Katelyn Jones Injures Knee in Panthers Loss; Alli Burke Sparks Hawks

The Pattonsburg Panthers were locked in a tight battle with Gilman City Tuesday, December 17th. They were trailing 30-24; the question was whether the Hawks would be able to hold their lead given they had fallen in brutal fashion to Northeast Nodaway the night before. Gilman City had opened a nine point lead before sharpshooter Addie Iddings hit a 3-pointer to cut it to 30-24. But all of a sudden, things changed in a heartbeat. Katelyn Jones was driving to the rim, trying to split two Hawk defenders, when her knee gave out and she injured it.

For the next few minutes, both teams were in shock at what just happened, and the play, which had been ragged for much of the night, was even more so. But all of a sudden, Khloey Sperry took over for Gilman City, hitting two free throws. Jayden Goble countered to make it 32-26, but Sperry got another offensive board, Colbi Webb came off the bench to knock down a baseline shot at the third quarter buzzer to make it 36-26, and then Webb scored four straight to start the fourth to make it 40-26. Free throws by Avery Gregg and a three point play by Sperry set up by a Gregg drive provided the dagger, putting the Hawks up 48-26; they would go on to win 49-28.

The first part of the game was back and fourth. Katelyn Jones scored all six points for the Panthers in the first quarter to give them a 6-5 lead late. But then Alli Burke, who had gone scoreless in the Northeast Nodaway game the night before, suddenly went off for the Hawks, shooting them into a lead they would not relinquish although the Panthers would keep it close until Jones' injury. Burke scored the next seven points for the Hawks, scoring from inside late in the first, knocking down a triple to start the second, and slashing and scoring to put the Hawks up 12-7.

Katelyn Jones twice cut the Panther deficit to two at 12-10 and 14-12. Addie Iddings, who has been getting better every single game, showed more aggression on defense and had four steals in the early going. But then Avery Gregg gave the Hawks some separation, knocking down a baseline shot and then adding a 3-pointer. Khloey Sperry got a pass from Shelby Gibson to make it 21-12.

The Panthers once again fought back, this time led by the supporting cast. Addie Iddings hit a 3-pointer after Jones kicked it out to her, Annabelle Gardner hit two free throws after Jones had pushed it up the floor, and then Kinsley Johnson scored four straight against the tough Hawk interior defense to cut the Panther deficit to 23-21 at the half.

Turnovers by the Panthers early in the second half sparked the Hawks; Avery Gregg converted off a Kelsey Sperry steal, finishing over Katelyn Jones. Alli Burke knocked down a three-pointer from the top of the key, and Gregg got a steal and fed Khloey Sperry to make it 30-21. But the Panthers were still in it after Iddings responded with a 3-pointer before Jones went down.

For Pattonsburg, Katelyn Jones had 11, Addie Iddings 6, Kinsley Johnson 5, and Annabelle Gardner, Jayden Goble, and Cheyenne Miller 2 each. 

Kinsley Johnson had 3 blocks. Jayden Goble had 1.

Jayden Goble had 8 boards. Kinsley Johnson had 7, Katelyn Jones 6, Annabelle Gardner 4, Addie Iddings 3, and Kara Bernardino 1.

Katelyn Jones had 3 assists. Kinsley Johnson, Jayden Goble, and Addie Iddings had 2 and Annabelle Gardner and Cheyenne Miller 1.

Katelyn Jones and Addie Iddings had 5 tips. Jayden Goble had 3 and Cheyenne Miller and Kinsley Johnson had 1.

Addie Iddings had 6 steals. Annabelle Gardner had 3 and Jayden Goble and Katelyn Jones 2 each.

For Gilman City, although Alli Burke was the sparkplug they needed following the Northeast Nodaway game, Khloey Sperry has become their go-to player this year. A constant double-double threat, she went beast mode, putting up even better numbers following a tough game against the Bluejays the night before. She had 16 to lead the Hawks. Alli Burke had 12, Avery Gregg 11, Colbi Webb 6, Kelsey Sperry 2, and Emily Chalfant 2. 

Khloey Sperry had 15 boards for the Hawks, who outrebounded Pattonsburg 43-29. Kelsey Sperry had 9, Alli Burke 7, Shelby Gibson 5, Avery Gregg 3, Emily Chalfant 2, Riah Crump 1, and Pyper Taggart 1.

Shelby Gibson and Kelsey Sperry had 5 assists for the Hawks. Avery Gregg had 4 and Khloey Sperry 2.

Shelby Gibson and Khloey Sperry had 5 tips each for the Hawks. Alli Burke had 3, Kelsey Sperry 2, and Avery Gregg 2.

Avery Gregg had 6 steals. Khloey Sperry had 3, Kelsey Sperry 2, and Shelby Gibson and Alli Burke 1 each.

 

Worth County Girls Skid Continues

After a promising 4-1 start, the Worth County girls have fallen on hard times as they dropped their third straight Tuesday to Albany 44-28. They struggled from the field, shooting 10 for 46, or 22%. They continued to struggle from the line, going 4 for 14. 

Audrey Runde had 7 for the Tigers. Rylee Ruckman and Kristen Tracy had 6, Keira Hardy 4, Megan Tracy 3, and Kambree Briner 2. 

Rylee Ruckman had 2 three-pointers for the Tigers and Audrey Runde and Keira Hardy 1.

Kristen Tracy did all she could for the Tigers in rebounding, getting 13 boards. Rylee Ruckman had 7, Megan Tracy 4, Kambree Briner and Audrey Runde 2, and Keira Hardy 1. Keira Hardy had 3 assists with Kambree Briner getting 2 and Audrey Runde 1. Megan Tracy had 4 steals. Audrey Runde and Keira Hardy 2 each and Rylee Ruckman 1. Kristen Tracy and Keira Hardy had 1 block each. The Tigers turned the ball over 15 times.

Both teams fell hard Friday to the perennial powerhouse Mount Ayr squad. The girls lost 58-17 and the boys lost 59-21.

Wyatt Maize Leads Four Shamrocks in Double Figures; Gavin Humphrey's 20 Not Enough for Panthers

North Harrison's boys got their third win of the year with a 61-43 win over Pattonsburg Friday, getting their second straight after facing a brutal start to the season. After an impressive win over North Nodaway to start the season, they played five tough teams in a row in Maysville, Trenton, Winston, St. Joseph Christian, and undefeated Princeton before finally snapping their losing streak the night before with a 61-27 win over Lamoni. Four Shamrocks reached double figures in the win. For Pattonsburg, Gavin Humphrey had 20 points and Drake Sperry went beast mode with 15 rebounds, but it was not enough for them to get their second win. They also got 11 points from Sperry and 8 from Collin Mason, but the focus will be to make all five people on the floor a threat to score. 

Jensen Davis got the Shamrocks off to a fast start with two triples and a deep two, but the game was anything but easy as the two schools play football together and naturally wanted to beat each other. Evan Schreiber had the hot hand later in the quarter for North Harrison and Gage Fortner added a 3-pointer, but Gavin Humphrey got four in the quarter and Collin Mason had four as well as the Panthers kept their deficit at seven at 15-8 after one.

Drake Sperry came alive for Pattonsburg, keeping them in the game with his rebounding for much of the night and Reagan Coin came off the bench and got a couple of steals for them. Wyatt Maize got in foul trouble and Sperry's putback cut the Panther deficit to 20-13. But Maize came back in despite his three fouls and knocked down a backdoor look. Gavin Humphrey hit back to back jacks to cut the Panther deficit to as close as 23-19 with 1:48 left, but then Gage Fortner drove and scored and Wyatt Maize hit two free throws to keep the Shamrocks out of danger. Gage Fortner scored off a drive to make it 27-21 with 50 seconds left, but Andrew Craig scored from inside and Wyatt Maize shot over a screen for three to put the Shamrocks up double digits at 32-21 at the half.

Collin Mason got a putback to cut the Panther deficit to 32-23 to start the third, but then Dustin Hamilton drove the right baseline to set up Gage Fortner for three and Wyatt Maize got a fast break basket off a pass from Jensen Davis and ran over a kid passing behind the basket in the process; the kid brushed it off like it was no big deal after one of the Panther players helped him up. Drake Sperry drove and converted a three point play after a pass from Duke Hoover, but Fortner hit another three, Dustin Hamilton aired one out to Jensen Davis, and Evan Schreiber scored off a steal to make it 45-26.

But the Shamrocks have been streaky on the floor this year; they have made big runs only to turn around and give up big runs, only to turn around and right the ship. The Panthers finally found a fourth player to get into the scoring column as Brandon Heath, a promising freshman, scored off a pair of drives to spark the Panthers. Gavin Humphrey hit a free throw to cut it to 45-31 after three and then Drake Sperry scored off a Brandon Heath steal and Gavin Humphrey hit a guarded three to make it 47-37 with 5:37 left.

Just as it looked like the Panthers would make it interesting down the stretch, North Harrison righted the ship when Evan Schreiber drove and hit a pullup to stop the bleeding. He added a free throw to convert a three point play. Three straight Panther turnovers followed and Gage Fortner and Wyatt Maize converted on the other end. Wyatt Maize hit Jensen Davis for three and Jensen Davis hit Wyatt Maize in transition to put the game out of reach at 59-37 at the 3:29 mark.

For North Harrison, Wyatt Maize had 18, Jensen Davis 15, Gage Fortner 13, and Evan Schreiber 10. Andrew Craig added 5.

Dustin Hamilton and Owan Roberson had 1 block.

Andrew Craig had 9 boards. Wyatt Maize had 7, Gage Fortner and Jensen Davis 6, Evan Schreiber and Dustin Hamilton 4, Owan Roberson 3, and Ryker Fortner 1.

Wyatt Maize had 7 assists. Jensen Davis had 4, Gage Fortner and Dustin Hamilton 2 each, and Ryker Fortner 1.

Evan Schreiber and Jensen Davis had 4 tips each. Dustin Hamilton and Owan Roberson had 3 each, Wyatt Maize 2, and Andrew Craig and Gage Fortner 1 each.

Gage Fortner had 3 steals. Evan Schreiber had 2, and Jensen Davis, Wyatt Maize, and Dustin Hamilton had 1 each.

For Pattonsburg, Gavin Humphrey had 20, Drake Sperry 11, Collin Mason 8, and Brandon Heath 4.

Gavin Humphrey had 2 blocks and Duke Hoover 1.

Drake Sperry had 15 boards to complete a double-double. Duke Hoover had 8, Collin Mason and Gavin Humphrey 7 each, Brandon Heath 3, and Reagan Coin 1.

Gavin Humphrey and Brandon Heath had 2 assists. Duke Hoover, Reagan Coin, and Drake Sperry had 1.

Reagan Coin had 3 tips. Drake Sperry and Brandon Heath had 1.

Brandon Heath, Collin Mason, and Reagan Coin had 2 steals each. Gavin Humphrey had 1.

Hali Smith Boards 17 in Shamrocks Sixth Victory

North Harrison's girls weathered an ice cold second quarter as they had 47 rebounds as a team and Hali Smith went beast mode, grabbing 17. They came out of their shooting slump to regain the lead by halftime, then pulled away in the second half for a 33-21 win over Pattonsburg Friday.

The Shamrocks were playing the second of back to back nights and their third in four nights following their win over Lamoni. Pattonsburg was trying to find their footing after they lost Katelyn Jones to a knee injury sustained in the previous game against Gilman City.

North Harrison struck early as Hali Smith scored off a drive following a pass from Jaxcynn Hansel and Hansel got a pass from Ava Rinehart and scored to make it 4-0.

Without Jones, Addie Iddings, who had been mostly a three point shooter before, suddenly started driving to the basket for the Panthers and converted one to make it 4-2. But free throws by Hansel made it 6-2.

But then the Shamrocks went ice cold from the field; nobody wanted to take on shot blocking phenom Kinsley Johnson, and everything else was off line. Pattonsburg took advantage in the second quarter, getting four straight in the paint from Johnson, a coast to coast basket from Iddings, and a steal and drive from promising freshman Cheyenne Miller. That put them up 10-6.

North Harrison got back on track thanks to constantly crashing the boards, and Hansel converted an offensive board into free throws at the 3:03 mark of the half to break the slump. Hali Smith then hit Addison Milligan from the right side and then five straight from Lani Briggs put the Shamrocks back in front 15-10 at the half.

The lead grew to nine to start the third quarter as Jaxcynn Hansel knocked one down from the high post and Lani Briggs drove the left wing following a pass from Smith. Jayden Goble got on the board for Pattonsburg and Carli Pittsenbarger hit a free throw to cut it to 19-13, but then Ava Rinehart, who had been faceguarded throughout the first half and held scoreless, suddenly got untracked with a 3-pointer and Hali Smith added a free throw to make it 23-13 at the 1:24 mark of the third.

Kinsley Johnson hit two free throws to cut it to 23-15, but Rinehart one of two from the line to make it 24-15 and then added a 3-pointer to start the fourth to make it 27-14.

The Panthers hung around for a while and Addie Iddings hit a guarded three to cut it to 28-19, but then Lani Briggs hit one free throw, Ava Rinehart hit two, and Jaxcynn Hansel hit from the right side to make it 33-19 with 1:19 left and put the game out of reach.

For North Harrison, Jaxcynn Hansel hit 10 points despite battling foul trouble. Ava Rinehart also had 10. Lani Briggs had 8, Hali Smith 3, and Addison Milligan 2.

Hali Smith, Addison Milligan, and Jaxcynn Hansel all had 2 blocks.

Hali Smith had 17 boards. Jaxcynn Hansel had 10 to complete a double-double. Gracie Young had 7, Ava Rinehart 6, Addison Milligan 4, and Lani Briggs 3. North Harrison outrebounded Pattonsburg 47-28 for the night.

Hali Smith had 4 assists. Jaxcynn Hansel had 3, Ava Rinehart 2, and Addison Milligan 1.

Ava Rinehart had 6 tips. Hali Smith had 4, Jaxcynn Hansel 3, and Gracie Young, Lani Briggs, and Addison Milligan had 1.

Ava Rinehart had 6 steals. Gracie Young had 5, Lani Briggs and Addison Milligan 2, and Jaxcynn Hansel and Hali Smith 1 each.

For Pattonsburg, Addie Iddings had 9, Kinsley Johnson 7, Cheyenne Miller and Jayden Goble 2, and Carlie Pittsenbarger 1.

Kinsley Johnson had 5 blocks.

Kinsley Johnson had 9 boards. Addie Iddings, Annabelle Gardner, and Cheyenne Miller had 5 and Jayden Goble 4.

Addie Iddings had 3 assists. Jayden Goble, Carlie Pittsenbarger, and Kinsley Johnson had 1.

Jayden Goble had 8 tips. Addie Iddings had 4, Cheyenne Miller 3, Kinsley Johnson 2, and Annabelle Gardner 1.

Addie Iddings and Cheyenne Miller had 4 steals. Annabelle Gardner and Jayden Goble had 2, and Kinsley Johnson had 1.

Reid Hart Named Social Studies Teacher for North Nodaway

The North Nodaway School Board named Reid Hart as their new Social Studies teacher for the remainder of the school year Wednesday at their regular board meeting.

More climate and culture surveys were released, this time from students and teachers. Nearly all the teachers gave high positive marks (90%) when responding to different questions. The third through fifth graders gave high marks as well, with nearly all questions getting 100% high marks. However, the biggest area of concern was that only 58.7% of these students agreed with the statement, "Students at my school are not bullied." That is higher, however, than 2022-23 when only 24.4% agreed with that statement.

Sixth through twelfth grade students gave lower marks, although most responses were still in the 80's and 90's. However, only 64% of these students agreed with the statement, "My teachers value my opinion." Only 47.70% agreed with the statement, "I like going to school." 

The board approved the maintenance work list for the upcoming break. Projects include removing and reinstalling bathroom partitions in the Commons and Ag buildings for epoxy floors and reinstalling the toilets afterwards, deep cleaning classrooms in both buildings, patching walls and painting at the elementary, install parking signs for office and administrative staff, straightening storage rooms, checking fan blades, assisting contractors with doors and locks at the elementary, touching up paint in both buildings, finishing lockers at the high school, building steel grates for the bus barn, installing sportsmanship signs at the gym, replacing water stained and broken ceiling tiles, replacing burnt out light bulbs, and getting oil changed in two buses.

Elementary Principal Heather Townsend reported that a staff appreciation dinner was held. Teachers are working on setting expectations for students. They are working on expectations for walking and talking in the gym, hallway conduct, and cafeteria expectations.

High School Principal Roger Johnson reported that the third annual Family Christmas Meal was held December 14th. The elementary students came to the high school and the Student Council President welcomed them. Students played games of Christmas Trivia, Christmas Taboo, and Charades. The Academic Showcase was held, and the Band and Choir performed afterwards. There was good community attendance. The Ag students have begun using the plasma cutter for a couple of their classes. Students are picking it up quickly.

Superintendent Chris Turpin reported that 40 out of 48 staff attended the staff dinner provided by the board, the highest since the school has been doing it. The concrete in front of the building has been poured, and grates have been ordered for a new trough. The school is in the process of getting bids for new basketball hoops for the big gym. There will be two on each side and new glass and rims for the main buckets. The school is also looking into replacing the teacher desks at the high school; many are old and many are not functioning as they should.

Amber Hawk Named New Worth County Elementary Principal

The Worth County School Board named Amber Hawk its new Elementary Principal for the 2025-26 school year. She will replace Chuck Borey, who will retire after the current school year. Hawk will also serve as the Special Education Director. 

The school board learned that the school scored an 85.6% score on the Missouri Department of Education Annual Performance Report. That was 9% higher than last year.

Rebecca New shared what students were doing on her Family and Consumer Science classes. They recently sewed pillow cases for the nursing home and she gave an update on the Tiger Designs business.

The Transportation program was rated "Above Average." Strengths listed include the driver training program; all drivers have the School Bus endorsement and have had eight hours of training in Maryville. The school purchased a 10 passenger van and added five electric buses to the fleet along with five charging stations to eventually replace 2002, 2006, and 2009 buses. The school constructed a new bus parking lot. Bus routes are fully staffed. 

Concerns listed include the age and condition of school vehicles, the unknown of electric bus challenges, and the need for more drivers.

Recommendations include updating school vehicles when financially feasible, training and researching on electric buses, accept applications throughout the year, and look for an opportunity to build a maintenance facility.

The board voted to declare some property as surplus. Items include a 3D printer, nine Windows 10 desktop computers, two printers, and six sewing machines. Items are sold as is. If interested, submit sealed bids no later than January 8th at 3 pm to the school. 

Elementary Principal Chuck Borey reported that a staff Christmas lunch was held at the Activity Center. Mrs. Stull's second grade won the attendance challenge for November with a 97.37% attendance rate. All classes had a rate of at least 95.34%. The Worth County PTO and Parents as Teachers held a Cozy Night December 4th. Families went to different classrooms and participated in different fun activities. 16 kids were picked to shop with a cop on December 17th. A reading incentive garage sale was held December 12th for PK through 3rd grade, and they were all able to go through the sale a second time and pick out an extra gift.

Mrs. Rush did a fundraiser with Tiger Designs for the Kindness Club. Tiger Designs designed a t-shirt for the club and sold them. In November, students created gobble grams for teachers that included each elementary staff member's favorite drink and snack. In December, the students took the woot woot wagon to elementary staff and held a Christmas party.

High School Principal Josh Smith reported on classroom activities. English II students are practicing sentence structure and placement of subordinate clauses playing a game called "What do you MEME?" where they write their own memes for the pictures on the board. They discovered that most memes are technically subordinate clauses that do not express a complete thought, but rely on the visual image to complete the meaning.

American Literature students are utilizing critical thinking activities to analyze theme, symbolism, conflict, tone, character, and setting in the novel, “The Scarlet Letter.” Graphic Design students are working in Adobe Photoshop to create custom text effects of their choice by manipulating text layers and adding advanced effects. After the initial design, they will then walk through their text effects tutorial. 

The sophomores won the November attendance challenge with a 93.78% attendance rate.

Junior High English/Language Arts students delivered Christmas ornaments and treats to the nursing homes. 

Hayden Sanders' Triple Lifts Tigers Past Albany 48-45

Hayden Sanders hit a late 3-pointer against Albany to give the Tiger boys the lead for good and the Tigers were able to hold on to beat the Warriors 48-45 Tuesday, December 17th. Despite Albany being shorthanded without Chase Cline, it was the Tigers who dug themselves into a hole. Kyle Emerson cut inside to put the Warriors on the board first. Lucas Frisch knotted it up with a drive, but then a backdoor layup from Jarrett Smith, a steal from Emerson, and a shot from the high post by Daulton Worrell put the Warriors up 9-2 just three minutes into the game.

It didn't help Worth County that Cole Ruby picked up two quick fouls right off the bat, depriving them of one of their main scoring weapons.

The ball for the Warriors was revolving around Shae Miller in the post, who was finding the open man to convert. Albany had shot 50% against Stanberry in their win over the Bulldogs early in the season and looked to be doing the same against Worth County. 

Hayden Sanders finally broke the Warrior run with a triple, but Smith had the hot hand for them, getting seven of his team's 15 points in the first quarter as they built it up to 15-7 with 50 seconds left.

But then a pair of costly fouls hurt the Warriors and let the Tigers right back in the game. First, Sanders converted a three point play and drew Emerson's second foul, making a thin Warrior bench even thinner. Then, a makeup foul after the Warriors had subsequently turned it over with the Tigers in the bonus led to two free throws from Karson Briner to make it 15-12 after one. Albany had completely outplayed Worth County in the period, but thanks to the costly fouls, Worth County was still in the game.

Ruby came back in the second quarter; Worth County went to their 1-3-1 trapping zone and Ruby had an immediate impact, jumping a pass to make it 15-14. Worrell got a steal and a makeup foul put him on the line, where he made one of two. Cole Ruby went two for two from the line after a drive. Samuel Poppa scooped up a carom and drove and converted to make it 18-16, but Cole Ruby knotted it up again and then added a 3-pointer after a pass from Frisch to put the Tigers up 21-18. 

Despite foul trouble from Albany, they chipped away, getting a free throw from Jarrett Smith, another free throw from Daulton Worrell, and a drive from Smith to go ahead 23-21, only for Karson Briner to hit a baseline shot and for Hayden Sanders to get a steal to put the Tigers up 25-23.

Worth County stole the ball back late in the half, and the referees called a charge in a transition situation for what should have been Cole Ruby's third foul with 18 seconds left. But the referees gave the foul to Franklynn Taute, who was spotted up in the corner waiting for a pass instead, meaning that Cole was still on the floor in the fourth when he picked up a foul early in the period.

Worrell's free throw cut the Warrior deficit to 25-24 at the half, and the game was tied at 27, 29, and 31 in the third before Cole Ruby drove and drew a foul late in the period, converting both free throws to make it 33-31. Hayden Sanders followed with a 3-pointer to make it 36-31 after three; Worth County offset their rebounding deficit at the line, where they went 10 for their first 10.

Karson Briner scored from inside set up by Cannon Fletcher's drive to make it 38-31, but then Worth County bailed out Jarrett Smith after he was surrounded by Tigers and unlikely to do anything; he made one of two and that sparked a Warrior run. Four straight from Daulton Worrell cut it to 38-36. Karson Briner knocked one down from the left wing and Lucas Frisch hit Cannon Fletcher backdoor to make it 42-36 after Worrell had picked up his fourth foul, but then Jace Palmer came off the bench and provided a hot hand, knocking down a pair of inside shots to make it 42-39 with 4:00 left. Worrell came back and scored off a steal to make it 42-41 with 2:38 left. 

Shae Miller caused a tieup on the other end, giving the ball back to the Warriors. Once again, Jace Palmer got the ball. He missed, but got the offensive board before Sanders knocked it out of bounds. A pass from Miller to Smith with 1:55 left put the Warriors in front 43-42.

But Worth County answered right back as the Tigers inbounded underneath their own basket to Lucas Frisch, who threw it to Hayden Sanders, who hit a closely guarded three over Daulton Worrell to put the Tigers back in front for good at 45-43 with 1:22 left. Worrell traveled on the other end, and Albany had fouls to give, meaning Worth County was able to take a big chunk of time off the clock before Cole Ruby made one of two to make it 46-43.

On the ensuing possession, Cole Ruby knocked it out of bounds off Jace Palmer with 17 seconds left and then Albany fouled Hayden Sanders with 16 seconds left. He made one of two to make it 47-43. But then Palmer knocked one down from the high post with 7 seconds left to make it 47-45 and keep the Warriors hopes alive. Worth County got it in to Karson Briner with 6 seconds left and he made one of two to make it 48-45.

Albany had to go the full length of the floor to attempt a 3-pointer, and Worth County had a foul to give. Hayden Sanders fouled one of the Warrior players, and they had to inbounds it three quarters the length of the court with 2.4 seconds left. They got the look they wanted, but Worrell's off-balance three was short as time expired.

Hayden Sanders had 17, Cole Ruby 14, Karson Briner 13, and Cannon Fletcher and Lucas Frisch 2. It was Briner's second double figure game in three games; Worth County had been looking for him to get more of a role inside. 

Karson Briner, Andrew Griffin, Hayden Sanders, and Lucas Frisch all had 1 block.

Lucas Frisch and Cole Ruby had 6 boards. Karson Briner had 4, Ethan Lininger and Hayden Sanders 2, and Franklynn Taute and Cannon Fletcher 1.

Lucas Frisch had 5 assists. Hayden Sanders had 4, Cole Ruby 3, Karson Briner 2, and Cannon Fletcher and Franklynn Taute 1 each.

Cannon Fletcher had 3 tips. Franklynn Taute, Cole Ruby, Karson Briner, Lucas Frisch, and Hayden Sanders all had 1.

Cole Ruby had 4 steals. Karson Briner had 3, Hayden Sanders 2, and Cannon Fletcher and Lucas Frisch had 1 each.

Ellen Rinehart 1932-2024

Ellen Jean Rinehart, 92 years, of Lathrop, Missouri passed away December 7, 2024 at the home of her daughter. Funeral services will be held at a later date with burial in Allendale, MO at Kirk Cemetery. Mrs. Rinehart was born on March 31, 1932 near Allendale, Missouri.

Jean was baptized at a young age at Mount Vernon Church in Grant City, Missouri. Jean was a graduate of Grant City High School class of 1950. She was united in marriage to Roy L. Rinehart on April 14, 1951. To this union four children were born Mitzie, Cheryl, Rod, and Paul. Jean and Roy moved back to Grant City in 1958 after Roy finished college at Northwest Missouri State Teachers College and was drafted and stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Jean was a homemaker who loved growing flowers, gardening, and raising animals. Jean was known for her chocolate chip cookies and cherry mash candy.

In 1973 they moved to Maysville, MO where Roy was the High School and Junior High principal until 1983 and then they moved to Hamilton, MO. After moving to Hamilton they joined the Hamilton Federated Church until moving to Lawson Missouri in 1999 to be closer to their daughter Cheryl, who has been their healthcare advocate ever since. When Cheryl moved to Lathrop, Missouri Jean and Roy sold their home and moved in with Cheryl and Earl Swearingin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Weldon Brown, a brother Don Brown, brother-in-law's Gene Groom, Jim Marcum, and Kenny Smith, son-in-law Galen Deardeuff, grandson Jared Deardeuff, nephews Jeffery Marcum, Bruce Maudlin, Kyle Smith, and niece Brenda Miller.

Jean will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 73 years Roy, daughters Mitzie (Mike) Wiley of Gallatin, MO and Cheryl (Earl) Swearingin of Lathrop, MO, and sons Rod (Johnna) Rinehart of Maysville, MO, Paul (Dawn) Rinehart of Cameron, MO, sisters Evelyn Groom of Albany, MO, Jewell Marcum of Castle Rock, CO, Betty Smith of Allendale, MO, Madelyn (Wayne) Brooke of Raytown, MO, Marilyn (Danny) Maudlin of Burlington, IA, and Rhonda Moore of Belton, MO, and 10 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 3 step-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the United Christian and Presbyterian Church in Lawson or the Kirk Cemetery in Allendale, MO.

Roger Florea 1946-2024

Roger L. Florea, 78, of Hopkins, Missouri, passed away on December 17,
2024, at home in Hopkins His 78 years of life were dedicated to
service and family.

Roger was born in 1946 to Orlin and Margaret (King) Florea of Hopkins,
MO. After starting his elementary school education in a one room
schoolhouse, Roger graduated from North Nodaway R-VI High School in
1964. He was drafted into the military and served in Vietnam. As a
Sergeant in the U.S. Army, Roger served his country from 1967 to 1969
and received a Purple Heart. His time in the service made a lasting
impact on his life. Upon returning home, he obtained a business degree
from Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO in 1972.

On St. Patrick’s Day in 1969, Roger married the love of his life,
Susan L. Motsinger, and they shared fifty-five wonderful years
together. They started their married life in Colorado Springs, CO
while he finished his military service at Fort Carson, then moved back
to Hopkins, MO. Roger and Sue maintained a small business as
self-employed tax practitioners while he worked several other jobs,
including employment with Peve Feed and Fertilizer, custom combining
with friend Kirby Bovard, a self-employed spraying service, and as a
seed corn dealer for Dekalb/Pfizer. The farm crisis in the 80’s led
Roger to put his business degree to work at Bank Midwest, N.A. where
he served as a Vice President for 23 years before retiring.

Roger continued his life of service as a member of the Glen Ulmer
American Legion Post 288 where he served in many leadership roles. He
was also a member of the United Methodist Church, Maryville VFW Post
442, and Elks Lodge 760. He coached American Legion Baseball and
supported the North Nodaway Mustangs as President of the Booster Club.

He was instrumental in raising funds and upgrading the much-needed
lighting system with friend Tillie Porterfield in 1982 and built the
concession stand in 1983 at the Hopkins city park. Roger saw needs in
his community and worked to make a difference. He served on the
Hopkins Community Club board for many years which provided community
events, such as the Hopkins Picnic and monthly community dinners. He
was elected multiple times to the North Nodaway R-VI School Board,
Hopkins City Council, and Hopkins Township Board.

Roger and Sue raised three children, Brian (Tricia) of Topeka, KS,
Denise (Clint) Rowen of Sheridan, MO, and Keith (Amanda) of Kansas
City, MO. Roger enjoyed camping with friends and family and spent many
years going to the Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival, the Old Threshers
Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, IA, and spending Father’s Day at Nine Eagles
State Park. Roger enjoyed playing the guitar, listening to Bluegrass
music, and doing crossword puzzles.

Roger is survived by his wife, three children, and eight
grandchildren, including Mitchell (Maddie) Florea of Lenexa, KS;
Lauren Florea of Lawrence, KS; Garrett Florea of Topeka, KS; Alex,
Gabriella and Abigail Rowen of Sheridan, MO; Owen and Santiago Florea
of Kansas City, MO; sister Paula (Mehmet) Unsal of Teaneck, NJ;
sisters-in-law Vera Florea of Bolivar, MO and Linda Cross of
Maryville, MO. He was preceded in death by parents Orlin and Margaret
Florea, brother’s Wayne and Larry, and sister Janelle.

A visitation will be held on 12/22/2024 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and
services will be held on 12/23/2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Wray Memorial
United Methodist Church, 103 S 4th St., Hopkins, MO.

Services are under the direction of the Bram Funeral Home, Maryville,
Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Glen Ulmer
American Legion Post 288, P.O. Box 235, Hopkins, MO 64461.

Area Courthouse, Police, and Crime Reports for December 18th, 2024

On December 1st, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department reported that a vehicle driven by Brenda Schad of Mount Ayr that was northbound on P27 struck the rear of a tractor driven by Colby Holmes that was pulling a hay processor. There were no injuries.

On December 5th, Paul Murphy (39) of Albany pleaded guilty in Gentry County Circuit Court to charges of Driving While Revoked (Felony) and DWI. He was sentenced to five years probation, ordered to serve 30 days shock time with credit for time served, and ordered to pay $512 in past due monitoring fees to Private Probation Services and a $200 to the Gentry County Law Enforcement Retirement Fund by Judge Corey Herron.

On December 5th, James Wilper (43) of Bethany pleaded guilty in Gentry County Circuit Court to charges of Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony) and Failure to Drive on Right Half of Roadway. Judge Corey Herron placed him on five years probation and ordered him to serve 60 days shock time in jail on weekends.

On December 5th, James Farnsworth (44) of Grant City pleaded guilty in Gentry County Circuit Court to a charge of Non-Support (Felony). He was placed on five years probation by Judge Corey Herron. Defendant must pay $206 per month towards child support arrears totaling $14,543,22.

On December 5th, Angela Herman (55) of St. Joseph pleaded guilty in Gentry County Circuit Court to a charge of Driving While Revoked (Felony). She was sentenced to 20 days in jail by Judge Corey Herron with credit for time served.

On December 9th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Ronald Brown (55) of St. Joseph alleging Stealing (Felony). An affidavit from the Maryville Police Department alleges the defendant stole a paint sprayer from his employer valued at $2,948.74. The defendant allegedly sold it at a local pawn shop and received $600. Bond was set at $1,000, cash only.

On December 10th, Lincoln Moore (21) of Maryville pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court to charges of DWI and Failure to Register Motor Vehicle. He was placed on two years probation by Judge Robert Rice. Defendant may not possess or consume alcoholic beverages until age 21, not be in any establishment whose primary purpose is the sale of alcohol, and complete the Midwest Victim Impact Program by March 10th.

On December 10th, David Chandler (43) of King City was found guilty following a bench trial of a charge of Receiving Stolen Property. He was placed on one year probation, ordered to pay court costs of $115.50, and successfully complete a substance abuse evaluation by January 24th.

On December 11th, Colynn Lent (45) of Jamesport pleaded guilty to a charge of Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony). A Sentencing Assessment Report has been ordered and the defendant will be sentenced on February 5th.

On December 12th, Niki Hancock (43) of King City was convicted in Gentry County Associate Circuit Court following a bench trial of charges of Resisting Arrest and DWI. The defendant pleaded guilty to charges of No Plates, Failure to Register, Driving While Revoked, and No Insurance. They were assessed fines of $596.50, placed on probation for two years, and ordered to serve two days shock time in jail by Judge Rebecca McGinley. Defendant must not enter any place of business whose primary purpose is to sell alcohol, and successfully complete SATOP by February 12th, 2025.

On December 10th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office announced the indictment of Roy Faux (51) of Rockaway Beach (MO) alleging Receiving Child Pornography. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require the defendant to forfeit two cell phones and a computer tablet, which were allegedly used to commit the offense.

On December 10th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office announced the indictment of John Weaver (42) of Licking (MO) alleging Receiving Child Pornography, Using a Minor to Produce Child Pornography, Distribution of Child Pornography, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Felon in Possession of Firearm.

On December 11th, Worth County Prosecutor Janet Wake Larison filed charges against Tara Thogmartin (47) of Grant City alleging Possession of Controlled Substance (Narcotics, Methamphetamine). Bond was set at $15,000, posted by the defendant.

On December 12th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a tractor-trailer on northbound I-35 three miles north of Eagleville was passing a 2016 Honda Pilot at around 5:50 am. The driver of the Pilot lost visibility due to rain and sleet kicked up by the tractor-trailer, ran off the east side, and struck an embankment. The driver and a passenger were injured.

On December 12th at 2 pm, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander crossed the center line of Highway 6 near Altamont and struck a Chevy Silverado, which overturned. The driver of the Mitsubishi was seriously injured.

On December 12th at 7:41 am, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department reported that a vehicle driven by Tabitha Hibbs (29) of Grant City was southbound on 169 and lost control of her vehicle. She was taken to Ringgold County Hospital with minor injuries.

On December 13th, Federal District Judge Greg Kays sentenced Tony Diaz (41) of Raymore (MO) to nine years in prison without parole after he pleaded guilty to charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Felon in Possession of Firearm. His brother, Serjio Diaz (40) of Belton (MO) was sentenced to 15 years in prison on similar charges. A co-defendant, Maria Jasmin Lopez (24) of Phoenix (AZ) pleaded guilty and was sentenced on August 1st, 2023 to 11 years and 2 months without parole. Another co-defendant, Vincente Aguilera, was sentenced in November to 16 months without parole.

On December 13th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Austin Bird (22) of Maryville in Nodaway County on a charge of DWI.

On December 13th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2013 Ford Fusion rearended a 2023 Chevy Traverse on Route 6 near Jamesport at around 4:50 pm. The Chevy was stopped in traffic waiting for another vehicle to turn. The driver of the Chevy and a passenger sustained minor injuries.

On December 15th, the Missouri Department of Agriculture reported cases of bird flu in poultry flocks in Cedar and Daviess County.

On December 15th, the City of Hamilton announced that the Police Chief and two other officers abruptly turned in their resignations.

On December 16th, Proevine Lennox Robins (51) of Springfield pleaded guilty in Western Missouri US District Court to charges of Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. A sentencing hearing will be held after the presentence investigation.

On December 16th, Cecil Pulluaim (54) of Raytown pleaded guilty in Western Missouri Federal District Court to two counts Production of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography. A sentencing hearing will be held after the presentence investigation.

On December 16th, Charles Welch (65) of Osage Beach (MO) pleaded guilty in Western Missouri US District Court to a charge of Obtaining Controlled Substance by Misrepresentation. The defendant was a nurse for a business which provided anesthesia services for Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach. The defendant allegedly stole fentanyl for his own personal use as well as other controlled substances. The defendant allegedly falsified records to make it look like they were given to patients. A sentencing hearing will be held after the presentence investigation.

On December 16th, Joshua Green (38) of Hamburg pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Circuit Court to a charge of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender (Felony). He was placed on five years probation by Judge Corey Herron.

On December 16th, Beau Bradshaw (56) of Republic (MO) pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Circuit Court to a charge of Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony). He was placed on five years probation by Judge Corey Herron.

On December 16th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department arrested Teresa Maricione (44) of Mount Ayr on a charge of Driving While Barred. Bond was set at $2,000 cash with defendant given leave to post 10%.

On December 16th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department reported that Hadlie Sickels (23) of Redding was westbound on J55 at around 7:30 am when she lost traction due to slick road conditions and collided with a vehicle driven by Seth Montgomery (41) of Frazeysburg (OH). Sickels received minor injuries and was taken to Ringgold County Hospital.

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.

Jordan DeLeon Scores 16 in Mustang Victory; Jake Redden Goes Beast Mode Again for Bluejays

Jordan DeLeon went off for North Nodaway, getting 16 in the Mustangs' third win of the season, a 51-32 win over Northeast Nodaway. But Jake Redden went beast mode again against the Mustangs despite battling foul trouble, getting his second double double in a row and getting his second straight night of getting 15 or more boards. Redden had 11 points and 15 boards for the Bluejays.

The Mustangs had been battling illness, as they missed Mason Casner in the team's win over East Harrison and the 57-28 loss to North Andrew. Blaine Clements didn't play in the East Harrison game, but came back for North Andrew. Owen Martin didn't play against North Andrew. And Kaeden Nave and Trevin Wyllie didn't play in the Northeast Nodaway game. But Jordan DeLeon has been a constant in the paint, growing several inches and turning into a new double double threat for the Mustangs. He had 15 points and 13 boards Tuesday.

Owen Martin and Mason Casner both came back for Tuesday's game, and Martin immediately made his presence felt, getting a steal and feeding Ridge Clements for two. Martin scored off a DeLeon steal and then Jordan started to make his presence felt in the paint, getting a three point play to make it 6-0.

But NEN started fighting back; they battled all night long despite horrific foul trouble and despite whoever was on the floor. Reece Gray got a tipin and Chase Allen exploded down the left side to cut it to 6-4 before Jordan DeLeon needed only two dribbles to get from the high post to the rim and then added another inside shot to make it 10-4 after one.

The Bluejays didn't want to let the game get out of hand early like the Gilman City game the night before; they traded blow for blow with the Mustangs for much of the second quarter. But with the score 16-9, Lance Runde and Jake Redden both picked up their third foul and DeLeon went off again for the Mustangs, scoring five straight and Mason Casner added a free throw to make it 22-9 at the half.

It looked like North Nodaway would run away with it like they did the first time the teams met at the PVI; DeLeon continued his dominance in the paint and Owen Martin got consecutive steals, one turning into a three point play. But then Jake Redden got untracked from downtown and Reece Gray added another and the Bluejays were right back in it down 29-15. But then the foul bug hit again and Lance Runde picked up his fourth, and the game threatened to snowball again. Martin got two more steals, converting one into a free throw and another for a layup. Keegan Hansen, playing against his old teammates, got to the rim and finished, but Mason Casner got untracked, scoring four straight. DeLeon scored again off a Martin steal, and then aired one out to Blaine Clements to make it 40-19 before Reece Gray hit two free throws, Jake Redden hit his second triple of the quarter, and Reece Gray scored again to make it 40-26.

It looked like Northeast might make things interesting, but then Owen Martin hit Blaine Clements for a guarded three at the buzzer to swing the momentum back in North Nodaway's favor at 43-26. Redden got into double digits to start the fourth, but Owen Martin scored from inside and Mason Casner unleashed his deadly left hand twice to put his team back up 49-28. 

Like the night before, NEN fought to the end as Lance Runde worked a give and go with Kyler Scadden and converted it into a free throw and Chase Allen scored three straight to make it 49-32 before Mason Casner's dagger finished the game.

Jake Redden had 11 points for the Bluejays. Reece Gray had 9, Lance Runde 5, Chase Allen 5, and Keegan Hansen 2.

Kenneth Schieber had 1 block.

Jake Redden had 15 boards. Lance Runde had 6, Keegan Hansen 5, Reece Gray 4, Chase Allen 3, and Kenneth Schieber and Kyler Scadden with 2 each.

Jake Redden had 4 assists. Lance Runde had 3, Reece Gray and Kyler Scadden 2, and Kenneth Schieber and Keegan Hansen 1 each.

Reece Gray had 6 tips. Lance Runde and Jake Redden had 3 each, and Chase Allen had 2.

Chase Allen, Jake Redden, and Reece Gray had 2 steals each. Kyler Scadden and Lance Runde had 1.

For North Nodaway, Jordan DeLeon had 16. Owen Martin had 13, Mason Casner 13, Blaine Clements 7, and Ridge Clements 2.

Blaine Clements had 5 blocks. Jordan DeLeon had 2 and Ridge Clements 1.

Jordan DeLeon had 13 boards. Ridge Clements had 7, Blaine Clements 6, and Owen Martin, Aiden James, and Mason Casner 5 each.

Owen Martin had 7 assists. Mason Casner and Blaine Clements had 3 each, Jordan DeLeon 2, and Ridge Clements and Aiden James had 1.

Owen Martin had 7 tips. Blaine Clements had 3, Mason Casner 2, and Ridge Clements 1.

Owen Martin had 4 steals, all in the third quarter. Blaine Clements and Ridge Clements had 3 each, Jordan DeLeon 2, and Aiden James 1.

Sasha Deardorff Sets Tone for Bluejay Win; Jackie Wray Bright Spot for Mustangs

Northeast Nodaway, playing the second of back to back nights, used a 25-2 run spanning most of the second quarter and all of the third to come up with a running clock 43-11 win Tuesday, November 17th. Every game during their current winning streak has seen a different player step up for the Bluejays. This time, it was Sasha Deardorff mixing it up early and often down low, grabbing four rebounds in the first few minutes of the game as the Mustangs were threatening to make a game of it. Addalea Barcus' three point play put the Mustangs in front 5-2 early, but the energy level Sasha brought carried over to the rest of the team despite Baylie Busby sitting out much of the first quarter with foul trouble.

Busby's third chance putback knotted it up, but then she sat out with her second foul at the 3:43 mark of the first quarter. But the Bluejays have been used to dealing with adversity ever since their eighth grade year, when first Skyler Florea went down with an injury and then Busby was quarantined for 24 days before coming back for the last week of the season. With Busby on the bench, Florea hit from the left side, Hayley Yost hit two free throws, and then Sasha Deardorff hit Hadley DeFreece for three to make it 12-5 after one.

Jackie Wray played her best game as a Mustang, getting 6 points and 11 boards; she only had three blocks, but altered a bunch of other shots; Northeast missed 11 shots from five feet or closer that night. She kept the Mustangs in the game for a long time and kept guarding the paint, grabbing boards, and attacking the rim even when the situation was hopeless. But North Nodaway struggled moving the ball all night long against the swarming Bluejay defense, which got 40 tips against Gilman City the night before and got 24 tips and 22 steals Tuesday night, only allowing two assists for the night. 

Wray's putback to start the second made it 12-7; besides that, the score was stuck there despite Busby's return. Wray was a presence in the paint and North Nodaway's 1-3-1 meant driving lanes for Baylie were few. 

Finally, Baylie Busby found Skyler Florea inside and Sasha Deardorff in the high post. Busby got one over Wray in the paint to connect, and then a costly defensive lapse at the end by North Nodaway saw Bristol Hicks, instead of shooting the ball, timed a pass perfectly and fed Skyler Florea at the buzzer to make it 20-7.

Another defensive standoff ensued to start the third. But the Bluejays, during their current run, have shown a propensity for wearing other teams down; Worth County was down two to them at halftime, only to falter in the second half and lose by 10. Stanberry kept it in single digits until the fourth, when Northeast wore them down and pulled away to win by 20. And Gilman City was down by 11 early in the third quarter, only for the Bluejays to pull away and lead by as much as 29.

Something similar happened in this game. All of a sudden, the dam broke when Skyler Florea got a steal and fed Baylie Busby for two. Skyler Florea got a third chance putback, and then Baylie Busby fed Hadley DeFreece to make it 26-7.

At that point, the turnover margin, which was even for much of the first half, had grown to 19-9 in the Bluejays' favor, and they would only turn it over twice the rest of the game. The focus of the game for North Nodaway had been to get it into Wray on offense; Mya Hansen finally got her the ball to cut it to 26-9. But then Mylee Wilmes checked in for the Bluejays and it was a party in the USA as she went off, hitting consecutive threes off passes from Busby and Skyler Florea to make it 32-9. Kynder Florea scored off a steal and then Mylee Wilmes snuck into the corner, unnoticed by anybody except for Busby, who skipped her a pass from the opposite site wing for three to make it 37-9 after three.

Wray cut it to 37-11, but then Blair Nelson hit Hayley Yost in the high post, Baylie Busby split two defenders and turned it into two free throws, and Kynder Florea scored off a Hadley DeFreece steal to trigger the running clock.

For the Bluejays, Skyler Florea had 10, Baylie Busby and Mylee Wilmes 9 each, Hadley DeFreece 5, Hayley Yost and Kynder Florea 4, and Sasha Deardorff 2.

Skyler Florea and Blair Nelson had 2 blocks each.

Sasha Deardorff and Blair Nelson had 6 boards each. Skyler Florea and Baylie Busby had 5 each, Hayley Yost 3, Kynder Florea 2, and Bristol Hicks 1.

Baylie Busby had 5 assists. Hadley DeFreece had 3, Sasha Deardorff and Skyler Florea 2, and Kynder Florea, Bristol Hicks, Blair Nelson, and Hayley Yost all with 1.

Kynder Florea and Baylie Busby had 6 tips. Hadley DeFreece had 4, Skyler Florea 3, Sasha Deardorff 2, and Hayley Yost, Blair Nelson, and Bristol Hicks 1.

Hadley DeFreece had 8 steals. Kynder Florea had 6, Skyler Florea 3, Mylee Wilmes 2, and Sasha Deardorff, Baylie Busby, and Blair Nelson 1 each. 

For North Nodaway, Jackie Wray had 6, Addalea Barcus 3, and Mya Hansen 2. 

Jackie Wray had 3 blocks.

Jackie Wray had 11 boards. Lacy Riley had 7, Mya Hansen 4, and Addalea Barcus 3.

Jackie Wray and Mya Hansen had 1 assist.

Addalea Barcus had 3 tips. Lily Blane had 2 and Lacy Riley 1.

Lacy Riley had 3 steals. Addalea Barcus had 2 and Mya Hansen 1.

Teams Selected for Eight Man All Star Game

Teams have been selected for the Missouri Eight Man All-Star Game for 2025. It will be held June 28th at 7 pm at Missouri Western.

The Blue team will be coached by Drew Smith (Archie), Chuck Davis (LeBlond) and Dalton Jones (Rock Port).

Playing for the Blue team will be Kyle Emerson (Albany), Zane Rippy (Albany), Landon Swaters (Appleton City), Kolten Groblebe (Archie), Jackson Crews (LeBlond), Trey Icke (LeBlond), Landon Langkrahr (Concordia), Mason Jackson (Drexel), Owen DeRosier (East Atchison), Luke Beard (Jasper), Darwin Bowden (King City), Kane Derr (Mound City), Logan Decker (New Heights), Preston Jenkins (Nodaway Valley), Avery Miller (North Andrew), Tucker Greer (Orrick), Xavier Middleton (Platte Valley), Justin Miller (Platte Valley), Landon Wiederholt (Platte Valley), Donte Bingham (Plattsburg), Rylan Langton (Plattsburg), Tyler Coffman (Princeton), Corbyn Jakub (Rock Port), Acen Akers (Skyler County), and Joe Heater (Wellington-Napoleon).

The Red Team will be coached by David Stuckey (North Shelby). He will be assisted by Jordan Tyler (Concordia) and Alec Freking (Concordia).

Playing for the Red Team will be Seth Miller (Albany), Andrew Wiles (Albany), Jake Winkelbauer (LeBlond), Caegan Sensenich (Braymer), Luke Miller (DeKalb), T.J. Munter (Drexel), Zachary Boyd (Greenfield), Austin Pickett (Greenfield), Kavien Aborn (King City), Terry Ogden (Knox County), Kole Wiles (Liberal), Jade Daniel (North Shelby), Sam Schwanke (North Shelby), Oren Vanskike (North Shelby), Jeff Rohde (Orrick), Kolten Garver (Osceola), Gavin Boyle (Plattsburg), Trevor Case (Santa Fe), Isaiah Cullers (Schuyler County), Jalen Knox (Slater), Gannin Moore (Slater), Brandon Terrill (Slater), Peyton Hausman (St. Joseph Christian), Owen Isdell (St. Paul Lutheran), and Jared Raymond (Wellington-Napoleon).

Hopkins Council Discusses Vicious Animal Prosecutions

Vicious animal prosecutions were discussed at the Hopkins City Council Meeting Monday, December 9th. The old animal ordinance was noted as needing more enforceability. The aldermen requested additional language be added to say either people or animals that were attacked would be cause for the section to be enforced.

City Attorney Taryn Henry reported she was working on one such case currently. She has filed six charges in that case; two for each dog’s attack on the first dog, two for each dog’s attack on the second dog, and one count for each dog at large.

The city is also looking into a fencing ordinance to keep dogs penned in.

Property liens were discussed by Henry and the council. The amount owed, cost of placing the lien, and any cost of capping the sewer would be added to the lien. It would then be attached to their taxes. The lien would need to be paid before the property was sold.

Councilman Allen Thompson asked about how long old ordinances needed to be kept. Henry responded that the city only needs to keep current ordinances. A system to do that was discussed. There are companies that come in and codify the ordinances for a city; Grant City has done that in the past. Council members also discussed the process to condemn structures.

At the December 2nd meeting, the council learned that the city had received a letter from the Department of Revenue fining the city for not getting the state audit back to the State Auditor’s office in a timely manner. State law provides for fines for cities and political subdivisions for not turning in their financial reports timely. The council directed the mayor to write a letter requesting the fine be waived because of the circumstances surrounding the city audit this year.

Jake Redden Goes Beast Mode, Bluejays Score Season High, but Hawks Run Away With Win

Jake Redden went beast mode with 12 points and 17 boards, Northeast Nodaway scored a season-high with 40 points, but Gilman City ran away with a 65-40 win over the Bluejays Monday night. 

Northeast, still winless on the year, kept it close for a while in the first as Jake Redden hit from the high post, Chase Allen got a putback, and Kyler Scadden hit a 3-pointer to keep it at 12-7. But then Gilman City, which was coming off an impressive win over Albany, showcased its speed and ran the Bluejays out of the gym for the remainder of the first quarter. It was a chapter straight out of the Pattonsburg football playbook; of which Gilman City is a cooperative member. The second they would get a defensive board, either Camden Griffith or Landon Preston would be off to the races to score. Griffith had 13 points in the period and Preston had 12. By the time the dust had settled, the Hawks were up 29-8 after one.

But then Jake Redden hit a shot from the baseline with a hand in his face and the Bluejays played almost evenly with the Hawks the second quarter. Gilman City still got some transition looks with Dakota Maringa and Parker Virtue getting loose in transition and Kenyon Puls hitting a 3-pointer. Alex Young added a crazy crossover for a layup that made it 40-14 at one point. But the Bluejays used balanced scoring to get to 10 points in the period as five different people scored for them. Lance Runde scored off a Fenton Ackley offensive board to cut the margin to 41-18 at the half.

Reece Gray and Lance Runde both connected to cut it to 21 twice to start the third. But then Camden Griffith and Landon Preston both scored to push the margin back out to 49-22. Chase Allen played some of his best ball of the year, connecting twice off a drive and a steal to get the Bluejays back to within 53-28. But then Dakota Meringa went coast to coast to set up Parker Virtue and Landon Preston hit two free throws to make it 57-28 after three.

Northeast kept playing hard until the end, never letting it get into running clock territory. Jake Redden got a third chance putback, added a 3-pointer from the baseline, and then Reece Gray added another to make it 59-36. Kenyon Puls and Alex Young got loose in transition and Andrew Young knocked one down from the baseline to make it 65-36, but Northeast kept coming as Kenneth Schieber grabbed a putback and Reece Gray grabbed Chase Allen's desperation three and put it back in at the buzzer.

Jake Redden had 12 points. Reece Gray had 9, Chase Allen 6, Kyler Scadden 5, Lance Runde 4, and Keegan Hansen and Kenneth Schieber 2 each.

Jake Redden had 2 blocks and Keegan Hansen 1.

Jake Redden had 17 boards. Reece Gray, Keegan Hansen, and Lance Runde had 6, Kyler Scadden and Kenneth Schieber 4, Fenton Ackley 2, and Chase Clabaugh 1.

Reece Gray had 5 assists. Lance Runde had 2 and Jake Redden, Fenton Ackley, and Chase Allen had 1.

Lance Runde had 3 tips. Chase Allen, Chase Clabaugh, and Reece Gray had 2, and Keegan Hansen 1.

Lance Runde, Keegan Hansen, Reece Gray, and Chase Allen had 2 steals each. Jake Redden had 1.

For Gilman City, Camden Griffith had 19, Landon Preston 16, Kenyon Puls 7, Parker Virtue 6, Alex Young 5, Jace Estrada 4, Bo Eads 4, and Dakota Meringa and Andrew Young 2.

Camden Griffith had 10 boards to complete a double double. Kenyon Puls had 7, Jace Estrada 6, Bo Eads and Alex Young 5, Andrew Young 4, Landon Preston and Dustin Ward 3, Parker Virtue 2, and Dakota Meringa 1.

Camden Griffith had 7 assists. Landon Preston had 6, Kenyon Puls and Alex Young 3, and Jace Estrada, Dustin Ward, Bo Eads, and Dakota Meringa 1 each.

Jace Estrada and Landon Preston had 3 tips each. Bo Eads and Kenyon Puls had 2, and Camden Griffith, Dakota Meringa, and Parker Virtue 1.

Camden Griffith had 4 steals. Alex Young and Landon Preston had 2, and Jace Estrada, Kenyon Puls, and Parker Virtue had 1.

Kynder Florea Hits 15; Swarming Bluejay Defense Drops Hawks 51-22

Kynder Florea hung 15 points on Gilman City Monday and a swarming Bluejay defense did the rest, collecting 40 tips and 24 steals in a 51-22 win over the Hawks. Baylie Busby had another crazy stat line in the game. Just one week ago, Katelyn Jones (Pattonsburg) had 21 points, 10 boards, 12 tips, and 12 steals for a quadruple double. Busby did one better, getting 12 points, 10 boards, 10 assists, 11 tips, and 10 steals for a quintuple double. Gilman City has one of the best on the ball defenders in the area in Avery Gregg; she held Busby to eight points below her average. But Busby set everybody else up as six Bluejays had five or more points one game after Busby went off for 32 against Stanberry. 

They were pitted against one of the most physical post players in the area in Khloey Sperry. Sperry, a cousin to Daltyn and Drake Sperry of Pattonsburg, was relentless all night, going to the rim, viciously fighting for every rebound, pushing the ball up the floor at every opportunity, and sacrificing her body to blow up plays on defense for the Hawks. The scary thing about it is she is only a sophomore and will only get better if she stays healthy and the team stays together. She did all she could for the Hawks, getting 14 points and 13 boards. 

Avery Gregg got loose in transition after Khloey Sperry got a steal for the Hawks to start the game. It was a ragged start as both teams are good at taking the ball away and neither team was letting the other get into any kind of rhythm. Finally, Blair Nelson got loose on the wing after a pass from Baylie Busby, Hadley DeFreece scored off a steal, Busby knocked down a baseline shot, Skyler Florea hit a free throw, and Hayley Yost scored from inside off a pass from Busby to make it 9-2 at the 2:57 mark.

Last year, Northeast raced out to a 14-2 lead over the Hawks, only for them to come back and win during the Bluejays' slump. The Hawks hung around for a while as Gregg hit a 3-pointer. But the Bluejays started pulling away after Shelby Gibson, the most physical player on Gilman City's squad after Khloey Sperry, started getting into foul trouble. Hayley Yost scored a free throw to make it 10-5 after one after Gregg had hit a 3-pointer for the Hawks.

Khloey Sperry scored from inside to get untracked and make it 10-7, but Busby hit Blair Nelson for three, Skyler Florea knocked one down from the right wing off a pass from Hadley DeFreece, and Busby hit Hadley DeFreece for three to make it 18-7. Busby scored off a steal to make it 20-7.

But the scoreboard didn't matter for Sperry, who kept attacking the rim and finally drew Skyler Florea's third foul. She made one of two to make it 20-8. Kynder Florea got on the board and Busby converted another steal, but Sperry scored four straight to make it 24-12. 

Last year's game had started off like that; Northeast got the big early lead, but Gilman kept hanging around and eventually came back and won. Sperry went coast to coast and got the benefit of a charge/block call and made one of two to make it 24-13, but this time, Busby drew Gibson's third foul grabbing an offensive board and made both free throws. Then, Kynder Florea went off for the Bluejays after the Hawks had switched to a zone to try to get more bodies to contain Busby. Kynder hit her first triple to make it 29-13. Kelsey Sperry cut it to 29-15, but then Kynder hit her second 3-pointer, Hadley DeFreece scored off a steal, and Kynder Florea hit her third triple to make it 37-15, forcing Gilman City out of their zone. 

Alli Burke hit a free throw and Khloey Sperry hit two free throws, but Hayley Yost got untracked inside for the Bluejays as they led 41-18 after three.

Hadley DeFreece got a tip and Baylie Busby got a steal to start the fourth and then Skyler Florea got a putback. Khloey Sperry kept hitting for Gilman City, bringing them to within 45-22, but then Baylie Busby slashed to the rim after Hadley DeFreece saved an offensive board at half court and Kynder knocked down four straight points.

For Northeast, Kynder Florea had 15 points. Baylie Busby had 12, Hayley Yost and Hadley DeFreece had 7, and Skyler Florea and Blair Nelson 5 each.

Skyler Florea had 2 blocks.

Baylie Busby had 10 boards. Skyler Florea had 9 despite playing with foul trouble much of the night trying to guard Khloey Sperry. Hayley Yost and Blair Nelson had 4, Hadley DeFreece and Sasha Deardorff had 2, and Bristol Hicks, Mylee Wilmes, and Kynder Florea had 1.

Baylie Busby had 10 assists. Hadley DeFreece had 4 and Mylee Wilmes had 1.

Baylie Busby had 11 tips. Hadley DeFreece had 7, Blair Nelson had 6, Kynder Florea 5, Skyler Florea and Bristol Hicks 3, and Sasha Deardorff and Mylee Wilmes 1.

Baylie Busby had 10 steals. Hadley DeFreece had 5, Kynder Florea 3, Sasha Deardorff and Hayley Yost 2, and Skyler Florea and Bristol Hicks 1.

For Gilman City, Khloey Sperry had 14, Avery Gregg 5, Kelsey Sperry 2, and Alli Burke 1. 

Khloey Sperry had 1 block.

Khloey Sperry had 12 boards. Kelsi Sperry had 5 boards, Alli Burke 4, Colbi Webb 3, Shelby Gibson 3, Avery Gregg 2, and Pyper Taggart 1.

Avery Gregg had 3 assists. Kelsi Sperry had 2 and Khloey Sperry, Alli Burke, Colby Webb, Shelby Gibson, and Riah Crump had 1 each.

Shelby Gibson, Avery Gregg, and Khloey Sperry all had 3 tips. Alli Burke and Caitlynn Chalfant each had 2, and Riah Crump and Pyper Taggart 1.

Kelsey Sperry and Khloey Sperry had 3 steals. Avery Gregg had 2 and Shelby Gibson, Colbi Webb, and Riah Crump had 1.

Katelyn Jones Gets 21 Points, 10 Boards, 12 Tips, and 12 Steals for Panthers in Win

Pattonsburg's girls got 21 points, 10 boards, 12 tips, and 12 steals from Katelyn Jones as they came away with a 46-27 win over Tri-County Tuesday, December 11th. The Panthers had played three close games, but lost to three tough teams in Gallatin, King City, and Worth County. Pitted against Winston, who they cooped with in softball this year, it was an all-out war in Winston, but the Panthers came away with a 54-52 win for their first win. Pitted against Tri-County, they pulled away in the second quarter, put the Mustangs away in the third, and ran out the clock in the fourth for their second win of the season. Pitted against the undefeated Princeton squad, who won the Albany Tournament, the Panthers nearly handed them their first loss before falling 56-53. 

Pattonsburg turned things around by flipping the giveaway/takeaway battle; against Worth County, they turned it over 24 times and only forced 10 turnovers. But against Tri-County, the script was reversed, with Pattonsburg being much more aggressive on defense and forcing 23 turnovers and only surrendering the ball 10 times.

Tri-County had only won four games last year, but showed a lot of improvement coming into Tuesday's game with two wins under their belt. They were flying to the glass all night and got some good transition looks. They bounced back to get their third win of the season, 52-41 over Mercer; the Cards, after being a perennial powerhouse for many years, have suddenly fallen on hard times this year, starting 0-4. 

The early part of the game belonged to the Mustangs, who were getting the ball into Alexis Neeley at will and she got four of her team's first five points to give them a 5-2 lead. With Tri-County getting an early 8-4 rebounding advantage, Cheyanne Miller came off the bench for the Panthers and gave them some quality minutes, getting four rebounds in the first half and showing some scrappy play on defense. 

Jayden Goble hit a 3-pointer for the Panthers to tie it and then Katelyn Jones untied it with a steal to make it 7-5, forcing a timeout by Tri-County.

Pattonsburg was trying to press, but Lily Turner beat the press and scored for Tri-County to tie it at 7-7. Neeley picked up her second foul and sat, but the Mustangs rallied, getting a 3-pointer from Callie Skinner and a coast to coast look from Dani Critten to go up 12-9 after one.

But then Katelyn Jones started carrying the Panthers on her shoulders, hitting a 3-pointer and then going coast to coast and converting a three point play to make it 15-12. Jones knocked one down after Kinsley Johnson kicked one out to her. Jones pushed again after a stop, and that led to a third chance basket when Jayden Goble hit Kinsley Johnson. Jones converted a steal at the buzzer to make it 21-14 at the half.

After the first quarter, Kinsley Johnson established herself in the paint as a shotblocking presence, getting six blocks for the night and holding Neeley to four for the rest of the night.

The Panthers broke open the game in the third quarter when Addie Iddings hit back to back jacks. The first triple came when Jayden Goble kicked one out to her. Jones got a steal and set up her second triple to make it 27-14. Jones jumped a pass and scored to make it 29-14. 

At that point, the turnover battle had swung decisively in Pattonsburg's favor, and they forced several more before the night was out. Jones knocked down a 3-ponter off a pass from Goble to make it 32-14.

Tri-County tried to rally as they got back to their game plan of crashing the boards, getting offensive rebounds, and finishing. Addison Dodds carried the team on her shoulders, getting six straight as the Mustangs closed to within 34-22 at one point. But then Kinsley Johnson hit two free throws, got a lob from Jones to finish, and Pattonsburg got their second buzzer beater in a row when Goble got a putback to make it 40-25.

Pattonsburg went into their delay game for much of the fourth quarter and continued to chip away, getting free throws from Johnson, a fast break basket from Annabelle Gardner after Katelyn Jones drew three blue shirts in transition, and Jones aired one out to Goble for two.

Katelyn Jones had 21 points. Kinsley Johnson had 10, Jayden Goble 7, Addie Iddings 6, and Annabelle Gardner 2.

Kinsley Johnson blocked six shots. Katelyn Jones had 2 and Jayden Goble 1.

Jayden Goble had 11 boards. Katelyn Jones had 10, Kinsley Johnson 7, Cheyanne Miller 5, and Addie Iddings 2.

Katelyn Jones had 5 assists. Jayden Goble had 4, Annabelle Gardner 2, and Cheyanne Miller and Kinsley Johnson 1.

Katelyn Jones had 12 tips. Annabelle Gardner had 4, Cheyanne Miller 2, and Kinsley Johnson 1.

Katelyn Jones had 12 steals. Jayden Goble had 5 and Annabelle Gardner 3.

Baylie Busby Scores Career High 32, Skyler Florea Boards 11 in Bluejay Victory

Northeast Nodaway continued their hot streak, winning their third straight and fifth out of their last six Friday, beating Stanberry 56-36. Baylie Busby, who has saved some of her best games for Stanberry, got a career high 32 points. Her previous career high of 26 was also set last year against Stanberry. Skyler Florea was strong on the defensive end, grabbing 11 boards and blocking 3 shots. The Bluejays are forming into a rejection row on defense; Hayley Yost blocked four shots to lead the team.

The game didn't look to be a high scoring affair at first. Busby hit Hadley DeFreece for back to back jacks to start the game, but Stanberry, working the high post to death, got a pair of drives from Trista Lager and a putback from Kynzee Adcock, one of several promising freshmen for the Bulldog squad. That tied it up at 6-6 before Busby got on the board with a free throw to make it 7-6 after one. 

Busby had 4 steals at that point, and Hayley Yost blocked three shots in the first few minutes to keep the ball out of the paint. Northeast was aggressive early on defense, getting 11 tipped balls and tieups, with Hadley DeFreece getting 4. But Stanberry stayed in the game with their rebounding, enjoying an 11-5 rebounding advantage.

Baylie hit two free throws to start the second quarter and Busby hit Skyler Florea inside and she flung up a prayer that went in to make it 13-6. Ellie Dias scored off a steal to cut it to 13-8, but Northeast was able to cut into Stanberry's rebounding advantage, Kynder Florea scored four straight to make it 15-8. Dias continued to have the hot hand for Stanberry, cutting it to 15-10 after a baseline drive, but Busby went coast to coast and Hadley DeFreece hit her third 3-pointer to make it 20-10 before Dias stole and scored at the buzzer to make it 20-12. 

There were a lot of turnovers as both teams have shown the ability to take the ball away. Northeast turned it over 9 times by the half, but Stanberry turned it over 13 times. Busby was up to 5 points, 6 steals, 7 tips, 3 assists, and 4 boards. 

Hayley Yost scored from inside and Baylie Busby scored off a steal to make it 24-12, but then Dias struck again with a putback and Courtney Merrigan knocked one down from the high post. Busby scored off a Hayley Yost screen, but Kynzee Adcock scored off a drive, as did Eva Cameron to cut the Bulldog deficit to 26-19.

Stanberry was working the boards early and often in the third quarter and they were in the bonus at that point, with Northeast overextending on defense and allowing them into the paint. Busby drove past a Florea ball screen, Skyler scored from inside, and Busby knocked one down from the high post to make it 32-19, but Stanberry kept working the boards and capitalized off a steal to get the margin down. For the second time in a row, Stanberry beat the buzzer as Trista Lager hit a 3-pointer to cut it to 34-25. 

Hadley DeFreece was up to 7 tips and Busby was up to 8 tips and 7 steals. But Stanberry had a 28-20 rebounding advantage and their depth was starting to tell. The only thing keeping Northeast afloat was 10 points from Busby in the third quarter.

But then a costly foul from Stanberry backfired on them at the start of the fourth. Busby was driving into the paint when Trista Lager had a hard foul on her, sending her crashing head first into the wall. But far from discouraging her, Busby suddenly got into one of her zones and could do no wrong in the fourth quarter. Busby bounced right back up and made both of her free throws and then proceeded to put together a scoring burst that put Stanberry away. Busby knocked down a corner three from Hadley DeFreece and then got a putback as Stanberry was pressing, trying to get the ball back. That made it 41-25. Skyler Florea added a free throw to make it 42-25 at the 4:11 mark. 

Meanwhile, on the other end, Skyler Florea got much more active on the boards, grabbing several despite the gold shirts grabbing and tearing at the ball. By the 4:11 mark, Stanberry's rebounding advantage was gone and the rebounds were even at 29. Kynder Florea inbounded it to Busby, who hit two free throws to make it 44-25.

Stanberry's press started to tell as Tasha Stoll scored off a drive. Hadley DeFreece inbounded to Skyler Florea, but Olivia McQuinn scored from backdoor and Stoll scored again to cut it to 46-31. Northeast was airing it out against the press, playing right into Stanberry's hands, instead of slowing it down and bringing it up the floor.

But time was running out for the Bulldogs, and Northeast was in the bonus; they settled down and Busby drew a foul and hit both free throws to break the run. Busby added a steal to make it 50-31 with 2:30 left. Adcock scored from inside and Stoll hit a free throw to cut it to 50-34, but Busby hit four more free throws and fed Hayley Yost down the stretch to get the margin up to 20 at the end.

Baylie Busby had 32 points. Hadley DeFreece had 9, Skyler Florea 7, and Kynder Florea and Hayley Yost 4 each.

Hayley Yost had 4 blocks. Skyler Florea had 3 and Hadley DeFreece 1.

Skyler Florea had 11 boards. Baylie Busby had 6, Hayley Yost 5, Kynder Florea 4, Blair Nelson 3, and Hadley DeFreece, Sasha Deardorff, and Mylee Wilmes 1.

Baylie Busby and Hadley DeFreece had 5 assists. Skyler Florea had 3, Kynder Florea 2, and Bristol Hicks, who gave the Bluejays some quality minutes as a freshman, had 1.

Baylie Busby had 9 tips. Hadley DeFreece had 8, Skyler Florea 3, Sasha Deardorff and Kynder Florea 2, and Blair Nelson, Mylee Wilmes, and Hayley Yost 1.

Baylie Busby had 9 steals. Hadley DeFreece had 4, Skyler Florea 3, Kynder Florea 2, and Hayley Yost and Sasha Deardorff 1.

Cole Ruby has 17 but Tiger Boys Fall Short Again to King City

      Worth County’s boys made strides Friday against King City, but still fell short 47-44 after they had lost by six to them in the Albany Tournament.

Cole Ruby had a career high 17 points against the Wildkats; his previous high was 16 last year against Northeast Nodaway. Cannon Fletcher had 13, also a career high. Cannon has saved his best games for King City; his previous best was 12 points in the first game against King City. Franklynn Hoff had 5 points. He has started to put points on the board for the Tigers; his two best games were Friday against King City and a six point outing against NEN Tuesday. Karson Briner had 4, Hayden Sanders 3, and Lucas Frisch 2.

Worth County shot 9 for 15 from the line, 5 for 21 from the three point line, and 10 for 21 from two point range.

Karson Briner had 10 boards. Cole Ruby had 5, Hayden Sanders and Cannon Fletcher 3 each, Lucas Frisch 2, and Franklynn Hoff 1.

Cole Ruby had 3 assists. Hayden Sanders, Cannon Fletcher, and Karson Briner 1 each.

Cole Ruby had 6 steals. Lucas Frisch, Cannon Fletcher, and Karson Briner all had 2. Franklynn Hoff had 1.

Turnovers and fouls hurt the Tigers. After winning the giveaway/takeaway battle in their previous two games, both wins, they turned the ball over 17 times, and the margin was close to even. The Tigers committed 19 fouls.

Cole Ruby had 3 tips on defense. Franklynn Hoff, Cannon Fletcher, and Karson Briner had 1 each.