Kynah Steele Gets Triple Double as Tigers Down Warriors 42-26

Kynah Steele had a big night for Worth County, getting 15 points, 15 tips, and 12 boards as the Tigers beat Albany 42-26 Tuesday night to get back on the winning track in Albany. Ali Brown also had a big night for the Tigers, getting 15 points and 11 boards and shutting down Albany post player Jordyn Sterkis, holding her to three points.

Previously, Worth County had been ousted from the Stanberry Tournament, digging themselves into a 20 point hole and losing 45-28 to King City and then falling to a revenge-minded Stanberry squad 31-22 in the consolation bracket. But they got back on track by putting points on the board, while still locking down on defense. They cut down on their turnovers, only surrendering it 12 times after surrendering it 20 times against Stanberry. And they kept Albany off the boards, only surrendering 8 offensive rebounds after surrendering 13 against Stanberry.

Worth County got off to a fast start on the line, getting Sterkis in foul trouble and on the bench early, building up a 5-0 lead by the 6:54 mark. Jasmin Valderrama put Albany on the board, but free throws from Kynah Steele and Taylor Sanders put the Tigers up 8-2. But Albany started hanging around despite Sterkis on the bench with foul trouble and Addisyn Crawford's backdoor layup cut the Warrior deficit to 10-6 after one. And when Sterkis came back in, the Warriors were able to tie it at 10 and then 12. 

But the Warriors were down to seven players for Tuesday's game, and it showed after they fought back to tie; they had eight for the North Nodaway game in the Stanberry Tournament. And they were still without their best player, Abby Troncin (ankle). The wear and tear took full effect during the next stretch, as Worth County answered with an 18-0 run that spanned the rest of the half and most of the third to put the game away.

Worth County, who couldn't buy a bucket against either Stanberry or King City, finally started getting shots to fall as Paige Sherer knocked one down from the right baseline late in the half, followed by a shot from the left wing from Brylee Rush. Ali Brown then finished twice in the paint, something her coach, Tiffany Bliley, had been pushing her and Kynah Steele to do all year, and Worth County was back up 20-12 at the half.

Albany was saved by the bell against North Nodaway and made things interesting for a while in the second half, but it was Worth County who came out strong in the third quarter as Kynah Steele hit Ali Brown inside and Kynah scored off a drive after a pass from Brylee Rush. Steele hit free throws and then followed that with a blocked shot and then grabbed the defensive board and went coast to coast. Ali Brown hit two more free throws to finish the run and put Worth County up 20-12 late in the third quarter.

With Worth County shutting down Sterkis in the paint, a freshman, Hayleigh Wink, stepped up for Albany and got the hot hand early in the fourth, cutting the Warrior deficit to 31-19 at the 7:21 mark. But Kynah Steele grabbed an offensive board, played through contact, and was rewarded with two free throws, which she made to break the run. Rylee Ruckman came off the bench to knock down a 3-pointer and get a steal to make it 38-19.

Keylee Siddens hit a 3-pointer and Brooklyn Wink showed her ability to drive and slash to the rim late, cutting the Warrior deficit down to 40-26, but then Albany was out of time and Kynah Steele scored from inside for the dagger with 50 seconds left.

For Worth County, Ali Brown and Kynah Steele had 15 points. Rylee Ruckman had 5, Paige Sherer, Brylee Rush, and Lanie Cousatte all had 2, and Taylor Sanders 1.

Paige Sherer, Liz Brown, and Kynah Steele each had 1 block.

Kynah Steele had 12 boards. Ali Brown had 11, Brylee Rush 3, Taylor Sanders and Rylee Ruckman 2 each, and Liz Brown, Paige Sherer, and Rayleigh Smith 1 each.

Kynah Steele had 6 assists. Liz Brown and Ali Brown had 2, and Taylor Sanders, Paige Sherer, Brylee Rush, and Rayleigh Smith had 1 each.

Kynah Steele had 15 tips. Liz Brown had 6, Ali Brown, Taylor Sanders, and Brylee Rush all had 2, and Paige Sherer, Hailey Adwell, and Rylee Ruckman all had 1.

Ali Brown and Kynah Steele had 4 steals. Taylor Sanders, Brylee Rush, and Rylee Ruckman had 2. Paige Sherer and Hailey Adwell had 1 each.

Tiger Boys Escape Dogfight with Mustangs

Worth County’s boys survived by the skin of their teeth against North Nodaway Wednesday night at the Stanberry Tournament to survive elimination. 

The Tigers emerged from a brutal stretch with two straight wins, 60-48 over Stanberry and 46-34 over North Harrison. They played a good game against Albany in the first round of the Stanberry Tournament, but lost 40-29. They were pitted against North Nodaway.

The Mustangs came out of the break and fell hard to Rock Port, 66-32. But they got Aydan Blackford back, and he scored 23 points in a 64-36 win over DeKalb to avenge an earlier loss. They fell to state ranked Platte Valley 71-30, but they saw Wednesday’s game as a winnable game for them.

Worth County controlled the boards early as they built an 8-4 lead early. Three different Tigers scored as John Galanakis got a putback, Tanner Ridge hit a 3-pointer, and Tyler New hit another. But Aydan Blackford did all he could to keep North Nodaway in the game, and his 3-pointer cut the Mustang deficit to 14-13 by the end of the quarter.

From there on out, North Nodaway was dominating the boards, and it was all Tyler New could do to keep the Tigers afloat. Worth County didn’t have anyone to match up with Damian Dailey, who got better on the boards as the night progressed. The game was tied at 14, 16, and 18 before Mason Richardson’s 3-pointer put North Nodaway in front 21-18 at the half. 

Worth County put on a press early in the second half and they fought back to take the lead at 25-21 as Tyler New had seven straight. But Damian Dailey scored after a high-low pass from Ethan Fry and Jeremiah Dobbins scored off a drive to tie it up again. The game was tied at 25 and then 27 going into the fourth quarter.

Tyler New started off with three straight steals to start the fourth quarter to put the Tigers in front 33-27. But just as it looked like he would take over the game, North Nodaway put on a press and fought back; they only had three fouls, so they could afford to be very aggressive on defense. Tanner Ridge’s 3-pointer gave Worth County its biggest lead at 36-29 with 3:55 left, but Levi Cassavaugh’s tip caromed right to Aydan Blackford, who scored to break the run. Mason Richardson’s 3-pointer with 2:04 left cut it to 36-34.

North Nodaway got a stop, but Damian Dailey missed an inside shot with 1:31 left and Worth County started running down the clock. They ran down the clock from 1:31 all the way down to 23.8 seconds before North Nodaway could get Worth County on the line. 

Worth County missed a 1-1, but Tyler New got the offensive board and was fouled with 18 seconds. He missed a 1-1, and North Nodaway had a chance to tie or win, but Damian Dailey was called for a moving screen with 5.3 seconds left. The ensuing inbounds pass was nearly stolen, but John Galanakis came up with it and was fouled with 3.4 seconds left. He missed the 1-1 and Damian Dailey got the defensive board and got a quick outlet to Aydan Blackford. He rushed it up the floor, but his contested 3-pointer, which would have won it, rimmed out.

For Worth County, Tyler New had 24 points, Tanner Ridge 6, and John Galanakis, Karson Briner, and Levi Cassavaugh had 2 each. 

Karson Briner had 10 boards for Worth County. Levi Cassavaugh had 6, John Galanakis 5, Tyler New 3, and Tanner Ridge and Franklynn Hoff 1.

For North Nodaway, Aydan Blackford had 15, Mason Richardson 8, Damian Dailey 7, and Ethan Fry and Jeremiah Dobbins 2 each.

Damian Dailey had 12 boards. Aydan Blackford had 4, Mason Richardson 3, Ethan Fry and Owen Martin 2, and Jeremiah Dobbins and Brice Trimble 1.

But Tiger coach Les New was not satisfied, focusing on what he saw as the lack of rebounding. Coaches have a way of having a 6th sense, and sure enough, Worth County could not buy a board against a King City squad that was even taller than North Nodaway. They could not survive a bad 16-0 third quarter in the consolation game and fell 56-50 to the Wildkats. 

Neither Worth County nor North Nodaway’s girls could solve Stanberry, which has emerged as one of the stingiest defensive teams in the area. Worth County’s girls lost 31-22 to Stanberry after losing 45-28 to King City. North Nodaway lost in the consolation game 46-33.

Keygun Johnson Goes Beast Mode as Shamrock Boys Win Second Straight

North Harrison’s boys used a dominant night on the boards from Keygun Johnson to reverse their fortunes and put together a winning streak, beating Northeast Nodaway 49-43 and winning consolation at the South Harrison Tournament Friday. 

Early on, the game looked like it would go the Bluejays’ way. They killed the Shamrocks on the boards in the first quarter 10-4 and got two early baskets from Jake Redden and one from Dylan McIntyre to jump to a 6-2 lead. But somehow, the Shamrocks climbed back in it and were ahead 9-8 after one, getting 5 from Jerry Gilpatrick in the period.

From there, Northeast got away from what worked for them earlier and North Harrison killed them on the boards the rest of the way, outrebounding them 31-11 for the remainder of the game. In the second quarter, they got free throws from Keygun Johnson, a drive from Evan Schreiber, a pair of putbacks from Kolton Graham, another free throw from Johnson, and a drive from Tyson Gibson to build up a 20-13 lead at the 3:13 mark. 

Northeast fought back as Jake Redden hit from the high post, Boston Adwell got a tip and steal and Drew Dack fed Dylan McIntyre for two, and free throws from Dack brought the Bluejays back to within 20-19. But Tyson Gibson countered with a baseline drive at the buzzer to put the Shamrocks up 22-19 at the half.

The second half belonged to Keygun Johnson, as he turned on Beast Mode and grabbed 12 out of his 17 boards in the half, including six in the third quarter. Northeast fought back to tie it at 25, but then Tyson Gibson and Keygun Johnson both got loose inside, Ethan Henson hit a 3-pointer, and Jerry Gilpatrick got a putback. Dylan McIntyre did all he could for the Bluejays in the period, getting eight in the period, but North Harrison’s length, athleticism, and the extra possessions from the boards began to take their toll. The Shamrocks led 38-30 after three.

Keygun Johnson twice put the Shamrocks ahead by 10 in the fourth quarter before the Bluejays began a comeback bid, sparked by Boston Adwell’s 3-pointer to cut it to 42-35. Dylan McIntyre and Boston Adwell got their hands on an errant Shamrock pass before Jack Boswell corralled it and fed Dylan to make it 42-37 with plenty of time left.

Jerry Gilpatrick scored off a drive with 3:12 left, but Northeast kept coming as Dylan McIntyre scored off a drive off a Boston Adwell pass and Dylan added another steal to make it 44-41 with 1:17 left.

North Harrison missed the front end of a 1-1, but Tyson Gibson was there for the putback to make it 46-41. Ethan Henson blocked a shot on the other end and Tyson Gibson grabbed the board and was fouled immediately, making one of two with 41 seconds left to make it 47-41. After another stop, Keygun Johnson followed with two more free throws with 28 seconds left before Brycen Kennard got a layup at the buzzer for Northeast.

For Northeast, Dylan McIntyre had 21, Drew Dack 9, Jake Redden 6, Brycen Kennard 4, and Boston Adwell 3.

Dylan McIntyre had 1 block.

Boston Adwell had 7 boards. Dylan McIntyre had 6, Jake Redden 3, Drew Dack and Jack Boswell 2, and Brycen Kennard 1.

Drew Dack had 6 assists. Jack Boswell had 4, Jake Redden and Boston Adwell 2, and Dylan McIntyre 1.

Boston Adwell had 4 steals. Dylan McIntyre and Jake Redden had 3, and Jack Boswell 2.

For North Harrison, Tyson Gibson had 15, Keygun Johnson 14, Jerry Gilpatrick 10, Kolton Graham 5, Ethan Henson 3, and Evan Schreiber 2.

Ethan Henson and Keygun Johnson had 3 blocks each. Jerry Gilpatrick had 2.

Keygun Johnson had 17 boards. Tyson Gibson had 7, Jerry Gilpatrick 5, Ethan Henson 3, Kolton Graham 2, and Evan Schreiber 1.

Jerry Gilpatrick, Tyson Gibson, and Ethan Henson had 3 assists each. Evan Schreiber had 2, and Keygun Johnson had 1.

Jerry Gilpatrick had 3 steals. Evan Schreiber, Tyson Gibson, Ethan Henson, and Keygun Johnson all had 1.

***

Shamrock guard Evan Schreiber looks a little bit different these days. He made a bet with Kayson Sims that he would not score a point this year; however, Sims finally made a free throw and got into the scoring column. Schreiber subsequently shaved his head. Apparently, it brought good luck to the Shamrocks.

Hadley DeFreece Erupts in Fourth Quarter; Sasha Deardorff Gets Key Steal to Preserve Bluejay Win

Northeast Nodaway got their usual output from Baylie Busby (21 points, 16 boards) and Dalanie Auffert (8 points, 12 boards), but it was Hadley DeFreece who took over the game in the fourth after Northeast had fallen behind in the third and Sasha Deardorff who got a key steal at the end to preserve Northeast Nodaway’s 47-45 win over Princeton to give them the third place trophy in the South Harrison Tournament. 

The Bluejays got an early lead as putbacks from Baylie Busby and Dalanie Auffert put them up 4-0. But a lot of missed shots allowed Princeton to hang around, and by the late part of the first quarter, a steal put the Blue Tigers in front 10-9. A pass from Busby to Auffert inside put Northeast back in front 11-10 after one. 

Princeton put on the press and threatened to pull away, using some Bluejay turnovers and baskets from Grace Kelly to put them ahead 17-12. But then Busby shot the Bluejays back into the game starting with a drive and pullup that cut it to three. She had eight points in the period and Mylee Wilmes added a shot from the wing. Finally, with 1:42 left, Busby took a handoff from Dalanie Auffert and made a circus shot, flipping it up and in as she went down and drawing a foul, converting a three point play to put Northeast up 21-19 at the half.

Busby’s 3-pointer put the Bluejays in front at the 4:57 mark at 28-26, but then Addy Henke threatened to take over the game for Princeton, scoring 15 points in the period and beating everyone down the floor on defense. The Blue Tigers led by as much as 37-30 before Busby got a steal late in the third, pushed it up the floor, and found Sasha Deardorff at the top of the key at the third quarter buzzer for two to cut it to five and stop the bleeding.

Princeton still appeared to be in control through much of the fourth despite DeFreece’s first 3-pointer of the quarter as Grace Kelly was working the post to get them some points. But all of a sudden, Hadley DeFreece hit a 3-pointer with 3:23 left, Dalanie Auffert took a charge on defense, and Hadley struck again to put the Bluejays in front 43-42 out of nowhere. Hadley forced a backcourt violation and Baylie Busby hit one of two at the line to make it 44-42, and then jumped a Princeton pass to make it 46-42 with 1:23 left.

Baylie Busby got a tip on defense and there was a scramble for the resultant loose ball, but Jill Boswell picked up her fifth foul in the scrum and Grace Kelly hit both free throws to cut it to 46-44 with 1:12 left. 

A bizarre play happened as Princeton apparently stole the ensuing inbounds pass off the press and converted a layup to tie it, but without any whistles or signal from the officials, the points were wiped off and the ball given back to Northeast.

Given the new lease on life, Northeast ran it down to 54 seconds. Baylie Busby missed a 1-1, but got a tieup and the ball went back to Northeast. Princeton stole the ball, but Henke, who had made almost everything up to that point, finally missed one and Baylie Busby rushed the other way. She found Hadley DeFreece, but she missed a contested look. Henke missed again, but Northeast lost it out of bounds with 20 seconds left. 

Klaire Buckler missed a three that would have put Princeton in front by one. After a scramble, the jump ball went back to Princeton. But on the ensuing inbounds play, Sasha Deardorff stole it and was fouled immediately. She made one out of two with 10 seconds left to make it 47-44. It was Deardorff’s only steal all night, but it came at the biggest possible moment.

Grace Kelly missed a contested three, but with three tenths of a second left, Randa Shahan grabbed the offensive board and was fouled. With Princeton down three, they had to make the first, miss the second, and get a putback to tie. Shahan made the first, missed the second, but Baylie Busby leaped to secure the board and fell to the floor as time expired.

For Northeast, Baylie Busby had 21, Hadley DeFreece 12, Dalanie Auffert 8, and Mylee Wilmes and Sasha Deardorff 3 each.

Dalanie Auffert had 3 blocks.

Baylie Busby went into beast mode on the boards, getting 16. Dalanie Auffert had 12, Sasha Deardorff 4, Jill Boswell 3, Hadley DeFreece 2, and Mylee Wilmes 1.

Sasha Deardorff had 4 assists. Dalanie Auffert and Jill Boswell had 3, and Baylie Busby and Hadley DeFreece had 2 each.

Baylie Busby had 4 tips. Hadley DeFreece and Jill Boswell had 3, and Sasha Deardorff 1. 

Baylie Busby and Hadley DeFreece had 5 steals each. Dalanie Auffert had 2, and Mylee Wilmes and Sasha Deardorff 1 each.

After the tournament was concluded, Baylie Busby was named to the All Tournament Team.

Sydney Thummel Honored by Missouri Cattlemen’s Association

The Missouri Cattlemen's Association recognized Worth County grad Sydney Thummel, Columbia, Mo., as the 2022 Leadership Development Award recipient at the 55th Annual Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show held Jan. 6-8 in Osage Beach. The MCA Leadership Development Award was formed to acknowledge individuals who are dedicated to growing and expanding the association and creating new leaders within the industry. 

Thummel has been active in MCA for well over a decade starting with the Missouri Junior Cattlemen’s Association and serving in leadership capacities. After graduating college, Thummel joined the MCA staff as the manager of membership and now serves as the executive vice president of the Missouri Beef Industry Council. Thummel has a passion for youth engagement and empowering the next generation of beef cattle producers.

“Thummel has dedicated the past several years to developing the next generation of cattle industry members,” said 2021 MCA President Patty Wood. “She is a very active member and is now focused on educating consumers about the products we produce.”

Sydney is the daughter of Jeff and Debbie Thummel of Sheridan.

North Nodaway Second Quarter Awards

HONOR ROLLS

Principal’s (Gold):

7th Grade: Laney Turner

8th Grade: Lily Blaine, Mya Hansen, Ridge Harger, Tequila Miller, Halie Young.

Freshmen: Addalea Barcus, Lacy Riley, Casey Wray, Jackie Wray.

Juniors: Aydan Blackford, Saryn Brown, Lauren Herndon, Andrea Jenkins, Angeline Parker, Morgan Pope.

Seniors: Kelsey Barcus, Darron Bix, Jacquelyn Cline, Jeremiah Dobbins, Ellaina Renfro, Riley Volner, Andrew Wray.

Principal’s (Silver):

6th Grade: Eliza Clements, Conner Pearson, Zoey Phillips, Marek Stevens, Thomas Stringer.

7th Grade: Weston Alexander, Tacooa Moyer, Savannah Runde, Pyper Smith.

8th Grade: Wyatt Emery, Nevaeh Rowland, Abriana Straughn.

Freshmen: Sadee Clapp, Blaine Clements, Emily Keho, Landon Parman, Gannon Volner, Trevin Wylie.

Sophomores: Owen Martin, Katelyn Parman, Olivia Renfro, Amy Richards, Lakota Rucker.

Juniors: Preston Hansen, Lucardia Hendricks, Sydney Whipple.

Seniors: Sarah Chesnut, Damian Dailey, Kade Emery, Braya McGinness, Andrew Phillips, Danielle Riedel, Ryver Wolf, Sarah Wray.

Bronze:

6th Grade: Luke Clements, Jenayeah Howard, Jackson Keho, Hayden Marriott.

7th Grade: Trynzlee Ebrecht, Draven Rader, Lena Richards, Ava Stump.

8th Grade: Keith Riedel.

Freshmen: Kaeden Nave, Draven Rowland, Roger Wolf.

Sophomores: Ethan Tyler, Alanis Wray.

Juniors: Ethan Fry, Tayden Halvin, Madison Leach, Brice Trimble.

Seniors: Samantha Morrow.

STUDENT AWARDS

High School:

Student of 2nd Quarter: Damian Dailey. Leadership Awards: Lauren Herndon and Owen Martin. Citizenship Award: Ryver Wolf. Achievement Awards: Danielle Riedel, Brice Trimble, Lakota Rucker, Wyatt Emery.

Middle School:

Student of 2nd Quarter: Laney Turner. Leadership Award: Kila Miller. Achievement Award: Luke Clements. Citizenship Award: Weston Alexander.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

Second Quarter, Middle School:

Eliza Clements, Luke Clements, Jenayaeh Howard, Savannah Rucker, Tequilla Miller, Nevaeh Rowland, Matthew Sturgis.

Second Quarter, High School:

Blaine Clements, Lacy Riley, Danielle Riedel.

First Semester:

Luke Clements, Jenayaeh Howard, Savannah Rucker, Matthew Sturgis, Lacy Riley, Danielle Riedel.

Obituary -- David Perry 1957-2023

David M. Perry, age 65, Grant City, Missouri died Friday, January 13, 2023, at Mosaic Medical Center, Albany, Missouri.

David was born December 15, 1957, in Corning, Iowa.  He was the son of Merrill Vernon and Mary Lou (Huelett) Perry.

David was united in marriage to Lisa Groom, May 23, 1987, at the Allendale Baptist Church in Allendale, Missouri.

David was a 1976 graduate of Mount Ayr Community High School, Mount Ayr, Iowa.  David held a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Missouri.  He had taught instrumental and vocal music in several schools in Northwest Missouri.  

Music composed by David had been performed by Northwest’s Band.

David used his gift of music by being a part of church praise bands, playing both trumpet and piano. 

He is survived by his wife of thirty-five years Lisa, Grant City, two brothers Mike Avitt, Afton, Iowa, Mark Avitt, Austin, Texas, sister Lenore Nuri, Phoenix, Arizona, mother-in-law Evelyn Groom, Albany, brother-in-law Michael (Kay Manthe), Galesburg, Illinois, and a host of other friends and loved ones.

David’s body has been cremated under the care of the Andrews-Hann Funeral Home, Grant City.  A memorial service to celebrate David’s life will be held at a later date.  Inurnment will be in the Kirk Cemetery, Allendale.