PARK CITY, Kan. - The Kansas State High School Activities Association Girl's State Wrestling Tournament is underway from Hartman Arena in Park City.&nbsp;

Junction City High School is represented by two girls wrestlers, Laila Lesher (109) and Brooke Swango (138).

In round one, bout six, Laila Lesher defeated Olathe North's Catherine Duong in a major decision 13-4 to advance to the semifinal round.&nbsp;

Also in round one, Junction City's Brooke Swango is defeated by fall (0:59) by KC Piper's Sara Lake, and will now go to the consolation side of the state bracket.&nbsp;

Updates will be provided throughout the day's action

Laila Lesher (109) is defeated by Wichita North's Daileen French by decision, 8-2. She will move on to the consolation semifinal round. Lesher can still finish as high as 3rd place.

Brooke Swango (138) advances. Dodge City's Dayanara Garcia is unable to compete due to injury. Swango moves on to the consolation semifinal against Shelby Davis of Gardner Edgerton.

Laila Lesher is defeated by Goddard Eisenhower's&nbsp;

Lainie Burkhart (TF-1.5 3:26). She will move on to the 5th place match.

Junction City's Brooke Swango was defeated by Gardner Edgertons Shelby Davis by fall (2:12) and will compete for 5th.

Laila Lesher ( 109 ) , Junction City, defeated Julie Yoder, Spring Hill for 5th place ( Fall 5:00 ).

Brooke Swango ( 138 ), Junction City lost to Bethanie Cruz, Garden City in 5th place match ( MD 12-2 ). Brooke finishes in 6th place.

Junction City scored 16 team points in the tournament.

PARK CITY, Kan. - The Kansas State High School Activities Association Girl's State Wrestling Tournament is underway from Hartman Arena in Park City.&nbsp;Junction City High School is represented by two girls wrestlers, Laila Lesher (109) and Brooke Swango (138).In round one, bout six, Laila Lesher defeated Olathe North's Catherine Duong in a major decision 13-4 to advance to the semifinal round.&nbsp;12:46 updateAlso in round one, Junction City's Brooke Swango is defeated by fall (0:59) by KC Piper's Sara Lake, and will now go to the consolation side of the state bracket.&nbsp;Updates will be provided throughout the day's action2:05 UpdateLaila Lesher (109) is defeated by Wichita North's Daileen French by decision, 8-2. She will move on to the consolation semifinal round. Lesher can still finish as high as 3rd place.3:09 UpdateBrooke Swango (138) advances. Dodge City's Dayanara Garcia is unable to compete due to injury. Swango moves on to the consolation semifinal against Shelby Davis of Gardner Edgerton.4:21 UpdateLaila Lesher is defeated by Goddard Eisenhower's&nbsp;Lainie Burkhart (TF-1.5 3:26). She will move on to the 5th place match.4:33 UpdateJunction City's Brooke Swango was defeated by Gardner Edgertons Shelby Davis by fall (2:12) and will compete for 5th.5:45 UpdateLaila Lesher ( 109 ) , Junction City, defeated Julie Yoder, Spring Hill for 5th place ( Fall 5:00 ).Brooke Swango ( 138 ), Junction City lost to Bethanie Cruz, Garden City in 5th place match ( MD 12-2 ). Brooke finishes in 6th place.Junction City scored 16 team points in the tournament.

JCHS Girls State Wrestling Updates

During a presentation to the Manhattan City Commission this week Riley County Police Director Dennis Butler talked about the problem of theft of catalytic converters from vehicles. He noted that this involves a group of organized people traveling from city to city. "The reason why you've seen such a dramatic increase in these thefts is that in the last 12 months the price of palladium which is one of the precious metals that is used in catalytic converters to clean the emissions has more than quadrupled in price." Butler stated that one year ago a stolen catalytic converter brought $200, but now depending on the vehicle that price can go from $500 to $1,000 apiece.

Butler said cars like Toyota Prius are prime targets because with their low emissions they use more palladium in their catalytic converters, and that is known by the thieves. He added there are mechanisms you can purchase to protect your vehicle. "But really the driving factor is the cost of palladium."

During a presentation to the Manhattan City Commission this week Riley County Police Director Dennis Butler talked about the problem of theft of catalytic converters from vehicles. He noted that this involves a group of organized people traveling from city to city. "The reason why you've seen such a dramatic increase in these thefts is that in the last 12 months the price of palladium which is one of the precious metals that is used in catalytic converters to clean the emissions has more than quadrupled in price." Butler stated that one year ago a stolen catalytic converter brought $200, but now depending on the vehicle that price can go from $500 to $1,000 apiece.Butler said cars like Toyota Prius are prime targets because with their low emissions they use more palladium in their catalytic converters, and that is known by the thieves. He added there are mechanisms you can purchase to protect your vehicle. "But really the driving factor is the cost of palladium."

Theft of catalytic converters draws Riley County police attention

The U.S. Army has announced that Fort Riley will deploy an additional task force as part of the Department of Defense’s support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Approximately 120 Soldiers from the 2nd&nbsp;Armored&nbsp;Brigade Combat Team, 1st&nbsp;Infantry Division,&nbsp;will&nbsp;deploy to Miami, Florida,&nbsp;beginning Friday. The task force will support a state-run, federally supported Community Vaccination Center to increase the number of Americans being vaccinated.

The Soldiers include medical personnel and support staff. These Soldiers are&nbsp;prepared to administer vaccines, care for patients, and offer other organizational support. Teams such as this are capable of administering 3,000 vaccinations per day.

A similar team deployed Feb. 19 from Fort Riley to Dallas, Texas. This team is supporting the Community Vaccination Center at Fair Park Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.

“Our Soldiers are playing vital roles in providing lifesaving vaccines to the ones we swore to protect, the American people,” said Col. Brandon Smith, Commander, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. “I am honored we have the opportunity to help our fellow citizens and to help put an end to this pandemic.”

Additionally, the 1st Sustainment Brigade has 44 Soldiers supporting FEMA vaccination efforts in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Dallas, Houston, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These Forward Assessment and Sustainment Teams provide the contracting and logistical support necessary to integrate civilian and military medical personnel. Their capabilities include medical screening, personnel accountability, commodity management, and contracting support.

The U.S. Army has announced that Fort Riley will deploy an additional task force as part of the Department of Defense’s support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Approximately 120 Soldiers from the 2nd&nbsp;Armored&nbsp;Brigade Combat Team, 1st&nbsp;Infantry Division,&nbsp;will&nbsp;deploy to Miami, Florida,&nbsp;beginning Friday. The task force will support a state-run, federally supported Community Vaccination Center to increase the number of Americans being vaccinated.The Soldiers include medical personnel and support staff. These Soldiers are&nbsp;prepared to administer vaccines, care for patients, and offer other organizational support. Teams such as this are capable of administering 3,000 vaccinations per day.A similar team deployed Feb. 19 from Fort Riley to Dallas, Texas. This team is supporting the Community Vaccination Center at Fair Park Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.“Our Soldiers are playing vital roles in providing lifesaving vaccines to the ones we swore to protect, the American people,” said Col. Brandon Smith, Commander, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. “I am honored we have the opportunity to help our fellow citizens and to help put an end to this pandemic.”Additionally, the 1st Sustainment Brigade has 44 Soldiers supporting FEMA vaccination efforts in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Dallas, Houston, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These Forward Assessment and Sustainment Teams provide the contracting and logistical support necessary to integrate civilian and military medical personnel. Their capabilities include medical screening, personnel accountability, commodity management, and contracting support.

Soldiers deploy in support of vaccination effort

Geary County Sheriff's Deputies responded late Wednesday afternoon to K-177 mile marker 90 for a rollover accident. The Sheriff's Department reported that Erin Woods, Council Grove, was southbound in a 2017 Nissan Versa when she passed in a no-passing zone and made an unsafe lane change, striking Garold Miller, Herington who was driving a 2019 Ford F150. The collision caused the Nissan Versa to go off the road and roll into a ditch. Woods was transported by EMS for complaint of head, chest and neck pain.

The Nissan Versa was removed from the scene by a wrecker and the Ford 150 was removed by the driver.

Geary County Sheriff's Deputies responded late Wednesday afternoon to K-177 mile marker 90 for a rollover accident. The Sheriff's Department reported that Erin Woods, Council Grove, was southbound in a 2017 Nissan Versa when she passed in a no-passing zone and made an unsafe lane change, striking Garold Miller, Herington who was driving a 2019 Ford F150. The collision caused the Nissan Versa to go off the road and roll into a ditch. Woods was transported by EMS for complaint of head, chest and neck pain.The Nissan Versa was removed from the scene by a wrecker and the Ford 150 was removed by the driver.

Deputies work a rollover accident

Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce upcoming events include the annual dinner on Thursday, July 1. Director of Member Relations Dawn Stephens said it was pushed to a later date this year because they want to have an in-person event. "I didn't want to try to do anything virtual. We wanted to get everyone together and we are still currently accepting nominations four our four different awards." Those include the Outstanding Citizenship Award, Seitz Family Military Community honor, Eldon L. Hoyle Economic Development Award and the Resiliency Award.

Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce upcoming events include the annual dinner on Thursday, July 1. Director of Member Relations Dawn Stephens said it was pushed to a later date this year because they want to have an in-person event. "I didn't want to try to do anything virtual. We wanted to get everyone together and we are still currently accepting nominations four our four different awards." Those include the Outstanding Citizenship Award, Seitz Family Military Community honor, Eldon L. Hoyle Economic Development Award and the Resiliency Award.

Chamber schedules annual dinner in July

Geary County health officials reported one new confirmed positive case of COVID-19 on Wednesday and one recovered case. There are currently 30 active cases in the county, and two people are hospitalized.

Since the pandemic began there have been 1,521 positive cases and 1,472 recovered cases.

Geary County health officials reported one new confirmed positive case of COVID-19 on Wednesday and one recovered case. There are currently 30 active cases in the county, and two people are hospitalized.Since the pandemic began there have been 1,521 positive cases and 1,472 recovered cases.

COVID-19 positive case numbers are declining

SHAWNEE COUNTY —A Manhattan woman died in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Wednesday in Shawnee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Kenworth semi driven by&nbsp; Jesse C. Vannoy, 38, Knob Noster, Missouri, was eastbound on Interstate 70 in the inside lane just east of SW Topeka Boulevard. The semi lost its load of large, metal pipes. The pipes traveled over the concrete barrier wall and into the westbound lanes of traffic.

One metal pipe struck the driver's side rear quarter panel and window of a 2014 Ford Expedition driven by Amy M. Mitchell, 47, Sabetha, then landed on top of a 2020 Kia Forte driven by Brooke N. Rees, 29, Manhattan. 

A 2011 Ford F250 driven by Robert W. Torrey, 60, Axtel, was unable to stop and rear-ended the Kia. The impacted forced the Kia to rotate counterclockwise and strike the outside concrete bridge rail. 

A 1996 Chevy 1500 driven by Jeffery Munz, 66, Great Bend, struck another metal pipe. This forced the pickup to travel to the inside lane and then back across the outside lane and become disabled. 

A 2008 Toyota Camry driven by Bruce L. Bowers, 54,&nbsp;Harveyville, struck a metal pipe and became disabled in the inside lane. 

A metal pipe also struck the front end of a 2019 Freightline semi driven by Timothy S. Hess, 53, Atkins, Virginia, as it traveled across the westbound lanes. 

Another metal pipe that was struck traveled into a KDOT guardrail, destroying a section of it. Due to the severity of the collision with the pipe, Rees was pronounced deceased at the scene and was transported to First Call.

Vannoy, Mitchell, 3 passengers in the Expedition,&nbsp;Torrey and 3 passengers in the Ford, Munz, Bowers and Hess, were not injured. All were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614251650388.png" alt="KHP on the scene of Wednesday's 7-vehicle crash on I-70 near Topeka photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>KHP on the scene of Wednesday's 7-vehicle crash on I-70 near Topeka photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —A Manhattan woman died in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Wednesday in Shawnee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Kenworth semi driven by&nbsp; Jesse C. Vannoy, 38, Knob Noster, Missouri, was eastbound on Interstate 70 in the inside lane just east of SW Topeka Boulevard. The semi lost its load of large, metal pipes. The pipes traveled over the concrete barrier wall and into the westbound lanes of traffic.One metal pipe struck the driver's side rear quarter panel and window of a 2014 Ford Expedition driven by Amy M. Mitchell, 47, Sabetha, then landed on top of a 2020 Kia Forte driven by Brooke N. Rees, 29, Manhattan. A 2011 Ford F250 driven by Robert W. Torrey, 60, Axtel, was unable to stop and rear-ended the Kia. The impacted forced the Kia to rotate counterclockwise and strike the outside concrete bridge rail. A 1996 Chevy 1500 driven by Jeffery Munz, 66, Great Bend, struck another metal pipe. This forced the pickup to travel to the inside lane and then back across the outside lane and become disabled. A 2008 Toyota Camry driven by Bruce L. Bowers, 54,&nbsp;Harveyville, struck a metal pipe and became disabled in the inside lane. A metal pipe also struck the front end of a 2019 Freightline semi driven by Timothy S. Hess, 53, Atkins, Virginia, as it traveled across the westbound lanes. Another metal pipe that was struck traveled into a KDOT guardrail, destroying a section of it. Due to the severity of the collision with the pipe, Rees was pronounced deceased at the scene and was transported to First Call.Vannoy, Mitchell, 3 passengers in the Expedition,&nbsp;Torrey and 3 passengers in the Ford, Munz, Bowers and Hess, were not injured. All were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Manhattan woman dies in crash after semi lost load of pipes on I-70

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SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on&nbsp;multiple charges following a Tuesday traffic stop

Just after 11:30 p.m. a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Cavalier near the intersection of SE 6th Avenue and Madison Street, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.

 During the investigation, a K9 unit was deployed and narcotics were located.

Deputies arrested the driver, Datin D.S. Palmer, 30, Topeka, and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on multiple requested felony drug charges, including possession of methamphetamine, as well as the charges of displaying an altered license plate and driving while having no license. Palmer was also arrested on a misdemeanor warrant out of Pottawatomie County, according to Anderson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614185463467.png" alt="Palmer photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Palmer photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on&nbsp;multiple charges following a Tuesday traffic stopJust after 11:30 p.m. a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Cavalier near the intersection of SE 6th Avenue and Madison Street, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson. During the investigation, a K9 unit was deployed and narcotics were located.Deputies arrested the driver, Datin D.S. Palmer, 30, Topeka, and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on multiple requested felony drug charges, including possession of methamphetamine, as well as the charges of displaying an altered license plate and driving while having no license. Palmer was also arrested on a misdemeanor warrant out of Pottawatomie County, according to Anderson.

Sheriff's K9 helps catch suspect wanted in Pottawatomie County 

High 45°	Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 40s. North winds up to 5 mph.

High 45°	Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 40s. North winds up to 5 mph.

Thursday weather forecast

Junction City Fire Chief Terry Johnson said Wednesday morning that the estimated dollar loss from the Munson's Prime Steakhouse fire has been set at $750,000. The owners, Deanna and Chuck Munson, confirmed the business was insured.

Firefighters responded to the blaze at 4:17 a.m. Wednesday to the 426 Goldenbelt Boulevard location on&nbsp; the south side of Junction City. The fire had been reported by an on-duty Geary County Sheriff's Deputy. When they arrived they found the single story wood framed building with fire showing on the northwest side of the structure from the north entrance into the kitchen area. Fire progression on the structure forced an evacuation of the building at 4:30 a.m. Crews then had to transition to a defensive attack. Fire&nbsp; eventually caused a structure collapse on the northwest section of the steakhouse.

Crews continued their operations on scene until 9:55 a.m. and investigators from the Junction City Fire Department and State Fire Marshal's Office could then begin work.&nbsp; KDOT also placed warning signs during the fire for smoke crossing Interstate 70.

Junction City firefighters were dispatched to Munson's Prime at approximately 4 a.m. Wednesday to battle the fire that destroyed the restaurant.

Terry Johnson, Fire Chief, said when they arrived they found fire pushing out the back of the building. "They went into to do an interior attack and were pushed back out by the amount of fire that was in the building. It got into the ceiling and after that just ran through the whole building. Unfortunately the building's a total loss. "

Johnson confirmed that there were no injuries. "Thankfully no one was in the building when it occurred. We had 32 firemen on scene, 12 from JCPD and Sheriff's Department, and about 8 or 10 from gas and electric. " Fort Riley also provided mutual aid with an engine company.

The cause of the blaze is not known, said Johnson. "The area of origin or where we believe it may have started was in the back northwest corner of the building."

A south side Junction City steakhouse steeped in family farm tradition has been destroyed by fire.

Numerous items of value to the Munson family and Junction City community were destroyed in the early Wednesday morning fire at Munson's Prime, 426 Goldenbelt Boulevard.

The restaurant was owned by Chuck and Deanna Munson.&nbsp;

Deanna lamented the loss of the family and community items. "We had everything that was the absolute the ultimate value to us over the generations. The piano that was in the Opera House that was in the fire at the time of the fire in the 1890's that we had restored and put into there that had been in&nbsp; the Munson family since that fire."

Munson added all the memorabilia on the wall of the restaurant was destroyed. "The fact that we had put it together for this community to showcase, yes Munson meat, but to showcase the roots of this community. That's what's gone, it's just gone!

JUNCTION CITY —Authorities were on the scene of a steakhouse fire in Junction City Wednesday.

Just after 4 a.m. firefighters responded to a fire at Munson's Prime, 1825 Goldenbelt Boulevard in Junction City, according to&nbsp;Garry Berges, Geary County Rural Fire Chief.

The entire structure is a complete loss and the roof has caved in on it, according to Berges.

Firefighters were trying to protect the exposures to the east, which would be the old Ike's Place. There are also high transmission power lines in the area.

The restaurant was owned by Chuck and Deanna Munson and has been a popular eating establishment in Junction City.

Berges said there was a lot of smoke in the area, especially going across the interstate so anybody down here needs to be very careful as they're going along&nbsp; the roadway and try to stay out of the area if possible.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported and no information on a possible cause.

Check the Post for more details as information becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614173954846.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATE:Junction City Fire Chief Terry Johnson said Wednesday morning that the estimated dollar loss from the Munson's Prime Steakhouse fire has been set at $750,000. The owners, Deanna and Chuck Munson, confirmed the business was insured.Firefighters responded to the blaze at 4:17 a.m. Wednesday to the 426 Goldenbelt Boulevard location on&nbsp; the south side of Junction City. The fire had been reported by an on-duty Geary County Sheriff's Deputy. When they arrived they found the single story wood framed building with fire showing on the northwest side of the structure from the north entrance into the kitchen area. Fire progression on the structure forced an evacuation of the building at 4:30 a.m. Crews then had to transition to a defensive attack. Fire&nbsp; eventually caused a structure collapse on the northwest section of the steakhouse.Crews continued their operations on scene until 9:55 a.m. and investigators from the Junction City Fire Department and State Fire Marshal's Office could then begin work.&nbsp; KDOT also placed warning signs during the fire for smoke crossing Interstate 70.---Junction City firefighters were dispatched to Munson's Prime at approximately 4 a.m. Wednesday to battle the fire that destroyed the restaurant.Terry Johnson, Fire Chief, said when they arrived they found fire pushing out the back of the building. "They went into to do an interior attack and were pushed back out by the amount of fire that was in the building. It got into the ceiling and after that just ran through the whole building. Unfortunately the building's a total loss. "Johnson confirmed that there were no injuries. "Thankfully no one was in the building when it occurred. We had 32 firemen on scene, 12 from JCPD and Sheriff's Department, and about 8 or 10 from gas and electric. " Fort Riley also provided mutual aid with an engine company.The cause of the blaze is not known, said Johnson. "The area of origin or where we believe it may have started was in the back northwest corner of the building."--A south side Junction City steakhouse steeped in family farm tradition has been destroyed by fire.Numerous items of value to the Munson family and Junction City community were destroyed in the early Wednesday morning fire at Munson's Prime, 426 Goldenbelt Boulevard.The restaurant was owned by Chuck and Deanna Munson.&nbsp;Deanna lamented the loss of the family and community items. "We had everything that was the absolute the ultimate value to us over the generations. The piano that was in the Opera House that was in the fire at the time of the fire in the 1890's that we had restored and put into there that had been in&nbsp; the Munson family since that fire."Munson added all the memorabilia on the wall of the restaurant was destroyed. "The fact that we had put it together for this community to showcase, yes Munson meat, but to showcase the roots of this community. That's what's gone, it's just gone!---JUNCTION CITY —Authorities were on the scene of a steakhouse fire in Junction City Wednesday.Just after 4 a.m. firefighters responded to a fire at Munson's Prime, 1825 Goldenbelt Boulevard in Junction City, according to&nbsp;Garry Berges, Geary County Rural Fire Chief.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614174273111.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The entire structure is a complete loss and the roof has caved in on it, according to Berges.Firefighters were trying to protect the exposures to the east, which would be the old Ike's Place. There are also high transmission power lines in the area.The restaurant was owned by Chuck and Deanna Munson and has been a popular eating establishment in Junction City.Berges said there was a lot of smoke in the area, especially going across the interstate so anybody down here needs to be very careful as they're going along&nbsp; the roadway and try to stay out of the area if possible.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported and no information on a possible cause.Check the Post for more details as information becomes available.

Fire Department estimates the dollar loss from the Munson Prime Steakhouse fire

INDIANAPOLIS - The NCAA announced Thursday its plans for the 2021 Men's and Women's Basketball Championships in the event that selected teams are unable to compete due to COVID-19.&nbsp;

The tournament fields will be announced on March 14th (men) and 15th (women) and replacement teams may be selected within the first 48 hours after the brackets are released, according to the NCAA. 

This means that in the event that one of the teams experiences positive tests and is unable to compete in the championship tournament, one of the top teams remaining left out of the original draw can be added to the tournament field as a replacement.&nbsp;

Furthermore, if a team(s) produces positive COVID-19 cases and is unable to compete once the tournament begins, no replacement will be put in its place, in accordance with the NCAA's no-contest rule. Any team that was able to play and their opponent is unable will move&nbsp; on to the next round.&nbsp;

Click <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2021-02-25/ncaa-announces-contingency-plans-tournament-teams-forced-withdraw-due-issues">HERE</a> to read the full release from the NCAA.

By Jackson SchneiderINDIANAPOLIS - The NCAA announced Thursday its plans for the 2021 Men's and Women's Basketball Championships in the event that selected teams are unable to compete due to COVID-19.&nbsp;The tournament fields will be announced on March 14th (men) and 15th (women) and replacement teams may be selected within the first 48 hours after the brackets are released, according to the NCAA. This means that in the event that one of the teams experiences positive tests and is unable to compete in the championship tournament, one of the top teams remaining left out of the original draw can be added to the tournament field as a replacement.&nbsp;Furthermore, if a team(s) produces positive COVID-19 cases and is unable to compete once the tournament begins, no replacement will be put in its place, in accordance with the NCAA's no-contest rule. Any team that was able to play and their opponent is unable will move&nbsp; on to the next round.&nbsp;Full details from the release, per NCAA:<ul>
 <li>Once the bracket is finalized and released, teams will not be reseeded, nor will the bracket change.</li><li>Reasonable efforts will be made to ensure a full field is in place before the start of the championship. No replacement teams will be introduced after the championship begins.</li><li>Every participating conference should have the opportunity for a minimum of one team in the championship field.</li><li>Beyond the goal of having at least one team from every conference, replacement teams must be among the best teams being considered for an at-large bid.</li>
 </ul>Click <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2021-02-25/ncaa-announces-contingency-plans-tournament-teams-forced-withdraw-due-issues">HERE</a> to read the full release from the NCAA.

NCAA Announces COVID-19 Contingency Policies for March Madness

LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a career filled with remarkable comebacks, Tiger Woods faces perhaps his toughest recovery of all.

The golf star was driving alone on a sweeping, downhill stretch of road through coastal Los Angeles suburbs when his SUV struck a raised median, crossed into oncoming lanes and flipped several times. The crash caused “significant” injuries to Woods’ right leg, and he underwent what was described as a “long surgical procedure” at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

(LA County Sheriff Villanueva discussed current events for 2 minutes and then the crash involving Tiger Woods in Rancho Palos Verdes)

Dr. Anish Mahajan, chief medical officer, said Woods shattered bones in his lower leg in multiple places. Some of his fractures went through the skin and were stabilized by a rod, while screws and pins were used for his ankle and foot injuries.

A statement on Woods’&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/TigerWoods/status/1364447580520738820" target="_blank">Twitter account</a>&nbsp;said he was awake and recovering.

“I will say that it’s very fortunate that Mr. Woods was able to come out of this alive,” said Carlos Gonzalez, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy who was the first to arrive after a neighbor called 911.

Police said there was no evidence of drugs or alcohol. Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Wednesday on a Facebook livestream that it was “purely an accident” on a downhill section of road known for crashes.

Dr. Joseph Patterson, an orthopedic trauma surgeon at Keck Medicine of USC in Los Angeles, said injuries like Woods’ are among the most common seen in emergency rooms.

Patterson didn’t treat Woods and wouldn’t comment specifically about the golfer’s injuries but said the risk of infection is extremely high for patients with fractures that break the skin.

“Tissue can be exposed to bacteria, dirt and clothing. The outcomes can be a lot worse if that tissue gets infected,” Patterson said. Such open fractures can require multiple surgeries to repair.

Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith suffered an open fracture to his lower leg while being tackled. He nearly lost the leg due to infection but made a remarkable recovery and played last season.

The crash was the latest setback for Woods, who at times has looked unstoppable with his 15 major championships and record-tying 82 victories on the PGA Tour. He is among the world’s most recognizable sports figures, and at 45, with a reduced schedule from nine previous surgeries, remains golf’s biggest draw.

He won the 2008 U.S. Open with shredded knee ligaments and two stress fractures in his left leg. His personal life imploded on Thanksgiving weekend in 2009 when he was caught having multiple extramarital affairs and crashed his vehicle near his Florida home. He returned to win his 11th award as PGA Tour player of the year and reach No. 1.

And then after four back surgeries that kept him out of golf for the better part of two years, he won the Masters in April 2019 for the fifth time, a victory that ranks among the great comebacks in the sport.

Now it’s no longer a matter of when he plays again — the Masters is seven weeks away — but if he plays again.

Woods was in Los Angeles over the weekend as the tournament host of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club. Monday and Tuesday had been set aside for Woods to give golf tips to celebrities on Discovery-owned GOLFTV. A tweet Monday showed him in a cart with comedian David Spade. He also worked with NBA great Dwyane Wade, who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLo-cCgH0H1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">posted a video</a>&nbsp;on Instagram.

“It was a great day,” Wade said Tuesday night on Turner Sports, where he is a studio analyst. “And I woke up today so proud to be able to post that moment for the world, like a little snippet of our moment together. And I took a nap, and I woke up to the news. So, you know, just like everybody out there, my thoughts and prayers are all to his loved ones.”

They have come from everywhere — Jack Nicklaus and Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson and former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Woods played golf with both presidents, and Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019.

Woods had a fifth back surgery, a microdiscectomy, on Dec. 23, just three days after he played the PNC Championship with his son Charlie, who now is 12. Woods also has a 13-year-old daughter, Samantha.

Woods was driving his courtesy vehicle from the Genesis Invitational when he crashed. Gonzalez, the deputy, does traffic enforcement on the road and said he sometimes catches people topping 80 mph (129 kph) in the downhill, 45-mph zone. Crashes are common.

Police said Woods was alert as firefighters pried open the front windshield to get him out. The sheriff says the airbags deployed and the inside of the SUV stayed mostly intact, which “gave him a cushion to survive the crash.”

Villanueva said Wednesday that the department hasn’t yet pulled information from the vehicle’s event data recorder, or “black box,” which would give details about speed and could be a factor.

In 2017, Florida police found him asleep behind the wheel of a car parked awkwardly on the side of the road. He was arrested on a DUI charge and said he had an unexpected reaction to prescription medicine for his back pain. Woods later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and checked into a clinic to get help with prescription medication and a sleep disorder.

Woods hasn’t won since the Zozo Championship in Japan in fall 2019, and he’s reduced his playing schedule in recent years because of injuries. Besides his five back surgeries, he’s had four surgeries on his left knee.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a career filled with remarkable comebacks, Tiger Woods faces his toughest recovery of all.

Woods was driving through a sweeping, downhill stretch of road through coastal suburbs of Los Angeles when his SUV struck a sign, crossed over a raised median and two oncoming lanes before it toppled down an embankment, coming to a halt on its side.

The airbags deployed. A sheriff’s deputy poked his head through a hole in the windshield to see Woods, still wearing his seatbelt, sitting in the driver’s seat.

The crash caused “significant” injuries all down his right leg that featured rods, pins and screws during what was described as a “long surgical procedure” at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

Anish Mahajan, the chief medical officer, said Woods shattered tibia and fibula bones on his right leg in multiple locations. Those were stabilized by a rod in the tibia. He said a combination of screws and pins were used to stabilize additional injuries in the ankle and foot.

A statement on his&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/TigerWoods/status/1364447580520738820" target="_blank">Twitter account</a>&nbsp;said he was awake, responsive and recovering.

“I will say that it’s very fortunate that Mr. Woods was able to come out of this alive,” said Carlos Gonzalez, the deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department who was the first on the scene after a neighbor called 911.

“As if his body hasn’t endured enough,” Jon Rahm, the No. 2 player in the world, said from the Workday Championship in Florida. “I just hope he can get out of the hospital after recovery and he can still play with his kids and have a normal life.”

The single-car crash was the latest setback for Woods, who at times has looked unstoppable on the golf course with his 15 major championships and record-tying 82 victories on the PGA Tour. He is among the most recognizable sports figures in the world, and at 45 with a reduced schedule from nine previous surgeries, remains golf’s biggest draw.

He won the 2008 U.S. Open with shredded knee ligaments and two stress fractures in his left leg. His personal life imploded on Thanksgiving weekend in 2009 when he was caught having multiple extramarital affairs, and he returned to win his 11th award as PGA Tour player of the year and reach No. 1.

No charges were filed, and police said there was no evidence he was impaired.

Woods was in Los Angeles over the weekend as the tournament host of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club. Monday and Tuesday had been set aside for Discovery-owned GOLFTV for Woods to give playing tips to celebrities. A tweet Monday showed him in a cart at Rolling Hills Country Club with comedian David Spade. He also worked with NBA great Dwyane Wade, who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLo-cCgH0H1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">posted a video</a>&nbsp;to his Instagram account.

Woods was headed to Rolling Hills on Tuesday when the accident happened.

Thoughts and prayers have come from everywhere — Jack Nicklaus and Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, and former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Woods played golf with both of them, and Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019 after perhaps his great triumph — the Masters after he had gone through four back surgeries.

The news put a damper on the World Golf Championship in Florida, where Woods was eligible to play if healthy.

“I’m sick to my stomach,” said Justin Thomas, No. 3 in the world and among the younger players whom Woods has embraced. “It hurts to see one of my closest friends get in an accident. Man, I just hope he’s all right.”

The crash happened about 7:15 a.m. as he drove his courtesy vehicle from the Genesis Invitational through the upscale suburbs. Gonzalez says he sometimes catches people topping 80 mph (129 kph) in the 45 mph zone and crashes are common.

Police said Woods was alert as firefighters pried open the front windshield to get him out. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said the airbags deployed and the inside of the SUV stayed mostly intact, which “gave him a cushion to survive the crash.”

Authorities said they checked for any odor of alcohol or other signs he was under the influence of a substance and found none. They didn’t say how fast he was driving.

This is the third time Woods has been involved in a car investigation. The most notorious was the early morning after Thanksgiving in 2009, when his SUV ran over a fire hydrant and hit a tree. That was the start of shocking revelations that he had been cheating on his wife with multiple women.

In May 2017, Florida police found him asleep behind the wheel of a car parked awkwardly on the side of the road. He was arrested on a DUI charge and said he had an unexpected reaction to prescription medicine for his back pain. Woods later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and checked into a clinic to get help with prescription medication and a sleep disorder.

He was asked during the CBS broadcast Sunday at Riviera about recovering from his back surgery in time to play the Masters and Woods replied, “God, I hope so. I’ve got to get there first.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614166677367.png" alt="The SUV Tiger Woods was driving in Tuesday's crash as it is removed from scene of the accident. photo courtesy KTLA" />
 <figcaption>The SUV Tiger Woods was driving in Tuesday's crash as it is removed from scene of the accident. photo courtesy KTLA</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a career filled with remarkable comebacks, Tiger Woods faces perhaps his toughest recovery of all.The golf star was driving alone on a sweeping, downhill stretch of road through coastal Los Angeles suburbs when his SUV struck a raised median, crossed into oncoming lanes and flipped several times. The crash caused “significant” injuries to Woods’ right leg, and he underwent what was described as a “long surgical procedure” at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.(LA County Sheriff Villanueva discussed current events for 2 minutes and then the crash involving Tiger Woods in Rancho Palos Verdes)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FLosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment%2Fvideos%2F741778876538172%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Dr. Anish Mahajan, chief medical officer, said Woods shattered bones in his lower leg in multiple places. Some of his fractures went through the skin and were stabilized by a rod, while screws and pins were used for his ankle and foot injuries.A statement on Woods’&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/TigerWoods/status/1364447580520738820" target="_blank">Twitter account</a>&nbsp;said he was awake and recovering.“I will say that it’s very fortunate that Mr. Woods was able to come out of this alive,” said Carlos Gonzalez, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy who was the first to arrive after a neighbor called 911.Police said there was no evidence of drugs or alcohol. Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Wednesday on a Facebook livestream that it was “purely an accident” on a downhill section of road known for crashes.Dr. Joseph Patterson, an orthopedic trauma surgeon at Keck Medicine of USC in Los Angeles, said injuries like Woods’ are among the most common seen in emergency rooms.Patterson didn’t treat Woods and wouldn’t comment specifically about the golfer’s injuries but said the risk of infection is extremely high for patients with fractures that break the skin.“Tissue can be exposed to bacteria, dirt and clothing. The outcomes can be a lot worse if that tissue gets infected,” Patterson said. Such open fractures can require multiple surgeries to repair.Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith suffered an open fracture to his lower leg while being tackled. He nearly lost the leg due to infection but made a remarkable recovery and played last season.The crash was the latest setback for Woods, who at times has looked unstoppable with his 15 major championships and record-tying 82 victories on the PGA Tour. He is among the world’s most recognizable sports figures, and at 45, with a reduced schedule from nine previous surgeries, remains golf’s biggest draw.He won the 2008 U.S. Open with shredded knee ligaments and two stress fractures in his left leg. His personal life imploded on Thanksgiving weekend in 2009 when he was caught having multiple extramarital affairs and crashed his vehicle near his Florida home. He returned to win his 11th award as PGA Tour player of the year and reach No. 1.And then after four back surgeries that kept him out of golf for the better part of two years, he won the Masters in April 2019 for the fifth time, a victory that ranks among the great comebacks in the sport.Now it’s no longer a matter of when he plays again — the Masters is seven weeks away — but if he plays again.Woods was in Los Angeles over the weekend as the tournament host of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club. Monday and Tuesday had been set aside for Woods to give golf tips to celebrities on Discovery-owned GOLFTV. A tweet Monday showed him in a cart with comedian David Spade. He also worked with NBA great Dwyane Wade, who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLo-cCgH0H1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">posted a video</a>&nbsp;on Instagram.“It was a great day,” Wade said Tuesday night on Turner Sports, where he is a studio analyst. “And I woke up today so proud to be able to post that moment for the world, like a little snippet of our moment together. And I took a nap, and I woke up to the news. So, you know, just like everybody out there, my thoughts and prayers are all to his loved ones.”They have come from everywhere — Jack Nicklaus and Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson and former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Woods played golf with both presidents, and Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019.Woods had a fifth back surgery, a microdiscectomy, on Dec. 23, just three days after he played the PNC Championship with his son Charlie, who now is 12. Woods also has a 13-year-old daughter, Samantha.Woods was driving his courtesy vehicle from the Genesis Invitational when he crashed. Gonzalez, the deputy, does traffic enforcement on the road and said he sometimes catches people topping 80 mph (129 kph) in the downhill, 45-mph zone. Crashes are common.Police said Woods was alert as firefighters pried open the front windshield to get him out. The sheriff says the airbags deployed and the inside of the SUV stayed mostly intact, which “gave him a cushion to survive the crash.”Villanueva said Wednesday that the department hasn’t yet pulled information from the vehicle’s event data recorder, or “black box,” which would give details about speed and could be a factor.In 2017, Florida police found him asleep behind the wheel of a car parked awkwardly on the side of the road. He was arrested on a DUI charge and said he had an unexpected reaction to prescription medicine for his back pain. Woods later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and checked into a clinic to get help with prescription medication and a sleep disorder.Woods hasn’t won since the Zozo Championship in Japan in fall 2019, and he’s reduced his playing schedule in recent years because of injuries. Besides his five back surgeries, he’s had four surgeries on his left knee.___LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a career filled with remarkable comebacks, Tiger Woods faces his toughest recovery of all.Woods was driving through a sweeping, downhill stretch of road through coastal suburbs of Los Angeles when his SUV struck a sign, crossed over a raised median and two oncoming lanes before it toppled down an embankment, coming to a halt on its side.The airbags deployed. A sheriff’s deputy poked his head through a hole in the windshield to see Woods, still wearing his seatbelt, sitting in the driver’s seat.The crash caused “significant” injuries all down his right leg that featured rods, pins and screws during what was described as a “long surgical procedure” at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.Anish Mahajan, the chief medical officer, said Woods shattered tibia and fibula bones on his right leg in multiple locations. Those were stabilized by a rod in the tibia. He said a combination of screws and pins were used to stabilize additional injuries in the ankle and foot.A statement on his&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/TigerWoods/status/1364447580520738820" target="_blank">Twitter account</a>&nbsp;said he was awake, responsive and recovering.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/vZitnFV0YA">pic.twitter.com/vZitnFV0YA</a>&mdash; Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) <a href="https://twitter.com/TigerWoods/status/1364447580520738820?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I will say that it’s very fortunate that Mr. Woods was able to come out of this alive,” said Carlos Gonzalez, the deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department who was the first on the scene after a neighbor called 911.“As if his body hasn’t endured enough,” Jon Rahm, the No. 2 player in the world, said from the Workday Championship in Florida. “I just hope he can get out of the hospital after recovery and he can still play with his kids and have a normal life.”The single-car crash was the latest setback for Woods, who at times has looked unstoppable on the golf course with his 15 major championships and record-tying 82 victories on the PGA Tour. He is among the most recognizable sports figures in the world, and at 45 with a reduced schedule from nine previous surgeries, remains golf’s biggest draw.He won the 2008 U.S. Open with shredded knee ligaments and two stress fractures in his left leg. His personal life imploded on Thanksgiving weekend in 2009 when he was caught having multiple extramarital affairs, and he returned to win his 11th award as PGA Tour player of the year and reach No. 1.And then after four back surgeries that kept him out of golf for the better part of two years, he won the Masters in April 2019 for the fifth time, a victory that ranks among the great comebacks in the sport.Now it’s no longer a matter of when he plays again — the Masters is seven weeks away — but if he plays again.No charges were filed, and police said there was no evidence he was impaired.Woods was in Los Angeles over the weekend as the tournament host of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club. Monday and Tuesday had been set aside for Discovery-owned GOLFTV for Woods to give playing tips to celebrities. A tweet Monday showed him in a cart at Rolling Hills Country Club with comedian David Spade. He also worked with NBA great Dwyane Wade, who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLo-cCgH0H1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">posted a video</a>&nbsp;to his Instagram account.Woods was headed to Rolling Hills on Tuesday when the accident happened.“It was a great day,” Wade said Tuesday night on Turner Sports, where he is a studio analyst. “And I woke up today so proud to be able to post that moment for the world, like a little snippet of our moment together. And I took a nap, and I woke up to the news. So, you know, just like everybody out there, my thoughts and prayers are all to his loved ones.”Thoughts and prayers have come from everywhere — Jack Nicklaus and Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, and former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Woods played golf with both of them, and Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019 after perhaps his great triumph — the Masters after he had gone through four back surgeries.Woods had a fifth back surgery, a microdiscectomy, on Dec. 23, just three days after he played the PNC Championship with his son Charlie, who now is 12. Woods also has a 13-year-old daughter, Samantha.The news put a damper on the World Golf Championship in Florida, where Woods was eligible to play if healthy.“I’m sick to my stomach,” said Justin Thomas, No. 3 in the world and among the younger players whom Woods has embraced. “It hurts to see one of my closest friends get in an accident. Man, I just hope he’s all right.”The crash happened about 7:15 a.m. as he drove his courtesy vehicle from the Genesis Invitational through the upscale suburbs. Gonzalez says he sometimes catches people topping 80 mph (129 kph) in the 45 mph zone and crashes are common.Police said Woods was alert as firefighters pried open the front windshield to get him out. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said the airbags deployed and the inside of the SUV stayed mostly intact, which “gave him a cushion to survive the crash.”Authorities said they checked for any odor of alcohol or other signs he was under the influence of a substance and found none. They didn’t say how fast he was driving.This is the third time Woods has been involved in a car investigation. The most notorious was the early morning after Thanksgiving in 2009, when his SUV ran over a fire hydrant and hit a tree. That was the start of shocking revelations that he had been cheating on his wife with multiple women.In May 2017, Florida police found him asleep behind the wheel of a car parked awkwardly on the side of the road. He was arrested on a DUI charge and said he had an unexpected reaction to prescription medicine for his back pain. Woods later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and checked into a clinic to get help with prescription medication and a sleep disorder.Woods hasn’t won since the Zozo Championship in Japan in fall 2019, and he’s reduced his playing schedule in recent years because of injuries. Besides his five back surgeries, he’s had four surgeries on his left knee.He was asked during the CBS broadcast Sunday at Riviera about recovering from his back surgery in time to play the Masters and Woods replied, “God, I hope so. I’ve got to get there first.”___

🎥  Lucky to be alive, Tiger Woods faces difficult recovery

5 Lawrence Free State @ 4 Junction City (Sat., Feb. 27, 1 p.m.)

Lawrence Free State/Junction City Winner @ 1 Topeka (Wed., Mar. 3, 7 p.m.)

3 Manhattan @ 2 Washburn Rural (Wed., Mar. 3, 7 p.m.)

5 Topeka @ 4 Junction City (Sat., Feb. 27, 4 p.m.)

Topeka/Junction City Winner @ 1 Lawrence Free State (Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)

3 Manhattan @ 2 Washburn Rural (Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)

4 Chapman @ 1 Clay Center (Wed., Mar. 3, 7 p.m.)

3 Abilene @ 2 Concordia&nbsp;6A BOYS

4 Topeka-Hayden @ 1 Wamego&nbsp;(Wed., Mar. 3, 7 p.m.)

3 Holton @ 2 Atchison&nbsp;(Wed., Mar. 3, 7 p.m.)

4 Chapman @ 1 Abilene&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)

3 Clay Center @ 2 Concordia&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)

4 Topeka-Hayden @ 1 Wamego&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)

3 Atchison @ 2 Holton&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)

8 Council Grove @ 1 Osage City (Mon., Mar. 1, 5:30 p.m.)

5 Santa Fe Trail @ 4 Silver Lake&nbsp;(Mon., Mar. 1,7 p.m.)

7 Rossville @ 2 Rock Creek&nbsp;(Mon., Mar. 1,7 p.m.)

6 St. Mary's @ 3 Riley County&nbsp;(Mon., Mar. 1,7 p.m.)

8 Rossville @ 1 Rock Creek&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)

5 Riley County @ 4 Santa Fe Trail&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)

7 Silver Lake @ 2 St. Mary's&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)

6 Council Grove @ 3 Osage City&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)

* Official Sub-State brackets, site information, and more can be found at <a href="http://www.kshsaa.org">www.KSHSAA.org</a>

6A GIRLSWashburn Rural Sub-State5 Lawrence Free State @ 4 Junction City (Sat., Feb. 27, 1 p.m.)Lawrence Free State/Junction City Winner @ 1 Topeka (Wed., Mar. 3, 7 p.m.)3 Manhattan @ 2 Washburn Rural (Wed., Mar. 3, 7 p.m.)6A BOYSWashburn Rural Sub-State5 Topeka @ 4 Junction City (Sat., Feb. 27, 4 p.m.)Topeka/Junction City Winner @ 1 Lawrence Free State (Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)3 Manhattan @ 2 Washburn Rural (Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)4A GIRLSClay Center Sub-State4 Chapman @ 1 Clay Center (Wed., Mar. 3, 7 p.m.)3 Abilene @ 2 Concordia&nbsp;6A BOYSHolton Sub-State4 Topeka-Hayden @ 1 Wamego&nbsp;(Wed., Mar. 3, 7 p.m.)3 Holton @ 2 Atchison&nbsp;(Wed., Mar. 3, 7 p.m.)4A BOYSClay Center Sub-State4 Chapman @ 1 Abilene&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)3 Clay Center @ 2 Concordia&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)Holton Sub-State4 Topeka-Hayden @ 1 Wamego&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)3 Atchison @ 2 Holton&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)3A GIRLSCouncil Grove Sub-State8 Council Grove @ 1 Osage City (Mon., Mar. 1, 5:30 p.m.)5 Santa Fe Trail @ 4 Silver Lake&nbsp;(Mon., Mar. 1,7 p.m.)7 Rossville @ 2 Rock Creek&nbsp;(Mon., Mar. 1,7 p.m.)6 St. Mary's @ 3 Riley County&nbsp;(Mon., Mar. 1,7 p.m.)3A BOYSCouncil Grove Sub-State8 Rossville @ 1 Rock Creek&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)5 Riley County @ 4 Santa Fe Trail&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)7 Silver Lake @ 2 St. Mary's&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)6 Council Grove @ 3 Osage City&nbsp;(Tue., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.)* Official Sub-State brackets, site information, and more can be found at <a href="http://www.kshsaa.org">www.KSHSAA.org</a>

Area HS Basketball Playoff Matchups

WASHINGTON&nbsp; (AP)—The latest federal bill related to college sports would allow athletes to earn money from endorsements, loosen restrictions around transfers and permit players to return to school after entering a professional league’s draft.

The proposed legislation introduced Wednesday by Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., also would require the wealthiest athletic programs to increase spending on long-term medical care for athletes.

“The Amateur Athletes Protection and Compensation Act would create a national standard of guidelines to make certain student athletes can benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness without hurting their eligibility to compete as a student athlete,” Moran said in a statement.

The bill is the fourth to emerge from the Senate since December and second from a Republican. Most recently, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., introduced a bill narrowly focused on giving college athletes the right to earn money off their names, images and likenesses.

In December, Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., introduced the College Athlete Bill of Rights, a sweeping proposal that could undercut the NCAA’s ability to govern college sports if passed.

That came after Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., announced he was sponsoring a bill that opened the door for athletes to be compensated for endorsement and sponsorship deals but largely protected the NCAA’s ability to set its own rules.

Moran’s bill lands somewhere in between the College Athlete Bill of Rights and Wicker’s: broader in scope than the Republican’s, but not potentially disruptive to the status quo in college athletics as the Democrats’.

It would create an independent body to oversee NIL regulations and permit athletes to have agents and give athletes a lifetime undergraduate scholarship.

Moran’s proposal would also make it possible for athletes to enter professional drafts and not lose their college eligibility — as is currently the case — and push schools to cover medical expenses athletes incur after their college careers because of injuries suffered during college competition.

The NCAA was expected to pass new NIL rules in January, but that was put on hold after scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The NCAA is looking for help from Congress in the form of a federal NIL law that would usurp myriad potential state laws working their way through legislatures around the country. Florida’s NIL law is scheduled to go into effect on July 1.

WASHINGTON&nbsp; (AP)—The latest federal bill related to college sports would allow athletes to earn money from endorsements, loosen restrictions around transfers and permit players to return to school after entering a professional league’s draft.The proposed legislation introduced Wednesday by Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., also would require the wealthiest athletic programs to increase spending on long-term medical care for athletes.“The Amateur Athletes Protection and Compensation Act would create a national standard of guidelines to make certain student athletes can benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness without hurting their eligibility to compete as a student athlete,” Moran said in a statement.The bill is the fourth to emerge from the Senate since December and second from a Republican. Most recently, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., introduced a bill narrowly focused on giving college athletes the right to earn money off their names, images and likenesses.In December, Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., introduced the College Athlete Bill of Rights, a sweeping proposal that could undercut the NCAA’s ability to govern college sports if passed.That came after Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., announced he was sponsoring a bill that opened the door for athletes to be compensated for endorsement and sponsorship deals but largely protected the NCAA’s ability to set its own rules.Moran’s bill lands somewhere in between the College Athlete Bill of Rights and Wicker’s: broader in scope than the Republican’s, but not potentially disruptive to the status quo in college athletics as the Democrats’.It would create an independent body to oversee NIL regulations and permit athletes to have agents and give athletes a lifetime undergraduate scholarship.Moran’s proposal would also make it possible for athletes to enter professional drafts and not lose their college eligibility — as is currently the case — and push schools to cover medical expenses athletes incur after their college careers because of injuries suffered during college competition.The NCAA was expected to pass new NIL rules in January, but that was put on hold after scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice.The NCAA is looking for help from Congress in the form of a federal NIL law that would usurp myriad potential state laws working their way through legislatures around the country. Florida’s NIL law is scheduled to go into effect on July 1.

Moran proposal allows college athletes to profit off their name, image 

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) announced Wednesday that K-State sophomore left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Jordan Wicks&nbsp;has been named the season’s first National Pitcher of the Week after his 10-strikeout performance against Oregon State on Opening Day.

The 2021 Big 12 Preseason Co-Pitcher of the Year equaled his career-high strikeout output, keeping the Beavers scoreless over seven innings while allowing just three hits in a 3-2 win last Friday. Wicks retired 18 of the final 20 Beaver batters he faced in the victory.

Wicks becomes the Wildcats’ first national pitcher of the week since Parker Rigler’s award in 2017 following his no-hitter against Eastern Illinois. Wicks is just the third K-State national player of the week recognized by the NCBWA.

Dating back to last season, Wicks has allowed one earned run over his last 33 innings (0.27 ERA) to go with 36 strikeouts while yielding just 16 base hits.

The Conway, Arkansas, product was a preseason all-America selection by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, D1Baseball and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Last week, he was placed on USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award preseason watch list, which honors the country’s premier amateur player.

K-State’s home opener is set for Friday at 3 p.m. against Western Michigan at Tointon Family Stadium, kicking off an eight-game homestand. Every home game will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with radio coverage available on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM) with free audio streaming at K-StateSports.com/watch.

--&nbsp;<a href="http://www.k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">www.k-statesports.com</a>&nbsp;--

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) announced Wednesday that K-State sophomore left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Jordan Wicks&nbsp;has been named the season’s first National Pitcher of the Week after his 10-strikeout performance against Oregon State on Opening Day.The 2021 Big 12 Preseason Co-Pitcher of the Year equaled his career-high strikeout output, keeping the Beavers scoreless over seven innings while allowing just three hits in a 3-2 win last Friday. Wicks retired 18 of the final 20 Beaver batters he faced in the victory.Wicks becomes the Wildcats’ first national pitcher of the week since Parker Rigler’s award in 2017 following his no-hitter against Eastern Illinois. Wicks is just the third K-State national player of the week recognized by the NCBWA.Dating back to last season, Wicks has allowed one earned run over his last 33 innings (0.27 ERA) to go with 36 strikeouts while yielding just 16 base hits.The Conway, Arkansas, product was a preseason all-America selection by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, D1Baseball and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Last week, he was placed on USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award preseason watch list, which honors the country’s premier amateur player.K-State’s home opener is set for Friday at 3 p.m. against Western Michigan at Tointon Family Stadium, kicking off an eight-game homestand. Every home game will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with radio coverage available on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM) with free audio streaming at K-StateSports.com/watch.--&nbsp;<a href="http://www.k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">www.k-statesports.com</a>&nbsp;--

Wicks Earns National Pitcher of the Week Recognition

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The Junction City High School basketball teams will host a pair of Sub-State contests in Shenk Gym on Saturday, February 27th, according to a release from JCHS Athletic Director Matt Westerhaus.&nbsp;

At 1 p.m., the 4-seed Junction City Lady Jays will host the 5-seed Lawrence Free State Firebirds in the play-in round of the 6A State playoffs, with the winner to travel to take on 1-seed Topeka High Trojans in the next round.&nbsp;

On the boys' side, at 4 p.m., the 4-seed Junction City Blue Jays will host the 5-seed Topeka High Trojans, also in the play-in round of the 6A State playoffs, with the winner to travel to take on 1-seed Lawrence Free State Firebirds.

Attendance will be once again limited to two spectators per participant, due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts. For those listed as attendees to the events, tickets are $7 and gates will open 45 minutes prior to the start of each game. Shenk Gym will be cleared between the two games to allow for cleaning.&nbsp;

For those unable to attend, coverage of both basketball games will be provided live on 142o AM and 107.9 FM KJCK, as well as on <a href="http://www.KJCK.com">KJCK.com&nbsp;</a>, with live video courtesy of Junction City High School here on <a href="http://www.jcpost.com">JCPost.com</a>.

By Jackson SchneiderJUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The Junction City High School basketball teams will host a pair of Sub-State contests in Shenk Gym on Saturday, February 27th, according to a release from JCHS Athletic Director Matt Westerhaus.&nbsp;At 1 p.m., the 4-seed Junction City Lady Jays will host the 5-seed Lawrence Free State Firebirds in the play-in round of the 6A State playoffs, with the winner to travel to take on 1-seed Topeka High Trojans in the next round.&nbsp;On the boys' side, at 4 p.m., the 4-seed Junction City Blue Jays will host the 5-seed Topeka High Trojans, also in the play-in round of the 6A State playoffs, with the winner to travel to take on 1-seed Lawrence Free State Firebirds.Attendance will be once again limited to two spectators per participant, due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts. For those listed as attendees to the events, tickets are $7 and gates will open 45 minutes prior to the start of each game. Shenk Gym will be cleared between the two games to allow for cleaning.&nbsp;For those unable to attend, coverage of both basketball games will be provided live on 142o AM and 107.9 FM KJCK, as well as on <a href="http://www.KJCK.com">KJCK.com&nbsp;</a>, with live video courtesy of Junction City High School here on <a href="http://www.jcpost.com">JCPost.com</a>.

JCHS Hosts Two Play In Games Saturday

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Trumain Carroll, a 15-year veteran of the strength and conditioning field who has spent the last six years leading strength and conditioning efforts at FBS schools, has been hired as Kansas State’s Director of Strength and Conditioning.

Carroll spent the 2020 season as the Director of Football Strength and Conditioning at South Florida, while he was the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Arkansas football program the previous two seasons.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Coach Carroll and his family to K-State and our football program,” head coach&nbsp;Chris Klieman&nbsp;said. “In addition to being an accomplished strength and conditioning professional, his personality and ability to get the most out of his players are his greatest attributes. As a former Big 12 student-athlete who has worked at numerous high-level programs, he knows what it takes to compete at the highest level, and I am eager to see the impact he will have on our program.”

No stranger to the Big 12 and the Midwest, Carroll played football at Oklahoma State from 2001 to 2005 and served two different terms as an assistant strength coach for the Cowboys, while he also was the Director of Strength and Conditioning at the University of Missouri-Kansas City from 2008 to 2011.

“I am very blessed and humbled to have the opportunity to join the K-State Football Family,” Carroll said. “I love who Coach Klieman is and what he stands for, and I believe in the vision he has for our program.”

After his playing days at OSU where he helped the Cowboys earn three-consecutive bowl berths, Carroll was an assistant strength and conditioning coach from 2006 to 2008. While in Stillwater, Carroll designed and directed the strength program for the Oklahoma State women’s basketball program that advanced to the Sweet 16 in the 2007 NCAA Tournament. He also assisted in the strength and conditioning program with the football team that won the 2006 Independence Bowl and the 2007 Insight.com Bowl.

Carroll then went to be the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at South Carolina State from 2011 to 2012 where he oversaw the strength and conditioning program for over 300 student-athletes in 14 sports before returning to OSU for the 2013 and 2014 seasons and working with current K-State assistant coaches&nbsp;Van Malone&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jason Ray.

In 2015, Carroll went to SMU as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Mustangs for three seasons. While in Dallas, Carroll oversaw all strength and conditioning for over 400 student-athletes in 17 sports with an emphasis in football, a time in which he worked with Malone and current Wildcat defensive ends coach&nbsp;Buddy Wyatt.

During his tenure at SMU, Carroll’s efforts in the weight room aided in the development of All-American wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Trey Quinn, who both went on to NFL Draft selection. Sutton and Quinn were two of the most dynamic wide receivers in college football in 2017, each posting 1,000-yard receiving seasons to become one of the only pair of teammates in the FBS to accomplish the feat.

Carroll earned his bachelor’s degree in university studies from Oklahoma State in December 2005. He received his Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach Certification in May 2007 and his USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Certification in February 2008. Most recently, Carroll earned his Master Strength and Conditioning Certification in May 2020.

Carroll and his wife, Jarne, have a young son, Trumain “Deuce.”

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 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Trumain Carroll, a 15-year veteran of the strength and conditioning field who has spent the last six years leading strength and conditioning efforts at FBS schools, has been hired as Kansas State’s Director of Strength and Conditioning.Carroll spent the 2020 season as the Director of Football Strength and Conditioning at South Florida, while he was the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Arkansas football program the previous two seasons.“We are extremely excited to welcome Coach Carroll and his family to K-State and our football program,” head coach&nbsp;Chris Klieman&nbsp;said. “In addition to being an accomplished strength and conditioning professional, his personality and ability to get the most out of his players are his greatest attributes. As a former Big 12 student-athlete who has worked at numerous high-level programs, he knows what it takes to compete at the highest level, and I am eager to see the impact he will have on our program.”No stranger to the Big 12 and the Midwest, Carroll played football at Oklahoma State from 2001 to 2005 and served two different terms as an assistant strength coach for the Cowboys, while he also was the Director of Strength and Conditioning at the University of Missouri-Kansas City from 2008 to 2011.“I am very blessed and humbled to have the opportunity to join the K-State Football Family,” Carroll said. “I love who Coach Klieman is and what he stands for, and I believe in the vision he has for our program.”After his playing days at OSU where he helped the Cowboys earn three-consecutive bowl berths, Carroll was an assistant strength and conditioning coach from 2006 to 2008. While in Stillwater, Carroll designed and directed the strength program for the Oklahoma State women’s basketball program that advanced to the Sweet 16 in the 2007 NCAA Tournament. He also assisted in the strength and conditioning program with the football team that won the 2006 Independence Bowl and the 2007 Insight.com Bowl.Carroll then went to be the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at South Carolina State from 2011 to 2012 where he oversaw the strength and conditioning program for over 300 student-athletes in 14 sports before returning to OSU for the 2013 and 2014 seasons and working with current K-State assistant coaches&nbsp;Van Malone&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jason Ray.In 2015, Carroll went to SMU as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Mustangs for three seasons. While in Dallas, Carroll oversaw all strength and conditioning for over 400 student-athletes in 17 sports with an emphasis in football, a time in which he worked with Malone and current Wildcat defensive ends coach&nbsp;Buddy Wyatt.During his tenure at SMU, Carroll’s efforts in the weight room aided in the development of All-American wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Trey Quinn, who both went on to NFL Draft selection. Sutton and Quinn were two of the most dynamic wide receivers in college football in 2017, each posting 1,000-yard receiving seasons to become one of the only pair of teammates in the FBS to accomplish the feat.Carroll earned his bachelor’s degree in university studies from Oklahoma State in December 2005. He received his Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach Certification in May 2007 and his USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Certification in February 2008. Most recently, Carroll earned his Master Strength and Conditioning Certification in May 2020.Carroll and his wife, Jarne, have a young son, Trumain “Deuce.”

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