By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

It wasn’t always pretty, but when it mattered most, the Salina Liberty buckled down and defeated the Southwest Kansas Storm to punch their ticket to the AFL Semifinals.

With a 41-35 victory, the Liberty secure a date with the Albany Firebirds in New York next week while the Storm see their season draw to a close at 4-6.

This game began and ended in chaos, with the whole contest played within two possessions.

Southwest Kansas would strike first, recording a safety on the Liberty’s first drive of the game and immediately following up with a touchdown run from Matt Struck to take a 9-0 lead.

The Liberty responded with a touchdown to get on the board but still trailed 12-7 going into the second quarter.

From there, Salina turned up the heat, as Demarius Washington caught his second touchdown pass of the day from Charles McCullum to deliver the Liberty their first lead of the game.

That score kicked off a huge run for the Liberty, who scored 24 unanswered points to take a 31-18 lead into the locker room.

The third quarter belonged to the Storm as Southwest Kansas countered with 15 unanswered points of thier own to bring the game back within one possession.

Salina added an Aeden Johnson field goal to open the scoring in the fourth, but another Matt Struck touchdown run tied the game at 34 with just 4:16 to play.

After a missed Liberty field goal, the Storm were gifted an opportunity to take their first lead of the second half, but the Liberty defense stood tall, forcing a fumble near the goal line that Henry Kellogg scooped up to deliver Salina a 41-34 advantage in the closing seconds.

Two incompletions, a sack, and a desperation heave were all the Storm could muster on their final drive of the game, as the Liberty held on for dear life to a playoff victory.

The defense that Salina had hung it’s hat on all season long was immaculate once again, forcing four turnovers and three sacks in the win.

Charles McCullum had a great day under center as well, completing 47% of his passes for 164 yards, three touchdowns and only one pick.

The Liberty will square off with the league’s top seed in the Albany Firebirds (7-2) next Saturday at 1:30 CST.

On the other side of the bracket, the Nashville Kats will travel to Billings to take on the 2-seeded Outlaws after defeating decimating Orlando 62-32 in the quarterfinals.

Both games will be televised nationally on the CBS Sports Network.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostIt wasn’t always pretty, but when it mattered most, the Salina Liberty buckled down and defeated the Southwest Kansas Storm to punch their ticket to the AFL Semifinals.With a 41-35 victory, the Liberty secure a date with the Albany Firebirds in New York next week while the Storm see their season draw to a close at 4-6.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715632935741.png" alt="Coverage of Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing." />
 <figcaption>Coverage of Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing.</figcaption>
 </figure>This game began and ended in chaos, with the whole contest played within two possessions.Southwest Kansas would strike first, recording a safety on the Liberty’s first drive of the game and immediately following up with a touchdown run from Matt Struck to take a 9-0 lead.The Liberty responded with a touchdown to get on the board but still trailed 12-7 going into the second quarter.From there, Salina turned up the heat, as Demarius Washington caught his second touchdown pass of the day from Charles McCullum to deliver the Liberty their first lead of the game.That score kicked off a huge run for the Liberty, who scored 24 unanswered points to take a 31-18 lead into the locker room.The third quarter belonged to the Storm as Southwest Kansas countered with 15 unanswered points of thier own to bring the game back within one possession.Salina added an Aeden Johnson field goal to open the scoring in the fourth, but another Matt Struck touchdown run tied the game at 34 with just 4:16 to play.After a missed Liberty field goal, the Storm were gifted an opportunity to take their first lead of the second half, but the Liberty defense stood tall, forcing a fumble near the goal line that Henry Kellogg scooped up to deliver Salina a 41-34 advantage in the closing seconds.Two incompletions, a sack, and a desperation heave were all the Storm could muster on their final drive of the game, as the Liberty held on for dear life to a playoff victory.The defense that Salina had hung it’s hat on all season long was immaculate once again, forcing four turnovers and three sacks in the win.Charles McCullum had a great day under center as well, completing 47% of his passes for 164 yards, three touchdowns and only one pick.The Liberty will square off with the league’s top seed in the Albany Firebirds (7-2) next Saturday at 1:30 CST.On the other side of the bracket, the Nashville Kats will travel to Billings to take on the 2-seeded Outlaws after defeating decimating Orlando 62-32 in the quarterfinals.Both games will be televised nationally on the CBS Sports Network.

Liberty weather Storm, punch ticket to AFL semifinals with 41-35 victory

DENVER (AP) — Brenton Doyle homered for the fourth time in five games, Austin Gomber won for the first time in seven weeks and the Colorado Rockies beat the Kansas City Royals 3-1 on Saturday night.

Gomber (2-5) allowed a run on six hits in seven innings and struck out three in his first victory since May 15. He outdueled Royals ace Seth Lugo, with Ryan McMahon having three hits to help Colorado win its third straight.

“That was the best result that I’ve had in a while, but I’ve felt really good the last couple of weeks. I’ve just been kind of honing it in," Gomber said. “I thought I had a really good fastball, a good curveball, some good sliders at times. But really I thought it was kind of the fastball, curveball that kind of carried it for me today.”

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said the way Gomber mixed his fastball and breaking pitches kept his hitters off balance.

“I think when we looked hard, he threw soft and vice versa,” Quatraro said. “We didn’t square up a whole lot of balls, so you’ve got to give him credit.”

Lugo (11-3) went six innings, allowing five hits and three runs — two earned. He struck out five and walked two.

In the second inning, Doyle hit his 11th homer of the season after Brendan Rodgers reached on third baseman Maikel Garcia’s throwing error.

Doyle has had an exceptionally strong homestand, going 11 for 17 with four doubles, four home runs and nine RBIs in five games.

Doyle drove Lugo’s 1-1 offering over the fence in right-center and into the Rockies bullpen 408 feet away.

“Guys like him are not easy to face and he’s been doing really well all year,” Doyle said about Lugo. “He’s been throwing really well all year and to get a hit like that off him is pretty huge for me, and to fire the team up a little bit. We played a good rest of the game.”

The drive snapped Lugo’s scoreless innings streak at 13 and led to his first loss on the road this season. He had dominated in his nine previous road starts, going 7-0 with a 1.93 ERA.

“I felt like I really had to battle out there,” Lugo said. “A few little things mechanically were off, but I felt like I made some good pitches. I made a few mistakes, but the defense played great behind me and we kept the team in the game and had a chance the whole way. So that's a positive I can take away from that."

Vinnie Pasquantino homered for Kansas City, and Hunter Renfroe had three hits. The Royals are 2-9 in their last 11 road games.

Pasquantino connected off Gomber with two outs in the sixth inning. Salvador Perez followed Pasquantino’s homer with a drive down the line in right that Jake Cave caught on the run, crashing into the wall. Kansas City right fielder Kyle Isbel reciprocated in the bottom of the sixth when he robbed Doyle of extra bases, snaring a sinking line drive to center at the end of a long run.

With Kansas City runners at the corners with two outs in the ninth, Victor Vodnik retired pinch-hitter Michael Massey on an infield grounder for his first save.

McMahon’s RBI single fifth made it 3-0.

Royals: LHP Kris Bubic has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list, completing a 447-day rehab and recovery from Tommy John surgery. He made just three starts in 2023 before undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery in April 2023. He’ll work out of the bullpen, at least initially. LHP Walter Pennington, who retired both batters that he faced Friday night in his major league debut, has been optioned to Omaha to make roster room for Bubic.

Rockies: Trying to give Ryan Feltner bit of a break from a heavy workload, manager Bud Black opted to push back Feltner’s scheduled start Sunday by a day. Feltner is now slated to start Monday night in Cincinnati. The Rockies called up RHP Tanner Gordon from their Triple A affiliate in Albuquerque and he’s slated to make his major league debut as the starter for the Rockies in Sunday’s series finale.

DENVER (AP) — Brenton Doyle homered for the fourth time in five games, Austin Gomber won for the first time in seven weeks and the Colorado Rockies beat the Kansas City Royals 3-1 on Saturday night.Gomber (2-5) allowed a run on six hits in seven innings and struck out three in his first victory since May 15. He outdueled Royals ace Seth Lugo, with Ryan McMahon having three hits to help Colorado win its third straight.“That was the best result that I’ve had in a while, but I’ve felt really good the last couple of weeks. I’ve just been kind of honing it in," Gomber said. “I thought I had a really good fastball, a good curveball, some good sliders at times. But really I thought it was kind of the fastball, curveball that kind of carried it for me today.”Royals manager Matt Quatraro said the way Gomber mixed his fastball and breaking pitches kept his hitters off balance.“I think when we looked hard, he threw soft and vice versa,” Quatraro said. “We didn’t square up a whole lot of balls, so you’ve got to give him credit.”Lugo (11-3) went six innings, allowing five hits and three runs — two earned. He struck out five and walked two.In the second inning, Doyle hit his 11th homer of the season after Brendan Rodgers reached on third baseman Maikel Garcia’s throwing error.Doyle has had an exceptionally strong homestand, going 11 for 17 with four doubles, four home runs and nine RBIs in five games.Doyle drove Lugo’s 1-1 offering over the fence in right-center and into the Rockies bullpen 408 feet away.“Guys like him are not easy to face and he’s been doing really well all year,” Doyle said about Lugo. “He’s been throwing really well all year and to get a hit like that off him is pretty huge for me, and to fire the team up a little bit. We played a good rest of the game.”The drive snapped Lugo’s scoreless innings streak at 13 and led to his first loss on the road this season. He had dominated in his nine previous road starts, going 7-0 with a 1.93 ERA.“I felt like I really had to battle out there,” Lugo said. “A few little things mechanically were off, but I felt like I made some good pitches. I made a few mistakes, but the defense played great behind me and we kept the team in the game and had a chance the whole way. So that's a positive I can take away from that."Vinnie Pasquantino homered for Kansas City, and Hunter Renfroe had three hits. The Royals are 2-9 in their last 11 road games.Pasquantino connected off Gomber with two outs in the sixth inning. Salvador Perez followed Pasquantino’s homer with a drive down the line in right that Jake Cave caught on the run, crashing into the wall. Kansas City right fielder Kyle Isbel reciprocated in the bottom of the sixth when he robbed Doyle of extra bases, snaring a sinking line drive to center at the end of a long run.With Kansas City runners at the corners with two outs in the ninth, Victor Vodnik retired pinch-hitter Michael Massey on an infield grounder for his first save.McMahon’s RBI single fifth made it 3-0.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: LHP Kris Bubic has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list, completing a 447-day rehab and recovery from Tommy John surgery. He made just three starts in 2023 before undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery in April 2023. He’ll work out of the bullpen, at least initially. LHP Walter Pennington, who retired both batters that he faced Friday night in his major league debut, has been optioned to Omaha to make roster room for Bubic.Rockies: Trying to give Ryan Feltner bit of a break from a heavy workload, manager Bud Black opted to push back Feltner’s scheduled start Sunday by a day. Feltner is now slated to start Monday night in Cincinnati. The Rockies called up RHP Tanner Gordon from their Triple A affiliate in Albuquerque and he’s slated to make his major league debut as the starter for the Rockies in Sunday’s series finale.UP NEXT

⚾ Gomber outduels Lugo in the Rockies victory over the Royals

DENVER (AP) — Brenton Doyle broke an eighth-inning tie with a two-run double in the Colorado Rockies' 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

Doyle finished with three hits, the tiebreaking double coming off reliever John Schreiber (3-3). Michael Toglia had a solo home run for Colorado that weathered a replay review.

Salvador Perez had an RBI single and Freddy Fermin added three hits, including a single off Jalen Beeks leading off the ninth inning. Nick Loftin followed with a single before Beeks retired the next three batters for his eighth save. Victor Vodnik (2-1) worked a scoreless inning in relief for the victory.

The Royals went up 1-0 in the first inning when Bobby Witt Jr. doubled and scored an out later on a single by Perez.

Toglia connected on a 2-2 offering from Cole Ragans in the third inning, sending it the opposite way and just barely over the left field fence. Left fielder Dairon Blanco made a leaping attempt at the wall, his glove appearing to make glancing contact with the cupped hands of a fan who also tried to catch the ball. The ball dropped into the first row of the bleachers. The replay review upheld the home run call, ruling there was no conclusive evidence the spectator had interfered with Blanco in the field of play.

The Royals moved in front on an unearned run in the fourth inning, and the Rockies tied it at 2 in the sixth on Elias Díaz's RBI single.

Both starters turned in solid performances, with Ragans going seven innings and allowing two runs on five hits. He struck out eight but had four wild pitches, the most in a game by a pitcher this season. Colorado’s Kyle Freeland also went seven innings and allowed two runs — one earned — on seven hits.

Rockies RHP Germán Márquez is getting closer to returning from reconstructive elbow surgery. Márquez threw 69 pitches for Double-A Hartford on Thursday in his second rehab start, striking out two and walking one. He reached 99 mph with his fastball. “He came out of that fine,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “He’s healthy. He feels good.” Márquez, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023, is expected to have one more rehab start Tuesday with Hartford and could rejoin the Rockies during their seven-game road trip next week that leads up to the All-Star break July 15-18.

DENVER (AP) — Brenton Doyle broke an eighth-inning tie with a two-run double in the Colorado Rockies' 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.Doyle finished with three hits, the tiebreaking double coming off reliever John Schreiber (3-3). Michael Toglia had a solo home run for Colorado that weathered a replay review.Salvador Perez had an RBI single and Freddy Fermin added three hits, including a single off Jalen Beeks leading off the ninth inning. Nick Loftin followed with a single before Beeks retired the next three batters for his eighth save. Victor Vodnik (2-1) worked a scoreless inning in relief for the victory.The Royals went up 1-0 in the first inning when Bobby Witt Jr. doubled and scored an out later on a single by Perez.Toglia connected on a 2-2 offering from Cole Ragans in the third inning, sending it the opposite way and just barely over the left field fence. Left fielder Dairon Blanco made a leaping attempt at the wall, his glove appearing to make glancing contact with the cupped hands of a fan who also tried to catch the ball. The ball dropped into the first row of the bleachers. The replay review upheld the home run call, ruling there was no conclusive evidence the spectator had interfered with Blanco in the field of play.The Royals moved in front on an unearned run in the fourth inning, and the Rockies tied it at 2 in the sixth on Elias Díaz's RBI single.Both starters turned in solid performances, with Ragans going seven innings and allowing two runs on five hits. He struck out eight but had four wild pitches, the most in a game by a pitcher this season. Colorado’s Kyle Freeland also went seven innings and allowed two runs — one earned — on seven hits.TRAINER’S ROOMRockies RHP Germán Márquez is getting closer to returning from reconstructive elbow surgery. Márquez threw 69 pitches for Double-A Hartford on Thursday in his second rehab start, striking out two and walking one. He reached 99 mph with his fastball. “He came out of that fine,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “He’s healthy. He feels good.” Márquez, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023, is expected to have one more rehab start Tuesday with Hartford and could rejoin the Rockies during their seven-game road trip next week that leads up to the All-Star break July 15-18.UP NEXT

⚾ Brenton Doyle's 2-run double lifts Rockies over the  Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jonny DeLuca and Brandon Lowe homered, eight Rays players drove in runs, and Tampa Bay pounced on some erratic Kansas City pitching to squeak out a 10-8 victory over the Royals on Thursday night.

Zach Eflin (5-5), riding a 10-inning scoreless streak coming into the game, allowed six runs — five earned — and seven hits with a walk over five innings. That was still good enough to pick up his first win in his last five road starts.

“The offense was tremendous tonight,” Eflin said. “They carried us.”

Alec Marsh (6-6) allowed five runs and six hits with three walks in just three innings. The Kansas City bullpen fared no better as five relievers combined to allow five more runs, 10 hits and five walks.

“It was a game of adjustments and I wasn't able to make them,” Marsh said. “Feels like you're battling yourself out there.”

Michael Massey and Bobby Witt Jr. homered for the Royals, who trailed 9-4 before scoring three times in the sixth inning. The rally ended when Witt — representing the potential tying run — was thrown out trying to steal second.

Pete Fairbanks surrendered Witt's solo homer in the ninth before picking up his 14th save.

“They kept going, getting big hits after big hits,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said, “but it felt like when we really needed a play, we made it.”

Marsh struggled with his command from the start, walking Richie Palacios on four pitches and Isaac Paredes on a full-count to start the game — both eventually scored. DeLuca homered in the second and Palacios added an RBI single for a 4-0 lead.

The Royals got a run back on Massey's homer in the second. And after Tampa Bay restored a four-run lead on DeLuca's single in the third, Witt hit a sacrifice fly and Pasquantino an RBI single to get Kansas City to 5-3.

Carlos Hernandez didn't have much better command than Marsh for Kansas City. He walked the bases loaded to begin the fifth, and Taylor Walls and Ben Rortvedt made sure all three runners scored, extending the Tampa Bay lead.

The Rays hung on the rest of the way for their fifth straight series win.

“We got a lot of big hits. We had a lot of big at-bats, tough matchups,” said Cash, whose club has won 11 of its last 16 games to leave Kansas City above .500 at 43-42. “There were a lot of guys who contributed offensively.”

Massey played the field for the first time since May 24, when a lower back issue forced him onto the injured list. He had been limited to DH duties since returning to the club on June 24. ... Royals INF/OF Adam Frazier (right thumb strain) began what is expected to be a short rehab stint at Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Friday night.

The Rays have not announced a starter for Friday night's series-opener at Texas, though RHP Shane Baz is expected to get the ball in place of Aaron Civale, who was traded to the Brewers earlier this week. Baz missed last season after Tommy John surgery, but he's been dominant at Triple-A Durham, compiling a 1.57 ERA over his last five outings.

The Royals begin a nine-game trip leading into the All-Star break with the first of three in Colorado on Friday night. RHP Cole Ragans (5-6, 3.33) will try to bounce back from a shaky outing last Saturday against Cleveland.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720172251915.jpeg" alt="Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe runs home past Kansas City Royals catcher Freddy Fermin (34) to score on a sacrifice fly hit by Taylor Walls during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe runs home past Kansas City Royals catcher Freddy Fermin (34) to score on a sacrifice fly hit by Taylor Walls during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jonny DeLuca and Brandon Lowe homered, eight Rays players drove in runs, and Tampa Bay pounced on some erratic Kansas City pitching to squeak out a 10-8 victory over the Royals on Thursday night.Zach Eflin (5-5), riding a 10-inning scoreless streak coming into the game, allowed six runs — five earned — and seven hits with a walk over five innings. That was still good enough to pick up his first win in his last five road starts.“The offense was tremendous tonight,” Eflin said. “They carried us.”Alec Marsh (6-6) allowed five runs and six hits with three walks in just three innings. The Kansas City bullpen fared no better as five relievers combined to allow five more runs, 10 hits and five walks.“It was a game of adjustments and I wasn't able to make them,” Marsh said. “Feels like you're battling yourself out there.”Michael Massey and Bobby Witt Jr. homered for the Royals, who trailed 9-4 before scoring three times in the sixth inning. The rally ended when Witt — representing the potential tying run — was thrown out trying to steal second.Pete Fairbanks surrendered Witt's solo homer in the ninth before picking up his 14th save.“They kept going, getting big hits after big hits,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said, “but it felt like when we really needed a play, we made it.”Marsh struggled with his command from the start, walking Richie Palacios on four pitches and Isaac Paredes on a full-count to start the game — both eventually scored. DeLuca homered in the second and Palacios added an RBI single for a 4-0 lead.The Royals got a run back on Massey's homer in the second. And after Tampa Bay restored a four-run lead on DeLuca's single in the third, Witt hit a sacrifice fly and Pasquantino an RBI single to get Kansas City to 5-3.Carlos Hernandez didn't have much better command than Marsh for Kansas City. He walked the bases loaded to begin the fifth, and Taylor Walls and Ben Rortvedt made sure all three runners scored, extending the Tampa Bay lead.The Rays hung on the rest of the way for their fifth straight series win.“We got a lot of big hits. We had a lot of big at-bats, tough matchups,” said Cash, whose club has won 11 of its last 16 games to leave Kansas City above .500 at 43-42. “There were a lot of guys who contributed offensively.”TRAINER'S ROOMMassey played the field for the first time since May 24, when a lower back issue forced him onto the injured list. He had been limited to DH duties since returning to the club on June 24. ... Royals INF/OF Adam Frazier (right thumb strain) began what is expected to be a short rehab stint at Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Friday night.UP NEXTThe Rays have not announced a starter for Friday night's series-opener at Texas, though RHP Shane Baz is expected to get the ball in place of Aaron Civale, who was traded to the Brewers earlier this week. Baz missed last season after Tommy John surgery, but he's been dominant at Triple-A Durham, compiling a 1.57 ERA over his last five outings.The Royals begin a nine-game trip leading into the All-Star break with the first of three in Colorado on Friday night. RHP Cole Ragans (5-6, 3.33) will try to bounce back from a shaky outing last Saturday against Cleveland.

⚾ Rays get Independence Day victory over the Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Michael Wacha allowed one run on two hits over six innings, Salvador Perez drove in a pair of runs and the Kansas City Royals got a spectacular defensive play from Kyle Isbel in the ninth to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Wednesday night.

After reliever Chris Stratton gave up a run in the eighth, Royals closer James McArthur entered the game and got Jose Siri to fly out to right field and Richie Palacios to pop foul, leaving runners stranded on second and third.

McArthur came back for the ninth and gave up a leadoff single to Ben Rortvedt before striking out Yandy Diaz. Taylor Walls followed with a shot to deep center, where Isbel leaped up and slammed into the wall, barely hanging onto the catch as he hit the ground. McArthur then got Isaac Paredes to ground back to the pitcher to finish off his 15th save.

“I was kind of surprised I hung onto it. The wall is pretty hard out there," Isbel said. “I knew there was going to be a collision, but the game is on the line right there.”

Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino also drove in runs, pushing Kansas City to its AL-leading 31st home victory.

Wacha (5-6), who pitched for the Rays in 2021, walked three and struck out eight. The only run he allowed came on Paredes’ homer in the first, making it eight consecutive starts allowing two earned runs or fewer.

“He's really thrown the ball all season,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We just couldn't get anything going. Mixed speeds really well, altered his delivery when we got guys on base. Slide-stepping and throwing timing off. Good performance.”

Ryan Pepiot (4-5) allowed two runs on four his over four innings for Tampa Bay. He struck out three.

After the series opener was delayed 2 1/2 hours by rain and finished after midnight, and Wednesday night's game started amid a drizzle, the clouds finally cleared off and a brilliant double rainbow appeared beyond the right-field wall at sunset.

Tampa Bay jumped ahead on Parades' two-out homer, but that was all the Rays could manage with Wacha on the mound. He left Amed Rosario on third in the second inning, stranded two in the third and worked around a leadoff double in the fourth.

The Royals took advantage of the opening, stringing together three hits in the third inning to take the lead. Isbel led off with a single, but it was Witt's double to left and Pasquantino's single moments later that pushed the runs across.

Kansas City still led 2-1 in the seventh when Shawn Armstrong walked Maikel Garcia and Witt. Perez stepped to the plate and got just enough barrel on the ball to bloop a single to right, scoring both of them and giving the Royals a cushion.

McArthur and Isbel made sure in the ninth that a two-run lead was enough.

“That was the most amazing catch I've seen,” McArthur said. “I knew (Isbel) had a chance on it because he's such a good outfielder, but that was just incredible.”

Tampa Bay traded RHP Aaron Civale to the NL Central-leading Brewers, who hope he can help a starting rotation decimated by injuries. The Rays received INF Gregory Barrios in the deal and assigned him to Class-A Bowling Green. Tampa Bay filled Civale's roster spot by recalling RHP Justin Sterner from Triple-A Durham.

Rays RHP Zach Eflin (4-5, 3.92 ERA) will start the season finale Thursday night. He is coming off six scoreless innings in a 3-1 win over Washington, his first victory since May 13. Royals RHP Alec Marsh (6-5, 4.19) gets the nod for the finale of a 10-game homestand.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720090132598.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Michael Wacha allowed one run on two hits over six innings, Salvador Perez drove in a pair of runs and the Kansas City Royals got a spectacular defensive play from Kyle Isbel in the ninth to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Wednesday night.After reliever Chris Stratton gave up a run in the eighth, Royals closer James McArthur entered the game and got Jose Siri to fly out to right field and Richie Palacios to pop foul, leaving runners stranded on second and third.McArthur came back for the ninth and gave up a leadoff single to Ben Rortvedt before striking out Yandy Diaz. Taylor Walls followed with a shot to deep center, where Isbel leaped up and slammed into the wall, barely hanging onto the catch as he hit the ground. McArthur then got Isaac Paredes to ground back to the pitcher to finish off his 15th save.“I was kind of surprised I hung onto it. The wall is pretty hard out there," Isbel said. “I knew there was going to be a collision, but the game is on the line right there.”Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino also drove in runs, pushing Kansas City to its AL-leading 31st home victory.Wacha (5-6), who pitched for the Rays in 2021, walked three and struck out eight. The only run he allowed came on Paredes’ homer in the first, making it eight consecutive starts allowing two earned runs or fewer.“He's really thrown the ball all season,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We just couldn't get anything going. Mixed speeds really well, altered his delivery when we got guys on base. Slide-stepping and throwing timing off. Good performance.”Ryan Pepiot (4-5) allowed two runs on four his over four innings for Tampa Bay. He struck out three.After the series opener was delayed 2 1/2 hours by rain and finished after midnight, and Wednesday night's game started amid a drizzle, the clouds finally cleared off and a brilliant double rainbow appeared beyond the right-field wall at sunset.Tampa Bay jumped ahead on Parades' two-out homer, but that was all the Rays could manage with Wacha on the mound. He left Amed Rosario on third in the second inning, stranded two in the third and worked around a leadoff double in the fourth.The Royals took advantage of the opening, stringing together three hits in the third inning to take the lead. Isbel led off with a single, but it was Witt's double to left and Pasquantino's single moments later that pushed the runs across.Kansas City still led 2-1 in the seventh when Shawn Armstrong walked Maikel Garcia and Witt. Perez stepped to the plate and got just enough barrel on the ball to bloop a single to right, scoring both of them and giving the Royals a cushion.McArthur and Isbel made sure in the ninth that a two-run lead was enough.“That was the most amazing catch I've seen,” McArthur said. “I knew (Isbel) had a chance on it because he's such a good outfielder, but that was just incredible.”RAYS MAKE A DEALTampa Bay traded RHP Aaron Civale to the NL Central-leading Brewers, who hope he can help a starting rotation decimated by injuries. The Rays received INF Gregory Barrios in the deal and assigned him to Class-A Bowling Green. Tampa Bay filled Civale's roster spot by recalling RHP Justin Sterner from Triple-A Durham.UP NEXTRays RHP Zach Eflin (4-5, 3.92 ERA) will start the season finale Thursday night. He is coming off six scoreless innings in a 3-1 win over Washington, his first victory since May 13. Royals RHP Alec Marsh (6-5, 4.19) gets the nod for the finale of a 10-game homestand.

⚾ Salvador Perez drives in 2 as the Royals beat the Rays 

Hello and happy Wednesday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine.

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Just&nbsp;550 tickets remain&nbsp;for the Big 12 home opener against Oklahoma State, and only&nbsp;200 tickets are left&nbsp;for the Sunflower Showdown against KU.

To secure your seats, head to&nbsp;<a href="http://kstatesports.com/">kstatesports.com</a>

Tuesday also saw Kansas Football’s cornerback duo of seniors Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson selected to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team

Bryant and Dotson’s selections to the Preseason All-Big 12 Defense team make Kansas the only program with two selections in the secondary. Bryant earns Preseason All-Big 12 honors for the second time in his career, while Dotson makes his first appearance on the preseason list.

And finally the National Women’s Soccer League announced that CPKC Stadium, home of the Kansas City Current and the world’s first soccer stadium purpose built for a women’s professional team, will be the site of the 2024 NWSL Championship, on Saturday, November 23.

That’s your sports update for today, but for even more great area sports content like this, check out Salina Post and stay tuned to KINA.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e7vTlFngqcQ?si=PJs3-bOxEM3majRD" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Hello and happy Wednesday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697215856555.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home field advantage starts here.jpg" />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home field advantage starts here.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>_________Following last week's announcement that 2024 K-State Football season tickets are sold out, single-game tickets are continuing to sell fast!Fewer than 1,500 tickets remain&nbsp;to each of the first two home games.&nbsp;Level 4-Packs&nbsp;for the home opener against UT Martin start at&nbsp;just $30&nbsp;and the Friday night’s matchup against Arizona starts at&nbsp;only&nbsp;$50.Just&nbsp;550 tickets remain&nbsp;for the Big 12 home opener against Oklahoma State, and only&nbsp;200 tickets are left&nbsp;for the Sunflower Showdown against KU.To secure your seats, head to&nbsp;<a href="http://kstatesports.com/">kstatesports.com</a>_________Tuesday also saw Kansas Football’s cornerback duo of seniors Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson selected to the Preseason All-Big 12 TeamBryant and Dotson’s selections to the Preseason All-Big 12 Defense team make Kansas the only program with two selections in the secondary. Bryant earns Preseason All-Big 12 honors for the second time in his career, while Dotson makes his first appearance on the preseason list._________And finally the National Women’s Soccer League announced that CPKC Stadium, home of the Kansas City Current and the world’s first soccer stadium purpose built for a women’s professional team, will be the site of the 2024 NWSL Championship, on Saturday, November 23._________That’s your sports update for today, but for even more great area sports content like this, check out Salina Post and stay tuned to KINA.

910 KINA Sports Headlines — July 3

KANSAS CITY (July 3, 2024) –&nbsp;The National Women’s Soccer League today announced CPKC Stadium, home of the Kansas City Current and the world’s first soccer stadium purpose built for a women’s professional team, as the site of the 2024 NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel, on Saturday, November 23.

Opened in March of 2024 on the Berkley Riverfront near downtown Kansas City, CPKC Stadium is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities designed to enhance the player experience. With a capacity of 11,500 fans and no seat more than 100 feet from the pitch, the stadium sets a new standard for women’s sports venues worldwide.

For the third straight season, the NWSL Championship will air live in primetime on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. ET.

“CPKC Stadium epitomizes the explosive growth and investment we are witnessing in the NWSL, women’s soccer and women’s sports around the world,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “It was a natural choice to stage the league’s marquee event in a venue that exemplifies the profound impact of infrastructure, investment and community support on the continued development and success of our sport. We thank the KC Current organization for their partnership in bringing this event to their community and look forward to celebrating the 2024 season finale in November.”

The NWSL has had soaring attendance, viewership and engagement in the 2024 season to date, breaking all previous records.&nbsp; For the third consecutive season, attendance has surpassed one million fans, breaking this mark earlier in the season than ever before, and broadcast viewership to date is up 95% from the 2023 season.&nbsp; Additionally, as engagement on league social platforms continues to increase, NWSL social impressions have risen 94%, while retail performance on NWSLShop.com has jumped nearly 300%.

“We are so excited to host the world at our home,” said Kansas City Current Co-Founder and Owner Angie Long. “CPKC Stadium is the first stadium built for moments like these. We are excited to show everyone the unparalleled match experience in a stadium for players, fans and those watching on TV. It is an honor to host the NWSL Championship and Kansas City is ready for the moment.”

&nbsp;“The NWSL Championship is one of the premier global sporting events in the world," said Co-Founder and Owner Chris Long. "We're absolutely thrilled that Kansas City and CPKC Stadium were chosen to host this prestigious event. The world will get the opportunity to experience our world class, precedent-setting stadium and watch the most elite soccer talent in the world compete to be the top Club."

Eight clubs will qualify for the 2024 NWSL Playoffs, presented by Google Pixel. As part of this year’s expanded postseason format, the playoffs will now consist of four quarterfinal matches, eliminating byes to the semifinals.

The quarterfinal round will take place the weekend of November 9-10 with matches airing live across CBS, ESPN/ABC and Prime Video platforms. The semifinal round, set for the weekend of November 16-17, will feature matches on CBS and ESPN/ABC.

All playoff matches will stream outside of the U.S. on&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/MadelineSchachte/OneDrive%20-%20National%20Women%27s%20Soccer%20League/Desktop/Plus.NWSLSoccer.com">Plus.NWSLSoccer.com</a>&nbsp;and across the league’s various international platforms.

KANSAS CITY (July 3, 2024) –&nbsp;The National Women’s Soccer League today announced CPKC Stadium, home of the Kansas City Current and the world’s first soccer stadium purpose built for a women’s professional team, as the site of the 2024 NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel, on Saturday, November 23.Opened in March of 2024 on the Berkley Riverfront near downtown Kansas City, CPKC Stadium is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities designed to enhance the player experience. With a capacity of 11,500 fans and no seat more than 100 feet from the pitch, the stadium sets a new standard for women’s sports venues worldwide.For the third straight season, the NWSL Championship will air live in primetime on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. ET.“CPKC Stadium epitomizes the explosive growth and investment we are witnessing in the NWSL, women’s soccer and women’s sports around the world,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “It was a natural choice to stage the league’s marquee event in a venue that exemplifies the profound impact of infrastructure, investment and community support on the continued development and success of our sport. We thank the KC Current organization for their partnership in bringing this event to their community and look forward to celebrating the 2024 season finale in November.”The NWSL has had soaring attendance, viewership and engagement in the 2024 season to date, breaking all previous records.&nbsp; For the third consecutive season, attendance has surpassed one million fans, breaking this mark earlier in the season than ever before, and broadcast viewership to date is up 95% from the 2023 season.&nbsp; Additionally, as engagement on league social platforms continues to increase, NWSL social impressions have risen 94%, while retail performance on NWSLShop.com has jumped nearly 300%.“We are so excited to host the world at our home,” said Kansas City Current Co-Founder and Owner Angie Long. “CPKC Stadium is the first stadium built for moments like these. We are excited to show everyone the unparalleled match experience in a stadium for players, fans and those watching on TV. It is an honor to host the NWSL Championship and Kansas City is ready for the moment.”&nbsp;“The NWSL Championship is one of the premier global sporting events in the world," said Co-Founder and Owner Chris Long. "We're absolutely thrilled that Kansas City and CPKC Stadium were chosen to host this prestigious event. The world will get the opportunity to experience our world class, precedent-setting stadium and watch the most elite soccer talent in the world compete to be the top Club."Eight clubs will qualify for the 2024 NWSL Playoffs, presented by Google Pixel. As part of this year’s expanded postseason format, the playoffs will now consist of four quarterfinal matches, eliminating byes to the semifinals.The quarterfinal round will take place the weekend of November 9-10 with matches airing live across CBS, ESPN/ABC and Prime Video platforms. The semifinal round, set for the weekend of November 16-17, will feature matches on CBS and ESPN/ABC.All playoff matches will stream outside of the U.S. on&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/MadelineSchachte/OneDrive%20-%20National%20Women%27s%20Soccer%20League/Desktop/Plus.NWSLSoccer.com">Plus.NWSLSoccer.com</a>&nbsp;and across the league’s various international platforms.

NWSL announces 2024 championship to be held in KC

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– The Kansas State men’s basketball team will play host to Missouri Valley Conference Tournament champion Drake in the Wildcat Classic on Tuesday, December 17 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.

Season ticket holders can now request tickets for the game during the current ordering and renewal process. Tickets for the public will go on sale this fall.

The matchup will mark the 13th&nbsp;Wildcat Classic game at the T-Mobile Center with K-State winning 10 of the 12 previous Classics, including victories over Nebraska in 2022 and Wichita State last season. The Wildcat Classic dates to 2007 and has included such notable opponents as Alabama, Florida, Texas A&amp;M, UNLV and Vanderbilt.

This will be the 28th&nbsp;meeting between K-State and Drake with 26 of the last 27 matchups coming between 1918 and 1956. The Bulldogs won the most recent meeting, 80-70, at Bramlage Coliseum on Nov. 25, 2020.

Drake posted a 28-7 record in 2023-24, including a second-place finish in the MVC standings with a 16-4 mark, and earned the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with an 84-80 win over top-seed Indiana State in the championship game. The Bulldogs will have a new head coach in former Northwest Missouri State coach&nbsp;Ben McCollum, who won 394 games and 4 NCAA Division II Championships (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022) in building the Bearcats into a national powerhouse.

K-State finished the 2023-24 season with a 19-15 record, including an 8-10 mark in Big 12 play, and advanced to the NIT. Among the Wildcats’ 19 victories were 4 over Top 25 teams, including 3 in the Top 10. The team has won 45 games in head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang’s&nbsp;tenure, including consecutive postseason appearances.

The Wildcats return 3 lettermen (senior&nbsp;David N’Guessan&nbsp;and sophomores&nbsp;Taj Manning&nbsp;and&nbsp;Macaleab Rich) in 2024-25, along with the 10 newcomers, which includes 8 Division I transfers, a junior college All-American (Mobi Ikegwuruka) and a top-50 high school prospect (David Castillo).

The transfer class is considered one of the best in the country and includes notable additions&nbsp;Achor Achor&nbsp;(Samford),&nbsp;Coleman Hawkins&nbsp;(Illinois),&nbsp;Dug McDaniel&nbsp;(Michigan) and&nbsp;Ugonna Onyenso&nbsp;(Kentucky) as well as&nbsp;Baye Fall&nbsp;(Arkansas),&nbsp;Brendan Hausen&nbsp;(Villanova),&nbsp;C.J. Jones&nbsp;(UIC) and&nbsp;Max Jones&nbsp;(Cal State Fullerton).

The rest of the non-conference schedule is still being finalized, but the Wildcats will play a 20-game Big 12 schedule that includes 10 home games with NCAA Tournament teams Arizona, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas and Texas Tech as well as Arizona State, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State and West Virginia.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– The Kansas State men’s basketball team will play host to Missouri Valley Conference Tournament champion Drake in the Wildcat Classic on Tuesday, December 17 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.Season ticket holders can now request tickets for the game during the current ordering and renewal process. Tickets for the public will go on sale this fall.The matchup will mark the 13th&nbsp;Wildcat Classic game at the T-Mobile Center with K-State winning 10 of the 12 previous Classics, including victories over Nebraska in 2022 and Wichita State last season. The Wildcat Classic dates to 2007 and has included such notable opponents as Alabama, Florida, Texas A&amp;M, UNLV and Vanderbilt.This will be the 28th&nbsp;meeting between K-State and Drake with 26 of the last 27 matchups coming between 1918 and 1956. The Bulldogs won the most recent meeting, 80-70, at Bramlage Coliseum on Nov. 25, 2020.Drake posted a 28-7 record in 2023-24, including a second-place finish in the MVC standings with a 16-4 mark, and earned the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with an 84-80 win over top-seed Indiana State in the championship game. The Bulldogs will have a new head coach in former Northwest Missouri State coach&nbsp;Ben McCollum, who won 394 games and 4 NCAA Division II Championships (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022) in building the Bearcats into a national powerhouse.K-State finished the 2023-24 season with a 19-15 record, including an 8-10 mark in Big 12 play, and advanced to the NIT. Among the Wildcats’ 19 victories were 4 over Top 25 teams, including 3 in the Top 10. The team has won 45 games in head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang’s&nbsp;tenure, including consecutive postseason appearances.The Wildcats return 3 lettermen (senior&nbsp;David N’Guessan&nbsp;and sophomores&nbsp;Taj Manning&nbsp;and&nbsp;Macaleab Rich) in 2024-25, along with the 10 newcomers, which includes 8 Division I transfers, a junior college All-American (Mobi Ikegwuruka) and a top-50 high school prospect (David Castillo).The transfer class is considered one of the best in the country and includes notable additions&nbsp;Achor Achor&nbsp;(Samford),&nbsp;Coleman Hawkins&nbsp;(Illinois),&nbsp;Dug McDaniel&nbsp;(Michigan) and&nbsp;Ugonna Onyenso&nbsp;(Kentucky) as well as&nbsp;Baye Fall&nbsp;(Arkansas),&nbsp;Brendan Hausen&nbsp;(Villanova),&nbsp;C.J. Jones&nbsp;(UIC) and&nbsp;Max Jones&nbsp;(Cal State Fullerton).The rest of the non-conference schedule is still being finalized, but the Wildcats will play a 20-game Big 12 schedule that includes 10 home games with NCAA Tournament teams Arizona, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas and Texas Tech as well as Arizona State, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State and West Virginia.

K-State to Face Drake in Kansas City December 17

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Zack Littell pitched five innings of four-hit ball before rain arrived, four Tampa Bay relievers allowed one run once play resumed, and the Rays beat beat the Kansas City Royals 5-1 in a game that ended just after midnight Wednesday.

Brandon Lowe homered, Isaac Paredes drove in a pair of runs, and Richie Palacios had three hits, drove in a run and scored from third on a wild pitch by Brady Singer (4-5), the only run either team scored before the 2 1/2-hour delay.

When the game continued, the trio of Kevin Kelly, Colin Poche and Jason Adam surrendered just one run — Bobby Witt Jr.‘s homer in the sixth — before handing the ball to Pete Fairbanks. The Rays’ closer took care of the ninth to wrap up the win.

“Guys stayed pretty dialed in,” Littell said. “It obviously showed the way they went back out there and jumped on them.”

Littell (3-5) was pretty dialed in, too, wiggling out of one last jam just as thunder began to sound through Kauffman Stadium. MJ Melendez had hit a two-out pitch to right in the fifth and CJ Alexander followed with his first career big league hit, only for Littell to strike out Kyle Isbel and leave runners on the corners.

Sheets of rain began to fall moments after the teams walked off the field.

“We were really just chilling in here. Talking trash. Keeping it light,” Palacios said, “and making sure we had some energy when we got back on the field. We wanted to make sure we came out there and grabbed some more runs.”

Tampa Bay added to its lead when Palacios ripped an RBI double off John Schreiber in the sixth. Paredes added a two-run double off Chris Stratton in the seventh before Lowe homered off Nick Anderson in the ninth inning.

“You have to give them credit,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “One run wasn't going to be enough.”

Singer allowed one run on three hits and three walks over five innings for Kansas City. He escaped most of his messes except for the second inning, when Palacios singled, reached third on a double by Jose Siri and scored on his wild pitch.

Singer has not won since May 19, going 0-3 in his last seven starts. But the lousy record is not entirely his fault. He's allowed one earned run apiece in each of his last three starts, yet received two runs of support or fewer in 11 of 17 this season.

“Our bullpen matched up really well,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “Everybody who came in threw really well.”

Royals: INF/OF Adam Frazier (right thumb strain) could begin a rehab assignment this week, Quatraro said. Frazier went on the injured list June 24. He has spent the past few days ramping up baseball activity.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720002823157.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals' CJ Alexander watches his single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals' CJ Alexander watches his single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Zack Littell pitched five innings of four-hit ball before rain arrived, four Tampa Bay relievers allowed one run once play resumed, and the Rays beat beat the Kansas City Royals 5-1 in a game that ended just after midnight Wednesday.Brandon Lowe homered, Isaac Paredes drove in a pair of runs, and Richie Palacios had three hits, drove in a run and scored from third on a wild pitch by Brady Singer (4-5), the only run either team scored before the 2 1/2-hour delay.When the game continued, the trio of Kevin Kelly, Colin Poche and Jason Adam surrendered just one run — Bobby Witt Jr.‘s homer in the sixth — before handing the ball to Pete Fairbanks. The Rays’ closer took care of the ninth to wrap up the win.“Guys stayed pretty dialed in,” Littell said. “It obviously showed the way they went back out there and jumped on them.”Littell (3-5) was pretty dialed in, too, wiggling out of one last jam just as thunder began to sound through Kauffman Stadium. MJ Melendez had hit a two-out pitch to right in the fifth and CJ Alexander followed with his first career big league hit, only for Littell to strike out Kyle Isbel and leave runners on the corners.Sheets of rain began to fall moments after the teams walked off the field.“We were really just chilling in here. Talking trash. Keeping it light,” Palacios said, “and making sure we had some energy when we got back on the field. We wanted to make sure we came out there and grabbed some more runs.”Tampa Bay added to its lead when Palacios ripped an RBI double off John Schreiber in the sixth. Paredes added a two-run double off Chris Stratton in the seventh before Lowe homered off Nick Anderson in the ninth inning.“You have to give them credit,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “One run wasn't going to be enough.”Singer allowed one run on three hits and three walks over five innings for Kansas City. He escaped most of his messes except for the second inning, when Palacios singled, reached third on a double by Jose Siri and scored on his wild pitch.Singer has not won since May 19, going 0-3 in his last seven starts. But the lousy record is not entirely his fault. He's allowed one earned run apiece in each of his last three starts, yet received two runs of support or fewer in 11 of 17 this season.“Our bullpen matched up really well,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “Everybody who came in threw really well.”TRAINER'S ROOMRoyals: INF/OF Adam Frazier (right thumb strain) could begin a rehab assignment this week, Quatraro said. Frazier went on the injured list June 24. He has spent the past few days ramping up baseball activity.UP NEXT

⚾ Rays beat the Royals after 2 1/2-hour rain delay

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas Football’s cornerback duo of seniors Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson were selected to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, the Big 12 Conference announced on Tuesday.

From Evergreen, Alabama, Bryant enters his senior season as an All-Big 12 First Team selection in back-to-back seasons, becoming the first Kansas defensive back to earn first team honors in consecutive seasons since Aqib Talib in 2006-07. Bryant finished the 2023 season with 32 tackles, 4 interceptions and 9 pass breakups.

Opposite of Bryant, Dotson enters his senior season following a breakout junior campaign that included 48 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 15 pass breakups and four interceptions. Dotson returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns (vs. Oklahoma, at Iowa State), becoming the first Jayhawk in school history with interceptions returned for touchdowns in back-to-back games.

Dotson, of Daytona Beach, Florida, was recently named to the Phil Steele and Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12 Second Teams.

Kansas enters the 2024 season following back-to-back bowl appearances for the second time in program history and the first time since 2007-08. The Jayhawks finished the season at 9-4, the most wins by a Kansas team since 2007, and return a star-studded roster entering the 2024 season.

The Jayhawks will play all six home games in the Kansas City Metro area as work continues on the University of Kansas Gateway District. Fans can purchase the 2024 Kansas Football 4-game season ticket package that includes all home games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The season ticket package features prices starting as low as $230 for general stadium seating.

Other ticket options include the popular Family Zone as well as available Premium Seating opportunities. Purchasing a 4-game season ticket package also continues to enhance your priority to pick seats in the reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium for the 2025 season. 6-game season ticket packages which include the first two games at Children’s Mercy Park are sold out.

Single game tickets to the contest played at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium will become available early-August. For those interested in getting more information from the Kansas Athletics Ticket Office on ticket options for the 2024 season, please click&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.fanthreesixty.com/2024_ticket_interest_form_waitlist?mnemonic=ku" target="_blank">here</a>.

Offensive Player of the Year&nbsp;– RB Ollie Gordon III, Oklahoma State

Defensive Player of the Year&nbsp;– CB Travis Hunter, Colorado

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas Football’s cornerback duo of seniors Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson were selected to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, the Big 12 Conference announced on Tuesday.Bryant and Dotson’s selections to the Preseason All-Big 12 Defense team make Kansas the only program with two selections in the secondary. Bryant earns Preseason All-Big 12 honors for the second time in his career, while Dotson makes his first appearance on the preseason list.From Evergreen, Alabama, Bryant enters his senior season as an All-Big 12 First Team selection in back-to-back seasons, becoming the first Kansas defensive back to earn first team honors in consecutive seasons since Aqib Talib in 2006-07. Bryant finished the 2023 season with 32 tackles, 4 interceptions and 9 pass breakups.Opposite of Bryant, Dotson enters his senior season following a breakout junior campaign that included 48 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 15 pass breakups and four interceptions. Dotson returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns (vs. Oklahoma, at Iowa State), becoming the first Jayhawk in school history with interceptions returned for touchdowns in back-to-back games.Dotson, of Daytona Beach, Florida, was recently named to the Phil Steele and Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12 Second Teams.Kansas enters the 2024 season following back-to-back bowl appearances for the second time in program history and the first time since 2007-08. The Jayhawks finished the season at 9-4, the most wins by a Kansas team since 2007, and return a star-studded roster entering the 2024 season.The Jayhawks will play all six home games in the Kansas City Metro area as work continues on the University of Kansas Gateway District. Fans can purchase the 2024 Kansas Football 4-game season ticket package that includes all home games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The season ticket package features prices starting as low as $230 for general stadium seating.Other ticket options include the popular Family Zone as well as available Premium Seating opportunities. Purchasing a 4-game season ticket package also continues to enhance your priority to pick seats in the reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium for the 2025 season. 6-game season ticket packages which include the first two games at Children’s Mercy Park are sold out.Single game tickets to the contest played at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium will become available early-August. For those interested in getting more information from the Kansas Athletics Ticket Office on ticket options for the 2024 season, please click&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.fanthreesixty.com/2024_ticket_interest_form_waitlist?mnemonic=ku" target="_blank">here</a>.Preseason All-Big 12 AwardsOffensive Player of the Year&nbsp;– RB Ollie Gordon III, Oklahoma StateDefensive Player of the Year&nbsp;– CB Travis Hunter, Colorado

Cobee Bryant, Mello Dotson Picked to Preseason All-Big 12 Team

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Jayhawks were picked fourth in the 2024 Big 12 Preseason Poll, the Big 12 Conference announced on Tuesday.

Kansas’ preseason ranking is the highest since the Big 12 went to a non-divisional format in 2011. The 2024 season features four new Big 12 Conference members, including Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah.

Utah (906) was selected as the Big 12 Conference favorite, followed by Kansas State (889), Oklahoma State (829) and Kansas (772). The preseason poll and individual awards are chosen by media representatives who cover the league.

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Jayhawks were picked fourth in the 2024 Big 12 Preseason Poll, the Big 12 Conference announced on Tuesday.Kansas’ preseason ranking is the highest since the Big 12 went to a non-divisional format in 2011. The 2024 season features four new Big 12 Conference members, including Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah.Utah (906) was selected as the Big 12 Conference favorite, followed by Kansas State (889), Oklahoma State (829) and Kansas (772). The preseason poll and individual awards are chosen by media representatives who cover the league.2024 Big 12 Preseason Poll1. Utah- 906 (20)2. Kansas State- 889 (19)3. Oklahoma State- 829 (14)4. Kansas-&nbsp;772 (5)5. Arizona- 762 (3)6. Iowa State- 6617. West Virginia- 5818. UCF- 5519. Texas Tech- 53210. TCU- 43611. Colorado- 40012. Baylor- 21513. BYU- 21514. Cincinnati- 19615. Houston- 15716. Arizona State- 141Kansas enters the 2024 season following back-to-back bowl appearances for the second time in program history and the first time since 2007-08. The Jayhawks finished the season at 9-4, the most wins by a Kansas team since 2007, and return a star-studded roster entering the 2024 season.The Jayhawks will play all six home games in the Kansas City Metro area as work continues on the University of Kansas Gateway District. Fans can purchase the 2024 Kansas Football 4-game season ticket package that includes all home games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The season ticket package features prices starting as low as $230 for general stadium seating.Other ticket options include the popular Family Zone as well as available Premium Seating opportunities. Purchasing a 4-game season ticket package also continues to enhance your priority to pick seats in the reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium for the 2025 season. 6-game season ticket packages which include the first two games at Children’s Mercy Park are sold out.Single game tickets to the contest played at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium will become available early-August. For those interested in getting more information from the Kansas Athletics Ticket Office on ticket options for the 2024 season, please click&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.fanthreesixty.com/2024_ticket_interest_form_waitlist?mnemonic=ku" target="_blank">here</a>.

Kansas Football Picked Fourth in Big 12 Preseason Poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced this afternoon that infielder&nbsp;Vinnie Pasquantino&nbsp;and right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Seth Lugo&nbsp;have been named Royals Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for June. The awards are determined by a local media vote.

Pasquantino led all Royals with 19 RBI in the month of June, while slashing .276/.342/.490 (27-for-98). He matched&nbsp;Bobby Witt Jr.&nbsp;for the team lead with 12 extra-base hits, as he tallied 7 doubles, 1 triple and 4 home runs. His 19 RBI last month were tied for the 10th most in the American League, trailing leader&nbsp;Aaron Judge&nbsp;(37), and they were the most by a Royal in the month of June in seven years, since&nbsp;Mike Moustakas&nbsp;recorded 22 RBI in June 2017. Pasquantino’s 8 go-ahead RBI in June led the American League and were just 1 behind the Major League leaders,&nbsp;Ketel Marte,&nbsp;Shohei Ohtani&nbsp;and&nbsp;Alec Burleson. He finished the month with an active 7-game streak with an RBI, which is the longest such streak of his career, and he has an active 9-game RBI streak&nbsp;at Kauffman Stadium, which is the longest such streak at home by a Royal in a single season since&nbsp;Eric Hosmer’s&nbsp;club-record 12-game streak from Aug. 7-25, 2015. He homered in consecutive plate appearances against the division-rival Guardians, hitting a 2-run shot in the 8th inning on June 28, followed by his game-tying solo home run in the 1st inning on June 29. Overall this season, Pasquantino is tied for 6th in the American League with 55 RBI and his 18 go-ahead RBI are tied for the 3rd most in the Majors, behind only Judge (21) and Philadelphia’s&nbsp;Alec Bohm&nbsp;(19). This marks Pasquantino’s first monthly honor of the season and third of his career, after winning back-to-back awards in September/October 2022 and March/April 2023.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced this afternoon that infielder&nbsp;Vinnie Pasquantino&nbsp;and right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Seth Lugo&nbsp;have been named Royals Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for June. The awards are determined by a local media vote.Pasquantino led all Royals with 19 RBI in the month of June, while slashing .276/.342/.490 (27-for-98). He matched&nbsp;Bobby Witt Jr.&nbsp;for the team lead with 12 extra-base hits, as he tallied 7 doubles, 1 triple and 4 home runs. His 19 RBI last month were tied for the 10th most in the American League, trailing leader&nbsp;Aaron Judge&nbsp;(37), and they were the most by a Royal in the month of June in seven years, since&nbsp;Mike Moustakas&nbsp;recorded 22 RBI in June 2017. Pasquantino’s 8 go-ahead RBI in June led the American League and were just 1 behind the Major League leaders,&nbsp;Ketel Marte,&nbsp;Shohei Ohtani&nbsp;and&nbsp;Alec Burleson. He finished the month with an active 7-game streak with an RBI, which is the longest such streak of his career, and he has an active 9-game RBI streak&nbsp;at Kauffman Stadium, which is the longest such streak at home by a Royal in a single season since&nbsp;Eric Hosmer’s&nbsp;club-record 12-game streak from Aug. 7-25, 2015. He homered in consecutive plate appearances against the division-rival Guardians, hitting a 2-run shot in the 8th inning on June 28, followed by his game-tying solo home run in the 1st inning on June 29. Overall this season, Pasquantino is tied for 6th in the American League with 55 RBI and his 18 go-ahead RBI are tied for the 3rd most in the Majors, behind only Judge (21) and Philadelphia’s&nbsp;Alec Bohm&nbsp;(19). This marks Pasquantino’s first monthly honor of the season and third of his career, after winning back-to-back awards in September/October 2022 and March/April 2023.

Vinnie Pasquantino, Seth Lugo named Royals Player/Pitcher of the Month

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter- Salina Post

Hello and happy Tuesday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…

The world of US Men’s National Team Soccer received a rude awakening in Kansas City last night after a 1-0 loss to Uruguay eliminated the team from the Copa America without reaching the knockout stage.

This came on the heels of a 2-1 loss to Panama and an uninspiring 2-0 win over Bolivia, which all culminated in the US being eliminated from a group many expected them to waltz through on home soil.

Many say this calls into question the direction of US Men’s Soccer since the 2022 World Cup, and much of that criticism has fallen on head coach Gregg Berhalter, who may not be around for the next World Cup

Speaking of soccer in Kansas City the KC Current lead the National Women’s Soccer League standings with 35 points and a record of 10-5-0. The Current will be back in action against the Orlando Pride this Saturday.

And finally, a look ahead to this Saturday where the Salina Liberty will open their playoff push at Tony’s Pizza Events Center with Southwest Kansas at 3:00.

Tickets for that game are on sale now and the game will be streamed for free with video and commentary on Salina Post

Don’t forget you can also tune in for the Coach O Show tonight at 6:00 or better yet, join us live at The Alley in Downtown Salina

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_KK-kooupB4?si=3RMi7yIaxsPNbyXY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter- Salina PostHello and happy Tuesday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…_________The world of US Men’s National Team Soccer received a rude awakening in Kansas City last night after a 1-0 loss to Uruguay eliminated the team from the Copa America without reaching the knockout stage.This came on the heels of a 2-1 loss to Panama and an uninspiring 2-0 win over Bolivia, which all culminated in the US being eliminated from a group many expected them to waltz through on home soil.Many say this calls into question the direction of US Men’s Soccer since the 2022 World Cup, and much of that criticism has fallen on head coach Gregg Berhalter, who may not be around for the next World Cup_________Speaking of soccer in Kansas City the KC Current lead the National Women’s Soccer League standings with 35 points and a record of 10-5-0. The Current will be back in action against the Orlando Pride this Saturday._________And finally, a look ahead to this Saturday where the Salina Liberty will open their playoff push at Tony’s Pizza Events Center with Southwest Kansas at 3:00.Tickets for that game are on sale now and the game will be streamed for free with video and commentary on Salina PostDon’t forget you can also tune in for the Coach O Show tonight at 6:00 or better yet, join us live at The Alley in Downtown Salina_________That’s your sports update for today, but for even more great area sports content like this, check out Salina Post and stay tuned to KINA.

910 KINA Sports headlines — July 2

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State head men’s basketball coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang&nbsp;met with the media on Friday morning (June 28) to provide a summer update on the team, as the Wildcats welcome 10 new players, including eight Division I transfers, for the 2024-25 campaign.

Links to the audio and a transcript of Tang’s availability are above.

K-State finished the 2023-24 season with a 19-15 record, including a tie for ninth in the Big 12 with an 8-10 mark, and advanced to the NIT. Among the Wildcats’ 19 victories were 4 over Top 25 teams, including 3 in the Top 10. The team has won 45 games in Tang’s tenure, including consecutive postseason appearances.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Achor Achor&nbsp;(Melbourne, Australia/Greenforest McCalep Academy/Chipola College/Samford)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;David Castillo&nbsp;(Bartlesville, Okla./Sunrise Christian Academy [Kan.])

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Baye Fall&nbsp;(Dakar, Senegal/ Accelerated Prep [Colo.]/Arkansas)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brendan Hausen&nbsp;(Amarillo, Texas/Amarillo/ Villanova)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Coleman Hawkins&nbsp;(Sacramento, Calif./Prolific Prep/Illinois)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mobi Ikegwuruka&nbsp;(Galway, Ireland/Ellsworth [Iowa] Community College)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C.J. Jones&nbsp;(East St. Louis, Ill./East St. Louis/UIC)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Max Jones&nbsp;(Clearwater, Fla./Clearwater/University of Tampa/Cal State Fullerton)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dug McDaniel&nbsp;(Washington, D.C./St. Paul VI Catholic VI/Michigan)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ugonna Onyenso&nbsp;(Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria/NBA Africa/Putnam Science Academy/Kentucky)

The non-conference schedule is still being finalized, but the Wildcats will play a 20-game Big 12 schedule that includes 10 home games with NCAA Tournament teams Arizona, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas and Texas Tech as well as Arizona State, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State and West Virginia.

K-State men’s basketball season tickets for the 2024-25 season are currently available, with prices starting at less than $18 per game. Fans can purchase now to see the Wildcats all year including matchups against KU, Iowa State, Houston and conference newcomer Arizona by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or calling (800) 221.CATS.

<a></a><a></a><a>On assembling the recruiting class and does he feel more like a general manager…</a>

“I really don't know what a GM feels like. But I guess I'm learning to experience it and just managing and assembling a new roster. The good thing is I've got a couple of guys on our staff who worked with coaches in the past where they have had to rebuild the roster every year whether it's because they recruited a lot of junior college kids or whatever it was, and so it really wasn't an overwhelming challenge as far as numbers. The challenge was to make sure that we found guys that fit about who we are and would make our team better than we were last year.”

“I think what I like that stands out about the roster is that we got a number of guys who can shoot the ball and can make the three at a high clip. Whether they’re 6-foot-10 Coleman Hawkins or 5-foot-11 and three quarters, you know, I don’t want to cheat Dug (McDaniel). We got some guys that can make shots at a high clip and, and then their competitiveness, their IQ, how can we put them all on the floor at the same time. The other thing about this group is that we can play a variety of ways. We can play small, we can be a really good zone team if we choose to, knowing we’re going to be a really good man-to-man team. I feel like our roster is set up in a way that we can handle whatever problem is thrown at us by another team. We have a roster that can match any answer.”

On when you prioritized Coleman Hawkins in the recruiting process…

“Well, I mean, pretty early on, when he put his name in the draft and put his name in the portal. We had a conversation with him and felt like, you know, he had some interest in us, and we knew we had interest in him, and he was a kid that was true to his word. He told us he's going to consider three or four schools; we're going to be one of them and it just worked out. He brings a lot to the table as a player and as a leader in the locker room.”

On if there were any differences with the transfer portal than in years’ past…

“This is the first time we've had our whole roster done in June. I mean, our first year, Keyontae (Johnson) didn't show up until August right when school started, and Desi (Sills) didn't get her until October. And then last year, we didn't get a couple of guys until August or September and Will (McNair Jr.) was right after school started. So, we're gonna get to spend the whole four weeks in July of workouts with the whole group here. I believe that's gonna make a huge difference in how we develop as a team.”

On saving scholarship spots for players going through the NBA Draft process…&nbsp;

“We just tried to get the guys that are right for us; that want to be with us. It's not like a plan. Obviously, you know, guys who are going to pull their names out of the draft and if they've been invited to the combine, I mean, it means that they're really good players. And so, you know that type of talent that's available late if they are to pull their names out. But that is also the risk if you’re waiting for that. So, we try not to wait. But we just believe that God has got somebody better for us. Fortunately for us, this is just how it's turned out.”

On recruiting players while they are going through the NBA Draft process…

“If you wait until kids pull their names out draft, they already pretty much know where they're going. It's gonna be hard to get involved, so you try and get a gauge for what they're thinking you try and respect the way they want to be recruited. You have to trust that the information we have been given is the truth whether it's from them, their family members, their agents. Coleman (Hawkins) was great. He told us that we were one of the schools he was interested in. But his focus was on the combine, so we left him alone. When he told us when it was time to talk (with his family) they were very, very professional about it. The whole process was very enjoyable, but it was also nerve-wracking because of the other teams that were also recruiting him.”

“The way the game is played now, the really talented bigs who want to play in the NBA have to play in the 5-out type offenses and do multiple things. They no longer just let guys stand on the block anymore. So, knowing the type of talent we wanted to attract, we had to run an offense that fits that personnel. We can help them get to where they want to get to and because we've done that (in the past) and it's given us this opportunity to be able to recruit guys like Coleman, Achor (Achor) and Ugonna (Onyenso).”

On recruiting players with multiple years of eligibility…

“I'd love to tell you that we sat around and said we want to balance the roster. We just want the best players that fit who about. Dug (McDaniel) put his name in the portal. We thought he was the best point guard out there. The group fits what we wanted and what we want this program to be about. And so, it's nice that they have multiple years, but I think like most kids, they come into this situation thinking, they'll be one-and-done and go to the NBA, so we try not to assume that we're going to have multiple years (with a player). You're just gonna have the best year we can right now. Now there are a few guys who come in and understand this is not a sprint, it's a marathon. But you just try to figure out what each guy needs to get better and see if you can help them to get there. So, the fact that we could bring back multiple these guys for a second year is a great thing, but we can't just assume that's going to happen because of the nature of college basketball.”

On what you are stressing with Dug McDaniel as he takes over the point guard duties…

“You know, just leadership. Dug is a very passionate player. His passion is what separates him. He has physical skills, but Dug is just a competitor. He's got to learn how to always be thinking about the next plan. Like it doesn't matter what just happened. What's the next thing he has to do as a point guard and the leader of this team. And so that's what we're talking about with him this summer, how to get to the next play and not worrying about what just happened and whether it was something good that happened or whether it's something bad that happened, like how do we move on to the next play? And then just the approach of being consistent. If he has a consistent work ethic in how he approaches his day, then he's going to be consistent as a player in games. I think a word that best describes Dug as well as Coleman (Hawkins) is volatile and, by volatile, I mean that it can be here one day and the next day you’re not sure what you’re going to get. It's going to be about this. Let's deliver a consistent performance, whether it's practice with how you do your academic side, how you do everything, let's just be consistent in our work, and it'll produce consistent play. And if those guys consistently perform at a level that they're capable of, we adjust to be really, really good.”

On David N’Guessan being veteran presence…

“Actually, David hasn't been around this summer. David is with the Dutch National Team. Both he and his brother made their national team, and I'm excited for that. It's something that his mom sent me a text how it's a dream come true, that both of her sons are playing on the national team and so we're proud of him. So, he's there working. And we're in communication with him. But Taj (Manning) and Buddy (Rich), they've done a great job and, and a group that we brought in are really, really passionate about the game. They want to learn, and they want to, get better and so they're really embracing everything that we do. So, it's been a lot of fun.”

On the next steps for Taj Manning and Macaleab Rich…

“My message hasn’t changed. It was the same for the guys who left and for the ones who stayed. Our job as a staff is to go out and find guys who can start and their job as players is to make sure they don’t. I have tried to be really transparent with the team. Obviously, the results last year were not what we expected. It’s not what our fans deserve. And so that’s on us as a staff to bring in players who give us a chance to win a Big 12 Championship, get us to a Final Four and win a national championship. Every year, the players who are here have to embrace that if they want to be great, there has to be great competition. And so, they help us recruit guys here who are looking to start then they get out on the floor and compete. Taj, Buddy and David (N’Guessan) have all embrace that, so I’m very proud of those guys.”

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State head men’s basketball coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang&nbsp;met with the media on Friday morning (June 28) to provide a summer update on the team, as the Wildcats welcome 10 new players, including eight Division I transfers, for the 2024-25 campaign.Links to the audio and a transcript of Tang’s availability are above.K-State finished the 2023-24 season with a 19-15 record, including a tie for ninth in the Big 12 with an 8-10 mark, and advanced to the NIT. Among the Wildcats’ 19 victories were 4 over Top 25 teams, including 3 in the Top 10. The team has won 45 games in Tang’s tenure, including consecutive postseason appearances.The Wildcats return 3 lettermen (senior&nbsp;David N’Guessan&nbsp;and sophomores&nbsp;Taj Manning&nbsp;and&nbsp;Macaleab Rich) in 2024-25, along with the 10 newcomers, which includes 8 Division I transfers, a junior college All-American (Mobi Ikegwuruka) and a top-50 high school prospect (David Castillo).The full list of newcomers includes:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Achor Achor&nbsp;(Melbourne, Australia/Greenforest McCalep Academy/Chipola College/Samford)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;David Castillo&nbsp;(Bartlesville, Okla./Sunrise Christian Academy [Kan.])·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Baye Fall&nbsp;(Dakar, Senegal/ Accelerated Prep [Colo.]/Arkansas)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brendan Hausen&nbsp;(Amarillo, Texas/Amarillo/ Villanova)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Coleman Hawkins&nbsp;(Sacramento, Calif./Prolific Prep/Illinois)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mobi Ikegwuruka&nbsp;(Galway, Ireland/Ellsworth [Iowa] Community College)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C.J. Jones&nbsp;(East St. Louis, Ill./East St. Louis/UIC)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Max Jones&nbsp;(Clearwater, Fla./Clearwater/University of Tampa/Cal State Fullerton)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dug McDaniel&nbsp;(Washington, D.C./St. Paul VI Catholic VI/Michigan)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ugonna Onyenso&nbsp;(Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria/NBA Africa/Putnam Science Academy/Kentucky)The non-conference schedule is still being finalized, but the Wildcats will play a 20-game Big 12 schedule that includes 10 home games with NCAA Tournament teams Arizona, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas and Texas Tech as well as Arizona State, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State and West Virginia.K-State men’s basketball season tickets for the 2024-25 season are currently available, with prices starting at less than $18 per game. Fans can purchase now to see the Wildcats all year including matchups against KU, Iowa State, Houston and conference newcomer Arizona by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or calling (800) 221.CATS.HEAD COACH JEROME TANG<a></a><a></a><a>On assembling the recruiting class and does he feel more like a general manager…</a>“I really don't know what a GM feels like. But I guess I'm learning to experience it and just managing and assembling a new roster. The good thing is I've got a couple of guys on our staff who worked with coaches in the past where they have had to rebuild the roster every year whether it's because they recruited a lot of junior college kids or whatever it was, and so it really wasn't an overwhelming challenge as far as numbers. The challenge was to make sure that we found guys that fit about who we are and would make our team better than we were last year.”On the height with the class…“I think what I like that stands out about the roster is that we got a number of guys who can shoot the ball and can make the three at a high clip. Whether they’re 6-foot-10 Coleman Hawkins or 5-foot-11 and three quarters, you know, I don’t want to cheat Dug (McDaniel). We got some guys that can make shots at a high clip and, and then their competitiveness, their IQ, how can we put them all on the floor at the same time. The other thing about this group is that we can play a variety of ways. We can play small, we can be a really good zone team if we choose to, knowing we’re going to be a really good man-to-man team. I feel like our roster is set up in a way that we can handle whatever problem is thrown at us by another team. We have a roster that can match any answer.”On when you prioritized Coleman Hawkins in the recruiting process…“Well, I mean, pretty early on, when he put his name in the draft and put his name in the portal. We had a conversation with him and felt like, you know, he had some interest in us, and we knew we had interest in him, and he was a kid that was true to his word. He told us he's going to consider three or four schools; we're going to be one of them and it just worked out. He brings a lot to the table as a player and as a leader in the locker room.”On if there were any differences with the transfer portal than in years’ past…“This is the first time we've had our whole roster done in June. I mean, our first year, Keyontae (Johnson) didn't show up until August right when school started, and Desi (Sills) didn't get her until October. And then last year, we didn't get a couple of guys until August or September and Will (McNair Jr.) was right after school started. So, we're gonna get to spend the whole four weeks in July of workouts with the whole group here. I believe that's gonna make a huge difference in how we develop as a team.”On saving scholarship spots for players going through the NBA Draft process…&nbsp;“We just tried to get the guys that are right for us; that want to be with us. It's not like a plan. Obviously, you know, guys who are going to pull their names out of the draft and if they've been invited to the combine, I mean, it means that they're really good players. And so, you know that type of talent that's available late if they are to pull their names out. But that is also the risk if you’re waiting for that. So, we try not to wait. But we just believe that God has got somebody better for us. Fortunately for us, this is just how it's turned out.”On recruiting players while they are going through the NBA Draft process…“If you wait until kids pull their names out draft, they already pretty much know where they're going. It's gonna be hard to get involved, so you try and get a gauge for what they're thinking you try and respect the way they want to be recruited. You have to trust that the information we have been given is the truth whether it's from them, their family members, their agents. Coleman (Hawkins) was great. He told us that we were one of the schools he was interested in. But his focus was on the combine, so we left him alone. When he told us when it was time to talk (with his family) they were very, very professional about it. The whole process was very enjoyable, but it was also nerve-wracking because of the other teams that were also recruiting him.”On recruiting versatile bigs…“The way the game is played now, the really talented bigs who want to play in the NBA have to play in the 5-out type offenses and do multiple things. They no longer just let guys stand on the block anymore. So, knowing the type of talent we wanted to attract, we had to run an offense that fits that personnel. We can help them get to where they want to get to and because we've done that (in the past) and it's given us this opportunity to be able to recruit guys like Coleman, Achor (Achor) and Ugonna (Onyenso).”On recruiting players with multiple years of eligibility…“I'd love to tell you that we sat around and said we want to balance the roster. We just want the best players that fit who about. Dug (McDaniel) put his name in the portal. We thought he was the best point guard out there. The group fits what we wanted and what we want this program to be about. And so, it's nice that they have multiple years, but I think like most kids, they come into this situation thinking, they'll be one-and-done and go to the NBA, so we try not to assume that we're going to have multiple years (with a player). You're just gonna have the best year we can right now. Now there are a few guys who come in and understand this is not a sprint, it's a marathon. But you just try to figure out what each guy needs to get better and see if you can help them to get there. So, the fact that we could bring back multiple these guys for a second year is a great thing, but we can't just assume that's going to happen because of the nature of college basketball.”On what you are stressing with Dug McDaniel as he takes over the point guard duties…“You know, just leadership. Dug is a very passionate player. His passion is what separates him. He has physical skills, but Dug is just a competitor. He's got to learn how to always be thinking about the next plan. Like it doesn't matter what just happened. What's the next thing he has to do as a point guard and the leader of this team. And so that's what we're talking about with him this summer, how to get to the next play and not worrying about what just happened and whether it was something good that happened or whether it's something bad that happened, like how do we move on to the next play? And then just the approach of being consistent. If he has a consistent work ethic in how he approaches his day, then he's going to be consistent as a player in games. I think a word that best describes Dug as well as Coleman (Hawkins) is volatile and, by volatile, I mean that it can be here one day and the next day you’re not sure what you’re going to get. It's going to be about this. Let's deliver a consistent performance, whether it's practice with how you do your academic side, how you do everything, let's just be consistent in our work, and it'll produce consistent play. And if those guys consistently perform at a level that they're capable of, we adjust to be really, really good.”On David N’Guessan being veteran presence…“Actually, David hasn't been around this summer. David is with the Dutch National Team. Both he and his brother made their national team, and I'm excited for that. It's something that his mom sent me a text how it's a dream come true, that both of her sons are playing on the national team and so we're proud of him. So, he's there working. And we're in communication with him. But Taj (Manning) and Buddy (Rich), they've done a great job and, and a group that we brought in are really, really passionate about the game. They want to learn, and they want to, get better and so they're really embracing everything that we do. So, it's been a lot of fun.”On the next steps for Taj Manning and Macaleab Rich…“My message hasn’t changed. It was the same for the guys who left and for the ones who stayed. Our job as a staff is to go out and find guys who can start and their job as players is to make sure they don’t. I have tried to be really transparent with the team. Obviously, the results last year were not what we expected. It’s not what our fans deserve. And so that’s on us as a staff to bring in players who give us a chance to win a Big 12 Championship, get us to a Final Four and win a national championship. Every year, the players who are here have to embrace that if they want to be great, there has to be great competition. And so, they help us recruit guys here who are looking to start then they get out on the floor and compete. Taj, Buddy and David (N’Guessan) have all embrace that, so I’m very proud of those guys.”On the Jones (C.J. Jones and Max Jones)…“C.J. is a very versatile kid, at 6-foot-5 with a 6-7 wingspan who can play multiple positions. He played the point at UIC, but he has that competitive toughness to be able to play off the ball, so we're excited to have him. Max can really shoot the basketball. He has a chip on his shoulder because he is a guy who started at Division II and moved his way up. Every day he's just getting better and better. They're both just terrific human beings, so our fans are going to enjoy getting to know them.”On the recruitment of Mobi Ikegwuruka…“Yeah, we actually knew about Mobi when he was in high school. We watched some film of him and really liked him, but just didn’t think that’s what we needed coming out of high school. So then when he went to junior college, we paid attention to him. And his athleticism, his competitiveness. And he's just a special person when you talk to somebody who speaks five languages. He has a bunch of different interests that are not normal for your typical basketball player. He reminds me of (former Baylor player) Jeremy Sochan in that respect. He’s into fashion, different types of music. He’s just a guy you can have a conversation with and not ever have to talk about basketball. He loves the game and wants to get better. He has great length and athleticism. He can get you easy buckets. He has things that you can’t coach. So, we're excited to have him.”On the last two scholarships helping to create a margin of error that you didn’t have last season…“The last two guys we signed (Ugonna Onyenso and Coleman Hawkins) have really set us up to have a chance to be really good. And you know at the time I thought man we had the right guys we have a little margin for error. And then now that they're here the coaching kicks in and I say ‘Man, we still don't have any margin for error.’ We have to keep getting better. We got to keep grinding. The staff has done an unbelievable job putting this this roster together. And I don't know that it could have gone any better than it's had. I’ve been so pleased with what we have and what we have to work with and looking forward to watch and how we put all the pieces together.”On year three being one where you take a big step…“I haven’t really thought about that. I think in the past, you know there was a time that you would bring guys in then the next year you would bring in more of your guys and by the third you would know your roster pretty much was yours. Well, you know that in year one we had to bring in 11 guys to go along with Markquis (Nowell) and Ish (Massoud), so they were our guys. And then last year, they were all our guys so I think now it’s just a little bit different because you can rebuild your roster every year with all the movement that takes place. I know that we feel really good as a staff like the continuity of our staff. We've been getting everybody together. You know just more on the same page. We speak in the same language. You know, just everybody settled, you know, as far as their homes, you know that all those things that make the job easier, you know, a little bit more in place so I can feel that. There's a different focus about what we want to accomplish.”On what you have learned as a head coach heading into year three…“It's just for me prioritizing what's important because being pulled in so many directions, and the people who are pulling you in those directions, that whatever they need you to do is very important to them. I have had to figure out what's the most important thing for the program. So, what do I do next? Put it in order of priority. It’s hard to say yes to everybody and try to do everything, but I have learned enough to not chase rabbits.”On David Castillo…“David’s maturity and approach is different. You would not know that he's a freshman. I don’t want to put any more pressure on a young fella, but I just walk out of the gym all the time and try to think of ways I’m not going to start him. What he's done very quickly is he's gained our trust as a staff. Down 1 with 30 seconds to go and the crowd’s going crazy on the road and he’s gonna be okay out on the floor. I can trust him out on the floor. He can make the right decision. I’m so impressed with him.”On building chemistry with so many new players…“It has to happen organically, but we have to create opportunities for it to happen. They all live in the same apartment complex. And it's 30 seconds from the gym and we spend a lot of time in the gym. We have family dinners. So, we're always together in each other's homes. We create opportunities for organic chemistry, just for guys to be able to interact with each other in different situations. It's our job to connect with our players’ hearts. And once you connect with their hearts, you can get them to understand or at least you'll understand where they're coming from to help them get to where they want to get to. Like we haven't been able to do this the last two years because we spent the whole summer still recruiting a team. And so, you couldn't fully focus on what kind of team you can be, meshing and doing team building things because you're waiting for the guys to get there. Well, by July 7, we're gonna have every guy on campus, Lord willing, and we're gonna be able to do team building, just get a chance to see them all interact with each other. They're all going to be there, and we'll get to see it. And I think that's going to help bolster that chemistry that we want. And then us to be able to identify, things that we need to work on it or need to have to be able to build the type of chemistry.”On emphasizing better 3-point shooters in building this roster…