By: Kaleb Center, CSC Sports Information Director

&nbsp; The Chadron State College men's basketball team rallied hard in the second half on Saturday but came up a couple possessions short in a 73-67 loss in Chadron. The Eagles shot 30 percent in the first half, and they gave up 12 first half turnovers, and yet they still managed to be in the game down to the wire, thanks to a crafty defense. CSC kept the score respectable, at a single-digit margin, through the first eight minutes, before a 14-3 run by the Griffins made it 32-14 at 4:51 in the first. Senior forward Ryan Bell had a hand in 6 of the 14 points through that stretch. Westminster scored the last 11 points of the half, hitting its last three from long range, to go into halftime up 43-22. In the second half, CSC turned the tables on field goal shooting, turnovers, and offensive boards, reaching its lowest deficit of six points on four different occasions. Freshman guard&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4322">Gage Delimont</a>&nbsp;helped to keep the second-half output by the Griffins down to 30, taking a charge with around eight minutes remaining. Senior guard Matt Kitzman effectively kept the Grifins in the driver's seat, hitting a three-pointer and four free throws in the final two and a half minutes. The only other point down the stretch came from freshman forward Lewis Johnson, who hit a free throw with 23 seconds remaining to seal the final score. Kitzman was the leading scorer for the Griffins with 15 points, and he also led his team with nine rebounds. Senior forwards Braydon Johnson and Yusef Mohamed went for 11 points, eight boards, and 10 points, seven rebounds, respectively, to round out the Griffins production. CSC junior guard&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4653">Marcus Jefferson</a>&nbsp;led the game with 16 points, on 3-for-5 three-point shooting, while accruing a game-high four steals.&nbsp; Junior guard&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4652">KJ Harris</a>&nbsp;hit half of his shots from beyond the arc, finishing with 14 points and a game-high six assists in a full 40 minutes of play. CSC is on the road January 14 and 15 at Fort Lewis and Western Colorado before heading to Spearfish, South Dakota on Tuesday, January 18.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By: Kaleb Center, CSC Sports Information Director&nbsp; The Chadron State College men's basketball team rallied hard in the second half on Saturday but came up a couple possessions short in a 73-67 loss in Chadron. The Eagles shot 30 percent in the first half, and they gave up 12 first half turnovers, and yet they still managed to be in the game down to the wire, thanks to a crafty defense. CSC kept the score respectable, at a single-digit margin, through the first eight minutes, before a 14-3 run by the Griffins made it 32-14 at 4:51 in the first. Senior forward Ryan Bell had a hand in 6 of the 14 points through that stretch. Westminster scored the last 11 points of the half, hitting its last three from long range, to go into halftime up 43-22. In the second half, CSC turned the tables on field goal shooting, turnovers, and offensive boards, reaching its lowest deficit of six points on four different occasions. Freshman guard&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4322">Gage Delimont</a>&nbsp;helped to keep the second-half output by the Griffins down to 30, taking a charge with around eight minutes remaining. Senior guard Matt Kitzman effectively kept the Grifins in the driver's seat, hitting a three-pointer and four free throws in the final two and a half minutes. The only other point down the stretch came from freshman forward Lewis Johnson, who hit a free throw with 23 seconds remaining to seal the final score. Kitzman was the leading scorer for the Griffins with 15 points, and he also led his team with nine rebounds. Senior forwards Braydon Johnson and Yusef Mohamed went for 11 points, eight boards, and 10 points, seven rebounds, respectively, to round out the Griffins production. CSC junior guard&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4653">Marcus Jefferson</a>&nbsp;led the game with 16 points, on 3-for-5 three-point shooting, while accruing a game-high four steals.&nbsp; Junior guard&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4652">KJ Harris</a>&nbsp;hit half of his shots from beyond the arc, finishing with 14 points and a game-high six assists in a full 40 minutes of play. CSC is on the road January 14 and 15 at Fort Lewis and Western Colorado before heading to Spearfish, South Dakota on Tuesday, January 18.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Eagles' comeback from 22 down comes up just short Saturday

🏀| Panhandle High School Scoreboard - Friday, January 7

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641653073564.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: Dave Collins, Sports Director🏀| Panhandle High School Scoreboard - Friday, January 7GirlsAlliance 67, Hay Springs 16Bayard 61, Potter-Dix 19Crawford 63, Lingle Ft. Laramie, WY 48Hemingford 67, Minatare 18Morrill 61, Guernsey-Sunrise, WY 12Ogallala 46, Cozad 40Scottsbluff 53, Mitchell 29Sidney 47, Gering 35South Platte 57, Hyannis 21Valentine 54, Gordon-Rushville 43<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629461621684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BoysAlliance 50, Oelrichs, SD 33Bayard 63, Potter-Dix 60Chadron 46, Belle Fourche, SD 42Crawford 43, Lingle-Ft. Laramie, WY 36Hemingford 58, Minatare 36Hyannis 68, South Platte 28Ogallala 63, Cozad 49Scottsbluff 68, Mitchell 43Sidney 80, Gering 64

&nbsp; Four Huskers scored in double figures Wednesday night at Michigan State, and Nebraska tied its season high with 12 steals, but NU struggled with its shot in the second half in a 79-67 road loss to the 10th-ranked Spartans. Nebraska trailed by just four at halftime and it was still a two-possession game with seven minutes remaining before Michigan State pulled away with a 12-2 run. The Huskers hung in until the end despite shooting just 41 percent from the field in the second half. NU shot 45.0 percent in the game, but Michigan State knocked down 51.8 percent of its shots. The Spartans improved to 11-2 with the win and remained unbeaten in Big Ten play by moving to 4-0. Nebraska fell to 6-9 overall and 0-4 in conference action. <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42983">Derrick Walker</a>&nbsp;tied his career high with 16 points and was 8-of-9 from the field.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42989">Bryce McGowens</a>&nbsp;finished with 13 points, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42984">Kobe Webster</a>&nbsp;(13) and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42988">C.J. Wilcher</a>&nbsp;(10) combined for 23 points off the bench.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43284">Alonzo Verge Jr.</a>&nbsp;added five points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Nebraska's defense forced Michigan State into 19 turnovers. Eight different Huskers had at least one steal to contribute to Nebraska's season-high-tying 12 takeaways. The Huskers outscored the Spartans in the paint (34-28), points off turnovers (20-16) and fast-break points (19-14) and bench points were even at 27 apiece, but Michigan State's strong shooting was the difference. When they did miss, the Spartans pulled down 11 offensive rebounds, outscoring Nebraska 16-7 in second-chance points. Max Christie led the Spartans with a career-high 21 points, going 7-of-9 from the field including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Three other Spartans joined Christie in double figures. The Huskers started hot, hitting their first seven shots – from four different players – to lead 17-12 five minutes into the game. Nebraska then missed its next five shots and Michigan State took advantage with an 8-0 run to grab a three-point lead. Nebraska regained the lead on a basket from&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42974">Eduardo Andre</a>, and the Huskers led 24-22 with nine minutes left in the half following a Webster 3-pointer. The Spartans then came back to build a five-point advantage after Nebraska missed five of its next six shots. But the Huskers answered with a 6-0 run in just over a minute to lead 32-31 with 2:59 remaining in the half. Nebraska would make just one basket the rest of the half, as Michigan State was able to take a 38-34 lead into the locker room. The Husker defense recorded eight steals and forced a dozen Michigan State turnovers in the first half. But when they were able to get shots, the Spartans shot 55 percent from the field, going 17-of-31 from the field, while Nebraska was 15-of-31 (48.4 percent). The Huskers outscored the Spartans by two in the paint but Michigan State had a 10-2 advantage in second-chance points. Walker led Nebraska with 10 first-half points on 5-of-6 shooting. McGowens added nine points, while Verge and Webster had five points apiece in the opening 20 minutes. Walker scored on the opening possession of the second half and a&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42977">Lat Mayen</a>&nbsp;3-pointer two minutes later trimmed the Michigan State lead to 41-39. The Spartans then hit back-to-back 3-pointers just 28 seconds apart to take a 47-39 lead four minutes into the second half, the first time either team had led by more than five points. Following a Nebraska timeout, Wilcher drained a 3-pointer but Nebraska made just one basket over the next five minutes as Michigan State stretched its lead to 10. The Spartans still led by double digits with nine minutes left before five straight Husker points cut the lead to 60-54 with 6:54 remaining. But Michigan State answered back, holding the Huskers scoreless for more than four minutes during a 12-2 run that put them on top 72-56 with two minutes left. Nebraska then scored five points in 16 and cut the lead to 10 twice in the final minute, but that was as close as the Huskers would get. Nebraska remains on the road for its next game, as the Huskers travel to New Jersey to take on Rutgers Saturday&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641481656096.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: NU Athletic Communications&nbsp; Four Huskers scored in double figures Wednesday night at Michigan State, and Nebraska tied its season high with 12 steals, but NU struggled with its shot in the second half in a 79-67 road loss to the 10th-ranked Spartans. Nebraska trailed by just four at halftime and it was still a two-possession game with seven minutes remaining before Michigan State pulled away with a 12-2 run. The Huskers hung in until the end despite shooting just 41 percent from the field in the second half. NU shot 45.0 percent in the game, but Michigan State knocked down 51.8 percent of its shots. The Spartans improved to 11-2 with the win and remained unbeaten in Big Ten play by moving to 4-0. Nebraska fell to 6-9 overall and 0-4 in conference action. <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42983">Derrick Walker</a>&nbsp;tied his career high with 16 points and was 8-of-9 from the field.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42989">Bryce McGowens</a>&nbsp;finished with 13 points, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42984">Kobe Webster</a>&nbsp;(13) and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42988">C.J. Wilcher</a>&nbsp;(10) combined for 23 points off the bench.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43284">Alonzo Verge Jr.</a>&nbsp;added five points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Nebraska's defense forced Michigan State into 19 turnovers. Eight different Huskers had at least one steal to contribute to Nebraska's season-high-tying 12 takeaways. The Huskers outscored the Spartans in the paint (34-28), points off turnovers (20-16) and fast-break points (19-14) and bench points were even at 27 apiece, but Michigan State's strong shooting was the difference. When they did miss, the Spartans pulled down 11 offensive rebounds, outscoring Nebraska 16-7 in second-chance points. Max Christie led the Spartans with a career-high 21 points, going 7-of-9 from the field including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Three other Spartans joined Christie in double figures. The Huskers started hot, hitting their first seven shots – from four different players – to lead 17-12 five minutes into the game. Nebraska then missed its next five shots and Michigan State took advantage with an 8-0 run to grab a three-point lead. Nebraska regained the lead on a basket from&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42974">Eduardo Andre</a>, and the Huskers led 24-22 with nine minutes left in the half following a Webster 3-pointer. The Spartans then came back to build a five-point advantage after Nebraska missed five of its next six shots. But the Huskers answered with a 6-0 run in just over a minute to lead 32-31 with 2:59 remaining in the half. Nebraska would make just one basket the rest of the half, as Michigan State was able to take a 38-34 lead into the locker room. The Husker defense recorded eight steals and forced a dozen Michigan State turnovers in the first half. But when they were able to get shots, the Spartans shot 55 percent from the field, going 17-of-31 from the field, while Nebraska was 15-of-31 (48.4 percent). The Huskers outscored the Spartans by two in the paint but Michigan State had a 10-2 advantage in second-chance points. Walker led Nebraska with 10 first-half points on 5-of-6 shooting. McGowens added nine points, while Verge and Webster had five points apiece in the opening 20 minutes. Walker scored on the opening possession of the second half and a&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42977">Lat Mayen</a>&nbsp;3-pointer two minutes later trimmed the Michigan State lead to 41-39. The Spartans then hit back-to-back 3-pointers just 28 seconds apart to take a 47-39 lead four minutes into the second half, the first time either team had led by more than five points. Following a Nebraska timeout, Wilcher drained a 3-pointer but Nebraska made just one basket over the next five minutes as Michigan State stretched its lead to 10. The Spartans still led by double digits with nine minutes left before five straight Husker points cut the lead to 60-54 with 6:54 remaining. But Michigan State answered back, holding the Huskers scoreless for more than four minutes during a 12-2 run that put them on top 72-56 with two minutes left. Nebraska then scored five points in 16 and cut the lead to 10 twice in the final minute, but that was as close as the Huskers would get. Nebraska remains on the road for its next game, as the Huskers travel to New Jersey to take on Rutgers Saturday&nbsp;&nbsp;

Strong defense not enough to pull off upset at #10 Michigan State

🏀 | Western Nebraska Prep Basketball Scoreboard - Tuesday, January 4

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638630719867.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: Dave Collins, Sports Director🏀 | Western Nebraska Prep Basketball Scoreboard - Tuesday, January 4BoysBurns, WY 49, Alliance 33Chadron 50, Hot Springs, SD 44Oelrichs, SD 52, Hay Springs 46Ogallala 60, Bridgeport 43Scottsbluff 61, Norris 56Sioux County 43, Banner County 25South Platte 70, Kimball 34GirlsBridgeport 70, Ogallala 38Burns, WY 52, Alliance 37Mitchell 47, Bayard 43Perkins County 57, Potter-Dix 30Scottsbluff 57, Norris 49Sioux County 82, Banner County 15South Platte 54, Kimball 32

2020 Alliance High School Graduate Jordan Hopp was honored Tuesday as a 12 Letter winner, just the 8th AHS student athlete to do so.&nbsp; Jordan lettered in Volleyball, Basketball and Track &amp; Field all 4 of her high school years.&nbsp;

Jordan is currently at Sophomore at Iowa State University and a member of the Cyclone Volleyball team.&nbsp; &nbsp;She was named to the&nbsp;Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll&nbsp; in the Spring of&nbsp; 2021.&nbsp; &nbsp;ISU went 16-12 this season and qualified for the NCAA National Tournament, falling to 18th ranked Stanford in the opening round.&nbsp;

Jordan is the daughter of Trista and Steve Hopp formally of Alliance.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641394302629.jpeg" alt="L-R:&nbsp; AHS Coach Sandra Pilfold, Coach Heidi Manion, Jordan Hopp, Coach Jessica Kaiser, Coach Nate Lanik, Coach Angie Hiemstra." />
 <figcaption>L-R:&nbsp; AHS Coach Sandra Pilfold, Coach Heidi Manion, Jordan Hopp, Coach Jessica Kaiser, Coach Nate Lanik, Coach Angie Hiemstra.</figcaption>
 </figure>By: Mike Glesinger2020 Alliance High School Graduate Jordan Hopp was honored Tuesday as a 12 Letter winner, just the 8th AHS student athlete to do so.&nbsp; Jordan lettered in Volleyball, Basketball and Track &amp; Field all 4 of her high school years.&nbsp;Jordan is currently at Sophomore at Iowa State University and a member of the Cyclone Volleyball team.&nbsp; &nbsp;She was named to the&nbsp;Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll&nbsp; in the Spring of&nbsp; 2021.&nbsp; &nbsp;ISU went 16-12 this season and qualified for the NCAA National Tournament, falling to 18th ranked Stanford in the opening round.&nbsp;Jordan is the daughter of Trista and Steve Hopp formally of Alliance.&nbsp;

AHS honors 2020 grad Jordan Hopp as 12 letter winner

Courtesy: NU Athletic Communications&nbsp;

&nbsp;Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42706">Alexis Markowski</a>&nbsp;erupted for a career-high 20 points in her first career start, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42985">Jaz Shelley</a>&nbsp;added her fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead Nebraska to an impressive 79-58 women's basketball win over No. 8 Michigan on Tuesday night at&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=1168">Pinnacle Bank</a>&nbsp;Arena. The Huskers, who improved to 13-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten, led from start to finish and won going away, taking their biggest lead of the night on&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42772">Kendall Coley's</a>&nbsp;three-pointer with 11 seconds left.&nbsp; The 21-point win over the Wolverines (12-2, 3-1 Big Ten) marked Nebraska's first win over a top-10 AP foe since defeating No. 9 Duke at&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=1168">Pinnacle Bank</a>&nbsp;Arena in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge in December of 2014. The Huskers defeated five AP top-25 teams a year ago, including three teams ranked No. 15 at game time. The victory was Nebraska's 10th straight at home, as the Huskers improved to 9-0 in Lincoln this season, while snapping Michigan's five-game winning streak that included back-to-back victories over No. 5 Baylor and No. 25 Ohio State. Markowski, a 6-3 forward/center from Lincoln, drew her first start in place of injured starter&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42003">Bella Cravens</a>&nbsp;who sat out with an ankle injury suffered in practice on Monday afternoon. The 2021 Nebraska High School Player of the Year, Markowski wasted little time in establishing herself against Michigan All-American Naz Hillmon, scoring the Huskers' first two points just one minute into the game.&nbsp; The Huskers jumped out to an 8-2 lead behind stifling team defense and strong rebounding, and extended the margin to eight points on a Markowski bucket with 1:04 left in the first quarter that made it 16-8. Shelley then closed the quarter with a three-pointer on Nebraska's first attempt of the night to send the Big Red to the second period with a 19-8 lead to cap a 7-0 run to close the quarter. Nebraska extended the margin to 23-8 early in the second after a three-pointer by&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42004">Annika Stewart</a>&nbsp;with 8:45 left to cap an 11-0 run. Hillmon stopped the bleeding with a free throw with 8:37 left to snap a 4:49 scoring drought by the Wolverines, but Nebraska continued to control the game, leading by 15 points throughout most of the quarter before Michigan cut the margin to 34-21 at the half. Michigan cut Nebraska's lead to nine points with back-to-back baskets to open the second half, before Markowski took over, scoring nine consecutive points for the Huskers including her three-pointer with 5:53 left in the period to put the the Big Red back up 43-29. Moments later,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=41996">Sam Haiby</a>,&nbsp;who finished with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals, sank a pair of free throws to give Nebraska its biggest lead at the time at 45-29. Markowski finished with 13 points in the third quarter and the Huskers carried a 53-41 lead into the fourth quarter. Hillmon, who managed 10 points and seven rebounds on the night, scored early in the fourth to cut NU's margin to 10, but Stewart answered with a three-pointer before Markowski&nbsp;banged in a tough layup, was fouled and hit the free throw to complete a three-point play to put the Big Red back up by 15 with less than seven minutes to play. Michigan mustered one last rally to cut the margin to 63-52 with five minutes left, but a Shelley three-pointer and a traditional three-point play by Husker freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42709">Allison Weidner</a>&nbsp;pushed the margin back to 15 at 69-54 with 3:19 left.&nbsp; An&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=41999">Ashley Scoggin</a>&nbsp;three-pointer 30 seconds later extend the margin to 17 and ended any hopes of a Wolverine comeback. Scoggin finished with six points on a pair of threes. Nebraska shot a strong 51.7 percent (30-58) from the field against the Wolverines, including 8-of-20 from three-point range. The Huskers also knocked down 11-of-16 free throws. NU's suffocating defense held Michigan to just 36.7 percent shooting (22-60), including just 1-of-12 from long range. The Wolverines attempted only six three-pointers through the first three quarters, starting the game 0-for-6. Michigan also went just 13-for-22 (.591) from the free throw line. However, the biggest stat for Nebraska came in the rebounding department, as the Huskers out-rebounded the Big Ten's best rebounding team 42-34, and outscored Michigan 17-7 in second-chance points. Last season in a 64-62 loss in Ann Arbor, Nebraska was out-rebounded 59-32, including 30 offensive rebounds by Michigan. Hillmon finished that game with 35 points and 22 rebounds, including 13 offensive boards. On Tuesday night, Michigan managed 13 offensive rebounds as a team. <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=41993">Isabelle Bourne</a>&nbsp;added 11 points, four rebounds and three assists for Nebraska while drawing the primary responsibility of guarding Hillmon. Bourne, who went 5-for-7 from the field, helped hold Hillmon to 4-for-14 shooting and just two offensive rebounds. Hillmon also committed six turnovers. Emily Kiser led Michigan with 13 points, while Maddie Nolan added 11 points, including Michigan's lone three-pointer of the night. Former Husker Leigha Brown added 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals for the Wolverines, but went just 3-for-13 from the floor. Michigan's Amy Dilk returned to the court for the Wolverines to play 16 minutes in her first action since the opening minute of the season when she suffered a knee injury against IUPUI. The two-time All-Big Ten guard managed three points. Nebraska continues Big Ten home action on Sunday when the Huskers play host to No. 21 Iowa. Tip-off between the Big Red and the Hawkeyes is set for 12 p.m.&nbsp; MT,&nbsp; with tickets available now at Huskers.com. Live television coverage will be provided by FS1. while free live audio will be provided by the Huskers Radio Network on Huskers.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641392985635.jpeg" alt="Photo by: Jordyn Senstock/NU Athletic Communications" />
 <figcaption>Photo by: Jordyn Senstock/NU Athletic Communications</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy: NU Athletic Communications&nbsp;&nbsp;Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42706">Alexis Markowski</a>&nbsp;erupted for a career-high 20 points in her first career start, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42985">Jaz Shelley</a>&nbsp;added her fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead Nebraska to an impressive 79-58 women's basketball win over No. 8 Michigan on Tuesday night at&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=1168">Pinnacle Bank</a>&nbsp;Arena. The Huskers, who improved to 13-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten, led from start to finish and won going away, taking their biggest lead of the night on&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42772">Kendall Coley's</a>&nbsp;three-pointer with 11 seconds left.&nbsp; The 21-point win over the Wolverines (12-2, 3-1 Big Ten) marked Nebraska's first win over a top-10 AP foe since defeating No. 9 Duke at&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=1168">Pinnacle Bank</a>&nbsp;Arena in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge in December of 2014. The Huskers defeated five AP top-25 teams a year ago, including three teams ranked No. 15 at game time. The victory was Nebraska's 10th straight at home, as the Huskers improved to 9-0 in Lincoln this season, while snapping Michigan's five-game winning streak that included back-to-back victories over No. 5 Baylor and No. 25 Ohio State. Markowski, a 6-3 forward/center from Lincoln, drew her first start in place of injured starter&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42003">Bella Cravens</a>&nbsp;who sat out with an ankle injury suffered in practice on Monday afternoon. The 2021 Nebraska High School Player of the Year, Markowski wasted little time in establishing herself against Michigan All-American Naz Hillmon, scoring the Huskers' first two points just one minute into the game.&nbsp; The Huskers jumped out to an 8-2 lead behind stifling team defense and strong rebounding, and extended the margin to eight points on a Markowski bucket with 1:04 left in the first quarter that made it 16-8. Shelley then closed the quarter with a three-pointer on Nebraska's first attempt of the night to send the Big Red to the second period with a 19-8 lead to cap a 7-0 run to close the quarter. Nebraska extended the margin to 23-8 early in the second after a three-pointer by&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42004">Annika Stewart</a>&nbsp;with 8:45 left to cap an 11-0 run. Hillmon stopped the bleeding with a free throw with 8:37 left to snap a 4:49 scoring drought by the Wolverines, but Nebraska continued to control the game, leading by 15 points throughout most of the quarter before Michigan cut the margin to 34-21 at the half. Michigan cut Nebraska's lead to nine points with back-to-back baskets to open the second half, before Markowski took over, scoring nine consecutive points for the Huskers including her three-pointer with 5:53 left in the period to put the the Big Red back up 43-29. Moments later,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=41996">Sam Haiby</a>,&nbsp;who finished with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals, sank a pair of free throws to give Nebraska its biggest lead at the time at 45-29. Markowski finished with 13 points in the third quarter and the Huskers carried a 53-41 lead into the fourth quarter. Hillmon, who managed 10 points and seven rebounds on the night, scored early in the fourth to cut NU's margin to 10, but Stewart answered with a three-pointer before Markowski&nbsp;banged in a tough layup, was fouled and hit the free throw to complete a three-point play to put the Big Red back up by 15 with less than seven minutes to play. Michigan mustered one last rally to cut the margin to 63-52 with five minutes left, but a Shelley three-pointer and a traditional three-point play by Husker freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=42709">Allison Weidner</a>&nbsp;pushed the margin back to 15 at 69-54 with 3:19 left.&nbsp; An&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=41999">Ashley Scoggin</a>&nbsp;three-pointer 30 seconds later extend the margin to 17 and ended any hopes of a Wolverine comeback. Scoggin finished with six points on a pair of threes. Nebraska shot a strong 51.7 percent (30-58) from the field against the Wolverines, including 8-of-20 from three-point range. The Huskers also knocked down 11-of-16 free throws. NU's suffocating defense held Michigan to just 36.7 percent shooting (22-60), including just 1-of-12 from long range. The Wolverines attempted only six three-pointers through the first three quarters, starting the game 0-for-6. Michigan also went just 13-for-22 (.591) from the free throw line. However, the biggest stat for Nebraska came in the rebounding department, as the Huskers out-rebounded the Big Ten's best rebounding team 42-34, and outscored Michigan 17-7 in second-chance points. Last season in a 64-62 loss in Ann Arbor, Nebraska was out-rebounded 59-32, including 30 offensive rebounds by Michigan. Hillmon finished that game with 35 points and 22 rebounds, including 13 offensive boards. On Tuesday night, Michigan managed 13 offensive rebounds as a team. <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=41993">Isabelle Bourne</a>&nbsp;added 11 points, four rebounds and three assists for Nebraska while drawing the primary responsibility of guarding Hillmon. Bourne, who went 5-for-7 from the field, helped hold Hillmon to 4-for-14 shooting and just two offensive rebounds. Hillmon also committed six turnovers. Emily Kiser led Michigan with 13 points, while Maddie Nolan added 11 points, including Michigan's lone three-pointer of the night. Former Husker Leigha Brown added 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals for the Wolverines, but went just 3-for-13 from the floor. Michigan's Amy Dilk returned to the court for the Wolverines to play 16 minutes in her first action since the opening minute of the season when she suffered a knee injury against IUPUI. The two-time All-Big Ten guard managed three points. Nebraska continues Big Ten home action on Sunday when the Huskers play host to No. 21 Iowa. Tip-off between the Big Red and the Hawkeyes is set for 12 p.m.&nbsp; MT,&nbsp; with tickets available now at Huskers.com. Live television coverage will be provided by FS1. while free live audio will be provided by the Huskers Radio Network on Huskers.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Husker Women upset #8 Michigan

🏀| High School Basketball - Monday, January 3 - Final Scores

Hemingford 47, Niobrara County (Lusk), WY 37

Hemingford 53, Niobrara County (Lusk), WY 28

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638630719867.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: Dave Collins, Sports DirectorUpdated: Monday, 9:50 pm🏀| High School Basketball - Monday, January 3 - Final ScoresBoysHemingford 47, Niobrara County (Lusk), WY 37Potter-Dix 55, Morrill 39Waverly 69, Scottsbluff 58GirlsHemingford 53, Niobrara County (Lusk), WY 28Morrill 48, Potter-Dix 44Scottsbluff 64, South Sioux City 48

🏀| High School Basketball Scoreboard - Monday, January 3

Broncos eliminated from playoff contention for sixth straight season

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Freshman Malaki Branham scored 35 points, Jamari Wheeler made two 3-pointers early in overtime and No. 13 Ohio State beat Nebraska 87-79 Sunday night. Ohio State (9-2, 3-0 Big Ten) hadn’t played since Dec. 11 because of a COVID-19 outbreak in their program. E.J. Liddell, who came in averaging 21.6 points per game, was just 2 of 14 for Ohio State. Bryce McGowens led the Huskers (6-8, 0-3) with 18 points. Branham had scored in double figures only once prior to Sunday, and his breakout game was well-timed, getting 21 of the Buckeyes’ first 32 points.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Freshman Malaki Branham scored 35 points, Jamari Wheeler made two 3-pointers early in overtime and No. 13 Ohio State beat Nebraska 87-79 Sunday night. Ohio State (9-2, 3-0 Big Ten) hadn’t played since Dec. 11 because of a COVID-19 outbreak in their program. E.J. Liddell, who came in averaging 21.6 points per game, was just 2 of 14 for Ohio State. Bryce McGowens led the Huskers (6-8, 0-3) with 18 points. Branham had scored in double figures only once prior to Sunday, and his breakout game was well-timed, getting 21 of the Buckeyes’ first 32 points.

#13 Ohio State bounces Huskers after long Covid layoff

&nbsp; The Chadron State College men's basketball team once led by 17 points, had the lead most of the game, but couldn't quite cash in the chips as Colorado School of Mines went ahead for keeps with 55 seconds remaining and edged the Eagles 65-62 in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game played in Golden on Friday evening. Mines is now 5-5 for the season and 3-3 in the RMAC. CSC is 6-9 and 2-5.&nbsp; The Eagles had their chances.&nbsp; The veteran Orediggers entered the game shooting 46.5% from the field through their first nine games, but made just two of their first 16 field goal attempts while Chadron State opened a 25-10 lead midway in the opening half. &nbsp; The Eagles' largest lead was 30-13 with 7:24 left.&nbsp; At that point they had sunk 13-of-20 shots from the field. &nbsp;They didn't stay hot, making just two of their next 13 attempts, but were still clinging to a 34-31 lead at halftime. Despite the disastrous letdown, the visitors continued to battle in the second half and forced the outcome to go to the wire. Chadron State was ahead 43-35 after three minutes were gone in the second half. Mines finally went ahead 48-47 with 11:44 remaining, but the Eagles reclaimed the advantage at 56-55 on&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4663">CJ Jennings'</a>&nbsp;trey with 5:17 to play. When Jennings hit a two-point jumper 69 seconds later, CSC had a three-point margin. The Eagles held the lead until senior Justin Engesser hit his only shot of the game, a three-pointer with 55 seconds left, that put the Orediggers ahead 62-60 with 55 seconds left on the clock.&nbsp; Chadron State missed a three on its ensuing possession. Engesser got the rebound, teammate Titus Reed was fouled and made both free throws. The Eagles missed from the field again.&nbsp; Another of the Miners, Kobi Betts, grabbed that carom and was fouled.&nbsp; He made one of two charity tosses to put the hosts ahead 65-60 with 16 seconds remaining. Something unusual then occurred.&nbsp; The Eagles' Mason Heimstra quickly bagged a three-pointer, but the officials ruled Engesser had fouled the Eagles'&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4653">Marcus Jefferson</a>&nbsp;prior to the shot and the trey was for naught. Jefferson made both of his free shots with 10 seconds left. Mines inadvertently turned the ball over with about a second to play, giving the Eagles a last gasp shot, but it was off target. After shooting 45.5% from the field during their hot and cold first half, the Eagles hit just 30.8% (8-26) in the second half, but still finished with 23 field goals, four more than the Orediggers.&nbsp; Each team managed just four treys with Mines taking 21 shots from behind the arc and CSC 14. Mines shot 34.5% (19-55) from the field. In the final analysis, the difference was at the free throw line where the Orediggers were 23-28 and the Eagles 12-18. &nbsp;Both teams were called for 21 fouls. Mines out-rebounded CSC 44-36, but the Eagles had only 10 turnovers, four fewer than the hosts. Jennings, who played all 40 minutes, was the game's top scorer with 24 points. Fellow guard&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4654">Teddy Parham, Jr.</a>,&nbsp;added 17 points and&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4653">Marcus Jefferson</a>&nbsp;12, but the remaining Eagles combined for only nine. As has been the situation all season, the Eagles were not at full force. They were without their starting center,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8006">Porter Anderson</a>, and another post player, 6-10&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8008">Joniya Gadson</a>, played the first 13 minutes, but seemed to be in distress when he left the floor and did not play in the second half. Mines was led by 6-6 forwards Brendan Sullivan, a senior, and Riley Schroeder, a sophomore, with 12 points apiece.&nbsp; Adam Krasovec, a 6-10 freshman from Hungary, scored 11. &nbsp;Titus Reed added eight and Betts and Boone each contributed seven.&nbsp; All three are seniors. Chadron State was scheduled to play at Regis today (Saturday) during the trip to Denver, but the Rangers postponed the game because of COVID issues.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Chadron State—<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4663">CJ Jennings</a>&nbsp;24, Teddy Parham 17,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4653">Marcus Jefferson</a>&nbsp;12,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8008">Joniya Gadson</a>&nbsp;4,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6804">Bryant Jefferson</a>&nbsp;3, Mason Heimstra 2. Totals: 23-59 (4-14) 12-18 62 points, 36 rebounds, 5 assists, 10 turnovers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Colorado Mines—Brenden Sullivan 12, Riley Schroeder 12, Adam Krasovec 11, Titus Reed 8, Kobi Betts 7, Ben Boone 7, Trent Dykema 5, Justin Engesser 3. Totals: 19-55 (4-21) 23-28 65 points, 44 rebounds, 15 assists, 14 turnovers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chadron State&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;34&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ----62 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Colorado Mines&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 31&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 34&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ----65 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3-pointers: CSC—Jennings 3, Parham 1.&nbsp; CSM—Sullivan, Schroeder, Boone, Engesser, all 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641055756485.jpeg" alt="IMG_0640_crop.jpg" />
 <figcaption>IMG_0640_crop.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By: Con Marshall, CSC Sports Information&nbsp; The Chadron State College men's basketball team once led by 17 points, had the lead most of the game, but couldn't quite cash in the chips as Colorado School of Mines went ahead for keeps with 55 seconds remaining and edged the Eagles 65-62 in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game played in Golden on Friday evening. Mines is now 5-5 for the season and 3-3 in the RMAC. CSC is 6-9 and 2-5.&nbsp; The Eagles had their chances.&nbsp; The veteran Orediggers entered the game shooting 46.5% from the field through their first nine games, but made just two of their first 16 field goal attempts while Chadron State opened a 25-10 lead midway in the opening half. &nbsp; The Eagles' largest lead was 30-13 with 7:24 left.&nbsp; At that point they had sunk 13-of-20 shots from the field. &nbsp;They didn't stay hot, making just two of their next 13 attempts, but were still clinging to a 34-31 lead at halftime. Despite the disastrous letdown, the visitors continued to battle in the second half and forced the outcome to go to the wire. Chadron State was ahead 43-35 after three minutes were gone in the second half. Mines finally went ahead 48-47 with 11:44 remaining, but the Eagles reclaimed the advantage at 56-55 on&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4663">CJ Jennings'</a>&nbsp;trey with 5:17 to play. When Jennings hit a two-point jumper 69 seconds later, CSC had a three-point margin. The Eagles held the lead until senior Justin Engesser hit his only shot of the game, a three-pointer with 55 seconds left, that put the Orediggers ahead 62-60 with 55 seconds left on the clock.&nbsp; Chadron State missed a three on its ensuing possession. Engesser got the rebound, teammate Titus Reed was fouled and made both free throws. The Eagles missed from the field again.&nbsp; Another of the Miners, Kobi Betts, grabbed that carom and was fouled.&nbsp; He made one of two charity tosses to put the hosts ahead 65-60 with 16 seconds remaining. Something unusual then occurred.&nbsp; The Eagles' Mason Heimstra quickly bagged a three-pointer, but the officials ruled Engesser had fouled the Eagles'&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4653">Marcus Jefferson</a>&nbsp;prior to the shot and the trey was for naught. Jefferson made both of his free shots with 10 seconds left. Mines inadvertently turned the ball over with about a second to play, giving the Eagles a last gasp shot, but it was off target. After shooting 45.5% from the field during their hot and cold first half, the Eagles hit just 30.8% (8-26) in the second half, but still finished with 23 field goals, four more than the Orediggers.&nbsp; Each team managed just four treys with Mines taking 21 shots from behind the arc and CSC 14. Mines shot 34.5% (19-55) from the field. In the final analysis, the difference was at the free throw line where the Orediggers were 23-28 and the Eagles 12-18. &nbsp;Both teams were called for 21 fouls. Mines out-rebounded CSC 44-36, but the Eagles had only 10 turnovers, four fewer than the hosts. Jennings, who played all 40 minutes, was the game's top scorer with 24 points. Fellow guard&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4654">Teddy Parham, Jr.</a>,&nbsp;added 17 points and&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4653">Marcus Jefferson</a>&nbsp;12, but the remaining Eagles combined for only nine. As has been the situation all season, the Eagles were not at full force. They were without their starting center,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8006">Porter Anderson</a>, and another post player, 6-10&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8008">Joniya Gadson</a>, played the first 13 minutes, but seemed to be in distress when he left the floor and did not play in the second half. Mines was led by 6-6 forwards Brendan Sullivan, a senior, and Riley Schroeder, a sophomore, with 12 points apiece.&nbsp; Adam Krasovec, a 6-10 freshman from Hungary, scored 11. &nbsp;Titus Reed added eight and Betts and Boone each contributed seven.&nbsp; All three are seniors. Chadron State was scheduled to play at Regis today (Saturday) during the trip to Denver, but the Rangers postponed the game because of COVID issues.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Chadron State—<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4663">CJ Jennings</a>&nbsp;24, Teddy Parham 17,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4653">Marcus Jefferson</a>&nbsp;12,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8008">Joniya Gadson</a>&nbsp;4,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6804">Bryant Jefferson</a>&nbsp;3, Mason Heimstra 2. Totals: 23-59 (4-14) 12-18 62 points, 36 rebounds, 5 assists, 10 turnovers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Colorado Mines—Brenden Sullivan 12, Riley Schroeder 12, Adam Krasovec 11, Titus Reed 8, Kobi Betts 7, Ben Boone 7, Trent Dykema 5, Justin Engesser 3. Totals: 19-55 (4-21) 23-28 65 points, 44 rebounds, 15 assists, 14 turnovers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chadron State&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;34&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ----62 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Colorado Mines&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 31&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 34&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ----65 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3-pointers: CSC—Jennings 3, Parham 1.&nbsp; CSM—Sullivan, Schroeder, Boone, Engesser, all 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jennings' 24 points not enough to hold off Colorado Mines comeback

By: Zach Carattini, CSC Sports Information

The Chadron State College women's basketball team (5-7,4-3 RMAC) was&nbsp;dropped&nbsp;87-41&nbsp;Friday night&nbsp;by&nbsp;Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference&nbsp;foe Colorado School of Mines (11-1, 6-0 RMAC).&nbsp;

The loss on New Year's Eve extended the Eagles' losing streak to seven&nbsp;on the road this season. They were outmatched on both sides of the ball in Golden against the nationally ranked Orediggers, whose only loss so far this season&nbsp;came to #10 Nebraska Kearney (10-1, 5-0 MIAA).&nbsp;

The biggest factor in Friday's loss was poor shooting. The Eagles shot 27.5% from the field&nbsp;(14-51), 16.7%&nbsp;on three-pointers&nbsp;(2-12), and 52.4% on free throws&nbsp;(11-21).&nbsp;In comparison, the Orediggers shot 42.9% on field goals (33-77), 34.8% on three-pointers (8-23), and&nbsp;65.0% on free throws (13-20).&nbsp;

The score at the end of the first quarter was 12-11 Orediggers. Junior transfer&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8024">Olyvia Pacheco</a>&nbsp;landed&nbsp;a three-pointer and&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4644">Ashayla Powers</a>&nbsp;put up back-to-back lay ups to keep the score close heading into the second quarter.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Orediggers'&nbsp;offense exploded for 32 points in the second quarter while holding the Eagles to only seven points, which came from two lay ups and three free throws.&nbsp;Mines'&nbsp;Quincey Baum landed two deep three-pointers while&nbsp;three other Orediggers each landed a trey&nbsp;to extend the lead to 44-18 at the end of the first half.&nbsp;

The Eagles were able to&nbsp;improve their overall scoring in the second half&nbsp;but simply could not keep up with&nbsp;Mines' heavy attack on offense and defense.&nbsp;Pacheco put away another three-pointer in the third quarter, making her the only Eagle to have a three-pointer in the game.&nbsp;Colorado Mines scored 43 second-half points compared to the Eagles' 23 points to close the game.&nbsp;

The Eagles will head to Denver&nbsp;on New Year's Day&nbsp;to take on the Regis Rangers (7-5, 3-3 RMAC), who lost 78-70 to Colorado Mines at the end of November.&nbsp;

Chadron State—&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4644">Ashayla Powers</a>&nbsp;9,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8024">Olyvia Pacheco</a>&nbsp;8,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4348">Brittni McCully</a>&nbsp;8,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8029">Samiyah Worrell</a>&nbsp;5,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8014">Riley Aiono</a>&nbsp;5&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4350">Jori Peters</a>&nbsp;2,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8017">Micheala Dammann</a>&nbsp;2,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4351">Tatum Peterson</a>&nbsp;2. Totals:&nbsp;14-51&nbsp;(2-12) 11-21,&nbsp;41&nbsp;points,&nbsp;30&nbsp;rebounds,&nbsp;13&nbsp;assists,&nbsp;20&nbsp;turnovers.&nbsp;

Colorado Mines—&nbsp;Sammy Van Sickle 18, Ashley&nbsp;Steffeck&nbsp;13, Josephine Howery 11, Megan Van de Graaf 11, Quincey Baum 9, Denali Pinto&nbsp;8, Courtney Stanton 8, McKale Grant 4, Liz Holter 3, Shelby Nichols 2. Totals:&nbsp;33-77&nbsp;(8-23)&nbsp;13-20,&nbsp;87&nbsp;points,&nbsp;60&nbsp;rebounds,&nbsp;24&nbsp;assists, 10&nbsp;turnovers.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641055597417.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: Zach Carattini, CSC Sports InformationThe Chadron State College women's basketball team (5-7,4-3 RMAC) was&nbsp;dropped&nbsp;87-41&nbsp;Friday night&nbsp;by&nbsp;Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference&nbsp;foe Colorado School of Mines (11-1, 6-0 RMAC).&nbsp;The loss on New Year's Eve extended the Eagles' losing streak to seven&nbsp;on the road this season. They were outmatched on both sides of the ball in Golden against the nationally ranked Orediggers, whose only loss so far this season&nbsp;came to #10 Nebraska Kearney (10-1, 5-0 MIAA).&nbsp;The biggest factor in Friday's loss was poor shooting. The Eagles shot 27.5% from the field&nbsp;(14-51), 16.7%&nbsp;on three-pointers&nbsp;(2-12), and 52.4% on free throws&nbsp;(11-21).&nbsp;In comparison, the Orediggers shot 42.9% on field goals (33-77), 34.8% on three-pointers (8-23), and&nbsp;65.0% on free throws (13-20).&nbsp;The score at the end of the first quarter was 12-11 Orediggers. Junior transfer&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8024">Olyvia Pacheco</a>&nbsp;landed&nbsp;a three-pointer and&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4644">Ashayla Powers</a>&nbsp;put up back-to-back lay ups to keep the score close heading into the second quarter.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Orediggers'&nbsp;offense exploded for 32 points in the second quarter while holding the Eagles to only seven points, which came from two lay ups and three free throws.&nbsp;Mines'&nbsp;Quincey Baum landed two deep three-pointers while&nbsp;three other Orediggers each landed a trey&nbsp;to extend the lead to 44-18 at the end of the first half.&nbsp;The Eagles were able to&nbsp;improve their overall scoring in the second half&nbsp;but simply could not keep up with&nbsp;Mines' heavy attack on offense and defense.&nbsp;Pacheco put away another three-pointer in the third quarter, making her the only Eagle to have a three-pointer in the game.&nbsp;Colorado Mines scored 43 second-half points compared to the Eagles' 23 points to close the game.&nbsp;The Eagles will head to Denver&nbsp;on New Year's Day&nbsp;to take on the Regis Rangers (7-5, 3-3 RMAC), who lost 78-70 to Colorado Mines at the end of November.&nbsp;Chadron State—&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4644">Ashayla Powers</a>&nbsp;9,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8024">Olyvia Pacheco</a>&nbsp;8,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4348">Brittni McCully</a>&nbsp;8,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8029">Samiyah Worrell</a>&nbsp;5,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8014">Riley Aiono</a>&nbsp;5&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4350">Jori Peters</a>&nbsp;2,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8017">Micheala Dammann</a>&nbsp;2,&nbsp;<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4351">Tatum Peterson</a>&nbsp;2. Totals:&nbsp;14-51&nbsp;(2-12) 11-21,&nbsp;41&nbsp;points,&nbsp;30&nbsp;rebounds,&nbsp;13&nbsp;assists,&nbsp;20&nbsp;turnovers.&nbsp;Colorado Mines—&nbsp;Sammy Van Sickle 18, Ashley&nbsp;Steffeck&nbsp;13, Josephine Howery 11, Megan Van de Graaf 11, Quincey Baum 9, Denali Pinto&nbsp;8, Courtney Stanton 8, McKale Grant 4, Liz Holter 3, Shelby Nichols 2. Totals:&nbsp;33-77&nbsp;(8-23)&nbsp;13-20,&nbsp;87&nbsp;points,&nbsp;60&nbsp;rebounds,&nbsp;24&nbsp;assists, 10&nbsp;turnovers.&nbsp;

Eagles overpowered on the road by Colorado Mines

Fourteen swimmers from the Chadron Sharks Swim Team competed in the Christmas Classic Swim Meet, hosted by the Rapid City Racers Swim Team, against 226 athletes from 10 teams from South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska,&nbsp; December 11-12, 2021.&nbsp; &nbsp;This was the third swim meet in which the Sharks have competed this season. &nbsp;

Chadron hosted the Chadron Spooktacular Triangular on October 30, 2021.&nbsp; It was the first meet hosted by the Sharks in over a decade, and welcomed teams from Scottsbluff, NE and Hot Springs, SD, bringing more than 65 swimmers to Chadron.&nbsp; The Sharks traveled November 20-21, 2021 to Spearfish, SD for the Black Hills Gold Invitational, swimming against 171 swimmers from 9 teams.&nbsp;

Results from the Christmas Classic Swim Meet are as follows (PR denotes a personal record was set, NT denotes new event-no time previously set): Age 7-8:&nbsp;

Duncan Bennett (age 7)- 25 Yard Fly: 26.50 (PR), 3rdplace; 50 Yard Back: 47.97 (PR), 2ndplace; 50 Yard Breast: 52.94 (PR), 1stplace; 50 yard Fly: DQ; 25 Yard Back: 24.05 (PR), 5thplace; 25 Yard Breast: 25.81 (PR), 1stplace.

Gavin Harris (age 7)- 25 Yard Free: 38.21 (PR), 8thplace; 50 Yard Back: 1”08.01 (NT), 6thplace.

Zane Frost (age 10)- 100 Yard IM: 1:44.49 (NT), 7thplace; 50 Yard Back: 47.35 (NT), 5thplace; 50 Yard Free: 38.42 (NT), 5thplace.

Kael Bennett (age 12)- 50 Yard Back: 43.25 (PR), 6thplace; 50 Yard Free: 34.99 (PR), 10thplace; 50 Yard Breast: 50.75 (PR), 9thplace; 100 Yard Back: 1:37.31, 7thplace; 100 Yard Free: 1:23.01, 6thplace; 100 Yard Breast: 1:49.87 (PR), 7thplace.

Carter Peters (age 12)- 100 Yard IM: 1:28.78 (PR) 6thplace; 50 Yard Back: 43.31 (PR), 7thplace; 50 Yard Free: 33.29 (PR), 5thplace; 50 Yard Breast: 46.09 (PR), 7thplace; 200 Yard IM: 3:22.54 (PR), 4thplace; 50 Yard Fly: 41.80 (PR), 4thplace; 100 Yard Back: 1:35.70 (PR), 5thplace; 100 Yard Free: 1:14.39 (PR), 4thplace: 100 Yard Breast: 1:44.43 (PR), 6thplace; 500 Yard Free: 7:59.98 (NT), 6thplace.

Valeria Benitez (age 13)- 200 yard Free: 3:22.61 (NT), 9thplace; 200 Yard Back: 3:34.56 (NT), 5thplace; 50 yard Free: 36.67 (PR), 10thplace; 100 Yard Back: 1:37.87 (PR), 9thplace; 100 Yard Free: 1:30.55 (NT), 12thplace; 100 Yard Breast: 1:52.31 (NT), 10thplace.

Ethan Brown (age 13)- 50 Yard Free: 37.88 (PR), 17thplace; 200 Yard Breast: 3:57.70 (NT), 9thplace; 100 Yard Back: DQ; 100 Yard Free: 1:29.00 (PR), 11thplace; 100 Yard Breast: 1;54.33 (PR, 8thplace.

Isaiah Horst (age 14)- 200 Yard Free: 2:46.58 (NT), 13thplace; 100 Yard Fly: 1:30.16 (NT, 7thplace; 50 yard Free: 31:20 (NT), 12thplace. Timothy Johnson (age 14)-200 Yard Free: 2:44.23 (NT), 12thplace; 50 Yard Free: 29.52 (PR), 7thplace.

Raylie Pourier (age&nbsp; 13)- 200 Yard Free: 2:45.95, 8thplace; 50 Yard Free: 30.27 (PR), 5thplace); 200 Yard IM: DQ; 100 Yard Back: 1:22.95 (PR), 5thplace; 100 Yard Free: DQ; 100 Yard Breast: 1:36.84 (PR), 8thplace.

Carlye Kresle (age 15)- 200 Yard Free: 3:12.72 (NT), 12thplace; 50 Yard Free: 34.64 (NT), 13thplace.

Matthew Peters (age 15)- 200 Yard Free: 2:42.64 (PR), 9thplace; 100 Yard Fly: DQ; 50 Yard Free: 28.09 (PR), 8thplace; 200 Yard IM: 2:55.97 (PR), 11thplace; 100 yard Free: 1:08.65 (PR), 11thplace; 100 Yard Breast: 1:32.34 (PR), 5thplace; 500 Yard Free: 8:12.45, 5thplace.

Kenzie Pourier (age 15)- 200 Yard Free: 2:57.45, 11thplace; 200 Yard Back: 3:07.02 (PR), 10thplace; 50 Yard Free: 34.25 (PR), 12thplace; 200 Yard Breast: 3:45.92, 7thplace; 200 Yard IM: 3:18.85, 9thplace; 100 Yard Back: 1:23.64 (PR), 12thplace; 100 Yard Free: 1:18.60, 12thplace; 100 Yard Breast: 1:46.82, 11thplace; 500 Yard Free: 7:51.46, 6thplace.

Emma Peters (age 17)-200 Yard Free: 3:16.65 (PR), 6thplace; 50 Yard Free: 34.01 (PR), 7thplace; 200 yard Breast: 4:01.09 (PR), 3rdplace; 200 Yard IM: 3:43.08 (PR), 7thplace; 100 Y ard Free: 1:22.40 (PR), 9thplace; 100 Yard Breast: 1:48.18 (PR), 4thplace.

The next meet for the Chadron Sharks will be in Deadwood, SD January 7-9, 2022 Sharks Team spokesman Alyssa Peters says ...."These kids have been working incredibly hard and have been making enormous strides in their times! "

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1568167797682.jpeg" alt="swimming pool" />
 <figcaption>swimming pool</figcaption>
 </figure>Thanks to:&nbsp;Alyssa Peters Fourteen swimmers from the Chadron Sharks Swim Team competed in the Christmas Classic Swim Meet, hosted by the Rapid City Racers Swim Team, against 226 athletes from 10 teams from South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska,&nbsp; December 11-12, 2021.&nbsp; &nbsp;This was the third swim meet in which the Sharks have competed this season. &nbsp; Chadron hosted the Chadron Spooktacular Triangular on October 30, 2021.&nbsp; It was the first meet hosted by the Sharks in over a decade, and welcomed teams from Scottsbluff, NE and Hot Springs, SD, bringing more than 65 swimmers to Chadron.&nbsp; The Sharks traveled November 20-21, 2021 to Spearfish, SD for the Black Hills Gold Invitational, swimming against 171 swimmers from 9 teams.&nbsp; Results from the Christmas Classic Swim Meet are as follows (PR denotes a personal record was set, NT denotes new event-no time previously set): Age 7-8:&nbsp; Duncan Bennett (age 7)- 25 Yard Fly: 26.50 (PR), 3rdplace; 50 Yard Back: 47.97 (PR), 2ndplace; 50 Yard Breast: 52.94 (PR), 1stplace; 50 yard Fly: DQ; 25 Yard Back: 24.05 (PR), 5thplace; 25 Yard Breast: 25.81 (PR), 1stplace. Gavin Harris (age 7)- 25 Yard Free: 38.21 (PR), 8thplace; 50 Yard Back: 1”08.01 (NT), 6thplace. Age 9-10:&nbsp; Zane Frost (age 10)- 100 Yard IM: 1:44.49 (NT), 7thplace; 50 Yard Back: 47.35 (NT), 5thplace; 50 Yard Free: 38.42 (NT), 5thplace. Age 11-12: Kael Bennett (age 12)- 50 Yard Back: 43.25 (PR), 6thplace; 50 Yard Free: 34.99 (PR), 10thplace; 50 Yard Breast: 50.75 (PR), 9thplace; 100 Yard Back: 1:37.31, 7thplace; 100 Yard Free: 1:23.01, 6thplace; 100 Yard Breast: 1:49.87 (PR), 7thplace. Carter Peters (age 12)- 100 Yard IM: 1:28.78 (PR) 6thplace; 50 Yard Back: 43.31 (PR), 7thplace; 50 Yard Free: 33.29 (PR), 5thplace; 50 Yard Breast: 46.09 (PR), 7thplace; 200 Yard IM: 3:22.54 (PR), 4thplace; 50 Yard Fly: 41.80 (PR), 4thplace; 100 Yard Back: 1:35.70 (PR), 5thplace; 100 Yard Free: 1:14.39 (PR), 4thplace: 100 Yard Breast: 1:44.43 (PR), 6thplace; 500 Yard Free: 7:59.98 (NT), 6thplace. Age 13-14:&nbsp; Valeria Benitez (age 13)- 200 yard Free: 3:22.61 (NT), 9thplace; 200 Yard Back: 3:34.56 (NT), 5thplace; 50 yard Free: 36.67 (PR), 10thplace; 100 Yard Back: 1:37.87 (PR), 9thplace; 100 Yard Free: 1:30.55 (NT), 12thplace; 100 Yard Breast: 1:52.31 (NT), 10thplace. Ethan Brown (age 13)- 50 Yard Free: 37.88 (PR), 17thplace; 200 Yard Breast: 3:57.70 (NT), 9thplace; 100 Yard Back: DQ; 100 Yard Free: 1:29.00 (PR), 11thplace; 100 Yard Breast: 1;54.33 (PR, 8thplace. Isaiah Horst (age 14)- 200 Yard Free: 2:46.58 (NT), 13thplace; 100 Yard Fly: 1:30.16 (NT, 7thplace; 50 yard Free: 31:20 (NT), 12thplace. Timothy Johnson (age 14)-200 Yard Free: 2:44.23 (NT), 12thplace; 50 Yard Free: 29.52 (PR), 7thplace. Raylie Pourier (age&nbsp; 13)- 200 Yard Free: 2:45.95, 8thplace; 50 Yard Free: 30.27 (PR), 5thplace); 200 Yard IM: DQ; 100 Yard Back: 1:22.95 (PR), 5thplace; 100 Yard Free: DQ; 100 Yard Breast: 1:36.84 (PR), 8thplace. Age 15-16:Carlye Kresle (age 15)- 200 Yard Free: 3:12.72 (NT), 12thplace; 50 Yard Free: 34.64 (NT), 13thplace. Matthew Peters (age 15)- 200 Yard Free: 2:42.64 (PR), 9thplace; 100 Yard Fly: DQ; 50 Yard Free: 28.09 (PR), 8thplace; 200 Yard IM: 2:55.97 (PR), 11thplace; 100 yard Free: 1:08.65 (PR), 11thplace; 100 Yard Breast: 1:32.34 (PR), 5thplace; 500 Yard Free: 8:12.45, 5thplace. Kenzie Pourier (age 15)- 200 Yard Free: 2:57.45, 11thplace; 200 Yard Back: 3:07.02 (PR), 10thplace; 50 Yard Free: 34.25 (PR), 12thplace; 200 Yard Breast: 3:45.92, 7thplace; 200 Yard IM: 3:18.85, 9thplace; 100 Yard Back: 1:23.64 (PR), 12thplace; 100 Yard Free: 1:18.60, 12thplace; 100 Yard Breast: 1:46.82, 11thplace; 500 Yard Free: 7:51.46, 6thplace. Age 17-18:&nbsp; Emma Peters (age 17)-200 Yard Free: 3:16.65 (PR), 6thplace; 50 Yard Free: 34.01 (PR), 7thplace; 200 yard Breast: 4:01.09 (PR), 3rdplace; 200 Yard IM: 3:43.08 (PR), 7thplace; 100 Y ard Free: 1:22.40 (PR), 9thplace; 100 Yard Breast: 1:48.18 (PR), 4thplace. The next meet for the Chadron Sharks will be in Deadwood, SD January 7-9, 2022 Sharks Team spokesman Alyssa Peters says ...."These kids have been working incredibly hard and have been making enormous strides in their times! "

Chadron Sharks Swim Team competes in several events

John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades, died Tuesday morning, the league said. He was 85.

The NFL said he died unexpectedly and did not detail a cause.

Madden gained fame in a decade-long stint as the coach of the renegade Oakland Raiders, making it to seven AFC title games and winning the Super Bowl following the 1976 season. He compiled a 103-32-7 regular-season record, and his .759 winning percentage is the best among NFL coaches with more than 100 games.

But it was his work after prematurely retiring as coach at age 42 that made Madden truly a household name. He educated a football nation with his use of the telestrator on broadcasts; entertained millions with his interjections of “Boom!” and “Doink!” throughout games; was an omnipresent pitchman selling restaurants, hardware stores and beer; became the face of “Madden NFL Football,” one of the most successful sports video games of all-time; and was a best-selling author.

Most of all, he was the preeminent television sports analyst for most of his three decades calling games, winning an unprecedented 16 Emmy Awards for outstanding sports analyst/personality, and covering 11 Super Bowls for four networks from 1979-2009.

“People always ask, are you a coach or a broadcaster or a video game guy?” he said when was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “I’m a coach, always been a coach.”

He started his broadcasting career at CBS after leaving coaching in great part because of his fear of flying. He and Pat Summerall became the network’s top announcing duo. Madden then helped give Fox credibility as a major network when he moved there in 1994, and went on to call prime-time games at ABC and NBC before retiring following Pittsburgh’s thrilling 27-23 win over Arizona in the 2009 Super Bowl.

“I am not aware of anyone who has made a more meaningful impact on the National Football League than John Madden, and I know of no one who loved the game more,” Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement.

Burly and a little unkempt, Madden earned a place in America’s heart with a likable, unpretentious style that was refreshing in a sports world of spiraling salaries and prima donna stars. He rode from game to game in his own bus because he suffered from claustrophobia and had stopped flying. For a time, Madden gave out a “turducken” — a chicken stuffed inside a duck stuffed inside a turkey — to the outstanding player in the Thanksgiving game that he called.

“Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others. There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today.”

When he finally retired from the broadcast booth, leaving NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” colleagues universally praised Madden’s passion for the sport, his preparation, and his ability to explain an often-complicated game in down-to-earth terms.

“No one has made the sport more interesting, more relevant and more enjoyable to watch and listen to than John,” play-by-play announcer Al Michaels said at the time.

For anyone who heard Madden exclaim “Boom!” while breaking down a play, his love of the game was obvious.

“For me, TV is really an extension of coaching,” Madden wrote in “Hey, Wait a Minute! (I Wrote a Book!).”

“My knowledge of football has come from coaching. And on TV, all I’m trying to do is pass on some of that knowledge to viewers.”

Madden was raised in Daly City, California. He played on both the offensive and defensive lines for Cal Poly in 1957-58 and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the school.

Madden was chosen to the all-conference team and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, but a knee injury ended his hopes of a pro playing career. Instead, Madden got into coaching, first at Hancock Junior College and then as defensive coordinator at San Diego State.

Al Davis brought him to the Raiders as a linebackers coach in 1967, and Oakland went to the Super Bowl in his first year in the pros. He replaced John Rauch as head coach after the 1968 season at age 32, beginning a remarkable 10-year run.

With his demonstrative demeanor on the sideline and disheveled look, Madden was the ideal coach for the collection of castoffs and misfits that made up those Raiders teams.

“Sometimes guys were disciplinarians in things that didn’t make any difference. I was a disciplinarian in jumping offsides; I hated that,” Madden once said. “Being in bad position and missing tackles, those things. I wasn’t, ‘Your hair has to be combed.’”

“I always thought his strong suit was his style of coaching,” quarterback Ken Stabler once said. “John just had a great knack for letting us be what we wanted to be, on the field and off the field. ... How do you repay him for being that way? You win for him.”

And boy, did they ever. Many years, the only problem was the playoffs.

Madden went 12-1-1 in his first season, losing the AFL title game 17-7 to Kansas City. That pattern repeated itself during his tenure; the Raiders won the division title in seven of his first eight seasons, but went 1-6 in conference title games during that span.

Still, Madden’s Raiders played in some of the sport’s most memorable games of the 1970s, games that helped change rules in the NFL. There was the “Holy Roller” in 1978, when Stabler purposely fumbled forward before being sacked on the final play. The ball rolled and was batted to the end zone before Dave Casper recovered it for the winning touchdown against San Diego.

The most famous of those games went against the Raiders in the 1972 playoffs at Pittsburgh. With the Raiders leading 7-6 and 22 seconds left, the Steelers had a fourth-and-10 from their 40. Terry Bradshaw’s desperation pass deflected off either Oakland’s Jack Tatum or Pittsburgh’s Frenchy Fuqua to Franco Harris, who caught it at his shoe tops and ran in for a TD.

In those days, a pass that bounced off an offensive player directly to a teammate was illegal, and the debate continues to this day over which player it hit. The catch, of course, was dubbed the “Immaculate Reception.”

Oakland finally broke through with a loaded team in 1976 that had Stabler at quarterback; Fred Biletnikoff and Cliff Branch at receiver; tight end Dave Casper; Hall of Fame offensive linemen Gene Upshaw and Art Shell; and a defense that included Willie Brown, Ted Hendricks, Tatum, John Matuszak, Otis Sistrunk and George Atkinson.

The Raiders went 13-1, losing only a blowout at New England in Week 4. They paid the Patriots back with a 24-21 win in their first playoff game and got over the AFC title game hump with a 24-7 win over the hated Steelers, who were crippled by injuries.

Oakland won it all with a 32-14 Super Bowl romp against Minnesota.

“Players loved playing for him,” Shell said. “He made it fun for us in camp and fun for us in the regular season. All he asked is that we be on time and play like hell when it was time to play.”

Madden battled an ulcer the following season, when the Raiders once again lost in the AFC title game. He retired from coaching at age 42 after a 9-7 season in 1978.

By Josh Dubow - Associated PressJohn Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades, died Tuesday morning, the league said. He was 85.The NFL said he died unexpectedly and did not detail a cause.Madden gained fame in a decade-long stint as the coach of the renegade Oakland Raiders, making it to seven AFC title games and winning the Super Bowl following the 1976 season. He compiled a 103-32-7 regular-season record, and his .759 winning percentage is the best among NFL coaches with more than 100 games.But it was his work after prematurely retiring as coach at age 42 that made Madden truly a household name. He educated a football nation with his use of the telestrator on broadcasts; entertained millions with his interjections of “Boom!” and “Doink!” throughout games; was an omnipresent pitchman selling restaurants, hardware stores and beer; became the face of “Madden NFL Football,” one of the most successful sports video games of all-time; and was a best-selling author.Most of all, he was the preeminent television sports analyst for most of his three decades calling games, winning an unprecedented 16 Emmy Awards for outstanding sports analyst/personality, and covering 11 Super Bowls for four networks from 1979-2009.“People always ask, are you a coach or a broadcaster or a video game guy?” he said when was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “I’m a coach, always been a coach.”He started his broadcasting career at CBS after leaving coaching in great part because of his fear of flying. He and Pat Summerall became the network’s top announcing duo. Madden then helped give Fox credibility as a major network when he moved there in 1994, and went on to call prime-time games at ABC and NBC before retiring following Pittsburgh’s thrilling 27-23 win over Arizona in the 2009 Super Bowl.“I am not aware of anyone who has made a more meaningful impact on the National Football League than John Madden, and I know of no one who loved the game more,” Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement.Burly and a little unkempt, Madden earned a place in America’s heart with a likable, unpretentious style that was refreshing in a sports world of spiraling salaries and prima donna stars. He rode from game to game in his own bus because he suffered from claustrophobia and had stopped flying. For a time, Madden gave out a “turducken” — a chicken stuffed inside a duck stuffed inside a turkey — to the outstanding player in the Thanksgiving game that he called.“Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others. There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today.”When he finally retired from the broadcast booth, leaving NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” colleagues universally praised Madden’s passion for the sport, his preparation, and his ability to explain an often-complicated game in down-to-earth terms.“No one has made the sport more interesting, more relevant and more enjoyable to watch and listen to than John,” play-by-play announcer Al Michaels said at the time.For anyone who heard Madden exclaim “Boom!” while breaking down a play, his love of the game was obvious.“For me, TV is really an extension of coaching,” Madden wrote in “Hey, Wait a Minute! (I Wrote a Book!).”“My knowledge of football has come from coaching. And on TV, all I’m trying to do is pass on some of that knowledge to viewers.”Madden was raised in Daly City, California. He played on both the offensive and defensive lines for Cal Poly in 1957-58 and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the school.Madden was chosen to the all-conference team and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, but a knee injury ended his hopes of a pro playing career. Instead, Madden got into coaching, first at Hancock Junior College and then as defensive coordinator at San Diego State.Al Davis brought him to the Raiders as a linebackers coach in 1967, and Oakland went to the Super Bowl in his first year in the pros. He replaced John Rauch as head coach after the 1968 season at age 32, beginning a remarkable 10-year run.With his demonstrative demeanor on the sideline and disheveled look, Madden was the ideal coach for the collection of castoffs and misfits that made up those Raiders teams.“Sometimes guys were disciplinarians in things that didn’t make any difference. I was a disciplinarian in jumping offsides; I hated that,” Madden once said. “Being in bad position and missing tackles, those things. I wasn’t, ‘Your hair has to be combed.’”The Raiders responded.“I always thought his strong suit was his style of coaching,” quarterback Ken Stabler once said. “John just had a great knack for letting us be what we wanted to be, on the field and off the field. ... How do you repay him for being that way? You win for him.”And boy, did they ever. Many years, the only problem was the playoffs.Madden went 12-1-1 in his first season, losing the AFL title game 17-7 to Kansas City. That pattern repeated itself during his tenure; the Raiders won the division title in seven of his first eight seasons, but went 1-6 in conference title games during that span.Still, Madden’s Raiders played in some of the sport’s most memorable games of the 1970s, games that helped change rules in the NFL. There was the “Holy Roller” in 1978, when Stabler purposely fumbled forward before being sacked on the final play. The ball rolled and was batted to the end zone before Dave Casper recovered it for the winning touchdown against San Diego.The most famous of those games went against the Raiders in the 1972 playoffs at Pittsburgh. With the Raiders leading 7-6 and 22 seconds left, the Steelers had a fourth-and-10 from their 40. Terry Bradshaw’s desperation pass deflected off either Oakland’s Jack Tatum or Pittsburgh’s Frenchy Fuqua to Franco Harris, who caught it at his shoe tops and ran in for a TD.In those days, a pass that bounced off an offensive player directly to a teammate was illegal, and the debate continues to this day over which player it hit. The catch, of course, was dubbed the “Immaculate Reception.”Oakland finally broke through with a loaded team in 1976 that had Stabler at quarterback; Fred Biletnikoff and Cliff Branch at receiver; tight end Dave Casper; Hall of Fame offensive linemen Gene Upshaw and Art Shell; and a defense that included Willie Brown, Ted Hendricks, Tatum, John Matuszak, Otis Sistrunk and George Atkinson.The Raiders went 13-1, losing only a blowout at New England in Week 4. They paid the Patriots back with a 24-21 win in their first playoff game and got over the AFC title game hump with a 24-7 win over the hated Steelers, who were crippled by injuries.Oakland won it all with a 32-14 Super Bowl romp against Minnesota.“Players loved playing for him,” Shell said. “He made it fun for us in camp and fun for us in the regular season. All he asked is that we be on time and play like hell when it was time to play.”Madden battled an ulcer the following season, when the Raiders once again lost in the AFC title game. He retired from coaching at age 42 after a 9-7 season in 1978.

John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at 85

Courtesy: NU Athletic Communications

&nbsp;Nebraska head volleyball coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=265">John Cook</a>&nbsp;announced Tuesday that assistant coach and recruiting coordinator&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=271">Jaylen Reyes</a>&nbsp;will move into the Huskers' lead assistant role following the departure of associate head coach Tyler Hildebrand. Hildebrand was announced Sunday as the new head women's volleyball coach at Long Beach State. Reyes joined the Nebraska staff in March 2018. As the Huskers' recruiting coordinator, he has helped NU land the nation's No. 1 recruiting class for 2021 and the No. 2 class for 2022, according to PrepVolleyball.com. Reyes coaches the Husker liberos and defense while helping coordinate game plans and scouting reports and assisting with other positions. In 2021, Nebraska boasted an elite defense and held opposing teams to just .148 hitting for the year. Libero&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43123">Lexi Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;was the 2021 AVCA National Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-American, starring alongside fellow All-America selections&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43484">Kayla Caffey</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43487">Madi Kubik</a>. As a team, the Huskers claimed an NCAA runner-up finish. "Jaylen is committed to Nebraska Volleyball, and we're thrilled to see him rewarded for his hard work, especially with our stellar recruiting classes," Cook said. "He's putting down roots in Lincoln, and our program will continue to succeed with a young coach of his caliber on our bench." In just six years of coaching at the collegiate level, Reyes has built a strong reputation nationally for his recruiting. A former BYU libero, Reyes was previously an assistant coach for the BYU men's volleyball team from 2016-18. He handled player development and was the recruiting coordinator for the Cougars, who reached the NCAA Championship match in 2016 and 2017 and were NCAA semifinalists in 2018. "I'm thrilled to continue my journey with the Nebraska volleyball program into the future," Reyes said. "It has been a privilege to coach these incredible student-athletes over the last four seasons, and I'm excited to be a part of our current and future Huskers' journey for a championship. "I want to thank Chancellor Ronnie Green and Vice Chancellor, Athletic Director&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=1497">Trev Alberts</a>&nbsp;for their generous support. I also want to sincerely thank Coach Cook for taking a chance on a 25-year-old coach in 2018. I am grateful for his mentorship and for the opportunity to be a part of the best volleyball program in the country for years to come. There is no place like Nebraska."&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640197549215.jpeg" alt="Karlie Moore/Nebraska&nbsp; Communications" />
 <figcaption>Karlie Moore/Nebraska&nbsp; Communications</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy: NU Athletic Communications&nbsp;Nebraska head volleyball coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=265">John Cook</a>&nbsp;announced Tuesday that assistant coach and recruiting coordinator&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=271">Jaylen Reyes</a>&nbsp;will move into the Huskers' lead assistant role following the departure of associate head coach Tyler Hildebrand. Hildebrand was announced Sunday as the new head women's volleyball coach at Long Beach State. Reyes joined the Nebraska staff in March 2018. As the Huskers' recruiting coordinator, he has helped NU land the nation's No. 1 recruiting class for 2021 and the No. 2 class for 2022, according to PrepVolleyball.com. Reyes coaches the Husker liberos and defense while helping coordinate game plans and scouting reports and assisting with other positions. In 2021, Nebraska boasted an elite defense and held opposing teams to just .148 hitting for the year. Libero&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43123">Lexi Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;was the 2021 AVCA National Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-American, starring alongside fellow All-America selections&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43484">Kayla Caffey</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43487">Madi Kubik</a>. As a team, the Huskers claimed an NCAA runner-up finish. "Jaylen is committed to Nebraska Volleyball, and we're thrilled to see him rewarded for his hard work, especially with our stellar recruiting classes," Cook said. "He's putting down roots in Lincoln, and our program will continue to succeed with a young coach of his caliber on our bench." In just six years of coaching at the collegiate level, Reyes has built a strong reputation nationally for his recruiting. A former BYU libero, Reyes was previously an assistant coach for the BYU men's volleyball team from 2016-18. He handled player development and was the recruiting coordinator for the Cougars, who reached the NCAA Championship match in 2016 and 2017 and were NCAA semifinalists in 2018. "I'm thrilled to continue my journey with the Nebraska volleyball program into the future," Reyes said. "It has been a privilege to coach these incredible student-athletes over the last four seasons, and I'm excited to be a part of our current and future Huskers' journey for a championship. "I want to thank Chancellor Ronnie Green and Vice Chancellor, Athletic Director&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=1497">Trev Alberts</a>&nbsp;for their generous support. I also want to sincerely thank Coach Cook for taking a chance on a 25-year-old coach in 2018. I am grateful for his mentorship and for the opportunity to be a part of the best volleyball program in the country for years to come. There is no place like Nebraska."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Huskers promote Reyes to Volleyball lead assistant

Courtesy: NU Athletic Communications&nbsp;

Nebraska associate head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=270">Tyler Hildebrand</a>&nbsp;will return to his alma mater as the head women's volleyball coach at Long Beach State, it was announced Sunday evening. Hildebrand is the fourth Nebraska assistant coach in the last six years to land a Division I head coaching job. "First, I would like to say how proud I am -- and we all are -- of the fight our girls just had in their postseason run," Hildebrand said. "I have never seen a team play with that much heart and grit to will big wins down the stretch. "Ultimately, this is an opportunity to be a head coach at my alma mater. We look forward to the journey ahead at Long Beach State, but we will never forget our time at Nebraska, which has been incredibly memorable. Our program, the student-athletes and Husker Nation are the reason we say 'There is no place like Nebraska.' I have loved every minute of it, and Nebraska will always hold a special place in my heart." Hildebrand has spent three seasons on the staff at Nebraska over the last five years. As an assistant coach in 2017, he helped the Huskers to their fifth NCAA championship, and three players –&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=1302">Kelly Hunter</a>, Mikaela Foecke and Annika Albright -- were named All-Americans. Hildebrand was responsible for the Husker defense, which led the Big Ten with an opponent hitting percentage of .154. Spending two years away as the Director of Coaching for the USA Volleyball Beach National Team program, Hildebrand remained connected to Nebraska, serving as a consultant for&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=265">John Cook</a>&nbsp;in his spare time. In Hildebrand's role with the national team, he has identified and recruited athletes to join the beach program and worked directly with the four beach teams that represented Team USA at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. He had also previously coached at the 2016 Games in Rio. Hildebrand returned for his second stint in Lincoln in 2020 as the first associate head coach in Cook's tenure (2000-present). In his first season back at NU, he helped coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43482">Nicklin Hames</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43492">Lauren Stivrins</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43488">Lexi Sun</a>&nbsp;to All-America recognition, and Nebraska qualified for the NCAA Elite Eight during the spring season. Hildebrand was instrumental in NU's success in 2021, as the Huskers finished as national runner-up and made their 10th NCAA Final appearance in program history. NU counted three All-Americans in&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43123">Lexi Rodriguez</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43484">Kayla Caffey</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43487">Madi Kubik</a>. "I'm sad that Tyler is moving on from Nebraska, but we are very happy for the Long Beach State program," Cook said. "They are getting a respected coach who's returning to his alma mater, which is a tremendous opportunity for him. Long Beach State's tradition is as rich as any program in the country, and he has a chance to make that an elite program again. Tyler knows that, and he has a great plan for them to succeed. "I want to personally thank Tyler on behalf of our team and staff for everything he has done for Nebraska Volleyball over the last five years. I wish him and his family the best, and I'm excited to see what he's going to do with the Long Beach State program." Hildebrand, a three-time first-team All-America setter at Long Beach State, spent five seasons on the coaching staff of the men's volleyball program there, including two years as associate head coach.&nbsp;In his final season on staff, Hildebrand was tabbed the 2017 AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year. He also served as the program's the top assistant from 2013-15.&nbsp; Hildebrand boasts collegiate, professional and international coaching experience on both the men's and women's sides. He traveled with the U.S. Men's National Team to Tokyo as the squad's setting consultant for the 2015 FIVB World Cup. The U.S. went 10-1 over the two-week round robin tournament to win its first World Cup since 1985 and qualify for the 2016 Olympics. Hildebrand played professionally on the Men's AVP Tour for two years (2006-07), then moved on to play internationally. He was a member of the U.S. Men's National Team from 2006 to 2012, winning four Pan American Cup championships over that period as part of his decorated career. While continuing his playing career, Hildebrand returned to the bench for the first time in 2008 as a volunteer assistant coach for Long Beach State under Alan Knipe. Hildebrand joins Dani Busboom Kelly (Louisville), Chris Tamas (Illinois) and Kayla Banwarth (Ole Miss) as recent Husker assistants to take over Division I programs. "Thank you to Coach Cook, who will forever be one of my greatest mentors and friends," Hildebrand said. "Thank you to the players for another opportunity to coach amazing young women doing amazing things. And thank you to our administration and staff for everything they have done to welcome our family to Lincoln. I can't wait to see what comes of the next few years of Nebraska Volleyball. It's going to be special, and we will root them on every step of the way."&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640009623572.jpeg" alt="Scott Bruhn/Nebraska Communications" />
 <figcaption>Scott Bruhn/Nebraska Communications</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy: NU Athletic Communications&nbsp;Nebraska associate head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=270">Tyler Hildebrand</a>&nbsp;will return to his alma mater as the head women's volleyball coach at Long Beach State, it was announced Sunday evening. Hildebrand is the fourth Nebraska assistant coach in the last six years to land a Division I head coaching job. "First, I would like to say how proud I am -- and we all are -- of the fight our girls just had in their postseason run," Hildebrand said. "I have never seen a team play with that much heart and grit to will big wins down the stretch. "Ultimately, this is an opportunity to be a head coach at my alma mater. We look forward to the journey ahead at Long Beach State, but we will never forget our time at Nebraska, which has been incredibly memorable. Our program, the student-athletes and Husker Nation are the reason we say 'There is no place like Nebraska.' I have loved every minute of it, and Nebraska will always hold a special place in my heart." Hildebrand has spent three seasons on the staff at Nebraska over the last five years. As an assistant coach in 2017, he helped the Huskers to their fifth NCAA championship, and three players –&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=1302">Kelly Hunter</a>, Mikaela Foecke and Annika Albright -- were named All-Americans. Hildebrand was responsible for the Husker defense, which led the Big Ten with an opponent hitting percentage of .154. Spending two years away as the Director of Coaching for the USA Volleyball Beach National Team program, Hildebrand remained connected to Nebraska, serving as a consultant for&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=265">John Cook</a>&nbsp;in his spare time. In Hildebrand's role with the national team, he has identified and recruited athletes to join the beach program and worked directly with the four beach teams that represented Team USA at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. He had also previously coached at the 2016 Games in Rio. Hildebrand returned for his second stint in Lincoln in 2020 as the first associate head coach in Cook's tenure (2000-present). In his first season back at NU, he helped coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43482">Nicklin Hames</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43492">Lauren Stivrins</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43488">Lexi Sun</a>&nbsp;to All-America recognition, and Nebraska qualified for the NCAA Elite Eight during the spring season. Hildebrand was instrumental in NU's success in 2021, as the Huskers finished as national runner-up and made their 10th NCAA Final appearance in program history. NU counted three All-Americans in&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43123">Lexi Rodriguez</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43484">Kayla Caffey</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43487">Madi Kubik</a>. "I'm sad that Tyler is moving on from Nebraska, but we are very happy for the Long Beach State program," Cook said. "They are getting a respected coach who's returning to his alma mater, which is a tremendous opportunity for him. Long Beach State's tradition is as rich as any program in the country, and he has a chance to make that an elite program again. Tyler knows that, and he has a great plan for them to succeed. "I want to personally thank Tyler on behalf of our team and staff for everything he has done for Nebraska Volleyball over the last five years. I wish him and his family the best, and I'm excited to see what he's going to do with the Long Beach State program." Hildebrand, a three-time first-team All-America setter at Long Beach State, spent five seasons on the coaching staff of the men's volleyball program there, including two years as associate head coach.&nbsp;In his final season on staff, Hildebrand was tabbed the 2017 AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year. He also served as the program's the top assistant from 2013-15.&nbsp; Hildebrand boasts collegiate, professional and international coaching experience on both the men's and women's sides. He traveled with the U.S. Men's National Team to Tokyo as the squad's setting consultant for the 2015 FIVB World Cup. The U.S. went 10-1 over the two-week round robin tournament to win its first World Cup since 1985 and qualify for the 2016 Olympics. Hildebrand played professionally on the Men's AVP Tour for two years (2006-07), then moved on to play internationally. He was a member of the U.S. Men's National Team from 2006 to 2012, winning four Pan American Cup championships over that period as part of his decorated career. While continuing his playing career, Hildebrand returned to the bench for the first time in 2008 as a volunteer assistant coach for Long Beach State under Alan Knipe. Hildebrand joins Dani Busboom Kelly (Louisville), Chris Tamas (Illinois) and Kayla Banwarth (Ole Miss) as recent Husker assistants to take over Division I programs. "Thank you to Coach Cook, who will forever be one of my greatest mentors and friends," Hildebrand said. "Thank you to the players for another opportunity to coach amazing young women doing amazing things. And thank you to our administration and staff for everything they have done to welcome our family to Lincoln. I can't wait to see what comes of the next few years of Nebraska Volleyball. It's going to be special, and we will root them on every step of the way."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Husker volleyball assistant Tyler Hildebrand named Head Coach at Long Beach State

NEW YORK (AP) —The NBA on Sunday postponed a total of five games involving nine teams in response to rising coronavirus numbers, raising the number of contests that have been pushed back this season to seven.

Called off were three Sunday games: Cleveland at Atlanta, Denver at Brooklyn and New Orleans at Philadelphia. Also shelved were Orlando's game at Toronto on Monday and Washington's game at Brooklyn on Tuesday.

The postponements came on the same day that Atlanta announced star guard Trae Young entered the league's health and safety protocols and the Los Angeles Lakers said coach Frank Vogel also was added to the list.

Leaguewide, through Sunday afternoon, there were at least 68 players who have either been ruled out to play — or in the case of the postponed games, would have been ruled out — because they are in the protocols. That number has soared in recent days, with the NBA just one of many sports leagues worldwide dealing with a rapidly worsening issue.

U.S. officials are expecting a wave of breakthrough infections among the vaccinated given the surge of holiday travelers and gatherings expected in the coming days. The NBA has said 97% of players are fully vaccinated and somewhere around 60% had received boosters as of last week. It was not clear how many of the current positive cases involve those who are ineligible for a booster shot or those who have chosen not to receive one.

Also not clear is how many of the NBA cases involve asymptomatic players. The NFL has revised its protocols so that only unvaccinated players and those experiencing possible symptoms of COVID-19 will be tested. The NHL has five teams shut down through Christmas because of outbreaks, and numerous college games at all levels have been canceled in recent days.

“It is what it is. Just trying to stay safe as possible and that’s all you can do,” Lakers guard Russell Westbrook said of the NBA’s rising numbers. Westbrook was briefly in the protocols late last week, before returning at least three negative coronavirus tests and being cleared to return to play without missing a game.

The league and the National Basketball Players Association have been discussing a plan in which teams in desperate need of players would be able to sign reinforcements to 10-day contracts but without those deals impacting salary cap and luxury tax figures. That deal has not yet been finalized, though talks are continuing.

The Cavaliers had five players enter the protocols on Sunday, the team said. All five — center Jarrett Allen, forwards Lamar Stevens and Dylan Windler and guards Denzel Valentine and RJ Nembhard — tested positive for COVID-19, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team did not release that specific detail.

They joined Isaac Okoro and Evan Mobley, who entered the protocols previously.

Vogel won't be on the bench when his Lakers play Sunday at Chicago. David Fizdale will coach in Vogel's place, the Lakers said. The Bulls are returning to the court after having two games postponed last week.

Chicago still doesn't have all of its players back yet, either. Among those listed as out Sunday and still in protocols is Olympic gold medalist Zach LaVine.

Through Saturday’s games, those were the only games the NBA had pushed back during this outbreak. But on Sunday, the league added significantly to the list of postponements, with teams simply not having enough players to compete.

Brooklyn alone has 10 players, plus some staff, in the protocols.

“It’s just crazy,” Nets forward Blake Griffin said.

Brooklyn's list of players in protocols includes Kevin Durant, James Harden and — even though he’s still not yet able to play — Kyrie Irving, who has sat out all season for not complying with New York City's vaccine mandate. The team reversed course Friday and said Irving would be welcomed back “for games and practices in which he is eligible to participate,” knowing he’d still miss two games at the Knicks and trips to Toronto and Golden State.

The Nets had eight available players for Saturday night's game against Orlando. The Magic had nine, including four players — Aleem Ford, Hassani Gravett, B.J. Johnson and Admiral Schofield — who were signed late last week to hardship contracts because of virus issues and injuries decimating Orlando's roster.

Here's how necessary they were: Magic coach Jamahl Mosley had all four on the court together in two separate stretches of Orlando's win.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639341015562.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —The NBA on Sunday postponed a total of five games involving nine teams in response to rising coronavirus numbers, raising the number of contests that have been pushed back this season to seven.Called off were three Sunday games: Cleveland at Atlanta, Denver at Brooklyn and New Orleans at Philadelphia. Also shelved were Orlando's game at Toronto on Monday and Washington's game at Brooklyn on Tuesday.The postponements came on the same day that Atlanta announced star guard Trae Young entered the league's health and safety protocols and the Los Angeles Lakers said coach Frank Vogel also was added to the list.Leaguewide, through Sunday afternoon, there were at least 68 players who have either been ruled out to play — or in the case of the postponed games, would have been ruled out — because they are in the protocols. That number has soared in recent days, with the NBA just one of many sports leagues worldwide dealing with a rapidly worsening issue.U.S. officials are expecting a wave of breakthrough infections among the vaccinated given the surge of holiday travelers and gatherings expected in the coming days. The NBA has said 97% of players are fully vaccinated and somewhere around 60% had received boosters as of last week. It was not clear how many of the current positive cases involve those who are ineligible for a booster shot or those who have chosen not to receive one.Also not clear is how many of the NBA cases involve asymptomatic players. The NFL has revised its protocols so that only unvaccinated players and those experiencing possible symptoms of COVID-19 will be tested. The NHL has five teams shut down through Christmas because of outbreaks, and numerous college games at all levels have been canceled in recent days.“It is what it is. Just trying to stay safe as possible and that’s all you can do,” Lakers guard Russell Westbrook said of the NBA’s rising numbers. Westbrook was briefly in the protocols late last week, before returning at least three negative coronavirus tests and being cleared to return to play without missing a game.The league and the National Basketball Players Association have been discussing a plan in which teams in desperate need of players would be able to sign reinforcements to 10-day contracts but without those deals impacting salary cap and luxury tax figures. That deal has not yet been finalized, though talks are continuing.The Cavaliers had five players enter the protocols on Sunday, the team said. All five — center Jarrett Allen, forwards Lamar Stevens and Dylan Windler and guards Denzel Valentine and RJ Nembhard — tested positive for COVID-19, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team did not release that specific detail.They joined Isaac Okoro and Evan Mobley, who entered the protocols previously.Vogel won't be on the bench when his Lakers play Sunday at Chicago. David Fizdale will coach in Vogel's place, the Lakers said. The Bulls are returning to the court after having two games postponed last week.Chicago still doesn't have all of its players back yet, either. Among those listed as out Sunday and still in protocols is Olympic gold medalist Zach LaVine.Through Saturday’s games, those were the only games the NBA had pushed back during this outbreak. But on Sunday, the league added significantly to the list of postponements, with teams simply not having enough players to compete.Brooklyn alone has 10 players, plus some staff, in the protocols.“It’s just crazy,” Nets forward Blake Griffin said.Brooklyn's list of players in protocols includes Kevin Durant, James Harden and — even though he’s still not yet able to play — Kyrie Irving, who has sat out all season for not complying with New York City's vaccine mandate. The team reversed course Friday and said Irving would be welcomed back “for games and practices in which he is eligible to participate,” knowing he’d still miss two games at the Knicks and trips to Toronto and Golden State.The Nets had eight available players for Saturday night's game against Orlando. The Magic had nine, including four players — Aleem Ford, Hassani Gravett, B.J. Johnson and Admiral Schofield — who were signed late last week to hardship contracts because of virus issues and injuries decimating Orlando's roster.Here's how necessary they were: Magic coach Jamahl Mosley had all four on the court together in two separate stretches of Orlando's win.———

NBA postpones more games as COVID rocks sports world

The No. 10 Nebraska volleyball team came up just short of its sixth national title Saturday night, losing a five-set heartbreaker to No. 4&nbsp;Wisconsin at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. It was the longest Championship Match in NCAA history in front of&nbsp;the largest crowd in NCAA history (18,755). The Huskers, who were the first to 20 points in three of the first four sets, won the first set 25-22, before Wisconsin took the next two sets 31-29 and 25-23. NU fought back to force a fifth set with a 25-23 come-from-behind victory in set four. Wisconsin scored the first seven points of the decisive fifth set - the first time the Badgers had led by more than four points all night - but Nebraska stormed back and fought off three match points before the Badgers (31-3) closed out a 15-12 victory to win their first NCAA title. In the match, the Badgers won 116 points to Nebraska's 114. NU (26-8) finished as the NCAA Runner-up for the fifth time in school history to go along with its five national titles. <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43487">Madi Kubik</a>&nbsp;had a double-double for Nebraska, producing a match-high 19 kills and adding 14 digs to lead a season-high five Huskers with double-digit kills. Her 19 kills tied her season high while her 14 digs were one shy of her season high in that category.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43484">Kayla Caffey</a>&nbsp;added 15 kills on 30 swings, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43120">Lindsay Krause</a>&nbsp;put down 12 kills,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43118">Ally Batenhorst</a>&nbsp;added 11 and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43492">Lauren Stivrins</a>&nbsp;had 10 kills in her final match.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43482">Nicklin Hames</a>&nbsp;joined Kubik with a double-double as Hames dished out a season-high&nbsp;56 assists and added 23 digs, one shy of her career high and her third 20-dig effort of the season. Defensively,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43486">Keonilei Akana</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43123">Lexi Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43483">Kenzie Knuckles</a>&nbsp;joined Kubik and Hames to give Nebraska five players with double-figure digs. Akana had a career-high 24 digs, while Rodriguez added 13 digs and Knuckles had 10. Stivrins and Krause had five blocks each to lead Nebraska in that category, but it was the Badger block that made the difference in the match. Nebraska finished with eight more kills than Wisconsin, but the Badgers blocked the Huskers 24 times, the most blocks ever by a Nebraska opponent in the rally-scoring era. The Huskers had 10 blocks and held Wisconsin to its second-lowest attack percentage of the season (.183), but Nebraska committed a season-high 39 attack errors and hit only .141 in the match. Nebraska out-dug Wisconsin 93-79. In the service game, Wisconsin had seven aces but committed 14 errors, while Nebraska had four aces and nine errors. Anna Smrek led four Badgers in double-figure kills with 14, and she hit a match-high .429. Dana Rettke, the 2021 National Player of the Year, had 11 kills and 13 blocks for the Badgers, including a kill on match point. Lauren Barnes had a match-high 31 digs for Wisconsin. Following the match, Kubik and Hames were named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team, joining Wisconsin's Anna Smrek and Dana Rettke, Louisville's Anna DeBeer and Pitt's Leketor Member-Meneh. Smrek was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. The Huskers will be recognized upon their return to Lincoln Sunday afternoon. The recognition for the Huskers' NCAA runner-up finish will take place at halftime of the women's basketball game against Drake, which tips at Noon at&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=1168">Pinnacle Bank</a>&nbsp;Arena. The team and coaches will be introduced. All general admission seating (sections 101, 102, 111, 112, 113, and 122) is free for Sunday's game. Fans who wish to secure a reserved ticket to guarantee a seat may&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3AIBM%3AWB21%3A08%3A&amp;linkID=huskers&amp;shopperContext=&amp;pc=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=&amp;groupCode=WB&amp;cgc=&amp;dataAccId=126&amp;locale=en_US&amp;siteId=ev_huskers" target="_blank">purchase tickets online</a>&nbsp;for $15 each. Set 1 NU jumped to a 5-1 lead with three kills and an Akana ace, but Wisconsin used a 6-1 run to go ahead by one. Locked at 9-9, two big kills from Caffey helped spot NU a 12-10 edge. Kubik swatted three straight kills before the media timeout, and a Krause swing completed the 7-1 spurt at 16-10. Kubik's fifth kill of the set made it 18-12 as the Badgers called for a break. UW won four of the next five rallies before NU took its own timeout still up 19-16. With the Badgers threatening within two, a UW service error and a Caffey/Krause block on Julia Orzol pushed it to 22-18. NU hit set point on another Badger service error, but UW claimed the next three points with a pair of Smrek blocks to trim it to 24-22. Stivrins wasted no time with a kill out of the final timeout to give Nebraska the first-set win. NU had 10 kills with just one error on its first 22 swings, but finished the set hitting .174. Wisconsin came in at .171 and had a 5-1 blocking advantage. Kubik had five kills in the set and Caffey had three more on four swings, leading five Huskers with multiple kills. Akana had seven digs and an ace. Set 2 Wisconsin grabbed the first point with its sixth block before NU went on a 5-0 tear with four straight kills between Caffey and Kubik, plus a Caffey/Krause stop. UW cut it to 7-5 before an errant serve and a Kubik kill from the back row boosted the lead to four. A Batenhorst kill and another Caffey/Krause block got it to 12-7 before a Badger timeout. A 4-0 UW run reduced the lead to 13-11, prompting an NU break. The two squads traded the next six rallies and UW got within one on an ace, but Hames and Stivrins teamed up to block Orzol at 17-15. Again with UW threatening within one, Caffey was nearly automatic, with two late kills helping it to 20-18. The Badgers regained the lead behind Grace Loberg and Rettke, who each had a kill and block to make it 21-20. It was Caffey again out of the Husker timeout, sniping a kill to tie it at 21-all. Krause and Stivrins blocked Orzol to stall it again at 22-22, and Kubik connected for a kill at 23-23. After a Badger attack error gave NU set point, UW called for a timeout. A Husker service error followed by another from UW prompted another timeout with NU up 25-24. But the Badgers then blocked Batenhorst to lock it again and took the lead on a Jade Demps kill. Caffey's seventh kill of the set -- and 10th of the night -- tied the set once more at 26-26. After Robinson got one of her own, it was Caffey again from the middle, followed by a Knuckles ace for a 28-27 Husker lead. Kubik registered another kill to put NU ahead 29-28, but Rettke tallied for a 29-29 lock. Two Badger blocks ended the set, bringing the match to 1-1. Through the first two sets, Caffey and Kubik each had 11 kills for Nebraska. UW hit .237 to NU's .143 and out-blocked the Huskers 8-4. Set 3 Neither team could gain more than a two-point foothold before UW went up 12-9. The Huskers trailed 15-13 at the media timeout. Krause swatted a pair of kills at 17-15 and 18-16, but Smrek and Rettke terminated back-to-back to give the Badgers a 20-16 lead. Kills from Stivrins and Kubik preceded a UW attack error, which cut it to 21-19. At 23-20, the freshman duo of Batenhorst&nbsp;and Krause each blasted a kill to bring the Huskers within one. But Robinson took matters into her own hands for Wisconsin, with consecutive kills closing another deuce set at 25-23. Set 4 The Huskers broke up at 3-3 tie with a back-row kill courtesy of Knuckles. They got out a 5-5 lock when Batenhorst blocked Sydney Hilley, followed by a Caffey kill and a Hames ace to move ahead 8-5. The Badgers stalled it once more behind a kill, a block and an ace of their own. UW later used a Hilley kill and back-to-back blocks to go up 11-10 before an NU timeout. Krause tied it twice more on kills at 11-all and 12-all. The set tied five more times up to 17-17 -- the last time on another Caffey swing. UW had an attacking and a setting error, bringing a Badger timeout with NU up 19-17. The Huskers continued their assault, stretching the run to 5-0 with back-to-back Stivrins blocks with Krause and Kubik for a 21-17 edge and UW's final timeout. A Kubik kill extended the Husker advantage to 23-19. After a Badger service error brought it to 24-20, UW staved off set point with two kills from Loberg and Orzol, which prompted an NU timeout. Akana came up with a clutch dig during an incredible rally, leading to a final kill from Batenhorst that sealed the set at 25-23 and sent the match to a decisive fifth set. Set 5 Wisconsin dug the Huskers a 7-0 hole to start set five. Batenhorst registered NU's first point with a kill, and both sides turned error-prone from there. With NU down seven, the Badgers committed three straight errors and called for a timeout at 9-5. An attack error apiece brought the tally to 10-6 UW. Batenhorst then terminated to trim the Badger lead to three, and Stivrins did so again at 11-8. Wisconsin would stretch the lead back to five and earn its first match point at 14-9. But back-to-back kills from Krause and Kubik forced a Badger timeout with the lead trimmed to three. Wisconsin then thought it had won after a Kubik attack on the next rally was ruled long, but the Huskers challenged and a touch was ruled to give Kubik the kill. With the gap closed to 14-12, the Huskers played great defense during a long rally, but Rettke ended the match with a kill. Nebraska Post-Match Notes

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639943264249.jpeg" alt="Jordyn Senstock/Nebraska Communications" />
 <figcaption>Jordyn Senstock/Nebraska Communications</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy: NU Athletic Communications

The No. 10 Nebraska volleyball team came up just short of its sixth national title Saturday night, losing a five-set heartbreaker to No. 4&nbsp;Wisconsin at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. It was the longest Championship Match in NCAA history in front of&nbsp;the largest crowd in NCAA history (18,755). The Huskers, who were the first to 20 points in three of the first four sets, won the first set 25-22, before Wisconsin took the next two sets 31-29 and 25-23. NU fought back to force a fifth set with a 25-23 come-from-behind victory in set four. Wisconsin scored the first seven points of the decisive fifth set - the first time the Badgers had led by more than four points all night - but Nebraska stormed back and fought off three match points before the Badgers (31-3) closed out a 15-12 victory to win their first NCAA title. In the match, the Badgers won 116 points to Nebraska's 114. NU (26-8) finished as the NCAA Runner-up for the fifth time in school history to go along with its five national titles. <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43487">Madi Kubik</a>&nbsp;had a double-double for Nebraska, producing a match-high 19 kills and adding 14 digs to lead a season-high five Huskers with double-digit kills. Her 19 kills tied her season high while her 14 digs were one shy of her season high in that category.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43484">Kayla Caffey</a>&nbsp;added 15 kills on 30 swings, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43120">Lindsay Krause</a>&nbsp;put down 12 kills,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43118">Ally Batenhorst</a>&nbsp;added 11 and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43492">Lauren Stivrins</a>&nbsp;had 10 kills in her final match.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43482">Nicklin Hames</a>&nbsp;joined Kubik with a double-double as Hames dished out a season-high&nbsp;56 assists and added 23 digs, one shy of her career high and her third 20-dig effort of the season. Defensively,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43486">Keonilei Akana</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43123">Lexi Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43483">Kenzie Knuckles</a>&nbsp;joined Kubik and Hames to give Nebraska five players with double-figure digs. Akana had a career-high 24 digs, while Rodriguez added 13 digs and Knuckles had 10. Stivrins and Krause had five blocks each to lead Nebraska in that category, but it was the Badger block that made the difference in the match. Nebraska finished with eight more kills than Wisconsin, but the Badgers blocked the Huskers 24 times, the most blocks ever by a Nebraska opponent in the rally-scoring era. The Huskers had 10 blocks and held Wisconsin to its second-lowest attack percentage of the season (.183), but Nebraska committed a season-high 39 attack errors and hit only .141 in the match. Nebraska out-dug Wisconsin 93-79. In the service game, Wisconsin had seven aces but committed 14 errors, while Nebraska had four aces and nine errors. Anna Smrek led four Badgers in double-figure kills with 14, and she hit a match-high .429. Dana Rettke, the 2021 National Player of the Year, had 11 kills and 13 blocks for the Badgers, including a kill on match point. Lauren Barnes had a match-high 31 digs for Wisconsin. Following the match, Kubik and Hames were named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team, joining Wisconsin's Anna Smrek and Dana Rettke, Louisville's Anna DeBeer and Pitt's Leketor Member-Meneh. Smrek was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. The Huskers will be recognized upon their return to Lincoln Sunday afternoon. The recognition for the Huskers' NCAA runner-up finish will take place at halftime of the women's basketball game against Drake, which tips at Noon at&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=1168">Pinnacle Bank</a>&nbsp;Arena. The team and coaches will be introduced. All general admission seating (sections 101, 102, 111, 112, 113, and 122) is free for Sunday's game. Fans who wish to secure a reserved ticket to guarantee a seat may&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3AIBM%3AWB21%3A08%3A&amp;linkID=huskers&amp;shopperContext=&amp;pc=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=&amp;groupCode=WB&amp;cgc=&amp;dataAccId=126&amp;locale=en_US&amp;siteId=ev_huskers" target="_blank">purchase tickets online</a>&nbsp;for $15 each. Set 1 NU jumped to a 5-1 lead with three kills and an Akana ace, but Wisconsin used a 6-1 run to go ahead by one. Locked at 9-9, two big kills from Caffey helped spot NU a 12-10 edge. Kubik swatted three straight kills before the media timeout, and a Krause swing completed the 7-1 spurt at 16-10. Kubik's fifth kill of the set made it 18-12 as the Badgers called for a break. UW won four of the next five rallies before NU took its own timeout still up 19-16. With the Badgers threatening within two, a UW service error and a Caffey/Krause block on Julia Orzol pushed it to 22-18. NU hit set point on another Badger service error, but UW claimed the next three points with a pair of Smrek blocks to trim it to 24-22. Stivrins wasted no time with a kill out of the final timeout to give Nebraska the first-set win. NU had 10 kills with just one error on its first 22 swings, but finished the set hitting .174. Wisconsin came in at .171 and had a 5-1 blocking advantage. Kubik had five kills in the set and Caffey had three more on four swings, leading five Huskers with multiple kills. Akana had seven digs and an ace. Set 2 Wisconsin grabbed the first point with its sixth block before NU went on a 5-0 tear with four straight kills between Caffey and Kubik, plus a Caffey/Krause stop. UW cut it to 7-5 before an errant serve and a Kubik kill from the back row boosted the lead to four. A Batenhorst kill and another Caffey/Krause block got it to 12-7 before a Badger timeout. A 4-0 UW run reduced the lead to 13-11, prompting an NU break. The two squads traded the next six rallies and UW got within one on an ace, but Hames and Stivrins teamed up to block Orzol at 17-15. Again with UW threatening within one, Caffey was nearly automatic, with two late kills helping it to 20-18. The Badgers regained the lead behind Grace Loberg and Rettke, who each had a kill and block to make it 21-20. It was Caffey again out of the Husker timeout, sniping a kill to tie it at 21-all. Krause and Stivrins blocked Orzol to stall it again at 22-22, and Kubik connected for a kill at 23-23. After a Badger attack error gave NU set point, UW called for a timeout. A Husker service error followed by another from UW prompted another timeout with NU up 25-24. But the Badgers then blocked Batenhorst to lock it again and took the lead on a Jade Demps kill. Caffey's seventh kill of the set -- and 10th of the night -- tied the set once more at 26-26. After Robinson got one of her own, it was Caffey again from the middle, followed by a Knuckles ace for a 28-27 Husker lead. Kubik registered another kill to put NU ahead 29-28, but Rettke tallied for a 29-29 lock. Two Badger blocks ended the set, bringing the match to 1-1. Through the first two sets, Caffey and Kubik each had 11 kills for Nebraska. UW hit .237 to NU's .143 and out-blocked the Huskers 8-4. Set 3 Neither team could gain more than a two-point foothold before UW went up 12-9. The Huskers trailed 15-13 at the media timeout. Krause swatted a pair of kills at 17-15 and 18-16, but Smrek and Rettke terminated back-to-back to give the Badgers a 20-16 lead. Kills from Stivrins and Kubik preceded a UW attack error, which cut it to 21-19. At 23-20, the freshman duo of Batenhorst&nbsp;and Krause each blasted a kill to bring the Huskers within one. But Robinson took matters into her own hands for Wisconsin, with consecutive kills closing another deuce set at 25-23. Set 4 The Huskers broke up at 3-3 tie with a back-row kill courtesy of Knuckles. They got out a 5-5 lock when Batenhorst blocked Sydney Hilley, followed by a Caffey kill and a Hames ace to move ahead 8-5. The Badgers stalled it once more behind a kill, a block and an ace of their own. UW later used a Hilley kill and back-to-back blocks to go up 11-10 before an NU timeout. Krause tied it twice more on kills at 11-all and 12-all. The set tied five more times up to 17-17 -- the last time on another Caffey swing. UW had an attacking and a setting error, bringing a Badger timeout with NU up 19-17. The Huskers continued their assault, stretching the run to 5-0 with back-to-back Stivrins blocks with Krause and Kubik for a 21-17 edge and UW's final timeout. A Kubik kill extended the Husker advantage to 23-19. After a Badger service error brought it to 24-20, UW staved off set point with two kills from Loberg and Orzol, which prompted an NU timeout. Akana came up with a clutch dig during an incredible rally, leading to a final kill from Batenhorst that sealed the set at 25-23 and sent the match to a decisive fifth set. Set 5 Wisconsin dug the Huskers a 7-0 hole to start set five. Batenhorst registered NU's first point with a kill, and both sides turned error-prone from there. With NU down seven, the Badgers committed three straight errors and called for a timeout at 9-5. An attack error apiece brought the tally to 10-6 UW. Batenhorst then terminated to trim the Badger lead to three, and Stivrins did so again at 11-8. Wisconsin would stretch the lead back to five and earn its first match point at 14-9. But back-to-back kills from Krause and Kubik forced a Badger timeout with the lead trimmed to three. Wisconsin then thought it had won after a Kubik attack on the next rally was ruled long, but the Huskers challenged and a touch was ruled to give Kubik the kill. With the gap closed to 14-12, the Huskers played great defense during a long rally, but Rettke ended the match with a kill. Nebraska Post-Match Notes<ul>
 <li>Wisconsin defeated Nebraska in five sets to win the NCAA title after the Huskers defeated the Badgers in five sets in the 2000 National Championship match.</li><li>Nebraska finished as the NCAA Runner-Up for the fifth time in school history. The Huskers' five runner-up finishes are tied for second in NCAA history.</li><li>Announced attendance for the championship match was 18,755, the most-attended volleyball game in NCAA history. The Huskers have now been involved in the seven largest volleyball crowds in NCAA history and 10 of the top 11.</li><li>With the loss, Nebraska fell to 123-35 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskers rank second in NCAA history in postseason wins and winning percentage (.778).</li><li>Nebraska fell to 5-5 all-time in the National Championship match, including a 4-3 record under&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=265">John Cook</a>.</li><li>Cook dropped to 90-23 in his NCAA Tournament career.</li><li>Cook is 82-18 in the NCAA Tournament as Nebraska's head coach. His .820 postseason winning percentage at Nebraska is the top mark in NCAA history among any coach with at least 20 NCAA Tournament matches at one school.</li><li>NU was the first team to reach 20 points in three of the first four sets.</li><li>The total points scored in the match were 116-114 in favor of Wisconsin.</li><li>Two of the three sets Nebraska lost were by just two points (31-29 in the second; 25-23 in the third). On the season, six of the nine sets the Huskers lost to Wisconsin were by just two points.</li><li>The Huskers' loss in set two (31-29) marked their longest set of the season.</li><li>Wisconsin's 24 blocks were the most ever by a Husker opponent in the rally-scoring era and were the most by an opponent in&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=265">John Cook</a>'s tenure as Nebraska's head coach. The previous record was 20 blocks by Minnesota in a four-set victory last spring.</li><li>Nebraska had 10 blocks. It was also the Huskers' second straight and third such effort of the NCAA Tournament.</li><li>NU held Wisconsin to a .183&nbsp;attack percentage, the Badgers' second-lowest mark of the season and the only time they were held under .258 in the NCAA Tournament.</li><li>Five Huskers had 10 or more kills in the match and five Nebraska players had 10-or-more-digs.</li><li>Nebraska had four services aces against Wisconsin to finish with 37 aces in the NCAA Tournament. That total ranked fourth in the past 15 NCAA Tournaments dating back to 2007.</li><li><a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43484">Kayla Caffey</a>&nbsp;had a career-high 15 kills, eclipsing her previous career high of 14 kills against Purdue on Oct. 23 this season.</li><li><a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43487">Madi Kubik</a>&nbsp;had 19&nbsp;kills and 14&nbsp;digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Her 19 kills were a match high and tied her season high.</li><li><a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43486">Keonilei Akana</a>&nbsp;had a match-high 24 digs, a career high for her, eclipsing her previous high of 17 against Ohio State last spring.</li><li><a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43482">Nicklin Hames</a>&nbsp;posted her team-leading 24th double-double of the season with a season-high&nbsp;56 assists and 23&nbsp;digs, one shy of her career high. Hames had 20-or-more digs for the third time in 2021.</li><li><a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43492">Lauren Stivrins</a>&nbsp;played in 24th career NCAA Tournament match against Wisconsin. Her 24 career postseason matches are the most in Nebraska history and tie for the most in NCAA history.</li><li>Stivrins also became Nebraska's all-time leader in NCAA Tournament sets played. Stivrins played in 86 sets in her postseason career, four more than Mikaela Foecke and Kenzie Maloney (82 from 2015-18).</li><li>Stivrins ended her career ranked fourth all-time at Nebraska in attack percentage (.378), fifth in blocks 563 and 13th&nbsp;all-time in kills (1,259). She also posted a .377&nbsp;attack percentage in her NCAA Tournament career, the second-highest mark by any player in program history with a minimum of 50 postseason kills.</li><li><a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43123">Lexi Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;had 13&nbsp;digs in the championship match. She had 524&nbsp;digs this season, which ranked fifth&nbsp;in school history and were a Nebraska freshman record.</li><li>Akana had one&nbsp;service ace against Wisconsin. She had 10&nbsp;aces in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, which tied for the fourth-highest total in a single postseason in Nebraska history.</li><li>Akana finished the season with 42 aces, which ranked seventh in Nebraska history during the rally-scoring era.</li><li>Nebraska ended its season with 2,054&nbsp;digs, the second-highest total in school history. The Huskers averaged 16.98&nbsp;digs per set in 2021, an average that ranked fourth overall in program history, third in the rally-scoring era and first in the 25-point rally-scoring era.</li><li>The Huskers ended the season with 181&nbsp;service aces. That total ranked fifth in the rally-scoring era at Nebraska.</li>
 </ul>

Wisconsin wins National Title in a 5 set thriller

🏀 High School Scoreboard - Friday, December 17

Gordon-Rushville 65, Bennett County, SD 43

Niobrara County (Lusk), WY 45, Crawford 44

Crawford 62, Niobrara County (Lusk), WY 21

Gordon-Rushville 53, Bennett County, SD 41

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629461621684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>🏀 High School Scoreboard - Friday, December 17BOYSAlliance 61, Mitchell 47Arthur County 76, Minatare 37Gordon-Rushville 65, Bennett County, SD 43Hershey 72, Kimball 24Morrill 33, Edgemont, SD 21Mullen 57, Cody-Kilgore 21Niobrara County (Lusk), WY 45, Crawford 44Ogallala 78, Gering 59Potter-Dix 63, Banner County 18Scottsbluff 77, Chadron 39Sedgwick County, CO 56, Creek Valley 21GIRLSArthur County 52, Minatare 11Bayard 65, Garden County 35Crawford 62, Niobrara County (Lusk), WY 21Edgemont, SD 50, Morrill 17Gering 62, Ogallala 41Gordon-Rushville 53, Bennett County, SD 41Hershey 63, Kimball 24Mitchell 36, Alliance 35 (OT)Mullen 49, Cody-Kilgore 23Potter-Dix 50, Banner County 24Sedgwick County, CO 63, Creek Valley 20

&nbsp;The Nebraska volleyball team will vie for its sixth NCAA title on Saturday after the 10th-seeded Huskers rallied to upend Pitt 3-1 (16-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-22) in the NCAA Semifinal at Nationwide Arena that began on Thursday night and stretched into Friday morning. Nebraska (26-7) will face Wisconsin (30-3) in an all-Big Ten National Championship match Saturday night. The Huskers will make their 10th championship final appearance in program history and their first since 2018. Television coverage Saturday begins with a 6:15 pregame show on ESPN2. <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43487">Madi Kubik</a>&nbsp;was solid in all phases of the game to lead Nebraska in the semifinal. Kubik&nbsp;finished with a match-high 13 kills and added a career-high-tying three services aces to go along with seven digs and two blocks. Kubik posted her 24th match this season with at least 10 kills. <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43484">Kayla Caffey</a>&nbsp;joined Kubik in double-digit kills with 10, and Caffey added four blocks.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43120">Lindsay Krause</a>&nbsp;had nine kills on 19 swings and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43492">Lauren Stivrins</a>&nbsp;had nine kills on 17 swings with a match-high six blocks.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43118">Ally Batenhorst</a>&nbsp;added seven kills.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43482">Nicklin Hames</a>&nbsp;registered her 23rd double-double of the year with 45 assists and 13 digs, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43123">Lexi Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;(13) and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43486">Keonilei Akana</a>&nbsp;(11) also had double-digit digs. Nebraska hit .239 in the match, rebounding from a .167 attacking percentage in the first set. The Huskers held Pittsburgh to a .233 attack percentage, the Panthers' lowest mark of the NCAA Tournament. Pitt hit .483 in winning the first set, but NU limited the Panthers to a .163 attack percentage over the final three sets. Nebraska also won the serve-and-pass battle with six aces against only six errors, while Pittsburgh had five aces and 12 errors. The Huskers also out-blocked the Panthers 10-7, but Pitt finished with more digs (56-50). Leketo Member-Meneh had 13 kills to pace Pitt, which finished its best season in school history with a 30-4 record. Set 1 Pitt built a 5-1 lead out of the gate, broken up by a Kubik kill. Kubik later sparked a 4-0 run with a kill and two aces, and NU tied it at 7-7 on a Hames/Stivrins stuff. The Panthers responded with a 6-1 spurt to go up 13-8 before an NU timeout. The deficit increased to 16-9 before NU rallied again, using three straight kills between Kubik and Caffey and a Caffey/Krause stop to cut it to 16-13. But Pitt outscored NU 9-3 the rest of the way, closing the set on an ace at 25-16. Pitt had five players with multiple kills in the set, hitting .483 to Nebraska's .167 in the set. Kubik paced NU with four kills to go with her two aces. Set 2 The Huskers flipped the script to open set two, jumping ahead 3-1 with a Kubik kill and another Caffey/Krause block on Member-Meneh. Kubik had had three kills in the first eight rallies, and she added an ace to stretch the lead to 7-5. NU muscled out to a 14-9 advantage by Pitt's first timeout behind kills from Kubik and Krause and a Stivrins solo stop. Stivrins added a kill on her signature slide out of the timeout, and she and Kubik teamed up to block Chinaza Ndee to make it 16-9. After another block by the duo, Pitt called for another timeout trailing NU 18-11. The Huskers held steady and assumed their largest lead by 23-15 after a pair of Pitt attack errors, but the Panthers took the next two points on kills to prompt an NU timeout. A Krause kill brought it to set point, and an errant Pitt swing finished it off, 25-17, as Nebraska evened the match at one apiece. Kubik had a team-leading eight kills with three aces through the first two sets, and Stivrins had three kills and four blocks. NU had a 4-2 blocking advantage in the second set and hit .440 while holding Pitt to .161. Nebraska had 11 kills on its first 17 swings of the set with just one error. Set 3 Down 4-3, Nebraska turned it around to a 7-5 lead. Pitt regained the advantage at 8-7 before a Kubik kill from the back row, coupled with a Caffey/Hames block put it back in NU's favor. The score locked five times up to 14-14 before a kill from Stivrins prior to the media timeout. The 13th tie of the set at 17-17 after two errors brought on a Husker timeout. NU stormed ahead with a late 6-0 run with Stivrins at the service line, using a Batenhorst kill and a Stivrins ace go to up 19-18 as Pitt called for a timeout. A kill and a block by Caffey, plus a backrow kill by Stivrins and a Pitt attack error pushed it to 23-18. After a Batenhorst swing for set point, Krause finished it off two rallies later with a kill to seal the 25-20 win. Set 4 Kills by Caffey and Kubik plus a&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43483">Kenzie Knuckles</a>&nbsp;ace spotted NU a quick 3-0 lead. The Huskers pushed it to 9-5 with another three-point run and continued to hold Pitt at bay by at least three. With NU up 18-14, Pitt took a timeout and got the next three back. Nebraska&nbsp;clung to a 19-18 lead and relinquished it for the first time when Pitt tied it at 20-all on back-to-back kills from Serena Gray and Member-Meneh. A Krause/Stivrins block followed by a Pitt attack error put NU out front again, 22-20. A service error gave a point back to the Panthers before Stivrins put down back-to-back kills to give Nebraska its first match point. After a Pitt point, Stivrins and Hames teammed up for a stuff to send NU to the National Championship match. Up Next Nebraska and Wisconsin will meet in the NCAA Championship Final on Saturday, Dec. 18, with first serve set for 5:15&nbsp;p.m. MT from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The match will be televised on ESPN2 and carried on Huskers Radio Network with John Baylor and Lauren Cook West on the call.&nbsp; KCOW&nbsp; will carry the Nebraska&nbsp; Radio Network broadcast beginning at 5 pm&nbsp; MT. <a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=1168">Pinnacle Bank</a>&nbsp;Arena will welcome fans for an NCAA Volleyball Championship watch party Saturday evening. Admission to the event is free, and doors at PBA will open at 5:30 p.m. The championship match begins at 6:30&nbsp;p.m. CT on ESPN2. Lower bowl seating will be open for fans in the arena. A limited concessions menu including food items, soft drinks, beer and cocktails will be available for purchase.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639756588149.jpeg" alt="Scott Bruhn: Nebraska Communications" />
 <figcaption>Scott Bruhn: Nebraska Communications</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy: NU Athletic Communications&nbsp;The Nebraska volleyball team will vie for its sixth NCAA title on Saturday after the 10th-seeded Huskers rallied to upend Pitt 3-1 (16-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-22) in the NCAA Semifinal at Nationwide Arena that began on Thursday night and stretched into Friday morning. Nebraska (26-7) will face Wisconsin (30-3) in an all-Big Ten National Championship match Saturday night. The Huskers will make their 10th championship final appearance in program history and their first since 2018. Television coverage Saturday begins with a 6:15 pregame show on ESPN2. <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43487">Madi Kubik</a>&nbsp;was solid in all phases of the game to lead Nebraska in the semifinal. Kubik&nbsp;finished with a match-high 13 kills and added a career-high-tying three services aces to go along with seven digs and two blocks. Kubik posted her 24th match this season with at least 10 kills. <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43484">Kayla Caffey</a>&nbsp;joined Kubik in double-digit kills with 10, and Caffey added four blocks.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43120">Lindsay Krause</a>&nbsp;had nine kills on 19 swings and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43492">Lauren Stivrins</a>&nbsp;had nine kills on 17 swings with a match-high six blocks.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43118">Ally Batenhorst</a>&nbsp;added seven kills.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43482">Nicklin Hames</a>&nbsp;registered her 23rd double-double of the year with 45 assists and 13 digs, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43123">Lexi Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;(13) and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43486">Keonilei Akana</a>&nbsp;(11) also had double-digit digs. Nebraska hit .239 in the match, rebounding from a .167 attacking percentage in the first set. The Huskers held Pittsburgh to a .233 attack percentage, the Panthers' lowest mark of the NCAA Tournament. Pitt hit .483 in winning the first set, but NU limited the Panthers to a .163 attack percentage over the final three sets. Nebraska also won the serve-and-pass battle with six aces against only six errors, while Pittsburgh had five aces and 12 errors. The Huskers also out-blocked the Panthers 10-7, but Pitt finished with more digs (56-50). Leketo Member-Meneh had 13 kills to pace Pitt, which finished its best season in school history with a 30-4 record. Set 1 Pitt built a 5-1 lead out of the gate, broken up by a Kubik kill. Kubik later sparked a 4-0 run with a kill and two aces, and NU tied it at 7-7 on a Hames/Stivrins stuff. The Panthers responded with a 6-1 spurt to go up 13-8 before an NU timeout. The deficit increased to 16-9 before NU rallied again, using three straight kills between Kubik and Caffey and a Caffey/Krause stop to cut it to 16-13. But Pitt outscored NU 9-3 the rest of the way, closing the set on an ace at 25-16. Pitt had five players with multiple kills in the set, hitting .483 to Nebraska's .167 in the set. Kubik paced NU with four kills to go with her two aces. Set 2 The Huskers flipped the script to open set two, jumping ahead 3-1 with a Kubik kill and another Caffey/Krause block on Member-Meneh. Kubik had had three kills in the first eight rallies, and she added an ace to stretch the lead to 7-5. NU muscled out to a 14-9 advantage by Pitt's first timeout behind kills from Kubik and Krause and a Stivrins solo stop. Stivrins added a kill on her signature slide out of the timeout, and she and Kubik teamed up to block Chinaza Ndee to make it 16-9. After another block by the duo, Pitt called for another timeout trailing NU 18-11. The Huskers held steady and assumed their largest lead by 23-15 after a pair of Pitt attack errors, but the Panthers took the next two points on kills to prompt an NU timeout. A Krause kill brought it to set point, and an errant Pitt swing finished it off, 25-17, as Nebraska evened the match at one apiece. Kubik had a team-leading eight kills with three aces through the first two sets, and Stivrins had three kills and four blocks. NU had a 4-2 blocking advantage in the second set and hit .440 while holding Pitt to .161. Nebraska had 11 kills on its first 17 swings of the set with just one error. Set 3 Down 4-3, Nebraska turned it around to a 7-5 lead. Pitt regained the advantage at 8-7 before a Kubik kill from the back row, coupled with a Caffey/Hames block put it back in NU's favor. The score locked five times up to 14-14 before a kill from Stivrins prior to the media timeout. The 13th tie of the set at 17-17 after two errors brought on a Husker timeout. NU stormed ahead with a late 6-0 run with Stivrins at the service line, using a Batenhorst kill and a Stivrins ace go to up 19-18 as Pitt called for a timeout. A kill and a block by Caffey, plus a backrow kill by Stivrins and a Pitt attack error pushed it to 23-18. After a Batenhorst swing for set point, Krause finished it off two rallies later with a kill to seal the 25-20 win. Set 4 Kills by Caffey and Kubik plus a&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43483">Kenzie Knuckles</a>&nbsp;ace spotted NU a quick 3-0 lead. The Huskers pushed it to 9-5 with another three-point run and continued to hold Pitt at bay by at least three. With NU up 18-14, Pitt took a timeout and got the next three back. Nebraska&nbsp;clung to a 19-18 lead and relinquished it for the first time when Pitt tied it at 20-all on back-to-back kills from Serena Gray and Member-Meneh. A Krause/Stivrins block followed by a Pitt attack error put NU out front again, 22-20. A service error gave a point back to the Panthers before Stivrins put down back-to-back kills to give Nebraska its first match point. After a Pitt point, Stivrins and Hames teammed up for a stuff to send NU to the National Championship match. Up Next Nebraska and Wisconsin will meet in the NCAA Championship Final on Saturday, Dec. 18, with first serve set for 5:15&nbsp;p.m. MT from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The match will be televised on ESPN2 and carried on Huskers Radio Network with John Baylor and Lauren Cook West on the call.&nbsp; KCOW&nbsp; will carry the Nebraska&nbsp; Radio Network broadcast beginning at 5 pm&nbsp; MT. <a href="https://huskers.com/staff.aspx?staff=1168">Pinnacle Bank</a>&nbsp;Arena will welcome fans for an NCAA Volleyball Championship watch party Saturday evening. Admission to the event is free, and doors at PBA will open at 5:30 p.m. The championship match begins at 6:30&nbsp;p.m. CT on ESPN2. Lower bowl seating will be open for fans in the arena. A limited concessions menu including food items, soft drinks, beer and cocktails will be available for purchase.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Huskers vs Wisconsin in all - Big 10 Volleyball National Championship Match

🏀 High School Scores - Thursday, December 17

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638630719867.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: Dave Collins, Sports Director🏀 High School Scores - Thursday, December 17GIRLSHaxtun, CO 55, Leyton 30Hay Springs 52, Creek Valley 19Perkins County 74, Garden County 37South Platte 39, Paxton 30BOYSHay Springs 77, Creek Valley 40Paxton 75, South Platte 27Perkins County 67, Garden County 57

(AP) Adrian Martinez is heading from Nebraska to Kansas State. The four-year starting quarterback for the Cornhuskers announced on Twitter he would transfer to K-State. He is immediately eligible to play for the Wildcats. Martinez was a three-time captain at Nebraska but went just 14-25 as the starter. He completed 62% of his passes for more than 2,800 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this past season. Martinez could play two more college seasons because the NCAA granted players an extra year of eligibility during last year’s shortened COVID-19 season.

(AP) Adrian Martinez is heading from Nebraska to Kansas State. The four-year starting quarterback for the Cornhuskers announced on Twitter he would transfer to K-State. He is immediately eligible to play for the Wildcats. Martinez was a three-time captain at Nebraska but went just 14-25 as the starter. He completed 62% of his passes for more than 2,800 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this past season. Martinez could play two more college seasons because the NCAA granted players an extra year of eligibility during last year’s shortened COVID-19 season.

Former Husker QB Martinez transferring to old Big 8 rival

Wednesday was National Signing Day for College football. Nebraska received letters of intent from 13 signees and also received commitments from 5 walk on players.&nbsp; Head Coach Scott Frost said recruiting will continue through the Christmas break and the Cornhuskers could have more signees after the first of the year.&nbsp;

Nebraska Football Scholarship Signees:&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43732">Chase Androff</a>&nbsp; TE&nbsp; &nbsp;6-6&nbsp; 230&nbsp; &nbsp;Lakeville, Minn.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43733">Jake Appleget</a>&nbsp; OLB&nbsp; &nbsp;6-4&nbsp; 210&nbsp; &nbsp;Lincoln, Neb.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43737">Justin Evans-Jenkins</a>&nbsp; OL&nbsp; 6-2&nbsp; 280&nbsp; &nbsp;East Orange, N.J.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43734">Jaeden Gould</a>&nbsp; CB&nbsp; &nbsp;6-2&nbsp; 190&nbsp; &nbsp;Somerset, N.J.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43735">Malcolm Hartzog</a>&nbsp; CB&nbsp; &nbsp;5-10&nbsp; 175&nbsp; &nbsp;Silver Creek, Miss.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43736">Ernest Hausmann</a>&nbsp; ILB&nbsp; 6-3&nbsp; 205&nbsp; &nbsp;Columbus, Neb.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43738">Emmett Johnson</a>&nbsp; RB&nbsp; 6-0&nbsp; &nbsp;185&nbsp; &nbsp;Minneapolis, Minn.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43739">Victor Jones Jr.</a>&nbsp; WR&nbsp; &nbsp;6-2&nbsp; 190&nbsp; &nbsp;Orlando, Fla.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43740">Jalil Martin</a>&nbsp; S&nbsp; 6-3&nbsp; 190&nbsp; &nbsp;Chicago, Ill.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43741">DeShon Singleton</a>&nbsp; S&nbsp; 6-3&nbsp; 205&nbsp; &nbsp;Amite, La.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43742">Gage Stenger</a>&nbsp; ATH&nbsp; 6-2&nbsp; 200&nbsp; &nbsp;Omaha, Neb.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43743">Brodie Tagaloa</a>&nbsp; DL&nbsp; 6-4&nbsp; 260&nbsp; &nbsp;Pittsburg, Calif.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43749">Richard Torres</a>&nbsp; QB&nbsp; 6-5&nbsp; 210&nbsp; &nbsp;San Antonio Texas Nebraska Football Walk-On Commitments:&nbsp;

&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43744">Cooper Hausmann</a>&nbsp; DB&nbsp; 5-11&nbsp; 185&nbsp; &nbsp;Roca, Neb.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43746">Luke Lindenmeyer</a>&nbsp; TE&nbsp; 6-4&nbsp; 250&nbsp; &nbsp;La Vista, Neb.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43745">Blake Miller</a>&nbsp; DB&nbsp; 6-1&nbsp; 195&nbsp; &nbsp;Nebraska City, Neb.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43748">Brady Weas</a>&nbsp; LS&nbsp; 6-2&nbsp; 260&nbsp; &nbsp;Whitefish Bay, Wis.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43747">Charlie Weinrich</a>&nbsp; PK&nbsp; 5-11&nbsp; 185&nbsp; &nbsp;Leawood, Kan.

Note:&nbsp;The walk-ons listed above have been admitted to UNL and paid their enrollment deposit

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1566237962536.png" alt="Nebraska Cornhuskers Huskers" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska Cornhuskers Huskers</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy: NU Athletic CommunicationsWednesday was National Signing Day for College football. Nebraska received letters of intent from 13 signees and also received commitments from 5 walk on players.&nbsp; Head Coach Scott Frost said recruiting will continue through the Christmas break and the Cornhuskers could have more signees after the first of the year.&nbsp;Nebraska Football Scholarship Signees:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43732">Chase Androff</a>&nbsp; TE&nbsp; &nbsp;6-6&nbsp; 230&nbsp; &nbsp;Lakeville, Minn.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43733">Jake Appleget</a>&nbsp; OLB&nbsp; &nbsp;6-4&nbsp; 210&nbsp; &nbsp;Lincoln, Neb.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43737">Justin Evans-Jenkins</a>&nbsp; OL&nbsp; 6-2&nbsp; 280&nbsp; &nbsp;East Orange, N.J.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43734">Jaeden Gould</a>&nbsp; CB&nbsp; &nbsp;6-2&nbsp; 190&nbsp; &nbsp;Somerset, N.J.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43735">Malcolm Hartzog</a>&nbsp; CB&nbsp; &nbsp;5-10&nbsp; 175&nbsp; &nbsp;Silver Creek, Miss.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43736">Ernest Hausmann</a>&nbsp; ILB&nbsp; 6-3&nbsp; 205&nbsp; &nbsp;Columbus, Neb.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43738">Emmett Johnson</a>&nbsp; RB&nbsp; 6-0&nbsp; &nbsp;185&nbsp; &nbsp;Minneapolis, Minn.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43739">Victor Jones Jr.</a>&nbsp; WR&nbsp; &nbsp;6-2&nbsp; 190&nbsp; &nbsp;Orlando, Fla.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43740">Jalil Martin</a>&nbsp; S&nbsp; 6-3&nbsp; 190&nbsp; &nbsp;Chicago, Ill.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43741">DeShon Singleton</a>&nbsp; S&nbsp; 6-3&nbsp; 205&nbsp; &nbsp;Amite, La.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43742">Gage Stenger</a>&nbsp; ATH&nbsp; 6-2&nbsp; 200&nbsp; &nbsp;Omaha, Neb.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43743">Brodie Tagaloa</a>&nbsp; DL&nbsp; 6-4&nbsp; 260&nbsp; &nbsp;Pittsburg, Calif.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43749">Richard Torres</a>&nbsp; QB&nbsp; 6-5&nbsp; 210&nbsp; &nbsp;San Antonio Texas Nebraska Football Walk-On Commitments:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43744">Cooper Hausmann</a>&nbsp; DB&nbsp; 5-11&nbsp; 185&nbsp; &nbsp;Roca, Neb.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43746">Luke Lindenmeyer</a>&nbsp; TE&nbsp; 6-4&nbsp; 250&nbsp; &nbsp;La Vista, Neb.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43745">Blake Miller</a>&nbsp; DB&nbsp; 6-1&nbsp; 195&nbsp; &nbsp;Nebraska City, Neb.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43748">Brady Weas</a>&nbsp; LS&nbsp; 6-2&nbsp; 260&nbsp; &nbsp;Whitefish Bay, Wis.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43747">Charlie Weinrich</a>&nbsp; PK&nbsp; 5-11&nbsp; 185&nbsp; &nbsp;Leawood, Kan.Note:&nbsp;The walk-ons listed above have been admitted to UNL and paid their enrollment deposit

Huskers sign 13 recruits 

🏀 Local High School Basketball Scoreboard - December 14 -

Ogallala 66, North Platte St. Patrick's 49

North Platte St. Patrick's 54, Ogallala 35

By: Dave Collins, Sports Director🏀 Local High School Basketball Scoreboard - December 14 -BOYSGordon-Rushville 78, Hyannis 39Hemingford 68, Hay Springs 45Minatare 41, Crawford 30Ogallala 66, North Platte St. Patrick's 49Pine Bluffs, WY 58, Bridgeport 39Potter-Dix 44, Leyton 43<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629461621684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>GIRLSBridgeport 85, Pine Bluffs, WY 21Crawford 62, Minatare 10Gordon-Rushville 70, Hyannis 12Hemingford 48, Hay Springs 30Leyton 61, Potter-Dix 22North Platte St. Patrick's 54, Ogallala 35Scottsbluff 57, Gering 46

🏀 Local High School Basketball Scoreboard - December 14

The NFL is requiring players, coaches and other team personnel to receive a COVID-19 booster by Dec. 27.

In a memo sent to teams on Monday and obtained by The Associated Press, the league said: “Given the increased prevalence of the virus in our communities, our experts have recommended that we implement the CDC’s recommendation.”

The league’s requirement extends to all Tier 1 and Tier 2 individuals who have previously received the vaccine. The CDC recommends an individual who received a second Pfizer or Moderna shot to complete the primary vaccine series more than six months earlier should receive a booster shot. An individual that received the Johnson and Johnson shot more than two months earlier should receive a booster shot.

The following do not have to meet the requirement:

—An individual who is not eligible for a booster pursuant to the CDC definition.

—An individual who is in the 90-day test holiday after a confirmed positive COVID-19 test

—An individual who received monoclonal antibodies within the immediately preceding 90

—An individual whose “S” antibody level on an antibody test administered via BRL (BioReference Lab) at the club facility is 2500 or greater.

The league says any individual who is not currently subject to the requirement for boosters will be required to obtain the booster within 14 days of becoming eligible.

Teams were asked to provide booster shots to all eligible tiered staff as soon as possible, and to consider making booster shots available for player and staff families and cohabitants.

A season-high total of 36 players were placed on the COVID-19/reserve list Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593142110654.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By ROB MAADDI, AP Pro Football WriterThe NFL is requiring players, coaches and other team personnel to receive a COVID-19 booster by Dec. 27.In a memo sent to teams on Monday and obtained by The Associated Press, the league said: “Given the increased prevalence of the virus in our communities, our experts have recommended that we implement the CDC’s recommendation.”The league’s requirement extends to all Tier 1 and Tier 2 individuals who have previously received the vaccine. The CDC recommends an individual who received a second Pfizer or Moderna shot to complete the primary vaccine series more than six months earlier should receive a booster shot. An individual that received the Johnson and Johnson shot more than two months earlier should receive a booster shot.The following do not have to meet the requirement:—An individual who is not eligible for a booster pursuant to the CDC definition.—An individual who is in the 90-day test holiday after a confirmed positive COVID-19 testunder the league protocols.—An individual who received monoclonal antibodies within the immediately preceding 90days.—An individual whose “S” antibody level on an antibody test administered via BRL (BioReference Lab) at the club facility is 2500 or greater.The league says any individual who is not currently subject to the requirement for boosters will be required to obtain the booster within 14 days of becoming eligible.Teams were asked to provide booster shots to all eligible tiered staff as soon as possible, and to consider making booster shots available for player and staff families and cohabitants.A season-high total of 36 players were placed on the COVID-19/reserve list Monday.___

NFL sets deadline for COVID-19 booster shots 

&nbsp;Behind strong serving, suffocating&nbsp;defense and stellar offensive&nbsp;performances its freshmen pin hitters, the No. 10 Nebraska volleyball team won a thrilling 3-1 victory over No. 2 Texas late Saturday night at the Longhorns' Gregory Gymnasium in the final of the Austin Regional. With the 25-19, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21 victory, the Huskers advanced to next week's NCAA Semifinal in Columbus, Ohio. With the win, Nebraska (25-7) became the lowest-seeded team to advance to the NCAA Semifinals since 2014. The Huskers, who handed Texas (27-2)&nbsp;its first loss at Gregory Gym since the 2019 NCAA Regional Semifinal, will make their 16th NCAA Semifinal appearance next week and their fifth trip in the past seven seasons. The Huskers were led offensively by their talented freshmen hitters&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43118">Ally Batenhorst</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43120">Lindsay Krause</a>, who combined for 28 kills on .519 attacking. Batenhorst, a Texas native, had 15 kills - tying her career high - with only two errors on 32 swings, hitting .406. Krause, who was celebrating her 19th birthday, put down 13 kills - two shy of her career high - while attacking at a .500 clip to tie for the highest hitting percentage of her career. Krause also added five blocks, matching&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43492">Lauren Stivrins</a>&nbsp;for team-high honors in that category.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43487">Madi Kubik</a>&nbsp;matched Batenhorst for team-high honors with 15 kills.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43486">Keonilei Akana</a>&nbsp;had a career-high seven aces, the most ever by a Husker in a four-set NCAA Tournament match and tied for the most by a Nebraska player in any NCAA Tournament match.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43123">Lexi Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;added a match-high 20 digs - her eighth 20-dig match of the season - while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43482">Nicklin Hames</a>&nbsp;posted another double-double with 43 assists and 13 digs, and she also had kills on all three of her attempts. At the match's conclusion, Hames, Krause and Kubik were all named to the NCAA Austin Regional All-Tournament Team. Hames was also honored as the regional's Most Outstanding Player. Nebraska hit .259 in the match while limiting Texas, the nation's top hitting team, to a .250 attack percentage. The Longhorns had hit at least .346 in each of their first three NCAA Tournament matches. NU also outdug Texas 55-42, while the Longhorns had the edge in blocks, 13-9. At the service line, Nebraska had nine aces to Texas' six. Logan Eggleston and Skylar Fields tied for match-high honors with 20 kills apiece for the Longhorns, while Brionne Butler had a match-high eight blocks. Set 1 Stuck in a 6-6 tie, the Huskers outscored Texas 8-3 over the next 11 rallies, ending the stretch with a 4-0 run on&nbsp;two kills and a block from Krause. A Kubik kill and back-to-back Akana aces - her second and third of the set - extended the NU lead to a commanding 17-10. UT got the next three points back before the Huskers took a timeout. But NU pushed ahead with a 5-1 run to make it 22-14, started with four straight kills -- including three in a row from Batenhorst. The Huskers hit set point on a Longhorn service error and finished it off on a Kubik swing two rallies later, taking set one 25-19. The Huskers hit .265 to UT's .125 in the opening set, boosted by five kills from Kubik and four each from Batenhorst, who hit .667, and Krause, who hit at a .429 clip. Akana had three aces, and Stivrins added a pair of blocks as NU had a 3-2 blocking advantage. Set 2 The second set tied eight&nbsp;times up to 11-11 before the Huskers exploded for an 8-0 run on two kills each from Krause and Kubik, a Rodriguez ace and two Krause/Stivrins blocks to build to a 19-11 advantage. With NU leading 20-12, Texas used a 10-2 run to lock it up at 22-22. The Longhorns knotted it once more on a Fields kill, but the Huskers stayed tough. A UT service error got it to set point, and Caffey was the closer with a kill to seal it, 25-23. UT improved to .224 hitting in the set, but NU came in at .284. Caffey and Krause had three kills apiece, and Stivrins added two more blocks. Set 3 The third set was tied 10 times up to 14-14, and NU took the lead on a Knuckles kill. Akana piled on with back-to-back aces again, stretching it to 17-14 to force a Longhorn timeout. UT pulled within one at 17-16 on a block and an ace, and NU called for a timeout of its own. Kubik and Stivrins terminated back-to-back out of the break for a 19-16 edge. But the Longhorns claimed five of the next seven rallies, tying it at 21-all on consecutive kills by Fields. NU regained the lead on a service error, but the momentum swung the other way as Texas won four of the last five rallies and took the set 25-23 on an Eggleston/Butler block. UT outblocked the Huskers 7-0 in set three and hit .300, while NU dropped to .118. Set 4 After a close set to start, Nebraska worked its way out of a 12-12 stall with a Kubik kill and a huge block from Hames and Stivrins on Eggleston, prompting a Longhorn timeout. Kills from Kubik and Batenhorst -- the latter on an overpass -- spotted a 17-12 lead by another Texas timeout. NU swiftly boosted the run to 8-0 with two more swings from Batenhorst and a Kubik ace for a 20-12 advantage. Another Batenhorst kill -- her fifth of the set -- made it 21-13 before UT got the next three rallies to whittle it to 21-16. The Longhorns eventually made it a 6-0 run to pull within two at 21-19. Batenhorst snapped the run with a kill, and a Caffey/Krause blocked put Nebraska two points away from a victory. The Huskers earned their first match point on a Caffey kill and following a Texas sideout, Krause closed out the match with her 13th kill of the night. Up Next Nebraska advances to next week's NCAA Semifinals at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The Huskers will take on No. 3 seed Pittsburgh on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. MT on ESPN.&nbsp; KCOW radio will broadcast the match beginning at 7 pm MT.&nbsp; The Championship Match will be Saturday December 18 at 5:30 pm MT also on ESPN.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639428863158.jpeg" alt="Photo by:&nbsp; Scott Bruhn,&nbsp; Nebraska Communications" />
 <figcaption>Photo by:&nbsp; Scott Bruhn,&nbsp; Nebraska Communications</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy: NU Athletic Communications&nbsp;Behind strong serving, suffocating&nbsp;defense and stellar offensive&nbsp;performances its freshmen pin hitters, the No. 10 Nebraska volleyball team won a thrilling 3-1 victory over No. 2 Texas late Saturday night at the Longhorns' Gregory Gymnasium in the final of the Austin Regional. With the 25-19, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21 victory, the Huskers advanced to next week's NCAA Semifinal in Columbus, Ohio. With the win, Nebraska (25-7) became the lowest-seeded team to advance to the NCAA Semifinals since 2014. The Huskers, who handed Texas (27-2)&nbsp;its first loss at Gregory Gym since the 2019 NCAA Regional Semifinal, will make their 16th NCAA Semifinal appearance next week and their fifth trip in the past seven seasons. The Huskers were led offensively by their talented freshmen hitters&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43118">Ally Batenhorst</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43120">Lindsay Krause</a>, who combined for 28 kills on .519 attacking. Batenhorst, a Texas native, had 15 kills - tying her career high - with only two errors on 32 swings, hitting .406. Krause, who was celebrating her 19th birthday, put down 13 kills - two shy of her career high - while attacking at a .500 clip to tie for the highest hitting percentage of her career. Krause also added five blocks, matching&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43492">Lauren Stivrins</a>&nbsp;for team-high honors in that category.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43487">Madi Kubik</a>&nbsp;matched Batenhorst for team-high honors with 15 kills.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43486">Keonilei Akana</a>&nbsp;had a career-high seven aces, the most ever by a Husker in a four-set NCAA Tournament match and tied for the most by a Nebraska player in any NCAA Tournament match.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43123">Lexi Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;added a match-high 20 digs - her eighth 20-dig match of the season - while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43482">Nicklin Hames</a>&nbsp;posted another double-double with 43 assists and 13 digs, and she also had kills on all three of her attempts. At the match's conclusion, Hames, Krause and Kubik were all named to the NCAA Austin Regional All-Tournament Team. Hames was also honored as the regional's Most Outstanding Player. Nebraska hit .259 in the match while limiting Texas, the nation's top hitting team, to a .250 attack percentage. The Longhorns had hit at least .346 in each of their first three NCAA Tournament matches. NU also outdug Texas 55-42, while the Longhorns had the edge in blocks, 13-9. At the service line, Nebraska had nine aces to Texas' six. Logan Eggleston and Skylar Fields tied for match-high honors with 20 kills apiece for the Longhorns, while Brionne Butler had a match-high eight blocks. Set 1 Stuck in a 6-6 tie, the Huskers outscored Texas 8-3 over the next 11 rallies, ending the stretch with a 4-0 run on&nbsp;two kills and a block from Krause. A Kubik kill and back-to-back Akana aces - her second and third of the set - extended the NU lead to a commanding 17-10. UT got the next three points back before the Huskers took a timeout. But NU pushed ahead with a 5-1 run to make it 22-14, started with four straight kills -- including three in a row from Batenhorst. The Huskers hit set point on a Longhorn service error and finished it off on a Kubik swing two rallies later, taking set one 25-19. The Huskers hit .265 to UT's .125 in the opening set, boosted by five kills from Kubik and four each from Batenhorst, who hit .667, and Krause, who hit at a .429 clip. Akana had three aces, and Stivrins added a pair of blocks as NU had a 3-2 blocking advantage. Set 2 The second set tied eight&nbsp;times up to 11-11 before the Huskers exploded for an 8-0 run on two kills each from Krause and Kubik, a Rodriguez ace and two Krause/Stivrins blocks to build to a 19-11 advantage. With NU leading 20-12, Texas used a 10-2 run to lock it up at 22-22. The Longhorns knotted it once more on a Fields kill, but the Huskers stayed tough. A UT service error got it to set point, and Caffey was the closer with a kill to seal it, 25-23. UT improved to .224 hitting in the set, but NU came in at .284. Caffey and Krause had three kills apiece, and Stivrins added two more blocks. Set 3 The third set was tied 10 times up to 14-14, and NU took the lead on a Knuckles kill. Akana piled on with back-to-back aces again, stretching it to 17-14 to force a Longhorn timeout. UT pulled within one at 17-16 on a block and an ace, and NU called for a timeout of its own. Kubik and Stivrins terminated back-to-back out of the break for a 19-16 edge. But the Longhorns claimed five of the next seven rallies, tying it at 21-all on consecutive kills by Fields. NU regained the lead on a service error, but the momentum swung the other way as Texas won four of the last five rallies and took the set 25-23 on an Eggleston/Butler block. UT outblocked the Huskers 7-0 in set three and hit .300, while NU dropped to .118. Set 4 After a close set to start, Nebraska worked its way out of a 12-12 stall with a Kubik kill and a huge block from Hames and Stivrins on Eggleston, prompting a Longhorn timeout. Kills from Kubik and Batenhorst -- the latter on an overpass -- spotted a 17-12 lead by another Texas timeout. NU swiftly boosted the run to 8-0 with two more swings from Batenhorst and a Kubik ace for a 20-12 advantage. Another Batenhorst kill -- her fifth of the set -- made it 21-13 before UT got the next three rallies to whittle it to 21-16. The Longhorns eventually made it a 6-0 run to pull within two at 21-19. Batenhorst snapped the run with a kill, and a Caffey/Krause blocked put Nebraska two points away from a victory. The Huskers earned their first match point on a Caffey kill and following a Texas sideout, Krause closed out the match with her 13th kill of the night. Up Next Nebraska advances to next week's NCAA Semifinals at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The Huskers will take on No. 3 seed Pittsburgh on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. MT on ESPN.&nbsp; KCOW radio will broadcast the match beginning at 7 pm MT.&nbsp; The Championship Match will be Saturday December 18 at 5:30 pm MT also on ESPN.