EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
Lady Trailblazers Fall For The First Time In Region 24 Play At Home To No. 12 Wabash Valley
The Vincennes University Lady Trailblazers closed out the first half of their season by hosting No. 12-ranked Wabash Valley at the P.E. Complex.
The Lady Blazers fought all night against the Lady Warriors but ultimately suffered their first loss against a Region 24 opponent and their first and only loss in the month of December.
VU went toe-to-toe with the highly-ranked Warriors, producing a back-and-forth battle in the first quarter that ended with freshman Cherrelle Newsom (Indianapolis, Ind.) hitting a three at the buzzer to cut the Vincennes deficit to one point.
Wabash Valley gained control of the game in the second quarter, outscoring VU 21-10 in the 10 minute period to head into halftime with a 46-34 lead over the Lady Blazers.
Vincennes held tough in the second half but were not able to cut the deficit to under 10 points in the third quarter. Vincennes headed into the fourth quarter trailing 66-53.
VU completely shifted the momentum of the game in the early stages of the fourth quarter, cutting the Warrior lead down to five points midway through the period at 73-68.
This scoring run did not last however as Wabash Valley outscored Vincennes 21-11 to end the game and come away with a 94-79 win over the Lady Blazers.
“I thought our girls played really hard,†VU Hall of Fame Head Coach Harry Meeks said. “We played spotty offensively. I didn’t think we shot the ball really well and I think that was the thing that bothered me the most. Then at one point in the second quarter it didn’t look like we even wanted to shoot the ball. Wabash Valley put pressure on the ball and we had trouble reversing it.â€
“I can’t say anything bad about our effort though,†Meeks added. “Our effort was really good and I think in the game you could see who would step up and who wouldn’t. I was really disappointed with a couple of our girls for their lack of action but otherwise we competed, late in the game we cut it down to five points and then we had it get away from us again. But I think if we would have played a little stronger with the ball and stayed with the offense a little more than what we did, I think we would have been a much better off team.â€
“Wabash Valley has got a good team. They are quick. They have a bunch of Division I transfers that are quick with the ball. They have a lot of playing experience and pushed the ball up the floor. They are a nice team. For us, we are still a young team. We are playing a lot of freshmen. We have some things to overcome, but I still think we can fulfill our dreams here. We will go down scratching an clawing to make sure that we will be on the winning side in at least one of our possible two meeting with Wabash Valley left this season.â€
Vincennes was led offensively by their trio of guards, led by freshman Kylee Shelton (Bloomfield, Ind.) who finished with 20 points, four rebounds and a team-high three steals.
Freshman Day’Lynn Thornton ended her night with 18 points, including a perfect eight for eight from the free throw line, while also adding five rebounds and a team-high five assists on the game.
Cherrelle Newsom ended her night with 17 points, 12 of which coming in the first half, while adding four assists and a team-high three steals.
Sophomore Macy Michels (Teutopolis, Ill.) was the recipient of many assists on the low block, reaching double-figures with 12 points on a perfect six for six from the field on the night. Michels would also add four rebounds and a block to her line score.
“All of our guards showed up to play,†Meeks said. “Day’Lynn tends to amaze me with her play. She seems to bring it every night and doesn’t make many mistakes. She plays her heart out. I’m really pleased with our guard play. If we can get our post players to pick it up to the level of where our guards are, we have to really work on blocking out and clearing out room under the basket where we can be more efficient rebounding.â€
“I appreciate our guards,†Meeks added. “The work hard. They do what they are supposed to do. Like Day’Lynn, we can’t expect anything more out of her than what she already gives. Chanice Willis (Champaign, Ill.) came in and gave us some good minutes. Kylee did a really good job for us tonight. We threw Kylee to the wolves tonight. I just think we have to cut down on a few of the strategic mistakes and ball-handling errors and then I think we will be very competitive.â€
The Lady Blazers head into the Holiday break with an 11-5 record on the season and a 4-1 record in Region 24 play.
Vincennes will begin the second-half of their schedule at the P.E. Complex, when the Lady Blazers host No. 18-ranked Moberly Area Community College, from Moberly, Mo. Tuesday, Jan. 4. Tip-off time for that game will be 5 p.m. eastern.
“Some good news is that all of my girls had really good grades this semester, so we won’t have to worry about losing anybody heading into the second-half,†Meeks said. “This is an excellent academic team and I am really pleased and proud of that.â€
“I’m really pleased with our guard play so far this season,†Meeks added. “Cherrelle has really done a good job for us at the point. Laila Grant (Derwood, Md.) has done an exceptional job for us and has done an outstanding job. Trinitee Harris (Elkhart, Ind.) has done a great job handling the ball and taking the pressure off of everybody else. Her speed and quickness really jumps out at you when she’s on the floor. She is really trying to be a positive influence on this team and I really appreciate that. Trinitee is a great kid and has a great personality and I think there are some good things in store for her.â€
“Macy Michels has done a really good job for us this year. She has done a really good job for us as frontcourt leader. We are still working with her on blocking out and being more aggressive on the boards but we didn’t have anybody last year averaging the number of rebounds she is this season. I’m very appreciative of all her hard work.â€
DeHart hits milestone as Eagles hold on for 12-point win over Buffs
University of Southern Indiana fifth-year senior guard Emma DeHart (Indianapolis, Indiana) recorded her 1,000th-career point and the No. 23 Screaming Eagles held on for a 90-78 win over West Texas A&M University Saturday afternoon at the Las Vegas South Point Holiday Hoops Classic.
DeHart, who became the 19th player in program history to reach 1,000 career points, finished the contest with a game and season-high 24 points as she moved past two players, including USI Assistant Coach Stephanie Carpenter, for 18th on USI’s all-time scoring list.
In need of 13 points to reach the 1,000-career point plateau, DeHart scored 13 in the first half, including eight in a second quarter that saw the Eagles turn a five-point first-quarter lead into a 49-36 halftime advantage. The bucket that gave DeHart her 1,000th career point was part of a 7-0 run that saw USI turn an eight-point lead into a 15-point cushion.
USI (8-1) outscored the Lady Buffs 11-7 throughout the first three minutes of the third period to extend its lead to 17 points.
West Texas A&M (7-7) rallied as the Buffs scored the final six points of the third quarter to cut USI’s advantage to 68-57 heading into the final 10 minutes of the contest.
The Eagles’ advantage shrunk to nine points early in the fourth period, but a three-pointer followed by a steal and a transition bucket by junior guard Addy Blackwell(Bloomington, Indiana) put USI up 74-60 with seven minutes to play.
West Texas A&M trimmed USI’s lead to just 10 points with three minutes to play, but USI converted 15-of-18 free throws in the fourth quarter, including 11-of-12 in the final three minutes to secure the 12-point win—USI finished the game 29-of-34 from the free throw line.
In addition to DeHart, who was 8-of-8 from the charity stripe in the final 80 seconds of the contest, USI got a career-high 17 points and four assists from Blackwell in addition to 14 points and three assists from junior forward Hannah Haithcock (Washington Courthouse, Ohio).
Sophomore forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) added 10 points, while senior forward Ashlynn Brown (Perrysburg, Ohio) finished with 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Junior guard Soffia Rieckers (Evansville, Indiana) added a career-high six assists to go along with four steals.
West Texas A&M was led by sophomore guard Karly Motschenbacher, who finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals.
USI returns to action Sunday at 2 p.m. (CST) when it takes on No. 9/13 University of Tampa in a Top 25 showdown. The Spartans (11-2) are coming off a 78-66 win over the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Friday in Las Vegas.
Eagles outlast Timberwolves in OT, 81-78 Henry, Cunningham combine for 45 in the win
MIDLAND, Mich. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball outlasted Northwood University in overtime, 81-78, to start their road trip Saturday afternoon in Midland, Michigan. USI, which has won three-straight, goes to 5-2, while Northwood is 3-7 this season.
The Screaming Eagles started the game off on the right foot with an early 8-2 lead on an 8-0 run after spotting the Timberwolves the opening bucket. Northwood responded with a 9-2 run of its own to regain the lead, 11-10, near the midway part of the first half.
USI regained command in the final minutes of the first half, matching their largest lead of the half, six points, 27-21, at the break. Sophomore guard Tyler Henry (Brooklyn, New York) led the USI offense in the first 20 minutes by posting 11 points on three-of-five from the field, including two from downtown, and three-of-five from the stripe
In the second half, the Eagles quickly extended the lead to eight points, 32-24, on buckets by freshman guard Elijah Jones (Chicago Heights, Illinois), junior guard Jelani Simmons (Columbus, Ohio) and junior forward Jacob Polakovich (Grand Rapids, Michigan). The Timberwolves, however, were not done and rallied to tie the game, 57-57, with just over four minutes to play in the contest.
Northwood would go on to outscore USI, 49-43, in the second half with Timberwolves getting a three-point field from Arnold Ramelle with no time left on the clock to send the game into overtime.
Senior guard Trevell Cunningham (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) keep the Eagles going offensively in the second half, scoring 17 of his 21 points in the final 20 minutes of regulation. Cunningham was a blistering four-of-five from the field in the second half, eight-of-nine from the stripe.
In overtime, USI’s offensive shifted back to Henry, who scored nine of the Eagles’ 11 extra time points. Henry converted his only field goal, a three pointer, and a perfect six-of-six from the stripe to push USI over the top to get the win.
For the game, Henry posted a USI career and season-high 24 points by adding four points in the second half and nine in the overtime period. He finished the game four-of-10 from the field, three-of-six from downtown, and a clutch 13-of-15 from the line.
Cunningham joined Henry in double-digits with a season-high 21 points. The senior guard finished the game six-of-11 from the field, one-of-two from beyond the arc, and eight-of-nine from the line.
USI lost the battle on the glass, 46-40, but was led by Polakovich, who had a game-high 10 rebounds and reached double-digits on the boards for the fourth time this season.
COMING UP FOR USI:
USI concludes its visit to Michigan Monday when it visits 22nd/24th-ranked Grand Valley State University for a 6 p.m. (CST) contest in Allendale, Michigan. The USI-GVSU match-up is the second of five-straight on the road and the first ranked opponent of the year for the Eagles.
The GVSU Lakers are ranked 22nd in the NABC and 24th in the D2SIDA Top 25 polls after posting an 8-1 mark in November and December, including a win over the GLVC’s UIndy, 77-60. GVSU opened Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action 2-0 last week with wins over Purdue University Northwest, 81-76, and former GLVC member Parkside University, 80-69.
USI and GVSU have split the two meetings in the history of the programs in men’s basketball. The Eagles took the first meeting, 112-86, in the 2001 Disney Wide World of Sports Classic in Orlando, Florida, while the Lakers defeated USI in the 2007 NCAA II Midwest Regional at the University of Findlay, 90-83.
Following the conclusion of the 2021 calendar, the Eagles re-start GLVC action with trips to McKendree University (January 2), Lewis University (January 4), and Lindenwood University (January 6). The next USI game at Screaming Eagles Arena is January 8 when they host Southwest Baptist University.
Gov. Beshear Says Fast-Spreading COVID-19 Omicron Variant Confirmed in Multiple Counties
Gov. Beshear Says Fast-Spreading COVID-19 Omicron Variant Confirmed in Multiple Counties, Urges Masking in Schools and Workplaces
​​​​​​​Governor also provides updates on Western Kentucky storm response
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 18, 2021) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear urged rigorous masking in schools and workplace settings after testing confirmed the fast-spreading COVID-19 omicron variant in multiple Kentucky counties.
“This thing is going to spread so fast that any school that is not doing mandatory masking, any business that is not having their folks wear masks could see entire schools, entire shifts get infected very, very quickly,†Gov. Beshear said. “Folks I’m telling you: If we don’t make the decision to put back on that mask in these situations, it’s going disrupt everything we’ve worked so hard to get back up and going.â€
The Governor said Gravity Diagnostics reported positive omicron tests Friday to the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH). The positive tests were from patients in Kenton, Campbell, and Fayette counties.
In addition, wastewater testing by the University of Louisville and the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness detected the presence of the omicron variant in Jefferson County.
Dr. Steven Stack, a commission of the KDPH, said: “The omicron variant of COVID-19 is probably one of the most transmissible or contagious infections we’ve had in the last century at least. To put this into perspective, one person who gets influenza may infect one to two people. The delta variant really escalated COVID’s transmissibility, and one person with the delta variant might infect up to five other people under the right situations. Omicron now, it may be that one person with omicron may infect up to 18 or 20 other people.â€
Key facts about the omicron variant:
- It is much more transmissible than other variants.
- It appears to take a much smaller amount of omicron to produce spread.
- So far, omicron appears to cause mostly mild disease. South Africa and the United Kingdom, where there already is a significant spread, have not reported severe rises in hospitalizations. However, it is too soon to tell how Kentucky will fare.
- Recent data suggests monoclonal antibody treatments may not be as effective treatment against the omicron variant.
The Governor noted that vaccinations and boosters are still the best lines of defense.
Key points on vaccines:
- Three doses of the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) appear to provide very good protection against severe COVID disease and death.
- Mild breakthrough cases appear more common with the omicron variant than the delta variant.
- Currently, 62% of Kentuckians are fully vaccinated. Every eligible person 5 and older should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Those who have recovered from COVID also should be vaccinated.
- Everyone 16 and older who is at least six months past receiving their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine should get a booster dose as soon as possible.
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently said the mRNA vaccines are preferred over the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Those who previously had the J&J shot are encouraged to get a Pfizer or Moderna booster dose.
The Governor also provided updates on the response to last weekend’s deadly storms that devastated areas in Western Kentucky.
“We are now one week, exactly, from the worst tornado disaster in our history,†said Gov. Beshear.
Other key updates provided:
- The death toll from the storms now stands at 78. Gov. Beshear noted a discrepancy between the toll he is reporting and the 75 deaths reported by Kentucky Emergency Management and the Kentucky Department for Public Health. He said the difference is centered in Hopkins County and officials are working to resolve the issue.
- There are no longer any people considered missing from the storm.
- Gov. Beshear announced the state is adding 10% on top of the individual assistance for housing provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to qualifying storm survivors who were uninsured. The state funding will come from the Team Kentucky Fund. The Governor said the funds can assist with expenses over and above what the FEMA declaration covers by categories and that the funds cannot be used for the same expenses that FEMA is covering.
- The Team Western Kentucky Relief Fund has received 105,370 donations pledging $19,777,726. To donate click here.
- Six additional counties have been declared a disaster on Dec. 16, 2021: Christian, Hart, Hickman, Logan, Lyon and Ohio counties have been added and are now eligible for additional federal assistance.
- FEMA assistance: Survivors may continue to apply for assistance by calling 800-621-3362, going online to DisasterAssistance.gov, or using the FEMA App.
- Already, more than 7,770 registrations have been validated for processing. To date FEMA has approved around $1.67 million in individual assistance.
- As of this morning, Kentucky State Parks are providing housing and food services for 636 displaced Kentuckians and 188 first responders.
- The state is housing approximately 944 Kentuckians between our parks system and hotels.
- More than 10,000 insurance claims related to the storms already have been filed.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available
Individuals who became unemployed or those who are self-employed and had work interrupted in 14 Kentucky counties as a direct result of the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes on Dec. 10, 2021, are eligible to apply for DUA benefits through the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance. Those counties include Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor and Warren.
In order to qualify for DUA benefits, claimants in eligible counties must show that their employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the disaster and that they are not otherwise eligible for traditional unemployment insurance benefits under state or federal law. Affected individuals should visit the Kentucky Career Center website, kcc.ky.gov, or call 502.875.0442 to file their initial claim and get more information. The deadline to apply for assistance is Jan. 18, 2022.
After claimants apply for UI benefits, they should attend an in-person session at one of the following locations Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 21 – Dec. 22, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
- 801 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green KY 42101
- 56 Federal Street, Madisonville, KY 42431
- 233 Ring Road, Elizabethtown, KY 42701
- 3108 Fairview Drive, Owensboro, KY 42303
- 1220 Eagles Way, Mayfield, KY 42066
Additional days and times will be available from Dec. 27 – Dec. 29 at locations that are still being finalized. Updated information will be communicated on the Kentucky Career Center website KCC.ky.gov and future press releases with detailed information. The administration will work with those who need help obtaining required documentation.
Braun, Rubio Introduce Bill To Strengthen Benefits For Children Of Veterans Affected By Agent Orange
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mike Braun and Marco Rubio introduced a bill to strengthen the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Spina Bifida Program for children of veterans exposed to Agent Orange/herbicides.
“Many veterans are unaware of the benefits available for their children with certain birth defects due to their exposure to Agent Orange. I am proud to introduce this legislation which will ensure that these beneficiaries get the care and benefits awarded to them by law.â€Â – Senator Mike Braun
“Our veterans made a tremendous sacrifice when they chose to serve our country. This legislation would help the children of Florida veterans, who were exposed to Agent Orange, and born with spina bifida, by making it easier for them to access high quality resources and care.â€Â – Senator Marco Rubio
BACKGROUND
- The OCC Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program Guide states, “This program provides services and supplies for enrolled beneficiaries for all covered medical conditions, not simply those related to Spina Bifida.†This assistance includes instrumental activities of daily living (i.e., cleaning a house or apartment, showering, cooking, etc.).
GOVERNOR’S PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION DISCUSSES PUBLIC HEALTH STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE
GOVERNOR’S PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION DISCUSSES PUBLIC HEALTH STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE
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HOOSIER HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS: Santa Comes To The Statehouse
December 19 – December 25The Week in Indiana History |
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“Little do I know that I am starting on a strange trip around the world. . . that I will be captured by the enemy. . . that I will escape and be captured again. . . that I will be accused of being a deserter and returned to the U.S.A. with a name not even my own.” – – – Edgar D. Whitcomb (1917 –2016) The above is an excerpt from the first chapter of Governor Whitcomb’s best-selling autobiography, Escape fromCorregidor, published in 1958
Did You Know?   The small town of Santa Claus, Indiana, in Spencer County, receives over 400,000 pieces of mail in December. That is because people around the world send their cards to the Santa Claus post office in order to receive its unique postmark. Each year, the holiday postmark is designed by a local high school art student. This year’s mark, shown above, was created by Lily Vance, daughter of Joe and Andie Vance of Lamar, Indiana. The special picture postmark has been a tradition at the Santa Claus Post Office since 1983. ANSWERS: 1. Sarah Breedlove   2. Roy Couch   3. 40 tons
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1935   A 22-foot, 40-ton statue of St. Nicholas was unveiled at Santa Claus, Indiana.  The Lafayette Journal and Courierreported that “a thousand persons braved the cold weather and slippery pavements to come to the little village for the ceremony.” The statue still stands in the festive community.
1957   Singer Bobby Helms from Martinsville ended a highly successful year in his career with the release of “Jingle Bell Rock.” The song was an instant hit, along with “My Special Angel,” another big record for Helms in a year he also appeared on the Ed Sullivan network television show.
