North Platte defeated Broomfield 51-25

North Platte defeated Kelly Walsh 68-6

Natrona County defeated North Platte 36-29

North Platte defeated Rapid City Central 39-30

North Platte defeated Renegade 66-18 <ul>
 <li>220&nbsp;-&nbsp;Peyton Dimmitt (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Alex Wells (Renegade)&nbsp;Fall 2:53</li><li>285&nbsp;-&nbsp;Dominik Decent (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Cody Lindsey (Renegade)&nbsp;Fall 2:41</li><li>Exhibition&nbsp;-&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;vs&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)</li><li>106&nbsp;-&nbsp;Pierce Hurd (Renegade)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Brody Pitner (North Platte)&nbsp;Fall 2:47</li><li>113&nbsp;-&nbsp;Tyler Haneborg (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Adrian Good Iron (Renegade)&nbsp;Fall 1:04</li><li>120&nbsp;-&nbsp;Connor Salazar (Renegade)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li>126&nbsp;-&nbsp;Hunter McReynolds (Douglas)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Cayden Hilding (North Platte)&nbsp;Fall 5:15</li><li>132&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kirk Wilson (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Nolan Smith (Renegade)&nbsp;Fall 2:51</li><li>138&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jace Kennel (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Jayce Joss (Renegade)&nbsp;Fall 0:58</li><li>145&nbsp;-&nbsp;Haedyn Brauer (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Andrew Gifford (Renegade)&nbsp;Fall 4:29</li><li>152&nbsp;-&nbsp;Ryan Fox (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Joseph Sammeli (Renegade)&nbsp;Fall 2:27</li><li>160&nbsp;-&nbsp;Drue Huntsman (Renegade)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li>170&nbsp;-&nbsp;Brock Roblee (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Dylan Ulmer (Renegade)&nbsp;Fall 1:25</li><li>182&nbsp;-&nbsp;Will Rathjen (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li>195&nbsp;-&nbsp;Xavier Albertson (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li>
 </ul><h2>Match #2 Round 2</h2>North Platte defeated Central 45-24 <ul>
 <li>285&nbsp;-&nbsp;Keagan Bartlett (Central)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Dominik Decent (North Platte)&nbsp;Fall 1:45</li><li>Exhibition&nbsp;-&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;vs&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)</li><li>106&nbsp;-&nbsp;Brody Pitner (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Sam Smith (Central)&nbsp;Fall 0:37</li><li>113&nbsp;-&nbsp;Tyler Haneborg (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Isael Beal (Central)&nbsp;Fall 0:52</li><li>120&nbsp;-&nbsp;Wyatt Weiss (Central)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li>126&nbsp;-&nbsp;Andrew Gonzales (Central)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Cayden Hilding (North Platte)&nbsp;Maj 8-0</li><li>132&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kirk Wilson (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Tripp Vigil (Central)&nbsp;Fall 5:53</li><li>138&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jace Kennel (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Ryan Gonzales (Central)&nbsp;Dec 9-7</li><li>145&nbsp;-&nbsp;Haedyn Brauer (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Aiden Herget (Central)&nbsp;Fall 4:47</li><li>152&nbsp;-&nbsp;Ryan Fox (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Michael Rodriguez (Central)&nbsp;Fall 1:05</li><li>160&nbsp;-&nbsp;Drue Huntsman (Renegade)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Porter West (Central)&nbsp;Dec 8-7</li><li>170&nbsp;-&nbsp;Brock Roblee (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Draven Young (Central)&nbsp;Dec 7-0</li><li>182&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jack Ring (Central)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Will Rathjen (North Platte)&nbsp;TF 21-6</li><li>195&nbsp;-&nbsp;Xavier Albertson (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Jack Miller (Central)&nbsp;Fall 3:45</li><li>220&nbsp;-&nbsp;Thomas Berta (Central)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Peyton Dimmitt (North Platte)&nbsp;SV-1 7-4</li>
 </ul><h2>Match #3 Round 3</h2>North Platte defeated Broomfield 51-25 <ul>
 <li>106&nbsp;-&nbsp;Brody Pitner (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Ethan Brown (Broomfield)&nbsp;Dec 8-2</li><li>113&nbsp;-&nbsp;Nicholas Penfold (Broomfield)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Tyler Haneborg (North Platte)&nbsp;Fall 2:14</li><li>120&nbsp;-&nbsp;Cody Tanner (Broomfield)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li>126&nbsp;-&nbsp;Mason Smiley (Broomfield)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Cayden Hilding (North Platte)&nbsp;Maj 11-2</li><li>132&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kirk Wilson (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Keegan Pottorff (Broomfield)&nbsp;Fall 4:00</li><li>138&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jace Kennel (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Jack Goodwin (Broomfield)&nbsp;Fall 0:51</li><li>145&nbsp;-&nbsp;Manny Lopez (Broomfield)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Haedyn Brauer (North Platte)&nbsp;Dec 8-5</li><li>152&nbsp;-&nbsp;Ryan Fox (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;William Abrams (Broomfield)&nbsp;Fall 0:39</li><li>160&nbsp;-&nbsp;Drue Huntsman (Renegade)&nbsp;over&nbsp;William Abrams (Broomfield)&nbsp;Fall 3:29</li><li>170&nbsp;-&nbsp;Brock Roblee (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Jaxon Barnes (Broomfield)&nbsp;Fall 0:44</li><li>182&nbsp;-&nbsp;Will Rathjen (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li>195&nbsp;-&nbsp;Xavier Albertson (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Joey Lipshaw (Broomfield)&nbsp;Fall 1:04</li><li>220&nbsp;-&nbsp;Conner Tanner (Broomfield)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Peyton Dimmitt (North Platte)&nbsp;Fall 4:26</li><li>285&nbsp;-&nbsp;Dominik Decent (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Angel Patino (Broomfield)&nbsp;Fall 0:23</li><li>Exhibition&nbsp;-&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;vs&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)</li>
 </ul><h2>Match #4 Round 4</h2>North Platte defeated Kelly Walsh 68-6 <ul>
 <li>138&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jace Kennel (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Jaxon Martinez (Kelly Walsh)&nbsp;Maj 15-2</li><li>145&nbsp;-&nbsp;Haedyn Brauer (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;JACK WILSON (Kelly Walsh)&nbsp;Fall 5:12</li><li>152&nbsp;-&nbsp;Ryan Fox (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;William Alt (Kelly Walsh)&nbsp;Fall 0:28</li><li>160&nbsp;-&nbsp;Lathen Huntsman (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Gabe LeDoux (Kelly Walsh)&nbsp;Fall 2:43</li><li>170&nbsp;-&nbsp;Brock Roblee (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li>182&nbsp;-&nbsp;Andrew Bessey (Kelly Walsh)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Will Rathjen (North Platte)&nbsp;Dec 11-4</li><li>195&nbsp;-&nbsp;Xavier Albertson (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Mekhi Bovee (Kelly Walsh)&nbsp;TF 21-3</li><li>220&nbsp;-&nbsp;Peyton Dimmitt (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Dillhan Tiedman (Kelly Walsh)&nbsp;Fall 2:36</li><li>285&nbsp;-&nbsp;Dominik Decent (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Mason Walker (Kelly Walsh)&nbsp;Fall 4:35</li><li>Exhibition&nbsp;-&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;vs&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)</li><li>106&nbsp;-&nbsp;Brody Pitner (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Deakin Dornbier (Kelly Walsh)&nbsp;TF 16-1</li><li>113&nbsp;-&nbsp;Tyler Haneborg (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Steven Henman (Kelly Walsh)&nbsp;Fall 0:48</li><li>120&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kole Weigel (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Griffen Sanborn (Kelly Walsh)&nbsp;Fall 0:22</li><li>126&nbsp;-&nbsp;Cayden Hilding (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li>132&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jerred Smith (Kelly Walsh)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Kirk Wilson (North Platte)&nbsp;Dec 9-7</li>
 </ul><h2>Match #5 Round 5</h2>North Platte defeated Douglas 60-13 <ul>
 <li>145&nbsp;-&nbsp;Haedyn Brauer (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Kash Lenzen (Douglas)&nbsp;Fall 0:50</li><li>152&nbsp;-&nbsp;Ryan Fox (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Christian Johnson (Douglas)&nbsp;Fall 0:37</li><li>160&nbsp;-&nbsp;Lane Ewing (Douglas)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Lathen Huntsman (North Platte)&nbsp;Fall 2:51</li><li>170&nbsp;-&nbsp;Brock Roblee (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li>182&nbsp;-&nbsp;Will Rathjen (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Gabe Lopez (Douglas)&nbsp;Fall 0:51</li><li>195&nbsp;-&nbsp;Xavier Albertson (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;TK Stinson (Douglas)&nbsp;Dec 10-5</li><li>220&nbsp;-&nbsp;Carter Archuleta (Douglas)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Peyton Dimmitt (North Platte)&nbsp;Maj 12-4</li><li>285&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kenai Bergquist (Douglas)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Dominik Decent (North Platte)&nbsp;Dec 7-0</li><li>Exhibition&nbsp;-&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;vs&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)</li><li>106&nbsp;-&nbsp;Brody Pitner (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Andrew Shrader (Douglas)&nbsp;TF 19-3</li><li>113&nbsp;-&nbsp;Tyler Haneborg (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Octaveas McGahan (Douglas)&nbsp;Fall 3:07</li><li>120&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kole Weigel (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li>126&nbsp;-&nbsp;Cayden Hilding (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Caeden Robertson (Douglas)&nbsp;Maj 16-5</li><li>132&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kirk Wilson (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Nolan Smith (Renegade)&nbsp;Fall 3:57</li><li>138&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jace Kennel (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Tanner Johnson (Douglas)&nbsp;Fall 5:07</li>
 </ul><h2>Match #6 Round 6</h2>Natrona County defeated North Platte 36-29 <ul>
 <li>152&nbsp;-&nbsp;Ryan Fox (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Beau Russell (Natrona County)&nbsp;Fall 1:51</li><li>160&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jayce Berry (Natrona County)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Lathen Huntsman (North Platte)&nbsp;Fall 1:19</li><li>170&nbsp;-&nbsp;Tucker Sides (Natrona County)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Brock Roblee (North Platte)&nbsp;Dec 5-1</li><li>182&nbsp;-&nbsp;Will Rathjen (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Daniel Yates (Natrona County)&nbsp;Fall 3:18</li><li>195&nbsp;-&nbsp;Noah Sides (Natrona County)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Xavier Albertson (North Platte)&nbsp;Fall 1:07</li><li>220&nbsp;-&nbsp;Josef Sanchez (Natrona County)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Peyton Dimmitt (North Platte)&nbsp;Dec 2-1</li><li>285&nbsp;-&nbsp;Spencer Hansen (Natrona County)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Dominik Decent (North Platte)&nbsp;Fall 3:20</li><li>Exhibition&nbsp;-&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;vs&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)</li><li>106&nbsp;-&nbsp;Tristen Tromble (Natrona County)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Brody Pitner (North Platte)&nbsp;Dec 11-7</li><li>113&nbsp;-&nbsp;Tyler Haneborg (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li>120&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kole Weigel (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Jay Trujillo (Natrona County)&nbsp;Fall 1:34</li><li>126&nbsp;-&nbsp;Wyatt Horner (Natrona County)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Cayden Hilding (North Platte)&nbsp;Fall 2:38</li><li>132&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kirk Wilson (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Jameson Siemens (Natrona County)&nbsp;Dec 6-1</li><li>138&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jace Kennel (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Kaden Thornsberry (Natrona County)&nbsp;Dec 8-7</li><li>145&nbsp;-&nbsp;Austin Blajszczak (Natrona County)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Haedyn Brauer (North Platte)&nbsp;SV-1 7-5</li><li>North Platte's team score was adjusted by -1.0 for Unsportsmanlike conduct on wrestler 195 - Xavier Albertson</li>
 </ul><h2>Match #7 Round 7</h2>North Platte defeated Rapid City Central 39-30 <ul>
 <li>160&nbsp;-&nbsp;Zack Soderlin (Rapid City Central)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Lathen Huntsman (North Platte)&nbsp;Fall 4:31</li><li>170&nbsp;-&nbsp;Brock Roblee (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Ian Hook (Rapid City Central)&nbsp;Fall 4:48</li><li>182&nbsp;-&nbsp;Brody Knapp (Rapid City Central)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Will Rathjen (North Platte)&nbsp;Dec 9-2</li><li>195&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jaxon Morrison (Rapid City Central)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Unknown (Unattached)&nbsp;Forf</li><li>220&nbsp;-&nbsp;Peyton Dimmitt (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Gabe Reeve (Rapid City Central)&nbsp;Fall 2:28</li><li>285&nbsp;-&nbsp;Dominik Decent (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Kane Wirkus (Rapid City Central)&nbsp;Dec 5-0</li><li>Exhibition&nbsp;- Double Forfeit</li><li>106&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jagar McCarthy (Rapid City Central)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Brody Pitner (North Platte)&nbsp;Fall 3:30</li><li>113&nbsp;-&nbsp;Ryan Tschetter (Rapid City Central)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Tyler Haneborg (North Platte)&nbsp;Dec 7-4</li><li>120&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kole Weigel (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Riley Schmidt (Rapid City Central)&nbsp;Fall 0:57</li><li>126&nbsp;-&nbsp;Logan Brown (Rapid City Central)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Cayden Hilding (North Platte)&nbsp;Fall 3:13</li><li>132&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kirk Wilson (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Luther Morrison (Rapid City Central)&nbsp;Dec 6-0</li><li>138&nbsp;-&nbsp;Jace Kennel (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Tate Winter (Rapid City Central)&nbsp;Fall 0:43</li><li>145&nbsp;-&nbsp;Haedyn Brauer (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Jacoby Parker (Rapid City Central)&nbsp;Dec 8-6</li><li>152&nbsp;-&nbsp;Ryan Fox (North Platte)&nbsp;over&nbsp;Zach Green (Rapid City Central)&nbsp;Fall 1:31</li>
 </ul>

Wrestling - Trojan Border Wars Varsity Boys

Janalliah Bourgeois (3-1) placed 2nd and scored 12.0 team points.

Suubi Alexander (7-4) placed 2nd and scored 12.0 team points.

Zarah Blaesi (8-4) placed 2nd and scored 12.0 team points.

Afia Hunt (6-5) placed 3rd and scored 0.0 team points.

Hayleigh Toelle (6-6) placed 1st and scored 20.0 team points.

Jaycee Hampton (5-6) placed 4th and scored 11.0 team points.

Cheyanne McGehee (0-2) placed 3rd and scored 0.0 team points.

Jade Stockton (2-9) placed 5th.<ul>
 <li>Round 1 - Janalliah Bourgeois (North Platte Girls) 3-1 won by fall over Jade Stockton (North Platte Girls) 2-9 (Fall 1:22)</li><li>Round 2 - Hailey Medina (Gering Girls) 16-1 won by fall over Jade Stockton (North Platte Girls) 2-9 (Fall 1:27)</li><li>Round 3 - Kissack Allison (Kelly Walsh) 1-3 won by fall over Jade Stockton (North Platte Girls) 2-9 (Fall 3:22)</li><li>Round 4 - Morgan Amateis (Bridgeport Girls) 6-4 won by fall over Jade Stockton (North Platte Girls) 2-9 (Fall 1:33)</li>
 </ul><h2>115</h2>Janalliah Bourgeois (3-1) placed 2nd and scored 12.0 team points.<ul>
 <li>Round 1 - Janalliah Bourgeois (North Platte Girls) 3-1 won by fall over Jade Stockton (North Platte Girls) 2-9 (Fall 1:22)</li><li>Round 2 - Janalliah Bourgeois (North Platte Girls) 3-1 won by fall over Morgan Amateis (Bridgeport Girls) 6-4 (Fall 2:40)</li><li>Round 3 - Hailey Medina (Gering Girls) 16-1 won by fall over Janalliah Bourgeois (North Platte Girls) 3-1 (Fall 2:00)</li><li>Round 5 - Janalliah Bourgeois (North Platte Girls) 3-1 won by fall over Kissack Allison (Kelly Walsh) 1-3 (Fall 2:26)</li>
 </ul><h2>125</h2>Brooklynn Brown (7-7) placed 4th.<ul>
 <li>Round 1 - Paige Dalimata (Bridgeport Girls) 7-4 won by fall over Brooklynn Brown (North Platte Girls) 7-7 (Fall 5:46)</li><li>Round 2 - Suubi Alexander (North Platte Girls) 7-4 won by fall over Brooklynn Brown (North Platte Girls) 7-7 (Fall 1:27)</li><li>Round 4 - Brooklynn Brown (North Platte Girls) 7-7 won by fall over Emilie Miller (Bridgeport Girls) 3-5 (Fall 4:25)</li><li>Round 5 - Kyra Robbins (Bridgeport Girls) 15-1 won by fall over Brooklynn Brown (North Platte Girls) 7-7 (Fall 3:13)</li>
 </ul><h2>125</h2>Suubi Alexander (7-4) placed 2nd and scored 12.0 team points.<ul>
 <li>Round 1 - Suubi Alexander (North Platte Girls) 7-4 won by fall over Emilie Miller (Bridgeport Girls) 3-5 (Fall 1:38)</li><li>Round 2 - Suubi Alexander (North Platte Girls) 7-4 won by fall over Brooklynn Brown (North Platte Girls) 7-7 (Fall 1:27)</li><li>Round 3 - Kyra Robbins (Bridgeport Girls) 15-1 won by decision over Suubi Alexander (North Platte Girls) 7-4 (Dec 9-8)</li><li>Round 5 - Suubi Alexander (North Platte Girls) 7-4 won by fall over Paige Dalimata (Bridgeport Girls) 7-4 (Fall 0:22)</li>
 </ul><h2>130</h2>Zarah Blaesi (8-4) placed 2nd and scored 12.0 team points.<ul>
 <li>Round 1 - Zarah Blaesi (North Platte Girls) 8-4 won by fall over Chloe Dallman-Janski (Kelly Walsh) 2-2 (Fall 0:19)</li><li>Round 2 - Zarah Blaesi (North Platte Girls) 8-4 won by fall over Isabelle Muldowney (Kelly Walsh) 0-4 (Fall 0:37)</li><li>Round 4 - Zarah Blaesi (North Platte Girls) 8-4 won by fall over Addison Thomas (Kelly Walsh) 1-3 (Fall 1:58)</li><li>Round 5 - Jada Schlothauer (Gering Girls) 13-5 won by tech fall over Zarah Blaesi (North Platte Girls) 8-4 (TF-1.5 5:08 (17-2))</li>
 </ul><h2>135</h2>Afia Hunt (6-5) placed 3rd and scored 0.0 team points.<ul>
 <li>Round 1 - Alyse Richardson (Kelly Walsh) 1-1 won by fall over Afia Hunt (North Platte Girls) 6-5 (Fall 3:38)</li><li>Round 3 - Arianna Canseco (Gering Girls) 11-0 won by fall over Afia Hunt (North Platte Girls) 6-5 (Fall 1:50)</li>
 </ul><h2>140</h2>Hayleigh Toelle (6-6) placed 1st and scored 20.0 team points.<ul>
 <li>Round 1 - Hayleigh Toelle (North Platte Girls) 6-6 won by fall over Lilley Lawrence (Lingle-Ft. Laramie/Southeast) 1-4 (Fall 0:54)</li><li>Round 2 - Hayleigh Toelle (North Platte Girls) 6-6 won by fall over Maria Herring (Kelly Walsh) 0-3 (Fall 0:35)</li><li>Round 3 - Hayleigh Toelle (North Platte Girls) 6-6 won by fall over Annalisia Hernandez (North Platte Girls) 6-7 (Fall 1:48)</li>
 </ul><h2>140</h2>Annalisia Hernandez (6-7) placed 2nd.<ul>
 <li>Round 1 - Annalisia Hernandez (North Platte Girls) 6-7 won by fall over Maria Herring (Kelly Walsh) 0-3 (Fall 0:31)</li><li>Round 2 - Annalisia Hernandez (North Platte Girls) 6-7 won by fall over Lilley Lawrence (Lingle-Ft. Laramie/Southeast) 1-4 (Fall 2:19)</li><li>Round 3 - Hayleigh Toelle (North Platte Girls) 6-6 won by fall over Annalisia Hernandez (North Platte Girls) 6-7 (Fall 1:48)</li>
 </ul><h2>145</h2>Jaycee Hampton (5-6) placed 4th and scored 11.0 team points.<ul>
 <li>Round 1 - Rihana Tillman (Burns/Pine Bluffs) 10-5 won by decision over Jaycee Hampton (North Platte Girls) 5-6 (Dec 15-10)</li><li>Round 2 - Skylee Gangwish (Kelly Walsh) 5-0 won by fall over Jaycee Hampton (North Platte Girls) 5-6 (Fall 1:49)</li><li>Round 3 - Jaycee Hampton (North Platte Girls) 5-6 won by fall over Kinzley Nusbaum (Burns/Pine Bluffs) 2-12 (Fall 2:52)</li><li>Round 4 - Zoey Jennings (Gering Girls) 10-9 won by fall over Jaycee Hampton (North Platte Girls) 5-6 (Fall 1:32)</li><li>Round 5 - Jaycee Hampton (North Platte Girls) 5-6 won by injury default over Nevaeh Laeger (Gering Girls) 3-8 (Inj. 0:00)</li>
 </ul><h2>155</h2>Cheyanne McGehee (0-2) placed 3rd and scored 0.0 team points.<ul>
 <li>Round 1 - Charlie Marie Jackson (Burns/Pine Bluffs) 8-5 won by fall over Cheyanne McGehee (North Platte Girls) 0-2 (Fall 0:40)</li><li>Round 2 - Josie Houk (Lingle-Ft. Laramie/Southeast) 12-1 won by fall over Cheyanne McGehee (North Platte Girls) 0-2 (Fall 2:13)</li>
 </ul>

Wrestling - Gering Girls Invitational Results

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673874470202.jpeg" alt="SPVA Boys Bracket. Games start on Monday" />
 <figcaption>SPVA Boys Bracket. Games start on Monday</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673874439026.jpeg" alt="SPVA Girls Bracket. Games start on Tuesday" />
 <figcaption>SPVA Girls Bracket. Games start on Tuesday</figcaption>
 </figure>

S.P.V.A. Basketball brackets

High School Basketball - Sidney @ North Platte High School

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Brooke Carlson, Elisa Backes, Maegan Holt, Klaire Kirsch and Shiloh McCool do almost everything together.

That includes movie nights and meals at the house four of the five share near the University of Nebraska-Kearney campus, organizing community service projects and excelling academically.

Oh, and they play basketball together. Lots and lots of basketball.

Carlson, Backes, Holt and Kirsch are the top four active players in career games played in Division II. Carlson has played in all 138 games for the Lopers since 2018. Backes and Holt each has appeared in 137 and Kirsch, who missed five because of injury last year, has played in 133. The four are using the fifth year of eligibility the NCAA granted players who went through the 2020-21 pandemic season.

McCool would be right there with them in games played if a knee injury hadn't forced her to take a medical redshirt in 2019-20. She has played in 106 games and plans to return next season.

That players from the same school rank one through four in career games is a quirky statistic, if not an anomoly, considering there are 294 teams in Division II women's basketball.

To coach Carrie Eighmey, it's a refreshing stat.

"With all the conversations there are about the transfer portal and grad transfers and all those kinds of things," she said, "the conversation has shifted (away from) the student-athletes who stay where they're at and invest long-term into themselves and into the program they're in."

None of the UNK players were aware of their distinction until last week.

"It's cool," Carlson said. "I don't think there's ever going to be a circumstance like this again, just with COVID and an extra year of eligibility and all of our seniors coming back. It's mind-blowing, it's amazing and it shows you how much loyalty there is in this program that we all came back to play for these coaches one more year."

Carlson, Backes, Holt, Kirsch and McCool were part of Eighmey's 2018 recruiting class known as the "Magnificent Seven." Two moved on, but the other five became fast friends while living on the same floor of the freshman dormitory.

They come from four different states — Carlson from the Omaha suburb of Elkhorn; Backes from Salina, Kansas; Holt from Council Bluffs, Iowa; Kirsch from Rapid City, South Dakota; and McCool from Pleasant Hill, Iowa.

They gravitated to this middle-of-Nebraska city of 34,000 that advertises itself as the Sandhill Crane Capital of the World for drawing more than 40,000 visitors to the area each spring to view the migration of the exotic birds. Mostly it's a college town, and one with a proud history in multiple sports dating to its days as Kearney State College.

"We have a great basketball team and we like each other," Backes said. "We love the school. We love the coaching staff. You're lucky if you go to a college and find one of those things."

The super seniors were building blocks for a program starting over in 2018-19. Only three players returned from Eighmey's 21-win team the previous season.

McCool said there were times all five freshmen were on the court at the same time, most playing out of position and with little idea of what to do. That first team ended up 15-14.

"Things have definitely changed," McCool said.

The Lopers have followed with seasons of 26, 22 and 24 wins and two NCAA Division II Tournament bids. At 15-3, they're on track for a fourth straight 20-win season.

McCool and Backes are the top two scorers this season and Kirsch is the program's all-time leading rebounder. Carlson and Holt are coming off the bench after starting in previous seasons; they say they had no problem accepting their new roles and never considered not coming back for a fifth season.

"Yeah, it kind of humbles me a little bit, and it makes me think of what are the other ways I can contribute to the team," Carlson said. "Can I be cheering on the bench louder, can I be helping people if I see something on the floor they can't see? It's buying into the team mentality and putting away our personal pride for the benefit of the team and for something greater than ourselves."

Memories made off the court might be more important to this group. Each spoke fondly of their time together, whether it was watching movies or sharing meals, playing cornhole before football games, going to the driving range to hit golf balls, rafting down the Kearney Canal or those dreaded 6 a.m. offseason workouts.

"We've been together for so long and through so much," Kirsch said, "that if one of us decided not to come back, it definitely would feel like a missing piece."

AP women's college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673703885556.jpeg" alt="From left, Nebraska-Kearney basketball players Brooke Carlson, Elisa Backes, Maegan Holt, Shiloh McCool and Klaire Kirsch pose Jan. 5, 2023, at the University of Nebraska-Kearney Health and Recreation Center in Kearney, Nebraska. Carlson, Backes, Holt and Kirsch are the top four active players in career games in Division II, and McCool would be right there with them if a knee injury hadn't forced her to take a medical redshirt in 2019-20.(AP Photo/Eric Olson)" />
 <figcaption>From left, Nebraska-Kearney basketball players Brooke Carlson, Elisa Backes, Maegan Holt, Shiloh McCool and Klaire Kirsch pose Jan. 5, 2023, at the University of Nebraska-Kearney Health and Recreation Center in Kearney, Nebraska. Carlson, Backes, Holt and Kirsch are the top four active players in career games in Division II, and McCool would be right there with them if a knee injury hadn't forced her to take a medical redshirt in 2019-20.(AP Photo/Eric Olson)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ERIC OLSON AP Sports WriterKEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Brooke Carlson, Elisa Backes, Maegan Holt, Klaire Kirsch and Shiloh McCool do almost everything together.That includes movie nights and meals at the house four of the five share near the University of Nebraska-Kearney campus, organizing community service projects and excelling academically.Oh, and they play basketball together. Lots and lots of basketball.Carlson, Backes, Holt and Kirsch are the top four active players in career games played in Division II. Carlson has played in all 138 games for the Lopers since 2018. Backes and Holt each has appeared in 137 and Kirsch, who missed five because of injury last year, has played in 133. The four are using the fifth year of eligibility the NCAA granted players who went through the 2020-21 pandemic season.McCool would be right there with them in games played if a knee injury hadn't forced her to take a medical redshirt in 2019-20. She has played in 106 games and plans to return next season.That players from the same school rank one through four in career games is a quirky statistic, if not an anomoly, considering there are 294 teams in Division II women's basketball.To coach Carrie Eighmey, it's a refreshing stat."With all the conversations there are about the transfer portal and grad transfers and all those kinds of things," she said, "the conversation has shifted (away from) the student-athletes who stay where they're at and invest long-term into themselves and into the program they're in."None of the UNK players were aware of their distinction until last week."It's cool," Carlson said. "I don't think there's ever going to be a circumstance like this again, just with COVID and an extra year of eligibility and all of our seniors coming back. It's mind-blowing, it's amazing and it shows you how much loyalty there is in this program that we all came back to play for these coaches one more year."Carlson, Backes, Holt, Kirsch and McCool were part of Eighmey's 2018 recruiting class known as the "Magnificent Seven." Two moved on, but the other five became fast friends while living on the same floor of the freshman dormitory.They come from four different states — Carlson from the Omaha suburb of Elkhorn; Backes from Salina, Kansas; Holt from Council Bluffs, Iowa; Kirsch from Rapid City, South Dakota; and McCool from Pleasant Hill, Iowa.They gravitated to this middle-of-Nebraska city of 34,000 that advertises itself as the Sandhill Crane Capital of the World for drawing more than 40,000 visitors to the area each spring to view the migration of the exotic birds. Mostly it's a college town, and one with a proud history in multiple sports dating to its days as Kearney State College."We have a great basketball team and we like each other," Backes said. "We love the school. We love the coaching staff. You're lucky if you go to a college and find one of those things."The super seniors were building blocks for a program starting over in 2018-19. Only three players returned from Eighmey's 21-win team the previous season.McCool said there were times all five freshmen were on the court at the same time, most playing out of position and with little idea of what to do. That first team ended up 15-14."Things have definitely changed," McCool said.The Lopers have followed with seasons of 26, 22 and 24 wins and two NCAA Division II Tournament bids. At 15-3, they're on track for a fourth straight 20-win season.McCool and Backes are the top two scorers this season and Kirsch is the program's all-time leading rebounder. Carlson and Holt are coming off the bench after starting in previous seasons; they say they had no problem accepting their new roles and never considered not coming back for a fifth season."Yeah, it kind of humbles me a little bit, and it makes me think of what are the other ways I can contribute to the team," Carlson said. "Can I be cheering on the bench louder, can I be helping people if I see something on the floor they can't see? It's buying into the team mentality and putting away our personal pride for the benefit of the team and for something greater than ourselves."Memories made off the court might be more important to this group. Each spoke fondly of their time together, whether it was watching movies or sharing meals, playing cornhole before football games, going to the driving range to hit golf balls, rafting down the Kearney Canal or those dreaded 6 a.m. offseason workouts."We've been together for so long and through so much," Kirsch said, "that if one of us decided not to come back, it definitely would feel like a missing piece."___AP women's college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

'Loyalty': Quartet of friends atop D-II women's games chart

Story by NU Athletic Communications

Sam Griesel and Wilhelm Breidenbach combined for 23 points, but Illinois used a pair of big second-half runs to post a 76-50 victory at Pinnacle Bank Arena Tuesday night.

Terrence Shannon Jr. led five Illinois players in double figures as he finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds. The Fighting Illini shot 45.9 percent from the field and held Nebraska to 37 percent shooting to improve to 11-5 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten.

The Huskers (9-8, 2-4 Big Ten) pulled within 34-29 after opening the second half with a 6-0 run before Illinois took control. The Illini (11-5, 2-4) used a 21-5 spurt to seize control and take a 55-35 lead.

Nebraska made one last run behind Breidenbach, who scored eight straight points to get NU with 55-45 with 9:09 left. The Huskers eventually pulled to within 59-49 as&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/derrick-walker/44060">Derrick Walker's</a>&nbsp;3-point play with 6:20 remaining capped NU's 14-4 run and got the Pinnacle Bank Arena crowd back into the game.

Illinois answered as a RJ Melendez putback and a steal and dunk from Shannon pushed the margin back to 14, and NU was unable to slice into the deficit.

Early on, it was a defensive struggle neither team could get going offensively. NU led 7-5 after a&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/juwan-gary/44063">Juwan Gary</a>&nbsp;3-pointer with 14:03 left in the half, but Illinois ran off nine straight points over a 3:16 span to take a seven-point lead, at 14-7. Consecutive layups by Greisel and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keisei-tominaga/44059">Keisei Tominaga</a>&nbsp;got NU within three, and Nebraska was within 25-20 with 3:52 left in the half before Illinois made a run.

Griesel led NU with 12 points and added six rebounds, while Breidenbach scored all 11 of his points in the second half after battling foul trouble in the opening 20 minutes.

The Illini scored nine of the last 12 points of the half to build a 34-23 halftime lead. NU held Illinois to 33 percent shooting in the first half, but the visitors hit 10-of-16 from the foul line in the opening 20 minutes.

Nebraska will travel to West Lafayette on Friday, Jan. 13, to take on No. 3 Purdue at 6 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsSam Griesel and Wilhelm Breidenbach combined for 23 points, but Illinois used a pair of big second-half runs to post a 76-50 victory at Pinnacle Bank Arena Tuesday night.Terrence Shannon Jr. led five Illinois players in double figures as he finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds. The Fighting Illini shot 45.9 percent from the field and held Nebraska to 37 percent shooting to improve to 11-5 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten.The Huskers (9-8, 2-4 Big Ten) pulled within 34-29 after opening the second half with a 6-0 run before Illinois took control. The Illini (11-5, 2-4) used a 21-5 spurt to seize control and take a 55-35 lead.Nebraska made one last run behind Breidenbach, who scored eight straight points to get NU with 55-45 with 9:09 left. The Huskers eventually pulled to within 59-49 as&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/derrick-walker/44060">Derrick Walker's</a>&nbsp;3-point play with 6:20 remaining capped NU's 14-4 run and got the Pinnacle Bank Arena crowd back into the game.Illinois answered as a RJ Melendez putback and a steal and dunk from Shannon pushed the margin back to 14, and NU was unable to slice into the deficit.Early on, it was a defensive struggle neither team could get going offensively. NU led 7-5 after a&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/juwan-gary/44063">Juwan Gary</a>&nbsp;3-pointer with 14:03 left in the half, but Illinois ran off nine straight points over a 3:16 span to take a seven-point lead, at 14-7. Consecutive layups by Greisel and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keisei-tominaga/44059">Keisei Tominaga</a>&nbsp;got NU within three, and Nebraska was within 25-20 with 3:52 left in the half before Illinois made a run.Griesel led NU with 12 points and added six rebounds, while Breidenbach scored all 11 of his points in the second half after battling foul trouble in the opening 20 minutes.The Illini scored nine of the last 12 points of the half to build a 34-23 halftime lead. NU held Illinois to 33 percent shooting in the first half, but the visitors hit 10-of-16 from the foul line in the opening 20 minutes.Nebraska will travel to West Lafayette on Friday, Jan. 13, to take on No. 3 Purdue at 6 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;

Nebraska falls 76-50 to Illinois

Story by NPCC Athletic Communications&nbsp;

North Platte Community College women's basketball managed to build a comfortable double-digit lead in the third quarter, but the Broncos of Hastings College surged back to steal the 53-48 win inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Monday night.

Noel Warrior tallied a career high 13 points, while teammate Samantha Riggles accounted for 10 points and five rebounds in forty minutes of action. Mariah Gardner led the Knights on the glass, accounting for 11 rebounds to accompany her eight points.

Warrior propelled the Knights to an early 4-2 lead in the opening minutes of the first quarter, as she connected on a mid-range jumper. The Broncos answered and charged ahead, utilizing an 8-0 run to build their largest lead of the opening half.

North Platte responded with a quick 12-0 run, featuring back-to-back three pointers from Gardner and Warrior to recapture the momentum. The Knights defense limited the Broncos to just two more points throughout the remaining 5:18, as they held the 18-12 advantage after the opening ten minutes.

Hastings quickly cut into the deficit in the second quarter to recapture the lead on a three by Alexis Folkers. Warrior once again showed off her range by connecting on an open shot from the perimeter to ignite a short 5-0 burst. North Platte and Hastings exchanged baskets to close the quarter, but the Knights clung to a 30-27 lead at the break.&nbsp;

In the third quarter, the Knights extended their lead to seven after back-to-back three pointers from Gardner and Riggles. The margin only continued to grow as an 11-0 run helped the Knights push their lead to 41-29 with 3:20 to play in the quarter. The Broncos trimmed the deficit inside ten, but North Platte closed the quarter on a brief 4-0 run to extend their lead to thirteen headed into the final ten minutes.

The Broncos slowly erased the margin, while limiting the Knights to just three points in the final quarter. Hastings broke the nearly three minutes of silence in the fourth, as a three pointer by Whitney Bauer sparked the Broncos offense. Hastings never looked back down the stretch as they put the finishing touches on their come from behind victory.

North Platte (3-12) will continue their three-game homestead on Thursday with a rescheduled game against the Panthers of York College. Tip is set for 5 p.m. inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.

Story by NPCC Athletic Communications&nbsp;North Platte Community College women's basketball managed to build a comfortable double-digit lead in the third quarter, but the Broncos of Hastings College surged back to steal the 53-48 win inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Monday night.Noel Warrior tallied a career high 13 points, while teammate Samantha Riggles accounted for 10 points and five rebounds in forty minutes of action. Mariah Gardner led the Knights on the glass, accounting for 11 rebounds to accompany her eight points.Warrior propelled the Knights to an early 4-2 lead in the opening minutes of the first quarter, as she connected on a mid-range jumper. The Broncos answered and charged ahead, utilizing an 8-0 run to build their largest lead of the opening half.North Platte responded with a quick 12-0 run, featuring back-to-back three pointers from Gardner and Warrior to recapture the momentum. The Knights defense limited the Broncos to just two more points throughout the remaining 5:18, as they held the 18-12 advantage after the opening ten minutes.Hastings quickly cut into the deficit in the second quarter to recapture the lead on a three by Alexis Folkers. Warrior once again showed off her range by connecting on an open shot from the perimeter to ignite a short 5-0 burst. North Platte and Hastings exchanged baskets to close the quarter, but the Knights clung to a 30-27 lead at the break.&nbsp;In the third quarter, the Knights extended their lead to seven after back-to-back three pointers from Gardner and Riggles. The margin only continued to grow as an 11-0 run helped the Knights push their lead to 41-29 with 3:20 to play in the quarter. The Broncos trimmed the deficit inside ten, but North Platte closed the quarter on a brief 4-0 run to extend their lead to thirteen headed into the final ten minutes.The Broncos slowly erased the margin, while limiting the Knights to just three points in the final quarter. Hastings broke the nearly three minutes of silence in the fourth, as a three pointer by Whitney Bauer sparked the Broncos offense. Hastings never looked back down the stretch as they put the finishing touches on their come from behind victory.North Platte (3-12) will continue their three-game homestead on Thursday with a rescheduled game against the Panthers of York College. Tip is set for 5 p.m. inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.

Broncos surge past Knights late to earn victory

Story by NPCC Athletic Communication

Hastings College JV sought redemption for an earlier season loss to the Knights, but North Platte cruised to an 86-66 win inside the Lynn Farrell Arena to open the second half of the season.

Ramiah Adedigba led the Knights with 22 points and six assists, as North Platte finished the game shooting 45.9 percent from the field. A well-balanced offensive attack helped two players earn double-doubles, while a total of five players closed out the night in double figures.

Kayden Crosby accounted for 14 points and 12 rebounds, while teammate Bruce Carpenter tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds against the Broncos. Antwone Gonzales (11) and Davion Evans (11) rounded out the double-digit scorers in the win.&nbsp;

North Platte (9-4) returns to the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium for back-to-back home games this weekend. Knights will kick off the weekend doubleheader at 7 p.m. on Friday against Trinidad State College.

Story by NPCC Athletic CommunicationHastings College JV sought redemption for an earlier season loss to the Knights, but North Platte cruised to an 86-66 win inside the Lynn Farrell Arena to open the second half of the season.Ramiah Adedigba led the Knights with 22 points and six assists, as North Platte finished the game shooting 45.9 percent from the field. A well-balanced offensive attack helped two players earn double-doubles, while a total of five players closed out the night in double figures.Kayden Crosby accounted for 14 points and 12 rebounds, while teammate Bruce Carpenter tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds against the Broncos. Antwone Gonzales (11) and Davion Evans (11) rounded out the double-digit scorers in the win.&nbsp;North Platte (9-4) returns to the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium for back-to-back home games this weekend. Knights will kick off the weekend doubleheader at 7 p.m. on Friday against Trinidad State College.Daniel Stinman

Knights open second half of season with win over Hastings JV

Maxwell, Ne - It was a 3 pointer shootout Friday night in Maxwell as the Wildcats took on highway 30 rival Hershey in boys basketball. Both teams are below .500 but you wouldn't have guessed that by the hot shooting by both teams. Hershey's Kellan Spearman, a Sophomore hit 8 three pointers in the game, including going 7/7 from behind the arc to start the game, five of those three pointers came in the first quarter getting Hershey a 32-29 lead at the end of the first period.

The game would see 4 lead changes, and 5 ties, but eventually Hershey prevailed with a 55-47 win.&nbsp;

(audio is a montage of the Radio Broadcast on Z93.5 Country with play-by-play from Derek Beck)

In all, the two teams combined for 17 three pointers, (8) Hershey's Kellan Spearman, (4) Maxwell's Levi Huffman, (3) Maxwell's Easton Jones, (1) Hershey's Cooper Hill, (1) Maxwell's Ty Robinson&nbsp;

Maxwell, Ne - It was a 3 pointer shootout Friday night in Maxwell as the Wildcats took on highway 30 rival Hershey in boys basketball. Both teams are below .500 but you wouldn't have guessed that by the hot shooting by both teams. Hershey's Kellan Spearman, a Sophomore hit 8 three pointers in the game, including going 7/7 from behind the arc to start the game, five of those three pointers came in the first quarter getting Hershey a 32-29 lead at the end of the first period.The game would see 4 lead changes, and 5 ties, but eventually Hershey prevailed with a 55-47 win.&nbsp;(audio is a montage of the Radio Broadcast on Z93.5 Country with play-by-play from Derek Beck)<div><iframe title="Audio - Shootout between Hershey and Maxwell Boys Basketball" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=9wq7q-1358b45-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00"></iframe></div>In all, the two teams combined for 17 three pointers, (8) Hershey's Kellan Spearman, (4) Maxwell's Levi Huffman, (3) Maxwell's Easton Jones, (1) Hershey's Cooper Hill, (1) Maxwell's Ty Robinson&nbsp;

Audio - Shootout between Hershey and Maxwell boys basketball Friday night

High School Basketball - Kearney Catholic @ North Platte High School

High School Basketball - North Platte High School @ Lincoln Pius X

NEW YORK — The NFL has canceled the Bills and Bengals' week 17 game and announced their plans for playoff scenarios. 

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell informed all clubs of his decision on Thursday, after speaking with the Bills, the Bengals and NFL Players Association leadership.

“This has been a very difficult week,” Goodell said. “We continue to focus on the recovery of Damar Hamlin and are encouraged by the improvements in his condition as well as the tremendous outpouring of support and care for Damar and his family from across the country.  We are also incredibly appreciative of the amazing work of the medical personnel and commend each and every one of them.”

Canceling the game between the Bills and Bengals creates potential competitive inequities in certain playoff scenarios. The NFL says that in an effort to mitigate those "inequities," NFL clubs will consider Friday in a Special League Meeting a resolution recommended by the Commissioner and approved today by the Competition Committee, consisting of two elements: 

The AFC Championship Game will be played at a neutral site if the participating teams played an unequal number of games and both could have been the number one seed and hosted the game had all AFC clubs played a full 17-game regular season. Those circumstances involve Buffalo or Cincinnati qualifying for the game as a road team and are listed below:

Buffalo and Kansas City both win or both tie in week 18 – a Buffalo vs Kansas City championship game would be at a neutral site.

Buffalo and Kansas City both lose in week 18 and Baltimore wins or ties – a Buffalo vs Kansas City championship game would be at a neutral site.

Buffalo and Kansas City both lose in week 18 and Cincinnati wins – a Buffalo or Cincinnati vs Kansas City championship game would be at a neutral site.

If Baltimore defeats Cincinnati in Week 18 it will have defeated Cincinnati, a divisional opponent, twice but will not be able to host a playoff game because Cincinnati will have a higher winning percentage for a 16-game schedule than Baltimore will for a 17-game schedule. 

If Baltimore defeats Cincinnati and if those two clubs are scheduled to play a Wild Card game against one another, the site for that game would be determined by a coin toss. 

If Cincinnati wins the Week 18 game or if Baltimore and Cincinnati are not scheduled to play one another in the Wild Card round, the game sites would be determined by the regular scheduling procedures.

NEW YORK — The NFL has canceled the Bills and Bengals' week 17 game and announced their plans for playoff scenarios. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell informed all clubs of his decision on Thursday, after speaking with the Bills, the Bengals and NFL Players Association leadership.“This has been a very difficult week,” Goodell said. “We continue to focus on the recovery of Damar Hamlin and are encouraged by the improvements in his condition as well as the tremendous outpouring of support and care for Damar and his family from across the country. We are also incredibly appreciative of the amazing work of the medical personnel and commend each and every one of them.”Canceling the game between the Bills and Bengals creates potential competitive inequities in certain playoff scenarios. The NFL says that in an effort to mitigate those "inequities," NFL clubs will consider Friday in a Special League Meeting a resolution recommended by the Commissioner and approved today by the Competition Committee, consisting of two elements: The AFC Championship Game will be played at a neutral site if the participating teams played an unequal number of games and both could have been the number one seed and hosted the game had all AFC clubs played a full 17-game regular season. Those circumstances involve Buffalo or Cincinnati qualifying for the game as a road team and are listed below:Scenario 1Buffalo and Kansas City both win or both tie in week 18 – a Buffalo vs Kansas City championship game would be at a neutral site.Scenario 2Buffalo and Kansas City both lose in week 18 and Baltimore wins or ties – a Buffalo vs Kansas City championship game would be at a neutral site.Scenario 3Buffalo and Kansas City both lose in week 18 and Cincinnati wins – a Buffalo or Cincinnati vs Kansas City championship game would be at a neutral site.If Baltimore defeats Cincinnati in Week 18 it will have defeated Cincinnati, a divisional opponent, twice but will not be able to host a playoff game because Cincinnati will have a higher winning percentage for a 16-game schedule than Baltimore will for a 17-game schedule. If Baltimore defeats Cincinnati and if those two clubs are scheduled to play a Wild Card game against one another, the site for that game would be determined by a coin toss. If Cincinnati wins the Week 18 game or if Baltimore and Cincinnati are not scheduled to play one another in the Wild Card round, the game sites would be determined by the regular scheduling procedures.

🏈 NFL releases scenarios after canceling Buffalo-Cincinnati game

Story by Storm Athletic Communications

The Tri-City Storm has acquired forward Jacob Jeannette from the Dubuque Fighting Saints in exchange for a conditional 6th&nbsp;round draft pick in the 2023 USHL Phase II Draft. Jeannette has more than one hundred and twenty-five games of experience in the USHL.

Jacob Jeannette, 20, of Duluth, Minnesota, has scored three goals and notched three assists for six total points in twenty-one games this season for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. He was acquired by the Fighting Saints on June 27th, 2022, in a transaction with the Waterloo Black Hawks. Jeannette was selected 96th&nbsp;overall by the Black Hawks in the 2018 USHL Phase I Draft, and skated in more than one hundred regular season games for Waterloo before joining Dubuque for the 2022-2023 season. He made his USHL debut with the Black Hawks on October 4th, 2019, in the team’s 3-1 victory over the Green Bay Gamblers at the 2019 USHL Fall Classic in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. Jeannette scored his first career USHL goal on December 13th, 2019, in Waterloo’s 5-3 road win over the Omaha Lancers. He also notched his first multi-goal game in the same contest. He has scored nineteen goals, recorded twenty-eight assists, and notched forty-seven points in one hundred and twenty-nine career USHL games. Jeannette also appeared in six postseason games for Waterloo during the team’s run in the 2022 Clark Cup Playoffs. Prior to his time in the USHL, he skated in more than twenty games for the Duluth East Greyhounds (High School) in Duluth, Minnesota. Jeannette previously announced a commitment to play collegiate hockey in the future for Union College.

“Jacob adds a veteran presence to our forward group, and is someone who we expect to have a positive impact on the ice, and in our locker room.”- President of Hockey Operations/Head Coach Anthony Noreen

“We are excited to welcome Jacob to our organization and with this trade. Jacob has significant experience in our league with good teams and coaches, and has been battle tested for three previous seasons in the Western Conference. We believe his acquisition strengthens our forward group, team depth, and provides an alternative element that we value as we build towards the USHL playoffs. We would also like to thank Dubuque for working with us on this transaction.” – General Manager Jason Koehler

Story by Storm Athletic CommunicationsThe Tri-City Storm has acquired forward Jacob Jeannette from the Dubuque Fighting Saints in exchange for a conditional 6th&nbsp;round draft pick in the 2023 USHL Phase II Draft. Jeannette has more than one hundred and twenty-five games of experience in the USHL.Jacob Jeannette, 20, of Duluth, Minnesota, has scored three goals and notched three assists for six total points in twenty-one games this season for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. He was acquired by the Fighting Saints on June 27th, 2022, in a transaction with the Waterloo Black Hawks. Jeannette was selected 96th&nbsp;overall by the Black Hawks in the 2018 USHL Phase I Draft, and skated in more than one hundred regular season games for Waterloo before joining Dubuque for the 2022-2023 season. He made his USHL debut with the Black Hawks on October 4th, 2019, in the team’s 3-1 victory over the Green Bay Gamblers at the 2019 USHL Fall Classic in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. Jeannette scored his first career USHL goal on December 13th, 2019, in Waterloo’s 5-3 road win over the Omaha Lancers. He also notched his first multi-goal game in the same contest. He has scored nineteen goals, recorded twenty-eight assists, and notched forty-seven points in one hundred and twenty-nine career USHL games. Jeannette also appeared in six postseason games for Waterloo during the team’s run in the 2022 Clark Cup Playoffs. Prior to his time in the USHL, he skated in more than twenty games for the Duluth East Greyhounds (High School) in Duluth, Minnesota. Jeannette previously announced a commitment to play collegiate hockey in the future for Union College.“Jacob adds a veteran presence to our forward group, and is someone who we expect to have a positive impact on the ice, and in our locker room.”- President of Hockey Operations/Head Coach Anthony Noreen“We are excited to welcome Jacob to our organization and with this trade. Jacob has significant experience in our league with good teams and coaches, and has been battle tested for three previous seasons in the Western Conference. We believe his acquisition strengthens our forward group, team depth, and provides an alternative element that we value as we build towards the USHL playoffs. We would also like to thank Dubuque for working with us on this transaction.” – General Manager Jason Koehler

Storm acquires Jacob Jeannette from Fighting Saints

High School Basketball - North Platte High School @ Kearney

Michigan State used a strong first-half finish to pull away from Nebraska en route to a 74-56 victory Tuesday night at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The game was tied at 11 before Michigan State outscored Nebraska 28-6 over the final 12 minutes of the first half. The Spartans turned a three-point lead into a 13-point advantage with a 10-0 run. Michigan State then closed the half on a 13-0 run, stretching a nine-point lead into a 22-point halftime advantage. Nebraska fought back in the second half and had the lead down to 12 with eight minutes to play, but Michigan State put the game away with a 10-0 run. MSU notched its 10th victory of the season, improving to 10-4 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten play. Nebraska fell to 8-7 on the year and dropped to 1-3 in conference action. Nebraska dominated the paint on the night, outscoring Michigan State 40-20 inside the lane. But the Spartans made six more 3-pointers than the Huskers, and Michigan State out-rebounded Nebraska by 17, leading to an 18-5 advantage in second-chance points. <a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/derrick-walker/44060">Derrick Walker</a>&nbsp;paced Nebraska with 15 points, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/sam-griesel/44062">Sam Griesel</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/wilhelm-breidenbach/44054">Wilhelm Breidenbach</a>&nbsp;added 10 points apiece. Walker also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, and he and Griesel each dished out three assists. Tyson Walker scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Spartans. The game was tight early, as neither team led by more than three over the opening six minutes. Nebraska grabbed its only lead two minutes into the contest before an 8-2 spurt gave Michigan State a five-point advantage. Breidenbach then scored five straight points to tie the game at 11, before the Spartans' big finish to the half. Michigan State scored 10 straight points as part of a 15-2 that put the Spartans on top 26-13 with 9:22 left in the half. Following the run, Nebraska held Michigan State scoreless over the next four minutes, but the Huskers were only able to cut the lead to nine during that stretch. The Spartans then flipped the script, holding Nebraska scoreless over the final six minutes of the first half. MSU took advantage, ending the half on a 13-0 run to take a 39-17 lead into the locker room. Michigan State shot 50 percent in the first half, while Nebraska made just 28 percent of its shots. Michigan State was 5-of-12 from the 3-point line in the opening 20 minutes while Nebraska was just 1-of-11. Nebraska scored the first six points of the second half, trimming the lead to 16 less than three minutes into the period. Michigan State responded by pushing the lead back to 20 before Nebraska went on a run. Five different Huskers scored during an 11-3 spurt that cut the lead to 12 at 56-44 with 9:22 remaining. But Nebraska made just one basket over the next five minutes. Michigan State made four field goals over that same stretch, pushing the lead to 23. Nebraska's bench scored the game's final five points on three free throws from&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/sam-hoiberg/44056">Sam Hoiberg</a>&nbsp;and a layup from&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/oleg-kojenets/44057">Oleg Kojenets</a>. Nebraska outscored Michigan State 39-35 in the second half, scoring 26 points in the paint. The Huskers shot 58 percent in the second half, knocking down 15 of their 26 shots. Nebraska is on the road for the second straight game on Saturday, when the Huskers travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Michigan State used a strong first-half finish to pull away from Nebraska en route to a 74-56 victory Tuesday night at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The game was tied at 11 before Michigan State outscored Nebraska 28-6 over the final 12 minutes of the first half. The Spartans turned a three-point lead into a 13-point advantage with a 10-0 run. Michigan State then closed the half on a 13-0 run, stretching a nine-point lead into a 22-point halftime advantage. Nebraska fought back in the second half and had the lead down to 12 with eight minutes to play, but Michigan State put the game away with a 10-0 run. MSU notched its 10th victory of the season, improving to 10-4 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten play. Nebraska fell to 8-7 on the year and dropped to 1-3 in conference action. Nebraska dominated the paint on the night, outscoring Michigan State 40-20 inside the lane. But the Spartans made six more 3-pointers than the Huskers, and Michigan State out-rebounded Nebraska by 17, leading to an 18-5 advantage in second-chance points. <a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/derrick-walker/44060">Derrick Walker</a>&nbsp;paced Nebraska with 15 points, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/sam-griesel/44062">Sam Griesel</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/wilhelm-breidenbach/44054">Wilhelm Breidenbach</a>&nbsp;added 10 points apiece. Walker also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, and he and Griesel each dished out three assists. Tyson Walker scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Spartans. The game was tight early, as neither team led by more than three over the opening six minutes. Nebraska grabbed its only lead two minutes into the contest before an 8-2 spurt gave Michigan State a five-point advantage. Breidenbach then scored five straight points to tie the game at 11, before the Spartans' big finish to the half. Michigan State scored 10 straight points as part of a 15-2 that put the Spartans on top 26-13 with 9:22 left in the half. Following the run, Nebraska held Michigan State scoreless over the next four minutes, but the Huskers were only able to cut the lead to nine during that stretch. The Spartans then flipped the script, holding Nebraska scoreless over the final six minutes of the first half. MSU took advantage, ending the half on a 13-0 run to take a 39-17 lead into the locker room. Michigan State shot 50 percent in the first half, while Nebraska made just 28 percent of its shots. Michigan State was 5-of-12 from the 3-point line in the opening 20 minutes while Nebraska was just 1-of-11. Nebraska scored the first six points of the second half, trimming the lead to 16 less than three minutes into the period. Michigan State responded by pushing the lead back to 20 before Nebraska went on a run. Five different Huskers scored during an 11-3 spurt that cut the lead to 12 at 56-44 with 9:22 remaining. But Nebraska made just one basket over the next five minutes. Michigan State made four field goals over that same stretch, pushing the lead to 23. Nebraska's bench scored the game's final five points on three free throws from&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/sam-hoiberg/44056">Sam Hoiberg</a>&nbsp;and a layup from&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/oleg-kojenets/44057">Oleg Kojenets</a>. Nebraska outscored Michigan State 39-35 in the second half, scoring 26 points in the paint. The Huskers shot 58 percent in the second half, knocking down 15 of their 26 shots. Nebraska is on the road for the second straight game on Saturday, when the Huskers travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nebraska falls at Michigan State

Lincoln, Ne - Scottsbluff native Garrett Nelson declared for the NFL draft today via his Twitter Page. "To the fans of Nebraska, you have shown me an overwhelming amount of support and love. From saying hello on the street, to letters, messages, hand shakes and kind words. No matter how big or small of gesture, all of you have a special place in my heart forever." Nelson wrote.

Nelson a 2022 Team Captain started every game in 2020, '21 &amp;'22, and was voted All Big 10 Second team defense by both the conference media and coaches in 2022.&nbsp;

Garrett earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska in May 2022.

Lincoln, Ne - Scottsbluff native Garrett Nelson declared for the NFL draft today via his Twitter Page. "To the fans of Nebraska, you have shown me an overwhelming amount of support and love. From saying hello on the street, to letters, messages, hand shakes and kind words. No matter how big or small of gesture, all of you have a special place in my heart forever." Nelson wrote.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thank you for everything ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/GTwqTJWTkZ">pic.twitter.com/GTwqTJWTkZ</a>&mdash; Garrett Nelson (@gnelson763) <a href="https://twitter.com/gnelson763/status/1607804747959996418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Nelson a 2022 Team Captain started every game in 2020, '21 &amp;'22, and was voted All Big 10 Second team defense by both the conference media and coaches in 2022.&nbsp;Garrett earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska in May 2022.

Garrett Nelson declares for NFL draft

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett on Monday with two games left in the season.

Owner and CEO Greg Penner said he'll lead the search for a new coach with assistance from GM George Paton, in whom he expressed confidence while announcing&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1607432324152426496?s=20&amp;t=ptRR7Kbi9InGOMA4jA3oYw">Hackett's dismissal</a>.

Firing Hackett with two games left in a lost season allows Penner to begin his search for a replacement immediately.

The Broncos scheduled a news conference for Tuesday, when they're expected to name their interim head coach for games at Kansas City next weekend and at home against the Chargers in Week 18.

The Walton-Penner group purchased the Broncos for $4.65 billion last summer, a global record for a professional sports franchise, and Rob Walton said after the league’s approval that he aimed to make the Broncos perennial championship contenders again.

On Sunday, the Broncos (4-11) were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-broncos-los-angeles-rams-sean-mcvay-nfl-sports-996b45d21f8886479127cf5af82199b6">blown out by the equally downtrodden Los Angeles Rams 51-14</a>&nbsp;when Russell Wilson threw three interceptions and was sacked six times. The game featured a sideline spat between backup QB Brett Rypien and guard Dalton Risner, and pass rusher Randy Gregory threw a punch at a Rams player after the game.

In a statement Monday, Penner thanked Hackett for his dedication but said that “following extensive conversations with George and our ownership group, we determined a new direction would ultimately be in the best interest of the Broncos. This change was made now out of respect for everyone involved and allows us to immediately begin the search for a new head coach.”

Penner said that “moving forward, we will carefully evaluate every aspect of our football operations and make whatever changes are necessary to restore this franchise’s winning tradition.”

Hackett replaced Vic Fangio last January but hasn’t been able to build an offense suitable to Wilson, who recently turned 34.

Hackett is the third NFL head coach fired during the 2022 season. The Carolina Panthers replaced Matt Rhule with interim head coach Steve Wilks and the Indianapolis Colts fired Frank Reich and replaced him with coaching novice Jeff Saturday.

Many fans thought the Broncos hired Hackett away from the Green Bay Packers, where he was offensive coordinator, to help them land quarterback Aaron Rodgers. But Rodgers decided to re-up with the Packers and the Broncos instead traded for Wilson, who was seen as still in his prime.

Wilson, however, has had an awful first season in Denver after the Broncos sent four premium draft picks and three players to Seattle for the nine-time Pro Bowler. Wilson has 12 touchdown passes with nine interceptions and 49 sacks in 13 starts and has been unable to snap out of a season-long funk.

He is 3-10 as Denver's starter and has missed games with a pulled hamstring and a concussion.

He routinely has ignored open receivers underneath to try for deep throws and he has shown a noticeable dip in his ability to escape from pass rushers this season.

The Broncos have missed the playoffs seven straight seasons and extended their string of losing records to six.

They will try to snap a 14-game losing streak to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and beat Patrick Mahomes for the first time in 11 tries.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett on Monday with two games left in the season.Owner and CEO Greg Penner said he'll lead the search for a new coach with assistance from GM George Paton, in whom he expressed confidence while announcing&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1607432324152426496?s=20&amp;t=ptRR7Kbi9InGOMA4jA3oYw">Hackett's dismissal</a>.Firing Hackett with two games left in a lost season allows Penner to begin his search for a replacement immediately.The Broncos scheduled a news conference for Tuesday, when they're expected to name their interim head coach for games at Kansas City next weekend and at home against the Chargers in Week 18.The Walton-Penner group purchased the Broncos for $4.65 billion last summer, a global record for a professional sports franchise, and Rob Walton said after the league’s approval that he aimed to make the Broncos perennial championship contenders again.On Sunday, the Broncos (4-11) were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-broncos-los-angeles-rams-sean-mcvay-nfl-sports-996b45d21f8886479127cf5af82199b6">blown out by the equally downtrodden Los Angeles Rams 51-14</a>&nbsp;when Russell Wilson threw three interceptions and was sacked six times. The game featured a sideline spat between backup QB Brett Rypien and guard Dalton Risner, and pass rusher Randy Gregory threw a punch at a Rams player after the game.In a statement Monday, Penner thanked Hackett for his dedication but said that “following extensive conversations with George and our ownership group, we determined a new direction would ultimately be in the best interest of the Broncos. This change was made now out of respect for everyone involved and allows us to immediately begin the search for a new head coach.”Penner said that “moving forward, we will carefully evaluate every aspect of our football operations and make whatever changes are necessary to restore this franchise’s winning tradition.”Hackett replaced Vic Fangio last January but hasn’t been able to build an offense suitable to Wilson, who recently turned 34.Hackett is the third NFL head coach fired during the 2022 season. The Carolina Panthers replaced Matt Rhule with interim head coach Steve Wilks and the Indianapolis Colts fired Frank Reich and replaced him with coaching novice Jeff Saturday.Many fans thought the Broncos hired Hackett away from the Green Bay Packers, where he was offensive coordinator, to help them land quarterback Aaron Rodgers. But Rodgers decided to re-up with the Packers and the Broncos instead traded for Wilson, who was seen as still in his prime.Wilson, however, has had an awful first season in Denver after the Broncos sent four premium draft picks and three players to Seattle for the nine-time Pro Bowler. Wilson has 12 touchdown passes with nine interceptions and 49 sacks in 13 starts and has been unable to snap out of a season-long funk.He is 3-10 as Denver's starter and has missed games with a pulled hamstring and a concussion.He routinely has ignored open receivers underneath to try for deep throws and he has shown a noticeable dip in his ability to escape from pass rushers this season.The Broncos have missed the playoffs seven straight seasons and extended their string of losing records to six.They will try to snap a 14-game losing streak to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and beat Patrick Mahomes for the first time in 11 tries.

🏈 Broncos fire rookie head coach Hackett after 4-11 start

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, has died. He was 72.

Harris' son Dok told The Associated Press his father passed away overnight. No cause of death was given.

His death comes two days before the 50th anniversary of the play that provided the jolt that helped transform the Steelers from also-rans into the NFL's elite and three days before Pittsburgh is scheduled to retire his No. 32 during a ceremony at halftime of its game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Harris ran for 12,120 yards and won four Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, a dynasty that began in earnest when Harris decided to keep running during a last-second heave by Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw in a playoff game against Oakland in 1972.

With Pittsburgh trailing 7-6 and facing fourth-and-10 from their own 40 yard line and 22 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Bradshaw drifted back and threw deep to running back French Fuqua. Fuqua and Oakland defensive back Jack Tatum collided, sending the ball careening back toward midfield in the direction of Harris.

While nearly everyone else on the field stopped, Harris kept his legs churning, snatching the ball just inches above the Three Rivers Stadium turf near the Oakland 45 then outracing several stunned Raider defenders to give the Steelers their first playoff victory in the franchise's four-decade history.

“That play really represents our teams of the ’70s,” Harris said after the ”Immaculate Reception" was voted the greatest play in NFL history during the league's 100th anniversary season in 2020.

While the Steelers fell the next week to Miami in the AFC Championship, Pittsburgh was on its way to becoming the dominant team of the 1970s, twice winning back-to-back Super Bowls, first after the 1974 and 1975 seasons and again after the 1978 and 1979 seasons.

Harris, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound workhorse from Penn State, found himself in the center of it all. He churned for a then-record 158 yards rushing and a touchdown in Pittsburgh's 16-6 victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl IX on his way to winning the game's Most Valuable Player award. He scored at least once in three of the four Super Bowls he played in, and his 354 career yards rushing on the NFL's biggest stage remains a record nearly four decades after his retirement.

Born in Fort Dix, New Jersey, on March 7, 1950, Harris played collegiately at Penn State, where his primary job was to open holes for backfield mate Lydell Mitchell. The Steelers, in the final stages of a rebuild led by Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll, saw enough in Harris to make him the 13th overall pick in the 1972 draft.

“When (Noll) drafted Franco Harris, he gave the offense heart, he gave it discipline, he gave it desire, he gave it the ability to win a championship in Pittsburgh,” Steelers Hall of Fame wide receiver Lynn Swann said of his frequent roommate on team road trips.

Harris' impact was immediate. He won the NFL's Rookie to the Year award in 1972 after rushing for a then-team-rookie record 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Steelers reached the postseason for just the second time in franchise history.

The city's large Italian-American population embraced Harris immediately, led by two local businessmen who founded what became known as “Franco's Italian Army,” a nod to Harris' roots as the son of an African-American father and an Italian mother.

The “Immaculate Reception” made Harris a star, though he typically preferred to let his play and not his mouth do the talking. On a team that featured big personalities in Bradshaw, defensive tackle Joe Greene, linebacker Jack Lambert among others, the intensely quiet Harris spent 12 seasons as the engine that helped Pittsburgh's offense go.

Eight times he topped 1,000 yards rushing in a season, including five times while playing a 14-game schedule. He piled up another 1,556 yards rushing and 16 rushing touchdowns in the playoffs, both second all-time behind Smith.

Despite his gaudy numbers, Harris stressed he was just one cog in an extraordinary machine that redefined greatness.

“You see, during that era, each player brought their own little piece with them to make that wonderful decade happen,” Harris said during his Hall of Fame speech in 1990. “Each player had their strengths and weaknesses, each their own thinking, each their own method, just each, each had their own. But then it was amazing, it all came together, and it stayed together to forge the greatest team of all times.”

Harris also made it a habit to stick up for his teammates. When Bradshaw took what Harris felt was an illegal late hit from Dallas linebacker Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson in the second half of their meeting in the 1978 Super Bowl, Harris basically demanded Bradshaw give him the ball on the next play. All Harris did was sprint up the middle 22 yards — right by Henderson — for a touchdown that gave the Steelers an 11-point lead they would not relinquish on their way to their third championship in six years.

Despite all of his success, his time in Pittsburgh ended acrimoniously when the Steelers cut him after he held out during training camp before the 1984 season. Noll, who leaned on Harris so heavily for so long, famously answered “Franco who?” when asked about Harris' absence from the team's camp at Saint Vincent College.

Harris signed with Seattle, running for just 170 yards in eight games before being released in midseason. He retired as the NFL's third all-time leading rusher behind Walter Payton and Jim Brown.

"I don’t even think about that (anymore),” Harris said in 2006. “I’m still black and gold.”

Harris remained in Pittsburgh following his retirement, opening a bakery and becoming heavily involved in several charities, including serving as the chairman of “Pittsburgh Promise," which provides college scholarship opportunities for Pittsburgh Public School students.

Harris is survived by his wife Dana Dokmanovich and his son, Dok.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671623958912.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>PITTSBURGH (AP) — Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, has died. He was 72.Harris' son Dok told The Associated Press his father passed away overnight. No cause of death was given.His death comes two days before the 50th anniversary of the play that provided the jolt that helped transform the Steelers from also-rans into the NFL's elite and three days before Pittsburgh is scheduled to retire his No. 32 during a ceremony at halftime of its game against the Las Vegas Raiders.Harris ran for 12,120 yards and won four Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, a dynasty that began in earnest when Harris decided to keep running during a last-second heave by Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw in a playoff game against Oakland in 1972.With Pittsburgh trailing 7-6 and facing fourth-and-10 from their own 40 yard line and 22 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Bradshaw drifted back and threw deep to running back French Fuqua. Fuqua and Oakland defensive back Jack Tatum collided, sending the ball careening back toward midfield in the direction of Harris.While nearly everyone else on the field stopped, Harris kept his legs churning, snatching the ball just inches above the Three Rivers Stadium turf near the Oakland 45 then outracing several stunned Raider defenders to give the Steelers their first playoff victory in the franchise's four-decade history.“That play really represents our teams of the ’70s,” Harris said after the ”Immaculate Reception" was voted the greatest play in NFL history during the league's 100th anniversary season in 2020.While the Steelers fell the next week to Miami in the AFC Championship, Pittsburgh was on its way to becoming the dominant team of the 1970s, twice winning back-to-back Super Bowls, first after the 1974 and 1975 seasons and again after the 1978 and 1979 seasons.Harris, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound workhorse from Penn State, found himself in the center of it all. He churned for a then-record 158 yards rushing and a touchdown in Pittsburgh's 16-6 victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl IX on his way to winning the game's Most Valuable Player award. He scored at least once in three of the four Super Bowls he played in, and his 354 career yards rushing on the NFL's biggest stage remains a record nearly four decades after his retirement.Born in Fort Dix, New Jersey, on March 7, 1950, Harris played collegiately at Penn State, where his primary job was to open holes for backfield mate Lydell Mitchell. The Steelers, in the final stages of a rebuild led by Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll, saw enough in Harris to make him the 13th overall pick in the 1972 draft.“When (Noll) drafted Franco Harris, he gave the offense heart, he gave it discipline, he gave it desire, he gave it the ability to win a championship in Pittsburgh,” Steelers Hall of Fame wide receiver Lynn Swann said of his frequent roommate on team road trips.Harris' impact was immediate. He won the NFL's Rookie to the Year award in 1972 after rushing for a then-team-rookie record 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Steelers reached the postseason for just the second time in franchise history.The city's large Italian-American population embraced Harris immediately, led by two local businessmen who founded what became known as “Franco's Italian Army,” a nod to Harris' roots as the son of an African-American father and an Italian mother.The “Immaculate Reception” made Harris a star, though he typically preferred to let his play and not his mouth do the talking. On a team that featured big personalities in Bradshaw, defensive tackle Joe Greene, linebacker Jack Lambert among others, the intensely quiet Harris spent 12 seasons as the engine that helped Pittsburgh's offense go.Eight times he topped 1,000 yards rushing in a season, including five times while playing a 14-game schedule. He piled up another 1,556 yards rushing and 16 rushing touchdowns in the playoffs, both second all-time behind Smith.Despite his gaudy numbers, Harris stressed he was just one cog in an extraordinary machine that redefined greatness.“You see, during that era, each player brought their own little piece with them to make that wonderful decade happen,” Harris said during his Hall of Fame speech in 1990. “Each player had their strengths and weaknesses, each their own thinking, each their own method, just each, each had their own. But then it was amazing, it all came together, and it stayed together to forge the greatest team of all times.”Harris also made it a habit to stick up for his teammates. When Bradshaw took what Harris felt was an illegal late hit from Dallas linebacker Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson in the second half of their meeting in the 1978 Super Bowl, Harris basically demanded Bradshaw give him the ball on the next play. All Harris did was sprint up the middle 22 yards — right by Henderson — for a touchdown that gave the Steelers an 11-point lead they would not relinquish on their way to their third championship in six years.Despite all of his success, his time in Pittsburgh ended acrimoniously when the Steelers cut him after he held out during training camp before the 1984 season. Noll, who leaned on Harris so heavily for so long, famously answered “Franco who?” when asked about Harris' absence from the team's camp at Saint Vincent College.Harris signed with Seattle, running for just 170 yards in eight games before being released in midseason. He retired as the NFL's third all-time leading rusher behind Walter Payton and Jim Brown."I don’t even think about that (anymore),” Harris said in 2006. “I’m still black and gold.”Harris remained in Pittsburgh following his retirement, opening a bakery and becoming heavily involved in several charities, including serving as the chairman of “Pittsburgh Promise," which provides college scholarship opportunities for Pittsburgh Public School students.Harris is survived by his wife Dana Dokmanovich and his son, Dok.

🏈 Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris dies at 72

High School Basketball - North Plate High School @ Columbus

Story by UNK Athletic Communications

Former Nebraska and North Alabama coach Ryan Held has been hired as head football coach at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Director of Athletics Marc Bauer announced today.

UNK will formally introduce Held as its 19th coach in team history at an 11 a.m. news conference Jan. 3 at UNK’s Health and Sports Center.

“I can’t tell you how fired up I am to be the next head football coach at UNK. The opportunity to return to Nebraska and lead the Loper football program, which has tremendous tradition and is committed to winning championships, is something I can’t wait to take on,” said Held. “The MIAA is one of the toughest football conferences in the country, and UNK is right there at the top with a strong foundation in place.”

Held, 48, spent the past season as interim head coach and offensive coordinator at NCAA Division I University of North Alabama. Before that, he was an assistant/running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Nebraska (2018-21) and assistant/running backs coach at the University of Central Florida (2016-17).&nbsp;He was twice named one of the nation’s top 25 recruiters by Rivals.com while at Nebraska.

A coaching veteran with 13 years of head coaching experience,&nbsp;Held climbed the coaching ladder as a junior college, NCAA Division II and NAIA head coach before joining the Division I ranks. He had head coaching stints at junior colleges Northeastern Oklahoma A&amp;M and Highland Community College, Division II Southwestern Oklahoma State and Oklahoma Panhandle State, and NAIA Peru State College.

Held’s other coaching stops include Butler Community College and the University of Tennessee, where he was a defensive graduate assistant in 1998-99, helping the Volunteers win the 1998 national championship.

Bauer chose Held following a nationwide search. He replaces Josh Lynn, who was UNK’s head coach the past six seasons.

“Ryan has created a strong reputation for leading, recruiting and developing players,” said Bauer. “His focus goes beyond the game, aimed at elevating players to become the best version of themselves on and off the field.

“Equally important, Ryan believes in the Division II model. Not only does he have plans to guide and continue to elevate the program, but also create a culture driven by our mission, complemented by our core values and efforts to contribute to our campus and community.”

UNK went 27-11 over the past four seasons, including a 10-3 record in 2021 while advancing to the second round of the NCAA Div. II Playoffs. The Lopers won the Mineral Water Bowl in 2019.

“We have a great opportunity to build on recent success,” said Held. “There are a lot of really good players returning. We’re going to add more moving forward and build on recent successes in the great MIAA conference.

“I look forward to meeting all the great alumni, boosters and community members who make it possible to build our program.”

Recognized as an outstanding recruiter and for developing players, as well as being an offensive-minded coach, Held’s running backs at Central Florida rushed for more than 2,500 yards in 2017 when the Knights went 13-0 and won the American Athletic Conference title.

At Nebraska, Held’s running backs produced impressive results in his first season in 2018. The group helped the Huskers rush for more than 2,500 yards, as Nebraska boasted the third-most-improved rushing attack in the country, averaging 209 yards per game.

His 2022 team at Northern Alabama was among the ASUN Conference leaders in multiple offensive categories, with running back ShunDerrick Powell’s 1,508 rushing yards the fourth-best total in the nation.

“Our players will be disciplined, detailed and tough. That’s our culture and what we stand for, on and off the field. That encompasses everything it means to be a Loper football player,” said Held.

He said his recruiting strategy at UNK will be to heavily recruit Nebraska high schools and players from across the Midwest and Florida, including junior colleges in Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

“We will recruit impact players from winning programs who fill immediate needs – smart, tough, physical athletes who love to compete,” he said. “I look forward to working with all the great Nebraska coaches. We want Nebraska high school players to be Lopers. That will be paramount to our success.”

A native of Overland Park, Kansas, Held&nbsp;was a reserve quarterback and split end at Nebraska from 1993-96, when the Huskers won two national championships, posted a 47-3 record and won three conference titles.

He&nbsp;and his wife, Katie, have two sons, Jacob and Greyson. Held also has a daughter, Rhylan

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsFormer Nebraska and North Alabama coach Ryan Held has been hired as head football coach at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Director of Athletics Marc Bauer announced today.UNK will formally introduce Held as its 19th coach in team history at an 11 a.m. news conference Jan. 3 at UNK’s Health and Sports Center.“I can’t tell you how fired up I am to be the next head football coach at UNK. The opportunity to return to Nebraska and lead the Loper football program, which has tremendous tradition and is committed to winning championships, is something I can’t wait to take on,” said Held. “The MIAA is one of the toughest football conferences in the country, and UNK is right there at the top with a strong foundation in place.”Held, 48, spent the past season as interim head coach and offensive coordinator at NCAA Division I University of North Alabama. Before that, he was an assistant/running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Nebraska (2018-21) and assistant/running backs coach at the University of Central Florida (2016-17).&nbsp;He was twice named one of the nation’s top 25 recruiters by Rivals.com while at Nebraska.A coaching veteran with 13 years of head coaching experience,&nbsp;Held climbed the coaching ladder as a junior college, NCAA Division II and NAIA head coach before joining the Division I ranks. He had head coaching stints at junior colleges Northeastern Oklahoma A&amp;M and Highland Community College, Division II Southwestern Oklahoma State and Oklahoma Panhandle State, and NAIA Peru State College.Held’s other coaching stops include Butler Community College and the University of Tennessee, where he was a defensive graduate assistant in 1998-99, helping the Volunteers win the 1998 national championship.Bauer chose Held following a nationwide search. He replaces Josh Lynn, who was UNK’s head coach the past six seasons.“Ryan has created a strong reputation for leading, recruiting and developing players,” said Bauer. “His focus goes beyond the game, aimed at elevating players to become the best version of themselves on and off the field.“Equally important, Ryan believes in the Division II model. Not only does he have plans to guide and continue to elevate the program, but also create a culture driven by our mission, complemented by our core values and efforts to contribute to our campus and community.”UNK went 27-11 over the past four seasons, including a 10-3 record in 2021 while advancing to the second round of the NCAA Div. II Playoffs. The Lopers won the Mineral Water Bowl in 2019.“We have a great opportunity to build on recent success,” said Held. “There are a lot of really good players returning. We’re going to add more moving forward and build on recent successes in the great MIAA conference.“I look forward to meeting all the great alumni, boosters and community members who make it possible to build our program.”Recognized as an outstanding recruiter and for developing players, as well as being an offensive-minded coach, Held’s running backs at Central Florida rushed for more than 2,500 yards in 2017 when the Knights went 13-0 and won the American Athletic Conference title.At Nebraska, Held’s running backs produced impressive results in his first season in 2018. The group helped the Huskers rush for more than 2,500 yards, as Nebraska boasted the third-most-improved rushing attack in the country, averaging 209 yards per game.His 2022 team at Northern Alabama was among the ASUN Conference leaders in multiple offensive categories, with running back ShunDerrick Powell’s 1,508 rushing yards the fourth-best total in the nation.“Our players will be disciplined, detailed and tough. That’s our culture and what we stand for, on and off the field. That encompasses everything it means to be a Loper football player,” said Held.He said his recruiting strategy at UNK will be to heavily recruit Nebraska high schools and players from across the Midwest and Florida, including junior colleges in Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.“We will recruit impact players from winning programs who fill immediate needs – smart, tough, physical athletes who love to compete,” he said. “I look forward to working with all the great Nebraska coaches. We want Nebraska high school players to be Lopers. That will be paramount to our success.”A native of Overland Park, Kansas, Held&nbsp;was a reserve quarterback and split end at Nebraska from 1993-96, when the Huskers won two national championships, posted a 47-3 record and won three conference titles.He&nbsp;and his wife, Katie, have two sons, Jacob and Greyson. Held also has a daughter, Rhylan

Ryan Held named head football coach at University of Nebraska at Kearney   

 North Platte High School Signing Day 2022

The 11th-ranked Central Oklahoma&nbsp;Bronchos&nbsp;got big efforts from Division I transfer Curtis Haywood II and junior guard Jaden Wells to pull away from Nebraska Kearney,&nbsp;<a href="https://lopers.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2022-23/central-oklahoma/boxscore/7129" target="_blank">62-53</a>, Sunday evening at the Health &amp; Sports Center. The Bronchos (10-1, 5-1) are now 19-5 all-time against the Lopers (2-9, 0-5). The two meet again on February 2nd in Edmond. UNK previously fell at then-No. 7 Minnesota Duluth, 78-72, and at No. 1 Northwest Missouri, 84-74, last Saturday. Behind 11 of 28 three-point shooting and a strong effort from super senior forward&nbsp;Darrian Nebeker&nbsp;(West Jordan, Utah), the Lopers again hung with the nation's best. "The biggest thing tonight was they kind of came alive from the three-point line. Our plan was pretty simple … you can't run them off the three-point line and expect to protect the paint at the same time," said UNK head coach&nbsp;Kevin Lofton. "If you protect the paint, which we chose to do, there are going to be times where they'll get a look or two that could hurt you. We were going to live with that and for the most part it held up but there was stretch in the second half where they got hot." Both teams held a five-point lead in the first half with UNK ahead 17-13 and ready to grab a live ball turnover at the 5:48 mark. However, the ball instead remained with UCO who hit a wide-open corner three to kick start a half closing 13-4 run. The stretch included two more 'Chos threes with UNK missing its last four shots. The Lopers went 8 of 17 from behind the arc in the second half but never regained the lead as UCO grabbed eight offensive rebounds and hit four of their own triples. One key jumper just inside the arc came from Haywood II who previously played at Georgia Tech and Tulsa. The 6-5 guard buried an off balance 20-footer right before the shot clock expired to make it 45-34 with 11:20 to play. UNK didn't get the deficit under seven the rest of the night. "If you start scrambling around, trying to run them off and getting to spread out, now they are finding driving lanes and it's a dunk contest," said Lofton. "We had some guys that showed some signs and did good things but they are legitimately the second best, or the best, team in our league right now." UCO doubled up UNK in paint points, 20-10, and also had a 15-5 advantage in points off turnovers. Next, the 'Chos went 11 of 15 at the line with the Lopers attempting only four freebies. Finally, UCO (21 of 51) and UNK (20 for 50) were almost identical from the field. Haywood II got close to a triple double (15 points, eight assists, seven rebounds) and added three blooks to boot with Wells at a game-high 24 points. He made 7 of 14 shots (4 of 8 threes) and went 6 of 6 at the line. The 'Chos also got seven boards and two dunks from 6-10 sophomore reserve post Luke Haasl. For UNK, Nebeker got close to a triple double (16 points, six assists, six rebounds) as he made 7 of 15 (2 of 6 threes) shots. Fellow starter&nbsp;Sean Evans&nbsp;(Parker, Colo.) tallied 11 thanks to three treys with reserves&nbsp;Winston Cook&nbsp;(Wahoo),&nbsp;Matt Brien&nbsp;(New Zealand) and&nbsp;Tom Connelly&nbsp;(Denver) combining for 16 points and eight rebounds off the bench "A lot of times this semester, Darrian has been hot but not Ryder (Kirsch). Or Ryder's been on and not Darrian," said Lofton. "We've found a solution at the point guard with Jamison (Gruber). He's doing a solid job for us and getting better. Every once in a while he makes a freshman mistake but it's about us getting all the parts clicking together at the same time. Hopefully, we can do that coming off Christmas break." UNK is now off until December 28th with its next games set for the 31st (at Lincoln) and January 2nd (at Central Missouri). "We have a good player (Jaleque Dunson) coming eligible at semester and we're hoping we can integrate him pretty quickly and start to see the rotation click," said Lofton. "Our guys know they can play with some really good teams. We just got to get over the hump."

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsThe 11th-ranked Central Oklahoma&nbsp;Bronchos&nbsp;got big efforts from Division I transfer Curtis Haywood II and junior guard Jaden Wells to pull away from Nebraska Kearney,&nbsp;<a href="https://lopers.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2022-23/central-oklahoma/boxscore/7129" target="_blank">62-53</a>, Sunday evening at the Health &amp; Sports Center. The Bronchos (10-1, 5-1) are now 19-5 all-time against the Lopers (2-9, 0-5). The two meet again on February 2nd in Edmond. UNK previously fell at then-No. 7 Minnesota Duluth, 78-72, and at No. 1 Northwest Missouri, 84-74, last Saturday. Behind 11 of 28 three-point shooting and a strong effort from super senior forward&nbsp;Darrian Nebeker&nbsp;(West Jordan, Utah), the Lopers again hung with the nation's best. "The biggest thing tonight was they kind of came alive from the three-point line. Our plan was pretty simple … you can't run them off the three-point line and expect to protect the paint at the same time," said UNK head coach&nbsp;Kevin Lofton. "If you protect the paint, which we chose to do, there are going to be times where they'll get a look or two that could hurt you. We were going to live with that and for the most part it held up but there was stretch in the second half where they got hot." Both teams held a five-point lead in the first half with UNK ahead 17-13 and ready to grab a live ball turnover at the 5:48 mark. However, the ball instead remained with UCO who hit a wide-open corner three to kick start a half closing 13-4 run. The stretch included two more 'Chos threes with UNK missing its last four shots. The Lopers went 8 of 17 from behind the arc in the second half but never regained the lead as UCO grabbed eight offensive rebounds and hit four of their own triples. One key jumper just inside the arc came from Haywood II who previously played at Georgia Tech and Tulsa. The 6-5 guard buried an off balance 20-footer right before the shot clock expired to make it 45-34 with 11:20 to play. UNK didn't get the deficit under seven the rest of the night. "If you start scrambling around, trying to run them off and getting to spread out, now they are finding driving lanes and it's a dunk contest," said Lofton. "We had some guys that showed some signs and did good things but they are legitimately the second best, or the best, team in our league right now." UCO doubled up UNK in paint points, 20-10, and also had a 15-5 advantage in points off turnovers. Next, the 'Chos went 11 of 15 at the line with the Lopers attempting only four freebies. Finally, UCO (21 of 51) and UNK (20 for 50) were almost identical from the field. Haywood II got close to a triple double (15 points, eight assists, seven rebounds) and added three blooks to boot with Wells at a game-high 24 points. He made 7 of 14 shots (4 of 8 threes) and went 6 of 6 at the line. The 'Chos also got seven boards and two dunks from 6-10 sophomore reserve post Luke Haasl. For UNK, Nebeker got close to a triple double (16 points, six assists, six rebounds) as he made 7 of 15 (2 of 6 threes) shots. Fellow starter&nbsp;Sean Evans&nbsp;(Parker, Colo.) tallied 11 thanks to three treys with reserves&nbsp;Winston Cook&nbsp;(Wahoo),&nbsp;Matt Brien&nbsp;(New Zealand) and&nbsp;Tom Connelly&nbsp;(Denver) combining for 16 points and eight rebounds off the bench "A lot of times this semester, Darrian has been hot but not Ryder (Kirsch). Or Ryder's been on and not Darrian," said Lofton. "We've found a solution at the point guard with Jamison (Gruber). He's doing a solid job for us and getting better. Every once in a while he makes a freshman mistake but it's about us getting all the parts clicking together at the same time. Hopefully, we can do that coming off Christmas break." UNK is now off until December 28th with its next games set for the 31st (at Lincoln) and January 2nd (at Central Missouri). "We have a good player (Jaleque Dunson) coming eligible at semester and we're hoping we can integrate him pretty quickly and start to see the rotation click," said Lofton. "Our guys know they can play with some really good teams. We just got to get over the hump."

UNK MBB: Lopers fall to Bronchos 

The 26th/30th-ranked Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team got a double double from forward&nbsp;Shiloh&nbsp;McCool&nbsp;and shot 49 percent from the field dominate Central Oklahoma,&nbsp;<a href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2022-23/central-oklahoma/boxscore/7066" target="_blank">73-52</a>, Sunday evening at Buckle Court. UNK&nbsp;enters Winter Break at 12-2 (5-1) while&nbsp;UCO, under the direction of a new head coach, falls to 4-6 (1-5). These two teams will meet in Edmond on February 2nd. "We're in a good place. I've said this multiple times but I'll keeping saying it; defensively we've been really consistent. The whole first semester we've shown we can get stops when we need to and make it tough for the other team," said&nbsp;UNK&nbsp;head coach&nbsp;Carrie&nbsp;Eighmey. "Offensively I like what we're doing. We're continuing to spread it around and different people are having big games on different days." The&nbsp;Lopers&nbsp;started Friday night with an 8-0 run against Newman and jumped on the 'Chos&nbsp;by an 8-2 margin today. UNK cooled off against Newman but that wasn't the case today as they tallied at least 14 points in each quarter, went 29 of 59 from the field and led by as many as 27 points. McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) went for a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds with many of her paint buckets coming off passes from forward&nbsp;Elisa Backes&nbsp;(Salina, Kan.) who was in the high post. McCool finished 10 of 12 from the field with Backes at a career-best 10 assists. "Elisa was doing a great job of finding the open player and it was big to have&nbsp;Klaire&nbsp;hit some perimeter shots (3 of 5 threes) when they went zone. It's important to have somebody out there that can stretch the zone," said Eighmey. "Shiloh did a great job finishing around the rim and attacking." UCO didn't find an offense rhythm until a 21-point fourth quarter. Forward Alayzha Knapp (18) and guards Brooke Rayner (15) and Aliyah Llanusa (13) reached double figures but both Knapp and Rayer did their damage in the final 10 minutes. "In the second half we did a good job of coming out and getting what we wanted instead of taking shots they were allowing us to take," said Eighmey. "Really good execution offensively." UNK held a double-digit lead for the last 26 minutes as they were plus 12 on the glass, plus 22 in paint points and plus nine in second chance points. After grabbing 14 o-boards against Newman, the Lopers pulled down 10 today. Besides McCool's heroics, South Dakota super senior wing&nbsp;Klaire Kirsch&nbsp;was at 19 points, eight rebounds and two steals, Backes blocked three shots in addition to her passing with Iowa redshirt junior point guard&nbsp;Sarah Schmitt&nbsp;at 13 points, five boards and two dimes. Off the bench, Iowa wing&nbsp;Meg Burns&nbsp;had another productive outing; 10 points, two boards and an assist. UNK returns to the court on December 28th in preparation for road games at Lincoln (Dec. 31) and Central Missouri (Jan. 2). UCM is now 8-0 overall and 5-0 in MIAA play.

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsThe 26th/30th-ranked Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team got a double double from forward&nbsp;Shiloh&nbsp;McCool&nbsp;and shot 49 percent from the field dominate Central Oklahoma,&nbsp;<a href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2022-23/central-oklahoma/boxscore/7066" target="_blank">73-52</a>, Sunday evening at Buckle Court. UNK&nbsp;enters Winter Break at 12-2 (5-1) while&nbsp;UCO, under the direction of a new head coach, falls to 4-6 (1-5). These two teams will meet in Edmond on February 2nd. "We're in a good place. I've said this multiple times but I'll keeping saying it; defensively we've been really consistent. The whole first semester we've shown we can get stops when we need to and make it tough for the other team," said&nbsp;UNK&nbsp;head coach&nbsp;Carrie&nbsp;Eighmey. "Offensively I like what we're doing. We're continuing to spread it around and different people are having big games on different days." The&nbsp;Lopers&nbsp;started Friday night with an 8-0 run against Newman and jumped on the 'Chos&nbsp;by an 8-2 margin today. UNK cooled off against Newman but that wasn't the case today as they tallied at least 14 points in each quarter, went 29 of 59 from the field and led by as many as 27 points. McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) went for a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds with many of her paint buckets coming off passes from forward&nbsp;Elisa Backes&nbsp;(Salina, Kan.) who was in the high post. McCool finished 10 of 12 from the field with Backes at a career-best 10 assists. "Elisa was doing a great job of finding the open player and it was big to have&nbsp;Klaire&nbsp;hit some perimeter shots (3 of 5 threes) when they went zone. It's important to have somebody out there that can stretch the zone," said Eighmey. "Shiloh did a great job finishing around the rim and attacking." UCO didn't find an offense rhythm until a 21-point fourth quarter. Forward Alayzha Knapp (18) and guards Brooke Rayner (15) and Aliyah Llanusa (13) reached double figures but both Knapp and Rayer did their damage in the final 10 minutes. "In the second half we did a good job of coming out and getting what we wanted instead of taking shots they were allowing us to take," said Eighmey. "Really good execution offensively." UNK held a double-digit lead for the last 26 minutes as they were plus 12 on the glass, plus 22 in paint points and plus nine in second chance points. After grabbing 14 o-boards against Newman, the Lopers pulled down 10 today. Besides McCool's heroics, South Dakota super senior wing&nbsp;Klaire Kirsch&nbsp;was at 19 points, eight rebounds and two steals, Backes blocked three shots in addition to her passing with Iowa redshirt junior point guard&nbsp;Sarah Schmitt&nbsp;at 13 points, five boards and two dimes. Off the bench, Iowa wing&nbsp;Meg Burns&nbsp;had another productive outing; 10 points, two boards and an assist. UNK returns to the court on December 28th in preparation for road games at Lincoln (Dec. 31) and Central Missouri (Jan. 2). UCM is now 8-0 overall and 5-0 in MIAA play.

UNK WBB: Lopers top Bronchos 

High School Basketball - Norfolk @ North Platte High School

Story by Tri-City Storm Athletic Communications

The Tri-City Storm will host the organization’s first-ever mid-west based USHL Futures Camp July 28th&nbsp;– 30th, 2023 in Palatine, Illinois near the city of Chicago. The three-day development and exposure camp will be held at the Orbit Ice Arena located at 615 South Consumers Avenue in Palatine, Illinois.

The Tri-City Storm 2023 USHL Futures Camp is open to any interested player with a 2008 or 2009 birth year only. Camp sign-up and registration information is available on the team website (<a href="http://www.stormhockey.com/" target="_blank">www.stormhockey.com</a>&nbsp;) and is active now at the following link -&nbsp;<a href="https://stormhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/265706410" target="_blank">https://stormhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/265706410</a>. Camp spots will fill fast and are “first come, first served” basis. Once positions at the camp are filled, potential registrants will be locked out from signing up at those positions.

The Tri-City Storm USHL Futures Camp will begin Friday, July 28th&nbsp;with player check-in and arrival at the Orbit Ice Arena at 5:00 PM followed by a group seminar early that evening and then the first on-ice session with a team practice for the attendees. Saturday, July 29th&nbsp;will feature camp participants on-ice for a position-specific practice session in the early part of the day, a group seminar, and an informative Question and Answer Session for the parents attending where they have the opportunity to ask the Tri-City Storm Hockey Operations Staff various questions and gain valuable insight into the Storm program and junior hockey level and beyond, and finally and a competitive game between attendees. Sunday, July 30th&nbsp;will finish off the event with another game between attendees and optional player meetings. Camp will conclude by 12:15 PM on Sunday, July 30th.

This camp is a great opportunity for 2008 and 2009 born players who are interested in playing for the Storm and in the USHL in the near future, but are not yet ready or eligible to play in the league. The camp provides an experience of an extremely competitive USHL camp, a chance to become familiar with one of the top developmental programs in the country, meet the Storm staff, and show their potential for future season(s).

By mid-July 2023, and at least one week in advance, a complete and official schedule, will be sent out to the players who have registered for the event. Expect the event to begin on Friday, July 28th&nbsp;at 5:00 PM at the Orbit Ice Arena and for the event to conclude by 12:15 PM on Sunday, July 30th&nbsp;for travel and planning purposes in and out of the Chicago area.

The Storm’s host hotel for the 2023 Futures Camp will be the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel – Chicago / Arlington Heights (75 West Algonquin Road / Arlington Heights, IL 60005)

Players are responsible for their own travel arrangements and meals while attending the Tri-City Storm Futures Camp.

Story by Tri-City Storm Athletic CommunicationsThe Tri-City Storm will host the organization’s first-ever mid-west based USHL Futures Camp July 28th&nbsp;– 30th, 2023 in Palatine, Illinois near the city of Chicago. The three-day development and exposure camp will be held at the Orbit Ice Arena located at 615 South Consumers Avenue in Palatine, Illinois.The Tri-City Storm 2023 USHL Futures Camp is open to any interested player with a 2008 or 2009 birth year only. Camp sign-up and registration information is available on the team website (<a href="http://www.stormhockey.com/" target="_blank">www.stormhockey.com</a>&nbsp;) and is active now at the following link -&nbsp;<a href="https://stormhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/265706410" target="_blank">https://stormhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/265706410</a>. Camp spots will fill fast and are “first come, first served” basis. Once positions at the camp are filled, potential registrants will be locked out from signing up at those positions.The Tri-City Storm USHL Futures Camp will begin Friday, July 28th&nbsp;with player check-in and arrival at the Orbit Ice Arena at 5:00 PM followed by a group seminar early that evening and then the first on-ice session with a team practice for the attendees. Saturday, July 29th&nbsp;will feature camp participants on-ice for a position-specific practice session in the early part of the day, a group seminar, and an informative Question and Answer Session for the parents attending where they have the opportunity to ask the Tri-City Storm Hockey Operations Staff various questions and gain valuable insight into the Storm program and junior hockey level and beyond, and finally and a competitive game between attendees. Sunday, July 30th&nbsp;will finish off the event with another game between attendees and optional player meetings. Camp will conclude by 12:15 PM on Sunday, July 30th.This camp is a great opportunity for 2008 and 2009 born players who are interested in playing for the Storm and in the USHL in the near future, but are not yet ready or eligible to play in the league. The camp provides an experience of an extremely competitive USHL camp, a chance to become familiar with one of the top developmental programs in the country, meet the Storm staff, and show their potential for future season(s).By mid-July 2023, and at least one week in advance, a complete and official schedule, will be sent out to the players who have registered for the event. Expect the event to begin on Friday, July 28th&nbsp;at 5:00 PM at the Orbit Ice Arena and for the event to conclude by 12:15 PM on Sunday, July 30th&nbsp;for travel and planning purposes in and out of the Chicago area.The Storm’s host hotel for the 2023 Futures Camp will be the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel – Chicago / Arlington Heights (75 West Algonquin Road / Arlington Heights, IL 60005)Players are responsible for their own travel arrangements and meals while attending the Tri-City Storm Futures Camp.The Orbit Ice Arena is about twenty minutes away from the Chicago O‘Hare International Airport (ORD) and about fifty minutes away from the&nbsp;&nbsp;Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) if flights are necessary for travel.