Month: January 2020

Homicide under investigation on North 34th

A homicide at 2:34 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, in the 3000 block of North 34th Street is under investigation.

Officers responded to a reported shooting at that location, and when they arrived, officers found a male with several gunshot wounds, a Kansas City, Kansas, police spokesman stated.

Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department personnel took the victim to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries, the spokesman stated.

The identity of the victim is being withheld until there is positive identification and family notification, police stated.

The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Piper girls lose first to top-ranked Aquinas

Junior Evelyn Vazquez weaved through Aquinas defenders to the goal. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)
 

by Brian Turrel

The Piper Lady Pirates came within seconds of defeating the top-ranked team in the 5A division after staging a furious fourth quarter comeback.

They fell just short when the St. Thomas Aquinas Saints collected a foul and two points for a 35-34 win on Friday night in Piper.

Previously undefeated Piper wasn’t in its usual rhythm. The Saints’ size, speed, and accurate passing put Piper off its usual pressing and backcourt trapping defense and took away its transition offense.

The Saints took advantage on the boards as well, dominated by Beatrice Culliton and Charlotte O’Keefe. Piper gradually fell behind, racking up an 8-point deficit and going into the half down 29-21.

The third quarter was a defensive grind, with both teams struggling to score for minutes on end. Ayreona Carter scored all 7 of Piper’s points in the quarter to keep pace with the Saints.

In the fourth quarter, junior guard Evelyn Vazquez took control of the game. Her fast-paced defense shifted up to frenetic, and she started to drive the ball into the teeth of the Aquinas defense, earning baskets and trips to the line.

Vazquez scored 11 of Piper’s 13 points in the final quarter, and she put the Lady Pirates into the lead at 34-33 with 28 seconds remaining. The Piper defense nearly held out, forcing the Saints to inbound the ball four times and running down the clock.

With 2.8 seconds remaining, the Saints got the foul call they needed and converted both free throws. Piper’s last mad dash down the court ended with a shot off the rim.

The loss drops the Lady Pirates to 6-1, but they get no break. They play again on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. against the second-ranked team in the 5A division, McPherson High School. The Lady Bullpups are undefeated and coming off a Friday night victory over Dodge City.

Ayreona Carter tried to get a shot over Beatrice Culliton but was fouled. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

 

Evelyn Vazquez put up a short jumper. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

 

The Piper cheerleaders performed stunts during a break in the action. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

 

Piper head coach Shane Stout got his team prepared in a late game free throw situation. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

 

Senior Ayreona Carter was fouled on her shot falling away from the basket. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

 

Junior Dawnyale Bruce saw her shot blocked by Aquinas’s Beatrice Culliton. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

 

Junior Jennifer Guilbeaux looked to drive inside against the Aquinas defense. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

 

Senior Grace Banes looked for an outlet on the left side. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

 

Senior Riley Porter drove into the lane. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

 

Senior Emma Serrano looked for an opening along the baseline. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Faith news

To send in items for the Faith News, email information to [email protected]. Please include your name and contact information.

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 2203 Parallel, Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a Mass at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, on Martin Luther King Day. Archbishop Joseph Naumann will celebrate Mass at Blessed Sacrament, and there will be a prayer for racial healing. Those in attendance will be encouraged to attend the Martin Luther King Day rally at 11 a.m. Jan. 20 at the Reardon Center.

The Knights of Columbus at Christ the King Catholic Church, 3024 N. 53rd St., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a pancake breakfast on Sunday, Jan. 19, after the 9:30 a.m. Mass.

The Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a “Gospel Non-Violence Study Group” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7. The group is facilitated by Peg Burns Kerbawy. “Scripture Study and Reflection,” facilitated by Heather Neds, will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at the Keeler Center. Register for the programs at 913-689-9375 or register at www.keelerwomenscenter.org.

The Kansas City, Kansas, Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Reardon Civic Center, 5th and Minnesota, Kansas City, Kansas. The theme will be “Injustice Anywhere Is a Threat to Justice Everywhere.” The guest speaker will be Monsignor Stuart Swetland, president of Donnelly College, Kansas City, Kansas. The event is open to the public. For more information, see https://wyandotteonline.com/king-day-celebration-set-for-jan-20-in-kck/.

A Red Cross blood drive is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 10 at the New Story Church, 5500 Woodend Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. For more information or to make an appointment to donate blood, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Open Door Baptist Church, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace, Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a Sunday worship service at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 5, with Sunday school at 9 a.m. Jan. 5.

Stony Point Christian Church, 149 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a worship service at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5. Sunday school will be at 9 a.m. Jan. 5.

Members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas, will observe the second Sunday in the season of Epiphany at 10 a.m. Jan. 12.

Wyandotte United Methodist Church, 7901 Oakland Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5, with Sunday school at 9:45 a.m.

Send Faith News items to [email protected]. Please include your contact information. If there is inclement weather, check with the sponsoring organization to see if the event will still be held. These events are listed by alphabetical order of the faith group.