Valle eliminated; G'Darius Stevenson to Sikeston?

Defending Class 2 state baseball champion Valle was eliminated from another state playoff run Friday afternoon.

Crystal City defeated the Warriors 1-0 in the district championship at Kirkwood. It's Crystal City's second win of the season over Valle, the first a 6-5 win April 16.

Crystal City will play a sectional game at home Monday against either Charleston or Scott City, which played at 11 a.m. Saturday at Perryville; that game has been rescheduled twice because of rain.

Other quick notes:

• Word spread this week that all-stater G'Darius Stevenson will bolt NMCC, move to Sikeston and play football for the Bulldogs in the fall. The move would be huge for Sikeston — a team coming off a record-setting season — and a punch to the gut for NMCC, itself coming off a district championship year.

The only problem: It's not happening. G'Darius and NMCC coach Arlen Pixley both said Friday that it's just a rumor. Stevenson, who ran for more than 2,000 yards last season as a junior, will wear an NMCC uniform in the fall.

• Two schools made boys basketball hires this week, both in the Jefferson County Conference. At Festus, assistant coach Anthony Kinder will be the new head coach, replacing Shawn Erickson. At Hillsboro, the Hawks have hired North County coach Dan Johnson to replace Chris O'Connell.

That leaves just a few boys basketball jobs available out of almost 20 that came open since the season ended. Spots are still open Doniphan, Grandview and North County.