Sports

Avis Rodenberg got a confidence boost July 10. Participating as part of Orrick’s varsity girls basketball program in a joint morning practice with Hardin-Central in the Orrick High School gym, Rodenberg became more self-assured in her passing and dribbling, she said.

Offense is a focal point for Richmond varsity football coach Nick Persell and his Spartans for their first set of team camp sessions. “We’re installing all of our base run game, some of our pass concepts as well,” Persell said moments after the opening session had ended Monday on the team’s practice field.

.

After spending much of last week installing a new defense, Orrick varsity 8-man football coach Kirk Thacker and his Bearcats devoted the end of their team camp to offense. On June 28, the Bearcats started by going over their defense, Thacker said.

Norman Bowman couldn’t resist making some jokes, including an inside joke or two, when he introduced the 1962 varsity football team for this year’s Richmond High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Early in his June 8 speech in the high school commons area, Bowman said he would share some anecdotes about the ballclub.

While covering the latest Richmond High School Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony, I was reminded of the ways Missouri prep football has changed dramatically over the past 62 years. I got that reminder while covering the induction of Richmond’s 1962 team (see related story above and on page 12).

Orrick varsity 8-man football coach Kirk Thacker and his Bearcats are defense-oriented for this week’s team camp. The Bearcats are installing a new defense during camp, slated to conclude Friday, according to Thacker.

For Patrick Pierson and Robert Robinson, the introductions to their respective inductions into the Richmond High School Athletic Hall of Fame were family affairs. Pierson, a 1991 graduate, was introduced during the June 8 ceremony in the high school commons area by daughters and Paige and Lexi Pierson, and a statement from his sister Jill.

OAK GROVE – A break between games proved to be what Richmond needed to end Monday’s summer-league girls basketball games on a winning note, according to Spartans varsity coach Kaylee Vantrump and guard Adilyn Swope.