By DAVE SKRETTA AP Basketball Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Playing without&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-self-kansas-jayhawks-big-12-782eaae1c65322c7a106eb1850159e1e">ailing coach Bill Self</a>&nbsp;on the sideline, third-ranked Kansas turned to big offensive performances from Jalen Wilson and Dajuan Harris Jr. along with some stingy defense to pull away from West Virginia 75-61 on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament.

Wilson had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Harris had 13 points with eight assists, as the top-seeded Jayhawks (26-6) began the defense of their tournament crown by knocking off the Mountaineers for the third time this season.

They will play fifth-seeded Iowa State, which beat Baylor earlier in the day, in Friday night's semifinals.

Erik Stevenson had 13 points to lead the No. 8 seed Mountaineers (19-14), who likely secured an NCAA bid with an opening win over Texas Tech. Tre Mitchell and Joe Toussaint added 11 points apiece and Emmitt Matthews Jr. had 10.

Gradey Dick had 18 points for the Jayhawks. KJ Adams finished with 13.

Kansas officials announced about five hours before tipoff that Self was being treated at the University of Kansas Health System for an undisclosed illness. The 60-year-old Hall of Fame coach was present for Wednesday's practice at T-Mobile Center and appeared to be in normal condition when speaking with reporters.

The school declined to provide details of the illness but said “Self is doing well and receiving great care.”

His longtime assistant, Norm Roberts, led the team against the Mountaineers. Roberts filled a similar role early in the season, while Self was serving a school-imposed four-game suspension, and the Jayhawks won each of the games.

They trailed midway through the half Thursday, but the Mountaineers got sloppy on offense, turning it over 11 times over the first 20 minutes. That allowed the Jayhawks to reel off an 18-2 run and take a 31-23 lead into the locker room.

West Virginia got within 35-30 early in the second half, but it struggled to make stops. The Jayhawks scored on seven consecutive trips down floor at one point. And after a tough bucket by Adams made it 60-48 with 8 minutes to go, the springy forward slammed down Harris' ally-oop pass from just inside the midcourt line to punctuate the run.

Harris hit big man Ernest Udeh Jr. for another alley-oop jam a few minutes later as the Jayhawks cruised to the win.

West Virginia was hanging precariously on the NCAA Tournament bubble in late February before a strong finish, beginning with a win over Oklahoma State and featuring wins over Iowa State, Kansas State and Texas Tech. In fact, the only two losses by the Mountaineers since Feb. 18 came against the Jayhawks.

Kansas bounced back nicely from a regular season-ending 75-59 loss at No. 7 Texas, which could have zapped much of the momentum the reigning national champs had built with a seven-game win streak.

The Jayhawks will play the Cyclones on Friday night for a spot in the championship game.

The Mountaineers head home to await their NCAA Tournament seed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678410958158.png" alt="Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. celebrates after making a basket in an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Conference tournament Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (Kansas Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. celebrates after making a basket in an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Conference tournament Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (Kansas Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA AP Basketball WriterKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Playing without&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-self-kansas-jayhawks-big-12-782eaae1c65322c7a106eb1850159e1e">ailing coach Bill Self</a>&nbsp;on the sideline, third-ranked Kansas turned to big offensive performances from Jalen Wilson and Dajuan Harris Jr. along with some stingy defense to pull away from West Virginia 75-61 on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament.Wilson had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Harris had 13 points with eight assists, as the top-seeded Jayhawks (26-6) began the defense of their tournament crown by knocking off the Mountaineers for the third time this season.They will play fifth-seeded Iowa State, which beat Baylor earlier in the day, in Friday night's semifinals.Erik Stevenson had 13 points to lead the No. 8 seed Mountaineers (19-14), who likely secured an NCAA bid with an opening win over Texas Tech. Tre Mitchell and Joe Toussaint added 11 points apiece and Emmitt Matthews Jr. had 10.Gradey Dick had 18 points for the Jayhawks. KJ Adams finished with 13.Kansas officials announced about five hours before tipoff that Self was being treated at the University of Kansas Health System for an undisclosed illness. The 60-year-old Hall of Fame coach was present for Wednesday's practice at T-Mobile Center and appeared to be in normal condition when speaking with reporters.The school declined to provide details of the illness but said “Self is doing well and receiving great care.”His longtime assistant, Norm Roberts, led the team against the Mountaineers. Roberts filled a similar role early in the season, while Self was serving a school-imposed four-game suspension, and the Jayhawks won each of the games.They trailed midway through the half Thursday, but the Mountaineers got sloppy on offense, turning it over 11 times over the first 20 minutes. That allowed the Jayhawks to reel off an 18-2 run and take a 31-23 lead into the locker room.West Virginia got within 35-30 early in the second half, but it struggled to make stops. The Jayhawks scored on seven consecutive trips down floor at one point. And after a tough bucket by Adams made it 60-48 with 8 minutes to go, the springy forward slammed down Harris' ally-oop pass from just inside the midcourt line to punctuate the run.Harris hit big man Ernest Udeh Jr. for another alley-oop jam a few minutes later as the Jayhawks cruised to the win.THE TAKEAWAYWest Virginia was hanging precariously on the NCAA Tournament bubble in late February before a strong finish, beginning with a win over Oklahoma State and featuring wins over Iowa State, Kansas State and Texas Tech. In fact, the only two losses by the Mountaineers since Feb. 18 came against the Jayhawks.Kansas bounced back nicely from a regular season-ending 75-59 loss at No. 7 Texas, which could have zapped much of the momentum the reigning national champs had built with a seven-game win streak.UP NEXTThe Jayhawks will play the Cyclones on Friday night for a spot in the championship game.The Mountaineers head home to await their NCAA Tournament seed.

🏀 MBB: No. 3 Kansas beats West Virginia without ailing Self

Wichita Classical 66, Elyria Christian 46

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678107817239.jpeg" alt="KSHSAA State basketball 2023" />
 <figcaption>KSHSAA State basketball 2023</figcaption>
 </figure>Thursday's ScoresThe Associated PressBOYS PREP BASKETBALL=KSHSAA State Tournament=Class 5A=Quarterfinal=Andover 49, Maize South 46Highland Park 60, Basehor-Linwood 49Hutchinson 84, Pittsburg 51Kapaun Mount Carmel 58, BV Southwest 48Class 3A=Quarterfinal=Galena 38, Wellsville 35Hesston 59, Colby 46Marysville 47, Wichita Collegiate 41Southeast Saline 64, Perry-Lecompton 47Class 1A Div I=Quarterfinal=Macksville 72, La Crosse 48Olpe 46, Centralia 30South Gray 75, Clifton-Clyde 63Wichita Classical 66, Elyria Christian 46Class 1A Div II=Quarterfinal=Axtell 59, Bucklin 44Greeley County 56, Southern Cloud 33Lebo 67, St. John's Beloit-Tipton 45South Central 61, Stafford 47<h2>GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL=</h2>KSHSAA State Tournament=Class 6A=Quarterfinal=BV North 57, Wichita Southeast 45Blue Valley 41, SM South 34, OTDerby 43, Olathe Northwest 38Washburn Rural 58, Lawrence 49Class 4A=Quarterfinal=Andale 57, Parsons 32Bishop Miege 71, Wellington 40Hugoton 53, Independence 40McPherson 65, Topeka Hayden 41Class 2A=Quarterfinal=Berean Academy 41, Hoxie 25Hillsboro 36, Wichita County 30Pittsburg Colgan 52, St. Mary's 38Riverside 49, Wichita Independent 30

🏀 High School Scores from Thursday

EMPORIA, Kan. — The Hutchinson Salthawk boys basketball team used smothering "stick like glue" defense to force 24 Pittsburg Purple Dragon turnovers, which produced 31 Salthawk points en route to an 84-51 win in the Class 5A boys state quarterfinals Thursday night at White Auditorium.

Hutch jumped into the lead by forcing two Purple Dragon turnovers and knocking down two three-pointers in the first two minutes. The early treys helped Hutchinson build a 21-8 lead at the end of one quarter. Hutch went 6-for-13 from beyond the arc before the break to extend the lead to 38-18 after two quarters thanks to Garret Robinson's three long-range bombs, along with Julian Smith's 3-for-3 from long distance off the bench.

Pittsburg got a big night out of Mason English, who paced the Dragons with 22 points. The Salthawks held English below his season average of 29.2 points per game. The Salthawk defense also frustrated English, who committed five first-half turnovers, 10 for the game.

Hutchinson pushed the lead to as many as 35 points in the second half with the Salthawk reserves going 12-of-18 in the fourth quarter, including 4-for-6 from three-point land.

Hutchinson was led in scoring by junior sharpshooter Julian Smith. Smith had a career-high 22 points, including 6-for-7 from three. Garrett Robertson added 17, Dauntay King 13, Nic Lange 12, Terrell King eight, Jax Heneha five, Wade Meyer three, Bradyn Rodriquez and Tai Clark each scored two points to round out the Salthawk scoring.

Pittsburg's English had 22 points and nine rebounds for a near double-double. Nate Mitchell came off the bench to score nine for the Purple Dragons, Daniel Hastings added six, Jayden Brown four and Jackson Turnbull, Jovani Salas and Joseph Cronister each scored two points.

The Pittsburg season ends at 17-6, while the Salthawks roll to 22-1 and face Wichita's Kapaun Mt. Carmel, also 22-1, Friday night at 8 in semi-final action. Former Hutchinson Blue Dragon coach Steve Eck is at Kapaun after a 12-year run for the Blue Dragons. Kapaun eliminated Blue Valley Southwest 58-48 in one of the previous quarterfinal games Thursday. Salthawk head coach Bryan Miller is a former assistant of Eck.

Top-seed Topeka-Highland Park will play Andover in the other boys semi-final game Friday. Highland Park eliminated Basehor-Linwood and Andover beat Maize South in previous games earlier Thursday.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678444283876.jpeg" alt="Salthawk Nic Lange scores on Pittsburg." />
 <figcaption>Salthawk Nic Lange scores on Pittsburg.</figcaption>
 </figure>GLEN GRUNWALD Hutch PostEMPORIA, Kan. — The Hutchinson Salthawk boys basketball team used smothering "stick like glue" defense to force 24 Pittsburg Purple Dragon turnovers, which produced 31 Salthawk points en route to an 84-51 win in the Class 5A boys state quarterfinals Thursday night at White Auditorium.<div><iframe title="Bryan Miller Post Game Show - Pittsburg Win" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=nb66u-13b2127-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=7"></iframe></div>Hutch jumped into the lead by forcing two Purple Dragon turnovers and knocking down two three-pointers in the first two minutes. The early treys helped Hutchinson build a 21-8 lead at the end of one quarter. Hutch went 6-for-13 from beyond the arc before the break to extend the lead to 38-18 after two quarters thanks to Garret Robinson's three long-range bombs, along with Julian Smith's 3-for-3 from long distance off the bench.Pittsburg got a big night out of Mason English, who paced the Dragons with 22 points. The Salthawks held English below his season average of 29.2 points per game. The Salthawk defense also frustrated English, who committed five first-half turnovers, 10 for the game.Hutchinson pushed the lead to as many as 35 points in the second half with the Salthawk reserves going 12-of-18 in the fourth quarter, including 4-for-6 from three-point land.Hutchinson was led in scoring by junior sharpshooter Julian Smith. Smith had a career-high 22 points, including 6-for-7 from three. Garrett Robertson added 17, Dauntay King 13, Nic Lange 12, Terrell King eight, Jax Heneha five, Wade Meyer three, Bradyn Rodriquez and Tai Clark each scored two points to round out the Salthawk scoring.Pittsburg's English had 22 points and nine rebounds for a near double-double. Nate Mitchell came off the bench to score nine for the Purple Dragons, Daniel Hastings added six, Jayden Brown four and Jackson Turnbull, Jovani Salas and Joseph Cronister each scored two points.The Pittsburg season ends at 17-6, while the Salthawks roll to 22-1 and face Wichita's Kapaun Mt. Carmel, also 22-1, Friday night at 8 in semi-final action. Former Hutchinson Blue Dragon coach Steve Eck is at Kapaun after a 12-year run for the Blue Dragons. Kapaun eliminated Blue Valley Southwest 58-48 in one of the previous quarterfinal games Thursday. Salthawk head coach Bryan Miller is a former assistant of Eck.Top-seed Topeka-Highland Park will play Andover in the other boys semi-final game Friday. Highland Park eliminated Basehor-Linwood and Andover beat Maize South in previous games earlier Thursday.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

🏀 Salthawks win over Pittsburg, to face Kapaun in semis

HUTCHINSON, Kan.—The Hutchinson Salthawk Boys Basketball team will travel to Emporia Thursday to play the Pittsburg Purple Dragons in the opening round of class 5A Boy's State Basketball at White Auditorium in Emporia.

The game will tip at 8pm. Pregame will begin at 7:45pm. Catch all the action with Glen Grunwald and Dan Naccarato on KWBW Radio (1450am/98.5fm) and audio streamed on <a href="http://kwbwradio.com">www.kwbwradio.com</a>.&nbsp;

Video stream for the State tournament games can be viewed on&nbsp; the <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/kshsaa/gam7c714e0127">KSHSAA&nbsp;NFHS Network</a>.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678366485992.png" alt="Gameday vs Pittsburg at 8pm" />
 <figcaption>Gameday vs Pittsburg at 8pm</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan.—The Hutchinson Salthawk Boys Basketball team will travel to Emporia Thursday to play the Pittsburg Purple Dragons in the opening round of class 5A Boy's State Basketball at White Auditorium in Emporia.The game will tip at 8pm. Pregame will begin at 7:45pm. Catch all the action with Glen Grunwald and Dan Naccarato on KWBW Radio (1450am/98.5fm) and audio streamed on <a href="http://kwbwradio.com">www.kwbwradio.com</a>.&nbsp;Video stream for the State tournament games can be viewed on&nbsp; the <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/kshsaa/gam7c714e0127">KSHSAA&nbsp;NFHS Network</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

🎥🏀 Salthawk Boys open at State vs Pittsburg

Pitchers Emily Munson, Riley Wertz and Morgan Pennycuff limited the Dodge City Conquistadors to a combined three total hits on Wednesday at Fun Valley.

Then Allie Stipsits and Alexis Mastin hit home runs as the No. 18-ranked Hutchinson Community College softball team earned victories of 4-0 and 9-1 over Dodge City in a Jayhawk Conference doubleheader.

Hutchinson improved to 16-5 overall and 5-1 in the KJCCC. The Blue Dragons travel to Great Bend to play Barton on Saturday. Dodge City is now 10-8 and 5-3.

Munson (3-0) earned her third victory of the season, allowing just first- and fourth-inning singles and two walks in five inning of the first game on Wednesday. She had part in a second combined shutout this season.

Hutchinson’s left-handed starter struck out four and only one Dodge City runner reached second base. Munson retired the final five batters she faced in her 13th career victory.

Wertz, who earlier in the day was named the NJCAA Division I Softball National Pitcher of the Week one day after being named KJCCC Pitcher of the Week, earned her fourth save of the season. Over two innings, Wertz retired all six Dodge City batters she faced with four strikeouts. Wertz struck out the side in the seventh inning.

The Blue Dragons had seven hits in the opening game.

Olivia Sandoval got Hutchinson on the board with a two-out RBI double in the third inning to score Ella Dougherty.

After Preslee Irwin walked to lead off the fifth, she stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Sandoval groundout.

The Dragons added some insurance in the sixth when Stipsits launched her first home run of the season, a two-run blast to center, to give Hutchinson a 4-0 lead.

Stipsits led the Blue Dragons going 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Aspen Goetz was 2 for 2 with a pair of doubles. Sandoval had two RBIs, going 1 for 3. Dougherty and pinch hitter Korri Lies had the other Hutchinson hits.

Pennycuff tossed her first career complete game and improved to 5-1 for the season.

She struck out a season-high seven and walked one, allowing just a first-inning run and third-inning single. Pennycuff retired 9 of the final 10 batters she faced, the only exception was a fourth-inning Blue Dragon error.

Pennycuff limited potential trouble to just one run in the opening inning. She allowed a leadoff to Dodge’s Melanie Castro, who stole second and eventually scored on an Addison Spencer sacrifice fly.

The Blue Dragons immediately responded to Dodge City’s first-inning run with five of their own as the first five Hutchinson hitters of the game all reached base and scored.

After Dougherty and Sandoval started the bottom of the first with singles, Madison Grimes and Goetz delivered RBI singles. Mastin then gave the Dragons a 5-1 lead with a three-run home run to left field.

Jaeleigh Darnell’s RBI double and Irwin’s run-scoring single in the third gave the Dragons a 7-1 lead. The Dragons tacked on two more runs in the fourth with a Goetz sacrifice fly and Grimes scored on an error for a 9-1 lead.

The Dragons produced 10 hits with four doubles and Mastin’s fifth home run of the season.

Mastin was 2 for 3 with a double, homer and three RBIs. Grimes was 1 for 2 with a double, RBI and two runs scored. Goetz had two RBIs. Grimes, Darnell and Irwin all had RBIs in the game. Lies also had a double.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678383746590.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HutchCC Sports InformationPitchers Emily Munson, Riley Wertz and Morgan Pennycuff limited the Dodge City Conquistadors to a combined three total hits on Wednesday at Fun Valley.Then Allie Stipsits and Alexis Mastin hit home runs as the No. 18-ranked Hutchinson Community College softball team earned victories of 4-0 and 9-1 over Dodge City in a Jayhawk Conference doubleheader.Hutchinson improved to 16-5 overall and 5-1 in the KJCCC. The Blue Dragons travel to Great Bend to play Barton on Saturday. Dodge City is now 10-8 and 5-3.GAME 1 RECAPMunson (3-0) earned her third victory of the season, allowing just first- and fourth-inning singles and two walks in five inning of the first game on Wednesday. She had part in a second combined shutout this season.Hutchinson’s left-handed starter struck out four and only one Dodge City runner reached second base. Munson retired the final five batters she faced in her 13th career victory.Wertz, who earlier in the day was named the NJCAA Division I Softball National Pitcher of the Week one day after being named KJCCC Pitcher of the Week, earned her fourth save of the season. Over two innings, Wertz retired all six Dodge City batters she faced with four strikeouts. Wertz struck out the side in the seventh inning.The Blue Dragons had seven hits in the opening game.Olivia Sandoval got Hutchinson on the board with a two-out RBI double in the third inning to score Ella Dougherty.After Preslee Irwin walked to lead off the fifth, she stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Sandoval groundout.The Dragons added some insurance in the sixth when Stipsits launched her first home run of the season, a two-run blast to center, to give Hutchinson a 4-0 lead.Stipsits led the Blue Dragons going 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Aspen Goetz was 2 for 2 with a pair of doubles. Sandoval had two RBIs, going 1 for 3. Dougherty and pinch hitter Korri Lies had the other Hutchinson hits.GAME 2 RECAPPennycuff tossed her first career complete game and improved to 5-1 for the season.She struck out a season-high seven and walked one, allowing just a first-inning run and third-inning single. Pennycuff retired 9 of the final 10 batters she faced, the only exception was a fourth-inning Blue Dragon error.Pennycuff limited potential trouble to just one run in the opening inning. She allowed a leadoff to Dodge’s Melanie Castro, who stole second and eventually scored on an Addison Spencer sacrifice fly.The Blue Dragons immediately responded to Dodge City’s first-inning run with five of their own as the first five Hutchinson hitters of the game all reached base and scored.After Dougherty and Sandoval started the bottom of the first with singles, Madison Grimes and Goetz delivered RBI singles. Mastin then gave the Dragons a 5-1 lead with a three-run home run to left field.Jaeleigh Darnell’s RBI double and Irwin’s run-scoring single in the third gave the Dragons a 7-1 lead. The Dragons tacked on two more runs in the fourth with a Goetz sacrifice fly and Grimes scored on an error for a 9-1 lead.The Dragons produced 10 hits with four doubles and Mastin’s fifth home run of the season.Mastin was 2 for 3 with a double, homer and three RBIs. Grimes was 1 for 2 with a double, RBI and two runs scored. Goetz had two RBIs. Grimes, Darnell and Irwin all had RBIs in the game. Lies also had a double.

 🥎 SB: Dragons sweeps Dodge City

ADA, Okla. – East Central University Athletic Director,&nbsp;<a href="https://ecutigers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/matt-cole/566">Matt Cole</a>, announced Wednesday the promotion of&nbsp;<a href="https://ecutigers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/heather-hurt-robben-/1698">Heather Hurt</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;to be the fifth Tiger head women's basketball coach. "I am pleased to name Heather as the head coach of our women's basketball program," Cole said. "She is an established and valued member of our athletic department coaching staff after serving nine seasons as the assistant coach, and I look forward to the great things ahead with her at the helm of the program." Hurt took charge of the program in late December after former head coach, Matt Cole, stepped down to take the position as ECU Director of Athletics. "I am very humbled and thankful to become the next head women's basketball coach at East Central University," Hurt said. "I would like to thank President Godwin and Coach Cole for trusting me to lead this program. I could not be more thankful for the support Coach Cole has given me over the nine years we've worked together." Throughout her time as interim head coach, Hurt led the Tigers to the No. 7 seed in the 2022-23 Great American Conference Women's Basketball Championship Tournament despite a tough beginning to the season. "We are excited for Coach Hurt and the ECU Program," ECU President Wendell Godwin added. "Taking over at mid-season is never an ideal transition, but she has made the most of the opportunity. Finishing seventh in the conference and making the Great American Tournament was more than was expected in late December, due to injuries and our strength of schedule.&nbsp; In addition to the on-court performance, she leads an amazing group of student athletes who have high academic standing." The Tigers have excelled in the classroom, as three student-athletes received GAC honors for their performance during the 2022-23 season. The three honorees included an All-GAC Second Team Member, GAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and two GAC Elite Scholar Athletes. The women's basketball team has consistently held one of the highest cumulative GPA's among ECU athletic teams. "I'm proud of Coach Hurt and excited to have her as the leader of our basketball program," Godwin said. "ECU is home to me after being here nine years," Hurt said. "I love being here at East Central University and living in the Ada community. I am honored I have the opportunity to continue leading amazing young women and building our women's basketball program. It has been a dream of mine to lead a DII program and I'm very excited it is here at ECU." Hurt became a member of the Tiger family in 2014 and was the top assistant on the Tigers' staff for the last nine seasons. Prior to becoming a leader on the coaching staff, Hurt made her mark on the court for Hutchinson Community College, Wichita State University, and Emporia State University. During her two year-stint at Emporia State University, Hurt served as the graduate assistant coach where she helped the team to two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances and two Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament titles. Hurt spent one season playing for the Hornets where she was an All-MIAA Second Team selection, helped ESU to the NCAA Central Regional Championship game, and was named to the 2012 All-Central Regional Tournament Team. Before heading to ESU, Hurt spent a season at Wichita State University and spent her first two collegiate seasons at Hutchinson Community College. While playing for the Blue Dragons, she became the school's first two-time NJCAA All-American and helped the team to the NJCAA nationals. In 2020, she was honored by HCC by being named to their Athletics Hall of Fame. Hurt earned a Master of Science degree in Health, Physical Education &amp; Recreation in May 2014 and a Bachelor of Science in Business (Marketing) in December 2012 from Emporia State.&nbsp; She also earned an Associate in Arts from Hutchinson Community College in May 2010. &nbsp;Hurt is married to Jon Hurt, and together, they have one son, Jones (1). "This would not be possible without the incredible support system I have," Hurt added. "I am thankful to have my husband, Jon, and my family in my corner supporting me along the way. There are many people who had a hand in helping me get here today."

ADA, Okla. – East Central University Athletic Director,&nbsp;<a href="https://ecutigers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/matt-cole/566">Matt Cole</a>, announced Wednesday the promotion of&nbsp;<a href="https://ecutigers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/heather-hurt-robben-/1698">Heather Hurt</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;to be the fifth Tiger head women's basketball coach. "I am pleased to name Heather as the head coach of our women's basketball program," Cole said. "She is an established and valued member of our athletic department coaching staff after serving nine seasons as the assistant coach, and I look forward to the great things ahead with her at the helm of the program." Hurt took charge of the program in late December after former head coach, Matt Cole, stepped down to take the position as ECU Director of Athletics. "I am very humbled and thankful to become the next head women's basketball coach at East Central University," Hurt said. "I would like to thank President Godwin and Coach Cole for trusting me to lead this program. I could not be more thankful for the support Coach Cole has given me over the nine years we've worked together." Throughout her time as interim head coach, Hurt led the Tigers to the No. 7 seed in the 2022-23 Great American Conference Women's Basketball Championship Tournament despite a tough beginning to the season. "We are excited for Coach Hurt and the ECU Program," ECU President Wendell Godwin added. "Taking over at mid-season is never an ideal transition, but she has made the most of the opportunity. Finishing seventh in the conference and making the Great American Tournament was more than was expected in late December, due to injuries and our strength of schedule.&nbsp; In addition to the on-court performance, she leads an amazing group of student athletes who have high academic standing." The Tigers have excelled in the classroom, as three student-athletes received GAC honors for their performance during the 2022-23 season. The three honorees included an All-GAC Second Team Member, GAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and two GAC Elite Scholar Athletes. The women's basketball team has consistently held one of the highest cumulative GPA's among ECU athletic teams. "I'm proud of Coach Hurt and excited to have her as the leader of our basketball program," Godwin said. "ECU is home to me after being here nine years," Hurt said. "I love being here at East Central University and living in the Ada community. I am honored I have the opportunity to continue leading amazing young women and building our women's basketball program. It has been a dream of mine to lead a DII program and I'm very excited it is here at ECU." Hurt became a member of the Tiger family in 2014 and was the top assistant on the Tigers' staff for the last nine seasons. Prior to becoming a leader on the coaching staff, Hurt made her mark on the court for Hutchinson Community College, Wichita State University, and Emporia State University. During her two year-stint at Emporia State University, Hurt served as the graduate assistant coach where she helped the team to two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances and two Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament titles. Hurt spent one season playing for the Hornets where she was an All-MIAA Second Team selection, helped ESU to the NCAA Central Regional Championship game, and was named to the 2012 All-Central Regional Tournament Team. Before heading to ESU, Hurt spent a season at Wichita State University and spent her first two collegiate seasons at Hutchinson Community College. While playing for the Blue Dragons, she became the school's first two-time NJCAA All-American and helped the team to the NJCAA nationals. In 2020, she was honored by HCC by being named to their Athletics Hall of Fame. Hurt earned a Master of Science degree in Health, Physical Education &amp; Recreation in May 2014 and a Bachelor of Science in Business (Marketing) in December 2012 from Emporia State.&nbsp; She also earned an Associate in Arts from Hutchinson Community College in May 2010. &nbsp;Hurt is married to Jon Hurt, and together, they have one son, Jones (1). "This would not be possible without the incredible support system I have," Hurt added. "I am thankful to have my husband, Jon, and my family in my corner supporting me along the way. There are many people who had a hand in helping me get here today."

🏀 Former Blue Dragon Heather Hurt named Head Women’s Basketball Coach at ECU

<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=d0a3308168&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Box Score</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=5bab989f96&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Photo Gallery</a>

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas junior Ethan Bradford pitched a career-high 5.1 innings and allowed two hits, while Jake English and Janson Reeder each homered in Kansas’ 4-0 home-opening win against Wichita State on Wednesday. &nbsp; Kansas improved to 7-4 this season, while head coach Dan Fitzgerald picked up his first win at home on Wednesday. Wichita State fell to 6-6 and 4-4 on the road this season. The two teams will meet again on April 26 in Wichita, Kansas. &nbsp; After a scoreless first inning, Wichita State’s Mauricio Millan reached base on a dribbler past the pitcher in the top half of the second. With two outs, Kansas’ Jake English caught Millan stealing to end the top-half of the second as the score stood at 0-0. &nbsp; Kansas continued the action in the bottom of the second, as Cole Elvis doubled to the right-center gap with no outs. After Collier Cranford was hit by a pitch, Jake English pulled a three-run home run to left to put Kansas on the board, 3-0 at the end of two innings. &nbsp; After a scoreless third inning, Janson Reeder sent a solo shot over the right field wall to increase Kansas’ lead to 4-0 at the end of the fourth inning. Reeder finished 3-for-4 in the game with an RBI and a run scored. &nbsp; In the bottom of the fifth, sophomore Chase Jans reached base with a single past the pitcher. Jans then stole second and would advance to third on a throwing error but would end the inning stranded.&nbsp; &nbsp; Starting pitcher Ethan Bradford tossed a career-high 5.1 scoreless innings, recording four strikeouts and allowing only two hits. &nbsp; With Kansas leading 4-0 in the top of the seventh inning, Wichita State was threatening when Payton Tolle singled to center. After retiring Millan on strikes, Stone Hewlett walked a batter to put two runners on with one out. With runners on first and second, Hewlett induced a ground ball to shortstop, which turned into a double play to finish the top half of the seventh inning, 4-0. &nbsp; In the top of the eighth, the Shockers loaded the bases on a walk and a pair of singles. With one out, Hewlett forced Wichita State’s Garrett Pennington into a 1-2-3 double play to get out of the inning scoreless, once again. &nbsp; With one out in the ninth, Kansas gave the ball to Kolby Dougan on the mound, who got the final two outs to secure the victory.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; PITCHERS OF RECORD Win: Ethan Bradford Final line: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 SO Loss: Cameron Bye Final line: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 SO &nbsp; PLAYER OF THE GAME Ethan Bradford: Sophomore Ethan Bradford pitched a career-high 5.1 scoreless innings on Wednesday, allowing only two hits, while striking out four batters. Bradford earned his first-career win as a Jayhawk. &nbsp; NOTES • Kansas improved to 7-4 this season, securing their first win at Hoglund Ballpark this season. • Kansas improved to 20-25 against Wichita State in Lawrence all-time, while Wichita State holds the series advantage at 51-35. • Bradford earned his first career win as a Jayhawk after throwing a career-high 5.1 scoreless innings. • The Jayhawks have now shutout three opponents this season, with wins against Wichita State (4-0), Belmont (5-0) and Oakland (7-0). • Junior Janson Reeder hit his second-career home run on Wednesday, with his last coming against Oakland on Feb. 26. Reeder also set a career-high with three hits. • Redshirt sophomore Jake English launched his fourth-career home run on Wednesday, English’s home run on Wednesday pushed across three runners and he now has 10 RBI’s this season. &nbsp; UP NEXT Kansas will travel Southeast to the First Pitch Invitational in Greenville, S.C., with games against Western Carolina (March 10) and Michigan State (March 11-12) on the schedule. The Jayhawks will remain on the road until they host Creighton to Hoglund Ballpark on March 29 at 6 p.m. CT.

<figure>
 <img src="https://mcusercontent.com/3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1/images/adef118f-97fd-00ff-6157-fd3e7e0725d8.jpeg" alt="KU vs WSU in Jayhawks home opener" />
 <figcaption>KU vs WSU in Jayhawks home opener</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=d0a3308168&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Box Score</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=5bab989f96&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Photo Gallery</a>LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas junior Ethan Bradford pitched a career-high 5.1 innings and allowed two hits, while Jake English and Janson Reeder each homered in Kansas’ 4-0 home-opening win against Wichita State on Wednesday. &nbsp; Kansas improved to 7-4 this season, while head coach Dan Fitzgerald picked up his first win at home on Wednesday. Wichita State fell to 6-6 and 4-4 on the road this season. The two teams will meet again on April 26 in Wichita, Kansas. &nbsp; After a scoreless first inning, Wichita State’s Mauricio Millan reached base on a dribbler past the pitcher in the top half of the second. With two outs, Kansas’ Jake English caught Millan stealing to end the top-half of the second as the score stood at 0-0. &nbsp; Kansas continued the action in the bottom of the second, as Cole Elvis doubled to the right-center gap with no outs. After Collier Cranford was hit by a pitch, Jake English pulled a three-run home run to left to put Kansas on the board, 3-0 at the end of two innings. &nbsp; After a scoreless third inning, Janson Reeder sent a solo shot over the right field wall to increase Kansas’ lead to 4-0 at the end of the fourth inning. Reeder finished 3-for-4 in the game with an RBI and a run scored. &nbsp; In the bottom of the fifth, sophomore Chase Jans reached base with a single past the pitcher. Jans then stole second and would advance to third on a throwing error but would end the inning stranded.&nbsp; &nbsp; Starting pitcher Ethan Bradford tossed a career-high 5.1 scoreless innings, recording four strikeouts and allowing only two hits. &nbsp; With Kansas leading 4-0 in the top of the seventh inning, Wichita State was threatening when Payton Tolle singled to center. After retiring Millan on strikes, Stone Hewlett walked a batter to put two runners on with one out. With runners on first and second, Hewlett induced a ground ball to shortstop, which turned into a double play to finish the top half of the seventh inning, 4-0. &nbsp; In the top of the eighth, the Shockers loaded the bases on a walk and a pair of singles. With one out, Hewlett forced Wichita State’s Garrett Pennington into a 1-2-3 double play to get out of the inning scoreless, once again. &nbsp; With one out in the ninth, Kansas gave the ball to Kolby Dougan on the mound, who got the final two outs to secure the victory.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; PITCHERS OF RECORD Win: Ethan Bradford Final line: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 SO Loss: Cameron Bye Final line: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 SO &nbsp; PLAYER OF THE GAME Ethan Bradford: Sophomore Ethan Bradford pitched a career-high 5.1 scoreless innings on Wednesday, allowing only two hits, while striking out four batters. Bradford earned his first-career win as a Jayhawk. &nbsp; NOTES • Kansas improved to 7-4 this season, securing their first win at Hoglund Ballpark this season. • Kansas improved to 20-25 against Wichita State in Lawrence all-time, while Wichita State holds the series advantage at 51-35. • Bradford earned his first career win as a Jayhawk after throwing a career-high 5.1 scoreless innings. • The Jayhawks have now shutout three opponents this season, with wins against Wichita State (4-0), Belmont (5-0) and Oakland (7-0). • Junior Janson Reeder hit his second-career home run on Wednesday, with his last coming against Oakland on Feb. 26. Reeder also set a career-high with three hits. • Redshirt sophomore Jake English launched his fourth-career home run on Wednesday, English’s home run on Wednesday pushed across three runners and he now has 10 RBI’s this season. &nbsp; UP NEXT Kansas will travel Southeast to the First Pitch Invitational in Greenville, S.C., with games against Western Carolina (March 10) and Michigan State (March 11-12) on the schedule. The Jayhawks will remain on the road until they host Creighton to Hoglund Ballpark on March 29 at 6 p.m. CT.

⚾ BSB: Kansas shuts out Wichita State in home opener

Big 12 scoring and rebounding leader Jalen Wilson&nbsp;of Kansas is the unanimous pick as The Associated Press Big 12 player of the year.

Kansas State senior forward Keyontae Johnson joined Wilson as the only unanimous first-team picks in the selections revealed Tuesday. Johnson, a transfer from Florida who has turned into a top player after&nbsp;a frightening collapse more than two years ago, was also selected as newcomer of the year in voting by a panel of 17 journalists who cover the league.

First-year Kansas State coach Jerome Tang was voted as coach of the year. After 19 seasons as an assistant for coach Scott Drew at Baylor, including the national championship two years ago, Tang directed the Wildcats to a 23-8 record in the regular season and third place in the Big 12 standings after being picked to finish last in a preseason poll of league coaches.

Wilson, a 6-foot-8 junior forward, goes into this week's Big 12 tournament leading the league with 19.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.&nbsp;The 6-6 Johnson&nbsp;averages 17.8 points and 7.0 rebounds.

Texas graduate guard Marcus Carr, Baylor senior guard Adam Flagler and K-State junior guard Markquis Nowell round out the first-team picks. The 5-8 Nowell is the Big 12's top free-throw shooter (88.5%), and also leads the league with 7.7 assists and 2.5 steals a game.

The second-team picks are senior Damion Baugh and junior Mike Miles Jr. from TCU, along with Kansas freshman guard Gradey Dick, Baylor freshman guard Keyonte George and Kansas senior guard Kevin McCullar Jr., a transfer from Texas Tech.

Johnson got 13 of the 17 votes for newcomer of the year, while Baylor's George got the other four.

Tang was the overwhelming choice for top coach with 15 votes. The remaining two votes went to Texas interim coach Rodney Terry, who led the Longhorns to a second-place finish in the Big 12 following the&nbsp;December dismissal and eventual firing of Chris Beard.

u-Keyontae Johnson, Kansas State, 6-6, 230, Sr., Norfolk, Virginia.

u-Jalen Wilson, Kansas, 6-8, 225, Jr., Denton, Texas.

Marcus Carr, Texas, 6-2, 175, Gr., Toronto.

Adam Flagler, Baylor, 6-3, 185, Sr., Duluth, Georgia.

Markquis Nowell, Kansas State, 5-8, 160, Sr./Jr., New York.

Damion Baugh, TCU, 6-4, 195, Sr., Nashville, Tenneseee.

Gradey Dick, Kansas 6-8, 205, Fr., Wichita, Kansas.

Keyonte George, Baylor, 6-4, 185, Fr., Lewisville, Texas.

Kevin McCullar Jr., Kansas, 6-6, 210, Sr., San Antonio.

Mike Miles Jr., TCU, 6-2, 195, Jr., Dallas.

Coach of the year&nbsp;— Jerome Tang, Kansas State

Player of the year&nbsp;— Jalen Wilson, Kansas.

Newcomer of the year&nbsp;— Keyontae Johnson, Kansas State.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678220497060.jpeg" alt="Jalen Wilson, Big 12 Player of the Year" />
 <figcaption>Jalen Wilson, Big 12 Player of the Year</figcaption>
 </figure>Big 12 scoring and rebounding leader Jalen Wilson&nbsp;of Kansas is the unanimous pick as The Associated Press Big 12 player of the year.Kansas State senior forward Keyontae Johnson joined Wilson as the only unanimous first-team picks in the selections revealed Tuesday. Johnson, a transfer from Florida who has turned into a top player after&nbsp;a frightening collapse more than two years ago, was also selected as newcomer of the year in voting by a panel of 17 journalists who cover the league.First-year Kansas State coach Jerome Tang was voted as coach of the year. After 19 seasons as an assistant for coach Scott Drew at Baylor, including the national championship two years ago, Tang directed the Wildcats to a 23-8 record in the regular season and third place in the Big 12 standings after being picked to finish last in a preseason poll of league coaches.Wilson, a 6-foot-8 junior forward, goes into this week's Big 12 tournament leading the league with 19.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.&nbsp;The 6-6 Johnson&nbsp;averages 17.8 points and 7.0 rebounds.Texas graduate guard Marcus Carr, Baylor senior guard Adam Flagler and K-State junior guard Markquis Nowell round out the first-team picks. The 5-8 Nowell is the Big 12's top free-throw shooter (88.5%), and also leads the league with 7.7 assists and 2.5 steals a game.The second-team picks are senior Damion Baugh and junior Mike Miles Jr. from TCU, along with Kansas freshman guard Gradey Dick, Baylor freshman guard Keyonte George and Kansas senior guard Kevin McCullar Jr., a transfer from Texas Tech.Johnson got 13 of the 17 votes for newcomer of the year, while Baylor's George got the other four.Tang was the overwhelming choice for top coach with 15 votes. The remaining two votes went to Texas interim coach Rodney Terry, who led the Longhorns to a second-place finish in the Big 12 following the&nbsp;December dismissal and eventual firing of Chris Beard.FIRST TEAMu-Keyontae Johnson, Kansas State, 6-6, 230, Sr., Norfolk, Virginia.u-Jalen Wilson, Kansas, 6-8, 225, Jr., Denton, Texas.Marcus Carr, Texas, 6-2, 175, Gr., Toronto.Adam Flagler, Baylor, 6-3, 185, Sr., Duluth, Georgia.Markquis Nowell, Kansas State, 5-8, 160, Sr./Jr., New York.SECOND TEAMDamion Baugh, TCU, 6-4, 195, Sr., Nashville, Tenneseee.Gradey Dick, Kansas 6-8, 205, Fr., Wichita, Kansas.Keyonte George, Baylor, 6-4, 185, Fr., Lewisville, Texas.Kevin McCullar Jr., Kansas, 6-6, 210, Sr., San Antonio.Mike Miles Jr., TCU, 6-2, 195, Jr., Dallas.Coach of the year&nbsp;— Jerome Tang, Kansas StatePlayer of the year&nbsp;— Jalen Wilson, Kansas.Newcomer of the year&nbsp;— Keyontae Johnson, Kansas State.

🏀 Kansas star Jalen Wilson named AP Big 12 player of the year

FORT WORTH –&nbsp;A Houston fourth quarter surge and turnovers put an end to Wichita State's run in the American Athletic Conference Championship with a 72-64 loss Wednesday night in the semifinals. Wichita State (18-14) came up one game shy of the title game and now awaits its postseason fate. The Shockers will be in the conversation for a WNIT berth. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/curtessia-dean/7199">Curtessia Dean</a>&nbsp;scored a team-high 15 points and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/trajata-colbert/7155">Trajata Colbert</a>&nbsp;added 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting to go with seven rebounds.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/shamaryah-duncan/7156">Shamaryah Duncan</a>&nbsp;had an all-around game, finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds, while chasing around Houston's top scorers all night long on the defensive end. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jane-asinde/7152">Jane Asinde</a>&nbsp;logged seven points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals before fouling out. Her eight rebounds give her 300 for the season, making her just the fifth Shocker to record 300 or more rebounds in a single season. In the first meeting, which happened exactly one week ago, the game was decided in the turnover battle. Wichita State committed 22 in round one, and 21 today. Houston turned those miscues into 19 points. Wichita State shot 46 percent overall and 5-of-11 from beyond the arc on 18 assists. The Cougars only had 10 turnovers and shot 43 percent. Tiara Young scored a game-high 26 points, 10 of those in the fourth quarter when Houston stretched the lead. The first quarter featured five lead changes after Wichita State grabbed a 9-5 lead on a&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/shamaryah-duncan/7156">Shamaryah Duncan</a>&nbsp;three-pointer with 5:51 to go. The margin stayed within two points until Laila Blair started to heat up. A pull-up jumper from Blair made it 18-14 with 1:56 on the clock. She would score the final nine points for Houston, the last coming on a triple to give the Cougars a 23-17 lead at the end of the quarter. Blair scored 11 first quarter points and Tiara Young added nine to create a two-headed scoring attack. Wichita State's defense tightened up in the second quarter, holding Houston to just 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting. The Cougars led by as many as eight in the quarter, but their offensive struggles allowed Wichita State to climb back and take the lead, 30-29, at the 2:07 mark. The lead traded hands twice in the final 1:22 until a pair of free throws sent Houston into the locker room with a 34-32 lead. Both teams were an identical 13-of-31 (42 percent) from the field, but Houston scored eight points off 10 Wichita State turnovers. Colbert led the Shockers with 10 first half points, followed closely behind by Duncan with eight. The Houston duo of Blair and Young scored 22 of Houston's 34 points. After a Dean triple tied the game at 39 with 7:49 left in the third, neither team scored for more than 2:00 minutes until a&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/daniela-abies/7197">Daniela Abies</a>&nbsp;layup gave Wichita State a brief 41-39 lead. A 6-0 Houston answer gave the Cougars a 45-41 advantage and would take a 49-47 lead into the final 10 minutes. Houston scored on its opening possession of the final quarter to make it a four-point game, but a personal 6-0 run from Dean gave Wichita State a 53-51 lead and 7:59 remaining. The Cougars had their own response to retake the lead, 59-53, behind a 6-0 spurt, forcing a Wichita State timeout. Out of the timeout, Houston upped its lead to eight behind a Young jumper and two free throws off a turnover. Following another Wichita State timeout, Houston buried a three-pointer to take its largest lead of the game, 64-53. Wichita State's scoring drought finally came to an end on a top of the key jumper from Asinde that lasted nearly 4:00 minutes. That drought proved to be too much to overcome, as Wichita State could not put together enough stops.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678363668617.jpeg" alt="WSU WBB Courtesy of goshockers.com" />
 <figcaption>WSU WBB Courtesy of goshockers.com</figcaption>
 </figure>FORT WORTH –&nbsp;A Houston fourth quarter surge and turnovers put an end to Wichita State's run in the American Athletic Conference Championship with a 72-64 loss Wednesday night in the semifinals. Wichita State (18-14) came up one game shy of the title game and now awaits its postseason fate. The Shockers will be in the conversation for a WNIT berth. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/curtessia-dean/7199">Curtessia Dean</a>&nbsp;scored a team-high 15 points and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/trajata-colbert/7155">Trajata Colbert</a>&nbsp;added 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting to go with seven rebounds.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/shamaryah-duncan/7156">Shamaryah Duncan</a>&nbsp;had an all-around game, finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds, while chasing around Houston's top scorers all night long on the defensive end. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jane-asinde/7152">Jane Asinde</a>&nbsp;logged seven points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals before fouling out. Her eight rebounds give her 300 for the season, making her just the fifth Shocker to record 300 or more rebounds in a single season. In the first meeting, which happened exactly one week ago, the game was decided in the turnover battle. Wichita State committed 22 in round one, and 21 today. Houston turned those miscues into 19 points. Wichita State shot 46 percent overall and 5-of-11 from beyond the arc on 18 assists. The Cougars only had 10 turnovers and shot 43 percent. Tiara Young scored a game-high 26 points, 10 of those in the fourth quarter when Houston stretched the lead. The first quarter featured five lead changes after Wichita State grabbed a 9-5 lead on a&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/shamaryah-duncan/7156">Shamaryah Duncan</a>&nbsp;three-pointer with 5:51 to go. The margin stayed within two points until Laila Blair started to heat up. A pull-up jumper from Blair made it 18-14 with 1:56 on the clock. She would score the final nine points for Houston, the last coming on a triple to give the Cougars a 23-17 lead at the end of the quarter. Blair scored 11 first quarter points and Tiara Young added nine to create a two-headed scoring attack. Wichita State's defense tightened up in the second quarter, holding Houston to just 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting. The Cougars led by as many as eight in the quarter, but their offensive struggles allowed Wichita State to climb back and take the lead, 30-29, at the 2:07 mark. The lead traded hands twice in the final 1:22 until a pair of free throws sent Houston into the locker room with a 34-32 lead. Both teams were an identical 13-of-31 (42 percent) from the field, but Houston scored eight points off 10 Wichita State turnovers. Colbert led the Shockers with 10 first half points, followed closely behind by Duncan with eight. The Houston duo of Blair and Young scored 22 of Houston's 34 points. After a Dean triple tied the game at 39 with 7:49 left in the third, neither team scored for more than 2:00 minutes until a&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/daniela-abies/7197">Daniela Abies</a>&nbsp;layup gave Wichita State a brief 41-39 lead. A 6-0 Houston answer gave the Cougars a 45-41 advantage and would take a 49-47 lead into the final 10 minutes. Houston scored on its opening possession of the final quarter to make it a four-point game, but a personal 6-0 run from Dean gave Wichita State a 53-51 lead and 7:59 remaining. The Cougars had their own response to retake the lead, 59-53, behind a 6-0 spurt, forcing a Wichita State timeout. Out of the timeout, Houston upped its lead to eight behind a Young jumper and two free throws off a turnover. Following another Wichita State timeout, Houston buried a three-pointer to take its largest lead of the game, 64-53. Wichita State's scoring drought finally came to an end on a top of the key jumper from Asinde that lasted nearly 4:00 minutes. That drought proved to be too much to overcome, as Wichita State could not put together enough stops.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 WBB: Wichita State’s run in Fort Worth ends in semifinals

2023 PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP T-Mobile Center - Kansas City Wednesday March 8 West Virginia 78, Texas Tech 62 Oklahoma St. 57, Oklahoma 49

Thursday March 9 No. 4 Baylor vs. No. 5 Iowa State (ESPN/2) 11:30 a.m. No. 1 Kansas vs. West Virginia (ESPN/2) 2:00 p.m. No. 2 Texas vs. Oklahoma State (ESPN/2) 6:00 p.m. No. 3 Kansas State vs. No. 6 TCU (ESPN/2) 8:30 p.m.

Friday, March 10 Baylor/Iowa State winner vs Kansas/WV/Tech winner&nbsp;(ESPN/2) 6:00 p.m. Kansas St./TCU winner vs Texas/OSU/OU winner&nbsp;(ESPN/2) 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 11 Championship&nbsp;(ESPN) 5:00 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678363413755.jpeg" alt="Big 12 Basketball Tournament Results from Wednesday" />
 <figcaption>Big 12 Basketball Tournament Results from Wednesday</figcaption>
 </figure>2023 PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP T-Mobile Center - Kansas City Wednesday March 8 West Virginia 78, Texas Tech 62 Oklahoma St. 57, Oklahoma 49Thursday March 9 No. 4 Baylor vs. No. 5 Iowa State (ESPN/2) 11:30 a.m. No. 1 Kansas vs. West Virginia (ESPN/2) 2:00 p.m. No. 2 Texas vs. Oklahoma State (ESPN/2) 6:00 p.m. No. 3 Kansas State vs. No. 6 TCU (ESPN/2) 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 10 Baylor/Iowa State winner vs Kansas/WV/Tech winner&nbsp;(ESPN/2) 6:00 p.m. Kansas St./TCU winner vs Texas/OSU/OU winner&nbsp;(ESPN/2) 8:30 p.m.Saturday, March 11 Championship&nbsp;(ESPN) 5:00 p.m.

🏀Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament Scores and Schedule

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Texas Tech coach Mark Adams, who had been suspended recently for racially insensitive comments made toward his players, resigned shortly after the Red Raiders were eliminated from the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday. Second-year assistant Corey Williams led the Red Raiders in their 78-62 loss to West Virginia. The incident involving Adams occurred in a meeting with a player, who wasn’t identified, Texas Tech said Sunday in announcing his suspension. The school said the coach “was encouraging the student-athlete to be more receptive to coaching and referenced Bible verses about workers, teachers, parents, and slaves serving their masters.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Caleb Asberry scored 15 points, Bryce Thompson added 12 and seventh-seeded Oklahoma State overcame two more injuries in the backcourt to beat No. 10 seed Oklahoma 57-49 in the Big 12 Tournament. The Cowboys will play seventh-ranked Texas, the No. 2 seed, in the quarterfinals Thursday. OSU could be without Chris Harris Jr. and John-Michael Wright, both of whom left with injuries. Tanner Groves led Oklahoma with 13 points.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kedrian Johnson scored 20 points, Tre Mitchell added 17 points and nine rebounds, and No. 8 seed West Virginia rolled to a 78-62 victory over ninth-seeded Texas Tech in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday night. Erik Stevenson added 18 points and Emmitt Matthews Jr. had 13 for the Mountaineers, who advanced to play third-ranked Kansas in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Pop Isaacs had 15 points to lead Texas Tech, which played without suspended coach Mark Adams. Corey Williams led the Red Raiders on an interim basis.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Allen Fieldhouse, the home of defending national champion Kansas, will soon undergo a significant renovation to upgrade its fan amenities, hospitality spaces and premium seating options while retaining the feel of the original building. Jayhawks athletic director Travis Goff said the multimillion dollar project, which will be funded by private donations, will included state-of-the-art videoboards, a new sound system and lighting, reimagined concourses on all three levels along with changes to the adjacent Wagnon Student Athletic Center.

UNDATED (AP) — Jim Boeheim’s 47-year tenure as coach at Syracuse ended Wednesday, with the university saying Orange assistant Adrian Autry has been promoted into the job. The move came less than three hours after Syracuse lost to Wake Forest in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, after which Boeheim hinted at retirement but said it would ultimately be the university’s decision.

UNDATED (AP) — Daniel Jones turned one decent season into a mega-money contract that raises the standard in the NFL. Once the New York Giants gave Jones a deal worth $160 million over four years — $82 million is reportedly guaranteed for the first two seasons — the price tag went up for quarterbacks around the league. Way up. If Jones can join Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and six others in the $40 million-per-year club after a breakout season in which he threw just 15 touchdown passes and ran for seven more, how much money will more accomplished QBs get paid?

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani is arguably the game's best player anywhere. But in Japan, he's more than just a baseball player. He's an antidote for many in his native country. Japanese culture and politics seem more tenuous than a few decades ago. The economy is stagnant. The birthrate is among the world’s lowest. The rivalry with China is never from from people's minds. In this environment, the return of Ohtani to play for Japan in the World Baseball Classic is playing huge. As one fan puts it, his achievements “have had a positive influence on all Japanese people.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654258011178.jpeg" alt="Sports Update for Thursday" />
 <figcaption>Sports Update for Thursday</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Texas Tech coach Mark Adams, who had been suspended recently for racially insensitive comments made toward his players, resigned shortly after the Red Raiders were eliminated from the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday. Second-year assistant Corey Williams led the Red Raiders in their 78-62 loss to West Virginia. The incident involving Adams occurred in a meeting with a player, who wasn’t identified, Texas Tech said Sunday in announcing his suspension. The school said the coach “was encouraging the student-athlete to be more receptive to coaching and referenced Bible verses about workers, teachers, parents, and slaves serving their masters.”KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Caleb Asberry scored 15 points, Bryce Thompson added 12 and seventh-seeded Oklahoma State overcame two more injuries in the backcourt to beat No. 10 seed Oklahoma 57-49 in the Big 12 Tournament. The Cowboys will play seventh-ranked Texas, the No. 2 seed, in the quarterfinals Thursday. OSU could be without Chris Harris Jr. and John-Michael Wright, both of whom left with injuries. Tanner Groves led Oklahoma with 13 points.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kedrian Johnson scored 20 points, Tre Mitchell added 17 points and nine rebounds, and No. 8 seed West Virginia rolled to a 78-62 victory over ninth-seeded Texas Tech in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday night. Erik Stevenson added 18 points and Emmitt Matthews Jr. had 13 for the Mountaineers, who advanced to play third-ranked Kansas in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Pop Isaacs had 15 points to lead Texas Tech, which played without suspended coach Mark Adams. Corey Williams led the Red Raiders on an interim basis.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Allen Fieldhouse, the home of defending national champion Kansas, will soon undergo a significant renovation to upgrade its fan amenities, hospitality spaces and premium seating options while retaining the feel of the original building. Jayhawks athletic director Travis Goff said the multimillion dollar project, which will be funded by private donations, will included state-of-the-art videoboards, a new sound system and lighting, reimagined concourses on all three levels along with changes to the adjacent Wagnon Student Athletic Center.UNDATED (AP) — Jim Boeheim’s 47-year tenure as coach at Syracuse ended Wednesday, with the university saying Orange assistant Adrian Autry has been promoted into the job. The move came less than three hours after Syracuse lost to Wake Forest in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, after which Boeheim hinted at retirement but said it would ultimately be the university’s decision.UNDATED (AP) — Daniel Jones turned one decent season into a mega-money contract that raises the standard in the NFL. Once the New York Giants gave Jones a deal worth $160 million over four years — $82 million is reportedly guaranteed for the first two seasons — the price tag went up for quarterbacks around the league. Way up. If Jones can join Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and six others in the $40 million-per-year club after a breakout season in which he threw just 15 touchdown passes and ran for seven more, how much money will more accomplished QBs get paid?TOKYO (AP) — Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani is arguably the game's best player anywhere. But in Japan, he's more than just a baseball player. He's an antidote for many in his native country. Japanese culture and politics seem more tenuous than a few decades ago. The economy is stagnant. The birthrate is among the world’s lowest. The rivalry with China is never from from people's minds. In this environment, the return of Ohtani to play for Japan in the World Baseball Classic is playing huge. As one fan puts it, his achievements “have had a positive influence on all Japanese people.”WEDNESDAY SCORESINTERLEAGUEFinal Baltimore 7 Pittsburgh 4Final Detroit 2 Washington 1Final St. Louis 4 N.Y. Yankees 0Final Arizona 2 Texas 0Final L.A. Angels 4 Colorado 3Final Dominican Republic 9 Atlanta 0Final Chicago Cubs 11 Canada 7Final Milwaukee 8 Great Britain 2Final Nicaragua 2 N.Y. Mets 0Final Miami 11 Israel 5Final San Francisco 5 United States 1Final Seattle 2 L.A. Dodgers 2AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Minnesota 7 Toronto 0Final Kansas City 14 Chicago White Sox 5Final Cleveland 6 Mexico 0Final Colombia 3 Oakland 2Final Boston 9 Puerto Rico 3Final Venezuela 9 Houston 8NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Cincinnati 10 San Diego 9NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal Atlanta 122 Washington 120Final Boston 115 Portland 93Final New Orleans 113 Dallas 106Final Cleveland 104 Miami 100Final Chicago 117 Denver 96Final Phoenix 132 Oklahoma City 101Final L.A. Clippers 108 Toronto 100NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal Minnesota 4 Winnipeg 2Final Detroit 4 Chicago 3Final OT Vancouver 3 Anaheim 2

Sports Headlines for Thursday

Wichita Independent 55, Pittsburg Colgan 46

St. John's Beloit-Tipton 45, Hutchinson Central Christian 40

Wichita Bishop Carroll 58, Andover Central 47

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678362962178.jpeg" alt="KSHSAAA-State Basketball&nbsp; Quarter Finals" />
 <figcaption>KSHSAAA-State Basketball&nbsp; Quarter Finals</figcaption>
 </figure>Wednesday's ScoresThe Associated PressBOYS PREP BASKETBALL=Wichita Sunrise 75, New Hampton, N.H. 71KSHSAA State Tournament=Class 2A=Quarterfinal=Hays-TMP-Marian 52, Horton 27Medicine Lodge 56, Bennington 45Moundridge 63, St. Mary's 31Wichita Independent 55, Pittsburg Colgan 46Class 4A=Quarterfinal=Bishop Miege 88, Atchison 70Eudora 46, Baldwin 42, OTHugoton 80, Clay Center 63McPherson 71, Wellington 49Class 6A=Quarterfinal=BV North 44, Manhattan 39, OTBV Northwest 73, SM Northwest 54Derby 64, Olathe North 54Wichita Heights 67, Junction City 44<h2>GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL=</h2>KSHSAA State Tournament=Class 1A Div I=Quarterfinal=Doniphan West 60, Central Plains 40Frankfort 61, South Gray 53Norwich 42, Canton-Galva 34Quinter 57, Olpe 47Class 1A Div II=Quarterfinal=Bucklin 44, South Haven 35Hanover 63, Wallace County 32Lebo 56, Pawnee Heights 12St. John's Beloit-Tipton 45, Hutchinson Central Christian 40Class 3A=Quarterfinal=Cheney 65, Eureka 48Goodland 53, Frontenac 48Phillipsburg 40, Riley County 27Silver Lake 72, Santa Fe Trail 41Class 5A=Quarterfinal=Andover 58, Emporia 48St. James Academy 65, Topeka Seaman 42St. Thomas Aquinas 66, Highland Park 22Wichita Bishop Carroll 58, Andover Central 47

🏀 High School State Scores from Wednesday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are about to have two big holes to fill, along with plenty of salary cap space to do it, as they enter free agency and begin putting together a roster for the defense of their Super Bowl title.

The Chiefs plan to decline using the franchise tag for the second time on left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., and they will release pass rusher Frank Clark, a person familiar with the decisions told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither of the moves has been officially made.

The Chiefs and Brown's representatives spent all last season working on a long-term deal for him, but the two sides never could reach an agreement and he wound up earning about $16.6 million on the franchise tag. Brown would have made more under second-year franchise tag rules and the Chiefs were unwilling to go there with his salary.

The deadline for teams to use the franchise tag is later Tuesday. And the Chiefs and Browns could still agree to a long-term deal by Monday, at which point he can begin negotiating with other teams.

“As always, it's more beneficial for us to get something done long term,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said last week at the scouting combine. “Unlike last year, I think we have at least a runway to work with. We've gotten to know his team a little bit better. We're excited to get that process started.”

The Chiefs, who also could lose right tackle Andrew Wylie to free agency, sent a package of draft picks to the Ravens to acquire Brown ahead of the 2021 season. He went on to start every game but one over two seasons in Kansas City, earning Pro Bowl nods each year and helping the Chiefs beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl last month.

What the 27-year-old Brown could demand on the open market is somewhat polarizing, though. He ranked in the top third of offensive tackles in metrics such as pass-block win rate but has been inconsistent at times.

As for Clark, the Chiefs were hoping to restructure a contract that would have been prohibitive for next season — the pass rusher would have counted nearly $29 million against the salary cap. They were able to do that last season and keep Clark in the fold, but they were unable to come to a similar agreement over the past two weeks.

The 29-year-old Clark had five sacks this past regular season before adding 2 1/2 more in the playoffs, moving him into third in postseason sacks since the NFL made them an official statistic in 1982. The victory over the Eagles also gave Clark his second Super Bowl ring in four years in Kansas City.

“I actually talked to him at the (Super Bowl victory) parade,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said last week. “He had to do some stuff for the actual exit physical, but I had a good talk with him. I love Frank Clark. It's just, you know, Veach has got to juggle all these different things going on. But Frank, he's a top-notch guy. I love him. Love him to death.”

Much like Brown, the Chiefs would be keen to reach an agreement with Clark once he hits free agency. He became a locker-room leader this past season, and rookie George Karlaftis praised Clark for helping him adapt to the NFL.

For now, parting with Brown and Clark leave the Chiefs with gaping holes on each side of the ball. But the moves also free up more than $40 million to use in free agency, and the Chiefs are expected to have 12 selections — once compensatory picks are awarded — to further fill holes when Kansas City hosts the NFL draft next month for the first time.

“You’ve just got to be buttoned up on your free agency plan,” Veach acknowledged. “You have to just have a plan, stick to it and knock it out of the park. And if the plan doesn’t work, you have to move on quickly.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are about to have two big holes to fill, along with plenty of salary cap space to do it, as they enter free agency and begin putting together a roster for the defense of their Super Bowl title.The Chiefs plan to decline using the franchise tag for the second time on left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., and they will release pass rusher Frank Clark, a person familiar with the decisions told The Associated Press on Tuesday.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither of the moves has been officially made.The Chiefs and Brown's representatives spent all last season working on a long-term deal for him, but the two sides never could reach an agreement and he wound up earning about $16.6 million on the franchise tag. Brown would have made more under second-year franchise tag rules and the Chiefs were unwilling to go there with his salary.The deadline for teams to use the franchise tag is later Tuesday. And the Chiefs and Browns could still agree to a long-term deal by Monday, at which point he can begin negotiating with other teams.“As always, it's more beneficial for us to get something done long term,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said last week at the scouting combine. “Unlike last year, I think we have at least a runway to work with. We've gotten to know his team a little bit better. We're excited to get that process started.”The Chiefs, who also could lose right tackle Andrew Wylie to free agency, sent a package of draft picks to the Ravens to acquire Brown ahead of the 2021 season. He went on to start every game but one over two seasons in Kansas City, earning Pro Bowl nods each year and helping the Chiefs beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl last month.What the 27-year-old Brown could demand on the open market is somewhat polarizing, though. He ranked in the top third of offensive tackles in metrics such as pass-block win rate but has been inconsistent at times.As for Clark, the Chiefs were hoping to restructure a contract that would have been prohibitive for next season — the pass rusher would have counted nearly $29 million against the salary cap. They were able to do that last season and keep Clark in the fold, but they were unable to come to a similar agreement over the past two weeks.The 29-year-old Clark had five sacks this past regular season before adding 2 1/2 more in the playoffs, moving him into third in postseason sacks since the NFL made them an official statistic in 1982. The victory over the Eagles also gave Clark his second Super Bowl ring in four years in Kansas City.“I actually talked to him at the (Super Bowl victory) parade,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said last week. “He had to do some stuff for the actual exit physical, but I had a good talk with him. I love Frank Clark. It's just, you know, Veach has got to juggle all these different things going on. But Frank, he's a top-notch guy. I love him. Love him to death.”Much like Brown, the Chiefs would be keen to reach an agreement with Clark once he hits free agency. He became a locker-room leader this past season, and rookie George Karlaftis praised Clark for helping him adapt to the NFL.For now, parting with Brown and Clark leave the Chiefs with gaping holes on each side of the ball. But the moves also free up more than $40 million to use in free agency, and the Chiefs are expected to have 12 selections — once compensatory picks are awarded — to further fill holes when Kansas City hosts the NFL draft next month for the first time.“You’ve just got to be buttoned up on your free agency plan,” Veach acknowledged. “You have to just have a plan, stick to it and knock it out of the park. And if the plan doesn’t work, you have to move on quickly.”

🏈 AP source: Chiefs sending Brown, Clark into free agency

HUTCHINSON, Kan.&nbsp;— The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 73-68 loss to the Coffeyville Red Ravens on Tuesday evening in the Sports Arena.

The Blue Dragons held a slim 6-4 lead with 7:40 remaining in the first quarter. That would be the only lead HutchCC would have the entire game.

Hutchinson (23-8) trailed 14-7 after the first quarter and then outscored the Red Ravens in the second period to pull within 27-23 at halftime.

Coffeyville (20-12) did most of its damage from behind the arc, knocking down 11-of-21 attempts from deep. Kyleigh Ortiz led the Red Ravens' charge with eight of the made triples to account for a game-high 26 points.

The Blue Dragons tried to make a push in the third quarter, but ultimately went into the final quarter trailing 53-47. Hutchinson pulled within five with under 40 seconds left in the fourth, but Red Raven free throws doomed the Blue Dragons' comeback bid.

HutchCC knocked down 23-of-60 shots for 38 percent, while going 6-of-17 (35 percent) from the three-point line. The Blue Dragons made 16-of-22 (72 percent) free throws, as well.

Coffeyville connected on 22-of-49 (44 percent) shots and 18-of-26 (69 percent) from the charity stripe.&nbsp;

The Blue Dragons were led by Morgan Browning's 16 points. Kali Howard had 13. The Red Ravens were paced by Ortiz, but also received 14 points from Tetona Woods-Blackowl.

The Red Ravens advance to the Region VI semifinal against Dodge City on Friday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. from the Garvey Center on the Friends University campus.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678256034768.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan.&nbsp;— The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 73-68 loss to the Coffeyville Red Ravens on Tuesday evening in the Sports Arena.The Blue Dragons held a slim 6-4 lead with 7:40 remaining in the first quarter. That would be the only lead HutchCC would have the entire game.Hutchinson (23-8) trailed 14-7 after the first quarter and then outscored the Red Ravens in the second period to pull within 27-23 at halftime.Coffeyville (20-12) did most of its damage from behind the arc, knocking down 11-of-21 attempts from deep. Kyleigh Ortiz led the Red Ravens' charge with eight of the made triples to account for a game-high 26 points.The Blue Dragons tried to make a push in the third quarter, but ultimately went into the final quarter trailing 53-47. Hutchinson pulled within five with under 40 seconds left in the fourth, but Red Raven free throws doomed the Blue Dragons' comeback bid.HutchCC knocked down 23-of-60 shots for 38 percent, while going 6-of-17 (35 percent) from the three-point line. The Blue Dragons made 16-of-22 (72 percent) free throws, as well.Coffeyville connected on 22-of-49 (44 percent) shots and 18-of-26 (69 percent) from the charity stripe.&nbsp;The Blue Dragons were led by Morgan Browning's 16 points. Kali Howard had 13. The Red Ravens were paced by Ortiz, but also received 14 points from Tetona Woods-Blackowl.The Red Ravens advance to the Region VI semifinal against Dodge City on Friday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. from the Garvey Center on the Friends University campus.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

🏀 WBB: Blue Dragons eliminated in Region VI quarterfinal

GREAT BEND, Kan.&nbsp;— The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team wrapped up its season on Tuesday with a 72-68 loss at No. 20 Barton in the Region VI quarterfinal.

The Blue Dragons committed three turnovers in the final minute, which led to a 9-0 Cougar run to end the game and the Blue Dragons' season.

Hutchinson (20-12) jumped out to a red-hot start to grab a nine-point lead with 15:19 in the first half, matching the largest lead the Blue Dragons had for the game. Barton (23-8) kept chipping away and tied the game up at 38 going into halftime.

The Blue Dragons surrendered the lead for the first time early in the second half and were forced to battle from behind. The Cougars on the other hand extended that lead to eight with 15:07 left in the contest.

Hutchinson knocked down 10 three-point shots in the loss. The 19 Blue Dragon turnovers proved costly, resulting in 22 Barton points. The Cougars connected on 56 percent (28-of-50) of their shots, including 13-of-19 (68 percent) from the foul line. Hutchinson shot 41 percent (25-of-61) from the floor, and 8-of-12 (66 percent) from the line.

Aaron Franklin collected his 10th double-double of the season with a 12-point, 14-rebound game to lead the Blue Dragons. Antonio Green and Aaron Potter each added 11 off the bench for HutchCC. Barton had four players in double figures, led by Cougar Downing's 16 points.

The Cougars advance to the Region VI semifinal against Coffeyville. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday inside the Garvey Center at Friends University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678256174483.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>GREAT BEND, Kan.&nbsp;— The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team wrapped up its season on Tuesday with a 72-68 loss at No. 20 Barton in the Region VI quarterfinal.The Blue Dragons committed three turnovers in the final minute, which led to a 9-0 Cougar run to end the game and the Blue Dragons' season.Hutchinson (20-12) jumped out to a red-hot start to grab a nine-point lead with 15:19 in the first half, matching the largest lead the Blue Dragons had for the game. Barton (23-8) kept chipping away and tied the game up at 38 going into halftime.The Blue Dragons surrendered the lead for the first time early in the second half and were forced to battle from behind. The Cougars on the other hand extended that lead to eight with 15:07 left in the contest.Hutchinson knocked down 10 three-point shots in the loss. The 19 Blue Dragon turnovers proved costly, resulting in 22 Barton points. The Cougars connected on 56 percent (28-of-50) of their shots, including 13-of-19 (68 percent) from the foul line. Hutchinson shot 41 percent (25-of-61) from the floor, and 8-of-12 (66 percent) from the line.Aaron Franklin collected his 10th double-double of the season with a 12-point, 14-rebound game to lead the Blue Dragons. Antonio Green and Aaron Potter each added 11 off the bench for HutchCC. Barton had four players in double figures, led by Cougar Downing's 16 points.The Cougars advance to the Region VI semifinal against Coffeyville. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday inside the Garvey Center at Friends University.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

🏀 MBB: HutchCC falls at Barton in Region VI quarterfinal

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Top-seeded Kansas will begin defense of its Big 12 Tournament title on Thursday against the winner of No. 8 seed West Virginia and ninth-seeded Texas Tech in Kansas City. Those two meet in the first game of a first-round doubleheader Wednesday night with the winner of No. 7 seed Oklahoma State and No. 10 seed Oklahoma advancing to face second-seeded Texas. Two quarterfinal games already are set: No. 10 Baylor, the fourth seed, plays fifth-seeded Iowa State in Thursday’s opener, and No. 12 Kansas State, the third seed, plays sixth-seeded and No. 22 TCU in the nightcap.

UNDATED (AP) — Big 12 scoring and rebounding leader Jalen Wilson of Kansas is the unanimous pick as The Associated Press Big 12 player of the year. Kansas State senior forward Keyontae Johnson joins Wilson as the unanimous first-team All-Big 12 picks. Johnson, a transfer from Florida, was also selected as newcomer of the year. Texas graduate guard Marcus Carr, Baylor senior guard Adam Flagler and K-State junior guard Markquis Nowell round out the first-team picks. First-year Kansas State coach Jerome Tang is the AP coach of the year in the Big 12.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A person familiar with the decisions says the Kansas City Chiefs plan to decline using the franchise tag for the second consecutive year on left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., and they will release pass rusher Frank Clark. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither of the moves has been officially made. The moves leave the Super Bowl champions with gaping holes on both sides of the ball but also free up more than $20 million in salary cap space ahead of free agency.

UNDATED (AP) — Conference tournaments will give AP Top 25 teams a last chance this week to impact their seeding for the NCAA Tournament. Selection Sunday is only days away as those teams play across the country. The American Athletic, Big Ten and Southeastern conferences are among those that will hold their championship games on the day the field of 68 is announced. The Atlantic Coast, Big 12, Big East and Pac-12 conferences are all set to wrap up Saturday. Teams like No. 1 Houston, No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 Kansas and No. 4 Alabama are all positioned for top NCAA seeds.

UNDATED (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens say they are designating Lamar Jackson as their franchise player. That prevents him from becoming an unrestricted free agent this month after the expiration of his rookie contract. The nonexclusive franchise tag means Jackson can negotiate with other teams, but the Ravens would have a chance to match any agreement. If they choose not to match, they’d receive two first-round draft picks in return. If Jackson plays this season on the franchise tag, he’d make $32.4 million. Jackson becoming available could shake up NFL free agency, which opens later this month.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants have reached a new four-year contract with quarterback Daniel Jones and put a franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley. The Giants confirmed the deal with Jones on Tuesday night. The team reached an agreement with Jones' representatives with with the deadline for a franchise tag minutes away. The team announced that Barkley received a nonexclusive franchise tag, which means he’s able to negotiate a contract with other teams. He will earn more than $10 million this season if he does not agree to a long-term deal before training camp.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The process of sorting out this year's No. 1 overall draft pick began at the NFL's annual scouting combine. It's far from over. After seeing Anthony Richardson of Florida wow scouts with an impressive workout and Bryce Young of Alabama measure in shorter than expected, the next step for teams will be attending pro days and even more testing. Richardson and Young were just two examples of players who did well in Indianapolis. Many others weren't as fortunate.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — NFL teams shopping for receivers can find a little of bit everything at this year's scouting combine. And the variety reflects the evolving role that receivers, tight ends and even running backs are playing in today's game. The options in Indianapolis include tall and strong players, short and quick ones, deep threats and slot guys, polished receivers and tight ends, even multi-purpose running backs. It's because finding someone with the versatility to stretch the field has become an essential component in today's NFL.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AP) — The 20-team World Baseball Classic got underway after a six-year absence with the Netherlands defeating Cuba 4-2 in a Group A game in Taiwan to open the tournament. Play in Group B begins on Thursday in Tokyo with South Korea playing Australia and host Japan — led by Angels star Shohei Ohtani — up against China. Play in Groups C and D begins Saturday in Phoenix and Miami, The United States won the last tournament in 2017 and is among the favorites with the Dominican Republic and Japan. Japan has won it twice (2006, 2009) and the Dominicans once (2013).

DENVER (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had a rebound taken away by the league a day after his intentional miss of a layup led to him recording a triple-double. Social media had a field day with the incident involving the Milwaukee Bucks' standout. The moment dredged up conversations about “stat padding." While wiping away Antetokounmpo’s last board was probably an easy call for the league, it sometimes can be a fine line between padding one’s stats and just playing the game hard. Russell Westbrook no doubt heard the innuendos when he was a triple-double machine with Oklahoma City. Two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic has recently heard it, too.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The PGA Tour looks to have stolen a page or two from the LIV Golf playbook. The tour will have 11 designated tournaments next year with small fields, big money and no cuts. Just like LIV. It's guaranteeing to have all its stars for every round. Just like LIV. The difference in the tours comes from asking a question. If the PGA Tour had this plan two years ago, how many would have stayed? What attracted so many to the Saudi-funded LIV circuit was signing bonuses. And where the PGA Tour gets its plan right is providing avenues for new faces.

Final (9)Gonzaga 77 (16)Saint Mary's (Cal.) 51

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654258011178.jpeg" alt="Sports Update for Wednesday" />
 <figcaption>Sports Update for Wednesday</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Top-seeded Kansas will begin defense of its Big 12 Tournament title on Thursday against the winner of No. 8 seed West Virginia and ninth-seeded Texas Tech in Kansas City. Those two meet in the first game of a first-round doubleheader Wednesday night with the winner of No. 7 seed Oklahoma State and No. 10 seed Oklahoma advancing to face second-seeded Texas. Two quarterfinal games already are set: No. 10 Baylor, the fourth seed, plays fifth-seeded Iowa State in Thursday’s opener, and No. 12 Kansas State, the third seed, plays sixth-seeded and No. 22 TCU in the nightcap.UNDATED (AP) — Big 12 scoring and rebounding leader Jalen Wilson of Kansas is the unanimous pick as The Associated Press Big 12 player of the year. Kansas State senior forward Keyontae Johnson joins Wilson as the unanimous first-team All-Big 12 picks. Johnson, a transfer from Florida, was also selected as newcomer of the year. Texas graduate guard Marcus Carr, Baylor senior guard Adam Flagler and K-State junior guard Markquis Nowell round out the first-team picks. First-year Kansas State coach Jerome Tang is the AP coach of the year in the Big 12.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A person familiar with the decisions says the Kansas City Chiefs plan to decline using the franchise tag for the second consecutive year on left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., and they will release pass rusher Frank Clark. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither of the moves has been officially made. The moves leave the Super Bowl champions with gaping holes on both sides of the ball but also free up more than $20 million in salary cap space ahead of free agency.UNDATED (AP) — Conference tournaments will give AP Top 25 teams a last chance this week to impact their seeding for the NCAA Tournament. Selection Sunday is only days away as those teams play across the country. The American Athletic, Big Ten and Southeastern conferences are among those that will hold their championship games on the day the field of 68 is announced. The Atlantic Coast, Big 12, Big East and Pac-12 conferences are all set to wrap up Saturday. Teams like No. 1 Houston, No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 Kansas and No. 4 Alabama are all positioned for top NCAA seeds.UNDATED (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens say they are designating Lamar Jackson as their franchise player. That prevents him from becoming an unrestricted free agent this month after the expiration of his rookie contract. The nonexclusive franchise tag means Jackson can negotiate with other teams, but the Ravens would have a chance to match any agreement. If they choose not to match, they’d receive two first-round draft picks in return. If Jackson plays this season on the franchise tag, he’d make $32.4 million. Jackson becoming available could shake up NFL free agency, which opens later this month.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants have reached a new four-year contract with quarterback Daniel Jones and put a franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley. The Giants confirmed the deal with Jones on Tuesday night. The team reached an agreement with Jones' representatives with with the deadline for a franchise tag minutes away. The team announced that Barkley received a nonexclusive franchise tag, which means he’s able to negotiate a contract with other teams. He will earn more than $10 million this season if he does not agree to a long-term deal before training camp.INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The process of sorting out this year's No. 1 overall draft pick began at the NFL's annual scouting combine. It's far from over. After seeing Anthony Richardson of Florida wow scouts with an impressive workout and Bryce Young of Alabama measure in shorter than expected, the next step for teams will be attending pro days and even more testing. Richardson and Young were just two examples of players who did well in Indianapolis. Many others weren't as fortunate.INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — NFL teams shopping for receivers can find a little of bit everything at this year's scouting combine. And the variety reflects the evolving role that receivers, tight ends and even running backs are playing in today's game. The options in Indianapolis include tall and strong players, short and quick ones, deep threats and slot guys, polished receivers and tight ends, even multi-purpose running backs. It's because finding someone with the versatility to stretch the field has become an essential component in today's NFL.TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AP) — The 20-team World Baseball Classic got underway after a six-year absence with the Netherlands defeating Cuba 4-2 in a Group A game in Taiwan to open the tournament. Play in Group B begins on Thursday in Tokyo with South Korea playing Australia and host Japan — led by Angels star Shohei Ohtani — up against China. Play in Groups C and D begins Saturday in Phoenix and Miami, The United States won the last tournament in 2017 and is among the favorites with the Dominican Republic and Japan. Japan has won it twice (2006, 2009) and the Dominicans once (2013).DENVER (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had a rebound taken away by the league a day after his intentional miss of a layup led to him recording a triple-double. Social media had a field day with the incident involving the Milwaukee Bucks' standout. The moment dredged up conversations about “stat padding." While wiping away Antetokounmpo’s last board was probably an easy call for the league, it sometimes can be a fine line between padding one’s stats and just playing the game hard. Russell Westbrook no doubt heard the innuendos when he was a triple-double machine with Oklahoma City. Two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic has recently heard it, too.PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The PGA Tour looks to have stolen a page or two from the LIV Golf playbook. The tour will have 11 designated tournaments next year with small fields, big money and no cuts. Just like LIV. It's guaranteeing to have all its stars for every round. Just like LIV. The difference in the tours comes from asking a question. If the PGA Tour had this plan two years ago, how many would have stayed? What attracted so many to the Saudi-funded LIV circuit was signing bonuses. And where the PGA Tour gets its plan right is providing avenues for new faces.TUESDAY SCORESTOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALLFinal (9)Gonzaga 77 (16)Saint Mary's (Cal.) 51INTERLEAGUEFinal Pittsburgh 7 Toronto 2Final Detroit 16 St. Louis 3Final Tampa Bay 7 Philadelphia 3Final Chicago White Sox 5 Milwaukee 2Final L.A. Angels 5 San Diego 4Final Chicago Cubs 9 Texas 6Final Oakland 9 Arizona 3Final Boston 10 Atlanta 2Final N.Y. Mets 5 Houston 5AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Minnesota 7 Baltimore 6NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Washington 5 Miami 3Final Cincinnati 7 San Francisco 3NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal Washington 119 Detroit 117Final Milwaukee 134 Orlando 123Final Charlotte 112 New York 105Final Philadelphia 117 Minnesota 94Final Brooklyn 118 Houston 96Final Oklahoma City 137 Golden State 128Final Dallas 120 Utah 116Final L.A. Lakers 112 Memphis 103NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal Toronto 4 New Jersey 3Final Florida 2 Vegas 1Final OT Pittsburgh 5 Columbus 4Final Tampa Bay 5 Philadelphia 2Final SO Carolina 4 Montreal 3Final N-Y Islanders 3 Buffalo 2Final SO Calgary 1 Minnesota 0Final Colorado 6 San Jose 0Final Arizona 6 St. Louis 2Final Seattle 5 Anaheim 2

Sports Headlines for Wednesday

Class 1A-DI @ Dodge City Thursday Quarterfinals 2:00 Olpe (21-2) vs Centralia (15-8) 4:00 Wichita-Classical (21-2) vs Elyria Christian (20-3) 6:00 Macksville (21-2) vs LaCrosse (18-5) 8:00 Clifton Clyde-vs South Gray (20-3) Friday Semi-Finals 4:00&nbsp; 8:00 Saturday Championship 2:00 3rd Place 6:15 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp;

Class 1A-DI @ Barton Community College Great Bend Thursday Quarterfinals 2:00 Olpe Greeley County (22-1) vs Southern Cloud (12-11) 4:00 Stafford (18-5) vs South Central (17-7) 6:00 Axtell (20-4) vs Bucklin (15-9) 8:00 St. John's-Tipton (19-5) vs Lebo (16-7) Friday Semi-Finals 4:00&nbsp; 8:00 Saturday Championship 2:00 3rd Place 6:15 Championship&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Class 2A @ Manhattan Wednesday Quarterfinals 2:00 Wichita Independent (21-2) vs Pitt-Colgan (11-11) 4:00 Bennington (19-4) vs Medicine Lodge (17-6) 6:00 TMP (21-2) vs Horton (15-8) 8:00 Moundridge (20-3) vs St. Mary's (16-7) Friday Semi-Finals 2:00&nbsp; 6:00 Saturday Championship 12:00 3rd Place 4:00 Championship&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Class 3A @ Hutchinson Thursday Quarterfinals 2:00 Galena (23-0) vs Wellsville (18-5) 4:00 Marysville (21-2) vs Wichita Collegiate (20-3) 6:00 Southeast of Saline (22-1) vs Perry Lecompton (19-4) 8:00 Hesston (22-1) vs Colby (20-3) Friday Semi-Finals 4:00&nbsp; 8:00 Saturday Championship 2:00 3rd Place 6:15 Championship&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Class 3A @ Emporia Thursday Quarterfinals 2:00 Highland Park (22-0) vs Basehor-Linwood (9-13) 4:00 Andover (20-2) vs Maize South (19-3) 6:00 Kapaun Mt. Carmel (21-1) vs Blue Valley Southwest (14-9) 8:00 Hutchinson (21-1) vs Pittsburg (17-5) Friday Semi-Finals 4:00&nbsp; 8:00 Saturday Championship 2:00 3rd Place 6:15 Championship&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Class 4A @ Salina Wednesday Quarterfinals 2:00 Hugoton (20-2) vs Clay Center (9-13) 4:00 Eudora (18-4) vs Baldwin (18-4) 6:00 McPherson (19-3) vs Wellington (15-7) 8:00 Atchison (19-3) vs Bishop Miege (16-6) Friday Semi-Finals 2:00&nbsp; 6:00 Saturday Championship 12:00 3rd Place 4:00 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; Class 6A @ Wichita Wednesday Quarterfinals 2:00 Blue Valley North (19-3) vs Manhattan (14-8) 4:00 Blue Valley Northwest (18-4) vs S.M. Northwest (15-7 6:00 Wichita Heights (20-2) vs Junction City (13-9) 8:00 Derby (16-6) vs Olathe North (16-6) Friday Semi-Finals 2:00&nbsp; 6:00 Saturday Championship 12:00 3rd Place 4:00 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678271994606.jpeg" alt="KSHSAA State 2023" />
 <figcaption>KSHSAA State 2023</figcaption>
 </figure>Class 1A-DI @ Dodge City Thursday Quarterfinals 2:00 Olpe (21-2) vs Centralia (15-8) 4:00 Wichita-Classical (21-2) vs Elyria Christian (20-3) 6:00 Macksville (21-2) vs LaCrosse (18-5) 8:00 Clifton Clyde-vs South Gray (20-3) Friday Semi-Finals 4:00&nbsp; 8:00 Saturday Championship 2:00 3rd Place 6:15 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; Class 1A-DI @ Barton Community College Great Bend Thursday Quarterfinals 2:00 Olpe Greeley County (22-1) vs Southern Cloud (12-11) 4:00 Stafford (18-5) vs South Central (17-7) 6:00 Axtell (20-4) vs Bucklin (15-9) 8:00 St. John's-Tipton (19-5) vs Lebo (16-7) Friday Semi-Finals 4:00&nbsp; 8:00 Saturday Championship 2:00 3rd Place 6:15 Championship&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Class 2A @ Manhattan Wednesday Quarterfinals 2:00 Wichita Independent (21-2) vs Pitt-Colgan (11-11) 4:00 Bennington (19-4) vs Medicine Lodge (17-6) 6:00 TMP (21-2) vs Horton (15-8) 8:00 Moundridge (20-3) vs St. Mary's (16-7) Friday Semi-Finals 2:00&nbsp; 6:00 Saturday Championship 12:00 3rd Place 4:00 Championship&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Class 3A @ Hutchinson Thursday Quarterfinals 2:00 Galena (23-0) vs Wellsville (18-5) 4:00 Marysville (21-2) vs Wichita Collegiate (20-3) 6:00 Southeast of Saline (22-1) vs Perry Lecompton (19-4) 8:00 Hesston (22-1) vs Colby (20-3) Friday Semi-Finals 4:00&nbsp; 8:00 Saturday Championship 2:00 3rd Place 6:15 Championship&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Class 3A @ Emporia Thursday Quarterfinals 2:00 Highland Park (22-0) vs Basehor-Linwood (9-13) 4:00 Andover (20-2) vs Maize South (19-3) 6:00 Kapaun Mt. Carmel (21-1) vs Blue Valley Southwest (14-9) 8:00 Hutchinson (21-1) vs Pittsburg (17-5) Friday Semi-Finals 4:00&nbsp; 8:00 Saturday Championship 2:00 3rd Place 6:15 Championship&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Class 4A @ Salina Wednesday Quarterfinals 2:00 Hugoton (20-2) vs Clay Center (9-13) 4:00 Eudora (18-4) vs Baldwin (18-4) 6:00 McPherson (19-3) vs Wellington (15-7) 8:00 Atchison (19-3) vs Bishop Miege (16-6) Friday Semi-Finals 2:00&nbsp; 6:00 Saturday Championship 12:00 3rd Place 4:00 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; Class 6A @ Wichita Wednesday Quarterfinals 2:00 Blue Valley North (19-3) vs Manhattan (14-8) 4:00 Blue Valley Northwest (18-4) vs S.M. Northwest (15-7 6:00 Wichita Heights (20-2) vs Junction City (13-9) 8:00 Derby (16-6) vs Olathe North (16-6) Friday Semi-Finals 2:00&nbsp; 6:00 Saturday Championship 12:00 3rd Place 4:00 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

🏀 KSHSAA Boys State Tournament Pairings

Class 1A-DI @ Dodge City Wednesday Quarterfinals 2:00 Norwich (21-2) vs Canton-Galva (15-8) 4:00 Central Plains (19-4) vs Doniphan West (18-5) 6:00 Quinter (20-3) vs Olpe (16-7) 8:00 Frankfort (20-3) vs South Gray (17-6) Friday Semi-Finals 2:00&nbsp; 6:00 Saturday Championship 12:00 3rd Place 4:00 Championship&nbsp;&nbsp;

Class 1A-DII @ Barton Community College Great Bend Wednesday Quarterfinals 2:00 Hanover (23-0) vs Wallace County (16-7) 4:00 South Haven (19-4) Bucklin (19-4) 6:00 Lebo (23-0) vs Pawnee Heights (10-13) 8:00 St. John's/Tipton (20-4) vs Central Christian (16-7) Friday Semi-Finals 2:00&nbsp; 6:00 Saturday Championship 12:00 3rd Place 4:00 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; Class 2A @ Manhattan Thursday Quarterfinals 2:00 Pitt-Colgan (22-0) vs St. Mary's (12-11) 4:00 Riverside (20-3) vs Wichita Independent (19-4) 6:00 Berean Academy (22-1) vs Hoxie (18-5) 8:00 Hillsboro (20-3) vs Wichita County (19-4) Friday Semi-Finals 4:00&nbsp; 8:00 Saturday Championship 2:00 3rd Place 6:15 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; Class 3A @ Hutchinson Wednesday Quarterfinals 2:00 Phillipsburg (23-0) vs Riley County (16-7) 4:00 Cheney (21-2) vs Eureka (21-2) 6:00 Goodland (23-0) vs Frontenac (17-6) 8:00 Silver Lake (22-1) vs Santa Fe Trail (21-2) Friday Semi-Finals 2:00&nbsp; 6:00 Saturday Championship 12:00 3rd Place 4:00 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; Class 5A @ Emporia Wednesday Quarterfinals 2:00 Topeka-Seaman (21-1) vs St. James Academy (17-5) 4:00 St. Thomas Aquinas (19-3) vs Highland Park (19-3) 6:00 Bishop Carroll (20-2) vs Andover Central (17-5) 8:00 Andover (20-2) vs Emporia (18-3) Friday Semi-Finals 2:00&nbsp; 6:00 Saturday Championship 12:00 3rd Place 4:00 Championship&nbsp;&nbsp; Class 4A @ Salina Thursday Quarterfinals 2:00 Wellington (21-1) vs Bishop Miege (13-9) 4:00 Independence (18-4) vs Hugoton (17-5) 6:00 McPherson (20-2) vs Topeka-Hayden (15-7) 8:00 Andale (19-3) vs Parsons (16-6) Friday Semi-Finals 4:00&nbsp; 8:00 Saturday Championship 2:00 3rd Place 6:15 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Class 6A @ Wichita Thursday Quarterfinals 2:00 S.M. South (22-0) vs Blue Valley (15-7) 4:00 Lawrence (18-4) vs Washburn-Rural (16-5) 6:00 Derby (20-2) vs Olathe Northwest (15-7) 8:00 Blue Valley North (18-4) vs Wichita Southeast (16-6) Friday Semi-Finals 4:00&nbsp; 8:00 Saturday Championship 2:00 3rd Place 6:15 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678107817239.jpeg" alt="KSHSAA State basketball 2023" />
 <figcaption>KSHSAA State basketball 2023</figcaption>
 </figure>Class 1A-DI @ Dodge City Wednesday Quarterfinals 2:00 Norwich (21-2) vs Canton-Galva (15-8) 4:00 Central Plains (19-4) vs Doniphan West (18-5) 6:00 Quinter (20-3) vs Olpe (16-7) 8:00 Frankfort (20-3) vs South Gray (17-6) Friday Semi-Finals 2:00&nbsp; 6:00 Saturday Championship 12:00 3rd Place 4:00 Championship&nbsp;&nbsp;Class 1A-DII @ Barton Community College Great Bend Wednesday Quarterfinals 2:00 Hanover (23-0) vs Wallace County (16-7) 4:00 South Haven (19-4) Bucklin (19-4) 6:00 Lebo (23-0) vs Pawnee Heights (10-13) 8:00 St. John's/Tipton (20-4) vs Central Christian (16-7) Friday Semi-Finals 2:00&nbsp; 6:00 Saturday Championship 12:00 3rd Place 4:00 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; Class 2A @ Manhattan Thursday Quarterfinals 2:00 Pitt-Colgan (22-0) vs St. Mary's (12-11) 4:00 Riverside (20-3) vs Wichita Independent (19-4) 6:00 Berean Academy (22-1) vs Hoxie (18-5) 8:00 Hillsboro (20-3) vs Wichita County (19-4) Friday Semi-Finals 4:00&nbsp; 8:00 Saturday Championship 2:00 3rd Place 6:15 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; Class 3A @ Hutchinson Wednesday Quarterfinals 2:00 Phillipsburg (23-0) vs Riley County (16-7) 4:00 Cheney (21-2) vs Eureka (21-2) 6:00 Goodland (23-0) vs Frontenac (17-6) 8:00 Silver Lake (22-1) vs Santa Fe Trail (21-2) Friday Semi-Finals 2:00&nbsp; 6:00 Saturday Championship 12:00 3rd Place 4:00 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; Class 5A @ Emporia Wednesday Quarterfinals 2:00 Topeka-Seaman (21-1) vs St. James Academy (17-5) 4:00 St. Thomas Aquinas (19-3) vs Highland Park (19-3) 6:00 Bishop Carroll (20-2) vs Andover Central (17-5) 8:00 Andover (20-2) vs Emporia (18-3) Friday Semi-Finals 2:00&nbsp; 6:00 Saturday Championship 12:00 3rd Place 4:00 Championship&nbsp;&nbsp; Class 4A @ Salina Thursday Quarterfinals 2:00 Wellington (21-1) vs Bishop Miege (13-9) 4:00 Independence (18-4) vs Hugoton (17-5) 6:00 McPherson (20-2) vs Topeka-Hayden (15-7) 8:00 Andale (19-3) vs Parsons (16-6) Friday Semi-Finals 4:00&nbsp; 8:00 Saturday Championship 2:00 3rd Place 6:15 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Class 6A @ Wichita Thursday Quarterfinals 2:00 S.M. South (22-0) vs Blue Valley (15-7) 4:00 Lawrence (18-4) vs Washburn-Rural (16-5) 6:00 Derby (20-2) vs Olathe Northwest (15-7) 8:00 Blue Valley North (18-4) vs Wichita Southeast (16-6) Friday Semi-Finals 4:00&nbsp; 8:00 Saturday Championship 2:00 3rd Place 6:15 Championship&nbsp; &nbsp;

🏀 KSHSAA Girls State Tournament Pairings

FORT WORTH, Texas –&nbsp;Eighth-seeded Wichita State recorded the biggest upset in American Athletic Conference Championship history with its 65-53 upset of top seed South Florida Tuesday afternoon in the quarterfinals. Wichita State (18-13) advances to the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Championship for the first time in school history with the wire-to-wire upset. This was only the second appearance in the quarterfinals for Wichita State in its brief history as a member of the American. The No. 1 seed had been 27-0 all-time in the AAC Championship entering today's quarterfinal matchup. The Shockers will face the winner of No. 4 Houston and No. 5 SMU Wednesday at 4 p.m. CT for a spot in the championship game. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jane-asinde/7152">Jane Asinde</a>&nbsp;scored a game-high 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting to go with eight rebounds.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/curtessia-dean/7199">Curtessia Dean</a>&nbsp;poured in 11 of her 14 points after halftime, and they all came at a time when South Florida started to threaten a comeback attempt. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/shamaryah-duncan/7156">Shamaryah Duncan</a>&nbsp;(9 points),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/dj-mccarty/7157">DJ McCarty</a>&nbsp;(8 points) and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/daniela-abies/7197">Daniela Abies</a>&nbsp;(6 points) all hit big shots at crucial points in the game. Wichita State held USF to 19-of-60 from the field (32 percent) and just 4-of-22 from beyond the arc. Wichita State knocked down 6-of-13 attempts from long range and finished at 47 percent overall. Wichita State came out firing on all cylinders to open the game. They started the game 7-of-8 from the field to build a 14-4 lead, while South Florida missed its first seven field goal attempts. Wichita State finished the quarter shooting 64 percent against one of the league's best field goal defenses. Seven first quarter points from Asinde and stingy defense saw Wichita State lead 15-8 after 10 minutes. The Bulls missed 12 of their 15 tries, including all five three-point attempts. Behind a 12-2 run over the first 6:30 of the second quarter, Wichita State had built a 27-13 lead, as frustration continued to mount on the offensive end for USF. Wichita State led by as many as 15 in the first half and would take a 32-20 lead into the locker room. The Shockers were in control from the opening tip. South Florida entered the matchup with the top field goal percentage offense in the conference, but were held to 8-for-31 from the floor and 2-of-11 from beyond the arc. Asinde led all scorers with 12 points in the first half, while the Co-American Player of the Year and USF's leading scorer, Elena Tsineke had just seven points on 3-of-11 shooting. The first cold spell hit Wichita State near the midway point of the third quarter. Wichita State went 3:14 without a basket and the Bulls cut the deficit to two, 35-33, behind an 11-0 run. A much-needed answer came in the way of a&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/curtessia-dean/7199">Curtessia Dean</a>&nbsp;triple to push the margin back to five with 4:41 left in the period. Dean would score nine straight for the Shockers to extend the lead back to nine with less than 2:00 minutes to go in the third. USF went 1-of-2 at the free throw line and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/daniela-abies/7197">Daniela Abies</a>&nbsp;banked in a 15-foot jumper before the buzzer sounded to send Wichita State into the final quarter with a 46-38 lead. Wichita State immediately pushed the margin back to double digits to begin the fourth quarter behind a 7-0 run from a McCarty three-pointer and four points from Abies made it 53-40. USF would never recover. Wichita State led by as many as 15 in the final 5:00 minutes and never let the lead shrink below 11.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678231664723.jpeg" alt="Shocker Women's Upset #1 South Florida" />
 <figcaption>Shocker Women's Upset #1 South Florida</figcaption>
 </figure>FORT WORTH, Texas –&nbsp;Eighth-seeded Wichita State recorded the biggest upset in American Athletic Conference Championship history with its 65-53 upset of top seed South Florida Tuesday afternoon in the quarterfinals. Wichita State (18-13) advances to the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Championship for the first time in school history with the wire-to-wire upset. This was only the second appearance in the quarterfinals for Wichita State in its brief history as a member of the American. The No. 1 seed had been 27-0 all-time in the AAC Championship entering today's quarterfinal matchup. The Shockers will face the winner of No. 4 Houston and No. 5 SMU Wednesday at 4 p.m. CT for a spot in the championship game. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jane-asinde/7152">Jane Asinde</a>&nbsp;scored a game-high 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting to go with eight rebounds.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/curtessia-dean/7199">Curtessia Dean</a>&nbsp;poured in 11 of her 14 points after halftime, and they all came at a time when South Florida started to threaten a comeback attempt. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/shamaryah-duncan/7156">Shamaryah Duncan</a>&nbsp;(9 points),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/dj-mccarty/7157">DJ McCarty</a>&nbsp;(8 points) and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/daniela-abies/7197">Daniela Abies</a>&nbsp;(6 points) all hit big shots at crucial points in the game. Wichita State held USF to 19-of-60 from the field (32 percent) and just 4-of-22 from beyond the arc. Wichita State knocked down 6-of-13 attempts from long range and finished at 47 percent overall. Wichita State came out firing on all cylinders to open the game. They started the game 7-of-8 from the field to build a 14-4 lead, while South Florida missed its first seven field goal attempts. Wichita State finished the quarter shooting 64 percent against one of the league's best field goal defenses. Seven first quarter points from Asinde and stingy defense saw Wichita State lead 15-8 after 10 minutes. The Bulls missed 12 of their 15 tries, including all five three-point attempts. Behind a 12-2 run over the first 6:30 of the second quarter, Wichita State had built a 27-13 lead, as frustration continued to mount on the offensive end for USF. Wichita State led by as many as 15 in the first half and would take a 32-20 lead into the locker room. The Shockers were in control from the opening tip. South Florida entered the matchup with the top field goal percentage offense in the conference, but were held to 8-for-31 from the floor and 2-of-11 from beyond the arc. Asinde led all scorers with 12 points in the first half, while the Co-American Player of the Year and USF's leading scorer, Elena Tsineke had just seven points on 3-of-11 shooting. The first cold spell hit Wichita State near the midway point of the third quarter. Wichita State went 3:14 without a basket and the Bulls cut the deficit to two, 35-33, behind an 11-0 run. A much-needed answer came in the way of a&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/curtessia-dean/7199">Curtessia Dean</a>&nbsp;triple to push the margin back to five with 4:41 left in the period. Dean would score nine straight for the Shockers to extend the lead back to nine with less than 2:00 minutes to go in the third. USF went 1-of-2 at the free throw line and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/daniela-abies/7197">Daniela Abies</a>&nbsp;banked in a 15-foot jumper before the buzzer sounded to send Wichita State into the final quarter with a 46-38 lead. Wichita State immediately pushed the margin back to double digits to begin the fourth quarter behind a 7-0 run from a McCarty three-pointer and four points from Abies made it 53-40. USF would never recover. Wichita State led by as many as 15 in the final 5:00 minutes and never let the lead shrink below 11.

🏀 WBB: Shockers make history in quarterfinal upset of No. 1 USF

<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2023/3/7/mens-basketball-tang-named-finalist-for-ben-jobe-national-coach-of-year-award.aspx">Via KStateSports</a>

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Head coach Jerome Tang was named one of 25 finalists for the 2023 Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year Award, which is annually given to the top Division I minority coach, on Tuesday (March 7).

The award is named for Jobe, an icon in the history of basketball at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. A former head coach at Alabama A&amp;M, Alabama State, Talladega, Tuskegee and South Carolina State, Jobe is best known for his 12-year stint as the head coach at Southern, where he led the Jaguars to 209 wins and four NCAA Tournament appearances. His team knocked off No. 2 seed Georgia Tech in the 1993 NCAA Tournament.

Tang is joined on the high-major list by Pittsburgh's Jeff Capel, Providence's Ed Cooley, Missouri's Dennis Gates, Memphis' Anfernee Hardaway, Houston's Kelvin Sampson, Marquette's Shaka Smart, Vanderbilt's Jerry Stackhouse, Texas' Rodney Terry and Indiana's Mike Woodson.

Others included as finalists, include Kennesaw State's Amir Abdur-Rahim, Rider's Kevin Baggett, Howard's Kenneth Blakeney, Alcorn State's Landon Bussie, Hofstra's Speedy Claxton, UMES' Jason Crafton, Northwestern State's Corey Gipson, Grambling's Donte' Jackson, Yale's James Jones, UNCG's Mike Jones, Norfolk State's Robert Jones, Liberty's Ritchie McKay, North Carolina Central's LeVelle Moton, Cleveland State's Daniyal Robinson and UNCW's Takayo Siddle.

The winner of the award will be announced at the Final Four in Houston.

Picked 10th in the preseason Big 12 poll and armed with just two returning players, Tang has guided the Wildcats to 23 wins so far this season and a tie for third place with an 11-7 record in the nation's toughest conference. His 23-8 record currently ties Gates, Xavier's Sean Miller and Duke's Jon Scheyer for the best mark by a first-year Division I head coach this season. His 23 wins tie Bob Huggins for the second-most by a first-year head coach in school history, while he is the fifth K-State head coach to win 20 games in his first season.

On Sunday, Tang became the seventh head coach in school history to earn conference Coach of the Year honors, including the third in the Big 12 era (joining Frank Martin and Bruce Weber). He joins Bruce Weber (2013) as the only coaches to be chosen for the distinction in their first seasons.

K-State has clinched a bye to the quarterfinals of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship as the No. 3 seed and will play No. 6 seed and No. 22/22 TCU (20-11, 9-9 Big 12) at 8:30 p.m., CT on Thursday, March 9.

<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2023/3/7/mens-basketball-tang-named-finalist-for-ben-jobe-national-coach-of-year-award.aspx">Via KStateSports</a>MANHATTAN, Kan. — Head coach Jerome Tang was named one of 25 finalists for the 2023 Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year Award, which is annually given to the top Division I minority coach, on Tuesday (March 7).The award is named for Jobe, an icon in the history of basketball at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. A former head coach at Alabama A&amp;M, Alabama State, Talladega, Tuskegee and South Carolina State, Jobe is best known for his 12-year stint as the head coach at Southern, where he led the Jaguars to 209 wins and four NCAA Tournament appearances. His team knocked off No. 2 seed Georgia Tech in the 1993 NCAA Tournament.Tang is joined on the high-major list by Pittsburgh's Jeff Capel, Providence's Ed Cooley, Missouri's Dennis Gates, Memphis' Anfernee Hardaway, Houston's Kelvin Sampson, Marquette's Shaka Smart, Vanderbilt's Jerry Stackhouse, Texas' Rodney Terry and Indiana's Mike Woodson.Others included as finalists, include Kennesaw State's Amir Abdur-Rahim, Rider's Kevin Baggett, Howard's Kenneth Blakeney, Alcorn State's Landon Bussie, Hofstra's Speedy Claxton, UMES' Jason Crafton, Northwestern State's Corey Gipson, Grambling's Donte' Jackson, Yale's James Jones, UNCG's Mike Jones, Norfolk State's Robert Jones, Liberty's Ritchie McKay, North Carolina Central's LeVelle Moton, Cleveland State's Daniyal Robinson and UNCW's Takayo Siddle.The winner of the award will be announced at the Final Four in Houston.Picked 10th in the preseason Big 12 poll and armed with just two returning players, Tang has guided the Wildcats to 23 wins so far this season and a tie for third place with an 11-7 record in the nation's toughest conference. His 23-8 record currently ties Gates, Xavier's Sean Miller and Duke's Jon Scheyer for the best mark by a first-year Division I head coach this season. His 23 wins tie Bob Huggins for the second-most by a first-year head coach in school history, while he is the fifth K-State head coach to win 20 games in his first season.On Sunday, Tang became the seventh head coach in school history to earn conference Coach of the Year honors, including the third in the Big 12 era (joining Frank Martin and Bruce Weber). He joins Bruce Weber (2013) as the only coaches to be chosen for the distinction in their first seasons.K-State has clinched a bye to the quarterfinals of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship as the No. 3 seed and will play No. 6 seed and No. 22/22 TCU (20-11, 9-9 Big 12) at 8:30 p.m., CT on Thursday, March 9.

🏀 MBB: K-State's Tang Named Finalist for Ben Jobe National Coach of Year Award

Region 6 Men Saturday Scores Cloud County 71, Cowley 63 Independence 82, Garden City 78 Hutchinson 102, NW Tech 79 Pratt 59, Seward County 58 Tuesday March 7 Cloud County (16-15) @&nbsp;Dodge City (22-8) Independence (10-21) @&nbsp;Butler (22-8) Hutchinson (20-11) @ Barton (22-8) Pratt (17-13) @ Coffeyville&nbsp;(23-7)

Friday March 10 @ Friends University 3pm - Semi-Finals 7pm - Semi Finals

Saturday March 11 @ Friends University 5pm Championship Game

Region 6 Women Saturday March 4 Independence 68, Cowley 54 Coffeyville 80, Pratt 69 Garden City 60, Seward County 59 Cloud County 84, NW Tech 68 Tuesday March 7 Cowley (16-15) @&nbsp;Dodge City (28-2) Coffeyville (19-12) @&nbsp;Hutchinson (23-7) Garden City (11-20) @ Butler (23-6) Cloud County (18-13) @ Barton (25-5)

Friday March 10 @ Friends University 1pm - Semi-Finals 5pm - Semi Finals

Saturday March 11 @ Friends University 3pm Championship Game

Region 6 Men Saturday Scores Cloud County 71, Cowley 63 Independence 82, Garden City 78 Hutchinson 102, NW Tech 79 Pratt 59, Seward County 58 Tuesday March 7 Cloud County (16-15) @&nbsp;Dodge City (22-8) Independence (10-21) @&nbsp;Butler (22-8) Hutchinson (20-11) @ Barton (22-8) Pratt (17-13) @ Coffeyville&nbsp;(23-7)Friday March 10 @ Friends University 3pm - Semi-Finals 7pm - Semi FinalsSaturday March 11 @ Friends University 5pm Championship GameRegion 6 Women Saturday March 4 Independence 68, Cowley 54 Coffeyville 80, Pratt 69 Garden City 60, Seward County 59 Cloud County 84, NW Tech 68 Tuesday March 7 Cowley (16-15) @&nbsp;Dodge City (28-2) Coffeyville (19-12) @&nbsp;Hutchinson (23-7) Garden City (11-20) @ Butler (23-6) Cloud County (18-13) @ Barton (25-5)Friday March 10 @ Friends University 1pm - Semi-Finals 5pm - Semi FinalsSaturday March 11 @ Friends University 3pm Championship Game

🏀 Region 6 Tournament Scores and Schedule

T-Mobile Center - Kansas City Wednesday March 8 No. 8 West Virginia vs. No. 9 Texas Tech (ESPN2/U) 6:00 p.m. No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Oklahoma (ESPN2/U) 8:30 p.m.

Thursday March 9 No. 4 Baylor vs. No. 5 Iowa State (ESPN/2) 11:30 a.m. No. 1 Kansas vs. West Virginia/Texas Tech winner (ESPN/2) 2:00 p.m. No. 2 Texas vs. O-State/Oklahoma winner (ESPN/2) 6:00 p.m. No. 3 Kansas State vs. No. 6 TCU (ESPN/2) 8:30 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678028263443.png" alt="Big12sports.com" />
 <figcaption>Big12sports.com</figcaption>
 </figure> T-Mobile Center - Kansas City Wednesday March 8 No. 8 West Virginia vs. No. 9 Texas Tech (ESPN2/U) 6:00 p.m. No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Oklahoma (ESPN2/U) 8:30 p.m.Thursday March 9 No. 4 Baylor vs. No. 5 Iowa State (ESPN/2) 11:30 a.m. No. 1 Kansas vs. West Virginia/Texas Tech winner (ESPN/2) 2:00 p.m. No. 2 Texas vs. O-State/Oklahoma winner (ESPN/2) 6:00 p.m. No. 3 Kansas State vs. No. 6 TCU (ESPN/2) 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 10 Baylor/Iowa State winner vs Kansas/WV/Tech winner&nbsp;(ESPN/2) 6:00 p.m. Kansas St./TCU winner vs Texas/OSU/OU winner&nbsp;(ESPN/2) 8:30 p.m.Saturday, March 11 Championship&nbsp;(ESPN) 5:00 p.m.