By MIKE COURSON
 Great Bend Post

A trip to the state baseball championship game last spring. A starring role in
Great Bend High School’s 11-0 start last fall. Three state wrestling medals.
And yet, a state championship had eluded Trenton Kern. Saturday in Park City,
the GBHS senior defeated Basehor-Linwood sophomore Gavin Mitchell 9-3 to claim
the Class 5A state wrestling championship at 215 pounds.

“My mindset for wrestling is kind of different from my other
sports,” Kern said. “I just go out there go where it takes me. I look for my
shots, and if they shoot on me, I look for offenses out of that shot. You just do
what you have to do to win.”

The door opened for Kern when Salina Central’s two-time
defending champion Cooper Reves went down with an injury the week of regionals.
Kern entered the state bracket ranked No. 1 at 215 pounds in Class 5A, and
ranked No. 5 in all-classes.

“Personally, I know (Cooper) okay,” said Kern. “I was
excited to wrestle him, but when I heard he was injured, I was shocked. He’s a damn-good
wrestler, and it sucks that someone like that gets hurt like that.”

So Kern made the most of his open door, pinning his first
three opponents at state to reach the finals. In the other half of the bracket,
Mitchell, ranked No. 6 in 5A, had to work a little harder. He reached the
finals with a pin, a major decision, and a 4-0 shutout against second-ranked
Jaxson Chartier in the semifinals.

After a scoreless first period in Saturday’s finale, Kern
picked up an escape point early in the second period. The lead held after a
successful takedown from Mitchell later in the period was ruled out of bounds. The crowd at Heartland
Credit Union Arena erupted with a cacophony of boos.

“Before he threw me, I knew both of our feet were out of
bounds, so we’re out of bounds, clearly,” Kern said. “When I landed, my foot
hit the cement, and that means it’s automatically over.”

Mitchell did get an escape point early in the third period
to level the score, then Kern took the lead with a takedown in the final 45
seconds. With the score still at 4-2 into the final seconds, Mitchell went for
broke with another takedown attempt. Kern managed to stay on top, picking up
the three takedown points and two nearfall points as time expired.

“I felt it pretty early on, especially when he threw me out
of bounds the first time,” said Kern. “I knew it was coming either way. I knew
I had to keep my weight back, because if I pushed in any more, I was going to my
back again.”

More boos echoed around the arena as Kern raised his arms in
celebration. Those were offset by a healthy contingent of Great Bend
supporters, including Kern’s shirtless classmates and teammates, who had their
support for Kern painted on their chests.

“There’s nothing like some 5A, little-town kids,” said Kern.
“We all love each other like brothers and we always will. That’s cool that they
came and supported us. &nbsp;We go to all the
basketball games and support them. It’s a little brotherhood.”

Kern finishes his final prep season at 22-1. His blemish of
the season came earlier in February against Nixa, Okla.’s Weston Weldon. Kern
has committed to play football at Garden City Community College next fall.

Great Bend's Kern claims first state wrestling title in final match of career

The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce recognized four individuals and businesses during its 104th annual awards banquet held Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Great Bend Events Center.

Cody Harris was named the 2025 NextGen Leader of the Year. Nancy Sundahl was honored as 2025 Citizen of the Year. Named 2025 Business of the Year was Stueder Contractors Inc Mark Calcara received the 2025 Legacy Award.

During their remarks, each recipient emphasized positivity, community pride and the importance of working together to continue making Great Bend stronger for future generations.

The annual banquet celebrates outstanding leadership, service and business excellence in the Great Bend community.

More details on each recipient will be featured in full stories soon at greatbendpost.com.

Chamber Honors Four at 104th Annual Banquet; Winners Urge Positivity to Make Great Bend Greater

Sunday A slight chance of rain between 11am and 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. East northeast wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Sunday Night A slight chance of drizzle or freezing rain before 11pm, then a slight chance of freezing rain between 11pm and 2am. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Monday Night A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Southeast wind 7 to 10 mph.

Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. East southeast wind 8 to 14 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Tuesday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.

Sunday's weather

Barton Community College’s Dance Department invites dance students aged 12-18 to be a college dancer for a day at the fifth annual “Barton Cougar Dance Day” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 6 in Studio 34 on the south side of the Barton Campus.

Participants will enjoy a full day of free dance classes, lunch, and clinics with Barton Dance Theatre and the Barton Dance Team while experiencing what it is like to dance in college.

Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator and Dance Instructor Danika Bielek said the day has been a great stepping stone for dance students interested in pursuing dance in college, as well as helping recreational dance students learn new dance styles.

“We have held this event for some years now, and I have been fortunate enough to remain in contact with many of our attendees, and most have indicated that the Barton Cougar Dance Day helped them discover what direction they wanted to take in dance,” she said. “Some went on to major in dance at Barton or other institutions. Other attendees have a love for types of dance they never had access to in the past. I think all attendees, regardless of their dance goals, will have a great time.”

The event will conclude with dance scholarship auditions from 3–4 p.m. for high school seniors interested in performing with Barton Dance Theatre or receiving a dance scholarship.

To register, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://shows.bartonccc.edu/" target="_blank">shows.bartonccc.edu</a>. For more information, contact Bielek at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bielekd@bartonccc.edu">bielekd@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (620) 792-9253.

Barton Dance Department to host 'Barton Cougar Dance Day' on March 6

Saturday Sunny, with a high near 73. South southwest wind 6 to 13 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Saturday Night Increasing clouds, with a low around 34. East northeast wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. East northeast wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Sunday Night A slight chance of rain showers before 9pm, then a slight chance of freezing rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. East northeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday A slight chance of freezing rain before 9am, then a slight chance of rain showers between 9am and noon. Cloudy, with a high near 49. East northeast wind 7 to 11 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Monday Night A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 37.

Tuesday A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday's weather

The steady rhythm of wheat harvest defined much of Lee Musil’s life. Now, that lifelong commitment to agriculture will continue strengthening Kansas wheat research for generations to come.

Long-time supporters of wheat research, Lee and Carolyn Musil have made the first legacy gift realized by the Kansas Wheat Research Foundation since its creation in 2011. Through their estate plans, the Musils directed a major gift totaling nearly $1 million to support wheat research and innovation in Kansas.

“The Musil gift is the first estate gift received by the foundation. Not only is the gift significant to helping support wheat research, but hopefully it inspires others to consider the KWC Research Foundation in their estates.”&nbsp;said Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat Vice President of Research and Operations.&nbsp;“Deferred gifts help provide long-term stability to essential wheat research programs.”

Born in Marysville and raised near Burdett, Lee Musil earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in agricultural journalism from Kansas State University. While a student, he was active in Delta Upsilon and served in ROTC. He later worked as an agricultural journalist and editor before serving as agricultural assistant to First District Congressman Keith Sebelius in Washington, D.C.

Lee returned to the family farm near Burdett and married Carolyn Reich on May 3, 1980. Together, they were strongly rooted in production agriculture and community service. On the farm, Lee assisted with farming, irrigation, certified seed wheat and beef cattle operations. In Great Bend, he was active in the Rotary Club of Great Bend and Trinity United Methodist Church.

Carolyn Reich Musil was born in Beloit and graduated from Downs High School in 1965, receiving recognition as a Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow. She worked at Kansas State University and the Osborne County Extension Service before becoming a full-time farm wife and homemaker. She also served on the Pawnee County Extension Council and represented southwest Kansas on the State Extension Advisory Council.

Their legacy gift establishes the Musil Center for Sustainable Wheat Production, headquartered at the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center. The Center represents a coordinated, high-return public–private investment designed to strengthen wheat research across Kansas and the Great Plains. Established through the Musil’s nearly $1 million estate gift,&nbsp; the first legacy gift realized by the Kansas Wheat Research Foundation, the Center proposes to provide strategic oversight, facilitate collaboration with researchers and industry partners, and represent Kansas wheat research nationally and internationally.

By creating centralized research leadership, the Center intends to reduce duplication, align priorities and accelerate delivery of practical, science-based solutions to producers. Continued state investment will be essential to leverage private dollars, attract competitive federal and industry grants and ensure Kansas remains a national leader in wheat production.

Through this investment, the Musil family’s pledge to wheat will continue far beyond their own fields, strengthening research, supporting producers and molding the future of Kansas agriculture.&nbsp;

Legacy in the Field: Musil family gift advances Kansas wheat research

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks with Kylee Graves of the Family Crisis Center in Great Bend.

🎥 Forward Ever: Family Crisis Center in Great Bend

Heartland Farm and Heartland Center for Spirituality will host the free program, Tahtonka: Buffalo and the Plains Indians on March 8 from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Great Bend Motherhouse, 3600 Broadway. Dr. Leo Oliva, Professor Emeritus, Fort Hays State University, will explore the Plains Indians and historical buffalo culture, how technology changed it and how the hide hunters destroyed it.

In 1840, it was estimated there were 40 million buffalo on the Great Plains. Buffalo were the Plains Indians' supermarket, providing food, shelter, clothing, and tools. The robe trade with Euro-Americans provided manufactured items.

The railroads made possible widespread hunting for hides for the leather industry by 1870. Encouraged by the government and the military, who wanted the Indians placed on reservations, the hunters destroyed the buffalo and the Indians' way of life. The great slaughter of the buffalo on the Southern Plains in the 1870s and the Northern Plains in the 1880s forced the Indigenous nations to move to the reservations to survive. Warfare killed many who refused to go to the reservations, and many more died on the reservations from diseases, malnutrition, and hunger.

With a&nbsp;screening of the film,&nbsp;Tahtonka, and with context by and discussion and Q&amp;A with Dr. Oliva, attendees will examine how after the great slaughter of the buffalo, the traditional lives and culture of the Indians could not survive. The final conquest, part of the colonization inspired by the Doctrine of Discovery, came quickly when the buffalo were gone.

A freewill offering will be taken but is not required.

Heartland Farm and Heartland Center to host Tahtonka: Buffalo and the Plains Indians

Eagle Media is celebrating National FFA Week by highlighting the impact of agricultural education and recognizing the businesses that help support the next generation of leaders in rural Kansas.

National FFA Week honors students involved in the organization formerly known as Future Farmers of America and showcases the role agriculture plays in local communities. Eagle Media is partnering with area businesses to spotlight FFA members and their dedication to leadership, service and career development.

“FFA represents hard work, responsibility and the future of agriculture in our region,” Eagle Media General Manager Dakota Tucker said. “As a locally owned media company, we are committed to celebrating the students, families and businesses that keep our rural communities strong.”

This year’s FFA Week recognition is made possible by the support of local and regional businesses, including Kan Equip Great Bend; Linsner Farms; CropWorks Agent Jerry Ney; High Plains Farm Credit; Ag Systems Inc.; H&amp;B Communications; American Plains Coop; Larned Veterinary Clinic; Schreiber Angus; Ricker Seeds; Innovative Livestock Services; Mayo Money Management; Magna Dry Cleaning Services; Warren Brothers; Jacob’s Golf Carts; Nex-Tech Wireless; Rosencrantz Bemis Water Well Service; Francis Financial Services; Auto Body Repair Shop; Great Bend Industries; G&amp;H Insurance; Big Bend Custom Engraving; Sunflower Electric Supply; GB Car Care; Equity Bank; C&amp;E Doors; Clara Barton Medical Center; Keller Insurance and Real Estate; Windshields for Less; Heavy Duty Diesel &amp; Auto; Protective Equipment Testing Laboratory; Brentwood Builders; Jimlo Glass; Delgado’s Mexican Restaurant; Murphy Mini Storage; Stone Sand Company/Stone Waste Management; Barton County Health Department; Allstaff Chartered; Fuller Industries; Miller Plastics; and Freedom Claims Management.

National FFA Week runs through Saturday and is observed annually to promote agricultural education and leadership development across the country.

Celebrating National FFA Week

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Good food, live music, and oh, the big awards. Those are some of the planned highlights for Saturday's 104th Annual Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Banquet at the Great Bend Events Center. Chamber CEO Megan Barfield said everything will begin with a social hour.

"The doors open at 6 p.m., and we will have a cocktail hour sponsored by our friends at Equity Bank," she said. "That first hour, as people are coming in and connecting with friends and other businesses, we'll have that cocktail hour. Dry Lake has our bar open this year. We'll have a couple of grazing tables thanks to Paxton (Rein) at Proper Boards &amp; Picnics."

Eagle Media's Shannon Towns will emcee the event, which will feature a live jazz quartet and food made on site by Alan and Gail Moeder with A &amp; G Catering. The banquet, which will culminate with several awards presentations, is presented by Spectrum Partners LLC and The University of Kansas Health System.

"We are celebrating a bunch of amazing individuals," Barfield said. "It feels like our Chamber awards, but our community awards at the same time because these are people and businesses who don't just show up for their chamber family, but they show up for the entire community."

The main program will begin around 8 p.m. The Chamber will recognize the NextGen Leader of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year, and a Legacy Award winner.

Great Bend Chamber to hand out four awards at Saturday's 104th annual banquet

Released Pierce, Robin M on Great Bend Municipal Court Warrant 202600069 for Failure to Appear.by posting a $25O.0O cash bond.

Booked Ramien-Villatoro, Moises on Great Bend N4unicipal Court case 26-280 for No Drivers License, and Improper turn. Bond set at $500.00 cash or Surety or 48 hour O.R. bond.

Booked Finnigan, Swen on Barton County District Court Warrant #BT2021CR0471 for Serve Sentence, with No Bond.

Released Hutchins-Hernandez, Christopher M. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2026CR0019 for Unlawful Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, and No Kansas Drug Tax Stamp after being granted a $100,000.00 O.R. bond through the Barton County District Court; and Great Bend Municipal Court warrant #202600028 for Failure to Appear by posting a $1,000.00 surety bond through Above and Beyond Bail Bonds, and Reno County District Court warrant #RN2025CR0843 for Contempt of Court; Indirect by posting a $30,000.00 surety bond through Above and Beyond Bail Bonds.

Booked in Kramer, Jason on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2023CR300062 for Serve Sentence, bond set at NO BOND.

Booked Pekarek, Kevin A. Jr. on Barton County District Court warrants #BT2023CR0001 for Probation Violation, #BT2023CR0002 for Probation Violation, and #BT2025CR0273 for Probation Violation; Bonds set at NO BOND.

Barton County Sheriff's Office Booking activity (2/26)

Now is the time to recognize those who go above and beyond! You can nominate a School Hero! On the fourth Tuesday of each month, Eagle Media will select a Hero to recognize! The winner will also receive $500! Nominate a School Hero is presented by: <a href="https://opikan.com/">OPI</a> (Office Products Incorporated) &amp; Golden Belt Printing.&nbsp;

Any adult who works at a school in Barton County is eligible to be nominated. Admin, Teachers, Para's, Coaches, Maintenance, Cafeteria, etc.

Nominate a School Hero! Presented by: OPI & Golden Belt Printing

Big Bend Custom Engraving, Freedom Claims Management, Great Bend Redi Mix, Francis Financial, Medial Park Pharmacy, R&amp;R Roofing, Allstaff Chartered, Miller Plastics, Rosencrants Bemis Water Well Service, Great Bend Rec, Jimlo Glass Center, Haz Mat Response

Make a Difference Contest 

Beginning Saturday afternoon at Cougar Field with a 13–5 run-rule victory, the Barton Community College softball team celebrated a milestone win before watching a four-run lead disappear in a 6–5 setback to Northeastern Junior College in the nightcap.

The opener marked career victory No. 100 for fourth-year Head Coach Carson DuBose, powered by an offensive surge that saw the Cougars score in four of five at-bats and pile up eight runs over the final two innings. But in game two, a five-run sixth by the Plainswomen, capped by Brodie Wilcoxen's three-run blast, flipped the script and forced Barton to settle for the split.

The split moves Barton to 6-8 overall while Northeastern departs Great Bend at 4-8. The Cougars close their three-date homestand Monday hosting Division II No. 18 Cowley College at 1:00 p.m. before opening conference play Wednesday at Fort Hays Tech Northwest.

Offensively, three Cougars produced four hits apiece across the twinbill as Barton collected 23 total hits.&nbsp;Carly Erpelding&nbsp;drove in four runs on the day, while&nbsp;Morgan Thatcher&nbsp;matched that total in RBI behind her first collegiate triple and later a double.&nbsp;Peyton McCormick&nbsp;and&nbsp;Karter Alvord&nbsp;each added a pair of runs driven in.&nbsp;Ellie Crawford&nbsp;picked up her first collegiate pitching victory in relief, and&nbsp;Shaylee Spears&nbsp;recorded her first career hit with a fourth-inning double in game two.

Game One – Barton 13, Northeastern 5 (5 innings)Laney Wood&nbsp;ignited the offense from the top of the lineup with a pair of hits, helping Barton plate three in the opening frame capitalizing on a Northeastern miscue and an RBI double by McCormick.

The Plainswomen answered with four runs in the second on two walks, an RBI single by Reina Roberts, and a Barton error to chase starter&nbsp;Charley Wheeler. Crawford entered in relief, induced a groundout that allowed one inherited runner to score, then settled in by striking out three over her 3.2 innings of work while scattering just two hits.

With Crawford steady in the circle, the Cougar offense found its rhythm, erupting for ten runs over the final three innings.

Erpelding's leadoff double in the third following&nbsp;Hailey Horton's single helped produce two runs, with McCormick delivering an RBI single and Alvord driving in another on a groundout.

A four-run fourth expanded the margin as&nbsp;Kahli Fields&nbsp;worked a leadoff walk, Wood reached again, and back-to-back two-RBI doubles from&nbsp;Mollie Steiner&nbsp;and Erpelding pushed the lead to 9-4.

After Northeastern scratched across a fifth-inning run on consecutive doubles by Kelsi Jurczewsky and Addison Steele, Barton quickly closed the door. Wood was hit by a pitch and Steiner walked to set the stage for Erpelding and Horton RBI singles. Following McCormick's third hit to load the bases and Thatcher's sacrifice fly, Alvord roped a double deep down the right-field line to bring home the run-rule clincher in walk-off fashion.

Crawford earned her first collegiate victory, while Northeastern's Reyes absorbed the loss allowing six earned runs in three innings.

Game Two – Northeastern 6, Barton 5Barton struck first in the nightcap as Wood reached on an error and later scored on Erpelding's sacrifice fly.

Northeastern responded in the second, using a Marisa Reyes single and America Griffin's RBI double to even the contest.

The Cougars appeared to seize control in the third. Steiner drew a walk, Horton reached, and McCormick's pressure forced an error that plated a run. One batter later, Thatcher delivered a towering triple to right-center, clearing the bases and stretching the advantage to 4-1.

Spears' leadoff double in the fourth marked her first collegiate hit, and moments later she alertly raced home on Wood's stolen-base attempt to extend the lead to 5-1.

Barton carried that four-run cushion into the sixth before Northeastern mounted its decisive rally. A walk and two hits opened the frame, followed by an infield error that allowed another run to score. Wilcoxen then provided the decisive swing, launching a three-run home run to put the Plainswomen in front 6-5.

The Cougars threatened late. Erpelding worked a two-out walk in the sixth but was stranded. In the seventh, McCormick led off with a hit and Thatcher reached on a sacrifice bunt attempt. An intentional walk to Alvord loaded the bases with one out.

But Northeastern's defense preserved the comeback. Mikeayla Llamas, who had earlier robbed Wood at the fence, made a running grab in the gap on Boone's fly ball and fired a strike home to cut down the tying run. A groundout back to the circle sealed the split.

Wheeler took the loss, slipping to 4-3, while Maddie Cline earned the victory in relief.

DuBose notches 100th victory as Barton softball settles for split hosting Northeastern

The No. 25 Barton Community College baseball team extended its winning streak to five games Saturday afternoon, securing a three-game sweep with 2-1 and 9-4 victories over Kansas City Kansas Community College at the KCKCC Baseball Complex.

The doubleheader unfolded in contrasting fashion, as Barton edged out a 2-1 decision in the seven-inning opener before pulling away late in the nightcap, using a multi-run middle inning to create separation in a 9-4 victory.

With the weekend sweep, the Cougars improve to 14-2 on the season while the Blue Devils drop to 5-9 overall. Riding a five-game winning streak, Barton will now turn their focus to Thursday afternoon's Jayhawk Conference opener, hosting Seward County Community College in the first leg of a four-game set with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Jimmy Lawson-Danny Biggs Field.

At the plate,&nbsp;Rhett Winchester&nbsp;sparked the offense from the leadoff spot, finishing 4-for-7 across the twinbill with an RBI and three runs scored.&nbsp;Kyler Horsman&nbsp;added four hits of his own, driving in three runs while accounting for both RBIs in the 2-1 opener.&nbsp;Carter Helm&nbsp;delivered the loudest nightcap performance, going 3-for-5 with a home run and triple while driving in three, falling a double shy of the cycle in the series sweep.

Game 1 RecapBarton broke through with single runs in the fifth and seventh innings to edge KCK 2-1 in the seven-inning opener.

Horsman factored heavily into the outcome, going 3-for-4 with a double for the Cougars lone extra base hit while driving in both runs. Not only a presence at the plate, Horsman (3-0) handled the final two innings on the mound, allowing one run on two hits with a walk to earn his third victory of the season and secure the series win. Starter&nbsp;Braden Hauschel&nbsp;worked the opening two innings permitting one hit with four strikeouts before&nbsp;Landon Haines&nbsp;tossed the next three scoreless frames yielding, three hits, two walks and striking out three.

Game 2 RecapBarton broke a 2-2 tie with a four-run sixth inning and never looked back, finishing off the 9-4 victory to complete the three-game sweep.&nbsp;

After falling behind 2-1 through three innings, the Cougars evened the score in the fifth as&nbsp;Kyle Walker's groundout plated&nbsp;JJ Spafford's leadoff triple. Barton took control in the sixth, sending eight to the plate, sparked by Helm's leadoff solo home run for his fourth of the season.&nbsp;Bruin Sampson&nbsp;followed with a run-scoring groundout before Spafford's sacrifice fly and a Blue Devils wild pitch capped the decisive four run inning.

The Cougars continued to build the separation in the seventh and eighth. Walker opened the seventh with a single and Horsman double ahead of Helm's RBI groundout, while Sampson's leadoff double in the eighth helped set up RBI knocks from Winchester and Horsman to put the finishing touches on the weekend sweep.

Brian Justice&nbsp;took a no-decision behind four innings, allowing two runs before turning it over to the bullpen.&nbsp;Austin Young&nbsp;(2-0) earned the victory in relief, while&nbsp;Jake Field&nbsp;and&nbsp;Drew Koch&nbsp;combined for 3.1 scoreless innings down the stretch.

No. 25 Cougars secure three-game road sweep of Kansas City Kansas

Oksana Masters is the most decorated American Winter Paralympian and is part of a select group of multi-sport athletes who have been competing in both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, having to master different skills to succeed in entirely different disciplines every two years. In the last two decades or so there have been some 120 athletes participating in both the Summer and Winter Paralympics. Masters, who is a double leg amputee, competed in every Paralympics since 2012, earning medals in Para cross-country and Para biathlon in the winter and Para cycling and Para rowing in the summer.

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The Qatar soccer federation has postponed all tournaments and matches until further notice amid global tensions following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. The QFA did not specifically mention the strikes when it announced the postponements on X, adding only that new dates "will be announced in due course.” There are disruptions at Qatar’s Doha airport and Iranian missiles could be seen being intercepted above Doha on Saturday night and into Sunday morning. Earlier on Sunday, Asian soccer’s governing body postponed continental club championship playoffs in the Middle East this week.

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said on social media that the school is working to try and help a few former players return home from Israel where they are playing professionally. The trio of former Gamecocks — Tiffany Mitchell, Destiny Littleton and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan — are among about a half dozen former WNBA players who are playing basketball in Israel, which along with the United States, launched an attack on Iran on Saturday. Staley wrote that they are working on a plan to get them home.

Texas joined UConn, UCLA and South Carolina as No. 1 seeds in the women’s NCAA Tournament if it began now. The Longhorns replaced Vanderbilt as the fourth top seed in the second reveal by the NCAA basketball selection committee of teams in line for the top 16 seeds Sunday. Texas was a No. 2 seed in the initial reveal on Feb. 14. Undefeated UConn was still the overall No. 1, edging UCLA and South Carolina. Fifteen of the 16 teams from the first reveal were the same with Minnesota being the only new entrant. Ole Miss fell out.

This time it was Hilary Knight’s turn to provide a big laugh in the wake of a weeklong dustup involving the United States women and men’s gold medal-winning hockey teams. Knight, the U.S. women’s captain, along with teammate Megan Keller and men’s team brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes, made an appearance during “Heated Rivalry” star Connor Storrie’s opening monologue on SNL. Knight joked it was going to be only the women, but they decided to invite the men, too. The remark was a reference to a controversy that arose when President Trump invited the men to attend his State of the Union speech. He then joked he'd have to invite the women or risk getting impeached.

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United climbs up to third in the Premier League with a 2-1 win against Crystal Palace. Benjamin Sesko’s seventh goal in eight games sealed the win at Old Trafford that moved United above Aston Villa on goal difference. At the other end of the standings Tottenham’s winless run extended to 10 games after a 2-1 loss at Fulham, leaving it mired in a fight to avoid relegation. Nottingham Forest also failed to pull further away from the drop zone after a 2-1 loss to Brighton. League leader Arsenal hosts sixth-place Chelsea later Sunday.

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol has signed a two-year contract extension through at least the 2028 season. The deal that was announced Sunday includes a club option for 2029. Marmol has been in charge the past four seasons and provides some stability for an organization that is resetting under new president Chaim Bloom. The 39-year-old Marmol led the Cardinals to the National League wild-card round in his first season as manager. But he has failed to return to the playoffs the last three years, and St. Louis was just 78-84 last season.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — No. 7 Florida has closed out an unbeaten February with its ninth consecutive victory. This one was a 111-77 drubbing of 20th-ranked Arkansas that the defending national champion Gators hope will improve their chances of landing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Florida pounded the Razorbacks in the paint, outscored them from long range and clinched at least a share of the Southeastern Conference title. The Gators then partied on Billy Donovan Court with hats and T-shirts and unveiled a banner commemorating their eighth league crown. Coach Todd Golden called it “just a great night for our program."

SOLDEU, Andorra (AP) — Sofia Goggia has won her second super-G of the season and regained a commanding lead in the race to the World Cup discipline title. The Olympic downhill bronze medallist extended her advantage in the super-G standings to 84 points over runner-up Alice Robinson of New Zealand and 116 over third-placed Emma Aicher of Germany, with two events left. A race win is worth 100 points. Goggia beat Aicher by 0.24 seconds and third-placed Kajsa Vickhoff Lie of Norway by 0.31. Robinson finished 0.94 seconds behind in seventh.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Former Notre Dame running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price rekindled some fond memories at this week’s NFL’s scouting combine. They shared a room — just as they used to when they were college teammates. Only here, one of college football’s best backfield duos is no longer working in tandem. Instead, they’re here to showcase their own skills and increase their prospects heading into April’s NFL draft. Love and Price might be the highest-rated running backs in this year's draft class. But they're not the only backfield tandem in Indianapolis. So are Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, two of the most productive runners in Penn State history.

Final	(16)Texas Tech	82	(4)Iowa State	73	

Final	(18)North Carolina	89	Virginia Tech	82	

Sunday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Jayhawk Conference Men's Standings Team&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; CONF&nbsp; &nbsp;ALL Barton&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 16-7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 21-8 Butler&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 16-7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 20-9 Dodge City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 15-8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 19-10 Coffeyville&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 14-9&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;20-9 Cowley&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;13-10&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;18-11 Seward County&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;13-10&nbsp; &nbsp; 18-11 Garden City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 12-11&nbsp; &nbsp; 17-12 Independence&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;12-11&nbsp; &nbsp;14-15 Cloud County&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;12-11&nbsp; &nbsp; 17-12 Fort Hays Tech&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 9-14&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;14-15 Hutchinson&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;9-14&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;14-15 Colby&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 5-18&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;7-22 Pratt&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;4-20&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;7-22 Saturday, February 28 Dodge City 87,&nbsp;Independence 77 Colby 80,&nbsp;Garden City 60 Coffeyville 80, Fort Hays Tech 77 Hutchinson 76,&nbsp;Pratt 63 Butler 93,&nbsp;Cloud County 91 Seward County 79,&nbsp;Cowley 66 Monday, March 2 Coffeyville @ Garden City Wednesday, March 4 Barton @ Cowley Cloud County @ Independence Colby @ Butler Dodge City @ Seward County Hutchinson @ Fort Hays Tech END OF REGULAR SEASON &nbsp;

Jayhawk Men's Standings, Scores, Schedule

Jayhawk Conference Women's Standings Team&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; CONF&nbsp; &nbsp; ALL *Butler&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 22-1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;28-1 Dodge City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 19-4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;24-4 Hutchinson&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;19-4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;24-5 Coffeyville&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;15-8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;21-8 Seward County&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 14-9&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;19-10 Barton&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 12-11&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 14-15 Colby&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;12-11&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 15-14 Garden City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;11-12&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;16-12 Cowley&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 10-13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;14-15 Cloud County&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 9-14&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 13-15 Pratt&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 3-21&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 7-22 Fort Hays Tech&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2-21&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2-27 Independence&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2-21&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 5-24 * Regular Season Champion Saturday, February 28 Dodge City 88,&nbsp;Independence 52 Garden City 60, Colby 45 Coffeyville 65, Fort Hays Tech 43 Hutchinson 75,&nbsp;Pratt 34 Butler 73,&nbsp;Cloud County 60 Seward County 104,&nbsp;Cowley 55 Monday, March 2 Coffeyville @ Garden City Wednesday, March 4 Barton @ Cowley Cloud County @ Independence Colby @ Butler Dodge City @ Seward County Hutchinson @ Fort Hays Tech END OF REGULAR SEASON &nbsp;

Jayhawk Women's Standings, Scores, Schedule

Boys Sub-State Class 5A West Sub-State 3 Tuesday, March 3 6:00 Andover Central (10-13) @ Maize South (19-4) 6:00 Great Bend (13-9) @ Emporia (16-7) Friday, March 6 (Highest Seed hosts) 6:00 PM Championship Class 3A Boys Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 1 Thursday, February 26 #1 Beloit 79,&nbsp;#16 Nickerson 37 #8 Phillipsburg 61,&nbsp;#9 Russell 47 #4 Hoisington 40,&nbsp;#13 Ellsworth 34 #5 Scott City 56,&nbsp;#12 Lyons 48 Tuesday, March 3 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Phillipsburg @ Beloit 6:00 Scott City @ Hoisington Friday, March 6 @ Larned TBA - Championship Class 3A Boys Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 2 Thursday, February 26 #2 Holcomb 73, #15 Cimarron 31 #7 Colby 67,&nbsp;#10 Norton 54 #3 Lakin 88,&nbsp;#14 Larned 33 #6 Southwestern Heights 79,&nbsp;#11 Goodland 68 Tuesday, March 3 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Colby @ Holcomb 6:00 Southwestern Heights @ Lakin Friday, March 6 @ Larned TBA - Championship&nbsp;&nbsp; Class 2A Boys Smith Center Sub-State - Sub-State 2 Friday, February 27 #2 Stanton County 46,&nbsp;#15 Hutch-Trinity 43 #7 Medicine Lodge 40,&nbsp;#10 Syracuse 37 #3 TMP 60,&nbsp;#14 Smith Center 46 #6 Plainville 61,&nbsp;#11 Ellinwood 45 Wednesday, March 4 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Medicine Lodge @ Stanton County 6:00 Plainville @ TMP Saturday, March 7 @ Smith Center TBA - Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; -------------------------------------------------------------- Girls Sub-State Class 3A Girls Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 1 Friday, February 27 #1 Holcomb 74,&nbsp;#16 Nickerson 23 #9 Colby 45, #8 Hoisington 23 #4 Southwestern Heights 52,&nbsp;#13 Russell 36 #5 Goodland 40, Norton 25 Wednesday, March 4(Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Colby @ Holcomb 6:00 Goodland @ Southwestern Heights Saturday, March 7 @ Larned TBA - Championship&nbsp;&nbsp; Class 3A Girls Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 2 Friday, February 27 #2 Lakin 68,&nbsp;#15 Lyons 23 #7 Ellsworth 49,&nbsp;#10 Phillipsburg 36 #3 Beloit 67,&nbsp;#14 Cimarron 18 Larned 45, Scott City 40 Wednesday, March 4(Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Ellsworth @ Lakin 6:00 Larned @ Beloit Saturday, March 7 @ Larned TBA - Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; Class 2A Girls Smith Center Sub-State - Sub-State 1 Thursday, February 26 #1 Ellinwood 64,&nbsp;#16 Hutch-Trinity 25 #8 Smith Center 45,&nbsp;#9 Rawlins County 28 #4 Medicine Lodge 55,&nbsp;#13 Plainville 17 #5 TMP 56,&nbsp;#12 Sterling 33 Tuesday, March 3 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Smith Center @ Ellinwood 6:00 TMP @ Medicine Lodge Friday, March 6 @ Smith Center TBA - Championship&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Area 5A/3A/2A Sub-State basketball Scores and Schedule

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Xavier Edmonds had 15 points, a career-high tying 13 rebounds, three steals and two blocks on Saturday to help TCU beat Kansas State 77-68.

Tanner Toolson scored 14 points for TCU (19-10, 9-7 Big 12), David Punch added 13 and Liutauras Lelevicius 12.

Kansas State (11-18, 2-14) has lost three in a row and nine of 10.

PJ Haggerty had 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Wildcats and Nate Johnson had 16 points, nine assists and three steals. The duo combined for 11 of Kansas State's 18 turnovers, which the Horned Frogs converted into 28 points.

There were five lead changes and nine ties before Edmonds made a layup with 6:43 left until halftime that gave TCU the lead for good at 27-25.

Kansas State twice in the second half trimmed its deficit to a point and David Castillo converted a three-point play that made it 67-65 with 4:44 left in the game. Edmonds scored the next six points to spark a 9-0 run that gave TCU an 11-point lead with two minutes to play.

The Horned Frogs have won five straight in the series and are 16-21 against Kansas State.

Haggerty scored 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting in the first half and Kansas State shot 57% (17 of 30) from the field, but the Horned Frogs took a 41-38 lead into the intermission. TCU scored 12 points off eight Wildcats turnovers before halftime.

Kansas State: Host West Virginia on Tuesday.

TCU beats Kansas State 77-68

Sunday, March 1 2:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - Minnesota @ Denver Monday,&nbsp;March 2 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day Tuesday,&nbsp;March 3 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day TBA B104- 5A Boys Sub-State Semi's - Great Bend vs TBA 6:00PM KHOK - 3A Boys Sub-State Semi's - Scott City @ Hoisington 7:30 PM Hits 106.9-&nbsp;Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas @ Arizona State Wednesday,&nbsp;March 4 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:15PM B104 - Cougar Basketball - Barton W&amp;M @ Cowley TBA KHOK - 3A Girls Sub-State Semi's - Hoisington vs TBA TBA Hits 106.9- 3A Girls Sub-State Semi's - Larned vs TBA&nbsp;&nbsp; Thursday, March 5 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day Friday, March 6 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day TBA B104- 5A Boys Sub-State Championship - Great Bend vs TBA Saturday, March 7 12:30 PM Hits 106.9- Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas St. @ Kansas TBA KHOK - 3A Girls Sub-State Championship - Hoisington vs TBA TBA Hits 106.9- 3A Girls Sub-State Championship - Larned vs TBA&nbsp; TBA B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - TBA @ Barton Women&nbsp; TBA B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - TBA @ Barton Men 7:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - Golden State @ Oklahoma City Sunday, March 8 3:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City vs Chicago White Sox Monday, March 9 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 3:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City vs Cleveland Tuesday, March 10 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day TBA B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - TBA vs Barton Women&nbsp; TBA B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - TBA vs Barton Men&nbsp; &nbsp; Wednesday, March 11 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day &nbsp;

Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting PBP Schedule

BOYS SUB-STATE PAIRINGS&nbsp; 1A DI Osborne Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23) #1 Central Plains Bye #9 Ellis 58, #8 Hill City 53 #4 Sylvan Lucas 67,&nbsp;#13 Stockton&nbsp; 39 &nbsp;#5 Decatur Community 66, #12 St. Francis 44 Semi-Finals Saturday 2/28&nbsp;(Higher seed hosts) Central Plains 62, Ellis 45 Sylvan-Lucas 52, Decatur Community 44 Championship Friday March 6 @ Osborne TBA TBA Central Plains vs Sylvan-Lucas 1A DI Spearville Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23)&nbsp; #1 Meade Bye #8 Hodgeman County 54, #9 LaCrosse 46 #4 South Gray 94,&nbsp;#13 Macksville 32 #5 Kiowa County 64,&nbsp;#12 Elkhart 29 Semi-Finals 2/28 (Higher seed hosts) Meade 55, Hodgeman 46 Kiowa County 61, South Gray53 Championship Friday March 6 @ Spearville TBA TBA Meade vs Kiowa County 1A DI Spearville Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23)&nbsp; #2 Spearville Bye #7 Greeley County 65,&nbsp;#10 Ness City 63 #6 St. John 62,&nbsp;#11 Kinsley 36 #3 South Central Bye Semi-Finals 2/28 (Higher seed hosts) Spearville 58,&nbsp;Greeley County 33 South Central 38,&nbsp;St. John 29 Championship Friday March 6 @ Spearville TBA TBA Spearville vs South Central 1A DII Colby Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23)&nbsp; #1 Wallace County Bye #8 Cheylin 38,&nbsp;#9 Golden Plains 32 #13 #4 Victoria 64,&nbsp;Winona-Tri-plains 34 #5 Otis-Bison 57,&nbsp;#12 Pawnee Heights 23 Semi-Finals 2/28 (Higher seed hosts) Wallace County 68,&nbsp;Cheylin 29 Victoria&nbsp; 43,&nbsp;Otis-Bison 42 Championship Friday March 6 @ Colby TBA Wallace County vs Victoria 1A DII Wakefield Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23)&nbsp; #2 Hanover Bye #10 Stafford 52, #7 Centre 47 #6 Blue Valley Randolph 62,&nbsp;#11 Chase 15 #3 Tescott Bye Semi-Finals 2/28 (Higher seed hosts) 2:00 Stafford @ Hanover Blue Valley Randolph 64, Tescott 46 Championship Friday March 6 @ Wakefield TBA Blue Valley Randolph vs Hanover/Stafford winner ------------------------------------------------------------- GIRLS SUB-STATE PAIRINGS&nbsp; 1A DI Osborne Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/14) #1 Quinter Bye #9 Victoria 36, #8 Lincoln 28 #4 Decatur Community 61,&nbsp;#13 Ellis 27 #5 Osborne 63,&nbsp;#12 Lakeside 13 Semi-Finals Monday 3/2&nbsp;(Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Victoria @ Quinter 6:00 Osborne @ Decatur Community Championship Saturday March 7 @ Osborne TBA 1A DI Osborne Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/24)&nbsp; #2 Rock Hills Bye #7 Sylvan-Lucas 51,&nbsp;#10 Hill City 26 #6 Central Plains 58,&nbsp;#11 St. Francis 14 #3 St. John's Beloit Bye Semi-Finals 3/2 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Sylvan-Lucas @ Rock Hills 6:00 Central Plains @ St. John's Beloit Championship Friday March 6 @ Spearville TBA 1A DI Spearville Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/14) #1 South Gray Bye #8 Meade 50,&nbsp;#9 Kinsley 16 #4 South Central 67,&nbsp;#13 Ness City 16 #5 St. John 61,&nbsp;#12 Elkhart 36 Semi-Finals Monday 3/2&nbsp;(Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Meade @ South Gray 6:00 St. John @ South Central&nbsp; Championship Saturday March 7 @ Spearville TBA 1A DI Spearville Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/24)&nbsp; #2 Hodgeman County Bye #7 Greeley County 54,&nbsp;#10 Kiowa County 34 #6 LaCrosse 45,&nbsp;#11 Macksville 26 #3 Spearville Bye Semi-Finals 3/2 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Greeley County @ Hodgeman County 6:00 LaCrosse @ Spearville Championship Friday March 6 @ Spearville TBA 1A DII Colby Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/14) #1 Dighton Bye #9 Pawnee Heights 58, #8 Weskan 51 #5 Golden Plains 57,&nbsp;#13 Winona/Tri-Plains 20 #4 Grainfield-Wheatland Bye Semi-Finals Monday 3/2&nbsp;(Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Pawnee Heights @ Dighton 6:00 Golden Plains @ Grainfield Wheatland Championship Saturday March 7 @ Colby TBA 1A DII Colby Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/24)&nbsp; #2 Western Plains Bye #7 Wallace County 77,&nbsp;#10 Otis-Bison 29 #6 Northern Valley 46,&nbsp;#11 Logan-Palco 40 #3 Cheylin Bye Semi-Finals 3/2 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Wallace County @ Western Plains 6:00 Northern Valley @ Cheylin Championship Friday March 6 @ Colby TBA 1A DII Wakefield Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/24)&nbsp; #2 Linn Bye #7 Tescott 39,&nbsp;#10 Thunder Ridge 34 #6 Stafford 52,&nbsp;#11 Wakefield 14 #3 Blue Valley-Randolph Bye Semi-Finals 3/2 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Tescott @ Linn 6:00 Stafford @ Blue Valley Championship Friday March 6 @ Wakefield TBA

Area Sub-State 1A DI/1A DII Scores and Schedule

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Brayden Burries had 20 points and 12 rebounds, Motiejus Krivas added 13 points and No. 2 Arizona clinched a share of the Big 12 regular-season title with an 84-61 win over No. 14 Kansas on Saturday.

The Wildcats (27-2, 14-2 Big 12) used a 19-0 run to build an 18-point lead, allowed Kansas to whittle it to two midway through the second half, then pulled away with another big run to earn a share of the Big 12 title in their second season in the league.

Jaden Bradley scored eight straight points during the decisive 19-2 second-half run and Koa Peat had 12 points after missing the previous three games with a lower-leg injury.

The Jayhawks (21-8, 11-5) handed Arizona its first loss of the season on Feb. 9 and rallied behind star freshman Darryn Peterson after being overwhelmed early in the rematch.

Peterson finished with 24 points, but Kansas had no answer during the Wildcats' big run and lost for the third time in five games.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-kansas-t25-score-f9889466ae45491d08e069cb241100f3">Kansas won the first meeting 82-78</a>&nbsp;despite Peterson sitting out with flu-like symptoms.

The Jayhawks ran into early trouble in the rematch when Bryson Tiller, who had 18 points in the first go-round, picked up two early fouls.

Arizona took advantage of Kansas' smaller lineup with a 19-0 run that forced Jayhawks coach Bill Self to call two timeouts in a span of 1:12. Kansas missed nine straight shots during the run and the Wildcats kept pouring it on, stretching the lead to 37-19.

The Jayhawks tightened up defensively to close the half, holding Arizona without a field goal over the final 3:52 to pull within 39-28 at halftime.

Arizona: Hosts No. 4 Iowa State on Monday.

No. 2 Arizona clinches share of Big 12 title with 84-61 win over No. 14 Kansas

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran vowed revenge Sunday after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-dead-5b13b69b708c4ed38e8f95f5fb41a597">killing of its supreme leader</a>&nbsp;and traded strikes with Israel as part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/us-israel-strikes-iran-khamenei-03-01-2026">widening war</a>&nbsp;prompted by a surprise U.S. and Israeli bombardment. The U.S. military said three service members have been killed, the first known American casualties from the conflict.

Blasts in Tehran sent a huge plume of smoke into the sky in an area of government buildings. Iranian authorities say more than 200 people have been killed since the start of the U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-dead-5b13b69b708c4ed38e8f95f5fb41a597">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>&nbsp;and other senior leaders.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">Iran</a>&nbsp;fired missiles at targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states in retaliation while Israel pledged "non-stop" strikes against Iran's leaders and military.

In Israel,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-shelters-missiles-245b1675544434848160845a2e991b9d">loud explosions</a>&nbsp;caused by missile impacts or interceptions could be heard in Tel Aviv. Israel’s rescue services said nine people were killed and 28 wounded in a strike that hit a synagogue in the central town of Beit Shemesh, bringing the overall death toll in the country to 11. Eleven people were still missing after the strike, police said, as rescue crews combed the rubble.

The U.S. military, meanwhile, said B-2 stealth bombers have struck Iran’s ballistic missile facilities with 2,000-pound bombs. Ballistic missiles have been one of the concerns Trump had raised in the lead up to the attacks. U.S. President Donald Trump said the military had also sunk nine Iranian warships.

The strikes and counterattacks underscored how the killing of Khamenei, and Trump's calls for the overthrow of the decades-old Islamic Republic, carried the potential for a prolonged conflict that could envelop the Middle East. It also represents a startling show of military might for an American president who swept into office on an “America First” platform and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-strike-conflict-us-war-opposition-8fa7a441a4a696a8562de583395ab0bf">vowed to keep out of “forever wars.”</a>

In Tehran, there was little sign that Iranians had heeded Trump's call for an uprising against the government.

The streets were largely deserted as people sheltered during heavy airstrikes, witnesses told The Associated Press, speaking anonymously for fear of retribution.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-middle-east-577c596775fb9a78d78107004d29d0f9">The paramilitary Basij</a>, which has played a central role in crushing protests, has set up checkpoints across the city, they said.

In southern Iran, at least 165 people were killed when a girls’ school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. The Israeli military said it was not aware of strikes in the area. The U.S. military said it was looking into the reports.

The U.S. military said three service members were killed and five others seriously wounded, without providing further details. It said several others suffered minor injuries and concussions.

In the 12-day war last June, Israeli and American strikes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fordo-us-strike-trump-israel-nuclear-sites-320a85327f94ed7496f09564261f3148">greatly weakened</a>&nbsp;Iran’s air defenses, military leadership and nuclear program. But the killing of Khamenei, who had ruled Iran for more than three decades, creates a leadership vacuum, increasing the risk of regional instability.

The CIA had been tracking the movements of senior Iranian leaders, including Khamenei, for months, according to a person familiar with the operation who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The intelligence was shared with Israeli officials, and the timing of the strikes was adjusted in part because of that information, the person said.

The New York Times earlier reported about the CIA’s efforts ahead of the Israeli-U.S. strikes.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a prerecorded message that a new leadership council had begun its work. The country's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said a new supreme leader would be chosen in “one or two days.”

A senior White House official said Sunday that “new potential leadership” in Iran has suggested they are open for talks with the United States. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration deliberations.

As word spread of Khamenei’s death, some in Tehran could be seen cheering from rooftops, witnesses said. Others mourned as a black flag was raised over the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad.

“You have crossed our red line and must pay the price,” Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said in a televised address. “We will deliver such devastating blows that you yourselves will be driven to beg.”

“THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT,” he said in a social media post. “IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”

In a sign of how the attack could stoke regional unrest, hundreds of people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-protesters-attacked-us-consulate-karachi-iran-a3cc0c3c6f126cc54a657f61d312a203">stormed the U.S. Consulate</a>&nbsp;in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi. Police and paramilitary forces used batons and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, and at least nine people were killed in the clashes, authorities said.

Iran retaliates with missiles and drone attacks

As U.S. and Israeli strikes have pounded Iran, the Islamic Republic has retaliated with missiles and drone attacks on Israel and nearby Arab Gulf countries hosting U.S. forces.

The air war could rattle global markets, particularly if Iran makes the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-strait-hormuz-us-protests-persian-gulf-db7159d715453977279ab9cfd918e6e4">Around 20% of the world's traded oil</a>&nbsp;passes through the vital waterway.

While Iran struck U.S. bases in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, the attacks have also hit outside of military installations, including a hotel in the Emirati city of Dubai, and Kuwait’s international airport. At least four people have been killed in strikes on Gulf countries.

Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, blamed such strikes on the U.S. and Israel for starting the war. He said he had spoken to his counterparts in the Gulf countries and urged them to pressure the U.S. and Israel to end it.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that Israel will have “a non-stop air train” of strikes against Iranian military and leadership targets. The U.S. military said it had struck an Iranian warship at a port on the Gulf of Oman that was now sinking.

Flights across the Middle East were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-flights-airspace-travel-0346e29ee99eaee2838c8e08f4facb78">disrupted</a>, and air defense fire thudded over Dubai. The United Arab Emirates’ commercial capital has long drawn business and expatriates by billing itself as a safe haven in a volatile region.

Iran forms council to govern until a new supreme leader is chosen

As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-khamenei-supreme-leader-nuclear-protests-military-487aa76fd32f398f2ca37d316e543760">supreme leader</a>, Khamenei had final say on all major policies since 1989. He led Iran’s clerical establishment and the Revolutionary Guard, the two main centers of power in the governing theocracy.

An Iranian medical professional in northern Iran said he and colleagues spent the early hours of Sunday celebrating Khamenei's death indoors because armed security forces are still heavily deployed in his city.

There were forces stopping and interrogating people celebrating in their cars but there was no gunfire, said the doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.

“It was one of the best nights, if not the best night of our lives,” the doctor said in a voice message from the city of Rasht. In fact, “it was actually my first time ever smoking a cigarette. It was a very very nice time. We didn’t sleep at all. And we don’t even feel tired.”

Strikes were planned for months and feared for weeks

Tensions have escalated in recent weeks as the Trump administration built up the&nbsp;<a href="http://tensions%20have%20soared%20in%20recent%20weeks%20as%20american%20warships%20moved%20into%20the%20region./">largest force of American warships</a>&nbsp;and aircraft in the Middle East in decades. The president insisted he wanted a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear program while the country struggled with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-protests-students-nuclear-khamenei-096e7ede9bc9c1e7b889878af9d6e750">growing dissent</a>&nbsp;following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-memorials-chehelom-71e5db503a287126a2d31cb32a2809eb">nationwide protests</a>.

Democrats decried that Trump had taken&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-war-powers-trump-iran-constitution-37ec6685d9ded1d467a719f91e537487">action without congressional authorization</a>. The White House said it had briefed several Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress in advance.

Though Trump had pronounced the Iranian nuclear program obliterated in strikes last year, the country was rebuilding infrastructure that it had lost, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss Trump’s decision-making process. The official said intelligence showed that Iran had developed the capability to produce its own high-quality centrifuges, an important step in developing the highly enriched uranium needed for weapons.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-enrichment-c0079c38746a896e2967a9a9cc2799d5">Iran has said it has not enriched since June</a>, though it has maintained its right to do so while saying its nuclear program is entirely peaceful. It has also blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites the U.S. bombed. Satellite photos analyzed by AP have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-nuclear-enrichment-satellite-d5c78b5fe974ec2fc338b8ad6d6a7d68">shown new activity at two of those sites</a>.

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel; Boak from West Palm Beach, Florida; and Tucker from Washington. Associated Press writers Joe Federman in Jerusalem, Sarah El Deeb in Beirut, Amir Radjy in Cairo, Aamer Madhani, Konstantin Toropin and David Klepper in Washington, Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel, Farnoush Amiri in New York, David Rising in Bangkok and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report.

President Trump says 9 Iranian warships have been sunk

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Three American service members have been killed and five have been seriously wounded in military operations targeting Iran, the U.S. military said.

They are the first reported American casualties since the U.S. and Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran.

U.S. Central Command said Sunday in a post on X that several others “sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being returned to duty.”

The post stated that major combat operations will continue. It did not provide further information about the casualties and described the situation as “fluid.”

3 US service members killed, 5 wounded in Iran operation

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — CoreCivic can’t house immigration detainees before reaching an agreement with the city of Leavenworth on reopening its private prison, the Kansas Court of Appeals ruled Friday when it upheld a lower court’s decision.

“There is nothing to suggest that CoreCivic is being singled out here,” the Court of Appeals decision said. “The City is merely attempting to enforce its zoning regulations that impose requirements on every entity regardless of its status as a contractor with the federal government.”

Nashville-based CoreCivic&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/10/corecivic-appeals-to-overturn-injunction-keeping-it-from-housing-ice-detainees/">appealed an injunction</a>&nbsp;by Leavenworth County District Court that banned it from beginning to take detainees to fulfill its U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contract. The company announced in 2025 that it would reopen its closed prison as the Midwest Regional Reception Center.&nbsp;

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