Dexter, Bernie, Naylor reach district baseball finals (05/14/08) By DAR STAFF While rain postponed the MSHSAA Class 2 District 3 semifinals Tuesday, three area teams pushed their way into district championship games. The games at Three Rivers' Raider Field will be played today with the final still set for 4 p.m. Thursday, weather permitting...

Bell City's Niemczyk follows father's footsteps to TRCC (04/15/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Nick Niemczyk is glad to be following in his father's footsteps. Nick's father, Pat, played for Three Rivers' national championship team in 1979 and this past Friday, Nick signed his letter of intent to continue his basketball career with the Raiders...

Doniphan players lead OFC selections (03/27/08) DAR Staff The All-Ozark Foothills Conference was led by three Dons and a pair of Lady Eagles. Charles Wilson, Chandler Wilson and Tyler Collins led Doniphan to the OFC title while coach Jason Andrews was named Coach of the Year. Clearwater, Naylor and Twin Rivers each placed two players on the team. Luke Hillis and Kyle Randolph qualified from Clearwater, while Eagles Travis Thomas and Caleb Johnson and Royals Kenny Johnson and Dylan Stockton were also honored...

SCAA coaches announce year end hoops awards (03/27/08) BLOOMFIELD -- Bell City's Nick Niemczyk repeated as Player of the Year and the Cubs placed four players on the first team as the coaches announced their SCAA year end basketball awards. Niemczyk led the Cubs to a undefeated regular season in SCAA play as well as the conference's annual tournament championship...

ROUNDUP: Greenville holds off Bell City 2-1 in baseball (03/26/08) By DAR STAFF The Greenville Bears picked up a pair of runs in the first inning and held on for a 2-1 road win Tuesday at Bell City. Leadoff man Nick Wren reached on an error to start the and came around to score game on a double by Robert Abernathy. Jacob Wood then drove Abernathy home with a single...

Runaway: Scott Central races by Bell City 80-53 (03/05/08) Braves advance to Class 1 Quarterfinal Saturday afternoon

Scott County Central thumps Bell City 80-58 in Class 1 sectional (03/05/08) POPLAR BLUFF -- The frustration has finally ended for Scott County Central. After losing to rival Bell City in a Class 1 sectional game for four straight years, the Braves finally ended the Cubs' domination in the fifth meeting, beating them 80-58 on Tuesday night at Poplar Bluff High School...

Braves end Bell City's season (03/05/08) POPLAR BLUFF - The much anticipated sectional meeting between two of the state's best Class 1 teams didn't come close to living up to expectations. Scott County Central had five players score in double figures and the Braves jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in an 80-58 win over the Bell City Cubs Tuesday at Poplar Bluff High School...

Playoffs continue for Bell City (03/04/08) Bell City senior Nick Niemczyk will lead the Bell City Cubs against Scott County Central tonight at Poplar Bluff High School in a MSHSAA Class 1 sectional game. Game time is scheduled for 7:45 p. m. with a trip to the quarterfinals at stake. Bell City defeated Lesterville, 88-57, in the district 2 title game, while the Braves beat Gideon, 88-56, in the district 1 championship. ...

Rivals meet in sectional (03/04/08) Rivals Bell City and Scott County Central will meet today in a Class 1 sectional contest for the fifth straight year. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. at Poplar Bluff High School. The Cubs (25-3) have won all four previous sectional meetings against the Braves (23-2), and then have gone on to appear in the state final four each time...

Braves, Cubs set for rematch (03/03/08) Scott Central and Bell City will square off on Tuesday night at 7:45

Bell City captures another district title (02/29/08) ZALMA, Mo. -- Bell City's Marty Dames said no member of the Cubs team becomes too concerned whenever top scorer Nick Niemczyk struggles to find his rhythm on offense. That's because the Cubs know Niemczyk will find it sooner rather than later. "If he starts missing, we tell him to keep shooting," Dames said. "They'll fall because he's a great shooter."...

Bell City uses team effort to win title (02/29/08) ZALMA -- Bell City's Marty Dames said no member of the Cubs team becomes too concerned whenever top scorer Nick Niemczyk struggles to find his rhythm on offense. That's because the Cubs know Niemczyk will find it sooner rather than later. "If he starts missing, we tell him to keep shooting," Dames said. "They'll fall because he's a great shooter."...

ROUNDUP: Bell City rolls into district title game (02/27/08) Nick Niemczyk poured in 29 points as top-seeded Bell City routed Leopold 81-43 Tuesday night in the semifinals of the Class 1 District 2 boys basketball tournament at Zalma. Phillip Gross added 13 points for the Cubs and Marty Dames contributed 10. Dustin Thiele led Leopold with 18 points. Darren VanGennip added 15...

Bell City marches into district final (02/27/08) Nick Niemczyk poured in 29 points as top-seeded Bell City routed Leopold 81-43 Tuesday night in the semifinals of the Class 1 District 2 boys basketball tournament at Zalma. Phillip Gross added 13 points for the Cubs and Marty Dames contributed 10. Dustin Thiele led Leopold with 18 points. Darren VanGennip added 15...

Bell City wins big in district opener (02/26/08) ZALMA, Mo. -- Bell City's Phillip Gross knew he and his teammates were in store for a fun game Monday against Bunker when he threw up a shot during the first quarter while falling down. The attempt bounced off the top of the backboard, up in the air and then fell straight down through the net for two points...

Bell City bombs Bunker from start, wins 96-32 (02/26/08) ZALMA, Mo. -- Bell City's Phillip Gross knew he and his teammates were in store for a fun game Monday against Bunker when he threw up a shot during the first quarter while falling down. The attempt bounced off the top of the backboard, up in the air and then fell straight down through the net for two points...

Perryville girls advance to district semifinal (02/20/08) The Perryville girls basketball team played tenacious defense to advance in the Class 4 District 1 tournament Tuesday. Alicia Kueker scored 16 points and Alyssa Bauwens added 15 as the Pirates downed Ste. Genevieve 45-30. The Pirates advance to face top-seeded Dexter on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Perry Park Center...

ROUNDUP: Dexter girls pull away from Twin Rivers (02/15/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com BROSELEY -- The Dexter Lady Bearcats overcame a slow start to defeat the Twin Rivers Lady Royals on the road Thursday night, 83-54. The Lady Bearcats, ranked seventh in Class 4, came out a little sluggish after their loss to Poplar Bluff on Wednesday night...

Bell City turns back Hayti 70-63 (02/15/08) Nick Niemczyk continued a stellar season by dropping 34 points on senior night to guide Bell City past Hayti, 70-63, in boys basketball. Phillip Gross netted 20 points for the Cubs (21-2), who were ranked No. 3 in the latest Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association state poll...

Bell City's Niemczyk nominated to play in McDonald's hoops game (02/10/08) BELL CITY -- With his nomination to the McDonald's All American£ High School Boys Basketball Team, Nick Niemczyk of Bell City High School was recently recognized as one of the top prep standouts in the nation. The 6' 1" Guard ranks among the top 1,500 nominees competing to fill one of 24 positions on the Boys Team, which will feature an East vs. ...

ROUNDUP: Campbell edges Caruthersville for Bootheel title shot (02/08/08) By DAR STAFF SENATH -- Campbell reached the finals of the Bootheel Conference Tournament with a 61-59 win over the Caruthersville Lady Tigers here Thursday night. The Lady Camels made four free throws in the final 10 seconds to secure the win. "We kind of went through a rough spell where we were trying to see what kind of team we were going to be with our new juniors and everybody kind of finding their role," Campbell coach Daren Ellsworth said. ...

Bell City takes battle of state-ranked teams with win over Clarkton (02/08/08) BELL CITY -- Nick Niemczyk scored 35 points before fouling out as the Bell City Cubs held on for a 81-78 win over Clarkton in a clash of two state-ranked Class 1 teams Bell City opened up a 16-point lead at the half (42-26), but Clarkton stormed back in the second half to make it a game, before coming up just short in a bid to upset the third-ranked Cubs at home...

Bell City holds off Clarkton in battle of ranked teams (02/08/08) Nick Niemczyk hit five 3-pointers and tallied 35 points before fouling out late in the game as Bell City fended off a furious Clarkton comeback for an 81-78 victory in boys basketball Thursday. The Cubs (20-2) led by 16 points at the half, but Clarkton outscored Bell City 52-39 in the second half to close the gap...

Cubs return to the court and clobber Bearcats (02/07/08) Nick Niemczyk scored 31 points and the Bell City Cubs knocked down 12 3-pointers to defeat Dexter, 81-56, in a game that was suspended Tuesday because of dangerous weather conditions and completed Wednesday. With the win, Bell City improved to 19-2 on the season and completed an undefeated SCAA campaign with a 7-0 record. Earlier, Bell City added its third-straight conference tournament title to this year's impressive resume...

ROUNDUP: Portageville gets key district win over East Prairie (02/06/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com EAST PRAIRIE -- The Portageville Bulldogs earned a key district win over East Prairie, defeating the Eagles 79-68 in overtime. East Prairie, playing their first game in 10 days, fought back from a 14-point deficit and held a 63-61 lead with less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation. However Portageville's Dominic Trotter hit a game-tying shot as time expired, sending the game into overtime...

Weather forces Dexter's game to be suspended (02/06/08) Dexter's game with Bell city was delayed, then postponed due to the threat of possible tornado activity in the area Tuesday night. School officials were notified of the pending tornado threat while play was underway in the third quarter. After a brief announcement of what was transpiring outside, those in attendance either made a quick exit or sought shelter in Dexter High School's auditorium or gymnasium locker rooms...

Bell City upends South Iron 72-60 (02/03/08) ANNAPOLIS, Mo. -- South Iron is unbeaten no more. The state's top-ranked team in Class 2 was beaten 72-60 in its home finale on senior night by a Bell City team that overcame its early offensive struggles with stout defense and steady free-throw shooting...

Niemczyk hits milestone in Bell City's rout of Oran (02/02/08) Bell City senior Nick Niemczyk scored the 2,000th point of his high school career in the Cubs' 102-54 home victory over Oran on Friday night. Niemczyk also scored a game-high 27 points and netted five 3-pointers. Bell City (17-2) was especially strong beyond the arc, hitting 16 3-pointers...

SCAA All Tournament Teams (01/29/08) SCAA All-Tournament Cheerleading Squad Lori Fuqua, Bloomfield Cody McKenna, Bloomfield Megan Pulley, Bloomfield Taylor Pulley, Bloomfield Che' Holford, Bloomfield Sarah Phillips, Dexter Hannah Keathley, Dexter Jamie Keathley, Dexter Chelsea Morris, Woodland...

Much anticipated championship games disappoint (01/28/08) BLOOMFIELD - A week of tournament basketball building towards the highly anticipated climax of two championship games was anything but fulfilling at the 83rd Annual SCAA Tournament at Bloomfield Friday. Stoddard County basketball fans witnessed two of the most lopsided championship games in the storied history of the conference's tournament as No.1 Bell City destroyed No. ...

East Prairie shocks state-ranked Hayti (01/27/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com HAYTI -- The East Prairie Eagles stunned state-ranked Hayti " on the road Friday 66-49. "We are extremely pleased with the way our kids played tonight against a very good Hayti team," said East Prairie coach Matt Schonoff. "I think this is the best game we've played all year."...

Bell City wins Stoddard County championship (01/27/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer BLOOMFIELD -- Bell City's Nick Niemczyk had no problem doing his thing Friday night in the championship of the Stoddard County Tournament. Niemczyk scored eight of his team's 14 points in the first quarter and finished the game with 34 points, 21 from 3-point range as Bell City cruised to a 62-32 win against Puxico...

Central falls behind early, suffers 56-49 loss to Bluff (01/26/08) Poplar Bluff scored the first 12 points of the game against Central, but the Tigers boys basketball team refused to quit Friday night. The Tigers rallied behind a trio of 3-pointers by Anthony Watts in the third quarter, pulling within 41-36 heading into the final quarter, but the Mules held on for the 56-49 victory...

Bell City, Puxico advance to Stoddard County finals (01/25/08) Top two seeds will meet in Friday night's 8:30 p.m. championship game.

Puxico faces Cubs in Stoddard County final (01/25/08) By DAR STAFF Puxico will get another shot at the state-ranked Bell City Cubs. The Indians will face Bell City in the championship game of the Stoddard County tournament at 8:30 p.m. tonight. The Cubs won the last meeting between the two teams, a 69-62 overtime game at Puxico...

Championship pairings are set: Bell City will play for both varsity and jayvee titles (01/25/08) BLOOMFIELD - Bell City earned a shot at a third straight SCAA tournament title and Puxico earned a second shot at the Cubs as the varsity's top two seeds advanced to tonight's championship game at Bloomfield. Top-seeded Bell City staved off a valiant effort by No. 4 Bloomfield in a thrilling 81-71 win, while No. 2 Puxico avenged an earlier regular-season loss to No. 6 Bernie with a 65-52 victory Thursday night...

Perryville girls pummel Woodland (01/25/08) The Perryville girls basketball team continued to roll as it earned a 74-27 victory against Woodland on Thursday. The Pirates held the Cardinals under 10 points in three of the four quarters. Perryville (13-4) led 42-10 at halftime. Alyssa Bauwens scored 18 points, while Alicia Kueker had 14 to lead Perryville...

83rd Annual SCAA Tournament (01/23/08) Bernie upsets Advance, Bloomfield bounces Dexter

Richland boys fall to Puxico in Stoddard County tourney (01/22/08) Top two seeds move on in the first round.

83rd Annual SCAA Tournament (01/22/08) Day one action is in the books

Risco wins at Holcomb (01/20/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com HOLCOMB -- The Risco Tigers went on the road and disappointed the home crowd of Holcomb on Friday evening, as they defeated the Hornets 48-44. The win was the Tigers' second in as many games, as they now sit at 3-9 on the season...

East Prairie holds off Kelly for third in Scott-Miss. tourney (01/19/08) East Prairie limited Kelly to three points in the second quarter, then held on for the 73-63 victory in the third-place boys basketball game at the Scott-Mississippi Conference tournament Friday in Delta. Tony Jones scored 33 points to lead the Eagles...

Leet stays hot as Jackson boys top Bluff 69-64 (01/16/08) Jake Leet was the hero for the second straight game as the Jackson boys basketball team picked up another victory. Leet poured in 32 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, as the Indians slipped past host Poplar Bluff 69-64 Tuesday night. Jackson improved to 13-5 overall and 4-0 in SEMO Conference play. Poplar Bluff is 5-10 and 1-1...

ROUNDUP: Bell City sinks Puxico with OT 3s (01/09/08) By DAR STAFF Ethan Watkins hit two 3-pointers in overtime Tuesday night to lead Bell City past host Puxico. "We didn't do a good job closing out on him and the kid stepped up and made the shots," Puxico coach Josh Dowdy said. Watkins finished the game with 22 points and teammate Nick Niemczyk added 21 in the win...

ROUNDUP: Portageville boys rally past Caruthersville (01/09/08) Richland knocks off Gideon; Risco loses on road at Clarkton

Central boys rally for win (01/09/08) The Central boys basketball team staged a fourth-quarter rally Tuesday night to notch its ninth victory of the season. Central outscored visiting Francis Howell North 25-16 in the final period to prevail 60-59. Shane Nolen led the Tigers (9-7) with 17 points. Jajuan Bell added 14 points...

New Madrid County, Risco post wins (01/06/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com CARUTHERSVILLE -- The New Madrid County Central Eagles routed the Caruthersville Tigers 59-24 Friday night. Kony Ealy scored 16 to lead the Eagles (6-6) while Josh Minner added 12. NMCC also won the junior varsity game 44-30. Jeremy James led the Eagles (4-3) with 17 points and Isacc Ray scored 13...

Scott City needs two OTs to knock off the Red Devils (01/05/08) Jay Simmons drained four 3-pointers and had a game-high 36 points as he led the visiting Scott City Rams to a double-overtime 66-61 victory over Chaffee on Friday. "Jay Simmons is an unbelievable player," Chaffee coach Tyson Moyers said. "We guarded him every way we knew how to guard him."...

Scott City hands Cubs second loss in as many days (12/29/07) Even before tipoff, Bell City senior guard Ethan Watkins was not looking forward to playing his old team, the Scott City Rams. "I was really nervous," he said. "A lot of things were running through my head." After the Rams handed the Cubs their second loss in as many days, this one by a score of 63-55, Watkins was disappointed, but complimentary of his former teammates, particularly junior Shae Simmons...

Cape Central upsets defending tournament champs (12/28/07) Central is back on the map. Persistence pays off. Bell City has one incredible player, and he can, despite reports to the contrary, be stopped. These were the lessons in the chaos that surrounded the 58-54 upset of the second-seeded and defending champion Bell City Cubs by Central on Thursday night at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament...

Jackson watches upset, takes care of business (12/28/07) Jackson's Hunter Grantham spent time watching an exciting game before he stepped onto the court with his team for some Christmas Tournament quarterfinal action Thursday at the Show Me Center. The 6-foot-5 senior glanced on from the sidelines as No. 7 Central upset No. 2 Bell City...

Bluejays christen tourney with rout (12/27/07) The 63rd annual Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament got off to a familiar start for the Charleston Bluejays. Playing the first game of the tournament as the No. 1 seed for the fifth-straight year, the Bluejays rolled past the 16th-seeded Delta Bobcats 97-41...

Tigers pull together to thwart Woodland (12/27/07) Central's Anthony Watts says not just one player on the Tigers stepped up and accepted a leadership role when top scorer Jajuan Bell was suspended indefinitely for breaking a team rule. Instead, the whole team did. "Not one player but most mostly the team," Watts said. "Everybody has to step their game up a little bit more without him."...

GAME 2: Bell City opens defense in strong fashion (12/26/07) Bell City began its Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament Championship defense with an impressive opening quarter against 15th-seeded Oak Ridge. The second-seeded Cubs jumped out to a 24-8 lead behind 13 points from Nick Niemczyk en route to a 75-39 win...

Bell City eager to defend Christmas tournament title (12/24/07) Third-year Bell City coach Brian Brandtner says one of the finest moments he has experienced while leading the Cubs came when his team won last year's Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament. "Growing up in the area and being around the Christmas tournament as a small child on up, my whole life, the teams you watch only win it so often," he said. "So it's such a great honor to win it. That was absolutely a special moment."...

Bell City eager to defend (12/23/07) Third-year Bell City coach Brian Brandtner says one of the finest moments he has experienced while leading the Cubs came when his team won last year's Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament. "Growing up in the area and being around the Christmas tournament as a small child on up, my whole life, the teams you watch only win it so often," he said. "So it's such a great honor to win it. That was absolutely a special moment."...

STATE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL POLL (12/19/07) The Missouri state high school boys and girls basketball rankings, as compiled by the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. Records are through Sunday. BOYS CLASS 1 CLASS 2 CLASS 3 CLASS 4 CLASS 5 GIRLS CLASS 1 CLASS 2 CLASS 3 CLASS 4...

Charleston loses thriller (12/17/07) Scott Central, Bell City each rally for win, and East Prairie loses at Heartland Hoopfest

Campbell wins its own tournament (12/17/07) By DAR STAFF CAMPBELL -- Campbell held a 20-point lead after three quarters against Armorel, Ark., in the final of the Campbell Christmas Classic Thursday night but won by just six points, 60-54, to secure the title. The Tigers outscored the Camels 25-11 in the final frame and Campbell was 15-of-28 from the free-throw line which helped Armorel close the gap...

Niemczyk's impressive second quarter carries Bell City (12/16/07) PERRYVILLE -- Bell City point guard Ethan Watkins is glad for two reasons to be back playing high school basketball. Watkins, who had to sit out for one year because of his transfer from Scott City, said it was a difficult time for him not only because of his passion for the game, but also because he was eager to play in some live game action with Cubs guard Nick Niemczyk...

Cubs win shootout of unbeaten teams (12/14/07) BERNIE -- Bernie may have the young guns, but Bell City is still the wily old sheriff in Stoddard County. Senior Nick Niemczyk scored 30 points and the Bell City Cubs won the battle of unbeaten SCAA teams, 69-57, over Bernie on the Mules home court Thursday...

Notre Dame swimmerssweep three-team meet (12/14/07) Notre Dame took first place in all 11 events as it rolled at the St. Vincent three team girls swimming meet Thursday. Brittany Menz and Lauren Castleman led the Bulldogs by aiding in the victories by the 200 medley relay, the 200 freestyle relay and the 400 freestyle relay. Castleman also won the 50 freestyle and Menz won the 100 freestyle...

Bernie remains undefeated heading into game with Bell City (12/12/07) BERNIE -- The Mules improved their record to a perfect 5-0 on the season with a 82-45 SCAA Conference win over the Woodland Cardinals at home Tuesday. Zach Curry used four 3-pointers to score a game-high 20 points for the Mules, who took control of the game in the first half...

2007 all-Southeast Missourian volleyball team (12/11/07) The Southeast Missourian sports staff put together a team of the most talented high school volleyball players in the newspaper's coverage area. Below is the roster, with links to each player's page. Hitter -- Brooke Brown, St. Vincent Hitter -- Casey Bucher, Leopold...

Bell City's Abner selected Southeast Missourian Volleyball Player of the Year (12/10/07) Bell City senior Jessica Abner made one simple change that helped her play better volleyball this fall than her first three high school seasons. She improved her attitude -- period. "I know in the past years I hadn't tried as hard as I could, and during preseason, I worked a lot harder because I wanted to be the best," Abner said. "I don't know really what I did. I just know every time I got on the court, I would try to do my best...

Charleston grabs top seed for Southeast Missourian basketball tournament (12/10/07) The Charleston Bluejays were awarded the top seed in the annual Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament that will be played at the Show Me Center. Charleston, which has won the tournament 15 times but has not reached the title game the past four years, will kick off the tournament against No. 16 Delta at 9 a.m on Dec. 26...

Richland rallies in second half to beat Campbell (12/05/07) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com CAMPBELL -- The Richland Rebels used a strong second half to defeat the Campbell Camels Tuesday night, 81-62. Richland trailed 36-34 at the half but outscored the Camels 23-4 in the third quarter to put the game away...

Notre Dame fends off Dexter (12/05/07) The short-handed Notre Dame boys basketball team survived an upset bid as the Bulldogs opened their season Tuesday night in the SEMO Conference tournament at Sikeston. Top-seeded Notre Dame, playing without 6-foot-8 all-stater Ryan Willen and fellow returning starter Austin Greer -- both are injured -- slipped past No. 8 Dexter 65-59...

Bell City slows down Scott Central (12/02/07) Braves fall to their archrival in Oran tourney championship game

High School Roundup - Bernie rolls to tournament title behind nine 3-pointers (12/01/07) BERNIE -- Bernie knocked down nine 3-pointers as the No. 1 seeded Mules rolled to an easy 80-53 win over No. 2 East Prairie in the championship game at the Bernie Invitational tournament Friday. Bernie's Jordan McGowan drained four from behind the arc on his way to an 18-point night, while teammates Jake Owens went deep three times and scored 13 points and Zach Curry netted two treys during his 17-point effort...

Cubs win Oran tourney (12/01/07) ORAN -- Nick Niemczyk's hot shooting in the second quarter launched Bell City to a big lead. It was his free throws in the final 16 seconds that iced the contest. Niemczyk went 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the final minute as Bell City held off a furious rally by Scott County Central in the championship game of the Oran boys basketball tournament Friday. The Cubs earned the 75-72 victory in front of an overflowing gym...

Scott County Central runs into Oran finals (11/30/07) Braves blister nets for 111 points; will face Bell City in finals

Braves, Cubs to play for Oran title (11/30/07) Nick Niemczyk poured in a game-high 44 points, including six 3-pointers, to lead Bell City past Twin Rivers 93-62 on Thursday and into the championship game in the Oran Invitational. The Cubs will face Scott County Central for the title tonight. Niemczyk went 12-for-12 at the free-throw line in the win. Phillip Gross added 23 points for the Cubs...

Bell City appears team to beat again in SCAA (11/29/07) Bell City has dominated the Stoddard County Activities Association (SCAA) conference for the past two seasons, but with the loss of a "big" part of the team, this year's title should be up for grabs. Bell City will be without the services of 6'10", 300 pound, all-state center Will Bogan, who has taken his immense size and talents to Southeast Missouri State University where he will try to lead the Redhawks to Ohio Valley Conference titles. ...

Scott County Central, Bell City earn wins (11/27/07) Top two seeds advance in first round of Oran tournament

Gillespie, Thomas lead Scott County Central past Pine Bluff, Ark. (11/26/07) By Chris Pobst ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com NEW MADRID -- Strong defensive play and stellar individual performances led the Scott County Central Braves (2-0) to a victory Saturday, defeating the Pine Bluff (Ark.) Zebras 84-71. D.D. Gillespie and Drew Thomas both shined for the Braves, scoring 59 points between them. Gillespie led all scorers with 30, while Thomas scored 29...

Braves, Cubs win in Oran tourney (11/27/07) Drew Thomas poured in 27 points and D.D. Gillespie hit for 22 as the Scott County Central boys basketball team rolled to a 94-62 victory over Oran on Monday. Caleb Johnson scored 11 and Toby Heeb had 10 as the Braves won their first game in the Oran tournament...

Warriors height stymies NMCC in opener at Riverbend Classic (11/25/07) By Josh Mills ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com NEW MADRID -- "The Rumble by the River," also known as the Riverbend Classic began play on Friday afternoon, with several local schools representing the area, taking on four out-of-state teams, each with proven records of success...

Braves, Cubs win openersin Classic (11/24/07) For Scott County Central, scoring shouldn't be a problem this year, but its lack of size might. For Bell City, defensive intensity is ahead of offensive execution. The Class 1 rivals have a few months to work things out before what could be another sectional meeting that sends the winner on to the state's final four...

Indians, Wildcats land two on all-state (11/22/07) Eight local high school volleyball players earned all-state honors this fall, including two members from St. Vincent, which finished second in Class 2, and two members of the Leopold squad, which finished in third place in Class 1. St. Vincent seniors Kelsey Cissell and Brooke Brown both earned first-team all-state honors in Class 2. Leopold's Maddy Hutchings earned second-team all state for Class 1 and Wildcats junior Casey Bucher was awarded a state honorable mention...

Riverbend Classic set for 13th year (11/21/07) By Andrew Powell ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com NEW MADRID -- With Thanksgiving Thursday, everybody knows that the day after can only mean one thing ... the busiest shopping day of the year? Not quite, as this Friday, New Madrid County Central will kick off its 13th annual Riverbend Classic...

Cookson has Braves loaded for big season (11/19/07) Scott County Central coach Ronnie Cookson has reason to be excited as he heads into this winter's basketball season. "I've got all the starters returning," Cookson said. "And I've got my No. 6 man back, Toby Heeb. He was the sixth man last year, really a sixth starter, that's what he was."...

Cubs try to fill huge vacancy left by 6-foot-10 Bogan (11/19/07) The big question for Bell City is how it will replace 6-foot-10 center Will Bogan, who graduated and is now a freshman at Southeast Missouri State. "The good news is that we've got pretty much most of the team back," Bell City coach Brian Brandtner said. "We've got four guys who started at different points of the season back. We've got a lot of experience and a lot of toughness and I think we're going to be pretty good."...

Bell City's Abner selected SCAA's Player of the Year (11/08/07) Bell City's Jessica Abner was selected as the SCAA Conference's Player of the Year in volleyball and Dexter's Jessica Satterfield and Cathryn Heil were among a list of 13 players picked for All Conference honors, it was announced Tuesday. Bell City coach Erin Hoffman led the Lady Cubs to the regular-season and conference tournament titles this year and for her efforts she was tabbed as the SCAA's Coach of the Year...

Leopold team rallies around mother who underwent surgery to remove tumors (11/01/07) Deborah Bueter was unable to see Leopold earn a berth in the state volleyball tournament Saturday because she was recovering from a surgery to remove cancerous tumors from her liver. But Bueter, a member of the Wildcats volleyball team in the early 1970s and the mother of current senior Allison Bueter, still was able to watch Leopold's Class 1 sectional win over Bell City the following day from her hospital room in St. Louis...

Leopold advances to semifinals (10/28/07) BELL CITY -- Leopold senior Maddy Hutchings remembers when she was in the seventh grade and cheered from the stands as the Wildcats had a dream season that was capped by a Class 1 volleyball state title. She especially liked to watch Courtney Wesbecher, who used to wear a headband whenever she played...

Bell City, Leopold to meet in sectional (10/27/07) Leopold volleyball coach Sandy Davis said she learned that her Wildcats still had to improve in many areas after they were swept by Bell City on Sept. 21. And now, a little more than a month later with Leopold scheduled to meet the Cubs again -- this time with more at stake in a Class 1 sectional match today -- Davis said her team has filled its holes and is ready for battle...

Bell City powers past Bernie in district final (10/24/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer ADVANCE -- Bernie took the early 2-0 lead in both games of the MSHSAA Class 1 District 2 championship game Tuesday night, but the Bell City Lady Cubs were too much and defended their title, 25-10, 25-12. "We knew what we had to do coming in," Bernie coach Jeff Rodgers said. ...

Bell City rings up another district crown (10/24/07) Bell City senior Rachel Spears certainly has a one-track mind these days. After the Cubs played in the Class 1 state volleyball championship tournament the past two years but failed to bring home a title either time, she wants it this year -- badly...

Bernie spikes Oran, gets another crack at Bell City (10/23/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer ADVANCE -- The Bernie Lady Mules lived up to their No. 2 seeding in the MSHSAA Class 1 District 2 tournament Monday night, as they defeated Oran 25-15, 25-7. Before easily winning the second game, Bernie (19-11-2) had its hands full in the first game. Oran scored three straight points to trail by one at 16-15 but Bernie called a timeout and scored nine straight afterwards to close out the game...

Bell City, Bernie will meet for Class 1, District 2 title (10/23/07) ADVANCE â€" Bell City will need to go 3-0 against Bernie this season if they are to capture yet another Class 1, District 2 championship. The Lady Cubs rolled over the host Lady Hornets, 25-8, 25-10, and No. 2 Bernie eased past Oran, 25-15, 25-7, Monday at Advance to set up a championship battle tonight between the two SCAA schools...

Central cruises past Sikeston in Class 4 District 1 opener (10/23/07) Wendi Zickfield put down 11 kills to lead Central to a two-game sweep of Sikeston in Class 4 District 1 volleyball action Monday. Taylor Kirn had eight kills and Katie Scholl added 21 assists to secure the win for the Tigers (20-9-3). Game scores were 25-11, 25-21...

Bell City slams Sikeston 25-10, 25-21 (10/16/07) Josh Mills ~ Standard Democrat SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs volleyball team played host to the Bell City Lady Cubs on Monday evening at the Sikeston Fieldhouse, losing in two straight games by scores of 25-10 and 25-21. The loss takes the Lady Bulldogs to 11-13-4 on the season...

Puxico will take on Woodland for SCAA tournament's junior varsity crown (10/12/07) PUXICO -- It will be No. 1 Bell City vs. No. 3 Bernie in the varsity bracket and No. 1 Puxico vs. No. 2 Woodland on the jayvee side as Championship Friday at the annual SCAA Tournament gets underway today at Puxico. Bell City slipped past Dexter, 25-18, 25-19, in a rematch of last year's championship game as the Lady Cubs will try to make in back-to-back tournament title tonight against No. 3 Bernie, which pulled off a mild upset in beating No. 2 Woodland, 25-23, 25-20...

Semifinal pairings set at SCAA tournament (10/10/07) PUXICO -- The semifinal pairings are set for the SCAA Volleyball Tournament at Puxico after Tuesday's play brought first-round action to a close with only one minor upset. Number 1 Bell City and No. 4 Dexter had little trouble moving to a varsity semifinal meeting with each other after easy wins Tuesday. Bell City defeated No. 8 Richland, 25-7, 25-8, while the Lady Bearcats earned a rematch with the Lady Cubs after taking down No. 5 Bloomfield, 25-12, 25-21...

ND's Reinagel hurlsno-hitter in finale of regular season (10/03/07) Lauren Reinagel pitched her second straight no-hitter as the Notre Dame softball team (23-0) ended a perfect regular season Tuesday by beating visiting St. Pius of Festus 10-0. It is the Bulldogs' best season in school history. Reinagel, who improved to 22-0, struck out nine and walked two in the six-inning game that was stopped due to the 10-run rule...

Lady Indians go three sets yet again, beat Campbell (09/30/07) The Kennett Lady Indians must be enjoying playing three-set volleyball games. The Lady Tribe went three sets with an opponent for the third time in the last week Friday afternoon before taking a 25-14, 19-25, 25-13 win over the Campbell Lady Camels at Kennett High School...

Jackson's Tuschoff hurls no-hitter (09/25/07) Jessica Tuschoff pitched a three-inning no hitter as the Jackson softball team routed host Perryville 16-0 on Monday. Tuschoff struck out four and walked none as the Indians improved to 14-9. Maggie Baugh and Sienna Miller both had three-run home runs for Jackson. Jessica Pitts drove in four runs, while Hana Bolen had two hits...

Bell City hitters lean on their setter to spread the ball around for success (09/22/07) Bell City junior Codie Lancaster was selected for the all-state team both her freshman and sophomore years. But Cubs coach Erin Hoffman continues to drive her each day at practice to become a better setter. "I've been getting on her big time to mix it up and not go to the same place over, over and over because smart teams are going to catch onto that and then they're going to stop us," Hoffman said. ...

Lady 'Cats no match for Bell City (09/21/07) Bell City's Lady Cubs had little trouble defeating the Dexter Lady Bearcats on their home court Thursday... even on a off night. The Class 1 Lady Cubs looked impressive in a 25-17, 25- 15 win over Class 3 Dexter, but it wasn't their usual performance, according to coach Erin Hoffman...

Woodland gets SCAA win over Dexter (09/18/07) The Woodland Lady Cardinals came to Dexter Monday night and delivered a winning SCAA performance in a 26-24, 25-19 win over the Lady Bearcats. Woodland trailed 22-24 in Game 1, but the Lady Cardinals ran off the last four points to steal the win and the Lady Bearcats' confidence...

Kielhofner pitches Oran past Delta (09/18/07) Callie Kielhofner pitched a six-hitter to lead Oran past Delta 6-2 in softball action Monday. Kielhofner struck out four, walked one and allowed one earned run. Amanda Williams went 3-for-3 to lead the Eagles (9-2) offensively. Taylor Smith had three hits for Delta (7-7). Kendra Burnett allowed six hits and just two earned runs. She struck out eight and walked two...

Central soccer blanks Poplar Bluff (09/14/07) Zach Zaruba netted two goals to lead the Central boys soccer team past Poplar Bluff 3-0 on Thursday. Brooks Osburn tallied a goal, Jared Kinder added two assists and Dustin Welker added an assist in the victory. JV -- Central won 7-0. Jackson 3, Carbondale 0...

Bell City slams on gas, sweeps Poplar Bluff in volleyball (09/12/07) By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor Locked in a heated back-and-forth battle with one of the top area volleyball teams Tuesday night, the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules simply got slammed at Peters Gym. "Once they started slamming (volleys) we were taken aback," said Lady Mules coach Suzie Ruppert of Bell City, which finished fourth in Class 1 last year and third the previous season...

Richland, Bernie, Bell City post wins (09/12/07) ADVANCE -- Bernie's varsity Lady Mules moved back to the break-even mark for the season with a 25-10, 25-17 decision on the road over the Advance Lady Hornets. Amber Mirth charted a season-high 26 assists for Bernie, while Jenny Eubanks knocked down eight kills and had four solo blocks...

Davis serves as Leopold's good luck charm in tourney (09/09/07) Leopold placed second in the B.A. Sports high school volleyball tournament at the Show Me Center on Saturday, its best finish since 1989 when assistant coach Sandy Davis was wearing the blue and white Wildcats uniform. "The last time we got in the championship game was my senior year," Davis said, laughing. ...

Twin Rivers softball pounds Neelyville 12-0 (09/07/07) By DAR STAFF Carlee Vancil struck out 14 of the 18 batters she faced in five innings to record her second no-hitter of the season as Twin Rivers won 12-0 at Neelyville Vancil helped herself by going 3-for-3 at the plate with two triples and a single and driving in four runs. Samantha Leutert and Kayla Cunningham each scored twice for the Lady Royals. Senior catcher Kelci Scott crossed the plate three times and also drove in three runs...

Bell City raises its intensity, sweeps Bernie (09/07/07) Jeff Arenz ~ Standard Democrat BELL CITY -- It was almost like a flick of the switch. On Thursday night, the Bell City Lady Cubs turned up their level of intensity before sweeping the Bernie Lady Mules 25-16, 25-12 during a prep volleyball match. Bell City, which improved to 7-1 this season, received eight kills apiece from Rachel Spears and Jessica Abner. Both players were responsible for kickstarting an attack that Bernie (2-2 overall) simply could not handle...

BA Promotions Volleyball Classic -- Day 1 scores (09/07/07) Friday Night Pool Play Scores St. Louis Notre Dame def. Holcomb 25-19, 25-5 Cape Central def. Clarkton 25-11, 25-7 Bernie split with Jackson 25-14, 25-23 Scott City def. Twin Rivers 25-13, 25-16 Leopold def. Perryville 25-6, 25-14 Cape Notre Dame def. Oak Ridge 25-11, 25-8...

Leopold sweeps Meadow Heights (09/05/07) Leopold remained undefeated in high school girls volleyball Tuesday night, defeating Meadow Heights 25-16, 25-12. Leopold, winners of the recent Woodland tournament, improved to 3-0. Cassi Jansen, Casey Bucher and Maddy Hastings each had seven kills for the Wildcats. Cassie Seiler had 20 assists...

Bell City wants to have serious fun on its way to a Class 1 title (08/27/07) Bell City's Rachel Spears, Jessica Abner, Jenny Lathum and Codie Lancaster know how to work hard and have fun. Spears, Abner and Lathum -- three seniors -- and junior setter Lancaster are looking to lead the Cubs to a state title after finishing in fourth place in Class 1 last year. The foursome plans to do this not only by staying after practice to improve their games, but also by mixing in a little dancing, drawing, taco-eating and singing...

Heeb heading to college post in Illinois (08/10/07) David Heeb is heading to the next level -- college basketball. And he knows what you're going to say next. "We'll find out how well I can recruit," Heeb said Thursday evening. "Insert your own joke here." Heeb is the former boys basketball coach at Bell City and Scott County Central whose resume includes two Class 1 state championships, three final four appearances and five district titles in six years on the bench. ...

Words of enlightenment for a man with no title (07/15/07) Dear David Heeb, It has come to my attention that you believe you have not been given ample explanation on your status with the Scott County Central School District. Perhaps I can be of assistance. You see, even though members of the board of education and administration have not answered our queries or returned our calls, the district's superintendent, Dr. Joel Holland, did write us a letter that offered some clarity...

SCC issues statement to correct story facts (07/13/07) The Scott County Central School District responded to the request for information from the Southeast Missourian regarding the July 2 school board meeting that included action on coaching positions at the school by issuing a statement correcting some reported information...

Heeb says no reason given for SCC coach openings (07/11/07) Whatever action the Scott County Central school board took on the status of David Heeb probably took place at the board of education meeting July 2, although no one with the school has disclosed that information yet. Heeb, who held the positions of athletic director and boys basketball coach, also hasn't been a given full explanation, he told the Southeast Missourian on Tuesday night. ...

Heeb out at Scott County (07/10/07) An employee in the administrative offices of Scott County Central School District confirmed Monday that the district is seeking an athletic director, a boys basketball coach and a high school track coach -- three positions that were occupied last school year by David Heeb...

Scott County Central seeking new AD, basketball coach (07/09/07) Toby Carrig ~ Southeast Missourian An employee in the administrative offices at Scott County Central School District said Monday that the district is seeking an athletic director, a boys basketball and a track coach to fill the positions held last year by David Heeb...

ALL-STATE BASEBALL (06/26/07) The all-state team from the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association:

FINAL TRACK HONOR ROLL (05/29/07) Top 10 performances in each event as reported in the five newspapers that are media partners with Semoball.com, through the state meet May 26: (Note: Performances in preliminaries and by individuals in relay meets are not included; only events where an individual is eligible to score points for his or her team.)...

Bernie baseball advances to final, will face Oran (05/16/07) By DAR STAFF After a solid hitting performance and an equally solid job on the mound by Silas Dill, the second-seeded Bernie Mules will get a crack at Oran on Thursday in the championship game of the MSHSAA Class 1 District 2 tournament. Bernie recorded 10 hits against Bell City on Tuesday, and Dill allowed just one earned run in six innings as the Mules beat the Cubs, 13-4. Top-seeded Oran rolled past Advance, 18-2, in the other semifinal...

Scott City reaches Class 2 district final (05/16/07) Shae Simmons went 2-for-4 with a triple and struck out eight batters in 4 1/3 innings of pitching to lead Scott City past Charleston 14-3 in the semifinal round of the Class 2 District 2 at Charleston. The game was stopped after five innings due to the 10-run rule...

ND, St. Vincent soccer teams will meet for district title (05/15/07) Top-seeded Notre Dame and No. 2 St. Vincent eked out one-goal semifinal wins Monday to move on to the championship of the Class 1 District 1 girls soccer tournament in Perryville. The Bulldogs (15-2-1) edged No. 4 Perryville 2-1 in one semifinal, and No. 2 St. Vincent knocked off No. 3 Sikeston 1-0 in the other semifinal. The championship game is 4:30 p.m. Wednesday...

Bernie beats Bell City in regular-season finale (05/14/07) BELL CITY -- The Bernie Mules nailed down the SCAA Conference title with a 16-3 win over Bell City Friday on the road. The Mules finished conference play undefeated at 6-0 and now stand at 16-3 overall heading into the Class 1, District 2 tournament Monday at Oran...

BASEBALL, GIRLS SOCCER DISTRICT BRACKETS (05/11/07) Check out the schedules for the upcoming tournaments.

BASEBALL, GIRLS SOCCER DISTRICT PAIRINGS (05/11/07) BASEBALL Class 4 District 1 (at Hillsboro) Monday, May 14 -- First round: (4) Seckman vs. (5) Fox, 4 p.m.; (3) Hillsboro vs. (6) Poplar Bluff, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 15 -- Semifinals: (1) Cape Central vs. Seckman or Fox, 4 p.m.; (2) Jackson vs. Hillsboro vs. Poplar Bluff, 6:30 p.m...

Track honor roll (05/10/07) BOYS AND GIRLS top performers through May 9

Chaffee, Oran baseball teams pick up victories (05/09/07) Derek James ~ Standard Democrat CHAFFEE -- The Chaffee Red Devils improved to 15-9 on the season with a 7-4 victory against East Prairie on Tuesday at Chaffee. Adam Uhrhan was the winning pitcher, throwing all seven innings and allowing four runs (one earned) off 11 hits with seven strikeouts and three walks...

Beardslee rips the cover off the ball in Oran's rout (05/09/07) Oran junior Tyler Beardslee had four hits, including a home run and a double, and three RBIs on Tuesday in a 15-5 rout at district foe Bell City. Oran (17-4) had 17 hits. Caleb Seyer had three hits, a home run and four RBIs. Alex Chasteen had three RBIs and Kody Campbell added two hits and a home run...

St. Vincent golfers win conference tournament (05/08/07) The St. Vincent golf team capped its regular season in style with a win at the Jefferson County Conference Tournament on Monday at Fourche Valley Golf Course in Potosi, Mo. The Indians finished with a 359, 11 strokes ahead of regular-season conference champion Windsor. Hillsboro rounded out the top three with a 358. Perryville finished fifth with a 381...

Cubs' Bogan, Brandtner top all-conference (05/06/07) Bell City senior Will Bogan and Cubs boys basketball coach Brian Brandtner were named player of the year and coach of the year, respectively, in the recently released all-Stoddard County Activities Association all-conference team. The Cubs won the regular season and tournament titles in the Stoddard County Activities Association. Bell City finished runner-up in Class 1 for the second straight year after falling to Jefferson in the Class 1 state championship game...

MSHSAA members vote to expand football playoffs (05/04/07) By BRIAN ROSENER ~ Sports Editor There won't be a separate playoff for private schools, but the postseason bracket for football will expand in 2008. Missouri State High School Activities Association member schools voted 321-92 against a proposal to split the public and nonpublic schools into separate playoffs for every sport except football...

Semoball Girls Track Honor Roll (05/03/07) Top 10 performances in each event as reported in the five newspapers that are media partners with Semoball.com, through April 29...

HS Roundup: Oran squeezes past Saxony Lutheran (04/27/07) Standard Democrat staff reports ORAN -- The Oran Eagles squeaked past Saxony Lutheran, 4-3, on Thursday. Oran (13-4) tallied the winning run on Tyler Beardslee's suicide squeeze bunt which scored Chase Seyer in the fifth inning. Alex Chasteen picked up the victory in a complete game effort...

Area teams advance in Perryville soccer tourney (04/27/07) St. Vincent, Jackson and Perryville all won first-round games Thursday at the inaugural Perryville Soccer Invitational. Jessica Welker scored three first-half goals to lead St. Vincent to a 4-0 victory over Farmington in first-round action. Megan Wengert stopped three shots to earn the shutout. Shelby Hotop added a goal for St. Vincent (13-2)...

Notre Dame baseball squeezes past Sikeston (04/25/07) Blake Gaddis brought home Brett Heischmidt with a squeeze play for the game-winning run in the sixth inning as Notre Dame's baseball team rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the sixth inning Tuesday for a 3-2 home win over Sikeston. Chad Friend tied the game with an RBI double, and Dylan Drury started Notre Dame's three-run sixth with a solo home run...

Oran dumps Scott City in showdown (04/22/07) Oran's bats dominated the day at the Oran Softball Tournament championship Saturday, scoring 15 runs on 15 hits in a 15-5 rout of Scott City. Cassie Graviett led the assault with three hits. Callie Kielhofner picked up the win for the Eagles (9-1)...

St. Vincent soccer posts shutout (04/20/07) Megan Wengert stopped eight shots to earn the shutout victory as St. Vincent defeated St. Pius 2-0 in a girls soccer game Thursday. Liz Brueckner got the Indians on the board, with Jessica Welker and Courtney Besand earning assists. Megan Sutterer added an insurance goal for the Indians (11-2, 3-0). Liz Rozier assisted on the goal...

Devils burn Cubs in nine (04/18/07) BELL CITY -- Andy Hendrix found himself in a familiar position at the plate in the ninth inning Tuesday. The bases were loaded. There was one out. Bell City had its ace on the mound. The game was on the line. In the seventh inning, under the same circumstances, he popped out to second...

Jackson hands win to Sikeston (04/13/07) Jackson pitchers walked the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the seventh of an 8-8 game and brought the winning run home with an error in a 9-8 conference loss Thursday at Sikeston. The Indians had a runner thrown out at the plate in the top of the seventh. Sikeston came back to put its first runner on in the bottom of the seventh, but Jackson was able to get a double play to clear the bases with two outs. The final error was the Indians' fifth of the game...

Jackson baseball routs ND 13-0 (04/11/07) Jackson starter Logan Lawson held host Notre Dame to just two hits Tuesday in a 13-0 six-inning SEMO Conference rout. The Indians took advantage of six Notre Dame errors to score six unearned runs against Dylan Drury, who lasted just 3 2/3 innings. Drury allowed four walks, four hits, hit three batters and allowed eight runs...

Notre Dame rally comes up short (04/05/07) The Notre Dame baseball team fell behind 6-2 after three innings and could not recoverWednesday in a 9-7 SEMO Conference loss to Dexter. The Bulldogs fell to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in the conference. Dylan Drury allowed seven runs, six earned, in four innings for the loss. Notre Dame also committed five errors...

Bogan has come long way in just two seasons (04/05/07) Bell City senior Will Bogan's most recent appearance at the Show Me Center saw the 6-foot-10 center scoring 42 points en route to a Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament title. Bogan's future in basketball will be tied to the Show Me Center after giving an oral commitment to Southeast Missouri State earlier this year. ...

B.A. Sports event set for April 13-14 (04/01/07) The annual B.A. Sports All-Star Extravaganza will take place April 13 and 14 this year at the Bess Activity Center in Poplar Bluff. The two-day event again will feature a volleyball game Friday, followed by two boys basketball games and a girls basketball game Saturday. In between the boys basketball games Saturday, players will take part in a skill competition with a slam-dunk contest and a 3-point shooting contest...

ND girls soccer runs win streak to five (03/31/07) The Notre Dame girls soccer team won its fifth straight game Friday with a 3-0 shutout of visiting St. Vincent. Destiny Dirnberger scored twice, and Amanda Pleimann added a goal. Mindy Siebert had two assists, Meridith Medlin added an assist and Claudia Brauss had the shutout...

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL | All-state (03/28/07) The Missouri high school all-state basketball teams and final rankings as voted on by the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. BOYS Class 5 First team -- Reggie Chamberlain, 6-0, sr., Raytown; George Goode, 6-8, sr., Raytown South; Logan Gray, 6-2, sr., Rock Bridge; Nick Larson, 6-6, sr., Liberty; Josh McCoy, 6-4, jr., Fort Zumwalt South; Sam Pearson, 6-1, sr., Hazelwood Central; Leon Powell, 6-7, sr., Vashon; Richard Rose, 6-3, sr., Troy; Torres Roundtree, 6-3, jr., McCluer North; Colby Smith, 6-2, sr., St. ...

Cubs, Braves players leave impression (03/28/07) Class 1 boys basketball rivals Bell City and Scott County Central led the area with two players apiece on the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters all-state basketball teams, which were released today. The Cubs and Braves split four meetings this season, but Bell City came out on top when it counted. Bell City beat Scott County in the sectional round for the fourth straight year en route to its second straight runner-up finish...

Jackson shuts out Central (03/28/07) The Jackson girls soccer team started its season with a bang, routing rival Central 4-0 on Tuesday at Central. The Indians were playing their first game while this was the sixth game for the Tigers, who fell to 2-4. Bobbi Jo Schlick gave Jackson a 1-0 halftime lead on an assist from Casey Schwab. Chelsea Dale added two second-half goals and Hannah Roach had the other...

Missouri basketball coaches honor Bell City duo (03/23/07) Bell City's second straight runner-up finish in Class 1 boys basketball helped earn a pair of Cubs all-state honors. Senior center Will Bogan and junior guard Nick Niemczyk each made the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association all-state team, which was announced Thursday...

Chaffee cruises to track sweep (03/22/07) Chaffee swept the boys and girls titles the Chaffee Open track meet on Wednesday. Kelly, Bell City, East Prairie, Scott County Central and Oran also participated. Chaffee's boys scored 145, while Kelly was second with 95, Scott County Central (27) was fourth and Oran (19) fifth...

High School basketball: All-Region (03/20/07) Class 5 Boys First team -- Jake Leet, 6-3, jr., Jackson; George Hamilton, 6-1, so., Central; Hunter Grantham, 6-5, jr., Jackson; Antonio Garritano, 6-5, jr., Jackson; T.J. Stonecipher, 6-3, sr., Poplar Bluff Coach of the year -- Darrin Scott, Jackson...

Jefferson has Bell City's number (03/18/07) COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Superman had kryponite. Bell City has Jefferson. For the third straight year, the Bell City boys basketball team fell to Jefferson in the state final four. This time, it was a 66-65 loss Saturday in the Class 1 championship game at Mizzou Arena...

Cubs plan to prove doubters wrong in 2008 (03/18/07) The Bell City boys basketball team felt heartbreak at the hands of Jefferson for the third straight year at the final four, falling to the Eagles 66-65 on Saturday in the Class 1 championship at Mizzou Arena. This was the fourth straight trip to the final four for the Cubs, with their last state title coming in 2004. Bell City also won a state title in 2002...

Cubs get wish with Jefferson rematch (03/17/07) COLUMBIA -- The Bell City boys basketball team got the rematch it wanted. Jefferson, the tiny school in Conception Junction, has beaten Bell City the last two years in the Class 1 final four at the state tournament. The Cubs lost 74-61 in the title game last year as Jefferson capped a 32-0 season...

Bell City will play for third state title (03/17/07) bell city 82, laplata 60 By JEREMY JOFFRAY Southeast Missourian COLUMBIA -- Every blow of the whistle in the second half of Friday's Class 1 semifinal boys basketball game seemed to help previously undefeated LaPlata stay with Bell City, but the Cubs eventually pulled away for an 82-60 win at Mizzou Arena...

Bell City has become a fixture with fourth straight appearance (03/16/07) The word dynasty may be thrown out too often in sports, but the Bell City boys basketball team has put itself in some elite company by earning its fourth straight state final four bid in the Class 1 tournament. Bell City will face undefeated LaPlata at 4:30 p.m. today in a Class 1 semifinal...

Perfect LaPlata confronts Bell City (03/16/07) The sting of second place is not quick to go away. For the Bell City boys basketball team, the moment the buzzer sounded on last year's 74-61 championship loss to Jefferson, thoughts turned to next year. "It was immediately after," Bell City coach Brian Brandtner said. "Immediately following the game, that's what we talked about in the locker room. Now we have the opportunity to do what we've talked about for a year."...

Cubs earn fourth straight Final Four (03/13/07) WEST PLAINS, Mo. - It was a struggle much of the way, just as Bell City boys basketball coach Brian Brandtner anticipated. But there was ultimately no denying the Cubs their fourth consecutive Class 1 Final Four berth. Bell City, last year's state runner-up, rode a stifling defense and a huge fourth quarter to a 55-31 quarterfinal win over Billings at the West Plains Civic Center on Saturday...

Bell City returnsto familiar territory (03/11/07) WEST PLAINS, Mo. -- It was a struggle much of the way, just as Bell City boys basketball coach Brian Brandtner anticipated. But there was ultimately no denying the Cubs their fourth consecutive Class 1 Final Four berth. Bell City, last year's state runner-up, rode a stifling defense and a huge fourth quarter to a 55-31 quarterfinal win over Billings at the West Plains Civic Center on Saturday...

Bravettes seek return to final four (03/10/07) The Scott County County Central girls basketball team finally found a way to get through rival Delta in the sectional round, and now the Bravettes have a chance to regain some of their program's former glory when they hit the West Plains Civic Center floor today for a Class 1 quarterfinal game...

Cubs slip past Braves, into quarterfinals (03/07/07) POPLAR BLUFF -- Bell City coach Brian Brandtner saw his team lose Tuesday night. As Scott County Central's Caleb Johnson -- who finished with 14 points -- gathered in a rebound with three seconds left and drove to midcourt where he flung a desperation shot, Brandtner was certain that it was good and his team's season was over...

Bell City survives big comeback by Braves (03/07/07) POPLAR BLUFF -- The Bell City boys basketball team is not ready to turn over its title as the region's premiere Class 1 squad just yet, as the Cubs escaped a huge comeback Tuesday to win 65-63 against rival Scott County Central in the state sectional...

Bell City flies past Red Wings (03/06/07) GREENVILLE -- Will Bogan and Nick Niemczyk combined for 45 points as the Bell City Cubs made it six straight Class 1, District 2 championships with a 79-40 win over the Eminence Red Wings Friday night at Greenville. The story line was the same in the championship game as it was for all three of Bell City's tournament wins, as the Cubs bolted to a big first quarter lead (22-9) and never looked back in the district-clinching victory...

Sparring between rivals Scott County Central, Bell City moves to side as teams meet for fourth time (03/06/07) It was one of the most anticipated matchups in Southeast Missouri heading into the season. Now heading into the fourth meeting this season, Bell City and Scott County's Class 1 sectional 6 p.m. game today at Poplar Bluff High School should still draw plenty of interest...

Delta girls, Bell City boys capture Class 1 crowns (03/03/07) GREENVILLE -- The Delta girls basketball team remained perfect and set up yet another sectional matchup with rival Scott County Central by routing second-seeded Lesterville 56-35 on Friday in the finals of the Class 1 District 2 tournament. The Bobcats, ranked No. 1 in Class 1, improved to 26-0. Delta will face Scott County Central (19-7) in the sectional round Tuesday at Poplar Bluff High School. This will be the fourth straight sectional meeting between the teams...

Cubs hammer Wildcats and advance into district finals (03/02/07) GREENVILLE -- Bell City turned its Class 1, District 2 semifinal game against No. 4 Leopold into a laugher early as the Cubs raced past the Wildcats for a 93-29 win and a shot at a sixth-straight district title. Bell City looked like a well-oiled machine as the Cubs dominated the Wildcats in a 25-2 first quarter, then kicked it up a notch for a 29-point second and a 54-11 halftime advantage...

Resurgent Rams face Charleston in final (03/02/07) The Scott City boys basketball team has continued its late-season surge, reaching the championship game of the Class 3 District 1 tournament. Second-seeded Scott City improved to 19-7 with a 79-70 win over third-seeded Portageville in Thursday night's semifinals at New Madrid County Central...

Scott City boys reach district semis (02/27/07) Second-seeded Scott City advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3 District 1 boys basketball tournament with a 70-55 victory Monday night over No. 7 Kennett at New Madrid, Mo. Alex King scored 22 points to lead five Scott City players in double figures. Jay Simmons and Rynn Eskew both added 13 points, while Caleb Estes netted 12 points and Jamie Pinkston scored 10...

Scott City boys reach district semis (02/27/07) Second-seeded Scott City advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3 District 1 boys basketball tournament with a 70-55 victory Monday night over No. 7 Kennett at New Madrid, Mo. Alex King scored 22 points to lead five Scott City players in double figures. Jay Simmons and Rynn Eskew both added 13 points, while Caleb Estes netted 12 points and Jamie Pinkston scored 10...

Small schools launch district tournaments today (02/24/07) Three area basketball squads will be seeking return trips to the state final four as the district tournaments begin today for Classes 1 through 3. Advance and Bell City each made the final four on the boys side last year, while Delta made it on the girls side. All three will carry top seeds in their respective districts, as will Scott County's boys and Scott County, Kelly and St. Vincent on the girls side...

Delta girls clip Bravettes again (02/23/07) Delta's girls basketball team survived another narrow victory over visiting Scott County Central 53-51 on Thursday to finish the regular season undefeated. The Bobcats improved to 24-0 heading into Saturday's district game against Eminence. This was the second game between the two teams to come down to the wire this season, as Delta edged Scott County 35-34 in the finals of the Scott-Mississippi Conference tournament...

Delta girls clip Bravettes again (02/23/07) Delta's girls basketball team survived another narrow victory over visiting Scott County Central 53-51 on Thursday to finish the regular season undefeated. The Bobcats improved to 24-0 heading into Saturday's district game against Eminence. This was the second game between the two teams to come down to the wire this season, as Delta edged Scott County 35-34 in the finals of the Scott-Mississippi Conference tournament...

Massey nets 29 to lead Mules over Richland (02/14/07) ESSEX -- The Bernie Mules improved to 11-9 on the season with a 70-61 victory over the Richland Rebels as Marcus Massey exploded for 29 points -- including 10 in the pivotal third period that pushed Bernie to a 54-37 lead with eight minutes to play...

Scott Co. Central upends Doniphan (02/14/07) Drew Thomas, Caleb Johnson and D.D. Gillespie combined for 66 points to lead the Braves in a 74-70 home win against Doniphan in the battle of state-ranked teams. Scott County Central (19-4) entered the game as the No. 7 team in the state's Class 1 poll, while Doniphan (19-3) was No. 5 in Class 3...

Malden defeats Bernie, Cardinals down Zalma (02/12/07) BERNIE -- The Bernie Mules stayed right with the Malden Green Wave for most of the first half of Friday's prep basketball game, but the Wave proved to be too tough as they cruised to a 94-65 victory. The Mules led 15-12 after one quarter of play as Doug Johnson put up seven of his 15 points in the first eight minutes of the game...

Chaffee boys turn back Oak Ridge (02/10/07) The Chaffee boys basketball team has won 50 percent more games than it did last season. The Red Devils posted their sixth win Friday night, beating host Oak Ridge 60-48. Andy Hendrix hit four 3-pointers and had a game-high 21 points for the Red Devils (6-13). Jerrod Steger added 16 points for the Red Devils...

Bell City rallies to defeat Dexter (02/07/07) BELL CITY -- Dexter's bid for the upset against state-ranked Bell City faded in the second half as the Cubs rallied at home for a 66-46 victory and a perfect 7-0 season in the SCAA Conference. Dexter battled Bell City on even terms the first half, but Coach Brian Brandtner turned to his big three - Will Bogan, Nick Niemczyk and Phillip Gross - to take charge of the game after the break and nail down the win for the state's third-ranked Class 1 Cubs...

Notre Dame boys claim 20th victim (02/07/07) The Notre Dame boys basketball team notched its 20th victory of the season Tuesday night, routing visiting Kennett 85-47. Ryan Willen poured in 30 points for the Bulldogs, who improved to 20-4 overall and 6-1 in SEMO Conference play. Ty Williams added 12 points for the Bulldogs, followed by John Unterreiner with 11 and Austin Greer with 10...

Crusaders, Devils find MVC final (02/03/07) Top seed Saxony Lutheran and No. 2 Chaffee used double-digit semifinal victories Friday to move into the Mississippi Valley Conference tournament championship at Meadow Heights. Saxony Lutheran will face Chaffee at 8:30 tonight. Saxony Lutheran (17-3) and Leopold were deadlocked at the end of the third quarter before the Crusaders used a 22-11 fourth quarter for a 68-57 win...

Hornets dominate early in SCAA win over Wildcats (01/31/07) BLOOMFIELD -- The Advance Hornets dominated the first half of play Tuesday night, and it was enough to hold up in a 78-61 decision over the Bloomfield Wildcats in Stoddard County Activities Association basketball action. Alex Steil led all scorers with 27 points in the victory, while teammate Trenton Moses added 14 points in his first game back after a bout with the flu...

Jackson's rally falls short against Charleston (01/31/07) Charleston held on for its second tight SEMO Conference win in four days, beating host Jackson 60-58 on Tuesday night. The Bluejays, who handed Notre Dame its first loss Saturday, improved to 17-3 overall and 5-1 in the conference. Jackson fell behind by seven points at halftime but closed the gap in the second half...

Bell City dominates, Rebels produce upset (01/29/07) BLOOMFIELD -- Bell City proved once again that it is top dog in the SCAA Conference, but the Cubs may be looking over there shoulder at a youthful Richland team ready to make its own mark in the near future. Championship Friday at the 82nd Annual SCAA Tournament at Bloomfield saw Bell City dominate Advance, 70-45, to make it back-to-back titles, while Richland's jayvee team ended Dexter's string of 10 consecutive championships with a 55-48 victory...

Cubs defeat Hornets, win Stoddard Co. Tournament (01/27/07) Nick Niemczyk poured in 26 points as Bell City rolled past Advance 70-45 in the championship at the Stoddard County Activities Association tournament. The meeting was the third between the two teams this season after they had split the first two. But the Cubs (15-4) jumped on the Hornets with a 22-10 first period and stretched the lead to 15 at halftime. The Cubs led 59-32 after three periods...

Time for Round 3 (01/26/07) Bell City, Advance in rubber game for SCAA title

Bogan gives verbal commitment to Redhawks (01/26/07) Southeast Missouri State men's basketball coach Scott Edgar has won the recruiting battle for one of the area's top prospects, as 6-foot-10 Bell City senior Will Bogan verbally committed to the Redhawks on Thursday. "There were a lot of bigger schools in the hunt, but Will really wanted to be part of something special at SEMO, and he really loved the coaching staff," Bell City coach Brian Brandtner said...

Notre Dame girls end Jackson's winning streak (01/26/07) Notre Dame's girls basketball team knocked off another area powerhouse Thursday with a 68-40 home rout of Jackson. The Bulldogs beat state-ranked Doniphan on Monday, and on Thursday the Bulldogs outscored Jackson 36-11 in the second half to end the Indians' 11-game winning streak...

Jackson escapes Sikeston with 65-64 win (01/24/07) Antonio Garritano gave Jackson a one-point lead with 1 minute, 10 seconds remaining at Sikeston on Tuesday, and the Indians held on for a 65-64 SEMO Conference win at Sikeston. Jackson trailed 61-52 with 6 minutes remaining, but the Indians responded with an 11-0 run. Jake Leet capped the run with a 3-pointer which put Jackson up 63-61 with 1:45 remaining...

SCAA hoops tournament underway at Bloomfield (01/23/07) BLOOMFIELD -- Day one is in the books at the 82nd SCAA Tournament at Bloomfield and it was No. 1 Bell City making a strong statement against No. 8 Woodland in the varsity bracket, while host Bloomfield pulled off the only upset when the No. 6 Wildcats defeated No. 3 Woodland in junior varsity action...

Adams dials long distance to lead Puxico to win (01/22/07) PUXICO -- Dylan Adams dropped in seven 3-pointers and finished with 34 points to lead the Puxico Indians to a 76-69 victory over the Bernie Mules Friday night. Adams hit five of his long-range bombs and scored 20 points in the decisive fourth quarter as Puxico climbed back from a 53-44 deficit with eight minutes to play...

NBA-like Braves win conference tourney (01/20/07) The Scott County Central boys basketball rolled to the championship in the Scott-Mississippi Conference tournament Friday night, hammering Scott City 92-53. "I don't think the Lakers could've beat them tonight," Scott City coach Lance Amick said...

Scott City, Oran reach Scott-Miss semifinals (01/17/07) Scott City and Oran advanced to the semifinals of the Scott-Miss Conference boys basketball tournament with opening-round wins Tuesday. The teams will play 9 p.m. Thursday, following the 7:30 p.m. semifinal game between East Prairie and tournament host Scott County Central...

Stoddard County Tournament Coming Soon (01/11/07) Jerry Jarrell photo The SCAA coaches held their annual seed meeting Wednesday night at Bloomfield for the conference's upcoming tournament, slated for Jan. 22-25, at Bloomfield. Bell City was a unanimous choice as the varsity's top-seed, while Dexter garnered five-of-seven first place votes to be tabbed as the top jayvee team at the tournament. ...

Moses leads Hornets to win over Bernie (01/07/07) Bell City beats Rebs

St. Joseph's overtakes Bulldogs (01/06/07) The Notre Dame girls basketball team led St. Joseph's Academy for one half Friday night but could not finish the job against the perennial state power. St. Joseph's of Frontenac, Mo., outscored the Bulldogs 40-22 in the second half for a 63-46 victory...

Bell City caps Cinderella run (12/31/06) A championship game which garnered David and Goliath comparisons took its ending from the legendary story, as Class 1 Bell City knocked off Class 5 Jackson 84-76 on Saturday in the finals of the 62nd annual Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center...

Charleston storms past Notre Dame