Tony Hawley

Blue Springs sweeps Jefferson City in volleyball

The Blue Springs Lady Wildcats came into Monday night’s volleyball match at Fleming Fieldhouse ranked seventh in the state in Class 4, and it didn’t take them long to prove their worth.

Pinkel has done OK at MU

Sports Commentary

It’s starting to become an annual rite of fall — the outcry from Missouri fans about how they deserve a better football coach than Gary Pinkel.

Dooms Blair Oaks to 31-19 loss

The California Pintos used a stellar first half to jump out to a big lead, then held off a furious Blair Oaks rally to capture a 31-19 win Friday night.

WARDSVILLE — For long portions of Thursday night’s volleyball match, the Fatima Lady Comets and Blair Oaks Lady Falcons were evenly matched. But when it came to two key points, the Lady Comets were just a bit better.

Falcons to face Pintos in Tri-County Conference clash of state-ranked teams

On Friday, the Blair Oaks Falcons will be looking to do something nobody’s done against California this season — score a touchdown against the Pintos’ first-team defense.

Lady Jays beat Lady Comets in three volleyball games

Competing in front of a raucous, energized crowd, the Jefferson City and Fatima volleyball teams fed off the energy and kept raising their level of play Monday night.

Blair Oaks stomps on Osage, 62-13

The School of the Osage Indians got the first score in each half Friday night, but other than that, the rest of the night belonged to the Blair Oaks Falcons.

Helias tops Fatima in volleyball

Helias roared back at the end of the first game and jumped out to an early lead in the second before holding on for a 25-22, 25-19 victory in front of a raucous crowd.

Blair Oaks, Osage both like up-tempo game

If you’re heading out to the Falcon Athletic Complex for Friday’s game between the Blair Oaks Falcons and the School of the Osage Indians, you might want to bring plenty of money for the concession stand. That’s because you may need some snacks to make it through a game that could turn out to be a lengthy one.

Lower part of order propels Helias past Fatima

In a game where both teams were looking for someone, anyone, to knock in a run, the Helias Lady Crusaders finally got it from where you might least expect it.

Blair Oaks cruises with 43-18 win

One day removed from his birthday, it was Derek Otto who was in a mood to hand out presents.

Southern Boone’s style means lots of prep work for Blair Oaks

When the Blair Oaks Falcons travel to Ashland for Friday’s 7 p.m. contest with the Southern Boone Eagles, they’re going to have to be on their toes.

Blair Oaks beats Hallsville 34-14

Spearheaded by a dominating defensive effort in the second half, the Blair Oaks Falcons broke open a close game and dropped the Hallsville Indians 34-14 on Friday night at the Falcon Athletic Complex.

Defense leads Nixa past Helias

The Nixa Lady Eagles not only won the physical battle against the Helias volleyball team Thursday night, but they also came out on top of the mental one.

Falcons set for a night of firsts hosting Hallsville

When the Blair Oaks Falcons and Hallsville Indians meet at 7 p.m. Friday at the Falcon Athletic Complex, there will be a lot on the line.

Helias edges Lady Jays in three sets

It was the kind of match worthy of the postseason. It’s just too bad they can’t do it again in districts at the end of the year.

MLB trumping up interest with unneeded extra spot

Sports Commentary

I have a simple favor to ask. It’s become apparent the St. Louis Cardinals will be in the midst of the playoff race in the National League again this season.

Falcons’ powerful offense leads to 59-0 win

So much for time of possession being a pertinent statistic when it comes to football.

Slow start dooms Lady Jays in loss to Hermann

The Jefferson City volleyball team was a step behind the Hermann Lady Bearcats at the start Thursday night, and it ended up costing them at the finish line.

Helias survives for win against Waynesville

It’s amazing what 24 hours can do to a team. One night after passing the ball with ease, the Helias volleyball team found things a little bit tougher in the Lady Crusaders’ home opener.

Calvary Lutheran opens volleyball season with more players

A new season is always cause for optimism, but the Calvary Lutheran volleyball team has another reason to be excited this time around.

Lady Crusaders hope to use speed to their advantage

The lineup may not yet be written in stone, but you can be sure the Helias volleyball team will have two attributes no matter who’s on the floor — the Lady Crusaders will be fast and versatile.

Blair Oaks tops Moberly, 24-14

The Moberly Spartans scored in the game’s first 13 second and in the final two minutes, but the Blair Oaks Falcons owned all the other moments of the game and emerged with a season-opening 24-14 win Friday night.

Blair Oaks ready to start season

For the Blair Oaks football team, today’s the payoff for all their hard work in the preseason.

Helias girls battle past Rolla

After several adventures on the basepaths in Thursday’s season opener, the Helias Lady Crusaders finally got some plays to go their way.

Helias softball team to host Rolla in opener

The Helias softball team will play its season opener at 6:30 p.m. today against Rolla at Duensing Field, and the game can’t come quick enough for the team.

Lady Jays return wealth of tennis experience

Every cloud has a silver lining — you just have to know where to look. That’s been the case for the Jefferson City girls tennis team, which opens the season today against Helias at Washington Park.

Helias squeezes in enough practices to meet standard

The Helias girls tennis team is ready to start the season today, and the toughest part of the preseason wasn’t settling on a lineup. Nor was it preparing for the first opponent.

Falcons force seven turnovers in Jamboree

If the Blair Oaks Falcons can show the production they had Friday night all season long, they’ll be in great shape.

Falcons flash offense in scrimmage

Some of the faces may have changed, but one characteristic hasn’t — the Blair Oaks football team is a big fan of the big play.

Plenty of drama still left in the Olympics

Sports Commentary

It seems hard to believe, what with all the rowing, sailing and canoe/ kayak events that have taken place lately, but it seems some people are still “missing the boat” when it comes to the Olympics.

Calvary Lutheran welcomes new athletic director

As the new boys basketball coach at Calvary Lutheran High School watches his team during this week’s summer camp, the eyes of the school’s new athletic director will be doing the same. In fact, they’ll be the same set of eyes.

Lack of Lincoln home track meets irks writer

Sports Commentary

There's a drought on the local sports scene, and one that also needs to come to an end as soon as possible. I’m referring to the lack of a home track meet for the Lincoln University track and field teams.

North girls pull out 2-1 win in soccer all-star game

ASHLAND — You know you’re going to see some good play in an All-Star game.

South boys win all-star soccer game

All-Star games are often a mixed bag, with the players needing a half or more to get used to each other. And then some times, things just click.

Agee to appear at Lincoln’s high-school event

Getting to see one of the stars of “Hoop Dreams” will be a hoops reality next week for some lucky players.

Dempsey takes over Lady Crusader soccer program

With most summer sports camps, it doesn’t take long for the action to get hot and heavy.

Action wraps up in Hoops Classic

The “spotlight game” wasn’t much to look at, but the event sure was.

Hoops Classic a treat for area basketball fans

Sports Commentary

Normally, when you get the Helias Crusaders and Jefferson City Jays together, they’re not going to see eye-to-eye.

Helias keeps things simple during summer softball camp

For years, the Helias softball team has been known for its solid fundamentals.

Jays, Crusaders put on Capital City Shootout

The calendar says June, and what better time than when it’s hot to see some hotly contested high school basketball action.

Blair Oaks starts summer minus seven seniors

Most teams approach their summer camps as a clean slate, looking to start fresh after the previous season.

Helias bounces back to take third place in Register’s last game

It seems only fitting that in the last game for Chuck Register as their coach, the Lady Crusaders got their first win in three trips to soccer's Final Four. And even more fitting, a senior playing her final high-school game — Lexi Melcher — delivered the game’s only score.