THE LASTEST LINE: KELLY SPORTS RANK AMONG STATE'S BEST

Don't look now, but Kelly High appears to be on a fast track to putting together one of the state's best overall small-school athletic programs.

Consider what Kelly's sports teams have accomplished in a little more than a full school year.

First off, think back to last fall. The boys cross country team won the Class 1A-2A state championship while the softball team advanced all the way to the Class 2A state championship game before losing in extra innings.

Then in the spring, the track teams made another solid showing at the state meet while the baseball team made its first-ever appearance in the 2A Final Four, finishing third.

Which brings us to last weekend. The softball team, after winning its 12th consecutive district title, again advanced to the 2A championship game -- only this time the Lady Hawks would not be denied.

Getting brilliant pitching from Kim Riley, a two-run homer from Ashley Beggs and strong defense, Kelly avenged last year's eight-inning loss to Westran by beating the same squad 2-0 for the state title.

It was the first state softball championship for a program that has been a local and state power for more than a decade.

And in bringing home the gold, the Lady Hawks undoubtedly made Rhonda Evans, who is 26, one of the youngest coaches to ever win a state championship.

Congratulations to Evans, her players and everybody else associated with the Kelly team for a tremendous accomplishment.

And with a program that simply turns out one big season after another, it's not far-fetched to imagine the Lady Hawks playing for the state title again next year.

* While the local high school softball season recently wrapped up and girls tennis finished over the weekend, other prep sports are also winding into the home stretch.

The 4A cross country district meets were held Saturday, with the other classes having their districts next Saturday. The state meet will be Nov. 8.

Volleyball district tournaments will be played this week, leading up to the state tourney Nov. 7-8.

Boys soccer districts will be getting under way soon while district play for football began Friday night, meaning there are only two weeks left in the regular season.

The winter sports -- namely basketball -- will be here before we know it. Practice is scheduled to begin Nov. 3.

Time sure does fly when you're having fun.

* I've leafed through most of the major national college basketball publications that are on the shelf and SEMO is generally being picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the 10-team Ohio Valley Conference.

We'll find out what the OVC's head coaches and sports information directors think of the Indians' chances when the league's preseason poll is released during Wednesday's media day activities in Nashville.

* Do the Rams have one of the worst overall offenses you've ever seen or what?

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian