Month: June 2018

It was announced this spring that the NAIA would change its basketball offering from a two division format to a single division beginning in with the 2020-2021 academic year.

One of the things that was left up in the air at that time, is what kind of format would they use for the Championships.  On Friday, that question was answered.

The National Administrative Council has given approval that men’s and women’s postseason tournaments will include 64 qualifiers each.  A final site will host a 16 team tournament for each gender.  Opening rounds will consist of 4-teams at sixteen different sites.

The NAC determined that the 64/16 format “will offer the a superior student-athlete experience as well as provide the best opportunity for cost saving and team travel reimbursement.”

Overall there will be the same number of qualifiers as we had under the old 32 team two division format.

There was some thought that they would stick with the 32 team format, all at one site,  despite dropping down to the single division.

One thing that has not been finalized is who will get to serve has host for the Championships.  One theory is that since we are now only looking at a 16 team Championship, that Kansas City could possibly host both the men and the women.

Its just my opinion, but that would surprise me.  I, look for the men to head to Kansas City while the women go to Sioux City.  I actually have nothing to base that on, other than my perceptions.  We will see how things develop.

There was not a player in the tri-lakes with higher expectations this year than Jenner Steele.  The Hollister catcher had a huge junior campaign and coming into his senior year, its safe to say that no hitter in this area was more feared.

Steele did not disappoint.  Starting with the jamboree and throughout the season opposing teams did what they could to work around the slugger.  He finished the year with a .390 batting average and 7 homers.  But those numbers alone did not tell the whole story.  Overall, to the eye test, he seemed like a better hitter this season.  His average was lower but he seemed to be more disciplined at the plate.  His accomplishments have been noticed as he has been named 1st team All-State

Steele will attend Hutchinson Community College in Kansas next year to continue his athletic career.

Jackson Bekemeier received honorable mention All-State.  He will remain a teammate of Steele, as he has also chosen Hutch as his next home.

Its been over a year since the announcement that Reeds Spring and Hollister (along with Marshfield, Catholic, Rogersville, and Nevada) were joining the Big 8 Conference.  Play in the newly expanded League will begin in August.

Current Big 8 Members Monett, East Newton, Lamar, McDonald County, Seneca, and Cassville will be joined by Nevada to make up the West Division of the new league.  Former COC foes Reeds Spring, Hollister, Catholic, Marshfield, and Rogersville will welcome Aurora and Mt Vernon to the East Division.  But what does this mean for scheduling?  Well, for different sports it means different things.  For the purpose of this I will stick with the Fall Sports.

Football will be played within the divisions.  You play everyone in your division every year.   To complete your nine game regular season schedule each team will play THREE “cross-over” games.  Now, its important to know that the cross-over games are to complete the schedule only.  They will NOT count in the Conference Record.  Each Division will crown its own Champion and will have its own All-League Team.

This first season the Wolves will host Nevada and Cassville, while traveling to Seneca for its cross-over games.  Hollister will host East Newton and McDonald County and will get to drive to Lamar for their three additional games.  Next year they schedule will remain the same but will flip-flop home and away.  The schools will then go to the next rotation of opponents.

Softball will have the opportunity to play a true round-robin.  With more games and less schools playing (Hollister and Mt Vernon play their softball in the Spring) there is a chance to play everyone.  Thus, a true league champion will be crowned.

Volleyball looks to be playing three cross-over games as well.  But unlike football, they will reserve an open date at the end of the season.  On that date the two divisions will matchup with the team that finished in the same position from the other division.  Thus claim a true Big 8 Champ.

Basketball in the winter and Baseball in the spring will be doing something similar at the end of their seasons a well, but we will look at Winter and Spring sports and the changes in their schedules a little later…

Other than League Meets Cross-Country, Girls Golf will see little change.  Neither Reeds Spring nor Hollister compete in Soccer so changes there wont effect them.

Its a brand new day in what amounts to a brand new league.  Lots to look forward to Welcome to the Big Eight (Fourteen) (+6) or whatever you want to call it.

 

Last night I had the honor of attending the Springfield Sports Authority Awards with the Duncan Family.   Awards are presented to the top athlete in each of the high school sports in SW Missouri.  We were surrounded by the best of the best.  State Champions, All-Americans, State Record Holders were through out the room.

McKenzie was nominated for Girls Soccer Player of the year.   And, while she did not walk away with the award, the fact that she was a finalist shows just what kind of a season and a career this remarkable young lady had.  She undoubtedly belongs with this elite group.   She leaves Branson with every offensive school record you can imagine.

After returning home last night I received word that the Palm Beach Atlantic University signee has raked in another award.  She has been named All-Region by the Missouri Soccer Coaches Association.  The Class 4 Region 3 Team is dominated by Lee’s Summit West.  This marks back to back seasons that Duncan has been named to the team.