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archives April 2008 Weekend includes events indoors and out New 4.4.08 A big weekend of events features basketball, baseball and track and field, but for the second weekend in a row it won't include auto racing. Indoors, B.A. Promotions hosts its annual lineup of all-star volleyball and basketball games at Bess Activity Center in Poplar Bluff. The schedule opens Friday with volleyball at 7 p.m., followed Saturday by girls basketball at 10 a.m., small-school basketball at 11:15 and large-school basketball at 1:45 p.m. A banquet follows at 5 featuring speaker Lou Brock. Outside, Southeast hosts its annual SEMotion Relays for college track teams all day Saturday, and its baseball team hosts OVC rival Murray State in a doubleheader that starts at 1 p.m. Also outdoors, the annual Jackson Invitational features several track and field teams from across the region in an all-day event at the school. One event already called off because of weather: Malden Speedway's opening-night events, which have been postponed for the second time in two weeks. Hansbrough will leave Mississippi State New 4.8.08 Former Poplar Bluff all-state basketball player Ben Hansbrough is leaving Mississippi State, reviving speculation that he could land at SIU-Carbondale. Hansbrough, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, started 28 games for the Bulldogs in the 23-11 season that ended last month in the NCAA Tournament. Hansbrough led the Bulldogs in free-throw shooting (.789 percent) and was the fourth-leading scorer with 10.5 points a game. Speculation grew a year ago that Hansbrough was looking at a possible transfer, with SIU said to be a leading choice. The Salukis, which will lose five seniors from this year's roster, are coming off an 18-15 season that could be the last for coach Chris Lowery. The coach has been mentioned as a candidate for jobs at two or more schools, including Oklahoma State. SIU and Mississippi State met on the floor once last season; SIU won 63-49 on Nov. 23. Hansbrough in talks with Mizzou, but no decision yet New 4.9.08 Ben Hansbrough's list of potential recruiters is growing. Hansbrough told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Columbia Daily Tribune that he's been in talks with several schools since asking for and receiving his release from the Mississippi State basketball program Monday. Hansbrough, of Poplar Bluff, has initiated contact with Missouri, and the sophomore also has talked with Purdue, Colorado and Notre Dame, among others. But Hansbrough and his father, Gene, both have made calls to Mizzou coach Mike Anderson. "I definitely have some interest in Missouri," Hansbrough told the Daily Tribune. "I was obviously raised and born in Missouri. I have a sense of pride because of where I'm from." Hansbrough, Mississippi State's fourth-leading scorer during the past season, would be required to sit out next season, but he would have two years of eligibility left after that. Niemczyk to sign this week with TRCC New 4.9.08 Bell City senior and all-state pick Nick Niemczyk will commit to join the roster at Three Rivers Community College this week. Niemczyk, who scored more than 2,200 points as a four-year starter with the Cubs, will play for coach Gene Bess and a Raiders team that finished fourth in the nation this season. Niemczyk is expected to sign with the school Friday. Another Bell City senior, Chris Wright, will sign this week to play baseball at Hannibal LaGrange. Redhawks football squad has six dates at home New 4.10.08 Southeast's football schedule released Wednesday shows six of its 12 games at Houck Stadium, with three others within a four-hour drive. Southeast opens the season Aug. 28 against Division II Southwest Baptist, followed Sept. 6 by a game at Missouri. From there are games vs. Tennessee Tech (Sept. 13)and Missouri State (Sept. 20) followed by three road games at Indiana State (Sept. 27), Jacksonville State (Oct. 4) and Eastern Illinois (Oct. 18). Southeast will host Tennessee State on Oct. 25 for homecoming, then hosts Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 1 and UT-Martin on Nov. 15. The Redhawks finish at Murray State on Nov. 8 and at Austin Peay on Nov. 22. Benton track's opening event endures weather New 4.11.08 Updated 3:15 p.m. Racing is still on today for an O'Reilly Midwest All Star Series sprint event at the newly named Benton Racepark in Scott County. The event kicks off the season at the former Auto Tire & Parts Racepark, which changed its name this season. The dirt oval facility, which opened in 1991, will host the Midwest All Star Series again in May and July. Also competing today are modifieds, pure stocks and pro-four cars. Racing begins at 7:30 p.m. Both Malden Speedway and Fredericktown Raceway called off weekly events scheduled tonight because of rain. Indiana winner highlights track's opener New 4.13.08 Southeast Missouri sprint racers won the qualifying events, but Danny Smith of Danville, Ind., won the $2,000 top prize in the Midwest All Star Series sprint opener Friday at Benton Racepark. Track crews and fans endured rain and strong winds to finish the first of three MASS events scheduled at the track this season. Smith took command early and defeated defending track champion Tommy Worley Jr. at the finish. A.J. Bruns was third. Heat race winners were Jerrod Hull of Sikeston, Tim Montgomery of Fredericktown and Worley of Bismarck. Friday's other top race winners were Billy Smith in modifieds, Jerod Wagster in pure streets, and Jacob Buechting in the pro-4 class. If Tyler's leaving, he hasn't told his dad yet New 4.16.08 Tyler Hansbrough might be planning a jump into the NBA Draft, but he hasn't told his dad. Gene Hansbrough, the father of the North Carolina basketball junior and Poplar Bluff High School alum, told the Raleigh News & Observer on Wednesday that his son hasn't indicated whether he will return for his senior season or opt for the NBA Draft. Tyler Hansbrough was this season's consensus National Player of the Year and led the Tar Heels in scoring and rebounding and into the Final Four. According to the News & Observer, at least one NBA analyst said Hansbrough is likely a first-round draft pick. "The decision is totally up to Tyler," Gene Hansbrough said. "He's got two really good options." Underclassmen have until April 27 to declare for the draft. Several former UNC basketball players have announced their NBA Draft intentions during the team's end-of-season banquet, which is Thursday. Malden racing special delayed 24 hours New 4.18.08 Malden Speedway's biggest-ever late model event has been pushed back by 24 hours because of rain. The track's $5,000-to-win Fastrak late model series program scheduled for today and Saturday will instead be held Saturday and Sunday. Plans for Saturday include practice and qualifying for late models, followed by heat races and feature races Sunday. On Saturday, racing will be at 7 p.m., with racing Sunday starting at 1. Late model teams from as far away as South Carolina are expected for the event. O'Fallon trip pays off for Rayfield at Malden New 4.21.08 Shawn Rayfield of O'Fallon won Sunday's $5,000 top prize in Malden Speedway's biggest-paying event in the track's history. Rayfield won the 75-lap event for the Fastrak late model touring series ahead of three Scott County competitors — Joey Mack in second, Billy James in third and Chris Hall in fourth. Darrell Moser was fifth. Robby Arnold of Paragould, Ark., led Robert Powers in modifieds; Johnny Houart led Kyle Berry in hobby stocks; Jared Wagster led Barry Daniels in pure stocks; Justin McBroom led Chuck Tilley in e-mods; and Gene Windham Jr. led Jimmy Newsome in mini-stocks. Dragons, Warriors win MAAA baseball crowns New 4.23.08 Ste. Genevieve and crosstown rival Valle each wrapped up baseball league titles Tuesday in the large and small divisions of the Mineral Area Activities Association. At Ste. Genevieve, the Dragons (9-3) sealed a share of the large division with Farmington after knocking off Fredericktown 8-1. Caleb Whitworth struck out 11 and gave up just three hits while adding a 2-for-3 day at the plate. Tyler Thomure was 3-for-4, and Josh Meyer was 2-for-3 with a three-run home run. At Cadet, Valle (12-3) defeated host Kingston 14-1 after Mike Ramer gave up just five hits and a walk in four innings. Brandon Wolk led the Warriors with a pair of hits. Shawn Henry and Brad Merseal each had two hits for Kingston. As draft deadline nears, mum's the word New 4.24.08 A University of North Carolina spokesman said Thursday there are no plans for Friday or Saturday to announce the NBA draft intentions of three of its star players, including consensus player of the year Tyler Hansbroughof Poplar Bluff. "The last time I talked to him, he really didn't know," Tyler's father, Gene Hansbrough, told ESPN late Wednesday. "I really think he doesn't know. But he can't lose. He can come back to Carolina, break all the records or go to the NBA and make a lot of money. I'm not sure what he's ready to do, and I don't think he knows either." Hansbrough and teammates Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson have until Sunday to declare for the draft. Hansbrough will return for final season at North Carolina New 4.25.08 Junior Tyler Hansbrough said today that he will return to complete his eligibility at North Carolina and will skip the NBA draft. The former Poplar Bluff all-state player and consensus college basketball player of the year has one more season of eligibility remaining. Two teammates, sophomores Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington, declared for the draft today but will not sign with agents, meaning they will have the opportunity to return to school at a later date. Some analysts already expect the Tar Heels to contend for the NCAA title based solely on Hansbrough's return. "They're back in the Final Four," ESPN's Digger Phelps said this afternoon after Hansbrough's announcement. "They're back in the championship game." Hansbrough, who averaged 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds at UNC last season, will have a chance to break the ACC career scoring record next season. He needs 602 points to break the record of 2,769 points set by Duke's J.J. Redick. Rivals Central, ND meet for SEMO league title New 4.28.08 Notre Dame and Cape Girardeau Central play at 7:30 p.m. today for the SEMO Conference baseball championship. Notre Dame (13-5) defeated Jackson 9-5 in Saturday's semifinals, and Central (8-13) upset Dexter 9-4. "It's real big," Notre Dame senior Blake Gaddis told the Southeast Missourian. "It's almost like a district championship game or playing in the postseason. It's a real big game. Night game at Capaha. There should be lots of people there. It should be a fun atmosphere to play in." Gaddis led Notre Dame's win Saturday when he went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI. Dylan Drury and Austin Greer also had two hits apiece for Notre Dame. In Central's win, Brooks Osborn and Garrett Stevens each had two hits. Central upsets Bulldogs for SEMO baseball tournament title New 4.29.08 Shortstop Blake Smith drove in the winning run in the fifth inning to lift fourth-seeded Cape Girardeau Central past second-seeded Notre Dame 2-1 in the championship of the SEMO Conference baseball tournament late Monday. The Tigers rallied from an early 1-0 deficit and tied it 1-1 in the fifth, first when Jared Green scored on a Brooks Osburn triple. Smith's single to right field scored Osburn for the 2-1 lead. Garrett Stevens was 2-for-3 and earned the win for Central (9-13). Dylan Drury was 2-for-3 for Notre Dame (13-6). Notre Dame is 'the best fit' for Ben Hansbrough Updated 4.29.08 Mississippi State sophomore and Poplar Bluff grad Ben Hansbrough confirmed Tuesday that he will transfer to Notre Dame. Hansbrough first told Notre Dame coach Mike Brey late Monday that he would transfer to the school following a weekend visit there. He confirmed the report Tuesday afternoon. "They have a great style that I feel I can flourish in," he told the Associated Press. "They have a great team and it's a great school." Hansbrough announced earlier this month that he would not return for his junior season at Mississippi State. But Notre Dame is "the best fit for me," Hansbrough told the South Bend (Ind.) Tribune on Sunday. "If you've found something perfect, why would you look anywhere else?" Hansbrough arrived Friday for his visit in South Bend. He played pickup basketball with returning members of the Irish team that finished 25-8 last season, then met Brey for breakfast Sunday before returning to Starkville, Miss. Hansbrough said Notre Dame was the only school he visited since announcing he would transfer. Notre Dame has two scholarships available. Hansbrough would be required to sit out the 2008-'09 season, but he will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. Hansbrough told the South Bend Tribune on Tuesday that he discussed his decision with his older brother, Tyler, who will be a senior at North Carolina. Hansbrough's new teammates might meet his brother's Tar Heels in November at the EA Sports Maui Invitational. "I may have to make that trip," said Hansbrough, who would have to pay his own way under NCAA transfer guidelines. Three Southeast football players arrested, suspended New 4.29.08 Three Southeast football players issued citations for shoplifting have been suspended from the program. Freshmen Errick Aliffua, Miles Stroter and Jerald Williams were issued citations Sunday. They are scheduled to appear in court May 27 to face charges that they shoplifted 21 items valued at less than $500 from Macy's, Steve & Barry's and J.C. Penney in West Park Mall. Southeast's athletic policy calls for immediate suspension of an athlete accused of a criminal violation. "They will be disciplined by us above what their punishment is," coach Tony Samuel told the Southeast Missourian newspaper. "That was not a real smart decision by those kids. These are good kids who just made a bad decision." |
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