Back in May of this year, the Laclede County R-1 (Conway, MO) boys baseball team did something no other team in school history had done before: A Final 4 appearance.

On May 29, 2008 our boys played in the Class 2 MSHSAA game for 3rd place. Going into the game the Conway Bears were 20 and 8, with Senior pitcher Kelby Rader 5 and 0. The boys easily won over Hallsville, 7 to 3.

I must admit, I didn't know all the particulars of the win until a few weeks ago after walking into a PACKED school board meeting. Let me say, school board meetings in Conway MO are usually a quiet affair with only a handful of the public attending. Not the October meeting - students and parents alike packed the library meeting room.

You could feel the excitement in the room - even after having time to let the thrill of victory settle in, the boys were excited and we were excited for them.

The boys were presented with their banners and it was a moment these guys will always remember - and so will I.  Every day is a great day to be a Conway Bear, but this was an awesome day to be a Bear - to feel the SPIRIT of the Team, to see the PRIDE on their faces, to get a sense of real ACCOMPLISHMENT. They had a goal and they were up to the challenge! Settling was not an option.

In addition to the 3rd place win:

Kelby Rader, Honorable Mention Pitcher; Jessie Marks, Honorable Mention Infielder and Bubba McGaughy, 1st Team DH/Utility (2008 Class 2 MHSBCA All State Baseball Team)

Bubba McGaughy, 1st Team DH/Utility (2008 Sportswriters All State Team)