Might as well end the year by speaking my mind once and for all. I may never be shown the same respect around here as the media guys with microphones -- some of whom are tremendous at their craft -- but I will put my devotion to this community and work ethic up against ANYONE!!!
With 24 points and 15 rebounds last night,
@HollyForbes_17
notched the 18th and last double-double of her sophomore season. That should be plenty enough for a second All-America honor, hopefully First Team. One of the best to ever wear the MAC uniform.
This is one of those days as a sports reporter that you hope never happens. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Shelby Meyer play volleyball, and she was always a delight to speak with. My heart goes out to Sami and Trish, and all of Shelby's family, friends and loved ones.
Boom! Project Veritas strikes again! Took down corrupt ACORN, exposed teacher-on-student violence, and caught Twitter employees admitting selective censorship on its website. Now they are going after some big fish in major college sports.
North County senior guard Hayden Sprenkel has become the second boys basketball player in MAAA history to score 2,000 varsity points, joining former Potosi star Dylan Coleman (2,327).
By my unofficial count, North County senior Hayden Sprenkel finished his varsity basketball career with 2,279 points. If that isn't enough to make an all-state team, then some coaches should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.
Dylan Coleman pitched a scoreless 9th -- facing the minimum -- lowered his ERA with Fort Wayne to 0.93, and picked up his first professional win tonight in a walk-off against Dayton.
I sincerely want to thank everyone who follows me on here or supports my work, especially if you attend one of those high schools whose administrators refuse to endorse anything I do. You all keep me going on discouraging days.
Farmington senior Bryce Sancegraw ended his varsity soccer career on Saturday with 152 goals (26, 28, 58, 40 in each season). That would place him third all-time in state history
Best wishes and thanks to all senior athletes around the Mineral Area who are graduating this week or next. Covering your events has brought me many great memories. Follow the golden rule and leave your small piece of the world better than you found it. 🎓⚽️🏀🏈⚾️🥎🎾🏐🤼♂️🏃♀️🏃♂️⛳️😎
Hard-working and talented kids are being prevented from completing their sports seasons, even when they aren't sick. My heart is broken for them. They deserve better.
Thanks to AV seniors
@josie_landrum
@tucker_laney
, Macey Browers and head coach
@TaraLLamb
for graciously speaking with me after such an emotional final match today. What a magnificent season for a team that could not have represented its community any better. 🏐🐯
I don't make predictions often, because there is nothing to gain by being correct, but I absolutely expect the South Iron boys to win at least one state championship over the next 3 seasons. Skilled, sound and smart beyond their years.
OK, I'm going to say it and bear the repercussions... How could a majority of coaches in the MAAA Large-School division vote to keep Tycen Gray off their First Team? He had a huge season. On pace to become the career scoring leader in that school. Enlighten me please...
Central Missouri held a team that won 73 consecutive games and averaged 99.8 points per game to 52, and just made history!!! Way to represent
@mmsskaggs
@syddskaggs
#Jennies
Sad news out of Ironton tonight regarding the passing of Mr. Cox. I can tell you from personal conversations I had with him at several games, he adored AV athletes.
Breaking: Mineral Area College athletics department to add NJCAA Division I men's and women's soccer programs in the 2020-21 academic year. Six full scholarships will be available per team, according to press release. The school will hire one head coach to lead both programs.
Gracee Smith has become the career scoring leader for Arcadia Valley girls basketball, surpassing the previous mark of 2,077 set by Kassie Walker. She also moves into third place on the MAAA all-time list.
Former Arcadia Valley basketball star
@johnson_briar
scored a career-high 29 points and claimed eight rebounds for Jefferson College against Moberly on Saturday. She currently ranks second in NJCAA Division I free-throw shooting at 91.3%
The Valle Catholic volleyball team has some classy girls, let me tell you. They handled a brutal conclusion to their season more gracefully than I ever could. You all are doing things right over there! What an amazing match!
I still don't know how Royce Harris turned this situation into a 67-yard touchdown, but the place was rocking after he did. Farmington had a great football atmosphere tonight.
Tycen Gray has become the career scoring leader for Farmington boys basketball, surpassing the record of 1,601 points set by former all-state and current Central Methodist forward Jordan Ankrom. Gray already has the rebounding record for the Knights.
Beautiful service today honoring a beautiful life. On such a sad day, it was uplifting to see the positive impact that Shelby Meyer made and the joy she brought to so many people in her 21 years.
Congrats to AV on setting the example for the rest of this strange season on how to run a responsible tournament. The house may not have been full, but the kids were still given their moment.
MAAA 2,000-point scorers in chronological order...
Shyla Tucker - FRED
Kassie Walker - AV
Brooke Taylor - BIS
Dylan Coleman - POT
Hayden Sprenkel - NC
Gracee Smith - AV
Arcadia Valley senior Gracee Smith just scored her 2,000th career point tonight against Kingston. She is the fourth girls basketball player from the MAAA to ever accomplish that feat.
#AmazingGracee
Perhaps the most bizarre sports stat I may have ever seen in person: The Central and Farmington girls have played each other twice this season, The Knights shot a combined total of 0 free throws in those games.
I suspect there may be a BIG announcement coming within the next 24 to 48 hours from the Kansas City Royals regarding 2015 Potosi HS graduate and 25-year-old RHP Dylan Coleman, who has posted a 5-1 record and ridiculous 93 K over 57 2/3 IP this season at AAA Omaha.
Now that high school football is over, who believes that schools like Valle Catholic are being unfairly punished for the sins of others? The last time I checked, Big Ten coaches aren't flocking to the beautiful town of Ste. Genevieve. Not every private school abuses the system.
Rapinoe is a despicable and selfish human being. There I said it. She has put herself above the team and the nation since well before this tournament began. And thank you to Kelley O'Hara for quickly picking up the flag and showing respect. I hope she will visit the White House
#1
Mineral Area 80,
#16
Hutchinson 77... Final... Cardinals (24-0) made two huge defensive stops in last 20 seconds, advance to face either Cowley County (Kan.) or Trinity Valley (Texas) on Thursday at noon in quarterfinals... Mineral Area gets first victory at NJCAA tournament.
South Iron sweep! The smallest school at the dance hauls away the largest prizes. Remarkable consistency with those programs. Festus boys also proved me wrong and kept answering the bell.
You be the judge! It sure looks like possession with two feet in the end zone to me. Would have given Valle Catholic a 13-12 lead in the fourth quarter, but officials gave Monroe City the interception.
Consider this my healthy way of venting, and just a post of appreciation. What a treat to watch these two compete over the last 4 years.
@graceesmith10
@MaddieDement
In her first 3 games since transferring to Jefferson College
@johnson_briar
is off to a strong start:
vs Rend Lake - 20p 7r 6-6 FT
vs John A. Logan 17p 5r 4st 4-4 FT
vs Cloud County 20p 7r 2-2 FT in 25 minutes
I have met many wonderful kids through my work, and it breaks my heart to think of how the real world will attempt to destroy them. I hope you all make smart decisions, place trust in those who have earned it, and choose what is right over what is popular.
Maybe it's because I'm fat, slow and old, but I have a true respect for the dedication of cross country runners. I also enjoy how the coaches and fans at every meet encourage kids from all schools to achieve their best.
Boys C5D2🏀: North County 76, Sikeston 70... NC-Conkright 33p; Kekec 21p; Ruess 8p 8r; Crow 8p; Team 18-21 FT... SIKE- Atkins 23; McClinton 18; Owens 9.... Game featured 17 lead changes... First-ever state playoff win for Raiders (24-1) who will host Lutheran South on Friday.
Just another interesting subplot for tomorrow night. Somehow I expect a much different rooting disparity in the Fieldhouse.
Official 2018-19 enrollment numbers as released by MSHSAA:
Farmington - 897 South Iron - 62
Writing 5 articles and pulling an all-nighter from a lovely hotel room. I'll have everything ready as soon as my tired mind can operate. Crazy time of year, especially with the extra college stuff. It just means our athletes are doing well.
The floor referee is making a touch signal, but the ultimate call was no touch on MATCH POINT in a state title match!!! Can someone explain this to me? The players on both sides were awesome. The officiating was not. And that's a shame.
I hope people at home can appreciate how special this Mineral Area volleyball team has been. I have covered the school for 15 years and can remember when a .500 record was considered somewhat successful. This group has raised the bar yet again.
I remember a time when a player would make a big shot or defensive stop, and simply hustle into position for the next possession. No trash talking or pointless hand gestures. Bring it back please.
I hate to see it when ambitious kids commit to juggling multiple sports in a season, then have to choose which one means the most because the state schedules simultaneous postseason events. Please fix this problem. Don't punish hard work.