BOYS BASKETBALL

• Griswold 57, Corning 38
• Tri-Center 59, Thomas Jefferson 49
• Boyer Valley 54, Missouri Valley 33
• Treynor 73, Shenandoah 29
• Underwood 58, East Mills 44
• Denison-Schleswig 67, Storm Lake 45
• Sidney 61, Weeping Water, Neb. 39

GIRLS BASKETBALL

• Griswold 45, Corning 38
• St. Albert 47, Red Oak 45
• Treynor 63, Shenandoah 43
• Denison-Schleswig 58, Storm Lake 32
• Weeping Water, Neb. 43, Sidney 38
• West Harrison 75, Siouxland Community Christian 59

Class 5-A

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Chiefs have claimed offensive lineman Hayworth Hicks off waivers.  The 6-foot-3, 336-pound Hicks entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Colts in April. He spent time on their practice squad before being acquired by the New York Jets on Nov. 6.  He spent three games on their roster but was inactive each week.

The former Iowa State standout takes the roster spot of linebacker Bryan Kehl, who was released earlier this week. He also provides additional depth if the Chiefs have to shuffle their line this Sunday against Carolina with Branden Albert and Ryan Lilja both ailing.

Kansas City also released kicker Matt Szymanski from the practice squad and signed Quan Sturdivant, a linebacker who has spent time with Arizona.

w/ Jim Field

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w/ Jim Field

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Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say heading into Iowa’s busiest outdoor “opening day,” shotgun deer season hunters should expect to see fewer deer. While that downturn is by design, the DNR says hunters should still fill plenty of tags, during the December 1st-through the 5th first shotgun season, or the December 8th-through 16th, second season. Tom Litchfield, DNR deer research biologist, says “Deer numbers are projected to be down at least ten percent from last year.” Litchfield says they “Have been working to decrease deer numbers since 2003. On a statewide basis, the herd is very close to objective,  which would be the levels seen in the mid to late 1990s.”

With a relatively short season (five or nine days), shotgun hunters often must adapt to the weather. Looking ahead to the next week, seasonal temperatures and a continued brown—not white—landscape lie ahead for hunters holding about 172,000 paid first season, paid second season and landowner tags. One strategy that remains constant is hunting with the wind. Deer rely primarily on their noses, to warn of danger. Hunters should keep that in mind, especially as they set up drives.

Somewhat of a ‘wild card’ this fall and winter in conducting the deer harvest, according to officials,  will be the impact of Epizootic Hemorrhaging Disease (EHD) across much of the state. Nearly 3,000 reports of suspected EHD have been received; with concentrations in central and southwest counties and several more western counties through the Loess Hills. In all, 63 counties have at least one suspected case. The hot weather, insect-carried disease has essentially run its course for this year; with heavy frost killing off the midge, which spreads it.

Still, hunters may find more dead deer, as they fan out across the landscape. With the emphasis on downsizing the herd, Litchfield sees about 60 of Iowa’s 99 counties ‘at objective.’ Another 20 should reach it after this season. The remainder likely would fall into place after 2013-14. He is concerned, however, that the EHD outbreak could change that dynamic—lowering hunter harvest and post-season counts—for some counties.

Audubon 37, Carroll 31
Audubon 42, Kuemper Catholic 36
Carroll 55, Kuemper Catholic 24