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Author: Dave Riggert
City High School Basketball Scores – Thursday, December 6
BOYS
LIBERTY NORTH TOURNAMENT – SEMIFINAL
Basehor-Linwood 67
Central 52 (1-2)
LIBERTY NORTH TOURNAMENT – CONSOLATION
Lafayette 65 (2-1)
Kansas City Northeast 50
GIRLS
Benton 42 (3-0)
Lee’s Summit West 32
Northwest women fall at home to Lincoln 69-66
The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team fell to Lincoln 69-66 in a nail-biter at Bearcat Arena Thursday. Northwest was trailing 57-46 going into the fourth quarter and was able to fight all the way back to have a chance to tie in the final seconds.
Northwest had four scorers in double figures for the first time since January 18, 2018, against Nebraska-Kearney. Jaelyn Haggard led with 14, followed by Kendey Eaton with 13, Kaylani Maiava had 12 and Mallory McConkey added 10. Maiava and McConkey added six rebounds each. Erika Schlosser led the team with five assists.
Lincoln had two players score more than 20 points. Zoi Thompson scored 24 and Zhanesa Dickerson chipped in 20. Dickerson added 14 rebounds to give her a double-double on the night.
Northwest will play again this Saturday Dec. 8 against Lindenwood at Bearcat Arena at 1:30 p.m.
— Northwest Athletics —
No. 23 Missouri women beat UMKC 66-59
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Sophie Cunningham scored 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting and No. 23 Missouri used a big third quarter to win its fourth straight, 66-59 over UMKC on Thursday night.
Amber Smith added her fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 boards for the Tigers (7-2).
Missouri had a 14-1 run early in the third quarter to turn a one-point lead into a 51-37 advantage with 4:14 left in the period. The Tigers outscored the Kangaroos 21-9 in the third quarter and led by double digits for the first eight minutes of the fourth. UMKC (2-6) had an 8-2 run to close the game, but it was too late to threaten the Tigers.
Ericka Mattingly had 20 points and Emily Ivory scored 18 for the Kangaroos.
UMKC tied it three times in the second quarter but never retook the lead after the opening period.
— Associated Press —
K-State’s Risner earns Walter Camp All-America honor
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State senior right tackle Dalton Risner was named to the prestigious Walter Camp All-America team, the Walter Camp Football Foundation announced Thursday during The Home Depot ESPN College Football Award Show.
With his recognition, Risner becomes the second Wildcat offensive lineman in school history to earn All-America accolades in consecutive seasons, joining Nick Leckey in 2002 and 2003. It is the first time Risner has been named a Walter Camp All-American, while it is the second-straight year the organization has honored a Wildcat (D.J. Reed, KR).
The All-America accolade is one of many for Risner this week as he was named a First Team All-American by Pro Football Focus and was a second-team honoree by Sports Illustrated and The Athletic.
A product of Wiggins, Colorado, Risner was one of three players to be named the 2018 Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, while he was a First Team All-Big 12 performer. He led an offensive unit that finished third in the Big 12 by averaging 182.6 rushing yards per game, which included a 184.2-yard average in conference games to rank second.
The Wildcat rushing attack averaged 208.6 yards and 2.3 rushing touchdowns per game in the final seven contests after averaging 146.2 yards and 0.8 rushing touchdowns in the first five, a majority of the former going over Risner’s right tackle position.
Risner finished his career by starting 50 of the Wildcats’ 51 games over the last four years. He was a Freshman All-American in 2015 after starting all 13 games at center before moving to right tackle the last three years, each of which ended with All-Big 12 honors.
— KSU Athletics —
Dustin Colquitt named Chiefs’ nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Thursday morning, the National Football League announced that Kansas City Chiefs P Dustin Colquitt was the team’s nominee for the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide. Colquitt was also the Chiefs nominee in 2009. Colquitt is joined by candidates from each NFL team in consideration for this renowned accolade.
“We are incredibly proud of Dustin Colquitt representing the Chiefs organization as our nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. “As a player Dustin has been among the best at his position for the entirety of his career. As a teammate his loyalty to the Chiefs organization is unparalleled, and his character and charisma make him an invaluable leader of the team. None of those attributes, however, equal Dustin’s commitment to the Kansas City Community. Through his leadership at TeamSmile and his involvement with Fuel Up to Play 60, Athletes in Action and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Dustin has shown tremendous dedication to improve the lives of youth in Kansas City, and we believe he is a worthy candidate for one of the most prestigious honors in sports.”
“Having the Chiefs blessing as the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee humbles my heart,” Colquitt said. “This organization and city have embraced me from the first time I stepped through the doors. There is a huge calling to serve others in this life and you can do that with love, time, talents and effort, and Walter Payton embodied that through an incredible ability to reach people and communities with his soul and his passions. God gave him the gift of being a great athlete and determined man, and he left a legacy that allows all of those who come after him to make their NFL communities a better place.”
New this year, all 32 team winners will be highlighted as finalists and recognized for their important work during the weekend leading up to Super Bowl LIII. The 2018 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year will be announced during NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on Feb. 2, the eve of Super Bowl LIII, on CBS. NFL Honors will be at Fox Theatre in Atlanta.
Five hundred thousand dollars will be donated in the name of the 2018 winner. Of that total, $250,000 will be donated in his name to expand Character Playbook, the NFL and United Way’s digital character education program. An additional donation of $250,000 will be donated to the charity of his choice. All other 31 nominees will receive a donation of $50,000 in their name to expand Character Playbook, and an additional donation of up to $50,000 to their charity of choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation, Nationwide and United Way Worldwide.
This season, Colquitt has punted 34 times for 1,535 yards, good for a 45.1-yard average. He has landed 16 of his punts inside the 20-yard line with a season-long of 67 yards.
Over the course of his 14-year career, Colquitt’s 218 games played ranks second all-time for the Chiefs. He has punted 1,065 times totaling 47,781 yards for a 44.9-yard average and landed 436 punts inside the 20-yard line with a career-long of 81 yards. He ranks first in franchise history in all of these categories and has twice been named to the Pro Bowl (2012, 2016). Colquitt was drafted by the Chiefs with the 99th overall pick in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Tennessee.
Beyond the field, Colquitt has displayed a tremendous dedication to the people of Kansas City. For 12 years, Colquitt has partnered with TeamSmile and currently sits on its Board of Directors. His efforts have resulted in 40,000 underserved children receiving $18 million in complimentary dental and preventative care services and education. His “Punting for Smiles” campaign results in $500 from every punt inside the 20-yard donated to TeamSmile. For every $50 raised, a child receives an average of $450 worth of dental services. Personally, Colquitt donates $20,000 each year to TeamSmile.
The Colquitt family, comprised of NFL punters Dustin, his father, former Steelers and Colts P Craig Colquitt, and his brother, Browns P Britton Colquitt, endowed the “First Family of Fourth Down Scholarship Fund” at the University of Tennessee. As a high schooler, Colquitt and his family made visits to troubled youth at a local penitentiary, which instilled a sense of character and giving back from a young age.
In addition, Colquitt dedicates countless hours to mentoring initiatives through his church, Athletes in Action and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also serves as a Fuel Up to Play 60 Ambassador and visits schools to share the benefits of eating right and staying active. Colquitt was the Chiefs recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award (2010), a finalist for the Byron “Whizzer” White Award (2015) and a nominee for the Bart Starr Award (2018).
Fans are encouraged to participate in Nationwide’s 4th annual Charity Challenge, a social media campaign designed to support and promote team nominees. Fans can vote by using #WPMOYChallenge on Twitter with Colquitt’s last name somewhere in the post between Dec. 6 and Jan. 13. The player whose unique hashtag is used the most will receive a $25,000 contribution to their charity of choice, courtesy of Nationwide. Hashtag information and official rules can be found at NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.
All 32 nominees for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award are listed at NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. Colquitt and the 31 other nominees for the 2018 award began wearing a special helmet decal beginning during Week 14 games that will remain throughout the rest of the season in recognition of their nominations. Five of the previous award winners and current active players—New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees, Carolina Panthers LB Thomas Davis, Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald, New York Giants QB Eli Manning and Houston Texas DE J.J. Watt—wear a patch on their jersey in honor of their accomplishments.
— Chiefs Press Release —
Missouri football coach Barry Odom gets two-year contract extension
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Board of Curators has approved a contract extension for Mizzou Head Football Coach Barry Odom through the 2024 season, as well as a $600,000 increase in his annual salary effective January 1, 2019 and an enhanced incentive package for academic and athletic performance, Mizzou Director of Athletics Jim Sterk announced today. In three seasons on the Mizzou sideline, Odom has improved the Tigers’ win total each year, while earning bowl bids in each of the past two. Odom’s 2018 team will carry an 8-4 record and a No. 23 (CFP)/No. 24 (Associated Pres) national ranking into its Dec. 31 AutoZone Liberty Bowl match-up against former conference rival Oklahoma State in Memphis, Tenn.
“Barry Odom has done an outstanding job of leading the Mizzou Football program the last three seasons and I’m grateful that we are able to reward that success today,” Sterk said. “He is building a championship culture within his program that fosters academic achievement, athletic success and accountability, and I am proud of what he has been able to accomplish during his first three seasons. With this year’s success and the South End Zone facility coming on-line next year, I believe Mizzou Football enjoys great momentum heading into the 2019 season and I look forward to working with Coach Odom to build upon that,” Sterk said.
A 1999 graduate of Mizzou, and a former standout linebacker for the Tigers from 1996-99, Odom owns a record of 19-18 in three seasons at Mizzou (with every loss coming to bowl-eligible teams), and with the Tigers’ Liberty Bowl invitation, he joined College Football Hall of Famer Dan Devine, Al Onofrio and Warren Powers, as the only coaches to lead two of their first three Mizzou teams into the postseason. Odom’s 19 wins are the most through three seasons by a Tiger coach since Powers won 23 from 1978-80, and a win in the bowl game would make this just the ninth team in program history to win nine games in a season.
“Coach Odom is the epitome of what it means to be Mizzou Made,” said MU Chancellor Alexander Cartwright. “From his days as a linebacker for the Tigers to his time on the sidelines, Barry has taken the core values of Mizzou – Respect, Responsibility, Discovery and Excellence – to heart. He is a champion for the university, helping our university celebrate academic achievements and supporting all of our student athletes, both on and off the field.”
After winning four games in his debut season, the Tigers went 7-6 in 2017 to earn a Texas Bowl berth and will take an 8-4 record into this month’s postseason game. His Tigers earned one of the most impressive road wins of any team this season, when Mizzou rolled to a 38-17 win on Nov. 3 at current No. 10 (CFP) Florida.
“Coach Odom has a tremendous passion for teaching and developing our student-athletes, on and off the field, which aligns well with our departmental philosophy to Win it Right,” Sterk said. “With this new contract, we felt it was important to recognize Coach Odom’s commitment to our football program and University, and we look forward to his continued leadership and watching him make a positive difference in the lives of our student-athletes,” he added.
The eight-win regular season in 2018 marks just the 17th time that has been achieved in 128 years of Mizzou Football. Odom’s teams have shown a penchant for finishing seasons in strong fashion, as they’ve won nine-straight games in the month of November, and in his three years at the helm, Mizzou is 10-2 overall in November games.
“I’m excited and thankful to lead our program and student-athletes for years to come,” said Odom. “I have great admiration for our leadership team of President Choi, Chancellor Cartwright and the Board of Curators, and thank them for this opportunity. I’m excited to move forward with Jim Sterk, we have the same vision in building Mizzou Football and providing a platform for our young men to be successful in all aspects of their lives. We have a great staff in place who care about winning the right way and I’m appreciative of their efforts. I’m grateful for our players, and I’m honored to be their coach. I want to give them the very best every single day,” he said.
In addition to a $600,000 increase in his annual salary and the additional two years added to his contract, his academic and athletic incentives package increased to more than $1.8M and he now has built in provisions for both annual salary increases and contract extensions based upon on-field achievements.
— Mizzou Athletics —
Bearcat DE Austen Eskew named First Team All-American
Northwest Missouri State senior defensive end Austen Eskew has been named the American Football Coaches Association’s First-team All-America squad.
Eskew becomes Northwest’s 22nd AFCA first-team all-America choice in the program’s history.
Eskew led the MIAA in sacks (10.5) and tackles-for-loss (18.0). He started all 13 games at defensive end. Eskew was part of a Bearcat defense that ranked No. 1 in the MIAA in total defense, sacks, TFLs, scoring defense, rushing defense, red zone defense and third-down conversion defense. Eskew has earned first-team all-MIAA and first-team D2CCA all-region honors this season.
— Northwest Athletics —
MWSU women’s golf signs another from Malaysia
ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western head golf coach Greg Dillon announced the addition of one female student-athlete for the 2019-20 seasons.
Allycia Gan will follow in what has become a long line of Malaysian women’s golfers to attend Missouri Western.
“We are excited to get a player as accomplished as Allycia,” Dillon said. “We are getting one of the best junior golfers in Malaysia. We have watched her on the junior circuits for a long time and feel she is ready for the next step in her competitive golf career here at Missouri Western.
We feel honored that Allycia will follow the examples set by Celine Lim, Shi Qing Ong and Chong Yong.”
— MWSU Athletics —
Royals, Chris Owings agree to $3M, one-year contract
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chris Owings has agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, five days after the utilityman was cut loose by Arizona.
Owings can earn an additional $500,000 in performance bonuses as part of the deal announced Wednesday.
The 27-year-old Owings hit .206 in 106 games this year. He made 33 starts in right field, 10 in center, nine at third, eight and second and three in left. He had 12 homers and 51 RBIs in 2017.
Owings had a $3.4 million salary this year, was eligible for salary arbitration and likely would have received a raise. But the Diamondbacks failed to offer a 2019 contract by last Friday’s deadline.
He is eligible for free agency after the 2019 season.
— Associated Press —