Dave Riggert – Page 390 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Lafayette rallies past Chillicothe to win first district volleyball title in school history

Posted on October 19, 2016October 19, 2016

The Lafayette volleyball team became the second St. Joseph High School to win a district championship this week as they defeated Chillicothe Wednesday in three sets in the Class 3 District 16 title game at Cameron.

The Fighting Irish lost the opening set to the Hornets 25-15 before rallying to win the next two, 25-17 and 25-22. It’s the first district championship in school history for Lafayette.

LHS improves to 20-13-1 this season and they move on the Class 3 Sectionals on Saturday against Pleasant Hill. The game will take place at St. Pius X in Kansas City as Pleasant Hill comes into the match with a 32-2-1 record.

Bishop LeBlond won the Class 2 District 16 championship on Tuesday as they’ll play their sectional game Saturday at St. Paul Lutheran in Concordia. The Eagles, who are 26-7-2, will take on Holden (24-5-4) with a trip to the quarterfinals on the line.

Saxton Thuston named Benton’s winner of the Wendy’s High School Heisman

Posted on October 19, 2016

St. Joseph, Missouri (October 19, 2016) – There are some students who set the bar. They work harder, show more passion and lead by example—in the classroom, on the field and within the community. Wednesday, Wendy’s High School Heisman recognizes Saxton Thuston from Benton High School and his dedication to never cutting corners by naming him Benton High School’s Winner.

“Saxton is known by his teachers and friends for his commitment to excellence. We are excited and honored that a program like Wendy’s High School Heisman is also recognizing his hard work,” said Principal, Beery Johnson, of Benton High School.

Since 1994, Wendy’s and the Heisman Trophy Trust have been running the same play to perfection: honoring more than 600,000 of the nation’s most esteemed students. This year, Wendy’s will celebrate the accomplishments of thousands of the best high school seniors, awarding winners in five phases.

Both School Winners and State Finalists were announced Wednesday. School Winners will receive a School Winner certificate and a Wendy’s High School Heisman Patch. State Finalists will receive a bronze medal, a Wendy’s High School Heisman State Finalist patch and a $25 gift card. From the group of State Finalists, one senior male and female will be selected from each state and announced as State Winners on October 20.

For more information or to track a student’s progress through the competition, please visit www.WendysHeisman.com.

— Wendy’s Heisman Press Release —

Griffons picked to finish 12th in preseason MIAA Men’s Basketball poll

Posted on October 19, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team is selected 12th in the 2016-17 MIAA Preseason Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll which was released Wednesday morning.

Western is coming off a 12-18 overall record last season, including a 9-13 mark in MIAA play. The Griffons finished 11th in the standings last season, upsetting Washburn in the opening round of the MIAA Tournament before being eliminated by Missouri Southern.

Fifth-year head coach Brett Weiberg returns five lettermen from the 2015-16 team.

Defending champion Northwest Missouri State was picked first in the poll. Washburn, Fort Hays State, Lincoln and Missouri Southern rounded out the top-five.

The Griffons open the season Nov. 4 with an exhibition game at Texas Tech. The first home game is Nov. 11 during the Hillyard Tip-Off Classic. Missouri Western will play Wayne State (Neb.) and Upper Iowa in the event.

2016-17 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (13)     169
2. Washburn (1)                     147
3. Fort Hays State                  129
4. Lincoln                                123
5. Missouri Southern               111
6. Nebraska-Kearney              104
7. Central Oklahoma                 94
8. Pittsburg State                      93
9. Central Missouri                    92
10. Lindenwood                         72
11. Emporia State                      55
12. Missouri Western                 45
13. Northeastern State              22
14. Southwest Baptist                18

— MWSU Athletics —

Mizzou Athletics receives $8 Million gift for football facility project

Posted on October 19, 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has received yet another major gift toward its planned football facility. The confidential donor has made an $8 million gift for the new football facility in the south end zone at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field.

This gift comes on the heels of two other recent gift announcements which rejuvenated the push for new football facilities. The $8 million gift, coupled with a previously announced $10 million gift, means that in the past two months, Mizzou Athletics has received two of its top-five largest donations in program history.

“We are so grateful for such a transformational gift,” said Director of Athletics Jim Sterk. “We’re very excited to continue this process and keep momentum going. Our next steps include meeting with architects to determine all of the details of the project and then our goal will be to present our final plan with the funding model to our Board of Curators for their approval in February,” he said.

The latest gift puts the current fundraising total for the project at approximately $67 million.

“This is such an exciting time for our program, and I’m so impressed with our donors and the support they’re giving for this project,” said Head Football Coach Barry Odom. “I can’t say enough just how thankful we are for gifts like this. We’re going to create a first-class facility, something that our fans will be proud of, and something that will have a huge impact for years to come for our student-athletes,” he said.

Specific details and scope of the campaign and project will be unveiled at a later date, after plans are approved and finalized.

— Mizzou Athletics —

LeBlond wins district volleyball title; Lafayette advances to championship

Posted on October 18, 2016

Three high school volleyball teams in the city were in action Tuesday as the district tournament semifinals took place around the state.

In the Class 2 Distrcit 16 tournament at Lawson, the semifinals and championship all took place Tuesday and the Bishop LeBlond Golden Eagles won the district title.

LeBlond swept Lawson in the semifinals 25-22, 25-19 and then played top-seeded Mid-Buchanan in the championship. The Dragons defeated East Buchanan in their semifinal game, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23. Bishop LeBlond rallied in the title game after losing the first set 25-20 to win the next two 25-22 and 25-17.

The Eagles improve to 25-7-2 and they’ll play in the Class 2 Sectionals on Saturday. St. Paul Lutheran in Concordia will host the Sectional, but LeBlond will play the winner of the Class 2 District 13 tournament. That tournament will be completed Wednesday as they play the semifinals and championship on the same night.

At Cameron in the Class 3 District 16 semifinals Tuesday, the Lafayette Fighting Irish advanced to the championship game with a win over Savannah in three sets, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22. Lafayette will play Chillicothe for the district title as the Hornets outlasted Benton in three sets, 25-19, 20-25, 25-22, in the other semifinal.

The first serve of that district championship for the Irish and Hornets is at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday.

Western men’s golf team finishes 14th in final event of fall season

Posted on October 18, 2016

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Missouri Western men’s golf team wrapped up their fall season Tuesday as they shot a 951 at the Lindenwood Invitational on Missouri Bluffs Golf Course in St. Charles, Missouri.

MWSU finished 14th out of the 16 teams in the field. Missouri-St. Louis won the team title, followed by Central Missouri, Central Oklahoma and Lindenwood.

The Griffons were led by freshman Patrick McCarthy with a 9-over par 222 to finish the tournament tied for sixteenth place. Kevin Kim had a three round total of 244, while Jacob Majeske shot a 247. Jakob Rudosky and Lucas Horseman both finished with a score of 249 for MWSU.

— MWSU Athletics —

Chiefs trade RB Knile Davis to Packers for draft pick

Posted on October 18, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have traded backup running back Knile Davis to the Green Bay Packers, who desperately need to add depth to their injury-riddled backfield.

The Packers gave up a conditional draft pick Tuesday for Davis, who has already started practicing with his new team.

The Packers needed help at running back with Eddie Lacy nursing a bothersome ankle and James Starks undergoing knee surgery. Lacy was their only active running back against Dallas on Sunday, when he rushed for 65 yards on 17 carries in a 30-16 loss.

Starks will be out a couple of weeks. Lacy was being held out of practice Wednesday because the ankle was “very sore,” coach Mike McCarthy said.

That means the Packers will have to get Davis up to speed on the playbook quickly if he’s going to be ready when the Chicago Bears visit Lambeau Field on Thursday night.

“It’s obviously a big challenge when you’re on a short week, but he’s definitely a talented young player,” McCarthy said. “So just looking forward to getting him into the mix and get going.”

Top cornerback Sam Shields, who has been out since the season opener with a concussion, was placed on injured reserve to make room for Davis on the active roster.

The Packers have been struggling in the passing game, and the injuries to Lacy and Starks have added to their issues on offense. McCarty got a look at Davis in Green Bay’s last preseason game, when he ran for 58 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries in the Chiefs’ 17-7 win on Sept. 1.

Davis had been passed over by Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West on the Chiefs’ depth chart, and the return of Jamaal Charles from his knee injury made him expendable.

“I feel like I’m off the reins,” Davis said after practice Tuesday. “I’m just excited to be a part of Green Bay and do I can here. Hopefully my role is bigger.”

The Kansas City Star first reported the trade.

Davis, the former Arkansas standout, was the Chiefs’ third-round pick in 2013. He was expected to team with Charles in a power-and-lightning backfield. But issues with fumbles that plagued him in college continued in the NFL, and he gradually lost playing time to other running backs.

His best season was 2014, when he ran for 463 yards and six touchdowns. But he’s only carried 29 times for 70 yards and a touchdown the past two seasons combined.

Davis was a longshot to make the Kansas City roster out of training camp, but his special teams ability may have made the difference. He’s averaged 27.2 yards on kickoff returns during his four-year career, and returned three kicks for touchdowns.

The fact that the Chiefs and Packers were trade partners is hardly surprising. Chiefs general manager John Dorsey played for the Packers in the 1980s, spent most of his career in their front office and rose to director of football operations before joining the Chiefs prior to the 2013 season.

Davis was the third player he drafted in Kansas City.

CHIEFS MOVES

The Davis deal was the start of a slew of roster moves on Tuesday for Kansas City. The Chiefs signed free agent defensive lineman Kendall Reyes, who was Washington for two games this season. He previously played four years in San Diego.

Kansas City added cornerback Terrance Mitchell, defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches and linebacker Ramik Wilson from its practice squad.

Defensive end Allen Bailey and linebacker Justin March-Lillard were placed on injured reserve. Defensive lineman Nick Williams was waived.

— Associated Press —

Jayhawks’ Graham named to Jerry West Award watch list

Posted on October 18, 2016October 18, 2016

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Kansas junior Devonte’s Graham has been named one of 20 candidates for the 2017 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.

Named after Hall of Famer and 1959 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player Jerry West, the annual honor in its third year recognizes the top shooting guards in Division I men’s college basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.

Graham is one of three returning starters for Kansas, joining backcourt teammate Frank Mason III and senior forward Landen Lucas. On Monday, Oct., 17, Mason was named one of 20 for the 2017 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year watch list, also by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

From Raleigh, North Carolina, Graham was a 2016 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection and joined Mason on the five-person the Big 12 All-Defensive Team. Graham averaged 11.3 points per game and was the team leader in steals with 1.4 per contest. His points ranked 19th in the conference and his steal average was 10th. Additionally, Graham was sixth in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.2 and third in 3-point field goal percentage at 44.1 percent.

Graham was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2016 Big 12 Championship where he averaged 17.3 points and 6.3 assists in leading Kansas to the title. He was also a member of the NCAA Tournament All-South Region Team as KU advanced to the Elite Eight.

By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2017 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award will be narrowed to 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. West and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The winner of the 2017 Jerry West Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show in Los Angeles on Friday, April 7, 2017.

— KU Athletics —

Benton, Bishop LeBlond win district volleyball openers, while Central & Christian fall in first round matches

Posted on October 17, 2016October 18, 2016

High School district volleyball tournament began around the state on Monday and four city teams began their postseasons.

At the Class 5 District 16 tournament at Park Hill South High School, Central had its season come to an end as they were swept by Park Hill 25-23, 25-15. The Indians finish with a record of 11-15-2.

Benton kept its season alive with a three-set victory over Maryville in the first round of the Class 3 District 16 tournament at Cameron. The Cardinals lost the first set 25-19 before rallying to the win the next two, 25-20 and 25-19. Benton will play Chillicothe in the semifinals Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. That match will be followed by Lafayette against Savannah. The Irish received a bye in the first round, while Savannah knocked off Cameron 2-0.

Bishop LeBlond advanced to the Class 2 Distrcit 16 tournament semifinals with a 25-12, 25-16 victory over North Platte. The Eagles play the host team Lawson in the semifinals at 6:15 Tuesday, while Mid-Buchanan and East Buchanan meet in the other semifinal at 5:00 p.m.

And at the Class 1 District 15 tournament at Rock Port, St. Joseph Christian’s season ended with a 25-14, 25-9 loss to Tarkio. The Lions finish just 2-20.

Final regular season Missouri Media High School Football rankings released

Posted on October 17, 2016October 17, 2016

Missouri Media football rankings

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 14-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Sam McDowell, The Kansas City Star; Chris Geinosky, The Liberty Tribune; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Jim Powers, High School Sports Caravan; Larry Thornton, KSDK radio; Cameron Teague-Robinson, The Columbia Tribune; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Mike Scott, Ozone Sports; Rance Burger, The Springfield News-Leader; Cody Thorn, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Chris Pobst, Sikeston Standard-Democrat; Matt King, The Daily Journal.

First-place votes in parenthesis.

CLASS 6
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. CBC (14), 8-1, 140, 1
2. Kirkwood, 7-1, 119, 3
3. Blue Springs 7-2, 105, 2
4. Hazelwood Central, 9-0, 101, 4
5. Rockhurst, 6-2, 82, 6
6. Lee’s Summit West, 7-2, 61, 10
7. Springfield Kickapoo, 8-1, 52, 7
8. Lee’s Summit, 7-2, 42, 5
9. Eureka, 8-1, 41, 9
T10. Jefferson City, 5-4, 12, 8
T10. Park Hill, 6-3, 12, NR

Also receiving votes: Raymore-Peculiar (5-4), 2 Ritenour (7-2), 1

CLASS 5
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Chaminade (10), 7-1, 136, 1
2. Battle (4), 9-0, 127, 2
3. Glendale, 9-0, 111, 3
4. Fort Zumwalt North, 8-1, 100, 4
5. Park Hill South, 8-1, 83, 5
6. Staley, 7-2, 68, 6
7. William Chrisman, 8-1, 57, 7
8. Carthage, 8-1, 45, 8
9. Ozark, 7-2, 14, NR
10. Jackson, 7-2, 10, 9

Dropped out: No. 10 Liberty

Also receiving votes: Belton (6-3), 8; Vianney (4-5), 6; Liberty (6-3), 5

CLASS 4
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Kearney (14), 9-1, 140, 2
2. Hannibal, 7-2, 114, 1
3. Carl Junction, 7-2, 108, 4
4. Platte County, 6-3, 102, 3
5. Parkway North, 7-2, 85, 5
6. Ladue, 8-1, 69, 6
7. MICDS, 7-2, 55, 7
8. Webb City, 6-3, 46, 8
9. St. Dominic, 8-1, 35, 9
10. Hillsboro, 7-2, 13, 10

Also receiving votes: Camdenton (6-3), 3

CLASS 3
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Maryville (13), 9-0, 139, 1
2. Blair Oaks (1), 9-0, 127, 2
3. Center, 9-0, 107, 3
4. Monett, 8-1, 92, 4
5. McCluer South-Berkley, 8-0, 83, 5
6. Richmond, 9-0, 75, 6
7. Mexico, 7-2, 56, 8
8. Osage, 8-1, 37, 9
9. Chillicothe, 8-1, 20, NR
10. Park Hills Central, 8-1, 19, 7

Dropped out: No. 10 Reeds Spring

Also receiving votes: Owensville (9-0), 12; Reeds Spring (7-2), 2; Southern Boone (7-2), 1

CLASS 2
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Lamar (14), 8-0, 140, 1
2. Mtn. View-Liberty, 9-0, 126, 2
3. Trinity, 8-0, 109, 3
4. Mountain Grove, 8-1, 95, 5
5. Malden, 9-0, 82, 6
6. Lutheran North, 7-2, 66, 6
7. Fair Grove, 9-0, 51, 7
8. Macon, 9-0, 48, 8
9. South Callaway, 9-0, 23, NR
10. Lawson, 7-2, 14, NR

Dropped out: No. 9 Centralia, No. 10 Lexington

Also receiving votes: Centralia (6-3), 8; Lexington (8-1), 8

CLASS 1
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Valle Catholic (11), 8-1, 136, 1
2. Marceline (3), 9-0, 127, 2
3. Hamilton-Penney, 9-0, 115, 3
4. Lincoln, 9-0, 97, 4
5. Hayti, 8-1, 83, 5
6. Cass-Midway, 8-1, 69, 6
7. Wellington-Napoleon, 8-1, 53, 7
T8. Skyline, 6-3, 36, 8
T8. Maysville, 7-2, 36, 9
10. Monroe City, 6-3, 13, NR

Dropped out: No. 10 Lockwood

Also receiving votes: Scotland County (6-3), 3; Lockwood (7-2), 1; Mark Twain (6-3), 1