Tom Rackers is sports editor at the News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @tjrackers.
Friday Football: Helias rallies late to top Smithville
The Helias Crusaders were in a bit of a situation. And it didn't look promising.
Nov. 29 2020 @ 12:35am
Doss leads Ray-Pec past De Smet for Class 6 title
Jaidyn Doss didn't appear among the rushing leaders through the regular season for the Raymore-Peculiar Panthers. The speedy sophomore receiver did lead the Panthers in receptions, reception yardage and receiving touchdowns. But running the ball? Hadn't cracked 100 yards. Saturday afternoon, he cracked it. Really cracked it.
Nov. 29 2020 @ 12:25am
Clement's touchdown run lifts Helias to 13-10 win against Smithville
It was do-or-die time for the Helias Crusaders. They live for the final week of the high school football season.
Nov. 28 2020 @ 1:00am
Helias hits the road to take on Smithville in Class 4 semifinals
It doesn't figure to get any easier for the Helias Crusaders. But with just four teams left, there's no reason to think it would.
Nov. 27 2020 @ 12:30am
Wyrick steps down as Helias softball coach
Family comes first. "It was tough, but one I needed to make for my family," Chris Wyrick said Tuesday night about his decision to step down after two seasons as the softball coach at Helias.
Nov. 25 2020 @ 12:30am
Helias girls plan to go up-tempo this season
The Helias Lady Crusaders are looking to hit the ground running this basketball season. "Make or miss, get the ball to the other end of the floor," Helias coach Garrett Wiggans said as the Lady Crusaders get set to open the season tonight against the Blair Oaks Lady Falcons in Wardsville.
Nov. 24 2020 @ 12:30am
Lady Jays shorthanded to start the season
There likely will be hurdles for all high school teams this winter sports season. The Jefferson City Lady Jays are facing a big one early. The Lady Jays, who will be without five varsity players as they start the season tonight at Battle in Columbia, are embracing the challenge.
Nov. 24 2020 @ 12:30am
Strong shooting performance sends Capital City past Eugene
It was all due to preparation. The Capital City Cavaliers hit five 3-pointers in the third quarter to push their lead to double digits on their way to an 82-67 victory against the Eugene Eagles at Capital City High School.
Nov. 22 2020 @ 12:35am
Football Friday: Helias tops West Plains, advances to Class 4 semis
The Helias Crusaders knew what they were in for Friday night. The West Plains Zizzers brought a 10-1 record and some impressive stats into the Class 4 quarterfinal game with the Crusaders at Ray Hentges Stadium.
Nov. 22 2020 @ 12:25am
Helias holds off West Plains for 36-30 win in Class 4 quarterfinals
The Helias Crusaders hadn't had a game be in doubt entering the fourth quarter for more than two months. The game was very much in doubt until the very end of the fourth quarter Friday night as the Crusaders withstood a second-half charge by the West Plains Zizzers to post a 36-30 victory in the Class 4 quarterfinals at Ray Hentges Stadium.
Nov. 21 2020 @ 12:15am
Helias set to host West Plains in Class 4 quarterfinal
You couldn't help but peek. When the Missouri State High School Activities Association released the football district assignments in late September, the Helias Crusaders were off to a 5-0 start to the season. So if Helias was to win a district championship, who would the Crusaders face the Class 4 quarterfinals? One team jumped out, the West Plains Zizzers.
Nov. 20 2020 @ 12:45am
Helias guard Byers signs with Missouri State
It didn't take very long for Lindsey Byers to make her decision earlier this year. "When they offered me in May, it was immediate that it was the right place," Byers said Tuesday after the Lady Crusader senior guard signed with Missouri State in the Helias library. "I knew in my heart that's where I wanted to go.
Nov. 18 2020 @ 12:45am
Soccer Jays had season to remember
Back in August, Jefferson City soccer coach Scott Blake wasn't sure the Jays would play even one game this season due to COVID-19 restrictions. Happily, he was wrong. The Jays got in 28.
Nov. 16 2020 @ 12:50am
Jays soccer falls 2-0 to St. Dominic in Class 4 semifinals
"We came out with a great game plan, which the boys executed," Jefferson City coach Scott Blake said after the Jays dropped a 2-0 decision to the St. Dominic Crusaders at Eddie Horn Field. "The boys played hard, I am super proud of them."
Nov. 14 2020 @ 9:40pm
Football Friday: Helias wins first district championship since 2014
It's Helias' first district football championship since 2014. The Crusaders (11-0) will host West Plains (10-1) in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Friday. West Plains advanced with a 41-26 victory Friday night against Carl Junction to capture the District 5 crown.
Nov. 14 2020 @ 9:05pm
Helias picks off four passes in first half, defeats Warrensburg for district title
With the win, Helias (11-0) will host West Plains (10-1) in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. next Friday. It's the first district title for the Crusaders since 2014.
Nov. 13 2020 @ 11:55pm
No. 3 Jays to host No. 1 St. Dominic in Class 4 soccer semifinal
Neither team gives up much on the defensive side. The Crusaders have 13 shutouts and have allowed just one goal in their other 10 contests.
Nov. 13 2020 @ 11:35pm
Helias set to host Warrensburg for district title
It's like looking in a mirror. Team No. 1 is averaging 45 points a game, team No. 2 40.4. Team No. 1 is allowing an average of 15.8, team No. 2 allows 12.8.
Nov. 13 2020 @ 12:55am
Linthacum, Nilges sign to play basketball at Division I level
Hannah Nilges and Sarah Linthacum have known for a while where they would play basketball at the next level. They made it official Wednesday as the Jefferson City Lady Jays teammates signed NCAA Division I letters of intent in a ceremony at Fleming Fieldhouse.
Nov. 12 2020 @ 12:45am
Ahmed's hat trick pushes Jays soccer past Blue Springs
As always, the Jefferson City Jays were playing strong defense. But as the clocked ticked inside 10 minutes to play in the first half Saturday, there were zeros on both sides of the scoreboard as the Jays faced the Blue Springs Wildcats in a Class 4 soccer sectional at Eddie Horn Field. But up stepped Bassil Ahmed.
Nov. 8 2020 @ 12:40am