With a basketball scholarship to Missouri Western State secured since last year, recent Hickman graduate Lauren Nolke thought she had the next few years of her life planned out.

Parker Eshelman photo

Lauren Nolke, Hickman’s career leader in 3-pointers, decided to attend Missouri Western, even after a coaching change.

Those plans were tossed in the air, though, when her future college coach, Josh Keister, decided to leave Missouri Western for an assistant’s position at Texas Christian last month.

Nolke, a 5-foot-10 shooting guard, was devastated.

"Coach Keister was one of the biggest reasons I chose to go there," Nolke said. "He’s a great guy, and I wanted to play for him."

Nolke considered her options. As Hickman’s most prolific 3-point shooter - she made a school-record 211 in her career - other programs were still interested. Truman State still had a scholarship available, and Central Missouri was also willing to bring Nolke in.

The most intriguing offer came from the coach at Jefferson College, who was confident that Nolke would gain a Division I scholarship after two years at the junior college located in Hillsboro.

In the end, Nolke decided to roll with the changes and stick with Missouri Western.

"I thought about junior college for a while, but I talked to the other recruits, and they’re all staying, so I think it’s still going to be a good program," Nolke said. "I look at it like I’m getting my college paid for, and I don’t want to have to go through all this stuff again in two years."

Missouri Western announced Keister’s replacement on Friday. Lynn Plett, formerly the coach at Lewis University, was hired to lead a program coming off a 30-4 season and No. 9 ranking in the final Division II poll.

● JUNIOR SUNBELT CHAMPS: Two area baseball players helped Team Missouri win the 11th annual Junior Sunbelt Classic held June 8-13 in McAlester, Okla.

Hickman catcher Bart Steponovich and Jefferson City infielder Jordan Coons, both entering their senior seasons, were members of the all-star team of underclassmen assembled by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association. Steponovich batted .267 (4 for 15) with a triple, RBI and three runs scored. Coons batted .286 (6 of 21) with three doubles and four RBI.

Missouri compiled a 7-2 mark in the 10-team tournament. A 3-2 win over California in the title game - Missouri’s second over California in the tourney - clinched the championship. Steponovich went 1 for 2 in the title game and threw out two runners attempting to steal. Starting at first base, Coons went 1 for 3 with a double.

Missouri also defeated Canada, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee and Oklahoma Blue. Missouri’s losses were to Georgia and Oklahoma Gold. The championship marked a major breakthrough for Missouri, which had not compiled a winning record in any of its previous trips the past six years.

"It’s a huge step for our coaches association and Team Missouri," said Jefferson City Coach Bob Coons, who helped coach the team. "For us to win it … calling it a breakthrough would be an understatement."

● SIGNING STUFF: Jefferson City had three girls soccer players recently announce their college plans.

● Goalkeeper Jessie Sanderson will play at Drury after compiling 43 shutouts and a 0.82 goals against average during her four years as a starter.

● Defender Rashanda Stanley has signed with Webster and will join former teammate Jenna Steiner and 2006 Hickman graduate Kelsey McClure.

● Forward Brittany Stegeman is headed to Central Missouri after playing the past four years for the Jays.

● COLLEGE CORNER: Completing his third season as a starter in the outfield, Joe Montgomery (Hickman ’03) wrapped up his college baseball career at Missouri-Rolla last month. Montgomery batted .260 and was third on the team in RBI (19) and stolen bases (seven). He’s on Rolla’s top-10 career list in games played (145, third), at-bats (431, sixth), hits (118, eighth) and stolen bases (29, sixth).

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