Gwyn Healy Paces Tigers in Girls Game; Wild Three by Chase Davidson Sparks Tigers in Boys Win; Kade Adams' Free Throw Lifts "B" Boys

Gwyn Healy had 14 points, and Worth County and Northeast Nodaway's junior high girls are on a collision course for Thursday after Worth County got a 43-7 win over North Harrison Monday. 

The first quarter was a ragged start for the Tigers. North Harrison had an advantage, since they had three games under their belt, while Worth County had one, and had not played for a week. But the Tigers managed to generate some early pressure as Gwyn Healy scored off a Renae Gladstone steal, and Jolee Hauber raced down the floor and fed Gladstone for a finish. Jolee Hauber showed she was once of the most improved players for the Tigers over last year as she cashed in off a Gladstone steal and knocked down a putback. Millie Long countered with a cut inside for the Shamrocks, but the visitors trailed 8-2 after one.

But Worth County turned it into high gear in the second quarter as Gwyn Healy had back-to-back threes for six points, Hauber added five, and two other newcomers to the rotation, Daden Findley and Gabbey Maudlin, added four each. Renae Gladstone added two as the Tiers led 29-8 at the half. They feasted off Shamrock turnovers, as North Harrison surrendered the ball 34 times for the game, while Worth County only turned it over seven times.

Millie Long did all she could for the Shamrocks, knocking down a triple to start the third, but Gwyn Healy hit four more, and Kinley Fletchall and Kyah Joslin got on the board. Healy, Hauber, and Findley all added two in the final period. 

For Worth County, Gwyn Healy had 14, Jolee Hauber 11, Daden Findley 6, Gabbey Maudlin and Renae Gladstone 4, and Kinley Fletchall and Kyah Joslin 2 each. 

Hadley Downing had 5 boards. Gwyn Healy and Gabbey Maudlin had 4, Jolee Hauber 3, Keylee Smith, Kyah Joslin, Renae Gladstone, and Daden Findley 2, and Addie Cadle and Ilene Combs 1.

Keylee Smith had 4 assists, feeding the low post from the high post at will. Renae Gladstone had 3, Kyah Joslin 2, and Jolee Hauber, Addie Cadle, Gwyn Healy, Kinley Fletchall, and Kylie Combs 1.

Renae Gladstone had 7 tips. Keylee Smith had 3, Gwyn Healy, Kyah Joslin, and Addie Cadle 2, and Jolee Hauber, Daden Findley, and Hadley Downing 1.

Renae Gladstone had 7 steals. Hadley Downing had 6, Gwyn Healy, Jolee Hauber, and Kyah Joslin 3, Keylee Smith and Daden Findley 2, and Gabbey Maudlin and Addie Cadle 1.

Millie Long had 7 for North Harrison.

McKenna Hill had 8 boards. Millie Long had 4, Hadley Williams 3, and Quincy Norris and Tayley Johnson 1.

McKenna Hill and Quincy Norris had 1 assist.

Tayley Johnson had 4 tips. McKenna Hill had 2, and Hadley Williams, Quincy Norris, and Taryn Johnson had 1. 

Tayley Johnson had 2 steals, and Millie Long had 1.

The "B" Tigers won the giveaway/takeaway battle 14-3 and the game 5-0. Addie Cadle had a 3-pointer, while Daden Findley added an inside shot for the Tigers.

Daden Findley had 1 block.

Hadley Downing had 4 boards. Kylee Combs and Ilene Combs had 2. Addie Cadle, Kinley Fletchall, and Daden Findley had 1.

Hadley Downing and Kylie Combs had 1 assist.

Hadley Downing had 2 tips. Kinley Fletchall, Kyah Joslin, Daden Findley, and Kylie Combs had 1.

Hadley Downing and Kinley Fletchall had 3 steals. Kylie Combs, Elley Maudlin, and Daden Findley had 2.

For North Harrison, Tymber Richardson and Sierra Renner had 1 block.

Hattie Hogan had 5 boards. She did all she could to keep her team in the game, taking after her grandfather, Tom Hogan, who was one of the best rebounders that Ridgeway ever produced during his playing days. Karsyn Smith had 3, Sierra Renner 2, and Taryn Johnson 1.

Sierra Renner and Karsyn Smith had 1 steal.

The boys game was an all-out war before Chase Davidson's wild three late in the third broke a 19-19 tie and sparked Worth County to a 33-27 win. 

At first, Worth County got the better of a defensive struggle, only for Ty Ledgerwood to hit a running three at the first quarter buzzer to put North Harrison up 5-4. Then, Charlie Frank and the Shamrocks raced ahead to an 11-6 lead in the second before foul trouble sent key players to the bench and allowed Worth County to climb back to a 16-15 halftime lead. The teams traded blow for blow in the third quarter before a wild three by Chase Davidson went in, and Max Hiatt added a shot before Kade Smith cut it to 24-21 at the third quarter buzzer. 

But after Charlie Frank fouled out to start the fourth quarter, Max Hiatt got a steal, Chase Davidson got a putback, Max Hiatt cashed in off a Mason Hern steal, and Davidson scored from inside before a frantic barrage by Ledgerwood got the Shamrocks back to within six at the final buzzer.

For Worth County, Max Hiatt had 13. Chase Davidson had 11, Jace Mullock 6, Grayson Mullock 2, and Luca Sagel 1.

Chase Davidson and Jace Mullock had 1 block.

Jace Mullock went beast mode for the night, getting 15 rebounds. Max Hiatt had 11, Chase Davidson 4, Mason Hern and Luca Sagle 3 each, and Case Downing and Grayson Mullock with 2.

Mason Hern had 4 assists. Jace Mullock had 3, Luca Sagel 2, and Max Hiatt 1.

Mason Hern had 3 tips. Luca Sagel, Grayson Mullock, and Max Hiatt had 2, and Chase Davidson and Jace Mullock had 1.

Max Hiatt lived up to his nickname of "Mad Max," as he had 8 steals on the night, going bezerk on the floor, and helping everyone else out as well. Mason Hern had 3, Luca Sagel and Grayson Mullock 2, and Chase Davidson 1.

For North Harrison, Charlie Frank had 12, Ty Ledgerwood 9, Jhet Rinehart 4, and Kade Smith 2.

Charlie Frank had 2 blocks.

Hayze Pottorff, Charlie Frank, and Ty Ledgerwood had 4 rebounds. Logan Hamilton, Kade Smith, and Jhet Rinehart had 2, and Will Richardson had 1.

Ty Ledgerwood, Hayze Pottorff, and Jhet Rinehart had 2 rebounds each. Myer Gibson and Will Richardson had 1.

Ty Ledgerwood had 3 tips. Hayze Pottorff, Jhet Rinehart, and Charlie Frank had 1.

Jhet Rinehart had 4 steals. Ty Ledgerwood had 3, Hayze Pottorff 2, and Will Richardson and Charlie Frank had 1.

The "B" game took on just as much intensity as the "A" game. North Harrison jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first behind three points from Myer Gibson and one from Kade Smith before Worth County began its comeback bid. Grayson Mullock cashed in off a pair of steals from Peyton Stephenson to tie it before a sixth grader, Kade Adams, drove to the rim, drew a foul, and cashed in at the line with nine seconds left to give the Tigers a 5-4 win.

For Worth County, Peyton Stephenson had 1 block.

Coy Pickering had 4 boards. Desmond Dannar had 2, and Jarrett Rush, Peyton Stephenson, and Case Downing had 1 each.

Peyton Stephenson had 2 assists. 

Peyton Stephenson had 2 tips. Jarrett Rush and Coy Pickering had 1.

Peyton Stephenson had 2 steals. Kade Adams, Grayson Mullock, and Jarrett Rush had 1.

For North Harrison, Keegan Parkhurst had 1 block.

Dayton Stevens had 2 rebounds. Conner Hicks and Will Richardson had 1. Dayton Stevens had 1 assist. Kade Smith and Keegan Parkhurst had 2 tips. Kade Smith, Myer Gibson, and Conner Hicks had 1 steal each.

Whistleblower Files Lawsuit Against Secretary of State

By Max Quinn, Missouri News Network

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins responded on Thursday to a lawsuit filed by his former director of election integrity, who said he was fired after reporting allegedly illegal and unethical conduct.

The secretary denied many of the accusations from former director Nicholas La Strada, a Republican who was hired by Hoskins, according to court documents.

In his lawsuit, La Strada claims Hoskins’ staff conspired to create a false whistleblower submission to use as evidence in a federal trial.

He also alleged Hoskins ordered a retabulation of write-in votes in Marshall after a complaint about this year’s April election.

Hoskins’ response states that La Strada’s disclosures are “materially false and a reasonable person would know they are false.”

He said La Strada had his administrative rights revoked to the Missouri Centralized Voter Registration system because he was allegedly making changes to voter audit logs.

Further, he said La Strada’s concerns about an affidavit in a federal trial were unprompted, as it was materially accurate and the plaintiff had no way of knowing what was inside it before he was terminated.

Hoskins said La Strada was terminated after he was told to meet with the deputy general counsel to prepare for the hearing and allegedly refused, among other reasons.

“Plaintiff by then had a history of not showing up to work, poor communication, unprofessional conduct, insubordination, and other misconduct to include refusing to go to meetings when he had disagreements with senior staff and Secretary Hoskins,” lawyers for Hoskins said in their response to the lawsuit.

The Secretary of State also disagreed with La Strada’s naming of him and the state of Missouri as defendants. Hoskins’ lawsuit claims only the Office of the Secretary of State is the correct party to sue.

His lawyers moved to strike his name from the litigation, according to court documents.

In September, the communications director for the Secretary of State’s Office, Anne Marie Moy, told KOMU 8 News that Hoskins would not comment on pending litigation involving a personnel matter.

Grant City Approved for Masonic Lodge Demolition

The City of Grant City recently got an emergency grant to demolish the Masonic Lodge building. A special meeting was held Monday, at which the City Council signed off on paperwork accepting the grant. The building had been deteriorating even more recently, with the crack on the west side growing bigger and the building leaning to the north.

The city is still waiting on approval for the regular demolition grant. Clerk Farrah Richey told the Express that there were 160 other applicants for the grant cycle this time.

At the regular meeting held on October 21st, City Administrator Lizzie Jeanes reported she is in the process of applying for a grant through Grand River Mutual for a small piece of equipment for younger children at the Pool Park.

Ryan Fletchall asked the council if it would be OK for the Public Water Supply District to use him as a backup operator. They are down to one operator, and the DNR requires two on their paperwork. The council agreed on the condition that the City Clerk have a copy of the contract for the city files, and that if anything arises within the city, the city will always come first.

One furnace has been installed, and the city will order another so it can be installed before cold weather hits. 

A leak was found at the lagoon; it is being repaired. One blower for the lagoon is up and running; the second hasn't been replaced yet. The UV is also working. The city is starting to flush water lines again.

Tyson Troutwine reported that he had been pothole patching, putting in tubes, and delivering gravel that people bought. 

The council voted to donate $100 to the Worth County Afterprom. Rolling Hills, which picks up recycling for the city, increased its rate to $200 per month.

The school is looking to apply for a Land & Water Conservation Fund grant to put in a second softball field. Currently, with three games on one field during fall softball, games run late at night. There were concerns about parking if a second field is built. 

The next meeting is November 18th at 6:00 pm.

Worth County Veterans Day Program November 11th

Worth County R-III School District will host their annual Veterans Day program on Wednesday, November 11, starting at 2 PM with a reception for veterans and the community to follow.

This year’s program will feature “The Liberty Tree” with students wearing period uniforms (several authentic) from various time periods over America’s 250 year history.

The award-winning colorguard will perform along with the Tiger Marching Band. In addition to this, the Worth County Youth Singers will make their debut with the song “My America.”

Over 375 individual biographies of veterans will be featured on the Veterans Day Wall of Honor. Nominations for the Wall of Honor may be sent to jwideman@wc.k12.mo.us. In addition to this, the Missouri Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall will be on display once again. Guests are invited to park in the south parking lot at the school. Doors open at 1 o’clock for the public. 

Bexlie Busby Has Breakthrough Game in Bluejay Rout; Cooper Chesnut, McClellan Clements Hand Mustang Boys First Win

Bexlie Busby had a breakout game for Northeast Nodaway’s Junior High girls Tuesday, October 27th against North Nodaway, hanging 17 on the Mustangs as the Bluejays won going away 58-2. On the boys’ side, McClellan Clements and Cooper Chesnut formed a two-headed monster to propel North Nodaway to its first win over the season, 31-18 over Northeast.

The “B” girls started first, and the Bluejay girls controlled the boards and the game, racing out to a 7-0 lead. Kinley Emery had four and Jennifer Stoll added a 3-pointer. Avary Volner countered with four straight for the Mustangs, but they ran out of time.

Jennifer Stoll had 5 boards. Arlee Sobotka had 3, Quin Oelze 2, and Ella Wilmes 1. Quin Oelze and Kinley Emery had 1 assist. Jennifer Stoll and Ella Wilmes had 2 tips, while Kinley Emery had 1. Kinley Emery and Arlee Sobotka had 1 steal each.

For North Nodaway, Torrie Rader had 2 boards, and Avary Volner and Oakley Marriott had 1 each. Torrie Rader had 1 assist. Brysha Allen and Torrie Rader had 1 tip. Oakley Marriott had 1 steal.

The “B” boys took the floor next, and the Bluejays controlled the game early, with Kipton Thummel knocking one down from the high post, only for Clayton Titus to counter with a 3-pointer to hand the Mustangs the 3-2 win. 

For Northeast Nodaway, Kyle Davison and Kipton Thummel had 3 boards each. Beckem Kennard and Reece Thummel had 1 board each. Reece Thummel had 1 assist. Newton Adwell had 1 steal.

For North Nodaway, Emmerson Drummond had 3 boards, while Javery Partridge, Oliver Miller, Camden Butler, Clayton Titus, Lucus Hansen, and Brentley Marriott all getting 1. Camden Butler had 1 assist.

The “A” girls game was next. It started out as a tough defensive struggle for the first few minutes. But Bexlie Busby suddenly took over the game with six points in rapid succession, and the rout was on. The Bluejays were up 16-0 at the end of one. Busby had eight more in the second as Northeast led 31-0 at the half. The Bluejays feasted off 30 Mustang turnovers and a 38-20 edge on the boards. The only tense point was whether the Mustangs could break the shutout. They finally did with 1:34 to spare, when Arianna Owens, who did all she could to stop the bleeding, knocked down a prayer from just inside the 3-point line at the top of the key.

Northeast Nodaway got eleven girls in the scoring column. Bexlie Busby had 17, Ellie Jackson 11, Emma Wilmes 7, Jordann Doty, Kenzley Yost, and Quin Oelze with 4, Ella Wilmes 3, and Aubrey Wilmes, Eryn O’Connell, Arlee Sobotka, and Aurora Claphan with 2 each.

Jordann Doty, Bexlie Busby, Kenzley Yost, Arlee Sobotka, and Emma Wilmes each had 1 block.

Ellie Jackson and Kenzley Yost had 7 boards each. Bexlie Busby and Emma Wilmes had 6. Aubrey Wilmes had 4, Jordann Doty 3, Quin Oelze 2, and Eryn O’Connell, Ella Wilmes, and Arlee Sobotka had 1.

Ellie Jackson had 4 assists. Aubrey Wilmes and Quin Oelze had 3, and Eryn O’Connell, Emma Wilmes, Ella Wilmes, Kenzley Yost, and Kinley Emery had 1.

Aubrey Wilmes and Ellie Jackson had 5 tips. Emma Wilmes had 3, and Eryn O’Connell, Kenzley Yost, and Bexlie Busby had 1.

Emma Wilmes had 9 steals. Ellie Jackson had 5, Bexlie Busby had 4, Aubrey Wilmes and Kenzley Yost had 2, and Eryn O’Connell and Arlee Sobotka had 1.

Arianna Owens had two points for North Nodaway. Avary Volner had 2 blocks.

Arianna Owens had 6 rebounds. Marin Alexander and Torrie Rader had 4, Jayneigh Lawson had 4, Avary Volner 2, and Zaylynn Luke 1.

Marin Alexander had 1 assist. Avary Volner had 3 tips, while Arianna Owens had 2 and Jayneigh Lawson 1. Arianna Owens had 5 steals and Zaylynn Luke had 1. 

For the “A” boys, Cooper Jackson hit a 3-pointer to put the Bluejays up 3-2, but then Braxton Dougherty aired it out twice to McClellan Clements, and the Mustangs were off to the races. Clements aired one out to Cooper Chesnut, and Cooper added a steal and drive to put the Mustangs up 10-3. The Mustangs led by as much as 17-9 before Noah Cordell cashed in a steal to make it 17-11 at the half. Hayzer Florea knocked one down to start the second half, but then McClellan Clements took over, scoring eight straight to put the Mustangs back in control. They led by as much as 31-13 before a Cooper Jackson triple and a putback from Hayzer Florea sparked a Bluejay rally. But North Nodaway ran out the clock to secure the win.

For Northeast Nodaway, Cooper Jackson had 9 points. Noah Cordell had 5, and Hayzer Florea 4.

Brody Jackson had 2 blocks, and Jax Archer had 1.

Hayzer Florea had 7 boards. Brody Jackson had 6, Noah Cordell 3, Cooper Jackson and Jax Archer 2, and Kyle Davison 1.

Noah Cordell had 2 assists, and Cooper Jackson and Kyle Davison had 1. Cooper Jackson had 3 tips, and Hayzer Florea had 1. Noah Cordell had 3 steals, while Cooper Jackson, Kyle Davison, and Hayzer Florea had 1. 

For North Nodaway, Cooper Jackson had 13. McClellan Clements had 12, Brentley Marriott 4, and Lucus Hansen 2.

Brentley Marriott had 2 blocks, and McClellan Clements had 1.

McClellan Clements had 12 boards. Braxton Dougherty had 11, Brentley Marriott 9, Lucus Hansen 3, Camden Butler 1, and Cooper Chesnut 1. 

McClellan Clements had 5 assists. Braxton Dougherty had 3, Cooper Chesnut 2, and Brentley Marriott and Camden Butler 1.

Lucus Hansen had 3 tips. Cooper Chesnut had 2, and McClellan Clemens and Camden Butler had 1.

Cooper Chesnut had 5 steals. Lucus Hansen and Braxton Dougherty had 3, McClellan Clements 2, and Brentley Marriott 1. 

Hopkins Small Town Spooktacular a Success

Numerous volunteers came together to help make the first annual Small Town Spooktacular a success in Hopkins.

Chris French of CF Ranch provided the hay for the hayrides. Cody Hoepker cooked the hot dogs and brought the combine and semi for kids to touch. The Hopkins Fire Department set up barricades, brought the fire truck, and was there to stand by. Kelby Hansen, Jason Hoepker, Matthew Beck, Macey Brashears, and Maddie Vore of the Fire Department were present.

Preston Hansen set up trailers, arranged tractors, and made sure there were fire rings for the bonfire. Jason Berg donated the wood for the bonfire. Bo Hansen lined up help throughout the night. Conner and Zoey Pearson did face painting.

Kane and Bobbi Oberhauser and Ashlie Marriott hosted trunk-or-treats. Angie Titus brought the school bus and the slide. John Linninger and Kyle Brittain brought their race cars. David Smyser and Karie and Dexter Partridge hosted a trunk-or-treat. Lucas Hansen brought his RZR and hosted a trunk-or-treat. Corey and Libby Cross brought a road grader and hosted a Frankenstein-themed trunk-or-treat. Chris and Lisa Crater hosted a trunk-or-treat. Vickie Riley provided a candy station. Jessie and Kayl Hansen hosted a trunk-or-treat. Emily and Justin Smith hosted a trunk-or-treat. Dustin Law brought the ambulance and gave out candy. Matt Wray brought a tractor for the touch-a-truck and the hay ride. Tim Hoepker brought the mini-excavator for touch-a-truck. 

Many other people worked behind the scenes, including Makayla and Adam Crater, Barb Roush, Deana Poynter, Keith Irwin, Kelsi Irwin, Jasmine Thompson, and Darla Thompson. 

Princeton to Host Albany Friday in District Semifinal Game

Princeton will host Albany in the semifinal round of the District Tournament Friday at 7:00 pm. Princeton last beat Albany 44-20 during the regular season.

After the breakup of the Pattonsburg/Gilman City/North Harrison cooperative, Gage Fortner and Wyatt Maize took their act to Princeton; along with improved line play, improved skill position play, and improved defense, Princeton went from being winless in 2025 to having won six so far this year.

Gage Fortner has completed 147 of 228 pass attempts for 1,912 yards this year, a 64.5% completion rate. 

Mitchell Walker continues to anchor the rushing attack with 79 carries for 478 yards. Wyatt Maize has 16 carries for 179 yards, Gage Fortner 37 carries for 141 yards, and Ryker Fortner 20 carries for 76 yards. 

Wyatt Maize has gone over the 1,000 yard mark again in receptions. He has 74 catches for 1,102 yards. Judd Henke has 28 catches for 426 yards, Mitchell Walker 15 catches for 160 yards, and Kash Holt 12 catches for 117 yards. 

One of the big keys to Princeton's improvement is cutting down on turnovers this year. They have lost only three fumbles and thrown only five picks this year. They have taken away the ball 17 times this year.

Defensively, Kash Holt has 83 tackles to lead the team. Gavin Tatum has 81, Wyatt Maize 53, Bowe Ussery 52, Ryker Fortner 50, Randy Wilson 49, Mitchell Walker 47, Kolton Schurke 47, Andrew Fordyce 41, Max Walkup 31, Reed Mitchell 16, Devin Alton 15, Judd Henke 13, Gavin Stockman 13, and Brayden Girdner 10.

Gavin Tatum has 13 tackles for loss. Kash Holt has 11, Andrew Fordyce 5.5, Ryker Fortner 3.5, Max Walkup 3.5, Mitchell Walker 3, Devin Alton 2.5, Bowe Ussery 2.5, Randy Wilson 2, Gavin Stockman 1.5, Dynten Hale 1, Hudson Wilson 1, and Wyatt Maize 1. 

On Special Teams, Hector Garcia has 33 kickoffs, 12 of which are touchbacks. Wyatt Maize has punted 15 times and has pinned opponents inside the 20 ten times. Wyatt Maize has 11 kickoff returns for 384 yards. Judd Henke has 6 kickoff returns for 121 yards. Reed Mitchell has a punt return for a touchdown. 

Hector Garcia has kicked 17 extra points and a field goal. Wyatt Maize has kicked one. Wyatt Maize has returned three kickoffs for scores, while Judd Henke has one. 

Against Pattonsburg, Albany kept the ball exclusively on the ground in their 54-12 win over the Panthers Friday. Elliot Mercer had 14 carries for 182 yards. Zayden Palmer had 9 carries for 72 yards. Carter Dannar had 6 carries for 29 yards. Gavin Pickering had 4 carries for 19 yards.

While the Warriors did not attempt a pass against Pattonsburg, they are capable of it. Zayden Palmer has 56 completions in 109 attempts for 700 yards. 

Elliot Mercer continues to anchor the Warrior ground game with 194 carries for 1,244 yards. Zayden Palmer has 96 carries for 628 yards and could emerge as a dangerous dual threat quarterback in the next two years. Carter Dannar has 65 carries for 331 yards, and Gavin Pickering has 37 carries for 221 yards.  Albany, as a team, has rushed for 2,622 yards.

Will Fish is the leading receiver with 16 catches for 234 yards. Carter Dannar has 12 catches for 143 yards.  Grayson Miller has 5 catches for 89 yards. Clayton Griffin has 11 catches for 88 yards.