Rec Sports
Konawaena High hosts Fukuoka All-Star girls basketball team as part of statewide immersive cultural exchange : Big Island Now

The Fukuoka All-Star girls basketball team concluded a week-long stay in Hawaiʻi as part of a student sports exchange program focused on cultural understanding and developing positive relationships through in-person, authentic interactions.
The team visited high schools for student networking and cultural experiences culminating with goodwill games against ʻIolani School, Kamehameha School and Konawaena High.
“Seeing the beautiful ocean, the people of Hawaiʻi were smiling, trying to communicate with us, that made us forget everyday small things,” said Miyabi Naito, Fukuoka Girls All-Star basketball team. “I feel like I have grown so much. When I go back to Japan, I hope to keep these memories and use them to make myself a better person.”

On Hawaiʻi Island, the Fukuoka team and the Konawaena High School girls basketball team visited Country Samurai Coffee Farm and learned about experiences of the first Japanese immigrants from owner Walter Kunitake.
Kunitake is a third generation coffee grower whose family is originally from Fukuoka. His grandparents began Kona coffee growing beginning at about 1910 and the original trees grown from that period are still being farmed by his relatives.
The tour was followed by an exhibition game at Konawaena High School. The Fukuoka All-Star Girls Basketball Team bested all three Hawaiʻi teams in the games.

“I was excited to share with the Japanese team that we can be respectful towards their culture, and that we can, like, exchange things, and just overall just share our kindness with each other while they’re here,” said Kaylie Yamasaki, co-captain of the Konawaena basketball team.
Gov. George Ariyoshi initiated the first international Sister-State agreement for Hawaiʻi in 1981. The sister-state agreements have now grown to 19 partnerships globally. The Fukuoka-Hawaiʻi Sports Exchange, centered around basketball, is scheduled to conclude next year with an intent to extend the program with another sport.
Rec Sports
TWRA Youth Fish Art Contest Now Open

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is encouraging youth across the state in grades K-12 to submit their original artwork of any Tennessee native fish for the national Art of Conservation: Fish Art Contest. The contest was created by the nonprofit Wildlife Forever to encourage youth to become connected to the outdoors.
The contest is free to enter, and students can submit one 2D piece and one 3D piece. All participants must enter original artwork of a Tennessee fish in a natural habitat and may not replicate another artist’s work. Photos or videos used as a source material for inspiration of the artwork are allowed. Goldfish, guppies, bettas, and koi are not eligible for this contest.
Additionally, TWRA is adding its own specialty award this year, The Bill Dance Signature Lakes Award – in honor of the legacy of fishing legend Bill Dance and the TWRA’s work to develop premier fishing destinations across the state. To be considered for the award, students should enter artwork of largemouth or smallmouth bass or art featuring bass fishing.
All submissions must be entered through an online entry form. More information regarding rules, submission form, and requirements can be found on the Wildlife Forever Art of Conservation website. The last day for submitting artwork is Feb. 28, 2026.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.
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Rec Sports
Centennial Cougars beat Champlin Park Rebels – The Rink Live
The Centennial Cougars won their game at Centennial Sports Arena against the Champlin Park Rebels on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, ending 7-4.
The Rebels took the lead in the middle of the first period, with a goal from Paul Pazandak. Derek Roehl assisted.
The Cougars tied it up 1-1 with a goal from Nick Carls halfway through the first, assisted by Joey Hemr.
Five goals were scored in the second period, and the Cougars led 4-3 going in to the third period.
The Cougars increased the lead to 5-3, only 43 seconds into the third when Cooper Daikawa netted one, assisted by Keegan Julik.
Kaden Johnson made it 6-3 with a goal three minutes later, assisted by Gavin Cunningham.
Paul Pazandak narrowed the gap to 6-4 with a goal three minutes later, assisted by Gabe Contons and Brody Girard.
Gavin Cunningham also increased the lead to 7-4 with a goal eight minutes later.
The teams will face off once again at Champlin Ice Forum on January 9th.
Coming up:
The Cougars will go up against the Forest Lake Rangers at Centennial Sports Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, while the Rebels will battle Maple Grove on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at Maple Grove Community Center.
Read more prep coverage
Scoring:
Minnesota, Centennial Sports Arena
6th December 2025
Champlin Park Rebels at Centennial Cougars
7-4
1st period:
Champlin Park Rebels, 1–0 (9:44) Paul Pazandak
Centennial Cougars, 1–1 (12:20) Nick Carls
2nd period:
1–2 (23:20) Kaden Johnson, 2–2 (23:42) Max Peterson, 3–2 (25:30) Rhys George, 3–3 (30:55) Joey Hemr, 3–4 (32:25) Nick Carls
3rd period:
3–5 (41:43) Cooper Daikawa, 3–6 (44:48) Kaden Johnson, 4–6 (47:13) Paul Pazandak, 4–7 (55:39) Gavin Cunningham
Automated articles produced by United Robots on behalf of The Rink Live.
Rec Sports
Dodge County falls to Proctor/Hermantown in a ranked Class A girls hockey game
KASSON, Minn. (KTTC) – Two top-ten girls hockey teams in Class A squared off at Dodge County Ice Arena.
The No. 2 Dodge County Wildcats fell behind the No. 9 Proctor/Hermantown Mirage 4-0 after the second period.
Each team scored once in the third period as the Mirage finished the upset win, 5-1.
Dodge County returns to action on December 29. The Wildcats will travel to play the Academy of Holy Angels at 5:00 p.m.
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Copyright 2025 KTTC. All rights reserved.
Rec Sports
A-K Valley athletes of the week: St. Joseph’s Bella Bartolovic, Springdale’s Robby Simmen
By:
Saturday, December 20, 2025 | 4:17 PM
Bella Bartolovic
School: St. Joseph
Class: Sophomore
Sport: Basketball
Claim to fame: Bartolovic dropped a season-high 27 points against Leechburg on Tuesday. She then followed that up with 19 against Eden Christian on Thursday to lead St. Joseph to a 2-0 week. The sophomore guard leads the Spartans with six double-figure scoring games and 20.5 points per contest.
St. Joseph is 5-2 (3-0) and will prepare for a meeting with Aquinas Academy (6-0, 2-0) on Monday.
What do you believe is the potential of this team, even with it being a young one?
It is a great start, and we look to continue this streak. I believe this team has a lot of potential this season to make it far, even though we’re young.
What has been working well for you as you’ve taken a scoring leap?
I have a very supportive team and coaching staff, which allows me to play without the worry of making mistakes.
If you maintain your scoring, how will you respond when teams begin to put you at the top of the scouting report?
I will take this as a compliment. I will continue to work on improving my game and trusting my teammates.
What can you say about the contributions the team has gotten from senior Kasey Cienik and junior Jocelyn Spinelli?
Their leadership has been very important because they encourage us all to do our best and boost our confidence.
What is a must-do when you have a day off from school and basketball?
Play more basketball
What is the best basketball shoe out right now?
Sabrina’s
What are your plans for the holidays?
To spend time with family and friends
What is your favorite Christmas song?
“Jingle Bell Rock.”
You have a matchup against Aquinas Academy on Monday, a rematch of last year’s No. 2 teams in Section 1-A. What will be the keys to staying undefeated in section play against the Crusaders?
The keys to Monday will be staying composed and working as a team.
Robby Simmen
School: Springdale
Class: Junior
Sport: Basketball
Claim to fame: Simmen went off for a season-high 39 points to lead Springdale to a Section 1-2A win over California on Tuesday. He then scored 15 in an overtime loss to Bentworth on Friday. Simmen has reached double digits in all six games for the Dynamos (2-4, 1-2) and leads them with 20.5 points a game.
After graduating eight seniors last year, how have you and other underclassmen stepped up and filled in leadership roles?
Many of our current juniors and our senior that have been on the team last year know what it takes to be a leader from experiencing our games and practices. The past seniors and our coaches set a great example for us. We stepped up by continuing to do what makes us better as a team, which is lifting each other up as well as giving everyone the confidence they need on and off the court.
What has been the biggest improvement in your offensive game this season?
In the offseason, I work on all of my skills. I feel I improved most in my speed and strength. It gives me a lot more opportunity to be an all-around threat on offense.
In three out of five games this year, the team has had two double-digit scorers. Liam Dexter has two of those games. How have you seen him grow as a player in your three years together?
Liam has always had the skill to do what he does. We’ve played together on a youth basketball team since third grade. His ability to shoot and play in the paint makes him a difficult player to guard.
What is a must-do when you have a day off from school and basketball?
When I’m not playing basketball or in school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Who is your favorite music artist, and is it the same person for pregame?
My favorite artists are probably Zach Bryan or Drake. Drake is more for pregame, though.
What are your plans for the holidays?
Go spend time with family.
What Christmas movie is a sneaky contender for the best of all time?
“Home Alone.”
Tags: Springdale, St. Joseph
Rec Sports
Commanders young RBs – The Athletic
The Commanders will have nearly two dozen players hit free agency in March, so these final three games are a lot like preseason games, as glorified tryouts. Chris Rodriguez Jr., a Commanders sixth-round pick in 2023, stuck around with the regime change in ’24 and has really come on this season to become the team’s de facto starter after Austin Ekeler went down with an Achilles injury. He will be a restricted free agent in March, and as Washington tries to revamp the entire roster, his play this evening could carry significant weight in deciding his future here.
Rookie Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt could play heavily into that. Bill has shown flashes of his quickness, speed and vision behind the line of scrimmage, and leads the team in both rushing yards (646) and rushing touchdowns (five) through Week 15. But his development into a complete back, who can block and catch passes out of the backfield, will be key to him becoming more of a featured back.
Rec Sports
TWRA Youth Fish Art Contest Now Open

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is encouraging youth across the state in grades K-12 to submit their original artwork of any Tennessee native fish for the national Art of Conservation: Fish Art Contest. The contest was created by the nonprofit Wildlife Forever to encourage youth to become connected to the outdoors.
The contest is free to enter, and students can submit one 2D piece and one 3D piece. All participants must enter original artwork of a Tennessee fish in a natural habitat and may not replicate another artist’s work. Photos or videos used as a source material for inspiration of the artwork are allowed. Goldfish, guppies, bettas, and koi are not eligible for this contest.
Additionally, TWRA is adding its own specialty award this year, The Bill Dance Signature Lakes Award – in honor of the legacy of fishing legend Bill Dance and the TWRA’s work to develop premier fishing destinations across the state. To be considered for the award, students should enter artwork of largemouth or smallmouth bass or art featuring bass fishing.
All submissions must be entered through an online entry form. More information regarding rules, submission form, and requirements can be found on the Wildlife Forever Art of Conservation website. The last day for submitting artwork is Feb. 28, 2026.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.
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