Semoball Awards selection show to be held Saturday

The first annual Semoball Awards in June 2014 was an event rarely seen for high school athletes.

A red carpet. An ice sculpture. A 30-foot screen. Inspiring keynote speaker. The list goes on. The event was an opportunity to recognize the best in sports from 57 schools in Southeast Missourian.

This year the awards show returns with the big event set for July 11 at the River Campus in Cape Girardeau. First, however, come the selection shows, during which 19 sports finalists will be announced.

The fall sports selection show will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Dexter Bar-B-Que, 236 South Broadview St. in Cape Girardeau. It will be broadcast live on SEMO ESPN Radio (92.9 FM, 1220 AM and 1470 AM). Winter and spring selection shows will be held in April and June.

Finalists for football offense, football defense, volleyball, boys soccer, girls tennis, boys and girls cross country and boys swimming will be announced Saturday.

The Semoball Awards will provide much fun and excitement in July. The selection shows are an opportunity to bring more recognition to area athletes. We hope you will consider attending, but if you can't make it to Dexter Bar-B-Que, listen live on SEMO ESPN Radio as finalists are unveiled and we hear from sports personalities and special guests.

Presented by SoutheastHEALTH, the Semoball Awards is sponsored by First Midwest Bank (Official Bank Sponsor), Harry Blackwell Family of Dealerships, Athlon Sports, SEMO ESPN Radio and other leading businesses. Contributing daily newspapers include the Southeast Missourian, Daily American Republic, Standard Democrat, Daily Dunklin Democrat and The Daily Statesman.

To learn more or to nominate athletes for winter and spring sports and the top awards, visit semoball.com/awards. Listen to SEMO ESPN Radio and check semoball.com and your local daily newspaper for updates on the Semoball Awards and keynote speaker.