Jock Talk

Lots of area sports activities this past week but the snowy weather has cancelled or postponed some of the scheduled events at the start of this week. The Kimball girl’s win over Mitchell was big, but their loss to North Platte St Pats was disappointing. The Kimball boys made up for the girl’s loss however by upsetting the St Pats boys.

The Kimball girls had moved into the Omaha World Herald’s C-l top 10 prior to the Mitchell game, but after their win over the then ranked Lady Tigers holding the number 8 spot, Kimball is now 9th and Mitchell 10th. St Pats in C-2 is ranked 7th. Another team to keep our eyes on is Hemingford, a member of the Western Trails Conference and the number 1 seeded team in this week’s conference tournament. The Lady Bobcats are also on the regular schedule and will come to Kimball February 12th. A lot of outstanding teams on the Kimball girl’s schedule this year, including Pine Bluffs whom Kimball faces at their house on February 9. Last time I checked the Lady Hornets had only 1 loss. They also picked up a big win over state ranked Potter-Dix. Lots of good teams in the area this season for certain.

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Speaking of the Western Trails Conference Tournament, Kimball fans are blessed that the girls and boys are both lower seeded teams this year and will both host first round games this evening (Thursday). The number 3 seeded girls will host number 6 seeded Bridgeport in a 5 p.m. game and the Kimball boys with the number 4 seed will play number 5 seeded Mitchell at 6:30 Play then moves to the Cougar Palace for Friday and Saturday games.

The Kimball High Wrestlers are in action today at the SPVA Conference Tournament being held in Hershey with a 12 noon start time. We are starting to see some good results from the young Longhorn wrestlers and it looks like the program is headed in the right direction.

Kimball Junior High boy’s basketball is underway and we hope to have some results to pass your way soon. The weather and school closing got in the way of coach Dane Wurdeman and my plans this week. The Junior high teams are at the Morrill Tournament this Saturday, and are scheduled to host Bridgeport on Monday at 3 p.m. The Kimball freshman teams go to Gering Monday for 5 p.m. games. Both junior high and freshman games were cancelled or postponed from early this week.

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The Scottsbluff Star Herald came out with their All Region Volleyball and football selections this past week and Kimball had atheletes listed. Congrats to senior Danika Daum for being named the All Region volleyball first team, and to senior Madison Biesecker listed on the All Region third team. Also Mikayla Fiehtner and Ali Hunsaker for being listed Honorable Mention.

Receiving honors on the All Region Football Team selections from Kimball were seniors Trent Rutledge and Ethan Land, both making the second team listings. Creg Barker, Tyler Magninie, and Cody Kirby were Honorable Mention.

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Chris Pile, a senior at Kimball High, was a candidate for Volunteer of the Year and was nominated by coach Nick Kuxhausen. Chris has been a student manager for the Kimball High football program starting his 7th grade year and has been faithful right through his senior year to the program. Coach Kuxhausen said “Chris has done a great job and takes a lot of pride in doing his job. He will be missed next season as he will graduate this spring.” Chris also serves as student manager for the boys basketball team and does a great job in this department as well.

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I had a personal WOW WEEKEND! Thanks to notices my son and daughter put in the Observer and the Star Herald, the word got out that this old guy was going to have his 80th birthday this past Sunday, January 31. I got my first pleasant surprise Friday night at half time of the boys basketball game when PA announcer Greg Robinson informed the crowd that I was in fact going to have a birthday and he filled in with some glowing, and most appreciated comments about my past years etc. He then asked the entire crowd to join with the Pep Band and Cheer Leaders to sing Happy Birthday to me. How nice! I truly appreciated it.

I also want to thank my family for thinking of me and for the announcements in the papers. I got hundreds of calls, cards, Facebook listings, and walk-up personal best wishes. Pretty darn neat. Thanks everyone, and the Observer staff also for the picture you ran wishing me Happy Birthday.

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Another special happening over the weekend was my trip to Denver on Saturday to watch Mike Daum and his South Dakota State University Men’s Basketball Team take on, and defeat, Denver University. What a fun day, but I must admit I felt rather guilty missing the Kimball games at North Platte.

Just as we were walking up to the DU Auditorium, a charter bus pulled up to the front door and out stepped this great big man whom I recognized as our own Mike Daum. We all got hugs and my daughter Shelly Olson and my wife Karen, both said they have never been hugged by anyone that tall before. It was special.

After watching, and cheering for Big Mike, along with a good group of other Kimball fans, Mike came back out after the game and talked and thanked everyone for coming down to watch him. By the way, he scored 15 points and pulled 7 rebounds, and led a come back for the win.

On January 28 the Jackrabbitts won over UNO 87-76 and he had 23 minutes, 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. He is not only big, he plays BIG!

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Update on Kendall Ferguson. Kendall has missed the last two games his Hastings College team has been involved in as he is nursing a back injury. The Broncos were to play Doane last night (Wednesday) and Kendall was hoping he would be cleared and able to play in this big rivalry game.

Once again this year the Kimball-Banner Farm Bureau is sponsoring a 3-point program for both the Kimball and Banner County High Schools by donating $5 when a 3 point basket is scored during selected games. This consists of three games for each of the boys and girls varsity teams, and the schools will use the money earned for a project to benefit a special program for the students. The way Kimball shot the trey ball at the Sutherland games this past week, they dipped into the Farm Bureau bank account pretty good.