From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday,
January 23, 1996
LOCAL
Legislative Actions Threatens County's Sentencing Program
Radio-Equipped Crews Help Capture Burglar
Parents Face Fines In Juvenile Cases
School Improvement Reports on Agenda
Special Court of Honor For Eagle Scout Sunday
Police Officers Continue Search For Suspect of Possible Murder
'Souper Bowl' Sunday For Peachtree Landing
DEATHS
Sylvester Franklin Moon
Grace Audrey Ackerson
Services Pending
Iva Leona Hudson
Maxine Renbarger
NEWS BRIEFS
SPORTS
Lady Mavs Rout Bacone, 103-50
Two Hot Streaks Too Much for Mavs
Matmen Host Pioneers
Cowboys Vault Into Top Spot in Wrestling Rating
Area Cage Teams Vie In Tourney
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK - County officials are concerned that new proposals in the state Legislature could hinder the inmate-sentencing program that helps keep the county jail operating.
Undersheriff Sid Cookerly, who operates Sheriff Marion Van Hoesen's version of the community service sentencing program (CSSP), said the existing program, initiated by the Legislature in 1988, appears to have all the elements already to ensure a successful county detention program.
And it already works, he said.
However, new truth-in-sentencing proposals don't appear to have the CSSP program included, Cookerly said, and that could be a disaster for the county.
The proposed Community Corrections Act, recommended by the proponents of truth-in-sentencing programs for the state, would introduce local community-action boards of volunteers to provide judges with alternate recommendations for sentencing.
The act, part of a bill authored by State Sen. Herb Rozelle, was designed to tailor sentencing and treatment to individual offenders, rather than a mandated "one size fits all" approach, according to a commission report.
But it seems to have overlooked the already successful CSSP, which State Rep. Jim Reese said is the big reason the bill died last year on the final day of the legislative session.
For those specific inmates held under the 1988 law, the Department of Corrections pays all medical expenses, food and clothing along with their incarceration. The counties are paid $20 a day per inmate.
Van Hoesen has frequently said the DOC's sentencing-program reimbursements are the reason that operating the county jail, which can't simply stop for lack of money, has avoided the need to be supplemented by county revenue such as property taxes.
Because the county jail is mandated by law to stay operating, the next step to solve a money shortage would be to reduce county services elsewhere in the courthouse, Van Hoesen said.
The 1988 law was designed to alleviate the overcrowding in DOC facilities already by sentencing non-violent non-habitual offenders either to non-prison community service programs or to similar programs based out of the county detention facilities. The non-prison program in Kay County is coordinated by Tammy Childers.
Cookerly said the number of CSSP inmates in the Kay County detention facility fluctuates because individual sentences vary, typically from three months to one year.
But he said the county holds enough CSSP inmates in a year to overrun a small DOC establishment somewhere.
In a typical month (October 1996), the county jail held 27 people who otherwise would have been sent to the department of correction's Lexington Reception Center as typical inmates are.
Instead they were sentenced to the county sentencing program, housed in the county jail and therefore available for various community services in the area at the sheriff's discretion.
In turn for holding the inmates, Kay County receives from the DOC a $20 reimbursement for each prisoner each day, which amounted to $12,500 for October and at least $140,000 during 1996, which is money that didn't otherwise have to come out of the county budget somewhere.
In contrast to the $20 a day paid to the county, the state of Oklahoma also enters contracts with private prisons in the state of Texas, for example, for "upwards of $45 a day to incarcerate prisoners," Cookerly said.
"They (the DOC) can't hold an inmate for less than $30 a day - their budget says so," he said.
Cookerly was concerned that the boards of volunteers proposed by the new bill will still cost money.
"Who's going to pay these people?" he asked, explaining it would cost them money just for travel expenses to Newkirk.
And it would duplicate what's already in place, he said, because "that's what Tammy does - right now. What do you need a board for when you have a person hired already to do that?"
Everything in the proposed legislation is encompassed in the 1988 law, Cookerly said. The judge can already require community service or anything he wants as a provision of his suspended sentence.
"Van (Hoesen) and I are both concerned," Cookerly said.
"The program we have now is supported by our local judges, our district attorney's office, the county commissioners, civic groups that have utilized the inmates in community programs.
"And we think the general public benefits," he said, explaining a crew of CSSP inmates was painting the jail this week and another three were trimming trees along county roads.
"We have in place here a program that brings money into the county jail on taxes they (the taxpayers) have already paid or will pay, and it saves the taxpayers of this county a great deal of money," Cookerly said.
"Until I see it in writing, I have serious questions when there is a movement afoot with the Community Corrections Act to redo something that's already working."
Contacted at his office in Oklahoma City, Reese backed up the sheriff's department's concerns Wednesday when he explained the Community Corrections Act bill failed last May on the last day of the legislative session.
Reese said the state House rejected the bill because of members' apprehension that the sentencing program already in place would be affected by the change. The bill had already passed the Senate by a vote of 31-11, but was rejected by the house with 70 no votes to 25 yea votes, he said.
He said as a result the Senate killed a House bill that would have increased the $20 daily reimbursement per inmate from the DOC to the sheriffs. Both bills died the last day of session, he said.
"The House was concerned that the state would take over programs such as the CSSP that were working successfully on a county level," Reese said.
He said he expects the corrections act bill to resurface somehow for this year's legislative session, although it had not been filed as of Wednesday. Friday is the deadline for the lawmakers to file bills.
However, Reese said unless the existing sentencing program "is left viable (in the proposed bill), it'll be tough sledding in the House."
In a 1995 CSSP report, Kay County with 32,660 hours ranked third in number of CSSP hours completed, behind only Okmulgee County with 70,144 and Rogers County with 57,637.
Kay County also ranked fifth in the state in number of felony offenders (123) sentenced to the program. Creek County ranked first with 241 offenders sentenced.
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
BLACKWELL - Quick-thinking county workers with timely use of radio equipment thwarted a rural house burglary Wednesday morning west of here and led to an arrest near Braman, County Sheriff Marion Van Hoesen said.
Van Hoesen said he wanted to "give an accolade to the county commissioners because they provided radios with their county equipment."
Deputies arrested a 49-year-old Coweta man as a burglary suspect after a member of District III County Commissioner Rex Purdy's crew noticed an unusual vehicle parked at a home as he worked nearby.
The grader/operator reported the 10:30 a.m. burglary-in-progress to his dispatcher, who in turn called the sheriff's office, Van Hoesen said.
As deputies and Blackwell reserve officers responded to the residence, other crew workers in their slower-moving equipment helped the first operator keep track of the fleeing suspect as he drove north toward Braman.
Van Hoesen said the first operator "saw the car, got the tag number and called it in to the dispatcher. He couldn't keep up in a grader but when the other co-workers heard it on the radio, they started positioning themselves.
"Afterwards, the guys told the deputies, 'You need to really thank our county commissioners for giving us the radios,'" the sheriff said.
The suspect was arrested six miles north of the burglarized house on a county road 1.5 miles west of Braman. Deputies confiscated several items such as kitchen appliances, tools and jewelry from the car as evidence.
"That's what we need is citizens' involvement, particularly in these rural areas. I'd rather run down a false report than miss a real one," Van Hoesen said.
He said Osage County authorities had been in contact because of a similar daylight burglary there in the last few days.
The suspect was taken into custody and was to appear today before a district court judge.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Juvenile Court officials are cracking down on local youths who have committed misdemeanor crimes.
Twenty-six juveniles, ranging in age from 13 to 17, were listed on the court docket before Juvenile Judge John Northcutt. Offenses included vandalism, trespassing, curfew, assault and battery, petit larceny, public intoxication, transporting an open bottle, minor in possession of beer and minor in possession of tobacco.
Court Clerk Nancy Hunt confirmed that four juveniles who twice have not shown up for Juvenile Court, will be reported to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and lose driving privileges for six months. In addition, parents of the teens will be given 90 days to pay the accessed fine.
Three additional youths will also lose their driving privileges for appearing in Juvenile Court on a second offense. Thirteen youths received 95 hours of community service, according to Hunt.
Four juveniles were recommended to receive counseling from the Northern Oklahoma Youth Shelter and one was referred to the first offender program. In addition, one youth must pay restitution of $14.99.
Of the six youths who pled not guilty on Jan. 7, three changed their plea to "no contest" and one case was dismissed. Two were found guilty and received fines.
In related business, court officials met last week with 13 juveniles who had not completed their community service. The cases will be set for review on Feb. 4, said Hunt. If the hours have not been completed by this date, the service will be converted to a fine and accessed to the parent. If the fine is not paid within 90 days, a warrant will be issued for the parent's arrest.
Local schools will present their School Improvement Reports to the Ponca City Board of Education tonight at 6:30 p.m. at a Special Board Meeting.
Each report will be approximately ten minutes in length followed by a five minute question and answer period by the board of education. The schedule will go as follows: Lincoln Elementary, 6:30 p.m.; Union Elementary, 6:45 p.m.; Senior High School, 7 p.m.; Middle School, 7:15 p.m.; Trout Elementary, 7:30 p.m.; and Washington Elementary at 7:45 p.m.
After hearing the reports, the board will adjourn.
The next special board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Scott Norris, Po-Hi Senior will be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at a special Court of Honor at the Ponca City First Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m. Sunday. The public is invited to attend the ceremony.
Scott, and his parents, Larry and Diane Norris moved to Ponca City in 1992 from Rochester, Mich., where Scott was an active member of Troop 188.
Scott completed his Cub Scout requirements and received the Arrow of Light Award as a Webelo Scout in Pack 267 in Rochester, then progressed through the ranks to First Class Scout in Troop 188. One of his fondest memories of his Scouting experiences there was when he earned his Lifesaving Merit Badge in 45 degree water at Lost Lake Scout Reservation in Michigan.
When the family moved to Ponca City in 1992, Scott joined Troop 56 at St. Paul's Methodist Church in August. He completed the Pine Tree leadership training course at Will Rogers Scout Reservation in 1993. Scott also participated in a summer trek to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. in 1993 and has participated in numerous other outdoor and camping activities.
One of the major requirements a Scout must meet to be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout is the completion of a community service project, designed and led by the Scout.
Scott's project involved the layout and installation of the new vinyl siding on the Habitat for Humanity House that is nearing completion on Cherry Street. The project was completed with the assistance of more than a dozen volunteers over a six-week period during the summer of 1996. The guidance and assistance provided by J.D. Hanks and Stan Brown from Habitat for Humanity were particularly notable in the project's successful completion, says Scott.
According to Larry and Diane Norris, Troop 56 was Scott's welcoming committee to Ponca City when the family moved here in the summer of 1992. "He was invited to attend a Scout meeting by Scoutmaster Gene Holland while we were on a house hunting trip in the city," they said.
"I also want to express my sincere thanks to Scoutmaster Mike DeKrey for his continued assistance and encouragement," said Scott.
Ponca City police officers continue to search for Juan Carlos Alvarado Duarte who is wanted in connection with a possible murder which occurred in the 900 block of East South Avenue on Jan. 14.
Duarte is a 24-year-old Hispanic man, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 to 170 pounds. Duarte has black hair and brown eyes and has a Kansas Driver's license.
During the investigation officers determined Duarte had been renting the residence since April of 1996. He had been working in Ponca City as a general construction worker.
Witnesses provided sufficient information which enabled the department to obtain a search warrant for the residence last Friday. At the scene, officers found physical evidence which confirmed information provided by witnesses.
Lab analysts with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation are currently analyzing evidence provided by the PCPD.
On Sunday, the Dallas Police Department advised the PCPD that the vehicle reportedly used by the alleged suspects had been found in Dallas, Texas. Det. William Thornton traveled to Dallas, along with Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation lab analysts, where a search warrant on the vehicle was executed late Monday night. Physical evidence was also recovered from the car.
Law enforcement officers continue to search for the body of the possible homicide victim. According to the PCPD, the identity of the victim has not yet been confirmed.
Police Chief Raymond Ham said, the victim is not known to be a local man. The department claims the victim may be 33-years-old and could have been shot once in the head.
Law enforcement officials are also looking for a 28-year-old Native American woman wanted as a material witness. She is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs approximately 170 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. Officials believe the woman is traveling with Duarte.
The Kay County Sheriff's Office, Native American officers and the District Attorney's office have been assisting the PCPD with the investigation.
A material witness taken into custody last Friday remains in the PCPD jail. Anyone with knowledge of this crime should contact the PCPD at 767-0370.
A "Souper Bowl" celebration will be taking place in several churches, Super Bowl Sunday, as special contributions are made during the worship hours to help the homeless. All proceeds will go to Peachtree Landing for shelter, food, clothing and referral services for homeless men, women and children in the community.
Peachtree Landing provided those services for more than 16,000 people during 1996.
Lee Little, president of the Board for Peachtree Landing said, "100 percent of the donations and contributions stay within the community. We do not get funds from any governmental agencies and could not continue to help the homeless here without the generous support of local citizens.
"With the Holiday season just passed, we are all reminded to be thankful for all we have. The volunteers at Peachtree hope every one who attends a church of choice Sunday will take time to remember their neighbors who are less fortunate and in need."
United Way allocations for Peachtree Landing and the Peachtree Transitional Living Center have been reduced by 30 percent less than requested for 1997. The Peachtree Landing will need to raise at least $14,000 to make operational expenses, says Lee.
New Board Members were recently installed and officers elected for the
1997 year including Park Nelson, president; Lee Little, vice-president;
Lanita Chapman, secretary; Shirley Foxworthy treasurer; Cheryl Self, financial
planning; and Sherri Tapp, assistant secretary. Other board members are,
Durita Daniel, Joe Theobald, Carmaleta Wesbrook, Director, Patty Ladd, Kent
Phipps, and Don Roland.
DEATHS
BLACKWELL - Sylvester Franklin "Sy" Moon, longtime Blackwell area resident, died Wednesday morning, Jan. 22, 1997, at the Blackwell Regional Hospital. He was 83.
A prayer service will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joseph Burger presiding. The funeral mass will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Blackwell with Rev. Burger officiating. Burial will be in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home until service time, then the casket will be closed.
Sylvester Franklin "Sy" Moon was born Aug. 4, 1913, in Cherryvale, Kan., the son of T.L. and Sarah (Friley) Moon. He grew up and attended schools in Cherryvale. Following his schooling he began working for area ranchers and farmers.
On Oct. 2, 1938, he was married to Marcy Catherine Townsell in Cherryvale, where the couple made their home for 10 years. Moon was employed with the Cherryvale Milling company until 1947 then moved to Blackwell and was employed as a millwright by International Milling Company. He retired as foreman in 1963 and he and his wife purchased Blackwell Floral, moving its location to East Kansas Street. Moon retired in 1975 due to ill health. He was a 4th Degree member of Knights of Columbus and a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Moon, of Blackwell; one daughter, Mrs. Nick (Eleanor) Dockers of Wichita, Kan.; five sons, Robert J. of Columbia, Md., William F. of Garber, Dr. Michael D. of Durham, N.C., Dr. Anthony B. of Edmond and Sylvester C. of Andover, Kan.; one sister, Dorothy Bush of Blackwell; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Opal Peugh and Marie Rosson; one brother, Charles; and two great-grandchildren.
Casket bearers will be James Dockers, David Dockers, Bryan Dockers, Steve Dockers, Chris Haynes, Michael Moon and Bobby Moon. Honorary bearers will be Ray Bush, Elmer Thomas James Thomas, Johnathan Goldberg, John Townsell, Richard Thomas, and Ross Murray.
BLACKWELL - Grace Audrey Ackerson, former Blackwell resident, died Tuesday evening, Jan. 21, 1997, at the Bixby Manor Nursing Home in Bixby. She was 88.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Blackwell First Christian Church with the Rev. Charles Hanna, Nardin Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Grace Audrey (Frazier) Ackerson was born Oct. 2, 1908 in Blackwell, the daughter of James M. and Bertha Elizabeth (Cross) Frazier. She grew up and attended schools in Blackwell, where she graduated in 1926. She then helped on the family farm.
On March 17, 1935, she was married to Floyd Henry Ackerson in Oologah, where the couple made their first home. They moved back to Blackwell in 1945. Mrs. Ackerson was an active member of the Blackwell First Christian Church, where she served in the nursery from 1947-62. In 1962, the couple moved to Oklahoma City and she was also involved in child care there. Mrs. Ackerson moved to Broken Arrow in 1993, and then to the Bixby Manor Nursing Home.
Survivors include a daughter, Vicki Potts of Tulsa; one son, Virgil Ackerson of Tonkawa; three brothers, James Frazier of Tucson, Ariz., Milburn Frazier of Oklahoma City and Jack Frazier of Topeka, Kan.; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband on April 3, 1973; her parents; three sisters, Sybil Woods, Ethel Baumgardner, and Leona Ackerson; and one brother, Virgil Frazier.
Casket bearers will be Scott Ackerson, Derick Potts, Sean Ackerson, Robert Potts, Lee Potts and Jeff Potts.
Iva Leona Hudson, Ponca City resident, died Wednesday evening, Jan. 22, 1997 at the Ponca Nursing Home. She was 93. Survivors include a great-nephew and niece, Don Goldman and Cloma Goldman, both of Ponca City. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.
Maxine Renbarger, 301 South Formable Street, died Wednesday evening,
Jan. 22, 1997, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 80. Survivors
include her husband, Bud, of the home. Arrangements are pending with Trout
Funeral Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
Family Swim - The YMCA sponsors a family swim every Friday from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Community Pool, Seventh Street and East Grand Avenue. Cost is $3 per family. For more information contact the YMCA at 765-5417.
Lost Tag - A resident in the 1400 block of Bradbary Lane notified the Ponca City Police Department at 7:39 a.m. Wednesday that a tag had been lost or stolen. An officer obtained the tag number and took a report.
Fight - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a fight at Po-Hi at 9:38 a.m. Wednesday.
Arrested - A 60-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer in the 300 block of South Ash Street at 11:13 a.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for furnishing alcohol to an intoxicated person.
In Dumpster - A Ponca City police officer located a man in a dumpster behind the 200 block of West Grand Avenue at 11:41 a.m. Wednesday and had him move on.
Warrant Served - A 23-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer in the 100 block of Westbury Road at 12:32 p.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for reckless conduct with a firearm.
Tree Struck - The Ponca City Police Department received notice that no injuries occurred when a pickup reportedly struck a tree in the 1500 block of East Bradley Avenue at 3:18 p.m. Wednesday.
Failure to Pay - A 26-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer in the 3500 block of North Union Street at 4:47 p.m. Wednesday for failure to pay.
Vandalism - A Ponca City police officer took a report of vandalism at Kmart, 2608 North Fourteenth Street, at 5:17 p.m. Wednesday.
Forgeries - A Ponca City police officer took reports of forgeries at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday; Anthony's, 1201 East Prospect Avenue, at 5:51 p.m., and a business in the 2800 block of North Fourteenth Street at 5:57 p.m.
Drug Bust - The Ponca City Police Department assisted the District Attorney's office in the arrest of an 18-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man for conspiracy to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. The man was also charged with possession of drug proceeds. The subjects were taken into custody at West Grand Avenue and Union Street at 7:19 p.m. Wednesday.
Arrested - A 42-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer from Union Street and Westbury Road at 7:49 p.m. Wednesday for driving under the influence, driving under suspension, no insurance and speeding.
Bail Jumper - An employee of Cowboy Bail Bonds, 338 South Oak Street, contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 7:55 p.m. Wednesday to report an employee was in foot pursuit of a 24-year-old man who jumped bail. The subject was last seen at a parking lot in the 1300 block of West Grand Avenue. Officers checked the area when the business advised the PCPD that the subject was in the bondsman's custody.
Window Broken - A resident in the 1000 block of East Highland Avenue contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 8:21 p.m. Wednesday to report someone broke out the back window of the residence. An officer took a report.
Causing Problems - An employee of the Cornerstone Restaurant, 718 South Waverly Street, notified the Ponca City Police Department at 12:20 a.m. Thursday to report a man causing problems. An officer took a 43-year-old man into custody for public intoxication and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Traffic Stop - A traffic stop turned into an arrest at 12:28 a.m. Thursday at North Fourteenth Street and East Hartford Avenue. A Ponca City police officer arrested a 64-year-old man for driving under the influence and improper backing.
Warrant Served - A Ponca City police officer took a 32-year-old man into custody at West Broadway Avenue and North Pine Street at 2:24 a.m. Thursday for no insurance and a Kay County warrant for assault and battery.
Under Suspension - A 46-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at Fourteenth Street and East Grand Avenue at 3:08 a.m. Thursday for driving under suspension.
In Custody - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 33-year-old man in the 1900 block of Cedar Street at 3:20 a.m. Thursday for actual physical control, transporting an open container and driving under restriction.
Subject Held - An 18-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City
police officer at East Grand Avenue and Second Street at 4:10 a.m. Thursday
for driving under the influence, driving under suspension, possession of
marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.
SPORTS
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
TONKAWA - Northern Oklahoma's Lady Mavericks scored the first nine points in Wednesday night's game against Bacone and never looked back in posting a lopsided 103-50 win over the Muskogee-based school before a sparse crowd in Foster-Piper Fieldhouse.
Northern led 49-22 at the half but continued to press the beleaguered Lady Warriors throughout the final 20 minutes and the lead grew and grew.
A three-point bucket by Jill Kliewer (her third of four on the night) gave Northern its first 30-point lead at 58-28 with 15:24 left. The lead reached 40 points with 5:12 remaining (82-42) on a pair of free throws by Sherry Butts and hit 50 points with a minute and half to play (99-49) on two free throws by Cathy Rogers.
The Lady Mavericks, trying hard to hit 100, crashed through the century mark with 40 seconds left when Jill Linsenmeyer hit a short jumper for 101-50 lead. Kliewer ended the scoring 35 seconds later on a layup.
"The kids were real excited to hit 100 points," said head coach Greg Krause. "We've been close before but this is the first time this season we've hit 100 and they were happy about that."
Lynetta Geter led NOC in scoring with 21 points. Four others reached double figures and in all, 12 Lady Mavs reached the scoring column.
Kliewer finished with 18 points, Butts had 16, Jennifer Whittet 14, Michelle Brown 11, T.J. Humphreys 6, Mandy Perkins 4, Brandi McClellan 4, Danielle Monie 3, Chanda Myers 2, Rogers 2 and Linsenmeyer had 2 points.
"We really had some good fast breaks and some good passes," said Krause. "Our two point players (Humphries and McClellan) made some great passes to our post players and they both finished with six assists.
"We are just really playing well together right now and developing some chemistry. We had 23 assists against Bacone and 25 against NEO. And I'm still happy with our defense, too, but our transition offense has really improved."
Statistically, Northern was 40-for-84 from the field (47.6 percent), 18 of 25 from the line (72.0) with just 12 turnovers and an incredible 24 offensive rebounds - 59 total.
Bacone was 16-for-59 from the field (27.1 percent), 17 of 29 from the line (58.6) and committed 23 turnovers.
Northern, now 10-8 overall and winners of 9 of its last 11 games, opens Bi-State Conference Western Division play at home Monday night against Western. The women take the floor at 6 p.m. with the men to follow.
"They probably have a little better overall record than us but they haven't been playing well lately," Krause said of Western Oklahoma.
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
TONKAWA - Bacone used two streaks to send the slumping NOC Mavericks to their 12th loss in the last 16 games here Wednesday night in Foster-Piper Fieldhouse, 85-61.
Northern (8-12) led 8-2 in the early going before the first of Bacone's big streaks. The 15-3 Warriors scored the game's next 13 points to go up 15-8 and never trailed again.
The Mavericks used a 9-2 spurt of their own to cut the gap to 21-20 but trailed by 10 at the half, 36-26.
Bacone threatened to blow the game out early in the second half, opening a 14-point cushion at 50-36. But the Mavs closed behind good guard play.
Joe Patmon began the comeback with short jumper. Medford freshman Kyle Dean then knocked down a leaner and hit a trey. After three missed free throws by Bacone's Odell Stokes, Northern's Bryan Stevens swished another three-pointer and the Warriors now led by just four, 50-46 with 11:20 left.
Then came Bacone's crushing final run. Over the next five minutes, the Warriors went 10 of 12 from the free throw line and 5 of 8 from the field while scoring 20 unanswered points.
Blake Sonne finally ended NOC's five and a half minute scoreless stretch with 5:52 to play but Northern now trailed by 22, 70-48, and the game was out of reach.
"We broke," said NOC head coach Mick Weiberg. "It was a rough, physical game and our young team just broke. The biggest thing with a young basketball team is to control the game and we're not doing that. But give some credit to Bacone, they are good. They're huge, have great mobility and shoot well enough on the perimeter to make you get out on them. They are as good as anyone in the region. In my opinion, they are now better than Connors and deserve to be in the top 20."
For the game, NOC was 22 of 61 from the field (36.1 percent), 11 of 15 from the line (73.3) and committed 16 turnovers.
Bacone was 26-for-57 from the field (45.6 percent), 28 of 39 from the line (71.8) and had 11 turnovers.
Sonne led the Mavs in scoring with 11 points. Dean had 10, Stevens 8, Jared Weiberg 7, DeShawn Denson 6, Patmon 5, Chauncey Webb 5, Richard Whitfield 4, Steven Lookout 2, Chris Beech 2 and Casey Roberts 1 point.
Curtis Haywood topped Bacone with 19 points.
"This schedule kind of has us beat down," said coach Weiberg. "But one thing about this team, they do find a way to fight back, they just can't sustain it. So that's our challenge. I hope we can stand up to it. i think we can."
All-Region II sophomore swingman Mark Passley again sat out with a suspension for Northern. Coach Weiberg is expected to reinstate Passley prior to Monday night's home game against Bi-State Western Division foe Western Oklahoma.
Passley, Northern's leading scorer on the season, has missed two games.
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
Injuries and illness continue to plague Ponca City's Wildcat wrestlers as coach Pat Young tried to patch together a lineup for tonight's dual with Stillwater.
The varsity dual is set to start at 7 p.m. in Robson Fieldhouse. Several JV matches are slated. They start at 6.
Willie Ivie, who has bruised ribs, will once again be out of the lineup, leaving the Cats vacant at 119 pounds.
Young reported that state champion Mark Dodgen was ill and missed practice Wednesday. The coach is hoping Dodgen will be on the mat tonight.
The Wildcats are 5-2 in duals.
Stillwater, 2-6, is struggling as a team but has some tough individuals, according to Young.
Pioneer 135-pounder Tony Morgan is 18-0 on the season. Other Stillwater matmen with winning records include Frank Fairbanks at 103, Ben Elmore at 119, Jeff Graham at 130, Levi Rains at 140, Jason Boilstead at 152 and Ryan Allensworth at 171.
Stillwater lost to Perry in a 43-29 war last week. There were a total of nine falls in that match with Perry getting six. Stillwater also had two major decisions.
Following tonight's dual, the Wildcats double up on ranked teams next week, traveling to go against No. 8 Sand Springs Thursday and hosting No. 10 Jenks on Friday.
STILLWATER - Following OSU's win over Iowa in the finals of the National Duals, the Cowboys vaulted into the No. 1 spot in the Amateur Wrestling News-National Wrestling Coaches Association poll.
The Cowboys, 14-0 in duals this season, have won 18 straight dating back to last season. OSU collected 225 points in the poll while previous No. 2 Iowa (9-1) had 216.
Minnesota (11-2) was No. 3, Penn State (9-3) No. 4, Illinois (7-0) No. 5, Michigan State (6-5) No. 6, Iowa State (4-4-1) No. 7, Edinboro (6-0) No. 8, Rider (6-2) No. 9 and Arizona State (9-3) No. 10.
Individually, OSU's Cowboys have nine wrestlers ranked in the top 10 of their weights, seven in the top four.
Newkirk's Mark Branch, at 167 pounds, and Eric Guerrero, 126 pounds, are both No. 1 in the nation.
Teague Moore and Steven Schmidt are No. 2 at 118 and 134 pounds, Scott Reyna, Hardell Moore and Mark Smith at all No. 4 at 142, 158 and 177, respectively. Jimmy Aries (150) and Aaron Strobel (190) are both No. 9.
The University of Oklahoma (4-5-1) is ranked 14th in the poll.
Five Sooners are ranked in the top 10. John Kading is No. 1 at 190 pounds, Shane Valdez No. 4 at 118, Rod Jones No. 6 at 150, Bryon Tucker No. 6 at 158 and Dane Valdez No. 8 at 126.
OSU is scheduled to wrestle at Iowa State Sunday and close out the month at home against Minnesota on Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m.
TONKAWA - The annual North Country Invitational High School Basketball Tournament gets under way this afternoon at Northern Oklahoma College and Tonkawa High School.
Eight area teams will take part in the boys and girls bracket of the three-day tournament.
The action starts with girls games at 4:40 p.m. today. Frontier takes on Pawhuska in NOC's Piper-Foster Fieldhouse while Newkirk plays Chisholm in the Tonkawa High School gym.
At 7:20, the Tonkawa girls face Alva at NOC and Blackwell battles Drumright at the high school.
In the boys' bracket, at 6:30, Chisholm goes against Pawhuska at the college and Newkirk plays Blackwell at the high school. At 8:40, Frontier faces Drumright at the high school and Tonkawa hosts Alva at the college.
Friday's action in the double elimination tournament will have the consolation play at the high school and the winners' bracket play at NOC. The girls games are again at 4:40 and 7:20 with the boys playing at 6:30 and 8:40.
The Championship finals are at 6:30 and 7:20 at Foster-Piper Saturday night.