State coaching honor bestowed on Grim

~ The longtime Notre Dame girls coach will enter the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in June.

Jerry Grim's banner year got an added bonus recently when the longtime Notre Dame girls basketball coach was elected into the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Grim, who recently stepped down following his 25th season, will be one of six veteran coaches inducted into the Hall of Fame on June 1. This past season the Bulldogs won their 11th district title under Grim.

During his career at Notre Dame, the Bulldogs won more than 440 games, made five state final fours and won one state title. Grim is already a member of the Notre Dame Hall of Fame and will have a new court at Notre Dame bear his him.

Scott City hires two coaches

Scott City filled its football coaching vacancy last week by hiring former New Madrid County Central and Kennett coach Ronnie Jones.

Jones was an assistant at Caruthersville this past season. Rams coach Terry Flannigan recently took the head coaching job at Marionville after three years in charge of the Rams.

The Rams finished 6-4 last season, falling to Crystal City in district play. Jones has won 17 district championships in his coaching career. He coached at New Madrid County Central from 1983 to 2000.

Scott City also hired Haley Jennings to take over the volleyball program. Carl Ritter Jr. resigned to take a position with American Family Insurance.

The Rams fell in the Class 2 quarterfinals this past season. Scott City has won three straight volleyball district titles.

Penrod steps down

Scott County Central girls basketball coach Semona Penrod recently stepped down from her position.

Penrod led the Bravettes for 13 seasons, taking Scott County Central to the quarterfinal round in two of her final four seasons. Scott County fell in the Class 1 quarterfinals this past season after upsetting undefeated Delta in the sectional round.

Scott County Central athletic director David Heeb said the search is ongoing for a replacement.

Woodland hires Eftink

Notre Dame graduate Josh Eftink will take over the Woodland boys basketball team next year.

Eftink was recently hired to replace David Mirly, who coached the Cardinals for four seasons. Eftink was an all-state baseball player at Notre Dame and went on to a successful career at NCAA Division II powerhouse Central Missouri State.

Slattery, Kinder honored at Central awards banquet

Central senior Blake Slattery earned the Lou Muegge Award and Hannah Kinder won the Darla Pannier Award at Central's annual sports banquet.

Slattery was named the Southeast Missourian Player of the Year in football as the Tigers' starting quarterback and defensive back. Slattery has also been the top hitter on the Tigers' baseball team that won its first district title since 2000.

Kinder finished off her highly decorated swimming career in the winter by bringing home state titles in the 100 and 200 freestyle. Kinder also earned two second-place medals and two third-place medals in her career. Next year Kinder will swim for Texas A&M in the Big 12.

Mississippi Valley all-conference

Mississippi Valley Conference baseball champion Saxony Lutheran led the all-conference selections with four first-team selections. Garrett Fritsche, Kory Mueller, Chris Roth and Bryant Steffens made the first team.

Saxony Lutheran fell to Valle in the Class 1 District 3 championship.

Derek Hanners, John Long and Tyler Wagner made the first team from Meadow Heights. Leopold also had three first-team members in Matt Stoverink, Cody Van De Ven and Darren VanGennip.

Shelby Kight (Delta), Cody Naramore (Delta), Garrett Light (Oak Ridge), Ethan Sachs (Oak Ridge) and Nick Smith (Zalma) rounded out the first team.