Sports

Royals feeling holly and jolly after deadline haul

Given it’s late July, it’s plenty hot enough as it is, but for baseball fans the temperature may get cranked up even further with the midseason trade deadline looming this Friday. The hot stove started heating up once again last Thursday when the Houston Astros nabbed pitcher Scott Kazmir in a...

Luke Simmons (shown above) gets a good grip on his sheep and tries to hang on while competing in the Mutton Busting competition at the fifth annual Jackson County Rodeo at the Northeast Kansas Heritage Complex arena on Friday night.

Fifth annual Jackson County Rodeo draws plenty of competition

The Jackson County Fair kicked off this past weekend with the fifth annual rodeo competition held on Friday and Saturday. The results for the rodeo are as follows: Ranch Bronc Friday, July 24 1. Rustin Dymond Saturday, July 25 1. Quinter Brackenberry Breakaway Roping Friday, July 24 1. Shae...

Jackson Heights running back Adam Brey (shown above, middle) shoots through a hole created by his lineman and fellow backs as the team runs through some plays at summer camp. JHHS coach Caleb Wick said the leadership of Brey and his fellow seniors will go a long way towards building this team up heading into the fall.

Toughness a focus for small Cobra football squad this summer

If Jackson Heights’ summer football camp is any indication, then the high school team could be a small group this fall. While the Cobras might not crack 30 players on the roster this season, according to coach Caleb Wick, what they lack in numbers they can make up for in toughness and that is...

Forrestal Hickman (shown above) explodes upwards during a plyometric drill as part of a workout with Russ Riederer in the HHS weight room recently. The former Wildcat will be reporting to training camp with the San Diego Chargers at the end of the month.

Hickman charging ahead on path to the NFL

Take one look at Holton native Forrestal Hickman and one of the first thoughts that will probably cross your mind is, ‘that guy looks like an NFL player.’ At 6’ 6” and 320 lbs., the question seemed to be where, rather then when, the 22-year-old undrafted rookie would get his shot at playing...

Jamie Johnson-Shaffer competes in the 10K Cauldron Run at the Sunflower State Games recently, with her top finish in her age group a year ago qualifying her to compete in the State Games of America this summer.

Mayetta native to represent Kansas in State Games of America

While running may be a more communal experience than some other sports, individual results are still measured by how far and how fast your legs can carry you. For one local runner, her work has carried her onto a national stage and a great honor, as Mayetta’s Jamie Johnson-Shaffer is getting set...

Royals leave AL feeling anything but blue after MLB All-Star game

Six Kansas City Royals played in the Major League Baseball All-Star game in Cincinnati on Tuesday night and, contrary to popular belief, the sport of baseball didn’t spontaneously combust. That may be going a little far in summing up the backlash that the record-setting number of seven KC All-...

Panther Jarrett Roy (shown above, front left) tries to corral a loose ball for a rebound in a summer league game held at Rossville recently.

Senior leadership paving the way for RV boys basketball this summer

Like people and snowflakes, no two high school classes are quite alike. There may be some classes loaded with singular talents; others will be full of role players, and if this summer is any indication, the senior class on the Royal Valley High School boys basketball team will be loaded with...

Current Holton school board member Bob Phillips was recently elected to serve on the board of directors for the Kansas State High School Activities Association starting in the 2015-2016 school year.

Phillips set for new role serving on KSHSAA board of directors

Holton school board member Bob Phillips has a long history with high school athletics, having served as a coach in some capacity during his 27 years of teaching in the Holton school district and beyond. Phillips has worn a lot of hats in his 38-year overall coaching history, whether it was...

Jackson Heights' Mason Thomas (second from back left) skies up and tries to corral a rebound in summer basketball action at the season-ending tournament, which JH would go on to win, in Sabetha recently.

JHHS boys basketball team keeps success going in summer months

While the Jackson Heights boys basketball team entered the summer with a few holes to fill after the graduation of a small but crucial senior class, it was nothing compared to the rebuilding job that needed to be done prior to last season. In addition, the Cobras were afforded the stability of...

Royal Valley High School's Karsen Smith (shown above, left) and Washburn Rural High School's Dominic Holthaus (right) hit the mat during practice at the fourth-annual Royal Valley Medalist Wrestling Camp.

Royal Valley wrestlers benefit from team camp experiences

Even when things are supposed to be more laid back, the Royal Valley wrestling team can’t seem to catch a break. After dealing with their fair share of injuries this past winter, the Panthers saw three more varsity wrestlers (Blake Garrison, Noah Hart and Zack Lux) sidelined through the offseason...