These Ladies Rock!

Purple Pride basketball girls are
       back in the Class 4state play-offs

By KERRY WARMAN Times Sports Editor

  For just the second time this century, your Purple Pride ladies were able to hoist the District title plaque high over their heads and earn the right to be called champions!
  On Friday night, Feb. 26, at Oak Grove in front of a very large contingent of Purple Pride fans, the Pleasant Hill High School Chick varsity basketball team captured its second district crown since 2006 by upending the Grain Valley Eagles, 49-34. The Purple Pride ladies now sport a 24-3 mark this season.
  This was the third time the teams faced one another in 2009-10. Each team won its home match in the Missouri River Valley Conference- West Division race.
  However, in the end it was the Chicks who claimed that title as well.
  As the top seed in the district 14 Tournament, PHHS had a first-round bye. The Chicks took care of business in fine fashion in the semifinals, dominating the host 4th-seeded Panthers 53-23 on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Oak Grove topped the 5thseeded Warrensburg Tigers 37-26 in the opening round.
  Meanwhile, 2nd-seeded Grain Valley stopped the 3rd-seeded Odessa Bulldogs 42-39 in the semi-finals. In the title contest, your Chicks set the pace early on and forced the Eagles in several sad situations to roll on to the victory.
  Against Oak Grove, the game started quite slowly for the powerful PHHS offense.
  Several shots came close, but no kewpie doll, as a mere six tallies were put on the scoreboard in the first frame. However, the Purple Pride defense was just as tough and allowed six points as well. Then everything came together offensively for the Chicks in the second quarter. Hitting from long range, mid range and short range, PHHS lit up the scoreboard for 24 points while the defense continued to play hard ball, keeping the hosts to nine points. With a double-up 30-15 lead at halftime, the top seed was sitting in the catbird seat (some pun intended).
  It was a beautiful defensive gem of a second half for the Chicks. They allowed only four points to Oak Grove in the third and fourth quarters each. With more than enough for the win, the PHHS coaches pulled the starters early in the final frame and gave the bench players some valuable minutes on the floor.
  Every player contributed as the Chicks hit for 13 in the third and 10 more in the fourth in the 53-23 win.
  Full story is in the paper.

From Roosters to Eagles!

Purple Pride basketball girls are
       back in the Class 4state play-offs

Pleasant Hill High School Rooster senior Jake Goosey, field-goal kicker for the PHHS varsity football team and extra-curricular soccer player, will play soccer at the collegiate level next year! Jake signed his letter of intent to play soccer, as well as accepting a scholarship for academics, for the Central Methodist University Eagles next season in Fayette. A signing ceremony was held in the high school commons on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 24. Participating in the event were: (seated, left to right) Karmen Goosey, Jake’s mom; Jake; Rick Goosey, Jake’s dad; (standing) CMU assistant soccer coach Adam Galla; CMU head soccer coach Dan Schmidlin; and PHHS Activities Director Kelli Spies.

(Times photo by KerryWarman)

Pleasant Hill High School Rooster senior baseball pitcher/outfielder Garrett Maxey is going on to the next level in his baseball career! Garrett signed his letter of intent to play for the Central Methodist University Eagles next spring in Fayette. A signing ceremony was held in the high school library on Wednesday after noon, Feb. 24. Participating in the event were: (seated, left to right) Don, Garrett’s dad; Garrett; Pam, Garrett’s mom; (standing) PHHS assistant baseball coach Jason Woodson; PHHS assistant baseball coach David Brayton; PHHS head baseball coach Jim Underwood; CMU pitching coach Corey Gareri; and CMU head baseball coach Fred Smith.

(Times photo by Kerry Warman)