Kansas State running back D.J. Giddens has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Giddens, a former Junction City Blue Jay football player,&nbsp; announced his decision about declaring for the Draft on Instagram.

Kansas State running back D.J. Giddens has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734231578610.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Giddens, a former Junction City Blue Jay football player,&nbsp; announced his decision about declaring for the Draft on Instagram.

K-State running back D.J. Giddens declares for NFL Draft

The Junction City Blue jay wrestling team won four out of five duals and placed four on the All Tournament team.&nbsp;

JCHS defeated Leavenworth 40-35, Sumner Academy 50-18, Piper 46-31 and Eudora 53-26. They lost to Shawnee Mission Northwest 26-53. Making the All-Tournament from Junction City were at 106 lbs. Riley Luckenbill 5-0, 113 lbs. Jayden Melton 5-0, 120 lbs. Gavin Sieker 5-0 and at 215 lbs. Chris Coy 4-0.

Other winning records for the Blue jays included Billy Dee 3-2, Cody Owens 3-2, Josh Brookshire 4-1, Blake Proetti 2-1 and Elijah Perez 3-1.

The Junction City Blue jay wrestling team won four out of five duals and placed four on the All Tournament team.&nbsp;JCHS defeated Leavenworth 40-35, Sumner Academy 50-18, Piper 46-31 and Eudora 53-26. They lost to Shawnee Mission Northwest 26-53. Making the All-Tournament from Junction City were at 106 lbs. Riley Luckenbill 5-0, 113 lbs. Jayden Melton 5-0, 120 lbs. Gavin Sieker 5-0 and at 215 lbs. Chris Coy 4-0.Other winning records for the Blue jays included Billy Dee 3-2, Cody Owens 3-2, Josh Brookshire 4-1, Blake Proetti 2-1 and Elijah Perez 3-1.

JCHS wrestlers go 4-1 at the Shawnee Mission Northwest Duals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Zeke Mayo hit five 3s and scored 26 points, Hunter Dickinson had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and No. 10 Kansas bounced back from consecutive losses with a 75-60 rout of NC State on Saturday.

Dajuan Harris Jr. added 15 points and six assists for the Jayhawks (8-2), who scored the first 15 points of the game but didn't have it in hand until midway through the second half, when Dickinson scored eight consecutive points to bury the Wolfpack.

Kansas won its 20th consecutive nonconference home game and avoided its first three-game skid since the 2022-23 season.

Ben Middlebrooks had 14 points and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield finished with 12 for the Wolfpack (7-4), who have lost their last 13 games to Kansas since winning their first matchup at Allen Fieldhouse on Dec. 20, 1958.

NC State was able to get the Kansas big men into foul trouble, and that allowed Middlebrooks to have success. But the Wolfpack didn't get enough production from the perimeter, where Dontrez Styles and Marcus Hill struggled.

Kansas proved it could survive foul trouble in the paint. Dickinson had three fouls and KJ Adams Jr. and Flory Bidunga four apiece with 12 minutes left. But the Jayhawks' guards, and Mayo in particular, were able to take over the game.

The Jayhawks led 48-41 with 13:10 left when Mayo rattled in a 3-pointer from the corner. He added a free throw moments later, then a blow-by layup, giving Kansas a 54-41 lead with 12 minutes to go.

5 — Harris hit a layup with 18:14 left to give him 1,001 points for his career. He's the fifth member of the team to surpass that plateau, joining Mayo, Dickinson, David Coit and Shakeel Moore.

NC State plays Rider on Dec. 22. Kansas plays Brown the same day.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734222532840.png" alt="Photo Kansas athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Zeke Mayo hit five 3s and scored 26 points, Hunter Dickinson had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and No. 10 Kansas bounced back from consecutive losses with a 75-60 rout of NC State on Saturday.Dajuan Harris Jr. added 15 points and six assists for the Jayhawks (8-2), who scored the first 15 points of the game but didn't have it in hand until midway through the second half, when Dickinson scored eight consecutive points to bury the Wolfpack.Kansas won its 20th consecutive nonconference home game and avoided its first three-game skid since the 2022-23 season.Ben Middlebrooks had 14 points and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield finished with 12 for the Wolfpack (7-4), who have lost their last 13 games to Kansas since winning their first matchup at Allen Fieldhouse on Dec. 20, 1958.<h2>Takeaways</h2>NC State was able to get the Kansas big men into foul trouble, and that allowed Middlebrooks to have success. But the Wolfpack didn't get enough production from the perimeter, where Dontrez Styles and Marcus Hill struggled.Kansas proved it could survive foul trouble in the paint. Dickinson had three fouls and KJ Adams Jr. and Flory Bidunga four apiece with 12 minutes left. But the Jayhawks' guards, and Mayo in particular, were able to take over the game.<h2>Key moment</h2>The Jayhawks led 48-41 with 13:10 left when Mayo rattled in a 3-pointer from the corner. He added a free throw moments later, then a blow-by layup, giving Kansas a 54-41 lead with 12 minutes to go.<h2>Key stat</h2>5 — Harris hit a layup with 18:14 left to give him 1,001 points for his career. He's the fifth member of the team to surpass that plateau, joining Mayo, Dickinson, David Coit and Shakeel Moore.<h2>Up next</h2>NC State plays Rider on Dec. 22. Kansas plays Brown the same day.

🏀 Mayo scores 26 as No. 10 KU beats NC State

The Junction City Blue Jay and Lady Jays were in action on Friday night in Hays.&nbsp;

In the first game of the year for the Junction City girls' basketball team, Hays High jumped out to a quick lead over Junction City and the Lady Jays never recovered, losing 79-20 on Friday night.&nbsp;

Junction City was led in scoring by freshman Isabel Pruit, who had six points.&nbsp;

Senior Maiyaunss Harley scored all five points off free throws, and junior Morgan Nabus added five.&nbsp;

Out of the 20 points JC scored, 11 of the 20 came off free throws.&nbsp;

The Blue Jays opened the game on a three-pointer by senior Jackson Austin and never looked back. Junction City beat Hays 50-32.&nbsp;

After jumping out to a 10-point lead, Hays stormed back and cut the deficit to 22-19 at halftime.&nbsp;

The second half was a different story, as Junction City exploded out of halftime and went on a 15-0 run to start the second half. The Blue Jays outscored Hays 17-2 in the quarter and led 39-21 at the end of the third quarter. Junction City cruised to a 50-32 victory and improved to 2-0 on the season.&nbsp;

The Blue Jays were led in scoring by senior Jackson Austin with 15 points, and guard Lovell Autry with 13 points.&nbsp;

Next up for the boys and girls teams are games on Saturday afternoon in Dodge City. The girls play at 1:00 p.m., and the boys follow at 2:30.&nbsp;

You can hear all Junction City Blue Jay games on 107.9 FM / 1420 AM KJCK Radio.

By Anthony GorgesJC PostThe Junction City Blue Jay and Lady Jays were in action on Friday night in Hays.&nbsp;Girls recapIn the first game of the year for the Junction City girls' basketball team, Hays High jumped out to a quick lead over Junction City and the Lady Jays never recovered, losing 79-20 on Friday night.&nbsp;Junction City was led in scoring by freshman Isabel Pruit, who had six points.&nbsp;Senior Maiyaunss Harley scored all five points off free throws, and junior Morgan Nabus added five.&nbsp;Out of the 20 points JC scored, 11 of the 20 came off free throws.&nbsp;Boys recap&nbsp;The Blue Jays opened the game on a three-pointer by senior Jackson Austin and never looked back. Junction City beat Hays 50-32.&nbsp;After jumping out to a 10-point lead, Hays stormed back and cut the deficit to 22-19 at halftime.&nbsp;The second half was a different story, as Junction City exploded out of halftime and went on a 15-0 run to start the second half. The Blue Jays outscored Hays 17-2 in the quarter and led 39-21 at the end of the third quarter. Junction City cruised to a 50-32 victory and improved to 2-0 on the season.&nbsp;The Blue Jays were led in scoring by senior Jackson Austin with 15 points, and guard Lovell Autry with 13 points.&nbsp;Next up for the boys and girls teams are games on Saturday afternoon in Dodge City. The girls play at 1:00 p.m., and the boys follow at 2:30.&nbsp;You can hear all Junction City Blue Jay games on 107.9 FM / 1420 AM KJCK Radio.

Blue Jays win big over Hays, Lady Jays fall

Junction City High School football standout Petren Bartolome has been named a Kansas Football Coaches Association 2024 All-State selection. The announcement was made by USD 475.

Junction City High School football standout Petren Bartolome has been named a Kansas Football Coaches Association 2024 All-State selection. The announcement was made by USD 475.

Blue Jay football standout is honored

&nbsp; The Kansas Shrine Bowl has introduced the coaches who will lead the East and West teams in the 52nd Kansas Shrine Bowl presented by Mammoth on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Dodge City. Each classification 1A through 6A is represented on the coaching staff, while the Head Coach of each team is selected from the previous year’s Kansas Shrine Bowl assistants.

The West team will be led by Dominick Dingle (Wichita Heights) and assisted by Russ Wells (Wichita South – 6A), Mike Vernon (Hutchinson – 5A), Daniel Myears (Mulvane – 4A), Tyson Bauerle (Hesston – 3A), Butch Hayes (Council Grove – 2A), and Alex McMillian (Plainville – 1A). Wells (2020), Vernon (2021) and Bauerle (2018) have all assisted on the West staff in previous Shrine Bowls, while Bauerle also led the 2019 West team to a 26-7 victory as the Head Coach at Memorial Stadium in Dodge City.

The East team will be led by Garrett Michael (Sabetha) and assisted by Josh Koerkenmeier (Blue Valley West – 6A), Jared Swafford (Seaman – 5A), Clete Frazell (Chanute – 4A), Mike Berg (Wellsville – 3A), Logan Wyrick (Humboldt – 2A), and Roger Holthaus (Centralia – 1A). Among the 2025 assistants, only Wyrick (2019) has previously coached in the Kansas Shrine Bowl.

&nbsp; The Kansas Shrine Bowl has introduced the coaches who will lead the East and West teams in the 52nd Kansas Shrine Bowl presented by Mammoth on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Dodge City. Each classification 1A through 6A is represented on the coaching staff, while the Head Coach of each team is selected from the previous year’s Kansas Shrine Bowl assistants.The West team will be led by Dominick Dingle (Wichita Heights) and assisted by Russ Wells (Wichita South – 6A), Mike Vernon (Hutchinson – 5A), Daniel Myears (Mulvane – 4A), Tyson Bauerle (Hesston – 3A), Butch Hayes (Council Grove – 2A), and Alex McMillian (Plainville – 1A). Wells (2020), Vernon (2021) and Bauerle (2018) have all assisted on the West staff in previous Shrine Bowls, while Bauerle also led the 2019 West team to a 26-7 victory as the Head Coach at Memorial Stadium in Dodge City.The East team will be led by Garrett Michael (Sabetha) and assisted by Josh Koerkenmeier (Blue Valley West – 6A), Jared Swafford (Seaman – 5A), Clete Frazell (Chanute – 4A), Mike Berg (Wellsville – 3A), Logan Wyrick (Humboldt – 2A), and Roger Holthaus (Centralia – 1A). Among the 2025 assistants, only Wyrick (2019) has previously coached in the Kansas Shrine Bowl.

Shrine Bowl coaching staffs are announced

The Chapman boys basketball team lost to Sacred Heart in boys basketball 75-46.

The Chapman boys basketball team lost to Sacred Heart in boys basketball 75-46.

Chapman falls in boys basketball

Several Junction City High School Blue Jay football players received all-league honors from the Centennial League for the 2024 high school football season.

All Junction City award winners are listed below.

Ja'Marcus Vornes -&nbsp;Honorable Mention

By Anthony GorgesJC PostSeveral Junction City High School Blue Jay football players received all-league honors from the Centennial League for the 2024 high school football season.All Junction City award winners are listed below.Offensive awardsOffensive Line awardsPetren Bartolome - 1st teamDorian Coleman - 2nd teamTymar Jones - 2nd team&nbsp;Avery Florence&nbsp; - Honorable MentionRunning Back awards&nbsp;Justice Fonoti - 2nd teamAaron Woods - 2nd teamQuarterback AwardConrad Gomez - Honorable mentionTight End awardChris Coy - 2nd teamWide Receiver awardsScholar Brown - Honorable MentionJa'Marcus Vornes -&nbsp;Honorable MentionXander Caldwell - Honorable MentionDefensive awardsDefensive Line awardsTrevon Briley - 1st teamJackson Hollie - 2nd teamJustice Fonoti - Honorable MentionLinebacker awardsJamarcus Tyson - 1st teamLarkin Turner - 2nd teamKhaliel Walker - Honorable MentionDefensive Back awardsLovell Autry - 2nd teamKingston Timms- 2nd teamJalen Morgan - Honorable MentionJayden Mears - Honorable MentionSpecial Teams AwardsKicker awardEthan Hileman - 2nd teamPunter awardKingston Timms - 1st teamReturner awardJa'Marcus Vornes - 2nd team

Blue Jay football players receive All Centennial League Honors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Andy Reid doesn't need to schedule a stress test anytime soon. He seems to get one every week.

The Kansas City Chiefs coach saw his third-string kicker doink a 31-yard field goal off the left upright and through for a victory that secured the Chiefs' ninth straight AFC West title.

It was the Chiefs' 15th straight win in a one-score game over the last two seasons.

Patrick Mahomes led the two-time defending Super Bowl champions (12-1) on a clock-killing 4 1/2-minute drive to set up Matthew Wright’s fourth field goal. The ball clanged off the upright in the latest narrow escape for Kansas City, which is 10-0 this season in one-score games.

The Chiefs have now had&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/OptaSTATS/status/1865987660210405643">three different kickers make a game-winning field goal</a>&nbsp;as time expired this season. No other team in NFL history has had more than one kicker do so in a single season.

After securing a first down inside of the 2-minute warning, both Mahomes and Reid were content with running out the clock for the potential game winner, rather than trying to score a touchdown and leave time on the clock for Justin Herbert and the Chargers.

“I trusted Matthew, so I was good with where we were,” Reid said. “Percentages are pretty high. I know we won a game in that same situation on the opposite end, so I get it, but he’s a solid gamer, so I wasn’t too worried about it.”

Wright said he wasn't thinking about the game situation, instead focusing on what he had to do if it came down to his right leg. As the ball headed toward the upright and started drifting left, Wright said his thought wasn't good.

“It’s not a good one,” he said. “I want it to just go right down the middle, obviously.”

Kansas City's nine straight division titles are two short of the New England Patriots' NFL record of 11.

The Chiefs led 13-0 at halftime after the Chargers (8-5) punted on their first five possessions, but LA woke up in the second half, scoring on each of its three drives. Cameron Dicker's 37-yard field goal put the Chargers ahead 17-16 with 4:35 left.

“We just had to settle in," said Herbert, who was 21 of 30 for 213 yards and a TD. “We didn’t make enough plays in the first half and we didn’t execute the way we wanted to. Pass game, run game, we weren’t moving the ball well. That’s on us and I praise the guys for staying in there, staying patient and making plays in the second half.”

Mahomes then went to work, hitting Xavier Worthy for 14 yards on third-and-10 and scrambling for another first down. After the two-minute warning, Mahomes scrambled, dodged a would-be tackle and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1865974106522611871">lobbed a throw to a kneeling Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;that allowed the Chiefs to run the clock down to zero.

“I went through my reads,” Mahomes said. “As I was ready to run, I just saw 87 just sitting right there in the middle of the field, open. So I fired it to him.”

Mahomes says he's not surprised that Kelce stepped up in the clutch.

“He means the world to me,” he said. “Without getting like emotional, he’s a guy that has really kind of made me who I am in my career. (He's a) true leader on the football field. He's someone that I can just go to at any moment, and he’s going to make a big play happen, and as he’s done throughout his career.”

Mahomes was sacked three times and has taken 13 sacks over the past three games, the most of any three-game stretch in his career.

The Chargers opened the second half with a 13-play, 79-yard drive that concluded with Gus Edwards' 3-yard touchdown run. Following a Chiefs punt, the Chargers then went 74 yards on four plays, aided by 39-yard pass interference penalty on Justin Reid, to take a 14-13 lead. Herbert found Quentin Johnson for a 4-yard touchdown, the Chargers' first TD pass in 13 quarters.

The Chiefs responded with Wright’s third field goal, this one from 50 yards after an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty against Trey Smith pushed Kansas City back.

The Chiefs settled for Wright's 47-yard field goal on their opening drive, during which Mahomes passed Dan Marino for the most passing yards in the first eight years of a career.

Late in the second quarter,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chargers-herbert-3717688e0ee935d8dd58030b9ca654c1">Herbert was hit by Kansas City linebacker Nick Bolton</a>, forcing him to miss a play and leading to the Chargers' fifth punt. The Chiefs responded with a 9-play, 77-yard drive that ended with DeAndre Hopkins' TD catch.

Kansas City's halftime lead was its largest of the season and it shut out an opponent in the first half for the first time.

Kelce finished with 45 yards receiving and has 12,010 in his career, trailing only Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten among tight ends. He is the fastest to reach 12,000 yards among tight ends.

Herbert missed only one play after the hit by Bolton after trainers looked at his left leg. Taylor Heinicke replaced him. ... TE Will Dissly left the game with a right shoulder injury in the third quarter. ... WR Jalen Reagor was hurt in the third quarter.

Chiefs T DJ Humphries left in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733713305366.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Chiefs" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Chiefs</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Andy Reid doesn't need to schedule a stress test anytime soon. He seems to get one every week.The Kansas City Chiefs coach saw his third-string kicker doink a 31-yard field goal off the left upright and through for a victory that secured the Chiefs' ninth straight AFC West title.It was the Chiefs' 15th straight win in a one-score game over the last two seasons.Patrick Mahomes led the two-time defending Super Bowl champions (12-1) on a clock-killing 4 1/2-minute drive to set up Matthew Wright’s fourth field goal. The ball clanged off the upright in the latest narrow escape for Kansas City, which is 10-0 this season in one-score games.The Chiefs have now had&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/OptaSTATS/status/1865987660210405643">three different kickers make a game-winning field goal</a>&nbsp;as time expired this season. No other team in NFL history has had more than one kicker do so in a single season.After securing a first down inside of the 2-minute warning, both Mahomes and Reid were content with running out the clock for the potential game winner, rather than trying to score a touchdown and leave time on the clock for Justin Herbert and the Chargers.“I trusted Matthew, so I was good with where we were,” Reid said. “Percentages are pretty high. I know we won a game in that same situation on the opposite end, so I get it, but he’s a solid gamer, so I wasn’t too worried about it.”Wright said he wasn't thinking about the game situation, instead focusing on what he had to do if it came down to his right leg. As the ball headed toward the upright and started drifting left, Wright said his thought wasn't good.“It’s not a good one,” he said. “I want it to just go right down the middle, obviously.”Kansas City's nine straight division titles are two short of the New England Patriots' NFL record of 11.The Chiefs led 13-0 at halftime after the Chargers (8-5) punted on their first five possessions, but LA woke up in the second half, scoring on each of its three drives. Cameron Dicker's 37-yard field goal put the Chargers ahead 17-16 with 4:35 left.“We just had to settle in," said Herbert, who was 21 of 30 for 213 yards and a TD. “We didn’t make enough plays in the first half and we didn’t execute the way we wanted to. Pass game, run game, we weren’t moving the ball well. That’s on us and I praise the guys for staying in there, staying patient and making plays in the second half.”Mahomes then went to work, hitting Xavier Worthy for 14 yards on third-and-10 and scrambling for another first down. After the two-minute warning, Mahomes scrambled, dodged a would-be tackle and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1865974106522611871">lobbed a throw to a kneeling Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;that allowed the Chiefs to run the clock down to zero.“I went through my reads,” Mahomes said. “As I was ready to run, I just saw 87 just sitting right there in the middle of the field, open. So I fired it to him.”Mahomes says he's not surprised that Kelce stepped up in the clutch.“He means the world to me,” he said. “Without getting like emotional, he’s a guy that has really kind of made me who I am in my career. (He's a) true leader on the football field. He's someone that I can just go to at any moment, and he’s going to make a big play happen, and as he’s done throughout his career.”Mahomes was sacked three times and has taken 13 sacks over the past three games, the most of any three-game stretch in his career.The Chargers opened the second half with a 13-play, 79-yard drive that concluded with Gus Edwards' 3-yard touchdown run. Following a Chiefs punt, the Chargers then went 74 yards on four plays, aided by 39-yard pass interference penalty on Justin Reid, to take a 14-13 lead. Herbert found Quentin Johnson for a 4-yard touchdown, the Chargers' first TD pass in 13 quarters.The Chiefs responded with Wright’s third field goal, this one from 50 yards after an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty against Trey Smith pushed Kansas City back.The Chiefs settled for Wright's 47-yard field goal on their opening drive, during which Mahomes passed Dan Marino for the most passing yards in the first eight years of a career.Late in the second quarter,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chargers-herbert-3717688e0ee935d8dd58030b9ca654c1">Herbert was hit by Kansas City linebacker Nick Bolton</a>, forcing him to miss a play and leading to the Chargers' fifth punt. The Chiefs responded with a 9-play, 77-yard drive that ended with DeAndre Hopkins' TD catch.Kansas City's halftime lead was its largest of the season and it shut out an opponent in the first half for the first time.<h2>Receiving royalty</h2>Kelce finished with 45 yards receiving and has 12,010 in his career, trailing only Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten among tight ends. He is the fastest to reach 12,000 yards among tight ends.<h2>Injuries</h2>Herbert missed only one play after the hit by Bolton after trainers looked at his left leg. Taylor Heinicke replaced him. ... TE Will Dissly left the game with a right shoulder injury in the third quarter. ... WR Jalen Reagor was hurt in the third quarter.Chiefs T DJ Humphries left in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury.<h2>Up next</h2>Chargers: Host Tampa Bay next Sunday.Chiefs: At Cleveland next Sunday.

🏈 Chiefs win 9th straight AFC West title, beating Chargers on bank-shot field goal

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– K-State Nation is heading back to the Valley of the Sun, as Kansas State officials announced Sunday afternoon that the Wildcats have accepted an invitation to play Rutgers in the Rate Bowl inside Chase Field – home of MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks – in Phoenix, Arizona.

The game, which is the only bowl matchup between members of the Big 12 and Big Ten Conferences, will take place on Thursday, December 26 at 4:30 p.m. (CT) and air on ESPN.This is the 19th&nbsp;time overall and the eighth time for a bowl game that the Wildcats will play in the state of Arizona. 

It is the fifth time K-State will play in what is now known as the Rate Bowl as it also played in the game in 1993 (known as Copper Bowl and played in Tucson, Arizona), 2001 (Insight.com Bowl), 2013 (Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl) and 2017 (Cactus Bowl).

"We are excited to spend the holidays in Arizona and represent the Big 12 and our University in the Rate Bowl," said K-State head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-klieman/2502">Chris Klieman</a>, the first head coach in school history to lead his team to five bowl games in his first six seasons. "The staff at the Fiesta Bowl runs a first-class operation, and I know our players and coaches are looking forward to the trip and the extra work on the field, which is critical to our continued development as a program."K-State finished with an 8-4 regular-season record in 2024, marking the fourth-straight season the Wildcats have won at least eight games.

The Wildcats are one of just nine Power 4 teams to win at least eight games in each of the last four seasons, joining Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Notre Dame, Clemson, Ole Miss, Oregon and Ohio State. The Wildcats have been among the nation's leaders in bowl appearances since 1993 as the Wildcats are tied for 16th nationally and rank second in the Big 12 with 25. K-State will also be one of just 15 Power 4 teams to play in a bowl game at least 13 times in the last 15 years.

"We would like to thank Erik Moses and his staff for welcoming K-State Nation to the Phoenix area," said Athletics Director&nbsp;Gene Taylor. "It is good to be heading back to Arizona, and this will be a memorable week for our fans and program. We look forward to an exciting holiday experience."

Kansas State opened the 2024 campaign with a 7-1 record with wins over a pair of teams ranked No. 20 at the time in Arizona (31-7) and Oklahoma State (42-20), and the Wildcats were the only team this season to win at Colorado, a team that finished 23rd&nbsp;in the final College Football Playoff Top 25. 

Kansas State also retained the Governor's Cup with its 16th-straight win over Kansas, tied for the longest active uninterrupted winning streak in the nation. The Wildcats will be looking to right the ship from a 1-3 mark in November as they lost at Houston and to each of the Big 12 Championship Game participants, Arizona State and Iowa State.K-State and Rutgers will meet for just the second time ever, and both matchups will be in bowl games, as the Scarlet Knights earned a 37-10 win over the Wildcats in the inaugural Texas Bowl in 2006. 

This is the fifth time in school history that Kansas State will face a Big Ten team in a bowl game with the last being a 31-14 victory over Michigan in the 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, which was also the last time overall that the Wildcats faced a Big Ten foe.Rutgers finished the regular season with a 7-5 overall record and a 4-5 mark in conference action to tie for ninth place in the Big Ten. After starting the season 4-0 with wins over Howard, Akron, at Virginia Tech and against Washington, RU lost each of its next four games. However, Rutgers went 3-1 in November with wins over Minnesota, Maryland and Michigan State.The Scarlett Knights are playing in a bowl game for the 13th&nbsp;time in school history and third time in the last four years. 

They lost to Wake Forest in the 2021 Gator Bowl and defeated Miami in last year's Pinstripe Bowl.Tickets in the official K-State sections are available now online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/bowlgame">www.kstatesports.com/bowlgame</a>&nbsp;and via phone beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday. Remaining tickets in the official K-State sections are priced by the bowl between $35 and $160. Tickets in some sections were sold out through pre-orders.

All Ahearn Fund members and fans who pre-ordered tickets will receive communication with information regarding their requests by the end of the day.The K-State Alumni Association will also provide official travel packages to the bowl game. 

Visit the Alumni Association's official bowl travel page –&nbsp;<a href="http://www.k-statesportstours.com/">www.k-statesportstours.com</a>&nbsp;– for travel package information.– k-statesports.com –How to follow the Cats:&nbsp;For complete information on K-State Football, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/">www.kstatesports.com</a>&nbsp;and follow the team's social media channels on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.x.com/kstatefb">X (formerly Twitter)</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.instagram.com/kstatefb">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/kstatesports">Facebook</a>.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– K-State Nation is heading back to the Valley of the Sun, as Kansas State officials announced Sunday afternoon that the Wildcats have accepted an invitation to play Rutgers in the Rate Bowl inside Chase Field – home of MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks – in Phoenix, Arizona.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">That desert heat <a href="https://twitter.com/RateBowl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RateBowl</a> <a href="https://t.co/St3dwtfg3g">pic.twitter.com/St3dwtfg3g</a>&mdash; K-State Football (@KStateFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KStateFB/status/1865856831504908556?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The game, which is the only bowl matchup between members of the Big 12 and Big Ten Conferences, will take place on Thursday, December 26 at 4:30 p.m. (CT) and air on ESPN.This is the 19th&nbsp;time overall and the eighth time for a bowl game that the Wildcats will play in the state of Arizona. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Big12FB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Big12FB</a> goin&#39; bowling 🎳 🏈 <a href="https://twitter.com/RateBowl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RateBowl</a> 🗓️ December 26 ⏰ 5:30 p.m. EST 🗺️ Phoenix, AZ 🏟️ Chase Field 📺 ESPN <a href="https://t.co/defTuCE91C">pic.twitter.com/defTuCE91C</a>&mdash; Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) <a href="https://twitter.com/Big12Conference/status/1865858486514418014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It is the fifth time K-State will play in what is now known as the Rate Bowl as it also played in the game in 1993 (known as Copper Bowl and played in Tucson, Arizona), 2001 (Insight.com Bowl), 2013 (Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl) and 2017 (Cactus Bowl)."We are excited to spend the holidays in Arizona and represent the Big 12 and our University in the Rate Bowl," said K-State head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-klieman/2502">Chris Klieman</a>, the first head coach in school history to lead his team to five bowl games in his first six seasons. "The staff at the Fiesta Bowl runs a first-class operation, and I know our players and coaches are looking forward to the trip and the extra work on the field, which is critical to our continued development as a program."K-State finished with an 8-4 regular-season record in 2024, marking the fourth-straight season the Wildcats have won at least eight games. The Wildcats are one of just nine Power 4 teams to win at least eight games in each of the last four seasons, joining Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Notre Dame, Clemson, Ole Miss, Oregon and Ohio State. The Wildcats have been among the nation's leaders in bowl appearances since 1993 as the Wildcats are tied for 16th nationally and rank second in the Big 12 with 25. K-State will also be one of just 15 Power 4 teams to play in a bowl game at least 13 times in the last 15 years."We would like to thank Erik Moses and his staff for welcoming K-State Nation to the Phoenix area," said Athletics Director&nbsp;Gene Taylor. "It is good to be heading back to Arizona, and this will be a memorable week for our fans and program. We look forward to an exciting holiday experience."Kansas State opened the 2024 campaign with a 7-1 record with wins over a pair of teams ranked No. 20 at the time in Arizona (31-7) and Oklahoma State (42-20), and the Wildcats were the only team this season to win at Colorado, a team that finished 23rd&nbsp;in the final College Football Playoff Top 25. Kansas State also retained the Governor's Cup with its 16th-straight win over Kansas, tied for the longest active uninterrupted winning streak in the nation. The Wildcats will be looking to right the ship from a 1-3 mark in November as they lost at Houston and to each of the Big 12 Championship Game participants, Arizona State and Iowa State.K-State and Rutgers will meet for just the second time ever, and both matchups will be in bowl games, as the Scarlet Knights earned a 37-10 win over the Wildcats in the inaugural Texas Bowl in 2006. This is the fifth time in school history that Kansas State will face a Big Ten team in a bowl game with the last being a 31-14 victory over Michigan in the 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, which was also the last time overall that the Wildcats faced a Big Ten foe.Rutgers finished the regular season with a 7-5 overall record and a 4-5 mark in conference action to tie for ninth place in the Big Ten. After starting the season 4-0 with wins over Howard, Akron, at Virginia Tech and against Washington, RU lost each of its next four games. However, Rutgers went 3-1 in November with wins over Minnesota, Maryland and Michigan State.The Scarlett Knights are playing in a bowl game for the 13th&nbsp;time in school history and third time in the last four years. They lost to Wake Forest in the 2021 Gator Bowl and defeated Miami in last year's Pinstripe Bowl.Tickets in the official K-State sections are available now online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/bowlgame">www.kstatesports.com/bowlgame</a>&nbsp;and via phone beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday. Remaining tickets in the official K-State sections are priced by the bowl between $35 and $160. Tickets in some sections were sold out through pre-orders.All Ahearn Fund members and fans who pre-ordered tickets will receive communication with information regarding their requests by the end of the day.The K-State Alumni Association will also provide official travel packages to the bowl game. Visit the Alumni Association's official bowl travel page –&nbsp;<a href="http://www.k-statesportstours.com/">www.k-statesportstours.com</a>&nbsp;– for travel package information.– k-statesports.com –How to follow the Cats:&nbsp;For complete information on K-State Football, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/">www.kstatesports.com</a>&nbsp;and follow the team's social media channels on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.x.com/kstatefb">X (formerly Twitter)</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.instagram.com/kstatefb">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/kstatesports">Facebook</a>.

K-State will face Rutgers in the Rate Bowl

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Tamar Bates had 29 points and five steals to help Missouri beat Hunter Dickinson and No. 1 Kansas 76-67 on Sunday.

Mark Mitchell scored 17 points in Missouri’s first win over Kansas since a 74-71 victory on Feb. 4, 2012. Anthony Robinson II had 11 points and five steals for the Tigers (8-1), and Josh Gray grabbed a team-leading 10 rebounds.

Dickinson had 19 points and 14 rebounds, but he also committed seven turnovers. The Jayhawks (7-2) have lost two straight on the road after falling 76-63 against Creighton on Wednesday night.

Missouri opened a 57-33 lead with 14:15 remaining on a jump shot from Tony Perkins. But the Jayhawks outscored the Tigers 30-8 over the next 11:55.

Bates scored 18 to help Missouri to a 39-25 lead at the break. The Tigers then opened the second half with a 16-6 run.

Kansas: Missouri's size and defensive pressure were too much for the Jayhawks, who are 5-5 at Mizzou Arena since it opened in 2004.

Missouri: Improved to 4-5 against Kansas when the Jayhawks are ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press poll.

Mitchell hit a 3-pointer to lift Missouri to a 68-63 lead with 2:03 remaining. Gray then hit a pair of free throws and Bates converted a layup to make it 72-63 with 1:16 to play.

Kansas committed 22 turnovers, including 14 in the first half.

Kansas: Hosts North Carolina State on Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733689285820.png" alt="Photo Mizzou Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Mizzou Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Tamar Bates had 29 points and five steals to help Missouri beat Hunter Dickinson and No. 1 Kansas 76-67 on Sunday.Mark Mitchell scored 17 points in Missouri’s first win over Kansas since a 74-71 victory on Feb. 4, 2012. Anthony Robinson II had 11 points and five steals for the Tigers (8-1), and Josh Gray grabbed a team-leading 10 rebounds.Dickinson had 19 points and 14 rebounds, but he also committed seven turnovers. The Jayhawks (7-2) have lost two straight on the road after falling 76-63 against Creighton on Wednesday night.Missouri opened a 57-33 lead with 14:15 remaining on a jump shot from Tony Perkins. But the Jayhawks outscored the Tigers 30-8 over the next 11:55.Bates scored 18 to help Missouri to a 39-25 lead at the break. The Tigers then opened the second half with a 16-6 run.<h2>Takeaways</h2>Kansas: Missouri's size and defensive pressure were too much for the Jayhawks, who are 5-5 at Mizzou Arena since it opened in 2004.Missouri: Improved to 4-5 against Kansas when the Jayhawks are ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press poll.<h2>Key moment</h2>Mitchell hit a 3-pointer to lift Missouri to a 68-63 lead with 2:03 remaining. Gray then hit a pair of free throws and Bates converted a layup to make it 72-63 with 1:16 to play.<h2>Key stat</h2>Kansas committed 22 turnovers, including 14 in the first half.<h2>Up next</h2>Kansas: Hosts North Carolina State on Saturday.

🏀 Bates scores 29 points to help Missouri beat No. 1 Kansas 

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Cam Skattebo and Arizona State are on quite a run in their Big 12 debut after being the preseason pick to finish at the bottom of the conference.

Now the Sun Devils will represent their new 16-team league in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-playoff-boise-state-f72744b06516f1404697b1c5455bae20">12-team College Football Playoff</a>&nbsp;after a 45-19 win over Iowa State in the Big 12 championship game Saturday.

The tough-running Skattebo had 170 yards rushing, including a 28-yard gain on the first offensive snap. There were long, tackle-evading runs to open the two drives he ended with short touchdowns, and he later turned a short pass into another score.

“I’ve got the best seat in the house,” said Sam Leavitt, the freshman quarterback who hands off to Skattebo. “Get ready for a gain of 5 or whatever, and I just see the dude kind of weaving through some traffic ... and busts loose.”

The Sun Devils (11-2, No. 15 CFP), with their 34-year-old head coach Kenny Dillingham, take a six-game winning streak into the playoff.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-state-big-12-championship-30d6b067883fe860632f83c9310f9d58">Iowa State</a>&nbsp;(10-3, No. 16 CFP), which already had the first 10-win season in the program’s 133-year history, trailed 24-10 before turnovers in its own territory on its first three drives after halftime. Arizona State capitalized with Leavitt throwing touchdowns each time.

“It doesn’t get that much more deflating than that,” Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said. “Their ability to take care of the football and our inability to do that in the third quarter was just paralyzing.”

Skattebo struck the Heisman Trophy pose multiple times during the game, and he wore a Big 12 championship T-shirt afterward.

“Nobody respects the fact that I’m the best running back in the country. And I’m going to stand on that,” he said. “I’m going to keep proving people wrong. And whatever NFL team takes me is going to get a gem.”

That can wait until after Arizona State’s guaranteed playoff spot as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions. The Sun Devils almost certainly will rank below Mountain West champion Boise State (12-1, No 10).

That would give the Broncos a first-round bye and send the Sun Devils on the road for a first-round game, much to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-12-football-championship-brett-yormark-892c43ee3b982b725df53e05bdc122bb">dismay of Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark</a>, who before the title game re-iterated his feelings about that.

“Last year, they left a team out because of a quarterback (then-undefeated Florida State). We’re 11-1 with our starting quarterback, having beat four ranked teams and we won the Big 12 championship,” Dillingham said. “We made a standard that the quarterback is that valuable ... I definitely think we should host a game.”

Xavier Guillory had TD catches of 8 and 21 yards in a 71-second span after the Iowa State turnovers. Skattebo then turned a third-down swing pass into a 33-yard score for a 45-10 lead that he punctuated with one of his Heisman poses.

Skattebo’s 2,074 yards from scrimmage (1,568 rushing and 506 receiving) are a single-season school record.

Before his 3-yard TD, Skattebo had a 47-yard run when he spun away at the line from defenders, then shrugged off others. He had a 2-yard score in the final minute of the first half after a 53-yard run, again after contact at the line before twisting and turning through chasing Cyclones.

“He’s an ‘A’ player, and he played an ‘A’ game today,” Campbell said. “In these moments, you need your ‘A’ players to play ‘A’ football, and he certainly did it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733621387772.png" alt="Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) celebrates after running the ball for a touchdown against Iowa State in the first half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)" />
 <figcaption>Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) celebrates after running the ball for a touchdown against Iowa State in the first half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)</figcaption>
 </figure>ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Cam Skattebo and Arizona State are on quite a run in their Big 12 debut after being the preseason pick to finish at the bottom of the conference.Now the Sun Devils will represent their new 16-team league in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-playoff-boise-state-f72744b06516f1404697b1c5455bae20">12-team College Football Playoff</a>&nbsp;after a 45-19 win over Iowa State in the Big 12 championship game Saturday.The tough-running Skattebo had 170 yards rushing, including a 28-yard gain on the first offensive snap. There were long, tackle-evading runs to open the two drives he ended with short touchdowns, and he later turned a short pass into another score.“I’ve got the best seat in the house,” said Sam Leavitt, the freshman quarterback who hands off to Skattebo. “Get ready for a gain of 5 or whatever, and I just see the dude kind of weaving through some traffic ... and busts loose.”The Sun Devils (11-2, No. 15 CFP), with their 34-year-old head coach Kenny Dillingham, take a six-game winning streak into the playoff.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-state-big-12-championship-30d6b067883fe860632f83c9310f9d58">Iowa State</a>&nbsp;(10-3, No. 16 CFP), which already had the first 10-win season in the program’s 133-year history, trailed 24-10 before turnovers in its own territory on its first three drives after halftime. Arizona State capitalized with Leavitt throwing touchdowns each time.“It doesn’t get that much more deflating than that,” Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said. “Their ability to take care of the football and our inability to do that in the third quarter was just paralyzing.”Skattebo struck the Heisman Trophy pose multiple times during the game, and he wore a Big 12 championship T-shirt afterward.“Nobody respects the fact that I’m the best running back in the country. And I’m going to stand on that,” he said. “I’m going to keep proving people wrong. And whatever NFL team takes me is going to get a gem.”That can wait until after Arizona State’s guaranteed playoff spot as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions. The Sun Devils almost certainly will rank below Mountain West champion Boise State (12-1, No 10).That would give the Broncos a first-round bye and send the Sun Devils on the road for a first-round game, much to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-12-football-championship-brett-yormark-892c43ee3b982b725df53e05bdc122bb">dismay of Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark</a>, who before the title game re-iterated his feelings about that.“Last year, they left a team out because of a quarterback (then-undefeated Florida State). We’re 11-1 with our starting quarterback, having beat four ranked teams and we won the Big 12 championship,” Dillingham said. “We made a standard that the quarterback is that valuable ... I definitely think we should host a game.”Xavier Guillory had TD catches of 8 and 21 yards in a 71-second span after the Iowa State turnovers. Skattebo then turned a third-down swing pass into a 33-yard score for a 45-10 lead that he punctuated with one of his Heisman poses.Skattebo’s 2,074 yards from scrimmage (1,568 rushing and 506 receiving) are a single-season school record.Before his 3-yard TD, Skattebo had a 47-yard run when he spun away at the line from defenders, then shrugged off others. He had a 2-yard score in the final minute of the first half after a 53-yard run, again after contact at the line before twisting and turning through chasing Cyclones.“He’s an ‘A’ player, and he played an ‘A’ game today,” Campbell said. “In these moments, you need your ‘A’ players to play ‘A’ football, and he certainly did it.”

Arizona State makes College Football Playoff with win over Iowa State

NEW YORK (AP) — Zuby Ejiofor posted career highs scoring 28 points and grabbing 13 rebounds and St. John's used an offensive eruption after halftime to beat Kansas State 88-71 in a Big 12-Big East Battle contest on Saturday.

Ejiofor finished 11-for-17 shooting, Kadary Richmond scored 13 points and RJ Luis Jr. and reserve Simeon Wilcher each scored 11 for St. John's (7-2). The Red Storm had a 51-40 rebound advantage and a 17-10 edge in assists.

Brendan Hausen scored 21 of his 27 points before halftime, David N'Guessan scored 15 points and Coleman Hawkins 11 and grabbed nine rebounds for the Wildcats (6-3).

In a game of runs, St. John's ran away with it after halftime, starting with an 18-5 run over the first 4 1/2 minutes to go up 53-44 with consecutive 3-pointers from Luis and Aaron Scott. Ruben Prey's 3 gave the Red Storm a 62-50 lead at 11:01 to play and they led by double digits for the remainder. St. John's scored 53 points after intermission.

The first half featured runs by both teams.

St. John's used a 12-1 run turning a 16-7 deficit to a 19-17 lead; it's first lead of the game. The Wildcats countered with a 14-2 outburst in which Hausen sank three 3s and Max Jones added another for a 31-21 lead. St. John's rallied with an 8-0 spurt that took just a little more than minute to get within 31-28 with 3:42 left before halftime. The Wildcats led 39-35 at halftime.

It was the first time the two teams faced each other since Dec. 10, 1965, when then first-year head coach Lou Carnesseca led St. John’s to a 72-65 win. Carnesecca died at age 99 on Nov. 30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733603540446.png" alt="Photo Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Zuby Ejiofor posted career highs scoring 28 points and grabbing 13 rebounds and St. John's used an offensive eruption after halftime to beat Kansas State 88-71 in a Big 12-Big East Battle contest on Saturday.Ejiofor finished 11-for-17 shooting, Kadary Richmond scored 13 points and RJ Luis Jr. and reserve Simeon Wilcher each scored 11 for St. John's (7-2). The Red Storm had a 51-40 rebound advantage and a 17-10 edge in assists.Brendan Hausen scored 21 of his 27 points before halftime, David N'Guessan scored 15 points and Coleman Hawkins 11 and grabbed nine rebounds for the Wildcats (6-3).In a game of runs, St. John's ran away with it after halftime, starting with an 18-5 run over the first 4 1/2 minutes to go up 53-44 with consecutive 3-pointers from Luis and Aaron Scott. Ruben Prey's 3 gave the Red Storm a 62-50 lead at 11:01 to play and they led by double digits for the remainder. St. John's scored 53 points after intermission.The first half featured runs by both teams.St. John's used a 12-1 run turning a 16-7 deficit to a 19-17 lead; it's first lead of the game. The Wildcats countered with a 14-2 outburst in which Hausen sank three 3s and Max Jones added another for a 31-21 lead. St. John's rallied with an 8-0 spurt that took just a little more than minute to get within 31-28 with 3:42 left before halftime. The Wildcats led 39-35 at halftime.It was the first time the two teams faced each other since Dec. 10, 1965, when then first-year head coach Lou Carnesseca led St. John’s to a 72-65 win. Carnesecca died at age 99 on Nov. 30.

🏀 Ejiofor's 28-points leads St. John's over Kansas State

The Junction City Blue Jay boys basketball team began their season Friday night in Atchison. The Blue Jays beat the Phoenix 74-51. 

After trailing early in the game 9-8, the Junction City Blue Jays went on a 33-6 run to end the first half and led the Phoenix 41-15 at halftime.

The Blue Jays suited up 13 players for the varsity roster, and all 13 played in the game. Nine of the 13 scored. Junction City was led in scoring by junior point guard Lovell Autry, who had 23 points. The only other Blue Jay in double figures was senior center Larkin Turner with 12 points.

With the win, the Blue Jays improve to 1-0 on the season, and Atchison falls to 0-1.

The Atchison Phoenix are led by head coach Pat Battle, who previously was the head coach at Junction City High School from 2011 to 2016. 

Junction City is back in action next weekend. The Blue Jays will play at Hays on Friday night and at Dodge City on Saturday.

By Anthony GorgesJC PostThe Junction City Blue Jay boys basketball team began their season Friday night in Atchison. The Blue Jays beat the Phoenix 74-51. After trailing early in the game 9-8, the Junction City Blue Jays went on a 33-6 run to end the first half and led the Phoenix 41-15 at halftime.The Blue Jays suited up 13 players for the varsity roster, and all 13 played in the game. Nine of the 13 scored. Junction City was led in scoring by junior point guard Lovell Autry, who had 23 points. The only other Blue Jay in double figures was senior center Larkin Turner with 12 points.With the win, the Blue Jays improve to 1-0 on the season, and Atchison falls to 0-1.The Atchison Phoenix are led by head coach Pat Battle, who previously was the head coach at Junction City High School from 2011 to 2016. Junction City is back in action next weekend. The Blue Jays will play at Hays on Friday night and at Dodge City on Saturday.

Blue Jay boys basketball opens the season with a big win

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–</a>&nbsp;Led by senior defensive end&nbsp;Brendan Mott&nbsp;as the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and an All-Big 12 First Team honoree, Kansas State&nbsp;football&nbsp;collected 17 total postseason conference honors as league announced the 2024 Coaches’ All-Big 12 selections on Thursday.

K-State’s 17 total selections ranked fifth in the conference behind Colorado (21), Arizona State (19), BYU (18) and Iowa State (18). It was the fourth-straight season the Wildcats combined for at least 15 All-Big 12 honors.

Mott, who was an honorable mention pick a year ago, collected the Wildcats’ conference-leading sixth Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year accolade since the award was introduced following the 2006 season, two more than the next closest school (Texas – 4). He joins former Wildcat winners Meshak Williams (2012), Ryan Mueller (2014), Jordan Willis (2016) and Felix Anudike-Uzomah (2021 and 2022).

A product of Iowa City, Iowa, Mott led the Big 12 during the regular season with 8.5 sacks, a mark that also ranked 21st nationally. His season high of 2.5 sacks at Colorado was the most by any Big 12 player in a game this season and most by a Wildcat since Anudike-Uzomah had 3.0 sacks at Texas Tech in 2022. Mott also led the Wildcats and tied for fourth in the Big 12 with 11.5 tackles for loss. He helped&nbsp;K-State&nbsp;defensive ends earn All-Big 12 First Team honors for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

K-State’s All-Big 12 Second Team honors included running back&nbsp;DJ Giddens, tight end&nbsp;Garrett Oakley, linebacker&nbsp;Austin Romaine&nbsp;and offensive linemen&nbsp;Easton Kilty&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sam Hecht. Giddens earned his second All-Big 12 honor in as many seasons as he was an honorable mention pick a year ago, while Romaine is on the All-Big 12 team for the first time after earning votes for the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year award last year. Oakley, Kilty and Hecht were each honored for the first time.

Giddens, a native of Junction City, finished the regular season ranking 11th nationally and fourth in the Big 12 with 1,343 rushing yards on 205 carries, scoring seven touchdowns while also adding 258 receiving yards and another score on 21 catches. A semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, Giddens ranks second nationally with 10 rushes of at least 30 yards and fourth with 17 rushes of at least 20 yards. He enters postseason play ranked 10th in the nation and fourth in the Big 12 with 133.4 scrimmage yards per game.

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–</a>&nbsp;Led by senior defensive end&nbsp;Brendan Mott&nbsp;as the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and an All-Big 12 First Team honoree, Kansas State&nbsp;football&nbsp;collected 17 total postseason conference honors as league announced the 2024 Coaches’ All-Big 12 selections on Thursday.K-State’s 17 total selections ranked fifth in the conference behind Colorado (21), Arizona State (19), BYU (18) and Iowa State (18). It was the fourth-straight season the Wildcats combined for at least 15 All-Big 12 honors.Mott, who was an honorable mention pick a year ago, collected the Wildcats’ conference-leading sixth Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year accolade since the award was introduced following the 2006 season, two more than the next closest school (Texas – 4). He joins former Wildcat winners Meshak Williams (2012), Ryan Mueller (2014), Jordan Willis (2016) and Felix Anudike-Uzomah (2021 and 2022).A product of Iowa City, Iowa, Mott led the Big 12 during the regular season with 8.5 sacks, a mark that also ranked 21st nationally. His season high of 2.5 sacks at Colorado was the most by any Big 12 player in a game this season and most by a Wildcat since Anudike-Uzomah had 3.0 sacks at Texas Tech in 2022. Mott also led the Wildcats and tied for fourth in the Big 12 with 11.5 tackles for loss. He helped&nbsp;K-State&nbsp;defensive ends earn All-Big 12 First Team honors for the fourth time in the last five seasons.K-State’s All-Big 12 Second Team honors included running back&nbsp;DJ Giddens, tight end&nbsp;Garrett Oakley, linebacker&nbsp;Austin Romaine&nbsp;and offensive linemen&nbsp;Easton Kilty&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sam Hecht. Giddens earned his second All-Big 12 honor in as many seasons as he was an honorable mention pick a year ago, while Romaine is on the All-Big 12 team for the first time after earning votes for the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year award last year. Oakley, Kilty and Hecht were each honored for the first time.Giddens, a native of Junction City, finished the regular season ranking 11th nationally and fourth in the Big 12 with 1,343 rushing yards on 205 carries, scoring seven touchdowns while also adding 258 receiving yards and another score on 21 catches. A semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, Giddens ranks second nationally with 10 rushes of at least 30 yards and fourth with 17 rushes of at least 20 yards. He enters postseason play ranked 10th in the nation and fourth in the Big 12 with 133.4 scrimmage yards per game.

K-State Garners 17 Selections on Coaches’ All-Big 12 Teams

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Pop Isaacs helped unranked Creighton upset No. 1 Kansas 76-63 on Wednesday night, scoring a season-high 27 points and matching his career high with six 3-pointers.

Kansas cut a 13-point deficit to one early in the second half, but Isaacs hit back-to-back 3s to rebuild the lead as the Bluejays (6-3) pulled away for their second straight victory over a top-ranked opponent. They knocked off Connecticut 85-66 in Omaha in February.

The Jayhawks (7-1) lost a regular-season game against an unranked nonconference opponent for the first time in three years. Creighton had been in 16 straight Associated Press polls before dropping out this week following losses in three of its previous four games.

Students rushed the court at the final buzzer as flames shot out of the top of the goal standards.

Isaacs’ shooting display overshadowed what was supposed to be the featured matchup between two of the nation’s best big men, the 7-foot-1 Ryan Kalkbrenner and the Jayhawks’ 7-2 Hunter Dickinson.

Kalkbrenner, who had missed the Bluejays' previous game because of a lower-body injury, and Steven Ashworth each scored 17 points.

The Jayhawks struggled offensively and never led. Dajuan Harris had 15 points and AJ Storr and Zeke Mayo added 12 apiece for Kansas.

Kansas: The Jayhawks could never find a rhythm offensively. Dickinson had difficulty getting touches and took only four shots, making two.

Creighton: When the Bluejays make their 3-pointers, they’re tough to beat. They came into the game shooting 32% from distance but were 12 of 29 against the Jayhawks.

Issacs' back-to-back 3s early in the second half stemmed Kansas' comeback attempt, putting the Bluejays up 49-40.

Greg McDermott, the Bluejays' career coaching wins leader and a former coach at Iowa State, won for the first time in his 11 games against Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733368687597.png" alt="Photo Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Pop Isaacs helped unranked Creighton upset No. 1 Kansas 76-63 on Wednesday night, scoring a season-high 27 points and matching his career high with six 3-pointers.Kansas cut a 13-point deficit to one early in the second half, but Isaacs hit back-to-back 3s to rebuild the lead as the Bluejays (6-3) pulled away for their second straight victory over a top-ranked opponent. They knocked off Connecticut 85-66 in Omaha in February.The Jayhawks (7-1) lost a regular-season game against an unranked nonconference opponent for the first time in three years. Creighton had been in 16 straight Associated Press polls before dropping out this week following losses in three of its previous four games.Students rushed the court at the final buzzer as flames shot out of the top of the goal standards.Isaacs’ shooting display overshadowed what was supposed to be the featured matchup between two of the nation’s best big men, the 7-foot-1 Ryan Kalkbrenner and the Jayhawks’ 7-2 Hunter Dickinson.Kalkbrenner, who had missed the Bluejays' previous game because of a lower-body injury, and Steven Ashworth each scored 17 points.The Jayhawks struggled offensively and never led. Dajuan Harris had 15 points and AJ Storr and Zeke Mayo added 12 apiece for Kansas.<h2>Takeaways</h2>Kansas: The Jayhawks could never find a rhythm offensively. Dickinson had difficulty getting touches and took only four shots, making two.Creighton: When the Bluejays make their 3-pointers, they’re tough to beat. They came into the game shooting 32% from distance but were 12 of 29 against the Jayhawks.<h2>Key moment</h2>Issacs' back-to-back 3s early in the second half stemmed Kansas' comeback attempt, putting the Bluejays up 49-40.<h2>Key stat</h2>Greg McDermott, the Bluejays' career coaching wins leader and a former coach at Iowa State, won for the first time in his 11 games against Kansas.<h2>Up next</h2>Kansas: At Missouri on Sunday.Creighton: Hosts UNLV on Saturday.

🏀 Creighton knocks off No. 1 Kansas behind Pop Isaacs' 27 points

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/documents/2024/12/4/2025_Early_Signing_Day_Release.pdf">Signing Day Bios</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/2025-26">Signing Days Roster</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23822&amp;type=Archive">Watch Coach Klieman’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/chris-klieman-signing-day-press-conference-december-4-2025/4930">Listen to Coach Klieman’s Press Conference</a>

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State head coach&nbsp;Chris Klieman&nbsp;announced Wednesday the signing of 26 prospects during the early 2025 signing period.

So far, K-State’s Class of 2025 is comprised of 24 high school prospects and two community-college transfers. Of the 26 overall players, 15 players are on defense, 10 are on offense and there is one specialist. There are five linebackers, four safeties, four wide receivers, three offensive linemen, two cornerbacks and defensive ends, one defensive back, one defensive tackle, one punter/kicker, one quarterback, one running back and one tight end.

K-State cast a wide net as the 26 signees hail from 12 different states, the second time in the last three years the Wildcats had signees from at least 12 states (13 in 2023). Once again, Kansas leads in terms of numbers from one state with five, as it marks the 16th-straight season the Wildcats have signed at least four in-state prep players. Additionally, the Class of 2025 includes five players from Texas, four from Florida and Missouri, and one apiece from Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina and Ohio.

Of the 26 signees on Wednesday, 14 are expected to enroll at K-State for the 2025 spring semester. The list includes:&nbsp;Logan Bartley,&nbsp;Nunu Concepcion,&nbsp;Jemyri Davis,&nbsp;Dillon Duff,&nbsp;Monterrio Elston Jr.,&nbsp;Noah King,&nbsp;Adonis Moise,&nbsp;Cub Patton,&nbsp;Weston Polk,&nbsp;Larry Porter IV,&nbsp;Sawyer Schilke,&nbsp;Brad Stanyer,&nbsp;Patrick Tackie&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dylan Villarouel.

Kansas State may add more prospects to the Class of 2025 during the regular signing period, which opens on Wednesday, February 5.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/documents/2024/12/4/2025_Early_Signing_Day_Release.pdf">Signing Day Bios</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/2025-26">Signing Days Roster</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23822&amp;type=Archive">Watch Coach Klieman’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/chris-klieman-signing-day-press-conference-december-4-2025/4930">Listen to Coach Klieman’s Press Conference</a>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State head coach&nbsp;Chris Klieman&nbsp;announced Wednesday the signing of 26 prospects during the early 2025 signing period.So far, K-State’s Class of 2025 is comprised of 24 high school prospects and two community-college transfers. Of the 26 overall players, 15 players are on defense, 10 are on offense and there is one specialist. There are five linebackers, four safeties, four wide receivers, three offensive linemen, two cornerbacks and defensive ends, one defensive back, one defensive tackle, one punter/kicker, one quarterback, one running back and one tight end.K-State cast a wide net as the 26 signees hail from 12 different states, the second time in the last three years the Wildcats had signees from at least 12 states (13 in 2023). Once again, Kansas leads in terms of numbers from one state with five, as it marks the 16th-straight season the Wildcats have signed at least four in-state prep players. Additionally, the Class of 2025 includes five players from Texas, four from Florida and Missouri, and one apiece from Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina and Ohio.Of the 26 signees on Wednesday, 14 are expected to enroll at K-State for the 2025 spring semester. The list includes:&nbsp;Logan Bartley,&nbsp;Nunu Concepcion,&nbsp;Jemyri Davis,&nbsp;Dillon Duff,&nbsp;Monterrio Elston Jr.,&nbsp;Noah King,&nbsp;Adonis Moise,&nbsp;Cub Patton,&nbsp;Weston Polk,&nbsp;Larry Porter IV,&nbsp;Sawyer Schilke,&nbsp;Brad Stanyer,&nbsp;Patrick Tackie&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dylan Villarouel.Kansas State may add more prospects to the Class of 2025 during the regular signing period, which opens on Wednesday, February 5.RYAN LACKEY

K-State Signs 26 During 2025 Early Signing Period

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Ayoka Lee scored 15 points and became Kansas State's all-time leading scorer as the 13th-ranked Wildcats blasted Eastern Illinois 90-43 on Tuesday night.

<a href="https://x.com/KStateWBB/status/1864125520327397726">Lee scored her 13th point on a layup at the 6:59 mark of the third quarter</a>&nbsp;to give her 2,334 points, one more than Kendra Wecker had in her career that ended in 2005.

Zyanna Walker led the Wildcats (8-1) with 16 points, matching her career high, to go with a career-high 10 assists, four rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Taryn Sides scored 12 points and Jaelyn Glenn and Kennedy Taylor had 11 each.

Kiyley Flowers had nine points to pace the Panthers (2-4), who shot 28%.

K-State shot 54.5% and was 11 of 20 from 3-point range, led by Sides going 4 of 4.

Walker had 11 points at the half as the Wildcats shot 57% to race to a 41-19 lead as the Panthers shot 29%.

Walker opened the game with a pair of fastbreak layups and Lee had five points in the last minute as Kansas State took a 20-7 lead in the first quarter. Glenn started and ended a 12-0 run in the second quarter that produced a 35-11 lead.

The Wildcats scored the first 17 points of the second half to lead by 39.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Ayoka Lee scored 15 points and became Kansas State's all-time leading scorer as the 13th-ranked Wildcats blasted Eastern Illinois 90-43 on Tuesday night.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">During tonight&#39;s home game versus Eastern Illinois, Ayoka Lee reached #1 on the list of K-State All-Time Scoring Leaders. Her layup at 6:59 of the 3rd quarter surpassed the record held by Kendra Wecker. She now sits at the top with 2,336 points, 15 from today’s game.… <a href="https://t.co/3uT81CD4gx">pic.twitter.com/3uT81CD4gx</a>&mdash; K-State Women&#39;s Basketball (@KStateWBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KStateWBB/status/1864133501567815845?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://x.com/KStateWBB/status/1864125520327397726">Lee scored her 13th point on a layup at the 6:59 mark of the third quarter</a>&nbsp;to give her 2,334 points, one more than Kendra Wecker had in her career that ended in 2005.Zyanna Walker led the Wildcats (8-1) with 16 points, matching her career high, to go with a career-high 10 assists, four rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Taryn Sides scored 12 points and Jaelyn Glenn and Kennedy Taylor had 11 each.Kiyley Flowers had nine points to pace the Panthers (2-4), who shot 28%.K-State shot 54.5% and was 11 of 20 from 3-point range, led by Sides going 4 of 4.Walker had 11 points at the half as the Wildcats shot 57% to race to a 41-19 lead as the Panthers shot 29%.Walker opened the game with a pair of fastbreak layups and Lee had five points in the last minute as Kansas State took a 20-7 lead in the first quarter. Glenn started and ended a 12-0 run in the second quarter that produced a 35-11 lead.The Wildcats scored the first 17 points of the second half to lead by 39.

🏀 Ayoka Lee sets scoring record for K-State women in win over Eastern Illinois

Junction
City High School Boys and Girls Varsity basketball schedule


Dec. 6 (Friday) @ Atchison –
BOYS ONLY – 7:30


Dec. 13 (Friday) @ Hays –
Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30


Dec. 14 (Saturday) @ Dodge
City – Girls @ 1:00 – Boys @ 2:30

Dec. 17 (Tuesday) Home –
JCHS vs Lawrence Free State – GIRLS ONLY – 7:30

Dec. 18 (Wednesday) Home –
JCHS vs St. Mary’s Academy – BOYS ONLY – 7:30

Jan. 3 (Friday) Home -JCHS
vs Shawnee Mission North – Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30


Jan. 7 (Tuesday) @ Washburn
Rural – Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30

Jan. 9 (Thursday) Home
-JCHS vs Derby – Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30


Jan. 14 (Tuesday) @ Manhattan
– Girls @ 6:15 – Boys @ 7:30


Jan. 17 (Friday) @ Topeka High
– Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30

Jan. 21 (Tuesday) Home
-JCHS – vs Shawnee Mission West – GIRLS ONLY – 7:00


Jan. 23 (Thursday) BOYS - @
Dodge City Tournament of Champions – TBD


	  (Thursday) GIRLS - @ Salina
Invitational Basketball Tournament – TBD


Jan. 24 (Friday) BOYS - @
Dodge City Tournament of Champions – TBD


	  (Friday) GIRLS - @ Salina
Invitational Basketball Tournament – TBD


Jan. 25 (Saturday) BOYS - @
Dodge City Tournament of Champions – TBD


	  (Saturday) GIRLS - @ Salina
Invitational Basketball Tournament – TBD


Jan. 28 (Tuesday) – GIRLS @
Olathe East – 5:30


	   (Tuesday) – BOYS @ Blue
Valley Northwest 7:00

Feb. 7 (Friday) Home -JCHS
vs Topeka Hayden – Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30

Feb. 11 (Tuesday) Home
-JCHS vs Emporia High - Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30

Feb. 14 (Friday) Home –
JCHS vs Washburn Rural - Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30

Feb. 18 (Tuesday) Home –
JCHS vs Topeka High - Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30

Feb. 21 (Friday) Home –
JCHS vs Manhattan - Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30

Junction
City High School Boys and Girls Varsity basketball schedule 

Dec. 6 (Friday) @ Atchison –
BOYS ONLY – 7:30
Dec. 13 (Friday) @ Hays –
Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30
Dec. 14 (Saturday) @ Dodge
City – Girls @ 1:00 – Boys @ 2:30
Dec. 17 (Tuesday) Home –
JCHS vs Lawrence Free State – GIRLS ONLY – 7:30
Dec. 18 (Wednesday) Home –
JCHS vs St. Mary’s Academy – BOYS ONLY – 7:30
CHRISTMAS BREAK
Jan. 3 (Friday) Home -JCHS
vs Shawnee Mission North – Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30 

Jan. 7 (Tuesday) @ Washburn
Rural – Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30
Jan. 9 (Thursday) Home
-JCHS vs Derby – Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30
Jan. 14 (Tuesday) @ Manhattan
– Girls @ 6:15 – Boys @ 7:30
Jan. 17 (Friday) @ Topeka High
– Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30
Jan. 21 (Tuesday) Home
-JCHS – vs Shawnee Mission West – GIRLS ONLY – 7:00
Jan. 23 (Thursday) BOYS - @
Dodge City Tournament of Champions – TBD
	 (Thursday) GIRLS - @ Salina
Invitational Basketball Tournament – TBD
Jan. 24 (Friday) BOYS - @
Dodge City Tournament of Champions – TBD
	 (Friday) GIRLS - @ Salina
Invitational Basketball Tournament – TBD
Jan. 25 (Saturday) BOYS - @
Dodge City Tournament of Champions – TBD
	 (Saturday) GIRLS - @ Salina
Invitational Basketball Tournament – TBD
Jan. 28 (Tuesday) – GIRLS @
Olathe East – 5:30
	 (Tuesday) – BOYS @ Blue
Valley Northwest 7:00
Feb. 7 (Friday) Home -JCHS
vs Topeka Hayden – Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30
Feb. 11 (Tuesday) Home
-JCHS vs Emporia High - Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30
Feb. 14 (Friday) Home –
JCHS vs Washburn Rural - Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30
Feb. 18 (Tuesday) Home –
JCHS vs Topeka High - Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30
Feb. 21 (Friday) Home –
JCHS vs Manhattan - Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30
Feb. 25 (Tuesday) - @ Topeka
Hayden - Girls @ 6:15 – Boys @ 7:45
Feb. 28 (Friday) - @ Emporia -
Girls @ 6:00 – Boys @ 7:30
SUB-SATE / STATE - TBD

Sports