This week on The Starting Lineup on 102.1 The Won, Scott Puryear, Ned Reynolds, and Art Hains delivered one of those episodes that reminds you why local sports talk just hits different in the Ozarks. From jaw-dropping basketball stats that feel almost mythical… to the deeply personal story behind one of Springfield’s most beloved voices… this one had everything.

Blake Ahearn: The Free-Throw Legend Who Still Leaves Us Shook

There are “good shooters,” and then there’s Blake Ahearn, the guy who once went 102-for-103 from the line and made it look easy. The Starting Lineup crew had a blast breaking down just how wild that stat really is, joking that Ahearn could make a fortune teaching today’s players how to knock down their freebies. (Honestly… facts.)

Ahearn may be stepping away from coaching to embrace full-time dad life, but fans still get two chances to see him this weekend, including a public event tonight just off the square. This whole segment was supported by our friends at Play It Again Sports and Marshfield Chevrolet, who always show up big for local athletes.

“Voice Unbroken”: Dina Hildebrand’s Powerful Tribute to Art Hains

Then the episode shifted into something truly special. Filmmaker Dina Hildebrand, a Springfield native with deep roots in local arts and nonprofit work, joined the show to talk about her new documentary, “Voice Unbroken.” The 55-minute film tells the raw, inspiring story of Art Hains’ fight back from West Nile Virus, and his journey to reclaim the voice we’ve all grown up listening to.

Hearing how personal the project was for Dina. Her nephew, Ross Murray, nudged her toward Art’s story… but it was a dinner with Art and Lisa Hains that sealed it. She realized she wasn’t just making a film, she was preserving a hometown legacy. Dina spent 15 months, traveling across multiple states, capturing over 40 hours of interviews to tell Art’s story right. And true to form, Art showed up with humility and heart, even arriving three hours early before a game to help with production. That’s the kind of behind-the-scenes storytelling our listeners can’t get enough of.

Where to See the Film

“Voice Unbroken” is currently showing at the Alamo Drafthouse in Springfield:

• Saturday – 12:30 PM
• Tuesday – 6:55 PM

It’s already had powerful premieres in Springfield and Marshall, and Dina plans to take it to festivals nationwide, with hopes for a Kansas City screening this spring and maybe even a showing on the massive Missouri State scoreboard. Streaming is likely a couple years out, but that just means more opportunities for hometown watch parties first.