The Jayhawk Conference features some of the most talented running backs in the country each season, and that is the case again in 2025, with five KJCCC running backs on the Players to Watch list.

The list is put together by JCGridiron each summer, and features a list of the 10 most talented running backs in all of junior college, in their eyes.

Butler's Markellus Bass returns to lead the Grizzlies backfield, after rushing for 531 yards and four touchdowns in his freshman season.

Landyn Moore of Highland only ran for 228 yards as a freshman, but is projected as one of the league's top breakout talents this season.

Derick Shanks of Dodge City is another breakout candidate, after spending last season behind sophomore Stone Wilson.

Titus Petteway will be the featured running back at Hutchinson following the departure of Waymond Jordan Jr. Petteway had 250 total yards and three touchdowns last season.

Finally, John Randle of Garden City is a Utah transfer looking to cement himself as one of the league's top running backs in his first season.

While no Red Ravens made the list, there is plenty of talent in the room at CCC, with Charles Morgan and Steven Robinson returning, CJ Williams and Jordan Louie as D1 transfers, and Field Kindley's Aaron Tunstall among the high school recruits.

Following a disappointing season that ended with a 5-7 record after conference championship hopes, the Kansas Jayhawks are expected to be one of college football's biggest wild cards in 2025.

KU will look to ascend back to the top of the Big 12 conference, and compete with the likes of Kansas State, Arizona State, Baylor, and Texas Tech for the conference title and playoff berth.

Jalon Daniels is returning to Lawrence to lead the Jayhawk offense, but the team suffered multiple key losses on both sides of the ball, losing running back Devin Neal, and cornerbacks Mello Dotson and Cobee Bryant. Running back Daniel Hishaw returns for his senior season, and is expected to be the team's top offensive weapon alongside Daniels.

The Jayhawks open the 2025 season against Fresno State on August 23rd, and will travel to Missouri, Texas Tech, Arizona, and Iowa State during the season.

The Royals were able to snap an extended home losing streak on Saturday, but were unable to win the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, falling 5-1 in the rubber match.

Kansas City struck in the opening inning, with an RBI double from Bobby Witt Jr, but were unable to muster any additional runs on the afternoon. Kris Bubic allowed two runs in five innings of work, and picked up his sixth loss of the season.

Royals Manager Matt Quatraro says the team continues to work their way out of an extended offensive slump.

Kansas City earned their first win at Kauffman Stadium on June 28th, after 11 consecutive home losses. Quatraro says the team must play better in front of the home fans.

The Royals head west this week, beginning a series with the Mariners tonight, before traveling to Arizona over the weekend.

One Friday closer to high school football season in Southeast Kansas, and the Independence Bulldogs know their path to the playoffs in 2025.

IHS will open the season at home with Columbus on September 5th, before hosting Mulvane in Week 2.

The Bulldogs will have a tough four-week stretch of road games beginning in the third week of the year, having to travel to Fort Scott, Field Kindley, Chanute, and Eudora.

Back-to-back home games wrap up the regular season for Independence, hosting Labette County on October 17th, as well as Senior Night against Rose Hill on October 24th.

The Bulldogs are looking to find their footing, after an 0-9 season in 2024 that did see positive progression in the final month.

Basketball season may still be months away in Coffeyville, but the Red Ravens are preparing for next season by adding a new assistant coach to Jay Herkelman's staff.

John Weigner has been hired as the newest member of the staff, joining Herkelman and fellow assistant coach Jordan Bailey.

Weigner spent last season as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Albany, working with the coaching staff on day-to-day operations including team video work, film, recruiting, and skill development. He attended the Unviersity of Rhode Island where he served as a student manager under head coaches David Cox and Archie Miller. He has worked with current NBA players Jacob Toppin, Tyrese Martin, and Jeff Dowtin.

Weigner joins a Red Raven program hungry to return to the National Tournament, after a 23-9 season that ended with a Region VI semifinals loss to Barton.

The Kansas City Royals will be represented on the international stage at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with shortstop Bobby Witt Jr committing to play for Team USA.

Witt joins New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes as the current MLB players to commit to Team USA, who will be managed by Mark DeRosa.

The KC superstar calls the invitation an honor, saying "it's something I've dreamed about my whole entire life. Just being a part of that team a couple years ago was amazing, and now we're going to bring home the gold."

Witt served as a bench player on the 2023 team, going 1-for-2 in limited action. He finished second in MVP voting last season to Judge, and is hitting .285 with 40 runs batted in this season.

 The 2025 football schedule has been released for the Caney Valley Bullpups.

 The first game of the season will be a home game; military night September 5th against Humboldt. Other games in the season include Homecoming September 19th against Neodesha, Pink Out September 26th against Christ Prep Academy, and Senior Night October 17th versus Galena.

 The Pups will also travel to Erie, Cherryvale, Fredonia, and Riverton.

 This is Coach Criss Davis' 40th year as a head coach. He will look to improve on a 68.9% winning percentage in the last 20 years of Pup football.

 Look for Caney Valley Bullpups athletics all season long on Classic Hits 104.1.

Patience pays off for the Kansas Jayhawks, as they are able to land a talented forward recruit following a decommitment from NC State.

Forward Paul Mbiya has announced his commitment to Lawrence, and will join the class of 2025 for Bill Self. Mbiya chose KU over Oregon, and stands 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-7 wingspan.

Kevin Flaherty of KC Sports Network says there is plenty to be excited by in Mbiya's game.

The forward will join a frontcourt that also returns former McDonald's All-American Flory Bidunga for his sophomore season. Flaherty says Mbiya is the perfect compliment piece to Bidunga.

Mbiya had originally signed with NC State but requested a release from his National Letter of Intent last week. His commitment comes the same week the Jayhawks landed four-star guard Kohl Rosario.

*photo courtesy of KU Athletics*

The Kansas City Royals continue to have uncharacteristic struggles at Kauffman Stadium, dropping their ninth straight game at home in a 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

A three-run second inning for Tampa would be all they would need, as the KC offense posted just three hits, and have scored just four total runs in the past four games.

Manager Matt Quatraro says the team's execution in the box has to improve.

Bobby Witt Jr, Maikel Garcia, and Vinnie Pasquantino are the only three regulars with hitting metrics above league average, and top prospect Jac Caglianone is hitting just .186 through his first 19 career games. Quatraro says the guys in the dugout continue to battle every day.

The Royals wrap up the series with Tampa Bay today, before hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers this weekend.

Red Raven football has added an experienced receiver to the roster, while also poaching a player from one of their biggest rivals.

DeAndre Beasley Jr has transferred to CCC for the upcoming season, after spending his freshman season with the Butler Grizzlies. Beasley is a Bishop Meige product, and finished last season with 36 total touches for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

Beasley has game changing speed, regarded as one of the top returning deep threats in the KJCCC. The receiver also showed promise as a route runner last season, with impressive footwork as well.

Beasley will team up with returning sophomore and Honorable Mention All-KJCCC receiver Jalile Bost to lead the Raven receiver room, with the position group expected to be among the league's best in 2025.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are on top of the basketball world, celebrating their NBA Championship with a parade yesterday in downtown OKC.

Hundreds of thousands of fans and community members lined the streets around the Paycom Center, which is where the festivities began with player and coach speeches. Guard Aaron Wiggins gave an unforgettable regard, and says the organization has come a long way in his four seasons.

NBA MVP and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also addressed the crowd during the celebration. He says the players and team are very appreciative of the support the community has given.

It's a quick turnaround for the franchise, as the Thunder have two first-round picks in tonight's NBA Draft.

A former All-Star utility man for the Kansas City Royals is calling it a career after nine seasons.

Whit Merrifield has announced his retirement after time in Kansas City, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Atlanta. Merrifield had not played a game in 2025, last appearing for the Braves last season.

Merrifield was a ninth-round pick in the 2010 amateur draft out of the University of South Carolina, and made his debut in Kansas City in 2016. He played six seasons with the Royals, leading the MLB in hits twice, making three All-Star games, and leading the MLB in stolen bases three times.

The utility man played primarily second base and right field for KC, but also appeared at third base, left field, center field, and designated hitter. He says the birth of his daughter last year played a large role in the decision to call it a career.

With spring ball in the rear view mirror, and summer workouts and fall camp ramping up, KJCCC football teams are preparing to compete for a conference title in the 2025 season.

Four signal callers in the conference were named to the Preseason QB Watch List, which is released by JCGridiron each summer.

Hutchinson's Christian Johnson returns for his sophomore season, after a season which he split snaps with Samari Collier. Johnson completed 58% of his passes, with over 1,300 total yards and 13 total touchdowns.

The premier QB competition in the KJCCC this summer may be at Garden City, with a pair of Division 1 bounce backs battling for the starting job. Tanner Helton is a 6-foot-5 dual threat option from Fort Myers, Florida, and transfers from East Carolina University. Jaydyn Sisk has elite athleticism and mobility, and is a Desoto, Texas product that transfers in from Mississippi Valley State.

The final quarterback in the KJCCC named to the watch list is redshirt freshman Braxton Clark of Dodge City. Clark is a 6-foot-3 pocket passer from Derby, Kansas, and is the favorite to win the Conquistador starting job.

No Red Raven quarterbacks were listed on the watch list, but the early indicators are a three-player battle for the starting job between returning sophomore Joseph Vick, Butler transfer Mac Armstrong, and incoming freshman Max Huston.

Following a competitive first season in the 16-team Big 12 conference era, in which nine teams finished above .500 in conference play, the Kansas State Wildcats are projected to be the team to beat in 2025.

Kansas State and Chris Klieman have been perhaps the most consistent team in the Big 12 over the past four seasons, winning at least eight games each year. KSU has an experienced roster returning to Manhattan, with a favorable schedule, and Athlon Sports has the team as the conference's best for the upcoming season.

Quarterback Avery Johnson showed flashes of brilliance in his first year as the starter, averaging 255 yards of offense per game, with 32 total touchdowns scored. Dylan Edwards returns to lead the Wildcat backfield, and Jayce Brown returns as the team's top receiver. KSU also returns five starters on defense, including linebacker Austin Romaine, who is one of the early contenders for the Butkus Award.

Other top contenders for the Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff berth, per Athlon Sports, are defending champion Arizona State, Texas Tech, Iowa State, and Baylor.

With less than a month until training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs, more information is known about how to watch the defending AFC Champions in action.

Training camp will begin on July 21st, with the first workout on July 22nd. Camp will run through early August, before the team's first preseason game on August 9th against the Arizona Cardinals.

Chiefs training camp will be held at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, with all practices taking place at the Mosaic Training Fields.

Practices will begin at 9:15 a.m. each day, with all but two practices open to the public. The two practices that are closed to the public are for season ticket members only.

There will also be autograph and memorabilia signings each day after practice, with full team autograph dates on July 22nd and 27th, as well as August 2nd, 3rd, and 7th.

One of the longest tenured women's basketball coaches in the Jayhawk conference will be stepping down following next season, to become Butler Community College's next Athletic Director.

Mike Helmer has been named the 19th AD in Butler history, and takes over for Todd Carter, who announced his retirement last month.

Helmer has been the head women's basketball coach for 17 seasons, winning 382 games and four KJCCC regular season titles, along with two Region VI championships. He is also a four-time KJCCC Coach of the Year winner.

Helmer will spend one final season as the head coach for the Lady Grizzlies, who finished fourth in the standings with a 23-8 record. Butler returns KJCCC Freshman of the Year Ashley Singhateh, as well as impact freshmen Destiny Smith, Mya Mayberry, Kenzie Galliart, and former Fort Scott star Keegan Yarrick.

The 2025 Kansas Shrine Bowl took place Saturday night in Dodge City, with eight different Red Raven commits making an appearance in the game.

The West All-Stars overcame the high winds to defeat the East, 26-8 in the game. Field Kindley's Aaron Tunstall and Caney Valley's Ben Matthews highlighted the area athletes continuing their football careers at CCC.

It was another future Red Raven, however, who stole the show with one of the top plays of the night, as Maize South's Christian McDonald had a pick-six to propel the West.

McDonald was a first-team all-state selection last season, and spoke with Sports in Kansas after the game. He says he was able to read the play from the moment the ball was snapped.

Other Ravens to compete in the Shrine Bowl were Jaden Cohens, James Middlebrook, Jace Midgett, and Max Huston.

For the first time since the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City, the Thunder are the last team standing as NBA champions.

OKC defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in the deciding Game 7 of the NBA Finals, and cap off a season in which the organization had the league's best record, most valuable player, and most total wins.

Guard Shai-Gilgeous Alexander finished with 29 points and tied a playoff career-high with 12 assists. Jalen Williams finished with 20 points and Chet Holmgren had 18. Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton left the game in the opening quarter with an achilles injury.

Here's how the final few seconds sounded as the Thunder reached the mountain top.

Oklahoma City becomes the fourth team in league history to win 84 games in a single season, and open as the favorites to repeat in 2025-26.

A successful road trip ended on a sour note for the Kansas City Royals, losing the series finale to the San Diego Padres, 3-2 yesterday.

Kansas City was able to grab the lead in the sixth inning on a Salvador Perez two-run home run, but the KC bullpen allowed three runs late to surrender the lead and the series.

The Royals finish the road trip 4-2, but still sit at 38-40 on the season, and two games out of a Wild Card spot.

After an off day today, the boys in blue will be back at Kauffman Stadium tomorrow night to host the Tampa Bay Rays. Coverage begins tomorrow night at 6, with first pitch at 6:40, on the Mighty 690, KGGF.

Oklahoma City will be the center of the basketball universe on Sunday evening, with the Thunder and Indiana Pacers to play a Game 7, with the winner claiming the NBA championship.

It is the first Game 7 of the NBA Finals since 2016, after Indiana survived to win Game 6, 108-91. Pacers point guard Tyreese Haliburton played through injury to lead the team to a home win. He says this stage is the opportunity everybody dreams of.

The Thunder will get the advantage of playing at home in Game 7, with the team only having lost two home games this postseason. Both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and head coach Mark Daigneault say it's vital to leave everything out there.

Oklahoma City is aiming to win their first title since moving to OKC, while Indiana is trying to win the first championship in team history. Coverage of Finals Game 7 begins Sunday night at 7 p.m. CT, and can be heard on 99.1 KPGM in Bartlesville.

It was a day to remember for Royals rookie Jac Caglianone, who hit the first two home runs of his MLB career, as the Royals sweep the Texas Rangers.

Caglianone hit his first career long ball in the second inning, and followed with a second home run in the ninth inning. He says it was a feeling he's been waiting for since his debut.

Kansas City has responded from a six-game losing streak by winning three straight, moving back within one game of .500 and back to 1.5 games out in the Wild Card race. Caglianone says it's a resilient group to be a part of.

The boys in blue head to the West Coast, beginning a series with the San Diego Padres tonight. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. CT with first pitch at 8:40 on the Mighty 690, KGGF.

For the second consecutive year, Coffeyville Community College will be the host site for a KSHSAA Basketball Officials camp, which takes place this weekend.

High school and college referees from the Eastern half of the state will convene at Nellis Hall tomorrow and Sunday to train in three-person crews, as well as fulfill the KSHSAA's requirement for postseason eligibility.

CCC Athletic Director Bryce Saia says hosting this event is a great thing for the entire city of Coffeyville.

The camp includes video, classroom, and on-court instruction, as well as games with shot clocks for the new policy regarding 4A, 5A, and 6A schools. Saia says the officials also get familiar with the Red Raven facilities.

KSHSAA also hosted a camp on the Western side of the state last weekend, at Hays High School.

One of the most accomplished high school football coaches in Kansas history has passed away at the age of 79.

Roger Barta was the head football coach at Smith Center for 35 seasons, beginning in 1978 and staying in that role until his retirement in 2012. He guided the team to eight state championships, including an unprecedented five consecutive championships from 2004 to 2008.

Smith Center did not lose a game during that five year stretch, with the 79-game winning streak the fifth longest in United States high school football history.

Barta graduated from Plainville High School in 1963, and earned a bachelor's degree at Fort Hays State and a Master's Degree from the University of Georgia. He retired from coaching in 2012 and was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

The next generation of basketball players are working on improving their skills at the annual Camp of Champions at Coffeyville Community College.

Campers ages six to fifteen spent the past four days at Nellis Hall, learning from Hall of Fame Head Coach Jay Herkelman, along with his coaching staff, and even a few of the Red Raven players.

12-year old Grayson says working with Coach Herkelman has made a huge difference.

Shooting and scoring aren't the only skills needed to succeed on the court. 12-year old Camree says camp has also helped her on the other side of the floor.

Camp of Champions sees plenty of return campers each summer, including 12-year old Parker, who's in his third camp. He says this year he's focused on improving his ability with the basketball in his hands.

The 2025 Camp of Champions wrapped up today, with the camp having been an annual tradition since 1995.

A former Red Raven guard will be joining forces with a pair of other former Lady Ravens at Wichita State University.

Karys Washington has signed with the Shockers after two seasons at Coffeyville Community College. Washington played in 63 total games at CCC, averaging nine points and seven rebounds per game, including averaging 11 points and eight rebounds per night in her sophomore season, earning first-team All-KJCCC.

Shockers head coach Terry Nooner has plenty of praise for Washington, saying "she's tough, relentless, and exactly the type of competitor we need. Shocker Nation is going to love how she lays it all out on the line."

Washington is a 5-foot-10 guard from Fort Smith, Arkansas, and becomes the third player on the Wichita State roster from CCC, joining forward Cheyenne Banks and guard Kyleigh Ortiz.

The Oklahoma City Thunder can win the first championship in team history tonight, looking to close out the NBA Finals in Game 6.

OKC has won each of the past two games to take a 3-2 series lead over the Indiana Pacers, and will need to win in Indianapolis tonight to avoid a winner-take-all Game 7. Pacers star point guard Tyreese Halliburton is a game-time-decision following a calf strain in Game 5.

Despite winning consecutive games and being one win away from the title, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault says the team can have a better performance in many areas.

OKC has never been in a closeout game in the NBA Finals since relocating. Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says the team kept the same simple goal in mind.

Pregame of tonight's Game 6 begins at 7 p.m. CT, with tip off at 7:30. The game can be heard on our sister station, 99.1 KPGM in Bartlesville.

The Dewey High School football program has a new leader for the 2025 season.

Scott Sapulpa has been announced as the Bulldoggers new head coach, being promoted from his originally planned role of defensive coodinator. Sapulpa has experience at Pawhuska, Muskogee, and Gore, among other spots, and will replace Ryan Richardson following his resignation last week.

Dewey High School Athletic Director Travis Ruble says Sapulpa brings strong leadership qualities.

The Bulldoggers will have multiple starters returning for the 2025 season, following a tough 2-8 season in 2024. Ruble says the future of Dewey football is bright.

Dewey opens the 2025 season against Locust Grove on August 29th.

The Kansas City Royals found their way back to the win column for the first time in a week, snapping a six-game losing streak in a 6-1 win over the Texas Rangers.

Kansas City scored three runs in the first inning, in large part due to a two-run home run from catcher Salvador Perez. Perez finished the evening with three hits, two home runs, and four runs batted in.

Bobby Witt Jr and Maikel Garcia both had multiple hits as well, including Witt hitting his ninth home run of the season in the fifth inning. Seth Lugo pitched six strong innings, allowing one run and striking out nine.

Kansas City improves to 35-38 on the season, and look to win back-to-back games tonight, with Kris Bubic on the mound against Patrick Corbin of the Rangers. Coverage begins at 6:30 with first pitch at 7:05 on the Mighty 690, KGGF.

Following a season that saw an eleven win improvement, and emergence into contender status in the Jayhawk Conference, ICC Men's Basketball Coach Jai Steadman will be coaching at a premier event next month.

Steadman is one of the six coaches selected to instruct at the JA48 showcase, which takes place on July 10th and 11th in Richmond, Virginia, and features 48 of the best JUCO players in the country each year.

The JA48 event serves as a major recruiting opporutnity for JUCO programs and athletes, with D1 coaches and representatives from all over the nation in attendance.

Steadman will be joined on the staff by Kevon Davis of Yavapai College, Rian Stubbs of Odessa, Joe Kuligoski of Panola, Brad Witherspoon of Dodge City, and Cameron Turner of Eastern Arizona.

ICC will also be sending a player to JA48, as Trashaun Combs-Pierce will be participating following a freshman season where he averaged 12 points and eight rebounds per game. Combs-Pierce is one of the top returning sophomores in JUCO for next season.

Red Raven volleyball will be hosting a pair of summer skills camps next month.

The program will host a camp for both 4th-8th graders, as well as a high school camp, with each taking place on July 7th and 8th. The youth camp will be from 10 a.m. to noon each day, while the high school camp is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

CCC Head Coach Kandi Midgett says the purpose of the camp is to improve in multiple areas.

The camp will take place in the Nellis East gymnasium, and is a $25 fee per camper. Midgett says there are a couple different ways to sign up.

Campers will also receive instruction from current Red Raven volleyball athletes.

The Kansas Shrine Bowl is this weekend in Dodge City, and eight different Coffeyville Community College commits will be suiting up for the all-star teams.

Coffeyville's own Aaron Tunstall will be playing running back for the East All-Stars. Tunstall was a 1st-Team All-State selection, the All-SEK Offensive Player of the Year, and ran for nearly 4000 yards with more than 40 touchdowns in his Nado career.

Ben Matthews of Caney Valley will also play for the East, as a wide receiver and tight end. Matthews was an All-State selection, and 3-time All-League selection as well.

Other Red Raven football commits playing Saturday is quarterback Max Huston of Topeka Seaman (1st-Team All-State, Shawnee County Offensive Player of the Year), defensive back Quavon Harris of Wichita NW, defensive back James Middlebrook of Derby (1st-Team All-State), defensive back Jaden Cohens of Goddard (Honorable Mention All-State), and defensive back Christian McDonald of Maize South (1st-Team All-State).

Additionally, Columbus senior Jace Midgett will be playing in the game. Midgett will also be a Red Raven, committed to play baseball for Jake Martin.

The second-leading scorer in Division 2 college basketball last season was in Lawrence visiting the Jayhawks over the weekend.

Guard Camron McDowell is a 6-foot-6 senior from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where he set the D2 level on fire averaging 27.3 points per game last seaseon.

McDowell is from Griffin, Georgia, and was a three-star recruit out of high school. He began his career with the Georgia Bulldogs, before transferring to Jacksonville State, and then to NWOSU.

The point totals aren't the only thing that stands out with McDowell, as he also posts impressive efficiency, shooting 51% from the field and 39% from 3-point range. The guard has also heard from SMU, Cincinnati, Mississippi State, Rutgers, Georgia Tech, and Seton Hall.

The stage is set for the biggest game in franchise history for the Oklahoma City Thunder, with the team hosting Game 5 of the NBA Finals with the series tied.

OKC rallied from a double-digit deficit to win Game 4 in Indianapolis 111-104, despite only making three 3-point shots in the game.

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played his best quarter of the series in the fourth of Game 4, posting 15 points to help the Thunder rally for the victory. He says the team's identity is built on tough and consistent defense.

Despite being heavily favored in the series, OKC hasn't been able to pull away from the underdog Pacers to this point. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault says Indiana plays with a ton of confidence.

Tonight's Game 5 begins with pregame at 7:00 p.m. CT, and can be heard on our sister station 99.1 KPGM in Bartlesville.

Red Raven track and field is staying close to home, landing a recruit from Field Kindley High School.

Brooklyn White has signed her letter of intent with the Red Ravens, and will be a member of the sprint team beginning next season.

White was one of the state's best sprinters the past four years, qualifying for state all four seasons, and medaling in the 100 meter dash and the 4x100 meter relay.

CCC has a history of boasting some of the fastest female runners in the country, with Royanah Farmer placing 8th in the nation in the 60m dash this season, and the 4x100 team of Jalia Bunn, Linya Gedeon, Farmer, and Jaiden Leighton winning the Region VI Title in 2024.

Jerome Tang has been hard at work this offseason, improving the Wildcat roster with one of the country's best transfer portal classes.

KSU currently has the No. 4 ranked class in the nation, with the program having added five players this cycle, with the two headliners being point guard PJ Haggerty from Memphis, and guard Nate Johnson from Akron.

Haggerty was an All-American in his sophomore season, averaging 21 points each of the past two seasons, and also averaging six rebounds, four assists, and two steals per game. The 6-foot-3 playmaker has also drastically improved his jumpshot, shooting 36% from 3-point range last season.

Johnson was the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year last season, averaging 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game.

The Wildcats have also added forward Khamari McGriff from UNC-Wilmington, guard Abdi Bashir Jr from Monmouth, and forward Tyreek Smith from Memphis.

The Kansas City Royals are scrambling for answers, having lost six in a row and eight of their past ten games.

Kansas City fell to the Athletics 3-2 in the series finale, and dropped to 34-38 on the season. The boys in blue are now 10-22 since May 10th.

Manager Matt Quatraro says despite the recent slide, the vibes in the clubhouse continue to be positive.

KC now sits 11.5 games back in the division and 2.5 games back in the Wild Card race, currently fourth place in the AL Central. Quatraro says the organization is not hitting the panic button just yet.

The Royals are off today, and travel to Arlington to take on the Texas Rangers beginning tomorrow night.

An opportunity for kids in Southeast Kansas and Northeast Oklahoma to improve their basketball skills is coming, with the annual Camp of Champions, hosted by Coffeyville Community College and Head Coach Jay Herkelman.

The camp is open for kids under 15 years of age, and all skill levels. Herkelman says he sees plenty of familiar faces each year.

Herkelman has been hosting the skills camp since he became the Red Raven head coach. He says being able to help campers find love of basketball is fulfilling for him.

With the Camp of Champions starting in less than two weeks, time is running out to get registered. Herkelman says there are a few ways to do that.

The 2025 Camp of Champions runs from June 16th-19th at Nellis Hall on the campus of CCC.

Red Raven men's basketball coach Jay Herkelman has spent three decades coaching at the highest level of JUCO basketball, but another form of coaching also gives him passion.

Since his first season with the Red Ravens, Herkelman has been hosting a summer skills camp for area kids, focusing on improving their skills and giving them habits for their basketball careers. He says the objective has remained to build on the basics.

During the camp, kids will participate in different games and drills to improve dribbling, passing, shooting, and teamwork. Herkelman says new drills and ideas have also been brought to the camp.

Some of the best basketball players in the world, such as Oklahoma City Thunder guard and NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have built a skill set around strong fundamentals. Herkelman says that building a routine is the key to having success on the court.

The 2025 Camp of Champions runs from June 16th-19th at Nellis Hall on the campus of CCC.

High school football in Northeast Oklahoma inches closer, and the Dewey Bulldoggers are beginning summer work to prepare for the 2025 season.

The team participated in a team camp in Pawhuska last week, and also recently wrapped up spring ball. Head Coach Ryan Richardson says it was a productive spring of gaining reps.

The Bulldoggers will also return to Pawhuska beginning next week, for a summer passing league that includes numerous area schools. Richardson says the league helps both sides of the ball.

Dewey football can be heard on KRIG 104.9 FM in Bartlesville.

A pair of Red Raven baseball alum are having success in the next chapter of their careers, making an impact at the Division 1 level.

Both Mason Holton and Carson Schrack were all-conference talents in their time with the Ravens, with Holton serving as the team's shortstop in 2023, and Schrack playing both second and third base in 2023-24.

Schrack originally committed to Arkansas after his time at CCC, but was informed that the Razorbacks had too many returning players for him to be able to play. He says he then changed his approach to find somewhere he could play.

Holton has spent the past two seasons at Western Carolina, serving as a primary third baseman, and hitting a career-high nine home runs this season. He's also started pitching for the team, spending 14 innings on the mound. He says preparing as both a hitter and pitcher can be challenging.

Mason will be a fifth year senior at Western Carolina next year, while Schrack intends to stay at SEMO for his senior season.

The NBA Finals got underway last night in Oklahoma City, with the Thunder and Indiana Pacers squaring off for the NBA championship.

OKC held a lead for a majority of the night, with league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander having a game-high 38 points. Indiana would rally in the fourth quarter, however, and Tyrese Haliburton was the hero, hitting a game-winning shot with less than a second remaining.

It is only the second home loss for the Thunder this postseason, after dropping Game 1 to the Denver Nuggets in the conference semifinals, before winning the series in seven games.

Gilgeous-Alexander says the team has been in this position before.

Game 2 of the NBA Finals is Sunday night in Oklahoma City, and can be heard on our sister station KPGM in Bartlesville beginning at 7 p.m.

Opening night of the Jac Caglianone era was a resounding success for the Royals, rallying to defeat the rival St. Louis Cardinals 10-7.

Bobby Witt Jr homered and drove in four runs, while Caglianone went 0-5 but hit the ball hard in his debut. Manager Matt Quatraro says although the results weren't there, the approach certainly was.

Quatraro wasn't the only person in the KC dugout that Caglianone caught the eye of. Witt says the presence of the young slugger in the lineup fired up the team as a whole.

Kansas City continues the series with their inter-state rival, with Noah Cameron opposing Miles Mikolas tonight. Coverage begins at 6 p.m. CT tonight on the Mighty 690 KGGF.

The dawn of a new era has begun for Oklahoma Wesleyan, with the school hiring the first head coach for the new men's volleyball program.

Kyle Liechti has been introduced as the leader of the program, a Stillwater native with plenty of experience coaching volleyball. He says he was interested in the job because of both location and opportunity.

Liechti began as the head girl's volleyball coach at Stillwater High School, before becoming an assistant coach at Dillard University in New Orleans. He then spent time at Talladega College in Alabama, helping architect a new men's volleyball program that reached the NAIA national tournament in their second year.

Liechti says the expectations start immediately at OKWU.

Oklahoma Wesleyan men's volleyball will start their first ever season in NAIA next spring.

The NBA Finals gets underway tomorrow night in Oklahoma City, with the top-seed Thunder battling the Indiana Pacers for the championship.

OKC went 68-14 in the regular season, cruising to the top seed in the Western Conference, and advancing past the Grizzlies, Nuggets, and Timberwolves on their quest to the Finals. Indiana went 52-30 and defeated the Pistons, upset the top-seed Cavaliers, and edged the New York Knicks.

It's a battle of opposing strengths, with Indiana boasting the league's most dangerous offense, and OKC combating with one of the league's toughest defenses. Guard Shai-Gilgeous Alexander says the key is making opposing stars uncomfortable.

The Thunder have numerous players that are considered all-league caliber defenders, including Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, and Lu Dort. Dort says defense is what gave him his shot in the NBA.

Pregame for Game 1 begins tomorrow night at 7 p.m. CT, and can be heard on our sister station, 99.1 FM-KPGM.

Oklahoma Sooner softball's quest for an unprecedented fifth consecutive national championship comes to an end, being eliminated by Texas Tech in the semifinals.

The Red Raiders rallied behind a quality start from former Topeka High School star NiJaree Canady, and scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh to win 3-2. It is the first time Texas Tech has both made the College World Series and the World Series Championship series.

Sooner softball has been one of college sports most dominant programs, winning national championships each year since 2021, and cycling All-American players and pitchers through the program in the last decade.

Texas Tech will take on the Texas Longhorns in a Best of 3 series for the national championship beginning tomorrow night, with both schools looking for their first national title in program history.

As KJCCC teams prepare for the 2025 season this fall, the Butler Grizzlies are being led by a familiar face in a new role.

Kyle Woodall will serve as the interim head coach this season, following Brice Vignery stepping down this spring to take a job with the Kansas Jayhawks. He says the transition happened quickly and in many ways, out of necessity.

The coaching change happened at the beginning of spring practice, with the team already beginning work for 2025. Woodall says the efforts of the players and staff will help his transition to head coach.

Woodall has spent the past three seasons as defensive coordinator, and is primarily a defensive coach, but has also coached on the offensive side of the ball for the Grizzlies. He says that experience will help him be a better football coach.

Butler went 7-4 last season and earned a co-conference championship with Hutchinson and Coffeyville. The Grizzlies open the 2025 season with NEO on August 30th.

Time could be running out for the Kansas City Chiefs to make a decision on a potential new stadium site.

Matthew Kelly of the Kansas City Star reports that the state of Kansas may pull the new-stadium offer off the table on June 30th, if the organization does not accept. 

House Speaker Dan Hawkins told Kelly he doesn't want to extend the expiration date for the Chiefs or Kansas City Royals. The reason for not extending the deadline is to prevent the organizations having leverage in getting solutions in Missouri.

The potential for a new stadium for the Chiefs is certainly on the table, with owner Clark Hunt and team president Mark Donovan wanting a dome for the team, and eventually the opportunity to host a Super Bowl.

The team's current least at Arrowhead Stadium runs through the 2030 season, which means a potential move to Kansas could happen as soon as 2031.

The wait is over: The Kansas City Royals are calling up the highest rated prospect the organization has had since Bobby Witt Jr.

Jac Caglianone has been promoted from Triple-A Omaha to the Major Leagues, and will make his big league debut tonight in St. Louis. The first baseman/outfielder was drafted sixth overall just under a year ago.

ESPN's Senior MLB writer Jeff Passan says Caglianone is a player that all fans should be excited for.

Caglianone has been a star in the batter's box this season, hitting .322 with 15 home runs and 56 runs batted in, the most RBIs of any minor leaguer in the sport. He has spent time defensively in the corner outfield in recent weeks, and is expected to be in right field when he debuts for Kansas City.

Passan says the natural ability of Caglianone is something not a lot of players possess.

The Royals are in the thick of a playoff race once again in 2025, but have had one of the league's worst offenses thus far, averaging just 3.3 runs per game, and having the second fewest total runs of any team in the MLB.

For the first time in school history, Fort Scott is the last baseball team standing in 4A.

The Tigers win their first state championship in program history, after a 6-4 win over Rock Creek. Fort Scott finishes the season with a 28-3 record, playing one of the toughest schedules in the state at the 4A level.

The program completes the most successful season in school history, having been ranked in the Top 5 in 4A for a majority of the regular season, under head coach Josh Regan, and capping it off with a state title run.

Senior pitcher Colt Rogers was a hero on the mound as well, serving as a veteran stabilizer for the team and getting valuable outs all week long.

Numerous area athletes put on a show at the 2025 Kansas Track and Field State Championships this weekend.

Sophomore Laney Hillmon of Chanute placed 8th in the 400m dash, and 6th in the 4x800m relay. The Chanute boys placed 3rd in the state as a team.

Junior Peyton Hare of Eureka is the state runner-up in the 2A 400m dash, breaking a school record in the event. Additionally, the Lady Tornadoes 4x100m relay team of Kimber Ptacek, Brooklyn Ogden, Maela Neill, and Olivia Valentine placed 5th in the state.

The Caney Valley boys 4x400 relay team of Ben Matthews, Drake Roberds, Reuben Sanchez, and Cash Brown placed 7th with a time of 3:28. Matthews also finished 5th in the state in the long jump, with a leap of 20 feet, 8 inches, while junior Simeon Sanchez broke a school record with a 6th place finish in the 1600m, with a time of 4:22.

Labette County's Jamaal Jackson set a new state meet record in the 100m dash, with a time of 10.65, winning his first state title. Jackson also placed 2nd in the 400m dash, while Keegan Stritzke place 2nd in shot put, and 3rd in discus.

Parsons freshman Ayanna Robertson finished 2nd in the triple jump, with a leap of 35 feet, 11 inches. Robertson was both league and regional champion in the event.

The Field Kindley Golden Tornado had a successful weekend at the state track and field meet in Wichita, including a 4A state champion.

Senior Jake Horner is the the Class 4A champion in the 300m hurdles, after running a school-record time of 39.32 seconds. Horner won the race by nearly a full second, with Andale's Harrison Potucek placing second at 40.28 seconds.

Horner was also the champion in the event at both the Southeast Kansas League meet and the Class 4A Louisburg Regional.

Additionally, the Field Kindley relay team placed second in the state in the 4x100, and set a new school record. The team of Erin Lopez, Brooklyn White, Jakayla Johnson-Jones, and Kaylin Caron finished with a time of 48.69 seconds, and earn state runner-up in the event.

Lopez also placed 3rd in the state in the 100m dash, finishing top 3 in the event each year of her high school career.