The Hollister High School Tiger Band is on their way to Indianapolis, Indiana to compete in the Bands of America Grand National Championships. 

   The band will take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium (home of the Indianapolis Colts) Friday Afternoon at 2:00

   Its been another banner year for the band.  They are coming off a second place finish in their division at the BOA Regionals in St Louis.  Earlier this season they  dazzled audiences at Missouri State, Branson, Ozark, in addition to claiming the Championship of the Class 3 competition at the Missouri State Marching Association Championships.

    Their Down by the River show has been a crowd pleaser everywhere they have been.  Best of Luck to Nathan Spurling’s group.  

 

   Wrestling is a sport that requires strength and balance.  Its a sport that asks you to be disciplined and explosive.  Its a sport that  showcases your greatest strengths and exposes your biggest weaknesses for all to see.  While there is a team aspect, when push comes to shove, its you front and center vs your opponent on the mat for all to see.   Its a sport that brings back some fond memories for myself.

     Yesterday, Hollister wrestler Bryson Whitman completed an incredible season.  He completed a 38-7 season, good enough for a 5th place finish at the State Championships in Columbia.  But the wrestling itself, may have not been the biggest challenge he faced.

  Turn back the clock to March 2023, Bryson and his brother, Carter were in a serious four-wheeler accident that left both with major injuries.   It was only after months of rehabilitation and a strong will to overcome that Bryson was able to return to the mat.

Whitman shares that his inspiration when he is on the mat comes from his brother. “Carter and I have been through a lot,” he says. “I wrestle for Carter. I know next year he will be back on the mat with me. God has done so many miracles in my life and Carter is one of them. Carter and I both have work to do and state titles to win next year.”

“Seeing Bryson secure a 5th place finish at the state level after making a courageous comeback from serious injuries in less than a year, fills me with immense pride,” HHS Head Wrestling Coach Nicholson shares. “This achievement not only marks Bryson’s second consecutive year competing at the state level but also highlights his unwavering determination and resilience. While we celebrate this moment, we are already looking ahead and we know there’s more work to be done.” Coach Nicholson goes on to say “Bryson is committed to pushing further, aiming higher, and continuing to strive for excellence in the upcoming year. Bryson’s journey is far from over.”

 

  

   Folks wont have to go very far if they want to see a couple of Reeds Spring players continue their football careers at the College level.  Wednesday,  James Dowdy and Dan Fliflet signed National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at Evangel University in Springfield.

  Dowdy leaves Reeds Spring with nearly every school receiving record on the books.  He was on half of the 7-13 connection and was on the receiving end of what might be the most famous play in Reeds Spring football history.  He was multiple time All-Conference, on both sides of the ball and was named All-State following the 2022 season.

  Fliflet was a guy that just kept getting better and better as his high school career went along.  He was a versatile linebacker, showing the ability to play inside or outside.  He too was honored by opposing coaches earing All- League honors on multiple occasions.  He was a difference maker at Tight End his senior year as well.

   Both were part of the 2022 Wolves State Runner-Up Team

  Evangel was 11-1 this past season and is part of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.

DowdyInt  Click on link for Dowdy Interview

FlifletInt  Click on link for Fliflet Interview

   The number one story of 2023 has to be Conference Realignment.  Every school we cover was or will be affected in one form or another.

 Reeds Spring and Hollister told the Big 8 “goodbye”

Branson decided to leave the COC

Forsyth will now have conference games with Hollister and Reeds Spring

Blue Eye and Galena were left by Crane and Spokane.

 

Reeds Spring Big 8 to Mid-Lakes

Hollister Big 8 to Mid-Lakes

Branson COC to Ozark Mountain

Crane SWCL to Greater Ozarks

Spokane SWCL to Greater Ozarks

 

Mid-Lakes

Reeds Spring, Hollister, Forsyth, Fair Grove, Strafford, Buffalo, Clever, Catholic

Ozark Mountian

Branson, West Plains, Rogersville, Bolivar, Carl Junction, Hillcrest, Marshfield

Greater Ozarks

Crane, Greenwood, Spokane, Billings,  Morrisville, New Covenant, Pleasant Hope

South West Central League  (waiting to see what happens here)

Blue Eye, Galena, Purdy, Southwest  

 

 

    The #2  Story for 2023 leaves us in Reeds Spring.   Never, in the history of Reeds Spring football have we seen a combination like Blandy Burrell to James Dowdy.  

   The Seven to Thirteen Connection, as I dubbed them, their Sophomore year, connected more times, for more yards, and more touchdowns, than any dual in Wolves History.  They leave Reeds Spring with nearly every passing and receiving record imaginable.  The highlights they provided are numerous, including what might be the most memorable play in school history.

   Our number three story of 2023 takes us to Reeds Spring.  After 23 years of great success, Scott Walker stepped down from leading the Reeds Spring Softball program.

     The Softball program at Reeds Spring has had as much, if not more, long term success of any sport at the school.  That, in large part, is because of Scott Walker.  He won more than 300 games.   He helped develop young ladies that had incredible success on and off the field.  He coached numerous All-Staters, Young ladies that went on to play at the College level at all different levels, including the highest levels of NCAA Division 1.  He helped develop ladies that went on to be All-Americans  And, most important of all, he helped with the bringing up of young women that are not only incredible women in our community today, they are leaders in our community today.

   The College of the Ozarks Women’s Basketball team claimed the 2022-2023 National Christian College Athletic Association National Championship

   Coach Becky Mullis’s squad defeated Oakland City University 86-63 in the title game.  Jordan Wersinger was named the Tournament Most-Outstanding Player and Kayley Frank was named 1st team All-American

 

 

For the number 5 story of the year we stay in Hollister.  

   After leading the Tigers Basketball program for seven years, Pete Leonard resigned from the position to move to Harrison.    Leonard averaged 20 wins in his last three seasons, including two District Runner Up finishes.

  Before his coaching days, Leonard starred at Ava High School and College of the Ozarks.