Although there are exceptions, for many of us, our first exposure to sports comes through our dads.  Whether its coaching your little league team, taking you to a ballgame, or just watching it on television with him, those of some of most peoples memories.

For me, its no different.  In fact, my dad, most likely, has a lot to do with the reasons I love sports so much.  He is a huge sports fan himself.  He was my little league baseball coach for most of the years I played.  He was one of my first football coaches.

The first couple of vacations I remember involved baseball, in part.  I Continue reading “Dad and Sports….”

The Branson Pirates got their football summer off to a good start by claiming the Parkview 7 on 7 Tournament Championship.  They got the better of a couple of Conference rivals in doing so.

After dropping a couple of games in pool play, the Pirates hit their stride once the event hit bracket play.  The final four included three COC teams.  Branson beat Carthage in the semi-finals before taking care of Neosho for the title.

While, some may say it was just 7 on 7 and things are different once you put the pads on and get the linemen involved, the fact remains its a great step as the Pirates look to turn around the fortunes of the past couple of seasons.

It was the first time Branson has won the event which was held for the sixth time.  But Coach Henderson led his Osage team to the title back in 2012.

 

8/19

Mt Vernon @ Reeds Spring

Pleasant Hope @ Hollister

Branson @ Neosho

8/26

Reeds Spring @ Cassville

Hollister @ Cabool

Nixa @ Branson

9/2

Bolivar @ Reeds Spring Continue reading “2016 football schedules”

Although selection Monday for the NCAA baseball tournaments is a world of difference from the attention given to Selection Sunday for the NCAA basketball Tournament, some of the same arguments take place afterwords.  Why is this team in and why is that team not in?  Why does this team get a great seed and not this one?  How come certain Conferences get all the love and others not? Continue reading “Big XII shows it was overlooked…”

The major league baseball amateur draft is upon us and for Branson’s Sam Perez it did not take all that long for his name to be called.  The former Pirate and Missouri State pitcher was selected in the fifth round by the Miami Marlins.  He was the 143rd player to be taken overall in the draft.

Perez spent most of his time at Missouri State working out of the bullpen finishing his career with a 20-2 record.  This past season he was especially good fanning 112 batters in 36 appearances.  He did not allow a run in his last 22 2/3 innings.

Perez will enter contract negotiations and find out where in the minor league system he will be assigned.

There is still a chance another Branson product will be drafted.  Mike Compton awaits the call that could come on Saturday.

As I sit in my office today, reading many of the “happy birthday” messages I have received it is hard not to realize just how blessed I really am.   While a quick message on Facebook or Twitter does not take a lot of time, its the idea that many actually took those few seconds that actually does have meaning.

Reading through the messages has given me time to reflect on the wide range of people that are friends.  Family, High School and College Classmates,  Athletes, Parents, Coaches, and business colleagues among others have reached out.  Now, I know that everyone gets a lot of messages on their birthday and that is not what this is really about.

Its about saying thank you to ALL of those people.  Thanks for helping me be me.  I absolutely love to do what I do.  Whether its helping people with insurance or providing coverage of local sports;   The avenues have allowed me to meet some absolutely wonderful people.  And, many remain friends long after they (or their kid) are done playing or coaching local sports.

So to all coaches, players, parents, announcers, and basically anyone reading this: a heartfelt “THANK YOU”.  I appreciate you more than you will probably ever know.

A little time off this summer… but only TEN WEEKS until we kick off the football season.

 

Here is a list of the just graduated area athletes (that I know of) that have committed to playing their sport in college.

Branson                                                                                                          

AJ Goss- Indian Hills CC (soccer)                                                             

Alex Melendez- SBU (soccer)                                                                 

Laurel Perry- Dallas Baptist (cross country)     

Colby Sutton- SBU (track)

Christian Powell-Webster (basketball)

Seth Wood-Central College (IA) (basketball)

Chad Reusch- C of O (baseball)

Matt Baker-OK Baptist (football)

Ashley Forrest- C of O (basketball) Continue reading “Area athletes playing at the next level”

School just ended but Summer basketball already underway… Reeds Spring and Hollister got together today for a little JV action..  Here are a few pics……

One last chance to catch some recently graduated football players in action will take place tonight in Springfield with the playing of the annual Grin Iron Classic.

Nick Haddock and Colton Pomeroy will take part representing Reeds Spring.  Haddock, the reigning Perry Phillips Insurance Player of the Year, is set to attend William Penn University.  He is best known for the numbers he put up as a quarterback for the Wolves but also played outside linebacker and that is the position he will line-up at tonight.  Colton Pomeroy, perhaps the most feared defender in the area, will also play one of the outside linebacker sports for the East squad tonight.

Also representing the area will be Branson’s Matt Baker.  Baker is listed as an offensive lineman on the East Roster.  He will attend Oklahoma Baptist in Shawnee, OK. He was the Pirates defensive player of the year and is listed as a DE on the Bisons website.

The game will kick off at 7:30 at JFK Stadium in Springfield.

In an earlier story I wrote about some of the area team accomplishments for this past school year… Now I am going to look back at a few of the special moments:

Reeds Spring Football- Hard not to remember the tough 2.5 minutes at Bolivar.  For the whole night it looked like the Wolves were about to end the Liberator domination only to have in come crashing down in a blitzkrieg of offense from the Libs.  But instead of dwelling on that I choose to remember the Cassville game; The goal line stand and just as important the ensuing methodical offensive drive that took time off the clock. Continue reading “Some Moments to remember…”