Stories from Monday, March 2, 2020

HASTINGS, Neb. — Was a pep rally for Maywood and Hayes Center falling apart again Friday night? Down 15-7 at half, state volleyball champ Diller-Odell was turning Friday’s basketball district final into a football-like score. “They (the Griffons) played a tough schedule and man, were they athletic,” MH-C coach Kimberly Stengel observed. “But we got into half and decided this is not happening again. We were not missing out for a third year in a row.”...

Karen Janette Cline March 21, 1942 - Feb. 28, 2020 SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Karen Janette Cline entered into eternal rest on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at her home at the age of 77. Karen was born March 21, 1942, to Ellis and Gayle Hammock. Karen grew up in Scottsbluff and graduated in 1960. Karen was united in marriage to Charles Cline on Jan. 7, 1961, in Harrisburg, Neb. To this union, two children were born, Terry and Teena. Karen was a homemaker and took in all cats and dogs that showed up...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Community College baseball team dropped the final game of a three-game series with Otero Junior College Sunday, 14-6, but were able to win two of three games in the Empire League series. “It was good to win the series, kind of a tale of two days. Yesterday we played pretty well and today not so much,” MCC Coach Jon Olsen said...

The McCook Community College softball team finished a 4-0 weekend in the Nebraska Community College Athletic Association play, taking a pair of games Sunday from Southeast Community College 10-1, 16-1, “The team played very well today and hit the ball very hard,” said MCC Coach Kevin Kaalberg. “I’m most impressed with their focus throughout both games which isn’t easy to do in lopsided wins.”...

Originally scheduled for Saturday, two boys’ district basketball finals involving area teams will now be played on Tuesday. The Southern Valley Eagles will play their D1-6 final against Heartland at Kearney Catholic High School with opening tip set for 6 p.m...

HASTINGS, Neb. — Falls City Sacred Heart played like a No. 1 during the 55-20 victory over Wauneta-Palisade in Friday’s Class D2-1 district title game. The Irish improved to 24-3 as they dominated their first meeting with No. 16 W-P since a 46-21 triumph in 2016 state tournament play...

KEARNEY, Neb. — Just like volleyball season, Wahoo Warriors stopped Chase County one win again from reaching the girls’ state basketball tournament Friday evening. Senior Kendall Brigham’s 13 points helped the Warriors break away while ending a terrific Longhorn season at 18-4...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Community College men’s basketball team opened up Region IX Tournament play Saturday with a convincing win over Lamar Community College 89-64 in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center. The Indians advance to Thursday play at Sterling, Colo., where the remainder of the tournament will be played. They will play the winner of this weekend’s game between Western Wyoming or Northwest Wyoming...

LINCOLN, Neb. - While the McCook High School swim and dive team’s trip to the Nebraska State Championship meet last week was short lived, hopes are high for the future of the team. Freshman Leah Spencer’s appearance at the state meet didn’t go as well as she had hoped Friday at the Devaney Center in Lincoln...

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — With a 10-2 final surge, the Pender Pendragons took charge of their D-1 district final and won 50-43 over Cambridge Friday evening. The Trojans (16-9 final record) suffered only their third defeat in 17 contests. Pender (16-10) advances to the D-1 state tournament starting Thursday morning while denying Cambridge its first trip since 2017...

BARTLEY, Neb. — Tall or short makes no difference when you’re a Dundy County-Stratton Tiger eyeing the girls state basketball tournament. Nor does losing two starters because of fouls about halfway through the fourth quarter. Whistle blowers banished senior point guard Sable Lambley and junior Maggie Lutz to the bench following their fifth violations...

Fellow firefighters and other first responders offer a final salute to Donny Lepper at funeral services at St. Patrick Catholic Church in McCook on Saturday, and 30 or more firetrucks and other emergency vehicles formed a funeral procession to Indianola to his final resting place. ...

Linda Clark, left, marks her ballot as Linda Taylor samples Ray Walter’s sweet chili soup at the McCook Rotary Club’s 5th annual Soup-R-Bowl competition held Friday at the Keystone Business Center. The fundraiser for the benefit of McCook Pantry featured 15 soups provided by area businesses. ...

8:30 Am Eye Candy : Looking out our window . Clouds