By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

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.

Chiefs Quotes: 10-31-24

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Senior transfer Coleman Hawkins has been selected to the Watch List for the 2024-25 Karl Malone Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top power forward, by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Thursday (October 31).

It marks the second straight season that Hawkins has appeared on the Watch List for the Karl Malone Award after being named to the list in 2023-24 while at Illinois.

Hawkins was one of 20 players on the preseason list, including five from the Big 12. Aside from fellow Big 12 players -- Arizona’s Carter Bryant, Baylor Norchard Omier, Houston’s J’Wan Roberts and Texas Tech’s JT Toppin -- other prominent members of the list include Alabama’s Grant Nelson, Auburn’s Johni Broome, Providence’s Bryce Hopkins and UConn’s Alex Karaban.

Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds beginning Friday, Nov. 1. In early February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2025 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in early March, to just five. In late March, the five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, where a winner will be selected.&nbsp;

The honor is yet another preseason one for Hawkins, who was selected to the Watch List for the 2024-25 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year on Wednesday (October 30) by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. He has also been named as the Preseason Big 12 co-Newcomer of the Year and to the All-Big 12 Second Team by the league coaches on Oct. 10.

Hawkins was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection in 2023-24 after averaging a career-high 12.1 points per game for the Fighting Illini while posting career-bests for field goal percentage (45.1), 3-point field goal percentage (36.9) and free throw percentage (79.2). He is the only player in Illinois history with at least 900 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists, 100 blocks and 100 steals.

Hawkins enjoyed a solid debut for the Wildcats in the 70-56 exhibition win over Division II Fort Hays State on Tuesday night, as he posted 13 points on 3-of-7 field goals, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with a team-high 6 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steals in 32 minutes.

K-State will officially tip off the season on Tuesday, Nov. 5 against New Orleans at 7 p.m., CT.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Senior transfer Coleman Hawkins has been selected to the Watch List for the 2024-25 Karl Malone Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top power forward, by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Thursday (October 31).It marks the second straight season that Hawkins has appeared on the Watch List for the Karl Malone Award after being named to the list in 2023-24 while at Illinois.Hawkins was one of 20 players on the preseason list, including five from the Big 12. Aside from fellow Big 12 players -- Arizona’s Carter Bryant, Baylor Norchard Omier, Houston’s J’Wan Roberts and Texas Tech’s JT Toppin -- other prominent members of the list include Alabama’s Grant Nelson, Auburn’s Johni Broome, Providence’s Bryce Hopkins and UConn’s Alex Karaban.Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds beginning Friday, Nov. 1. In early February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2025 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in early March, to just five. In late March, the five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, where a winner will be selected.&nbsp;The honor is yet another preseason one for Hawkins, who was selected to the Watch List for the 2024-25 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year on Wednesday (October 30) by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. He has also been named as the Preseason Big 12 co-Newcomer of the Year and to the All-Big 12 Second Team by the league coaches on Oct. 10.Hawkins was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection in 2023-24 after averaging a career-high 12.1 points per game for the Fighting Illini while posting career-bests for field goal percentage (45.1), 3-point field goal percentage (36.9) and free throw percentage (79.2). He is the only player in Illinois history with at least 900 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists, 100 blocks and 100 steals.Hawkins enjoyed a solid debut for the Wildcats in the 70-56 exhibition win over Division II Fort Hays State on Tuesday night, as he posted 13 points on 3-of-7 field goals, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with a team-high 6 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steals in 32 minutes.K-State will officially tip off the season on Tuesday, Nov. 5 against New Orleans at 7 p.m., CT.

Hawkins Named to Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Watch List

The Kansas Wesleyan Coaches' Show returns for week eight as the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes (4-4), return to JRI Stadium in Salina to battle the Tabor Blue Jays (4-4).

This week will also see the tip-off of both basketball seasons, as the men's and women's teams take on Northern New Mexico College on Friday Night.

On this week's show, we sat down and visited with co-interim head coaches David Leonard and Chris Snyder, Tailback Luke Armstrong, head women's basketball coach Ryan Showman and head men's basketball coach Anthony Monson.

Friday and Saturday's basketball games can be heard on Prime FM (94.5 FM) with pregame beginning at 5:30, the women's game tipping off at 6:00 and the men's game to follow at 7:00.

Saturday's football game can be heard on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) with Tyler Henry and Brooks Garretson on the call. Pregame coverage begins at noon with kickoff scheduled for 1:00.

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PdLwEMl8u9w"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Wesleyan Coaches' Show returns for week eight as the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes (4-4), return to JRI Stadium in Salina to battle the Tabor Blue Jays (4-4).This week will also see the tip-off of both basketball seasons, as the men's and women's teams take on Northern New Mexico College on Friday Night.On this week's show, we sat down and visited with co-interim head coaches David Leonard and Chris Snyder, Tailback Luke Armstrong, head women's basketball coach Ryan Showman and head men's basketball coach Anthony Monson.Friday and Saturday's basketball games can be heard on Prime FM (94.5 FM) with pregame beginning at 5:30, the women's game tipping off at 6:00 and the men's game to follow at 7:00.Saturday's football game can be heard on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) with Tyler Henry and Brooks Garretson on the call. Pregame coverage begins at noon with kickoff scheduled for 1:00.

Kansas Wesleyan Coaches Show- Week Nine

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4154a3ee-65b3-49bc-9e38-8d0acb175c17?elinkdata=14288">Jun Murdock</a> has graduated from Kansas Wesleyan and taken the array of skills that made him a two-time NAIA All-American and the best point guard in the Kansas Conference the last three years.

Coyote coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a18f2b39-c13e-4fe2-ab6d-d730fddfe10d?elinkdata=14288">Anthony Monson</a> is not whining or pining over his absence, though. Does he miss Murdock? Of course, but such is life in college basketball.

"I think a lot of times coaches are kind of stuck in their ways," he said. "If you've had a dominant point guard like we've had the past three years you put the ball in his hands.

"You look at the group now and you have to say 'we have this and this this year, how do we maximize that?' It's about trying to piece a puzzle together - about 50 percent new, 50 percent returns. Now we get to reinvent ourselves a little bit, we get to do some things a little differently than we've done in the past and for me that's exciting."

KWU has been plenty exciting the last three years compiling a 71-25 record, 52-16 in the KCAC, and three trips to the NAIA Opening Round. The Coyotes were 23-9 and 18-4 in the conference last season.

The excitement isn't expected to wane this winter. Three starters and several reserves return and are joined by a group of newcomers that is large in number and size.

It all starts with forward <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2c0ea4e9-00fc-48da-a425-76597862fb4c?elinkdata=14288">Alex Littlejohn</a> who returns for his senior year and fourth season as a starter. He averaged 17.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and was a unanimous All-KCAC First Team selection a year ago.

"He has come back stronger, in better shape and he's been more vocal this year," Monson said. "He hasn't changed just one aspect, there are multiple aspects. He's taken the leadership mantle, it's his team and he knows it is.

"I know he'll never admit this but he wants to be the best player in the conference and he wants his team to go the (NAIA) national tournament."

Senior guards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/73cf040e-2f4e-424c-b91d-14ed1facc97f?elinkdata=14288">Izaiah Hale</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/21e812d2-8182-4796-b537-6e57ae230b64?elinkdata=14288">Easton Hunter</a> also return are capable perimeter scorers. Hale averaged 10.2 points and Hunter 6.6 points a year ago.

"I think Izaiah has a chance to take another big step forward this year just from the scoring aspect," Monson said. "He probably scores the ball as well as any guard that we have on our program. Easton is a very good guard who can knock down shots and he has tons of experience."

Top reserves who saw frequent duty are guards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7d49fb07-701d-4638-b11e-19815ecf555b?elinkdata=14288">Caden Hale</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f22c16d0-1084-48c0-b8b7-84d80c84f816?elinkdata=14288">Jameer Clemons</a> and forwards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f7ed9bb2-bcf7-40e4-a4a5-a43175d0a8e2?elinkdata=14288">Grant Dye</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/be908fbf-f0fa-4850-958d-2d2d5df5cbc0?elinkdata=14288">Gabe Phillips</a>. Hale was Murdock's backup and averaged 7.5 points, Dye 3.6 points, Phillips 3.2 and 2.7 rebounds and Clemons 2.2 points.

"Caden took a back seat to Jun, but he does a great job when he's on the floor. He's very vocal," Monson said. "Jameer has taken a big step forward. Grant's always going to be that shooter at the four, five spot for us. Gabe is always going to be a guy that we can throw in there to get rebounds, get defensive stops."

Returning guard <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f30a8ce6-1196-4ad7-9911-e3277ec2860b?elinkdata=14288">DJ Hudspeth</a> has been a surprise in the preseason.

"DJ has led us in 3-point attempts in scrimmages and is shooting 48 percent from three," Monson said. "He's really taking the next step forward."

When deciding what needed to be done to improve this year's team Monson found inspiration in the Sooner State.

"You look at who's won our league the past couple years and it's Oklahoma Wesleyan," he said. "And what's the one thing that they have that nobody else has? It's a monster in the middle of the floor (Jaden Lietzke). We're not talking about a long, skinny one, we're talking about a guy who's built like a Mack truck. He's a difference maker for them."

So, Monson signed five transfers who are 6-feet-5 or taller. Toss in a 6-8 redshirt and the Coyotes are significantly bigger this year.

The headliner is <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/166838cd-5a64-4a6d-ac43-beffe3a11a86?elinkdata=14288">Evens Appolon</a>, a 6-8, 250-pound transfer from Central Methodist.

"Extremely big human being," Monson said. "He's lefthanded, good around the basket. He's international (Haiti), he's got a big smile on his face all the time and works hard."

Stephen Spray, a 6-6 forward, played for NJCAA champion Barton Community College; <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f4d5effc-60d3-478f-827a-2896884c5185?elinkdata=14288">Dreylin Kemp</a> is a 6-5 forward from Buter CC; <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/60298872-4324-40d4-a353-e656e0fa6851?elinkdata=14288">Miles Fant</a> a 6-6 forward from Iowa Central; and Lucas Wagler a 6-5 swingman from Hutchinson CC.

"Spray brings a winning mentality to us," Monson said. "Very good athlete, very strong, gets up and dunks with ease, runs the floor extremely well, good around the basket and just a tough, hard-nosed kid. Kemp can guard one through five, runs the four extremely well. A very good passer, very good offensive rebounder, just a high energy, high motor kid.

"Wagler can really shoot it. Quick release, doesn't have to set his feet. He's a strong kid so he's not going to get bullied and pushed around. Fant had (knee) surgery and is working himself back. He can step out and shoot it a little bit but he can go down low and bang."

Dan Morgan, a 6-8 forward, was a redshirt last year and is adept at blocking shots and dunking the ball.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d2c55bb1-f07b-43f0-8938-892da80866d8?elinkdata=14288">Caden Hale</a> is battling transfers <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/27753a37-a380-48f6-b21f-0bae1129110b?elinkdata=14288">Tucker Bowman</a> from Central Arkansas and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/30371d1b-a365-4a51-b3d2-d164af1e4548?elinkdata=14288">Sage Koelsch</a> from Pratt CC for the point guard job.

"Bowman is like a little badger - he's annoying and he is feisty," Monson said. "He's either going to play a lot of minutes or he's going to foul out in about three minutes, I'm not quite sure which one it is. Sage has done a really good job of knocking down shots and has a little toughness to him."

Newcomer <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c15d8303-722b-4fa3-b3c7-9e025125e621?elinkdata=14288">Carson Jones</a>, a 6-4 guard, has made an early impression.

"He is smooth and he has the confidence that Alex had when he was a freshman," Monson said. "It's the same look in his eyes, the same confidence. He doesn't get rattled."

Monson says the KCAC is better than ever.

"It has never been as good as it is now," he said. "There's more depth and we're getting respect at a national level. It makes for an unbelievable league and there are no easy nights.

"I think we're well prepared for life after Jun but we'll see how everything shakes out."

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4154a3ee-65b3-49bc-9e38-8d0acb175c17?elinkdata=14288">Jun Murdock</a> has graduated from Kansas Wesleyan and taken the array of skills that made him a two-time NAIA All-American and the best point guard in the Kansas Conference the last three years.Coyote coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a18f2b39-c13e-4fe2-ab6d-d730fddfe10d?elinkdata=14288">Anthony Monson</a> is not whining or pining over his absence, though. Does he miss Murdock? Of course, but such is life in college basketball."I think a lot of times coaches are kind of stuck in their ways," he said. "If you've had a dominant point guard like we've had the past three years you put the ball in his hands."You look at the group now and you have to say 'we have this and this this year, how do we maximize that?' It's about trying to piece a puzzle together - about 50 percent new, 50 percent returns. Now we get to reinvent ourselves a little bit, we get to do some things a little differently than we've done in the past and for me that's exciting."KWU has been plenty exciting the last three years compiling a 71-25 record, 52-16 in the KCAC, and three trips to the NAIA Opening Round. The Coyotes were 23-9 and 18-4 in the conference last season.The excitement isn't expected to wane this winter. Three starters and several reserves return and are joined by a group of newcomers that is large in number and size.It all starts with forward <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2c0ea4e9-00fc-48da-a425-76597862fb4c?elinkdata=14288">Alex Littlejohn</a> who returns for his senior year and fourth season as a starter. He averaged 17.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and was a unanimous All-KCAC First Team selection a year ago."He has come back stronger, in better shape and he's been more vocal this year," Monson said. "He hasn't changed just one aspect, there are multiple aspects. He's taken the leadership mantle, it's his team and he knows it is."I know he'll never admit this but he wants to be the best player in the conference and he wants his team to go the (NAIA) national tournament."Senior guards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/73cf040e-2f4e-424c-b91d-14ed1facc97f?elinkdata=14288">Izaiah Hale</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/21e812d2-8182-4796-b537-6e57ae230b64?elinkdata=14288">Easton Hunter</a> also return are capable perimeter scorers. Hale averaged 10.2 points and Hunter 6.6 points a year ago."I think Izaiah has a chance to take another big step forward this year just from the scoring aspect," Monson said. "He probably scores the ball as well as any guard that we have on our program. Easton is a very good guard who can knock down shots and he has tons of experience."Top reserves who saw frequent duty are guards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7d49fb07-701d-4638-b11e-19815ecf555b?elinkdata=14288">Caden Hale</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f22c16d0-1084-48c0-b8b7-84d80c84f816?elinkdata=14288">Jameer Clemons</a> and forwards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f7ed9bb2-bcf7-40e4-a4a5-a43175d0a8e2?elinkdata=14288">Grant Dye</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/be908fbf-f0fa-4850-958d-2d2d5df5cbc0?elinkdata=14288">Gabe Phillips</a>. Hale was Murdock's backup and averaged 7.5 points, Dye 3.6 points, Phillips 3.2 and 2.7 rebounds and Clemons 2.2 points."Caden took a back seat to Jun, but he does a great job when he's on the floor. He's very vocal," Monson said. "Jameer has taken a big step forward. Grant's always going to be that shooter at the four, five spot for us. Gabe is always going to be a guy that we can throw in there to get rebounds, get defensive stops."Returning guard <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f30a8ce6-1196-4ad7-9911-e3277ec2860b?elinkdata=14288">DJ Hudspeth</a> has been a surprise in the preseason."DJ has led us in 3-point attempts in scrimmages and is shooting 48 percent from three," Monson said. "He's really taking the next step forward."When deciding what needed to be done to improve this year's team Monson found inspiration in the Sooner State."You look at who's won our league the past couple years and it's Oklahoma Wesleyan," he said. "And what's the one thing that they have that nobody else has? It's a monster in the middle of the floor (Jaden Lietzke). We're not talking about a long, skinny one, we're talking about a guy who's built like a Mack truck. He's a difference maker for them."So, Monson signed five transfers who are 6-feet-5 or taller. Toss in a 6-8 redshirt and the Coyotes are significantly bigger this year.The headliner is <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/166838cd-5a64-4a6d-ac43-beffe3a11a86?elinkdata=14288">Evens Appolon</a>, a 6-8, 250-pound transfer from Central Methodist."Extremely big human being," Monson said. "He's lefthanded, good around the basket. He's international (Haiti), he's got a big smile on his face all the time and works hard."Stephen Spray, a 6-6 forward, played for NJCAA champion Barton Community College; <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f4d5effc-60d3-478f-827a-2896884c5185?elinkdata=14288">Dreylin Kemp</a> is a 6-5 forward from Buter CC; <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/60298872-4324-40d4-a353-e656e0fa6851?elinkdata=14288">Miles Fant</a> a 6-6 forward from Iowa Central; and Lucas Wagler a 6-5 swingman from Hutchinson CC."Spray brings a winning mentality to us," Monson said. "Very good athlete, very strong, gets up and dunks with ease, runs the floor extremely well, good around the basket and just a tough, hard-nosed kid. Kemp can guard one through five, runs the four extremely well. A very good passer, very good offensive rebounder, just a high energy, high motor kid."Wagler can really shoot it. Quick release, doesn't have to set his feet. He's a strong kid so he's not going to get bullied and pushed around. Fant had (knee) surgery and is working himself back. He can step out and shoot it a little bit but he can go down low and bang."Dan Morgan, a 6-8 forward, was a redshirt last year and is adept at blocking shots and dunking the ball.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d2c55bb1-f07b-43f0-8938-892da80866d8?elinkdata=14288">Caden Hale</a> is battling transfers <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/27753a37-a380-48f6-b21f-0bae1129110b?elinkdata=14288">Tucker Bowman</a> from Central Arkansas and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/30371d1b-a365-4a51-b3d2-d164af1e4548?elinkdata=14288">Sage Koelsch</a> from Pratt CC for the point guard job."Bowman is like a little badger - he's annoying and he is feisty," Monson said. "He's either going to play a lot of minutes or he's going to foul out in about three minutes, I'm not quite sure which one it is. Sage has done a really good job of knocking down shots and has a little toughness to him."Newcomer <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c15d8303-722b-4fa3-b3c7-9e025125e621?elinkdata=14288">Carson Jones</a>, a 6-4 guard, has made an early impression."He is smooth and he has the confidence that Alex had when he was a freshman," Monson said. "It's the same look in his eyes, the same confidence. He doesn't get rattled."Monson says the KCAC is better than ever."It has never been as good as it is now," he said. "There's more depth and we're getting respect at a national level. It makes for an unbelievable league and there are no easy nights."I think we're well prepared for life after Jun but we'll see how everything shakes out."

MBB Season Preview -- Taller Coyotes ready for new season and life after Murdock

The 2023-24 season was a success for the Kansas Wesleyan women's basketball team.

The Coyotes finished 17-13 and tied Evangel for fourth place in the Kansas Conference standings with a 14-8 record. They won seven of their last 10 games losing to eventual champion Tabor in the semifinals of the conference's postseason tournament.

Coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/48d85863-52e6-4ea8-9fe0-b498744a7e1f?elinkdata=14262">Ryan Showman</a> was not entirely thrilled, though.

"When you really dive into the numbers there's probably no reason we should have been in fourth place," he said. "We didn't shoot the ball very well, we didn't take care of it very well, we didn't rebound particularly well, we didn't shoot the 3-ball very well at all.

"I thought we were playing really good in January and February; we won some games that we needed to on the road. ... We went from seventh place to fourth place in the span of a month by winning road games against people above us. You've got a gritty team that just willed themselves to victory."

Four starters and several top reserves return but Showman worked hard during the offseason to make improvements.

"Our conversations in the spring and the summer were that we want to take that next step," he said. "We have to shoot the ball better, we have to defend better, we have to do those little things that add up in the win column. That's been our focus."

Point guard <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/64b34eee-ae75-4e9b-a706-307b6ac91ca8?elinkdata=14262">LaMyah Ricks</a> and shooting guard <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d8c33b5b-d044-49e0-945b-db4d8c95531d?elinkdata=14262">Jill Stephens</a> headline the list of returning players. Both are fifth-year players - Ricks has been at KWU for five years and Stephens three. Ricks was named All-KCAC Second Team while Stephens was Honorable Mention. Stephens was the top scorer (11.3 points) and Ricks close behind (11.2).

"<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f4cbc102-e664-44ab-aedf-76df4d1968c9?elinkdata=14262">LaMyah Ricks</a> is a very decorated point guard for us," Showman said. "She's helped us win a lot of games and I want to get her to a national tournament. There are a lot of seniors that have poured a lot into this program that I want to get to that next step, that pinnacle of what we're working for."

Six others who saw considerable duty also return. Senior guard <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2f03bfa1-2d43-478d-9273-a9045e140273?elinkdata=14262">Catherine Bowman</a> (3.8 points per game) is back along with junior guards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/87ab4f0d-5955-44be-af16-3a3a19afab1c?elinkdata=14262">Angel Lee</a> (9.6 ppg) and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9e99211a-d789-4a50-9dfb-a7b7ed266831?elinkdata=14262">Hampton Williams</a> (6.9 ppg) and sophomore point guard <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ab0760f4-32f4-45e9-a5cd-6436201f6d05?elinkdata=14262">Odessa Ozuna</a> (6.9 ppg).

Lee was superb late in the season and Bowman excelled on defense. Williams was slowed by an injury that forced her to miss 10 games while Ozuna was solid as Ricks' backup in her freshman year.

"Angel is finishing up nursing clinicals this year and played really well off the bench in January, February and finished a lot of games," Showman said. "Cat worked her tail off in the summertime on things she needed to. She is way better offensively.

"Hampton has come back in better shape and worked extremely hard over the summer. We're going to get her back to her normal four spot which is out on the perimeter. I expect her to have a really big year. Odessa absolutely took those steps we needed from freshmen to sophomore year. She looks really good."

Several other veterans also return in senior post players <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6d2531be-4738-4dba-bf2f-a7569fae0e82?elinkdata=14262">Alexis Dixon</a> (4.8 ppg) and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5c420402-44d8-4833-be7c-f21c786aa63e?elinkdata=14262">Skyler Evans</a> (3.3 ppg), who combined for 13 starts; senior guards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7c536041-f265-4b79-ad41-b169e11221b4?elinkdata=14262">Megan Foote</a> (1.5 ppg), <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c71b94cc-2ce1-4d91-a81a-e2914a5329c8?elinkdata=14262">Kourtney Kaufman</a> (2.9 ppg), <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/005cb947-ffe3-4288-9cce-d652842d105f?elinkdata=14262">Angel Roman</a> (1.7 ppg) and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0999dd49-cee0-486d-918d-4c71761d48cc?elinkdata=14262">Jada Renner</a>; junior guards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0e950907-7dca-48ac-8e31-0aee1d2d87ec?elinkdata=14262">Madison Lambert</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5ab0ff0d-1dec-4b0c-92a9-20ed2555ef7b?elinkdata=14262">Adriana DiPrima</a> (1.2) and sophomore center <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e6650023-e22a-497e-9cb2-c82d7787b1b6?elinkdata=14262">Paige Chauncey</a>.

"What I've seen in the second year is two players (Dixon and Evans) that are way more comfortable," Showman said. "They've bought into what we're doing different offensively because it centers around them in more of a different role and they're figuring that out.

"Foote had a tough junior year but she has a different mindset, a different outlook on things. We're trying to get (Kaufman) a little more consistent defensively but if she can continue to shoot like she has she's going to change how defenses play us. Lambert and DiPrima both worked really hard this summer."

Showman bolstered the roster with three transfers - junior college guards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3735ca4a-6de2-4ffb-9045-dd39dc4d944b?elinkdata=14262">Kelsey Koza</a> from Hesston and Abigail Lambardoni from Fort Fulton (N.Y.) and forward <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/17afd386-4f0c-4bc4-b1d1-d8ded33a7e70?elinkdata=14262">Jocelyn Hall</a> from Division II Illinois-Springfield.

"We've got to get better from the 3-point line," Showman said. "Kelsey shot 35 percent at Hesston, Abby 37 percent so those numbers translate. We can't rely on Jill, LaMyah and Odessa, we need fourth, fifth and sixth options.

"Hall is not as big and strong as Alexa or Skyler but she's long and athletic and provides a different look. She can get to the basket and use her length."

Showman believes the Coyotes are primed for a good season.

"There is depth at every position and now as head coach I need to figure out who's starting, I need to figure out our rotation," he said. "Practices have been really competitive and it's been quality reps by quality players."

Showman has two new assistant coaches. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4b233744-baf3-41f4-adf4-09ae281eb81b?elinkdata=14262">Madelyne Denslow</a> is the full-time assistant after serving as a graduate assistant at Midwestern State. She played at Stephens College. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/190ff4f8-9c1d-4e78-a69d-f3bcf07ab864?elinkdata=14262">Peyton Crowe</a> is the graduate assistant and a former player at Columbia College.

"Both of them have a great energy, a great presence around the team, really good voice, they know their stuff," Showman said. "I'm thankful to have them."

Showman says the KCAC will be ultra-competitive.

"It's going to be a dog fight every night, there's experience top to bottom," he said. "I think the top six are going to be extremely tough, but I don't think you can sleep on the bottom eight. You better be ready to play on any given night."

The 2023-24 season was a success for the Kansas Wesleyan women's basketball team.The Coyotes finished 17-13 and tied Evangel for fourth place in the Kansas Conference standings with a 14-8 record. They won seven of their last 10 games losing to eventual champion Tabor in the semifinals of the conference's postseason tournament.Coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/48d85863-52e6-4ea8-9fe0-b498744a7e1f?elinkdata=14262">Ryan Showman</a> was not entirely thrilled, though."When you really dive into the numbers there's probably no reason we should have been in fourth place," he said. "We didn't shoot the ball very well, we didn't take care of it very well, we didn't rebound particularly well, we didn't shoot the 3-ball very well at all."I thought we were playing really good in January and February; we won some games that we needed to on the road. ... We went from seventh place to fourth place in the span of a month by winning road games against people above us. You've got a gritty team that just willed themselves to victory."Four starters and several top reserves return but Showman worked hard during the offseason to make improvements."Our conversations in the spring and the summer were that we want to take that next step," he said. "We have to shoot the ball better, we have to defend better, we have to do those little things that add up in the win column. That's been our focus."Point guard <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/64b34eee-ae75-4e9b-a706-307b6ac91ca8?elinkdata=14262">LaMyah Ricks</a> and shooting guard <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d8c33b5b-d044-49e0-945b-db4d8c95531d?elinkdata=14262">Jill Stephens</a> headline the list of returning players. Both are fifth-year players - Ricks has been at KWU for five years and Stephens three. Ricks was named All-KCAC Second Team while Stephens was Honorable Mention. Stephens was the top scorer (11.3 points) and Ricks close behind (11.2)."<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f4cbc102-e664-44ab-aedf-76df4d1968c9?elinkdata=14262">LaMyah Ricks</a> is a very decorated point guard for us," Showman said. "She's helped us win a lot of games and I want to get her to a national tournament. There are a lot of seniors that have poured a lot into this program that I want to get to that next step, that pinnacle of what we're working for."Six others who saw considerable duty also return. Senior guard <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2f03bfa1-2d43-478d-9273-a9045e140273?elinkdata=14262">Catherine Bowman</a> (3.8 points per game) is back along with junior guards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/87ab4f0d-5955-44be-af16-3a3a19afab1c?elinkdata=14262">Angel Lee</a> (9.6 ppg) and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9e99211a-d789-4a50-9dfb-a7b7ed266831?elinkdata=14262">Hampton Williams</a> (6.9 ppg) and sophomore point guard <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ab0760f4-32f4-45e9-a5cd-6436201f6d05?elinkdata=14262">Odessa Ozuna</a> (6.9 ppg).Lee was superb late in the season and Bowman excelled on defense. Williams was slowed by an injury that forced her to miss 10 games while Ozuna was solid as Ricks' backup in her freshman year."Angel is finishing up nursing clinicals this year and played really well off the bench in January, February and finished a lot of games," Showman said. "Cat worked her tail off in the summertime on things she needed to. She is way better offensively."Hampton has come back in better shape and worked extremely hard over the summer. We're going to get her back to her normal four spot which is out on the perimeter. I expect her to have a really big year. Odessa absolutely took those steps we needed from freshmen to sophomore year. She looks really good."Several other veterans also return in senior post players <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6d2531be-4738-4dba-bf2f-a7569fae0e82?elinkdata=14262">Alexis Dixon</a> (4.8 ppg) and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5c420402-44d8-4833-be7c-f21c786aa63e?elinkdata=14262">Skyler Evans</a> (3.3 ppg), who combined for 13 starts; senior guards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7c536041-f265-4b79-ad41-b169e11221b4?elinkdata=14262">Megan Foote</a> (1.5 ppg), <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c71b94cc-2ce1-4d91-a81a-e2914a5329c8?elinkdata=14262">Kourtney Kaufman</a> (2.9 ppg), <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/005cb947-ffe3-4288-9cce-d652842d105f?elinkdata=14262">Angel Roman</a> (1.7 ppg) and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0999dd49-cee0-486d-918d-4c71761d48cc?elinkdata=14262">Jada Renner</a>; junior guards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0e950907-7dca-48ac-8e31-0aee1d2d87ec?elinkdata=14262">Madison Lambert</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5ab0ff0d-1dec-4b0c-92a9-20ed2555ef7b?elinkdata=14262">Adriana DiPrima</a> (1.2) and sophomore center <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e6650023-e22a-497e-9cb2-c82d7787b1b6?elinkdata=14262">Paige Chauncey</a>."What I've seen in the second year is two players (Dixon and Evans) that are way more comfortable," Showman said. "They've bought into what we're doing different offensively because it centers around them in more of a different role and they're figuring that out."Foote had a tough junior year but she has a different mindset, a different outlook on things. We're trying to get (Kaufman) a little more consistent defensively but if she can continue to shoot like she has she's going to change how defenses play us. Lambert and DiPrima both worked really hard this summer."Showman bolstered the roster with three transfers - junior college guards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3735ca4a-6de2-4ffb-9045-dd39dc4d944b?elinkdata=14262">Kelsey Koza</a> from Hesston and Abigail Lambardoni from Fort Fulton (N.Y.) and forward <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/17afd386-4f0c-4bc4-b1d1-d8ded33a7e70?elinkdata=14262">Jocelyn Hall</a> from Division II Illinois-Springfield."We've got to get better from the 3-point line," Showman said. "Kelsey shot 35 percent at Hesston, Abby 37 percent so those numbers translate. We can't rely on Jill, LaMyah and Odessa, we need fourth, fifth and sixth options."Hall is not as big and strong as Alexa or Skyler but she's long and athletic and provides a different look. She can get to the basket and use her length."Showman believes the Coyotes are primed for a good season."There is depth at every position and now as head coach I need to figure out who's starting, I need to figure out our rotation," he said. "Practices have been really competitive and it's been quality reps by quality players."Showman has two new assistant coaches. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4b233744-baf3-41f4-adf4-09ae281eb81b?elinkdata=14262">Madelyne Denslow</a> is the full-time assistant after serving as a graduate assistant at Midwestern State. She played at Stephens College. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/190ff4f8-9c1d-4e78-a69d-f3bcf07ab864?elinkdata=14262">Peyton Crowe</a> is the graduate assistant and a former player at Columbia College."Both of them have a great energy, a great presence around the team, really good voice, they know their stuff," Showman said. "I'm thankful to have them."Showman says the KCAC will be ultra-competitive."It's going to be a dog fight every night, there's experience top to bottom," he said. "I think the top six are going to be extremely tough, but I don't think you can sleep on the bottom eight. You better be ready to play on any given night."

WBB Season Preview - Experienced Coyotes ready for 2024-25 season

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;(13/13) K-State used its only exhibition tune-up on Wednesday night at Bramlage Coliseum to stifle Washburn with an 89-36 win.

K-State featured four players in double figures led by senior Temira Poindexter with a perfect night of 14 points on 5-of-5 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three-point range and 2-of-2 from the foul line.

Senior Ayoka Lee added 11 points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes, while sophomore Zyanna Walker carded 11 points, five rebounds and five assists. Senior Kennedy Taylor came off the bench to notch 10 points, five rebounds, four steals and two blocks.

- K-State used a 15-2 run over a five-minute stretch in the first quarter to build a 21-9 lead after the opening frame. The Wildcats had six assists on its seven made field goals in the first 10 minutes and shot 58.3 percent (7-of-12) from the field, including 50.0 percent (4-of-8) from long range.

- The Wildcats used a 14-2 run over the first four minutes of the second quarter to build a 35-11 lead. Poindexter started the scoring with an acrobatic finish on a 3-point play with 8:57 remaining. Sundell followed with a 3-pointer that saw every Wildcat make one pass from one side of the floor to the other.

- Zyanna Walker added a layup, while Sundell cashed in a transition layup. Sundell connected on a lob to Poindexter with 6:18 left in the second quarter and Ayoka Lee ended the run with a layup.

- Washburn to pull to within 18, 37-19, with 2:23 remaining but a Taryn Sides 3-pointer with a minute left gave the Wildcats a 40-19 halftime lead.

- K-State shot 46.9 percent (15-of-32) in the first half, including 37.5 percent (6-of-16) from 3-point range. The Wildcats held the Ichabods to 29.2 percent (7-of-24) shooting, including 28.6 percent (2-of-7) from long range.

- Lee would score eight of K-State’s first 10 points of the third quarter to stake the Wildcats to a 51-21 lead and force a Washburn timeout with 6:44 to play.

- K-State ended the third quarter on a 17-2 run and held a 70-25 lead heading to the fourth quarter. The Wildcats outscored the Ichabods 30-6 in the third frame. K-State scored 30 or more points in a quarter twice last season, including a season-high of 36 in the third quarter against Missouri on Dec.9, 2023.

- The Wildcats ended the night shooting 48.5 percent (32-of-66) from the field, including 37.5 percent (9-of-24) from the 3-point line.

- Washburn was held to 23.2 percent shooting (13-of-56), including 15.8 percent (3-of-19) from long range. The Wildcats forced the Ichabods into 31 turnovers, which K-State turned into 36 points.

On what he looks for in an exhibition like this…

“I think that there'll be some things that we really like. I thought at times we played really unselfishly. I thought we saw [Temira] Poindexter do some good things out there. I thought Jae [Jaelyn Glenn] was really active defensively. I thought Serena had a pretty good pace to her. I bet we haven't spent 20 minutes live against the press. And so when they started pressing. I was like ‘oh, this will be interesting, this will be good practice for us.’ So what they did tonight, we haven’t spent a whole lot of time on, so it's really good for us in the sense that a lot of players had to play positions that we've only kind of shelled. We do five minutes three times a week on press break, but it's with no defense. It's kind of a warm up drill for spacing, but we really haven't spent any time in live practice. So I was pleased.Obviously, [Gisele] Sanchez struggled in the first half with the turnovers, but I thought she made a good adjustment in the second half and calmed down a little bit. Kennedy [Taylor] struggled a little bit in terms of the speed of the game. We wanted that center to be a finisher, but she made good corrections in the second half. I thought our defense got better as the game went on. I go into this game, and into every exhibition game and the minutes are already decided. It is way more important for me to get answers about our rotation, to see different lineups, to let a player play through a rough stretch, to see how they respond to that. And I thought there were some good things.”

On how well Zyanna Walker handled starting…

“I thought early on, she was pretty tentative, she was indecisive, but I thought as the game wore on, you really saw her play well. She has been the hardest worker since spring, in the gym all the time. As you guys have heard me say before, I talk about coaching players who do the right thing. What I mean by that is, if I come up to the office at nine o'clock at night and the music's playing, if I come in there at five in the morning before a lovely early morning flight out of Manhattan, I've caught Zyanna doing a lot of good things, so I like what she gives us. Defensively, she has the ability to really be active there, and then offensively, I think her game continues to grow.”

On Temira Poindexter’s performance…

“I was really pleased with her unselfishness in stretches. I'd like to see her be more aggressive against the press, but when you've never practiced against the press, you're working on 5, 6, 7, 8, passes. I thought she had an opportunity to just get it and go. But to her credit, she didn't force things. She didn't do too many crazy things, she played within herself, but I think you'll see her make more plays as the season goes along.”

On Kennedy Taylor’s performance…

“I think she's had good practices, we've been really pleased with her practices recently, I think she had some nerves tonight, I think a Kansas kid coming home had some nerves early. But I thought she played better, and I thought she did some really good things, particularly her third and fourth rotations back in the game. I thought she played well.”

On adapting to K-State after transferring…

“It's been good. I feel like I've integrated into the team pretty well. They’ve all been so welcoming and so supportive. I feel like we played good tonight, I feel like it was good practice, we still have a lot of stuff we obviously need to work on, but overall, it was like a good practice game for us.”

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;(13/13) K-State used its only exhibition tune-up on Wednesday night at Bramlage Coliseum to stifle Washburn with an 89-36 win.K-State featured four players in double figures led by senior Temira Poindexter with a perfect night of 14 points on 5-of-5 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three-point range and 2-of-2 from the foul line.Senior Ayoka Lee added 11 points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes, while sophomore Zyanna Walker carded 11 points, five rebounds and five assists. Senior Kennedy Taylor came off the bench to notch 10 points, five rebounds, four steals and two blocks.HOW IT HAPPENED- K-State used a 15-2 run over a five-minute stretch in the first quarter to build a 21-9 lead after the opening frame. The Wildcats had six assists on its seven made field goals in the first 10 minutes and shot 58.3 percent (7-of-12) from the field, including 50.0 percent (4-of-8) from long range.- The Wildcats used a 14-2 run over the first four minutes of the second quarter to build a 35-11 lead. Poindexter started the scoring with an acrobatic finish on a 3-point play with 8:57 remaining. Sundell followed with a 3-pointer that saw every Wildcat make one pass from one side of the floor to the other.- Zyanna Walker added a layup, while Sundell cashed in a transition layup. Sundell connected on a lob to Poindexter with 6:18 left in the second quarter and Ayoka Lee ended the run with a layup.- Washburn to pull to within 18, 37-19, with 2:23 remaining but a Taryn Sides 3-pointer with a minute left gave the Wildcats a 40-19 halftime lead.- K-State shot 46.9 percent (15-of-32) in the first half, including 37.5 percent (6-of-16) from 3-point range. The Wildcats held the Ichabods to 29.2 percent (7-of-24) shooting, including 28.6 percent (2-of-7) from long range.- Lee would score eight of K-State’s first 10 points of the third quarter to stake the Wildcats to a 51-21 lead and force a Washburn timeout with 6:44 to play.- K-State ended the third quarter on a 17-2 run and held a 70-25 lead heading to the fourth quarter. The Wildcats outscored the Ichabods 30-6 in the third frame. K-State scored 30 or more points in a quarter twice last season, including a season-high of 36 in the third quarter against Missouri on Dec.9, 2023.- K-State won the fourth quarter, 19-11.- The Wildcats ended the night shooting 48.5 percent (32-of-66) from the field, including 37.5 percent (9-of-24) from the 3-point line.- Washburn was held to 23.2 percent shooting (13-of-56), including 15.8 percent (3-of-19) from long range. The Wildcats forced the Ichabods into 31 turnovers, which K-State turned into 36 points.FROM THE HEAD COACHK-State Head Coach Jeff MittieOn what he looks for in an exhibition like this…“I think that there'll be some things that we really like. I thought at times we played really unselfishly. I thought we saw [Temira] Poindexter do some good things out there. I thought Jae [Jaelyn Glenn] was really active defensively. I thought Serena had a pretty good pace to her. I bet we haven't spent 20 minutes live against the press. And so when they started pressing. I was like ‘oh, this will be interesting, this will be good practice for us.’ So what they did tonight, we haven’t spent a whole lot of time on, so it's really good for us in the sense that a lot of players had to play positions that we've only kind of shelled. We do five minutes three times a week on press break, but it's with no defense. It's kind of a warm up drill for spacing, but we really haven't spent any time in live practice. So I was pleased.Obviously, [Gisele] Sanchez struggled in the first half with the turnovers, but I thought she made a good adjustment in the second half and calmed down a little bit. Kennedy [Taylor] struggled a little bit in terms of the speed of the game. We wanted that center to be a finisher, but she made good corrections in the second half. I thought our defense got better as the game went on. I go into this game, and into every exhibition game and the minutes are already decided. It is way more important for me to get answers about our rotation, to see different lineups, to let a player play through a rough stretch, to see how they respond to that. And I thought there were some good things.”On how well Zyanna Walker handled starting…“I thought early on, she was pretty tentative, she was indecisive, but I thought as the game wore on, you really saw her play well. She has been the hardest worker since spring, in the gym all the time. As you guys have heard me say before, I talk about coaching players who do the right thing. What I mean by that is, if I come up to the office at nine o'clock at night and the music's playing, if I come in there at five in the morning before a lovely early morning flight out of Manhattan, I've caught Zyanna doing a lot of good things, so I like what she gives us. Defensively, she has the ability to really be active there, and then offensively, I think her game continues to grow.”On Temira Poindexter’s performance…“I was really pleased with her unselfishness in stretches. I'd like to see her be more aggressive against the press, but when you've never practiced against the press, you're working on 5, 6, 7, 8, passes. I thought she had an opportunity to just get it and go. But to her credit, she didn't force things. She didn't do too many crazy things, she played within herself, but I think you'll see her make more plays as the season goes along.”On Kennedy Taylor’s performance…“I think she's had good practices, we've been really pleased with her practices recently, I think she had some nerves tonight, I think a Kansas kid coming home had some nerves early. But I thought she played better, and I thought she did some really good things, particularly her third and fourth rotations back in the game. I thought she played well.”FROM THE FLOORK-State Senior Forward Temira PoindexterOn adapting to K-State after transferring…“It's been good. I feel like I've integrated into the team pretty well. They’ve all been so welcoming and so supportive. I feel like we played good tonight, I feel like it was good practice, we still have a lot of stuff we obviously need to work on, but overall, it was like a good practice game for us.”K-State Sophomore Guard Zyanna WalkerOn adapting to becoming a starter…“I would say I'm pretty comfortable. We've really gained a lot of chemistry throughout the summer and throughout the preseason, so everything's kind of coming together for this team, and the sky's the limit.”On expectations for this year’s team…“I'm so excited to see where we end up. I think it can be a really long season for us, so that'll be really exciting. And I just can't wait to play in front of these great fans we have in Bramlage this season.”On her reaction to being the only non-senior in the starting 5…“I actually did not know that, and I didn't really think about that until you said that. But I guess that's an honor to just play with the veterans and people who have so much experience.”UP NEXT