MANHATTAN, Kansas -&nbsp;(13/13) K-State begins its 57th season of action with a unique Monday morning tip-off, as the Wildcats host Green Bay in Bramlage Coliseum at 11 a.m.

• Monday’s game is Education Day, as over 1,200 local elementary school students will be in attendance to see the Wildcats.

• Monday’s game can be seen live on ESPN+, as Brian Smoller (play-by-play), Missy Heidrick (analyst) and Hannah Whetstone (sideline) will have the call.

Five names, numbers or storylines about K-State women’s basketball

1. Cats Picked as Big 12 Favorites

• For the first time in Big 12 history, K-State was chosen as the league favorite in the 2024-25 Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll. The Wildcats received 7 first-place votes and 211 points.

2. K-State 13th in AP &amp; Coaches Polls

• For the fourth time in program history and the first time since 2004-05, K-State is ranked in the Associated Press and USA Today/WBCA Coaches preseason polls. The Wildcats check in at 13th in both, its highest preseason ranking since 2003-04 when the Cats were ranked fifth.

3. Duo Named to Preseason Watch List

• K-State’s Ayoka Lee and Serena Sundell were named to 2024-25 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Women’s Player of the Year Watch List.

• K-State head coach Jeff Mittie is prepared for his 11th season in Manhattan. He owns a 190-135 (.585) record and eight postseason appearances with the Wildcats. With 10 wins, Mittie will become the third K-State WBB coach (Deb Patterson, 350; Judy Akers, 206) with 200 or more wins at the helm of the Wildcats.

• Senior center and 2024-25 Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year Ayoka Lee needs 140 points to pass Kendra Wecker (2001-05; 2,333 points) for the K-State career scoring record. Lee owns the career school records for rebounds (1,118) and blocks (310).

• K-State returns 85 percent (2,067 points) of its points from the 2023-24 season.

• This is the second straight season K-State will return over 2,000 points scored from the previous season (2,120 entering 2023-24).

• Of the 2,067 points returning from last season, K-State returns its eight of its top nine scorers (Ayoka Lee, 533 points; Serena Sundell, 4111 points; Jaelyn Glenn, 239 points; Zyanna Walker, 231 points;&nbsp; Brylee Glenn, 214 points; Gisela Sanchez, 180 points; Eliza Maupin, 116 points; Taryn Sides, 115 points).

• The Wildcats scored 2,437 points in the 2023-24 season, the third straight season K-State has scored 2,000 or more points in a season. K-State has scored 2,000 or more points under Jeff Mittie in seven of his previous 10 seasons.

2024-25 Coach and Player Milestones to Watch

• Needs 10 wins to become third K-State Women’s Basketball head coach with 200 or more wins at K-State

• Needs 17 wins to move into second on the K-State Women’s Basketball wins list (Judy Akers, 206)

• Needs 140 points to set the school career scoring record

• Needs six double-doubles to move into second in Big 12 history for career double-doubles

• Needs 274 rebounds to move into second in Big 12 history for career rebounds

• Needs 56 made free throws to set the school record for career free throws made

• Needs 50 made field goals to set the school record for career field goals made

• Needs 238 points to reach 1,500 career points

• Needs 41 assists to move into second in school history for career assists

• Needs 145 points to reach 1,000 career points

• Needs 12 made 3-pointers to move into 10th on K-State career 3-point field goals made list

• Needs 84 steals to move into third on K-State career steals list

• Needs 45 rebounds to move into top-30 on K-State career rebounds list

• Needs 223 points to reach 1,000 career points

• Green Bay opens its 2024-25 season with three of its first four games on the road.

• The Phoenix were voted second in the 2024-25 Under Armour Horizon League Preseason Poll.

• Green Bay is guided on the sideline by first-year head coach Kayla Karius. The 2011 graduate of Green Bay owns a career record of 37-29 (.561) in her two previous seasons as a head coach at South Dakota.

• The top returning scorer and rebounder for the Phoenix is senior guard Natalie McNeal. The product of Germantown, Wisconsin, averaged 13.2 points and hauled in 6.8 rebounds. Entering the season, McNeal was a Preseason All-Horizon League First Team selection.

• Green Bay’s top passer from a season ago, Bailey Butler, also returns. The senior from South Wayne, Wisconsin, averaged 5.4 assists and enters this season as a Preseason All-Horizon League Second Team recipient.

• Kansas State made its 2024-25 preseason debut at 13th in the Associated Press (AP) top-25 poll.

• This is the fourth time in program history and the first time since the 2004-05 season that K-State appeared in the AP preseason poll. This was the program’s highest preseason ranking since 2003-04 when the Wildcats entered the season ranked fifth.

• Since making its poll debut on Nov. 20, 2023, K-State has been ranked for 20 consecutive weeks. This is the longest consecutive streak for K-State since being ranked for the entirety of the 2004-05 season. In its history, K-State has now been ranked for a total of 193 weeks in the AP poll.

• As an AP ranked team, K-State owns a 247-94 (.724) record.

• During the 2023-24 season, the Wildcats achieved the program’s highest ranking in the Jeff Mittie era (2014-present), as the team was ranked 2nd on Jan. 29, 2024. It was the highest ranking for the program in the AP poll since Nov. 25, 2002 when K-State was ranked 2nd.

• According to Stats Perform, K-State was the first women’s program since the start of the AP poll in 1976 to go from unranked in the preseason to either No. 1 or No. 2 in the same season.

• The Wildcats are ranked 13th in the preseason USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll. This is the fourth time K-State has appeared in the preseason Coaches Poll and the first time since 2004-05. This is K-State’s highest preseason ranking in the poll since 2003-04 when the Wildcats entered the season ranked fifth.

• K-State reached a high of 2nd in the Coaches Poll for two straight weeks in the 2023-24 season, its highest Coaches Poll ranking since being ranked 2nd in the third poll of the 2002-03 season.

• The Wildcats have been ranked in 20 straight USA Today/WBCA Coaches Polls dating back to Nov. 20, 2023.

• Jeff Mittie, one of the winningest active coaches in NCAA Division I with over 600 career wins, enters his 11th season at the helm of the K-State program in 2024-25.

• Mittie, the ninth head women’s basketball coach in K-State history, owns an overall career record of 644-370 (.635) in 33 years as a head coach, including a 190-135 (.585) mark in his time at K-State. He has won 19 or more games in seven of 10 seasons with K-State.

• The 2024 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s Coach of the Year Late Season Watch List honoree achieved a K-State career-best 26 wins in the 2023-24 season and his most wins as a head coach since registering 31 in the 1994-95 season at Missouri Western.

• His 644 career wins at NCAA programs ranks 11th among active NCAA Division I head coaches.

• Mittie registered the 600th win of his coaching career, an 83-43 victory over Central Arkansas on Nov. 7, 2022.

• With his 190 wins at Kansas State, Mittie ranks third for wins at the helm of the K-State program.

• Mittie is the third-longest tenured head coach in K-State women’s basketball history and currently the second-longest tenured head coach of any sport at K-State.

• He has averaged 20.0 wins per season and experienced only two losing seasons in his 32 seasons.

• Mittie has 23 postseason appearances in his career (NCAA or WNIT Tournaments), in which he has a combined record of 24-21 (.533). He ranks second in program history for NCAA Tournament appearances with five, trailing Deb Patterson’s program record nine appearances. Mittie is 4-5 in his five NCAA Tournament appearances with the Wildcats.

• The Wildcats have been dominant in season-openers since the team’s first season in 1968-69. Kansas State is 47-9 (.839) in season openers and have won 22 of the last 24 season openers, including 13 straight.

• Head coach Jeff Mittie is 26-6 (.813) in season-openers, including a 10-0 mark at K-State.

• Kansas State has won 30 of its last 32 home openers in Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats are 47-9 (.839) all-time in home openers and 32-4 (.889) in openers in Bramlage.

• Head coach Jeff Mittie is 30-2 (.938) in home openers in his previous 32 seasons.

• In its 57 seasons of action, K-State has accumulated a record of 160-54 (.748) in the month of November. The Wildcats have won 48 of its last 59 games in the month of November.

• Under head coach Jeff Mittie, K-State is 46-11 (.807) in November games.

• The Wildcats have ended the 11th month with a .500 or better record in 13 straight seasons, including a 6-0 mark in 2016-17. Overall, K-State has registered a .500 or better record in November 44 times in its history.

• K-State women’s basketball placed three players on the Hoop Hall Awards, national positional awards watch lists. Fans can vote for these honors daily at&nbsp;<a href="http://hoophallawards.com/" target="_blank">hoophallawards.com</a>.

• Senior guard Serena Sundell was chosen for the Nancy Lieberman Award watch list, given annually to the top point guard in the nation. This was the second time Sundell was named to the list.

• Senior forward Temira Poindexter was selected to the Cheryl Miller Award watch list, given annually to the nation’s top small forward.

• Senior center Ayoka Lee was named to the Lisa Leslie Award watch list, given annually to the top center in the nation. This is the fourth time in her career that Lee was named to the Leslie Award watch list. In 2022, Lee was a finalist for the honor.

MANHATTAN, Kansas -&nbsp;(13/13) K-State begins its 57th season of action with a unique Monday morning tip-off, as the Wildcats host Green Bay in Bramlage Coliseum at 11 a.m.• Monday’s game is Education Day, as over 1,200 local elementary school students will be in attendance to see the Wildcats.• Monday’s game can be seen live on ESPN+, as Brian Smoller (play-by-play), Missy Heidrick (analyst) and Hannah Whetstone (sideline) will have the call.Starting 5Five names, numbers or storylines about K-State women’s basketball1. Cats Picked as Big 12 Favorites• For the first time in Big 12 history, K-State was chosen as the league favorite in the 2024-25 Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll. The Wildcats received 7 first-place votes and 211 points.2. K-State 13th in AP &amp; Coaches Polls• For the fourth time in program history and the first time since 2004-05, K-State is ranked in the Associated Press and USA Today/WBCA Coaches preseason polls. The Wildcats check in at 13th in both, its highest preseason ranking since 2003-04 when the Cats were ranked fifth.3. Duo Named to Preseason Watch List• K-State’s Ayoka Lee and Serena Sundell were named to 2024-25 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Women’s Player of the Year Watch List.4. Mittie Set for 11th season• K-State head coach Jeff Mittie is prepared for his 11th season in Manhattan. He owns a 190-135 (.585) record and eight postseason appearances with the Wildcats. With 10 wins, Mittie will become the third K-State WBB coach (Deb Patterson, 350; Judy Akers, 206) with 200 or more wins at the helm of the Wildcats.5. Lee on Cusp of Scoring Record• Senior center and 2024-25 Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year Ayoka Lee needs 140 points to pass Kendra Wecker (2001-05; 2,333 points) for the K-State career scoring record. Lee owns the career school records for rebounds (1,118) and blocks (310).Number to Know2,067• K-State returns 85 percent (2,067 points) of its points from the 2023-24 season.• This is the second straight season K-State will return over 2,000 points scored from the previous season (2,120 entering 2023-24).• Of the 2,067 points returning from last season, K-State returns its eight of its top nine scorers (Ayoka Lee, 533 points; Serena Sundell, 4111 points; Jaelyn Glenn, 239 points; Zyanna Walker, 231 points;&nbsp; Brylee Glenn, 214 points; Gisela Sanchez, 180 points; Eliza Maupin, 116 points; Taryn Sides, 115 points).• The Wildcats scored 2,437 points in the 2023-24 season, the third straight season K-State has scored 2,000 or more points in a season. K-State has scored 2,000 or more points under Jeff Mittie in seven of his previous 10 seasons.2024-25 Coach and Player Milestones to WatchJeff Mittie• Needs 10 wins to become third K-State Women’s Basketball head coach with 200 or more wins at K-State• Needs 17 wins to move into second on the K-State Women’s Basketball wins list (Judy Akers, 206)Ayoka Lee• Needs 140 points to set the school career scoring record• Needs six double-doubles to move into second in Big 12 history for career double-doubles• Needs 274 rebounds to move into second in Big 12 history for career rebounds• Needs 56 made free throws to set the school record for career free throws made• Needs 50 made field goals to set the school record for career field goals madeSerena Sundell• Needs 238 points to reach 1,500 career points• Needs 41 assists to move into second in school history for career assistsJaelyn Glenn• Needs 145 points to reach 1,000 career points• Needs 12 made 3-pointers to move into 10th on K-State career 3-point field goals made list• Needs 84 steals to move into third on K-State career steals list• Needs 45 rebounds to move into top-30 on K-State career rebounds listBrylee Glenn• Needs 223 points to reach 1,000 career pointsAt a Glance: Green Bay• Green Bay opens its 2024-25 season with three of its first four games on the road.• The Phoenix were voted second in the 2024-25 Under Armour Horizon League Preseason Poll.• Green Bay is guided on the sideline by first-year head coach Kayla Karius. The 2011 graduate of Green Bay owns a career record of 37-29 (.561) in her two previous seasons as a head coach at South Dakota.• The top returning scorer and rebounder for the Phoenix is senior guard Natalie McNeal. The product of Germantown, Wisconsin, averaged 13.2 points and hauled in 6.8 rebounds. Entering the season, McNeal was a Preseason All-Horizon League First Team selection.• Green Bay’s top passer from a season ago, Bailey Butler, also returns. The senior from South Wayne, Wisconsin, averaged 5.4 assists and enters this season as a Preseason All-Horizon League Second Team recipient.K-State Among the Rankings• Kansas State made its 2024-25 preseason debut at 13th in the Associated Press (AP) top-25 poll.• This is the fourth time in program history and the first time since the 2004-05 season that K-State appeared in the AP preseason poll. This was the program’s highest preseason ranking since 2003-04 when the Wildcats entered the season ranked fifth.• Since making its poll debut on Nov. 20, 2023, K-State has been ranked for 20 consecutive weeks. This is the longest consecutive streak for K-State since being ranked for the entirety of the 2004-05 season. In its history, K-State has now been ranked for a total of 193 weeks in the AP poll.• As an AP ranked team, K-State owns a 247-94 (.724) record.• During the 2023-24 season, the Wildcats achieved the program’s highest ranking in the Jeff Mittie era (2014-present), as the team was ranked 2nd on Jan. 29, 2024. It was the highest ranking for the program in the AP poll since Nov. 25, 2002 when K-State was ranked 2nd.• According to Stats Perform, K-State was the first women’s program since the start of the AP poll in 1976 to go from unranked in the preseason to either No. 1 or No. 2 in the same season.• The Wildcats are ranked 13th in the preseason USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll. This is the fourth time K-State has appeared in the preseason Coaches Poll and the first time since 2004-05. This is K-State’s highest preseason ranking in the poll since 2003-04 when the Wildcats entered the season ranked fifth.• K-State reached a high of 2nd in the Coaches Poll for two straight weeks in the 2023-24 season, its highest Coaches Poll ranking since being ranked 2nd in the third poll of the 2002-03 season.• The Wildcats have been ranked in 20 straight USA Today/WBCA Coaches Polls dating back to Nov. 20, 2023.Mittie in 11th season at K-State• Jeff Mittie, one of the winningest active coaches in NCAA Division I with over 600 career wins, enters his 11th season at the helm of the K-State program in 2024-25.• Mittie, the ninth head women’s basketball coach in K-State history, owns an overall career record of 644-370 (.635) in 33 years as a head coach, including a 190-135 (.585) mark in his time at K-State. He has won 19 or more games in seven of 10 seasons with K-State.• The 2024 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s Coach of the Year Late Season Watch List honoree achieved a K-State career-best 26 wins in the 2023-24 season and his most wins as a head coach since registering 31 in the 1994-95 season at Missouri Western.• His 644 career wins at NCAA programs ranks 11th among active NCAA Division I head coaches.• Mittie registered the 600th win of his coaching career, an 83-43 victory over Central Arkansas on Nov. 7, 2022.• With his 190 wins at Kansas State, Mittie ranks third for wins at the helm of the K-State program.• Mittie is the third-longest tenured head coach in K-State women’s basketball history and currently the second-longest tenured head coach of any sport at K-State.• He has averaged 20.0 wins per season and experienced only two losing seasons in his 32 seasons.• Mittie has 23 postseason appearances in his career (NCAA or WNIT Tournaments), in which he has a combined record of 24-21 (.533). He ranks second in program history for NCAA Tournament appearances with five, trailing Deb Patterson’s program record nine appearances. Mittie is 4-5 in his five NCAA Tournament appearances with the Wildcats.K-State in Season Openers• The Wildcats have been dominant in season-openers since the team’s first season in 1968-69. Kansas State is 47-9 (.839) in season openers and have won 22 of the last 24 season openers, including 13 straight.• Head coach Jeff Mittie is 26-6 (.813) in season-openers, including a 10-0 mark at K-State.K-State in Home Openers• Kansas State has won 30 of its last 32 home openers in Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats are 47-9 (.839) all-time in home openers and 32-4 (.889) in openers in Bramlage.• Head coach Jeff Mittie is 30-2 (.938) in home openers in his previous 32 seasons.Remember the Month of November• In its 57 seasons of action, K-State has accumulated a record of 160-54 (.748) in the month of November. The Wildcats have won 48 of its last 59 games in the month of November.• Under head coach Jeff Mittie, K-State is 46-11 (.807) in November games.• The Wildcats have ended the 11th month with a .500 or better record in 13 straight seasons, including a 6-0 mark in 2016-17. Overall, K-State has registered a .500 or better record in November 44 times in its history.They Got Their Eye on Them• K-State women’s basketball placed three players on the Hoop Hall Awards, national positional awards watch lists. Fans can vote for these honors daily at&nbsp;<a href="http://hoophallawards.com/" target="_blank">hoophallawards.com</a>.• Senior guard Serena Sundell was chosen for the Nancy Lieberman Award watch list, given annually to the top point guard in the nation. This was the second time Sundell was named to the list.• Senior forward Temira Poindexter was selected to the Cheryl Miller Award watch list, given annually to the nation’s top small forward.• Senior center Ayoka Lee was named to the Lisa Leslie Award watch list, given annually to the top center in the nation. This is the fourth time in her career that Lee was named to the Leslie Award watch list. In 2022, Lee was a finalist for the honor.

#13 K-State WBB Opens 57th Season Against Green Bay

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

Very little can be said about Southeast of Saline’s cross-country program that hasn’t been said already.

The Trojans and Lady Trojans have raised 19 state championship banners over the years, making SES the sixth-winningest program in Kansas's history.

That dominance includes repeats, three-peats, and an unprecedented run of podium finishes, and this Saturday, Southeast has an opportunity to add even more hardware to an already crowded trophy case.

Last week, both teams ran strong races at the regional in Gypsum, with the #1 ranked girls team closing out a first-place finish, and the #3 ranked boys team wrapping up their race in second.

While some of this has been expected, the way SES has done it in 2024 has been different, with a youth movement leading the way, and overcoming unexpected losses.

“These kids have so much raw talent despite being really young and I’ve loved seeing how much they’ve matured throughout the season,” SES head coach Wade Caselman said. “Their enthusiasm for wanting to work hard and get better every week has been so great to see and these kids want to keep Southeast at a high level the way we have been for the last several years. I appreciate that out of each and every one of them.”

The four-time defending state champion Lady Trojans expected to be back in the mix for a fifth-straight title this season, but lost several key pieces from that 2023 team.

Despite the new challenge, newcomers like freshmen Ava McGraw and Alea Barnaby helped to keep SES in contention alongside key sophomores Piper Brown, Anna Jackson, Regan Duran and Layla Lund, and lone senior Cali Augustine.

As a result, the Lady Trojans come into the state run at Rim Rock as the favorites to win it all and pull off Southeast’s second five-peat in program history if they can fend off Wichita Trinity, Hesston, and Norton.

“A fifth straight state title for the girls has been our goal since the first day of practice,” Caselman said. “Only one other group of Southeast kids has ever done that. These girls want to etch their name in stone with that group and continue building the legacy of our cross-country program. They definitely have a shot but whatever happens I’m so proud of them.”

Things were a bit less clear cut for the Southeast boy’s team, which lost Levi Allen, Cayden Walker and Ben Grauerholz to graduation, then lost Isaiah Kejr to an injury earlier this year.

Fortunately, the Trojans will receive a shot in the arm on the boy's side, as Brayden Walker returns from an injury that kept him off the course at regionals for one last run this year.

With Walker returning to join senior newcomer Jacob Tonne, sophomores Cole Franklin and Tyler Kempke, and freshmen Brooks and Zach Carlin and Caleb Knopf, Southeast should be in the mix to land on the podium once more, a position they’ve occupied for the better part of the last decade.

That podium place will be contingent on if the Trojans can match pace with Wichita Trinity and Holcomb, each of whom is eying a state title on Saturday.

&nbsp;“We want our boys to be on the podium for a seventh straight season and continue that run of coming home with hardware,” he said. “No matter where they finish I’m proud of these boys and what they accomplished this year especially with how young we are.”

The state championships in Lawrence get underway on Saturday morning, with Southeast’s boys running at 10:00, and the girls running at noon.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostVery little can be said about Southeast of Saline’s cross-country program that hasn’t been said already.The Trojans and Lady Trojans have raised 19 state championship banners over the years, making SES the sixth-winningest program in Kansas's history.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715807615208.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>That dominance includes repeats, three-peats, and an unprecedented run of podium finishes, and this Saturday, Southeast has an opportunity to add even more hardware to an already crowded trophy case.Last week, both teams ran strong races at the regional in Gypsum, with the #1 ranked girls team closing out a first-place finish, and the #3 ranked boys team wrapping up their race in second.While some of this has been expected, the way SES has done it in 2024 has been different, with a youth movement leading the way, and overcoming unexpected losses.“These kids have so much raw talent despite being really young and I’ve loved seeing how much they’ve matured throughout the season,” SES head coach Wade Caselman said. “Their enthusiasm for wanting to work hard and get better every week has been so great to see and these kids want to keep Southeast at a high level the way we have been for the last several years. I appreciate that out of each and every one of them.”The four-time defending state champion Lady Trojans expected to be back in the mix for a fifth-straight title this season, but lost several key pieces from that 2023 team.Despite the new challenge, newcomers like freshmen Ava McGraw and Alea Barnaby helped to keep SES in contention alongside key sophomores Piper Brown, Anna Jackson, Regan Duran and Layla Lund, and lone senior Cali Augustine.As a result, the Lady Trojans come into the state run at Rim Rock as the favorites to win it all and pull off Southeast’s second five-peat in program history if they can fend off Wichita Trinity, Hesston, and Norton.“A fifth straight state title for the girls has been our goal since the first day of practice,” Caselman said. “Only one other group of Southeast kids has ever done that. These girls want to etch their name in stone with that group and continue building the legacy of our cross-country program. They definitely have a shot but whatever happens I’m so proud of them.”Things were a bit less clear cut for the Southeast boy’s team, which lost Levi Allen, Cayden Walker and Ben Grauerholz to graduation, then lost Isaiah Kejr to an injury earlier this year.Fortunately, the Trojans will receive a shot in the arm on the boy's side, as Brayden Walker returns from an injury that kept him off the course at regionals for one last run this year.With Walker returning to join senior newcomer Jacob Tonne, sophomores Cole Franklin and Tyler Kempke, and freshmen Brooks and Zach Carlin and Caleb Knopf, Southeast should be in the mix to land on the podium once more, a position they’ve occupied for the better part of the last decade.That podium place will be contingent on if the Trojans can match pace with Wichita Trinity and Holcomb, each of whom is eying a state title on Saturday.&nbsp;“We want our boys to be on the podium for a seventh straight season and continue that run of coming home with hardware,” he said. “No matter where they finish I’m proud of these boys and what they accomplished this year especially with how young we are.”The state championships in Lawrence get underway on Saturday morning, with Southeast’s boys running at 10:00, and the girls running at noon.

Southeast Cross Country returns to Rim Rock in search of 20th state title

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;For the fourth time in her career, K-State senior center Ayoka Lee has been named to the Lisa Leslie Award Watch List. The award recognizes the top centers in women’s college basketball each season.

Presented by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), the Lisa Leslie Award is named after the three-time All-American, 1994 National Player of the Year and Class of 2015 Hall of Famer.

Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in each of the three rounds starting today. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2025 Lisa Leslie Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Leslie and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, where a winner will be selected.

The 2025 Lisa Leslie Award winner will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Award (Point Guard), Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Shooting Guard), Cheryl Miller (Small Forward), and the Katrina McClain Award (Power Forward), in addition to the Men’s Starting Five.

Other candidates for the Leslie Award are: Maria Gakdeng, North Carolina; Rayah Marshall, USC; Alexis Markowski, Nebraska; Anastasiia Boldyreva, Middle Tennessee; Lauren Betts, UCLA; Raegan Beers, Oklahoma; Taylor Jones, Texas; Lauren Ware, Texas A&amp;M; Audi Crooks, Iowa State; Liz Scott, Oklahoma; Sedona Prince, TCU; Katelyn Young, Murray State; Aaronette Vonleh, Colorado; Sakima Walker, South Carolina; Allyson Fertig, Wyoming; Kennedi Jackson, Boston College; Nyla Harris, Louisville; Tommisha Lampkin, North Texas; Brooklyn Meyer, South Dakota State.

Lee adds Friday’s recognition to her preseason Associated Press All-America honorable mention selection, preseason All-America Second Team honors from The Athletic, selection to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Women’s Player of the Year Watch List and being named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year by the league’s coaches and her unanimous selection to the preseason All-Big 12 team.

During the 2023-24 season, Lee was a Second Team All-America selection by The Athletic, a Third Team All-America honoree by The Sporting News, an honorable mention Associated Press All-American, an honorable mention WBCA All-American, a 2024 John R. Wooden Award National Ballot top-15 candidate, an All-Big 12 First Team selection, a Big 12 All-Defensive Team member and Big 12 All-Tournament Team recipient.

Lee, a four-time All-Big 12 First Team selection, averaged 19.7 points on a .619 field goal percentage, 8.6 rebounds and 2.78 blocked shots last season. She was the first player in program history with two or more seasons of 500 or more points, 200 or more rebounds and 75 or more blocks. Her 75 blocks were the sixth-most in program history and was her third career season with 75 or more blocked shots.

She ranked sixth in the nation and paced the Big 12 in field goal percentage. Lee was third in the Big 12 in scoring average, second in the league and ninth in the nation for blocks per game and third in the Big 12 for rebounding average.

Lee recorded 14 games last season with 20 or more points including her second career 20-20 double-double with 24 points, 21 rebounds and five blocked shots against Oral Roberts.

In the 2023-24 season, Lee led the Big 12’s top defense with 21 games of two or more blocked shots including a season-high seven at UCF on Jan. 6 and at Iowa State on Feb. 14.

In her career, Lee ranks third in school history for points scored with 2,194, holds the school record for career scoring average at 19.2, owns the school record for career rebounds with 1,118, holds the school record for career rebounding average at 9.8, the school record holder for career blocks with 310 and blocks per game at 2.72 and owns the school record for career double-doubles with 60. She is the first player in program history with 300 or more career blocks and 100 or more career steals.

K-State women’s basketball season tickets are available now. Prices start at just $75 with a Wildcat 4-Pack to see every game in Bramlage. Order now by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or calling 1-800-221-CATS.

K-State, ranked 13th&nbsp;in the preseason Associated Press and USA Today/WBCA Coaches polls, opens its 2024-25 season on Monday at 11 a.m. The Wildcats host Green Bay as part of Education Day. For tickets, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or call (800) 221-CATS.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;For the fourth time in her career, K-State senior center Ayoka Lee has been named to the Lisa Leslie Award Watch List. The award recognizes the top centers in women’s college basketball each season.Presented by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), the Lisa Leslie Award is named after the three-time All-American, 1994 National Player of the Year and Class of 2015 Hall of Famer.Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in each of the three rounds starting today. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2025 Lisa Leslie Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Leslie and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, where a winner will be selected.The 2025 Lisa Leslie Award winner will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Award (Point Guard), Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Shooting Guard), Cheryl Miller (Small Forward), and the Katrina McClain Award (Power Forward), in addition to the Men’s Starting Five.Other candidates for the Leslie Award are: Maria Gakdeng, North Carolina; Rayah Marshall, USC; Alexis Markowski, Nebraska; Anastasiia Boldyreva, Middle Tennessee; Lauren Betts, UCLA; Raegan Beers, Oklahoma; Taylor Jones, Texas; Lauren Ware, Texas A&amp;M; Audi Crooks, Iowa State; Liz Scott, Oklahoma; Sedona Prince, TCU; Katelyn Young, Murray State; Aaronette Vonleh, Colorado; Sakima Walker, South Carolina; Allyson Fertig, Wyoming; Kennedi Jackson, Boston College; Nyla Harris, Louisville; Tommisha Lampkin, North Texas; Brooklyn Meyer, South Dakota State.Lee adds Friday’s recognition to her preseason Associated Press All-America honorable mention selection, preseason All-America Second Team honors from The Athletic, selection to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Women’s Player of the Year Watch List and being named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year by the league’s coaches and her unanimous selection to the preseason All-Big 12 team.During the 2023-24 season, Lee was a Second Team All-America selection by The Athletic, a Third Team All-America honoree by The Sporting News, an honorable mention Associated Press All-American, an honorable mention WBCA All-American, a 2024 John R. Wooden Award National Ballot top-15 candidate, an All-Big 12 First Team selection, a Big 12 All-Defensive Team member and Big 12 All-Tournament Team recipient.Lee, a four-time All-Big 12 First Team selection, averaged 19.7 points on a .619 field goal percentage, 8.6 rebounds and 2.78 blocked shots last season. She was the first player in program history with two or more seasons of 500 or more points, 200 or more rebounds and 75 or more blocks. Her 75 blocks were the sixth-most in program history and was her third career season with 75 or more blocked shots.She ranked sixth in the nation and paced the Big 12 in field goal percentage. Lee was third in the Big 12 in scoring average, second in the league and ninth in the nation for blocks per game and third in the Big 12 for rebounding average.Lee recorded 14 games last season with 20 or more points including her second career 20-20 double-double with 24 points, 21 rebounds and five blocked shots against Oral Roberts.In the 2023-24 season, Lee led the Big 12’s top defense with 21 games of two or more blocked shots including a season-high seven at UCF on Jan. 6 and at Iowa State on Feb. 14.In her career, Lee ranks third in school history for points scored with 2,194, holds the school record for career scoring average at 19.2, owns the school record for career rebounds with 1,118, holds the school record for career rebounding average at 9.8, the school record holder for career blocks with 310 and blocks per game at 2.72 and owns the school record for career double-doubles with 60. She is the first player in program history with 300 or more career blocks and 100 or more career steals.K-State women’s basketball season tickets are available now. Prices start at just $75 with a Wildcat 4-Pack to see every game in Bramlage. Order now by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or calling 1-800-221-CATS.K-State, ranked 13th&nbsp;in the preseason Associated Press and USA Today/WBCA Coaches polls, opens its 2024-25 season on Monday at 11 a.m. The Wildcats host Green Bay as part of Education Day. For tickets, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or call (800) 221-CATS.

K-State’s Lee Named to Leslie Award Watch List

For a fifth straight season, the Southeast of Saline football team will waltz into the high school state football playoffs undefeated, and as both league, and district champions.

Each year, the Trojans have capitalized on their high-seeded status, winning nine playoff games in their last four runs.

While many of the names and numbers on the field have changed over the years, the commitment to the Trojan Way, and to consistent improvement has remained steadfast, and is a big part of what makes this year’s squad such a threat in Class 2A.

“I’ve been impressed with our progression throughout the season,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “We played a tough schedule but our kids continued to take steps forward and work to get better every week and that’s what I’m the most proud of. They take on whoever we play and work towards doing the best they can.”

It can be tempting for any team in November, especially one with such lofty expectations, to look past a first-round opponent, but from Clay Center to Lyons, the Trojans have prepared for every game in the exact same way, and this postseason will be no different.

“We need to keep taking things one week at a time and understanding that every week is important,” Gebhardt said. “That 1-0 mentality is so important, especially in a playoff bracket, and it matters that you put your best game together on Friday night.”

One thing Southeast has this year that it hasn’t always is home field advantage throughout the entire playoff, ensuring that the road to a state title match runs through Gypsum as fall turns to winter.

“Playing at home is huge for us,” he said. “Our kids are excited about that. We have a lot on the line every week and we’re in control of our own destiny in terms of where we get to play. We have our routine at home that we get to stay in and we keep doing that as long as we win games.”

The first hurdle in Southeast’s quest for 2A glory comes in the form of the Larned Indians, who enter this playoff matchup at 2-6 to the Trojan’s 8-0.

Larned is led by 1-2 punch of junior tailback David Colglazier, and senior tailback Jimmy Gardner, who have carried the load for the Indians on the ground.

The Trojan secondary could have ample opportunities in this game against a Larned passing attack that has 11 interceptions and just three passing touchdowns this year.

Despite the numbers, the Indians have faced down some of the top teams in Class 2A this year, and will be in no interest to go down without a fight on Friday night.

“Larned has played some awfully good football teams and coach Kieth does some great things with them,” Gebhardt said. “Offensively they’re going to try to run the football and sprinkle in enough passes to throw you off balance. We have to shut them down defensively and we need to attack where we can and take care of the football.”

Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 in Gypsum, and as always the game can be streamed with live video and commentary on Salina Post (<a href="https://youtube.com/live/UQyaQK_RslU">click here</a>), or heard on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM), with Devin Hanney and Russ Cossel on the call.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostFor a fifth straight season, the Southeast of Saline football team will waltz into the high school state football playoffs undefeated, and as both league, and district champions.Each year, the Trojans have capitalized on their high-seeded status, winning nine playoff games in their last four runs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715807615208.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>While many of the names and numbers on the field have changed over the years, the commitment to the Trojan Way, and to consistent improvement has remained steadfast, and is a big part of what makes this year’s squad such a threat in Class 2A.“I’ve been impressed with our progression throughout the season,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “We played a tough schedule but our kids continued to take steps forward and work to get better every week and that’s what I’m the most proud of. They take on whoever we play and work towards doing the best they can.”It can be tempting for any team in November, especially one with such lofty expectations, to look past a first-round opponent, but from Clay Center to Lyons, the Trojans have prepared for every game in the exact same way, and this postseason will be no different.“We need to keep taking things one week at a time and understanding that every week is important,” Gebhardt said. “That 1-0 mentality is so important, especially in a playoff bracket, and it matters that you put your best game together on Friday night.”One thing Southeast has this year that it hasn’t always is home field advantage throughout the entire playoff, ensuring that the road to a state title match runs through Gypsum as fall turns to winter.“Playing at home is huge for us,” he said. “Our kids are excited about that. We have a lot on the line every week and we’re in control of our own destiny in terms of where we get to play. We have our routine at home that we get to stay in and we keep doing that as long as we win games.”The first hurdle in Southeast’s quest for 2A glory comes in the form of the Larned Indians, who enter this playoff matchup at 2-6 to the Trojan’s 8-0.Larned is led by 1-2 punch of junior tailback David Colglazier, and senior tailback Jimmy Gardner, who have carried the load for the Indians on the ground.The Trojan secondary could have ample opportunities in this game against a Larned passing attack that has 11 interceptions and just three passing touchdowns this year.Despite the numbers, the Indians have faced down some of the top teams in Class 2A this year, and will be in no interest to go down without a fight on Friday night.“Larned has played some awfully good football teams and coach Kieth does some great things with them,” Gebhardt said. “Offensively they’re going to try to run the football and sprinkle in enough passes to throw you off balance. We have to shut them down defensively and we need to attack where we can and take care of the football.”Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 in Gypsum, and as always the game can be streamed with live video and commentary on Salina Post (<a href="https://youtube.com/live/UQyaQK_RslU">click here</a>), or heard on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM), with Devin Hanney and Russ Cossel on the call.

Trojans host Larned to open postseason play

The Kansas Wesleyan Men's Soccer team locked in the No. 2 seed in the upcoming KCAC Tournament with a 3-0 win over Bethany on Thursday night at JRI Stadium.

The Coyotes dominated the match outshooting Bethany 28-4.

Wesleyan's first goal came in the 13th minute as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/286becea-743b-4207-ac65-3de64920e37b?elinkdata=14340">Noel Zimbeva</a> scored off an assist by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7a442744-c4d6-4679-906a-b341c850cfdd?elinkdata=14340">Seth Flores</a>. Flores had the ball on the left side near the touch line and played it back to Zimbeva unmarked in the box for the goal.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/18b86946-9429-467f-89ba-ad9c9c3dd9d3?elinkdata=14340">Jakob Treitl</a> scored for the Coyotes in the 63rd minute off a double assister by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/10875fbc-606e-4149-85ad-aad2d4428adb?elinkdata=14340">Cole Walgren</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3df05d80-3a89-4f9f-a429-765b5ed25868?elinkdata=14340">Tristan Bayssade</a>. Walgren had possession deep in the box on the right side and crossed over to Bayssade who one tapped to Treitl for the goal.

In the 72nd minute, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c0fb0a3b-8811-4bd9-a1ab-7bee2f4bd8d7?elinkdata=14340">Trevor Peal</a> scored his first varsity collegiate goal of his career off a pass from Zimbeva.

Zimbeva led the Coyotes with five shots. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ac0cc839-bdf6-4c3c-82d6-7a171cf3b322?elinkdata=14340">Santiago Pagnutti</a> had one save on a shot in the waning minutes of the match, but was not really challenged during the match as KWU dominated possession.

The Kansas Wesleyan Men's Soccer team locked in the No. 2 seed in the upcoming KCAC Tournament with a 3-0 win over Bethany on Thursday night at JRI Stadium.The Coyotes dominated the match outshooting Bethany 28-4.Wesleyan's first goal came in the 13th minute as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/286becea-743b-4207-ac65-3de64920e37b?elinkdata=14340">Noel Zimbeva</a> scored off an assist by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7a442744-c4d6-4679-906a-b341c850cfdd?elinkdata=14340">Seth Flores</a>. Flores had the ball on the left side near the touch line and played it back to Zimbeva unmarked in the box for the goal.It was the lone goal of the first half.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/18b86946-9429-467f-89ba-ad9c9c3dd9d3?elinkdata=14340">Jakob Treitl</a> scored for the Coyotes in the 63rd minute off a double assister by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/10875fbc-606e-4149-85ad-aad2d4428adb?elinkdata=14340">Cole Walgren</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3df05d80-3a89-4f9f-a429-765b5ed25868?elinkdata=14340">Tristan Bayssade</a>. Walgren had possession deep in the box on the right side and crossed over to Bayssade who one tapped to Treitl for the goal.In the 72nd minute, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c0fb0a3b-8811-4bd9-a1ab-7bee2f4bd8d7?elinkdata=14340">Trevor Peal</a> scored his first varsity collegiate goal of his career off a pass from Zimbeva.Zimbeva led the Coyotes with five shots. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ac0cc839-bdf6-4c3c-82d6-7a171cf3b322?elinkdata=14340">Santiago Pagnutti</a> had one save on a shot in the waning minutes of the match, but was not really challenged during the match as KWU dominated possession.

Coyote MSOC secures No. 2 seed in KCAC Tournament with 3-0 win over Bethany

On Halloween, Kansas Wesleyan Women's Soccer was scary good.

The Coyotes blanked the Bethany Swedes 5-0 on Thursday night at JRI Hospitality Stadium at the Graves Family Sports Complex, and nearly tossed a perfect game against the Swedes.

The victory also locked in KWU as the No. 2 seed in the KCAC tournament that starts next week with quarterfinals at higher seeds. KWU has 30 points in the standings, four behind Oklahoma Wesleyan, while Avila is in third with 26 points, all with one match left, and only three possible points at stake.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/efe1afda-cbd8-457c-9ab9-3eb18c55bb18?elinkdata=14314">Maleia Jackson</a> scored twice for the Coyotes, the first cleaning up a series of shots in front of goal for the Coyotes, tapping one in that was rebounded by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a93e5c09-7e61-4a8c-baa1-f1ade83940ed?elinkdata=14314">Paige Proper</a> after an initial shot from <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8e97e0f3-1239-415e-bf55-01cef99bf358?elinkdata=14314">Precious Nwosu</a> that missed wide, but was nearly knocked in by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/66fb09b5-4c7c-40c7-a365-77a0c0d8d5c0?elinkdata=14314">Emma Gervy</a>.

Jackson's shot deflected off a Bethany defender trying to clear the ball and into goal.

The tally was the lone score of the first half as Bethany sat back in defensive mode, just trying to keep the Coyotes from scoring. KWU took 12 shots in the first 45, while Bethany had only one serious jaunt into the offensive half that was quickly stopped by the Coyote defense.

In the second half, the Coyote offense got going. The first goal of the half coming in the 50th minute as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/85856662-f20b-46a5-825a-c387b5b98c04?elinkdata=14314">Valeria Hernandez</a> converted a penalty after a Bethany player was called for a hand ball in the penalty area.

Jackson's second tally of the night came just minutes later in the 53rd, as she scored one off an assist from Nwosu.

Gervy netted the next shot for the Coyotes in the 65th minute, and then assisted <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e7db773c-2839-4925-bc6a-be42ffc2be57?elinkdata=14314">Abigail Jensen's</a> 69th minute goal that capped the scoring.

Wesleyan nearly had the soccer equivalent of a perfect game, holding the opposition without a single shot attempt, but Bethany got one shot off in the final 30 seconds of the match that was easily saved by keeper <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7fcdde66-baf2-4360-bde7-930bbc716f62?elinkdata=14314">Bailey Mann</a>.

KWU outshot the Swedes 25-1 in the match. Jackson had four shots, while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/31f1f8e6-5b58-49bc-97a5-fc2cddcb365f?elinkdata=14314">Talia Walsh</a> had three along with <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a0704a74-fbda-4601-8aaa-653887555540?elinkdata=14314">Paige Proper</a> and Gervy.

The Coyotes will wrap up the regular season on Saturday at Southwestern.

On Halloween, Kansas Wesleyan Women's Soccer was scary good.The Coyotes blanked the Bethany Swedes 5-0 on Thursday night at JRI Hospitality Stadium at the Graves Family Sports Complex, and nearly tossed a perfect game against the Swedes.The victory also locked in KWU as the No. 2 seed in the KCAC tournament that starts next week with quarterfinals at higher seeds. KWU has 30 points in the standings, four behind Oklahoma Wesleyan, while Avila is in third with 26 points, all with one match left, and only three possible points at stake.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/efe1afda-cbd8-457c-9ab9-3eb18c55bb18?elinkdata=14314">Maleia Jackson</a> scored twice for the Coyotes, the first cleaning up a series of shots in front of goal for the Coyotes, tapping one in that was rebounded by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a93e5c09-7e61-4a8c-baa1-f1ade83940ed?elinkdata=14314">Paige Proper</a> after an initial shot from <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8e97e0f3-1239-415e-bf55-01cef99bf358?elinkdata=14314">Precious Nwosu</a> that missed wide, but was nearly knocked in by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/66fb09b5-4c7c-40c7-a365-77a0c0d8d5c0?elinkdata=14314">Emma Gervy</a>.Jackson's shot deflected off a Bethany defender trying to clear the ball and into goal.The tally was the lone score of the first half as Bethany sat back in defensive mode, just trying to keep the Coyotes from scoring. KWU took 12 shots in the first 45, while Bethany had only one serious jaunt into the offensive half that was quickly stopped by the Coyote defense.In the second half, the Coyote offense got going. The first goal of the half coming in the 50th minute as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/85856662-f20b-46a5-825a-c387b5b98c04?elinkdata=14314">Valeria Hernandez</a> converted a penalty after a Bethany player was called for a hand ball in the penalty area.Jackson's second tally of the night came just minutes later in the 53rd, as she scored one off an assist from Nwosu.Gervy netted the next shot for the Coyotes in the 65th minute, and then assisted <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e7db773c-2839-4925-bc6a-be42ffc2be57?elinkdata=14314">Abigail Jensen's</a> 69th minute goal that capped the scoring.Wesleyan nearly had the soccer equivalent of a perfect game, holding the opposition without a single shot attempt, but Bethany got one shot off in the final 30 seconds of the match that was easily saved by keeper <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7fcdde66-baf2-4360-bde7-930bbc716f62?elinkdata=14314">Bailey Mann</a>.KWU outshot the Swedes 25-1 in the match. Jackson had four shots, while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/31f1f8e6-5b58-49bc-97a5-fc2cddcb365f?elinkdata=14314">Talia Walsh</a> had three along with <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a0704a74-fbda-4601-8aaa-653887555540?elinkdata=14314">Paige Proper</a> and Gervy.The Coyotes will wrap up the regular season on Saturday at Southwestern.

KWU WSOC blanks Bethany 5-0, locks in No. 2 seed in KCAC

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, as far as the guys not practicing today, Ethan Driskell is ill, he won’t practice today and then Nazeeh (Johnson) – who’s getting better with the concussion part of it can do the walk throughs. He did that is getting better there – he won’t practice though and then JuJu (Smith-Schuster) won’t practice but (he’s) making progress. Mike Danna will be out there and he will practice. (We) look forward to the challenge of playing Tampa Bay, we know they’re a good football team (and they’re) very well coached. I mean, (Buccaneers Head Coach) Todd (Bowles) does a heck of a job with that crew, along with his coordinators. They’re all top-notch guys and both offensively, defensively and special teams, they’re doing well. We look forward to that challenge of prepping ourselves this week to get ready to play them on Monday night, in particular right here at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Anyways, with that, (the) time’s yours.”

Q: What role do you see for Joshua Uche?

REID:&nbsp;“We’ve had the benefit of having played against him (Joshua Uche) so we know he’s a very aggressive, good pass rusher – a good all-around player – but a good pass rusher so we’ll work him in with the defensive line rotation-wise – as long as he can handle everything and I wouldn’t expect that he wouldn’t. He’ll start today working in there and getting used to what we do.”

Q: Do you think Joshua Uche will play on Monday?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I think there’s a good chance. We’ll see though.”

Q: Is there any update on Isiah Pacheco?

REID:&nbsp;“He’s (Isiah Pacheco) getting there but he’s doing fantastic. I mean, he’s really doing well but between the trainers and doctors and all that, that’s out of my hands there. He’s making great progress there.”

Q: What about an update on Charles Omenihu?

REID:&nbsp;“Charles (Omenihu) is doing a good job, too, (he’s) working his tail off. Again, the surgeons who do their jobs, they have the feel of it so they’re constantly evaluating these guys and when they’re ready to go, they’re ready to go. I mean, that’s how I look at it but he’s getting closer to answer both of your questions. Both (Charles Omenihu and Isiah Pacheco) of them are.”

Q: What was your need for a guy like Joshua Uche?

REID:&nbsp;“We just know how important that position is and adding him (Joshua Uche) in the mix there is something that helps us as a football team, so I’d tell you that’s why we did that.”

Q: On unlocking the deep passing game.

REID:&nbsp;“Defenses are doing a nice job with their shell coverage which is allowing us to get light yards underneath, but I mean, it’s just not the big chunk plays. I’m okay with whatever they present defensively - we’ve got to use what we have there.”

Q: What have you seen from Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen and have you been able to interact with him over the years?

REID:&nbsp;“No, I don’t really know him like that but he’s (Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen) – I think he’s doing a fantastic job. Their offense is very efficient, their quarterback (Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield) is playing great and he lost two of his primary guys (and) he keeps rolling. The guys that they have in (at receiver) are a little bit smaller and very fast. They’ve got these running backs that are top notch and not just one of them, I think they have a couple of them. They have a really good offense and he uses all of them, Liam does, I’m saying.”

Q: What have you learned about DeAndre Hopkins?

REID:&nbsp;“DeAndre (Hopkins), he’s really handled things the right way. (He’s) been very diligent on studying and asking questions and staying late, coming early, the whole deal there. His role will continue to increase this week, I mean, we’re comfortable with that and I think he’s comfortable with it.”

Q: Where does it stand with the left tackle position?

REID:&nbsp;“We feel (that) both of them can be starters. Right now, it’s going to stay Wanya (Morris), but I mean, we’re lucky to have two guys who are young and growing. They’re going to be good Chiefs.”

Q: On Tershawn Wharton’s fourth down tackle and his growth this season.

REID:&nbsp;“Turk’s (Tershawn Wharton) just one of those guys. Nobody practices harder, nobody works harder than Turk. He’s not the biggest guy but he’s physical and very strong and has a great lower body for playing inside there and utilizes all of it, along with his quickness. I would tell you from where he came from to where he is today, there has been a lot of work that has gone into it by him and persistence and it’s paying off for him.”

Q: How much was the interior defensive line responsible for the goal line stand?

REID:&nbsp;“That’s a big part – it starts there. They have to handle their business there and then the linebackers and the secondary, they all fill their gaps and have to do that job. I mean still it was our d-line, it starts with them.”

Q: What type of challenge does Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles present to you guys?

REID:&nbsp;“(Buccaneers Head Coach) Todd (Bowles), who I’ve had the privilege of working with (is) very, very intelligent and played in the league a long time – he’s got a great feel for defensive football and he’s got a variety of things he can do with it. He’s sharp and he gives you a lot of different looks.”

Q: Is it a small thing to adjust your schedule for a Monday night game?

REID:&nbsp;“We kind of work through some of those things in training camp. Different scenarios, a Thursday game. This year is a little different because we have games all over the place but Thursday game and Monday night games we kind of maneuver our schedule there to kind of fit this so the guys are a bit used to it. I’d tell you no, it’s normally the backend of it that’s a little bit tougher. Front end you’re ok, it’s the next game as far as it’s a shorter prep time so you have to look ahead which we don’t like to do.”

Q: Getting close to the halfway point of the season, what can you appreciate that Patrick Mahomes has done thus far?

REID:&nbsp;“Again, he’s (Patrick Mahomes) been playing great football and you look back a couple years ago and teams would show you shell coverage and he would have to kind of get used to that whole deal. Now, he sees it, handles it, gets it to his guys (and) gets the ball out of his hands. He’s a great player and he manages everything. It’s like having a coach on the field.”

Q: Coming into the season with a target on your back, how do you feel your team has responded so far, especially against the Raiders?

REID:&nbsp;“I thought that was great, that was a great game. Great atmosphere, both teams came ready to fight and it led to that which was tremendous, great for the rivalry thing that goes on. You know how hard the guys work at this, you know how hard the coaches work at it, you want a challenge every week, that’s what you want. Let’s go, let’s see what we’re all about. It won’t be any different this week, this is a good football team and one of the better teams in the NFC. We have to make sure we have a great week of preparation.”

Q: How nice was it to get Travis Kelce involved like you did during the Raiders game?

REID:&nbsp;“The last few weeks, we’ve been able to get him (Travis Kelce) into positions there and really where teams weren’t doubling as much. Some of it was a multi-formation that we were using in there that helped that, some of it is Noah (Gray), just his production levels up and he put both those guys in the game and you have to be aware of them. It’s been great to get him going though, he’s one of the great ones, you might slow him down a minute but not for very long.”

Q:&nbsp;What do you remember about the last time you played against Joshua Uche and the Patriots and what will the gameplan be like for him?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think, obviously – (Joshua Uche is) a great pass rusher – someone that can really get to the QB, especially in those pass rush situations. I think he does a great job of playing hard the entire time too which is – sometimes you get guys that kind of take their chances in their spots and stuff like that, but he’s a guy who gets after it every single snap he gets. I think it’s a great addition to an already great defense. I think his specialty will be able to really be emphasized in this defense.”

Q:&nbsp;What do you think integrating DeAndre Hopkins into the offense more and more will do for the downfield passing as you go on?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think whenever you’re able to put him (DeAndre Hopkins) in there – obviously we’re going to be able to hit some throws down the field, but I think hitting him kind of over that medium to long range is going to open up other guys down the field and take pressure off other guys as far as eyes and coverage. Whenever you’ve got – really two guys when you talk about DeAndre and Trav (Travis Kelce) that are all kind of working in that medium type of range in the football field, it opens up the deeper throws because teams have to account for that.”

Q:&nbsp;What has the challenge been like for you with all of the injury changes and different people in the room so far this season?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think the challenge comes more throughout the week just because you’re putting new guys in different positions and asking them to go out there and execute, but once you get the work in throughout the week – I think we’ve done a great job of executing on game day and hitting some of those throws. Obviously, it’s forced guys to have bigger roles than we expected earlier in the season, but at the same time I feel like guys have kind of accepted the challenge and that’s why we’ve been able to win the games that we’ve been able to win.”

Q:&nbsp;It seemed like there were a lot of plays where you made up your mind pretty quickly against the Raiders, is that a result of something you’ve been working on?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Yeah, for sure. I think it’s just having a good gameplan. We had a good feel for what they (the Raiders) were going to do, and guys were getting open. I gave guys chances to make some plays and when you play a defense like that with the type of pass rush that they have, you have to get the ball out on time. We did that this last week and now let’s build upon it. Let’s obviously keep continuing to do that, but let’s get back to throwing some of the deep passes and then running the ball as well.”

Q:&nbsp;How much has your experience of seeing these different coverages helped you so far in your career?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think when I was younger, I wanted to throw it deep every time and there’s good and bad to that. I think more than anything, it’s just finding that right balance of still pushing it down the field, but at the same time taking what’s there and moving the chains. I think we’ve done a great job of that, and I think as we’ve started to execute better in the red zone, we’ve been able to score more and more points. We’re going to continue to just work to get better and we want to be playing our best football by the end of the year.”

Q:&nbsp;With the way that the defense has been playing, has it changed your offensive mentality at all?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I don’t want to say we’re more conservative but definitely once you get a lead, you know that the defense is going to get stops. We want to go in and score as many points as possible. I’m not going to act like we don’t want to score. In certain situations where we might have pressed the issue and try to force something to make something happen, knowing that our defense can get stops and knowing that we can punt and we can get the ball back in a better type of position on the field, it speaks to the entire team. I think that’s something that I’ve kind of evolved throughout my career.”

Q:&nbsp;On the WNBA trying to expand and potentially having a team in Kansas City.

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Obviously, we want to get basketball to Kansas City in general and the WNBA and the success that they’ve had this last season and these last few seasons. It’s kind of a no brainer to try to get a WNBA team in Kansas City, to this fanbase, and you see it when you talk about Kansas – University of Kansas basketball, the Chiefs or whatever it is, the city of Kansas City is going to come out and they’re going to fill the stadium. It was cool that we were able to get the soccer team – the women’s soccer team here and the (Kansas City) Current and they’re going to the playoffs now and you see the support that they have. Let’s try to get a WNBA team in here as well and (it’s) kind of that same type of ownership group. They’ve done the (Kansas City) Current the right way and I want to continue to work with them to take that next step and get a WNBA team here.”

Q:&nbsp;How beneficial is your marketing degree that you earned at Texas Tech to your experience as a co-owner of the Kansas City Current?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think just seeing just how business works, it’s helped me throughout my entire career. The preparation when I went to the Rawls (College of Business) business school was that I was going to hopefully be an athlete, and I was going to be able to know more than just being an athlete and letting someone else handle all (of) my other businesses outside of football. It’s prepared me to be in some of these meetings that I’ve been in, and I get to see it from both sides as a player and as an owner or whatever you want to call – manager or whatever it is. It helps me put my perspective and my input into these meetings that I meet with these other leagues, and I can kind of show how, hopefully, we can make it a great place for owners but a great place for players as well.”

Q: On how important it is to be involved in the other Kansas City sports teams.

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think just because Kansas City is such a great place for me. It’s a place that I call home. It’s a place that I built a house at and that I’ll be for a long, long time. I think being involved in the community as much as possible – and I love sports, I know how much this city loves sports, so let’s bring as many sports in here and showcase how great Kansas City is, not only as a city but the people that are in this city as well.”

Q:&nbsp;On the timetable of the WNBA talks.

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“They want to expand. Just like any other business, you have to kind of pick and choose how to expand, you want to expand as fast as you can, but you want to do it in a way that is profitable for them but also good for the players and the quality of the sport. Obviously, you’ve seen these last few years the WNBA has really grown, and we feel like Kansas City is a great place to continue that growth, but we have to battle with other cities to prove why we can sustain and have a great franchise here.”

Q:&nbsp;How far do you foresee your ownership and investment ventures going in sports and do you have any broader plan right now?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“No, I wouldn’t say a broader plan, not necessarily. I think more than anything, I just know how much sports has given to me, so whenever I’m done playing football, whenever that is, and I have to venture off into life after football and chasing kids around and everything like that, I want to be able to still be a part of it. Obviously, it started early with the (Kansa City) Royals and then Sporting (KC) and then the (Kansas City) Current and now hopefully we can get this WNBA team here and it’s for life after football, so I can still make an impact in all sports. Then, at the same time, showcase to my daughter that she can follow her dream and go out there and execute whatever that dream is.”

Q:&nbsp;How tough is it to see a guy like Jody Fortson go through yet another tough injury like tearing his ACL?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It’s extremely tough just because you know how hard he’s (Jody Fortson) worked to get back from the injuries that he’s had in the past and he’s such a good dude. I mean, he’ll do whatever to be on that football field. He’s one of those guys where you’re like, ‘Go block the middle linebacker’ and he’ll go block the middle linebacker. He’ll do whatever it takes to help your team win. You feel terrible. In the locker room after, somewhat getting the news, you don’t know for sure but you kind of know. You know how much it means for him and it means a lot for us for him to be out there. Obviously, it’s terrible news but at the same time, I know the human, I know the person and I know (that) he’ll continue to fight back and give himself another opportunity to get back out on that football field.”

Q:&nbsp;On your maturity level at this point, how much easier is it for you to deal with things like turnovers than it would have been five years ago?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think more than anything, when we win, it doesn’t hurt as bad. Obviously, I want to be perfect. I want to be great. I don’t want to put our defense in bad positions like I did the other day, but at the end of the day, I want to win and however we have to win the football game, I’m good with it. If that’s scoring a lot of touchdowns, not scoring touchdowns, if that’s running the football, whatever it is, if it’s playing defense to win football games – I just want to win at the end of the day and I think we’re doing a great job of that.”

Q:&nbsp;On why supporting women’s sports is important to him.

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid QuotesOctober 31, 2024HEAD COACH ANDY REIDOPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, as far as the guys not practicing today, Ethan Driskell is ill, he won’t practice today and then Nazeeh (Johnson) – who’s getting better with the concussion part of it can do the walk throughs. He did that is getting better there – he won’t practice though and then JuJu (Smith-Schuster) won’t practice but (he’s) making progress. Mike Danna will be out there and he will practice. (We) look forward to the challenge of playing Tampa Bay, we know they’re a good football team (and they’re) very well coached. I mean, (Buccaneers Head Coach) Todd (Bowles) does a heck of a job with that crew, along with his coordinators. They’re all top-notch guys and both offensively, defensively and special teams, they’re doing well. We look forward to that challenge of prepping ourselves this week to get ready to play them on Monday night, in particular right here at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Anyways, with that, (the) time’s yours.”Q: What role do you see for Joshua Uche?REID:&nbsp;“We’ve had the benefit of having played against him (Joshua Uche) so we know he’s a very aggressive, good pass rusher – a good all-around player – but a good pass rusher so we’ll work him in with the defensive line rotation-wise – as long as he can handle everything and I wouldn’t expect that he wouldn’t. He’ll start today working in there and getting used to what we do.”Q: Do you think Joshua Uche will play on Monday?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I think there’s a good chance. We’ll see though.”Q: Is there any update on Isiah Pacheco?REID:&nbsp;“He’s (Isiah Pacheco) getting there but he’s doing fantastic. I mean, he’s really doing well but between the trainers and doctors and all that, that’s out of my hands there. He’s making great progress there.”Q: What about an update on Charles Omenihu?REID:&nbsp;“Charles (Omenihu) is doing a good job, too, (he’s) working his tail off. Again, the surgeons who do their jobs, they have the feel of it so they’re constantly evaluating these guys and when they’re ready to go, they’re ready to go. I mean, that’s how I look at it but he’s getting closer to answer both of your questions. Both (Charles Omenihu and Isiah Pacheco) of them are.”Q: What was your need for a guy like Joshua Uche?REID:&nbsp;“We just know how important that position is and adding him (Joshua Uche) in the mix there is something that helps us as a football team, so I’d tell you that’s why we did that.”Q: On unlocking the deep passing game.REID:&nbsp;“Defenses are doing a nice job with their shell coverage which is allowing us to get light yards underneath, but I mean, it’s just not the big chunk plays. I’m okay with whatever they present defensively - we’ve got to use what we have there.”Q: What have you seen from Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen and have you been able to interact with him over the years?REID:&nbsp;“No, I don’t really know him like that but he’s (Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen) – I think he’s doing a fantastic job. Their offense is very efficient, their quarterback (Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield) is playing great and he lost two of his primary guys (and) he keeps rolling. The guys that they have in (at receiver) are a little bit smaller and very fast. They’ve got these running backs that are top notch and not just one of them, I think they have a couple of them. They have a really good offense and he uses all of them, Liam does, I’m saying.”Q: What have you learned about DeAndre Hopkins?REID:&nbsp;“DeAndre (Hopkins), he’s really handled things the right way. (He’s) been very diligent on studying and asking questions and staying late, coming early, the whole deal there. His role will continue to increase this week, I mean, we’re comfortable with that and I think he’s comfortable with it.”Q: Where does it stand with the left tackle position?REID:&nbsp;“We feel (that) both of them can be starters. Right now, it’s going to stay Wanya (Morris), but I mean, we’re lucky to have two guys who are young and growing. They’re going to be good Chiefs.”Q: On Tershawn Wharton’s fourth down tackle and his growth this season.REID:&nbsp;“Turk’s (Tershawn Wharton) just one of those guys. Nobody practices harder, nobody works harder than Turk. He’s not the biggest guy but he’s physical and very strong and has a great lower body for playing inside there and utilizes all of it, along with his quickness. I would tell you from where he came from to where he is today, there has been a lot of work that has gone into it by him and persistence and it’s paying off for him.”Q: How much was the interior defensive line responsible for the goal line stand?REID:&nbsp;“That’s a big part – it starts there. They have to handle their business there and then the linebackers and the secondary, they all fill their gaps and have to do that job. I mean still it was our d-line, it starts with them.”Q: What type of challenge does Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles present to you guys?REID:&nbsp;“(Buccaneers Head Coach) Todd (Bowles), who I’ve had the privilege of working with (is) very, very intelligent and played in the league a long time – he’s got a great feel for defensive football and he’s got a variety of things he can do with it. He’s sharp and he gives you a lot of different looks.”Q: Is it a small thing to adjust your schedule for a Monday night game?REID:&nbsp;“We kind of work through some of those things in training camp. Different scenarios, a Thursday game. This year is a little different because we have games all over the place but Thursday game and Monday night games we kind of maneuver our schedule there to kind of fit this so the guys are a bit used to it. I’d tell you no, it’s normally the backend of it that’s a little bit tougher. Front end you’re ok, it’s the next game as far as it’s a shorter prep time so you have to look ahead which we don’t like to do.”Q: Getting close to the halfway point of the season, what can you appreciate that Patrick Mahomes has done thus far?REID:&nbsp;“Again, he’s (Patrick Mahomes) been playing great football and you look back a couple years ago and teams would show you shell coverage and he would have to kind of get used to that whole deal. Now, he sees it, handles it, gets it to his guys (and) gets the ball out of his hands. He’s a great player and he manages everything. It’s like having a coach on the field.”Q: Coming into the season with a target on your back, how do you feel your team has responded so far, especially against the Raiders?REID:&nbsp;“I thought that was great, that was a great game. Great atmosphere, both teams came ready to fight and it led to that which was tremendous, great for the rivalry thing that goes on. You know how hard the guys work at this, you know how hard the coaches work at it, you want a challenge every week, that’s what you want. Let’s go, let’s see what we’re all about. It won’t be any different this week, this is a good football team and one of the better teams in the NFC. We have to make sure we have a great week of preparation.”Q: How nice was it to get Travis Kelce involved like you did during the Raiders game?REID:&nbsp;“The last few weeks, we’ve been able to get him (Travis Kelce) into positions there and really where teams weren’t doubling as much. Some of it was a multi-formation that we were using in there that helped that, some of it is Noah (Gray), just his production levels up and he put both those guys in the game and you have to be aware of them. It’s been great to get him going though, he’s one of the great ones, you might slow him down a minute but not for very long.”Chiefs Player QuotesOctober 31, 2024QB PATRICK MAHOMESQ:&nbsp;What do you remember about the last time you played against Joshua Uche and the Patriots and what will the gameplan be like for him?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think, obviously – (Joshua Uche is) a great pass rusher – someone that can really get to the QB, especially in those pass rush situations. I think he does a great job of playing hard the entire time too which is – sometimes you get guys that kind of take their chances in their spots and stuff like that, but he’s a guy who gets after it every single snap he gets. I think it’s a great addition to an already great defense. I think his specialty will be able to really be emphasized in this defense.”Q:&nbsp;What do you think integrating DeAndre Hopkins into the offense more and more will do for the downfield passing as you go on?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think whenever you’re able to put him (DeAndre Hopkins) in there – obviously we’re going to be able to hit some throws down the field, but I think hitting him kind of over that medium to long range is going to open up other guys down the field and take pressure off other guys as far as eyes and coverage. Whenever you’ve got – really two guys when you talk about DeAndre and Trav (Travis Kelce) that are all kind of working in that medium type of range in the football field, it opens up the deeper throws because teams have to account for that.”Q:&nbsp;What has the challenge been like for you with all of the injury changes and different people in the room so far this season?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think the challenge comes more throughout the week just because you’re putting new guys in different positions and asking them to go out there and execute, but once you get the work in throughout the week – I think we’ve done a great job of executing on game day and hitting some of those throws. Obviously, it’s forced guys to have bigger roles than we expected earlier in the season, but at the same time I feel like guys have kind of accepted the challenge and that’s why we’ve been able to win the games that we’ve been able to win.”Q:&nbsp;It seemed like there were a lot of plays where you made up your mind pretty quickly against the Raiders, is that a result of something you’ve been working on?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Yeah, for sure. I think it’s just having a good gameplan. We had a good feel for what they (the Raiders) were going to do, and guys were getting open. I gave guys chances to make some plays and when you play a defense like that with the type of pass rush that they have, you have to get the ball out on time. We did that this last week and now let’s build upon it. Let’s obviously keep continuing to do that, but let’s get back to throwing some of the deep passes and then running the ball as well.”Q:&nbsp;How much has your experience of seeing these different coverages helped you so far in your career?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think when I was younger, I wanted to throw it deep every time and there’s good and bad to that. I think more than anything, it’s just finding that right balance of still pushing it down the field, but at the same time taking what’s there and moving the chains. I think we’ve done a great job of that, and I think as we’ve started to execute better in the red zone, we’ve been able to score more and more points. We’re going to continue to just work to get better and we want to be playing our best football by the end of the year.”Q:&nbsp;With the way that the defense has been playing, has it changed your offensive mentality at all?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I don’t want to say we’re more conservative but definitely once you get a lead, you know that the defense is going to get stops. We want to go in and score as many points as possible. I’m not going to act like we don’t want to score. In certain situations where we might have pressed the issue and try to force something to make something happen, knowing that our defense can get stops and knowing that we can punt and we can get the ball back in a better type of position on the field, it speaks to the entire team. I think that’s something that I’ve kind of evolved throughout my career.”Q:&nbsp;On the WNBA trying to expand and potentially having a team in Kansas City.MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Obviously, we want to get basketball to Kansas City in general and the WNBA and the success that they’ve had this last season and these last few seasons. It’s kind of a no brainer to try to get a WNBA team in Kansas City, to this fanbase, and you see it when you talk about Kansas – University of Kansas basketball, the Chiefs or whatever it is, the city of Kansas City is going to come out and they’re going to fill the stadium. It was cool that we were able to get the soccer team – the women’s soccer team here and the (Kansas City) Current and they’re going to the playoffs now and you see the support that they have. Let’s try to get a WNBA team in here as well and (it’s) kind of that same type of ownership group. They’ve done the (Kansas City) Current the right way and I want to continue to work with them to take that next step and get a WNBA team here.”Q:&nbsp;How beneficial is your marketing degree that you earned at Texas Tech to your experience as a co-owner of the Kansas City Current?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think just seeing just how business works, it’s helped me throughout my entire career. The preparation when I went to the Rawls (College of Business) business school was that I was going to hopefully be an athlete, and I was going to be able to know more than just being an athlete and letting someone else handle all (of) my other businesses outside of football. It’s prepared me to be in some of these meetings that I’ve been in, and I get to see it from both sides as a player and as an owner or whatever you want to call – manager or whatever it is. It helps me put my perspective and my input into these meetings that I meet with these other leagues, and I can kind of show how, hopefully, we can make it a great place for owners but a great place for players as well.”Q: On how important it is to be involved in the other Kansas City sports teams.MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think just because Kansas City is such a great place for me. It’s a place that I call home. It’s a place that I built a house at and that I’ll be for a long, long time. I think being involved in the community as much as possible – and I love sports, I know how much this city loves sports, so let’s bring as many sports in here and showcase how great Kansas City is, not only as a city but the people that are in this city as well.”Q:&nbsp;On the timetable of the WNBA talks.MAHOMES:&nbsp;“They want to expand. Just like any other business, you have to kind of pick and choose how to expand, you want to expand as fast as you can, but you want to do it in a way that is profitable for them but also good for the players and the quality of the sport. Obviously, you’ve seen these last few years the WNBA has really grown, and we feel like Kansas City is a great place to continue that growth, but we have to battle with other cities to prove why we can sustain and have a great franchise here.”Q:&nbsp;How far do you foresee your ownership and investment ventures going in sports and do you have any broader plan right now?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“No, I wouldn’t say a broader plan, not necessarily. I think more than anything, I just know how much sports has given to me, so whenever I’m done playing football, whenever that is, and I have to venture off into life after football and chasing kids around and everything like that, I want to be able to still be a part of it. Obviously, it started early with the (Kansa City) Royals and then Sporting (KC) and then the (Kansas City) Current and now hopefully we can get this WNBA team here and it’s for life after football, so I can still make an impact in all sports. Then, at the same time, showcase to my daughter that she can follow her dream and go out there and execute whatever that dream is.”Q:&nbsp;How tough is it to see a guy like Jody Fortson go through yet another tough injury like tearing his ACL?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It’s extremely tough just because you know how hard he’s (Jody Fortson) worked to get back from the injuries that he’s had in the past and he’s such a good dude. I mean, he’ll do whatever to be on that football field. He’s one of those guys where you’re like, ‘Go block the middle linebacker’ and he’ll go block the middle linebacker. He’ll do whatever it takes to help your team win. You feel terrible. In the locker room after, somewhat getting the news, you don’t know for sure but you kind of know. You know how much it means for him and it means a lot for us for him to be out there. Obviously, it’s terrible news but at the same time, I know the human, I know the person and I know (that) he’ll continue to fight back and give himself another opportunity to get back out on that football field.”Q:&nbsp;On your maturity level at this point, how much easier is it for you to deal with things like turnovers than it would have been five years ago?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think more than anything, when we win, it doesn’t hurt as bad. Obviously, I want to be perfect. I want to be great. I don’t want to put our defense in bad positions like I did the other day, but at the end of the day, I want to win and however we have to win the football game, I’m good with it. If that’s scoring a lot of touchdowns, not scoring touchdowns, if that’s running the football, whatever it is, if it’s playing defense to win football games – I just want to win at the end of the day and I think we’re doing a great job of that.”Q:&nbsp;On why supporting women’s sports is important to him.