I just got off the phone with ICC athletic director Tammie Geldenhuys, who told me there’s going to be a funeral on Saturday in Mound Bayou and the school is going to have a “Celebration of Life” for Lamar on Dec. 1 after all the students get back from Thanksgiving break.

“Our biggest concerns are for his family right now,” Geldenhuys said. “And also for our ICC students and athletes. Lamar made an impact in the lives of a lot of people, and not just the players he coached.”

James is survived by his wife, Cindy, and two small children.

RELEASE:

INDEPENDENCE — The Independence Community College family is in tears this weekend following the sudden and shocking death of ICC head football coach Lamar James. He was 31.

ICC says James was visiting family in Mound Bayou, Miss., during the weekend when he was found early Saturday struggling for breath. He was transported to a hospital where he died upon arrival. No official cause of death has been determined.

Just three weeks ago, James concluded his first season as the ICC Pirate head football coach, guiding the Pirates to a 2-7 season.

More details about James’ death and funeral arrangement will be posted on this website as they become available.

JAMES BIO:

Lamar James enters his first season as head football coach at Independence Community College.

James was previously at Southeastern Louisiana University where he coached defensive backs and served as the special teams coordinator. He was the defensive coordinator at ICC in 2006. James started his coaching career at the University of North Alabama in 2003 where the Lions won the Gulf South Conference championship going 13-1 and reaching the division II NCAA semifinals. UNA reached the semifinals two out of his three years, and his secondary was ranked first in the conference in pass deficiency all three years. They also led the nation in turnovers during the 2005 season.

James coached Evan Oglesby at UNA, a first team All-Conference and first team All-American cornerback who now plays for the Baltimore Ravens. He also coached Blake Farris, a first team All-American in three different polls, first team All-Region and first team All-Conference cornerback who set a school record for interceptions in a season with ten.

James played strong safety and corner at the University of Wyoming from 1999-2002. He achieved MVP honors, was honorable mention on the All-Mountain West Conference team and earned the Outlaw Award.

A Mound Bayou, MS native, he earned his B.S. from the University of Wyoming in 2002. James and his wife, Cindy have one daughter, Kamrynn and son, Boston.

COURTNEY MCCUNE

Just got done writing my Friends volleyball story advancing tomorrow’s (Saturday) NAIA national playoff game at No. 14 Bellevue (Neb.) — kind of a cool side note to the whole goings-on is that the mothers of current Falcons Courtney McCune and Jessica Mullen played on the last Friends team to play at nationals … in 1984! Also came away impressed with how Friends coach Martin Ayin has built his team — mainly with local talent. Here’s the key when you recruit locally — you still need to get good local players to fill your roster. Ayin did that.

For Cowley — the Tigers are playing for the national title Saturday at Wisconsin Dells, Wisc., where they’ll take on Illinois Central in the championship match. It’s a 1 vs. 2 final — Cowley is 2 — and Ill. Central beat Cowley earlier this season in five games, although the Tigers are on a 19-match winning streak and beat Parkland 20-25, 25-20, 25-22, 19-25, 15-13 in the semifinals.

TA

Ps. You’re a Killers fan? Wow, me too! LOL — enjoy

THE LAW FIRM OF HITEM, STICKEM & BEATEM AKA THE FORT SCOTT COACHING STAFF

My plate is full this evening, with Fort Scott pulling out the 13-12 Region VI win over Butler and the KCAC getting two bids to the NAIA playoffs with undefeated, No. 5 Ottawa hosting Hastings (Neb.) andNo. 12 McPherson traveling to MidAmerica Nazarene for the first playoff appearance in school history. That’s 87 years, if you’re counting. Here’s the full NAIA playoff schedule, if you’re interested.

I covered the Ottawa-Friends game yesterday and I’ll tell you what … Ottawa looked really, really good. Like they got up 42-0 in the first 16 minutes good. And as far as finally getting to see Ethan Haller play? Dude could start for most of the teams in the MIAA, no doubt. He’s that good. Their defense? Not so much. And as far as Friends — if they would have finished that comeback, as one of our page designers told me — that’s the kind of thing you could go 40 years as a sportswriter and never see. Just nuts.

So … Fort Scott. Brooks Seeley covered that game today and yes, it was cold, and yes, he whined the whole time (LOL) but he got to see a great one. And because No. 3 Blinn beat No. 1 Navarro on Sunday in the SW Region title game, that means, no matter what, the Greyhounds are gonna be No. 1 in the next poll and get to play for the national title at the Citizens Bank Bowl in Pittsburg on Dec. 6 — let’s just hope they can get the No. 2 team to come play them, whoever that may be (Likely Blinn). Couldn’t have set itself up any better for Fort Scott.

I’m out. TA.

PS. I’VE BEEN SAYING ALL YEAR … HE’S NICE!!!

GARY KARR: ONLY LIVING MEMBER OF THE SUNFLOWER SLATE HALL OF FAME

Here’s the scores from Sunday’s Region VI semifinal games, and what I know so far … as always, make sure to read Monday’s Eagle for the whole story:

No. 8 Butler 21, Coffeyville 14

At El Dorado, Butler was down 14-7 with under 3 minutes to play, Ross Dausin hits Dontel Watkins on 22-yd Td pass to tie it 14-14 and then Coffeyville fumbles ensuing kickoff, Butler’s Bret Soft recovers, leading to a Henderson 3-yd TD run to seal the win. It was Butler’s 18th straight win over the Red Ravens, and as my college teammate Steve Brittingham pointed out to me a couple of months ago, we played on the last CCC team to beat the Grizzlies. Unfortunately that was 1997. Not unfortunate because of who won or lost, just because it means we’re getting old.

No. 2 Fort Scott 42, Hutchinson 17

Was hoping the Blue Dragons could put up a fight after getting smoked 31-0 in the regular season — but they didn’t. If the Greyhounds win next Sunday, they’re playing for a national title. As far as Hutch, I think that they’ll learn from this year — I don’t think that there was anything they could do about the hype that surrounded them coming into the season. That was a lot of pressure and a lot of expectations for a team that hadn’t really done anything yet.

UPDATE: Just checked the Hutch News Web site and it looks like the Blue Dragons are headed to the Salt City Bowl on Dec. 5 in Hutchinson.

Hey, 6-5 means they’re bowl eligible. Getting jobbed out of a bowl last year must have really stung, because they went and created their own bowl to play in. Amazing.

MIAA

Just got this info from Gary Karr — MIAA gets only one playoff bid in football for NW Missouri State, which means Central Missouri, Missouri Western and Washburn are out. Ouch. Gotta check the books, but I can’t remember the last time just one playoff team came out of the MIAA. Double ouch.

And Friends-Ottawa next Saturday … yessir I will be there. Will you?

MIAA

Washburn 56, Emporia State 35 – Ichabods won when they were supposed to, now they’ve got to wait and see how the Super 4 rankings shake out. I think they deserve to be in the playoffs, but might be a win short. As far as ESU … time to wipe the slate clean and start from scratch, right? Simoneau hits for 354 and 3 Tds. Nice bounce back game for him, and while I may have cooled on my off. MVP talk … I definitely think the defensive MVP is Watkins and Simoneau is your first-team qb.

Truman 28, Pitt State 21 — Truman had not won a game in the MIAA this year before beating the Gorillas. Things are as bad as they’ve been at PSU since Broyles arrived. Ultimately, someone has to provide answers to the people that make the team go, aka the fans. Not unfathomable for PSU to get it turned around for next year but it’ll take some work. Gorillas’ 5-6 record is Broyles first losing season.

Fort Hays State 48, Missouri Southern 34 — Caps best season for Tigers since joining MIAA. Verdugo, on the hot seat before the year, gets some much-appreciated job security.

KCAC

No. 14 Friends 22, Kansas Wesleyan 10 — Falcons struggle a little … but still win and that’s all that matters at this point. KCAC title game is Saturday in Wichita vs. Ottawa.

No. 7 Ottawa 41, Bethany 14 – This wraps up a piece of KCAC title for Braves and could have clinched them a playoff berth. Knowing what I know, that matters zilch to this group. They want Friends.

No. 16 McPherson 34, Bethel 16

Sterling 26, Saint Mary 14

Southwestern 23, Tabor 20

KRIS BAUMANN

Don’t know if you caught my Jayhawk Conference previews, but in case you didn’t … here’s my men’s story on Garden City Community College coach Kris Baumann, and here’s my women’s story on Hutch shooting guard Heather Robben.

Impressions? Both came off well. Of course, if you’re ending up as our season preview story it usually means you’ve had some type of success. And with both subjects, they’re coming off Region VI titles … you get the point. And as for Baumann’s knickname, Bucket? He’s still not saying how he got it. Just the generic “my teammates and coaches gave it to me” line. Aside from that, I was happy with the story.

Friends redshirt freshman center Zak Vanlooy — a 7-footer from Michigan — is the subject of Tuesday’s KCAC men’s preview and UMKC transfer Jessica Halsig, who should be the man for Friends this year — is the women’s subject. Newman on Thursday.

Out.

PS — IF YOU’RE NOT WATCHING, YOU PROBABLY SHOULD.

SCORES AS I GET ‘EM, PREVIEWS AND MGMT WHILE YOU WAIT -TA

No. 3 Fort Scott 14, No. 4 Butler 10 FINAL Butler fumble on FS 17 then Greyhounds go 15 plays ending with a Jasmin Hopkins 5-yard touchdown run. Butler turned it over twice in first half; Logan Ortiz kicks 36 yd field goal to make it 7-3; Butler fumbles going into end zone, Fort Scott recovers but Ryan Downing intercepts a pass two plays later and then …Marcus Kennard 14 pass from Ross Dausin 10-7 Butler 8:24 left to play in the game. Fort Scott scores a touchdown on a 93-yard drive with 1:37 left Jasmin Hopkins TD run 14-10 Fort Scott lead. FORT SCOTT’S WIN MEANS BUTLER’S EIGHT-YEAR REIGN ATOP JAYHAWK IS OVER AND GRIZZLIES WON’T WIN THIRD STRAIGHT NAT’L TITLE

MIAA

No. 3 Northwest Missouri 66, Fort Hays State 40

Washburn 37, Truman State 7

Missouri Western 29, Emporia State 6

Nebraska Omaha 31, Pittsburg State 28, OT

KCAC

No. 14 Friends 45, Saint Mary 21

Sterling 35, Bethany 2

Southwestern 21, Bethel 20 D’OH THRESHERS … THE JINX LIVES!!!

No. 16 McPherson 43, Tabor 10

No. 7 Ottawa 42, KWU 10/ Haller 391 yds 5 Tds

JAYHAWK

Hutchinson 55, Garden City 14/Hutch gets final playoff spot … and a trip to Fort Scott next Sunday!

No. 17 Coffeyville 24, Independence 0

Dodge City 29, Highland 22 … ugh

MIAA

No. 3 Northwest Missouri (8-1 overall, 7-0 MIAA) at Fort Hays State (5-4, 3-4), 2 p.m. — The Tigers actually lead the all-time series 12-11-1, but that matters little to the Bearcats, who handed Fort Hays its worst loss of 2008, a 56-7 shellacking in Maryville, Mo. One thing going for the Tigers is that they’ve been tough at home this season, going 3-1 at Lewis Field.

Truman State (1-8, 0-7) at Washburn (6-3, 4-3), 1 p.m. — The Ichabods shouldn’t have any problem with Truman in a game notable only because senior linebacker Zach Watkins will likely become the career tackles leader for Washburn. Watkins currently has 452 career tackles, behind only Grant Gould (2002-05) with 459.

Missouri Western (7-2, 5-2) at Emporia State (2-7, 1-6), 1 p.m. – ESU finishes the year 2-9 after they lose this game and then lose to Washburn in the regular season finale. And that’s in a year when they brought back 9 starters on defense and 6 on offense, along with bringing in the Jayhawk Conference offensive POY. The damage? It’s the Hornets worst season since 1983.

Pittsburg State (5-4, 3-4) at Nebraska-Omaha (5-4, 4-3), 1 p.m. — Chance to save some face for the Gorillas, who can win here and then close out with a win over Truman … and then start to think about what they need to do for next year.

KCAC

Saint Mary (2-5, 2-4) at No. 14 Friends (6-1, 5-1), 1:30 p.m. — Don’t look now, but the Falcons are starting to roll, having defeated their last three opponents by a combined score of 104-13. If Friends can survive here – which it should – season-defining games at Kansas Wesleyan (Nov. 7) and back home for senior day against No. 7 Ottawa (Nov. 14) await, as does a shot at a fourth straight KCAC title.

Sterling (4-3, 3-3) at Bethany (4-3, 3-3), 1:30 p.m. – This game might be a couple of also-rans in the middle of the pack, but don’t think it’s not important. It’ll be a dogfight.

Bethel (2-5, 2-4) at Southwestern (1-6, 1-5), 1:30 p.m. –

No. 16 McPherson (6-1, 5-1) at Tabor (0-7, 0-6) , 1:30 p.m. — There might not be a 1,000 yard rusher in the KCAC this year, which blows my mind. But if there is, it’ll be McPherson’s Aaron Lafitte, who already has 677 yards.

Kansas Wesleyan (4-3, 3-3) at No. 7 Ottawa (7-0, 6-0), 2 p.m. – Don’t think that the Braves aren’t licking their chops at getting the Coyotes at home — this Ottawa team smells blood in the water, it goes in for the kill. No looking ahead for OU.

JAYHAWK

Garden City (4-4, 3-3) at Hutchinson (5-3, 3-3), 7 p.m. — It’s hard to imagine that Hutchinson was ranked as high as No. 3 this season, but now finds itself in a win-or-you’re-done situation in the final game of the regular season. However, if the Blue Dragons win, they’re still in the running for a bowl game, likely the Salt City Bowl on Dec. 5 in Hutchinson.

No. 4 Butler (7-1, 6-0) at No. 3 Fort Scott (8-0, 6-0), 1 p.m. – Winner gets top seed in Region VI playoffs, regular-season Jayhawk title and an inside track to playing in the national championship game. Other than that …

Independence (2-6, 2-4) at No. 17 Coffeyville (5-3, 4-2), 7 p.m. – In Montgomery County, this game is a big deal. In 1997, unranked Indy came in and upset No. 1 Coffeyville about halfway through the season. How do I know these obscure facts? Unfortunately, I played in that game. And not for Indy.

Dodge City (0-8, 0-6) at Highland (0-8, 0-6), 1 p.m. – The absolute Toilet Bowl of JuCo games.

Stayed up a little late socializing at the unofficial NW High School hoops reunion last night — we had 1992 to 1999 pretty well represented — just a bunch of ex-athletes getting together, trying to recapture a little of the glory of … well, you get it.

Enough with that, time for Roll Call, in the wink of a young girl’s eye:

MIAA

STEVE IVANISEVIC

FOOTBALL: Nobody deserved player of the week honors more than Washburn kicker Steve Ivanisevic, who almost kicked the Ichabods to the MIAA upset of the decade in a 22-19 OT loss at Northwest Missouri. Ivanisevic tied the school record for the second time this season with four FGs in the loss, including a 41-yarder as time expired to send it to OT. On defense, ESU linebacker Nathan Linsey was the player of the week after 14 tackles in a win over Truman. Quick interlude: What happens now at ESU? Is there a shake up at the top? The administration has shown, in the past, that there is an onus on winning. So when they’re this bad…

ARICA SHEPARD

VOLLEYBALL: Can anybody stop Arica Shepard? The senior All-American from Emporia State is having absolutely the kind of senior season the Hornets needed from her and is the hitter of the week in the MIAA once again. Question: if ESU can hold on and win its second straight MIAA title, isn’t she the Player of the Year? Or is it ESU setter Ting Liu again? Washburn’s Kate Hampson was the specialist of the week.

NEWMAN

CHRISTINA FARID

On the road, top 10 opponent, late in season? No problem for Newman women’s goalie Christina Farid, who led the Jets to a 1-0 win over No. 7 St. Edward’s last Friday in Austin, Texas. Farid, a Maize product, had seven saves in the upset and stopped a PK in overtime to earn Heartland Conference defensive player of the week honors. Newman men’s player Stephen Williams was the Heartland player of the week on D, also.

KCAC

SCOTT JONES

FOOTBALL: So you already know what Ethan Haller did to Saint Mary last week — hitting for 379 yards and 3 TDs while becoming Ottawa’s all-time passing leader. With the Braves at No. 7 and undefeated … is it too soon to start thinking about All-American honors for EH? And I don’t mean HM or 2nd team, which is nothing to sneeze at, but could the Big Kahuna come out of the KCAC? Dude’s gonna pass for over 4,000 this year and … if they run the KCAC table and win a playoff game (or two) how can you deny the man? McPherson’s Scott Jones was the defensive POW with 7 tackles — 4 for loss — and two sacks in a win over Southwestern. Jones is a nice player — 6-foot-4, 255 pound defensive ends will work on any level. Friends punter/kicker Drew Johnson, a Valley Center product, was the man on special teams.

VOLLEYBALL: So I guess Ashley Kraft is playing volleyball for Sterling. I’d like to officially file this under things I should have known but did not. It’s getting to be a thick file. Anyhow — AK was the KCAC offensive player of the week as the Warriors pulled a sweep of the weekly kudos with Kraft, Adriana Gonzales (setter) and Kelsey Deerinwater (special teams).

LAUREN PEIL

SOCCER: On the men’s side, Kansas Wesleyan’s Arturo Guizar was the offensive player of the week and KWU goalie Diego Millan was the defensive winner. For the women, McPherson’s Haley Cook scored three goals in two matches to win offense and Campus product Lauren Peil pitched two shutouts in goal for Ottawa to win on defense. Peil, just a sophomore, is having another great year, and I’m assuming a 5-foot-11 goalie in women’s soccer is a nice advantage to have.

JAYHAWK

There’s a game this weekend, right? Something about nationall ranked teams … something or another I just can’t put my finger on it … help me out, will ya?

JOHN ROBLES

FOOTBALL: I’m funny, right? Two guys that will play a big part in Saturday’s game will be Ross Dausin, the Butler QB, and Fort Scott RB Justin Woods. They share offensive player of the week honors, so there’s that. On defense, it was Coffeyville DE John Robles, who looks like a pretty happy guy, and Ginormous Fort Scott DT Anthony White.

VOLLEYBALL: In four matches, Hutch’s Kate Morrell averaged almost five blocks per game — going 3, 4, 6, 6. That’s called consistency, brothers and sisters. And for that, she took home co-player of the week honors with Seward’s Sheina Fernandes.

That’s all I got. Time to go work on my Harrison Dreiling feature for Saturday … here’s a pic of the man in action to hold you over until then. TA

HARRISON DREILING

Guess who went to Jayhawk media day Monday morning? That’s right, Steve Eck!

Just kidding, although Coach Eck was really there, and had some Sunflower Slate-related questions, as always, and our lowly little blog even got a shout out from Ron Burgundy, er, Craig Fletchall … who thinks he’s kind of a big deal now that he’s also the Barton AD.

Enough with the pleasantries. I know you want scoop.

Here’s what I got:

JAWANZA POLAND

1. Jawanza Poland and Robert Goff ain’t playing this year

There you go. Five dudes (that I know of) transferred from Cowley to Hutch when Eck left — Cortez Barnes, Adonis Gantt, Garrius Holloman, Jawanza Poland and Robert Goff — only three get to play for the Blue Dragons this year. Cowley gave releases to the first three but not the last two. Here’s how I see it: The KJCCC rules on transfers are so jacked up that in this case, the people who suffer the most are the kids. Which leaves everybody with a bad taste in their mouth. I mean, come on … they judge these things on a case-by-case basis? Seriously? How is there not just a blanket rule? You transfer from one school to another within the Jayhawk and sorry bro, but you gotta sit a year unless their are some extremely extenuating circumstances. Don’t get me wrong, the first three players are nice, but the last two … they play and I say the Blue Dragons cruise to Region VI and maybe further. It’s like that. That being said, I don’t blame Cowley for not letting them play. Their decision was made within the rules, however …

2. There’s a lot of dissension about the rules

Mainly when it comes to the Jayhawk Shootout, video exchange and what I was just talking about. The media types had a layover in the conference room while we waited for the men’s coaches meeting to break up, so for some reason they went ahead and started the women’s coaches meeting in their while we were still in there. What can I say … it got pretty snippy. I don’t want to get into all the details out of respect to the parties involved, but there seems to be some conflicting ideas on how to exchange video/access to video/whatever. One coach even got up and explained the “unwritten rules” of tape exchange. Hey, I know there’s certain stuff you just don’t do, even though it’s not in the rulebook … but in this case I’d have to say all’s fair in Love and War … and video exchange. It got a little heated, which I liked. Wanna know who doesn’t like each other at these things? It’s easy, just look around the room and follow the laser beams shooting from one set of eyes to another.

DR. EVIL

3. The guy from Great Bend

Not really sure how to do this, so here it goes. In order, here’s what Barton men’s coach Craig Fletchall managed to talk about during his turn at the podium: Title 9/having H1N1/losing nine pounds/chest hair/Hobrecht (not always the easiest guy to talk to)/Obama/Something I just Googled and can’t put on a public forum/minor beefs with Coach Eck/e-mails from ex-girlfriends/Tom Saia/videos he lent to another coach/my fantasy football team/setting up betting pools on the Dodge City-Highland football game this weekend.

HEATHER ROBBEN

4. John Ontjes/Heather Robben

John Ontjes is locked in. The Hutchinson women’s coach earned some big-time Sunflower Slate love with his performance at media day — crisp and concise on the podium, sharp in the interview segment and there’s this — sophomore Brittney Chamberlin is out for the year with a torn ACL. She’s … a scrapper. If you’ve never seen her play you’re missing out ‘cuz she’s tough as nails and was a big reason why Andover Central went undefeated and won a state title two years ago and the Blue Dragons won Region VI last year. The way JO talked about her … you could tell dude really cares about his players. I don’t want to say he was beside himself upset, but if you’re wondering where the team gets its heart from, just look at the sideline. As long as he’s there, they’ll contend. Biggest shocker of the day? Learning Maize product and All-American Heather Robben got offered by TCU and decided to stay at Hutch this year.

Her and Ariella McGee both back? Game over in the west, maybe in the region.

KRIS BAUMANN

5. There’s always Bucket

Kris Baumann won a men’s Region VI title last year at Garden City, the first for the Broncbusters in 53 years. Straight up, he told me he thought he could do it but I didn’t believe him. Don’t know what to else to tell you … his story is incredible and I get to tell it, finally, this Sunday. I think it’s going to hit home not just with hoops fans, but everybody … because you know me, I’m always up for a good yarn.

So that’s Five to stay alive. I got plenty more but I don’t want to give away all my secrets. I’ll do a follow up with my top 10 JuCo players — men and women — sometime Sunday.

-I’m out

TA