Semoball Awards winter finalists revealed

While a lot of people would disagree, New Madrid County Central basketball player Willie Jimerson didn't think he performed well during his junior season.

He averaged more than 20 points and five rebounds a game, but the important numbers to him were 12 and 10 -- as in his team's 12 wins and 10 losses.

"My sophomore year I had a good year," Jimerson said on Saturday. "My junior year I didn't think I had a good year because my team went 12-10, and I was supposed to be the leader."

He spent the offseason leading up to his senior season working on his jumper and his leadership, which culminated in a Class 3 final four appearance for the Eagles. That type of team achievement made being named a Semoball Awards finalist on Saturday for a second consecutive season more meaningful for Jimerson.

"That's what I want, other than team awards," said Jimerson, who was named the Class 3 Player of the Year by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association. "It's really an honor being a finalist in that top 10 because there's so much talent around here that gets overlooked. [There's] some great ballplayers."

The 10 finalists for boys and girls basketball along with the five finalists for wrestling and girls swimming and diving were revealed Saturday at Harry Blackwell Dodge in Dexter during a live broadcast of SEMO ESPN's Saturday Morning Express show. Finalists are chosen from the 13-county, 57-high school region in the semoball.com coverage area by a panel of newspaper sports editors and broadcasters.

"I think it's important to me because I'm more of the life lesson-type guy," said NMCC coach Travis Day, who was also present at the selection show. "And so you hope these young guys understand that when you put in the work, discipline and the hard time that eventually it'll pay off for you, and they were able to see that this year."

Kennett sophomore Heidi Shetley also attended the announcement and got to hear her name read as a girls basketball finalist.

"I was very excited to be selected as a finalist," Shetley said. "... It is such an honor to be selected because there are so many other great players in the area. I'm thankful for all the people that have helped me achieve this honor."

The second annual Semoball Awards, presented by SoutheastHEALTH, will take place on July 11 at the Southeast Missouri State River Campus. Olympic champion Jennie Finch will deliver the keynote address.

A player of the year for each sport will be announced as well as a comeback player of the year, sportsmanship award winner, coach of the year, male and female scholar athlete of the year as well as male and female athlete of the year. A lifetime achievement award recipient will be honored for the first time.

Another new addition to the show was announced Saturday. The Semoball Cup will be awarded to the school with the best overall sports program. Points are awarded based on team winning percentages and postseason success for both individuals and teams in a system that allows schools of all sizes to compete with one another.

The event will feature red carpet photos, heavy hors d'oeuvres, theatre seating, dessert and more. A limited number of VIP and general admission tickets are on sale now at semoball.com/awards. The site also features voting for the best fans contest and a complete list of finalists for fall and winter sports. The spring sport finalists will be announced on June 13 at First Midwest Bank in Cape Girardeau.

First Midwest Bank is the official bank sponsor of the Semoball Awards while the Harry Blackwell family of dealerships, Athlon Sports and the St. Louis Cardinals serve as title sponsors.