Many a starting pitcher has been resistant to the idea of moving to the bullpen. Ben Davis is not one of those pitchers.

He was a starter at Booneville High School. At Itawamba Community College, he both started and relieved. Then at Mississippi State, Davis found his niche as a versatile relief pitcher, able to put out fires at any point in a game. He came to love that role.

“It’s always fun to be able to come out of the pen, big game on the line, and really being able to put an end to whatever was happening, like if it was a big inning or something like that,” Davis said. “… I’m kind of an adrenaline junkie. I’m not really big on emotion, but being on the mound kind of brings it out. That was my thing, coming out of the pen and doing my own thing.”

He’ll get to keep doing his thing at the professional level. Davis was taken by the Colorado Rockies with the first pick of the fourth round in last weekend’s Major League Baseball draft. When he got the call – while surrounded by family – Davis experienced a feeling similar to when he takes the mound.

“My agent called me, and I really wasn’t expecting a whole lot on Day 1,” he said. “But when they called me, I had a big adrenaline dump. Pretty cool. Plus everybody’s sitting there; it was really cool with everybody there.”

Davis leaves Friday for the team’s spring training facility in Phoenix. The Rockies will then decide whether to send him off to play somewhere or keep him there for some hands-on work. Either way, it’s a dream fulfilled.

Davis was a standout at Booneville as both a pitcher and a catcher. He led the Blue Devils to a state championship in 2021. In his two years at ICC, Davis won 10 games and struck out 104 batters over 104 1/3 innings.

Then MSU came calling.

“It’s surreal. You grow up, small town, you always dream of getting to play at Mississippi State. Moving on is always the next goal, but just being able to play there and moving on is awesome,” Davis said.

He became a dependable arm at State. Over two seasons, he was 4-4 with a 3.71 ERA, 118 strikeouts and six saves in 104 1/3 innings. Davis made four starts as a junior and then became a full-time reliever this past season, making 26 appearances.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder has a fastball that can touch the upper-90s, and he’s also effective with a slider and sweeper.

“He’s a big horse,” Rockies assistant general manager Tommy Tanous told the team’s website. “You watch him and you don’t want to be in the batter’s box against him.”

Davis’ specific role in the professional ranks is yet to be determined, but he’s just fine with continuing his career as a reliever.

“I feel like I’m kind of the guy that can be called on every day if needed,” he said, “and if I’m not needed, that’s whenever I can kind of rest for a couple days and do it again.”

Tupelo Christian is heading into the season with some work to do when it comes to replacing talent, but the Eagles believe they’ve reloaded.

The Eagles have hopes of going on a deep playoff run. TCPS went 23-7 last season but was bounced in the second round after making deeper playoff runs the previous two years, including a trip to the North half title match in 2024.

“Definitely a tough class to replace, though we had seven juniors on the court, too,” TCPS head coach Eric Laskowski said. “That puts us with seven seniors this year, so I feel pretty good.”

TCPS lost a lot from last year, including setter Corinne Pace, libero Maggie Oxford and outside hitter Addison Eaves, who was second on the team in kills. But returning senior Ana-Miller Coker, who had a team-high 267 kills last year, is a good starting point for this year’s team.

“We’ve added to her vertical, and her range is great from the defensive side,” Laskowski said. “Obviously, when you have somebody who’s led the team offensively and they’re back, that’s always a good sign.”

Pace had over 400 assists in each of the last two seasons, and she’ll be succeeded at setter by Addison Dixon. Dixon had 298 assists last season, so the Eagles’ offense should be in good hands.

“She’s a very strong, very solid setter,” Laskowski said. “Smart, great court vision. She can take the ball herself if she has to. She scores a lot taking the ball herself. Great hands, moves well, we’re super excited, the girls are super excited to have her back. She’s going to be huge for us, no doubt.”

Kylan Johns will be taking over at libero after Oxford registered a team-high 383 digs last year. TCPS has its work cut out for itself this season, but the Eagles have consistently been competitive in recent years. They’re in a good spot to be so again.

“It’s a very experienced squad,” Laskowski said. “This is TCPS’ first four-year class. This is my fourth season, this is the first time the kids have been with it for all four years. I’ve had them for four years, so we’re excited. We feel like our biggest limitation is ourselves.”

TCPS opens the season Aug. 1 at the Pontotoc Tournament.

This is the fourth in a series of pieces breaking down each position group for the Bengals. Next up: Defensive line.

The Cincinnati Bengals still ranked among the worst offensive lines last year, but by the end of the season, quarterback Joe Burrow was calling it the best he’s played behind.

A slow start, while finding the best combination and chemistry, impacted the numbers behind what Cincinnati’s offensive line was doing. However, in the second half of the season, the Bengals found consistency and better protection.

Now the Bengals are running it back with the same group, as all five starters return, thanks to right guard Dalton Risner re-signing, but there is still room to improve. Orlando Brown Jr. has the most to prove, especially after signing an extension this offseason, and that’s the spot where Cincinnati should be looking for more.

Let’s take a look at the past performances of the Bengals’ offensive linemen, and how they are expected to stack up in 2026 with help from some analysis and data from Pro Football Focus.

Offensive linemen on the roster

* Projected starters: LT Orlando Brown Jr., LG Dylan Fairchild, C Ted Karras, RG Dalton Risner, RT Amarius Mims

* Reserves: Cody Ford, Connor Lew, Brian Parker II, Jalen Rivers

* Others in the mix: Liam Brown, Andrew Coker, Javon Foster, Jacob Bayer, Christian Jones, Corey Robinson

Brown Jr. by the numbers

* 2025 stats: Started all 17 games after missing six games in 2024 due to injuries; played the fifth-most snaps for an offensive tackle but allowed nine sacks, 46 pressures and 10 hits and had 10 penalties.

* PFF grades for 2025: Brown ranked 66th of 89 qualifying tackles with an offense grade of 60.3 last year. He was 64th in pass blocking grade (62.0) and 61st in run blocking grade (59.8).

* PFF ranking for 2026: PFF has not yet released individual rankings for offensive linemen.

Fairchild by the numbers

* 2025 stats: Played 15 games, all starts and allowed just two sacks, 31 pressures and five hits as a rookie.

* PFF grades for 2025: Fairchild ranked 46th of 81 qualifying guards with an offense grade of 59.1 last year. He was 25th in pass blocking grade (67.5) and 61st in run blocking grade (54.3).

* PFF ranking for 2026: PFF has not yet released individual rankings for offensive linemen.

Karras by the numbers

Risner by the numbers

* 2025 stats: Played 14 games with 11 starts after signing at the end of preseason; allowed just two sacks, four hits and 17 pressures; had four penalties.

* PFF grades for 2025: Risner ranked 26th of 81 qualifying guards with an offense grade of 69.4 last year. He was 17th in pass blocking grade (71.5) and 23rd in run blocking grade (69.0).

* PFF ranking for 2026: PFF has not yet released individual rankings for offensive linemen.

Mims by the numbers

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Brandon Peterson has been hired as the boys basketball coach at Northwestern.

A familiar face in Clark County, Peterson has made previous stops as a head coach at Catholic Central and Emmanuel Christian, and most recently was an assistant coach at Springfield.

“I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Northwestern basketball program as well as the trust AD [Steve] Tincher has in me,” Peterson said. “Northwestern has a storied tradition, a loyal fan base, and after hearing the vision from the AD, seeing the facilities and talking with some of the student athletes, I knew this is where God wanted me.”

Peterson replaces outgoing coach Ron Long, who led the program for the past three seasons and compiled a 20-50 overall record while increasing Northwestern’s win totals each campaign.

“I’m excited to build relationships with our players, families and community,” Peterson said. “We will work every day to build a program defined by discipline, toughness, unselfishness, and character.

“Our goal is to represent Northwestern with pride while pursuing excellence on and off the court. I’m excited to get started.”

The Warriors went 10-14 in the 2025-26 season, its first 10-win season since 2016-17, and finished fourth in the Central Buckeye Conference’s Mad River division. Northwestern lost to Northridge in its Division IV district tournament second round game.

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When the brackets for the upcoming Junior American Legion State Tournament were revealed on Wednesday, Greenbrier Post 69 was not there.

That may or may not have been expected, depending on perspective. Most programs find it a challenge to gain tangible success in their first year, particularly with a roster as young as the one Post 69 was putting on the field.

But, as the adage goes, success wasn’t necessarily measured by wins and losses. In regard to the main objective, the sentiment seems to be that the mission has been accomplished.

“We're really excited to have this opportunity, especially in Greenbrier County, to get something started up,” said coach Tanner McCallister. “The importance of it all is being able to transition from (high school) season, keep these guys together, help them grow, help them to develop; we’ve got a lot of young guys on this team. And just being able to work with them throughout the summer and set expectations for the upcoming season.”

Greenbrier East coach Cory Mann got the ball rolling on the team’s creation as a way to establish continuity after the high school season is complete.

“He approached a few of us about it,” McCallister said. “He's really excited about getting it going, just to continue keeping his guys together. He's got a really good attitude towards the community, and it's really bringing our community together. And that was pretty much his main focus on kind of getting things going.”

There is certainly talent all over the field for Post 69, but youth is obvious. Many of the players are coming off success at the Little League and middle school levels but have yet to log a high school inning.

Junior Legion teams are on the young end of the American Legion spectrum, but most players are veterans compared to Post 69.

“At least half of our team is rising freshmen, so they just got done playing their eighth grade season,” McCallister said. “We have a few returners from (Greenbrier East’s) season in the spring, so these guys are just really, really trying to piece it together and understand what high school baseball looks like.”

Just a few of the rising freshmen are Michael Boothe, who has shown big bat potential, Carter Huffman, a talented outfielder and left-handed pitching option, and Colton Dehaven, who led the team in runs scored and was a top base stealer with 13 in 15 attempts.

Post 69’s season finished with a 4-13 record after both scheduled doubleheaders this week were canceled. Not desirable results, but a foundation has been set.

“Of course, we'd like to win more and the boys would like to win more, but with it being the first year, I think we're just kind of rolling with the punches, just trying to keep things together,” McCallister said. “The main focus is just for us as coaches and as a community to develop good young men, get this thing going to where we can keep them together, have them focus on something that's important to them, and develop good, God-fearing, just good men.”

The raucous energy quieted for about 20 minutes at the Parkville Market in Hartford after Anthony Gordon scored the opening goal for England in Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal against Argentina.

But the Argentina fans, hundreds gathered to form the overwhelming majority in the food hall, would soon return to banging their drums and blowing their horns, singing and jumping around.

“This feels like home!” one Buenos Aires native, who moved to Glastonbury in 2019, yelled out after the full-time whistle secured a 2-1 come-from-behind victory and sent the reigning World Cup champions back to the final.

The equalizer came in the 85th minute, off the boot of Enzo Fernandez from outside of the box. Lautaro Martínez netted the winner off of a deflection in the second minute of stoppage time and the scene in Hartford couldn’t have gotten louder.

Argentina will look to become the third nation to win back-to-back World Cups when it meets Spain at Metlife Stadium on Sunday.

And a large group of supporters will be back at the Parkville Market, where food from around the world and drinks are readily available. The food hall has hosted watch parties for every game of the World Cup, garnering its largest crowds for the U.S. national team and the several South American nations that make up a large part of Hartford’s demographic.

“It’s been great, it’s fantastic. We are a place that has food from all different cultures, what better place to watch the World Cup?” said Ashley McHugh, Parkville Market’s director of events and programming.

On Wednesday, it was impossible to look in any direction without seeing multiple Lionel Messi jerseys. And, until England scored the first goal, it was just as hard to find anyone representing the Three Lions.

“Anyone but Argentina,” said Emily Baldino, a Hartford-area native who wore a New York Red Bulls jersey as she watched the opening goal from the second level, which overlooked the Argentinian crowd, with friends Alice Bidoae (representing Arsenal) and Simone Locasto. “I was cheering for the U.S. … Then we were rooting for France to win before they got knocked out. But as long as it’s not Argentina, I don’t care who it is.”

But England “parked the bus.” And its defensive strategy failed to stifle Argentina’s championship form forcing Baldino to go home unhappy.

Downstairs, the sea of blue and white cheered with every defensive stand and got even louder on the counter attack. Heads dropped in hands with every English save, and then the faithful stood on chairs whenever momentum turned.

“There was never a doubt,” said German Gebhard, another Buenos Aires native who came to the U.S. just a few days ago with his wife and young son, Tomas, to visit his mother-in-law in Connecticut. He heard about the watch party after asking ChatGPT – the first result was a dud, but the backup plan was a hit.

“We’re from Ecuador, but we love Argentina. We love Messi,” said Albert Sanchez, a Naugatuck native who brought his wife, brother and two older kids to the watch party, all of them representing the game’s greatest player. “He’s a genius as a soccer player.”

Messi didn’t add to his World Cup goal record – which stands at 21 for his career, eight in this tournament alone – but he assisted on both of the Argentinian goals Wednesday, including a world-class cross to set up Martinez’ game-winning header at the back post.

Spain, which advanced after beating France, 2-0, on Tuesday, is a slight favorite heading into the final.

“I think that we have a better team than the one that we had the last World Cup, so finger’s crossed,” Gebhard said.

Does LeBron James migrating back to the Eastern Conference have any implications on the reigning champion Knicks? The answer hinges largely on The Decision 2.0, where LeBron chooses what could be the final destination in one of the greatest careers in NBA history.

James’ timeline is unclear, but the rest of the 2026 NBA free agency process is in a holding pattern as the now ex-Los Angeles Laker sorts through the options available for the fourth — and possibly final — stop of his Hall of Fame career.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors are among the Western Conference teams listed on his agent Rich Paul’s infamous whiteboard — the canvas of choice used to list all of LeBron’s free agency options in a recent episode of Paul’s Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman.

That whiteboard, however, also featured three Eastern Conference teams angling to dethrone the Knicks and win the East for a chance to secure the 2027 NBA title. There’s a real chance James, in Year 24 at age 42, chooses one of those three team — and tips the balance of power in a conference expected to be even more competitive next season.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

The Knicks just ended a 53-year NBA championship drought. There are five more teams who haven’t won in 40 or more years. The 76ers are one of them.

And since LeBron can’t end New York’s championship drought, the Sixers offer an opportunity to restore a starved basketball market in one of the country’s biggest sports cities.

LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers would feed families — because he’d be joining a star-studded cast of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown — who was stunningly acquired for Paul George and picks in a deal with the Boston Celtics — and V.J. Edgecombe.

The Knicks have a stacked starting five. If the Sixers were to add LeBron — a four-time champion, four-time MVP, three-time Olympic gold medalist and 22-time All-Star — they could easily have one of the best five-man lineups in NBA history, even with James in the twilight of his storied career.

But Embiid’s health is perpetually in question. Edgecombe is only in his sophomore season. Brown, even with a Finals MVP in his name, has much to prove after an embarrassing trade out of Boston. Maxey is a problem, but James may need to shoulder a load far greater than his 42-year-old frame can handle to life Philadelphia into the euphoria New York City experienced this summer.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

The fairytale ending is always going back where it all started, the kid from Akron, Ohio delivering one last title before sailing off into the sunset.

The Cavaliers made the Eastern Conference Finals. They were swept, however, by the Knicks — and a 42-year-old LeBron doesn’t solve the problems sure to plague Cleveland in their ensuing playoff runs. The Cavaliers do have an in: Brandon Weems, Cleveland’s assistant general manager and a longtime friend of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. The Cavaliers could also explore trade possibilities with James Harden, who is an unrestricted free agent also in a holding pattern while LeBron makes his decision. Paul said on his Game Over podcast his superstar client was a big fan of Darius Garland, who the Cavs traded away to the Los Angeles Clippers for Harden in the first place.

But home is where the heart is. Sometimes. LeBron has another home to choose from — a team capable of presenting far greater problems than a cast led by Harden and Donovan Mitchell.

MIAMI HEAT

This is where things get dicey in New York. Because the Heat present a unique opportunity for LeBron to sit in the passenger’s seat. In Miami, The King would be the third option to a two-time MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo and a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate who just set a new record for second-most points in a single game (83) in Bam Adebayo.

The Heat also have Andrew Wiggins, who can still play at a high level on both ends of the floor. Their size and spacing — and Giannis, of course — would pose instant problems for the Knicks, who lost Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti and will be leaning largely on Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Andre Drummond as their paint presence this season.

The Heat also have Bobby Portis and Tim Hardaway Jr. Nikola Jovic and Simone Fontecchio provide quality depth. Plus Pelle Larsson had his breakout season averaging 11 points in his sophomore NBA season.

And unlike the 76ers, who worry nightly about Embiid’s playing status, the Heat tend to be healthy at the right time.

The Cavaliers have the hometown edge. The 76ers might have the most promise. But if LeBron returns to South Beach, it’s the Heat who’d have the best chance of the three to make a run at the Knicks’ throne.

It’s why no one’s moving a muscle until James makes his decision. Almost a quarter-century into his playing career, The King still has moves on the chessboard. And his move has direct implications at Madison Square Garden.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second installment in a series breaking down each position ahead of the opening of Buffalo Bills training camp July 29.

ORCHARD PARK — Quarterbacks tend to make bad decisions when they have been hit enough times. There’s one decision to make on the way to the turf for a sack: don’t let go of the ball.

Seems simple enough, right?

But putting quarterbacks on the ground before the ball was thrown wasn’t a high priority during the Sean McDermott era. Instead, his defense focused on confusing quarterbacks, making them think longer than preferred and banking on them making a bad decision.

The Bills ranked in the top-10 in takeaways eight times in nine seasons under McDermott, including five in the top-five. They ranked in the top-10 in sacks once during that span.

It worked for the Bills during the regular season, ranking in the top-five five times in pass defense. But in the playoffs, it’s much harder to fool good quarterbacks and it showed in their inability to create pressure and make quarterbacks uncomfortable.

In the AFC divisional round, Denver quarterback Bo Nix was the only playoff quarterback in the last 25 years to attempt 45 passes, complete fewer than 60% of them and not get sacked. In McDermott’s playoff wins, the Bills had a 42.8% pressure rate, compared to 25.8% in losses, with average for last year’s playoff winners being 36.8%.

Enter defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, whose blitz-happy scheme is as hyper-aggressive as McDermott’s was when he first arrived in Buffalo. And the man charged with flipping Buffalo’s edge rushers from watchmen to predators is his former co-defensive coordinator at Wisconsin, Bobby April III.

The last time April coached for the Bills, the expectations were through the roof. He was the outside linebackers coach for Rex Ryan in 2015 and 2016, but the pass rush fell flat.

After getting fired with the rest of Ryan’s staff, April spent a year out of football and has since spent his time in college, most recently as Stanford’s defensive coordinator.

April has coached big-time college edge rushers like Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, Pittsburgh’s Nate Herbig and the Jets’ No. 2 overall pick David Bailey. But now he must apply it to the NFL.

“I took everything I was teaching the NFL player to the college level,” April told GNN Sports. “I felt like I was using the tools that I was using with grown men initially. … Luckily we had success. We had good kids too that bought in. … And that’s really the NFL, just having guys buying and believing what you do.”

April is tasked with elevating 2021 first-round pick Greg Rousseau, who was good enough to net a four-year, $80 million extension, but still hasn’t logged more than eight sacks in a season. April has already said the Bills intend to unleash Rousseau rather than forcing him to set the edge all the time.

Alongside Rousseau is veteran Bradley Chubb, who inked a three-year, $43.5 million contract in March. And second-round pick T.J. Parker. April says it’s like having three first-round picks and an ideal scenario.

At 30, Chubb is the veteran with two Pro Bowls on his resume. Rousseau is only 26, but he’s played 78 career games. And Parker is the hungry young upstart looking to carve a niche in the NFL.

“It’s kind of like being a foster dad a little bit,” said April, whose father was Buffalo’s special teams coach from 2004-2009. “You’ve got three big brothers and they’re all trying to compete for the same, whatever it may be. … I think there’s a fine line of turning it into a competitive I-want-to-beat-you battle to an I-want-to-get-you-better battle. And that’s where we’re at right now.”

Rousseau is playing a position similar to the one he played at the University of Miami. Chubb played for Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph when he was Denver’s head coach and Leonhard spent the last two seasons working for Joseph.

In Chubb’s experience, the Bills won’t be deploying a passive rush when the game is on the line.

“Just playing fast, playing physical, getting off the ball, putting fear in the tackle’s feet,” Chubb said. “If you’ve got guys who have been in this defense in the past like (Denver’s) Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, they do the same things. They just get off the ball and ask questions later.”

Training camp battles

Rostered outside linebackers (8): Bradley Chubb, Mike Danna, Cade Denhoff, Michael Hoecht, Andre Jones Jr., T.J. Parker, Greg Rousseau, Javon Solomon.

Chubb, Rousseau and Parker are going to get the bulk of the snaps. Hoecht, who expects to be ready to start training camp coming off a torn Achilles, may not have a big role early in the season as he continues to heal, but should eventually find a spot as an early-down edge defender and an inside rusher on passing downs.

That makes Danna’s situation intriguing. Danna isn’t a big pass-rush threat with 21 ½ sacks in 87 career games with the Kansas City Chiefs, but he can set the edge against the run. Whether Danna can play 3-4 defensive end at 261 may determine his roster fate.

Solomon is also interesting because general manager Brandon Beane mentioned him multiple times during the offseason as possibly being a better fit in the 3-4 than McDermott’s 4-3.

Solomon never found a consistent role defensively under McDermott during his first two seasons, but he was a core special teams player. That likely puts him ahead of Danna in the pecking order.

The ‘V’ in Victor Wembanyama stands for villain in New York City after the Knicks’ NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

But on Saturday at Manhattan’s Javits Center, ‘Wemby’ will be back in the belly of the beast, face to face with thousands of fans at Fanatics Fest, participating in games against the general public and appearing on a live podcast.

This is the most unique element of the biggest sports convention in the world, hosted annually here in the Big Apple: Humanizing, interactive access between the biggest stars in sports and entertainment and the general public — regardless of what’s happening on the field or court.

“Wemby had a great time last year,” Lance Fensterman, CEO of Fanatics Events, said in a phone interview Tuesday. “He got to play chess with 100 fans last year. Each fan did a chess move. We think carefully about engaging in a thoughtful way. And he is a thoughtful guy.”

“To some of these fans he’ll be a villain,” Fensterman acknowledged with a laugh, “but he recognizes everything he’s doing is about having a long impactful career. And investing in fans is never a bad idea.”

Fanatics founder Michael Rubin has built his mega-company by doing exactly that: Investing in the passion of fans. So access to this kind of event obviously comes at a price.

It’s $70 per adult ticket on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and $80 on Saturday. It’s $30 per child per day all weekend. And autographs or photos with star entertainers and athletes cost more inside.

But the access to fan activations, live shows and podcasts and exclusive experiences across a million square feet of space and 12 stages basically creates a mini city of unforgettable moments.

That’s why there was fan demand to add a fourth day this year to the convention, which ran for three days in 2025. And that’s why Fensterman, who oversaw Comic-Con for years, is proud that every daily ticket to Fanatics Fest is more than just a gateway to more vendors.

“There’s more to do,” Fensterman said, “than just to buy.”

The confluence of a Knicks NBA Championship and Sunday’s World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium across the river is creating a perfect storm.

“The World Cup is coming to a head, and the Final is happening here, so we’re bringing the final teams to the show for Friday,” Fensterman said. “That’s huge.”

So look for Spain’s Lamine Yamal. Fanatics Fest will even host a massive watch party for the Final on Sunday, with the Men in Blazers podcast and other guest analysts on hand.

“Four of the Knicks’ starting five will be in the building signing and parading through the show floor with the trophy,” Fensterman said.

Jalen Brunson will appear on a King of New York panel. His autograph signing is already sold out. And the Fanatics Games, which were a huge hit in last year’s maiden voyage, are back.

That pits 50 athletes and 50 fans against each other for more than $2 million in prizes in games like the NFL clutch kick, the NBA game-winning shot, the WWE superstar entrance and more.

First place gets $1 million cash. Second place receives a Ferrari. Third place receives a rare Lionel Messi trading card. John Cena, Cam Skattebo and Novak Djokovic are among those competing this year.

Before it all kicks off, Fanatics added an exclusive window for its business partners, investors and VIPs to experience all the show has to offer before it opens to the general public. There will be 250-plus hobby shops on site, offering a haven for the booming card and collectible industry.

Then when the doors open, LeBron James is scheduled to appear Thursday afternoon on a ‘Mind the Game Live’ panel on the center stage, smack in the middle of his free agent decision, with Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Might James drop some hints on his eventual next NBA team? There just is no shortage of possibilities for the world’s biggest sports convention that keeps getting bigger.

“Fans love the different moments with athletes and influencers, and we wanted to give them more,” Fensterman said. “It nets out to more opportunities for more people fans and industry to interact with the athletes and celebrities.”

Jul. 15—JAMESTOWN — After 16 years of playing slowpitch softball, Darren Perleberg needed a change.

"We were all on different teams and some of us wanted to try something different," Perleberg said. "I got with Cory Genter and I said, 'Let's put together a team that is competitive and doesn't have any drama,' because there was a little bit too much of that on some of the teams we were playing for at the time.

"We just wanted to have a team where it was fun to show up every week, and we didn't get our butts kicked every week," he said. "That's what we created, and that is what is still going. How we approach the game is really fun."

The team Perleberg and Genter created in 2013 was Esto Dingus. Esto competes on Wednesday nights at Jamestown's Hillcrest Softball Complex during the slowpitch softball season.

"Our retention with guys who still want to show up and have fun is pretty high," Perleberg said. "From the guys we started with, we still have about 90% of the players who were on that first team."

Esto not only plays in Jamestown's league, the team also plays in tournaments across the state and the region. The team has competed in the national tournament three times. The first year Esto competed in the national tournament, the tourney was being held in Fargo.

"You don't have to qualify for the national tournament, but you don't want to just go and throw your money away," Perleberg said. "It's extremely expensive, and you usually have to travel a little bit. ... (The first year) they needed some teams so we raised our hand and agreed to play, but that was outside our division," Perleberg said. "It was a higher level — we didn't get our butts kicked, but we didn't win any games."

The next year, the tournament was played in Fargo again.

"We played in our division that year," Perleberg said. "In 2016, we played in the national tournament down in Sioux Falls (South Dakota). If you talk to our team — some of their best memories in the last 13 years was the trip down to Sioux Falls for that national tournament. We were together the whole time and the fun we had — it's still something we talk about today."

While most of the team was involved in the trip down to Sioux Falls, there have been some lineup changes in the last 14 years.

"If somebody does move away or we see a gap in the lineup, we'll put our heads together and see if we can find somebody," Perleberg said. "Sometimes we get a little bit lucky. Our current shortstop was a college baseball player, he happened to be moving back to Jamestown. Another guy's son was in gymnastics with my daughter, and we struck up conversation, and he played high school baseball. Now he's on our team."

There's not a list of requirements to join Esto's roster.

"For us, it's not all about talent," Perleberg said. "We want to make sure they are good people. That is the No. 1 thing. It's more about if the guys can fit in personality-wise with the team and hang out afterwards and laugh with us."

To join, you don't even need much experience.

"If you look at the (Spirits) team in town, they are just loaded with former college baseball players," Perleberg said. "Up until we got this new shortstop, we didn't have anybody who played college baseball, and the majority of our guys didn't play high school baseball.

"We're not bad athletes," he said. "We had guys who were really good at basketball or football, but I think what made us gel so well was the fact that we care about each other and we don't ride one another. You can make an error, and your teammates don't point fingers or get made. It's just, shake it off, get the next one if you can. If you miss that one, who cares? Get the next one. That changes how you approach the game and how you show up every week. Guys know they don't have to deal with any of that kind of stuff."

Esto's current record is 11-7. The team is set to face off against Agroline this week. Games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. After the team's doubleheader against Agroline, Esto will be hosting its annual "sponsor night."

"We supply everything, and it's a thank you to our sponsors and the people who show up to watch us," Perleberg said. "It's also open to our opponents and their fans, it's open to all of that. It's just a celebration of softball and the culture we have put together."

The Olivet Boys & Girls Club is getting ready to play ball.

The organization will host a series of baseball games for current members and softball games for former members on Aug. 1 at Hoodak Stadium and Oakbrook Recreation Park.

The festivities will begin around 8:30 a.m. with a competitive baseball tournament showcasing current members and an alumni softball tournament that aims to bring former members together with staff and supporters for a day of friendly competition.

Officials of the organization said the event will celebrate the club’s lifelong impact by reconnecting alumni and giving current members the opportunity to showcase their talents on the field.

Families, friends, alumni and community members are invited to cheer on the teams, enjoy classic ballpark food and celebrate the memories.

To participate in the tournament, visit lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/dr586be.

To watch the tournaments, visit lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/2kb6hdj.

Jul. 15—The defending champions had their backs against the wall heading into Tuesday's final round of a tightly contested 58th annual Tribune Cup women's golf tournament at Clarkston's Red Wolf Golf Club.

Nevertheless, the six representatives of Lewiston Golf and Country Club remained undaunted.

"We had them where we wanted them: overconfident," LGCC team captain Marcy Spilker said of her rivals from Clarkston's Quail Ridge Golf Course.

Trailing by three points through the first two installments of the three-part match-play event, the LGCC team overcame both mildly adverse weather and the slight starting deficit as it surged to a cumulative total of 63 points. Quail Ridge finished with 58 points, while Red Wolf was third at 41.

Red Wolf captain Helen Henry handled hosting duties and made the final results announcement over a champagne toast during a genial post-tournament luncheon in the clubhouse.

"It doesn't matter what team you're from — we're all best of friends," Henry said. "That's what matters: we have fun."

Still in it

Teeing off in the morning, participants navigated the course in groups of three featuring one representative of each team. Under the match-play format of the Tribune Cup, players earned points by outperforming their opponents on a majority of holes, rather than necessarily completing the overall course in fewer strokes.

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"I love match play," LGCC's Kim Eimers said. "You can have a bad hole and still be in it."

Light rain in the morning and persistent winds created difficulties and sometimes carried balls astray, but many felt the weather was overall more pleasant to play in than the pounding sun and intense heat under blue skies which often characterizes the Tribune Cup.

LGCC players competed in pink checkered polo shirts, while Quail Ridge sported white-and-green dotted tops. Red Wolf followed no specific uniform or dress code, choosing instead to be "rebellious," as some attendees put it.

Quail Ridge and Lewiston Golf and Country Club had each taken a turn to host one round of the Tribune Cup over the last two months, accruing scores of 44 and 41 respectively while Red Wolf sat at 23. On Tuesday, LGCC put up 22 points in its push to the overall victory, Red Wolf scored 18 and Clarkston added 14.

Propel-ing to victory

Spilker supplied each of her teammates with a bottle of Propel sports drink for electrolytes, which they credited for their winning stamina. Eimers led the champions on the course with a perfect score of six points, attributing her success to strong long game play.

"I hit the ball well," said Eimers, a veteran who has played the Tribune Cup for decades since starting out as a member of then-participant Grangeville Golf and Country Club. "I didn't putt really well, but I hit the ball well. It put me in position to be able to be up there and miss a few putts and still be okay."

Spilker put up another 4 1/2 points. Lewis-Clark State women's golf alum Carlee Rhodes — who could sometimes be seen wearing a red LC windbreaker to "represent," as she put it — contributed four points, as did Tammy Baldus.

Julie Fisher, a former Lewiston girls basketball coach and the mother of Lewis-Clark State men's hoops signee Royce Fisher, was the rookie on LGCC's team this year.

"Go in, you dirty dog," Fisher exclaimed early on as a putt lost momentum on a slight uphill ridge, ultimately curving to the left of Hole 8.

In spite of any frustrations, she would prove that her competitive drive extends across sports, adding another 3 1/2 points on the day.

For Quail Ridge, Colleen Schilling had a perfect six of her own — calling it her "claim to fame" — while Wendy Rimmelspacher scored five. Kim Thiel, Shanna Caba and Sheila Wooley led Red Wolf with 4 1/2 points apiece.

All players queried on the matter expressed their intent to return and add further chapters to the friendly rivalry.

"Next year's threepeat," Spilker declared.

Tuesday's scores — Lewiston Golf and Country Club 22; Red Wolf 18; Quail Ridge 14.

Cumulative scores — Lewiston Golf and Country Club 63; Quail Ridge 58; Red Wolf 41.

Wendt may be contacted at (208) 848-2268, or cwendt@lmtribune.com.

PHILADELPHIA — Cody Bellinger went seven years between All-Star Game appearances.

It was worth the wait.

The Yankees outfielder was voted MVP of Tuesday night’s All-Star Game after he delivered the decisive hit in the American League’s 4-0 victory at Citizens Bank Park.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the first, Bellinger lined a two-run single against National League starter Cristopher Sanchez to break a scoreless tie.

Yankees teammate Ben Rice followed with an RBI single, putting the AL up, 3-0.

Bellinger finished 1 for 3 with two RBIs and was removed in the sixth inning.

The MVP honor capped a memorable return to the Midsummer Classic for Bellinger, who was making his third All-Star appearance.

His previous two selections came in 2017 and 2019 when he was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bellinger, who turned 31 on Monday, endured a winding road back to this point, including a dislocated right shoulder in October 2020 that required surgery.

Following the surgery, Bellinger’s numbers dropped dramatically over the next two seasons, and the Dodgers non-tendered him after the 2022 campaign. Bellinger spent two seasons with the Chicago Cubs before being traded to the Yankees, with whom he’s spent the past two years.

Bellinger, who has 11 home runs and a .766 OPS this season, initially made the All-Star roster as a reserve, but he started in right field Tuesday due to injuries to teammate Aaron Judge and Minnesota’s Byron Buxton.

Bellinger is the fourth Yankee to win the All-Star Game MVP, joining Derek Jeter (2000), Mariano Rivera (2013) and Giancarlo Stanton (2022).

Jul. 14—There could be another Olympic medal in Mark Few's future after the Gonzaga coach was selected as one of three coaches who will work on Erik Spoelstra's staff as the United States men's national team prepares for the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Few was selected as one of the three assistants that will serve under Spoelstra, the longtime Miami Heat coach who's replacing Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr ahead of the forthcoming FIBA World Cup and Olympics cycle.

Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault and Detroit Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff will round out Spoelstra's USA staff.

Few spent more than a decade working with USA Basketball in different capacities before Gonzaga's coach was hired as an assistant on Kerr's men's national team staff ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics.

A USA roster headlined by future NBA Hall of Famers LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant captured the gold medal in Paris, overcoming a 17-point deficit to bet former Gonzaga forward Filip Petrusev and Serbia in the semifinals before topping host France in the gold medal game.

During an interview at Team USA training camp in Las Vegas prior to the 2024 Olympics, Spoelstra, a former West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year at Portland, estimated he'd known Few "going on three decades."

"He's a hall of fame (coach). First ballot. Right now," Spoelstra said of Few. "And you would never know it by the way he can relate to anybody. He's just a guy that likes to coach basketball, develop programs, develop players, make them better than when they first arrived on campus."

Spoelstra's words were prophetic. Few was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame earlier this year and will be officially enshrined next month in Springfield, Massachusetts.

"He's a brilliant basketball coach," Spoelstra said. "One of the very best in this business."

Few's oldest son, AJ, a former video coordinator at Gonzaga, landed a spot on Miami's NBA Summer League staff in 2025 after connecting with Spoelstra in Paris the year prior.

Before his stint with Team USA at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and 2024 Olympics, Few served as an assistant at 2018 USA National Team minicamp and worked as an assistant for the USA Select Team in 2019 and 2021. He was also the head coach of the 2015 U.S. Pan American team comprised of college players, leading that group to a gold medal.

Few has had two other coaching assignments with USA Basketball, serving as an assistant for the gold medal-winning 2012 U-18 National Team and as a court coach for the 2009 U-19 World Cup/World University Games Team training camp.

Former Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren, who was named a 2026 NBA All-Star while playing under Daigneault at Oklahoma City, could be among the candidates for a roster spot at the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Holmgren was named to the 41-man player pool ahead of the 2024 Olympics, but wasn't one of the 12 players invited to Paris.

Jul. 14—SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Players and coaches from across the Missouri Valley Football Conference were on hand to talk about the upcoming football season at the MVFC Media Day July 14. Watch all the interviews right here in this full replay.

The Missouri Valley Football Conference enters its 42nd season this year. The 2026 football season kicks off with four MVFC teams playing non-conference opponents Thursday, Aug. 27, and three more teams playing Aug. 29.

The first conference matchup will be Sept. 19 when Youngstown State travels to South Dakota State. The regular season concludes Nov. 21.

Member schools have won 18 FCS football titles, including 14 while playing in the MVFC, and finished as national runner-up on eight occasions, including Illinois State last season. In 2021, 2023 and 2025, six conference schools qualified for the FCS playoffs.

NASHUA — Aiden O’Connell has settled into a summer routine.

The Bedford resident and pitcher starts once a week for the defending New England Collegiate Baseball League champion Keene Swamp Bats. On his off days, O’Connell does mobility training, throwing sessions and watches baseball with his teammates.

“That’s really the best part,” said O’Connell, a lefty who pitched the Swamp Bats to a 2-1 exhibition win over the Nashua Silver Knights of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League on Monday night at Holman Stadium. “It’s been a pleasure being here.”

The seven-inning bout was the first ever between the state’s only summer collegiate baseball teams and the inaugural game of the “Granite State Showdown.” The teams will meet again on Tuesday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Alumni Field in Keene.

O’Connell, who allowed one run and struck out seven over five innings against Nashua, said the routine has been beneficial.

“After a couple weeks or so, you realize, ‘Oh, this is what I do.’ ...and it relieves a lot of pressure on the mound when you’re out there,” said O’Connell, who grew up in Goffstown before his family moved to Bedford before his senior year of high school. “You know you’ve done all the work to be able to succeed.”

The 2023 Gatorade New Hampshire Baseball Player of the Year as a senior at Bedford High, O’Connell played his first season at Duke University this past spring.

The Vanderbilt transfer pitched mostly in relief for the Blue Devils, posting an 0-1 record, seven saves and a 6.67 ERA. O’Connell recorded 34 strikeouts over 27 innings.

With the Swamp Bats, O’Connell has started five games, posting an 0-2 record and 6.14 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 14 2/3 innings.

O’Connell, who played for the Silver Knights in 2023, is part of a new Granite State contingent at Duke.

O’Connell was roommates last year with Swanzey resident and former Swamp Bat Ben Dean, a fellow pitcher and his former AAU baseball teammate. Blue Devils sophomore infielder Will Shaheen is from Portsmouth.

Last season was the first for Manchester’s Corey Muscara as Duke’s head coach. The former Trinity High School star’s coaching staff includes former Southern New Hampshire University coach Scott Loiseau.

“Having those four guys with me,” O’Connell said, “it just makes it much easier knowing that even if you’re from a part of the (country) no one really knows and you get down to the ACC and the SEC, in the back of my mind I know anyone can do it.”

O’Connell considers himself a versatile pitcher. He throws a four-seam fastball, cutter, curveball and a changeup.

Seventh-year Swamp Bats manager Shaun McKenna said O’Connell’s pitching style is like his personality: high energy. McKenna and the coaching staff are working with O’Connell to perfect his changeup.

McKenna is an old-school manager, O’Connell said. When McKenna talks with O’Connell during a mound visit, he’s direct about how he feels O’Connell is pitching.

“That’s the criticism I like,” O’Connell said. “He keeps it very simple — no need to overthink.”

Next season at Duke, O’Connell said he wants to take the mound with confidence and feel like he’s “the guy,” as he has this summer with Keene.

McKenna, an assistant baseball coach at Keene State, said he believes O’Connell, if he makes some strides, can be a starter next spring for Duke.

“If he really works on his command, I think he could be a mid-week or Sunday starter for them. I do,” McKenna said. “He’s definitely a special kid.”

ahall@unionleader.com

As the college football world turns, University of Hawaii head coach Timmy Chang remains grounded in his goals.

“I think college football has changed,” said Chang, who enters his fifth season as the Rainbow Warriors’ leader. “You have to be flexible to build a roster and compete. We’re doing that. We’re a different type of program. We’re in a different location. And that poses different factors and opportunities and challenges that we have to be able to adapt.”

Fifty-four months after inheriting a disheartened program that was in emotional turmoil, Chang is navigating an evolving landscape. The transfer portal has eased the way for players to change schools without interruption. Student-athletes may now profit from use of their name, image and likeness. The House vs. NCAA settlement requires profit sharing up to $20.5 million annually per school. (UH has budgeted $5 million for NILs and profit sharing this coming academic year, with $2.5 million earmarked for football.)

The Rainbow Warriors have been impacted living in a material whirl.

“Jackson Harris is an example,” Chang said of the wideout who received a lucrative NIL deal after transferring to LSU following the 2025 regular season. “I think he loved our program, but he left for the money.”

But the portal is accessible in both directions, and the Warriors were able to find tall and fast transfers to reload the receiver positions.

“We just focus on our program, focus on our staff, focus on getting better,” Chang said. “Those are the things we can control. We focus on building and developing young student-athletes.”

In accepting the UH job in January 2022, Chang emphasized assembling a staff that shared his vision, connecting the program with academic and administrative leaders, and taking great care of his players.

“If we want someone to come into our program, it means something,” Chang said. “You’re taking in somebody’s son. You’re taking in someone who wants to trust you. That’s the biggest thing.”

For Chang, that meant providing educational and nutritional opportunities.

“Five years ago, we fought for feeding our kids and taking care of them,” said Chang, noting such programs as the Braddahhood Grindz and Sodexo provide training tables. “We’re fed year ’round besides the days we’re truly off, like spring break or winter break. We kept them fed.”

With expanded guidelines, every team member, including walk-ons, partakes in the training table.

“Once you’re on our team, you’re part of it,” Chang said.

He also has provided some leeway for youthful mistakes.

“I made it vocal, my biggest problem is we’re very quick to move to the next thing and move off people,” Chang said. “We want to build a program where we can give people second chances to try to do things right. We want to grow and develop and build that trust with them.”

During Chang’s tenure, the pied piper has been quarterback Micah Alejado, who was born and reared on Oahu and became a standout quarterback for national powerhouse Bishop Gorman High of Las Vegas.

“Micah brings a lot to the table for our program, for our state,” Chang said of the third-year Warrior. “He’s able to attract other players, as well. When you talk about receivers wanting to come and play, they want to play with Micah. A guy who left, like Jackson, still wanted to play with Micah. It’s the style of how we recruit. We recruit people. Your talent is your talent. We recruit based on who you are as a person.”

Chang also said that standard holds for his coaches and staff. Chang has reached agreement on a contract extension, although the paper work has not been signed. As part of conversations, Chang strongly proposed rewarding his staff. Last month, the assistant coaches received new contracts — some received two-year deals.

“The most important thing is continuing to build,” Chang said. “When you look at the building part of it, it’s taking care of your coaches. The coaches are an extension of me. I want to make sure we’re taking care of them. And always taking care of the players, whether it’s revenue sharing or NILs or feeding them. That’s the biggest thing.”

The Warriors became a football-only member of the Mountain West in 2012. This month, 15 UH sports joined, making the school essentially a full member. (UH’s men’s volleyball, beach volleyball and water polo teams remain in the Big West because the Mountain West does not sponsor those sports.)

With UH as full member, school president Wendy Hensel has been appointed to the Mountain West’s Board of Directors and the league’s executive committee. Athletic director Matt Elliott will have a greater voice in decisions involving UH. And UH will receive a full share of the league’s national television revenue.

On the football field, the Warriors have a chance to fill the leadership void created by Boise State’s and Fresno State’s departure to the Pac-12.

Chang will continue to call plays for the ever-evolving run-and-shoot offense.

“I think the run-and-shoot is a wrinkle in itself,” Chang said. “It’s an offense about quarterbacks and receivers being on the same page. You start with an offense like that, it becomes challenging (for defenses) to stop.”

Chang also said defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman will continue to reload a scheme in attack mode.

“Dennis has a great understanding of how he wants to attack and what he wants to do,” Chang said. “Complicated or simple, he wants to make his defense attack. This year more than others. You lose (play-making safety) Peter Manuma and you have guys to replace him. There have been guys waiting in the wings ready to step up.”

—

The news Tuesday that David Steele is retiring after 37 seasons as the voice of the Orlando Magic landed like the end of a long, engaging conversation.

Because that’s what it always felt like.

Not like a broadcaster talking at you.

But like an old friend sitting on the couch talking to you.

For nearly 40 years — first on the radio and then on television — Steele was there through every chapter of Orlando Magic basketball. He described the miracle moments and the miserable ones. He called playoff triumphs, lottery seasons, buzzer-beaters and blown leads with the same steady voice that fans welcomed into their living rooms night after night, year after year, decade after decade.

National broadcasters become famous.

Local broadcasters become family.

Mike Breen has “Bang!” Kevin Harlan has his unmistakable excitement. Mike Tirico can make any event sound important. They are among the finest play-by-play broadcasters in the business for good reason.

But they parachute into your city a handful of times every few seasons.

The local play-by-play announcer is there for every chapter. He’s there on the random Tuesday night in Charlotte when the team loses by 18. He’s there during tanking seasons when victories are scarce. He’s there when lottery picks become All-Stars, when coaches come and go, when championships remain elusive but hope somehow returns every October.

He doesn’t just witness a franchise’s history.

He becomes part of it.

No one embodied that better than David Steele.

“When I interviewed with Pat Williams back in 1988, I never dreamed it would play out this way,” Steele said upon announcing his retirement. “Now it is time for me to put the microphone down and spend time with my family. It’s been an honor to represent the Orlando Magic, and I am forever grateful.”

It’s fitting that the Magic inducted Steele into their Hall of Fame seven years ago. He wasn’t simply honored because he called more than 2,200 games.

He earned that distinction because his voice became part of the franchise’s identity.

You simply can’t separate Orlando Magic history from David Steele.

He was there from the franchise’s birth in 1989.

He narrated the arrival of Shaquille O’Neal.

He narrated the departure of Shaquille O’Neal.

He chronicled Penny Hardaway’s brilliance.

He described Tracy McGrady’s scoring explosions, Dwight Howard’s dominance and today’s young, ascending Magic team.

He was there for the rebuilds and the rebuilds of the rebuilds.

He was there through the exhilarating march to the 1995 and 2009 NBA Finals, the devastating playoff exits and the countless seasons when hope was all Magic fans really had.

The remarkable thing wasn’t simply that he stayed. It was how he did his job.

Steele understood something many broadcasters never learn. He understood the game isn’t about the broadcaster.

“I really think television is more of a color announcer’s medium than it is the play-by-play announcer’s,” Steele once explained. “The fans really don’t rely on the announcer to tell them what’s going on because they can see what’s happening… I set the tempo and I try to bring out the best in the color announcer.”

That philosophy defined every broadcast.

He never forced excitement. He never shouted simply because shouting had become fashionable.

He respected the audience enough to know they could tell the difference between routine and remarkable.

Which is precisely why his biggest calls still resonate decades later. Nothing illustrates that better than Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals.

Michael Jordan had returned from his NBA hiatus.

The Bulls appeared ready to steal the opener.

Then came six unforgettable seconds.

“Anderson tries to steal it from Jordan and Jordan dribbles around him,” Steele told his radio listeners. “The clock is down to 12 and Anderson stole the ball. Hardaway picks it up, two-on-one, Penny bounce pass to Grant and he dunks it! Six-point-two seconds to go! Nick Anderson stole the ball! Nick Anderson stole the ball from Michael Jordan!”

Steele wasn’t performing.

He was reacting.

The excitement was authentic because the moment demanded it.

If David Steele raised his voice, you instinctively knew history was unfolding.

Fellow Magic broadcaster Dante Marchitelli, who now succeeds Steele on television, perhaps explained his mentor’s greatness better than anyone.

“Nobody, and I mean this, nobody in the league prepares as much and as well as David Steele,” Marchitelli once said. “It’s not about him. David Steele is about the game and the players, and if it’s a big moment he lets it breathe. He has a knack and great timing and his preparation and the way it all comes together is what makes it, really, a perfect telecast.

“He doesn’t make it about himself, and I think people truly enjoy that.”

That may be Steele’s greatest legacy.

In an era when too many broadcasters chase viral moments, catchphrases and social-media clips, Steele quietly pursued something far more difficult.

Credibility.

Respect.

Class.

He was prepared.

He was accurate.

He was humble.

And because he never tried to manufacture emotion, fans trusted him when genuine emotion  arrived.

Of course, Steele wasn’t above having fun.

One of the most beloved features of Magic broadcasts became his wonderfully quirky “Is This Anything?” segment, where he’d present some wonderfully obscure statistical oddity before asking broadcast partner Jeff Turner whether it actually mattered. A cheerful “ding” meant yes. A buzzer meant no.

It became one of those inside jokes shared between two friends; between broadcaster and audience; the kind of thing that only develops after decades together.

Orlando Magic Chairman Dan DeVos couldn’t resist using it one last time.

“You can’t have a memory of Orlando Magic basketball without David Steele’s voice being a part of it,” DeVos said. “David handled everything with professionalism and class, and he will forever be entrenched in this franchise’s history. ‘Is This Anything?’ We’d say David was EVERYTHING to the Orlando Magic.”

It was the perfect tribute because it spoke Steele’s language.

As a kid in East Tennessee, Steele would hide a transistor radio beneath his pillow at night, listening to baseball broadcasts after he was supposed to be asleep. Those unseen announcers sparked a lifelong dream and unknowingly shaped the broadcaster he would become.

For nearly four decades, somewhere in Central Florida, children were either falling asleep or on the couch with Dad as another familiar voice drifted through the house.

David Steele’s voice.

One day they’ll realize those weren’t merely basketball games they were hearing and watching.

They were memories being made.

And long after someone else occupies the television chair, generations of Magic fans will still hear Steele’s voice whenever they replay the most compelling moments in franchise history.

Because some broadcasters simply call the games.

The truly special ones like David Steele become part of the family.

Email me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on social media @BianchiWrites and listen to my radio show “Game On” every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and 969TheGame.com/listen.

Following 37 seasons as the play-by-play voice of the Magic, both on television and radio, David Steele announced his retirement Tuesday morning.

“I can’t thank the DeVos family and the Orlando Magic organization enough for what they have provided to me and my family,” Steele said in a statement. “When I interviewed with Pat Williams back in 1988, I never dreamed it would play out this way. Now it is time for me to put the microphone down and spend time with my family.

“It’s been an honor to represent the Orlando Magic, and I am forever grateful,” he added.

After handling radio play-by-play duties for the team’s first nine seasons (1989-98), Steele was then named the television play-by-play voice for the Magic in March 1998 and spent the next 28 seasons in that role.

“You can’t have a memory of Orlando Magic basketball without David Steele’s voice being a part of it,” Magic chairman Dan DeVos said in a statement. “David handled everything with professionalism and class, and he will forever be entrenched in this franchise’s history. … We wish him and his family nothing but the best.”

Replacing Steele, 72, as Orlando’s new play-by-play television announcer will be Dante Marchitelli, the team said.

Marchitelli, 50, enters his 28th season with the organization and has served as studio host/sideline reporter since 2008. He’s also performed play-by-play duties for select games for the last three seasons (2023-26).

Marchitelli began his career with the Magic in 1998 as a radio intern. He was hired full time in January 2000 as radio producer, working behind the scenes on every broadcast for the Magic Radio Network. Marchitelli was promoted in 2005 to radio manager and also served as radio sideline reporter. He was named assistant director of broadcasting in July 2017, then promoted to director of broadcasting and alumni relations in July 2023.

“I am beyond grateful to the DeVos family and the Orlando Magic organization for this wonderful opportunity,” Marchitelli said in a statement. “Working with David Steele for the past 20 years has been the highlight of my career. He is an absolute legend, and I can’t thank him enough for everything he has taught me along the way.

“This is a dream come true and I’m looking forward to continuing my connection with Orlando Magic fans everywhere,” he added.

The former voice of the University of Florida, Steele arrived in Orlando in 1989 after serving as network coordinator and football/basketball play-by-play announcer for the Gators for seven seasons.

He was named Florida Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association twice, winning the honor in both 2009 and 2021. In 1980, Steele earned the Ray Reeve Award as TV Sportscaster of the Year in North Carolina. He also won the Best Play-By-Play in Florida award from the Florida Sportscasters Association in 1984. In February 2019, Steele became the eighth person inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.

A native of Jacksonville, Steele’s professional broadcasting career began in 1975, as sports director at WJHG-TV in Panama City. He also served as sports director at WLOS-TV in Asheville, NC, and was the football/basketball play-by-play announcer at Western Carolina University.

He and his wife, Sally, live in Orlando. They have three children, Luke, Emily and Betsy, and eight grandchildren.

Marchitelli earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations/advertising from Liberty University in 1998. A native of Woburn, Mass., he and his wife, Lana, live in Windermere and have two daughters, Olivia and Allison.

Following the closure of FanDuel Sports Network Florida, the Magic will announce their broadcast plans for the 2026-27 season in the near future, the team said.

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com

LAS VEGAS — So perhaps a little throwback LL Cool J if LeBron James opts for a return to the Miami Heat? As in the opening verse of Mama Said Knock You Out.

“Don’t call it a comeback, I been here for years. I’m rockin’ my peers, puttin’ suckers in fear.”

Actually it has been years since LeBron last played for the Heat in 2014, but there still has been an enduring connection — at Dwyane Wade’s final game with the Heat in 2019, the opponent in the 2020 NBA Finals at the Disney bubble, an embrace with Heat President Pat Riley this past season when the Lakers unveiled a Riley statue in from the their arena in downtown Los Angeles.

And now speculation of perhaps indeed calling it a comeback, with the Heat perceived as a finalist for James’ services in the wake of his parting last month with the Lakers.

Through the Heat’s first 38 seasons, there have been 14 cases of players leaving, playing elsewhere, and then returning.

It largely has been an uneven process, although one comeback resulted in a championship, a few others in deep playoff runs, and then the emotional final chapter of closure with Wade.

James would be the 15th to return and likely would transcend them all, the first Heat player to return after winning a championship with the team (and going on to win two more elsewhere).

So, yes, if it transpires, LeBron-Heat 2.0 would be at the top of the charts, as for the others (with regular-season games of each stint in parentheses:

Dwyane Wade,  2003-2016 (855),  2017-19 (93): The parting was unexpected and shocking, with the Heat during the 2016 offseason prioritizing retaining Hassan Whiteside in free agency and the pursuit of Kevin Durant in free agency.

To their credit, Heat owner Micky Arison and Heat President Pat Riley later acknowledged Wade’s 2016 free agency could have been handled better.

After the unsettling reality of Wade in Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers jerseys, he was brought back in Feb. 2018, after his failed effort to try to make it work with LeBron in Cleveland. While the return resulted only in a single playoff-game victory, it created an emotional 2017-18 farewell tour amid an otherwise lackluster Heat season.

Alonzo Mourning, 1995-03 (407), 2004-08 (186): Despite missing the entire 2002-03 season due to kidney illness, Mourning was offended by the level of the Heat’s offer in 2003 free agency, making a hasty move to the New Jersey Nets.

By March 2005 , fences were mended and Mourning returned, a year later going on to help share in the Heat’s 2006 NBA championship.

The bond has endured since, with Mourning retiring in 2007-08 after a knee injury, now a valued member of the team’s front office.

Bruce Bowen,  1996-97 (1), 1999-01 (109): A developmental discovery in March 1997, Bowen would play only one game for the Heat that season, before leaving for a two-year free-agent contract with the Boston Celtics.

Bowen then returned in 1999 as a valued 3-and-D component, including as a playoff presence, before leaving in 2001 free agency for the San Antonio Spurs.

Eddie House,  2000-03 (169),  2010-11 (56): A quality contributor as a second-round pick in 2000 who was so popular with his streak scoring that Riley’s daughter at one point asked he father to play the guard more often, House would go on to cycle through stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks, New Jersey Nets and Celtics.

House then was signed back as a free agent in the 2010 offseason, after the signings of Wade, LeBron and Chris Bosh, playing as a minor contributor in that first season of the Heat’s Big Three.

Michael Beasley,  2008-10 (97), 2013-15 (79): The No. 2 pick in the  2008 draft after the Heat’s lack of lottery luck cost them a shot at Derrick Rose, Beasley first stint ended when he was dealt in the Heat’s 2010 summer of the Big Three to create cap room for the signing of Mike Miller.

Beasley then would cycle through time with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns, before signing three different reunion contracts with the Heat, never able to recapture his initial Heat success.

Josh Richardson, 2015-19 (259),  2023-25 (51): The No. 40 pick by the Heat in the 2015 draft, Richardson after four productive Heat seasons was sent out to the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler.

Richardson returned in 2023, but after an injury-limited second Heat tenure was sent out in the 2025 trade that also sent out Butler, with the Heat in that deal acquiring Kyle Anderson, Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins and the first-round pick that turned into Kasparas Jakucionis. Richardson has not played in the NBA since.

Rafer Alston, 2003-04 (82),  2009-10 (25): A valued component amid the Heat’s playoff revival with his ballhandling and 3-point shooting,  Alston then cashed in with the Toronto Raptors during 2004 free agency.

He returned in January 2010 after a buyout from then Nets. only to then walk away from the game in March of that year, never to play in the NBA again.

Ricky Davis,  2000-01 (7), 2007-08 (82): Davis’ first Heat tenure was cut short by knee and ankle injuries, dealt at the end of that season to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the trade that brought back Chris Gatling.

Davis returned in 2007 in the housecleaning trade with the Timberwolves that sent out Antoine Walker. While Davis provided quality play in his return season, he also allowed the Heat to be bad enough to finish with the league’s worst record at second the No.2 lottery pick, then allowed to depart to the Clippers as a free agent in 2008.

Eddie Jones,  2000-05 (352), 2006-07 (35): Having provided stability during the build up to the Heat’s first championship era, Jones was sent to the Memphis Grizzlies in the August 2005 blockbuster deal that brought in 2006 championship components Antoine Walker, Jason Williams and James Posey.

A buyout from the Grizzlies then allowed for a Feb. 2007 Heat return, but by then the Heat’s championship rotation was running on fumes, with Jones leaving for the Dallas Mavericks in  2007 free agency.

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Bimbo Coles, 1990-96 (440), 2003-04 (22): Acquired in the second round of the 1990 draft, Coles was a rotation mainstay until dealt to the Warriors in the 1996 Tim Hardaway trade.

He cycled back to the Heat in 2003 free agency, but by then was not the same player.

Steve Smith, 1991-95 (189), 2004-05 (13): Another case of magic that could not be recaptured.

Draft by the Heat at No. 5 in 1991, Smith was sent out to the Atlanta Hawks along with Grant Long in the ill-fated 1994 trade for Kevin Willis.

Smith then was re-acquired from Charlotte in a Feb. 2005 trade for current Heat assistant coach Malik Allen, with a nondescript close to his NBA career that season.

Chris Gatling, 1995-96 (24), 2001-02 (54): A plus-one to the Tim Hardaway acquisition from the Golden State Warriors in Feb. 1996, Gatling left in free agency for the Mavericks six months later.

He then returned for a single-season encore in 2001, by then limited in his productivity, waived at season’s end.

Dorell Wright,  2004-10 (211),  2015-16 (5): Drafted No. 19 out of high school by the Heat in 2004, Wright mostly was reduced to benchwarmer as the Heat moved into playoff mode, allowed to depart in 2010 free agency.

He then was brought back for the 2016 playoff run, with his five appearances coming in the playoffs, in the final games of his NBA career.

Mario Chalmers,  2008-16 (525), 2021-22 (0): A mainstay at point guard during the Big Three era, Chalmers was unloaded to the Grizzlies in a 2015 salary dump.

He then returned to the Heat in Dec. 2021 on a COVID hardship contract, but never saw action.

The New Mexico Goatheads announced their first roster move Friday. On Monday, the Colorado Avalanche’s ECHL affiliate revealed its first addition to coach Zack Storini’s staff.

Former longtime minor-league defenseman Matt Register was named assistant coach ahead of the Goatheads’ inaugural season. New Mexico begins its 2026-27 campaign Oct. 16 against the Allen Americans at Rio Rancho Events Center.

This will be the 36-year-old’s second coaching stop. After appearing in four games last season with the ECHL’s Allen Americans, Register transitioned into an assistant for the team.

It capped a professional career for the Calgary, Alberta native that spanned 15 seasons between the Central Hockey League, ECHL, American Hockey League and the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League.

Most of his time and success came in the ECHL.

During his 14 years in the league, Register won the Kelly Cup — the ECHL’s version of the Stanley Cup — three straight seasons (2016 with the Americans and 2017 and 2018 with the Colorado Eagles). He was named the Kelly Cup MVP in 2017. Register earned All-ECHL honors six times and was named the league defensive player of the year on three occasions.

Overall, Register played in 843 ECHL games between the regular season and playoff, and finished with 147 goals, 521 assists and 571 penalty minutes.

David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X @DavidGlovach.

More New Mexico Goatheads reading

*

Goatheads sign 1st player to inaugural roster

Avalanche's minor-league affiliate brings on forward Grant Ahcan for the 2026-27 season

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Goatheads new head coach brings strong roots to role

Zack Stortini's former coaches, Mike Vellucci and Ryan Warsofsky, helped set the path to his own top job

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New Mexico Goatheads announce home opener date

The ECHL expansion team will bring professional hockey back to New Mexico for the first time in nearly 20 years

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'Love letter to Albuquerque': Jack Justice puts on directing hat for first time with 'Goatheads'

There are four matches remaining in the World Cup:

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France and Spain play a semifinal match at 1 p.m. Tuesday

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England and Argentina play a semifinal match at 1 p.m. Wednesday

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The losers of those games will play in the third-place match at 3 p.m. Saturday

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The winners of those games will play in the championship match at 1 p.m. Sunday

Here is a selection of places hosting free World Cup watch parties in Albuquerque:

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Bank of America Theatre at the Roy E. Disney Center for Performing Arts, 1701 4th St SW. The National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation and KRQE/FOX 505 watch party is free with advance registration; seating is limited to the first 300 registered guests. Register for France-Spain at https://snwbl.it/Z5nQGK; England-Argentina at https://snwbl.it/qalJul; and the championship match at https://snwbl.it/Lky8LO.

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Civic Plaza, downtown

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Historic Lobo Theater & Event Center, 3013 Central Ave NE

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Hollow Spirits, 1324 1st St.

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Starr Brothers Brewing Co., 5700 San Antonio Dr. For every beer sold during the World Cup showings, $1 is donated to support local youth soccer.

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Two Cranes Bistro + Brew, 901 Rio Grande Blvd NW Suite 190

The Colorado Rockies over the weekend stocked the cupboard in the MLB Draft. How well they stocked it is a game of wait and see.

Considering they locked up three highly touted college players in the first 40 picks of the first day of the draft, might the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes be seeing some of the new Rockies sooner rather than later?

Maybe. While a bit optimistic, it isn't out of the question for the Rockies' first three draft picks over the weekend to be making Albuquerque debuts as soon as next season.

Tyler Bell

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School: Kentucky

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Position: SS

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Pick: 10th overall (1st round)

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MLBPipeline draft rank: 10

How's this for a connection? Bell went to high school at Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort, Illinois; played travel ball for the Cangelosi Sparks in Illinois; and was drafted out of Kentucky as a star SEC shortstop. Current Isotopes SS Ryan Ritter was a fourth-round draft pick in 2022 who went to the same high school, played for the same travel club and was drafted out of Kentucky.

Slowing Bell's path for now is that he played this past season with a tear in his non-throwing shoulder that will require surgery.

"We're going to let our medical people take a look at it and make a decision on that," Rockies Assistant General Manager Tommy Tanous said of Bell's timeline with the injury. "It's probably too early for us to comment on that."

The Rockies' shortstop position is getting crowded, but Bell could still be a fast riser once healthy and could be in Albuquerque in 2027.

Daniel Jackson

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School: Georgia

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Position: C

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Pick: 37th overall (1st round)

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MLBPipeline draft rank: 28

He's the 2026 Golden Spikes Award winner out of Georgia. Sound familiar? Current Isotopes slugger and the Rockies No. 2 overall prospect Charlie Condon was the 2024 Golden Spikes Award winner out of Georgia and is on a fast track of his own to the Majors.

Jackson just became the first Division I catcher to hit 25 home runs and steal 25 bases in a season.

Rockies President of Baseball Operations Paul DePodesta said of Jackson and third round pick Jack Natili, a catcher out of the University of Cincinnati, that both will have long big-league careers.

Logan Reddemann

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School: UCLA

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Position: RHP

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Pick: 38th overall (2nd round)

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MLBPipeline draft rank: 31

Reddemann might be the one most ready to get to Albuquerque, at least, based on having as wide variety of high-command pitches as you'll see at the college level — not just two good pitches like many players have when they go pro.

"This is one of the bigger arsenals that you'll see. It's almost a professional arsenal," Tanous said.

Trivia time!

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QUESTION: The Golden Spikes Award has been awarded to the top amateur baseball player since 1978 — dubbed by some the "Heisman Trophy" of baseball. This year's winner Daniel Jackson may find his way soon to Albuquerque after being drafted by the club over the weekend. Current Isotopes slugger Charlie Condon is a past winner of the prestigious honor.

Counting Condon, how many Golden Spikes Award winners have played professional baseball for the Albuquerque Isotopes and/or the Albuquerque Dukes?

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ANSWER: See below...

Know the foe

But first, we rest. Yes, the Isotopes return to action this week, just not until Friday at home after the All-Star break for an abbreviated three-game Pacific Coast League series vs. Sacramento at Rio Grande Credit Union Field.

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Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, 46-47 overall (5th), 7-11 2nd half (t-6th)

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Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, 49-41 overall (3rd), 7-11 2nd half (t-6th)

Three up, three down

Some things that have been looking good lately for the 'Topes, some not so good.

Looking good:

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IF Adael Amador had 10 total bases in last week's series at Sugar Land, including his first home run (Saturday) since May 29 vs. El Paso — a 69-at-bat stretch.

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IF Nic Kent hit his 11th home run of the season on Saturday, matching a career high for a season (2023 at High-A Spokane).

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The Isotopes still lead the PCL in stolen bases with 139. Second place Round Rock is at 123.

Look away:

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The Isotopes lost Friday at Sugar Land 10-0, the worst shutout loss since a 14-0 loss at Oklahoma City on Aug. 27, 2023.

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With Sunday's loss in Sugar Land, the Isotopes lost the series 1-5 and dropped to 46-47, below .500 for the first time since April 29 (14-15).

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Since IF Chad Stevens had his Isotopes-record 51-game on-base streak (and a streak of 61 straight games on base overall dating back to 10 games with Salt Lake last season) come to an end on July 4, he's hitting .143 (3-for-21).

Fast food

Another two weeks away for the Topes and now some time off for the All Star break means these chile racers have been sitting out for a long time. Will they be fresh come Friday when they return to action, or stale?

2026 Season Standings (41 races):

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14 wins — Salsa Jar

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11 wins — Red Chile

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9 wins — Green Chile

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7 wins — Taco

Homestand highlights

Here's a brief look at what the Isotopes are doing when they do get back into action for their abbreviated three-game home series Friday through Sunday (6:35 p.m. first pitch, unless noted):

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Friday: Color your own hat giveaway to the first 2,000 fans through the gates.

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Saturday: Mariachis de Nuevo Mexico Night! Postgame fireworks, in game dancing and music.

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Sunday (6 p.m. first pitch): Looney tunes jersey giveaway for the first 2,000 fans. (NOTE: first pitch is at 6 p.m., not the usual 6:35 p.m., and gates open 90 minutes early at 4:30 p.m. for this game).

Trivia answer

There have been four past Golden Spikes Award winners who have suited up for an Albuquerque professional baseball team:

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Charlie Condon, 1B, University of Georgia 2024: 1st round draft pick of the Rockies in 2024, has played 79 games this season for the Isotopes.

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Kris Bryant, 3B, University of San Diego 2013: The former Cubs star signed with the Rockies in 2022 and is technically on the team's 40-man roster, but a back injury may prevent him from playing again. Over the past four seasons, he played in 15 games for the Isotopes (six in 2022, one in 2023, eight in 2024).

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Darren Dreifort, RHP, Wichita State 1993: The former L.A. Dodgers pitcher played 21 games for the Dukes in parts of 1995, 96 and 97.

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Tim Wallach, 1B, Cal State Fullerton 1979: Wallach could make this list twice, despite being drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1979. He played one game for the Dukes in 1995 and was the Isotopes manager in 2009 and 2010, winning the PCL Manager of the Year once and tying the franchis record for wins in 2009 with 80.

Reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.

The winner gets to host NCAA Tournament games?

Unfortunately for Lobo fans, it's too late for that, but UNM did announce on Monday it has signed a home-and-home contract with Wichita State for men's basketball — one game this season on Nov. 21 in Kansas and the second on a yet-to-be-determined date in the 2027-28 season in the Pit.

Last week, despite plenty of public sentiment for the six-decade-old Pit to win a bid to host preliminary round games of the newly expanded NCAA Tournament for the next two years, the NCAA chose Wichita State's bid as the winner, citing its geographical advantage being closer to far more schools and fan bases than is Albuquerque.

As for the coming home-and-home basketball series between two of the more traditional top non-power conference programs, Lobos second-year coach Eric Olen has said he’s hopeful it can be a Quad 1 game on the road — a much-coveted distinction as the Lobos move into the newly configured Mountain West comes with the expectation of league play not helping the postseason resume as in years past.

"I think we've been able to put together a good schedule," Olen told reporters last week, prior to the Wichita State game being announced. "St. Mary's and Utah State are kind of marquee home games. And obviously we have New Mexico State at home, so we feel good about the home environments. And then we have a return to Santa Clara. We like that — theoretically a Quad 1 (game). Boise, Oregon State on neutral (courts). ...

"We still have a few games left to get, so we'll see how things play out."

For the Lobos — as the road team this season — Wichita State would have to end the season with a NET ranking in the top 75. The Shockers finished tied for second in the American this past season and with a final NET ranking of 70.

The Lobos finished this past season with a NET of 46.

The schedule so far

Based on records requests and announcements from the schools, the 13-game UNM men's basketball nonconference schedule for this season has nine games locked up, so far, plus two exhibition games:

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Exhibition: at Oklahoma State, Oct. 11

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Exhibition: vs. Washington State, Oct. 18 (The Pit)

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vs. Utah Tech, Nov. 2 (The Pit)

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vs. Northern Arizona, Nov. 10 (The Pit)

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at Santa Clara, Nov. 14

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at Wichita State, Nov. 21

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vs. Utah State, Nov. 29 (The Pit)

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vs. New Mexico State, Dec. 5 (The Pit)

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vs. Saint Mary's, Dec. 12 (The Pit)

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vs. Boise State, Dec. 21 or 23 (TBD event in California)

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vs. Oregon State, Dec. 21 or 23 (TBD event in California)

Wanna see?

The Lobo men's basketball team will hold a second open-to-the-public summer practice on July 21 in the Pit.

We're running it back!

Who's ready for another !?

July 21

️ The Pit—Powered by Nusenda

⏰ 6pm#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/lNPJeDliGz

— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) July 13, 2026

The event, free to the public, starts at 6 p.m.

There will be an Albuquerque Isotopes game going on that same night with charged parking. Parking at the Pit, for the practice, is free if drivers inform the lot attendant they are there for basketball.

Odds & ends...

• Former Lobo forward Josiah Allick got his first NBA Summer League action Sunday with the Charlotte Hornets. He grabbed one rebound in just 57 seconds on the court and did not take a shot. ...

• Former Lobo Timeo Pons, who transferred this offseason to Abilene Christian, scored a game-high 23 points with 10 rebounds and three steals on Sunday for France's U20 National team in a dominant 95-66 win over Germany in a group stage game in Slovenia. He hit 6-of-9 3-pointers. ...

• The second Eric Olen kids camp of the summer for boys and girls in first through eight grades will be July 27-30 in the Pit.

For more information on attending the camp, contact assistant coach Michael Wilder at mwilder2@unm.edu.

Reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.

OTTUMWA — Jace Mitchell knew he would be inheriting the role as the ace of the pitching staff for the Ottumwa High School baseball team when the season began.

In his final game on the mound for the Bulldogs, Mitchell pitched like an ace allowing two runs on four hits while striking out 10 batters. It was a performance worthy of a postseason win.

Against many other pitchers, it would have been good enough to earn Mitchell a postseason win. Adam Bowman, however, ended up on top in a classic substate duel on Saturday at John Hart Stadium.

Bowman, one of the top 10 pitching prospects in the state, showcased his skills for 6 2/3 innings allowing just two infield singles to the Bulldogs and three total baserunners while striking out 13 batters. The Little Hawk senior came within one pitch of a complete-game effort, ultimately handing the ball over to Kane Willey, who struck out Quinn Larsen swinging with the final pitch clinching Iowa City High's 2-0 win over Ottumwa in the Class 4A, Substate 8 quarterfinals.

"When you play in the playoffs, it's always a grind game, especially in this type of match-up," Ottumwa High School head baseball coach Joey Mitchell said. "They had a pitcher on the mound that's been really good all season. He was really good again.

"When it comes to games like this, it comes down to a couple of timely hits. They got them. We didn't."

Jace Mitchell took over as Ottumwa's top pitcher midway through the season from one of the other state's top pitching prospects. Tucker Long wrapped up his final season of high school baseball pitching 20 innings in four starts, striking out 42 batters reaching 250 career strikeouts before moving on the begin his college baseball career at the University of Mississippi.

Mitchell finished an incredible senior season for the Bulldogs both on the mound and at the plate, recording a 1.47 ERA in 43 innings over eight starts while striking out 59 batters. Mitchell also finished leading Ottumwa at the plate with eight home runs, 39 RBIs and a .758 slugging percentage giving the Bulldog senior plenty of confidence heading to Central College to begin his own collegiate baseball career.

"It definitely gives me a lot of confidence that I can go in there and show everyone what I can do," Jace Mitchell said. "Definitely, when it comes to hitting, I kind of struggled early on and found it midway through the season. I just rode with it. I've pitched against a lot of good teams this year and done pretty well against most of them."

Mitchell met an early challenge on Saturday as Iowa City High (22-18) loaded the bases with one out in the opening inning, striking out the last two hitters to keep the Little Hawks off the board. Bowman responded by striking out the side in the opening inning on the way to retiring seven of Ottumwa's first nine hitters on strikeouts.

"I just had the ball moving really well," Bowman said. "I was able to throw all three of my off-speed pitches for strikes. When I can do that, it makes it pretty easy."

Iowa City High brought in the only two runs of the game thanks in large part the biggest swing of the game. Blaine Heick followed a lead-off single by Caden Pauli by driving a ball to center for an RBI double before stealing third base and scoring on a sacrifice fly by Crosby Newton, giving Bowman all the run-support necessary allowing only one ball to leave the infield in the contest retiring the potential tying run at the plate five times including four strikeouts of the potential tying run during the contest.

"When I take too much time in between pitches, that's usually when I get into trouble," Bowman said. "I try to keep my mojo working by going pitch to pitch. I just try to throw the ball and, hopefully, it goes where you want it."

Larsen reached twice in three trips to the plate against Bowman. Mitchell Jordan collected his team-leading 45th hit, beating out an infield single in the third inning for the Bulldogs.

"We were starting to see some things better once we started down the order for the third time," Joey Mitchell said. "We started putting some more balls in play, but it just started for us a little too late."

Iowa City High faced eighth-ranked Waukee Northwest (24-12) in the substate semifinals with the winner heading to third-ranked Indianola (31-4) on Wednesday for a state baseball tournament berth. Ottumwa ends the season with a record of 20-14 in Joey Mitchell's first year as the helm of the Bulldogs.

"Ottumwa baseball has always been a program that team's around the state recognize. We've always been able to put some really good teams together," Joey Mitchell said. "I just look forward to doing that each and every year."

Julius Randle is back in New York with more scars than nostalgia. He knows how passionate the city is, knows how quickly praise can harden into criticism and knows how a player’s name can be thrown around in trade rumors until a phone call makes them legit.

Keon Ellis is still learning another important New York lesson, one measured in smaller apartments, higher prices and an adjustment process that can start before the team’s first practice.

“Trying to find a house is tough,” Ellis said over the weekend at Las Vegas Summer League. “It’s tough. It’s tough. So, I have to sacrifice something, some space for the prices. It’s a lot.”

The Nets brought them to Brooklyn through different doors. Randle came by trade, with All-Star credentials and playoff experience. Ellis came through free agency, with defense, shooting and the credibility of an undrafted guard who had to earn every NBA minute.

Brooklyn needs both kinds of help. The Nets remain young. Mikel Brown Jr., Egor Dëmin and the rest of the franchise’s prospects still have to grow before the rebuild takes off. But young players need more than minutes. They need the right vets around them and standards to follow.

Randle can be one. Ellis can be another. General manager Sean Marks said Randle will raise Brooklyn’s “physical toughness and competitiveness” and bring “veteran leadership and big game experience” to its young players. Randle, speaking in Las Vegas, trimmed the assignment to its daily work.

“Man, just really show them how to be a pro more than anything and bring that leadership aspect to it,” Randle said when asked what Marks and head coach Jordi Fernández want from him.

That means teaching younger players how to attack each day, handle an NBA season’s highs and lows and stay level-headed when the schedule or losses pile up.

Randle, 31, has experienced all of it. He became an All-Star with the Knicks, spent the past two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves and now returns to New York as a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA forward still capable of heavy production.

Across 148 regular-season games with Minnesota, Randle averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists. Last season, he averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and five assists in 79 games. In 27 combined playoff games with the Timberwolves, he averaged 19.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and four assists while helping the franchise reach the 2025 Western Conference Finals.

Randle said he loves passing, pushing pace, throwing ahead, opening the floor, getting into the paint and spraying the ball to teammates. He wants to learn where Brooklyn’s players prefer the ball and what Fernández wants from the offense.

“I can score the basketball, but I really love to pass the basketball,” Randle said.

On a young team, gravity can teach. A hard drive can show a cutter when to move. A double team can show a shooter where to stand. A veteran who has seen every coverage can make the next read easier for a rookie still learning NBA speed.

Ellis arrives with a different set of lessons to teach. Undrafted out of Alabama in 2022, Ellis signed a two-way contract with Sacramento and turned defense, shooting and low-usage reliability into a career. The Nets signed him to a two-year, $18 million guaranteed deal, adding a guard expected to compete for a rotation role off the bench.

Fernández was an assistant coach in Sacramento while Ellis developed there. Ellis said the prior relationship played “a good bit” into his decision to sign with Brooklyn because he knew how Fernández coached and had heard similar reviews from others, including former Net Dennis Schröder.

“I just know the way he coaches, he’s very passionate,” Ellis said. “He’s about the right things, wants to win.”

The reunion comes at an interesting stage in Ellis’ career. He’s 26, still young by NBA standards, yet old enough in Brooklyn to be asked for guidance. He laughed at the idea of becoming one of the older voices on the roster.

“It’s kind of crazy,” Ellis said.

Fernández, Ellis said, told him during their first phone call he would look to him to help younger players because he knows Ellis’ path to the NBA. That path has value in a locker room full of prospects trying to turn potential into staying power.

Ellis has appeared in 225 career games with Sacramento and Cleveland, averaging 6.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 19.9 minutes. He’s shot 40.7 percent from 3-point range for his career and topped 40% from deep in each of his first three seasons.

In 29 games with Cleveland to end last season, Ellis averaged career highs of 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 49.1 percent from the field. The Nets need his shooting, but his defense comes first. Ellis gives Brooklyn a point-of-attack option who can pressure the ball, chase guards through screens and guard without needing touches.

“I go out there, I just try to make it tough on guys,” Ellis said. “I mean, at the end of the day, you’re playing against the best players in the world. They’re going to score, they’re going to get to their spots, and you’re going to have bad defensive games, you’re going to have good defensive games.”

Randle can show what it looks like to carry a franchise.

Ellis can show what it takes to carve out a job when nothing is promised.

Both have work waiting in Brooklyn.

“If we are about the right things and do the right things every single day and play for one another and really pour into each other,” Randle said, “the results will follow and we’ll be exactly where we want to be.”

Miles McBride. Tyler Kolek. Ariel Hukporti. Mohamed Diawara. And now, Tyler Nickel and Jack Kayil.

The Knicks continue to hit on second-round picks.

It looks like the 20-year-old German guard’s got some game: Kayil, who the Knicks acquired after the Houston Rockets selected him 39th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, scored a team-high 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field and three-of-seven shooting from 3-point range to go with four assists and three steals in New York’s first Summer League victory of the offseason: an 86-75 victory over the Detroit Pistons to improve the Knicks’ Las Vegas record to 1-2 on Monday.

Kayil did not play in the Summer League opener against the Brooklyn Nets and scored 12 points in 21 minutes off the bench on Saturday. The German guard started in a featured role against the Pistons on Monday with Pacome Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara on the sidelines.

With more usage, the second-round pick delivered, giving the Knicks another prospect to consider for a two-way contract. New York’s crowded backcourt of Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Jose Alvarado and Kolek make rookie minutes a near impossibility — but Kayil flashed the scoring and playmaking abilities that earned him the early second-round selection.

And Nickel has already proven his ability to shoot the three at the pro level after nailing 40% of his shots behind the arc in his senior season at Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-8 wing the Knicks selected 47th overall in the June NBA Draft shot three-of-eight from deep for nine points in the win over the Pistons. Nickel has now made 13 3s on 29 attempts and is shooting 44.8% from behind the arc in Las Vegas.

Which leaves one more two-way roster spot if the Knicks are going to fill it with a player on their Summer League squad. The favorite if available? Likely Dillon Jones, who has won back-to-back championships with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Knicks. Jones was integral for head coach Mike Brown, who leaned on him in practice and on the sidelines. The 24-year-old wing scored 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting in Monday’s win over the Pistons.

There’s also Liam Robbins, a 27-year-old seven-footer looking for an opportunity with a Knicks team in need of help at center. Robbins scored 15 points and was willing to shoot the three, though he converted on just one of his four attempts behind the arc. Robbins also played at Vanderbilt and had four blocks on Monday. The Knicks were plus-10 in his 24 minutes on the floor.

Ozaya Sellers and Nick Jourdain had their moments, too. Sellers came off the bench and finished with 10 points and nine rebounds, and Jourdain started in place of Diawara and added 10 points and eight rebounds.

Most of the players on the Knicks’ roster, however, are auditioning for Westchester — or rival executives.

Nickel, Kayil, Jones and Robbins have emerged through three Summer League games, for three two-way roster spots the Knicks can fill as they reconstruct a roster that ended New York City’s 53-year NBA championship drought.

The Knicks have one more Las Vegas game left on the schedule against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday at 7 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS — For four years, Lapel football coach Tim Miller has sent his quarterback onto the field with a tongue-in-cheek reminder of the color of the jerseys worn by the Bulldogs on a given night.

Originally designed to ease the nerves of Devin Craig as a freshman starter, the weekly ritual needed a slight alteration as the Lapel senior prepared to take the field for the first series as the South’s quarterback in the 60th Annual Indiana Football Coaches Association North-South All-Star Game Friday at Decatur Central High School.

“Don’t forget, you’re wearing red tonight,” Miller shouted from behind the team’s bench, earning a smile and a nod from Craig.

“That was about the only coaching I gave the kid in four years,” Miller added.

The state’s fifth all-time leader in passing yardage took the field and found the right-colored jersey plenty of times.

In his final high school game, Craig completed 11 of 20 pass attempts for 179 yards and a key fourth quarter touchdown that put the game out of reach as the South defeated the North 23-9.

The game was a culmination of a week-long experience for Craig and the other all-stars that included training camp on the campus of the University of Indianapolis and a Friday evening banquet.

“It’s been different, but it’s been a lot of fun meeting some new people,” Craig said. “It’s been fun to make new friends and hang out with people I’ve never seen before.”

On the field, Craig came out hot, completing his first three passes on the opening possession before the drive later stalled.

The game was largely controlled by the defenses and, after the game was tied 6-6 at halftime, Ethan Need from Twin Lakes gave the North a 9-6 lead in the third quarter with his record third field goal of the game.

But after Cascade quarterback Brady Trebley put the South ahead with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Kendrick Pennybaker from Hamilton Southeastern with 5:30 left in the game, Craig put the game out of reach with a 30-yard strike to Da’Vion Davis from Ben Davis High School with just under four minutes remaining.

“When the wide receivers are really good, that helps,” Craig said. “The win is the biggest part, but it felt good to score.”

It was a fitting conclusion for the star quarterback, who won three sectional titles and the school’s first football regional championship during his time at Lapel.

And to no surprise to those who know him, Craig was selected to be a team captain by his All-Star teammates at Friday’s banquet.

“Super proud of him,” Miller said. “I’m so glad he had the experience, coming down to the U of I and practicing football this week. It’s a nice warm-up for all of these guys before they go start their college careers.”

The honor from the players, most of whom did not know Craig prior to the past week, was special to the outgoing Lapel star.

“It meant a lot, our room 302 was the party room,” Craig said. “Me and (Trebley), that’s where everybody was the other night.”

Craig led Lapel to a 13-1 record last fall while completing 246 of 392 passes (63%) for 3,325 yards and 42 touchdowns. Craig posted a quarterback rating of 112.7 and averaged 13.5 yards per completion.

Over four years, Craig finished with 10,893 passing yards, good for fifth-best on Indiana’s all-time list, with 112 touchdown passes while posting a career record of 38-15.

His career will continue at Georgetown College in Kentucky later this year, where his target jersey colors will be orange and black.

“He’s going to have a great college career,” Miller said. “I’m just excited that he got an opportunity to do this.”

INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana Football Coaches Association presented a total of 14 scholarships prior to kickoff of Friday’s 60th Annual All-Star Classic, including a Hall of Fame prize to Alexandria quarterback Brady Gast.

Gast was a four-year varsity student-athlete in both football and basketball, while also competing for two years in golf and two years in baseball for Alexandria. His football achievements include being named a two-time All-Conference selection, an Academic All-State honoree, and a Region 5 All-Star Offense At-Large selection. Additionally, Gast earned honorable mention All-Conference honors in golf.

“It means a lot with all the work I’ve put in,” Gast said. “I’m thankful for everything that’s happened to me.”

Gast will continue his football and academic career at Franklin College

“I’m excited for that,” he said. “I’ll be studying sports administration and hopefully become an athletic director.”

Last year, Gast was 130-196 passing for 2,095 yards and 25 touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions. He rushed for 321 yards and six touchdowns and graduated 32nd in his class with a grade point average of 3.53.

During his four seasons, Gast completed 65.9% of his passes for a total of 6,840 yards with 78 touchdowns against just 25 interceptions while the Tigers posted a 28-14 record. He added over 600 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns over the course of his career while playing for his father, Pete, at Alexandria.

“He’s done a lot for me, the town of Alexandria was great to me and it’s been a great four years,” Gast said.

He added three career interceptions on the defensive side of the ball, including a pair during his junior season.

Prior to kickoff, Gast and the other scholarship winners rode around the field in Corvettes, supplied by the Murat Shriner’s Club.

“That car was cool,” he said. “My takeaway is to be thankful for everything and I’m thankful to God.”

Other scholarship winners include Cade Kitchel from West Lafayette, Owen Dorrel from Culver Academy, Emmianna Dowell of Madison, Angola’s Alex Thomas, Madi Lance from Leo, Sawyer Tippmann of Snider, Mackenzie Kania from Chesterton, Jordan Palmer from Whiteland, Sam Pavey of Rushville, Seeger’s Paul Ragan and Henry Tokar from Yorktown.

Both Dorrel and Kania were presented multiple scholarship awards.

LAKE PLACID — As America continues to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its berth, the legacy of one of the nation’s greatest moments continues to be chronicled at a studio in Loveland, Colorado.

Sculptor Rob Eccleston has made significant progress on the "Monument to a Miracle" sculpture honoring a time when 20 U.S. hockey players shocked the world at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid by defeating the heavily favored Soviet Union in the Miracle on Ice. The team, coached by Herb Brooks, then overcame Finland two days later to secure an improbable gold medal.

“When I presented the sketches to the team, they said it was really nice, but we really want it to be based on the photo of them on the podium because on our backs is USA, not our names,” Eccleston said. “It’s not about us as individuals. It’s about the team. And that spoke volumes to me. It made me more interested in doing the project than ever before because it showed the humility of these amazing hockey players.”

'ONE OF THE MOST COMPLEX SCULPTURES'

Eccleston’s work depicts all 20 players on the top rung of the Olympic podium at the medal ceremony.

Last year, Eccleston made significant progress toward the creation of the full "Monument" sculpture ensemble. Admittedly, he has been challenged by this particular work.

“It’s not only the most complex sculpture I’ve ever created. It might be one of the most complex sculptures ever created. This is basically a 20-person jigsaw puzzle."

At his Rocky Mountain location, Eccleston has completed half scale figures of Steve Janaszak, Mark Pavelich, Dave Silk, Bob Suter, Buzz Schneider, Dave Christian and Mike Ramsey.

In addition to the half scale figures, Eccleston also milled and sculpted seven full-scale busts of these same players. According to Eccleston, they are essential for capturing accurate likenesses and will guide the transition to full scale figures.

Looking ahead through 2026, his goal is to complete an additional seven half-scale figures, bringing the total to 14.

To date he has completed 10.

Eccleston anticipates completing a corresponding number of full scale busts, as well, keeping the project on pace with the long-term fabrication schedule.

Working six days a week, he is currently focused on the half scale figures of Jim Craig, Steve Christoff and Mark Johnson.

2027 GOALS

Eccleston’s long range goal is to complete the remaining six half-scale figures and busts by the end of 2027. Once all 20 players are sculpted at half scale and in bust form, Eccleston will shift his attention to the figure of speedskater Eric Heiden, the winner of five Olympic gold medals at those Winter Games.

The Heiden figure will be developed in parallel with the "Monument to a Miracle’s" scanning and 3D printing process.

He said this sequencing ensures the artistic work and the technical fabrication pipeline remain aligned as the project advances toward full-scale production in 2028 and 2029.

At the end of this journey, all sculpting will have been completed in time for Lake Placid’s 50th anniversary of the Olympic Games. That celebration is planned for February 2030.

But first, the fundraising project that has sustained these initiatives forges ahead. Creating a total of 21 figures requires substantial financial outlay, so organizers are asking fans and supporters, near and far, to consider donating to the mission.

'250 FOR 250' CAMPAIGN

To celebrate America's 250th birthday throughout the month of July, the Friends of the 1980 Miracle on Ice Team have launched the "250 for 250" campaign. The goal is to inspire 250 people to make a symbolic $250 donation in honor of our nation's 250 years of freedom.

Every contribution, regardless of size, helps move the "Monument to a Miracle" one step closer to becoming a permanent tribute to teamwork, perseverance, patriotism and one of the greatest moments in American sports history. Supporters across the country are invited to be part of preserving this legacy for future generations.

For more information, to learn details about the 10 giving levels or to donate to this goal, visit 1980miraclemonument.org.

Jul. 12— The Austin Post 91 Legion baseball team scored three times in the top of the seventh inning as it walked away with a 6-3 win at Kasson Sunday.

Cooper Jacobsen had a homer and two RBIs for Post 91 (8-3 overall) and John Rollie scored the win in relief.

Austin pitching: John Rollie (W) 1 1/3 IP, 2 BB, 0 R, 4 K; Jonah Klein, 5 2/3 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 K

Austin hitting: Rollie, 1-for-4, R; Keagen Duholm, 1-for-4, RBI, R; Haydn Quitmeyer, 1-for-2, double, R, 2 BBs; Benton Purkapile, 2-for-4, R; Cooper Jacobsen, 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBIs, R; Kam Lundberg, 1-for-3, RBI

Lionel Gannon saw the ups and downs from inside the building.

Moanalua’s 2026 campaign was lively, and even with solid success in preseason tournaments, there was no obvious reason to believe Na Menehune would shock the world.

The team grew stronger, turned errors into lessons and ended the OIA’s state-championship drought. Gannon was more than the best player on the best team. He was unflappable, doing all the little things with excellence as Moanalua became the first non-ILH program to win a state title since 1979.

The 6-foot-3 outside hitter’s state-tournament numbers were efficient and crucial.

>> 19 kills (.424), 1.5 blocks, one ace and four digs in a three-set quarterfinal win over Hawaii Baptist

>> 26 kills (.404), two blocks, two aces, one assist, eight digs in a four-set, semifinal win over Mid-Pacific

>> 18 kills (.250), 1.5 blocks, one assist, seven digs in the four-set win over Punahou for the crown

The senior’s reaction to top honors as the Player of the Year in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Boys Volleyball coaches and media selections was, as usual, emotionally understated and on point.

“It’s surreal, obviously. It’s everything I’ve worked for and dreamed of. Honestly, I’m just super glad we won. That’s the main thing that matters,” Gannon said. “If it wasn’t for everyone that supported me, my family, my coaches, my teammates, I would never have been able to do it.”

Alan Cabanting was voted Coach of the Year after steering Moanalua to its first state title. Le Jardin coach Makana Wade was second in the voting, followed by Punahou’s Rick Tune. Gabriel Maunupau of Mililani and Maria Taiafi-Husseini also received votes.

All season long, Cabanting put trust into his team and highly composed leaders like Gannon.

“That silent confidence is what we’re going to miss. He doesn’t talk a lot. He just shows it, models it and the boys playing around him somehow feed off that confidence,” Cabanting said, “knowing that if I mess up, Lionel’s going to be there to help us out.”

A hitter with every kind of touch on his swing plus high IQ was immeasurably valuable.

“He was so savvy with his attacks. Punahou took his cross and he hit line. There were several times where defenses took the line and the tip, and he goes deep corner into a 1-6 area. Being able to see that and knowing he doesn’t have to swing hard to get his kills,” Cabanting said

It was a season to remember.

“It all starts with the mentality that we had going into the season,” Gannon said. “All of our teammates were super bought-in into our system. We knew we had to do everything right to eventually take down Punahou. It’s cool to see a month after, I’ve known so many people for so long, it’s great. Everyone has a different personality and it’s great we were able to mesh together and form a great team chemistry.”

For one night, in the midst of chaotic Kona low weather, in a match that was postponed and moved from Laie to Pearl City, a packed house of loud spectators got to see history. In a rarity, the match was not televised due to the postponement. It felt surreal, but for Moanalua, it was about fundamentals and a defense sparked by the consistency and occasional spectacular play of libero Darric Abe.

“Punahou is one of the best serving teams. That was one of our main focuses throughout the entire season, making sure that our serve pass was really good,” Gannon said. “That allowed us to be competitive in the match. When we were down, I knew that we would never be out because we could bring it back with our serve receive.”

Star-Advertiser’s Fab 15: Boys Volleyball

Rk

Name (School)

Pos.

Notes / Stats

1

Lionel Gannon (Moanalua)

OH

63 kills at state tourney, 18 in final win vs. Punahou

2

Cameron Porter (Punahou)

OH

Closed out a brilliant career, 25 kills vs. Moanalua

3

Sava Miocinovic (Mid-Pacific)

OH

27 vs. eventual champion Moanalua in states

4

Jarryn McCutcheon (Moanalua)

OH/Opp.

Stepped up with 17 kills in the state final

5

Kanalu Akana (Punahou)

S

125 assists, 12 kills, three aces in HHSAA tourney

6

Tanoa Scanlan (Punahou)

OH

Steady player with 11, 15, 15 kills in states

7

Nikola Miocinovic (Mid-Pacific)

S

122 assists at states, including 44 vs. Moanalua

8

La‘akea Kamahele (Le Jardin)

OH

59 kills in three tourney matches for first D-II state title

9

Darric Abe (Moanalua)

L

12 digs in comeback win vs. MPI, 14 digs vs. Punahou

10

Jason Rivers (Hawaii Baptist)

OH

28 kills vs. KS-Hawaii, 17 kills in loss to Moanalua

11

Julian Romine (Mid-Pacific)

Opp/MB

19 kills, 3.5 blocks in semifinal loss to Moanalua

12

Kaito Duranceau (Mililani)

OH

43 kills, 7 aces, 24 digs at the state tourney

13

Brennan Nakayama (Le Jardin)

L

103 assists in state matches, 39 in D-II state final

14

Elau Hoopai-Waikoloa (Hana)

OH

50 kills vs. Seabury Hall, 39 kills, 4 aces vs. Pahoa

15

William Niethammer (Punahou)

L

Tallied 3 aces, 28 digs at the state tournament

Awards

* Player of the Year: Lionel Gannon (Moanalua)

* Coach of the Year: Alan Cabanting (Moanalua)

Honorable Mention

Taylor Chung (Moanalua), Nathaniel Kawai Koahou (Kamehameha), Luke Pragnell (Maui), Seth Kimura (Mililani), Nahua Lloyd (Punahou), Samuel Mokan (Hawaii Baptist), Josiah Talamoa (Pearl City), Micah Kalima-Keohohina (Radford), Cooper Long (Kamehameha), Brennan Flores (Mid-Pacific), Piikoa Kamoku (KS-Maui), Tui Ika (Radford)

Hawaii Prep World

For high school sports record books, visit .

This offseason, University of Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado is routinely clocked at 4:45.

With a lights-outs bedtime of 8:30 p.m., Alejado awakens at 4 in the morning, showers, and then arrives at UH at 4:45. Maybe earlier, never later.

“I try to be the first one there,” Alehado, 21, said of the 6 a.m. start to conditioning drills. “Start warming up my body and get ready for the workout. I’m getting older. The body takes a little bit longer to get warmed up now.”

Entering his third year — and second as QB1 — with the Rainbow Warriors, Alejado has embraced his leadership role.

“I want to set the example,” said Alejado, whose summer schedule is built around the Warriors’ training.

He attended Saturday’s UFC 329 fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where his parents own a home. He is scheduled to travel to Honolulu today, participate in Monday’s morning workout at UH, and then return to Las Vegas that afternoon ahead of this week’s Mountain West Media Days. Alejado, running back Cam Barfield, linebacker Jamih Otis, and nickelback Elijah Palmer will represent the Warriors during Wednesday’s session. All are alumni of Bishop Gorman High School, a national football powerhouse in Las Vegas.

While many high school graduates don’t see each other until their class’ 10th reunion, UH appears to have established a Bishop Gorman alumni association. There are 16 former Gaels on the Warriors’ 2026 active roster. Associate head coach Chris Brown and quarterbacks coach Chad Kapanui also coached at Bishop Gorman.

“Gorman played a huge part in all our lives,” Alejado said. “It’s a scared place. It definitely set us on the right path of life. Looking back on it — our lifestyles, our practice schedules, everything that happened with school and football and off the field — it was preparation for life after high school and going to college. It made the transition so much easier.”

Alejado, in actuality, has been training since his hanabata days in Ewa Beach. His father was a quarterback at Pearl City High. Paul Alejado made his left-handed son also practice throwing with his right hand, just in case. Micah Alejado can accurately throw right-handed passes up to 30 yards.

Galu Tagovailoa, father of Atlanta Falcons’ QB Tua Tagovailoa, was Alejado’s youth-league head coach.

Alejado moved to Las Vegas ahead of his freshman year at Saint Louis School. Jon Amano, a former Hawaii resident who coaches in Las Vegas, taught Alejado the intricacies of the run-and-shoot offense that UH uses. Bishop Gorman’s West Coast offense has run-and-shoot elements.

“At Gorman, we were training already in January and getting ready for the season in August,” Alejado recalled. “Early-morning workouts in the summer. … One-hundred degrees is 100 degrees. It’s not comfortable at all. But it makes you in shape and mentally tough.”

Alejado also has learned to adapt as he ascended the football ladder. At 5 feet 10, Alejado relies on a quick release to escape a defense of 11 angry men. His ability to throw to receivers as they break on their routes comes from post-practice sessions and tireless video studies.

“If you really want to be a mastermind and understand the game to the fullest, you have to take the proper steps to prepare and take a deep dive into the book of football,” Alejado said. “That’s the way I’ve been since I was young. I was in love with the game and the P’s and Q’s and insides and outsides of it.”

Alejado often will watch a play from an NFL telecast, then fire off a text to head coach Timmy Chang, who calls the offensive plays.

“Can we get a variation of what they’re doing into our offense?” Alejado would text.

Last season, Alejado showed grit after being injured in the season-opening victory over Stanford. He was believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain. He declined to undergo advanced testing.

“I didn’t want to know what was wrong,” he said. “I wasn’t going to look at anything until the end of the season or if I couldn’t walk anymore.”

He played the following week, aggravating the injury in the second half. He missed the next two games and, after a bye week, returned against Fresno State and started the remainder of the season.

He did not participate in movement drills ahead of the Hawaii Bowl.

“I was just trying to get the ankle ready for one last game,” he said. “It was pretty surreal how I made it through the season.”

After the victory over California in the Hawaii Bowl, during which he completed 69.6% of his throws for 274 yards and three touchdowns, it was revealed he had endured fractures to his tibia and fibula in his right ankle. The injury did not require surgery.

“I don’t think if it were my left (ankle), I would have played, definitely not,”said Alejado, referencing his push-off foot.

Alejado did not participate in contact drills the past spring training. He was cleared for sprinting in June.

“I think those five, six months helped me a lot,” Alejado said. “It’s been a long road to recovery, one that really tested me. Looking at it now, I’m 100%.”

In this era of easy transfers and lucrative name-image-likeness deals, Alejado opted to stay put.

“Coach Chang has been my No. 1 supporter ever since he gave me a scholarship,” Alejado said. “That means a lot to have a coach who believes in you and trusts you. You’ll find a lot of guys today in college football struggling to find that. People underestimate how grateful I am for having this head coach and culture around me, having my brothers around me. We care about football. I love the culture here. I love the people. I want to win some football games here.”

Alejado regularly treats the offense to lunch. Ahead of training camp, he plans to pick up the tab for a team dinner. This coming Sunday, he is the name sponsor to a youth camp (ages 6-16) at Saint Louis School.

He said he grew up attending football camps and clinics. It was where he met and played catch with Tua Tagovailoa and Marcus Mariota.

“It was fun to meet them and talk football,” Alejado said. “It was big to see how they were as people. I want to do the same.”

—

Jul. 12—Thirty-two years ago, coach Larry Ham let senior Chris Wallace, the star quarterback for the South High School football team, call the plays on defense for the basketball team.

"I'm offense on the football field," Wallace said, "but when it comes to basketball, I think it starts and stops with who's playing defense and who's getting after 50-50 balls and who's winning the rebound war."

That was Wallace's thinking in the 1993-94 season, and it remains his philosophy as he prepares for his first season as the head coach of the Springfield boys basketball team.

"(Defense) dictates a lot of what we do offensively," Wallace said, "and that's getting out and trying to score off the break. If we can't, we'll get into what we do, but that's the precedent we're trying to set right now with our student-athletes."

Springfield announced the hiring of Wallace on June 1. Wallace replaces Matt Yinger, who stepped down in April. Yinger was 28-48 over three seasons.

Wallace will remain the offensive coordinator of Springfield's football team. He said the basketball team will practice in the evening after the football team when the seasons overlap.

The basketball team, which includes many football players, will play its first game in mid-December. That has often been the schedule for Springfield, whose football team has made a habit of deep playoff runs.

"If I have to do double duty, that means we're doing what we're supposed to do on the football field," Wallace said.

Springfield has suffered seven straight losing seasons in basketball. Springfield football was in a similar place when Maurice Douglass took over the program in 2014, having won a combined total of four games in the three previous seasons. Douglass turned the program into a winner in his third season and a state power in his sixth. Springfield then reached the state championship game three seasons in a row.

Wallace has similar goals.

"Those are the same set of kids that did what they did on the football field," Wallace said, "so the expectation doesn't change. Once you set a standard, that's what the goal is, and I think our kids will say that without a doubt. That's where we see ourselves."

For Wallace, the path to that level of success begins with building a culture with the basketball program.

"The one thing that I talked to my assistant coaches about is we all agree right now there's no culture for basketball, and that's where it has to start," he said. "We created a culture with football. We created a sense of belonging. That's something that people value. We hold each other accountable, from the trainers all the way to the kids. That's what we're going to try to do with basketball as well. I think it can happen, but it takes the kids saying, 'Hey, this is what we're going to do. This is how we're going to do things. This is what our standard is going to be as players. As student-athletes, we're going to hold each other to this standard.' If you get that player-led atmosphere, we can start to build. Right now, our talk is we want to play late into March."

Wallace has plenty of experience with the program. He has worked as a varsity assistant basketball coach, a freshman head coach and a junior varsity coach.

Wallace takes over the program as his son, Christopher, enters his senior year. Christopher played quarterback for the football team but was limited to three games in basketball as a junior because of an injury.

Wallace has known many of the basketball players since they were in elementary school. He got to know them through his work as a community mentor supervisor for the school district.

"It's been exciting to see them grow in multiple sports," he said.

Wallace has already started working with them on the court. The Wildcats played at the Midwest Live event in Sandusky, Ohio, in June. They're also holding open gyms at the high school. He has seen good numbers and is excited about the young players.

"We've got a good young class of incoming freshmen and sophomores that are committed to the game," Wallace said, "and are showing up and working hard. We're young on the varsity level as well. We've got three or four sophomores that are going to be contributing, and we've got a couple juniors, and then we've got some seniors at the guard spots as well."

If Wallace achieves his goals, he'll add another chapter to Springfield's rich basketball history. Springfield won state championships in 1925 and 1950. North reached the state semifinals in 1995 and 1997. Ham guided South to seven conference championships and five district titles in 14 seasons.

Wallace knows about the past success of Springfield and North and South high schools, before they combined, as well as anyone.

Wallace is the rare athlete who not only played for South's Larry Ham but also for North's Eddie Ford. Wallace started his high school career at North and finished at South. His Springfield basketball experience goes back even further than that.

"I used to lay the jerseys out when I was a kid for Doug Ratstatter and Don Henderson and company," Wallace said. "I used to be in those locker rooms because my brother went to North. My older cousin, Steve Victoria, went to North. I went to North my first couple years, but even when I was a kid, my sisters cheered for South. I knew the Pepper Begos, the Scott Thomases, the Karlton Claybornes, the Jason Gees."

Some of those former Springfield basketball standouts called to congratulate Wallace on getting the job. They told him, "I know you're going to bring back that attitude and that toughness that we brought on the court in both gyms out on the north side and the south side."

"There's a buzz in the community," Wallace said, "and I'm excited about that."

LAS VEGAS — By the time the machinations were over and the trade that sent him from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Heat was done, it was clear that Giannis Antetokounmpo had gotten what he wanted with the career reset.

Less clear, but perhaps just as needed, was Kel’el Ware going in the other direction in the deal, afforded a reset with the Bucks after a pair of uneven, rocky seasons with the Heat.

“I mean, I kind of figured it was going to happen,” Ware said at Thomas & Mack Center as he watched the Bucks play at the Las Vegas NBA Summer League. “So I was just preparing myself. I mean, it was everywhere, I mean, you kind of see, especially speaking with my agents and things like that. So you kind of get a gist of what’s going to happen.”

And then it happened, with Ware, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis and significant draft capital going out in the deal that brought back Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from the Bucks.

For Ware, these first two NBA seasons have been a rollercoaster for more than the constant links to trade possibilities, including several times being mentioned during his first season in a possible Heat trade for Kevin Durant and then at February’s trade deadline linked to Atentokinmpo.

Also at play was a seeming lack of trust from Heat coach Erik Spoelstra when it came to role and playing time, often accompanied by tough-love criticism.

“Um, I feel like, you know, his decision was how he played me,” Ware said, without directly getting into his view on how he should have or could have been utilized.

In fact, it was a year ago, last July, when Spoelstra took the atypical approach of criticizing a returning player about summer-league play.

“There’s layers to this with Kel’el,” Spoelstra said in Las Vegas last July. “A big part of this is he has to really embrace and improve his professionalism, his consistency, his approach every single day. He has to get better with that. It’s learning how to become a pro.

“The talent is there. The professionalism and consistency has to improve and it is. Our standards are not going to change and our expectations and how fast we want that to improve for him are not going to change. But he has to get better at it, he has to take ownership of it.”

With the Heat, there was the constant urgency to win every moment, amid a desperate battle during Ware’s two seasons for playoff seeding, winding up in the play-in bracket both years, without a single playoff-game victory during his tenure.

Now with the Bucks, the pressure figures to lessen and the development perhaps to be heightened, on a team largely taking the long view with a roster loaded with young prospects, including getting No. 13 pick Nate Ament in last month’s draft from the Heat.

“Obviously where I’m at now, you know, it’s a young team,” Ware, 22, said. “I have more of a chance to flourish. So I’m excited for that.”

To a degree this could mean a renewal, after Spoelstra never seemed fully committed to playing Ware in a leading role alongside starting center Bam Adebayo, despite Adebayo voicing that as a preference.

“I mean, yeah, you know, a fresh start,” said the 7-footer selected out of Indiana by the Heat with the No. 15 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, “getting more minutes with that, being able to go out there just work on my game more, the game-situation things.”

With such a young Bucks roster, Ware also recognizes that he will be arriving as somewhat of a veteran.

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“Yeah, for sure. I feel like I developed in my second year, And even after my second year, I feel like I developed, developed going into my third year,” he said, with that third season upcoming. “I was able to, I guess, grow up more mentally in Miami.”

Now getting to further grow with the three Heat teammates arriving at his side, as well.

“That helps out a lot more,” Ware said of his first NBA trade. “Some guys, they get traded, but they’re by themselves. So, yeah. I would say it helps to have three guys with me.”

Ware offered that comment seated next to Herro and Jaquez, as the three watched Jakucionis in action for the Bucks’ summer roster.

And, so, a fresh start, but also with fond memories of where this NBA ride started.

“Like I said, it’s growing from it,” Ware said. “That’s why I say I grew more mentally in Miami, just going through that, just dealing with that.”