Saxony Lutheran boys golf team to debut this spring

Saxony Lutheran's ever-growing sports program will add yet another offering this spring as the Crusaders will compete in boys golf.

The Crusaders' athletics program, which initially began with boys junior varsity basketball in 2002, now offers varsity teams in boys and girls basketball, cross country, track and field, volleyball, softball, baseball and boys soccer. Soccer made its debut in the fall.

"It's neat to see kids ask about something and be able to get it for them," Saxony Lutheran athletics director Larry Cleair said.

Hosting the Crusaders will be Dalhousie Golf Club, which should help Saxony's first-year program draw plenty of interest from within the school and from opposing squads. Saxony's schedule includes its own event April 19.

"It would make me want to go out, and I'm not a golfer," Cleair said.

Longtime Southeast Missouri State golf coach Carroll Williams will coach the Crusaders. Williams, who coached several sports during his long tenure at Southeast, is currently helping first-year Central boys basketball coach Drew Church as an assistant.

"He's got experience," Cleair said. "He really has a passion for the sport. Knowing him from when he was with the university, he's a natural teacher."

Notre Dame HOF

Notre Dame Regional High School will honor its three newest members of the hall of fame Saturday when the Notre Dame's boys basketball teams hosts Anna-Jonesboro.

The junior varsity game will begin at 6 p.m. The three new hall of fame members will be honored between the JV and varsity games.

The three newest members include Joe Williams, Melissa (Dohogne) Kellman and Kim (Glastetter) Hogan.

Williams graduated in 1975 and competed in baseball, track, cross country and basketball. Williams led the track team in points three years and was a state competitor in four events his senior year. In baseball, Williams was a three-year varsity player, was team MVP his senior year, led the team in hitting with .442 average and went on to be a four-year letterman at Southeast Missouri State, where he was an all-conference performer his junior and senior years.

Kellmann, who graduated in 1983, was MVP in 1983 in volleyball, basketball and softball. Kellman holds basketball records for most rebounds in a season, most blocked shots in a season and most blocked shots in a career. She was the 1983 Lady Bulldog winner.

Hogan graduated in 1995 and played basketball and softball. Hogan was the MVP in basketball in 1994 and 1995, leading the team in scoring and rebounding. In 1995, she led the Notre Dame girls to their first final four and a second-place finish in state. In softball, Hogan was a four-year starter and MVP in 1993 and 1995. She went on to play basketball at Mineral Area College.

McCord returns to area

Former Central and Scott City boys basketball coach Derek McCord will make his first return appearance to Southeast Missouri on Saturday when he leads his Dyer County (Tenn.) squad against Advance at the Bess Activity Center in Poplar Bluff.

McCord left the Tigers after last season, his fifth season at Central. Prior to Central, McCord coached at Scott City for 10 years, leading the Rams to four district title.

So far McCord has found great success in his new home. Dyer County is currently 21-6. The Choctaws recently fell just short of making the top 10 in Class AA. They feature former Central player Jeremy Kimble, who transferred from Central over the summer. Also on the Dyer County bench is Jon Beck, a former Scott City standout who played at Arkansas State and is now an assistant under McCord.

Area baseball teams in poll

Three area baseball teams earned spots in the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association preseason poll.

Oran topped the list, coming in at No. 3 in Class 1. The Eagles brought home third place last year at the state tournament and have made the final four in four of the past five seasons. Oran has yet to win a state title in eight trips to the final four.

Also earning a spot in Class 1 was third-year program Saxony Lutheran. The Crusaders earned their first district title last season and fell to Oran in the quarterfinals.

Central also made the rankings at No. 8 in Class 4. The Tigers won the SEMO Conference tournament last year but fell in the district semifinals after losing several of their top players due to a Missouri State High School Activities Association suspension.