Tigers Fall Short in State Title Game Against Archie Juggernaut

Worth County had shown a lot of improvement from their first game of the season, but Archie turned out to be the real deal, beating the Tigers 40-26 Thursday in the state title game. Archie had allowed just 26 points in the regular season all year, and they showed why Thursday. They were masters as stopping the run, holding Worth County to 75 yards. They were also masters of taking the ball away, having picked off Braymer’s prize quarterback in the semifinal five times in the first half and forcing four Tiger turnovers Thursday. And Briar McIntire turned out to be the real deal, running for 227 yards and throwing for another 83.

For the Tigers, history repeated itself, as they have never won a state title after losing a game in the regular season. All of their seven titles followed undefeated seasons. 

Worth County dug itself into a 22-0 hole that they could not get out of. Archie threatened to run away with the game like they had with so many other teams, raising it to 40-14 at one point. Then, Worth County nearly made a game of it, cutting it to 40-26 early in the fourth quarter. But they ran out of time and could not complete the comeback.

The first drive for the Tigers set the tone for the whole game. They got the ball first and a 39 yard pass from Tyler New to Grant McIntyre got the ball on the Archie 10. Two rushes from Tyler New got to the three, but then Worth County had a bad snap and he was sacked on third down and Worth County gave up the ball on downs at the Archie 16. On Archie’s first play from scrimmage, there went Briar McIntire 64 yards to the house with 8:01 left in the first quarter. Kaden Sutton ran in the extra points to put the Whirlwinds up 8-0.

The game threatened to snowball from there. Tyler New completed a 32 yard pass to Landon Wilmes to the Archie 33, and then ripped off a 10 yard run to the 23. But at the end of the run, he fumbled it and Archie recovered it at the 22.

Four straight runs from Archie went from the 22 to the Tiger 32. From there, Briar McIntire completed a long pass to Brock Smith for the rest of the way with 4:54 left in the first quarter to make it 14-0.

Worth County got the ball at their own 26 and used three straight running plays to get to their own 35, where they were fourth and one. But Brayde Daniels and Briar McIntire tackled Tyler New for no gain to give the Whirlwinds the ball on downs in Tiger territory. But Worth County finally held off Archie as Tyler New tackled Kaden Sutton for a loss of two to put them behind the chains. McIntire only got two yards next play, and two incomplete passes allowed Worth County to dodge the bullet.

But the respite was only temporary as Kaden Sutton picked off Tyler New at the Archie 38 and ran it back to the Tiger 23. Worth County nearly had Archie stopped on fourth and six at the 19, but McIntire passed his way out of trouble to Kaden Sutton for 18 yards to the one as time expired in the first quarter. On Archie’s first play of the second quarter, McIntire ran it in with 11:58 left. Tristan Leeper threw a strike to Kaden Sutton to make it 22-0.

Worth County started at their own 29 and were faced with fourth and one at their own 38. This time, they converted it as Tyler New got two yards to the 40. A 27 yard pass from Tyler New to Lucas Frisch put the ball on the 18 as they overcame a Delay of Game penalty. McIntire tackled Landon Wilmes for a three yard loss to put Worth County behind the sticks at the 21, but the Tigers rescued a fourth and 13 as Tyler New threw a strike to Bo Collins from the 21 to cut Archie’s lead to 22-6.

But Kale Snook ran back the ensuing kickoff to the Tiger 37 to kill any momentum that the Tigers might have had. Briar McIntire ran for 12 yards before Bo Collins forced a fumble. But Tom Janssen recovered it at the Tiger 25 and the drive continued. On the next play, McIntire took it the rest of the way to the house with 7:40 left to make it 28-6.

The game threatened to snowball from there as Archie forced a three and out and Tyler New’s punt was shanked, and Tristan Leeper ran it back to the Tiger 25. McIntyre ran for 5, 7, and 5 yards down to the eight before Bo Collins tackled Kaden Sutton for a loss of three. An incomplete pass set up fourth and eight at the Tiger 11, and McIntire’s pass to Kaden Sutton was not enough, as Grant McIntyre tackled Sutton short of the first down at the 9.

Tyler New was driven all the way back to the four on Worth County’s first play, but New threw a pass to Grant McIntyre for 10 and Bo Collins for 6 to get out of the hole to the 20. New then threw a 38 yard strike to Grant McIntyre to the Archie 22. New then threw a 22 yard strike to McIntyre for a touchdown with 1:59 left to cut their deficit down to 28-14 after Tyler New passed it to Bo Collins for the extra points. 

But that was plenty of time for Archie to answer after they started on their own 29. McIntire rushed for 7 and 5 to get the ball into Tiger territory, then threw a strike to Tom Janssen to the 17. They were faced with third and 10 at the Tiger 17 with 16 seconds left, but then McIntire had a backbreaking play when he ran it in from there with eight seconds to spare to make it 34-14 at the half.

The bad thing about that sequence was that Archie had the ball to start the second half. They started at their own 26, and Archie marched down the field with McIntire carrying the load. He converted a six yard rush to the 40 on a third and two, and then converted a one yard run on fourth and one to the Tiger 30. Finally, on third and two at the 22, McIntire rushed it 22 yards to the house with 7:20 left to make it 40-14.

Worth County started at their own 15 and got a first down to the 27 after Tyler New converted a third and six with an eight yard run. But they stalled there and were forced to punt. This time, Tyler New had a good kick and it was downed at the Archie 7. Archie tried to keep it on the ground and converted a fourth and one at their own 16 to the 21, but on the next play, Kaden Sutton fumbled it and Kolten Smith recovered it for Worth County at the Archie 20. That was the break they needed as they only needed one play as Tyler New took it to the house with 1:53 left to cut their deficit to 40-20.

Then, Archie gambled on fourth and two at their own 25. They had converted all their fourth downs to that point, but this time, Elias Alarcon and Tyler New dropped McIntyre for a loss back to the 24. With a short field to work with, Tyler New rushed it for 7 and then 2 yards to the 17 as the third quarter clock expired. On fourth and one at the 15, Tyler New converted it with a two yard run to the 13, and then threw a strike to Grant McIntyre to make it 40-26 with 11:19 left, still plenty of time.

Worth County had a golden opportunity to draw closer after Lucas Frisch forced a Kaden Sutton fumble and Landon Wilmes recovered it at the Tiger 29. A pass interference penalty put it on the Archie 36, and Grant McIntyre caught an 11 yard pass to the 25. But the turnover bug came back to bite the Tigers as Tyler New threw a pick to Kaden Sutton at the Archie 3 to kill the drive. It was the third time Worth County had stalled deep in Whirlwind territory.

Archie was faced with third and 12 at their own 1, but then they tried some trickery and Kaden Sutton completed a halfback pass to Briar McIntire for 29 yards to the Archie 30 to get out of trouble. At some point in the second half, McIntire injured his hand and had trouble gripping the ball, but it didn’t matter, since their game plan revolved around their line play. From there, they fed Sutton at will as they marched all the way down to the Tiger 20, taking 6:09 off the clock. Finally, Tyler New tackled Sutton one yard short of the first down at the 18 to give them the ball back with 4:42 left.

Worth County got as far as the Archie 37, but then picked up a false start and then Tyler New threw a pick to Sutton at the 10. Two first downs later, Archie was able to kneel out the clock.

For Worth County, Tyler New had 19 carries for 62 yards. Landon Wilmes had 5 carries for 13 yards.

Tyler New completed 16 passes in 31 attempts for 233 yards. Grant McIntyre had 6 catches for 133 yards. Bo Collins had 4 catches for 41 yards, Landon Wilmes 3 catches for 32 yards, Lucas Frisch 2 catches for 27 yards, and Carter Chapman 1 catch for 0 yards.

For Worth County, Tyler New did all he could to hold off the Whirlwinds, getting 23 tackles for the night. Lucas Frisch had 11, Brayden Stevens 9, Bo Collins 8, Landon Wilmes 6, Elias Alarcon 4, Ethan Lininger 3, Grant McIntyre 3, and Kolten Smith 2. Tyler New had 3½ tackles for loss. Bo Collins had 3, and Lucas Frisch, Elias Alarcon, and Kolten Smith all had ½. Lucas Frisch and Bo Collins each forced a fumble. Landon Wilmes and Kolten Smith each had a fumble recovery. 

Baylie Busby gets 19 points, 11 tips as Bluejays Easily Beat Trojans

Northeast Nodaway’s girls hung 55 points on Union Star Tuesday, November 28th as they were able to get untracked offensively after winning a 35-31 squeaker against Albany for their first game, getting a 55-16 win over Union Star in the PVI. Baylie Busby showed she was back to full strength from her softball injury from this summer, getting 19 points, 11 tips, 5 steals, 8 assists, and 6 boards for the Bluejays.

Union Star was decimated by the numbers game, as they only had six players come out this year, but they still had Kelly Clibon and Kenzie Pettijohn on the floor. They have shown the propensity to fly to the glass, grab 20 offensive boards a game, and put points on the board over the last two years. But the Bluejays locked down on defense, only giving up three offensive boards to the Trojans. Baylie Busby was able to pressure Pettijohn hard, never letting her get into a rhythm offensively, and stealing the ball from her. And while Clibon got her points, getting 15 points for the Trojans, they got one point from the rest of the squad.

The Bluejays got off to a slow start offensively, only getting a putback from Dalanie Auffert in the first three minutes. But then Busby got loose in the lane to score to make it 4-0. Auffert blocked Clibon on the other end and got a quick outlet to Busby, who made one out of two at the line, but that play seemed to get the Bluejays untracked. Sasha Deardorff finished at the other end after Busby got a steal and threw it to Mylee Wilmes. Jill Boswell knocked one down from the left side and Busby got another steal to make it 11-0.

Auffert picked up her second foul and then Clibon got untracked for the Trojans, scoring six points in the next few minutes to cut the Trojan deficit to 14-6 at the 4:41 mark of the second. But then Auffert came back and hit two free throws and then Busby connected from three. Hadley DeFreece, who had missed some shots early, kept on shooting and finally got a couple to drop to make it 25-6. Brianna Meyer followed with a steal to make it 27-6 and cap the 13-0 run.

Lydia Morgan hit a free throw for the Trojans and Clibon another to cut it to 27-8, but Baylie Busby hit Mylee Wilmes in the corner with time winding down to make it 30-8 at the break.

Clibon scored off a drive for the Trojans to cut it to 30-10, but then Baylie Busby twice hit Dalanie Auffert in the paint to spark another run. That set up two kickouts from Auffert to Sasha Deardorff, and she had back to back jacks. Busby then went on a scoring flurry, getting a steal, knocking one down for three, and then cleaning up on a miss after Blair Nelson got a steal and Hadley DeFreece missed. Clibon cut it to 48-12 after three, but then Hayley Yost got on the board from inside, Hadley DeFreece hit a 3-pointer after Dalanie Auffert got an offensive board, and Brianna Meyer converted after Hadley got a steal to give NEN its biggest lead at 55-12.

Baylie Busby had 19 points to lead the Bluejays. Hadley DeFreece had 9, Dalanie Auffert and Sasha Deardorff 8 each, Brianna Meyer 4, Mylee Wilmes 3, and Jill Boswell and Hayley Yost 2 each.

Dalanie Auffert had 3 blocks.

Dalanie Auffert had 8 boards. Baylie Busby and Jill Boswell had 6 each, Sasha Deardorff 5, Hayley Yost 2, and Blair Nelson 1.

Baylie Busby had 8 assists. Dalanie Auffert had 4, Jill Boswell 2, and Mylee Wilmes and Hadley DeFreece 1 each.

Baylie Busby had 11 tips. Jill Boswell and Brianna Meyer had 4 each, Hadley DeFreece and Sasha Deardorff 3 each, Mylee Wilmes and Dalanie Auffert 2 each, and Blair Nelson 1.

Baylie Busby had 5 steals. Hadley DeFreece and Jill Boswell had 3, Hayley Yost and Dalanie Auffert 2 each, and Mylee Wilmes, Brianna Meyer, and Blair Nelson 1.

Jack Boswell Gets Double Double, but NEN Boys Still Searching for 1st Win

Northeast Nodaway’s boys have been searching for their first win this year. With new coach Mitchell Sherry starting right before the season, only five players dressed out, and three still playing football, they started off by dropping their first game to Albany 60-37. In their second game, against top seeded Nodaway Valley in the PVI, they lost 66-47 to the Thunder, but Jack Boswell came alive with 22 points. That dropped them to the elimination game with DeKalb in a win or go home game Tuesday night, November 28th.

The Bluejays got a double double from Jack Boswell and hung with the Tigers for a quarter and a half. But then Devin Hall went off on them and torched the Bluejays for 28 points through three quarters as DeKalb pulled away by as much as 28 points. But then Northeast Nodaway put together a late rally that brought them to within 14 as the final buzzer sounded.

The game was tied at 2, 4, and 6 as Jack Boswell drove and scored off a pass from Chase Clabaugh, Boswell hit Brycen Kennard inside, and Reece Gray got loose in transition and got a pass from Trenton Hartley. But then DeKalb started pulling away after Hall got loose in transition and Landon Crockett hit a 3-pointer to make it 11-6 after one.

The Tiger lead grew to as much as 16-6 in the second before the Bluejays made a stand, getting four free throws and a driving layup from Jack Boswell to cut it to 21-13 at the 3:53 mark. But then the bottom dropped out as Hall went off, scoring seven in the last few minutes as DeKalb raised its lead to 30-13 at the half.

Boswell continued hitting for NEN, but Hall continued to have the hot hand, getting nine in the third quarter and Kyle Funk added a drive and a 3-pointer as DeKalb led by as much as 44-17 before Trenton Hartley hit a 3-pointer and Reece Gray added a free throw to cut it to 44-21 after three.

The DeKalb lead grew to as much as 49-21 at the 4:46 mark after Luke Miller got loose in transition, but then Brycen Kennard scored from inside, Jack Boswell hit a free throw, Trenton Hartley scored four straight, Reece Gray scored off a steal, and then the Bluejays got the ball back. Frustration set in for DeKalb and one of their players got an intentional foul, putting Kennard on the line. He made one of two and Jack Boswell scored two free throws on the extra possession. Reece Gray scored in transition to cut it to 14 before DeKalb finally dribbled out the clock for the win.

Despite the numbers game, the players showed they were not ready to give up on their season. Jack Boswell morphed from a role player and rebounder into a go-to player for the Bluejays and scored 16 points. “He has a lot of the qualities of his two brothers. Sometimes, he’ll take it in and score and thrive on contact like Will, and sometimes, he’ll knock down shots like Ben,” said coach Mitchell Sherry. He said in the huddle that he was proud of how well they improved since just one week.

Trenton Hartley and Reece Gray had 7 each and Brycen Kennard, who grew like a weed since last year and is now built like his namesake, Bryce Farnan, added five. The fifth player, Chase Clabaugh, didn’t score, but he grabbed some early rebounds, had a couple of assists, and meshed right in with the rest of the squad.

Brycen Kennard had 1 block.

Jack Boswell had 12 boards to complete a double double. Brycen Kennard had 6, Trenton Hartley 5, and Reece Gray and Chase Clabaugh had 3.

Jack Boswell and Trenton Hartley had 4 assists. Chase Clabaugh had 2, and Brycen Kennard 1.

Reece Gray had 4 tips. Brycen Kennard, Jack Boswell, and Trenton Hartley had 2 each.

Reece Gray had 6 steals and Brycen Kennard 1.

David Kiene Resigns as NEN Boys Coach

A few weeks ago, David Kiene was leading the practices with the NEN boys, getting ready for a new season. However, right before the season started, Kiene abruptly turned in his resignation. The Northeast Nodaway school board accepted his resignation at its regular meeting on November 20th and named Mitchell Sherry as his replacement. Sherry coached the team in their games against Albany on Tuesday, November 21st and Nodaway Valley Monday.

Superintendent Brenda Dougan reported that the existing diesel fuel tank needed to be replaced. The board discussed two options; one was to lease a tank from Consumers Oil for as long as they purchased fuel from them, and another to purchase a new tank from J.L. Houston. The board voted to purchase a new fuel tank from J.L. Houston for a price of $4,511.14.

The board voted to approve the construction of a new garage for the school vans and tractor for a cost of $38,500 from Mooney Boys Construction. The vote was 5-0-1 with board member Karl Wilmes abstaining.

Principal Heidi Beatty reported that K-6 literacy testing was completed by September 15th, Reading Success Plans have also been completed. 

A Veterans Day Assembly was held at the school Friday, November 10th. The Parnell Legion Auxiliary and the Conception Post participated. There were over 25 veterans in attendance. Fifth grade students performed, as did the band. Veterans and their families stayed afterwards and had lunch with their students.

Candidate filing dates are December 5th to 26th. The position of Cody Adwell and an open seat are up for election. The election will be April 2nd.

The School Safety Grant was received. Proceeds will go towards safety film on windows, more security cameras, and upgrading the playground fence.

The three water outlets that had high levels of lead were retested, and the two kitchen sink faucets were still higher than five parts per billion. A filter was installed on both faucets and they were retested. This time, the levels came back at an acceptable level.

Aydan Blackford, Mustangs Win Scoring Duel Over Devin Hall, DeKalb

North Nodaway overcame a scoring barrage from Devin Hall and DeKalb, getting their second win in as many games Monday 61-47 in the opening round of the PVI. Aydan Blackford, healthy for once after the end of the football season, hung 29 points as he and the Mustangs won a scoring duel over Hall, who had 27 points for the Tigers.

Last year, DeKalb only won one game and lost one of their big guns, Zander Mattson, to graduation. But the numbers and excitement were there for the Tigers, giving then 15 players for this year. The biggest problem for their second year coach, Jonathan Wildhaber, was getting reps for all his guys after playing the numbers game for so long. “It’s a good problem to have,” he said before the game. Hall, who torched Northeast Nodaway for 33 points in a losing effort last year, is back to try to lead the Tigers to respectability.

The first seven minutes of the game belonged to the Mustangs, who established their half court trap and were able to get some turnovers. Owen Martin went backdoor and got a pass from Ethan Fry, and then Blackford got loose inside to make it 4-0. Hall’s drive cut it to 4-2, but Blackford scored early and often, knocking down an inside shot, a baseline shot, and then hitting two free throws after Owen Martin got a steal as the Mustang lead grew to 10-2.

DeKalb got a push late in the first, getting a drive from Gavin Moore, an NBA 3-pointer from Hall, and a drive from Kyle Funk to cut it to 12-11 before Blackford’s drive at the buzzer made it 14-11.

Blackford’s play at the first quarter buzzer sparked the Mustangs, who took control to start the second. Mason Casner cut inside and got a pass from Blackford, and Mason added a three point play. Ethan Dry hit Blackford for a drive and another three point play, and then Ethan Fry got on the board with a transition basket and a 3-pointer to make it 26-11.

But DeKalb doesn’t give up easily; they keep coming at teams even when they are way behind, and sure enough, Hall carried the team on his shoulders, slashing to the rim, hitting a 3-pointer, and then grabbing a putback to cut it to 30-18 late in the second. A similar burst by DeKalb two years ago threw North Nodaway into panic mode, and they lost a 16 point lead and the game. But this time, every time DeKalb threatened to make a game of it, North Nodaway had an answer. This time, they started attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line. Aydan Blackford had four free throws, Brice Trimble two, and Blaine Clements one as the Mustangs built the lead up to 38-22 at the half.

Hall kept hitting for DeKalb in the third, but Owen Martin, Mason Casner, and Ethan Fry all got on the board and the Mustangs led by as much as 20 before taking a 49-32 lead going into the fourth.

But DeKalb had been there before last year against Worth County, down 22 at one point before coming back and having a chance to force overtime at the end before falling 47-46. Sure enough, Hall went off again, hitting a free throw and two NBA 3-pointers to get the Tiger deficit down to 51-39 at the 6:42 mark, still plenty of time. But once again, North Nodaway built the lead back up to 20 as Aydan Blackford scored off a drive, Mason Casner got loose on an inbounds play, Brice Trimble hit a baseline shot, and Mason Casner scored off a Trimble steal to make it 59-39.

Aydan Blackford had 29 points for the Mustangs. Mason Casner had 12, Ethan Fry 8, Brice Trimble 6, and Owen Martin and Blaine Clements 3 each.

Blaine Clements had 1 block.

Aydan Blackford had 10 boards to complete a double double. Owen martin had 8, Mason Casner 5, Blaine Clements 4, and Brice Trimble 3.

Brice Trimble had 7 assists. Aydan Blackford had 6, Mason Casner 3, Blaine Clements and Ethan Fry 2, and Owen Martin 1.

Owen Martin had 3 tips. Brice Trimble had 2, and Aydan Blackford, Ethan Fry, and Mason Casner 1 each.

Ethan Fry, Brice Trimble, Owen Martin, and Aydan Blackford each had 3 steals. Mason Casner had 2 and Ridge Clements and Blaine Clements 1 each.

Lauren Herndon has 19; Mustangs Overcome 28 Turnovers to Beat DeKalb

North Nodaway’s girls overcame 28 turnovers against DeKalb as Lauren Herndon had 19, Saryn Brown 15, and the Mustangs were able to get scoring from six different players as they held off the Tigers 42-31 Monday in the opening round of the PVI. DeKalb has a new coach, but they play the same brand of basketball, as they mix up their man to man with their half court trap, swarming the ball at every opportunity and forcing turnovers.

The Mustangs had trouble getting anything going against DeKalb’s trap for the first two minutes, but then Lauren Herndon stole an outlet pass and scored and then Angie Parker kept a possession alive and got it to Saryn Brown, who drove and hit two free throws. Rachel Reagan countered with a triple, but then Saryn Brown scored off a Lauren Herndon steal and Lacy Riley hit from the left wing after Saryn Brown kicked it out to make it 8-3. Camry Hanshaw countered with a putback for DeKalb to make it 8-5.

A defensive lapse allowed Allison Bramble to score; that sparked a 5-0 Tiger run to cut their deficit to 10-9, but Lauren Herndon got a putback and later converted a three point play after Saryn Brown got her the ball inbounds as the Mustangs rebuilt their lead. The teams traded blows, with Harlie Hall’s triple cutting DeKalb’s deficit to three late, but Saryn Brown hit a shot from the top of the key after Addalea Barcus got her the ball to make it 20-14 at the half.

DeKalb came out in their trap to start the second half and Rachel Reagan’s steal cut it to 20-18, but then North Nodaway finally started breaking it and Lacy Riley got it to Lauren Herndon, who drove and scored. Saryn Brown added a free throw and Lauren Herndon added a triple after a pass from Saryn Brown to build it back to 26-18.

The lead hovered between six and nine until the early part of the fourth quarter, but a collision between Angie Parker and one of the DeKalb players during a rebound scramble knocked her out of the game with a bloody nose at the five minute mark of the fourth quarter with North Nodaway leading 34-28, but the play seemed to spark the Mustangs as Parker’s replacement, Jackie Wray, got a third chance putback and Saryn Brown added two free throws to get the Mustang lead to double digits at 38-28. CeCi Sherlock’s free throw cut it to 38-29, but Lauren Herndon got a steal and Saryn Brown added a pair of free throws to get the Mustangs up double digits for good.

Lauren Herndon had 19 for the Mustangs. Saryn Brown had 15, and Lacy Riley, Mya Hansen, Angie Parker, and Jackie Wray all had 2.

Saryn Brown and Jackie Wray had 1 block each.

Jackie Wray had 8 boards. Lauren Herndon had 6, Lacy Riley, Saryn Brown, and Angie Parker had 4 each, and Addalea Barcus had 3.

Lauren Herndon and Saryn Brown had 4 assists. Angie Parker had 3, Lacy Riley 2, and Addalea Barcus 1.

Lauren Herndon had 6 tips. Angie Parker had 3, Addalea Barcus and Saryn Brown 2, and Lacy Riley 1.

Addalea Barcus, Lauren Herndon, and Saryn Brown all had 5 steals. Angie Parker and Lacy Riley each had 1.

Landon Wilmes Gets Key Pick, Grant McIntyre Gets Key Score; Tigers Hold Off South Holt

Landon Wilmes got a key pick, Grant McIntyre got a key score, and Worth County did what Mound City and Plattsburg could not; they held off South Holt and pulled away to a 40-14 win Friday. The Tigers will now play at Faurot Field Thursday at 7 pm for a state title against Archie. The game between them and Braymer, two unbeaten teams, turned out to be no contest as Archie ran away with the game, getting an 88-20 victory. The Whirlwinds have lived up to their nickname this year, holding teams to 26 points during the regular season, impressive even for 11 man. They have had one team go the distance against them, and they have scored 54 or more points in every game this year.

Despite Landon Wilmes bobbling the opening kickoff in the cold weather and getting buried at the eight, the game started off well. Tyler New picked up carries of four and seven, and an eight yard carry by Wilmes and a facemask penalty put the ball at the South Holt 39. From there, Tyler New got a block from Lucas Frisch and that was all he needed as he took it to the house with 10:55 left in the first quarter.

But South Holt came out with Cole Medsker as their quarterback. Last year, Kendall Noland quarterbacked to them. But in a script similar to what happened to Central Missouri State, the Knights saw Noland go down, only for Medsker to step up and do even better as he led the Knights to an undefeated season as Noland came back as a runningback. Similarly, the Mules saw their starting quarterback go down, only to find out that their backup was the real deal as Central had one of their most successful football seasons in recent memory. Despite Friday’s loss, the Knights will go nowhere as Medsker will return next year for the Knights.

Medsker led the Knights to a first down; despite his small stature, he proved to be elusive and hard to tackle. That put the ball on the Knight 34. The Knights overcame a sack as Medsker broke containment and scrambled all the way to the Tiger 33. But then a false start happened and then in a play reminiscent of 2018, Elias Alarcon picked off Medsker and returned it all the way to the Knight four. Similarly, back in 2018, his brother, Isaac, had four defensive scores; he had a strip and score against East Atchison, recovered a blocked punt for another against Pattonsburg, and had two pick sixes earlier in the year. Tyler New took it the rest of the way after getting blocks from Elias Alarcon, Landon Wilmes, and Ethan Lininger with 6:50 left in the first. Grant McIntyre caught the extra point pass to make it 14-0.

South Holt went three and out and a bad snap on the punt gave the Tigers the ball on the Knight 23, as things threatened to go from bad to worse for the Knights. But the Knights are one of those teams who don’t give up easily. They made things interesting against Platte Valley in districts last year, erased a 50-22 deficit against Mound City this year in districts, and scored in the last four seconds of the Plattsburg game to get to this point. On Worth County’s first play from scrimmage, Tyler New ripped off 12 yards, only to get stripped at the end of the run as the Knights got the ball back at the 10. Their coach, Josh Petersen, said it was all about the character of his team. “I had a great group of kids to work with,” he said.

The fumble gave South Holt hope, and they had new life after that. Worth County could not get off the field after that, as a pass interference call allowed the Knights to overcome a second and long at the 5. Noland picked up 12 and a first down to the 33, and then another pass interference allowed them to overcome another third and long. Finally, a holding penalty by the Knights was too much for them to overcome and Brayden Stevens broke up a third down pass and the Knights were forced to punt.

The kick rolled into the end zone, and Tyler New converted a third and six, muscling his way to the Tiger 27. Landon Wilmes got blocks from Bo Collins and Ethan Lininger for five. A long pass was incomplete, but then Tyler New broke loose and took it down to the seven. He was stopped for no gain, but then a quick pitch to Landon Wilmes got him to the house and Worth County led 20-0 with 11 minutes left in the second.

But then Cade Kurtz ran back a squib kick all the way to the Tiger 28, and the Knights made the most of the short field. Noland ripped off gains of 6 and 5. Worth County forced a third and eight, but couldn’t get off the field as South Holt, who struggled with dropped balls in the bitterly cold conditions, finally started catching it as Tylynn Prussman caught a third and eight from the 15 to the 7. Two plays later, Medsker took it to the house and the Knights kicked the extra point to make it 20-7 with 7:26 left in the half.

A totally different South Holt squad then took the field on defense; they were loading the box with all eight players, swarming the gaps with more players than the Tigers had blockers for, and daring the Tigers to beat them deep. They forced a three and out and got the ball in good field position at the Tiger 38. Griffin Kemerling caught a short pass to the 29, and then nobody picked up Kendall Noland coming out of the backfield, and he took a short pass down to the 10. Three plays later, Noland took it to the house from the four with 3:52 left and the Knights kicked the extra point to make it 20-14.

Worth County nearly answered on the next series as Tyler New aired it out to Grant McIntyre for a 42 yard pass to the Knight 22. A pitch to Wilmes got the ball down to the 10, but then Tyler New ran into a swarm of black shirts and fumbled as the blocking broke down and South Holt elected to kill the clock as they had the ball to start the second half.

The Knights had a chance to take it down the field and tie or take the lead, but on fourth and two at their own 33, they got a false start that backed them up to the 28. Grant McIntyre broke up a pass to give the Tigers the ball on downs deep in Knight territory. But a screen pass on fourth and four at the 22 gave the ball back to the Knights at their own 26. They elected to go for it again on fourth and eight at their own 28, and this time got the first down as Cade Kurtz caught a 10 yard pass to the 38. But a sack by Bo Collins put the Knights too far behind the sticks and they were forced to punt. Cole Medsker had made a living off dodging and breaking tackles this year, but the Tigers countered with an unorthodox one man line with Kolten Smith, who occupied 2-3 blockers, and had three linebackers contain Medsker.

But the next series nearly turned into a disaster for the Tigers. They went three and out, and then Trace Milne blocked the ensuing punt, giving the Knights the ball on the Tiger 10. At that point, it looked like it might be the first time ever that Worth County would lose a game in which they had a three possession lead, with the Knights poised to tie or take the lead. The Knights tried a quick slant on the first play, but Brayden Stevens was ready for it, breaking it up. On the next play, Landon Wilmes jumped a pass, picking it off in the end zone to give the Tigers the ball back on their own 15.

Lucas Frisch picked up 10 on a quick hitter to the 25, but the Knights were ready for it and dropped him for a loss back to the 24. But then the second backbreaking play for the Knights followed. Tyler New threw a strike for Grant McIntyre, who had a black shirt holding onto his ankle near the out of bounds line. McIntyre kicked his way free, and everybody stopped for a split second. But all of a sudden, Grant realized that the whistle had not blown and that it was still a live ball, and he took off running and found nothing but daylight in front of him. Cole Medsker seemingly had a short at tacking him or pushing him out of bounds, but Grant put on an extra burst of speed and outran him into the end zone to make it 26-14 with 3:06 left in the third quarter.

The Knights tried to answer as Tylynn Prussman caught a 10 yard pass to the 35. But then Bo Collins and Elias Alarcon sacked Medsker and then two draw plays only picked up two yards. South Holt tried to air it out on fourth and long, but Grant McIntyre broke it up and the Tigers had the short field at the Knight 29. Lucas Frisch could only net three yards on two plays, but then Worth County was able to convert the short field as the line gave Tyler New plenty of time to throw, and Grant McIntyre broke behind the defense, hauling in another score with 10:53 left to make it 32-14.

South Holt started on their own 26, but after an incomplete pass, Elias Alarcon stripped Medsker and he had to fall on it at their own five. The Knights were forced to punt from their own two, and Worth County got the ball at the Knight 37. After the two long passes to Grant softened up the Knight defense, Tyler New was finally able to find daylight, ripping off a 23 yard gain to the 14. A holding penalty wiped out a touchdown and put it back on the 20, but it didn’t matter as Tyler New picked up carries of six, seven, and seven to the house with 5:33 left. Bo Collins made a diving grab for the extra points to make it 40-14 with 5:33 left and prompt a rare celebration by offensive coordinator Les New. He said this one meant a lot, as it meant all three of his boys got to go to state at some point.

But the Knights had been there before against Mound City and won, and sure enough, after one of the Worth County defenders tried to jump a route and missed, Kendall Noland caught a pass and took it down to the Tiger 23. But a pass to Tylynn Prussman only netted three yards, two more passes were incomplete, and Lucas Frisch broke up a fourth down pass to give the Tigers the ball back on downs, and Worth County could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Landon Wilmes found daylight for 14 yards to the 34, and then on fourth and one at the Knight 37, Tyler New got past the Knight defense as they were swarming to stop the run. He could have scored but instead, went down at the Knight 28, which allowed the Tigers to kneel out the clock.

Area Courthouse, Police, and Crime Reports for November 22nd, 2023

On November 13th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department reported that a vehicle driven by Wyatt Van Horn (17) of Redding pulled away from the stop sign at P27 and Route 2 north of Redding at around 7:15 am and didn’t see a vehicle driven by Casey Pierson (40) of Decatur City (IA) headed east. Pierson’s vehicle struck Van Horn’s.  There were no injuries. 

On November 14th, the US Attorney’s Office of Western Missouri issued a news release about a guilty plea regarding a medical fraud scheme (Story, Page 3).

On November 14th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Lincoln Pope (22) of Pickering alleging DWI (Prior, .202% Blood Alcohol Contest), and Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident). An affidavit from the Missouri State Highway Patrol alleges that on October 22nd, the defendant crashed his vehicle into a utility pole at a high rate of speed, snapping it and knocking it over.

On November 14th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Jeremiah Morriss (40) of Maryville alleging three counts Stealing (Felony) and Trespassing. An affidavit from the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department alleges the defendant entered a property from which he had been barred and stole electricity, bags of aluminum cans, and a catalytic converter. Bond was set at $1,000 signature bond.

On November 14th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Christopher Alvarez (24) of Maryville alleging DWI (THC) and Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident). An affidavit from the Maryville Police Department alleges that on July 28th, the defendant crashed his vehicle into a utility pole.

On November 14th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Trevor Weir (19) of Maryville alleging Resisting Arrest, Possession of Fictitious Driver’s License, Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle, Speeding (94 mph), Failure to Signal, Minor in Possession, and Minor Visibly Intoxicated. An affidavit from the Missouri State Highway Patrol alleges that on October 28th, the defendant led police on a chase on gravel roads at speeds of 65 mph.

On November 14th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Heaven Neal (21) of Maryville alleging Animal Abuse. 

On November 16th, Worth County Prosecutor Janet Wake Larison filed charges against Amber Ruminer (33) of Grant City alleging Stealing (Felony). Bond was set at $5,000, cash only. An affidavit from the Worth County Sheriff’s Department alleges that on November 7th, the defendant stole a vehicle from the parking lot of Crestwood Apartments in Grant City and subsequently drove it to Kansas City. The vehicle was recovered.

On November 16th, the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance placed Cameron Mutual Insurance Company into liquidation effective December 1st. The order does not affect Cameron National. See story, Page 7. 

On November 16th at around 7:48 am, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2003 Dodge Ram driven by Kayden Sybert (21) of Parnell and a 2020 GMC Acadia driven by Karen Giesken (54) of Ravenwood were southbound on Route 46 and O in Ravenwood stopped in traffic. The Ram struck the Acadia in the rear. Giesken received minor injuries and was taken to Mosaic in Maryville.

On November 17th, Northwest Missouri State reported the death of a graduate student, Hemanth Yallanki, on the campus. The death is under investigation. No foul play is suspected.

On November 17th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Christopher Wiederholt (63) of Conception Junction alleging Driving While Revoked (Felony). Bond was set at $2,000, cash or corporate surety.

On November 17th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Nya Williams (23) of Kansas City in Harrison County on 3 Platte County Warrants (Failure to Secure Child in Child Seat, No Valid License, Displaying Plates of Another), and Speeding.

On November 17th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Daniel DeShon (43) of Maitland in Nodaway County on a Nodaway County Warrant (No Insurance).

On November 17th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Hernan Lopez-Gomez (37) of Milan alleging Harassment (Felony) and Violation of Protection Order. Bond was set at $25,000, cash only.

On November 20th, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department reported that multiple fire units responded to a working structure fire at 20th and Monson in Bethany. 

On November 20th, Mark Tischer (59) of New London (MO) was arrested in Nodaway County on a Pike County (IL) Warrant for Failure to Appear (Possession of Methamphetamine), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While Revoked). Bond was set at $22,000 with defendant given leave to post 10% cash.

Charges listed are merely allegations. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Mason Casner Gets Double Double as Mustang Boys Hold Off Shamrock Rally

In a game featuring two teams trying to run each other out of the gym, North Nodaway showed composure as they were able to hold off a Shamrock rally and pull off a 48-41 win Tuesday, November 21st. The game featured two teams that were a mirror image of each other; both teams showed length and athleticism, both were trying to take the next step, and both were showing the kind of hunger needed to get better.

Most of the first quarter belonged to the Shamrocks as Ethan Henson knocked down two quick three pointers to start off. North Nodaway fought back to tie it at 6, but then Henson got loose in transition, Keygun Johnson scored off a Henson steal, and Wyatt Maize scored off a drive to make it 12-6. Brice Trimble cut it to four, but Keygun Johnson answered to make it 14-8. But then North Nodaway fought back as Ethan Fry scored off a steal and Mason Casner converted a transition opportunity at the buzzer to cut it to 14-12 after one.

Unlike the last two years, when Aydan Blackford had to sit out the start of the year with an injury, he was healthy for Tuesday’s game. He finally made his presence known when he hit back to back jacks to start the second quarter to put the Mustangs in the lead. The second score came after Owen Martin had kept a possession alive with an offensive glass. Jerry Gilpatrick hit Keygun Johnson for a drive, but Brice Trimble got on the board for three to make the Mustang lead 21-16.

North Harrison fought back as Keygun Johnson sparked them as he bulldozed his way into the paint for a score and Owan Roberson came off the bench to give the Shamrocks some quality minutes. Owan hit a shot from the high post to make it 21-20. Ethan Fry drove the baseline and hit a reverse layup, but Ethan Henson hit a 3-pointer to tie it at 23-23. North Nodaway reestablished control as Brice Trimble got loose inside and Owen Martin got a tipin to make it 27-23 at the half.

The second half started off well for the Shamrocks as Keygun Johnson continued to bulldoze hit way to the basket and Jerry Gilpatrick hit one of his NBA threes to put them in front 30-29. But then Mason Casner started to head up for the Mustangs, getting an inside shot and Aydan Blackford hit two free throws to put the Mustangs up 33-30. North Harrison worked the offensive glass to stay close, but then Aydan Blackford got a backdoor look from Owen Martin and then a blocked shot from Blaine Clements set up a Brice Trimble pass to Mason Casner to make it 39-33, a four point turnaround in North Nodaway’s favor.

Blaine Clements, normally a post player, stepped outside and hit a 3-pointer for the Mustangs, and then they went into a delay game, which took a big chunk of time off the clock. Finally, Mason Casner hit a skip pass to Brice Trimble, who connected from the right side to make it 44-33.

But then Keygun Johnson got loose inside again, North Harrison put on the press, and Ethan Henson had a monster stuff that crashed into the metal display featuring the North Nodaway players, knocking one of the numbers out. Wyatt Maize scored off an Ethan Henson steal and then Keygun Johnson drove down the right side and finished with a reverse layup to make it 44-39 with 2:44 left.

Henson got another steal off the press, but after North Harrison threw it away, Owen Martin drove against several green shirts against the press and got to the rim, hitting both free throws to swing the momentum back in North Nodaway’s favor.

Keygun Johnson drove and cut it to 46-41, but North Nodaway ran it all the way down to 1:10 before Brice Trimble missed a dagger three. But Johnson missed a chance to cut it to three, and North Nodaway ran it down to 38 seconds before North Harrison could get the Mustangs fouled. Owen Martin missed two free throws, but then turned around and stuffed Wyatt Maize’s 3-pointer. But Keygun Johnson got an offensive board and Martin fouled out with 25 seconds left.

Johnson’s first free throw spun out, and his second miss touched off a wild scramble, and Ethan Fry came up with it for North Nodaway and got it to Mason Casner, who made one out of two with 18.8 seconds left to make it 47-41. Jerry Gilpatrick missed a 3-pointer and Blaine Clements hit another free throw with 6.8 seconds left to clinch it.

For North Nodaway, Aydan Blackford had 13 points. Mason Casner had 12, Brice Trimble 9, Blaine Clements 6, and Ethan Fry and Owen Martin 4 each.

Blaine Clements had 3 blocks, Mason Casner 2, and Owen Martin 1.

Mason Casner had 10 boards. Aydan Blackford had 7, Brice Trimble, Owen Martin, and Blaine Clements 5, and Ethan Fry 3.

Owen Martin had 5 boards. Mason Casner, Ethan Fry, and Aydan Blackford had 3 each. Brice Trimble and Blaine Clements had 1 each.

Brice Trimble had 7 tips. Owen Martin had 3 and Aydan Blackford 2.

Mason Casner and Ethan Fry had 3 steals. Brice Trimble had 2, and Owen Martin and Blaine Clements had 1 each.

For North Harrison, Keygun Johnson had 18 points. Ethan Henson had 11, Wyatt Maize 5, and Owan Roberson and Jerry Gilpatrick 2.

Jerry Gilpatrick had 2 blocks. Wyatt Maize and Keygun Johnson had 1.

Jerry Gilpatrick had 11 boards. Wyatt Maize had 8, Keygun Johnson 7, Kolton Graham 2, and Owan Roberson 1.

Jerry Gilpatrick had 6 assists. Wyatt Maize had 5, and Ethan Henson 3.

Keygun Johnson had 3 tips, as did Jerry Gilpatrick. Ethan Henson had 2 and Wyatt Maize 1.

Ethan Henson had 5 steals. Wyatt Maize had 3, Keygun Johnson 2, and Jerry Gilpatrick and Kolton Graham 1.

Mustang Girls Use Newfound Balanced Scoring to Win; Carmon Fordyce Boards 12 for Shamrocks

North Nodaway used some newfound balance in their scoring along with 16 assists to get a 44-16 victory over North Harrison, while the Shamrocks are once again playing the numbers game, with six players playing in Tuesday’s game and Erica Gerken joining the team once she completes her 14 days conditioning.

The Mustangs still got their scoring from Lauren Herndon and Saryn Brown, back from a knee injury, but unlike many games last year, the rest of the supporting cast combined for 20 points. Last year, Jacquelyn Cline and Lauren Herndon did most of the scoring for the Mustangs, and 10 was a lot for the supporting cast.

North Harrison was in danger of not having a team at all, but then Carmon Fordyce came out again after a scary concussion knocked her out for the year last year. Raven McClellan joined the team, and then Erica Gerken came out, giving the Shamrocks seven players and some newfound size when she completes her conditioning. Defensively, the Shamrocks did some good things, and they rebounded well even without Gerken, outrebounding the Mustangs 30-21. Carmon Fordyce, one of the shortest players on the floor, mixed it up and grabbed 12 boards for the Shamrocks. She added three rejections as well. But offensively, they are still looking for someone to score; while they moved the ball well at times, they turned the ball over 24 times to nine for the Mustangs.

Lauren Herndon hit back to back jacks to start off the Mustangs, and then Saryn Brown hit a shot from the left side and followed with a 3-pointer to make it 11-0. A freshman, Lily Blaine, jumped a pass and converted it into free throws to make it 13-0 after one quarter.

The Mustang lead grew to 17-0 as Lauren Herndon made an explosive burst to the rim after getting a pass from Lacy Riley and then added a steal. Jaxcynn Hansel finally broke the shutout with a putback. The Mustang lead grew to 21-2, but then Lani Briggs got on the board and gave the Shamrocks a push right before halftime as she hit a 3-pointer and added a drive to cut it to 21-7 at the half.

Addalea Barcus got on the board after Lauren Herndon got a steal to start the third, and then Barcus got Saryn Brown the ball, and she drove and flipped it up and in. Barcus then got loose in transition and got a pass from Saryn Brown to make it 27-7. Kira Robertson’s baseline drive set up Jaxcynn Hansel to break the run, but then Jaci Davis hit the floor hard battling for a loss ball and came out briefly. Lily Blaine knocked down a left from the left wing, Saryn Brown scored off a steal, and Lauren Herndon hit her third 3-pointer to make it 34-9 after three.

Carmon Fordyce got a putback for North Harrison, but then Angie Parker scored twice, Mya Hansen got on the board, and Lacy Riley scored from the baseline to give North Nodaway its biggest lead of the game at 42-11.

After struggling to find someone besides Jacquelyn Cline and Lauren Herndon to score for much of the year, North Nodaway had seven in the scoring column Tuesday night. Lauren Herndon had 15, Saryn Brown 9, Addalea Barcus matched a career high with 6, Lily Blaine, Angie Parker, and Mya Hansen had 4, and Lacy Riley had 2.

Jackie Wray, Kila Miller, and Saryn Brown had 1 block each.

Lacy Riley and Saryn Brown had 5 rebounds. Jackie Wray had 4, Lacy Riley and Angie Parker 3 each, and Addalea Barcus and Lily Blaine 1.

Saryn Brown had 5 assists. Lauren Herndon had 3, Lacy Riley, Addalea Barcus, and Jackie Wray had 2, and Kila Miller and Mya Hansen 1.

Lauren Herndon had 7 tips. Saryn Brown had 4, Lily Blaine and Jackie Wray 3 each, and Mya Hansen, Angie Parker, and Lacy Riley 1.

Saryn Brown had 5 steals. Lauren Herndon had 4, Angie Parker 3, Lily Blaine 2, and Mya Hansen, Lacy Riley, and Addalea Barcus 1 each.

For North Harrison, Lani Briggs had 8, Jaxcynn Hansel 6, and Carmon Fordyce 2.

Carmon Fordyce had 3 blocks.

Carmon Fordyce had 12 boards. Jaxcynn Hansen had 6, Jaci Davis and Kira Robertson 5, and Lani Briggs 2.

Jaxcynn Hansel, Jaci Davis, Kira Robertson, and Carmon Fordyce each had 1 assist.

Lani Briggs had 4 tips. Jaxcynn Hansel had 4 and Kira Robertson 1. Kira Robertson and Lani Briggs had 2 steals and Carmon Fordyce 1.

Frantic JH Shamrock Rally Falls Short Against Pattonsburg

A frantic Shamrock rally against Pattonsburg Monday came up just short as they fell 45-40. They dug themselves in a hole in the first quarter as they had trouble solving the Panther front line of Drake Sperry and Remington White. Meanwhile, Brandon Heath scored off a drive for Pattonsburg, Sperry added a 3-pointer and a free throw, Reagan Coin added another 3-pointer, and Remington White, a tall guy built like Jace Estrada, ran the floor well for his size and got loose for a couple of transition buckets. North Harrison didn’t get their usual tips and steals with their press as the guard duo of Coin and Heath showed their ball handling wizardry. The result was a 13-4 hole after one. The only baskets the Shamrocks could muster were a backdoor look from Jensen Davis and a steal from Gage Fortner.

The hole got even deeper in the second quarter after Coin sparked the Panthers with a steal to start the second. Gage Fortner hit a 3-pointer and Jensen Davis got on the board again to cut it to 15-9, but Drake Sperry scored four straight, added a triple after Kellan Craig got on the board for the Shamrocks, and then Brandon Heath cut inside to make it 24-11.

The Panther lead remained at 25-13, but then Gage Fortner threw a high/low pass that somehow made it through to Kellan Craig, and the Shamrocks started fighting back, Jensen Davis lit up the scoreboard with back to back jacks and all of a sudden, it was 25-21 before Brandon Heath scored off a drive to make it 27-21 at the half.

Heath struck again to start the third quarter, but Jensen Davis answered with a 3-pointer to spark another push. Heath and Reagan Coin answered with drives to make it 33-26, but then Kellan Craig hit a free throw and Gage Fortner scored from inside to cut it to 33-29 at the end of three and Jensen Davis scored a 3-pointer to start the fourth to make it 33-32.

But after the Shamrocks failed to convert a chance to take the lead, the momentum went back to the Panthers. Brandon Heath scored off a drive and then another drive from Heath set up Drake Sperry to make it 37-32 with 3:50 left. Gage Fortner answered with a free throw and Ryker Fortner scored off a Jensen Davis steal to make it 37-35 with 3:09 left. Dalton Guy blocked a shot on the other end, but a tieup went to the Panthers, Reagan Coin missed a 3-pointer, but Drake Sperry put it back to make it two possessions again at 39-35.

After Jensen Davis missed a 3-pointer, Brandon Heath aired it out to Drake Sperry on the other end, and he converted a three point play with 2:10 left to make it 42-35. After Gage Fortner missed a 3-pointer, Pattonsburg started running the clock down and got it down to 1:16 left before throwing it away. That led to a drive from Kellan Craig with 1:00 left to cut it to 42-37. Reagan Coin made one of two on the other end, and Gage Fortner got loose in transition and got a pass from Ryker Fortner to make it 43-40.

But North Harrison had to start fouling, and Gage Fortner fouled out trying to get the ball back, which hurt their rebounding as Remington White got a couple of offensive boards down the stretch for Pattonsburg. Aden Woodward made one of two to make it 44-40, and then White missed a putback try. But Dalton Guy turned it over trying to drive to the rim and cut it to two, and the Shamrocks put Heath on the line with 7.2 seconds left. He missed both tries, but White kept the possession alive with an offensive board and Heath made one of two with 3.8 seconds. Ryker Fortner nearly made a miraculous 3-pointer from half court at the buzzer.

For North Harrison, Jensen Davis had 16, Gage Fortner 13, Kellan Craig 7, and Ryker Fortner 4.

Gage Fortner had 3 blocks and Ryker Fortner, Kellan Craig, and Jensen Davis all had 1.

Dalton Guy, going up against players much taller than he was, mixed it up and led the team with 10 boards, helping keep the Shamrocks in the game. Gage Fortner had 6, Ryker Fortner 5, Kellan Craig 4, and Jensen Davis 1.

Jensen Davis had 5 assists. Gage Fortner had 4, Dalton Guy 3, Ryker Fortner 2, and Kellan Craig 1.

Gage Fortner had 8 tips. Dalton Guy had 5, Ryker Fortner and Kellan Craig 2, and Jensen Davis 1.

Jensen Davis had 4 steals. Gage Fortner had 3 and Kellan Craig and Ryker Fortner 1.

Ava Rinehart Scores 24, Raegan Hogan Boards 11 as JH Shamrocks Beat Panthers

Ava Rinehart scored 24 points and Raegan Hogan had 11 boards as the North Harrison junior high girls beat Pattonsburg Monday night 31-16.

The focus of the game was on stopping Panther skyscraper Taylen Fore and keeping the ball out of the paint.  Hali Smith had a tough time trying to get shots over Fore and the Panther front line that night, so the Shamrocks had to have other people step up and score if they were to get the road win. Pattonsburg had been playing excellent basketball, winning a tournament in Winston recently.

They struggled to solve the Panthers’ height in the first quarter, but Ava Rinehart was able to get the Shamrocks on the board, getting two shots from Rinehart from the outside, and she got loose in transition for two more. Bentley Glenn added a free throw as the Shamrocks led 7-2 after one.

Defensively, the Shamrocks trapped the wings in order to keep the ball from getting in the post; they were able to force some turnovers that way. And Raegan Hogan was able to get a ton of boards down low to help out Hali Smith.

The Shamrocks pulled away in the second quarter as Hali Smith and Ava Rinehart started stealing the ball and Addison Milligan and Bentley Glenn all chipped in. Rinehart knocked one down from the right side, got to the rim after a nice skip pass from Glenn, and scored off a steal to make it 13-4. Hali Smith finally got one to drop over the tall Panther front line, and then Ava Rinehart drove down the baseline and finished to make it 17-2. Late in the half, Hali Smith and Ana Ingsson kept a possession alive with offensive boards, and that led to a buzzer beater by Kaydence Lambert to put the Shamrocks up 19-2 at the half.

The big stat of the game was the 33 tips and 23 steals by the Shamrocks as they were able to keep the Panthers out of their offense all night long.

Ava Rinehart scored off a steal, knocked one down from the right side after Hali Smith kept a possession alive, Hali Smith got a putback, and Hali Smith got a steal and aired out a pass to Rinehart as the Shamrocks led by as much as 27-4 before they started clearing their bench.

Ava Rinehart had 24 for the Shamrocks. Hali Smith had 4, Kaydence Lambert 2, and Bentley Glenn 1.

Hali Smith had 2 blocks and Raegan Hogan 1.

Hali Smith had 14 boards. Raegan Hogan had 11, Addison Milligan 4, Ava Rinehart and Bentley Glenn 3, and Lily Lane and Ana Ingsson 2.

Hali Smith had 7 assists. Addison Milligan had 2 and Bentley Glenn 1.

Ava Rinehart had 11 tips. Hali Smith had 9, Raegan Hogan and Addison Milligan 4 each, Kaydence Lambert 2, and Bentley Glenn, Kathryn Parkhurst, and Emily Parkhurst 1 each.

Hali Smith had 7 steals. Ava Rinehart had 6, Addison Milligan 4, Bentley Glenn 3, and Raegan Hogan 3.

Dale and Teresa Winemiller to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

Grab your tool belts and a splash of humor because Dale and Teresa (Staton) Winemiller are hitting the half-century mark of wedded wonder! They've been married since disco was cool, and bell-bottoms were all the rage – December 21, 1973, to be exact.

These two lovebirds, Dale and Teresa, are the architects of a family empire, raising not one, but two awesome daughters, Lucretia (married to Shawn, who may or may not be the unofficial family comedian) and Andrea (married to Jason, the guy who insists on wearing sandals in the dead of winter). And as if that wasn't enough, they've been showered with four fabulous grandkids: Mikala, Allie, Jack, and Brady. It's like they won the lottery of family life, with the jackpot being laughter and a constant supply of homemade cookies.

Now, let's talk about retirement. Most folks retire to take it easy, but not Dale and Teresa. These two rebels decided to kick back in Rolla and turn it into their personal playground of DIY dreams. Rumor has it, they've remodeled more houses than an episode of HGTV, and if you need something painted on a budget, they're your go-to couple. Forget about one saw – they've got a whole toolbox orchestra!

And who says retirement is all about sitting on rocking chairs? Certainly not this dynamic duo. Dale and Teresa have been on more adventures than Indiana Jones, and their favorite pastime is watching their grandkids grow up. They've mastered the art of not sitting still, whether it's chasing after runaway paint rollers or perfecting the ancient art of dodging hammers.

So, if you want to join in the celebration of their golden anniversary, forget the flowers – send them a card at 1500 Timberlane Court, Rolla, MO 65401. And who knows, they might even remodel your mailbox while they're at it! Cheers to Dale and Teresa, the rulers of Rolla and the reigning champs of marital mischief!

–Submitted by Lucretia Eaton

Grant McIntyre Catches Two TD's, Gets Pick Six as Tigers Beat Schuyler County

Worth County turned back Schuyler County 70-16 Saturday to advance to the State Semifinals. South Holt beat Plattsburg in the other bracket 60-58, so Worth County will travel to South Holt Friday at 3 pm, since the Tigers and Knights both hosted two games, but the Knights did not host a quarterfinal game and the Tigers did. Schuyler County lost to the Tigers 80-12 two years ago and went winless, but has come a long ways since then, going 5-6 last year and going 9-3 this year.

Archie and Braymer are the other semifinalists. Archie, after giving up 44 points all year, gave up 42 points to Lockwood this year, but turned them back 82-42. Braymer beat St. Paul Lutheran 84-51. Archie, Braymer, and South Holt all are unbeaten, with Worth County having one loss.

The Rams tried an unsuccessful onsides kick, and Worth County covered it at the 37. Landon Wilmes ripped off 12 and then Tyler New got a block from Wilmes, walked the tightrope down the right side, and ran through defenders like they weren’t even there to score from 34 yards out. Tyler New got a block from Lucas Frisch and ran in the extra points with 11:29 left to make it 8-0.

Schuyler County came out with a solid quarterback in Connor Smith and a receiver in Mayson Humphrey. The focus of the Tigers was to limit Humphrey as much as possible and make someone else beat them instead. They doubled Humphrey and tried to force Schuyler to move it slowly down the field. On their first series, Grant McIntyre broke up a pass. Humphrey caught a short pass and Elliott Sevits picked up one more to the 24 before meeting Elias Alarcon and Grant McIntyre. But on fourth down, Schuyler attempted a double pass, pitching it out to Humphrey on the sideline for him to air out. But the play fooled nobody and Humphrey was sacked at the 19 to give the Tigers a short field. The ball was a forward pass anyway, so it would have been a penalty had Humphrey thrown it.

Worth County was faced with a third and six at the 15, but then Tyler New took a read option and kept it, taking it to the house with 9:14 left. Tyler ran in the extra points after getting a block from Lucas Frisch to make it 16-0.

The Rams tried to come out firing, but nobody was open and Connor Smith threw it away. A short pass to Humphrey went nowhere as he was bet by Landon Wilmes and Elias Alarcon. On third down, the pass was too far and they were forced to punt. Worth County got it at their own 14 and faked the jet sweep, with Tyler New keeping it 21 yards to the 35. Landon Wilmes lost one on the next play, put got blocks from Elias Alarcon and Grant McIntyre for eight to the Ram 38. Lucas Frisch picked up three and a first down. Connor Smith broke up a long pass intended for Bo Collins, but then Landon Wilmes got a block from Lucas Frisch and took it 18 yards to the 17. Grant McIntyre caught the next pass for a score and Landon Wilmes took an option pitch to make it 24-0 with 5:18 left in the first.

But Schuyler settled down and kept it on the ground, marching it down the field, trying to take advantage of the fact that Worth County was doubling up Humphrey. Elliott Sevits picked up a first down to the 38, and then a short pass to Humphrey put it on the 31. They had fourth and three at the Tiger 24, but then Kolten Smith tackled Danny Priebe short of the first down at the 23. Landon Wilmes got a block from Bo Collins to the 38, and Lucas Frisch got blocks from Elias Alarcon and Grant McIntyre five yards to the 37. On the next play, Tyler New got blocks from Carter Chapman and Lucas Frisch and bounced it outside and took it to the house. Tyler got a block from Lucas Frisch and added the extra points to make it 32-0 with 1:11 left in the first.

The Rams continued to mix runs and short passes, moving down the field from their own 20 to the 33. But they tried to air it out and missed. A short pass to Humphrey went nowhere as he met Landon Wilmes and Bo Collins. They tried a short pass to Karsyn Elliott, but he ran into Lucas Frisch to set up fourth and eight at the 35. They went for it, but the pass was too far for Humphrey, and Worth County had a short field to work with. They made the most of it as Bo Collins made a diving grab to the nine. Landon Wilmes took it eight yards to the one, and then Tyler New got a big line surge and took it to the house with 9:21 left in the second to make it 38-0.

Schuyler County set up shop at their own 25 on the next series. Mason Windy then met Grant McIntyre, and then Kolten Smith blew up a pitchout to Sevits. Kolten Smith then batted down a third down pass and Schuyler was forced to punt. Elias Alarcon blocked it and the Tigers once again had a short field to work with at the Ram 29. They only needed one play to score as Tyler New aired it out to Grant McIntyre to make it 46-0 with 7:48 left after Grant caught the extra point pass.

But the Rams were not finished, and Connor Smith, about to get tackled for a loss, made a playground move and pitched it to Sevits, who found nothing but daylight from the Ram 31 to the Tiger 15. A delay of game penalty, the first penalty all day on either team, moved it back to the 20. It was a clean game, with only three penalties called all afternoon. But Humphrey finally got loose over the middle, and on the swinging gate, Humphrey threw it to Smith for the extra points to make it 46-8.

Schuyler then threatened to make a game of it when they recovered a fumble at the Ram 33. But on third and eight at the 35, Grant McIntyre jumped a route, got a block from Elias Alarcon, and took it to the house with 4:22 left. Grant caught the extra point pass to make it 54-8.

Another long completion to Humphrey to the Tiger 25 put the Rams in scoring position again. The Tigers could not get off the field defensively as on fourth and ten, Humphrey grabbed another pass to the 12. They got as far as the 5, but on fourth and three, Sevits came out of the backfield and was wide open, but Smith overthrew him and Worth County got the ball back on downs. They got as far as the Ram 35 before time expired.

The game was over the 45 point margin, but Schuyler elected to play on and got the ball to start the second half. On the first drive, Worth County had trouble getting off the field as Smith threw a strike to Humphrey for 12 yards on fourth and ten at the Tiger 35. On third and ten, Worth County lost track of Isaiah Arnold, who caught an 18 yard pass to the 5. But then a shovel pass to Humphrey went nowhere as he met Lucas Frisch and Landon Wilmes. Grant McIntyre batted down a pass, Tyler New broke up another, and then Grant McIntyre intercepted a pass on fourth down and returned it to the 14. They only needed one play to take advantage as Landon Wilmes took it to the house and Lucas Frisch ran in the extra points to make it 62-8.

Once again, Worth County had trouble getting off the field defensively, and this time it cost them as on fourth and 10 from their own 32, Smith completed a pass to Humphrey to the 37 and a first down. On third and ten from there, Sevits found a big hole and took it to the house with 10:23 left in the fourth, and on a center eligible play, Humphrey threw a pass to Caden Veatch to make it 62-16.

But the junior varsity took it right down the field as Lucas Frisch got carries of five and nine yards to the Ram 32 after the Tigers covered the ensuing onsides kick. Cole Ruby had carries of one and seven yards, and Hayden Sanders converted a first down to the Ram 20. On the next play, Cole Ruby got blocks from Karson Briner and Caleb New and took it to the house with 6:21 left and Cole caught the extra point pass to make it 70-16. Sawyer Thurman rung Casey Starrett’s bell to give the Tigers the ball back on downs, and they were able to run out the clock.

 

Brady O'Connell Bright Spot in Bluejay Loss

Brady O’Connell was a bright spot for the Bluejays in a 52-32 loss to St. Gregory’s Friday in the consolation game of the NEN Tournament. After losing to Worth County, the Bluejays bounced back with a 21-4 win over North Nodaway. Bentin Roberts started off the scoring with a drive after a pass from Jace Burns, but then it was all downhill from there.

The Falcons started running early and often on the Bluejays with Connolly Mayfield getting four and Kyler Snead and Evan Long getting loose to make it 8-2. Outside shooting from the Bluejays kept them in it for a while as Liam Cordell and Bentin Roberts hit threes to cut it to 9-8. But then Bentin got his bell rung as he hit his head on the floor and Mayfield kept getting behind the Bluejay defense with Roberts on the bench, scoring eight points in a three minute span to start the second quarter to make it 19-10.

The Bluejays got balanced scoring in the second as Brady O’Connell, Liam Cordell, Wyatt Scadden, and Gracin Runde all scored in the period, but it wasn’t enough as the Falcons continued to pull away. But the backbreaker came at the end of the half when Gavin Stiens stole an errant pass with one second left and hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to put the Falcons on top 29-16 at the half. Out of their 29 points, 15 of them were in transition as they were beating the Bluejays up and down the floor that half.

Bentin Roberts came back, but all the momentum was on St. Gregory’s side as Kyler Snead got loose on the drive several times and they pulled ahead by as much as 20 in the third. The Bluejays could only muster two free throws from Bentin Roberts and a drive from Liam Cordell as they trailed 40-20 after three.

The fourth quarter was their best quarter as Brady O’Connell suddenly showed what he was capable of with the Bluejays’ backs to the wall. Jace Burns scored from inside and Wyatt Scadden hit two free throws to cut it to 42-24 before fouling out. Without Scadden, St. Gregory’s pulled away to a 48-24 lead behind baskets from Snead, Evan Long, and Mayfield. But then Brady O’Connell went on a big scoring burst at the end, hitting two 3-pointers and a pair of free throws to cut it to the final score.

Brady O’Connell had 10 points for the Bluejays. Bentin Roberts and Liam Cordell had 7, Wyatt Scadden 4, and Gracin Runde and Jace Burns 2 each.

Wyatt Scadden had 8 boards. Bentin Roberts had 3, Jace Burns and Liam Cordell 2, and Brady O’Connell, Gracin Runde, and Brock Adwell 1.

Jace Burns had 2 assists. Wyatt Scadden, Gracin Runde, and Xander Bodle had 1 each.

Bentin Roberts had 6 tips. Wyatt Scadden had 3, Jace Burns 2, and Liam Cordell and Gracin Runde 1 each.

Brady O’Connell had 4 steals. Jace Burns and Wyatt Scadden had 3, Liam Cordell and Bentin Roberts 2 each, and Brock Adwell 1.

 

Megan Tracy, Kennedy Murphy Go Beast Mode in Tiger Victory

Megan Tracy and Kennedy Murphy went beast mode Friday night as the junior high Tiger girls beat Avenue City 41-10 to claim Consolation. Previously, they dropped a 21-15 game to Northeast Nodaway in an ice cold shooting game. They treated that game as a wakeup call, as everyone stepped up their game the rest of the tournament. They won handily over North Nodaway 42-2 and then faced Avenue City, which has normally played a lot of close games with the Tigers.

The Aces came in with a lot of size, and they were able to pressure the ball, but Megan Tracy and Kennedy Murphy went beast mode, with Tracy getting 16 boards and Murphy 15 as the Tigers pulled away to win in running clock fashion. Brooklyn Smith found her shooting touch again and led the scoring with 17, and Audrey Runde had 11. Three other players chipped in as the Tigers were able to take advantage of Avenue City ganging up on Smith.

Smith started the Tigers off early and slashed to the rim, but Mae Shuster countered with a shot from the wing. Audrey Runde slashed and drew a foul, converting it and then Brooklyn Smith went coast to coast to make it 7-2. Kinley Steele (sister of Kynah Steele) started for the Tigers and helped them gain control of the boards early, grabbing three in the early going. Abbie Morey cut it to 7-4, but Kinley Steele hit a free throw, Brooklyn Smith hit a guarded shot in the high post after getting a pass from Megan Tracy, and then Brooklyn converted a drive into a three point play to make it 13-4 after one.

Brooklyn continued to get into the lane, getting another three point play after getting a pass from Audrey Runde, and then added a pullup to make it 18-4. Audrey Runde cleaned up a miss on a fast break, then slashed to the rim to get on the board. Kennedy Murphy added a free throw to give the Tigers a 23-4 halftime lead. Avenue City was trying to answer the Tigers by getting to the rim, but Worth County was closing the gaps hard and not allowing a lot of easy looks.

Megan Tracy got on the board with a drive, Brooklyn Smith added a free throw, and then got a steal to make it 28-4 to start the third. Avenue City started faceguarding Smith, but the rest of the team chipped in to allow the Tigers to continue to pull away. Billie Hare broke the run with a basket for Avenue City, but Audrey Runde scored off a drive, Kennedy Murphy got the ball inside off a pass from Megan Tracy, and Megan scored off a drive after a pass from Audrey Runde to make it 34-6 before Shuster cut it to 34-8 at the end of three.

Tracy got a free throw and scored off a drive, Audrey Runde scored off another, and Kennedy Murphy got a putback as the Tigers got the game into running clock territory.

Brooklyn Smith had 17 points. Audrey Runde had 11, Megan Tracy 7, Kennedy Murphy 5, and Kinley Steele 1.

Megan Tracy had 2 blocks.

Megan Tracy had 16 boards. Kennedy Murphy had 15, Kinley Steele 4, Brooklyn Smith 3, and Audrey Runde, Jane Hawk, Kaydence Downing, and Laura Hansen 1.

Audrey Runde had 5 assists. Megan Tracy had 3, Brooklyn Smith 2, and Kennedy Murphy 1.

Brooklyn Smith had 7 tips. Megan Tracy had 2, and Laura Hansen and Audrey Runde had 1.

Megan Tracy had 8 steals. Brooklyn Smith had 7, Kennedy Murphy 4, Audrey Runde 2, and Kinley Steele 1.

 

Grant City Selects Auditor for Finances

The Grant City Council, at its regular meeting Wednesday, selected a new auditor for the city. Two bids were received. One was from Kenny Hales out of Liberty (MO). The other was received from Conrad & Higgins from Chillicothe. The council voted to select Hales.

The council voted to partner with the Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments to promote the Affordable Connectivity Program.

City Administrator Meggan Brown was not present, but submitted a written report. She has been in the process of working on the demolition grant for the five buildings on the Square. Two letters of violation have been turned over to City Attorney Taryn Henry.

Public Works Director Carl Staton reported that city crews have been working on four water leaks. They have one left to repair on North Front Street. The South High Street water project is completed. Ryan Fletchall collected water samples to send to St. Joseph. LED lights have been purchased for City Hall. The fluorescent light bulbs are getting hard to find and expensive.

Staton requested a 12” bucket for the mini excavator that the city was able to purchase. It came with a 30” and 24” bucket, but if they purchase the 12”, they could do away with the trencher. The purchase will be paid for by putting the older lawn mower and the trencher on Purple Wave in the spring. The council approved.

Water tower inspection and repairs were completed. However, it is in need of many more repairs. The council suggested the city start looking into grants for a new water tower.

A sewer pump that the city ordered two months ago is scheduled to be shipped on November 27th.

City Clerk Farrah Richey reported that average for a convenience fee, if implemented, would be $4.65.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield raised the health insurance rates by 2.2% for next year.

The city is in the process of sending out delinquent tax letters.

United Fiber will be in Grant City November 22nd to do site surveys for the fiber installation.

Alderman Kevin Kobbe said that everywhere else outside Grant City, the gas prices are much lower. For instance, gas at Rick’s in Hopkins was $2.99 per gallon as of November 17th. The city will draft a letter.

North Harrison Accepts Snow Removal Bid

The North Harrison School Board awarded the bid for snow removal for this year to Tom Pottorff at its regular meeting Wednesday. Bid includes $350 a time for the North Harrison School District and Early Childhood Center, $75 for just the Early Childhood Center or the Track Parking Lot, $250 for sanding and salting the school and Early Childhood Center parking lots, or $150 for “where needed” salt and sanding.

MAP numbers were released. 134 students were tested at North Harrison. 89 students scored at least proficient in at least one area, or 66%. That is up from 56% in 2022 and 52% in 2021. Third grade math, third grade language arts, fourth grade math, fourth grade language arts, fifth grade math, fifth grade language arts, fifth grade science, sixth grade math, seventh grade math, seventh grade language arts, eighth grade math, eighth grade language arts, and eighth grade science all tested above the state average.

Guidance counselors Sadie Steele and Kara Smith presented the results to the board. Smith has completed one day of training in preparation to implement the Teen Mental Health Grant that was received to serve 10th to 12th grade students.

Elementary Principal Susan Allen reported that Parent Teacher Conferences had nearly perfect attendance. The North Harrison PTO provided a meal. 

The teachers assessed the students the week before conferences. Their assessment results showed growth among the students. 

An intruder drill was conducted on November 9th. It was a successful drill that made the school aware of areas of improvement.

A Veterans Day program was held November 10th. Mrs. Capps and second through sixth graders performed Veterans Day songs. The band also performed.

Superintendent Ethan Sickels reported on the finances. As of November 1st, there was a combined total of $1,173,652.57 in all four checking accounts. That is down $139,199.86 from the same time last year.

The school is in the process of applying for a Quality Pre-K Grant. This grant would pay the school for each 4 year old student from January 15th through the end of school. If they receive the grant, they will not charge tuition for their four year old preschool during the second semester. The increased revenue from the grant would be $30,000 above what the school would get in tuition.

Teachers Jenny Hartschen and Kiley Taylor presented the learning process in fourth and sixth grade.

The board set the candidate filing dates for December 5th to 26th. The terms of Jeremy Rinehart and Kara Craig expire. The office will be open for candidate filing each day the school is in session. The school will be open for candidate filing on December 26th from 8 am to 5 pm.

The next meeting will be December 19th at 5 pm at the school library.

Cameron Mutual Insurance Placed in Liquidation

Cameron Mutual Insurance Company (“Cameron Mutual”) has been placed into court-supervised liquidation effective December 1, 2023. Chlora Lindley-Myers, Director of the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (“DCI”) has been named liquidator of Cameron Mutual.

A copy of the Final Judgment, Decree, and Order of Liquidation (“Liquidation Order”) will be posted when it becomes available from the Court at insurance.mo.gov/companies/receiv.php. 

When an insurance company is impaired, in unsound financial condition, or its further transaction of insurance business would be hazardous to its policyholders, Missouri law authorizes the DCI Director to ask the court for an order directing the DCI Director to liquidate the insurance company during which:

Policies will terminate within 30 days of the effective date of the liquidation order.

Notice of the liquidation order, policy termination, and the claims procedures will be provided to all policyholders and other known creditors by U.S. mail.

The liquidator will marshal the assets of the insurer and wind down its operations.

Claims will be paid in accordance with Missouri’s priority distribution statute.

Cameron Mutual provides property and casualty insurance, and its lines of business include personal (primarily homeowners and auto coverage), commercial, and farm. Cameron Mutual experienced significant losses during 2023 which caused a rapid reduction in Cameron Mutual’s policyholder surplus. Cameron Mutual’s surplus dropped from $16.4 million as of March 31, 2023, to $3.4 million as of June 30, 2023. The company announced earlier this year that it would wind down its insurance operations by non-renewing policies.

The company was placed under Administrative Supervision on July 6, 2023. Effective July 12, 2023, the Board of Directors for Cameron Mutual and Cameron National Insurance Company (“Cameron National”) resigned. On August 7, 2023, the Court entered an Order of Rehabilitation of Cameron Mutual and appointed the DCI Director as the rehabilitator. During rehabilitation, the rehabilitator encouraged policyholders to switch their policies to another carrier and authorized payment of unearned premiums up to at least $10,000. However, due to the Liquidation Order of Cameron Mutual, payment of unearned premium refunds will be suspended until such claims are determined in the Court-supervised liquidation proceeding.

Cameron National is not part of the Liquidation Order and will remain in rehabilitation. 

DCI is charged with protecting Missouri consumers through oversight of the insurance industry, banks, credit unions, utilities, and various professional licensees operating in the state. For more information about the department, please visit our website at dci.mo.gov.

Worth County Ended Previous Year with $565,736 Surplus

On October 18th, Westbrook & Company released the following audit report of the Worth County School District:

To the Board of Education 

Worth County R-III School District 

We have audited the accompanying modified cash basis financial statements of the governmental 

activities, each major fund and the aggregate remaining fund information of Worth County R-III 

School District as of and for the year ended June 30, 2023, which collectively comprise the District’s basic financial statements as listed in the table of contents, and the related notes to the financial statements. These financial statements are the responsibility of the District's administration. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the financial statements based on our audit. 

The accompanying financial statement was prepared on the modified cash receipts and disbursements basis, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

In our opinion, the financial statement referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the revenues, expenditures, and changes in fund balances of the governmental funds of Worth County R-III School District for the year ended June 30, 2023, on the basis of accounting described above. 

This report and the accompanying financial statement are in summary form. Our complete report and the District's financial statements are available for public viewing at the office of the District's superintendent.

The report presented a summary of the finances. Local revenues, across all funds, were $1,915,303. County revenues were $287,518. State revenues were $1,707,771. Federal revenues were $834,398. Other revenues were $15,753 for a total of $4,760,743.

Among expenditures, instruction, including teacher salaries, was $1,904,357. Student activities were $280,972. Student services were $152,342. Instructional staff support was $84,573. General administration and central services was $283,577. Building administration was $282,896. Operational costs were $352,537. Pupil transportation was $380,984. Food service was $274,483. Community services were $11,352. Facility acquisition and construction was $127,956. Debt service, including principal, interest, and fees, was $98,978. Total expenditures were $4,195,007. 

The balance across all funds went from $2,666,061 to $3,231,797.

Worth County High School First Quarter Honor Rolls

HIGH HONOR ROLL

Seniors: Autumn Cousatte, Emily Davis, Ethan Frese, Mitzie Gillespie, Chloe Knight, Tyler New, Tuker Riley, Brylee Rush, Kara Staton, Kynah Steele, Lincoln Wake.

Juniors: Evan Baker, Carter Chapman, Bridgette Hightshoe.

Sophomores: Brayden Combs, Riley Ridge, Marissa Schmitz.

Freshmen: Kambree Briner, Jessie Chapman, Bo Collins, Sara Fletchall, Evalyn Gilland, Addison Gray, Keira Hardy, Krista Monticue, Caleb New, Hayden Sanders, Emsley Spainhower, Kristen Tracy.

8th Grade: Unique Brown, Paige Chaney, Hartley Fitzgerald, Braelyn Fletchall, Jolynn Hawk, Liam Hayden, Breanna Ray, Audrey Runde, Megan Tracy.

7th Grade: Bella Blankenship, Conner Chapman, Jordan Dannar, Camden Gray, Brock Healy, Kennedy Murphy, Kynlee Steele, Gracie Thurman, Owyn Wuillay.

REGULAR HONOR ROLL

Seniors: Elias Alarcon, Brooke Lininger, Landon Moser, Brooklyn Richardson, Becca Smith.

Juniors: Abbi Brown, Eva Engel, Camdain Frisch, Keaten Morin, Emma Spencer, Mackenzie Walter.

Sophomores: Jace Cameron, Alyssa Clarkson, Shyanne Garnett, Chloe Gladstone, Brayden Murphy, Brylea Paxson, Conner Pointer, Rayleigh Smith, Brayden Stevens, Sawyer Thurman.

Freshmen: Brandon Bever, Luke Findley, Arenna Galanakis, Reyen Hansen, Macie Hubbard, Alivia Moyer, Melissa Mutchler, Sumer Riley, Cole Ruby, Ryder Smyser.

8th Grade: Trenton Adwell, Garin Baker, Wesley Brown, Brynn Chapman, Dale Deardorff, Bentley Frisch, Laura Hansen, Lola Morin.

7th Grade: Tucker Fletchall, Kassidy Joslin, Brooke Monticue, Brianna Riley.

Worth County First Quarter Elementary Honor Rolls

HIGH HONOR ROLL

Sixth Grade: Jane Hawk, Brecklyn Rush, Hadley Rush.

Fifth Grade: Tatum Allee, Kaeslyn Briner, Kinley Fletchall, Renae Gladstone, Gabbey Maudlin, Mason Moser, Jace Mullock, Aria Oberhauser, Luca Sagel, Alexis Snead.

Fourth Grade: Desmond Dannar, Chase Davidson, Hadley Downing, Daden Findley, Gwyn Healy, Mason Hern, Grayson Mullock.

REGULAR HONOR ROLL

Sixth Grade: Briella Benson, Hudson Cameron, Heather Deardorff, Kaydence Downing, Jarrett Gilland, Lane Pickering.

Fifth Grade: Mitchell Baca, Emmett Frisch, Mason Gray, Jolee Hauber, Max Hiatt, Paul Hoff, Audra Spainhower, David Wideman.

Fourth Grade: Lenora Barner, Cree Blankenship, Case Downing, Kyah Joslin, Coy Pickering, Jarrett Rush, Teagan Saville, Ridley Ware.

Selina O’Connor, Bill Staton to Retire from Worth County; Board Places Bond Issue on April Ballot

The Worth County School Board, at its regular meeting Wednesday, voted to accept the retirements of Selina O’Connor and Bill Staton. O’Connor has been a longtime teacher at the school and Staton has been a longtime bus driver. 

The board voted unanimously to place a no tax increase bond issue on the April ballot to fund capital project needs. Projects include connecting the Ag Building to the High School Hallway, install LED lighting at the softball field, elementary school, and building exteriors, improving heating and cooling systems, improving visitor seating at the football field, repair or replace roofs and gutters, renovate building entrances, acquire buses, and to the extent funds are available, complete other repairs and improvements for the District. Passage requires a four sevenths majority.

The Pre-K has seven students applied to enroll in the new preschool that will start in January 2024. 

The board approved the curriculum that will be used in the new preschool. They approved Project Construct, based in Columbia (MO). Project Construct is based on the theory that learners obtain knowledge through interactions with their physical and social environments. The curriculum assumes that learning is due to the reorganization of ways of thinking, of building upon the “known,” than to development alone or the accumulation of facts alone.

The audit was presented to the board by Westbrook for the 2022-23 school year. The audit found the district in compliance and in good financial standing.

The Career Technical Education Program was rated “Excellent.” Strengths listed include the fact that windows in the shop and boiler room were replaced. New heating was installed in the shops and boiler room. Many opportunities exist for students to take courses that prepare them for careers in technical fields. Students enroll in CTE courses at Northwest Tech School. They are able to use grant funds to purchase equipment and technology. 

Concerns include the fact that district opportunities for students to take all the course work needed are limited by the high school daily schedule. Recommendations include continuing to seek input from students, parents, and businesses as to skillsets needed, increase the number of students participating in the credentialing assessments, and seeking opportunities to collaborate with local businesses for internships.

There are 140 students enrolled in CTE classes, including 49 in Ag, 33 in business, and 46 in FACS. Nine attend the Northwest Technical School. 

A recent survey was done of community members. There was a favorable view of the types and quantity of classes offered. Respondents stated that a partnership with local employers would be beneficial. High School teachers would like to see additional courses offered and would like to examine the schedule and staffing of personnel to try and enhance the number of courses offered. 

The school has reviewed the numbers of students finding jobs in their trade area or continuing their education in their trade area. Since 2015, 208 out of 231 students have found jobs in their trade area or continued their education in their trade area. The numbers have been between 81.5% and 96% each year.

The board set filing dates for the upcoming election for December 5th to 26th. Persons wishing to file may do so at the District Board Secretary’s office during regular business hours between 8 am to 4 pm. The district office will be closed and no filings will be accepted between December 22nd and 25th. The office will be open for last-minute filings on December 26th from 3 pm to 5 pm. No filings will be accepted when the office is closed due to inclement weather.

Two seats are up for election. The election will be on April 2nd, 2024. Candidates can call (816) 351-3539 during a closure to make an appointment to file.

The board set student admissions for ballgames for the school year. Admission to home events will be $3. Admission to MSHSAA events is determined by MSHSAA. Student transportation to road games will range from $2 to $5 depending on the location. This is in addition to the admission that the host site charges. These prices do not apply to students actively participating in the event such as athletes, cheerleaders, and band members.

The board renewed the insurance policy with MUSIC. They raised their rate for the first time in 20 years by 33%. This will mean $17,500 in additional costs for the school. The total rate for 2024 will be $69,070. The company cited the rise of property claims for 2023. For example, here was hail damage to the North Nodaway school, and a light fell onto the Worth County football field, forcing the school to install new lighting. 

The board voted to declare 17 iPad2’s as surplus property. Bids are due to the school no later than 3:00 pm on December 1, 2023. For more information, call Emiley Maudlin at (660) 564-3389. Items are sold as is.

The board voted to reimburse Jamie Degase $430 for PAT training.

Elementary Principal Chuck Borey reported on stats for the elementary. Participation in parent/teacher conferences was anywhere from 91% to 100%. Attendance for October ranged from 93.85% to 98.34%. There were 11 office referrals for the first quarter, down from 15 for the same period last year.

A representative from the Extension Council worked with 5th graders on how to mix and measure wet and dry ingredients. They made dill, garlic, cumin, onion, and a mixed dip. The Worth County Extension donated hygiene products and clothing for school as part of the MU Extension’s Annual Day of Service. 

For Red Ribbon Week, Mrs. Rush’s Kindergarten had the most students participate in K-3. The fifth grade had the most students participate from 4-6. Students received bracelets, Red Ribbon week themed goodies, and were able to participate in the health choice boards. 

Bracket drawing winners were Layne Pickering, Mack Maudlin, Madison Collins, J.C. Hawk, Grayson Mullock, Renae Gladstone, and Brecklyn Rush. Teacher Red Ribbon winners were Jamie Degase and Ashton Lewis.

Mrs. Rush’s Kindergarten won the Compliment Coin contest with 39, followed by Mrs. Lischer’s 1st grade (35), Mrs. Stull’s 1st grade (33), and Mrs. Schlapia’s Kindergarten (30). Winning prizes were the Kindergarten, 1st grade, and fifth grade.

Activities Director Cree Beverlin reported that there are 16 boys and nine girls out for varsity basketball this year. FCA has been seeing an increase in their attendance numbers. They played glow in the dark volleyball, and will be joined by the area leader. A group of FBLA members will be attending a workshop on coding.

The school, as of October 31st, had revenues of $387,050 for the General Fund and $529,701 for expenditures and a balance of $2,022,702. The Teacher Fund had $666,023 in revenues and $584,756 for expenditures and a balance of $81,267. The Debt Service Fund had revenues of $2,024 and a balance of $194,463. The Capital Improvement Fund showed a beginning balance of $717,674, revenues of $155,883, expenses of $277,610 and an ending balance of $595,946. 

Balance for all four funds at the start of the year was $3,075,466. As of October 31st, the balance for all four funds was $2,894,378.

Revenues are up $226,810 from the same period last year. Expenses were up $114.922. Revenues are up due to Pre-K grants. Expenditures are increased because of capital projects completed in summer 2023. 

The board increased sub bus driver pay from $62.60 to $70 per day. The change will increase the current budget by approximately $800.

History of the Sheridan Express

This is a reprint of a history of the Sheridan Express, for those of you who are new to the paper. This was written in late 2011 or early 2012.

By Jerold Drake

The history of the Sheridan Express newspaper cooperative may or may not be known to the readers of the newspaper. The face of the printed edition has from the outset been the editor, Jesse Stark. However, the newspaper is owned by its members, directors who are responsible for hiring a manager (editor) who puts out a weekly paper and supplements it with a blog on the Internet.

The Sheridan Express began after a previous newspaper, the Quad River News, ceased publication. It was felt that an effort should be made to save a valuable community asset. Supporters gathered, and each organizing member contributed $100 which was the purchase price of a membership share of what was to become a separate legal entity (consumer cooperative) chartered by the State of Missouri. The cooperative adopted a set of governing bylaws and acts as the artificial person it is. Since the Express is a successor newspaper under Missouri law, the subscribers of the former paper were used as a base for circulation. The following persons became cooperative members: Bill Mozingo, Jerry Drake, Herb Petty, Janet Larison, W.T. Osborne, Becky Parman, J.C. Parman, Larry Warren, Berkley Carr, Linda Gray Smith, Dick Thomas, Kaye Havner, Becky Cameron, Carrie Cameron, Jonathan Pintado, Bud Allee, Richard Supinger, Charles Trump, Maurice Peve, Richard Welch, Natu Patel, Edith Miller, Beth Meek, Brock Pfost, Patricia Burke, Darold Hughes, Barb Rowe, Joe Stark, Viveka Stark, Glenda Wyer, Vivian Coleman, Icle Young, Retha Floyd, Dale Rowe, Leland Wake, Scott Houk.

The financial history of the Sheridan Express has been difficult. Much of what has been accomplished has been done with volunteers. The paper itself is run on a shoestring. However, there recently (Late 2011 – ed) have been some positive signs that the newspaper can look forward to a period of better financial health. Scott Houk and Leland Wake have formed an ad hoc group to support the paper which includes the service of bookkeeping. Mary Jo Riley has joined the groups and thanks to her sales efforts, the paper is beginning to run in the block. In light of these events (which can truthfully be described as a turnaround), we believe that memberships can be marketed in a horizontal fashion to new prospective members as an investment and not necessarily as a donation only. Members share any profit equally regardless of the number of shares they purchase. For this reason, one of the first thing members do after they receive their paper is to look to see who is advertising in the paper. It is a targeted market which is different from that of the shopper mailings, which usually are immediately discarded.

There is, and will continue to be, criticism of the paper’s content. For some, it is too right wing, for others, it is too left wing. Everyone wants more reporting. Any given article can cause an uproar, but as participation increases with the addition of new members, there will be no question but that it will reflect community values.

Every printed newspaper in the United States is undergoing crisis at the present time. Many are ceasing publication altogether. Others are cutting back on investigating reporting, and the number of reporters. Efforts are being made to compensate for the loss with the news of nonprofit investigative groups, blogs, and YouTube videos. For the most part, these efforts have been financed with gifts and donations. The corporate media itself has taken on a life of its own and information we get tends to be short on facts and heavy on propaganda. 

We offer the democratic cooperative as an alternative structure for the dissemination of information. Democracy is not something that exists in a vacuum. It is something we do. If you are not presently a member, we invite you to invest in democracy and join our cooperative.