KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's wrestling team had a strong showing at the Avila Eagle Women's Open on Sunday (Dec. 14). The team's performance was highlighted by Grace Johns (207) and Samara Markwardt (131) capturing titles in their respective classes.

The Tigers entered 14 competitors across multiple classes and came away with several podium finishes, including Jazmin Roschmann placing second at 124, and Gabby Hampton (117), Alexis Burton (145), Hayleen Martinez (180) all earning third‑place honors. Ashlyn Hahn was fourth at 138, while Jade Blackhart (145) and Josie Houk (160) placed sixth, giving the Tigers nine total placers.

Markwardt ran through the 131 bracket with a 4-0 record, posting a fall, two tech falls, and a decision on her way to the title. Johns opened with a fall and then had a pair of decisions to go 3-0 at 207. Roschmann recorded a pair of tech falls before dropping the 124 title match by the same type of result.

Hayleen Martinez went 5-1 for the day a 180, battling back after an early loss for four straight wins to place third. Gabby Hampton (117) and Alexis Burton (145) each went 4-1 to claim third in their classes.

Ashlyn Hahn placed fourth at 138 with a record of 3-2. Josie Houk had to battle back from an early loss to go 5-1 at 160 to place sixth, while Jade Blackhart picked up two wins to place sixth at 145.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765797618867.png" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Jordyn Bredenberg" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Jordyn Bredenberg</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's wrestling team had a strong showing at the Avila Eagle Women's Open on Sunday (Dec. 14). The team's performance was highlighted by Grace Johns (207) and Samara Markwardt (131) capturing titles in their respective classes.The Tigers entered 14 competitors across multiple classes and came away with several podium finishes, including Jazmin Roschmann placing second at 124, and Gabby Hampton (117), Alexis Burton (145), Hayleen Martinez (180) all earning third‑place honors. Ashlyn Hahn was fourth at 138, while Jade Blackhart (145) and Josie Houk (160) placed sixth, giving the Tigers nine total placers.Markwardt ran through the 131 bracket with a 4-0 record, posting a fall, two tech falls, and a decision on her way to the title. Johns opened with a fall and then had a pair of decisions to go 3-0 at 207. Roschmann recorded a pair of tech falls before dropping the 124 title match by the same type of result.Hayleen Martinez went 5-1 for the day a 180, battling back after an early loss for four straight wins to place third. Gabby Hampton (117) and Alexis Burton (145) each went 4-1 to claim third in their classes.Ashlyn Hahn placed fourth at 138 with a record of 3-2. Josie Houk had to battle back from an early loss to go 5-1 at 160 to place sixth, while Jade Blackhart picked up two wins to place sixth at 145.

🤼‍♀️ Markwardt and Johns victorious at Avila Open, Tigers place nine

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The final images of the Kansas City Chiefs' postseason pursuit were Patrick Mahomes getting helped to the locker room with what turned out to be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chargers-chiefs-injuries-worthy-d7a234e19734abaa95832724ea4c6062?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">torn ACL in his left knee,</a>&nbsp;a white towel draped over his head, and backup quarterback Gardner Minshew throwing an interception to Derwin James that gave the Los Angeles Chargers a win over one of their biggest rivals.

It all happened in the final two minutes of their 16-13 victory Sunday.

Justin Herbert, playing through a broken left hand, had helped the Chargers take the lead with a second-half rally, but Kansas City got the ball back with one more chance. Mahomes was sprinting toward the sideline and throwing the ball away when he was spun to the ground by defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand, leaving the two-time MVP grabbing at his left knee.

“It didn't look good,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid acknowledged afterward.

Later, the Chiefs released an update, saying: “An MRI has confirmed that Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes sustained a torn ACL in his left knee in today’s game. Patrick and the club are currently exploring surgical options.”

<a href="https://x.com/PatrickMahomes/status/2000350945725845609?s=20">On social media</a>, Mahomes said: “Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s hurts. But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again.”

Minshew took over and completed three straight passes, giving Chiefs fans hope on a day that began with wind chills near zero and their playoff chances about the same. But with 20 seconds to go, Minshew unloaded a pass for Travis Kelce, and James — his longtime divisional foil — leaped up to pick it off, allowing Los Angeles (10-4) to begin celebrating a second straight 10-win season.

Perhaps soon, a second straight postseason appearance.

“It’s a ball team. This is a ball team,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. "Starting to think this is my favorite ball team that I’ve ever been on. I’ve been on a lot of teams, none better than this team. It’s a ball team. A real ball team. Love these guys.”

“We know what that team has done the last eight, nine years,” James added. “Coming into Arrowhead Stadium and getting a win, it means a lot for out team, because we're 5-0 in our division.”

Minshew will quarterback the Chiefs through the final three games of the season. One of them is a primetime showdown with the Denver Broncos on Christmas night.

“I’ll do whatever the coaches ask of me,” Minshew said, “and we’ll go try to win some games.”

The Chiefs (6-8) already are guaranteed to be watching the playoffs on TV for the first time since 2014, and Kelce was in no mood to talk about it. Just as he's done after several losses this season, the star tight end refused to answer questions from reporters.

“Sorry guys, it's not the time,” Kelce said.

The Chargers had beaten the Chiefs in their opener in Brazil, ultimately setting each club on its season-long trajectory.

Los Angeles arrived for the rematch Sunday trying to extend the momentum built in last week's win over the Super Bowl champion Eagles. The Chiefs showed up knowing a loss, coupled with the wrong results elsewhere, would eliminate them completely.

The Chiefs played appropriately inspired for most of the first half.

They moved swiftly downfield with Mahomes darting in from 12 yards out for a touchdown on their opening drive. They added a field goal later in the first half, and another by Harrison Butker gave them a 13-3 lead with 38 seconds left before the break.

That's when the Chargers started playing like a playoff-bound team. And the Chiefs like one that should be sitting at home.

Herbert completed three passes in five plays to cover 60 yards, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith's first career TD catch got the Chargers within a field goal. Cameron Dicker knotted the game on their opening possession of the second half, then he gave them the lead when he drilled a 49-yarder on a cold, windy day at Arrowhead Stadium with 2:40 to go in the third quarter.

The Chiefs tried to answer down the stretch, despite a rash of injuries that had left them with a patchwork offensive line. But just like so often this season, a promising drive went haywire in the red zone. Tyquan Thornton's spectacular catch was immediately forgotten when Mahomes' pass was picked off by Daiyan Henley on a jump ball thrown to Kareem Hunt at the goal line.

Mahomes, who had just 189 yards passing, would ultimately end the game in the Kansas City locker room.

The Chargers would end the Chiefs' postseason hopes with one more interception.

“I thought it was really cool that we were able to close out a one-score game like that, how many times we've played them and had one-score games,” Herbert said. “For the defense to come out there with the turnovers and stops, it was awesome to see.”

Thornton landed in the concussion protocol after his late 20-yard reception following a vicious hit by cornerback Tony Jefferson, who helped to trigger a mild midfield scuffle. Jefferson was ejected, and Henley and James had to push him toward the tunnel.

Chargers: WR Quentin Johnson (groin) was inactive. S R.J. Mickens left with a shoulder injury.

Chiefs: CB Trent McDuffie (knee) was inactive. Thornton (concussion protocol) and RT Jaylon Moore (knee) left and did not return.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765749129757.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is checked on after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is checked on after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports WriterKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The final images of the Kansas City Chiefs' postseason pursuit were Patrick Mahomes getting helped to the locker room with what turned out to be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chargers-chiefs-injuries-worthy-d7a234e19734abaa95832724ea4c6062?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">torn ACL in his left knee,</a>&nbsp;a white towel draped over his head, and backup quarterback Gardner Minshew throwing an interception to Derwin James that gave the Los Angeles Chargers a win over one of their biggest rivals.It all happened in the final two minutes of their 16-13 victory Sunday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Injury Update on QB Patrick Mahomes: An MRI has confirmed that Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes sustained a torn ACL in his left knee in today’s game. Patrick and the club are currently exploring surgical options.&mdash; Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/2000359212459966868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Justin Herbert, playing through a broken left hand, had helped the Chargers take the lead with a second-half rally, but Kansas City got the ball back with one more chance. Mahomes was sprinting toward the sideline and throwing the ball away when he was spun to the ground by defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand, leaving the two-time MVP grabbing at his left knee.“It didn't look good,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid acknowledged afterward.Later, the Chiefs released an update, saying: “An MRI has confirmed that Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes sustained a torn ACL in his left knee in today’s game. Patrick and the club are currently exploring surgical options.”<a href="https://x.com/PatrickMahomes/status/2000350945725845609?s=20">On social media</a>, Mahomes said: “Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s hurts. But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again.”Minshew took over and completed three straight passes, giving Chiefs fans hope on a day that began with wind chills near zero and their playoff chances about the same. But with 20 seconds to go, Minshew unloaded a pass for Travis Kelce, and James — his longtime divisional foil — leaped up to pick it off, allowing Los Angeles (10-4) to begin celebrating a second straight 10-win season.Perhaps soon, a second straight postseason appearance.“It’s a ball team. This is a ball team,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. "Starting to think this is my favorite ball team that I’ve ever been on. I’ve been on a lot of teams, none better than this team. It’s a ball team. A real ball team. Love these guys.”“We know what that team has done the last eight, nine years,” James added. “Coming into Arrowhead Stadium and getting a win, it means a lot for out team, because we're 5-0 in our division.”Minshew will quarterback the Chiefs through the final three games of the season. One of them is a primetime showdown with the Denver Broncos on Christmas night.“I’ll do whatever the coaches ask of me,” Minshew said, “and we’ll go try to win some games.”The Chiefs (6-8) already are guaranteed to be watching the playoffs on TV for the first time since 2014, and Kelce was in no mood to talk about it. Just as he's done after several losses this season, the star tight end refused to answer questions from reporters.“Sorry guys, it's not the time,” Kelce said.The Chargers had beaten the Chiefs in their opener in Brazil, ultimately setting each club on its season-long trajectory.Los Angeles arrived for the rematch Sunday trying to extend the momentum built in last week's win over the Super Bowl champion Eagles. The Chiefs showed up knowing a loss, coupled with the wrong results elsewhere, would eliminate them completely.The Chiefs played appropriately inspired for most of the first half.They moved swiftly downfield with Mahomes darting in from 12 yards out for a touchdown on their opening drive. They added a field goal later in the first half, and another by Harrison Butker gave them a 13-3 lead with 38 seconds left before the break.That's when the Chargers started playing like a playoff-bound team. And the Chiefs like one that should be sitting at home.Herbert completed three passes in five plays to cover 60 yards, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith's first career TD catch got the Chargers within a field goal. Cameron Dicker knotted the game on their opening possession of the second half, then he gave them the lead when he drilled a 49-yarder on a cold, windy day at Arrowhead Stadium with 2:40 to go in the third quarter.The Chiefs tried to answer down the stretch, despite a rash of injuries that had left them with a patchwork offensive line. But just like so often this season, a promising drive went haywire in the red zone. Tyquan Thornton's spectacular catch was immediately forgotten when Mahomes' pass was picked off by Daiyan Henley on a jump ball thrown to Kareem Hunt at the goal line.Mahomes, who had just 189 yards passing, would ultimately end the game in the Kansas City locker room.The Chargers would end the Chiefs' postseason hopes with one more interception.“I thought it was really cool that we were able to close out a one-score game like that, how many times we've played them and had one-score games,” Herbert said. “For the defense to come out there with the turnovers and stops, it was awesome to see.”<h2>Sent packing</h2>Thornton landed in the concussion protocol after his late 20-yard reception following a vicious hit by cornerback Tony Jefferson, who helped to trigger a mild midfield scuffle. Jefferson was ejected, and Henley and James had to push him toward the tunnel.<h2>Injuries</h2>Chargers: WR Quentin Johnson (groin) was inactive. S R.J. Mickens left with a shoulder injury.Chiefs: CB Trent McDuffie (knee) was inactive. Thornton (concussion protocol) and RT Jaylon Moore (knee) left and did not return.<h2>Up next</h2>Chargers: At Dallas next Sunday.

🏈 Mahomes tears ACL as Chargers eliminate Chiefs from playoff contention

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced today they have acquired outfielder Isaac Collins and right-handed pitcher Nick Mears from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-handed pitcher Angel Zerpa. The Royals now have 39 players on their Major League Reserve List.

Collins, 28, slashed .263/.368/.411 (98-for-372) with 34 extra-base hits (.779 OPS) and 16 stolen bases in 130 games with the Brewers in 2025, his first full season in the Majors. He made 100 starts, including 91 in left field, 6 in right field, 2 at designated hitter and 1 at second base. He recorded 6 Outs Above Average in left field, most in the Majors among all players at the position.

Collins finished 4th in the National League Rookie of the Year ballot, after ranking among the NL rookie leaders in walks (1st, 57), RBI (3rd, 54), runs (T-4th, 56), doubles (T-4th, 22) and hits (5th, 98). He was named the National League Rookie of the Month for July, during which he slashed .321/.411/.436 (25-for-78) in 23 games.

Collins, a switch hitter, batted .279 (69-for-247) with an .802 OPS vs. right-handed pitchers in 2025 and .232 (29-for-125) with a .732 OPS vs. left handers, though 4 of his 9 home runs came vs. southpaws. He was one of five switch hitters in the Majors in 2025 to record at least 30 extra-base hits and 15 stolen bases, along with José Ramírez, Francisco Lindor, Elly De La Cruz and Geraldo Perdomo.

Mears, 29, has pitched for three teams over parts of six seasons in the Majors, including Pittsburgh (2020-22), Colorado (2023-24) and Milwaukee (2024-25). He set career highs with the Brewers in 2025 in wins (5), appearances (63), holds (17) and ERA (3.49).

During his six seasons in the Majors, Mears has recorded 174 strikeouts in 164.0 innings (9.5 K/9), including a career-best 75 strikeouts in 57.2 innings (11.7 K/9) in 2024.

Zerpa, 26, recorded a 4.18 ERA (30 ER in 64.2 IP) in a career-best 69 appearances with the Royals in 2025, his fifth season in the Majors. He was originally signed by Kansas City as an international free agent in 2016 and has spent his entire professional career with the Royals organization.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591095847004.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas City RoyalsKANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced today they have acquired outfielder Isaac Collins and right-handed pitcher Nick Mears from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-handed pitcher Angel Zerpa. The Royals now have 39 players on their Major League Reserve List.Collins, 28, slashed .263/.368/.411 (98-for-372) with 34 extra-base hits (.779 OPS) and 16 stolen bases in 130 games with the Brewers in 2025, his first full season in the Majors. He made 100 starts, including 91 in left field, 6 in right field, 2 at designated hitter and 1 at second base. He recorded 6 Outs Above Average in left field, most in the Majors among all players at the position.Collins finished 4th in the National League Rookie of the Year ballot, after ranking among the NL rookie leaders in walks (1st, 57), RBI (3rd, 54), runs (T-4th, 56), doubles (T-4th, 22) and hits (5th, 98). He was named the National League Rookie of the Month for July, during which he slashed .321/.411/.436 (25-for-78) in 23 games.Collins, a switch hitter, batted .279 (69-for-247) with an .802 OPS vs. right-handed pitchers in 2025 and .232 (29-for-125) with a .732 OPS vs. left handers, though 4 of his 9 home runs came vs. southpaws. He was one of five switch hitters in the Majors in 2025 to record at least 30 extra-base hits and 15 stolen bases, along with José Ramírez, Francisco Lindor, Elly De La Cruz and Geraldo Perdomo.Mears, 29, has pitched for three teams over parts of six seasons in the Majors, including Pittsburgh (2020-22), Colorado (2023-24) and Milwaukee (2024-25). He set career highs with the Brewers in 2025 in wins (5), appearances (63), holds (17) and ERA (3.49).During his six seasons in the Majors, Mears has recorded 174 strikeouts in 164.0 innings (9.5 K/9), including a career-best 75 strikeouts in 57.2 innings (11.7 K/9) in 2024.Zerpa, 26, recorded a 4.18 ERA (30 ER in 64.2 IP) in a career-best 69 appearances with the Royals in 2025, his fifth season in the Majors. He was originally signed by Kansas City as an international free agent in 2016 and has spent his entire professional career with the Royals organization.

⚾ Royals acquire outfielder Isaac Collins and pitcher Nick Mears from Milwaukee

By GARRETT WELLBROCK Hays Post Sports

WAKEENEY - The Victoria Knights (3-1) came onto the road to beat the host school Trego (3-1) in the championship game of the Purple and Gold Tournament Saturday night.

Boys Championship: Victoria 53, Trego 43

The Knights got off to a quick 11-6 start in a slow first quarter but then they saw their lead diminish after a 4+ minute scoring drought.&nbsp;

Trego would go on an 8-0 run to take the lead back and go up 14-11, it was a very back and forth game from there.

Trego's Mason Yingling would hit a 3 right before the 2nd quarter buzzer to send the game tied at 23 to the locker rooms.

Trego came out of halftime firing shooting 6-13 from the field in the 3rd quarter and took advantage of the Knights slow start to begin the 3rd as Victoria started the second half 1-11 from the field.

The Golden Eagles had their largest lead of the game at 35-29 when everything turned.

Nick Sander hit a three with time expiring in the 3rd quarter and that would propel the Knight offense into the 4th.

Sander would hit 2 big 3's again early 4th and Victoria turned a 6 point deficit into a 6 point lead just like that going on a 12-0 run.

Victoria would never trail again, they outscored Trego 21-8 in the 4th to win by 10 and claim the Purple and Gold Tournament Championship.

Nick Sander finished with 22 points 9 rebounds for the Knights, Cody Schmidtberger added 10 points.

For Trego their leading scorer was Aceton Walt who finished with 13 and hit 3 3's. Victoria held the freshman Vladon Crawford, Trego's leading scorer this season, to only 9 points and all of them came in the second half.

Victoria moves to 3-1 on the season and now will travel to Osborne on Tuesday.

Trego falls to 3-1 as well and will have a rematch of their semifinal game on Tuesday at Hodgeman County.

Girls Championship: Hoxie 65, Hodgeman County 42

By GARRETT WELLBROCK Hays Post SportsWAKEENEY - The Victoria Knights (3-1) came onto the road to beat the host school Trego (3-1) in the championship game of the Purple and Gold Tournament Saturday night.Boys Championship: Victoria 53, Trego 43The Knights got off to a quick 11-6 start in a slow first quarter but then they saw their lead diminish after a 4+ minute scoring drought.&nbsp;Trego would go on an 8-0 run to take the lead back and go up 14-11, it was a very back and forth game from there.Trego's Mason Yingling would hit a 3 right before the 2nd quarter buzzer to send the game tied at 23 to the locker rooms.Trego came out of halftime firing shooting 6-13 from the field in the 3rd quarter and took advantage of the Knights slow start to begin the 3rd as Victoria started the second half 1-11 from the field.The Golden Eagles had their largest lead of the game at 35-29 when everything turned.Nick Sander hit a three with time expiring in the 3rd quarter and that would propel the Knight offense into the 4th.Sander would hit 2 big 3's again early 4th and Victoria turned a 6 point deficit into a 6 point lead just like that going on a 12-0 run.Victoria would never trail again, they outscored Trego 21-8 in the 4th to win by 10 and claim the Purple and Gold Tournament Championship.Nick Sander finished with 22 points 9 rebounds for the Knights, Cody Schmidtberger added 10 points.For Trego their leading scorer was Aceton Walt who finished with 13 and hit 3 3's. Victoria held the freshman Vladon Crawford, Trego's leading scorer this season, to only 9 points and all of them came in the second half.Victoria moves to 3-1 on the season and now will travel to Osborne on Tuesday.Trego falls to 3-1 as well and will have a rematch of their semifinal game on Tuesday at Hodgeman County.Girls Championship: Hoxie 65, Hodgeman County 42

🏀Victoria claims Purple and Gold tournament championship

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)

Sunday, December 14
 KFIX: Kansas City
Chiefs FB vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 11:00am

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)Sunday, December 14
 KFIX: Kansas City
Chiefs FB vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 11:00am

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Melvin Council Jr. had career highs of 36 points and nine made 3-pointers to help&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">No. 19</a>&nbsp;Kansas edge N.C. State 77-76 in overtime on Saturday.

Council had made just 5 of 27 3s coming into the game, but took advantage of open looks early then largely carried the Jayhawks (8-3) down the stretch — including scoring Kansas' last 13 points of regulation and feeding Flory Bidunga's go-ahead dunk with 51.9 seconds left in the OT.

N.C. State (7-4) had one final possession to win it, inbounding from near halfcourt with 1.0 seconds left. But Darrion Williams' fading 3 on the catch missed everything to end this one.

Kansas freshman star Darryn Peterson had 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. But he abruptly checked out of a tight game with 2:15 left and didn't return, watching from the bench in an exit coming shortly after he missed seven games with a hamstring strain.

Council finished 13 of 27 from the floor and 9 of 15 from behind the arc to go with seven rebounds and four assists.

Quadir Copeland scored 19 points to lead the Wolfpack, while Williams finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Kansas: The Jayhawks return home to face Towson on Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765674302567.png" alt="Photo Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Melvin Council Jr. had career highs of 36 points and nine made 3-pointers to help&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">No. 19</a>&nbsp;Kansas edge N.C. State 77-76 in overtime on Saturday.Council had made just 5 of 27 3s coming into the game, but took advantage of open looks early then largely carried the Jayhawks (8-3) down the stretch — including scoring Kansas' last 13 points of regulation and feeding Flory Bidunga's go-ahead dunk with 51.9 seconds left in the OT.N.C. State (7-4) had one final possession to win it, inbounding from near halfcourt with 1.0 seconds left. But Darrion Williams' fading 3 on the catch missed everything to end this one.Kansas freshman star Darryn Peterson had 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. But he abruptly checked out of a tight game with 2:15 left and didn't return, watching from the bench in an exit coming shortly after he missed seven games with a hamstring strain.Council finished 13 of 27 from the floor and 9 of 15 from behind the arc to go with seven rebounds and four assists.Quadir Copeland scored 19 points to lead the Wolfpack, while Williams finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds.<h2>Up next</h2>Kansas: The Jayhawks return home to face Towson on Tuesday.

🏀 Melvin Council's huge day helps Kansas edge NC State in overtime

WICHITA – The Hays High boys’ swim team got its first crack at a large meet this season and came away with positive results.

The Indians, led by two relay teams that each finished second, scored 158 points in the Wichita Southeast Invitational – placing them in sixth place and in the top half of the 15-team event.

Wichita East, the largest school in the state, scored 394 points to win the meet, where swimmers earned points for top-16 finishes in individual events and top-11 places in relays.

Gaining the most points for HHS in the meet that featured more than 200 competitors were the 200-yard medley and 200y freestyle relays, which each garnered 34 points for their team with their runner-up finishes.

The 200y freestyle relay team of seniors Chase Zadina, Maison Desaire and Karson Flaska and junior Cedric Durr earned the right to compete at the state tournament in February with their season-best, automatic state-qualifying time of 1 minute, 39.04 seconds.

Flaska, Zadina and Durr joined senior Noah Shaeffer for the other second-place finish (200y medley relay) in posting a state-consideration time of 1:55.06. And the trio of Flaska, Zadina and Durr also scored numerous points in individual events.

Hays High also earned points from several newcomers to the team, whether it be freshmen or upperclassmen out for the sport for the first time.

The Indians will close out first-semester action Thursday at the Garden City Invitational.

Garden City is the three-time defending champion in the Western Athletic Conference. But Hays High beat the Buffaloes – and the other three WAC schools as well – at last week’s Great Bend Invitational, where the Indians won the team title.

Wichita Southeast meet&nbsp; Team scoring Wichita East 394, Derby 325, Wichita-Bishop Carroll 250, Winfield 193, Rose Hill 190, Hays High 158, Wichita Heights 151, Junction City 121, Dodge City 107, Wichita Northwest 88, Wichita Southeast 80, El Dorado 65, Wichita-Trinity 487, Liberal 12, Lost Springs-Centre

SubmittedWICHITA – The Hays High boys’ swim team got its first crack at a large meet this season and came away with positive results.The Indians, led by two relay teams that each finished second, scored 158 points in the Wichita Southeast Invitational – placing them in sixth place and in the top half of the 15-team event.Wichita East, the largest school in the state, scored 394 points to win the meet, where swimmers earned points for top-16 finishes in individual events and top-11 places in relays.Gaining the most points for HHS in the meet that featured more than 200 competitors were the 200-yard medley and 200y freestyle relays, which each garnered 34 points for their team with their runner-up finishes.The 200y freestyle relay team of seniors Chase Zadina, Maison Desaire and Karson Flaska and junior Cedric Durr earned the right to compete at the state tournament in February with their season-best, automatic state-qualifying time of 1 minute, 39.04 seconds.Flaska, Zadina and Durr joined senior Noah Shaeffer for the other second-place finish (200y medley relay) in posting a state-consideration time of 1:55.06. And the trio of Flaska, Zadina and Durr also scored numerous points in individual events.Hays High also earned points from several newcomers to the team, whether it be freshmen or upperclassmen out for the sport for the first time.The Indians will close out first-semester action Thursday at the Garden City Invitational.Garden City is the three-time defending champion in the Western Athletic Conference. But Hays High beat the Buffaloes – and the other three WAC schools as well – at last week’s Great Bend Invitational, where the Indians won the team title.Wichita Southeast meet&nbsp; Team scoring Wichita East 394, Derby 325, Wichita-Bishop Carroll 250, Winfield 193, Rose Hill 190, Hays High 158, Wichita Heights 151, Junction City 121, Dodge City 107, Wichita Northwest 88, Wichita Southeast 80, El Dorado 65, Wichita-Trinity 487, Liberal 12, Lost Springs-Centre

🏊‍♀️ HHS swimmers impress at large meet

HAYS, Kan. – Kyle Grill scored 22 points, Lucas Hammke added 15 and Fort Hays State knocked down 73-percent of their shots in the second half of their 78-59 win over William Jewell College Saturday afternoon at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The game was tied 29-29 at halftime but the Tigers explode for 49 points in the second half to snap their two-game losing.

After FHSU (6-3) jumped out to an early 5-point lead, the Cardinals (3-6) were pesky throughout the first half and kept the game close. That five-point lead was the biggest for either team as there were 10 lead changes and six ties in the first half. A tip-in bucket by the Cardinals at the end of the half leveled the score 29-29. Kyle Scharbrough of William Jewell had the hot hand early with 17 points at the break, while Kyle Grill and Lucas Hammeke each had seven for FHSU.

The Tigers started to gain separation right out of halftime with a 9-0 run as Grill and Hammeke provided seven of the nine. The Cardinals got back within two twice, the latest at 13:34, but a 10-0 Tiger burst pushed the lead out to 12 with 11:20 to go. A few moments later, an 11-0 run took the lead to 21, capped on a fast-break dunk by Hammeke. That was the largest lead of the game for FHSU as it moved to 2-0 against William Jewell in the brief series history between the teams.

Grill finished with a season-high 22 points, while Hammeke added 15. Jahvari Martino chipped in 11 points. Seven Tigers scored at least seven points in the game. Muhamed Kante led in rebounds with six and tied Juju Ramirez for the high in assists, both with three.

Scharbrough finished with 25 points for the Cardinals, while Justice Sutton added 12.

FHSU is now 5-0 against teams it held inside of 60 points this season. The Tigers are 4-0 when scoring at least 70 points in a game.

FHSU goes to MSU Denver and Regis next week on December 18 and 20, which will wrap up the non-conference portion of their schedule before jumping back into MIAA play at the turn of the new year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765676806310.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State's Lucas Hammeke (3) dunks the ball in the second half of their basketball game against William Jewell College on Saturday, December 13, 2025 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Parker Nisbeth))" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Lucas Hammeke (3) dunks the ball in the second half of their basketball game against William Jewell College on Saturday, December 13, 2025 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Parker Nisbeth))</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. – Kyle Grill scored 22 points, Lucas Hammke added 15 and Fort Hays State knocked down 73-percent of their shots in the second half of their 78-59 win over William Jewell College Saturday afternoon at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The game was tied 29-29 at halftime but the Tigers explode for 49 points in the second half to snap their two-game losing.<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/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2229290147&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/johnson-post-game-int-v" title="Mark Johnson Postgame vs. William Jewell College (Dec. 13, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Mark Johnson Postgame vs. William Jewell College (Dec. 13, 2025)</a></div></div>After FHSU (6-3) jumped out to an early 5-point lead, the Cardinals (3-6) were pesky throughout the first half and kept the game close. That five-point lead was the biggest for either team as there were 10 lead changes and six ties in the first half. A tip-in bucket by the Cardinals at the end of the half leveled the score 29-29. Kyle Scharbrough of William Jewell had the hot hand early with 17 points at the break, while Kyle Grill and Lucas Hammeke each had seven for FHSU.The Tigers started to gain separation right out of halftime with a 9-0 run as Grill and Hammeke provided seven of the nine. The Cardinals got back within two twice, the latest at 13:34, but a 10-0 Tiger burst pushed the lead out to 12 with 11:20 to go. A few moments later, an 11-0 run took the lead to 21, capped on a fast-break dunk by Hammeke. That was the largest lead of the game for FHSU as it moved to 2-0 against William Jewell in the brief series history between the teams.<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/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2229290045&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/grill-post-game-int-v-william" title="Kyle Grill Postgame vs. William Jewell College (Dec. 13, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Kyle Grill Postgame vs. William Jewell College (Dec. 13, 2025)</a></div></div>Grill finished with a season-high 22 points, while Hammeke added 15. Jahvari Martino chipped in 11 points. Seven Tigers scored at least seven points in the game. Muhamed Kante led in rebounds with six and tied Juju Ramirez for the high in assists, both with three.Scharbrough finished with 25 points for the Cardinals, while Justice Sutton added 12.<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/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2229295373&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/fhsu-mbkb-highlights-v-william" title="Fort Hays State MBB Highlights vs. William Jewell College (Dec. 13, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State MBB Highlights vs. William Jewell College (Dec. 13, 2025)</a></div></div>FHSU is now 5-0 against teams it held inside of 60 points this season. The Tigers are 4-0 when scoring at least 70 points in a game.<h2>Up next</h2>FHSU goes to MSU Denver and Regis next week on December 18 and 20, which will wrap up the non-conference portion of their schedule before jumping back into MIAA play at the turn of the new year.

🏀 Big second half fuels Tigers to 19-point win over William Jewell

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — David Castillo scored 19 points, Abdi Bashir Jr. added 18 and Kansas State built an early double-digit lead in the second half and held off Creighton for an 83-76 victory on Saturday.

Castillo was 7-of-11 shooting and Bashir hit 6 of 12 from 3-point range. Khamari McGriff added 12 points and P.J. Haggerty scored 10 for Kansas State (7-4).

The Wildcats shot 59% (10 of 36) and hit 11 of 17 3-point shots in the first half, but after the break were just 28% (10 of 36) overall and missed 10 of 11 shots from distance.

K-State led by as many as 20 points early in the second half. About midway through the second, Creighton began a 10-1 surge to pull to 73-70 with 2:41 to play. Castillo answered with a layup and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/KStateMBB/status/1999964986085679560?s=20">McGriff added a dunk</a>&nbsp;to help the Wildcats pull away.

Josh Dix scored and Isaac Traudt scored 18 points apiece to lead Creighton (5-5). Austin Swartz chipped in with 12 points.

K-State closed the first half on a 23-8 run for a 51-33 halftime lead. Bashir scored 15 points on five 3-pointers to pace the Wildcats

It was the 10th meeting for K-State in Omaha but the first since an 88-78 win on Dec. 5, 1987. The teams last met in the 2018 NCAA Tournament when the Wildcats earned a 69-59 win in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Creighton plays Xavier in a Big East Conference opener on Wednesday.

Kansas State hosts South Dakota on Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765670090295.png" alt="Photo K-State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo K-State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — David Castillo scored 19 points, Abdi Bashir Jr. added 18 and Kansas State built an early double-digit lead in the second half and held off Creighton for an 83-76 victory on Saturday.Castillo was 7-of-11 shooting and Bashir hit 6 of 12 from 3-point range. Khamari McGriff added 12 points and P.J. Haggerty scored 10 for Kansas State (7-4).The Wildcats shot 59% (10 of 36) and hit 11 of 17 3-point shots in the first half, but after the break were just 28% (10 of 36) overall and missed 10 of 11 shots from distance.K-State led by as many as 20 points early in the second half. About midway through the second, Creighton began a 10-1 surge to pull to 73-70 with 2:41 to play. Castillo answered with a layup and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/KStateMBB/status/1999964986085679560?s=20">McGriff added a dunk</a>&nbsp;to help the Wildcats pull away.Josh Dix scored and Isaac Traudt scored 18 points apiece to lead Creighton (5-5). Austin Swartz chipped in with 12 points.K-State closed the first half on a 23-8 run for a 51-33 halftime lead. Bashir scored 15 points on five 3-pointers to pace the WildcatsIt was the 10th meeting for K-State in Omaha but the first since an 88-78 win on Dec. 5, 1987. The teams last met in the 2018 NCAA Tournament when the Wildcats earned a 69-59 win in Charlotte, North Carolina.<h2>Up next</h2>Creighton plays Xavier in a Big East Conference opener on Wednesday.Kansas State hosts South Dakota on Saturday.

🏀 Castillo and Bashir help Kansas State hold off Creighton 

HAYS, Kan. - The eighth-ranked women's basketball team raced out to a 20-2 lead against No. 6 Pittsburg State in their home opener Saturday at Gross Memorial Coliseum and never looked back, taking the top-10 battle 88-70.

Brooke Loewe distributed 13 assists in the non-conference victory, helping the senior move to No. 1 on the all-time assists list with 480 in her career.

The Tigers (8-1) were off and running from the start, knocking down 9-of-14 from the floor over the first six minutes without committing a turnover. The Gorillas (6-2), on the other hand, hit just one of their first 13 shots thanks to a swarming Tiger defense.

Talexa Weeter scored 10 points in the first quarter, matching PSU's effort as a team, while Avery Lowe scored seven on 3-of-3 shooting to help FHSU to a 28-10 lead.

The Tigers continued to pour it on in the second quarter, improving their shooting percentage to 63.2 percent (12-of-19) in the frame to tally another 28 points to go into the locker room in front 56-28.

It was FHSU's highest scoring half during the Talia Kahrs era and would have been its best-ever half in an MIAA game had this game counted towards the conference standings.

After shooting a blistering 60.5 percent (23-of-38) over the first 20 minutes, the Tigers cooled off after the break, hitting 34.3 percent (12-of-35) in the second half. The Gorillas outscored FHSU by 10 in the second half, including a 26-17 edge in the third quarter, but the Tigers had done enough damage in the first half to maintain a double-digit lead throughout the contest.

The Tigers finished the game shooting 47.9 percent (35-of-73) from the floor while limiting PSU to a 37.8 shooting percentage (28-of-74). FHSU outrebounded its opponent by six, 47-41, including 17 second-chance points on 11 offensive rebounds.

Weeter led all scorers with 32 points, surpassing the 30-point plateau for the fourth time this season and the fifth time in her career. The junior added 13 rebounds, one off her career high, to record her third double-double this season and the sixth of her career.

Olivia Mortensen added 19 points and four rebounds, while Lowe scored a career-high 12 points and Mikayla Pilley matched her personal best with 10 points to give the Tigers four in double figures for the second time this season.

The win is FHSU's fourth-straight regular season win over the Gorillas.

After playing in their latest home opener in school history on Saturday, the Tigers will play twice more at home next week before taking a week off over the holidays. FHSU will first host Tabor on Tuesday (Dec. 16) before taking on Chadron State on Friday (Dec. 19), with both games slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765676387807.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo (Newman Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo (Newman Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. - The eighth-ranked women's basketball team raced out to a 20-2 lead against No. 6 Pittsburg State in their home opener Saturday at Gross Memorial Coliseum and never looked back, taking the top-10 battle 88-70.Brooke Loewe distributed 13 assists in the non-conference victory, helping the senior move to No. 1 on the all-time assists list with 480 in her career.<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/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2229242381&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/kahrs-post-interview-v-pitt-st" title="Talia Kahrs Postgame vs. #6 Pittsburg State (Dec. 13, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Talia Kahrs Postgame vs. #6 Pittsburg State (Dec. 13, 2025)</a></div></div>The Tigers (8-1) were off and running from the start, knocking down 9-of-14 from the floor over the first six minutes without committing a turnover. The Gorillas (6-2), on the other hand, hit just one of their first 13 shots thanks to a swarming Tiger defense.Talexa Weeter scored 10 points in the first quarter, matching PSU's effort as a team, while Avery Lowe scored seven on 3-of-3 shooting to help FHSU to a 28-10 lead.The Tigers continued to pour it on in the second quarter, improving their shooting percentage to 63.2 percent (12-of-19) in the frame to tally another 28 points to go into the locker room in front 56-28.It was FHSU's highest scoring half during the Talia Kahrs era and would have been its best-ever half in an MIAA game had this game counted towards the conference standings.<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/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2229242216&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/fhsu-wbkb-highlights-v-pitt-st" title="#8 Fort Hays State WBB Highlights vs. #6 Pittsburg State (Dec. 13, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#8 Fort Hays State WBB Highlights vs. #6 Pittsburg State (Dec. 13, 2025)</a></div></div>After shooting a blistering 60.5 percent (23-of-38) over the first 20 minutes, the Tigers cooled off after the break, hitting 34.3 percent (12-of-35) in the second half. The Gorillas outscored FHSU by 10 in the second half, including a 26-17 edge in the third quarter, but the Tigers had done enough damage in the first half to maintain a double-digit lead throughout the contest.The Tigers finished the game shooting 47.9 percent (35-of-73) from the floor while limiting PSU to a 37.8 shooting percentage (28-of-74). FHSU outrebounded its opponent by six, 47-41, including 17 second-chance points on 11 offensive rebounds.Weeter led all scorers with 32 points, surpassing the 30-point plateau for the fourth time this season and the fifth time in her career. The junior added 13 rebounds, one off her career high, to record her third double-double this season and the sixth of her career.Olivia Mortensen added 19 points and four rebounds, while Lowe scored a career-high 12 points and Mikayla Pilley matched her personal best with 10 points to give the Tigers four in double figures for the second time this season.The win is FHSU's fourth-straight regular season win over the Gorillas.After playing in their latest home opener in school history on Saturday, the Tigers will play twice more at home next week before taking a week off over the holidays. FHSU will first host Tabor on Tuesday (Dec. 16) before taking on Chadron State on Friday (Dec. 19), with both games slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.

🏀 No. 8 Tigers roll past No. 6 Gorillas in home opener

William Jewell (3-5, 1-2 GLVC) at Fort Hays State (5-3, 0-2 MIAA) Saturday, December 13 • 4 p.m. Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum

Radio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

Game Sponsor: Riverside Chiropractic Promotions: Tiger Debs dance camp performance at men's halftime / Toys for Tots Stuffed Animal Toss:-Bring a stuffed animal to toss at halftime of the men's game and get a $5 GA ticket. All stuffed animals will be donated to Toys for Tots!

Fort Hays State Men's Basketball plays a non-conference contest at home on Saturday against William Jewell College. Game time is set for 4 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The game will follow a non-conference women's contest between Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State. FHSU enters at 5-3 overall, while the Cardinals are 3-5 overall.

The Tigers are looking to snap a two-game losing skid which occurred on the road to open MIAA play last week. The Tigers lost at (RV) Central Missouri and No. 2 ranked Washburn.&nbsp;

William Jewell comes into this game off a loss in conference play last weekend to Rockhurst. The Cardinals do have one road win so far this season, a 77-72 victory at Emporia State on November 19.

Fort Hays State and William Jewell met for the first time ever last year in men's basketball. The Tigers took the inaugural meeting 63-59 in Liberty, Mo. The Tigers had a very balanced scoring attack in that game as five scored in double figures. Kyle Grill was one of the four Tigers with 10 points.

Fort Hays State continues to have one of the best scoring defenses in the nation, currently ranked fourth allowing just 60.3 points per game. The Tigers are also in the top 10 nationally for field goal percentage defense, allowing 36.7 percent shooting from the field.

Dan Mukuna continues to lead the Tigers at 18.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Lucas Hammeke is coming off a career-high 24-point performance at Washburn and averages a team-best 3.4 assists per game. Kyle Grill is also averaging double figures in scoring at 12.5 points per game.

Justice Sutton leads the Cardinals in scoring at 18.5 points per game. Isaac Patterson is the top rebounder for WJC at 6.5 per game, while adding 12.5 points per game.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765468072184.png" alt="FHSU Athletics image" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics image</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsWilliam Jewell (3-5, 1-2 GLVC) at Fort Hays State (5-3, 0-2 MIAA) Saturday, December 13 • 4 p.m. Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial ColiseumRadio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>Game Sponsor: Riverside Chiropractic Promotions: Tiger Debs dance camp performance at men's halftime / Toys for Tots Stuffed Animal Toss:-Bring a stuffed animal to toss at halftime of the men's game and get a $5 GA ticket. All stuffed animals will be donated to Toys for Tots!Fort Hays State Men's Basketball plays a non-conference contest at home on Saturday against William Jewell College. Game time is set for 4 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The game will follow a non-conference women's contest between Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State. FHSU enters at 5-3 overall, while the Cardinals are 3-5 overall.The Tigers are looking to snap a two-game losing skid which occurred on the road to open MIAA play last week. The Tigers lost at (RV) Central Missouri and No. 2 ranked Washburn.&nbsp;William Jewell comes into this game off a loss in conference play last weekend to Rockhurst. The Cardinals do have one road win so far this season, a 77-72 victory at Emporia State on November 19.Fort Hays State and William Jewell met for the first time ever last year in men's basketball. The Tigers took the inaugural meeting 63-59 in Liberty, Mo. The Tigers had a very balanced scoring attack in that game as five scored in double figures. Kyle Grill was one of the four Tigers with 10 points.Fort Hays State continues to have one of the best scoring defenses in the nation, currently ranked fourth allowing just 60.3 points per game. The Tigers are also in the top 10 nationally for field goal percentage defense, allowing 36.7 percent shooting from the field.Dan Mukuna continues to lead the Tigers at 18.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Lucas Hammeke is coming off a career-high 24-point performance at Washburn and averages a team-best 3.4 assists per game. Kyle Grill is also averaging double figures in scoring at 12.5 points per game.Justice Sutton leads the Cardinals in scoring at 18.5 points per game. Isaac Patterson is the top rebounder for WJC at 6.5 per game, while adding 12.5 points per game.

🏀🎧 LISTEN: Tigers host William Jewell Saturday

#8 Fort Hays State Women's Basketball (7-1, 1-1 MIAA) vs. #6 Pittsburg State (6-1, 2-0 MIAA) Saturday, December 13, 2025 • 2 p.m. Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum

Game Sponsor: Riverside Chiropractic Halftime: FHSU tennis player and baton twirler Janae Montoya will perform a twirling routine Promotions: Toys for Tots Stuffed Animal Toss- Bring a stuffed animal to toss at halftime of the men's game and get a $5 GA ticket. All stuffed animals will be donated to Toys for Tots!

The eighth-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball makes its home debut Saturday when the Tigers host sixth-ranked Pittsburg State in a non-conference, top-10 matchup. Opening tip is set for 2 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.

The contest is one of two Tiger basketball games on Saturday, with the men to follow against William Jewell. It is the first of 10 doubleheaders on the schedule for the 2025-26 season.

The Tigers enter the contest 7-1 overall, while the Gorillas are 6-1 so far this season.

Quick Hits - Saturday's game is the latest home opener on record for the program. The previous latest home opener for the team was December 10, 1975 when FHSU lost to Northwestern Oklahoma State, 75-45. - Now with 467 career assists, Brooke Loewe is 12 assists away from breaking the school's career assists record (478, Maisha Prewitt, 1997-01). The senior is third amongst active DII players and ranks 16th across all NCAA Divisions in career assists, while this year she leads all NCAA Divisions with an average of 9.9 assists per game. - Talexa Weeter leads all Division II and ranks second across all NCAA Divisions with an average of 28.1 points per game. She's scored 23 or more points in seven of eight games this season, including three with 30-plus. - FHSU is 10-1 coming off a loss during the Talia Kahrs era. - The Tigers are 29-5 in home openers during the NCAA DII era (since 1991-92). FHSU has won 20 of its last 21 home openers, with the lone loss coming on a buzzer beater against Minnesota State in 2022, 65-63. - Fort Hays State reached the 20-win plateau for the 14th-consecutive season last year. That is the longest active streak in Division II and is tied for sixth-longest across all NCAA divisions. In comparison, the next longest current streak in the MIAA is four (Missouri Western), while the next longest in DII is Drury with 12. - FHSU is 4-4 against ranked teams during the Kahrs era.

Roster Report - Fort Hays State's roster includes seven returners and six newcomers, including five freshmen and one transfer. - This year's squad includes players from seven different states, including five from Kansas, three from Colorado and one each from Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina and Texas. - There are three seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and five freshmen on the squad this year. - The Tigers return two All-MIAA honorable mention selections in Brooke Loewe and Talexa Weeter.

Road Warriors - Saturday's game is the first home game for the Tigers after eight straight games away from home. - This is the latest home opener for the team on record (since at least 1973). The current latest date for the Tigers to play their first home game is December 10, 1975 when FHSU lost to Northwestern Oklahoma State, 75-45.

First Time at Home - The Tigers are 29-5 in home openers during the NCAA DII era, including 18-straight wins from 2004 to 2021 before the Tigers lost on a buzzer beater to Minnesota State in the 2022 home opener.

20 Wins Now the Norm - Fort Hays State has now reached the 20-win plateau in each of the last 14 seasons, extending the longest active streak of 20-win seasons in Division II. FHSU's streak is tied for the sixth-longest active streak of 20-win seasons across all NCAA Divisions. - FHSU reached the 20-win plateau just eight times over the first 42 years of the program before the current streak began in 2011-12, including no more than two consecutive 20-win campaigns during that time. - The next-best active streak of 20-win seasons in the MIAA is four (MWSU), while the next-best streak in DII is Drury with 12. - Only five DI programs have longer active stretches of 20-win seasons, including UConn (32), Baylor (25), Stanford (23), Florida Gulf Coast (21) and Louisville (15). Fort Hays State's run of 14-straight 20-win seasons is tied with South Carolina and South Dakota State for sixth-best in all NCAA women's basketball.

National Rankings - FHSU ranks third in the country with 19.0 assists per game while ranking 10th in field goal percentage (46.5 percent) and 25th in scoring offense (76.9 ppg). - Brooke Loewe's 9.9 assists per game are the most across all NCAA Divisions. The DI lead is 9.4 assists per game, while the second-best average in DII is 7.3 (Lydia Haack, Concordia-St. Paul). - Talexa Weeter leads Division II and would also rank first in DI with an average of 28.1 points per game. Only Alexa Charles of DIII school Hunter with 33.8 points per game averages more points per game across all NCAA Divisions. - Loewe's 14 assists in a game, a feat she accomplished twice in five days, are the most in a game by a DII athlete this season. - Ellie Stearns ranks second in the conference with 2.38 3-pointers made per game. - Weeter ranks second in the MIAA in rebounds (8.8 per game) and third in the MIAA in field goal percentage (47.6 percent). - Loewe ranks third in the MIAA with an average of 2.1 steals per game.

Fresh Start - Olivia Mortensen is the 14th true freshman to start a season opener for the Tigers during the DII era (since 1991-92) and the first since Ellie Stearns in 2022.

MIAA Athlete of the Week x 2 - Talexa Weeter earned two of the first three MIAA Athlete of the Week awards this season. - The junior averaged 32.5 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 60.5 percent from the floor in the first two games of the season. - The Goodland, Kan. native then averaged 33.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in the two wins in Denver last week.

Last Time Out - The No. 3 Tigers dropped their first game of the season, losing to Washburn 67-64. - FHSU had a shot at the end of the game to tie the score, but Brooke Loewe's 3-point attempt was off the mark. - Both teams held 11 point leads at some point in the game. - FHSU scored 18 in a row in the first quarter. - Talexa Weeter led all scorers with 28 points, while Brooke Loewe recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists.

Scouting the Gorillas - Pittsburg State is 6-1 on the year, including a 2-0 start to conference play. - The Gorillas' lone loss came against eighth-ranked Texas Woman's. - PSU is one of the best teams in the country at getting to the foul line, attempting the fourth-most free throws with an average of 28.3 per game. They are third in DII with an average of 21 made free throws per contest. - The Gorillas lead the MIAA with an average of 44.0 rebounds per game. - Kaycee McCumber leads the conference and ranks 20th in DII with an average of 10.9 rebounds per game. - While just two Gorillas are averaging in double figures, six different players score at least seven points per night.

Series History with Pittsburg State - Fort Hays State holds a 37-31 lead in the all-time series with PSU, including a 22-11 lead in games played in Hays. - The Tigers have won three of the five meetings during the Talia Kahrs era, including all three regular season contests. - FHSU has won two in a row at home against the Gorillas, while PSU holds a one game winning streak in the series overall. - The Tigers lead 3-2 in overtime matchups, with the teams last going to overtime in 2012.

Last Meeting with the Gorillas - The No. 8 Gorillas defeated the ninth-ranked Tigers in the MIAA Championship game for a second year in a row last March, winning 81-73. - FHSU spotted the Gorillas a 9-0 lead over the first two minutes before outscoring PSU by one over the final 38 minutes. - The Gorillas led by 24 early in the fourth quarter before FHSU closed within six in the final minute. - Talexa Weeter and Olivia Hollenbeck scored 17 points each. - The Tigers shot 39 percent from the floor.

Career Stats vs. Pittsburg State - Talexa Weeter - 14.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.5 apg in 2 games, 2 games with 10+ points - Brooke Loewe - 6.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.6 apg in 7 games, 1 double-double, 2 games with 10+ points, 1 game with 10+ assists - Ellie Stearns - 4.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.0 apg in 7 games, 1 game with 10+ points

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765476976789.png" alt="FHSU Athletics image" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics image</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Athletics#8 Fort Hays State Women's Basketball (7-1, 1-1 MIAA) vs. #6 Pittsburg State (6-1, 2-0 MIAA) Saturday, December 13, 2025 • 2 p.m. Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial ColiseumRadio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>Game Sponsor: Riverside Chiropractic Halftime: FHSU tennis player and baton twirler Janae Montoya will perform a twirling routine Promotions: Toys for Tots Stuffed Animal Toss- Bring a stuffed animal to toss at halftime of the men's game and get a $5 GA ticket. All stuffed animals will be donated to Toys for Tots!The eighth-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball makes its home debut Saturday when the Tigers host sixth-ranked Pittsburg State in a non-conference, top-10 matchup. Opening tip is set for 2 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.The contest is one of two Tiger basketball games on Saturday, with the men to follow against William Jewell. It is the first of 10 doubleheaders on the schedule for the 2025-26 season.The Tigers enter the contest 7-1 overall, while the Gorillas are 6-1 so far this season.Quick Hits - Saturday's game is the latest home opener on record for the program. The previous latest home opener for the team was December 10, 1975 when FHSU lost to Northwestern Oklahoma State, 75-45. - Now with 467 career assists, Brooke Loewe is 12 assists away from breaking the school's career assists record (478, Maisha Prewitt, 1997-01). The senior is third amongst active DII players and ranks 16th across all NCAA Divisions in career assists, while this year she leads all NCAA Divisions with an average of 9.9 assists per game. - Talexa Weeter leads all Division II and ranks second across all NCAA Divisions with an average of 28.1 points per game. She's scored 23 or more points in seven of eight games this season, including three with 30-plus. - FHSU is 10-1 coming off a loss during the Talia Kahrs era. - The Tigers are 29-5 in home openers during the NCAA DII era (since 1991-92). FHSU has won 20 of its last 21 home openers, with the lone loss coming on a buzzer beater against Minnesota State in 2022, 65-63. - Fort Hays State reached the 20-win plateau for the 14th-consecutive season last year. That is the longest active streak in Division II and is tied for sixth-longest across all NCAA divisions. In comparison, the next longest current streak in the MIAA is four (Missouri Western), while the next longest in DII is Drury with 12. - FHSU is 4-4 against ranked teams during the Kahrs era.Roster Report - Fort Hays State's roster includes seven returners and six newcomers, including five freshmen and one transfer. - This year's squad includes players from seven different states, including five from Kansas, three from Colorado and one each from Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina and Texas. - There are three seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and five freshmen on the squad this year. - The Tigers return two All-MIAA honorable mention selections in Brooke Loewe and Talexa Weeter.Road Warriors - Saturday's game is the first home game for the Tigers after eight straight games away from home. - This is the latest home opener for the team on record (since at least 1973). The current latest date for the Tigers to play their first home game is December 10, 1975 when FHSU lost to Northwestern Oklahoma State, 75-45.First Time at Home - The Tigers are 29-5 in home openers during the NCAA DII era, including 18-straight wins from 2004 to 2021 before the Tigers lost on a buzzer beater to Minnesota State in the 2022 home opener.20 Wins Now the Norm - Fort Hays State has now reached the 20-win plateau in each of the last 14 seasons, extending the longest active streak of 20-win seasons in Division II. FHSU's streak is tied for the sixth-longest active streak of 20-win seasons across all NCAA Divisions. - FHSU reached the 20-win plateau just eight times over the first 42 years of the program before the current streak began in 2011-12, including no more than two consecutive 20-win campaigns during that time. - The next-best active streak of 20-win seasons in the MIAA is four (MWSU), while the next-best streak in DII is Drury with 12. - Only five DI programs have longer active stretches of 20-win seasons, including UConn (32), Baylor (25), Stanford (23), Florida Gulf Coast (21) and Louisville (15). Fort Hays State's run of 14-straight 20-win seasons is tied with South Carolina and South Dakota State for sixth-best in all NCAA women's basketball.National Rankings - FHSU ranks third in the country with 19.0 assists per game while ranking 10th in field goal percentage (46.5 percent) and 25th in scoring offense (76.9 ppg). - Brooke Loewe's 9.9 assists per game are the most across all NCAA Divisions. The DI lead is 9.4 assists per game, while the second-best average in DII is 7.3 (Lydia Haack, Concordia-St. Paul). - Talexa Weeter leads Division II and would also rank first in DI with an average of 28.1 points per game. Only Alexa Charles of DIII school Hunter with 33.8 points per game averages more points per game across all NCAA Divisions. - Loewe's 14 assists in a game, a feat she accomplished twice in five days, are the most in a game by a DII athlete this season. - Ellie Stearns ranks second in the conference with 2.38 3-pointers made per game. - Weeter ranks second in the MIAA in rebounds (8.8 per game) and third in the MIAA in field goal percentage (47.6 percent). - Loewe ranks third in the MIAA with an average of 2.1 steals per game.Fresh Start - Olivia Mortensen is the 14th true freshman to start a season opener for the Tigers during the DII era (since 1991-92) and the first since Ellie Stearns in 2022.MIAA Athlete of the Week x 2 - Talexa Weeter earned two of the first three MIAA Athlete of the Week awards this season. - The junior averaged 32.5 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 60.5 percent from the floor in the first two games of the season. - The Goodland, Kan. native then averaged 33.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in the two wins in Denver last week.Last Time Out - The No. 3 Tigers dropped their first game of the season, losing to Washburn 67-64. - FHSU had a shot at the end of the game to tie the score, but Brooke Loewe's 3-point attempt was off the mark. - Both teams held 11 point leads at some point in the game. - FHSU scored 18 in a row in the first quarter. - Talexa Weeter led all scorers with 28 points, while Brooke Loewe recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists.Scouting the Gorillas - Pittsburg State is 6-1 on the year, including a 2-0 start to conference play. - The Gorillas' lone loss came against eighth-ranked Texas Woman's. - PSU is one of the best teams in the country at getting to the foul line, attempting the fourth-most free throws with an average of 28.3 per game. They are third in DII with an average of 21 made free throws per contest. - The Gorillas lead the MIAA with an average of 44.0 rebounds per game. - Kaycee McCumber leads the conference and ranks 20th in DII with an average of 10.9 rebounds per game. - While just two Gorillas are averaging in double figures, six different players score at least seven points per night.Series History with Pittsburg State - Fort Hays State holds a 37-31 lead in the all-time series with PSU, including a 22-11 lead in games played in Hays. - The Tigers have won three of the five meetings during the Talia Kahrs era, including all three regular season contests. - FHSU has won two in a row at home against the Gorillas, while PSU holds a one game winning streak in the series overall. - The Tigers lead 3-2 in overtime matchups, with the teams last going to overtime in 2012.Last Meeting with the Gorillas - The No. 8 Gorillas defeated the ninth-ranked Tigers in the MIAA Championship game for a second year in a row last March, winning 81-73. - FHSU spotted the Gorillas a 9-0 lead over the first two minutes before outscoring PSU by one over the final 38 minutes. - The Gorillas led by 24 early in the fourth quarter before FHSU closed within six in the final minute. - Talexa Weeter and Olivia Hollenbeck scored 17 points each. - The Tigers shot 39 percent from the floor.Career Stats vs. Pittsburg State - Talexa Weeter - 14.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.5 apg in 2 games, 2 games with 10+ points - Brooke Loewe - 6.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.6 apg in 7 games, 1 double-double, 2 games with 10+ points, 1 game with 10+ assists - Ellie Stearns - 4.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.0 apg in 7 games, 1 game with 10+ points

🏀🎧 LISTEN: Top 10 showdown for FHSU women home opener

Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus discusses the Chiefs playoff changes and previews Sunday's home game with the Chargers.

The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. on 96.9, KFIX.

Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus discusses the Chiefs playoff changes and previews Sunday's home game with the Chargers.The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. on 96.9, KFIX.<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/soundcloud%3Atracks%3A2228599028%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-OulZiMMOzH9&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/holthus-hotline-december-13-2025/s-OulZiMMOzH9" title="Holthus Hotline (December 13, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Holthus Hotline (December 13, 2025)</a></div></div>

🎧 Holthus Hotline with Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus

Saturday, December 13
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
MWBKB vs. Pittsburg State/William Jewell, 1:35pm
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB at North Carolina State, 3:00pm KKQY: Purple &amp; Gold Tournament MWBKB (finals), 5:45pm

Sunday, December 14
 KFIX: Kansas City
Chiefs FB vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 11:00am

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)Saturday, December 13
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
MWBKB vs. Pittsburg State/William Jewell, 1:35pm
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB at North Carolina State, 3:00pm KKQY: Purple &amp; Gold Tournament MWBKB (finals), 5:45pmSunday, December 14
 KFIX: Kansas City
Chiefs FB vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 11:00am

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post Sports

JUNCTION CITY - Hays High took their first road trip of the basketball season as they headed to Junction City Friday and both the state ranked girls and boys came away with wins.

Girls:&nbsp;#6 Hays 63, Junction City 17 Hays High scored the first 16 points and their game was never close in a 63-17 victory over Junction City.

It did take Hays (5-0) two minutes to get on the board. Once the shots started falling, they kept going in. The Indians scored the first 16 points of the game and yielded just two free throws in the first quarter.&nbsp;

Leading 20-2 to start the second quarter, Hays didn't give up the first field goal of the game for another six minutes. Junction City (1-2) managed three free throws over those six minutes. The Indians scored another 14 points to lead 34-5 prior to the Blue Jays only field goal make of the first half.

Hays led 41-7 at halftime after scoring the final seven points of the half.

Junction City scored the first basket of the second half. The Indians scored the next 16 points and led 57-9 after the third.

A continuous clock fourth quarter made quick work of the final frame with Hays taking a 63-17 victory.

Hays shot a season high 52% in the game. Nine of twelve players that saw action scored for the Indians. The Indians will play in the Rock Creek tournament next Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Rupp 5, Schmeidler 15, Humphrey 3, LaBarge 5, Koerner 0, Cunningham 0, Armbruster 6, Turner 7, Newell 0, Harrington 3, Buckles 4, Winter 15.

Boys: Hays 58, Junction City 49 A decisive second half run propelled Hays High to a 58-49 win over Junction City.

Junction City (1-2) scored the first seven points of the game forcing Hays (4-1) to take a time out just ninety seconds into the contest. The Indians responded with eight straight points from Dawson Ruder to take the lead. The run would continue through the remainder of the second quarter where Hays led 14-9.&nbsp;

The Indians built their lead to ten at 24-14 with 3:20 left before halftime. Junction City scored the next seven point in the next fifty-eight seconds to close the gap down to three points. Hays hit a pair of field goals in the final minute to lead 28-22 at half.

Hays pushed their advantage to seven early in the third quarter at 31-24. Junction City ran at the Indians with seven straight points to the game at 31 with four minutes remaining. Hays responded with an 11-3 run to close the quarter and extended that run through the four minute mark of the fourth quarter to 20-7. That eight minute stretch put Hays up 51-38.

Hays led by as many as 14 and ended up winning 58-49.&nbsp;

Hays shot a season high 62% from the field and allowed Junction City just two rebounds.&nbsp;

Hays will be in the Rock Creek Tournament next Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Pfeifer 6, Homeier 0, Oakley 11, Harmoney 3, Fox 18, Smalley 0, Ruder 20, Loving 0.

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post SportsJUNCTION CITY - Hays High took their first road trip of the basketball season as they headed to Junction City Friday and both the state ranked girls and boys came away with wins.Girls:&nbsp;#6 Hays 63, Junction City 17 Hays High scored the first 16 points and their game was never close in a 63-17 victory over Junction City.It did take Hays (5-0) two minutes to get on the board. Once the shots started falling, they kept going in. The Indians scored the first 16 points of the game and yielded just two free throws in the first quarter.&nbsp;Leading 20-2 to start the second quarter, Hays didn't give up the first field goal of the game for another six minutes. Junction City (1-2) managed three free throws over those six minutes. The Indians scored another 14 points to lead 34-5 prior to the Blue Jays only field goal make of the first half.Hays led 41-7 at halftime after scoring the final seven points of the half.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2228913464&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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/hhs-wbkb-game-highlights-v" title="HHS WBKB Game Highlights v Junction City Dec 12, 2025" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HHS WBKB Game Highlights v Junction City Dec 12, 2025</a></div></div>Junction City scored the first basket of the second half. The Indians scored the next 16 points and led 57-9 after the third.A continuous clock fourth quarter made quick work of the final frame with Hays taking a 63-17 victory.Coach Len Melvin<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2228913266&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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/hhs-wbkb-coach-post-v-junction" title="HHS WBKB Coach Post v Junction City Dec 12, 2025" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HHS WBKB Coach Post v Junction City Dec 12, 2025</a></div></div>Hays shot a season high 52% in the game. Nine of twelve players that saw action scored for the Indians. The Indians will play in the Rock Creek tournament next Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Rupp 5, Schmeidler 15, Humphrey 3, LaBarge 5, Koerner 0, Cunningham 0, Armbruster 6, Turner 7, Newell 0, Harrington 3, Buckles 4, Winter 15.Boys: Hays 58, Junction City 49 A decisive second half run propelled Hays High to a 58-49 win over Junction City.Junction City (1-2) scored the first seven points of the game forcing Hays (4-1) to take a time out just ninety seconds into the contest. The Indians responded with eight straight points from Dawson Ruder to take the lead. The run would continue through the remainder of the second quarter where Hays led 14-9.&nbsp;The Indians built their lead to ten at 24-14 with 3:20 left before halftime. Junction City scored the next seven point in the next fifty-eight seconds to close the gap down to three points. Hays hit a pair of field goals in the final minute to lead 28-22 at half.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2228914370&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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/hhs-mbkb-highlights-v-junction" title="HHS MBKB Highlights v Junction City Dec 12, 2025" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HHS MBKB Highlights v Junction City Dec 12, 2025</a></div></div>Hays pushed their advantage to seven early in the third quarter at 31-24. Junction City ran at the Indians with seven straight points to the game at 31 with four minutes remaining. Hays responded with an 11-3 run to close the quarter and extended that run through the four minute mark of the fourth quarter to 20-7. That eight minute stretch put Hays up 51-38.Hays led by as many as 14 and ended up winning 58-49.&nbsp;Coach Sean Dreiling<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2228914160&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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/hhs-mbkb-coach-post-v-junction-city-ec-12-2025" title="HHS MBKB Coach Post v Junction City ec 12, 2025" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HHS MBKB Coach Post v Junction City ec 12, 2025</a></div></div>Hays shot a season high 62% from the field and allowed Junction City just two rebounds.&nbsp;Hays will be in the Rock Creek Tournament next Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Pfeifer 6, Homeier 0, Oakley 11, Harmoney 3, Fox 18, Smalley 0, Ruder 20, Loving 0.

🏀 First road test passed, Hays sweeps past Juction City

KEARNEY, Neb. - The Fort Hays State men's and women's track and field teams broke one school record, posted five national qualifying marks and won eight events at the UNK Pre-Holiday Classic Friday (Dec. 12).

Annabeth Baalmann broke her own school record in the pole vault, clearing 14-1.25 to add 0.75 inches to her personal best. After failing to clear a bar in her first competition of the season last week, Baalmann needed three attempts to get over her first height of 13-2.25. But once she cleared that bar, it was smooth sailing for the senior who cleared the next three bars on only four attempts.

Her performance is the best in Division II so far this season and is fourth-best across all NCAA Divisions. This is the fourth time Baalmann has cleared 14 feet in competition, and the second time she has done so at an indoor meet in Kearney.

Freshman Katie Linenberger improved her national qualifying mark in the high jump, placing first with a top clearance of 5-9.25. That also added 0.75 inches to her best mark of the season, ranking the Hays native second across all DII this season and placing her second on the FHSU DII era performance chart.

Jayme Hagerman won the long jump with a top mark of 18-2.5 on her fourth attempt, while Brynlee Frank posted a leap of 35-6.75 to win the triple jump and give the Tiger women a clean sweep of the jumping events.

Hailey Brown placed first in the 60m dash, crossing the line in 7.77 in the prelims and 7.80 in the final. Her preliminary time is good for sixth on the FHSU DII era performance chart. Reba Mader placed first in the 600y run with a time of 1:27.37, while Emma Weiner won the mile run in 5:29.77. Lillian Finke also etched her name on the FHSU DII era performance list, ranking sixth in the pole vault with a top clearance of 11-8.5.

On the men's side, a trio of pole vaulters all surpassed the national qualifying threshold with a clearance of 15-10. Josiah Ball, Brady Deges and Mason Younger all cleared that height to rank 15th on the DII national list this season.

Dean Clark placed second in the long jump with an indoor personal best of 23-4.5, moving him to eighth on the FHSU DII era performance chart. Two other Tigers also turned in second-place finishes, with Nakari Morrical-Palmer posting a time of 6.83 in the 60m finals. That time is good for sixth at FHSU during the DII era. Brett Eckhardt finished second in the 60m hurdles, crossing the line in 8.53. Jayden Michaelis turned in FHSU's fastest time in that event, running the prelims in 8.50 to rank 10th at FHSU during the DII era.

The Tigers will return to action after the holiday break when they travel to Topeka, Kan. for the WU Rust Buster on January 16.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765676006762.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics image" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics image</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKEARNEY, Neb. - The Fort Hays State men's and women's track and field teams broke one school record, posted five national qualifying marks and won eight events at the UNK Pre-Holiday Classic Friday (Dec. 12).Annabeth Baalmann broke her own school record in the pole vault, clearing 14-1.25 to add 0.75 inches to her personal best. After failing to clear a bar in her first competition of the season last week, Baalmann needed three attempts to get over her first height of 13-2.25. But once she cleared that bar, it was smooth sailing for the senior who cleared the next three bars on only four attempts.Her performance is the best in Division II so far this season and is fourth-best across all NCAA Divisions. This is the fourth time Baalmann has cleared 14 feet in competition, and the second time she has done so at an indoor meet in Kearney.Freshman Katie Linenberger improved her national qualifying mark in the high jump, placing first with a top clearance of 5-9.25. That also added 0.75 inches to her best mark of the season, ranking the Hays native second across all DII this season and placing her second on the FHSU DII era performance chart.Jayme Hagerman won the long jump with a top mark of 18-2.5 on her fourth attempt, while Brynlee Frank posted a leap of 35-6.75 to win the triple jump and give the Tiger women a clean sweep of the jumping events.Hailey Brown placed first in the 60m dash, crossing the line in 7.77 in the prelims and 7.80 in the final. Her preliminary time is good for sixth on the FHSU DII era performance chart. Reba Mader placed first in the 600y run with a time of 1:27.37, while Emma Weiner won the mile run in 5:29.77. Lillian Finke also etched her name on the FHSU DII era performance list, ranking sixth in the pole vault with a top clearance of 11-8.5.On the men's side, a trio of pole vaulters all surpassed the national qualifying threshold with a clearance of 15-10. Josiah Ball, Brady Deges and Mason Younger all cleared that height to rank 15th on the DII national list this season.Dean Clark placed second in the long jump with an indoor personal best of 23-4.5, moving him to eighth on the FHSU DII era performance chart. Two other Tigers also turned in second-place finishes, with Nakari Morrical-Palmer posting a time of 6.83 in the 60m finals. That time is good for sixth at FHSU during the DII era. Brett Eckhardt finished second in the 60m hurdles, crossing the line in 8.53. Jayden Michaelis turned in FHSU's fastest time in that event, running the prelims in 8.50 to rank 10th at FHSU during the DII era.The Tigers will return to action after the holiday break when they travel to Topeka, Kan. for the WU Rust Buster on January 16.

👟 Baalmann clears 14 feet again in Kearney

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State saw its magical 2025 season come to an end on Friday evening&nbsp; in the NCAA National Semifinals. The Tigers had a slew of offensive opportunities in the second half, but never found an equalizer in a 1-0 loss to Rollins College (Fla.). The Tigers saw their 23-match unbeaten streak snapped and closed the season at 20-1-3 overall, the best record in program history.

This was Fort Hays State's second trip to the national semifinals, the first being 2018, and the Tigers were eliminated by a school from Florida for the second time as well. FHSU and Barry played to a scoreless draw back in 2018 and Barry advanced to the title game on penalty kicks.

The Tigers had a tough time finding a rhythm and opportunities early. Rollins applied some offensive pressure early and caught the Tigers scrambling a few times to get the ball cleared from danger. The Tars broke through in the 24th minute when Justin Nelson struck in close range off a crossing pass from Jordan Proulx. The Tars limited one of the nation's top offenses to just four shots in the first half and Rollins keeper Killian Vallant had to make just one save.

In the second half, the Tigers dictated offensive play and continued to apply pressure on Vallant in goal. Unfortunately for the Tigers, many of the opportunities were just in the right spots to not get strong enough attacks on the ball. The Tigers did fire off several shots that missed just wide of the net that would have beat Vallant, but never could get a deadly strike to stay inside the frame.

Fort Hays State shelled Rollins with 20 shots in the second half and ended up outshooting Rollins 24-10 in the game. Elias Ovelar Semeniuk had a bundle of the second half shots and finished the game with eight to lead the Tigers.

The officials even reviewed a pair of plays within the final 15 minutes of the match on incidents in the box, but neither was enough to produce a penalty kick opportunity for the Tigers.

Payton Roehrich finished with four saves in goal for the Tigers, while Vallant of Rollins finished with seven.

The Tigers were shutout for the first time since October 23, when they played to a scoreless draw with conference foe Southern Nazarene in Hays. The Tigers had scored multiple goals in their last eight games entering the national semifinal. The only two times the Tigers were shutout in the regular season, the match ended in a draw (CSU Pueblo being the other opponent).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765590744172.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State saw its magical 2025 season come to an end on Friday evening&nbsp; in the NCAA National Semifinals. The Tigers had a slew of offensive opportunities in the second half, but never found an equalizer in a 1-0 loss to Rollins College (Fla.). The Tigers saw their 23-match unbeaten streak snapped and closed the season at 20-1-3 overall, the best record in program history.This was Fort Hays State's second trip to the national semifinals, the first being 2018, and the Tigers were eliminated by a school from Florida for the second time as well. FHSU and Barry played to a scoreless draw back in 2018 and Barry advanced to the title game on penalty kicks.The Tigers had a tough time finding a rhythm and opportunities early. Rollins applied some offensive pressure early and caught the Tigers scrambling a few times to get the ball cleared from danger. The Tars broke through in the 24th minute when Justin Nelson struck in close range off a crossing pass from Jordan Proulx. The Tars limited one of the nation's top offenses to just four shots in the first half and Rollins keeper Killian Vallant had to make just one save.In the second half, the Tigers dictated offensive play and continued to apply pressure on Vallant in goal. Unfortunately for the Tigers, many of the opportunities were just in the right spots to not get strong enough attacks on the ball. The Tigers did fire off several shots that missed just wide of the net that would have beat Vallant, but never could get a deadly strike to stay inside the frame.Fort Hays State shelled Rollins with 20 shots in the second half and ended up outshooting Rollins 24-10 in the game. Elias Ovelar Semeniuk had a bundle of the second half shots and finished the game with eight to lead the Tigers.The officials even reviewed a pair of plays within the final 15 minutes of the match on incidents in the box, but neither was enough to produce a penalty kick opportunity for the Tigers.Payton Roehrich finished with four saves in goal for the Tigers, while Vallant of Rollins finished with seven.The Tigers were shutout for the first time since October 23, when they played to a scoreless draw with conference foe Southern Nazarene in Hays. The Tigers had scored multiple goals in their last eight games entering the national semifinal. The only two times the Tigers were shutout in the regular season, the match ended in a draw (CSU Pueblo being the other opponent).The Tigers set so many new program standards in 2025, navigating the regular season and conference tournament unbeaten. The Tigers maintained that unbeaten run through three NCAA Tournament games to secure the Super Region title. The Tigers have put together an impressive 33-5-7 overall record in Alex Nichols' two years at the helm.