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Category: Kansas State

Jayhawks hold off Kansas State for win in Manhattan

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Tyshawn Taylor heard the Kansas State fans razzing him during pre-game warmups. The senior guard for Kansas (No. 5 ESPN/USA Today, No. 4 AP) understands that the confidence he exudes rubs some the wrong way.

Here’s the thing, though: He backs up the bravado when the game is on the line.

Taylor scored 10 of his 20 points during a key stretch of the second half Monday night, allowing the Jayhawks to survive a stiff test from the Wildcats in a 59-53 victory.

And it was Taylor who had the last word.

“They had a chance to talk to me while I was warming up,” he said of the fans in Bramlage Coliseum. “I felt like I had my chance to talk to them a little bit after the game.”

Taylor popped the front of his jersey in the closing minutes, no doubt irking the purple-clad fans who had worked themselves into a frenzy during the Wildcats’ second-half charge.

The one that Taylor seemed to answer all by himself.

“Tyshawn has been unbelievable in conference play,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “Arguably as good a player as there is in the league in conference play.”

Jeff Withey added 18 points 11 rebounds and nine blocks in another impressive performance, helping make up for an off game by Thomas Robinson and allow the Jayhawks (21-5, 11-2 Big 12) to win for the 36th time in their last 39 games against the Interstate 70 rival.

Kansas moved one-half game ahead of No. 3 Missouri (23-2, 10-2), which plays Oklahoma State on Wednesday night, in the race for the regular-season conference championship.

Jamar Samuels had a season-high 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Wildcats (17-8, 6-7), who missed out on a golden opportunity to tack a signature win on its NCAA tournament resume.

The Wildcats were not without their chances.

They briefly pulled ahead midway through the second half, and were within 55-51 when Rodney McGruder knocked down a jumper with 1:14 left in the game. But they came up empty on their next three trips down the court, unable to take advantage of the Jayhawks’ balky foul shooting.

“This loss hurt,” Samuels said.

McGruder finished with 12 points for Kansas State, while Will Spradling had 10.

“When you’ve got grown men playing for you, it makes our guys look like little kids,” Kansas State coach Frank Martin said. “We have to prepare our guys to handle those situations.”

The Jayhawks, who used a big first-half run en route to a 67-49 win in Lawrence last month, got off to another good start. Robinson’s basket made it 23-12 with 4:09 left before halftime, part of a stretch in which Kansas State went 7 minutes without scoring.

Thomas Gipson finally got on the board with 2:15 remaining, the first points by anyone besides Samuels and McGruder for Kansas State. Samuels added two free throws in the final minute to get the Wildcats within 28-18 at halftime.

It was the start of their only sustained run.

Spradling hit a jumper out of halftime, and Samuels knocked down two 3-pointers — a big confidence boost for someone who came into the game shooting 22.9 percent beyond the arc.

“He always makes 3s against us,” Self said.

Samuels’ second 3-pointer got Kansas State within 32-30, and a basket by Jordan Henriquez a couple minutes later tied the game. Gipson’s free throw with 11:47 left gave the Wildcats a 37-36 lead, their first since it was 2-1 in the opening minutes of the game.

It didn’t last long.

Taylor rattled in a 3-pointer from the top of the key as the shot clock hit zero to put Kansas back into the lead. He added another 3 moments later, and Withey grabbed an offensive board and managed to coax home a layup as the Jayhawks stretched it open.

Kansas State struggled to find an answer after the Jayhawks switched to a zone defense.

“Those junk defenses — and I say that in a nice way, not a negative way — they’re made to get you to stand around,” Martin said. “They got the mission accomplished.”

Taylor added a circus-like layup to make it 47-37 with 6:29 left, forcing Martin to call a timeout. The Jayhawks kept pouring on the pressure, with Taylor answering a basket by Gipson with his own soaring dunk along the baseline.

Gipson lost his cool on the next trip down court. The big freshman stood his ground and drew a charge on Robinson, his fourth foul, but said something as the two stood up. He was hit with a technical foul, and Withey knocked down both free throws to restore a 10-point lead.

Kansas survived some tense moments down the stretch to win another game in Manhattan.

“We’re going to have to keep fighting these battles to win the league,” Taylor said. “We just have to keep battling and keep getting better, because we still have a couple of tough games.”

— Associated Press —

K-State blows 13-point halftime lead and loses at Texas

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J’Covan Brown scored 23 points and Texas got a career effort from senior forward Alexis Wangmene to rally to a 75-64 victory over Kansas State on Saturday.

The Longhorns’ third win in a row is an important one for a team desperate to build its NCAA tournament resume over the final weeks of the regular season.

Texas trailed 40-27 at halftime before battling back. Brown, the Big 12’s leading scorer, made a deep 3-pointer to put the Longhorns ahead with just over 8 minutes to play.

Wangmene had his first career double-double for Texas (16-9, 6-6 Big 12). His 15 points and 13 rebounds were both career highs.

Angel Rodriguez scored 15 points for Kansas State (17-7, 6-6), but the point guard also had six of his team’s 16 turnovers.

— Associated Press —

K-State cruises past Texas Tech Tuesday, 65-46

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Shane Southwell scored 13 points to lead Kansas State to a 65-46 victory against Texas Tech on Tuesday night.

Will Spradling and Rodney McGruder had 10 points each for the Wildcats (17-6, 6-5 Big 12).

Luke Adams, a 5-foot-9-freshman, scored 15 points for the Red Raiders (7-16, 0-11).

Offense was a challenge for both teams, especially in the first half. Kansas State shot 6 of 26 (23.1 percent) in the half but led 31-17 at the break. Midway through the first half, there was a stretch of more than five minutes where neither team scored.

Texas Tech went 8 minutes, 24 seconds without a field goal in the first half and did not make its first basket of the second half until Jaye Crockett sank a baseline jumper with 10:11 remaining.

The Red Raiders cut the lead to 50-40 with 2:53 remaining after an 18-3 run that featured three Adams 3-pointers, but Kansas State regrouped and pulled away.

— Associated Press —

Kansas State uses big second half to down A&M

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Will Spradling had a career high 19 points, Angel Rodriguez scored all 13 of his points in the second half and Kansas State rallied for a 64-53 victory over Texas A&M on Saturday.

The backcourt duo provided just enough offense to bail out the Wildcats (16-6, 5-5 Big 12), who were awful from the field in the first half. Spradling had four 3-pointers and Rodriguez added four assists as Kansas State avoided a third consecutive loss.

The Wildcats improved to 21-3 in February over the past three-plus seasons, including a 12-1 mark at Bramlage Coliseum, which is fast becoming one of the league’s most difficult venues.

Elston Turner scored 18 and Naji Hibbert had 14 for the Aggies (12-10, 3-7), who will head off to the SEC having lost all nine games they’ve played on the road against the Wildcats.

The teams meet again in College Station later this month.

— Associated Press —

K-State releases football recruiting class

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Head football coach Bill Snyder released Kansas State’s 2012 recruiting class Wednesday with the announcement of 26 student-athletes who plan on joining or already are a part the Wildcat program.

Kansas State’s class of 2012 includes 20 players from the high school ranks and six community college players. Of the group, nine are currently enrolled at K-State and will participate in spring practice.

“As we’ve always maintained, it takes several years to accurately assess the quality of a recruiting class and the young men who represent it,” said Snyder. “Hopefully we have assessed the skills, capabilities and intrinsic values of these young people accurately. As always, time will tell. Part of the value of this class lies in the fact that 11 of these student-athletes either have been or will be in classes and participate in our out-of-season program and spring practice. As it has in past years, hopefully this will greatly enhance the level of Division I experience at a young age as last year’s class produced seven 2011 starters. We have been impressed by the desire of each of these young men to become the best person, best student and best athlete possible as they seem committed to work hard. This class represents 12 states with six community college transfers and 20 high school graduates. Those presently in the program have been well received by their teammates and the Kansas State football family and seem to fit in extremely well.

As always, we greatly appreciate the coaches, faculty members and administrators throughout the state of Kansas and the United States who have received our coaches and our program so very graciously, and I am especially proud of the Kansas State faculty for their assistance in conveying the great support services and equally great education provided by this University.”

Overall on the defensive side of the ball, the 2012 class includes six total defensive linemen, two linebackers and three defensive backs. K-State’s offensive recruiting haul also includes one quarterback, three running back/fullbacks, five wide receivers, one tight end and three offensive linemen. Also included are two players listed as “athletes” who could play on either side of the ball.

Kansas State’s class of 2012 also continues to show how broad and thorough Snyder and his staff were on the recruiting trail as all 26 players hail from 12 different states, including nine from the state of Texas, five from the state of Kansas, two from Oklahoma, two from the state of Louisiana and one each from the states of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York and Nebraska.

In addition, two scholarships for the 2012 class were awarded to players who were with the program this past fall – defensive lineman John Sua and starting left guard Nick Puetz.

Class Breakdown

By State:

Arkansas (1): Samuel Harvill

Florida (1): Kent Gainous

GEORGIA (1): Wesley Hollingshed

Kansas (5): Morgan Burns, Deante Burton, Chaquil Reed, Matt Seiwert, Vernon Vaughn

Louisiana (2): Charles Jones, Judah Jones

Maryland (1): Tavon Rooks

Missouri (1): Travis Britz

New Jersey (1): Ellwood Clement

New York (1): Glenn Gronkowski

Nebraska (1): Tavarius Bender

Oklahoma (2): Dante Barnett, Hunter Davis

Texas (9): Marquez Clark, Will Davis, Aderius Epps, Demonte Hood, Jarvis Leverett, Mike Moore, Cody Small, Donnie Starks, Steven West

Dante Barnett

Athlete

6-1, 175

Tulsa, Okla. (Booker T. Washington)

AT BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL: Recorded 100 tackles and nine interceptions on his way to earning second team all-state honors as a senior in 2010… Also hauled in 10 touchdowns as a receiver… Recorded 101 tackles as a junior and also caught 32 passes for 775 yards and six touchdowns… Led Booker T. Washington to a 13-1 record and a state championship this past season… Also collected nine interceptions as a junior… High school teammates with Tyler Lockett and Keenan Taylor.

PERSONAL: Dante Barnett was born June 14, 1993… Son of Larry Barnett and Tiah Pankey.

Tavarius Bender

Quarterback

6-3, 210

Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest)

AT LINCOLN SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated early and is currently enrolled at K-State… Rated the No. 20 dual-threat quarterback in the country by Rivals and the No. 1 overall player in the state of Nebraska… Threw for 1,025 yards, rushed for 699 yards and accounted for 20 total touchdowns as a senior… 2011 Super State First Team pick and First Team All-Cirty selection… Ran for 793 yards and five scores in 2010 while throwing for 970 yards and six touchdowns as a junior… Selected to the All-City Class A team and all-state team as a sophomore… No. 55-ranked QB in Class of 2012 as rated by ESPNU… 2010 Class A Honorable Mention All-State selection as named by The Lincoln Journal-Star and Omaha World-Herald… Accumulated a 3.5 GPA in high school.

PERSONAL: Tavarius Bender was born April 1, 1994… Son of Jeremy Bender.

Travis Britz

Defensive Lineman

6-4, 287

Harrisonville, Mo. (Harrisonville)

AT HARRISONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Rated the No. 20 player in the state of Missouri by Rivals… 2011 first team all-state pick by the Missouri Coaches Association and Missouri Sports Writers Association… 2011 Kansas City Star All-Metro First Team pick… Recorded 70 tackles and seven sacks in 2011… Collected 99 tackles and three sacks as a junior… Totaled 214 career tackles in three seasons… Two-time All-Missouri River Valley pick… MaxPrep Second Team All-American and Missouri Class 4 Defensive MVP in 2011… Also took fourth in the state in wrestling as a heavyweight in 2011… Accumulated a 3.3 GPA in high school.

PERSONAL: Travis Britz was born January 26, 1994… Son of Janice and Tom Britz.

Morgan Burns

Defensive Back

5-11, 195

Wichita, Kan. (Trinity Academy)

AT TRINITY ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL: The No. 14 player in the state of Kansas in 2010 according to Rivals.com… A three-time all-league pick at both defensive back and running back… Two-time all-metro selection… Rushed for 2,700 yards and 36 touchdowns over his last two seasons… Also a state champion in track at 100m, 200m and 400m and a member of the state-champion basketball squad.

PERSONAL: Morgan Burns was born May 19, 1993… Son of Brad and Greta Burns.

Deante Burton

Wide Receiver

6-2, 200

Manhattan, Kan. (Manhattan)

AT MANHATTAN HIGH SCHOOL: Helped Manhattan to an 11-1 record last season… First Team All-Centennial League as a senior… Earned all-state honors as a defensive back… Had 20 receptions for 327 yards, five touchdowns, and a pair of interceptions in 2011… Collected 216 rushing yards and three scores in 2011… Returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown in the 2011 playoffs against Dodge City… Totaled two punt return scores on the season… Had 244 yards receiving in 2010 with three touchdowns… Two-year starter at both wide receiver and defensive back… Lettered three seasons for the Indians and compiled a 30-3 record during that time.

PERSONAL: Deante Burton was born July 12, 1994… Son of Morrison and Valentina Burton.

Marquez Clark

Wide Receiver

6-0, 180

Texarkana, Texas (Navarro JC)

AT NAVARRO JC: The No. 16 rated junior college player in the nation by Rivals… A 2011 First Team All-American and Southwest Junior College Football Conference MVP… Set NJCAA individual single-season receiving records for receptions (98) and yardage (1,639) and claimed virtually every Navarro career and single-season pass-catching record in the process in 2011… Totaled 100-plus receiving yards in each of his final 10 games… Caught nine or more passes in six of those games, including a 13-catch,186-yard effort in a 40-24 Heart Of Texas Bowl win over New Mexico Military Institute… In 23 games during two years at Navarro, finished with 126-2039-19 receiving, but also starred in an all-purpose role by totaling 3,304 yards and 20 touchdowns in 181 plays — almost 18.3 yards per touch… For his career, averaged 26.1 yards per kickoff return (38-993) and 20.3 yards from 10 punt returns during the 2011 season, including one for an 84-yard score against Trinity Valley… Led Navarro to a 21-3 record in two seasons, including a national title in 2010 and a No. 5 national ranking in 2011.

AT LIBERTY-EYLAU HIGH SCHOOL: A First Team All-District 16-3A pick as a junior and senior by Rivals… Voted Offensive Most Valuable Player as a sophomore… Holds school records in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash… Took fifth in the 100-meter dash in the 2010 Texas State Championships… A former teammate of Oregon’s LaMichael James.

PERSONAL: Marquez Clark was born September 26, 1991.

Ellwood Clement

Offensive Lineman

6-5, 310

Deptford, N.J. (Eastern Arizona CC)

AT EASTERN ARIZONA CC: Helped Eastern Arizona to a 9-3 record in 2011… A second team all-conference pick as a freshman…A First Team All-American and first team all-conference pick in his sophomore season… Helped Eastern Arizona finish with a national ranking of No. 20 and No. 19 in his two years…Led the way for the No. 1 rushing attack in the NJCAA in each of his two years.

AT DEPTFORD HIGH SCHOOL: Named to the All-Tri County team and was a second team all-state pick… Received honorable mention accolades in basketball as well.

PERSONAL: Ellwood Clement was born January 22, 1991… He is the son of Yetta Clement.

Hunter Davis

Defensive End

6-3, 246

Choctaw, Okla. (Choctaw)

AT CHOCTAW HIGH SCHOOL: Named to PrepStar magazine’s All-Midlands Region team in 2010… Recorded 59 tackles during his senior season (30 solo, 34 assisted)… Recorded 3.0 sacks… Participated in Under Armour and U.S. Army Combines… Named all-conference, all-district and all-state as a senior… Nominated for the Wendy’s Heisman Trophy for high school student-athletes… Was also a team captain.

PERSONAL: Hunter Davis was born December 12, 1992… Son of Ken and Bobbie Brewer… Relative of current Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker.

Will Davis

Linebacker

6-1, 213

Southlake, Texas (Carroll)

AT CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL: Led Carroll to an undefeated state championship in 2011… Had 176 tackles, including 115 solos, 10 sacks, six knockdowns, two forced fumble and two fumble recoveries… Named the Texas Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year by the Texas Sports Writers Association and Padilla Poll… Team captain and Defensive MVP in 2011 and also was named the Defensive MVP of the 2011 state title game… Earned 2011 first team all-state honors from Fox Sports, Old Coach and 5A Texas Football… Named all-area by the Dallas Morning News and Old Coach… Named one of the state’s top recruits by the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Dallas Morning News, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and Lemming… Totaled 308 tackles, 25 for a loss, and 14.0 sacks in his final two seasons… Led Carroll to a combined 37-6 record in three seasons… Also an academic all-state scholar and a member of the National Honor Society.

PERSONAL: Will Davis was born November 4, 1993… Son of Barry and Leigh Davis.

Aderius Epps

Offensive Lineman

6-2, 295

Cedar Hill, Texas (Cedar Hill)

AT CEDAR HILL HIGH SCHOOL: Named to the Old Coach Texas Top 100 list… Rated the No. 87 player in the state of Texas by Old Coach… First team all-district as a senior and honorable mentioned pick as a junior… Team captain as a junior and senior… Led the team in pancakes, averaging 5.0 a game… Four-year letterman… Earned a third-place finish at the regional power lifting meet… Also a team captain on the basketball team.

PERSONAL: Aderius Epps was born May 18, 1994… Son of Oscar and Belenthia Epps.

Kent Gainous

Safety

6-1, 190

Orlando, Fla. (Trinity Valley CC)

AT TRINITY VALLEY CC: Tallied 35 tackles and an interception this past fall for Trinity Valley… All-SWJCC first team selection… Teammate of fellow Wildcat signee Wesley Hollingshed.

AT EDGEWATER HIGH SCHOOL: Made Florida’s Third-Team All-4A team as a senior.

PERSONAL: Kent Gainous was born April 6, 1992…. Son of Kent and Cynthia Gainous.

Glenn Gronkowski

Fullback

6-3, 235

Amherst, N.Y. (Williamsville North)

AT WILLIAMSVILLE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL: Caught 53 passes for 762 yards and 11 touchdowns during his 2010 senior season… Had two passes for 90 yards…. Recorded eight interceptions, returning two for touchdowns… Recovered two fumbles, returning one for an 85-yard touchdown… Recorded 43 solo tackles… Punted for a 35.8 average and handled all of the kicking duties….Named co-Offensive Player of the Year in Section VI Class AA North… Totaled 125 catches for 2,076 yards and 23 touchdowns during high school career.

PERSONAL: Glenn Gronkowski was born March 25, 1993…The brother of current NFL players Dan (Browns), Rob (Patriots), and Chris (Colts) Gronkowski… Brother Gordie also played pro baseball in the Angels’ organization… Son of Diane and Gordon Gronkowski.

Samuel Harvill

Defensive Tackle

6-1, 255

Springdale, Ark. (Shiloh Christian)

AT SHILOH CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL: Named to the 2010 4A All-State First Team by the Arkansas Activities Association… Selected as a MaxPreps Class of 2011 All-American… Set the Army All-American Combine Bench Press Record… Set the Under Armour All-American Combine Bench Press Record… Selected as a two-time lineman MVP of the state title game… Selected to the AP All-Arkansas Team… Named the Morning News Defensive Player of the Year… Named the Arkansas Sophomore Defensive Player of the Year… Named to Prep Star magazine’s All-West Region team… Led Shiloh Christian to four league titles and three state championships… Recorded 71 tackles with 10 sacks and two forced fumbles as a senior… Had 68 tackles (47 solo, 21 assisted) as a junior… Recorded 8.5 sacks… Forced five fumbles and recovered three… Finished his career with 341 tackles, 95 tackles for loss and an Arkansas state-record 48.5 sacks.

PERSONAL: Samuel Harvill was born March 3, 1992… Son of Bill and Kristi Harvill… Has two siblings, Brad and Mindy.

Wesley Hollingshed

Defensive Tackle

6-2, 300

Atlanta, Ga. (Trinity Valley CC)

AT TRINITY VALLEY CC: The No. 47 rated junior college player in the nation by Rivals… Totaled 21 tackles in eight games in 2010… Helped Trinity Valley rank 20th in rushing defense in the NJCAA… Teammate of fellow Wildcat signee Kent Gainous.

AT PEACH COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL: A first team all-state selection… Helped Peach County High School win back-to-back state championships… Played in the Gwinnett County All-Star game and was also a Gwinnett County player of the week… Compiled 14 sacks, 110 tackles and 22 tackles for loss during his senior campaign.

PERSONAL: Wesley Hollingshed was born April 7, 1991… Son of Terry Hollingshed and Tracey Tharpe.

Demonte Hood

Defensive Tackle

6-0, 295

Arlington, Texas (Bowie)

AT BOWIE HIGH SCHOOL: Had 60 tackles, seven for loss and two sacks in 2011… A first team All-District 4-5A selection.

PERSONAL: Demonte Hood was born August 20, 1993.

Charles Jones

5-11, 180

Running Back

Mandeville, La. (Mandeville)

AT MANDEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: A three-year starter for head coach Guy Lecompte… Rushed for 1,767 yards and 22 touchdowns while hauling in 31 passes for 321 yards during his senior season… Honorable mention all-state pick by the LSWA… Named the New Orleans Player of the Week following a 213-yard performance against Parkway… Accounted for nearly 700 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns as a junior… Will join fellow New Orleans-area Wildcats Cornelius Lucas, Torell Miller and Daniel Sams.

PERSONAL: Charles Jones was born January 20, 1994… Son of Charles and Zondra Jones.

Judah Jones

6-1, 180

Wide Receiver

Shreveport, La. (Evangel Christian)

AT EVANGEL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL: As a junior, Jones put up just over 1,000 all-purpose yards and scored 16 touchdowns en route to all-district honors… Had 43 receptions for 728 receiving yards with six touchdowns as a senior… Also averaged 24.0 yards on eight kick returns in 2011… Evangel advanced to the Louisiana 2A State Semifinals in 2011.

PERSONAL: Judah Jones was born November 14, 1993… Son of Dewitt and Kim Jones… Judah plays the drums for the highly successful family Christian Gospel band, forever JONES… His parents formed the band with their five children… The band was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 2011.

Jarvis Leverett

Running Back

5-11, 200

Katy, Texas (Cypress Lakes)

AT CYPRESS LAKES HIGH SCHOOL: Listed as the eighth-best running back in Texas by the Houston Chronicle… Also named to the newspaper’s Texas Top 100 list this season… In a three-game stretch, he had 500 yards rushing and five touchdowns as a senior… Was named the school’s MVP as a sophomore in track… Member of the district qualifying 4×100 meter relay team as a sophomore.

PERSONAL: Jarvi Leverett was born April 21, 1994… Son of Pearline Williams.

Mike Moore

Linebacker

6-1, 213

Dallas, Texas (Skyline)

AT SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL: Helped lead the Raiders to a 9-3 overall record (7-0 league) during the 2010 season… Two-time all-district pick… Named one of the Top 100 players in the state of Texas prior to senior season… Teammate of current Wildcat Marquel Bryant.

PERSONAL: Mike Moore was born January 30, 1993… Son of Mike and Shannon Moore.

Chaquil Reed

Defensive Lineman

6-3, 290

Wichita, Kan. (Butler County CC)

AT BUTER COUNTY CC: Helped lead Butler to a combined 22-2 record in 2010 and 2011… Collected 43 tackles and five sacks en route to 2011 all-conference honors… Also tallied 21 tackles in 2010.

AT WICHITA EAST HIGH SCHOOL: Combined for 216 tackles, including 83 as a senior, in three seasons… Collected 11 sacks as a senior and 16.5 for his career… Named an all-city performer in 2007, 2008 and 2009… Played fullback and defensive tackle in high school… Teammate of current Wildcat Arthur Brown… Also lettered in basketball.

PERSONAL: Chaquil Reed was born December 4, 1991… Grandson of Israel and Nancy Reed… Cousin, Kamerion Wimbley, plays for the Oakland Raiders.

Tavon Rooks

Offensive Lineman

6-6, 270

Randallstown, Md. (Navarro JC)

AT NAVARRO JC: Rated as the No. 23 junior college player in the country by Rivals… Considered by many the top pass-blocker among available junior college offensive linemen… Led Navarro to a 21-3 record in two seasons, including a national title in 2010 and a No. 5 national ranking in 2011… Navarro had the No. 5 ranked passing offense with Rooks on the line in 2011.

PERSONAL: Tavon Rooks was born May 10, 1990… Son of Stephanie Kees.

Matt Seiwert

Athlete

6-3, 260

Conway Springs, Kan. (Conway Springs)

AT CONWAY SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL: Made the Topeka Capital Journal’s Top 11 and was also an all-class pick… A 2011 MaxPreps All-American… A first team All-Central Plains League pick on offense and defense… Named Co-Defensive MVP for the Central Plains League… Helped Conway Springs win the 2011 3A State Championship with four assisted tackles, one for a loss, and a fumble recovery… Led Conway Springs to a combined 38-4 record and two state titles in three seasons… Also earned all-league and all-state honors in basketball and javelin (187 feet).

PERSONAL: Matt Seiwert was born September 5, 1993… Son of David and Mary Seiwert… Brother, Darin, played for K-State.

Cody Small

Tight End

6-4, 237

Cypress, Texas (Cypress Woods)

AT CYPRESS WOODS HIGH SCHOOL: Helped Woods to a 9-3 record in 2011… Listed in VYPE’s Top 75 Football Prospects in the Northern Houston area at No. 38… All-district performer as a junior and senior and also earned All-Houston area honors as a senior… A “Rising Star” in 2010 by 5ATexasFootball.com at defensive end… Competed on Cypress Woods’ 7-on-7 team, which reached the semifinals of the Cy Falls Tournament in 2011.

PERSONAL: Cody Small was born September 16, 1993… Son of David and Jo Small.

Donnie Starks

Defensive Back

5-11, 180

Crosby, Texas (Crosby)

AT CROSBY HIGH SCHOOL: Was the District 19-4A Newcomer of the Year during his sophomore season… An all-district cornerback during his senior year…Accumulated 189 solo tackles, 44 assisted tackles, and six interceptions with a touchdown… Also ran track two years.

PERSONAL: Donnie Starks was born June 6, 1994… Son of Henry and Ann Starks.

Vernon Vaughn

Wide Receiver

6-2, 190

Kansas City, Kan. (Sumner Academy)

AT SUMNER ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL: A Kansas City-Atchison League first team pick… First Team All-Kansas during his sophomore and junior seasons… Had 58 catches for 865 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior… Finished career with 94 catches for 1,517 yards and 24 touchdowns… Averaged 16.1 yards per catch and one touchdown for every three catches… Led Sumner Academy’s basketball team to two state championships… Was a league Honorable Mention selection on the court as a junior… A Kansas Honor Scholar, USD 500 Scholastic Athlete and National Honor Society member… Accumulated a 3.48 GPA in high school.

PERSONAL: Vernon Vaughn was born August 26, 1994… Son of Vernon and Debra Vaughn.

Steven West

6-1, 190

Wide Receiver

Keller, Texas (Fossil Ridge)

AT FOSSIL RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL: Caught 52 passes for 1,003 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior, and had 52 catches, 852 yards and 10 touchdowns in his senior season… A first team All-District 7-5A selection by Rivals in 2010… A first team All-District 5-5A pick by TexasHSFootball.com.

PERSONAL: Steven West was born November 13, 1992… Son of Steven and Carolyn West.

— KSU Sports Information —

Last-second shot sinks K-State as they lose at Iowa State

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Royce White hit the game-winning jumper with 1.8 seconds left as Iowa State rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat Kansas State 72-70 on Tuesday night.

White finished with 22 points and Chris Allen had 15 for the Cyclones (16-6, 6-3 Big 12), who’ve won four of their last five.

Iowa State’s Chris Babb tied the game at 70 with a free throw with 49 seconds left. The Cyclones then corralled a loose ball to gain possession with the shot clock off, and White drove to the baseline and floated in the deciding bucket from about 8 feet.

The Cyclones knocked the ball out of the hands of Kansas State’s Will Spradlin at the buzzer.

Thomas Gipson led the Wildcats (15-6, 4-5) with 13 points.

— Associated Press —

K-State loses for the second time to Oklahoma

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Every once in a while, Lon Kruger has a senior moment.

The Oklahoma coach will be sitting in film study, or perhaps in practice, and draw on his experience playing and coaching at Kansas State to make a point. Only he’ll talk about his days in the Big 8, and his players will gently remind him that, no, it’s the Big 12 these days.

Yes, Kruger is back in the conference he once called home.

On Saturday night, he walked out of the building he once called home with a victory.

Steven Pledger scored 30 points and the Sooners weathered a second-half charge by the Wildcats (No. 24 ESPN/USA Today, No. 22 AP) — and some tense moments down the stretch — for a confidence-building 63-60 win.

“Pales by comparison to what it means to the players,” Kruger said of his first game at Bramlage Coliseum since 1990, when he led the Wildcats in his final game before departing for the same job at Florida. “They’re not aware where I went to school.”

Actually, Lon, they are.

“This is where he rocked out on the court,” Pledger said, “so this is great.”

The Sooners squandered a 10-point second-half advantage but still led 59-56 on a pair of free throws by Pledger with 1:07 left, setting up a tense final flurry by both teams.

Will Spradling’s slicing layup got Kansas State within a point, and Jordan Henriquez corralled a loose ball on defense with just over 10 seconds left. But Sam Grooms managed to poke it loose before it could be cleared, and Romero Osby went to the foul line.

Osby hit two free throws to restore Oklahoma’s three-point lead, and the Sooners fouled Henriquez on purpose with 5.2 seconds left. He made both fouls shots to get Kansas State within 61-60, but Grooms matched him with two free throws of his own.

Kansas State had one final chance when Rodney McGruder got loose on the perimeter, but his 3-pointer at the buzzer clanked off the rim, allowing the Sooners (13-7, 3-5 Big 12) to escape.

“I had a clean look,” McGruder said. “Just came up short.”

McGruder finished with 19 points and Angel Rodriguez had 10 for the Wildcats (15-5, 4-4), who had won three straight but saw a chance to gain ground in the Big 12 slip away.

“They made it a real physical game. We didn’t respond,” said Kansas State coach Frank Martin, whose team was 3 for 19 from beyond the arc.

Martin probably wished he had Kruger letting it fly from long range.

The native of Silver Lake, Kan., was a star for the Wildcats in the 1970s, twice earning Big 8 player of the year honors. He later returned as an assistant coach and eventually the head coach, taking over after Jack Hartman retired and leading the Wildcats to four NCAA tournaments.

“It meant a lot to me, playing for Coach, knowing that he was a big-time player,” Grooms said. “You want to win for him so he has a little bit of bragging rights.”

Kruger received a nice round of applause when he walked onto the court before the game, but all those warm and fuzzy feelings were pushed aside after the opening tip.

Rodriguez gave the Wildcats a spark in the opening minutes, scoring eight of their first 13 points and helping them take an 18-12 lead. But the Sooners quickly reeled them in and then pulled ahead when Andrew Fitzgerald scored with 3:21 left to make it 25-24.

Cameron Clark went soaring for an alley-oop dunk on Oklahoma’s next possession, and Pledger’s 3-pointer just before halftime gave the Sooners a 34-28 lead.

“It was just a matter of getting into the right spots to help my team out,” he said.

Spradling had fits trying to guard Pledger, who came in averaging 17.2 points but had 18 in the first 20 minutes alone. He consistently beat the sophomore guard off the dribble and, when McGruder switched onto him, buried an array of outside jumpers.

The lead swelled to 40-30 early in the second half.

“Pledger hit a couple big shots there,” Kruger said.

Kansas State finally mounted a comeback. Henriquez started it with a putback, Rodriguez scooped in a layup and McGruder capped it off with a jumper that knotted the game at 40.

The Wildcats pulled ahead 44-42 when Spradling was fouled by Pledger going to the basket and made both free throws. It was the fourth foul on Pledger and he took a seat on the bench with 10:55 left, but Kansas State couldn’t capitalize when he was out of the game.

He checked back in at the 6:48 mark and immediately got to the foul line, making both free throws. Pledger then buried back-to-back 3s with about 5 minutes left, giving the Sooners a 55-51 advantage and hushing a sellout crowd stuffed inside Bramlage Coliseum.

It was silent again a few minutes later, when McGruder’s open look from beyond the 3-point line at the buzzer hit the rim and fell harmlessly to the floor.

“It wasn’t always pretty, but we did some things to hang in the ballgame,” Kruger said. “I told the guys afterwards, the winning is great, but much more important, we showed a little more competitiveness, a little more fight than we have been.”

— Associated Press —

Kansas State rolls at Texas Tech

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Martavious Irving scored 16 points and Rodney McGruder had 13 to lead Kansas State (No. 24 ESPN/USA Today, No. 22 AP) over Texas Tech 69-47 on Wednesday night, keeping the Red Raiders winless in Big 12 play.

The Wildcats trailed briefly early but pulled away when they started hitting shots. They muscled their way into the lane and outscored Texas Tech 36-20 in the paint.

Kansas State (15-4, 4-3 Big 12) pressed on defense, making it difficult for Texas Tech to find passing lanes. That led to a season-high 25 turnovers for the Red Raiders — 12 were Kansas State steals — which the Wildcats converted into 27 points. Texas Tech was averaging 17 turnovers coming into the game.

The Wildcats had 17 turnovers, leading to seven points for the Red Raiders.

Freshman Jordan Tolbert scored 18 points to lead Texas Tech (7-12, 0-7).

The Wildcats’ depth hurt the Red Raiders. Bench players contributed more than half of Kansas State’s points (38), while Texas Tech got 13 from its reserves.

Just four Texas Tech players scored and only one was not a true freshman. The Red Raiders have struggled to get consistent production on offense, and the loss to the Wildcats was no different.

Texas Tech went to a zone defense in the second half and Kansas State had to make adjustments on the perimeter. The Wildcats started making shots, hitting on 12 of 22 in the second half (54 percent).

The closest Texas Tech got in the second half was 49-33 with 11:47 remaining when freshman Luke Adams hit a 3-pointer from the corner and turned it into a four-point play after he was fouled on the shot.

The win was the third straight for the Wildcats, who dropped three of their first four in conference play.

Kansas State could have led by more than 31-20 at halftime but it missed eight of its first nine shots. The Wildcats used a 16-2 run, including six points from Victor Ojeleye, to go up 18-7.

But Tech, which gave up 13 points to Kansas State on 14 first-half turnovers, whittled the margin to 23-17 late in the half behind a spark from freshman Kevin Wagner, who finished with a career-high 16 points.

— Associated Press —

K-State snaps 11-game losing streak at Oklahoma State

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Frank Martin was in disbelief that Kansas State’s lead could be slipping away in Gallagher-Iba Arena again.

He’d seen a lead fade with a series of turnovers his first time coaching in the building. A rebound bounced off one of his players’ heads to spark an Oklahoma State rally the next time he was back.

This time had a different ending.

Freshman Angel Rodriguez scored 14 points in his second start, Jamar Samuels added 12 points and 12 rebounds and Kansas State (No. 25 AP) snapped an 11-game losing streak at Gallagher-Iba by beating Oklahoma State 66-58 on Saturday.

“Every year I’ve been here, something’s happened where we’ve unraveled and K-State hasn’t won here since ’93. You know these things,” Martin said. “I don’t tell them that.

“You sit there and you’re saying, ‘This can’t happen again.’ I was real proud of the way that they stayed the course.”

The Wildcats (14-4, 3-3 Big 12) held Oklahoma State without a made basket for a 15-minute stretch spanning halftime, building up a 46-33 lead after Will Spradling’s runner in the lane with 9:08 to play. Then, they held off a late charge as the Cowboys (9-10, 2-4) pulled within 59-56 with just over 2 minutes left.

Rodriguez and Rodney McGruder combined to make seven of 10 free throws down the stretch to seal the Wildcats’ first win in Stillwater since 1993. It was the team’s longest losing streak in any conference venue, starting when both teams were in the Big Eight.

“We got the W in Stillwater. I’ve never won in this place, and it feels good to win,” Samuels said.

“It’s good to get a road win in the Big 12, and to be in Stillwater makes it a lot better.”

Keiton Page had 17 points on 4-for-17 shooting to lead Oklahoma State, and Markel Brown scored 14.

Brown converted a three-point play off a steal that led to a two-handed slam during a string of nine straight points for the Cowboys to get the lead down to four. Page’s 3-pointer from the left wing — Oklahoma State’s only make in 16 attempts from 3-point range — cut it to 59-56 with 2:01 remaining.

Kansas State didn’t allow another point until Page’s jumper at the buzzer, securing the victory at the foul line despite making only 23 of 40 free throws during the game.

“This is one of most intimidating places that I’ve ever coached a basketball game in,” Martin said. “The crowd, the way it sits right on top of you, it seems like the court is smaller because everything is so congested there.

“It’s awesome. I mean, it’s incredible.”

McGruder, who had been averaging 22.7 points over the previous seven games, finished with 14. The Wildcats had a 50-29 rebounding advantage while playing without top shot blocker Jordan Henriquez, who was suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team.

There were 52 fouls called in a physical game, and Cowboys coach Travis Ford — who earned a technical foul late in the first half — suggested there could have been 102.

“That was a wild deal, that game. That takes the game back,” Ford said. “Good grief.”

Ford said he spent the two days before the game marveling at how roughly Kansas State’s previous game against Texas had been and feeling grateful his team hadn’t played in it — until the Cowboys’ turn ended up much the same.

“That’s going to be a tough night for us when it’s played like that,” Ford said. “This time next year, we’ll be able to battle — when these guys get a little bigger and stronger and we get other players back.”

Both teams entered the day stacked up in a four-way tie for fifth place in the conference, along with Texas and Oklahoma.

Kansas State charged ahead to stay with a 13-0 run midway through the first half, getting the first 11 points in a 40-second span. Rodriguez hit a 3-pointer from the left wing to get it started, and the Wildcats didn’t even have to go back across midcourt to score the next eight.

Rodriguez stole a backdoor pass and got fouled while converting a fast-break layup. He missed the free throw but the rebound went out of bounds to Kansas State, and Thomas Gipson scored underneath also while getting fouled. He, too, missed the free throw and Samuels tipped it in. An Oklahoma State turnover on the inbounds play led to another bucket by Gipson underneath.

The Cowboys finally crossed the center line before Gipson’s hook shot made it 21-11 with 10:34 left before halftime.

Michael Cobbins led Oklahoma State back, converting a pair of three-point plays during a 10-0 response. The second, off of a two-handed dunk of LeBryan Nash’s alley-oop, got the Cowboys back within 24-23 with 3:58 to go before the half.

The Cowboys then missed their final three shots of the first half and 10 straight to start the second half.

Brown finally snapped the drought with a layup that led to a three-point play with 8:57 remaining, and the Cowboys were still within striking distance down 46-36 but never could overcome the deficit.

“Defense is always the most important thing in our team. That’s how we play,” Rodriguez said. “We knew that it wasn’t going to be an easy game here. We took the challenge, we stepped up and played good ‘D’ and it gave us a win.”

— Associated Press —

K-State hangs on against Texas to snap two-game skid

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Rodney McGruder knew he might have cost his team dearly when he stepped to the foul line in the closing seconds and sent a pair of free throw clanging off the rim.

That’s why he threw down a transition dunk before the final buzzer with such authority.

“I tried to take my frustration out,” he said. “I felt like I let my team down.”

Hardly.

The reality is the Wildcats would have been lost without him.

McGruder scored a career-high 33 points and helped shut down Texas star J’Covan Brown on Wednesday night, leading No. 25 Kansas State to an 84-80 victory despite its lousy foul shooting.

The focal point of the team following the graduation of Jacob Pullen, McGruder struggled with the weight of expectations early this season. But the junior forward has been sublime since late December, averaging 22.7 points over his last seven games.

“I told you guys, I’m worried about inflation, I’m worried about taxes, I’m not worried about Rodney McGruder,” Kansas State coach Frank Martin said. “I told you guys that.”

Brown, who came into the game leading the Big 12 in scoring, finished with 22 points for Texas (12-6, 2-3). But the junior guard was just 8 of 28 from the field and 4 of 14 from beyond the arc.

“I think this is a whole new experience for J’Covan,” Texas coach Rick Barnes said. “He’s got a big bulls-eye on his back, whoever plays us.”

Despite his struggles, Brown still rallied the Longhorns down the stretch.

He hit one of his 3s with 53.6 seconds left, drawing Texas to 80-76. He added another basket after Will Spradling made one of two foul shots to make it 81-78.

On the Wildcats’ next trip down court, Angel Rodriguez missed a pair of free throws and McGruder, a 76 percent foul shooter, missed his two. Sheldon McClellan’s dunk at the other end made it 81-80 and, after Spradling made one of two free throws, Texas had the ball back.

“Our guys didn’t flinch,” Barnes said. “We had a chance to win it.”

Instead, they fumbled it away.

Freshman guard Myck Kabongo lost it near midcourt, the ball wound up in the hands of McGruder, and he slammed home that transition dunk to put an exclamation mark on the victory.

“Just trying to be aggressive, you know?” McGruder said. “Frank told me to be aggressive before, and I’ve been working on shooting a lot of shots. It just fell for me tonight.”

Jamar Samuels had 14 points, while Spradling and Thomas Gipson had 11 each for Kansas State.

McClellan finished with 19 points for Texas, taking some of the pressure off Brown. Kabongo had 14 points, and Clint Chapman added 11 before fouling out in the closing minutes.

Kansas State threatened to put the game away early.

McGruder hit his first five shots, three of them 3-pointers, and Samuels asserted himself in the paint as the Wildcats pushed out to a 36-21 lead.

“When he hit the first couple 3s in the first half,” Spradling said, “I knew he was zoned in.”

McGruder was also getting it done on defense, frustrating Brown on the perimeter and forcing the Longhorns’ other guards to score. But the complexion of the game changed with 8 1/2 minutes left when McGruder picked up his second foul and took a seat on the bench.

The Longhorns launched a 19-2 run to take their first lead of the game.

Kabongo got it started with a field goal and Chapman scored the next seven points before McClellan got into the act. His shot from close range made it 36-32 with 4:22 left.

Kansas State finally ended a nearly 7-minute scoreless drought when McGruder checked back in and scored with 1:48 left in the half, putting the Wildcats ahead 41-40. Victor Ojeleye’s put-back in the final minute sent the Wildcats into the locker room leading 43-42.

The game went back and forth the entire second half, neither team able to put together a run like they did in the first half. The biggest lead after the break was seven points.

If ever a mid-January matchup was critical to a team, it may have been to Kansas State.

Martin’s team stumbled at the start of Big 12 play for the third time in four years, though part of that had to do with the schedule. The Wildcats faced highly ranked teams Missouri, Baylor and Kansas in succession, all of them expected to contend for the title.

The result, Martin said, was some wounded pride.

Perhaps beating Texas will help to heal it.

“We’ve been walking around like a bunch of young kids that lost their dogs,” Martin said. “You can’t win games if that’s how you feel. When you’re zoned in and you’re emotional, it’s still hard as heck to win. If you’re walking around like you lost your dog, you’ve got no chance.”

— Associated Press —

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