High School Sports

Smashmouth football trumped speed and athleticism Friday night in the opening round of the Class 4 District 6 playoffs as the No. 4 seed Nevada Tigers rolled to a 48-32 victory over the fifth-seeded Raytown South Cardinals at Logan Field. Nevada (5-5) next faces top-seeded Grain Valley in the district semifinals next Friday at Grain Valley...

Navigating rugged terrain at Monday’s West Central Conference meet in Lee’s Summit, the Nevada Lady Tigers cross country team notched a third-place finish, while the Nevada boys placed fifth. The Warrensburg girls claimed first-place, while host St. ...

The third-seeded Nevada Lady Tigers were unable to mount a successful defense of their Class 3 District 12 volleyball crown, falling to second-seeded Mt. Vernon in the semifinals Wednesday in Mt. Vernon. Mt. Vernon took the first set 25-20, and the second set 25-21. For Nevada, junior setter Hailey Jackson, finished with a team-high 27 assists. Lady Tigers middle blocker, Sydney Ernsbarger added 14 kills and three blocks, while Stacy Pennington chipped in 15 digs...

It’s been five years since the Nevada Tiger football team last hosted a district playoff game. That all changed late Saturday night, however, when the final Class 4 District 6 standings were released, with the Tigers securing a No. 4 seed in the eight-team bracket...

Survive and advance. That’s exactly what the third-seeded Nevada Lady Tiger volleyball team did Tuesday night in Mt. Vernon — defeating the sixth-seeded East Newton Lady Patriots in three sets in the opening round of the Class 3 District 12 volleyball tournament...

Seasons came to a close for the Northeast Vernon County Lady Knights, Bronaugh Lady Wildcats and the Sheldon Lady Panthers in the opening round of district volleyball play on Monday. After winning the Golden Valley Vernon County Conference postseason tournament just over a week ago, NEVC faced a familiar foe in the first round of Monday’s Class 1 District 10 tournament in Osceola. For the fourth time this season, NEVC clashed with conference foe Hume...

Clay Gayman’s No. 1 goal of signing with an NCAA Division I basketball program is about to become reality, with the Nevada High School product verbally committing to the Wildcats of Abilene Christian University. After averaging 24 points, 11.5 rebounds, and three blocks per game his junior season, Gayman received a batch of Division II scholarship offers. ...

The Hume Lady Hornets capped their regular-season on a high-note Thursday evening, toppling the Rich Lady Tigers in straight sets — 25-20, 25-22. “We were beyond excited to beat Rich Hill,” said first-year Hume volleyball head coach, Jackie Harter. “This is the first time that any of the girls have beaten Rich Hill in their careers, so it was a huge night for them.”...

The first Lady Tiger golfer to qualify for the Class 1 state tournament since 2014, Nevada High School junior Grace Palmer placed 87th at the event, held Monday at Columbia Country Club. Palmer carded a 126 on the 18-hole, par 71 course, as day two of the event was canceled due to rain. Sarah Bell, of Notre Dame (Cape Girardeau), fired the low individual score, a 2-under-par 71 en route to the state crown...

Not known for being a pass-happy attack, Wes Beachler’s Nevada Tiger squad torched the visiting Clinton Cardinals through the air on Senior Night Friday at Logan Field en route to a 51-37 victory. With the emphatic win, Nevada concludes its regular-season 4-5 overall and 3-3 in the West Central Conference, while Clinton falls to 2-7...

The Nevada Lady Tiger volleyball team absorbed a two-set West Central Conference road loss to St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School, Thursday night in Lees Summit, as Nevada concluded its regular-season slate. The 18-25, 24-46 loss moves the Lady Tigers to 16-14-1 overall, and 4-5 in WCC-play, while St. Michael’s improves to 13-15-3 overall, and finishes 5-4 in the West Central Conference...

Nevada’s tennis season came to close Saturday in Joplin, with the Lady Tigers falling to Springfield Catholic 5-0 in the Class 1 sectional tournament. The tournament, originally scheduled to take place in Nevada last weekend, was moved to the Joplin Athletic Club due to area rainfall...

Nevada Middle School’s seventh and eighth-grade volleyball teams both placed fourth at the season-ending Tri-County Conference volleyball tournament. The seventh-graders, who played host to the tournament, saved their best for last, taking top-seeded Carl Junction to three sets in the semifinals on Tuesday...

It was an efficient night Tuesday for the Nevada Lady Tiger volleyball team, making quick work of visiting Kansas City Center on Senior Night in Wynn Gymnasium. Center played its best volleyball early, taking a 6-3 first-set lead. That, however, was the final lead Center held, as the Lady Tigers went on a lightning quick 6-0 blitz, capped by a Stacy Pennington ace. ...

The Nevada Tiger C-football team was edged by Warrensburg 22-14, Monday night at Logan Field. Nevada (1-5) received a first quarter 15-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Matt Thorp; and a second rushing touchdown via Justin Guy’s second quarter 50-yard scamper. With a pair of Wes Balk extra points, Nevada led 14-6 at halftime...

Sheldon’s cross country team was busy last week, competing in back-to-back meets, beginning with Wednesday’s rain-soaked invitational in Montrose. Sheldon then traveled to Pleasanton, Kansas for a Thursday meet. For Sheldon, junior Matt Bogart placed 12th individually in Montrose, clocking a 21.16 in the boys varsity 5K; and then ran a personal best 20.21 in Pleasanton, for a season average of 21.37...

A lights out title game performance lifted the Northeast Vernon County Lady Knights to the Golden Valley Vernon County Conference tournament championship Saturday afternoon in Sheldon. The conference championship game pitted top-seeded NEVC against the second-seeded Hume Lady Hornets. ...

It was an ultra successful weekend on the volleyball court for the Nevada Lady Tigers, who finished 4-1-1 at Saturday’s Clinton Invitational. The Lady Tigers opened play with a straight set (25-17, 25-17) sweep of Harrisonville. Nevada next matched up with Bolivar, splitting a pair of sets — 25-22, 19-25...

MONETT — A valiant effort in the Class 3 District 12 semifinals came up short for the Nevada Lady Tigers on Thursday against the top-seeded Monett Cubs, with a 9-6 loss bringing Nevada’s season to a close. Nevada concludes its 2017 campaign 12-14 overall...

Nevada High School sophomore Calli Beshore can’t be stopped, as evidenced by her fifth consecutive first-place finish achieved at Tuesday’s Springfield Underground Irish Invitational. The Carl Junction boys and girls captured first-place finishes at the 25-team event, hosted by Springfield Catholic, while the Nevada boys placed sixth, and the NHS girls, seventh...

Getting back on the winning track, the Nevada Lady Tiger volleyball team breezed to a two-set conference victory over the visiting Clinton Lady Cardinals on Dig Pink Night, Tuesday at Wynn Gym. Nevada then returned to the court Thursday, for a West Central Conference road match in Kansas City, falling to the St. Pius X Lady Warriors in two sets...

Nevada High School junior Grace Palmer, carded a 102 at Monday’s Class 1 Sectional 2 Golf Tournament at Frank E. Peters Municipal Golf Course in Nevada ­— finishing in a three-way tie for 12th-place to earn a trip to the upcoming Class 1 State Golf Tournament in Columbia...

In a critical Golden Valley Vernon County conference matchup, the visiting Northeast Vernon County Lady Knights trumped the Hume Lady Hornets in three sets Tuesday night. The victory improves NEVC to 9-1 overall and 7-1 in GVVC-play, while Hume moves to 8-10 overall and 7-3 in conference play...

evada High School’s top doubles tandem, senior Emma Cheaney and junior Erika Watanabe were in dominant form on the tennis court Friday in Warrensburg at the Class 1 District 12 individual tournament, as the pair swept their way to the district crown, while also punching their ticket to today’s sectional tournament in Aurora...

Abby Harder’s gem in the circle lifted the Nevada Lady Tigers to a 10-0 victory over the Aurora Lady Houns in a non-conference road contest on Monday. Harder, a freshman, struck out four en route to a five inning perfect game, setting down 15 straight batters in the Lady Tigers regular-season finale...

The Hume Lady Hornets continued their impressive play on the volleyball court in a Friday night Golden Valley Vernon County Conference home match, toppling the Sheldon Lady Panthers in straight sets: 25-13 and 25-7. “I was impressed with the level of play I saw from my girls tonight,” said first-year Hume head coach, Jackie Harter. “We continued to play with energy and hustle, even with a large lead. A lot of teams tend to let up and just go through the motions when they are in that position.”...

The Nevada Tigers endured a rough 55-14 loss to the De Soto (Kan.) Wildcats on Homecoming night Friday at Logan Field. The non-conference loss moves Nevada to 3-4 overall (2-2 WCC). De Soto, ranked No. 3 in Kansas 4A football, improves to 5-0. Led by standout quarterback Bryce Mohl, the Wildcats scored on their opening possession. Trevor Watts’ 5-yard touchdown scamper was set-up on the previous play, when Mohl connected with Watts for a 45-yard completion down the right sideline...

In their home finale Wednesday afternoon at Bushwhacker Field, the Nevada Lady Tiger softball team upended the Carl Junction Lady Bulldogs 8-4, in a non-conference match-up. The victory improves Nevada to 10-11 overall, while the Lady Bulldogs fell to 3-22...

Lifted by sophomore Calli Beshore’s third straight 5K first-place finish, the Nevada Lady Tigers cross country team collected runner-up honors at Tuesday’s 31-team Lamar Invitational. Also propelling Nevada to its second top two team finish in the past three events was junior Amara Pippin’s top-flight sixth place finish (out of 200-plus runners), while teammate Patience Lockhart slotted into 17th...

The Nevada Lady Tiger tennis team is once again district champions. Nevada successfully defended its Class 1 District 12 crown Thursday in Clinton. The second-seeded Lady Tigers were originally slated to match-up with third-seeded Clinton in the semifinals on Tuesday. However, rain on both Tuesday and Wednesday forced not only a postponment of the match, but change of venue, as the match was held Thursday in Clinton...

The Hume Lady Hornets are on fire, having reeled off four consecutive victories to improve to 6-2 overall in Golden Valley Vernon County conference-play. Hume’s latest win came on its home court Tuesday night, with the Lady Hornets stinging the Bronaugh Lady Wildcats in straight sets — 25-19 and 25-14...

The Northeast Vernon County Lady Knights volleyball team absorbed its first defeat of the season, falling last week at home to Miami in a Golden Valley Vernon County conference matchup. NEVC (5-1, overall, 3-1 GVVC) fell in the first set 25-20, and was edged in the second set, 25-21...

The Nevada Tigers C-football team (1-4) picked up its first victory of the season, throttling Springfield Central 48-6 Monday night at Logan Field. The Tigers struck early, as tailback Justin Guy scampered in from 24-yards out, with kicker Wes Balk’s extra point handing Nevada a 7-0 advantag. Late in the first quarter, freshman Kaden Denney tacked on another touchdown, on a 42-yard run. With Balk’s extra point, the Tigers led 14-0...

The Nevada Lady Tigers softball team emphatically snapped a seven-game losing skid over the weekend at the West Central Conference tournament, winning its opening two games before falling to Warrensburg in the championship game. Nevada (9-10 overall) broke back into the win column in Saturday’s opening game at Smith-Cotton High School, by rolling to a 10-0 victory over the St. Pius X Lady Warriors. The Lady Tigers led 2-0, before exploding for eight runs in the sixth to put the contest on ice...

Fresh off a pair of runner-up finishes at last week’s Iola cross country Invitational, the Nevada Tiger and Lady Tiger XC teams looked to carry that momentum over to Saturday’s Six Flags Open held near St. Louis. And Nevada did exactly that, netting a pair of fourth-place finishes at the 12-team event...

The Nevada Lady Tigers are West Central Conference co-champions, along with Warrensburg. Both Nevada and Warrensburg concluded the regular-season conference slate with a 5-1 record. The Lady Tigers saw its 10 game win streak come to an end Thursday in Joplin, falling to College Height in a non-conference match, 5-4. Nevada then returned to the court on Friday for the West Central Conference tournament, held at Grover Park in Warrensburg...

The rout was on early Friday night as the Nevada Tigers stomped Springfield Central, 49-12, in a non-conference road matchup. Springfield Central entered the contest 0-5, having been outscored on the season 206-16. “We need to play the game the right way all the time, regardless of who we’re playing, and I thought we did a good job of that tonight,” said Nevada head coach Wes Beachler. “And we’ll get tested on that next week when we play a really good DeSoto (Kan.) team.”...

Hosting the West Central Conference tournament on Wednesday, the Nevada Lady Tigers placed third at the 18-hole, three-team event. Warrensburg High School carded a team score of 345 en route to the conference championship. Smith-Cotton High School finished 22 strokes back of Warrensburg, with a team score of 367, while Nevada placed third, tallying a 408...

The Nevada High School and middle school cross country teams were in top form at Tuesday’s Doc Stiles Invitational, hosted by Iola (Kan.) High School and held on the campus of Allen County Community College. Led by sophomore Calli Beshore’s first-place finish in the varsity 5K, the Nevada Lady Tigers captured a second-place finish at the 24-team event. ...

The Hume Lady Hornets upended the Sheldon Lady Panthers in a two-set Golden Valley Vernon County volleyball match Tuesday in Sheldon. The victory improves Hume to 5-9 overall and 4-2 in GVVC-play, while Sheldon moves to 0-11 overall (0-3 GVVC). The Lady Hornets notched a 25-17 first-set victory, before going on to win the second set 25-15...

In a Tuesday night West Central Conference clash, the Nevada Lady Tigers dropped a two-set home match to the visiting St. Pius X Lady Warriors. The loss moves Nevada to 9-5 overall and 4-2 in WCC-play. Meanwhile, the Lady Warriors, one of the premier Class 3 volleyball programs in Missouri, improved to 6-0 in WCC-play (12-1-3 overall)...

The Nevada Lady Tiger tennis team extended its win streak to nine games after steamrolling Neosho on the road Monday, 9-0, followed by a 6-3 West Central Conference road victory over Smith-Cotton High School Tuesday evening. The pair of victories improve the Lady Tigers to 10-2 overall and 4-1 in West Central Conference play...

The Northeast Vernon County Lady Knights fantastic start to its volleyball season continued late last week, with an impressive three-set non conference home victory over Calhoun. The win improves NEVC to 4-0 overall (2-0 GVVC-play). After getting edged 26-24 in the opening set, NEVC came back with a fury, clobbering Calhoun 25-2 in the second set...

In a non-conference road game on Monday, the Nevada Lady Tigers fell to Carthage 6-4. Nevada (7-8 overall) jumped on top with a run in the first, and then padded its lead to 4-0 courtesy of Maggie Leisure’s second inning three-run blast. Carthage, however, was able to dig out of its early hole, with three runs in the third and three in the fourth to go on top by the final 6-4 margin. Leisure, who also started for Nevada, scattered seven hits over six innings of work...

The Nevada Tiger swim team was busy last week, placing runner-up at Tuesday’s Seymour meet; followed by a fourth-place finish at Thursday’s Webb City-hosted Red Bird Invitational. Seymour meet Held at the Seymour YMCA, Nevada freshman Ben Hines collected a pair of first-place finishes. ...

After a half-dozen road matches to open its season, the Cottey Comets volleyball team made its long awaited home debut on Friday, falling to MCC-Longview in three sets. The Comets then returned to Hinkhouse Center on Saturday afternoon, notching a three-set victory over Barclay (Kan.) College...

The Nevada Lady Tiger volleyball team competed in its first varsity tournament of the season, Saturday in Pittsburg, Kan., winning two of five matches. The Lady Tigers opened play with a dominant two-set victory over Baxter Springs (Kan.) 25-21 and 25-9...

The Nevada Middle School seventh and eighth-grade volleyball teams hosted Joplin South on Monday night, falling in three of its four matches. The Nevada eighth-grade A-team suffered a three-set defeat. After prevailing in the first set 26-24, the Lady Tigers fell in the second set 25-15 and, the decisive third set, 15-5...

The Nevada Tigers C-football team was defeated by Smith-Cotton High School, 37-28 Monday night in Sedalia. On its first possession of the game, after a long Kaden Denney kick return helped set the Tigers up with a first and goal, Nevada was unable to score, turning the ball on downs...