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The Falcons are banking on youth to fix their defense, but will it work?

Despite needing immediate upgrades, the Falcons made only modest free-agent additions. And after spending four of five draft picks on defense, they’re in the development game. If new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is going to orchestrate a turnaround, it will be because he and his staff proved good teachers. ExploreForget about the Falcons roster. Raheem […]

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Despite needing immediate upgrades, the Falcons made only modest free-agent additions. And after spending four of five draft picks on defense, they’re in the development game. If new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is going to orchestrate a turnaround, it will be because he and his staff proved good teachers.

What a treat for Ulbrich and defensive-minded coach Raheem Morris in his second season. They should view this as a privilege. They’re tasked with overseeing a largely homegrown unit that can help guide the Falcons out of this defensive malaise.

“That’s the biggest part of our game (player development),” Morris said. “Free agents are expensive. You get the chance to go out there and draft guys. You get to watch them go play and be exciting. You watch your own, raised at home. That is truly exciting for us. I’m so excited about the last two (draft) classes and what that can look like, everybody getting their opportunity to play this year.”

In 2024, the Falcons drafted defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro (second round), edge rusher Bralen Trice (third round), defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus (fourth round) and linebacker JD Bertrand (fifth round) to assist their defense. All players contributed in a limited capacity except Trice, who tore his ACL in the exhibition opener (he’s expected to be ready for training camp). The team needs more from this group moving forward.

This spring, the Falcons added edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., who instantly assumed the pressure of fixing a moribund pass rush. The team also drafted defensive backs Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr., adding a couple of big-school, experienced defenders to the back end. The Falcons need a couple of home runs here.

“Let’s face it: We have some young guys who are going to have to make some impactful plays for us this year,” All-Pro safety Jessie Bates said Tuesday.

Ages of some notable Falcons defenders (*denotes drafted by team):

DL- David Onyemata (32), Morgan Fox (30), Ta’Quon Graham* (26), Brandon Dorlus* (24), Zach Harrison* (23), Ruke Orhorhoro* (23).

Edge- Jalon Walker* (21), Leonard Floyd (32), James Pearce Jr.* (21), Arnold Ebiketie* (26), DeAngelo Malone* (25).

ILB- Kaden Ellis (29), JD Bertrand* (25), Troy Andersen* (26), Divine Deablo (26).

CB- A.J. Terrell Jr.* (26), Mike Hughes (28), Clark Phillips III* (23), Dee Alford (27), Billy Bowman Jr.* (22), Cobee Bryant (23; the bet here is the undrafted rookie, whom the Falcons have lauded, makes the team).

S- Jessie Bates (28), Xavier Watts* (23), Jordan Fuller (27), DeMarcco Hellams* (24).

The depth chart includes three prominent players aged 30 or above. Beyond that, some of these individuals have very little experience, like Dorlus, Orhorhoro and Phillips, and some have none at all, such as Walker, Pearce and Watts.

This shifts the spotlight to the coaches, who must prepare the youngsters not only to contribute but to do so at a level that’ll help the team qualify for the playoffs. If the Falcons are left on the outside again, the prevailing thought is there will be more changes. The franchise’s stability hinges on its draftees.

But the responsibilities here aren’t just on the coaching staff, as Bates notes.

“Just getting those guys in here, making them feel comfortable,” Bates said of his leadership role as a veteran. “Making them feel comfortable in the scheme and just let them know that you’re in your dream. You just started your dream. But there’s a whole lot more that you can do in this league. You didn’t just get here to get drafted and play one year. You want to have a long career. Just teaching those guys the daily habits. Not just talking about it but being an example for these guys every single day. You do little stuff every day, the type of stuff that adds up. Next thing you know, you’ll be on year eight like me. Good things will happen for you and your family. So just talking to those guys about that.”

Bates continued elaborating, explaining that players like him, Floyd and even the more experienced offensive players must set examples.

“That’s where you have to have your leaders, some solid leaders who these young guys can see,” he said. “See what it looks like. What is the right way to go about your days? Sometimes it’s good to have some young bucks that have no clue out there, they just know how to go fast.

“With those two guys off the edge, Jalon and James, I think we’ll be excited to watch those guys. Just watching them in their individual work, 1-2 step get off the ball, it’s been pretty impressive. There’s going to be some learning things as well as they get through the season, but that’s where you have leaders and guys who have to step up. The older guys who’ve been there before need to show them what it’s about.”

The Falcons will see if youth does indeed provide innovation — the innovation being a quality defense. Around these parts, such would be considered transformative.





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Orcutt National 11’s three-peat as District 65 champions | Youth Sports

The Orcutt National Little League 11-year-old All-Stars have pulled off a three-peat. The Orcutt 11-year-old squad won the District 65 Little League 11’s Tournament for the third consecutive year, defeating Lompoc 13-9 at Atascadero Friday night to win the 2025 tournament title and cap an unbeaten run through the tournament. Many of the Orcutt National […]

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The Orcutt National Little League 11-year-old All-Stars have pulled off a three-peat.

The Orcutt 11-year-old squad won the District 65 Little League 11’s Tournament for the third consecutive year, defeating Lompoc 13-9 at Atascadero Friday night to win the 2025 tournament title and cap an unbeaten run through the tournament.

Many of the Orcutt National players have played together for three years.

Orcutt National advanced to the Section 1 Tournament, which District 13 El Rio Little League in Oxnard will host beginning July 10.      

Orcutt National catcher Sam Grindy went 4-for-4 in the District 65 tournament title game Friday night. Grindy doubled in the fourth inning, and singled in the first, second and sixth.

Orcutt National broke on top in the top of the first inning. Jax Walker was hit by a pitch, Rocco Kennedy walked then Andrew Siordia singled up the middle. Orcutt National tacked on two runs on a Lompoc error.

Dominic DeMarco extended the Orcutt National lead with an RBI groundout in the top of the second.

Lompoc rallied to tie the game at 7-7 in the bottom of the third then Orcutt National took control for good with five runs in the top of the fourth. Walker provided the biggest hit of the inning for Orcutt National with a two-run triple.

Baylor Baldwin pitched the last three innings in relief for Orcutt National. Baldwin gave up one earned run on no hits and struck out six. Kennedy, the Orcutt National starter, gave up one earned run on five hits over two innings and struck out five.

   

  



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Nebraska Medicine building new health center to meet growing need in Gretna

GRETNA, Neb. (KMTV) — A new health center is coming to Gretna Landing. The 125,000-square-foot facility will join several other developments. Developers say it’s a project that will meet the needs of the growing community. BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT: Nebraska Medicine says the center will open with primary and specialty care, as well as urgent care, sports […]

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GRETNA, Neb. (KMTV) — A new health center is coming to Gretna Landing. The 125,000-square-foot facility will join several other developments. Developers say it’s a project that will meet the needs of the growing community.

BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:

Nebraska Medicine says the center will open with primary and specialty care, as well as urgent care, sports medicine and more. It will be large enough to add new services as this part of the city grows.

With the growth of youth sports facilities here, Kevin Garvin, chairman and professor of orthopedic surgery at Nebraska Medicine, says this complex brings needed care and convenience.

“For the Gretna people to not have to drive down to 42nd and Dewey, where the medical center is, we now can come out here and provide a service in their backyard, or front yard if you will,” Garvin said.

It will be the focal point of a new Noddle Company development at Gretna Landing, near 192nd and Highway 370.

You’ll start to see work in the next 30 days, with a groundbreaking around Labor Day, and it will open to patients in the second half of 2027.





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SCVNews.com | City Launches New Online Recreation Registration System

The city of Santa Clarita has announced the launch of Kaizen, a new online recreation registration system designed to make it easier for residents to register for classes, programs and events. Kaizen offers a fresh, user-friendly interface with intuitive navigation and enhanced features to streamline the registration experience, whether at home or on the go. […]

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The city of Santa Clarita has announced the launch of Kaizen, a new online recreation registration system designed to make it easier for residents to register for classes, programs and events.

Kaizen offers a fresh, user-friendly interface with intuitive navigation and enhanced features to streamline the registration experience, whether at home or on the go. This system represents a major step forward in how residents interact with city recreation services.

Top new features of the Kaizen platform include:

A simplified registration experience.

Mobile-friendly access.

Digital membership cards.

Calendar syncing with class schedules.

Digital wallet payment options for quick, secure checkouts.

Residents can begin exploring Kaizen today by visiting SantaClarita.gov/Seasons and clicking on the Kaizen logo.

Creating a new user account is fast and easy, and city staff are ready to assist.

While the city prepares for a full transition, summer 2025 programs will continue to be available through the current registration system. Beginning Tuesday, July 1, all fall 2025 classes and programs will be available through the new Kaizen platform.

Certain youth programs, such as sports leagues and Primetime Preschool, will require participants’ birth certificates for registration. Residents are encouraged to upload these documents to their new accounts ahead of time.

Key Fall 2025 Registration Dates:

Youth Sports Fall Leagues – Tuesday, July 8 at 10 a.m.

Afterschool Programs at the Community Centers – Tuesday, July 15 at 10 a.m.

All Fall Classes – Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m.

All residents must create a Kaizen account prior to registering for any fall programs. To save time at checkout, users are encouraged to save a payment method in advance.

Need help getting started? Step-by-step instructions are available at SantaClarita.gov/Seasons, or visit any of the city’s three community centers. City staff are also available to assist by phone at (661) 250-3700.





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Youth basketball prospects spending week as an Oredigger

BUTTE, Mont. — Montana Tech men’s basketball has built a dynasty, winning the last four Frontier Conference regular season and tournament championships. Now they are paying it forward with a skills camp, as Orediggers of the past, present, and future are in Butte this week to teach the next generation of hoopers what it takes […]

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Montana Tech men’s basketball has built a dynasty, winning the last four Frontier Conference regular season and tournament championships.

Now they are paying it forward with a skills camp, as Orediggers of the past, present, and future are in Butte this week to teach the next generation of hoopers what it takes to make it to the next level.

“The guys had such great experience when they played here, they want to come back and give back to the community and give back, and be able to interact with the current players,” said Montana Tech head coach Adam Hiatt.

The high potential camp has been a tech tradition since 2016. Last week was for the younger campers, while this week is for high schoolers, putting prospects on a team coach by a current, former, or future Oredigger, like former All-American Asa Williams.

“Giving kids faith and showing them that even if you don’t get a scholarship from Montana Tech, there may be a school that’s out there that maybe wants you. And that’s just my main goal,” said Williams, a Montana Tech forward from 2022-24.

Williams is back in Butte after an incredible debut season overseas, earning first team All-Import honors for the Hessing Kangaroos in Germany’s ProB league.

“My team won the regular season championship, so for my first time ever going overseas, it was a bit getting used to, but I really enjoyed the success that came with it,” said Williams, who plans on playing again in a higher division in Europe next season and would like to be a coach when his playing career comes to an end.

“It just shows that with a lot of hard work, you can make your dreams come true. And nobody works harder than Asa. And I’m hopeful that Asa’s going to instill that mentality on the team that he drafted this week,” said Hiatt.

As for the prospects, they understand the incredible opportunity to spend a week as an Oredigger and are trying to absorb all they can.

“I think I’m going to get the real college experience and it’s going to be fun meeting all the players and just playing with new kids,” said Hellgate class of 2026 forward Zane Gillhouse, who is hoping to get an official offer from the Orediggers by the end of the camp.

“I just want to improve my skills, improve my post work, really work on it in the games,” said class of 2026 forward Sulay Abubakari of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Abubakari has won the last two Idaho state titles alongside Asher Williams, an incoming freshman at Tech this year who is one of the coaches at this week’s camp.

The overnight camp, which includes personalized instruction, food and boarding, is less than $400 per participant, which is why there’s well over 100 kids taking part, and dozens more on a wait list.

“Everybody who comes to our camp has an understanding that we’re going to treat our camps like it’s our team that we’re coaching. We’re going to have the same level of intensity, the same sense of urgency, the same commitment to work ethic, the same attention to detail We get to a lot of teaching and incredible competition this weekand i want every camper that comes here to feel like they were part of our program for one week. That’s kind of the sense of satisfaction that the players have,” said Hiatt.



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Northwest Missouri State men’s hoops holds youth basketball camp | NWMSU

By: Brett Kennedy (MARYVILLE, MO) – The Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team began a 3 day boys basketball camp on campus in Maryville on Monday. Second year coach Matt Keeley and some of his players like juniors Trey Moala and Jack Ratigan were helping run drills for kids in 1st through 8th grade. The camp […]

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Northwest Missouri State men's hoops holds youth basketball camp



(MARYVILLE, MO) – The Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team began a 3 day boys basketball camp on campus in Maryville on Monday.

Second year coach Matt Keeley and some of his players like juniors Trey Moala and Jack Ratigan were helping run drills for kids in 1st through 8th grade.

The camp intends to focus on fundamental skills for beginners and progressing the skills of higher players. The players and coaches enjoyed helping out the younger generation of players and giving back to the community. 

“Kind of reminds you of why you do it. You know, college athlete, you get caught up in just reps and like the daily routine and everything,” said Moala. “But when you get out here with the kids, it reminds you to just take it a lot easier. So it’s fun.”

“Getting the kids out here, we’re just trying to get them to have fun. Giving them a place in the summer to just come and play basketball,” said Ratigan. “It’s a cool experience to be around college basketball players when you’re that age, to see just kind of what you want to be and it’s awesome to be that for these kids, to just be there for them.”

“To get the little guys into the gym always gives a new sense of energy and just remind us all when we got started and where everything was,” said Keeley. “It’s always just fun to see the different levels of abilities, energy and excitement. You definitely get a feed off of what they bring in here. Plus we get to hand them out green and white Northwest shirts and get them thinking Bearcats at an early age.”

The camp continues on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Northwest will hold a skills camp for boys next month on July 29th through the 31st.  



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Grimes County coach honored with ‘Be Remarkable’ award for dedication to youth sports

NAVASOTA, Texas (KBTX) – For more than two decades, Kevin Baker has poured his heart into coaching and mentoring young athletes in Grimes County. This week, that commitment was recognized as Baker received the “Be Remarkable” award, presented by Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers and KBTX. Baker, a former standout athlete who went to state in […]

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NAVASOTA, Texas (KBTX) – For more than two decades, Kevin Baker has poured his heart into coaching and mentoring young athletes in Grimes County. This week, that commitment was recognized as Baker received the “Be Remarkable” award, presented by Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers and KBTX.

Baker, a former standout athlete who went to state in both football and basketball, has turned his love for sports into a lifelong mission of service. His coaching journey began with his sons and grandson and has since extended to generations of youth in the community.

“I started with my sons when they were little, and just kept going from group to group,” said Baker, who currently serves as president of the Grimes County Little Dribblers and coaches select AAU basketball teams.

Baker’s influence goes far beyond the sidelines. His sister, Jennifer Baker, who nominated him for the award, said she’s witnessed his tireless dedication firsthand.

“He’s always there for the kid. Early mornings, late nights, all day in the gym,” she said. “He loves sports, but more than that, he loves helping.”

That passion is echoed by Baker’s wife, who said she continues to be amazed by the energy and heart he brings to the court and community.

“It’s great to see his dedication—not just to the kids, but to the parents and everyone around him,” she said. “He keeps me going.”

For his selfless service, Baker was presented with a $500 check as part of the Be Remarkable program, which recognizes individuals making a meaningful difference in their communities.

“Coach, you are worth remarking about,” said Linda McMillan with Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers. “Thank you for the way you care for your family, serve your community, and inspire the next generation.”

If you have someone you want to nominate for our Be Remarkable campaign click here!



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