Sports

On Monday morning, something was clear to Hardin-Central varsity softball coach Brandee Doyle as her Bulldogs started their latest offseason team camp at the Hardin American Legion and Auxiliary baseball and softball fields.

Even after a packed schedule last week, Richmond varsity girls basketball coach Kaylee Vantrump could still see some get-up-and-go in her Spartans on June 30, when they hosted Braymer in offseason scrimmaging.

ST. JOSEPH – For his last act as a Missouri 8-Man Coaches Association board member, Kirk Thacker honored one of his former players.

Orrick varsity 8-man football coach Kirk Thacker’s coaching tree is finally, as he put it, “not straight up and down anymore,” he said. That tree has sprouted two branches – both former players-turned-assistant coaches.

A former Spartan has returned to coach Richmond varsity girls basketball. Kaylee Vantrump, a 2017 Richmond High School graduate, was hired this spring to succeed Chad Snyder.

The Richmond Dolphin Swim Team’s season opener June 25 at Southview Pool provided some cross training work for a few high school student-athletes. One of those athletes was Grace Bozarth, a volleyball player at Richmond.

ST. JOSEPH – Blake Buchanan’s official last high school football game was what he called “definitely a thing to remember.” That game was the 14th Annual Missouri 8-Man All-Star Game, staged by the Missouri 8-Man Coaches Association and held June 25 at Missouri Western State University.

Richmond 1-Ellis Farms “came a long way” this softball season, according to Carleigh Stamper, the ballclub’s hardswatting catcher. That long journey ended Tuesday night at Southview Park with Richmond 1 sweeping Ludlow 1 18-17 and then 10-5 for the Tri-County 13U Softball Tournament title.

Coach Kirk Thacker had to do less selling and less teaching of fundamentals during Orrick’s varsity 8-man football camp last week than he did when the Bearcats began offseason training last summer. In 2021, Thacker’s first season with program, the Bearcats “had a big learning curve and they were trying to learn” his system when they held their first camp, he said June 16 on Orrick’s practice field.

KEARNEY – Richmond got a taste Tuesday morning of what its passing attack might be like this varsity football season with Donivin Williams leading the offense. Williams, who has been a backup to starter and recent graduate Keyshaun Elliott, was the quarterback for the Spartans as they participated in 7-on- 7 exercises with other Kansas City metro area programs at Kearney High School.