Freshman used to not be able to play college basketball. Not at the varsity level at least. The verdict was that freshmen just weren’t ready to compete. 

The rule was changed ahead of the 1973 season, but if you look at some of head coach Teri Moren’s lineups over her first 11 seasons at Indiana, you might think the rule never passed. 

Moren’s teams were known for their veterans once she rebuilt Indiana into a perennial tournament team, not the freshman. At least not in the starting lineup. There have been exceptions, players like Yarden Garzon did it a few seasons ago. 

Freshman starting just hasn’t been the norm in Bloomington, but now, 52 years after the rule was changed, Indiana found themselves starting two freshmen against the University of Louisiana Monroe.

Down to nine players due to injury. Coming off their worst performance of the year. Somebody had to step up. 

On Thursday night, it was the freshmen’s turn as Indiana would rout ULM 98-54 to move to 9-2 on the year.

Nevaeh Caffey had started every game this season due to her relentless defensive energy. She had even been compared to former Hoosier Nicole Cardaño-Hillary, a former Big Ten All-Defensive team member, by Moren earlier this season. 

Caffey was joined in the starting five by highly touted freshman and 2025 Indiana Miss Basketball Maya Makalusky. Makalusky came off the bench in Indiana’s first 10 contests behind Valentyna Kadlecova but got her first starting nod from Moren against the Warhawks.

“(After) the game at Illinois, we needed to do something to mix it up a little bit,” Moren said about the decision. “She deserved to have an opportunity to be in the lineup tonight because she talks, she has a great energy level.”

The decision paid off for Moren and the Hoosiers as Makalusky had her best game of her young career.

Makalusky set a new high in points, 22, on 6-for-10 shooting from downtown in addition to a pair of steals. The highlight of the night was a circus-shot 3-pointer as Makalusky fell out of bounds from the wing.

Moren’s favorite highlight? Makalusky opening the game with a charge. 

Makalusky felt good about her performance but is making sure to not let complacency creep in.

“It definitely feels great for your hard work to pay off, but the job’s not done,” Makalusky said. “I got to continue to maintain that role and do what I need to do to stay on the court.”

For Caffey, she delivered yet another good defensive performance with two steals while adding in six points but was limited by foul trouble at times.

“Nevaeh has to stay out of foul trouble for us,” Moren said. “Nevaeh has played well for us. She just has to be better and more sound defensively.”

It was a display that encapsulates the potential that a young Indiana team has and how good they could be when firing on all cylinders. 

The youth movement combined with the veterans Shay Ciezki and Lenée Beaumont who added 31 and 18 points, respectively, has the Hoosiers back on the upturn after an ugly performance against Illinois to open conference play. 

The trio of Ciezki, Makalusky and Beaumont outscored ULM as a team 71-54 which helped the Hoosiers in their best offensive night of the regular season, topping their 95-point performance against Iowa State. 

All of this without star center Zania Socka-Nguemen, as she continues to be labeled as “week to week,” Moren said. Despite ditching the scooter, she is still in a walking boot as she continues to work back from her injury.

Socka-Ngueman wasn’t the only player absent as Jerni Kiaku missed with the flu and Faith Wiseman missed due to a collision in practice. The Hoosiers especially missed Wiseman and Socka-Ngueman inside as ULM outrebounded Indiana 37-33 while grabbing 19 offensive rebounds to Indiana’s one. 

Despite the rebounding woes, it was a necessary bounce back win for the Hoosiers and it shows a payoff for Moren’s youth movement in the rebuild in Bloomington. 

For decades there was a belief that freshmen weren’t ready to compete at the highest level and at times under Moren, this belief rained true. 

But on a night where the Hoosiers needed a spark, two freshmen stepped up and brought the energy that Indiana needed. 

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RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — Jacobs Entertainment, the company behind the downtown Reno ‘Neon Line’ corridor along 4th. St., announced that it now intends to demolish the dilapidated Bonanza Inn building.

CEO Jeff Jacobs previously said he planned to refurbish the building into 59 affordable housing units, even calling that project ‘The Breeze,’ but confirmed the change of plans Thursday.

A statement from the company cited the ‘recent increases in construction costs’ as the reason:

Given the recent increases in construction costs, renovation is no longer a financially viable pathway forward. As a result, Jacobs Entertainment is filing a demolition permit to allow for future construction with a larger scope than initially planned.

The new plans and the timeline for the project on that site were not announced.

The Reno Housing Authority attempted to purchase the property in 2022 but was unsuccessful. Jacobs initially said he would not be interested in the Bonanza Inn, but ended up purchasing the 215 W. 4th St. property at auction for $3 million in early 2024.

In addition to the Bonanza Inn update, Jacobs also announced that it is submitting building permits to start construction on the first 4 youth sports fields. It comes as the company announced this fall its intentions to build 12 total fields over the next 6 years and create a new ‘traveling youth sports initiative’ called the Downtown Reno Amateur Sports Association.

“These new fields are going to help continue to transform downtown Reno,” said Jonathan Boulware, vice president of Nevada operations for Jacobs Entertainment. “We’re very excited to help bring youth sports to downtown Reno.”

This is a developing story. Check back with News 4-Fox 11 for updates.

For “Coach Jack” Malone, being part of the Little League Challenger Division® has been one of his proudest accomplishments. His journey began when he first heard about the Upper Darby (Pa.) Little League —  a Challenger Division-only program —  in 1993, while registering his four-year-old daughter to play in her first season. He was asked to help coach, and he never looked back.

Now, as the League President, Malone was recognized for the continuous hard work, patience, and dedication that shine on and off the field and was named the 2025 Little League® Challenger Division Coach of the Year, Supported by Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA).

“It’s a thrill. It’s a testimonial for my Challenger family. Over the 34 years, my parents, players, and fellow coaches have been supportive,” said Malone. “It’s an honor that I never thought I would receive, and I graciously accept it.”

Recognized as the December 2025 Little League Diamond Leader of the Month, Malone shared his experience in a Diamond Leader Discussion:

Why do you think it is important for coaches and volunteers to take the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program?

I think it’s important because there are so many different aspects, other than being on the field with the kids. Being able to recognize abuse, bullying, and other things that a child may be struggling with and learning ways we can help is what it is all about. I think the Diamond Leader Training brought in so many different aspects of the game that are helpful. I think it just gives you a different insight into what we’re doing out there, other than just showing up and going out on the field with the kids.

What lessons from the training specifically do you plan to carry into future seasons?

I plan to carry the lesson of trying to understand what each athlete is going through and making sure that they are happy. If there is something that is troubling them, it’s important that I try to understand and find out why. It is paramount to always be looking for what is best for your athlete at all times.

Why should people volunteer in a Challenger Division program?

It is so rewarding to have individuals out there with a multitude of different disabilities, some physical, some mental, and to have them enjoy the great game of baseball. I don’t set any limits; I let players try anything they want in terms of batting and fielding. If the athlete wants me to pitch to them, I am pitching to them. If they are in a wheelchair and want to swing one-handed, that’s completely fine. I will always have patience for these athletes.

The Little League Diamond Leader program, which was first piloted with nearly 1,000 Little League volunteers throughout the 2022 season, was created as part of the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge and developed in coordination with the  Aspen Institute’s Project Play. Focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field, the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is a FREE educational resource that provides coaches with an understanding of the impact that mental, social, and emotional well-being has in youth sports through detailed information, interactive scenarios, and a variety of additional resources. Learn more and become a Diamond Leader yourself by visiting LittleLeague.org/DiamondLeader.     

Diamond Leader Training

As we close out the year, I want to provide District 4 with a clear update on the work we’ve advanced together. My priorities have remained steady: deliver improvements, protect our families, and bring long-overdue investment to South County. This year was defined by follow-through, projects long discussed finally moved into action, and progress is now visible across our community.

Investing in Parks and Community Spaces

One of the most significant steps forward was progress on Valle del Pájaro Park, a 38-acre regional park and the largest project of its kind in decades. We are now moving toward a master plan shaped directly by community input. We also continued investing in recreation. Renovations advanced on the pump track, and we secured funding for a new skate park at Pinto Lake County Park. At Mesa Village Park, we are working to raise funds for upgrades including restored bathrooms, resurfaced basketball court, a youth soccer field, and a natural play area, reflecting our commitment to safe, active spaces for local families. If you are interested in donating, please reach out to our office.

Strengthening Roads and Local Infrastructure

Improving our transportation network remained a top priority. District 4 saw progress on several overdue projects, including:

• A new bike and pedestrian path on Green Valley Road
• Road Resurfacing on Scurich Road, Rogge Road, Murphy Crossing, College Road, and Holohan Road, in addition to many other roads in the City of Watsonville
• Holohan/Highway 152 intersection improvements
• New state funding for critical Casserly Road repairs

These investments improve safety, mobility, and daily quality of life for South County residents.

Protecting Families and Advancing Flood Resilience

Supporting families through emergencies remains central to our work. Following the 2023 floods, our office continued assisting Watsonville and Pajaro residents with resources, recovery, and long-term support.  A historic milestone this year was securing $700 million for the Pajaro River Levee Project. Construction on the Corralitos Creek segment begins within weeks, one of the largest public-safety investments in our region’s history.

Expanding Opportunities to Learn and Participate

Public engagement remained a priority. Together with Mayor Maria Orozco, we hosted a first-time homebuyer forum offering guidance on the buying process and Watsonville’s affordable housing programs.  We also held a BESS Town Hall, giving residents direct access to experts, clear explanations, and space to ask questions and share feedback on energy-storage projects.

Supporting Youth Leadership and Community Safety

This year we continued investing in the Young Supervisors Academy, a two-and-a-half-week program that introduces high school students and recent graduates to policymaking, leadership, and public service. The program concluded with a Mock Legislative Hearing on homelessness and Watsonville’s Tiny Homes Project, showcasing the thoughtful ideas of our next generation of leaders. 

We also strengthened public safety through prevention. In partnership with District Attorney Jeff Rosell and Sheriff Chris Clark, we hosted a Fraud Prevention Community Conversation, equipping residents with tools to avoid scams, identity theft, and financial exploitation.

Keeping Our Neighborhoods Clean

Neighborhood cleanups continued throughout the year led my office in strong partnerships with the Trash Talkers Coalition, County Community Development and Infrastructure, City of Watsonville Public Works, Watsonville Wetlands Watch, Pajaro Valley Fire, and dozens of volunteers. Their dedication has made a visible difference across parks, roads, and neighborhoods.

Accessing Services Close to Home

The South County Government Center continues to make essential services easily accessible for local families. Residents can access veterans’ services, health and human services, tax assistance, elections services, passport renewals, and more, right here in Watsonville. 

Promoting Health and Wellness

In partnership with Bike Santa Cruz County, we hosted three community bike rides, bringing together residents of all ages to promote healthy, active living and build connections across the district.

2024 Agricultural Crop Report

The Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner released the 2024 Crop Report, showing an estimated gross production value of $741.9 million, a 13.3% increase over 2023. Strawberries remain the top crop at $218.9 million across 2,640 acres, and berry crops overall continue to dominate, representing 60% of total production value.

County CEO Carlos J. Palacios Retires

Earlier this month, County Executive Officer Carlos J. Palacios retired after a distinguished 30-year public service career. As the County’s first Latino CEO, he guided the community through wildfires, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic while advancing housing, equity, fiscal stability, and emergency recovery. His legacy of collaboration and service will have lasting impact.

Looking Ahead

Thank you to the residents of District 4 for your trust, your input, and your continued engagement. Every accomplishment reflects your priorities and your commitment to a stronger South County. As we close out the year, I want to wish you and your families a warm and joyful holiday season, and all the very best in 2026.

BENNINGTON — This holiday season, Co-Chairs of the Bennington Sports Foundation (BSF) Deborah Slaner Larkin and Jeannie Jenkins have a special message of giving for the community.

“In thinking about the Bennington Sports Foundation and equity opportunity for kids, what we really want to get out is that we have money and we want to give it away for that purpose,” explained Larkin. “But, a lot of people either don’t know about us, or don’t know how to get the money.”

For people wanting to ensure greater access to sports in the Bennington County area, Jenkins said, “If you want to do this, you can. We’ll make sure you have the equipment. We’ll make sure you have the clothing. We’ll make sure you have transportation and food.”

It isn’t just the goal of the Bennington Sports Foundation to simply purchase equipment or clothing, however – their larger goal is to increase access and help overcome hurdles and obstacles for the underserved population.

As with all journeys, there have been challenges and learning curves that have been experienced over the years. Experimenting with the best methods of reaching kids, parents, educators, and coaches – and experimenting with the best methods of connecting Bennington County youth with sports – has involved a rapidly evolving set of strategies.

“We want to work with organizations that share the goal of increasing access and equity,” Jenkins said. “I think all sports programs at their core want to do that, but they don’t all have the bandwidth to do it. So, I think finding ways in – and finding connectors – has been a journey for us for the last four years.”

What Jenkins and Larkin are hoping is that those who are wishing to service youth in sports reach out to them, asking for assistance with specific challenges – things that are getting in the way of full participation, or full access. They are also hoping that those who wish to start youth sports programs reach out with requests.

“I always think back to one of the initial meetings that we had – thinking about what we might do to expand access in the community,” continued Jenkins. “It was at the Old Benn High, and it was a time when that was just beginning to get legs; the Splash Pad had just been finished, and it had brought in a certain demographic to help form community; the bike/pedestrian path was just starting to really take off; and the Skate Park was nothing more than a twinkle in the community’s eye.”

That was back in 2021, when Jenkins and Larkin were not yet familiar with one another. It was during this time that the two of them met with an old friend and associate of Larkin’s, the late Carolyn Blitz, and the idea for the Bennington Sports Foundation was born.

With Jenkins’ background as the then-chair of the Bennington Select Board and her work with the Bennington ​County Regional Committee, Regional Economic Development and Workforce and Education groups, and her deep knowledge about the local communities; Larkin’s background as the former CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation and the United States Tennis Association, former member of President Obama’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and current member of the board of the National Women’s Law Center; and Blitz’s background as “the right-hand person” to the the head of the NBA in New York – in the C-Suite” – the three formed a “dynamo trio.”

“Carolyn and I worked together with the WNBA in the start, so national organizations [and] very big powerhouse women,” explained Larkin. “What brought us together here [in Vermont] was that we were both asked to be on the board of the hospital at the same time.”

Larkin and Blitz brought Jenkins in due to her “interest in seeing kids engaging in positive ways in the community.”

“We began with the intent of helping connect kids who might want to be involved with sports but might have barriers with sports, realizing that sports is an excellent way for our kids to [connect],” Larkin said. “It’s healthy, it’s a way to build community, it’s a way to learn leadership skills.”

“We find that in this community, some of the kids feel very isolated,” added Jenkins. “Often that’s because of social barriers – whether it’s finance, transportation, everybody working, they have obligations at home – but that separates them and their parents from the rest of the school community. So, we wanted to [create] a little niche within the sports community of offering funds to programs who felt as we did – and that had the ability – to attract kids who, without the financial assistance, would not be able to participate in sports.”

According to Larkin, the group has since reached a “positive turning point,” with invested board members from the community.

“This year, at the Middle School, we got with Tracy Galle – and that was fabulous,” she said. “We started a golf clinic, teaching seventh and eighth graders golf. And the other star, Meru Leon, head of the country club, got together with [Galle] and they wrote a proposal for a grant getting kids who had never played to give them access. It was great – those kids never would have thought that golf was a sport for them.”

Other accomplishments over the past few years have involved contributions to the Marauders Swim Club, Battle for the Future Basketball Program, Bennington Berkshire Family YMCA, Prospect Mountain Association, MYAA Football, the Town of Bennington Skate Park, MAU Golf Clinic, Soccer Charity Tournament, MAUHS Tennis Clinic, and an MAUMS Workshop for Basketball Athletes and Parents. Additionally, a 2024 liaison with the Bennington Bike Hub was also established.

In the Marauders Swim Club, 14 more swimmers ages 6-18 were able to participate, all from the underserved population. Additionally, three of those Bennington Sports Foundation supported swimmers qualified at the championship level.

In the Battle for the Future Basketball Program, financial supports from the Bennington Sports Foundation assisted with enrollment fees and provided transportation for nine youth.

In the Bennington Berkshire Family YMCA, a newly developed program for teens kept them involved when they aged out of summer camp, offering them leadership and mentoring opportunities – and extending access through the school year with the development of an afterschool youth center.

One of the future goals of the Bennington Sports Foundation is to begin the development of a greater variety of local “feeder programs” – programs that introduce youngsters to various sports so that they continue to gain skills and knowledge in the game, helping them “hone their skills.”

Another aspect that the Bennington Sports Foundation has focused efforts on is community building, which also plays a role in equitable access.

“What we know is that a kid may want to do something, but the whole family has to buy in – and so the family has to see themselves as a part of the community as well,” said Larkin. “Families are a big piece of this. Families belong in this.”

“We want to see more kids engaging with sports in a positive way,” confirmed Jenkins.

“We want more people thinking about creative ideas and creative ways to bring kids and families into exploring sports,” Larkin said, “and I hope the community helps us think about what’s next.

More information on the Bennington Sports Foundation is available at benningtonsportsfoundation.org.