JOCK TALK with TOM SOUTHARD

The holiday break is over and the second half of the season for winter sports gets underway this week.

In fact, there is basketball on tap this evening (Thursday, Jan. 3) at the Kimball High gym as the Longhorns host Class B Sidney with the JV games set for 4 p.m. followed by the girls and boys varsity games. There also will be a Kiwanis feed for you hungry fans.

There’s more sports on Saturday, Jan. 5, with the Kimball High basketball teams traveling to Imperial to take on Chase County. JV game times are 2 p.m. with the varsity games following at 3:30 and 5 p.m.

Also on Saturday, the Kimball High wrestlers will be at Oshkosh for the Garden County Tournament with a 9 a.m. start time.

On Tuesday, Jan. 8, Kimball will host Potter/Dix for basketball action with a 4 p.m. start time for JV games – that is if both schools have enough players to play JV. If they go just two quarters, the varsity games may move ahead some also. There also will be a World Strides soup supper for everyone.

Formidable Foes

As I look ahead to the schedule for the Kimball High girls, they are going to be facing some real strong competition. Sidney is ranked No. 9 in the state Class B Top 10 rankings. Mitchell is No. 2 in Class C1 and Bridgeport is No. 4 in C-2.

These three schools also are very strong in the boys play.

Payton Wise

Payton Wise, Kimball High’s outstanding freshman girls golfer, received special recognition this past week when the Star-Herald announced its all-region girls golf teams. Payton was named to the second team of the 20 girls named on four honored teams. There were 10 seniors listed, four juniors, four sophomores, and only two freshmen.

Already a state medalist, we look for Payton to earn many more honors in her career. Congrats, Payton!