We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Author: Dave Riggert

Chiefs hire Greg Lewis as Wide Receiver coach

Posted on

riggertChiefsKANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Wednesday that the club has hired Greg Lewis to serve as the team’s wide receivers coach.

“I’m very familiar with Greg, both as a player and a coach,” Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid said. “He’s played the game, he understands our system and the kind of production we expect out of our wide receivers. He’s taking over a talented group of guys and I know he is looking forward to the challenge of helping them and our team continue to grow.”

Lewis joins the Chiefs after spending last season as the Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receivers Coach (2016). He served as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints in 2015 and three seasons coaching in the collegiate ranks prior (University of San Diego in 2012, San Jose State in 2013 and Pittsburgh in 2014).

Lewis originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles under Reid in 2003. He played eight seasons in the NFL with the Eagles (2003-08) and Vikings (2009-10) and was a coaching intern for Reid with the Eagles in 2012. Lewis played in all four of Philadelphia’s NFC Championship appearances and caught a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXIX. He played collegiately at the University of Illinois.

— Chiefs Media Relations —

Mizzou baseball to play Georgia at Braves new SunTrust Park April 8

Posted on

riggertMissouriCOLUMBIA, Mo. –  Mizzou Baseball will close its series with SEC East Division rival Georgia in the first ever college game at Suntrust Park, the brand new home of Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves, announced Wednesday (Jan. 25) by the Braves. The game is scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. (CT) first pitch on Saturday, April 8, on SEC Network+.

Suntrust Park, a $622 million stadium, has been under construction in the Cumberland area of Atlanta since November of 2014. It is slated for a soft open on March 31 as the Braves play the New York Yankees in a preseason game. Mizzou and Georgia will play the first college game in the park a week later. To read more about Suntrust Park, please click here.

Mizzou is no stranger to playing in Major League Baseball parks, most recently playing in Kauffman Stadium on March 29, 2016. The Tigers defeated St. Louis, 5-3, in the home of the Kansas City Royals to improve to 5-6 all-time in MLB parks in the state of Missouri. The Tigers have also played in the Metrodome, the former home of the Minnesota Twins, and Minute Made Park, the home of the Houston Astros, over the last several seasons.

Mizzou leads the all-time series with Georgia, 7-5, and the two have been involved in some memorable affairs since the Tigers joined the SEC for the 2013 season. The visiting team has won all four series dating back to that season and Mizzou owns the only sweep in the all-time series, coming during the 2015 campaign in Athens.

— Mizzou Athletics —

No. 2 Kansas gets upset on the road at No. 18 West Virginia

Posted on

riggertKUMORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia’s Esa Ahmad had hoped to improve his defense entering a matchup with No. 2 Kansas. He ended up with a career scoring night.

Ahmad got plenty of open looks at the basket and broke out of a shooting slump with a career-high 27 points to lead No. 18 West Virginia to an 85-69 victory Tuesday, snapping the Jayhawks’ 18-game winning streak.

No. 1 Villanova also lost Tuesday, 74-72 to Marquette.

“I’ve kind of been passive and just passing the ball around,” Ahmad said. “I took it upon myself. My teammates looked for me and kept me positive. I love those guys for that.”

Ahmad led West Virginia in scoring over the first two months of the season but entered Tuesday’s game with four straight games in single digits.

He scored West Virginia’s first eight points against Kansas and finished 10 of 17 from the field. His previous scoring high was 19 points on two other occasions.

“We didn’t guard him and he got off to a great start,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “Of a team that played exceptionally well tonight, I thought he was probably the best player in the game.”

Coach Bob Huggins said Ahmad, a 6-foot-8, 225-pound sophomore, was West Virginia’s “best chance” at beating Kansas.

“Esa had two good days of practice, and he’s our best guy at attacking the rim,” Huggins said. “He’s got size. He’s wider. He’s got those huge hands.”

West Virginia (16-4, 5-3 Big 12) blew a double-digit lead after halftime for the third straight game. Svi Mykhailiuk’s 3-pointer put the Jayhawks ahead 59-58 midway through the second half. But that was their last lead.

Kansas (18-2, 7-1) then went nearly 3 minutes between field goals. Ahmad started and finished a 12-1 run with baskets to put the Mountaineers ahead 70-61 with 4:55 left.

West Virginia limited its turnovers to eight and went 19 of 23 from the line, making nine of their final 10.

“We did both of those things today,” Huggins said. “And when we do, we’re pretty good.”

Nathan Adrian added 11 points and Daxter Miles Jr. and Tarik Phillip each had 10 for West Virginia, which beat Kansas for the fourth straight time in Morgantown.

Josh Jackson matched a season high with 22 points before fouling out for Kansas. Devonte’ Graham added 17 points and Big 12 scoring leader Frank Mason III finished with 15, tying his third-lowest point total of the season.

BIG PICTURE

Kansas: This was the start of the Jayhawks’ toughest stretch of the season with games against three straight ranked teams, including two on the road. Kansas came into the game shooting 50 percent from the field but was limited to 42 percent (25 of 59) on Tuesday.

The Jayhawks also went 6 of 15 from the free throw line.

“Just got to get in the gym and get better at that,” Jackson said.

West Virginia: The Mountaineers snapped a two-game losing streak with arguably their most complete performance of the season. When Kansas took the lead midway through the second half, West Virginia didn’t wilt the way it did in losses to Oklahoma and Kansas State.

“It was a must win,” Phillip said. “It’s what we talked about all week. Losing wasn’t on our mind.”

BEATING 1-2

Coupled with an 89-68 victory over then-No. 1 Baylor on Jan. 10, West Virginia accomplished the rare feat of defeating teams ranked first and second in the AP poll in same season. During the 2011-12 regular season, Indiana beat No. 1 Kentucky and No. 2 Ohio State.

HUGGINS BOOST

Huggins moved past Eddie Sutton into ninth place in major college history with his 807th career victory. Huggins also earned $25,000 for another win over the Jayhawks, a stipulation from a 2012 contract extension.

UP NEXT

Kansas plays at No. 4 Kentucky in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge on Saturday, then hosts No. 5 Baylor on Feb. 1.

West Virginia hosts Texas A&M on Saturday ine the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.

— Associated Press —

K-State’s rally comes up short as they lose at Iowa State 70-65

Posted on

riggertKansasStateAMES, Iowa (AP) — It seemed for months like Iowa State was as unlucky as any team in the country.

The Cyclones finally caught some breaks Tuesday — at the expense of the equally unfortunate Kansas State Wildcats.

Senior Matt Thomas scored a career-high 25 points and Iowa State held off a furious Kansas State rally to win 70-65, its fourth victory in six games.

Naz Mitrou-Long had 13 and Monte Morris scored 12 for the Cyclones (13-6, 5-3 Big 12), who blew a 46-26 lead but survived after Mitrou-Long’s steal and free throws with 21 seconds left.

“It’s hard to win in this league,” said a beaming Iowa State coach Steve Prohm when asked why he was so upbeat despite his team’s poor second half. “Man, I’m as happy as I’ve ever been right now…we’re 5-3 in the best league in the country.”

Thomas, who entered averaging 11 points per outing, scored 20 points in a blistering first half as Iowa State jumped ahead 43-26. Thomas opened the second half with a 3-pointer to make it a 20-point game.

“He had an out of body experience. It opens up things for everybody,” Mitrou-Long said of Thomas. “Matt is a heck of a shooter.”

It seemed over — until K-State (15-5, 4-4) answered with a stunning 32-11 run that gave it a 58-57 lead with just over five minutes left.

Morris scored on back-to-back possessions to give Iowa State the lead back, and Deonte Burton’s layup with 39 seconds to go gave the Cyclones — who lost to Gonzaga, Baylor and Kansas by a total of eight points — a cushion that proved crucial in the closing moments.

Wesley Iwundu had 15 points for the Wildcats. Their three road losses in the Big 12 have come by a total of eight points as well.

“I’m not sure where we were in the first half,” Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said. “To their credit, they pulled it together.”

THE BIG PICTURE

Iowa State: The first half went like the Cyclones hope to play every night — forcing tough shots, crashing the glass and getting back up to the floor as quickly as possible to get its talented scorers advantageous looks. Iowa State got away from that in the second half and, quite frankly, was lucky to hold on.

Kansas State: The Wildcats couldn’t find Thomas in the first half. Thomas buried six of his first eight tries from 3-point range — from spots all over the floor — and that nearly helped bury K-State. The Wildcats again showed their mettle on the road in the second half, but the breaks didn’t go their way in the final minute.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Kansas State received the most points of any unranked team in this week’s Top 25. But the Wildcats likely won’t make it in next week even with their late rally. Iowa State, fifth among other receiving votes, just might if it wins Saturday at Vanderbilt.

HE SAID IT

“We were making too many passes instead of just going out and finishing plays. But we just weren’t tough enough defensively. But when we had to turn it up… (Burton) made winning plays down the stretch,” Prohm on Iowa State’s late struggles.

THE NUMBERS

Kamau Stokes had 12 points, Isaiah Maurice scored 11 and Barry Brown and D.J. Johnson each had 10 for K-State. … Burton was off on offense, but he finished with nine points, six boards, four blocks and three steals. … Iowa State was 11 of 23 on 3s.

UP NEXT

Iowa State plays Saturday at Vanderbilt in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. A win in Nashville could push the Cyclones back into the Top 25.

Kansas State travels to face Tennessee on Saturday.

— Associated Press —

Missouri State falls at home to Drake in overtime

Posted on

riggertMSUSPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Reed Timmer scored 27 points, including a game-winning driving layup with 16 seconds left in overtime to give Drake a 72-71 win over Missouri State on Tuesday night.

Nick McGlynn and Graham Woodward each hit jumpers to give Drake a 68-65 lead in the extra session and McGlynn’s basket with 52 seconds left made it 70-68. Dequon Miller made 1 of 2 free throws and the Bears trailed 70-69.

After Timmer’s left-handed layup in traffic for a three-point lead, Missouri State’s Jarrid Rhodes missed a 3 and Obediah Church hit a jumper at the buzzer.

Ore Arogundade and McGlynn scored 10 apiece and T.J. Thomas grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds for Drake (7-14, 5-4 Missouri Valley).

The Bulldogs led 34-33 at halftime and Timmer tied it at 64 at the end of regulation.

Alize Johnson had 17 points and 17 rebounds for his 13th double-double for the Bears (14-8, 5-4), who saw their three-game win streak end.

— Associated Press —

Central High School names Andy Ball new football coach

Posted on

ballClick here to listen to new Central football coach Andy Ball

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Central High School named Andy Ball its new football coach on Tuesday, as he comes to the Indians after serving as the offensive line coach at Missouri Western the last two seasons.

Ball takes over for Phil Pitts, who resigned after one season at Central to become the defensive coordinator at Lincoln University.  The Indians went 4-7 this past season.

This will be Ball’s first head coaching job as he’s been a position coach in college his entire career.

Ball spent the last two years in St. Joseph at Missouri Western as the offensive line coach of the Griffons.  Prior to that he was the defensive line coach and co-recruiting coordinator at Truman State from 2011-2014.  Ball spent four years at Missouri S&T in charge of the offensive line, strength and conditioning, special teams and recruiting.  And he started his coaching career at Culver-Stockton, where he spent three years as the offensive and defensive line coach and the strength and conditioning coordinator.

Ball comes from a strong football pedigree as his father Randy coached eight seasons (1990-98) at Western Illinois and spent seven seasons as the head coach at Missouri State.  Randy is currently a pro personnel scouting assistant for the Kansas City Chiefs, while his uncle Russ Ball is the Vice President of Football Administration/Player Finance of the Green Bay Packers.

Missouri’s Sophie Cunningham named SEC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week

Posted on

SECriggertCOLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou sophomore guard Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) was named Southeastern Conference Co-Player of the Week, announced Tuesday by the league office. It’s Cunningham’s first weekly honor since earning SEC Freshman of the Week six times last season and Mizzou’s second weekly award this season, with senior Sierra Michaelis receiving SEC Co-Player of the Week recognition in December.

Cunningham steered Mizzou to a pair of wins last week as the Tigers extended their win streak to three games. The sensational sophomore averaged 20.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists to lead Mizzou to victories over No. 25 Texas A&M and Arkansas.

On Thursday, Cunningham guided her team to an upset overtime win over No. 25 Texas A&M with the top scoring performance in the SEC during league play this season. Cunningham poured in a season-high 36 points on 10-of-19 shooting in the victory. She made a career-high 14 free throws, just three shy of the single-game program record. She is the first Tiger in 15 seasons with 10 field goals and 10 free throws in the same game and she has now accomplished that feat twice in her career (Wake Forest, Nov. 22, 2015).

Cunningham dominated late to beat the Aggies. Ten of her 14 free throws came after the 1:04 mark of the fourth quarter. Her game-tying, clutch layup with three seconds remaining sent the game to overtime and her free throws in the extra period sealed the win.

On Monday, in a blowout win on the road at Arkansas that saw nine Tigers find the scoring column, Cunningham chipped in five points and five assists. She added seven rebounds in the rout for the second consecutive game to complete an all-around solid effort. It marks the fourth time this season she’s recorded at least seven points and five assists in the same game.

After her stellar week, Cunningham is now the only player in the SEC shooting above 80 percent from the free throw line and above 45 percent from the field. She has reached 20 points in a game five times since returning from an injury in mid-December and has done so 16 times in 50 career games. For the season, Cunningham ranks third in the SEC in scoring with 16.9 points per game.

Mizzou begins a two-game homestand when it hosts Auburn on Thursday night at Mizzou Arena before a rematch with Kentucky on Jan. 30. The contest against Auburn is set to tip at 7 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State’s Pitts earns weekly MIAA basketball honor

Posted on

Northwest2013riggertKANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University junior guard Justin Pitts has been named the MIAA Men’s Basketball Athlete of the Week. Pitts averaged 30.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in a pair of wins last week for the top-ranked Bearcats.

Against Nebraska-Kearney, Pitts scored a season-high 37 points on 14-of-22 shooting. He had seven assists, six rebounds and just one turnover. He was 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. On Saturday, Pitts scored 23 points with five rebounds, four assists and four steals. He was 3-of-7 from three point territory and 7-of-18 from the field. For the week, he went 10-of-10 from the charity stripe.

Northwest will play at Missouri Western on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 4 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

Michaelis leads Missouri women to 60-46 win at Arkansas

Posted on

riggertMissouriFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Mizzou earned its third consecutive victory and head coach Robin Pingeton secured her 450th career win as the Tigers raced past Arkansas, 60-46, on Monday night in Fayetteville, Ark. Mizzou (14-7, 4-3) clinched its first road victory at Arkansas since Dec 21, 2008 and the second total win over the Razorbacks in Fayetteville in program history.

Mizzou has now won six SEC road games by double digits since joining the league and beaten four SEC opponents by 14 points or more on the road since the 2014-15 campaign. The Tigers’ current three-game win streak is the third streak of three games or more in conference play over the last two seasons.

Senior guard Sierra Michaelis (Mercer, Mo.) tallied a game-high 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Mizzou. During the performance, Michaelis became the 34th Tiger in program history to eclipse 1,000 career points. With 1,009 career points, she ranks 33rd on Mizzou’s all-time scoring list.

She has now scored in double digits five times in seven conference games and recorded five 20-point outings this season. Michaelis shot a scorching 10-of-16 from the floor and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc on Monday, matching her career high for total field goals in a game for the third time.

Sophomore Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) contributed 10 points, making all of her field goal attempts (4-of-4), and dished three assists for the second time this season.  Fellow sophomore Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) chipped in five points, seven rebounds and five assists in an all-around effort. Freshman Amber Smith (Shreveport, La.) added nine points off the bench, including three consecutive buckets to end the first quarter.

Mizzou led for all forty minutes on Monday night and set the tone early, racing ahead 13-2 out of the gate with a balanced attack. Six different Tigers scored in the opening frame as Mizzou held a 21-8 edge after 10 minutes of action. Mizzou has now outscored opponents 119-71 in first quarters during SEC play and limited opponents to single-digit scoring in a quarter 15 times during the 2016-17 campaign.

Michaelis helped Mizzou maintain its lead with hot shooting in the second quarter. She scored seven points in the frame, including a steal and transition score that pushed the Tigers in front by 15. After an Arkansas bucket, Mizzou led 33-20 at halftime.

Mizzou surged in front by as many as 20 points midway through the third quarter. After a layup and another jumper by Michaelis, Mizzou led 45-25 with 15 minutes left in the game.  The Tigers sustained their defensive intensity throughout the second half. Arkansas shot just 32.7 percent from the field in the game, the eighth opponent Mizzou has held under 35-percent shooting this season.

The Razorbacks could not cut the deficit below 14 as both times Mizzou responded with a triple from freshman Jordan Chavis (Lexington, N.C.) and Michaelis. Michaelis finished with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the second half as the Tigers cruised to a big road win.

Mizzou begins a two-game homestand when it hosts Auburn on Thursday night at Mizzou Arena before a rematch with Kentucky on Jan. 30. The contest against Auburn is set to tip at 7 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File