BOYS
Benton 51 (12-7, 2-1 MEC)
Chillicothe 43
Lafayette 62 (15-4, 3-0 MEC)
Cameron 27
Bishop LeBlond 53 (13-8, 3-1 MEC)
Savannah 38
Liberty 52 OT
Central 50 (6-12, 1-3 Suburban)
North Andrew 65
St. Joseph Christian 52 (8-8)
GIRLS
Lafayette 50 (14-5, 3-0 MEC)
Cameron 32
North Andrew 70
St. Joseph Christian 32 (3-13)
The Missouri Western Softball team opened the 2015 season with a 6-2 loss at Henderson State Friday. The Griffons scored both runs in the first inning and couldn’t hang on, giving up all six Reddie runs between the third and fifth innings.
MWSU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on Sydney Washington’s two-run home run. Morgan Rathmann led off the game with a single to left then stole second. Washington drove in MWSU’s first runs of the season when she blasted one to right field two batters later. The Griffons went without another hit from Washington’s round tripper until Brooke Schaben led off the seventh with a double.
Henderson State got on the board in the third when a wild pitch allowed one run to cross the plate. They added three more in the fourth when Allison Waggoner hit a three-run home run to put Henderson State up 4-2. Henderson State added two more in the fifth on another home run, this time a two-run shot that proved to be too much for the Griffons to overcome.
The two teams will see each other again on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the HSU/OBU Ronnie Hawkins Invitational. The Griffons will finish day one of the tournament when they play Mississippi College at 1 p.m.
— MWSU Sports Information —
The University of Missouri football program has hired Ryan Walters as its safeties coach, as announced Friday.
Walters, 29, comes to Mizzou after spending the past season as cornerbacks coach at Memphis, where he worked as cornerbacks coach with new Mizzou Defensive Coordinator Barry Odom. At Memphis, the pair oversaw a defense that was among the most improved in the nation. Memphis went 10-3 in 2014, thanks in large part to its defense which ranked fifth nationally in points allowed (17.1 ppg) and 22nd in total defense (343.3 ypg) in the regular season.
Walters, a Los Angeles, Calif. native, played collegiately at Colorado, where he was a standout safety for the Buffaloes (2004-08). He began his coaching career as a student assistant at Colorado working with the secondary in 2009, and then spent two years on staff at Arizona, where he was a graduate assistant in 2010, before being promoted to defensive backs coach for the 2011 season.
From there, Walters moved to the Oklahoma staff as a graduate assistant cornerbacks coach in 2012, as the Sooners went 10-3 and played in the 2013 Cotton Bowl. He moved to North Texas for the 2013 season, where he coached corners and helped lead UNT to a 9-4 record in its first year in Conference USA and a win in the 2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl. The Mean Green defense that season ranked fourth in the nation in turnovers gained (34), eighth in points allowed (17.8 ppg), 13th in interceptions (18) and 17th in total defense (348.3 ypg).
“I’m really pleased that we are able to attract someone of Ryan’s caliber to join our team,” said Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Barry Odom. “I’ve known him for a while now, and had the chance to work together last year and he made a big impression on me. He’s a loyal and tireless worker who I see as a great technician and fundamentals coach. He was very sought after this past season, so we’re excited to recruit him to Mizzou,” he said.
Odom first met Walters as part of a trip the Mizzou coaching staff took to Arizona to share best practices in 2010, and recruited Walters on the staff at Memphis when he had an opening for the 2014 season.
“I’m excited to join a program as prestigious as Mizzou,” said Walters. “Coach Pinkel and his staff have done a tremendous job over the years and I’m excited to learn their system and also to bring my perspectives in. I’m fired up to work with Barry Odom again, I think he’s one of the best coaches I’ve been around, and it means a lot to me that he wants me in his defensive room. I’m excited to get to work and to help Mizzou continue to compete for championships,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to having Ryan join our staff, he is a really impressive young coach who has a well-respected reputation in the coaching industry,” said Head Coach Gary Pinkel. “He’s had proven success everywhere he’s been and we believe he’s going to do a great job with teaching and leading our safeties,” he said.
As a player, Walters had a standout career at Colorado as a safety. He started in 33 games and played in 46 contests for the Buffaloes. He earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors from the Associated Press and first-team All-Colorado honors from the state’s National Football Foundation his senior year.
A team captain for the Buffaloes in 2008, Walters was also picked by his teammates the team’s MVP. He had 87 tackles, two sacks, seven pass deflections, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions his senior year. His 20 career passes defended rate No. 15 in Colorado history and his 223 career tackles were No. 45 all-time.
During his playing time, the Buffaloes played in the Houston Bowl, Champ Sports Bowl and Independence Bowl.
— MU Sports Information —
The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team fell to Northwestern Oklahoma State in the 2015 season opener on Friday, 12-11, in Alva, Okla.
The Bearcats trailed 10-4 at one point but clawed back with seven runs in the final three innings.
Northwest is now 0-1 on the season while the Rangers improved to 4-0 on the year.
Sophomore right fielder Austin Wulff got the Bearcats on the board in the top of the second with a solo shot on a 2-1 count. He finished the day 2-for-3 with a walk.
Shortstop Nick Gotta had a pair of hits, scored two runs and had an RBI in his Bearcat debut.
Kolby Greenslade had a pair of RBI, and scored two runs while going 2-for-5.
Steven Garber had a pair of hits and drove in a run in the third inning.
Catcher Blake Hardegree had a pair of hits, scored two runs, drew a walk and threw out a base stealer in the third.
Northwest used five pitchers. Kole Klocko started but after being hit by a line drive, left after two-thirds of an inning.
Hondo Pearcy pitched 2.1 innings, Austin Battaglia pitched 3.2 innings, Jacob Wagner got the final out of the seventh inning and Patrick Brady pitched the eighth inning.
The Bearcats will face Regis College (Colo.) in a neutral site game tomorrow at noon followed by a rematch with Northwestern Oklahoma State at 3 p.m. Both games will take place in Alva, Okla.
— Northwest Sports Information —
ATCHISON, Kan. – Benedictine College Athletic Director Charlie Gartenmayer has announced the hiring of Amanda Magee to lead the newly-formed Women’s Lacrosse program.
“We are excited to have Amanda join the Raven Athletics family,” Gartenmayer said. “We look forward to what she will add to the Benedictine community and the leadership she will bring to our Women’s Lacrosse program in the future.”
Magee was an All-Region selection at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I., in 2010. She was named to the All Commonwealth Coast Conference first team in 2009 and 2010 and also led NCAA Div. III in saves percentage in 2009 and 2010.
“When I saw the job posting, I was really excited about the chance to move to a part of the country where lacrosse is really starting to become more popular,” Magee said. “Then the opportunity to build my own program was also very exciting to me.”
Magee comes to Benedictine from NCAA Div. III Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I., where she served as an assistant coach from September of 2011 through May of 2014.
As a former NCAA Div. III player and assistant coach, Magee believes the athletes that she’ll be recruiting to Benedictine will be very similar to those she played with and coached at the Div. III level.
“The NAIA and Div. III student-athlete is very similar,” Magee said. “They understand what it takes be be a success both on an off the field and have a broad understanding of what it means to be a student-athlete.”
In addition to serving as an assistant coach at Salve Regina, Magee also spent a year coaching high school girls lacrosse in Columbus, New Jersey.
Magee will arrive on campus in March and will begin to build the women’s program, which will begin play as a varsity sport in the Spring of 2016.
“We are excited to be able to add men’s and women’s lacrosse to our varsity lineup,” said Benedictine College President Stephen D. Minnis. “I think our students have enjoyed the sport at the club level and the growth of lacrosse in our region makes it a natural addition to the varsity offerings as we continue to add academic programs and grow as a well-rounded institution.”
— BC Sports Information —
GIRLS
NORTHLAND CLASSIC @ NORTH KANSAS CITY – CONSOLATION
St. Pius X 52
Central 44 (5-13)
Benton 40 (18-2, 3-0 MEC)
Chillicothe 33
Bishop LeBlond 58 (13-8, 2-1 MEC)
Savannah 44
Plattsburg 45
St. Joseph Christian 22 (3-12)
BOYS
Plattsburg 58
St. Joseph Christian 47 (8-7)
The Missouri Western women’s tennis has been picked 10th in the preseason MIAA coaches poll.
The Griffons enter the spring portion of their schedule with a 2-0 record after a strong fall showing. New head coach Chris Canady will lead the program after taking over for Tom Smith during the fall portion of the season. Canady led MWSU to a win over Baker University in his first ever match as Griffons coach.
Western opens the spring season on Feb. 27 when they host Maryville University. The Griffons will play three straight on the MWSU Tennis Courts this spring and six of their first seven matches will be played at home.
Canady’s alma mater, Southwest Baptist was picked first in the poll with Northeastern State coming in second, while Nebraska-Kearney and Northwest Missouri were tied for fifth.
2015 MIAA Preseason Women’s Tennis Coaches Poll
1. Southwest Baptist (8) 98
2. Northeastern State (3) 93
T3. Nebraska-Kearney 72
T3. Northwest Missouri 72
5. Central Oklahoma 70
6. Emporia State 59
7. Washburn 42
8. Lindenwood 37
9. Fort Hays State 29
10. Missouri Western 23
11. Lincoln 10
— MWSU Sports Information —
Northwest Missouri State soccer coach Tracy Hoza has announced two signees for the 2015 Bearcat soccer team. Payton McGee (Greeley, Colo.) and Ashton Reuter (Maryville, Mo.) have each committed to play for the Bearcats.
McGee has recorded 16 goals and 30 assists in the first three years of her career at Greeley West High School. The 5-foot-4-inch midfielder was the captain of the soccer team for two years and has been in the starting lineup throughout her high school tenure. She has been coached by Mike Lordemann (Greeley West) and Daniel Clitnovici (Bootleggers club team).
“Payton is an incredibly hard worker in the center midfield,” Coach Hoza said. “She is strong, aggressive and always has a positive attitude. She will bring plenty of energy to our squad.”
Reuter attends Maryville High School, where she has tallied 147 goals in three seasons, averaging nearly 2.5 goals per game. She has been listed on the All-District and All-Region teams the last three years as well as being named first team All-State during her junior year. In addition, Reuter was a state finalist for the 2014 Wendy’s High School Heisman. The 5-foot-7-inch forward has also excelled in the classroom where she has been listed on the academic All-State team, among other honors. Her high school coach is her father, Dale Reuter, and she has previously played for Dr. Cleo Samudzi, Dr. Bayo Joachim and Stuart Collins.
“Ashton is a student of the game,” Hoza said. “She is a humble and hard-working athlete. She consistently finds a way to score and we look forward to adding that aspect of her game to our team.”
— Northwest Sports Information —
A chance for a rivalry sweep on Wednesday for the Griffons came up seconds short as the Missouri Western men basketball team dropped a heart breaker in the MWSU Fieldhouse, 59-58, to Northwest Missouri State.
Trailing by one with seven seconds remaining, Cortrez Colbert’s attempt to drive was stopped short when Matt Wallace stripped the ball from Colbert, ending the game. Northwest had a chance to go up by three on the prior possession but Connor Crooker’s layup came up short. Colbert pulled down the rebound before Brett Weiberg called a timeout to draw up the Griffons final play.
The Griffons had their chances leading up to the turnover. Aaron Emmanuel missed a free throw with the Griffons trailing by one and 53 seconds left on the clock. The ball stayed with Missouri Western but Hans Thun would miss a three-point attempt with 50 seconds left.
Northwest outscored Missouri Western by five in the second half after a red hot first frame for MWSU. The Griffons went to halftime with a 32-28 lead on 68 percent shooting from the field, a perfect 100 percent from three and 75 percent from the free throw line. Missouri Western shot 52 percent in the second half but missed all three of their three-point attempts, while Northwest used the three to climb back into the game. The Bearcats went 5-6 from three in the second half.
Cortrez Colbert led all scorers with 20 points. Colbert game MWSU a chance in the second half, making two straight buckets to erase a four-point Northwest lead with 7:35 to go. Another layup from Colbert gave the Griffons a 52-50 lead, then Colbert stretched the MWSU lead to four with his fourth-straight basket, scoring eight straight for the Griffons. Hans Thun scored 10 and Kevin Thomas had eight points and 10 rebounds before fouling out. Emmanuel scored eight points and Dareon Jones finished with seven points and five rebounds that included two free throws with less than two minutes left that pulled the Griffons within one.
With the loss, Missouri Western falls to 9-11 overall and 5-8 in MIAA play. The face Lindenwood for the second time in seven days, hosting the Lions on Feb. 7. Saturday night’s game is also Military Appreciation along with Youth Basketball Night and Boy Scout Night.
— MWSU Sports Information —
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Retin Obasohan grabbed a rebound to start a fast break, then delivered a behind-the-back pass to Levi Randolph for a dunk with eight minutes left.
The Crimson Tide didn’t score another field goal, or need one. Randolph scored 20 points and Obasohan did a little bit of everything in Alabama’s 62-49 victory over Missouri on Wednesday night, including setting up that emphatic final basket.
“I saw Levi trailing the whole time and I knew he was going to be open,” Obasohan said.
The Tide (14-8, 4-5 Southeastern Conference) bounced back from two straight losses to hand the Tigers (7-15, 1-8) their eighth consecutive defeat.
Obasohan scored 12 points and Shannon Hale had 10 for Alabama. Randolph, whose career high of 33 points came in the last meeting with Missouri, made 3 of 6 3-pointers and 5 of 6 free throws.
Keanau Post was the Tigers’ only double-digit scorer, finishing with 11 points. Leading scorer Johnathan Williams III had only one of his seven points in the second half.
Keith Shamburger had assists on 11 of Missouri’s 18 baskets.
“It was a close game until the last three or four or five minutes,” Missouri coach Kim Anderson said. “We just haven’t been able to hit the big shot.
“We had two airballs and missed a wide-open layup. When you’re a young team that’s struggling those things tend to pile up on you, and that’s what happened tonight.”
Obasohan, making just his third start of the season in relief of No. 2 scorer Ricky Tarrant, also had eight rebounds and four steals for the Tide.
“Defensively he made some unbelievable hustle plays to ignite our team,” Alabama coach Anthony Grant said.
Tarrant missed his second straight game with a lower right leg injury.
Missouri took the lead briefly on Namon Wright’s 3-pointer to open the second half but shortly after that Alabama scored six straight points to take control back. The Tigers couldn’t put together any kind of run after that, failing to reach 50 points for just the second time this season.
“I thought we missed some good shots,” Anderson said. “That’s something that’s bugged us, especially lately, especially depending too much on 3-point shots and not getting to the free-throw line.”
Alabama built a 39-30 on Randolph’s 3-pointer with 13:25 left. Wes Clark responded with a 3 for the Tigers and Post added a basket and foul shot.
Randolph pushed the lead to double digits on a 3-pointer and the final dunk with 8:00 left. The Tide did the rest of its scoring from the free throw line but the final margin was still the biggest.
SOLID SUB
Retin Obasohan also had 11 points against No. 1 Kentucky after being held scoreless and playing a total of 12 minutes in the previous three games.
POOR SHOOTING
Missouri starters Wes Clark (2 of 13) and Namon Wright (2 of 10) both struggled from the floor. Each scored six points.
TIP-INS
Missouri: Made 18 of 56 shots (32.1 percent) and 4 of 23 3-pointers (17.4 percent). The Tigers committed just 10 turnovers.
Alabama: Has won all three meetings with Missouri at Coleman Coliseum. The Tide made 24 of 34 free throws.
UP NEXT
Alabama visits LSU on Saturday.
Missouri hosts Texas A&M on Saturday.
— Associated Press —
