Sports

When Orrick’s varsity boys basketball season ended Feb. 22 with a 69-53 loss to Braymer at Norborne in the Class 1 District 13 Tournament semifinals, the high school careers of “two key players” also ended, according to junior Logan Smith – Jaxon Miller and Jonathon Harris.

Elijah Sanders was looking to finish his high school wrestling career as a champion this week. At press time, the Richmond senior was competing in the Class 2 state tournament at Columbia.

The varsity high school girls and boys basketball seasons are in the fourth quarter, metaphorically speaking. Postseason play started this week for Classes 1-3, with Classes 4-6 slated to start the postseason next week.

Richmond varsity boys basketball coach Kevin Jermain saw his Spartans be intense and display their muscle Feb. 9, when they cruised to a 75-53 mat/ courtwarming victory over visiting Lexington.

Richmond varsity girls basketball coach Kayle Vantrump saw her Spartans continue to make strides in the execution of their man-to-man defense Feb. 9, when they hosted Lexington for mat/ courtwarming as part of a varsity girlsboys doubleheader.

will represent the Spartans in the 235-pound division at the Class 1 state tournament, scheduled for Feb. 21-22 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. The senior qualified by placing fourth in her weight class at Class 1 District 4 competition, held Feb. 9-10 at Kearney. Per Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) regulations, the top four in each weight class qualified for state.

LATHROP – Richmond’s Elijah Sanders had Braxton Ernst’s number again when the two wrestled for the 165-pound title Feb. 3 at the Lathrop Invitational.

Hardin-Central varsity girls basketball coach Tommy Burton considered the Bulldogs’ 33-19 Feb. 1 courtwarming loss to Wellington-Napoleon a teaching moment – for himself.