Party in the USA – Mylee Wilmes’ Career Night Sparks Bluejay Girls to Victory

Northeast Nodaway was supposed to go through Hell Week, but someone forgot to appraise the girls team of the fact that it was supposed to last more than one game. They lost to a much bigger and quicker Platte Valley squad 54-14 last Tuesday against a squad that is a favorite to win a third straight state title. 

But then, they turned right around and took out their frustrations from that game on Mound City, another team on the rise and one that was red hot, having won five out of their last six, with quality wins over King City and Stanberry to their credit along with a second place finish at Stanberry. Losing in that manner to Platte Valley has sucked the life out of a lot of teams over the years, but Northeast took it the right way and bounced right back.

Bailey Busby and Dalanie Auffert stuffed the stat line as usual, Jill Boswell, Sasha Deardorff, and Hadley DeFreece all made contributions, but it was Mylee Wilmes, a freshman, who stepped up and had a career night, getting 12 points in Northeast Nodaway’s 43-22 win over Mound City Friday. Instead of a nightmare, it was a party in the USA as the Bluejays led from wire to wire.

The game started off as a defensive slugfest with the only early points being a steal from Bailey Busby and a putback from Busby after one of the Mound City players made the mistake of saving it right to her. That made it 4-0. Mound City tried the box and one on Busby, but got out of it in a hurry when Mylee Wilmes knocked down her first shot. Then, Wilmes got behind the press when Mound City tried to follow Platte Valley’s lead and press the Bluejays out of the gym and Bailey Busby got her the ball to make it 8-0 after one.

All of a sudden, Northeast realized it was not going to be Mound City’s night; the Panthers were not just missing their shots in the first quarter, but they were missing badly. Defensively, Northeast played one of their best games of the year, controlling the boards against one of the taller teams they will face this year besides Platte Valley; they held Mound City to their second lowest point total of the year and barely half their average of 43 points per game. Jill Boswell got five boards in the first quarter as the Bluejays limited Mound City to one shot and out most of the time.

The success on defense translated to the other end as the second quarter belonged to Hadley DeFreece, who was getting open people the ball at will in the period. She got Busby the ball after getting a steal to start the second. Sydney Meadows knocked down a shot to break the shutout, but Sasha Deardorff got Bailey the ball inside for two and Hadley got her the ball for a drive and a pair of free throws. Later, Hadley twice got Dalanie Auffert the ball inside as Auffert heated up in the period. And Mylee struck twice in the period, knocking down a pullup after a drive and hitting a 3-pointer after Jill Boswell set her up with a drive. Northeast led 28-5 at the break.

The Bluejays built their lead up to as much as 27 in the third quarter as Dalanie Auffert kicked one out to Mylee for a 3-pointer to make it 32-5. Later, Busby’s coast to coast look made it 34-7. But Ava Barnes’ NBA 3-pointer late in the third sparked the Panthers and they made things interesting in the fourth quarter.

While Northeast won the game handily, the Panthers showed why they are a much better team this year. Last year, in districts against Platte Valley, the blue and red shirts scored the first 40 points of the game and the contest was so lopsided that the Platte Valley student section started cheering on the Panthers to even things out. This year’s bunch showed no such quit in them as they came out in a run and jump press and cut the Bluejay margin to 34-13 on Ava Rieger’s free throw. Bailey Busby hit a baseline shot and Sasha Deardorff’s runner put the Bluejays back up 38-13, but then Sydney Meadows went off, scoring eight straight to get the Panther deficit down to 39-21. The only basket from Northeast was Dalanie Auffert’s free throw during that stretch.

But unlike the Rock Port game, where they were able to get the deficit down to eight at one point, Northeast was able to right the ship as Sasha Deardorff was clutch again, getting the ball into Dalanie Auffert to make it 41-21. Rieger, an undersized but scrappy post player for Mound City, got a putback, but the Panthers had to foul and Jill Boswell and Dalanie Auffert were able to put it away at the line.

Bailey Busby had 14 points. Mylee Wilmes and Dalanie Auffert had 12 each, and Jill Boswell and Sasha Deardorff had 2 each.

Jill Boswell and Dalanie Auffert had 1 block each.

Northeast had three with double figures in rebounds. Bailey Busby had 14 boards, Dalanie Auffert had 11, Jill Boswell 10, Sasha Deardorff 3, and Gracie Kohlleppel 1.

Hadley DeFreece had 6 assists. Jill Boswell and Bailey Busby had 3 each, Dalanie Auffert and Sasha Deardorff 2 each, and Mylee Wilmes 1.

Bailey Busby had 8 tips. Hadley DeFreece had 5, Jill Boswell and Mylee Wilmes 3 each, and Sasha Deardorff and Dalanie Auffert 1 each.

Bailey Busby had 6 steals. Dalanie Auffert had 2, while Hadley DeFreece and Jill Boswell had 1 each.

North Harrison to Add Additional Pre-K Classroom

The North Harrison Board of Education met Wednesday, January 18th in the school library.

The 2023-24 school calendar was approved with a start date for students of Monday, August 21, 2023 and the final day will be Friday, May 10, 2024.

The board approved a bid from American Digital Security to install an access management system with door contacts on all exterior doors and card readers at main entrances, as well as multi-head cameras at student entrances. Summer 2023 installation is planned.

Kindergarten through twelfth grade Counselor, Kara Smith, presented information on North Harrison’s testing schedule, data, and procedures.

Early Childhood Center Director, Gena Gilpatrick, and Elementary Principal, Susan Allen, presented a forecast of student numbers in the three and four-year old pre-school classrooms, as well as those listed for infant and toddler care in upcoming years. Following consideration of 3- and 4-year old pre-enrollment in the fall of 2023 it was decided to add an additional Pre-K classroom. 

Three patrons, Matt Graham, John Lueken, and Joe Bond, registered as candidates for the school board. With three candidates for the three, three-year positions, balloting will not be necessary. 

Katelyn Briggs was selected as North Harrison’s candidate for the Missouri United School Insurance Council Scholarship.

The next meeting of the North Harrison Board of Education will be Wednesday, February 15 at 7 pm in the school library.

Obituary -- Anna Hiatt 1926-2023

Anna C. Hiatt, age 96, Lincoln, Nebraska, formerly Grant City, Missouri died January 20, 2023, at Emerald Nursing and Rehab in Lincoln. 

Anna was born March 20, 1926, in Herman, Nebraska.  She was the daughter of the late Henry and Freda (Stevens) McMichael. Her family moved to Denver, Missouri when she was a child and she spent most of her life in Worth County. 

She was united in marriage to Burl Hiatt in California after he returned home from the war.  To this union two children were born Calvin Nelson and Darla Sue.

Anna was a member of the Community of Christ Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Burl (May 6, 2002), infant son Calvin and daughter Darla Sue Wacker, brothers Gene and Curtis McMichael, sisters Mildred Golden, Darlene Robinson and Grace McMichael.

Her survivors include grandchildren Laura  and Jared White, both of Lincoln, four grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, 2 sisters-in-law Billie Fern Wake and Donna Mae Hiatt, both of Grant City, one brother-in-law Jerry (Susan) Hiatt, Platte City, Missouri, nieces, nephews and a host of other friends and loved ones.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Thursday, January 26, 2023, at the Andrews-Hann Funeral Home, Grant City.  Burial will be in the Grant City Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home after 9 AM on Wednesday.

andrewshannfuneralhome.com

Plattsburg to Move to Eight Man Football

The Plattsburg School Board voted unanimously to move to eight man football for the next three seasons with a goal of returning to 11 man football in three years, the Clinton County Leader reported Wednesday. They competed in the KCI Conference; however, they did not win a single game last year and were outscored 560-70. They had only 80 boys in high school, of which only 22 went out for football. At one point, they only had 13 people dressed out for one of their games last year. Their closest game was a 55-20 loss to Polo. 

Plattsburg has had opposite fortunes in baseball and basketball. Their basketball team, as of January 19th, was undefeated. Their baseball team last year was 29-9 and went to state. The new baseball cooperative between Northeast Nodaway and Worth County will know right away how good they are, as they will play a game with Plattsburg early in the season.

Community Calendar for January 18th, 2023

Community Calendar items are free of charge. Send entries to express@grm.net or message us on Facebook. All events are subject to last minute cancellation due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

January 19th – North Harrison High School Concert Band Pre-MMEA Concert, 6 pm, North Harrison High School.

January 19th – Northeast Nodaway School Board Meeting, 7 pm.

January 19th – Worth County School Board Meeting, 7:30 pm.

January 20th – Northeast Nodaway After Prom Baked Potato Bar, 4:30 pm. The Northeast Nodaway vs. Mound City game will follow.

January 20th – Homecoming game, North Harrison vs. North Andrew, 6 pm.

January 20th – Courtwarming, North Nodaway vs. Platte Valley, 6 pm. Dance to follow.

January 22nd – Ravenwood community breakfast, 8 am. The Northeast Nodaway FBLA will be helping.

January 22nd – Hopkins Community Club will have a beef and noodle dinner from 11 am to 1 pm at the Hopkins Community Building. Adults $10 and children $5.

January 26th – North Harrison High School Concert Band will perform at the Missouri Music Educators Conference at 12:15 pm.

January 27th – North Nodaway Middle School Snowflake Shuffle (Rescheduled), 6 pm.

January 31st – NEN Senior Night vs. Union Star, 6 pm.

February 2nd – Family reading night at Northeast Nodaway, 6 pm.

February 3rd – Courtwarming game, Worth County vs. Princeton, 6 pm.

February 4th – Northeast Nodaway Booster Club 5th and 6th grade basketball tournament.

February 5th – Northeast Nodaway Booster Club 3rd and 4th grade basketball tournament.

February 5th – American Legion Breakfast, Parnell Legion Hall, 8 am.

February 6th – No school at Worth County. Professional development.

February 7th – North Harrison FCCLA, 7:15 am.

February 7th – North Harrison Senior Night vs. NEN, 6:00 pm.

February 8th – North Nodaway Bingo for PTO, Hopkins, 6:00 pm. PTO meeting will follow at 7:15 pm.

February 9th – North Nodaway Suicide Prevention Assembly, 9:45 am.

February 9th – Northeast Nodaway Booster Club supper in the old gym, 5 pm. Homecoming pep rally, 7 pm.

February 10th – Pot Luck, Worth County Senior Center, 12 noon.

February 10th – Northeast Nodaway Homecoming vs. Stewartsville/Osborn, 6 pm. Dance to follow after the games.

February 13th – No school at Northeast Nodaway, North Harrison, or North Nodaway. Professional development.

February 15th – North Nodaway School Board, 6 pm.

February 15th – North Harrison School Board, 7 pm.

February 16th – Soup supper prior to game between Worth County and Maysville, 4 pm.

February 16th – Worth County Senior Night vs. Maysville, 6 pm.

February 16th – Northeast Nodaway School Board Meeting, 7 pm.

February 16th – Worth County School Board Meeting, 7:30 pm.

February 20th – No school or mail delivery, President’s Day. Possible makeup date.

February 23rd – Worth County Fire District, 7:30 pm.

February 25th – Matt Hammitt, singer, songwriter, author, speaker, and former lead singer of Sanctus Real will speak at the Allendale Baptist Church at 6 pm. No tickets required; all are welcome.

February 26th – Ravenwood Community Breakfast, 8 am. The Northeast Nodaway FFA will be helping.

February 27th – Spring practices may begin.

March 1st – North Nodaway Academic Showcase, 5:30 pm.

March 2nd – Northeast Nodaway PTO, 6 pm.

March 3rd – Worth County PTO Carnival, 5 pm.

March 3rd – NEN Night of Music, 6 pm.

March 4th – North Harrison Pops & Pie Concert.

March 4th to 5th – North Nodaway 5th & 6th grade basketball tournament, 8 am.

March 5th – American Legion Breakfast, Parnell, 8 am, Parnell Legion Hall.

March 7th – NEN McTeacher Night at McDonald’s in Maryville, 4 pm.

March 8th – North Nodaway Winter Athletic Banquet, 6 pm.

March 10th – Pot Luck, 12 noon, Worth County Senior Center.

March 12th – Daylight Savings Time begins. Set all clocks forward.

March 13th – No school at NEN; teacher in-service.

March 13th – Worth County PTO, 6:30 pm, Activity Center.

March 14th – Northeast Nodaway pre-K screenings, 12 noon to 6 pm.

March 15th – North Nodaway School Board Meeting, 6 pm.

March 16th – North Nodaway 3rd quarter awards assembly, 11 pm.

March 16th – Early dismissal at Worth County and North Nodaway. Parent/teacher conferences.

March 16th – Early dismissal at North Harrison. Teacher in-service.

March 16th – Northeast Nodaway School Board Meeting, 7 pm.

March 16th – Worth County School Board Meeting, 7:30 pm.

March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day.

March 17th – No school at Worth County or North Nodaway. Parent/Teacher conferences.

March 17th to 21st – No school at North Harrison. Spring Break.

March 18th – North Nodaway DARE auction, 7 pm.

March 20th – No school at Worth County. Professional development.

March 21st – Family reading night at NEN, 6 pm.

March 23rd – Worth County Early Bird Track Meet, 3:30 pm.

March 23rd – MORP Middle School Dance at North Nodaway, 6 pm.

March 25th – Worth County Prom.

March 26th – Ravenwood Community Breakfast, 8 am. NEN Student Council will be helping.

March 28th – Worth County Junior High Early Bird, 3:30 pm.

March 31st – North Nodaway Talent Show, 6 pm, Roxy Center.

April 1st – North Nodaway Baseball Tournament.

April 2nd – American Legion Breakfast, Parnell Legion Hall, 8 am.

April 4th – Northeast Nodaway PK-2nd Grade Spring Concert, 6 pm to 7 pm.

April 5th – No school at NEN. Teacher In-service.

April 6th to 7th – No school at Worth County or NEN. Spring Break.

April 6th to 10th – No school at North Harrison, Easter Break.

April 7th – No school at North Nodaway. Spring Break.

April 8th – NEN Baseball Tournament.

April 9th – Easter Sunday.

April 10th – No school at Worth County, NEN, or North Nodaway. Spring Break.

April 10th – Worth County PTO Meeting, 6:30 pm, Activity Center.

May 19th to 21st – Turkey Run Flea Market and Swap Meet, 33982 State Highway NN, Hopkins. May 19th, 12 noon to 8 pm. May 20th, 8 am to 8 pm. May 21st, 9 am to 3 pm. Vendor space $15. Electric hookups $25. Camper hookups $35. For more information, call Adam Emery (660) 541-2984 or (660) 986-2688.

Hopkins Man Injured in Wreck Near Graham

A Hopkins man was injured in a wreck near Graham Monday evening, January 16th. The Missouri state Highway Patrol reports that a 2012 Ford Fusion driven by Bart Oberhauser (30) of Hopkins was eastbound on Route A five miles east of Graham while a 2022 Buick Enclave driven by Billy Brookshire (72) of Graham was westbound. The Patrol says that the Buick attempted to turn into a private drive south of Route A and turned into the path of the Fusion. The front of the Fusion struck the rear of the Buick. Oberhauser received minor injuries and was taken to Mosaic in Maryville. Brookshier was not injured. A passenger in Brookshier’s vehicle, Jeanette Brookshire (72) of Graham, received minor injuries and was taken to Mosaic in Maryville.

Courthouse News for January 18th, 2023

On January 11th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Julius Hall (64) of Minneapolis (MN) alleging DWI and Speeding.

On January 11th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Amber Dorman (44) of Savannah alleging Stealing.

On January 11th, a Grant City resident reported that someone attempted to steal their boat, but failed to get it out of the yard. 

On January 12th, thousands of flights across the country, including dozens at KCI, were delayed. The FAA shut down all air traffic due to a malfunction in a safety system that is supposed to be checked prior to every flight. The system was repaired later that morning.

On January 13th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Michael Fields (53) of Milton (IA) alleging No Valid License (Felony).

On January 13th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Paul Fluno (80) of New Hampton alleging four counts Statutory Sodomy (Felony) and six counts Child Molestation (Felony). Bond was set at $500,000, cash only.

On January 13th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Alexa Wicher (28) of Cedar Rapids (IA) in Harrison County on a Clinton County Warrant for Failure to Appear (Speeding).

On January 13th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Scott Yount (50) of Maryville alleging Possession of Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $10,000, cash or corporate surety.

On January 16th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 15 year old boy driving a 2013 Polaris Ranger was northbound on Issac Miller Trail ½ of a mile south of Albany with a 13 year old passenger when he lost control and overturned. The driver was ejected and received moderate injuries. He was taken to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. The 13 year old passenger received minor injuries and was taken to Mosaic in Albany.

Charges listed are mere 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.