CLEVELAND – Fort Hays State University has surged into the Top 25 of the Learfield Directors' Cup Standings for NCAA Division II following a strong showing in winter NCAA Championship events. The Tigers went from tied for 71st in the standings following fall sports to 24th following winter sports, moving up 47 places. FHSU is one of four schools from the MIAA within the Top 25. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NCAA Championships.

Nebraska-Kearney ranks highest of any MIAA school in 12th. UNK jumped 13 spots in the standings from 25th following the fall. Central Missouri moved up from 21st in the fall to 14th following the winter, and Northwest Missouri State moved up from 26th to 22nd. UNK has generated 357 points in the standings, while UCM has 353.5, NWMSU has 294.5, and FHSU has 289.25. Nebraska-Kearney generated a full 100 points possible for a national title in wrestling, and Northwest Missouri State generated 100 points for a national title in men's basketball.

The MIAA really shows its strength as a whole in the standings with nine schools inside the Top 75 and 10 inside the Top 100, which is best in NCAA Division II. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is closest with seven inside the Top 75.

For the NCAA championship events in the winter, Fort Hays State generated 216.25 points in the standings. Women's Basketball produced 64 points by making the Central Regional Final (Round of 16). Men's Track and Field produced 59.25 points for a 15th place finish and Women's Track and Field produced 37.5 with a 35th place finish at the Indoor Championships. Wrestling generated 55.5 points with an 18th place finish. Had it not been for a pair of teams outside the Top 10 of the Central Region rankings claiming automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament, a 23-6 FHSU Men's Basketball team that was unfortunately left out of the NCAA Tournament could have generated points in the standings as well.

Fort Hays State produced 73 points in the fall, all from Men's Soccer's run all the way to the national quarterfinals.

Grand Valley State (Mich.) has a strong lead nationally at 754 points, followed by Colorado School of Mines with 614.25. Queens (N.C.) and West Texas A&amp;M are both north of 500 in third and fourth respectively.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649960001117.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>CLEVELAND – Fort Hays State University has surged into the Top 25 of the Learfield Directors' Cup Standings for NCAA Division II following a strong showing in winter NCAA Championship events. The Tigers went from tied for 71st in the standings following fall sports to 24th following winter sports, moving up 47 places. FHSU is one of four schools from the MIAA within the Top 25. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NCAA Championships.Nebraska-Kearney ranks highest of any MIAA school in 12th. UNK jumped 13 spots in the standings from 25th following the fall. Central Missouri moved up from 21st in the fall to 14th following the winter, and Northwest Missouri State moved up from 26th to 22nd. UNK has generated 357 points in the standings, while UCM has 353.5, NWMSU has 294.5, and FHSU has 289.25. Nebraska-Kearney generated a full 100 points possible for a national title in wrestling, and Northwest Missouri State generated 100 points for a national title in men's basketball.The MIAA really shows its strength as a whole in the standings with nine schools inside the Top 75 and 10 inside the Top 100, which is best in NCAA Division II. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is closest with seven inside the Top 75.For the NCAA championship events in the winter, Fort Hays State generated 216.25 points in the standings. Women's Basketball produced 64 points by making the Central Regional Final (Round of 16). Men's Track and Field produced 59.25 points for a 15th place finish and Women's Track and Field produced 37.5 with a 35th place finish at the Indoor Championships. Wrestling generated 55.5 points with an 18th place finish. Had it not been for a pair of teams outside the Top 10 of the Central Region rankings claiming automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament, a 23-6 FHSU Men's Basketball team that was unfortunately left out of the NCAA Tournament could have generated points in the standings as well.Fort Hays State produced 73 points in the fall, all from Men's Soccer's run all the way to the national quarterfinals.Grand Valley State (Mich.) has a strong lead nationally at 754 points, followed by Colorado School of Mines with 614.25. Queens (N.C.) and West Texas A&amp;M are both north of 500 in third and fourth respectively.

Fort Hays State Surges into Top 25 of Learfield Directors’ Cup Standings


The Barton Lady Cougar softball team traveled west Wednesday for a
Jayhawk Conference double header with Colby and came back with a
split of the twinbill.


Colby took game one 8-5 after jumping out to a 5-1 lead. In game two,
Barton trailed 4-1 before scoring 5-runs in the top of the 4th
to take a 6-4 lead and went on to post the 15-8 victory to stay in
3rd place in the Jayhawk Conference standings.


Barton is now 15-11 in conference play and 21-17 overall. Colby is
13-11 and 26-16.


The Lady Cougars now get a week off before hosting 8th
ranked Butler next Wednesday, April 20. 


The Barton Lady Cougar softball team traveled west Wednesday for a
Jayhawk Conference double header with Colby and came back with a
split of the twinbill.
Colby took game one 8-5 after jumping out to a 5-1 lead. In game two,
Barton trailed 4-1 before scoring 5-runs in the top of the 4th
to take a 6-4 lead and went on to post the 15-8 victory to stay in
3rd place in the Jayhawk Conference standings.
Barton is now 15-11 in conference play and 21-17 overall. Colby is
13-11 and 26-16.
The Lady Cougars now get a week off before hosting 8th
ranked Butler next Wednesday, April 20.

Lady Cougars split double header at Colby


Throughout the spring of 2022, as HST celebrates the upcoming 50th
anniversary on June 23rd of the enactment of Title IX, each monthly
sports law article in the magazine will address a component of Title
IX compliance for high school athletic programs with respect to the
legally-mandated equal treatment of female and male student-athletes.
Title IX is, of course, a broad-based statute prohibiting gender
discrimination in all aspects of educational programs and activities,
not merely a law governing athletics.


However – for want of the space for a book-length treatment to
discuss Title IX’s full application to other topics such as
academic curriculum, fine arts programs, school clubs and activities,
sexual harassment, hazing, bullying, and LGBTQ rights – this series
of articles will address only the law’s impact on school sports
programs, specifically the development and implementation of
compliance strategies to avoid gender-based inequities between girls
and boys teams: Part I (February) – Title IX’s Three-Prong Test;
Part II (March) – Title IX’s 11 Areas of Athletics Benefits &amp;
Opportunities; Part III (April) – Title IX’s Definition of a
Sport; and Part IV (May) – Frequently Asked Questions About Title
IX Law.


Following the conclusion of the four-part series, to print out the
articles and compile a comprehensive guide to compliance for your
athletic program, visit www.nfhs.org/resources/highschool-today.


In the HST February 2022 issue’s sports law article, the following
Title IX Compliance Framework providing an overview of all of the
sources of Title IX law was set forth as a tool that could be used by
school and athletic administrators as the infrastructure to conduct a
self-audit to determine whether school’s sports programs were in
compliance with the law:

COMPONENT I:
SPORTS PARTICIPATION OFFERINGS

A. Participation
Opportunities – The Three-Prong Test


History &amp; Continuing Practice of Program Expansion or


Full &amp; Effective Accommodation of Athletic Interests


B. Levels of Competition – The Two-Prong Test


Equivalently Advanced Competitive Opportunities or


History &amp; Continuing Practice of Improvement

COMPONENT II:
FINANCIAL AID FLOWING TO ATHLETES

COMPONENT III:
OTHER ATHLETICS BENEFITS/ OPPORTUNITIES

P - L - A - Y - I
- N - G - F - A - I - R


The February article explained the nuances of Component I of the
Framework and the application of both the Participation Offerings
“three-prong test” and the Levels of Competition “two-prong
test.” Component II of the framework, the analysis whether any
financial aid related to athletics is being distributed on an
equitable basis, typically is relevant only in college-level Title IX
disputes and is rarely an issue in high school cases. The March
article addressed the Component III and the issue whether the
“amenities” tied to sports participation are being allocated
fairly, specifically the 11 categories referred to by the OCR and
federal courts as the “laundry list” (the benefits represented by
the acronym PLAYING FAIR).


This article deals with the definition of a sport – the types of
interscholastic activities that may be classified as a sport and used
by a school as evidence of compliance with the three-prong test and
which must be evaluated to establish conformity with the 11 areas of
other athletics benefits.


The 2008 OCR Dear Colleague Letter: Criteria for a “Sport”


On September 17, 2008, the OCR released a “Dear Colleague Letter”
– a document intended to provide guidance for educational
institutions – titled Athletic Activities Counted for Title IX
Compliance. The full-text of the document can be found on the OCR’s
website.


The “Dear Colleague Letter” begins with a statement by the
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights that the purpose of the document
is to provide “clarifying information to help institutions
determine which intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic
activities can be counted for the purpose of Title IX compliance.”
The guidance continues by stating that “in its case-by-case
evaluation of whether an activity can be counted as an
intercollegiate or interscholastic sport for the purpose of Title IX
compliance, OCR will consider all of the following factors:


 PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION – Taking into account the
unique aspects inherent in the nature and basic operation of specific
sports, OCR considers whether the activity is structured and
administered in a manner consistent with established intercollegiate
or interscholastic varsity sports in the institution’s athletics
program, including:


Whether the operating budget, support services (including academic,
sports medicine and strength and conditioning support) and coaching
staff are administered by the athletics department or another entity,
and are provided in a manner consistent with established varsity
sports; and


Whether the participants in the activity are eligible to receive
athletic scholarships and athletic awards (e.g., varsity awards) if
available to athletes in established varsity sports; to the extent
that an institution recruits participants in its athletics program,
whether participants in the activity are recruited in a manner
consistent with established varsity sports.


 TEAM PREPARATION AND COMPETITION – Taking into account the
unique aspects inherent in the nature and basic operation of specific
sports, OCR considers whether the team prepares for and engages in
competition in a manner consistent with established varsity sports in
the institution’s intercollegiate or interscholastic athletics
program, including:


Whether the practice opportunities (e.g., number, length and quality)
are available in a manner consistent with established varsity sports
in the institution’s athletics program; and


Whether the regular season competitive opportunities differ
quantitatively and/or qualitatively from established varsity sports;
whether the team competes against intercollegiate or interscholastic
varsity opponents in a manner consistent with established varsity
sports;


When analyzing this factor, the following may be taken into
consideration:


Whether the number of competitions and length of play are
predetermined by a governing athletics organization, an athletic
conference, or a consortium of institutions;


Whether the competitive schedule reflects the abilities of the team;
and


Whether the activity has a defined season; whether the season is
determined by a governing athletics organization, an athletic
conference, or a consortium.


If pre-season and/or post-season competition exists for the activity,
whether the activity provides an opportunity for student-athletes to
engage in the pre-season and/ or post-season competition in a manner
consistent with established varsity sports; for example, whether
state, national and/or conference championships exist for the
activity; and


 Whether the primary purpose of the activity is to provide
athletic competition at the intercollegiate or interscholastic
varsity levels rather than to support or promote other athletic
activities. When analyzing this factor, the following may be taken
into consideration:


Whether the activity is governed by a specific set of rules of play
adopted by a state, national or conference organization and/or
consistent with established varsity sports, which include objective,
standardized criteria by which competition must be judged;


Whether resources for the activity (e.g., practice and competition
schedules, coaching staff) are based on the competitive needs of the
team;


If post-season competition opportunities are available, whether
participation in post-season competition is dependent on or related
to regular season results in a manner consistent with established
varsity sports; and


Whether the selection of teams/participants is based on factors
related primarily to athletic ability.


On July 21, 2010, in Biediger v. Quinnipiac University, the landmark
court case applying the criteria set forth defining a sport in the
OCR’s 2008 Dear Colleague Letter – a decision applicable to both
colleges and high schools – a U.S. District Court judge in
Connecticut ruled that members of Quinnipiac University’s
competitive cheerleading squad could not be counted as varsity
athletes for purposes of the school’s compliance with Title IX.


In March 2009, Quinnipiac administrators announced that, beginning
with the 2009-10 academic year, as a cost-cutting measure designed to
address budget shortfalls, the school would eliminate three sports:
the men’s golf team, the men’s outdoor track team, and the
women’s volleyball team. The volleyball squad was to be replaced
with a competitive cheerleading squad. Five members of the volleyball
team and its coach filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the school’s
plan violated Title IX and seeking reinstatement of the volleyball
program.


Relying on the legal standards set forth in the 2008 DCL, the court’s
95-page decision included a detailed analysis whether competition was
the primary objective of Quinnipiac’s competitive cheer squad;
whether the team operated under the umbrella of a governing
organization; whether consistent rules and scoring systems were used
for all competitions; whether the squad competed against appropriate
levels of competition; and whether the team was structured and
operated similar to all other varsity sports at the university.


The court acknowledged that Quinnipiac and seven other schools had
founded a governing body, the National Competitive Stunt and Tumbling
Association, but concluded that inconsistency of competition and
scoring systems doomed Quinnipiac’s compliance with the standards
necessary for classification of its competitive cheer squad as a
sport. In the ten events in which the team competed, five different
scoring systems were used. Furthermore, the squad’s competition
included a mixture of college competitive cheer teams, college
sideline cheer squads, all-star teams with no school affiliation, and
high school cheer squads.


Essentially, the court decided that Quinnipiac had attempted to game
the system in a form-over-substance way to demonstrate compliance
with Title IX. The ruling was highly fact-specific and it is
important to note that the court did not decree that competitive
cheer squad members could never be counted towards Title IX
compliance, but rather that the structure and administration of
Quinnipiac’s competitive cheer program failed to satisfy the
standards set forth in the DCL for an activity to be considered a
sport under Title IX.


In his written decision, U.S. District Court Judge Stefan R.
Underhill stated that, “in reaching my conclusion, I do not mean to
belittle competitive cheer as an athletic endeavor. Competitive
cheerleading is a difficult, physical task that requires strength,
agility, and grace. I have little doubt that at some point in the
near future – once competitive cheer is better organized and
defined … competitive cheer will be acknowledged as a bona fide
sporting activity by academic institutions, the public, and the law.”


In August 2012, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the
decision and in April of 2013, Quinnipiac University settled the case
by agreeing to reinstate the women’s sports that were to be
eliminated and to invest millions of dollars into facilities,
scholarships, and other aspects of its women’s sports programs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649936929097.png" alt="Lee Green is an attorney and Professor Emeritus at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, where for 30 years he taught courses in sports law, business law and constitutional law." />
 <figcaption>Lee Green is an attorney and Professor Emeritus at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, where for 30 years he taught courses in sports law, business law and constitutional law.</figcaption>
 </figure>Preface
Throughout the spring of 2022, as HST celebrates the upcoming 50th
anniversary on June 23rd of the enactment of Title IX, each monthly
sports law article in the magazine will address a component of Title
IX compliance for high school athletic programs with respect to the
legally-mandated equal treatment of female and male student-athletes.
Title IX is, of course, a broad-based statute prohibiting gender
discrimination in all aspects of educational programs and activities,
not merely a law governing athletics.
However – for want of the space for a book-length treatment to
discuss Title IX’s full application to other topics such as
academic curriculum, fine arts programs, school clubs and activities,
sexual harassment, hazing, bullying, and LGBTQ rights – this series
of articles will address only the law’s impact on school sports
programs, specifically the development and implementation of
compliance strategies to avoid gender-based inequities between girls
and boys teams: Part I (February) – Title IX’s Three-Prong Test;
Part II (March) – Title IX’s 11 Areas of Athletics Benefits &amp;
Opportunities; Part III (April) – Title IX’s Definition of a
Sport; and Part IV (May) – Frequently Asked Questions About Title
IX Law.
Following the conclusion of the four-part series, to print out the
articles and compile a comprehensive guide to compliance for your
athletic program, visit www.nfhs.org/resources/highschool-today.The Title IX
Compliance Framework
In the HST February 2022 issue’s sports law article, the following
Title IX Compliance Framework providing an overview of all of the
sources of Title IX law was set forth as a tool that could be used by
school and athletic administrators as the infrastructure to conduct a
self-audit to determine whether school’s sports programs were in
compliance with the law:TITLE IX
COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORKCOMPONENT I:
SPORTS PARTICIPATION OFFERINGSA. Participation
Opportunities – The Three-Prong Test
Substantial Proportionality or
History &amp; Continuing Practice of Program Expansion or
Full &amp; Effective Accommodation of Athletic Interests
B. Levels of Competition – The Two-Prong Test
Equivalently Advanced Competitive Opportunities or
History &amp; Continuing Practice of ImprovementCOMPONENT II:
FINANCIAL AID FLOWING TO ATHLETESCOMPONENT III:
OTHER ATHLETICS BENEFITS/ OPPORTUNITIESP - L - A - Y - I
- N - G - F - A - I - R
The February article explained the nuances of Component I of the
Framework and the application of both the Participation Offerings
“three-prong test” and the Levels of Competition “two-prong
test.” Component II of the framework, the analysis whether any
financial aid related to athletics is being distributed on an
equitable basis, typically is relevant only in college-level Title IX
disputes and is rarely an issue in high school cases. The March
article addressed the Component III and the issue whether the
“amenities” tied to sports participation are being allocated
fairly, specifically the 11 categories referred to by the OCR and
federal courts as the “laundry list” (the benefits represented by
the acronym PLAYING FAIR).
This article deals with the definition of a sport – the types of
interscholastic activities that may be classified as a sport and used
by a school as evidence of compliance with the three-prong test and
which must be evaluated to establish conformity with the 11 areas of
other athletics benefits.
The 2008 OCR Dear Colleague Letter: Criteria for a “Sport”
On September 17, 2008, the OCR released a “Dear Colleague Letter”
– a document intended to provide guidance for educational
institutions – titled Athletic Activities Counted for Title IX
Compliance. The full-text of the document can be found on the OCR’s
website.
The “Dear Colleague Letter” begins with a statement by the
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights that the purpose of the document
is to provide “clarifying information to help institutions
determine which intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic
activities can be counted for the purpose of Title IX compliance.”
The guidance continues by stating that “in its case-by-case
evaluation of whether an activity can be counted as an
intercollegiate or interscholastic sport for the purpose of Title IX
compliance, OCR will consider all of the following factors:
 PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION – Taking into account the
unique aspects inherent in the nature and basic operation of specific
sports, OCR considers whether the activity is structured and
administered in a manner consistent with established intercollegiate
or interscholastic varsity sports in the institution’s athletics
program, including:
Whether the operating budget, support services (including academic,
sports medicine and strength and conditioning support) and coaching
staff are administered by the athletics department or another entity,
and are provided in a manner consistent with established varsity
sports; and
Whether the participants in the activity are eligible to receive
athletic scholarships and athletic awards (e.g., varsity awards) if
available to athletes in established varsity sports; to the extent
that an institution recruits participants in its athletics program,
whether participants in the activity are recruited in a manner
consistent with established varsity sports.
 TEAM PREPARATION AND COMPETITION – Taking into account the
unique aspects inherent in the nature and basic operation of specific
sports, OCR considers whether the team prepares for and engages in
competition in a manner consistent with established varsity sports in
the institution’s intercollegiate or interscholastic athletics
program, including:
Whether the practice opportunities (e.g., number, length and quality)
are available in a manner consistent with established varsity sports
in the institution’s athletics program; and
Whether the regular season competitive opportunities differ
quantitatively and/or qualitatively from established varsity sports;
whether the team competes against intercollegiate or interscholastic
varsity opponents in a manner consistent with established varsity
sports;
When analyzing this factor, the following may be taken into
consideration:
Whether the number of competitions and length of play are
predetermined by a governing athletics organization, an athletic
conference, or a consortium of institutions;
Whether the competitive schedule reflects the abilities of the team;
and
Whether the activity has a defined season; whether the season is
determined by a governing athletics organization, an athletic
conference, or a consortium.
If pre-season and/or post-season competition exists for the activity,
whether the activity provides an opportunity for student-athletes to
engage in the pre-season and/ or post-season competition in a manner
consistent with established varsity sports; for example, whether
state, national and/or conference championships exist for the
activity; and
 Whether the primary purpose of the activity is to provide
athletic competition at the intercollegiate or interscholastic
varsity levels rather than to support or promote other athletic
activities. When analyzing this factor, the following may be taken
into consideration:
Whether the activity is governed by a specific set of rules of play
adopted by a state, national or conference organization and/or
consistent with established varsity sports, which include objective,
standardized criteria by which competition must be judged;
Whether resources for the activity (e.g., practice and competition
schedules, coaching staff) are based on the competitive needs of the
team;
If post-season competition opportunities are available, whether
participation in post-season competition is dependent on or related
to regular season results in a manner consistent with established
varsity sports; and
Whether the selection of teams/participants is based on factors
related primarily to athletic ability.A Court Case
Example
On July 21, 2010, in Biediger v. Quinnipiac University, the landmark
court case applying the criteria set forth defining a sport in the
OCR’s 2008 Dear Colleague Letter – a decision applicable to both
colleges and high schools – a U.S. District Court judge in
Connecticut ruled that members of Quinnipiac University’s
competitive cheerleading squad could not be counted as varsity
athletes for purposes of the school’s compliance with Title IX.
In March 2009, Quinnipiac administrators announced that, beginning
with the 2009-10 academic year, as a cost-cutting measure designed to
address budget shortfalls, the school would eliminate three sports:
the men’s golf team, the men’s outdoor track team, and the
women’s volleyball team. The volleyball squad was to be replaced
with a competitive cheerleading squad. Five members of the volleyball
team and its coach filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the school’s
plan violated Title IX and seeking reinstatement of the volleyball
program.
Relying on the legal standards set forth in the 2008 DCL, the court’s
95-page decision included a detailed analysis whether competition was
the primary objective of Quinnipiac’s competitive cheer squad;
whether the team operated under the umbrella of a governing
organization; whether consistent rules and scoring systems were used
for all competitions; whether the squad competed against appropriate
levels of competition; and whether the team was structured and
operated similar to all other varsity sports at the university.
The court acknowledged that Quinnipiac and seven other schools had
founded a governing body, the National Competitive Stunt and Tumbling
Association, but concluded that inconsistency of competition and
scoring systems doomed Quinnipiac’s compliance with the standards
necessary for classification of its competitive cheer squad as a
sport. In the ten events in which the team competed, five different
scoring systems were used. Furthermore, the squad’s competition
included a mixture of college competitive cheer teams, college
sideline cheer squads, all-star teams with no school affiliation, and
high school cheer squads.
Essentially, the court decided that Quinnipiac had attempted to game
the system in a form-over-substance way to demonstrate compliance
with Title IX. The ruling was highly fact-specific and it is
important to note that the court did not decree that competitive
cheer squad members could never be counted towards Title IX
compliance, but rather that the structure and administration of
Quinnipiac’s competitive cheer program failed to satisfy the
standards set forth in the DCL for an activity to be considered a
sport under Title IX.
In his written decision, U.S. District Court Judge Stefan R.
Underhill stated that, “in reaching my conclusion, I do not mean to
belittle competitive cheer as an athletic endeavor. Competitive
cheerleading is a difficult, physical task that requires strength,
agility, and grace. I have little doubt that at some point in the
near future – once competitive cheer is better organized and
defined … competitive cheer will be acknowledged as a bona fide
sporting activity by academic institutions, the public, and the law.”
In August 2012, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the
decision and in April of 2013, Quinnipiac University settled the case
by agreeing to reinstate the women’s sports that were to be
eliminated and to invest millions of dollars into facilities,
scholarships, and other aspects of its women’s sports programs.

Title IX Compliance – Part III: The Definition of a Sport

Detroit Tigers
(2-4) vs. Kansas City Royals (2-3)

Kansas City,
Missouri; Thursday, 8:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING
PROBABLES: Tigers: Casey Mize (0-1, 7.20 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, two
strikeouts); Royals: Brad Keller (0-0, .00 ERA, .50 WHIP, five
strikeouts)

FANDUEL
SPORTSBOOK LINE: Royals -125, Tigers +105; over/under is 8 1/2
runs

BOTTOM LINE:
The Kansas City Royals look to end a three-game skid when they play
the Detroit Tigers.

Kansas City had a
74-88 record overall and a 39-42 record in home games last season.
The Royals pitching staff put up a 4.64 ERA collectively last season
while averaging 8.6 strikeouts and 3.8 walks per nine innings.

Detroit had a 77-85
record overall and a 35-46 record on the road last season. The Tigers
pitching staff had a collective 4.32 ERA last season while averaging
eight strikeouts and 3.6 walks per nine innings.

INJURIES:
Royals: Tyler Zuber: 60-Day IL (shoulder)

Tigers:
Javier Baez: day-to-day (thumb), Robbie Grossman: day-to-day (groin),
Kyle Funkhouser: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Derek Hill: 10-Day IL
(hamstring), Spencer Turnbull: 60-Day IL (elbow), Andrew Chafin:
10-Day IL (groin), Jake Rogers: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jose Cisnero:
60-Day IL (shoulder)

Detroit Tigers
(2-4) vs. Kansas City Royals (2-3)Kansas City,
Missouri; Thursday, 8:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING
PROBABLES: Tigers: Casey Mize (0-1, 7.20 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, two
strikeouts); Royals: Brad Keller (0-0, .00 ERA, .50 WHIP, five
strikeouts)FANDUEL
SPORTSBOOK LINE: Royals -125, Tigers +105; over/under is 8 1/2
runsBOTTOM LINE:
The Kansas City Royals look to end a three-game skid when they play
the Detroit Tigers.Kansas City had a
74-88 record overall and a 39-42 record in home games last season.
The Royals pitching staff put up a 4.64 ERA collectively last season
while averaging 8.6 strikeouts and 3.8 walks per nine innings.Detroit had a 77-85
record overall and a 35-46 record on the road last season. The Tigers
pitching staff had a collective 4.32 ERA last season while averaging
eight strikeouts and 3.6 walks per nine innings.INJURIES:
Royals: Tyler Zuber: 60-Day IL (shoulder)Tigers:
Javier Baez: day-to-day (thumb), Robbie Grossman: day-to-day (groin),
Kyle Funkhouser: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Derek Hill: 10-Day IL
(hamstring), Spencer Turnbull: 60-Day IL (elbow), Andrew Chafin:
10-Day IL (groin), Jake Rogers: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jose Cisnero:
60-Day IL (shoulder)

Royals come into matchup against the Tigers on losing streak

The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that Wednesday's 12:15 p.m. CT game against the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium has been postponed due to inclement weather.

The two teams will make up today’s postponed game on Monday, May 2, at 3:15 p.m. at Busch Stadium.

Tickets for the April 13th homestand finale will be valid for the rescheduled 3:15 p.m. game on Monday, May 2. Additional Cardinals ticket policy details are available online at cardinals.com/tickets.

The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that Wednesday's 12:15 p.m. CT game against the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium has been postponed due to inclement weather.The two teams will make up today’s postponed game on Monday, May 2, at 3:15 p.m. at Busch Stadium.Tickets for the April 13th homestand finale will be valid for the rescheduled 3:15 p.m. game on Monday, May 2. Additional Cardinals ticket policy details are available online at cardinals.com/tickets.

Royals-Cards finale postponed, to be made up May 2


Dodge City won a wind swept Western Athletic Conference softball
contest 16-6 Wednesday in Dodge City.


Seven Lady Panther errors led to 11 unearned runs as the Red Demons
ended the game after six innings by posting 7-runs in the bottom of
the sixth.


Great Bend managed to collect 11 hits and actually took a 5-4 lead
heading to the bottom of the third. Dodge closed strong however,
scoring two runs in the third to retake the lead 6-5, then added
three in fourth and the seven runs in the sixth that ended the game.


The Lady Panthers are now 0-6 on the season and 0-2 in league play
while Dodge improved to 3-1 and 1-1.


The two teams resume their series Thursday with a double header at
the Great Bend Sports Complex.

Dodge City won a wind swept Western Athletic Conference softball
contest 16-6 Wednesday in Dodge City.
Seven Lady Panther errors led to 11 unearned runs as the Red Demons
ended the game after six innings by posting 7-runs in the bottom of
the sixth.
Great Bend managed to collect 11 hits and actually took a 5-4 lead
heading to the bottom of the third. Dodge closed strong however,
scoring two runs in the third to retake the lead 6-5, then added
three in fourth and the seven runs in the sixth that ended the game.
The Lady Panthers are now 0-6 on the season and 0-2 in league play
while Dodge improved to 3-1 and 1-1.
The two teams resume their series Thursday with a double header at
the Great Bend Sports Complex.

Dodge City keeps Lady Panthers winless with 16-6 win

Kansas senior power forward David McCormack and Kansas State senior center Ayoka Lee have been selected as Big 12 men’s and women’s basketball scholar-athletes of the year respectively via a vote of the league’s coaches.

2022 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year

David McCormack, Kansas, Sr., Norfolk, Va.

Communication studies graduate who is pursuing a master’s in Digital Content Strategy with a 3.50 GPA and 100 percent participation.

Helped Kansas to a national title, averaging 10.6 points and 7.0 rebounds on the season.

Earned 2022 All-Big 12 Third Team honors and is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection (2020, 2021 and 2022). 

2022 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Ayoka Lee, Kansas State, Jr., Byron, Minn.

Major in Family Studies &amp; Human Service with a 4.00 GPA and participated in 100 percent of this year’s contests.

Consensus All-American who set an NCAA Division I single-game record with 61 points on January 23.

Two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American and three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree (2020, 2021 and 2022).

2022 Big 12 Equestrian Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Ana Bertozzi, Fresno State, Jr., Leesburg, Va.

Animal Science-Pre-Veterinary major with a 4.00 GPA and participated in every competition this season.

Won six meets on fences with one MOP and was victorious five times on the flat.

Two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection (2021 and 2022).

2022 Big 12 Gymnastics Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Laura Cooke, Iowa State, Jr., Norwich, England

Majoring in kinesiology and health with a 3.97 GPA and 100 percent participation.

Helped Iowa State reach the second round of the NCAA Regionals, scoring a 9.850 on bars and a 9.750 on floor at the meet.

A two-time member of the Academic All-Big 12 First Team (2021 and 2022) plus was named WCGA Scholastic All-American.

2022 Big 12 Men’s Swimming &amp; Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Jake Foster, Texas, Jr., Cincinnati, Ohio

Biology major with a 4.00 GPA and 100 percent participation.

Six-time All-American who helped the Longhorns to a runner-up finish at the 2022 NCAA Championship.

Two-time CSCAA Scholar All-American and two-time member of the Academic All-Big 12 Team (2021, 2022).

2022 Big 12 Women’s Swimming &amp; Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Kate Steward, Kansas, Sr., Bartlesville, Okla.

Elementary education major that holds a 4.00 GPA and 100 percent participation this season.

Holds the Kansas school record in the 100 breaststroke and qualified to compete in three events at the 2022 NCAA Championships.

Selected to the 2020-21 CoSIDA Academic All-District Team and is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree (2021 and 2022).

2022 Big 12 Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Clay Carlson, South Dakota State, Jr., Willmar, Minn.

Earning a degree in animal science and pre-veterinary medicine with a 3.92 GPA and 100 percent participation.

Placed third in the 141-weight class at the Big 12 Championship and was selected for the 2022 NCAA Championship.

Named Big 12 Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2021 and a three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree (2020, 2021 and 2022).

The Big 12 Conference established its Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award in 2012-13. A recipient is named in each conference-sponsored sport. Every Big 12 institution nominates one individual per sport with the winners selected by a vote of the league head coaches for that sport, who are not allowed to vote for their own student-athletes. Scholar-Athlete of the Year nominees must be a junior or senior (athletic and academic standing), have a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher, participate in at least 20 percent of the team’s scheduled contests and have a minimum of one year in residence at the institution.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649844004674.png" alt="Big 12 Conference" />
 <figcaption>Big 12 Conference</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas senior power forward David McCormack and Kansas State senior center Ayoka Lee have been selected as Big 12 men’s and women’s basketball scholar-athletes of the year respectively via a vote of the league’s coaches.2022 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the YearDavid McCormack, Kansas, Sr., Norfolk, Va. Communication studies graduate who is pursuing a master’s in Digital Content Strategy with a 3.50 GPA and 100 percent participation.Helped Kansas to a national title, averaging 10.6 points and 7.0 rebounds on the season.Earned 2022 All-Big 12 Third Team honors and is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection (2020, 2021 and 2022). 2022 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the YearAyoka Lee, Kansas State, Jr., Byron, Minn.Major in Family Studies &amp; Human Service with a 4.00 GPA and participated in 100 percent of this year’s contests.Consensus All-American who set an NCAA Division I single-game record with 61 points on January 23.Two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American and three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree (2020, 2021 and 2022).2022 Big 12 Equestrian Scholar-Athlete of the YearAna Bertozzi, Fresno State, Jr., Leesburg, Va.Animal Science-Pre-Veterinary major with a 4.00 GPA and participated in every competition this season.Won six meets on fences with one MOP and was victorious five times on the flat.Two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection (2021 and 2022).2022 Big 12 Gymnastics Scholar-Athlete of the YearLaura Cooke, Iowa State, Jr., Norwich, EnglandMajoring in kinesiology and health with a 3.97 GPA and 100 percent participation.Helped Iowa State reach the second round of the NCAA Regionals, scoring a 9.850 on bars and a 9.750 on floor at the meet.A two-time member of the Academic All-Big 12 First Team (2021 and 2022) plus was named WCGA Scholastic All-American.2022 Big 12 Men’s Swimming &amp; Diving Scholar-Athlete of the YearJake Foster, Texas, Jr., Cincinnati, OhioBiology major with a 4.00 GPA and 100 percent participation.Six-time All-American who helped the Longhorns to a runner-up finish at the 2022 NCAA Championship.Two-time CSCAA Scholar All-American and two-time member of the Academic All-Big 12 Team (2021, 2022).2022 Big 12 Women’s Swimming &amp; Diving Scholar-Athlete of the YearKate Steward, Kansas, Sr., Bartlesville, Okla.Elementary education major that holds a 4.00 GPA and 100 percent participation this season.Holds the Kansas school record in the 100 breaststroke and qualified to compete in three events at the 2022 NCAA Championships.Selected to the 2020-21 CoSIDA Academic All-District Team and is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree (2021 and 2022).2022 Big 12 Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the YearClay Carlson, South Dakota State, Jr., Willmar, Minn.Earning a degree in animal science and pre-veterinary medicine with a 3.92 GPA and 100 percent participation.Placed third in the 141-weight class at the Big 12 Championship and was selected for the 2022 NCAA Championship.Named Big 12 Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2021 and a three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree (2020, 2021 and 2022).The Big 12 Conference established its Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award in 2012-13. A recipient is named in each conference-sponsored sport. Every Big 12 institution nominates one individual per sport with the winners selected by a vote of the league head coaches for that sport, who are not allowed to vote for their own student-athletes. Scholar-Athlete of the Year nominees must be a junior or senior (athletic and academic standing), have a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher, participate in at least 20 percent of the team’s scheduled contests and have a minimum of one year in residence at the institution.

McCormick and Lee announced as 2022 Winter Scholar-Athletes of the Year

Dalton Dale crushed a pair of two-run homers and drove in six total as the Hays High Indians beat Great Bend 16-6 in six innings Tuesday in Hays. 

The first four Indian batters scored in the bottom of the first as Hays never trailed. 

Great Bend cut the lead in half in the top of the third inning at 4-2 before Hays plated one in the third and three more in the fourth for a 8-2 advantage.

The Indians led 10-5 after the top half of the sixth inning. They scored six runs, all with two outs, in the bottom half of the frame. Dalton Dale hit the first pitch he saw from the fourth Panther pitcher over the left field fence for a 16-6 run rule victory.

The second game of the series will be played in Great Bend on Thursday, April 21. 

Dalton Dale crushed a pair of two-run homers and drove in six total as the Hays High Indians beat Great Bend 16-6 in six innings Tuesday in Hays. The first four Indian batters scored in the bottom of the first as Hays never trailed. Great Bend cut the lead in half in the top of the third inning at 4-2 before Hays plated one in the third and three more in the fourth for a 8-2 advantage.The Indians led 10-5 after the top half of the sixth inning. They scored six runs, all with two outs, in the bottom half of the frame. Dalton Dale hit the first pitch he saw from the fourth Panther pitcher over the left field fence for a 16-6 run rule victory.The second game of the series will be played in Great Bend on Thursday, April 21.

Hays ends Panthers 5-game winning streak 16-6

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Albert Pujols called his shot.

The veteran slugger told Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol he was going to hit the first pitch he saw Tuesday night for a home run — and then did just that.

Pujols homered for the first time since returning to St. Louis and Andrew Knizner launched a three-run shot as the Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Tuesday night.

“When you have 680 you can make those kind of calls,” Pujols said. “I had a good feeling. Sometimes you get lucky, and it happens.”

Nolan Arenado also went deep for St. Louis, which has won 20 of 27 interleague games against the in-state Royals since Aug. 7, 2017.

Salvador Perez homered twice and Michael A. Taylor also connected for Kansas City, which has allowed 33 runs in losing its last three games.

The 42-year-old Pujols, who also singled twice in a 3-for-4 performance, signed with St. Louis on March 28 for his final season. He played for the Cardinals from 2001-11, helping them win two World Series.

In the first inning, Pujols slammed the first pitch he saw from Daniel Lynch over the wall in left field, much to the delight of the crowd, which chanted his name before he stepped out of the dugout for a curtain call.

In addition to his 680 homers, Pujols has 3,304 hits over a 21-year career.

“He’s The Machine for a reason,” Knizner said. “I can’t say enough about how he played tonight. That was an excellent display of hitting, squaring the ball up all over the field. It was impressive to watch.”

Marmol was impressed that Pujols was able to back up his batting practice boast.

“He’s never told me that before,” Marmol said. “I believed him.”

Pujols’ drive came on the very next pitch after Arenado clocked a two-run shot. Arenado has three homers and nine RBIs this season.

Knizner, making his first start of the year, ripped a long drive just inside the left-field foul pole in the fourth to put the Cardinals ahead to stay, 6-3.

“I think it was a slider,” Knizner said. “He just happened to leave that one up and I put a good swing on it. I kind of blacked out. That sometimes happens when you hit home runs. It comes out of the right tunnel and you’re just trained to swing.”

Jordan Hicks (1-0) picked up the win with two innings of hitless relief. St. Louis starter Dakota Hudson permitted three runs and five hits over four innings in his second start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2020.

Giovanny Gallegos got his first save of the season.

Lynch (0-1) allowed six runs and nine hits over five innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

Perez hit solo shots in the second and eighth for his 13th career multi-homer game.

“It feels great, but the most important thing is to win the game,” Perez said. “If I hit a homer and we lose, I feel kind of horrible for the team.”

Marmol returned to the bench after missing the previous two games with the flu.

The Cardinals have scored in the first inning of all four games this season for the first time since 1901.

Kansas City OF Whit Merrifield played in his 474th consecutive game, the longest run in the majors since Prince Fielder played in 547 successive games with Milwaukee, Detroit and Texas from Sept. 14, 2010, to May 16, 2014.

The Royals will play their first 13 games in Missouri, the longest home-state run since the San Francisco Giants played their first 17 games in California in 2019.

Kansas City manager Mike Matheny returned to St. Louis, where he managed the Cardinals from 2012-18. He guided them to the postseason in each of his first four seasons, becoming the first manager to accomplish that feat.

Kansas City RHP Zack Greinke (0-0, 1.59 ERA) will face RHP Adam Wainwright (1-0, 0.00) in the finale of the two-game series Wednesday afternoon. Greinke is 13-6 with a 3.85 ERA in his career against St. Louis. Wainwright threw six innings in a 9-0 win over Pittsburgh on opening day. The two have combined for 404 wins, with Greinke recording 219.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Albert Pujols called his shot.The veteran slugger told Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol he was going to hit the first pitch he saw Tuesday night for a home run — and then did just that.Pujols homered for the first time since returning to St. Louis and Andrew Knizner launched a three-run shot as the Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Tuesday night.“When you have 680 you can make those kind of calls,” Pujols said. “I had a good feeling. Sometimes you get lucky, and it happens.”Nolan Arenado also went deep for St. Louis, which has won 20 of 27 interleague games against the in-state Royals since Aug. 7, 2017.Salvador Perez homered twice and Michael A. Taylor also connected for Kansas City, which has allowed 33 runs in losing its last three games.The 42-year-old Pujols, who also singled twice in a 3-for-4 performance, signed with St. Louis on March 28 for his final season. He played for the Cardinals from 2001-11, helping them win two World Series.In the first inning, Pujols slammed the first pitch he saw from Daniel Lynch over the wall in left field, much to the delight of the crowd, which chanted his name before he stepped out of the dugout for a curtain call.In addition to his 680 homers, Pujols has 3,304 hits over a 21-year career.“He’s The Machine for a reason,” Knizner said. “I can’t say enough about how he played tonight. That was an excellent display of hitting, squaring the ball up all over the field. It was impressive to watch.”Marmol was impressed that Pujols was able to back up his batting practice boast.“He’s never told me that before,” Marmol said. “I believed him.”Pujols’ drive came on the very next pitch after Arenado clocked a two-run shot. Arenado has three homers and nine RBIs this season.Knizner, making his first start of the year, ripped a long drive just inside the left-field foul pole in the fourth to put the Cardinals ahead to stay, 6-3.“I think it was a slider,” Knizner said. “He just happened to leave that one up and I put a good swing on it. I kind of blacked out. That sometimes happens when you hit home runs. It comes out of the right tunnel and you’re just trained to swing.”Jordan Hicks (1-0) picked up the win with two innings of hitless relief. St. Louis starter Dakota Hudson permitted three runs and five hits over four innings in his second start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2020.Giovanny Gallegos got his first save of the season.Lynch (0-1) allowed six runs and nine hits over five innings. He struck out seven and walked one.Perez hit solo shots in the second and eighth for his 13th career multi-homer game.“It feels great, but the most important thing is to win the game,” Perez said. “If I hit a homer and we lose, I feel kind of horrible for the team.”Marmol returned to the bench after missing the previous two games with the flu.The Cardinals have scored in the first inning of all four games this season for the first time since 1901.MODERN IRON MANKansas City OF Whit Merrifield played in his 474th consecutive game, the longest run in the majors since Prince Fielder played in 547 successive games with Milwaukee, Detroit and Texas from Sept. 14, 2010, to May 16, 2014.HOME STATE ADVANTAGEThe Royals will play their first 13 games in Missouri, the longest home-state run since the San Francisco Giants played their first 17 games in California in 2019.WELCOME BACKKansas City manager Mike Matheny returned to St. Louis, where he managed the Cardinals from 2012-18. He guided them to the postseason in each of his first four seasons, becoming the first manager to accomplish that feat.UP NEXTKansas City RHP Zack Greinke (0-0, 1.59 ERA) will face RHP Adam Wainwright (1-0, 0.00) in the finale of the two-game series Wednesday afternoon. Greinke is 13-6 with a 3.85 ERA in his career against St. Louis. Wainwright threw six innings in a 9-0 win over Pittsburgh on opening day. The two have combined for 404 wins, with Greinke recording 219.

Albert Pujols homers as Cardinals beat Royals 6-5

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Eight former Kansas Jayhawks have qualified for the upcoming 2022 NBA Playoffs, which begin on Tuesday, April 12, with the Play-In Tournament.

Udoka Azubuike, Joel Embiid, Devontè Graham, Svi Mykhailiuk, Marcus Morris Sr., Markieff Morris, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andrew Wiggins will each have a chance to compete for their respective teams during the NBA’s postseason.

In his second season with the Jazz, Azubuike has played in 17 games, averaging 4.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. On January 5th, Azubuike made his first career start against the Nuggets, ending the night with five points. The Utah Jazz are the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, matched up against the Dallas Mavericks.

Embiid has led his Philadelphia 76ers to a 51-31 record, giving them fourth place in the Eastern Conference and a first-round matchup against Mykhailiuk’s Raptors. Embiid has again had an MVP-caliber season, averaging 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He leads the 76ers in both scoring and rebounding. Last season, Embiid was named to the All-NBA Team and NBA All-Defensive Team.

In his fourth NBA season, Graham has played in all but five games for the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 11.9 points and 4.2 assists per game. He is also shooting 34.1% from the three-point arc. On December 15th, Graham set the NBA record for the longest buzzer-beating game-winner in NBA history, when he hit a 61-foot shot to lift the Pelicans to a 113-110 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pelicans will be the No. 9 seed, matched up against the San Antonio Spurs in a play-in game.

After signing with the Toronto Raptors last offseason, Mykhailiuk has averaged 4.6 points and 1.6 rebounds while appearing in 56 games during the regular season. The Raptors are the No 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, and are matched up against Embiid’s 76ers in the first round.

In his third season with the Los Angeles Clippers, Marcus Morris Sr., is averaging 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. The Clippers are the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, and set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in a play-in game.

Markieff Morris is currently averaging 17.5 minutes per game for the Miami Heat, who are the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Coming off the bench, Morris is averaging 7.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. As the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, Miami will await a play-in game winner in the first round.

Oubre Jr. has been a steady contributor coming off of the bench for the Charlotte Hornets this season. Currently the sixth man, Oubre Jr. is averaging 15.0 points and 4.0 rebounds for Charlotte, who is the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference and matched up against the Atlanta Hawks in a play-in game.

Wiggins has had his best year to date for the Golden State Warriors, being named to his first career NBA All-Star Game. For the year, Wiggins is averaging 17.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. This is his third year with the Warriors, who are the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, and set to face the Denver Nuggets in the opening round.

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Eight former Kansas Jayhawks have qualified for the upcoming 2022 NBA Playoffs, which begin on Tuesday, April 12, with the Play-In Tournament.Udoka Azubuike, Joel Embiid, Devontè Graham, Svi Mykhailiuk, Marcus Morris Sr., Markieff Morris, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andrew Wiggins will each have a chance to compete for their respective teams during the NBA’s postseason.In his second season with the Jazz, Azubuike has played in 17 games, averaging 4.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. On January 5th, Azubuike made his first career start against the Nuggets, ending the night with five points. The Utah Jazz are the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, matched up against the Dallas Mavericks.Embiid has led his Philadelphia 76ers to a 51-31 record, giving them fourth place in the Eastern Conference and a first-round matchup against Mykhailiuk’s Raptors. Embiid has again had an MVP-caliber season, averaging 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He leads the 76ers in both scoring and rebounding. Last season, Embiid was named to the All-NBA Team and NBA All-Defensive Team.In his fourth NBA season, Graham has played in all but five games for the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 11.9 points and 4.2 assists per game. He is also shooting 34.1% from the three-point arc. On December 15th, Graham set the NBA record for the longest buzzer-beating game-winner in NBA history, when he hit a 61-foot shot to lift the Pelicans to a 113-110 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pelicans will be the No. 9 seed, matched up against the San Antonio Spurs in a play-in game.After signing with the Toronto Raptors last offseason, Mykhailiuk has averaged 4.6 points and 1.6 rebounds while appearing in 56 games during the regular season. The Raptors are the No 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, and are matched up against Embiid’s 76ers in the first round.In his third season with the Los Angeles Clippers, Marcus Morris Sr., is averaging 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. The Clippers are the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, and set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in a play-in game.Markieff Morris is currently averaging 17.5 minutes per game for the Miami Heat, who are the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Coming off the bench, Morris is averaging 7.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. As the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, Miami will await a play-in game winner in the first round.Oubre Jr. has been a steady contributor coming off of the bench for the Charlotte Hornets this season. Currently the sixth man, Oubre Jr. is averaging 15.0 points and 4.0 rebounds for Charlotte, who is the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference and matched up against the Atlanta Hawks in a play-in game.Wiggins has had his best year to date for the Golden State Warriors, being named to his first career NBA All-Star Game. For the year, Wiggins is averaging 17.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. This is his third year with the Warriors, who are the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, and set to face the Denver Nuggets in the opening round.Kansas Athletics

Eight Jayhawks Set to Compete in 2022 NBA Playoffs

As the final two weeks of the regular season tick down, the Barton Community College eSports team rode its' weekly winning streak to eight straight with an 8-4 week while the Rainbow 6 Siege team fell just short of a repeat National Championship earning a national runner-up finish.

Sitting at 55-29 overall with three teams already locked into the NJCAAE postseason, the Cougars will have one final week to possibly add two more teams to the mix as the 11-contets get underway Monday evening inside the Barton eSports Arena.

Entering postseason play on Tuesday evening, the defending Rainbow 6 Siege crew got off to a fiery start in the quarterfinals, making quick work of Hocking College 2-0. Advancing into Thursday's semifinal's matchup, the five pack clinched their second straight finals appearance rolling to their 8trh straight and 16th straight map victory of the season dispatching the University of South Carolina Sumter 2-0. Meeting up against Wichita State Technical College in an all-Kansas Championship showdown the Cougar hopes of defending their fall title would slip 2-0 suffering their lone defeat of the season and their first map losses of the year concluding their season as the national runners-up at 8-1.

Already with postseason spots locked up, the Madden 22 gamers of Chance Costello and Davon Morris sustained their undefeated seasons and top overall seed chances both improving to 7-0 overall with 2-0 victories over Trinidad State College and Camden County College.

In hardwood action, Anthony Twiggs paced the trio of NBA2K competitors to a 3-0 week. Twiggs maintained his hopes of a top overall seed in the postseason moving to 6-0 on the year edging out his Catawba Valley opponent in a winner take all contest 2-1. Kaleb Lininger made it six straight wins moving to 6-1 overall with a 2-0 thrashing of Gogebic Community College while Joshua Neal capped the perfect week for the 2k gamers laying to rest his four-match losing streak with a 2-0 victory over Navarro College.

Needing to win out and receive some help along the way for a chance at a postseason berth, the Barton Rocket League group did what it needed earning a 3-0 victory over Crowder College. Sitting at 4-4 overall and winners of two straight, the group will look to sustain the streak into Monday nights action while needing a little help to reach the postseason for a second straight semester.

In Call of Duty Cold War Gunfight 2v2, the duo of Kindric Castro and Adam Hardin suffered their first hiccup of the season dropping its' title rematch from the fall to Navarro College 3-1. Now at 7-1 overall, and holding the current tiebreaker, the twosome will look to seal their postseason spot with a win on Thursday against Trinidad State College. 

Other group teams falling on the wrong side of the scoreboard was the Call of Duty Vanguard 4v4 and Valorant teams dropping their battles 3-0 and 2-0 respectfully to Gogebic Community College and Trinity Valley Community College.

Meanwhile the Rainbow 6 Siege squad will look to continue their season outside of NJCAAE play competing in a national tournament featuring the top-25 best teams across the DI, DII, NAIA and NJCAA. Entering the polls at sixth overall just a spot back of Wichita State Technical College, the Cougars will get a pair of bye weeks before they begin their quest for a championship in the round of 16 on April 23rd or 24th.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649776030141.jpeg" alt="Barton eSports Rainbow 6 Siege players Eli Friedli and Ashton Ensley competing in weekly competition-Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Barton eSports Rainbow 6 Siege players Eli Friedli and Ashton Ensley competing in weekly competition-Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>As the final two weeks of the regular season tick down, the Barton Community College eSports team rode its' weekly winning streak to eight straight with an 8-4 week while the Rainbow 6 Siege team fell just short of a repeat National Championship earning a national runner-up finish.Sitting at 55-29 overall with three teams already locked into the NJCAAE postseason, the Cougars will have one final week to possibly add two more teams to the mix as the 11-contets get underway Monday evening inside the Barton eSports Arena.Entering postseason play on Tuesday evening, the defending Rainbow 6 Siege crew got off to a fiery start in the quarterfinals, making quick work of Hocking College 2-0. Advancing into Thursday's semifinal's matchup, the five pack clinched their second straight finals appearance rolling to their 8trh straight and 16th straight map victory of the season dispatching the University of South Carolina Sumter 2-0. Meeting up against Wichita State Technical College in an all-Kansas Championship showdown the Cougar hopes of defending their fall title would slip 2-0 suffering their lone defeat of the season and their first map losses of the year concluding their season as the national runners-up at 8-1.Already with postseason spots locked up, the Madden 22 gamers of Chance Costello and Davon Morris sustained their undefeated seasons and top overall seed chances both improving to 7-0 overall with 2-0 victories over Trinidad State College and Camden County College.In hardwood action, Anthony Twiggs paced the trio of NBA2K competitors to a 3-0 week. Twiggs maintained his hopes of a top overall seed in the postseason moving to 6-0 on the year edging out his Catawba Valley opponent in a winner take all contest 2-1. Kaleb Lininger made it six straight wins moving to 6-1 overall with a 2-0 thrashing of Gogebic Community College while Joshua Neal capped the perfect week for the 2k gamers laying to rest his four-match losing streak with a 2-0 victory over Navarro College.Needing to win out and receive some help along the way for a chance at a postseason berth, the Barton Rocket League group did what it needed earning a 3-0 victory over Crowder College. Sitting at 4-4 overall and winners of two straight, the group will look to sustain the streak into Monday nights action while needing a little help to reach the postseason for a second straight semester.In Call of Duty Cold War Gunfight 2v2, the duo of Kindric Castro and Adam Hardin suffered their first hiccup of the season dropping its' title rematch from the fall to Navarro College 3-1. Now at 7-1 overall, and holding the current tiebreaker, the twosome will look to seal their postseason spot with a win on Thursday against Trinidad State College. Other group teams falling on the wrong side of the scoreboard was the Call of Duty Vanguard 4v4 and Valorant teams dropping their battles 3-0 and 2-0 respectfully to Gogebic Community College and Trinity Valley Community College.Meanwhile the Rainbow 6 Siege squad will look to continue their season outside of NJCAAE play competing in a national tournament featuring the top-25 best teams across the DI, DII, NAIA and NJCAA. Entering the polls at sixth overall just a spot back of Wichita State Technical College, the Cougars will get a pair of bye weeks before they begin their quest for a championship in the round of 16 on April 23rd or 24th.

Rainbow 6 Siege falls just short of repeat crown

Great Bend @ Hays - First Pitch 4PM<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sb3GQbS7Y0s" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

LISTEN Great Bend Baseball @ Hays


The strongest girls sport in the Western Athletic Conference may be
soccer. Unfortunatley for the Great Bend Lady Panthers, they are
right in the middle of a stretch against some of those WAC teams who
are some of the best in the state.


Great Bend saw another one of those opponents Tuesday as Dodge City
came to Cavanaugh Field and left with an 8-0 victory.


Dodge improved to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in WAC play with the victory,
while Great Bend dropped to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in league play.


Great Bend will see another of those top teams Thursday when they
host Liberal at Cavanaugh Field.

The strongest girls sport in the Western Athletic Conference may be
soccer. Unfortunatley for the Great Bend Lady Panthers, they are
right in the middle of a stretch against some of those WAC teams who
are some of the best in the state.
Great Bend saw another one of those opponents Tuesday as Dodge City
came to Cavanaugh Field and left with an 8-0 victory.
Dodge improved to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in WAC play with the victory,
while Great Bend dropped to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in league play.
Great Bend will see another of those top teams Thursday when they
host Liberal at Cavanaugh Field.

Girls Soccer: Dodge City 8, Great Bend 0

Team Scores 1. Wakeeney-Trego 38 2. Great Bend 27 3. Hays Gold 25 4. Liberal 24 4. Hays Maroon 24 6. Phillipsburg 12

Great Bend Results #1 Singles - Brendyn Schroeder 5-0 1st

#2 Singles - Marcos Castanon 0-5 - First time playing singles in competition.

#1 Doubles - Isaiah Smith/Malachi Wasson 2-3&nbsp; 4th - First time playing together in matches this season.

#2 Doubles - Jordan Manning/Roberto Gutierrez 3-2 3rd - Three way tie for 2nd but dropped to 3rd due to tie-breaker. Also playing together in a match for the first time this season.

Next action: Thursday, April 21 @ Dodge City

Team Scores 1. Wakeeney-Trego 38 2. Great Bend 27 3. Hays Gold 25 4. Liberal 24 4. Hays Maroon 24 6. Phillipsburg 12Great Bend Results #1 Singles - Brendyn Schroeder 5-0 1st#2 Singles - Marcos Castanon 0-5 - First time playing singles in competition.#1 Doubles - Isaiah Smith/Malachi Wasson 2-3&nbsp; 4th - First time playing together in matches this season.#2 Doubles - Jordan Manning/Roberto Gutierrez 3-2 3rd - Three way tie for 2nd but dropped to 3rd due to tie-breaker. Also playing together in a match for the first time this season.Next action: Thursday, April 21 @ Dodge City

Panther Tennis takes 2nd at Hays

The Barton Community College baseball team rode a solid team effort Monday afternoon from Lawson-Biggs Field having little trouble getting past Bethany College JV as eight walks in the opener would lead to a 10-0 win with the Cougars pounding out seven extra base hits in the nightcap cruising to a 12-1 doubleheader sweep.

Barton received an all-around offensive performance as 10 different Cougars recorded a hit on the afternoon, eight producing an extra base hit and 12 driving in a run or crossing for a run. 

Barton improves to 28-10 on the season, getting back to conference action on Thursday with a road trip to Liberal, KS with a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader at Seward County Community College. The Cougars will return home on Saturday to conclude the four game set in a 1:00 p.m. first pitch twinbill.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649756807300.jpeg" alt="Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>The Barton Community College baseball team rode a solid team effort Monday afternoon from Lawson-Biggs Field having little trouble getting past Bethany College JV as eight walks in the opener would lead to a 10-0 win with the Cougars pounding out seven extra base hits in the nightcap cruising to a 12-1 doubleheader sweep.Barton received an all-around offensive performance as 10 different Cougars recorded a hit on the afternoon, eight producing an extra base hit and 12 driving in a run or crossing for a run. Barton improves to 28-10 on the season, getting back to conference action on Thursday with a road trip to Liberal, KS with a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader at Seward County Community College. The Cougars will return home on Saturday to conclude the four game set in a 1:00 p.m. first pitch twinbill.

Cougars sweep Bethany JV

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The only big mistake that Cleveland rookie Steven Kwan has made during his first four big league games came in left field, where he was trying to rush a catch-and-throw to the plate and had a flyball bounce off the heel of his glove.

He hasn’t made many mistakes with a bat in his hands.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The only big mistake that Cleveland rookie Steven Kwan has made during his first four big league games came in left field, where he was trying to rush a catch-and-throw to the plate and had a flyball bounce off the heel of his glove.He hasn’t made many mistakes with a bat in his hands.And after that gaffe in the outfield Monday, the 24-year-old from Oregon State came right back to belt a bases-loaded triple, becoming the first player to reach base at least three times in each of his first four games while leading the rechristened Guardians to a 10-7 victory over the Kansas City Royals.“He was trying to do it a little too quick and it hit the heel of his glove. But then his at-bat was terrific,” Guardians manager Terry Francona said. “His at-bats are really, really good. That’s stating the obvious.”Might as well drive home the point: Kwan went 5 for 5 and reached safely six times a day earlier, when Cleveland rolled to a 17-3 win over the Royals. He reached base three more times and added his first three RBIs on Monday, finishing the series 9 for 13, reaching base in 15 of 19 plate appearances and scoring four times.“Pretty cool,” Kwan said in his typical understated manner. “Pretty surreal.”Oscar Mercado added a two-run homer for the Guardians, who scored just once over the first two games in Kansas City but piled up 27 runs over the last two. The result was a split of the season-opening set between AL Central rivals.“I’m done trying to figure this out,” Francona said of the scoring disparity.Logan Allen (1-0) earned the win Monday with two scoreless innings of relief in his first appearance of the season.The finale was tied 4-all in the seventh when Royals reliever Jake Brentz (0-1) gave up a single, sacrifice bunt and walk. Josh Staumont then gave up bloop singles to Jose Ramirez and Franmil Reyes as Cleveland took a 6-4 lead.The Royals loaded the bases in the bottom half against Bryan Shaw before Hunter Dozier hit a flyball that Kwan dropped. As a run crossed the plate, Myles Straw threw out a runner at second base in a bang-bang play that stood upon video review. Nick Sandlin relieved and got Adalberto Mondesi to ground into an inning-ending double play.“Just tried to do too much,” Kwan said of the flyball that got away from him.Not to worry. Kwan atoned for the mistake with his triple in the eighth inning.“He’s a tough out. You can tell that already,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said.Kwan’s now gone 72 plate appearances, including Triple-A and spring training, since his last strikeout, and his 15 times on base through his first four games is the most since in the major leagues since at least 1901.“There are a lot of player development people who have their chest out right now, as they should,” Francona said. “I know we’re four games in, but every single one of them kept saying ‘Hey, he’s going to be OK, man.’ So I know they’re proud.”Mercado also had a big finish to the series. He hit a grand slam and had five RBIs in the Guardians’ 17-3 romp Sunday, then drilled a two-run homer into the left-field bullpen to give Cleveland a 4-1 lead in the fourth on Monday.“I mean, shoot, man, we’re rooting for everybody,” Francona said. “We’re not biased. We want everybody to do well.”The Royals answered Mercado’s latest shot in their typical fashion: They scratched and clawed and scrapped for runs. It took two singles, a walk, a sacrifice bunt, a stolen base, an error and a run-scoring groundout, but the Royals managed to coax three runs in the fourth inning to even the score 4-all.Only one of the four runs off Cleveland starter Aaron Civale was earned, and he left after 3 1/3 innings. Carlos Hernandez lasted another inning for Kansas City but was responsible for all four runs that he allowed.TRAINER’S ROOMGuardians OF Josh Naylor was 3 for 13 through four games at Triple-A Columbus as he continues to work his way back from a right ankle injury. He is expected to play two more games in the minors this week before being reevaluated.ROSTER MOVESThe Royals reinstated RHP Joel Payamps from the family emergency list and optioned RHP Jackson Kowar to Triple-A Omaha. Kowar, who will start in the minors, allowed seven runs on 11 hits and a walk in 3 1/3 innings of relief Sunday.UP NEXTThe Guardians play the first of two games in Cincinnati on Tuesday with RHP Shane Bieber on the mound. The Royals head to St. Louis for two games beginning Tuesday with LHP Daniel Lynch first on the mound.