The Nixa Eagles stepped up to the challenge after graduating a large senior class in 2023, and the 2024 squad faces a similar challenge this season.

Nixa had to replace 14 seniors and 60 percent of its scoring from a 2022 team that finished 16-8 and lost in the district semifinals. The 2023 Eagles answered the bell by advancing to the Class 4 District 5 championship game before falling to Ozark 3-1 to finish 16-9 overall and 6-3 in the Central Ozark Conference.

"We had an excellent season last year," said coach Evan Palmer, who is seven wins from No. 400 with the boys' program. "We lost many seniors from the 2022 team, so to do as well as we did was great."

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