Tom Bildner ought to be looking at the recent Missouri High School Class 3 boys’ soccer district assignments with a very interested eye.
If history is any indication, that grouping might look awfully familiar come basketball time.
The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) last week released its boys’ soccer district assignments for the 2008 season. And Waynesville High School’s district has a more northern range to it.
The Class 3 District 10 boys’ soccer grouping includes Waynesville, Lebanon, Rolla, Camdenton and Washington. Those first four teams are very familiar with each other, as they are Ozark Conference rivals.
However, what that district now lacks is a representative from the Springfield Public Schools.
And here’s why Bildner, Waynesville boys’ basketball head coach, is taking note. In recent years the boys’ soccer and basketball districts have mirrored each other.
If that trend holds true come basketball season the WHS boys’ and girls’ squads will not have to worry about a Springfield school in district or, possibly, early playoff matchups.
Over the past several years Springfield Kickapoo has dominated boys’ and girls’ basketball in southwest Missouri, and it’s been virtually impossible for other area large-school teams to get past them in district or sectional rounds.
That is until last year, when both Kickapoo squads were beaten in the district tourney. Instead, it was Waynesville who took a Tiger double-header into Class 5 Quarterfinal play. Both WHS boys’ and girls’ basketball teams won in the sectionals at Bolivar and advanced to the Rolla Quarterfinals, where both were beaten.
It’s the first time both WHS squads have made the quarterfinals in the same year. Heck, it’s the first time the Lady Tigers EVER got that far.
There is always competition, however. And even though Springfield is not involved in the WHS boys’ soccer district fortunes – and perhaps boys’ basketball as well – things won’t be easy.
In addition to the other squads in Class 3 District 10, possible sectional matchups with the District 9 champion figure to be tough. District 9 is made up of Jefferson City, Columbia Hickman, Columbia Rock Bridge, Troy and Sedalia Smith-Cotton.
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Jackets Stung
The Lebanon High School boys’ basketball team was stung as one of the Jackets’ top returning players from last season, 6-2 junior guard Kyle Poynter, has transferred.
Poynter, who was one of the top reserves for Lebanon head coach Kyle Paulson last season, has transferred to Houston (Mo.) High School.
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Williams Back
The WHS football team will have junior Miakel Williams this season after all. The speedy Williams had planned to transfer to a school in Texas with his family. However, family plans changed and he has returned to WHS for this semester. Williams was a starting defensive back for WHS last year.
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