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Winning streak snapped as Cougars lose 97-93 to No. 14 Brown Mackie

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The Barton Community College men’s basketball team had its eight game winning streak snapped Saturday afternoon at the Barton Gym as the Cougars fell to Division II No. 14 ranked Brown Mackie College 97-93.   The loss dropped the Cougars to 10-2 on the season while the Lions improved to 10-3.  Barton will wrap up the pre-conference schedule with a trip to Michigan with a pair of games next weekend against Division II opponents.  The Cougars will open up the Christmas Classic Friday against the host Kalamazoo Valley at 7:30 p.m. then have a quick turnaround with a 1:00 p.m. contest against Kellogg Community College.

Erasing an eight point halftime deficit, freshman Khalil Gracey scored five straight to give Barton its first lead since early in the first half 75-72 with 7:45 to play.   It was the last lead for Barton as Brown Mackie went on to score twelve of the next thirteen in the following three minutes including a 9-0 run to grab an 84-76 lead with 4:42 to play.  Barton cut the deficit to three numerous times in the next three minutes and following a Jalin Barnes jumper pulled to within one at 90-89 with 1:39 remaining.

With both teams getting defensive stops, the game turned for good in the Lions favor off a missed free throw with thirty seconds to play.  Making his first of two charity throws, Goch Ajak grabbed his own miss on the second shot put the dagger in the Cougars with the putback.  Two Ahmad Walker free throws cut the deficit back to two but a pair of Ahasuerus McDonald free throws pushed the lead back out to four.   Following a Gracey turnover, the freshman from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, stole the impending throw-in taking it to the hole to again get the Cougars to within two but only five ticks remained on the clock.  Sending McDonald back to the free throw line, the Flint, Michigan sophomore sank his eleventh and twelfth free throw of the contest to seal the victory.

Walker continued his recent torrid scoring as the reigning KJCCC Player of the Week put up thirty points as the sophomore transfer has scored in double figures five straight games including three straight 25-plus point games.  Tyrone Acuff added sixteen while Barnes scored fourteen and grabbed a career high nine rebounds to lead the Cougars.  Gracey came off the bend to add twelve while Kenny Enoch led a nineteen steal defensive effort with four.

 

McDonald, going 12-of-15 from the line and 9-of-18 from the field, led four Lions in double-figures with a game thirty-two while also leading with six steals.  Goch Ajak scored sixteen with eight rebounds and Macam Macam led a 49-44 rebound edge with fifteen including six on the offensive glass to go along with his thirteen points.   Nygel Jones provide a spark off the bench to add eleven points and grab nine rebounds.

Having announced his retirement at the conclusion of the season, Brown Mackie Head Coach Francis Flax was recognized prior to the start of picking up victory No. 614 in thirty-two years of collegiate coaching.

Don’t wake a sleeping skunk

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Every kid who’s ever set a trap has caught a skunk at one time or another, or in my case, often.

Trapping without ever catching a skunk would be like a dog never peeing on a tire; it ain’t gonna’

happen! I work in maintenance at a large retirement / nursing home and have lost count of the stories

I’ve heard the old guys tell of getting sprayed by skunks as they checked their traps on the way to

school, then getting sent home because they reeked. I used to wonder if they let it happen on purpose

just to get sent home, but I’ve since come to my senses.

Pure skunk essence is a valuable ingredient in many lures & scents used by trappers and can be

sold to large trapping supply houses, and skunk fur is actually very nice and silky. Thus many diehard

trappers use a hypodermic needle to extract the essence from the skunks they catch, then skin and

stretch the pelts. I guess I’m not a very serious trapper, cause’ mine just find their way into the closest

fencerow, luxurious coat, expensive pee and all, to spend eternity there beside the possums I catch.

I once met a taxidermist at an outdoor show who had a stuffed skunk as the centerpiece of

his display. He had it rigged so he could press a switch of some sort under the table and the skunk’s

tail would suddenly rise. He’d wait until a crowd of people were gathered around the skunk, (which

happened often,) then he’d press the switch and watch the crowd gasp and run, clutching the seats of

their britches as they headed for the nearest johns. I know another taxidermist who has a stuffed skunk

mounted on top of a radio controlled car body so he can “drive” it around the room at will. When he

goes to shows he keeps it hidden under the table, then suddenly runs it out through the crowd. Talk

about an attention getter! I honestly think a fire alarm would get less attention.

I’ve had some interesting adventures involving skunks in traps. Looking back, I can call them

interesting now, but at the time my descriptions were slightly different. Skunks are fairly laid back

critters and if caught in an enclosed or covered cage trap can usually be carted away in the trap and

unceremoniously dumped somewhere without incident.

Some years ago as a new trapper I caught one in a large cage trap set for bobcats, possibly

a first for both me and the skunk. As I slowly approached the cage, the silly thing ran to the back and

began an acrobatics display fit for a circus. First up one side, across the back by its front claws then

down the other side it went, twirling like a little black and white ballerina. With great effort and a long

stick I got the cage door propped open, then turned and ran cause’ I knew Pepe’ would be charging the

open door for his freedom. At a safe distance I turned to watch, and there it still hung like Spiderman

on the inside of the cage. My next plan involved rushing the cage, arms flailing and shouting at the top

of my lungs, hoping to scare the critter out the open front door. It didn’t take me long to see how this

would turn disastrous and the maneuver was called off in mid-charge. I had other traps to check, so I

opted to leave for awhile, then just stop on my way back through and reset the trap after Pepe’ had

vamoosed. A half hour later I found it still in the trap, curled up in a fuzzy little black and white ball in

the back corner of the cage. I finally just left and the thing vanished sometime over night.

My latest encounter was just last season. A short distance from town I had a large skunk caught

in a foothold coyote trap. Despite most people’s thinking, foothold traps usually cause a critter no more

than a sore foot for awhile, but this skunk appeared to be stone cold dead. I stood and marveled at its

beautiful silky fur as it rippled in the wind, and tried to figure what had caused its demise. It had the

trap completely covered so I needed to push it aside to remove it and prepare it for the fencerow. Like

I said before, both the skunk and the trap were going to stink already, and not anxious to drive home

again in my stocking feet, I found a nice sturdy stick to roll it out of the way. I don’t know who was most

surprised, the sleeping skunk when I poked it with the stick or me when it suddenly jumped to its feet!

This encounter did not end in disaster (for me) but it gave new meaning to the old cliché’ “Things are

not always as they seem.”

I’ve never understood how the term “skunked” came to mean basically getting nothing, as

in getting “skunked” on a fishing trip. They are amazing little creatures that are very good at doing

what God created them to do. Their fur is soft and silky, their essence is prized by trappers and they’re

actually fun to watch as they waddle along. But if you ever get “skunked” by messing with one, I

guarantee you’ll get way more than nothing!

Steve can be contacted by email at [email protected].

The Covered Dish: Beef tips in wine sauce

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We can thank my assistant, Dawn, for this week’s recipe.  We’ve been visiting

with guests at work about how families celebrate Christmas.  It is so interesting

hearing how culinary fares change from each state and region, or simply from one

family to another!

In my youth Christmas Eve lunch was homemade pizza.  Mom would take off that

morning to make her Christmas tray deliveries.  For us kids it was the first day we

could sleep in.   (This is before school let out before Christmas Eve.)  Mom

returned from her ‘elfing’ with pizza in hand for lunch.  Hence a new family

tradition was born.

Then there’s Christmas Eve night; a couple of yummy soups, veggie platters and

an extravagant dessert.  Christmas Day we gathered at Grandma and Grandpa

Richardson’s house for the full holiday dinner.  If the weather was good dad and

Cousin John would go squirrel or rabbit hunting following the big meal and gift

exchange.   Grandma would reach into the ‘scary’ closet and pull out Christmas

Candies in the afternoon while we visited and watched the bubble lights on the

‘real’ Christmas tree.

After I married my immediate family has continued many of the traditions that I

have shared above.  There’s been one big change and that would be Christmas

Day dinner.  Before our son, Phillip, was born Ervin and I would have a steak, salad

and potato for Christmas dinner.  We kept the menu as simple as possible so we

could enjoy the day to the utmost.  We still start Christmas morning with

homemade cinnamon rolls or a tea ring.  Then around 11ish we get into the full-

blown Christmas morning breakfast.  For the evening meal it has varied over the

years.   A few times it has been this week’s beef tips recipe.  As I’ve shared before

it can go in the crock pot or Dutch oven.  Add the salad, pasta or rice and the meal

is complete with time for rest and relaxation.  This year because of the placement

of some family events we are having lasagna on Christmas Day.  Once again out

with the salad and French bread and the meal is complete.  What’s even better is

the fact that I make the lasagna two weeks ahead of time and freeze it!

I’ve had friends from Platte County who used the beef tips on Christmas Eve

because of their church obligations.  It was easy because it held if they were late

getting home for the meal.

Whether you’re breaking bread with a can of chicken noodle soup or the full-

blown holiday style dinner make it special.  Build a memory the kids will never

forget.  Use this week’s recipe for an impressive gathering and you’ll have more

time to enjoy.  Cherish each day of the holiday season and hug those kids and

grandkids til’ they burst!  Simply yours, The Covered Dish.

www.thecovereddish.com

Beef Tips in Wine Sauce

2 pounds sirloin beef, cut into 1 inch pieces

2 (10 ¾ ounces ea.) cans Golden Mushroom soup

1 cup red/burgundy wine, (Merlot works)

1 package dry onion soup mix

1 (6.5 ounce) can sliced mushrooms

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Place all ingredients in a large Dutch oven or crockpot.  Cook at 250 degrees for 4

hours.  Stir only one time during the cooking.  This should serve 8 persons unless

my family is coming!  Originally the recipe called for regular mushroom soup,

however I did not care for the ‘color’ so I changed it to Golden Mushroom soup.  If

you desire more mushrooms put them in or even use fresh.  Green onions or

small white onions would also be a good addition.  Serve over the top of rice or

your favorite pasta.

Barton women win third straight with 70-52 win at Hutch Classic

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The Barton Community College women’s basketball team wrapped up their pre-Christmas schedule Saturday with a 70-52 victory over the Central Methodist junior varsity.  Getting two wins at the Hutch Classic held in the Hutchinson Sports Arena, the Lady Cougars ride a three game win streak in improving to 10-2 while dropping the Lady Eagles to 3-8.   Barton’s next action won’t come until December 30 as the Lady Cougars host Northwest Kansas Technical College in a 5:30 p.m. contest before beginning conference play January 3.  

A 10-1 run to close out the first half gave the Lady Cougars the lead at the break 30-21.   Central Methodist wouldn’t go away easily in the second half cutting the deficit to six early in the early moments then drew to within four at the midway point.  Consecutive buckets by Brandi Williams took the lead out to eight, but the scrappy Lady Eagles hung around to keep things interesting until the final five moments.

Clinging to a 56-51 lead with 4:48 to play, a steal and layup by Phikala Anthony followed by a block by Ciera Lampe leading to another Anthony layup keyed a 14-0 run in the next four minutes to finish off the Lady Eagles.  

Anthony led the Lady Cougars with twenty-two points, seven rebounds, and five steals as four Lady Cougars reached double figures.  Williams also put together a solid game scoring thirteen and grabbing six rebounds while Lampe and Julia Dixon both followed their career high and second straight double-digit scoring output by adding ten each.   Held scoreless for the first time this season, Katrina Roenfeldt led Barton with four assists while also recording three steals.

Saige Stefanski’s eighteen points led Central Methodist while Makaya Adrian added ten.  Mary Rose Gonzalez grabbed a game high eight rebounds while Selin Belin led with three assists and three steals.

Laugh tracks in the dust

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Thayne Cozart
Milo Yield

‘Tis the season to be jolly, or in the case of ol’ Nevah and me, ‘tis the season for attempted scamming — three times in three days.

A gaggle of cyberspace scallawags tried three different ways to convince us to send them some of our money.

First was a phone call, supposedly from law enforcement in Oklahoma City, claiming that our teenaged grandson, who happens to live 1,000 miles from OKC, had been in a minor car accident, while attending the funeral of a good friend, and hadn’t passed the DUI test, and was, thus, in jail and needed a cool $1,000 in cash for his bail money, and the cash was needed within a couple of hours. Those thoughtful police officers even suggested a couple of businesses in Emporia from which we could safely transfer the $$$.

Well, those folks got a not-so-tactful piece of my mind and we contacted the local sheriff for followup. But, of course, nothing happened.

The second scam happened to ol‘ Nevah on Facebook. The scammer this time posed (by name) as a friend from Parsons, Kan., and had a “great deal” on a “Facebook Lottery.” All it would take for a chance at the big bucks would be so send a little cash to this faux friend.

Now on high scam alert, Nevah trashed the whole scheme and “defriended” the would-be scammer.

And, the third scam try came to my e-mail box. The e-mail by the would-be scammer used the name of an old friend who lives at Grand Lake, Okla., who happen to travel a lot with his wife. This time my unfortunate friend and his wife had sadly lost their luggage and their visas and passports in the Philippines and were in dire need of $2,850 cash immediately, so they could make their way home.

Well, I responded to the e-mail by telling my would be scammer that he needed to contact a better friend than me for his urgent cash and I hoped that he learned an expensive lesson about taking better care of his luggage and travel documents.

So, just let our scamming experience put everyone on high alert. There are nefarious folks out there in cyberspace just dreaming up ways to mess up your life.

***

Thankfully, not all the season happenings are such downers. Nevah got her Christmas (not Holiday) tree up and trimmed, and a few outdoor lights strung. We quit all lighting that involves a ladder. We’ve started getting Christmas cards from friends all over and a much appreciated package of assorted pecan goodies arrived in the mail today.

As for me, I’m prepared for the upcoming holidays. I set the bathroom scales back 10 pounds so I won’t gain any weight.

And from my ol’ friend Canby Handy in Missouri comes this story. One of his married daughters has a family tradition of getting one new fancy decoration for their Christmas tree each year. This year the new ornament came in the shape a tiny slot machine and, when you pull the tiny lever, a message pops up — either “naughty” or “nice.”

Well, it seems Canby’s orneriest grandson pulled the lever five times and the “naughty” message came up every time. Canby sez he bets the “naughty” little rascal still get a full quota of presents from ol’ Santa.

***

Sometimes there are benefits to being lazy, and sometimes there are misfortunes. Last night I experienced the latter.

The deer season is open in Kansas now and I always make it a habit to keep my rifle with me when I go out to chore because the deer cross our place frequently.

Well, last evening I already had my chore boots on before I thought of my deer rifle still in the house. So, I decided to just go on and do the chores. Yep, you guessed it. While I wuz feeding the bird dogs, out popped a fat doe on the pond dam about 100 yards away and just gawked at me for at least 30 seconds.

I consoled myself by remembering that I hate working up a deer in the dark and that I’m not that much of a connoisseur of venison. I usually give most of the meat away to neighbors. Oh, well, there are still 9 days and two weekends left in the season.

***

I have nothing against protests per se because I’m a bit of a private protester myself. But all the public protests around the country lately makes me wonder who has the time and resources to travel around the country protesting. I guess there’s a professional “protesting class” among the ranks that I hadn’t become aware of.

All I’m gonna say on the matter is that every American’s life matters, regardless of skin color, as long as that American is law abiding and peaceful. Plus, public protests should be peaceful. Nothing says love, peace, and justice more than looting and burning down your neighbor’s home of business.

Oh, and I just learned there’s a new official, politically correct term for looting. From now or it’s to be referred to “undocumented shopping.”

I’ve already said too much, so I’ll hop off my soap box now.

***

Until next week, I’ll leave with a few words, I don’t know if they’re wise or not, about protest. Craig Bruce said, “It’s funny how social activists usually protest against the only things that have a credible chance of achieving the activists’ goals.” Have a good ‘un.

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