Great things come around every once in a while and in the case of the Bronco basketball team that ‘every once in a while’ has been 16 years.
The last time Clarendon participated in a Regional Basketball Tournament was in 1994 and Monday night at Randall High School, the Broncos fought off Stratford and bought their ticket to the Regional game, which will be held this Friday in Levelland.
The win was great for the players and the many fans in attendance. And what was even better, several of the players from that 1994 Regional Finalist Team were on hand to cheer on this young group of players and watch them do exactly what they did.
That’s what Clarendon basketball is all about.
The Broncos (22-5) did not disappoint in their determination to defeat a very physical Elk team and began the game with intensity. Thirty-two minutes after the tip, the Broncos proved they could battle and earned the 69-62 win.
It was a showcase for the three-point shot and there were lots of them. Brayden Phillips connected on four, Justin Shillings hit three, and Johnny Gaines made good on two. Those 27 points boosted the Broncos to the win and stopped the 16-year Regional Tournament drought.
Stratford tried to answer, but the Broncos were quick to answer right back and hit crucial shots to maintain their lead. The Elks were able to tie the game at 49 all at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but that did not stop the Broncos from their goal.
Big men Tre Brown and Mike Crump toughened up inside and the Broncos put an end to any comeback attempt by the Elks. Johnny Gaines, Tre Brown, and Brayden Phillips finished in double figures to lead the Broncos to the win.
“I thought our guys did a tremendous job of executing our game plan against Stratford,” coach Clint Coley said. “We really tried to pick up the tempo and turn it into a fast paced game, and I think for the most part we were able to do that. We knew how strong and physical they were, but I think our guys are just as strong really, as well as fast, so we just tried to use that to our advantage.
“We hit nine three’s in the ballgame and that certainly didn’t hurt either. I’m just so proud of the way our guys handled themselves in the game. I think they do things with a lot of class and that’s a credit to them.”
Coley also said fan participation was a great asset for the Broncos.
“We appreciate the crowd once again and hope we can get a big group down for the Regional Tourney. It is great to see everyone come out and support these kids. We have had better crowds than the opponent, and I can tell you that makes a big, big difference in a game.”
Scoring: Gaines 20, Brown 15, Phillips 12, Justin Shillings 9, Stephino McCampbell 5, Mike Crump 5, Jadon Thornton 2, and Chris Crump 1.
Last week, the Broncos were able to advance by defeating Crosbyton in the Bi-District game 48-39. The game was fairly even the entire time until the fourth quarter when the Broncos pulled away.
“I was extremely proud of the way our bench stepped up,” Coley said. “We’ve been relying on several people all year long and that night was no different. Justin Shillings and Brayden Phillips came in and did a great job keeping us in the game.”
Scoring: Gaines 16, Shillings 10, Phillips 6, McCampbell 4, Thornton 4, Brown 4, C. Crump 3, and M. Crump 1.
The Broncos were named Area Champs when they defeated Wheeler 67-52 Friday night at Randall High.
It was another hard-fought game for the Broncos, but they jumped out to the early lead, which put them in a rhythm that lasted the entire game.
“I was really proud of our guys Friday night,” Coley said. “They came out ready to play from the opening tip. We were aggressive and attacked all night long.”
Scoring: Gaines 21, Brown 15, Phillips 10, Shillings 5, McCampbell 5, C. Crump 5, M. Crump 4, and Thornton 2.
The Broncos will play Seagraves in Levelland on the campus of South Plains College at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 5. Please come and support the Broncos in the Regional Tournament and cheer them on to a trip to Austin!
This Week
Beverly Jean Lorenz
Beverly Jean Lorenz, 57, formerly of Amarillo died on Saturday, February 20, 2010, in Colorado.
Services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2010, at the First Baptist Church of Bushland with Darrell Burton, Pastor, Martin Baptist Church in Clarendon, officiating. Burial followed at Dreamland Cemetery. Arrangements were by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.
Mrs. Lorenz was born on July 11, 1952, in Dimmitt, to Frank and Betty Martin. She had lived in Amarillo for ten years before moving to Colorado and had worked as an assistant manager for Walmart.
She was preceded in death by her father, Frank T. “Rowdy” Martin.
Survivors include two children, Shawn Lorenz of Bushland and Lana Lorenz of Elkhart, Kansas; her mother, Betty Martin; two brothers, Jack Martin of Lamar, Colorado and Frank T. Martin, Jr. of Gunnison, Colorado; two sisters, Shirley Whiteman of Monte Vista, Colorado and Sandy Rose of Tucson, Arizona; three grandchildren, Jetti Lorenz, Logan Lorenz and Lafe Lorenz.
Wanda Nell Cardwell
Wanda Nell Cardwell, 70, died Wednesday, February 24, 2010, in Clarendon.
Services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 26, 2010, in the Robertson Funeral Directors Chapel of Memories in Clarendon with Johnny Thomason, officiating. Interment followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Wanda was born November 17, 1939, to Charlie and Margurite Martin McCrary in Clarendon. She had been a resident of Amarillo for the past 43 years. She had been a surgery aide at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Amarillo. She loved to dance and was a Christian.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a stepfather, Ivan Mays; and a son in law, Leon Hall.
Survivors include a son, Randy McDonald and wife Lisa of Amarillo; a daughter, Debbie Hall of Amarillo; two brothers, Doug McCrary and wife Sarah of Clarendon, and Richard McCrary of Garland; two sister, Alice Ewing and husband Butch of Garland and Betty Mays of Clarendon; 11 grandchildren, Janet Hall, Blair Hall and wife Mandy, Neil Hall and wife Brandy, Amber Hall, Jennifer McDonald, Nick McDonald and wife Brandee, Wendy McDonald, Brady McDonald, Lacey Stewart, Amber Maples, and Brandon Cox; and nine great grandchildren.
The family requests that memorials be to the Community Care Center of Clarendon or Odyssey Hospice.
Bill and Jackie Russell
Many of you knew Bill and Jackie Russell, attending the services for him in April, 2007. Knowing him at the College library, and knowing Jackie at the elementary school where she worked directly with children. Jackie fell ill in July, 2009, and while bravely intending to recover; Regrettably, she passed on January 14, 2010. Bill Russell was born on March 28, 1938, in Castilla, California. His three story home, built by his grandfather, was in the midst of a forrest near a stream of water. At the tender age of three, he wandered off the porch to play with bear cubs down at the stream. His mother, Bernice stayed back out of sight of the mother bear, who seemed to be scolding her two cubs for their wanderings. Once the trio left Bill behind, Bernice was able to safely bring her adventurer home. Bill joined the Navy, traveling the world, and he met my beautiful mother. They wrote letters often. When he was in Vietnam, we lived in Canton, Ohio. I, Vicki, their daughter, was age nine, usually received the mail. The mailman asked me if he could meet “Princess Jacqueline Dale,” as that is how Bill addressed letters to my mom.
Jackie Dale was delivered by a midwife in a home in Canton, Ohio, on February 22, 1935. She was the oldest of seven brothers and sisters: David Morrow, Judi Rider, Dick Morrow, Molly Martino, John Morrow, and Amy McClure. Her mother, Roberta Morrow, age 97, resides with Amy. Bill and Jackie have four children: Vicki, Dan, Dave, and Grey; Nine grandchildren: Jeremy & Autumn Honor, Josh, Melinda, Heidi, Christy, Jesse, Jennifer, Lisa Nicole Vogelgesang, and three great grandchildren: Emily Rose Rupe, Sklar Childress, and Ethan Walker Vogelgesang.
The meaning of Bill and Jackie’s life is to promote furthering another’s education by having access to read, do art, horticulture/agriculture and attend college, as these are what Bill and Jackie had a creative lively passion. A bench “In Memoriam to Bill and Jackie Russell,” will be established at the Clarendon College to honor them for their passions and college support. Further, it is my intention to establish an endowed scholarship in their memory. If you would like to do something to honor their life, please donate to the Clarendon College. You may consider many possibilities such as donating a gift in their names, by choosing to fund the library with books, or making a gift in their name toward a discipline (Fine Arts, Drama, Speech or Agriculture, etc.)
Bill and Jackie made us proud, and while we are never ready to lose a loved one, they are reunited.
Florita Branigan
Florita Branigan, 84, of Memphis died Friday, February 12, 2010.
Graveside services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 16, in Fairview Cemetery by Cox-LaGrone Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. in First United Methodist Church of Memphis with Rob Blum and Neely Landrum officiating.
Mrs. Branigan was born August 7, 1925, in Oklahoma City. She attended high school in Hitchcock, Okla. She married Elmont Branigan in Clinton, Okla., on March 20, 1945. Mrs. Branigan received a teaching certificate from Southwestern Oklahoma State. The Branigans moved to Memphis and purchased the business from Dr. Charles Oren, and it became Branigan Jewelry on February 1, 1947. The store moved to its present location on November 1, 1960. Mrs. Branigan worked with the youth of Hall County with service to Boy and Girl Scouting, for more than 25 years, working as a staff member at the last Girl Scout Roundup, as well as 4-H, Memphis Band Booster and Methodist youth groups. Mrs. Branigan had an art of engraving and much of her handiwork was donated in support of the youth of Memphis and the surrounding communities.
After the death of Elmont, she continued supporting businesses in Memphis, as she served as the Women’s Council President of Memphis Chamber of Commerce, and was honored by being elected the “First Lady President” of the regular Chamber of Commerce, receiving the “Work Horse of the Year” award. In 1981, she was selected Beta Sigma Phi Women of the Year, and then again in 1986-87. The Branigan family was also chosen as “Family of the Year” by the Memphis Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Branigan received several awards in the past few years of her life, receiving the highest award from Girl Scouting with the “I Can” award, along with being honored with the 2009 Women of Distinction. One of Mrs. Branigan’s passions was her church family, as she was a member of the First United Methodist Church, serving as secretary to the Administrative Council almost 40 years and had the privilege of teaching the Victory Sunday School class for over 30 years. She was also a charter member of the Club 51.
During the last several years, Florita began chronicling her life in Memphis and several of her quotes follow: “Memphis has been very generous to my family and me. I can think of no better community in which to live. It is like having one big family, everyone helping the other, and there is much love in Memphis, Texas. Only through the help and encouragement I have received could any of these many things been accomplished.” “Through our doors walk the most wonderful people in the world, Our Friends, Our Customers, for this I say “Thank You.”
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmont Branigan, in 1982; and her sister, Olive Simmons in 1991.
Survivors include one son, Mike Branigan and wife Linda of Memphis; a daughter, Elmonette Bivens and husband Paul of Clarendon; grandchildren, Michelle Bryant and husband Matt of Memphis, Shayne Branigan and wife Angie of Memphis, Stephen Bivens and wife Katrina of Amarillo and Scott Bivens and wife Alyssa of Lubbock; 12 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, MaryLou Lozier and husband Tad of Fritch, Mark Simmons and wife Betty of Calhan, Colo., Dwight Branigan and wife Pat of Euless, Galen Branigan and wife Kay of Amarillo, Gary Branigan and wife Dianna of Arlington, Norman Freeman and wife Patsy of Martin, Tenn., and Linville Freeman and wife Martha of Martin, Tenn. She is also survived by 19 great-nieces and great-nephews.
The family requests memorials be made to the McLean Dance Club, Box 177, Wheeler, TX 79096; the Donley County Senior Citizens, PO Drawer B, Clarendon, TX 79226; the United Methodist Church in Clarendon or Memphis; or your favorite charity.
City, college develop contested races
Competitive races have developed at two of the seven local boards holding elections this spring as filing continues through next Monday.
The City of Clarendon will hold an election to choose the three aldermen for two-year terms. Those positions are currently held by Aldermen Tommy Hill, Kyle Davis, and Will Thompson. At press time on Tuesday, only Alderman Thompson had filed for re-election, and new candidates so far are Jeff King, Jeremy Powell, and former alderman Terry Noble.
The Clarendon College District has drawn four candidates for the three open positions on the Board of Regents. Incumbents Susie Shields, Charles Deyhle, and Ruth Robinson are joined by challenger Jerry Gage.
Howardwick City Hall was closed for business Tuesday morning as a primary polling location, so information about who has or has not signed up to run for offices there was not available. Howardwick has three positions up on its Board of Aldermen. The positions are currently held by Rod Donaldson and Tanis McMorries, and one is vacant following the recent resignation of LeeAnn Cook.
Hedley ISD has had only one candidate sign up for the three positions available on its Board of Trustees. Incumbent Karen Watt is running to serve the remainder of the unexpired term she was appointed to. Two full terms up for election this year are currently held by James Edward Potts and Troy Monroe.
All the incumbents at the City of Hedley have filed for re-election and have not yet drawn any opposition. Those seats are now held by Mayor Bruce Howard, Leon Ward, Tonya Metcalf, Travis Thomas, and Lonnie Roby.
Likewise at Clarendon ISD, the three incumbents – Robin Ellis, Jim Shelton, and Marvin Thompson – are seeking re-election and are unopposed so far.
The Donley County Hospital District has three candidates for four positions so far. Incumbent Jeannie Owens has filed to run for her Place 5 hospital board seat, and Mark C. White is seeking re-election to Place 6. Jan Farris has filed to run for Place 4, which is currently held by Greg Collins, who is reportedly not seeking re-election. The other open seat this year is held by Lori Howard at Place 7.
All local offices are elected at-large, but hospital board candidates must sign up for a specific place.
Sign up continues through March 8, 2010; and the elections will be held Saturday, May 8.
Jane Whicker Gilkey
Jane Whicker Gilkey, 82, died Saturday, February 27, 2010, in Amarillo.
Services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 28, 2010, in the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Terry Lowe, Pastor, officiating. Interment followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Jane was born on May 19, 1927, to J.E. and Catherine Smith Whicker in Lubbock. She had moved to Amarillo when she was 11 years old and later graduated from Amarillo High School in 1945. She attended Amarillo College and then West Texas State University where she met and later married James Ray Moore on February 9, 1947. James and Jane moved to Clarendon in 1948. He preceded her in death on October 31, 1961. She then married Dr. Richard Lee “Rip” Gilkey on March 21, 1963. After 39 years of marriage, he preceded her in death on August 14, 2002. She had moved back to Amarillo on October 2001 at Park Place Towers where she was a resident until her death. She was very active member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon where she sang in the choir and served on virtually every committee.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, James Ray Moore on October 31, 1961; her second husband, Dr. Richard Gilkey on August 14, 2002.
Survivors include two sons, Jim Moore and wife Karen of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and John Moore and wife Cathy of Waxahachie; two daughters, Melinda McAnear and husband Ronnie of Clarendon and Tina Putnam and husband David of Austin; nine grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.
The family requests that memorials be to Hospice Care of Southwest, 1301 South Coulter Suite 404, Amarillo, TX 79106 or the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon.
US Census launching rural count
Hand Delivery of Census Questionnaire launches in rural Texas
Many rural Texans will begin receiving their 2010 Census forms this week as trained Census workers begin the hand-delivery of a million questionnaires to households without numbered street addresses and to those in other areas, such as the coastal areas ravaged by hurricanes and the colonias along the Texas-Mexico border.
Census workers hit the country roads starting March 1 to begin the first major operation of the 2010 Census: the enumeration of an estimated 25 million rural residents across the country and almost 4 million in Texas. The operation runs through the month of March and marks the beginning of the 2010 Census questionnaire delivery. Although it will cover almost two-thirds of the geography of Texas, almost 90 percent of Texas’ 8.2 million households will likely receive the Census questionnaire by mail, the least expensive mode of delivery, around the third week in March.
“We’re going to bring it right to your door,” said Gabriel Sanchez, Dallas Regional Census Director. “It will either come in the mail or we are going to take the extra step of delivering it in person.”
In Texas, the so-called update enumeration will involve mobilizing perhaps 6,000 enumerators and support staff to cover the four-week operation. They will deliver questionnaires to more than 1 million Texas households.
Census Day is April 1, the day that the law requires you to be counted at the address where to live and sleep most of the time. The Census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution.
Pampa man rolls concrete truck
A Pampa man escaped life-threatening injuries just after noon last Wednesday when the concrete truck he was driving overturned.
Department of Public Safety Trooper Chad Simpson said Benito Chavez, age 50, was traveling at an unsafe speed for the curve he was entering while southeast bound on FM 2162, also known as the JA Ranch Road. Simpson said the man then overcorrected while steering and the loaded Pampa Concrete truck rolled over onto its left side and top and slid into the south ditch.
During the accident the mixer drum severely damaged highway surface, creating a crater several inches deep, and came loose from the truck itself.
Simpson said the damage required the immediate attention of the Texas Department of Transportation to fix the roadway.
The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department extracted Benito, and he was transported by the Associated Ambulance Authority and airlifted by LifeStar for treatment in Amarillo. His condition at press time was not known, but Simpson said Benito did not have life-threatening injuries. He was wearing his seatbelt.
In addition to the fire department, ambulance service and DPS, those responding to this accident were the Donley County Sheriff’s Office, TxDOT, and several Good Samaritans.
EMS service getting two new ambulances
Two new Crestline Commander ambulances are expected to arrive at the Associated Ambulance Authority on March 18.
The ambulances cost a total of $252,000, which will be partially paid for with the help of a $35,000 grant from the Texas Department of State Health and $24,000 that the ambulance service has saved for the purchases. The sale and trade-in of two older ambulances will provide about $10,000, and the balance will be covered by a five-year note.
“Everyone on the hospital board is thrilled about the new ambulances,” Donley County Hospital District Administrator Anna Howard said. “We’re ready for them to get here.”
The need for the new ambulances is due to two of the present units’ mechanical problems and constant malfunctioning. All three ambulances are out of warranty, so repairs to them require out of pocket fees.
“The board figured it would be cheaper to go ahead and get the new ambulances,” Howard said. “The 2004 ambulance that will be traded in has been malfunctioning since 2005, and it actually has been a part of a litigation process because of continuous malfunction.”
Another reason the hospital board decided to purchase the ambulances now is because new emission laws and requirements going into effect starting in 2011 are going to cause ambulances to go up in price by $5,000-8,000 per unit.
“We decided it would be more economical to go ahead and get the ambulances now because of the increased cost of ambulances in the future,” Howard said.
Over the past seven years, the number of calls to the ambulance station have gradually increased from 553 total calls in 2003 to 749 in 2009. From the beginning of this year, there have already been 104 ambulance calls.
“Usually January and February are our slow months,” Howard said. “If it keeps it up, then we could very well get into the 900s, which is a large amount for a small rural ambulance department.”
Howard said the increase in calls is possibly due to the economy.
“People can’t afford to go to the regular doctor to take care of routine illnesses, so they wait until it gets really bad, and then call emergency vehicles to treat their sickness,” Howard said.
The rise in calls has caused two, even three ambulances to be out running at the same time.
“The two new units are a necessity,” Howard said. “It has become a regular thing that both ambulances are running together. We need two ambulances that don’t malfunction due to this increase in yearly calls.”
The Ambulance Authority is looking forward to the new ambulances arrival.
“We’re just waiting patiently waiting now, hoping the units don’t break down before the new ones get here,” Howard said.
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