Basketball Blogging

Following up on a previous post, Nixa won the girls Class 5 championship
Grandview, a long-time participant in the Neosho Holiday Tournament, was runners up in Class 5 in the boys titles.
And Kansas, Okla., which defeated Neosho earlier in the year, lost in the Class 3A semifinals to OKC Millwood.

Other ramblings
- Apparently Willard coach Travis Evans has resigned

- Kickapoo hired current Evangel assistant coach Dick Rippee to replace long-time coach Roy Green.

- Charleston player Jordan Ackers, who played against Neosho earlier this year, signed to play football at Arkansas Tech

- The Neosho Holiday Tournament has 16 girls team signed up -- for the first time ever -- and 13 boys team so far.

- Jefferson County College's Danielle Adams, who has dominated Crowder and many other teams over the last two years, was named the NJCAA JUCO Player of the Year.

- Charleston, a NHT team, made the Class 3A playoffs in Arkansas and won its first round game, 50-47 over Chapel, before falling to Valley Springs, 39-36.

- Morrilton boys made the semifinals this year in the Class 5A playoffs in Arkansas, but lost to North Pulaski, 73-56.

- Springdale Girls, the runners-up this year in the girls bracket of the tournament at the Holiday Tournament, lost its first round game at state to Little Rock Central, 48-39.

- Van Buren, yet another NHT team, made the Class 7A playoffs, but lost to Fort Smith Southside 50-41 in its first round game.

Random Baseball Banter

While going through the College Baseball Preview issue of Baseball America -- my most loved and most expensive magazine I get -- I saw a few interesting things I wanted to point out.

Southern Cal has a few players with very notable last names playing for head coach Chad Kreuter, yes the former major league catcher, this year. The roster includes Jordan Hersisher -- son of Orel, Shane Boras, the son of mega agent Scott and Beau Brett, son of Ken and nephew of George.

Also on USC is Robert Stock. I met Robert a few years ago when he stayed at the Marions house in Neosho during the Tournament of Stars when it was still in Joplin. Stock, who left high school early to attend college as a 17 year old, is now solely a pitcher for the Trojans. A poor showing with his bat and his defense behind the plate made the change necessary the magazine said. Quite a drop, in a sense, for someone who was pegged as the nations top athlete as a catcher.

Speaking of California, Matt Gorgen is the closer this year for the Cal Bears. He is also another kid that stayed in Neosho while competing in the Tournament of Stars, as he was hosted by the Boatrights.

And finally three interesting names I thought were worth pointing out:
- Ross Wilson of Alabama is the first-team All-American at 2B according to BA. He gained famed in high school playing for Hoover High School in Alabama and was on MTV's Two-A-Days show.

- Division III Linfield College is coached by former big leaguer Scott Brosius

- Finally a JUCO All-American was a kid by the name of Danny Almonte from Western Oklahoma State. The now sophomore hit .497 last year and was 7-1 on the mound. And yes, that is the same Almonte who gained fame or became infamous for the Little League scandal after throwing a perfect game for his Bronx team.

Neosho's basketball opponents

The Neosho Lady Wildcats team went 21-7 this year, but looking back at the season there were some, perhaps you could say, quality losses.

Neosho lost twice to Webb City, which will play in the Class 4 State Championship game

Neosho also lost twice to Nixa, which will play in the Class 5 State Championship game

And another loss came to Kansas, Okla., which is in the state tournament with a 22-2 record

Pedro to Cards? Bonds back?

I saw two baseball notes in the big leagues I thought I'd write a blurb about.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch said the Cardinals have interest in Pedro Martinez, but not as a starter, but as a closer. That is kind of interesting. If the season started now the Cards would have either Jason Motte or Chris Perez closing, both former closers for the Springfield Cardinals. Pedro has been a starter his whole life so maybe a change to the bullpen would prolong his career
Any thoughts?

And then I saw this story and laughed. Apparently Jeff Borris, the agent for steroid using Barry Bonds, started calling all 30 major league baseball teams this week to tell them that his client, Mr. Bonds, is interested in playing in the major leagues this year.
Really? Go figure?
But who would be dumb enough to even answer that call?

This and That

The Springdale Lady Bulldogs basketball team, runners up in this year's Neosho Holiday Tournament, qualified for the state tournament. The Lady Bulldogs enter the Class 7A Tournament as the No. 5 seed out of the West.
The clincher was a 36-32 win over Springdale Har-Ber, where Tiffany Wiseley, an all-tournament selection at the Holiday Tournament, scored 17 points.

The Fayetteville Lady Bulldogs basketball team is the No. 1 seed in the Class 7A Tournament with a perfect 29-0 record. Fayetteville defeated both Seneca and McDonald County this year.

Morrilton girls finished 7-21 overall and only 1-13 in conference play. The Morrilton boys were 19-7 the last time I checked.

Speaking of Springdale, its boys basketball coach Bill Taylor has to pay $315 for a door he damaged at a game in Fort Smith this year. The Morning News asked Taylor about it he said "not newsworthy" and "not relevant to your paper."
The article went on to say Springdale Athletic Director Annette Scogins said the school district will not pay for the vandalism.
I remember Taylor a little bit from last year's Neosho Holiday Tournament, where he was counting how many times San Diego was dunking in pregame warm ups and wanted about 30 technical fouls called on the team.

And finally, I saw Lawrence Phillips name in the paper. The former Nebraska and St. Louis Ram running back is currently serving 10 years in prison for assault with a deadly weapon. He was in the news because he wanted to appeal a contest plea on another assault charge.

People actually want to watch the Chiefs?

I ran across this tidbit in the Kansas City Star.

The Kansas City Power & Light is seeking 17.5 percent increase in rates. Okay, most electric companies are doing that. Here is the kicker, KCP&L was asking their customers to pay $3.6 million in expenses for such items at $200,000 in tickets to Worlds of Fun for employees, $188,000 in ticket fees for the Royals and Chiefs and $5,900 in food at the Chiefs game.

Amazing huh?

Well after a few days, KCP&L changed their stance, despite the spokesman saying those were legitimate business expenses and should be covered by the customers. At least Empire isn't screwing us around that bad -- that I know of.

Ransburg leaves KU

The much ballyhooed recruit from Harrisonville has left Kansas and transfered to Mid-American Nazarene of all place. So from State Champion caliber QB to NAIA QB in 2 years.

http://www.mnu.edu/athletics/news/632/article.php

Economy to affect KC teams

I ran across this reading the Kansas City Star this weekend. Though it likely won't affect anyone in Southwest Missouri, the city of Kansas City is ending its Royals Express and Chiefs Express bus pick up service around the city. The Area Transportation Authority Board voted to end the service and save the city $7 million dollars.

Bad baseball

I bought the Sporting News Major League Baseball preview and saw some interesting facts.
The Cardinals are 822-635 since the start of the 2000 season, the third best record in baseball in that time frame. My beloved Kansas City Royals are 607-857 in that same time frame -- dead last.

And to add insult to injury, of the 10 worst records in baseball since the 2000 season, the Royals have the third worst record. In fact, the 2004 and 2005 Royals both rank in the Top 10.

Sporting News Poll

The Sporting News held a survey of fans of all sports and ranked all the teams from 1 to 110 -- all the teams in the four major sports -- MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL.

The St. Louis Cardinals rank No. 10 in fan following and No. 10 in fan loyalty.
The Royals, in comparison, ranked No. 81 in fan loyalty and then get this -- it hurts typing this -- ranked No. 110 in fan following. Worst then the freakin' Detroit Lions? Worst the then Clippers? Worst then the Bobcats?

MIAA

I don't know how many people saw this, but Lincoln University joined the MIAA.
That means there will be 11 teams in football and 12 in basketball starting next year.

Rockhurts University in Kansas City has also applied to join the league

Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

The 2009 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, in Springfield, will induct several players and figures into the hall this year, including Grant Wistrom, Will Shields, Todd Worrell, John Mayberry, Stan Kroenke and Steve Hancock.

Hancock is the head coach at Branson High School.

Kroenke is the owner of the Avalanche and Nuggets and married into the Walton fortune -- smart guy

Mayberry is a former Royals standout in the 70s

Worrell was the premier closer in the NL in the 80s and early 90s for the Cardinals

Shields was a Nebraska standout and then made his name playing for the Chiefs

Wistrom, as everyone know, is a former Webb City standout that made it big time with the Rams.

Familiar name in signing list

Nebraska inked a player by the name of Brandon Kinnie from Fort Scott Community College as a WR.
That is the same McKinnie that prepped at Grandview and was in the Neosho Holiday Tournament Slam Dunk contest a few years ago. I will always remember him for throwing the ball off the wall and slamming it down.

Thursday's news

There will be stories on five signings in Thursday's Daily News.

Neosho football players Xavier Morrison, Nick Morrison and Anthony Westfield all signed with MSSU and Cody Holland signed with Pitt State.

In Granby, Jacob Khan signed to run track at MSSU

MU loses recruit

Terrance Lloyd, a 3-star recruit defensive lineman from Houston, will no longer be headed to Missouri. According to reports, he has changed his commitment and will play in-state at Baylor.

Ouch!
Missouri is losing ground in Texas to Baylor? That is not a good sign for Pinkel & Co.

Random things

There was a story on Sporting News where the ESPN president talks about the company will lose about 200 employees due to the economic crisis.
And later that day, the network hires Herm Edwards. Hmm

Former Kansas City Chief assistant Jimmy Raye was hired as the 49ers offensive coordinator


And finally, in the 'he should've just shut up award,' boxer Vladimir Klitschko was interviewed in Details magazine and said he keeps his hands from swelling up after a boxer match by wrapping them in his son's used baby diapers because, as he said 'baby wee is good because it has no toxins.'
Perhaps he should've just kept that to himself.

Wrestling On

The Neosho High School wrestling team will still have a home dual tonight despite school being called off. Wrestling starts with Webb City vs. Staley High School at 5 p.m., while the JV matches will run at the same time.

Baldwin leaving Neosho

Neosho offensive coordinator Dustin Baldwin was hired as the head coach at Miller High School. Look for a story in Thursday's paper

ESPN Top Baseball Prospects

Keith Law of Scouts, Inc., posted his view of the Top 100 Prospects in baseball this week.
Ranked No. 1 is Orioles uber prospect Matt Wieters, who should be the team's starting catcher this year.

Cardinals' standout Colby Rasmus is ranked No. 12, while Royals first round draft pick this year, Eric Hosmer, was ranked No. 17.
The Cardinals' first round pick this year, Brett Wallace, is ranked No. 19.

Another interesting prospect in my eyes is that of Logan Morrison of Florida, ranked No. 23. He is a former star at Maple Woods CC, a long-time rival of Crowder College.

Mocking the Mock Drafts

As a Chiefs fan I am very worried about the the team picking No. 3 in the draft. Some of it goes back, well all of it goes back to Carl Peterson. Not many other people could mess up as many top draft picks as good ole' King Carl. I know Carl is gone, but I'm still worried.

I made it a point to look at the mock drafts today. ESPN has the Chiefs picking Mark Sanchez, the QB out of Southern Cal with the No. 3 pick. Andre Smith the offensive lineman from 'Bama is projected to go to St. Louis at No. 2

So then I go to Pro Football Weekly - you can access it through the Daily News sports page - and their mock draft had the Chiefs taking Florida State linebacker Everette Brown. That mock draft had Sanchez going No. 17 overall and Smith going No. 13.
In ESPN's draft, Brown was projected to go 15. In the NFL there is a BIG BIG BIG difference in those 12 spots.

It kind of worries me that there is so much variation in the value of each of those players.

Homicide charge for coach

I ran across this story on USA Today and it's an AP story so most people can read it. Jason Stinson the head football coach at a Louisville, Ky. high school has been charged with wreckless homicide and could face up to 5 years in prison.
The reason?
One of his football players collapsed and died of heat exhaustion during summer works out last August.

Could this be a trend? This player wasn't the first player to die from working out in the hot summer heat, but this is the first time I can recall a coach being charged with murder essentially.

Hill to Mizzou

I saw this on the News-Leader's website, Branson lineman Mark Hill has committed to play football at Missouri. The little brother of former Arkansas center Steven Hill is the second football that the Wildcats have faced in recent years heading to Missouri -- the other is Lebanon lineman Justin Britt. Hill was injured when Neosho played in Branson this year.

And this begs the question. Why isn't Cody Holland a Missouri signee yet?

Herm-ified

The Chiefs finally made my day by firing Herm Edwards. As a reporter I am supposed to be non-biased but as a Chiefs fan that is hard to do. I can't stand the guy as a head coach. Yes he is a good guy. But to me there is more than being a good guy when it comes to football. As one coach used to say 'You Play to Win the Game.' Unfortunately that guy was Herm, who you know, won 2 of his last 25 games as a head coach. That was even worst than Rod Miranellis, the former head coach of the Detroit Lions.

Now, lets hope Pioli will hire a new coach that has some imagination and won't blame youth as an excuse for losing.

The travels of Jeremy Tyler

The San Diego Cavers, participants in the Neosho Holiday Tournament in 2006 and 2007, will be on ESPN2 Friday at 7 p.m. playing LA Fairfax in a made-for-TV special.
The stars showcased will be Fairfax's Renardo Sidney and San Diego's Jeremy Tyler. Tyler and his Cavers are 8-4 on the season and has been jet-setting around the country. So far this year, they have playing in the Flyin' To The Hoop Invitational in Kettering, Ohio, the Maui Classic in Hawaii and the MaxPreps Holiday Classic in Torrey Pines, Calif. -- the tournament they went to instead of returning to Neosho this winter.
Tyler is averaging 30 points a game and had back-to-back games of 41 points recently.
His team is now coached by his uncle, as his head coach, Kenny Roy, was suspended and placed on administrative leave for questions regarding transferred players. The Cavers had three top talents move into the district, including the No. 1 ranked guard from the state of Arkansas prior to the season.

Tyler, a 17 year old, has committed to play at Louisville.

Under Armour Senior Bowl

The Under Armour Senior Bowl will be played Saturday in Mobile, Ala., and there are some prominent names on the list, some with regional connections. The North roster includes Missouri players Ziggy Hood (defensive line) and William Moore (defensive back). Also on the North roster includes Big 12 players Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma offensive lineman Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma wide receiver Juaquin Iglesisas, Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell and Oklahoma linebacker Nic Harris. The other quarterbacks for the North behind Harrell will be Rhett Bomar of Sam Houston STate, the former OU quarterback and Nathan Brown, a senior from Central Arkansas.

The South roster has one Big 12 players in Texas' wide receiver Quan Crosby. Other notable players for the South include Arkansas offensive lineman Jonathan Luigs, USC All-American linebacker Rey Maualuga and the quarterback trio of Cullen Harper (Clemson), Pat White (West Virginia) and John Parker Wilson (Alabama).

The game is on the NFL Network at 6 p.m., which means there will be about 5 people in this area that can actually watch the game.

Gunther leaves KC

Gunther Cunningham was hired by the Detroit Lions as the defensive coordinator. One could wonder how things could get worst for someone in the Chiefs' organization, but I guess jumping from a 2-14 team to a 0-16 team is one way, huh

Those Dang Yankees

I was going through the latest issue of Sporting News and I found a few notes I thought were worth pointing out in the world of baseball.
Assuming you have a starting 9, including a DH and a closer, the SN put together a team of individuals with the highest salary for 2009.
Ironically, 5 of those 11 were players who are playing for the New York Yankees -- a sixth, Gary Sheffield, was a Yankee in the past. Those players included Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera.
The only none Yankees on the list included Carlos Lee of Houston, Carlos Beltran of the Mets, Magglio Ordonez of Detroit, Johan Santana of the Mets, Chase Utley of the Phils and now current Tiger Sheffield.

The Yankees infield of Teixeira, Robinson Cano, Jeter and Rodriguez has a salary of $78 million in 2009. Posada makes $13.1 mill and Rivera brings in $15 million a year. That is more than double the payroll of a 1/3 of the teams in major league baseball and that is just for six players.
Amazing.

Local Athlete Sparks MSSU Track Team

From MSSU Sports Information

Missouri Southern senior thrower Cortney Vie hit a provisional distance in the weight throw and placed second overall in the first day of the 2009 Missouri Southern Fazolis/Baymont Inn Invitational.
Vie threw a provisional distance of 53 feet, three and a half inches and finished behind only former Missouri Southern All-American Danee Jones who was competing unattached. Emilie Mieseler placed fifth in the event with a distance of 46 feet, ten and a quarter inches.
Channell Lloyd led four Lions in the long jump, placing fifth with a distance of 16 feet, seven and a quarter inches. Cyarra Prince, Gayla Booth and Lisa Vengels finished 8th, 9th, and 12th, respectively. Tia Cook and Alex Close were 18th and 24th in the 200 meter dash, while Ashley Bunch and Kari Fritchie were 7th and 8th in the 3k.
In men's action, Kyle Hancock placed seventh in the weight throw with a distance of 49 feet one and three quarter inches. Phillip Horn and Taylor McClelland placed fifth and sixth in the long jump with David Selby placing 11th. Andrew Wright placed eighth in the 200 meter dash, while Cornell Gedward was 24th.
The men's distance medley team of Chris Bell, D'Angelo Wood, Derek Wright and Dustin Dixon placed fourth with a time of 10:41.31.

COC Football Coaching Change

According to multiple reports, Willard has hired current Rolla head football coach Brock Roweton as its new football. Roweton, who has also coached at Pierce City, is 41-21 in his career as a head coach. He replaces Phil Wickwar. The Willard Tigers were 2-9 this year, but qualified for the playoffs, before losing to Union in the first round of the Class 4 playoffs.
Wickwar was 14-27 as a head coach.

Mac County trio honored

The McDonald County Mustangs football team had three players honored for play this season on the Class 4 All-District team. Second team honors went to wide receiver Josh Bungitak. Defensive lineman Logan Sumler and quarterback Preston Pryce were named to the honorable mention squad.

Crowder falls

The Crowder College Lady Roughriders lost 64-47 to No. 14 ranked Moberly Area Community College Wednesday night. The team is now 5-11 on the season and plays at 2 p.m. Saturday at home against Mineral Area JC

Other blogs

And here are two other blogs I feel worth going to

www.neoshofootball.blogspot.com ran by none other than Coach Flannigan

and www.everythingroyals.blogspot.com ran by former Neosho baseball player and ex-Neosho Daily News helper Levi Payton

East Newton make-up date

The make-up date for the Patriots boy’s basketball game with Jasper is set for Wednesday Jan. 28^th at 6:00 pm.

Crowder to sign a bunch

Coach Travis Lallemand has scheduled a signing day for high school players who have committed to play for the Roughriders starting in the Fall of 2009.  Players and their families will be on the Neosho campus Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. for the signing. The event will be held inside the Arnold Farber Building in the Wright Conference Center located on the 2nd floor.

Players from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas will be attending Crowder in the Fall of 2009 to continue the baseball programs winning tradition. 

The following is a list of players who will be signing with the Roughrider:
Spencer Adcock, Heber Springs HS, Heber Springs, AR
Jake Fischer, Keys HS, Keys, OK
Johnny Hendrixson, Sachse HS, Rowlett, TX
Clint Horn, Hartville HS, Hartville, MO
Alex Larkin, St. Dominic HS, O’Fallon, MO
Scott McFall, Fayetteville HS, Fayetteville, AR
John Neil, Ozark HS, Ozark, MO
Coby Peebles, Clever HS, Clever, MO
Kendal San Paolo, Springfield Catholic, Springfield, MO
Tyler Sawyer, Bryant HS, Bryant, AR
Kyle Seithel, Blue Springs HS, Blue Springs, MO
Mike Sisco, Fayetteville HS, Fayetteville, AR
Kyle Williams, Glendale HS, Springfield, MO

Finally

After much debate and finally gaining motivation from some friends I have decided to open my own blog and join all the other cool kids. This blog will be for fans who want information from the area teams and just random information that I find interesting to point out.