TAMPA. Fla. (AP) — The New York Yankees dropped their ban on beards Friday, 49 years after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner, in a move aimed to improve player recruitment as the team tries to win its first World Series title since 2009.

Current owner Hal Steinbrenner, son of The Boss, announced the change Friday before the team's spring training opener. He called the ban “outdated” and “somewhat unreasonable.”

“This generation, the vast majority of 20, 30s-into-the-40s men in this country have beards,” Steinbrenner said during a news conference, flanked by general manager Brian Cashman. “It is a part of who these younger men are. It’s part of their character. It’s part of their persona. Do I totally relate to that? It’s difficult for me. I’m an older guy who’s never had a beard in his life but it’s a very important thing to them. They feel it defines their character.”

George Steinbrenner announced the facial policy during spring training in 1976, mandating no long hair or beards — mustaches were allowed. Players complied but some pushed boundaries by going unshaven or letting hair fall over their collars.

“My dad was in the military. He believed that a team should look in a disciplined manner," Hal Steinbrenner said. “Very important to my father, but again (for) my father, nothing is more important than winning and that's in the back of my mind.”

Hal Steinbrenner, who succeeded his father as controlling owner in November 2008, said he had considered the issue for a decade and discussed the contemplated change recently with Yankees stars Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole in one-on-one meetings. Steinbrenner then issued a statement Friday morning that “we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward.”

Cashman said CC Sabathia hesitated because of the hair policy before signing with the Yankees ahead of the 2009 season and the agent of a player contemplating a minor league contract this offseason wasn't sure his client would be willing to shave.

Cashman said some current players had told him of the facial hair ban: “It’s not what I want. It’s not my preference, but I will honor the rules of the land.”

As recently as Monday, the Yankees had left reminders on the clubhouse chair of each player to arrive clean shaven the following morning for photo day.

All-Star closer Devin Williams, acquired in an offseason trade from Milwaukee, had hair on his chin for his photo. Williams, eligible for free agency after this season, had a beard when he played for the Brewers.

“The New York Yankees are different,” Cashman said. “This is obviously a special place in baseball history. That logo has a lot of meaning behind it and we want our past and our present players to recognize that, and the future players to recognize that. So ultimately there’s still going to be things that we’re going to hold onto that are important for us, but I think as just Hal said more importantly is always trying to be a championship-caliber franchise and chasing winning.”

Outfielder Alex Verdugo was forced to trim his previously long hair when he was traded to the Yankees ahead of the 2024 season. Clay Holmes and Gleyber Torres arrived at spring training this year with beards after leaving the Yankees.

“It's somewhat surprising just because of how long the rule's been around,” Holmes said.

George Steinbrenner, who bought the Yankees in 1973, died in 2010.

“I have nothing against long hair per se,” George Steinbrenner said in 1976, according to The New York Times. “But I’m trying to instill certain sense of order and discipline in the ballclub because I think discipline is important in an athlete.”

TAMPA. Fla. (AP) — The New York Yankees dropped their ban on beards Friday, 49 years after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner, in a move aimed to improve player recruitment as the team tries to win its first World Series title since 2009.Current owner Hal Steinbrenner, son of The Boss, announced the change Friday before the team's spring training opener. He called the ban “outdated” and “somewhat unreasonable.”“This generation, the vast majority of 20, 30s-into-the-40s men in this country have beards,” Steinbrenner said during a news conference, flanked by general manager Brian Cashman. “It is a part of who these younger men are. It’s part of their character. It’s part of their persona. Do I totally relate to that? It’s difficult for me. I’m an older guy who’s never had a beard in his life but it’s a very important thing to them. They feel it defines their character.”George Steinbrenner announced the facial policy during spring training in 1976, mandating no long hair or beards — mustaches were allowed. Players complied but some pushed boundaries by going unshaven or letting hair fall over their collars.“My dad was in the military. He believed that a team should look in a disciplined manner," Hal Steinbrenner said. “Very important to my father, but again (for) my father, nothing is more important than winning and that's in the back of my mind.”Hal Steinbrenner, who succeeded his father as controlling owner in November 2008, said he had considered the issue for a decade and discussed the contemplated change recently with Yankees stars Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole in one-on-one meetings. Steinbrenner then issued a statement Friday morning that “we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward.”Cashman said CC Sabathia hesitated because of the hair policy before signing with the Yankees ahead of the 2009 season and the agent of a player contemplating a minor league contract this offseason wasn't sure his client would be willing to shave.Cashman said some current players had told him of the facial hair ban: “It’s not what I want. It’s not my preference, but I will honor the rules of the land.”As recently as Monday, the Yankees had left reminders on the clubhouse chair of each player to arrive clean shaven the following morning for photo day.All-Star closer Devin Williams, acquired in an offseason trade from Milwaukee, had hair on his chin for his photo. Williams, eligible for free agency after this season, had a beard when he played for the Brewers.“The New York Yankees are different,” Cashman said. “This is obviously a special place in baseball history. That logo has a lot of meaning behind it and we want our past and our present players to recognize that, and the future players to recognize that. So ultimately there’s still going to be things that we’re going to hold onto that are important for us, but I think as just Hal said more importantly is always trying to be a championship-caliber franchise and chasing winning.”Outfielder Alex Verdugo was forced to trim his previously long hair when he was traded to the Yankees ahead of the 2024 season. Clay Holmes and Gleyber Torres arrived at spring training this year with beards after leaving the Yankees.“It's somewhat surprising just because of how long the rule's been around,” Holmes said.George Steinbrenner, who bought the Yankees in 1973, died in 2010.“I have nothing against long hair per se,” George Steinbrenner said in 1976, according to The New York Times. “But I’m trying to instill certain sense of order and discipline in the ballclub because I think discipline is important in an athlete.”

New York Yankees drop ban on beards, 49 years after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner

Kapaun Mount Carmel 75, Wichita Northwest 70

Wichita Trinity 67, Wichita Independent 26

----------------------------------------------------

Bishop Miege 56, St. James Academy 46, OT

Friday AP ScoresFRIDAY BOYS SCORESAbilene 58, Marysville 39Altoona-Midway 73, Chetopa 48Andale 78, El Dorado 48Andover 53, Goddard-Eisenhower 40Andover Central 64, Arkansas City 40Argonia 52, Howard West Elk 49Augusta 73, McPherson 65Axtell 70, Clifton-Clyde 60BV Northwest 50, BV North 37Basehor-Linwood 67, Topeka Seaman 39Baxter Springs 49, Girard 48Berean Academy 43, Wichita Classical 30Blue Valley 63, St. Thomas Aquinas 38Burlingame 64, West Franklin 54Burlington 72, Osawatomie 34Centralia 64, Blue Valley Randolph 52Centre 58, Chase County 35Chanute 49, Coffeyville 46Circle 70, Buhler 68Derby 80, Maize South 67Doniphan West 49, Washington County 37Elyria Christian 53, Halstead 42Emporia 64, Topeka 35Eudora 68, Spring Hill 64Frankfort 50, Linn 45Goessel 51, Hartford 47Great Bend 72, Dodge City 56Hays 57, Garden City 33Hesston 48, Haven 36Highland Park 95, KC Sumner 53Hoisington 60, Larned 43Holcomb 77, Goodland 64Holton 50, Sabetha 48Hoxie 72, Phillipsburg 68Hutchinson 58, Newton 51Junction City 53, Manhattan 47KC Piper 61, De Soto 55KC Wyandotte 87, KC Washington 31Kapaun Mount Carmel 75, Wichita Northwest 70Kingman 65, Belle Plaine 49Lakeside 63, Natoma 27Lansing 76, Leavenworth 61Lawrence Free State 69, Lawrence 49Madison 59, Lyndon 41Maize 79, Wichita Campus 52Maur Hill - Mount Academy 83, McLouth 34Mission Valley 76, Waverly 47Moundridge 57, Remington 31Mulvane 82, Winfield 78Nemaha Central 56, Concordia 47Northern Heights 52, Central Heights 36Olathe Northwest 70, Gardner-Edgerton 53Olathe South 88, Olathe West 80, OTOsage City 74, Lebo 37Oskaloosa 54, Pleasant Ridge 45Oswego 62, Arma-Northeast 43Perry-Lecompton 46, Royal Valley 36Rock Creek 58, Clay Center 49Rossville 63, Riley County 61SM Northwest 75, SM North 44SM South 74, Mill Valley 61Salina Central 59, Goddard 54Salina South 52, Valley Center 46Scott City 60, Cimarron 30Southeast of Saline 62, Lyons 58St Marys 69, Silver Lake 54Troy 69, Horton 63Valley Falls 59, Jackson Heights 52Valley Heights 55, Onaga 23Wabaunsee 71, Herington 48Wamego 67, Chapman 30Washburn Rural 55, Topeka Hayden 42Wellington 74, Rose Hill 45Wellsville 56, Santa Fe Trail 45Wichita Collegiate 75, Clearwater 43Wichita East 64, Wichita South 61Wichita Heights 56, Wichita West 41Wichita Trinity 67, Wichita Independent 26----------------------------------------------------FRIDAY GIRLS SCORESAndale 59, El Dorado 25Andover 73, Goddard-Eisenhower 38Arkansas City 52, Andover Central 32Atchison County 51, Jefferson North 42Augusta 60, McPherson 56BV North 57, BV Northwest 40BV West 41, BV Southwest 38Berean Academy 36, Wichita Classical 27Bishop Miege 56, St. James Academy 46, OTBuhler 72, Circle 49Burlingame 34, West Franklin 28Burlington 56, Osawatomie 16Caney Valley 79, Erie 31Central Heights 39, Northern Heights 36Centralia 60, Blue Valley Randolph 24Chase County 50, Centre 32Clifton-Clyde 54, Axtell 45Columbus 42, Galena 35Conway Springs 41, Medicine Lodge 36Crest 59, Yates Center 29De Soto 60, KC Piper 58Derby 49, Maize South 45Doniphan West 52, Washington County 47Eudora 50, Spring Hill 40Fort Scott 35, Pittsburg 25Gardner-Edgerton 51, Olathe Northwest 44Girard 53, Baxter Springs 12Goessel 41, Hartford 35Goodland 53, Holcomb 42Great Bend 56, Dodge City 42Halstead 41, Elyria Christian 19Hays 63, Garden City 31Hays-TMP-Marian 49, Norton 33Hesston 46, Haven 31Hiawatha 50, Riverside 45Highland Park 57, KC Sumner 38Hillsboro 69, Nickerson 12Hodgeman County 39, South Central 26Holton 55, Sabetha 27Hutchinson 68, Newton 16Jackson Heights 56, Valley Falls 40KC Wyandotte 62, KC Washington 23Kapaun Mount Carmel 77, Wichita Northwest 17Kingman 45, Belle Plaine 38Lakin 66, Deerfield 18Larned 53, Hoisington 31Lawrence 69, Lawrence Free State 39Linn 52, Frankfort 39Madison 50, Lyndon 43Maize 47, Wichita Campus 43, OTManhattan 67, Junction City 28Marion 40, Wichita Central Christian 34Marysville 40, Abilene 30Maur Hill - Mount Academy 45, McLouth 16Mission Valley 49, Waverly 42Moscow 48, Walsh, Colo. 19Mulvane 37, Winfield 20Nemaha Central 57, Concordia 38Olathe North 63, Olathe East 33Olathe South 55, Olathe West 38Osage City 41, Lebo 34Oskaloosa 54, Pleasant Ridge 39Phillipsburg 55, Hoxie 45Rock Creek 54, Clay Center 45Rossville 45, Riley County 38Royal Valley 56, Perry-Lecompton 20SM Northwest 50, SM North 31SM South 36, Mill Valley 26Salina South 38, Valley Center 31Scott City 51, Cimarron 18Shawnee Heights 56, KC Turner 12Silver Lake 60, St Marys 37Southeast of Saline 41, Lyons 27St. Thomas Aquinas 57, Blue Valley 41Syracuse 67, Sublette 23Topeka 45, Emporia 14Topeka Hayden 42, Washburn Rural 33Topeka Seaman 61, Basehor-Linwood 32Troy 61, Horton 43Uniontown 65, Southern Coffey County 10Valley Heights 71, Onaga 30Victoria 58, Ness City 42Wabaunsee 64, Herington 30Wallace County 64, Stanton County 42Wamego 57, Chapman 25Wellington 67, Rose Hill 17Wellsville 48, Santa Fe Trail 34Wichita Bishop Carroll 57, Wichita North 18Wichita East 40, Wichita South 39Wichita Heights 71, Wichita West 9

Friday Statewide Scores

Great Bend Boys 72 Dodge City 56; Great Bend Girls 56 Dodge City 42

Great Bend Sports on B104 3 The Point sponsored by USD #428, Keller Real Estate &amp; Insurance Agency, Equity Bank, The 10th Street Eyecare Center, People's Bank and Trust, Comfort Pro, Delgado's Mexican Restaurant, Great Bend Rec, Edward Jones, Damm Pipe Testing, University of Kansas Health System, The Fieldhouse, Scott's Welding Service, American Plains COOP, Farmer's Bank &amp; Trust, Innovative Livestock Services, Marmie Auto Group, Mpire Realty, Advanced Therapy &amp; Sports Medicine, GB Tarp Company, Freedom Claims Management, Coldwell Banker - Megan Wells, Advanced Truck &amp; Diesel, Nextech, Stone Sand Company/Stone Waste Management, Rosenberg Family Denistry, Sutherlands, Great Bend Redi Mix, Kern Floor Service, Magna Dry Cleaning Services, Shelter Insurance - Chris Ramsey, and Mitchell K Haney and Associates.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673886602159.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend Boys 72 Dodge City 56; Great Bend Girls 56 Dodge City 42<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/iglkcf5w/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Great Bend Sports on B104 3 The Point sponsored by USD #428, Keller Real Estate &amp; Insurance Agency, Equity Bank, The 10th Street Eyecare Center, People's Bank and Trust, Comfort Pro, Delgado's Mexican Restaurant, Great Bend Rec, Edward Jones, Damm Pipe Testing, University of Kansas Health System, The Fieldhouse, Scott's Welding Service, American Plains COOP, Farmer's Bank &amp; Trust, Innovative Livestock Services, Marmie Auto Group, Mpire Realty, Advanced Therapy &amp; Sports Medicine, GB Tarp Company, Freedom Claims Management, Coldwell Banker - Megan Wells, Advanced Truck &amp; Diesel, Nextech, Stone Sand Company/Stone Waste Management, Rosenberg Family Denistry, Sutherlands, Great Bend Redi Mix, Kern Floor Service, Magna Dry Cleaning Services, Shelter Insurance - Chris Ramsey, and Mitchell K Haney and Associates.

Hoisington Boys 60 Larned 43; Larned Girls 53 Hoisington 31

Hoisington Sports on 100.7 Eagle Country sponsored by...USD #431 Hoisington, Ehler Chevrolet, Cardinal Pharmacy, Equity Bank, Donald E Reif Jr. Attorney at Law, Town &amp; Country Supermarket, Superior Essex, First Kansas Bank, Innovative Livestock Services, Mpire Realty Jessy Kirmer/Nikki Henderson, Clara Barton Medical Center, Hoisington Veterinary Hospital, Rosenberg Family Denistry, Hoisington Recreation Commission, Central Chiropractic, Dr. Tyler Schremmer, Bobcat Backhoe Service, and Barton Community College.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581739911992.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Hoisington Boys 60 Larned 43; Larned Girls 53 Hoisington 31<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/4bfzurb3/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Hoisington Sports on 100.7 Eagle Country sponsored by...USD #431 Hoisington, Ehler Chevrolet, Cardinal Pharmacy, Equity Bank, Donald E Reif Jr. Attorney at Law, Town &amp; Country Supermarket, Superior Essex, First Kansas Bank, Innovative Livestock Services, Mpire Realty Jessy Kirmer/Nikki Henderson, Clara Barton Medical Center, Hoisington Veterinary Hospital, Rosenberg Family Denistry, Hoisington Recreation Commission, Central Chiropractic, Dr. Tyler Schremmer, Bobcat Backhoe Service, and Barton Community College.

Larned Sports on Hits 106.9 brought to you in part by USD #495, Beckwith Mortuary, Equity Bank, Smith Dental, Eakin Concrete, Santa Fe Liquor Mart, Farmer's Bank &amp; Trust in Larned, Farm Bureau Financial Services Leigh Anne Seeman, Clock Realty &amp; Insurance, Pawnee Plaza, Innovative Livestock Services, Titan Building Systems, Pawnee County COOP, Progressive Therapy &amp; Sports Medicine, Frick Veterinary, Services, H&amp;H Roofing, Rosenberg Family Dentistry, Fusion Bank, Doerr's Ace Hardware, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, Larned Veterinary Clinic, Heart of Kansas Family Health, Barton Community College, and Off Broadway Boutique.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695238768373.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Hoisington Boys 60 Larned 43; Larned Girls 53 Hoisington 31<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/tousolej/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Larned Sports on Hits 106.9 brought to you in part by USD #495, Beckwith Mortuary, Equity Bank, Smith Dental, Eakin Concrete, Santa Fe Liquor Mart, Farmer's Bank &amp; Trust in Larned, Farm Bureau Financial Services Leigh Anne Seeman, Clock Realty &amp; Insurance, Pawnee Plaza, Innovative Livestock Services, Titan Building Systems, Pawnee County COOP, Progressive Therapy &amp; Sports Medicine, Frick Veterinary, Services, H&amp;H Roofing, Rosenberg Family Dentistry, Fusion Bank, Doerr's Ace Hardware, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, Larned Veterinary Clinic, Heart of Kansas Family Health, Barton Community College, and Off Broadway Boutique.

- Barton basketball coach Jeremy Coombs previews Saturday's trip to Goodland where the Cougars will face off against Fort Hays Tech NW. He'll also look at next week's schedule that include a home game against Colby on Wednesday and a road trip to Independence on Saturday.

- Sunflower Sports Solutions Conor Nicholl looks at all the Friday High School basketball matchups along with Boys Regional wrestling.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693997740304.jpeg" alt="Friday show lineup with host Steve Webster" />
 <figcaption>Friday show lineup with host Steve Webster</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sCnXA5b8gwA?si=FkembkAVLoVKL5JM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>- Barton basketball coach Jeremy Coombs previews Saturday's trip to Goodland where the Cougars will face off against Fort Hays Tech NW. He'll also look at next week's schedule that include a home game against Colby on Wednesday and a road trip to Independence on Saturday.- Sunflower Sports Solutions Conor Nicholl looks at all the Friday High School basketball matchups along with Boys Regional wrestling.- Friday Sports Headlines- Sounds of the past 24-hours

Friday on Sports Day(Watch)

Blue Valley Randolph 67, Valley Heights 53

Hutchinson Central Christian 82, Burrton 19

----------------------------------------------

Valley Heights 56, Blue Valley Randolph 48

Thursday's AP ScoresTHURSDAY BOYS SCORESAxtell 58, Centralia 49Blue Valley Randolph 67, Valley Heights 53Central Plains 52, Canton-Galva 35Chaparral 71, Kingman 39Garden City 69, Dodge City 38Haven 65, Larned 21Hesston 67, Nickerson 29Hutchinson Central Christian 82, Burrton 19Lakin 83, Wichita County 31Logan 62, Lakeside 44Metro Academy 53, Manhattan CHIEF 43Moundridge 66, Hutchinson Trinity 40Otis-Bison 66, Macksville 61Plainville 67, Ellis 61, 2OTRock Creek 75, Chapman 31Rural Vista 61, Goessel 28Scott City 55, Hugoton 45Smith Center 56, Minneapolis 42Spring Hill 63, Paola 46Victoria 60, Kinsley 38Wabaunsee 53, Solomon 41----------------------------------------------THURSDAY GIRLS SCORESCentralia 58, Axtell 46Central Plains 48, Canton-Galva 19Garden City 56, Dodge City 39Haven 49, Larned 35Hesston 79, Nickerson 14Minneapolis 57, Smith Center 49Moundridge 74, Hutchinson Trinity 11Norton 51, Trego 29Rock Creek 58, Chapman 38Scott City 49, Hugoton 38Spring Hill 62, Paola 38Troy 63, Oskaloosa 29Valley Heights 56, Blue Valley Randolph 48Victoria 67, Kinsley 36Wabaunsee 66, Solomon 26Wellington 55, Andale 34Wichita County 56, Lakin 48Wichita Life Prep 71, Highland Park 22

Thursday Statewide Scores

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Xavier Bell scored 24 points as Wichita State beat Florida Atlantic 75-68 on Thursday night.

Bell shot 8 of 19 from the field and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Shockers (16-10, 6-7 American Athletic Conference). Bijan Cortes scored 16 points and added seven assists. Harlond Beverly finished 5 of 7 from the floor to finish with 10 points.

The Owls (15-11, 8-5) were led in scoring by Kaleb Glenn, who finished with 16 points. Ken Evans added 11 points for Florida Atlantic. Tre Carroll finished with 11 points and four steals. The Owls ended a five-game winning streak with the loss.

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Xavier Bell scored 24 points as Wichita State beat Florida Atlantic 75-68 on Thursday night.Bell shot 8 of 19 from the field and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Shockers (16-10, 6-7 American Athletic Conference). Bijan Cortes scored 16 points and added seven assists. Harlond Beverly finished 5 of 7 from the floor to finish with 10 points.The Owls (15-11, 8-5) were led in scoring by Kaleb Glenn, who finished with 16 points. Ken Evans added 11 points for Florida Atlantic. Tre Carroll finished with 11 points and four steals. The Owls ended a five-game winning streak with the loss.

Bell puts up 24, Wichita State takes down Florida Atlantic 75-68

BOSTON (AP) — When they played “O Canada” for the second time, there were no American fans left in the arena to boo.

Instead, the Canadian team stood at the blue line, arm in arm, player and coach, wearing their championship hats while the maple leaf flag was lowered behind the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy and the national anthem reverberated across the Americans' home ice. The fans who remained, many of them in their red Team Canada jerseys, sang along.

Connor McDavid scored at 8:18 of overtime to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the United States on Thursday night as the North American rivals turned what had been a tune-up for the 2026 Olympics into a geopolitical brawl over anthems and annexation as much as international hockey supremacy.

Or, to put it another way: It was the 51st U.S. state 3, Canada’s 11th province 2.

“You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted on X in a cross-border callback to President Donald Trump's chatter about turning one of the United States' closest allies into the 51st state.

”A lot of stuff going on with Canada and the USA right now, and us playing against each other was kind of a perfect storm for our sport," said Nathan MacKinnon, who was selected the MVP of the new tournament with four goals in four games. “It was much more popular than even we would have imagined. It was getting so much attention from our whole continent.”

Jordan Binnington stopped 31 shots — including the last 20 in a row — on the same ice where he helped the St. Louis Blues win the Stanley Cup as a rookie five years ago. MacKinnon and Sam Bennett also scored for Canada, which made it 2-2 in the second period and then played a scoreless third.

After a flurry of saves by Binnington early in the overtime, Canada gained a faceoff in the U.S. zone and Mitch Marner got the puck along the boards before popping it into the center to McDavid for the winner. The Canadians poured over the boards to celebrate, shook hands with the vanquished Americans, and then took turns skating with the never-before-awarded trophy.

“Just to see the reaction. Just to know what it means to us. I know it’s just a quick tournament, and it’s not an Olympic gold medal or anything like that, but it means the world to our group, as you can see,” McDavid said.

“I hope (the new fans) love it,” he said. “It’s a great game, it’s a great sport and I hope we put on a good show these last couple days and gained some fans, ultimately. You can’t ask for a better show than that.”

Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson scored for the Americans, and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 22 shots in regulation and three more in OT. The U.S. has lost all but one game against Canada in best-on-best international play dating to the preliminaries of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics; the lone victory was in the 4 Nations round-robin, a game so good it turned Thursday's sequel into one of the most anticipated international hockey events in decades.

“I think guys that are at home watching this, I’m hoping they’re wanting a piece of it," U.S. forward Dylan Larkin said. "This grew the game really well, but I hope it pushes guys to want a piece of this and then the next generation that got to watch this, they’re going to watch the Olympics next year and hopefully there’s a different outcome.”

The already ripe rivalry between the two North American hockey powers took on an added intensity during the tournament following Trump’s tariff threats and talk of making Canada the 51st U.S. state. Trump called the American team Thursday morning to wish it well, then turned to Truth Social to take a poke at “Governor Trudeau.”

The political backdrop combined with the quality of the round-robin game, which the United States won 3-1 on Saturday, to bring the atmosphere of a Stanley Cup Final or Olympic gold medal game to the TD Garden.

Fans in their team jerseys waved flags, shouted for their countrymen and continued the ritual booing of the opposing national anthem that has become an nightly undercard for a tournament that returned the NHL's stars to the international scene after missing the last two Winter Games.

The pregame hype video was a callback to the 1980 Olympics, when the undermanned U.S. team upset the powerful Soviet machine in the midst of the Cold War. “Miracle on Ice” Olympic hero and honorary U.S. captain Mike Eruzione wore a Johnny Gaudreau jersey to honor the memory of former Boston College and Calgary Flames star who was killed by a drunk driver while bicycling in New Jersey at his sister’s wedding last summer.

The American fans chanted “Johnny Hockey!” to spur their team on, and broke into frequent cheers of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” — just like in Lake Placid.

But this time it was the team in red that came away with the win.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740136950133.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Canada's Connor McDavid (97) celebrates after his game-winning goal against the United States during an overtime period of the 4 Nations Face-Off championship hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Canada's Connor McDavid (97) celebrates after his game-winning goal against the United States during an overtime period of the 4 Nations Face-Off championship hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)</figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — When they played “O Canada” for the second time, there were no American fans left in the arena to boo.Instead, the Canadian team stood at the blue line, arm in arm, player and coach, wearing their championship hats while the maple leaf flag was lowered behind the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy and the national anthem reverberated across the Americans' home ice. The fans who remained, many of them in their red Team Canada jerseys, sang along.Connor McDavid scored at 8:18 of overtime to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the United States on Thursday night as the North American rivals turned what had been a tune-up for the 2026 Olympics into a geopolitical brawl over anthems and annexation as much as international hockey supremacy.Or, to put it another way: It was the 51st U.S. state 3, Canada’s 11th province 2.“You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted on X in a cross-border callback to President Donald Trump's chatter about turning one of the United States' closest allies into the 51st state.”A lot of stuff going on with Canada and the USA right now, and us playing against each other was kind of a perfect storm for our sport," said Nathan MacKinnon, who was selected the MVP of the new tournament with four goals in four games. “It was much more popular than even we would have imagined. It was getting so much attention from our whole continent.”Jordan Binnington stopped 31 shots — including the last 20 in a row — on the same ice where he helped the St. Louis Blues win the Stanley Cup as a rookie five years ago. MacKinnon and Sam Bennett also scored for Canada, which made it 2-2 in the second period and then played a scoreless third.After a flurry of saves by Binnington early in the overtime, Canada gained a faceoff in the U.S. zone and Mitch Marner got the puck along the boards before popping it into the center to McDavid for the winner. The Canadians poured over the boards to celebrate, shook hands with the vanquished Americans, and then took turns skating with the never-before-awarded trophy.“Just to see the reaction. Just to know what it means to us. I know it’s just a quick tournament, and it’s not an Olympic gold medal or anything like that, but it means the world to our group, as you can see,” McDavid said.“I hope (the new fans) love it,” he said. “It’s a great game, it’s a great sport and I hope we put on a good show these last couple days and gained some fans, ultimately. You can’t ask for a better show than that.”Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson scored for the Americans, and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 22 shots in regulation and three more in OT. The U.S. has lost all but one game against Canada in best-on-best international play dating to the preliminaries of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics; the lone victory was in the 4 Nations round-robin, a game so good it turned Thursday's sequel into one of the most anticipated international hockey events in decades.“I think guys that are at home watching this, I’m hoping they’re wanting a piece of it," U.S. forward Dylan Larkin said. "This grew the game really well, but I hope it pushes guys to want a piece of this and then the next generation that got to watch this, they’re going to watch the Olympics next year and hopefully there’s a different outcome.”The already ripe rivalry between the two North American hockey powers took on an added intensity during the tournament following Trump’s tariff threats and talk of making Canada the 51st U.S. state. Trump called the American team Thursday morning to wish it well, then turned to Truth Social to take a poke at “Governor Trudeau.”The political backdrop combined with the quality of the round-robin game, which the United States won 3-1 on Saturday, to bring the atmosphere of a Stanley Cup Final or Olympic gold medal game to the TD Garden.Fans in their team jerseys waved flags, shouted for their countrymen and continued the ritual booing of the opposing national anthem that has become an nightly undercard for a tournament that returned the NHL's stars to the international scene after missing the last two Winter Games.The pregame hype video was a callback to the 1980 Olympics, when the undermanned U.S. team upset the powerful Soviet machine in the midst of the Cold War. “Miracle on Ice” Olympic hero and honorary U.S. captain Mike Eruzione wore a Johnny Gaudreau jersey to honor the memory of former Boston College and Calgary Flames star who was killed by a drunk driver while bicycling in New Jersey at his sister’s wedding last summer.The American fans chanted “Johnny Hockey!” to spur their team on, and broke into frequent cheers of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” — just like in Lake Placid.But this time it was the team in red that came away with the win.

🏒 Connor McDavid scores in OT to give Canada 3-2 win over United States

BOSTON (AP) —
Connor McDavid scored at 8:18 of overtime in the 4 Nations Face-Off
championship game to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the United States
on Thursday night as the North American rivals turned what had been a
tune-up for the 2026 Olympics into an geopolitical brawl over anthems
and annexation as much as international hockey supremacy. Nathan
MacKinnon and Sam Bennett also scored for Canada. Jordan Binnington
made 25 saves in the first three periods and six more in the extra
period on the same ice where he helped the St. Louis Blues win the
Stanley Cup five years ago. Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson scored
for the Americans, and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 22 shots in
regulation and three more in OT.

BOSTON (AP) —
American fans lightly booed the Canadian national anthem and roared
out their own Thursday night before the championship game of the 4
Nations Face-Off, a matchup between the United States and Canada that
has taken on collateral importance in the wake of cross-border
political animosity. A smattering of jeers for “O Canada” were
eventually drowned out by the singing fans; “The Star-Spangled
Banner” followed, with the sellout TD Garden crowd at full volume
in an anthem battle that became the undercard for one of the most
anticipated hockey games in decades.

BOCA RATON, Fla.
(AP) — Xavier Bell scored 24 points as Wichita State beat Florida
Atlantic 75-68 on Thursday night. Bell shot 8 of 19 from the field
and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Shockers (16-10, 6-7
American Athletic Conference). Bijan Cortes scored 16 points and
added seven assists. Harlond Beverly finished 5 of 7 from the floor
to finish with 10 points.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) —
College football’s annual rite of spring seems to be withering.
Texas on Thursday became the latest major program to ditch or change
its annual spring scrimmage that has long been a staple for fans
eager to see rising stars and get a peek into the upcoming season.
Coach Steve Sarkisian announced there would be no Orange &amp; White
scrimmage this year, citing the wear and tear of playing 30 games
over the last two seasons when Texas twice advanced to the College
Football Playoff. Texas is among many schools rethinking and changing
spring football traditions.

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP)
— The Republican attorney general in Texas wants the NCAA to take
its transgender policy a step further and require gender testing for
athletes who compete in women’s sports. Ken Paxton wants an
injunction to keep the NCAA from “falsely and deceptively claiming
that only biological women may participate in female-specific
competitions.” Earlier this month, the NCAA aligned its
participation policy for transgender athletes with President Trump's
new executive order by limiting competition in women’s sports to
athletes who were assigned female at birth. Paxton doesn’t think
the NCAA move goes far enough.

San Antonio star
Victor Wembanyama's season is over. The Spurs say Wembanyama has been
diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder. It is a massive
blow to the Spurs, who are contending for a playoff spot in the
Western Conference. The condition was diagnosed this week after
Wembanyama returned from the All-Star Game. Wembanyama’s situation
comes about 3 1/2 months after Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a
stroke and was forced to take a leave from the sideline. A person
familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that the Spurs
expect Wembanyama to recover fully.

ESPN’s coverage of
Major League Baseball games — at least in its current form — will
conclude at the end of the 2025 season. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro
informed baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred on Thursday morning that
the network was opting out of the final three years of its contract,
two people told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity
because they weren’t authorized to discuss financial matters. ESPN
and MLB both made statements Thursday night confirming the end of the
current rights deal. There was a March 1 deadline for MLB and ESPN to
opt out of the final three years of their contract. The sides agreed
to a seven-year deal in 2021 that averaged $550 million per season.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)
— Chicago Cubs pitcher Cody Poteet believed the 95 mph fastball he
threw to Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Max Muncy was in the strike
zone. Plate umpire Tony Randazzo disagreed and called it a ball.
Instead of arguing, Poteet simply patted the top of his cap,
signifying he wanted to challenge the call. After a few seconds, the
verdict was ready on the video board in right-center field. Poteet
was correct — it was a strike, just catching the bottom of the
zone. The first test of the Automated Ball-Strike System went off
without a hitch Thursday, with Randazzo quickly reversing the call.

UNDATED (AP) —
Tiger Woods and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan have taken part of
a White House meeting with President Donald Trump that signals more
progress in getting a deal done with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi
Arabia and the financial muscle behind the rival league, also was
part of the meeting. The PGA Tour said in a statement that the
parties discussed “the reunification of golf.” It was the second
meeting in two weeks at the White House on the future of the sport.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739459822020.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) —
Connor McDavid scored at 8:18 of overtime in the 4 Nations Face-Off
championship game to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the United States
on Thursday night as the North American rivals turned what had been a
tune-up for the 2026 Olympics into an geopolitical brawl over anthems
and annexation as much as international hockey supremacy. Nathan
MacKinnon and Sam Bennett also scored for Canada. Jordan Binnington
made 25 saves in the first three periods and six more in the extra
period on the same ice where he helped the St. Louis Blues win the
Stanley Cup five years ago. Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson scored
for the Americans, and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 22 shots in
regulation and three more in OT.BOSTON (AP) —
American fans lightly booed the Canadian national anthem and roared
out their own Thursday night before the championship game of the 4
Nations Face-Off, a matchup between the United States and Canada that
has taken on collateral importance in the wake of cross-border
political animosity. A smattering of jeers for “O Canada” were
eventually drowned out by the singing fans; “The Star-Spangled
Banner” followed, with the sellout TD Garden crowd at full volume
in an anthem battle that became the undercard for one of the most
anticipated hockey games in decades.BOCA RATON, Fla.
(AP) — Xavier Bell scored 24 points as Wichita State beat Florida
Atlantic 75-68 on Thursday night. Bell shot 8 of 19 from the field
and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Shockers (16-10, 6-7
American Athletic Conference). Bijan Cortes scored 16 points and
added seven assists. Harlond Beverly finished 5 of 7 from the floor
to finish with 10 points.AUSTIN, Texas (AP) —
College football’s annual rite of spring seems to be withering.
Texas on Thursday became the latest major program to ditch or change
its annual spring scrimmage that has long been a staple for fans
eager to see rising stars and get a peek into the upcoming season.
Coach Steve Sarkisian announced there would be no Orange &amp; White
scrimmage this year, citing the wear and tear of playing 30 games
over the last two seasons when Texas twice advanced to the College
Football Playoff. Texas is among many schools rethinking and changing
spring football traditions.LUBBOCK, Texas (AP)
— The Republican attorney general in Texas wants the NCAA to take
its transgender policy a step further and require gender testing for
athletes who compete in women’s sports. Ken Paxton wants an
injunction to keep the NCAA from “falsely and deceptively claiming
that only biological women may participate in female-specific
competitions.” Earlier this month, the NCAA aligned its
participation policy for transgender athletes with President Trump's
new executive order by limiting competition in women’s sports to
athletes who were assigned female at birth. Paxton doesn’t think
the NCAA move goes far enough.San Antonio star
Victor Wembanyama's season is over. The Spurs say Wembanyama has been
diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder. It is a massive
blow to the Spurs, who are contending for a playoff spot in the
Western Conference. The condition was diagnosed this week after
Wembanyama returned from the All-Star Game. Wembanyama’s situation
comes about 3 1/2 months after Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a
stroke and was forced to take a leave from the sideline. A person
familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that the Spurs
expect Wembanyama to recover fully.ESPN’s coverage of
Major League Baseball games — at least in its current form — will
conclude at the end of the 2025 season. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro
informed baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred on Thursday morning that
the network was opting out of the final three years of its contract,
two people told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity
because they weren’t authorized to discuss financial matters. ESPN
and MLB both made statements Thursday night confirming the end of the
current rights deal. There was a March 1 deadline for MLB and ESPN to
opt out of the final three years of their contract. The sides agreed
to a seven-year deal in 2021 that averaged $550 million per season.GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)
— Chicago Cubs pitcher Cody Poteet believed the 95 mph fastball he
threw to Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Max Muncy was in the strike
zone. Plate umpire Tony Randazzo disagreed and called it a ball.
Instead of arguing, Poteet simply patted the top of his cap,
signifying he wanted to challenge the call. After a few seconds, the
verdict was ready on the video board in right-center field. Poteet
was correct — it was a strike, just catching the bottom of the
zone. The first test of the Automated Ball-Strike System went off
without a hitch Thursday, with Randazzo quickly reversing the call.UNDATED (AP) —
Tiger Woods and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan have taken part of
a White House meeting with President Donald Trump that signals more
progress in getting a deal done with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi
Arabia and the financial muscle behind the rival league, also was
part of the meeting. The PGA Tour said in a statement that the
parties discussed “the reunification of golf.” It was the second
meeting in two weeks at the White House on the future of the sport.THURSDAY SCORESNATIONAL LEAGUE
Final	Chicago Cubs	12	L.A. Dodgers	4	NATIONAL
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final	Boston	124	Philadelphia	104	
Final	Indiana	127	Memphis	113	
Final	Cleveland	110	Brooklyn	97	
Final OT	New York	113	Chicago	111	
Final	Orlando	114	Atlanta	108	
Final	Milwaukee	116	L.A. Clippers	110	
Final	Denver	129	Charlotte	115	
Final	San Antonio	120	Phoenix	109	
Final	L.A. Lakers	110	Portland	102	NATIONAL HOCKEY
LEAGUE
Final OT	Canada	3	USA	2	TOP-25 COLLEGE
BASKETBALL

Friday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Haven Boys 65 Larned 21; Haven Girls 49 Larned 35

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695238768373.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Haven Boys 65 Larned 21; Haven Girls 49 Larned 35<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/xafcwziy/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Larned Sports on Hits 106.9 brought to you in part by USD #495, Beckwith Mortuary, Equity Bank, Smith Dental, Eakin Concrete, Santa Fe Liquor Mart, Farmer's Bank &amp; Trust in Larned, Farm Bureau Financial Services Leigh Anne Seeman, Clock Realty &amp; Insurance, Pawnee Plaza, Innovative Livestock Services, Titan Building Systems, Pawnee County COOP, Progressive Therapy &amp; Sports Medicine, Frick Veterinary, Services, H&amp;H Roofing, Rosenberg Family Dentistry, Fusion Bank, Doerr's Ace Hardware, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, Larned Veterinary Clinic, Heart of Kansas Family Health, Barton Community College, and Off Broadway Boutique.

Western Athletic Conference Dodge City @ Great Bend Garden City @ Hays Central Kansas League Hoisington @ Larned Hesston @ Haven Elyria Christian @ Halstead Smoky Valley @ Pratt Hillsboro @ Nickerson Central Prairie League Ellinwood @ Otis-Bison Kinsley @ Central Plains Macksville @ St. John LaCrosse @ Minneola Victoria @ Ness City Western Plains @ Chase Other Area Games Pawnee Heights @ Kiowa County Hodgeman County @ South Central Russell @ Hill City Lyons @ Southeast of Saline Sterling @ Ell-Saline Norton @ TMP

Western Athletic Conference Dodge City @ Great Bend Garden City @ Hays Central Kansas League Hoisington @ Larned Hesston @ Haven Elyria Christian @ Halstead Smoky Valley @ Pratt Hillsboro @ Nickerson Central Prairie League Ellinwood @ Otis-Bison Kinsley @ Central Plains Macksville @ St. John LaCrosse @ Minneola Victoria @ Ness City Western Plains @ Chase Other Area Games Pawnee Heights @ Kiowa County Hodgeman County @ South Central Russell @ Hill City Lyons @ Southeast of Saline Sterling @ Ell-Saline Norton @ TMP

Friday Area High School Basketball Schedule

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — College football's annual rite of spring seems to be withering.

Texas became the latest major program Thursday to ditch or change it's annual spring scrimmage that has long been a staple for fans eager to see the rising stars of their program and get a peek into the upcoming season.

Coach Steve Sarkisian announced there would be no Orange &amp; White scrimmage this year, citing the wear and tear of playing 30 games over the last two seasons when Texas twice advanced to the College Football Playoff.

“We’re not going to have a spring game,” Sarkisian said in an interview with Kay Adams on the “Up &amp; Adams Show.”

It's time to find a new way to develop players and preserve their bodies amid longer schedules, Sarkisian said.

“We’ve got a lot of young players on our roster. We have 21 mid-year high school kids who just showed up. The development that is needed to get these guys ready for the fall is a little bit different than it used to be," Sarkisian said.

“I just don’t know rolling the ball out, playing the game, when we only get 15 practices, is the best for us to maximize the opportunities that we get," he said.

At Ohio State, which beat Texas in the CFP semifinal on its way to the national championship, coach Ryan Day recently said the Buckeyes will have a spring showcase instead of the traditional scrimmage game, but gave few details. He noted some of the same wear and tear concerns that Sarkisian did.

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said earlier this month his program likely wouldn't have a spring game because he did not want to give other programs — who may dangle lucrative name, image and likeness payments — an easy chance to evaluate and poach his players through the transfer portal.

And Southern California has reportedly considered dropping its spring game.

As of Thursday, about half of the 68 Power Four schools had publicly announced dates for spring games. Formats vary, with some schools holding traditional scrimmages and others conducting skills competitions and holding autograph sessions.

National championship runner-up Notre Dame will hold a traditional spring game. So will teams such as Alabama, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon and Tennessee.

Coaches clearly face the conundrum of pleasing fans who want to watch their teams, or draw a protective curtain around their rosters.

“I’m either going to have coaches tampering with my players or I’m going to have a fan base that’s pissed off we don’t have a spring game," Florida coach Billy Napier said. "Pick your poison.”

Spring football practices are said to have been the brainchild of Harvard captain Arthur Cumnock, who led the team through drills in March 1889. It became common in that era for teams to scrimmage against each other in the spring.

Michigan held the first open-to-the-public spring game, an intrasquad scrimmage on May 14, 1925. By the 1950s, spring games had become annual events across the country either as intrasquad scrimmages or games between the current team and alumni.

The tradition peaked in the 1990s as some legacy programs filled their stadiums and generated millions of dollars in revenue.

While they remain popular and a big draw at some programs, some schools began moving away from traditional spring games because of smaller rosters and the risk of player injuries.

Some have turned their end-of-spring events into fan festivals or special access practices for top donors.

Mississippi last year replaced its “Grove Bowl” last year with player activities such as seven-on-seven flag football, a dunking contest and a hot dog eating contest featuring renowned competitive eater Joey Chestnut.

BYU four years ago replaced its open scrimmage with an alumni game. Minnesota stopped its traditional spring game after 2016, but donors to the school’s NIL collective are invited to an open practice.

TCU last year held “Frogapalooza” with live music, family activities and promotions for students.

Spring games have been broadcasting content for league networks eager to please ever-hungry fans.

Texas canceling its spring game could put a hole in the SEC Network's broadcast schedule. The former Longhorn Network used to broadcast the game, but all Texas programming shifted to the SEC Network when Texas joined the league prior to last season.

“There have been instances in the past when a school does not conduct a spring game for various reasons. That decision is at the discretion of the school,” said SEC spokesman Chuck Dunlap.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — College football's annual rite of spring seems to be withering.Texas became the latest major program Thursday to ditch or change it's annual spring scrimmage that has long been a staple for fans eager to see the rising stars of their program and get a peek into the upcoming season.Coach Steve Sarkisian announced there would be no Orange &amp; White scrimmage this year, citing the wear and tear of playing 30 games over the last two seasons when Texas twice advanced to the College Football Playoff.“We’re not going to have a spring game,” Sarkisian said in an interview with Kay Adams on the “Up &amp; Adams Show.”It's time to find a new way to develop players and preserve their bodies amid longer schedules, Sarkisian said.“We’ve got a lot of young players on our roster. We have 21 mid-year high school kids who just showed up. The development that is needed to get these guys ready for the fall is a little bit different than it used to be," Sarkisian said.“I just don’t know rolling the ball out, playing the game, when we only get 15 practices, is the best for us to maximize the opportunities that we get," he said.At Ohio State, which beat Texas in the CFP semifinal on its way to the national championship, coach Ryan Day recently said the Buckeyes will have a spring showcase instead of the traditional scrimmage game, but gave few details. He noted some of the same wear and tear concerns that Sarkisian did.Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said earlier this month his program likely wouldn't have a spring game because he did not want to give other programs — who may dangle lucrative name, image and likeness payments — an easy chance to evaluate and poach his players through the transfer portal.And Southern California has reportedly considered dropping its spring game.Not everyone is changing.As of Thursday, about half of the 68 Power Four schools had publicly announced dates for spring games. Formats vary, with some schools holding traditional scrimmages and others conducting skills competitions and holding autograph sessions.National championship runner-up Notre Dame will hold a traditional spring game. So will teams such as Alabama, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon and Tennessee.Coaches clearly face the conundrum of pleasing fans who want to watch their teams, or draw a protective curtain around their rosters.“I’m either going to have coaches tampering with my players or I’m going to have a fan base that’s pissed off we don’t have a spring game," Florida coach Billy Napier said. "Pick your poison.”Spring football practices are said to have been the brainchild of Harvard captain Arthur Cumnock, who led the team through drills in March 1889. It became common in that era for teams to scrimmage against each other in the spring.Michigan held the first open-to-the-public spring game, an intrasquad scrimmage on May 14, 1925. By the 1950s, spring games had become annual events across the country either as intrasquad scrimmages or games between the current team and alumni.The tradition peaked in the 1990s as some legacy programs filled their stadiums and generated millions of dollars in revenue.While they remain popular and a big draw at some programs, some schools began moving away from traditional spring games because of smaller rosters and the risk of player injuries.Some have turned their end-of-spring events into fan festivals or special access practices for top donors.Mississippi last year replaced its “Grove Bowl” last year with player activities such as seven-on-seven flag football, a dunking contest and a hot dog eating contest featuring renowned competitive eater Joey Chestnut.BYU four years ago replaced its open scrimmage with an alumni game. Minnesota stopped its traditional spring game after 2016, but donors to the school’s NIL collective are invited to an open practice.TCU last year held “Frogapalooza” with live music, family activities and promotions for students.Spring games have been broadcasting content for league networks eager to please ever-hungry fans.Texas canceling its spring game could put a hole in the SEC Network's broadcast schedule. The former Longhorn Network used to broadcast the game, but all Texas programming shifted to the SEC Network when Texas joined the league prior to last season.“There have been instances in the past when a school does not conduct a spring game for various reasons. That decision is at the discretion of the school,” said SEC spokesman Chuck Dunlap.

Texas is the latest school to cancel its spring game

- Great Bend Panther basketball coach Kyle Kreigh previews Friday's Western Athletic Conference contest against Dodge City at the Panther Fieldhouse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693997740304.jpeg" alt="Thursday show lineup with host Steve Webster" />
 <figcaption>Thursday show lineup with host Steve Webster</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ThOB-_mHpr4?si=obaJ8_47mf2cz22C" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>- Great Bend Panther basketball coach Kyle Kreigh previews Friday's Western Athletic Conference contest against Dodge City at the Panther Fieldhouse.- "Voice of the Cougars" Cole Reif- Thursday Sports Headlines- Sounds of the past 24-hours

Thursday on Sports Day(Watch)

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A computerized system that calls balls and strikes is being tested during Major League Baseball spring training exhibition games starting Thursday after four years of experiments in the minor leagues.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is an advocate of the Automated Ball-Strike System, which potentially as early as 2026 could be used to aid MLB home plate umpires, but not replace them.

Starting in 2024, MLB focused testing on a challenge system in which the human umpire makes each original call. Data from the spring training test could cause MLB to make alterations to the system for Triple-A games this season.

How does the Automated Ball-Strike System work?

Stadiums are outfitted with cameras that track each pitch and judge whether it crossed home plate within the strike zone. In early testing, umpires wore ear buds and would hear “ball” or “strike,” then relay that to players and fans with traditional hand signals.

The challenge system adds a wrinkle. During spring training, human umps will call every pitch, but each team will have the ability to challenge two calls per game, with no additions for extra innings. A team retains its challenge if successful, similar to the regulations for big league teams with video reviews, which were first used for home run calls in August 2008 and&nbsp;widely expanded to many calls for the 2014 season.

Only a batter, pitcher or catcher may challenge a call, signaling with the tap of a helmet or cap; and assistance from the dugout is not allowed. A challenge must be made within 2 seconds, and the graphic of the pitch and strike zone will be shown on the scoreboard and broadcast feed. The umpire then announces the updated count.

MLB estimates the process averages 17 seconds.

MLB has installed the system in 13 spring training ballparks that are home to 19 teams. The Florida stadiums, all in the Florida State League, are the stadiums of Detroit, Minnesota, the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Toronto, plus the ballpark shared by Miami and St. Louis.

Five test sites in Arizona all are shared: the Diamondbacks/Colorado, Chicago White Sox/Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland/Cincinnati, Kansas City/Texas and Seattle/San Diego.

About 60% of spring training games are slated for trial, although teams could play vastly different numbers of games with ABS testing. The Diamondbacks are slated for 29 ABS games, while the Cubs have just seven.

A Hawk-Eye pose-tracking system of cameras was installed and used to track pitches and whether they are within a strike zone based on the height of each batter, who is measured without shoes before a team's first test game. MLB estimated the calibration process at less than one minute for each player.

There are eight cameras at most of the spring training ballparks in the test and 12 at the Diamondbacks/Rockies stadium.

While the strike zone actually called by big league umpires tends to be oval in shape, the ABS strike zone is a rectangle, as in the rule book.

Developing a consensus on what a computer strike zone should&nbsp;be has been an issue.

MLB started experimenting with ball/strike technology at&nbsp;the independent Atlantic League in 2019.

A challenge system was tried in 2021 at&nbsp;eight of nine ballparks that make up the Florida State League.&nbsp;ABS was promoted to five Triple-A parks in 2022 and&nbsp;expanded to all Triple-A stadiums in 2023, the robot alone for the first three games of each series and a human with a&nbsp;challenge system&nbsp;in the final three. That system was in place at the start of 2024, but&nbsp;MLB switched to an all-challenge system last June 25.

How successful were teams with challenges last year?

Overall return rate over the full Triple-A season was 51%, with challenges by the defense winning 54% and by the offense winning 48%. Challenges with the two-challenge limit in place averaged 3.9 per game, including 2.2 by the offense.

The success percentage has been slightly better for video reviews in the major leagues.&nbsp;Teams increased their success rate on video reviews to 53.7% last season, led by the Boston Red Sox at 67.9%.

Just 1.6% of first pitches were challenges, but the figure increased to 3.9% for two-strike pitches, 5.2% for three-ball pitches and 8.2% for full counts.

Challenge percentages were more likely later in the game. While 1.9% of pitches were challenged in the first three innings, 2.5% were challenged from the fourth through the sixth, 2.8% in the seventh and eighth and 3.6% in the ninth.

MLB has changed the shape of the ABS strike zone several times.

It started with a 19-inch width in 2022, then dropped it to 17 inches — matching the width of home plate. Narrowing the strike zone led to an increase in walks and only small changes in strikeout rates.

The top of the striker zone was 51% of a batter's height in 2022 and 2023, then raised to 53.5% in 2024 after pitchers' complaints the top had been too low. The bottom of the strike zone has been 27% since 2022 after initially being set at 28%.

A batter's stance is not taken into account.

ABS makes the ball/strike decision at the midpoint of the plate, 8 1/2 inches from the front and 8 1/2 inches from the back. The contrasts with the rule book zone called by umpires, which says the zone is a cube, and a strike is a pitch that crosses any part.

Strikeout rates increased 0.5% and walk rates rose 1% in full ABS games and 0.8% in challenge games.

Concerned the strike zone box on broadcasts could tip whether to challenge and cause fans to yell at players to challenge, MLB plans to experiment with several broadcast alternatives, among them: show the box but not the ball; show the ball but not the box; and to show only corners of the box.

Dugout iPads available to all teams will have an application called ProTABS that allows players to check pitches against their individual strike zone. Information will update after every plate appearance and players can give MLB comment on single pitches and the overall system.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A computerized system that calls balls and strikes is being tested during Major League Baseball spring training exhibition games starting Thursday after four years of experiments in the minor leagues.Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is an advocate of the Automated Ball-Strike System, which potentially as early as 2026 could be used to aid MLB home plate umpires, but not replace them.Starting in 2024, MLB focused testing on a challenge system in which the human umpire makes each original call. Data from the spring training test could cause MLB to make alterations to the system for Triple-A games this season.<h2>How does the Automated Ball-Strike System work?</h2>Stadiums are outfitted with cameras that track each pitch and judge whether it crossed home plate within the strike zone. In early testing, umpires wore ear buds and would hear “ball” or “strike,” then relay that to players and fans with traditional hand signals.The challenge system adds a wrinkle. During spring training, human umps will call every pitch, but each team will have the ability to challenge two calls per game, with no additions for extra innings. A team retains its challenge if successful, similar to the regulations for big league teams with video reviews, which were first used for home run calls in August 2008 and&nbsp;widely expanded to many calls for the 2014 season.Only a batter, pitcher or catcher may challenge a call, signaling with the tap of a helmet or cap; and assistance from the dugout is not allowed. A challenge must be made within 2 seconds, and the graphic of the pitch and strike zone will be shown on the scoreboard and broadcast feed. The umpire then announces the updated count.MLB estimates the process averages 17 seconds.<h2>Where will ABS be tested?</h2>MLB has installed the system in 13 spring training ballparks that are home to 19 teams. The Florida stadiums, all in the Florida State League, are the stadiums of Detroit, Minnesota, the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Toronto, plus the ballpark shared by Miami and St. Louis.Five test sites in Arizona all are shared: the Diamondbacks/Colorado, Chicago White Sox/Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland/Cincinnati, Kansas City/Texas and Seattle/San Diego.About 60% of spring training games are slated for trial, although teams could play vastly different numbers of games with ABS testing. The Diamondbacks are slated for 29 ABS games, while the Cubs have just seven.<h2>What is the technology?</h2>A Hawk-Eye pose-tracking system of cameras was installed and used to track pitches and whether they are within a strike zone based on the height of each batter, who is measured without shoes before a team's first test game. MLB estimated the calibration process at less than one minute for each player.There are eight cameras at most of the spring training ballparks in the test and 12 at the Diamondbacks/Rockies stadium.While the strike zone actually called by big league umpires tends to be oval in shape, the ABS strike zone is a rectangle, as in the rule book.Developing a consensus on what a computer strike zone should&nbsp;be has been an issue.<h2>When did MLB first start using ABS?</h2>MLB started experimenting with ball/strike technology at&nbsp;the independent Atlantic League in 2019.A challenge system was tried in 2021 at&nbsp;eight of nine ballparks that make up the Florida State League.&nbsp;ABS was promoted to five Triple-A parks in 2022 and&nbsp;expanded to all Triple-A stadiums in 2023, the robot alone for the first three games of each series and a human with a&nbsp;challenge system&nbsp;in the final three. That system was in place at the start of 2024, but&nbsp;MLB switched to an all-challenge system last June 25.<h2>How successful were teams with challenges last year?</h2>Overall return rate over the full Triple-A season was 51%, with challenges by the defense winning 54% and by the offense winning 48%. Challenges with the two-challenge limit in place averaged 3.9 per game, including 2.2 by the offense.The success percentage has been slightly better for video reviews in the major leagues.&nbsp;Teams increased their success rate on video reviews to 53.7% last season, led by the Boston Red Sox at 67.9%.Just 1.6% of first pitches were challenges, but the figure increased to 3.9% for two-strike pitches, 5.2% for three-ball pitches and 8.2% for full counts.Challenge percentages were more likely later in the game. While 1.9% of pitches were challenged in the first three innings, 2.5% were challenged from the fourth through the sixth, 2.8% in the seventh and eighth and 3.6% in the ninth.<h2>How has the computer strike zon</h2><h2>e changed over time?</h2>MLB has changed the shape of the ABS strike zone several times.It started with a 19-inch width in 2022, then dropped it to 17 inches — matching the width of home plate. Narrowing the strike zone led to an increase in walks and only small changes in strikeout rates.The top of the striker zone was 51% of a batter's height in 2022 and 2023, then raised to 53.5% in 2024 after pitchers' complaints the top had been too low. The bottom of the strike zone has been 27% since 2022 after initially being set at 28%.A batter's stance is not taken into account.ABS makes the ball/strike decision at the midpoint of the plate, 8 1/2 inches from the front and 8 1/2 inches from the back. The contrasts with the rule book zone called by umpires, which says the zone is a cube, and a strike is a pitch that crosses any part.Strikeout rates increased 0.5% and walk rates rose 1% in full ABS games and 0.8% in challenge games.<h2>How will ABS impact broadcasts?</h2>Concerned the strike zone box on broadcasts could tip whether to challenge and cause fans to yell at players to challenge, MLB plans to experiment with several broadcast alternatives, among them: show the box but not the ball; show the ball but not the box; and to show only corners of the box.<h2>How can players give feedback?</h2>Dugout iPads available to all teams will have an application called ProTABS that allows players to check pitches against their individual strike zone. Information will update after every plate appearance and players can give MLB comment on single pitches and the overall system.

Robot umpires are getting their first MLB test during spring training

By TODD MOORE Barton Sports Info

This past Saturday, the Barton Community College Athletic Department welcomed three new members to its prestigious Hall of Fame in its annual induction ceremony held at the Kirkman Activity Center on Barton's campus.

Established in 2000, the 2025 inductee class included local natives Tim Weiser and Lacy (Frees) Draznik, along with Natchapol "Putter" Srinoon, in joining over eighty-four previous inductees.

Master of ceremonies and Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs, joined on stage by presenters and inductees, led the induction ceremony in front of family and supporters, former Barton athletes and coaches, booster club members, and current student-athletes and coaches.

Rolfs' opening remarks included his excitement of Hall of Fame Day. "We're able to see, we're able to hear, and we're able to share today in the incredible culture that developed these inductees." Later adding, "People is what makes this place special, and the people that we're going to meet today are going to make it very clear why that is."

Ken "Doc" Henderson, a 2023 Hall of Fame Inductee and current President of the Cougar Booster Club, introduced its Board of Directors while offering brief remarks.

"Each of these individuals have excelled in their chosen careers and have left an indelible mark on their respective Cougar teams and in our Barton Athletic Department."

The inductee portion of the program was kicked off by Barton Cheer Coach Amanda Schnoebelen.

"It is with much pride and honor to present, not only the first ever dancer into the Hall of Fame, but also a very talented, incredible, and all-around amazing human being that is Lacy Draznik."

Recalling her enduring history of friendship and Draznik's many accomplishments, Schnoebelen concluded, "I admire Lacy for all of her continued success in educating and sharing her love and passion with the world."

Formerly Frees of Ellinwood, Kansas, Draznik began her love of dancing at a young age, with mentors such as former Cheer/Dance Head Coach Debbie Warren and assistant Cheyla Clawson guiding her, leading into becoming a dance line performer at Oklahoma State University, Barton, and concluding her collegiate career graduating from Wichita State University.

"Being an athlete at Barton was an incredible feeling," Draznik recalled. "Every team here striving for excellence every day. We would come practice next to national championship basketball, volleyball, baseball, cheer, and Olympic runners all within this building. The passion was contagious."

Spending eight summers teaching hundreds of high school and college dancers through the National Dance Alliance, Lacy's extensive professional dance career led to Tulsa and eventually to San Francisco, where she also had the opportunity to share her knowledge and skill with underprivileged students in the Philippines.

"My college experience, where I've lived and traveled with all my jobs, practically every friend that I have, my network, and even my husband," said Draznik. "I met all because of dance."

In 2011, Lacy achieved another dream, owning the Miami County Dance Movement south of Kansas City, a thriving dance and acrobatics academy with two locations in Paola and Louisburg. Under her leadership, it has become an award-winning studio, catering to students of all ages and abilities, from toddlers to seniors.

Draznik concluded, "My time at Barton solidified what I knew in my heart was the right path for me. A life of consistently challenging myself every day to find my next level of excellence. Never giving up and always reaching higher."

Next up was the welcoming back of 2002 Barton Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Ray Bechard as Weiser's presenter.

"I do have the unique experience of being a former student-athlete here and also being able to coach here for 15 years. And the student-athlete experience for me was extremely valuable. I met people like Tim Weiser, like Rob Bowman, and Alan Clark."

Bechard, who recently retired as the winningest coach in the University of Kansas Volleyball history after 27 seasons, reflected on his appreciation for the relationships built and still exist today, with people met while at Barton.

"This place has allowed me to develop relationships that will be long-lasting. One that I'll cherish and cherish to this day is the one that developed with Tim Weiser."

Although each had separate paths, the friendship between the two has prevailed through time even though each represented rival colleges. Bechard at KU while Weiser spent seven years at Kansas State University as the Athletic Director before becoming Deputy Commissioner for the Big 12 Conference until retirement this past December.

Bechard remarked on Weiser's impact during his time with the Big 12 Conference during a dynamic time of history.

"There's been one consistent voice in that office and that's Tim Weiser. He's always done what's right for our conference, he's always done what's right for the student-athlete, and he's always done what's right for his coaches."

A workhorse member of the pitching staff for his hometown Cougars from 1976 to 1978 before moving on to Emporia State University, Weiser helped lead the Hornets to a pair of conference and NAIA District Championships. Following graduation, Tim then spent the next 41 years in athletic administration.

Weiser began using the analogy of a three-legged stool, that without one of the legs, the stool serves no purpose hence each leg has made his career possible.- Faith in God and thankfulness for the blessings.- Family. Beginning with his parents and mom in attendance recently celebrating her 96th birthday, his twin sisters who were part of the first class of cheerleaders at Barton, his wife and children, along with, the many extended family's support along the way.- Friends. Being fortunate to work with great coaches and really good people along the way.

"If you want to go fast, you go alone. But if you want to go far, you join with others," Weiser quoted in his closing remarks. "For me, you can tell which of those two choices I made. Because without question, I would not have had the opportunities to do and be part of many things that I've had without the support of all the people that are here today and have been in my career."

Weiser was previously inducted into the Emporia State University Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Great Bend High School Hall of Fame in 2009.

Srinoon, nicknamed "Putter" as youth by his father, was the last inductee of the afternoon, being introduced by his former and current Barton Golf Coach Doug Kaiser.

Kaiser recalled the late Thursday evening of picking up Srinoon from the Wichita airport and bringing him to Great Bend. Paraphrasing, 'I wondered what was going through his mind but he stuck to his commitment. Srinoon dressed like a professional and would play like a professional, setting a program two-round record of 9-under par.'

Srionoon captured the 2015 KJCCC Championship his freshman season, concluding his Barton career winning a pair of tournaments and being named to the 2016 PING All-District team presented by the Golf Coaches Association of America recognizing top NJCAA golfers.

Unable to attend the Induction due to still playing on the professional tour, Srinoon recorded a video that was played for the ceremony crowd.

Srinoon's list of appreciation began with Coach Kaiser and his family, Barton professors, and to his teammates.

"What a ride it has been. Golf brought us together, but the memories we made off the course are just as unforgettable."

Reflecting on the times, mostly off the course, regarding his teammates, Srinoon said, "They all made this journey one of the best times of my life. They were so nice and took really good care of me for those two years while I was at Barton. We are still keeping each other in touch. The bond we built will always be special to me, obviously."

Continuing at Arkansas Tech University, Srinoon helped the squad to consecutive berths in NCAA Division II Championship Tournament with multiple clutch performances along the way.

After earning his degree from ATU, Srinoon returned home to Bangkok, Thailand, in turning professional winning the first of his two tour championships in 2021, his second in 2023, and has three Top-10 finishes in nearly 25 professional events.

Srinoon concluded, "This honor isn't just about me. It's about every person who played a role in my U.S. journey in the first two years. It's about lessons learned through hard work, discipline, and the friendships that last a lifetime. I have so much good memories there in Barton. I'm so proud to be a part of it. I am so filled with gratitude, knowing that none of this would be possible without the people who I have mentioned before. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I really am. Once a Barton. Always a Barton."

In addressing the crowd in conclusion, Rolfs remarked, "The most important pillar to me is your development socially. Every year I am reminded why that pillar is so important seeing that in all three of these candidates that have spoken before you today. And that pillar of your social growth will remain, for me, the most important because this world needs good people.

The inductees were again honored and recognized later in the evening between the women's and men's basketball games versus Dodge City Community College.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740059695402.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoThis past Saturday, the Barton Community College Athletic Department welcomed three new members to its prestigious Hall of Fame in its annual induction ceremony held at the Kirkman Activity Center on Barton's campus.Established in 2000, the 2025 inductee class included local natives Tim Weiser and Lacy (Frees) Draznik, along with Natchapol "Putter" Srinoon, in joining over eighty-four previous inductees.Master of ceremonies and Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs, joined on stage by presenters and inductees, led the induction ceremony in front of family and supporters, former Barton athletes and coaches, booster club members, and current student-athletes and coaches.Rolfs' opening remarks included his excitement of Hall of Fame Day. "We're able to see, we're able to hear, and we're able to share today in the incredible culture that developed these inductees." Later adding, "People is what makes this place special, and the people that we're going to meet today are going to make it very clear why that is."Ken "Doc" Henderson, a 2023 Hall of Fame Inductee and current President of the Cougar Booster Club, introduced its Board of Directors while offering brief remarks."Each of these individuals have excelled in their chosen careers and have left an indelible mark on their respective Cougar teams and in our Barton Athletic Department."The inductee portion of the program was kicked off by Barton Cheer Coach Amanda Schnoebelen."It is with much pride and honor to present, not only the first ever dancer into the Hall of Fame, but also a very talented, incredible, and all-around amazing human being that is Lacy Draznik."Recalling her enduring history of friendship and Draznik's many accomplishments, Schnoebelen concluded, "I admire Lacy for all of her continued success in educating and sharing her love and passion with the world."Formerly Frees of Ellinwood, Kansas, Draznik began her love of dancing at a young age, with mentors such as former Cheer/Dance Head Coach Debbie Warren and assistant Cheyla Clawson guiding her, leading into becoming a dance line performer at Oklahoma State University, Barton, and concluding her collegiate career graduating from Wichita State University."Being an athlete at Barton was an incredible feeling," Draznik recalled. "Every team here striving for excellence every day. We would come practice next to national championship basketball, volleyball, baseball, cheer, and Olympic runners all within this building. The passion was contagious."Spending eight summers teaching hundreds of high school and college dancers through the National Dance Alliance, Lacy's extensive professional dance career led to Tulsa and eventually to San Francisco, where she also had the opportunity to share her knowledge and skill with underprivileged students in the Philippines."My college experience, where I've lived and traveled with all my jobs, practically every friend that I have, my network, and even my husband," said Draznik. "I met all because of dance."In 2011, Lacy achieved another dream, owning the Miami County Dance Movement south of Kansas City, a thriving dance and acrobatics academy with two locations in Paola and Louisburg. Under her leadership, it has become an award-winning studio, catering to students of all ages and abilities, from toddlers to seniors.Draznik concluded, "My time at Barton solidified what I knew in my heart was the right path for me. A life of consistently challenging myself every day to find my next level of excellence. Never giving up and always reaching higher."Next up was the welcoming back of 2002 Barton Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Ray Bechard as Weiser's presenter."I do have the unique experience of being a former student-athlete here and also being able to coach here for 15 years. And the student-athlete experience for me was extremely valuable. I met people like Tim Weiser, like Rob Bowman, and Alan Clark."Bechard, who recently retired as the winningest coach in the University of Kansas Volleyball history after 27 seasons, reflected on his appreciation for the relationships built and still exist today, with people met while at Barton."This place has allowed me to develop relationships that will be long-lasting. One that I'll cherish and cherish to this day is the one that developed with Tim Weiser."Although each had separate paths, the friendship between the two has prevailed through time even though each represented rival colleges. Bechard at KU while Weiser spent seven years at Kansas State University as the Athletic Director before becoming Deputy Commissioner for the Big 12 Conference until retirement this past December.Bechard remarked on Weiser's impact during his time with the Big 12 Conference during a dynamic time of history."There's been one consistent voice in that office and that's Tim Weiser. He's always done what's right for our conference, he's always done what's right for the student-athlete, and he's always done what's right for his coaches."A workhorse member of the pitching staff for his hometown Cougars from 1976 to 1978 before moving on to Emporia State University, Weiser helped lead the Hornets to a pair of conference and NAIA District Championships. Following graduation, Tim then spent the next 41 years in athletic administration.Weiser began using the analogy of a three-legged stool, that without one of the legs, the stool serves no purpose hence each leg has made his career possible.- Faith in God and thankfulness for the blessings.- Family. Beginning with his parents and mom in attendance recently celebrating her 96th birthday, his twin sisters who were part of the first class of cheerleaders at Barton, his wife and children, along with, the many extended family's support along the way.- Friends. Being fortunate to work with great coaches and really good people along the way."If you want to go fast, you go alone. But if you want to go far, you join with others," Weiser quoted in his closing remarks. "For me, you can tell which of those two choices I made. Because without question, I would not have had the opportunities to do and be part of many things that I've had without the support of all the people that are here today and have been in my career."Weiser was previously inducted into the Emporia State University Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Great Bend High School Hall of Fame in 2009.Srinoon, nicknamed "Putter" as youth by his father, was the last inductee of the afternoon, being introduced by his former and current Barton Golf Coach Doug Kaiser.Kaiser recalled the late Thursday evening of picking up Srinoon from the Wichita airport and bringing him to Great Bend. Paraphrasing, 'I wondered what was going through his mind but he stuck to his commitment. Srinoon dressed like a professional and would play like a professional, setting a program two-round record of 9-under par.'Srionoon captured the 2015 KJCCC Championship his freshman season, concluding his Barton career winning a pair of tournaments and being named to the 2016 PING All-District team presented by the Golf Coaches Association of America recognizing top NJCAA golfers.Unable to attend the Induction due to still playing on the professional tour, Srinoon recorded a video that was played for the ceremony crowd.Srinoon's list of appreciation began with Coach Kaiser and his family, Barton professors, and to his teammates."What a ride it has been. Golf brought us together, but the memories we made off the course are just as unforgettable."Reflecting on the times, mostly off the course, regarding his teammates, Srinoon said, "They all made this journey one of the best times of my life. They were so nice and took really good care of me for those two years while I was at Barton. We are still keeping each other in touch. The bond we built will always be special to me, obviously."Continuing at Arkansas Tech University, Srinoon helped the squad to consecutive berths in NCAA Division II Championship Tournament with multiple clutch performances along the way.After earning his degree from ATU, Srinoon returned home to Bangkok, Thailand, in turning professional winning the first of his two tour championships in 2021, his second in 2023, and has three Top-10 finishes in nearly 25 professional events.Srinoon concluded, "This honor isn't just about me. It's about every person who played a role in my U.S. journey in the first two years. It's about lessons learned through hard work, discipline, and the friendships that last a lifetime. I have so much good memories there in Barton. I'm so proud to be a part of it. I am so filled with gratitude, knowing that none of this would be possible without the people who I have mentioned before. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I really am. Once a Barton. Always a Barton."In addressing the crowd in conclusion, Rolfs remarked, "The most important pillar to me is your development socially. Every year I am reminded why that pillar is so important seeing that in all three of these candidates that have spoken before you today. And that pillar of your social growth will remain, for me, the most important because this world needs good people.The inductees were again honored and recognized later in the evening between the women's and men's basketball games versus Dodge City Community College.

Local products enshrined into Barton Sports Hall of Fame

STILLWATER, Okla.
(AP) — Bryce Thompson scored 14 of his career-high 25 points in the
second half and Oklahoma State beat UCF 104-95 despite 34 points from
Keyshawn Hall on Wednesday night. Thompson made 10 of 15 shots in
leading the Cowboys (13-13, 5-10 Big 12). Abou Ousmane added 17
points despite sitting out much of the second half before fouling
out. Arturo Dean scored 16 points, Khalil Brantley 15 and Marchelus
Avery 10. Hall made 9 of 20 shots and was 14 of 17 from the line.
Darius Johnson added 23 points — 19 in the second half — and
Mikey Williams 14 for the Knights (13-13, 4-11), who lost their
seventh straight.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.
(AP) — Amani Hansberry scored 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and
West Virginia pulled out a 62-59 win over Cincinnati on Wednesday
night after nearly blowing a nine-point lead in the final seconds.
Trailing by six midway through the second half, the Mountaineers went
on a 21-6 run to lead 62-53 with 7.9 seconds left. But Dan Skillings
Jr. hit two 3-pointers and a turnover gave the Bearkats a chance at a
tie but a final shot missed. Jizzle James and Day Day Thomas each
scored 13 points for Cincinnati.

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) —
Johni Broome had 16 points and 13 rebounds and No. 1 Auburn overcame
a rough offensive performance to beat Arkansas 67-60 on Wednesday
night. After winning at Alabama on Saturday in a game between the top
teams in the poll, Auburn (24-2, 12-1 Southeastern Conference)
avoided its second straight home loss. Chad Baker-Mazara added 15
points for the Tigers, and Chaney Johnson had 14. Adou Thiero led
Arkansas (15-11, 4-9) with 16. Johnell Davis had 14. The teams
combined to hit seven of 43 3-point attempts.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) —
After Missouri basketball fans stormed the court following a victory
over then-No. 1 Kansas on Dec. 8, Tigers coach Dennis Gates made sure
there wouldn’t be an encore after No. 15 Missouri beat No. 4
Alabama 110-98 on Wednesday night. Gates called a timeout with 1.5
seconds remaining, and grabbed the public address microphone to
emphatically tell the capacity crowd of 15,061 to stay off the court.
“Please, do not rush the court! Please, do not rush the court!”
Gates said to the fans. Missouri was fined $250,000 after the Kansas
game, and faces a $500,000 fine for a second offense. In Southeastern
Conference play, the fine is paid to the opposing school.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) —
The Big Ten and Southeastern Conference will push for changes in the
way College Football Playoff teams are seeded next season to coincide
more with how teams are ranked by the CFP selection committee. Big
Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey say
both leagues support such a change. Their comments came following
joint meetings on Wednesday in New Orleans involving all athletic
directors from both leagues. Last college football season was the
first under the expanded 12-team CFP format. A decision to give byes
to the four highest-ranked major conference champions drew scrutiny
after all four of those teams lost in the quarterfinals.

NEW YORK (AP) —
The NFL salary cap will be between $277.5 million and $281.5 million
for the 2025 season, rising as much as $26 million from last year.
The bump is great news for Cincinnati, which is hoping to sign
receiver Tee Higgins to a long-term contract. It also means more
money for Minnesota to re-sign quarterback Sam Darnold or Kansas City
to bring back guard Trey Smith or Super Bowl champion Philadelphia to
keep linebacker Zack Baun. It’s also significant for teams
projected to be over the cap when the new league year begins in
March.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)
— Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki threw 27 pitches over two innings of
live batting practice at Camelback Ranch in front of hundreds of fans
and several teammates. It also seemed like the entire Los Angeles
Dodgers organization was watching behind home plate. Sasaki wasn’t
particularly fazed by the attention Wednesday and looked much more
comfortable than last week, when he was a little wild during a
bullpen session in chilly weather. He recorded two strikeouts,
including one on back-to-back splitters to Eddie Rosario.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721295056408.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>STILLWATER, Okla.
(AP) — Bryce Thompson scored 14 of his career-high 25 points in the
second half and Oklahoma State beat UCF 104-95 despite 34 points from
Keyshawn Hall on Wednesday night. Thompson made 10 of 15 shots in
leading the Cowboys (13-13, 5-10 Big 12). Abou Ousmane added 17
points despite sitting out much of the second half before fouling
out. Arturo Dean scored 16 points, Khalil Brantley 15 and Marchelus
Avery 10. Hall made 9 of 20 shots and was 14 of 17 from the line.
Darius Johnson added 23 points — 19 in the second half — and
Mikey Williams 14 for the Knights (13-13, 4-11), who lost their
seventh straight.MORGANTOWN, W.Va.
(AP) — Amani Hansberry scored 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and
West Virginia pulled out a 62-59 win over Cincinnati on Wednesday
night after nearly blowing a nine-point lead in the final seconds.
Trailing by six midway through the second half, the Mountaineers went
on a 21-6 run to lead 62-53 with 7.9 seconds left. But Dan Skillings
Jr. hit two 3-pointers and a turnover gave the Bearkats a chance at a
tie but a final shot missed. Jizzle James and Day Day Thomas each
scored 13 points for Cincinnati.AUBURN, Ala. (AP) —
Johni Broome had 16 points and 13 rebounds and No. 1 Auburn overcame
a rough offensive performance to beat Arkansas 67-60 on Wednesday
night. After winning at Alabama on Saturday in a game between the top
teams in the poll, Auburn (24-2, 12-1 Southeastern Conference)
avoided its second straight home loss. Chad Baker-Mazara added 15
points for the Tigers, and Chaney Johnson had 14. Adou Thiero led
Arkansas (15-11, 4-9) with 16. Johnell Davis had 14. The teams
combined to hit seven of 43 3-point attempts.COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) —
After Missouri basketball fans stormed the court following a victory
over then-No. 1 Kansas on Dec. 8, Tigers coach Dennis Gates made sure
there wouldn’t be an encore after No. 15 Missouri beat No. 4
Alabama 110-98 on Wednesday night. Gates called a timeout with 1.5
seconds remaining, and grabbed the public address microphone to
emphatically tell the capacity crowd of 15,061 to stay off the court.
“Please, do not rush the court! Please, do not rush the court!”
Gates said to the fans. Missouri was fined $250,000 after the Kansas
game, and faces a $500,000 fine for a second offense. In Southeastern
Conference play, the fine is paid to the opposing school.NEW ORLEANS (AP) —
The Big Ten and Southeastern Conference will push for changes in the
way College Football Playoff teams are seeded next season to coincide
more with how teams are ranked by the CFP selection committee. Big
Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey say
both leagues support such a change. Their comments came following
joint meetings on Wednesday in New Orleans involving all athletic
directors from both leagues. Last college football season was the
first under the expanded 12-team CFP format. A decision to give byes
to the four highest-ranked major conference champions drew scrutiny
after all four of those teams lost in the quarterfinals.NEW YORK (AP) —
The NFL salary cap will be between $277.5 million and $281.5 million
for the 2025 season, rising as much as $26 million from last year.
The bump is great news for Cincinnati, which is hoping to sign
receiver Tee Higgins to a long-term contract. It also means more
money for Minnesota to re-sign quarterback Sam Darnold or Kansas City
to bring back guard Trey Smith or Super Bowl champion Philadelphia to
keep linebacker Zack Baun. It’s also significant for teams
projected to be over the cap when the new league year begins in
March.GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)
— Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki threw 27 pitches over two innings of
live batting practice at Camelback Ranch in front of hundreds of fans
and several teammates. It also seemed like the entire Los Angeles
Dodgers organization was watching behind home plate. Sasaki wasn’t
particularly fazed by the attention Wednesday and looked much more
comfortable than last week, when he was a little wild during a
bullpen session in chilly weather. He recorded two strikeouts,
including one on back-to-back splitters to Eddie Rosario.WEDNESDAY SCORESNATIONAL
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Charlotte	100	L.A.
Lakers	97	TOP-25 COLLEGE
BASKETBALLFinal	(1)Auburn	67	Arkansas	60	Final	(15)Missouri	110	(4)Alabama	98	Final	(10)St.
John's	82	DePaul	58

Thursday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Seven men from Chile have been charged in Florida federal court with orchestrating burglaries at the homes of prominent professional athletes around the country, according to a criminal complaint.

The FBI complaint doesn't name the athletes, but lists burglaries already made public involving the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, as well as players for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies.

According to the complaint, the defendants are part of a burglary ring that “is known to target high-profile professional athletes when they are known to be away from home.” The men allegedly stole about $2 million in watches, jewelry, cash and other valuables, including a safe they later cracked.

Each defendant is charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence. It wasn't clear Wednesday whether they are in custody, and Tampa federal court records don't list attorneys for any of them.

The defendants are listed as Pablo Zuniga Cartes, 24; Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, 20; Bastian Jimenez Freraut, 27; Jordan Quiroga Sanchez, 22; Bastian Orellano Morales, 23; Alexander Huiaguil Chavez, 24; and Sergio Ortega Cabello, 38. Although the FBI identifies them as Chilean in the charging documents, it doesn’t say whether any or all of them are also U.S. citizens or are legally in the country.

Some were arrested in January after a traffic stop in Ohio on state charges for allegedly breaking into the home of Burrow, the Bengals' quarterback. The federal charges in Tampa were filed Jan. 30.

Much of the evidence outlined in the FBI complaint is from cellphone data, surveillance video and license plate readers that allegedly place the defendants in the vicinity of the burglaries. They typically used crude methods such a breaking windows or prying open sliding glass doors with crowbars.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Seven men from Chile have been charged in Florida federal court with orchestrating burglaries at the homes of prominent professional athletes around the country, according to a criminal complaint.The FBI complaint doesn't name the athletes, but lists burglaries already made public involving the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, as well as players for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies.According to the complaint, the defendants are part of a burglary ring that “is known to target high-profile professional athletes when they are known to be away from home.” The men allegedly stole about $2 million in watches, jewelry, cash and other valuables, including a safe they later cracked.Each defendant is charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence. It wasn't clear Wednesday whether they are in custody, and Tampa federal court records don't list attorneys for any of them.The defendants are listed as Pablo Zuniga Cartes, 24; Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, 20; Bastian Jimenez Freraut, 27; Jordan Quiroga Sanchez, 22; Bastian Orellano Morales, 23; Alexander Huiaguil Chavez, 24; and Sergio Ortega Cabello, 38. Although the FBI identifies them as Chilean in the charging documents, it doesn’t say whether any or all of them are also U.S. citizens or are legally in the country.Some were arrested in January after a traffic stop in Ohio on state charges for allegedly breaking into the home of Burrow, the Bengals' quarterback. The federal charges in Tampa were filed Jan. 30.Much of the evidence outlined in the FBI complaint is from cellphone data, surveillance video and license plate readers that allegedly place the defendants in the vicinity of the burglaries. They typically used crude methods such a breaking windows or prying open sliding glass doors with crowbars.The burglars, according to the FBI affidavit, “will approach the residences from cover such as, but not limited to, a wooded or dark area" before breaking into the homes. One unnamed Tampa Bay Buccaneers player had about $167,000 in property stolen, including a Rolex watch, a Luis Vuitton suitcase, jewelry and a gun.The group also took photos of themselves with some of the loot, which the FBI included in the criminal complaint. In one case, a suspect is seen wearing a Kansas City Chiefs shirt. The groups often will separate into smaller units to commit multiple burglaries, according to the FBI.