Scott County Central will not bring back Porter as boys coach

Storied high school basketball program Scott County Central will once again be in the market for a new boys coach after Melvin Porter's contract was not renewed.

Porter, who had a 44-38 record in three years, is the third coach the Braves have had since legendary coach Ronnie Cookson stepped down after the 1994-1995 season. Cookson helmed the program for 25 years, leading Scott County to a state-record 12 state titles and a runner-up finish.

Since Cookson's retirement, the Braves have made only two appearances in the state tournament, both ending in the sectional round. Porter led Scott County to those two district championships the past two seasons. This season was Porter's lone winning season, finishing with a 20-9 record.

Porter, who coached the Braves throughout the playoffs, missed much of this season while on paid administrative leave pending an investigation by the Scott County law enforcment and Missouri Division of Social Services. It was the second time Porter was placed on leave in his three years as coach.

Saxony Lutheran baseball program gets under way

Saxony Lutheran High School will kick off its inaugural baseball season with a doubleheader at 10 a.m. Saturday against Christ Our Savior Lutheran of Evansville, Ill., at the Perry Park Center in Perryville.

The Crusaders will play a 12-game regular season schedule along with participating in the Charleston Tournament. Saxony will compete in Class 1, where it is assigned to District 3, which includes Leopold, Meadow Heights, Oak Ridge and Zalma among its nine members.

Saxony Lutheran's athletics program also fields varsity teams in cross country, boys basketball, track and field and volleyball. The Crusaders also have a swimming program this year with one person competing.

Central to host third City of Roses Invitational swim meet

Central will once again host the City of Roses Invitational girls swimming meet Saturday at Cape Municipal Pool.

Area teams Notre Dame and Poplar Bluff will be joined by Springfield Glendale, Columbia Hickman, Rockhurst, Webster Groves, Eureka, Lindbergh and Rosati-Kain. There could be as many as three to four more teams in the field.

Central coach Dayna Powell said Hickman will be the likely favorite, but otherwise it should be a balanced field.

"We feel we have a pretty good group of teams coming," she said.

Diving will commence at 9 a.m., and swimming will start at 1 p.m.

Swimming gear will be sold at the meet. Twenty percent of the proceeds will go to Central's swimming team.