Sports

Before Excelsior Springs entered this week’s dead period for interscholastic athletics, varsity soccer coach Brett McKenzie got his high school boys players together for some refresher work on their skills.

For the second straight week, Excelsior Springs varsity football coach Jake Danneman saw improvements in the Tigers between the first and second day of limited- contact scrimmaging with visiting schools.

High heat, drop kicks, random observations and points that amuse are all part of the wide, wide world of sports at the community and national levels. I’ve received some great-ish news about a former area athlete – and some not-so-great news about another former area athlete.

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High heat, drop kicks, random observations and points that amuse are all part of the wide, wide world of sports at the community and national levels. I find myself wanting to learn more about an area coaching legend who recently passed.

After attending basketball camp last week, soon-tobe senior Lara Hutton already noticed a difference between her new varsity girls coach at Excelsior Springs and her previous one. “I’d say we’re really getting after it this year,” Hutton said July 23.

Excelsior Springs varsity football coach Jake Danneman noticed a difference in the Tigers’ speed, confidence and focus during their two days of limited- contact scrimmages last week on their home field.

Tennis players Dantin McBee and Aiden O’Dell recently set aside their rackets to test their marksmanship. O’Dell and McBee, who are members of both the high school boys tennis program at Excelsior Springs and the Millville 4-H Club, competed in shooting sports at the Ray County Fair in Richmond.

Excelsior Springs varsity football coach Jake Danneman and his Tigers were looking to test themselves against some larger schools this week. The Tigers had limited-contact offseason scrimmages slated for Wedensday with Oak Park, Marshall and Raytown at Excelsior Springs.