I’m sure many of you have heard the urban myth about how if you drop a live lobster into a pot of boiling water, it will immediately begin to thrash & squeal.  But if put it in a pot of cold water, then gradually turn up the heat, it will simply lie there until it becomes dinner.  Well, think of me as a lobster that was in control of the heat on it’s own pot.  When I first started OzarksSports.Net, the water was nice & comfortable.  It was a hobby, I did things as I had time, and all was good.  I turned the heat up by increments over the years.  The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly, barbershop columns, and of course gathering daily scores all turned up the heat a bit.  But I was still good. Then expectations started to arrive, and I bought into them.  Viewership went up, I added more things, more features, got involved in the radio game.  I still thought of it as a hobby, but for the first time I began to think “Maybe someone would like to advertise with me & help offset my costs.”  In reality, I had no idea how much those costs were.  Now I began to actively seek to increase my viewership in order to pursue those advertisers.  The number of readers just kept going up.  So I began to put out the word that I would love to have someone advertise with me, and I began to pursue select businesses.  I expanded the number of schools I was covering, kept searching for kids and teams who deserved attention, liveblogs, vacation days spent doing stuff for OzarksSports, radio shows done while on vacation, and then…  I had to step out of the pot.

When my website troubles started back in February, I stepped back because I couldn’t feel good about people visiting the site in the condition it was in.  But the side effect was that I got to see exactly how hot my pot was.  And folks, I was about cooked.  The most shocking thing was the huge amount of time I was stealing from my family to devote to the various aspects of OS.Net.  For example, every Saturday that I drive into Springfield to be on the High School Highlights took at least 5 hours out of the day.  And more like 5 and a 1/2 or 6.  Writing one of The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly columns?  A good 4 hours minimum.  6 hours was more like it.  As much as I’ve always thought that I was putting my family first, it was a huge wake up call to see just how much my actions were falling short of my words.

With that in mind, I decided to take stock of how much OzarksSports was costing me financially.  No business I had contacted ever called me back no matter how many times I kept calling.  Only one serious inquiry had ever come in about advertising on the site, and they chose to give their business to someone else.  How much of my families resources was I funneling into my “hobby”?  I was stunned again.  I easily reached four figures in money spent, thousands of miles driven, and I didn’t even attempt to put a dollar value on the over 1,000 hours I had put into the site in just the previous year.  One Saturday, Matt Schoch had made a comment on a High School Highlights show about the cottage industry that Guy Newcomb and I had created.  In the interest of full disclosure, let me tell you exactly how much gross revenue my cottage industry has generated.  In 5 years of existence, the website itself has generated exactly $214.

Now not only did I feel ashamed of how much time I had robbed my family of, I felt guilty about what I was denying them materially.  My conclusion was simple.  It’s time to turn the heat off.  I can’t continue to do OzarksSports in my spare time with a full time job and a family that deserves my time.  And so, OzarksSports.Net as you know it has come to an end.  I will not be updating it going forward.  The site will remain up so that all the information that I have accumulated over the past five years will remain as a reference, and I could possibly post something occasionally, but the daily updates, scores, states, and features have ceased and will not resume.

That’s the bad news.  There is some good news.  You will still see me around.  And I’m not disappearing totally.  Jeff Saddler wants me to continue writing for his preview magazines and I am happy to continue.  I hopefully will still be writing for Ozarks Preps Illustrated.  I will continue to help the Scoreboard Guy with his radio shows in a lesser capacity.  Especially during basketball season when Joboo Jr. is playing.  And I’ve been asked to do some freelance work for KY3′s relaunched OZone website.  And I will continue to tweet out all the scores and stats that are texted to me.  So you can still get your dose of Joboo’s mental ramblings from time to time.  And doing these things will take about a tenth of the time that I have been expending.

I could launch into a huge list of people to thank for the past five years, but I won’t.  Quite simply you all know who you are, and you know how I feel about you.  It’s been one fantastic ride.  So thank you all.  I would be sadly remiss though if I didn’t thank my family for their sacrifice in allowing me to do this for so long.  I now know what you were giving up.  I owe you all more than I can repay you.  While I still don’t see anyone doing everything I’ve done, we’re now in a much better spot then when I started.  I do regret that some schools and areas will go back to having little or no coverage.  That hurts.  I will do my best to draw attention to you when I can.

I never in my wildest dreams envisioned OzarksSports.Net growing into what it became.  With thousands of visitors every day, people looking to me as their source of high school sports information, the people, coaches, players, and fans that I have met.  It’s been incredible.  Starting as I hobby, I realized early on that I would love to do this full time.  But it wasn’t meant to be.  Through fate, happenstance, or my own mistakes, it just didn’t happen.  And that is fine.  Those same things may bring me back to this some day.  Or they may not.  Regardless, my love, my memories, and my heartfelt affection shall always be with the many of you who have made this one of the greatest things I have ever done in my life.  Thank you all again.  And until we meet again, good bye.

All-Conference

• Jesse Morgan, SR – Dora
• Gavin Haney, SO – Dora
• Evan Ball, SR – Koshkonong
• Joe Terry, SR – Lutie
• Corey Lamb, SR – Bakersfield
• Austin Hunsaker, SR – Bradleyville
• Thomas Ritter, FR – Lutie
• Dustin Johnson, JR – Dora
• Kamryn Johnson, JR – Dora
• Alex Talley, SR – Bakersfield
• Dylan Burks, JR – Lutie
• Dylan Waggoner, SR – Koshkonong

Honorable Mention

• Kraig Foster, FR – Bakersfield
• Luke Clemans, FR – Bradleyville
• Treyson Hambelton, FR – Dora
• Evan Jenkins, JR – Koshkonong
• Colton Tullos, SR – Koshkonong
• Josh Daffron, SR – Lutie

Conference Finish

1. Dora
2. Lutie
3. Koshkonong
4. Bakersfield
5. Bradleyville

Mt. Vernon High School senior Amelia Bramer will sign a letter of intent next week to play for the Harding University Lady Bisons women’s basketball program. The Lady Mountaineers standout was named Big 8 Conference Player of the Year, Academic All-State and All-State second team this year in Class 3 by the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.

Harding University has an enrollment of 7,000 students and is located in Searcy, AR. The Lady Bisons compete in the Great American Conference, NCAA Division 2, and finished as runners-up in their conference championship this year.

Bramer capped her fantastic high school career by leading the Lady Mountaineers to a 2nd state title in three years.  She also had good success on the golf course advancing to state the last two years including winner the individual district title this year.  Congratulations to Amelia & good luck on your college career.

Right Off The Bat Tournament

• Mt. Vernon 15, Reeds Spring 3
• Clever 14, Spokane 0 (5 inn)
• Clever: David Pennewell – W, CG, 8 K

Varsity

• Newburg 15, Laquey 8
• Rogersville 7, Republic 4 (9 inn)
• Mountain Grove 11, Houston 1
• Morrisville 2, Ash Grove 1 (8 inn)

Thursday

Hearnes Center

• Class 3 girls: Mt. Vernon 43, Seymour 36
• Class 3 girls: Stockton 51, Hallsville 43
• Stockton: Ashli Burton – 21 pts
• Class 3 boys: Charleston 58, Mt. Vernon 56

Mizzou Arena

• Class 2 girls: New Haven 53, Marionville 52
• Marionville: Josie Young – 22 pts, 10 rbs
• Class 2 boys: Billings 79, Hayti 60
• Billings: Austin Essick – 25 pts
• Class 2 boys: Salisbury 77, Osceola 43
• Class 1 girls: Eminence 59, Marion County 46
• Eminence: Kelsey Williams – 24 pts
• Class 1 girls: Walnut Grove 41, Jefferson 33

Friday

Mizzou Arena

• Noon – Class 2 girls 3rd place: Marionville (21-11) vs North Platte (26-4)
• 1:40 PM – Class 2 boys 3rd place: Hayti (21-10) vs Osceola (21-10)
• 6:40 PM – Class 3 girls 3rd place: Seymour (30-1) vs Hallsville (26-6)
• 8:20 PM – Class 3 boys 3rd place: Mt. Vernon (22-6) vs Lutheran North (23-8)

Saturday

Mizzou Arena

• 1:20 PM – Class 2 boys championship: Billings (28-3) vs Salisbury (30-1)
• 3:10 PM – Class 1 girls championship: Eminence (28-1) vs Walnut Grove (26-5)
• 6:50 PM – Class 3 girls championship: Mt. Vernon (25-7) vs Stockton (24-7)

Hearnes Center

• 3:20 PM – Class 3 girls, Seymour (30-0) vs Mt. Vernon (24-7)
• 5 PM – Class 3 girls, Hallsville (26-7) vs Stockton (23-7)
• 6:40 PM – Class 3 boys, Charleston (29-2) vs Mt. Vernon (22-5)

Mizzou Arena

• Noon – Class 2 girls, New Haven (17-12) vs Marionville (19-10)
• 3:20 PM – Class 2 boys, Hayti (21-9) vs Billings (27-3)
• 5 PM – Class 2 boys, Salisbury (29-1) vs Osceola (21-9)
• 6:40 PM – Class 1 girls, Eminence (27-1) vs Marion County (29-0)
• 8:20 PM – Class 1 girls, Walnut Grove (25-5) vs Jefferson (28-2)

Friday

Mizzou Arena

• Noon – Class 2 girls 3rd place
• 1:40 PM – Class 2 boys 3rd place
• 3:20 PM – Class 1 girls 3rd place
• 5 PM – Class 1 boys 3rd place
• 6:40 PM – Class 3 girls 3rd place
• 8:20 PM – Class 3 boys 3rd place

Saturday

Mizzou Arena

• 11:30 AM – Class 2 girls championship
• 1:20 PM – Class 2 boys championship
• 3:10 PM – Class 1 girls championship
• 5 PM – Class 1 boys championship
• 6:50 PM – Class 3 girls championship
• 8:40 PM – Class 3 boys championship

At Three Rivers CC, Poplar Bluff

• Girls: 12:30 PM – Naylor (13-10) vs Eminence (26-1)
• Boys: 2:15 PM – Scott County Central (19-10) vs Eminence (23-6)

At Clinton High School

• Girls: 1 PM – Walnut Grove (24-5) vs Montrose (28-0)
• Boys: 3:30 PM – Climax Springs (24-5) vs Drexel (24-4)

CLASS 2

At Rogersville

• Girls: 1 PM – Crocker (24-5) vs Marionville (20-10)
• Boys: 2:45 PM – Norwood (27-2) vs Billings (26-3)

At Independence Events Center

• Boys: 7:45 PM – Osceola (20-9) vs DeKalb (26-2)

CLASS 3

At Poplar Bluff High School

• Girls: 1 PM – Seymour (29-0) vs Crystal City (24-5)

At Hammons Student Center

• Girls: Noon – California (21-7) vs Mt. Vernon (23-7)
• Boys: 1:45 -  California (20-9) vs Mt. Vernon (23-5)

At Independence Events Center

• Girls: 1 PM – Stockton (21-7) vs Lawson (25-4)

Wednesday

At Poplar Bluff High School

• Boys: Hayti 67, Thayer 55 (3 OT)

At Lebanon High School

• Girls: Crocker 63, Fordland 46
• Crocker: Bree Peterson – 27 pts
• Boys: Norwood 68, Richland 50
• Norwood: Riley Jenkins – 33 pts
• Richland: Cody Hall – 24 pts

At Republic High School

• Girls: Marionville 53, Purdy 47
• Purdy: Addy Roller – 41 pts, 7 3s
• Boys: Billings 89, Wheaton 78

At Clinton High School

• Boys: Osceola 66, Santa Fe 59

CLASS 3

Wednesday

At West Plains Civic Center

• Girls: Seymour 73, New Madrid County Central 39
• Boys: Charleston 74, Mt. View-Liberty 64

At Willard High School

• Girls: Mt. Vernon 57, Springfield Catholic 40
• Boys: Mt. Vernon 56, Strafford 22

At Harrisonville High School

• Girls: Stockton 44, KC St. Pius X 41
• Boys: KC Hogan Prep 77, Lamar 47

• Girls: Eminence 66, Chadwick 55
• Boys: Eminence 61, Hurley 58

Next: Saturday, at Three Rivers CC, Poplar Bluff

• Girls: 12:30 PM – Naylor (13-10) vs Eminence (26-1)
• Boys: 2:15 PM – Scott County Central (19-10) vs Eminence (23-6)

At SBU

• Girls: Walnut Grove 68, Weaubleau 46
• Walnut Grove: Heather Harman – 28 pts
• Boys: Climax Springs 55, Thomas Jefferson 47
• Thomas Jefferson: Alex Oserowsky – 25 pts
• Climax Springs: Michael Buerge – 21 pts; Cameron Green – 20 pts

Next Saturday, at Clinton High School

• Girls: 1 PM – Walnut Grove (24-5) vs Montrose (28-0)
• Boys: 3:30 PM – Climax Springs (24-5) vs Drexel (24-4)

Tuesday

At West Plains Civic Center

• Girls: 6 PM – Eminence (25-1) vs Chadwick (23-5)
• Boys: 7:45 PM – Eminence (22-6) vs Hurley (17-15)

At SBU

• Girls: 6 PM – Walnut Grove (23-5) vs Weaubleau (21-6)
• Boys: 7:45 PM – Thomas Jefferson (18-7) vs Climax Springs (23-5)

CLASS 2

Wednesday

At Poplar Bluff High School

• Boys: 7:45 PM – Hayti (19-9) vs Thayer (23-6)

At Lebanon High School

• Girls: 6 PM – Crocker (23-5) vs Fordland (24-5)
• Boys: 7:45 PM – Richland (21-7) vs Norwood (26-2)

At Republic High School

• Girls: 6 PM – Marionville (19-10) vs Purdy (24-5)
• Boys: 7:45 PM – Billings (25-3) vs Wheaton (23-5)

At Clinton High School

• Boys: 7:45 PM – Osceola (19-9) vs Santa Fe (21-6)

CLASS 3

Wednesday

At West Plains Civic Center

• Girls: 6 PM – New Madrid County Central (19-8) vs Seymour (28-0)
• Boys: 7:45 PM – Charleston (27-2) vs Mt. View-Liberty (17-12)

At Willard High School

• Girls: 6 PM – Springfield Catholic (17-11) vs Mt. Vernon (22-7)
• Boys: 7:45 PM – Strafford (22-5) vs Mt. Vernon (22-5)

At Harrisonville High School

• Girls: 5:30 PM – Stockton (21-7) vs KC St. Pius X (21-8)
• Boys: 7:15 PM – Lamar (17-14) vs KC Hogan Prep (17-10)