Tag Archives: Local Sports

MSSU introduces Bradley as head football coach

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JOPLIN, Mo. – Atiba Bradley made history on Wednesday afternoon, being introduced as Missouri Southern’s next head football coach.

Bradley is the first black head coach in Missouri Southern history.

“I think right now there’s five head coaches in Division II, I think there’s nine in all divisions,” Bradley says, “I don’t take these opportunities lightly. This is a big deal, because I set the standard for a lot of kids looking up, no different than I looked up to a lot of athletes and coaches like Herm Edwards, and some of those guys that came before me that kind of paved the way for me.”

It’s a homecoming for Bradley.

He played for the Lions from 2002-2005, before beginning his coaching career at both the Division I and Division II levels.

“When I was young with no kids, it was fun to travel. It was fun to go to different universities and learn,” he says, “Now as I get older and my kids are getting older, it’s good to have them around friends and family and have a little bit of a support net.”

(Van Galen) “He had the personal qualities that I think will really build a great culture and a great program here at Missouri Southern,” says Dean Van Galen, Missouri Southern President, “He has roots here as a native of Joplin, a Missouri Southern graduate and a former football player.”

Bradley takes over a program that didn’t get on the field last fall and is 5-39 since 2016.

“I’m not naive. It’s not going to be easy,” Bradley says of taking over the program, “This is a tough league with great competition, but I’m excited to be back and get this thing turned.”

Now that he’s the guy, Bradley aims to help the Lions climb the MIAA, including the Crimson and Gold guys down the road.

“I think that’s the beauty of college athletics, that we get to play a team that is 20 minutes down the road,” Bradley says of the rivalry with Pittsburg State, “We seem them in recruiting, we see them in the league and we see them a lot. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to beat them. That’s part of being here at Missouri Southern.”

Bradley hopes to have his coaching staff completed by next week. He says he plans for MSSU interim head coach Joe Bettasso to remain on the staff.

Frontenac’s Landon Dean commits to Oklahoma State football

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FRONTENAC, Kan. – Frontenac High School standout Landon Dean is headed to the Big 12, committing on Wednesday night to play football at Oklahoma State.

“I know it’s going to take a lot to be able to compete at that level,” Dean says, “I’m looking forward to it. I’m just blessed to have the opportunity. However, right now all my focus is preparing for a great senior season here with the Raiders.”

Dean was the Sports in Kansas southeast Kansas area Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. He racked up 76 total tackles, including 38 solo tackles. He also had 7.5 tackles-for-loss, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery.

After his senior year in 2021, he’ll head to his new home in Stillwater, hoping to make the same impact at the Division I level.

“I had a great virtual tour early on with the football program at OSU that really impressed me,” Dean adds, “I’ve been able to build special relationships with many of the coaches. I went down and walked on campus, and everything felt right.”

Dean has been recruited to play defensive end, but says there’s a possibility of being moved to tight end. He had other offers to play FBS football, including Big 12 schools Kansas State and Iowa State.

The Pitt State men ride a five game winning streak down the final stretch

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The Pitt State men’s basketball team have found their stride. They have beaten the past five opponents they have faced.

“We’re starting to gel. Our chemistry has improved.  I think that guys are more accepting of their roles and they know what is it that they do well,” says head coach, Kim Anderson.

It’s been a true team effort. Many different players have been making big impacts.

“We are a team that’s probably devoid of a super, super star, but we have a lot of really good players and they can all do different things,” Anderson says.

Ryan Pippins, a guard for the Gorillas, and forward Antonio Givens have been huge contributors lately. Pippins had 27 points and 7 rebounds in last Thursday’s game against Central Missouri. Two days later, at home against Lincoln, Givens had a career night of his own, scoring 20 points.

“We try to go into each game showing we want to win ball games each and every day,” Pippins says.

Prior to the season starting, PSU was ranked seventh in the MIAA preseason coaches poll.  Now, their 10-7 record puts them near the top of the league.

As the season progresses, the Gorillas have improved tremendously.

“It is a big chip on our shoulder. We are trying to keep chipping away and keep a cushion on our spot, so that we can have a good spot going into the [MIAA] tournament,” says Pippin of the preseason poll.

PSU still has five more games to get through before the MIAA tournament. They hit the road to take on number three ranked Northwest Missouri on Thursday.

The final stretch may be tough, but Pitt State knows what they need to do to get successful results: continue to heat up instead of burn out.

“Good preparation is important. We need to try to keep an even keel. We’ve been trying to take it a little easier because guys have played 17 games now. It’s that time of year when guys need rest during the week so that they can play two games in three days,” Anderson says.

MSSU’s Cam Martin is the MIAA men’s basketball athlete of the week

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For the second straight week, MSSU senior Cam Martin is getting recognized as the MIAA athlete of the week. Martin has lead his team to two victories in the three games this week.

He averaged 27.7 points and 13 rebounds during that span.  In Thursday’s win against Lincoln, Martin posted a huge double-double, scoring 24 points and a career-high 21 rebounds.

Martin has moved into third place on Missouri Southern’s all-time scoring list. He is also approaching 2,000 career points.  The Lions are 10-7.

 

Frontenac aims to turn hot start into another trip to state

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FRONTENAC, Kan. – The Frontenac girls are off to a 9-1 start through their first 10 games.

“I think the best part about it is that I’m winning with a group of girls that I love,” says senior Abby Butcher.

“We come out and it feels good to be 9-1. It feels good to have a chance to play our next game,” says head coach Scott Fields, “We’re just excited to keep moving through the season.”

The Raiders made the state tournament last season.

COVID-19 ended their playoff run before they even had a chance to play in the final four.

“It motivates me a lot, thinking of how well we could have done and the fact that we’ll never know,” says junior Heather Arnett, “I think that we can do the same this year, even win it, if we get the chance.”

Frontenac lost five players from that final four team

This new group is picking up the slack with five players scoring 8 or more points per game.

“We knew coming in that we would be a better team if we could split the ability to score,” Fields adds, “The girls have bought into that unselfish aspect, and it’s really paid off.”

“You never know which girl is going to step up and have her best game every night,” Arnett says, “Whoever we put out there is just going to be ready to play.”

It’s a different team with different challenges, but the Raiders are hoping for the same result this season – earning a chance to make history and getting another shot at a state championship.

“This is the most challenging year we’ve ever had,” Fields says, “Yet, we have a group that has made this an easier process than any group we’ve ever had.”

“Everybody loves to win. I just really want to make this school proud,” Butcher finishes, “I really want to leave an impact on this school and I really want to make my last year here memorable.”

Frontenac will be back on the floor on Monday night at home against Girard.