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How to recycle holiday trees

You can dispose of your natural holiday trees and help the environment at the same time by recycling them.

Holiday trees, wreaths and garlands are discouraged from being deposited into Kansas landfills.

Communities are offering a number of ways to recycle the holiday trees, keeping them out of landfills and creating a useful product that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as trail surfaces, erosion control, landscaping and fish habitat in lakes.

Sites that are in the Unified Government park system are accepting natural holiday trees through Jan. 30. All tinsel, lights and ornaments must be removed.

Some drop-off holiday tree recycling sites in Wyandotte County include:

• Bonner Springs — North Park, 1200 S. 134th St., Bonner Springs, Kansas, 913-422-7010
• Kansas City, Kansas — Alvey Park, 4834 Metropolitan Ave., north side of the south parking lot, Kansas City, Kansas, 913-573-8327
• Kansas City, Kansas — City Park, 2601 Park Drive, inside the park, to the right, Kansas City, Kansas, 913-573-8327
• Kansas City, Kansas — Stony Point Park, 531 N. 86th St, northeast corner of parking lot, Kansas City, Kansas, 913-573-8327
• Bonner Springs, Kansas — Wyandotte County Park at Bonner Springs, 600 N. 126th St., ball field parking area, Bonner Springs, Kansas, 913-573-8327
• Kansas City, Kansas — Missouri Organic, 1260 Alma St., Kansas City, Kansas, 816-483-0908

To see holiday tree recycling sites in other communities in the Greater Kansas City area, visit https://www.marc.org/News-Releases/12_2021/Treecycle-your-natural-holiday-tree-and-greenery.html.

Late heartbreak for Braves hoops against Shawnee Heights

Senior Jayce Smith muscled in on Shawnee Heights senior Carter Olson. Smith scored 15 points to lead the Braves. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Bonner Springs Braves lost a close game late 73-70 to the Shawnee Heights Thunderbirds Tuesday evening in Bonner Springs. The Braves turned around an early deficit and led for most of the contest before falling to a late run by the visitors.

The Braves got back on course after an early 9-4 deficit. Head coach Dan Streit called a timeout just three minutes into the game to steady the team, which responded with a comeback run capped by a three-point basket from Kalen Streit that put the home team on top 17-16.

The teams traded leads through the remainder of the half. Bonner Springs had trouble stopping Shawnee Heights senior Nate Pewe. In the first quarter, Pewe was fouled on three made baskets and converted all three free throws.

Bonner Springs countered with inside scoring from Jayce Smith and Jayden Young to keep the game close. A drive from Trent Stimac edged the Braves in front 44-43 at the half.

The Braves held the lead for most of the second half, getting out briefly to a 6-point margin midway through the third quarter. Smith wore a path to the basket along the right baseline, picking up 6 points in the quarter. Cameron Doss hit his third three-pointer of the game to help give Bonner Springs a 60-57 lead going into the final quarter.

The Braves’ troubles at the foul line and an untimely turnover in the fourth quarter gave the Thunderbirds the opportunity to take back the lead with less than a minute left in the game.

Down by 3 with ten seconds remaining, Bonner Springs ran a well-executed play to get a game-tying shot, but it bounced off the far rim, ending the game.

Smith led the Braves in scoring with 15 points. Doss and Tavian Cruse each contributed 13, and Young scored 12. Pewe ended the game with 32 points for the Thunderbirds.

The loss drops Bonner Springs to 3-3 for the season. They will face off at home against the Paola Panthers, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Sophomore Kalen Streit blocked a shot from Shawnee Heights senior Nate Pewe. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Trent Stimac got a lot of height on his jump shot. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Junior Cameron Doss got out on a fast break defended by Shawnee Heights sophomore Brennon Dodge. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Jayden Young found a gap between two taller Thunderbirds defenders. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Trent Stimac snagged a rebound over Shawnee Heights senior Carter Olson. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

The pep band kept the gym jumping between games. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Jayce Smith had a shot blocked in the fourth quarter. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Junior Tavian Cruse was left open for a long-range jumper. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Jayden Young tossed in a layup. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Jayce Smith took a shot over Shawnee Heights senior Nate Pewe. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Lady Braves fall 45-33 to Shawnee Heights

by Brian Turrel

The Bonner Springs Lady Braves lost 45-33 to Shawnee Heights Tuesday evening in Bonner Springs.

The home team got out to an early 6-3 lead with inside baskets from Mariyah Noel and Wren VanCleave, but the Lady Thunderbirds rallied to pull ahead 8-6. A Corrie Hassett three-pointer put Bonner Springs back in front briefly before Shawnee Heights took the lead for good.

The Lady Braves trailed 12-9 at the end of the first quarter, but their shooting touch failed them in the second. Bonner Springs hit just two baskets from the field, including a buzzer-beater from Noel, who also drew a foul and converted the free throw to narrow the gap to 23-15 at halftime.

Shawnee Heights had eight players score in the game, and the Lady Thunderbirds’ balanced offense steadily expanded their lead in the second half. Both teams were hampered by ball-handling turnovers and foul trouble in the tightly refereed contest.

Hassett led all scorers with 13 points, hitting 3 three-point shots and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Noel and VanCleave each added 7.

The Lady Braves’ season record now stands at 3-3. Their next game will be at home on Friday against Paola, tipping off at 6 p.m.