Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield Wildcats defeated Leopold 10 - 4 this week. Tyler Battles (2-0) was the winning pitcher. Garrett Thele took the loss for Leopold.
Notables: Noah Vandiver 3-4 (@B, 3B, HR), 6RBI; Jacob Hector 2-3, BB, 3SB
"The focus and effort on both sides of the ball just wasn't there today. We know that we are a team that must stay focused all the time and swing at pitches in the zone," commented Bloomfield head baseball coach Tyler Trover. "I felt like today we expanded the zone too much and it set us up for poor at bats."
"Noah Vandiver flat carried us today. He put us on his back with 6 RBI'S and a couple of tremendous plays defensively. He is starting to understand what it takes to lead and is doing so with his effort each and every day," continued Trover.
Bloomfield now maintains a record: of 6-2 going into Friday's Malden Baseball Tournament. The Wildcats will play at noon vs New Madrid County Central and again at 2:00 p.m. against Caruthersville.
"Hopefully these guys can make some adjustments and we can have a strong showing in the upcoming Malden tournament," stated Trover.
Stoddard County, Missouri - Bloomfield Wildcats' Noah Vandiver is the 2016 SCAA Player of the Year. The 6'3" senior averaged 16 points per game, 7 rebounds per game and 2 assists per game this year. His coach, Jason Karnes, was named the 2016 SCAA Coach of the Year.
"A very special accomplishment for him, and proud of him as he is very deserving of it," commented Bloomfield head boys basketball coach Jason Karnes. "This award will just add to his list of great accomplishments over the years, and further cement his position in the conversation of some of the best to ever come out of Bloomfield."
"He was an All Stater, 1,000 point scorer, and now Conference Player of the Year, what a tremendous career he had at Bloomfield," continued Karnes.
Karnes coached Bloomfield to a 28-5 record and advanced the Wildcats to the Final Four for the first time in 50 years. They finished fourth in state, they won the SCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998, won their District for the first time since 2009 and won the Bernie Invitational Basketball Tournament for the first time since 1965.
"It's very humbling to receive this award coming from the other coaches in the conference. I have a great respect for this conference and all the coaches and programs in it, and just very honored to receive it," continued Karnes. "In the end, this really goes to my guys, I was blessed to coach a special group, and this is really about them and us more than it is about myself."
Tyler Heil, a senior from Dexter, was selected the SCAA Defensive Player of the Year.
"We were very happy to learn that Tyler was voted Defensive Player of the Year," commented Dexter head boys basketball coach Josh Dowdy. "Tyler waited his turn all through high school and accepted his role as a "Defensive Stopper" for our team this year. He always guarded the best players - large or small. We are very proud of him and he set a great example for all future Bearcats!"
As for Gabe Jackson and Ethan Flowers being selected for 1st Team All-Conference, Jason Jarrell for 2nd Team All-Conference, and Jacob Pedigo Honorable Mention, "It is nice to see all of our guys recognized for their outstanding effort this year," continued Dowdy.
1st Team All Conference
Noah Vandiver – Bloomfield
Gabe Jackson – Dexter
Zach Beel – Woodland
Ethan Flowers – Dexter
Dawson Mayo – Advance
Cole Nichols – Bell City
2nd Team All Conference
Armani Vermillion – Advance
Jason Jarrell – Dexter
Levi Woods – Puxico
Austin Ladd – Advance
Brian Whitson – Advance
Preston Wuebker – Advance
Tim Hector – Bloomfield
Honorable Mention
Nathan Newell – Bloomfield
Preston Tilley – Richland
Michael McCormick – Woodland
Bobby Wright – Bell City
Tyler Battles – Bloomfield
Jacob Pedigo – Dexter
Josh Thornton - Richland
Player of the Year – Noah Vandiver (Bloomfield)
Defensive Player of the Year – Tyler Heil (Dexter)
Coach of the Year – Jason Karnes (Bloomfield)
Special Note: The SCAA Coaches vote on the All-Conference Awards.
Dexter, Missouri - The annual Hits for Hope middle school volleyball fundraiser is slated for Tuesday, March 22nd at T.S. Hill Middle School between the Dexter Little Lady Cats and the Bernie Mules. Game time is 6:00 p.m. with the 7th grade taking the floor first.
"We are excited this year to play on the court at the middle school," commented T.S. Hill Middle School Principal Scott Kruse. "The gym is already decorated with pink volleyballs made by our students and we hope to have a packed house for the event! I am always proud of these kids and what they do to help those with cancer."
Each year the athletes play in honor of someone who is fighting the cancer battle, survived their battle or passed away from cancer. All proceeds will benefit 18 FORE Life.
People from around the area and local businesses have graciously donated items for a silent auction to be held during the event. Volunteers will man the silent auction in the lobby of the middle school. Pink t-shirts with the Hits for Hope logo will also be sold to raise money.
These young athletes will be dressed in pink uniforms, pink whistles will be used by the referees and the game is always played with a special pink volleyball.
The 18 FORE Life originated in 2000, when four friends got together an decided it would be fun to raise some money for a good cause by hosting a golf tournament. In 2002, love offerings were sent out for the first time to families all over Southeast Missouri battling cancer and in need of love, hope, and encouragement.
After losing Ben Kruse in 2004, the event grew into much more than a golf tournament. The phrase Celebrate/Give/Remember was coined and guided the efforts of organizers, sponsors, volunteers and golfers as hundred gathered for the 2005 event and over $100,000 was raised.
To date, 18 FORE Life has given away just over 1.2 million dollars in love offerings.
Please join the 7th and 8th grade girls volleyball team on Tuesday, March 22nd and raise money for an awesome cause! Thank you in advance for your patronage!
Playing on the 7th grade team are: Hannah Pyles, MeKenzie Yount, Bailey Chamberlain, Destiny Durham, Karlee Keirsey, Payton Phelan, Chloe Thurmon, Bronwen Young, Shelby Bishop, Molley Murphy, Mikayla Dodson, Mattilyn Williams, and Sydney Asberry.
Playing on the 8th grade team are: Colby Christian, Emily Jarrell, Margo Nea, Alexa Werneck, Blair Rogers, Madilyn Hampton, Sydney Patrick, Madeline Parker, Kelsey Carrier, and Audrey Lutmer.
Bloomfield, Missouri - Spring has sprung and that means it's time for BASEBALL and SOFTBALL! The Bloomfield Little League will have their annual registration Sunday, March 20th at the Bloomfield City Park from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Age categories T-ball 4-6, Boys 7-8, Girls 7-8, Boys 9-10, Girls 9-10, Boys 11-12, Girls 11-12.
Contact Jill Gibbs by sending her a message on Facebook. To follow the Youth Baseball League click HERE.
Photo credit to Happy Snaps Photography.
Columbia, Missouri - Iberia scored all 14 of their overtime points from the charity stripe in overtime to secure their 65-58 win over the Bloomfield Wildcats in the MSHSAA Class 2 semifinals at the Hearnes Center in Columbia, Missouri on Thursday.
"The funny thing is, if we would have made our free throws in regulation, we wouldn't have needed those 14 free throws," stated Iberia's head basketball coach Steve Scholfield.
The Wildcats were on a 16-game winning streak allowing about 44 points per game on average this season.
“That’s the first time we have given up 60 points in the whole year,” commented Bloomfield head basketball coach Jason Karnes. “Overtime of a semifinal game, well that’s still pretty good.”
The referees gave Bloomfield several fouls allowing Iberia a chance to pull ahead with eight free throws in the first two minutes of the overtime portion of the semifinal game. Tim Hector sank a 3-pointer early, but the Wildcats didn’t score again until the final few seconds.
There were 52 fouls called in the game, 32 against Bloomfield and 20 against Iberia. Iberia went on to sink 14 of 18 from the charity stripe during the extra four minutes sealing their win.
“A lot of ball pressure and they were physical,” said Scholfield of the Bloomfield Wildcats defense. “I think that’s kind of a Southeast Missouri thing, which is fine. They just wouldn’t let us run our stuff and they made us use patience.”
Alex Gibbs put two on the board first for the Wildcats in under one minute of play to start the first quarter. He finished with five points; four rebounds, and was 3 for 8 from the field before fouling out.
Bloomfield remained on top at the end of the first quarter 13-10 and was only down by one at the half. At the end of regulations it was 51-51 and so began the 4 minutes of overtime.
Defensively the Wildcats were able to hold Iberia’s leading scorer, Riley Halley, scoreless in the first half and to only 14 points for the entire game. He had been averaging 23 points per game.
Bloomfield held Iberia’s 6’10” monster, Dexter Frisbie, to 18 points before he fouled out with a little over four minutes of regulation left.
Wildcat senior, Noah Vandiver, recorded a game-high 27 points on three 3-pointers and was four for five at the charity stripe.
Final Score: Bloomfield 58, Iberia 65 in Overtime
Bloomfield 13 10 10 18 7 - 58
Iberia 10 14 14 13 14 - 65
Bloomfield (58) - Tim Hector 6, Nathan Newell 8, Austin Bond 4, Tyler Battles 5, Noah Vandiver 27, Peyton Bell 2, Alex Gibbs 5, FG 24, FT 14/23, F 32 (3-pointers: Tim Hector 1, Noah Vandiver 3. Fouled Out: Tim Hector, Noah Vandiver, Alex Gibbs).
Iberia (65) - Azhary Roark 12, Lane Luttrell 15, Devyn Bloodgood 3, Riley Halley 14, Dexter Frisbie 18, Carter Halley 3. FG 19, FT 31/47, F 20 (3-pointers: Lane Luttrell 4, Fouled Out: Dexter Frisbie).
Rebounds: Bloomfield 28 (Noah Vandiver 9, Nathan Newell 4, Tim Hector 3); Iberia 34 (Riley Halley 16, Zachary Roark 6, Dexter Frisbie 5).
The Wildcats will face Wellington-Napoleon at 4:15 p.m. Friday, March 11th at the Mizzou Arena. Hartville defeated Wellington 63-22 in their semifinal.
Special Note: If Bloomfield wins third place, they match the 1964-65 team. The 1965-66 basketball team took fourth place. It's the senior Wildcat's last game and the entire Stoddard County community is extremely proud of their accomplishments! Leave it all on the court and good luck in your final high school game! #WildcatPride
