By TODD MOORE Barton Sports Info

The Barton track and field program opened their outdoor season this past Saturday in Arkansas City with nine national qualifying performances competing in the Mark A. Phillips Tiger Invitational.

The women's squad posted four of the national qualifying marks led by two coming from the reigning indoor Field Athlete of the Year Treneese Hamilton. Hamilton won the Javelin throw with a 43.39m (142-04) stab in the ground to better her previous mark by two feet in moving up a spot on the program all-time list to 9th furthest. Freshman Kyndall Blessing joined Hamilton with a national ticket with a debut 36.88m (121-00) mark in placing third.

Hamilton also picked up another national entry in the hammer throw with a personal best 46.85m (153-08) in placing 3rd on the day with Blessing in 14th at 39.44m (129-04).

Ivanilda Semedo also won an event with a national qualifying mark in the discus throw marking a 49.85m (163-06) with Hamilton taking 13th on a 35.76m (117-04) throw.

All five of the men's qualifiers were in the throws in coming away with an event title as well.

Christopher Crawford led a 1-2-3 placing in the discus at 54.99m (180-05), edging out Christopher Young's 54.58m (179-01) and the 53.58m (175-09) from Ricardo Hayles' collegiate debut.

Young chalked up another qualifying mark in the hammer throw with a 5th place 54.02m (177-02) mark for 5th place while Boris Peranovic also punched his national ticket with a 48.75m (159-11) throw in placing 9th.

Barton has a short week of preparation ahead before traveling to Emporia, Kansas, for the one-day Emporia State Relays.

400m: 14th Ashley Shaw (1:02.52), 22nd Widlife Vermilus (1:06.38)

800m: 21st Widlife Vermilus (2:57.66), 25th Karina Estrada (3:19.38)

Discus Throw: 1st Ivanilda Semedo (NQ 49.85m, 163-06), 13th Treneese Hamilton (35.76m, 117-04), DNP Cedricka Williams (Foul)

Javelin Throw: 1st Treneese Hamilton (PB NQ 43.39m, 142-04 *Moves up from 10th to 9th program best *2ft better), 3rd Kyndall Blessing (NQ 36.88m, 121-00)

Hammer Throw: 3rd Treneese Hamilton (PB NQ 46.85m, 153-08), 14th Kyndall Blessing (39.44m, 129-04), 29th Ivanilda Semedo (33.51m, 109-11), DNP Cedricka Williams (Foul)

100m: 20th Jermaine Thompson (10.97), 24th Brandon Pemberton (11.12), 33rd Malachi Carter (11.23), 35th Noah Kincade (11.23)

200m: 32nd Noah Kincade (PB 22.59), 34th Jermaine Thompson (22.65), 46th Brandon Pemberton (22.93)

400m: 6th Corlando Chambers (49.11), 31st Grayden Stapleton (53.14)

Discus Throw: 1st Christopher Crawford (NQ 54.99m, 180-05), 2nd Christopher Young (NQ 54.58m, 179-01), 3rd Ricardo Hayles (NQ 53.58m, 175-09), DNP Justin Barker (Foul)

Hammer Throw: 5th Christopher Young (NQ 54.02m, 177-02), 9th Boris Peranovic (NQ 48.75m, 159-11), 18th Ricardo Hayles (39.40m, 129-03), DNP Christopher Crawford (Foul), DNP Justin Barker (Foul)

Shot Put: 16th Boris Peranovic (12.65m, 41-06.00)

Triple Jump: Kalil Murphy (14.49m, 47-06.50)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711536636771.jpeg" alt="Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoThe Barton track and field program opened their outdoor season this past Saturday in Arkansas City with nine national qualifying performances competing in the Mark A. Phillips Tiger Invitational.The women's squad posted four of the national qualifying marks led by two coming from the reigning indoor Field Athlete of the Year Treneese Hamilton. Hamilton won the Javelin throw with a 43.39m (142-04) stab in the ground to better her previous mark by two feet in moving up a spot on the program all-time list to 9th furthest. Freshman Kyndall Blessing joined Hamilton with a national ticket with a debut 36.88m (121-00) mark in placing third.Hamilton also picked up another national entry in the hammer throw with a personal best 46.85m (153-08) in placing 3rd on the day with Blessing in 14th at 39.44m (129-04).Ivanilda Semedo also won an event with a national qualifying mark in the discus throw marking a 49.85m (163-06) with Hamilton taking 13th on a 35.76m (117-04) throw.All five of the men's qualifiers were in the throws in coming away with an event title as well.Christopher Crawford led a 1-2-3 placing in the discus at 54.99m (180-05), edging out Christopher Young's 54.58m (179-01) and the 53.58m (175-09) from Ricardo Hayles' collegiate debut.Young chalked up another qualifying mark in the hammer throw with a 5th place 54.02m (177-02) mark for 5th place while Boris Peranovic also punched his national ticket with a 48.75m (159-11) throw in placing 9th.Barton has a short week of preparation ahead before traveling to Emporia, Kansas, for the one-day Emporia State Relays.Barton Women's Results100m: 41st Myla Tabora (13.42)200m: 43rd Myla Tabora (28.70)400m: 14th Ashley Shaw (1:02.52), 22nd Widlife Vermilus (1:06.38)800m: 21st Widlife Vermilus (2:57.66), 25th Karina Estrada (3:19.38)1500m: 27th Karina Estrada (6:51.19)Discus Throw: 1st Ivanilda Semedo (NQ 49.85m, 163-06), 13th Treneese Hamilton (35.76m, 117-04), DNP Cedricka Williams (Foul)Javelin Throw: 1st Treneese Hamilton (PB NQ 43.39m, 142-04 *Moves up from 10th to 9th program best *2ft better), 3rd Kyndall Blessing (NQ 36.88m, 121-00)Hammer Throw: 3rd Treneese Hamilton (PB NQ 46.85m, 153-08), 14th Kyndall Blessing (39.44m, 129-04), 29th Ivanilda Semedo (33.51m, 109-11), DNP Cedricka Williams (Foul)Barton Men's Results100m: 20th Jermaine Thompson (10.97), 24th Brandon Pemberton (11.12), 33rd Malachi Carter (11.23), 35th Noah Kincade (11.23)200m: 32nd Noah Kincade (PB 22.59), 34th Jermaine Thompson (22.65), 46th Brandon Pemberton (22.93)400m: 6th Corlando Chambers (49.11), 31st Grayden Stapleton (53.14)800m: 26th Charles Green (2:17.02)Discus Throw: 1st Christopher Crawford (NQ 54.99m, 180-05), 2nd Christopher Young (NQ 54.58m, 179-01), 3rd Ricardo Hayles (NQ 53.58m, 175-09), DNP Justin Barker (Foul)Hammer Throw: 5th Christopher Young (NQ 54.02m, 177-02), 9th Boris Peranovic (NQ 48.75m, 159-11), 18th Ricardo Hayles (39.40m, 129-03), DNP Christopher Crawford (Foul), DNP Justin Barker (Foul)Shot Put: 16th Boris Peranovic (12.65m, 41-06.00)Triple Jump: Kalil Murphy (14.49m, 47-06.50)

Barton Track and Field opens outdoor season with nine national qualifying performances


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Quan
Lax had 15 points, JJ Wheat scored four of his nine points in the
final 35 seconds, and Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) closed on a 10-0 run to
beat Langston (Okla.) 71-67 for the program’s first NAIA
championship. Freed-Hardeman trailed 67-61 with 54 seconds remaining
before its full-court defense caused problems for Langston, which
turned it over 19 times overall. Langston had a shot blocked and
Wheat raced the other way for a fast-break layup to make it 70-67 at
12.4. After a timeout Langston missed a 3-pointer, Freed-Hardeman
tapped it out to midcourt and the game appeared to be over as
confetti dropped onto the court. But officials put 0.2 seconds on the
clock and the celebration was delayed. Peyton Law made 1 of 2 free
throws to end it.


LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) —
Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart confirms on social media
that John Calipari will return as men’s basketball coach despite
calls for his firing following the Wildcats’ third consecutive
early exit from the NCAA Tournament. Barnhart posted Tuesday night on
X, formerly known as Twitter, that he and the Hall of Fame coach have
talked about the direction of the men’s program. He posted: “I
can confirm that he will return for his 16th season as our head
coach.” Kentucky was seeded third in March Madness, but fell 80-76
to No. 14 seed Oakland in the first round on Thursday.


ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Kickoff
returns are returning to the NFL. Team owners have approved a new
rule that will take what essentially had become “a dead play” and
make it an integral part of the game again. The major overhaul to
special teams has been in the works for years. It takes elements of
the kickoff rules used in the XFL and tweaks them for use in the NFL
beginning in 2024. There were 1,970 touchbacks on kickoffs last
season that now could be returns. There were 92 fair catches last
season that are no longer allowed. Any ball caught in the field of
play must be returned.


SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Utah
coach Lynne Roberts says her team experienced a series of “racial
hate crimes” after arriving at its first women's NCAA Tournament
hotel in Idaho last week.. She revealed what happened after Utah lost
to Gonzaga in the second round on Monday night. Roberts says there
were concerns about safety among the traveling party. Utah was
staying about 30 miles away in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and was
relocated to a different hotel on Friday. Authorities say they are
looking into what happened.


UNDATED (AP) — St. Louis
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak says center
fielder Dylan Carlson will begin the season on the injured list with
a sprained left shoulder. Carlson was injured in a collision Monday
with right fielder Jordan Walker. Prospect Victor Scott will be the
opening-day starter in center field. Carlson’s injury is the latest
setback to the Cardinals’ outfield. Tommy Edman was originally
expected to start in center field. He is on the IL with a wrist
injury. Left fielder Lars Nootbaar received the same designation
because of fractured ribs.


PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona
Diamondbacks and pitcher Jordan Montgomery have agreed on a $25
million, one-year contract with a vesting option for 2025, according
to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The
Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the
agreement was subject to a successful physical. If Montgomery makes
at least 10 starts this season, the option would become guaranteed at
$20 million and the left-hander also would gain the right to opt out.
The option price would escalate to $22.5 million if he makes 18
starts and to $25 million if he makes 23 starts — a figure he has
reached in three straight seasons. The addition bulks up the
defending National League champions’ rotation just days before the
regular season begins.


ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los
Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is optimistic Shohei Ohtani will
become closer with his teammates in the absence of former interpreter
and constant companion Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani and Mizuhara were
practically inseparable at Angel Stadium during his six years with
the Angels, and they spent ample time together away from the
ballpark. The changes caused by Mizuhara’s firing amid allegations
of gambling and theft could be jarring to a baseball star who thrives
on routine. But Roberts says he has already seen Ohtani engaging more
openly with his teammates in the past few days without Mizuhara
around to help.


SEAFORD, N.Y. (AP) — A
women’s roller derby league in suburban New York City has thrust
itself into the national discussion over the rights of transgender
athletes. The Long Island Roller Rebels are suing Nassau County
Executive Bruce Blakeman over an order meant to prevent women’s and
girl’s leagues and teams with transgender athletes from using
county-run parks and fields. The league is gearing up for its season
opener next month but faces uncertainty about where some of its
upcoming games will be played. The league’s vice president says
there was never any question the group would take a stand against the
ban.


Final	Oklahoma City	119	New
Orleans	112	


Final 2OT	L.A.
Lakers	128	Milwaukee	124	

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707734642080.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Quan
Lax had 15 points, JJ Wheat scored four of his nine points in the
final 35 seconds, and Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) closed on a 10-0 run to
beat Langston (Okla.) 71-67 for the program’s first NAIA
championship. Freed-Hardeman trailed 67-61 with 54 seconds remaining
before its full-court defense caused problems for Langston, which
turned it over 19 times overall. Langston had a shot blocked and
Wheat raced the other way for a fast-break layup to make it 70-67 at
12.4. After a timeout Langston missed a 3-pointer, Freed-Hardeman
tapped it out to midcourt and the game appeared to be over as
confetti dropped onto the court. But officials put 0.2 seconds on the
clock and the celebration was delayed. Peyton Law made 1 of 2 free
throws to end it.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) —
Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart confirms on social media
that John Calipari will return as men’s basketball coach despite
calls for his firing following the Wildcats’ third consecutive
early exit from the NCAA Tournament. Barnhart posted Tuesday night on
X, formerly known as Twitter, that he and the Hall of Fame coach have
talked about the direction of the men’s program. He posted: “I
can confirm that he will return for his 16th season as our head
coach.” Kentucky was seeded third in March Madness, but fell 80-76
to No. 14 seed Oakland in the first round on Thursday.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Kickoff
returns are returning to the NFL. Team owners have approved a new
rule that will take what essentially had become “a dead play” and
make it an integral part of the game again. The major overhaul to
special teams has been in the works for years. It takes elements of
the kickoff rules used in the XFL and tweaks them for use in the NFL
beginning in 2024. There were 1,970 touchbacks on kickoffs last
season that now could be returns. There were 92 fair catches last
season that are no longer allowed. Any ball caught in the field of
play must be returned.
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Utah
coach Lynne Roberts says her team experienced a series of “racial
hate crimes” after arriving at its first women's NCAA Tournament
hotel in Idaho last week.. She revealed what happened after Utah lost
to Gonzaga in the second round on Monday night. Roberts says there
were concerns about safety among the traveling party. Utah was
staying about 30 miles away in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and was
relocated to a different hotel on Friday. Authorities say they are
looking into what happened.
UNDATED (AP) — St. Louis
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak says center
fielder Dylan Carlson will begin the season on the injured list with
a sprained left shoulder. Carlson was injured in a collision Monday
with right fielder Jordan Walker. Prospect Victor Scott will be the
opening-day starter in center field. Carlson’s injury is the latest
setback to the Cardinals’ outfield. Tommy Edman was originally
expected to start in center field. He is on the IL with a wrist
injury. Left fielder Lars Nootbaar received the same designation
because of fractured ribs.
PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona
Diamondbacks and pitcher Jordan Montgomery have agreed on a $25
million, one-year contract with a vesting option for 2025, according
to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The
Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the
agreement was subject to a successful physical. If Montgomery makes
at least 10 starts this season, the option would become guaranteed at
$20 million and the left-hander also would gain the right to opt out.
The option price would escalate to $22.5 million if he makes 18
starts and to $25 million if he makes 23 starts — a figure he has
reached in three straight seasons. The addition bulks up the
defending National League champions’ rotation just days before the
regular season begins.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los
Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is optimistic Shohei Ohtani will
become closer with his teammates in the absence of former interpreter
and constant companion Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani and Mizuhara were
practically inseparable at Angel Stadium during his six years with
the Angels, and they spent ample time together away from the
ballpark. The changes caused by Mizuhara’s firing amid allegations
of gambling and theft could be jarring to a baseball star who thrives
on routine. But Roberts says he has already seen Ohtani engaging more
openly with his teammates in the past few days without Mizuhara
around to help.
SEAFORD, N.Y. (AP) — A
women’s roller derby league in suburban New York City has thrust
itself into the national discussion over the rights of transgender
athletes. The Long Island Roller Rebels are suing Nassau County
Executive Bruce Blakeman over an order meant to prevent women’s and
girl’s leagues and teams with transgender athletes from using
county-run parks and fields. The league is gearing up for its season
opener next month but faces uncertainty about where some of its
upcoming games will be played. The league’s vice president says
there was never any question the group would take a stand against the
ban.TUESDAY
SCORESCOLLEGE
BASKETBALLNIT
Quarterfinals
Final	Georgia	79	Ohio St.	77	
Final	Indiana
St.	85	Cincinnati	81NATIONAL
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final	Golden
State	113	Miami	92	
Final	Oklahoma City	119	New
Orleans	112	
Final 2OT	L.A.
Lakers	128	Milwaukee	124	
Final	Dallas	132	Sacramento	96	NATIONAL
HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final	Boston	4	Florida	3	
Final	Pittsburgh	4	Carolina	1	
Final
OT	Washington	4	Detroit	3	
Final OT	N-Y
Rangers	6	Philadelphia	5	
Final	New Jersey	6	Toronto	3	
Final OT	Nashville	5	Vegas	4	
Final
OT	Edmonton	4	Winnipeg	3	
Final	Chicago	3	Calgary	1	
Final	Montreal	2	Colorado	1	
Final	Seattle	4	Anaheim	0	
Final	Arizona	6	Columbus	2	
Final	Dallas	6	San Jose	3		
CBI Semifinals
Final	High Point	81	Arkansas
St.	80

Wednesday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

\- The "Voice of the Cougars" Cole Reif recaps Monday's NJCAA National Tournament game with Walters State.

- Great Bend Bat Cat General Manger Roger Ward.

- Mike Courson goes "On the Prowl" for Panther sports.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693997740304.jpeg" alt="Tuesday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, Aaron Clark, and Mike Hesher" />
 <figcaption>Tuesday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, Aaron Clark, and Mike Hesher</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NN1FLQPzvOk?si=gRCIEwqITzCopjvS" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>\- The "Voice of the Cougars" Cole Reif recaps Monday's NJCAA National Tournament game with Walters State.- Great Bend Bat Cat General Manger Roger Ward.- Mike Courson goes "On the Prowl" for Panther sports.- Tuesday Sports Headlines- Sounds of the past 24 hours

Tuesday on Sports Day (Watch)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Kickoff returns are returning to the NFL.

Team owners on Tuesday approved a new rule that will take what essentially had become “a dead play” and make it an integral part of the game again, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league hasn't announced the change.

The major overhaul to special teams — which has been in the works for years — takes elements of the kickoff rules used in the XFL and tweaks them for use in the NFL beginning in 2024. The rule will be in play for one season on a trial basis and then be subject to renewal in 2025.

NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said Monday there was urgency to vote on this rule before the draft because it could impact the way teams structure rosters. There were 1,970 touchbacks on kickoffs last season that now could be returns.

“I think it’s good for the game,” said Rams coach Sean McVay, who is one of three coaches on the eight-member committee. “I think all the intentions are in the right direction, and I’m really appreciative of the time and effort that the special teams coordinators have put in to try to be able to keep this play relevant in our game.”

For a standard kickoff, the ball would be kicked from the 35-yard line with the 10 kick coverage players lined up at the opposing 40, with five on each side of the field.

The return team would have at least nine blockers lined up in the “set up zone” between the 30- and 35-yard line, with at least seven of those players touching the 35. There would be up to two returners allowed inside the 20.

Only the kicker and two returners would be allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or was touched by a returner inside the 20.

Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air can be returned, or the receiving team can opt for a touchback and possession at the 30. Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and goes out of bounds or out of the end zone also would result in a touchback at the 30.

If a ball hits a returner or the ground before the end zone and goes into the end zone, a touchback would be at the 20 or the play could be returned. Any kick received in the field of play would have to be returned.

“It’s a drastic kind of move that’s going to be way different,” said Ravens coach John Harbaugh, a former special teams coordinator. “Is that the right move at this time? I don’t know. I think that’s to be determined."

Under current rules, any touchback — or if a returner calls for a fair catch in the field of play — results in the receiving team getting the ball at its 25.

The proposal needed 24 of 32 votes to pass.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Kickoff returns are returning to the NFL.Team owners on Tuesday approved a new rule that will take what essentially had become “a dead play” and make it an integral part of the game again, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league hasn't announced the change.The major overhaul to special teams — which has been in the works for years — takes elements of the kickoff rules used in the XFL and tweaks them for use in the NFL beginning in 2024. The rule will be in play for one season on a trial basis and then be subject to renewal in 2025.NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said Monday there was urgency to vote on this rule before the draft because it could impact the way teams structure rosters. There were 1,970 touchbacks on kickoffs last season that now could be returns.“I think it’s good for the game,” said Rams coach Sean McVay, who is one of three coaches on the eight-member committee. “I think all the intentions are in the right direction, and I’m really appreciative of the time and effort that the special teams coordinators have put in to try to be able to keep this play relevant in our game.”For a standard kickoff, the ball would be kicked from the 35-yard line with the 10 kick coverage players lined up at the opposing 40, with five on each side of the field.The return team would have at least nine blockers lined up in the “set up zone” between the 30- and 35-yard line, with at least seven of those players touching the 35. There would be up to two returners allowed inside the 20.Only the kicker and two returners would be allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or was touched by a returner inside the 20.Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air can be returned, or the receiving team can opt for a touchback and possession at the 30. Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and goes out of bounds or out of the end zone also would result in a touchback at the 30.If a ball hits a returner or the ground before the end zone and goes into the end zone, a touchback would be at the 20 or the play could be returned. Any kick received in the field of play would have to be returned.“It’s a drastic kind of move that’s going to be way different,” said Ravens coach John Harbaugh, a former special teams coordinator. “Is that the right move at this time? I don’t know. I think that’s to be determined."Under current rules, any touchback — or if a returner calls for a fair catch in the field of play — results in the receiving team getting the ball at its 25.The proposal needed 24 of 32 votes to pass.

NFL owners approve a radical overhaul to kickoff rules

LOS ANGELES (AP) — JuJu Watkins scored Southern California's first seven points of the game, giving her team a shot of confidence.

The stellar freshman finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, and the top-seeded Trojans led all the way in defeating Kansas 73-55 on Monday night to reach the Sweet 16 of the women's NCAA Tournament.

Watkins raced over to the student section at Galen Center and high-fived her way down the front row in celebration, wearing the scratch on her face like a badge of honor.

“I really wouldn't want to be anywhere else,” she said.

McKenzie Forbes hit a career-high six 3-pointers and scored 20 points for the Trojans (28-5), who will face fifth-seeded Baylor (26-7) in the Portland Region 3 in Oregon on Saturday.

USC last went this deep when it reached the Elite Eight in 1994, 10 years after the school won the second of its back-to-back national championships. The Trojans beat 16th-seeded Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi in the first round.

“It's just been really fun to see this place come back to life,” said Forbes, a graduate transfer from Harvard. “We didn't want to leave the court. They had that place jumping.”

Freshman S’Mya Nichols scored 22 points for the Jayhawks (20-13). Taiyanna Jackson had 10 points and 18 rebounds. Kansas fell to 0-6 all-time when facing a No. 1 seed in the tournament.

After Kansas got within one in the third, the Trojans took over with a 17-2 run that carried over into the fourth. Watkins had nine points and Kayla Padilla hit a 3-pointer that extended USC's lead to 64-48.

Clarice Akunwafo, who at 6-foot-6 equaled Jackson's height, disrupted the Kansas center with a career-high six blocks among USC's 10 in the game and even did a little scoring down the stretch.

“Their physicality not only wore down Taiyanna, but wore down our team a little bit,” Jayhawks coach Brandon Schneider said. “Even when we could get to the rim it was hard to finish.”

The Jayhawks outscored USC 22-20 in the third, scoring nine in a row to close to 47-46. Watkins closed the quarter by hitting a 3-pointer and making a pair of free throws before picking up her third foul. Forbes stole the ball and Akunwafo got fouled, making 1 of 2 to keep the Trojans ahead 53-46.

Kansas rallied from 10 points down in the fourth quarter to force overtime against Michigan in the first round but was completely taken out of it in the fourth by the Trojans.

Watkins got off to a sizzling start with the crowd chanting “USC! USC!” The Trojans ran off 12 straight points over the end of the first and start of the second quarter, capped by Watkins' 3-pointer that extended USC's lead to 24-9.

“Ju was spectacular,” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “They had to change and go to zone because of her attacking early on.”

The Trojans forced 12 Kansas turnovers that led to 16 points for them in the first half, which ended with USC ahead 33-24. The Jayhawks made just one 3-pointer in the half. They started the game shooting 3 of 14 from the floor.

“The difference in the game was points off turnovers,” Schneider said. “Uncharacteristically, we turned the ball over quite a bit in the first 15 minutes of the game.”

LOS ANGELES (AP) — JuJu Watkins scored Southern California's first seven points of the game, giving her team a shot of confidence.The stellar freshman finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, and the top-seeded Trojans led all the way in defeating Kansas 73-55 on Monday night to reach the Sweet 16 of the women's NCAA Tournament.Watkins raced over to the student section at Galen Center and high-fived her way down the front row in celebration, wearing the scratch on her face like a badge of honor.“I really wouldn't want to be anywhere else,” she said.McKenzie Forbes hit a career-high six 3-pointers and scored 20 points for the Trojans (28-5), who will face fifth-seeded Baylor (26-7) in the Portland Region 3 in Oregon on Saturday.USC last went this deep when it reached the Elite Eight in 1994, 10 years after the school won the second of its back-to-back national championships. The Trojans beat 16th-seeded Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi in the first round.“It's just been really fun to see this place come back to life,” said Forbes, a graduate transfer from Harvard. “We didn't want to leave the court. They had that place jumping.”Freshman S’Mya Nichols scored 22 points for the Jayhawks (20-13). Taiyanna Jackson had 10 points and 18 rebounds. Kansas fell to 0-6 all-time when facing a No. 1 seed in the tournament.After Kansas got within one in the third, the Trojans took over with a 17-2 run that carried over into the fourth. Watkins had nine points and Kayla Padilla hit a 3-pointer that extended USC's lead to 64-48.Clarice Akunwafo, who at 6-foot-6 equaled Jackson's height, disrupted the Kansas center with a career-high six blocks among USC's 10 in the game and even did a little scoring down the stretch.“Their physicality not only wore down Taiyanna, but wore down our team a little bit,” Jayhawks coach Brandon Schneider said. “Even when we could get to the rim it was hard to finish.”The Jayhawks outscored USC 22-20 in the third, scoring nine in a row to close to 47-46. Watkins closed the quarter by hitting a 3-pointer and making a pair of free throws before picking up her third foul. Forbes stole the ball and Akunwafo got fouled, making 1 of 2 to keep the Trojans ahead 53-46.Kansas rallied from 10 points down in the fourth quarter to force overtime against Michigan in the first round but was completely taken out of it in the fourth by the Trojans.Watkins got off to a sizzling start with the crowd chanting “USC! USC!” The Trojans ran off 12 straight points over the end of the first and start of the second quarter, capped by Watkins' 3-pointer that extended USC's lead to 24-9.“Ju was spectacular,” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “They had to change and go to zone because of her attacking early on.”The Trojans forced 12 Kansas turnovers that led to 16 points for them in the first half, which ended with USC ahead 33-24. The Jayhawks made just one 3-pointer in the half. They started the game shooting 3 of 14 from the floor.“The difference in the game was points off turnovers,” Schneider said. “Uncharacteristically, we turned the ball over quite a bit in the first 15 minutes of the game.”

USC tops Kansas 73-55 for trip to women's Sweet 16

By TODD MOORE Barton Sports Info

The top ranked Barton Community College men's basketball team passed its first test at the 2024 NJCAA Division I National Tournament with a defensive 83-68 victory over 17th seeded Walters State Community College.

Victors of a program third best 24 straight, the now 33-1 Cougars will face perhaps its toughest test to date on Wednesday in a 12:00 p.m. tip-off at the Hutchinson Sports Arena against 8th seeded Northwest Florida State College (29-5). The Raiders were impressive in the game following the Cougars', rolling past 9th seeded Cowley College 85-70 to eliminate the lone team to have given Barton a loss this season.

A stingy defense held the nation's fourth highest scoring offense 27 points below their season average ending the Senators' year at 29-3.

The Cougars came out scoring the afternoon's opening five points, the first on a pre-tip administrative technical on Walters State with Cooper Jackson wrecking havoc creating three steals resulting in a free throw and setting up Lajae Jones' baseline triple.

Walters State scored the next five and drained three triples for an eventual 15-13 lead with 10:54 to play.

Christian Bowen-Webb's layup tied it for the 5th and final time a minute later in sparking a 12-0 run as Barton never trailed in the final 27 minutes with fellow reserves Keandre Kindell's pass for a Brent Moss dunk capping the stretch for a 25-15 lead.

A 7-2 spurt by the Senators cut the deficit in half and drew back to with three at the 3:12 mark but it would be as close as they would come. Barton responded with the next eight straight in going to the halftime break up 42-30.

The Cougars went to the line 27 times in the opening twenty-minutes of wacky first half action consisting of three technicals and multiple video reviews creating minimum game flow.

Jackson, along with fellow starters Jones and Mozae Downing-Rivers were on the floor for a combined 18:30 minutes in first half play but the trio made their impacts in second half action.

Jones would put up a 14 point, 7 rebound performance in the final half, Jackson dished out four assists, and Downing-Rivers distributed seven bucket set-ups and added a three-pointer giving Barton a 15-point cushion with 13:31 to play.

Barton's lead was under ten just one time in the final half following Walters State's triple for the second half's opening points but was answered by Myles Thompson's jumper on the way to a game high 22 points.

The Cougars' double-digit advantage for the remaining 17:14 blossomed to as much as twenty with 2:47 left.

Thompson led nine Cougars in scoring with a trio in double figures. Jones finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds for his 14th double-double of the year, Ring Malith added 14, and Moss led the reserves with 14 points.

Barton also won the rebound battle by 12 led by Jones' ten with Thompson grabbing seven and Moss collecting six.

Downing-Rivers' game high 7 assists were joined by Jackson's 6 and Kindell's 4 as the Cougars had 20 assists on their 27 made field goals in shooting 50% from the floor.

Ramondo Battle led the Senators with 17 points as Malachi Hale came off the bench for 15 points. Terrance Jacobs dished out a team high 5 assists with Carter Metz distributing 4 in a reserve role.

- Official NJCAA Championship website: <a href="https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/mbkb/div1/index">https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/mbkb/div1/index</a>

- Tickets: <a href="https://www.njcaa.org/tickets">https://www.njcaa.org/tickets</a>

- The 2024 Tournament is Barton's fifth appearance in program history – the first since 2018

- Walters State was making their 9th tournament appearance – the first since 2017

- The 68 points allowed is right at Barton's season average by opponents

- Barton's 83 points were two points below their season average

- Barton's 50% shooting was the 12th time over the 50% mark

- Walters State finished at 34.5% shooting marking the 17th Barton opponent under 40%

- Barton outrebounded its 29th opponent of the year

- 205 career steals *2nd most – 113 behind Eric Bush's 319 (1999-01)

- 380 career assists *3rd – 73 behind Gene Butler's 453 (1990-92)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711449284735.jpeg" alt="Photo-Brandon Smith, Barton Sports Info" />
 <figcaption>Photo-Brandon Smith, Barton Sports Info</figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoThe top ranked Barton Community College men's basketball team passed its first test at the 2024 NJCAA Division I National Tournament with a defensive 83-68 victory over 17th seeded Walters State Community College.Victors of a program third best 24 straight, the now 33-1 Cougars will face perhaps its toughest test to date on Wednesday in a 12:00 p.m. tip-off at the Hutchinson Sports Arena against 8th seeded Northwest Florida State College (29-5). The Raiders were impressive in the game following the Cougars', rolling past 9th seeded Cowley College 85-70 to eliminate the lone team to have given Barton a loss this season.A stingy defense held the nation's fourth highest scoring offense 27 points below their season average ending the Senators' year at 29-3.The Cougars came out scoring the afternoon's opening five points, the first on a pre-tip administrative technical on Walters State with Cooper Jackson wrecking havoc creating three steals resulting in a free throw and setting up Lajae Jones' baseline triple.Walters State scored the next five and drained three triples for an eventual 15-13 lead with 10:54 to play.Christian Bowen-Webb's layup tied it for the 5th and final time a minute later in sparking a 12-0 run as Barton never trailed in the final 27 minutes with fellow reserves Keandre Kindell's pass for a Brent Moss dunk capping the stretch for a 25-15 lead.A 7-2 spurt by the Senators cut the deficit in half and drew back to with three at the 3:12 mark but it would be as close as they would come. Barton responded with the next eight straight in going to the halftime break up 42-30.The Cougars went to the line 27 times in the opening twenty-minutes of wacky first half action consisting of three technicals and multiple video reviews creating minimum game flow.Jackson, along with fellow starters Jones and Mozae Downing-Rivers were on the floor for a combined 18:30 minutes in first half play but the trio made their impacts in second half action.Jones would put up a 14 point, 7 rebound performance in the final half, Jackson dished out four assists, and Downing-Rivers distributed seven bucket set-ups and added a three-pointer giving Barton a 15-point cushion with 13:31 to play.Barton's lead was under ten just one time in the final half following Walters State's triple for the second half's opening points but was answered by Myles Thompson's jumper on the way to a game high 22 points.The Cougars' double-digit advantage for the remaining 17:14 blossomed to as much as twenty with 2:47 left.Thompson led nine Cougars in scoring with a trio in double figures. Jones finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds for his 14th double-double of the year, Ring Malith added 14, and Moss led the reserves with 14 points.Barton also won the rebound battle by 12 led by Jones' ten with Thompson grabbing seven and Moss collecting six.Downing-Rivers' game high 7 assists were joined by Jackson's 6 and Kindell's 4 as the Cougars had 20 assists on their 27 made field goals in shooting 50% from the floor.Ramondo Battle led the Senators with 17 points as Malachi Hale came off the bench for 15 points. Terrance Jacobs dished out a team high 5 assists with Carter Metz distributing 4 in a reserve role.Tracking the Cougars:- Official NJCAA Championship website: <a href="https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/mbkb/div1/index">https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/mbkb/div1/index</a>- Tickets: <a href="https://www.njcaa.org/tickets">https://www.njcaa.org/tickets</a> - $65 All-Session - $16 Session - Children age 3 and under are feeGAME NOTES- The 2024 Tournament is Barton's fifth appearance in program history – the first since 2018- Walters State was making their 9th tournament appearance – the first since 2017- The 68 points allowed is right at Barton's season average by opponents- Barton's 83 points were two points below their season average- Barton's 50% shooting was the 12th time over the 50% mark- Walters State finished at 34.5% shooting marking the 17th Barton opponent under 40%- Barton outrebounded its 29th opponent of the yearRecord Book WatchCooper Jackson- 205 career steals *2nd most – 113 behind Eric Bush's 319 (1999-01)Mozae Downing-Rivers- 380 career assists *3rd – 73 behind Gene Butler's 453 (1990-92)

Cougars move on to Elite 8 after beating Walters St. 83-68

LOS ANGELES (AP) —
JuJu Watkins had 28 points, 11 rebounds and five assists and
top-seeded Southern California beat Kansas 73-55 to reach the Sweet
16 of the women's NCAA Tournament. McKenzie Forbes hit a career-high
six 3-pointers and scored 20 points for the Trojans. They will face
fifth-seeded Baylor in the Portland Region 3 in Oregon. Kansas was
led by freshman S'Mya Nichols with 22 points. The Jayhawks fell to
0-6 all-time when facing a No. 1 seed in the tournament. Taiyanna
Jackson added 10 points and 18 rebounds for the Jayhawks.

UNDATED (AP) —
March Madness arrived with visions of chaos. The only surprise so far
has been the lack of pandemonium. The top two seeds from each region
are still alive. One double-digit seed will join them in the Sweet
16. Top seeds UConn, North Carolina, Houston and Purdue advanced. So
did No. 2 seeds Arizona, Tennessee, Marquette and Iowa State also
advanced. It is just the fifth time that has happened since the start
of seeding in 1979.

UNDATED (AP) —
Reigning national champion Connecticut has rolled through the regular
season, the Big East Tournament and now two rounds of the NCAA
Tournament. The Huskies entered March Madness with top-tier
efficiency ratings on both sides of the ball from KenPom. Those
figures align with profiles of past champions and Final Four teams.
The Huskies are one of seven teams in the top 25 in both adjusted
offensive and defensive efficiency. That applies to 15 of the last 22
NCAA champions going back to 2001. The list includes fellow No. 1
seeds Houston, Purdue and North Carolina. There's also a strong
candidate in second-seeded Arizona.

LAS VEGAS (AP) —
Three contestants in the ESPN Tournament Challenge went through the
first two rounds of women’s NCAA Tournament without any misses.
Those were the only ones of 3.25 million brackets to accomplish that
feat through Monday night’s action. The tournament resumes Friday
with the Sweet 16. There are 16 winless ESPN brackets that will stay
that way the rest of the tournament. Just .0003% were perfect on CBS’
site through Sunday. There was no update Monday. CBS does not release
totals.

UNDATED (AP) — The
NCAA Tournament could be heading toward expansion. The tournament
field is currently set at 68. That number could bump up to 72 or 76
schools in the coming years. There are several factors at play,
including how to divide up the increased number of at-large bids in
an expanded field. There's a concern that expansion would lean
heavily toward awarding teams from power conferences and not
deserving schools from mid-major conferences. Oakland coach Greg
Kampe says he's OK with the tournament growing provided it doesn't
turn its back on small schools that he believes help make the
tournament special.

LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani says he never bet on sports and
interpreter Ippei Mizuhara stole money from him and told lies. Ohtani
held a news conference at Dodger Stadium, five days after Mizuhara
was fired by the Dodgers following reports from the Los Angeles Times
and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and debts
well over $1 million. Ohtani spoke for nearly 12 minutes, referring
to a document in front of him. He did not take questions.

CLEARWATER, Fla.
(AP) — Trea Turner’s speed and instincts helped him go perfect on
the bases. The Philadelphia Phillies’ star shortstop set a major
league record for most steals in a season without getting caught,
going 30-for-30 on the basepaths last year. He wasn’t the only
player who had a lot of success. Thanks to several rules changes,
runners swiped bags more proficiently and stolen bases across the
majors increased 41% from 2,486 in 2022 to 3,503 in 2023. That was
the most in a season since 1987. Overall, basestealers had a success
rate of 80.2%, up from 75.4% in 2022. Turner is one of only six
players in MLB history to steal at least 20 bases in a season at a
100% rate.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) —
The NFL is eliminating the hip-drop tackle. NFL team owners on Monday
unanimously approved a rule that bans players from using a swivel
technique to tackle an opponent. A violation will result in a 15-yard
penalty and could ultimately result in fines for players. NFL
executive Jeff Miller said the hip-drop tackle was used 230 times
last season and resulted in 15 players missing time with injuries.
The NFL Players Association has opposed the rule.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710682717672.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) —
JuJu Watkins had 28 points, 11 rebounds and five assists and
top-seeded Southern California beat Kansas 73-55 to reach the Sweet
16 of the women's NCAA Tournament. McKenzie Forbes hit a career-high
six 3-pointers and scored 20 points for the Trojans. They will face
fifth-seeded Baylor in the Portland Region 3 in Oregon. Kansas was
led by freshman S'Mya Nichols with 22 points. The Jayhawks fell to
0-6 all-time when facing a No. 1 seed in the tournament. Taiyanna
Jackson added 10 points and 18 rebounds for the Jayhawks.UNDATED (AP) —
March Madness arrived with visions of chaos. The only surprise so far
has been the lack of pandemonium. The top two seeds from each region
are still alive. One double-digit seed will join them in the Sweet
16. Top seeds UConn, North Carolina, Houston and Purdue advanced. So
did No. 2 seeds Arizona, Tennessee, Marquette and Iowa State also
advanced. It is just the fifth time that has happened since the start
of seeding in 1979.UNDATED (AP) —
Reigning national champion Connecticut has rolled through the regular
season, the Big East Tournament and now two rounds of the NCAA
Tournament. The Huskies entered March Madness with top-tier
efficiency ratings on both sides of the ball from KenPom. Those
figures align with profiles of past champions and Final Four teams.
The Huskies are one of seven teams in the top 25 in both adjusted
offensive and defensive efficiency. That applies to 15 of the last 22
NCAA champions going back to 2001. The list includes fellow No. 1
seeds Houston, Purdue and North Carolina. There's also a strong
candidate in second-seeded Arizona.LAS VEGAS (AP) —
Three contestants in the ESPN Tournament Challenge went through the
first two rounds of women’s NCAA Tournament without any misses.
Those were the only ones of 3.25 million brackets to accomplish that
feat through Monday night’s action. The tournament resumes Friday
with the Sweet 16. There are 16 winless ESPN brackets that will stay
that way the rest of the tournament. Just .0003% were perfect on CBS’
site through Sunday. There was no update Monday. CBS does not release
totals.UNDATED (AP) — The
NCAA Tournament could be heading toward expansion. The tournament
field is currently set at 68. That number could bump up to 72 or 76
schools in the coming years. There are several factors at play,
including how to divide up the increased number of at-large bids in
an expanded field. There's a concern that expansion would lean
heavily toward awarding teams from power conferences and not
deserving schools from mid-major conferences. Oakland coach Greg
Kampe says he's OK with the tournament growing provided it doesn't
turn its back on small schools that he believes help make the
tournament special.LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani says he never bet on sports and
interpreter Ippei Mizuhara stole money from him and told lies. Ohtani
held a news conference at Dodger Stadium, five days after Mizuhara
was fired by the Dodgers following reports from the Los Angeles Times
and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and debts
well over $1 million. Ohtani spoke for nearly 12 minutes, referring
to a document in front of him. He did not take questions.CLEARWATER, Fla.
(AP) — Trea Turner’s speed and instincts helped him go perfect on
the bases. The Philadelphia Phillies’ star shortstop set a major
league record for most steals in a season without getting caught,
going 30-for-30 on the basepaths last year. He wasn’t the only
player who had a lot of success. Thanks to several rules changes,
runners swiped bags more proficiently and stolen bases across the
majors increased 41% from 2,486 in 2022 to 3,503 in 2023. That was
the most in a season since 1987. Overall, basestealers had a success
rate of 80.2%, up from 75.4% in 2022. Turner is one of only six
players in MLB history to steal at least 20 bases in a season at a
100% rate.ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) —
The NFL is eliminating the hip-drop tackle. NFL team owners on Monday
unanimously approved a rule that bans players from using a swivel
technique to tackle an opponent. A violation will result in a 15-yard
penalty and could ultimately result in fines for players. NFL
executive Jeff Miller said the hip-drop tackle was used 230 times
last season and resulted in 15 players missing time with injuries.
The NFL Players Association has opposed the rule.TUESDAY SCORESMEN'S COLLEGE
BASKETBALLCIT Round 3Final	Fort
Wayne	73	Tarleton St.	72	CBI QuarterfinalsFinal	High
Point	93	Cleveland St.	74	Final	Arkansas
St.	74	Montana	61	Final	Fairfield	77	Chicago
St.	74	Final	Seattle	71	Evansville	57	NATIONAL
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Cleveland	115	Charlotte	92	Final	Brooklyn	96	Toronto	88	Final	Atlanta	120	Boston	118	Final	New
York	124	Detroit	99	Final	San
Antonio	104	Phoenix	102	Final	Houston	110	Portland	92	Final	Washington	107	Chicago	105	Final	Dallas	115	Utah	105	Final	Denver	128	Memphis	103	Final	Sacramento	108	Philadelphia	96	Final	Indiana	133	L.A.
Clippers	116	NATIONAL HOCKEY
LEAGUEFinal OT	Vegas	2	St.
Louis	1	Final	Los
Angeles	3	Vancouver	2

Tuesday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College


2	Northwest Florida State College	34-2	133


3	Florida Southwestern State College	30-4	126


5	Walters State Community College	23-3	112


9	Wallace State Community College-Hanceville	19-7	84


15	Trinity Valley Community College	27-9	42

17	Butler
Community College - KS	22-6	28


18	Seminole State College (OK)	19-5	21	0	18


19	Seminole State College of Florida	21-11	14	0	16


20	Volunteer State Community College	28-8	1

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710859599945.jpeg" alt="&nbsp; &nbsp;NJCAA DI Softball Poll - Week Five - 3/25/24&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp; &nbsp;NJCAA DI Softball Poll - Week Five - 3/25/24&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Place	Name	Record	Points
1	McLennan Community College	38-0	140
2	Northwest Florida State College	34-2	133
3	Florida Southwestern State College	30-4	126
4	Indian River State College	29-4	119
5	Walters State Community College	23-3	112
6	Temple College	32-8	105
7	Grayson College	22-7	98
8	Paris Junior College	29-5	91
9	Wallace State Community College-Hanceville	19-7	84
10	Salt Lake Community College	22-5	77
11	College of Central Florida	25-11	70
12	Galveston College	26-7	63
13	Gulf Coast State College	29-9	56
14	College of Southern Idaho	23-9	49
15	Trinity Valley Community College	27-9	42
16	Santa Fe College	24-11	3517	Butler
Community College - KS	22-6	28
18	Seminole State College (OK)	19-5	21	0	18
19	Seminole State College of Florida	21-11	14	0	16
20	Volunteer State Community College	28-8	1

NJCAA DI Softball Rankings

1. Barton Community College basketball on 104 3 the Point sponsored by Nex-Tech Wireless, Damm Pipe Testing, Mpire Overhead Door, Best Western Angus Inn, Marmie Auto Group, Rosenberg Family Dentistry, The University of Kansas Health System, Venture Corporation, Nex-Tech, Cougar Booster Club, The 10th Street Eye Care Center, Freedom Claims Management and Kansas Fishing Tools

<div><a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/information/boosterclub/index"><img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635967480149.jpeg"></a>

</div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647912774016.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Barton Men 83, Walters State 68<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/f2ijyc3i/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1. Barton Community College basketball on 104 3 the Point sponsored by Nex-Tech Wireless, Damm Pipe Testing, Mpire Overhead Door, Best Western Angus Inn, Marmie Auto Group, Rosenberg Family Dentistry, The University of Kansas Health System, Venture Corporation, Nex-Tech, Cougar Booster Club, The 10th Street Eye Care Center, Freedom Claims Management and Kansas Fishing Tools

Barton Men 83, Walters State 68


6	Iowa Western Community College	22-5	123

9	Johnson County
Community College	25-7	97


10	Florence-Darlington Technical College	26-5	77


14	Walters State Community College	25-8	48


16	Northwest Florida State College	20-8	44

18	Kansas City
Kansas Community College	23-3	24

20	Barton
Community College	23-6	2

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710859281123.jpeg" alt="NJCAA DI Baseball Poll - Week Five - 3/25/24" />
 <figcaption>NJCAA DI Baseball Poll - Week Five - 3/25/24</figcaption>
 </figure>Place	Name	Record	Points
1	Gaston College	35-2	160
2	Pensacola State College	26-4	151
3	Georgia Highlands College	31-3	139
4	Central Arizona College	31-6	135
5	Gulf Coast State College	25-5	128
6	Iowa Western Community College	22-5	123
7	Weatherford College	26-6	115
8	Salt Lake Community College	27-3	1019	Johnson County
Community College	25-7	97
10	Florence-Darlington Technical College	26-5	77
11	Crowder College	27-8	75
12	Tyler Junior College	25-8	72
13	Pima Community College	28-8	69
14	Walters State Community College	25-8	48
15	Arizona Western College	27-7	47
16	Northwest Florida State College	20-8	44
17	John A. Logan College	25-4	2918	Kansas City
Kansas Community College	23-3	24
19	Delgado Community College	24-6	1820	Barton
Community College	23-6	2

NJCAA DI Baseball Rankings - Barton moves into rankings at No. 20


- Barton Baseball coach Brent Biggs wraps up a week of Cougar
Baseball than concluded with a four-game series against the Pratt
Beavers.

- Great Bend Tribune Sports Editor Jim Misunas will
discuss the spring sports season and the first weekend of the NCAA
Men's and Women's Tournaments.

- Mike Courson goes "On the Prowl" with Great Bend High School Track and Field coach Lyles Lashley.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693997740304.jpeg" alt="Monday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, Aaron Clark, and Mike Hesher" />
 <figcaption>Monday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, Aaron Clark, and Mike Hesher</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/98BAFIO0KWA?si=WmRRnHdm4nVqeaPb" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
- Barton Baseball coach Brent Biggs wraps up a week of Cougar
Baseball than concluded with a four-game series against the Pratt
Beavers.- Great Bend Tribune Sports Editor Jim Misunas will
discuss the spring sports season and the first weekend of the NCAA
Men's and Women's Tournaments.- Mike Courson goes "On the Prowl" with Great Bend High School Track and Field coach Lyles Lashley.- Weekend Sports Headlines-
Sounds of the weekend

Monday on Sports Day (Watch)

NCAA SWEET 16EAST REGIONAL
Boston Regional SemifinalsThursday, March
28
UConn vs. San Diego St., 7:39 p.m.
Iowa St. vs. Illinois, 10:09 p.m.SOUTH REGIONAL
Dallas Regional SemifinalsFriday, March 29
Houston vs. Duke, 9:39 p.m.
Marquette vs. NC State, 7:09 p.m.MIDWEST REGIONAL
Detroit Regional SemifinalsFriday, March 29
Purdue vs. Gonzaga, 7:39 p.m.
Tennessee vs. Creighton, 10:09 p.m.WEST REGIONAL
Los Angeles Regional SemifinalsThursday, March
28
North Carolina vs. Alabama, 9:39 p.m.

NCAA Sweet 16 matchups

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Basketball Writer

March Madness
arrived with visions of chaos. Based on last year's bracket, there
was little reason to doubt it.

The only surprise so
far has been the lack of pandemonium.

All eight top-two
seeds are headed to the regional round for the fifth time. One
double-digit seed will join them. Most of the Cinderellas that put
the madness in March busted out of the bracket long before midnight.

The bluebloods and
big boys are headed to the Sweet 16 — and they all want more.

“I didn’t come
back to make the Sweet 16,” Purdue big man Zach Edey said after the
Boilermakers' 106-67 victory over Utah State. “I came back to make
a run, a deep run. Nobody is satisfied with where we are now.”

Last year's Final
Four was unlike any other, a bracket-busting foursome with no teams
seeded better than No. 4 for the first time since the bracket
expanded in 1979.

Reigning national
champion UConn has looked good in its bid to repeat this year, but
there wasn't a dominant team during the regular season, opening the
door for what was expected to be a wild NCAA Tournament.

The upsets that
punctuate March have been limited and the only true buzzer-beater was
a tying 3-pointer by Texas A&amp;M's Andersson Garcia to force
overtime against Houston. The average margin of victory the first two
rounds was 15.8 points, second-highest since 1985.

Purdue erased some
of the disappointment of last year's historic first-round flameout
with a pair of lopsided wins, setting up a Sweet 16 matchup with a
Gonzaga team back in the underdog role. Fellow No. 1 seeds North
Carolina, UConn and Houston also are through to the Sweet 16.

The Cougars were the
only ones tested, needing overtime to beat Texas A&amp;M 100-95. No
other game involving a No. 1 seed was less than 16 points.

No. 2 seeds Arizona,
Tennessee, Marquette and Iowa State also advanced, marking the fifth
time — first since 2019 — that all eight top-two seeds reached
the Sweet 16 since the start of seeding in 1979.

No. 3 seeds Illinois
and Creighton, along fourth-seeded Duke and Alabama also got through.
The average seed for the Sweet 16 is 3.3, right behind the 3.1 in
2019 and 2009.

Oakland's Jack
Gohlke took the first big star turn of the NCAA Tournament, pouring
in 10 3-pointers — second-most ever — in the 14th-seeded Golden
Grizzlies' upset win over No. 3 seed Kentucky. Gohlke hit six more 3s
against N.C. State, but the Wolfpack outlasted Oakland in overtime to
reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015.

That leaves No. 11
N.C. State, which had to win the ACC tournament just to get into the
bracket, as the only double-digit seed left after San Diego State
blew out No. 13 Yale in the final game of the second round.

“I think that’s
what March is about,” N.C. State big man DJ Burns said. “Some
teams got here by winning their conference just like us and that
doesn’t mean they’re a bad team.”

The ACC had what was
considered a down year with just four teams making the NCAA
Tournament.

Top-seeded North
Carolina, Duke, Clemson and N.C. State are all through to the Sweet
16, giving the ACC an 8-0 record through the first two rounds.

The ACC is the sixth
team to get four teams through to the Sweet 16 since the NCAA
Tournament expanded in 1985. The Big East was the last to do it in
2003.

Big East coaches,
players and fans were frustrated with the bracket reveal when just
three teams made it into the bracket.

The league is
rolling so far with three teams getting through to the Sweet 16 and a
6-0 record.

UConn is looking
good in its bid to become the first repeat champion since Florida in
2006-07, winning its first two games by an average of 28 points.

Marquette ended its
early-exit woes, reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016.
Creighton is also into the regional round after coming within seconds
of reaching the Final Four a year ago.

“You’ve see how
other leagues that got the bids that our league deserved has
underperformed,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said. “Obviously the
mistake was made. It sucks.”

The limited buzzer
beaters and lack of Cinderella runs hasn't quashed interest in this
year's NCAA Tournament.

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Basketball WriterMarch Madness
arrived with visions of chaos. Based on last year's bracket, there
was little reason to doubt it.The only surprise so
far has been the lack of pandemonium.All eight top-two
seeds are headed to the regional round for the fifth time. One
double-digit seed will join them. Most of the Cinderellas that put
the madness in March busted out of the bracket long before midnight.The bluebloods and
big boys are headed to the Sweet 16 — and they all want more.“I didn’t come
back to make the Sweet 16,” Purdue big man Zach Edey said after the
Boilermakers' 106-67 victory over Utah State. “I came back to make
a run, a deep run. Nobody is satisfied with where we are now.”Last year's Final
Four was unlike any other, a bracket-busting foursome with no teams
seeded better than No. 4 for the first time since the bracket
expanded in 1979.Reigning national
champion UConn has looked good in its bid to repeat this year, but
there wasn't a dominant team during the regular season, opening the
door for what was expected to be a wild NCAA Tournament.It didn't happen.The upsets that
punctuate March have been limited and the only true buzzer-beater was
a tying 3-pointer by Texas A&amp;M's Andersson Garcia to force
overtime against Houston. The average margin of victory the first two
rounds was 15.8 points, second-highest since 1985.Purdue erased some
of the disappointment of last year's historic first-round flameout
with a pair of lopsided wins, setting up a Sweet 16 matchup with a
Gonzaga team back in the underdog role. Fellow No. 1 seeds North
Carolina, UConn and Houston also are through to the Sweet 16.The Cougars were the
only ones tested, needing overtime to beat Texas A&amp;M 100-95. No
other game involving a No. 1 seed was less than 16 points.No. 2 seeds Arizona,
Tennessee, Marquette and Iowa State also advanced, marking the fifth
time — first since 2019 — that all eight top-two seeds reached
the Sweet 16 since the start of seeding in 1979.No. 3 seeds Illinois
and Creighton, along fourth-seeded Duke and Alabama also got through.
The average seed for the Sweet 16 is 3.3, right behind the 3.1 in
2019 and 2009.Double-digit
seedsOakland's Jack
Gohlke took the first big star turn of the NCAA Tournament, pouring
in 10 3-pointers — second-most ever — in the 14th-seeded Golden
Grizzlies' upset win over No. 3 seed Kentucky. Gohlke hit six more 3s
against N.C. State, but the Wolfpack outlasted Oakland in overtime to
reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015.That leaves No. 11
N.C. State, which had to win the ACC tournament just to get into the
bracket, as the only double-digit seed left after San Diego State
blew out No. 13 Yale in the final game of the second round.“I think that’s
what March is about,” N.C. State big man DJ Burns said. “Some
teams got here by winning their conference just like us and that
doesn’t mean they’re a bad team.”Undefeated ACCThe ACC had what was
considered a down year with just four teams making the NCAA
Tournament.Those four are
making the most of it.Top-seeded North
Carolina, Duke, Clemson and N.C. State are all through to the Sweet
16, giving the ACC an 8-0 record through the first two rounds.The ACC is the sixth
team to get four teams through to the Sweet 16 since the NCAA
Tournament expanded in 1985. The Big East was the last to do it in
2003.Big East beastBig East coaches,
players and fans were frustrated with the bracket reveal when just
three teams made it into the bracket.The league is
rolling so far with three teams getting through to the Sweet 16 and a
6-0 record.UConn is looking
good in its bid to become the first repeat champion since Florida in
2006-07, winning its first two games by an average of 28 points.Marquette ended its
early-exit woes, reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016.
Creighton is also into the regional round after coming within seconds
of reaching the Final Four a year ago.“You’ve see how
other leagues that got the bids that our league deserved has
underperformed,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said. “Obviously the
mistake was made. It sucks.”Big ratingsThe limited buzzer
beaters and lack of Cinderella runs hasn't quashed interest in this
year's NCAA Tournament.

Bracket not busted: All top 8 seeds advance to Sweet 16 in chalky March Madness

NCAA Second RoundSOUTHFinal
OT	Houston	100	Texas A&amp;M	95	Final	Marquette	81	Colorado	77	Final	Duke	93	James
Madison	55	MIDWESTFinal	Purdue	106	Utah
St.	67	EASTFinal	UConn	75	Northwestern	58	Final	San Diego
St.	85	Yale	57	WESTFinal	Clemson	72	Baylor	64	Final	Alabama	72	Grand
Canyon	61	NIT Second RoundFinal	VCU	70	South
Florida	65	Final	Utah	91	Iowa	82	Final	Indiana
St.	76	Minnesota	64	Final	Georgia	72	Wake
Forest	66	Final	UNLV	79	Boston
College	70CBI First RoundFinal	Cleveland
St.	51	N. Colorado	49	Final
OT	Montana	82	Presbyterian	79	Final	Fairfield	82	UALR	75	Final	Evansville	64	Quinnipiac	63MONDAY SCHEDULECIT Round 3Fort
Wayne	vs	Tarleton St.	7 p.m.	CBI Quarterfinalsat Ocean CenterCleveland
St.	vs	High Point	12 p.m.	Montana	vs	Arkansas
St.	2:30 p.m.	Chicago
St.	vs	Fairfield	5 p.m.

Sunday Tournament Scores, Monday schedule

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP)
— Tameiya Sadler scored all 10 of her points in the second half to
lead a balanced scoring attack and No. 5 seed Colorado beat four-seed
Kansas State 63-50 on Sunday to advance to the Sweet 16. The
Buffaloes (24-9) will face the winner of Monday’s game between No.
1 seed Iowa and No. 8 seed West Virginia Saturday in Albany, N.Y.
Colorado, which had six players with nine or more points, used an
11-2 run in the third quarter to grab its largest lead of the game at
48-41. The Buffaloes outscored K-State 19-7 in the third quarter to
take a 52-42 lead into the fourth quarter. The Wildcats (26-8) had
multiple chances to trim the deficit to three in the fourth quarter,
but couldn’t get the shots to fall.

LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Two of the nation's top freshmen will be in the spotlight when
top-seeded Southern California plays No. 8 seed Kansas in the second
round of the women's NCAA Tournament. USC's JuJu Watkins and S'Mya
Nichols of Kansas were both all-conference selections in their
respective leagues. They're surrounded by veteran supporting casts,
too. The Trojans haven't been to the Sweet 16 since 1994, when they
reached the Elite Eight. Kansas last made the Sweet 16 in 2013.
Watkins and Nichols are part of one of college basketball's strongest
freshmen classes in years.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)
— Emanuel Sharp started overtime with a 3-pointer that put
top-seeded Houston ahead to stay as the Cougars advanced to the Sweet
16 by topping ninth-seeded Texas A&amp;M 100-95. The Aggies forced
overtime with a furious rally, outscoring Houston 17-5 in the final
two minutes of regulation. Andersson Garcia beat the buzzer with his
ninth 3-pointer of the season, and then was mobbed by his teammates.
Sharp fouled out after his 3, finishing with 30 points. His teammates
outscored Texas A&amp;M 7-1 to start the extra session and close it
out. The win by Houston means all eight teams seeded 1 and 2 advanced
to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time since the NCAA tourney started
seeding in 1979.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)
— Chase Hunter had 20 points and six assists, and No. 6 seed
Clemson held off third-seeded Baylor for a 72-64 victory in the
second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers advanced to the Sweet
16 for the second time in coach Brad Brownell’s 14 seasons. They
also made it in 2018, when they lost to Kansas in the third round.
Joseph Girard III scored 13 points for the 23-11 Tigers, and Ian
Schieffelin and PJ Hall each had 11. Next up for Clemson is No. 2
seed in Arizona in the West Region semifinals in Los Angeles. RayJ
Dennis led Baylor with 27 points, including 21 in the second half.

NEW YORK (AP) —
Donovan Clingan, Tristen Newton and top overall seed UConn
overwhelmed an undermanned Northwestern team 75-58 to sail into the
Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Newton had 20 points and 10 assists,
while Clingan finished with 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks
as the Huskies led wire-to-wire and became the first defending
national champions to reach the regional semifinals since Duke in
2016. Connecticut built a 30-point cushion with 13:27 left and
matched a program record for wins set by the 2013-14 national title
squad with 33. They’ll play Thursday night in the East Region
semifinals against No. 5 seed San Diego State in Boston, about an
85-mile drive from UConn’s campus.

LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Shohei Ohtani plans to speak to the media Monday for the first time
since the illegal gambling and theft allegations involving the Los
Angeles Dodgers star and his interpreter emerged during the team’s
trip to South Korea. The interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by
the Dodgers last week when the team opened the season with two games
against the San Diego Padres in Seoul. Manager Dave Roberts says he's
glad Ohtani will “speak to what he knows and give his thoughts”
on the situation. Ohtani received a huge cheer as he walked to the
plate for the first time at Dodger Stadium on Sunday in the
exhibition against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels.

ARLINGTON, Texas
(AP) — Tyler Adams scored from about 35 yards in his first start in
more than a year for club or country, Gio Reyna added a second-half
goal and the United States beat Mexico 2-0 for its third straight
CONCACAF Nations League title. Adams put the U.S. ahead in the 45th
minute when he received a pass from Weston McKennie, took a touch and
curled a shot that just eluded the right hand of diving goalkeeper
Guillermo Ochoa. Reyna added a 63rd-minute goal following a pair of
extra-time assists in Thursday’s semifinal win over Jamaica.

PALM HARBOR, Fla.
(AP) — Peter Malnati is a PGA Tour winner again and this time is
going to the Masters. Malnati shot a 67 to win the Valspar
Championship by two shots over hard-luck Cameron Young. It's
Malnati's first win in more than eight years. He got a huge break
when he was able to go from the rough to the fringe on the 16th hole
while tied for the lead. That made par a lot easier. And then he
followed with a tremendous tee shot on the par-3 17th to 6 feet. The
birdie gave him the lead and led to the win.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) —
William Bryon started on pole and delivered a dominant drive Sunday
to win NASCAR’s first road race of the season at the Circuit of the
Americas. The Daytona 500 winner earned his second win of the season
and delivered the fourth in six races for Chevrolet. The Hendrick
Motorsports driver led 42 of 68 laps and held off hard-charging Joe
Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell over the final two laps. Bell
shaved nearly three seconds of Byron’s lead to create some late
drama before Byron slammed the door over the final corners. Byron
earned career win No. 12.

Final	Philadelphia	121	L.A.
Clippers	107	

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710682717672.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP)
— Tameiya Sadler scored all 10 of her points in the second half to
lead a balanced scoring attack and No. 5 seed Colorado beat four-seed
Kansas State 63-50 on Sunday to advance to the Sweet 16. The
Buffaloes (24-9) will face the winner of Monday’s game between No.
1 seed Iowa and No. 8 seed West Virginia Saturday in Albany, N.Y.
Colorado, which had six players with nine or more points, used an
11-2 run in the third quarter to grab its largest lead of the game at
48-41. The Buffaloes outscored K-State 19-7 in the third quarter to
take a 52-42 lead into the fourth quarter. The Wildcats (26-8) had
multiple chances to trim the deficit to three in the fourth quarter,
but couldn’t get the shots to fall.LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Two of the nation's top freshmen will be in the spotlight when
top-seeded Southern California plays No. 8 seed Kansas in the second
round of the women's NCAA Tournament. USC's JuJu Watkins and S'Mya
Nichols of Kansas were both all-conference selections in their
respective leagues. They're surrounded by veteran supporting casts,
too. The Trojans haven't been to the Sweet 16 since 1994, when they
reached the Elite Eight. Kansas last made the Sweet 16 in 2013.
Watkins and Nichols are part of one of college basketball's strongest
freshmen classes in years.MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)
— Emanuel Sharp started overtime with a 3-pointer that put
top-seeded Houston ahead to stay as the Cougars advanced to the Sweet
16 by topping ninth-seeded Texas A&amp;M 100-95. The Aggies forced
overtime with a furious rally, outscoring Houston 17-5 in the final
two minutes of regulation. Andersson Garcia beat the buzzer with his
ninth 3-pointer of the season, and then was mobbed by his teammates.
Sharp fouled out after his 3, finishing with 30 points. His teammates
outscored Texas A&amp;M 7-1 to start the extra session and close it
out. The win by Houston means all eight teams seeded 1 and 2 advanced
to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time since the NCAA tourney started
seeding in 1979.MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)
— Chase Hunter had 20 points and six assists, and No. 6 seed
Clemson held off third-seeded Baylor for a 72-64 victory in the
second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers advanced to the Sweet
16 for the second time in coach Brad Brownell’s 14 seasons. They
also made it in 2018, when they lost to Kansas in the third round.
Joseph Girard III scored 13 points for the 23-11 Tigers, and Ian
Schieffelin and PJ Hall each had 11. Next up for Clemson is No. 2
seed in Arizona in the West Region semifinals in Los Angeles. RayJ
Dennis led Baylor with 27 points, including 21 in the second half.NEW YORK (AP) —
Donovan Clingan, Tristen Newton and top overall seed UConn
overwhelmed an undermanned Northwestern team 75-58 to sail into the
Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Newton had 20 points and 10 assists,
while Clingan finished with 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks
as the Huskies led wire-to-wire and became the first defending
national champions to reach the regional semifinals since Duke in
2016. Connecticut built a 30-point cushion with 13:27 left and
matched a program record for wins set by the 2013-14 national title
squad with 33. They’ll play Thursday night in the East Region
semifinals against No. 5 seed San Diego State in Boston, about an
85-mile drive from UConn’s campus.LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Shohei Ohtani plans to speak to the media Monday for the first time
since the illegal gambling and theft allegations involving the Los
Angeles Dodgers star and his interpreter emerged during the team’s
trip to South Korea. The interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by
the Dodgers last week when the team opened the season with two games
against the San Diego Padres in Seoul. Manager Dave Roberts says he's
glad Ohtani will “speak to what he knows and give his thoughts”
on the situation. Ohtani received a huge cheer as he walked to the
plate for the first time at Dodger Stadium on Sunday in the
exhibition against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels.ARLINGTON, Texas
(AP) — Tyler Adams scored from about 35 yards in his first start in
more than a year for club or country, Gio Reyna added a second-half
goal and the United States beat Mexico 2-0 for its third straight
CONCACAF Nations League title. Adams put the U.S. ahead in the 45th
minute when he received a pass from Weston McKennie, took a touch and
curled a shot that just eluded the right hand of diving goalkeeper
Guillermo Ochoa. Reyna added a 63rd-minute goal following a pair of
extra-time assists in Thursday’s semifinal win over Jamaica.PALM HARBOR, Fla.
(AP) — Peter Malnati is a PGA Tour winner again and this time is
going to the Masters. Malnati shot a 67 to win the Valspar
Championship by two shots over hard-luck Cameron Young. It's
Malnati's first win in more than eight years. He got a huge break
when he was able to go from the rough to the fringe on the 16th hole
while tied for the lead. That made par a lot easier. And then he
followed with a tremendous tee shot on the par-3 17th to 6 feet. The
birdie gave him the lead and led to the win.AUSTIN, Texas (AP) —
William Bryon started on pole and delivered a dominant drive Sunday
to win NASCAR’s first road race of the season at the Circuit of the
Americas. The Daytona 500 winner earned his second win of the season
and delivered the fourth in six races for Chevrolet. The Hendrick
Motorsports driver led 42 of 68 laps and held off hard-charging Joe
Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell over the final two laps. Bell
shaved nearly three seconds of Byron’s lead to create some late
drama before Byron slammed the door over the final corners. Byron
earned career win No. 12.SUNDAY SCORESNATIONAL
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	New
Orleans	114	Detroit	101	Final	Philadelphia	121	L.A.
Clippers	107	Final	Miami	121	Cleveland	84	Final	Milwaukee	118	Oklahoma
City	93	Final	Minnesota	114	Golden
State	110	Final	L.A.
Lakers	150	Indiana	145	NATIONAL HOCKEY
LEAGUEFinal	Washington	3	Winnipeg	0	Final
OT	Colorado	5	Pittsburgh	4	Final	New
Jersey	4	N-Y Islanders	0	Final	Florida	4	Philadelphia	1	Final	Ottawa	5	Edmonton	3	Final	Carolina	2	Toronto	1	Final	Dallas	4	Arizona	2	Final OT	Tampa
Bay	3	Anaheim	2	Final	Buffalo	4	Calgary	1

Monday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

The Lady Panther
swim team opened the season last Thursday in Salina. Great Bend scored 315
points to win the four-team event. Host Salina South scored 261 points for
second.

The 200-yard
medley relay team of senior Emilee Hall and juniors Clarise Snapp, Ally Howard,
and Josephine Mazouch cruised to the win by five seconds in 2:07.03,
automatically qualifying to state by more than a second. The team of Meredith
Mazouch, Ava Gregg, Ava Holden, and Sidney Gilkison finished fourth in 2:25.96.

The 200 free relay
team of Hall, senior Sydney Kruckenberg, junior Braylee Carper, and Josephine
Mazouch won by five seconds in 1:57.48, a state consideration time. The squad
of Meredith Mazouch, Ellie Lutt, Darcy Feist, and Katelyn Mermis placed fifth in
2:06.90.

Josephine Mazouch
won the 100 free by nearly five seconds in 1:02.03, a state consideration time.
Kruckenberg finished fourth in 1:08.36, just 0.06 seconds behind the bronze

Hall won the 50
free silver in 28.13, less than a second from the win. Josephine Mazouch
finished behind her in 28.18, and Kruckenberg placed eighth in 30.33. Hall won
the 100 back gold by half a second in 1:08.21, a state consideration time.
Meredith Mazouch placed sixth in 1:33.06.

Junior Darcy Feist
finished second in the 200 free in 2:30.73, 11 seconds off the gold pace.
Junior Braylee Carper placed third in 2:32.97. Snapp swam third in the 200 IM
in 2:57.72 to miss the silver by 15 seconds. Gregg placed fourth in 3:06.99,
and Lutt finished fifth in 3:15.87. Howard led the team with a fourth-place
finish in the 100 fly in 1:23.94, seven seconds behind the bronze.

Carper picked up
another third-place finish in the 500 free in 6:53.57 to miss the silver by 26
seconds. Howard placed fourth in 7:12.69.

Snapp finished
third in the 100 breast in 1:22.82, missing the silver by six seconds. Gregg
placed fourth in 1:28.60, and Lutt finished fifth in 1:36.79.

The 400 free relay
team of Kruckenberg, Feist, Snapp, and Carper finished third in 4:33.44.
Teammates Howard, Holden, Lutt, and&nbsp; Mermis finished fifth in 5:10.48.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673886521357.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend Post
SportsThe Lady Panther
swim team opened the season last Thursday in Salina. Great Bend scored 315
points to win the four-team event. Host Salina South scored 261 points for
second.The 200-yard
medley relay team of senior Emilee Hall and juniors Clarise Snapp, Ally Howard,
and Josephine Mazouch cruised to the win by five seconds in 2:07.03,
automatically qualifying to state by more than a second. The team of Meredith
Mazouch, Ava Gregg, Ava Holden, and Sidney Gilkison finished fourth in 2:25.96.The 200 free relay
team of Hall, senior Sydney Kruckenberg, junior Braylee Carper, and Josephine
Mazouch won by five seconds in 1:57.48, a state consideration time. The squad
of Meredith Mazouch, Ellie Lutt, Darcy Feist, and Katelyn Mermis placed fifth in
2:06.90.Josephine Mazouch
won the 100 free by nearly five seconds in 1:02.03, a state consideration time.
Kruckenberg finished fourth in 1:08.36, just 0.06 seconds behind the bronzeHall won the 50
free silver in 28.13, less than a second from the win. Josephine Mazouch
finished behind her in 28.18, and Kruckenberg placed eighth in 30.33. Hall won
the 100 back gold by half a second in 1:08.21, a state consideration time.
Meredith Mazouch placed sixth in 1:33.06.Junior Darcy Feist
finished second in the 200 free in 2:30.73, 11 seconds off the gold pace.
Junior Braylee Carper placed third in 2:32.97. Snapp swam third in the 200 IM
in 2:57.72 to miss the silver by 15 seconds. Gregg placed fourth in 3:06.99,
and Lutt finished fifth in 3:15.87. Howard led the team with a fourth-place
finish in the 100 fly in 1:23.94, seven seconds behind the bronze.Carper picked up
another third-place finish in the 500 free in 6:53.57 to miss the silver by 26
seconds. Howard placed fourth in 7:12.69.Snapp finished
third in the 100 breast in 1:22.82, missing the silver by six seconds. Gregg
placed fourth in 1:28.60, and Lutt finished fifth in 1:36.79.The 400 free relay
team of Kruckenberg, Feist, Snapp, and Carper finished third in 4:33.44.
Teammates Howard, Holden, Lutt, and&nbsp; Mermis finished fifth in 5:10.48.

Lady Panthers win Salina swim meet, relay team qualifies for state

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Royals right-hander Michael Wacha was hit on his pitching hand during his final inning of spring training Sunday, just before the club was to leave Arizona, and will have X-rays on his middle finger to determine the extent of the injury.

Wacha was pitching in the fifth inning of an intrasquad game when Salvador Perez lined his pitch up the middle. The ball hit Wacha's right middle finger, and he immediately grabbed the hand as Royals manager Matt Quatraro came out to check on him.

Quatraro said he was optimistic that Wacha would be OK. The Royals are counting on him to fill out an almost entirely revamped rotation after signing the 32-year-old veteran to a $32 million, two-year contract during free agency.

Right-hander Seth Lugo, who signed a $45 million, three-year deal, threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings during the intrasquad game.

The injury to Wacha came one day after the Royals said second baseman Michael Massey likely would begin the season on the injured list. He began dealing with back tightness on Tuesday and has been held out of baseball activity, and he was expected to remain in Arizona while the club heads to Springdale, Arkansas, for an exhibition game Monday.

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Royals right-hander Michael Wacha was hit on his pitching hand during his final inning of spring training Sunday, just before the club was to leave Arizona, and will have X-rays on his middle finger to determine the extent of the injury.Wacha was pitching in the fifth inning of an intrasquad game when Salvador Perez lined his pitch up the middle. The ball hit Wacha's right middle finger, and he immediately grabbed the hand as Royals manager Matt Quatraro came out to check on him.Quatraro said he was optimistic that Wacha would be OK. The Royals are counting on him to fill out an almost entirely revamped rotation after signing the 32-year-old veteran to a $32 million, two-year contract during free agency.Right-hander Seth Lugo, who signed a $45 million, three-year deal, threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings during the intrasquad game.The injury to Wacha came one day after the Royals said second baseman Michael Massey likely would begin the season on the injured list. He began dealing with back tightness on Tuesday and has been held out of baseball activity, and he was expected to remain in Arizona while the club heads to Springdale, Arkansas, for an exhibition game Monday.