Wednesday, February 28, 2007
STORM UPDATE: Kansas experiences first tornado damage
Linn County, Kansas appears to be the first area stricken by this expected severe weather outbreak. A power substation, barns, trees, and power lines were all victims of the storms winds. A few minor injuries have also been reported. In Kansas City, Interstate 35 has become flooded so that southbound lanes have been reduced to one lane. Storms are still severe in Kansas and especially in Missouri, where four counties in the center of the state appear to be under tornado warnings right now. The storms are expected to weaken during the early morning hours, then fire back up during daytime heating tomorrow. I'm keeping track of this storm, and plan to post if I am alerted to any major developments. Keep safe!
Severe Weather/Tornado Outbreak Expected Wednesday/Thursday
The first major severe weather outbreak of the season is expected tonight and tomorrow from the Midwest through the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys, down through the Tennessee Valley into the Deep South. Damaging winds, frequent lightning and large hail are expected with these storms, as well as the threat of strong tornadoes. For portions of states like Georgia and Alabama, it may be the most severe outbreak in several years. Tornadoes are being blamed for damage already in eastern Kansas tonight, although no injuries have been reported.
As this is being written at 10:45 PM CT, severe storms and possible tornadoes are blowing through eastern Kansas, the Kansas City metro area, and into central Missouri. The storm threat will march east, and a severe weather threat is expected over a wide area of the United States over the next 24 hours. I'm intending to post updates through the day here, especially as the threat shifts to Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Deep South. If major damage or injury is reported, I intend to update on those events. If you live in any risk area, be sure to take the necessary precautions, as this is expected to be a very dangerous weather event.
As this is being written at 10:45 PM CT, severe storms and possible tornadoes are blowing through eastern Kansas, the Kansas City metro area, and into central Missouri. The storm threat will march east, and a severe weather threat is expected over a wide area of the United States over the next 24 hours. I'm intending to post updates through the day here, especially as the threat shifts to Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Deep South. If major damage or injury is reported, I intend to update on those events. If you live in any risk area, be sure to take the necessary precautions, as this is expected to be a very dangerous weather event.
OVC TOURNAMENT FIRST FOUND WOMEN'S ACTION: Tennessee Tech fights back, but falls short
The first set of games from the 2007 O'Reilly Ohio Valley Conference Mens and Womens Basketball Tournament were played last night, and there were comebacks and even an upset on the women's side of the court. Here is a brief recap of all the action from the women's tournament.
#1 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 58, #8 AUSTIN PEAY 54
(CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.-ConState Sports) The defending 2006-2007 OVC tournament champion SEMO Redhawks faced a bit of a struggle against the Lady Governors, but managed to prevail. Ashley Lovelady led SEMO with 20 points and six rebounds. SEMO jumped out to an early 11-5 lead, but the Lady Govs stayed close, and the score read 30-28 SEMO at the midway break. SEMO now goes to Nashville to attempt a repeat of its OVC title.
#2 MURRAY STATE 68, #7 EASTERN KENTUCKY 66
(MURRAY, Ky.-ConState Sports) The number two-seeded Murray Racers survived a close scare, as the EKU Colonels put up a strong fight to attempt the upset. Ashley Hayes led the way for the Racers with 26 points, including the two free throws with 0.4 seconds left in regulation. Murray trailed by two late when freshman guard Mallory "Lucky" Luckett put in the tieing points with 14.9 seconds left. EKU had a shot, missed and Hayes was fouled, giving her the opportunity to get the winning points. Its on to Nashville for Murray, where the Racers will try to advance to the OVC finals.
#6 UT MARTIN 61, #3 MOREHEAD STATE 57
(MOREHEAD, Ky.-ConState Sports) In a surprising upset, the Martin Skyhawks found a way to top the three-seeded Morehead Eagles. The Eagles went cold in shooting, getting only 38 percent of their shots to go in. Martin was up as much as 49-38 with 9:21 left, when the Eagles attempted a failing comeback bid. Martin led most of the way through this game, leading by six with 8:57 left in the first. Morehead came back and led 23-22 with 5:48 left before the break. Martin came back and led at halftime 31-28. Martin goes to Nashville and will attempt to test No. 2 Murray State on Friday.
#4 SAMFORD 63, #5 TENNESSEE TECH 60
(BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-ConState Sports) The Samford Bulldogs came out strong from the gate, and held off a huge comeback attempt by the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles to advance to the semifinal round. Samford took the early 8-0 advantage with 3:19 gone in the first after Alex Munday put in a three. The Golden Eagles continued with fairly cold shooting and several crucial turnovers early, and found themselves down 29-15 at the halftime break.
Tech recovered strongly and put this one back into play after a quick 12-2 run right from the get-go in the second half. Cara Reed put up a three to cut the Bulldogs lead to 31-27 with 16:28 to play. The Golden Eagles came all the way back and led 39-37 after Blair Bowens put in a shot with 12:44 to go. Tech senior Kendall Cavin put in a three to give Tech the 49-45 lead with 6:13 left. The game bounced around from there. Samford would comeback to tie it, 51-51, before jumping ahead 54-51. The Golden Eagles would then score the next four points to take a 55-54 advantage with 2:40 left. Samford shot four from the charity stripe to take a three-point lead with 1:38 left. The Bulldogs held a four-point lead, 61-57, with 19 seconds left. Tech put in a three to cut Samford to 61-60, but Megan Wilderotter put in a pair from the charity line to prove the winning difference. Tech had another opportunity at the basket, but the shot just didn't go in. The Bulldogs now go to Nashville to oppose the top-seeded SEMO Redhawks. Munday scored 20 to lead Samford. For Tennessee Tech, senior standout Kendall Cavin and Blair Bowens put in 19 points apiece.
This was the final game played in the 45-year-old Seibert Hall. Next year, the Bulldogs will play in Pete Hanna Arena.
SEMO is the favorite to win the OVC women's tournament this year. An upset bid could be done by Murray, but I wouldn't really count on it. The team to watch next year is our own Tennessee Tech, the regular-season co-champions of the OVC in the 2005-06 season. Tech is the winningest OVC women's program over the course of history, and among the top ten winningest Division I women's programs in history. Tech is, also, the team who has won the most OVC titles with nine from its first title in the 1981-82 season. The Golden Eagles are bouncing back from the loss of standout Emily Christian, a senior last year, as well as dealing with a coaching change. The 20-year head coach Bill Worrell retired after last season, and one of his assistant coaches, Amy Brown, was handed the job. Brown has done an outstanding job in her first season, and her assistant coaching staff is strong as well. Tech will deal with the loss of three senior players, led by Cavin, in next years season. However, two new sophomore transfers, former Vanderbilt standout Holly Rogers and former Ball State player Rebecca Howerton, should pick up a lot of the slack. We, also, have three good players who will be seniors next season in Cara Reed, Marissa Hensley and Kristina Tyler. Juniors should be strong as well, led by Meagan Lyons and Bowens. Whitney Mayo and Jennifer Hood, who will be sophomores, should step up quite a bit. New freshmen will be added to the mix as well. Look for Tennessee Tech to contend strongly for the No. 1 seed in the 2007-08 OVC season.
Thanks to the OVC for information used in the above game summaries.
#1 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 58, #8 AUSTIN PEAY 54
(CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.-ConState Sports) The defending 2006-2007 OVC tournament champion SEMO Redhawks faced a bit of a struggle against the Lady Governors, but managed to prevail. Ashley Lovelady led SEMO with 20 points and six rebounds. SEMO jumped out to an early 11-5 lead, but the Lady Govs stayed close, and the score read 30-28 SEMO at the midway break. SEMO now goes to Nashville to attempt a repeat of its OVC title.
#2 MURRAY STATE 68, #7 EASTERN KENTUCKY 66
(MURRAY, Ky.-ConState Sports) The number two-seeded Murray Racers survived a close scare, as the EKU Colonels put up a strong fight to attempt the upset. Ashley Hayes led the way for the Racers with 26 points, including the two free throws with 0.4 seconds left in regulation. Murray trailed by two late when freshman guard Mallory "Lucky" Luckett put in the tieing points with 14.9 seconds left. EKU had a shot, missed and Hayes was fouled, giving her the opportunity to get the winning points. Its on to Nashville for Murray, where the Racers will try to advance to the OVC finals.
#6 UT MARTIN 61, #3 MOREHEAD STATE 57
(MOREHEAD, Ky.-ConState Sports) In a surprising upset, the Martin Skyhawks found a way to top the three-seeded Morehead Eagles. The Eagles went cold in shooting, getting only 38 percent of their shots to go in. Martin was up as much as 49-38 with 9:21 left, when the Eagles attempted a failing comeback bid. Martin led most of the way through this game, leading by six with 8:57 left in the first. Morehead came back and led 23-22 with 5:48 left before the break. Martin came back and led at halftime 31-28. Martin goes to Nashville and will attempt to test No. 2 Murray State on Friday.
#4 SAMFORD 63, #5 TENNESSEE TECH 60
(BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-ConState Sports) The Samford Bulldogs came out strong from the gate, and held off a huge comeback attempt by the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles to advance to the semifinal round. Samford took the early 8-0 advantage with 3:19 gone in the first after Alex Munday put in a three. The Golden Eagles continued with fairly cold shooting and several crucial turnovers early, and found themselves down 29-15 at the halftime break.
Tech recovered strongly and put this one back into play after a quick 12-2 run right from the get-go in the second half. Cara Reed put up a three to cut the Bulldogs lead to 31-27 with 16:28 to play. The Golden Eagles came all the way back and led 39-37 after Blair Bowens put in a shot with 12:44 to go. Tech senior Kendall Cavin put in a three to give Tech the 49-45 lead with 6:13 left. The game bounced around from there. Samford would comeback to tie it, 51-51, before jumping ahead 54-51. The Golden Eagles would then score the next four points to take a 55-54 advantage with 2:40 left. Samford shot four from the charity stripe to take a three-point lead with 1:38 left. The Bulldogs held a four-point lead, 61-57, with 19 seconds left. Tech put in a three to cut Samford to 61-60, but Megan Wilderotter put in a pair from the charity line to prove the winning difference. Tech had another opportunity at the basket, but the shot just didn't go in. The Bulldogs now go to Nashville to oppose the top-seeded SEMO Redhawks. Munday scored 20 to lead Samford. For Tennessee Tech, senior standout Kendall Cavin and Blair Bowens put in 19 points apiece.
This was the final game played in the 45-year-old Seibert Hall. Next year, the Bulldogs will play in Pete Hanna Arena.
SEMO is the favorite to win the OVC women's tournament this year. An upset bid could be done by Murray, but I wouldn't really count on it. The team to watch next year is our own Tennessee Tech, the regular-season co-champions of the OVC in the 2005-06 season. Tech is the winningest OVC women's program over the course of history, and among the top ten winningest Division I women's programs in history. Tech is, also, the team who has won the most OVC titles with nine from its first title in the 1981-82 season. The Golden Eagles are bouncing back from the loss of standout Emily Christian, a senior last year, as well as dealing with a coaching change. The 20-year head coach Bill Worrell retired after last season, and one of his assistant coaches, Amy Brown, was handed the job. Brown has done an outstanding job in her first season, and her assistant coaching staff is strong as well. Tech will deal with the loss of three senior players, led by Cavin, in next years season. However, two new sophomore transfers, former Vanderbilt standout Holly Rogers and former Ball State player Rebecca Howerton, should pick up a lot of the slack. We, also, have three good players who will be seniors next season in Cara Reed, Marissa Hensley and Kristina Tyler. Juniors should be strong as well, led by Meagan Lyons and Bowens. Whitney Mayo and Jennifer Hood, who will be sophomores, should step up quite a bit. New freshmen will be added to the mix as well. Look for Tennessee Tech to contend strongly for the No. 1 seed in the 2007-08 OVC season.
Thanks to the OVC for information used in the above game summaries.
OVC TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MEN'S ACTION: Austin Peay wins close one, Tennessee Tech wins in a rout
The first round of the 2007 O'Reilly Ohio Valley Conference Mens and Womens Basketball Tournament was played last night, and there was surprises to be had, although there were expected finishes as well. Here is a recap on the men's action. A recap on the women's action will come soon.
#1 AUSTIN PEAY 89, #8 TENNESSEE STATE 84 OT
(CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.-ConStateman Sports) In a game that should have been a breeze for the top-seeded Governors, the TSU Tigers showed some unexpected fight. The Govs led for most of the game, but the Tigers would come back to tie it four times until finally taking their first lead with a shot by Andrae Belton to make it TSU 69-67 with 55 seconds left. Fernandez Lockett would tie it all up for the Govs with 30 seconds left, and the game went to overtime.
In overtime, the Govs went on a 8-2 run early, and would eventually hold of the Tigers to advance to the semifinal round in Nashville. Dreake Reed had a total of 27 points for Austin Peay.
#2 EASTERN KENTUCKY 63, #7 MOREHEAD STATE 45
(RICHMOND, Ky.-ConStatesman Sports) The second-seeded Colonels had no trouble holding off the Eagles, as EKU had three players in double-figures. EKU went on a 16-0 run for nine minutes early, improving their position to a 25-8 lead at the time, and led 40-23 at the half. EKU now heads to the semifinals in Nashville for third time in the last four years.
#3 TENNESSEE TECH 88, #6 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 60
(COOKEVILLE, Tenn.-ConState Sports) The Tech Golden Eagles started slow, but eventually gained momentum over the icy-shooting SEMO Redhawks on the way to 28-point rout. Belton Rivers and Anthony Fisher had 34 points between them as they led the Golden Eagles to the semifinal round in Nashville, where they will play #2 Eastern Kentucky on Friday. Tech had a total of four players in double-figures in scoring, including Rivers and Fisher.
#5 SAMFORD 70, #4 MURRAY STATE 60
(MURRAY, Ky.-ConState Sports) In the only men's upset of the night, the defending OVC Tournament champion from the 2005-06 season, the Murray Racers, got knocked off by the visiting Samford Bulldogs. Samford had four players in double-figure scoring, led by Randall Gulina and Jerry Smith with 20 points apiece, and the team as a whole was 75 percent from the floor in the final half. Smith himself was perfect from the charity line, as he went 10-for-10 there. The game was tied 26-26 at the half, and the Bulldogs then went on a 10-0 run and never gave back the lead.
The Bulldogs will now receive an even greater test when they travel to Nashville to play top-seeded Austin Peay on Friday.
The OVC race just may be wide open. Austin Peay was the clear favorite coming into the tournament, but their tough outing against TSU may prove the Govs to be vulnerable. Our Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles and the EKU Colonels are the most likely for any upset bids. However, Samford is showing itself to be a formidable contender, and has a shot at upsetting Austin Peay on Friday. Stay tuned as we keep abreast of all the action in the OVC tournament as it switches now to the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashvegas, Tennessee.
Thanks to the OVC for some of the information used for the game summaries.
#1 AUSTIN PEAY 89, #8 TENNESSEE STATE 84 OT
(CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.-ConStateman Sports) In a game that should have been a breeze for the top-seeded Governors, the TSU Tigers showed some unexpected fight. The Govs led for most of the game, but the Tigers would come back to tie it four times until finally taking their first lead with a shot by Andrae Belton to make it TSU 69-67 with 55 seconds left. Fernandez Lockett would tie it all up for the Govs with 30 seconds left, and the game went to overtime.
In overtime, the Govs went on a 8-2 run early, and would eventually hold of the Tigers to advance to the semifinal round in Nashville. Dreake Reed had a total of 27 points for Austin Peay.
#2 EASTERN KENTUCKY 63, #7 MOREHEAD STATE 45
(RICHMOND, Ky.-ConStatesman Sports) The second-seeded Colonels had no trouble holding off the Eagles, as EKU had three players in double-figures. EKU went on a 16-0 run for nine minutes early, improving their position to a 25-8 lead at the time, and led 40-23 at the half. EKU now heads to the semifinals in Nashville for third time in the last four years.
#3 TENNESSEE TECH 88, #6 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 60
(COOKEVILLE, Tenn.-ConState Sports) The Tech Golden Eagles started slow, but eventually gained momentum over the icy-shooting SEMO Redhawks on the way to 28-point rout. Belton Rivers and Anthony Fisher had 34 points between them as they led the Golden Eagles to the semifinal round in Nashville, where they will play #2 Eastern Kentucky on Friday. Tech had a total of four players in double-figures in scoring, including Rivers and Fisher.
#5 SAMFORD 70, #4 MURRAY STATE 60
(MURRAY, Ky.-ConState Sports) In the only men's upset of the night, the defending OVC Tournament champion from the 2005-06 season, the Murray Racers, got knocked off by the visiting Samford Bulldogs. Samford had four players in double-figure scoring, led by Randall Gulina and Jerry Smith with 20 points apiece, and the team as a whole was 75 percent from the floor in the final half. Smith himself was perfect from the charity line, as he went 10-for-10 there. The game was tied 26-26 at the half, and the Bulldogs then went on a 10-0 run and never gave back the lead.
The Bulldogs will now receive an even greater test when they travel to Nashville to play top-seeded Austin Peay on Friday.
The OVC race just may be wide open. Austin Peay was the clear favorite coming into the tournament, but their tough outing against TSU may prove the Govs to be vulnerable. Our Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles and the EKU Colonels are the most likely for any upset bids. However, Samford is showing itself to be a formidable contender, and has a shot at upsetting Austin Peay on Friday. Stay tuned as we keep abreast of all the action in the OVC tournament as it switches now to the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashvegas, Tennessee.
Thanks to the OVC for some of the information used for the game summaries.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
FIRST ROUND OF OVC TOURNAMENT IS DONE. WATCH FOR NEWS TOMORROW
The first set of games from the 2007 O'Reilly Ohio Valley Conference Mens and Womens Basketball Tournament are completed, and the winning teams will now head to Nashville. The time is now late (12:06 AM CST) and I have to wake up at my usual time of about 6:30 in the morning, so I will now turn in for the night. I plan to post the results and briefs on this blog sometime by mid-afternoon Wednesday. Until then, that's your news for Tuesday, February 27, 2007. Thank you and good night. Just trying to bring my broadcasting journalism skills in. I'm working on a bit of a sign-off. :)
Saturday, February 24, 2007
TENNESSEE TECH HOOPS UPDATE: OVC Tournament set, Golden Eagles to play Tuesday
The Ohio Valley Conference regular season is done, and the teams are ready for the 2007 O'Reilly Auto Parts OVC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments. It has been an exciting regular season, and we are shaping up for a great tournament.
The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles men's team ends the season with an 18-12 record, 13-7 in the conference. That is enough for a third-place finish, and a first-round home game on Tuesday at the Eblen Center in Cookeville. We are facing the No. 6 seed, Southeast Missouri State at 7 pm CT. The Golden Eagles should pull off a victory, but anything can happen outside of the regular season.
The Tech women's team should be at home, but lost a road game against Murray State in Murray, Kentucky on Thursday. We led by seven with about half a minute left in regulation, but poor charity-line shooting and some good late offense by Murray tied the game at the end of regulation. Tech led halfway through the overtime period, but MSU came up with a late shot and our answer came up short. The final count showed Murray with a 80-79 victory over our Tech Golden Eagles. If the Eagles would have won this one, a home game in Cookevile on Tuesday. Now, we're on the road as the No. 5 seed and we'll travel to Birmingham, Alabama to face No. 4 Samford. This game is almost certainly a toss-up, and we are hoping that Tech will pull it out and head to the semifinal round at the Gaylord Center in Nashville.
Keep up to date with the OVC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament right here. We will record the winners and may have a brief story on the games after each round.
GO TECH!
The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles men's team ends the season with an 18-12 record, 13-7 in the conference. That is enough for a third-place finish, and a first-round home game on Tuesday at the Eblen Center in Cookeville. We are facing the No. 6 seed, Southeast Missouri State at 7 pm CT. The Golden Eagles should pull off a victory, but anything can happen outside of the regular season.
The Tech women's team should be at home, but lost a road game against Murray State in Murray, Kentucky on Thursday. We led by seven with about half a minute left in regulation, but poor charity-line shooting and some good late offense by Murray tied the game at the end of regulation. Tech led halfway through the overtime period, but MSU came up with a late shot and our answer came up short. The final count showed Murray with a 80-79 victory over our Tech Golden Eagles. If the Eagles would have won this one, a home game in Cookevile on Tuesday. Now, we're on the road as the No. 5 seed and we'll travel to Birmingham, Alabama to face No. 4 Samford. This game is almost certainly a toss-up, and we are hoping that Tech will pull it out and head to the semifinal round at the Gaylord Center in Nashville.
Keep up to date with the OVC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament right here. We will record the winners and may have a brief story on the games after each round.
GO TECH!
What Next, Bin Laden Boulevard?
It seems that roads are being named after Islamofacists. I'm not talking about in Syria, I'M TALKING ABOUT INSIDE OUR VERY OWN AMERICA!
Apparently, a muslim enclave in Virginia has named a road after "Sheikh" Mubarik Gilani, who is being blamed for the beheading of journalist Daniel Pearl. Twenty people protested the naming of the street after the "Sheikh", and the Christian Action Network is opposing it.
For more, visit this article from WSLS-TV, Roanoke, Virginia.
Apparently, a muslim enclave in Virginia has named a road after "Sheikh" Mubarik Gilani, who is being blamed for the beheading of journalist Daniel Pearl. Twenty people protested the naming of the street after the "Sheikh", and the Christian Action Network is opposing it.
For more, visit this article from WSLS-TV, Roanoke, Virginia.
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