Galena’s McNemar signs to Division I North Texas softball

GALENA, Kan. – Galena High School softball standout Blayze McNemar signed on Thursday afternoon to continue her career at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.

McNemar is a multiple time All-CNC selection for the Bulldogs. Last season she was a unanimous 1st team All-CNC selection, as well as being a 1st team All-State pick.

“It means a lot,” McNemar says of the opportunity to play college softball, “My family has gotten me here and they want to see me succeed in the world. This is a good opportunity to do that.”

“I love the coaching staff there,” she adds on why she chose North Texas, “They seemed like they would definitely take good care of me there and we would have a lot of fun. Through all my conversations, they really showed that they care about what they’re building there. They showed that they care about me as both a person and player.”

Jones, Buerge highlight four signees for Carl Junction signing day

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. – (WATCH) Four Carl Junction High School standouts sign Wednesday afternoon, including Destiny Buerge (Pitt State basketball) and Logan Jones (Arkansas volleyball).

Logan Jones – University of Arkansas volleyball

“I think that the culture within the athletics programs at Arkansas is something that’s just super elite, and the level of academics and resources that’s provided to athletes is just unmatched in the country. The coaches and teammates that I’ll have will be amazing, too.”

Destiny Buerge  – Pitt State basketball

“I’m excited to play with my future teammates, experience the community and just explore and figure out what I want to do in life.”

Adia Kennedy – Mid-America Nazarene volleyball

“Their coaches have really good experience. They’ve played in different countries. They’re really good coaches. I think this year they’ve gone like 27-1.”

Sadie Burchett – Central Methodist track and cross country

“They have a church on campus, and I really feel like I could get closer with my faith there.”

Brown, Myers sign at Frontenac High School

FRONTENAC, Kan. – Frontenac senior student-athletes Mia Brown and Logan Myers will continue their careers in the MIAA.

Myers signs to play baseball at Emporia State on Wednesday, while Brown signs to play volleyball for Jen Gomez and the Pittsburg State Gorillas.

“Miranda Rodriguez, the assistant coach at Pitt State, was my club coach. Pitt State wasn’t really on my radar at the time,” Brown says on the process of choosing Pitt State, “She called me and was like hey we want you to come on a visit. I was like OK, I’ll just go and see how it is. When I went there, it was completely different than what I thought and I really fell in love with it.”

“Coach Wheeler and coach Schwartz, I’ve known them since I was young,” Myers says on his choice to play at Emporia State, “I know coach Schwartz a little bit more because he was a middle infielder for my dad. I’ve gotten to take ground balls with him since I was a little kid. I think I’ve formed great relationships with them and I’m excited for it.”

Both Brown and Myers were outstanding athletes for Frontenac High School – and they’re excited to compete in one of the toughest Division II conference in the nation.

“I’m ready for the challenge. I’ve been around the league with my dad for a long time,” Myers says, “Being at Emporia State or anywhere in the MIAA, you have to bring your best every single day. It’s very hard competition every day and I’m excited for the challenge.”

“We have some very good competition in the CNC,” Brown says on how Frontenac prepared her for the college game, “College is a different level, but I think that with preparation and everything, Frontenac definitely prepared me well for it.”

Riverton’s Thomasson, Compton sign to play college volleyball

RIVERTON, Kan. – Riverton High School seniors Jacy Thomasson and Morgan Compton signed on Wednesday afternoon to continue their volleyball careers in college.

Both will be staying in southeast Kansas, with Compton signing to play at Labette CC and Thomasson signing to play at Pittsburg State University.

“I love coach Gomez, first of all. She immediately drew me to Pittsburg State. I love their team and I love their culture,” Thomasson says on why she chose Pitt State, “I think everyone around here knows that Pitt State has a culture that you can’t beat. Apart from that, it’s just thirty minutes down the road. My family is very important to me. They’ve pushed me to be the person I am today. I owe it to them to stay close to home.”

“The coaches were always really friendly to me. They reached out to me and they were close to home,” Compton says of choosing Labette, “It’s a nice and new facility, and the new dorms are nice. It’s just a great environment for me to be in.”

Both Thomasson and Compton are headed to the college game – but they certainly left their mark at Riverton High School.

Compton leaves Riverton as the school’s all-time leader in assists, while Compton finishes her high school career as Riverton’s all-time leader in kills.

“Riverton has been my whole life K-12. I’ve put all my blood, sweat and tears into athletics here. I will miss it dearly,” Thomasson says of leaving Riverton, “It’s been a great experience and some of the best memories of my life. I know that a new chapter is beginning and I’m excited for that, but I’ll never forget the memories and the accomplishments for me and my team.”

“It’s a great feeling to know that my name will always be remembered,” Compton says, “My sisters made that mark. I feel great to make my own mark in volleyball and not other sports like them. So yeah, it’s a great feeling.”

Four athletes sign at Joplin High School; Reither to MSSU baseball

JOPLIN, Mo. – Four Joplin High School student-athletes sign letters of intent on Wednesday.

Byler Reither – Missouri Southern baseball

“It’s been a lifelong dream to play college baseball,” Reither says. “It really means a lot to be able to go right down the road and stay close to family. It’s going to be really cool and really special for me to look up and see them in the stands supporting me. Coach Darnell and coach Tuck really took me under their wing, and I felt like it was another place of home.”

Hobbs Campbell – Kansas Track and Field and Cross Country

“It was just such a great environment,” Campbell says about his visit to KU. “They have amazing facilities and great coaches. I know that’s where I’ll be my best and that’s really what it came down to: where I think I can have the most success. That’s definitely Kansas. I’m just really looking forward to making that next step and being able to compete with the best people in the nation.”

Jill McDaniel – Highland Community College softball

“I just really felt at home,” McDaniel says. “The girls were so awesome, the coaches are awesome, and that small town, homey feeling helped make my decision. My senior year I stepped up as a leader and that helped me gain confidence to speak up and be a leader, so hopefully I’ll be very impactful for Highland.”

Layten Copher – Highland Community College baseball

“I really like the program, the baseball field, all the guys in general,” says Copher. “It means everything. My parents have been having me play catch since I was three, so this has been a lifelong dream.”

Pittsburg to face defending champion Mill Valley in state quarterfinals

PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Pittsburg Purple Dragons will in the 5A state quarterfinals this Friday night – after claiming a regional championship last week in a 28-0 victory over KC-Sumner.

The Purple Dragons will have to go through the defending 5A state champion Mill Valley Jaguars Friday to keep their season alive and move on to the final four in the 5A state bracket.

“They’re a good team. Everyone knows that. Everyone in the state of Kansas knows that,” says Pittsburg junior Wyatt Rink, “We’re here to dethrone the kings. That’s how we roll. We’re ready to go.”

“They’re always the top dogs,” says Pittsburg senior JJ White on Mill Valley, “They’ve won state the last couple years, but why not us? Everybody at the start of the season was saying this is the worst team PHS has had in a couple years, and we went out and won a regional title for the first time in five years. Our confidence is up. We have a new head coach and we love him. He brings the energy every day. Everybody is bought in and everybody believes.”

Pittsburg has been on a roll recently.

After an 0-2 start to the season, the Purple Dragons have won 7 of their last 8 games heading into Friday’s game.

“Starting 0-2 isn’t fun. Since that 0-2 start we’ve only lost one game. It feels good to be on a roll,” Rink says, “I’m ready to stay on a roll and keep going.”

“Our confidence is a lot higher. A lot has changed. From week one to now is so much different,” White adds, “There’s so much more energy and everybody is bought in. It’s just a whole new football team.”

“We just want to welcome the challenge,” says head coach Josh Lattimer on Friday’s game, “These kids are answering the call every week when we step on the field. Right now, they’ll play anybody.”

Kinder scores 3 TD, Carthage pulls away from Willard to earn spot in title game

WATCH: Carthage beats Willard 41-21 in the class 5 district 6 semifinal. Clay Kinder scores three rushing touchdowns. Carthage will host Republic in the district championship next Friday.