2021: 93-69, first place, lost to Houston in ALDS.

Manager: Tony La Russa (second season of second stint with team).

He’s Here: INF Josh Harrison, RHP Joe Kelly, RHP Vince Velasquez, RHP Kendall Graveman, OF Adam Haseley.

He’s Outta Here: LHP Carlos Rodón, 2B César Hernández, OF Brian Goodwin, OF Billy Hamilton, RHP Ryan Tepera.

Top Hitters: SS Tim Anderson (.309, 17 HRs, 61 RBIs, .807 OPS), 1B José Abreu (.261, 30, 117, .832), CF Luis Robert (.338, 13, 43, .945 in 68 games), OF Eloy Jiménez (.249, 10, 37 in 55 games).

Projected Rotation: RH Lucas Giolito (11-9, 3.53 ERA, 201 Ks), RH Lance Lynn (11-6, 2.69), RH Dylan Cease (13-7, 3.91, 226 Ks), LH Dallas Keuchel (9-9, 5.28), RH Michael Kopech (4-3, 3.50 in 44 games, 4 starts).

Key Relievers: RH Liam Hendriks (8-3, 2.54, AL-leading 38/44 saves, 113 Ks in 71 IP), RH Craig Kimbrel (2-3, 0.49, 23/25 saves with Cubs; 2-2, 5.09, 1/4 saves with White Sox), RH Joe Kelly (2-0, 2.86 with Dodgers), RH Kendall Graveman (5-1, 1.77, 10 saves with Seattle and Houston), RH Reynaldo López (4-4, 3.43 in 20 games, 9 starts), LH Aaron Bummer (5-5, 3.51), LH Garrett Crochet (3-5, 2.82).

Outlook: The White Sox, runaway winners of the AL Central last season, are coming off back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in franchise history. They failed to advance both times, losing to Houston in four games in the Division Series after getting knocked out by Oakland in the first round in 2020. Now, they’re looking for more. With Anderson and Abreu leading a loaded lineup and Giolito and Lynn anchoring a solid pitching staff, the White Sox have their sights set high. They’re banking largely on staying healthy and improving from within after a surprisingly quiet offseason. Robert and Jiménez both missed big chunks of last season because of injuries. Kopech, who missed the 2019 season following Tommy John surgery and opted out in 2020, is moving from the bullpen to the rotation. Harrison, a two-time All-Star, figures to play second base with Leury Garcia remaining in a utility role. He has also played third, shortstop and each outfield spot in his 11 seasons. Kimbrel is a candidate to be dealt after he struggled following the trade across town from the Cubs.

He’s Here: C Luke Maile, RHP Ian Gibaut, RHP Jake Jewell.

He’s Outta Here: C Roberto Pérez, 1B Jake Bauers, RHP Nick Wittgren.

Top Hitters: 3B José Ramírez (.266, 36 HRs, 103 RBIs, 27 SBs, .893 OPS), SS Amed Rosario (.282, 11, 57), DH Franmil Reyes (.254, 30, 85 in 115 games).

Projected Rotation: RH Shane Bieber (7-4, 3.17 ERA in 16 starts), RH Aaron Civale (12-5, 3.84, 31 walks in 124 1/3 IP), RH Zach Plesac (10-6, 4.67), RH Triston McKenzie (5-9, 4.95, 136 Ks in 120 IP), RH Cal Quantrill (8-3, 2.89; 7-1 in second half).

Key Relievers: RH Emmanuel Clase (4-5, 1.29 ERA, 24 saves), RH James Karinchak (7-4, 4.07, 11 saves), RH Bryan Shaw (6-7, 3.49, MLB-high 81 games), LH Sam Hentges (1-4, 6.68 in 30 games).

Outlook: New name, some familiar problems. No longer Cleveland’s Indians, the Guardians head into the 2022 season with low expectations and one of baseball’s lowest payrolls (about $51 million). After being sidelined by serious health issues the past two seasons, Francona returns for his 10th year with the club, which has stayed competitive despite limited spending. Francona will again lean on a strong rotation led by Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner who was sidelined for three months in 2021 by a shoulder strain. The bullpen lacks depth, but Clase has the chance to be a top-flight closer. Cleveland’s most pressing needs are in the corner outfield spots and finding run production from an offense that struggled to score last season and hasn’t been upgraded. One of baseball’s best all-around players, Ramírez needs protection, and a healthy Reyes will help. But the Guardians don’t appear to have enough to contend with the White Sox.

Opening Day: April 8 vs. Chicago White Sox.

He’s Here: SS Javier Baez, LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, C Tucker Barnhart, LHP Andrew Chafin, RHP Michael Pineda.

He’s Outta Here: LHP Matthew Boyd, INF/OF Niko Goodrum, OF Jacoby Jones, LHP Daniel Norris, RHP Jose Urena.

Top hitters: DH/1B Miguel Cabrera (.256, 15 HRs, 75 RBIs, .701 OPS), SS Javier Baez (.265, 31, 87, .813 OPS with Cubs and Mets), 3B Jeimer Candelario (.271, 16, 67, .795 OPS), 2B Jonathan Schoop (.278, 22, 84, .755 OPS).

Projected Rotation: LH Eduardo Rodriguez (13-8, 4.74 ERA with Boston), RH Casey Mize (7-9, 3.71), LH Tarik Skubal (8-12, 4.34), RH Matt Manning (4-7, 5.80), LH Tyler Alexander (2-4, 3.81).

Key Relievers: LH Gregory Soto (6-3, 3.39 ERA, 18 saves), RH Michael Fulmer (5-6, 2.97, 14 saves).

Outlook: For the first time since signing Cabrera to a long-term contract in 2014, the Tigers were serious spenders over the winter, signing Rodriguez, Baez and Chafin and trading for Barnhart. Consequently, after five straight losing seasons, they consider themselves viable contenders in the expanded playoff format. Touted rookies Riley Greene in center field and Spencer Torkelson at first base were given serious chances to make the opening day roster. Last year’s top rookie, outfielder Akil Baddoo, was installed as the leadoff hitter. Except for Rodriguez, the rest of the rotation is homegrown and has a combined 116 big league starts. Pineda and Wily Peralta were signed late in the spring as rotation insurance, but visa issues delayed their arrivals to camp.

He’s Here: RHP Zack Greinke, SS Bobby Witt Jr., LHP Amir Garrett, RHP Brad Peacock.

He’s Outta Here: 2B Hanser Alberto, LHP Mike Minor, 1B Ryan McBroom, SS Lucius Fox.

Top Hitters: C Salvador Perez (.273, 48 HRs, 121 RBIs), RF Whit Merrifield (.277, 10, 74, 40 SBs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.276, 17, 73), 1B Carlos Santana (.214, 19, 69).

Projected Rotation: RH Zack Greinke (11-6, 4.16 ERA with Houston), RH Brad Keller (8-12, 5.05), RH Brady Singer (5-10, 4.91), LH Kris Bubic (6-7, 4.43), RH Carlos Hernandez (6-2, 3.68), LH Daniel Lynch (4-6, 5.69).

Key Relievers: RH Scott Barlow (5-3, 2.42 ERA, 16 saves), RH Josh Staumont (4-3, 2.88), LH Amir Garrett (0-4, 6.04 with Cincinnati), LH Jake Brentz (5-2, 3.66), RH Domingo Tapia (4-1, 2.84), LH Gabe Speier (0-0, 1.17).

Outlook: The Royals this season are a collision of the past, present and future. The past would be Greinke, their 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner who was traded to Milwaukee so many years ago and then chased riches elsewhere before returning to Kansas City this season. The present consists of Singer, Bubic, Lynch and the rest of the young rotation, which moved through the minors together and took their first big league lumps together, too. And the future lies in Witt, rated baseball’s No. 1 prospect. He batted a combined .290 with 33 homers, 97 RBIs and 29 stolen bases at Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha last season. Throw in the return of a healthy Adalberto Mondesi at shortstop and the Royals could have an exciting lineup. And if those young pitchers can learn a thing or two from Greinke, the club could make a big jump from 74 wins.

He’s Here: SS Carlos Correa, RHP Sonny Gray, C Gary Sánchez, 3B Gio Urshela, RHP Dylan Bundy, RHP Chris Archer, RHP Joe Smith.

He’s Outta Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, DH Nelson Cruz, C Mitch Garver, RHP Michael Pineda, RHP Alex Colomé, SS Andrelton Simmons, INF Willians Astudillo.

Top Hitters: SS Carlos Correa (.279, 26 HRs, 92 RBIs, 104 runs, .850 OPS for Houston), CF Byron Buxton (.306, 19, 32, 50 runs, 23 doubles, 1.005 OPS in 61 games), 2B Jorge Polanco (.269, 33, 98, 97 runs, .826 OPS), 1B Miguel Sanó (.223, 30, 75, 183 Ks, .778 OPS).

Projected Rotation: RH Sonny Gray (7-9, 4.19 ERA in 26 starts for Cincinnati), RH Joe Ryan (2-1, 4.05 in 5 starts), RH Bailey Ober (3-3, 4.19 in 20 starts), RH Dylan Bundy (2-9, 6.06 in 90 2/3 IP for Angels), RH Chris Archer (1-1, 4.66 in 6 games, 5 starts, for Rays).

Key Relievers: LH Taylor Rogers (2-4, 3.35 ERA, 9/13 saves, 59 Ks in 40 1/3 IP), RH Tyler Duffey (3-3, 3.18 in 62 1/3 IP), LH Caleb Thielbar (7-0, 3.23, 77 Ks in 64 IP).

Outlook: Correa’s unexpected and heralded arrival trigged a significant shift in outlook for a team that was one of baseball’s biggest disappointments in 2021 on the way to Minnesota’s first last-place finish in five years. Not only is Correa an elite shortstop in his prime who can solidify the up-the-middle defense and the heart of the batting order, but he has played in 79 postseason games over seven years in the majors, including three World Series. Even after trading away Donaldson and Garver and letting Cruz leave as a free agent, integrating Correa and Sánchez into an already powerful lineup ought to ensure the Twins will be again among the league leaders in offense. The rotation remains the biggest question mark. With Kenta Maeda likely to miss the entire season recovering from elbow surgery, Ryan and Ober will be asked to make further strides after promising debuts in 2021. Gray’s acquisition was a big help, but Bundy is a reclamation project and Archer, a two-time All-Star, has logged fewer than 20 innings over the last two years due to injuries. Rogers also must bounce back from a sprained middle finger and re-establish himself as a reliable closer.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX2021: 93-69, first place, lost to Houston in ALDS.Manager: Tony La Russa (second season of second stint with team).Opening Day: April 8 at Detroit.He’s Here: INF Josh Harrison, RHP Joe Kelly, RHP Vince Velasquez, RHP Kendall Graveman, OF Adam Haseley.He’s Outta Here: LHP Carlos Rodón, 2B César Hernández, OF Brian Goodwin, OF Billy Hamilton, RHP Ryan Tepera.Top Hitters: SS Tim Anderson (.309, 17 HRs, 61 RBIs, .807 OPS), 1B José Abreu (.261, 30, 117, .832), CF Luis Robert (.338, 13, 43, .945 in 68 games), OF Eloy Jiménez (.249, 10, 37 in 55 games).Projected Rotation: RH Lucas Giolito (11-9, 3.53 ERA, 201 Ks), RH Lance Lynn (11-6, 2.69), RH Dylan Cease (13-7, 3.91, 226 Ks), LH Dallas Keuchel (9-9, 5.28), RH Michael Kopech (4-3, 3.50 in 44 games, 4 starts).Key Relievers: RH Liam Hendriks (8-3, 2.54, AL-leading 38/44 saves, 113 Ks in 71 IP), RH Craig Kimbrel (2-3, 0.49, 23/25 saves with Cubs; 2-2, 5.09, 1/4 saves with White Sox), RH Joe Kelly (2-0, 2.86 with Dodgers), RH Kendall Graveman (5-1, 1.77, 10 saves with Seattle and Houston), RH Reynaldo López (4-4, 3.43 in 20 games, 9 starts), LH Aaron Bummer (5-5, 3.51), LH Garrett Crochet (3-5, 2.82).Outlook: The White Sox, runaway winners of the AL Central last season, are coming off back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in franchise history. They failed to advance both times, losing to Houston in four games in the Division Series after getting knocked out by Oakland in the first round in 2020. Now, they’re looking for more. With Anderson and Abreu leading a loaded lineup and Giolito and Lynn anchoring a solid pitching staff, the White Sox have their sights set high. They’re banking largely on staying healthy and improving from within after a surprisingly quiet offseason. Robert and Jiménez both missed big chunks of last season because of injuries. Kopech, who missed the 2019 season following Tommy John surgery and opted out in 2020, is moving from the bullpen to the rotation. Harrison, a two-time All-Star, figures to play second base with Leury Garcia remaining in a utility role. He has also played third, shortstop and each outfield spot in his 11 seasons. Kimbrel is a candidate to be dealt after he struggled following the trade across town from the Cubs.CLEVELAND GUARDIANS2021: 80-82, second place.Manager: Terry Francona (10th season).Opening Day: April 7 at Kansas City.He’s Here: C Luke Maile, RHP Ian Gibaut, RHP Jake Jewell.He’s Outta Here: C Roberto Pérez, 1B Jake Bauers, RHP Nick Wittgren.Top Hitters: 3B José Ramírez (.266, 36 HRs, 103 RBIs, 27 SBs, .893 OPS), SS Amed Rosario (.282, 11, 57), DH Franmil Reyes (.254, 30, 85 in 115 games).Projected Rotation: RH Shane Bieber (7-4, 3.17 ERA in 16 starts), RH Aaron Civale (12-5, 3.84, 31 walks in 124 1/3 IP), RH Zach Plesac (10-6, 4.67), RH Triston McKenzie (5-9, 4.95, 136 Ks in 120 IP), RH Cal Quantrill (8-3, 2.89; 7-1 in second half).Key Relievers: RH Emmanuel Clase (4-5, 1.29 ERA, 24 saves), RH James Karinchak (7-4, 4.07, 11 saves), RH Bryan Shaw (6-7, 3.49, MLB-high 81 games), LH Sam Hentges (1-4, 6.68 in 30 games).Outlook: New name, some familiar problems. No longer Cleveland’s Indians, the Guardians head into the 2022 season with low expectations and one of baseball’s lowest payrolls (about $51 million). After being sidelined by serious health issues the past two seasons, Francona returns for his 10th year with the club, which has stayed competitive despite limited spending. Francona will again lean on a strong rotation led by Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner who was sidelined for three months in 2021 by a shoulder strain. The bullpen lacks depth, but Clase has the chance to be a top-flight closer. Cleveland’s most pressing needs are in the corner outfield spots and finding run production from an offense that struggled to score last season and hasn’t been upgraded. One of baseball’s best all-around players, Ramírez needs protection, and a healthy Reyes will help. But the Guardians don’t appear to have enough to contend with the White Sox.DETROIT TIGERS2021: 77-85, third place.Manager: A.J. Hinch (second season).Opening Day: April 8 vs. Chicago White Sox.He’s Here: SS Javier Baez, LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, C Tucker Barnhart, LHP Andrew Chafin, RHP Michael Pineda.He’s Outta Here: LHP Matthew Boyd, INF/OF Niko Goodrum, OF Jacoby Jones, LHP Daniel Norris, RHP Jose Urena.Top hitters: DH/1B Miguel Cabrera (.256, 15 HRs, 75 RBIs, .701 OPS), SS Javier Baez (.265, 31, 87, .813 OPS with Cubs and Mets), 3B Jeimer Candelario (.271, 16, 67, .795 OPS), 2B Jonathan Schoop (.278, 22, 84, .755 OPS).Projected Rotation: LH Eduardo Rodriguez (13-8, 4.74 ERA with Boston), RH Casey Mize (7-9, 3.71), LH Tarik Skubal (8-12, 4.34), RH Matt Manning (4-7, 5.80), LH Tyler Alexander (2-4, 3.81).Key Relievers: LH Gregory Soto (6-3, 3.39 ERA, 18 saves), RH Michael Fulmer (5-6, 2.97, 14 saves).Outlook: For the first time since signing Cabrera to a long-term contract in 2014, the Tigers were serious spenders over the winter, signing Rodriguez, Baez and Chafin and trading for Barnhart. Consequently, after five straight losing seasons, they consider themselves viable contenders in the expanded playoff format. Touted rookies Riley Greene in center field and Spencer Torkelson at first base were given serious chances to make the opening day roster. Last year’s top rookie, outfielder Akil Baddoo, was installed as the leadoff hitter. Except for Rodriguez, the rest of the rotation is homegrown and has a combined 116 big league starts. Pineda and Wily Peralta were signed late in the spring as rotation insurance, but visa issues delayed their arrivals to camp.KANSAS CITY ROYALS2021: 74-88, fourth place.Manager: Mike Matheny (third season).Opening Day: April 7 vs Cleveland.He’s Here: RHP Zack Greinke, SS Bobby Witt Jr., LHP Amir Garrett, RHP Brad Peacock.He’s Outta Here: 2B Hanser Alberto, LHP Mike Minor, 1B Ryan McBroom, SS Lucius Fox.Top Hitters: C Salvador Perez (.273, 48 HRs, 121 RBIs), RF Whit Merrifield (.277, 10, 74, 40 SBs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.276, 17, 73), 1B Carlos Santana (.214, 19, 69).Projected Rotation: RH Zack Greinke (11-6, 4.16 ERA with Houston), RH Brad Keller (8-12, 5.05), RH Brady Singer (5-10, 4.91), LH Kris Bubic (6-7, 4.43), RH Carlos Hernandez (6-2, 3.68), LH Daniel Lynch (4-6, 5.69).Key Relievers: RH Scott Barlow (5-3, 2.42 ERA, 16 saves), RH Josh Staumont (4-3, 2.88), LH Amir Garrett (0-4, 6.04 with Cincinnati), LH Jake Brentz (5-2, 3.66), RH Domingo Tapia (4-1, 2.84), LH Gabe Speier (0-0, 1.17).Outlook: The Royals this season are a collision of the past, present and future. The past would be Greinke, their 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner who was traded to Milwaukee so many years ago and then chased riches elsewhere before returning to Kansas City this season. The present consists of Singer, Bubic, Lynch and the rest of the young rotation, which moved through the minors together and took their first big league lumps together, too. And the future lies in Witt, rated baseball’s No. 1 prospect. He batted a combined .290 with 33 homers, 97 RBIs and 29 stolen bases at Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha last season. Throw in the return of a healthy Adalberto Mondesi at shortstop and the Royals could have an exciting lineup. And if those young pitchers can learn a thing or two from Greinke, the club could make a big jump from 74 wins.MINNESOTA TWINS2021: 73-89, fifth place.Manager: Rocco Baldelli (fourth season).Opening Day: April 7 vs. Seattle.He’s Here: SS Carlos Correa, RHP Sonny Gray, C Gary Sánchez, 3B Gio Urshela, RHP Dylan Bundy, RHP Chris Archer, RHP Joe Smith.He’s Outta Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, DH Nelson Cruz, C Mitch Garver, RHP Michael Pineda, RHP Alex Colomé, SS Andrelton Simmons, INF Willians Astudillo.Top Hitters: SS Carlos Correa (.279, 26 HRs, 92 RBIs, 104 runs, .850 OPS for Houston), CF Byron Buxton (.306, 19, 32, 50 runs, 23 doubles, 1.005 OPS in 61 games), 2B Jorge Polanco (.269, 33, 98, 97 runs, .826 OPS), 1B Miguel Sanó (.223, 30, 75, 183 Ks, .778 OPS).Projected Rotation: RH Sonny Gray (7-9, 4.19 ERA in 26 starts for Cincinnati), RH Joe Ryan (2-1, 4.05 in 5 starts), RH Bailey Ober (3-3, 4.19 in 20 starts), RH Dylan Bundy (2-9, 6.06 in 90 2/3 IP for Angels), RH Chris Archer (1-1, 4.66 in 6 games, 5 starts, for Rays).Key Relievers: LH Taylor Rogers (2-4, 3.35 ERA, 9/13 saves, 59 Ks in 40 1/3 IP), RH Tyler Duffey (3-3, 3.18 in 62 1/3 IP), LH Caleb Thielbar (7-0, 3.23, 77 Ks in 64 IP).Outlook: Correa’s unexpected and heralded arrival trigged a significant shift in outlook for a team that was one of baseball’s biggest disappointments in 2021 on the way to Minnesota’s first last-place finish in five years. Not only is Correa an elite shortstop in his prime who can solidify the up-the-middle defense and the heart of the batting order, but he has played in 79 postseason games over seven years in the majors, including three World Series. Even after trading away Donaldson and Garver and letting Cruz leave as a free agent, integrating Correa and Sánchez into an already powerful lineup ought to ensure the Twins will be again among the league leaders in offense. The rotation remains the biggest question mark. With Kenta Maeda likely to miss the entire season recovering from elbow surgery, Ryan and Ober will be asked to make further strides after promising debuts in 2021. Gray’s acquisition was a big help, but Bundy is a reclamation project and Archer, a two-time All-Star, has logged fewer than 20 innings over the last two years due to injuries. Rogers also must bounce back from a sprained middle finger and re-establish himself as a reliable closer.

American League Central Preview Capsules

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Great Kansas Comeback, as it will forever be known in the history books, is about more than just one stifling, scintillating 20-minute stretch of Jayhawks basketball.

The championship KU captured Monday night traced its roots back to 2020, when the Jayhawks were a team that looked very much on track for the program’s fourth national title.

Instead, it was KU’s come-from-behind 72-69 victory over North Carolina on Monday that brought that fourth championship banner back to Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks insisted they’d share it with the 2020 team, too.

“It’s partially won for them,” said coach Bill Self, who has led Kansas to two of its four titles. “Because I always thought the 2020 team was better, more equipped to do well in the NCAA Tournament.”

Led by Devon Dotson and first-round NBA pick Udoka Azubuike, that 2020 team was, in fact, a team built for a championship. It was headed for a top seeding and the odds-on favorite to win it all.

It was a team that never got its chance after the COVID-19 pandemic hit and wiped away the season.

Most of the key players in Monday’s title game — David McCormack (15 points), Ochai Agbaji (12), Christian Braun (12) and Jalen Wilson (15) — were on that team, too. The players who remained formed a poised, veteran group that came into the game with a mind-boggling 973 games of college experience.

If any group was built to not lose its composure when things turned bad, this group might have been it. But, boy, things sure looked bleak for the Jayhawks as the first half wound down.

Led by a dominating inside game by Armando Bacot and an 18-2 advantage in second-chance points, the Tar Heels ran off 16 straight points to take a 16-point lead. Kansas looked stuck in cement.

Self used the long halftime break to calm things down and breathe some fire into his players. He tweaked the defense, getting DaJuan Harris Jr. to apply more pressure early to UNC ballhandler R.J. Davis. Kansas clogged up passing lanes, forced the Tar Heels into rushed shots and boxed out.

That led to more running and more fast-break points (8) and turned a 16-point deficit into a six-point lead with 10 minutes left. When it was over, Kansas held on and completed the biggest comeback in title game history, surpassing Loyola Chicago’s 15-point rally against Cincinnati in 1963.

“With the group of guys as experienced as this and been around and know each other so well, it’s kind of hard to see us get rattled,” said Kansas forward Mitch Lightfoot, who is in his sixth year of college. “Coach had a great message for us, and he challenged us to be better and to have more pride.”

COVID-19 hurt Kansas last season, too. Some players fell ill right as tournament time approached. The Jayhawks went into Indianapolis as a No. 3 seed but left after only two games — the second of those a humbling 34-point blowout loss to USC.

They added Remy Martin, a transfer from Arizona State, but the rest of the group stayed the same. Martin turned into a key sixth man for the Jayhawks. On Monday, he found his shooting touch and scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half.

“They’ve always kept me going, and they always gave me confidence,” said Martin, who struggled with injuries early in the year. “And I couldn’t ask for a better group.”

The other guys, Self said, simply improved as the season went on.

Agbaji adds Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four to his All-America title. McCormack played toe to toe with North Carolina’s double-double machine, Bacot. The Kansas big man backed in to make a bucket for a 70-69 lead with 1:22 left. On the ensuing possession, Bacot hurt his ankle. That opened it up for McCormack to seal the game with another close-range shot, this one over the less-sturdy Carolina defender, Brady Manek.

“Coach called the play and said we’re going to throw it inside and we have trust in you and faith in you to deliver and get us a basket,” McCormack said. “I just prevailed, I made the basket happen. I appreciate them for allowing me to have that opportunity.”

The victory won’t completely erase trouble that could be brewing back in Lawrence. There’s an NCAA investigation hovering over this program, and the potential for serious penalties did not make this Kansas run any easier.

This fourth national title will not have any single player’s name stamped on it, the way the ‘88 championship belongs to Danny Manning and the Miracles or the way ’08 was a product of Mario Chalmers’ late, game-tying 3.

This one, Self insisted, was more of a group effort.

This group of Jayhawks wants to share it with Azubuike, who is in the NBA, and Dotson, who was on hand at the Superdome to watch Kansas pull out the win.

“To win when your team had to fight and come back the way they did and show that much grit makes this one off the charts,” Self said.

He could’ve been talking about the last three seasons as well.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Great Kansas Comeback, as it will forever be known in the history books, is about more than just one stifling, scintillating 20-minute stretch of Jayhawks basketball.The championship KU captured Monday night traced its roots back to 2020, when the Jayhawks were a team that looked very much on track for the program’s fourth national title.Instead, it was KU’s come-from-behind 72-69 victory over North Carolina on Monday that brought that fourth championship banner back to Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks insisted they’d share it with the 2020 team, too.“It’s partially won for them,” said coach Bill Self, who has led Kansas to two of its four titles. “Because I always thought the 2020 team was better, more equipped to do well in the NCAA Tournament.”Led by Devon Dotson and first-round NBA pick Udoka Azubuike, that 2020 team was, in fact, a team built for a championship. It was headed for a top seeding and the odds-on favorite to win it all.It was a team that never got its chance after the COVID-19 pandemic hit and wiped away the season.Most of the key players in Monday’s title game — David McCormack (15 points), Ochai Agbaji (12), Christian Braun (12) and Jalen Wilson (15) — were on that team, too. The players who remained formed a poised, veteran group that came into the game with a mind-boggling 973 games of college experience.If any group was built to not lose its composure when things turned bad, this group might have been it. But, boy, things sure looked bleak for the Jayhawks as the first half wound down.Led by a dominating inside game by Armando Bacot and an 18-2 advantage in second-chance points, the Tar Heels ran off 16 straight points to take a 16-point lead. Kansas looked stuck in cement.Self used the long halftime break to calm things down and breathe some fire into his players. He tweaked the defense, getting DaJuan Harris Jr. to apply more pressure early to UNC ballhandler R.J. Davis. Kansas clogged up passing lanes, forced the Tar Heels into rushed shots and boxed out.That led to more running and more fast-break points (8) and turned a 16-point deficit into a six-point lead with 10 minutes left. When it was over, Kansas held on and completed the biggest comeback in title game history, surpassing Loyola Chicago’s 15-point rally against Cincinnati in 1963.“With the group of guys as experienced as this and been around and know each other so well, it’s kind of hard to see us get rattled,” said Kansas forward Mitch Lightfoot, who is in his sixth year of college. “Coach had a great message for us, and he challenged us to be better and to have more pride.”COVID-19 hurt Kansas last season, too. Some players fell ill right as tournament time approached. The Jayhawks went into Indianapolis as a No. 3 seed but left after only two games — the second of those a humbling 34-point blowout loss to USC.They added Remy Martin, a transfer from Arizona State, but the rest of the group stayed the same. Martin turned into a key sixth man for the Jayhawks. On Monday, he found his shooting touch and scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half.“They’ve always kept me going, and they always gave me confidence,” said Martin, who struggled with injuries early in the year. “And I couldn’t ask for a better group.”The other guys, Self said, simply improved as the season went on.Agbaji adds Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four to his All-America title. McCormack played toe to toe with North Carolina’s double-double machine, Bacot. The Kansas big man backed in to make a bucket for a 70-69 lead with 1:22 left. On the ensuing possession, Bacot hurt his ankle. That opened it up for McCormack to seal the game with another close-range shot, this one over the less-sturdy Carolina defender, Brady Manek.“Coach called the play and said we’re going to throw it inside and we have trust in you and faith in you to deliver and get us a basket,” McCormack said. “I just prevailed, I made the basket happen. I appreciate them for allowing me to have that opportunity.”And Kansas appreciates him.The victory won’t completely erase trouble that could be brewing back in Lawrence. There’s an NCAA investigation hovering over this program, and the potential for serious penalties did not make this Kansas run any easier.But for now, time to celebrate.This fourth national title will not have any single player’s name stamped on it, the way the ‘88 championship belongs to Danny Manning and the Miracles or the way ’08 was a product of Mario Chalmers’ late, game-tying 3.This one, Self insisted, was more of a group effort.Pretty big group, at that.This group of Jayhawks wants to share it with Azubuike, who is in the NBA, and Dotson, who was on hand at the Superdome to watch Kansas pull out the win.“To win when your team had to fight and come back the way they did and show that much grit makes this one off the charts,” Self said.He was talking about Monday.He could’ve been talking about the last three seasons as well.

Kansas comes back, wins NCAA title 3 years in the making


The Great Bend Lady Panthers made the long trek to Liberal Monday and
came home with an 8-1 loss to the Liberal Redskins.


Liberal bolted to a 6-0 lead at halftime and cruised to the win that
improved their record to 2-3 on the season. The Lady Panthers saw
their two game winning streak come to an end as they dropped to 2-2.


Great Bend is back home Thursday when they host Garden City.

The Great Bend Lady Panthers made the long trek to Liberal Monday and
came home with an 8-1 loss to the Liberal Redskins.
Liberal bolted to a 6-0 lead at halftime and cruised to the win that
improved their record to 2-3 on the season. The Lady Panthers saw
their two game winning streak come to an end as they dropped to 2-2.
Great Bend is back home Thursday when they host Garden City.

Liberal runs past Lady Panthers 8-1

The Barton Community College men's track and field team added five more national qualifiers to its list competing this past weekend in Lubbock at the Masked Rider Open hosted by Texas Tech University

The 5th ranked Cougars posted twelve personal or season bests, highlighted by the pair of golds earned by the relay teams, along with Shakwon Coke taking the long jump title.

The 4x100m tandem of Marcus Purcell, Caleb Boger, Daylin Williams, and Almond Small got Barton's Saturday's track events off to a good start with a season best 40.03 in beating out four teams.

Boger and Small were joined by Telron Bradford Jr., and Elijah Mosley in the day's final 4x400m relay event, beating out six other teams with a time of 3:047.47 to set a new season best.

Coke, along with Anthony Woods, competed in the long jump for the first time of the season in punching their entries for nationals as Coke won the event with a 7.83m jump while Woods placed 5th with a 7.23m mark.

Other national qualifying performances include Small first time outdoors in the 100m to take 5th in 10.37, Boger's 100m season best 10.47 in placing 8th, D. Williams' 9th place 21.27 200m time in his first outdoor try, Bradford in 10th on a personal best 21.29 clocking, and Giovanni Gutierrez adding the discus throw to his national trip placing 9th on a season best 48.04m throw.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649160269662.jpeg" alt="Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>The Barton Community College men's track and field team added five more national qualifiers to its list competing this past weekend in Lubbock at the Masked Rider Open hosted by Texas Tech UniversityThe 5th ranked Cougars posted twelve personal or season bests, highlighted by the pair of golds earned by the relay teams, along with Shakwon Coke taking the long jump title.The 4x100m tandem of Marcus Purcell, Caleb Boger, Daylin Williams, and Almond Small got Barton's Saturday's track events off to a good start with a season best 40.03 in beating out four teams.Boger and Small were joined by Telron Bradford Jr., and Elijah Mosley in the day's final 4x400m relay event, beating out six other teams with a time of 3:047.47 to set a new season best.Coke, along with Anthony Woods, competed in the long jump for the first time of the season in punching their entries for nationals as Coke won the event with a 7.83m jump while Woods placed 5th with a 7.23m mark.Other national qualifying performances include Small first time outdoors in the 100m to take 5th in 10.37, Boger's 100m season best 10.47 in placing 8th, D. Williams' 9th place 21.27 200m time in his first outdoor try, Bradford in 10th on a personal best 21.29 clocking, and Giovanni Gutierrez adding the discus throw to his national trip placing 9th on a season best 48.04m throw.

Relays highlight 5th ranked Barton men's track and field results

The Barton Community College women's track and field team added six more national qualifiers to its list competing this past weekend in Lubbock at the Masked Rider Open hosted by Texas Tech University.

The 2nd ranked Cougars posted nine personal or season bests, highlighted by the pair earned by Jayda Dillon in reaching national qualifying standards placing 3rd in the 100m at 11.70 and a 200m time of 24.21 in placing ninth.

Other new national qualifying performances included Kayan Green in the 1500m with a season best 4:59.52, Nia Robinson winning the long jump on a season best 6.21m mark, Jada Sewell's 7th place season best 40.59m discus mark, and Ariana Rodriguez joining Sewell and Efe Latham as Cougars entries in the hammer throw on a personal best 45.39m mark.

Barton stays in state for its next meet traveling to Winfield on Saturday for the Jinx Invite.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649160098289.jpeg" alt="Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>The Barton Community College women's track and field team added six more national qualifiers to its list competing this past weekend in Lubbock at the Masked Rider Open hosted by Texas Tech University.The 2nd ranked Cougars posted nine personal or season bests, highlighted by the pair earned by Jayda Dillon in reaching national qualifying standards placing 3rd in the 100m at 11.70 and a 200m time of 24.21 in placing ninth.Other new national qualifying performances included Kayan Green in the 1500m with a season best 4:59.52, Nia Robinson winning the long jump on a season best 6.21m mark, Jada Sewell's 7th place season best 40.59m discus mark, and Ariana Rodriguez joining Sewell and Efe Latham as Cougars entries in the hammer throw on a personal best 45.39m mark.Barton stays in state for its next meet traveling to Winfield on Saturday for the Jinx Invite.

Barton women's track and field add six to its national qualifiers

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Best. Comeback. Ever. Sounds pretty good next to Rock Chalk, Jayhawk.

What looked like a lost cause turned into one of the sweetest wins ever for Kansas.

The Jayhawks brought their fourth NCAA title back to Allen Fieldhouse on Monday thanks to a second-half flurry that erased a 16-point deficit and eventually overcame North Carolina 72-69 in an epic battle of power programs.

It was the largest comeback in national championship history, surpassing the 1963 title game when Loyola overcame a 15-point deficit to beat Cincinnati at the buzzer, 60-58.

“We just locked in as a family, as a team, and that’s what we do,” said Kansas big man David McCormack, after making last two baskets of the game. “We overcome the odds. We overcome adversity. We’re just built for this.”

McCormack scored the go-ahead bucket from close range with 1:21 left, then another at the 22-second mark to put the Jayhawks ahead by three.

North Carolina missed its final four shots, including Caleb Love’s desperation 3 at the buzzer. His heave came up short after officials ruled that Kansas guard DaJuan Harris Jr., stepped out on an inbounds pass with 4.3 seconds left.

The Tar Heels went scoreless over the final 1:41. They couldn’t find an answer for KU over the final 20 minutes.

“They were penetrating and doing whatever they wanted,” Love said.

After McCormick’s go-ahead bucket, Love drove to the basket but his shot got blocked. North Carolina grabbed an offensive rebound and got the ball to Armando Bacot under the bucket. But he lost his footing and turned it over, then limped off the court, unable to return.

“I thought I really got the angle that I wanted and then I just rolled my ankle,” Bacot said.

That put Brady Manek, not as good a defender, on McCormack, and the Kansas big man backed in Manek for the shot that put the Jayhawks ahead by three.

“When we had to have a basket, we went to Big Dave, and he delivered,” said Kansas coach Bill Self, who has two of the program’s four championships.

McCormack and Jalen Wilson led KU with 15 points each. Christian Braun scored 10 of his 12 in the second half and transfer Remy Martin had 11 of his 14 over the final 20 minutes. The Jayhawks outscored Carolina 47-29 in the second half.

“When we saw our own blood, we didn’t panic and we came out the second half coming in hot,” Self said. “I was thinking at the 14-minute mark, ‘There’s no way these guys can play for 20 minutes defense like this,’ but they did.”

The Tar Heels shot 11 for 40 in the second half.

But it was Kansas that couldn’t buy a basket late in the first half, as Carolina ran over and around the Jayhawks during a 16-0 run. The Tar Heels led 40-25 at the break. Then, top-seeded KU (34-6) started trapping and pressing more, moving the ball around on offense, and Carolina started getting a taste of what everyone else has this season: You can’t stop ’em all.

The Jayhawks went on a 31-10 run to take a six-point lead at the 10-minute mark and set up a fantastic finish.

Bacot had 15 points and 15 rebounds to become the first player to record double-doubles in all six tournament games. He finished the season with 31 double-doubles, but it was not enough. Carolina was trying to join 1985 Villanova as only the second 8 seed to win March Madness.

Instead, the Tar Heels (29-10) fell one win short and dropped to 6-6 all-time in title games. This was their record 21st — and possibly most unlikely — trip to the Final Four. They made it to the final by beating Duke in a back-and-forth thriller and sending Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski into retirement.

“I can’t remember a time in my life where I should be disappointed,” said rookie UNC coach Hubert Davis, who was trying to become the first person to lead a team to a title in his first full year as head coach. “But I am filled with so much pride.”

A great season — but the banner will hang in Lawrence.

And McCormack, thanks to his late-game heroics, will go down in KU lore, along with Mario Chalmers (2008), Danny Manning (and the miracles in 1988) and the rest of the Kansas greats.

This title was three years in the making. KU was 28-3 and the odds-on favorite heading into March of 2020. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and stopped both the Jayhawks, and the season, in their tracks.

Seven players from that roster are on this one, as well. In some of their minds there were no “what-might-have-beens” about 2020 -- they knew they would have won it. They won this one instead, and showed, once again, it’s never good to count them out.

While this wasn’t quite the 47-15 beatdown they put on Miami over the final 20 minutes in the Elite Eight, it was still darn impressive given the circumstances.

Ochai Agbaji, who was named the Final Four’s most outstanding player, finished with 12 points and found breathing room after UNC’s lockdown guard, Leaky Black, got his fourth foul 6 minutes into the second half.

“This is a special group of guys,” Agbaji said. “We’re going down in history. All I got to say is, ‘Rock Chalk, baby.’”

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Best. Comeback. Ever. Sounds pretty good next to Rock Chalk, Jayhawk.What looked like a lost cause turned into one of the sweetest wins ever for Kansas.The Jayhawks brought their fourth NCAA title back to Allen Fieldhouse on Monday thanks to a second-half flurry that erased a 16-point deficit and eventually overcame North Carolina 72-69 in an epic battle of power programs.It was the largest comeback in national championship history, surpassing the 1963 title game when Loyola overcame a 15-point deficit to beat Cincinnati at the buzzer, 60-58.“We just locked in as a family, as a team, and that’s what we do,” said Kansas big man David McCormack, after making last two baskets of the game. “We overcome the odds. We overcome adversity. We’re just built for this.”McCormack scored the go-ahead bucket from close range with 1:21 left, then another at the 22-second mark to put the Jayhawks ahead by three.North Carolina missed its final four shots, including Caleb Love’s desperation 3 at the buzzer. His heave came up short after officials ruled that Kansas guard DaJuan Harris Jr., stepped out on an inbounds pass with 4.3 seconds left.The Tar Heels went scoreless over the final 1:41. They couldn’t find an answer for KU over the final 20 minutes.“They were penetrating and doing whatever they wanted,” Love said.After McCormick’s go-ahead bucket, Love drove to the basket but his shot got blocked. North Carolina grabbed an offensive rebound and got the ball to Armando Bacot under the bucket. But he lost his footing and turned it over, then limped off the court, unable to return.“I thought I really got the angle that I wanted and then I just rolled my ankle,” Bacot said.That put Brady Manek, not as good a defender, on McCormack, and the Kansas big man backed in Manek for the shot that put the Jayhawks ahead by three.“When we had to have a basket, we went to Big Dave, and he delivered,” said Kansas coach Bill Self, who has two of the program’s four championships.McCormack and Jalen Wilson led KU with 15 points each. Christian Braun scored 10 of his 12 in the second half and transfer Remy Martin had 11 of his 14 over the final 20 minutes. The Jayhawks outscored Carolina 47-29 in the second half.“When we saw our own blood, we didn’t panic and we came out the second half coming in hot,” Self said. “I was thinking at the 14-minute mark, ‘There’s no way these guys can play for 20 minutes defense like this,’ but they did.”The Tar Heels shot 11 for 40 in the second half.But it was Kansas that couldn’t buy a basket late in the first half, as Carolina ran over and around the Jayhawks during a 16-0 run. The Tar Heels led 40-25 at the break. Then, top-seeded KU (34-6) started trapping and pressing more, moving the ball around on offense, and Carolina started getting a taste of what everyone else has this season: You can’t stop ’em all.The Jayhawks went on a 31-10 run to take a six-point lead at the 10-minute mark and set up a fantastic finish.Bacot had 15 points and 15 rebounds to become the first player to record double-doubles in all six tournament games. He finished the season with 31 double-doubles, but it was not enough. Carolina was trying to join 1985 Villanova as only the second 8 seed to win March Madness.Instead, the Tar Heels (29-10) fell one win short and dropped to 6-6 all-time in title games. This was their record 21st — and possibly most unlikely — trip to the Final Four. They made it to the final by beating Duke in a back-and-forth thriller and sending Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski into retirement.“I can’t remember a time in my life where I should be disappointed,” said rookie UNC coach Hubert Davis, who was trying to become the first person to lead a team to a title in his first full year as head coach. “But I am filled with so much pride.”A great season — but the banner will hang in Lawrence.And McCormack, thanks to his late-game heroics, will go down in KU lore, along with Mario Chalmers (2008), Danny Manning (and the miracles in 1988) and the rest of the Kansas greats.This title was three years in the making. KU was 28-3 and the odds-on favorite heading into March of 2020. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and stopped both the Jayhawks, and the season, in their tracks.Seven players from that roster are on this one, as well. In some of their minds there were no “what-might-have-beens” about 2020 -- they knew they would have won it. They won this one instead, and showed, once again, it’s never good to count them out.While this wasn’t quite the 47-15 beatdown they put on Miami over the final 20 minutes in the Elite Eight, it was still darn impressive given the circumstances.Ochai Agbaji, who was named the Final Four’s most outstanding player, finished with 12 points and found breathing room after UNC’s lockdown guard, Leaky Black, got his fourth foul 6 minutes into the second half.“This is a special group of guys,” Agbaji said. “We’re going down in history. All I got to say is, ‘Rock Chalk, baby.’”

Jayhawks rally, rock North Carolina 72-69 to win NCAA title

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Kansas finished off the biggest comeback in national championship history Monday night, getting a big game from David McCormack, crucial shots from Remy Martin and surviving a potential game-tying 3-pointer by Caleb Love at the buzzer for a 72-69 victory over North Carolina in the Superdome. The senior-laden Jayhawks trailed 40-25 at halftime before rallying to win their fourth national championship, and the second for coach Bill Self, on the same floor where they lost to Kentucky in the national title game a decade ago.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Great Kansas Comeback is about more than just one scintillating, stifling 20-minute stretch of Jayhawks basketball. The championship KU captured Monday night had roots back in 2020, when the Jayhawks were a team that looked headed for the program’s fourth national title. Instead, it was KU’s come-from-behind 72-69 victory over North Carolina on Monday that brought that fourth championship banner back to Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks insisted they’d share it with the 2020 team, too.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Bill Self won his elusive second national title with a masterful second-half coaching job and a spicy dash of Remy Martin. Kansas tightened up defensively to rev up its transition game and Martin provided the spark in a dazzling second half in the Jayhawks' 72-69 win over North Carolina. The Jayhawks started fast and faded even faster to fall into a 15-point hole by halftime. They roared back behind Self’s adjustments, setting a record for biggest comeback in championship game history.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Bill Self went from the Hall of Fame coach who too often failed on the big stage to the brilliant mastermind of the biggest second-half comeback in NCAA title game history. The Jayhawks were blitzed by plucky North Carolina for most of the first 20 minutes and dug a seemingly insurmountable 40-25 hole. But Kansas rallied for a 72-69 victory over the Tar Heels inside the boisterous Superdome. Self managed to calm down his disjointed team in the locker room, then get it back on a script for success. That meant getting the ball inside to David McCormack and into the hands of Remy Martin and making crucial stops in the closing minutes.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — If the nine months that led to Monday night’s national title game proved anything, it’s that college sports are changing. Whoever shapes all these changes will help define whether the next decade in this multibillion-dollar ecosystem of sports, entertainment and education grows into an efficiently run business or devolves into total chaos. The NCAA has struggled with rules regarding paying players, gender equity, the newly relaxed transfer portal, an increasingly cluttered infractions system and, of course, the long-debated “One and Done” rule. The governing body is all but waving the white flag when it comes to figuring all this out, leaving questions as to who, exactly, will decide on the next big steps that college sports need to take.

WACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor and athletic director Mack Rhoades have agreed on a 10-year contract that officials say will allow him to “complete his career” at the Big 12 school. Rhoades joined Baylor in 2016 after Ian McCaw resigned following an investigation that found the school had mishandled allegations of sexual assault. The scandal also led to the firing of football coach Art Briles. The first significant hire for Rhodes was football coach Matt Rhule, who led a turnaround before going to the NFL. Baylor was the first Big 12 school to win regular-season titles in football and men’s and women’s basketball in the same academic year in 2021-22.

UNDATED (AP) — Kentucky forward Keion Brooks Jr. will enter the NBA draft but does not plan on hiring an agent, leaving open the possibility of returning to school. Alabama leading scorer Jaden Shackelford says he plans to enter the NBA draft and sign with an agent. And Syracuse forward Cole Swider will forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the draft.

UNDATED (AP) — Albert Pujols will be in the starting lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates when he begins his final big league season Thursday. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Monday that Pujols will be the designated hitter for his 22nd consecutive opening day start. That matches Hank Aaron and Carl Yastrzemski for second-most behind only Pete Rose, who made 23 straight during his career.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have acquired two first-round picks from the Philadelphia Eagles in a major swap of assets. The Eagles sent picks Nos. 16 and 19 and a sixth-rounder to the Saints for the 18th overall pick, a third-rounder, a seventh-rounder, a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 second-rounder. The move leaves both teams with two firsts later this month.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Commanders are refuting a report that alleged they withheld ticket revenue from visiting teams. The lawyer for a former Washington VP of sales and customer service said her client testified truthfully and accused the NFL club of defamation. Front Office Sports citing sources reported that the House Oversight Committee received information to indicate Washington withheld ticket revenue. The league pools 40% of all ticket revenue for the road team.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648029384872.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Kansas finished off the biggest comeback in national championship history Monday night, getting a big game from David McCormack, crucial shots from Remy Martin and surviving a potential game-tying 3-pointer by Caleb Love at the buzzer for a 72-69 victory over North Carolina in the Superdome. The senior-laden Jayhawks trailed 40-25 at halftime before rallying to win their fourth national championship, and the second for coach Bill Self, on the same floor where they lost to Kentucky in the national title game a decade ago.NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Great Kansas Comeback is about more than just one scintillating, stifling 20-minute stretch of Jayhawks basketball. The championship KU captured Monday night had roots back in 2020, when the Jayhawks were a team that looked headed for the program’s fourth national title. Instead, it was KU’s come-from-behind 72-69 victory over North Carolina on Monday that brought that fourth championship banner back to Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks insisted they’d share it with the 2020 team, too.NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Bill Self won his elusive second national title with a masterful second-half coaching job and a spicy dash of Remy Martin. Kansas tightened up defensively to rev up its transition game and Martin provided the spark in a dazzling second half in the Jayhawks' 72-69 win over North Carolina. The Jayhawks started fast and faded even faster to fall into a 15-point hole by halftime. They roared back behind Self’s adjustments, setting a record for biggest comeback in championship game history.NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Bill Self went from the Hall of Fame coach who too often failed on the big stage to the brilliant mastermind of the biggest second-half comeback in NCAA title game history. The Jayhawks were blitzed by plucky North Carolina for most of the first 20 minutes and dug a seemingly insurmountable 40-25 hole. But Kansas rallied for a 72-69 victory over the Tar Heels inside the boisterous Superdome. Self managed to calm down his disjointed team in the locker room, then get it back on a script for success. That meant getting the ball inside to David McCormack and into the hands of Remy Martin and making crucial stops in the closing minutes.NEW ORLEANS (AP) — If the nine months that led to Monday night’s national title game proved anything, it’s that college sports are changing. Whoever shapes all these changes will help define whether the next decade in this multibillion-dollar ecosystem of sports, entertainment and education grows into an efficiently run business or devolves into total chaos. The NCAA has struggled with rules regarding paying players, gender equity, the newly relaxed transfer portal, an increasingly cluttered infractions system and, of course, the long-debated “One and Done” rule. The governing body is all but waving the white flag when it comes to figuring all this out, leaving questions as to who, exactly, will decide on the next big steps that college sports need to take.WACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor and athletic director Mack Rhoades have agreed on a 10-year contract that officials say will allow him to “complete his career” at the Big 12 school. Rhoades joined Baylor in 2016 after Ian McCaw resigned following an investigation that found the school had mishandled allegations of sexual assault. The scandal also led to the firing of football coach Art Briles. The first significant hire for Rhodes was football coach Matt Rhule, who led a turnaround before going to the NFL. Baylor was the first Big 12 school to win regular-season titles in football and men’s and women’s basketball in the same academic year in 2021-22.UNDATED (AP) — Kentucky forward Keion Brooks Jr. will enter the NBA draft but does not plan on hiring an agent, leaving open the possibility of returning to school. Alabama leading scorer Jaden Shackelford says he plans to enter the NBA draft and sign with an agent. And Syracuse forward Cole Swider will forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the draft.UNDATED (AP) — Albert Pujols will be in the starting lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates when he begins his final big league season Thursday. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Monday that Pujols will be the designated hitter for his 22nd consecutive opening day start. That matches Hank Aaron and Carl Yastrzemski for second-most behind only Pete Rose, who made 23 straight during his career.NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have acquired two first-round picks from the Philadelphia Eagles in a major swap of assets. The Eagles sent picks Nos. 16 and 19 and a sixth-rounder to the Saints for the 18th overall pick, a third-rounder, a seventh-rounder, a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 second-rounder. The move leaves both teams with two firsts later this month.WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Commanders are refuting a report that alleged they withheld ticket revenue from visiting teams. The lawyer for a former Washington VP of sales and customer service said her client testified truthfully and accused the NFL club of defamation. Front Office Sports citing sources reported that the House Oversight Committee received information to indicate Washington withheld ticket revenue. The league pools 40% of all ticket revenue for the road team.MONDAY SCORESTOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALLFinal	(3)Kansas	72	North Carolina	69	NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal OT	Boston	3	Columbus	2	Final	Toronto	6	Tampa Bay	2	Final	St. Louis	5	Arizona	1	Final	Calgary	3	Los Angeles	2

Tuesday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

The Great Bend
Panther Boys Tennis team finished fourth out of eight teams Saturday
as they hosted the Great Bend Inviational.

The Panthers return
to action Tuesday (4/5) when they travel to the Buhler Quad.

#1 Singles - Brendyn Schroeder 4th (3-2)

#2 Singles - Jordan Manning 6th (0-3)

#1 Doubles - Malachi Wasson/Isaiah Smith 3rd (4-1)

#2 Doubles - Roberto Gutierrez/Marcos Castanon 7th (2-3)

The Great Bend
Panther Boys Tennis team finished fourth out of eight teams Saturday
as they hosted the Great Bend Inviational.The Panthers return
to action Tuesday (4/5) when they travel to the Buhler Quad.Great Bend Results#1 Singles - Brendyn Schroeder 4th (3-2)#2 Singles - Jordan Manning 6th (0-3)#1 Doubles - Malachi Wasson/Isaiah Smith 3rd (4-1)#2 Doubles - Roberto Gutierrez/Marcos Castanon 7th (2-3)

Panthers take 4th in Great Bend Invitational

By SKIPPER PATRICK - Associated Press

Two free throws by calm Joe Quigg with six seconds remaining in the third overtime broke up a bitterly contested game and gave the North Carolina Tar Heels a 54-53 victory over Kansas and the NCAA major college basketball championship tonight.

The Tar Heels, extending their one-season record to 32 victories, wiped out a five-point deficit late in regulation play to send the game into the first overtime at 46-all.

The score stood 48-all after the first extra period as each team tallied a field goal and neither was able to count in a wild second overtime, marred by a mild tussle. Both coaches, Dick Harp of Kansas and Frank McGuire of North Carolina, came on the playing floor.

Play was interrupted almost a minute while tournament officials, assisted by policemen, restored order. No blows were exchanged, merely words.

Tommy Kearns, a 5-11 playmaker, opened the final overtime with a field goal from the side court. Kearns followed with two free throws to make it 52-48 for the Tar Heels before All-America Wilt Chamberlain of Kansas hit a short shot and was fouled on the play.

The 7-foot Wilt made his free throw to cut the handicap to 52-51.

Maurice King’s free throw tied the game at 52-52 and with 31 seconds left Gene Elstun scored another charity shot to edge Kansas ahead 53-52.

North Carolina called time out with 28 seconds left and the strategy paid off as King fouled Quigg with six seconds to go. Both of Quigg’s shots swished through the net for the clinching points.

Kansas had a one-shot chance at the basket but the ball hit the rim and bounced away as the final buzzer sounded.

The Tar Heels set some sort of a tournament record in using a total of six overtime sessions to win the championship. The nation’s No. 1 team needed three extra periods to beat Michigan State, 74-70, in the semi-finals last night.

North Carolina lost its great All-America soft shot artist, Lennie Rosenbluth, with 1:45 of the regulation game left when the Tar Heels trailed, 43-44.

Quigg was a clutch man in the drive to dissipate the Jayhawk five-point margin at that stage. He and Kearns teamed to send the game into the first overtime.

Chamberlain, who went all the way, was the leading scorer with 23 points. Rosenbluth had 20.

The flurry of bad feeling in the second overtime developed when Chamberlain and Pete Brennan of North Carolina jockeyed for position under the Kansas basket. Coach Harp said he moved toward the court to try to calm his players.

McGuire, who rushed to the Kansas bench, said he was shoved away by Jack Eskridge, Kansas assistant coach, and the brief but furious rhubarb was on.

Tempers flared briefly again in the third overtime but it ended quickly when Chamberlain and Kearns patted each on the back.

It was a ball-control test between the nation’s two top-ranked teams. North Carolina was rated first and Kansas second in The Associated Press poll at the close of the season.

North Carolina had a torrid shooting percentage of 64.7 the first half and wound up with a game average of 46.7 on 21 goals in 45 shots.

Kansas made 15 of 47 shots for 31.9 per cent. Coach McGuire praised Quigg, especially for retrieving the final rebound.

“He came through when we needed him,” McGuire said. “He has been a fine player for us all season.

“Our plans for the game went as we expected them, with a collapsing defense against Kansas’ great player, Chamberlain. We thought it worked very well.

“We feel very fortunate, and all I have to say is that all of our boys kept their poise even when in deep trouble. It was really remarkable that we won, with Lennie Rosenbluth on the bench, since he was our key man all season.”

Harp had this to say, “I think North Carolina is the No. 1 team in the nation. They had every chance to win and we had every chance to win and it took three overtimes to settle it.

’Nobody has played us that tough on the boards. Not only were they tough on the boards, but when we did get the ball they harassed us so much we couldn’t do much with it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649073713810.jpeg" alt="KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Associated Press is republishing verbatim the story of the North Carolina-Kansas NCAA men’s basketball championship game, as it was sent to the wire on the night of March 23, 1957." />
 <figcaption>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Associated Press is republishing verbatim the story of the North Carolina-Kansas NCAA men’s basketball championship game, as it was sent to the wire on the night of March 23, 1957.</figcaption>
 </figure>By SKIPPER PATRICK - Associated PressTwo free throws by calm Joe Quigg with six seconds remaining in the third overtime broke up a bitterly contested game and gave the North Carolina Tar Heels a 54-53 victory over Kansas and the NCAA major college basketball championship tonight.The Tar Heels, extending their one-season record to 32 victories, wiped out a five-point deficit late in regulation play to send the game into the first overtime at 46-all.The score stood 48-all after the first extra period as each team tallied a field goal and neither was able to count in a wild second overtime, marred by a mild tussle. Both coaches, Dick Harp of Kansas and Frank McGuire of North Carolina, came on the playing floor.Play was interrupted almost a minute while tournament officials, assisted by policemen, restored order. No blows were exchanged, merely words.Tommy Kearns, a 5-11 playmaker, opened the final overtime with a field goal from the side court. Kearns followed with two free throws to make it 52-48 for the Tar Heels before All-America Wilt Chamberlain of Kansas hit a short shot and was fouled on the play.The 7-foot Wilt made his free throw to cut the handicap to 52-51.Maurice King’s free throw tied the game at 52-52 and with 31 seconds left Gene Elstun scored another charity shot to edge Kansas ahead 53-52.North Carolina called time out with 28 seconds left and the strategy paid off as King fouled Quigg with six seconds to go. Both of Quigg’s shots swished through the net for the clinching points.Kansas had a one-shot chance at the basket but the ball hit the rim and bounced away as the final buzzer sounded.The Tar Heels set some sort of a tournament record in using a total of six overtime sessions to win the championship. The nation’s No. 1 team needed three extra periods to beat Michigan State, 74-70, in the semi-finals last night.North Carolina lost its great All-America soft shot artist, Lennie Rosenbluth, with 1:45 of the regulation game left when the Tar Heels trailed, 43-44.Quigg was a clutch man in the drive to dissipate the Jayhawk five-point margin at that stage. He and Kearns teamed to send the game into the first overtime.Chamberlain, who went all the way, was the leading scorer with 23 points. Rosenbluth had 20.The flurry of bad feeling in the second overtime developed when Chamberlain and Pete Brennan of North Carolina jockeyed for position under the Kansas basket. Coach Harp said he moved toward the court to try to calm his players.McGuire, who rushed to the Kansas bench, said he was shoved away by Jack Eskridge, Kansas assistant coach, and the brief but furious rhubarb was on.Tempers flared briefly again in the third overtime but it ended quickly when Chamberlain and Kearns patted each on the back.It was a ball-control test between the nation’s two top-ranked teams. North Carolina was rated first and Kansas second in The Associated Press poll at the close of the season.North Carolina had a torrid shooting percentage of 64.7 the first half and wound up with a game average of 46.7 on 21 goals in 45 shots.Kansas made 15 of 47 shots for 31.9 per cent. Coach McGuire praised Quigg, especially for retrieving the final rebound.“He came through when we needed him,” McGuire said. “He has been a fine player for us all season.“Our plans for the game went as we expected them, with a collapsing defense against Kansas’ great player, Chamberlain. We thought it worked very well.“We feel very fortunate, and all I have to say is that all of our boys kept their poise even when in deep trouble. It was really remarkable that we won, with Lennie Rosenbluth on the bench, since he was our key man all season.”Harp had this to say, “I think North Carolina is the No. 1 team in the nation. They had every chance to win and we had every chance to win and it took three overtimes to settle it.’Nobody has played us that tough on the boards. Not only were they tough on the boards, but when we did get the ball they harassed us so much we couldn’t do much with it.”

AP Was There: UNC tops Kansas for 1957 title in 3 OT, 54-53

All phases of the game were in sync Saturday at Cougar Field as the Barton Community College softball team took care of Seward County Community College in a doubleheader conference sweep.

Anchored by a combined nineteen strikeouts between hurlers&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/sball/2021-22/bios/beers_kayla_5dvu" target="_blank">Kayla Beers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/sball/2021-22/bios/morgan_jessica_5jpd" target="_blank">Jessica Morgan</a>, the Cougars were defensively solid while offensively connecting on twelve extra base hits including eight homeruns to take the opener 10-0 in six innings before capping the twin bill with a 9-2 victory.

Barton improves 12-8 and 18-14 overall earning Head Coach Tyler Gunelson's 100th win in his fifth season. Seward County drops to 8-6 in league as their sixth straight loss drops the Saints to 17-13 overall.

The Cougars have a pair of road conference doubleheaders next on the schedule beginning with Wednesday's 3:00 p.m. first pitch at Pratt Community College before heading to 19th ranked Hutchinson Community College on Saturday in a 1:00 p.m. start. The Cougars then have a mid-week trip to Colby Community College leaving Barton's next home game slated for Wednesday, April 20th, against 6th ranked Butler Community College.

All phases of the game were in sync Saturday at Cougar Field as the Barton Community College softball team took care of Seward County Community College in a doubleheader conference sweep.Anchored by a combined nineteen strikeouts between hurlers&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/sball/2021-22/bios/beers_kayla_5dvu" target="_blank">Kayla Beers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/sball/2021-22/bios/morgan_jessica_5jpd" target="_blank">Jessica Morgan</a>, the Cougars were defensively solid while offensively connecting on twelve extra base hits including eight homeruns to take the opener 10-0 in six innings before capping the twin bill with a 9-2 victory.Barton improves 12-8 and 18-14 overall earning Head Coach Tyler Gunelson's 100th win in his fifth season. Seward County drops to 8-6 in league as their sixth straight loss drops the Saints to 17-13 overall.The Cougars have a pair of road conference doubleheaders next on the schedule beginning with Wednesday's 3:00 p.m. first pitch at Pratt Community College before heading to 19th ranked Hutchinson Community College on Saturday in a 1:00 p.m. start. The Cougars then have a mid-week trip to Colby Community College leaving Barton's next home game slated for Wednesday, April 20th, against 6th ranked Butler Community College.Barton Athletics

Barton Softball sweeps Seward County

By Brandon Smith - Barton Athletics

Dryden Howse provided the key knock on Saturday delivering a walk-off double in the bottom of the seventh inning to lead the Barton Community College baseball team to a come from behind 5-4 victory over Garden City Community College in the opener at Lawson-Biggs Field.

Jordan Ellison supplied the knockout blow in the nightcap blasting his second grand slam of the season in the eighth to defeat Garden City 12-5 in the series finale, sweeping the four game weekend set.

Claiming their third weekend series victory through four conference tussle's, the Cougars sit a game back of Colby Community College in the KJCCC West standings at 12-4 improving their overall mark to 22-9 while the Broncbusters suffer their second conference series defeat dropping to 3-9 in league play and falling to 10-22-1 on the season.

Barton's next action comes Tuesday in hosting a 5:00 p.m. non-conference nine-inning affair against the Larks of Hesston College before beginning a key conference series in welcoming in the Blue Dragons of Hutchinson Community College on Thursday with the backend shifting to Hutchinson's Hobart-Detter Stadium on Saturday.

By Brandon Smith - Barton AthleticsDryden Howse provided the key knock on Saturday delivering a walk-off double in the bottom of the seventh inning to lead the Barton Community College baseball team to a come from behind 5-4 victory over Garden City Community College in the opener at Lawson-Biggs Field.Jordan Ellison supplied the knockout blow in the nightcap blasting his second grand slam of the season in the eighth to defeat Garden City 12-5 in the series finale, sweeping the four game weekend set.Claiming their third weekend series victory through four conference tussle's, the Cougars sit a game back of Colby Community College in the KJCCC West standings at 12-4 improving their overall mark to 22-9 while the Broncbusters suffer their second conference series defeat dropping to 3-9 in league play and falling to 10-22-1 on the season.Barton's next action comes Tuesday in hosting a 5:00 p.m. non-conference nine-inning affair against the Larks of Hesston College before beginning a key conference series in welcoming in the Blue Dragons of Hutchinson Community College on Thursday with the backend shifting to Hutchinson's Hobart-Detter Stadium on Saturday.

Howse walk-off fuels Barton Baseball to weekend sweep of Garden City

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Big (blue) Easy has one more bit of bedazzling in store.

North Carolina and Kansas, basketball blue blood running deep in their veins, are headed to the national championship game.

The Tar Heels got there by spoiling Mike Krzyzewski’s fairytale ending with a gritty performance in an historic rivalry game. Kansas put coach Bill Self in position to win the second title he’s waited so long for with a 3-point barrage against another national powerhouse.

The first course was delightful. The main could be extraordinary.

“You come to Kansas for big games, but you don’t come to Kansas to play in the Elite Eight,” said Jayhawks guard Christian Braun, who had 10 points against Villanova. “You don’t come to Kansas to play in the Final Four. You come to play for a championship.”

The Tar Heels (29-9), third on the wins list and the all-time leader with 21 Final Four appearances, pulled out a back-and-forth 81-77 victory over Duke to end Coach K’s 47-year career with a loss to his biggest rival. The Jayhawks (33-6) have more wins than any Division I team in history, up to 2,356 after beating Villanova 81-65 in the first national semifinal Saturday night.

They’ll meet Monday night in the Big Easy with a chance to add to their storied legacies. North Carolina will be playing for its seventh national championship. Kansas is looking for No. 4.

“I felt like over the last two or three years, North Carolina wasn’t relevant,” Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis said. “North Carolina should never be irrelevant.”

The Tar Heels got their first season under Davis off to a shaky start, looking as though they weren’t even going to make the bracket. North Carolina found the right gear at the right time, though, rolling into the biggest game in Tobacco Road rivalry history.

North Carolina saved its best for next-to-last, taking down the Blue Devils in their first NCAA Tournament meeting in 258 all-time games. Caleb Love continued his star turn, hitting a key 3-pointer down the stretch and scoring 28 points in a game that featured 18 lead changes and 12 ties.

Kansas and North Carolina will meet in the championship game for the first time since 1957, a triple-overtime classic won by the Tar Heels 54-53 over Wilt Chamberlain and the Jayhawks.

Now, the Tar Heels get a chance to add yet another title to the one they won under Roy Williams in 2017.

“I don’t know if it was belief or it was just us being delusional. I mean, at every point of the season we knew if we came together as a team that we could get to the championship,” said North Carolina big man Armando Bacot, who had 11 points and 21 rebounds despite spraining his right ankle in the second half. “And that’s what we did.”

The Jayhawks won the 2008 title in Self’s fifth season in Lawrence, but it’s been a lot of deep title-less runs since: a loss in the championship game, another in the Final Four, five other trips to at least the Sweet 16.

The 2019-20 Jayhawks may have been Self’s best team, but they never got a chance to prove it when the pandemic wiped out the NCAA Tournament.

This year’s version does not have quite the same wow factor, but was one of the most efficient offensive teams in the country.

The Jayhawks flexed their inside-out game to near perfection in the national semifinals against Villanova.

David McCormack bulled his way to 25 points and led an inside game that outscored the Wildcats by 16 in the paint. Ochai Agbaji keyed the 3-point barrage, hitting 6 of 7 to score 21 points. Kansas went 13 for 24 from behind the arc, nearly doubling its 3-point shooting percentage during the regular season.

“Even after this game, even after last weekend, the weekend before that — everyone’s attitude was, on to the next one,” Agbaji said. “And not looking too far ahead at what’s going on Monday.”

It will be unforgettable for one team and, possibly, everyone else, too.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649008309441.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Big (blue) Easy has one more bit of bedazzling in store.North Carolina and Kansas, basketball blue blood running deep in their veins, are headed to the national championship game.The Tar Heels got there by spoiling Mike Krzyzewski’s fairytale ending with a gritty performance in an historic rivalry game. Kansas put coach Bill Self in position to win the second title he’s waited so long for with a 3-point barrage against another national powerhouse.The first course was delightful. The main could be extraordinary.“You come to Kansas for big games, but you don’t come to Kansas to play in the Elite Eight,” said Jayhawks guard Christian Braun, who had 10 points against Villanova. “You don’t come to Kansas to play in the Final Four. You come to play for a championship.”Same at North Carolina.The Tar Heels (29-9), third on the wins list and the all-time leader with 21 Final Four appearances, pulled out a back-and-forth 81-77 victory over Duke to end Coach K’s 47-year career with a loss to his biggest rival. The Jayhawks (33-6) have more wins than any Division I team in history, up to 2,356 after beating Villanova 81-65 in the first national semifinal Saturday night.They’ll meet Monday night in the Big Easy with a chance to add to their storied legacies. North Carolina will be playing for its seventh national championship. Kansas is looking for No. 4.“I felt like over the last two or three years, North Carolina wasn’t relevant,” Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis said. “North Carolina should never be irrelevant.”The Tar Heels got their first season under Davis off to a shaky start, looking as though they weren’t even going to make the bracket. North Carolina found the right gear at the right time, though, rolling into the biggest game in Tobacco Road rivalry history.North Carolina saved its best for next-to-last, taking down the Blue Devils in their first NCAA Tournament meeting in 258 all-time games. Caleb Love continued his star turn, hitting a key 3-pointer down the stretch and scoring 28 points in a game that featured 18 lead changes and 12 ties.Kansas and North Carolina will meet in the championship game for the first time since 1957, a triple-overtime classic won by the Tar Heels 54-53 over Wilt Chamberlain and the Jayhawks.Now, the Tar Heels get a chance to add yet another title to the one they won under Roy Williams in 2017.“I don’t know if it was belief or it was just us being delusional. I mean, at every point of the season we knew if we came together as a team that we could get to the championship,” said North Carolina big man Armando Bacot, who had 11 points and 21 rebounds despite spraining his right ankle in the second half. “And that’s what we did.”The Jayhawks won the 2008 title in Self’s fifth season in Lawrence, but it’s been a lot of deep title-less runs since: a loss in the championship game, another in the Final Four, five other trips to at least the Sweet 16.The 2019-20 Jayhawks may have been Self’s best team, but they never got a chance to prove it when the pandemic wiped out the NCAA Tournament.This year’s version does not have quite the same wow factor, but was one of the most efficient offensive teams in the country.The Jayhawks flexed their inside-out game to near perfection in the national semifinals against Villanova.David McCormack bulled his way to 25 points and led an inside game that outscored the Wildcats by 16 in the paint. Ochai Agbaji keyed the 3-point barrage, hitting 6 of 7 to score 21 points. Kansas went 13 for 24 from behind the arc, nearly doubling its 3-point shooting percentage during the regular season.“Even after this game, even after last weekend, the weekend before that — everyone’s attitude was, on to the next one,” Agbaji said. “And not looking too far ahead at what’s going on Monday.”Now they can.It will be unforgettable for one team and, possibly, everyone else, too.

North Carolina to face Kansas in blue blood title game

Baseball (CONF-OVERALL) Barton 12-4&nbsp; 22-9 Colby 9-3&nbsp; 21-8 Cloud County 11-5&nbsp; 26-8 Hutchinson 8-4&nbsp; 18-12 Butler 8-8&nbsp; 18-13 Dodge City 7-9&nbsp; 16-15 Garden City 3-9&nbsp; 10-22 Seward County 4-12&nbsp; 11-26 Pratt 2-10&nbsp; 15-19

Softball (CONF-OVERALL) Butler 13-1&nbsp; 23-1 Hutchinson 16-2&nbsp; 25-5 Barton 12-8&nbsp; 18-14 Seward County 8-6&nbsp; 17-13 Colby 10-8&nbsp; 21-13 Dodge City 8-8&nbsp; 12-16 Garden City 7-11&nbsp; 13-21 Northwest Tech 2-12&nbsp; 2-22 Pratt 0-20&nbsp; 1-23

* Includes Saturday resultsBaseball (CONF-OVERALL) Barton 12-4&nbsp; 22-9 Colby 9-3&nbsp; 21-8 Cloud County 11-5&nbsp; 26-8 Hutchinson 8-4&nbsp; 18-12 Butler 8-8&nbsp; 18-13 Dodge City 7-9&nbsp; 16-15 Garden City 3-9&nbsp; 10-22 Seward County 4-12&nbsp; 11-26 Pratt 2-10&nbsp; 15-19Softball (CONF-OVERALL) Butler 13-1&nbsp; 23-1 Hutchinson 16-2&nbsp; 25-5 Barton 12-8&nbsp; 18-14 Seward County 8-6&nbsp; 17-13 Colby 10-8&nbsp; 21-13 Dodge City 8-8&nbsp; 12-16 Garden City 7-11&nbsp; 13-21 Northwest Tech 2-12&nbsp; 2-22 Pratt 0-20&nbsp; 1-23

Jayhawk West Basetball and Softball standings

The Barton Community College women's golf team finished second in hosting the KJCCC's second meet of the season held the last two days at Lake Barton Golf Course.

Barton and the field battled cool and windy temperatures on Friday with the Cougars shooting a 59-over par 339 to trail 3rd ranked Dodge City Community by six strokes. In a calmer and more ideal conditions for Saturday's final round, the Cougars improved six strokes with a 48-over 328 but the Conquistadors held steady with a three stroke better round to win the event by nine strokes.

Finals scores had the Conquistadors at 98-over 658 (333-325), Barton at 107-over 667, and Fort Scott Community College in third at 191-over 751 (377-374).

Pawinee Sukasem led five Cougars in the top ten of the 23-player field, following an opening round 82 with an 81 to move into a tie for second place at 23-over 163 with Dodge City's Tanika Yadilokwong. The Conquistadors' Thitapha Iamtragul won the meet as the only player breaking 80 in the two rounds, carding a 77 and 76 for a ten stroke margin at 13-over 153.

Mathanee Pandee shared 4th place with the Conquistadors' Alyssa McMillen as both shot 85-81 rounds for a 26-over 166.

The Barton Community College women's golf team finished second in hosting the KJCCC's second meet of the season held the last two days at Lake Barton Golf Course.Barton and the field battled cool and windy temperatures on Friday with the Cougars shooting a 59-over par 339 to trail 3rd ranked Dodge City Community by six strokes. In a calmer and more ideal conditions for Saturday's final round, the Cougars improved six strokes with a 48-over 328 but the Conquistadors held steady with a three stroke better round to win the event by nine strokes.Finals scores had the Conquistadors at 98-over 658 (333-325), Barton at 107-over 667, and Fort Scott Community College in third at 191-over 751 (377-374).Pawinee Sukasem led five Cougars in the top ten of the 23-player field, following an opening round 82 with an 81 to move into a tie for second place at 23-over 163 with Dodge City's Tanika Yadilokwong. The Conquistadors' Thitapha Iamtragul won the meet as the only player breaking 80 in the two rounds, carding a 77 and 76 for a ten stroke margin at 13-over 153.Mathanee Pandee shared 4th place with the Conquistadors' Alyssa McMillen as both shot 85-81 rounds for a 26-over 166.The Cougars grabbed the 6th and 7th spots on the leaderboard, Pornnapa Inmee slipping two spots from Friday's board despite shooting an 83 to improve on her opening round of 85 for a combined 28-over 168. Paulina Villavicencio improved on Friday's 87 card with an 83 for a seventh spot 30-over 170.Matilyn Newman capped the top ten performers in following Friday's 91 score with an 86 for a combined 37-over 177.Sasha Guinsbourg led three Cougar individualists in the field, rising three spots up the board to an 11th place tie stringing 93 and 90 rounds for a 43-over 183. Haleigh Spray left Friday's round in a tie for 10th after a 91 round but fell three spots to 13th with Saturday's 93 for a 44-over 184 total.Making the largest improvement in the two days, Jalyn Turner's opening 103 round was put in the taillights of a seven stroke improvement 96 in moving one spot up the board to 20th at 59-over 199.Barton and the rest of its conference counterparts will next head to Fort Scott's Woodland Hills Golf Course on April 8-9 for the KJCCC Meet No. 3 of the season.