Nixa, Ozark and Sparta all received top four seeds earlier this week for the 71st Annual Blue & Gold Tournament, to be held Dec. 26-29. more

Some of the best basketball in SWMO will be played in Christian County this season and thus a trio of Christian County teams make up three of the top four seeds in the Blue & Gold Tournament’s Blue Division. more

Just two games into Kylan Pickren’s Ozark career, the freshman forward is ahead of the pace set by all-time Tigers great Quinn Nelson. more

TUESDAY more

Clayton Garrison was a breakout player as an immediate impact freshman two years ago, but has flew under the radar in many SWMO basketball circles. more

Nixa’s Spencer Ward reacted to the release of the All-COC selections over the weekend with excitement, appreciation and fulfillment, but a bit of disappointment, as well. more

WILLARD — Brock Blansit joked earlier this week he received 400 congratulatory texts upon getting the first coaching victory of his career a year ago, but after his first win this season no one sent him a message. more

STRAFFORD — Jake Lafferty might be wise not to take in the long-awaited Buc-ee’s I-44 opening a week from Monday, given the world’s largest gas station’s close proximity to Strafford. more

STRAFFORD — There were a few fascinating statistics from Saturday’s Strafford Tournament final, perhaps none more compelling than Jake Lafferty not taking a field-goal attempt the first five-plus minutes of the fourth quarter. more

BLUE EYE — Sparta suffering a couple of losses at the Blue Eye Tournament this week didn’t dampen Avery Leyland’s enthusiasm regarding her return to the Lady Trojans.  more

REPUBLIC — Ryan Engel hopes his senior season plays out as well as his workouts in the weight room went over the spring, summer and fall and his visit to a tattoo parlor turned out. more

Hudson Roberts was glad Ozark tipped off at 4 p.m. at the Republic Tournament on Wednesday, allowing him to watch Arkansas tip off against Duke at 8:30 that night. more