Junction City ( 4-10 ) erased an 11-point second half deficit to tie Topeka High( 5-9 )and force overtime in their boys basketball matchup at the Shenk Gym.

But in the overtime session the Trojans outscored the Blue Jays 4-2 to prevail 59-57 on Winter Homecoming Night at the Shenk Gym.

Junction City trailed most of the first half but a brief run right before the intermission left the Blue Jays ahead 31-30 at the break, but a scoring drought at the start of the third quarter proved problematic for them. Coach Pat Battle said. “If you want to look at kind of what got us in the boat that we were in, it’s our inability to score for about five minutes there in the third quarter. Missed a lot of open looks and a lot of chippies, things that we normally hit.”

Battle noted however, that you have to admire the Blue Jays for finding a way to battle back in the game.

The Blue Jays play at Hayden Tuesday night.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Andale 58, Rose Hill 45

Andover Central 61, Andover 49
Augusta 55, Wellington 42
Barstow, Mo. 68, Heritage Christian 38
Basehor-Linwood 66, Bonner Springs 58
Beloit 67, Ellsworth 39
Berean Academy 55, Ell-Saline 43
Bishop Miege 60, BV West 51
BV North 50, Blue Valley Stillwell 42
BV Northwest 58, St. Thomas Aquinas 54
Central Heights 65, Iola 50
Cheney 58, Chaparral 49
Council Grove 46, Clay Center 43
Derby 74, Wichita Campus 50
DeSoto 50, Spring Hill 46
El Dorado 52, Mulvane 39
Eudora 77, Louisburg 34
Eureka 74, Neodesha 55
Flint Hills Christian 59, St. John’s Military 41
Fort Scott 63, Parsons 40
Frankfort 54, BV Randolph 29
Fredonia 64, Cherryvale 44
Frontenac 77, Baxter Springs 47
Garden City 60, Guymon, Okla. 51
Garden Plain 51, Conway Springs 44
Gardner-Edgerton 58, Blue Valley Southwest 56
Girard 57, Southeast 34
Goddard-Eisenhower 76, Arkansas City 43
Goessel 49, Elyria Christian 33
Hays-TMP-Marian 44, Norton 30
Hesston 64, Smoky Valley 26
Hill City 54, Smith Center 22
Holcomb 81, Colby 40
Holton 66, Atchison County 20
Hoxie 58, St. Francis 57
Hutchinson Trinity 68, Remington 58
Independence 46, Labette County 43
Jackson Heights 56, Maur Hill – Mount Academy 50
Jefferson North 44, Horton 33
Kapaun Mount Carmel 62, Wichita North 33
KC Piper 73, Tonganoxie 60
KC Washington 62, KC Harmon 38
Kingman 54, Hoisington 42
LaCrosse 51, Ness City 45
Lakin 82, Cimarron 52
Lansing 66, KC Turner 59
Larned 55, Halstead 33
Lawrence 54, SM South 50
Lawrence Free State 62, SM Northwest 50
Lyons 46, Haven 27
Maize 73, Hutchinson 42
Manhattan 55, Topeka West 48
McPherson 66, Dodge City 52
Meade 57, Ashland 39
Medicine Lodge 48, Belle Plaine 39
Mill Valley 57, KC Bishop Ward 35
Minneapolis 53, Salina Sacred Heart 48
Mission Valley 56, Herington 26
Northeast-Arma 66, Jayhawk Linn 59
Olathe North 51, SM East 43
Olathe Northwest 63, SM West 56
Olathe South 51, Leavenworth 26
Oswego 50, St. Paul 38
Ottawa 63, Bishop Seabury Academy 24
Oxford 47, Flinthills 44
Paola 76, Baldwin 49
Pittsburg Colgan 55, Columbus 28
Prairie View 57, Santa Fe Trail 55
Pratt 46, Hillsboro 37
Riverton 61, Galena 60, OT
Rock Creek 48, Riley County 22
Rockhurst, Mo. 64, St. James Academy 62
Rossville 55, Wabaunsee 44
Royal Valley 32, Hiawatha 27
Sabetha 64, Jefferson West 46
Salina Central 56, Newton 44
Salina South 53, Valley Center 46
Satanta 55, Kiowa County 43
Scott City 75, Hugoton 57
Shawnee Heights 65, Emporia 46
SM North 63, Olathe East 61
South Gray 73, Pawnee Heights 30
Southeast Saline 65, Chapman 50
Spearville 64, Kinsley 40
St. John 52, Central Plains 33
Sterling 78, Nickerson 56
Troy 58, Valley Heights 50
Valley Falls 58, Oskaloosa 31
Victoria 71, Macksville 29
Wellsville 62, Osawatomie 54
West Elk 58, Yates Center 39
Wichita Collegiate 66, Buhler 62, OT
Wichita East 64, Wichita Bishop Carroll 44
Wichita Heights 68, Wichita Northwest 36
Wichita Home School 64, Veritas Christian 39
Wichita Trinity 54, Douglass 33
Western Kansas Liberty League Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Western Plains 49, Cheylin 41
Semifinal
Logan 49, Northern Valley 36
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Abilene 59, Marysville 31
Andale 67, Rose Hill 34
Andover Central 47, Andover 45
Argonia 61, Cedar Vale/Dexter 47
Attica 58, Fairfield 45
Beloit 63, Ellsworth 34
Bennington 49, Marion 44
Berean Academy 49, Ell-Saline 35
Bishop Miege 67, BV West 33
Blue Valley Southwest 76, Gardner-Edgerton 65
Buhler 61, Wichita Collegiate 46
Burrton 38, Pratt Skyline 34
BV North 54, Blue Valley Stillwell 52
BV Randolph 59, Frankfort 56
Caney Valley 60, Humboldt 20
Central Plains 49, St. John 24
Centre 55, Little River 28
Chapman 45, Southeast Saline 43
Chase County 64, Hartford 31
Cherryvale 51, Fredonia 35
Chetopa 58, Crest 41
Christ Preparatory Academy 47, Independence Home School 42
Cimarron 50, Lakin 44
Clay Center 47, Council Grove 34
Derby 61, Wichita Campus 43
DeSoto 59, Spring Hill Charter 28
DeSoto 59, Spring Hill 28
Dighton 50, Ingalls 37
Douglass 48, Wichita Trinity 46
El Dorado 41, Mulvane 35
Elkhart 39, Syracuse 37
Flinthills 33, Oxford 28
Fort Scott 40, Parsons 36
Frontenac 54, Baxter Springs 25
Galena 58, Riverton 24
Garden Plain 34, Conway Springs 33
Girard 47, Southeast 19
Glasco/Miltonvale-Southern Cloud 45, Chase 38
Goddard 51, Maize South 26
Goddard-Eisenhower 67, Arkansas City 60
Goessel 33, Elyria Christian 24
Halstead 42, Larned 34
Hanover 38, Wetmore 36, OT
Hays-TMP-Marian 63, Norton 38
Hesston 58, Smoky Valley 33
Hiawatha 34, Royal Valley 21
Hill City 54, Smith Center 36
Hoisington 41, Kingman 35
Holcomb 60, Colby 47
Holton 42, Atchison County 23
Hoxie 78, St. Francis 13
Hugoton 65, Scott City 29
Independence 58, Labette County 57
Jefferson North 55, Horton 39
Jefferson West 60, Sabetha 36
Johnson-Stanton County 54, Southwestern Hts. 46
KC Piper 65, Tonganoxie 30
KC Washington 57, KC Harmon 26
LaCrosse 47, Ness City 40
Lakeside 56, Rock Hills 44
Lansing 72, KC Turner 17
Leavenworth 47, Olathe South 34
Linn 40, Doniphan West 23
Louisburg 57, Eudora 40
Lutheran (Kansas City), Mo. 54, Maranatha Academy 46
Lyons 46, Haven 27
Maize 48, Hutchinson 33
Manhattan 56, Topeka West 31
Marais des Cygnes Valley 57, Cornerstone Alt. Charter 49
Maur Hill – Mount Academy 43, Jackson Heights 36
McPherson 58, Dodge City 50
Meade 80, Ashland 29
Medicine Lodge 39, Belle Plaine 24
Mill Valley 65, KC Bishop Ward 23
Minneapolis 57, Salina Sacred Heart 23
Mission Valley 41, Herington 32
Natoma 54, Osborne 50, OT
Northeast-Arma 44, Jayhawk Linn 35
Northern Heights 51, Madison 40
Olathe East 65, SM North 16
Olathe North 44, SM East 31
Ottawa 47, Bishop Seabury Academy 15
Paola 54, Baldwin 52
Perry-Lecompton 54, Riverside 18
Pittsburg 39, Coffeyville 14
Pittsburg Colgan 37, Columbus 29
Pleasanton 50, Altoona-Midway 11
Prairie View 46, Santa Fe Trail 32
Pratt 53, Hillsboro 44
Pretty Prairie 40, Hutchinson Central Christian 38
Rural Vista 41, Solomon 29
Salina Central 43, Newton 33
Salina South 42, Valley Center 34
Shawnee Heights 50, Emporia 48
SM Northwest 63, Lawrence Free State 38
SM South 57, Lawrence 44
SM West 66, Olathe Northwest 58
South Central 64, Fowler 17
South Gray 58, Pawnee Heights 13
South Haven 54, Sedan 37
Spearville 51, Kinsley 47
St. Paul 54, Oswego 27
Sterling 72, Nickerson 14
Stockton 56, Ellis 49
Topeka 68, Junction City 59
Topeka Hayden 69, Highland Park 38
Trego 61, Otis-Bison 50
Valley Falls 52, Oskaloosa 26
Valley Heights 53, Troy 39
Wabaunsee 42, Rossville 24
Wakefield 43, Peabody-Burns 25
Wamego 53, Osage City 33
Washburn Rural 64, Topeka Seaman 41
Washington County 47, Centralia 45
Waverly 54, Southern Coffey 27
Wellington 47, Augusta 30
Wellsville 67, Osawatomie 22
Wichita Bishop Carroll 55, Wichita East 25
Wichita Heights 63, Wichita Northwest 31
Wichita Home School 65, Veritas Christian 58
Wichita Independent 48, Bluestem 21
Wichita Southeast 68, Wichita West 43
Washington County Tournament
Barstow, Mo. 58, Heritage Christian 29
Western Kansas Liberty League Tournament
Semifinal
Golden Plains 38, Logan 36
Wheatland-Grinnell 51, Triplains-Brewster 43

Kansas State University Football Coach Bill Snyder has been awarded the 2015 Excellence in Mentoring Award by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership in recognition of his longstanding commitment to meeting the mentoring needs of young people in Kansas.

Snyder was presented the award in Washington D.C. last week.

“If you are involved with coaching, you are involved with mentoring. And that mentoring happens both on and off the football field,” said Snyder.  “I still have mentors. Probably the most significant thing that anyone can do in our lives is surround ourselves with people who care, and people who want to make our lives better. And young people don’t always know how to reach out and find those people. That is why the role of a mentoring program is so important.”

Snyder, along with Coach Tom Osborne of the University of Nebraska, developed the Coaches’ Challenge, a recruitment campaign which has recruited tens of thousands of adults to mentor and this year, has first-time participation from the entire Big 12 Conference.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Pitcher Danny Duffy has agreed to a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals worth $2,425,000, avoiding a salary arbitration heading.

The 26-year-old left-hander was 9-12 with a 2.53 ERA in 25 starts and six relief appearances last year for the AL champions and held opponents to a .209 average. He won the AL Division Series opener against the Los Angeles Angels, when he pitched a scoreless 10th inning.

Duffy can earn $25,000 in performance bonuses under Friday’s agreement: $10,000 for 20 starts and $15,000 more for 25. He would get a $50,000 bonus if he’s an All-Star.

Duffy made $526,000 last year and was eligible for arbitration for the first time. He had asked for $3 million when proposed arbitration figures were exchanged last month, and the Royals had offered $1.75 million.

Kansas City has three players remaining in arbitration: relievers Greg Holland and Kelvin Herrera, and first baseman Eric Hosmer.

The Friday night boys and girls high school basketball schedule finds:

–Junction City hosting Topeka High ( winter homecoming night at JCHS ).

–Manhattan hosting Topeka West

–Emporia visiting Shawnee Heights

–Chapman hosting Southeast of Saline

–Abilene at Marysville

–Wamego at Osage City

–Rural Vista goes to Solomon

–Blue Valley – Randolph at Frankfort

–Riley County at Rock Creek

–Herington visits Mission Valley

–Council Grove hosts Clay Center

–Seaman hosts Washburn Rural

–and Hayden at Highland Park

 

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas City, here come the Wildcats!

 

With construction of the new Vanier Football Complex presenting logistical and safety issues for both the K-State football team and fans to hold the annual spring football game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Athletics Director John Currie announced today that the 2015 Purple/White Spring Game and surrounding activities will be held Saturday, April 25, in Kansas City’s Sporting Park, the award-winning facility and home of Sporting Kansas City.

 

Currie said Sporting Park was the most reasonable and creative solution for K-State to play its spring game while construction continues at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and will allow the Wildcats, fans and the entire University community a unique opportunity to enjoy one of the most state-of-the-art sporting facilities in the country in addition to a day full of festive entertainment and activities.  In addition to the game, the day will be filled with numerous activities for fans and families of all ages including pre-game hospitality opportunities, interactive games for children and appearances from Willie Wildcat, K-State cheerleaders and also the Pride of Wildcat Land Marching Band.

 

“Kansas City is a crucial part to President Schulz’s K-State 2025 vision of advancing the university into the ranks of the nation’s Top 50 public research universities, and when we first discussed the potential of moving our spring game away from Bill Snyder Family Stadium due to safety concerns, the first place that came to mind was Kansas City and Sporting Park,”Currie said. “It will present a great opportunity for us to bring Kansas State University to the KC area, and we look forward to having a packed house on April 25 and have our fans Paint Kansas City Purple.”

 

In order to move the contest to an outside venue and be permitted to host prospective student-athletes, the department received a one-time waiver from the NCAA due to the ongoing construction at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and safety concerns.

 

The game will kick off at 3 p.m. on April 25.

 

“We are excited about the opportunity to host a spring reunion of the Wildcat family in the greater Kansas City metro region,” said K-State President Kirk Schulz.  “We’ll be rolling out the purple welcome mat for our many alumni, fans and friends.  This is a great chance to showcase the university in one of the most dynamic and exciting districts in the region.”​​

Tickets for the game, which go on sale to Ahearn Fund members February 23 and to the general public on March 2, range from $5-$175 with multiple seating locations and options available. Seats in the South Stand and Member’s Stand can be purchased for $10 ($5 for K-State students or groups of 20 or more), while East and West Stand options are available for $15 and $25 each, as well as a 4-pack ticket option for just $50.  Shield Club tickets are $50 each and provide access to the connecting lounge with a la carte premium food and beverage options, while Field Club seats range from $150-$175 and provide pre-game club access including complimentary food and beverage service throughout the game. Details regarding pre-game hospitality options for Ahearn Fund members will be emailed in the coming weeks.

 

Other suite availability and access to the Boulevard Club is available for Ahearn Fund Members, who are asked to contact the Ahearn Fund at 888.232.9074 by February 23 to receive more details and be placed on the suite waiting list.

 

Approximately 6,000 complimentary parking spaces are available and are located at several lots in The KC Legends area, including Kansas Speedway and CommunityAmerica Ballpark.  Lots will open at 12 p.m., and tailgating is permitted with the exception of the Nebraska Furniture Mart and Cabela’s (Lot D) lots.

 

“It will be a great experience for our team to go play in a first-class venue like Sporting Park,” said offensive lineman Cody Whitehair. “We have the best fans in the country, and I know I speak for the entire team when I say we are looking forward to a stadium packed full of purple on April 25.”​​

K-State Athletics and the Ahearn Fund also announced that the 31^st Annual Powercat Auction will be held on the traditional night before the spring game, Friday, April 24, with the location remaining inside Bramlage Coliseum on the K-State campus.  Invitations will be sent to Ahearn Fund members in the coming weeks and will include an option to purchase round-trip tickets on charter buses to Sporting Park for the spring football game and surrounding events the following day.

 

For complete ticket information on the spring game, visit www.k-statesports.com or call 800.221.CATS. The festival atmosphere in Kansas City surrounding the spring game will include numerous department and university-wide activities for families and fans of all ages. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Kenny Lannou, Assistant A.D. for Communications

 

LUBBOCK, Texas – Down its leading scorer and a top reserve, Kansas State could not rally from another first-half deficit, as the Wildcats dropped a 64-47 decision at Texas Tech on Wednesday night before 7,429 fans at United Supermarket Arena.

After cutting the deficit to 45-44 with 7:50 to play, the Wildcats (12-11, 5-5 Big 12) had three opportunities to take the lead before the Red Raiders (12-11, 2-8 Big 12) used a 15-0 run down the stretch to seal the victory.

K-State, which has lost four of its last five games and three straight, was led by senior Thomas Gipson’s 13 points.

The loss snapped a 10-game winning streak in the series, as the Red Raiders earned their first win over the Wildcats since an 84-75 win in Lubbock on Feb. 13, 2008.

Texas Tech enjoyed a balanced scoring effort with juniorDevaugntah Williams pacing three players in double figures with a game-high 22 points. The Red Raiders shot better than 50 percent in each half and finished the game 22-of-41 (53.7 percent) from the field.

Prior to tonight’s game, K-State announced the suspensions of sophomore Marcus Fosterand freshman Malek Harris. Foster is the team’s leading scorer at 14.0 points per game, while Harris has appeared in 20 games.

 

LUBBOCK, Texas – Down its leading scorer and a top reserve, Kansas State could not rally from another first-half deficit, as the Wildcats dropped a 64-47 decision at Texas Tech on Wednesday night before 7,429 fans at United Supermarket Arena.

After cutting the deficit to 45-44 with 7:50 to play, the Wildcats (12-11, 5-5 Big 12) had three opportunities to take the lead before the Red Raiders (12-11, 2-8 Big 12) used a 15-0 run down the stretch to seal the victory.

 

K-State, which has lost four of its last five games and three straight, was led by senior Thomas Gipson’s 13 points.

 

The loss snapped a 10-game winning streak in the series, as the Red Raiders earned their first win over the Wildcats since an 84-75 win in Lubbock on Feb. 13, 2008.

 

Texas Tech enjoyed a balanced scoring effort with junior Devaugntah Williams pacing three players in double figures with a game-high 22 points. The Red Raiders shot better than 50 percent in each half and finished the game 22-of-41 (53.7 percent) from the field.

 

Prior to tonight’s game, K-State announced the suspensions of sophomore Marcus Foster and freshman Malek Harris. Foster is the team’s leading scorer at 14.0 points per game, while Harris has appeared in 20 games.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder released the Wildcats’ 2015 recruiting class Wednesday with the announcement of 24 student-athletes who plan on joining or have already joined the K-State football program.

The 2015 signing class is made up of 23 players from the high school ranks, as well as one community-college player. Of the group, five are currently enrolled at K-State and will participate in April’s spring practices, which culminate with the Purple/White Spring Game on April 25.

“As we all know by now, it will be two or three years before we can accurately assess the quality of this or any recruiting class. Hopefully we have assessed the skills and intrinsic values of this year’s class accurately, but time will tell. Including greyshirts from last year’s class, we have three of these student-athletes presently in classes and participating in our out-of-season workouts. Each of them have demonstrated a commitment to becoming the best person, student and athlete possible.

“As always, we greatly appreciate the high school and community college coaches, faculty members and administrators through the state of Kansas and across the nation who have received our coaches and program so very graciously. I am especially proud of and thankful for the Kansas State faculty, dean of students, director of finance, athletics support staff, athletics director and president for their assistance in conveying to these young men the great support services, education and caring relationships provided by our University.”

This year’s class boasts 12 players on defense, 11 offensive players and one listed as an athlete. The class is made up of five apiece on the offensive and defensive lines, four linebackers, three defensive backs, three wide receivers, two running backs and a quarterback.

As is the case in years past, the Wildcat coaching staff scoured the nation for talent as Kansas State’s class of 2015 is represented by nine different states, while securing the boarders and keeping a majority of the top Kansas prospect in state. Eight of the 24 in this year’s signing class hail from the state of Kansas, while five come from Georgia, three are from Texas and two apiece are from Missouri and Oklahoma.

Defensive end Aulelio Olomua (ah-LAY-lee-oh oh-low-MOO-ah) from Mesa Community College is the lone community-college transfer in the class. It is the fewest in one class since K-State also signed only one in 1992 (Percell Gaskins).

In addition to the 24 players in the 2015 class, K-State awarded scholarships to eight former walk-ons over the course of the last six months. Punter Nick Walsh went on aid in January, while defensive lineman Will Geary will be on aid beginning in the fall. In September, long snapper Dalton Converse, quarterback Joe Hubener, place kicker Ian Patterson, defensive back Dylan Schellenberg, linebacker David Smith and wide receiver Stanton Weber were put on scholarship.

 

K-State Signing Day Press Conference

February 4, 2015

Head Coach Bill Snyder
On the quantity and quality of this year’s class…
“I do not know if it is one single thing. I think where I would start would be the character. That may not come off right. Someone may say they are bigger, stronger, faster or more athletic, or whatever the case may be. That seemingly is a part of the class. I think in this day in age because recruiting is upside down, you have heard me say before, you do not get to know them for very long because defining character in your value system is very important to us. Seemingly, it is a group of young guys who seem to have a great amount of athletic ability, but I think, first and foremost, it is a group that is collectively of strong and high valued group of young guys. There is a toughness aspect there that you always look for – that is part of the value system. I think we have some hard-working and tough guys. I think that, on the perimeter, there is a good degree of athleticism. In some areas you would like to be quicker in some aspects, but collectively, athletic ability stands out in that regard.

 

On Alex Delton graduating from high school early and enrolling at K-State in January…

“I think that it is major. I think when a young guy makes that decision that it tells you here is a guy that wants to do this. He really does. He is a hard worker. I like his demeanor. He tries to invest himself. He wants to find out anything and everything that he possibly can. He is the kind of guy that we like. He is a youngster of good character. I think he has done well in the out-of-season workouts up until this time. When you think about it, it puts him way ahead of other guys that play the same position as him. That would be true for anybody that would come at mid-term. I think we have five guys that came to campus at the semester – some from last year’s count and some from this coming year. They have come in and gotten on board quickly. It is a great value I think.”

 

On signing eight Kansas guys…

“I think that it is probably an average year. When I say average year in the state of Kansas, there are usually 10 to 12 guys that will go on and sign with Division I schools. I do not know what the total number was that came out this year with Division I schools, but I would suggest that it is about that.”

 

On signing defensive tackle, Bryce English …

“I like Bryce (English). Again, I like him because of his character. His father played for us at North Texas. We always talk about those guys who are hardworking and how much effort they put in, and it is so apparent when you watch video tape that Bryce is a very explosive man. You never know when you watch high school tape of who is on the other side of the ball and how good or not so good a player there might be. You have to research the guys are playing against. When you watch him on tape, he is a physical player. He plays so hard – sideline to sideline. He is a 300-pound guy. I had not seen him until he came on his visit here. When I saw him, I was really impressed with his size. He is just a physical player who plays hard. I really like that. Knowing his father, I know how he has been raised and, obviously, he is a youngster of good character.”

 

On Elijah Sullivan’s recruiting circumstances…

“It was just one of those last moment things. Again, we had been in touch with him, but we have a little different policy than some others. If you make that commitment, we are going to honor that, which he did. He was aware that we initially had an interest, so when he balked at what he initially was going to do, he told his coach and his coach contacted us and see if we were interested or not. We then went from there and spent time with him and his family and then it turned out.”

 

On finding guys like Trey Dishon…

“We do not have a staff meeting where I don’t say, ‘Do not leave a stone unturned in the state of Kansas because they are there. Do not ever tell me that they are not there. I know they are. If you just look, you will find them.’ It is a little harder, like you said. There is so much out there on the internet, so electronically you can find anything and everything that you want. Even with all of that, you still do not get to all of them. A school will go anywhere to find and recruit a youngster, but not everyone is willing to go into the depths of Kansas – they probably could not find where they are going anyway – but not a lot of people will want to do that. It has always been our approach to make sure we find those individuals.

 

There are guys that if you go down to the state of Texas, it is year-round football. They play all the time, and they get better and better. Consequently, you have some very talented young people. You get into small schools in Kansas, and other states as well, a youngster is playing football, playing basketball, running track and maybe playing baseball along with it. He is doing all those things. About the time he is getting it in one sport, he is moving onto the other. I think that is great. I would tell my son to do that too. Consequently, they are not always developed. There is a difference in their development with the youngster here in the state of Kansas. It is not a matter of coaching. The coaching in Kansas is just as good as it is anywhere. It is just the fact that they do so many different things. I like that – it tells me a little bit more about their athletic ability and his ability to be competitive. You have 25 basketball games, 10 football games and 10 track meets; you are competitive over a long period of time. That brings out in young people too, I think.”

Contact: Ryan Lackey, Asst. Director/Communications

---

 

TOPEKA -Due to a potential conflict with a potential to host an NCAA II regional tournament, the Kansas State High School Activities Association has announced that next month’s 1A-Division II state basketball tournament is being moved from Hays to Dodge City. The tournament will now be played at United Wireless Arena due a possible conflict at Gross Coliseum should the Fort Hays State women’s team receive a bid to host the NCAA II Central Regional.

In the past, KSHSAA has altered the start times of the state tournament to accommodate the potential hosting of a men’s NCAA regional. However the women’s tournament starts on Friday, March 13 and run through Monday, March 16 creating conflicts with the semifinal round as well as the consolation and championship games.

“We had looked at the possibility of playing the last two days of the high school tournament at Hays High” said FHSU athletic director Curtis Hammeke. “The solution is to have that tournament move to Dodge City right now and they will be able to maintain their format and it also will allow us theopportinty to suppert out women’s success.”

KSHSAA News Release
TOPEKA, Kan. – As postseason basketball approaches, the KSHSAA and Fort Hays State University have mutually agreed to relocate this year’s Class 1A Division II state basketball tournament from FHSU to the United Wireless Arena in Dodge City. The state tournament dates remain as scheduled March 11 – 14, 2015.

The Fort Hays State University women’s basketball team has positioned itself to potentially host an NCAA regional tournament March 13, 14 and 16, which would significantly conflict with the state high school tournament. By mutual agreement of FHSU and the KSHSAA, the state tournament will be hosted in Dodge City by the United Wireless Arena and the Dodge City Sports Commission.

“Whether or not Fort Hays State succeeds in winning the right to host an NCAA regional, the state tournament will remain in Dodge City this year,” said KSHSAA Executive Director, Gary Musselman. “The logistics and lead time in staging a successful state tournament necessitate a decision which is in the best interest of Fort Hays State University and the member schools of the KSHSAA, be made now. Better to relocate our tournament than move to a secondary site gym for the semi-finals and finals of our state tournament on Friday and Saturday,” said Musselman.

The Dodge City Sports Commission will be working to provide a positive experience for all participants. The 3,600 seat capacity United Wireless Arena is home to the Dodge City Law arena football team and recently hosted the 72nd annual Dodge City Tournament of Champions featuring high school basketball teams from across the state. United Wireless Arena also hosts the SPAA-Iroquois league basketball tournament.

The schedule will be as follows:

Wednesday, March 11, 2015 Girls Quarterfinal games at 3:00 pm, 4:45 pm, 6:30 pm, & 8:15 pm

Thursday, March 12, 2015 Boys Quarterfinal games at 3:00 pm, 4:45 pm, 6:30 pm, 8:15 pm

Friday, March 13, 2015 Semifinal games
Girls at 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm
Boys at 4:45 pm and 8:15 pm

Saturday, March 14, 2015 Consolation and State Championship games
12:00 p.m. – 3rd Place Girls Game
2:00 p.m. – 3rd Place Boys Game
4:00 p.m. – Girls Championship Game
6:15 p.m. – Boys Championship Game