BREAKING: Semoball Awards winter sports finalists announced

Semoball Awards finalists for the five winter sports categories were announced Wednesday morning on a selection show broadcast live on SEMO ESPN Radio and streamed on the Semoball.com Facebook page.

__Boys Basketball__

Ko’Terrion Owens, Charleston

Dontrez Williams, Sikeston

PJ Farmer, Sikeston

Jadis Jones, NMCC

BJ Williamson, NMCC

Marquel Murray, Cape Central

Kole Deck, Jackson

Ross Peters, Kelly

Quamareous Farmer, Malden

Landan Burchard, Puxico

__Girls Basketball__

Kenzie Redus, Doniphan

Alyce Edwards, Kennett

Landri Hammontree, Sikeston

Taryn Irby, Portageville

Kate Rubel, Notre Dame

Neveah Lucious, Notre Dame

Addison Nichols, Delta

Presley Holweg, Delta

Parker Ernst, Neelyville

Evie Caruso, Saxony Lutheran

__Girls Wrestling__

Lily Ahlvin, Notre Dame

Ellie Douglass, Sikeston

Kimarhri Wilkins, Sikeston

Zoë Freeman, Poplar Bluff

Kayleigh Milam, Jackson

__Boys Wrestling__

Connor Henderson, NMCC

Caleb Moore, NMCC

Brysen Wessell, Jackson

Landon Vassalli, Jackson

Kamden Gerhardt, Jackson

Logan Hite, Poplar Bluff

Jack Ernest, Poplar Bluff

Davarious Nunley, Cape Central

Charlie West, Notre Dame

Jax Lancaster, Sikeston

__Girls Swimming__

Ava Walters, Jackson

Lynlee LaValle, Jackson

Tommy-Anne Marriott, Cape Central

Emilie Dickson, Cape Central

Sydney Ringwald, Cape Central

The finalists were selected by a sports panel made up of representatives from the Southeast Missourian, Standard Democrat, Dexter Statesman, Daily American Republic and Delta Dunklin Democrat.

The event features a celebrity keynote speaker with some of the biggest names in sports having made appearances. Previous speakers include: two-time ESPY winner Kyle Maynard, softball great Jennie Finch, NFL player and TV analyst Mark Schlereth, World Series MVP David Eckstein, WNBA player Lisa Leslie, former pitcher and current broadcaster Rick Horton, former MLB relief pitcher Andrew Miller, comedian Mike Goodwin and Kansas City Chiefs mascot Dan Meers.

The Semoball Awards are presented by Mercy and brought to you by official bank sponsor The Bank of Missouri and title sponsors SEMO ESPN Radio, the St. Louis Cardinals, rustmedia and your local newspaper.

"We're excited about this summer's Semoball Awards," said Lucas Presson, assistant publisher and general manager of the Southeast Missourian. "It's one of the highlights of the year where we get to recognize the best of the best in Southeast Missouri for their success on the field and in the classroom."

Presson also noted a word of thanks to this year's sponsors.

"We're thankful for our tremendous group of sponsors who make the Semoball Awards possible," Presson said. "These organizations represent the region well and are invested in the success of the region."

The Semoball Awards, presented by Mercy, returns to LaCroix Church on July 12 for a first-class, unforgettable red-carpet awards show featuring the presentation of 28 awards and recognition of the Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

Tickets can be purchased online at semoball.com/awards.