By Sandy Anderberg
The Broncos breezed to an easy 78-31 win Friday night over White Deer with solid offensive execution and intense defense.
Their authority on the court was never in question as the Broncos rolled to the huge win. Five players finished the game in double figures, which showcased their higher level of play and dominance this season. They shot 66 percent from the free throw line. Overall the Broncos are 15-3 as they prepare to enter district play.
The Broncos jumped on the Bucks early scoring 25 points in the first quarter of play while only allowing White Deer four. They increased their lead every quarter giving the Bucks no opportunity to get back in the game.
Junior Ceniceros hit two three-pointers to finish with 16 and three steals, and Chesson Sims and Marshal Johnson each finished with 14. The duo also shot 100 percent from the bonus line, and Johnson grabbed seven rebounds. Colt Wood and Chance Lockhart each helped with 12 points each with Wood getting four assists and Lockhart grabbing five steals. Bryce Grahn put in nine points and finished with seven rebounds, and Bear Smith had six points. The Cortez brothers, Keandre and Damarjae each finished with two points.
The Broncos will travel to Memphis January 15 to kick off their district season and will play in Shamrock January 19.
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Lady Broncos drop game in OT
By Sandy Anderberg
The Lady Broncos opened their district schedule with a road trip to Quanah. After owning a slight lead at the break, Quanah rallied back to force the overtime. The Lady Indians scored four in the overtime period, and the Lady Broncos went scoreless in their 36-40 loss.
The Lady Broncos played hard against Quanah but struggled to finish. They outscored their opponent in the final period, but allowed the Lady Indians to cover the two-point lead the Lady Broncos had at end of the game.
Briley Chadwick racked up 15 points and went six for eight from the bonus line, but it was not enough to get the win.
Shaelyn Owiti was strong from the three-point line as well, and finished with nine points. Hannah Howard put in six, Berkeley Alexander had four, and Hannah Hommel had two.
The Lady Broncos will continue their district schedule Friday, January 15, in Memphis and January 19 on the road to Shamrock.
Goliath strikes
Winter Storm Goliath did not pack quite the punch in Donley County that it did in other parts of the Texas Panhandle, but the meteorological finale of 2015 still left its mark.
Heeding warnings ahead of the storm, Lowe’s Family Center was swamped Saturday, December 26, by local residents stocking up on essentials, and the shelves of milk, eggs, and bread were bare by that night.
Rolling into the High Plains Saturday evening, the storm blasted the area with strong winds that lasted through Sunday and periodically pelted the county with ice and snow. Official reports said local snowfall amounted to between three and four inches, but strong north winds pushed much of that snow into drifts while leaving some areas of bare ground.
The primary difficulty for local folks were power outages. While electric service in Clarendon stayed on, some county residents suffered power losses with a few being in the dark for several days even after the storm subsided Monday. Landline telephone and even some cellular phone services were also disrupted.
Southwestern Electric Power Co. reported that at Goliath’s peak, 15,500 SWEPCO customers were without power, with 5,400 outages in in the areas of Clarendon, Hedley, Wellington, Memphis, Shamrock and Wheeler.
Employees with the Texas Department of Transportation worked diligently to keep major highways passable. Travel during the storm was discouraged, but several motorists continued to push their luck and had to be rescued.
By 5 p.m. Sunday, state officials had closed Interstate 40 through the Texas Panhandle, and by 8:30 that night, US 287 from Childress to Amarillo was closed as well.
TxDOT’s Childress District at that time reported “heavy sleet and snow falling with snow pack and black ice on roadways,” and the department said it had numerous reports of vehicles sliding off of roadways, rollovers, and jackknifed trucks.” Downed power lines across roadways and widespread power outages were also reported.
Clarendon’s Red Cross shelter at the First United Methodist Church opened its doors to 110 stranded motorists, and the Church of Christ Family Life Center sheltered about another 50 people.
Roads re-opened Monday, but it was still a few days before some folks in rural areas were able to get their lives back to normal.
By last Wednesday, Greenbelt Electric still had local men working to restore all their members’ power with help from two other electric cooperatives as well as construction crews from Oklahoma, Louisiana, and from Lubbock.
Road graders were called in to help clear county roads to get linemen to downed poles, according to Greenbelt Electric’s Randy White.
“Donley County commissioners and hands really stepped up, working nights and weekends to help clear roads for us,” White said. “I was impressed.”
White said Greenbelt Electric lost a total of 250 poles during the storm, and the last residential outage was not restored until Sunday, January 3. As of Tuesday, Greenbelt was still working to repairs lines to some rural water wells.
Junior stock show to be Saturday
Local 4H and FFA members spent last weekend making preparations for the annual Donley County Junior Livestock Show & Sale this Saturday, January 9, starting at 9 a.m.
The young people were busy setting up livestock panels and arranging chairs for the show at the Donley County Activity Center.
A total of 79 exhibitors have been working with their lambs, goats, beef and pig projects. Each one has quickly learned that despite the cold and snowy weather, the animals still need to be fed and watered daily.
Preliminary activities will be happening Friday evening as final preparations are made for the show. A chili supper will be held that evening starting at 5:30 for $7 per person with proceeds benefiting the stock show.
An on-site concession stand will open at 10:30 Saturday morning and will offer pulled pork sandwiches, baked potatoes, beans, brownies, and Frito pies. Proceeds from that stand also go to the stock show.
Following the show, the buyers’ barbecue dinner will precede the livestock sale that evening at 6:00 p.m.
The junior livestock association still welcomes donations to the buyers’ club by calling 806-874-2421. Those can also be dropped off at the Extension Office or mailed to DCJLS at PO Box 661, Clarendon, TX 79226.
Scheduled to exhibit animals this year are: Ethan Babcock, Tanner Burch, Lane Cabler, Andrea Coccini, Chardy Craft, Izzy Craft, Bailey Downing, Issac Dunham, Mya Edwards, Taylee Ehlert, Blaine Ellis, Brandalyn Ellis, Brenna Ellis, Marie Francksen, Clint Franks, Cole Franks, Laney Gates, Levi Gates, Christopher Gonzales, Cutter Goodpasture, Bryce Grahn, Caton Grahn, Darcy Grahn, Jayde Gribble, Hadleigh Halsell, Taylor Halsell, Tristen Harper, Tyler Harper, Brock Hatley, Bryce Hatley, Calder Havens, Payton Havens, Grant Haynes, Kasie Hinton, Lane Hinton, Makenzie Hinton, Hannah Hommel, Harrison Howard, Riley Jantz, Ray Jaramillo, Tristin Kain, Clay King, Emma Lambert, Jayden Lambert, Kenlee Lambert, Jasmine Lockeby, Christian Lucero, Jaxan McAnear, Kelsey McAnear, Heath McCleskey, Klaiton McCleskey, Evelyn Mills, Steven Mills, Caylor Monroe, Collin Monroe, Angel Olivas, Kynna Phillips, Jodee Pigg, Emeri Robinson, Misit Scott, Madison Shelp, Raylyn Shelton, Alysse Simpson, Malerie Simpson, Madison Smith, Koyt Tucek, Reagan Wade, Riley Wade, Grayson Waldrop, Kennady Waldrop, Maloree Wann, Clay Ward, Ryan Ward, Emmelise Warren, Joseph Watson, Bryce Williams, and Mycah Woodard.
2015 taxes are due Jan. 31
The Donley County Appraisal District reminds everyone that January 31 is the legal deadline to pay your 2015 property tax without penalty and interest, unless the date falls on a holiday or weekend.
That means your payment will still be considered timely if paid or postmarked by Monday, February 1, 2016. If payment is not received or postmarked by that date, a seven percent penalty and interest fee will attach and also become due.
There are several payment options available. You may make your payment in the appraisal office at 304 S. Kearney or send your payment by mail to PO Box 1220, Clarendon, TX 79226.
Taxpayers can also visit the website at www.donleycad.org and make your payment online. Credit card payments have a transaction processing fee.
If you have qualified for the over 65 or the disabled person exemption, you may pay your taxes in four installments without penalty and interest fees. To avoid penalties and interest on each installment amount, you must pay the installments before February 1, April 1, June 1, and August 1.
The appraisal district will mail a Confidential Business Personal Property Rendition to business owners this month.
Fill out the rendition, listing the January 1, 2016 business inventories, furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment and vehicles and return the form to the office by April 15. A rendition received after the filing deadline is subject to additional fees for late filing.
The rendition forms were redesigned by the Comptroller’s office last year, so let the office know if you have questions. Contact the district at (806) 874-2744.
As you are concentrating on paying your 2015 tax amount this month, the 2016 appraisal of your property is already well under way. Field appraisers are inspecting properties, updating property records, requesting information on recent sales, and analyzing sales data.
The appraisal district will be looking closely at market changes reflected in sales prices and rental rates in preparation for the January 1, 2016 valuation of your property.
Broncos handle Panhandle, win tournament
By Sandy Anderberg
The Clarendon Broncos did not miss a step over the holiday break as they turned four big wins into a tournament championship at Gruver. The Broncos got past the Amarillo Flames, Perryton, Panhandle, and Texline to win the event.
The Broncos took on the Amarillo Flames in the first round and breezed by them at 74-48. The Broncos dominated most of the game and after the break, came out on fire and outscored the Flames by 14 points to get the win.
Bryce Grahn posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. He also added seven assists and five steals. Four other Broncos posted double figures as well. Chesson Sims led with 16, Marshal Johnson helped with 12 points and eight rebounds, Colt Wood added 11, and Junior Ceniceros had 10.
The Broncos defeated Perryton in the next round, 60-43. Once again the Broncos were on their game led by Ceniceros who posted 27 points that included four three-pointers. Chance Lockhart hit thee-three pointers, and Johnson grabbed seven rebounds. Ceniceros, Sims, and Bear Smith added six rebounds, as well.
The third round game turned into a tough game against Panhandle, but the Broncos were focused and on their game defeating them 80-60 after leading the entire 32 minutes.
Clarendon played a fairly clean game, but shot 31 out of 35 free throws hitting 89% as a team.
Ceniceros put in 21 points, Grahn and Lockhart helped with 16 each, and Wood added 13. Grahn also had four rebounds and five assists in the win and Sims had four rebounds while Lockhart had three steals on defense. It was a big win for the Broncos and they rode that momentum into the championship game with Texline where they won 58-43.
After playing the first quarter to a 15-15 tie, the Broncos opened an eight-point lead going into the break. They were able to come out and finish the game in the second half and claim the championship.
Lockhart was three for three from the three-point line and also went three for three from the bonus. He added six rebounds as well. Johnson worked hard inside and put in 14 points, while Ceniceros added 13 points, and Grahn grabbed seven rebounds and had five assists.
Coach Brandt Lockhart was pleased with the work the Broncos did in the four games.
“I felt like overall we played really well in the Gruver Tournament,” he said. “We still have areas where we need to get better. Keandre Cortez played excellent defense throughout the tournament.”
On Saturday, the Broncos hosted Fritch and won easily at 71-39. Despite playing four tough games at the end of the week, the Broncos put four quarters together and earned a big win. Fritch was unable to answer everything the Broncos did offensively.
Grahn had a big night putting in 18 points, and Ceniceros added 12. Wood and Johnson each helped with 11.
The Broncos will not have a game January 8 but will play Ascension Academy at home January 12 at 8:00 p.m. They will begin district play January 18 at Memphis.
Lady Broncos take out Fritch
By Sandy Anderberg
The Lady Broncos played hard Saturday against Fritch and grabbed a 38-24 win over the Lady Eagles.
The ladies stayed strong and determined, as they were able to execute offensively and leave Fritch guessing. Hannah Howard led the ladies on the scoreboard with 12 points, including two three-pointers.
Shaelyn Owiti added two three-pointers as well racking up eight. Brianna Butler helped with seven points, and Berkeley Alexander had four. She also shot 100 percent from the bonus line, going four for four. Briley Chadwick put in three, and Sandrea Smith and Jensen Hatley each had two.
Earlier in the week, the ladies participated in the Gruver Tournament and came home with one win over the Amarillo Flames. They played Sunray in the opening round and played hard finishing only seven points back at 58-65. The Lady Broncos shot 60 percent from the bonus line. Chadwick had a good game scoring 15 with two three-pointers, and Hatley hit three three-pointers for 11 points.
They played the Amarillo Flames in the second game and cruised to a 52-13 win. They held their opponent scoreless in the first quarter with good defense and only allowed single digits before the break. Once again the Lady Broncos shot well from the charity stripe going 13 for 18. Smith put in 12 and Butler and Chadwick each had eight. Owiti put in six, Alexander had five, and Howard had four. Emily Johnson had three; Hatley and Hannah Hommel each added two, as did Brandalyn Ellis.They went up against a tough Perryton team in the third round and lost 41-62. They struggled somewhat against them and could never get anything going. Chadwick put in 14 and Butler and Smith added eight each. They took on Highland Park in the final game and were defeated 21-47.
The Lady Broncos played the Lady Hornets tough in the first quarter only trailing by one point after the first eight minutes. Clarendon was still very much in the game at the break, but a slow-shooting second half left them struggling. Hatley and Chadwick each had five points to lead the team on the scoreboard.
“We were able to pick up two wins over the Christmas holiday,” coach Kalen Grahn said. “We played very well at Gruver against Sunray, but we came up short. Our game against Amarillo Flames was our first win. All the girls gained valuable playing time so that was a bonus for us. We also had a win over Fritch. The girls came out with a lot of energy. Hannah Howard had a very good game shooting to get us going. They played all four quarters and came out with a nice victory.”
The Lady Broncos will start district play Friday, January 8, at Quanah beginning at 6:30 and will play Wheeler at home January 12.
Letter: “Christmas Blessings All Around”
By Beverly Burrow
Feel the snow crunch ‘neath your feet.
Hear the laughter of children so sweet.
See the star on the top and the packages below.
The garland spun around and around;
Yet this is not where the blessings abound.
Oh, no. This is not at all where the Christmas blessings abound,
Nor in the twinkling lights flashing gaily around.
So many times we pass them all by.
It’s found sometimes in a simple “Hi” as someone you pass by.
Maybe its from Grandma as she baked you “the pie,”
Or a visit from a friend simply stopping by.
Yes, my friend, that’s where it’s found, the Christmas blessings that abound.
But one moment more, stop and think with me.
If not for our Savior, friend, where would we be?
Daily his blessings he pours out on us,
In the small things we already discussed,
Though we mean not to, life’s so busy. Oh, how time flies!
So slow down for a moment, breathe, look around, and you’ll see,
He calling to you; won’t you take a moment and spend time with me.
He’s in the face of the old gentleman setting there alone,
Or in the young mother as she desperately cares for her own clan who sometimes needs a little helping hand,
Or maybe momma just needing or giving a touch.
Yes, look around; he’s so near to us.
In the gentle breeze, the fresh fallen snow,
Making the rich man’s and the poor man’s yards all decorated the same.
Special delivery as he knows you each by name,
In red bird upon the branch of the tree singing his heart our for you and for me.
See the flames, hear them crackle and glow as it gives warmth way down in the soul.
A cup of hot chocolate with a friend sharing, old tales of years that have been.
These all are Christmas blessings sent from above, signed sealed, delivered to you with His love.
Your very life He’s given to you, though some days not easy, He’ll see ye through.
Each day his love can be found,
Yet even more in the Christmas Blessings that abound.
©2015 Beverly Burrow
CHS students building bridges for competition
Physics students at Clarendon High School recently competed against one another to build the strongest balsa wood tower.
This year’s winners in the annual contest were Bryce Hatley and Nick Shadle. Their half-ounce bridge held over 36 pounds of weight for a 2.65 pounds/gram score.
Bridges were scored on a ratio of pounds held/gram of bridge.
Second place in the contest went to Briley Chadwick and Sterling King, with Cire Jaregui and Alysse Simpson placing third. This year’s winners of total weight held were Chance Lockhart and Bryce Grahn, whose 1.25 ounce bridge held nearly 60 pounds of weight before collapsing.
Next six weeks students will compete in building a balsa wood tower to support weight.
Broncos blast Valley
The Bronco varsity made easy work of the Valley Patriots at home before the break and easily defeated them 74-40.
Offensively, the Broncos were on their game as they had four players in double figures. Senior Junior Ceniceros hit four three-pointers, leading the team on the scoreboard with 24 points. Colt Wood and Bryce Grahn were on fire as well, finishing with 14 and 13 points respectively. The inside work of Marshal Johnson netted the Broncos with 11 points in the win.
They Broncos were not only on their game offensively; they were spot on defensively, as well. They stopped everything Valley tried and were able to keep them off the scoreboard.
Keandre Cortez and Chesson Sims added four each to the score and Damarjae Cortez put in three, while Bear Smith added one from the free throw line. As a team, the Broncos shot 67 percent from the bonus line.
They will take on Fritch at home Saturday, January 2, at 3:30 and then travel to White Deer on Tuesday, January 5.
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