The Prior Lake American has adjusted its approach to sports coverage.

This can be summarized by the motto: Faster (scores) … Better (journalism).

That’s because the key to this new approach is to report the scores and highlights from prep sports faster than anyone else and to provide more story variety in the print edition on a weekly basis.

This summer, the newspaper asked the public to respond to a survey about sports coverage, and two responses stood out:

* Major feature stories would bring readers into the sports sections of the newspaper more often.

* More Internet offerings, such as photo slide shows, video clips and online discussion would bring in online readers.

So, we’ve created the Southwest Scoreboard Web site (www.southwestscoreboard.com [1]), where readers will now find all sports content for the Prior Lake American as well as our sister publications, the Savage Pacer, Shakopee Valley News, Chaska Herald, Eden Prairie News, Chanhassen Villager and Jordan Independent. We’re also adding major feature stories about adult recreation to the weekly print edition.

And, there’s “More.”

The new Web site is designed to attract more information than ever about youth sports as well as adult recreation. There’s also an opportunity on the Web site to add commentary.

None of this can happen without the help of “news sources” – meaning coaches, players, city recreation officials, parents and other members of the public. We’re counting on these people and readers to help submit content to the Southwest Scoreboard Web site and the print editions.

We look forward to seeing your photos and video from the high school games, recreational activities and youth sports on the new Web site.