SAN MARCOS, Texas –&nbsp;Wichita State was held scoreless in its Texas road trip opener at Texas State, 5-0, on Wednesday evening at Bobcat Softball Stadium.

Texas State struck first, piecing together two hits and a walk in the second inning to score two runs, taking a 2-0 lead.

Neither side scored again until the fifth, when the Bobcats boomed a two-run home run to right field, doubling their lead to 4-0. Texas State scored again later in the inning with a solo homer, taking a 5-0 lead through five innings.

Wichita State starter&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ava-sliger/9327">Ava Sliger</a>&nbsp;suffered the loss, throwing 5.0 innings, and allowing five runs on seven hits.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ryley-nihart/9325">Ryley Nihart</a>&nbsp;dealt a scoreless inning in relief, recording a strikeout.

<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ellee-eck/9322">Ellee Eck</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-lucas/9314">Lauren Lucas</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/brookelyn-livanec/9329">Brookelyn Livanec</a>&nbsp;were the lone Shockers to record a hit in the contest.

Next Up The Shockers make the short trip to San Antonio, Texas, to open their conference series with the UTSA Roadrunners on Friday at 6:00 PM CT.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742437205551.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>SAN MARCOS, Texas –&nbsp;Wichita State was held scoreless in its Texas road trip opener at Texas State, 5-0, on Wednesday evening at Bobcat Softball Stadium.Texas State struck first, piecing together two hits and a walk in the second inning to score two runs, taking a 2-0 lead.Neither side scored again until the fifth, when the Bobcats boomed a two-run home run to right field, doubling their lead to 4-0. Texas State scored again later in the inning with a solo homer, taking a 5-0 lead through five innings.Wichita State starter&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ava-sliger/9327">Ava Sliger</a>&nbsp;suffered the loss, throwing 5.0 innings, and allowing five runs on seven hits.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ryley-nihart/9325">Ryley Nihart</a>&nbsp;dealt a scoreless inning in relief, recording a strikeout.<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ellee-eck/9322">Ellee Eck</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-lucas/9314">Lauren Lucas</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/brookelyn-livanec/9329">Brookelyn Livanec</a>&nbsp;were the lone Shockers to record a hit in the contest.Next Up The Shockers make the short trip to San Antonio, Texas, to open their conference series with the UTSA Roadrunners on Friday at 6:00 PM CT.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🥎 Shockers blanked by Bobcats

<a href="https://kjccc.org/sports/mbkb/2024-25/div1/Files/2024-25_D1_MBB_All-KJCCC.pdf">2024-25 D1 Men's Basketball All-KJCCC Teams</a>

COLBY, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference has announced the 2024-25 KJCCC D1 Men’s Basketball All-KJCCC teams and winners of the major postseason honors. The awards, which were voted on by each of the league head coaches, include four individuals bringing home major accolades.

Major award winners from the 2024-25 regular season are Most Valuable Player and Newcomer of the Year Marcus Whitlock Jr. (Cowley), Freshman of the Year Eternity Eguagie (Colby), Defensive Player of the Year Emeka Opurum (Butler), and Coach of the Year Donnie Jackson (Cowley).

Most Valuable Player/Newcomer of the Year:&nbsp;Marcus Whitlock Jr. (Cowley) Doubling up on postseason awards, Whitlock Jr. was an integral piece to Cowley’s KJCCC regular season and NJCAA Region 6 Tournament title as the Tigers will play in the NJCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball National Tournament for a second-straight season. Averaging 16.0 points per game, Whitlock Jr. shot over 47 percent from the field and over 42 percent from beyond the arc while grabbing 4.1 rebounds per game and recording a 1.1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Defensively, Whitlock Jr. added 28 total blocks and had 56 steals (fifth-best in KJCCC) while upping his numbers to 17.0 points, 1.3 assists, and 0.9 blocks per game during conference play. Nationally, Whitlock Jr. ranked 13th in made three-point field goals and 27th in total minutes played (985).

Freshman of the Year:&nbsp;Eternity Eguagie (Colby) Eguagie put together a high-level freshman campaign by ranking fourth in the KJCCC in points per game (18.3) while shooting over 50 percent from the floor while helping Colby to a sixth-place finish in the KJCCC regular season standings after the Trojans finished 12th the previous season. Averaging 32.1 minutes played per game, Eguagie also grabbed 6.5 rebounds per game and had 29 games with at least 10 points this season which included a career-best 32 in a double-overtime win at Pratt on February 15th.

Defensive Player of the Year:&nbsp;Emeka Opurum (Butler) Opurum led the KJCCC this season in blocks (87) while ranking fourth in rebounds per game (8.1) in addition to helping Butler rank fourth in the KJCCC in points per game allowed this season (73.4). With Opurum in the lineup, opponents shot only 39.7 percent against the Grizzlies and turned the ball over 14.4 times per contest as Butler finished fifth in the KJCCC regular season and advanced to the NJCAA Region 6 Tournament semifinals. Nationally, Opurum ranked 14th in the NJCAA with 2.6 blocks per game and sixth in total blocks.

Coach of the Year:&nbsp;Donnie Jackson (Cowley) Jackson led Cowley to their first Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference regular season title and NJCAA Region 6 Tournament Championship since 2021 as the Tigers went 26-4 in the regular season and 21-3 in the KJCCC before adding three more wins in the postseason to earn the NJCAA Plains District automatic berth to the 2025 NJCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball National Tournament in Hutchinson. Cowley earned the number two overall seed in the National Tournament and has been consistently ranked in the top 10 of the NJCAA Division 1 men’s basketball top 25 poll this season while ranking in the top three in the conference in field goal percentage, free-throw percentage, assists per game, steals per game, blocks per game, and points per game allowed. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742410204359.png" alt="Photo Courtesy KJCCC" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy KJCCC</figcaption>
 </figure>KJCCC<a href="https://kjccc.org/sports/mbkb/2024-25/div1/Files/2024-25_D1_MBB_All-KJCCC.pdf">2024-25 D1 Men's Basketball All-KJCCC Teams</a>COLBY, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference has announced the 2024-25 KJCCC D1 Men’s Basketball All-KJCCC teams and winners of the major postseason honors. The awards, which were voted on by each of the league head coaches, include four individuals bringing home major accolades.Major award winners from the 2024-25 regular season are Most Valuable Player and Newcomer of the Year Marcus Whitlock Jr. (Cowley), Freshman of the Year Eternity Eguagie (Colby), Defensive Player of the Year Emeka Opurum (Butler), and Coach of the Year Donnie Jackson (Cowley).Most Valuable Player/Newcomer of the Year:&nbsp;Marcus Whitlock Jr. (Cowley) Doubling up on postseason awards, Whitlock Jr. was an integral piece to Cowley’s KJCCC regular season and NJCAA Region 6 Tournament title as the Tigers will play in the NJCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball National Tournament for a second-straight season. Averaging 16.0 points per game, Whitlock Jr. shot over 47 percent from the field and over 42 percent from beyond the arc while grabbing 4.1 rebounds per game and recording a 1.1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Defensively, Whitlock Jr. added 28 total blocks and had 56 steals (fifth-best in KJCCC) while upping his numbers to 17.0 points, 1.3 assists, and 0.9 blocks per game during conference play. Nationally, Whitlock Jr. ranked 13th in made three-point field goals and 27th in total minutes played (985).Freshman of the Year:&nbsp;Eternity Eguagie (Colby) Eguagie put together a high-level freshman campaign by ranking fourth in the KJCCC in points per game (18.3) while shooting over 50 percent from the floor while helping Colby to a sixth-place finish in the KJCCC regular season standings after the Trojans finished 12th the previous season. Averaging 32.1 minutes played per game, Eguagie also grabbed 6.5 rebounds per game and had 29 games with at least 10 points this season which included a career-best 32 in a double-overtime win at Pratt on February 15th.Defensive Player of the Year:&nbsp;Emeka Opurum (Butler) Opurum led the KJCCC this season in blocks (87) while ranking fourth in rebounds per game (8.1) in addition to helping Butler rank fourth in the KJCCC in points per game allowed this season (73.4). With Opurum in the lineup, opponents shot only 39.7 percent against the Grizzlies and turned the ball over 14.4 times per contest as Butler finished fifth in the KJCCC regular season and advanced to the NJCAA Region 6 Tournament semifinals. Nationally, Opurum ranked 14th in the NJCAA with 2.6 blocks per game and sixth in total blocks.Coach of the Year:&nbsp;Donnie Jackson (Cowley) Jackson led Cowley to their first Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference regular season title and NJCAA Region 6 Tournament Championship since 2021 as the Tigers went 26-4 in the regular season and 21-3 in the KJCCC before adding three more wins in the postseason to earn the NJCAA Plains District automatic berth to the 2025 NJCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball National Tournament in Hutchinson. Cowley earned the number two overall seed in the National Tournament and has been consistently ranked in the top 10 of the NJCAA Division 1 men’s basketball top 25 poll this season while ranking in the top three in the conference in field goal percentage, free-throw percentage, assists per game, steals per game, blocks per game, and points per game allowed. &nbsp;

🏀 HutchCC's Aldridge, Dudley, Cannon all named to KJCCC postseason teams

<a href="https://kjccc.org/sports/wbkb/2024-25/div1/Files/2024-25_D1_WBB_All-KJCCC.pdf">2024-25 D1 Women’s Basketball All-KJCCC Teams</a>

COLBY, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference has announced the 2024-25 KJCCC D1 Women’s Basketball All-KJCCC teams and winners of the major postseason honors. The awards, which were voted on by each of the league head coaches, include six individuals bringing home major accolades.

Major award winners from the 2024-25 regular season are Most Valuable Player Hailey Jackson (Hutchinson), Freshman of the Year Ashley Singhateh (Butler), Newcomer of the Year Elysa Martinez (Cowley), Co-Defensive Players of the Year Ari Gordon (Seward County) and Shorna Preston (Dodge City), and Coach of the Year Landon Steele (Dodge City).

Most Valuable Player:&nbsp;Hailey Jackson (Hutchinson) A career 1,000-point scorer for the Blue Dragons and four-time Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Division 1 Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, Jackson led the KJCCC this season in scoring by averaging 18.3 points per contest to go along with 8.4 rebounds per game and 1.7 assists per contest. Helping Hutchinson to a co-KJCCC regular season championship and a 21-3 mark in the KJCCC regular season, Jackson had 30 games in double figures this season which included four 30-point outings and a season-high 33 in a 58-50 win at Seward County on March 1. &nbsp;

Freshman of the Year:&nbsp;Ashley Singhateh (Butler) Singhateh made a major impact in her freshman campaign by starting 29 of Butler’s 31 games and averaging nearly 28 minutes per contest to go along with 13.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for a Grizzly squad that finished in the top four of the KJCCC regular season standings and qualified for the NJCAA Region 6 Tournament semifinals. Shooting over 45 percent from the field, Singhateh finished in double-figures in scoring 10 times this season with seven games scoring 20 or more points this season.&nbsp;

Newcomer of the Year:&nbsp;Elysa Martinez (Cowley) Martinez finished the season with the third-highest scoring average in the KJCCC (17.3) while shooting 42.7 percent from the floor and a conference-best 85.8 percent free throw shooting by going 109-127 from the charity stripe. The Ackerly, Texas native also dished out 4.0 assists per game and averaged 4.3 rebounds per contest to go along with a 2.2 assist-to-turnover ratio and a league-leading 120 steals. Scoring in double-figures in 28 of 30 games this season, Martinez had 10 or more points in each of the last 17 games of the year which included a career-best 31 in the Region 6 Tournament opener for the Tigers against Independence.

Co-Defensive Player of the Year:&nbsp;Ari Gordon (Seward County) Gordon ranked in the top 10 in the KJCCC this season in both steals (third, 88) and blocks (seventh, 24) while averaging 4.7 rebounds per game and helping the Saints hold opponents to 53.1 points per game (19th-best in NJCAA) and an opponent field goal percentage of 35.5 percent.

Co-Defensive Player of the Year:&nbsp;Shorna Preston (Dodge City) Preston ranked second in the KJCCC in rebounding per game (9.8 rebounds per game) while recording 103 steals and 67 blocks, both of which also rank in the top two in the KJCCC this season. Nationally, Preston ranks sixth in the NJCAA in total blocks and eighth in steals while also ranking in the top 30 in rebounds per game. As a team, Dodge City held opponents to 53.4 points per game with Preston in the lineup and the fifth-best opponent field goal percentage (31.2 percent) in the NJCAA with 24 games holding their opponent under 60 points.

Coach of the Year:&nbsp;Landon Steele (Dodge City) Steele led the Conquistadors to their fifth Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference regular season title in program history before leading DC3 to their first NJCAA Region 6 Tournament Championship in program history as well as a 29-4 overall record heading into their third-straight NJCAA D1 Women’s Basketball National Tournament. This season, Dodge City has outscored opponents by an average of 25 points per game and saw two of their four losses come to National Tournament teams while having five players named to the All-KJCCC D1 Women’s Basketball teams.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742400537586.png" alt="Photo Courtesy KJCCC" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy KJCCC</figcaption>
 </figure>KJCCC<a href="https://kjccc.org/sports/wbkb/2024-25/div1/Files/2024-25_D1_WBB_All-KJCCC.pdf">2024-25 D1 Women’s Basketball All-KJCCC Teams</a>COLBY, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference has announced the 2024-25 KJCCC D1 Women’s Basketball All-KJCCC teams and winners of the major postseason honors. The awards, which were voted on by each of the league head coaches, include six individuals bringing home major accolades.Major award winners from the 2024-25 regular season are Most Valuable Player Hailey Jackson (Hutchinson), Freshman of the Year Ashley Singhateh (Butler), Newcomer of the Year Elysa Martinez (Cowley), Co-Defensive Players of the Year Ari Gordon (Seward County) and Shorna Preston (Dodge City), and Coach of the Year Landon Steele (Dodge City).Most Valuable Player:&nbsp;Hailey Jackson (Hutchinson) A career 1,000-point scorer for the Blue Dragons and four-time Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Division 1 Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, Jackson led the KJCCC this season in scoring by averaging 18.3 points per contest to go along with 8.4 rebounds per game and 1.7 assists per contest. Helping Hutchinson to a co-KJCCC regular season championship and a 21-3 mark in the KJCCC regular season, Jackson had 30 games in double figures this season which included four 30-point outings and a season-high 33 in a 58-50 win at Seward County on March 1. &nbsp;Freshman of the Year:&nbsp;Ashley Singhateh (Butler) Singhateh made a major impact in her freshman campaign by starting 29 of Butler’s 31 games and averaging nearly 28 minutes per contest to go along with 13.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for a Grizzly squad that finished in the top four of the KJCCC regular season standings and qualified for the NJCAA Region 6 Tournament semifinals. Shooting over 45 percent from the field, Singhateh finished in double-figures in scoring 10 times this season with seven games scoring 20 or more points this season.&nbsp;Newcomer of the Year:&nbsp;Elysa Martinez (Cowley) Martinez finished the season with the third-highest scoring average in the KJCCC (17.3) while shooting 42.7 percent from the floor and a conference-best 85.8 percent free throw shooting by going 109-127 from the charity stripe. The Ackerly, Texas native also dished out 4.0 assists per game and averaged 4.3 rebounds per contest to go along with a 2.2 assist-to-turnover ratio and a league-leading 120 steals. Scoring in double-figures in 28 of 30 games this season, Martinez had 10 or more points in each of the last 17 games of the year which included a career-best 31 in the Region 6 Tournament opener for the Tigers against Independence.Co-Defensive Player of the Year:&nbsp;Ari Gordon (Seward County) Gordon ranked in the top 10 in the KJCCC this season in both steals (third, 88) and blocks (seventh, 24) while averaging 4.7 rebounds per game and helping the Saints hold opponents to 53.1 points per game (19th-best in NJCAA) and an opponent field goal percentage of 35.5 percent.Co-Defensive Player of the Year:&nbsp;Shorna Preston (Dodge City) Preston ranked second in the KJCCC in rebounding per game (9.8 rebounds per game) while recording 103 steals and 67 blocks, both of which also rank in the top two in the KJCCC this season. Nationally, Preston ranks sixth in the NJCAA in total blocks and eighth in steals while also ranking in the top 30 in rebounds per game. As a team, Dodge City held opponents to 53.4 points per game with Preston in the lineup and the fifth-best opponent field goal percentage (31.2 percent) in the NJCAA with 24 games holding their opponent under 60 points.Coach of the Year:&nbsp;Landon Steele (Dodge City) Steele led the Conquistadors to their fifth Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference regular season title in program history before leading DC3 to their first NJCAA Region 6 Tournament Championship in program history as well as a 29-4 overall record heading into their third-straight NJCAA D1 Women’s Basketball National Tournament. This season, Dodge City has outscored opponents by an average of 25 points per game and saw two of their four losses come to National Tournament teams while having five players named to the All-KJCCC D1 Women’s Basketball teams.

🏀 HutchCC's Jackson named KJCCC Player of the Year

The Associated Press 2024-25 All-America women’s basketball team with statistics through regular-season and conference tournaments:

JuJu Watkins, USC, Sophomore; Los Angeles, California: 24.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists (31 first place votes, 155 points(asterisk))

Paige Bueckers, UConn, Senior, Hopkins, Minnesota: 19.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists (31, 155(asterisk))

Lauren Betts, UCLA, Junior; Centennial, Colorado; 19.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, 63.4 Field Goal% (31, 155(asterisk))

Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame, Sophomore; Merchantville, New Jersey: 24.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists (29, 151)

Madison Booker, Texas, Sophomore; Ridgeland, Mississippi: 16.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists (14, 121)

Aneesah Morrow, LSU, Senior; Chicago, Illinois: 18.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, 49.5 field goal% (14, 119)

Ta’Niya Latson, Florida State, Junior; Miami, Florida: 24.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists (1, 84)

Olivia Miles, Notre Dame, Senior; Phillipsburg, New Jersey: 16.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.8 assists (1, 69)

Sarah Strong, UConn, Freshman; 16.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 57.5 field goal% (1, 63)

Georgia Amoore, Kentucky, Senior; Ballarat, Victoria: 19.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists (0, 47)

Hailey Van Lith, TCU, Senior; Wenatchee, Washington: 17.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists (0, 40)

Kiki Iriafen, USC, Senior; Los Angeles, California: 18.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 49.9 field goal% (1, 38)

Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt, Freshman; Somerset, New Jersey: 23.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists (0, 34)

Flau’Jae Johnson, LSU, Junior; Savannah, Georgia: 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 46.5 field goal% (0, 25)

Audi Crooks, Iowa State, Sophomore; Algona, Iowa: 23.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 60.2 field goal% (0, 24)

Sonia Citron, Notre Dame; Katie Dinnebier, Drake; Joyce Edwards, South Carolina; Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga; MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina; Rori Harmon, Texas; Izzy Higginbottom, Arkansas; Aziaha James, N.C. State; Lauren Jensen, Creighton; Taylor Jones, Texas; Chloe Kitts, South Carolina; Ayoka Lee, Kansas State; Cotie McMahon, Ohio State; Te-Hina Paopao, South Carolina; Sedona Prince, TCU; JJ Quinerly, West Virginia; Kiki Rice, UCLA; Shyanne Sellers, Maryland; Serena Sundell, Kansas State; Makayla Timpson, Florida State; Harmoni Turner, Harvard; Mikayla Williams, LSU.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737467484035.png" alt="Kansas State center Ayoka Lee during a college basketball game in the women's 2024 NCAA Tournament. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley, File)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State center Ayoka Lee during a college basketball game in the women's 2024 NCAA Tournament. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>Associated PressThe Associated Press 2024-25 All-America women’s basketball team with statistics through regular-season and conference tournaments:<h2>First Team</h2>JuJu Watkins, USC, Sophomore; Los Angeles, California: 24.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists (31 first place votes, 155 points(asterisk))Paige Bueckers, UConn, Senior, Hopkins, Minnesota: 19.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists (31, 155(asterisk))Lauren Betts, UCLA, Junior; Centennial, Colorado; 19.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, 63.4 Field Goal% (31, 155(asterisk))Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame, Sophomore; Merchantville, New Jersey: 24.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists (29, 151)Madison Booker, Texas, Sophomore; Ridgeland, Mississippi: 16.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists (14, 121)(asterisk)-unanimous selection<h2>Second Team</h2>Aneesah Morrow, LSU, Senior; Chicago, Illinois: 18.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, 49.5 field goal% (14, 119)Ta’Niya Latson, Florida State, Junior; Miami, Florida: 24.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists (1, 84)Olivia Miles, Notre Dame, Senior; Phillipsburg, New Jersey: 16.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.8 assists (1, 69)Sarah Strong, UConn, Freshman; 16.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 57.5 field goal% (1, 63)Georgia Amoore, Kentucky, Senior; Ballarat, Victoria: 19.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists (0, 47)<h2>Third Team</h2>Hailey Van Lith, TCU, Senior; Wenatchee, Washington: 17.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists (0, 40)Kiki Iriafen, USC, Senior; Los Angeles, California: 18.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 49.9 field goal% (1, 38)Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt, Freshman; Somerset, New Jersey: 23.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists (0, 34)Flau’Jae Johnson, LSU, Junior; Savannah, Georgia: 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 46.5 field goal% (0, 25)Audi Crooks, Iowa State, Sophomore; Algona, Iowa: 23.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 60.2 field goal% (0, 24)<h2>___</h2>Honorable Mention (alphabetical order):Sonia Citron, Notre Dame; Katie Dinnebier, Drake; Joyce Edwards, South Carolina; Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga; MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina; Rori Harmon, Texas; Izzy Higginbottom, Arkansas; Aziaha James, N.C. State; Lauren Jensen, Creighton; Taylor Jones, Texas; Chloe Kitts, South Carolina; Ayoka Lee, Kansas State; Cotie McMahon, Ohio State; Te-Hina Paopao, South Carolina; Sedona Prince, TCU; JJ Quinerly, West Virginia; Kiki Rice, UCLA; Shyanne Sellers, Maryland; Serena Sundell, Kansas State; Makayla Timpson, Florida State; Harmoni Turner, Harvard; Mikayla Williams, LSU.

🏀 The Associated Press 2024-25 women’s college basketball All-America teams

The Hutchinson Community College softball team had some more last at-bat magic to complete a Jayhawk Conference doubleheader sweep of the Garden City Broncbusters on Tuesday at Fun Valley.

Trailing the Busters by two runs entering the bottom of the seventh in Game 2,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_brooke_ngsp">Brooke Backhaus</a>' two-run walk-off single to left field completed the comeback for a 10-9 victory to run their current winning streak to eight games.

The Blue Dragons made a five-run first inning stand up in Game 1 backed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/tomlinson_morgan_0v0v">Morgan Tomlinson</a>'s complete-game performance in a 5-2 win.

Hutchinson is now 17-5 overall and 11-1 in the Jayhawk Conference. The Blue Dragons play host to Dodge City at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Fun Valley. Garden City is now 14-12 overall and 6-6 in the KJCCC.

GAME 2 RECAP – Hutchinson 10, Garden City 9 Garden City took a 9-7 lead with a five-run fifth inning and carried that two-run lead into the bottom of the seventh.

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;led off with a single and then stole second base. After a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_kaibryn_wwcp">Kaibryn Kruger</a>&nbsp;sacrifice bunt moved&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;to third, she scored on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/golly_taylor_l19d">Tailor Golly</a>'s RBI single to right field to cut the Garden lead to 9-8.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/stauffer_gabby_t8qf">Gabby Stauffer</a>&nbsp;then reached on a two-base error to center field, moving Golly to third wit one out.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_brooke_ngsp">Brooke Backhaus</a>, on a 2-0 pitch, hit a sinking line drive to left and rolled to the fence to score Golly and Stauffer with the game-tying and game-winning runs for Hutchinson's second walk-off win of the season.

After Garden City took its 9-7 lead, Tomlinson came out of the bullpen to quiet to Buster offense by retiring all six batters she faced to earn her ninth win of the season and second of the day. Tomlinson (9-2) had one strikeout, one groundout and four flyball outs.

Offensively, the Blue Dragons out-hit the Busters 12-6.

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;was 4 for 5 with a double, two stolen bases and two runs.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/stauffer_gabby_t8qf">Gabby Stauffer</a>&nbsp;was 3 for 4 with two doubles and three runs scored. Addi Lutz went 2 for 4 with a double.

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_brooke_ngsp">Brooke Backhaus</a>&nbsp;was 1 for 4 with a career-high-tying four RBIs, also driving runs with a first-inning error and fourth-inning sacrifice fly before her two-run walk-off.

GAME 1 RECAP – Hutchinson 5, Garden City 2 Garden City's potent offense got off to a good start in Game 1 with a double and RBI single in the first two at-bats to start the game for a 1-0 Buster lead. After that, Tomlinson settled in and didn't allow another hit until the sixth inning.

Overall, Tomlinson worked her sixth complete game of the season, striking out a career-high nine batters. She allowed just four hits, two earned runs and two walks.

After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, the Blue Dragons answered with a five-run bottom of the first inning.

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;singled to center and Kruger dropped down a bunt for a single. Golly followed with an RBI groundout and Stauffer gave the Dragons a 2-1 lead with an RBI single.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/brawner_brie_hldl">Brie Brawner</a>&nbsp;and Lutz followed with RBI singles for a 4-1 lead. Then the Dragons executed a double steal with Lutz stealing second and Brawner stealing home for a 5-1 lead.

The Blue Dragons had 10 total hits with two hits each from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>, Kruger, Stauffer and Lutz. All 10 Blue Dragon hits were singles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742389705222.jpeg" alt="The Blue Dragon softball celebrates after a 10-9 walk-off victory over Garden City to complete a KJCCC sweep of the Busters on Tuesday at Garden City. (Sammi Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)" />
 <figcaption>The Blue Dragon softball celebrates after a 10-9 walk-off victory over Garden City to complete a KJCCC sweep of the Busters on Tuesday at Garden City. (Sammi Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationThe Hutchinson Community College softball team had some more last at-bat magic to complete a Jayhawk Conference doubleheader sweep of the Garden City Broncbusters on Tuesday at Fun Valley.Trailing the Busters by two runs entering the bottom of the seventh in Game 2,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_brooke_ngsp">Brooke Backhaus</a>' two-run walk-off single to left field completed the comeback for a 10-9 victory to run their current winning streak to eight games.The Blue Dragons made a five-run first inning stand up in Game 1 backed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/tomlinson_morgan_0v0v">Morgan Tomlinson</a>'s complete-game performance in a 5-2 win.Hutchinson is now 17-5 overall and 11-1 in the Jayhawk Conference. The Blue Dragons play host to Dodge City at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Fun Valley. Garden City is now 14-12 overall and 6-6 in the KJCCC.GAME 2 RECAP – Hutchinson 10, Garden City 9 Garden City took a 9-7 lead with a five-run fifth inning and carried that two-run lead into the bottom of the seventh.<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;led off with a single and then stole second base. After a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_kaibryn_wwcp">Kaibryn Kruger</a>&nbsp;sacrifice bunt moved&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;to third, she scored on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/golly_taylor_l19d">Tailor Golly</a>'s RBI single to right field to cut the Garden lead to 9-8.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/stauffer_gabby_t8qf">Gabby Stauffer</a>&nbsp;then reached on a two-base error to center field, moving Golly to third wit one out.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_brooke_ngsp">Brooke Backhaus</a>, on a 2-0 pitch, hit a sinking line drive to left and rolled to the fence to score Golly and Stauffer with the game-tying and game-winning runs for Hutchinson's second walk-off win of the season.After Garden City took its 9-7 lead, Tomlinson came out of the bullpen to quiet to Buster offense by retiring all six batters she faced to earn her ninth win of the season and second of the day. Tomlinson (9-2) had one strikeout, one groundout and four flyball outs.Offensively, the Blue Dragons out-hit the Busters 12-6.<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;was 4 for 5 with a double, two stolen bases and two runs.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/stauffer_gabby_t8qf">Gabby Stauffer</a>&nbsp;was 3 for 4 with two doubles and three runs scored. Addi Lutz went 2 for 4 with a double.<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_brooke_ngsp">Brooke Backhaus</a>&nbsp;was 1 for 4 with a career-high-tying four RBIs, also driving runs with a first-inning error and fourth-inning sacrifice fly before her two-run walk-off.GAME 1 RECAP – Hutchinson 5, Garden City 2 Garden City's potent offense got off to a good start in Game 1 with a double and RBI single in the first two at-bats to start the game for a 1-0 Buster lead. After that, Tomlinson settled in and didn't allow another hit until the sixth inning.Overall, Tomlinson worked her sixth complete game of the season, striking out a career-high nine batters. She allowed just four hits, two earned runs and two walks.After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, the Blue Dragons answered with a five-run bottom of the first inning.<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;singled to center and Kruger dropped down a bunt for a single. Golly followed with an RBI groundout and Stauffer gave the Dragons a 2-1 lead with an RBI single.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/brawner_brie_hldl">Brie Brawner</a>&nbsp;and Lutz followed with RBI singles for a 4-1 lead. Then the Dragons executed a double steal with Lutz stealing second and Brawner stealing home for a 5-1 lead.The Blue Dragons had 10 total hits with two hits each from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>, Kruger, Stauffer and Lutz. All 10 Blue Dragon hits were singles.

🥎 Blue Dragons rally for sweep of Broncbusters

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Bryce Thompson had 23 points in Oklahoma State’s 89-79 victory over Wichita State on Tuesday night in the NIT.

Thompson also contributed five steals for the Cowboys (16-17). Abou Ousmane scored 13 points and added five rebounds. Khalil Brantley shot 5 for 11, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with 12 points.

Xavier Bell led the way for the Shockers (19-15) with 24 points. Wichita State also got 21 points and 11 rebounds from Corey Washington. Quincy Ballard finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds.

Andrija Vukovic’s free throw with 12:44 left in the second half gave Oklahoma State the lead for good at 53-52.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742389626136.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Bryce Thompson had 23 points in Oklahoma State’s 89-79 victory over Wichita State on Tuesday night in the NIT.Thompson also contributed five steals for the Cowboys (16-17). Abou Ousmane scored 13 points and added five rebounds. Khalil Brantley shot 5 for 11, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with 12 points.Xavier Bell led the way for the Shockers (19-15) with 24 points. Wichita State also got 21 points and 11 rebounds from Corey Washington. Quincy Ballard finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds.Andrija Vukovic’s free throw with 12:44 left in the second half gave Oklahoma State the lead for good at 53-52.

🏀 Shockers fall to Cowboys in first round of NIT

<a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch Post

Hutchinson High School graduate and current Washburn University men's basketball coach, Brett Ballard, has guided his Ichabods team to the NCAA Division II Tournament Elite Eight following a 93-65 win over Minnesota State University Moorhead on Tuesday evening in Topeka.&nbsp;

Ballard is in his eighth season at Washburn and has guided the Ichabods to the MIAA regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the Central Region.&nbsp;

Ballard is a 1998 graduate of Hutchinson High School. He then played one season at Cowley College and one at HutchCC, where he graduated in 2000. Ballard then played his final two seasons at Kansas under Roy Williams.

The Ichabods are now 29-3 on the season as they travel to Evansville, Ind., where they will play in the Elite Eight next week.

This is the fourth trip to the NCAA Elite Eight for the Ichabods, joining the 1993, 1994 and 2001 teams.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730213997649.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Washburn Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Washburn Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch PostHutchinson High School graduate and current Washburn University men's basketball coach, Brett Ballard, has guided his Ichabods team to the NCAA Division II Tournament Elite Eight following a 93-65 win over Minnesota State University Moorhead on Tuesday evening in Topeka.&nbsp;Ballard is in his eighth season at Washburn and has guided the Ichabods to the MIAA regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the Central Region.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">FROM SWEET TO ELITE … ICHABODS ADVANCE TO NCAA ELITE WITH WIN OVER THE DRAGONS <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GOBODS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GOBODS</a> <a href="https://t.co/6F5Y0ms8Br">pic.twitter.com/6F5Y0ms8Br</a>&mdash; Washburn MBB (@IchabodMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/IchabodMBB/status/1902186218026082489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Ballard is a 1998 graduate of Hutchinson High School. He then played one season at Cowley College and one at HutchCC, where he graduated in 2000. Ballard then played his final two seasons at Kansas under Roy Williams.The Ichabods are now 29-3 on the season as they travel to Evansville, Ind., where they will play in the Elite Eight next week.This is the fourth trip to the NCAA Elite Eight for the Ichabods, joining the 1993, 1994 and 2001 teams.&nbsp;

🏀 Hutch High alum leads Washburn to NCAA DII Elite Eight

<a href="https://www.intrustbankarena.com/ncaa">INTRUST Bank Arena Information</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;|&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live/watch?cid=ncaa_mml_nav_men">NCAA Tournament Information</a>

INTRUST Bank Arena will hold practice rounds on Wednesday for the eight teams that will compete in downtown Wichita as part of first and second round action of the NCAA Tournament.

The eight teams competing in Wichita are Drake, Georgia, Gonzaga, Houston, Missouri, SIU Edwardsville, Texas Tech and UNC Wilmington.&nbsp;

SIU Edwardsville features former Hutchinson High School graduate, Myles Thompson. Thompson played at Barton Community College in Great Bend after his time as a Salthawk. He then transferred to SIUE and is in his first year as a Cougar.

Practice sessions are open to the public and are free to attend.

SIU Edwardsville, 11 a.m. Houston, 11:45 a.m. Georgia, 12:30 p.m. Gonzaga, 1:15 p.m. Drake, 2 p.m. Missouri, 2:45 p.m. UNC Wilmington, 3:30 p.m. Texas Tech, 4:15 p.m.

Game Schedule (Thursday) Session 1 No. 16 SIU Edwardsville vs. No. 1 Houston, 1 p.m. No. 9 Georgia vs. No. 8 Gonzaga, 3:35 p.m.

Session 2 No. 11 Drake vs. No. 6 Missouri, 6:35 p.m. No. 14 UNCW vs. No. 3 Texas Tech, 9:10 p.m.

Game Schedule (Saturday) Session 3 TBD

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742329434393.png" alt="Photo Courtesy INTRUST Bank Arena" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy INTRUST Bank Arena</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.intrustbankarena.com/ncaa">INTRUST Bank Arena Information</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;|&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live/watch?cid=ncaa_mml_nav_men">NCAA Tournament Information</a>INTRUST Bank Arena will hold practice rounds on Wednesday for the eight teams that will compete in downtown Wichita as part of first and second round action of the NCAA Tournament.The eight teams competing in Wichita are Drake, Georgia, Gonzaga, Houston, Missouri, SIU Edwardsville, Texas Tech and UNC Wilmington.&nbsp;SIU Edwardsville features former Hutchinson High School graduate, Myles Thompson. Thompson played at Barton Community College in Great Bend after his time as a Salthawk. He then transferred to SIUE and is in his first year as a Cougar.Practice sessions are open to the public and are free to attend.SIU Edwardsville, 11 a.m. Houston, 11:45 a.m. Georgia, 12:30 p.m. Gonzaga, 1:15 p.m. Drake, 2 p.m. Missouri, 2:45 p.m. UNC Wilmington, 3:30 p.m. Texas Tech, 4:15 p.m.Game Schedule (Thursday) Session 1 No. 16 SIU Edwardsville vs. No. 1 Houston, 1 p.m. No. 9 Georgia vs. No. 8 Gonzaga, 3:35 p.m.Session 2 No. 11 Drake vs. No. 6 Missouri, 6:35 p.m. No. 14 UNCW vs. No. 3 Texas Tech, 9:10 p.m.Game Schedule (Saturday) Session 3 TBD

🏀 NCAA Tournament open practices Wednesday in Wichita

The Associated Press 2024-25 All-America men’s basketball team with statistics through regular-season and conference tournaments:

Cooper Flagg, Duke, 6-9, 205, Freshman; Newport, Maine; 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists (61 of 61 first-place votes, 305 points(asterisk))

Johni Broome, Auburn, 6-10, 235, Fifth year; Plant City, Florida; 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists (61, 305(asterisk))

Braden Smith, Purdue, 6-0, 180, Junior; Westfield, Indiana; 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 8.7 assists (44, 268)

Mark Sears, Alabama, 6-1, 185, Fifth year; Muscle Shoals, Alabama; 18.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists (42, 256)

Walter Clayton Jr., Florida, 6-2, 195, Senior; Lake Wales, Florida; 17.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists (36, 244)

JT Toppin, Texas Tech, 6-9, 210, Sophomore; Dallas, Texas; 18.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists (14, 185)

Kam Jones, Marquette, 6-4, 185, Senior; Cordova, Tennessee; 19.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists (8, 160)

John Tonje, Wisconsin, 6-5, 222, Sixth Year; Omaha, Nebraska; 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists (7, 127)

PJ Haggerty, Memphis, 6-3, 192, Sophomore; Crosby, Texas; 21.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists (7, 118)

RJ Luis Jr., St. John’s, 6-7, 196, Junior; Miami, Florida; 18.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists (6, 118)

Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton, 7-0, 235, Fifth Year; St. Louis, Missouri; 19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists (3, 117)

Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee, 5-9, 160, Senior; Long Island, New York; 13.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists (5, 103)

Eric Dixon, Villanova, 6-8, 260, Fifth Year; Willow Grove, Pennsylvania; 23.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists (3, 86)

LJ Cryer, Houston, 6-1, 185, Fifth Year; Katy, Texas; 15.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists (4, 65)

Hunter Dickinson, Kansas, 7-2, 255, Fifth Year; Alexandria, Virginia; 17.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists (2, 51)

Honorable Mention (alphabetical order, next 10 vote totals and ties )

Nique Clifford, Colorado State; Donovan Dent, New Mexico; Dylan Harper, Rutgers; Chucky Hepburn, Louisville; Tre Johnson, Texas; Curtis Jones, Iowa State; Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue; Chaz Lanier, Tennessee; Derik Queen, Maryland; Maxime Reynaud, Stanford; Javon Small, West Virginia; Bennett Stirtz, Drake.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741950879488.jpeg" alt="Kansas' Hunter Dickinson (1) drives past Arizona's Henri Veesaar during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas' Hunter Dickinson (1) drives past Arizona's Henri Veesaar during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Associated Press 2024-25 All-America men’s basketball team with statistics through regular-season and conference tournaments:<h2>First Team</h2>Cooper Flagg, Duke, 6-9, 205, Freshman; Newport, Maine; 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists (61 of 61 first-place votes, 305 points(asterisk))Johni Broome, Auburn, 6-10, 235, Fifth year; Plant City, Florida; 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists (61, 305(asterisk))Braden Smith, Purdue, 6-0, 180, Junior; Westfield, Indiana; 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 8.7 assists (44, 268)Mark Sears, Alabama, 6-1, 185, Fifth year; Muscle Shoals, Alabama; 18.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists (42, 256)Walter Clayton Jr., Florida, 6-2, 195, Senior; Lake Wales, Florida; 17.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists (36, 244)(asterisk)-unanimous selection<h2>Second Team</h2>JT Toppin, Texas Tech, 6-9, 210, Sophomore; Dallas, Texas; 18.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists (14, 185)Kam Jones, Marquette, 6-4, 185, Senior; Cordova, Tennessee; 19.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists (8, 160)John Tonje, Wisconsin, 6-5, 222, Sixth Year; Omaha, Nebraska; 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists (7, 127)PJ Haggerty, Memphis, 6-3, 192, Sophomore; Crosby, Texas; 21.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists (7, 118)RJ Luis Jr., St. John’s, 6-7, 196, Junior; Miami, Florida; 18.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists (6, 118)<h2>Third Team</h2>Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton, 7-0, 235, Fifth Year; St. Louis, Missouri; 19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists (3, 117)Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee, 5-9, 160, Senior; Long Island, New York; 13.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists (5, 103)Eric Dixon, Villanova, 6-8, 260, Fifth Year; Willow Grove, Pennsylvania; 23.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists (3, 86)LJ Cryer, Houston, 6-1, 185, Fifth Year; Katy, Texas; 15.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists (4, 65)Hunter Dickinson, Kansas, 7-2, 255, Fifth Year; Alexandria, Virginia; 17.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists (2, 51)<h2>___</h2>Honorable Mention (alphabetical order, next 10 vote totals and ties )Nique Clifford, Colorado State; Donovan Dent, New Mexico; Dylan Harper, Rutgers; Chucky Hepburn, Louisville; Tre Johnson, Texas; Curtis Jones, Iowa State; Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue; Chaz Lanier, Tennessee; Derik Queen, Maryland; Maxime Reynaud, Stanford; Javon Small, West Virginia; Bennett Stirtz, Drake.

🏀 The Associated Press 2024-25 men’s college basketball All-America teams

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742316893980.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas State Athletics
&nbsp;

&nbsp;
MANHATTAN, Kan. &ndash; Senior <dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-n-guessan/12168" rel="smarttag" rev="12168">David N'Guessan</a></dfn> was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-Central Region Second Team on Tuesday morning (March 18) as the organization announced its All-District honors. The honors are voted on by NABC-member coaches across Division I. It was the first NABC award for N'Guessan, who was named to the coaches' All-Big 12 honorable mention team on March 9. He is the first Wildcat to earn all-district accolades since Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell were selected to the first team in 2023. A 6-foot-9, 220-pound wing from De Lier, The Netherlands, N'Guessan was the Wildcats' leading scorer and rebounder for most of the season, as he averaged 13.3 points on a Big 12-best 64.4 percent (179-of-278) shooting from the field with 7.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.9 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game. He scored in double figures in a team-best 26 games, including a team-best six 20-point performance. He has also collected a team-best 7 double-doubles, including 5 in Big 12 play. In addition to being the league's leader in field goal percentage, he ranked in the Big 12's top 20 in both scoring and rebounding.</div>

🏀 K-State’s N’Guessan named to NABC All-Central Region 2nd team 

The Kansas City Royals announced Tuesday morning that the team will wear all powder blue alternate uniforms for Saturday home games during the 2025 season.&nbsp; The Royals also announced the new <a href="https://www.mlb.com/royals/tickets/packs/powder-blue">Powder Blue Six-Pack</a> for the season.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742313049745.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas City Royals announced Tuesday morning that the team will wear all powder blue alternate uniforms for Saturday home games during the 2025 season.&nbsp; The Royals also announced the new <a href="https://www.mlb.com/royals/tickets/packs/powder-blue">Powder Blue Six-Pack</a> for the season.&nbsp;

⚾️ Royals to wear powder blue alternates for select games 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The NCAA will abandon a rule that stopped athletes from negotiating potentially lucrative name, image and likeness deals before enrolling in a specific college, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said Monday as he announced a settlement in a lawsuit over the policy.

Skrmetti and a handful of attorneys general had sued the NCAA over its name, image and likeness recruiting ban, arguing the rule violated antitrust laws.

The proposed settlement must still be approved by a federal judge.

In a statement, Skrmetti said “With a multi-billion-dollar entertainment industry rising from the foundation of college sports, the kids who make it all happen should not be the only people denied an opportunity to prosper.”

An NCAA spokesperson said the proposed settlement “underscores our support for student-athletes benefiting from their NIL and our commitment to provide increased benefits to student-athletes at every stage in their collegiate experience, creating a sustainable model for the future of college sports.”

The agreement, if approved by the court, will allow college athletes to negotiate compensation for name, image and likeness deals before enrolling in a specific school, and it will allow third parties to negotiate name, image and likeness deals during recruitment windows.

The NCAA will also have to publicize any proposed name, image and likeness changes for the next five years and meet with states before the proposals can take effect.

Attorneys general in New York, Virginia, Florida and the District of Columbia were part of the coalition that sued over the policy.

The judge handling the case had previously ordered the NCAA to temporarily halt the policy while the case played out.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742305399084.jpeg" alt="A Wilson basketball is shown during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Michigan State and Oregon in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)" />
 <figcaption>A Wilson basketball is shown during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Michigan State and Oregon in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)</figcaption>
 </figure>NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The NCAA will abandon a rule that stopped athletes from negotiating potentially lucrative name, image and likeness deals before enrolling in a specific college, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said Monday as he announced a settlement in a lawsuit over the policy.Skrmetti and a handful of attorneys general had sued the NCAA over its name, image and likeness recruiting ban, arguing the rule violated antitrust laws.The proposed settlement must still be approved by a federal judge.In a statement, Skrmetti said “With a multi-billion-dollar entertainment industry rising from the foundation of college sports, the kids who make it all happen should not be the only people denied an opportunity to prosper.”An NCAA spokesperson said the proposed settlement “underscores our support for student-athletes benefiting from their NIL and our commitment to provide increased benefits to student-athletes at every stage in their collegiate experience, creating a sustainable model for the future of college sports.”The agreement, if approved by the court, will allow college athletes to negotiate compensation for name, image and likeness deals before enrolling in a specific school, and it will allow third parties to negotiate name, image and likeness deals during recruitment windows.The NCAA will also have to publicize any proposed name, image and likeness changes for the next five years and meet with states before the proposals can take effect.Attorneys general in New York, Virginia, Florida and the District of Columbia were part of the coalition that sued over the policy.The judge handling the case had previously ordered the NCAA to temporarily halt the policy while the case played out.

NCAA agrees to lift name, image and likeness recruitment ban

The Pittsburg State University women's basketball team came from behind to win the Central Region title on Monday evening at John Lance Arena over Southwest Minnesota State, 85-82. 

The Gorillas punch their ticket into the NCAA Division II Elite Eight on March 24 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The two leading scorers for the Gorillas each hail from the Hutch Post area. Halstead High School alum Karenna Gerber went off for a game-high 34 points and 10 rebounds in 35 minutes of action. She was named the eight-team regional's Most Outstanding Player. Gerber helped block and secure the final shot of the game, a 3-point attempt that would have tied the game.&nbsp;

McPherson High School alum Grace Pyle scored 20 points to go along with six rebounds and team-high five assists.&nbsp;

Gerber has started all 35 games, averaging a team-high 17.2 points and 8.3 rebounds.&nbsp;Pyle has started all 35 games and is averaging 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

The Gorillas are 32-3 on the season and finished 18-1 in the MIAA, claiming the regular season and tournament titles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742304949462.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Derek Livingston, Pittsburg State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Derek Livingston, Pittsburg State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>SEAN BOSTON Hutch PostThe Pittsburg State University women's basketball team came from behind to win the Central Region title on Monday evening at John Lance Arena over Southwest Minnesota State, 85-82. The Gorillas punch their ticket into the NCAA Division II Elite Eight on March 24 in Pittsburgh, Pa.The two leading scorers for the Gorillas each hail from the Hutch Post area. Halstead High School alum Karenna Gerber went off for a game-high 34 points and 10 rebounds in 35 minutes of action. She was named the eight-team regional's Most Outstanding Player. Gerber helped block and secure the final shot of the game, a 3-point attempt that would have tied the game.&nbsp;McPherson High School alum Grace Pyle scored 20 points to go along with six rebounds and team-high five assists.&nbsp;Gerber has started all 35 games, averaging a team-high 17.2 points and 8.3 rebounds.&nbsp;Pyle has started all 35 games and is averaging 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists.The Gorillas are 32-3 on the season and finished 18-1 in the MIAA, claiming the regular season and tournament titles.

🏀 Halstead and McPherson alums guide Pitt State to NCAA DII Elite Eight

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742304283490.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
&nbsp;
DALLAS &ndash;&nbsp;Kansas baseball received its first ranking since the 2014 season this week with the Jayhawks coming in at No. 22 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) poll that was released on Monday. &nbsp; Kansas is off to its best 20-game start in program history with a 17-3 overall record. The Jayhawks have won each of their first five weekend series for the first time since 2003. &nbsp; The Jayhawks won their opening Big 12 series this past weekend by taking two out of three games against Baylor. The Jayhawks outscored the Bears, who were 13-3 coming into the weekend, by a combined score of 30-17 and hit nine home runs over the weekend. Kansas has won its opening conference series in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2013 and 2014. &nbsp; KU leads the Big 12 and is third in the nation with 46 home runs this season.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jackson-hauge/16155" rel="smarttag" rev="16155" data-airgap-id="71">Jackson Hauge</a></dfn>, who leads the team with 11 home runs this season, which is tied for third in the nation, was named Big 12 Player of the Week on Monday. &nbsp; Kansas (17-3, 2-1 Big 12) will play four games in Arizona this week, beginning on Tuesday at Arizona in a non-conference game at 8 p.m. CT and then a three-game conference series at Arizona State from March 21-23. &nbsp;
<div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" class="" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=%40KUBaseball&amp;dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1901769972692787420&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fkuathletics.com%2Fnews%2F2025%2F3%2F17%2Fbaseball-kansas-ranked-no-22-in-ncbwa-top-25-poll.aspx&amp;sessionId=b31f340cb27ddcbb1e5d61e12ba66ddcb02fea68&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" width="300" height="150" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-tweet-id="1901769972692787420"></iframe></div></div>

⚾ KU ranked No. 22, first ranking since 2014 season

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742242371516.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas State Athletics
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
MANHATTAN, Kan. &ndash;&nbsp;For the fourth straight week, K-State baseball picked up a Big 12 Conference weekly award, as&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/aj-evasco/12312" rel="smarttag" rev="12312">AJ Evasco</a></dfn>&nbsp;was named the Newcomer of the Week on Monday afternoon. &nbsp; The true freshman from Lincoln, Nebraska, becomes the third Wildcat to earn the honor this season, joining left-handed pitcher&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/lincoln-sheffield/12332" rel="smarttag" rev="12332">Lincoln Sheffield</a></dfn>&nbsp;and shortstop&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/maximus-martin/12314" rel="smarttag" rev="12314">Maximus Martin</a></dfn>. For the week, Evasco recorded a team-high 12 RBI and raised his batting average to .429, the third-best in the league and highest among all freshmen. His slugging percentage climbed to .796, ranking fourth overall in the conference. Evasco drove in a team-leading eight RBI against Utah, helping K-State open Big 12 play with its first series sweep since 2010. &nbsp;Evasco ended the weekend hitting .583 (7-for-12), compiling a 1.488 OPS with a double and home run. In the series finale against Utah, Evasco went 3-for-4 and launched his fourth home run of the year &ndash; a walk-off three-run shot that sealed a run-rule victory and extended the Cats' home winning streak to six. &nbsp;It marked his second walk-off homer of the season, as the freshman belted a three-run homer in K-State's 17-5 run-rule victory over William &amp; Mary (March 8). He blasted his first collegiate grand slam against Creighton, cutting a five-run deficit to one. The Wildcats (12-7, 3-0 Big 12) will head to Stephenville, Texas for a midweek non-conference matchup against Tarleton State (9-12) on Wednesday, March 19. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Tarleton Baseball Complex. Wednesday's game will broadcast on ESPN+, while a free live streaming audio available for all games at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Live=3268&amp;type=Archive">KStateSports.com/watch</a>&nbsp;and on the K-State Sports app. Season and single-game tickets are now available. To purchase tickets, fans can visit&nbsp;<a name="_Hlk192492882"></a>KStateSports.com, call 1-800-221-CATS (2287), or stop by the K-State Athletics Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum.</div>

⚾ K-State's Evasco garners Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742242476049.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
LAWRENCE, Kan. &ndash;&nbsp;Kansas graduate outfielder&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jackson-hauge/16155" rel="smarttag" rev="16155" data-airgap-id="69">Jackson Hauge</a></dfn>&nbsp;was named Big 12 Player of the Week, the conference office announced on Monday. The Big 12 award is the first of Hauge's career.&nbsp; &nbsp; Hauge hit .421/.593/1.263 (8-for-19), with four doubles, four home runs, 14 RBIs, six runs scored, seven walks and a 1.856 OPS in five games last week. He had two multi-homer games, on Wednesday at Minnesota and on Saturday against Baylor.&nbsp; &nbsp; All eight of Hauge's hits last week were extra-base hits. Hauge hit the fifth of five consecutive home runs at Minnesota to tie an NCAA record for most consecutive home runs. He finished Wednesday's game with a career-high seven RBIs at Minnesota. &nbsp; The Ramsey, Minnesota, native currently has 11 home runs this season, which is tied for third in the nation and leads the Big 12. He also leads the Big 12 with 32 RBI (15th nationally) and total bases with 63 (23rd nationally). &nbsp; Hauge is the 21st player in Kansas history to win Big 12 Player of the Week. He is the second Jayhawk this season to earn a Big 12 weekly honor, following&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/tommy-barth/16141" rel="smarttag" rev="16141" data-airgap-id="70">Tommy Barth</a></dfn>&nbsp;who earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Week on March 3. &nbsp; Kansas (17-3, 2-1 Big 12) will play four games in Arizona this week, beginning on Tuesday at Arizona in a non-conference game at 8 p.m. CT and then a three-game conference series at Arizona State from March 21-23.</div>

⚾ KU's Hauge named Big 12 Player of the Week

The Kansas City Royals announced Cole Ragans will get the Opening Day starting pitching nod against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday, March 27 at Kauffman Stadium.

This marks the second straight season Ragans has toed the rubber on Opening Day for KC. He finished the 2024 season with an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. Ragans pitched in 32 games, making 32 starts and going 186.1 innings pitched, striking out 223 and walking 67.

So far in Spring Training, Ragans has made five starts with a 2-1 record and has 21 strikeouts and five walks in 14 innings of action.

The Royals and Guardians will open the season next Thursday with a 3:10 p.m. first pitch.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716411828410.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas City Royals announced Cole Ragans will get the Opening Day starting pitching nod against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday, March 27 at Kauffman Stadium.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Rollin&#39; with Ragans. <a href="https://t.co/WRxHtlrxVy">pic.twitter.com/WRxHtlrxVy</a>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1901415695629627892?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>This marks the second straight season Ragans has toed the rubber on Opening Day for KC. He finished the 2024 season with an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. Ragans pitched in 32 games, making 32 starts and going 186.1 innings pitched, striking out 223 and walking 67.So far in Spring Training, Ragans has made five starts with a 2-1 record and has 21 strikeouts and five walks in 14 innings of action.The Royals and Guardians will open the season next Thursday with a 3:10 p.m. first pitch.

⚾ Royals name Ragans Opening Day starter

The American League Central was a surprisingly strong division last season, with four teams finishing above .500.

Then there was the Chicago White Sox —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-sox-loss-record-f573fcb00e937db68255eeeae2262949">who racked up 121 losses for the most defeats</a>&nbsp;in modern Major League Baseball history.

Expect more of the same in 2025. The defending champion Cleveland Guardians, along with the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals all have reason to believe they’ll emerge at the top of the division.

As for the White Sox, there’s pretty much nowhere to go but up, though it still looks like another tough season for Chicago’s South Side.

1. Detroit Tigers. The Tigers are aiming to pick up where they did last season, keeping the key players that put together a late-season surge to end a decade-long playoff drought. Detroit’s rotation is led by AL Cy Young and Triple Crown winner Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty, who returned as a free agent after being dealt at the last trade deadline. Two-time All-Star second baseman Gleyber Torres was signed, shifting 23-year-old Colt Keith to first base. The Tigers had four banged-up outfielders in spring training and will possibly start the season without Matt Vierling, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Perez and Akil Baddoo. Spencer Torkelson, the No. 1 pick overall in 2020, is getting a chance to revive his career as a designated hitter and is a potentially pivotal player in a lineup that could get a boost with his bat.

2. Kansas City Royals. The long-suffering club nearly went from worst-to-first last year, earning a wild card and beating the Orioles in the playoffs before losing to the Yankees in four games in the Division Series. They re-signed Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen to keep intact the majority of a stellar rotation that includes All-Stars Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo. Their biggest move of the offseason came when they dealt homegrown starter Brady Singer to Cincinnati to land infielder Jonathan India, whom they hope can improve their on-base percentage at the top of the lineup. Kansas City was unable to land the outfield bat that it coveted in free agency, so it will be important for MJ Melendez, Kyle Isbel and Hunter Renfroe to show improvement for the offense to take a step forward. If they can stay as healthy as last year, and All-Star SS Bobby Witt Jr. comes close to matching his near-MVP season, the Royals should be in the mix for their first AL Central title since 2015.

3. Cleveland Guardians. What can Stephen Vogt do for an encore? In his first season, Vogt took the Guardians to the ALCS and won AL Manager of the Year honors. Vogt has one of the best bullpens in the majors led by closer Emmanuel Clase, who was second the majors with 47 saves. The top of the lineup is strong with third baseman José Ramírez, outfielder Steven Kwan and first baseman Carlos Santana back for a third stint in Cleveland. The rotation has some questions until Shane Bieber returns possibly after the All-Star break after having Tommy John surgery last year. The bottom of the lineup also lacks power. Catcher Bo Naylor needs to bounce back after batting only .201 with 13 home runs last season.

4. Minnesota Twins. The Twins had another quiet winter with their payroll in a holding pattern after it was slashed last year in response to the loss of regional television revenue that several of their peers across the game have been grappling with. That raised the collective angst within the fan base following a 12-27 finish to the 2024 season that cost them a spot in the postseason. While they’ll roll out largely the same lineup as last year, banking on better health for stars Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis — the latter was dealing with a hamstring issue in spring training — they did overhaul their entire hitting staff. Matt Borgschulte was hired away from the Baltimore Orioles to be the new hitting coach. The Twins were 10th in the major leagues in runs in each of the last two years despite the series of injuries to several of their key hitters, and their flame-throwing pitching staff that ranked second in baseball in strikeouts in 2024 and first in 2023 features a potentially dominant late-inning trio with Cole Sands and Griffin Jax setting up Jhoan Durán.

5. Chicago White Sox. The team has new leadership in the dugout with Will Venable taking over for Pedro Grifol, who was fired last August in the midst of a brutal 41-121 season. Venable was an associate manager under Bruce Bochy in Texas for the past two years. Chicago dealt pitcher Garrett Crochet to Boston, but the White Sox hung onto Luis Robert Jr. for now coming off an injury-riddled season. Outfielder Andrew Benintendi was expected to miss four to six weeks after breaking his right hand when he was hit by a pitch during a spring training game in late February. It’s going to be another rebuilding year for the franchise. Chicago has restocked its minor league system, but help still appears to be a couple years away.

Detroit’s Skubal emerged as one of the game’s elite pitchers with a brilliant season in 2024, going 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts. The 28-year-old should just be entering his prime years, boasting a 100 mph fastball that’s tough to square up.

If spring training is any indication, he’s primed for another great season. He had a 2.70 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings through his first four Grapefruit League outings.

Lewis’ quest for a healthy season in Minnesota is not off to a good start. The third baseman strained his left hamstring on March 16, which could affect his ability for opening day.

The 25-year-old Lewis made his big league debut in 2022, but his development has been slowed by injuries. He missed the 2021 season after he tore his right ACL when he slipped on ice during a winter storm at his Texas home and had ACL surgery on the same knee on June 21, 2022.

He opened the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list while he recovered from his June knee surgery. He also had IL stints that year with a strained left oblique and a left hamstring strain.

Lewis hit .233 with 16 homers and 47 RBIs last year, but played in just 82 games. He had IL stints for a strained right quad and a right adductor strain.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728356969506.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Associated PressThe American League Central was a surprisingly strong division last season, with four teams finishing above .500.Then there was the Chicago White Sox —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-sox-loss-record-f573fcb00e937db68255eeeae2262949">who racked up 121 losses for the most defeats</a>&nbsp;in modern Major League Baseball history.Expect more of the same in 2025. The defending champion Cleveland Guardians, along with the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals all have reason to believe they’ll emerge at the top of the division.As for the White Sox, there’s pretty much nowhere to go but up, though it still looks like another tough season for Chicago’s South Side.<h2>How they project</h2>1. Detroit Tigers. The Tigers are aiming to pick up where they did last season, keeping the key players that put together a late-season surge to end a decade-long playoff drought. Detroit’s rotation is led by AL Cy Young and Triple Crown winner Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty, who returned as a free agent after being dealt at the last trade deadline. Two-time All-Star second baseman Gleyber Torres was signed, shifting 23-year-old Colt Keith to first base. The Tigers had four banged-up outfielders in spring training and will possibly start the season without Matt Vierling, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Perez and Akil Baddoo. Spencer Torkelson, the No. 1 pick overall in 2020, is getting a chance to revive his career as a designated hitter and is a potentially pivotal player in a lineup that could get a boost with his bat.2. Kansas City Royals. The long-suffering club nearly went from worst-to-first last year, earning a wild card and beating the Orioles in the playoffs before losing to the Yankees in four games in the Division Series. They re-signed Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen to keep intact the majority of a stellar rotation that includes All-Stars Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo. Their biggest move of the offseason came when they dealt homegrown starter Brady Singer to Cincinnati to land infielder Jonathan India, whom they hope can improve their on-base percentage at the top of the lineup. Kansas City was unable to land the outfield bat that it coveted in free agency, so it will be important for MJ Melendez, Kyle Isbel and Hunter Renfroe to show improvement for the offense to take a step forward. If they can stay as healthy as last year, and All-Star SS Bobby Witt Jr. comes close to matching his near-MVP season, the Royals should be in the mix for their first AL Central title since 2015.3. Cleveland Guardians. What can Stephen Vogt do for an encore? In his first season, Vogt took the Guardians to the ALCS and won AL Manager of the Year honors. Vogt has one of the best bullpens in the majors led by closer Emmanuel Clase, who was second the majors with 47 saves. The top of the lineup is strong with third baseman José Ramírez, outfielder Steven Kwan and first baseman Carlos Santana back for a third stint in Cleveland. The rotation has some questions until Shane Bieber returns possibly after the All-Star break after having Tommy John surgery last year. The bottom of the lineup also lacks power. Catcher Bo Naylor needs to bounce back after batting only .201 with 13 home runs last season.4. Minnesota Twins. The Twins had another quiet winter with their payroll in a holding pattern after it was slashed last year in response to the loss of regional television revenue that several of their peers across the game have been grappling with. That raised the collective angst within the fan base following a 12-27 finish to the 2024 season that cost them a spot in the postseason. While they’ll roll out largely the same lineup as last year, banking on better health for stars Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis — the latter was dealing with a hamstring issue in spring training — they did overhaul their entire hitting staff. Matt Borgschulte was hired away from the Baltimore Orioles to be the new hitting coach. The Twins were 10th in the major leagues in runs in each of the last two years despite the series of injuries to several of their key hitters, and their flame-throwing pitching staff that ranked second in baseball in strikeouts in 2024 and first in 2023 features a potentially dominant late-inning trio with Cole Sands and Griffin Jax setting up Jhoan Durán.5. Chicago White Sox. The team has new leadership in the dugout with Will Venable taking over for Pedro Grifol, who was fired last August in the midst of a brutal 41-121 season. Venable was an associate manager under Bruce Bochy in Texas for the past two years. Chicago dealt pitcher Garrett Crochet to Boston, but the White Sox hung onto Luis Robert Jr. for now coming off an injury-riddled season. Outfielder Andrew Benintendi was expected to miss four to six weeks after breaking his right hand when he was hit by a pitch during a spring training game in late February. It’s going to be another rebuilding year for the franchise. Chicago has restocked its minor league system, but help still appears to be a couple years away.<h2>Skubal’s encore</h2>Detroit’s Skubal emerged as one of the game’s elite pitchers with a brilliant season in 2024, going 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts. The 28-year-old should just be entering his prime years, boasting a 100 mph fastball that’s tough to square up.If spring training is any indication, he’s primed for another great season. He had a 2.70 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings through his first four Grapefruit League outings.<h2>Lewis hurt again</h2>Lewis’ quest for a healthy season in Minnesota is not off to a good start. The third baseman strained his left hamstring on March 16, which could affect his ability for opening day.The 25-year-old Lewis made his big league debut in 2022, but his development has been slowed by injuries. He missed the 2021 season after he tore his right ACL when he slipped on ice during a winter storm at his Texas home and had ACL surgery on the same knee on June 21, 2022.He opened the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list while he recovered from his June knee surgery. He also had IL stints that year with a strained left oblique and a left hamstring strain.Lewis hit .233 with 16 homers and 47 RBIs last year, but played in just 82 games. He had IL stints for a strained right quad and a right adductor strain.

⚾ AL Central Preview: Four solid teams, and then the White Sox

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It's that time of year again where the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship tournament returns to the Salt City, as 24 teams travel to the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

The tournament runs Saturday, March 22 through Saturday, March 29 with 23 games taking place over the week-long national tournament.

The action tips off at noon on March 22 with No. 17 Connors State (Okla.) facing No. 16 John A. Logan (Ill.). The championship game will tipoff at noon on March 29.

All 23 games will be broadcasted on EAGLE Media radio stations, between <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KWBW">KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5)</a> and <a href="https://streamdb5web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KHUT">KHUT-FM (102.9)</a>. The day games will be on KWBW, while the evening games will be broadcasted both on KWBW-AM/FM and KHUT-FM.

The first 22 games will be streamed on ESPN+ with a paid subscription, and the national championship game will be live on ESPNU.&nbsp;

Automatic Qualifiers: Columbia State (Tenn.),&nbsp;Brunswick (NC), Columbia State (Tenn.), Connors State (Okla.), Cowley (Kan.), Indian Hills (Iowa), John A. Logan (Ill.), Jones (Miss.), Monroe University (NY), Panola (Texas), Pensacola State (Fla.), Snow (Utah), South Georgia State, South Plains (Texas), Three Rivers (Mo.), Trinidad State (Colo.), Wallace State-Hanceville (Ala.).

At-Large Selections: Angelina (Texas), Barton (Kan.), Chipola (Fla.), Daytona State (Fla.), Frank Phillips (Texas), Trinity Valley (Texas), Triton (Ill.), Vincennes (Ind.).

<a href="https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/m/d/vjl5ejn1yywgiw/2025_DI_MBB_Championship_Bracket_-_v1.pdf">FULL BRACKET HERE</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742176424420.png" alt="Photo Courtesy NJCAA" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy NJCAA</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It's that time of year again where the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship tournament returns to the Salt City, as 24 teams travel to the Hutchinson Sports Arena.The tournament runs Saturday, March 22 through Saturday, March 29 with 23 games taking place over the week-long national tournament.The action tips off at noon on March 22 with No. 17 Connors State (Okla.) facing No. 16 John A. Logan (Ill.). The championship game will tipoff at noon on March 29.All 23 games will be broadcasted on EAGLE Media radio stations, between <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KWBW">KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5)</a> and <a href="https://streamdb5web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KHUT">KHUT-FM (102.9)</a>. The day games will be on KWBW, while the evening games will be broadcasted both on KWBW-AM/FM and KHUT-FM.The first 22 games will be streamed on ESPN+ with a paid subscription, and the national championship game will be live on ESPNU.&nbsp;Automatic Qualifiers: Columbia State (Tenn.),&nbsp;Brunswick (NC), Columbia State (Tenn.), Connors State (Okla.), Cowley (Kan.), Indian Hills (Iowa), John A. Logan (Ill.), Jones (Miss.), Monroe University (NY), Panola (Texas), Pensacola State (Fla.), Snow (Utah), South Georgia State, South Plains (Texas), Three Rivers (Mo.), Trinidad State (Colo.), Wallace State-Hanceville (Ala.).At-Large Selections: Angelina (Texas), Barton (Kan.), Chipola (Fla.), Daytona State (Fla.), Frank Phillips (Texas), Trinity Valley (Texas), Triton (Ill.), Vincennes (Ind.).<a href="https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/m/d/vjl5ejn1yywgiw/2025_DI_MBB_Championship_Bracket_-_v1.pdf">FULL BRACKET HERE</a><h2>Saturday</h2><ul>
 <li>12 p.m. CT – No. 16 John A. Logan vs. No. 17 Connors State</li><li>2:30 p.m. CT – No. 15 Triton vs. No. 18 Columbia State</li><li>5:30 p.m. CT – No. 20 Monroe vs. No. 12 Angelina</li><li>8 p.m. CT – No. 14 Vincennes vs. No. 19 Three Rivers</li>
 </ul><h2>Sunday</h2><ul>
 <li>12 p.m. CT – No. 24 Brunswick vs. No. 13 Chipola</li><li>2:30 p.m. CT – No. 10 Pensacola State vs. No. 23 Trinidad State</li><li>5:30 p.m. CT – No. 21 South Georgia State vs. No. 9 Barton</li><li>8 p.m. CT – No. 11 Frank Phillips vs. No. 22 Wallace State</li>
 </ul><h2>Second Round (Monday-Tuesday)</h2><h2>Monday</h2><ul>
 <li>12 p.m. CT – No. 1 Snow vs. John A. Logan/Connors State winner</li><li>2:30 p.m. CT – No. 2 Cowley vs. Triton/Columbia State winner</li><li>5:30 p.m. CT – No. 4 South Plains vs. Chipola/Monroe winner</li><li>8 p.m. CT – No. 3 Indian Hills vs. Vincennes/Three Rivers winner</li>
 </ul><h2>Tuesday</h2><ul>
 <li>12 p.m. CT – No. 8 Daytona State vs. Barton/Brunswick winner</li><li>2:30 p.m. CT – No. 7 Trinity Valley vs. Pensacola State/Trinidad State winner</li><li>5:30 p.m. CT – No. 5 Jones vs. Angelina/South Georgia State winner</li><li>8 p.m. CT – No. 6 Panola vs. Frank Phillips/Wallace State winner</li>
 </ul><h2>Quarterfinals (Wednesday)</h2><ul>
 <li>12 p.m. CT – Game 17</li><li>2:30 p.m. CT – Game 18</li><li>5:30 p.m. CT – Game 19</li><li>8 p.m. CT – Game 20</li>
 </ul><h2>Semifinals (Friday)</h2><ul>
 <li>5:30 p.m. CT – Game 21</li><li>8 p.m. CT – Game 22</li>
 </ul><h2>Championship (Saturday)</h2><ul>
 <li>Noon CT – NJCAA Championship Game</li>
 </ul>

🏀 EAGLE to broadcast all 23 games of NJCAA DI Men's Basketball Championship

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725282945901.png" alt="EAGLE Media" />
 <figcaption>EAGLE Media</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHMY2">KHMY-FM (93.1)</a> <a href="https://streamdb5web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KHUT">KHUT-FM (102.9)</a> <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KWBW">KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5)</a><div><h2>Monday,&nbsp;March&nbsp;17</h2>
&nbsp;
<h2>Tuesday,&nbsp;March&nbsp;18</h2>
&nbsp;
<h2>Wednesday,&nbsp;March&nbsp;19</h2>
&nbsp;
<h2>Thursday, March&nbsp;20</h2>
Reno County Coaches Show, 6 p.m. (KWBW)
&nbsp;
<h2>Friday, March&nbsp;21</h2>
&nbsp;
<h2>Saturday, March&nbsp;22</h2>
NJCAA Tournament G1: (17) Connors State vs. (16) John A. Logan, noon (KWBW)
NJCAA Tournament G2: (18) Columbia State vs. (15) Triton, 2:30 p.m. (KWBW)
NJCAA Tournament G3: (20) Monroe vs. (13) Chipola, 5:30 p.m. (KWBW, KHUT)
NJCAA Tournament G4: (19) Three Rivers vs. (14) Vincennes, 8 p.m. (KWBW, KHUT)
&nbsp;
<h2>Sunday, March&nbsp;23</h2>
NJCAA Tournament G5: (24) Brunswick vs. (9) Barton, noon (KWBW)
NJCAA Tournament G6: (23) Trinidad State vs. (10) Pensacola State, 2:30 p.m. (KWBW)
NJCAA Tournament G7: (21) South Georgia State vs. (12) Angelina, 5:30 p.m. (KWBW, KHUT)
NJCAA Tournament G8: (22) Wallace State vs. (11) Frank Phillips, 8 p.m. (KWBW, KHUT)</div>

🎧 EAGLE Media Sports Broadcast Calendar (March 17-March 23)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742218732174.jpeg" alt="Tailor Golly smashes four home runs - two two-home run games - in the Blue Dragons' doubleheader sweep of Colby on Sunday at Colby. (Sammi Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)" />
 <figcaption>Tailor Golly smashes four home runs - two two-home run games - in the Blue Dragons' doubleheader sweep of Colby on Sunday at Colby. (Sammi Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Hutchinson CC Sports Information
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
COLBY &ndash; Freshman catcher&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/golly_taylor_l19d">Tailor Golly</a>&nbsp;had back-to-back two-home run games to lead a day were the Hutchinson Community College softball team's seven home-run day in a KJCCC doubleheader sweep of the Colby Trojans on Sunday at Adams Field.
The Blue Dragons opened the day with a 10-run first inning, which included three home runs, in a 20-4 Game 1 victory of the Trojans. The Dragons finished off the sweep with a 9-1 six-inning run-rule victory.
Hutchinson improved to 15-5 overall and 9-1 in the KJCCC. The Blue Dragons will now play host to Garden City at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at Fun Valley. The Blue Dragons and Broncbusters switched home dates. The games in Garden City will be April 17.
For the doubleheader, Golly &ndash; the Blue Dragons' freshman catcher &ndash; was a combined 5 for 7 with four home runs, five RBIs and five runs scored.
Joining Golly in the Dragons' home run binge was sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/brawner_brie_hldl">Brie Brawner</a>, whose first career home run was a grand slam in Hutchinson's Game 1 10-run inning.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/dice_emily_75aj">Emily Dice</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/thomas_aubree_o0p2">Aubree Thomas</a>&nbsp;also homered on Sunday.
GAME 1 RECAP &ndash; Hutchinson 20, Colby 4 (5 innings) The Blue Dragons tied a season high with 22 hits.
<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;tied her own single-game record for hits, going 5 for 5 with three runs scored, three RBIs and two stolen bases.
<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/stauffer_gabby_t8qf">Gabby Stauffer</a>&nbsp;went 3 for 4 with two RBIs. Dice went 3 for 4.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_kaibryn_wwcp">Kaibryn Kruger</a>, Golly,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_brooke_ngsp">Brooke Backhaus</a>, Brawner and Addi Lutz all had two hits each.
Brawner had a career-high five RBIs with her first career home run. She also scored three runs.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/brawner_brie_hldl">Brie Brawner</a>&nbsp;and Golly had three RBIs each. Stauffer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_brooke_ngsp">Brooke Backhaus</a>&nbsp;and Dice had two RBIs each.
<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/tomlinson_morgan_0v0v">Morgan Tomlinson</a>&nbsp;earned her seventh win of the season with her third complete game of the season. Tomlinson tied a career high with eight strikeouts. She allowed six hits and four runs with one walk.
The Blue Dragons' 10-run inning started with a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to Stauffer and an RBI single by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_brooke_ngsp">Brooke Backhaus</a>. Brawner then followed with her grand slam to center field to build a 6-0 lead. The Dragons weren't done yet. With two out and bases empty, Dice homered for a 7-0 lead. Kruger laces an RBI single and Golly launched a two-run home run to complete a 10-run first inning.
The Blue Dragons also had a seven-run third inning. Golly led off the inning with her second home run of the game.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_haley_h3bo">Haley Kruger</a>&nbsp;was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Dice and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;and Stauffer all had RBI singles for a 19-1 Blue Dragon lead.
GAME 2 RECAP &ndash; Hutchinson 9, Colby 1 (6 innings) In addition to Golly's two home runs and two RBIs,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/thomas_aubree_o0p2">Aubree Thomas</a>&nbsp;was 2 for 3 at the plate and tossed a complete game in the pitching circle.
Thomas improved to 6-2 with a six-inning complete game in the circle. She struck out a season high eight batters while allowing only three hits and one unearned run. Thomas surrendered no walks.
Thomas' home run came in the top of the fifth inning, a one-out solo home run to left field to give the Dragons an 8-1 lead.
<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;completed an eight-hit day, going 3 for 5 in Game 2 with two RBIs and two runs scored. She also had a stolen base.
Thomas and Dice each had two hits.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_kaibryn_wwcp">Kaibryn Kruger</a>&nbsp;and Golly had two RBIs each.
The Blue Dragons scored in each of their six at-bats in Game 2, including a four-run second inning.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;had an RBI single.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_kaibryn_wwcp">Kaibryn Kruger</a>&nbsp;singled in one run and Thomas scores on an error on the same play. Stauffer had a bases-loaded walk.</div>

🥎 Golly launches 4 of Dragons' 7 home runs in sweep of Colby

Eagle Radio Hutchinson Sportscaster Glen Grunwald received the KSHSAA Oscar Stauffer Sportscaster of the Year Award for 2025 Saturday evening at the 3A State Basketball tournament at the Sports Arena. This is the second time that Grunwald has been given this award, winning it for the first time in 2020.

Grunwald is the voice of the Hutchinson High Salthawks and formerly was the lead sportscaster for the Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragon football and men's basketball team broadcasts until stepping away last March after 26 years which included being on the call for the Blue Dragons NJCAA Men's D1 Basketball Championship in 2017 and their first NJCAA Football Championship in 2021.

Grunwald joins a fraternity of the state's finest broadcasters, including former winners, longtime KU voice Bob Davis (1975, current KU voice Brian Hanni (2010 and 2012) and K-State voice Wyatt Thompson (1989).

"To win it once was a thrill, to win it a second time with so many great broadcasters in Kansas....I am just so blessed to be even mentioned in the same breath as Bob, Wyatt an Brian is such a blessing this late in my career. I mean these guys are legends in Kansas Sportscasting history." Grunwald said on winning the award.

Eagle Radio as a company currently employs six winners. Junction City's Dewey Terrill won in 1991, 1995 and 1998. Gerard Wellbrock from Hays won in 1996, 1997 and 2000. Dustin Armbruster from Hays won in 2013 and 2022, Cole Reif from Great Bend won in 2018 and Devin Hanney from Salina won in 2019 prior to Grunwald's 2020 win and again in 2021.

Grunwald was
honored by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters (KAB) in 2017 as the recipient of
the Hod Humiston Award for Broadcast excellence. He was also named the Kansas
Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (KIAAA) Sportscaster of the
Year in 2022 and received an honorable mention award along with his broadcast partner Dan Naccarato in 2023 by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters for medium market play-by-play.

Grunwald has
also been honored to be chosen as one of three finalist for the National Sports
Media Association organization as Sportscaster of the Year in Kansas for 2023 and again was in the top five finalist this past December for 2024.

Grunwald will receive his award at one of the KSHSAA state basketball championship events in March.

<a href="https://www.kshsaachamps.org/Shared/FullList/?i=4">KSHSAA Oscar Stauffer Award List of past winners</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742139988205.jpeg" alt="Mark Lenz of the KSHSAA (left) with Glen Grunwald" />
 <figcaption>Mark Lenz of the KSHSAA (left) with Glen Grunwald</figcaption>
 </figure>Eagle Radio Hutchinson Sportscaster Glen Grunwald received the KSHSAA Oscar Stauffer Sportscaster of the Year Award for 2025 Saturday evening at the 3A State Basketball tournament at the Sports Arena. This is the second time that Grunwald has been given this award, winning it for the first time in 2020.Grunwald is the voice of the Hutchinson High Salthawks and formerly was the lead sportscaster for the Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragon football and men's basketball team broadcasts until stepping away last March after 26 years which included being on the call for the Blue Dragons NJCAA Men's D1 Basketball Championship in 2017 and their first NJCAA Football Championship in 2021.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=319&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fggrunwald1%2Fvideos%2F1333790864337468%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="319" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Grunwald joins a fraternity of the state's finest broadcasters, including former winners, longtime KU voice Bob Davis (1975, current KU voice Brian Hanni (2010 and 2012) and K-State voice Wyatt Thompson (1989)."To win it once was a thrill, to win it a second time with so many great broadcasters in Kansas....I am just so blessed to be even mentioned in the same breath as Bob, Wyatt an Brian is such a blessing this late in my career. I mean these guys are legends in Kansas Sportscasting history." Grunwald said on winning the award.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739404084721.jpeg" alt="Glen Grunwald and Dan "Coach Nac" Naccarato at the 2024 NJCAA National Tournament" />
 <figcaption>Glen Grunwald and Dan "Coach Nac" Naccarato at the 2024 NJCAA National Tournament</figcaption>
 </figure>Eagle Radio as a company currently employs six winners. Junction City's Dewey Terrill won in 1991, 1995 and 1998. Gerard Wellbrock from Hays won in 1996, 1997 and 2000. Dustin Armbruster from Hays won in 2013 and 2022, Cole Reif from Great Bend won in 2018 and Devin Hanney from Salina won in 2019 prior to Grunwald's 2020 win and again in 2021.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739404143237.jpeg" alt="NJCAA Tourney 2024" />
 <figcaption>NJCAA Tourney 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>Grunwald was
honored by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters (KAB) in 2017 as the recipient of
the Hod Humiston Award for Broadcast excellence. He was also named the Kansas
Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (KIAAA) Sportscaster of the
Year in 2022 and received an honorable mention award along with his broadcast partner Dan Naccarato in 2023 by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters for medium market play-by-play.Grunwald has
also been honored to be chosen as one of three finalist for the National Sports
Media Association organization as Sportscaster of the Year in Kansas for 2023 and again was in the top five finalist this past December for 2024.Grunwald will receive his award at one of the KSHSAA state basketball championship events in March.<div><iframe title="2025 Oscar Stauffer KSHSAA Award Call_ Glen Grunwald KWBW Radio" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=rzt5k-17f8b1d-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div><a href="https://www.kshsaachamps.org/Shared/FullList/?i=4">KSHSAA Oscar Stauffer Award List of past winners</a>

Grunwald receives KSHSAA Oscar Stauffer award at 3A tournament

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742179465662.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas State Athletics
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
MANHATTAN, Kan. &ndash;&nbsp;Following its second straight 26-win season, Kansas State women's basketball was rewarded with an at-large bid and a five-seed in the Spokane 4 Regional in the 2025 NCAA Tournament during Sunday night's NCAA Women's Basketball Selection Show on ESPN. This is the program's 19th NCAA Tournament appearance in school history and the sixth under the direction of head coach&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/jeff-mittie/2524" rel="smarttag" rev="2524">Jeff Mittie</a></dfn>. K-State (26-7, 13-5 Big 12) was chosen as a No. 5 seed in the Spokane 4 regional and will be opposed by No. 12 seed Fairfield (28-4, 19-1 MAAC). The game will be played on Friday with a time and broadcast information announced on Monday. The contest will be available on the K-State Sports Network, including the flagship stations Sunny 102.5 and 1350 KMAN and free live audio on kstatesports.com and on the K-State Sports app. K-State and Fairfield will meet for the first time. The Wildcats are 2-0 against members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, as K-State defeated Marist, 57-56, in Poughkeepsie, New York, on Dec. 29, 2011, and downed Saint Peter's (N.J.), 72-64, in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Dec. 30, 2005. The winner of the Kansas State-Fairfield game will play the winner of the No. 4 Kentucky-No. 13 Liverty matchup on Sunday, March 23. The top four seeds in the Spokane 4 region are: No. 1 USC (28-3), No. 2 UConn (31-3), No. 3 Oklahoma (25-7) and No. 4 Kentucky (22-7). K-State is 15-18 in its previous 18 NCAA Tournament bids. The Wildcats took part in the 2024 NCAA Tournament in Manhattan, as K-State entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed in the Albany 2 region. K-State defeated the No. 13 seed Portland, 78-65, in the first round and fell to five-seed Colorado, 63-50, in the second round. Under Mittie's guidance in his 11th season, Kansas State has registered the program's most wins since the 2008-09 season. K-State recorded 13 Big 12 wins for the fifth time since the formation of the league in 1996-97. On the floor this season, Kansas State features 2025 All-America candidate&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/serena-sundell/11858" rel="smarttag" rev="11858">Serena Sundell</a></dfn>,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ayoka-lee/11852" rel="smarttag" rev="11852">Ayoka Lee</a></dfn>,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/temira-poindexter/11861" rel="smarttag" rev="11861">Temira Poindexter</a></dfn>,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaelyn-glenn/11850" rel="smarttag" rev="11850">Jaelyn Glenn</a></dfn>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/zyanna-walker/11859" rel="smarttag" rev="11859">Zyanna Walker</a></dfn>. Sundell, a 2025 All-Big 12 First Team selection, is second in the nation with a career-high for total assists (233), is second in the nation and paces the Big 12 with a career-high for assists per game (7.06 apg) and fourth in the Big 12 for assist-turnover ratio (2.38). She owns a league-best eight games with 10 or more assists. The product of Maryville, Missouri, is second on the team in scoring average with 13.6 points per game and leads the Wildcats with 449 points, which is the second-highest total of her career on a .493 field goal percentage. Her 170 made field goals this season is a new career-high. She has registered a career-high 30 blocked shots (0.91 bpg) and has pulled in 148 rebounds (4.5 rpg), which is the second-highest rebound total in her career. Sundell is the only player in the nation to register 400 or more points, 200 or more assists, 125 or more rebounds and 30 or more blocks. She has registered a career-high seven double-doubles this season. She was the first Big 12 player since the 2022-23 season and the fifth player in program history to register a triple-double with 26 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds against USC Upstate on Dec. 5, 2024. With her point (449) and assist (233) totals this season, Sundell is the first player in Big 12 history to record four seasons with 350 or more points and 150 or more assists. In her career, Sundell holds the school records for career starts (136) and games played (136). She is second in school history and sixth in Big 12 history for career assists with 782 and is second in program history for career assists per game (5.75 apg). She ranks seventh on the K-State career scoring list with 1,712 points. She ranks eighth in school history for career blocks (103).&nbsp; She is the only player in school history with 1,500 or more career points, 700 or more career assists and 100 or more career blocked shots. This season, Lee, a 2025 All-Big 12 Second Team honoree, is averaging a team-high 15.5 points on a career-high .656 field goal percentage. She is also averaging team-highs with 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. In her career, Lee holds the school record and ranks sixth in Big 12 history for points scored with 2,488 and holds the school record for career scoring average at 18.8. She also owns the school records for career rebounds and ranks fifth in Big 12 history with 1,233 and career rebounding average at 9.3.&nbsp; Lee is also the school record holder and ranks fourth in Big 12 history for career blocks with 351 and owns the school record and ranks tied for third in Big 12 history for career double-doubles with 63. She is the first player in program history with 300 or more career blocks and 100 or more career steals. In her first season in Manhattan, Poindexter garnered All-Big 12 Third Team honors. She has registered 12.5 points per game on a career-high .467 field goal percentage. The product of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, owns a career-high .407 three-point field goal percentage and has made the second-most 3-pointers in her career (81-of-199). She has also notched a career-high 340 steals this season. Glenn, an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recipient, has tallied her second career season with 300 or more points and has dished out a career-high 99 assists this season. She is averaging 9.7 points on a career-best field goal percentage (.488), including a career-high effort from 3-point range (.439), and 3.0 assists per game. Glenn leads the league and ranks eigth in the nation in assist to turnover ratio (3.00). She is 14th in the Big 12 in 3-point field goals made per game (1.97) and is tied for 15th in steals per game (1.67). In her career, Glenn is the second player in program history (Carlisa Thomas, 1983-87) with 1,000 or more points, 500 or more rebounds, 300 or more assists and 250 or more steals. She ranks 28th in program history for career points (1,174), 20th for career rebounds (603), 15th for career assists (309) and tied for fourth in program history for career steals with 260. Her 260 steals are the most by a Wildcat in the Big 12 era (1996-present). Walker was the fourth Wildcat in program history to earn All-Big 12 Defensive Team honors. This season, Walker owns career-highs of 57 steals, 20 blocks and 3.8 rebounds per game. The sophomore from Wichita, Kansas, ranks 13th in the Big 12 for steals per game (1.73). She has tallied 15 games with two or more steals including three games with five or more.&nbsp; Fairfield enters the NCAA Tournament with 22 wins in their last 23 games, capturing its second straight MAAC title and MAAC tournament crown for the league's automatic bid. The Stags have registered a record of 59-6 over the last two seasons. This will be the seventh NCAA Tournament appearance for the Stags and the second straight after making the 2024 NCAA Tournament. On the floor, Fairfield is led by the duo of Meghan Andersen and Kaety L'Amoreaux. Andersen, a sophomore from Wantagh, New York, leads the squad in scoring at 15.1 points per game on a .485 field goal percentage. L'Amoreaux, a sophomore from Endwell, New York, is second on the team at 12.5 points and a team-best 4.7 rebounds. Andersen was an All-MAAC First Team selection for the second straight season, while L'Amoreaux collected All-MAAC Second Team honors.</div>

🏀 K-State women is No. 5 seed in Spokane 4 Regional

The NCAA DI Men's Basketball Championship tips off on Tuesday with First Four action in Dayton, Ohio. The first and second rounds will take place Thursday through Sunday.

Wichita State will host First/Second Round action at INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown Wichita. The eight teams coming to Wichita include — Drake, Georgia, Gonzaga, Houston, Missouri, SIU Edwardsville, Texas Tech and UNC-Wilmington.&nbsp;

Below you will see the entire First/Second Round schedule with tipoff times and TV designations. The games highlighted and in bold are the games that will be played in Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741021637501.jpeg" alt="FILE - March Madness branding is displayed (AP Photo/Michael Caterina, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - March Madness branding is displayed (AP Photo/Michael Caterina, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>The NCAA DI Men's Basketball Championship tips off on Tuesday with First Four action in Dayton, Ohio. The first and second rounds will take place Thursday through Sunday.Wichita State will host First/Second Round action at INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown Wichita. The eight teams coming to Wichita include — Drake, Georgia, Gonzaga, Houston, Missouri, SIU Edwardsville, Texas Tech and UNC-Wilmington.&nbsp;Below you will see the entire First/Second Round schedule with tipoff times and TV designations. The games highlighted and in bold are the games that will be played in Wichita.<div><div class="embedded-entity" data-align="none" data-caption="" data-embed-button="embed_media" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.embedded" data-entity-id="79077" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="a4f36019-e590-4159-9f37-cf693f15ed74" data-langcode="" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]">
<div>
<div>
<h3>2025 NCAA tournament schedule, scores, highlights</h3>
All times ET
Tuesday, March 18 (First Four in Dayton, Ohio)
<ul>
<li>(16) Alabama State vs. (16) Saint Francis, 6:40 p.m. | truTV</li>
<li>(11) San Diego State vs. (11) North Carolina, 9:10 p.m. | truTV</li>
</ul>
Wednesday, March 19 (First Four in Dayton, Ohio)
<ul>
<li>(16) American University vs. (16) Mount St. Mary's, 6:40 p.m. | truTV</li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_102" target="_blank">(11) Texas vs. (11) Xavier, 9:10 p.m. | truTV</a></li>
</ul>
Thursday, March 20 (First Round/Round of 64)
<ul>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_202" target="_blank">(8) Louisville vs. (9) Creighton, 12:15 p.m. | CBS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_228" target="_blank">(4) Purdue vs. (13) High Point, 12:40 p.m. | truTV</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_222" target="_blank">(3) Wisconsin vs. (14) Montana, 1:30 p.m. | TNT</a></li>
<li><a style="background-color: #ffff00;" href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_225" target="_blank">(1) Houston vs. (16) SIU Edwardsville, 2 p.m. | TBS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_201" target="_blank">(1) Auburn vs. (16) Saint Francis/Alabama St., 2:50 p.m. | CBS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_227" target="_blank">(5) Clemson vs. (12) McNeese, 3:15 p.m. | truTV</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_221" target="_blank">(6) BYU vs. (11) VCU, 4:05 p.m. | TNT</a></li>
<li><a style="background-color: #ffff00;" href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_226" target="_blank">(8) Gonzaga vs. (9) Georgia, 4:35 p.m. | TBS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_232" target="_blank">(2) Tennessee vs. (15) Wofford, 6:50 p.m. | TNT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_215" target="_blank">(7) Kansas vs. (10) Arkansas, 7:10 p.m. | CBS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_204" target="_blank">(4) Texas A&amp;M vs. (13) Yale, 7:25 p.m. | TBS</a></li>
<li><a style="background-color: #ffff00;" href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_213" target="_blank">(6) Missouri vs. (11) Drake, 7:35 p.m. | truTV</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_231" target="_blank">(7) UCLA vs. (10) Utah State, 9:25 p.m. | TNT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_216" target="_blank">(2) St. John's vs. (15) Omaha, 9:45 p.m. | CBS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_203" target="_blank">(5) Michigan vs. (12) UC San Diego, 10 p.m. | TBS</a></li>
<li><a style="background-color: #ffff00;" href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_214" target="_blank">(3) Texas Tech&nbsp;vs. (14) UNC Wilmington, 10:10 p.m. | truTV</a></li>
</ul>
Friday, March 21 (First Round/Round of 64)
<ul>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_218" target="_blank">(8) Mississippi State vs. (9) Baylor, 12:15 p.m. | CBS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_224" target="_blank">(2) Alabama vs. (15) Robert Morris, 12:40 p.m. | truTV</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_206" target="_blank">(3) Iowa State vs. (14) Lipscomb, 1:30 p.m. | TNT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_211" target="_blank">(5) Memphis vs. (12) Colorado State, 2 p.m. | TBS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_217" target="_blank">(1) Duke vs. (16) Mount St. Mary's/American, 2:50 p.m. | CBS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_223" target="_blank">(7) Saint Mary's vs. (10) Vanderbilt, 3:15 p.m. | truTV</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_205" target="_blank">(6) Ole Miss vs. (11) North Carolina/San Diego State, 4:05 p.m. | TNT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_212" target="_blank">(4) Maryland vs. (13) Grand Canyon, 4:35 p.m. | TBS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_209" target="_blank">(1) Florida vs. (16) Norfolk State, 6:50 p.m. | TNT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_230" target="_blank">(3) Kentucky vs. (14) Troy, 7:10 p.m. | CBS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_207" target="_blank">(7) Marquette vs. (10) New Mexico, 7:25 p.m. | TBS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_220" target="_blank">(4) Arizona vs. (13) Akron, 7:35 p.m. | truTV</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_210" target="_blank">(8) UConn vs. (9) Oklahoma, 9:25 p.m. | TNT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_229" target="_blank">(6) Illinois vs. (11) Xavier/Texas, 9:45 p.m. | TNT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_208" target="_blank">(2) Michigan State vs. (15) Bryant, 10 p.m. | TBS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_lbun_game_219" target="_blank">(5) Oregon vs. (12) Liberty, 10:10 p.m. | truTV</a></li>
</ul>
Saturday, March 22 (Second Round/Round of 32)
<ul>
<li>TBA</li>
</ul>
Sunday, March 23 (Second Round/Round of 32)
<ul>
<li>TBA</li>
</ul>
Thursday, March 27 (Sweet 16)
<ul>
<li>TBA</li>
</ul>
Friday, March 28 (Sweet 16)
<ul>
<li>TBA</li>
</ul>
Saturday, March 29 (Elite Eight)
<ul>
<li>TBA</li>
</ul>
Sunday, March 30 (Elite Eight)
<ul>
<li>TBA</li>
</ul>
Saturday, April 5 (Final Four in San Antonio)
<ul>
<li>6:09 p.m. on CBS</li>
<li>8:49 p.m. on CBS</li>
</ul>
Monday, April 7 (National championship game in San Antonio)
<ul>
<li><a title="" href="https://mml.app.link/ncaa_art_game_701" target="_blank">8:50 p.m. on CBS</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Here is the schedule for this year's tournament.
<ul>
<li>Selection Sunday: 6 p.m. ET Sunday, March 16 on CBS</li>
<li>First Four: March 18-19</li>
<li>First round: March 20-21</li>
<li>Second round: March 22-23</li>
<li>Sweet 16: March 27-28</li>
<li>Elite Eight: March 29-30</li>
<li>Final Four: April 5&nbsp;at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas</li>
<li>NCAA championship game: April 7&nbsp;at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas</li>
</ul></div>

🏀 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament daily schedule with tipoff times and TV designations

<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/_flysystem/public-s3/files/NIT%20Bracket%20FOR%20RLEASE%203_16_2025.pdf">CLICK HERE FOR FULL BRACKET</a>

The Wichita State men's basketball team will continue it's 2024-25 season on Tuesday night in Stillwater, Okla. against Oklahoma State in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). The Shockers and Cowboys will play at 8 p.m. CT from Gallagher-Iba Arena.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742178605566.png" alt="Photo Courtesy National Invitation Tournament" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy National Invitation Tournament</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.ncaa.com/_flysystem/public-s3/files/NIT%20Bracket%20FOR%20RLEASE%203_16_2025.pdf">CLICK HERE FOR FULL BRACKET</a>The Wichita State men's basketball team will continue it's 2024-25 season on Tuesday night in Stillwater, Okla. against Oklahoma State in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). The Shockers and Cowboys will play at 8 p.m. CT from Gallagher-Iba Arena.<div><h2>2025 NIT schedule, TV channels</h2>
All times ET
<ul>
<li>Selections: Sunday, March 16, 9 p.m. ET</li>
<li>Tuesday, March 18 &mdash; First Round
<ul>
<li>No. 3 St. Bonaventure vs. Kent St., 7 p.m.&nbsp;on ESPNU</li>
<li>No. 4 Georgia Tech vs. Jacksonville St., 7 p.m.&nbsp;on ESPN2</li>
<li>No. 4 Middle Tenn. vs. Chattanooga, 8 p.m.&nbsp;on ESPN+</li>
<li>No. 3 Arkansas St. vs. Saint Louis, 9 p.m.&nbsp;on ESPNU</li>
<li>No. 4 Oklahoma St. vs. Wichita St., 9 p.m. on ESPN2</li>
<li>No. 2 Santa Clara vs. UC Riverside, 11 p.m.&nbsp;on ESPNU</li>
<li>No. 2 Stanford vs. CSUN, 11 p.m.&nbsp;on ESPN2</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Wednesday, March 19 &mdash; First Round
<ul>
<li>No. 1 Dayton vs. Fla. Atlantic, 7 p.m. on ESPN2&nbsp;</li>
<li>No. 2 George Mason vs. Samford, 7 p.m. on ESPN+</li>
<li>No. 3 Saint Joseph's vs. UAB, 7 p.m. on ESPN+</li>
<li>No. 2 North Texas vs. Furman, 8 p.m. on ESPN+</li>
<li>No. 3 Bradley vs. North Ala., 8 p.m. on ESPN+</li>
<li>No. 1 SMU vs. UNI, 9 p.m.&nbsp;on ESPN2</li>
<li>No. 1 UC Irvine vs. Northern Colorado, 10 p.m. on ESPN+</li>
<li>No. 1 San Francisco vs. Utah Valley, 11 p.m. on ESPNU</li>
<li>No. 4 San Jose State vs. Loyola Chicago, 11 p.m. on ESPN2</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<ul>
<li>Second round&nbsp;games are Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23</li>
<li>The quarterfinal&nbsp;games are Tuesday, March 25 and Wednesday, March 26</li>
<li>The 2025&nbsp;NIT semifinals are at 7 p.m. (ESPN) and 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2) on Tuesday, April 1 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis</li>
<li>The 2025&nbsp;NIT championship game is at 9&nbsp;p.m. ET&nbsp;on ESPN on Thursday, April 3 at Hinkle Fieldhouse</li>
</ul></div>