December 24, 2022

By Fred Liggett
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The week before Christmas break begins was a busy one for area high school winter sports teams.

The KC Stampede was held inside Bartle Hall where 64 wrestling teams from 14 states came to compete over two days. The event Dec. 16-17 saw local wrestlers fare well including sophomore Sampson Stilwell from St. Michael’s. Stilwell won his weight class with a 1-0 decision over Torin Forsyth from Blue Valley Southwest High School.

The same weekend saw 24 wrestling teams compete in the Lee’s Summit High School holiday classic. Lee’s Summit North had one champion and finished sixth as a team. The host Tigers had several top finishers including Jackson Jones the champion at 165 pounds.

The LS West Titans girls basketball team competed in the 12 Courts of Christmas event held at Hy-Vee Arena. The Titans not only were able to take the floor at the former Kemper Arena but saw a few game highlights that night on Fox4 TV. The Titans lost to Park Hill South on Friday, Dec. 16 but were able to rebound on Monday, Dec. 19 at home with a 53-41 win over Ray-Pec. The home win gives the Titans a 5-4 mark heading into the holiday break and an important Gold Conference win.

The Lee’s Summit Tigers boys basketball team is set to appear at the 43rd Annual William Jewell High School Holiday Classic after the Christmas holiday. The event tips off on Tuesday Dec. 27 with four games. The Tigers will play the fourth and final game of the day with a 7:30 p.m. tip against Liberty North. A win gives the Tigers a semifinal game on Thursday, Dec. 29 and all final round games will be played on Friday, Dec. 30.

At the Saturday, Dec. 17 Kansas City Comets soccer game the musical talents of Lee’s Summit Elementary students was on display. On the field first during the pre-game ceremony was Hawthorn Hill Elementary choir who performed the National Anthem. During halftime activities the Summit Pointe Elementary Choir sang God Bless America. Summit Pointe was led by choir director Brianna Loomis. Following the performance the group joined together in the arena concourse for a commemorative event photo.

The St. Michael’s athletic trophy case got a new addition thanks to the Guardians boys basketball team who won the First Annual Butler Invitational. The Guardians won three games in the tourney including two games in two days. The Guardians easily won a semifinal round game vs host Butler 61-29 on Friday, Dec. 16, then returned on Saturday afternoon to claim the title thanks to a 61-50 win over Metro Academy. Both the Guardians boys and girls basketball teams will play again before the break with games set against the Van Horn Falcons.