Cubs' Bogan, Brandtner top all-conference

Bell City senior Will Bogan and Cubs boys basketball coach Brian Brandtner were named player of the year and coach of the year, respectively, in the recently released all-Stoddard County Activities Association all-conference team.

The Cubs won the regular season and tournament titles in the Stoddard County Activities Association. Bell City finished runner-up in Class 1 for the second straight year after falling to Jefferson in the Class 1 state championship game.

Bogan was joined by junior teammate Nick Niemczyk on the all-conference team. Niemczyk averaged about 20 points and five assists a game.

Advance, which fell to Bell City in the conference tournament finals, placed seniors Trenton Moses and Alex Steil on the all-conference team.

Woodland senior Seth Gaines also made the all-conference team.

Medlin signs with Three Rivers

Notre Dame senior Meridith Medlin has signed to play basketball at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Medlin is a three-sport athlete at Notre Dame, earning all-conference or all-district honors in volleyball, soccer, and basketball during her career. Last year Medlin earned first-team all-state honors in Class 1 soccer.

On the basketball court, Medlin was a double-digit scorer who handled the point guard duties for the district champion Bulldogs.

Medlin will join Delta seniors Kaci Menz and Shea Smith and Scott County senior Brittney Peet in next year's Three Rivers recruiting class.

Oran ranked No. 5

Oran fell to No. 5 in the second Missouri Baseball Coaches Association's Class 1 top 10 poll.

The Eagles were ranked No. 3 in the initial poll, which was released in early April. Oran dropped three in a row at the Scott County Tournament on April 20 and 21, but has since won three straight, including wins over Saxony Lutheran and Kelly.

Saxony Lutheran dropped out of the Class 1 poll after being ranked No. 9 in the initial poll, and Central fell out of the Class 4 poll after being ranked No. 6.

Gant earns academic award

Jackson graduate Sean Gant was honored April 29 with the Lindenwood Scholar Athlete Award.

The award recognizes student athletes for achieving outstanding grade-point averages while participating in athletics. Gant, an all-state wrestler at Jackson, helped Lindenwood earn the NAIA national championship this past season with a 15-11 record.

Essner earns pitcher of week honor

Notre Dame graduate Lee Essner was pitcher of the week in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for the week of April 23 to 29.

Essner, a junior at Maryville University, threw a complete-game three-hitter in a 3-1 win over MacMurray. Essner struck out 10 and walked one dropping his ERA to 2.70 in 40 innings. Essner is also the teams starting shortstop.