[Photos courtesy of James Abel, David Erickson, Joe Garcia III, Carter Pirtle, and Roy Wheeler] The Texas High School football season came to a close, and it was another excellent year for the Texas Panhandle. Here’s a look at the 2024 Press Pass Sports Football Team. Players selected for superlative honors are separate from the […]
[Photos courtesy of James Abel, David Erickson, Joe Garcia III, Carter Pirtle, and Roy Wheeler]
The Texas High School football season came to a close, and it was another excellent year for the Texas Panhandle. Here’s a look at the 2024 Press Pass Sports Football Team. Players selected for superlative honors are separate from the Press Pass Sports Football Team.
Ladd teamed with White-Tinsley to make a formidable safety duo, making six interceptions along with 84 tackles, including five for losses. Like White-Tinsley he also played receiver and had 37 catches for 415 yards and four touchdowns.
[James Abel/ Press Pass Sports]
The Wheeler workhorse was the heart and soul of a Mustangs team that had an outstanding season going 9-3 overall making a push to the second round of the UIL Class 2A Division II playoffs. Atherton used his bruising style and sneaky speed to carry the ball 244 times galloping for 2,108 yards with 28 touchdowns. For his incredible year, Atherton earned District 5-2A Co-Offensive MVP honors.
[Photo by Roy Wheeler]
The District 1-2A Division II Co-Offensive Player of the Year was a go-to on offense for a stacked Greyhound backfield. Helping lead Gruver to a 14-1 overall record and a run to the state semifinals for the first time since 2018, Maupin used his explosiveness game in and game out to end a stellar season piling up 2,147 rushing yards on 195 carries with 27 touchdowns.
[Photo by Carter Pirtle]
If you were to look up the word ball hawk in the dictionary there’s a good chance, you’d see Lantelme’s face under that definition. Lantelme was the security in the secondary for the Stratford defense snagging nine interceptions, finishing second in all of Class 2A. Lantelme returned three of those interceptions for touchdown. He also finished the season with 78 tackles.
[Photo by Carter Pirtle]
Fulton wears No. 13 and Tascosa is lucky to have him. The starting quarterback for the Rebels (he earned District 2-5A honorable mention at QB) who reached the third round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs also deftly handled the punting duties. He averaged 42 yards per punt and kept punt coverage opponents worried because of his threat to run and throw from the formation. He was 2-5A DI first team punter. At QB, Fulton ran for 1,106 yards and 14 TDs while throwing for 780 yards and 10 TDs.
[Photo by James Abel]
Brown was a big reason Lopez had a record-setting season as Amarillo High’s quarterback, leading the Sandies with 58 catches for 958 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also averaged almost 23 yards per return as a punt returner and ran for three touchdowns. Brown had three interceptions in the secondary and was a first team District 2-5A Division I selection.
[Photo by Carter Pirtle]
Massengale was a leader on one of the top “pancaking offensive lines” in all the 806. His size, strength, explosiveness and overall athleticism made life miserable for defensive linemen and linebackers facing him. He was first team All-District 2-4A Division I and a key cog in Randall rolling to an 11-2 record and the third round of the playoffs.
[Photo by Roy Wheeler]
Anybody watching the Raiders roll to an 11-2 record and the third round of the playoffs left the stadium after a game knowing hustling linebacker No. 33 impacted the game and opened eyes with a big hit. Patton led the Raiders in tackles through the regular season with 67, recorded a safety, and earned the respect of opposing coaches voting him first team All-District 2-4A Division I.
[Photo by Roy Wheeler]
The word speedy or fast are used quite often to describe a talented receiver/ returner/ defensive back like Tillman. In this case TJ outruns those two names and deserves his respect – speediest and fastest. The University of Texas El Paso signee (he will enroll at UTEP when semester starts in January) was untouchable in the open field for the third-round playoff Rebs by averaging 48 yards on his kickoff returns and scored a TD. He earned first team All-District 2-5A Division I defensive back making 60 tackles (33 solo) and coming up with 16 pass breakups. He was also second team 2-5A DI at wide receiver with 21 catches for 471 yards and eight TDs.
[Photo by James Abel]
The 2-4A Division I Defensive Lineman of the Year anchored Hereford up front as a true run stopper making 37 tackles while taking on various double teams for the Herd in helping the win eight games while advancing to the second round of the UIL Class 4A Division I playoffs.
[Photo by Carter Pirtle]
After playing quarterback as a sophomore, Lewis became a Swiss Army knife on offense for the Dons as a junior. He was listed at running back, where he was a short yardage specialist and ran for 10 touchdowns, but he really shined catching the ball, with 47 receptions for 532 yards and five touchdowns.
[Photo by James Abel]
Owner of the greatest football first name in all the 806, Krush (his real name, not a nickname) was an absolute force upfront for the Rebels during their run to the third round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs. Blocking him one on one didn’t go well for opposing offenses and even double teams he regularly defeated. Krush’s motor runs on high from opening kickoff to final buzzer. The first team All-District 2-5A Division I defensive tackle made 96 tackles (45 solo) 11 tackles for losses, had nine quarterback hurries, six quarterback sacks, three pass breakups and recovered a fumble.
[Photo by David Erickson]
Villado was a senior leader for a physical offensive line that took pride in protecting the all-time state passing leader in Armando Lujan. Game in and game out, Villado showed his versatility blocking at the line or using his speed to make a key block down the field. Villado was named the District 1-2A Division I Offensive Lineman of the Year for his tremendous season.
[Photo by Roy Wheeler]
Perhaps the team’s best all-around athlete, White-Tinsley came on the scene as a dangerous weapon on both sides of the ball for West Plains. On defense, White-Tinsley racked up nine interceptions while making 55 tackles at safety. For good measure, White-Tinsley also led the Wolves in receiving with 64 catches for 1,065 yards and 12 touchdowns.
[Photo by James Abel]
Rincon proved his grit and toughness for a talented Wellington team that won nine games advancing to the second round of the UIL Class 2A Division II playoffs. Rincon was a team leader earning District 5-2A Division II Defense MVP honors finishing his senior season 102 tackles, an incredible 16 sacks with 24 tackles for a loss and four forced fumbles.
[Photo by Carter Pirtle]
Maupin had the ultimate respect of not only being a team captain and leader of the Greyhounds but getting to lead blocking lanes for his twin brother Walker, who broke the 2,000-yard rushing mark this year. Maupin did his job every Friday night grading out at 98 percent making 78 pancake blocks. He also scored a rushing touchdown against Clarendon earlier in the year.
[Photo by James Abel]
The senior provided the stability up front on both sides of the ball but truly made his name protecting quarterback Quaid Ferris and paving the way for the run game. The three-year starter and first team District 2-3A Division I selection was a leader for an offense that averaged 40 points a game and close to 400 total yards every time out.
[Photo by Carter Pirtle]
The eccentric two-way standout shined on both sides of the ball, however, Bennett had a true chemistry with record-setting quarterback Armando Lujan. Becoming a top target for Lujan the past three years, Bennett put together another excellent season in 2024 catching 61 passes for 911 yards with seven touchdowns. Bennett, a first team District 1-2A Division I selection, finished his career with 2,675 receiving yards and 31 TDs.
[Photo by James Abel]
Calsadillas played much bigger than his 5-foot-7 frame becoming a nightmare for quarterbacks as part of a talented defensive line. The first team District 1-2A Division I selection was unstoppable to block racking up an eye-popping 17 sacks on top of his 50 tackles with 21 of those coming as solo tackles.
[Photo by Carter Pirtle]
Tradition at Amarillo High hasn’t necessarily featured the quarterback as the glamour position, but Lopez might be the best example yet of the Sandies opening up their passing game. Lopez had the most prolific passing season in the school’s long gridiron history, completing 199-of-303 passes for 3,004 yards with 34 touchdowns and only four interceptions, becoming the first Amarillo High quarterback to crack the 3,000-yard barrier in a single season. He also ran for 280 yards and 10 touchdowns.
[Photo by James Abel]
The 2023 Press Pass Sports Defensive Player of the Year wrapped up an amazing high school career and will leave Stratford as arguably one of the best players to ever wear the Elk uniform. Despite battling nagging injuries all season, the Air Force signee did his job and then some racking up 152 tackles this season with six sacks. Braden was a four-year starter and Defensive MVP for the Elks on the 2021 state championship team. Braden ends his illustrious career with 623 total tackles.
[Photo by James Abel]
Bryant was the top target in Hereford’s productive passing game, leading the Herd with 50 catches for 880 yards and eight touchdowns, rare numbers for a high school tight end. He was a unanimous first team 2-4A Division I selection, but his best sport might be baseball, where he stands out at first base and third base and pitches.
[Photo by James Abel]
Avalos was Mr. Consistency handling the kicking duties for the Raiders impressive 11-2 season ending in the third round of the playoffs. Avalos, a talented soccer player as well starting for the Raiders on the pitch as a freshman, showed his strong leg on kickoffs and missed one extra point all year for the high-scoring Raiders. Avalos has 50–55-yard range and connected on three of his four field goal attempts earning first team All-District 2-4A Division I honors as a sophomore.
[Photo by James Abel]
Lopez carried a heavy load as Hereford’s featured back in a prolific offense for a team which reached the area round of the postseason. He ran for 1,503 yards and 16 touchdowns as the rushing star in an offense known for throwing the ball. Naturally, Lopez was a unanimous first team District 2-4A Division I selection to cap his career with the Herd.
[Photo by Joe Garcia III/ Press Pass Sports]
Purcell was utilized as a versatile offensive player but had one true role on defense and that was to shut down the opponents best wide out. Purcell had a stellar senior season first team District 2-3A Division I selection finish with 70 tackles, five interceptions and three forced fumbles.
[Photo by James Abel]
Compiled by Lance Lahnert, Lee Passmore and Kale Steed.
[Photo by Roy Wheeler]
The District 2-4A Division I Co-Defensive MVP and one of the team’s few seniors led the Wolves with 143 tackles, including a staggering 23 for losses, 5.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble for the state semifinalists.
[Photo by Carter Pirtle]
A lack of size didn’t stop Barnes from being around the ball for the Dons, as he led the team with an astonishing 174 tackles, including nine for losses, six sacks, one interception, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Barnes was named as a first team District 2-5A Division II selection for his incredible year.
[Photo by Roy Wheeler]
A big cog in the West Plains line, Collins was a reason the Wolves were able to run and pass so effectively, especially during the postseason. Collins graded out 97 percent for the season at tackle, totaling 49 pancake blocks and allowing only two sacks. In the playoffs, he graded 99 percent with 29 pancakes and allowed no sacks.
Cal Poly Director of Athletics, Don Oberhelman, announces retirement
The Cal Poly Director of Athletics, Don Oberhelman, announced his retirement Monday after 15 years with the university. A representative for Cal Poly says a nationwide search for his replacement is underway after Oberhelman says he will be leaving at the end of the summer, or sooner if a new director is found. During his […]
The Cal Poly Director of Athletics, Don Oberhelman, announced his retirement Monday after 15 years with the university. A representative for Cal Poly says a nationwide search for his replacement is underway after Oberhelman says he will be leaving at the end of the summer, or sooner if a new director is found.
During his time with the Mustangs, Oberhelman has helped develop new facilities, upgrade existing locations and push for academic and athletic success in students.
“Don has embraced the Cal Poly hallmark of continued improvement and leaves our Athletics program significantly enhanced from the day he arrived,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “On behalf of our entire university community, I offer our sincere thanks to Don for his commitment to athletic and academic excellence and his unwavering support for our student-athletes over the years.”
Cal Poly Athletics has won 54 team conference championships under Oberhelman, what the university calls “unprecedented athletic success.” The Graduation Success Rate by Cal Poly student athletes has risen 22% since Oberhelman began his career at Cal Poly.
Oberhelman oversaw $100 million of renovations and new construction for every athletic program at the university. Most notably, he has helped upgrade eight locker rooms, improve seating at Baggett Stadium and create the Swanson Beach Volleyball Complex, according to the university.
He has also been involved in national leadership roles while serving as the Director of Athletics for Cal Poly. Oberhelman was appointed to the first NCAA Division 1 Council and served as chair of the NCAA Division 1 Legislative Committee.
“I want to thank President Armstrong for his support and partnership over the years,” Oberhelman said. “I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve our amazing university. To our incredible staff and student-athletes, I have enjoyed my time with you greatly and look forward to celebrating your future success. For D.D. and I, this is our forever home, and we are excited to support Cal Poly as fans and donors in the future.”
Beaver Athletics finishes year with department-wide 3.261 GPA
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MINOT, N.D. – The Beavers enjoyed a memorable spring semester of competition with the men’s basketball team, men’s wrestling team, women’s wrestling team, men’s hockey team, and women’s hockey team all advancing to their respective national tournaments and Minot State student-athletes Caleb Van De Griend, Jake Swirple, and Jillian Ackerman […]
MINOT, N.D. – The Beavers enjoyed a memorable spring semester of competition with the men’s basketball team, men’s wrestling team, women’s wrestling team, men’s hockey team, and women’s hockey team all advancing to their respective national tournaments and Minot State student-athletes Caleb Van De Griend, Jake Swirple, and Jillian Ackerman each earning All-American honors.
While it proved to be an outstanding season of competitive action, the Minot State student-athletes were equally outstanding in the classroom as the Beavers posted an athletic department GPA of 3.21 for the spring semester, which gave the Beavers a department-wide GPA of 3.261 for the 2024-25 academic year.
Of the 17 Beaver sports programs, 12 had a cumulative team GPA of 3.00 or higher for the spring, and 93 individual Minot State student-athletes boasted a perfect 4.0 GPA for the spring 2025 semester.
The Minot State volleyball team led the way with a 3.707 team GPA for the spring and an athletic-department best 3.593 team GPA for the academic year.
The Minot State women’s hockey team, which advanced to the WMCH Tournament title game and the ACHA National Tournament, had the 2nd highest spring GPA of 3.595 and finished 4th best for the 2024-25 year with a team GPA of 3.479, and the Beaver softball team, which advanced to the NSIC Tournament, had the 3rd highest spring GPA of 3.586, and the 3rd highest GPA for the year at 3.549.
The Minot State men’s hockey team, which won the MCH Tournament and advanced to the ACHA semifinals, had the 4th highest spring GPA of 3.461 and the 2nd highest GPA for the academic year at 3.55.
The Beaver women’s cross country team was next highest for the spring semester at 3.419 and 5th highest, as well, for the year at 3.456; women’s soccer was 6th for the spring semester with a 3.416 GPA and 10th for the year at 3.27; women’s basketball was 7th for the spring at 3.39 and 7th for the year with a 3.401 GPA; baseball was 8th for the spring with a 3.281 GPA and 6th for the year with a 3.416 GPA; men’s basketball was 9th for the spring at 3.235 and 9th for the year at 3.302; and the women’s golf team was 10th for the spring at 3.204 and 11th on the year with a 3.249 GPA.
The Minot State men’s cross country team had the 11th highest GPA for the spring at 3.078 and was 8th for the year at 3.384; the women’s track and field team was 12th in the spring at 3.05 and 13th for the year at 3.059; the women’s wrestling team was 13th in the spring at 2.993 and 12th for the year at 3.135; the football team was 14th for the spring at 2.964 and 15th for the year at 2.921; the men’s wrestling team was 16th for the spring at 2.84 and 17th for the year at 2.788; the men’s track and field team was 16th for the spring at 2.766 and 14th for the year at 2.99; and the men’s golf team was 17th for the spring at 2.581 and 16th for the year at 2.899.
While the entire Beaver athletic department excelled academically, individually 93 student-athletes with a 3.8 to 4.0 GPA in the spring were named to the Minot State President’s List, and another 67 Beaver student-athletes earned a GPA of 3.5 to 3.79 and were named to the Vice President of Academic Affairs Honor Roll for the spring semester.
Named to the President’s List were:
From the men’s basketball team: Braelyn Dale and Caleb Van De Griend.
From the women’s basketball team: Mia Aberle, Taylor Goss, Natalie Holte, Grace Kent, Emma Mogen, and Brenna Stroklund.
From the women’s wrestling team: Emily Light.
From the men’s wrestling team: John Armstrong, Mario Esposito, Tristan Pekas, and Cannon Potts.
From the women’s golf team: Abigail Goettle.
From the women’s cross country and track and field teams: Kaydee Boyce, Natalie Becker, Nicole Reeves, Emery Smith, Bailey Wride, and Autumn Wright.
From the men’s cross country and track and field teams: Peyton Halverson, Camden Jasmin, Yoni Neyshtadt, and Tyson Ruzicka.
From the softball team: Mallory Hoogensen, Abbey Kelley, Raivyn Millions, Sarah Misner, Lexie Nelson, Calley Olson, Taylor Smith, Sara Van Wickler, and Maizy Whitlow.
From the baseball team: Cole Barta, Gage Eastlick, Alex Engel, Grant Gabbert, Cruz Garcia, Nate Larsen, Devin Marton, Jacob McLean, Conner Meldrim, Kekoa Munos, Seungjun Song, Oscar Tucci, Jessen West, and Michael Williamson.
From the volleyball team: Bailee Brommenschenkel, Olivia Murphy, Brenna Stroklund, Sydney Upton, and Taylor Wyatt.
From the women’s soccer team: Brooklyn Casey, Sierra Haren, Mia Lewis, Manuela Pacheco Martinez, Anna Miotto, and Tereza Vrbanek.
From the football team: Ryan Gambino, Cruz Garcia, Jackson Gridley, Cody Grossinger, Malachi Johnson, Trevor Jungman, Julian Kameristy, Zach Malpica, Teagan Nicholes, Jonathan Noriega, Peter Olsson, Conner Raetzman, Tyson Ruzicka, and Joshua Will.
From the men’s hockey team: Jake Anthony, Reid Arnold, Jay Buchholz, Austin Clyne, William Dyke, Payton Jerome, Christian Kadolph, Eric Krywy, Brayden Pawluk, Josh Pederson, Logan Rands, Tre Sortland, Slade Stanick, and Brett Tataryn.
From the women’s hockey team: Jillian Ackerman, Makenna Beard, Olivia Bervig, Hannah Gray, Karlyn Gudz, Olivia Kirwan, Abby Pineau, Kaitlyn Snyder, and Makena Welby.
Named to the Vice President for Academic Affairs Honor Roll were:
From the men’s basketball team: Max Groom.
From the women’s basketball team: Lara Dobbins, Jessica Mogen, Skylar Smith, and Ashley Wacha.
From the women’s wrestling team: Haleigh Lematta and Madison Parson.
From the men’s wrestling team: Marcus Allen, Zachary Allen, Shafer Ehmke, Kale Farrington, Kyan George, Roman Leifridt, Jake Swirple, and Evan Vieira.
From the women’s golf team: Zoe Banack and Taylor Cormier.
From the women’s cross country and track and field teams: Camryn Adams, Paulette Dominguez, and Julie Folk.
From the men’s cross country and track and field teams: Holter Bridwell, Zander Grover, Ben Holte, Casey McMahon, Nikita Neyshtadt, Lucas Parslow, Dallas Reese, Peyton Tuhy, and Kaden Vermillion.
From the softball team: Ellington Anderson, Isabelle Anderson, Taylor Eatherton, Paige Kellogg, Haleigh Lematta, Abby Lohse, and Sophie Sparrow.
From the baseball team: Anthony Chatwood, Joshua Czyz, Javier Gutierrez, Jake Orthner, and Jacob Thompson.
From the volleyball team: Paulina Kowalska, Jaina Macaulay, and Mia Thompson.
From the women’s soccer team: Natalia Arnsdottir, Elsa Duquesne, Sofia Galvez, and Linnea Svenzén.
From the football team: Lukaas Bloxham, Max Bray, Sam Buckhanan, Wilfredo Diaz, Aiden George, Ben Holte, Tyler Johnson, Evan Lovett, Tyler Stonebraker, and Jake Swirple.
From the men’s hockey team: Kieran Cooke, Logan Cyca, Walker Jerome, Colby Joseph, and Joey Moffatt.
From the women’s hockey team: Erica Fijala, Payton Lang, Journey Miller, Olivia Opheim, Marlie Rutherford, Cameron Schmidt, and Abby Tallman.
North Clarion County School District is accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year for a Varsity Volleyball Coach. Interested Candidates may send letter of interest, credentials, and Acts 34, 151, and 114 Clearances to: Larry Wiser, Athletic Director, North Clarion High School, 10439 Route 36, Tionesta, PA 16353. EOE Deadline: Until Filled Link 0
Sophie Galloway proud of obstacles she overcame to make NCAA
Former Kentucky high school standout Sophie Galloway missed almost two years of competition due to injuries but came back to qualify for the triple jump at the NCAA Championships Saturday. (UK Athletics Photo) By LARRY VAUGHT Sophie Galloway was a four-time Gatorade Kentucky Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year who won eight Class […]
Former Kentucky high school standout Sophie Galloway missed almost two years of competition due to injuries but came back to qualify for the triple jump at the NCAA Championships Saturday. (UK Athletics Photo)
By LARRY VAUGHT
Sophie Galloway was a four-time Gatorade Kentucky Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year who won eight Class 3A state championships, including the long jump, triple jump and 100-meter hurdles her senior season at Marshall County.
She dreamed of potentially being an Olympian in the heptathlon but her collegiate career had an unexpected bumpy start because after she committed to Tennessee the coach who recruited her left and she had to quickly make a decision to attend Arkansas. That didn’t work well and she transferred to Kentucky for the spring semester of her freshman year.
Despite battling a hamstring injury and fractured bone in her foot, she set a UK freshman record in the outdoor triple jump at 42 feet, 9 1/2 inches and qualified for the NCAA National Track and Field Championships with an eight-place finish at the NCAA East Prelims.
Galloway admits she thought that would be the start of a sensational career. She never imagined she would not be going back to the national championships again until this season where she will compete Saturday in the triple jump after placing sixth in the East Prelims with a leap of 41-1/4.
“I am thrilled to be going back. I know it means a lot to everyone and it is exciting but it is also a relief,” said Galloway. “It has been a really tough last two year. I felt I would never get out of my slump. I am really proud of the way I was able to stick with it.”
Her sophomore indoor season she was battling an injury when UK coaches decided to shut her down hoping her Iliotibial (IT) injury would loosen on its own. The injury causes pain on the outside of the knee or hip and most commonly occurs from overuse or an injury. The IT band is a strong band of tissue that starts at the hip and runs along the outer thigh that can tear. The band works with your thigh muscles to provide stability to the outside of the knee during movement.
“It got to be August, the injury was no different and I had surgery. But I still dealt with the issue my entire junior year, too,” Galloway said.
Now she’ll end her collegiate career in Eugene, Ore., in the NCAA Championships and plans to make sure she savors the experience.
“The first time I went I thought I had been on stages that big and places just as large like Nike Nationals until I got there and realized I was a freshman, age 19 and not as in shape as these other people,” Galloway said. “To be honest, I sucked when I got there. I blew it. I was so nervous. I had never felt so unprepared for something in my life and most of it was my own doing.
“Now I know I am not going to win. God would have to force me to jump 47 feet for that to happen. I think I need to be proud I went there. It is only my second outdoor season and I deserve to be there again and I have to remember that. I have to be not just proud and happy to be there but I have to understand that I worked so hard the last four years to get here.”
Galloway has learned difficult lessons the last four years she’ll never forget. She says she is a lot smarter and lot less egotistical than when she left high school.
“I was humbled so many times (in college). Out of high school I had so much pride. Everywhere I went I would get a PR (personal record) or jump a huge number and rank No. 1 or No. 2 in the nation. Success just happened and I got to college and just expected it to keep happening,” Galloway said.
“I have trained as an Olympian since eighth grade with my coach out of Nashville. I expected a 19-6 long jump in high school to transition to 21 in college and a 42-foot triple jump to be 45 or 46 in college. When it didn’t happen and I was not making finals and was hurt all the time even when I was giving everything, it was so hard. I have learned an immense amount about myself and a lot about the sport.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played in the Marshall County Hoopfest before going to Kentucky and now is hoping to win a NBA championship. (Ann Beckett Photo)
Former Kentucky guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a historic season for the Oklahoma City Thunder to get his team into the NBA Finals where he has a chance to add even more to his legacy.
One of Gilgeous-Alexander’s biggest supporters for years has been Canadian Steve Nash, a two-time NBA MVP and eight-time all-star player as well as a NBA coach. Nash ranks as one of the top players in NBA history in career 3-point shooting, free-throw shooting, total assists and assists per game. In 2018, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Gilgeous-Alexander admits it would be “amazing” to win a NBA championship like Nash did.
“Steve obviously is a pioneer for Canadian basketball. He started the whole thing, I guess you can say. From the way he plays, to the way he carries himself, to his approach to the game, like, I learned so much from Steve being a 17-year-old kid in two weeks of time that helped me get here,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
“The things he’s done with Canada basketball as a whole and just pushing the culture forward is just amazing. To win a title on top of everything that happened this year would be special.
“I said this so many times, I don’t play for the individual stuff, I don’t play for anything else besides winning. I never have in my whole life. When I was nine-years-old I played to win an OBA championship. When I was 20 years old, I played to win the SEC championship. Now I’m 26, I want to win the NBA championship. It’s always about winning for me.
Second baseman Luke Lawrence is one of the returning players Kentucky coach Nick Mingione is counting on to lead his 2026 team. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Nick Mingione was not ready for the 2025 season to be over when Kentucky blew a five-run lead in the eighth inning to West Virginia in the NCAA Tournament but it didn’t take him long to make it clear he was already excited about the 2026 season with young players like freshmen Tyler Bell, Hudson Brown, Nate Harris and Ryan Schwartz returning.
“Unfortunately with the transfer portal we have already started having meetings with players (about next year). We have been forced to prepare for next year,” Mingione said after the season-ending 13-12 loss to West Virginia.
“I’m really excited about next year’s team. I think if guys continue to grow and develop and we bring all of this back. Depending on what happens with the draft, if you told me we were a preseason Top 10 team in the country, I could believe it. That’s how highly I think about the guys we have coming back offensively. I really believe, depending on how all of this works with the portal, we have a chance to be special next year.”
Junior second baseman Luke Lawrence hit .306. Bell, the starting shortstop, finished the season with a .296 batting average and was second on the team with 10 homers. Schwartz hit .317 and knocked in 15 runs in 23 games. Brown hit .265 with three homers in 43 games.
Junior Carson Hansen became the team’s starting center fielder in the second half of the season and hit .283 with seven home runs. Sophomore Kyuss Gargett hit .266 and stole eight bases.
Freshman Nate Harris had an outstanding first season for the Cats. He was the Friday night starter for the back half of the season and went 5-2 with a 4.70 ERA. Harris was the winning pitcher in UK’s NCAA Regional win over No. 11 Clemson.
“Look at what Nate Harris did. Look at Ben Cleaver,” Mingione said. “And we’ve got a couple of other guys that as they continue to progress and get back, there’s a really strong foundation.”
Sophomore Ben Cleaver, a southpaw, became the staff ace and went 6-3 with a 3.25 ERA. He struck out 92 batters in 83 innings. Harris went 5-2 with a 4.70 ERA and was the winning pitcher in UK’s NCAA Regional win over No. 11 Clemson.
Thomas Haugh is one of the frontcourt players that has made Florida the preseason favorite to win the SEC championship. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Hall of Fame college basketball analyst Dick Vitale recently ranked his top 12 teams for the 2025-26 season and he put Kentucky 11th.
“Mark Pope reloads again, folks. Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison will be looking to lead an incredible group of transfers, including Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe, and Mouhamed Dioubate. The Wildcats are roaring loud in Lexington,” Vitale posted on ESPN.com.
However, Vitale’s preseason pick to win the Southeastern Conference is Florida, the defending national champion that lost to UK last season to open SEC play. He has the Gators ranked No. 3 behind Purdue and Houston.
Vitale is not the only one high on the Gators. College basketball analyst CJ Moore of The Athletic put Florida no. 5 in his preseason top 25 poll. He has UK ninth and Auburn 10th.
Moore found a lot to like about Florida coach Todd Golden’s team coming off a national championship season.
Florida’s frontcourt, featuring Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, was highlighted as a potential matchup nightmare. Also, the Gators added two major transfers in guards Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee.
Head coach Todd Golden’s ability to reload after a national championship run was also commended. Moore emphasized the Gators’ up-tempo offensive style and potential for further growth from players like Haugh and Condon as central to Florida’s championship hopes.
The Gators are the highest-ranked SEC program in the rankings, ahead of teams like the Kentucky Wildcats (No. 9) and Auburn Tigers (No. 10). Moore likes Florida’s “positional size and elite paint protection” going into the season.
“Florida could play a giant lineup that features Thomas Haugh (6-9), Alex Condon (6-11) and Rueben Chinyelu (6-10) up front. Those three played together only three possessions last season, per CBB Analytics, but it’ll be hard to justify bringing one of them off the bench, considering Haugh’s performance in the NCAA Tournament and the inexperience of the other wing options,” Moore wrote. “That big lineup could also help mask some defensive limitations of Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee.
“Florida’s up-tempo style should help Fland prove he can be a more efficient player than he was under John Calipari. The Gators will contend for another title if Fland and Lee are productive and if Haugh and Condon continue to gain confidence in their playmaking and scoring abilities.”
Quote of the Week: “Kentucky’s always home for me. There’s always love. That’s the school I went to, the jersey I put on. They gave me the opportunity to reach one of my goals and dreams in life to play college basketball, and play on one of the biggest levels for one of the best schools in the country, and a good opportunity to go to the league. So yeah, I’m definitely coming back,” former UK basketball star John Wall talking about his UK roots on ESPN Radio.
Quote of the Week 2: “The program means the world to me. I have been committed since 2018. It taught me to be the best teammate I can be. It has made me a better person. This guy (UK coach Nick Mingione), I respect more than anybody I know. Super thankful he gave me a shot and I was able to represent this university,” senior pitcher Evan Byers after UK’s season-ending loss.
Quote of the Week 3: “A good locker room is a good locker room. Sometimes it doesn’t meet that standard and it could be fractured and splintered very easily. We’re much more intentional and force-feeding that. Having the right guys helps that. That’s what gives me excitement about what we’re doing right now,” coach Mark Stoops on resetting the UK football culture this year.
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State head volleyball coach Kristen Kelsay announced the Spartans’ 2025 non-conference schedule Monday. With the announcement, MSU’s full 2025 schedule is now set and can be viewed digitally HERE. NEW SEASON TICKET MEMBERSHIPS | SEASON TICKET RENEWALS MSU’s 10-match non-conference slate features five home matches and includes the third annual Kathy […]
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State head volleyball coach Kristen Kelsay announced the Spartans’ 2025 non-conference schedule Monday.
With the announcement, MSU’s full 2025 schedule is now set and can be viewed digitally HERE.
NEW SEASON TICKET MEMBERSHIPS | SEASON TICKET RENEWALS
MSU’s 10-match non-conference slate features five home matches and includes the third annual Kathy DeBoer Invitational presented by Auto-Owners Insurance. The Spartans’ first two home matches will be played at the Breslin Center, while Jenison Field House will host the 2025 edition of the Kathy DeBoer Invitational, marking the first volleyball matches in the facility since 2021.
The Spartans’ 2025 non-conference opponents combined for three regular-season titles, two conference tournament crowns and a pair of NCAA Tournament First Round appearances in 2024.
“We’re beginning this fall with a diversity of opponents, leading into an always-competitive Big Ten schedule,” said Kelsay. “Our schedule is unique in that we’re playing a number of weekday matches, often similar to our Big Ten schedule, and several weekday matches on the road.”
MSU kicks off 2025 action at home on Aug. 30 against Merrimack and hosts defending Northeast regular season and tournament champion Chicago State on Aug. 31. Four-straight road contests and a neutral site match then await the Spartans, beginning with midweek tilts at Evansville on Sept. 3 and Southern Indiana on Sept. 4.
An in-state matchup against 2024 NCAA Tournament participant and MAC Tournament champion Western Michigan is set for Sept. 8 in Kalamazoo. MSU then travels to Kennesaw, Georgia, for the Kennesaw State Invitational, taking on the host Owls on Sept. 11 before a neutral-site matchup against Appalachian State on Sept. 12.
In honor of alumni weekend, the Spartans will return to Jenison Field House for the first time in four seasons to host the 2025 edition of the Kathy DeBoer Invitational presented by Auto-Owners Insurance. Action begins on Sept. 18 against 2024 American East regular season champion Binghamton and continues Sept. 19 against defending MAC regular season champion Bowling Green. MSU concludes the Kathy DeBoer Invitational and non-conference play against SIUE on Sept. 20.
“I’m fired up to welcome our alumni back into Jenison Field House this fall,” said Kelsay. “Our program value of our Spartan Family will be on display as we welcome these incredible women back into the arena they once played in. It’s important for our student-athletes to understand the foundation these women laid for the success that is to come. I hope everyone can join us back in a weekend at Jenison to close out our non-conference.”
MSU’s 20-match Big Ten schedule begins Sept. 25 at Minnesota.
Times and television designations will be available at a later date.
Coronado Local Audrey Roberts Selected To USA Water Polo Development Team | Coronado Sports
It’s no secret that Coronado is a water polo town. The sport is etched deep into the fabric of the city’s rich history, with a number of the town’s most notable athletes going on to represent Team USA on the Olympic stage. And while many of those names have hung up their caps and chosen […]
It’s no secret that Coronado is a water polo town. The sport is etched deep into the fabric of the city’s rich history, with a number of the town’s most notable athletes going on to represent Team USA on the Olympic stage.
And while many of those names have hung up their caps and chosen to exit from competing in international competition, there are those in this new generation who hope to find themselves in that Olympic setting soon. Representing both country and this small 32.5 square mile plot of land many of us call home.
One of those hopeful young water polo players is Coronado local Audrey Roberts. This past month, Roberts received an incredibly well-earned invitation to train with the Team USA water polo developmental team this summer.
“I am so honored to have been picked and given this opportunity to work with Team USA, and I am going to go out there and make the most of it,” said Audrey Roberts.
For Roberts, it’s fair to say that water polo runs in the family. Her mom, Devon Roberts, a current teacher at Village Elementary, is quite the accomplished water polo player herself. Playing four years for Coronado High School before going on to play at the NCAA level for the UCLA women’s water polo program.
“I love being able to talk to her about the sport, because we both have such a passion for it,” said Roberts. “We watch games together of the national team, and it’s a really great way to bond with her.”
Roberts has starred for her travel team, the San Diego Shores, serving as the team’s main offensive facilitator as a driver and an attacker. Her play there, along with her body of work throughout her young career, earned her an invitation to the 2025 Girls NTSC (National Team selection camp tryouts). Shortly thereafter, she competed in the 2025 Girls ODP National Championships.
There, she played for the Pacific Southwest zone team. By the play’s end, her performance at the tryouts, combined with her play in the championships, had earned her a spot on the developmental team.
“When I found out, I was actually out to dinner with my family, and my mom pulled a joke on me and said, ‘Yeah, you didn’t make it,’” laughed Roberts. “But then she told me she was just kidding, and that I had made it, and I was just really excited. I couldn’t believe it, I almost started crying.”
While Roberts has already accomplished a notable feat by earning a roster spot on the developmental team, she still has goals ahead of her that she hopes to achieve this summer.
“The first week of the summer, I will be at June camp, which is basically a chance to try out for the travel team,” said Roberts. “If I do well there, I will get to go with the travel team to Brazil for a week to play and compete.”
Along with the opportunity to possibly be on the travel team, Roberts is also excited for the opportunity to play alongside girls from around the country, learn from, and gain new perspectives from Team USA’s coaches.
“I love being able to be around other girls and coaches I haven’t met and talking to them about the sport and maybe learn things I haven’t tried or thought of,” Roberts said. “My coaches that I play for here in San Diego have also been really amazing.”
While she is already an extremely highly touted driver, Roberts is eager to continue improving her game to become the best player she can be. In fact, she already has a few things in mind she hopes to improve upon this summer while with the developmental team.
“I love facilitating and setting my teammates up for success, and I’d really like to work on the accuracy of my passes because sometimes they miss their marks,” Roberts said. “I know as a left-handed attacker, my passes need to be spot on.”
When the summer does conclude, and the 2025-2026 school year begins, Roberts won’t be going anywhere. The Coronado local, who will be an incoming freshman at the start of the school year this fall, is set to attend Coronado High School. She is excited to play for CHS Head Coach and five-time Olympian Jesse Smith, and to wear the same color cap that her mom did.
“I cannot wait; I am so excited to play for Coronado in high school and meet all these new girls and develop these bonds with my teammates. It’s going to be amazing,” said Roberts. “I am really excited to learn from Coach Smith, hear his perspective on the sport, and learn new things from him.”
