By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Kansas coach Bill Self missed the defending national champion's first-round NCAA Tournament game against Howard, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-howard-a37482476123ba6f8f6c337deef99096">96-68 victory</a>&nbsp;by the Jayhawks on Thursday.

Assistant coach Norm Roberts served as acting head coach with Self continuing to recover from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-bill-self-24e6cfc119fe6ed60f35e7662563c73b">a heart procedure performed last week.</a>&nbsp;The school announced about three hours before tipoff that Self would skip the game.

“He’s doing good. It’s all day-to-day on how he feels, the doctors' decisions,” Roberts said after the game “He’s been able to spend time with the guys and practice and that type of stuff.”

Players found out in the morning that Self would stay away from the arena.

“Hopefully we get back and hear from him first thing — what he liked out there and what he didn’t like," freshman Gradey Dick said.

Self traveled to Des Moines with the Jayhawks and led the team's practice on Wednesday. He did not attend the team's media availability. Roberts said Self had returned to the hotel to rest.

Self’s status for the second-round game Saturday was not yet known.

“I’m doing better," Self said in a pregame interview on the team's radio network. "I’m feeling stronger and everything. I don’t think I’m at the point where I could be very good for our team if I was out there.”

Self added that he has been watching as much video as he usually does to prepare for games and that Roberts and the rest of the staff have been doing their jobs well.

Self went to the emergency room the night of March 8, shortly after watching the Jayhawks hold a final shootaround ahead of their Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal. He was complaining of chest tightness and concerns with his balance.

Dr. Mark Wiley, the chief of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Kansas Health System, said the 60-year-old Self underwent a standard heart catheterization and had two stents placed to help treat the blocked arteries.

Roberts coached the Jayhawks in the Big 12 Tournament. He also served as acting coach earlier in the season, while Self was serving a school-imposed four-game suspension.

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports WriterDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Kansas coach Bill Self missed the defending national champion's first-round NCAA Tournament game against Howard, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-howard-a37482476123ba6f8f6c337deef99096">96-68 victory</a>&nbsp;by the Jayhawks on Thursday.Assistant coach Norm Roberts served as acting head coach with Self continuing to recover from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-bill-self-24e6cfc119fe6ed60f35e7662563c73b">a heart procedure performed last week.</a>&nbsp;The school announced about three hours before tipoff that Self would skip the game.“He’s doing good. It’s all day-to-day on how he feels, the doctors' decisions,” Roberts said after the game “He’s been able to spend time with the guys and practice and that type of stuff.”Players found out in the morning that Self would stay away from the arena.“Hopefully we get back and hear from him first thing — what he liked out there and what he didn’t like," freshman Gradey Dick said.Self traveled to Des Moines with the Jayhawks and led the team's practice on Wednesday. He did not attend the team's media availability. Roberts said Self had returned to the hotel to rest.Self’s status for the second-round game Saturday was not yet known.“I’m doing better," Self said in a pregame interview on the team's radio network. "I’m feeling stronger and everything. I don’t think I’m at the point where I could be very good for our team if I was out there.”Self added that he has been watching as much video as he usually does to prepare for games and that Roberts and the rest of the staff have been doing their jobs well.Self went to the emergency room the night of March 8, shortly after watching the Jayhawks hold a final shootaround ahead of their Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal. He was complaining of chest tightness and concerns with his balance.Dr. Mark Wiley, the chief of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Kansas Health System, said the 60-year-old Self underwent a standard heart catheterization and had two stents placed to help treat the blocked arteries.Roberts coached the Jayhawks in the Big 12 Tournament. He also served as acting coach earlier in the season, while Self was serving a school-imposed four-game suspension.

🏀 Kansas' Self, recovering from heart procedure, misses game

By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Sports Writer

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Jalen Wilson had 20 points and seven rebounds for No. 1 seed and defending national champion Kansas, which allowed absent and recovering coach Bill Self to rest during an easy 96-68 victory over Howard on Thursday in a West Region first round game.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-bill-self-miss-game-482c51e6affea64f197c8dd9bbf13407">Self is still recovering from</a>&nbsp;a recent heart procedure.

Gradey Dick had 19 points and 11 rebounds in the freshman’s first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">NCAA Tournament game</a>. K.J. Adams Jr. scored 13 points and Dajuan Harris Jr. added 11 points for the Jayhawks (28-7), who will play the winner of the Arkansas against Illinois game in the second round on Saturday.

Kansas, which has won 16 consecutive first round games, is trying to become the first repeat NCAA winner in 16 years.

Shy Odom had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Bison (22-13), who were making the program's first tournament appearance since 1992.

The Jayhawks started their NCAA-record 33rd consecutive tournament appearance with assistant coach Norm Roberts running the show — a strange sight without Self shouting orders from the bench. The 60-year-old Self, who's in his 20th season at Kansas, underwent a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-bill-self-24e6cfc119fe6ed60f35e7662563c73b">standard heart procedure</a>&nbsp;to treat blocked arteries in his heart last week that prevented him from coaching in the Big 12 Tournament.

The Jayhawks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-kansas-big-12-championship-bf4ed2d79c080f679edd12f05954db2b">lost in the Big 12 title game</a>&nbsp;to Texas, but their 15-6 record in Quad 1 games that the NCAA categorizes for selection criteria was unmatched in the country by a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-bill-self-kansas-lawrence-basketball-38db25941b3ff72b55c09f48ac7018d7">new-look team</a>&nbsp;that lost most of its best players from last year's championships squad.

Kansas is not that deep, but the Jayhawks move and share the ball at a dizzying pace that was ultimately too much for the Bison to keep up with.

Howard took the lead five times in the second half, but Kansas always snapped back — often with a well-placed hand in a passing lane for a steal and a fast-break finish. Then there were the alley-oops, with Harris and Kevin McCullar Jr. each delivering a textbook lob off the drive to Ernest Udeh Jr. for a rim-jarring dunk in the first half. Harris found Adams for one, too.

Howard's rare appearance on the big stage came exactly five years after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-games-jairus-lyles-united-states-joe-namath-ee4f122271374fa7b5e42bf893e80dc4">UMBC's takedown of Virginia</a>, the only time a No. 16 seed has ever beaten a No. 1. The Bison were the 149th team to try.

Wearing their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wusa9.com/article/sports/howard-university-basketball-unveils-the-mecca-jerseys-for-black-history-month/65-b07e04d3-7a33-4239-bab3-857342033dae">Black History Month jerseys</a>&nbsp;with green trim and a red script “The Mecca” on the front — in reference to Howard's nickname as the country's most prominent historically Black university — the Bison took the court with plenty of confidence.

Elijah Hawkins hit an early 3-pointer and pointed a finger to his forearm to signal ice in his veins. Kobe Dickson flexed his right arm after muscling in a layup.

Coach Kenneth Blakeney, whose team went 4-29 in his first season in 2019-20, subbed hockey style in the first half with five-man units to keep his team fresh. The Bison's game against Kentucky in November — a 95-63 loss — gave them a taste of this level of competition, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/howard-norfolk-state-741647b610b7bd73f71df4531c15e56b">Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions</a>&nbsp;weren't able to match the speed and athleticism the Jayhawks boast.

The Jayhawks won the regular season title in a stacked conference, a testament to Self's acumen and the versatility of this team led by the Big 12 Player of the Year in Wilson, a rising star in Dick, the Texas Tech transfer McCullar and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in the point guard Harris.

Dick went 7 for 13 from the floor and 3 for 5 from 3-point range to set the Kansas freshman record for made 3-pointers in a season, besting Jeff Boschee.

Blakeney raved at his news conference on Wednesday about the rich and fascinating history at Howard, reeling off a list of famous alumni that includes Vice President Kamala Harris, class of 1986. She&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KCCINews/status/1636440976842473489">watched the game</a>&nbsp;with her husband from a suite at Wells Fargo Arena. When she was shown on the video board, the boos — Kansas is a Republican-leaning state, after all — drowned out the applause.

Dick was startled by a sudden roar from the crowd a split-second after he swished a free throw late in the first half. What was the big deal? The end of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/furman-virginia-march-madness-upset-1b4e3c5c8b1ce5896eea85ba9fd42761">Furman-Virginia game</a>&nbsp;was on the video board above the court, and J.P. Pegues had just hit a 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds left to give the underdog Paladins the lead. Another outcry came when No. 13 seed Furman sealed the victory, a less-disruptive reaction because it was during timeout.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678998629501.jpeg" alt="Kansas's Jalen Wilson rebounds in front of Howard's Marcus Dockery during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)." />
 <figcaption>Kansas's Jalen Wilson rebounds in front of Howard's Marcus Dockery during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Morry Gash).</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Sports WriterDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Jalen Wilson had 20 points and seven rebounds for No. 1 seed and defending national champion Kansas, which allowed absent and recovering coach Bill Self to rest during an easy 96-68 victory over Howard on Thursday in a West Region first round game.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-bill-self-miss-game-482c51e6affea64f197c8dd9bbf13407">Self is still recovering from</a>&nbsp;a recent heart procedure.Gradey Dick had 19 points and 11 rebounds in the freshman’s first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">NCAA Tournament game</a>. K.J. Adams Jr. scored 13 points and Dajuan Harris Jr. added 11 points for the Jayhawks (28-7), who will play the winner of the Arkansas against Illinois game in the second round on Saturday.Kansas, which has won 16 consecutive first round games, is trying to become the first repeat NCAA winner in 16 years.Shy Odom had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Bison (22-13), who were making the program's first tournament appearance since 1992.The Jayhawks started their NCAA-record 33rd consecutive tournament appearance with assistant coach Norm Roberts running the show — a strange sight without Self shouting orders from the bench. The 60-year-old Self, who's in his 20th season at Kansas, underwent a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-bill-self-24e6cfc119fe6ed60f35e7662563c73b">standard heart procedure</a>&nbsp;to treat blocked arteries in his heart last week that prevented him from coaching in the Big 12 Tournament.The Jayhawks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-kansas-big-12-championship-bf4ed2d79c080f679edd12f05954db2b">lost in the Big 12 title game</a>&nbsp;to Texas, but their 15-6 record in Quad 1 games that the NCAA categorizes for selection criteria was unmatched in the country by a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-bill-self-kansas-lawrence-basketball-38db25941b3ff72b55c09f48ac7018d7">new-look team</a>&nbsp;that lost most of its best players from last year's championships squad.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679003426682.jpeg" alt="Kansas's Gradey Dick shoots a 3-pointer during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Kansas Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas's Gradey Dick shoots a 3-pointer during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Kansas Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas is not that deep, but the Jayhawks move and share the ball at a dizzying pace that was ultimately too much for the Bison to keep up with.Howard took the lead five times in the second half, but Kansas always snapped back — often with a well-placed hand in a passing lane for a steal and a fast-break finish. Then there were the alley-oops, with Harris and Kevin McCullar Jr. each delivering a textbook lob off the drive to Ernest Udeh Jr. for a rim-jarring dunk in the first half. Harris found Adams for one, too.Howard's rare appearance on the big stage came exactly five years after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-games-jairus-lyles-united-states-joe-namath-ee4f122271374fa7b5e42bf893e80dc4">UMBC's takedown of Virginia</a>, the only time a No. 16 seed has ever beaten a No. 1. The Bison were the 149th team to try.Wearing their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wusa9.com/article/sports/howard-university-basketball-unveils-the-mecca-jerseys-for-black-history-month/65-b07e04d3-7a33-4239-bab3-857342033dae">Black History Month jerseys</a>&nbsp;with green trim and a red script “The Mecca” on the front — in reference to Howard's nickname as the country's most prominent historically Black university — the Bison took the court with plenty of confidence.Elijah Hawkins hit an early 3-pointer and pointed a finger to his forearm to signal ice in his veins. Kobe Dickson flexed his right arm after muscling in a layup.Coach Kenneth Blakeney, whose team went 4-29 in his first season in 2019-20, subbed hockey style in the first half with five-man units to keep his team fresh. The Bison's game against Kentucky in November — a 95-63 loss — gave them a taste of this level of competition, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/howard-norfolk-state-741647b610b7bd73f71df4531c15e56b">Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions</a>&nbsp;weren't able to match the speed and athleticism the Jayhawks boast.The Jayhawks won the regular season title in a stacked conference, a testament to Self's acumen and the versatility of this team led by the Big 12 Player of the Year in Wilson, a rising star in Dick, the Texas Tech transfer McCullar and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in the point guard Harris.DEEP RECORDDick went 7 for 13 from the floor and 3 for 5 from 3-point range to set the Kansas freshman record for made 3-pointers in a season, besting Jeff Boschee.PROUD ALUMBlakeney raved at his news conference on Wednesday about the rich and fascinating history at Howard, reeling off a list of famous alumni that includes Vice President Kamala Harris, class of 1986. She&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KCCINews/status/1636440976842473489">watched the game</a>&nbsp;with her husband from a suite at Wells Fargo Arena. When she was shown on the video board, the boos — Kansas is a Republican-leaning state, after all — drowned out the applause.EYES UPDick was startled by a sudden roar from the crowd a split-second after he swished a free throw late in the first half. What was the big deal? The end of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/furman-virginia-march-madness-upset-1b4e3c5c8b1ce5896eea85ba9fd42761">Furman-Virginia game</a>&nbsp;was on the video board above the court, and J.P. Pegues had just hit a 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds left to give the underdog Paladins the lead. Another outcry came when No. 13 seed Furman sealed the victory, a less-disruptive reaction because it was during timeout.

🏀 No. 1 seed Kansas cruises past Howard with Self still absent

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs wasted little time filling two enormous holes on their Super Bowl-winning roster.

After reaching agreements earlier in the week, the Chiefs announced the signings Thursday of offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor and defensive end Charles Omenihu. Taylor is expected to replace Orlando Brown Jr., who agreed to a deal elsewhere in free agency, and Omenihu is expected to help replace Frank Clark, who was released in a move to create salary cap space.

“There was a good amount of teams involved,” Taylor said, “but once free agency opened up, my agent told me about the possibility of the Chiefs wanting me. It's a great opportunity and I couldn't pass it up.”

The 25-year-old Taylor, who played almost exclusively right tackle in Jacksonville but will likely move to the left side in Kansas City, agreed to a four-year, $80 million deal with $60 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were not disclosed.

Omenihu, who is also 25, signed a two-year, $16 million deal, a person with knowledge of the deal also told the AP.

The Chiefs were tight on salary cap space after the season — a big reason they released Clark and were unable to sign wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who instead agreed to a deal with New England. But they were able to free up some extra space on Wednesday night when they converted part of quarterback Patrick Mahomes' $34.4 million roster bonus into a signing bonus spread over the next four years, which freed up nearly $10 million in space for the current offseason.

Mahomes will hope that Taylor can continue the breakthrough he began to experience last season.

The second-round pick of the Jaguars in the 2019 draft gave up a league-leading 40 sacks his first three seasons. But Taylor only allowed six sacks while protecting Trevor Lawrence last season, which ended with a divisional-round loss to Kansas City, and produced one of the lowest pressure rates among offensive tackles in the league.

It's not guaranteed that Taylor will end up at right tackle, though that's the expectation. The Chiefs also have a hole on the right side after Andrew Wylie joined Washington, but that position is typically easier — and cheaper — to fill. The Chiefs have an in-house candidate with Lucas Niang and could also address that need through next month's draft.

“Left tackle, right tackle, it's just a flip of the hips, honestly,” Taylor said. “If you're athletic enough, trust your feet, have good coaching and I think they have that here, I think the transition will be pretty good.”

Omenihu was a fifth-round pick of the Texans in 2019 but was traded after two-plus seasons of mediocre production to San Francisco in November 2021. He proceed to have a career-best 4 1/2 sacks for the 49ers last season.

“I think I'm a guy that can play the run on first and second down, play over tight ends, and I can rush on the edge if you need me to,” Omenihu said. “I think versatiltiy is what I bring to the table, a guy that's going to play hard.”

Omenihu arrives in Kansas City amid some off-the-field trouble. He was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in January, though no charges have been filed, after his girlfriend accused him of pushing her to the ground.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has been a whiz when it comes to plugging holes through the draft, and while their first pick isn't until No. 31 overall, they have 11 total to further address defensive end, offensive tackle and wide receiver.

Last year, the Chiefs used one of their first-round picks on George Karlaftis, and he blossomed into a game-changing pass rusher who totaled six sacks. The previous year, they used a second-round pick on Creed Humphrey and a sixth-rounder on guard Trey Smith, both of whom have joined Joe Thuney in forming a dominant interior offensive line.

“You always try to stick to just the best player,” Veach said, "because it's a game of attrition. You can sit there and think that you’re deep at a position — I remember a few years ago we thought we were really deep at defensive line and within the first three or four weeks we lost three of them. So, you always want to make sure you take the best player.”

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports WriterKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs wasted little time filling two enormous holes on their Super Bowl-winning roster.After reaching agreements earlier in the week, the Chiefs announced the signings Thursday of offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor and defensive end Charles Omenihu. Taylor is expected to replace Orlando Brown Jr., who agreed to a deal elsewhere in free agency, and Omenihu is expected to help replace Frank Clark, who was released in a move to create salary cap space.“There was a good amount of teams involved,” Taylor said, “but once free agency opened up, my agent told me about the possibility of the Chiefs wanting me. It's a great opportunity and I couldn't pass it up.”The 25-year-old Taylor, who played almost exclusively right tackle in Jacksonville but will likely move to the left side in Kansas City, agreed to a four-year, $80 million deal with $60 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were not disclosed.Omenihu, who is also 25, signed a two-year, $16 million deal, a person with knowledge of the deal also told the AP.The Chiefs were tight on salary cap space after the season — a big reason they released Clark and were unable to sign wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who instead agreed to a deal with New England. But they were able to free up some extra space on Wednesday night when they converted part of quarterback Patrick Mahomes' $34.4 million roster bonus into a signing bonus spread over the next four years, which freed up nearly $10 million in space for the current offseason.Mahomes will hope that Taylor can continue the breakthrough he began to experience last season.The second-round pick of the Jaguars in the 2019 draft gave up a league-leading 40 sacks his first three seasons. But Taylor only allowed six sacks while protecting Trevor Lawrence last season, which ended with a divisional-round loss to Kansas City, and produced one of the lowest pressure rates among offensive tackles in the league.It's not guaranteed that Taylor will end up at right tackle, though that's the expectation. The Chiefs also have a hole on the right side after Andrew Wylie joined Washington, but that position is typically easier — and cheaper — to fill. The Chiefs have an in-house candidate with Lucas Niang and could also address that need through next month's draft.“Left tackle, right tackle, it's just a flip of the hips, honestly,” Taylor said. “If you're athletic enough, trust your feet, have good coaching and I think they have that here, I think the transition will be pretty good.”Omenihu was a fifth-round pick of the Texans in 2019 but was traded after two-plus seasons of mediocre production to San Francisco in November 2021. He proceed to have a career-best 4 1/2 sacks for the 49ers last season.“I think I'm a guy that can play the run on first and second down, play over tight ends, and I can rush on the edge if you need me to,” Omenihu said. “I think versatiltiy is what I bring to the table, a guy that's going to play hard.”Omenihu arrives in Kansas City amid some off-the-field trouble. He was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in January, though no charges have been filed, after his girlfriend accused him of pushing her to the ground.Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has been a whiz when it comes to plugging holes through the draft, and while their first pick isn't until No. 31 overall, they have 11 total to further address defensive end, offensive tackle and wide receiver.Last year, the Chiefs used one of their first-round picks on George Karlaftis, and he blossomed into a game-changing pass rusher who totaled six sacks. The previous year, they used a second-round pick on Creed Humphrey and a sixth-rounder on guard Trey Smith, both of whom have joined Joe Thuney in forming a dominant interior offensive line.“You always try to stick to just the best player,” Veach said, "because it's a game of attrition. You can sit there and think that you’re deep at a position — I remember a few years ago we thought we were really deep at defensive line and within the first three or four weeks we lost three of them. So, you always want to make sure you take the best player.”

🏈 Chiefs announce signings of OT Taylor, DE Omenihu to deals

DES MOINES, Iowa –&nbsp;Kansas Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Self will miss today’s NCAA Tournament game versus Howard but continues to progress well from a recent health issue. Assistant Coach Norm Roberts will serve as&nbsp;acting head coach today.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas AthleticsDES MOINES, Iowa –&nbsp;Kansas Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Self will miss today’s NCAA Tournament game versus Howard but continues to progress well from a recent health issue. Assistant Coach Norm Roberts will serve as&nbsp;acting head coach today.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Self to miss Thursday’s NCAA game versus Howard

PUEBLO, Colo. – Fort Hays State picked up a doubleheader sweep at CSU-Pueblo on Wednesday (Mar. 15) by scores of 6-3 and 5-2.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;racked up six RBIs over two games, including four on a grand slam in game one, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savanah-egger/7081">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;went the distance in each game for the Tigers. FHSU moved to 16-10 overall, while CSU-Pueblo fell to 8-17 overall. Game 1: Fort Hays State 6, CSU-Pueblo 3 Fort Hays State took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the first inning.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;started the game with a pair of singles and Shepard eventually scored on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lilliana-ramirez-johnson/7093">Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson</a>&nbsp;RBI single. The Thunderwolves evened the score in the second when a leadoff triple and a sacrifice fly produced their first run of the game. CSU-Pueblo then moved into the lead with a run in the fourth. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;delivered the decisive blow in the top of the fifth.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/adysen-burghart/7077">Adysen Burghart</a>&nbsp;reached by an error,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/7091">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;walked, and a fielder's choice off the bat of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>&nbsp;where everyone was safe left the bases loaded for Tiffany. She promptly unloaded the bases with a grand slam over the left field wall, the second of her career and both have occurred in her home state of Colorado. It also matched the school record for most grand slams in a career, joining head coach Adrian (Mohr) Pilkington and Kristy Roethemeyer. The Tigers turned a one-run deficit into a three-run lead at 5-2. The teams traded runs in the sixth and seventh inning. The Thunderwolves grabbed a run with two outs in the sixth to cut the lead to two, but Burghart and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/reese-curry/7079">Reese Curry</a>&nbsp;singles to open the seventh set up an RBI single by Shepard to extend the lead back to three, making the eventual final of 6-3. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savanah-egger/7081">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;threw a complete game, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk. She struck out one batter, moving to 7-4 on the season. Lucy Carney took the loss for CSU-Pueblo, throwing five innings and allowing five runs. Jacelynn Trujillo pitched the final two innings and allowed a run. Game 2: Fort Hays State 5, CSU-Pueblo 2 CSU-Pueblo took an early 1-0 lead in the second contest, manufacturing a run in the first inning with a leadoff single, stolen base, and eventually an RBI sacrifice bunt. The Tigers finally broke through in the third inning and flipped the game in their favor with a three-run rally. A&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/7091">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;single and then walks by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;loaded the bases.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;tied the game with an RBI groundout, then&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/loren-beggs/7075">Loren Beggs</a>&nbsp;pushed the Tigers into the lead with a 2-RBI double to right center field. The Thunderwolves moved back within one run with a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the third, but&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;would hold them scoreless the rest of the way. She allowed just two hits over the final four innings. The Tigers tacked on insurance runs in the fourth with the help of a dropped fly ball on the infield with two outs. Giving the Tigers an extra out ballooned into a Shepard bunt single, a Stuke RBI single, and a Tiffany RBI single to make the eventually final score of 5-2. Carlson moved to 5-3 on the season with the complete-game win, surrendering just four hits and one walk. She struck out two batters. Marissa Robertson pitched the first four innings and took the loss, allowing all five runs (three earned). Jacelynn Trujillo pitched the final three innings and did not allow a hit, while striking out four. The Tigers bring their three-game win streak back to Hays to take on Colorado School of Mines in a four-game series next week on Tuesday and Wednesday (Mar. 21-22).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678929751004.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Edward Jacobs, Jr." />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Edward Jacobs, Jr.</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsPUEBLO, Colo. – Fort Hays State picked up a doubleheader sweep at CSU-Pueblo on Wednesday (Mar. 15) by scores of 6-3 and 5-2.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;racked up six RBIs over two games, including four on a grand slam in game one, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savanah-egger/7081">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;went the distance in each game for the Tigers. FHSU moved to 16-10 overall, while CSU-Pueblo fell to 8-17 overall. Game 1: Fort Hays State 6, CSU-Pueblo 3 Fort Hays State took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the first inning.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;started the game with a pair of singles and Shepard eventually scored on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lilliana-ramirez-johnson/7093">Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson</a>&nbsp;RBI single. The Thunderwolves evened the score in the second when a leadoff triple and a sacrifice fly produced their first run of the game. CSU-Pueblo then moved into the lead with a run in the fourth. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;delivered the decisive blow in the top of the fifth.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/adysen-burghart/7077">Adysen Burghart</a>&nbsp;reached by an error,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/7091">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;walked, and a fielder's choice off the bat of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>&nbsp;where everyone was safe left the bases loaded for Tiffany. She promptly unloaded the bases with a grand slam over the left field wall, the second of her career and both have occurred in her home state of Colorado. It also matched the school record for most grand slams in a career, joining head coach Adrian (Mohr) Pilkington and Kristy Roethemeyer. The Tigers turned a one-run deficit into a three-run lead at 5-2. The teams traded runs in the sixth and seventh inning. The Thunderwolves grabbed a run with two outs in the sixth to cut the lead to two, but Burghart and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/reese-curry/7079">Reese Curry</a>&nbsp;singles to open the seventh set up an RBI single by Shepard to extend the lead back to three, making the eventual final of 6-3. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savanah-egger/7081">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;threw a complete game, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk. She struck out one batter, moving to 7-4 on the season. Lucy Carney took the loss for CSU-Pueblo, throwing five innings and allowing five runs. Jacelynn Trujillo pitched the final two innings and allowed a run. Game 2: Fort Hays State 5, CSU-Pueblo 2 CSU-Pueblo took an early 1-0 lead in the second contest, manufacturing a run in the first inning with a leadoff single, stolen base, and eventually an RBI sacrifice bunt. The Tigers finally broke through in the third inning and flipped the game in their favor with a three-run rally. A&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/7091">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;single and then walks by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;loaded the bases.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;tied the game with an RBI groundout, then&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/loren-beggs/7075">Loren Beggs</a>&nbsp;pushed the Tigers into the lead with a 2-RBI double to right center field. The Thunderwolves moved back within one run with a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the third, but&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;would hold them scoreless the rest of the way. She allowed just two hits over the final four innings. The Tigers tacked on insurance runs in the fourth with the help of a dropped fly ball on the infield with two outs. Giving the Tigers an extra out ballooned into a Shepard bunt single, a Stuke RBI single, and a Tiffany RBI single to make the eventually final score of 5-2. Carlson moved to 5-3 on the season with the complete-game win, surrendering just four hits and one walk. She struck out two batters. Marissa Robertson pitched the first four innings and took the loss, allowing all five runs (three earned). Jacelynn Trujillo pitched the final three innings and did not allow a hit, while striking out four. The Tigers bring their three-game win streak back to Hays to take on Colorado School of Mines in a four-game series next week on Tuesday and Wednesday (Mar. 21-22).

🥎 FHSU sweeps doubleheader at CSU-Pueblo

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas redshirt-junior Jalen Wilson has been named 2023 U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-America First Team, the USBWA announced Wednesday. This is the second All-America First Team selection on the day as the Denton, Texas, forward was named National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Wednesday morning.

Having accomplished All-America First Team honors by the NABC, Associated Press, The Sporting News and USBWA, Wilson will be named Consensus All-America First Team as those entities make up the collaboration of the consensus teams recognized by the NCAA.

Wilson will be Kansas’ 32nd&nbsp;all-time Consensus All-America First Team selection and gives Kansas back-to-back honorees as Ochai Agbaji earned the distinction in 2022. Wilson is the seventh Jayhawk to be named Consensus All-America in the Bill Self era joining Wayne Simien (2005), Sherron Collins (2010), Thomas Robinson (2012), Frank Mason III (2017), Devonte’ Graham (2018) and Agbaji (2022).

Both the NABC and USBWA All-America first teams included the same five individuals with Wilson, Zach Edey (Purdue), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana), Marcus Sasser (Houston), and Drew Timme (Gonzaga).

NABC All-America teams began in 1946-47 and Wilson is the 21st player from Kansas named to the organization’s first team as selected by the nation’s coaches. Clyde Lovellette was Kansas’ first NABC All-America First Team selection earning the honor twice in 1951 and 1952.

USBWA teams have been named since 1956-57 and are voted on by its membership which is made up of journalists nationwide whose interest is to cover college basketball. Wilson is the 19th USBWA All-America First Team honoree from Kansas. Wilt Chamberlain was the first earning the honor twice in 1957 and 1958, and Udoka Azubuike was the most recent in 2020.

The unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year and All-Big 12 First Team selection, Wilson leads the Big 12 in scoring at 20.1 points per game, which is 26th nationally. Wilson has two 30-point performances and 20 games of 20 or more points scored this season, including each of his last five games. The Denton, Texas, forward also leads the Big 12 with 8.4 rebounds per game and 22 double-doubles.

On nearly every national player of the year watch list, Wilson ranks tied for 27th on the Kansas career scoring list, currently at 1,435 points, and his 791 career rebounds are 14th on the KU list. Wilson’s 28 career double-doubles are ninth on the KU all-time list.

No. 1 seed Kansas (27-7) will begin the defense of its NCAA National Championship against No. 16 seed Howard (22-12) on Thursday, March 16, at 1 p.m. CT, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. The game will be televised on TBS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678910291985.png" alt="Kansas Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas AthleticsLAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas redshirt-junior Jalen Wilson has been named 2023 U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-America First Team, the USBWA announced Wednesday. This is the second All-America First Team selection on the day as the Denton, Texas, forward was named National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Wednesday morning.Having accomplished All-America First Team honors by the NABC, Associated Press, The Sporting News and USBWA, Wilson will be named Consensus All-America First Team as those entities make up the collaboration of the consensus teams recognized by the NCAA.Wilson will be Kansas’ 32nd&nbsp;all-time Consensus All-America First Team selection and gives Kansas back-to-back honorees as Ochai Agbaji earned the distinction in 2022. Wilson is the seventh Jayhawk to be named Consensus All-America in the Bill Self era joining Wayne Simien (2005), Sherron Collins (2010), Thomas Robinson (2012), Frank Mason III (2017), Devonte’ Graham (2018) and Agbaji (2022).Both the NABC and USBWA All-America first teams included the same five individuals with Wilson, Zach Edey (Purdue), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana), Marcus Sasser (Houston), and Drew Timme (Gonzaga).NABC All-America teams began in 1946-47 and Wilson is the 21st player from Kansas named to the organization’s first team as selected by the nation’s coaches. Clyde Lovellette was Kansas’ first NABC All-America First Team selection earning the honor twice in 1951 and 1952.USBWA teams have been named since 1956-57 and are voted on by its membership which is made up of journalists nationwide whose interest is to cover college basketball. Wilson is the 19th USBWA All-America First Team honoree from Kansas. Wilt Chamberlain was the first earning the honor twice in 1957 and 1958, and Udoka Azubuike was the most recent in 2020.The unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year and All-Big 12 First Team selection, Wilson leads the Big 12 in scoring at 20.1 points per game, which is 26th nationally. Wilson has two 30-point performances and 20 games of 20 or more points scored this season, including each of his last five games. The Denton, Texas, forward also leads the Big 12 with 8.4 rebounds per game and 22 double-doubles.On nearly every national player of the year watch list, Wilson ranks tied for 27th on the Kansas career scoring list, currently at 1,435 points, and his 791 career rebounds are 14th on the KU list. Wilson’s 28 career double-doubles are ninth on the KU all-time list.No. 1 seed Kansas (27-7) will begin the defense of its NCAA National Championship against No. 16 seed Howard (22-12) on Thursday, March 16, at 1 p.m. CT, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. The game will be televised on TBS.

🏀 KU's Wilson named to two All-America squads, earns Consensus All-America First Team

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Seniors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;continued to add to their list of honors on Wednesday afternoon (March 15), as the tandem earned All-America accolades from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nowell was named a Third Team All-American by both the NABC and USBWA, while Johnson was a member of the NABC's Third Team and one of four to garner honorable mention honors from the USBWA. Johnson and Nowell are the first Wildcats to garner All-America honors from the NABC since&nbsp;Jacob Pullen&nbsp;in 2011, while Nowell is the first to earn the distinction from the USBWA since&nbsp;Michael Beasley&nbsp;in 2008. Already this season, the duo became the first in school history to be selected as All-Americans by The Associated Press and the first since Pullen in 2011 when they earned Third Team recognition on March 14, while Nowell has also earned Third Team honors from&nbsp;The Sporting News. In addition, Johnson and Nowell have been named to several Watch Lists for National Players of the Year honors, while each were selected as finalists for their respective position awards in Johnson for the Julius Erving Small Forward Award and Nowell for the Bob Cousy Point Guard Award. Johnson was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, while both were chosen to the All-Big 12 First Team by both the league coaches and AP. Nowell was joined on the USBWA's Third Team by North Carolina's&nbsp;Armando Bacot, Detroit Mercy's&nbsp;Antoine Davis, Iowa's&nbsp;Kris Murray&nbsp;and Penn State's&nbsp;Jalen Pickett. Johnson joined on the honorable mention list with Oral Roberts'&nbsp;Max Abmas, Memphis'&nbsp;Kendric Davis&nbsp;and Miami's&nbsp;Isaiah Wong. Johnson and Nowell was joined on the NABC's Third Team by Oral Roberts'&nbsp;Max Abmas, Marquette's&nbsp;Tyler Kolek&nbsp;and Wong. Purdue's&nbsp;Zach Edey, Indiana's&nbsp;Trayce Jackson-Davis, Houston's&nbsp;Marcus Sasser, Gonzaga's&nbsp;Drew Timme&nbsp;and Kansas'&nbsp;Jalen Wilson&nbsp;were named First Team All-Americans by both the NABC and USBWA, while both organizations listed UCLA's&nbsp;Jaime Jaquez Jr., Alabama's&nbsp;Brandon Miller, Kentucky's&nbsp;Oscar Tshiebwe&nbsp;and Arizona's&nbsp;Azuolas Tubelis&nbsp;as Second Team All-Americans. Pickett was on the NABC's Second Team, while Kolek received Second Team honors from the USBWA. A 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward from Norfolk, Va., Johnson is currently averaging a team-best 17.7 points on 51.9 percent (209-of-403) from the field, including 41.9 percent (44-of-105) from 3-point range, and 72.5 percent (103-of-142) from the free throw line, to go with a team-best 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 34.0 minutes per game. He is one of only two players (Wilson) to rank in the top-5 in the Big 12 in scoring and rebounding both in overall and league-only games. A 5-foot-7, 160-pound point guard from Harlem, N.Y., Nowell is averaging 16.8 points on 37.7 percent (151-of-401) from the field, including 34.6 percent (75-of-217) from 3-point range, and 88.5 percent (162-of-183) from the free throw line to go along with a Big 12-best 7.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 36.5 minutes per game. He ranks in the Big 12's top-3 in 13 categories, including tops in assists (243), assists/game, free throws made (162) and attempted (183), free throw percentage, steals (76), steals/game and minutes. No. 15/13 K-State (23-9, 11-7 Big 12) earned a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night and will meet No. 14 seed Montana State (25-9, 15-3 Big Sky) at 8:40 p.m., CT on Friday night in the first round of the East Regional at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678929397210.jpeg" alt="Kansas State Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Seniors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;continued to add to their list of honors on Wednesday afternoon (March 15), as the tandem earned All-America accolades from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).&nbsp;&nbsp;Nowell was named a Third Team All-American by both the NABC and USBWA, while Johnson was a member of the NABC's Third Team and one of four to garner honorable mention honors from the USBWA. Johnson and Nowell are the first Wildcats to garner All-America honors from the NABC since&nbsp;Jacob Pullen&nbsp;in 2011, while Nowell is the first to earn the distinction from the USBWA since&nbsp;Michael Beasley&nbsp;in 2008. Already this season, the duo became the first in school history to be selected as All-Americans by The Associated Press and the first since Pullen in 2011 when they earned Third Team recognition on March 14, while Nowell has also earned Third Team honors from&nbsp;The Sporting News. In addition, Johnson and Nowell have been named to several Watch Lists for National Players of the Year honors, while each were selected as finalists for their respective position awards in Johnson for the Julius Erving Small Forward Award and Nowell for the Bob Cousy Point Guard Award. Johnson was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, while both were chosen to the All-Big 12 First Team by both the league coaches and AP. Nowell was joined on the USBWA's Third Team by North Carolina's&nbsp;Armando Bacot, Detroit Mercy's&nbsp;Antoine Davis, Iowa's&nbsp;Kris Murray&nbsp;and Penn State's&nbsp;Jalen Pickett. Johnson joined on the honorable mention list with Oral Roberts'&nbsp;Max Abmas, Memphis'&nbsp;Kendric Davis&nbsp;and Miami's&nbsp;Isaiah Wong. Johnson and Nowell was joined on the NABC's Third Team by Oral Roberts'&nbsp;Max Abmas, Marquette's&nbsp;Tyler Kolek&nbsp;and Wong. Purdue's&nbsp;Zach Edey, Indiana's&nbsp;Trayce Jackson-Davis, Houston's&nbsp;Marcus Sasser, Gonzaga's&nbsp;Drew Timme&nbsp;and Kansas'&nbsp;Jalen Wilson&nbsp;were named First Team All-Americans by both the NABC and USBWA, while both organizations listed UCLA's&nbsp;Jaime Jaquez Jr., Alabama's&nbsp;Brandon Miller, Kentucky's&nbsp;Oscar Tshiebwe&nbsp;and Arizona's&nbsp;Azuolas Tubelis&nbsp;as Second Team All-Americans. Pickett was on the NABC's Second Team, while Kolek received Second Team honors from the USBWA. A 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward from Norfolk, Va., Johnson is currently averaging a team-best 17.7 points on 51.9 percent (209-of-403) from the field, including 41.9 percent (44-of-105) from 3-point range, and 72.5 percent (103-of-142) from the free throw line, to go with a team-best 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 34.0 minutes per game. He is one of only two players (Wilson) to rank in the top-5 in the Big 12 in scoring and rebounding both in overall and league-only games. A 5-foot-7, 160-pound point guard from Harlem, N.Y., Nowell is averaging 16.8 points on 37.7 percent (151-of-401) from the field, including 34.6 percent (75-of-217) from 3-point range, and 88.5 percent (162-of-183) from the free throw line to go along with a Big 12-best 7.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 36.5 minutes per game. He ranks in the Big 12's top-3 in 13 categories, including tops in assists (243), assists/game, free throws made (162) and attempted (183), free throw percentage, steals (76), steals/game and minutes. No. 15/13 K-State (23-9, 11-7 Big 12) earned a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night and will meet No. 14 seed Montana State (25-9, 15-3 Big Sky) at 8:40 p.m., CT on Friday night in the first round of the East Regional at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 K-State's Johnson, Nowell add more All-America honors

HAYS, Kan. - Seven walks and five errors were too much for the Fort Hays State baseball team to overcome on Tuesday (March 14), with Newman taking a 13-8 victory inside Larks Park. The Tigers (9-15, 2-8 MIAA) trailed by six before storming back to make it a one-run game, but Newman (11-13, 5-5 MIAA) scored six runs over the final four innings to secure the win. After Tiger starter&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/austin-puett/7276">Austin Puett</a>&nbsp;worked a 1-2-3 top of the first, the Tigers got to work right away with one run in the home half.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;clubbed a double into the left-field corner that was misplayed by the Jet fielder, allowing DeGarmo to move up to third before scoring on an&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;sacrifice fly.

A walk led off the top of the second, kickstarting a two-run inning for the visitors that was aided by two Tiger errors. Newman added five runs in the third thanks to four more walks. The Tigers responded with two runs in the bottom of the third when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/mikey-felton/6810">Mikey Felton</a>&nbsp;led off by drawing a walk.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;then beat out a bunt single before Ural drove them both in with a double into left center. After&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/spencer-maley/7265">Spencer Maley</a>&nbsp;came on to get the Tigers out of the jam in the third, the junior put up scoreless frames in the fourth and fifth innings. Fort Hays State worked three walks of its own in the home half of the fifth, leading to three runs to help the Tigers close within 7-6. Newman bounced back with three more runs in the sixth before adding a pair in the eighth and one in the ninth. The Tigers pushed across two runs in the eighth to close within 12-8 before the Newman bullpen slammed the door to seal the victory.

Puett (0-2) allowed one hit over 2.0 innings of work, walking four and striking out two while allowing five runs. Maley tossed 3.2 innings, striking out one and allowing three runs on six hits. Scott was 3-for-5 with a triple and two runs, while Ural drove in three runs and scored once. The Tigers will travel to Edmond, Okla. to take on Central Oklahoma in a three-game series this weekend (March 17-19), with first pitch in the opener set for 5 p.m. Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678842197776.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State senior Ed Scott slides safely into third base after hitting a triple in an MIAA baseball game against Newman on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Cayden Sanders)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State senior Ed Scott slides safely into third base after hitting a triple in an MIAA baseball game against Newman on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Cayden Sanders)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. - Seven walks and five errors were too much for the Fort Hays State baseball team to overcome on Tuesday (March 14), with Newman taking a 13-8 victory inside Larks Park. The Tigers (9-15, 2-8 MIAA) trailed by six before storming back to make it a one-run game, but Newman (11-13, 5-5 MIAA) scored six runs over the final four innings to secure the win. After Tiger starter&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/austin-puett/7276">Austin Puett</a>&nbsp;worked a 1-2-3 top of the first, the Tigers got to work right away with one run in the home half.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;clubbed a double into the left-field corner that was misplayed by the Jet fielder, allowing DeGarmo to move up to third before scoring on an&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;sacrifice fly.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1469057920&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/3-14-2023-fhsu-coach-justin-wichert-postgame-interview" title="Justin Wichert postgame vs. Newman (March 14, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Justin Wichert postgame vs. Newman (March 14, 2023)</a></div></div>A walk led off the top of the second, kickstarting a two-run inning for the visitors that was aided by two Tiger errors. Newman added five runs in the third thanks to four more walks. The Tigers responded with two runs in the bottom of the third when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/mikey-felton/6810">Mikey Felton</a>&nbsp;led off by drawing a walk.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;then beat out a bunt single before Ural drove them both in with a double into left center. After&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/spencer-maley/7265">Spencer Maley</a>&nbsp;came on to get the Tigers out of the jam in the third, the junior put up scoreless frames in the fourth and fifth innings. Fort Hays State worked three walks of its own in the home half of the fifth, leading to three runs to help the Tigers close within 7-6. Newman bounced back with three more runs in the sixth before adding a pair in the eighth and one in the ninth. The Tigers pushed across two runs in the eighth to close within 12-8 before the Newman bullpen slammed the door to seal the victory.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1469058157&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/3-14-2023-fhsu-v-newman-bsb-highlights" title="Fort Hays State BSB Highlights vs. Newman (March 14, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State BSB Highlights vs. Newman (March 14, 2023)</a></div></div>Puett (0-2) allowed one hit over 2.0 innings of work, walking four and striking out two while allowing five runs. Maley tossed 3.2 innings, striking out one and allowing three runs on six hits. Scott was 3-for-5 with a triple and two runs, while Ural drove in three runs and scored once. The Tigers will travel to Edmond, Okla. to take on Central Oklahoma in a three-game series this weekend (March 17-19), with first pitch in the opener set for 5 p.m. Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Early walks, errors help Jets soar past Tigers

DENVER – Fort Hays State Softball was so close to a doubleheader sweep at MSU Denver on Tuesday. The Tigers had just one out to get in the first game, but saw the Roadrunners tie the game with a clutch base hit and then win on a walk-off home run by a score of 13-11. However, behind a complete-game effort by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;in the circle, the Tigers took game two 3-1 and grabbed a split moving to 14-10 overall on the season. The Roadrunners moved to 19-8 overall. Game 1: MSU Denver 13, Fort Hays State 11 The Tigers had control of game one, up 9-1 after two and a half innings, only to see the Roadrunners chip away in the middle innings and rally back in front 10-9. FHSU took the lead back in the sixth 11-10, but MSU Denver came up clutch with just one out to work with in the seventh and won 13-11. After the Roadrunners plated a run in the first on a 2-out RBI double, the Tigers rallied for a big seven spot in the top of the second.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/loren-beggs/7075">Loren Beggs</a>&nbsp;made the Roadrunner lead short lived with a leadoff bomb over the left field wall.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;walked,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/madison-pierce/7086">Madison Pierce</a>&nbsp;singled, then&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/7080">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;put the Tigers up 2-1 with an RBI single.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/7091">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;gave the Tigers three straight singles and drove in Pierce to make it 3-1. The Tigers used some small-ball chaos to get their next two runs with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/adysen-burghart/7077">Adysen Burghart</a>&nbsp;laying down a sacrifice bunt that&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/7080">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;came in to score on after the ball got away on an error at first base. The Roadrunners committed another error on an infield chop by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>, allowing pinch runner&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/reese-curry/7079">Reese Curry</a>&nbsp;to score.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lilliana-ramirez-johnson/7093">Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson</a>&nbsp;picked up an RBI single and then Beggs capped the seven-run burst with a sacrifice fly RBI. The Tigers added on in the third when the Curry sisters had back-to-back singles. Regan came in to score on a Burghart sacrifice fly RBI and Reese came in to score on a Shepard RBI single. The Tigers led 9-1. The Roadrunners started their comeback in the third with a two-run homer by Hannah DiFabio. After a double, starting pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savanah-egger/7081">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;handed the ball to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/emma-montoya/7092">Emma Montoya</a>. A dropped fly ball on two outs allowed another run to score and MSU Denver was within five at 9-4 after three innings. The Roadrunners immediately jumped back into the contest in the fourth via a single, a Tiger error, a hit batter, and then a grand slam by Jaden Geist. The Tigers clung to a 9-8 lead at that point. The Roadrunners completed the rally back to their second lead of the game at 10-9 in the fifth on a two-run home run by Kami Grammerstorf. The Tigers were not done though.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>&nbsp;singled and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;doubled to set up a clutch two-out RBI single by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;to left center field, taking the lead back at 11-10. The fielder dove for the ball, but it popped out of her glove when she hit the turf. A leadoff walk in the seventh would end up biting the Tigers. The runner eventually got to third with two outs and the Roadrunners were down to their last strike when Grammerstorf managed to slip a ball through the middle of the infield for a game-tying base hit. That capped a 4-for-4 game for Grammerstorf. Then after fouling off three straight 3-2 pitches, Alexia Boring drove a ball over the center field wall to give the Roadrunners a walk-off 13-11 win. Egger allowed four runs (three earned) in her 2.2 innings of work with three strikeouts. Montoya gave up nine (eight earned) in 4.0 innings of work with two strikeouts, moving to 2-2 on the season. The Tigers touched up MSU Denver starter Audrey Burt for six runs (three earned) on four hits. Cheyenne Prieto pitched the final 6.0 innings for the Roadrunners and picked up the win, allowing five runs (two earned) on eight hits. Game 2: Fort Hays State 3, MSU Denver 1 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;shut down any momentum the Roadrunners carried over from their game-one win. She held MSU Denver scoreless the first five innings and allowed just a single tally in the sixth before finishing off her strong performance in the seventh. Carlson allowed just two hits through the first five innings and finished with five allowed to go with three walks and two strikeouts. She improved to 4-3 on the season. The Tigers built a 3-0 lead in the game with one run in the third and two in the fourth. Back-to-back singles by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/7091">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/adysen-burghart/7077">Adysen Burghart</a>&nbsp;eventually set up a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;RBI on a fielder's choice to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/loren-beggs/7075">Loren Beggs</a>&nbsp;led off the fourth with a triple to the right field corner and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;walked to set up an RBI double by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/7080">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;and an RBI sac fly by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/reese-curry/7079">Reese Curry</a>. The Roadrunners got the potential tying run to the plate with two outs in the seventh, but Carlson got Alexia Boring to ground out to end the game. The Tigers continue their mid-week trip to Colorado with a doubleheader at CSU-Pueblo on Wednesday. Games are set to begin at 2 p.m. (3 p.m. CT) in Pueblo, Colo.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678841904414.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State sophomore Bailey Carlson (2) is congratulated by teammates at an NCAA softball game against MSU Denver on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Denver, Colo. (FHSU Athletics photo/Edwards Jacobs, Jr.)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State sophomore Bailey Carlson (2) is congratulated by teammates at an NCAA softball game against MSU Denver on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Denver, Colo. (FHSU Athletics photo/Edwards Jacobs, Jr.)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsDENVER – Fort Hays State Softball was so close to a doubleheader sweep at MSU Denver on Tuesday. The Tigers had just one out to get in the first game, but saw the Roadrunners tie the game with a clutch base hit and then win on a walk-off home run by a score of 13-11. However, behind a complete-game effort by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;in the circle, the Tigers took game two 3-1 and grabbed a split moving to 14-10 overall on the season. The Roadrunners moved to 19-8 overall. Game 1: MSU Denver 13, Fort Hays State 11 The Tigers had control of game one, up 9-1 after two and a half innings, only to see the Roadrunners chip away in the middle innings and rally back in front 10-9. FHSU took the lead back in the sixth 11-10, but MSU Denver came up clutch with just one out to work with in the seventh and won 13-11. After the Roadrunners plated a run in the first on a 2-out RBI double, the Tigers rallied for a big seven spot in the top of the second.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/loren-beggs/7075">Loren Beggs</a>&nbsp;made the Roadrunner lead short lived with a leadoff bomb over the left field wall.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;walked,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/madison-pierce/7086">Madison Pierce</a>&nbsp;singled, then&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/7080">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;put the Tigers up 2-1 with an RBI single.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/7091">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;gave the Tigers three straight singles and drove in Pierce to make it 3-1. The Tigers used some small-ball chaos to get their next two runs with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/adysen-burghart/7077">Adysen Burghart</a>&nbsp;laying down a sacrifice bunt that&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/7080">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;came in to score on after the ball got away on an error at first base. The Roadrunners committed another error on an infield chop by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>, allowing pinch runner&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/reese-curry/7079">Reese Curry</a>&nbsp;to score.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lilliana-ramirez-johnson/7093">Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson</a>&nbsp;picked up an RBI single and then Beggs capped the seven-run burst with a sacrifice fly RBI. The Tigers added on in the third when the Curry sisters had back-to-back singles. Regan came in to score on a Burghart sacrifice fly RBI and Reese came in to score on a Shepard RBI single. The Tigers led 9-1. The Roadrunners started their comeback in the third with a two-run homer by Hannah DiFabio. After a double, starting pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savanah-egger/7081">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;handed the ball to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/emma-montoya/7092">Emma Montoya</a>. A dropped fly ball on two outs allowed another run to score and MSU Denver was within five at 9-4 after three innings. The Roadrunners immediately jumped back into the contest in the fourth via a single, a Tiger error, a hit batter, and then a grand slam by Jaden Geist. The Tigers clung to a 9-8 lead at that point. The Roadrunners completed the rally back to their second lead of the game at 10-9 in the fifth on a two-run home run by Kami Grammerstorf. The Tigers were not done though.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>&nbsp;singled and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;doubled to set up a clutch two-out RBI single by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;to left center field, taking the lead back at 11-10. The fielder dove for the ball, but it popped out of her glove when she hit the turf. A leadoff walk in the seventh would end up biting the Tigers. The runner eventually got to third with two outs and the Roadrunners were down to their last strike when Grammerstorf managed to slip a ball through the middle of the infield for a game-tying base hit. That capped a 4-for-4 game for Grammerstorf. Then after fouling off three straight 3-2 pitches, Alexia Boring drove a ball over the center field wall to give the Roadrunners a walk-off 13-11 win. Egger allowed four runs (three earned) in her 2.2 innings of work with three strikeouts. Montoya gave up nine (eight earned) in 4.0 innings of work with two strikeouts, moving to 2-2 on the season. The Tigers touched up MSU Denver starter Audrey Burt for six runs (three earned) on four hits. Cheyenne Prieto pitched the final 6.0 innings for the Roadrunners and picked up the win, allowing five runs (two earned) on eight hits. Game 2: Fort Hays State 3, MSU Denver 1 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;shut down any momentum the Roadrunners carried over from their game-one win. She held MSU Denver scoreless the first five innings and allowed just a single tally in the sixth before finishing off her strong performance in the seventh. Carlson allowed just two hits through the first five innings and finished with five allowed to go with three walks and two strikeouts. She improved to 4-3 on the season. The Tigers built a 3-0 lead in the game with one run in the third and two in the fourth. Back-to-back singles by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/7091">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/adysen-burghart/7077">Adysen Burghart</a>&nbsp;eventually set up a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;RBI on a fielder's choice to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/loren-beggs/7075">Loren Beggs</a>&nbsp;led off the fourth with a triple to the right field corner and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;walked to set up an RBI double by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/7080">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;and an RBI sac fly by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/reese-curry/7079">Reese Curry</a>. The Roadrunners got the potential tying run to the plate with two outs in the seventh, but Carlson got Alexia Boring to ground out to end the game. The Tigers continue their mid-week trip to Colorado with a doubleheader at CSU-Pueblo on Wednesday. Games are set to begin at 2 p.m. (3 p.m. CT) in Pueblo, Colo.

🥎 Carlson’s complete game gives Tigers split at MSU Denver

TMP’s Jaci VonLintel was named to the first-team All
Mid-Continent League team on Tuesday.

VonLintel led the Monarchs in all major categories. She
averaged 13.8 points per game, scoring in double-figures in 20-of-23 games. She
recorded 11 double-doubles and averaged nine rebounds. She averaged 5.5
steals, and recorded one triple-double, with 11 steals against Rawlins County.
She recorded an average of three assists and two blocks per game as well.

Phillipsburg’s Taryn Sides and Heather Schemper were also
named to the first-team along with Hoxie’s Josey Kennedy and Smith Center’s
Maile Hrabe.

Brooke Koenigsman was a second-team selection for the
Monarchs after she averaged 11.6 points per game.

Joining her on the second team was Ellis’ Emily Eck, Hoxie’s
Kinley Rogers, Dakota Kattenberg from Smith Center and Norton’s Jenessa Ruder.

On the third-team was Smith Center’s Camryn Hutchinson, Trego’s
Reece Smith, Hoxie’s Emily Bainter, Oakley’s Jaelle Johnson and Norton’s Cara
Cox.

Ellis’ Natalee North and Isabella Eck were named to the honorable
mention team along with Smith Center’s Gracie Kirchoff, Kayla Jacobs from
Phillipsburg and Oakley’s Justice Booker.

Phillipsburg claimed the MCL tournament title and won the
regular season title outright after sharing it each of the two prior seasons.

TMP’s Jaci VonLintel was named to the first-team All
Mid-Continent League team on Tuesday.VonLintel led the Monarchs in all major categories. She
averaged 13.8 points per game, scoring in double-figures in 20-of-23 games. She
recorded 11 double-doubles and averaged nine rebounds. She averaged 5.5
steals, and recorded one triple-double, with 11 steals against Rawlins County.
She recorded an average of three assists and two blocks per game as well.Phillipsburg’s Taryn Sides and Heather Schemper were also
named to the first-team along with Hoxie’s Josey Kennedy and Smith Center’s
Maile Hrabe.Brooke Koenigsman was a second-team selection for the
Monarchs after she averaged 11.6 points per game.Joining her on the second team was Ellis’ Emily Eck, Hoxie’s
Kinley Rogers, Dakota Kattenberg from Smith Center and Norton’s Jenessa Ruder.On the third-team was Smith Center’s Camryn Hutchinson, Trego’s
Reece Smith, Hoxie’s Emily Bainter, Oakley’s Jaelle Johnson and Norton’s Cara
Cox.Ellis’ Natalee North and Isabella Eck were named to the honorable
mention team along with Smith Center’s Gracie Kirchoff, Kayla Jacobs from
Phillipsburg and Oakley’s Justice Booker.Phillipsburg claimed the MCL tournament title and won the
regular season title outright after sharing it each of the two prior seasons.

🏀TMP girls have two named to the All MCL teams

The TMP-Marian Monarchs boys basketball team had three
players named to the All Mid-Continent League team on Tuesday.

TMP’s Dylan Werth and Kade Harris were among five seniors
named to the first-team.

Werth averaged 17 points and nine rebounds, scoring in
double-figures in 25-of-26 and recorded 12 double-doubles.

Harris averaged 8.5 points, five rebounds, 4.4 assists and
two steals for the Monarchs.

Hoxie’s Miles Baalman, Hill City’s Trent Long and Oakley’s
Will Schmidt were all named to the first-team.

Russell’s Jackson Cross and Jordayn Buhrle were named to the
second-team. Norton’s Eli Jones and Roman Hauser were also second-team
selections with Trego’s Owen Day.

TMP’s Luke Rome was a third-team pick. Rome averaged 10
points and six rebounds. 

He was joined on the third team by Hoxie’s Brady Jones, Rad Rodriguez
from Phillipsburg, Plainville’s Carter Cellmer and Hill City’s Jaden Nuss.

Trego’s Nolan Kinderknecht and Gunner Wilson were honorable
mentions selections along with Oakley’s Brayden Cunningham, Carson North from
Ellis and Phillipsburg’s Jesse Blackburn.

TMP won the league and MCL tournament for a second straight
season. 

The TMP-Marian Monarchs boys basketball team had three
players named to the All Mid-Continent League team on Tuesday.TMP’s Dylan Werth and Kade Harris were among five seniors
named to the first-team.Werth averaged 17 points and nine rebounds, scoring in
double-figures in 25-of-26 and recorded 12 double-doubles.Harris averaged 8.5 points, five rebounds, 4.4 assists and
two steals for the Monarchs.Hoxie’s Miles Baalman, Hill City’s Trent Long and Oakley’s
Will Schmidt were all named to the first-team.Russell’s Jackson Cross and Jordayn Buhrle were named to the
second-team. Norton’s Eli Jones and Roman Hauser were also second-team
selections with Trego’s Owen Day.TMP’s Luke Rome was a third-team pick. Rome averaged 10
points and six rebounds. He was joined on the third team by Hoxie’s Brady Jones, Rad Rodriguez
from Phillipsburg, Plainville’s Carter Cellmer and Hill City’s Jaden Nuss.Trego’s Nolan Kinderknecht and Gunner Wilson were honorable
mentions selections along with Oakley’s Brayden Cunningham, Carson North from
Ellis and Phillipsburg’s Jesse Blackburn.TMP won the league and MCL tournament for a second straight
season.

🏀TMP boys land three on All MCL teams

The TMP-Marian Monarchs squared off with the Medicine Lodge Indians in the 2A third place game Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.

Due to KSHSAA regulations, Hays Post was not allowed to stream video of the game live. But you can watch the replay here!

The TMP-Marian Monarchs squared off with the Medicine Lodge Indians in the 2A third place game Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.Due to KSHSAA regulations, Hays Post was not allowed to stream video of the game live. But you can watch the replay here!<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/544606?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 REPLAY: Thomas More Prep-Marian vs Medicine Lodge

Following the completion of the basketball and wrestling seasons, the Western Athletic Conference has announced their All-League Teams. Girls BasketballSenior Carly Lang was named to the first team and sophomore Molly Martin second team.&nbsp;

Lang averaged 10 points, a team high six rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game this season. She routinely drew the toughest guard assignment in games.

She played 85 games in her Hays High career, tied for second most in school history. Lang finished her four year career fourth in free throws attempted and made and third in career assists.

Molly Martin averaged a team highs in points and steals at 12 points and 2.5 steals per game. She was second in assista at 2 per contest. Martin knocked down a team high 35 three pointers.

Dodge City's Becca Unruh was named Player of the Year.

Boys Basketball Jack Weimer and Chason VanDerWege each earned spots on the boys WAC team.&nbsp;

Weimer, a first team selection, average a team high 12 points per contest and three assists. The junior led the team in made threes and free throws. 

He was one of three non-seniors to make the first or second team.

VanDerWege, a senior, was named to the second team. He averaged 9.9 points and led the team in rebounds at 7.5 per game.

Jace Steinmetz of Garden City was named Player of the Year.

Girls Wrestling Hays landed two wrestlers on the WAC first team selections.

Tionna Napue in her first year competing at Hays High was named the top wrestler at 115 pounds. The sophomore finished the 2023 season as the 6-5A State Runner-up and a 31-4 record.

The accolades continue to pile up on Sarah Zimmerman as she was not only named first team at 110 pounds, but also named Wrestler of the Year in the WAC. The four time state placer won her first state championship in February.

Zimmerman went 31-1 this past season and has signed with Simpson College to continue her wrestling career.

Boys Wrestling Three Indian wrestlers were named to the first team in the Western Athletic Conference. Elijah McCullough at 113, Harley Zimmerman at 132 and Dalton Meyers at 157. Tacoma Augustine was named to the second team wrestling 120 pounds.

McCullough ended his junior season with a sixth place showing at the 5A State Tournament. He went 33-13 on the year.

Zimmerman was the topped ranked wrestler most of the season at 132 pounds and ended the campaign with his first state title. The junior went 35-2 on the season.

Meyers, a sophomore, finished his season at 31-13 and one round short of placing at the state tournament.

Augustine, a junior, finished 16-15 on the year.

Dodge City's Luke Barker was named Wrestler of the Year.

Following the completion of the basketball and wrestling seasons, the Western Athletic Conference has announced their All-League Teams. Girls BasketballSenior Carly Lang was named to the first team and sophomore Molly Martin second team.&nbsp;Lang averaged 10 points, a team high six rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game this season. She routinely drew the toughest guard assignment in games.She played 85 games in her Hays High career, tied for second most in school history. Lang finished her four year career fourth in free throws attempted and made and third in career assists.Molly Martin averaged a team highs in points and steals at 12 points and 2.5 steals per game. She was second in assista at 2 per contest. Martin knocked down a team high 35 three pointers.Dodge City's Becca Unruh was named Player of the Year.Boys Basketball Jack Weimer and Chason VanDerWege each earned spots on the boys WAC team.&nbsp;Weimer, a first team selection, average a team high 12 points per contest and three assists. The junior led the team in made threes and free throws. He was one of three non-seniors to make the first or second team.VanDerWege, a senior, was named to the second team. He averaged 9.9 points and led the team in rebounds at 7.5 per game.Jace Steinmetz of Garden City was named Player of the Year.Girls Wrestling Hays landed two wrestlers on the WAC first team selections. Tionna Napue in her first year competing at Hays High was named the top wrestler at 115 pounds. The sophomore finished the 2023 season as the 6-5A State Runner-up and a 31-4 record.The accolades continue to pile up on Sarah Zimmerman as she was not only named first team at 110 pounds, but also named Wrestler of the Year in the WAC. The four time state placer won her first state championship in February.Zimmerman went 31-1 this past season and has signed with Simpson College to continue her wrestling career.Boys Wrestling Three Indian wrestlers were named to the first team in the Western Athletic Conference. Elijah McCullough at 113, Harley Zimmerman at 132 and Dalton Meyers at 157. Tacoma Augustine was named to the second team wrestling 120 pounds.McCullough ended his junior season with a sixth place showing at the 5A State Tournament. He went 33-13 on the year.Zimmerman was the topped ranked wrestler most of the season at 132 pounds and ended the campaign with his first state title. The junior went 35-2 on the season.Meyers, a sophomore, finished his season at 31-13 and one round short of placing at the state tournament.Augustine, a junior, finished 16-15 on the year.Dodge City's Luke Barker was named Wrestler of the Year.

Hays High athletes honored by WAC

Fort Hays State (9-14, 2-7 MIAA) vs. Newman (10-12, 4-5 MIAA) Tuesday, March 14, 2023 • 3 p.m. Hays, Kan. • Larks Park&nbsp;&nbsp; Radio • KAYS (1400/94.3)

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KAYS">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a>

&nbsp; The Fort Hays State baseball team wraps up their four-game homestand with a single game against Newman at Larks Park on Tuesday (March 14). First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. This game is the first of three games that the Tigers and Jets will play throughout the course of the season. The Tigers (9-14) took one out of three games from Rogers State this past weekend. FHSU won the series opener 11-5 before dropping the final two games of the series including a tough 8-7 loss in the rubber match. The Tigers continue to lead the MIAA in sacrifice bunts with 28, while ranking second in batting average (.320), walks drawn (116), and on base percentage (.429), fourth in runs (182), hits (237), and RBI (159), and fifth in doubles (41) and slugging percentage (.486).

Jenner Steele leads the Jets with a .398 batting average collecting 28 RBI on 35 hits including eight home runs. Garrett VanDeventer has made six starts for the Jets posting a 3.65 ERA over 37 innings of work.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Tigers are 22-29-1 all-time against Newman&nbsp;after the Jets took two out of three games from the Tigers last season. The Jets have won the last two matchups at Larks Park.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678737218479.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsFort Hays State (9-14, 2-7 MIAA) vs. Newman (10-12, 4-5 MIAA) Tuesday, March 14, 2023 • 3 p.m. Hays, Kan. • Larks Park&nbsp;&nbsp; Radio • KAYS (1400/94.3)<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KAYS">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a>&nbsp; The Fort Hays State baseball team wraps up their four-game homestand with a single game against Newman at Larks Park on Tuesday (March 14). First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. This game is the first of three games that the Tigers and Jets will play throughout the course of the season. The Tigers (9-14) took one out of three games from Rogers State this past weekend. FHSU won the series opener 11-5 before dropping the final two games of the series including a tough 8-7 loss in the rubber match. The Tigers continue to lead the MIAA in sacrifice bunts with 28, while ranking second in batting average (.320), walks drawn (116), and on base percentage (.429), fourth in runs (182), hits (237), and RBI (159), and fifth in doubles (41) and slugging percentage (.486).Jenner Steele leads the Jets with a .398 batting average collecting 28 RBI on 35 hits including eight home runs. Garrett VanDeventer has made six starts for the Jets posting a 3.65 ERA over 37 innings of work.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Tigers are 22-29-1 all-time against Newman&nbsp;after the Jets took two out of three games from the Tigers last season. The Jets have won the last two matchups at Larks Park.

⚾🎙️ LISTEN - FHSU hosts Newman in midweek clash

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas redshirt-junior forward Jalen Wilson and freshman guard Gradey Dick both earned postseason honors Tuesday, two days prior to KU’s first game in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

Wilson’s first honor of the day was being named to the Associated Press All-America First Team, marking the second-straight selection for a Jayhawk, earning Ochai Agbaji in 2022. Wilson was also named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 8 First Team, while Dick was an NABC All-District 8 Second Team selection. Later in the day, the duo was both selected to the 10-member USBWA All-District VI team with Wilson being named the district’s player of the year.

Dick ranks second the KU team with a 14.1 scoring average and his 79 three-point field goals made lead the team and rank tied for first on the KU freshmen all-time list. The Wichita, Kansas, native is tied with Jeff Boschee who made 79 in 1998-99. An All-Big 12 Second Team selection and three-time Big 12 Newcomer of the Week in 2022-23, Dick’s 14.1 scoring average currently ranks tied for fifth on the KU freshmen list and his 85.1 free throw percentage is second.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678876491458.png" alt="Kansas redshirt junior forward Jalen Wilson (10) exchanges a high-five with freshman guard Gradey Dick (4) during the Big 12 Tournament championship game on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Kansas City, Mo. ( Kansas Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas redshirt junior forward Jalen Wilson (10) exchanges a high-five with freshman guard Gradey Dick (4) during the Big 12 Tournament championship game on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Kansas City, Mo. ( Kansas Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas AthleticsLAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas redshirt-junior forward Jalen Wilson and freshman guard Gradey Dick both earned postseason honors Tuesday, two days prior to KU’s first game in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.Wilson’s first honor of the day was being named to the Associated Press All-America First Team, marking the second-straight selection for a Jayhawk, earning Ochai Agbaji in 2022. Wilson was also named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 8 First Team, while Dick was an NABC All-District 8 Second Team selection. Later in the day, the duo was both selected to the 10-member USBWA All-District VI team with Wilson being named the district’s player of the year.The unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year and All-Big 12 First Team selection, Wilson leads the Big 12 in scoring at 20.1 points per game, which is 26th nationally. Wilson has two 30-point performances and 20 games of 20 or more points scored this season, including each of his last five games. The Denton, Texas, forward also leads the Big 12 with 8.4 rebounds per game and 22 double-doubles.On nearly every national player of the year watch list, Wilson ranks tied for 27th on the Kansas career scoring list, currently at 1,435 points, and his 791 career rebounds are 14th on the KU list. Wilson’s 28 career double-doubles are ninth on the KU all-time list.Dick ranks second the KU team with a 14.1 scoring average and his 79 three-point field goals made lead the team and rank tied for first on the KU freshmen all-time list. The Wichita, Kansas, native is tied with Jeff Boschee who made 79 in 1998-99. An All-Big 12 Second Team selection and three-time Big 12 Newcomer of the Week in 2022-23, Dick’s 14.1 scoring average currently ranks tied for fifth on the KU freshmen list and his 85.1 free throw percentage is second.No. 1 seed Kansas (27-7) will begin the defense of its NCAA National Championship against No. 16 seed Howard (22-12) on Thursday, March 16, at 1 p.m. CT, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. The game will be televised on TBS.

🏀 KU's Jalen Wilson named AP First Team All-American

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Seniors Keyontae Johhson and Markquis Nowell&nbsp;were both selected as Third Team All-Americans by The Associated Press on Tuesday afternoon, becoming the first duo in school history to earn the honor.

&nbsp; Johnson and Nowell become just the eighth and ninth players in school history to earn recognition to the First, Second or Third All-America teams by the AP and the first since&nbsp;Jacob Pullen&nbsp;was named to the Third Team in 2011. They join a group that includes&nbsp;Bob Boozer&nbsp;(1958, 1959),&nbsp;Dick Knostman&nbsp;(1952, 1953),&nbsp;Mike Evans&nbsp;(1978),&nbsp;Rolando Blackman&nbsp;(1980),&nbsp;Mitch Richmond&nbsp;(1988),&nbsp;Michael Beasley&nbsp;(2008) and Pullen. Johnson and Nowell were joined on the Third Team by Marquette's&nbsp;Tyler Kolek, North Carolina's&nbsp;Armando Bacot&nbsp;and Iowa's&nbsp;Kris Murray. The First Team included Purdue's&nbsp;Zach Edey, Kansas'&nbsp;Jalen Wilson, Indiana's&nbsp;Trayce Jackson-Davis, Houston's&nbsp;Marcus Sasser&nbsp;and Alabama's&nbsp;Brandon Miller. The Second Team consisted of UCLA's&nbsp;Jaime Jaquez Jr., Gonzaga's&nbsp;Drew Timme, Arizona's&nbsp;Azuolas Tubelis, Penn State's&nbsp;Jalen Pickett&nbsp;and Kentucky's&nbsp;Oscar Tshiebwe. The accolade is yet another for the tandem, who rank as one of the top scoring duos in the country at 34.5 points per game. Johnson and Nowell have been named to several Watch Lists for National Players of the Year honors, while each were selected as finalists for their respective position awards in Johnson for the Julius Erving Small Forward Award and Nowell for the Bob Cousy Point Guard Award. Johnson was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, while both were chosen to the All-Big 12 First Team by both the league coaches and AP. A 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward from Norfolk, Va., Johnson is currently averaging a team-best 17.7 points on 51.9 percent (209-of-403) from the field, including 41.9 percent (44-of-105) from 3-point range, and 72.5 percent (103-of-142) from the free throw line, to go with a team-best 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 34.0 minutes per game. He is one of only two players (Kansas'&nbsp;Jalen Wilson) to rank in the top-5 in the Big 12 in scoring and rebounding both in overall and league-only games. A 5-foot-7, 160-pound point guard from Harlem, N.Y., Nowell is averaging 16.8 points on 37.7 percent (151-of-401) from the field, including 34.6 percent (75-of-217) from 3-point range, and 88.5 percent (162-of-183) from the free throw line to go along with a Big 12-best 7.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 36.5 minutes per game. He ranks in the Big 12's top-3 in 13 categories, including tops in assists (243), assists/game, free throws made (162) and attempted (183), free throw percentage, steals (76), steals/game and minutes. No. 15/13 K-State (23-9, 11-7 Big 12) earned a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night and will travel to Greensboro, N.C., to take on No. 14 seed Montana State (25-9, 15-3 Big Sky) at 8:40 p.m., CT on Friday night in the first round of the East Regional at the Greensboro Coliseum.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678876906034.jpeg" alt="Kansas State forward Keyontae Johnson (11) celebrates with guard Markquis Nowell following a win earlier this season in the Cayman Islands. (Kansas State Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State forward Keyontae Johnson (11) celebrates with guard Markquis Nowell following a win earlier this season in the Cayman Islands. (Kansas State Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Seniors Keyontae Johhson and Markquis Nowell&nbsp;were both selected as Third Team All-Americans by The Associated Press on Tuesday afternoon, becoming the first duo in school history to earn the honor.&nbsp; Johnson and Nowell become just the eighth and ninth players in school history to earn recognition to the First, Second or Third All-America teams by the AP and the first since&nbsp;Jacob Pullen&nbsp;was named to the Third Team in 2011. They join a group that includes&nbsp;Bob Boozer&nbsp;(1958, 1959),&nbsp;Dick Knostman&nbsp;(1952, 1953),&nbsp;Mike Evans&nbsp;(1978),&nbsp;Rolando Blackman&nbsp;(1980),&nbsp;Mitch Richmond&nbsp;(1988),&nbsp;Michael Beasley&nbsp;(2008) and Pullen. Johnson and Nowell were joined on the Third Team by Marquette's&nbsp;Tyler Kolek, North Carolina's&nbsp;Armando Bacot&nbsp;and Iowa's&nbsp;Kris Murray. The First Team included Purdue's&nbsp;Zach Edey, Kansas'&nbsp;Jalen Wilson, Indiana's&nbsp;Trayce Jackson-Davis, Houston's&nbsp;Marcus Sasser&nbsp;and Alabama's&nbsp;Brandon Miller. The Second Team consisted of UCLA's&nbsp;Jaime Jaquez Jr., Gonzaga's&nbsp;Drew Timme, Arizona's&nbsp;Azuolas Tubelis, Penn State's&nbsp;Jalen Pickett&nbsp;and Kentucky's&nbsp;Oscar Tshiebwe. The accolade is yet another for the tandem, who rank as one of the top scoring duos in the country at 34.5 points per game. Johnson and Nowell have been named to several Watch Lists for National Players of the Year honors, while each were selected as finalists for their respective position awards in Johnson for the Julius Erving Small Forward Award and Nowell for the Bob Cousy Point Guard Award. Johnson was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, while both were chosen to the All-Big 12 First Team by both the league coaches and AP. A 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward from Norfolk, Va., Johnson is currently averaging a team-best 17.7 points on 51.9 percent (209-of-403) from the field, including 41.9 percent (44-of-105) from 3-point range, and 72.5 percent (103-of-142) from the free throw line, to go with a team-best 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 34.0 minutes per game. He is one of only two players (Kansas'&nbsp;Jalen Wilson) to rank in the top-5 in the Big 12 in scoring and rebounding both in overall and league-only games. A 5-foot-7, 160-pound point guard from Harlem, N.Y., Nowell is averaging 16.8 points on 37.7 percent (151-of-401) from the field, including 34.6 percent (75-of-217) from 3-point range, and 88.5 percent (162-of-183) from the free throw line to go along with a Big 12-best 7.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 36.5 minutes per game. He ranks in the Big 12's top-3 in 13 categories, including tops in assists (243), assists/game, free throws made (162) and attempted (183), free throw percentage, steals (76), steals/game and minutes. No. 15/13 K-State (23-9, 11-7 Big 12) earned a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night and will travel to Greensboro, N.C., to take on No. 14 seed Montana State (25-9, 15-3 Big Sky) at 8:40 p.m., CT on Friday night in the first round of the East Regional at the Greensboro Coliseum.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 KSU's Johnson, Nowell selected AP Third Team All-Americans

Newly named Fort Hays State women's wrestling coach Alijah Jeffery shares his wrestling background talks about starting up the FHSU women's wrestling program.

Newly named Fort Hays State women's wrestling coach Alijah Jeffery shares his wrestling background talks about starting up the FHSU women's wrestling program.<div><iframe title="Alijah Jeffery" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=gk5dj-13b7f44-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=2"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: Alijah Jeffery

Several milestones were reached by the Iowa State Lady Cyclones 
during last week's Big 12 Tournament championship run. On Sunday, the 
team defeated No. 15 Texas 61-51 to claim its third Big 12 Tournament in
 program history, and the first since 2001. Iowa State (22-9) enters the
 NCAA Tournament as the No. 5 seed opposite Toledo, with a tipoff 
Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn.

Former Central Plains High School 
standout Emily Ryan scored 15 points in Friday's quarterfinal win 
against Baylor to become just the 34th player in school history to reach
 1,000 career points. Ryan currently ranks ninth nationally with 6.5 
assists per game.&nbsp;

The Lady Cyclones defeated No. 14 Oklahoma 
82-72 in Saturday's semifinal action. Big 12 Player of the Year Ashley 
Joens reached 3,000 career points, becoming just the 14th player in NCAA
 Division I history to reach that milestone.

Iowa State dropped 
out of the national rankings ahead of the Big 12 Tournament. The 
Cyclones achieved a top-five ranking earlier in the season - the team's 
highest ranking since 2001. With a win in Saturday's NCAA first round, 
Iowa State would face No. 4 Tennessee or No. 13 St. Louis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678722760710.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy Great Bend PostSeveral milestones were reached by the Iowa State Lady Cyclones 
during last week's Big 12 Tournament championship run. On Sunday, the 
team defeated No. 15 Texas 61-51 to claim its third Big 12 Tournament in
 program history, and the first since 2001. Iowa State (22-9) enters the
 NCAA Tournament as the No. 5 seed opposite Toledo, with a tipoff 
Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn.Former Central Plains High School 
standout Emily Ryan scored 15 points in Friday's quarterfinal win 
against Baylor to become just the 34th player in school history to reach
 1,000 career points. Ryan currently ranks ninth nationally with 6.5 
assists per game.&nbsp;The Lady Cyclones defeated No. 14 Oklahoma 
82-72 in Saturday's semifinal action. Big 12 Player of the Year Ashley 
Joens reached 3,000 career points, becoming just the 14th player in NCAA
 Division I history to reach that milestone.Iowa State dropped 
out of the national rankings ahead of the Big 12 Tournament. The 
Cyclones achieved a top-five ranking earlier in the season - the team's 
highest ranking since 2001. With a win in Saturday's NCAA first round, 
Iowa State would face No. 4 Tennessee or No. 13 St. Louis.

Former Central Plains star reaches 1,000-point milestone at Iowa State

The TMP-Marian Monarchs took on the Moundridge Wildcats in the 2A state semifinals Thursday in Manhattan.

You can also watch by clicking <a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/544352">HERE</a>.

The TMP-Marian Monarchs took on the Moundridge Wildcats in the 2A state semifinals Thursday in Manhattan.Due to KSHSAA regulations, Hays Post was not allowed to stream video of the game live. But you can watch the replay here!<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/544352?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>You can also watch by clicking <a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/544352">HERE</a>.

🏀🎥 REPLAY: Thomas More Prep-Marian vs Moundridge

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State University announced on March 13, 2023 the hiring of Alijah Jeffery as the first head women's wrestling coach at Fort Hays State University. Jeffery will have a whole year to recruit and put together a team before Fort Hays State begins competition in 2024-25. "I could not be more excited to officially become the first head coach of Fort Hays State's&nbsp;women's wrestling program," said Jeffery. "From the moment of Fort Hays State's announcement of adding the sport,&nbsp;I knew this would be a place for women's wrestlers to grow and succeed. I would like to thank athletic director Curtis Hammeke, and the rest of the Fort Hays State athletic staff for giving me this amazing opportunity. Fort Hays has a special community, amazing support, and a family atmosphere. There is no place I'd rather build a program and can't wait to begin building a very special program at Fort Hays State!" "We are excited about Coach Jeffery starting our women's wrestling program," FHSU Director of Athletics Curtis Hammeke said. "He has proven expertise in collegiate wrestling to go along with his passion and enthusiasm. We look forward to watching the program grow under his leadership." Jeffery comes to Fort Hays State from Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska, where he served as head women's wrestling coach for two years from 2021-2023. Without a full year to recruit a team for a new sport at Chadron State, Jeffery quickly constructed a competitive team of eight wrestlers in the program's first year, coaching four that qualified for the NCWWC National Championship and five to Scholar All-America honors. In his second year of 2022-23, he brought in a big recruiting class of 21 individuals to the program and once again coached four national qualifiers. One of those national qualifiers in 2022-23 was a regional champion. Jeffery also served as the Nebraska Freestyle National Team Coach during his time at Chadron State.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Prior to his head coaching stint at Chadron State, Jeffery served as an assistant coach for both men's and women's wrestling at Indian Hills Community College in Centerville, Iowa. He helped coach the women's program to its first junior college national championship in 2021 before moving on to be head coach of the new women's program at Chadron State. He helped start the run of what has turned into three-straight junior college national titles for Indian Hills (2021-2023), and helped coach three wrestlers to individual national titles and 11 to All-America status during the 2020-21 season. Jeffery was hired in December of 2019 at Indian Hills and worked alongside head coach Cole Spree in the spring of 2020 to recruit the school's first women's wrestling team, which started competition in 2020-21 and went on to win the junior college national tournament and national dual titles that season. Jeffery wrestled collegiately at Northern Illinois University, where he was in the starting lineup all four years. He was a state champion and four-time state placer in high school, as well as a USA Folkstyle national champion and a Fargo Freestyle Nationals All-American. Jeffery is a native of Marion, Iowa. He earned his B.A. degree from Northern Illinois University and is currently working on his master's degree at Chadron State College.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678734927500.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State University announced on March 13, 2023 the hiring of Alijah Jeffery as the first head women's wrestling coach at Fort Hays State University. Jeffery will have a whole year to recruit and put together a team before Fort Hays State begins competition in 2024-25. "I could not be more excited to officially become the first head coach of Fort Hays State's&nbsp;women's wrestling program," said Jeffery. "From the moment of Fort Hays State's announcement of adding the sport,&nbsp;I knew this would be a place for women's wrestlers to grow and succeed. I would like to thank athletic director Curtis Hammeke, and the rest of the Fort Hays State athletic staff for giving me this amazing opportunity. Fort Hays has a special community, amazing support, and a family atmosphere. There is no place I'd rather build a program and can't wait to begin building a very special program at Fort Hays State!" "We are excited about Coach Jeffery starting our women's wrestling program," FHSU Director of Athletics Curtis Hammeke said. "He has proven expertise in collegiate wrestling to go along with his passion and enthusiasm. We look forward to watching the program grow under his leadership." Jeffery comes to Fort Hays State from Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska, where he served as head women's wrestling coach for two years from 2021-2023. Without a full year to recruit a team for a new sport at Chadron State, Jeffery quickly constructed a competitive team of eight wrestlers in the program's first year, coaching four that qualified for the NCWWC National Championship and five to Scholar All-America honors. In his second year of 2022-23, he brought in a big recruiting class of 21 individuals to the program and once again coached four national qualifiers. One of those national qualifiers in 2022-23 was a regional champion. Jeffery also served as the Nebraska Freestyle National Team Coach during his time at Chadron State.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678735130564.jpeg" alt="Alijah Jeffery talks to one of his Chadron State College wrestlers. Jeffrey has been named the first women's head wrestling coach at Fort Hays State. (Chadron State Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Alijah Jeffery talks to one of his Chadron State College wrestlers. Jeffrey has been named the first women's head wrestling coach at Fort Hays State. (Chadron State Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Prior to his head coaching stint at Chadron State, Jeffery served as an assistant coach for both men's and women's wrestling at Indian Hills Community College in Centerville, Iowa. He helped coach the women's program to its first junior college national championship in 2021 before moving on to be head coach of the new women's program at Chadron State. He helped start the run of what has turned into three-straight junior college national titles for Indian Hills (2021-2023), and helped coach three wrestlers to individual national titles and 11 to All-America status during the 2020-21 season. Jeffery was hired in December of 2019 at Indian Hills and worked alongside head coach Cole Spree in the spring of 2020 to recruit the school's first women's wrestling team, which started competition in 2020-21 and went on to win the junior college national tournament and national dual titles that season. Jeffery wrestled collegiately at Northern Illinois University, where he was in the starting lineup all four years. He was a state champion and four-time state placer in high school, as well as a USA Folkstyle national champion and a Fargo Freestyle Nationals All-American. Jeffery is a native of Marion, Iowa. He earned his B.A. degree from Northern Illinois University and is currently working on his master's degree at Chadron State College.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🤼‍♀️ Alijah Jeffery named first women’s wrestling coach at Fort Hays State

NCK Tech March Mania 3-in-1 Bracket Challenge

By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN Special to Hays Post

MANHATTAN — Troy Schulte and Dave Losey are both quite familiar with the mixed bag of emotions that go along with playing in a state basketball tournament.

Back in 1988, the standout duo helped lead Thomas More Prep-Marian to the Class 4A state tournament but lost in the first round.

They were again instrumental in helping the Monarchs advance to the Class 4A state championship game the next year.

Thirty-four years laster, the duo reunited at the Class 2A State Championships in Manhattan this past week.

There were a lot of ups and also some downs in 1989 for Schulte and Losey, who enjoyed a successful senior season but were disappointed about losing the championship game in that 4A state finale.

It was an emotional roller-coaster ride for them again this weekend.

Schulte is now the activities director at TMP, and Losey is the head basketball coach at Horton in northeast Kansas.&nbsp;

As luck would have it, when the brackets for this year’s 2A state tourney were released, TMP and Horton were paired together in the first round.

Losey, in his first year as the Chargers’ head coach, was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that his team had dominated Riverside in the sub-state title game.

Horton hadn’t had a winning season since 2016 and had endured back-to-back two-win seasons during that stretch.&nbsp;

Under Losey this year, the Chargers rebounded from a midseason slump when they lost six of seven games to win nine of their last 10 and advance to state.

“It was all pretty surreal, even getting to state,” admitted Losey, who started three juniors and two sophomores this season. “Then when I saw we were opening state with TMP, I was stunned.”

TMP was entering state on a 20-game winning streak with its senior-laden squad, and Losey knew his young team was in for a battle in the first round.

The more experienced TMP won that game, 52-27, ending Horton’s late-season run.

Nonetheless, Losey knew he would return to Manhattan for the tournament later in the weekend to support the Monarchs.

TMP seemed to have the game in hand late in both Friday’s semifinals and again in Saturday’s third-place game before coming up on the short end of both close contests.

The former teammates are now in their early 50s, carrying a few more pounds and sporting a little less hair.

But they have had mutual respect for each other since Schulte’s eighth-grade team at Kennedy Middle School in Hays handed Losey’s Plainville squad its only loss during the 1984-85 season.

Following graduation from college, they both went into teaching and coaching and even coached together at the same school in Missouri one year.

“We’ve known each other for a long time,” Schulte said. “So it was really nice to reconnect.”

Losey and Schulte met in the arena before the first-round game, and Losey made the trip to Manhattan again for Friday’s semifinals.

“We knew that was going to be a tough game against TMP,” Losey said. “But I still wanted to see (the Monarchs) do well the rest of the tournament. It’s always great to see your alma mater succeed.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677528504039.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678568245673.jpeg" alt="Dave Losey and Troy Schulte, teammates on TMP-Marian's 1989 state runner-up team, reconnected at this past weekend's Class 2A season finale at Manhattan. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Dave Losey and Troy Schulte, teammates on TMP-Marian's 1989 state runner-up team, reconnected at this past weekend's Class 2A season finale at Manhattan. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN Special to Hays PostMANHATTAN — Troy Schulte and Dave Losey are both quite familiar with the mixed bag of emotions that go along with playing in a state basketball tournament.Back in 1988, the standout duo helped lead Thomas More Prep-Marian to the Class 4A state tournament but lost in the first round.They were again instrumental in helping the Monarchs advance to the Class 4A state championship game the next year.Thirty-four years laster, the duo reunited at the Class 2A State Championships in Manhattan this past week.There were a lot of ups and also some downs in 1989 for Schulte and Losey, who enjoyed a successful senior season but were disappointed about losing the championship game in that 4A state finale.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678568275775.jpeg" alt="Dave Losey, far left, and Troy Schulte, far right, were senior starters for the Monarchs. Photo courtesy of TMP-Marian" />
 <figcaption>Dave Losey, far left, and Troy Schulte, far right, were senior starters for the Monarchs. Photo courtesy of TMP-Marian</figcaption>
 </figure>It was an emotional roller-coaster ride for them again this weekend.Schulte is now the activities director at TMP, and Losey is the head basketball coach at Horton in northeast Kansas.&nbsp;As luck would have it, when the brackets for this year’s 2A state tourney were released, TMP and Horton were paired together in the first round.Losey, in his first year as the Chargers’ head coach, was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that his team had dominated Riverside in the sub-state title game.Horton hadn’t had a winning season since 2016 and had endured back-to-back two-win seasons during that stretch.&nbsp;Under Losey this year, the Chargers rebounded from a midseason slump when they lost six of seven games to win nine of their last 10 and advance to state.“It was all pretty surreal, even getting to state,” admitted Losey, who started three juniors and two sophomores this season. “Then when I saw we were opening state with TMP, I was stunned.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678568305406.jpeg" alt="Dave Losey, right (No. 23), and Troy Schulte, left, helped lead the Monarchs to back-to-back state tournament appearances their junior and senior years at TMP. Photo courtesy of TMP-Marian" />
 <figcaption>Dave Losey, right (No. 23), and Troy Schulte, left, helped lead the Monarchs to back-to-back state tournament appearances their junior and senior years at TMP. Photo courtesy of TMP-Marian</figcaption>
 </figure>TMP was entering state on a 20-game winning streak with its senior-laden squad, and Losey knew his young team was in for a battle in the first round.The more experienced TMP won that game, 52-27, ending Horton’s late-season run.Nonetheless, Losey knew he would return to Manhattan for the tournament later in the weekend to support the Monarchs.TMP seemed to have the game in hand late in both Friday’s semifinals and again in Saturday’s third-place game before coming up on the short end of both close contests.The former teammates are now in their early 50s, carrying a few more pounds and sporting a little less hair.But they have had mutual respect for each other since Schulte’s eighth-grade team at Kennedy Middle School in Hays handed Losey’s Plainville squad its only loss during the 1984-85 season.Following graduation from college, they both went into teaching and coaching and even coached together at the same school in Missouri one year.“We’ve known each other for a long time,” Schulte said. “So it was really nice to reconnect.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678568341426.jpeg" alt="Troy Schulte, TMP class of '89. Photo courtesy of TMP-Marian" />
 <figcaption>Troy Schulte, TMP class of '89. Photo courtesy of TMP-Marian</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678573555177.jpeg" alt="Dave Losey, TMP class '89. Photo courtesy of TMP-Marian" />
 <figcaption>Dave Losey, TMP class '89. Photo courtesy of TMP-Marian</figcaption>
 </figure>Losey and Schulte met in the arena before the first-round game, and Losey made the trip to Manhattan again for Friday’s semifinals.“We knew that was going to be a tough game against TMP,” Losey said. “But I still wanted to see (the Monarchs) do well the rest of the tournament. It’s always great to see your alma mater succeed.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677528504039.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

NWester: State tournament reunites former Monarch teammates

&nbsp; MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State was rewarded for a successful season on Sunday night, as the Wildcats earned their 32nd overall bid to the NCAA Tournament, including the first under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/1856">Jerome Tang</a>.

No. 12/12 K-State (23-9, 11-7 Big 12) was selected as the No. 3 seed in the East Regional and will travel to Greensboro, N.C., to play No. 14 seed Montana State (25-9, 15-3 Big Sky) in the first round on Friday, March 17 at the Greensboro Coliseum. The winner will advance to play the winner of the No. 6 seed Kentucky (21-11, 12-6 SEC) and No. 11 seed Providence (21-11, 13-7 BIG EAST) on Sunday, March 19. K-State and Montana State will tip off at 8:40 p.m., CT (9:40 p.m., ET) on CBS with&nbsp;Ian Eagle,&nbsp;Jim Spanarkel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Evan Washburn&nbsp;on the call. It will be proceeded by the Kentucky-Providence game, which is set for 6:10 p.m., CT (7:10 p.m., CT), also on CBS. Public requests for NCAA Tournament tickets are available until midnight (12 a.m., CT) tonight (Sunday, March 12). Please&nbsp;<a href="https://k-st.at/NCAA23FIRST">click here</a>&nbsp;to request tickets exclusively within the K-State allotment. Tickets are priced at $66 (upper level) and $80 (lower level). K-State was the No. 11 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, including third among the four No. 3 seeds (trailing Baylor and Gonzaga). The No. 3 seed is the second highest by a Wildcat team since seeding began in 1979 and the highest since the 2010 team was selected as a No. 2 seed. The Wildcats will be joined at the venue by No. 3 seed Xavier (25-9), No. 6 seed Iowa State (19-13), No. 14 Kennesaw State (26-8) and the winner of the First Four matchup between No. 11 seeds Mississippi State (21-12) and Pittsburgh (22-11) of the Midwest Regional. The top seed in the East Regional are No. 1 seed Purdue (29-5), No. 2 seed Marquette (28-6), No. 3 seed K-State, No. 4 seed Tennessee (23-10), No. 5 seed Duke (26-8), No. 6 seed Kentucky (21-11) and No. 7 seed Michigan State (19-12). K-State is making its 39th postseason appearance, which includes 32 in the NCAA Tournament and seven in the Postseason NIT. The Wildcats advance to the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in the last 16 seasons, including the first time since 2019. The program has now advanced to the postseason 12 times in the last 17 seasons (10 trips to NCAA Tournament and two to the NIT). The 32 overall bids rank 22nd nationally, including fourth among Big 12 schools (Kansas [51], Texas [37] and Oklahoma [33]). In its last NCAA appearance, the No. 4 seed K-State lost to No. 13 seed UC Irvine, 70-64, in the first round of the NCAA South Regional at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678666549901.jpeg" alt="The Kansas State basketball team watches Selection Sunday. (Kansas State Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas State basketball team watches Selection Sunday. (Kansas State Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas State Athletics&nbsp; MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State was rewarded for a successful season on Sunday night, as the Wildcats earned their 32nd overall bid to the NCAA Tournament, including the first under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/1856">Jerome Tang</a>.No. 12/12 K-State (23-9, 11-7 Big 12) was selected as the No. 3 seed in the East Regional and will travel to Greensboro, N.C., to play No. 14 seed Montana State (25-9, 15-3 Big Sky) in the first round on Friday, March 17 at the Greensboro Coliseum. The winner will advance to play the winner of the No. 6 seed Kentucky (21-11, 12-6 SEC) and No. 11 seed Providence (21-11, 13-7 BIG EAST) on Sunday, March 19. K-State and Montana State will tip off at 8:40 p.m., CT (9:40 p.m., ET) on CBS with&nbsp;Ian Eagle,&nbsp;Jim Spanarkel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Evan Washburn&nbsp;on the call. It will be proceeded by the Kentucky-Providence game, which is set for 6:10 p.m., CT (7:10 p.m., CT), also on CBS. Public requests for NCAA Tournament tickets are available until midnight (12 a.m., CT) tonight (Sunday, March 12). Please&nbsp;<a href="https://k-st.at/NCAA23FIRST">click here</a>&nbsp;to request tickets exclusively within the K-State allotment. Tickets are priced at $66 (upper level) and $80 (lower level). K-State was the No. 11 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, including third among the four No. 3 seeds (trailing Baylor and Gonzaga). The No. 3 seed is the second highest by a Wildcat team since seeding began in 1979 and the highest since the 2010 team was selected as a No. 2 seed. The Wildcats will be joined at the venue by No. 3 seed Xavier (25-9), No. 6 seed Iowa State (19-13), No. 14 Kennesaw State (26-8) and the winner of the First Four matchup between No. 11 seeds Mississippi State (21-12) and Pittsburgh (22-11) of the Midwest Regional. The top seed in the East Regional are No. 1 seed Purdue (29-5), No. 2 seed Marquette (28-6), No. 3 seed K-State, No. 4 seed Tennessee (23-10), No. 5 seed Duke (26-8), No. 6 seed Kentucky (21-11) and No. 7 seed Michigan State (19-12). K-State is making its 39th postseason appearance, which includes 32 in the NCAA Tournament and seven in the Postseason NIT. The Wildcats advance to the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in the last 16 seasons, including the first time since 2019. The program has now advanced to the postseason 12 times in the last 17 seasons (10 trips to NCAA Tournament and two to the NIT). The 32 overall bids rank 22nd nationally, including fourth among Big 12 schools (Kansas [51], Texas [37] and Oklahoma [33]). In its last NCAA appearance, the No. 4 seed K-State lost to No. 13 seed UC Irvine, 70-64, in the first round of the NCAA South Regional at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Kansas State earns No. 3 seed in East Region, opens with Montana State

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Basketball Writer

Kansas is the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament's West Region&nbsp;and will have coach Bill Self back on the sideline.

Self missed the Big 12 Tournament after undergoing a heart procedure, but the school announced Sunday&nbsp;he will return to lead the third-ranked Jayhawks against Howard in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday.

Kansas (27-7) won its first two games at the Big 12 Tournament without Self before losing 76-56 to NO. 7 Texas&nbsp;in the title game.

The Jayhawks appeared as though they would slip to a No. 2 seed when top-ranked Houston got the top spot in the Midwest, but the NCAA selection committee still made them the No. 1 in a West Region that ends in Las Vegas on March 23-25.

Kansas faces a difficult road in its bid to become college basketball's first repeat champion since Florida in 2006-07.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678664612103.jpeg" alt="The Kansas basketball team watches selection Sunday. (Kansas Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas basketball team watches selection Sunday. (Kansas Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN MARSHALL AP Basketball WriterKansas is the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament's West Region&nbsp;and will have coach Bill Self back on the sideline.Self missed the Big 12 Tournament after undergoing a heart procedure, but the school announced Sunday&nbsp;he will return to lead the third-ranked Jayhawks against Howard in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday.Kansas (27-7) won its first two games at the Big 12 Tournament without Self before losing 76-56 to NO. 7 Texas&nbsp;in the title game.The Jayhawks appeared as though they would slip to a No. 2 seed when top-ranked Houston got the top spot in the Midwest, but the NCAA selection committee still made them the No. 1 in a West Region that ends in Las Vegas on March 23-25.Kansas faces a difficult road in its bid to become college basketball's first repeat champion since Florida in 2006-07.The stacked West Region includes No. 2 UCLA, No. 9 Gonzaga, No. 11 UConn, No. 16 Saint Mary's and No. 22 TCU.Get by Howard, which is in its first NCAA Tournament since 1992, and the Jayhawks will get a stiff test in the second round against Arkansas or Illinois.