Chris Herbolsheimer

West Plains High School Zizzer Cross Country coaches announce Hoyt Stiner has signed an official letter of intent to attend Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) in Joplin.

West Plains High School is celebrating the success of one of its standout athletes as Zizzer Cross Country star Kyler Gunter has signed an official letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) in Joplin. Gunter will compete in cross country and track and field for the MSSU Lions, a member of the NCAA Division II’s Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).

West Plains High School officials announce Lady Zizzer volleyball standout Lily Wiedemann has signed an official letter of intent to continue her athletic career at Casper College in Casper, Wyo. Wiedemann will join the Lady T-Birds volleyball team while pursuing her college education.

The West Plains High School Lady Zizzers basketball team showcased their talent and teamwork on Dec. 19, defeating the Ozark Lady Tigers 66-42 on the Zizzers’ home court. The decisive victory boosts the Lady Zizzers to a 4-3 record for the season, setting the stage for an exciting appearance at this week’s annual Pink & White Tournament in Springfield.

The Thayer Bobcats used a dominant second half to secure a 74-46 victory over the Sloan-Hendrix Greyhounds of Imboden, Ark., in the third-place matchup of the Maverick Division at the 2024 Bad Boy Mower-Ronnie Brogdon Invitational on the final day of action. After a slow start,

On New Year’s Eve, the Thayer Lady Bobcats delivered a basketball clinic in perseverance and grit, roaring back from an early deficit to claim the consolation trophy in the Pink Division of the 2024 Pink and White Lady Classic. In a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Thayer edged the Bolivar Lady Liberators, 44-39, capping a remarkable tournament run. To sweeten the celebration, the Lady Bobcats were also honored with the tournament’s prestigious Sportsmanship Award.

The Missouri State University-West Plains music program was the focus of the Friends of the Garnett Library meeting held recently in the Carol Silvey Student Union at Hass-Darr Hall.

Saturday afternoon at the West Plains High School gym was about more than basketball, it was about community, resilience and the unbreakable spirit of the West Plains Zizzers. The junior varsity team, led by local coaching legend Don Long, faced the Mtn. Grove Panthers in a game packed with drama, heart and enough twists and turns to leave fans on the edge of their seats.

The West Plains Lady Zizzers hosted the Rolla Lady Bulldogs on Thursday night in a matchup that brought the crowd to its feet and showcased some of the best basketball the season has seen. When the dust settled, the Lady Zizzers emerged victorious, pulling off an electrifying 65-55 win and improving their record to 8-6. It was a game filled with clutch plays, standout performances and the kind of hustle that defines a team with its sights set on greatness.

Basketball fans recently packed the gymnasium for the 2025 Zizzer Boys Basketball JV Invitational, a two-day shootout that tested the mettle of the West Plains High School junior varsity squad. The event brought together teams from around the region for a grueling three-game format, with no championship but plenty of heart-pounding action. The Zizzers showed flashes of brilliance, battled through adversity, and left it all on the court, finishing the tournament with one win and two hard-fought losses.