Sports

ORRICK – Coach Mitch Comstock starts over this season with Orrick’s golf program. All Bearcats who played in 2021 have graduated, including his son, Dylan Comstock, last season’s Class 1 state champion, now a first-year men’s golfer at Park University in Parkville; and Bishop Grimm, a state qualifier last season and the nephew of retired sports editor Russ Green.

ORRICK – Coach Kirk Thacker brings parts of Hardin-Central’s track and field program to Orrick’s varsity program. Now finishing his first year of teaching and coaching at Orrick, Thacker was a longtime teacher and coach at Hardin-Central, where duties included coaching junior high and varsity track.

HARDIN – Given its size, Hardin-Central has “good numbers” for track and field, varsity coach Brent Behler said. As of March 7, the Bulldogs had roughly 20 boys and eight participating, Behler estimated.

BLUE SPRINGS – For the second straight season, a Kansas City-based private school ended Richmond’s postseason run in boys basketball in the Class 4 state quarterfinals. The Spartans’ latest run ended with a 52-32 loss to Pembroke Hill March 12 at Blue Springs High School – 365 days after their 70-67 state quarterfinal loss to The Barstow School at Avila University.

RICHMOND – Coach Kevin Jermain and his Spartans got their district threepeat in boys basketball. They got their second straight sectional championship, too.

PRESENTING ... the academic all-state Richmond varsity softball team. Pictured are, front row, from left, Kenzie Siggars, Katie Pierson, Jaedyn Lopez, Jodi Robinson, Lexi Bokarae and Mackenzey Peach; second row, Caitlin Claypole, Gabby Camp, Hailee Green, Josie Scott, Haylee Weber, Aniya Webb, Sydney Appleberry, Aireanna Hoeppner and Kendra Green; back row, Kaylee Pugh, Kelsey Wilton, Aleana McFee, Evie Happy, Taylor Hoeppner, Kynlee Lopez, Trinidy Fisk and Harley Huffman. The Spartans are led by head coach Staci Maddux. SUBMITTED PHOTOS