High School Sports

After taking a step back during the spring season earlier this year, the Advance High School baseball program wanted to show signs of hope during its 14-game fall schedule, and it did according to Hornet coach Neil Johnson. “This was their chance to really focus and see what they were made of,” Johnson said recently.

If the Advance High School volleyball program ever appeared vulnerable to other Southeast Missouri programs, this fall may have been THAT season. The Hornets graduated several seniors off its 2023 MSHSAA Class 1 state championship squad and only returned one senior this fall.

NEW MADRID – With a portion of his roster having barely taken off their football pads, veteran Caruthersville High School boy’s basketball coach Lamonte Bell had tempered expectations as his team opened its season on Friday against West Memphis in the Riverbend Classic at New Madrid County Central High School.

St. Vincent's title hopes dashed as Adrian dominates 21-0 in MSHSAA semifinal. Battling harsh weather, the Indians' offense falters, ending their perfect season and advancing Adrian to the finals.

NEW MADRID – Campbell High School boy’s basketball coach Steve Fowler has been guiding a high school program for longer (25 years) than his Camel athletes have been on earth, but he saw something in Friday’s season-opening loss to Overton (Tenn.) High School at the Riverbend Classic at New Madrid County Central High School that he has never seen, and probably never will again in the next 25 years of coaching.

Some marriages don’t last six years, so the fact that Dexter High School senior cross country runners Ben Dowdy and Cameron Bell have spent hours each day, training side by side, for that many years, it’s impressive that they still speak, let alone, still like each other.

Following his team’s final game of the 2024 season recently, first-year East Prairie High School football coach Ian Penrod delivered an emphatic answer to just how the Eagles had turned their program around so quickly this fall. “I’ll be completely honest with you,” Penrod said, “these kids played their butts off.”

Woodland High School’s girls basketball team tallied double figures in every period on its way to a 68-36 home win on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Twenty-plus points in the third and fourth quarters distanced the home squad from the Pirates as WHS improved to 2-0 in the early portion of the 2024-25 season...

The Caruthersville High School boy’s basketball program has strung together three consecutive winning seasons, and veteran Tiger coach Lamonte Bell believes he has the experience and depth this season to make it four in a row. “I return four out of five starters,” Bell said of this year’s squad.

SEMO NORTH FIRST TEAM OFFENSE QB — Brett Drye, Farmington, sr., 6-1, 180; QB — Jay Edmundson, Poplar Bluff, sr., 6-0, 178; RB — Keyshawn Boyd, Cape Central, jr., 6-0, 190; RB — Jaylon Hampton, Jackson, soph., 5-7, 165; RB — Zai’Aire Thomas, Cape Central, sr., 5-6, 165; WR — Hunter Clifford, Poplar Bluff, sr., 6-1, 166; WR — Kai Crowe, Jackson, sr. ...

There was no shortage of incredible feats achieved by the 2024 Dexter football program this past season. The Bearcats matched a program record for victories (11) and won the MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 championship, which was the first for the program in 13 seasons. However, a memorable triumph that, perhaps, will never be matched again, was attained by the Miller family.

Stoddard County volleyball players received a lion’s share of recognition with the release of postseason honors. Leading the way is a quartet of all-state players — the Advance trio of Addi Carlton, Emma Eilers and Brogan Hawkins, plus Bernie’s Bailey Henry — who helped their teams make deep postseason runs...

Week 14 sees Southeast Missouri's high school football field narrowed to one as St. Vincent advances to the semifinals. Discover the latest power rankings and the fate of local teams.

The Caruthersville High School football program had its most successful season this fall since 2018, as it won 10 games for just the second time in 11 seasons. However, that success was not limited to just on the field.

It’s been a great start to the holiday week for Oak Ridge senior Reagan Howe. The two-sport star started the girls’ basketball season by leading the Blue Jays past St. Paul 52-46 on Monday, Nov. 25, in Farmington. On Tuesday, Howe put pen to paper and signed her NLI to play volleyball at Mineral Area College...

Emma Tinnin signs to play softball at Missouri State-West Plains, reuniting with former teammate Hadley Wilson.

Delta Bobcats grabs win over Delta C-7 Chargers 78-56 in season opener.

Kennett's girls basketball kicks off the 2024-2025 season with a Jamboree, hosting Dexter, Holcomb, and Twin Rivers.

ST. LOUIS – Dexter had its most successful football season in program history come to a halt on Saturday, as it fell to an athletic Lift For Life squad 50-12 in the MSHSAA Class 3 Quarterfinal 1 playoff game at Mehlville High School. “Sooner or later,” third-year Bearcat coach Chad Jamerson said following the loss, “the magic runs out.”

St. Vincent girls basketball dominates season opener, defeating Park Hills Central 56-33. With a strong defense and standout performances, the Indians aim for a historic run at the state championship.

History has repeated itself in Perryville. But with a twist. The St. Vincent Indians successfully defended their title by once again dominating the Crystal City Hornets 42-0 in the Class 1 District 1 championship game on Friday, Nov. 22. On top of winning their second consecutive district title, the Indians will enter the Class 1 semifinals with a perfect 12-0 record. St. Vincent hasn’t won that many games in a season since the year the Indians won the state championship in 2004...

Kirkwood's late surge pushes it past Jackson 45-35 in Class 6 quarterfinals. Despite a strong effort and brief lead, Jackson's season ends as Kirkwood advances to face Nixa in the semifinals.

Kennett School District seeks a new head football coach after a winless season.

SIKESTON — The Sikeston Student Council hosted a unique charity volleyball match on Monday night at the Field House. The event pitted the school’s soccer team against the volleyball team, all in the name of a good cause: Special Olympics. “My favorite part was seeing the girls having fun and playing the sport they love,” said Sikeston assistant volleyball coach Savannah Kesselring. “Being out there with their classmates and friends, it was special.”...

Discover the standout teams and players as the Mississippi Valley Conference unveils its 2024 volleyball All-Conference honors, celebrating its top talent of the season.

Jackson High School celebrated two seniors signing their national letter of intent to become college athletes at two Ohio Valley Conference institutions on Thursday, Nov. 21. Ava Walters will continue her swimming career at Little Rock while Ian Lambert will play golf at UT Martin. Both seniors were Semoball Awards finalists last year...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — In a league full of bright stars, Glo Farmer outshines them all as a future legend in the making. More than just a talented athlete, the junior from Portageville has been named the 2024 Bootheel Conference Player of the Year in volleyball...

Steven Edwards is known to many in Southeast Missouri for his successes on the baseball diamond — first as a player at Poplar Bluff High School in the mid-1990s and later as a successful coach, first at his alma mater and now at Dexter. However, there is another sport Edwards is passionate about — golf. When he is not coaching and teaching at Dexter, Edwards has begun playing on the Veterans Golf Association Tour...

Chris Dye returns to Delta C-7 as head coach, aiming to build on last season's success.

Kennett Indians boys basketball kicks off the season with a Black and Gold Scrimmage, offering fans a sneak peek of the team's potential under new head coach Seth McBroom.

BENTON, Mo. — Kelly has much to celebrate as several of its softball players have been recognized for their outstanding contributions this season. For the second consecutive year, Blaire Riley earned all-state honors from the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association...

SIKESTON — The once-ravaged tennis courts at Sikeston High School have been reborn. After suffering significant damage from a powerful tornado in May, the courts have been repaired, offering a renewed space and sparking excitement for local athletes and the community...

Jackson football gears up to face Kirkwood in a high-stakes quarterfinal clash. Both teams boast strong seasons, with Kirkwood seeking a return to its first semifinals since 2016 and Jackson eyeing another berth.

St. Vincent seeks a second straight district title against Crystal City this Friday. With a perfect record and recent dominance, can the Indians continue their winning streak and advance?

The Caruthersville High School football season ended Friday with a defeat at Valle Catholic in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 championship game, which was an anomaly.

ORAN, Mo. — While the Oran volleyball team faced challenges this season, finishing with an 8-17-0 record, they still had plenty to celebrate. Several players earned well-deserved postseason honors, showcasing their individual talent and the team's potential for future success...

The Dexter High School football program is in rare waters this Saturday, as the unbeaten Bearcats (11-0) will battle Lift For Life Charter Academy (7-5) in the MSHSAA Class 3 Quarterfinals.

Former Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) baseball pitcher Noah Niznik has turned a standout college career into a rookie season to remember with the Savannah Bananas, earning the Rookie of the Year award for 2024. Known for his dominance on the mound at SEMO, Niznik has seamlessly transitioned into the high-energy, dance-filled world of Banana Ball, where athleticism meets entertainment...

Several local players were represented when the SEMO North Conference recently released its all-conference squad. Two Dexter players — Kate Nichols and Cali White — earned first-team all-conference honors, while two Poplar Bluff players, Ireland Gowen and Morgan Cisne, were named second-team all-conference, as was Dexter’s Avery Riley...

Jackson and Dexter clinch district titles, advancing to quarterfinals. St. Vincent dominates Van-Far, securing a spot in the district title game. Check out the Week 13 Semoball Area Football Power Rankings.

CRYSTAL CITY, Mo. — In a dramatic semifinal clash in the MSHSAA Class 1, District 1 Tournament, Charleston faced a heart-wrenching 36-34 defeat at Crystal City on Friday, Nov. 15. The contest was a whirlwind of emotions, culminating in an overtime showdown that left the Blue Jays (7-4, 4-1 SEMO South) just shy of victory...

Fourth-year Puxico High School boy’s basketball coach Bryant Fernetti, who also serves as the school’s athletic director, has no one to blame but himself when he takes a glance at the Indians’ non-conference schedules this winter.

It will be a strange scene next August when the Advance High School volleyball team takes the court and Addi Carlton isn’t anywhere to be seen.

STE. GENEVIEVE – The small picture of what transpired on Friday in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 Football Playoff championship game was that Valle Catholic dominated Caruthersville 63-21.

The FSCB Holiday Classic expands to 16 teams for the first time in its history. Discover the teams to watch, returning stars, and contenders for the title in this December's basketball showdown.

On a rare Saturday afternoon, St Vincent defeated Van-Far 49-8 in a Class 1 District 1 battle with the Indians. The win was No. 50 for head coach Tim Schumer, who played for St. Vincent during his high school days.  At 11-0, St. Vincent remains one of two undefeated teams in Class 1. To continue the perfect streak on their way back to the state semifinals is the goal for the St. Vincent seniors...

Jackson football clinches back-to-back district titles with a dominant 49-28 win over Seckman. Quarterback Drew Parsons shines with six touchdowns, setting up a state quarterfinal clash with Kirkwood.

A fraction of a second. That is the amount of improvement Cape Central senior Phineas Theall was looking to make in his season-long quest for a second straight state championship in the 100-yard butterfly. He secured the state title with a time of 48.99 in the MSHSAA Class 1 state swim championships on Saturday, Nov. 16, in St. Peters. It was 0.09 seconds slower than the time of his first title last year...

DEXTER — For the first time since 2011, the Dexter football Bearcats are district champions — but they had to earn it. The Bearcats rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit to win the Class 3 District 1 championship 28-13 over the Ste. Genevieve Dragons on Friday night at Charles Bland Stadium...

ST. LOUIS — Cape Central wanted to reach higher this season, but on Friday night the Tigers hit their ceiling. They smacked right into it at Cardinal Ritter High School in the Class 5 District 1 Championship with hopes of capturing a third straight district crown. It was a dominant outing from the two-time defending state champion Lions as Cape Central’s special season ended in a 56-14 rout in St. Louis...