The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce recently sponsored two local young professionals and Chamber Ambassadors to attend Kansas Young Professionals (YP) Day at the Capitol, an annual statewide event designed to connect emerging leaders with elected officials and elevate the voices of the next generation shaping Kansas’ future.

Melissa Doll of Buchanan &amp; Associates LLC – American Family Insurance and Callie Miller of Housing Opportunities attended on behalf of Great Bend, joining young professionals from across the state for a day of learning, networking, and civic engagement. The event included legislative insights, issue-focused discussions, opportunities to meet with lawmakers, and conversations centered on building a competitive, innovative, and welcoming Kansas.

“Being involved as a young professional means showing up and taking ownership of the future we want to live and work in,” Doll said. “Events like YP Day remind us that our perspectives matter and that local voices can influence statewide decisions.”

Miller echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of representation. “Kansas needs to hear from young leaders who are committed to their communities,” she said. “Participating in YP Day was a powerful reminder that investing in talent and leadership development is essential for long-term economic and community growth.”

Chamber President Megan Barfield said the investment directly supports the Chamber’s advocacy priorities within the Elevate GBK strategic plan.

“Elevate GBK calls us to strengthen leadership development and ensure Great Bend has a voice in conversations that shape policy and economic growth,” Barfield said. “Sponsoring young professionals to engage at the Capitol is part of our commitment to advocacy and to cultivating the next generation of leaders who will help move our community forward.”

The Chamber’s sponsorship reflects its continued focus on developing talent, strengthening civic engagement, and advancing policies that support a competitive, innovative, and prosperous Kansas.

Learn more about the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce’s strategic plan at greatbend.org/elevategbk.

Great Bend Chamber sponsors young leaders at Kansas YP Day

High school seniors and current Kansas college students have until Friday, March 13, 2026, to apply for one of two $1,000 scholarships from Kansas Wheat honoring industry leaders Herb Clutter and David Radenberg. The scholarships - each worth $1,000 - continue a proud tradition of supporting the future of the Kansas wheat industry.&nbsp;

“Inspired by the enduring legacies of Herb Clutter and David Radenberg, Kansas Wheat is proud to help empower the next generation of the Kansas wheat industry,” said Justin Gilpin, CEO of Kansas Wheat. “Through these scholarships, we honor the passion of these industry leaders and help to provide opportunities for future leaders in agriculture.”

Administered by the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers (KAWG), the Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship will award one $1,000 scholarship per year to a college or university-bound incoming freshman from Kansas pursuing a career in the field of agriculture. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must plan to be a full-time student at any two or four-year Kansas college or university.&nbsp;

Recipients will be selected based on academic achievement, leadership qualities and career objectives focused around the field of agriculture. The scholarship will be toward tuition for the student’s college or university education. The scholarship is non-renewable.

The Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship was established in 2009 to honor Herb Clutter’s influential role in organizing leadership groups on behalf of Kansas wheat producers, and is supported by the generosity of the Herb Clutter family. Herbert W. Clutter was a farmer from Holcomb and the first president of the National Association of Wheat Growers, which was established in 1948. Clutter encouraged Kansas wheat farmers to organize as a strong, unified voice, which led to the formation of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers in 1952. He encouraged research in education and industrial uses of wheat, improved variety development and methods to produce the best product at the lowest cost. Clutter’s efforts led to the formation of the Kansas Wheat Commission by the Kansas legislature in 1957.

Apply for the Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship by completing the scholarship application at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ltmgbu9PHUVJQLcHc1FbyQobf4rIxWNtKTkmHSTXU0RiEQUj5kB4klbnzn9s6fysqDqU8ZMsm0JgJlU0SVfmNNa_7mGUm2wnKBFc_c-u7o53WTlZHNnMyPa86sYB0orRDR43Sdm5YaRMWTpaRYAmCKVZy3jcRmfL&amp;c=owdcjLTH5zgrKv6gYOzUkpwsrFqoGnOoq_SiDdrN4vg_jFd7YRCVYA==&amp;ch=xUmKekgMH454hYN-SCF-72Fw0S-bU3W0bGNcKhhZlnmvURRFMXU0gQ==">kswheat.com/clutter</a><a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ltmgbu9PHUVJQLcHc1FbyQobf4rIxWNtKTkmHSTXU0RiEQUj5kB4klbnzn9s6fysqDqU8ZMsm0JgJlU0SVfmNNa_7mGUm2wnKBFc_c-u7o53WTlZHNnMyPa86sYB0orRDR43Sdm5YaRMWTpaRYAmCPbTGCZnoXo3&amp;c=owdcjLTH5zgrKv6gYOzUkpwsrFqoGnOoq_SiDdrN4vg_jFd7YRCVYA==&amp;ch=xUmKekgMH454hYN-SCF-72Fw0S-bU3W0bGNcKhhZlnmvURRFMXU0gQ==">.</a>&nbsp;The application includes a 400-500 word essay discussing why the applicant has chosen to pursue a career in agriculture. The selection committee will use this essay, along with the student’s application, in determining the scholarship winner.&nbsp;

The David Radenberg Memorial Scholarship will award one $1,000 scholarship to a current undergraduate or graduate student from Kansas who is pursuing a career in the field of agriculture. Preference will be given to students pursuing a career related to the improvement of wheat, including but not limited to wheat genetics, wheat agronomics, wheat breeding, plant pathology, Extension and bioinformatics.&nbsp;

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student at any two- or four-year college or university in Kansas. Incoming freshmen or transfers are not eligible.&nbsp;

David Radenberg was a lifelong wheat farmer in Claflin, Kansas, where his family has farmed for more than 100 years. He represented central Kansas on the Kansas Wheat Commission from April 2011 to March 2020, including serving as chairman from August 2018 to May 2019. Radenberg was also a founding board member of the Kansas Wheat Commission Research Foundation.

During his tenure as a commissioner, he supported wheat research and international marketing efforts, including attending the 31st annual Latin American Millers Conference in Lima, Peru, in 2013. At the time, he expressed how he enjoyed sharing with millers, bakers and merchandisers about the research investments Kansas farmers are making to provide a better-quality product.&nbsp;

In 2013, Radenberg also visited multiple Pacific Rim countries to promote U.S. wheat. The contrast between third-world poverty he saw in thriving modern cities left an impression on him and reinforced his support of wheat research to help feed a hungry world.

Apply for the David Radenberg Memorial Scholarship by completing the scholarship application at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ltmgbu9PHUVJQLcHc1FbyQobf4rIxWNtKTkmHSTXU0RiEQUj5kB4ksKzjcNSeaPwUPMrsrE-qfnfqUF2eeYSDGSzP-EZ_lBq98mLtzMm4vmaI9zKDTVsMUKUqYkbavL0rXttLh15XMJ3G85_n26wa6WKulTI0CHS&amp;c=owdcjLTH5zgrKv6gYOzUkpwsrFqoGnOoq_SiDdrN4vg_jFd7YRCVYA==&amp;ch=xUmKekgMH454hYN-SCF-72Fw0S-bU3W0bGNcKhhZlnmvURRFMXU0gQ==">kswheat.com/radenberg</a>. The application includes a 400-500 word essay discussing why the applicant has chosen to pursue a career in agriculture. The selection committee will use this essay, along with the student’s application and a statement of financial need, in determining the scholarship winner.

For both scholarships, the application and associated documents must be submitted to Kansas Wheat at 1990 Kimball Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502, by Friday, March 13, 2026. Learn more or download the scholarship applications at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ltmgbu9PHUVJQLcHc1FbyQobf4rIxWNtKTkmHSTXU0RiEQUj5kB4ksKzjcNSeaPwb62cDzdCEYCU7ESNfN7JWcumY5V-fntPC-mNswGXC4TwON7Ys8o6XFNXopfqmQ79V18KU6IN3hO5T7URAeOTG3sZUcLbn5r8sy1AfVvrQys=&amp;c=owdcjLTH5zgrKv6gYOzUkpwsrFqoGnOoq_SiDdrN4vg_jFd7YRCVYA==&amp;ch=xUmKekgMH454hYN-SCF-72Fw0S-bU3W0bGNcKhhZlnmvURRFMXU0gQ==">https://kswheat.com/growers/outreach/</a>. More information is also available by contacting 785-539-0255 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kawg@kswheat.com">kawg@kswheat.com</a>.

Applications open for Kansas Wheat scholarships honoring industry leaders

Panther Sports Powered by:&nbsp;Equity Bank. Sponsored in part by:&nbsp;GB Tarp Company, Advance Truck &amp; Diesel, Keller Real Estate &amp; Insurance, Innovative Livestock Services, The Fieldhouse, Marmie Auto Group, Magna Dry Cleaning Services, Freedom Claims Management, Great Bend Rec, Rosenberg Family Dentistry, Chris Ramsey - Shelter Insurance, Mitch Haney &amp; Associates, Farmer's Bank &amp; Trust, Scott's Welding Service, Kern Floor Service, Nex-Tech, Comfort Pro, The University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus, People's Bank &amp; Trust, Sutherlands, The 10th Street Eyecare Center, Stone Sand Company and Stone Waste Management, Advanced Therapy &amp; Sports Medicine, Damm Pipe Testing, Great Bend Redi Mix, Insurance Planning, Edward Jones, Delgado's Mexican Restaurant, Mpire Realty, American Plains Coop, Cody Crook - Red Cedar Land Company, GB Tires, Animal Medical Center, Barton Community College, Dr. Chad Ohnmacht DDS, &amp; Watkins Calcara Chartered.

Additional Information: Great Bend Panther fans have a new way to follow their teams this year.&nbsp; The service features a live video stream of every home and away game, complete with the familiar B1043 The Point radio play-by-play patched in. Fans will be able to watch the action live from anywhere or go back and re-watch games at their convenience.

Cost: Fans may purchase access for $10 per game or buy a $100 season pass for the entire school year. A portion of the proceeds from the video stream will be donated back to USD 428, helping support Panther students and programs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

WATCH: Panther Basketball vs Garden City TONIGHT

By TISA MASON FHSU president

In the quiet hours before the Kansas sun touches the horizon, Gabrielle Davis is already immersed in her studies. It’s 5 a.m., and while most of the neighborhood is still asleep, Gabrielle is navigating the complex anatomy and pharmacology content she must master in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. 

Across the state line in Arapahoe, Nebraska, Janine Van Niekerk, serving as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in a rural nursing home,&nbsp;is balancing a similarly delicate act.

Janine and Gabrielle are pioneers. As members of the inaugural BSN hybrid (combined on-campus and online) program cohort at Fort Hays State University, they represent a shift in nursing education—one built for people with a deep connection to their hometowns and families, coupled with a purposeful commitment to ensure their rural communities have access to highly trained, compassionate nursing care.

For both women, nursing is a profound calling rooted in an ethic of care. 

Gabrielle, an LPN at the HaysMed walk-in clinic, represents the deep roots of Kansas healthcare. A third-generation nurse, she was inspired by her grandmother, mother, and an uncle, a physician. “I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a nurse,” Gabrielle says. “Especially watching my mom. She is the nurse that I aspire to be.”

Gabrielle’s resilience was forged during the COVID-19 pandemic. While still in high school, she completed her courses via Zoom and then worked until 10 p.m. at a nursing home in Atwood to help cover staffing shortages. She continues to work there one weekend a month because of the deep bond she shares with the residents. “I don’t want to give up my residents,” she says. “A lot of them I call grandparents. They consider me their grandchild.”

This same dedication drives Janine Van Niekerk. Originally from South Africa, the 45-year-old mother of six now lives in a rural area of Nebraska. 

For her, the FHSU hybrid program provided a way forward that seemed almost tailored to her life. She began her general education courses while still living abroad and was moved by the university's support during her transition back to the States. “Everyone was so helpful in helping me register, so patient in going through my credits,” Janine recalls. “I knew FHSU was the right choice.”

The stories of Janine and Gabrielle are individual threads in a much larger tapestry. Fort Hays State University serves as a primary engine for the Kansas nursing workforce with a simple priority: getting nurses to rural Kansas. The university doesn’t just graduate students; it delivers them where the need is most acute.

Currently, approximately 70% of FHSU BSN graduates and more than 90% of family nurse practitioners go straight to work in rural communities. With 80% of total nursing graduates staying in Kansas, FHSU is a proven, high-yield investment in our state’s future. 

Beyond the classroom, FHSU serves as a regional hub for healthcare excellence, providing guaranteed&nbsp;admission to Kansas community college students and serving as a vital training ground for HaysMed, EagleMed, and 25 critical access hospitals.

The hybrid BSN program is the latest tool in this mission, combining the convenience of online learning with the rigor of on-campus clinical clusters. For Janine, whose husband travels for work, this flexibility is a necessity. “For me, time is vital,” she says. “The hybrid gives me more flexibility with my schedule and everything I’m responsible for.”

Janine’s passion is fueled by a desire to rectify disparities she sees in rural healthcare. “I’m very disappointed in the healthcare system, the more I learn, especially in rural areas,” she explains, noting the high costs of basic lab tests and clinic fees. “Ultimately, what I’ve decided now to do is look into being a legal nurse consultant, so that I can help rectify the wrongs that are so very evident in healthcare.”

Gabrielle similarly integrates her clinical training into the margins of a busy life, studying between serving patients and after shifts. She finds a spiritual anchor in her daily routine. “Before I go to work, I pray about my day,” she says. “I pray for good patient outcomes. I pray that all my patients are safe and healthy. That helps me, or else I get very burned out.”

As the first BSN cohort to navigate this hybrid path, Janine and Gabrielle are doing more than just earning a degree; they are helping FHSU refine the program for future generations. 

Gabrielle is already looking toward the finish line in May 2027 with plans to eventually teach. “It opens up a whole new universe of opportunities,” she says. “We are helping them (the FHSU Hybrid BSN Program) figure out their trials and errors for the future of the program.”

For Tanya Smith, BSN Coordinator and Professor of Nursing, the pride in her first Hybrid BSN cohort is apparent.

“The students are very dedicated to the program and have shown resilience despite growth challenges along the way,” she said. “Each student has had becoming a BSN-prepared RN as a personal goal.”

FHSU’s Hybrid pathway has been the route to achieving this goal.

“The students have expressed many thanks to the Department of Nursing for creating this learning path for the BSN degree,” Tanya shared. “As we continue to grow the Hybrid BSN cohort, we are excited to partner with community hospitals across the state to ensure students are receiving clinical experiences close to home.”

The journey of these program pioneers reflects the heart of the FHSU mission. Through grit and a commitment to innovation, they are preparing to meet their communities' healthcare needs with expertise and empathy. Their progress is a testament to the power of a program designed&nbsp;with people, place, and purpose at its core.

Life and death difference: Fuller team trains for first aid response

Released Streiner, Dennis J. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2025CR0333 for Counterfeiting Currency and Theft by Deception after being given a $50,000.00 OR bond by Judge Burgess.

Booked Ray, Mark Ellis County District Court warrant #E12025CR0321 for Failure to Appear. Bond set at No Bond.

Booked Stevenson, Laura J. on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant #202401080 for Contempt of Court. Bond set at $602.50 Cash Only.

Booked in Jones, Charles D. on Barton County District warrant #BT2025CR0054 for Murder in the Second Degree,&nbsp;Leaving the scene of a fatality accident, Interference with Law Enforcement

 bond set at $500,000.00 cash or surety.

Booked Castillo, Gerardo on Great Bend Municipal Court Case # 26-214 for Pedestrian Under The Influence. Bond set at $250.00. Booked on Great Bend Municipal Court Case #26-215 for Domestic Battery. Bond set at $1,000.00.

Released Castillo, Gerardo on Great Bend Municipal Court Case # 26-214 for Pedestrian Under The Influence with a $250.00 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds. Booked on Great Bend Municipal Court Case #26-215 for Domestic Battery. With a $1,000.00 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds

Barton County Sheriff's Office Booking activity (2/12)

Friday A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Increasing clouds, with a high near 62. Light and variable wind becoming east southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Friday Night Showers. Low around 44. East southeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Saturday Showers. High near 52. East wind 7 to 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Sunday Sunny, with a high near 63. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Presidents' Day Partly sunny, with a high near 69.

Friday's weather

Western Cooperative Electric is pleased to announce that Safety Manager Jay Scott has successfully completed the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Certified Loss Control Program, a nationally recognized professional development program focused on safety leadership and risk management within the electric cooperative industry.

The NRECA Certified Loss Control Program is an intensive and specialized training designed to equip safety professionals with advanced knowledge and tools to identify hazards, reduce risk, and strengthen workplace safety programs. The curriculum emphasizes loss prevention, regulatory compliance, employee safety training, and the development of proactive safety cultures tailored specifically to electric cooperatives.

Jay Scott’s completion of this program reflects a strong commitment to safety excellence and continuous professional development. As Safety Manager, Jay plays a critical role in ensuring Western Cooperative Electric maintains high safety standards for employees, operations, and the communities it serves. The advanced training gained through this certification enhances Western’s ability to proactively manage risk, improve safety procedures, and reinforce a culture where safety remains a top priority.

“Safety is foundational to everything we do at Western,” said Nolan Numrich, CEO/General Manager of Western Cooperative Electric. “Jay’s completion of the NRECA Certified Loss Control Program strengthens our commitment to protecting our employees and serving our members safely and responsibly. We are proud of his dedication and the expertise he brings back to our organization.”

Western Cooperative Electric places a strong emphasis on employee training and professional growth, recognizing that an investment in safety leadership, directly contributes to reliable service and operational excellence. The cooperative congratulates Jay Scott on this achievement and recognizes the long-term value this certification brings to the organization, its employees, and the members it serves.

WCE announces safety manager's completion of NRECA certified loss control program

Today, millions of Americans serve as caregivers, supporting both young children and aging loved ones, often at the same time. Yet many lack critical lifesaving training, including how to respond in a cardiac arrest emergency.

Only about one-third of U.S. adults say they feel confident and ready to act if someone goes into cardiac arrest.

More than 300,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of hospitals each year in the United States. Infants, older adults and those with chronic health conditions are among the most vulnerable. For children of all ages, more than 80% of these emergencies happen at home, making the home the front line of response. CPR and AED training isn’t just a medical skill — it’s a caregiving essential.

“Having the ability to respond to a cardiac emergency makes you a better, more confident caregiver,” said Jane Blocher, Executive Director of the Red Cross Greater Kansas Chapter. “Learning first aid and CPR skills may make a lifesaving difference for your child, family member, or even a stranger.”

During National Heart Month, the American Red Cross is urging people to show your loved ones how much you care by taking a Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED class and other lifesaving skills courses. Having the knowledge and confidence to act when seconds count can triple someone’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. Here in Greater Kansas,&nbsp;over 13,000&nbsp;people were trained in lifesaving skills last year.

Be Ready for the Moments that Matter with Red Cross Lifesaving Training For more than 100 years, the American Red Cross has been a national leader in first aid education, training more than three million people per year in first aid, CPR and AED skills to help save lives in emergencies.

To ensure we are meeting the needs of today and evolving with the latest science, the Red Cross has recently enhanced its First Aid/CPR/AED training program to include updated infant CPR techniques and instruction on using epinephrine nasal spray, which is now an approved treatment for anaphylaxis. These updates ensure caregivers and bystanders are prepared to respond quickly and confidently in a range of life-threatening emergencies.

The training also equips participants with the knowledge and skills to better identify and respond to heart-related emergencies, including understanding the critical differences between cardiac arrest and heart attacks. It incorporates updated warning signs—highlighting how heart attacks can present differently in women—so symptoms are recognized earlier and lifesaving action can begin sooner. Visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cisionone-email.us.redcross.org/c/eJwszsGKKyEQheGn0Z2NltrqwkU2eY1QltWJpJPcqzIN8_RDD7P9Dgf-mrVnhyQ5mxB0tNEmKx_Z4GpWxuABqi_OWUyeQopGa6xxc7LlNUWqaUXym4s3wxZJG_AuWCucHq3ys_1XL2w796F8pFJC9JXUe35HWs5B7vkx578h7EXAVcD1OI6lc6X-GWP59LuA68QnI-04hnxxbag674yDVav5F25_IOwF4AyWPd_Lm48hnGa879yxts_y5inH7Myv8wpoA5QUVdoIlEshKDTGqbLGRHozFDTLrww_AQAA__8UsVj8">redcross.org/takeaclass</a>&nbsp;to find a class near you.

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cisionone-email.us.redcross.org/c/eJwsy8FuwyAMgOGngRsRMaaYA4de-hoVsZ0WLW03iBZpTz912vX79UvxUbGy1TKn5ClQyMHei18FKEPIlCSTF0Qfo3DEwJQxom3llIklnyrHFek6a6jsZ4iYQjDoRxP9aF_uUdumfbhIvCyJorB77j_E0zvYrdz3_dOEs4GLgctxHFNX4f4aY3r1m4GLfai06rpuWoe6JuUPrv9gwhkgRQDby2156jEMeq23TXuV9pqeutuxd9XHe4UaEiyZXF4ZHOaUXJ1ndMuJMvt15uTVfhf4DQAA__9su1P5">redcross.org</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cisionone-email.us.redcross.org/c/eJwsy0Fu6yAQgOHTwA4LBvDAgkU2uUY0HsYJ79lOi91ayumrVN1-v_5abJRArKU4RJt88tnrR7EjjFjROp-sn4AzzxKCxzjXGGnMupUxJ655JI5zSDcnntg6iAG9V8Hurcr_9mlWaov03cTE04QpVjbb8Uo8vINeyuM4PpS_KLgquJ7nOXD_evXnP6JVemPaaHj2u4KrXqU2Ml0WoV1Mq-UXbn-g_AUAI4Du5T5tcu4qWKH7Ip1qew6bHHo_usj6XoE8wpSTyTODCRnRkHPBTGPKbGfHaEV_F_gJAAD__yB3V_Q">CruzRojaAmericana.org</a>, or follow us on social media.

Red Cross: Learn CPR as a caregiving skill during Heart Month

Barton County Youth Crew was recognized with the Youth Award at the recent 69th annual Hoisington Chamber of Commerce Banquet where Branson Holinde, Mya Brewer and Tyler Morton accepted the honor.

The Chamber selected Youth Crew for the award because the group:

· Serves as a safe place for young people to amplify their voices;

· Mobilizes local projects from the bottom-up rather than the top-down;

· Empowers their generation to take a seat at the decision-making table;

· Reflects their values through their work; and

· Ensures Barton County youth are not just spectators of community growth - they are the architects of it.

“Youth Crew is grateful to the Hoisington Chamber for their recognition of our community efforts,” said Tyler Morton, prevention advocate at Juvenile Services. “Hoisington has supplied some of our favorite moments over the years, such as cleaning up Bicentennial Park, appearing before the city council and hosting the first-ever state prevention conference for youth at the high school.

“We also appreciate the Hoisington Activity Center and Hoisington Library for providing space for our monthly meetings. Youth Crew members continue to show up for their peers and represent their community. We are so proud of all of them.”

20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake &amp;

Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.

Barton County Youth Crew receives Hoisington Chamber award

The tradition continues as Smoky Hills PBS will provide live coverage of the 2026 Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Class 3-2-1A State Wrestling Championships. The event is scheduled for&nbsp;Feb. 27 to Feb. 28, at Gross Memorial Coliseum on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays.

Smoky Hills PBS will once again showcase both boys' and girls' competitions, continuing a long-standing commitment to local sports and its tradition of bringing LIVE coverage of high school sports to viewers across central and western Kansas.

"Our production crew and our many volunteers take great pride in delivering live, reliable coverage of this championship every year," said Les Kinderknecht, Senior Producer/Director at Smoky Hills PBS. "Covering the 3-2-1A State Wrestling Championships is about celebrating the athletes, the schools, and the communities that support them."

Action will begin&nbsp;at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, and continue&nbsp;at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28.&nbsp; A rebroadcast of the Championship Finals will air on&nbsp;Sunday, March 1 at noon.

For more information on broadcast times and additional coverage details, please visit our website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.smokyhillspbs.org/">SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>&nbsp;or download the free Smoky Hills PBS mobile app for Android and iPhone users.

Local sports coverage like this is made possible by VIEWERS LIKE YOU, and many local businesses who believe in the mission of Smoky Hills PBS.

Smoky Hills PBS serves 71 counties in Central and Western Kansas.&nbsp; Smoky Hills PBS is available over the air, on many cable systems, DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, and Dish Network, HULU + LIVE TV, and YouTube TV.&nbsp; You can also access Smoky Hills PBS via the FREE mobile app for Android and iPhone devices and is also available to stream by clicking here:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://video.smokyhillstv.org/livestream">video.smokyhillstv.org/livestream</a>.&nbsp; More information on Smoky Hills PBS and its programs and projects are available at SmokyHillsPBS.org or by calling 1-800-337-4788.

State wrestling broadcast returning to Smoky Hills PBS later this month

Now is the time to recognize those who go above and beyond! You can nominate a School Hero! On the fourth Tuesday of each month, Eagle Media will select a Hero to recognize! The winner will also receive $500! Nominate a School Hero is presented by: <a href="https://opikan.com/">OPI</a> (Office Products Incorporated) &amp; Golden Belt Printing.&nbsp;

Any adult who works at a school in Barton County is eligible to be nominated. Admin, Teachers, Para's, Coaches, Maintenance, Cafeteria, etc.

Nominate a School Hero! Presented by: OPI & Golden Belt Printing

Big Bend Custom Engraving, Freedom Claims Management, Great Bend Redi Mix, Francis Financial, Medial Park Pharmacy, R&amp;R Roofing, Allstaff Chartered, Miller Plastics, Rosencrants Bemis Water Well Service, Great Bend Rec, Jimlo Glass Center, Haz Mat Response

Make a Difference Contest 

- Carson Dubose, head coach of Barton CC Softball

- Conor Nicholl of Sunflower Sports Solutions

Friday on Sports Day

The Barton Community College baseball team opened its home schedule Thursday afternoon, sweeping Allen County Community College 8-3 and 10-9 at Jimmy Lawson-Danny Biggs Field.

The Cougars controlled the opener from the outset, scoring in five of their first six at-bats to build early separation in the 8-3 win. In the backend, Barton erased an early 5-0 deficit and trailed by five entering the sixth before mounting a four-run sixth inning, tying the game in the eighth and walking it off in the ninth on a wild pitch.

Jack Jewell&nbsp;provided the most consistent production at the plate, turning in the lone multi-hit efforts of the day by going 2-for-2 in the opener and 2-for-3 in the nightcap.&nbsp;JJ Spafford&nbsp;and&nbsp;Rhett Winchester&nbsp;joined Jewell with hits in both contests, with Spafford providing two of Barton's three extra-base hits across the twinbill, collecting a double in Game 1 and an RBI triple in Game 2.

The Cougars also capitalized on Allen County miscues in the nightcap, benefitting from five wild pitches that led to four runs, including the walk-off run, while one of the Red Devils' three balks in the doubleheader brought home the game-tying run in the eighth inning.

Barton's pitching staff delivered key shutdown innings in both games of the sweep. In the opener,&nbsp;Braden Hauschel&nbsp;worked four innings to earn his second victory of the year before&nbsp;Antonio Mendez&nbsp;closed out the final three frames without allowing a hit to secure the save.&nbsp;Eli Lang&nbsp;stabilized the middle innings in the nightcap with four frames on one-run relief and five strikeouts, while&nbsp;Trey Mackwood&nbsp;earned the victory after tossing a scoreless ninth to preserve the walk-off win.

Game 1 Recap Barton secured the opening with an 8-3 victory, scoring in five of its six at-bats to build early separation.

The Cougars struck for two runs in the first and added two more in the second before extending the lead with steady run production through the middle innings.&nbsp;Kyle Walker's two-RBI single in the fifth provided key insurance, while Jewell and Spafford each recorded multi-hit efforts in the win.

On the bump, Hauschel worked four innings to earn his second victory before Mendez closed out the final three frames without allowing a hit. The duo retired 14 straight and combined to set down 15 of the final 16 hitters, with a two-out hit-by-pitch in the seventh serving as the lone baserunner over the final five innings.

Game 2 Recap The nightcap required late heroics as Barton rallied for a 10-9 walk-off victory.

After falling behind 5-0 over the first inning and a half and trailing by five after four, the Cougars began the comeback in the sixth. Barton scored four runs in the inning, capitalizing on a trio of wild pitches that helped bring across three of the four runs with a&nbsp;Kyler Horsman&nbsp;bases loaded run scoring walk also mixed in, cutting the deficit to 9-8.

Barton pulled even in the eighth with a balk bringing home the tying run before completing the comeback in the ninth loading the bases behind a pair of Red Devils errors to open the frame and intentional walk loading the bases with one-out before a wild-pitch scoring&nbsp;Hunter Thoms&nbsp;securing the comeback.

Jewell led the offense with his second multi-hit effort of the day, while Spafford delivered one of Barton's two extra-base hits with an RBI triple.&nbsp;Jaxon Case&nbsp;accounted for the other extra-base hit with a one-out double in the sixth. Spafford and Case combined to drive in two of the Cougars' four RBIs in the contest.

Utilizing four pitchers in the nightcap, Lang provided stability through the middle frame, permitting just one run with five strikeouts to keep the comeback within reach. Mackwood secured his first victory of the season, facing the minimum in the ninth to preserve the walk-off win.

Cougars open home slate with doubleheader sweep of Allen County

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James became the oldest player in NBA history to have a triple-double, accomplishing the feat for the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night against the Dallas Mavericks. James had 28 points and 12 assists when he grabbed his 10th rebound with 2:06 to play in the Lakers’ 124-104 victory. James got a standing ovation when he checked out moments after grabbing his final rebound to complete his 123rd career triple-double, fifth-most in NBA history. At 41 years and 44 days old, James broke the record held by Karl Malone, who recorded a triple-double for the Lakers when he was 40 years and 127 days old.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Joey Logano and Chase Elliott both won their Daytona 500 qualifying races on Thursday night to earn starting spots on the second row for Sunday's season-opener. Casey Mears and Anthony Alfredo earned the final two spots in the field as the highest finishing “open” drivers in each race, but NASCAR later disqualified Alfredo. His spot goes to B.J. McLeod, pending inspection. The drivers who failed to qualify for the 41-car field were Alfredo, Corey LaJoie, Chandler Smith and JJ Yeley. Two spots were earned in Wednesday night’s time trials and went to Justin Allgaier and Corey Heim.

The NBA fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 for sitting healthy stars late in close games. The league announced the decision on Thursday. The Jazz kept key players out of recent fourth quarters, even though games were tight. The NBA said the players could have kept playing. Utah has also faced past fines tied to resting Lauri Markkanen. The Pacers were fined $100,000 for holding out Pascal Siakam and other starters. The policy targets teams that chase better draft odds by losing on purpose.

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Chloe Kim has fallen short in her bid to become the first Olympic snowboarder to win three consecutive gold medals. Kim finished second to Gaon Choi of South Korea in the women’s halfpipe. The 17-year-old Choi dethroned the two-time defending champion with a score of 90.25 on her final run. Kim had one more shot to get back on top but she fell on her last of three runs. The 25-year-old American took silver, while Japan’s Mitsuki Ono claimed bronze. Choi recovered after taking a hard tumble on her first run.

CHICAGO (AP) — Sports are a big part of prediction markets. So big that even sportsbooks have moved into the business. While some leagues are cashing in, others are taking a more cautious approach. The rapid growth of sports offerings on prediction markets — called event contracts — has captured the attention of the four major North American sports, along with the NCAA and other organizations. Kalshi and Polymarket are the two biggest platforms, but they have plenty of company. More are on the way, too. Almost eight years after a Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for legalized sports gambling across the country, the increased presence of prediction markets has received a mixed response in sports.

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Ryo Hisatsune is the leader at the AT&amp;T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with a 62 at Pebble Beach. He leads by one shot over Sam Burns and Keegan Bradley. Chris Gotterup had the best start of the day by opening with six birdies. This comes after he finished his victory in the Phoenix Open with three straight birdies. So that's nine in a row in two tournaments on two very different golf courses. A beautiful day meant low scoring and just about everyone took advantage. The exception was the No. 1 player in the world. Scottie Scheffler settled for a 72.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has pardoned five former NFL players for crimes that include perjury, counterfeiting and drug trafficking. White House pardon adviser Alice Marie Johnson announced the pardons on X Thursday night. She says Trump supports second chances. The White House did not return a request for comment on the reasons for the pardons. The players include Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and the late Billy Cannon.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Preparations for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City are cutting into the livelihoods of sex workers and street vendors near Azteca Stadium. Workers along Calzada de Tlalpan say city projects aimed at sprucing up ahead of the soccer tournament have slashed their incomes. Sex workers say a new bike lane blocks cars from pulling over and nighttime metro closures leave them stranded. Advocacy groups say promised aid has not appeared. Vendors in pedestrian tunnels say officials have ordered them out for renovation projects. Many fear “social cleansing,” in which cities push informal workers aside to impress visitors.

PITTSBORO, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi judge granted Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss a preliminary injunction that gives him another year of eligibility after a fight with the NCAA. On Thursday, the judge said the NCAA ignores its own rules and failed to weigh Chambliss’ medical history. The NCAA denied his waiver on Jan. 9. The NCAA also rejected his appeal on Feb. 4. Chambliss has spent five years in college but played only three healthy seasons. He started at Ferris State and then transferred to Ole Miss. Ole Miss finishes 13-2 and loses to Miami in the playoff semifinals.

Miami stays unbeaten and keeps rolling, even as the last perfect team in Division I. On Monday night, that status becomes official after Arizona loses at Kansas. Miami now carries the nation’s longest winning streak into a Friday night game against Ohio on ESPN. Coach Travis Steele says his team plays loose and focuses on each other, not pressure. Miami also leads the nation in scoring and shooting efficiency. Steele also points to recent defensive gains, but he wants fewer turnovers. Fans pack Millett Hall, and the team owns a 28-game home winning streak.

Friday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Thursday, February 12 (Consolation Bracket @ Offerle) Kinsley 43, Macksville 37 Ellinwood Boys 63,&nbsp; Kinsley 38 Victoria Girls 50, Otis-Bison 31 Otis-Bison 62, Ness City 54 Thursday, February 12 (Championship Bracket @ Kinsley) Ellinwood Girls 47, Lacrosse 40 Central Plains Boys 71, Victoria 38 Central Plains Girls 42, St. John 22 St. John Boys 66, LaCrosse 52 Friday, February 13&nbsp;(Consolation Bracket @ Offerle) 3:00 Girls 7th Place Game - Macksville vs Otis-Bison 4:30 Boys 7th Place Game - Kinsley vs Ness City 6:00 Girls 5th Place Game - Kinsley vs Victoria 7:30 Boys 5th Place Game - Ellinwood vs Otis-Bison Friday, February 13&nbsp;(Championship Bracket @ Kinsley) 3:00 Girls 3rd Place Game - LaCrosse vs St. John 4:30 Boys 3rd Place Game - Victoria vs LaCrosse 6:00 Girls Championship - Central Plains vs Ellinwood 7:30 Boys Championship - Central Plains vs St. John

Central Prairie League Tournament Scores & Schedule

No. 9 Kansas plays
the No. 5 Iowa State Cyclones after Flory Bidunga scored 23 points in
the Jayhawks' 82-78 victory over the Arizona Wildcats. The teams meet
Saturday for the first time this season. Iowa State is 8-3 against
the Big 12, and Kansas is 9-2 against conference opponents.

Kansas Jayhawks
(19-5, 9-2 Big 12) at Iowa State Cyclones (21-3, 8-3 Big 12)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK
LINE: Cyclones -5.5; over/under is 141.5

BOTTOM LINE:
No. 9 Kansas visits No. 5 Iowa State after Flory Bidunga scored 23
points in Kansas' 82-78 victory against the Arizona Wildcats.

The Cyclones have
gone 13-0 at home. Iowa State ranks third in the Big 12 in team
defense, giving up 64.9 points while holding opponents to 41.8%
shooting.

The Jayhawks have
gone 9-2 against Big 12 opponents. Kansas is fifth in the Big 12
allowing 67.8 points while holding opponents to 38.3% shooting.

Iowa State's average
of 9.0 made 3-pointers per game this season is only 0.9 more made
shots on average than the 8.1 per game Kansas allows. Kansas scores
13.1 more points per game (78.0) than Iowa State gives up (64.9).

The Cyclones and
Jayhawks meet Saturday for the first time in conference play this
season.

TOP PERFORMERS:
Milan Momcilovic is scoring 18.4 points per game with 3.3 rebounds
and 1.0 assist for the Cyclones. Joshua Jefferson is averaging 16.2
points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 42.6% over the past 10 games.

Bidunga is shooting
68.6% and averaging 14.9 points for the Jayhawks. Darryn Peterson is
averaging 16.4 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES:
Cyclones: 7-3, averaging 77.6 points, 34.2 rebounds, 17.2
assists, 8.0 steals and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from
the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.1 points per game.

Jayhawks:
9-1, averaging 81.1 points, 35.6 rebounds, 14.5 assists, 5.8 steals
and 6.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.8% from the field. Their
opponents have averaged 72.2 points.

No. 5 Iowa State hosts No. 9 Kansas

Friday, February 13 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:45PM B104- H.S. Basketball - Garden City G&amp;B @ Great Bend 5:45PM KHOK - H.S. Basketball - Hoisington G&amp;B @ Nickerson 5:45PM Hits 106.9 - H.S. Basketball - Pratt G&amp;B @ Larned 8:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Rising Stars All-Star Game Saturday, February 14 11:30AM Hits 106.9 - Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas @ Iowa St.&nbsp;(KU Network) 11:30AM 1590/95.5FM - College Basketball - Kansas @ Iowa State (ESPN) 1:45PM KHOK -&nbsp;H.S. Basketball - Ellsworth G&amp;B @ Hoisington 1:45PM B104 - Cougar Basketball - Barton W&amp;M @ Garden City 4:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA All Star Saturday Night Sunday, February 15 3:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA All Star Game Monday, February 16 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day Tuesday, February 17 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:45PM B104- H.S. Basketball - Liberal G&amp;B @ Great Bend 5:45PM KHOK - H.S. Basketball - Hillsboro G&amp;B @ Hoisington 5:45PM Hits 106.9 - H.S. Basketball - Haven G&amp;B @ Larned&nbsp;&nbsp; Wednesday, February 18 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:15PM B104 - Cougar Basketball - Barton W&amp;M @ Butler 7:30PM Hits 106.9 - Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas @ Oklahoma St.&nbsp; Thursday, February 19 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day Friday, February 20 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:45PM B104- H.S. Basketball - Great Bend G&amp;B @ Dodge City 5:45PM KHOK - H.S. Basketball - Larned G&amp;B @ Hoisington 5:45PM Hits 106.9 - H.S. Basketball - Larned G&amp;B @ Hoisington Saturday, February 21 11:30AM Hits 106.9 - Jayhawk Basketball - Cincinnati @ Kansas 1:45PM B104 - Cougar Basketball - Independence W&amp;M @ Barton 7:00PM&nbsp;1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - Houston @ NY Knicks Sunday, February 22 2:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - Denver @ Golden State Monday, February 23 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 7:30PM Hits 106.9 - Jayhawk Basketball - Houston @ Kansas Tuesday, February 24 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:45PM KHOK - H.S. Basketball - Hoisington G&amp;B @ Halstead 5:45PM Hits 106.9 - H.S. Basketball - Larned G&amp;B @ Smoky Valley Wednesday, February 25 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:15PM B104 - Cougar Basketball - Seward County W&amp;M @ Barton

Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting PBP Schedule

Western Athletic Conference Friday Garden City @ Great Bend Hays @ Liberal Saturday 2/14 Woodward, OK @ Garden City Central Kansas League Hoisington @ Nickerson Pratt @ Larned Halstead @ Haven Hesston @ Smoky Valley Hillsboro @ Council Grove Saturday 2/14 Ellsworth @ Hoisington Other Area Games Friday Stafford @ Hartford Pawnee Heights @ Minneola Trego @ Russell Lyons @ Beloit Ellsworth @ Republic County Cunningham @ Skyline Phillipsburg @ TMP Ingalls @ Hodgeman County Satanta @ Kiowa County Little River @ Elyria Christian

Friday High School Basketball Schedule (2/13)

By TIM LEIGHTON AND JORDAN MOREY NFHS

During her final three years at Flambeau (Wisconsin) High School, Beth (Alberson) Schmidt was on top of the girls basketball world. She was an integral part of Flambeau’s run of three consecutive Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 4 championships. She was coached by her Hall of Fame father and played in front of an adoring community that filled gymnasiums and arenas with unbridled enthusiasm and support.

“Girls basketball was so alive; it was overpowering,” Schmidt said in an interview last month with High School Today. “When I left the high school game, I firmly believed that it would always be that way.”

Schmidt now sees girls basketball through the lens of Flambeau’s head coach. It is a troubling, frustrating view that has seen participation in girls basketball dip dramatically – not only in her community but across the nation.

From 1979 to 2008, girls basketball was the top sport in participation for girls, according to NFHS Athletics Participation Survey data. In 2009, track and field took over the top spot.

In 2015, girls basketball slid to third behind track and field and volleyball, respectively, and, in 2022, soccer moved into the No. 3 spot and pushed basketball down one notch.

NFHS survey data show that from 2000 to 2025, girls basketball participation declined by at least 21 percent nationwide, falling from 451,600 student-athletes across 16,526 schools to 356,240 athletes across 18,208 schools. During its three-peat championship run from 2006 to 2008, Flambeau, with a current enrollment of 147 students, had more than 30 participants in the girls basketball program. Fast forward to now, and Schmidt has 10 participants, all on the varsity squad.

Facing a December 1 deadline to alert its conference for scheduling purposes, Schmidt was unsuccessful in her attempts to encourage other students to try basketball. Like many schools across the nation, the result was the cancellation of sub-varsity schedules.

“It is heartbreaking,” said Schmidt, a business education teacher. “I was not successful at encouraging others. I won’t give up, though. Maybe girls thought I was going to be too tough on them as a coach. I think students know the history of our program but don’t necessarily feel it. I plan to get back into the gym with the littles and show them the positive path of girls basketball.”

In her travels through the school and community, Schmidt, a mother of her own “starting five,” sees signs that have contributed to the decline in girls basketball participation.

As she did when she was young, Schmidt doesn’t see girls constantly cradling a basketball, playing in driveways or initiating pickup games. She sees students seemingly forced into decisions about sports specialization at a young age and a world filled with what she calls “distractions.”

In the post-pandemic era, Schmidt said many families are maxed out on debt, putting more pressure on students to have jobs. Cellphones, clothing and other essentials once supported by parents, according to Schmidt, have become the responsibility of students.

Schmidt understands those strains. She grew up on a dairy farm and was responsible for milking cows day and night. After school, practices and games, that responsibility was still waiting for her.

Despite the staggering decline, Schmidt is committed to restoring the program’s strength and vibrancy in the community. She said the focus is on youth, working on fundamentals and reminding them that basketball is fun, rewarding and a positive, education- based experience.

“Kids don’t need to make decisions in third grade about their playing future,” she said. “I think we are on the cliff; it is messy. But I also believe the pendulum will swing the other way. Our community is still here. We need to give them a reason to come back and rally around our efforts.”

Participation in girls athletics is up overall, according to historical NFHS survey data, revealing that students aren’t leaving sports — good news by most measures.

But where are they going? The meteoric rise in girls wrestling, flag football and volleyball – both in schools and clubs – are natural assumptions. So, too, is softball, which has become a year-round sport.

“The encouraging thing is that they’re not leaving sports, right?” said Monica Maxwell, an NFHS director of sports who oversees girls basketball. “We have more options, and we have more kids being active, doing something.”

Maxwell said it has been a struggle to revive girls basketball participation numbers in the post-pandemic era, and the issue has become a common discussion point at national conferences.

Time and money are increasingly being funneled into single- sport specialization, a trend that remains one of the key concerns surrounding girls basketball participation.

According to the 2024 National Youth Sports Parent Survey by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play, 48 percent of parents said they feel some or a lot of pressure to have their child specialize in one sport, with 53 percent justifying that pressure because their child wants to play high school sports. The survey also found that 21 percent of parents report their child plays their “primary” sport nine to 12 months annually.

Despite 58 percent of high school coaches encouraging their players to participate in multiple sports, many families are opting to focus their time and money on one, the survey found. The average U.S. sports family spent $1,016 on their child’s “primary” sport in 2024, which is a 46 percent increase compared to 2019.

One result of all the pressures to excel in one sport? Nearly 70 percent of kids quit organized sports by age 13, the American Academy of Pediatrics reported.

All of those factors have played into fewer girls playing basketball at the younger levels, and the topic of declining sub-varsity competition routinely comes up during national discussions.

“I think more of the concern is at the developmental stage where you have the girls that are going from middle school, and then, because there’s not a JV team, they have to go straight to varsity, and they might not have that ability to play varsity ball,” said Sarah Hayes, associate commissioner with the South Carolina High School League and a member of the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee. “I think there’s a larger concern for the small number of JV girls teams, because the schools that have JV teams are like, ‘Who do we play?’ Some teams were only playing maybe five or six games in a season because a lot of schools around them are not fielding JV teams.”

Hayes’ view echoes what’s happening across the country — girls are dropping basketball at younger ages and not picking it back up in high school, even at historically strong programs.

“We’ve been on this hill for a while now in Kansas,” said Jeremy Holaday, an assistant director with the Kansas State High School Activities Association. “We have perennial powerhouses that don’t even have enough participants for freshman teams and barely junior varsity.”

Focusing on the middle and elementary school levels might be the key. “I think the focus is how do we gain their interest at that middle level so that we can, at least, get them excited about potentially growing into something special with their friends,” said Missy Smith, an Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) assistant executive director. “Because at that age, when you’re 12- 13, you’re going to do what your friends do. I don’t think people are like, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re in a crisis,’ but the year-over-year declines are very concerning.”

To increase participation opportunities, the OSAA approved a rule last year for its smallest classification, permitting six quarters of combined play between junior varsity and varsity squads. The association’s other five classifications remain at five quarters.

“We had heard that a lot of schools were playing only half a game for their sub-varsity teams because they wanted to make sure they had enough kids for the varsity game,” Smith said. “That has alleviated some of that so they’re getting to play more.”

Smith also pointed to the pandemic-era growth of volleyball, both indoor and beach, at the club level. In the 2019-20 NFHS participation report, approximately 2,000 fewer students played girls basketball in Oregon.

The national surge in girls wrestling has also played a role, state association executives said. Girls wrestling topped 74,000 participants for the first time during the 2024-25 school year — a 15 percent increase from the previous year, and a record 40 sanctioned girls state wrestling championships were held nationwide.

“I also really think that wrestling has done a number, in a great way,” Smith said. “All of a sudden, the skill set is new to everyone. It’s exciting. It’s something different. I think it pulled kids in that direction.”

It appears the solution exists at the youth level. Minnesota- based Kevin Anderson, the longtime girls basketball historian for the Minnesota State High School League, has studied the rise in participation following the passage of Title IX and the recent decline.

Anderson cited drops in youth participation around sixth and seventh grades, with another decline around ninth grade. Those dips, he said, are a prelude to what is happening at the high school level.

“Across the nation, we need to encourage youth basketball to stay local at the younger grades,” he said. “There is no need to be in a traveling league in second or third grade. When players are told at that age that they won’t make the next level, that is disheartening. They take that message as basketball isn’t for you. That isn’t the messaging we want.”

Anderson encouraged youth basketball leaders to take a general approach to coaching, emphasizing fundamentals, skill development and fun. Playing too many games too early can derail confidence.

“At that age, you do not necessarily know who is going to grow,” Anderson said. “A successful coach, a successful organization, can be measured by how many players return the following year. This is fixable with the right approach at the targeted levels.”

Danielle LaRoche King, athletic director at The Brearley School in New York City and former athletic director and wellness director at Ithaca High School, said officials, parents and coaches need to dial down the intensity at lower levels and focus on what matters most.

“I think it’s really important for coaches to foster relationships with the players and foster relationships with each other for the team and have team building,” King said. “I think basketball may have gotten a little too intense for seventh- and eighth-graders, and the coaches are yelling and the parents are demanding. I think we should take it back a notch and make it a little bit more ‘come and let’s see your skill. Let’s have some fun.’

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