Semoball Awards: Best fans contest continues with bracket format

It's not a billion-dollar bracket contest, but fans will compete for school pride and special prizes this spring for the Semoball Awards Best Fans in Southeast Missouri Award.

In addition to being recognized as the school with the best fans, voters will be entered into a drawing for several prizes, including two sets of four St. Louis Cardinals tickets. Each vote enters the fan for a chance to win.

The first phase of the contest, which included all 58 high schools in Southeast Missouri, led to more than 15,000 votes. As of Tuesday morning, Sikeston led the way with 38.9 percent of the vote. Poplar Bluff followed closely with 33.5 percent.

The contest will change to a bracket-style competition beginning April 17. The top 32 schools receiving the most votes will move on in the competition. The first round will last one week. The second, third and championship rounds will each last two weeks. Voting ends June 18. The winning school will be announced at the banquet.

"When the concept for the Semoball Awards was developed, we wanted fans to have a way to be involved," said Lucas Presson, Semoball Awards event manager. "In addition to having the opportunity to nominate athletes for award consideration, fans have been given a platform to vote for their favorite school. Based on vote totals, this has been a big success."

Fans may vote once per day online at semoball.com/awards. One-time registration is required.

"I love the school and community spirit that is brought out by the fan competition," semoball.com and Southeast Missourian sports editor Rachel Crader said. "I've spoken with fans who have made voting a daily habit, and I hope even more will join in for the bracket portion of the contest."

The Semoball Awards will be June 21 at the Show Me Center. More than 200 athletes will be recognized for academic and athletic success.

Awards will be presented to players of the year in 19 sports categories as well as six top awards: male and female athlete of the year, academic athlete of the year, coach of the year, comeback player of the year and the sportsmanship award.

Finalists for fall sports have been named, and recognition of winter sports athletes begins Sunday with the the release of the boys basketball finalists in your local daily newspaper and on the SEMO ESPN Radio Sports Huddle.

The Semoball Awards is presented by SoutheastHEALTH and sponsored by First Midwest Bank, the Harry Blackwell family of dealerships, Technomad and other leading businesses. SEMO ESPN Radio and rustmedia are promotional sponsors.

Semoball.com is a regional sports website with content submitted by sports reporters from Southeast Missouri's five daily newspapers: the Southeast Missourian, Standard Democrat, Daily American Republic, The Daily Statesman and Daily Dunklin Democrat.

To learn more about the banquet, purchase tickets or read about finalists, visit semoball.com/awards.