KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals today announced that All-Star outfielder&nbsp;Bo Jackson&nbsp;has been elected into the Royals Hall of Fame. Jackson will be inducted during an on-field ceremony on Saturday, June 29 prior to the Royals game that afternoon vs. the Cleveland Guardians.

Jackson was placed on the ballot by the Royals Hall of Fame Executive Board and elected through the Royals Hall of Fame Veterans Committee voting process. The veterans committee vote considers the candidacy of non-field personnel in addition to players and managers no longer eligible for election by Regular Phase Royals Hall of Fame Voting. The committee consists of 16 voting members selected by the board, comprised of Royals Hall of Fame Members, Royals Club Executives and media members. Candidates must be named on at least 75% of all ballots cast to be elected.

Jackson, the 1985 Heisman Trophy winner at Auburn University, shocked the sports world by initially spurning pro football to instead sign with the Royals in 1986. Kansas City had selected Jackson in the 4th round of the 1986 First Year Player Draft, a signing which resulted from the determined commitment of scout&nbsp;Ken Gonzales. On his official scouting report, Gonzales summarized Jackson as the “greatest pure athlete in America today.” The then-Royals Director of Scouting,&nbsp;Art Stewart, said, “It was Kenny’s relationship with the family that resulted in our signing Bo.”

Once signed, Jackson was a phenomenon unlike any player before. He made his Major League debut on Sept. 2, 1986, and recorded his 1st career hit. His 1st home run on Sept. 14, 1986 traveled an estimated 475 feet, which at the time was the longest ever hit at Royals Stadium. It was just the start of a string of near-superhuman athletic feats that made Bo not just a star for the Royals, but a cultural sensation.

Jackson scaled walls and launched throws like a superhero. His remarkable Most Valuable Player performance at the 1989 MLB All-Star Game, which included a memorable leadoff home run, cemented his status as a star among stars. Bo led the Royals with a career-best 32 home runs and 105 RBI during that 1989 season, then led the club again with 28 home runs in 1990.

“I’m so happy for my friend Bobo to get that call” said Hall of Famer and 13-time All-Star&nbsp;George Brett. “He was a great teammate and probably the most exciting player I ever played with. You’d see things that no other human could do on a baseball field or a football field. He’s one of the greatest athletes of our time, and it’s an honor to welcome him to the Royals Hall of Fame, where he belongs.”

Jackson suffered a hip injury playing for the Los Angeles Raiders in an NFL playoff game in January of 1991 which soon ended his Royals career. But where injury may have robbed Jackson’s playing days of longevity, he and his supreme talent delivered moments and memories few athletes will ever match.&nbsp;

For additional information, members of the media may contact&nbsp;Curt Nelson, Senior Director-Royals Hall of Fame, at (816) 504-4337 or at via email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:curt.nelson@royals.com" target="_blank">curt.nelson@royals.com</a>.

The Royals Hall of Fame was established in 1986 to celebrate the accomplishments of players, coaches and other personnel who have made exceptional contributions to Kansas City Royals Baseball.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals today announced that All-Star outfielder&nbsp;Bo Jackson&nbsp;has been elected into the Royals Hall of Fame. Jackson will be inducted during an on-field ceremony on Saturday, June 29 prior to the Royals game that afternoon vs. the Cleveland Guardians.Jackson was placed on the ballot by the Royals Hall of Fame Executive Board and elected through the Royals Hall of Fame Veterans Committee voting process. The veterans committee vote considers the candidacy of non-field personnel in addition to players and managers no longer eligible for election by Regular Phase Royals Hall of Fame Voting. The committee consists of 16 voting members selected by the board, comprised of Royals Hall of Fame Members, Royals Club Executives and media members. Candidates must be named on at least 75% of all ballots cast to be elected.Jackson, the 1985 Heisman Trophy winner at Auburn University, shocked the sports world by initially spurning pro football to instead sign with the Royals in 1986. Kansas City had selected Jackson in the 4th round of the 1986 First Year Player Draft, a signing which resulted from the determined commitment of scout&nbsp;Ken Gonzales. On his official scouting report, Gonzales summarized Jackson as the “greatest pure athlete in America today.” The then-Royals Director of Scouting,&nbsp;Art Stewart, said, “It was Kenny’s relationship with the family that resulted in our signing Bo.”Once signed, Jackson was a phenomenon unlike any player before. He made his Major League debut on Sept. 2, 1986, and recorded his 1st career hit. His 1st home run on Sept. 14, 1986 traveled an estimated 475 feet, which at the time was the longest ever hit at Royals Stadium. It was just the start of a string of near-superhuman athletic feats that made Bo not just a star for the Royals, but a cultural sensation.Jackson scaled walls and launched throws like a superhero. His remarkable Most Valuable Player performance at the 1989 MLB All-Star Game, which included a memorable leadoff home run, cemented his status as a star among stars. Bo led the Royals with a career-best 32 home runs and 105 RBI during that 1989 season, then led the club again with 28 home runs in 1990.“I’m so happy for my friend Bobo to get that call” said Hall of Famer and 13-time All-Star&nbsp;George Brett. “He was a great teammate and probably the most exciting player I ever played with. You’d see things that no other human could do on a baseball field or a football field. He’s one of the greatest athletes of our time, and it’s an honor to welcome him to the Royals Hall of Fame, where he belongs.”Jackson suffered a hip injury playing for the Los Angeles Raiders in an NFL playoff game in January of 1991 which soon ended his Royals career. But where injury may have robbed Jackson’s playing days of longevity, he and his supreme talent delivered moments and memories few athletes will ever match.&nbsp;For additional information, members of the media may contact&nbsp;Curt Nelson, Senior Director-Royals Hall of Fame, at (816) 504-4337 or at via email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:curt.nelson@royals.com" target="_blank">curt.nelson@royals.com</a>.The Royals Hall of Fame was established in 1986 to celebrate the accomplishments of players, coaches and other personnel who have made exceptional contributions to Kansas City Royals Baseball.

Bo Jackson Elected to Royals Hall of Fame

KANSAS CITY, Missouri –&nbsp;Following her stellar performance at the 2024 Phillips 66 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship, K-State senior center Ayoka Lee has been named to the Big 12 All-Tournament Team.

With this honor, Lee becomes the fifth player in program history to be named to the Big 12 All-Tournament Team and the first since Megan Mahoney and Kendra Wecker in 2005.

During the 2024 Big 12 Championship, Lee averaged 23.5 points on a .667 field goal percentage, 10.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Among players to have played at least two games in the event, Lee was the second-leading scorer, the top rebounder and top field goal percentage.

Against West Virginia in the quarterfinals, Lee registered 22 points on 9of-14 shooting, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Against Texas in the semifinals, Lee carded 25 points on 11-of-17 shooting and 10 rebounds.

K-State (25-7) will now prepare for the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats will find out its seed on Sunday, March 17, during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on ESPN at 7 p.m.

KANSAS CITY, Missouri –&nbsp;Following her stellar performance at the 2024 Phillips 66 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship, K-State senior center Ayoka Lee has been named to the Big 12 All-Tournament Team.With this honor, Lee becomes the fifth player in program history to be named to the Big 12 All-Tournament Team and the first since Megan Mahoney and Kendra Wecker in 2005.During the 2024 Big 12 Championship, Lee averaged 23.5 points on a .667 field goal percentage, 10.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Among players to have played at least two games in the event, Lee was the second-leading scorer, the top rebounder and top field goal percentage.Against West Virginia in the quarterfinals, Lee registered 22 points on 9of-14 shooting, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Against Texas in the semifinals, Lee carded 25 points on 11-of-17 shooting and 10 rebounds.K-State (25-7) will now prepare for the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats will find out its seed on Sunday, March 17, during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on ESPN at 7 p.m.

K-State’s Lee Named to 2024 Big 12 All-Tournament Team

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Big 12 men's and women's basketball tournaments will remain at T-Mobile Center through 2031, commissioner Brett Yormark said Tuesday night, shortly before Texas and Iowa State played for the women's title in the building for the first time.

The women's tournament had long been played down the street from the glitzy downtown arena at Municipal Auditorium, which has tremendous history as one of the homes of early NCAA championship games but has grown antiquated over time.

One of Yormark's priorities after taking over leadership of the Big 12 was to raise the profile of the women's tournament, and that meant moving it to the T-Mobile Center. That also required moving the dates of the championship, with early-round games occurring last week and the title game Tuesday night following the first two games of the men's tournament.

“I think I said to many last year, when I came here the first time to the community, met with many of the leaders, it was a real easy decision when I went back to Dallas that we needed to double down on this community,” Yormark said. “It feels like a Super Bowl each time we're here. The fan support is tremendous. The community is tremendous.”

The men's and women's tournaments were scheduled to be played in Kansas City through 2027, so the extension amounts to four years. But it also comes as the league expands its footprint west with Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah replacing Oklahoma and Texas in the league, and that gave the Big 12 other hosting options such as Las Vegas and Phoenix.

In fact, the Big 12 will be holding its football media days in Las Vegas later this year.

“We are a national conference now. We're in 10 states, four time zones,” Yormark said. “When it comes to men's and women's basketball, and women's soccer, this needed to be our home. We're going to football media day in Vegas, which we are excited about, and there will be other opportunities to move closer to that footprint, but we needed to be in Kansas City.”

Along with the basketball tournaments, Yormark announced that the Big 12 women's soccer championship was moving to CPKC Stadium. The first stadium facility built for a women's professional soccer club in the U.S. — in this case, the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League — is scheduled to open Saturday when the Current plays Portland.

“It's an amazing time to be in Kansas City, and it's an amazing time to invest in Kansas City,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas, who has been supportive of an April ballot issue to renew a sales tax that would help fund renovations to Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Super Bowl champion Chiefs, along with a new downtown ballpark for the Royals.

“The Big 12 Conference is part of Kansas City's DNA. We all have stories about the Big 12, or if we're old enough, the Big Eight here in Kansas City," Lucas said. "We're excited to continue to share the story in Kansas City.”

In other news, Yormark said the lame-duck status of Oklahoma and Texas, which are departing for the SEC after this season, has not created any challenges even as the Big 12 looks toward the future as a revamped 16-team league.

“Texas and Oklahoma, great contributors to the conference. Been here since Day 1,” Yormark said. “They're finishing strong, obviously, and when the time comes, we'll wish them well. But there's never been a better time to be part of this conference.”

Yormark also indicated that he would be in favor of expanding the NCAA Tournament.

"I read what you read, and from what I've been told, and what I'm reading, there could be modest expansion. I think 76 is the number that has been out there," he said. “The data shows if you expand to 76, the power-four conferences will benefit mostly, and that includes the Big 12. I'm all about access. We have the deepest conference in America.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710290857109.jpeg" alt="Photo Big 12 Conference" />
 <figcaption>Photo Big 12 Conference</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Big 12 men's and women's basketball tournaments will remain at T-Mobile Center through 2031, commissioner Brett Yormark said Tuesday night, shortly before Texas and Iowa State played for the women's title in the building for the first time.The women's tournament had long been played down the street from the glitzy downtown arena at Municipal Auditorium, which has tremendous history as one of the homes of early NCAA championship games but has grown antiquated over time.One of Yormark's priorities after taking over leadership of the Big 12 was to raise the profile of the women's tournament, and that meant moving it to the T-Mobile Center. That also required moving the dates of the championship, with early-round games occurring last week and the title game Tuesday night following the first two games of the men's tournament.“I think I said to many last year, when I came here the first time to the community, met with many of the leaders, it was a real easy decision when I went back to Dallas that we needed to double down on this community,” Yormark said. “It feels like a Super Bowl each time we're here. The fan support is tremendous. The community is tremendous.”The men's and women's tournaments were scheduled to be played in Kansas City through 2027, so the extension amounts to four years. But it also comes as the league expands its footprint west with Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah replacing Oklahoma and Texas in the league, and that gave the Big 12 other hosting options such as Las Vegas and Phoenix.In fact, the Big 12 will be holding its football media days in Las Vegas later this year.“We are a national conference now. We're in 10 states, four time zones,” Yormark said. “When it comes to men's and women's basketball, and women's soccer, this needed to be our home. We're going to football media day in Vegas, which we are excited about, and there will be other opportunities to move closer to that footprint, but we needed to be in Kansas City.”Along with the basketball tournaments, Yormark announced that the Big 12 women's soccer championship was moving to CPKC Stadium. The first stadium facility built for a women's professional soccer club in the U.S. — in this case, the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League — is scheduled to open Saturday when the Current plays Portland.“It's an amazing time to be in Kansas City, and it's an amazing time to invest in Kansas City,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas, who has been supportive of an April ballot issue to renew a sales tax that would help fund renovations to Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Super Bowl champion Chiefs, along with a new downtown ballpark for the Royals.“The Big 12 Conference is part of Kansas City's DNA. We all have stories about the Big 12, or if we're old enough, the Big Eight here in Kansas City," Lucas said. "We're excited to continue to share the story in Kansas City.”In other news, Yormark said the lame-duck status of Oklahoma and Texas, which are departing for the SEC after this season, has not created any challenges even as the Big 12 looks toward the future as a revamped 16-team league.“Texas and Oklahoma, great contributors to the conference. Been here since Day 1,” Yormark said. “They're finishing strong, obviously, and when the time comes, we'll wish them well. But there's never been a better time to be part of this conference.”Yormark also indicated that he would be in favor of expanding the NCAA Tournament."I read what you read, and from what I've been told, and what I'm reading, there could be modest expansion. I think 76 is the number that has been out there," he said. “The data shows if you expand to 76, the power-four conferences will benefit mostly, and that includes the Big 12. I'm all about access. We have the deepest conference in America.”___

Big 12 men's and women's tournaments to remain in Kansas City through 2031

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs finalized a five-year, $158.75 million contract with Chris Jones on Monday, keeping the All-Pro tackle in the middle of their defensive line as they chase a record-setting third consecutive Super Bowl title.

Jones will make $95 million guaranteed over the first three years of the deal, a person familiar with the details told The Associated Press on Saturday night, when the framework for the agreement was put in place. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the financial terms for one of the biggest deals for a defensive player in NFL history were not disclosed.

“Five more years of greatness,” Jones said in a brief video posted Monday on X, formally known as Twitter. “This is everything we've dreamed about, talked about. Now let's get some more Super Bowl rings.”

Jones turns 30 in July, so the Chiefs are gambling that there will be no drop-off for one of the league's top pass rushers.

His agents, Michael and Jason Katz, tweeted their congratulations to “the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history.” Jones later tweeted an “A+” to Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, whose ownership of the franchise was given a failing grade when the NFL Players Association released its annual report card at the scouting combine.

Jones promised Chiefs fans at a victory parade following their overtime win over San Francisco in the Super Bowl that he'd be back to chase a three-peat, but that required getting a long-term deal done with a franchise bumping up against the salary cap.

The sides had tried and failed to do that the past two offseasons, and Jones skipped every offseason workout last year — including a mandatory minicamp and training camp — along with a Week 1 loss to Detroit while at an impasse. He piled up nearly $4 million in fines before agreeing to an incentive-laden one-year deal that got him back on the field this past season.

Jones proceeded to start every game in the regular season and playoffs, including a meaningless regular-season finale against the Chargers, when he got the last sack he needed to reach 10 1/2 for the season and trigger a $1.25 million bonus in his contract.

Jones' teammates certainly harbored no ill-will for his holdout; they rushed from the bench to celebrate the sack with him.

Jones had another half-sack in a wild-card win over Miami in one of the coldest games in NFL history, then helped a team yet to play a road playoff game during its recent run win games at Buffalo and Baltimore. That sent the Chiefs on to their fourth Super Bowl in five years, and the overtime win over the 49ers gave Jones his third championship ring.

Now, the affable defensive tackle will have the opportunity to win a fourth in Kansas City.

Jones was picked by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2016 draft out of Mississippi State, and he quickly earned a spot in the starting lineup. He was a second-team All-Pro in his second season, when he had 15 1/2 sacks, and then began his current run of five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances the following year.

He was voted a first-team All-Pro for the second straight season this past year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710188169956.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) chases San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) chases San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs finalized a five-year, $158.75 million contract with Chris Jones on Monday, keeping the All-Pro tackle in the middle of their defensive line as they chase a record-setting third consecutive Super Bowl title.Jones will make $95 million guaranteed over the first three years of the deal, a person familiar with the details told The Associated Press on Saturday night, when the framework for the agreement was put in place. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the financial terms for one of the biggest deals for a defensive player in NFL history were not disclosed.“Five more years of greatness,” Jones said in a brief video posted Monday on X, formally known as Twitter. “This is everything we've dreamed about, talked about. Now let's get some more Super Bowl rings.”Jones turns 30 in July, so the Chiefs are gambling that there will be no drop-off for one of the league's top pass rushers.His agents, Michael and Jason Katz, tweeted their congratulations to “the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history.” Jones later tweeted an “A+” to Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, whose ownership of the franchise was given a failing grade when the NFL Players Association released its annual report card at the scouting combine.Jones promised Chiefs fans at a victory parade following their overtime win over San Francisco in the Super Bowl that he'd be back to chase a three-peat, but that required getting a long-term deal done with a franchise bumping up against the salary cap.The sides had tried and failed to do that the past two offseasons, and Jones skipped every offseason workout last year — including a mandatory minicamp and training camp — along with a Week 1 loss to Detroit while at an impasse. He piled up nearly $4 million in fines before agreeing to an incentive-laden one-year deal that got him back on the field this past season.Jones proceeded to start every game in the regular season and playoffs, including a meaningless regular-season finale against the Chargers, when he got the last sack he needed to reach 10 1/2 for the season and trigger a $1.25 million bonus in his contract.Jones' teammates certainly harbored no ill-will for his holdout; they rushed from the bench to celebrate the sack with him.Jones had another half-sack in a wild-card win over Miami in one of the coldest games in NFL history, then helped a team yet to play a road playoff game during its recent run win games at Buffalo and Baltimore. That sent the Chiefs on to their fourth Super Bowl in five years, and the overtime win over the 49ers gave Jones his third championship ring.Now, the affable defensive tackle will have the opportunity to win a fourth in Kansas City.Jones was picked by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2016 draft out of Mississippi State, and he quickly earned a spot in the starting lineup. He was a second-team All-Pro in his second season, when he had 15 1/2 sacks, and then began his current run of five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances the following year.He was voted a first-team All-Pro for the second straight season this past year.

🏈 Chiefs, All-Pro DT Chris Jones finalize 5-year, $158.75M deal with $95M guaranteed

Kansas Wesleyan Baseball completed the three-game sweep of the McPherson College Bulldogs with a 13-3 run-rule victory on Sunday afternoon at Dean Evans Stadium.

For the third time in the series, the Coyotes found themselves trailing early as McPherson took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a leadoff homer. McPherson added two more runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a 3-0 lead.

Those were the last runs the Bulldogs would score.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/deccf530-1373-4b22-8617-734f8d26bd63?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Cruz Oxford</a>&nbsp;got the Coyotes on the board in the bottom of the fourth, leading off the inning with a homer, and in the bottom of the fifth,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6053925f-9fbc-47c1-bed1-2d9d6894d9ff?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Kendall Foster</a>&nbsp;hit a homer to make it 3-2.

The Coyotes blew it open in the bottom of the sixth. Oxford walked then&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9aea450b-e9e3-4262-ac2f-2a972028fbe6?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Tyler Favretto</a>&nbsp;hit a 2-run homer to put the Coyotes up 4-3. Wesleyan wasn't done yet.

After two outs,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3001cec1-fc82-4bc9-b768-498a0c04030f?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Eric Romero</a>&nbsp;doubled,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/06ed9985-4494-495b-99b4-0c356e558748?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Alex Garcia</a>&nbsp;doubles home Romero, then went to third on a balk, only to score on&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8e054f31-37ed-405f-9d6c-d22266eb871d?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Jacob Williamson's</a>&nbsp;double. A passed ball yielded the fifth run of the inning for the Coyotes who had a 7-3 lead.

After a quiet seventh, the Coyotes got back to work in the eighth. Romero led off with a double, Garica was hit, and Williamson walked to load the bases. 

Two batters later,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9ad6e7dd-70bd-41bc-857b-14142fd100ff?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Jarrett Gable</a>&nbsp;walked to force in a run, and two batters later Favretto did the same. Then&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0fc305a2-6877-42bc-a68c-9f21035cc2e9?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Reece Bishop</a>&nbsp;connected on a bases-clearing double to make it 12-3, and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/76189755-0d5c-46ad-9ad9-64da38df84cb?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Koby Roberts</a>&nbsp;ended it with a single up the middle that scored pinch-runner&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/042eabe1-c487-4c9e-990e-0da685bf1af7?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Jalen Jones</a>.

The Coyotes only needed 10 hits to score 13 runs led by Bishop and Romero with two each. Favretto and Bishop drove in three runs each.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b5787e45-b105-41c4-bebe-1904461946a4?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Brett Maddock</a>&nbsp;got the win on the bump going six innings, striking out eight while allowing three runs on five hits.&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bd8e9f55-380f-4dc3-b57f-ddbe49c2e7af?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Ritter Steinmann</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1353dc35-0a59-4709-b001-7d3844c6d8fc?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">KT Gearlds</a>&nbsp;each worked an inning, striking out two.

The Coyotes are back in action next weekend, hosting Southwestern College at 6 p.m. Saturday in a single game at The Dean, and a doubleheader on Sunday starting at 1 p.m.

Kansas Wesleyan Baseball completed the three-game sweep of the McPherson College Bulldogs with a 13-3 run-rule victory on Sunday afternoon at Dean Evans Stadium.For the third time in the series, the Coyotes found themselves trailing early as McPherson took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a leadoff homer. McPherson added two more runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a 3-0 lead.Those were the last runs the Bulldogs would score.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/deccf530-1373-4b22-8617-734f8d26bd63?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Cruz Oxford</a>&nbsp;got the Coyotes on the board in the bottom of the fourth, leading off the inning with a homer, and in the bottom of the fifth,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6053925f-9fbc-47c1-bed1-2d9d6894d9ff?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Kendall Foster</a>&nbsp;hit a homer to make it 3-2.The Coyotes blew it open in the bottom of the sixth. Oxford walked then&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9aea450b-e9e3-4262-ac2f-2a972028fbe6?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Tyler Favretto</a>&nbsp;hit a 2-run homer to put the Coyotes up 4-3. Wesleyan wasn't done yet. After two outs,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3001cec1-fc82-4bc9-b768-498a0c04030f?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Eric Romero</a>&nbsp;doubled,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/06ed9985-4494-495b-99b4-0c356e558748?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Alex Garcia</a>&nbsp;doubles home Romero, then went to third on a balk, only to score on&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8e054f31-37ed-405f-9d6c-d22266eb871d?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Jacob Williamson's</a>&nbsp;double. A passed ball yielded the fifth run of the inning for the Coyotes who had a 7-3 lead.After a quiet seventh, the Coyotes got back to work in the eighth. Romero led off with a double, Garica was hit, and Williamson walked to load the bases. Two batters later,&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9ad6e7dd-70bd-41bc-857b-14142fd100ff?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Jarrett Gable</a>&nbsp;walked to force in a run, and two batters later Favretto did the same. Then&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0fc305a2-6877-42bc-a68c-9f21035cc2e9?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Reece Bishop</a>&nbsp;connected on a bases-clearing double to make it 12-3, and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/76189755-0d5c-46ad-9ad9-64da38df84cb?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Koby Roberts</a>&nbsp;ended it with a single up the middle that scored pinch-runner&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/042eabe1-c487-4c9e-990e-0da685bf1af7?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Jalen Jones</a>.The Coyotes only needed 10 hits to score 13 runs led by Bishop and Romero with two each. Favretto and Bishop drove in three runs each.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b5787e45-b105-41c4-bebe-1904461946a4?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Brett Maddock</a>&nbsp;got the win on the bump going six innings, striking out eight while allowing three runs on five hits.&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bd8e9f55-380f-4dc3-b57f-ddbe49c2e7af?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">Ritter Steinmann</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1353dc35-0a59-4709-b001-7d3844c6d8fc?elinkdata=6900" target="_blank">KT Gearlds</a>&nbsp;each worked an inning, striking out two.The Coyotes are back in action next weekend, hosting Southwestern College at 6 p.m. Saturday in a single game at The Dean, and a doubleheader on Sunday starting at 1 p.m.

Baseball completes sweep of McPherson with 13-3 win

IRVING, Texas&nbsp;– Led by Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Hunter Dickinson, all five Kansas men’s basketball starters are included on the 2024 All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball Awards, the league office announced Sunday. The awards were voted on by the conference coaches and they were not allowed to vote for their own team.

Dickinson and graduate Kevin McCullar Jr. were named members of the All-Big 12 First Team, while junior KJ Adams Jr., redshirt-senior Dajuan Harris Jr. and freshman Johnny Furphy were on the all-conference honorable mention list. Harris was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team for the third-consecutive year, while Dickinson was selected to the 2024 Big 12 All-Newcomer Team and Furphy to the 2024 Big 12 All-Freshman Team.

Historically, this marks the fourth time in Big 12 history that a Jayhawk has been named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Dickinson joins Malik Newman (2018), Dedric Lawson (2019) and David McCormack (2021). Dickinson is the 17th KU player named to the Big 12-All Newcomer squad. Dating back to the Big Eight Conference era, Dickinson is the 12th KU player to be named his league’s newcomer of the year.

Furphy is the fifth KU player to be named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team that started in 2019. He joins Devon Dotson (2019), Christian Braun (2020), Adams (2022) and Gradey Dick (2023). The Big 12 All-Defensive Team started in 2006 and Harris marks the 23rd time a Jayhawk has made that five-member squad.

A six-time Big 12 weekly award winner and on most every national player of the year list, Dickinson leads the Big 12 and is eighth nationally in rebounds per game at 10.8. The Alexandria, Virginia, center’s 16 double-doubles lead the Big 12 and are 11th nationally. With an 18.0 ppg, which is second &nbsp;in the Big 12 behind McCullar, Dickinson is the only player in the Big 12 averaging a double-double. He also leads the Big 12 with 14 games of 20-plus points. Dickinson also leads KU with 43 blocked shots and has 29 steals. Dickinson is on his all-conference team for the fourth-consecutive season. He was the Big Ten Freshman and Newcomer of the Year in 2021.

Named to most every national player of the year late watch list, McCullar Jr. leads the Big 12 in scoring at 18.3 points per game. His two triple-doubles are the third most in the NCAA. The San Antonio, Texas, guard is second on the team with 39 three-point field goals made. His 6.0 rebounds per game are also second on the team and McCullar ranks in 11 Big 12 statistical categories. McCullar is an All-Big 12 selection for the fourth straight season, with two at Texas Tech in 2021 and 2022 and two at Kansas in 2023 and 2024.

Adams has led the Big 12 in field goal percentage most of the season at 59.9% yet is two field goals shy of qualifying for the league and national stats. The Austin, Texas, forward is averaging 12.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He has 96 assists in 2023-24, including 34 in his last 11 contests. The 2023 Big 12 Most Improved Player, Adams is on the All-Big 12 team for the second-straight year.

Harris Jr. is second in the Big 12 with 6.4 assists per game, which is 10th nationally, and third in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0), which is 27th nationally. The Columbia, Missouri, guard averages 8.3 points per contest and has a team-high 48 steals. Besides being a three-time Big 12 All-Defensive Team selection, Harris is also a three-time All-Big 12 honoree.

Furphy (9.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg) averaged 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in Big 12 play. The Melbourne, Australia, guard has started in 16 games for KU and leads the team with 40 threes made this season.

In the 28-year history of the Big 12, Kansas has 37 All-Big 12 First Team selections which is more than twice as many as any other school. KU has had a first-team honoree in 25 of the 28 seasons of the league and two on the first team 12 times. Kansas leads the Big 12 with an all-time high 159 student-athletes named to All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball Awards. Texas is second with 120, while Baylor is third with 116 selections.

No. 14 Kansas (22-9, 10-8) will enter the 2024 Big 12 Championship as the No. 6 seed and will play its first game&nbsp;on Wednesday, March 13, at 8:30 p.m. CT&nbsp;(ESPN2) against the winner of the No. 14 West Virginia and No. 11 Cincinnati contest. The WVU-UC game will be played&nbsp;on Tuesday, March 12 at 2 p.m.&nbsp;The Big 12 Championship runs&nbsp;March 12-16&nbsp;and will be played at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

2024 All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball AwardsPlayer of the Year – Jamal Shead, HoustonDefensive Player of the Year – Jamal Shead, HoustonNEWCOMER OF THE YEAR – HUNTER DICKINSON, KANSASFreshman of the Year – Ja’Kobe Walter, BaylorSixth Man Award – Jaxson Robinson, BYUMost Improved Player – Dylan Disu, TexasCoach of the Year – Kelvin Sampson, Houston

All-Big 12 First TeamJamal Shead, HoustonTamin Lipsey, Iowa StateHUNTER DICKINSON, KANSASKEVIN MCCULLAR JR., KANSASDylan Disu, Texas

All-Big 12 Second TeamRayJ Dennis, BaylorL.J. Cryer, HoustonKeshon Gilbert, Iowa StateEmanuel Miller, TCUMax Abmas, Texas

All-Big 12 Third TeamJalen Bridges, BaylorJa’Kobe Walter, BaylorJ’Wan Roberts, HoustonPop Isaacs, Texas TechDarrion Williams, Texas Tech

All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically by school)Langston Love (Baylor), Yves Missi (Baylor), Dallon Hall (BYU), Spencer Johnson (BYU), Jaxson Robinson (BYU), Fousseyni Traore (BYU), Ibrahima Diallo (UCF), Darrius Johnson (UCF), Jaylin Sellers (UCF), Dan Skillings Jr. Cincinnati), Ja’Vier Francis (Houston), Emanuel Sharp (Houston),&nbsp;KJ ADAMS JR. (KANSAS), JOHNNY FURPHY (KANSAS), DAJUAN HARRIS JR. (KANSAS),&nbsp;Arthur Kaluma (K-State), Tylor Perry (K-State), Javian McCollum (Oklahoma), Jalon Moore (Oklahoma), Javon Small (Oklahoma State), Jameer Nelson Jr. (TCU), Micah Peavy (TCU), Joe Toussaint (Texas Tech)

Big 12 All-Defensive TeamYves Missi, BaylorJohn Newmann III, CincinnatiJamal Shead, HoustonTamin Lipsey, Iowa StateDAJUAN HARRIS JR., KANSAS

Big 12 All-Newcomer TeamRayJ Dennis, BaylorKeshon Gilbert, Iowa StateHUNTER DICKINSON, KANSASMax Abmas, TexasDarrion Williams, Texas Tech

Big 12 All-Freshman TeamYves Missi, BaylorJa’Kobe Walter, BaylorJoseph Tugler, HoustonMilan Momcilovic, Iowa StateJOHNNY FURPHY, KANSAS

IRVING, Texas&nbsp;– Led by Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Hunter Dickinson, all five Kansas men’s basketball starters are included on the 2024 All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball Awards, the league office announced Sunday. The awards were voted on by the conference coaches and they were not allowed to vote for their own team.Dickinson and graduate Kevin McCullar Jr. were named members of the All-Big 12 First Team, while junior KJ Adams Jr., redshirt-senior Dajuan Harris Jr. and freshman Johnny Furphy were on the all-conference honorable mention list. Harris was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team for the third-consecutive year, while Dickinson was selected to the 2024 Big 12 All-Newcomer Team and Furphy to the 2024 Big 12 All-Freshman Team.Historically, this marks the fourth time in Big 12 history that a Jayhawk has been named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Dickinson joins Malik Newman (2018), Dedric Lawson (2019) and David McCormack (2021). Dickinson is the 17th KU player named to the Big 12-All Newcomer squad. Dating back to the Big Eight Conference era, Dickinson is the 12th KU player to be named his league’s newcomer of the year.Furphy is the fifth KU player to be named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team that started in 2019. He joins Devon Dotson (2019), Christian Braun (2020), Adams (2022) and Gradey Dick (2023). The Big 12 All-Defensive Team started in 2006 and Harris marks the 23rd time a Jayhawk has made that five-member squad.A six-time Big 12 weekly award winner and on most every national player of the year list, Dickinson leads the Big 12 and is eighth nationally in rebounds per game at 10.8. The Alexandria, Virginia, center’s 16 double-doubles lead the Big 12 and are 11th nationally. With an 18.0 ppg, which is second &nbsp;in the Big 12 behind McCullar, Dickinson is the only player in the Big 12 averaging a double-double. He also leads the Big 12 with 14 games of 20-plus points. Dickinson also leads KU with 43 blocked shots and has 29 steals. Dickinson is on his all-conference team for the fourth-consecutive season. He was the Big Ten Freshman and Newcomer of the Year in 2021.Named to most every national player of the year late watch list, McCullar Jr. leads the Big 12 in scoring at 18.3 points per game. His two triple-doubles are the third most in the NCAA. The San Antonio, Texas, guard is second on the team with 39 three-point field goals made. His 6.0 rebounds per game are also second on the team and McCullar ranks in 11 Big 12 statistical categories. McCullar is an All-Big 12 selection for the fourth straight season, with two at Texas Tech in 2021 and 2022 and two at Kansas in 2023 and 2024.Adams has led the Big 12 in field goal percentage most of the season at 59.9% yet is two field goals shy of qualifying for the league and national stats. The Austin, Texas, forward is averaging 12.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He has 96 assists in 2023-24, including 34 in his last 11 contests. The 2023 Big 12 Most Improved Player, Adams is on the All-Big 12 team for the second-straight year.Harris Jr. is second in the Big 12 with 6.4 assists per game, which is 10th nationally, and third in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0), which is 27th nationally. The Columbia, Missouri, guard averages 8.3 points per contest and has a team-high 48 steals. Besides being a three-time Big 12 All-Defensive Team selection, Harris is also a three-time All-Big 12 honoree.Furphy (9.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg) averaged 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in Big 12 play. The Melbourne, Australia, guard has started in 16 games for KU and leads the team with 40 threes made this season.In the 28-year history of the Big 12, Kansas has 37 All-Big 12 First Team selections which is more than twice as many as any other school. KU has had a first-team honoree in 25 of the 28 seasons of the league and two on the first team 12 times. Kansas leads the Big 12 with an all-time high 159 student-athletes named to All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball Awards. Texas is second with 120, while Baylor is third with 116 selections.No. 14 Kansas (22-9, 10-8) will enter the 2024 Big 12 Championship as the No. 6 seed and will play its first game&nbsp;on Wednesday, March 13, at 8:30 p.m. CT&nbsp;(ESPN2) against the winner of the No. 14 West Virginia and No. 11 Cincinnati contest. The WVU-UC game will be played&nbsp;on Tuesday, March 12 at 2 p.m.&nbsp;The Big 12 Championship runs&nbsp;March 12-16&nbsp;and will be played at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.2024 All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball AwardsPlayer of the Year – Jamal Shead, HoustonDefensive Player of the Year – Jamal Shead, HoustonNEWCOMER OF THE YEAR – HUNTER DICKINSON, KANSASFreshman of the Year – Ja’Kobe Walter, BaylorSixth Man Award – Jaxson Robinson, BYUMost Improved Player – Dylan Disu, TexasCoach of the Year – Kelvin Sampson, HoustonAll-Big 12 First TeamJamal Shead, HoustonTamin Lipsey, Iowa StateHUNTER DICKINSON, KANSASKEVIN MCCULLAR JR., KANSASDylan Disu, TexasAll-Big 12 Second TeamRayJ Dennis, BaylorL.J. Cryer, HoustonKeshon Gilbert, Iowa StateEmanuel Miller, TCUMax Abmas, TexasAll-Big 12 Third TeamJalen Bridges, BaylorJa’Kobe Walter, BaylorJ’Wan Roberts, HoustonPop Isaacs, Texas TechDarrion Williams, Texas TechAll-Big 12 Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically by school)Langston Love (Baylor), Yves Missi (Baylor), Dallon Hall (BYU), Spencer Johnson (BYU), Jaxson Robinson (BYU), Fousseyni Traore (BYU), Ibrahima Diallo (UCF), Darrius Johnson (UCF), Jaylin Sellers (UCF), Dan Skillings Jr. Cincinnati), Ja’Vier Francis (Houston), Emanuel Sharp (Houston),&nbsp;KJ ADAMS JR. (KANSAS), JOHNNY FURPHY (KANSAS), DAJUAN HARRIS JR. (KANSAS),&nbsp;Arthur Kaluma (K-State), Tylor Perry (K-State), Javian McCollum (Oklahoma), Jalon Moore (Oklahoma), Javon Small (Oklahoma State), Jameer Nelson Jr. (TCU), Micah Peavy (TCU), Joe Toussaint (Texas Tech)Big 12 All-Defensive TeamYves Missi, BaylorJohn Newmann III, CincinnatiJamal Shead, HoustonTamin Lipsey, Iowa StateDAJUAN HARRIS JR., KANSASBig 12 All-Newcomer TeamRayJ Dennis, BaylorKeshon Gilbert, Iowa StateHUNTER DICKINSON, KANSASMax Abmas, TexasDarrion Williams, Texas TechBig 12 All-Freshman TeamYves Missi, BaylorJa’Kobe Walter, BaylorJoseph Tugler, HoustonMilan Momcilovic, Iowa StateJOHNNY FURPHY, KANSAS

🏀 Kansas Well Represented on All-Big 12 Team

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Junior&nbsp;Arthur Kaluma&nbsp;and senior&nbsp;Tylor Perry&nbsp;were each named to the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention team on Sunday (March 10), as the conference office announced its annual men’s basketball awards.

It marked the first career Big 12 awards for Kaluma and Perry, while they represented the third and fourth Wildcats to be selected to the All-Big 12 teams under head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang. Both were named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Honorable Mention team.

The all-conference honors were the third in Perry’s career after twice being named to the Conference USA First Team at North Texas. Kaluma was selected to the 2022 BIG EAST All-Freshman Team while at Creighton.

Big 12 regular-season Houston headlined the individual awards, as Cougar senior&nbsp;Jamal Shead&nbsp;was selected as both Big 12 Player and Defensive Player of the Year, while head coach&nbsp;Kelvin Sampson&nbsp;was named the league’s Coach of the Year. Kansas’&nbsp;Hunter Dickinson&nbsp;and Baylor’s&nbsp;Ja’Kobe Walter&nbsp;were chosen as the Newcomer and Freshman of the Year, respectively. BYU’s&nbsp;Jaxson Robinson&nbsp;was honored with the Sixth Man Award, while Texas’&nbsp;Dylan Disu&nbsp;was the league’s Most Improved Player.

The All-Big 12 awards are selected by league’s 10 head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own players.

A 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward from Glendale, Ariz., Kaluma is currently averaging 14.8 points on 43 percent (141-of-328) shooting, including 35.5 percent (49-of-138) from 3-point range, and 75.2 percent (112-of-149) from the free throw line, to go with a team-best 7.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 34.8 minutes per game. He has scored in double figures in a team-best 26 games, including six 20-point games. He has also collected a team-best 5 double-doubles. He is one of 4 Big 12 players (Kansas’&nbsp;Hunter Dickinson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Kevin McCullar Jr.&nbsp;and TCU’s&nbsp;Emanuel Miller) to rank in the Big 12’s top-15 in both scoring and rebounding. He ranks fifth in rebounding and 11th&nbsp;in scoring.

A 5-foot-11, 180-pound guard from Fort Coffee, Okla., Perry is currently averaging a team-best 15.2 points on 36 percent (123-of-342) shooting, including 33.2 percent (85-of-256) from 3-point range, and 91 percent (141-of-155) from the free throw line to go with 4.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 36.8 minutes per game. He ranks in the Big 12’s top-15 in 7 categories, including first in minutes, second in free throw percentage, third in 3-point field goals/game (2.74), sixth in assists, eighth in scoring, 11th&nbsp;in 3-point field goal percentage and 13th&nbsp;in assist/turnover ratio (1.69). He has scored in double figures in 22 of 30 games, including a team-best 10 games of 20 or more points.

K-State is the No. 10 seed at this week’s Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship and will face No. 7 Texas (20-11, 9-9 Big 12) at 6 p.m., CT on Wednesday, March 13 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The tournament begins Tuesday (March 12) with two first-round games.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Junior&nbsp;Arthur Kaluma&nbsp;and senior&nbsp;Tylor Perry&nbsp;were each named to the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention team on Sunday (March 10), as the conference office announced its annual men’s basketball awards.It marked the first career Big 12 awards for Kaluma and Perry, while they represented the third and fourth Wildcats to be selected to the All-Big 12 teams under head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang. Both were named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Honorable Mention team.The all-conference honors were the third in Perry’s career after twice being named to the Conference USA First Team at North Texas. Kaluma was selected to the 2022 BIG EAST All-Freshman Team while at Creighton.Big 12 regular-season Houston headlined the individual awards, as Cougar senior&nbsp;Jamal Shead&nbsp;was selected as both Big 12 Player and Defensive Player of the Year, while head coach&nbsp;Kelvin Sampson&nbsp;was named the league’s Coach of the Year. Kansas’&nbsp;Hunter Dickinson&nbsp;and Baylor’s&nbsp;Ja’Kobe Walter&nbsp;were chosen as the Newcomer and Freshman of the Year, respectively. BYU’s&nbsp;Jaxson Robinson&nbsp;was honored with the Sixth Man Award, while Texas’&nbsp;Dylan Disu&nbsp;was the league’s Most Improved Player.The All-Big 12 awards are selected by league’s 10 head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own players.A 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward from Glendale, Ariz., Kaluma is currently averaging 14.8 points on 43 percent (141-of-328) shooting, including 35.5 percent (49-of-138) from 3-point range, and 75.2 percent (112-of-149) from the free throw line, to go with a team-best 7.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 34.8 minutes per game. He has scored in double figures in a team-best 26 games, including six 20-point games. He has also collected a team-best 5 double-doubles. He is one of 4 Big 12 players (Kansas’&nbsp;Hunter Dickinson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Kevin McCullar Jr.&nbsp;and TCU’s&nbsp;Emanuel Miller) to rank in the Big 12’s top-15 in both scoring and rebounding. He ranks fifth in rebounding and 11th&nbsp;in scoring.A 5-foot-11, 180-pound guard from Fort Coffee, Okla., Perry is currently averaging a team-best 15.2 points on 36 percent (123-of-342) shooting, including 33.2 percent (85-of-256) from 3-point range, and 91 percent (141-of-155) from the free throw line to go with 4.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 36.8 minutes per game. He ranks in the Big 12’s top-15 in 7 categories, including first in minutes, second in free throw percentage, third in 3-point field goals/game (2.74), sixth in assists, eighth in scoring, 11th&nbsp;in 3-point field goal percentage and 13th&nbsp;in assist/turnover ratio (1.69). He has scored in double figures in 22 of 30 games, including a team-best 10 games of 20 or more points.K-State is the No. 10 seed at this week’s Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship and will face No. 7 Texas (20-11, 9-9 Big 12) at 6 p.m., CT on Wednesday, March 13 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The tournament begins Tuesday (March 12) with two first-round games.

Kaluma, Perry Honored by Big 12

BY ADAM COULTER Salina Post Contributor

Sacred Heart took on Sterling on Saturday afternoon in the consolation game of the 2A boys state tournament. After trailing for much of the first half and a back-and-forth third quarter, the Knights reclaimed the lead in the final period for good and held on for a 58-51 win to take third place.

In a game that saw the score tied eight times and the lead change hands on 11 occasions, Blake Smith came off the bench for the Black Bears to score six first-quarter points as Sterling led 15-13 after the opening eight minutes of the game.

Each team only managed seven points apiece in the second quarter as the Knights remained down by two with the score 22-20 at halftime. Max Ehrlich led the Knights with eight first-half points, but his best was yet to come.

By the end of the third quarter, seven Sacred Heart players had scored, including all five starters. Still, the Knights trailed by two points at the end of every quarter to that point.

Heading into the fourth quarter looking up at a 39-37 deficit, Ehrlich hit 13 free throws to lead the Knights to the 58-51 win. The senior finished with 23 points. Evan Bogart added 13 while Michael Matteucci scored eight points.

The Knights outscored the Black Bears 20-3 from the free throw line in the game and went 19-for-21 in the second half for a 90.5% average.&nbsp;

Sacred Heart finishes its season with a 22-4 record as seven seniors for the Knights played their final game winning with the third place trophy.

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>Sacred Heart took on Sterling on Saturday afternoon in the consolation game of the 2A boys state tournament. After trailing for much of the first half and a back-and-forth third quarter, the Knights reclaimed the lead in the final period for good and held on for a 58-51 win to take third place.In a game that saw the score tied eight times and the lead change hands on 11 occasions, Blake Smith came off the bench for the Black Bears to score six first-quarter points as Sterling led 15-13 after the opening eight minutes of the game.Each team only managed seven points apiece in the second quarter as the Knights remained down by two with the score 22-20 at halftime. Max Ehrlich led the Knights with eight first-half points, but his best was yet to come.By the end of the third quarter, seven Sacred Heart players had scored, including all five starters. Still, the Knights trailed by two points at the end of every quarter to that point.Heading into the fourth quarter looking up at a 39-37 deficit, Ehrlich hit 13 free throws to lead the Knights to the 58-51 win. The senior finished with 23 points. Evan Bogart added 13 while Michael Matteucci scored eight points.The Knights outscored the Black Bears 20-3 from the free throw line in the game and went 19-for-21 in the second half for a 90.5% average.&nbsp;Sacred Heart finishes its season with a 22-4 record as seven seniors for the Knights played their final game winning with the third place trophy.

Sacred Heart Comes Back to Beat Sterling, Takes Third at State

HOUSTON (AP) — Jamal Shead had 13 points, six rebounds and eight assists, Damian Dunn added 12 points and No. 1 Houston claimed the Big 12 Conference regular-season title in its first season in the league, dominating No. 14 Kansas 76-46 on Saturday.

L.J. Cryer scored 11 points and J’Wan Roberts had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Cougars (28-3, 15-3) shot 46% from the field and hit 6 3-pointers on the way to a 40-21 lead at the half. Houston shot 44% for the game and hit 11 of 29 shots from long distance, while forcing 18 turnovers and converting them into 30 points.

The Cougars closed out their regular season by winning their ninth straight game and extending their home winning streak to 22 games.

Kansas' Hunter Dickinson had 11 points and six rebounds but left with 11:08 remaining holding his right shoulder after battling for a rebound.

Kevin McCullar Jr., who tweaked his knee earlier in the week against Kansas State, was scoreless in 15 minutes in the first half. He didn’t play in the second half.

Kansas (22-9, 10-8) has lost three of its last four games. The Jayhawks shot 33% and were 3 for 21 from 3-point distance.

Houston controlled the first half, charging to a 34-9 lead. Kansas missed 10 straight field goal attempts at one point.

The game was a stark contrast to the teams' first meeting on Feb. 3 in Lawrence when Kansas jumped out to a 23-11 lead and shot 69% en route to a 78-65 win.

Kansas: The Jayhawks’ lost for the sixth time in seven games on the road.

Houston: The Cougars won their 12th regular-season conference championship and fifth in the last six seasons under coach Kelvin Sampson.

Kansas: Opens the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday or Thursday in Kansas City.

Houston: Opens the Big 12 Tournament as the No. 1 seed on Thursday in the quarterfinals in Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710029413143.png" alt="Houston Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Houston Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON (AP) — Jamal Shead had 13 points, six rebounds and eight assists, Damian Dunn added 12 points and No. 1 Houston claimed the Big 12 Conference regular-season title in its first season in the league, dominating No. 14 Kansas 76-46 on Saturday.L.J. Cryer scored 11 points and J’Wan Roberts had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Cougars (28-3, 15-3) shot 46% from the field and hit 6 3-pointers on the way to a 40-21 lead at the half. Houston shot 44% for the game and hit 11 of 29 shots from long distance, while forcing 18 turnovers and converting them into 30 points.The Cougars closed out their regular season by winning their ninth straight game and extending their home winning streak to 22 games.Kansas' Hunter Dickinson had 11 points and six rebounds but left with 11:08 remaining holding his right shoulder after battling for a rebound.Kevin McCullar Jr., who tweaked his knee earlier in the week against Kansas State, was scoreless in 15 minutes in the first half. He didn’t play in the second half.Kansas (22-9, 10-8) has lost three of its last four games. The Jayhawks shot 33% and were 3 for 21 from 3-point distance.Houston controlled the first half, charging to a 34-9 lead. Kansas missed 10 straight field goal attempts at one point.The game was a stark contrast to the teams' first meeting on Feb. 3 in Lawrence when Kansas jumped out to a 23-11 lead and shot 69% en route to a 78-65 win.BIG PICTUREKansas: The Jayhawks’ lost for the sixth time in seven games on the road.Houston: The Cougars won their 12th regular-season conference championship and fifth in the last six seasons under coach Kelvin Sampson.UP NEXTKansas: Opens the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday or Thursday in Kansas City.Houston: Opens the Big 12 Tournament as the No. 1 seed on Thursday in the quarterfinals in Kansas City.______

🏀 Houston claims Big 12 regular-season title with win over Kansas

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

The Southeast of Saline boy’s basketball team concluded their campaign with a fourth-place finish at this year’s state tournament, falling to Beloit in the third-place game by a final score of 51-37.

The Trojans kept things close and led by three at the intermission, but ran out of gas offensively down the stretch, scoring just ten more points in the second half.

Nevertheless, this result is an impressive one for a Southeast squad that entered sub-state as the 4-seed at 11-9, and recovered well after a slow 2-4 start.

“I thought we battled in the first half with the exception of giving up some points off O-Boards,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “I thought we dominated the first two quarters but it was a tale of two halves. We fouled a lot in the second half but I thought our guys battled and competed until the end and I’m real proud of them for that.”

This marks the third-straight season that Southeast has played on the final day of the 3A state tournament, and this year’s run was arguably the most magical, as the Trojans struck down 2nd-ranked Cheney and 4th-ranked Hesston on their way, falling only to #1 Beloit and #3 Goodland all postseason long.

“There’s no doubt that these guys put in the work this season,” Flax said. “We had some hiccups early in the year but I thought we were a few possessions away from changing some outcomes and we got hot at the right time. It says a lot about our program that we were disappointed to not be playing for a state championship today and that shows what our program is all about. These guys are learning how to be winners and good kids who do things the right way.”

For Southeast, the season comes to a close at 15-11 overall while Beloits ends at 24-2.

Both teams were forged in the crucible of what could be argued was the best league in Class 2-3A this year, as the two were joined by Ellsworth and Sacred Heart at state, with three of those four teams finishing in the top four.

SES will say goodbye to another big class of five seniors this offseason as Danny Kejr, Connor Caselman, Brenton Leeds, Omar Calzada, and Kirby Davis all approach graduation, but each and every one of these seniors has left an impact on a program that is in every bit as good of shape as the one they inherited.

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 boy’s basketball team concluded their campaign with a fourth-place finish at this year’s state tournament, falling to Beloit in the third-place game by a final score of 51-37.The Trojans kept things close and led by three at the intermission, but ran out of gas offensively down the stretch, scoring just ten more points in the second half.Nevertheless, this result is an impressive one for a Southeast squad that entered sub-state as the 4-seed at 11-9, and recovered well after a slow 2-4 start.“I thought we battled in the first half with the exception of giving up some points off O-Boards,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “I thought we dominated the first two quarters but it was a tale of two halves. We fouled a lot in the second half but I thought our guys battled and competed until the end and I’m real proud of them for that.”This marks the third-straight season that Southeast has played on the final day of the 3A state tournament, and this year’s run was arguably the most magical, as the Trojans struck down 2nd-ranked Cheney and 4th-ranked Hesston on their way, falling only to #1 Beloit and #3 Goodland all postseason long.“There’s no doubt that these guys put in the work this season,” Flax said. “We had some hiccups early in the year but I thought we were a few possessions away from changing some outcomes and we got hot at the right time. It says a lot about our program that we were disappointed to not be playing for a state championship today and that shows what our program is all about. These guys are learning how to be winners and good kids who do things the right way.”For Southeast, the season comes to a close at 15-11 overall while Beloits ends at 24-2.Both teams were forged in the crucible of what could be argued was the best league in Class 2-3A this year, as the two were joined by Ellsworth and Sacred Heart at state, with three of those four teams finishing in the top four.SES will say goodbye to another big class of five seniors this offseason as Danny Kejr, Connor Caselman, Brenton Leeds, Omar Calzada, and Kirby Davis all approach graduation, but each and every one of these seniors has left an impact on a program that is in every bit as good of shape as the one they inherited.

Trojans Conclude Campaign With Fourth-Place Finish at State

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Arthur Kaluma scored 23 points, Cam Carter added 21 and Kansas State beat sixth-ranked Iowa State 65-58 on Saturday, giving the Wildcats' flickering NCAA Tournament hopes a big boost heading into the Big 12 Tournament.

David N'Guessan added 11 points and a career-high 16 rebounds on senior day for the Wildcats (18-13, 8-10 Big 12), who blew most of a 17-point, second-half lead before holding on for their third win over a top-10 team this season.

Kansas State also beat No. 4 Kansas and No. 9 Baylor at home, where it went 15-3 this season.

Curtis Jones had 16 points and Keshon Gilbert and Tamin Lipsey 13 apiece for the Cyclones (24-7, 13-5), who couldn't replicate their rally from 14 down to beat BYU earlier in the week and had their four-game winning streak snapped.

Iowa State looked as if it would make senior day a forgettable day for Kansas State early on, relentlessly harassing one of the nation's most turnover-prone teams into offensive miscues and mental mistakes.

Fortunes suddenly flipped with the Cyclones leading 18-10 and about seven minutes left in the first half.

Kansas State held them without a field goal for more than six minutes, going on a 12-1 run to help take a 28-24 lead into the break. Then, the Wildcats scored the first nine points as part of a 15-2 run to begin the second half, stretching their lead to 17 while holding Iowa State without a field goal until Lipsey's lay-in with 13:30 to go.

The Cyclones finally got some momentum going, and a 10-0 run got them within 48-43 with 7:18 left.

Kansas State answered by pushing its lead back to double digits, though. And when Iowa State began to slap on full-court pressure in an attempt to mount a late-game comeback, Kaluma and Carter along with Tylor Perry were able to break it, and make just enough foul shots in the final minutes to wrap up the win.

Iowa State earned a double-bye for the Big 12 tourney and will play a quarterfinal game Thursday.

Kansas State will play a second-round game in the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday.

Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season.&nbsp;<a href="https://link.apnews.com/join/6nr/newsletters-cbb">Sign up here</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710019441112.png" alt="Photo K-State athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo K-State athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Arthur Kaluma scored 23 points, Cam Carter added 21 and Kansas State beat sixth-ranked Iowa State 65-58 on Saturday, giving the Wildcats' flickering NCAA Tournament hopes a big boost heading into the Big 12 Tournament.David N'Guessan added 11 points and a career-high 16 rebounds on senior day for the Wildcats (18-13, 8-10 Big 12), who blew most of a 17-point, second-half lead before holding on for their third win over a top-10 team this season.Kansas State also beat No. 4 Kansas and No. 9 Baylor at home, where it went 15-3 this season.Curtis Jones had 16 points and Keshon Gilbert and Tamin Lipsey 13 apiece for the Cyclones (24-7, 13-5), who couldn't replicate their rally from 14 down to beat BYU earlier in the week and had their four-game winning streak snapped.Iowa State looked as if it would make senior day a forgettable day for Kansas State early on, relentlessly harassing one of the nation's most turnover-prone teams into offensive miscues and mental mistakes.Fortunes suddenly flipped with the Cyclones leading 18-10 and about seven minutes left in the first half.Kansas State held them without a field goal for more than six minutes, going on a 12-1 run to help take a 28-24 lead into the break. Then, the Wildcats scored the first nine points as part of a 15-2 run to begin the second half, stretching their lead to 17 while holding Iowa State without a field goal until Lipsey's lay-in with 13:30 to go.The Cyclones finally got some momentum going, and a 10-0 run got them within 48-43 with 7:18 left.Kansas State answered by pushing its lead back to double digits, though. And when Iowa State began to slap on full-court pressure in an attempt to mount a late-game comeback, Kaluma and Carter along with Tylor Perry were able to break it, and make just enough foul shots in the final minutes to wrap up the win.UP NEXTIowa State earned a double-bye for the Big 12 tourney and will play a quarterfinal game Thursday.Kansas State will play a second-round game in the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday.___Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season.&nbsp;<a href="https://link.apnews.com/join/6nr/newsletters-cbb">Sign up here</a>___

🏀 Kaluma scores 23 as Kansas State beats Iowa State

Despite falling to Goodland in the semifinal round at state, the Southeast of Saline boys’ basketball team will have an opportunity to equal the program's best finish this afternoon as they prepare to play a familiar foe in the third-place game.

For the third time this season, the Southeast will face Beloit in a Trojan War, looking to avenge two earlier losses from this season.

This will be the fifth third-place game for the purple and white unit in their sixth trip to state, and their third appearance in this game in as many years.

“It says so much about our program and our expectations that this feels like a disappointment,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “Our guys found ways to battle and when you watch March Madness there’s always a team that's got nothing to lose and that’s playing really good basketball and I felt like that was us this year.”

To claim the bronze for a third consecutive season, Southeast will have to overcome the top-seeded and #1-ranked Beloit Trojans, who will enter this game at 23-2 after falling to Wellsville on Friday.

“Beloit’s biggest challenge is their size,” Flax said. “Beisner is really good, the Johnson kid is playing at a whole other level and they’re a really good defensive team. They funnel things to their bigs and it’s always hard to play size when you don’t have a lot of it.”

That size gave SES trouble in each of the first two contests, but the Trojan team that has made this run through the playoffs is a far cry from the one that struggled with Beloit earlier this year, and will be primed to give it their all when the ball goes in the air on Saturday afternoon.

“We need to bring some energy to this game early and we’ll have to find ways to keep these big guys off the glass and knock down some shots,” he said.

Tip-off between the two Trojan teams is set for noon from the Hutch Sports Arena and as always the game can be heard on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) or streamed online at 910KINA.com.

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>Despite falling to Goodland in the semifinal round at state, the Southeast of Saline boys’ basketball team will have an opportunity to equal the program's best finish this afternoon as they prepare to play a familiar foe in the third-place game.For the third time this season, the Southeast will face Beloit in a Trojan War, looking to avenge two earlier losses from this season.This will be the fifth third-place game for the purple and white unit in their sixth trip to state, and their third appearance in this game in as many years.“It says so much about our program and our expectations that this feels like a disappointment,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “Our guys found ways to battle and when you watch March Madness there’s always a team that's got nothing to lose and that’s playing really good basketball and I felt like that was us this year.”To claim the bronze for a third consecutive season, Southeast will have to overcome the top-seeded and #1-ranked Beloit Trojans, who will enter this game at 23-2 after falling to Wellsville on Friday.“Beloit’s biggest challenge is their size,” Flax said. “Beisner is really good, the Johnson kid is playing at a whole other level and they’re a really good defensive team. They funnel things to their bigs and it’s always hard to play size when you don’t have a lot of it.”That size gave SES trouble in each of the first two contests, but the Trojan team that has made this run through the playoffs is a far cry from the one that struggled with Beloit earlier this year, and will be primed to give it their all when the ball goes in the air on Saturday afternoon.“We need to bring some energy to this game early and we’ll have to find ways to keep these big guys off the glass and knock down some shots,” he said.Tip-off between the two Trojan teams is set for noon from the Hutch Sports Arena and as always the game can be heard on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) or streamed online at 910KINA.com.

Southeast Battles Beloit for 3A State Hardware

BY ADAM COULTER Salina Post Contributor

The Sacred Heart Knights took on the top-seeded and undefeated Lyndon Tigers on Friday afternoon with a trip to the 2A boys state championship game on the line.

The Knights jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the early moments of the game, but the Tigers would answer and led 17-14 after the opening eight minutes. Tanner Heckel scored 13 first-quarter points for Lyndon, but would have to come out of the game for most of the second period as he was charged with three first-half fouls.

Sacred Heart took advantage of having one of Lyndon's best players on the bench. The Knights kept chipping away at what had become a double-digit deficit, but eventually took a one-point lead into halftime with the score 27-26.

After a closely contested third quarter, It was Lyndon with a one-point lead heading into the final eight minutes of the game. With the score 43-42 to start the fourth quarter, the Tigers pulled away and took their biggest lead with the score 61-48. The Knights never stopped battling as they finished the game the same way they started it with an 8-2 run. However, in the end, Sacred Heart ran out of time as Lyndon claimed the victory by a score of 63-56.&nbsp;

There were five lead changes and the score was also tied five times in the games.

Evan Bogart led the Knights with 19 points. Michael Matteucci scored 10 more for Sacred Heart. Daxton Massey led Lyndon with 19 points.&nbsp;

The Tigers remain undefeated at 24-0 and will play Moundridge in the 3A state championship game on Saturday.

Sacred Heart falls to 21-4 and will play its final game of the season against Sterling in the 2A boys third-place game.&nbsp;

The Black Bears come in at 22-3 after defeating Plainville 57-43 in the quarterfinals, but dropping their semifinal with Moundridge 56-45.

Tipoff is scheduled for 2 pm on Saturday afternoon from Dodge City. Coverage of the game will begin at 1:50 pm on KINA.

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 took on the top-seeded and undefeated Lyndon Tigers on Friday afternoon with a trip to the 2A boys state championship game on the line.The Knights jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the early moments of the game, but the Tigers would answer and led 17-14 after the opening eight minutes. Tanner Heckel scored 13 first-quarter points for Lyndon, but would have to come out of the game for most of the second period as he was charged with three first-half fouls.Sacred Heart took advantage of having one of Lyndon's best players on the bench. The Knights kept chipping away at what had become a double-digit deficit, but eventually took a one-point lead into halftime with the score 27-26.After a closely contested third quarter, It was Lyndon with a one-point lead heading into the final eight minutes of the game. With the score 43-42 to start the fourth quarter, the Tigers pulled away and took their biggest lead with the score 61-48. The Knights never stopped battling as they finished the game the same way they started it with an 8-2 run. However, in the end, Sacred Heart ran out of time as Lyndon claimed the victory by a score of 63-56.&nbsp;There were five lead changes and the score was also tied five times in the games.Evan Bogart led the Knights with 19 points. Michael Matteucci scored 10 more for Sacred Heart. Daxton Massey led Lyndon with 19 points.&nbsp;The Tigers remain undefeated at 24-0 and will play Moundridge in the 3A state championship game on Saturday.Sacred Heart falls to 21-4 and will play its final game of the season against Sterling in the 2A boys third-place game.&nbsp;The Black Bears come in at 22-3 after defeating Plainville 57-43 in the quarterfinals, but dropping their semifinal with Moundridge 56-45.Tipoff is scheduled for 2 pm on Saturday afternoon from Dodge City. Coverage of the game will begin at 1:50 pm on KINA.

Knights Fall to Lyndon, Face Sterling in 2A Third-Place Game

The magical run for the Southeast of Saline boys basketball team came to an end on Friday night, as the Trojans fell to 3rd-ranked Goodland 55-38 in the 3A semifinals.

With this result, the Cowboys move to 22-3 on the year and will advance to play Wellsville in the 3A state championship game while the Trojans drop to 15-10 and will face a familiar foe in Beloit for third place on Saturday.

The Trojans held a two-point lead after a quarter, but were outscored 35-16 in the middle frames as Goodland pulled away and finished strong.

While Southeast had certainly hoped for more, the fact that the Trojans made the final four in Class 3A in a season that saw them enter sub-state unraked as a four-seed is nothing short of remarkable.

“I’m proud of our guys for battling and getting to this point,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. We were going to have to play an almost perfect game to keep up with them. We held a really good team in the 50s. I was proud of that, we just couldn’t knock down shots.”

Owen Bailey was the lone Trojan in double digits on Friday, scoring 15 of Southeast’s 38 points.

On the other side, two players shouldered much the load for Goodland as Brady Brumbaugh went off for 22, and future DI football player Linkon Cure finished his night with 12.

To return to Gysum with hardware for a third consecutive season, Southeast will have to take down a rival that’s given them some trouble this year, as the Beloit Trojans find themselves in the same position ahead of championship Saturday.

“It makes preparation on a short back-to-back easier but we don’t match up well with them,” Flax said. “At this point you’re going to come out and compete with whoever lines up across from you. Beloit is what they are, they’re really good and we’ll have to be good on the glass again.”

The third-place game is set for noon this Saturday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena, and as always the game can be heard on KINA.

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 magical run for the Southeast of Saline boys basketball team came to an end on Friday night, as the Trojans fell to 3rd-ranked Goodland 55-38 in the 3A semifinals.With this result, the Cowboys move to 22-3 on the year and will advance to play Wellsville in the 3A state championship game while the Trojans drop to 15-10 and will face a familiar foe in Beloit for third place on Saturday.The Trojans held a two-point lead after a quarter, but were outscored 35-16 in the middle frames as Goodland pulled away and finished strong.While Southeast had certainly hoped for more, the fact that the Trojans made the final four in Class 3A in a season that saw them enter sub-state unraked as a four-seed is nothing short of remarkable.“I’m proud of our guys for battling and getting to this point,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. We were going to have to play an almost perfect game to keep up with them. We held a really good team in the 50s. I was proud of that, we just couldn’t knock down shots.”Owen Bailey was the lone Trojan in double digits on Friday, scoring 15 of Southeast’s 38 points.On the other side, two players shouldered much the load for Goodland as Brady Brumbaugh went off for 22, and future DI football player Linkon Cure finished his night with 12.To return to Gysum with hardware for a third consecutive season, Southeast will have to take down a rival that’s given them some trouble this year, as the Beloit Trojans find themselves in the same position ahead of championship Saturday.“It makes preparation on a short back-to-back easier but we don’t match up well with them,” Flax said. “At this point you’re going to come out and compete with whoever lines up across from you. Beloit is what they are, they’re really good and we’ll have to be good on the glass again.”The third-place game is set for noon this Saturday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena, and as always the game can be heard on KINA.

Trojans Cinderella Run Comes to Close at Hands of #3 Goodland

For the eight teams that make it to state in any given bracket, a challenge unfolds unlike any other, and every game is a brutal battle to the bitter end.

Someone forgot to pass this memo on to the Sacred Heart boys.

On Thursday, the Knights cruised past Erie High School in a 74-35 quarterfinal rout, cruising into the semifinal round on Friday with ease.

"I was impressed with our preparation," Sacred Heart head coach Brian Gormley said. "We had a long haul out here to Dodge City and they've been great hosts but it was our guys responsibility to prepare themselves physically and we came ready to compete."

In the opening minutes of the game, the Red Devils hit a shot to go up 4-3.

A 16-0 run helped to put the Knights up 22-7 after one, and another 11-0 run put the game out of reach before the intermission where Sacred Heart took an astounding 49-16 lead into the locker room.

All told, twelve different Knights would see time on the floor, with eight contributing in the scoring column, led by Max Ehrlich (18) and Will Tuttle (17).

Sacred Heart finished the game on fire, shooting a ridiculous 48% from the floor, matched only by an even more absurd 54% clip from deep.

Erie came into this contest as a two-man army, and it hurt them in the end, as despite strong performances by Reid Duff (17) and Ethan Dillinger (14), the rest of the team scored a total of just four points for the entire game.

The Red Devil campaign comes to a close at 18-6 while the Knights march on to the semifinal round where Sacred Heart (21-3) will take on the 1-seed and only undefeated 2A team remaining in Lyndon (24-0).

That semifinal contest will be held at 4:00 on Friday at United Wireless Arena in Dodge City.

Lyndon has also been dominant throughout the postseason, lighting up Eureka (73-22), Central Heights (55-23), and Uniontown (84-31) to get through sub-state before dispatching Conway Springs (51-38) in their quarterfinal on Thursday.

Much of that success has rested on the shoulders of Division-I Illinois football commit Tanner Heckel, who anchors Lyndon on both ends of the floor.&nbsp;

"They have one of the best players and probably the best athlete in 3A," Gormley said. "Heckel can hit you from three, he can drive and dunk on you and he has a really soft midrange touch. He's hard to stop at all levels and then they have a 6-8 kid inside with good hands and feet and he really controls the area around the rim."

Coverage of Friday’s state semifinal can be heard locally on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) or on 910KINA.com with Adam Coulter on the call.

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>For the eight teams that make it to state in any given bracket, a challenge unfolds unlike any other, and every game is a brutal battle to the bitter end.Someone forgot to pass this memo on to the Sacred Heart boys.On Thursday, the Knights cruised past Erie High School in a 74-35 quarterfinal rout, cruising into the semifinal round on Friday with ease."I was impressed with our preparation," Sacred Heart head coach Brian Gormley said. "We had a long haul out here to Dodge City and they've been great hosts but it was our guys responsibility to prepare themselves physically and we came ready to compete."In the opening minutes of the game, the Red Devils hit a shot to go up 4-3.They would not lead again.A 16-0 run helped to put the Knights up 22-7 after one, and another 11-0 run put the game out of reach before the intermission where Sacred Heart took an astounding 49-16 lead into the locker room.All told, twelve different Knights would see time on the floor, with eight contributing in the scoring column, led by Max Ehrlich (18) and Will Tuttle (17).Sacred Heart finished the game on fire, shooting a ridiculous 48% from the floor, matched only by an even more absurd 54% clip from deep.Erie came into this contest as a two-man army, and it hurt them in the end, as despite strong performances by Reid Duff (17) and Ethan Dillinger (14), the rest of the team scored a total of just four points for the entire game.The Red Devil campaign comes to a close at 18-6 while the Knights march on to the semifinal round where Sacred Heart (21-3) will take on the 1-seed and only undefeated 2A team remaining in Lyndon (24-0).That semifinal contest will be held at 4:00 on Friday at United Wireless Arena in Dodge City.Lyndon has also been dominant throughout the postseason, lighting up Eureka (73-22), Central Heights (55-23), and Uniontown (84-31) to get through sub-state before dispatching Conway Springs (51-38) in their quarterfinal on Thursday.Much of that success has rested on the shoulders of Division-I Illinois football commit Tanner Heckel, who anchors Lyndon on both ends of the floor.&nbsp;"They have one of the best players and probably the best athlete in 3A," Gormley said. "Heckel can hit you from three, he can drive and dunk on you and he has a really soft midrange touch. He's hard to stop at all levels and then they have a 6-8 kid inside with good hands and feet and he really controls the area around the rim."Coverage of Friday’s state semifinal can be heard locally on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) or on 910KINA.com with Adam Coulter on the call.

Knights Roll Erie in Quarterfinals, Advance to Face Lyndon in State Semis

Despite facing a 2-4 start and long odds both at sub-state and state, the Southeast of Saline boy’s basketball team has reached the final four of this year’s 3A state tournament and will look to reach untread ground in tonight’s semifinal.

The Trojans held on for dear life to eliminate #2 Cheney 54-51 on Wednesday, solidifying to the few remaining doubters that Southeast belongs in the upper echelon of Class 3A.

“Defensively I thought we were really good,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “Cheney is a great offensive team and they finish tough shots downhill and can shoot from the perimeter. We wanted to make sure they didn’t get any threes in rhythm and I thought we did a good job of limiting those kinds of shots and competing on the glass.”

Now, the Trojans will turn their attention to 3rd-ranked Goodland, looking to hunt down their third top-five foe in the span of a week.

“Goodland is exceptionally good,” Flax said. “They beat a good Hays High team, they fell by just ten to Olathe North, they played Hugoton to overtime and they are as advertised. They can really shoot the basketball and they’ve got a kid who’s a power five type in football and showcases that athleticism on the court. They’re really well coached, they get out and defend and this should be a good matchup.”

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>Despite facing a 2-4 start and long odds both at sub-state and state, the Southeast of Saline boy’s basketball team has reached the final four of this year’s 3A state tournament and will look to reach untread ground in tonight’s semifinal.The Trojans held on for dear life to eliminate #2 Cheney 54-51 on Wednesday, solidifying to the few remaining doubters that Southeast belongs in the upper echelon of Class 3A.“Defensively I thought we were really good,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “Cheney is a great offensive team and they finish tough shots downhill and can shoot from the perimeter. We wanted to make sure they didn’t get any threes in rhythm and I thought we did a good job of limiting those kinds of shots and competing on the glass.”Now, the Trojans will turn their attention to 3rd-ranked Goodland, looking to hunt down their third top-five foe in the span of a week.“Goodland is exceptionally good,” Flax said. “They beat a good Hays High team, they fell by just ten to Olathe North, they played Hugoton to overtime and they are as advertised. They can really shoot the basketball and they’ve got a kid who’s a power five type in football and showcases that athleticism on the court. They’re really well coached, they get out and defend and this should be a good matchup.”While Southeast will once again find themselves playing the role of underdogs, this Trojan outfit looks more like that of an esteemed hunter, than that of Cinderella.None of this success happened overnight, but the Trojans have been playing their best basketball down the stretch as several individuals have found the best versions of themselves on the floor.“There have been a handful of guys that have really stepped up for us,” Flax said. “It all starts with Gannon Jacobson who’s been very aggressive offensively and he’s knocking down shots from all three levels. Danny Kejrs numbers don’t wow you but he’s been the leader of our defense and he’s running the show and getting others involved and picking his spots to go and get his.”He continued.“Brenton Leeds has really been on a different level in the postseason, he’s been dominating the boards averaging over 10 rebounds a game. He’s contesting a lot of shots and he plays with such a high motor that he gives himself opportunities around the rim. Omar Calzada has also provided us with really good minutes off the bench, he was phenomenal in that Hesston game and he did some really great things in the Cheney game as well.It’s taken everyone on Southeast’s roster playing at their best to get this far, and it will take everyone doing the same to take down Goodland tonight, but the Trojans are a team with no fear, no quit, and no expectations heaped upon them, which in March, can be a dangerous thing.“We can’t let them get comfortable on the perimeter,” he said. “We have to make them do things offensively that they’re not comfortable doing and we have to take away their catch and shoot threes. This time of year you can’t turn the ball over and you can’t give teams extra opportunities on the offensive glass.”Tip-off between the Trojans and Cowboys is scheduled for 6:00 at the Hutchinson Sports Arena and as always, coverage of SES hoops can be heard on KINA locally on 910 AM/107.5 FM or online at 910KINA.com.