Sports

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.

Former Richmond teacher and coach Ken Simmons did something June 8 during the Richmond High SchoolAthletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony he had never done: introduce two inductees in an evening. First, Simmons introduced his daughter, Ashley (Simmons) Smith – one of three individuals inducted for athletic achievements not involving 11man football.

Norborne Hardin-Central (NHC) varsity 8-man football coach Andrew Watson and his Aggies recently got to train where the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs sometimes train. On June 7-8, the Aggies participated in a multiteam camp at Missouri Western State University.

Monday’s losses to Braymer and Stewartsville/Osborn in summer-league play at Lawson provided Hardin-Central varsity boys basketball coach August Hoeper with additional reminders that his Bulldogs are undergoing a learning curve.

CARROLLTON – A change of pace helped Richmond conclude Monday’s River Valley Shootout play with a win, teammates Emma Hash, Candiace Claypole and Maya Griffin agreed. After leading Norborne 18-11 at halftime, the Spartans saw their lead shrink to 18-16 early in the second half and responded with a scoring tear.