Tom Rackers is sports editor at the News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @tjrackers.
Helias seniors happy they had one last chance to play together
The 2020 seniors on the Helias baseball team had known nothing but postseason baseball. The eight seniors were prepared to bid this spring for Helias' first baseball state title since 2001 before COVID-19 halted the season before it even started.
Jun. 28 2020 @ 1:00am
Helias takes pair from Fatima in final summer league games
Trevor Austin couldn't help but laugh. The Helias graduated senior was in an unfamiliar spot as he strode to the plate for his first at-bat in the second game of Thursday night's doubleheader against the Fatima Comets at Lions Field.
Jun. 26 2020 @ 12:30am
Helias sweeps twinbill from Harrisburg
It didn't resemble a typical summer baseball game. The Helias Crusaders got all they wanted from the Harrisburg Bulldogs in the first game of Tuesday night's doubleheader at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.
Jun. 24 2020 @ 12:55am
Experience shows as Helias 1 sweeps twinbill from Fulton
It was two teams with different goals. For Helias 1, the Crusaders' eight seniors are using the summer baseball league for one last ride together. For the Fulton Hornets, it's a league designed to improve for the future.
Jun. 19 2020 @ 12:40am
Fatima sweeps DH from Capital City with big first innings
The Fatima Comets set the tone early. Fatima scored nine runs in the first inning in Game 1 of Tuesday night's doubleheader against Capital City, then plated seven in the opening frame of Game 2 in posting wins of 13-0 and 10-2 at Capital City High School.
Jun. 17 2020 @ 12:50am
Press Box: Bailey looks to be the right man at the right time for Jays
It was more than a surprise earlier this month when Terry Walker stepped down after two seasons as head coach of the Jefferson City Jays football program. And when it was announced last week who would be replacing him? Well...
Jun. 14 2020 @ 12:30am
Helias 1 posts two victories against Capital City
The Helias Crusaders definitely have the edge in experience. The Crusaders feature eight graduated seniors on a team in the developmental summer league. It showed Tuesday night.
Jun. 10 2020 @ 12:30am
Helias' offense comes alive in twinbill sweep of New Bloomfield
The Helias Crusaders didn't even practice against live pitching until Monday. It showed a little bit Tuesday in a doubleheader split against Fatima. They found their strokes Thursday as Helias scored a combined 27 runs in six innings at the plate in sweeping a summer league twinbill against the New Bloomfield Wildcats at Babe Ruth Park.
Jun. 5 2020 @ 12:25am
Summer league gives bit of solace for prep baseball teams
They both had high hopes in early March. In early June, they were just glad to be playing baseball at all. Along with several other area high schools.
Jun. 4 2020 @ 12:50am
Fatima, Helias split summer league doubleheader
The final scores didn't really matter Tuesday night. Baseball was back.
Jun. 3 2020 @ 12:30am
NFHS releases guidelines for prep sports to resume
There could be quite a few safety hurdles to clear for high school sports to return this fall in Missouri.
May. 20 2020 @ 12:40am
Games of the Year: Helias gains measure of revenge with state title win against Sullivan
The seniors on the Helias Lady Crusaders softball team had some unfinished business against Sullivan.
May. 17 2020 @ 12:50am
Games of the Year: Lady Jays beat Deer Creek to climb into national Top 25
It was a heck of a matchup for a tournament semifinal. Deer Creek was ranked No. 1 in Oklahoma's largest classification heading into the Classic. And they were on the same side of the bracket as the Jefferson City Lady Jays, ranked No. 1 in Missouri's biggest class.
May. 17 2020 @ 12:45am
Press Box: Boys of Summer may not hit the field this year
You may not like what he said, but that doesn't mean Blake Snell was wrong.
May. 17 2020 @ 12:35am
Helias baseball holds event at Legion Complex
Schools around the country are honoring their seniors every week with Friday Night Lights on their campuses. The Helias baseball program wanted to do something special for its eight seniors. So it hosted its seniors Friday night at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.
Apr. 26 2020 @ 12:50am
Capital City dealing with no spring sports in first year
They were the last chances to be the first in the first year at Capital City High School. But with the cancellation of the spring sports season by the Missouri State High School Activities Association due to concerns about Covid-19, those firsts will have to wait until Year 2.
Apr. 26 2020 @ 12:35am
Press Box: If all of us are smart, local games are possible
The Missouri State High School Activities Association provided a ray of sunshine in these cloudy days of local sports. Now it's up to all of us not to screw it up.
Apr. 26 2020 @ 12:15am
Kuster's pursuit of All-American status halted by coronavirus
Peter Kuster wanted to make a little bit of history. Drury University had not had an All-American in the first three years of its wrestling program. Kuster, a former Jefferson City Jay, believed he was going to break through and be the first last month in Year Four for the Panthers at the NCAA Division II national championships in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Apr. 19 2020 @ 12:40am
Door opened for Foster to return to Lady Jays
Kay Foster was looking for a sign it was time to get back into coaching.
Apr. 17 2020 @ 12:35am
Wiggans named girls basketball coach at Helias
Garrett Wiggins has been an assistant coach football in the fall, basketball in the winter and baseball in the spring in his five years at Helias. Now he's getting the opportunity to lead a program.
Apr. 12 2020 @ 12:35am