MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>&nbsp;led four Wildcats in double figures with a season-high 26 points, as Kansas State concluded its December non-conference schedule with a 73-65 win over a feisty Radford team on Wednesday afternoon before 6,939 fans at Bramlage Coliseum. K-State (11-1) heads into its 10-game holiday break with a 5-game winning streak, as the Wildcats continued their best start to a season since 2016-17. The 11 non-conference wins are the most since 2017-18 and tied six other teams for the third-most in a single season since 2006-07. Tomlin, who has now scored in double figures in 5 consecutive games, earned his first career 20-point game as a Wildcat by connecting on 11-of-18 field goals, which included 4 dunks, to go with a 3-pointer and all 3 free throws attempted. He also tied a season-high with 9 rebounds to go with 2 blocks, 1 assist and 1 steal in 33 minutes. Tomlin was joined in double figures by senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>, who shook off a poor shooting night to post 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting, as well as seniors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/desi-sills/9686">Desi Sills</a>, who each added 10 points. The Wildcats have now had at least four double-digit scorers in each of the last four games. On the strength of Tomlin's play, K-State took control of the game with a 9-0 run late in the first half then held a double-digit lead for much of the second half before a scrappy Radford (6-7) created some anxious moments for the home team. The Highlanders used a 13-2 run to cut the deficit to 71-65 with less than a minute to play. However, the Wildcats were able to hold off any further rally with a big steal from Sills on a tie-up and a pair of free throws from Johnson for the final margin of victory. In addition to his scoring, Nowell also dished out a game-high 11 assists to record his 11th&nbsp;career double-double, including his seventh at K-State, and his third of the season. His 7 career double-doubles as a Wildcat extended his school record. He reached 100 assists in just 12 games, which is the fastest such streak in school history. Johnson also reached a milestone, as the first of his two free throws with 20 seconds remaining gave him 1,000 points for his career. He has now scored in double figures in all 12 games this season. For the game, K-State connected on 49.2 percent (29-of-59) from the field, including 57.1 percent (24-of-42) from inside the 3-point arc, and hit on 66.7 percent (10-of-15) from the free throw line. The Wildcats scored 42 points in the second half on 59.3 percent (16-of-27) shooting. The team also tallied 46 points in the paint, which marked the third time in 4 games that they have posted 40 or more points in the paint. Six of Radford's 7 losses have now come by 10 points or less, including 79-69 at Marquette on Nov. 7 and 79-76 at Notre Dame on Nov. 10. The Highlanders shot 40.7 percent (24-of-59) from the field, including 35 percent (7-of-20) from 3-point range, and made 55.6 percent (10-of-18) from the free throw line. It was the first meeting between K-State and Radford. HOW IT HAPPENED Radford started off the game off strong by scoring 8 of the first 11 points before leading 11-6 on a 3-pointer by senior&nbsp;Josiah Jeffers&nbsp;just after the first media timeout. K-State responded with a 14-4 run – capped by back-to-back 3-pointers from senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/desi-sills/9686">Desi Sills</a>&nbsp;– to take a 20-15 lead with just over 9 minutes to play. The Highlanders regained the lead at 23-22 on a 3-pointer by junior&nbsp;Bryan Antoine, but the Wildcats used a 9-0 run to take a 31-23 lead with 1:44 before halftime. Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>, who had a game-high 11 points in the first half, had 4 points in the run. However, the battle-tested Highlanders, who were playing their fourth straight road game, were able to finish off the first half with 5 straight points to close to within 31-28. The teams traded the lead in the early going of the second half before K-State used an 11-0 run to take a 45-35 lead and force Radford head coach&nbsp;Darris Nichols&nbsp;to call a timeout at the 14:17 mark. Tomlin was once again key in the run, scoring 7 of the 11 points, including 5 in a row before the timeout. The Wildcat lead grew to 55-40 with 8:40 remaining after an 8-0 run as senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>&nbsp;shook off a rough shooting start to score 6 of the 8 points in the run. A fourth dunk by Tomlin and layup by senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/abayomi-iyiola/9697">Abayomi Iyiola</a>&nbsp;gave K-State a 63-46 advantage with under 6 minutes to play. However, the pesky Highlanders wouldn't go away, as they used a 13-2 run to close to within 71-65 with 49 seconds remaining. The Wildcats were able to get a big steal from senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/desi-sills/9686">Desi Sills</a>&nbsp;on a tie-up and a pair of free throws from Johnson to finish the game off with a final score of 73-65. PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>&nbsp;tallied a near double-double with a season-best 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting with a season-tying 9 rebounds in 33 minutes. He has now scored in double figures in 5 games. Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;collected his third double-double of the season and the 11th&nbsp;in his career with 10 points and a game-high 11 assists in 36 minutes. He has now dished out double-digit assists in 4 games this season. STAT OF THE GAME 46 – K-State used its size and athleticism to post 46 of its 73 points in the paint. The Wildcats have now scored 40 or more points in the paint in 5 games this season, including 3 times in the last 4 games. IN THEIR WORDS Head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/1856">Jerome Tang</a> Opening statement... "Alright, first off, I just want to say I didn't get the tech for saying anything. Alright, so I don't owe any pushups. I got the tech because I was out on the floor and I was out on the floor because I wanted to stop the fast break, which was great. So, we stopped the fast break. So, it wasn't because I said something or anything because my mom is gonna ask me when I get home, she was there and apparently, she was pretty upset I got a technical foul. Man, it's gonna be a Merry Christmas. We told the guys there is a difference between Christmas and a Merry Christmas and that is with a win. We knew this was a really good team. They just don't go away. He's got guards who can make plays. (Head coach) Darris (Nichols) does a great job with them. At halftime, we said fellas, we had all of our keys, defensive field goal percentage was where we wanted. We were out rebounding them both on the offensive and defensive end. And we had five turnovers, so we had all our keys, but you know what that meant that they were really good team, right? And that's like an NCAA Tournament game. Nobody wants to see them in the first round of an NCAA Tournament game. They're really good team. And so, teams like that you have to beat. They are not going to give it to you. I thought in the second half, we came out and did some really good things defensively and were really locked in and I thought we beat them. They didn't lose." On the maturity level of the team to play this well before the break… "Yes, you know what was really cool. There was like seven upsets that took place last night and you got to show them because you're telling them all week. I remember (TV analyst) Fran Fraschilla said one time that when he was at New Mexico, they went to play at Arizona. At halftime of the game, he told his team, we're gonna win because Coach (Lute) Olsen's kids went home for Christmas, and they didn't tell him. And so sometimes your team checks out because they're thinking about Christmas and everything that goes along with it. So, we were really on them all week long about don't go home for Christmas until this thing is over. And we got to stay locked in and we were able to show them a lot of examples that took place last night and so I was very, very proud of them. I'll tell you one more thing that I'm super proud of. We had eight guys make the (Big 12 Commissioner's) Honor Roll this first semester and four of them had 4.0s and so I'm so proud of the job that Coach (Marco) Borne has done with academics and (academic counselor) Maryclare (Wheeler) and then I thought Coach (Kevin) Sutton did a great job with the scout for the game today." On what&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>&nbsp;has improved most… "Energy. He's doing more things. Like he's physically capable of doing more on both ends of the floor. And especially defensively, he's getting his hands on a lot of balls. He's blocking shots. He's keeping things alive, offensively, offensive rebounding, and you know, I mean, we always say it takes a junior college kid a semester (to get acclimated). And so, he had a little drop off because I think his energy level dropped off. But he's been really good the last few games." Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a> On what he liked best about his performance… "Just my energy and being aggressive. My teammates always tell me that I play best when my energy is good from tip off and I'm just aggressive." On how he has developed during the non-conference schedule… "I have developed a lot from the beginning of the season, like my 3s weren't falling so that was one thing I was working on a lot. I still went 1-of-4 but I'm just trying to get that shooting into the game." On what he has learned about himself… "Just energy. Just playing with energy and a lot of effort trying to make plays." BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

WHAT'S NEXT K-State now takes a 10-day break for the holidays before opening Big 12 play at home on New Year's Eve against West Virginia (9-2) at 6 p.m., CT on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Tickets start at just $15 and can be purchased at kstatesports.com/tickets or by phone at (800) 221.CATS.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671688176991.jpeg" alt="K-State MBB 12-21-22" />
 <figcaption>K-State MBB 12-21-22</figcaption>
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MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>&nbsp;led four Wildcats in double figures with a season-high 26 points, as Kansas State concluded its December non-conference schedule with a 73-65 win over a feisty Radford team on Wednesday afternoon before 6,939 fans at Bramlage Coliseum. K-State (11-1) heads into its 10-game holiday break with a 5-game winning streak, as the Wildcats continued their best start to a season since 2016-17. The 11 non-conference wins are the most since 2017-18 and tied six other teams for the third-most in a single season since 2006-07. Tomlin, who has now scored in double figures in 5 consecutive games, earned his first career 20-point game as a Wildcat by connecting on 11-of-18 field goals, which included 4 dunks, to go with a 3-pointer and all 3 free throws attempted. He also tied a season-high with 9 rebounds to go with 2 blocks, 1 assist and 1 steal in 33 minutes. Tomlin was joined in double figures by senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>, who shook off a poor shooting night to post 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting, as well as seniors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/desi-sills/9686">Desi Sills</a>, who each added 10 points. The Wildcats have now had at least four double-digit scorers in each of the last four games. On the strength of Tomlin's play, K-State took control of the game with a 9-0 run late in the first half then held a double-digit lead for much of the second half before a scrappy Radford (6-7) created some anxious moments for the home team. The Highlanders used a 13-2 run to cut the deficit to 71-65 with less than a minute to play. However, the Wildcats were able to hold off any further rally with a big steal from Sills on a tie-up and a pair of free throws from Johnson for the final margin of victory. In addition to his scoring, Nowell also dished out a game-high 11 assists to record his 11th&nbsp;career double-double, including his seventh at K-State, and his third of the season. His 7 career double-doubles as a Wildcat extended his school record. He reached 100 assists in just 12 games, which is the fastest such streak in school history. Johnson also reached a milestone, as the first of his two free throws with 20 seconds remaining gave him 1,000 points for his career. He has now scored in double figures in all 12 games this season. For the game, K-State connected on 49.2 percent (29-of-59) from the field, including 57.1 percent (24-of-42) from inside the 3-point arc, and hit on 66.7 percent (10-of-15) from the free throw line. The Wildcats scored 42 points in the second half on 59.3 percent (16-of-27) shooting. The team also tallied 46 points in the paint, which marked the third time in 4 games that they have posted 40 or more points in the paint. Six of Radford's 7 losses have now come by 10 points or less, including 79-69 at Marquette on Nov. 7 and 79-76 at Notre Dame on Nov. 10. The Highlanders shot 40.7 percent (24-of-59) from the field, including 35 percent (7-of-20) from 3-point range, and made 55.6 percent (10-of-18) from the free throw line. It was the first meeting between K-State and Radford. HOW IT HAPPENED Radford started off the game off strong by scoring 8 of the first 11 points before leading 11-6 on a 3-pointer by senior&nbsp;Josiah Jeffers&nbsp;just after the first media timeout. K-State responded with a 14-4 run – capped by back-to-back 3-pointers from senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/desi-sills/9686">Desi Sills</a>&nbsp;– to take a 20-15 lead with just over 9 minutes to play. The Highlanders regained the lead at 23-22 on a 3-pointer by junior&nbsp;Bryan Antoine, but the Wildcats used a 9-0 run to take a 31-23 lead with 1:44 before halftime. Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>, who had a game-high 11 points in the first half, had 4 points in the run. However, the battle-tested Highlanders, who were playing their fourth straight road game, were able to finish off the first half with 5 straight points to close to within 31-28. The teams traded the lead in the early going of the second half before K-State used an 11-0 run to take a 45-35 lead and force Radford head coach&nbsp;Darris Nichols&nbsp;to call a timeout at the 14:17 mark. Tomlin was once again key in the run, scoring 7 of the 11 points, including 5 in a row before the timeout. The Wildcat lead grew to 55-40 with 8:40 remaining after an 8-0 run as senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>&nbsp;shook off a rough shooting start to score 6 of the 8 points in the run. A fourth dunk by Tomlin and layup by senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/abayomi-iyiola/9697">Abayomi Iyiola</a>&nbsp;gave K-State a 63-46 advantage with under 6 minutes to play. However, the pesky Highlanders wouldn't go away, as they used a 13-2 run to close to within 71-65 with 49 seconds remaining. The Wildcats were able to get a big steal from senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/desi-sills/9686">Desi Sills</a>&nbsp;on a tie-up and a pair of free throws from Johnson to finish the game off with a final score of 73-65. PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>&nbsp;tallied a near double-double with a season-best 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting with a season-tying 9 rebounds in 33 minutes. He has now scored in double figures in 5 games. Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;collected his third double-double of the season and the 11th&nbsp;in his career with 10 points and a game-high 11 assists in 36 minutes. He has now dished out double-digit assists in 4 games this season. STAT OF THE GAME 46 – K-State used its size and athleticism to post 46 of its 73 points in the paint. The Wildcats have now scored 40 or more points in the paint in 5 games this season, including 3 times in the last 4 games. IN THEIR WORDS Head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/1856">Jerome Tang</a> Opening statement... "Alright, first off, I just want to say I didn't get the tech for saying anything. Alright, so I don't owe any pushups. I got the tech because I was out on the floor and I was out on the floor because I wanted to stop the fast break, which was great. So, we stopped the fast break. So, it wasn't because I said something or anything because my mom is gonna ask me when I get home, she was there and apparently, she was pretty upset I got a technical foul. Man, it's gonna be a Merry Christmas. We told the guys there is a difference between Christmas and a Merry Christmas and that is with a win. We knew this was a really good team. They just don't go away. He's got guards who can make plays. (Head coach) Darris (Nichols) does a great job with them. At halftime, we said fellas, we had all of our keys, defensive field goal percentage was where we wanted. We were out rebounding them both on the offensive and defensive end. And we had five turnovers, so we had all our keys, but you know what that meant that they were really good team, right? And that's like an NCAA Tournament game. Nobody wants to see them in the first round of an NCAA Tournament game. They're really good team. And so, teams like that you have to beat. They are not going to give it to you. I thought in the second half, we came out and did some really good things defensively and were really locked in and I thought we beat them. They didn't lose." On the maturity level of the team to play this well before the break… "Yes, you know what was really cool. There was like seven upsets that took place last night and you got to show them because you're telling them all week. I remember (TV analyst) Fran Fraschilla said one time that when he was at New Mexico, they went to play at Arizona. At halftime of the game, he told his team, we're gonna win because Coach (Lute) Olsen's kids went home for Christmas, and they didn't tell him. And so sometimes your team checks out because they're thinking about Christmas and everything that goes along with it. So, we were really on them all week long about don't go home for Christmas until this thing is over. And we got to stay locked in and we were able to show them a lot of examples that took place last night and so I was very, very proud of them. I'll tell you one more thing that I'm super proud of. We had eight guys make the (Big 12 Commissioner's) Honor Roll this first semester and four of them had 4.0s and so I'm so proud of the job that Coach (Marco) Borne has done with academics and (academic counselor) Maryclare (Wheeler) and then I thought Coach (Kevin) Sutton did a great job with the scout for the game today." On what&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>&nbsp;has improved most… "Energy. He's doing more things. Like he's physically capable of doing more on both ends of the floor. And especially defensively, he's getting his hands on a lot of balls. He's blocking shots. He's keeping things alive, offensively, offensive rebounding, and you know, I mean, we always say it takes a junior college kid a semester (to get acclimated). And so, he had a little drop off because I think his energy level dropped off. But he's been really good the last few games." Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a> On what he liked best about his performance… "Just my energy and being aggressive. My teammates always tell me that I play best when my energy is good from tip off and I'm just aggressive." On how he has developed during the non-conference schedule… "I have developed a lot from the beginning of the season, like my 3s weren't falling so that was one thing I was working on a lot. I still went 1-of-4 but I'm just trying to get that shooting into the game." On what he has learned about himself… "Just energy. Just playing with energy and a lot of effort trying to make plays." BEYOND THE BOXSCORE<ul>
 <li>K-State's 11-1 start is the best since also opening the 2016-17 season at 11-1.</li><li>The 11 non-conference wins are the most since 2017-18 and tie six other teams for the third-most in a single season since 2006-07… Only the 2009-10 (13 wins), 2008-09 (12 wins) and 2010-11 (12 wins) teams have won more in the stretch.</li><li>Head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/1856">Jerome Tang</a>&nbsp;(11-1) continues the best start by a first-year coach in school history… It also matches the best start by any current first-year Division I coach (Mississippi State's&nbsp;Chris Jans).</li><li>K-State is now 128-14 in home venues in non-conference play since 2006-07, including 118-12 at Bramlage Coliseum… The Wildcats are now 7-0 in home games this season.</li><li>This was the first meeting between K-State and Radford.</li><li>K-State is now 11-1 all-time vs. current members of the Big South, all played at home.</li><li>K-State used a starting lineup of fifth-year senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>, sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/cam-carter/9658">Cam Carter</a>, fifth-year senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>, junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>&nbsp;and junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-n-guessan/9670">David N'Guessan</a>… It marked the 11th time in 12 games using this lineup.</li><li>Nowell made his 33rd&nbsp;start at K-State, while Carter, Johnson and Tomlin all made their 12th starts in Wildcat uniforms and N'Guessan his 11th… It was Johnson's 67th&nbsp;start in college (other 55 at Florida), the 16th for Carter (other 4 at Mississippi State), 11th by N'Guessan (all at K-State), while Tomlin made his 12th Division I start (all at K-State).</li>
 </ul> Team Notes<ul>
 <li>K-State scored its 73 points on 49.2 percent shooting (29-of-59), including 29.4 percent (5-of-17) from 3-point range, and connected on 66.7 percent (10-of-15) from the free throw line.</li><li>The Wildcats connected on 57.1 percent (24-of-42) from inside the 3-point arc.</li><li>K-State scored 46 points in the paint… The team has now scored 40 or more points in the paint in 5 games, including 3 of the last 4 games.</li><li>K-State had an assist on 20 of its 29 made field goals, including 4 players with 2 or more assists.</li><li>K-State had a season-low 8 points off turnovers, as Radford turned the ball over just 8 times… It marks the first time all the season that the Wildcats have been held to single digit points off turnovers.</li><li>K-State held the advantage on the glass, 41-27, including a season-tying 28 defensive rebounds… Of its 13 offensive rebounds, the Wildcats scored 9 second-chance points.</li><li>K-State led 31-28 at halftime which included 18 points in the paint… Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>&nbsp;led all scorers with 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting along with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks.</li><li>K-State moved to 8-0 this season when leading at the half.</li>
 </ul> Player Notes<ul>
 <li>Four Wildcats scored in double figures led by junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin's</a>&nbsp;career-high 26 points.</li><li>Tomlin scored his 26 points on 11-of-18 field goals, including 1-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with season-tying 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist and 1 steal in 35 minutes… He has now scored in double figures in 8 games, including each of the last 5… He has grabbed at least 5 rebounds in 8 of 12 games.</li><li>Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>&nbsp;scored 16 points on 6-of-15 field goals, including 0-of-4 from 3-point range, and 4-of-7 free throws to go with 7 rebounds and 3 assists in 36 minutes… He now has 50 career double-digit scoring games, including all 12 games this season.</li><li>With the first of his 2 free throws with 20 seconds remaining, Johnson eclipsed 1,000 career points… He is one of 6 career 1,000-point scorers currently on the K-State team.</li><li>Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;collected his 11th&nbsp;career double-double, including his sixth at K-State, with 10 points and 11 assists to go with 4 rebounds and 2 steals… It was his third double-double of the season… He went 3-of-6 from the field, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, and made both of his free throws… He has now scored in double figures in 76 career games, including 29 in his K-State career and 10 this season.</li><li>Nowell eclipsed 100 assists for the season, which is the fastest such stretch in school history… He now has 100 assists (8.3 apg.) through 12 games with 32 turnovers.</li><li>Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/desi-sills/9686">Desi Sills</a>&nbsp;added 10 points from the bench, which is sixth double-digit scoring game of the season and the 56th&nbsp;in his career… He went 4-of-7 from the field, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range… He also added 4 rebounds and 2 steals.</li>
 </ul> WHAT'S NEXT K-State now takes a 10-day break for the holidays before opening Big 12 play at home on New Year's Eve against West Virginia (9-2) at 6 p.m., CT on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Tickets start at just $15 and can be purchased at kstatesports.com/tickets or by phone at (800) 221.CATS.

🏀 MBB: Tomlin’s 26 leads K-State in 73-65 win over Radford

MANHATTAN, Kansas –&nbsp;K-State used a full team effort on Wednesday afternoon to end its non-conference regular season schedule with a 77-46 win over Morgan State at Bramlage Coliseum. K-State (11-2) has won 11 games before the beginning of Big 12 play for the first time since the 2008-09 season. With the win, K-State extended its win streak in home non-conference games to 19 straight. Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/gabby-gregory/8613">Gabby Gregory</a>&nbsp;led all scorers with 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting &nbsp;and a 6-of-7 effort from the free throw line and pulled in six rebounds. Gregory, celebrating her birthday on Wednesday, has scored 20 or more points in four of the last five games. Junior guard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/rebekah-dallinger/8604">Rebekah Dallinger</a>&nbsp;came off the bench to register her first double figure scoring game of the season with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Dallinger entered Wednesday's game in an 0-of-17 shooting slump and had not scored since against Wisconsin on Nov. 11. Of the 12 available Wildcats for Wednesday's game, 10 tallied at least four points. HOW IT HAPPENED - Of the eight Wildcats to see the floor in the first quarter, seven scored as K-State built a 22-9 lead in the opening frame. The Wildcats shot 47.6 percent (10-of-21) from the field in the opening frame and ended the quarter on an 8-0 run, as Gregory and Ebert connected on three-pointers. - K-State extended its run into the start of the second quarter, as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/rebekah-dallinger/8604">Rebekah Dallinger</a>&nbsp;hit a corner 3-pointer and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/brylee-glenn/8606">Brylee Glenn</a>&nbsp;finished a contested layup at the 9-minute mark to increase the lead to 27-9. - Despite a mid-second quarter shooting lull, K-State was able to increase its lead to 22, 37-15, with 2:58 to play. Ebert started an 8-0 run with a baseline layup and then made a pair of free throws. Dallinger added two free throws and was followed by two free throws from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/heavenly-greer/8608">Heavenly Greer</a>. - Four free throws from Gregory before the conclusion of the second quarter gave K-State a 41-20 lead at the half. The Wildcats were 10-of-11 from the foul line in the second quarter. - After a sluggish third quarter that saw the Wildcats and Bears tie in the frame at 12 points each, K-State shot a season-high for a quarter in the fourth stanza.&nbsp; - K-State shot 81.8 (9-of-11) percent from the field in the last quarter, its highest single quarter field goal percentage in two seasons. The shooting performance was aided by a 6-of-7 effort from the free throw line, as the Wildcats outscored the Bears in the final frame, 24-14. - For the afternoon, K-State shot 49.1 percent (28-of-57) from the field and dished out 20 assists on the 28 made field goals. QUICK FACTS - This was the first meeting between K-State and Morgan State. - The Wildcats are 2-0 all-time against current members of the MEAC. - Kansas State owns a 237-102 record in the month of December including a 36-17 mark in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/jeff-mittie/1817">Jeff Mittie</a>&nbsp;era. Over the last two seasons, K-State is 7-2 in the month of December. - K-State is 373-150 all-time in games played in Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats are 219-29 against non-conference opponents in Bramlage, including a 65-8 record mark against non-conference foes in the Mittie era. TEAM NOTES - Wednesday's starting five were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/sarah-shematsi/9881">Sarah Shematsi</a><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaelyn-glenn/8607">Jaelyn Glenn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/serena-sundell/8612">Serena Sundell</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/brylee-glenn/8606">Brylee Glenn</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/gabby-gregory/8613">Gabby Gregory</a>. This was the third time this group started a game together this season. - K-State led 41-20 at the half on Wednesday, which is tied for its largest halftime lead of the season with a 21-point lead against UTRGV on Nov. 18, 2022. The 41 first half points marked the seventh time this season K-State has scored 40 or more points in the opening half. - K-State has tallied 70 or more points in a game 11 times this season. - K-State's field goal percentage of 49.1 percent was the second-highest of the season for the Wildcats. The 28 made field goals were the most since the Wildcats made 28 against Northern Arizona on Nov. 25. K-State has made 24 or more field goals in a game 10 times. - K-State handed out 20 assists on Wednesday, the third time this season K-State has dished out 20 or more assists in a game. In the last 16 seasons, K-State is 81-7 when handing out 20 or more assists in a game. PLAYER NOTES - Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/gabby-gregory/8613">Gabby Gregory</a>&nbsp;tallied her 53rd career game in double figures for points and her 12th at K-State. She secured her ninth game with 20 or more points this season and the 17th in her career. - Gregory pulled in five or more rebounds for the 33rd time in her career and the ninth time this season. She led K-State on the glass for the seventh time this season. - Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/rebekah-dallinger/8604">Rebekah Dallinger</a>&nbsp;tallied her second career game with 10 or more points. - Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/emilee-ebert/8605">Emilee Ebert</a>&nbsp;was 4-of-5 from the free throw line on Wednesday. Ebert missed her first attempt on Wednesday, which leaves her tied for the school record of 38 consecutive free throws made, joining Peyton Williams as the only two players to make 38 straight free throws in school history. FROM THE HEAD COACH K-State Head Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/jeff-mittie/1817">Jeff Mittie</a> On the non-conference season... "I think it's been a successful non-conference season. We've had good growth. It hasn't been without adversity. I think in the last couple of weeks, we've really battled some consistency issues and we battled internally, maybe players going through a tough stretch of their own and not able to focus on team as much as we want them to. But I think that's also part of the growth that has to occur during the season. Every player, I'll use (Rebekah) Dallinger as an example. She has really struggled shooting the basketball. When I walked out of the gym last night or when I walked out of the office I needed to see our managers before I left and there was one player in the gym and it was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/rebekah-dallinger/8604">Rebekah Dallinger</a>&nbsp;and I was so excited for her to see her rewarded with a good performance today. This has been a good hard-working group. We need to be mentally tougher. We need to continue to grow in that area. Our leadership needs to grow in that area. We need to hold each other accountable to a higher standard. I thought Serena (Sundell) did a good job of that in the second half. I thought she was a vocal person out on the floor that was holding us to playing better because we did hit some lulls today where we just weren't. I think we bobbled seven or eight straight passes at the end of the first half which was just total focus. So we've got a lot of growing to do but all in all, I think pretty solid for semester." On improved shooting percentage… "Well it wasn't very good from three, but we shot layups better than we did last game. So that's an improvement. You know, last game we were talking about missed opportunities and layups. I think we're improving. I do think we had good looks at three, our two best three-point shooters were one of nine in the first half and all nine were really good looks. And I always kid them that I don't ever remember missing those shots. They probably don't either, because they're good shooters and they think the next one's going in. But we would take those looks again offensively, we're getting a little bit better. I'm excited about them getting a break here. I think they've earned a good break here. I know they're excited to go home. I'm excited to get a break as well. I'm excited to spend time with my family because we don't get enough of that. But I'll be excited to get back when it's time and excited about where this team got to in this first part." On what they need to get better at when they return from Christmas break… "Well, they come back on the 26th and you know, quite honestly, I don't even want them thinking about that. I want them to go home and enjoy their families. It'll get here quicker than they want it to, it always does. We'll handle it like we always do coming back. I mean, we'll go pretty heavy early, we'll go pretty heavy early. We'll spend a lot of time in the gym. We'll spend a lot of time looking at more film. These are teams and players that we're more familiar with going forward so we'll have more knowledge of our teams going forward. But we need our focus to continue to be on getting better. Continue to play to our strengths, eliminate as many flaws as we can and just continue, I think our leadership has got to grow here. We've been a little in and out there for my tastes but I think the break is going to be a really good time without classes for that to continue to grow, but I'm excited for them to get a little bit of a break. They've worked hard to get to this point and I know their families are excited to see him and and get a little break." FROM THE FLOOR EMILEE EBERT, SENIOR GUARD On her free throw routine… "For me, it's just the same routine every time. And I mean it's literally a free shot so you know going up there with confidence knowing it's going in. Clearly mine didn't go in but just having that mindset." On having the most consecutive free throws in K-State history… "Yeah, it's pretty fun. It's a fun stat. Like always I couldn't get there without my team getting me the ball, so yeah it's fun. It's an honor for sure." On how the non-conference season has gone… "Yeah it's been a really good non-conference season for us. Definitely gives us confidence going into conference play. We want to be playing our best basketball when that starts and that's what we intend to do. We're excited to get started." GABBY GREGORY, SENIOR GUARD On her experience at K-State so far… "I think it's been a blast. I've had a lot of fun. I think as a team we've grown a lot. I've just had so much fun playing with these girls and playing for Coach Mittie. I'm excited to go into conference play and see what we do in the conference." On if her role has been different than she envisioned… "Obviously when I chose K-State, I was ecstatic to get to play with Yokie (<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ayoka-lee/8610">Ayoka Lee</a>). But obviously, we'll just have to wait till next year for that. But I knew that there would be more on everybody's plate, not just myself, but every single person would have to pick up the slack to make up for a player like her. There's obviously no replacing her, so yeah, I think everybody just had to do a little bit more." UP NEXT Following a break for the holidays, K-State returns to action on Saturday, December 31, as the Wildcats begin the 2022-23 Big 12 schedule at Texas. Game time is set for 2 p.m., and can be heard on the K-State Sports Network and on the Varsity app. The game will also air on the Longhorn Network.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671687914816.jpeg" alt="K-State WBB 12-21-22" />
 <figcaption>K-State WBB 12-21-22</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kansas –&nbsp;K-State used a full team effort on Wednesday afternoon to end its non-conference regular season schedule with a 77-46 win over Morgan State at Bramlage Coliseum. K-State (11-2) has won 11 games before the beginning of Big 12 play for the first time since the 2008-09 season. With the win, K-State extended its win streak in home non-conference games to 19 straight. Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/gabby-gregory/8613">Gabby Gregory</a>&nbsp;led all scorers with 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting &nbsp;and a 6-of-7 effort from the free throw line and pulled in six rebounds. Gregory, celebrating her birthday on Wednesday, has scored 20 or more points in four of the last five games. Junior guard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/rebekah-dallinger/8604">Rebekah Dallinger</a>&nbsp;came off the bench to register her first double figure scoring game of the season with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Dallinger entered Wednesday's game in an 0-of-17 shooting slump and had not scored since against Wisconsin on Nov. 11. Of the 12 available Wildcats for Wednesday's game, 10 tallied at least four points. HOW IT HAPPENED - Of the eight Wildcats to see the floor in the first quarter, seven scored as K-State built a 22-9 lead in the opening frame. The Wildcats shot 47.6 percent (10-of-21) from the field in the opening frame and ended the quarter on an 8-0 run, as Gregory and Ebert connected on three-pointers. - K-State extended its run into the start of the second quarter, as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/rebekah-dallinger/8604">Rebekah Dallinger</a>&nbsp;hit a corner 3-pointer and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/brylee-glenn/8606">Brylee Glenn</a>&nbsp;finished a contested layup at the 9-minute mark to increase the lead to 27-9. - Despite a mid-second quarter shooting lull, K-State was able to increase its lead to 22, 37-15, with 2:58 to play. Ebert started an 8-0 run with a baseline layup and then made a pair of free throws. Dallinger added two free throws and was followed by two free throws from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/heavenly-greer/8608">Heavenly Greer</a>. - Four free throws from Gregory before the conclusion of the second quarter gave K-State a 41-20 lead at the half. The Wildcats were 10-of-11 from the foul line in the second quarter. - After a sluggish third quarter that saw the Wildcats and Bears tie in the frame at 12 points each, K-State shot a season-high for a quarter in the fourth stanza.&nbsp; - K-State shot 81.8 (9-of-11) percent from the field in the last quarter, its highest single quarter field goal percentage in two seasons. The shooting performance was aided by a 6-of-7 effort from the free throw line, as the Wildcats outscored the Bears in the final frame, 24-14. - For the afternoon, K-State shot 49.1 percent (28-of-57) from the field and dished out 20 assists on the 28 made field goals. QUICK FACTS - This was the first meeting between K-State and Morgan State. - The Wildcats are 2-0 all-time against current members of the MEAC. - Kansas State owns a 237-102 record in the month of December including a 36-17 mark in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/jeff-mittie/1817">Jeff Mittie</a>&nbsp;era. Over the last two seasons, K-State is 7-2 in the month of December. - K-State is 373-150 all-time in games played in Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats are 219-29 against non-conference opponents in Bramlage, including a 65-8 record mark against non-conference foes in the Mittie era. TEAM NOTES - Wednesday's starting five were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/sarah-shematsi/9881">Sarah Shematsi</a><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaelyn-glenn/8607">Jaelyn Glenn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/serena-sundell/8612">Serena Sundell</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/brylee-glenn/8606">Brylee Glenn</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/gabby-gregory/8613">Gabby Gregory</a>. This was the third time this group started a game together this season. - K-State led 41-20 at the half on Wednesday, which is tied for its largest halftime lead of the season with a 21-point lead against UTRGV on Nov. 18, 2022. The 41 first half points marked the seventh time this season K-State has scored 40 or more points in the opening half. - K-State has tallied 70 or more points in a game 11 times this season. - K-State's field goal percentage of 49.1 percent was the second-highest of the season for the Wildcats. The 28 made field goals were the most since the Wildcats made 28 against Northern Arizona on Nov. 25. K-State has made 24 or more field goals in a game 10 times. - K-State handed out 20 assists on Wednesday, the third time this season K-State has dished out 20 or more assists in a game. In the last 16 seasons, K-State is 81-7 when handing out 20 or more assists in a game. PLAYER NOTES - Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/gabby-gregory/8613">Gabby Gregory</a>&nbsp;tallied her 53rd career game in double figures for points and her 12th at K-State. She secured her ninth game with 20 or more points this season and the 17th in her career. - Gregory pulled in five or more rebounds for the 33rd time in her career and the ninth time this season. She led K-State on the glass for the seventh time this season. - Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/rebekah-dallinger/8604">Rebekah Dallinger</a>&nbsp;tallied her second career game with 10 or more points. - Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/emilee-ebert/8605">Emilee Ebert</a>&nbsp;was 4-of-5 from the free throw line on Wednesday. Ebert missed her first attempt on Wednesday, which leaves her tied for the school record of 38 consecutive free throws made, joining Peyton Williams as the only two players to make 38 straight free throws in school history. FROM THE HEAD COACH K-State Head Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/jeff-mittie/1817">Jeff Mittie</a> On the non-conference season... "I think it's been a successful non-conference season. We've had good growth. It hasn't been without adversity. I think in the last couple of weeks, we've really battled some consistency issues and we battled internally, maybe players going through a tough stretch of their own and not able to focus on team as much as we want them to. But I think that's also part of the growth that has to occur during the season. Every player, I'll use (Rebekah) Dallinger as an example. She has really struggled shooting the basketball. When I walked out of the gym last night or when I walked out of the office I needed to see our managers before I left and there was one player in the gym and it was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/rebekah-dallinger/8604">Rebekah Dallinger</a>&nbsp;and I was so excited for her to see her rewarded with a good performance today. This has been a good hard-working group. We need to be mentally tougher. We need to continue to grow in that area. Our leadership needs to grow in that area. We need to hold each other accountable to a higher standard. I thought Serena (Sundell) did a good job of that in the second half. I thought she was a vocal person out on the floor that was holding us to playing better because we did hit some lulls today where we just weren't. I think we bobbled seven or eight straight passes at the end of the first half which was just total focus. So we've got a lot of growing to do but all in all, I think pretty solid for semester." On improved shooting percentage… "Well it wasn't very good from three, but we shot layups better than we did last game. So that's an improvement. You know, last game we were talking about missed opportunities and layups. I think we're improving. I do think we had good looks at three, our two best three-point shooters were one of nine in the first half and all nine were really good looks. And I always kid them that I don't ever remember missing those shots. They probably don't either, because they're good shooters and they think the next one's going in. But we would take those looks again offensively, we're getting a little bit better. I'm excited about them getting a break here. I think they've earned a good break here. I know they're excited to go home. I'm excited to get a break as well. I'm excited to spend time with my family because we don't get enough of that. But I'll be excited to get back when it's time and excited about where this team got to in this first part." On what they need to get better at when they return from Christmas break… "Well, they come back on the 26th and you know, quite honestly, I don't even want them thinking about that. I want them to go home and enjoy their families. It'll get here quicker than they want it to, it always does. We'll handle it like we always do coming back. I mean, we'll go pretty heavy early, we'll go pretty heavy early. We'll spend a lot of time in the gym. We'll spend a lot of time looking at more film. These are teams and players that we're more familiar with going forward so we'll have more knowledge of our teams going forward. But we need our focus to continue to be on getting better. Continue to play to our strengths, eliminate as many flaws as we can and just continue, I think our leadership has got to grow here. We've been a little in and out there for my tastes but I think the break is going to be a really good time without classes for that to continue to grow, but I'm excited for them to get a little bit of a break. They've worked hard to get to this point and I know their families are excited to see him and and get a little break." FROM THE FLOOR EMILEE EBERT, SENIOR GUARD On her free throw routine… "For me, it's just the same routine every time. And I mean it's literally a free shot so you know going up there with confidence knowing it's going in. Clearly mine didn't go in but just having that mindset." On having the most consecutive free throws in K-State history… "Yeah, it's pretty fun. It's a fun stat. Like always I couldn't get there without my team getting me the ball, so yeah it's fun. It's an honor for sure." On how the non-conference season has gone… "Yeah it's been a really good non-conference season for us. Definitely gives us confidence going into conference play. We want to be playing our best basketball when that starts and that's what we intend to do. We're excited to get started." GABBY GREGORY, SENIOR GUARD On her experience at K-State so far… "I think it's been a blast. I've had a lot of fun. I think as a team we've grown a lot. I've just had so much fun playing with these girls and playing for Coach Mittie. I'm excited to go into conference play and see what we do in the conference." On if her role has been different than she envisioned… "Obviously when I chose K-State, I was ecstatic to get to play with Yokie (<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ayoka-lee/8610">Ayoka Lee</a>). But obviously, we'll just have to wait till next year for that. But I knew that there would be more on everybody's plate, not just myself, but every single person would have to pick up the slack to make up for a player like her. There's obviously no replacing her, so yeah, I think everybody just had to do a little bit more." UP NEXT Following a break for the holidays, K-State returns to action on Saturday, December 31, as the Wildcats begin the 2022-23 Big 12 schedule at Texas. Game time is set for 2 p.m., and can be heard on the K-State Sports Network and on the Varsity app. The game will also air on the Longhorn Network.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 WBB: K-State eases past Morgan State for 11th win

HUTCHINSON, Kan.—The Hutchinson Salthawk Basketball teams will close out the 2022 portion of their schedule with games vs Haysville-Campus tonight at the SAC.

The Girls game will tip at 6pm followed by boys action at 7:30pm.

Video stream for both Freshman and JV teams will stream on the <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/hutchinson-high-school-hutchinson-ks/gamf06d66ceac">Hutch High NFHS Network Channel</a> and the HHS Varsity games will stream on the Hutch High Channel at <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/search/?query=hutch">nfhsnetwork.com</a>.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671535966951.png" alt="GameDay vs Campus December 20th, 2022" />
 <figcaption>GameDay vs Campus December 20th, 2022</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan.—The Hutchinson Salthawk Basketball teams will close out the 2022 portion of their schedule with games vs Haysville-Campus tonight at the SAC.The Girls game will tip at 6pm followed by boys action at 7:30pm.Video stream for both Freshman and JV teams will stream on the <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/hutchinson-high-school-hutchinson-ks/gamf06d66ceac">Hutch High NFHS Network Channel</a> and the HHS Varsity games will stream on the Hutch High Channel at <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/search/?query=hutch">nfhsnetwork.com</a>.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/500828?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe>


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

🎥 🏀 REPLAY: Hutch High closes out 2022 with games vs Campus

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640113791941.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rankings 12/20/22BOYS RANKINGS6A Boys1 Olathe West2 Blue Valley North3 Wichita Heights4 Lawrence5 Blue Valley Northwest6 Derby7 Olathe North8 Lawrence Free State9 Garden City10 Shawnee Mission East5A Boys1 Maize South2 Highland Park3 Kapaun Mt. Carmel4 Hutchinson5 St. James Academy6 De Soto7 Topeka West8 Andover Central9 Andover10 Bonner Springs4A Boys1 McPherson2 Bishop Miege3 Topeka-Hayden4 Towanda-Circle5 Atchison6 Eudora7 Wamego8 Wellington9 Baldwin10 Chanute3A Boys1 Sabetha2 Southeast of Saline3 Hesston4 Osage City5 Haven6 Wichita Collegiate7 Cheney8 Galena9 Humboldt10 Marysville2A Boys1 Wichita Independent2 Hays-Thomas More Prep3 Inman4 Ellinwood5 Lyndon6 Moundridge7 Sterling8 Chase County9 Bennington10 Wichita County1A-Div 1-Boys1 Olpe2 Centralia3 Burlingame4 Macksville5 Clifton-Clyde6 Madison-Hamilton7 Wichita Classical School8 Norwich9 McPherson-Elyria Christian10 Randolph-Blue Valley1A-Div 2-Boys1 Greeley County2 Pawnee Heights3 Northern Valley4 Hanover5 Cunningham6 Coldwater-South Central7 Axtell8 Lebo9 Bucklin10 Logan-PalcoGIRLS RANKINGS6A Girls1 Blue Valley North2 Olathe North3 Shawnee Mission South4 Liberal5 Blue Valley6 Topeka High7 Washburn Rural8 Derby9 Wichita Heights10 Lawrence5A Girls1 St. Thomas Aquinas2 Topeka Seaman3 Emporia4 Bishop Carroll5 Hutchinson6 St. James Academy7 Andover8 Hays9 De Soto10 Goddard Eisenhower4A Girls1 Bishop Miege2 Wamego3 Wellington4 McPherson5 St. George-Rock Creek6 Louisburg7 Andale8 Ft. Scott9 Independence10 Hugoton3A Girls1 Goodland2 Silver Lake3 Phillipsburg4 Nemaha Central5 Southeast of Saline6 Cheney7 Eureka8 Haven9 Rossville10 Cimarron2A Girls1 Elbing- Berean Academy2 Jackson Heights3 St. Mary's Colgan4 Smith Center5 Hillsboro6 Garden Plain7 Remington8 Hoxie9 The Independent10 Riverside1A-Div 1-Girls1 Little River2 Osborne3 Pretty Prairie4 Clifton-Clyde5 Madison-Hamilton6 Centralia7 Burlingame8 Frankfort9 Hodgeman County10 Central Plains1A-Div 2- Girls1 Hanover2 Lebo3 Hutchinson - Central Christian4 Ashland5 Attica6 Rexford-Golden Plains7 Kensington-Thunder Ridge8 Bucklin9 Wilson10 Linn

🏀 KBCA High School Basketball Rankings

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, has died. He was 72.

Harris' son Dok told The Associated Press his father passed away overnight. No cause of death was given.

His death comes two days before the 50th anniversary of the play that provided the jolt that helped transform the Steelers from also-rans into the NFL's elite and three days before Pittsburgh is scheduled to retire his No. 32 during a ceremony at halftime of its game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Harris ran for 12,120 yards and won four Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, a dynasty that began in earnest when Harris decided to keep running during a last-second heave by Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw in a playoff game against Oakland in 1972.

With Pittsburgh trailing 7-6 and facing fourth-and-10 from their own 40 yard line and 22 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Bradshaw drifted back and threw deep to running back French Fuqua. Fuqua and Oakland defensive back Jack Tatum collided, sending the ball careening back toward midfield in the direction of Harris.

While nearly everyone else on the field stopped, Harris kept his legs churning, snatching the ball just inches above the Three Rivers Stadium turf near the Oakland 45 then outracing several stunned Raider defenders to give the Steelers their first playoff victory in the franchise's four-decade history.

“That play really represents our teams of the ’70s,” Harris said after the ”Immaculate Reception" was voted the greatest play in NFL history during the league's 100th anniversary season in 2020.

While the Steelers fell the next week to Miami in the AFC Championship, Pittsburgh was on its way to becoming the dominant team of the 1970s, twice winning back-to-back Super Bowls, first after the 1974 and 1975 seasons and again after the 1978 and 1979 seasons.

Harris, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound workhorse from Penn State, found himself in the center of it all. He churned for a then-record 158 yards rushing and a touchdown in Pittsburgh's 16-6 victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl IX on his way to winning the game's Most Valuable Player award. He scored at least once in three of the four Super Bowls he played in, and his 354 career yards rushing on the NFL's biggest stage remains a record nearly four decades after his retirement.

Born in Fort Dix, New Jersey, on March 7, 1950, Harris played collegiately at Penn State, where his primary job was to open holes for backfield mate Lydell Mitchell. The Steelers, in the final stages of a rebuild led by Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll, saw enough in Harris to make him the 13th overall pick in the 1972 draft.

“When (Noll) drafted Franco Harris, he gave the offense heart, he gave it discipline, he gave it desire, he gave it the ability to win a championship in Pittsburgh,” Steelers Hall of Fame wide receiver Lynn Swann said of his frequent roommate on team road trips.

Harris' impact was immediate. He won the NFL's Rookie to the Year award in 1972 after rushing for a then-team-rookie record 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Steelers reached the postseason for just the second time in franchise history.

The city's large Italian-American population embraced Harris immediately, led by two local businessmen who founded what became known as “Franco's Italian Army,” a nod to Harris' roots as the son of an African-American father and an Italian mother.

The “Immaculate Reception” made Harris a star, though he typically preferred to let his play and not his mouth do the talking. On a team that featured big personalities in Bradshaw, defensive tackle Joe Greene, linebacker Jack Lambert among others, the intensely quiet Harris spent 12 seasons as the engine that helped Pittsburgh's offense go.

Eight times he topped 1,000 yards rushing in a season, including five times while playing a 14-game schedule. He piled up another 1,556 yards rushing and 16 rushing touchdowns in the playoffs, both second all-time behind Smith.

Despite his gaudy numbers, Harris stressed he was just one cog in an extraordinary machine that redefined greatness.

“You see, during that era, each player brought their own little piece with them to make that wonderful decade happen,” Harris said during his Hall of Fame speech in 1990. “Each player had their strengths and weaknesses, each their own thinking, each their own method, just each, each had their own. But then it was amazing, it all came together, and it stayed together to forge the greatest team of all times.”

Harris also made it a habit to stick up for his teammates. When Bradshaw took what Harris felt was an illegal late hit from Dallas linebacker Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson in the second half of their meeting in the 1978 Super Bowl, Harris basically demanded Bradshaw give him the ball on the next play. All Harris did was sprint up the middle 22 yards — right by Henderson — for a touchdown that gave the Steelers an 11-point lead they would not relinquish on their way to their third championship in six years.

Despite all of his success, his time in Pittsburgh ended acrimoniously when the Steelers cut him after he held out during training camp before the 1984 season. Noll, who leaned on Harris so heavily for so long, famously answered “Franco who?” when asked about Harris' absence from the team's camp at Saint Vincent College.

Harris signed with Seattle, running for just 170 yards in eight games before being released in midseason. He retired as the NFL's third all-time leading rusher behind Walter Payton and Jim Brown.

"I don’t even think about that (anymore),” Harris said in 2006. “I’m still black and gold.”

Harris remained in Pittsburgh following his retirement, opening a bakery and becoming heavily involved in several charities, including serving as the chairman of “Pittsburgh Promise," which provides college scholarship opportunities for Pittsburgh Public School students.

Harris is survived by his wife Dana Dokmanovich and his son, Dok.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671623958912.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>PITTSBURGH (AP) — Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, has died. He was 72.Harris' son Dok told The Associated Press his father passed away overnight. No cause of death was given.His death comes two days before the 50th anniversary of the play that provided the jolt that helped transform the Steelers from also-rans into the NFL's elite and three days before Pittsburgh is scheduled to retire his No. 32 during a ceremony at halftime of its game against the Las Vegas Raiders.Harris ran for 12,120 yards and won four Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, a dynasty that began in earnest when Harris decided to keep running during a last-second heave by Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw in a playoff game against Oakland in 1972.With Pittsburgh trailing 7-6 and facing fourth-and-10 from their own 40 yard line and 22 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Bradshaw drifted back and threw deep to running back French Fuqua. Fuqua and Oakland defensive back Jack Tatum collided, sending the ball careening back toward midfield in the direction of Harris.While nearly everyone else on the field stopped, Harris kept his legs churning, snatching the ball just inches above the Three Rivers Stadium turf near the Oakland 45 then outracing several stunned Raider defenders to give the Steelers their first playoff victory in the franchise's four-decade history.“That play really represents our teams of the ’70s,” Harris said after the ”Immaculate Reception" was voted the greatest play in NFL history during the league's 100th anniversary season in 2020.While the Steelers fell the next week to Miami in the AFC Championship, Pittsburgh was on its way to becoming the dominant team of the 1970s, twice winning back-to-back Super Bowls, first after the 1974 and 1975 seasons and again after the 1978 and 1979 seasons.Harris, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound workhorse from Penn State, found himself in the center of it all. He churned for a then-record 158 yards rushing and a touchdown in Pittsburgh's 16-6 victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl IX on his way to winning the game's Most Valuable Player award. He scored at least once in three of the four Super Bowls he played in, and his 354 career yards rushing on the NFL's biggest stage remains a record nearly four decades after his retirement.Born in Fort Dix, New Jersey, on March 7, 1950, Harris played collegiately at Penn State, where his primary job was to open holes for backfield mate Lydell Mitchell. The Steelers, in the final stages of a rebuild led by Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll, saw enough in Harris to make him the 13th overall pick in the 1972 draft.“When (Noll) drafted Franco Harris, he gave the offense heart, he gave it discipline, he gave it desire, he gave it the ability to win a championship in Pittsburgh,” Steelers Hall of Fame wide receiver Lynn Swann said of his frequent roommate on team road trips.Harris' impact was immediate. He won the NFL's Rookie to the Year award in 1972 after rushing for a then-team-rookie record 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Steelers reached the postseason for just the second time in franchise history.The city's large Italian-American population embraced Harris immediately, led by two local businessmen who founded what became known as “Franco's Italian Army,” a nod to Harris' roots as the son of an African-American father and an Italian mother.The “Immaculate Reception” made Harris a star, though he typically preferred to let his play and not his mouth do the talking. On a team that featured big personalities in Bradshaw, defensive tackle Joe Greene, linebacker Jack Lambert among others, the intensely quiet Harris spent 12 seasons as the engine that helped Pittsburgh's offense go.Eight times he topped 1,000 yards rushing in a season, including five times while playing a 14-game schedule. He piled up another 1,556 yards rushing and 16 rushing touchdowns in the playoffs, both second all-time behind Smith.Despite his gaudy numbers, Harris stressed he was just one cog in an extraordinary machine that redefined greatness.“You see, during that era, each player brought their own little piece with them to make that wonderful decade happen,” Harris said during his Hall of Fame speech in 1990. “Each player had their strengths and weaknesses, each their own thinking, each their own method, just each, each had their own. But then it was amazing, it all came together, and it stayed together to forge the greatest team of all times.”Harris also made it a habit to stick up for his teammates. When Bradshaw took what Harris felt was an illegal late hit from Dallas linebacker Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson in the second half of their meeting in the 1978 Super Bowl, Harris basically demanded Bradshaw give him the ball on the next play. All Harris did was sprint up the middle 22 yards — right by Henderson — for a touchdown that gave the Steelers an 11-point lead they would not relinquish on their way to their third championship in six years.Despite all of his success, his time in Pittsburgh ended acrimoniously when the Steelers cut him after he held out during training camp before the 1984 season. Noll, who leaned on Harris so heavily for so long, famously answered “Franco who?” when asked about Harris' absence from the team's camp at Saint Vincent College.Harris signed with Seattle, running for just 170 yards in eight games before being released in midseason. He retired as the NFL's third all-time leading rusher behind Walter Payton and Jim Brown."I don’t even think about that (anymore),” Harris said in 2006. “I’m still black and gold.”Harris remained in Pittsburgh following his retirement, opening a bakery and becoming heavily involved in several charities, including serving as the chairman of “Pittsburgh Promise," which provides college scholarship opportunities for Pittsburgh Public School students.Harris is survived by his wife Dana Dokmanovich and his son, Dok.

🏈 Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris dies at 72

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes has always pushed the boundaries of what is possible on the field.

And plenty of times over five seasons as the starting quarterback in Kansas City, a line was crossed that led to some admonishment from Andy Reid.

Over the past two years, though, those mistakes have become increasingly rare.

Mahomes still takes it to the limit — trying to fit a throw into a tight window, or make the impossible play, or push the ball downfield when the check-down is wide open.

But he has a better grasp of how far to go without stepping over the line, and the result has been an MVP-caliber season that just might be the finest of his career.

After going 36 of 41 for 336 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday in Houston, Mahomes is on pace to surpass Peyton Manning's NFL record of 5,477 yards set during his 2013 MVP season with the Broncos, albeit during a 17-game season.

“I want to always have that aggressiveness in me. That's what got me here and who I am,” Mahomes explained Tuesday, as the newly crowned AFC West champions turned their attention to Saturday's visit from the Seahawks.

“But you have to find that spot where you're still aggressive but take what you can underneath,” Mahomes continued.

“I always want to be pushing it to where it's right at the edge. That's who I am. It gives guys a chance to make plays, and we are coached that way. Coach (Andy) Reid wants us to push it right to the limit and don't go past it.”

Even if that means taking the easy throw to running back Jerick McKinnon in the flat. Or the short gain to tight end Travis Kelce over the middle. Or the pedestrian throw to wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster along the sideline.

The benefit of all those seemingly simple throws? Mahomes completed 87.8% of this throws against the Texans, breaking the franchise record of 86.36 percent set by Alex Smith against the Raiders on Oct. 16, 2016.

Mahomes also completed his final 20 passes against the Texans, which means he'll carry one of the longest streaks in league history into the game against Seattle. Five more would tie the record held by three other players.

“He's always striving to be better, no matter what type of game he has. He comes in Monday, right to the next script,” McKinnon said. “The thing about him, no matter what the score is, no matter how many points we are down, how many points we're up, he wants to have his foot on the gas the whole time.”

Mahomes might have done that the previous week in Denver, when he threw an uncharacteristic three interceptions in another nip-and-tuck win.

And the fact that he was coming off that relatively poor performance — Mahomes still threw for 352 yards and three scores — makes his near-flawless afternoon in Houston all the more impressive.

“I thought he had a tremendous game, and I mentioned it after the game, in particular, coming off the prior one,” Reid said Tuesday. “It's a great example for our football team how you go back and fix an issue, if he had an issue there, and do it the right way, and that's what he did. He dug in and really came out and had a great game.”

Just as he's been doing most of the season.

Mahomes leads the Chargers' Justin Herbert for the league lead in yards passing by a wide margin. He has 35 touchdown throws, four more than Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. His passer rating is third among everyday quarterbacks. And he's added 11 touchdown runs, breaking the Chiefs record for the most by a quarterback in a season.

He's put up all those MVP-caliber numbers without Tyreek Hill, too, who was traded to the Dolphins in the offseason and replaced by an almost entirely new cast of characters around him.

“Certainly, there were some question marks about the offense this year," Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said, "given the changes that we had at the receiver position. I think he’s showed that he is the best quarterback in the NFL, and he’s been able to adapt his game to be able to win and put up pretty impressive numbers on a weekly basis.”

NOTES: Reid said “there's a good chance” that WR Mecole Hardman (abdominal injury) will play Saturday for the first time since Week 9. “He'll practice with the guys today and see if we can get him in there a little bit,” Reid said. ... An illness is running through the Chiefs defensive line room. Chris Jones, Mike Danna and Khalen Saunders did not practice as a result Tuesday. ... TE Jody Fortson (elbow) also did not practice and is unlikely to be available against the Seahawks.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes has always pushed the boundaries of what is possible on the field.And plenty of times over five seasons as the starting quarterback in Kansas City, a line was crossed that led to some admonishment from Andy Reid.Over the past two years, though, those mistakes have become increasingly rare.Mahomes still takes it to the limit — trying to fit a throw into a tight window, or make the impossible play, or push the ball downfield when the check-down is wide open.But he has a better grasp of how far to go without stepping over the line, and the result has been an MVP-caliber season that just might be the finest of his career.After going 36 of 41 for 336 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday in Houston, Mahomes is on pace to surpass Peyton Manning's NFL record of 5,477 yards set during his 2013 MVP season with the Broncos, albeit during a 17-game season.“I want to always have that aggressiveness in me. That's what got me here and who I am,” Mahomes explained Tuesday, as the newly crowned AFC West champions turned their attention to Saturday's visit from the Seahawks.“But you have to find that spot where you're still aggressive but take what you can underneath,” Mahomes continued.“I always want to be pushing it to where it's right at the edge. That's who I am. It gives guys a chance to make plays, and we are coached that way. Coach (Andy) Reid wants us to push it right to the limit and don't go past it.”Even if that means taking the easy throw to running back Jerick McKinnon in the flat. Or the short gain to tight end Travis Kelce over the middle. Or the pedestrian throw to wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster along the sideline.The benefit of all those seemingly simple throws? Mahomes completed 87.8% of this throws against the Texans, breaking the franchise record of 86.36 percent set by Alex Smith against the Raiders on Oct. 16, 2016.Mahomes also completed his final 20 passes against the Texans, which means he'll carry one of the longest streaks in league history into the game against Seattle. Five more would tie the record held by three other players.“He's always striving to be better, no matter what type of game he has. He comes in Monday, right to the next script,” McKinnon said. “The thing about him, no matter what the score is, no matter how many points we are down, how many points we're up, he wants to have his foot on the gas the whole time.”Without going over the line, of course.Mahomes might have done that the previous week in Denver, when he threw an uncharacteristic three interceptions in another nip-and-tuck win.And the fact that he was coming off that relatively poor performance — Mahomes still threw for 352 yards and three scores — makes his near-flawless afternoon in Houston all the more impressive.“I thought he had a tremendous game, and I mentioned it after the game, in particular, coming off the prior one,” Reid said Tuesday. “It's a great example for our football team how you go back and fix an issue, if he had an issue there, and do it the right way, and that's what he did. He dug in and really came out and had a great game.”Just as he's been doing most of the season.Mahomes leads the Chargers' Justin Herbert for the league lead in yards passing by a wide margin. He has 35 touchdown throws, four more than Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. His passer rating is third among everyday quarterbacks. And he's added 11 touchdown runs, breaking the Chiefs record for the most by a quarterback in a season.He's put up all those MVP-caliber numbers without Tyreek Hill, too, who was traded to the Dolphins in the offseason and replaced by an almost entirely new cast of characters around him.“Certainly, there were some question marks about the offense this year," Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said, "given the changes that we had at the receiver position. I think he’s showed that he is the best quarterback in the NFL, and he’s been able to adapt his game to be able to win and put up pretty impressive numbers on a weekly basis.”NOTES: Reid said “there's a good chance” that WR Mecole Hardman (abdominal injury) will play Saturday for the first time since Week 9. “He'll practice with the guys today and see if we can get him in there a little bit,” Reid said. ... An illness is running through the Chiefs defensive line room. Chris Jones, Mike Danna and Khalen Saunders did not practice as a result Tuesday. ... TE Jody Fortson (elbow) also did not practice and is unlikely to be available against the Seahawks.

🏈 Chiefs' Mahomes making MVP bid with more balanced approach

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is making another run at the MVP award, but he's doing it in a different manner than in 2018, when he won his first trophy. Back then, he was airing the ball out in an offense predicated on big plays, even if it often led to interceptions and other mistakes. Mahomes still has that aggressiveness in his game, and he said Tuesday that he probably always will. But he's also learned to take his game to the limit without going over the proverbial line, and that's a big reason why he's on pace to break Peyton Manning's NFL single-season yardage record.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts still has a chance he could play Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys. Hurts sprained his right shoulder in Sunday's win against Chicago. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni did not rule out Hurts on Tuesday. Sirianni said there's a chance Hurts could play this week. The Eagles need one more win to clinch the NFC East and secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They would turn to backup QB Gardner Minshew to start Saturday’s game against the Cowboys if Hurts isn’t ready to play.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and well-traveled right-hander Jordan Lyles have agreed to a $17 million, two-year contract. That's according to a person familiar with the deal who told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. The 32-year-old Lyles has played for seven teams over 12 big league seasons. He was 12-11 with a 4.42 ERA last season in his lone year with Baltimore. His best season was in 2018, when he went 12-8 with a 4.15 ERA during stints in Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. He also has pitched for Houston, Texas, Colorado and San Diego.

UNDATED (AP) — In a wild twist overnight, Carlos Correa has agreed to sign with the New York Mets hours after his pending deal with the San Francisco Giants fell apart, according to media reports. The New York Post, citing anonymous sources, was first to report early Wednesday that the prized free-agent shortstop agreed to a $315 million, 12-year contract to play third base for the big-spending Mets, subject to a medical evaluation — which became an issue with the Giants. ESPN also reported the terms of Correa’s agreement with New York, citing an anonymous source. Mets owner Steve Cohen told The Post the Correa deal puts his team "over the top.” Cohen and Correa’s agent, Scott Boras, negotiated the agreement together in Hawaii, according to The Post.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Grant Sherfield scored 15 of his 22 points in the second half and Tanner Groves finished with a double-double and Oklahoma beat Florida 62-53 in an Inaugural Jumpman Invitational. Sherfield’s 3-pointer with 12:44 left gave Oklahoma a 42-41 lead and the Sooners led for the remainder. Florida’s Trey Bonham made a pair of foul shots to give the Gators a 27-16 lead with 7:18 before halftime, but Oklahoma proceeded to outscore Florida 13-4 to close the half to get within 31-29. Colin Castleton scored 22 points for Florida.

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Bryce Thompson had 13 points and six assists, Moussa Cisse added 12 points and 14 rebounds, and Oklahoma State blew past Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi 81-58. Avery Anderson added 10 points, nine assists and three rebounds for the Cowboys and Tyreek Smith scored 12 points. Oklahoma State led 44-20 at halftime after shooting 57.7% overall and 52.6% from 3-point distance. Thompson led the Cowboys with 12 points, all on 3-pointers. Ross Williams scored half of the Islanders’ 20 points in the first half and the starters managed only six points. Oklahoma State cooled off from the outside in the second half and the 7-foot-1 Cisse scored eight points in the paint and grabbed 10 rebounds.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State has canceled a men’s basketball game and a women’s basketball game because of the potential for severe winter weather. The athletic department announced the men’s game on Wednesday against Omaha and the women’s game on Thursday against Drake will not be rescheduled. Athletic director Jamie Pollard said canceling the games would allow the players to travel safely for the holidays. Fans who had purchased single-game tickets for either game will be issued a refund.

UNDATED (AP) — The Masters is keeping its criteria the same for next year. That means 16 players from Saudi-funded LIV Golf will be at Augusta National to compete for a green jacket. Club chairman Fred Ridley says he's disappointed in the fractured nature of golf. But he says the focus of the Masters is to bring the top players together from around the world. The 16 players from LIV Golf include six former champions and six who qualify by being in the top 50 in the world ranking. Ridley said the club still reserves the right to alter its criteria for 2024.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A parade in Buenos Aires to celebrate the return of Argentina’s World Cup champion team was abruptly cut short as millions of people poured onto streets, highways and overpasses in a chaotic attempt to catch a glimpse of team members. So many jubilant fans swarmed the Argentine capital on Tuesday that the players were forced to abandon the open-air bus taking them to Buenos Aires. They instead boarded helicopters for a capital flyover that the government billed as an aerial parade. The success of the Lionel Messi-led squad brought much-needed good news for the soccer-crazed but economically hurting neation, where mearly 4-in-10 live in poverty.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is making another run at the MVP award, but he's doing it in a different manner than in 2018, when he won his first trophy. Back then, he was airing the ball out in an offense predicated on big plays, even if it often led to interceptions and other mistakes. Mahomes still has that aggressiveness in his game, and he said Tuesday that he probably always will. But he's also learned to take his game to the limit without going over the proverbial line, and that's a big reason why he's on pace to break Peyton Manning's NFL single-season yardage record.PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts still has a chance he could play Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys. Hurts sprained his right shoulder in Sunday's win against Chicago. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni did not rule out Hurts on Tuesday. Sirianni said there's a chance Hurts could play this week. The Eagles need one more win to clinch the NFC East and secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They would turn to backup QB Gardner Minshew to start Saturday’s game against the Cowboys if Hurts isn’t ready to play.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and well-traveled right-hander Jordan Lyles have agreed to a $17 million, two-year contract. That's according to a person familiar with the deal who told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. The 32-year-old Lyles has played for seven teams over 12 big league seasons. He was 12-11 with a 4.42 ERA last season in his lone year with Baltimore. His best season was in 2018, when he went 12-8 with a 4.15 ERA during stints in Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. He also has pitched for Houston, Texas, Colorado and San Diego.UNDATED (AP) — In a wild twist overnight, Carlos Correa has agreed to sign with the New York Mets hours after his pending deal with the San Francisco Giants fell apart, according to media reports. The New York Post, citing anonymous sources, was first to report early Wednesday that the prized free-agent shortstop agreed to a $315 million, 12-year contract to play third base for the big-spending Mets, subject to a medical evaluation — which became an issue with the Giants. ESPN also reported the terms of Correa’s agreement with New York, citing an anonymous source. Mets owner Steve Cohen told The Post the Correa deal puts his team "over the top.” Cohen and Correa’s agent, Scott Boras, negotiated the agreement together in Hawaii, according to The Post.CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Grant Sherfield scored 15 of his 22 points in the second half and Tanner Groves finished with a double-double and Oklahoma beat Florida 62-53 in an Inaugural Jumpman Invitational. Sherfield’s 3-pointer with 12:44 left gave Oklahoma a 42-41 lead and the Sooners led for the remainder. Florida’s Trey Bonham made a pair of foul shots to give the Gators a 27-16 lead with 7:18 before halftime, but Oklahoma proceeded to outscore Florida 13-4 to close the half to get within 31-29. Colin Castleton scored 22 points for Florida.STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Bryce Thompson had 13 points and six assists, Moussa Cisse added 12 points and 14 rebounds, and Oklahoma State blew past Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi 81-58. Avery Anderson added 10 points, nine assists and three rebounds for the Cowboys and Tyreek Smith scored 12 points. Oklahoma State led 44-20 at halftime after shooting 57.7% overall and 52.6% from 3-point distance. Thompson led the Cowboys with 12 points, all on 3-pointers. Ross Williams scored half of the Islanders’ 20 points in the first half and the starters managed only six points. Oklahoma State cooled off from the outside in the second half and the 7-foot-1 Cisse scored eight points in the paint and grabbed 10 rebounds.AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State has canceled a men’s basketball game and a women’s basketball game because of the potential for severe winter weather. The athletic department announced the men’s game on Wednesday against Omaha and the women’s game on Thursday against Drake will not be rescheduled. Athletic director Jamie Pollard said canceling the games would allow the players to travel safely for the holidays. Fans who had purchased single-game tickets for either game will be issued a refund.UNDATED (AP) — The Masters is keeping its criteria the same for next year. That means 16 players from Saudi-funded LIV Golf will be at Augusta National to compete for a green jacket. Club chairman Fred Ridley says he's disappointed in the fractured nature of golf. But he says the focus of the Masters is to bring the top players together from around the world. The 16 players from LIV Golf include six former champions and six who qualify by being in the top 50 in the world ranking. Ridley said the club still reserves the right to alter its criteria for 2024.BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A parade in Buenos Aires to celebrate the return of Argentina’s World Cup champion team was abruptly cut short as millions of people poured onto streets, highways and overpasses in a chaotic attempt to catch a glimpse of team members. So many jubilant fans swarmed the Argentine capital on Tuesday that the players were forced to abandon the open-air bus taking them to Buenos Aires. They instead boarded helicopters for a capital flyover that the government billed as an aerial parade. The success of the Lionel Messi-led squad brought much-needed good news for the soccer-crazed but economically hurting neation, where mearly 4-in-10 live in poverty.TUESDAY SCORESTOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALLFinal (2)UConn 84 Georgetown 73Final (5)Arizona 85 Montana St. 64Final (22)Miami 66 (6)Virginia 64Final (9)Alabama 84 Jackson St. 64Final (11)Gonzaga 85 Montana 75Final (12)Baylor 58 Northwestern St. 48Final Wake Forest 81 (14)Duke 70Final Drake 58 (15)Mississippi St. 52Final (18)Indiana 96 Elon 72Final Providence 103 (24)Marquette 98NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal Utah 126 Detroit 111Final Chicago 113 Miami 103Final New York 132 Golden State 94Final Washington 113 Phoenix 110Final Denver 105 Memphis 91NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal Philadelphia 5 Columbus 3Final Toronto 4 Tampa Bay 1Final Carolina 4 New Jersey 1Final Pittsburgh 3 N-Y Rangers 2Final Winnipeg 5 Ottawa 1Final Seattle 5 St. Louis 2Final Los Angeles 4 Anaheim 1Final Calgary 7 San Jose 3

📰 Sports Headlines for Wednesday

HUTCHINSON, Kan.—The Huchinson Salthawk varsity basketball teams both go into the Christmas break with perfect 5-0 records for the first time since 2003 or perhaps even longer than that!&nbsp; Both teams earned big wins over league rival Haysville Campus Tuesday night.

The Hutch High girls used a smothering full court defense Tuesday night in route to a 59-14 win over Campus.&nbsp; The Salthawk defense forced 37 Campus turnovers for the game. The 4th quarter started with a running clock and only a 3 point shot at the buzzer kept Campus from being shut out in the final quarter.

Hutch High goes to 5-0 and Campus falls to 0-5 going into the Christmas break.&nbsp; Hutchinson hosts Maize South in the New Year on January 6th.

In the boys game, it was much of the same as the Salthawks used ball hawking defense to win over the Colts 67 to 34. Three different Salthawks led the team in the first three quarters.&nbsp; Hutch was paced by Wade Meyer, as he scored 7 of his 9 points in the 1st quarter. Jax Heneha had 7 of his 9 points in the 2nd quarter and Julian Smith came off the bench to hit 3 straight treys in the 3rd.&nbsp; Hutch led at the half 35-16 and was in complete control of the contest. Dauntay King drew the responsibility to guard Campus star Andrell Burton and boy did he ever. Burton was scoreless in the 1st and only had 4 points at the half.

Hutch was led in scoring by senior Nic Lange's 14 followed by balanced scoring from the rest of the team with Terrell King's 10 points, 9 apiece from Heneha, Meyer and Smith.&nbsp; Dauntay King chipped in 8 points including 2 three point daggers in the 3rd.

Hutchinson goes to 5-0 and returns home to host top ranked Maize South at the SAC on January 6th.

Campus falls to 2-3 going into the break.

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GLEN GRUNWALD Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan.—The Huchinson Salthawk varsity basketball teams both go into the Christmas break with perfect 5-0 records for the first time since 2003 or perhaps even longer than that!&nbsp; Both teams earned big wins over league rival Haysville Campus Tuesday night.GIRLS GAME:The Hutch High girls used a smothering full court defense Tuesday night in route to a 59-14 win over Campus.&nbsp; The Salthawk defense forced 37 Campus turnovers for the game. The 4th quarter started with a running clock and only a 3 point shot at the buzzer kept Campus from being shut out in the final quarter.Hutch High goes to 5-0 and Campus falls to 0-5 going into the Christmas break.&nbsp; Hutchinson hosts Maize South in the New Year on January 6th.BOYS GAME:In the boys game, it was much of the same as the Salthawks used ball hawking defense to win over the Colts 67 to 34. Three different Salthawks led the team in the first three quarters.&nbsp; Hutch was paced by Wade Meyer, as he scored 7 of his 9 points in the 1st quarter. Jax Heneha had 7 of his 9 points in the 2nd quarter and Julian Smith came off the bench to hit 3 straight treys in the 3rd.&nbsp; Hutch led at the half 35-16 and was in complete control of the contest. Dauntay King drew the responsibility to guard Campus star Andrell Burton and boy did he ever. Burton was scoreless in the 1st and only had 4 points at the half.Hutch was led in scoring by senior Nic Lange's 14 followed by balanced scoring from the rest of the team with Terrell King's 10 points, 9 apiece from Heneha, Meyer and Smith.&nbsp; Dauntay King chipped in 8 points including 2 three point daggers in the 3rd.Hutchinson goes to 5-0 and returns home to host top ranked Maize South at the SAC on January 6th.Campus falls to 2-3 going into the break.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile 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;&nbsp;

🏀 Salthawks corral the Colts

The Hutchinson Community College football team tied an all-time record for NJCAA All-Americans with 10 Blue Dragons earning spots on the 2022 NJCAA team, which was released on Tuesday.

Receiver Malik Benson made some history by becoming the first two-time first-team All-American in program history. He was the only first-team selection from the 2022 Blue Dragons who finished as Jayhawk Conference champion and NJCAA national runner-up, closing the season with an 11-1 record, which tied for the most wins in Hutchinson football history.

Benson and quarterback Dylan Laible, who was a 2021 honorable mention NJCAA All-American, are just the fourth and fifth Blue Dragons to earn All-America honors in consecutive seasons. Benson and Laible join Gordon Brown (1992-93), Excel Lucas (1994-95) and Cordarrelle Patterson (2010-11) in that exclusive group. Both Lucas and Patterson were second-team All-Americans as freshmen before earning first-team honors in their sophomore seasons. Brown was honorable mention as a freshman and second team as a sophomore.

Laible, running back Dylan Kedzior and offensive lineman J’onre Reed were all named to the 2022 second team.

Offensive lineman Dez’Mond Schuster, defensive lineman Jerrell Boykins Jr., defensive end Nikko Taylor, linebacker Terry Kirksey, defensive back Ja’Maric Morris and kicker Cole Segraves were all honorable-mention selections.

The 10 total selections for 2022 tied the 2020-21 Blue Dragons for most All-Americans chosen in a single season.

Completing the 91st season of football, the Blue Dragons now have 94 all-time NJCAA All-Americans, including 37 first-team selections. Counting other All-America teams, the Blue Dragon football team has produced 143 total All-Americans.

In head coach Drew Dallas’ three seasons, the Blue Dragons have produced 26 NJCAA All-Americans.

Benson, a sophomore from Lansing, completed his two seasons with the Blue Dragons as the program’s career leader in receiving yards with 2,210 yards. His 21 career receiving touchdowns are No. 2 in Blue Dragon history and his 102 career receptions rank third in Blue Dragon history. The Alabama commit authored 10 100-yard receiving games, including 4 of the top 8 receiving games in team history.

Benson caught 59 passes for 977 yards this season, both of those marks rank fifth in single-season Blue Dragon history.

Laible completed his three seasons with the Blue Dragons with career-best marks of 5,947 yards and 65 touchdowns. This season, Laible threw for 2,306 yards and 22 touchdowns, both which rank No. 5 on the Blue Dragon single-season lists.

Kedzior adds a second-team All-America award to his conference Player of the Year award. Kedzior became the 19th Blue Dragon in program history rush for 1,000 yards in a season, finishing with 1,092 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 6.95 yards per carry. Kedzior completed his three-year career with 1,445 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

Reed and Schuster each started all 12 games in 2022 for the Blue Dragons and blocked for a unit that led the nation in scoring at 37.2 points per game. The Dragons led the KJCCC in rushing at 202.7 yards per game.

Boykins, Taylor, Kirksey and Morris were part of one of the nation’s top defenses that entered the championship game tied for No. 1 in scoring defense.

Kirksey was the Blue Dragons leading tackler with 82 tackles. Taylor finished among the nation’s leaders with both tackles for loss and quarterback sacks and had 44 total tackles this season. Boykins had 20 total tackles from his defensive tackle spot and Morris led the Blue Dragons with five interceptions, including two interceptions returned for touchdowns.

Segraves had an exceptional freshman season for the Blue Dragons. He tied a single-season record with 14 field goals in 21 attempts with a long of 46 yards. He made 53 of 54 extra points to finish with a team-high 95 points. He became the first Blue Dragon kicker to boot at least four field goals in a game since 2004 and he kicked an overtime 39-yard game winner to defeat No. 7 Iowa Central on Sept. 10 at Gowans Stadium.

HutchCC Sports InformationThe Hutchinson Community College football team tied an all-time record for NJCAA All-Americans with 10 Blue Dragons earning spots on the 2022 NJCAA team, which was released on Tuesday.Receiver Malik Benson made some history by becoming the first two-time first-team All-American in program history. He was the only first-team selection from the 2022 Blue Dragons who finished as Jayhawk Conference champion and NJCAA national runner-up, closing the season with an 11-1 record, which tied for the most wins in Hutchinson football history.Benson and quarterback Dylan Laible, who was a 2021 honorable mention NJCAA All-American, are just the fourth and fifth Blue Dragons to earn All-America honors in consecutive seasons. Benson and Laible join Gordon Brown (1992-93), Excel Lucas (1994-95) and Cordarrelle Patterson (2010-11) in that exclusive group. Both Lucas and Patterson were second-team All-Americans as freshmen before earning first-team honors in their sophomore seasons. Brown was honorable mention as a freshman and second team as a sophomore.Laible, running back Dylan Kedzior and offensive lineman J’onre Reed were all named to the 2022 second team.Offensive lineman Dez’Mond Schuster, defensive lineman Jerrell Boykins Jr., defensive end Nikko Taylor, linebacker Terry Kirksey, defensive back Ja’Maric Morris and kicker Cole Segraves were all honorable-mention selections.The 10 total selections for 2022 tied the 2020-21 Blue Dragons for most All-Americans chosen in a single season.Completing the 91st season of football, the Blue Dragons now have 94 all-time NJCAA All-Americans, including 37 first-team selections. Counting other All-America teams, the Blue Dragon football team has produced 143 total All-Americans.In head coach Drew Dallas’ three seasons, the Blue Dragons have produced 26 NJCAA All-Americans.Benson, a sophomore from Lansing, completed his two seasons with the Blue Dragons as the program’s career leader in receiving yards with 2,210 yards. His 21 career receiving touchdowns are No. 2 in Blue Dragon history and his 102 career receptions rank third in Blue Dragon history. The Alabama commit authored 10 100-yard receiving games, including 4 of the top 8 receiving games in team history.Benson caught 59 passes for 977 yards this season, both of those marks rank fifth in single-season Blue Dragon history.Laible completed his three seasons with the Blue Dragons with career-best marks of 5,947 yards and 65 touchdowns. This season, Laible threw for 2,306 yards and 22 touchdowns, both which rank No. 5 on the Blue Dragon single-season lists.Kedzior adds a second-team All-America award to his conference Player of the Year award. Kedzior became the 19th Blue Dragon in program history rush for 1,000 yards in a season, finishing with 1,092 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 6.95 yards per carry. Kedzior completed his three-year career with 1,445 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.Reed and Schuster each started all 12 games in 2022 for the Blue Dragons and blocked for a unit that led the nation in scoring at 37.2 points per game. The Dragons led the KJCCC in rushing at 202.7 yards per game.Boykins, Taylor, Kirksey and Morris were part of one of the nation’s top defenses that entered the championship game tied for No. 1 in scoring defense.Kirksey was the Blue Dragons leading tackler with 82 tackles. Taylor finished among the nation’s leaders with both tackles for loss and quarterback sacks and had 44 total tackles this season. Boykins had 20 total tackles from his defensive tackle spot and Morris led the Blue Dragons with five interceptions, including two interceptions returned for touchdowns.Segraves had an exceptional freshman season for the Blue Dragons. He tied a single-season record with 14 field goals in 21 attempts with a long of 46 yards. He made 53 of 54 extra points to finish with a team-high 95 points. He became the first Blue Dragon kicker to boot at least four field goals in a game since 2004 and he kicked an overtime 39-yard game winner to defeat No. 7 Iowa Central on Sept. 10 at Gowans Stadium.

🏈 10 Dragons earn NJCAA All-America honors

Andover Central 48, Salina Central 30

Chase County, Neb. 42, Northern Heights 29

Reno County 35, Central Christian 18

Andover Central 70, Salina Central 32

Tuesday's ScoresThe Associated Press<h2>GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL</h2>Andale 39, Garden Plain 28Andover Central 48, Salina Central 30Arapahoe, Neb. 50, Northern Valley 29Atchison 66, Horton 16Atchison County 66, Horton 16Augusta 46, Wichita Collegiate 10Axtell 38, Lyndon 34Baldwin 67, Tonganoxie 29Blue Valley 82, Linn 51Bluestem 40, Douglass 21Bucklin 60, Pawnee Heights 27Canton-Galva 54, Wakefield 38Centralia 47, Wetmore 14Chase County, Neb. 42, Northern Heights 29Clay Center 52, Concordia 27Clifton-Clyde 62, Troy 61Colby 47, Russell 17Derby 44, Maize South 35Fort Benton, Mont. 50, Olathe North 38Galena 59, Baxter Springs 24Goddard-Eisenhower 50, Newton 16Goessel 60, Peabody-Burns 5Golden Plains 39, St. Francis 27Goodland 62, Scott City 38Greeley County 52, Brewster 25Heritage Christian 47, KC Christian 31Hillsboro 52, Council Grove 13, OTHutchinson 59, Wichita Campus 14KC Piper 46, Basehor-Linwood 41Kiowa County 49, Meade 22Lawrence 62, Excelsior Springs, Mo. 26Liberal 53, Hugoton 44Little River 55, Herington 23Macksville 70, Cunningham 24Perry-Lecompton 45, Royal Valley 36Quinter 64, Hill City 26Remington 54, Chaparral 30Reno County 35, Central Christian 18Riley County 49, Beloit 21South Gray 60, Sublette 28Trego 54, Dighton 37Wellington 57, Winfield 15<h2>BOYS PREP BASKETBALL:</h2>Andale 40, Garden Plain 22Andover Central 70, Salina Central 32Baldwin 62, Tonganoxie 35Beloit 53, Riley County 28Bishop Miege 52, Grandview, Mo. 42Blue Valley 82, Linn 51Caldwell 50, Norwich 42Centralia 65, Wetmore 34Chase County 67, Northern Heights 49Clifton-Clyde 55, Troy 44Colby 60, Russell 44Concordia 53, Clay Center, Neb. 47Council Grove 52, Hillsboro 51Douglass 50, Bluestem 30Galena 64, Baxter Springs 51Goddard-Eisenhower 60, Newton 40Golden Plains 47, St. Francis 26Goodland 41, Scott City 33Greeley County 87, Triplains-Brewster 24Hesston 54, Wichita Sunrise 39Hill City 67, Quinter 46Hugoton 75, Liberal 38Hutchinson 67, Wichita Campus 34KC Piper 46, Basehor-Linwood 41Little River 64, Herington 24Lyndon 49, Axtell 44Macksville 57, Cunningham 51Maize 54, Salina South 45Maize South 61, Derby 54Metro Academy 57, Spring Hill 54Minneola 57, South Central 53Northern Valley 66, Arapahoe, Neb. 45Olathe Northwest 57, SM East 50Pawnee Heights 79, Bucklin 68Perry-Lecompton 60, Royal Valley 43Remington 56, Chaparral 39South Gray 77, Sublette 58Wellington 62, Winfield 56

🏀 High School Scores from Tuesday

HUTCHINSON, Kan.-Recently named NJCAA 2nd team All-American running back for the Hutchinson Blue Dragons Dylan Kedzior announced on Monday via Twitter that he has committed to and will sign with the University of Buffalo on Wednesday.

Kedzior was the KJCCC Offensive Player of the Year and lead Hutchinson to an 11-1 season that just wrapped up as runner-up to the National Championship.&nbsp; Kedzior is a 6'0", 215 lb. running back from Claremore, Oklahoma.

An official release will come out from the University of Buffalo SID department on Wednesday.

Check out Kedzior's highlights at www.hudl.com/v/2JmPJ5

HUTCHINSON, Kan.-Recently named NJCAA 2nd team All-American running back for the Hutchinson Blue Dragons Dylan Kedzior announced on Monday via Twitter that he has committed to and will sign with the University of Buffalo on Wednesday.Kedzior was the KJCCC Offensive Player of the Year and lead Hutchinson to an 11-1 season that just wrapped up as runner-up to the National Championship.&nbsp; Kedzior is a 6'0", 215 lb. running back from Claremore, Oklahoma.An official release will come out from the University of Buffalo SID department on Wednesday.Check out Kedzior's highlights at www.hudl.com/v/2JmPJ5

🏈 Kedzior to commit to University of Buffalo

After one of the most successful seasons in program history, Hutchinson Community College football head coach Drew Dallas was named the 2022 American Community College Football Coaches Association 2022 Coach of the Year on Tuesday.

Last week, Dallas and the Blue Dragons played for the NJCAA Division I National Championship in Little Rock, Arkansas to complete an 11-1 season that included a Jayhawk Conference championship and a six-week run at No. 1 in the NJCAA National Rankings.

This is Dallas’ first AFCA national award and his second national coaching award in three seasons as the Blue Dragons’ head coach. After the 2020-21 season, when the Blue Dragons captured the program’s first national championship, Dallas was named the NJCAA National Coach of the Year. Dallas has also been named the Jayhawk Conference Coach of the Year twice in three seasons.

Over his three seasons on the Blue Dragon sideline, Dallas is 28-3 as a head coach with two league titles a KJCCC playoff championship, a national semifinal victory, two appearances in the national championship game and one national championship (2020-21).

The Blue Dragons led the nation in scoring offense this season at 44 points per game. By winning their first 11 games of the season against one of the toughest schedules in the country, the Blue Dragons amassed a 17-game winning streak, which was the second longest in a program history that dates back to 1928.

Hutchinson’s 11 wins this season tied for the most wins in program history, matching the 2014 team’s 11-win season.

This season, the Blue Dragons produced 30 all-KJCCC performers, including 14 first-team selections and KJCCC Offensive Player of the Year Dylan Kedzior.

Dallas completes his fourth season altogether with the Blue Dragon Football program.

He joined the Hutchinson staff in 2019 as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. The Blue Dragons finished 10-2 that year with a win in the Salt City Bowl. Under Dallas, the offense ranked No. 3 in the nation in scoring, No. 4 in rushing offense and No. 10 in total offense.

In 2002, the American Community College Football Coaches Association selected its first national coach of the year, Michael White of Reedley College. Past winners of the ACCFCA Coach of the Year are: Troy Morrell, Butler Community College, 2003; Tim Hatten, Pearl River Community College, 2004; Don Dillon, American River College, 2005; John Featherstone, El Camino College, 2006; Jeff Chudy, Bakersfield College, 2007; Jeff Jordan, Butte College, 2008; Brad Franchione, Blinn College, 2009; Bob Jastrab, Mt. San Antonio College, 2010; Bert Williams, Georgia Military College, 2013; Buddy Stephens, East Mississippi Community College, 2011 and 2014; Mark McElroy, Saddleback College, 2015;Jeff Sims, Garden City Community College, 2016; Scott Strohmeier, Iowa Western Community College, 2012 and 2017; Steve Mooshagian, Ventura College, 2018; Tom Craft, Riverside City College, 2019 and Kurt Taufa’asau, New Mexico Military Institute, 2021.

HutchCC Sports InformationAfter one of the most successful seasons in program history, Hutchinson Community College football head coach Drew Dallas was named the 2022 American Community College Football Coaches Association 2022 Coach of the Year on Tuesday.Last week, Dallas and the Blue Dragons played for the NJCAA Division I National Championship in Little Rock, Arkansas to complete an 11-1 season that included a Jayhawk Conference championship and a six-week run at No. 1 in the NJCAA National Rankings.This is Dallas’ first AFCA national award and his second national coaching award in three seasons as the Blue Dragons’ head coach. After the 2020-21 season, when the Blue Dragons captured the program’s first national championship, Dallas was named the NJCAA National Coach of the Year. Dallas has also been named the Jayhawk Conference Coach of the Year twice in three seasons.Over his three seasons on the Blue Dragon sideline, Dallas is 28-3 as a head coach with two league titles a KJCCC playoff championship, a national semifinal victory, two appearances in the national championship game and one national championship (2020-21).The Blue Dragons led the nation in scoring offense this season at 44 points per game. By winning their first 11 games of the season against one of the toughest schedules in the country, the Blue Dragons amassed a 17-game winning streak, which was the second longest in a program history that dates back to 1928.Hutchinson’s 11 wins this season tied for the most wins in program history, matching the 2014 team’s 11-win season.This season, the Blue Dragons produced 30 all-KJCCC performers, including 14 first-team selections and KJCCC Offensive Player of the Year Dylan Kedzior.Dallas completes his fourth season altogether with the Blue Dragon Football program.He joined the Hutchinson staff in 2019 as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. The Blue Dragons finished 10-2 that year with a win in the Salt City Bowl. Under Dallas, the offense ranked No. 3 in the nation in scoring, No. 4 in rushing offense and No. 10 in total offense.In 2002, the American Community College Football Coaches Association selected its first national coach of the year, Michael White of Reedley College. Past winners of the ACCFCA Coach of the Year are: Troy Morrell, Butler Community College, 2003; Tim Hatten, Pearl River Community College, 2004; Don Dillon, American River College, 2005; John Featherstone, El Camino College, 2006; Jeff Chudy, Bakersfield College, 2007; Jeff Jordan, Butte College, 2008; Brad Franchione, Blinn College, 2009; Bob Jastrab, Mt. San Antonio College, 2010; Bert Williams, Georgia Military College, 2013; Buddy Stephens, East Mississippi Community College, 2011 and 2014; Mark McElroy, Saddleback College, 2015;Jeff Sims, Garden City Community College, 2016; Scott Strohmeier, Iowa Western Community College, 2012 and 2017; Steve Mooshagian, Ventura College, 2018; Tom Craft, Riverside City College, 2019 and Kurt Taufa’asau, New Mexico Military Institute, 2021.

🏈 Dallas named ACCFCA Coach of the Year

KANSAS CITY, Mo.— The Kansas City Royals have announced that 2023 Royals Hall of Fame voting begins today. The online portion of this year’s vote will remain open to fans through Tuesday, January 3rd at 11:59 p.m. CT at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.royals.com/hofvote" target="_blank">www.royals.com/hofvote</a>.

The Royals Hall of Fame voting process includes two phases. The Regular Phase takes place in odd-numbered years and focuses on eligible former players and managers. The Veterans Committee phase takes place in even-numbered years and considers both non-field personnel and alumni who have previously received Royals Hall of Fame (Regular Phase) votes but are no longer eligible for election in that manner. To be eligible for the first time, Royals Alumni must have been active with the ballclub for at least three (3) seasons and accumulated a minimum of 1,500 plate appearances or 300 innings pitched or managed the equivalent of three full seasons. Eligible alumni shall have ceased to be an active on-field member of the Royals (or for any other Major League organization) in the role for which they are being considered for at least three (3) calendar years preceding the election. The 2023 vote includes two first-time eligible Royals Alumni and four that return after receiving at least ten percent of the vote in 2021.

The eligible alumni on the 2023 Royals Hall of Fame ballot are (in alphabetical order):&nbsp;Carlos Beltrán, OF (1998-2004);&nbsp;Billy Butler, 1B/DH (2007-2014);&nbsp;Johnny Damon, OF (1995-2000);&nbsp;Jason Vargas, P (2014-2017);&nbsp;Yordano Ventura&nbsp;P (2013-2016); and&nbsp;Ned Yost, Manager (2010-2019).

Fans will be joined by other voters, including all living members of the Royals Hall of Fame and the members of the Royals Hall of Fame Executive Board, select members of the Kansas City Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America, Kansas City media representatives, and current Royals front office staff with 15 years of service or more, in selecting any Royals Hall of Fame inductees. The online fan ballot will account for three overall votes with a distribution of three full votes for each of the top three vote getters. Any eligible alumni receiving 75 percent of the vote will be elected and scheduled for induction during the 2023 season. Eligible alumni must receive a minimum of ten percent of the ballots cast to remain eligible for inclusion on the ballot for the next Royals Hall of Fame (Regular Phase) voting cycle.&nbsp;

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

The first inductees were outfielder&nbsp;Amos Otis&nbsp;and pitcher&nbsp;Steve Busby. They have been joined by pitcher&nbsp;Paul Splittorff, second baseman&nbsp;Cookie Rojas, Manager&nbsp;Dick Howser, pitcher&nbsp;Dennis Leonard, designated hitter&nbsp;Hal McRae, shortstop&nbsp;Fred Patek, Club President&nbsp;Joe Burke, pitcher&nbsp;Larry Gura, Royals founders&nbsp;Ewing&nbsp;and&nbsp;Muriel Kauffman, third baseman&nbsp;George Brett, second baseman&nbsp;Frank White, first baseman&nbsp;John Mayberry, pitcher&nbsp;Dan Quisenberry, Manager&nbsp;Whitey Herzog, center fielder&nbsp;Willie Wilson, pitcher&nbsp;Jeff Montgomery, broadcaster&nbsp;Denny Matthews, pitcher&nbsp;Bret Saberhagen, pitcher&nbsp;Mark Gubicza, scout&nbsp;Art Stewart, pitcher&nbsp;Kevin Appier, Groundskeeper&nbsp;George Toma&nbsp;and first baseman&nbsp;Mike Sweeney.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.— The Kansas City Royals have announced that 2023 Royals Hall of Fame voting begins today. The online portion of this year’s vote will remain open to fans through Tuesday, January 3rd at 11:59 p.m. CT at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.royals.com/hofvote" target="_blank">www.royals.com/hofvote</a>.The Royals Hall of Fame voting process includes two phases. The Regular Phase takes place in odd-numbered years and focuses on eligible former players and managers. The Veterans Committee phase takes place in even-numbered years and considers both non-field personnel and alumni who have previously received Royals Hall of Fame (Regular Phase) votes but are no longer eligible for election in that manner. To be eligible for the first time, Royals Alumni must have been active with the ballclub for at least three (3) seasons and accumulated a minimum of 1,500 plate appearances or 300 innings pitched or managed the equivalent of three full seasons. Eligible alumni shall have ceased to be an active on-field member of the Royals (or for any other Major League organization) in the role for which they are being considered for at least three (3) calendar years preceding the election. The 2023 vote includes two first-time eligible Royals Alumni and four that return after receiving at least ten percent of the vote in 2021.The eligible alumni on the 2023 Royals Hall of Fame ballot are (in alphabetical order):&nbsp;Carlos Beltrán, OF (1998-2004);&nbsp;Billy Butler, 1B/DH (2007-2014);&nbsp;Johnny Damon, OF (1995-2000);&nbsp;Jason Vargas, P (2014-2017);&nbsp;Yordano Ventura&nbsp;P (2013-2016); and&nbsp;Ned Yost, Manager (2010-2019).Fans will be joined by other voters, including all living members of the Royals Hall of Fame and the members of the Royals Hall of Fame Executive Board, select members of the Kansas City Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America, Kansas City media representatives, and current Royals front office staff with 15 years of service or more, in selecting any Royals Hall of Fame inductees. The online fan ballot will account for three overall votes with a distribution of three full votes for each of the top three vote getters. Any eligible alumni receiving 75 percent of the vote will be elected and scheduled for induction during the 2023 season. Eligible alumni must receive a minimum of ten percent of the ballots cast to remain eligible for inclusion on the ballot for the next Royals Hall of Fame (Regular Phase) voting cycle.&nbsp;The Royals Hall of Fame was established in 1986 to celebrate the accomplishments of those players, coaches and other personnel who have made exceptional contributions to Kansas City Royals Baseball.The first inductees were outfielder&nbsp;Amos Otis&nbsp;and pitcher&nbsp;Steve Busby. They have been joined by pitcher&nbsp;Paul Splittorff, second baseman&nbsp;Cookie Rojas, Manager&nbsp;Dick Howser, pitcher&nbsp;Dennis Leonard, designated hitter&nbsp;Hal McRae, shortstop&nbsp;Fred Patek, Club President&nbsp;Joe Burke, pitcher&nbsp;Larry Gura, Royals founders&nbsp;Ewing&nbsp;and&nbsp;Muriel Kauffman, third baseman&nbsp;George Brett, second baseman&nbsp;Frank White, first baseman&nbsp;John Mayberry, pitcher&nbsp;Dan Quisenberry, Manager&nbsp;Whitey Herzog, center fielder&nbsp;Willie Wilson, pitcher&nbsp;Jeff Montgomery, broadcaster&nbsp;Denny Matthews, pitcher&nbsp;Bret Saberhagen, pitcher&nbsp;Mark Gubicza, scout&nbsp;Art Stewart, pitcher&nbsp;Kevin Appier, Groundskeeper&nbsp;George Toma&nbsp;and first baseman&nbsp;Mike Sweeney.

⚾ Royals begin 2023 Hall of Fame balloting

<a href="https://goshockers.com/news/2022/12/19/rodden-named-collegiate-baseball-preseason-all-american.aspx">Via GoShockers.com</a>

WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Wichita State junior infielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/6245">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;was named Third Team Preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball. Rodden put together one of the best seasons by any second baseman in the country in 2022, taking home a plethora of individual awards, most notably&nbsp;ABCA&nbsp;Second Team All-Central Region,&nbsp;American Athletic Conference Newcomer Position Player of the Year and&nbsp;First Team All-American Athletic Conference. He was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 10th round of the Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign and elected to return for his junior season. He led the Shockers in batting average (.338), on-base percentage (.441) and slugging percentage (.653) in his first season in the Black and Yellow. The switch-hitter finished the season atop the American Athletic Conference with 141 total bases, while also ranking in the top five in hits, runs scored and home runs. His 21 multi-hit games&nbsp;paced the Shockers squad, including nine three-hit games. Rodden ranked second nationally among second baseman in&nbsp;Batter Game Score (BaGS), an advanced statistical metric that&nbsp;combines actual results with batted ball regression,&nbsp;conference RPI and&nbsp;park factors. The native of Oktaha, Okla., demonstrated remarkable plate discipline, drawing 39 walks while striking out 37 times. Rodden struck out just three times over the final 18 games of the season, earning 18 walks in that time frame. Rodden twice drove in four runs in a game this season (South Dakota State, March 13 and Houston, May 8), and scored a season-high four runs in the Shockers 18-0 win over Oklahoma on May 16. He put together a 19-game on-base streak earlier this season, and proved equally adept at handling both left-handed and right-handed pitching (.373 vs. LHP, .322&nbsp;vs. RHP). Defensively, the Seminole State transfer finished the year riding a stretch of 16 consecutive errorless games at second base. The Shockers open the season on February 17 at Long Beach State, with the home opener at Eck Stadium scheduled for March 3 vs. Oakland. For ticket information, call 978-3267 or click&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=BST&amp;linkID=wichita&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=">HERE</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://goshockers.com/news/2022/12/19/rodden-named-collegiate-baseball-preseason-all-american.aspx">Via GoShockers.com</a>WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Wichita State junior infielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/6245">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;was named Third Team Preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball. Rodden put together one of the best seasons by any second baseman in the country in 2022, taking home a plethora of individual awards, most notably&nbsp;ABCA&nbsp;Second Team All-Central Region,&nbsp;American Athletic Conference Newcomer Position Player of the Year and&nbsp;First Team All-American Athletic Conference. He was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 10th round of the Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign and elected to return for his junior season. He led the Shockers in batting average (.338), on-base percentage (.441) and slugging percentage (.653) in his first season in the Black and Yellow. The switch-hitter finished the season atop the American Athletic Conference with 141 total bases, while also ranking in the top five in hits, runs scored and home runs. His 21 multi-hit games&nbsp;paced the Shockers squad, including nine three-hit games. Rodden ranked second nationally among second baseman in&nbsp;Batter Game Score (BaGS), an advanced statistical metric that&nbsp;combines actual results with batted ball regression,&nbsp;conference RPI and&nbsp;park factors. The native of Oktaha, Okla., demonstrated remarkable plate discipline, drawing 39 walks while striking out 37 times. Rodden struck out just three times over the final 18 games of the season, earning 18 walks in that time frame. Rodden twice drove in four runs in a game this season (South Dakota State, March 13 and Houston, May 8), and scored a season-high four runs in the Shockers 18-0 win over Oklahoma on May 16. He put together a 19-game on-base streak earlier this season, and proved equally adept at handling both left-handed and right-handed pitching (.373 vs. LHP, .322&nbsp;vs. RHP). Defensively, the Seminole State transfer finished the year riding a stretch of 16 consecutive errorless games at second base. The Shockers open the season on February 17 at Long Beach State, with the home opener at Eck Stadium scheduled for March 3 vs. Oakland. For ticket information, call 978-3267 or click&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=BST&amp;linkID=wichita&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=">HERE</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Rodden named Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-American

HUTCHINSON, Kan.:&nbsp;(Transcript from KWBW Sports) 7:10am on BW Radio, time to turn to sports, 5th year senior Keyontae Johnson was honored for the second time this season as the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week as he had an impressive performance in key states win over Nebraska in the Wildcat Classic. Johnson played perhaps his best all around game and helping K-State move to 10 and 1 and extend their best start to a season since the 2016-17 season. He had a game high in Points 23 and also 11 rebounds. The first Wildcat captured Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, twice in the same season since Dean Wade did it two times in the 2015 season. He turned out to be pretty good.

Top 25&nbsp;AP basketball poll shows Kansas moves up to number four, Texas seven,&nbsp; Baylor is number twelve. TCU is number Twenty. 

Based on current standings, the Chiefs are in position to potentially host a divisional round game at field at Arrowhead. Tickets for the potential game go on sale tomorrow. Jackson County residents get the first crack at tickets with a pre-sale available from 8 a.m. until 9:30 am. Tickets for everyone else are available at 11 a.m.. Wednesday, December the 21st. 

One of the top  high school seniors in Kansas says he's going to Kansas. Eudora High's Jaden Hamm decommitted from Arkansas this weekend, shortly after making a visit to the Jayhawks. Hamm is a tight end, rated as the sixth best player in Kansas. Hamm is the second top ten player from the state to commit to CU Lawrence. Free state offensive lineman Calvin Clements recently changed his commitment from Baylor to KU as well. 

Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Cottle. Nikki confirmed Monday that he has agreed to a contract extension with KU. He agreed to a contract that extends his contract five years. That'll keep the talented coordinator under contract with KU through the 2027 season. Terms not disclosed. 

The news are on the heels of Lance Leipold agreeing to a new contract that keeps him in Lawrence through the 2029 season. Royals closing in on another veteran pitcher to add their young pitching corps. The second edition in a week right handed starting pitcher Jordan Lyles, who's 32 and the royals close to inking a two year deal that's according to MLB.com registered a 12 and 11 record with a 4.42 era with 144 strikeouts. Just 52 walks in, 32 starts. That's 179 innings for Baltimore last season. His 179 innings pitched surpassed Brady Singer's royals, leading total by more than 25 innings point. The Royals need some additional starting pitching. 

High school basketball. Huth High takes on campus at the SAC tonight. Our pregame of the girl's starts at 5:45 pm boy's action around 7:30 pm. Elsewhere in the county, pretty prairie takes on Udall at home.  

That's all the matchups that we have, at least for tonight. That's sports for Tuesday Morning.

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

<div><iframe title="Eagle Media Sports for Tuesday Morning, December 20th, 2022" 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=gmgva-13420e8-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=7"></iframe></div>HUTCHINSON, Kan.:&nbsp;(Transcript from KWBW Sports) 7:10am on BW Radio, time to turn to sports, 5th year senior Keyontae Johnson was honored for the second time this season as the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week as he had an impressive performance in key states win over Nebraska in the Wildcat Classic. Johnson played perhaps his best all around game and helping K-State move to 10 and 1 and extend their best start to a season since the 2016-17 season. He had a game high in Points 23 and also 11 rebounds. The first Wildcat captured Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, twice in the same season since Dean Wade did it two times in the 2015 season. He turned out to be pretty good. Top 25&nbsp;AP basketball poll shows Kansas moves up to number four, Texas seven,&nbsp; Baylor is number twelve. TCU is number Twenty. Based on current standings, the Chiefs are in position to potentially host a divisional round game at field at Arrowhead. Tickets for the potential game go on sale tomorrow. Jackson County residents get the first crack at tickets with a pre-sale available from 8 a.m. until 9:30 am. Tickets for everyone else are available at 11 a.m.. Wednesday, December the 21st. One of the top high school seniors in Kansas says he's going to Kansas. Eudora High's Jaden Hamm decommitted from Arkansas this weekend, shortly after making a visit to the Jayhawks. Hamm is a tight end, rated as the sixth best player in Kansas. Hamm is the second top ten player from the state to commit to CU Lawrence. Free state offensive lineman Calvin Clements recently changed his commitment from Baylor to KU as well. Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Cottle. Nikki confirmed Monday that he has agreed to a contract extension with KU. He agreed to a contract that extends his contract five years. That'll keep the talented coordinator under contract with KU through the 2027 season. Terms not disclosed. The news are on the heels of Lance Leipold agreeing to a new contract that keeps him in Lawrence through the 2029 season. Royals closing in on another veteran pitcher to add their young pitching corps. The second edition in a week right handed starting pitcher Jordan Lyles, who's 32 and the royals close to inking a two year deal that's according to MLB.com registered a 12 and 11 record with a 4.42 era with 144 strikeouts. Just 52 walks in, 32 starts. That's 179 innings for Baltimore last season. His 179 innings pitched surpassed Brady Singer's royals, leading total by more than 25 innings point. The Royals need some additional starting pitching. High school basketball. Huth High takes on campus at the SAC tonight. Our pregame of the girl's starts at 5:45 pm boy's action around 7:30 pm. Elsewhere in the county, pretty prairie takes on Udall at home. That's all the matchups that we have, at least for tonight. That's sports for Tuesday Morning.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙 📰 Eagle Media Sports for Tuesday Morning

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Led by 18 individuals nominated with a perfect 4.0 GPA, Kansas State fall student-athletes in the sports of men’s and women’s cross country, football, soccer and volleyball combined for 72 Academic All-Big 12 honors, as the conference office announced its fall accolades on Tuesday.

The 72 student-athletes honored were tied for the third most in the league. The Wildcats had 64 student-athletes named to the first team and an additional eight on the second team.

Those that were nominated with a perfect 4.0 GPA include men’s cross country runners&nbsp;Kerby Depenbusch,&nbsp;Matthew Hauser&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mike Rohlinger; women’s cross country runners&nbsp;Sydney Burton&nbsp;and&nbsp;Helen Giefer; football players&nbsp;Cooper Beebe,&nbsp;Robert Hentz II,&nbsp;Will Howard,&nbsp;Austin Moore&nbsp;and&nbsp;Chris Tennant; soccer players&nbsp;Adah Anderson,&nbsp;Shannon Dukes,&nbsp;Caylee Thornhill,&nbsp;Maddie Weichel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Alaina Werremeyer; and volleyball players&nbsp;Kadye Fernholz,&nbsp;Loren Hinkle&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mackenzie Morris.

K-State led the conference in the number of cross country athletes nominated with a 4.00 GPA with five.

In football, the Wildcats ranked third in the league overall and tied for first with 29 first-team honorees. Since 2014, the Wildcats have totaled a league-leading 270 Academic All-Big 12 performers, 32 more than the next closest team.

Among the soccer programs on the 2022 Academic All-Big 12 awards, K-State had the second-most honorees with 16. In its seven seasons of action, Kansas State has now received 85 Academic All-Big 12 citations including 76 first team honors.

K-State volleyball’s three student-athletes that were nominated with 4.0 GPAs tied for the most in the league. Since 2015, 67 Wildcats have received Academic All-Big 12 accolades with 60 being named to the first team.

First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, while the second-team selections hold a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 20 percent of their team’s scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671569112882.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Led by 18 individuals nominated with a perfect 4.0 GPA, Kansas State fall student-athletes in the sports of men’s and women’s cross country, football, soccer and volleyball combined for 72 Academic All-Big 12 honors, as the conference office announced its fall accolades on Tuesday.The 72 student-athletes honored were tied for the third most in the league. The Wildcats had 64 student-athletes named to the first team and an additional eight on the second team.Those that were nominated with a perfect 4.0 GPA include men’s cross country runners&nbsp;Kerby Depenbusch,&nbsp;Matthew Hauser&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mike Rohlinger; women’s cross country runners&nbsp;Sydney Burton&nbsp;and&nbsp;Helen Giefer; football players&nbsp;Cooper Beebe,&nbsp;Robert Hentz II,&nbsp;Will Howard,&nbsp;Austin Moore&nbsp;and&nbsp;Chris Tennant; soccer players&nbsp;Adah Anderson,&nbsp;Shannon Dukes,&nbsp;Caylee Thornhill,&nbsp;Maddie Weichel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Alaina Werremeyer; and volleyball players&nbsp;Kadye Fernholz,&nbsp;Loren Hinkle&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mackenzie Morris.K-State led the conference in the number of cross country athletes nominated with a 4.00 GPA with five.In football, the Wildcats ranked third in the league overall and tied for first with 29 first-team honorees. Since 2014, the Wildcats have totaled a league-leading 270 Academic All-Big 12 performers, 32 more than the next closest team.Among the soccer programs on the 2022 Academic All-Big 12 awards, K-State had the second-most honorees with 16. In its seven seasons of action, Kansas State has now received 85 Academic All-Big 12 citations including 76 first team honors.K-State volleyball’s three student-athletes that were nominated with 4.0 GPAs tied for the most in the league. Since 2015, 67 Wildcats have received Academic All-Big 12 accolades with 60 being named to the first team.First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, while the second-team selections hold a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 20 percent of their team’s scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.

K-State Student-Athletes combine for 72 Academic All-Big 12 Honors

PITTSBURGH (AP) — And it came to pass — actually, quarterback Terry Bradshaw came to pass, but bear with us. This is a story about football, culture and religion, so it seems right to begin with some biblical phrasing.

Thus, Bradshaw barely got off the pass, which was deflected in a collision between defender and receiver. Everyone thought the game was over except a hustling fullback, Franco Harris. He made an improbable shoestring catch and raced into the end zone, securing the Pittsburgh Steelers' first-ever playoff win, the start of a long dynasty.

That was 50 years ago this Friday, on Dec. 23, 1972. But even though the NFL has officially designated it the greatest play in league history, it was bigger than that.

“Dec. 23 will henceforth be celebrated in Pittsburgh as the Feast of the Immaculate Reception,” legendary local sportscaster Myron Cope proclaimed.

He got the idea from a caller whose boyfriend had coined the name in a barroom victory celebration — putting a twist on the recently passed Catholic Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which marks the belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without sin.

The coinage was as durable as it was instant, “using religious terminology to almost mythologize a sporting event,” said Anne Madarasz, chief historian and director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.

The Immaculate Reception crystallized the rise of the Steelers — even as their namesake industry was on the decline, as was the Pittsburgh of compact immigrant neighborhoods with multiple ethnic Catholic parishes.

By 1980, just as the Steelers were celebrating their fourth Super Bowl victory, Pittsburgh’s famed steel industry was moving from decline to all-out collapse. Many young people moved out of the demoralized region in search of jobs across the country (helping build the Steelers' national fan base, by the way).

Still, those who left and those who stayed had the memory of a play called immaculate — a story with a never-give-up moral.

“This was our cultural rallying point,” said the Rev. Lou Vallone, a retired Catholic priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

“It’s what kept us going as we saw our immigrant culture begin to dissipate, as the economics went down, the steel mills closed, as people moved out into the suburbs, people moved out of the area," said Vallone. He used to preside at Masses at St. Peter Church, the parish nearest the stadium, where the congregants included many game-day tailgaters, clad in Steelers' black and gold.

The city's and region's population decreased in the years after the catch. The ranks of Catholics — 40% of the region's population in 1972 — dropped by about a third. Many ethnic and other parishes have closed or merged, and often merged again. A church named for the Immaculate Conception recently closed.

The region has taken on new economic drivers — education, medicine, energy.

But the mythology of the Immaculate Reception endures.

At the Pittsburgh International Airport, a statue immortalizing Franco Harris at the moment of his catch stands next to another historical figure, someone named George Washington.

And where Three Rivers Stadium once stood — now a sea of parking spaces near the Steelers' current stadium — there's a monument to the Immaculate Reception. You might call it a shrine.

It includes a marker where fans who are so inclined can put their foot in the exact spot where Harris' foot landed.

And as with the Immaculate Reception, people have been putting themselves in Harris' cleats since they first poured onto the field in 1972, joining him in an end zone celebration.

“It’s not just him crossing the goal line, it’s the team and the city,” Madarasz said.

It’s hardly the only Catholic connection to the Steelers. “There was nobody more Catholic than the Chief,” Vallone said of the team's legendary founder, Art Rooney. And for decades, the team has practiced at St. Vincent College, a nearby Catholic school and home to a Benedictine abbey.

While the Immaculate Reception has a Catholic name, it also has an element of interfaith cooperation.

Sportscaster Cope was Jewish. Years later, he addressed the perennial controversy of whether the catch was even legitimate under NFL rules (depending on whether the ball touched the defender or receiver before bouncing to Harris). In a New York Times essay, he posed an only-in-America question:

“Was Franco Harris' Immaculate Reception kosher?”

It was indeed, he insisted, after studying the film.

Religious and football iconography have merged long before praying coaches had their day in the Supreme Court this year. Quarterback Doug Flutie’s 1984 “Hail Mary” touchdown pass to Gerard Phelan gave a legendary victory to a Catholic school, Boston College, over the University of Miami.

“Touchdown Jesus,” a large mural of Christ with his arms raised, is a landmark near the stadium of Notre Dame University, the Catholic school that long ago fielded the apocalyptic backfield, the Four Horsemen.

The Oakland Raiders, while on the losing end of the Immaculate Reception, may have benefited from divine help another time, if nicknames are to be believed. They won a 1978 game on a “Holy Roller” fumble that took a long, winding route through running back Pete Banaszak’s hands toward a teammate in the end zone. “I believe in the Big Guy,” Banaszak later said. “He was there.”

Vallone hears that kind of talk a lot, from fans as well as players. He's even got a homily to go with it.

“If you want to believe God’s on your side in a football game or a soccer game, that’s fine, as long as you live your life on God’s side,” Vallone said.

Fans tailgating near the Immaculate Reception monument before the Steelers' Dec. 11 game against the Ravens could readily recite the moment-by-moment details of the play. That includes those who saw it live, and those who weren't even born then.

The 1972 game was subject to local blackout rules. But Buster Boots, living northwest of Pittsburgh in Ellwood City, recalled his family using a large antenna to catch the broadcast “on a big old 25-inch RCA TV with a picture coming in from Cleveland."

After the play, “we were going nuts,” he recalled. “We got to see it live.”

John Michael of nearby Aliquippa said he saw the Immaculate Reception in person. He said there's a good reason for the name.

“Probably because of Pittsburgh, you know,” he said. “A lot of ethnic groups, a lot of religions, a lot of churches and a lot of love.”

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H1l5aTUK228" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>PITTSBURGH (AP) — And it came to pass — actually, quarterback Terry Bradshaw came to pass, but bear with us. This is a story about football, culture and religion, so it seems right to begin with some biblical phrasing.Thus, Bradshaw barely got off the pass, which was deflected in a collision between defender and receiver. Everyone thought the game was over except a hustling fullback, Franco Harris. He made an improbable shoestring catch and raced into the end zone, securing the Pittsburgh Steelers' first-ever playoff win, the start of a long dynasty.That was 50 years ago this Friday, on Dec. 23, 1972. But even though the NFL has officially designated it the greatest play in league history, it was bigger than that.“Dec. 23 will henceforth be celebrated in Pittsburgh as the Feast of the Immaculate Reception,” legendary local sportscaster Myron Cope proclaimed.He got the idea from a caller whose boyfriend had coined the name in a barroom victory celebration — putting a twist on the recently passed Catholic Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which marks the belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without sin.The coinage was as durable as it was instant, “using religious terminology to almost mythologize a sporting event,” said Anne Madarasz, chief historian and director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.The Immaculate Reception crystallized the rise of the Steelers — even as their namesake industry was on the decline, as was the Pittsburgh of compact immigrant neighborhoods with multiple ethnic Catholic parishes.By 1980, just as the Steelers were celebrating their fourth Super Bowl victory, Pittsburgh’s famed steel industry was moving from decline to all-out collapse. Many young people moved out of the demoralized region in search of jobs across the country (helping build the Steelers' national fan base, by the way).Still, those who left and those who stayed had the memory of a play called immaculate — a story with a never-give-up moral.“This was our cultural rallying point,” said the Rev. Lou Vallone, a retired Catholic priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.“It’s what kept us going as we saw our immigrant culture begin to dissipate, as the economics went down, the steel mills closed, as people moved out into the suburbs, people moved out of the area," said Vallone. He used to preside at Masses at St. Peter Church, the parish nearest the stadium, where the congregants included many game-day tailgaters, clad in Steelers' black and gold.The city's and region's population decreased in the years after the catch. The ranks of Catholics — 40% of the region's population in 1972 — dropped by about a third. Many ethnic and other parishes have closed or merged, and often merged again. A church named for the Immaculate Conception recently closed.The region has taken on new economic drivers — education, medicine, energy.But the mythology of the Immaculate Reception endures.At the Pittsburgh International Airport, a statue immortalizing Franco Harris at the moment of his catch stands next to another historical figure, someone named George Washington.And where Three Rivers Stadium once stood — now a sea of parking spaces near the Steelers' current stadium — there's a monument to the Immaculate Reception. You might call it a shrine.It includes a marker where fans who are so inclined can put their foot in the exact spot where Harris' foot landed.And as with the Immaculate Reception, people have been putting themselves in Harris' cleats since they first poured onto the field in 1972, joining him in an end zone celebration.“It’s not just him crossing the goal line, it’s the team and the city,” Madarasz said.It’s hardly the only Catholic connection to the Steelers. “There was nobody more Catholic than the Chief,” Vallone said of the team's legendary founder, Art Rooney. And for decades, the team has practiced at St. Vincent College, a nearby Catholic school and home to a Benedictine abbey.While the Immaculate Reception has a Catholic name, it also has an element of interfaith cooperation.Sportscaster Cope was Jewish. Years later, he addressed the perennial controversy of whether the catch was even legitimate under NFL rules (depending on whether the ball touched the defender or receiver before bouncing to Harris). In a New York Times essay, he posed an only-in-America question:“Was Franco Harris' Immaculate Reception kosher?”It was indeed, he insisted, after studying the film.Religious and football iconography have merged long before praying coaches had their day in the Supreme Court this year. Quarterback Doug Flutie’s 1984 “Hail Mary” touchdown pass to Gerard Phelan gave a legendary victory to a Catholic school, Boston College, over the University of Miami.“Touchdown Jesus,” a large mural of Christ with his arms raised, is a landmark near the stadium of Notre Dame University, the Catholic school that long ago fielded the apocalyptic backfield, the Four Horsemen.The Oakland Raiders, while on the losing end of the Immaculate Reception, may have benefited from divine help another time, if nicknames are to be believed. They won a 1978 game on a “Holy Roller” fumble that took a long, winding route through running back Pete Banaszak’s hands toward a teammate in the end zone. “I believe in the Big Guy,” Banaszak later said. “He was there.”Vallone hears that kind of talk a lot, from fans as well as players. He's even got a homily to go with it.“If you want to believe God’s on your side in a football game or a soccer game, that’s fine, as long as you live your life on God’s side,” Vallone said.Fans tailgating near the Immaculate Reception monument before the Steelers' Dec. 11 game against the Ravens could readily recite the moment-by-moment details of the play. That includes those who saw it live, and those who weren't even born then.The 1972 game was subject to local blackout rules. But Buster Boots, living northwest of Pittsburgh in Ellwood City, recalled his family using a large antenna to catch the broadcast “on a big old 25-inch RCA TV with a picture coming in from Cleveland."After the play, “we were going nuts,” he recalled. “We got to see it live.”John Michael of nearby Aliquippa said he saw the Immaculate Reception in person. He said there's a good reason for the name.“Probably because of Pittsburgh, you know,” he said. “A lot of ethnic groups, a lot of religions, a lot of churches and a lot of love.”

🏈 NFL: At 50, 'Immaculate Reception' still lifts a region's spirits

MANHATTAN&nbsp;– Fifth-year senior&nbsp;Keyontae&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;was honored for the second time this season as the&nbsp;Big 12 Newcomer of the Week on Monday after his impressive performance in Kansas State’s 71-56 win over Nebraska in the Wildcat Classic.

Johnson, who earned Newcomer of the Week accolades after the first week of the season on Nov. 14, played perhaps his best all-around in game in helping the Wildcats (10-1) extend their best start to a season since 2016-17, with game-highs in points (23), rebounds (11) and steals (4) as he connected on 9-of-13 field goals, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range.&nbsp;It was his seventh career double-double with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, while it was his 11th&nbsp;career 20-point contest. He has now scored in double figures in all 11 games this season.

A 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward from Norfolk, Va., Johnson leads the Wildcats in both scoring (17.8 ppg.) and rebounding (6.8&nbsp;rpg.) while he is second in steals (1.5&nbsp;spg.) and third in assists (2.3&nbsp;apg.) in&nbsp; He is connecting on a Big 12-best 60.3 percent (70-of-116) from the field, including 51.5 percent (17-of-33) from 3-point range, while hitting on 76.5 percent (39-of-51) from the free throw line. He ranks among the Big 12’s top-10 in six categories, including second in scoring, fifth in minutes (31.3 mpg.), sixth in rebounding and defensive rebounds (4.73), ninth in free throw percentage and 10th&nbsp;in offensive rebounds (2.09).

Johnson is the first Wildcat to capture Big 12 Newcomer of the Week twice in the same season since&nbsp;Dean Wade&nbsp;did it on two occasions in 2015-16. Overall, it marks the school’s 34th Newcomer of the Week honor since the inception of the Big 12 in 1997, including the second under head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang. It is the third career weekly honor for Johnson, who was named the SEC Player of the Week on Nov. 25, 2019, while playing at Florida.

Johnson and fellow senior&nbsp;Markquis Nowell&nbsp;have combined for three Player of the Week honors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671508002615.png" alt="&nbsp; Image courtesy&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/">k-statesports.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp; Image courtesy&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/">k-statesports.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>K-State SportsMANHATTAN&nbsp;– Fifth-year senior&nbsp;Keyontae&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;was honored for the second time this season as the&nbsp;Big 12 Newcomer of the Week on Monday after his impressive performance in Kansas State’s 71-56 win over Nebraska in the Wildcat Classic.Johnson, who earned Newcomer of the Week accolades after the first week of the season on Nov. 14, played perhaps his best all-around in game in helping the Wildcats (10-1) extend their best start to a season since 2016-17, with game-highs in points (23), rebounds (11) and steals (4) as he connected on 9-of-13 field goals, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range.&nbsp;It was his seventh career double-double with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, while it was his 11th&nbsp;career 20-point contest. He has now scored in double figures in all 11 games this season.A 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward from Norfolk, Va., Johnson leads the Wildcats in both scoring (17.8 ppg.) and rebounding (6.8&nbsp;rpg.) while he is second in steals (1.5&nbsp;spg.) and third in assists (2.3&nbsp;apg.) in&nbsp; He is connecting on a Big 12-best 60.3 percent (70-of-116) from the field, including 51.5 percent (17-of-33) from 3-point range, while hitting on 76.5 percent (39-of-51) from the free throw line. He ranks among the Big 12’s top-10 in six categories, including second in scoring, fifth in minutes (31.3 mpg.), sixth in rebounding and defensive rebounds (4.73), ninth in free throw percentage and 10th&nbsp;in offensive rebounds (2.09).Johnson is the first Wildcat to capture Big 12 Newcomer of the Week twice in the same season since&nbsp;Dean Wade&nbsp;did it on two occasions in 2015-16. Overall, it marks the school’s 34th Newcomer of the Week honor since the inception of the Big 12 in 1997, including the second under head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang. It is the third career weekly honor for Johnson, who was named the SEC Player of the Week on Nov. 25, 2019, while playing at Florida.Johnson and fellow senior&nbsp;Markquis Nowell&nbsp;have combined for three Player of the Week honors.K-State (10-1) returns home on Wednesday afternoon to face Radford (6-6) in the second game of a men’s and women’s doubleheader at Bramlage Coliseum at 1:30 p.m., CT. Tickets start at just $5 for groups of 12 or more and $7.50 when utilizing the four-pack option. They can be purchased by&nbsp;visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">k-statesports.com</a>, calling (800) 221.CATS, or by visiting the Bramlage Coliseum ticket office in person from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., CT, Monday through Friday.&nbsp;