this issue. The OPI All-Time Bass Pro Tournament of Champions Team is based on a combination of objective statistics and data and subjective impressions, which is a complicated way of saying that it’s just our opinion. We know that not everyone will agree with our All-Time T of C team, so feel free to send me an e-mail with your own team, or any changes you would make to our team. Mark Fisher, the Tournament Director of the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, does a fantastic job each year organizing the event, which is scheduled this year for Jan. 13-15 at JQH Arena.

We offer previews of the eight talented teams that Fisher is inviting to Springfield this year, including the five out-of-state teams from California, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.

The Ozark wrestling program has been a model of consistency over the past 25 years, and “Tiger Tradition” takes an in-depth look at the reasons for the program’s sustained success, which begins with head coach Mike Jackson. In this month’s “Rewind” historical perspective, Ozark Preps Illustrated revisits “The Streak,” in which Marshfield’s Lady Jays won a state record 102 consecutive games from 198790—and four-straight Class 3A state championships.

As always, whether you like Ozark Preps Illustrated or not, please send me an e-mail at letters@ozarkpreps.com, letting us know what you think. We are looking to add a Fan Mail page next month, which will feature your Letters to the Editor. Finally, please patronize those businesses that have purchased advertisements in the magazine. This is a FREE magazine, which means that we are entirely reliant upon advertising revenue to keep this going. So, if you like Ozark Preps Illustrated, then please encourage any business owner that you know to contact me regarding purchasing an ad in future issues. Advertising in Ozark Preps Illustrated works…just ask Robert Rayl of Varsity Contractors, Inc.! (See page 1 for his testimonial regarding advertising.)

Thank you for reading Ozark Preps Illustrated!

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i l l u s t r at e d P r a i r i e Wa r b l e r Publishing, LLC

P.O. Box 777 Bolivar, MO 65613 417.770.0003

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Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Byron Shive

Graphic Design/Photo Editing Ty DeClue

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Contributing Writers i l l u s t r at e d Callie Newton Scott Puryear Dr. J.P. Simanis Contributing Photographers Lonnie Allen, Linda Patton, Amye Torgerson, Linda Williams

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On the Cover (L to R): Korry Tillery, Sam Pugh, Jalen Norman, Alex Poke, Austin Ruder, Avery Dingman

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Correction In the “Back the Novemi l2lBack” u sarticle t rinat ed ber issue of OPI, credit for the photos was incorrectly attributed to Wes Putman. The photos were actually taken by Brenda Putillust man. OPI regrets the error.

Printer

i l l u s t r at e d Shweiki Media 4954 Space Center Dr. San Antonio, TX 78218i l l u s t

Ozark Preps Illustrated (OPI) is published monthly by Prairie Warbler Publishing LLC. Reproductions in whole or in part without permission are prohibited. OPI is not responsible for the return of unsolicited artwork, photography, or manuscripts, and will not be responsible for holding fees or similiar charges. All digital submissions and correspondence will be become property of OPI.

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Editorial Disclaimer All rights reserved. For editorial matters, please contact the editors. The views of contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the policies of OPI, nor that of the publisher.

Sincerely,

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Advertising Disclaimer All rights reserved. The views and opinions of OPI advertisers do not reflect those of OPI.

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www.ozarkpreps.com

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OPI has a clear committment to inviting and publishing corrections of fact and clarifying errors of context. Corrections of errors and mistakes are a necessity in obtaining credibility in the magazine.

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STARTING LINE-UP

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Rewind - “The Streak”

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The Marshfield Lady Jays won a state record 102 consecutive games illustr l l the us t r at at estart e d and d of the 1987-88 seasoni into from the 1990-91 season,

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won four straight state titles.

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Tiger Tradition

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All-Time Tournament Team

i l l u s t r at e d i l l u s t r at e d i l l u s t r at e d In the past 25 years, the Ozark wrestling program has established itself as one of the best-if not the best-wrestling programs in the Ozarks. Thei l unquestioned i l l u s t r at e d i l l u s t r at e d l u s t r architect at e dof this tradition is head coach Mike Jackson.

Marshfield’s Melody Howard Bass Pro Tournament of Champions i l l u s t r at e d i l l u s t r at e d i l l u s t r at e d ed

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Bass Pro Tournament of Champions

Tournament Preview

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The 27th edition of the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions features a talented Ozark Preps illustr i l lthe u country. s t r at at e dslate of teams from all across ed Illustrated previews the eight teams in this year’s tournament.

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DEPARTMENTS i l l u s t r at e d

Parkview Vikings

For the pasti 26 therBass Pro i lhas l lyears, l u s t r at e d ust at e dTournament of Champions brought some of the nation’s best teams and players to Springfield each year. Ozark Preps Illustrated examines the record books and names itsd All-Time Tournament Team. i l l u s t r at e d i l l u s t r at e i l l u s t r at e d

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On The DL End Zone

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coach, and how that relationship affects her coaching today.

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Dr. J.P. Simanis dispels some common myths associated with the cold and flu season.

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Puryear early i l l u s tScott i l lfrom u sthe tr r at atyears e d ranks his top five memories e d of the Bass Pro T of C. i l l u s t r at e d

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FOOTBALL David Abrudan, Pleasant Hope—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (FB); 2nd-team All-Conference (NG) Jamie Alexander, Strafford—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (OG); Honorable Mention All-Conference (LB) Aaron Allen, Bolivar—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference (RB) Kornel Asimionese, Ash Grove—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention All-Conference (NG) Cory Baker, Strafford—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (OT); 2nd-team All-Conference (DT) Dustin Baldwin, Miller—Spring River Valley Conference (SRVC) Coach of the Year Tyler Ball, Greenfield—SRVC 1st-team All-Conference (LB) Austin Ballard, Hollister—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference (DL) Dylan Barnum, Strafford—Mid-Lakes Conference Offensive Player of the Year; 1st-team All-Conference (QB/DB) Brandon Benn, Marionville—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (QB) Jon Benton, Logan-Rogersville—COC-Small 2nd-team AllConference (LB) Austin Berry, Logan-Rogersville—COC-Small 2nd-team AllConference (OL) John Blankenship, Bolivar—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (LB) Jason Bodea, Miller—SRVC 1st-team All-Conference (DE) Robert Booker, Ozark—MFCA Class 5 3rd-team All-State (OL); COC-Large 2nd-team All-Conference (OL) Tyler Boyd, Greenfield—SRVC 2nd-team All-Conference (RB); Honorable Mention All-Conference (LB) Payton Bransfield, Marshfield—COC-Small Honorable Mention All-Conference (QB) Dalton Brollier, Greenfield—SRVC Honorable Mention AllConference (LB) Kyle Burger, Fair Grove—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (NG); 2nd-team All-Conference (FB) Auston Burk, Branson—COC-Large Honorable Mention AllConference (LB) Jake Burkett, Marshfield—COC-Small Honorable Mention AllConference (OL) Dylan Bussell, Logan-Rogersville—MFCA Class 3 1st-team AllState (OL); COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference (OL) Nate Carney, Osceola—WEMO Honorable Mention All-Conference (RB) Blake Caruthers, Branson—COC-Large 1st-team All-Conference (OL) Dustin Cates, Miller—SRVC 1st-team All-Conference (LB); 2ndteam All-Conference (WR) Fernando Cedeno, Branson—MFCA Class 5 1st-team All-State (K); COC-Large 1st-team All-Conference (K) Josh Chamberlain, Bolivar—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (TE/DL) Cameron Chancey, Branson—COC-Large Honorable Mention All-Conference (QB) Rostic Chapman, Ash Grove—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (K) Scott Chesbro, Springfield Catholic—MFCA Class 3 2nd-team All-State (DB); COC-Small Co-Defensive Player of the Year (DB); 1st-team All-Conference (RB/DB) Eric Christophel, Nixa—MFCA Class 5 3rd-team All-State (DB); COC-Large 2nd-team All-Conference (WR/DB) Rex Clark, Willard—COC-Large Honorable Mention All-Conference (LB) Nate Cline, Ash Grove—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (LB); Honorable Mention All-Conference (OG) Colton Coffey, Skyline—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (DE/OLB) Dylan Cole, Logan-Rogersville—MFCA Class 3 3rd-team All-State (RB); COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (RB) Jeremy Coleman, Hillcrest—MFCA Class 4 3rd-team All-State (WR) Nick Console, Ash Grove—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (RB) A.J. Cook, Fair Grove—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (OT) Tyler Coonis, Fair Grove—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (DB); 2nd-team All-Conference (WR) Ryan Cooper, Greenfield—SRVC 2nd-team All-Conference (DE/ OL) Shane Corporn, Reeds Spring—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference (DL) Ethan Crisp, Stockton—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (LB); Honorable Mention All-Conference (OT) Tyler Curts, Skyline—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (LB) Malachi Daniels, Branson—MFCA Class 5 1st-team All-State (RB); COC-Large 1st-team All-Conference (RB) John Davidson, Miller—MFCA Class 1 2nd-team All-State (OL); SRVC 1st-team All-Conference (OL); 2nd-team All-Conference (DL)

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MILESTONES Dylon Demster, Miller—SRVC 1st-team AllConference (OL); 2nd-team All-Conference (DL) Gabe De Olivera, Marionville—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention All-Conference (K) Carlo Duaban, Springfield Catholic—COC-Small Honorable Mention All-Conference (OL) Dylan Duggins, Osceola—WEMO 1st-team All-Conference (LB); 2nd-team All-Conference (RB) Hawk Duggins, Osceola—WEMO Honorable Mention AllConference (DE) Jordan Dykes, Marionville—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (WR) Zach Eaton, Miller—SRVC 2nd-team All-Conference (WR); Honorable Mention All-Conference (DB) Caleb Edwards, Osceola—WEMO 1st-team All-Conference (OT); Honorable Mention All-Conference (LB) Allen Enlow, Fair Grove—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (P) Derrick Estell, Miller—SRVC Honorable Mention All-Conference (RB) Dillon Feasel, Greenfield—SRVC Honorable Mention AllConference (OL) Dakota Fenton, Greenfield—SRVC Honorable Mention AllConference (QB) Zac Ferguson, Reeds Spring—COC-Small Honorable Mention All-Conference (RB) Utah Findley, Marshfield—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference (WR) Ben Fisher, Nixa—COC-Large 2nd-team All-Conference (QB) Derek Fisher, Nixa—COC-Large 2nd-team All-Conference (OL) Jeff Fletcher, Buffalo—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference (LB) Darin Francis, Parkview—MFCA Class 5 3rd-team All-State (ATH) Skylar Frazier, Willard—COC-Large 1st-team All-Conference (TE) Jared Freddie, Skyline—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (WR) Dalton Freeze, Stockton—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (WR/DB) Alex Gardner, Osceola—WEMO 2nd-team All-Conference (DE) Rhen Garner, Miller—SRVC 1st-team All-Conference (TE); 2ndteam All-Conference (LB) Nick Gori, Springfield Catholic—COC-Small 1st-team AllConference (LB); 2nd-team All-Conference (RB/K) Taylor Grass, Strafford—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (RB) Willy Gray, Ozark—COC-Large Honorable Mention All-Conference (RB) Eugene Green, Bolivar—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference (DL) Jared Green, Fair Grove—MFCA Class 2 3rd-team All-State (LB); Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (TE/DE/OLB) Dorial Green-Beckham, Hillcrest—MFCA Class 4 1st-team AllState (WR) Jared Greenlee, Marshfield—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (WR) Lance Gregory, Republic—COC-Large 2nd-team All-Conference (OL) Kyle Guison, Logan-Rogersville—COC-Small 1st-team AllConference (DL) Austin Hadley, Marionville—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (DT) Ryan Hansen, Nixa—COC-Large 2nd-team All-Conference (DL) Chase Hargis, Greenfield—SRVC Honorable Mention AllConference (OL/DE) Dillon Harms, Marshfield—COC-Small Honorable Mention AllConference (RB) Shelby Harris, Nixa—COC-Large 2nd-team All-Conference (K) Montana Hembree, Greenfield—MFCA Class 1 2nd-team All-State (DB); SRVC 1st-team All-Conference (DB); Honorable Mention All-Conference (RB) Ely Hendricks, Stockton—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (QB/DB) Zach Herman, Logan-Rogersville—COC-Small 2nd-team AllConference (DB) Nate Hill, Marionville—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (P); Honorable Mention All-Conference (DT) Brad Hinkle, Pleasant Hope—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (DT); Honorable Mention All-Conference (OT) Tyler Hinshaw, Miller—MFCA Class 1 1st-team All-State (DB); 2ndteam All-State (RET); SRVC 1st-team All-Conference (WR/DB/RET) Brennan Holt, Skyline—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (QB) David Holzknecht, Stockton—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (C); Honorable Mention All-Conference (DT) Logan Hoskins, Fair Grove—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (RB) MyKalen Huntoon, Parkview—MFCA Class 5 3rd-team All-State (OL) Austin Hurrelbrink, Strafford—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention All-Conference (OT) Austin Hurst, Ash Grove—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (RET) Justin Jack—MFCA Class 1 3rd-team All-State (QB); SRVC Player of the Year; 1st-team All-Conference (QB/DB)

Riley Jack, Miller—SRVC 2nd-team All-Conference (K) J.P. Jacks, Marshfield—COC-Small Honorable Mention AllConference (LB) Garrett Jester, Miller—SRVC 1st-team All-Conference (OL) Brent Johnson, Marionville—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (NG) Craig Johnson, Stockton—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (RB); 2nd-team All-Conference (RET) Isaac Johnson, Branson—COC-Large Honorable Mention AllConference (LB) Reese Johnson, Strafford—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (LB) Chris Jones, Osceola—WEMO 2nd-team All-Conference (DB); Honorable Mention All-Conference (WR/TE) Preston Jones, Logan-Rogersville—COC-Small 2nd-team AllConference (LB) Mike Joyce, Fair Grove—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (DT) Jake Justis, Ash Grove—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (OT) Zach Keller, Bolivar—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (OL) Tanner Kelley, Skyline—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (WR/ RET/DB) Sean Kelly, Nixa—COC-Large Honorable Mention All-Conference (OL) Zac Kennemer, Marshfield—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (DL) Gavin Kenney, Stockton—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (TE/ DE/OLB/P) Cody King, Hollister—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference (LB) Marcus King, Willard—COC-Large Honorable Mention AllConference (RB) Colson Kirk, Skyline—MFCA Class 1 2nd-team All-State (OL); Mid-Lakes Conference Defensive Player of the Year; 1st-team AllConference (C/DT) Ben Knuckles, Springfield Catholic—MFCA Class 3 3rd-team AllState (OL); COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (OL); 2nd-team All-Conference (DL) Tanner Kroutil, Nixa—COC-Large Honorable Mention AllConference (DB) Lenny Kubilus, Osceola—WEMO 1st-team All-Conference (RB) Kris Kuoppamaki, Marionville—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (RB/DB) Jake Laswell, Republic—COC-Large Honorable Mention AllConference (LB) Adam Lawson, Pleasant Hope—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention All-Conference (OG/LB) Cody Leamy, Strafford—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (K); Honorable Mention All-Conference (P) Zack Lee, Strafford—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (WR); Honorable Mention All-Conference (DB) Vinnie Liuapono, Bolivar—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference (OL) Dalton Long, Fair Grove—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (LB) Josh Long, Logan-Rogersville—COC-Small Honorable Mention All-Conference (OL) Greg Looft, Hollister—MFCA Class 2 2nd-team All-State (OL); COC-Small Honorable Mention All-Conference (OL) Ethan Lowery, Marshfield—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (OL) Matt Magana, Bolivar—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (WR) Brandon Mahoney, Hollister—COC-Small Honorable Mention All-Conference (QB) Kelly Malloy, Branson—COC-Large 1st-team All-Conference (TE); 2nd-team All-Conference (DL) Austin Marshall, Greenfield—SRVC Honorable Mention AllConference (WR) Vincent Mays, Nixa—COC-Large 2nd-team All-Conference (LB) Chad McBride, Springfield Catholic—COC-Small 2nd-team AllConference (QB) Jordan McFarland, Bolivar—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (K) Jake McSpadden, Branson—MFCA Class 5 2nd-team All-State (OL); COC-Large 1st-team All-Conference (OL) Colt Mears, Stockton—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (OG); Honorable Mention All-Conference (DE/OLB) Zane Mears, Stockton—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (OT) Anthony Miller, Fair Grove—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (OG/DT) Clayton Miller, Bolivar—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (OL) Lonnie Miller, Ash Grove—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (TE) Jordan Moots, Miller—SRVC Honorable Mention All-Conference (DB) Jonathan Munton, Greenfield—SRVC Honorable Mention AllConference (DL) Josh Murray, Bolivar—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference (DB) Korey Noe, Strafford—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (DT); 2nd-team All-Conference (TE) Baxter Noel, Marshfield—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference (OL) Aaron Orchard, Logan-Rogersville—COC-Small 1st-team AllConference (DL)

Nic Overmon, Nixa—COC-Large 2nd-team All-Conference (LB) Sawyer Padgett, Fair Grove—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (C) Daniel Parscal, Miller—MFCA Class 1 3rd-team All-State (RB); SRVC 1st-team All-Conference (RB) Austin Patterson, Pleasant Hope—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (DE/OLB); Honorable Mention All-Conference (TE) J.D. Payne, Nixa—COC-Large 2nd-team All-Conference (DL) Kolton Peavey, Bolivar—COC-Small Offensive Player of the Year (QB); 1st-team All-Conference (QB) Dylan Piccoli, Osceola—WEMO 1st-team All-Conference (C) Zach Porter, Ozark—COC-Large Honorable Mention All-Conference (TE) Dustin Preston, Greenfield—SRVC Honorable Mention AllConference (TE) Rhett Proctor, Ash Grove—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (DB) Dillon Rapp, Marionville—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (FB/LB) Sam Rehagen, Nixa—COC-Large 2nd-team All-Conference (DB); Honorable Mention (DL) Derick Renick, Osceola—WEMO 1st-team All-Conference (DL) Chaz Rose, Springfield Catholic—COC-Small 2nd-team AllConference (OL) David Salazar, Ozark—COC-Large 2nd-team All-Conference (DB) Isaac Samek—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (LB) Fred Sattler, Miller—SRVC 2nd-team All-Conference (DL); Honorable Mention All-Conference (OL) Sam Schwartze, Springfield Catholic—COC-Small 1st-team AllConference (OL) Derek Self, Osceola—WEMO 2nd-team All-Conference (WR/TE); Honorable Mention All-Conference (DB) Zak Shaugnessy, Strafford—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (LB) Steven Shay, Osceola—WEMO 2nd-team All-Conference (DL); Honorable Mention All-Conference (OG) Jacob Shoemaker, Strafford—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (DE/OLB) Ryan Sifferman, Republic—COC-Large Honorable Mention AllConference (RB) Collin Sigrest, Pleasant Hope—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (DB) Chase Simmerman, Ash Grove—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention All-Conference (OT/DT) Scott Smith, Hillcrest—MFCA Class 4 2nd-team All-State (LB) Luke Snyder, Ash Grove—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (RB) Paul Stevens, Branson—COC-Large 1st-team All-Conference (DB) Jacob Stewart, Osceola—WEMO Honorable Mention All-Conference (QB) Cody Taylor, Miller—MFCA Class 1 3rd-team All-State (DL); SRVC 1st-team All-Conference (DL) Sam Vader, Skyline—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention All-Conference (DB) Jake Vandiggelen, Marshfield—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference (LB) Andy Vaughn, Skyline—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (OT); Honorable Mention All-Conference (LB) Garrett Verheyen, Reeds Spring—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (P); 2nd-team All-Conference (WR/DB) Darnell Walker, Bolivar—MFCA Class 4 1st-team All-State (DB); 2nd-team All-State (RET); COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (DB) Sean Wallace, Marshfield—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (DB) Jacob Waterman, Strafford—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (WR) Jacob Watson, Ash Grove—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (TE) Kirk Welch, Stockton—Mid-Lakes Conference Coach of the Year Caleb Williams, Marionville—Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention AllConference (RB) Peter Wittl, Hollister—COC-Small Honorable Mention AllConference (LB) Jack Wolfe, Springfield Catholic—MFCA Class 3 2nd-team All-State (TE); COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference (OL) Jon Zanaboni, Marionville—Mid-Lakes 2nd-team All-Conference (DB) Nick Zavala, Marionville—Mid-Lakes 1st-team All-Conference (LB); 2nd-team All-Conference (OG) Joe Zimmer, Logan-Rogersville—MFCA Class 3 2nd-team All-State

(LB); COC-Small Co-Defensive Player of the Year (LB); COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference (LB) SOCCER (BOYS) Taylor Arens, Springfield Catholic—MSHSSCA Class 1 Defensive Player of the Year; 1st-team All-State (MF); All-Central Player of the Year; All-Central Team Timothy Armstrong, Bolivar—MSHSSCA Class 2 2nd-team All-State (F); All-Southwest & West Central Team Stuart Beezley, Greenwood—MSHSSCA Class 1 1st-team All-State (MF); All-Central Team Fernando Cedeno, Branson—MSHSSCA All-Southwest Team (F) Dylan Corbett, Kickapoo—MSHSSCA All-Southwest Team (D) Adam Entrup, Springfield Catholic—MSHSSCA Class 1 2nd-team All-State (F); All-Central Team Reid Harbach, Springfield Catholic—MSHSSCA Class 1 2nd-team All-State (D); All-Central Team Colton Harden, Marshfield—MSHSSCA Class 2 Honorable Mention All-State (MF); All-Southwest & West Central Team KhaiUyen Huynh, Nixa—MSHSSCA All-Southwest Team (F) Joe Kofron, Springfield Catholic—MSHSSCA Coach of the Year (Private) Nick Kofron, Springfield Catholic—MSHSSCA Class 1 Honorable Mention All-State (MF); All-Central Team Nathan Lavoy, Kickapoo—MSHSSCA All-Southwest Team (D) Matt Magana, Bolivar—MSHSSCA Class 2 1st-team All-State (F); All-Southwest & West Central Offensive Player of the Year; AllSouthwest & West Central Team Alec Martinez, Glendale—MSHSSCA Class 3 1st-team All-State (MF); All-Southwest Player of the Year; All-Southwest Team (MF) Levi Millsap, Springfield Catholic—MSHSSCA Class 1 Goalkeeper of the Year; 1st-team All-State; All-Central Goalkeeper of the Year; All-Central Team Josh Moncada, Springfield Catholic—MSHSSCA Class 1 1st-team All-State (D); All-Central Defensive Player of the Year; All-Central Team Tyler Moses, Kickapoo—MSHSSCA All-Southwest Co-Goalkeeper of the Year; All-Southwest Team (GK) Jakob Neidig, Ozark—MSHSSCA All-Southwest Team (MF) Brian Otradovec, Parkview—MSHSSCA All-Southwest Team (F) Jackson Patillo, Willard—MSHSSCA All-Southwest Team (D) Lukas Rickenbacher, Glendale—MSHSSCA Class 3 2nd-team AllState (D); All-Southwest Defensive Player of the Year; All-Southwest Team (D) Luke Straus, Springfield Catholic—MSHSSCA Class 1 Honorable Mention All-State (MF); All-Central Team Mitchell Waters, Bolivar—MSHSSCA Class 2 1st-team All-State (MF); All-Southwest & West Central Co-Player of the Year; AllSouthwest & West Central Team Devon Whitlock, Springfield Catholic—MSHSSCA Class 1 2ndteam All-State (F); All-Central Team Brenden Williams, Logan-Rogersville—MSHSSCA All-Southwest & West Central Team (D) SOFTBALL Shailyn Brown, Reeds Spring—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference Kaitlynn Gardner, Hollister—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference Amanda Gourley, Marshfield—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference Jaelyn Halbrook, Bolivar—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference Marley Harmon, Reeds Spring—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference Keely Hill, Reeds Spring—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference Kelsey Kapella, Hollister—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference Kelsay Leingang, Logan-Rogersville—COC-Small 1st-team AllConference Sarah Magana, Bolivar—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference Erin Meacham, Logan-Rogersville—COC-Small 1st-team AllConference Addie Murders, Bolivar—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference Alexis Navarro, Marshfield—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference Tristia Patton, Bolivar—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference MacKenzie Sanders, Marshfield—COC-Small 1st-team AllConference Jordan Shewmaker, Buffalo—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference Brooke Smith, Reeds Spring—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference Chanel Smith, Logan-Rogersville—COC-Small 2nd-team All-

www.whiteriver.org

Conference Andrea Studer, Reeds Spring—COC-Small Player of the Year; 1stteam All-Conference Lauren Taylor, Reeds Spring—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference Abbey Vernon, Reeds Spring—COC-Small 2nd-team All-Conference Ashton Worth, Marshfield—COC-Small 1st-team All-Conference VOLLEYBALL Olivia Brand, Glendale—MHSVCA Class 4 1st-team All-State Cortney Conrad, Hurley—MHSVCA Class 1 Honorable Mention All-State Kaitlan Cramer, Stockton—MHSVCA Class 2 2nd-team All-State Paige Hadsall, Osceola—Western Missouri Conference (WEMO) Honorable Mention All-Conference Imani Hairston, Osceola—MHSVCA Class 1 1st-team All-State; 1st-team All-Region; 1st-team All-District; WEMO 1st-team AllConference Jade Hayes, Ozark—MHSVCA Class 4 1st-team All-State Erica Heim, Logan-Rogersville—MHSVCA Class 3 1st-team AllState Hailey Hogue, Logan-Rogersville—MHSVCA Class 3 Honorable Mention All-State Tara Humble, Sparta—MHSVCA Class 1 2nd-team All-State Kaitlin Johnson, Miller—MHSVCA Class 1 Honorable Mention All-State Kayla Kepler, Fair Grove—MHSVCA Class 2 1st-team All-State Emily Mulkey, Ash Grove—MHSVCA Class 2 Honorable Mention All-State Kurstine Owens, Miller—MHSVCA Class 1 Honorable Mention All-State Regan Peltier, Nixa—MHSVCA Class 4 Honorable Mention AllState Maddie Redfern, Logan-Rogersville—MHSVCA Class 3 1st-team All-State Kaitlyn Schrock, Osceola—2nd-team All-District; WEMO 2nd-team All-Conference Meghan Schrock, Osceola—MHSVCA Class 1 1st-team All-State; 1st-team All-Region; 1st-team All-District; WEMO 1st-team AllConference Alexis Self, Osceola—MHSVCA Class 1 2nd-team All-State; 1st-team All-Region; 1st-team All-District; WEMO 1st-team AllConference Jacy Shaw, Fair Grove—MHSVCA Class 2 Honorable Mention All-State Meghan Stacy, Ozark—MHSVCA Class 4 2nd-team All-State Katie Thomas, Fair Grove—MHSVCA Class 2 2nd-team All-State Haley Thompson, Nixa—MHSVCA Class 4 Honorable Mention All-State Kailie Weinreis, Ash Grove—MHSVCA Class 2 1st-team All-State Kenzie Williams, Mt. Vernon—MHSVCA Class 3 2nd-team All-State Kayla Wilson, Springfield Catholic—MHSVCA Class 2 2nd-team All-State MISCELLANEOUS • Crane senior Levi Cook set the school career scoring record on Dec. 4 against Reeds Spring, surpassing the record of 1,691 points that had stood since 1960. Cook currently had scored 1,695 career points at press time.

• The Osceola volleyball team won its fifth consecutive District championship and a ninth consecutive WEMO Conference championship this season.

• Osceola head volleyball coach Shannon Schrock, in her 15th season as coach of the Lady Indians, won her 300th match during this past season.

• Weaubleau senior girls basketball player Callie Weant, who already surpassed the 1,000-point plateau last year, is on pace to surpass 1,500 points for her career this season. Weant, who is a two-time 1st-team All-Polk County League and All-District performer, currently has 1,256 points for her career.

• The Parkview boys basketball team won the 900th game in the program’s history with a 90-28 victory over Central on Dec. 4th in the finals of the Parkview Classic. After the win over Central, the Vikings’ all-time won-loss record stood at 900-521.

Submit Milestones by email at: bshive@ozarkpreps.com

PF

PHOTO FINISH

Strafford sophomore Morgan Graffis (#23) whips a pass to Anna Flint (#40), around the defense of Camdenton’s Cassie Hale (#11), in Strafford’s victory over the Lady Lakers in the first round of the Lady Pirates Classic Nov. 29 at Ash Grove. (Staff Photo)

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Fair Play’s Maggie Troye (#11) shoots a jumper in the first period of the Lady Hornets’ 56-36 loss to Humansville on the first day of action in the 32nd-Annual Fair Play Lady Hornets Tournament on Nov. 29. Also pictured (L to R): Humansville’s Lyndie Routh, Fair Play’s Ashley Elliott (#34), Kaitlyn Zeugin (#14) and Erin Clary (#12), Humansville’s Kellie Bays (#21), Fair Play’s Lanley Scroggins (#13), and Humansville’s Miranda Allison (#00). (Staff Photo)

6

Dadeville’s Dakota Webb (#33) shoots a three-pointer against Everton in the Bearcats’ 94-34 victory on Dec. 10 at Dadeville.

(Photo courtesy of Dadeville High School)

Bolivar’s Jared Harrill (TOP) face plants Odessa’s Trevor Hazen in the first round of the 160 pound division of the round robin Bolivar Invitational on Dec. 6. Harrill, who is currently ranked #4 in the state in Class 2 at 160 pounds, pinned Hazen at 2:37 and finished second in the tournament.

(Staff Photo)

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4

Purdy’s Landon Terry lays in an easy basket in the Eagles’ 57-24 victory over Clever in the 3rd-place game of the Clever Tournament on Dec. 4. Terry, who scored 26 points to lead the Eagles, outscored the entire Clever team. (Photo by Linda Patton)

Mouth Vernon’s standout senior Kenzie Williams (#4) drives up court in the Lady Mountaineers’ 66-40 victory Dec. 9 at Carthage. Williams, who has signed to play at Missouri State next season, was named preseason Class 3 1st-team AllState by MaxPreps. (Photo by Linda Williams)

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Buffalo senior Jeff Fletcher battles a Harrisonville opponent in the first round of the 171 pound division of the round robin Bolivar Invitational on Dec. 6. Fletcher finished fourth in the tournament. (Staff Photo)

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Crane senior Levi Cook drives for a layup in the Pirates’ 87-67 victory over Hurley on Dec. 7. Cook set the school career scoring record on Dec. 4 against Reeds Spring, surpassing the old mark of 1,691 points that had stood since 1960. (Photo

by Lonnie Allen, Crane Chronicle/Stone County Republican)

Parkview’s Evan Barber and Republic’s Dalton Phelps battle in the first round of the 160 pound division of the round robin Bolivar Invitational on Dec. 6. Barber beat Phelps 6-5 in a hard fought match. (Staff Photo)

Weaubleau freshman point gaurd Katie Burkhart beats a Climax Springs defender as she pushes the ball up court in the Lady Tigers’ 58-31 victory on Dec. 9 at Hermitage. Burkhart is averaging 14.2 points per game in her rookie season with the Tigers. (Photo courtesy of Weaubleau High School)

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Nixa sophomore Jalen Norman skies for a dunk over Glendale’s Blake Freedman (#31) and Cameron Johnson (#32) in a match-up of the two top seeds for the Blue & Gold Tournament Dec. 14 at Glendale. Norman (16 points) was one of four Eagles with at least 16 points, as Nixa used a 32-12 fourth quarter to break open a close game and post a 101-79 victory. (Staff Photo)

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Purdy senior Shelby White brings the ball up court against Rogers (AR) in the Lady Eagles’ 51-42 loss Dec. 9 at the Lady Chief Classic at Kickapoo. White, who was named preseason Class 2 1st-team AllState by MaxPreps, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Drury next season. (Photo by Linda Patton)

Marionville’s Amy Hicks (#32) out battles Billings’ Brittany Groves (#44) for a rebound in the Lady Wildcats’ 52-47 victory Dec. 9 at Billings. Also pictured are Marionville’s Aubree Brown (#3) and Brooke Mitchell (#22), and Kirstin Hedrick (#13) and Haylee Schaumann of Billings. (Staff Photo)

Ozark senior Shawn Schaefer (#43) puts up a shot against the defense of Republic’s Ryan Mathis (#12) and Marcus Miller (#10), as Nick Yocum (#1) looks on, in Republic’s 72-59 victory in the first round of the 46th Republic Invitational Tournament Nov. 29.

(Staff Photo)

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Ash Grove senior Kaile Weinreis (#41) defends against Marionville’s Whitney Wright (#34) in the Lady Pirates’ 65-21 victory in the first round of the Lady Pirates Classic Nov. 29 at Ash Grove. The Lady Pirates lost a hard fought 69-56 game to Stockton in the championship game Dec. 4. (Staff Photo)

TO Dalton Freeze

Data Island, South Carolina

Megan Fox

Veterinarian

Outback

That’s a hard one! Definitely always lose. I couldn’t just sit.

Colorado

Kenny Chesney

Art teacher

Red Lobster

Never get to play, because I’d rather the team win.

Football/Basketball/Track Stockton

Vanessa Bilyeu Basketball Blue Eye

Clark Petrochilos

The beach some- Kim Kardashian where

Olive Garden NBA basketball player...not that that’s really a job.

Basketball Clever

Hawaii

Ruby Stevens Volleyball/Basketball/Track Branson

Jeff Fletcher Football/Wrestling/Track Buffalo

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Missionary Doc- The Great Wall... Always lose... no, no, no...Red wait, can I tor change my Lobster answer? Never play, so the team is successful. I always put the team before myself.

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I don’t know...

Taylor Lautner

Priest

Tom H Cancun

Kaitlan Cramer Volleyball Basketball Stockton

Who’s that guy that just got voted “Sexiest Man Alive?” Ryan Reynolds!

To be a millionaire and never have to work again.

Cheddars

Never get to play

Kenn Mike

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Gavin Kenney Football/Basketball/Track Stockton

Molly O’Brien

Logan’s Roadhouse

Probably always lose..I have to play!

T.G.I. Friday’s

I would always want to win, and still be part of the experience, but I couldn’t stand not playing. Can I pass on this question?

The ocean some- Bow Wow where...or Dubai

WNBA..anywhere I’m playing basketball, even overseas

I like to go to I guess I never Colorado camp- really thought about it..no one ing. in particular.

Shogun JapaConservation Officer..anything nese Steakhouse (Branson) to do with the outdoors.

Football Basketball Reeds Spring

2011 Enshrinement Ceremonies 30, 2011 4:00 p.m.

January

University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center

W ou alw ld y a o n e y s l u ra th o v pla er ge se o er y? t t r o

W ha res t is tau you ran r fa vo t? rite

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Basketball Spokane

Garrett Verheyen

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I’d rather always lose, because it’s not always about the winning. It’s about the journey and making memories.

Douglas, Haun & Heidemann, P.C. Attorneys at law

2011 Hall of Fame Inductees Stephanie Phillips Ray Cliffe

Ed Crenshaw

Randy Morrow

Priest Holmes

Johnny Roland

Msgr. Louis F. Meyer

Tom Herr

Jack Emmitt

Linda Dollar

Kenny Schrader

Jess Bolen

Dick Zitzmann

Mike Matheny

Vernon “Hap” Whitney

Dr. Mildred Barnes

Missouri State University Handball Program Gary Filbert, Missouri Sports Legend Central Bank, John Q. Hammons Founders Award To purchase tickets, or for more information, contact the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame: 417.889.3100 / www.mosportshalloffame.com

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The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Past results afford no guarantee of future results and every case is different and must be judged on its own merits.

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CHALK TALK

Callie Newton Head Girls Basketball Coach, Central Bulldogs

It was not that long ago that I was the player, the one in the jersey and shorts with my high top shoes on. I have long since traded in those items for pant suits and heels, but I can still remember those days well. I remember the feel of the ball in my hands and the nervous butterflies I would get right before a big game. I remember what it felt like to be in the zone and not be able to miss the bucket, and I remember those long bus rides home.

More than anything, though, I remember my Coach. I recall her getting onto me rather intensely about not going hard, not blocking out, or about how prone I was to fouling. I can remember her voice shouting out, “Callie Ann,” and I recall her whistle as it called us back to the baseline for another sprint.

I remember more than anything that crazy relationship that a coach and a player have— one of respect and fear, of love and hate, all at the same time. Respect for her character, fear of her disappointment, love for how she cared about me as a person, and hate for killing us in practice.

To this day, I would still run through a brick wall for her. There is no other voice besides my

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Mother’s that makes me instantly stand at attention when my name is called out.

It was not until being on this side of the coach/player relationship that I began to realize how much influence I have over these young kids that have been entrusted to me. When I think back on my days as a player and recall the words and actions of my coaches and how those words and actions have built me up, motivated me, held me accountable, or even at times cut me down to size, I think to myself, “Wow, what a massive responsibility.”

For some reason, God has seen fit to allow me the opportunity to be the leader of a small group of young ladies, who can be molded, shaped, changed, built up or torn down, all by the slightest lift of my eyebrow or one word spoken from my lips. It is a giant responsibility and one none of us should take lightly. It is so easy to forget what our purpose is as coaches, and it is so easy to get wrapped up in the business side of coaching.

We have all done it. We have all been there.

We have all, at one time or another, put more stock into the wins and losses and what the public eye sees than the character we are build-

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ing within our student athletes. I pray, however, that I never forget how I was shaped for the better by my coaches, and that I have been called to do the same for the young people around me.

My coaches saw potential in me, the potential for great things as a player and as a person, and they took it upon themselves to pull that greatness out of me. I find myself doing things today that I never would have had the courage to do had it not been for the game of basketball and a coach that taught me to believe in myself.

I am forever indebted to pass this along and do the same for those coming in behind me.

The Reverend Billy Graham said that, “One coach will impact more young people in a year than the average person will in a lifetime...so who’s coaching the coaches?” May we all find ourselves hanging on to the life lessons that our coaches taught us as players, and may we pass those same lessons on to those we are now leading.

Lessons about the things that really matter: character, accountability, respect, team. Teach them the things that matter...and hold onto the things that matter for ourselves.

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DISABLED LIST

Board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, J.P. Simanis, M.D., MPH, MSPH, is in practice at CMH Sports Medicine and Occupational Medicine Clinic. The clinic is located at 2230 S. Springfield, Suite H-J, Bolivar. Dr. Simanis attended medical school at Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Va., and completed a residency at Carilion Roanoke Family Practice Residency Program in Roanoke, Va., and a fellowship at University of Missouri Sports Medicine Fellowship Program in Columbia. Dr. Simanis can provide primary care for all ages, including the treatment of sports injuries and occupational therapy. Dr. Simanis also serves as the sports physician at the CMH Sports Medical Center on the campus of Southwest Baptist University.

Dr. J.P. Simanis M.D., MPH, MSPH

Cold and Flu IQ: How much do you know about these common bugs?

Ah, the coming season. No, we’re not talking about the cold winter wind or the next big ice storm. We’re talking about the season characterized by sniffling, sneezing, wheezing and uncontrollable coughing. You know, cold and flu season. And as the viruses circulate, so does misinformation. Take this quiz to test your cold and flu IQ. 1. What symptoms do colds and flu share?

A. Runny or stuffy nose B. Coughing and sneezing C. Fever D. Fatigue E. All of the above 2. Getting a flu shot will give you the flu. (True/ False) 3. Once you have the flu, all you can do is ride it out. (True/False) 4. Going out in the cold with a wet head will make you sick. (True/False) 5. To cure a nasty seasonal bug, you should: A. Starve a cold, feed a fever.

B. Feed a cold, starve a fever.

C. Load up on vitamin D. D. Do all the above.

E. Do none of the above.

Answers 1. E. All of the above. “Colds and flu share many of the same symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish one from the other,” said J.P. Simanis, M.D., sports medicine physician with CMH Sports and Occupational Medicine Clinic. “The flu is often characterized by more severe symptoms. For instance, a cold sufferer may have a low-grade fever, whereas a flu patient can experience fevers that are 101 degrees or higher. And colds usually clear up after five to seven days, while the flu can linger for two weeks.”

2. False. The flu shot will not give you the flu.

According to Dr. Simanis, this myth is perpetuated because a killed flu virus is a component of the vaccine. “Because the shot may result in muscle soreness or a slight fever, people may believe they’ve been given the flu. In reality, people may experience a slight fever as the body builds its immune system/antibodies, which it will use to fight off a flu exposure

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later.”

3. False. Antiviral medications may shorten the length of your flu, reduce the severity and even make it less contagious.

4. False. “Despite what your mother told you, going outside with wet hair isn’t the factor,” says Dr. Simanis, “because both colds and flu are virus-based. One of the reasons winter months are cold and flu season has more to do with being indoors: People are cooped up together, so there’s more chance to pass viruses around through sneezing, coughing and other contact.

This is especially true for student athletes if they share water bottles or sneeze and cough and then handle sports equipment.”

5. E. Do none of the above. “When sick, eat if you’re hungry. That’ll keep your strength—and defenses—up. And the claims that large doses of Vitamin C can cure what ails you are unproven. So drink that OJ if you like it, but not to shake that bug,” said Dr. Simanis.

Score: 4-5: Your cold and flu IQ is off the charts.

2-3: You need another shot of information.

0-1: You’d better call in sick now.

D

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No appointments are necessary. The clinic is staffed by licensed nurse practitioners and offers X-ray and laboratory services on site. The CMH Walk-in Clinic is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The CMH Walk-In Clinic is located at 2230 S. Springfield in the Railway Station, Bolivar. For more information, call the clinic at 417-777-4800.

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“The Strea

For a four-year period—from the 1987-88 season through the 1990-91 campaign—the Marshfield Lady Jays girls basketball team established itself as a dynasty by compiling one of the most dominating runs in the annals of Missouri high school sports. The numbers are simply phenomenal: • A state record 102 consecutive victories • Four-straight Class 3A state titles • Three-straight undefeated 32-0 seasons The Lady Jays compiled a gaudy 127-2 record during their four-year run, while obliterating the previous state record for consecutive wins (78) in the process. From Nov. 23, 1987 until Dec. 15, 1990, Marshfield never lost a game, piling up 102 consecutive victories. In Marshfield—and throughout Missouri—it is known simply as “The Streak.”

By Byron Shive

Scott Ballard oversaw the majority of “The Streak” as the head coach of the Lady Jays.

Having arrived at Marshfield prior to the 198182 season, Ballard quickly established the Lady Jays as an up-and-coming power. “We averaged about 20 or so wins my first several years at Marshfield,” said Ballard. “We had some good teams, but we never could get past District, though.”

Ballard knew, though, that he had a talented batch of basketball players on the horizon.

“We knew when they were in junior high that there were some talented players on the way,” he said. No one could have imagined just how talented, though. “It just exploded and blossomed and evolved into a unique situation,” said Ballard.

Ballard installed a frenetic, up-and-down game for the Lady Jays, which featured full court presses, fast breaks, inyour-face defensive pressure, speed, and more speed. “We pressed and made people play like their hair was on fire,” said Ballard. “And we could go eight or nine deep.

Plus, we had a lot of discipline in the half court. We always had a go-to player on the inside, and a go-to player on the outside. Not a lot of teams played that way back then.” The speed game com-

Marshfield’s Melody Howard (#35) puts up a shot from the right elbow with five seconds remaining in the 1988 Class 3A state championship game against Duchesne. Howard missed the shot, but the Lady Jays’ Stacy Nunn put in a rebound put back at the buzzer to give Marshfield a thrilling 59-58 victory. The win gave Marshfield a perfect 32-0 season—the first of three-straight 32-0 seasons—and the first of four-straight state championships. (Photo courtesy of Jack Howard)

18 16

pensated for the Lady Jays’ lack of height, as no player stood taller than 5’9” at any point during “The Streak.”

“We made up for our lack of height with effort, and no one worked harder than us,” said Melody Howard (Elliott), Marshfield’s alleverything starting guard. “Our size was never our strength,” said Stephanie Nunn (Ezard), a fellow classmate of Melody Howard who also played a pivotal role for Marshfield. “We were a very small team compared to teams we played, but our strength was our speed. We would hear refs talking about not wanting to do a Marshfield game, because it was so fast up and down the floor.”

The 1987-88 season began with a 61-49 victory over Willow Springs in what would become Game 1 of “The Streak.” The wins kept piling up, with Marshfield winning tournaments at Fair Grove and Rogersville, in addition to its own Holiday Tournament. The Lady Jays rolled through the regular season undefeated, and removed the District thorn by winning that tournament, too.

By the time Marshfield arrived at the 1988 Show Me Showdown at the Hearnes Center on the campus of the University of Missouri, the Lady Jays were sporting an unblemished 30-0 record and #2 state ranking. Marshfield dispatched Festus in the state semifinal by a 62-45 count, setting up a match-up of unbeatens for the 1988 Class 3A state championship.

Awaiting Marshfield in the state championship game was 32-0 St. Charles Duchesne, which had been the state’s top-ranked team in Class 3A all season.

The hard fought game was close throughout and was tied 35-35 at halftime. By game’s end, Marshfield found itself in severe foul trouble, and finished the game with two freshmen, two sophomores, and a junior on the floor. The Lady Jays were a young team to begin with, as nearly half the roster was comprised of underclassmen. “Six of those kids couldn’t drive themselves home from the ballgame, because they were under 16 years of age,” said Jack Howard, father of Melody and Julie Howard and also the Superintendent of the Marshfield Schools at the time. “That should tell you how young we were.”

With Marshfield trailing by one with five seconds remaining, Melody Howard—the Lady Jays’ All-State sophomore guard—shot

eak” a 15-footer from the right elbow. The shot missed, but Stacy Nunn (Shore)—Marshfield’s All-State junior forward—banked in a rebound put back just in front of the final buzzer to give Marshfield a thrilling 59-58 victory. The gamewinning shot capped an all-time performance

by Nunn, who scored 33 points and pulled down 23 rebounds in the game—none more important than the final one.

Many sportswriters across the state would call the game “the best high school basketball game ever played,” and Ballard is inclined to agree. “That was just an epic game,” he said.

“It was a close game all the way through and we win it at the buzzer on a put back. Words just cannot describe the feeling. It’s a credit to the girls’ determination, resiliency and belief in what we were trying to do.”

“We were a dark horse that year, even though we were undefeated,” said Stephanie Nunn, Stacy’s younger sister and a sophomore on the 1988 state champions. “No one had ever heard of Marshfield. Duchesne was the perennial power and big name, and they thought we were ‘podunky.’ They already had their celebratory drinks on ice.” Melody Howard compares the season and game to a prominent sports film. “We were just playing hard and wanting to make a name for ourselves,” she said. “It was amazing to win it on a last second shot. It was just like ‘Hoosiers.’”

One common theme throughout “The Streak” was the community support the Lady Jays received from the people of Marshfield— and eventually from basketball fans all over the state. Throughout the winning streak, away games essentially became home games for the Lady Jays, as a caravan of blue followed the team all over the region. “The support and following from Marshfield was incredible,” said Ballard. “At our first state tourney game, there must have been eight or nine thousand peo-

ple there from Marshfield. It was just a sea of blue.”

“It didn’t matter if there was two feet of snow or ice, we still had packed crowds,” recalled Julie Howard (Templeton), who was one of the freshmen on the floor for Marshfield at the end of the state championship game. “It didn’t matter where we went. You always hear about the sixth player being the fans. That was really true with the Marshfield fans.”

The Lady Jays returned virtually intact for the 1988-89 season, and picked up where they left off, including winning tournaments at Springfield Catholic and Rogersville, and the Marshfield Holiday Tournament for the third consecutive year. However, it was not a steamrolling exhibition, as Marshfield survived more than one close call throughout “The Streak.”

In particular, the Lady Jays’ annual battles with Springfield Catholic—a perennial Class 2A power and a team Marshfield faced two to three times per year—were usually downto-the-wire nail biters. “Catholic was always a tough game for us,” said Stephanie Nunn.

Marshfield entered the 1988-89 District Tournament at Mountain Grove undefeated, but had to survive a scare from the hosts in the championship game. The game almost did not tip-off as scheduled after a severe ice storm crippled the area. Despite the weather, virtually the entire town of Marshfield showed up to see sophomore Carrie Garrison hit a shot in the final moments to give Marshfield a one-point lead. The Lady Jays did not escape, though, until Mountain Grove missed a shot at the buzzer.

Marshfield’s Melody Howard (#35) rises for a shot from the corner in the Lady Jays’ 55-52 victory over Visitation Academy in the 1989 Class 3A state championship game. The win gave Marshfield its second straight state championship, and second-straight 32-0 season. (Photo courtesy of Jack Howard)

17

The Lady Jays advanced through the remainder of the state tournament and arrived at the 1989 Show Me Showdown at Hammons Student Center as the defending state champions—and riding a 62-game winning streak.

Marshfield defeated Kansas City O’Hara handily in the semifinals by a score of 60-42, and advanced to the state championship game to face Visitation Academy, a perennial St. Louis power that had won two state championships in the previous five years.

Despite a significant height disadvantage, the Lady Jays outrebounded Visitation Academy 33-27. However, Marshfield found itself trailing by 10 points in the third quarter. Led by Melody Howard’s 16 points, though, the Lady Jays came from behind to post a 55-52 victory.

“The Streak” was now at 64 games, while the state championship streak was at two.

It was a unique night at Hammons Student Center for Marshfield, as the boys basketball team also played for a state championship, though the Blue Jays lost 60-49 to Charleston to finish as runner-up. As usual, the blue caravan from Marshfield made its way down I-44.

Legendary NFL player Dan Dierdorf, whose daughter played in the state championship game for Visitation Academy, recently recalled making the trek to Springfield for the title game,

only to walk in the arena and find a sea of blue.

“I thought it was a Marshfield home game,” he said. On his way home from the game, Jack Howard recalled seeing cars lined-up on the side of I-44 for about two miles west of the Marshfield exit. “That many people had gone to the game,” he said.

The 1989-90 team would finally be one comprised primarily of upperclassmen, and carried “The Streak” into its third season at 64 games and counting. The Lady Jays once again began notching victory after victory, and won the Springfield Catholic, Rogersville and Marshfield Holiday Tournaments for the second year in a row. However, the battles with the Lady Fightin’ Irish were heating up, as Springfield Catholic would go on to win the Class 2A state championship later that season.

Marshfield once again finished the regular season undefeated, and then marched through the state tournament to reach the Final Four at Hammons Student Center. The Lady Jays defeated a familiar foe in Visitation Academy in the semifinals, although the 52-38 win this time around was not as dramatic. Melody Howard, who would be named the 1990 Missouri Girls Player of the Year following the season after averaging almost 26 points per game, scored 16 points against Oak Grove in the state championship game to lead the Lady Jays to a convincing 61-43 victory. The win completed a perfect 32-0 season for Marshfield—its third-straight 32-0 season and third-straight state championship.

As the wins began to pile up throughout the run, the crowds who came to see the Lady Jays play began to swell to capacity and beyond. “Every away game was like the circus coming to town,” said Ballard. “Every time we went on the road, it was standing room only.

They may not have been cheering for us to win, but they were there to see if this was the night that the streak ended. With all of the media attention and crowds, the mental

Marshfield’s Stacy Nunn puts up a shot in the first quarter of the 1988 Class 3A state championship game against Duchesne. Nunn, who had 33 points and 23 rebounds in the game, saved her best for last, putting in a rebound put back at the buzzer to give the Lady Jays a thrilling 59-58 victory and the first of four-straight state championships. (Photo courtesy of Jack Howard)

18

toughness and focus of these kids that were 15, 16, 17, 18 years old…that they could handle that is simply amazing. What was even more astonishing to me—and it’s a credit to them— was how the kids handled having a camera in their face at all times. To be able to handle the pressure of the situation, and the potential distractions and the media hype is remarkable to me.”

Following the 1990 state championship, Ballard left Marshfield for the college ranks, becoming the head coach at Missouri Southern. He is currently the head women’s basketball coach at Winona State University in Minnesota, where he has been since 2004. Current Marshfield head coach Gary Murphy left Morrisville to replace Ballard prior to the 1990-91 season, and has been at the helm of the Lady Jays for the past 21 seasons.

“I was quite younger back then and I wasn’t afraid of anything,” said Murphy. “Looking back on it, it probably wasn’t the smartest thing to go coach a team that had won 96 games in a row. I had a friend at Morrisville who asked me after I had taken the job at Marshfield, ‘Do you really want to be remembered as the guy who ended the streak?’ But I was excited about the opportunity and about being at a school that really cared about girls basketball.”

The Lady Jays opened the 1990-91 season by winning their first six games—including a win over rival Springfield Catholic to start the season—to run “The Streak” to 102 games. Then came another trip to the Springfield Catholic Tournament, where the defending Class 2A state champion Lady Fightin’ Irish were ready.

On Dec. 15, 1990, Marshfield suffered its first defeat in nearly 46 months, losing 73-65 to Springfield Catholic to end “The Streak” at 102 games.

“You could tell they were laying in the weeds for us,” said Murphy. “As the seconds ticked down, it was like an upset at a college football game where they storm the field and tear the goal posts down. It was a win of historical significance, and it was mass hysteria out there on the court. The girls took it hard, but they were smart enough and realistic enough to know that it wasn’t going to last forever.”

“It was kind of mixed feelings,” said Julie Howard, who averaged almost 22.5 points per game that season. “We knew it would come to an end eventually, and it couldn’t have come against a better team. If we had to lose to a team, it couldn’t have been to a greater group of girls. The loss didn’t cause us to lose our confidence, though. We still knew we were going to go out and win. We just had to pull together and move on.”

Springfield Catholic would defeat Marshfield once again at the Holiday Tournament that sea-

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Marshfield’s Julie Howard (#31) battles a Springfield Catholic player for a rebound in one of the Lady Jays’ annual regular season battles with the Lady Fightin’ Irish. Howard, who was a member of state championship teams in all four years of her high school career, averaged nearly 22.5 points per game her senior year in garnering 1stteam All-State honors. (Photo courtesy of Jack Howard)

son, but the Lady Jays rebounded from that loss to go undefeated the rest of the season. Marshfield averaged 79.22 points per game that year— which still stands as the seventh highest per game scoring average in state history—and made its seemingly annual journey back to the Final Four, which would be played at the Hearnes Center in Columbia. After beating Perryville in the semifinals by a wide margin, the Lady Jays won their fourth-straight Class 3A state championship with a dominating 61-43 victory over Visitation Academy. It marked the third-straight season in which Marshfield had faced the Vivettes in the Final Four. “It was a relief we didn’t screw it up too bad,” said Murphy. “We ended the streak, but we still won a state championship.”

There is no doubt in the minds of the members of those Lady Jay teams that they could compete against today’s teams. “Can I be honest?” asked Melody Howard when asked how her teams would fare in today’s game. “I think we’d win. There are a lot of good teams out there today, and great players, but we were a really special team.” Her sister echoed her thoughts. “We’d probably still have the same record,” said Julie Howard. “I know we’d still have a long winning streak. We were just really passionate, really competitive, and wanted to win.”

“I think we clearly would still be competitive,” said Stephanie Nunn. “Teams today are playing more at the level we were playing at back then.” Coach Ballard is also a believer.

“We were dominant,” he said. “They knew how to win, and they were willing to play defense and rebound. We had go-to players, good shooters, and didn’t turn the ball over. Those girls had a heart the size of a basketball. They simply knew how to win.”

The influence that those Marshfield Lady Jay teams had on the sport of girls basketball cannot be overstated. As Marshfield began to amass wins in bunches, other teams began emulating their frenetic pace and up-tempo style of play.

“When I was coaching at Morrisville, we used Marshfield as a model program,” said Murphy.

“I think other schools did, too. It was about that time that Cheryl Burnett turned the SMS program around. The key to their success was a scramble defense like Marshfield’s.” Stephanie Nunn is also cognizant of the impact her teams had on the sport. “Marshfield girls basketball

changed the face of basketball in Southwest Missouri,” she said. “It kind of started the basketball craze. Then you had Melody (Howard) going on to star at SMS. It just made a major impact.”

The Marshfield Lady Jays also made an impact close to home. “You could drive around Marshfield during those three years and it seemed like there was a basketball goal in every driveway,” said Ballard. “It wasn’t that way four or five years earlier. Everybody picked someone off that team as a role model.” The impact of the basketball “craze” was felt at Marshfield a few years later when the Lady Jays—comprised of players who grew up idol-

izing the players involved in “The Streak”— won three state championships in four years (1996, 1997, 1999), while making six trips to the Final Four from 1996-2002.

As the years pass by, the enormity of “The Streak” and its historical significance begins to sink in. “I was kind of thrust into it there at the end,” said Murphy. “It’s pretty incredible looking back on it. I lasted six games and Coach Ballard was able to win 96.” Ballard also has fond memories of his days on the Marshfield bench. “It was just a remarkable experience,” he said. “It was quite a joyride. To this day, it’s a highlight of my career just to have been a part of it. I’ll never forget it.”

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n o i t i d a r T r e Tig

By Byron Shive The building is not much to look at from the outside, especially when compared to the sprawling new school building looming over it just up the hill. It is essentially a long, narrow red shed.

From the outside, it looks like it might house lawnmowers and other maintenance equipment.

But once inside “The Barn,” as the Ozark wrestling team’s practice facility is called by the Tiger wrestlers who call it home, it is immediately obvious that outside appearances can be deceiving.

The smell of sweat wafts through the facility, as wrestlers of all sizes grapple with partners in an attempt to perfect moves that will come in handy during live matches. Pictures of past state medalists adorn the walls, reminding the current batch of Ozark wrestlers what the benchmark is for the program. A sign hanging on the wall reads: “You’ve wondered if all the pain and sacrifice is worth it…NOW YOU KNOW!,” with a picture of a referee holding aloft a victorious wrestler’s hand.

In a sense, “The Barn” serves as a visual metaphor for the Ozark wrestling program, as the Tigers have established their program as one of the area’s best—if not THE best—in the past 25 years by regularly getting the most out of the young men who have ventured inside The Barn each winter. One of the key attributes of an Ozark wrestler over that span is that he will wrestle with heart, regardless of whether his opponent is bigger or stronger. Outside appearances can, indeed, be deceiving.

The unquestioned architect of the Ozark wrestling program is head coach Mike Jackson, who has been the only head wrestling coach at Ozark since the program’s inception. In the past 25 years, Coach Jackson has coached, taught, and mentored two state champions, 10 state runnerups, and 27 other state medalists. His teams have also finished strong at State, including a secondplace finish in 2007. Part of what makes Jackson a successful coach today is his own personal experience as a high school wrestler.

“My high school football coach told us that if we weren’t going to play basketball, then we’d better go out for wrestling,” said Jackson. “I was absolutely horrible. One of my best friends was a state champion, and I used to just get pummeled every day in practice.

22

“It’s easy to coach your studs,” he added, “but not as easy to keep the kids involved who are not as good. That was me. I spent practice getting pinned. A lot of coaches are really good with their state-caliber wrestlers, but don’t understand what it’s like to be mediocre.” While Jackson may not have been a state-caliber wrestler himself, he certainly has become a state-caliber coach.

Jackson points to 1992 as the turning point for his program. As the first non-Springfield school in the Central Ozarks Conference to put a wrestling team on the mat, Ozark was the beneficiary of a couple of talented transfer students that year— a pair of “stud” running backs on the gridiron— who would call Ozark home simply because the school had a wrestling team.

Mitch Fevold and his family moved from Iowa to Southwest Missouri so that his mother could sing at the Bobby Vinton Theatre in Branson. At the time, Branson did not offer wrestling, so the family settled in Ozark so that Mitch could wrestle in addition to playing football. Meanwhile, Andy Brazle and his family originally had planned to move into the Nixa school district. However, since Nixa also did not offer wrestling, the Brazles settled in Ozark. Both Fevold and Brazle were entering their eighth grade year when the moves occurred.

By the time Fevold and Brazle graduated, they both had established themselves as state-ranked Ozark’s Clint Godfrey (TOP) battles Lebanon’s Cody Starnes in the Tigers’ 55-15 victory over the Yellow Jackets on Dec. 7. Godfrey, who is ranked #6 in the state at 112 pounds in Class 4, won the match by fall at 1:45.

(Photo by Amye Torgerson)

medalists. Brazle finished in third-place his senior year, while Fevold notched fourth-place and fifthplace finishes during his career on the mat at Ozark. Both also were All-State running backs on the gridiron for the Tigers. “It didn’t take Branson or Nixa but a couple of years to start wrestling teams,” said Jackson.

Jackson also recalls other success stories of wrestlers who were not that great when they began wrestling at Ozark, but who improved over time and finished their high school careers as state medalists. Brian Barnes was “not a very good wrestler as a freshman,” according to Jackson. However, Barnes was a state runner-up his senior year in 1998. Another example is Phil Cognito, who moved to Ozark as a sophomore and had never wrestled before. By his senior year in 1995, Cognito was a state runner-up, with his only loss on the season coming in the state finals to a four-time state champion.

Another piece of the Ozark wrestling tradition is Ray Goodson, who transferred from Ozark to Jackson prior to his senior year, where he became the 2001 Class 4A Wrestler of the Year after winning a state championship at 215 pounds.

n

“I hated to see him leave, but it makes you feel good that we had a part in that,” said Jackson.

“He didn’t just become the Wrestler of the Year in one season.” Jackson also is appreciative of the opportunity to have coached two of his four sons on the mat. Parker Jackson was a two-time state medalist and four-time state qualifier, while Chris Jackson was a conference champion and state qualifier after switching to wrestling from basketball.

Coach Jackson’s coaching tree, which is comprised of his former wrestlers who have now entered the coaching ranks themselves, is filled with branches. Garrett Hawkins, a two-time state medalist for Ozark in the mid to late 90s (including a state runner-up finish in 1998), is currently the head coach at Parkview. Several former Ozark wrestlers are now assistant coaches at local programs, including Matt McPheeters (Hillcrest), Ben Glidewell (Bolivar), and Nathan Billedo (Buffalo). In addition, both of Ozark’s current assistant coaches, Matt Fevold (Mitch’s younger brother) and Matt Vernatti, are former Tiger wrestlers. Vernatti was a two-time state runner-up.

“I recall the drills and technique that I learned in high school under Coach Jackson, but more than the drills and technique it is the way that Coach Jackson handled his wrestlers,” said Glidewell, a three-time state qualifier at Ozark. “I always knew where the line was, but I respected him and knew that he always had my best interests in mind.”

“I think Coach Jackson has done an outstanding job creating and sustaining a model wrestling program at Ozark,” said Hawkins, who has been the head coach at Parkview since 2008. “The things that I learned under his wing as a wrestler are very apparent in my coaching philosophies today.

I also try to stay as calm and cool during matches as Jackson, but I’m still working on that.”

“Coach Jackson was specific in what he expected from his wrestlers,” said McPheeters, who is in his second season as an assistant at Hillcrest.

“He was intense some of the time to get wrestlers fired up, but he was hardly ever angry. If you gave it your all out on the mat—whether you won or lost—you knew he was proud of you. Coach Jackson was a great guy. When we were not wrestling, we could carry on regular conversations and would get to know each other on a more personal level. He made the team seem more like a big family.”

Jackson’s coaching tree seemingly includes an administrative branch, with several of Jackson’s former assistant coaches having gone on to administrative positions in the Ozark school system. The list includes: Dr. Kevin Patterson (Executive Director of Operations for the Ozark R-6 School District); Jeff Simpson (Principal at Ozark Junior High); Chris Bauman (Principal at Upper Elementary); Mark Caballero (High School Athletic Director); and Gerald Chambers (Junior High Athletic Director).

“There’s almost a pattern that if you want to get involved in administra-

Ozark head coach Mike Jackson coaches from his corner at the Bolivar Tournament on Dec. 4. Jackson has been at the helm of the Ozark wrestling program since its inception. (Staff Photo)

tion, you come and coach wrestling with me,” joked Jackson.

One of the biggest keys to Ozark’s wrestling success is its Kid’s Club, which gets the youth of Ozark on the mat at an early age, gets them interested, and then keeps them interested as they rise through the ranks to junior high and, ultimately, to Ozark High School.

“When we started this 25 years ago, we were going up against second and third generation wrestlers,” said Jackson, who started the Kid’s Club program in his second year at Ozark.

“Now, we’re starting to have second generation wrestlers ourselves. It makes a big difference. If you’re not on the mat by junior high, you’re way behind.”

The Kid’s Club starts kids out in wrestling as early as they are willing to come out for the program. The program, which currently has over 30 kids participating, features a 6-and-under division and a 14-and-under division. The wrestlers then “graduate” into the junior high program, which currently boasts 50 wrestlers.

“I believe Kid’s Club is the key to Ozark’s success,” said McPheeters. “The more you wrestle, the better you get, and starting them young is the best way to get that accomplished. Also, having the upperclassmen help with Kid’s Club makes the upperclassmen better wrestlers, too. When trying to teach the younger wrestlers, you have to go step-by-step. This was a good refresher, and also made you think about different aspects you may have never noticed. This just gave us a deeper understanding of how to wrestle.”

Vernatti, who got his first exposure to wrestling in the Kid’s Club, is a prime example of the success of the program. Vernatti wrestled throughout the various stages of Kid’s Club, and formed bonds with fellow wrestlers that would pay big dividends for Ozark in 2007, his senior year, when the Tigers notched a second-place finish at State—its highest finish ever at that level. “My senior year, there were several of us who had started in Kid’s Club,” said Vernatti, who was a state runner-up at 130 lbs. and 140 lbs., respectively, in his final two years of high school. “We wrestled on through the program and on through high school together. The youth club has started to feed the high school program, and now that I’m coaching, it’s a big key to why we’re successful.”

The community support for wrestling in Ozark has also been a key to the program’s sustained success. “Part of living in Ozark is that we get spoiled down here,” said Jackson. “The community support for Ozark wrestling has been outstanding. A

lot of communities don’t get to sniff the state tournament, but here at Ozark, we have had several teams, including wrestling, go deep into the state tournament.” Glidewell echoes Jackson’s sentiments regarding the community support. “Coach Jackson has built the wrestling program, and has great parental involvement and community support,” said Glidewell. “Combine that with the youth program and Ozark wrestling will continue its success in the future.”

The 2010-11 campaign for Ozark wrestling looks to continue the Tiger tradition on the mat, despite the loss of some key wrestlers from a year ago. “We were hit hard by the ‘move away bug’ this past year,” said Jackson of the loss of some key wrestlers from last season due to transfer, “but that just opens up an opportunity for someone else to step up. Our motto this year is, ‘worry about who’s still here.’”

Despite the loss of some good wrestlers, as of press time, the Class 4 #4-ranked Tigers currently have state-ranked wrestlers in eight of the 14 weight classes, including: J.J. Dorrell (#2/103); Clint Godfrey (#6/112); Dmitry Loftis (#4/125); Dustin McClintock (#7/140); Josh Shockney (#8/145); Cody Lindsey (#2/171); Willy Gray (#7/189); and Jarrett Rogers (#8/285).

“We’re expecting to have a solid year this year, even with some good wrestlers who moved away,” said Matt Fevold. “We are going to be very competitive in the next couple of years, not just in the COC, but at the state level.”

McPheeters, perhaps, sums up the Ozark wrestling tradition the best: “When students or other coaches ask where I wrestled and I tell them five years at Ozark, they usually don’t ask about any other credentials because they know that I came from a great program.”

23

e m i t all-

m a e t t n e m a all-time tourn s n io p m a h c f o t n e m a rn u to ro bass p

In naming the Ozark Preps Illustrated Bass Pro Tournament of Champions All-Time Tournament Team, the focus was on an individual’s overall performance in a single tournament, although team performance was given its due weight. The criteria below are listed in order of importance. Although there was a wealth of objective information available, the All-Time Tournament Team is admittedly quite subjective. The following criteria were used in determining the Ozark Preps Illustrated Bass Pro Tournament of Champions All-Time Tournament Team: 1.) Player’s overall tournament statistics (single tournament only); 2.)

Remarkable individual game performances; 3.) Tournament MVP honors; 4.) All-Tournament Team honors; and 5.) Team performance.

KHALID REEVES

TEDDY DUPAY

ANTHONY PEELER

Christ the King’s Khalid Reeves dominated the 1989 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, scoring 101 points in three games in leading the Royals to the first of their four tournament titles. The 101 points scored by Reeves ties him with Glendale’s Spud Harbour for the second-highest threegame total in tournament history. From his point guard position, Reeves also was the main reason that the Royals set the all-time tournament record for assists, with 62 for the tournament. Reeves, who would go on to star collegiately for Arizona, got off to a hot start in the tournament by scoring 39 points in Christ the King’s 82-73 victory over Raytown South in the quarterfinals. Reeves poured in 28 points in a 64-53 semifinal victory over Glendale, before exploding for 34 points in the championship game, a 96-80 victory over North Babylon. Reeves was named to the AllTournament Team, and also was named the MVP of the 1989 tournament.

Never in the illustrious history of the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions has there been a scoring explosion such as that turned in by Mariner’s Teddy Dupay in the 1998 tournament. Dupay hit shot after shot from all over the court for three consecutive days, scoring a tournament record 129 points in the process—a ridiculous 43 points per game average. Dupay opened the tournament with 38 points in the Fightin’ Tritons’ 83-78 loss to Hartville in the quarterfinals. In the consolation semifinals against Troy, Dupay poured in another 33 points to lead his team to a 90-59 victory. Dupay, who would later play collegiately at Florida, followed that up with a game for the ages in the 5th-place game against Bolivar. Dupay nailed a record 13 three-pointers (on 13-of-26 marksmanship) in scoring a tournament record 58 points to lead his team to a 103-95 victory over the Liberators. In what many longtime Bass Pro Tournament of Champions observers believe was the greatest game in tournament history, Dupay and Bolivar’s Scott Brakebill (42 points and 17 rebounds) went toe-to-toe for 32 unbelievable minutes. Although Mariner finished in 5th-place in the 1998 tournament, Dupay was named to the All-Tournament Team, and his three-day exploits garnered him a nod on this All-Time Tournament Team.

Kansas City Paseo’s Anthony Peeler had one of the best all-around games in tournament history in the 1988 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions.

Peeler, who would later star at Missouri, scored 89 points in three games in leading Paseo to the tournament title. Peeler opened the tournament with 25 points against Tulsa’s Booker T. Washington in a 62-49 win. In the semifinals, Peeler scored 36 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead Paseo to a nail biting 59-57 overtime victory over Cathedral Prep. Peeler was held scoreless in the first half of the championship game against Hamilton. However, Peeler exploded for 28 second half points to lead Paseo to a 72-59 victory and the tournament title. Peeler added a tournament record eight steals against Hamilton for good measure. Peeler was named to the AllTournament Team, and also was named the MVP of the tournament.

Point Guard / 1989 Christ the King Regional High School Middle Village, NY

Point Guard / 1988 Paseo High School Kansas City, MO

Guard / 1998 Mariner High School Cape Coral, FL

TYLER HANSBROUGH

KYLE SINGLER

Forward/Center / 2004 Poplar Bluff High School Poplar Bluff, MO

Forward / 2007 South Medford High School Medford, OR

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s m a e t irst South Medford’s Kyle Singler had a dominating tournament in leading the nationally-ranked Panthers to the 2007 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions title. Singler was on fire throughout the tournament, hitting nearly 74% of his shots on 31-of-42 accuracy. Singler scored 36 points (on 13-of-15 shooting), grabbed 14 rebounds, and had four steals against Glendale in the quarterfinals to lead his team to an 82-77 victory. In the semifinals, Singler scored 22 points against Raleigh-Egypt to lead the Panthers to a 75-63 win and a spot in the championship game. Singler, who helped lead Duke to a national title last season, then scored 34 points in the championship game to lead South Medford to a title-clinching 77-72 victory over nationally-ranked Lake Howell, in a game which featured 13 lead changes and five ties. Singler was named to the All-Tournament Team, and was also named the MVP of the 2007 tournament. Singler’s exploits at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions also earned him USA Today Player of the Week honors.

24

Poplar Bluff’s Tyler Hansbrough was a beast down low for the Mules in the 2004 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. Hansbrough scored 87 points and pulled down 37 rebounds in three games in leading Poplar Bluff to a 3rd-place finish. Hansbrough’s point and rebound totals both rank 12th all-time in tournament history. Poplar Bluff opened the tournament with a 70-53 win over Christ the King, and then lost a hard-fought 43-40 game to Logan-Rogersville in the semifinals. In the 3rd-place game against Kickapoo, Hansbrough recorded the only “perfect” game in tournament history. Hansbrough, who rewrote the Atlantic Coast Conference record book during his fouryear career at North Carolina (which included a national title during his senior season of 2009), was 12-of-12 from the field, 2-of-2 from behind the three-point line, and 9-of-9 from the free throw line in scoring 35 points against the Chiefs. Hansbrough was named to the 2007 AllTournament Team.

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JOE JACKSON

VANDALE THOMAS

Guard / 2010 White Station High School Memphis, TN

Guard / 1992 Lawrence County High School Monticello, MS

White Station’s Joe Jackson was a model of consistency at the 2010 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, averaging 29.33 points per game, with games of 29, 32, and 27 points. The overall point total ranks 12th all-time in tournament history. Jackson, who is now a freshman star at hometown Memphis, got his tournament started with 27 points in an 87-66 victory over Sagemont in the quarterfinals. Jackson followed that up with 32 points, six rebounds, and two blocked shots to lead the Spartans to a 77-66 victory over upset-minded Kickapoo in the semifinals. Jackson, who battled through an ankle injury and illness throughout the tourney, saved his best for last. Facing nationally-ranked Milton in the championship game, White Station found itself trailing 15-2 just six minutes into the game. However, behind Jackson, the Spartans clawed back, and Jackson’s three-pointer just before the halftime buzzer cut the deficit to just three. White Station took over in the second half and went on to record its fifth Bass Pro Tournament of Champions title with a 68-63 victory.

Jackson scored 29 points to lead the way, and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Jackson also garnered Tournament MVP honors.

Vandale Thomas combined with Erick Dampier to give Lawrence County a deadly inside-outside combo at the 1992 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. Thomas scored 91 points in the tournament, which ranks ninth all-time. Thomas, who would sign with Mississippi State, recorded a solid game on both ends of the floor against Willard in the semifinals, scoring 35 points and snatching a tournament record eight steals in the Cougars’ 68-56 win over the Tigers. The 35 points ties Thomas with five other players for 15th on the all-time list. Thomas was named to the AllTournament Team, and was also named the MVP of the tournament.

LARRY HUGHES

Guard / 1997 Christian Brothers College High School St. Louis, MO

SCOTT BRAKEBILL

ALONZO MOURNING Center / 1987 Indian River High School Cheasapeake, VA

CBC’s Larry Hughes dominated the 1997 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions with his smooth stroke from the outside, slithering drives to the basket, no-look passes, and sticky defense. Hughes, who would play a year at St. Louis University before heading off for a lengthy NBA career, scored 95 points in the tournament, which ranks fourth alltime in tourney history. Hughes saved his best for last by leading his team to the tournament title with 34 points in a 55-47 championship game victory over Cathedral Prep. For his efforts, Hughes was named to the All-Tournament Team, and was also named the MVP of the tournament.

Although Bolivar finished a disappointing sixth at the 1998 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, it certainly was not the fault of Scott Brakebill, who posted one of the finest all-around games in tournament history by averaging almost 30 points and 14 rebounds per game for the tournament.

Brakebill, who would later help lead Missouri State to a Sweet Sixteen berth, scored 89 points in the tournament, which ties him with Anthony Peeler for tenth on the all-time list. He also grabbed 42 rebounds, which ties Brakebill with three other players for second all-time. Brakebill is, perhaps, best remembered, though, for being one-half of the “100-point duo” in the epic barnburner against Teddy Dupay and Mariner in the 5th-place game. Brakebill scored 42 points and pulled down 17 rebounds against Mariner, but it was not enough, as Dupay’s tournament record 58 points led his team to victory. Brakebill’s 42 points still rank as the third-highest single-game point total in tournament history (along with Antonio Harris). Brakebill’s 17 rebounds, as well as his 16 boards against West Monroe in the consolation semifinals, rank as two of the top twelve single-game rebounding totals. Brakebill, who is now the head coach at Miller, was named to the All-Tournament Team, and only Bolivar’s 6thplace finish prevents Brakebill from garnering 1stteam honors.

Certainly one of the most famous Bass Pro Tournament of Champions alumni, Alonzo Mourning dominated the paint at the 1987 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. Although he did not post gaudy offensive stats during the tournament, Mourning was a defensive menace for Indian River. Mourning grabbed 40 rebounds in three games (a 13.33 rebounds per game average), including 15 in a 50-49 championship game victory over Vashon. The 40 total rebounds rank eighth alltime. Mourning, who later starred at Georgetown and enjoyed a lengthy NBA career, also blocked nine shots in an earlier game, as Indian River set the tournament record with 26 blocked shots during its trip to Springfield. Mourning was named to the All-Tournament Team, and was also named the MVP of the tournament. Only Tyler Hansbrough’s dominating all-around performance in the 2004 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions prevented Mourning from garnering 1st-Team honors.

Bolivar vs. Mariner (1998)

Forward/Center / 1998 Bolivar High School Bolivar, MO

d n o c e s m m a e t d n seco

honorable mention

JEVON CRUDUP

Power Forward / 1990 Raytown South High School Raytown, MO 79 points/41 rebounds

TODD DAY

Guard / 1988 Hamilton High School Memphis, TN 93 points (5th all-time)

TYLER HANSBROUGH Forward/Center / 2005

Poplar Bluff High School Poplar Bluff, MO 92 points (T-6th all-time)

SPUD HARBOUR

Guard / 2007 Glendale High School Springfield, MO 101 points (T-2nd all-time)

ANTONIO HARRIS Guard / 1995 Booker T. Washington HS Tulsa, OK 92 points (T-6th all-time)

25

Oak Ridge military Academy Cadets Oak Ridge, NC

The Oak Ridge Military Academy Cadets, who will be making their Bass Pro Tournament of Champions debut, established a school record last season with 30 wins playing one of the nation’s most difficult prep schedules, and added a pair of talented players to an already stacked line-up. Point guard Chris Jones averaged 20.3 points and 7.2 assists per game last season in leading Melrose (Memphis, Tenn.) to a Tennessee state championship before transferring to ORMA for his senior season. Jones, who has already signed with Tennessee, is ranked as the #10 point guard and #39 overall player by Rivals. ORMA also added junior power forward Michael Obacha, who averaged 18.6 points and 11.4 rebounds last season at North Atlanta High School.

The Cadets returning cast includes a talented trio of seniors, including Jacob Lawson, who averaged 14.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.5 blocks per game a year ago and will be playing in the Big 10 next season at Purdue. Asad Lamot is a versatile player who averaged 10.2 points, 5.4 assists and 3.2 steals per game last season, while Appalachian State-signee Michael Neal is a key contributor in the backcourt.

ORMA also features one of the top eight players in the Class of 2014 in 6’4” shooting guard Theo Pinson. Providing the Cadets with talented depth are seniors Bashir Balarabe, Desmond Harrison, and Ryan King, and juniors Willy Akasson, Xavier Johnson, and Carlos Rankins.

“Three games in three days is always a challenge, and when those three games are against great teams, it makes it even more difficult,” said head coach Stan Kowalewski. “We are a strong transition team, but are also very capable in the half court. We also have the ability to adapt to various defenses that are employed against us. Obviously, you have to play well, but I believe that the most consistent team, especially defensively, will be the champion at the end of the tourney.”

Nixa Eagles NIxa, MO

The Nixa Eagles will be making their fifth appearance in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, and return four players with starting experience from last season’s 27-2 team, which finished the season with a #3 final ranking in Class 5. The Eagles are led by a pair of talented sophomores, including 6’5” forward Jalen Norman, who set a school record last year by hitting 68% of his shots from the field. Fellow classmate Austin Ruder is an inside-out threat, who can score from behind the three-point arc or drive to the basket. Junior Kameron Bundy keys the Eagle attack from his point guard position, while athletic senior Luke Denbow can score in a variety of ways. Senior Ben Fisher is an outside threat.

The Eagles have a variety of options off their bench, including junior guard Jordan Epps, who is instant offense when he enters a game.

Juniors Jordan Jensen and Ryan Eady are also capable of putting up points.

“We are guard and perimeter strong, with good shooters and good ball handlers,” said head coach Jay Osborne. “Our players will play hard and compete at a high level. If you believe in your team and trust your system, and if you have the mental approach that you belong, then you can achieve success at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions.”

26

V E PR Douglass Trojans Oklahoma City, OK

The Douglass Trojans, wh o will be making their Bass Pro Tourname debut, return all five starters nt of Champions after posting an average from last season of 28 points en route to margin of victory Oklahoma Class 4A stata 29-0 record and The Trojans were ranked e championship.

RISE Powerade Fab 50 #12 in the ESPN Southwest Region rankings at press time. Do senior-dominated line-up, uglass features a by one of the top sophom but are headlined in 5’9” point guard Stepheores in the nation the MVP of the state tournan Clark, who was Clark, who was named ment last season. team Freshman All-America MaxPreps 2ndan a year ago, led Douglass in scoring last sea per game, and is already son at 17 points from Missouri, Kentucky drawing interest among other top programs and Oklahoma, .

Clark is surrounded by Div ision I talent, including 6’7” twins Ram Jenkins on the frontline, ond and Romond drawing interest from Misboth of whom are as several other D-I prograsouri State, as well Devonte Smith and Dorria ms. Senior guards n Williams, a Missouri State commit who Sco the #22 shooting guard in ut.com ranks as the country, both averaged double figures last Marquis Braxton-Hill, a 6’9 season. Senior year starter, provides the ” center and fourdown low. Senior Domin Trojans with size conference Defensive Pla ique Manuel, the season, is also a four-year yer of the Year last starter.

“If we play our game, said head coach Terry Lonwe will be fine,” defending, dictating tem g. “When we’re out and running, we are po, and getting club. With a veteran ball a pretty good ball club, we are pretty confident that our guys are adaptable to whatever per battle tested and sonality the game may take on.”

De La Salle Meteors Chicago, IL

The De La Salle Institute Meteors, who were the 14th-ranked team in the ESPN RISE Powerade Fab 50 Midwest Region rankings at press time, will bring a talented and athletic line-up to Springfield for their first appearance in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. The Meteors are led by a four-year starter in 6’9” forward Mike Shaw, an Illinois commit who Rivals ranks as the #9 forward in the Class of 2011. Shaw is an inside-outside threat who was a 1st-team All-Stater last season.

Dre Henley, a versatile 6’6” senior guardforward, led the Meteors in scoring two seasons ago and is being recruited by Iowa and Illinois. Sophomore Alex Foster, a 6’9” post player, is a double-double threat who is already drawing interest from Kansas and a host of Big 10 schools. Sophomore Jaylon Tate runs the point, while fellow classmate Alvin Ellis is an explosive shooting guard.

The Meteors have plenty of depth in seniors Jarvis Chamberlain and Devontae Gatewood, junior Pat Haynes, and sophomores DeMarcus Richardson and Marcus White.

“One of our primary keys to success will be the pace at which the games will be played,” said head coach Tom White.

“We’re a team that likes to push the basketball and I want our point guards ‘to drive a fast car.’ Our guards are very quick and can handle the basketball well. Our bigs are athletic and run the floor very well. The quicker the tempo, the better we like it.”

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Lutheran Trojans La Verne, CA

Parkview Vikings Springfield, MO

Parkview will be making its eighth appearance in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, but first since 2000. The Vikings finished 23-5 a year ago, and return two starters and a host of experienced reserves this season.

Leading the way for Parkview is senior post player Korry Tillery, a versatile 6’6” forward who can bang inside or score from outside— including from behind the three-point line.

Tillery averages 16 points and 12 rebounds per game. Senior Alex Poke, a cat quick point guard who is averaging 14 points per game, directs the Viking attack. Guard Taylor Acord is a solid all-around player, while Taylor Harville, a 6’7” center and newcomer to the team this season, can score down low, but also is a very adept passer out of the post.

The Vikings rely on a cast of bench players for depth. Seniors Jordan Hitchcock, 6’4” Willis Prince, LaQuantis Walton and 6’5” Tyler Farquar—as well as juniors Cameron Craig and 6’4” Spencer Johnson—are all returning lettermen. Junior Emmit Johnson is a newcomer to the program this season.

“We can push the ball or play half court,” said head coach Bill Brown. “We have size and quickness, with the ability to shoot threes. This will be a great opportunity for our student-athletes to play against some of the best competition they will ever see in high school.”

Making their first appearance in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, the La Verne Lutheran Trojans—who were ranked #18 in the ESPN RISE Powerade Fab 50 West Region rankings as of press time—return all five starters from last season’s CIF Division V state champions. Leading the way for La Verne Lutheran is junior standout Grant Jerrett, a 6’9” power forward who is ranked as the #5 power forward and #12 overall player in the Class of 2012 by Rivals. The multi-talented Jerrett, who has verbally committed to play collegiately at Arizona, is ranked by Scout.com as the #5 center and #11 overall player. Both recruiting services rank Jerrett as a five-star prospect.

Jerrett is not the only talented Trojan, as Lutheran also features sophomore point guard Eric Cooper, Jr., the son of Lutheran head coach Eric Cooper. The younger Cooper, who has already verbally committed to play at Arizona, is rated as one of the top six point guards in the Class of 2013.

The Trojans have another pair of Division I commitments in senior Carl “C.J.” Cooper (the nephew of Coach Cooper), who has committed to UTEP and who was the conference Player of the Year last season.

Senior guard Bruce English will play next season at Loyola Marymount. The Trojans also feature a pair of all-conference players in seniors Xavier Jones and Kevin Payne, as well as junior Cameron Osorno.

“We play a winning style of basketball,” said Coach Cooper. “We play however we need to play to win. You’re going to see us do a lot of different things. We’re not the type of team to go down with the ship. If something’s not working, then we’ll make adjustments depending on who we’re playing.”

Greater Atlanta Christian SPartans Atlanta, GA

The Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans, who will be making their first appearance in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, return two starters from last season’s 32-1 Class AA Georgia state champions. Malcolm Brogdon, a 6’4” senior wing who has signed to play collegiately at Virginia, averaged 20.6 points per game last season and is ranked as a Top 25 shooting guard by several scouting services. Senior guard Paul Dawson is a three-year starter and Ivy League recruit. The Spartans also have plenty of other talent and depth, including guards Cole Hobbs, a junior transfer who is being recruited by Rice and Northwestern, senior Morgan Ingram, and sophomore Collin Swinton. Senior Trent Boyd and sophomores Andrew Lewis and A.J. Davis— who is already drawing interest from ACC and SEC schools—provide depth down low.

“In order to be successful, we’ll have to defend, rebound, and execute on offense,” said head coach Eddie Martin. “We pride ourselves on being a good defensive team.” Martin and the Spartans are excited about the challenge that awaits them in their first trip to the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. “It looks to be a very strong field, and we are excited to be a part of it,” said Martin. “To get better, you must play teams that are as good, if not better, than you. The Bass Pro tournament will help us grow and mature as a team.”

The Spartans, who were 4-1 as of press time, began the season ranked #17 in the preseason ESPN Rise Powerade Fab 50 Southeast Region rankings, but dropped out after a loss to nationally-ranked Milton.

Branson Pirates Branson, MO

will be making their The Branson Pirates the Bass Pro Tournasecond appearance in 04), and return three ment of Champions (20’s 24-4 team. Branson starters from last seasonenced upperclassmen, is loaded with experi Avery Dingman, who d and is led by 6’5” senior r game a year ago an averaged 23 points pe tely at Creighton next gia lle co o will be playing guard Sam Pugh, wh season. Senior point ate Pir the s run te, Sta s has signed with Pittsburg classmate Paul Steven offense, while fellow with another talented n nso also provides Bra eral role players who guard. Branson has sev in the tournament. Sewill need to step-up Duncan Tillack, juniors d an y llo Ma niors Kelly aron, and sophomore A.J. Wiebe and Joe Sh on the frontline. Prottle Chandler Hall will ba depth in the backcourt viding Branson with r and Andrew Jantz, are seniors Alec Zimme and Chase Gifford, ls nie Da juniors Malachi ruh.

Un h and sophomore Thatc ll really have to stepwi s yer pla e rol ur “O level,” said head coach up and play at a high ngths are our quickstre ur “O Randy Bishop. aggressively. We have ness and that we play and the kids are very great team chemistry, be a very good tournacoachable. “This will etition. We have really ment with tough comp ule, with the hope of is strengthened our sched in the District, which it benefiting our team te.” the toughest in the sta 27

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The Christmas carol with the line “it’s the most wonderful time of the year” certainly has it right… especially if they were talking basketball in the Ozarks when they composed it.

There’s no greater time than the post-Christmas traditions of the Blue and Gold and Pink and White, not just for the one-stop shopping it presents for area basketball fans to get a look at a large number of Ozarks teams, but for the social aspect as well. There are certain sections of Hammons Center where you know, year in and year out, you’re going to run into the same folks at the B & G. There’s no greater time except, perhaps, the mid-January weekend when the Ozarks is treated to basketball like we seldom see the rest of the year with the annual parade of top talent to town for the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. The 27th edition of the three-day spectacular is January 13-15 at the JQH Arena on the Missouri State campus, and again promises to deliver some of the best teams and players from across the nation, just as it started doing with Dr. Edsel Matthews running the show when it began in 1985, right on through to the last few years under Mark Fisher’s team selection and guidance.

Many of you know about the recent history… the John Walls and Kyle Singlers and such who are still gobbling up tube time on ESPN on a regular basis in their college and pro careers. And even before that, the days of “Psycho T”—aka, Tyler Hansbrough—and Larry Hughes and Lamar Odom and Wayne Simien and…we could just go on with the more recent Who’s Who. But I’m here today to remind you of some of the great stories in the T of C’s early days. So here’s one old guy’s ranking of his top five most memorable stories in T of C lore over, say, the first decade, give or take a couple of years…

5. Bud Lathrop. The man who spent an amazing 45 years as the Raytown South basketball coach was a story in himself every time his Cardinals would come to the tourney. Not only was he “The Human Monologue,” taking over the annual tourney breakfast/banquet with his relentless speeches on everything from life to an occasional basketball reference, but who could ever forget his traditional red suspenders? One of the truly great stories in the T of C came in 1990, when Jevon Crudup and the Cardinals beat St. Raymond’s of the Bronx in the finals just shortly after another Ray South star, Kansas signee Chris Lindley, had lost a leg in a freak accident that ended his ca-

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Scott Puryear Co-Host, The Sports Reporters (JOCK 98.7)

Scott Puryear has been a part of the Springfield media scene since 1985 as both a sports writer/columnist for the Springfield News-Leader and in his current role as co-host of The Sports Reporters Mondays through Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m. on JOCK 98.7 FM. reer. Not a dry eye in that post-win locker room, for sure, and several moist ones in the arena that night, for that matter. Ray South went on to finish 31-0 and win a Missouri state title that year. And bless his heart, Bud’s post-game press conference is probably still going on…

4. Alonzo Mourning Was ‘The Man.’ Remember now, back in 1987, SMS Bears basketball was just beginning to take off under Charlie Spoonhour, we had no Springfield Cardinals and, well, pretty much we didn’t have a whole heck of a lot on the Ozarks’ sports landscape outside of the T of C. So when this 6-foot-10 kid named Alonzo Mourning came to town as a junior, and as the nation’s No. 1 college recruit out of Indian River H.S. in Chesapeake, Va., it was a really, really big deal.

We’re talking, “Brad Pitt and Angelina spotted in downtown Springfield today” level of big deal. In fact, I’m biased a bit because I, as a wet-behindthe-ears News-Leader sports reporter at the time, was the first writer in the nation ever allowed to interview Mourning, the prep sensation, one-onone. It was accomplished in a restaurant booth with his coach present at, I believe, some sincetorn-down north Springfield location. And it happened only after his coach decided Springfield, Mo., was just remote enough, and as a just-out-ofcollege kid, I surely looked harmless. Mourning certainly didn’t disappoint on the court, swatting away shots like King Kong did airplanes back in his day. He blocked nine shots in one game here, grabbed 17 rebounds in another, and went on to great careers at Georgetown and the NBA as the first-ever T of C alum to really, really strike it big.

And he was the first guy that let us all stick our chests out and say, “Yup, he was here. I saw him play.” From that point on, that’s been the central theme of this tourney.

3. The Little Team That Could. Only twice in the event’s history has a local team come out holding the championship trophy. The second time was the Kickapoo team in 2003 that was our area’s equivalent to an NBA team (and actually has an NBA player now in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Tolliver). No great shocker there. But nobody would have guessed that Mike Keltner’s Glendale Falcons would walk away with the title in 1994, or that point guard Stu Stenger would wind up being the tournament MVP for a squad that relied on chemistry and teamwork to derail more talented bunches. There wasn’t a local hoops fan who didn’t leave the arena smiling after the Falcons defeated Christ the King 55-53 in

the title game. Why Stu doesn’t have that on his business cards today as a rising commercial real estate magnate, or at least a license plate that says TOCMVP, I’ll never know.

2. The Fifth-Place Free-For-All. It began as just a harmless fifth-place game before a half-empty gym in 1998, and by the end, became one of the most talked-about contests in the tournament’s history, as it remains today. In fact, if you were one of those folks who habitually rolled into Hammons Center late in the third-place game to catch the end of that one and the title contest, you’re probably still lying to your friends by telling them you saw it.

“It” was the scoring duel between Mariner (Fla.) sensation Teddy Dupay and Bolivar’s Scott Brakebill, when Dupay hit 13 3-pointers and scored a tourney-record 58 points to out-duel Brakebill and his meager 42 points and 17 rebounds. Granted, there wasn’t a whole lot of defense being played in the 103-95 win by Mariner, but who cared? Fans loved it, as Dupay launched bombs from everywhere, even showing enough restraint to wait ‘til he crossed half-court on some of them. In terms of “wow” factor from an individual (or in this case, two), this one will always be hard to top. Dupay’s 58 are still the tournament record, by a long shot.

An amazing moment perhaps outdone only by…

1. Peeler vs. Day. Surely you know this one by now. Kansas City Paseo’s Anthony Peeler and Memphis Hamilton’s Todd Day squared off in the finals in 1988. Peeler was headed for stardom at Mizzou, Day at Arkansas, and both would eventually wind up in the NBA. But on this championship game day, it was all Day in the first half, as the lanky big guard poured in 14 points to Peeler’s zero as Hamilton took a 32-28 halftime lead. That’s right, no points for Peeler. Tournament organizers wanted to make sure someone hadn’t stuck a Peeler impostor on the floor in his uniform, because this wasn’t going the way they—or the big crowd—had envisioned. So all Peeler did was come out in the second half and score 28 amazing and spectacular points in 16 minutes, from all over the floor, to bring Paseo back to the championship. And there was a stretch of maybe three possessions in a row (covering 90 seconds or so) that were just surreal in the third quarter, I believe, where Peeler stole a pass in the backcourt on each and went in for a power slam as only he could do with his 6-foot-4 frame. Great championship games will come and go—and have—in the history of the T of C, but it will always be difficult to top this one.

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