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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. —  After dropping back-to-back games to top-10 teams by a combined total of three points, No. 16/15 Tennessee (13-2, 1-2 SEC) hits the road looking to get back on the winning track when it meets Arkansas (8-10, 1-2 SEC) on Sunday at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark.Kim Caldwell‘s first Lady Vol team enters […]

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Hoops Central

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. —  After dropping back-to-back games to top-10 teams by a combined total of three points, No. 16/15 Tennessee (13-2, 1-2 SEC) hits the road looking to get back on the winning track when it meets Arkansas (8-10, 1-2 SEC) on Sunday at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark.Kim Caldwell‘s first Lady Vol team enters Sunday’s match-up ranked No. 1 nationally in four statistical categories through Jan. 10. UT is tops in the NCAA in scoring offense (96.6), three pointers per game (12.0), three point attempts per game (36.1) and offensive rebounds per game (20.5).  It is second in turnovers forced per game (26.73), third in turnover margin (11.93), fourth in steals per game (14.3), and sixth in bench points per game (34.1).
The Lady Vols and Razorbacks will square off at noon CT (1 p.m. ET) in a contest televised by SEC Network and carried on Lady Vol Network radio stations statewide as well as audio-streamed on UTSports.com and SiriusXM Satellite Radio channels 106 or 190. UT is coming off back-to-back home losses to No. 9/10 Oklahoma (87-86) last Sunday and to No. 6/4 LSU (89-87 on Thursday night, with those setbacks ending a 13-0 start by Kim Caldwell‘s squad. UP NEXTBROADCAST DETAILS

Arkansas also owns a 1-2 SEC record after losing, 98-64, vs. LSU and, 90-56, at Texas before winning at Auburn on Thursday night, 59-58. The Razorbacks are paced by guard Izzy Higginbottom, who averages 24.4 ppg. in all games and 28.7 ppg. in SEC play. The Arkansas State transfer ranks No. 1 in points (440) and is fourth in points per game. Guard Kiki Smith is UA’s only other player in double figures in all games, producing 10.7 ppg., while guard Carly Keats has elevated to 10.7 ppg. in SEC games and Smith has chipped in 5.7.

  • Brenda VanLengen (play-by-play) and Steffi Sorensen (analyst) will have the call for SEC Network.
  • All of the games included in the ESPN package (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) will be available through WatchESPN, accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, and streamed on televisions through Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 or Xbox One to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.
  • The contest also can be heard on Lady Vol Network stations and by audio stream, with Brian Rice providing play-by-play and Jay Lifford serving as studio host.
  • A link to the live audio stream can be found on the Hoops Central page or the schedule on UTSports.com. 
  • For a list of Lady Vol Network affiliates, please click the Fans tab at the top of UTSports.com, select Vol Network and then click on the Vol Network Affiliates tab.
  • Air-time generally occurs 30 minutes prior to tip-off.
  • The Lady Vol Network broadcast also will be available via SiriusXM Satellite Radio channels 106 and 190.

UA’S LAST GAME

  • COOP TO THE HOOP: Guard Talaysia Cooper is having a break-out season, leading UT in scoring (18.2 ppg.), hitting double figures in 13 games, carding seven efforts of 20+ points and notching seven quarters where she has scored 10 or more points, including 12 and 10, respectively, in the fourth quarters vs. Florida State and Iowa.
  • “FEAR DA SPEAR”: Jewel Spear is enjoying her best stretch this season, averaging 20.8 ppg. over her past five games and 24.3 ppg. in SEC play, hitting 17 of 26 three-point tries in league action (65.4 pct.) to run her season total to a team-high 40 treys.
  • SMOOTH SAMARA: Samara Spencer is averaging 11.9 ppg. and 5.4 apg., ranking No. 9 nationally in assist/turnover ratio (3.12) with 81 assists and 26 turnovers and No. 29 in three-point field goal percentage at 43.5 with 37 treys to rank second on the team.
  • DEPENDABLE RUBY: Ruby Whitehorn is UT’s third-leading scorer at 12.7 ppg. contributing 10+ points in her past nine games and ranking third in rebounding (5.0 rpg.). 
  • ZEE STEPS UP: Forward Zee Spearman has been in double figures eight times, averaging 10.7 ppg. and a team-high 5.6 rpg.

FROM A TEAM PERSPECTIVE

  • PILING UP POINTS: The Lady Vols rank No. 1 nationally in scoring offense, generating 96.6 points per game. The lowest a Kim Caldwell team has ranked in ppg. is No. 4, where she was in 2023-24 (85.3) at Marshall.
  • MAKING THREES IN BUNCHES: UT ranks No. 1 in 3FGs made per game at 12.0 and has hit 10+ treys 11 times, eclipsing the old school best of six for most games with double-digit totals in a season.
  • STRONG ON O-BOARDS: UT is No. 1 in the nation in offensive rebounds per game at 20.5. It has twice reached 30+ this season.
  • TURNING OVER THE OPPOSITION: UT is No. 2 in turnovers forced per game (26.73) and No. 3 in T.O. margin (11.93). Oklahoma had 31 miscues on Jan. 5 for the 11th 20+ T.O. game (7th with 30+) by a foe in 2024-25.
  • RACKING UP STEALS: UT is No. 4 nationally in steals per game (14.3). It now has 11 games of 10+ steals and 215 total in 15 games. It had 159 in 33 games a year ago.
  • THAT’S A 10-COUNT: Tennessee has prevented its foes from getting the ball over halfcourt in 10 seconds a total of 16 times in 15 games. UT forced only five violations the previous five years combined.

UT/UA SERIES NOTES

  • UT’S BEST START SINCE 2017-18: UT opened at 13-0 for the first time since 2017-18 (15-0) and the seventh time ever.
  • SECOND BEST START FOR COACH: UT’s 13-0 start was the second-best opening of a season in Kim Caldwell‘s nine years as a head coach behind her 29-0 start at Glenville State in 2021-22 on the way to 35-1. 
  • UT’S BEST COACHING START: The win over N.C. Central on Dec. 14 gave Kim Caldwell eight straight to open her tenure, making it the best coaching debut in Lady Vol basketball history. She upped it to 13-0.
  • UT NO. 16 IN NET RANKINGS: UT has risen to No. 16 in the NCAA’s NET rankings following close losses to NET No. 13 Oklahoma (87-86) and NET No. 9 LSU (89-87).
  • NO. 16 TOUGHEST SCHEDULE: The Lady Vols’ full schedule ranks No. 16 on the NCAA Toughest Schedule report (1/10).
  • CHASING 2,000/500 STAT LINE: Jewel Spear needs one point and 18 rebounds to hit 2,000 and 500 for her career.
  • EYEING 1,000: Junior Ruby Whitehorn (902) is closing in on 1,000 career points.
  • 1,500/500/500 IN SIGHT: Samara Spencer sits at 1,546 pts., 462 rebs. and 446 assts. 

ONE POINT SHY OF THE 2K CLUB

  • Jewel Spear enters the Arkansas game one point shy of 2,000 career points. 
  • Sunday will mark her 136th career game and her 47th as a Lady Vol.
  • She is poised to become the 10th player in the history of Lady Vol basketball to reach and surpass 2,000 career points. 
  • Rickea Jackson joined that club in 2023-24, finishing sixth at 2,261 between her time at Mississippi State and Tennessee. 
  • Five players (Chamique Holdsclaw, Bridgette Gordon, Candace Parker, Tamika Catchings and Meighan Simmons) scored all 2K+ of theirs as Lady Vols.
  • Spear would become the fifth transfer to hit 2K. In addition to Jackson, she would join Cindy Brogdon, Jill Rankin and Patricia Roberts, who reached that plateau but played years previously at Mercer, Wayland Baptist and Emporia State, respectively, before coming to UT.
  • Spear played three seasons at Wake Forest and is in season two at Tennessee.

RETURN TO BUD WALTON FOR SPENCER

  • Samara Spencer returns to a campus and venue where she spent three seasons of her college career.
  • Spencer started 97 of 101 games for Arkansas from 2021-24, averaging 13.5 ppg., 4.0 rpg. and 3.5 apg.
  • The 5-foot-7 point guard from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has averaged double figures in scoring all four years of her career and is putting up 11.9 ppg., 5.4 apg., 3.7 rpg. and 1.3 spg. while starting 14 of 15 contests for Tennessee this season.
  • She hit triple digits in assists in her last two seasons in Fayetteville, carding 154 in 2022-23 and 115 in 2023-24. Spencer finished with 96 dimes as a rookie.
  • Spencer was named SEC Freshman of the Year and SEC All-Freshman in 2021-22 after putting up 12.2 ppg., 3.7 rpg., 3.1 apg. and 1.2 spg. over 30.1 minutes per contest for the Razorbacks.
  • During her rookie season, Spencer fired in 17 points in a road game at Tennessee, helping Arkansas push the No. 7/7 Lady Vols before UA fell, 86-83, in overtime.

LOOKING BACK AT THE LAST GAME

  • Facing its second top-10 opponent in five days, No. 16/15 Tennessee overcame an 18-point second-quarter deficit and pushed unbeaten No. 6/4 LSU to the brink before falling, 89-87, Thursday night in front of 10,220 at Food City Center.
  • The Lady Vols (13-2, 1-2 SEC) took two-point leads twice over the last four minutes and tied the game three times inside the final three minutes, including 87-all with 32 ticks left on the clock. LSU’s Kailyn Gilbert hit an acrobatic shot with a second remaining, however, to put her team back on top. After a timeout to advance the ball and a lob on the inbound play, a desperation attempt from the paint by UT with less than a second left wouldn’t fall, allowing the Tigers to improve to 18-0 overall and 3-0 in league play.
  • Tennessee, which suffered a one-point loss to No. 9/10 Oklahoma on Sunday and has lost its last two contests by a combined three points, was led by a pair of players with 20-point nights. Fifth-year guard Jewel Spear was seven of 11 from the floor and drained five of seven attempts from beyond the arc to lead all scorers with 25 points. Redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper was right behind her with 24, while junior guard Ruby Whitehorn and senior guard Samara Spencer tossed in 10 each.
  • The Tigers also had four players in double figures, led by a 23-point, 21 rebound double-double from Aneesah Morrow. One of three LSU players with 20 or more points, she was aided by 22 from Gilbert and 20 from Flau’Jae Johnson, while Mikaylah Williams was her team’s fourth player in double figures with 16.

POSTGAME NOTES VS. LSU

  • SPEAR SPARKS THE OFFENSE: Jewel Spear’s sharpshooting continued vs. LSU, as she carded her fifth-consecutive double-digit game and third straight with 20 or more. The guard carded a 25-point game, which followed her 28-point performance against Oklahoma and a 20-point effort vs. Texas A&M. Spear hit seven field goals and five treys vs. the Tigers Thursday night. Over her past three games in SEC play, the fifth-year guard is averaging 24.3 ppg. and has hit 17 of 26 three-point attempts for 65.4 percent marksmanship. 
  • COOPER COLLECTS 24: Talaysia Cooper tallied her seventh career 20-plus contest, recording a personal SEC-game high 24 points against the Tigers. Cooper finished with six rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block. The redshirt sophomore fired in a personal SEC-best 10 field goals, three free throws and a three-pointer to account for her point total. 
  • LETTIN’ IT LOOSE FROM BEYOND THE ARC: Tennessee carded its 11th performance of knocking down ten or more three-pointers in a single contest, hitting 11 against the Tigers. Five Lady Vols knocked down a three-pointer, with Jewel Spear leading the charge and draining five. Tennessee notched its highest three-point game against N.C. Central, draining an NCAA, SEC and school-record 30 treys. The Lady Vols have tallied 10 or more three-pointers against the following programs: N.C. Central (30), MTSU (15), Liberty (14), Tulsa (14), Memphis (12), LSU (11), Western Carolina (10), Winthrop (10), Texas A&M (10), Oklahoma (10), Samford (10).

The Lady Vols feature five players averaging double figures in scoring, led by redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper, who puts up 18.2 points per game and shoots 51 percent from the field. Cooper is coming off a 24-point effort vs. LSU, marking her seventh 20+ scoring outburst of the season. Fifth-year guard Jewel Spear, who battled injuries late in non-conference play, has recovered and hit her stride. She has scored 15 or more in her last five games, dropping season highs of 20 at Texas A&M and 28 vs. OU, followed by 25 vs. LSU with a combined 17 three-pointers in 26 attempts (65.4 pct.) to produce 24.3 ppg. in league action and rank second in the SEC.

  • UT holds a 35-5 all-time record vs. UA, including 17-2 in Knoxville, 16-3 in Fayetteville and 2-0 at neutral sites.
  • Tennessee is 2-1 in overtime and 2-0 in the postseason vs. Arkansas, meeting for the first time in SEC Tourney play in 2016. UT prevailed, 68-51, in the second round in Jacksonville, Fla., on March 3 that year.
  • UT point guard Samara Spencer spent three years at Arkansas, starting 111 of 116 games and averaging 13.5 ppg. She hit triple digits in assists her last two years there, including 154 as a sophomore in 2022-23 and also hit 65 three-pointers that year as well.
  • Arkansas assistant Lacey Goldwire had the same role at Tennessee from 2019-21 before returning in 2021-22 to Mike Neighbors’ staff at UA, where she worked from 2017-19 in his first two years as head coach there. 

A LOOK AT THE RAZORBACKS

  • Izzy Higginbottom, a 5-foot-7 transfer guard from Arkansas State, paces Arkansas at 24.4 ppg.
  • Higginbottom has made an incredible 128 of 142 free-throw attempts (90.1 pct.) in 18 games, ranking No. 2 nationally in free throws made and attempted. 
  • LSU, which edged UT 89-87 on Thursday night, crushed the Razorbacks on Jan. 2, 98-64.
  • Liberty, a foe the Lady Vols beat 109-93 on Nov. 16, took care of Arkansas, 75-61, on Dec. 18.

ABOUT THE HEAD COACH

  • Mike Neighbors is 146-102 in his eighth year in Fayetteville and 244-143 overall in 12 years.
  • Neighbors has three 20-win seasons at Arkansas after producing four such years at Washington (2013-17).

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

  • After being outscored 21-8 by Auburn in the first quarter, Arkansas flipped the script by taking the second frame by a 22-12 count and outpointing the Tigers by four over the final two periods to triumph on the road, 59-58.
  • Izzy Higginbottom was the only player in double figures for the Razorbacks, making 13 of 20 shots from the field en route to a game-high 36 points.
  • Higginbottom was five of seven from the field and three of five from the charity stripe for 13 points in the final quarter to will her team to victory.

LAST TIME WE MET THE RAZORBACKS

  • A 53-percent shooting effort from behind the arc and a 21-point night by Rickea Jackson lifted the Lady Vols to their seventh straight home triumph in a dominant 81-55 victory over Arkansas in Food City Center on Feb. 12, 2024, the last time these teams met.  
  • The 55 points represented the fewest scored at that point in 2023-24 by Arkansas, which entered averaging 73.1 per contest. It also tied as the fewest allowed by Tennessee in 2023-24, matching the total Liberty scored in a 90-55 loss to UT on Dec. 31.
  • Junior Jillian Hollingshead recorded her second double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and senior Jewel Spear was close behind for Tennessee (15-8, 8-3 SEC) with 13 points, eight rebounds, and a career-high seven assists on the night. 
  • Taliah Scott was the high scorer for Arkansas (17-9, 5-6 SEC) with 23 points, and Maryam Dauda added 10.

LAST TIME WE MET IN FAYETTEVILLE

  • UT outscored Arkansas in the first period 25-9 and led wire to wire, taking an 87-67 road win on Feb. 16, 2023, the last time these teams met in Fayetteville. 
  • Rickea Jackson and Jordan Horston had double-doubles to lead the Lady Vols (19-9, 11-2 SEC). Jackson finished with a team-high 25 points and 12 rebounds, and Horston logged 15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Tess Darby chipped in 11 points
  • Erynn Barnum led UA with 25 points, while Chrissy Carr and Samara Spencer added 14 and 10.

INDIVIDUALLY SPEAKING

  • The Lady Vols return home to host Mississippi State on Thursday night at Food City Center in Tennessee’s “We Back Pat” game.
  • Tipoff between the Big Orange and the Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m. with SEC Network televising the action.
  • The game also will be available on Lady Vol Network radio stations statewide and via audio stream on UTSports.com.
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Carmody wins Dem nod, Dennis-Bovani takes GOP spot in Magisterial District 11-2-01

WILKES-BARRE — Three candidates cross-filed in Magisterial District Judge 11-2-01 and two of them will advance to the Nov. 4 General Election. According to unofficial results, Matthew J. Carmody won the Democratic nomination and Laura Dennis-Bovani captured the Republican nod. The other candidate, former Wyoming Borough Mayor Robert J. Boyer, finished a distant third […]

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May 21, 2025

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WILKES-BARRE — Three candidates cross-filed in Magisterial District Judge 11-2-01 and two of them will advance to the Nov. 4 General Election.

According to unofficial results, Matthew J. Carmody won the Democratic nomination and Laura Dennis-Bovani captured the Republican nod. The other candidate, former Wyoming Borough Mayor Robert J. Boyer, finished a distant third on both sides of the ballot.

The unofficial vote totals are:

Democrat

• Carmody, 1,019

• Dennis-Bovani, 841

• Boyer, 166

Republican

• Dennis-Bovani, 849

• Carmody, 762

• Boyer, 174

The Magisterial District 11-2-01 covers the municipalities of Exeter Borough, Exeter Township, West Pittston, West Wyoming Borough and Wyoming Borough. It just about covers the entire Wyoming Area School District with the exception of Harding and Falls.

“I’m grateful and humbled for the support we received and to the voters who came out and voted for me,” Carmody said. “I’m looking forward to the November election and we will continue to work hard until Nov. 4.”

“I am honored to have a nomination and I am extremely thankful for the support I’ve received,” Dennis-Bovani said. “I am looking forward to reaching out to every voter in the district and I also look forward to the November General Election.”

Carmody is seeking to assume the seat his father, Attorney Joe Carmody, has held over the last 22 years.

Carmody, 43, is a graduate of Wyoming Area (2000), University of Pittsburgh (2004), Roger Williams University School of Law (2007) and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 2007.

He spent his early days in law as a law clerk in Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas before returning to Wyoming Valley.

After working for a Wilkes-Barre law firm for several years, he and two colleagues went out on their own creating the law firm of Joyce, Carmody & Moran, P.C. in 2015. In addition, Carmody is the solicitor for the Pittston Township Sewer Authority and the Assistant Solicitor to the Luzerne Co. Transportation Authority.

“I am running because I love this community, and I want to continue to keep it safe for my family and all families who live here,” Carmody said when he announced his candidacy. “After graduating from law school, I returned home where I met my wife, Amanda, and we decided there is nowhere else we would want to raise our family. I am proud to say that my kids — seven-year-old daughter Caroline and our eight-year-old son Joseph — are the fourth generation of Carmodys to call the Wyoming Area home.”

Carmody believes he would make a fair and impartial judge while treating everyone that comes through his courtroom with dignity and respect.

Carmody said, “I’ve done a great deal of civil rights defense for municipalities over the years, including 14 years serving as a court appointed criminal defense attorney in Federal Court and that allowed me to work with the U.S. Attorney’s office, the FBI, DEA and various Federal agencies, including the IRS. I’ve also been specializing in Labor Laws over the last 10 years.”

Dennis-Bovani, 51, a lifelong resident of the district, is a 1991 Wyoming Area graduate, she has been practicing privately for more than 25-years and has represented clients in criminal and civil litigation, wills and estates, believing her experience covers the legal issues a District Judge handles on a daily basis.

She is an Assistant Solicitor in the Luzerne County Office of Law, the Solicitor for Wyoming Borough, and a volunteer solicitor for the Wyoming Free Library and the Wyoming Area Foundation Board.

Dennis-Bovani serves on the Luzerne County Arbitration Board, the Executive Board of the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association and previously served as a divorce mediator.

Dennis-Bovani said she is running for magistrate to bring her years of courtroom experience to the bench, where she says she will be a fair and impartial judge. She pledges to work to ensure that “in each case everyone can be heard, treated fairly and with respect.”

“I feel like it’s a way for me to bring my legal experience to the bench to be involved and invested in the community as a judge,” Dennis-Bovani said. “It’s a way to bring all my experience as a lawyer to be able to have the people of our community to have a place where they know they are going to in front of a judge that is knowledgeable in the law and that prides herself in giving everyone a fair opportunity in the courtroom.”

Once elected, Dennis-Bovani said she would vacate her positions with Luzerne County, the Solicitor with Wyoming Borough as well as all criminal cases.

Dennis-Bovani is married to Dante J. Bovani, a third-generation owner of his family’s towing and service business, located on Exeter Avenue in West Pittston. The Dennis-Bovani’s are the parents of Dante and Mia Bovani.

Other Magisterial Judge races

District 11-1-05 (4-year term)

Democrat

• Joshua Moses, 841

• Write-in votes, 348

Republican

• Joshua Moses 625

• Write-in votes, 236

In Magisterial District 11-1-04, Alexandra Kokura-Kravitz was unopposed on both sides of the ballot, as was Michael G. Dotzel in Magisterial District 11-3-07.

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.



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Munter Named IWLCA National Defensive Player of the Week

Story Links Northborough, Mass. – The IWLCA has chosen six student-athletes for the IWLCA Player of the Week awards for the week ending May 18, 2025. This weekly award recognizes the best offensive and defensive performances by players in Division I, II, and III, during the post season. Division IOffensive Player […]

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Northborough, Mass. – The IWLCA has chosen six student-athletes for the IWLCA Player of the Week awards for the week ending May 18, 2025. This weekly award recognizes the best offensive and defensive performances by players in Division I, II, and III, during the post season.

Division I
Offensive Player of the Week: Madison Taylor – Northwestern University
Taylor earns her fourth IWLCA Offensive honor of the season after scoring six goals in Northwestern’s 17-12 NCAA quarterfinal win over Penn. This marked her ninth game with six or more goals and her 18th hat trick in 20 games. The junior attacker now holds the NCAA single- season record with 105 goals and set a school record with 146 points. Over two NCAA Tournament games, she has totaled 21 points on 16 goals and five assists.

Defensive Player of the Week: Shea Dolce – Boston College
Dolce earns this week’s Defensive honors after making 12 saves with a .522 save percentage in Boston College’s 18-11 NCAA Quarterfinal win over Yale. She delivered five clutch saves in the fourth quarter and helped shut down Yale’s offense for over 20 minutes. It marked her 11th game this season with 10+ saves. Dolce leads the nation with a .555 save percentage and is just eight saves shy of becoming the second player in BC history to record 200 saves in a season.

Division II
Offensive Player of the Week: Grace Rotter – Slippery Rock University
Rotter led the SRU attack with six points on three goals and three assists in route to a historic upset victory over No. 1-seeded West Chester University in the Quarterfinal Round of the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Rock claimed its first Atlantic Region title in program history and will compete in the Semifinals this Thursday in Salem.

Defensive Player of the Week: Madison Marchetta – Adelphi University
Marchetta earns Defensive Player of the Week honors after a clutch performance in Adelphi’s 13-12 overtime win against Pace. She recorded 12 saves with a .500 save percentage, helping secure Adelphi’s return to the NCAA Division II Women’s Lacrosse Final Four.

Division III
Offensive Player of the Week: Hope Shue – Middlebury College
Shue earns Offensive Player of the Week honors after leading Middlebury past two nationally ranked opponents, including No. 8 York. She recorded eight points in the win over York, breaking her own Middlebury single-season points record with 107. This marks her third career season with over 100 points. Additionally, Shue now holds the all-time NCAA Division III record for career postseason goals with 70 after recording five against York.

Defensive Player of the Week: Kat Munter – Colby College
NESCAC’s Defensive Player of the Year earns IWLCA Defensive Player of the Week after a dominant performance that helped Colby advance to the NCAA Final Four for the first time in program history. Over two tournament wins over #7 Wesleyan and #17 Stevens, Munter led the team with seven caused turnovers and seven ground balls, while also securing eight draw controls.
 



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West Plains' Antonio Baca signs with Blackburn College men's soccer

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – West Plains senior soccer star Antonio Baca signed his NLI with Blackburn College on Tuesday. The end of the school year is upon us, but more and more star senior athletes are continuing to find their next home to compete in college. On Tuesday, one of the founding members of the […]

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West Plains' Antonio Baca signs with Blackburn College men's soccer

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – West Plains senior soccer star Antonio Baca signed his NLI with Blackburn College on Tuesday.

The end of the school year is upon us, but more and more star senior athletes are continuing to find their next home to compete in college.

On Tuesday, one of the founding members of the West Plains’ soccer program signed his letter of intent.

Antonio Baca, a team captain for the Wolves, signed with Blackburn College Men’s Soccer.

Blackburn is located in Carlinville, IL. Signing his letter surrounded by friends, family and teammates, Baca understood the importance of the big day.

 “It means a lot to me,” Baca said. “I’m very thankful for them. I’m excited, I didn’t expect this many people.”

He spoke on why he felt Blackburn was the place to be.

“It was just a good experience, when I met with the coaches, when they showed up for a showcase,” he said. “I connect with them really well and it just seemed like the right fit.”

As a sophomore the year that West Plains opened its doors, he was one of the founding members of the boys soccer team.

“West Plains prepared me very well, with Coach A and Coach Dodson,” Baca said. “They’ve helped me out a lot, with us being a new school, you know, and making playoffs for two years. I can’t thank them enough. I think they’ve guided me in the right direction to play at the collegiate level, and I’m excited.”

Copyright 2025 KFDA. All rights reserved.

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Luzerne County received $11M in Local Share Account grants for 84 projects

WILKES-BARRE — Luzerne County received $11,055,891 in Local Share Account grants for 84 projects. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development announced statewide LSA grants for more than 1,100 projects, totaling more than $345 million. “Whether it’s supporting emergency services, investing in recreational spaces or working to improve infrastructure, these projects directly respond […]

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WILKES-BARRE — Luzerne County received $11,055,891 in Local Share Account grants for 84 projects.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development announced statewide LSA grants for more than 1,100 projects, totaling more than $345 million.

“Whether it’s supporting emergency services, investing in recreational spaces or working to improve infrastructure, these projects directly respond to the needs expressed by the people and municipalities we represent,” said Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township. “We commend local officials for submitting good projects for state funding consideration.”

In addition to Baker, other state legislators released information about projects in their districts, including, Sen. Marty Flynn, D-Scranton; Sen. Dave Argall, R-Pottsville; Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-Dallas Township; Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre; Rep. Alec Ryncavage, R-Hanover Township; Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Pittston Township; Rep. Jamie Walsh, R-Ross Township; and Rep. Dane Watro, R-Hazleton.

Grants awarded:

Avoca Borough

• $155,467 for the purchase of a backhoe.

• $157,615.00 for the purchase of a new skid steer with attachments.

Black Creek Township

• $97,428 for a new skid steer.

Butler Township

• $180,000 to purchase a new plow truck.

Conyngham Borough

• $75,000 for improvements to Wishing Willow Park.

Conyngham Township

• $63,558 for road repair equipment.

Dallas Borough

• $150,000 on behalf of Back Mountain Regional Fire and EMS Fire Rescue for a new truck.

Dallas Township

• $65,000 to purchase and up-fit a police vehicle.

Dupont Borough

• $22,000 to create a Memorial Park on Oak Street.

• $190,000 for an additional pump and equipment upgrades at the Quail Hill Pump Station.

Duryea Borough

• $80,176 for upgrades to the Brennan-Regan American Legion Post 858.

• $223,724 for the Phase II renovation of Healey Playground.

Edwardsville Borough

• $150,000 for the resurfacing and associated work for the improvement of five streets in the Edwardsville Borough.

Exeter Borough

• $300,000 to replace and separate sanitary and storm sewer systems along Barber, Orchard and Lincoln streets.

• $50,000 for Westside Revitalization Phase V along Route 11/Wyoming Avenue.

Fairview Township

• $60,000 to purchase of a maintenance vehicle

Forty Fort Borough

• $75,000 to purchase maintenance equipment for roadway and tree removal projects.

• $50,000 to purchase and install servers for the police department and administrative office.

• $65,000 to purchase and up-fit a police vehicle.

Franklin Township

• $90,000 to purchase road equipment.

Freeland Borough

• $205,000 for ADA accessibility improvements at the Freeland YMCA, which will support their efforts to offer childcare services at the location.

Hanover Township

• $250,000 for resurfacing of Division and Liberty Streets.

• $50,000 on behalf of the Street Art Society of NEPA for the painting of four murals.

• $400,000 for the Solar for Schools Grant Program.

Hazle Township

• $98,155 for the purchase of a dump truck with accessories.

• $250,000 on behalf of the Municipal Authority of Hazle Township for sanitary sewer rehabilitation.

Hazleton City

• $84,932 for the purchase of a Multipurpose Utility Vehicle.

• $189,999 on behalf of the Hazleton Fire Department for renovations to three of its fire stations.

Hunlock Township

• $86,545 for the purchase of a brush truck for use in Hunlock Township.

Huntington Township

• $87,740 to resurface Hortop Road in Huntington Township.

Jackson Township

• $65,000 to purchase and up-fit a police vehicle.

• $300,000 on behalf of the Back Mountain Community Partnership to purchase shared public works equipment for road departments.

Jenkins Township

• $161,630 for the purchase of a loader backhoe for use by the public works department.

• $150,000 to make building renovations at the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce.

• $41,031 to install an emergency preparedness brine system at its Department of Public Works building.

Kingston Municipality

• $200,000 to purchase a new compaction truck.

Laflin Borough

• $159,829 on behalf of the Laflin Fire Department for the purchase of Fire Department Air Packs.

Larksville Borough

• $30,000 to replace HVAC units at the Municipal Building

• $20,000 on behalf of American Legion 655 Larksville for HVAC improvements.

Laurel Run Borough

• $62,946 for renovations to the Public Works pole barn.

Lehman Township

• $63,244 to purchase a new vehicle for the police department

Nanticoke City

• $176,000 for parking improvements at City Hall.

Nescopeck Township

• $17,950 to replace the roof of the township office building.

Nescopeck Township

• $27,125 to renovate the floor of the township office building.

Newport Township

• $60,000 for sidewalk improvements along Main Street in Glen Lyon.

Pittston City

• $300,000 to construct an outdoor stage.

• $125,000 for parking lot improvements.

• $78,241 to repair composting equipment at the Greater Pittston Regional Compost Facility.

• $210,000 for exterior renovation and security upgrades at the Greater Pittston YMCA.

Pittston Township

• $294,797 to construct a first responder training facility and range.

• $17,975 to build a hometown heroes monument.

• $156,145 to purchase rescue equipment.

• $92,355.00 to purchase a police vehicle.

Plains Township

• $100,000 to renovate the Legion building.

• $100,000 to construct a new police station.

Plymouth Borough

• $40,000 to construct a new playground.

Rice Township

• $61,987 for road improvements.

Shickshinny Borough

• $40,000 to complete renovations at the wastewater treatment plant.

Slocum Township

• $160,000 on behalf of the Slocum Township Volunteer Fire Company for site work and building design for its future fire station.

Sugarloaf Township

• $160,000 for the final phase of the Joe Larock Recreation Field rehabilitation project.

Swoyersville Borough

• $75,000 to construct a street department equipment garage.

Union Township

• $100,000 to purchase a compact track loader with planer and boom mower attachments to be used in Union Township

West Pittston Borough

• $60,000 to repair a senior housing facility.

• $213,866 for the purchase of a recycling packer truck.

West Hazleton Borough

• $273,900 to make improvements to 4th Street.

White Haven Borough

• $380,000 to finally complete the transformation of a former engine repair shop into a multi-purpose library and heritage visitor center.

Wilkes-Barre City

• $70,000.00 for Bulldog BBQ Sauce South Franklin Street Greenspace for the rehabilitation of a demolished lot.

• $61,924 for Fire Department/Emergency Medical Services for the purchase of a monitor/defibrillator.

• $346,144 for Police Department Vehicle Purchase.

• $199,081 for Wilkes-Barre General Municipal Authority new equipment for golf infrastructure improvements.

• $200,000 for Wilkes-Barre Irem Temple renovation of a minaret.

• $200,000 for King’s College Safety and Security Project Phase 1.

• $63,74 for Mia Bella’s Gourmet Candles new equipment to purchase a label maker and oil filling machine.

• $50,000 for Wilkes-Barre Moving River Ministries former Planters Peanuts building restoration

• $38,225 for Wilkes-Barre Northeast Counseling Services building renovation

• $120,685 for Wilkes-Barre Project Elevate for renovations to the Chamber building.

• $300,000 for Wilkes-Barre R/C Theatres Movies 14 seating renovation.

• $200,000 for Wilkes-Barre Wright Center Health City Hub Accessibility & Bee-utification Project

• $115,000 for Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) for first and second floor renovations.

• $131,388 for Wilkes-Barre Welcome Home Affordable Housing to construct a single-family home to be located at 43 Monroe St.

• $73,437 for Wilkes-Barre YMCA wellness facility upgrades for the purchase of gym equipment.

Wilkes-Barre Township

• $205,500 to purchase four 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 regular cab 4×4 dump trucks for the street department.

Wright Township

• $350,000 for road repair on Terrace Drive and Oak Drive.

Wyoming Borough

• $130,000 for road repairs.

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.



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College Sports

Horseheads High School Celebrates 30 Student

HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WENY) – It was an exciting day at Horseheads High School as 30 student-athletes officially signed their National Letters of Intent, committing to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. The event marked a significant milestone for these talented individuals as they prepare to take their skills to the next stage. 1

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May 21, 2025

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Horseheads High School Celebrates 30 Student

HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WENY) – It was an exciting day at Horseheads High School as 30 student-athletes officially signed their National Letters of Intent, committing to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. The event marked a significant milestone for these talented individuals as they prepare to take their skills to the next stage.

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College Sports

Dartmouth Hosts Annual Celebration of Excellence

Story Links HANOVER, N.H. — On Tuesday night inside Thompson Arena, the Dartmouth College Department of Athletics and Recreation hosted its annual Celebration of Excellence. Luke Carroll (baseball) and Kellie Sutton (women’s soccer) served as masters of ceremony for the event. KENNETH ARCHIBALD PRIZE The Kenneth Archibald Prize is awarded to a […]

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May 21, 2025

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HANOVER, N.H. — On Tuesday night inside Thompson Arena, the Dartmouth College Department of Athletics and Recreation hosted its annual Celebration of Excellence.

Luke Carroll (baseball) and Kellie Sutton (women’s soccer) served as masters of ceremony for the event.

KENNETH ARCHIBALD PRIZE

The Kenneth Archibald Prize is awarded to a member of the graduating class, who has been four years in attendance, and who in the judgment of the Athletic Council has been the best all-around athlete with regard being had to moral worth and high standing in scholarship.

Winners: Billy Bender – Men’s Heavyweight Rowing and Jasmine Drolet – Women’s Nordic Skiing

Bender has been a valuable member of the Big Green since coming to Dartmouth. He competed for the United States in the summer of 2024 at the Paris games. Bender has earned First Team All-America honors in 2022 and 2023. This season, Bender has sat in the stroke seat while leading the varsity eight to an unbeaten dual season while also being ranked as high as third in the county.

Drolet raced in three EISA Carnivals this season: the Bates Carnival, St. Lawrence Carnival, and UNH Carnival. She finished in the top ten in both races at St. Lawrence and UNH. Drolet won two races, both 7.5k distances, placing first in the UNH Freestyle race and the St. Lawrence classical race. At the national championship, Drolet finished third in the 7.5K classic race, earning First-Team All-America status. She finished 13th overall in the 20K freestyle.

ALFRED E. WATSON TROPHY

The Alfred E. Watson Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding Dartmouth athlete on a men’s team during the year.  Nominations for the Watson Trophy are submitted by the coaches of the men’s varsity teams and voted on by the head coaches of the men’s teams.

Winner: John Steel Hagenbuch – Men’s Nordic Skiing

Hagenbuch competed in five of the six EISA Carnivals this season. He finished on the podium in all ten races, including winning eight races across both classic and freestyle disciplines and various distances. At the end of the EISA season, Hagenbuch was named the Classic Leader, earning the most points in classic races throughout the season. He was also named a First Team All-American twice at the 2025 National Championship. Hagenbuch finished first in the 7.5K classic race, the second straight year he has won an individual national championship. He also finished second in the 20K freestyle race.

CLASS OF 1976 AWARD

The Class of 1976 Award is given to the most outstanding athlete from a women’s team during the year. The winner is determined by the head coaches of the women’s varsity teams and the Dean of Students.

Winner: Cassidy Exner – Equestrian

Exner was the most consistent rider for the Big Green in 2024-25 as she notched eight regular season wins while also winning three out of four matchups at the National Championship. Following the season, the sophomore was named Second Team All-American for fences. She is currently the program leader for career wins while also being tied for the most postseason wins. During the season, Exner had a +16 average score differential in fences, which was the best of the team.

CLASS OF 1948 SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARDS

The Class of 1948 Scholar-Athlete Award is given annually to one member of a men’s team and one member of a women’s team in the junior class who have combined outstanding performance in athletics and significant achievement in academics, as nominated by the head coaches of the varsity sports and selected by the Athletics Director.

Winners: Cooper Flinton – Men’s Hockey and Maya Kendall – Women’s Lacrosse

Flinton skated in 32 games for the Big Green while scoring 11 goals and adding 13 assists. Four of his goals came on the power play; he also scored a pair of shorthanded goals as he was a valuable member of the Dartmouth penalty kill. He was named to the All-Ivy Second Team this season. In his Dartmouth career, he skated in 89 games while scoring 32 goals and adding 32 assists. Following the season, the Auburn, N.H. native signed an NHL Entry Level Contact with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Kendall was dominant on draw controls this season as she ranked second in the country in draw controls per game. She also set an Ivy League single game record with 22 in a game while also setting the Ivy League season record with 188 draw controls. Following the season, Kendall was named All-Ivy First Team and was Dartmouth’s first All-American since 2019. The junior is currently second in program history in career draw controls with 293.

CLASS OF 1950 AWARD

The Class of 1950 Award is presented annually to the varsity student-athlete who has demonstrated the most extraordinary commitment to community service. Nominations are submitted by the head coaches and captains of varsity sports, and the winner is selected by the Dean of the College, the Director of Athletics, and the Dean of the Tucker Foundation.

Winner: Micah Green – Football

Green was named a member of the All-State Good Works Team, an initiative to recognize and honor student-athletes who demonstrate levels of volunteerism and civic engagement that are above and beyond their success and achievements in the classroom and competition. Green currently serves as the co-president of the Dartmouth Black Student Athlete Alliance (DBSAA), after previously holding the position of professional development chair. Green has attended the National Black Student Athlete Summit in Los Angeles for the past two years, where he served as a keynote speaker to over 1,200 attendees. Green has served as the secretary for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., coordinating philanthropic events with other Greek organizations and collaborating with Dartmouth Civics to promote local voting and voter knowledge. On the field, Green was an honorable mention All-Ivy honoree, leading the Big Green in tackles (76) as a senior.

AGNES B. KURTZ AWARD

Aggie Kurtz was the first woman appointed to the athletic staff when co-education arrived at Dartmouth in 1972. She coached field hockey, squash and lacrosse, and also taught physical education classes.  She was later appointed assistant athletic director. The award named in her honor is nominated and voted on by the captains of the women’s teams and given to that person who best combines proficiency in athletics with dedication to the furthering of women’s sports.

Winner: Lauren Messier – Women’s Hockey

Captain Lauren Messier played in all 29 games for the Big Green. She scored eight goals and nine assists, both career highs, to lead the team in both categories. Messier had a hand in all three goals vs. the Princeton Tigers, scoring a goal and adding two assists. In the middle of the season, she rode a three-game scoring streak, scoring the game winning goal and adding two assists in an overtime win over Harvard, the lone goal in a tie with the Crimson, and an assist at St. Anselm, helping Dartmouth to a seven-game undefeated streak. She also scored the game winning goal in a shutout win over No. 7 St. Lawrence, the Big Green’s first win over a ranked opponent since 2022

TIMOTHY WRIGHT ELLIS 1955 MEMORIAL AWARD

The Timothy Wright Ellis 1955 Memorial Award is nominated and voted on by the captains of the men’s teams. It is given to a member of a men’s team showing the extra-curricular and scholastic drive, spirit, loyalty and amiability which made Tim such a well-known part of this community.

Winners: Wyatt Ellison – Men’s Lightweight Rowing and Conor Shaheen – Men’s Heavyweight Rowing

Ellison was extremely loyal and committed to the team when the team’s roster was capped. He volunteered his roster spot to allow younger athletes to compete, continuing to train with the team as a “team manager” without being able to compete. After the team’s roster cap was raised his senior year, he continued his peer leadership and emerged as a stellar athlete. Beyond the team, Ellison is an extraordinary computer engineering student and early-induction member of Pi Beta Kappa and Vice President of Tau Beta Pi (the Engineering Honor Society). This winter, Ellison single-handedly created a community “Lapapalooza” backcountry skiing event, supporting two dozen students attempting to maximize their skiing vertical in 24 hours.

Shaheen has incredible drive in both academics and athletics, which is only matched by his humility.  Despite being one of the best coxswains in the country, Shaheen has swallowed his pride and coxed the second varsity boat for all four years of his career at Dartmouth without a single complaint, leading it to great success. That includes a third-place finish nationally last season. He is always at the boathouse with a smile to lift up his teammates.

MOMENT OF EXCELLENCE

The Moment of Excellence, the newest addition to the Celebration of Excellence, recognizes top plays, performances, and acts of character over the past year. The winner is determined through live polls on social media, so friends, family, fans, student-athletes, and coaches all have the opportunity to cast their votes for which moment stood out amongst all others.

Jada Jones won a pair of Ivy League titles in 2025 as she won the 200 meter at the Ivy League Indoor Track & Field Championship with a time of 23.77 after being fourth after preliminaries. Jones notched her second Ivy title at the Outdoor Championships with a time of 23.55 in the final after placing first in preliminaries.



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