Sports HDN Jan

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W ILDCATS ILDCAT IN ACTION , B5

SUNDAY JAN. 22, 2012

FHSU falls in OT

By CONOR NICHOLL cnicholl@dailynews.net

Fort Hays State University women’s basketball coach Tony Hobson believes close games are decided by rebounding and free throws. On Saturday afternoon against Lincoln (Mo.) University, FHSU shot 7-of-16 (44 percent) from the foul line. Hobson believed it was the worst free throw percentage by one of his teams in 25 years of coaching.

Fort Hays outrebounded Lincoln by three, but Lincoln grabbed two offensive rebounds in the final seconds of overtime.

The rebounds eventually led to a foul by Tiger sophomore Katelyn Edwards on Lincoln sophomore Bria Dillard.

Dillard hit two free throws with 3.5

seconds left and Fort Hays suffered a disappointing loss, 76-75, at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

“We gave them three chances at the end of overtime without rebounding the ball,” Hobson said. “They beat us to loose balls and they made their free throws. End of story.”

The free throws and last-second foul trumped a strong offensive contest from Fort Hays and Edwards, who scored a career-high 33 points on 15-of-24 shooting.

FHSU, which was shooting 37 percent in conference play, sank 49 percent of its shots. Lincoln shot 38 percent from the field, but went 10-of-11 from the foul line.

SEE LOSS, B4

RAYMOND HILLEGAS • HAYS DAILY NEWS

Fort Hays sophomore Katelyn Edwards, right, drives the ball past Lincoln sophomore Bria Dillard during the second half Saturday at GMC.

Tigers roll by Lincoln

Moving on?

By CONOR NICHOLL cnicholl@dailynews.net

THE NFC AND AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES ARE PLAYED OUT TODAY.

PAGE B6

Tourney done THE HHS BOYS PLAY FOR SEVENTH AT THE

TOC. PAGE B3

RAYMOND HILLEGAS • HAYS DAILY NEWS

Hays High sophomore Preston Weigel, left, competes against St. Thomas Aquinas junior Johnny Perz during their 170-pound championship match in the Bob Kuhn Prairie Senior Classic on Saturday at the HHS gym.

HHS takes second

major decision to give St. Thomas Aquinas the title It came down to the with 1811⁄2 points. final match.

Hays High was secIn the end, the Hays ond with 1761⁄2, and High School wrestling McPherson third with team didn’t defend its 161. title from a year The Indians FOR MORE FROM ago at the Bob had three THE TOURNEY, Kuhn Prairie wrestlers in the PLEASE SEE Senior Classic. finals. SophoMONDAY’S HDN Two teams more Preston had a chance Weigel, ranked to win heading into No. 1 in Class 5A, won the 285-pound match at 170 pounds, and sebetween Indian senior nior Cash Drylie’s win at Luke Madden and St. 220 got the Indian fans Thomas Aquinas senior whooping and hollering Eric Mason, ranked No. 1 as HHS rallied to set up in Class 5A. the deciding match.

Mason won a 13-4 SEE CLASSIC, B3

By RANDY GONZALES rgonzales@dailynews.net

New record TMP’S RACHEL JACOBS PUTS HER NAME IN THE TMP RECORD BOOKS. PAGE B2

Phillipsburg junior Caleb Studley, left, goes for the legs of Larned senior Brenden Lewis during their 132-pound championship match.

Midway through the conference schedule last season, the Fort Hays State University men’s basketball team, in contention for an MIAA title, had back-to-back road trips to Lincoln (Mo.) University and University of NebraskaOmaha on a Saturday and Wednesday, respectively.

Fort Hays easily won both contests, but then had to play Northwest Missouri State University, one of the conference’s weaker squads, at home three days after the UNO victory.

Fort Hays, fatigued from the road trip, lost.

“That was the game that probably took us away from a chance to win a conference championship,” coach Mark Johnson said.

This season, a similar scenario existed. On Jan. 14 and Wednesday, Fort Hays won key road games against Pittsburg State University and Emporia State University.

Then, FHSU faced Lincoln, one of the league’s lesser squads, at home Saturday. Johnson reminded his team about last season and cautioned them about a letdown.

Fort Hays didn’t play its best, but managed to not replicate last year’s home loss to Northwest. The Tigers led all contest, and won 78-63 at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

“The guys who were here last year remembered that, and we really wanted to close up this little three-game week that we have had,” senior forward Matt Simmons said.

“I think everybody stepped up tonight.”

SEE TIGERS, B5

MIAA scores SEE A LIST OF GAMES FROM AROUND THE CONFERENCE

SATURDAY. PAGE B4

Good finish?

THE TMP BOYS PLAY FOR THIRD AT THE TROJAN

CLASSIC. PAGE B3

Late 3-point play lifts Kansas past Texas in Austin AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — What looked like a rout soon turned into another KansasTexas classic.

And in the end, the Jayhawks walked away with another hard-fought win over the Longhorns.

Jeff Withey made a layup and free throw with 37 seconds to play and Thomas Robinson added a free throw with 8 seconds left, giving No. 7 Kansas a 69-66 win Saturday after Texas rallied from a big early deficit.

Texas had a last chance to force overtime, but J’Covan Brown’s 3-pointer with 2 seconds to play bounced off the rim. Brown led Texas with ERIC GAY • ASSOCIATED PRESS 24 points.

“To win on the road shows Kansas’ Elijah Johnson looks to pass the ball during a scrama lot of toughness,” said ble on the floor in the first half Saturday in Austin, Texas.

Tyshawn Taylor, who scored 22 points for the Jayhawks in their first game since handing Baylor its first loss of the season. Robinson finished with 17 points and nine rebounds and Withey scored 12.

While the win over Baylor came at home, this one was on the road in a tough environment and required a late rally after the Jayhawks blew a big lead against a Texas team that counts six freshmen in its nine recruited scholarship players.

Kansas coach Bill Self liked how his team pulled it out.

“We needed that,” he said.

“This is the best win we have had all year ... I thought we were fortunate.”

After the game, Taylor was already looking ahead to the rematch at Kansas on March

3. Last season, Texas beat Kansas in Lawrence to end the Jayhawks’ 69-game home winning streak.

“I’m sure it’s going to be another dogfight,” Taylor said.

So many Kansas-Texas games are.

Kansas (16-3, 6-0) is the only Big 12 team still undefeated in conference play and came in confident against a young Texas lineup. Taylor was sharp early and the Jayhawks quickly built a 15-point lead.

Texas came in desperate for a big win this season and things got chippy in the first half when Robinson and Texas’ Alexis Wangmene were whistled for technical fouls after they tangled at midcourt.

SEE KU, B4

SPORTS B2 THE HAYS DAILY NEWS SUNDAY, JAN. 22, 2012 WATCH FOR BREAKING NEWS AT

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Hillsboro knocks down Monarchs

By RANDY GONZALES rgonzales@dailynews.net

HILLSBORO — For three quarters, the Monarchs gave Hillsboro all it wanted.

But Hillsboro wanted it more in the fourth quarter.

The Trojans outscored the Thomas More Prep-Marian boys’ basketball team by 13 points in the final period on the way to a 51-36 win in Friday’s semifinals of the Hillsboro Trojan Classic.

“I thought our guys battled tough to a tie in the first half, through three quarters,” TMP coach Joe Hertel said. “... In the fourth quarter, it just fell apart for us.

“We played like winners for three, I’m proud of that effort,” he added.

Hillsboro advanced to Saturday night’s title game with Hesston, while TMP was in the third-place game against Wamego.

TMP (7-4) jumped out to a 9-2 lead, but Hillsboro scored the final nine points of the first quarter to take an 11-9 lead. It was tied at halftime 19-19.

The Monarchs led 30-28 late in the third quarter when senior point guard Drew O’Brien was knocked to the floor at halfcourt and was whistled for a violation.

O’Brien bounced the ball hard and was called for a technical foul with 9.9 seconds left in the period. Senior Luke Moore made one of the technical free throws, then junior guard Shaq Thiessen drilled a 3-pointer just before the buzzer to give the Trojans a 32-30 lead.

“The technical foul is an unfortunate thing,” Hertel said. “I expect our guys to be self-discplined.

“No matter what, that can’t happen, not in a game like this,” he added.

Hertel said the technical seemed to affect the Monarchs in the fourth quarter.

Hillsboro (9-3) outscored TMP 10-4 in the first 2:22 of the period before senior forward Jacob Fouts — the team’s leading scorer on the season — made his only basket of the game to get the Monarchs within 42-36.

Hays High boys drop game Friday in Dodge

By CODY GIEFER sports@dailynews.net

DODGE CITY — The Hays High School boys’ basketball team might have lost its fourth straight contest, but coach Rick Keltner saw some positives he hasn’t seen.

Hays High lost 49-28 to St. James Academy on Friday, in the consolation semifinal round of the Touranment of Champions at United Wireless Arena.

“I was really proud of (senior David Cardinal). He’s a strong athlete and he came in and did some good things,” coach Rick Keltner said. “He worked hard and did a good job.”

Cardinal played in just his fifth game of the season for the Indians, coming in to give HHS the physical play the Indians were lacking against St. James early in the game.

The Indians were coming off a game against a physical Dodge City team, where they had an edge on the boards, but were unable to contain St. James senior Clint McCullough, who notched a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds.

“They were just more physical and stronger than us. We didn’t block out as aggressively as we did against Dodge City,” Keltner said. “We never found McCullough all night.

He kept getting to the boards against us.”

Hays High got a 3-pointer to start the game from junior gaurd Derek Bixenman, but the Indians couldn’t stop McCullough who scored eight first-quarter points, part of an 8-0 run to help St. James build a 10-8 lead.

The Indians missed six straight

shots in the second before an offensive spark from sophomore Lane Clark.

HHS was trailing 14-8 when Clark scored back-to-back 3s to tie the game with two minutes remaining in the half.

“We had to make plays so I wanted to step up and try to help the team out,” said, Clark who hit three 3s and finished with nine.

“Lane’s a guy who in practice has made 10 3s in a row multiple times,” Keltner said. “I was really glad with the way he stepped up.”

The 6-foot-6 McCullough had an answer, sparking a 6-0 run, while HHS missed three shots and had two turnovers in the final two minutes.

“I thought when we tied it up we were making good plays. But then

after that we turned it over like five times with bad shots and turnovers.

It seemed like as soon as we got close we didn’t handle it very well,” Keltner said.

Keltner used the second half to try out combinations of players who hadn’t seen much playing time this season. All 12 Indians saw at least five minutes of playing time.

“We wanted to just try some different combinations and get kids some tournament experience,” Keltner said.

The Indians started the second half out with two straight baskets, including an alley-oop by sophomore Jordan Windholz, but struggled from there.

St. James used their physical play in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach for the Indians. HHS was outrebounded 13-2 in the fourth quarter.

“…By the time she gets done with that record, it’s going to be awesome.”

Alan Billinger, TMP coach

New

RECORD

By RANDY GONZALES rgonzales@dailynews.net

RACHEL JACOBS AND THE

MONARCHS WERE IN ACTION AGAIN

SATURDAY AGAINST REPUBLIC CO. SEE PAGE B3.

HILLSBORO — If not this game, surely next.

Still, Thomas More Prep-Marian girls’ basketball coach Alan Billinger wanted the record to fall Friday. He was too nervous to go through this again.

Rachel Jacobs, a senior forward for the Monarchs, broke the school’s career scoring record in a 64-43 win over Goodland in the consolation semifinals of the Hillsboro Trojan Classic at Robert C. Brown Gymnasium.

Jacobs needed 14 points to pass Kaylee Hoffman, who scored 1,325 points from 2006-10. It wasn’t easy, but Jacobs got the record with 28 seconds left in the game. Jacobs swished a 3-pointer from the right baseline on an out-of-bounds play to give her 15 points for the game and 1,327 for her career.

“Congratulations to Rachel,” Billinger said. “This is a phenomenal feat.

“Kaylee Hoffman was a tremendous ball player for us, and Rachel is, too. By the time she gets done with that record, it’s going to be awesome,” he added.

Jacobs, a four-year starter who also broke the school’s rebounding record earlier this season, will keep the scoring record all in the family.

“She’s my cousin, so it kind of means something,” Jacobs said of Hoffman. “It feels pretty good. I’ve been working the last four years for it, and it finally paid off.”

Jacobs had eight points at halftime and added a 3-pointer in the third quarter. Needing three points and with the Monarchs comfortably ahead, Jacobs stayed in the game.

SEE RECORD, B3

MONARCHS PULL AWAY FOR WIN

By RANDY GONZALES rgonzales@dailynews.net HILLSBORO — The Monarchs struggled in the first quarter against a winless Goodland squad.

But the Thomas More Prep-Marian girls’ basketball team — led by junior point guard Heather Ruder — kicked it into high gear in the second quarter of Friday’s consolation semifinals of the Hillsboro Trojan Classic to take a 64-43 win.

Not only did the win send the Monarchs into Saturday’s fifth-place game, but senior forward Rachel Jacobs also broke the school’s career scoring record (see sidebar).

TMP, which led 14-13 after the first quarter, scored the first 24 points of the second quarter and held Goodland without a basket in the period to take a 38-17 halftime lead.

“I thought we played a great second quarter, really put a lot of pressure on them,” TMP coach Alan Billinger said.

SEE WIN, B3

SEE MONARCHS, B4

Friday’s area high school basketball boxscores Boys Plainville 72 Smith Center 44 Plainville . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 13 25 12 — 72 Smith Center . . . . . . . . . . . .12 7 13 12 — 44 Plainville — Hadley Gillum 14, Andrew Casey 15, Kyle Becker 12, Jameson Klein 12, Weiser 6, Husmann 2, Brungardt 7, Diaz 4.

Smith Center — Trevor Overmiller 15, Hobelmann 7, Terrill 4, Cox 9, Buckmaster 5, Brooks 4.

Oakley 58, Oberlin 52 Oberlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 12 11 20 — 52 Oakley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 19 12 12 — 58 Oberlin — May 5, Shields 5, Dalton Jones 17, McEvoy 6, Zach May 13, Bruggeman 6.

Oakley — Kody Gabel 12, JeJerrik Keller 13, Herl 7, Hubert 6, Llewellyn 4, Austin Baalman 16.

Hoxie 69, Atwood 40 Atwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 6 13 4 — 40 Hoxie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 21 23 8 — 69 Atwood — Tiemeyer 2, Capo 4, Leitner 3, Peterson 4, Collin Clark 11, Kogl 16.

Hoxie — Katt 3, C. Spresser 2, Kade Spresser 13, Chase Kennedy 11, Friess 6, Jaxsen Moss 30, Pope 4.

Quinter 53 Western Plains 25

Ellis 55, Hill City 51 (OT)

Quinter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 14 18 8 — 53 Western Plains . . . . . . . . . . . 5 8 4 8 — 25 Quinter — Waggoner 3, Chance Smith 1, Crist 9, Tebow 6, Reed 8, J. Ochs 6, Kerns 4, Brian Ochs 16.

Western Plains — Beckett 2, Mendez , Baker 2, Wentz 3, Kraus 3, Ryersee 3, Moore 9.

Hill City . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 2 14 13 2 — 51 Ellis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 16 11 13 6 — 55 Hill City — Collins 7, Gansel 6, Stewart 9, Keith 6, Cooper 4, Van Loenen 3, Haley Dinkel 16.

Ellis — Aschenbrenner 2, Bailey Hensley 23, S. Gottschalk 4, Soneson 7, Greenway 10, M. Gottschalk 2, Honas 7.

Ness City 78, St. Francis 55

Phillipsburg 64, Stockton 28

St. Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 12 18 11 — 55 Ness City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 19 18 22 — 78 St. Francis — Schlitz 5, Nelson 1, Isaac Schiltz 26, Ladenberger 6, Tygart 4, Dylan Peter 13.

Ness City — Dalton Gants 11, Drew Clarke 28, Colin Foos 17, Ratliff 8, Stoecklein 3, VonLehe 9, Frusher 2.

Phillipsburg . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 17 17 9 — 64 Stockton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 5 8 9 — 28 Phillipsburg — Kellerman 9, Wilkinson 2, Raegan Vanderplas 11, Gower 8, Orr 6, Bartels 9, Dusin 11, Rodriquez 7.

Stockton — Lindsey 2, Alyssa Conyac 10, Brown 5, Beougher 2, Scott 2, Green 3.

Golden Plains 38 Triplains-Brewster 33

Oberlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 19 9 16 — 61 Western Plains . . . . . . . . . . . 9 5 9 5 — 28 Oberlin — Darbi Rouse 11, Jamie Soderlund 10, Hissong 2, Murray 7, Miki Dorshorst 15, Baker 5, Castle 2, May 9.

Western Plains — Hair 8, Paredes 6, M Hagelganz 13, Schuckman 1.

Oberlin 61, Western Plains 28

Golden Plains . . . . . . . . . . 14 10 3 11 — 38 Triplains-Brewster . . . . . . . . 4 6 8 15 — 33 Golden Plains — Cole Christensen 14, Weber 7, Walter 6, Schwartz 5, G. Spresser 3, Koerperich 2, Bermudez 1.

Triplains-Brewster — N Jorgensen 14, Scmidt 5, Lamb 5, Allen 3, Luckert 2.

Hoisington 65, Victoria 51 Norton 72, Trego 66 WaKeene-Trego (5-9) . . . . . 11 11 19 25 —66 Norton (6-5) . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 18 25 — 72 WaKeeney — Ghumm 7, John Griffith 30, Clayton Riedel 14, Pfannenstiel 5, Fritz 8, Weber 2.

Norton — Tye Nickell 12, Jacob Brooks 16, Zach Hartwell 11, Jordan Wahlmeier 10, Ellis 8, Dalton Miller 10, Gilgenbach 5.

Phillipsburg 58, Stockton 32 Phillipsburg . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 13 15 15 — 58 Stockton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 17 5 — 32 Phillipsburg — Sage 2, Sean Newlan 25, Seth Derr 10, Thompson 5, Juenemann 7, Dusin 6, Aherin 2.

Stockton — Bellerive 6, Deutscher 1, J. Williams 6, Beougher 10, Wiltfong 2, Lowry 5, Moll 2.

Hoisington . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 17 17 15 — 65 Victoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 11 10 22 — 51 Hoisington — Schremmer 2, Cody Stetler 22, Becker 4, Linsner 5, Kaiser 2, Anthony Broeder 13, Crawford 5, Derrick Kaiser 10, Gaddis 2.

Victoria — Corey Dinkel 13, Gagnon 4, Ottley 4, Bryan Dome 26, Roth 4, Dreiling 5, Braun 8, Hobbs 7, Nowak 4.

Girls Oakley 42, Atwood 37 Atwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 8 9 13 — 37 Oakley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 19 4 9 — 42 Atwood — Wolters 6, Leitner 1, Withington 9, Hillary Chavatal 17, Reuber 2, Oelschlager 2.

Oakley — M. Rath 2, K. Rath 2, L. Dennis 24, Hemmert 6, Weiser 2, Jirah 2, Pilkington 2, Sperber 2.

Hill City 49, Ellis 45 Hill City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 11 20 9 — 49 Ellis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 7 6 16 — 45 Hill City — Matt Craig 16, Solomon Wilson 14, Pfeifer 9, Jones 4, Isakson 6.

Ellis — Pfeifer 4, Weber 2, Blake Hudson 11, Werth 7, Mick 4, Brown 2, Walters 4, Lohrmeyer 7, Gehring 4.

Quinter 70, St. Francis 58 St. Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 15 17 11 — 58 Quinter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 14 19 15 — 70 St. Francis — Bandel 3, Neitzel 4, Hill 7, Schlepp 6, Brunk 9, Kaitlin Figgins 27.

Quinter — Kayla Zerr 17, Kuntz 2, Crist 2, Brooke Flax 28, Werth 6, Schneider 6.

Hoxie 68, Ness City 19 Ness City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 9 6 2 — 19 Hoxie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 19 22 9 — 68 Ness City — Johnson 2, Seib 1, Ky. Stoecklein 5, Ke. Stoecklein 5, Rubottom 6.

Hoxie — Mense 9, Shelby Heim 10, Spresser 6, S. Farber 3, Stithem 5, K. Farber 3, Carly Heim 16, Lexi Schamberger 12, Allmer 4.

Golden Plains 58 Triplains-Brewster 49 Golden Plains . . . . . . . . . . 7 18 14 19 — 58 Triplains-Brewster . . . . . . . 6 15 12 16 — 49 Golden Plains — Jordan Christensen 18, H. Spresser 9, Angela Ritter 16, Juenemann 4, Lobato 2.

Triplains-Brewster — Brittany Plummer 14, April Mays 11, Kasey Hoyt 10, Rogge 9.

Smith Center 84 Plainville 30 Plainville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 11 4 9 — 30 Smith Center . . . . . . . . . . . 25 18 27 14 — 84 Plainville — Frederking 4, Friend 9, Pywell 4, Copeland 2, Junkermeier 5, Sears 3, Royer 3.

Smith Center — Cox 9, McCall 5, Sydney Benoit 16, McKenzie Benoit 13, Tangie Hileman 27, Albert 6, Ryan 4, VanderGiesen 2, Dietz 2.

STEVEN HAUSLER • HAYS DAILY NEWS

Hill City boys’ coach Keith Riley, looks up at the clock during the MCL Tournament last week at Gross Memorial Coliseum. Riley’s Ringnecks won 49-45 in Ellis on Friday, giving Riley his 600th career victory.

CLASSIC,

SPORTS

FROM B1

nior Caleb Studley (23-7) scored two points with less than a minute left in the third period to win 2-1 over senior Brenden Lewis from Larned. Hays High junior Cade Albert lost the fifth-place match 8-2 to Hugoton freshman Genesis Martinez.

At 138, ranked No. 2 in 5A, senior Tommy Wlliams (31-2) of St. Thomas Aquinas won 7-5 over Buhler junior Jake Gehring. For third place, Phillipsburg sophomore Michael Dusin won 9-5 over Hoisington junior Zach Sanders, who defeated HHS junior Jake Finals results (winSedbrook 13-8 in the conners and local, area solation semifinals. Sedplacers): brook lost the fifth-place At 106, ranked No. 1 match 10-4 to Spring Hill in Class 6A, sophomore sophomore Blake Lewis.

Luke Henes (28-1) of St. At 145, Hoisington Thomas Aquinas pinned senior David Montoya of junior Chance Demel (23-2) pinned in the first Dodge City in the first period Buhler sophomore period. Phillipsburg’s Scott Whitson, who won Kyle Witmer finished 6-3 over Ellis junior Gage fifth.

Younger in the semifinals.

At 113, senior Jason Younger, who decisioned Perez of Ulysses, ranked Phillipsburg senior Ross third in 4A and one of two defending state cham- Coomes 4-2 in the consolation semifinals, won 3-1 pions in the tournament, gave up a late point in the over Hugoton junior Lawson Fiss for third place. third period and lost in Fiss pinned Russell junior overtime to senior Alex Regis Weiss in the conGarcia (20-6) of Dodge solation semis. Coomes City, ranked first in 6A. At 120, McPherson se- ended up fifth.

At 152, fifth-ranked nior Tim Prescott, ranked No. 2 in 4A and who won (4A) senior Razzy Morales (21-2) of Ulysses, by major decision 12-2 who won 3-1 over Ellis over Hays High senior senior Austin LoKevin Arnhold pez in the semiin the semipe GOODLAND HAS finals, defeated finals, lost by fin DEPTH TO COMPETE IN 5-2 junior Patrick major decision 5CLASS 3-2-1A. Weaver (No. 6, to freshman W MONDAY’S HDN 4A) from HugoIsaac Dulgar4A ian (28-1) of St. Thomas ton, who had h an 18-1 Aquinas, ranked first in technical ffall over GoodJohn 5A. Arnhold lost the fifthh fif h lland d sophomore h Peden in the semis. Lopez place match. finished third and Russell At 126, junior Dane senior Nash Karst lost his Edwards (24-3) from Dodge City, ranked No. 2 fifth-place match.

At 160, senior Jacob in 6A, pinned in the first period McPherson junior Eggers of Dodge City, Kaden Kretzer, who won No. 2 in 6A, won 6-0 8-3 over HHS senior Der- over Ellis senior Riley ek Stiles in the semifinals. Hunsicker in the semis, In the third-place match, then led 1-0 entering the third period over Oakley Stiles won 2-0 in oversenior Eric Albers in the time over Phillipsburg’s finals. But Albers (24-0) Mason Bannister.

At 132, Phillipsburg ju- got a takedown with 32 Going into the finals, Hays High was in first place with 168 1⁄2 points, with St. Thomas Aquinas second with 161 1⁄2, and McPherson in third with 161.

St. Thomas Aquinas had five wrestlers in the finals, with Hays High three and McPherson also with three.

Thomas More PrepMarian finished with six points. Senior 126-pounder Dylan Schumacher, a three-time state champion in Class 3-2-1A, did not wrestle due to an injury.

B3 THE HAYS DAILY NEWS SUNDAY, JAN. 22, 2012 WATCH FOR BREAKING NEWS AT

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TMP girls fifth

RAYMOND HILLEGAS • HAYS DAILY NEWS

By CODY GIEFER sports@dailynews.net

HILLSBORO — The Ellis junior Gage Younger, top, wrestles TMP sophomore Austin J. Werth during their 145Thomas More Prep-Marian pound match during the first day of the Bob Kuhn Prairie Senior Classic on Friday at the girls’ basketball team entered HHS gym. the 2012 Trojan Classic as the defending champ, and left in seconds left and won 2-1. fifth place.

For third place, freshman The Monarchs beat RepubBen Ewing of St. Thomas lic County on Saturday 62-39, Aquinas, who had a 17-4 behind strong shooting and major decision over HHS balanced scoring. TMP had junior Kyler Meyers in three players in double figures, the consolation semis, lost and shot a combined 47 6-4 in three overtimes percent from the floor. Senior to Hunsicker. Meyers Jenna Lang led the Monarchs finished fifth after a 9-6 with 16 points, behind a 5-of-7 decision over McPherson shooting performance. Lang senior Jordan Sponsel. was a perfect 3-for-3 from At 170, Hays High the free throw line and 3-of-4 sophomore Preston Weifrom 3-point range. gel (26-0), ranked first in “The 3-point basket is Class 5A, won 7-0 over her spot,” TMP coach Alan junior Johnny Perz of Billinger said.

St. Thomas Aquinas. For The 3-point baskets by third place, Oakley junior Lang helped open the court Jason Bergkren pinned for senior Rachel Jacobs and senior Ty Haller of junior Heather Ruder. Jacobs, Hugoton.

Trego senior Ethan James, top, wrestles Hoisington senior who set the school’s new caAt 182, Goodland reer scoring record Friday, finCody Batt during their 220-pound match Friday. sophomore Tyler ished with 14 points and seven Gastineau lost 8-5 to match, WaKeeney-Trego third place, Rule was rebounds, while Ruder added Hoisington senior Eric senior Ethan James lost pinned by senior Coby 12 points for the Monarchs.

Hellerud (now 8-0 and 8-6 to Hoisington senior Morris of Spring Hill.

“When you can shoot the No. 4, 3-2-1A), who was Cody Batt. Phillipsburg At 220, Hays High 3-point shot and make it then a 4-1 winner over HHS senior Dillon Coomes lost it’s just going to open up the senior Cash Drylie (No. senior Brandon Weigel the fifth-place match.

2 5A, 25-1) had an 11-2 middle. That’s what it did for in the semifinals. Senior At 285, Hays High Rachel today,” Billinger said Tyler Higgins of Goddard major decision over senior Luke Madden lost McPherson senior AnTMP (9-3) fell behind 6-5 Eisenhower finished third, a 13-4 major decision to drew Archer in the semihalfway through the quarter, with Weigel fourth. senior Eric Mason (No. but Jacobs and Ruder each At 195, McPherson se- finals to make the finals, 1, 5A) of St. Thomas scored twice to help TMP go nior Taylor Krier pinned where he got a reversal with less than 30 seconds Aquinas. Trego senior on a 10-0 run to end the first HHS junior Chandler Dustin Zahn was pinned left for a 4-2 win over quarter with the Monarchs Rule in the semis to reach by senior Austin Crump ahead 16-6. the title match, where he Goodland senior Riley of Campus in the thirdOharah (25-1), No. 1 in “We were controlling the lost 6-4 to senior Laine place match..

3-2-1A. In the third-place boards and once we started Herl of Goodland. For shooting, we were on fire. We used our height advantage to grab the boards and get running down the court,” Billinger said.

SEE FIFTH, B5

Buzzer-beater sinks Hays High boys in seventh-place game at TOC

By GARRETT RITONYA Special to The Hays Daily News

DODGE CITY — Saturday afternoon’s contest between Hays High School and the Ulysses Tigers was each squad’s final shot in picking up a win at the 69th annual Tournament of Champions.

Despite finding themselves up nine with seven minutes to go, the Indians watched as their lead crumbled, as Ulysses’ Garrett Kissell made a layup with one second to play to give the Tigers a 40-38 victory at United Wireless Arena.

“I thought we played great, I truly did, I thought the first three quarters, and I’m not saying we played perfect basketball, but we played great,” HHS coach Rick Keltner said. “We communicated better, which I was really pleased with. Of course, we collapsed in the fourth quarter, which I’m not pleased with, but we will get better and we have to get tougher and we have a week to do so.”

The Indians encountered a bend, but don’t break Ulysses, a Class 4A squad that gave the larger teams a run in every game.

The first quarter was an indica-

RECORD,

FROM B2

She missed her first three shots in the fourth quarter before she was fouled with 1:27 left in the game.

Needing two points to tie, Jacobs — a 96 percent foul shooter who had only missed one all season — made her first at the line but missed the second.

“I thought, ‘Man, I jinxed her or something,’

WIN,

tion of the struggle between the two evenly matched teams, but Keltner had his boys firing on all cylinders, coming off a season-low 28 points on Friday in a loss to St. James Academy. After the Saturday loss, Hays High has scored 39 or fewer points in five straight games.

Derek Bixenman, the Indians’ six-foot junior and leading scorer, had a hot hand early, with two 3s in the see-saw first quarter.

Kissell matched the production for Ulysses.

The 6-5 senior worked the inside, sinking three of his eight buckets in the first half.

The Indians clawed their way to an 11-10 lead at the end of one, but couldn’t capitalize on opportunities, racking up seven turnovers in the first half.

Ulysses regained the lead momentarily on a Kissell field goal, but a trey from sophomore Lane Clark put the Indians back up by one as the second quarter came to an end.

The Indians controlled most

“ Billinger said. “We’re going to have to go another game.”

With the rest of the starters out of the game, Jacobs got her chance for the record when the ball was knocked out of bounds under the Monarch basket with less than a minute remaining. Billinger called an out-of-bounds play he just

FROM B2

“I thought we got out, ran the ball a lot better that second quarter,” Billinger added.

Ruder helped the Monarchs force eight turnovers in the second quarter, leading to layups at the other end. TMP (8-3) made its seven first shots of the second quarter — including three layups and

a jumper by Ruder. For the game, TMP scored 27 points off turnovers.

“What can you say about Ruder’s hands,” Billinger said. “My goodness, what a pest out there.

“Did a great job for us, getting steals and deflections and everything else,” he added.

of the quarter, building their lead to nearly double digits as Kade Parker and Bixenman continued to hit big shots.

With the final seconds ticking off the clock in the third, Clark set up the offense, then found Bixenman wide open at the top of the key, and the junior sank the buzzer-beater, giving the Indians a 34-26 lead entering the final period.

The Indians held the Tigers without a field goal in the third, and the drought continued through the first three minutes of the fourth, but Ulysses battled back, tying the game at 38 with less than a minute to play.

“We came out and played hard defensively, we’ve been practicing those long shots and today I was hitting them,” Bixenman said.

“We just need to get our defensive mindsets right and not give up leads like that.”

Ulysses junior Chase Newell threw up a three with less than10 seconds to go. The ball clanked off the rim and into the awaiting arms of Kissell, who put it back in for the two-point

lead as the final second ran off the clock, capping a 14-1 run by Ulysses to close the game.

Bixenman led all Hays High scorers with 16 points on 4-of-7 shooting from three-point land, while Parker finished with nine points. Brady Werth led the Indians on the boards with nine.

Even though the Tigers were only able to shoot 29 percent for the game, they hit 17-of-23 at the free throw line.

“I thought we made some good plays, but obviously, we just didn’t make enough of them,” Keltner said.

“We’re young, I know I keep saying that, but when you have young kids, there’s a chance you might get beat once in a while. So sometimes you have to measure your progress from things not on the scoreboard. Today I thought we showed some heart, came out and really battled and did some things that I’m really proud of.”

With the loss, the Indians fall to 4-8, and will next be in action on Jan. 31 at the HHS gym against Salina South.

“We’re going to get more physical,” Keltner said.

Wamego pulls away, beats TMP

By CODY GIEFER sports@dailynews.net

HILLSBORO — The Thomas More Prep-Marian boys’ basketball team started the third-place game against Wamego in the Trojan Classic strong with four quick points and a good presence on the boards. Wamego was later able to take control with the same type of game in a 46-36 win.

“I like a physical game.

I just want my kids to go in every game and play hard, physical and challenge the other team,” TMP coach Joe Hertel said.

Wamego used its size to force the Monarchs into missing second-chance opportunities on the offensive end all night. In the first quarter, the Red Raiders hit recently installed, setting said. “I was getting a little said.

6-of-7 from the floor inside Jacobs up for a corner trey. uptight.

“She’s just been an asset the paint to build a 12-9 lead Nothing but net. Jacobs had “I’m so glad it’s over,” he for four years — offensively, after one. the record. added. “She didn’t know defensively, rebounding; “We had a lot of close-in “I really liked finishing it anything about it, and I did. she broke the rebounding shots that we didn’t make. If off like that,” said Jacobs, I really honestly thought record earlier this year,” we had made them, it could known for her 3-point she would get it in the first Billinger said. “By the time have given us a cushion at shooting. half.” she’s done, she’s going to halftime instead of being Billinger was relieved the Jacobs, who has signed have a lot of records. even,” Hertel said. record fell. with Fort Hays State Uni“We’re very proud of her, In the second quarter “I certainly thought versity, isn’t done re-writing and thankful she’s on our the Monarchs again missed one more game,” Billinger the record book, Billinger team.” second-chance opportunities while allowing Wamego to maintain an 18-14 lead with three minutes remaining in the half. But, TMP went on an 8-4 run to end the quarter, and forced a 22-22 tie Gooodland (0-10) outRuder led all scorers with Once again, the Monarchs going into the break. Seniors scored TMP 17-16 in 19 points and added a game- were led by their big three of Drew O’Brien and Colby Schippers hit back-to-back the third quarter, as the high seven assists. Senior Jacobs, Lang and Ruder (50 3-pointers to tie the game.

Monarchs started out slow, forward Jenna Lang added a points).

“They were huge for us. making just one of their first double-double with 16 points “I know where they’re goThey gave us a huge lift and seven shots. and 10 rebounds, while ing to be on the court, where allowed us to stay in the But TMP, ranked No. 10 Jacobs scored 15 points, I need to be,” Jacobs said. game,” Hertel said. “Those in Class 3A, outscored Good- grabbed eight rebounds, Goodland got 10 points allowed us to come into the land 14-8 the rest of the blocked four shots and made each from sophomore twin second half pumped up.” period to lead by 20 (54-34) four steals. Senior Rebecca sisters Berkley and Brianna heading into the fourth.

Pray added 10 points.

White.

SEE THIRD, B5

SCOREBOARD B4 THE HAYS DAILY NEWS SUNDAY, JAN. 22, 2012 WATCH FOR BREAKING NEWS AT

HDNEWS.NET

Local Calendar Tuesday Hays High Wrestling (V/JV) vs. Dodge City at HHS gym, 4 p.m.

Boys’ swimming (V) at Great Bend, 4 p.m.

Thursday Hays High Girls’ basketball (V) at McPherson tournament, TBA Girls’ & boys’ basketball (9th) at Great Bend tournament, TBA TMP Girls’ & boys’ basketball (V/JV) at Hoisington, 6 p.m.

Boys’ basketbal (9th) at Hoisington, 4:30 p.m.

Felten Middle School Boys’ basketball (A) at Felten Invitational, TBA Kennedy Middle School Wrestling at Russell, 3:45 p.m.

Friday Hays High Girls’ basketball (V) at McPherson tournament, TBA Wrestling (V) at Garden City Invitational, noon TMP Wrestling (V/JV) vs. Plainville at Al Billinger Fieldhouse, 6 p.m.

Saturday Fort Hays Women’s & men’s basketball vs. NW Missouri at Maryville, Mo., 1 & 3 p.m.

Hays High Girls’ basketball (V) at McPherson tournament, TBA Girls’ & boys’ basketball (9th) at Great Bend tournament, TBA Wrestling (V) at Garden City Invitational, 10 a.m.

TMP Wrestling (JV) at Larned Invitational, 9 a.m.

Felten Middle School Boys’ basketball (A) at Felten Invitational, TBA

Sunday Fort Hays Wrestling at Kansas Cup at Baldwin City, 9 a.m.

Basketball College standings MIAA Men Conference Overall W-L W-L Missouri Southern 8-3 16-3 Northwest Missouri 7-3 13-3 Central Missouri 7-3 11-4 Washburn 7-3 13-5 Fort Hays 7-4 13-4 Pittsburg State 7-4 11-7 Emporia State 4-6 8-8 Southwest Baptist 4-6 11-8 Truman State 3-8 5-13 Lincoln 3-8 3-13 Missouri Western 1-10 6-11 Saturday’s results Mo. Southern 80, Truman 74 Washburn 78, Neb-Omaha 56 Pitt State 69, Mo. WEstern 67 Fort Hays 78, Lincoln 63 Central Mo. at Southwest Baptist (N) Today’s games NW Missouri at Emporia State, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday’s games Truman at Pitt State, 7:30 p.m.

NW Missouri at Washburn, 7:30 p.m.

SW Baptist at Lincoln, 7:30 p.m.

Mo. Western at Emporia, 7:30 p.m.

Central Mo. at Mo. Southern, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday’s games Emporia at Truman, 3 p.m.

Washburn at Mo. Western, 3:30 p.m.

Fort Hays at NW Missouri, 3:30 p.m Pitt State at Central Mo., 3:30 p.m.

Lincoln at Lindenwood, 4 p.m.

Mo. Southern at SW Baptist, 7:30 p.m.

Women Conference Overall W-L W-L Pittsburg State 10-1 16-2 Washurn 9-1 16-3 Emporia State 8-2 12-3 Central Missouri 6-4 12-4 Fort Hays 6-5 14-5 Lincoln 5-6 11-6 Truman State 5-6 10-6 Missouri Western 3-8 5-11 Northwest Missouri 2-8 4-13 Southwest Baptist 2-8 6-9 Missouri Southern 2-9 6-11 Saturday’s results Truman 72, Mo. Southern 53 Pitt State 86, Mo. Western 68 Lincoln 76, Fort Hays 75 (OT) Central Mo. at Southwest Baptist (N) Today’s games NW Missouri at Emporia State, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday’s games Truman at Pitt State, 5:30 p.m.

NW Missouri at Washburn, 5:30 p.m.

SW Baptist at Lincoln, 5:30 p.m.

Mo. Western at Emporia, 5:30 p.m.

Central Mo. at Mo. Southern, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday’s games Emporia at Truman, 1 p.m.

Washburn at Mo. Western, 1:30 p.m.

Fort Hays at NW Missouri, 1:30 p.m Pitt State at Central Mo., 1:30 p.m.

Mo. Southern at SW Baptist, 5:30 p.m.

Big 12 Men Conference Overall W-L W-L Kansas 6-0 16-3 Missouri 5-1 18-1 Baylor 4-2 17-2 Iowa State 4-2 14-5 Kansas State 3-3 14-4 Oklahoma 2-4 12-6 Texas 2-4 12-7 Oklahoma State 2-4 9-10 Texas A&M 2-4 11-7 Texas Tech 0-6 7-11 Saturday’s results Kansas State 66, Oklahoma State 58 Missouri 89,Baylor 88 Texas A&M 81, Oklahoma 75 Kansas 69, Texas 66 Iowa State 76, Texas Tech 52 Monday’s game Texas A&M at Kansas, 7 p.m.

(ESPN) Tuesday’s games Baylor at Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

Iowa State at Texas, 8 p.m.

Wednesday’s games Missouri at Oklahoma State, 6:30 p.m.

Kansas State at Texas Tech, 8 p.m.

(ESPNU) Saturday’s games Texas at Baylor, noon (CBS) Texas Tech at Missouri, 12:30 p.m.

Kansas at Iowa State, 1 p.m. (ESPN) Oklahoma State at Texas A&M, 3 p.m.

Oklahoma at Kansas State, 6 p.m.

Women Conference Overall W-L W-L Baylor 5-0 18-0 Kansas 4-1 15-2 Kansas State 4-1 13-4 Texas A&M 3-2 12-4 Oklahoma 4-2 12-5 Texas Tech 2-3 14-3 Oklahoma State 2-3 10-4 Texas 1-4 11-6 Missouri 0-5 10-6 Iowa State 0-4 9-6 Saturday’s results Oklahoma 73, Texas 67 Oklahoma State at Missouri, 4 p.m.

Got a score to submit? Send it to sports@dailynews.net or call (785) 628-1081 or (800) 657-6017 Texas A&m at Kansas (N) Kansas State at Baylor (N) Today’s game Texas Tech at Iowa State, 1:30 p.m.

(FSN) Tuesday’s game Texas A&M at Oklahoma State, 7 p.m.

Wednesday’s games Iowa State at Kansas State, 7 p.m.

Texas Tech at Kansas, 7 p.m.

Missouri at Texas, 7 p.m.

Thursday’s game Baylor at Oklahoma, 7 p.m. (FSN) Saturday’s games Kansas State at Oklahoma State, 11:30 a.m. (FSN) Texas at Texas tech, 2 p.m.

Oklahoma at Missouri, 4:30 p.m.

Kansas at Baylor, 7 p.m.

Sunday’s game Iowa State at Texas A&M, 1 p.m.

(FSN)

College boxscores Men Kansas 69, Texas 66 KANSAS (16-3) Robinson 8-16 1-4 17, Releford 2-7 0-2 4, Withey 2-7 8-9 12, Taylor 7-13 5-7 22, Johnson 4-8 0-0 9, Teahan 1-3 0-0 3, Wesley 1-2 0-1 2, Young 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-56 14-23 69.

TEXAS (12-7) Wangmene 0-2 0-0 0, Chapman 4-9 7-7 15, Lewis 1-6 0-0 3, Kabongo 1-4 0-0 3, Brown 7-26 7-7 24, McClellan 3-5 2-2 11, Bond 3-3 0-1 6, Holmes 2-6 0-0 4. Totals 21-61 16-17 66.

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 30 — 69 Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 39 — 66 3-Point Goals—Kansas 5-15 (Taylor 3-6, Teahan 1-3, Johnson 1-4, Releford 0-2), Texas 8-19 (McClellan 3-4, Brown 3-8, Kabongo 1-2, Lewis 1-3, Holmes 0-2).

Fouled Out—Kabongo.

Rebounds—Kansas 35 (Robinson 9), Texas 42 (Chapman 9). Assists—Kansas 10 (Taylor 4), Texas 14 (Brown 7). Total Fouls—Kansas 19, Texas 23. Technicals— Robinson, Wangmene. A—16,734.

Kansas State 66, Oklahoma State 58 KANSAS ST. (14-4) Samuels 3-9 6-10 12, Gipson 3-5 0-1 6, Rodriguez 3-8 6-11 14, McGruder 5-13 3-4 14, Spradling 1-5 6-8 8, Southwell 0-1 0-0 0, Irving 2-4 2-2 6, Ojeleye 1-4 0-0 2, Diaz 2-5 0-4 4, Jones 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-55 23-40 66.

OKLAHOMA ST. (9-10) Nash 1-4 2-2 4, Cobbins 3-4 2-3 8, B. Williams 2-7 5-6 9, Page 4-17 8-9 17, Brown 3-9 8-9 14, Guerrero 3-5 0-0 6, Soucek 0-0 0-0 0, Sager 0-0 0-0 0, George 0-0 0-0 0, Jurick 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 16-46 25-29 58.

Kansas State . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 35 — 66 Oklahoma State . . . . . . . . . . . .24 34 — 58 3-Point Goals—Kansas St. 3-14 (Rodriguez 2-4, McGruder 1-3, Irving 0-1, Southwell 0-1, Jones 0-1, Spradling 0-2, Samuels 0-2), Oklahoma St. 1-16 (Page 1-9, Brown 0-1, Nash 0-2, B. Williams 0-4).

Fouled Out—Brown, Gipson, Guerrero, B. Williams.

Rebounds—Kansas St. 50 (Samuels 12), Oklahoma St. 29 (Cobbins 8).

Assists—Kansas St. 6 (Rodriguez 3), Oklahoma St. 8 (Guerrero, Nash, Page 2). Total Fouls—Kansas St. 23, Oklahoma St. 28. Technicals—Gipson, Oklahoma St. Bench. A—10,338.

Fort Hays 78, Lincoln 63 LINCOLN (3-13, 3-8) Cedric Ridle 15-29 3-6 38, Matt Morris 6-8 4-5 19, Williams 0-7 4-4 4, Edmond 0-3 2-4 2, Heckemeyer 0-2 0-0 0, Motley 0-2 0-0 0. Totals — 21-51 13-19 63.

FORT HAYS (13-4, 7-4) Matt Simmons 6-9 1-4 13, Omar McDade 5-12 2-2 14, Tyrone Phillips 8-14 4-4 23, Lance Russell 7-10, McKenzie 1-8 0-0 2, Dayee 1-6 0-0 3, Morse 1-3 0-0 3, Dreiling 1-1 0-0 3, Ball 0-1 0-0 0, Rodenburg 0-1 0-0 0. Totals — 30-65 8-12 78.

Lincoln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 44 — 63 Fort Hays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 45 — 78 3-point goals — Lincoln 8-16 (Williams 0-1, Heckemeyer 0-1, Ridle 5-8, Motley 0-2, Morris 3-4); Fort Hays 10-27 (McDade 2-8, Phillips 3-4, Dayee 1-6, Morse 1-2, Dreiling 1-1, Ball 0-1, Russell 2-4, Rodenburg 0-1). Assists — Lincoln 8 (Williams 7); Fort Hays 21 (McDade 7).

Steals — Lincoln 4 (Four with 1); Fort Hays 7 (McKenzie 3). Blocks — Lincoln 0; Fort Hays 3 (Simmons 3).

Rebounds — Lincoln 31 (Morris 8); Fort Hays 40 (Simmons 16). Turnovers — Lincoln 12, Fort Hays 7. A — 2,936.

Women Lincoln 76 Fort Hays 75 (OT) LINCOLN (11-6, 5-6) Vivian Essuon 5-11 0-0 12, Jackeya Mitchell 4-100 1-1 13, Freddie Sims 4-14 5-5 16, Arriana Walker 8-19 2-2 19, Bria Dillard 4-9 2-2 10, Booker 3-12 0-1 6. Totals — 30-79 10-11 76 FORT HAYS (14-5, 6-5) Katelyn Edwards 15-24 1-2 33, Kate Lehman 10-16 1-7 21, Keyser 1-5 0-1 2, Sorenson 2-4 0-0 5, Bechard 3-7 2-2 9, Weiser 0-2 3-4 3, Brown 0-2 0-0 0, Nelson 0-2 0-0 0, Shaw 1-3 0-0 2, Durler 0-0 0-0 0. Totals — 32-65 7-16 75.

Lincoln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 29 6 — 76 Fort Hays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 31 5 — 75 3-point goals — Lincoln 6-13 (Mitchell 2-2, Sims 3-6, Walker 1-2, Emerson 0-2, Dillard 0-1); Fort Hays 4-19 (Keyser 0-3, Sorenson 1-2, Bechard 1-4, Edwards 2-5, Weiser 0-1, Brown 0-2, Nelson 0-1, Shaw 0-1). Assists — Lincoln 15 (Walker 6); Fort Hays 17 (Bechard 6). Steals — Lincoln 9 (Emerson 3, Walker 3); Fort Hays 3 (Three with 1); Blocks — Lincoln 4 (Booker 3); Fort Hays 14 (Lehman 8).

Rebounds — Lincoln 42 (Booker 10); Fort Hays 45 (Lehman 7, Bechard 7).

Turnovers — Lincoln 11, Fort Hays 16.

A — 2,436.

High school tourneys Tournament of Champions (at Dodge City’s United Wireless Arena) Thursday’s results Wichita East 60, Ulysses 39 Hutchinson 50, Manhattan 36 Wichita Heights 60, St. James Academy 43 Dodge CIty 43, Hays High 36 Friday’s championship semifinals Wichita East 64, Hutchinson 38 Wichita Heights 47, Dodge City 33 Friday’s consolation semifinals Manhattan 46, Ulysses 38 St. James Academy 49, Hays High 28.

Saturday’s finals Seventh place — Ulysses 40, Hays High 38 Fourth place — St. James Academy 47, Manhattan 43 Third place — Hutcinson 44, Dodge City 37 Championship — Wichita Heights vs.

Wichita East (N)

Trojan Classic (at Hillsboro High School) Boys First round Monday’s results TMP 63, Winfield 61 (OT) Hesston 60, Riley Co. 49 Tuesday’s results Hillsboro 65, Goodland 27 Wamego 40, Republic Co. 38 Semifinals Consolation bracket Republic Co. 57, Riley Co. 49 Winfield 77, Goodland 57 Championship bracket Hesston 43, Wamego 49 (OT) Hillsboro 51, TMP 36 Saturday’s finals Seventh-place — Riley Co. 59, Goodland 53 Fifth place — Winfield 62, Republic Co. 59 Third place — Wamego 46, TMP 36 Championship — Hesston vs. Hillsboro (N) Girls First round Monday’s results Riley Co. 59, Winfield 17 Hesston 49, Rebublic Co. 34 Tuesday’s results Wamego 57, TMP 43 Hillsboro 52, Goodland 13 Semifinals Consolation bracket Republic Co. 45, Winfield 31 TMP 64, Goodland 43

Championship bracket Riley County 44, Hesston 32 Hillsboro 57, Wamego 46 Saturday’s finals Seventh place — Winfield 60, Goodland 46 Fifth place —TMP 62, Republic Co. 39 Third place — Wamego vs. Hesston Championship game — Hillsboro vs.

Riley County (N)

High school rankings KBCA (Jan. 16) Boys Class 6A 1. Wichita Heights 2. Olathe Northwest 3. Blue Valley Northwest 4. Blue Valley North 5. Olathe South 6. Topeka Hight 7. Leavenworth 8. Wichita Northwest 9. Wichita East 10. Derby Class 5A 1. Lansing 2. Andover Central 3. Emporia 4. Goddard Eisenhower 5. Topeka Highand Park 6. St. Thomas Aquinas 7. Bishop Miege 8. Kapaun Mt. Carmel 9. K.C. Washington 10. Salina Central Class 4A 1. Ottawa 2. Basehor-Linwood 3. Buhler 4. Pratt 5. Topeka-Hayden 6. McPherson 7. Abilene 8. Andale 9. Wichita Collegiate 10. Parsons Class 3A 1. Scott City 2. Atchison County 3. Moundridge 4. Sedgwick 5. Rock Creek 6. Riley County 7. Hoisington 8. Nemaha Valley 9. Beloit 10. Silver Lake Class 2A 1. Meade 2. Sterling 3. Repbulic County 4. Plainville 5. Berean Academy 6. Medicine Lodge 7. Lyndon 8. Ness City 9. Smith Center 10. Oxford Class 1A, Division I 1. Ashland 2. Lakeside 3. Centralia 4. Flinthills 5. Macksville 6. South Gray 7. Hanover 8. South Haven 9. Udall 10. White City Class 1A, Division II 1. Hope 2. Baileyville-B&B 3. Wilson 4. Bern 5. Otis-Bison 6. Fowler 7. Moscow 8. Greeley County 9. Cheylin 10. Colony-Crest

Girls Class 6A 1. Olathe Northwest 2. Wichita Heights 3. Olathe South 4. Manhattan 5. Maize 6. Blue Valley North 7. Olathe East 8. Gardner-Edgerton 9. Shawnee Mission South 10. Shawnee Mission Northwest Class 5A 1. Blue Valley 2. Salina Central 3. Kapaun Mt. Carmel 4. Highland Park 5. Topeka Seaman 6. Wichita-Bishop Carroll 7. Andover 8. Hays High 9. Mill Valley 10. Newton Class 4A 1. Holton 2. McPherson 3. Ottawa 4. Bonner Springs 5. Abilene 6. Andale 7. Wamego 8. Pratt 9. Wellington 10. Colby Class 3A 1. Riley County 2. Hillsboro 3. Atchison County 4. Cimarron 5. Southwestern Heights 6. Garden Plains 7. Burlington 8. Frontenac 9. Remington 10. TMP-Marian Class 2A 1. Washington County 2. Berean Academy 3. Olpe 4. Smith Center 5. Oswego 6. Jefferson County North 7. Oakley 8. Republic County 9. Kinsley 10. Northern Heights Class 1A, Division I 1. St. John 2. Hoxie 3. Waverly 4. Coldwater-South Central 5. Thunder Ridge 6. Dexter-Cedarvale 7. Spearville 8. Deerfield 9. Pike Valley 10. Valley Heights Class 1A, Division II 1. Norwich 2. Wilson 3. Ingalls 4. Wetmore 5. Central Christian 6. Hope 7. Frankfort 8. Greeley County 9. Victoria 10. St. John’s-Tipton

High school boxscores Saturday Boys Oakley 51, Quinter 32 Oakley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 10 11 17 — 51 Quinter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 7 6 13 — 32 Oakley — K. Gabl 6, Moellering 2, Keller 5, Herl 10, Stewart 1, Llewellyn 13, Baalman 14.

Quinter — Waggoner 1, Crist 5, Reed 9, J. Ochs 4, B. Ochs 13.

Oberlin 60, Western Plains 21 Western Plains. . . . . . . . . . . 5 10 4 2 — 21 Oberlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 20 18 8 — 60 Western Plains — Beckkett 2, Mendez 2, Baker 2, Wentz 6, Ryersee 2, Moore 7.

Oberlin — May 4, Shields 2, James 22, May 16, McHugh 4, Bruggeman 4, Breth 4, Erickson 2, Berry 2.

Thunder Ridge 66 St. John’s-Beloit 62 (OT) St. John’s . . . . . . . . . . .10 11 18 13 10 — 62 Thunder Ridge. . . . . . . 6 13 14 19 14 — 66 St. John’s — Peters 2, Perez 4, Thomas 1, Dubbert 13, Kee 13, C. Eilert

14, L. Eilert 15.

Thunder Ridge — Lowe 8, Reed 3, Garrett Krueger 15, Austin Herman 19, Dylan Burtton 17, Larson 3, Atchison 1.

Girls TMP 62, Republic County 39 REPUBLIC COUNTY (8-3) Hobelman 2-4 0-2 4, Hedstrom 0-1 0-0 0, McCall 3-7 2-2 8, Anderson 2-7 0-0 4, Johnson 2-9 0-0 6, Jackson 0-0 0-0 0, Nutsch 1-7 2-2 4, Cottonmyre 5-11 3-4 13.

Totals – 15-46 7-10 39.

TMP (9-3) Mindrup 1-5 0-0 2, Schuckman 2-4 2-2 6, Pray 4-7 0-0 8, Rachel Jacobs 6-12 2-2 14 30, Heather Ruder 5-8 0-2 12, Gottschalk 1-1 0-0 2, Jenna Lang 5-7 3-3 16, Pfeifer 0-7 0-0 0, Younie 1-2 0-0 2 . Totals – 25-53 7-9 62.

Republic County . . . . . . . . . 6 3 13 17 – 39 TMP-Marian . . . . . . . . . . . .16 18 20 8 - 62 3-point goals – Republic County 2-8 (McCall 0-1, Johnson 2-7); TMP-Marian 5-15 (Mindrup 0-3, Pray 0-1, Jacobs 0-3, Ruder 2-2, Lang 3-4, Pfeifer 0-1, Younie 0-1). Fouls – Russell 11, TMP-Marian 11. Technical fouls – none. Fouled out – None.

Rebounds – Republic County 24 (Hobelman 7); TMP-Marian 25 (Jacobs 7). Turnovers – Republic County 17, TMP-Marian 12.

St. Francis 67 Western Plains 31 Western Plains. . . . . . . . . . 6 11 12 2 — 31 St. Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 14 21 6 — 67 Western Plains — Hair 7, Paredes 8, Fairbank 3, Jenner 4, Hagelganz 8 Darianna Schuckman 1.

St. Francis — Bandel 19, Neitzel 9, Mills 2, Hill 2, Schlepp 8, Brunk 4, Wiley 2, Figgins 22.

Quinter 51, Oberlin 36 Oberlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 5 12 13 — 36 Quinter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 7 18 13 — 51 Oberlin — Rouse 2, Soderlund 2, Hissong 3, Murray 9, Dorshorst 11, Klima 4, Baker 5.

Quinter — Zerr 9, Crist 7, Flax 12, Reed 9, Werth 12, Schneider 2.

Lincoln 53 Thunder Ridge 40 Lincoln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 16 12 9 — 53 Thunder Ridge. . . . . . . . . 6 10 10 14 — 40 Lincoln — Davied 1, Crist 5, Pittenger 4, Farris 28, Huskey 2, Pittman 7, Feldkamp 6.

Thunder Ridge — Schmid 6, Atchison 12, Kirchhoff 10, Boden 4, Bienhoff 8.

Friday Boys St. James Academy 49 Hays High 28 ST. JAMES ACADEMY (6-6) Huppe 1-8 0-0 2, Mayfield 0-1 0-0 0, Maskus 1-4 2-2 4, Leimbach 2-3 0-0 4, Krause 1-1 1-2 3, Frank 2-4 0-0 4, Enger 1-4 0-0 3, Eiser 0-0 0-0 0, Clint McCullough 13-21 0-2 27, Eckelman 0-0 0-2 0, Wittman 1-3 0-0 2. Totals – 22-49 3-8 49.

HAYS HIGH (4-7, 1-2) Niernberger 0-3 0-0 0, Petz 0-3 0-0 0, Lynd 0-2 0-0 0 Windholz 1-5 0-0 2, Clark 3-4 0-0 9, Downing 0-1 0-0 0, Rounkles 0-1 0-0 0, Cardinal 0-1 1-4 1, Parker 1-2 0-0 2, Derek Bixenman 4-11 3-4 12, Gonzales 1-3 0-0 2, Werth 0-4 0-0 0 Totals – 10-40 4-8 28.

St. James . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 10 15 14 – 49 Hays High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 6 11 3 – 28 3-point goals – St. James 2-14 (Huppe 0-4, Mayfield 0-1, Maskus 0-2, Leimbach 0-1, Enger 1-4, McCullough 1-2); Hays High 4-18 (Niernberger 0-1, Petz 0-3, Lynd 0-2, Windholz 0-2, Clark 3-4, Downing, 0-1, Bixenman 1-5). Fouls – St. James 12, Hays High 11. Technical fouls – none.

Fouled out – None.

Rebounds – St. James 35 (McCullough 10); Hays High 26 (Cardinal 6).

Turnovers – St. James 9, Hays High 11.

Hillsboro 51, TMP 36 HILLSBORO (9-3) Shaq Thiessen 5-12 1-2 13, Allen 1-6 0-0 2, Ollenburger 1-4 0-4 2, Weinbrenner 2-9 4-4 9, Wiebe 3-5 2-2 8, Dick 0-3 0-0 0, Moore 2-3 2-3 6, Christian Ratzlaff 5-12 0-0 11.

Totals — 19-54 9-15 51.

TMP (7-4) Hammeke 1-6 0-0 3, O’Brien 2-2 0-0 4, C. Schippers 3-4 0-0 6, Zimmerman 0-1 0-0 0, Lin 0-2 0-0 0, Fouts 1-6 2-2 4, P. Schippers 2-3 0-0 4, Pfeifer 2-4 1-2 5, Megaffin 0-0 0-0 0, Walters 0-0 0-0 0, Kelton Schuckman 2-8 6-6 10. Totals — 13-36 9-10 36.

Hillsboro . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 8 13 19 — 51 TMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 10 11 6 — 36 3-Point Goals — Hillsboro 4-11 (Thiessen 2-4, Ollenburger 0-1, Weinbrenner 1-2, Dick 0-1, Ratzlaff 1-3); TMP 1-4 (Hammeke 1-2, Lin 0-2). Fouls — Hillsboro 12, TMP 14. Fouled out — none. Technical fouls — O’Brien, TMP. Rebounds — Hillsboro 18 (Thiessen 6); TMP 30 (P. Schippers 8). Turnovers — Hillsboro 8, TMP 23.

Girls TMP 64, Goodland 43 TMP (8-3) Mindrup 0-0 0-0 0, Marsell 0-0 0-1 0, Schuckman 1-2 0-0 2, Rebecca Pray 4-9 2-2 10, Rachel Jacobs 6-15 1-2 15, Heather Ruder 9-15 0-0 19, Gottschalk 0-1 0-0 0, Jenna Lang 5-17 5-7 16, Pfeifer 1-5 0-0 2, Younie 0-2 0-0 0. Totals — 26-66 8-12 64.

GOODLAND (0-10) Bedore 2-5 1-2 6, Cochran 2-10 1-1 5, Berkley White 5-10 0-0 10, Brianna White 3-9 4-5 10, Winston 0-0 0-0 0, Hinger 0-6 0-0 0, Mayer 0-5 1-4 1, DeLaRosa 0-0 0-0 0, Siruta 3-8 2-2 9. Totals — 15-53 11-16 43.

TMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 24 16 10 — 64 Goodland . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 6 15 9 — 43 3-Point Goals — TMP 4-16 (Jacobs 2-3, Ruder 1-5, Lang 1-6, Younie 0-2); Goodland 2-11 (Bedore 1-1, Cochran 0-3, Br. White 0-4, Mayer 0-1, Siruta 1-2).

Fouls — TMP 15, Goodland 13. Fouled out — none. Technical fouls — none.

Rebounds — TMP 30 (Lang 10); Goodland 32 (Siruta 8). Turnovers — TMP 11, Goodland 22.

TV Calendar Today EXTREME SPORTS 2:30 p.m.

NBC — Winter Dew Tour, Pantech Invitational, at Killington, Vt. NFL FOOTBALL 2 p.m.

CBS — Playoffs, AFC Championship game, Baltimore at New England 5:30 p.m.

FOX — Playoffs, NFC Championship game, N.Y. Giants at San Francisco NHL 11:30 a.m.

NBC — Washington at Pittsburgh SOCCER 9:30 a.m.

FOX — Premier League, Manchester United at Arsenal TENNIS 8 p.m.

ESPN2 — Australian Open, round of 16, at Melbourne, Australia 2:30 a.m.

ESPN2 — Australian Open, round of 16, at Melbourne, Australia WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 1:30 p.m.

FSN — Texas Tech at Iowa St. 2 p.m.

ESPN2 — Iowa at Penn St. 3:30 p.m.

FSN — Colorado at Arizona 4 p.m.

ESPN2 — Louisville at Georgetown 5:30 p.m.

FSN — Washington St. at California 7:30 p.m.

FSN — Memphis at UAB

Monday MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 6 p.m.

ESPN — Syracuse at Cincinnati 8 p.m.

ESPN — Texas A&M at Kansas NBA BASKETBALL 7 p.m.

WGN — New Jersey at Chicago TENNIS 8 p.m.

ESPN2 — Australian Open, quarterfinals, at Melbourne, Australia 2:30 a.m.

ESPN2 — Australian Open, quarterfinals, at Melbourne, Australia

KU,

FROM B1

The Jayhawks still led by 14 early in the second half before Brown slowly started reeling them in.

Clint Chapman scored 15 and gave Texas its first lead at 59-58 with just over 5 minutes to play. Brown, who scored just four points in the first half, kept firing up shots in the second.

His 3-pointer with 3:20 to play put Texas up 64-60.

Brown, who had two 3-pointers reviewed by game officials earlier, turned and shook three fingers in the air after making it. Brown has averaged 26 points in Texas’ three straight losses but was just 7-of26 shooting against Kansas.

Kansas retook the lead on a three-point play by Taylor before Brown made two free throws. Kansas looked to be in trouble when Taylor then missed two from the line and Robinson missed a layup before Withey’s three-point play.

LOSS,

Brown had a chance to tie it before he missed with 15 seconds left. Kansas’ Travis Releford grabbed the rebound before Robinson’s final trip to the line.

Taylor said Kansas was determined to keep Brown from getting a good shot on the last play.

“He still got a good look.

That scared me,” Taylor said.

“He made his best plays late in the game.”

Texas has now lost five games by six points or less. The Longhorns had to replace all five starters this season and the youthful lineup has struggled to finish games.

Brown has shouldered much of the burden, often taking over the offense late in games.

“There’s no pressure,” Brown said. “I want to be a big-time player and big-time players need to make big-time shots.”

FROM B1

“I feel like we are not having trouble scoring the ball as a team,” Edwards said. “We are not playing the kind of defense that we were at the beginning of the season and that’s what hurt us, too. I think free throws are a big part of it, too.”

Fort Hays, receiving votes in the national rankings, lost its third in a row, and dropped to 14-5, 6-5 in the MIAA. Lincoln ended a five-game skid in MIAA play and moved to 11-6, 5-6 in the MIAA. Two of the Tigers’ three consecutive losses have come in overtime. All five of FHSU’s defeats have come within 11 points.

“You have to make some free throws,” Hobson said.

“If we continue to miss free throws down the stretch like that, we are going to lose close games.”

Freshman center Kate Lehman delivered another solid performance with 21 points, seven rebounds and a careerhigh eight blocks. However, Lehman, a 60 percent free throw shooter, went 1-of-7 from the foul line.

Junior Traci Keyser, Fort Hays’ school-record holder for single-season free throw percentage and an 88 percent free throw shooter this winter, missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 32 seconds left in regulation, and FHSU up 70-68. It marked Keyser’s first missed foul shot since Jan. 4.

“You can go right down the line,” Hobson said. “We’ve just got to get that out of our head and be more clutch. We have to make those.”

In the first half, Fort Hays committed 10 turnovers and Lincoln, the conference’s second-leading team in steals per game, collected eight steals.

The Blue Tigers outscored Fort Hays 15-6 in points off turnovers and led 41-39 at intermission. Junior Arriana Walker paced Lincoln with 19 points and three steals.

“We didn’t take care of the ball,” Hobson said. “We had 10 turnovers at the half, five or six we just gave to them. They weren’t forced. They were just loose plays by our guards and we weren’t strong with the ball. (Lincoln) is very quick,

athletic. On the ball defense is good. If you are half a count slow on your handling, they are going to get a hand on it.”

Fort Hays, led by Edwards and Lehman, took the lead at 55-53 with 8:42 left on a Lehman layup.

Lehman, averaging 15.7 points per contest in the last seven games, scored in her usual way: layups, turnaround jumpers and post moves.

Edwards scored often on the inside, but also displayed a long-range game for the first time all season.

Edwards had been hitting treys in practice, but Hobson said she’d been “reluctant” to take them in games. On Saturday, Edwards finished 2-of-5 on 3s. She was 0-of-3 for the season before the contest. In school annals, Edwards’ 15 field goals tied for fourth alltime for a single game. Her 33 points were two off the top-10 list in FHSU history.

“That used to be all that I did,” she said. “They were sagging off me and I just decided if they were going to do that, then I was going to have to do something else.”

Fort Hays pushed its lead to seven with 7:02 left in regulation, but the Tigers’ poor free throw shooting kept Lincoln in the game.

“I am dumbfounded by it,” Edwards said. “We are a lot better free throw shooters than what we showed tonight.”

FHSU had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but couldn’t get a good shot off. In the overtime, Fort Hays led 75-74 on an Edwards layup with 1:38 left.

Lincoln started the gamewinning possession with 32 seconds remaining. Walker missed two jumpers before Edwards fouled Dillard near the basket when she turned to shoot.

“I thought I might go and get my hand on it and then she turned into me,” Edwards said. “I thought we had the rebound and I was probably in bad position to begin with.”

Fort Hays will have a week off before they travel to Northwest Missouri State University next Saturday for the start of a three-game road trip.

MONARCHS, But TMP was held scoreless over the final 5:25 — getting off just two shots — as Hillsboro went on a 9-0 run to end the game.

“It was a battle,” Hertel said. “It was a battle Hillsboro deserved to win tonight.”

TMP had trouble getting into its offense against Hillsboro’s aggressive, manto-man defense. TMP had 23 turnovers to Hillsboro’s eight.

“The biggest thing, we flat could not separate to get open,” Hertel said.”They were all over us like you know what.”

Hillsboro’s defense was just a little too good at times, Hertel said.

“I thought there was a little bit of holding going on coming off the picks,” Hertel said. “They played hard and they played tough — they really took us completely out of our offense.

FROM B2

“They’re just quicker than we are,” he added. “When they’re quicker and they’re willing to play out there high, you got to be really sharp the way you execute your offense. We turned it over way too many times.”

Senior center Kelton Schuckman led TMP with 10 points off the bench.

Senior forward Pierce Schippers grabbed a game-high eight rebounds as TMP outrebounded Hillsboro 30-18.

“I like what Kelton did,” Hertel said. “... I thought he played better than the last couple games.”

Hillsboro got a game-high 13 points from Thiessen off the bench.

“From the film I see, that kid belongs in the starting lineup,” Hertel said. “I did nothing but praise the kid all week, based on what I’d seen. He didn’t disappoint me — he has game, and a lot of it.”

No. 5 Missouri holds on for win at Baylor WACO, Texas (AP) — Ricardo Ratliffe scored a career-high 27 points and No. 5 Missouri held on for an 89-88 victory over No. 3 Baylor after a furious late rally Saturday by the Bears.

Ratliffe had a big twohanded slam dunk midway through the second half when he scored six points in an 8-0 spurt that put the Tigers (18-1, 5-1 Big 12) up 68-58. Missouri still had a 10-point lead with 3:07 left then didn’t score again until Ratliffe’s two free throws with a minute left.

Missouri had to make 10 of 12 free throws in the final minute for the victory.

Marcus Denmon’s free throw with 4 seconds left made it 89-85 before Brady Heslip hit a game-ending 3-pointer for Baylor (17-2, 4-2), which has lost two in a row after a 17-0 start.

Quincy Miller led Baylor with 29 points while Pierre Jackson had 20 points and 15 assists. Quincy Acy had 18 points with nine rebounds while Heslip had 10 points.

Jackson had 11 points and three assists in the final 2:06 when Baylor closed the game with a 19-10 run.

Jackson started that when he drove and was fouled, yelling out “and one!” before he even hit the floor and the ball fell through the hoop.

He made the free throw, cutting the deficit to 79-72.

After Denmon’s last free throw, his fifth in the final 33 seconds, Jackson tried to throw up a 3-pointer and draw a foul in the same motion. The ball wound up in Heslip’s hands along the left wing with no one around him.

Phil Pressey had 18 points for the Tigers while Denmon had 15 and Kim English 10.

SPORTS B5 THE HAYS DAILY NEWS SUNDAY, JAN. 22, 2012 WATCH FOR BREAKING NEWS AT

HDNEWS.NET

FIFTH,

FROM B3

TMP took over the game in the second quarter, scoring 11 straight points before missing. The Monarchs forced Republic County (8-3) into five turnovers and a 1-of-15 shooting performance in the second quarter.

“We were not shooting well today. We were missing open shots,” said Republic County assistant coach Molly Williams, who was filling in for head coach Jake Lull.

TMP held Republic County to three second quarter points, building a a 34-9 lead going into halftime.

The third quarter saw the Monarchs continue to roll, compiling a 54-22 lead going into the final quarter. The Monarchs were 4-of-4 on free throws in the quarter, and TONY GUTIERREZ • ASSOCIATED PRESS finished the game 7-of-9 at Missouri’s Kim English, Phil Pressey, center, and Ricardo Ratliffe, right, celebrate after Baylor’s Pierre Jackson fouled the line. With the Monarchs Pressey in the second half of Saturday’s game in Waco, Texas. largest lead leading 52-18, Billinger used his bench.

Florida State 76 secutive turnovers by JackThe Tigers, who have The top two scoring and “It was very good experiNo. 4 Duke 73 won four in a row since their son. Ratliffe’s layup after shooting teams in the Big ence for them. They needed it, DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Michael Pressey’s steal made it 68-58 Snaer hit a 3-pointer as time expired loss at Kansas State two 12 certainly lived up to that because this was a quick team and Florida State beat No. 4 Duke 76-73 with 8 minutes left. weeks ago, led only 58-56 billing in the league’s first and it was good to have them on Saturday, snapping Duke’s 45-game Missouri led 39-35 at the top-five matchup that didn’t midway through the second homecourt winning streak. tested against that quickness,” With the game tied, Luke Loucks half after a 6-0 run that inhalf when Pressey had a involve either Kansas or Billinger said. sprinted up the middle of the court cluded consecutive putback turnover.

Texas. before zipping a pass over to Snaer With reserve players in on the right side in front of the FSU baskets.

Heslip tried a 3-pointer Missouri shot 55 perfor TMP during the fourth bench. Snaer quickly launched a shot By that point, the Tigers and appeared to be hit when cent (30 of 55), and Baylor that dropped cleanly through the net, quarter, Republic County stunning the once-rowdy crowd at Camhad a 14-0 advantage in finished at 57 percent (36 of he shot, but there was no made a run. The Buffaloes eron Indoor Stadium and sending the second-chance points and foul and coach Scott Drew 63).

Seminoles’ bench spilling onto the court outscored TMP 17-8 in the in celebration. its 10 offensive rebounds was called for a technical Baylor was coming off a fourth quarter, led by Michelle Snaer scored 14 points — including were only one fewer than the a banked-in 3 to beat the buzzer on the foul.

92-74 loss at No. 7 Kansas Cottenmyre, who led the Buffs final play of the first half — and the Bears’ total rebounds. MisDenmon made both of that ended the Bears’ record with 13 points — 11 in the Seminoles (13-6, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conthose free throws, then after souri finished with a 32-26 17-game winning streak. ference) won their fourth straight game. second half.

Austin Rivers had 19 points and tied rebounding edge, and 18-11 a layup by Acy, Ratliff had The loss to Missouri ended the game on a driving basket with 4.9 their 10-game home winning his big dunk and added two advantage on second-chance seconds left for the Blue Devils (16-3, 4-1). points. free throws between constreak.

Kansas State picks up rare win in Stillwater, downs OSU

THIRD,

FROM B3

The TMP perimeter defense forced Wamego into an 0-for-7 shooting performance from behind the 3-point line across midcourt to score the first win in Stillwater since STILLWATER, Okla. in the first half. Wamego was next eight.

1993. It was the team’s longest (AP) — Frank Martin was in also held to 36 percent shootRodriguez stole a backdoor ing in the game, 38 percent losing streak in any conference disbelief that Kansas State’s pass and got fouled while con- in the first half. lead could be slipping away in venue, starting when both verting a fast-break layup. He teams were in the Big Eight.

Gallagher-Iba Arena again.

The second half was a demissed the free throw but the “We got the W in Stillwater.

He’d seen a lead fade with fensive battle with both teams rebound went out of bounds I’ve never won in this place, a series of turnovers his first exchanging turnovers and no to Kansas State, and Thomas and it feels good to win,” time coaching in the building. team scoring in the first two Gipson scored underneath A rebound bounced off one of Samuels said. minutes of the third quaralso while getting fouled. He, “It’s good to get a road win his players’ heads to spark an ter. Junior Isaac Poe scored too, missed the free throw and Wamego’s first five points Oklahoma State rally the next in the Big 12, and to be in StillSamuels tipped it in. An Okla- of the half to help the Red water makes it a lot better.” time he was back. homa State turnover on the Keiton Page had 17 points This time had a different Raiders build a 35-28 lead inbounds play led to another on 4-for-17 shooting to lead ending. going into the final quarter. bucket by Gipson underneath. Poe finished with a team high Freshman Angel Rodriguez Oklahoma State, and Markel The Cowboys finally crossed 15 points, including six in the Brown scored 14. scored 14 points in his second the center line before Gipson’s third quarter.

Brown converted a threestart, Jamar Samuels added 12 hook shot made it 21-11 with point play off a steal that led points and 12 rebounds and TMP (7-5) struggled from 10:34 left before halftime. to a two-handed slam during No. 25 Kansas State snapped the field in the second half, Michael Cobbins led Okla- missing their first five shots a string of nine straight points an 11-game losing streak at homa State back, converting a before senior Jacob Fouts Gallagher-Iba by beating Okla- for the Cowboys to get the lead homa State 66-58 on Saturday. down to four. Page’s 3-pointer SUE OGROCKI • ASSOCIATED PRESS pair of three-point plays during scored halfway through the a 10-0 response. The second, from the left wing — Okla“Every year I’ve been here, third quarter.

Kansas State guard Angel Rodriguez, left, celebrates late off of a two-handed dunk of homa State’s only make in 16 something’s happened where Following Fouts’ basket, in the game against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla. on LeBryan Nash’s alley-oop, attempts from 3-point range we’ve unraveled and K-State senior Nick Hammeke made Saturday. got the Cowboys back within hasn’t won here since ‘93. You — cut it to 59-56 with 2:01 what appeared to be a trey, 24-23 with 3:58 to go before remaining. know these things,” Martin but the shot was ruled just the half.

Kansas State didn’t allow said. “I don’t tell them that. while playing without top shot ended up much the same. inside the arc. After the The Cowboys then missed another point until Page’s “You sit there and you’re “That’s going to be a tough blocker Jordan Henriquez, call, Wamego junior Brady their final three shots of the jumper at the buzzer, secursaying, ‘This can’t happen who was suspended indefinitely night for us when it’s played Hemphill made two free ing the victory at the foul line again.’ I was real proud of for conduct detrimental to the like that,” Ford said. “This time first half and 10 straight to start throws from a technical foul despite making only 23 of 40 the way that they stayed the next year, we’ll be able to battle the second half. team. on the TMP bench.

Brown finally snapped the free throws during the game. course.”

There were 52 fouls called in — when these guys get a little From there, it went “This is one of most The Wildcats (14-4, 3-3 a physical game, and Cowboys bigger and stronger and we get drought with a layup that led downhill for the Monarchs, to a three-point play with 8:57 as Wamego (3-6) was able to intimidating places that I’ve Big 12) held Oklahoma State other players back.” coach Travis Ford — who ever coached a basketball game earned a technical foul late in without a made basket for a Both teams entered the day remaining, and the Cowbuild and maintain a doublein,” Martin said. “The crowd, the first half — suggested there stacked up in a four-way tie for boys were still within striking 15-minute stretch spanning digit lead in the fourth distance down 46-36 but never quarter. the way it sits right on top of halftime, building up a 46-33 fifth place in the conference, could have been 102. could overcome the deficit. you, it seems like the court is lead after Will Spradling’s along with Texas and Okla“That was a wild deal, that “We couldn’t connect of“Defense is always the runner in the lane with 9:08 to smaller because everything is so game. That takes the game homa. fensively. Scoring that few in play. Then, they held off a late congested there.

Kansas State charged ahead most important thing in our back,” Ford said. “Good grief.” a half has been an Achilles “It’s awesome. I mean, it’s charge as the Cowboys (9-10, to stay with a 13-0 run midway team. That’s how we play,” Ford said he spent the two heel for us this year,” Hertel Rodriguez said. “We knew incredible.”

2-4) pulled within 59-56 with through the first half, getting days before the game marvelsaid. that it wasn’t going to be an McGruder, who had been just over 2 minutes left. the first 11 points in a 40ing at how roughly Kansas The Monarchs, led by easy game here. We took the averaging 22.7 points over the State’s previous game against Rodriguez and Rodney second span. Rodriguez hit a eight points for Fouts, shot 22 McGruder combined to make previous seven games, finished Texas had been and feeling 3-pointer from the left wing to challenge, we stepped up and percent from the field in the with 14. The Wildcats had a seven of 10 free throws down grateful his team hadn’t played get it started, and the Wildcats played good ‘D’ and it gave us second half, only connecting a win.” the stretch to seal the Wildcats’ 50-29 rebounding advantage in it — until the Cowboys’ turn didn’t even have to go back on 5-of-23.

TIGERS,

FROM B1

Fort Hays, ranked No. 25 in NCAA Division II, won its third straight contest, and earned its first home victory since Dec. 17. The Tigers improved to 13-4, 7-4 in the MIAA and remain one game out of first place. Lincoln dropped to 3-13, 3-8 MIAA. “I thought for the most part, we were playing hard, you just worry about the sharpness,” Johnson said. “You can’t have excuses. If you want to do good, you’ve got to do it. If it was easy to be good, every team in America would be good.

No team would have a losing record. It takes hard work, but also besides the hard work, it takes focus. At times, we struggled to focus.”

Senior Karron McKenzie, the

team’s leading scorer, had just two points, while senior point guard Kendrick Morse had only three.

“I don’t feel like it was a mental or a physical thing,” Johnson said. “I think our bodies were moving. When you are not sharp, you just don’t play well. I don’t know, a couple of us still weren’t quite over (the road trip), and weren’t as sharp as they needed to be.”

But four players — Simmons, Omar McDade, Lance Russell and Tyrone Phillips — enjoyed big performances.

Simmons collected 13 points, 16 rebounds and four assists for his fourth double-double of the year.

Russell set his career high with 17 points, while McDade

(14 points) and Phillips (teamhigh 23 points) were each one off their career bests. They helped Fort Hays build a 16point lead late in the first half and lead 33-19 at intermission.

Lincoln junior guard Cedric Ridle had all 19 of his team’s points in the first half and finished with a game-high 38 on 15-of-29 shooting.

“Luckily, we had those four guys to get that done,” Johnson said. “At times, I thought we played pretty well and did some good things, at times we didn’t.

It was just a very inconsistent performance.”

Simmons, known for his rebounding, defense and passing ability, enjoyed his most points in a single game since Dec. 17 and finished one off his season-

high for assists. He had his third consecutive double-digit rebounding performance and 10th of the season.

“It’s not really about points for me,” he said.

“I like to come in and do whatever I can to help the team win. If that means score zero points and grab 40 rebounds, it doesn’t matter to me. I will set as many screens as it takes, go get as many rebounds as I can, whatever helps the team win.”

Phillips, who also helped the team start strong in Wednesday’s victory versus ESU, enjoyed 14 first half points.

He finished 8-of-14 from the field and 3-of-4 from 3-point range.

“He has got a little bit of quickness and what he can do

with his quickness is get himself open,” Johnson said. “Not necessarily off the bounce, but just off screens, moving.”

Russell and McDade had combined for four double figure performances before Saturday, three by McDade. Russell finished 7-of-10 from the field, while McDade was 5-of-12 with a team-high seven assists and one turnover.

“At the Emporia game and then today, (Omar) has played some of his better basketball,” Johnson said. “…Lance was really big in the second half and played well.”

Fort Hays will have a week off before they travel to Northwest Missouri State University next Saturday for the start of a three-game road trip.

NFL B6

49ers, Giants renew playoff rivalry

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Giants boasted a physical, intimidating defense with WATCH FOR BREAKING NEWS AT athletic linebackers and stout HDNEWS.NET linemen capable of stifling the NFL’s most productive offenses. San Francisco featured Colts owner: Coach to be a high-powered passing attack led by an eventual Hall of picked next week Fame quarterback in his prime with receivers capable of turnINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Colts owner Jim Irsay ing short passes into big gains. says the Indianapolis team When the San Francisco expects to decide on a new 49ers host the New York Gihead coach next week. ants in the NFC championship Irsay made the announce- game Sunday for a shot at ment on his Twitter account the Super Bowl, the matchup Saturday. conjures memories from a Irsay’s tweet read: “The previous era of this great (hash)1 pick debate will rage rivalry — even if the roles are on,what a great year to have somewhat reversed. it..the HC search is wide The elite quarterback now ranging n thorough,decision is New York’s Eli Manning, by mid 2 late next week.”

The Colts fired coach Jim who connects on big plays to Hakeem Nicks and Victor Caldwell on Tuesday after Cruz in a similar fashion to three seasons. The team how Joe Montana and Jerry went to the Super Bowl durRice did for the dominant ing Caldwell’s first year, but Niners in the 1980s. finished a dismal 2-14 this San Francisco’s current season.

The day after they locked front seven led by relentless deup the No. 1 overall draft fensive lineman Justin Smith, pick, Irsay fired team vice rookie pass-rushing specialchairman Bill Polian and his ist Aldon Smith and fierce son, general manager Chris. linebackers Patrick Willis and The Colts played the NaVorro Bowman resembles season without Peyton Man- that old Giants group featurning, who had his third neck ing Hall of Famers Lawrence surgery in September.

Taylor and Harry Carson.

And who could have preSteelers sign former dicted this surprising pairing?

The Giants (11-7) toppled Heisman winner Troy Smith defending champion Green Eds: APNewsNow. Bay 37-20 last Sunday when PITTSBURGH (AP) — everybody figured the road The Pittsburgh Steelers to the Super Bowl would have signed 2006 Heisman go through Lambeau Field.

Trophy quarterback Troy Instead, New York is traveling Smith to a reserve/futures West to San Francisco to face contract. the upstart 49ers (14-3) in a Smith spent three seameeting of franchises with so sons with the Baltimore Ravens from 2007-09, beat- many fresh faces on the big stage. ing the Steelers as a rookie Jim Harbaugh’s “mighty starter in 2007. He was with men” as he calls them stunned the San Francisco 49ers in 2010. He last played with the Drew Brees and the favored Omaha Nighthawks of the Saints 36-32 when Alex Smith United Football League. hit Vernon Davis for the gamePittsburgh quarterbacks winning 14-yard touchdown Byron Leftwich and Charlie with 9 seconds remaining.

Batch will become unreSmith knows both the stricted free agents in the 49ers and Giants showed it’s offseason, and Smith gives anybody’s game come playoff the team depth heading into time. mini-camp and organized “Look at last week, I think team activities. everybody thought the road The Steelers also signed was going to go through Lamcornerback Walter McFadbeau. I think everybody asden, who played for the sumed the NFC championship Oakland Raiders in 2010 game was going to get played and split his time between there and look what happens,” the Raiders and the CincinSmith said. “These teams at nati Bengals in 2011.

THE HAYS DAILY NEWS SUNDAY, JAN. 22, 2012

Pittsburgh also signed wide receivers Tyler Beiler, David Gilreath, Derrick Williams and Jimmy Young.

Mularkey adds 4 more assistants to staff JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — New Jacksonville Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey has added four more coaches to his staff.

Mularkey hired special teams coordinator John Bonamego, running backs coach Sylvester Croom, tight ends coach Bobby Johnson and receivers coach Jerry Sullivan on Friday.

Bonamego spent last season as an assistant special teams coach in New Orleans. This will mark his second time in Jacksonville.

He worked for the Jaguars from 1999 to 2002, spending his final season as special teams coordinator.

The 57-year-old Croom spent the last three years as running backs coach in St. Louis. Johnson spent the past two seasons as assistant offensive line coach for Buffalo following 15 years at the college level.

The 65-year-old Sullivan did not coach in 2011. He previously served as receivers coach/senior assistant for San Francisco (200510).

BEN MARGOT • ASSOCIATED PRESS

San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith passes against the Saints during last Saturday’s game in San Francisco. this point, everybody’s as good as each other and it’s all going to come down to how you execute on that day. We’re all capable of beating each other, that’s for sure.”

Smith and Manning each orchestrated five fourthquarter comebacks during the regular season, yet Manning missed in a 27-20 loss at San Francisco on Nov. 13 when Justin Smith batted away his last-ditch pass attempt on fourth down in the waning moments.

“This is about the NFC championship. It’s an opportunity to get this win and go on to the Super Bowl,” Manning said. “We played them once before. We know they’re a good team. There’s no denying that. They’re playing great football. They’re playing with great confidence. It’s going to be exciting going out there and having another shot and seeing what we can do.”

Niners long snapper Brian Jennings is the only one left on either side from San Francisco’s last trip to the playoffs in January 2003, when the 49ers rallied for a stunning 39-38 comeback victory against the Giants at Candlestick Park.

San Francisco also had beaten New York during the regular

two franchises faced off in the conference championNew York Giants at San Francisco 49ers ship the game finished in Today. • 5:30 p.m. • FOX memorable fashion. On Jan. 20, 1991, Roger Craig Regular-season • Postseason stats fumbled with the 49ers lead9-7 • (2-0) 13-3 • (1-0) ing 13-12 late in the fourth OFFENSE quarter and the Giants went Total yards (avg.): 310.9 Total yards (avg.): 385.1 on to win 15-13 to deny San Passing Rushing Passing Rushing Francisco a chance at a third 295.9 89.2 183.1 127.8 straight Super Bowl title.

Postseason: 431.0 Postseason: 407.0 New York then beat the Bills 297.5 133.5 264.0 143.0 to capture its second Super Bowl.

DEFENSE Yards allowed (avg.): 308.2 These teams met six times Yards allowed (avg.): 376.4 in the playoffs between the Passing Rushing Passing Rushing 1981 and ‘94 seasons with 230.9 77.2 255.1 121.2 the winner going on to win Postseason: 317.5 Postseason: 472.0 the Super Bowl four times.

212.0 105.5 435.0 There shouldn’t be too 37.0 SCORING (PPG) many elements of surprise 24.6 Points for 23.8 Points for Sunday considering how 14.3 Pts. allowed 25.0 Pts. allowed recently they last played, though Harbaugh is always Postseason Postseason good for a few tricks.

30.5 36.0 “That first game has 11.0 32.0 nothing to do with what happens Sunday night,” GiSOURCE: National Football League AP ants safety Antrel Rolle said.

Davis had a career day season that year. him immediately after beating It’s sold out for Sunday’s the Saints with the thoughtful against New Orleans with seven catches for 180 yards game with rain in the forecast invite. as the 49ers look for their first Fittingly, DeBartolo owned — the most yards receiving trip to the NFC title game the team from 1977-98, when by a tight end in a playoff game — so the Giants since the 1997 season. Former the 49ers won five Super 49ers owner Eddie DeBarBowls. He was affectionately certainly will try to neutralize him and put constant tolo Jr. will serve as honorary known as “Mr. D” to his pressure on a never-morecaptain after team president players and coaches. and nephew, Jed York, called The only other time these confident Smith.

NFC C H A M P I O N S H I P

Pats’ offense meets Ravens’ defense for AFC title

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.

(AP) — Tom Brady and the New England Patriots made it to the AFC championship game with a high-powered offense that piled up points and yards.

Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens got there with a hard-hitting defense that made it a major challenge for opponents to move the ball.

On Sunday, one of those teams will advance to the Super Bowl because, most likely, of what they do best.

“We’ve got our hands full this week,” Lewis said. “You watched what they did last week against Denver, just the way they came out and ran their offense, how efficient (Brady) was, how many different receivers he hit with the ball.

I think their offense, period, is playing at a very high level.”

From start to finish, Brady picked apart the Denver defense in a 45-10 divisional playoff win.

The Patriots (14-3) needed five plays to score on their first series on Brady’s 7-yard pass to Wes Welker. It took them seven plays to reach the end zone on their second series on

Brady’s 10-yard pass to Rob Gronkowski. By halftime, Brady had thrown five of his six touchdown passes.

He had plenty of time to survey the field as the Broncos put little pressure on him. The Ravens don’t plan to let that happen.

“You don’t want him back there just like, ‘Oh, we’re just going to play catch today,”’ Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “You don’t want him to zone in, get in his zone, so to say. So I think pressure is going to be crucial, but it’s always crucial. But, particularly when you are playing these type of quarterbacks, it’s pivotal.”

Brady’s regular season was exceptional, even by his lofty standards. He threw for 5,235 yards, second most in NFL history, with 39 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and the league’s third best quarterback rating of 105.6, behind only Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees.

The Patriots, with Welker and Gronkowski doing most of the damage, were second in the NFL with 428 yards per game and third with an average of

32.1 points.

“It’s a very clever offense,” Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said. “It’s well put together.”

Just like the Ravens defense.

Baltimore (13-4) allowed the third fewest average yards, 288.9, and points, 16.6, this season. It had four takeaways in last Sunday’s 20-13 divisional playoff win over the Houston Texans, the last by Ed Reed with 1:51 left. Lewis had a team-high seven tackles.

“They’re great players.

I’ve played against both those guys quite a few times,” Brady said. “You always enjoy going up against the best because you can really measure where you’re at. You can’t take plays off against those guys. You can’t take things for granted when you’re out there against them. You have to see where they’re at on every play because they’re guys who change the game.”

And don’t forget Suggs. He led the AFC with 14 sacks, and, with Lewis and Reed were picked as Pro Bowl starters this season.

The Ravens have a “very attacking type defense,” Welker

AFC C H A M P I O N S H I P

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots Today. • 2 p.m. • CBS Regular-season • Postseason stats

12-4 • (1-0)

OFFENSE Total yards (avg.): 428.0 Passing Rushing

Total yards (avg.): 338.7 Passing Rushing

213.9 124.8 Postseason: 227.0 140.0 87.0

317.8

110.2

Postseason: 509.0 363.0 146.0

Yards allowed (avg.): 288.9 Passing Rushing

196.2

13-3 • (1-0)

DEFENSE Yards allowed (avg.): 411.1 Passing Rushing

92.6

293.9

Postseason: 315.0 184.0 131.0

117.1

Postseason: 252.0 108.0 144.0 SCORING (PPG)

24.6 Points for 16.6 Pts. allowed

32.1 21.4

Postseason

Points for Pts. allowed

Postseason

20.0 13.0

45.0 10.0

SOURCE: National Football League

said. “They’re very physical.

They run to the football really well. They rush well, cover well, tackle well across the board. They have a lot of great players and a lot of playmakers.”

But they haven’t faced a

AP

passing attack with the weapons the Patriots have. Welker led the NFL with 122 catches and 1,569 yards receiving.

Gronkowski was fifth with 90 catches and set an NFL record of 17 touchdown catches by a tight end.

Packers’ offensive coordinator Philbin accepts Dolphins coaching job MIAMI (AP) — A month of wrenching emotion for Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin took another turn Friday when he landed the Miami Dolphins’ head coaching job.

The deal was sealed less than two weeks after Philbin’s 21-yearold son drowned in an icy Wisconsin river. The Dolphins confirmed the hiring in a news release and plan a news conference Saturday.

Philbin, who has never been a head coach, first interviewed with Miami on Jan. 7. The body of son Michael, one of Philbin’s six children, was recovered the next day in Oshkosh.

After spending a week away from the Packers, Philbin rejoined

the team last Sunday for its diviPhilbin, Denver Broncos offensive sional playoff loss to the New York coordinator Mike McCoy and Giants.

Todd Bowles, the Dolphins’ interim Philbin has been with Green coach at the end of the season.

Bay since 2003, serving as offensive “Joe has all the attributes that we coordinator since 2007. were looking for when we Coach Mike McCarthy started this process,” Ross called the plays, but said in a statement. “Jeff Philbin put together the Ireland and I felt Joe was game plan for one of the right choice to bring the the NFL’s most prolific Dolphins back to the success offenses. we enjoyed in the past.”

The Dolphins’ top The Dolphins are comchoice, Jeff Fisher, turned ing off a third consecutive them down a week ago to losing season, their longest Philbin become coach of the St. such stretch since the 1960s.

Louis Rams. Miami owner Stephen Even so, Philbin called them “one Ross and general manager Jeff of the premier franchises in profesIreland then conducted a second sional sports.” round of interviews this week with “The Dolphins have a strong

nucleus to build around,” he said in a statement. “And working with everyone in the organization, I know that together we will return the team to its winning tradition.”

Ross fired Tony Sparano last month with three games to go in his fourth year as the Dolphins’ coach.

When the search for a new coach began, Ross said he would like to give the franchise muchneeded stability by hiring “a young Don Shula.”

Instead he chose the 50-year-old Philbin, who has 28 years of coaching experience, including 19 years in college.

With Philbin’s help, the Packers have ranked in the top 10 in

the NFL in yardage each of the past five seasons, including third in 2011. A year ago they won the Super Bowl.

“A huge congratulations to Joe Philbin,” Green Bay tight end Jermichael Finley tweeted. “No one deserves it more than this guy. The Pack will miss him!”

The hiring might give the Dolphins an edge if they decide to pursue Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn, who becomes a free agent this offseason.

Flynn set Packers records with 480 yards passing and six touchdowns in their regular-season finale. Philbin played a major role in the development of Flynn and Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers.