RONNIE WEST
Apologies for my absence — I’ve been gone the last 3 weeks as part of The Eagle’s NCAA Tournament coverage team, which we all know by now took a pretty wild turn when Wichita State ended up in the Final Four for the first time since 1965. I spent a week in Kansas City with K-State and KU, the next week in Dallas with KU and finally to Atlanta with the Shockers.
But now I’m back, so let’s take a look at some of what I missed while I was gone:
I’ll post updates from the games as the results come in.
At Hartman Arena, Park City
Women’s semifinals
No. 3 Hutchinson 60, Butler 59 FINAL — Hutchinson’s Chrisstasia Walter led all players with 16 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Butler had to play the final 10 minutes without All-Jayhawk West guard Jamillah Bonner, who injured her ankle.
Cowley 68, No. 12 Garden City 52 FINAL — Cowley rolled to the win over a depleted Garden City squad. Cowley’s Tonisha Walker led all scorers with 28 points, including 13 of 14 at the free-throw line. Deni Jacobs led the Broncbusters with 16 points. Cowley plays Hutch at 5 p.m. Saturday for the Region VI title.
Men’s semifina
No. 9 Hutchinson (29-3) vs. No. 2 Coffeyville (31-1), 7:30 p.m.
COFFEYVILLE’S MONTEL JAMES
Everything goes down beginning tomorrow at Hartman Arena — two women’s semifinals followed by two men’s semifinals.
Here’s a look at the teams, but first …
My picks
I filled out brackets for the Region VI Tournament. I went 4 for 4 in the women’s semifinals and 3 for 4 in the men’s semifinals. The only team I didn’t pick to make it in? The Barton men.
And yes, I got a “3 out of 4 ain’t bad!!!” e-mail from Barton coach Craig Fletchall on Wednesday morning.
Women
No. 3 Hutch (31-1) vs. Butler (26-6), 1:30 p.m. – The Blue Dragons are the defending Region VI champions and lost in the NJCAA championship game last season. Butler has never won a Region VI title. Hutchinson’s sophomores have more wins — 67 — than any other two-year run in school history. Last titles: Hutchinson (2012), Butler (n/a).
No. 12 Garden City (29-3) vs. Cowley (28-4), 3:3o p.m. -- The Broncbusters are responsible for Hutchinson’s only loss this season – 64-62 on Feb. 6 at Garden City. Garden City sophomore forward Tamara Jones leads the Jayhawk in scoring (20.5 points) and is second in rebounding (10.2 rebounds). Montia Johnson leads Cowley in scoring at 12.2 points per game. Last titles: Garden City (2003), Cowley (1989).
Men
Seward County (25-7) vs. No. 24 Barton (26-6), 5:30 p.m. – Barton sophomore Algie Key does a little bit of everything, leading his team with 17.7 points, 1.8 steals and 4.1 assists per game. The Saints are the defending Region VI champions. Kaheem Ransom leads Seward at 16.6 points. Last titles: Seward (2012), Barton (2001).
No. 9 Hutchinson (29-3) vs. No. 2 Coffeyville (31-1), 7:30 p.m. – It’s tough to draw an attention away from the madness that is is the Kansas state high school basketball championships. This game does it. Coffeyville has a pair of surefire Division I players in 6-7 freshman forward Montel James (17.6 points, 8.8 rebounds) and 6-3 freshman guard Earl Peterson (12.5 points). Last titles: Hutchinson (1997), Coffeyville (2011).
I’ll be covering all four games tomorrow from Park City – will post updates here and on Twitter.
TA
CARY WILLAIMS
You read it right.
Washburn, an NCAA Division II school in Topeka, will be well-represented on the field when Super Bowl Sunday rolls around. Our friends over at wusports.com did a great job of breaking down the careers of Baltimore defensive back Cary Williams and San Francisco linebacker Michael Wilhoite.
Wilhoite is in his first season on the roster for the 49ers after spending a season on the practice squad. If you’ve watched the Ravens’ playoff run, or the NFL in the last decade, you probably know who he is already.
And of course the Jayhawk is well-represented in the Super Bowl once again with San Francisco defensive back and former Coffeyville Red Raven Dashon Goldson.
TA
SHAMAR ACUAY
We put out our college basketball preview on Sunday, including features and capsules on the MIAA, KCAC, Jayhawk Conference and Newman. Here’s links to our stories and capsules plus a few behind-the-scenes bits on each story – click the name of the league for the jump to capsules – Newman women are a folo on the main feature:
Here’s a look at our four leagues and how the races for titles are playing out – obviously the Jayhawk is a little unique because of a postseason tournament. It’s far enough into the season that I feel like we can safely say what teams are still in the hunt, what teams are hoping for a miracle and what teams have no hope – relying more on math than emotion, hopefully.
Saturday’s small-college football games (Sept. 22)
MIAA
Emporia State (3-0, 3-0 MIAA) at Northeastern State (0-3, 0-3), 6 p.m. – The Hornets lead the league in scoring, passing and total offense and quarterback Tyler Eckenrode averages 363 passing yards and has 10 touchdowns. A win here could be what Emporia State needs to break into the NCAA Division II Top 25, where it has been receiving votes the last two weeks. .
No. 9 Washburn (3-0, 3-0) at Central Oklahoma (0-3, 0-3), 2:37 p.m. — Check out that game time it cracks me up.
No. 12 Northwest Missouri (2-1, 1-1) at Nebraska-Kearney (0-3, 0-3), 4 p.m.
Southwest Baptist (0-3, 0-3) at Missouri Southern (3-0, 3-0), 6 p.m.
Lincoln (0-3, 0-3) at No. 1 Pittsburg State (3-0, 3-0), 7 p.m. — Easy win for Gorillas here before a brutal, three-game stretch against Central Missouri, NW Missouri and a possible Top 10 battle against Missouri Western in Pittsburg on Oct. 20
No. 7 Missouri Western (3-0, 2-0) at Fort Hays State (0-3, 0-3), 7 p.m. — Things aren’t getting any easier for the Tigers.
KCAC
No. 24 Kansas Wesleyan (2-1, 2-0) at Bethany (2-1, 1-1), 7 p.m. – This is the 100th meeting for these teams in perhaps the best rivalry in the KCAC. The two teams played for the first time on Nov. 13, 1893, a game the Coyotes won 38-0. Bethany won 15 straight games between 1987-2000. Kansas Wesleyan is led by 6-foot-2, 240-pound junior linebacker Brady Harwell, who averages 10.3 tackles.
Friends (2-1, 1-0) at McPherson (2-1, 1-0), 1 p.m. — Huge game as far as the KCAC standings go – Friends is coming off a big win over Southern Nazarene last week. Friends senior defensive end Dexter Davis is an early candidate for national defensive player of the year honors – he’s already got 9 sacks in three games.
Tabor (2-1, 1-0) at Saint Mary (0-3, 0-2), 1:30 p.m.
Sterling (0-3, 0-2) at Southwestern (1-2, 1-1), 6 p.m.
Heart of America
No. 5 Missouri Valley ( 3-0, 2-0) at No. 9 Baker (4-0, 3-0), 6 p.m. – USC transfer Dillon Baxter doesn’t have a 100-yard rushing game, but Baxter (274 yards) and Baker freshman Jermaine Broomfield (249 yards) are third and fourth in the HOA in rushing.
No. 13 MidAmerica Nazarene (1-1, 1-1) at Avila (0-3, 0-2), noon
Peru State (2-1, 1-1) at No. 6 Benedictine (3-0, 1-0) 1 p.m.
Jayhawk
No. 3 Butler (4-0, 3-0) at Highland (1-2, 1-1), 1 p.m. – Butler beat Independence by 77 points last Saturday and dropped one spot in the NJCAA Top 20. The Grizzlies need to keep winning big to keep traction in the polls, but they face a Highland defense that is second in the Jayhawk in scoring defense at 24.6 points.
Dodge City (0-4, 0-3) at Fort Scott (1-3, 1-2), 1 p.m.
Garden City (2-1) at Air Force Prep (0-3), 2 p.m.
Independence (0-3, 0-2) at Coffeyville (2-2, 1-1), 7 p.m.
MIAA
No. 1 Pittsburg State (2-0, 2-0 MIAA) at Southwest Baptist (0-2, 0-2), 1 p.m. – The Gorillas have already racked up five interceptions and Kansas transfer Keeston Terry, a junior safety, is providing dividends with 13 tackles and one interception. On offense, Pitt State is averaging 193 yards on the ground and have split carries between seniors Briceton Wilson and Jason Spradling.
Fort Hays State (0-2, 0-2) at No. 13 Northwest Missouri (1-1, 1-0), 1 p.m. – The Tigers are in the middle of a brutal stretch against three straight ranked opponents. Fort Hays lost to No. 9 Washburn last Saturday and now have to make the six-hour drive to Maryville, Mo., with the Bearcats fresh off a loss to Central Missouri.
Other games
Central Oklahoma (0-2, 0-2) at Emporia State (2-0, 2-0), 1 p.m. — I’m not kidding – win here and the Hornets could be 7-0 before you know it. One of the easiest schedules in the MIAA.
Missouri Southern (2-0, 2-0) at Lincoln (0-2, 0-2), 2 p.m.
Northeastern State (0-2, 0-2) at No. 9 Washburn (2-0, 2-0), 2 p.m. — Ichabods have transitioned into the post-Dane Simoneau era well.
Nebraska-Kearney (0-2, 0-2) at No. 8 Missouri Western (2-0, 1-0), 6 p.m.
Central Missouri (1-1, 1-1) at Lindenwood (2-0, 2-0), 6 p.m.
Northwestern Oklahoma (0-2) at Truman (2-0), 7 p.m.
KCAC
Southwestern (1-1, 1-0 KCAC) at McPherson (1-1, 1-0), 7 p.m. – McPherson quarterback Jake Snodgrass, a Derby product, is averaging 261 passing yards passing and 52 rushing yards. A win by the Bulldogs could propel them into the NAIA Top 25 headed into a Sept. 22 matchup with Friends in McPherson.
Other games
Saint Mary (0-2, 0-1) at Ottawa (0-2, 0-1), 6 p.m. — Not thinking the Braves are going to start KCAC play 0-2.
Kansas Wesleyan (1-1, 1-0) at Sterling (0-2, 0-1), 6 p.m. – What has happened to the Warriors the last couple of years?
Bethany (1-1, 0-1) atBethel (0-2, 0-1), 6 p.m. –
Haskell (0-2) at Tabor (1-1), 7 p.m.
Southern Nazarene (0-2) at Friends (1-1), 7 p.m.
Jayhawk Conference
No. 2 Butler (3-0, 2-0) at Independence (2-1, 0-1), 1 p.m. – Butler sophomore middle linebacker Blake Bean, from Kapaun Mount Carmel, is third in the Jayhawk with 12 tackles per game.
Other games
Coffeyville (1-2, 0-1) at Fort Scott (1-2, 1-1), 1 p.m. — This isn’t a gimme for the Red Ravens. The Greyhounds are 8-12 in the two-plus seasons since going 11-1 and playing for the national title in 2009.
Dodge City (0-3, 0-2) at No. 14 Hutchinson (2-1, 2-0), 7 p.m. — Blue Dragons need to start playing defense.
GOT THEM ALL –TA
JAYHAWK
No. 14 Hutchinson 63, No. 19 Garden City 49 FINAL
Coffeyville 29, Air Force Prep 23 FINAL
No. 2 Butler 60, Fort Scott 14 FINAL
Independence 27, Arkansas Baptist 20 FINAL
Highland 32, Dodge City 10 FINAL
MIAA
No. 1 Pittsburg State 34, C. Oklahoma 19 FINAL
No. 15 Washburn 45, Fort Hays State 20 FINAL
Central Missouri 31, No. 3 NW Missouri 21 FINAL WOW
Emporia State 58, Nebraska-Kearney 35 FINAL, HORNETS IMPROVE TO 2-0
KCAC
Friends 36, Saint Mary 14 FINAL
Southwestern 27, Bethel 13 FINAL
Tabor 12, Sterling 7 FINAL
Kansas Wesleyan 31, No. 11 Ottawa 28 FINAL
McPherson 14, No. 24 Bethany 0 FINAL
GCCC QUARTERBACK NICK MARSHALL
JAYHAWK
No. 14 Hutchinson (1-1, 1-0) at No. 19 Garden City (2-0, 1-0), 7 p.m. – This is high stakes for both teams early in the season – if Garden City wins they’ve got a clear path to an undefeated showdown with Butler in El Dorado on October 6. A loss for Hutchinson puts the Blue Dragons out of the national-title hunt.
Garden City quarterback Nick Marshall is averaging 198 yards passing and 113 rushing yards per game. He and running back Jamal Tyler (246 rushing yards, four touchdowns) should test a Hutchinson defense that just gave up 617 yards in a 54-34 loss to No. 12 Navarro.
Coffeyville (0-2, 0-1) at Air Force Prep (0-2), 2 p.m. – An 0-3 start would be disastrous for first-year coach Aaron Flores.
Fort Scott (1-1, 1-0) at No. 2 Butler (2-0, 1-0), 7 p.m. – Butler has absolutely steamrolled its first two opponents and a big reason has been sophomore QB Billy Cosh, who transferred from James Madison. Don’t expect much different here.
Other games
Arkansas Baptist (0-2) at Independence (0-2, 0-1), 1 p.m.
Highland (0-2, 0-1) at Dodge City (0-2, 0-1), 7 p.m.
MIAA
Central Oklahoma (0-1, 0-1) at No. 1 Pittsburg State(1-0, 1-0), 6 p.m. – Pittsburg State junior wide receiver/return specialist John Brown showed why he is one of the most dynamic players in the nation in the Gorillas’ 41-20 win at Northeastern State last Saturday. Brown, 5-foot-11 and 171 pounds, racked up 270 all-purpose yards, including nine catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 15 Washburn (1-0, 0-0) at Fort Hays State (0-1, 0-1), 7 p.m. – Chris Brown’s second season as Fort Hays State’s coach got off to a rocky start last week with a loss to Emporia State, but the Tigers get a big opportunity to get back on track against a nationally-ranked opponent.
Other games
No. 3 Northwest Missouri (1-0, 0-0) at Central Missouri (0-1, 0-1), 1:30 p.m.
Emporia State (1-0, 1-0) at Nebraska-Kearney (0-1, 0-1), 2 p.m.
Southwest Baptist (0-1, 0-1) at Lindenwood (1-0, 1-0), 6 p.m.
Northeastern State (0-1, 0-1) at Missouri Southern (1-0, 1-0), 6 p.m.
William Jewell (0-1) at No. 14 Missouri Western (1-0, 1-0), 6 p.m.
Lincoln (0-1, 0-1) at Truman (1-0, 1-0), 7 p.m.
KCAC
Saint Mary (0-1, 0-0) at Friends (0-1, 0-0), 7 p.m. – Evangel’s Andrew Brimhall picked apart the Friends secondary for 336 yards and three touchdowns in the Falcons’ 27-14 loss last Saturday at Springfield, Mo. That’s not a good sign with Saint Mary’s pass-happy offense and All-KCAC quarterback Mike Keese coming to town.
Other games
Bethel (0-1, 0-0) at Southwestern (0-1, 0-0), 6 p.m.
Sterling (0-1, 0-0) at Tabor (0-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.
No. 11 Ottawa (0-1, 0-0) at Kansas Wesleyan (0-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.
McPherson (0-1, 0-0) at No. 24 Bethany (1-0, 0-0), 7 p.m.