THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.
— President Theodore Roosevelt

TOURNAMENT TIME ROUNDUP

CLASS ‘AA’ GIRLS BASKETBALL

* SoDak 16 games, March 3. * State tournament, March 9-10-11.

All a team has to do to get to the state tournament in ‘AA’ ball is to win one SoDak 16 game. Those games are two weeks away on Friday, March 3. Pierre now stands at #3 and is assured of a home game in the SoDak 16 round. But the teams atop the standings are so tightly bunched that Pierre could possibly reach the #1 or ##2 seeds or drop to #4 or #5. The Governors have three regular-season games left—Mitchell this Friday and Jefferson and Roosevelt next week. At least a couple wins are crucial so that, if Pierre finishes #2 or #3, the Govs can avoid facing #1 until the state tourney championship game.

CLASS ‘AA’ BOYS BASKETBALL

* SoDak 16 games, March 4. * State tournament, March 16-17-18.

For the big-school boys teams the SoDak 16 round is two weeks away and the state tourney is still four weeks away. The Governors are currently #9 in the standings and would have to play on the road at #8 (Brandon Valley) in the SoDak 16 game. However, finishing either #5 or #6 or #7 or #8 is in reach, and that would mean a home game for SoDak 16. We will know more in a week’s time because the Govs have a brutal three-game stretch with which to finish the regular season—#4 Mitchell tonight and #1 Jefferson and #5 Roosevelt next week.

CLASS ‘A’ GIRLS BASKETBALL

* Regional games, Feb. 21, 23. * SoDak 16 games, March 2. * State tournament, March 9-10-11.

The Stanley County girls currently stand #6 in Region 6A but could drop to #7. If they stay at #6, they would have to play on the road next Tuesday in the regional quarterfinal round at Dupree. If #7, they would likely go to #2 Miller. Where they finish will depend on how the Buffaloes do in their last regular-season game this Friday against Little Wound. The winners of the four regional quarterfinal games next Tuesday will play in the semifinal round next Thursday, and those two winners advance to the SoDak 16.

CLASS ‘A’ BOYS BASKETBALL

* Regional games, Feb. 28, March 3. *SoDak 16 games, March 7. * State tournament, March 16-17-18.

The Stanley County boys have two regular-season games left—Little Wound this Friday and Lyman next Monday. They currently stand #6 in Region 6A and would go to #3 Miller in the quarterfinal of the regional a week from Tuesday. They could drop to #7, in which case they would probably go to #2 Mobridge-Pollock in the quarterfinal of the regional. Those four winners on Feb. 28 play in the semis March 3, and those two winners advance to the SoDak 16.

CLASS ‘B’ GIRLS BASKETBALL

* Regional games, Feb. 21, 23. * SoDak 16 games, March 2. * State tournament, March 9-10-11.

The Sully Buttes girls are safely in the #1 seed spot in Region 6B, no matter how they do in their last regular-season game against Faulkton tonight. The Chargers will be home for the regional quarterfinal next Tuesday against the winner of #8 (Ipswich) vs. #9 (Sunshine Bible). With a win that night, the girls will be home again next Thursday in the regional semifinal against the winner of #4 (Herreid-Selby) vs. #5 (Lower Brule), and the winner that night advances to the SoDak 16 round the following week.

CLASS ‘B’ BOYS BASKETBALL

* Regional games, Feb. 28, March 3. * SoDak 16 games, March 7. * State tournament, March 16-17-18.

The Sully Buttes boys currently stand #7 in the Region 6B standings and would go on the road for a quarterfinal game in the regional, probably to #2 Highmore-Harrold on Feb. 28. With a win there they would likely play at #3 Ipswich or #6 Faulkton in the semifinal to get to the SoDak 16 round. The Chargers, however, still have three regular-season contests remaining—against Faulkton tonight, vs. Waverly/South Shore Saturday and against North Central on Friday next week. A win or two would be super because nobody wants to finish #8 or #9 and have to face #1 Lower Brule, a state powerhouse, in the regional.

CLASS ‘B’ BOYS WRESTLING

* Regionals, Saturday. * State tournament, Feb. 23-24-25.

The four “B” regional tournaments will be staged this Saturday, and in each weight class at each tournament the top four placers qualify for the state tourney in Rapid City next week. The Stanley County wrestlers go to Lead for their Region 4B tournament, and the Sully Buttes boys go to Volga for their Region 1B tournament hosted by Sioux Valley.

At the state tournament the individual tournament will be run Thursday and Friday with the championship matches closing the day of competition Friday. On Saturday the team duals state tournament will be staged.

CLASS ‘A’ BOYS WRESTLING

* Regionals, Saturday. * State tournament, Feb. 23-24-25.

The four “A” regionals are set for this Saturday. The Pierre boys go down to Mission for their Region 3A tourney hosted by Todd County High School. Other competing teams there will be Aberdeen Central, Milbank, Sisseton, Chamberlain, Mitchell, Huron and Cheyenne-Eagle Butte. The top four placers in each weight class qualify for the state tournament in Rapid City next week.

At the state tournament the individual tournament will be run Thursday and Friday next week with the championship matches closing the day of competition Friday. The team duals state tournament will be staged Saturday.

GIRLS WRESTLING

* State tournament, Feb. 23-24-25.

There are not enough girls teams participating in wrestling yet for there to be regionals, so coaches submit their lists of girls for state tournament participation from which an advisory committee selects those deserving to be put into the state tournament brackets. The individual state tournament will be run next Thursday and Friday in Rapid City.

GIRLS HOCKEY

* State tournament, March 3-4-5.

Of the nine girls varsity teams in the SDAHA, the top eight will qualify for the state tourney in Sioux Falls. The Oahe Capitals currently stand #5 in the standings. However, things could change because the girls are only one point ahead of #6 Rushmore. If the Caps remain at #5, they likely would play #4 Mitchell in the quarterfinals at the state tourney. Our Oahe girls are done with their regular season, so they can’t move upward, but they could drop to #6 because Rushmore has two games this weekend against lowly Huron and could move up to replace the Caps in the #5 slot. In that case, as #6, Oahe would play #3 Brookings on the first day of the state tourney.

BOYS HOCKEY

* State tournament, March 10-11-12.

The Oahe Capitals boys are comfortably safe in the #4 spot in the SDAHA standings and would play #5 Mitchell on opening day of the state tourney in Brookings if things don’t change by then. However, the Caps are only two points behind Brookings and only three points behind Sioux Falls 1 and Rushmore. We will know more after next week because Oahe has four regular-season games remaining—against Mitchell this weekend and then three games next week vs. Huron, Watertown and Rushmore.

COUNTDOWN

2 days: Region 3A boys wrestling tournament, Mission (Feb. 18).
3 days: Rapid City Marshals indoor football season opener (Feb. 19).
4 days: Presidents Day (Feb. 20).
7 days: State wrestling tournaments, Rapid City (Feb. 23-25).
8 days: Pierre Players’ “The Outsider” (Feb. 24-26, March 2-4).
8 days: Baseball spring training games begin (Feb. 24).
9 days: Minnesota Loons MLS season opener (Feb. 25).
9 days: NSIC men’s/women’s basketball tournaments, Sioux Falls (Feb. 25-28).
12 days: Georgia Morse Middle School musical, “The Little Mermaid” (Feb. 28, March 2).
13 days: Zesto opens (March 1).
14 days: Girls basketball Class “B” and Class “A” SoDak 16 games (March 2).
15 days: Summit League men’s/women’s basketball tournaments, Sioux Falls (March 3-7).
15 days: Girls basketball Class “AA” SoDak 16 games (March 3).
15 days: State girls hockey tournament, Sioux Falls (March 3-5).
16 days: Boys basketball Class “AA” SoDak 16 games (March 4).
18 days: Riggs High talent show (March 6).
19 days: Riggs High National Honor Society induction (March 7).
19 days: Boys basketball Class “B” and Class “A” SoDak 16 games (March 7).
20 days: World Baseball Classic (March 8-21).
21 days: State girls basketball tournaments, AA Sioux Falls, A Watertown, B Huron (March 9-11).
21 days: Last day of legislative session (March 9).
21 days: Georgia Morse Middle School fine arts festival (March 9).
22 days: State boys hockey tournament, Brookings (March 10-12).
24 days: The Oscars, ABC-TV (March 12).
24 days: Daylight Saving Time begins (March 12).
26 days: Riggs High fine arts festival (March 14).
28 days: State boys basketball tournaments, AA Rapid City, A Sioux Falls, B Aberdeen (March 16-18).
28 days: NCAA Div. I men’s wrestling national championships, Tulsa (March 16-18).

PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Boys basketball: at Mitchell, 7 p.m.
Girls wrestling: at Brandon Valley invitational, 5 p.m.
— FRIDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Mitchell, 7 p.m.
— SATURDAY
Boys wrestling: at regional tournament, Mission, 10 a.m.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Sioux Falls Jefferson, 7 p.m.
Boys basketball: at Sioux Falls Jefferson, 7 p.m.

State gymnastics team competition: Mitchell edged O’Gorman 148.550-148.250 for the “AA” team state title at the state meet in Aberdeen, followed in order by Harrisburg, Watertown, Sioux Falls Lincoln, Brookings, Sioux Falls Roosevelt and Pierre (136.317). The two best Pierre scores in each event:
— all-around: Ryen Sheppick 17th, 34.167; Nevaeh Karber 18th, 34.133.
— vault: Kristen Korber 24th, 8.850; Karber and Sheppick, 30th, 8.717.
— bars: Emelia Loe and Karber 17th, 8.300.
— beam: Isabel Jirsa 11th, 9.033; Sheppick 21st, 8.633.
— floor exercise: Karber 18th, 9.050; Jirsa 25th, 8.833.

State gymnastics individual competition: These were the Pierre girls’ results in the events for which they had qualified:
— all-around: Nevaeh Karber 13th, 35.150.
— vault: Karber 31st, 8.650; Kristen Korber 34th, 8.567; Natalie Flottmeyer 35th, 8.533; Ryen Sheppick 37th, 8.450; KaCee Wilson 38th, 8.367; Gwen Richter 39th, 8.300.
— bars: Karber 15th, 8.517; Sheppick 28th, 8.133; Wilson 29th 8.050; Emelia Loe 37th, 7.250.
— beam: Sheppick 22nd, 8.883; Isabel Jirsa 26th, 8.667; Karber 28th, 8.600; Wilson 36th, 8.350.
— floor exercise: Karber 21st 9.383; Jirsa 29th, 9.200; Madelyn Merrill 31st 9.117;

Boys wrestling: Pierre defeated Aberdeen Central in a dual, 33-27. Deegan Houska and Chance Carda won by fall. Trey Lewis, Alex Oedekoven and Tristan Spencer won by major decision. Lucas Chamberlin, Gavin Stotts and Jacob Mason won by decision.

Girls wrestling: The Governors defeated Aberdeen Central in a dual, 33-11. Sydney Uhrig, Kezrey Benning, Gianna Stangeland, Abbigail Lewis and Ciara McFarling all won by falls, and Dani Ringstmeyer won by decision. At the Harrisburg invitational Pierre was the team champion with 158 points with Canton close behind in second with 142 points. McFarling won an individual title at 285 pounds. Other placers: Uhrig, fourth at 106; Lexie Hillmer, fourth at 113; Benning, fourth at 120; Dani Ringstmeyer second at 126; Hattie Baldwin, third at 154; Ireland Templeton, fourth at 170; Marlee Shorter, second at 190. Stangeland lost by injury default in her first match at 132 pounds, then had to forfeit her next match due to her earlier injury. On Tuesday in Mitchell the Governor girls won the ESD championship with 152 points, far ahead of runner-up Harrisburg at 69 points. Dani Ringstmeyer, Baldwin, Templeton, Shorter and McFarling all won individual championships. Shaylee Speck, Hillmer and Lewis were runners-up, and Benning placed third.

Boys basketball (11-6): The Governors dunked their way to a dominating victory over Bismarck, 89-67. Jackson Edman scored 26 points, Lincoln Kienholz 23 and Ben Heisler 22. On Tuesday the boys won by 40 over Brookings, 70-30. Kienholz contributed 19 points, Brecken Krueger 14, Heisler 12 and Edman 10.

Girls basketball (14-3): Pierre lost at Bismarck, 54-36. Reese Terwilliger was high scorer with 10. On Tuesday the girls won at Brookings, 57-31, led by Terwilliger’s 20.

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— FRIDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Little Wound.
Boys basketball: home vs. Little Wound.
— SATURDAY
Wrestling: at regional tournament, Lead.
— MONDAY
Boys basketball: at Lyman.

Gymnastics: At the state meet in the individual competition, these were the Buffalo scores in the events for which they had qualified:
— vault: Elena Hebb 30th, 8.383.
— bars: Hebb 23rd, 7.733; Timber Hanson 49th 6.567.
— floor exercise: Abby Deal 30th, 8.200.

Boys basketball (3-15): The Buffaloes lost to highly-ranked White River, 75-46. Kaden Montana had 20 points, Paxton Deal 14 and Weston Prince 7. On Tuesday the boys lost to Mobridge-Pollock, 58-52, led by Montana and Deal with 19 points apiece.

Girls basketball (6-13): The Buffalo girls lost to Dupree, 60-39, then lost to Mobridge-Pollock on Tuesday, 71-36. In the latter game Morgan Hoffman had seven points.

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Boys basketball: at Faulkton.
Girls basketball: at Faulkton.
— SATURDAY
Boys basketball: at Warner Classic vs. Waverly/South Shore.
Wrestling: at regional tournament, Volga.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: home for second-round Region 6B game.

Girls basketball (16-3): Playing four games in six nights, the Charger girls went 3-1 this week. In a 48-44 win over Mobridge-Pollock, the girls had a 28-8 halftime lead, but 20 turnovers allowed the Tigers back into the game. Stevie Wittler was high scorer with 17. At the Warner Classic the girls beat White River, 37-28, led by Lydia Hill’s 17 and Stevie Wittler’s 13. On Monday the Chargers lost in overtime at Wolsey-Wessington, 87-81. Ally Wittler had 14 points, Hill 13 and Calleigh Chicoine 13. The team’s three leading scorers all fouled out in the fourth quarter. On Tuesday the girls won at Sunshine Bible, 59-22.

Boys basketball (5-12): The boys lost to Mobridge-Pollock, 50-39, led by Wesley Wittler’s 15 points and Landon Hepker’s 12. In a 59-49 loss at Wolsey-Wessington, Hepker was high with 18. On Tuesday the boys won at Sunshine Bible, 68-43.

ONE YEAR AGO IN THE MIDWEEK UPDATE

Feb. 16, 2022: As of Feb. 15, Pierre had received only 1.4 inches of snow all winter to that point.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Nearly all men can stand adversity but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.
— President Abraham Lincoln

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

Dakota Wesleyan wrestling (Tyson Johnson, Aric Williams): Idle last week, the Tigers are headed to Crete, Neb., for the GPAC conference championships Friday and Saturday.

Texas State baseball (Peyton Zabel): The season begins this weekend for the Bobcats, who stay home in San Marcos to play Northwestern of the Big 10 Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

South Dakota Mines track/field (Erick Colman): At the SDSU meet Erick placed 26th in the shot put at 42’1/2″ and 23rd in the weight throw at 50’8 3/4″. The Hardrockers go up to the Black Hills State meet this weekend.

Mount Marty men’s basketball (Lincoln Jordre): The Lancers lost to Northwestern, 90-67. Last night they lost to Doane, 63-60, in the last regular-season game. Lincoln went 3-of-4 and 2-of-2 for eight points with three bounds and a pair of assists. Now 9-19 overall and 5-15 in the GPAC, the team awaits its pairing in the GPAC postseason quarterfinal round to be played next Wednesday.

Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball (Nick Wittler): The Tigers lost to Midland, 68-64, as Nick was 1-of-4 for two points with three rebounds in 13 minutes on the court. Last night DWU lost to Morningside, 83-61, and Nick was 3-of-7 and 1-of-2 for seven points. Now 12-15 overall and 8-11 in the GPAC, the Tigers play their last regular-season game against Concordia Saturday, then await their matchup in the postseason quarterfinal round next Wednesday.

University of Sioux Falls track/field (Jessica Lutmer): The Cougars end the regular season for indoor track at SDSU’s last-chance meet Friday.

Black Hills State track/field (Frank Becker): At the SDSU meet Frank placed 55th in the 400 in :52.90. The Yellowjackets host their Stinger Open this Saturday.

Augustana swimming (Ella Ward Zeller): The Augustana women were conference champions at the NSIC meet at West Fargo with 679.5 points, followed by Minnesota State and St. Cloud State. Ella placed 15th in the 200 individual medley in 12:11.49, 10th in the 400 IM in 4:39.42 and third in the 200 backstroke in 2:04.91. She earned all-conference honors in the latter event. Ella also swam on the Augie “B” team in the 200 medley relay (seventh in 11:48.41), on the “B” team in the 400 medley (sixth in 3:54.99) and on the “B” team in the 800 freestyle relay (fourth in 7:44.80).

Rollins College baseball (Spencer Sarringar): A three-game series against West Florida was trimmed to two games by weather. Rollins lost twice, 6-3 and 5-4. Spencer did not play in either game. He underwent thyroid surgery in Tampa this week. Meanwhile, the Rollins team plays three games at home Thursday through Saturday vs. Quincy University.

Dakota State track/field (Houston Lunde): At the SDSU meet Houston had a pair of personal-best throws. He placed third in the weight throw at 51’1″ and 11th in the shot put at 41’2 1/2″. The Trojans compete in the North Star Athletic Association conference meet in Brookings Sunday.

Northern track/field (Addison Cumbow): At the SDSU meet Addy was 33rd in the prelims of the 60-meter hurdles in :09.71. NSU goes back to Brookings for the last-chance meet Friday.

Dakota Wesleyan track/field (Abby Ferris): At Mount Marty’s meet Abby placed seventh in the high jump at 4’6″ and 16th in the long jump at 13’7 1/2″. The Tigers compete in the GPAC conference meet at Seward, Neb., Friday and Saturday.

Mary wrestling (Lincoln Turman): The Marauders lost a 19-13 dual to St. Cloud State. In a dual against Northern the final team score was 17-17, but Northern won on a total-points tiebreaker. Lincoln did not wrestle in either case. Next on the schedule is Super Regional V at Aberdeen Feb. 25.

Minnesota State track/field (Maya Shorter, Mack Rath): At a home meet Mack placed 24th in the weight throw at 40’9 3/4″. The Mavericks host another home meet Friday.

Augustana women’s basketball (Aislinn Duffy, Katie Bourk): The Vikings are 22-4 overall and 16-4 in the NSIC after splitting a pair of weekend games. In a 95-67 win over Concordia-St. Paul Aislinn went 10-of-16 (1-of-2 in threes) and 2-of-3 for 23 points with 12 rebounds five assists two steals and two blocks. In an 83-61 loss to Minnesota State she was 1-of-9 and 3-of-4 for five points with 11 boards and two assists. Augie finishes the regular season at home against Southwest Minnesota State tonight and up the street at USF Saturday.

Mary women’s basketball (Chloe Lamb): The Marauder women lost two league games—72-52 to Minnesota-Duluth and 57-45 to St. Cloud State. Now 13-10 overall and 12-8 in the NSIC, Mary is home vs. Northern Thursday and MSU-Moorhead Saturday.

South Dakota men’s basketball (Max Burchill): The Coyotes gave SDSU a battle but lost at home 72-67. In 19 minutes Max was 2-of-5 for four points with two assists and a rebound. Now 11-15 overall and 6-8 in the Summit, USD goes to Omaha Thursday and to Denver Saturday.

WORDS OF WISDOM

Empty vessels make the most noise. Those with the least talent and knowledge usually speak the most, speak the loudest and create the most fuss, whatever makes their presence felt the most. Oftentimes they are loud only because there is an emptiness in them: in their minds, in their hearts, in their lives, in their spirit or in their self-worth, hence creating the loud noises that we hear.

HOCKEY UPDATE

Oahe Capitals girls varsity: The girls lost twice to Aberdeen and beat Huron once on their final weekend of the regular season, which ended with a record of 7-8-1. In a 2-1 loss to Aberdeen Brylee Kafka scored the only goal and Abigail Stewart Fromm made 41 saves. In the other Aberdeen game Kafka again had the only score, and Fromm made 38 more saves. In between the Caps beat Huron 10-3 behind Sophia Peschong’s 15 saves. Micah Buffalo had a hat trick, Kafka two more goals, and Cameron Larson, Sara Bierne, Aubrey Stewart, Dakota McEntaffer and Alyssa Stahl a goal each.

Oahe Capitals boys varsity: The Caps won twice over the weekend. In a 5-4 win over Sioux Falls #2, Jarron Beck scored twice and Devin Dodson, Barret Schweitzer and Aidan Dozark once each, and Colin Lee accomplished 27 saves in goal. In a 7-2 domination of Aberdeen the Caps pulled away fast with five first-period goals—two by Ashton Griese and one each by Schweitzer, Andre Carbonneau and Carter Gordon. Dozark and Devin Dodson each added a score later in the game. Lee made 20 saves. In the next-to-last weekend of their regular season the boys go to Sioux Falls #1 at 8 p.m Friday and play at home vs. Mitchell at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Badlands Sabres (Mason Martin): The Sabres lost twice to Butte, 7-5 and 4-1. The team plays Friday and Saturday at Helena.

Aberdeen Wings: The Wings swept Minot, 4-1 and 4-3. Aberdeen goes to North Iowa for games Friday and Saturday.

Rapid City Rush: The Rush beat Utah twice, 7-1 and 4-3 in overtime. Yesterday morning in their annual school-day morning game they lost to Toledo, 7-1. Rapid City continues the Toledo series at home Friday and Saturday.

Sioux Falls Stampede: The Herd lost in overtime to Lincoln, 2-1; lost to Lincoln again, 5-4, and last night lost at Fargo, 4-2. Now 16-20-6, Sioux Falls goes to Des Moines Saturday and comes back home to face Tri-City Sunday.

Minnesota Wild: The Wild lost to Vegas, 5-1; won in a shootout over New Jersey, 3-2; lost in another shootout to Florida, 2-1, and last night the Wild lost to Colorado, 3-2. Minnesota is home against Dallas Friday, Nashville Sunday and Los Angeles Tuesday.

BASKETBALL UPDATE

Midco Sports Network live games this week:
— THURSDAY
Women’s basketball: UND vs. Oral Roberts, 7 p.m.
Women’s basketball: SDSU vs. Denver, 7 p.m. (MS2).
— SATURDAY
Women’s basketball: UND vs. Kansas City, 1 p.m.
Women’s basketball: USD vs. Denver, 1 p.m. (MS2).
Men’s hockey: UND vs. St. Cloud State, 6 p.m.

Summit League roundup:
— MEN’S BASKETBALL
* USD (11-15): Lost to SDSU 72-67.
Upcoming games: Thursday at Omaha, Saturday at Denver.
* SDSU (15-11): Beat USD 72-67.
Upcoming games: Thursday at Denver, Saturday at Omaha.
— WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
* USD (11-14): Lost to SDSU 79-48.
Upcoming games: home vs. Omaha Thursday, Denver Saturday.
* SDSU (21-5): Beat USD 79-48.
Upcoming games: home vs. Denver Thursday, Omaha Saturday.

Minnesota Timberwolves (31-29): The Wolves lost to Memphis, 128-107, and won at Dallas, 124-121. The Wolves host Washington tonight, then take a week off for the NBA all-star break.

Sioux Falls Skyforce: The Force won at Westchester, N.Y., 114-96, and lost at Salt Lake City, 124-115. The next game for Sioux Falls is at home vs. Mexico City next Thursday.

FOOTBALL UPDATE

Rapid City Marshals: The Champions Indoor Football (CIF) season begins for the Marshals at home Sunday at 6:05 p.m. vs Fargo.

SOCCER UPDATE

Minnesota United FC: The Loons’ MLS season opener is at home vs. Dallas on Feb. 25.

GOLF UPDATE

PGA Champions Tour (Tom Byrum): After last weekend’s tour stop in the nation of Morocco, the Champions Tour returns to U.S. soil for the Chubb Classic at Naples, Fla., this weekend.

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

• As if we don’t see enough Kansas City Chiefs games in prime time, we’re now assured of one more on Opening Night of the NFL season Thursday, Sept. 7. The Chiefs will be home to raise their Super Bowl banner, howl their Indian war chants and exercise their tomahawk chops. But who will be the Chiefs’ opponent in that first game of the season? There are some intriguing possibilities. Among the teams Kansas City will play at home next fall are their three division foes—Denver, Las Vegas and the Los Angeles Chargers—plus Chicago and Miami. Nothing interesting in that group. But look at the other four teams the Chiefs will play at home—Buffalo, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Detroit. A Super Bowl rematch? The NFL would love that for ratings reasons. Or rematches with the Bills and the Bengals? Either of those would be fine, too. One question for the NFL: why do the Bills have to play the Chiefs in Kansas City yet again? The teams the Chiefs play on the road are almost certain to give them eight certain wins—Vikings, Packers, Jets, Patriots, Jags, Broncos, Chargers, Raiders. Boo!
• “Hello, friends.” Next year the Super Bowl goes back to CBS-TV with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo. Super Bowl LVIII will be in Las Vegas because the NFL bigwigs and the media types need a party city. The date is Feb. 11, 2024.

BASEBALL UPDATE

Minnesota Twins: Pitchers and catchers are assembling in Florida and Arizona this week. The Twins’ spring training season begins Feb. 25 with a pair of split-squad games, one against Tampa Bay and one against Baltimore. The first spring training telecasts on Bally Sports North will be at noon CST on March 1-2-3 and 5.

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, Feb. 16:
Dmitri Melius Bridget Hrdlicka, Kent Hrdlicka, Bennett Dean, Drew Johnson, Barry Nuttall, Cecelia Mortenson, Lori (Tennant) Sperry, Deanie (Yackley) Knudtson, Marilyn Rasmussen, Matt Farris, Hayden Shoup.
— 13th anniversary, Tom/Chelsie Martin.
— 4th anniversary, Jesse/Meredith (Lee) Roebuck.

Friday, Feb. 17:
Jordan Heckenlaible, Kirsten (Smart) Bierema, Gilbert Brindza, Brian Bechard, Dan Genzler, Ryan Murphy, Brady Walz, Alec Anderson, Alisha (Hunt) Erickson, Austin Hillestad, Amy (McComsey) Nelson, Rowan Hillestad, Eileen Crandell, Kendell Olson.

Saturday, Feb. 18:
Katie Kelly, Hatta Stoeser, Matthew Beckwith, Jeff Eckhoff, Robyn (Starks) Holcomb, Gale Harkless, Michael Lusk, Caelie Williams, Mary Lehecka Nelson, Rachel Engbrecht, Dana (Garry) Reiprich, Debbie (Heckel) Blackledge, Katelynn (Lamb) Pottorff.
— 6th anniversary, Todd/Cora Pfister.
— 12th anniversary, Dustin/Therese (Blake) Schutz.
— We fondly remember Shane Cronin on his birthday.

Sunday, Feb. 19:
Ton Rislov, Madelyn Hove, Kathy Christenson, Josh Breske, Erin Moehring, T.J. Iaquinta, Hatta (Clark) Barnes, Coral Assam, Sarah (Nystrom) Duncanb, Pam Roberts, Chase Campbell, Michael Pangburn, Amanda Slama, Caleb Stoltenburg, Penelope Sampson, Charlie Myer, Sandy Krom.
— 18th anniversary, Daniel/Sara (Lakner) Almarez.

Monday, Feb. 20:
Mazen Garrett, Lisa Hylle, Carol Howard, Rodd Bauck, Kyle Nuzum, Laura Schmidt, Dan Gilmore, Chaz Williams, Matt Anderson, Amanda Fanger, Lawson Fravel, Marileen Tilberg, Elyse Miller, Ellen Erlenbusch, Matt Dayton, Callie (Buechler) Morris, Jesse Gosselin, John Gosselin.
— 1st anniversary, Jonathan/Abby (Javurek) Andres.
— 8th anniversary, Jayme/Bobby (Krell) Howard.

Tuesday, Feb. 21:
John Weeldreyer, Nancy McCahren, Blaire Formanek, Mallori (Barnett) Johnson, Felicity Cronin, Lynn Senftner, Day Breitag, Pat Brown, Larry Cass, Cade Larson, Megan Wellner, Alissa (Harter) Schumacher, Jolee Smith, Teddy Jackson, Anne Rasmussen.

Wednesday, Feb. 22:
Steve Radabaugh, Bob Stalley, Ted Massey, Kathryn Hardwick, Memphis Murphy, Kevin Kalil, A.J. Rounds, Ben Jensen, Britt Palmer, Amy (Robinson) Ryan, Travis Scharnweber, Luke Schuetzle, Karly Harris, Jackie Decker, Stu Larson.
— 9th anniversary, Brennan/Amber (Russell) Priest.

Thursday, Feb. 23:
Mick Hofer, Kayla (Pochop) Riswold, Sarah (Linn) Hyde, Dave Bonde, Megan (Vockrodt) Bauck, Darren Larson, Renee Knapp, Nathan Bradley, Mary Carter, Anniston Lowery, Cash Anderson, Arlo Beck, Chloe Tibbs.
— 13th anniversary, Garrett/Adrienne James.

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Riggs High senior Josh Rydberg signed his letter of intent to attend the University of Sioux Falls and participate in wrestling there beginning next fall.

The number to call for ticket reservations for Pierre Players’ “The Outsider” is 224-7826. The play will be performed at the Grand Opera House at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday this week and Thursday, Friday and Saturday next week. There will also be a Sunday matinee this weekend.

Monica (Schall) Paxton died at home in Onida Feb. 4. A memorial service was held Feb. 11 at the Presbyterian church in Onida. The daughter of the late Jack and Judy (Stewart) Schall lived all of her life in Onida. She graduated from Sully Buttes High School in 1976. She and Dan Paxton were married in 1977 and later divorced. Monica worked at the lumber yard in Pierre for 46 years—it was first Peavey Lumber, then United Building Center, then ProBuild, then Builders First Source. She retired last year. Monica is survived by her son, Eric (Jeanne) Paxton of Watertown; her daughter, Danielle (Turner) McGee Campbell of Onida; five grandchildren; three sisters, Jackie (Steve) Shepherd of Onida, Julie (Rodney) Buchholz of Tyndall and Jamie (Brett) Van Winsen of Onida; her brother, J.J. (Jolene) Schall of Onida; her brother-in-law, Steve Kenzy of Onida; nine nephews and nieces and many great-nephews and nieces. Among those preceding her in death were her parents; her sister Dawn Kenzy; her son-in-law, Brad McGee, and her nephew, Kris Nuzum.

Riggs High senior Madison Oedekoven signed her letter of intent to attend Dakota Wesleyan University and participate in competitive cheer next year.

A celebration of the life of Daph Richards, who passed away earlier this month, has been scheduled for 10 a.m. April 28 at Lutheran Memorial Church, followed by a reception at Drifters.

Three Pierre police officers—Justin Harmon Jonah Rechtenbaugh and Lee Coppersmith—each this week was presented with the Award of Lifesaving given to officers who have successfully prolonged the lives of individuals in emergency situations who otherwise would have passed away before help arrived.

Ellen Carter, 69, died unexpectedly Feb. 6 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls after suffering a brain hemorrhage. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Isburg Funeral Chapel. Ellen attended Iroquois High School and a business college in Huron. She then came to Pierre to work for the state and did so from age 19 to retiring in 2015. She and Russell “Sonny” Carter were married for 48 years. Ellen is survived by her husband; her brother, Edsard (Deann) Carter of Leesburg, Fla.; her sisters, Elaine (Leo) Roi of Sarasota, Fla., Esther Wutsch of Lake City, Fla.,, and Elizabeth Rollison of Lake City; Russell’s children, Ronald Carter of Pierre and Denise Carlson of St. Germaine, Wis.; her brother- and sister-in-law, Dick and Mary Carter of Pierre, and several nephews and nieces.

PONDER THIS

At times like these it can seem like the darkness is winning. You can look around and simply be overtaken by all that seems so not right in the world: the cruelty, the bitterness and the rising tide of enmity that will not relent. You can begin to sink beneath it all, wondering whether or not there are any good people still here. You can easily drown in that despair.

Take heart, dear friend. It is not that good people are gone. It is just that too many of them have gone silent. . . . . .

In these days it is not enough to be good. You must be both good and loud. You must risk the slings and arrows of both strangers and of siblings and speak directly into the bloated, contorted face of hatred until it hears you and cannot ignore you. . . . . .

Yes, there are still good people in this place. You are one of them. So don’t let silence be your greatest sin.
— John Pavlovitz