Broncos to play for area title Feb. 23
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Primary candidates ask for support at forum
A good crowd of voters gathered last Tuesday, February 13, at the Bairfield Activity Center to hear Republican candidates for local offices explain why they want to be supported in this year’s primary election.
Donley County Republican Chair Bill Word opened the forum and thanked those in attendance before turning the floor over to candidates facing contested elections this spring.
Precinct 1 County Commissioner Mark White was the first to speak. White was raised in Donley County and raised his family here. He owns Wallace Monument Co. and has served as a county commissioner since 2009. He said he feels like the county has done a lot of good during his time on the commissioners’ court, starting at a time when there was little extra money to do anything with.
“We’ve bettered everything,” White said, “equipment, sheriff’s vehicles, etc. Being a business owner better prepares you to deal with the county budget and the ongoing things we face.”
White said the county tax rate is lower than it was ten years ago while the equipment has been upgraded and county wages have been increased.
“I enjoy county government and enjoy the court,” White said. “I hope I can serve four more years.”
Del Essary, who is challenging White for the commissioner of precinct one, spoke next and said he moved to Howardwick 17 years ago and has since volunteered in many positions. He is a former mayor of Howardwick and is currently on the city council there.
Essary said he spent 27 years as a superintendent with the City of Plainview where he managed employees, a large budget, and heavy equipment. He was very active in the public works association and was named Public Works Director of the Year in 2003. He still teaches waste management classes and also does consulting. He thinks the county is in pretty good shape and the budget is lean but thinks change can be good.
“I think you tend to get complacent when you’ve been in the same job for a long time,” Essary said. “People want representation from Howardwick and feel like they haven’t had that.”
Essary also said he wants to move away from the personal property tax and look at an equipment replacement program for the county.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Neil Koetting spoke next and said he hasn’t accomplished all he sat out to do on the commissioners’ court but said he’s still trying. He grew up in Groom, and then went to Clarendon College and has since been in business for 37 years. During his time in office, he said he has worked with the state highway department for certain improvements in Hedley and Lelia Lake.
“Being fully equipped in dirt construction gives you experience in road work,” Koetting said. “I’m someone who cares, and I covet your support.”
Sis Bond is also running for Precinct 3 Commissioner. Bond was raised in Goodnight and went to school. Her grandfather was “the best maintainer operator you’ve ever known,” and he raised her on the equipment and taught her to operate it. Bond is also a nurse and an EMT. Her passion is serving the elderly, the weak, and the sick; and she wants those people to be able to be reached in times of crisis.
“When you call, I will answer,” Bond said. “I have good backing and resources; and I have a friend whose been a commissioner for 27 years to mentor me.”
Greg Wootten is the third person running for Precinct 3 Commissioner. He was also raised in Clarendon and said he started his first business right out of high school, which quickly failed. He then found what he was needing in the United States Marine Corps and then returned to Clarendon to own and operate the NAPA store, which taught him how to budget and set realistic goas. He started a cattle business in 2016, which has since grown, he said.
“As a commissioner I want our sheriff’s office to have what they need, I want our roads to be in improved, and I want to be part of the discussion and the vote for the future of Donley County,” Wootten said.
Karen Post spoke next. She is from Plainview and is challenging State Rep. Ken King for his seat in the Texas House of Representatives. Post said the 19 counties in our district are “suffering a slow death” and also said it’s important to maintain the red wall in Texas. She said the morals of West Texas have always been the backbone of the state. She said she wants to listen to the people of the district.
Sheriff Butch Blackburn was the last candidate to speak. He faces no opposition but thanked the voters for their past support and encouraged everyone to “push the Republican card” this election.
Lady Broncos fall to Farwell
By Sandy Anderberg
The Lady Broncos took on #3 ranked Farwell in the Area round at West Plains HS last Friday night and fell short at 38-52 in a game that was closer than the score revealed.
The Lady Broncos finished a stellar season of 31-2 and were Co-Champions in the district race as well as Bi-District Champions.
After a fairly close first quarter, the Lady Steers went on a 15-0 run early in the second quarter. Several three-pointers from Farwell put them in a spot to take a sizeable lead into the break. But the Lady Broncos roared back with a 12-0 run of their own grabbing the momentum to pull within four points at half time at 26-30.
In a game of back-and-forth momentum swings, the Lady Broncos gained the lead with 25 seconds left in the third period. Farwell was able to recover control of the boards to go on a 5-0 run after they drained one from behind the arc and got made another two from a steal. They used their momentum to stop the Lady Broncos’ offensive attack holding them to only four points in the final period of play.
Farwell out rebounded Clarendon with 27 to 16 with most of those being on the offensive end of the court.
Fouls seemed to come at the wrong time for the Lady Broncos. Just as they were developing a big run, they were called for a foul. Sophomore Kate Shaw was making a big difference under the basket but fouled out in the final quarter.
Missed free throws also made a difference for the ladies who are normally at a higher percentage from the bonus line. Farwell hit five three-pointers in the game and the Lady Broncos only hit one. Farwell hit 91 percent of their free shots and the Lady Broncos recorded 79 percent of theirs.
Kenidee Hayes led the way on the scoreboard for the ladies with 11 points and Graci Smith added 10. Kashlyn Conkin put in five, Berkley Moore and Shaw had four and Tandie Cummins helped with two.
Super winner!
Lady Broncos win bi-district title
By Sandy Anderberg
The Clarendon Lady Broncos defeated Sunray 62-33 Monday night in Groom to claim the Bi-District Championship.
Stats for Monday’s game were not available at press time Tuesday. Clarendon will face Farwell Friday night at West Plains High School in Amarillo for the Area title at 6 p.m.
The Lady Broncos’ last game of the regular season did not turn out as they had planned last Tuesday, and they were defeated 34-52. However, they have played great basketball this season and the loss to Wellington was only their second of the season. They finished their regular schedule strong and tied with the Skyrockets at the top of race as District Co-Champions.
The ladies played hard and never gave up, but missed shots hindered them on the scoreboard. The Lady Broncos have depended on the three-ball for big wins this season, but the Rockets’ defense was able to limit that shot. The Lady Broncos struggled to find a rhythm on offense, but only trailed by three at the break. The game was closer than the score revealed. But the loss will not be on their minds as they begin post-season play.
Berkley Moore and Kashlyn Conkin led the way with nine points each that included one three-pointer for Moore and three for Conkin. Kenidee Hayes put in eight and Kate Shaw helped with four. Graci Smith had three, and Tandie Cummins added one free throw.
Broncos grab two big wins
By Sandy Anderberg
With big wins over Wellington and Wheeler, the Broncos remain tied with the Skyrockets for first place in the district race. The Broncos are currently at 8-1 in the District 2 2A race and 13-3 overall and have secured their spot in post-season play with one game to go.
Clarendon was set to play Quanah as the Enterprise went to press Tuesday night. Check Facebook.com/TheEnterprise for future playoff game announcements.
In their 41-35 win over Wellington the Broncos had a slow start and struggled to find a rhythm on the offensive side. Missed shots plagued the Broncos initially while the Rockets were able to put points on the board. But a second-quarter surge allowed the Broncos to get back into the game before the break to only trail by four.
A huge offensive attack in the third period gave the Broncos the momentum and desire to finish strong. Senior Anthony Ceniceros was solid with 16 total points that included two from behind the arc and 66 percent from the bonus line.
After suffering foul trouble in the first quarter, fellow senior Lyric Smith got back on the floor in the second half and played strong putting in all but two of his 11 points in the final two quarters. Mason Sims was strong underneath the basket and hit five of six from the free throw line, and Jaxan McAnear helped with five points as well. Leyante Prince added four points in the win.
On Friday night, the Broncos took on Wheeler and breezed by them at 79-39. Clarendon was never contested as they took a 20-12 lead after one. They were able to score at will and the Mustangs struggled to stop them. The Broncos were able to knock down 11 three-pointers in the game.
Smith and Prince led the way with 27 and 21 respectively, and Ceniceros put in nine. Sims had eight, and Kaleb Bolin put in six. Levi Gates put in four, and Riley Wade hit a three-pointer.
100th Day Celebration
Chamber honoree
Senior night
Finishing up
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