No. 4-seeded Kansas Wesleyan plays top-seeded Tabor in the semifinals of the Kansas Conference Tournament.

SATURDAY'S GAME Opponent: Tabor Bluejays Time: 2 p.m. Location: Hillsboro

No. 4-seeded Kansas Wesleyan plays top-seeded Tabor in the semifinals of the Kansas Conference Tournament.SATURDAY'S GAME Opponent: Tabor Bluejays Time: 2 p.m. Location: HillsboroLIVE COVERAGE<ul>
 <li>The video stream of the game will be available online through the Coyote Sports Network at&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6b099eb2-4be9-4971-aa1a-2c6c5571ccf4?elinkdata=6348" target="_blank">www.kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan</a>.</li><li>Live Stats will be available at&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/104546b5-1f98-4b96-be4b-18eff72e1d62?elinkdata=6348" target="_blank">https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary</a></li><li>Radio coverage can be heard locally on KINA 910 AM/107.5 FM, and online at Salina Post. The online stream is also available at&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2a33c9d7-3b67-4862-93ad-e3094434a840?elinkdata=6348" target="_blank">https://radio.securenetsystems.net/ce/kina2</a>. Tyler Henry will have the call with pregame starting at 6:30</li>
 </ul>TICKETS<ul>
 <li>Tickets for the KCAC tournament are on sale now at&nbsp;<a href="http://kcacsports.com/" target="_blank">kcacsports.com</a>&nbsp;--&gt;&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8c7ed44f-6651-4726-a8fe-f221f82ab9f7?elinkdata=6348" target="_blank">GET TICKETS HERE</a></li><li>This is a no pass event, per KCAC policy</li><li>All tickets must be purchased online, there will be no on-site ticket sales, KWU ticket staff will be available to help with ticket sales at the door, but there will be no cash sales</li>
 </ul>RECORDS<ul>
 <li>Kansas Wesleyan 17-12</li><li>Tabor 25-4</li>
 </ul>THE SERIES<ul>
 <li>Tabor has won the last two games and five of the last six. The Bluejays defeated the Coyotes 77-61 January 6 in Salina in the first game this season and 86-38 February 21 in Hillsboro in the second. KWU's last victory was February 15, 2023, in Mabee Arena (62-61). Tabor has a 23-18 lead in the series since February 2006.</li>
 </ul>KANSAS WESLEYAN AT A GLANCE<ul>
 <li>The Coyotes defeated fifth-seeded Evangel 81-72 in the quarterfinals Wednesday night inside Mabee Arena. It was their seventh victory in their last nine games. Freshman point guard&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/38fa5b2d-05e1-478d-845c-5c0fb113364b?elinkdata=6348" target="_blank">Odessa Ozuna</a>&nbsp;led the way with 16 points off the bench - 12 in the final 5½ minutes of the game that included nine consecutive points in a 1:36 minute span. KWU outscored the Valor 11-4 the final 2:48.</li><li><a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b881cabb-0386-40bc-90f7-09b46ac2f781?elinkdata=6348" target="_blank">Daijane Adams</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a3acb1a5-fb3f-4913-b1b8-5187f209be17?elinkdata=6348" target="_blank">Jill Stephens</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bef087b0-b7c4-4715-b690-3787c3cfe150?elinkdata=6348" target="_blank">LaMyah Ricks</a>&nbsp;each scored 11 as the Coyotes shot 43.6 percent and were 11 of 23 from 3-point range. They have made 28 3-pointers in their last two games after going 17 of 42 in the regular-season finale against York that included 10 in the fourth quarter.</li><li>The Coyotes had a tough night shooting the ball in their last game against Tabor going 12 of 54 from the field (22.2 percent) overall, 3 of 19 from 3-point range.&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b635d4c0-8ced-4675-b5ef-b9a415e7030d?elinkdata=6348" target="_blank">Angel Lee</a>&nbsp;scored 11 points and Stephens nine.</li><li>Ricks leads the team in scoring (11.3) followed by Stephens (11.1). Stephens is the top rebounder (5.1) and is shooting 39 percent from beyond the 3-point line (72 of 185). Lee averages 9.7 points but has been on a tear of late - 14.5 over her last six games.</li><li>The Coyotes average 68.6 points and allow 68.9. They're shooting 38 percent overall, 32 percent from the 3-point line. They're outrebounding their opponents by 1.3 per game and average 16.7 turnovers.</li><li>Ricks was named All-KCAC Second Team earlier this week. Stephens was Honorable Mention and Ozuna was on the All-Freshman Team.</li>
 </ul>TABOR AT A GLANCE<ul>
 <li>The Bluejays routed Bethel 67-39 the quarterfinals Wednesday night in Hillsboro. Bethel shot 27.5 percent overall (14 of 51) and was 2 of 11 from deep. It was Tabor's 13th&nbsp;consecutive victory.</li><li>Defense is Tabor's hallmark. The Bluejays allow 54.4 points per game which ranks seventh in the NAIA. Their last five opponents scored 48 points or less; the most points they have given up this season was 78 against College of the Ozarks in their season opener. Opposing teams are shooting 37.7 percent which includes 26.5 percent from long distance.</li><li>Tabor averages 68 points and is shooting 45 percent overall, 37.3 percent beyond long range. The Bluejays average 13.4 turnovers.</li><li>Senior forward Alyvia Owens leads a balanced offensive attack (11.0 points per game). Junior guard Kassidy Beam is next (8.3) then freshman guard Lillie Veer (8.0).</li><li>Alicia Baker led Tabor with 13 points off the bench in the game against KWU last week. The Bluejays shot 62.5 percent (35 of 56) including 8 of 14 beyond the arc.</li>
 </ul>

KWU WBB to face top seeded Tabor in KCAC Semifinals on KINA

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

With the exception of a few loyalists wearing purple and white on Thursday night, the entire state of Kansas counted Southeast of Saline out in their semifinal matchup with Hesston.

The three-time defending 3A state champs were the top seed in the bracket, came in with a pristine 17-3 record, and had already dominated Southeast once in a 49-32 season opener victory.

Some already had the Swathers penciled in for a final with Santa Fe Trail on Saturday.

“We haven’t been in this position for a few years where nobody expects us to win,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “Nobody expected us to compete with the upper-echelon teams in the state but our guys didn’t listen to any of that, they believe they belong and that can be dangerous.”

This game was a dogfight right from the start, and Hesston delivered the first punch, taking a 12-3 lead off the starting line, but the Trojans battled back to cut the lead to two at the end of the first quarter.

Amidst a second-quarter run, with 3:31 remaining in the half Owen Bailey splashed a three from the left wing to give the Trojans their first lead since the opening minutes and Southeast slammed the gas to take a nine-point lead into the break.

“We knew at halftime that they weren’t going away,” Flax said. “It’s embedded in their program that those guys are winners but I thought we did a good job of staying the course and battling on every possession in the second half.”

Southeast tightened the screws defensively in the third quarter, holding Hesston to just three made field goals and extending their lead to ten, a lead they would hold on to win by at the final buzzer.

“We told the guys that every possession was going to be a battle and you have to win more of those than Hesston does,” Flax said. “We started off a little slow and a little soft but once we settled in man we competed and it was so fun to see those guys battle for four quarters.”

Six different Trojans recorded a bucket in the win, led by Gannon Jacobson (16), Owen Bailey (12), Daniel Kejr (9) and Omar Calzada (9).

On the other side Adrian Hernandez (14) and Jackson Fry (10) were the leading scorers for the Swathers, but it wasn’t enough as Hesston’s season draws to a close at 18-4.

The Trojans meanwhile, move to 13-9, and earn a date with Santa Fe Trail in the sub-state championship game on their own home floor this Saturday.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post<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." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>With the exception of a few loyalists wearing purple and white on Thursday night, the entire state of Kansas counted Southeast of Saline out in their semifinal matchup with Hesston.The three-time defending 3A state champs were the top seed in the bracket, came in with a pristine 17-3 record, and had already dominated Southeast once in a 49-32 season opener victory.Some already had the Swathers penciled in for a final with Santa Fe Trail on Saturday.The Trojans had other plans.“We haven’t been in this position for a few years where nobody expects us to win,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “Nobody expected us to compete with the upper-echelon teams in the state but our guys didn’t listen to any of that, they believe they belong and that can be dangerous.”This game was a dogfight right from the start, and Hesston delivered the first punch, taking a 12-3 lead off the starting line, but the Trojans battled back to cut the lead to two at the end of the first quarter.Amidst a second-quarter run, with 3:31 remaining in the half Owen Bailey splashed a three from the left wing to give the Trojans their first lead since the opening minutes and Southeast slammed the gas to take a nine-point lead into the break.“We knew at halftime that they weren’t going away,” Flax said. “It’s embedded in their program that those guys are winners but I thought we did a good job of staying the course and battling on every possession in the second half.”Southeast tightened the screws defensively in the third quarter, holding Hesston to just three made field goals and extending their lead to ten, a lead they would hold on to win by at the final buzzer.“We told the guys that every possession was going to be a battle and you have to win more of those than Hesston does,” Flax said. “We started off a little slow and a little soft but once we settled in man we competed and it was so fun to see those guys battle for four quarters.”Six different Trojans recorded a bucket in the win, led by Gannon Jacobson (16), Owen Bailey (12), Daniel Kejr (9) and Omar Calzada (9).On the other side Adrian Hernandez (14) and Jackson Fry (10) were the leading scorers for the Swathers, but it wasn’t enough as Hesston’s season draws to a close at 18-4.The Trojans meanwhile, move to 13-9, and earn a date with Santa Fe Trail in the sub-state championship game on their own home floor this Saturday.

Trojans Shock Swathers in Semifinal Upset

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6895af13-c79a-4c2a-aab9-b7451ff9f132?elinkdata=6302" target="_blank">Caden Hale's</a>&nbsp;success shooting the basketball boils down to one simple factor.

"I'm one of those players if I see one shot go in, I'm going to shoot a bunch more shots," he said.

Several shots have gone in of late, most notably Thursday night in Kansas Wesleyan's quarterfinal game against Ottawa in the Kansas Conference Tournament. After going 1 of 2 shooting in the first half Hale made his first attempt early in the second half and the flood gates opened.

He scored 16 points on 6 of 8 shooting the final 20 minutes and the Coyotes fended off OU's late rally in a 75-69 victory inside Mabee Arena.

Second-seeded KWU (22-7) advances to the semifinals and a rematch with third-seeded and No. 9-ranked Southwestern at 7 p.m. Saturday in Mabee Arena. The Moundbuilders (24-4) eliminated sixth-seeded McPherson 93-79 Thursday in Winfield.

Hale, who was 7 of 10 shooting and finished with a team-high 18 points, credited his teammates for helping him succeed.

"They always give me confidence coming off the bench," he said. "We had other guys on the bench that stepped up and I knew towards the end it was my time.

"Don't know if I'm coming back next year yet so I'm just going out there with the 'going to have fun mentality' at this point."

Four other Coyotes also scored in double figures.&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4a2d2a69-eb60-4673-9560-13d91ec44d84?elinkdata=6302" target="_blank">Jun Murdock</a>&nbsp;had 14 and five assists,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e461a1e5-419c-4930-89e0-b17f5f0f7f30?elinkdata=6302" target="_blank">Alex Littlejohn</a>&nbsp;12 and 14 rebounds and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9574b555-a961-49c0-bf6c-2d3655ec245c?elinkdata=6302" target="_blank">Thurbil Bile</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3f66f8e8-3a7b-4587-8e82-4632f745ccf4?elinkdata=6302" target="_blank">Izaiah Hale</a>&nbsp;scored 10 each. Bile also had seven rebounds, five assists and four blocks.

"Hitting his first shot is the recipe for success," KWU coach&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/20973d52-eb57-42b5-b2d6-c0c49de12e91?elinkdata=6302" target="_blank">Anthony Monson</a>&nbsp;said of Hale. "Guys, especially guards, see that ball go in the basket and it's a comfort deal.

"A guy like Alex knows he's going to play a lot and knows he has unlimited opportunities. Caden knows he sometimes has got limited opportunities and he made the most of them tonight. ... Hats off to him for being ready to go."

KWU defeated Ottawa (16-13) the third time this season but it was not easy. The Coyotes led 36-33 at halftime and opened the second with a 16-7 run that made it 52-40 with 13:40 left.

They seemed to have things under control leading 73-60 with 3:25 remaining but the Braves made it interesting with a 9-0 surge and trailed 73-69 with 56.6 seconds left.

Bile's dunk with 39.3 seconds left after KWU broke through Ottawa's full-court pressure stopped the bleeding and were the game's final two points.

OU missed its last five shots, and the Coyotes couldn't connect on the front end of three one-and-one free throw chances the final 1:37.

Monson's pointed to his team's work on the defensive end as the key in the second half.

"(Jayden) Hibbitt only scored five points in the second half and he had nine at halftime," he said. "(Deondre) Buggage was 9 for 26 (shooting) and that's the recipe with high-volume scorers. You don't necessarily slow them down; you just want to find ways to make them work and I thought we did a good job of that."

Monson was not pleased with his team's effort in the first half.

"We challenged our guys pretty well at halftime," he said. "We were being a little lackadaisical. There were a couple of sets they ran especially on inbounds plays where they actually just walked through us after we fell asleep."

Hale said everything the Coyotes' do is predicated on their defense.

"When we get stops and are able to run, get some easy buckets it gives us a lot of momentum," he said. "We're at our best when we're scoring in transition. In playoff basketball it's hard to run halfcourt sets and survive."

KWU shot 51.6 percent the second half (16 of 31) and 47.7 percent for the game (31 of 65) including 7 of 21 from long distance. Ottawa shot 39.2 percent for the game (29 of 74). Buggage led the Braves with 21 points followed by Hibbitt's 14.

The Coyotes will be seeking their third victory this season over Southwestern on Saturday but know it won't be easy.

"We don't like them, they don't like us," Hale said. "It's a good matchup, we always have fun playing them. We need to play with the confidence that we usually play with."

"It's two really good teams, two (NAIA) national tournament teams going head-to-head," Monson said. "We've just got to find a way to be one point better."

The winner advances to the championship game Monday night inside Hartman Arena in Park City.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6895af13-c79a-4c2a-aab9-b7451ff9f132?elinkdata=6302" target="_blank">Caden Hale's</a>&nbsp;success shooting the basketball boils down to one simple factor."I'm one of those players if I see one shot go in, I'm going to shoot a bunch more shots," he said.Several shots have gone in of late, most notably Thursday night in Kansas Wesleyan's quarterfinal game against Ottawa in the Kansas Conference Tournament. After going 1 of 2 shooting in the first half Hale made his first attempt early in the second half and the flood gates opened.He scored 16 points on 6 of 8 shooting the final 20 minutes and the Coyotes fended off OU's late rally in a 75-69 victory inside Mabee Arena.Second-seeded KWU (22-7) advances to the semifinals and a rematch with third-seeded and No. 9-ranked Southwestern at 7 p.m. Saturday in Mabee Arena. The Moundbuilders (24-4) eliminated sixth-seeded McPherson 93-79 Thursday in Winfield.Hale, who was 7 of 10 shooting and finished with a team-high 18 points, credited his teammates for helping him succeed."They always give me confidence coming off the bench," he said. "We had other guys on the bench that stepped up and I knew towards the end it was my time."Don't know if I'm coming back next year yet so I'm just going out there with the 'going to have fun mentality' at this point."Four other Coyotes also scored in double figures.&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4a2d2a69-eb60-4673-9560-13d91ec44d84?elinkdata=6302" target="_blank">Jun Murdock</a>&nbsp;had 14 and five assists,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e461a1e5-419c-4930-89e0-b17f5f0f7f30?elinkdata=6302" target="_blank">Alex Littlejohn</a>&nbsp;12 and 14 rebounds and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9574b555-a961-49c0-bf6c-2d3655ec245c?elinkdata=6302" target="_blank">Thurbil Bile</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3f66f8e8-3a7b-4587-8e82-4632f745ccf4?elinkdata=6302" target="_blank">Izaiah Hale</a>&nbsp;scored 10 each. Bile also had seven rebounds, five assists and four blocks."Hitting his first shot is the recipe for success," KWU coach&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/20973d52-eb57-42b5-b2d6-c0c49de12e91?elinkdata=6302" target="_blank">Anthony Monson</a>&nbsp;said of Hale. "Guys, especially guards, see that ball go in the basket and it's a comfort deal."A guy like Alex knows he's going to play a lot and knows he has unlimited opportunities. Caden knows he sometimes has got limited opportunities and he made the most of them tonight. ... Hats off to him for being ready to go."KWU defeated Ottawa (16-13) the third time this season but it was not easy. The Coyotes led 36-33 at halftime and opened the second with a 16-7 run that made it 52-40 with 13:40 left.They seemed to have things under control leading 73-60 with 3:25 remaining but the Braves made it interesting with a 9-0 surge and trailed 73-69 with 56.6 seconds left.Bile's dunk with 39.3 seconds left after KWU broke through Ottawa's full-court pressure stopped the bleeding and were the game's final two points.OU missed its last five shots, and the Coyotes couldn't connect on the front end of three one-and-one free throw chances the final 1:37.Monson's pointed to his team's work on the defensive end as the key in the second half."(Jayden) Hibbitt only scored five points in the second half and he had nine at halftime," he said. "(Deondre) Buggage was 9 for 26 (shooting) and that's the recipe with high-volume scorers. You don't necessarily slow them down; you just want to find ways to make them work and I thought we did a good job of that."Monson was not pleased with his team's effort in the first half."We challenged our guys pretty well at halftime," he said. "We were being a little lackadaisical. There were a couple of sets they ran especially on inbounds plays where they actually just walked through us after we fell asleep."Hale said everything the Coyotes' do is predicated on their defense."When we get stops and are able to run, get some easy buckets it gives us a lot of momentum," he said. "We're at our best when we're scoring in transition. In playoff basketball it's hard to run halfcourt sets and survive."KWU shot 51.6 percent the second half (16 of 31) and 47.7 percent for the game (31 of 65) including 7 of 21 from long distance. Ottawa shot 39.2 percent for the game (29 of 74). Buggage led the Braves with 21 points followed by Hibbitt's 14.The Coyotes will be seeking their third victory this season over Southwestern on Saturday but know it won't be easy."We don't like them, they don't like us," Hale said. "It's a good matchup, we always have fun playing them. We need to play with the confidence that we usually play with.""It's two really good teams, two (NAIA) national tournament teams going head-to-head," Monson said. "We've just got to find a way to be one point better."The winner advances to the championship game Monday night inside Hartman Arena in Park City.

Hale, Coyotes outlast Ottawa advance to KCAC Semifinals vs Southwestern on Saturday

That’s the number Rocelyn Show has knocked down during her three years on the lanes competing as a member of the Salina Central bowling team.

On Friday, Rocelyn will travel to Wichita for the big one, as the Mustang senior prepares to compete in one last 5A state bowling tournament before graduation this spring.

Whether she returns to Salina with hardware in hand or not, Show has already etched her name into the Mustang record books in a career with numbers straight out of a simulation.

Before the final competition on March 1st, Show sits as the all-time leader in bowling average (200) and holds the single-season records for total pins (6,587) and single-season high-series (678).

Despite being a member of the team for just three years, she also ranks second in total career pins at Central, just 4,000 off all-time leader Cheyenne O’Connor.

All of this built to an excellent performance at regionals last week, where Show finished fourth in Hutch as the only participant of the 66 in play to bowl 200 or better in two of her three games.

While all of this is impressive on its own, the coll-bound athlete will also be in search of some redemption this Friday, after suffering a knee injury in her first game at state a season ago.

Show will get her chance when the lanes open at Bowlero Northrock in Wichita at 1:15 PM.

Results of this year’s 5A KSHSAA state bowling competition can be found <a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Bowling/State.cfm">here</a>.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post<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." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>17,727 pins.That’s the number Rocelyn Show has knocked down during her three years on the lanes competing as a member of the Salina Central bowling team.On Friday, Rocelyn will travel to Wichita for the big one, as the Mustang senior prepares to compete in one last 5A state bowling tournament before graduation this spring.Whether she returns to Salina with hardware in hand or not, Show has already etched her name into the Mustang record books in a career with numbers straight out of a simulation.Before the final competition on March 1st, Show sits as the all-time leader in bowling average (200) and holds the single-season records for total pins (6,587) and single-season high-series (678).Despite being a member of the team for just three years, she also ranks second in total career pins at Central, just 4,000 off all-time leader Cheyenne O’Connor.All of this built to an excellent performance at regionals last week, where Show finished fourth in Hutch as the only participant of the 66 in play to bowl 200 or better in two of her three games.While all of this is impressive on its own, the coll-bound athlete will also be in search of some redemption this Friday, after suffering a knee injury in her first game at state a season ago.Show will get her chance when the lanes open at Bowlero Northrock in Wichita at 1:15 PM.Results of this year’s 5A KSHSAA state bowling competition can be found <a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Bowling/State.cfm">here</a>.

Show Looks to Cap Off Impressive Career at 5A State Bowling Competition

Kansas- The Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association (KWCA) has announced the high school senior wrestlers who have accepted their invitation to take the mat in the inaugural KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals.&nbsp; 

The wrestlers who were selected, and accepted their invitation, will compete during the KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals on Sunday, March 17th, 2024 at Fugate Gymnasium on the campus of Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. Gates open at 2:30 pm and the opening ceremonies will begin at 3:15 pm.

That list includes Chase Johnson (118) from Minneapolis and Tucker Cell (157) from Abilene.

Tickets and advertising opportunities are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasshrineduals.com/" target="_blank">www.KansasShrineDuals.com</a>.

The KWCA and the Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc came together to create the Kansas Shrine Duals as a senior all-star wrestling event for a cause. 

The Kansas Shrine Duals will look to create the same level of impact and awareness for Shriners Children’s Hospitals that the 50-year traditions of the Kansas Shrine Bowl have established. All net proceeds from the Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc events benefit Shriners Children’s.

“We’re excited to bring the wrestling community of Kansas together to showcase some of the top talent in the state while making a genuine impact on the lives of children,” said Brice Kesler, Executive Director of the Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc. 

Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasshrineduals.com/" target="_blank">www.KansasShrineDuals.com</a>for tickets and opportunities to show your support for your favorite all-stars and help be a part of the cause.

All Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc. events are produced and presented to benefit Shriners Children’s. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity that produces annual events and related activities, with net proceeds benefiting Shriners Children’s. 

Shriners Children’s is a health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. 

Children up to the age of 18 are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients' ability to pay.

Kansas- The Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association (KWCA) has announced the high school senior wrestlers who have accepted their invitation to take the mat in the inaugural KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals.&nbsp; The wrestlers who were selected, and accepted their invitation, will compete during the KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals on Sunday, March 17th, 2024 at Fugate Gymnasium on the campus of Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. Gates open at 2:30 pm and the opening ceremonies will begin at 3:15 pm.That list includes Chase Johnson (118) from Minneapolis and Tucker Cell (157) from Abilene.Tickets and advertising opportunities are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasshrineduals.com/" target="_blank">www.KansasShrineDuals.com</a>.The KWCA and the Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc came together to create the Kansas Shrine Duals as a senior all-star wrestling event for a cause. The Kansas Shrine Duals will look to create the same level of impact and awareness for Shriners Children’s Hospitals that the 50-year traditions of the Kansas Shrine Bowl have established. All net proceeds from the Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc events benefit Shriners Children’s.“We’re excited to bring the wrestling community of Kansas together to showcase some of the top talent in the state while making a genuine impact on the lives of children,” said Brice Kesler, Executive Director of the Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasshrineduals.com/" target="_blank">www.KansasShrineDuals.com</a>for tickets and opportunities to show your support for your favorite all-stars and help be a part of the cause.All Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc. events are produced and presented to benefit Shriners Children’s. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity that produces annual events and related activities, with net proceeds benefiting Shriners Children’s. Shriners Children’s is a health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to the age of 18 are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients' ability to pay.

Two Local Wrestlers Selected to Participate in KWCA KS Shrine Duals

After knocking off Council Grove in the 3A sub-state quarterfinals, the Southeast of Saline boys’ basketball team will return to Gypsum for their biggest test yet, as the Trojans look to unseat the defending state-champion Hesston Swathers.

Despite playing in their home gym, the 4-seeded Trojans (12-9) will be the road team in this matchup, playing host to the top seed in Hesston (18-3) who throttled Smoky Valley 66-37 in their quarterfinal.

This will be the second meeting between the two sides as the Swathers defeated Southeast 49-32 in the season opener back in December, but a lot has changed for both teams since that early winter battle.

“I don’t know that it made a 17-point difference the first night but we were without Connor Caselman and we had a few guys four practices into the season because of football season,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “I think we’re far different than we were in that first meeting but Hesston has gotten a lot better as well.”

That matchup was just the first in a gauntlet for Southeast of Saline that saw the Trojans tangle with state-ranked foes in nine different matchups this year, and helped set the tone for future games like this one.

“There’s a real rivalry with Hesston and I think the best thing our boy’s basketball program has done has been to start the season with them,” Flax said. “You know what you’re going to get with them, they scrap, they’re physical, and it’s a really good early-season test to see where you’re at as a team.”

While the Swathers can explode offensively, showcased in five 60+ point performances this season, where Hesston really shines is on the defensive end, where they have held 16 of their 21 opponents to under 40 points on the year.

“They make it really difficult for you to get shots and they’re okay with grinding out a game in the 40s if that’s what it takes,” he said. “Offensively they earn extra opportunities on the glass and they don’t shoot a lot of threes but the Reed Freisen kid is a lot better than a lot of people realize, he’s efficient and he’s a difficult guy to guard.”

In order to slay this goliath, Southeast will need to be locked in offensively, and be willing to do the dirty work on the glass to deny the Swathers extra possessions on both ends of the floor.

“We can’t turn the ball over in a game like this and we have to be good on the glass,” Flax said. “Offensively we have to find ways to take and make good shots and those are hard to come by but with a little patience offensively I think we can get the shots we want.”

Tip-off between the Swathers and Trojans is set for 7:00 at Southeast of Saline High School. As always the game can be heard on KINA or streamed with live audio and video on the Salina Post.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post<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." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>After knocking off Council Grove in the 3A sub-state quarterfinals, the Southeast of Saline boys’ basketball team will return to Gypsum for their biggest test yet, as the Trojans look to unseat the defending state-champion Hesston Swathers.Despite playing in their home gym, the 4-seeded Trojans (12-9) will be the road team in this matchup, playing host to the top seed in Hesston (18-3) who throttled Smoky Valley 66-37 in their quarterfinal.This will be the second meeting between the two sides as the Swathers defeated Southeast 49-32 in the season opener back in December, but a lot has changed for both teams since that early winter battle.“I don’t know that it made a 17-point difference the first night but we were without Connor Caselman and we had a few guys four practices into the season because of football season,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “I think we’re far different than we were in that first meeting but Hesston has gotten a lot better as well.”That matchup was just the first in a gauntlet for Southeast of Saline that saw the Trojans tangle with state-ranked foes in nine different matchups this year, and helped set the tone for future games like this one.“There’s a real rivalry with Hesston and I think the best thing our boy’s basketball program has done has been to start the season with them,” Flax said. “You know what you’re going to get with them, they scrap, they’re physical, and it’s a really good early-season test to see where you’re at as a team.”While the Swathers can explode offensively, showcased in five 60+ point performances this season, where Hesston really shines is on the defensive end, where they have held 16 of their 21 opponents to under 40 points on the year.“They make it really difficult for you to get shots and they’re okay with grinding out a game in the 40s if that’s what it takes,” he said. “Offensively they earn extra opportunities on the glass and they don’t shoot a lot of threes but the Reed Freisen kid is a lot better than a lot of people realize, he’s efficient and he’s a difficult guy to guard.”In order to slay this goliath, Southeast will need to be locked in offensively, and be willing to do the dirty work on the glass to deny the Swathers extra possessions on both ends of the floor.“We can’t turn the ball over in a game like this and we have to be good on the glass,” Flax said. “Offensively we have to find ways to take and make good shots and those are hard to come by but with a little patience offensively I think we can get the shots we want.”Tip-off between the Swathers and Trojans is set for 7:00 at Southeast of Saline High School. As always the game can be heard on KINA or streamed with live audio and video on the Salina Post.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4-CbLJSx5dU"></iframe>
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 </figure>

Trojans Return to Gypsum to Tangle With Defending State Champs

The smallest player on the court made the biggest impact and as a result the Kansas Wesleyan women's basketball season is still alive.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a0014f57-6959-40d8-ace6-d1da750a9b33?elinkdata=6256" target="_blank">Odessa Ozuna</a>, a 5-foot-3 freshman point guard, scored 12 of her 16 points the final 5½ minutes of the game and propelled the Coyotes to an 81-72 come-from-behind victory over Evangel in a quarterfinal game of the Kansas Conference Tournament on Wednesday night inside Mabee Arena.

The fourth-seeded Coyotes (17-12) move on to the semifinals and a game against top-seeded Tabor at 2 p.m. Saturday in Hillsboro. The Bluejays (25-4) routed eighth-seeded Bethel 67-39 in their quarterfinal contest Wednesday in Hillsboro.

Tied at 64-64 Ozuna scored on a layup, was fouled, and made the free throw with 5:30 left in the game. Clinging to a 70-68 lead she went back to work in astounding fashion burying back-to-back 3-pointers that extended the Coyotes' lead to 76-68 with 2:01 remaining.

Evangel's Carson Dillard made a 3-pointer to trim the lead to 76-71 but Ozuna answered with three free throws with 1:12 left after she was fouled on a 3-point attempt. Fifth-seeded Evangel (16-10) got no closer than seven (79-72) the rest of the way.

It was KWU's third victory of the season over the Valor which completed their first season as a member of the KCAC.

"Part of it is having confidence in myself and the other part of it is my teammates having confidence in me," Ozuna said. "I've missed shots, I've had bad plays and they're just right there, they're in my ear, giving me a high five. They're like 'hey you're good, you're good, next play, next play.'"That's really a tribute to who I'm on the floor with and how good my teammates are at encouraging us."

The Coyotes trailed 57-55 after three quarters and were down 62-55 with 8:40 left in the game before embarking on the comeback. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/23364caa-777a-4f81-804e-66da91006605?elinkdata=6256" target="_blank">Brooke Strine</a>&nbsp;started it with six consecutive points.&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/99deb9fd-9bee-4d25-b21c-243fc3c540a0?elinkdata=6256" target="_blank">Jill Stephens'</a>&nbsp;3-pointer with 6:16 left tied the game at 64 and set the table for Ozuna's heroics.

"We've seen her make those plays in big games and in situations in the fourth quarter where we were looking for something," KWU coach&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d41a8e67-460d-4f04-ac78-7c053e5cb150?elinkdata=6256" target="_blank">Ryan Showman</a>&nbsp;said of Ozuna. "We had a stretch late third, early fourth quarter where we couldn't get anything going - bad possessions, poor execution."They were up seven, we called time and said 'now it's our run' and I feel like we took over from there. The icing on the cake was Ozuna hitting some big, big threes, making some free throws. Just such a great team win."

Ozuna played soccer, a sport where her size was not as much of a factor but found ways to survive and thrive in basketball. She surpassed the 2,000-point plateau during her career at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth.

After Wednesday's game Ozuna is averaging 7.1 points and is shooting 42 percent from the field, 41 percent from long distance in her first collegiate season.

"I got away with a little bit of a height disadvantage (in soccer)," she said. "In basketball I just try to play to my strengths - my speed, being quick, stuff like that. I try to take full advantage of that because I know height is not in my favor."

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/23734d49-a4e9-42ee-a075-ac9d636611c8?elinkdata=6256" target="_blank">Daijane Adams</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b16ee1c0-a116-4e4e-ae40-f64879c541e1?elinkdata=6256" target="_blank">LaMyah Ricks</a>&nbsp;and Stephens scored 11 apiece. The Coyotes shot 43.6 percent (24 of 55) and were 11 of 23 from beyond the 3-point line. They have made 28 3-pointers in their last two games - 10 in the fourth quarter against York last Saturday.

"When you're bought in on something and you want something so bad nothing's going to take it from you, that's what you saw in that fourth quarter," Showman said. "We knew how close we were, we weren't going to let it slip."

"I think shows how truly connected we are," Ozuna said of the Coyotes' fourth-quarter success. "We feed off each other and we know how to make those big plays."

Dillard led Evangel with 28 points while freshman center Kamie Jenkins had 20 points and 13 rebounds. The Valor shot 38 percent (27 of 71) including 5 of 16 from deep.

"We didn't do much to slow (Dillard and Jenkins) down but what we did do was a really great job on everyone else," Showman said. "Nobody had a breakout game."

KWU returns to Hillsboro just 11 days after losing to Tabor 86-38. The Bluejays won 77-61 in Salina in early January.

"That team was so excited when I told them we're going back to Hillsboro on Saturday," Showman said. "They want another shot. We didn't give our best effort; we were not very good last week. We had a feeling it would run through them and here we are."

The smallest player on the court made the biggest impact and as a result the Kansas Wesleyan women's basketball season is still alive.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a0014f57-6959-40d8-ace6-d1da750a9b33?elinkdata=6256" target="_blank">Odessa Ozuna</a>, a 5-foot-3 freshman point guard, scored 12 of her 16 points the final 5½ minutes of the game and propelled the Coyotes to an 81-72 come-from-behind victory over Evangel in a quarterfinal game of the Kansas Conference Tournament on Wednesday night inside Mabee Arena.The fourth-seeded Coyotes (17-12) move on to the semifinals and a game against top-seeded Tabor at 2 p.m. Saturday in Hillsboro. The Bluejays (25-4) routed eighth-seeded Bethel 67-39 in their quarterfinal contest Wednesday in Hillsboro.Tied at 64-64 Ozuna scored on a layup, was fouled, and made the free throw with 5:30 left in the game. Clinging to a 70-68 lead she went back to work in astounding fashion burying back-to-back 3-pointers that extended the Coyotes' lead to 76-68 with 2:01 remaining.Evangel's Carson Dillard made a 3-pointer to trim the lead to 76-71 but Ozuna answered with three free throws with 1:12 left after she was fouled on a 3-point attempt. Fifth-seeded Evangel (16-10) got no closer than seven (79-72) the rest of the way.It was KWU's third victory of the season over the Valor which completed their first season as a member of the KCAC."Part of it is having confidence in myself and the other part of it is my teammates having confidence in me," Ozuna said. "I've missed shots, I've had bad plays and they're just right there, they're in my ear, giving me a high five. They're like 'hey you're good, you're good, next play, next play.'"That's really a tribute to who I'm on the floor with and how good my teammates are at encouraging us."The Coyotes trailed 57-55 after three quarters and were down 62-55 with 8:40 left in the game before embarking on the comeback. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/23364caa-777a-4f81-804e-66da91006605?elinkdata=6256" target="_blank">Brooke Strine</a>&nbsp;started it with six consecutive points.&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/99deb9fd-9bee-4d25-b21c-243fc3c540a0?elinkdata=6256" target="_blank">Jill Stephens'</a>&nbsp;3-pointer with 6:16 left tied the game at 64 and set the table for Ozuna's heroics."We've seen her make those plays in big games and in situations in the fourth quarter where we were looking for something," KWU coach&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d41a8e67-460d-4f04-ac78-7c053e5cb150?elinkdata=6256" target="_blank">Ryan Showman</a>&nbsp;said of Ozuna. "We had a stretch late third, early fourth quarter where we couldn't get anything going - bad possessions, poor execution."They were up seven, we called time and said 'now it's our run' and I feel like we took over from there. The icing on the cake was Ozuna hitting some big, big threes, making some free throws. Just such a great team win."Ozuna played soccer, a sport where her size was not as much of a factor but found ways to survive and thrive in basketball. She surpassed the 2,000-point plateau during her career at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth.After Wednesday's game Ozuna is averaging 7.1 points and is shooting 42 percent from the field, 41 percent from long distance in her first collegiate season."I got away with a little bit of a height disadvantage (in soccer)," she said. "In basketball I just try to play to my strengths - my speed, being quick, stuff like that. I try to take full advantage of that because I know height is not in my favor."<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/23734d49-a4e9-42ee-a075-ac9d636611c8?elinkdata=6256" target="_blank">Daijane Adams</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b16ee1c0-a116-4e4e-ae40-f64879c541e1?elinkdata=6256" target="_blank">LaMyah Ricks</a>&nbsp;and Stephens scored 11 apiece. The Coyotes shot 43.6 percent (24 of 55) and were 11 of 23 from beyond the 3-point line. They have made 28 3-pointers in their last two games - 10 in the fourth quarter against York last Saturday."When you're bought in on something and you want something so bad nothing's going to take it from you, that's what you saw in that fourth quarter," Showman said. "We knew how close we were, we weren't going to let it slip.""I think shows how truly connected we are," Ozuna said of the Coyotes' fourth-quarter success. "We feed off each other and we know how to make those big plays."Dillard led Evangel with 28 points while freshman center Kamie Jenkins had 20 points and 13 rebounds. The Valor shot 38 percent (27 of 71) including 5 of 16 from deep."We didn't do much to slow (Dillard and Jenkins) down but what we did do was a really great job on everyone else," Showman said. "Nobody had a breakout game."KWU returns to Hillsboro just 11 days after losing to Tabor 86-38. The Bluejays won 77-61 in Salina in early January."That team was so excited when I told them we're going back to Hillsboro on Saturday," Showman said. "They want another shot. We didn't give our best effort; we were not very good last week. We had a feeling it would run through them and here we are."

Ozuna's late heroics send Coyotes past Evangel 81-72 in KCAC Quarterfinals

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Following Kansas’ first bowl win since 2008 and back-to-back bowl appearances for just the second time in program history, Director of Athletics Travis Goff announced today that Kansas Football Head Coach Lance Leipold has signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/LanceLeipold.AmendmentOne.Redacted.pdf" target="_blank">amended contract</a>, reflective of his overhaul of the Jayhawks over his first three seasons.

“Today’s announcement is an indicator of two absolute truths surrounding Kansas Football – Lance Leipold is among the very best coaches and leaders in the country and the University of Kansas continues to be unwavering in its commitment to building a championship-caliber football program for the long haul,” Goff said. “Since Lance and his staff arrived in Lawrence, our program has seen exponential growth in every facet both on and off the field. Winning nine games and earning a bowl trophy is an incredible accomplishment, but we are equally proud of the team for earning the highest grade point average in program history. Every aspect of our program is on an unprecedented positive trajectory, and we are eager to continue this prodigious build with Lance.”

Leipold is coming off his third season at the helm of the Jayhawks, having led Kansas to a 9-4 record in 2023, the program’s first nine-win season since 2007 and just its seventh nine-win season in program history. The historic season culminated in Kansas defeating UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on Dec. 26, 2023, Kansas’ first bowl victory since 2008.

“We are incredibly proud of what our football program has accomplished over the first three seasons in Lawrence, and look forward to the continued challenge of bringing a consistent winner and championship home to the University of Kansas,” Leipold said. With the alignment that exists between Chancellor Girod, Travis Goff and Kansas Football, it gives us great confidence in the future of the Jayhawk program, and we are thankful and humbled by the support of the University and Kansas Jayhawk fans everywhere.”

Since the start of the 2022 season, Kansas has been ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll six times, ranking as high as No. 19. Kansas was also ranked by the College Football Playoff Committee for the first time in program history in 2023 and made the playoff rankings three times during the 2023 season.

Under Leipold, Kansas has two wins against Top-25 opponents, including a 38-33 victory over No. 6 Oklahoma on Oct. 28, 2023, which was Kansas’ first win over a Top-10 conference opponent at home since 1984. In 2022, Kansas defeated No. 19 Oklahoma State to become bowl eligible, marking Kansas’ first win over a ranked opponent since 2010.

Kansas has seen unprecedented improvement under Leipold, as the Jayhawks finished the 2023 season ranked in the top-25 in total offense, passes intercepted, sacks allowed and more. Kansas also ranked in the top-10 in rushing offense, defensive touchdowns and 3rd&nbsp;down conversion rate.

Immediately following the 2023 season, construction began on the $448 million Gateway District and the reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, which Leipold and the Jayhawks will call home beginning in 2025. Upgrades to the team’s locker room and weight room have already taken place, while the team’s training hub, Anderson Family Football Complex, is currently under construction, undergoing major renovations and a significant expansion.

The momentum of Kansas Football under Leipold has transcended sport, serving as a catalyst for record-breaking University enrollment, heightened fan and alumni engagement and significant regional economic impact. Further, athletics fundraising has shattered records with $100 million raised in less than a year.&nbsp;

Kansas has seen dramatic improvement in attendance under Leipold, selling out seven of its last 12 home games. In 2023, combined attendance reached 321,219, which was the most in a season since 2008. David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium has also hosted ESPN’s College Gameday and FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff during the past two seasons. The Jayhawks are just one of six schools to host both national pregame shows.

The on-field success has carried into recruiting as well, as Leipold and his staff assembled the program’s highest rated signing day class during the 2023 early signing period. The Jayhawks have also set program GPA records in each of the last three semesters. This past fall, Kansas set a fall program record, attaining a 3.16 GPA in the classroom, while going 9-4 on the field. Over the past two seasons, Kansas has had four individuals named Academic All-Americans. From 1964-2021, the program had just 10 such honorees.

Leipold is set to enter his fourth season with the Jayhawks and is a six-time national champion and fastest coach in college football history to reach 100 career wins. His 17 wins over his first three seasons at KU are the most by a Jayhawk coach since J.V. Sikes won 18 games from 1948-1950. Leipold’s career head coaching record stands at 163-60, while he has led his teams to five bowl appearances, where he holds a 3-2 record all-time.

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Following Kansas’ first bowl win since 2008 and back-to-back bowl appearances for just the second time in program history, Director of Athletics Travis Goff announced today that Kansas Football Head Coach Lance Leipold has signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/LanceLeipold.AmendmentOne.Redacted.pdf" target="_blank">amended contract</a>, reflective of his overhaul of the Jayhawks over his first three seasons.“Today’s announcement is an indicator of two absolute truths surrounding Kansas Football – Lance Leipold is among the very best coaches and leaders in the country and the University of Kansas continues to be unwavering in its commitment to building a championship-caliber football program for the long haul,” Goff said. “Since Lance and his staff arrived in Lawrence, our program has seen exponential growth in every facet both on and off the field. Winning nine games and earning a bowl trophy is an incredible accomplishment, but we are equally proud of the team for earning the highest grade point average in program history. Every aspect of our program is on an unprecedented positive trajectory, and we are eager to continue this prodigious build with Lance.”Leipold is coming off his third season at the helm of the Jayhawks, having led Kansas to a 9-4 record in 2023, the program’s first nine-win season since 2007 and just its seventh nine-win season in program history. The historic season culminated in Kansas defeating UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on Dec. 26, 2023, Kansas’ first bowl victory since 2008.“We are incredibly proud of what our football program has accomplished over the first three seasons in Lawrence, and look forward to the continued challenge of bringing a consistent winner and championship home to the University of Kansas,” Leipold said. With the alignment that exists between Chancellor Girod, Travis Goff and Kansas Football, it gives us great confidence in the future of the Jayhawk program, and we are thankful and humbled by the support of the University and Kansas Jayhawk fans everywhere.”Since the start of the 2022 season, Kansas has been ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll six times, ranking as high as No. 19. Kansas was also ranked by the College Football Playoff Committee for the first time in program history in 2023 and made the playoff rankings three times during the 2023 season.Under Leipold, Kansas has two wins against Top-25 opponents, including a 38-33 victory over No. 6 Oklahoma on Oct. 28, 2023, which was Kansas’ first win over a Top-10 conference opponent at home since 1984. In 2022, Kansas defeated No. 19 Oklahoma State to become bowl eligible, marking Kansas’ first win over a ranked opponent since 2010.Kansas has seen unprecedented improvement under Leipold, as the Jayhawks finished the 2023 season ranked in the top-25 in total offense, passes intercepted, sacks allowed and more. Kansas also ranked in the top-10 in rushing offense, defensive touchdowns and 3rd&nbsp;down conversion rate.Immediately following the 2023 season, construction began on the $448 million Gateway District and the reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, which Leipold and the Jayhawks will call home beginning in 2025. Upgrades to the team’s locker room and weight room have already taken place, while the team’s training hub, Anderson Family Football Complex, is currently under construction, undergoing major renovations and a significant expansion.The momentum of Kansas Football under Leipold has transcended sport, serving as a catalyst for record-breaking University enrollment, heightened fan and alumni engagement and significant regional economic impact. Further, athletics fundraising has shattered records with $100 million raised in less than a year.&nbsp;Kansas has seen dramatic improvement in attendance under Leipold, selling out seven of its last 12 home games. In 2023, combined attendance reached 321,219, which was the most in a season since 2008. David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium has also hosted ESPN’s College Gameday and FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff during the past two seasons. The Jayhawks are just one of six schools to host both national pregame shows.The on-field success has carried into recruiting as well, as Leipold and his staff assembled the program’s highest rated signing day class during the 2023 early signing period. The Jayhawks have also set program GPA records in each of the last three semesters. This past fall, Kansas set a fall program record, attaining a 3.16 GPA in the classroom, while going 9-4 on the field. Over the past two seasons, Kansas has had four individuals named Academic All-Americans. From 1964-2021, the program had just 10 such honorees.Leipold is set to enter his fourth season with the Jayhawks and is a six-time national champion and fastest coach in college football history to reach 100 career wins. His 17 wins over his first three seasons at KU are the most by a Jayhawk coach since J.V. Sikes won 18 games from 1948-1950. Leipold’s career head coaching record stands at 163-60, while he has led his teams to five bowl appearances, where he holds a 3-2 record all-time.Additional Leipold Notes:<ul>
 <li>Leipold became the fourth KU head coach to make two or more bowl appearances over his career, joining Mark Mangino (3-1), Glen Mason (2-0) and Don Fambrough (0-2).</li><li>Over the past two seasons, Leipold has led Kansas to a 9-4 record at home, which are more home wins than the previous six years combined, in which Kansas was 7-30 over that span.</li><li>Kansas holds a combined record of 15-11 over the past two seasons, which is the best two-year span in 15 years (2007-08).</li><li>Kansas made its second-consecutive bowl appearance in 2023, marking the second time in program history that the Jayhawks have been bowl bound in two-straight seasons (2007-08).</li><li>Kansas was ranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings for the first time in program history in 2023 and made the playoff rankings three times in 2023, appearing as high as No. 16.</li><li>Since 2022, Kansas has appeared in the AP College Football rankings six times, ranking as high as No. 19. Kansas’ appearance in 2022 was the first for the Jayhawks since 2009.</li><li>During the summer of 2023, Kansas football contributed a program-record 504 hours of community service around the Lawrence community.</li>
 </ul>

Kansas Athletics Announces New Deal for Leipold

After finishing the regular season on a four-game winning streak, the Kansas Wesleyan Men's Basketball team earned the No. 2 seed in the KCAC Tournament and hosts No. 7 seed Ottawa on Thursday at 7 p.m. inside Mabee Arena.

THURSDAY'S GAME Opponent: Ottawa Braves Time: 7 p.m. Location: Mabee Arena

After finishing the regular season on a four-game winning streak, the Kansas Wesleyan Men's Basketball team earned the No. 2 seed in the KCAC Tournament and hosts No. 7 seed Ottawa on Thursday at 7 p.m. inside Mabee Arena.THURSDAY'S GAME Opponent: Ottawa Braves Time: 7 p.m. Location: Mabee ArenaLIVE COVERAGE<ul>
 <li>The video stream of the game will be available online through the Coyote Sports Network at&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5b4dd80e-d879-488e-ab1f-a67d7d0e75fd?elinkdata=6164" target="_blank">www.kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan</a>.</li><li>Live Stats will be available at&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1997e2e6-e93d-4d8f-94ec-b745b49782cb?elinkdata=6164" target="_blank">https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary</a></li><li>Radio coverage can be heard locally on Prime FM (94.5), and online at Salina Post. Tyler Henry will have the call with pregame starting at 6:30 p.m.</li>
 </ul>TICKETS<ul>
 <li>Tickets for the KCAC tournament are on sale now at&nbsp;<a href="http://kcacsports.com/" target="_blank">kcacsports.com</a>&nbsp;--&gt;&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b8c8c164-d050-4a5f-ba10-6b5ee1d7a5f2?elinkdata=6164" target="_blank">GET TICKETS HERE</a></li><li>This is a no pass event, per KCAC policy</li><li>All tickets must be purchased online, there will be no on-site ticket sales, KWU ticket staff will be available to help with ticket sales at the door, but there will be no cash sales</li>
 </ul>RECORDS<ul>
 <li>Kansas Wesleyan 21-7, 18-4 KCAC</li><li>Ottawa 16-12, 11-11 KCAC</li>
 </ul>THE SERIES<ul>
 <li>The Coyotes have won five in a row and six of seven. This season they won 77-67 December 6 in Ottawa and 89-83 February 19 in Mabee Arena. The Coyotes are 10-11 at home against OU since January 2006. The Braves lead the series 24-18 during that span.</li>
 </ul>KANSAS WESLEYAN AT A GLANCE<ul>
 <li>The Coyotes earned the second seed by closing out the regular season with four victories in eight days. After losing to Saint Mary, they responded with an epic 96-93 overtime victory over No. 9 Southwestern in Mabee Arena. It was their second victory over the Moundbuilders this season and gave them the tiebreaker that came into play after the two finished the regular season tied for second. Then came victories over Ottawa in Mabee Arena, at Tabor and York on Saturday in Mabee Arena.</li><li>The KWU-Ottawa winner plays the Southwestern/McPherson winner in the semifinals Saturday at the site of the higher seeded team. Southwestern is the third seed and McPherson the sixth. The championship game is scheduled for March 4 inside Hartman Arena in Park City.</li><li><a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c93ec9f2-6c2d-41ef-b220-5d2b9b4922fd?elinkdata=6164" target="_blank">Jun Murdock</a>&nbsp;celebrated Senior Night last Saturday in impressive fashion finishing with 28 points and five assists.&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/858f19d3-1d7d-45b9-84f0-84d4577c4865?elinkdata=6164" target="_blank">Izaiah Hale</a>&nbsp;scored 21 and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8c475af7-d13d-4d56-b201-dcef99f92e04?elinkdata=6164" target="_blank">Alex Littlejohn</a>&nbsp;had 14 points and 14 rebounds. KWU trailed 55-50 early in the second half before regaining the lead for good with 14:55 left.</li><li>Murdock and Littlejohn scored 15 apiece in the first game against Ottawa. Littlejohn also had 13 rebounds and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/09690491-ee63-4b78-bca0-6cde0226def8?elinkdata=6164" target="_blank">Thurbil Bile</a>&nbsp;added 11 points and 14 rebounds. KWU led 44-31 at halftime of the second game and fended off the Braves' attempts to rally in the second half. Littlejohn had 19 points and 15 rebounds, Bile and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/57d5b693-77d6-4c90-9a3f-fe8d2320dff8?elinkdata=6164" target="_blank">Caden Hale</a>&nbsp;scored 15 apiece and Murdock had 13.</li><li>Murdock averages 18 points, five assists and four rebounds while Littlejohn averages 17 points and 11 rebounds.&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/520cc629-f8a5-4316-b336-c8d3b1e343be?elinkdata=6164" target="_blank">Izaiah Hale</a>&nbsp;averages 10.7 points and Bile 9.7. KWU averages 82 points, allows 75 and is shooting 47 percent overall, 34 percent from 3-point range.</li>
 </ul>OTTAWA AT A GLANCE<ul>
 <li>The seventh-seeded Braves lost to Saint Mary 93-91 in overtime Saturday in Ottawa. It was their third loss in four games; they defeated Evangel 70-69 last Wednesday in Ottawa. OU had won five of six before the recent slump.</li><li>The Braves average 81.6 points but allow 80. They shoot 36 percent from long distance and average just under nine made 3-pointers per game on 36 percent shooting. Opponents are shooting 43 percent.</li><li>Jayden Hibbitt and Deondre Buggage average a combined 39.6 points per game - Hibbitt 20.6 and Buggage 19.0. Buggage, a 5-foot-9 junior point guard, has surpassed the 20-point plateau 13 times this season and Hibbitt 18 times. Hibbitt, a 6-6 junior and transfer from Washburn, has scored 30-plus points five times including 38 against Saint Mary on Saturday. Kameron Woods averages 11.3 points and Angok Anyang, a 6-9 center, 9.8 rebounds and 9.5 points.</li><li>Buggage scored 20 against KWU in the first game this season and 29 in the second while Hibbitt had 11 and 21 points respectively.</li>
 </ul>

KWU MBB Hosts No. 7 Ottawa Thursday on Prime FM

The Southeast of Saline Lady Trojans battled to the end of a game that had a real college feel to it on Tuesday, but couldn’t overcome a hot-shooting Osage City team, dropping their quarterfinal matchup 62-53.

For SES, the season draws to a close at 15-6, and while bittersweet, caps off yet another impressive year for the Lady Trojans, who have now won 15 or more games in each of their last five campaigns, emerging with at least a share of the league title in each of the last four.

Osage City, still the 4-seed in this year’s bracket, moves to 17-4 and will play Halstead (18-3) in the semifinal on Friday.

The Lady Indians came flying out of the gates, knocking down five three-pointers in the first quarter alone to take a 22-8 lead.

Behind a 13-point quarter from Maddie Harris, Southeast clawed some of that ground back, trailing by just nine at the half, and by just six points going into the fourth quarter.

SES began to heat up from beyond the arc, knocking down five threes of their own in the second half, including three in the fourth quarter, and tightened the screws on Osage defensively.

On three separate occasions, the Lady Trojans were able to make it a one-possession game, but the comeback effort ran out of steam in the closing minutes as Osage City pulled away at the line.

Harris would lead all scorers with 20 points, but Lexi Boss (17), Emory Speece (15), and Sadie Shoemaker (10) did just enough to allow the Lady Indians to eke out the win.

This game also marked the end of the road for Southeast’s three seniors, Maddie Harris, Lexi Jacobson, and Brielle Ptacek, who have each left their mark on this program both on and off the floor.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post<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." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline Lady Trojans battled to the end of a game that had a real college feel to it on Tuesday, but couldn’t overcome a hot-shooting Osage City team, dropping their quarterfinal matchup 62-53.For SES, the season draws to a close at 15-6, and while bittersweet, caps off yet another impressive year for the Lady Trojans, who have now won 15 or more games in each of their last five campaigns, emerging with at least a share of the league title in each of the last four.Osage City, still the 4-seed in this year’s bracket, moves to 17-4 and will play Halstead (18-3) in the semifinal on Friday.The Lady Indians came flying out of the gates, knocking down five three-pointers in the first quarter alone to take a 22-8 lead.Behind a 13-point quarter from Maddie Harris, Southeast clawed some of that ground back, trailing by just nine at the half, and by just six points going into the fourth quarter.SES began to heat up from beyond the arc, knocking down five threes of their own in the second half, including three in the fourth quarter, and tightened the screws on Osage defensively.On three separate occasions, the Lady Trojans were able to make it a one-possession game, but the comeback effort ran out of steam in the closing minutes as Osage City pulled away at the line.Harris would lead all scorers with 20 points, but Lexi Boss (17), Emory Speece (15), and Sadie Shoemaker (10) did just enough to allow the Lady Indians to eke out the win.This game also marked the end of the road for Southeast’s three seniors, Maddie Harris, Lexi Jacobson, and Brielle Ptacek, who have each left their mark on this program both on and off the floor.

Lady Trojans Conclude 5th-Straight 15-Win Campaign at Osage City

BY ADAM COULTER Salina Post Contributor

The Sacred Heart Knights hosted Republic County on Tuesday night in the opening round of the Alma-Wabaunsee 2A Substate and never trailed in the game.

The Knights scored the first 11 points of the game and never looked back. The score was 22-4 after the opening quarter and lead expanded to 46-7 at halftime.

Sacred Heart led 62-15 heading into the fourth quarter and, with a continuously running clock for the final eight minutes of the game, went on for a 79-23 win.

All 12 Knights on the postseason roster played in the game with 11 of them scoring. Max Ehrlich and Jason Marrs led Sacred Heart with 12 points apiece. Jett Samuelson scored 11 more for Sacred Heart.

Sacred Heart advances to the semifinals in the Wabaunsee-hosted 2A substate. The top-seeded Knights will face 4th-seeded Jackson Heights.&nbsp;

Tipoff is scheduled for 6pm on Friday night from Alma.

BY ADAM COULTER Salina Post Contributor<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." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Sacred Heart Knights hosted Republic County on Tuesday night in the opening round of the Alma-Wabaunsee 2A Substate and never trailed in the game.The Knights scored the first 11 points of the game and never looked back. The score was 22-4 after the opening quarter and lead expanded to 46-7 at halftime.Sacred Heart led 62-15 heading into the fourth quarter and, with a continuously running clock for the final eight minutes of the game, went on for a 79-23 win.All 12 Knights on the postseason roster played in the game with 11 of them scoring. Max Ehrlich and Jason Marrs led Sacred Heart with 12 points apiece. Jett Samuelson scored 11 more for Sacred Heart.Sacred Heart advances to the semifinals in the Wabaunsee-hosted 2A substate. The top-seeded Knights will face 4th-seeded Jackson Heights.&nbsp;Tipoff is scheduled for 6pm on Friday night from Alma.

Sacred Heart Boys Throttle Republic County in Sub-State Opener

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Dallin Hall and Jaxson Robinson scored 18 points apiece as BYU rallied from a 12-point deficit to beat seventh-ranked Kansas 76-68 on Tuesday night, ending the Jayhawks' 19-game home winning streak.

The Cougars (20-8, 8-7 Big 12) took a 66-63 lead when Noah Waterman drained a 3-pointer with 2:43 left. Hunter Dickinson answered with a 3 for Kansas, but Robinson hit two free throws and Hall drained another 3, sending BYU to a win in its first trip to storied Allen Fieldhouse since December 1971.

Dickinson had 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Jayhawks (21-7, 9-6), who were just 3 of 15 from 3-point range and 19 for 31 at the foul line. Dajuan Harris Jr. added 12 points, KJ Adams Jr. scored 11 and Johnny Furphy finished with 10.

BYU won despite heavy foul trouble in part by going 13 of 34 from behind the 3-point arc.

Already playing without Kevin McCullar Jr., who missed his fifth game with a bone bruise on his knee, the Jayhawks had a scare when Nick Timberlake landed hard after going up for a rebound. The thud echoed through Allen Fieldhouse, and Timberlake spent a couple of minutes in the locker room before eventually returning to the game.

Foul trouble set in for BYU in the second half. Hall picked up his fourth with 17:39 to go, and Trevin Knell got his fourth — after a double-technical with Dickinson — just minutes later. But the Jayhawks were unable to take advantage, not only struggling at the foul line but going more than eight minutes without a field goal.

BYU had another technical foul called on its bench with 7:50 left — and Harris made both of those free throws.

That's when the Cougars suddenly began to rain 3-pointers, wiping away a 56-50 deficit and taking their first lead at 59-58 on two free throws by Hall with 4:50 to play. Hall added two 3s of his own over the next few minutes, including one from the top of the key, which gave the Big 12 newcomers a 71-66 lead with 1:31 remaining.

The Cougars were able to hold on the rest of the way for another signature win in their first season in the Big 12.

BYU returns home to play TCU on Saturday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709090738114.png" alt="Kansas athletics" />
 <figcaption>Kansas athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Dallin Hall and Jaxson Robinson scored 18 points apiece as BYU rallied from a 12-point deficit to beat seventh-ranked Kansas 76-68 on Tuesday night, ending the Jayhawks' 19-game home winning streak.The Cougars (20-8, 8-7 Big 12) took a 66-63 lead when Noah Waterman drained a 3-pointer with 2:43 left. Hunter Dickinson answered with a 3 for Kansas, but Robinson hit two free throws and Hall drained another 3, sending BYU to a win in its first trip to storied Allen Fieldhouse since December 1971.Dickinson had 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Jayhawks (21-7, 9-6), who were just 3 of 15 from 3-point range and 19 for 31 at the foul line. Dajuan Harris Jr. added 12 points, KJ Adams Jr. scored 11 and Johnny Furphy finished with 10.BYU won despite heavy foul trouble in part by going 13 of 34 from behind the 3-point arc.Already playing without Kevin McCullar Jr., who missed his fifth game with a bone bruise on his knee, the Jayhawks had a scare when Nick Timberlake landed hard after going up for a rebound. The thud echoed through Allen Fieldhouse, and Timberlake spent a couple of minutes in the locker room before eventually returning to the game.Foul trouble set in for BYU in the second half. Hall picked up his fourth with 17:39 to go, and Trevin Knell got his fourth — after a double-technical with Dickinson — just minutes later. But the Jayhawks were unable to take advantage, not only struggling at the foul line but going more than eight minutes without a field goal.BYU had another technical foul called on its bench with 7:50 left — and Harris made both of those free throws.That's when the Cougars suddenly began to rain 3-pointers, wiping away a 56-50 deficit and taking their first lead at 59-58 on two free throws by Hall with 4:50 to play. Hall added two 3s of his own over the next few minutes, including one from the top of the key, which gave the Big 12 newcomers a 71-66 lead with 1:31 remaining.The Cougars were able to hold on the rest of the way for another signature win in their first season in the Big 12.UP NEXTBYU returns home to play TCU on Saturday night.Kansas is at Baylor Saturday afternoon.

🏀 BYU ends No. 7 Kansas' 19-game home win streak

Southeast of Saline’s Lady Trojans will open sub-state play on Tuesday night when SES makes the trip to Osage City to battle the 4-seed in the Lady Indians.

Despite posting an impressive record of 15-5, Southeast drew the short straw in sub-state assignments, slotting in as the 5-seed in a bracket that features six different 14+ win teams.

“In a bracket like this if you have one bad shooting night you’re probably not moving on,” SES head coach Shauna Smith said. But that’s okay, we’ll have to play three tough nights in order to move on but it is what it is.”

First up for the Lady Trojans is an Osage City squad that boasts an impressive resume of their own, entering postseason play at 16-4.

The Lady Indians have been led in scoring this season by Emory Speece, a speedy point guard who runs the offense, and the interior duo of Campbell Stark and Lexi Boss, who combine for 15 points and 14 rebounds a night.

“Osage City can score the ball well,” Smith said. “They have a 6-1 kid inside who can cause us some problems and they have a very aggressive point guard who can turn the corner on you so we need to keep her in front of us and control the pace of the game.”

Throughout the course of the season, Southeast’s offense has come alive, and played well down the stretch as the Lady Trojans won each of their final five contests. Tonight, SES will need that same level of intensity throughout their lineup to survive Osage City and earn a ticket back home.

“We’re attacking the basket a lot better and not relying as much on the perimeter as we used to,” Smith said. “We also mix up our scoring a lot more and everybody is chipping in. Our defense travels with us but we have to set the tempo of the game and not allow them to do that.”

The winner of this game will advance to the semifinals in Gypsum to face either Halstead (17-3) or Council Grove (3-17)

Tip-off between the Lady Trojans and Indians is scheduled for 6:oo on Tuesday night at Osage City High School.

Broadcast Information - Radio: KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) - Video: Salina Post (link below)

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post<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." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>Southeast of Saline’s Lady Trojans will open sub-state play on Tuesday night when SES makes the trip to Osage City to battle the 4-seed in the Lady Indians.Despite posting an impressive record of 15-5, Southeast drew the short straw in sub-state assignments, slotting in as the 5-seed in a bracket that features six different 14+ win teams.“In a bracket like this if you have one bad shooting night you’re probably not moving on,” SES head coach Shauna Smith said. But that’s okay, we’ll have to play three tough nights in order to move on but it is what it is.”First up for the Lady Trojans is an Osage City squad that boasts an impressive resume of their own, entering postseason play at 16-4.The Lady Indians have been led in scoring this season by Emory Speece, a speedy point guard who runs the offense, and the interior duo of Campbell Stark and Lexi Boss, who combine for 15 points and 14 rebounds a night.“Osage City can score the ball well,” Smith said. “They have a 6-1 kid inside who can cause us some problems and they have a very aggressive point guard who can turn the corner on you so we need to keep her in front of us and control the pace of the game.”Throughout the course of the season, Southeast’s offense has come alive, and played well down the stretch as the Lady Trojans won each of their final five contests. Tonight, SES will need that same level of intensity throughout their lineup to survive Osage City and earn a ticket back home.“We’re attacking the basket a lot better and not relying as much on the perimeter as we used to,” Smith said. “We also mix up our scoring a lot more and everybody is chipping in. Our defense travels with us but we have to set the tempo of the game and not allow them to do that.”The winner of this game will advance to the semifinals in Gypsum to face either Halstead (17-3) or Council Grove (3-17)Tip-off between the Lady Trojans and Indians is scheduled for 6:oo on Tuesday night at Osage City High School.Broadcast Information - Radio: KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) - Video: Salina Post (link below)<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8509RzvF8PI"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Lady Trojans Travel to Osage City to Open Postseason Play

BY ADAM COULTER Salina Post Contributor

The top-seeded Sacred Heart boys will begin their postseason&nbsp;on Tuesday night hosting the 8-seed in Republic County for the second time this season and facing the Buffaloes for a third time overall.

Sacred Heart won each of the first two games in convincing fashion by scores of 64-17 and 89-30.

The Knight's only losses this season are to 3A NCAA league rivals Ellsworth and twice against Beloit.

Republic County's only win this season came against Superior, Nebraska.

Seven Knight seniors will be looking for one more victory on their&nbsp;home floor before the sub-state tournament moves to Alma-Wabaunsee.

Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm Tuesday night from Salina.

BY ADAM COULTER Salina Post Contributor<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." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>The top-seeded Sacred Heart boys will begin their postseason&nbsp;on Tuesday night hosting the 8-seed in Republic County for the second time this season and facing the Buffaloes for a third time overall.Sacred Heart won each of the first two games in convincing fashion by scores of 64-17 and 89-30.The Knight's only losses this season are to 3A NCAA league rivals Ellsworth and twice against Beloit.Republic County's only win this season came against Superior, Nebraska.Seven Knight seniors will be looking for one more victory on their&nbsp;home floor before the sub-state tournament moves to Alma-Wabaunsee.Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm Tuesday night from Salina.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/csIaGPYkLXU"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Sacred Heart Boys set to Face Republic County in Sub-State Opener

Southeast of Saline’s boy's basketball team dominated for stretches of their quarterfinal tilt on Monday, defeating Council Grove 72-57 and punching their ticket to the sub-state semifinals on Thursday.

With this win, the Trojans move to 12-9 while the Braves season comes to a close at 8-13.

Southeast got off to a dream start at the top of this game, holding a 28-12 lead by the end of the first quarter in an early offensive outburst.

“We were locked in and ready to roll early,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “We had great pace, we forced them into difficult shots and we cleaned up on the boards. When we’re defending well and limiting them to one opportunity the basket tends to widen a little bit and the shots fall.”

Council Grove battled all the way back in the second quarter, trimming the lead down to as few as four, but after the half, the Trojans slammed the gas and never looked back in an eventual double-digit win.

Southeast was led in scoring by four Trojans in double-digits, anchored by a career-high night for Danny Kejr (16), who was aided by Owen Bailey (15), Gannon Jacobson (13), and Brenton Leeds (12).

All of that spoiled a Brycen Palmquist masterpiece, as the Council Grove star dropped 28 points to lead all scorers in the loss.

Southeast of Saline hosts their own sub-state this season, and will return to Gypsum on Thursday at 7:30 to battle the defending 3A state champs in Hesston, who dismantled Smoky Valley 66-37 on Monday.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post<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." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>Southeast of Saline’s boy's basketball team dominated for stretches of their quarterfinal tilt on Monday, defeating Council Grove 72-57 and punching their ticket to the sub-state semifinals on Thursday.With this win, the Trojans move to 12-9 while the Braves season comes to a close at 8-13.Southeast got off to a dream start at the top of this game, holding a 28-12 lead by the end of the first quarter in an early offensive outburst.“We were locked in and ready to roll early,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “We had great pace, we forced them into difficult shots and we cleaned up on the boards. When we’re defending well and limiting them to one opportunity the basket tends to widen a little bit and the shots fall.”Council Grove battled all the way back in the second quarter, trimming the lead down to as few as four, but after the half, the Trojans slammed the gas and never looked back in an eventual double-digit win.Southeast was led in scoring by four Trojans in double-digits, anchored by a career-high night for Danny Kejr (16), who was aided by Owen Bailey (15), Gannon Jacobson (13), and Brenton Leeds (12).All of that spoiled a Brycen Palmquist masterpiece, as the Council Grove star dropped 28 points to lead all scorers in the loss.Southeast of Saline hosts their own sub-state this season, and will return to Gypsum on Thursday at 7:30 to battle the defending 3A state champs in Hesston, who dismantled Smoky Valley 66-37 on Monday.

Early Outburst Propels Trojans Past Braves in Sub-State Quarterfinals

The Sacred Heart Lady Knights hosted Lincoln on Monday night in the opening round of the Alma-Wabaunsee 2A Substate and never trailed in the game, collecting a 65-12 win.

The Lady Knights scored the first 13 points while holding the Lady Leopards scoreless through the opening eight minutes. Lincoln continued to struggle from the field and found themselves looking up at a 30-0 deficit at halftime.

Sacred Heart added three additional points to its lead before Lincoln finally got on the scoreboard at the 6:41 mark of the third quarter. The Lady Knights led 53-6 heading into the fourth quarter and, with a continuously running clock for the final eight minutes of the game, went on for a 65-12 win.

All 12 Lady Knights on their postseason roster played in the game with nine of them scoring. Katie Weiss led Sacred Heart with 20 points. Skylar Douglas added 14 and Avery Eshleman scored 10 more for the home team.

Sacred Heart advances to the semifinals in the Wabaunsee-hosted 2A substate. The 2nd-seeded Lady Knights will face the 3rd-seeded Alma-Wabaunsee Lady Chargers.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 on Thursday night from Alma.

BY ADAM COULTER Salina Post Contributor<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." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Sacred Heart Lady Knights hosted Lincoln on Monday night in the opening round of the Alma-Wabaunsee 2A Substate and never trailed in the game, collecting a 65-12 win.The Lady Knights scored the first 13 points while holding the Lady Leopards scoreless through the opening eight minutes. Lincoln continued to struggle from the field and found themselves looking up at a 30-0 deficit at halftime.Sacred Heart added three additional points to its lead before Lincoln finally got on the scoreboard at the 6:41 mark of the third quarter. The Lady Knights led 53-6 heading into the fourth quarter and, with a continuously running clock for the final eight minutes of the game, went on for a 65-12 win.All 12 Lady Knights on their postseason roster played in the game with nine of them scoring. Katie Weiss led Sacred Heart with 20 points. Skylar Douglas added 14 and Avery Eshleman scored 10 more for the home team.Sacred Heart advances to the semifinals in the Wabaunsee-hosted 2A substate. The 2nd-seeded Lady Knights will face the 3rd-seeded Alma-Wabaunsee Lady Chargers.Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 on Thursday night from Alma.

Sacred Heart Girls Dominant in Sub-State Win Over Lincoln

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Tylor Perry scored 29 points and made six 3-pointers, Cam Carter added 19 points and Kansas State let a 25-point lead slip away before beating West Virginia 94-90 in overtime on Monday night.

Kansas State (17-11, 7-8 Big 12 Conference) set an NCAA single-season record with its seventh overtime victory, extending Jerome Tang’s mark to 12-0 in his two seasons as coach. West Virginia (9-19, 6-9) remains winless on the road this season, going 0 for 8.

Kansas State built a six-point lead, 87-81, in overtime before RaeQuan Battle made West Virginia's first field goal of extra time with 1:48 left. Battle made another 3-pointer with 34 seconds left to get within 89-88.

Kansas State dribbled down the clock before Perry was fouled and made two free throws for a 91-88 lead with 15.4 seconds left. The Wildcats elected to foul before West Virginia could attempt a tying 3-pointer. Kerr Kriisa made two free throws with 12.3 to get within 91-90.

Perry made two free throws with 8.8 seconds left for a 93-90 lead. Battle was long on a 3-pointer at the other end and Kansas State got the ball back after an official review. Carter sealed it with a free throw.

Will McNair Jr. and Arthur Kaluma each added 13 points for Kansas State. The Wildcats entered making just 30.7% of their 3-point attempts and finished 15 of 31 (48.4%) against the Mountaineers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709000407108.png" alt="Photo K-State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo K-State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Tylor Perry scored 29 points and made six 3-pointers, Cam Carter added 19 points and Kansas State let a 25-point lead slip away before beating West Virginia 94-90 in overtime on Monday night.Kansas State (17-11, 7-8 Big 12 Conference) set an NCAA single-season record with its seventh overtime victory, extending Jerome Tang’s mark to 12-0 in his two seasons as coach. West Virginia (9-19, 6-9) remains winless on the road this season, going 0 for 8.Kansas State built a six-point lead, 87-81, in overtime before RaeQuan Battle made West Virginia's first field goal of extra time with 1:48 left. Battle made another 3-pointer with 34 seconds left to get within 89-88.Kansas State dribbled down the clock before Perry was fouled and made two free throws for a 91-88 lead with 15.4 seconds left. The Wildcats elected to foul before West Virginia could attempt a tying 3-pointer. Kerr Kriisa made two free throws with 12.3 to get within 91-90.Perry made two free throws with 8.8 seconds left for a 93-90 lead. Battle was long on a 3-pointer at the other end and Kansas State got the ball back after an official review. Carter sealed it with a free throw.Will McNair Jr. and Arthur Kaluma each added 13 points for Kansas State. The Wildcats entered making just 30.7% of their 3-point attempts and finished 15 of 31 (48.4%) against the Mountaineers.Battle scored 28 points and made six 3-pointers, and Kriisa added 25 points and five 3-pointers for West Virginia. Jesse Edwards, averaging 14.6 points per game, was held to five points on 1-of-9 shooting.Kansas State led 48-26 at halftime after making 11 of 19 from 3-point range, while West Virginia was just 11 of 33 overall. The Wildcats led by as many as 25 points, 66-41, in the second half.Kriisa made his second 3-pointer during a 10-0 run with 2:13 left in regulation to give West Virginia a lead, 77-74, for the first time since it was 11-10. He added two free throws to make it 79-75.McNair grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back to get Kansas State within 79-77. After Edwards missed two straight free throws for West Virginia, Perry was fouled on a baseline drive before making two at the stripe to tie it at 79-all with 15.5 left. Kriisa's contested jumper at the buzzer didn't hit the rim and Edwards wasn't able to get another shot off before the buzzer.Kansas State completed the season sweep of West Virginia for the first time since 2019.