Clarendon Live

The Clarendon Enterprise - Spreading the word since 1878.

Morgan Wheatly

Lady Broncos win title at Greenbelt Tourney

by Leave a Comment

By Sandy Anderberg

The Lady Broncos have been playing like winners this season and this weekend they claimed that honor with a first place finish in the Greenbelt Tournament by soundly defeating Miami 56-34.

The Lady Broncos handled them easily in the first half of play denying them with great defense. Offensively, the ladies were on target and stayed strong throughout the game. Jentry Shadle and McKayla Cartwright led the ladies finishing in double figures.

Clarendon senior McKayla Cartwright charges down the court during the Greenbelt Tournament last week. The Lady Broncos were named the tournament champions after they defeated Miami, 56-34. Enterprise Photo / Matthew Martinez

Scoring: Shadle 13, Cartwright 10, Ryann Starnes 9, Camra Smith 8, Deborah Howard 4, Maci White 4, Lydia Howard 4, Taylor Gaines 3, and Anna Ceniceros 1.

The Lady Broncos faced off against West Texas in the opening round of the round robin cruising to a 73-41 win. it was never a contest for the ladies as they played fundamental basketball with an aggressiveness that took them to the end.

Scoring: Cartwright 23, Shadle 17, Gaines 12, Starnes 11, D. Howard 4, Jency Burton 2, Ceniceros 2, and Audrey Shelton 2.

Next, they took on Fritch and battled hard to get the 50-47 win. The game was close from the beginning and the ladies fought off the Lady Eagles the entire game. They were able to persevere and close out the game with a well-earned win.

Scoring: Shadle 10, Smith 8, Cartwright 8, Shelton 7, D. Howard 6, Ceniceros 4, and Starnes 3.

The Lady Broncos’ third opponent was Memphis and they had little trouble defeating them at 71-33. The ladies opened a huge lead in the first half and continued to roll offensively in the second half to close the game and get the win. Cartwright, Shadle, and Smith finished in double figures. Head coach Molly Weatherred was pleased with the overall play of the Lady Broncos. “I thought the tournament went well,” Weatherred said. “We had a good competitive game against Fritch and I thought we needed that. I was glad to see the girls stay composed and finish the game. We have not been in a game like that in awhile. I thought we played with a tremendous amount of energy against Memphis, which in turn allowed us to win. In the Championship game, we played really hard and were able to a get a lead on Miami. From there we did a good job sustaining it.”

Scoring: Shadle 13, Cartwright 10, Starnes 9, Smith 8, White 4, L. Howard 4, D. Howard 4, Gaines 3, and Ceniceros 1.

At home on Tuesday, the Lady Broncos demolished Groom beating them 72-32. It was a night of three-pointers as the ladies hit seven from the outside perimeter.

The Lady Broncos attacked the Lady Tigers from the tip off and never let down on either end of the court. They played solid basketball and executed their offense. Their intense defensive play rocked the Lady Tigers and they were able to capitalize on several turnovers. Clarendon shot well from the bonus line, as well, and went five for six.

Jentry Shadle and McKayla Cartwright finished in double figures with 17 and 10 points.

Scoring: Shadle 17, Cartwright 10, Gaines 9, Deborah Howard 8, Ryann Starnes 7, Elizabeth O’Rear 6, Audrey Shelton 5, Jency Burton 2, Maci White 3, and Camra Smith 2.

The ladies will play at Valley Dec. 18 and participate in the Canadian Tournament over the holidays.

Broncos runner-up in Greenbelt tournament

by Leave a Comment

By Sandy Anderberg

The Broncos competed in the Championship game against Memphis in the Greenbelt Tournament last weekend and settled for runner-up at 56-71.

The Cyclone height hindered the Broncos somewhat as they faced off inside and they could never get anything going against an aggressive team. After a fairly even first quarter, the Cyclones began to take control before the break. Clarendon rallied back after the break coming out of the locker room and attacked their opponent. But it was not enough and Memphis got the win.

Cole Ward and Adam Topper held their own and finished in double figures.

Scoring: Ward 19, Topper 16, Trajen Johnson 9, Cody Wood 5, Diego Santos 5, and Jonah Sell 2.

The Broncos began the tournament against West Texas and breezed to a 76-32 win. Everything the Broncos threw at the Comanches worked and they were helpless to stop Clarendon’s aggressive play. Ward, Topper, Wood, and Johnson all finished in double figures to lead their team to the win.

Scoring: Ward 21, Topper 14, Wood 14, Johnson 10, Santos 7, Mason 6, and Sell 4.

They took on Fritch in the second round of play and used their quickness and strength to outlast their opponent 89-33. The Broncos were also perfect from the bonus line putting in 13 of 13 free throws. It was never a much of a contest for the Broncos as they took a commanding lead in the first quarter of play and never relented. Topper was on fire with 29, Ward added 13, and Johnson put in 10. Chance McAnear scored eight, Charles Mason and Sell had seven, and Santos added two points.

The Broncos took on Highland Park in the second round and defeated them 72-60.

The Broncos trailed in the first quarter until McAnear connected with a three-pointer at the buzzer to close the first quarter and give the Broncos their first lead of the game. With the Broncos having possession in the second quarter, McAnear hit another three and the Broncos opened up a good lead in the second period of play. The lead did not last, however, and the Hornets got the win. Three Broncos finished in double figures with Ward leading the way with 16 and Topper and Wood following with 15 each. The Broncos shot 77% from the free throw line. Overall, Coach Brandt Lockhart was proud of the Broncos’ play.

“I thought we played well overall throughout the tournament,” Lockhart said. “We stepped up our defense which enable us to get our offense going. We moved the ball well. In the championship game, we could not get a stop when we needed it. Overall, I was pleased with our effort.”

The Broncos also took care of Groom at home last Tuesday as they breezed to a 70-36 win. The Broncos came out on fire with Trajen Johnson making good on nine points in the opening period.

The Broncos played hard and worked together as a team to stifle anything the Tigers attempted. Clarendon led by 18 points at the break and continued to build on that lead in the second half. The inside work of Johnson, Topper, and Ward dominated on offense and Santos put in 12 from his position. Wood, Mason, McAnear, and Sell all contributed to the win with their hustle.

Scoring: Topper 19, Ward 16, Santos 12, Johnson 9, Wood 6, Sell 4, Mason 2, and McAnear 2.

The Broncos will play Boys Ranch at home Friday, December 14 and play in the Canadian Tournament over the holidays.

Hedley Lady Owls open their basketball season in Miami

by Leave a Comment

By Fred Gray

The Lady Owls lost their opening basketball game of the season to Miami, 40 – 55, on December 4. Salem Shelp led the Lady Owls in scoring with 11 points. Kati Adams added another 10, followed by Bailey Wood with 9, Kortney Burton with 6, and Sierra Wheatly added 4 points.

The Lady Owls opened the Ft. Elliott tournament with a 23 – 49 loss to Shamrock, on December 6. All the Lady Owls scored in the single digits, led by Bailey Wood and Charlie Neeley with 5 points each. Kassie O’Dell added 4 points, and Kati Adams contributed 3 points. Marijke Tidden, Hedley’s foreign exchange student from the Netherlands scored 2 points, as did Salem Shelp and Kortney Burton.

Kati Adams looks for an open teammate during the Varsity girls game against McLean. Enterprise Photo / Kari Lindsey

In the second game of the Ft. Elliott tournament the Lady Owls hit their stride, blowing by the Lefors girls, 57 – 25. Bailey Wood threw in 17 points and Kati Adams added 14. Kortney Burton scored 9 points, followed closely by Salem Shelp, who scored 8 points. Sierra added 5 points, and Holland’s own Marijke Tidden added another 2 points, as did Charlie Neeley.

The Lady Owls closed out the Ft. Elliott tourney with a strong effort against McLean, 32 – 18. Kortney Burton poured in 21 points to dominate the scoring. Kati Adams added 5 points, and Bailey Wood scored 3 points. Salem Shelp added a bucket, and Charlie Neeley hit a free throw.

The Lady Owls play in the Valley tournament on the 13, 14, and 15 of December. They open their home season on December 18, at 6:00 p.m. Be there.

Hedley Owls compete in Ft. Elliott Tournament

by Leave a Comment

By Fred Gray

The Evans twins, Brandon and Brian, helped the Owls open the tournament with a 50 – 19 win over Lefors on December 6. Brandon scored 14 points and Bryan added 9. Hedley was led in scoring by Wyatt Wheatly, who poured in 17 points. Clay King added 4 points, while Diego Souza, Lane Calber, and Raul Carrillo each contributed 2 points to the win.

The Owls are coached by Garrett Bains, coaching his inaugural season as head high school basketball coach. This reporter has little doubt that he will develop into an exceptional basketball coach in the coming years, and I want to be the first to wish him good luck and Godspeed in his basketball coaching career.

In their second game of the day, the Owls lost a heartbreaker to Higgens 35 – 38. Wyatt Wheatly again led the team in scoring with 13 points, while the Evans twins combined for another 20 points. Brandon scored 12 and Bryan added 8 to the twins’ efforts. Clay King closed out the Hedley scoring with 2 points.

The second day of the tournament, December 7, opened with an Owls’ loss to Shamrock, 14 – 63. Wyatt Wheatly scored 6 points, and Brandon and Bryan Evans each added 3 points. Clay King contributed another 2 points to the Owls’ efforts.

In the second game on December 7, and the final game of the tournament, Hedley fell to White Deer 27 – 50. Brandon Evans led all Owl scorers with 10 points, while Wyatt Wheatly scored 8, and Bryan Evans added 7 points. David Bell added a basket to complete Hedley’s scoring.

The Owls opened their season on November 27, when they competed in the Miami tournament, losing to the Amarillo Flames 24 – 47. Bryan Evans scored 8 points, while brother Brandon scored 6 points. Tanner Chambliss scored 4 points, Rooster Moore added another 4, and Diego Souza and Wyatt Wheatly each added 2 points.

The Owls compete in the Valley Tournament on December 12, 14, 15. Times TBA. Their first game in Hedley will be Tuesday, December 18. Game times will be 6:00 p.m.

CJH Students make All-Region Honor Band

by Leave a Comment

Nineteen Clarendon Junior High students participated with more than 1,000 other 1A, 2A, and 3A feeder programs in the region to earn spots in the Symphonic and Concert All-Region Honor Bands held at Panhandle High School on November 27. Eight CJH students were placed in the honor bands. Symphonic Band members are Taylon Knorpp (1st chair Tenor Saxophone), Seth Greer (5th chair French Horn), Whitney LaRoe (4th chair Trombone), and Nathan Shadle (7th chair Tuba). Representing Clarendon in the Concert Band are Cire Juaregui (8th chair Clarinet), Trinity Stribling (2nd chair French Horn), Sarah Williams (1st Alt. Trombone), and Justus Burton (2nd chair Tuba). Mr. Strobel and Mr. Cason, Clarendon band directors, are extremely proud of these students. “This is the first time we have placed students in the All-Region Bands in five years,” said Mr. Strobel. Photo courtesy Melody Hysinger

Junior Bulldogs

by Leave a Comment

Harrison Howard, Kai Floyd, and Ben Estlack became semi-official members of the Clarendon College Bulldog basketball team last week, serving as Junor Bulldogs and making sure referees were provided with towels and water during every timeout over the two-day Clarendon EDC Basketball Tournament. The boys were introduced first as part of the team each night and got to sit with the college men. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

by Leave a Comment

Several Hedley Owls were named to the All-District Football, District 2, Div II, Six-Man team. Those athletes included Austin Adams- Second Team Center, Seth Ruthardt- Second Team Defensive Linemen, Coltin Kingston-First Team Utility Back and First Team Punter, Diego Vidal-Souza- Second Team Kicker, Klaiton Moore- Second Team Running Back, Kyle Lindsey- Honorable Mention Offensive Line and Defensive Line, Tanner Chambless-Second Team Defensive Linemen, and Brandon Evans- Second Team Wide Receiver. Not pictured Bryan Evans- Second Team Corner Back. Enterprise Photo / Kari Lindsey

https://www.clarendonlive.com/2012/12/12527/

City aldermen debate hiring, firing powers

by Leave a Comment

Raised voices and pointed fingers were the order of the evening when the Clarendon Board of Aldermen met in regular session last Tuesday, November 27.

Of the six items on the board’s agenda, five items were discussed, and one was acted on – accepting the resignation of Alderman Terry Noble, who is moving to Pampa.

Editor Roger Estlack, one of seven citizens to attend the meeting, spoke during public comments regarding the history of the board’s relationship with city administrators and urging the board not to micromanage city affairs but to allow the administrator to do his job.

Issues with the city’s employee policy manual took up much of the discussion for the night with Alderman Tommy Hill opening by disagreeing with Estlack and saying he believed “seven heads are better than one” and said the city’s hiring record “isn’t worth a flip.”

Alderman Will Thompson shot back that hiring and firing was the job of the city administrator.

“If he can’t do it, we need to get someone who can,” Thompson said.

Thompson then went on to criticize micromanaging by the board while nothing gets done in the city.

“I see potholes that are bad and getting worse. I see water that is brown and not getting better,” Thompson said. “We have not improved anything since I moved back here, and we are only broke because we won’t fund anything.”

Alderman Abby Patten said she didn’t want to micromanage the city but said she did want answers to her questions, and Alderman Terry Noble said Hill and Patten were going to “ruin this city.”

Hill responded that the board needs to know everything that is going on and said he wanted the administrator to go before the board to get its recommendation on hiring and firing. But Thompson objected and said the board should set policy only.

The board agreed to take no action on hiring and firing but to look at a future meeting, but the matter came up again with Hill and Patten questioning City Administrator Lambert Little about whether or not he has a personal agenda when it comes to hiring and firing.

Little denied any personal agenda, and Hill began questioning the administrator about information the alderman had received from a city employee regarding the hiring of the code compliance officer. This drew a sharp response from Alderman Thompson who told Hill it wasn’t his place to be ignoring the chain of command by talking to employees.

Hill disagreed and said that was his job to talk to employees everyday as an elected official, and Little said Hill was undermining his authority by going to the employees.

Other topics discussed included the city sick leave policy, when employees should be allowed to take daily breaks and where or if city employees should be allowed to smoke on the job. No action was taken on any of those topics.

Little continues working on a 90-day probation period following his annual evaluation two months ago, and as part of a monthly progress report with the board, Alderman Hill quizzed the administrator about the status of a new flow meter at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Little had said a month ago that it would be finished in “a few days,” and Hill pointed out that it was still not completed.

“When you tell me you’re going to do something, at least try to get it done,” Hill said.

Patten said she felt city resources were being better utilized since the last evaluation, which she said was good.

The board also debated the public’s perception that the city is “broke,” and Hill continued his call for better communication with the board.

Editorial: City should put the focus on progress

by Leave a Comment

What do you expect from your city? Stop and think about that for a moment. As a community, where do we really want our elected officials to focus their energies?

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen last week spent a lot of time arguing over the authority of the city administrator – something we went through nearly a decade ago – and delving into the minutia of city business, discussing the finer points of when employees should take breaks and whether employees should be allowed to smoke on the job.

Roger Estlack, Editor

Considerable attention was given over to the per diem allowance that regular employees are allowed compared to the administrator’s expense account when he travels. In short, employees get $40 per day and Mr. Little had a receipt for $65 that covered two meals at a conference. (Of course, if you’ve been to a professional conference or convention, you know that meals of $20 to $35 are the order of the day and not at all unusual). But nevertheless, the aldermen found themselves caught up in a discussion over a tiny amount in a million dollar budget.

Attention to detail is one thing, micro-managing and second-guessing every decision that the administrator is making is quite another. No one can work efficiently if someone is breathing down his or her neck all the time.

The board also got into a discussion about a perception in the community that the city is broke. How can this be, they wondered aloud, when we have money in reserves? Perhaps it is because during the recent budget workshops, members of the board acted like the city was spending way too much money and just cut and cut and cut instead of making investments to improve our town.

They turned down a modest tax increase after public comments about what such an increase might do to senior citizens and the disabled, and yet both of those groups have their taxes frozen. Instead they raised sanitation rates on everyone in the city – including churches and non-profits. How much sense does that make?

The City of Clarendon has some very real issues, and they haven’t changed much in two decades. We need serious street repairs and our aging water and sewer system needs to be largely replaced. Pot holes and brown water – not the administrator’s expense account – are the recurring top complaints of citizens. We have dilapidated buildings and code violations and a whole host of other issues facing us, but we are focused on trivial issues and making no progress on the big picture.

Despite disagreements, your editor believes that we’ve got good people working for us on the city council, but they need to hear from the citizens about what is most important to them. To that end, we need more people to attend our city meetings to see for themselves what the discussion is. We’re stuck in a quagmire of minor issues right now, but with a little nudge the people can re-focus the city on big issues and move us forward.

That is not to say that we want them to pay no attention to the money or give the administrator total control. But we do expect to see the city run professionally and we want to see results on the major problems that are holding our town back. There is no standing still at this point. We either move forward, or we move backward. And we have to trust our city leaders to take us down the right path.

Verified by MonsterInsights