Practices open up Monday in The Bootheel

Coaches and student-athletes will be reporting for practice on Monday, Aug. 7.

Ding dong, the dead week is officially dead.

Practices for all 11 schools in the Delta Dunklin Democrat region will begin on Monday, in accordance with Missouri State High School Activities Association guidelines.

That means you'll see Kennett and Malden on grassy practice fields.

Kennett, Malden, Campbell, Holcomb, Senath-Hornersville, Clarkton, Gideon, Risco, Delta C-7, Southland and Cooter volleyball teams will begin preparations for the 2023 season.

The remainder of this story focuses on Kennett practice times.

FOOTBALL

The Kennett football team will conduct practice at 5 p.m. Monday. Next Tuesday's session will be at 3 p.m., because the Indians will be taking team photos that day.

“It's always an exciting time,” said third-year Kennett head coach Andrew Webster. “I'm looking forward to getting out there with the kids, and seeing how good we can get.”

The Indians will be youthful again in 2023, coming off a 7-4 seasons with two losses to venerable powerhouse Valle Catholic.

This summer, as a means of betterment, select Kennett players participated in camps at both the University of Missouri and Southeast Missouri State University. The Indians also played in 7-on-7 leagues, including as far away as McCracken County, Ky.

Webster reported the Indians expired all 20 contact days MSHSAA allows, which includes time for weight training and conditioning.

SOCCER

The Kennett soccer program has been reactivated after a long hiatus, with Jeremy Westerfield serving as the head coach. Westerfield played on the original incarnation of the team as a fullback (defender).

Practice on Monday will run from 4-7 p.m., at Indian Park. Additional weights and conditioning will take place on campus, and at Metz Cherry Stadium.

Westerfield reported the Indians first match will be on Friday, Aug. 29, versus Jackson. For the next two years, the program will be coed.

TENNIS

A powerhouse at Kennett, the girls tennis team will practice from 7-10 a.m., every day next week, coach Janet Hilburn reported.

Kennett's coming off an unblemished season, and Class 1 No. 1 doubles state champions Handley McAtee and Claire Bean (who attends nearby Holcomb).

Hilburn reported she expects roughly 20 girls out for the sport this year. During the summer, the longtime coach conducted her annual clinic, which was a rousing success yet again.

VOLLEYBALL

After seven years away from the program, Kristy Green returns to the fold as head volleyball coach for the Indians.

The Indians compiled a 13-20-4 record during the 2022 season, eliminated by Cape Notre Dame in the Class 3 District 1 tournament.

“I'm extremely excited to be back,” said Green, who has 11 years experience combined from different stints. “Volleyball is my passion. In the last few years, I realized how much I missed this (coaching). I am amped up.”

Practice Monday will run from 4:30-7 p.m. Sessions Tuesday through Friday will be from 9:30 a.m., to noon.

First week practices will focus on the typical basics, plus conditioning. Green reported the Indians served as host of a summer league, which featured eight schools from across the region.

CROSS COUNTRY

Don Franklin will take over as the new head cross country coach, which will give Jim Vaughan ample time for his athletic director duties.

Franklin said there will be two options for practice next week. It either will occur at 6:30 a.m., or after 4 p.m., each day.

Coaching cross country will be a new venture for Franklin, although he has experience mentoring youth in other sports like baseball and basketball.