Doniphan honors HOF as East Carter downs Dons

DONIPHAN — Death, taxes and Donette Nation.

Those were three things Jimbo Blackwell can always count on as Dons and Donette Nation came out in droves Friday for the Doniphan Athletics Hall of Fame induction before the Dons took on East Carter.

Blackwell, along with Mike Duncan, went into the hall of fame as individuals with the 1966-67 Dons baseball team and the 2000-01 Donettes girls basketball team also getting inducted.

Blackwell said it was a special night all around.

“I can’t hardly put it into words,” he said. “It’s a night I won’t ever forget. I got to have my kids here, my grandkids were here. On the other hand, it’s a little emotional because mom and dad weren’t here. It’s just a great night.

“I think one of the greatest things about tonight is I got to see the 2001 team. I hadn’t seen some of them in 20 years.”

One of those players was Bethany (Orendorff) Vandevender. Vandevender was a three-time all stater for the Donettes and dropped 38 points in the 2001 state semifinals.

“Memories and emotions,” she said is what comes to mind. “Pulling into town, all the nostalgia comes back. Some of these people I haven’t seen in 20 years but when you see them it’s like no time has passed. I don’t feel like my own daughters even understand what it’s like to be part of a team like that. You don’t just see that with most teams. It’s just phenomenal to get to feel that again.”

Doniphan Athletic Director Adam Epps said he’s gotten to know Blackwell since being a Don and how much he means to the program and community.

“It’s a big night for us and we’re excited,” he said.

Epps has talked about the Donette Way, something Blackwell helped instill.

He said it makes him proud to hear how excited young women are to be Donettes.

“Being a Donette is special,” he said. “It’s special not only to this school but it’s special in this community.”