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All-American wide receiver Jeremy Maclin wipes away tears during a press conference today announcing his decision to declare for the NFL draft rather than return to Missouri. Read the Article

Local Sports Stories
Maclin bids tearful farewell to Tigers
By DAVE MATTER of the Tribune’s staff
Jeremy Maclin’s lip quivered and tears rolled down his cheeks as he officially became a former Missouri football player this morning.

Steve Walentik's Big 12 basketball capsules

Hickman’s Shannon is quick study on mat
By RUS BAER of the Tribune’s staff
Terrell Shannon’s introduction to wrestling was difficult.

Oswald scores 31 in romp
By SAM MILES of the Tribune’s staff
During the course of a season, a team will come across a game in which the biggest challenge it faces is none other than itself.

Southern Boone plays keep-away in second half of win over Fatima
By JOSH MOSLEY of the Tribune’s staff
ASHLAND - Coming out of halftime last night, Southern Boone girls basketball Coach Pat Lacy had just one objective - clock management. With a 19-point lead over Fatima, Lacy sent his team back onto the floor with some very specific instructions.

Cougars jump on Hannibal-LaGrange
By SAM MILES of the Tribune’s staff
Columbia College guard Joe Flanner stole the opening pass of last night’s game against Hannibal-LaGrange, and the Cougars were off.

Big 12 has room for growth
By STEVE WALENTIK of the Tribune’s staff
Rick Barnes coaches a Texas team that is as close to elite as it gets in the Big 12 Conference this season.

Crusaders end streak for CMU
By the Tribune’s staff
The 19th-ranked Central Methodist men’s basketball team had its five-game home winning streak snapped with a 91-70 loss to Evangel last night in Fayette.

Kewps beat buzzer, drop Sullivan
By Tribune’s staff
Shaunece Ballenger tipped in a basket with 1 second left to give the Hickman girls basketball team a 37-35 victory over top-seeded Sullivan in the Rolla Tournament last night. The loss was the Eagles’ first.

TAKE 2: An alternative look at the day in sports
By PETE BLAND
OK, so that charade of a bowl season finally is out of the way, and we now know that Utah is the rightful national champion. Time to move on to the games that matter. We’ll start by keeping it on the football tip, as the NFL divisional playoff showdowns highlight this weekend’s sports television lineup.