|
|
|
"A man with something to prove is a man who has not found his own happiness."
Powerful quote. I like it a lot.
I am a firm believer in the fact that happiness cannot be earned by accomplishments/awards or the applause of people.
Awards get dusty, and the applause will end...what happens then? I think the key is to find something that you'll never lose.
Anyway, I really like that quote.
Here's a few other things I really like:
In the extended dance version of Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" (1981) the song blends in lyrics and melody from The Supremes "Where did our love go?" (1964). Brilliant!
The way Barry Sanders used to hand the ball to the referee after he scored a touchdown. He would just walk it over and hand to him. He let his talent speak for him.
The USA network original show, "Burn Notice".
The bass guitar on Third Eye Blind's, "Jumper" (1998)...and Queen's "Another one bites the dust" (1980).
Ahi Tuna.
Watching players who smile a lot on the basketball court. It's refresing. I learned I played better that way (I wish I'd learned it sooner).
John Mayer's live cover of Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'". Amazing! I'm not always a huge fan of covers, but this is like a totally different sound. BTW, I really like Tom Petty's version too.
Books written by Jim Cymbala.
My 5 iron. It seems that even if no other clubs in my bag are working that day, My 5 iron always is...
The Beatitudes.
And yes, I really like you, the 3 of you who faithfully read my column...lol.
Ok, ok, ok you're right...my numbers are a little off...
What I meant to say was...the 4 of you who faithfully read my column. My Bad :) jk!
The Corner December Awards:
Girls
Defensive Player of the Month: Vanessa Pawlak, Carthage
Runner-up: Ashley Gilion, Neosho
Pawlak gets the nod because of her performances against top scorers were awesome. Even in a loss, she did a phenomenal job on Purdy's Addy Roller.
And as far as Gilion goes, any girl who can draw 3 charges in one half must be doing something right. She plays excellent on ball and help side defense.
Offensive Player of the Month: Mikeala Burgess, Webb City
Runner-Up: Molli Cooper, Seneca and Kaylee Morgan, Carthage
Mikeala has simply burst onto the scene. She is averaging 17 points per game and making 41% of her 3 point shots.
Molli had consistently strong numbers and solid shooting through late Nov/Dec. She might have the best three point shot in the area. She even had 28 the other night against Webb City.
Morgan is an unstoppable force. The highlight of her early season was a 32 point game in the Carl Junction Classic.
Corner MVP for December: Gabbie Gannaway, Webb City
Runner-Up: Chloe Shepherd, Carthage
While she has struggled with some injury problems here in the early going, nobody's been better.
15 points per game, 4.2 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 steals. She is making an eye-popping 61% of her shots, 42% of her 3's and 81% of her free throws.
Chloe seemed to be the difference maker in the big wins for Carthage in Nov/Dec. She can jump out of the gym and she plays both ends of the floor really well.
Boys
Defensive Player of the Month: Jalen Vaden, Webb City
Runner-up: Jared Huffman, Diamond
Jalen can take your point guard out of the game. He's a good athlete who slides his feet well and plays with energy.
Jared provides the anchor for Diamond's great team defense.
Offensive Player of the Month: Ethan Murray, Neosho
"A man with something to prove is a man who has not found his own happiness."
Powerful quote. I like it a lot.
I am a firm believer in the fact that happiness cannot be earned by accomplishments/awards or the applause of people.
Awards get dusty, and the applause will end...what happens then? I think the key is to find something that you'll never lose.
Anyway, I really like that quote.
Here's a few other things I really like:
In the extended dance version of Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" (1981) the song blends in lyrics and melody from The Supremes "Where did our love go?" (1964). Brilliant!
The way Barry Sanders used to hand the ball to the referee after he scored a touchdown. He would just walk it over and hand to him. He let his talent speak for him.
The USA network original show, "Burn Notice".
The bass guitar on Third Eye Blind's, "Jumper" (1998)...and Queen's "Another one bites the dust" (1980).
Ahi Tuna.
Watching players who smile a lot on the basketball court. It's refresing. I learned I played better that way (I wish I'd learned it sooner).
John Mayer's live cover of Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'". Amazing! I'm not always a huge fan of covers, but this is like a totally different sound. BTW, I really like Tom Petty's version too.
Books written by Jim Cymbala.
My 5 iron. It seems that even if no other clubs in my bag are working that day, My 5 iron always is...
The Beatitudes.
And yes, I really like you, the 3 of you who faithfully read my column...lol.
Ok, ok, ok you're right...my numbers are a little off...
What I meant to say was...the 4 of you who faithfully read my column. My Bad :) jk!
The Corner December Awards:
Girls
Defensive Player of the Month: Vanessa Pawlak, Carthage
Runner-up: Ashley Gilion, Neosho
Pawlak gets the nod because of her performances against top scorers were awesome. Even in a loss, she did a phenomenal job on Purdy's Addy Roller.
And as far as Gilion goes, any girl who can draw 3 charges in one half must be doing something right. She plays excellent on ball and help side defense.
Offensive Player of the Month: Mikeala Burgess, Webb City
Runner-Up: Molli Cooper, Seneca and Kaylee Morgan, Carthage
Mikeala has simply burst onto the scene. She is averaging 17 points per game and making 41% of her 3 point shots.
Molli had consistently strong numbers and solid shooting through late Nov/Dec. She might have the best three point shot in the area. She even had 28 the other night against Webb City.
Morgan is an unstoppable force. The highlight of her early season was a 32 point game in the Carl Junction Classic.
Corner MVP for December: Gabbie Gannaway, Webb City
Runner-Up: Chloe Shepherd, Carthage
While she has struggled with some injury problems here in the early going, nobody's been better.
15 points per game, 4.2 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 steals. She is making an eye-popping 61% of her shots, 42% of her 3's and 81% of her free throws.
Chloe seemed to be the difference maker in the big wins for Carthage in Nov/Dec. She can jump out of the gym and she plays both ends of the floor really well.
Boys
Defensive Player of the Month: Jalen Vaden, Webb City
Runner-up: Jared Huffman, Diamond
Jalen can take your point guard out of the game. He's a good athlete who slides his feet well and plays with energy.
Jared provides the anchor for Diamond's great team defense.
Offensive Player of the Month: Ethan Murray, Neosho
Runner-up: Micheal Branham, Jasper
Nobody filled it up the way Ethan did in Nov/Dec. Even with defenses geared to stop him, he still put up double figures every night in Nov. and Dec. I believe his lowest total in November and December was 24 points.
Branham is a pure scorer and I believe he too scored double figures in every game last month.
Corner MVP for December: Desmond Buerge, Carthage
Runner-up: Tucker Anderson, East Newton
There was no doubt about it. Buerge has had a killer start to the season. He's averaging around 25 points per game while leading Carthage to a 13-2 record thus far.
Tucker has been great! He's been consistently in the 20's every night while rebounding it, assisting it and defending it. He has led a young Patriots squad to a 7-6 record so far.
Short Corner:
Neosho boys won an exciting game over Pittsburg on Friday night, with Ethan Murray getting a putback with no time left on the clock. This was a quality win versus a team with a winning record and 3 or 4 guys who will probably play college ball in a few years. I was very impressed with the defensive effort of the Wildcats.
Coach Ben Ponce talked to me after the game of how proud he was in protecting the home court and being mentality tough. "I told the boys it would be a free throw shooting contest...it would be a physical game." Boy was it ever. 54! That's right 54 fouls were called. Wow!!! Yes, just last week I talked about the NHC championship game having 50 fouls...must be something in the water in that Neosho gym :)
Coach Ponce also praised the tough inside play of Logan Davidson. "We saw tonight what he's capable of doing". Congrats to Neosho on very good win.
Joplin boys showed well in their own tournament last weekend taking 3rd place. I was impressed with how they played (St. Louis area) Webster Groves (tourney champs).
Charlie Brown was named to the All-Tournament Team.
East Newton girls are coming on strong. After a strong showing against Southwest last week, East Newton road strong post play to a 48-25 victory over Diamond. Kourtney Brewster and Lindey Broyles led the Lady Pats with 16 and 13 points, respectively. Honestly that front line of Brewster (freshmen) and Broyles (sophomore) could end up being one of the best frontlines The Corner's ever seen.
Speaking of freshmen girls, Preslea Reece led Mac County with 16 points in a win over Cassville. Boy is she gonna be a good one.
I tell you, we've got some talented Freshmen and Sophomore girls in this area.
Carthage boys kept rolling with a win over Neosho but OPOM Ethan Murray also kept rolling with a game high 28 points.
Webb City boys got a good win on Tuesday night over Republic. Kohl Slaughter led the way with 23 points.
Diamond boys took the showdown with Seneca last weekend.
Seneca bounced back with a good win over Purdy Tuesday night. Dalton Lindsey led the way with 16 points for Seneca.
Speaking of showdowns, Thomas Jefferson boys just missed on a chance to beat Southwest on Monday night.
Mac County got a big win on Tuesday night defeating Carl Junction on the road 57-50. Miguel Morales, Jordan Wells and Chance Buttram had 17, 15 and 14 respectively for the Mustangs. While CJ was led by Payton Walker's 17 and Matt Mcgee's 16. Jordan Keller added 11 for the Bulldogs.
Sarcoxie girls beat McAuley 51-35 on Tuesday night. Sarcoxie was led by Jacqualine Plybon 16 while McAuley got 19 from Megan Price.
Sarcoxie Boys have won a couple in a row!!!
New rankings out next week!
The Buzzer Beater from The Corner:
I joked at the beginning of this column about the number of faithful readers of The Corner Report.
But in all seriousness, I am blown away by all the incredibly nice things you all say to me.
At games, in the supermarket, etc...
I can't thank you all enough for your kind words. It does my heart good to know that you enjoy what I write.
Our relationship is an interesting one, because you don't really need me, but I most certainly need you.
Without someone to read these words, there would be no reason for me to pin them.
And I know you don't have to read this column. It's a choice you make.
And I thank you for making that choice.
Thank you for everything.
Please know that I know, there would be no Corner Report if there were no readers.
I know my place. I understand my role.
It is my honor to serve the youth of our area.
It is my honor that you invite me into your lives each week.
I owe you all a debt of gratitude...
and I pray to God I never forget to pay up.
