We may see some summer sports for the high school seniors as soon as July!  The SEMO Conference athletic directors met on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 to discuss plans for All-Star games for seniors in baseball, tennis, golf and track.

"The SEMO Conference ADs along with coaches are working on events for our senior spring athletes to allow them a chance to compete one last time before they leave us," commented Dexter High School Athletic Director Josh Dowdy.  "The idea is to try and have an "all-star" game/match/tournament for outgoing senior spring sport athletes within our conference during the week of July 6th - July 11th."

"Details of when and where the events will take place is still being coordinated with coaches and athletic directors," continued Dowdy.

As you may know there is a lot to planning just one tournament or event.  This will be quite the endeavor for the coaches and ADs, but well worth it to see the athletes compete one more time.  

This will be the first ever high school all-star games featuring seniors who lost their 2020 season due to COVID-19.  Most of the events will probably take place in Cape Girardeau and Sikeston.

There are eight teams comprising the SEMO Conference for baseball: Cape Girardeau, Dexter, Jackson, Kennett, New Madrid, Notre Dame, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston.

Apply during May for MDC’s first elk hunts in fall

Apply May 1 - 31 through MO Hunting app, or permit vendor.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer Missourians the state’s first elk-hunting season in modern history starting this fall. MDC will issue five permits for hunting bull elk for the 2020 season this fall. Four general permits will be for the public and one permit will be reserved for qualifying area landowners.

To apply for an elk permit, applicants must be Missouri residents at least 11 years of age by the first day of the hunt. Those selected to receive a permit must have their hunter-education certification or be exempt by age (born before Jan. 1, 1967) before they may purchase the permit.

Apply for the random elk-permit drawing May 1 - 31 online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, through MDC's free MO Hunting app, through a permit vendor, or by calling 1-800-392-4115.

Applicants can check to see if they have been selected for an elk-hunting permit online starting July 1 at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits after logging into “Manage Your Account” and selecting “View My Special Hunt History.” 

Elk-Hunt Details

For this first elk season, MDC has designated a nine-day archery portion running Oct. 17-25 and a nine-day firearms portion running Dec. 12-20. The five permits will be for bull elk and will be valid for both portions. All permits will be assigned through a random drawing.

“The timing of the season was designed to come after the peak of elk breeding during late September and early October and to avoid the elk season coinciding with portions of the firearms deer season,” explained MDC Elk and Deer Biologist Aaron Hildreth.

MDC will require a $10 application fee for those applying for the general permits. Qualifying landowners will not be required to pay the $10 application fee when applying for the landowner permit. Those selected for each of the five permits must pay a $50 permit fee.

MDC will limit the random drawing to one application per-person, per-year with a 10-year “sit-out” period for those drawn for a general permit before they may apply again. If selected for a landowner elk permit, qualifying landowners will not be required to wait 10 years before again applying for a landowner elk permit. Qualifying landowners may apply once each year for a general elk hunting permit and for a landowner elk permit but are eligible to receive only one permit annually.

The landowner elk permit is limited to resident landowners with at least 20 acres within the “Landowner Elk Hunting Zone” of Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties. Zone boundaries are shown in the application. The landowner permit is nontransferable and may only be filled on the landowner’s property.

General permits can be used in Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties, except the refuge portion of Peck Ranch Conservation Area. Like the landowner permit, general permits are nontransferable.

“The allowed hunting methods for each season will be the same as for deer hunting,” Hildreth said. “The permits will allow for the harvest of one bull elk with at least one antler being at least  six inches in length. Successful hunters must Telecheck their harvested elk, like for deer.”

Appreciation of Area Landowners

“Local landowners have been supportive of the reintroduction of elk to the area and many have worked hard to create habitat that benefits elk and many other wildlife species,” Hildreth said.

While any qualifying landowner within the “Landowner Elk Hunting zone” is eligible to apply for a landowner elk permit, Hildreth encourages only those who have elk on their property to apply.

“Although the elk population is expanding, there are still many areas in the Landowner Elk Hunting Zone where there are no elk at this time,” he explained. “If a landowner has not seen elk on their property, I would encourage them not to apply under the landowner permit so it can go to a landowner who has a better chance of being successful. We still encourage them to apply for a general permit.”

MDC Elk Restoration Efforts

Missouri’s first pending elk hunt comes after years of restoration efforts of the once-native species by MDC, numerous partners including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and many supporters including local communities and area landowners.

Elk are a native species in Missouri but were hunted to extinction in the state through unregulated hunting during the late 1800s. With the help of numerous partners and supporters, MDC reintroduced about 100 elk to a remote area of the Missouri Ozarks in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Most were cow elk with some calves and immature bulls. Their numbers have grown to more than 200, and their range has expanded in recent years to cover portions of Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties. The area consists of nearly 80 percent public land interspersed with tracts of private property.

“Our plan was to offer a limited season for hunting elk in Missouri once the herd reached a minimum of 200 animals with an annual herd growth rate of at least 10 percent, and a herd ratio of at least one bull for every four cow elk,” Hildreth said. “Those goals have been met.”

He added that MDC hopes to eventually reach a target population of 500 elk and will use hunting to manage herd size and location.

MDC gathered public input on elk hunting during 2018 and 2019 at several public meetings in communities around the elk restoration zone and through online public comment periods.

Dexter, MO - Garrett Henson is the 18 year old son of Dennis and Elizabeth Henson.  He is the grandson of Ray and Mabel Henson of Puxico, MO and Woody and Miriam Chenault of Monticello, IL.

Garrett has participated in Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Farmers of America and Pep Club. 

Garrett also has played basketball and baseball all four years in high school.  He played baseball for the Missouri Bulls, SEMO Spartans, and the Charleston Fighting Squirrels. 

When asked what Garrett’s most memorable moment was with Dexter baseball, "It was hitting a walk-off against Jackson!"  His most memorable moment in summer baseball was winning back-to-back State titles with the SEMO Spartans.

Garrett’s baseball season was cut short due to COVID-19 and the coronavirus epidemic so he started a lawncare business with fellow classmate and teammate Haden Hillis as a way to earn extra cash.  He is also finishing his three dual credit courses online with SEMO and Three Rivers College.

"Garrett Henson is a laid back kid. He doesn’t ride the emotional roller coaster of a baseball game," commented DHS head baseball coach Drew Pixley. "He stays right in the middle, where things should be."

"Garrett probably would have been one of our top two pitchers this spring. He’s very difficult to hit when he stays down in the zone. With him being every bit of 6’5”, and maybe taller, he throws straight over the top. That high of a release point working down to a hitter is an extremely difficult angle to make solid contact. If he would’ve had the opportunity to have a consistent spring, he could have done some really good things."

"For the past two seasons, Garrett has always stayed in the lineup. He’s had some very good moments for us, but one in particular sticks out in my mind. His sophomore season at home versus Jackson. Jackson is a very solid program every year. There always at the top of our conference. But this particular game, we stayed in it and kept it close. We tied the game in the 7th inning. With 2 outs, Garrett is up to bat. He came through with a 2 strike single down the first base line, and we scored the winning run. It wasn’t a pretty hit. But in that high pressure situation as a sophomore, in a conference game, and at home in front of his hometown fans, he found a way to get the job done."

"This season is one I’ll never forget because of what could have been. Garrett was always asking me if I thought we would play the season, which tells me he was ready for competition. I really wish I would have been able to see these seniors compete this spring," stated Pixley.

Garrett’s future plans after high school are to attend the Trulaske College of Business at the University of Missouri - Columbia, where he will be a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.

Dexter, MO - MTCCCA announced its Academic All-State runners.  Dexter High School had six athletes to earn these honors.  

Athletes must be nominated by their head coach who must be a current member of MTCCCA.  Each athlete must have competed in a State series meet of which a district, section or state meet satisfies that requirement.  Each athlete must meet one of the following criteria: 25 or higher on the ACT, 1150 or higher on the SAT or 3.6 cumulative GPA at the end of the fall semester.

"I am very proud of their hard work on the course and in the classroom," commented DHS head cross country coach Leonard Morse.

Athletes are Margo Nea, Madison Slaton, Andrew Ellinghouse, Alanie Lacy, Sophia Chasteen, and Kalyn Traw.

Dexter, MO - Haden Hillis is the 18 year old son of Tory and Darren Hillis and brother to Rhylan Hillis. He is also the grandson of Ron and Jo Bloemer and Gladys Hillis and Bruce and Lynn Hillis.

He is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Sr. Beta and FCLA.  He has also played on the football team three year, baseketball team three year and baseball four year.

Haden was one of the original members of the Spartans Baseball team and won state two years and has been playing some type of summer baseball now going on 11 years.  You could say Haden love the game!

What are Haden's most memorable moments in high school baseball? Throwing a no hitter in the first JV game of his freshman year against Kennett and throwing another no hitter hi freshman year in his first varsity debut against Notre Dame!

When asked how has the COVID-19 affected you this year, Haden said, "It has definitely taken away memories that I as well as every high school seniors across teh country will never get back.  It truly makes you put into perspective that you shouldn't ever take anything fro granted."

"Haden Hillis is the toughest kid I know. He played the entire football season this year with a torn quadriceps muscle, and started every single game," commented Dexter High School baseball coach Drew Pixley.  "Last football season, he broke his collarbone twice, and hated to have to come out of the game. That quality in him will take him a long way in life, being able to battle through tough times."

"Haden was our team leader on the diamond. He’s not a very vocal kid, but he’s tough, always has a great attitude, and competes HARD. Those are qualities, that combined, would make a desirable player on any team," continued Pixley.

"Hillis would be a very pivotal pitcher in our rotation. He has natural cut to his fastball, which isn’t typical. But it was very effective when he stayed low in the strike zone. Even through his leg injury, he was able to lift from the waist up and I thought he had a tremendous winter in the weight room. He’s definitely able to handle the bat better and could have possibly been a heart of the lineup type of player."

"I was really excited coming into this season to see how Haden would bounce back, and I know he was too. To see their season end like this is saddening, but I know these kids will take on their next challenge the right way. I will miss all of these seniors, and their teammates will too," stated Pixley.

Haden wanted to add that he has a great respect for all of his coaches.  Coach Aaron Pixley was his reason for getting back involved in football, a sport Haden also loves.  "He is always a positive on the football field."

"Coach Drew always believed in us and we were set to have a memorable senior year on the baseball field," stated Hillis.  "Coach Cody Boyer was the first text received with encouragement and support when I heard "NO SPRING SPORTS!" 

"Coach Becker has helped coach me since I was in the 2nd grade," continued Hillis.  "He has always believed in me.  I will miss all of these coaches and I appreciate all of them as well.

Haden's future plans after graduation is to attend the University of Missouri - Columbia and major in accounting.