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Author: Dave Riggert

Former Griffon Brice Garnett shoots 2-under on day two of PGA Championship

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Click here to listen to Brice Garnett after round two of the PGA

Former Missouri Western All-American golfer Brice Garnett is on the verge of making his first cut at a major championship on the PGA Tour.

Garnett shot a 2-under par 68 on Friday at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis and he’s 1-under par for the tournament. The Gallatin, Missouri native is currently tied for 49th as play was suspended on day two of the championship Friday and will be completed Saturday morning. The projected cut line is even par as the top 70, plus ties, will play in rounds three and four.

This is Garnett’s third major championship as he’s played in the U.S. Open twice, but he failed to make the cut in each of those tournaments.

Garnett, who graduated from Missouri Western in 2006 and was a three-time All-American, is having the best year of his professional career. He’s playing in his 26th event of the season and he has two top-five finishes, including his first PGA Tour win. Garnett shot 18-under par to win the inaugural Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship in wire-to-wire fashion earlier this year.

Gary Woodland has the clubhouse lead at Bellerive as he’s at 10-under par, while Kevin Kisner is second at 9-under.

Play will resume at 7:00 a.m. Saturday to finish the second round of the PGA Championship and then round three will get underway approximately 30 minutes after that is complete.

Royals get shutout by Cardinals 7-0 in series opener

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Matt Carpenter homered for the sixth time in seven games, Austin Gomber pitched five scoreless innings and the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals 7-0 Friday night.

Carpenter tops the National League with 32 home runs, a .600 slugging percentage and 65 extra-base hits.

Carpenter sent a fastball from Burch Smith into the right-field fountains for a two-out , two-run drive. He extended his career high for homers as the Cardinals scored five times in the second.

Paul DeJong led off the inning with his 11th home run. Bader and Jose Martinez, who had three hits, contributed RBI singles to set up Carpenter.

Harrison Bader homered in the sixth and Martinez had an RBI double in the seventh.

Gomber (2-0) allowed four hits, walked one, hit a batter and struck out three in his third major league start.

Daniel Poncedeleon allowed two hits over three innings to notch his first big league save.

Gomber worked out of a bases-loaded jam in third, which Adalberto Mondesi led off with a triple. After retiring the next two batters, Gomber walked Rosell Herrera and hit Salvador Perez with a pitch. Hunter Dozier flied out to end the inning.

Smith (1-4) gave up five runs on six hits, a walk and a hit batter in 1 2/3 innings. In six starts, Smith has a 9.67 ERA, allowing 24 earned runs in 22 1/3 innings.

The Royals stranded 11 runners and went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position. The Royals lost for the seventh time in eight games.

NO GORDON

Royals LF Alex Gordon, who hit .366 with six multihit games in the past 11 games he had started, was not in the lineup. Manager Ned Yost said he wanted to give Gordon two straight days off with the club idle Thursday.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RF Yairo Munoz left in the sixth inning with a sprained right wrist after swinging at a pitch. Adolis Garcia replaced Munoz and singled in the eighth for his first big league hit. … OF Tyler O’Neill (right groin inflammation) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis. … RHP John Brebbia (right forearm tightness) was placed on the disabled list retroactive to Monday. … RHP Adam Wainwright (right elbow inflammation) threw batting practice at the club’s complex in Jupiter, Florida. “All reports of that were favorable,” Cards interim manager Mike Shildt said. “We’ll see how he recovers.” He said the team is evaluating whether Wainwright throws another batting practice or begins a minor league rehab assignment.

Royals: OF Brian Gordon (left groin strain) ran the bases as his final hurdle before coming off the disabled list. He said he is at about 80 percent.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Rookie RHP Jack Flaherty is 5-6 with a 3.27 ERA in 18 starts.

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy will be facing the Cardinals for the first time since June 27, 2016.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs drop preseason opener to Houston 17-10

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes finished 5 of 7 for 33 yards on two drives in the Kansas City Chiefs’ 17-10 loss to the Houston Texans in the preseason opener for both teams on Thursday night.

Houston’s Deshaun Watson, who’s coming back from a torn ACL, was used sparingly. He threw only one pass — a 4-yard completion to wide receiver Bruce Ellington — during a five-play drive to midfield that featured four handoffs to running back Lamar Miller.

Mahomes at No. 10 and Watson at No. 12 were taken in the first round of the 2017 draft to be franchise quarterbacks.

Brandon Weeden took over for Houston after the game’s opening drive and led back-to-back touchdown drives before joining Watson on the sideline for the remainder of the game.

Mahomes took over the starting job when Alex Smith was traded to Washington during the offseason. He also was sacked once and didn’t throw a touchdown or interception.

Mahomes didn’t complete a pass longer than 14 yards and never targeted Sammy Watkins, who signed a three-year, $48 million deal with the Chiefs in the offseason.

Weeden led Houston on a 12-play 68-yard drive during his first series, which was capped by a 6-yard touchdown to rookie tight end Jordan Akins.

Weeden hooked up with Akins for a 14-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the second quarter, finishing 9 of 11 for 97 yards with two touchdowns.

Mahomes’ backup, Chad Henne, was responsible for the lone Chiefs touchdown — a 24-yard strike over the top to Demarcus Robinson late in the second quarter.

Robinson finished with game highs of three catches and 48 yards, while Henne overcame a rough start, which included an interception on a tipped pass, to finish 8 of 14 for 91 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Several notable players were absent for both teams.

Chiefs safety Eric Berry (Achilles’ heel), who was injured in last year’s regular-season opener, didn’t dress for the game. Backup Eric Murray got the start alongside rookie safety Armani Watts, who replaced injured starter Daniel Sorenson (knee).

Kansas City also was without both starting inside linebackers — Anthony Hitchens, a free-agent acquisition from the Cowboys, and Reggie Ragland. Second-year pro Ukeme Eligwe and veteran Terrance Smith played with the starters.

Most of the Texans’ absences also were on defense.

Linebacker Whitney Mercilus (soft tissue injury) didn’t make the trip and linebacker Benardrick McKinney didn’t play.

Defensive end J.J. Watt, who is returning from a broken leg suffered last October in the regular season against the Chiefs, and linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (knee) didn’t play either.

Offseason addition Tyrann Mathieu and Johnathan Joseph also sat out for Houston, while starting wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller took the night off as well.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

There were no protests at Arrowhead Stadium from players on either team — though a few Chiefs, in particular, stood well off the sideline near the benches — during the national anthem. It didn’t appear that any players went to the locker room for the anthem.

INJURIES

Texans LB Kennan Gilchrist did not return after absorbing a helmet-to-helmet blow late in the fourth quarter from Chiefs running back Darrel Williams.

The play could have been called a penalty under new NFL rules regarding players lowering their heads and leading with the crown of the helmet, but no flag was thrown.

NEXT UP

The Chiefs (0-1) return to action Friday, Aug. 17, at the Atlanta Falcons.

The Texans (1-0) host the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Aug. 18.

— Associated Press —

Fillmyer gets first big league win as Royals top Cubs 9-0

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Heath Fillmyer allowed three singles over seven innings for his first major league win, Adalberto Mondesi and Drew Butera each drove in three, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago Cubs 9-0 Wednesday night.

Anthony Rizzo drilled Fillmyer (1-1) with a line drive on the left foot on his third pitch, but Fillmyer stuck around and didn’t allow another hit until David Bote and Tommy La Stella singled with one out in the seventh inning.

Mondesi belted a 2-0 pitch from Jose Quintana for a three-run homer in the seventh. It was Mondesi’s fourth home run and his first since July 15, a span of 42 at-bats.

Butera hit a two-run, two-out double with the bases loaded in the second inning and added a sacrifice fly during a four-run eighth.

Jorge Bonifacio, who entered hitting .103 in his past 16 games, Brett Phillips and Hunter Dozier each had two hits and a walk and combined to score seven runs. Bonifacio had an RBI double in the eighth, while Phillips contributed an RBI triple.

Quintana (10-8) dropped to 3-10 in 25 starts against the Royals. He was removed after Mondesi’s homer, giving up five runs on six hits and two walks.

The Royals snapped a six-game losing streak.

DARVISH UPDATE

Cubs RHP Yu Darvish threw a 33-pitch bullpen with his velocity reaching 93 mph.

“He looked loose and free to me,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “I thought it was a really good day, no negatives.”

Darvish, who the Cubs signed to a six-year $126 million contract in February, has missed 69 games. He last pitched on May 20. Maddon said he anticipates Darvish will throw one more bullpen, and if he has no setback, would go on a minor league rehab assignment.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: IF-OF Ben Zobrist (sore hip) was out of the lineup after leaving Tuesday’s game in fifth inning. “Just a little bit sore, just precautionary,” Zobrist. “Let’s rest it and get back to it. It should be no problem at all Friday.”

Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy (left oblique strain) said he felt no discomfort the day after throwing a 25-pitch bullpen. He is scheduled to throw a 30-35 pitch bullpen Friday while mixing in more offspeed pitches.

UP NEXT

Cubs: After a day off, RHP Kyle Hendricks will start Friday against the Nationals at Wrigley Field.

Royals: Continue interleague play with a series beginning Friday against St. Louis. RHP Burch Smith will start the opener.

— Associated Press —

Carpenter hits 31st homer to help Cardinals beat Marlins

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MIAMI (AP) — Matt Carpenter hit a tiebreaking homer for the second consecutive night, and the St. Louis Cardinals won their fourth series in a row Wednesday by beating Miami 7-1.

Carpenter put St. Louis ahead with a home run leading off the sixth inning, his NL-leading 31st. His eighth-inning homer Tuesday helped St. Louis beat Miami 3-2, and he has homered in five of the past six games.

John Gant (4-4) pitched six innings and allowed one run, which scored in part because of a defensive lapse. He and three relievers combined to retire 21 batters in a row.

The Cardinals’ Yadier Molina hit his 15th homer in the first and doubled home two runs in the ninth. Marcell Ozuna doubled home a run in the sixth and went 6 for 11 in the series against his former team.

Trevor Richards (3-7) allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings for the last-place Marlins, who have lost eight of their past nine games.

The Cardinals improved to 13-9 under interim manager Mike Shildt.

St. Louis missed a chance to turn a double play in the second inning, and that led to a run that came home on Miguel Rojas’ single. The Marlins totaled three hits.

STILL STRUGGLING

Marlins reliever Kyle Barraclough, who lost his closer’s job this week, gave up a two-run double to Paul DeJong in the eighth. DeJong also made a leaping catch at shortstop to rob Magneuris Sierra of a hit.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: Pinch runner Harrison Bader was shaken up on a headfirst slide in the eighth inning, but stayed in the game and scored.

Marlins: Rookie CF Lewis Brinson (right hip) is expected to begin taking live batting practice next week, and the Marlins hope he can return for another 100 at-bats or so before the end of the season, manager Don Mattingly said.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Following a day off, the Cardinals open a three-game series at Kansas City, with LHP Austin Gomber (1-0, 4.10 ERA) scheduled to pitch Friday.

Marlins: Miami opens a three-game series at home Friday against the Mets, with RHP Jose Urena (3-11, 4.66) scheduled to start the series opener.

— Associated Press —

Northwest names Brandon Masters as cross country/track & field coach

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Northwest Missouri State Director of Athletics Andy Peterson has announced the hiring of Brandon Masters as the head coach for cross country and track and field for the Bearcats.

“I’m ecstatic that Brandon and his family have decided to join us at Northwest Missouri State and lead our Bearcat cross country and track and field programs,” Peterson said. “He has proven success as a head coach in developing student-athletes, not only as individuals, but as a team that performs both on the track and in the classroom. I’m excited for the holistic future of our track and field and cross country programs under Coach Masters’ leadership.”

“I’m truly honored to take on this challenge as the head coach at Northwest Missouri State,” Masters said. “This is a one of a kind opportunity to be part of opening the brand new 300-meter track in the state-of-the-art Hughes Fieldhouse. I know this track & field and cross country program has the potential to be great. I promise to bring leadership and a work ethic that will match the success already achieved by this school and athletic department. This team will be a family defined by hard work, a team-first culture, and a desire to be the best, together. I want to thank Andy Peterson and the administration for believing in me and giving me the support to make this program special. I am ready to get to work.”

Masters led an expansion of the track and field programs at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in the fall of 2015. He has served as co-head coach for the Mountain Lions in each of the previous two seasons. In 2017-18, UCCS won the women’s indoor RMAC title and the men’s indoor squad placed second at the RMAC championship.

Masters and co-head coach Ross Fellows captured Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference coach of the year honors in indoor women’s track and field in 2018. The Mountain Lions women’s indoor team placed 13th in the 2018 NCAA Div. II national championship meet.

One of Masters’ student-athletes, Skylyn Webb, became the first women’s outdoor track and field student-athlete at UCCS to win a national championship. As national champion, Webb set a new meet and championship record in the 800m with a time of 2:02.47 while also qualifying for the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Championships. Webb placed 15th overall at the U.S. Championships.

The Mountain Lions carried a 3.22 cumulative grade point average, while posting 24 NCAA Div. II national qualifying marks and notching 15 NCAA Div. II All-America awards in the 2017-18 season. Masters oversaw 11 all-RMAC indoor performances and 23 all-RMAC outdoor accolades. The Mountain Lions captured the RMAC freshman of the year, RMAC athlete of the meet and RMAC indoor track athlete of the year honors in 2017-18. The Mountain Lions set 25 school records under Masters’ direction.

In 2016-17, Masters coached two All-Americans, who earned the status two times each, with a total of four national qualifiers over the indoor and outdoor seasons.

Prior to coaching at UCCS, Masters was a successful coach at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri. Masters spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Missouri S&T and was a part of back-to-back men’s outdoor Great Lakes Valley Conference team championships.

Masters coached the GLVC men’s indoor and outdoor pole vault champion at Missouri S&T. The vaulter went on to a No. 12 finish at the national outdoor championships. He coached 10 student-athletes at the national championships in pole vault at Missouri S&T.

Masters was an assistant coach at UCCS for four seasons before his position at Missouri S&T. He coached the Mountain Lion jumpers to four All-America performances, 106 All-RMAC performances, 10 conference champions, 14 All-USTFCCCA region selections and two USATF Junior National Qualifiers.

Masters was a three-time All-American in the pole vault and a national qualifier in the decathlon at Emporia State. He earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors for the Hornets all four seasons. Masters was a graduate assistant at Emporia State in 1999 and was a member of the coaching staff that won the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association men’s and women’s outdoor team championships. The Hornets went on to finish fourth at the women’s outdoor national championships.

— Northwest Athletics —

Royals get blanked by the Cubs 5-0

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Mike Montgomery allowed five hits over six-plus innings, David Bote drove in a career-high three runs and the Chicago Cubs beat the Kansas City Royals 5-0 Tuesday night.

Montgomery (4-4), who the Royals drafted in the first round in 2008, picked up his first win since June 29. Montgomery is 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA in four appearances against the Royals.

Bote’s first career triple with two out in the first scored Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward. His fifth inning single scored Javier Baez.

Victor Caratini, who led off the inning with a single, scored on Zobrist’s sacrifice fly. Zobrist left in the bottom of the inning with left hip tightness.

Ian Happ’s sacrifice fly in the eighth scored Bote with the final run.

Royals rookie Brad Keller (4-5) was removed after six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks.

The Royals had only one runner past second base, when Adalberto Mondesi swiped third in the seventh.

The Royals have lost six straight and are 14-43 since May 30. They are tied with Baltimore for the worst record, 34-79, in the majors.

BRYANT UPDATE

Cubs 3B Kris Bryant took grounders and played catch, but has not picked up a bat since going on the disabled list on July 24 for the second time with left shoulder inflammation. “I’m really bored, not fun at all,” Bryant said. “But you gotta do what you gotta do to get healthy and hopefully it never happens again. It’s frustrating. It’s not fun to go in the trainer’s room every day. I feel like I’m normal but it’s only when I’m swinging the bat.” No timetable has been set on when the 2016 NL MVP player will return. “I’m not going to get ahead of myself,” he said.

HEYWARD BATS FOURTH

RF Jason Heyward batted cleanup for the first time this season for the Cubs.

ROYALS MAKE TRADE

The Royals acquired RHP Jon Perrin from the Brewers in a minor league trade. Perrin, 25, went to Olathe East, a suburban Kansas City high school, and Oklahoma State. He was assigned to their Double-A Northwest Arkansas club. The Royals sent Lexington RHP Sal Biasi to the Brewers.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: RHP Anthony Bass (right mid-thoracic strain) tossed a flawless inning Tuesday for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs against Las Vegas. Bass threw eight pitches, all strikes, in his second rehab appearance since going on the DL on July 21.

Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy (left oblique strain) threw a bullpen session for the first time since going on the DL on July 11. . OF Brian Goodwin (left groin strain) is eligible to come off the disabled list Wednesday, but manager Ned Yost said he would not. “I’m not sure what their timeline is,” Goodwin said. “I just keep getting better every day.”

UP NEXT

Cubs: LHP Jose Quintana, who is 3-9 versus the Royals, will start the series finale.

Royals: RHP Heath Fillmyer is looking for his first big league victory.

— Associated Press —

Carpenter’s HR in 8th inning lifts St. Louis past Miami 3-2

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MIAMI (AP) — Streaking Matt Carpenter hit his 30th home run, a tiebreaking drive in the eighth inning that lifted the St. Louis Cardinals over the Miami Marlins 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Carpenter connected for the fourth time in five games and increased his career high for home runs. He also extended his streak of reaching base safely to 26 games, the longest active string in the majors.

Carpenter, who has won two of the last three NL Player of the Week awards, sent a shot off Elieser Hernandez (2-6) into the Cardinals bullpen in right field. Several St. Louis relievers celebrated with their arms in the air.

Paul DeJong hit a tying, two-run homer in the seventh for the Cardinals, who have won eight of 12. Marcell Ozuna had a pair of hits and is 5 for 8 in his first two games at Marlins Park since being traded by Miami to St. Louis in the offseason.

Miles Mikolas (12-3) pitched seven innings, allowing two runs and five hits.

Dakota Hudson pitched the eighth for St. Louis and was aided by an impressive defensive play when center fielder Harrison Bader charged in and made a diving catch to take a hit away from Martin Prado. Bud Norris worked around a walk and a wild pitch in the ninth for his 22nd save in 25 chances.

Pablo Lopez allowed two runs in seven innings, and Derek Dietrich had three hits for the Marlins, who have lost seven of eight.

Justin Bour hit an RBI single in the Miami first after Dietrich led off with a hit. JT Riddle tripled to begin the fifth and scored on a single by Miguel Rojas.

BARRACLOUGH NO LONGER THE CLOSER

After being removed in the ninth of Monday’s win, Marlins manager Don Mattingly announced before the game that struggling reliever Kyle Barraclough will no longer be the team’s closer. Barraclough has blown his last three save opportunities and has a 23.14 ERA in his previous six outings.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (elbow) threw a bullpen session of about 40 pitches. “Positive, I got just initial feedback that his bullpen went well today,” interim manager Mike Shildt said. “He’s going up to the complex in Jupiter and getting some more work and see where it goes, but he’s very optimistic and is taking steps in the right direction.”

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP John Gant (3-4, 4.12 ERA) is slated to start Wednesday’s series finale and will be looking to bounce back after allowing six runs in four innings at Pittsburgh in his last start.

Marlins: RHP Trevor Richards (3-6, 3.92) is 1-1 with a 0.76 ERA in his last four starts.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs’ safety depth takes hit ahead of preseason opener

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs were missing both starting safeties for the final practice ahead of their preseason opener with Eric Berry getting a planned day off and Daniel Sorensen leaving with a knee injury.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid is being cautious with Berry after the star safety missed nearly all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon. The extent of Sorensen’s injury was still being evaluated.

There is little depth behind the starters, especially with rookie Armani Watts missing part of camp with an injury. He got first-team reps Tuesday alongside Eric Murray.

The Chiefs play their preseason opener against Houston on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium.

— Associated Press —

Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic coming to St. Joseph

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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – With much excitement, Small College Basketball (SCB) announces that the 2018 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Hall of Fame Classic will move to St. Joseph, MO.  After spending the inaugural two years in Evansville, IN, Small College Basketball has partnered with Missouri Western State University and the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau to bring these marquee events within college basketball to St. Joseph.

The SCB Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, November 2, while the SCB Hall of Fame Classic will take place on Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4.  The Induction Ceremony will take place at the Stoney Creek Inn and Conference Center, while the Hall of Fame Classic will take place at the St. Joseph Civic Arena.

Additionally, St. Joseph-based Hillyard, steeped in basketball history, will serve as the primary sponsor of the event.  As such, the Classic will be dubbed the “Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Presented by Hillyard.”

“This opens a new era for Missouri Western men’s basketball, and what a way to usher it in by bringing one of the premier small college basketball events to St. Joseph!”, said Missouri Western Athletics Director Josh Looney. “The Hall of Fame Classic is a perfect fit for our community’s rich basketball history, a history in which Hillyard has played a significant role. We look forward to hosting a tournament field packed with premier NCAA D-II programs alongside some of the all-time greats visiting St. Joseph for their Hall of Fame induction.”

The game schedule for the 2018 Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Presented by Hillyard, is as follows:

Saturday, November 3
1:00 p.m.  William Jewell vs. Queens (NC)
3:15 p.m.  Fairmont State vs. Ferris State
5:30 p.m.  Missouri Western vs. Tarleton State
7:45 p.m.  Northwest Missouri State vs. Northern State

Sunday, November 4
1:00 p.m.  William Jewell vs. Tarleton State
3:15 p.m.  Missouri Western vs. Fairmont State
5:30 p.m.  Northwest Missouri State vs. Ferris State
7:45 p.m.  Northern State vs. Queens (NC)

“Small College Basketball is excited to move to St. Joseph, MO, for the Hall of Fame Induction and Hall of Fame Classic,” said SCB Founder John McCarthy. “We are proud to partner with Missouri Western State University and the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau to bring the national spotlight to their community.  Additionally, we are very excited that Hillyard has agreed to serve as the lead sponsor for the events.  With their deep history in basketball, this is a logical fit, and we are truly grateful.”

“For a variety of reasons, St. Joseph is an excellent fit for the Hall of Fame Induction and Hall of Fame Classic. There is a wonderful sense of enthusiasm in the community, and we anticipate that they will fully embrace Small College Basketball in St. Joseph. I am grateful for all of the time, effort and enthusiasm from Missouri Western Athletic Director Josh Looney and Senior Associate Athletic Director Brett Esely, as they have been instrumental in this move to St. Joseph.”

“With our rich heritage in the game of basketball, Hillyard is honored to be the sponsor for the 2018 Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic,” said Hillyard President Jim Carolus. “We’re excited to bring the Classic to St. Joseph. It’s a great opportunity for the community to get to see some great basketball and to honor the great players, coaches and contributors of the game.”

Tables and tickets will be available through the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau shortly.

“It is always exciting to bring new events to St. Joseph,” said Lindsay Bernard, from the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau.  “The Small College Basketball (SCB) Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Hall of Fame Classic will be very special and will leave a lasting impression on our community.  We appreciate the work of Missouri Western Athletics, as they truly understand the importance of showcasing our beautiful city and the impact of sports tourism.  The estimated economic impact for this weekend event is $278,550.”

“The 2018 Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Presented by Hillyard, features some of the finest programs in all of NCAA Division II,” said McCarthy. “We are very grateful to the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association for awarding the exemption, and for showing their support for the Hall of Fame Classic. We feel that, with the combination of the Hall of Fame Induction, the support of the Conference Commissioner’s Association, the support of the St. Joseph’s community, the right-sized arena, and of course, the high-quality participating teams, the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic is the finest in-season men’s basketball event in the country.”

The third installment of the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame will include the following inductees:

John Barnhill (Tennessee A&I), ML Carr (Guilford), Pat Douglass (Cal State Bakersfield), Philip Hutcheson (Lipscomb), Earl Jones (District of Columbia), Charles Oakley (Virginia Union), John Pierce (Lipscomb), Terry Porter (Wisconsin-Stevens Point), Leonard “Truck” Robinson(Tennessee State), Clarence Walker (Indiana State), Marvin Webster (Morgan State), John Wooden (Coach).

“This is an incredibly impressive Hall of Fame Class,” said McCarthy. “Each inductee is highly accomplished and has truly earned this honor. Our Hall of Fame Committee did a tremendous job of identifying a Hall of Fame Class that is worthy of induction into this highly prestigious Hall of Fame. This is only the third class of Hall of Famers, so these inductees are among only 39 players, coaches and contributors in the history of our game at the small college levels to be elected to the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame. I sincerely congratulate each inductee, as this is a tremendous honor.”

John Barnhill, Tennessee A&I
John Barnhill of Tennessee A. & I. was the point guard of the NAIA National Championships teams in 1957, 1958 and 1959, and was named to the All-Tournament teams in 1958 & 1959.  The 1957 team was the first all African American team to win a major American basketball tournament. He was a three-time All-American (’57,’58,’59).  He scored 1,253 career points, second behind All-American Dick Barnett.  He’s a member of the NAIA’s 50th & 75th Anniversary Teams.

ML Carr, Guilford
NAIA Hall of Fame & member of the 50th & 75th Anniversary Teams; Won the 1973 NAIA National Championship; Member of the NAIA All-Tournament teams in 1970 & 1973. Scored 1,993 points at Guilford despite playing in only 13 games his junior season. He was a freshman when the Quakers placed fourth in the NAIA tournament and as a senior led Guilford to a 29-5 record that included a 99-96 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore for the title. He averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds a game his senior year and was named NAIA First Team All-American.
Member of the NAIA’s 50th & 75th Anniversary Teams.

Pat Douglass, Cal State Bakersfield
Three NCAA Div. II Championships (1993, 1994, 1997); NCAA Runner-up, 1990; NCAA Third Place (1987); NCAA Final Four (1991, 1992); Three-time NABC Division II Coach of the Year 1993, 1994, 1997; 10 seasons at Cal State Bakersfield, Douglass compiled a 257-61 record, won three Division II national championships, and reached the Elite Eight seven times; Only one of three coaches to win three or more NCAA Division II Championship; Led Cal State-Bakersfield to a perfect season in 1993 (33-0)

Philip Hutcheson, Lipscomb
Four-time NAIA All-American 1987 (3rd Team), 1988 (Second Team), 1989 (First Team), 1990 (First Team); finished career as college basketball’s all-time leading scorer with 4,106 points (later surpassed by former Lipscomb teammate John Pierce); 1990 NAIA Player of the Year; Named the CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year for 1988-89 and 1989-90 (finished with a perfect 4.0 GPA for his career);  Basketball Times College Division Player of the Year in 1988-89 and Co-Player of the Year in 1989-90; scored in double figures every single game of his career (155 games);  Selected to the All-Tournament team in every single tournament, for all four years; Won NAIA’s Emil S. Liston Award; Member of the NAIA’s 75th Anniversary Team; Inducted into Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and the Lipscomb Hall of Fame.  First player to ever have his number retired at Lipscomb.

Earl Jones, District of Columbia
First two-time NABC Division II National Player of the Year 1983, 1984; Three-time First Team NABC All-American 1982, 1983, 1984; Won 1982 NCAA Division II Championship; 1983 NCAA Division II Runner-up; Two-time NCAA Championship All-Tournament 1982, 1983; Scored 2,256 career points for a 20.7 average in 109 games; Grabbed 1,168 career rebounds for a 10.7 average; Career shooting 54.1 percent from the field and 77.6 from the free throw line

Charles Oakley, Virginia Union
Arrived at Virginia Union in 1981. 6’8 known as The Oak.
Played under former Virginia Union coach Dave Robbins (Robbins won 713 games in 30 years at VUU and coached 3 Division II NCAA championship teams). Oakley accumulated 2,273 points and grabbed 1,664 rebounds in four brilliant All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) seasons.
Oakley in his senior season averaged 24.3 PPG & 17.3 RPG. As a Virginia Union senior in 1984-1985, Oakley led the NCAA Division II in rebounding and was named National Player of the Year while helping VUU to a 30-1 record in which The Panthers were ranked #1 in Division II throughout the regular season.
He is also a member of the VUU and CIAA Hall of Fame and also was inducted in to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. His induction was the fifth VUU person to be inducted in to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
From Virginia Union Oakley became a National Basketball Association (NBA) first round draft choice (9th overall) by the Cleveland Cavaliers who immediately traded him to the Chicago Bulls, he then became an impact player for the New York Knicks for 10 seasons.  He finished his NBA career after 19 seasons with the Houston Rockets in 2004.

John Pierce, Lipscomb
David Lipscomb University (1990-94); College basketball’s all-time leading scorer, tallied 4,230 during a 4-year career that included four NAIA All-America honors (three first-team selections) and 2 NAIA Player of the Year picks (’93 & ’94) … Averaged 31.9 points as a 1993 Junior … Appeared in 148 games with the Bison … Selected No. 28 among the all-time Top 50 college players as chosen by Chuck Klosterman of Grantland … Led the Bison to three-straight NAIA Tournaments …Member of the Lipscomb (2003), NAIA (2003) and Tennessee Sports (2015) Halls of Fame … Jersey is retired from Lipscomb; Played for Hall of Fame coach Don Meyer. Member of the NAIA’s 75th Anniversary Team.

Terry Porter, Wisconsin-Stevens Point
NAIA Hall of Fame; member of the NAIA’s 50th & 75th Anniversary Teams; two-time NAIA All American (1983 & 1984); NAIA Tournament MVP in 1984 (team was national Runner-Up); 1983 NAIA Player of the Year (junior season); Two-time NAIA All American; only NAIA player invited to the Olympic Trials; as a junior, averaged 18.8 ppg on 65% shooting; averaged 19.7 ppg & 4.3 apg as a senior.  Had a stellar NBA career with the Portland Trailblazers and was selected to two NBA All-Star games. Was also the former head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns.

Leonard “Truck” Robinson Tennessee State
Tennessee State (1971-74); Was a two-time United Press International All-American (’73 & ’74) Led Tennessee State to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances … As a 1973 junior, guided the Tigers to the NCAA national championship game (lost 78-76 to Kentucky Wesleyan in OT) by averaging 25.7 points and a school single-season record 17.6 rebounds … Averaged 25.2 points and 17.3 rebounds over his final 2 seasons (58 games) … Finished 3-year college career with 2,249 points and 1,501 rebounds while leading the Tigers to a 70-16 record … Drafted in the second round by the Washington Bullets in 1974… Inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 … Given the nickname “Truck” by teammate Dennis DuVal to annoy him during his 1975 NBA rookie season.

Clarence Walker, Indiana State
In March of 1948, Clarence Walker became the first African American player to play in a collegiate basketball National Championship when he played in the NAIB National Championship at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, playing for Coach John Wooden’s Indiana State Sycamores. During that tournament, Indiana State advanced to the National Championship game, falling to Louisville. During Clarence’s senior season (two years after Coach Wooden departed for UCLA), the Sycamores won the 1950 NAIB National Championship. During his time at Indiana State, Walker kept a diary, of which he titled “Jim Crow”, outlining the hardships of being the only African American player on his college basketball team – and one of the rare players in college basketball at a non-historically black college – in the 1940’s. Walker broke the color barrier in college basketball national championships, helping to further desegregate college basketball in America.

Marvin Webster, Morgan State
1975 NABC All-America first team; Won 1974 NCAA College Division Championship; 1974 NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player; Chosen to NCAA Elite Eight 50th Anniversary Team; NCAA’s second all-time leading rebounder with 2,267 for a 19.6 average in 116 games; Blocked 722 shots for a 6.2 average; Scored 1,990 career points for a 17.1 average; Grabbed a single game career-high 32 rebounds; Career shooting 45.50 percent from the field and 65.8 from the free throw line

John Wooden
1948 NAIB National Runner-up (27-7); Compiled a 44-15 record for a 74.6 winning percentage in two seasons; 2012 NAIA 75th Anniversary All-Star Team honoree; coached the first black player to play in a collegiate national championship (Clarence Walker); famous for sticking to his morals by refusing to play in the 1947 NAIB National Championship because Clarence Walker wasn’t permitted to play (because of the color of his skin); In March of 1948, Clarence Walker stepped onto the court at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, thus breaking the color barrier in collegiate basketball national championships; beyond the game, made a great contribution to the game and to the world with his Pyramid of Success; Leadership classes today use his material and words of wisdom and are modeled after his principals; went onto great fame at UCLA, winning 10 NCAA Division I National Championships, including seven in a row; won 88 straight games and 38 straight NCAA Tournament games.  Voted by the Sporting News as America’s Coach of the Century, in any sport.

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