BOYS
CLASS 5 DISTRICT 16 FIRST ROUND @ CENTRAL
Central 48 (10-15)
Oak Park 29
Central vs. Park Hill South – Thursday, 5:30 PM
CLASS 4 DISTRICT 16 FIRST ROUND @ SAVANNAH
Platte County 56
Benton 42 (14-11)
Lafayette vs. Platte County – Thursday, 5:30 PM
University of Kansas Athletics
LAWRENCE, Kan. – With Iowa State defeating Oklahoma on ESPN Big Monday, March 2, Kansas men’s basketball has claimed at least a share of the 2015 Big 12 Conference regular-season championship.
With two games remaining in the Big 12 slate, only KU’s Tuesday opponent West Virginia (22-7, 10-6) and its March 7 foe Oklahoma (20-9, 11-6) could tie Kansas (23-6, 12-4).
The conference title for Kansas is its 11th-straight, 15th Big 12 and NCAA-leading 58th overall. The 11-consecutive titles, beginning in 2004-05 and all under head coach Bill Self, ranks tied for second all-time on NCAA Division I list with Gonzaga’s 11-straight Big West regular-season championships from 2001-11 and only trails UCLA’s 13-consecutive titles as members of the then-Pac-10 Conference from 1967-79.
Kansas Conference Regular-Season Titles
58 (*Tied for the championship)
Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (13) – 1908-09-10-11-12*-14*-15-22*-23-24-25-26-27
Big Six (12) – 1931-32-33-34-36-37*-38-40*-41*-42*-43-46
Big Seven (5) – 1950*-52-53-54*-57
Big Eight (13) – 1960*-66-67-71-74-75-78-86-91*-92-93-95-96
Big 12 (15) – 1997-98-2002-03-05*-06*-07-08*-09-10-11-12-13*-14-15(*)
No. 9/10 Kansas will host No. 20/20 West Virginia, Tuesday, March 3, at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.
KSU Athletics
MANHATTAN, Kan. – For the fourth-consecutive season, K-State fans have stepped up by setting another first-day sales record after 2015 football tickets went on sale Monday morning, department officials announced. K-State fans purchased 4,958 tickets on Monday, eclipsing last year’s 
first-day record of 4,330, while 1,623 tickets ordered on Monday were from new requests.
Fans interested in purchasing season tickets are encouraged to contact the K-State Athletics Ticket Office before the priority deadline of April 24. Fans can purchase view level or north end zone tickets at $225 each, while sideline and south end zone seating in the lower bowl is priced at $330 each. A Young Alumni ticket package is also available at only $205 for K-Staters who received their undergraduate degree since December 2010, while faculty and staff are eligible to purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $264 each.
“A fourth-straight record first day in sales is further evidence that the K-State Nation is excited for another football season while also showcasing its national reputation for supporting the Wildcats,” Athletics Director John Currie said. “With their continued loyalty, K-State fans are well on their way to filling Bill Snyder Family Stadium beyond capacity for seven more home games and extending our home sellout streak to 27 games.”
All seating location assignments for new season ticket requests, in addition to upgrades or increases in ticket quantity for existing season ticket holders, will be based on availability and determined through the online reservation service between May 11 and June 5. The K-State Athletics Ticket Office will e-mail log-in information and appointment times, determined in order of athletic department priority points, to all new and renewed season ticket holders following the priority deadline of April 24. Fans whose orders are not able to be accommodated during the assignment process will receive a full refund and be placed on the 2016 season ticket waiting list, which also provides early access to single-game tickets and visitor returns throughout the 2015 season.
For more information regarding tickets, contact the K-State Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-221-CATS or visit www.k-statesports.com/tickets. A copy of the 2015 ticket brochure is available online now at k-statesports.com.
K-State, which returns 12 starters from last season and a total of seven players that earned All-Big 12 accolades in 2014, opens spring practice April 1. The culmination of spring practices occurs on Saturday, April 25, as K-State Nation descends upon Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, for the 2015 Purple/White Spring Game at 3 p.m. The Wildcats are able to take advantage of playing in the award-winning facility due to fan and player safety concerns at Bill Snyder Family Stadium as construction continues on the new Vanier Football Complex.
Tickets to the game at Sporting Park are also available now through the K-State Athletics Ticket Office, but fans are encouraged to act fast as fewer than 4,000 tickets remain and are expected to sell quickly. K-State and Sporting Kansas City will open a limited number of standing-room only tickets once all public seats have been sold.
DAVE SKRETTA, AP Sports Writer
The Kansas City Chiefs have placed the franchise tag on All-Pro pass rusher Justin Houston, a person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the Chiefs have not announced the move. It was widely expected given the relatively little progress that Kansas City has made with Houston and his representatives on a long-term deal.
The two sides still have until July 15 to negotiate a contract, and it is not certain whether Houston will immediately sign his tender.
As an outside linebacker, the one-year deal would earn him about $13.1 million for the upcoming season. The Chiefs likely will need to make additional moves soon to free up salary cap space.
Kansas Athletics
IRVING, Texas – Kansas men’s basketball junior Perry Ellis has been named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week in a vote by a media panel which covers the conference, the league office announced Monday.
This is second time in the last three weeks Ellis has earned the honor and the third time this season. Ellis has been named Big 12 Player of the Week five times during his KU career.
Ellis averaged a double-double with 26.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game as the Jayhawks split contests at Kansas State and against Texas. The Wichita, Kansas, forward opened the week by scoring 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting versus the Wildcats, adding nine rebounds and two steals. He then recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 28 points and 13 boards versus the Longhorns. Ellis, who earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors last week, has scored 20 points or more in three straight outings. He is the only player in the Big 12 to rank sixth or higher in scoring (sixth at 14.5 ppg) and rebounding (fourth at 7.2 rpg).
Kansas (23-6, 12-4) will host West Virginia (22-7, 10-6) on Tuesday, March 3, at 8 p.m. (Central) on ESPN2.
NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Jack Nicklaus is now devoting time to the one glaring weakness in his incomparable career — ice cream.
The Schwan Food Company in Minnesota is teaming up with the 18-time major champion to create Jack Nicklaus premium ice cream. It will be sold by the pint and available in grocery stores in select markets.
The ice cream will be offered in seven flavors.
Nicklaus says it’s no secret that he loves ice cream and he loves this project. He says he’s never had so much fun in research and development.
Schwan is donating to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. Once the ice cream launch is over, Schwan says it will donate a percentage of the proceeds to the foundation and another children’s health care charity.
K-State athletics officials have announced a full menu of ticket 
options when football season tickets go on sale Monday
According to a media release, the football schedule will include seven games in Bill Snyder Family Stadium, including matchups with TCU, Oklahoma, Baylor, Iowa State, and West Virginia.
Season ticket prices in some areas including bench seating, view level, and general admission areas, will show slight increases in 2015, the first of any kind for full-price season ticket options since 2011, ranging from $5 to $25 per ticket depending on location.
Public season bench seating is priced at $330 this season, while chairback seating remains at $355. Prices for K-State faculty / staff are $264 for bench and $285 for chairback. Up to two Young Alumni tickets are available at $205 for K-Staters who have received their undergraduate degrees since December 2010. With the opening of the new Vanier Football Complex and North Stadium project approximately 500 additional season tickets in the north end zone are also available for $225 a seat, or a 4-pack for $699. Pledge and Tradition ticket-holders throughout the stadium will have the opportunity to renew their seats at $125 each.
Fans interested in purchasing new season tickets, including the more than 3,800 fans on the season ticket waiting list can do so beginning Monday online at www.k-statesports.com, or by calling 1-800-221-CATS. There is a payment plan option.
Several single-game promotions will be available. Single-game tickets will go on sale to the general public online at k-statesports.com beginning June 22 and will feature numerous options and price levels.
St. Joseph, MO – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team completed the season sweep of Southwest Baptist Saturday with a 71-58 victory over the Bearcats.
The win wrapped the team’s regular season with a 12-14 overall record and an 8-11 mark in MIAA play. They are secured in the MIAA tournament as the 10 seed and will await games tonight to determine where they play their first round game, Monday. Prior to the game, Cortrez Colbert, Zack Price, Dareon Jones and Hans Thun were honored as part of Senior Day festivities.
Missouri Western shot 50 percent from the field and pulled away in the second half after taking a four-point lead to the half. Colbert led the team with 18 points on eight of 17 shooting from the field. Kevin Thomas finished with another double-double, scoring 14 and finishing with 11 rebounds. Thun finished with 12 points.
The Griffons are the No. 10 seed in the MIAA Tournament and will play at No. 7 seed Central Oklahoma at 7:00 p.m. Monday. The game will be broadcast on 680 KFEQ or online here at StJosephPost.com.
— MWSU Sports Information —
By David Boyce
MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team is the 2014-15 MIAA regular season champions, which is music to the ears of 2,480 fans who filled Bearcat Arena.
The Bearcats turned in a classic performance against their basketball rival Central Missouri Saturday afternoon and came away with an 83-73 victory in a winner-take-all regular season finale that lived up to expectations.
The energy inside Bearcat Arena was scintillating. Once Central Missouri players left the court, the students were allowed on it to celebrate with the players.
“This was pretty sweet,” said senior Matt Wallace. “I wasn’t expecting them to come out like that. The crowd was the best I have seen since I have been here. It was really awesome for all of us.”
Grant Cozad, the other senior, felt the same way.
“Holy cow, I can’t even explain it,” said Cozad, who finished with a team-high 21 points. “I love it. I love all these guys. But this is just the beginning. We have bigger goals to accomplish.”
For Cozad and Wallace, it was a storybook ending for their final home game. It didn’t matter that Cozad fouled out with 3:20 left and Wallace departed with 2:35 remaining. They knew their younger teammates were going to finish the job.
“When you done with 2 minutes left, you know you are still going to win it,” Wallace said. “You are walking off and upset, but the guys tell you we are going to win it. We are going to get it for you. It is pretty awesome.”
And wow, the Bearcats continued to play at a high level in those final 2 minutes left when they led 74-70.
By closing out a thrilling victory, Northwest heads to the MIAA Tournament on a nine-game winning streak. They improved to 22-5 overall and 15-4 in the MIAA. Northwest also snapped Central’s seven-game winning streak. The Mules will head into the conference tournament 23-5 and 14-5.
Whatever happens in the conference tournament will be hard to top what took place late Saturday afternoon.
“It is very special to win like this for the two seniors,” freshman Justin Pitts said. “The whole season we have worked for this for Matt and Grant. I am just glad we won it for them.”
The Bearcats came in determined. It was Central who ended Northwest’s season a year ago in overtime in the NCAA Division II regional championship game. The Mules also knocked off Northwest earlier this season in Warrensburg.
Central oozed with confidence that it would once again beat the Bearcats. With 14:33 remaining, the Mules held a 51-44 lead. It seemed like every shot the Mules put up went in. They shot 70 percent from the field in the first half and finished the game at 63 percent.
The Bearcats, though, never allowed it to bother them. They just dug deeper to get a few stops. They got enough to tie the game 53-53 on a three-pointer by Zach Schneider with 11:46 left.
Central responded by scoring the next four points. Over the next 5 minutes, the Mules maintained the lead and it even moved to five at 63-58.
With 7 minutes left, Northwest started its victorious surge. A driving layup by Pitts pulled the Bearcats to within two at 66-64.
After a stop, junior Conner Crooker delivered the shot of the game. The shot clock was down to one second. Crooker was at least 25 feet out and guarded. He heaved what look like a desperation attempt that swished through. The sweet sound of that shot gave Northwest its first lead in the second half at 67-66 with 6:01 left.
“I wanted that shot,” Crooker said. “I thought Pitts was going to give it to me a little earlier. He threw it to me and I threw it up. It felt really good right when I released it.”
About a minute later, the Mules took their last lead at 68-67 on two free throws. And then Northwest put together a championship final 5 minutes.
It started with a three-pointer by Schneider that gave the Bearcats a 70-68 lead with 4:56 left. Pitts followed with a layup and pushed the lead to four at 72-68.
Central never got closer than three points the rest of the way. Part of the reason why Northwest was able to expand its lead in the final few minutes was the free throw shooting of freshman Brett Dougherty.
Dougherty entered the game shooting 41 percent from the line. Throughout February, Dougherty showed steady improvement. When he knocked down two free throws with 56 seconds left, Dougherty gave the Bearcats an 81-71 lead. He went 5-for-6 from the line.
“He spent a lot of hours,” Wallace said. “He has been working on it throughout the season. It is starting to pay off for him.”
In the end, the Bearcats won the way they have all season. They played a special brand of team basketball. Wallace finished with nine assists and Pitts added six. Northwest committed only six turnovers the entire game.
Pitts also scored 19 points and Schneider added 18. The beauty of these Bearcats is they simply don’t care who is scoring points. In the past few games, it was Crooker putting up big numbers. Crooker only had six Saturday, but he hit a shot that will be talked about for years to come.
“It was a battle and it was amazing,” Crooker said of the game.
Bottom line, sharing the basketball wins games. Northwest finished with 17 assists and Central had seven assists.
In the first half, Northwest went into the locker room down only 37-36 even though the Mules missed just six shots the entire half. It was an amazing performance by the Bearcats to keep the game so close.
The blistering hot shooting by the Mules staked them to a 23-13 lead. Northwest, though, never became flustered. The Bearcats kept battling away and with 4:48 left, tied the game at 31-31 on a basket by Brett Dougherty. Less than a minute later, Northwest took its first lead at 33-31 on a basket by Anthony Woods.
“We knew they were not going to keep that up,” Wallace said. “We had to stay positive and we did.”
An 11-0 run by Northwest turned a 31-25 deficit into a 36-31 lead. All the momentum was with the Bearcats when Central responded in the last 2 minutes, scoring the final six points in the first half.
“At halftime coach Mac (Ben McCollum) told us not to give up,” Pitts said. “He told us to keep fighting and play our game and we will come out with a win.”
— Northwest Sports Information —
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Western women’s basketball team secured a home game in the opening round of the MIAA tournament with a 78-65 win over Southwest Baptist Saturday.
Following the game, five Griffon seniors were recognized for their contributions to Griffon Athletics. Alex Saxen, Ariana Novak, Tiara Hall, Kyrsten Crawford and Friday Chuol all played their final regular season game inside the fieldhouse.
Missouri Western finished the regular season with a 14-11 overall record and a 9-10 mark in MIAA play.
A slugfest through the first 30 minutes, the Griffons led by five at half but opened it up late in the second half. The Griffons led by one with 11 to go but used an 11-2 run to take a 10-point lead with 5:35 left in the game.
The Griffons were led by LaQuinta Jefferson’s 23 points. Miliakere Koyamainavure finished with a double-double, scoring 152 and pulling down 10 rebounds. Chelsea Dewey scored 15 and had eight rebounds while Novak scored 10 on Senior Day. MWSU won the battle on the boards, pulling down 49 rebounds to the Bearcats’ 35.
Missouri Western is guaranteed a home game Tuesday, March 3 to open the MIAA Tournament. The game will be played at 7 p.m., the opponent is yet to be determined. Stay with gogriffons.com for updates.
— MWSU Sports Information —
