2016 Last Season for Cougar Basketball, Last Game vs. Rival OC Knights

February 4, 2016 Leave a comment


By Clare Wiltse, Sports Contributor

2016 is the last season for Cougar Basketball.  For Lyons-Decatur Northeast this will be the last meeting against their rivals from seven mile to the south, Oakland-Craig.  The final games against the Knights were classics as both the boys and girls did not decide  the winner until the final buzzer went off.  The Lady Cougars finished off a comeback with a 57-55 win. The boys had the ball and three seconds to score, but their attempt rimmed off in a 58-57 loss.

The Lady Cougars had a two game losing streak which brought their record to 10-5.  The Lady Knights, having one of their best years, had a 13-3 mark.  Both are two of the better teams in the EHC.

The Lady Cougar drew first blood with a trey by Kelly Wakeley.  Baskets in the paint established  a  five point lead for Northeast.   Abby Peterson  and Mariah Jessen each had a pair of goals as LDNE led 11-6.  Two free throws by Brianne Haskell brought the quarter to an end with L-D on top  13-6.  O-C had hit only 2 of their 15 shots while Northeast put up 13 shots and converted  5.

The Cougars continued to control the game in the second period.  They stretched their lead to ten points, 26-16 with 2:30 left in the half. After Tessie Collins’s basket the Knights went on a 9-1 to make a 27-25 half time score.  O-C got four points in the closing seconds when Dacey Nelson was fouled on a made shot, retrieved her missed foul shot and scored as the buzzer sounded.

The Lady Knights bolted to the lead in the third period with two quick scores.  A bucket  by Peterson and a free shot by Jessen gave Northeast a 30-29 lead at the 5:55 mark.  O-C got some timely scoring from the Charling twins to regain the lead and move out to a 42-37 advantage.  A late basket by  Jessen made it a three point game going into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter got started with Brianne Haskell and Lexie Bacon scoring to put LDNE on top 43-42.  The last 6:45 of game saw eight lead changes and three ties.
Brianne Haskell scored a basket and followed with a pair of free shots to maintain a Cougar lead.  Abby Peterson stepped it up to a two point difference with a three point play. Kelly Wakeley countered a Bailey Charling score to give LDNE a 52-50 lead with 2:27 to play.  Free throws by Bacon at the 1:16 mark  and Peterson with 30 seconds left kept the Cougars on top until Shannon Pille tied the score at 55 with 18 seconds to play.  Northeast went for the final shot.  Kelly Wakeley was able to drive the left baseline and put up a floater for the winning score as the buzzer sounded.

It was a balanced scoring attack for the Cougars.  Four were in double figures for Northeast with Brianne Haskell and Abby Peterson finishing with 11  points.  Mariah Jessen added 12  and Lexie Bacon topped he team with 13 points,.

The Lady Cougars controlled the boards with eleven more rebounds that Oakland-Craig.  They tallied 35 with Jessen and Haskell each getting 9.  Jessen was a defensive force in the lane as she had 7 blocked shots in the game.
O-C 6 19 17 13 -55
LDNE 13 14 12 16 -57

2pt 3pt FT Rb F TP
Wakeley 2 1 0/2 3 1 7
Haskell 2 1 4/4 9 2 11
Collins 1 0 1/2 0 3 3
Bacon 4 1 2/2 8 0 13
Jessen 5 0 2/5 9 4 12
Peterson 4 0 3/5 6 1 11
LDNE 18/40 3/11 12/20 35 11 57
O-C 19-51 2/6 11/14 24 17 55

One things is certain when the Oakland (or O-C) and Lyons or (LDNE)boys square off you had better’ bring your A-Game.  The underdog can really bite hard when it comes to a rivalry type game.  Jon Heideman’s  midcourt heave sank Vikings in 1967 and Adam Anderson drained a three to topple the 1999 Knights.  The Lions took it on the chin when James Schrock lit up the scoreboard and the Northeast State Qualifiers of 1994 could not overcome the upstarts from O-C led by Danny Landholm and Gus Ray.

The final O-C/LDNE clash looked like a sure win for the Cougars.  Riding high on an 11-3 record the (6-11) Knights did not appear to have a chance.

The Cougars scored  first, but the Knights dominated the first period.   After Marcus Hegy scored O-C  had a 10-2 run.  A diamond-and-one held Alec Anderson in check until 2:00 as the Cougars were down 12-8.  A basket by Christoffersen and a three point play by Hegy made it 13-16 at the quarter.

With Anderson held in check the Cougars turned to their other big man for points in the second quarter .  Cole Christoffersen  scored thee times along with a free throw.  ;His score with 18 seconds left send the Cougars to the lockers with a 27-26 lead.

Christoffersen opened the second half with a basket and Northeast enjoyed a short-lived three point lead.  The Knights came storming back with eight straight points before Christoffersen made two free shots with 4:00 to play.  Alec Anderson denied the ball in the paint so he moved to the point and sank a trey to pull LDNE back into a tie,34-34.  The Knights put on another spurt and ran off  nine points in three possessions.  Free throws by Riecken and another trey by Anderson made 43-39.  Christoffersen closed out the third period scoring.  Northeast trailed 43-41.

After two scored by O-C, the Cougars went to Anderson to start the fourth quarter.  The 6′ 4″ senior drew a foul on his three-point attempt and sank three from the stripe for a 47-44 score.  He followed up with a goal and two makes from the stripe and the Cougars retook the lead with 5:12 to play.

The teams traded baskets.  O-C got a three by Reinert and a deuce by Seagren while Hegy and Christoffersen scored a pair buckets for a 52-52 score.  Cole got the lead for Northeast on a free shot with 4:38 left.  Seagren put the Knights back on top and a basket by Mitchell made it 56-53 with 1:10 to play.

The Cougars went to Hunter Ferguson and pulled to within one point, 56-55.  A foul with 35 seconds left put Seagren on the line.  He missed the one the one-and-one and Cougars got the lead again, 57-56 with 13 seconds to play.  Marcus Hegy dribbled through Knight defense for a lay-in.

O-C went to Seagren one more time and the sophomore was able to dribble the length of the court and score the go ahead basket with 3 seconds left. The Cougars came out of a timeout with a plan which almost worked.  Alec Anderson came off a screen at midcourt and took a full length court inbounds pass from O’Connor.  After out leaping Seagren for the ball, he spun to put up a five shot which caught the rim and spun out.

Cole Christoffersen had a career-high 20 points to lead Northeast .  Oakland-Craig was led by Garret Seagren with 24.  Alec Anderson scored a double-double   with 15 points and 13 rebounds.  Marcus Hegy added 11 points.

O-C 16 10 17 15 -58
LDNE 13 14 14 16 -57

2pt 3pt FT Rb F TP
Riecken 0 0 2/2 3 2 2
O’Connor 0 0 0 1 1 0
Christiansen 1 0 0 1 2 2
Hegy 4 0 3/3 2 4 11
Ferguson 1 3 0 2 2 5
Anderson 2 2 5/6 13 1 15
Hardeman 1 0 0 2 0 2
Christoffersen 8 0 4/9 7 1 20
LDNE 16/24 3/11 14/20 30 13 57
O-C 13/22 9/31 5/13 20 18 58

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Marcia Ann (O’Sullivan) Koski, 67, of Pender NE

February 4, 2016 Leave a comment


Marcia Ann (O’Sullivan) Koski, 67, of Pender, NE, passed away February 1, 2016 at Pender Community Hospital in Pender. Funeral services will be Friday, February 5, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Church of Pender; Pastor Steve Breazier will be officiating. The visitation will be Thursday, February 4, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at United Church of Pender with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. The burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Pender. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.
Marcia was born June 19, 1948 in Sioux City, IA. She graduated from Randolph High School. Marcia was united in marriage to Keith William Koski on July 3, 1974 in Wayne, NE. She worked at Legacy Garden Nursing Home in the kitchen and as a housekeeper, where she enjoyed sitting and talking with the folks at the nursing home. She loved camping, traveling, and eating out at restaurants. Marcia’s life revolved around her family, she especially loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting and school events. Marcia traveled to many games and men’s fast pitch tournaments.

Marcia is survived by her husband, Keith W. Koski of Pender, NE; daughter, Lori (Doug) Prokop of Thurston, NE, Theresa (Scotty) Gerbes of Ankeny, IA, and Trish (Mike) Wegner of Pender, NE, grandchildren Ashley (Toby) Rose, Casey Prokop, Braden Prokop, Madalynn Gerbes, Austin Gerbes, Colton Gerbes, Michaela Wegner, and Avery Wegner; and great grandchildren, Hunter, Mary and Anna Rose. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Arlene Koski of Pender, NE; sister, Sheila Evans of Pocahontas, IA; and cousin, Andrea (Harry) Lindner of Norfolk, NE.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Janet O’Sullivan; sister, Juanita O’Sullivan; grandma, Bessie Boughn, and father-in-law, John Koski.

Marcia Koski

Marcia Koski

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Cougars Down Madison in First Round of EHC

February 4, 2016 Leave a comment


By Clare Wiltse, Sports Contributor

The Northeast boys raised their record to 12-4 with a first round win over (6-11) Madison in the East Husker Conference  Tournament.  The fifth seeded Cougars will take on (4-15) Clarkson/Leigh after they upset the fourth seed Loganview/ Scribner-Snyder team.

The height challenged Madison team was not afraid to shoot the long ball.  They put up 31 shots from behind the arc.  They made 13.

The Dragons made three of four to start the game and held a 9-7 lead.  They closed out the period with seven straight misses and Northeast took an 18-9 lead.  Alec Anderson had ten points including a three.  Marcus Hegy had four free throws and a goal.

Northeast blew the game wide open in the second period.  They led 39-15 at the half.  Anderson scored another twelve points as he controlled the paint and made five of six in the paint and added another three.

Northeast struggled on offense in the third period.  They managed only two baskets and two free-throws.  Madison found the range again and put in three from down town.  The quarter ended with Northeast up 45-28.

Joey O’Connor started  of the fourth quarter with a basket.  The Cougars put up 21 points with Montana Riecken getting 7 from the free throw line and six by Anderson.  The Dragons made it interesting with seven three pointers.  Their platoon system paid off as Coach Lahm had to pull out the reserves when Ulises Hernandez made five NBA range three pointers.  The final score was 66-53.

Alec Anderson scored 32  points with 7 rebounds.  Marcus Hegy  had 10 points and 11 rebounds.  Montana Riecken added 12 points.

Madison 9 6 13 25 -53
LDNE 18 21 6 21 -66

2Pt pt FT Rb F Tp
Riecken 2 0 8/11 2 1 12
O’Connor 1 0 0 2 0 2
Christiansen 1 0 0 2 1 2
Hegy 1 1 5/7 11 1 1
Ferguson 0 1 1/2 0 0 4
Anderson 11 2 4/7 7 0 32
Hardeman 1 0 1/4 6 0 3
Christoffersen 0 0 1/3 8 3 1
LDNE 17/26 4/7 20/34 39 6 66
Madison 6 13 2/5 18 28 53

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Snow Pile in Front of Food Pride

February 4, 2016 Leave a comment


The snow pile in front of Nelson's Food Pride before the Oakland City Crew cleared the street. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

The snow pile in front of Nelson’s Food Pride before the Oakland City Crew cleared the street. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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Prioritizing Taxpayers

February 4, 2016 Leave a comment


By Governor Pete Ricketts

Each week, I have the privilege of traveling Nebraska.  Over the past several months, I conducted 20 town halls, held 10 community visits recently following my State of the State address, and just this week I was in Chadron meeting with farmers and ranchers as well as community and business leaders.  The number one concern I hear from Nebraskans, urban and rural, is that our property tax burden is too high.  Property taxes on agricultural land have increased 66 percent in the last five years.  Property taxes on residential and commercial properties have also increased.  This is why Nebraskans are demanding relief.

 

My approach to property tax relief, and taxes in general, is anchored in a few foundational principles.  First, state tax dollars are your hard-earned dollars.  Second, the only way to deliver sustainable tax relief is by exercising fiscal restraint with your taxpayer dollars.  Third, we must be transparent and accountable to our constituents.  Fourth and finally, local control is good governance.

 

State government in Nebraska does not levy property taxes.  The state, however, is responsible for setting the rules for how local governments levy property taxes including levy limits, bonding authority, reserve levels, and budget authority among others.

 

This year, I’m focused on delivering structural, long-term property tax relief by incentivizing fiscal restraint and accountability in the rules governing how local government collects property taxes.  To this end, I have joined forces with Senator Kate Sullivan, Chairwoman of the Education Committee, and Senator Mike Gloor, Chairman of the Revenue Committee, to bring a property tax reform package that encourages local governments to restrain growth in spending to the same target rate as the state—around three percent.

 

Our property tax relief package consists of two bills, one in the Education Committee and one in the Revenue Committee.  In this column, I will share with you a little bit about LB958, which is the Revenue Committee bill.  LB958 encourages fiscal restraint and accountability by political subdivisions like cities, counties, and natural resource districts.  Additionally, it limits the increase in statewide agricultural and horticultural land valuations.

 

It does this in three ways.  First, it limits the budgeted growth of restricted funds.  Restricted funds are essentially property taxes, local sales taxes, motor vehicle taxes, surpluses from user fees, county occupation taxes, etc.  To do this, the bill eliminates exclusions to the spending limits including capital improvements, sinking funds for equipment purchases, and expenditures in support of interlocal agreements.

 

Second, the bill reduces the number of exclusions to the property tax levy limit and imposes a new requirement for bonds issued after July 1, 2016.  These bonds would now need to be approved by the voters to be excluded from the levy limits.  The bill also requires that votes to exceed the levy limits must be made by a vote of the people.  LB958 would repeal the power some local governments currently have to exceed the levy limits with a vote at a town hall meeting that may be attended by as few as ten percent of the registered voters.  By requiring voter approval more frequently, this bill increases transparency and voter involvement in local spending decisions.

 

Finally, LB958 limits the statewide increase in agricultural and horticultural land valuation to an aggregate of three percent.  If the statewide aggregate increase exceeds three percent, the Property Tax Administrator will determine the factor needed to uniformly and proportionately reduce the value of every parcel of agricultural and horticultural land so the statewide aggregate does not exceed three percent.  This is an aggregate adjustment factor of three percent, not a hard cap, meaning that adjustments to individual tax bills will vary across the state.  Ag land will still see valuation increases with this adjustment factor, but future valuation increases will be moderated.

 

This tax relief package maintains local control and preserves existing funding mechanisms for local government.  Under this package, our cities, counties, and other local governments can still ask for a vote of the people if they need additional budget authority.  For example, if your city wants to build a new gym, they can seek voter approval to use restricted funds.

 

While Nebraskans like you desperately want property tax relief, special interest groups and their lobbyists are blocking reform.  Last year, the Legislature and I successfully delivered $408 million in direct dollar-for-dollar property tax relief to all property owners across the state.  This year, we are looking to make structural changes that will encourage fiscal restraint among local governments, increase accountability to taxpayers, and limit ag land valuations in aggregate across the state to three percent annually.  If you believe in property tax relief, your senators need to hear from you about why delivering property tax relief is critical to your family budget this year.  You can be assured they will hear from special interest lobbyists.  You can find information on how to contact your senator atwww.NebraskaLegislature.gov.

Governor Pete Ricketts

Governor Pete Ricketts

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Snow Emergency Lifted in Oakland

February 4, 2016 Leave a comment


The Snow Emergency in Oakland NE has been lifted. Thanks to everyone for keeping vehicles off the snow emergency route so the city crew can get the streets plowed.

 

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Lyons-Decatur Northeast and Oakland-Craig Late Starts

February 3, 2016 Leave a comment


Lyons-Decatur Northeast Schools will start school at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow due to the weather.

Oakland-Craig Schools will begin classes two hours late tomorrow due to the weather.

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Winter Weather Advisory

February 3, 2016 Leave a comment 


MONONA-KNOX-CEDAR-THURSTON-ANTELOPE-PIERCE-WAYNE-BOONE-MADISON-
STANTON-CUMING-BURT-PLATTE-COLFAX-DODGE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ONAWA...MAPLETON...CREIGHTON...

BLOOMFIELD...CROFTON...WAUSA...VERDIGRE...NIOBRARA...HARTINGTON...

LAUREL...RANDOLPH...COLERIDGE...PENDER...MACY...WALTHILL...

WINNEBAGO...NELIGH...ELGIN...PIERCE...PLAINVIEW...OSMOND...

WAYNE...ALBION...ST. EDWARD...NORFOLK...STANTON...WEST POINT...

WISNER...TEKAMAH...OAKLAND...LYONS...DECATUR...COLUMBUS...

SCHUYLER...FREMONT
335 AM CST WED FEB 3 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY...

...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OMAHA/VALLEY HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON
CST TODAY. THE BLIZZARD WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

* TIMING...GUSTY NORTH WINDS WILL MAINTAIN PATCHY BLOWING SNOW
THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW MEANS THAT
VISIBILITIES WILL BE LIMITED DUE TO STRONG WINDS BLOWING SNOW
AROUND. USE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS.

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Burt County Cattlemen Meeting Postponed

February 3, 2016 2 Comments


The Burt County Cattlemen’s meeting and meal scheduled for this evening has been postponed. The event will be held on a later date yet to be determined.

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Oakland-Craig Schools Closed

February 2, 2016 Leave a comment


Oakland-Craig Schools closed tomorrow.

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