Bloomfield, Missouri - Ethan Pennington, Bloomfield High School outfielder and catcher, signed to play baseball with Crowley's Ridge College in Paragould, Arkansas.
"I really liked it when I visited. It felt like home and I know several of the players," commented Ethan Pennington. "I really just loved the team, the chemistry they have is amazing, and made me feel like family. The coach is good and he can get me to the next level."
"Peyton Maddox and Bobby Wright are players from Bell City, and Phoenix Beal from Advance will be there," continued Pennington. "Knowing some guys I played against made me feel more at ease."
He plans to play left outfield for the Pioneers. "They loved my batting practice also and felt my best spot was in left."
For the Wildcats, coach will utilize him behind the plate catching and in the outfield. Their spring season begins March 19, 2019 at home against Oran.
When asked about a memorable moment during his Wildcats' career and he said, "the best one was my sophomore year playing Bell City and robbed a home run form them!"
He is the son of Billy Pennington and Deana Pennington.
His future plans besides baseball will be to major in Business with a minor in Human Resources.
"I am very excited for him," commented Bloomfield head baseball coach, Jonathan Simpher. "He is a very hard working kid. His numbers are getting better and better and he does a good job in the outfield for us. He's played all four years of high school and last year he had a .285 batting average. I plan to use him behind the plate as well as in the outfield."
Pioneer's Head Coach Brenden Camp enters his fourth year as the leader for the Pioneers. Previously, Camp was the Pioneers Assistant Coach for one year and coached for the Jonesboro American Legion Baseball Program for four years.
Crowley's Ridge College is a private, four year, coeducational Christian liberal arts college in Paragould, Arkansas. The college. While the college is affiliated with the Churches of Christ, students of all religious backgrounds are welcome. The fall 2016 student population of 230 comprises both non-traditional and traditional residential and commuter students.
Sikeston, Missouri - Gregg Holified knows how to bring out the best in his athletes according to Sikeston fans. He has worked tirelessly to prepare his athletes for their basketball futures.
Since 1991, he has been at the helm of four different basketball programs. Before signing with Sikeston, he coached at Senath-Hornersville, Kennett, and Greene County Tech in Arkansas. Twenty-one years ago in 1998, he walked into the Field House of Sikeston High School as the new head boys basketball coach and he has taken the Bulldog Nation on a very wild ride. He has built an amazing basketball powerhouse in southeast Missouri.
For several years he has given the Bleacher Bums, Red Peppers, and Bulldog fans exciting and fun seasons on the court. His basketball program has gained him statewide respect for its consistency, sportsmanship, and always doing things the right way.
Under the direction of Coach Holified, the Sikeston Bulldogs have won 22 regular season tournament championships and 8 regular season SEMO Conference championships. They have compiled 11 District titles, 9 State quarterfinal appearances and 5 Final Four appearances.
In 2011, they completed a perfect 30-0 season as the team took down St. Francis Borgia and were crowned State Champions.
The 2011 State Championship Sikeston Bulldogs team were inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
Under Coach Holified, 26 players have moved on to play basketball at the collegiate level, ranging from junior college to Division 1 basketball.
Over the years, four players were named SEMO Conference Player of the Year. Thirteen players have been named to the Missouri All-State Teams and two players were named the Missouri State Player of the Year in Class 4.
In 2014, in Springfield, Missouri, Coach was inducted into the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Just a few days ago against the Kennett Indians coach earned his 400th victory as a Sikeston Bulldog. Tonight against the Dexter Bearcats he earned his 500th career win.
He has maintained an amazing consistency and continuity within his staff. His coaching staff presented him a celebratory game ball after the win on Tuesday evening.
Brian James has been his assistant coach for 21 years.
Derek James has been a news writer, statistician and now assistant coach for 21 years.
Chris Sarakas has been assistant coach for 20 years and his son Will who played for him and is now beside him as a coach were all on hand to give the game ball.
Only six other boys basketball coaches have ever won 500 games in our area: Carroll Cookson (Advance, Twin Rivers), Ronnie Cookson (Scott County Central), Lennies McFerren (Charleston, NMCC, Kennett), Paul Hale (Delta, Bernie, Dexter, Notre Dame), Jim Hall (Dexter, Advance) and Jim Bidewell (Portageville).
Tuesday night's win improved Sikeston to 17-0 on the season and 4-0 in the SEMO Conference. They are currently ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 4.
Congratulations Coach Holifield on your 500th career win. Bulldogs fans will be there to watch you bring home another state championship!
Bloomfield, Missouri - The 2019 Stoddard County Athletic Association (SCAA) All Tournament Cheer Team was named on Friday, January 25, 2019.
Ten cheerleaders were chosen to represent the All Tournament Team.
Advance - Alyssa Miles
Bernie - Makayla Turner, Cymber Arnold, and Madison Wooldridge
Bloomfield - Molly Below
Dexter - Blair Rogers, Hallie Keathley, and Rae-Ann Riddle
Puxico - Bailey Burns and Kylie Miller
The Dexter Cheer Squad won the All-Tournament Cheer Team for the sixth year in a row.
Bloomfield, Missouri - The 2019 Stoddard County Athletic Association (SCAA) All Tournament Team was named on Friday, January 25, 2019.
Ten athletes were chosen from Advance, Bernie, Bloomfield, Dexter, Puxico, Richland and Woodland boys basketball teams.
Representing Advance was Jack Below.
Bernie athletes were Weston Zoll, Hunter Slavings, and Josh Ellenburg.
From Bloomfield, Travis McCullough was named.
Dexter had only two representing all-tournament members. They were Seth Rogers and Andrew Ellinghouse.
Puxico's Braiden Jones, Richland's Daniel Petty, and Woodland's Paul Duncan were also named as all-tournament athletes.
Dexter defeated Bernie in the Championship game.
