March 7, 2026 Issue, Page 3 of 14

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SPORTS The Elk City News SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2026 • 3 Coach D - Arrowhead Center Ky'n Sanders blocking opponent James Hill Coach Robert Douglas Jr (6A Girls Isaiah Lan & Ky'n Sanders Joelle Bintz Champion) coaching Garrison Buchaner going around Ky'n Sanders Ky'n Sanders dribbling around defender Kymbree Eslinger Autumn Bintz Basketball By Alex Alvarez due suffered a significant setback, Coach: Porter Moser West Virginia 91-84, Losses vs Col- the Regionals. Last Three: 0-3. Losses vs Mang- going 0–2 with losses to both Mich- Record: 15-14 overall, 5-11 in orado 69-83, Cincinnati 68-91 um 48-68, Oklahoma Christian 43- ELK CITY KIDS INC igan State 74-76, and Ohio State SEC Conference. Coming up: UCF (Mar-3), #5 The roster features notable tal- 92, Sayre 52-53 Elk City’s Kids Inc. Finished (74-82). Last three games: 2-1. Wins vs Houston (Mar-7) ent, including senior Destiny Jack- their basketball season for third In the Women’s division the Auburn 91-79, Tennessee 89-66 Conference Position: 14th son, who recently achieved the #4 MERRITT CLASS 2-A Girls graders and younger. week featured significant upsets in and Loss vs Texas A&M 71-75 Conference Leader: #2 Arizona milestone of 1,500 career points, Coach Jeff Daugherty. Record the ACC. Notably Notre Dame de- Coming up: Missouri (Mar-3), Wildcats at 27-2 and freshman Jaye Gray. Their first 23-3 NCAA BASKETBALL SEASON feated No. 10 Louisville 65-62 on Texas (Mar-7) game will be on Wednesday, March Last Three: 3-0. Wins vs Oklaho- The NCAA Division I basketball the road, and No. 21 North Caro- Conference Position: 14th. Con- Oklahoma State Cowgirls. 4 vs Cheyenne/Reydon at the new ma Christian 73-20, Hobart 51-22 regular season for the 2025–26 sea- lina beat No. 12 Duke 74-69. These ference Leader: #7 Florisa Gators Women. Big-12 Conference OG&E Coliseum at Oklahoma (Regional), Cashion 42-28 (Re- son is scheduled to end on March results prevented Duke from secur- 23-6 Coach: Jacie Hoyt State Fairgrounds. gionals). 15, 2026. Following the conclusion ing an outright ACC regular-sea- Record: 23-8 overall, Conference of the regular season, the calendar son title #7 Oklahoma Sooners. Women. 12-6 #11 CANUTE CLASS A BOYS: ELK CITY CLASS 4-A BOYS transitions into conference tourna- The latest rankings as of Monday Southeastern Conference Last three games: 2-1. Wins vs Coach Brock Steffes. Record 16- Coach Tyler Foale. Record 2-22 ments and the NCAA Tournament morning of top 10 are: Coach: Jennie Baranczyk Iowa St 88-77, Kansas 70-56. Loss 11 Last Three: 0-3. Losses vs Altus (March Madness). The selection MEN: Duke 25-2, Arizona 25- Record: 23-6, Conference 11-5 vs West Virginia 40-72 Last three games: 1-2. Win vs 48-61, Woodward 34-64, 34-55 of teams for the NCAA Tourna- 2, Michigan, 25-2, Iowa St 23-4, Last three games: 3-0. Wins vs Coming up: TBD on March 6. Wellston 54-4; Losses vs South- ment will take place on “Selection Houston 23-4, UConn 25-3, Flori- Tennessee 100-93, Arkansas 89-44 Conference Position: 4th west Covenant 29-54, Thomas/Fay #20 ELK CITY CLASS 4-A Sunday” which is also scheduled da 21-6, Purdue 22-5, Gonzaga 27- and Missouri 84-78 Conference Leader: TCU Custer 36-55. GIRLS for March 15, 2026. The entire sea- 2, Illinois 22-6. Coming up: TBD on March 5. Horned Frogs 27-4 Coach Mason Jones. Record 16- son concludes with the National WOMEN: UConn 29-0, UCLA Conference Position: 5th #2 CANUTE CLASS A GIRLS: 10 Championship game on April 6, 27-1, South Carolina 27-2, Texas Conference Leader: #3 South ELK CITY BASKETBALL Coach Tatum Ridling. Record Last 3: 1-2. Win vs Clinton 58- at Lucas Oil Stadium, in Indianap- 26-3, Vanderbilt 25-3, LSU 24-4, Carolina Gamecocks 29-2 The Canute Trojanettes at 25-1 25-1 32. Losses vs Woodward 38-41, olis, Indiana, with the men’s final. Oklahoma 21-6, Michigan 22-5, and ranked #2 have advanced to Last Three 3-0: Wins vs Snyder Community Christian 31-32 The Women’s final is April 5 at Iowa 22-5, Louisville 24-5. Oklahoma State Cowboys. Big- the State Tournament by securing 72-14, Hydro/Eakly 60-22, Alex Note: Oklahoma Sooners climbed the Mortgage Matchup Center, in 12 Conference the Area’s Championship with a 69-16 and Garber 55-25 from 11th to 7th! Phoenix, AZ. OKLAHOMA COLLEGES BAS- Coach: Steve Lutz win over 55-25 over Garber. Previ- Sources: ESPN, MSN Sports, OS- Road to The Final Four getting KETBALL Record: 17-12 overall, 5-11 Con- ously, they defeated Snyder in the MERRITT CLASS 2-A BOYS SAA, On-Line media sports. some upsets: Oklahoma Sooners. Men. South- ference District final 72-14, then beat Hy- Coach Tyler Snowden. Record In the Men’s division, No. 8 Pur- eastern Conference Last three games: 1-2. Win vs dro/Eakly 60-22 and Alex 69-16 in 9-16 By Alex Alvarez a fifth-place finish at the U.S. Am- Sports Tidbits 20-0 run despite significant roster recently snapped by the New York ent ahead of the draft which will take giving Melo for their first win to- ateur and then won The Blessings turnover. Knicks, thanks in part to an offen- place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, PA. gether. They began playing doubles GOLF: Collegiate Invitational to cap off the USC forward Chad Bak- sive surge from Mikal Bridges. New rule in the draft is that time be- in 2017! The industry recently saw a sur- college golf all season. er-Mazara, the team’s leading scorer, Oklahoma City Thunder re- tween first round selections has been Indian Wells is said to be the per- prise shift in broadcasting with Jim is no longer a member of the men’s mains in first place overall with Shai reduced to eight minutes. fect spot for Ben Shelton to fly the Furyk named as a lead analyst for NCAA BASKETBALL basketball program, the school an- Gilgeous-Alexander recently having American Flag. Let’s Go Ben! Golf Channel. Golf Channel and SURPRISES nounced Sunday. No reasons were returned to the lineup to lead the TENNIS networks continue to hire former In Men’s NCAA, the college bas- given for the news. team, including a 36-point perfor- During the 2017 U.S. Open, OTHER champions to do broadcasting on ketball season has been defined by mance against Denver. 15-year old Izyan Ahmad made a What’s the Rule? Jess McClain, TV. It is a special gift, and so far, notable turnarounds and breakout NBA promise to Roger Federer when he a decorated runner who has made only one past champion has excelled performances. Nebraska has emerged Don’t count the Celtics out! With NFL was 8-years old: I will be a pro one the podium numerous times, was in broadcasting: Johnny Miller. as a primary story, orchestrating one their resilience in maintaining a Headlined by intense NFL Scout- day and I would like to play you. looking to scoring a victory at the John Daly II will make his pro- of the sport’s top recent turnarounds top Eastern Conference standing ing Combine performances, Michi- Will you play me?” Roger Federer U.S. Half Marathon Championships fessional debut in Puerto Rico this and a current record 25-4 and second despite major roster turnover and gan State’s Thompson set a blazing said “Maybe”. Now Ahmad, only 15 when by mistake she followed a me- weekend. Only time will tell if he in the Big-10 Conference. injuries, they will be tough to beat 4.26-second record in the 40-yard is playing in the qualifying at Indi- dia vehicle and a motorcycle with will be better than his dad who In the women’s NCAA, Texas in the playoffs, especially if their dash! an Wells in the BNP Paribas Open. camera who went the wrong way. won two major championships. He Tech, previously absent from the injured players are all healthy in the Beyond record-breaking speed, the The winner will play #3 seed Thiago By the time she got back on course, did great in college: Following his tournament since 2013, stunned coming weeks. NFL Combine has been the focus for Agustin Tirante. she finished 9th! Northeast Am appearance, Daly II the nation with a 19-0 start, while The San Antonio Spurs’ impres- top prospects like Fernando Mendo- Alexander Zverev and Marcelo Sources: ESPN , Personal Library, won the Southern Amateur, earned Vanderbilt also enjoyed a surprise sive 11-game winning streak was za, with teams actively evaluating tal- Melo won the doubles in Acapulco Google, MSN Sports, On-Line media. By Alex Alvarez Professional Team Sports record. The top five remained the while Cleveland Cavaliers and first team to reach 40 wins this sea- on his no-trade list. Eastern Conference: Carolina same with New York Knicks at #4 Charlotte Hornets are 7-3 son, while the Dallas Stars set a new Jack Hughes and brother Quinn Hurricanes 82 points, Tampa Bay NBA NEWS AND STANDINGS and Boston Celtics at #5. Western Conference: Oklahoma franchise record with their ninth Hughes returned to NHL action Lighting 80 points, Buffalo Sabres Basketball made it to the month Cleveland Cavaliers jumped up City Thunder 47-15; San Atonio consecutive win. Trade deadline immediately, following media ap- and Detroit Red Wings 76 points, of March and by last Wednesday, one spot to #6 and Minnesota Tim- Spurts 43-17; Houston Rockets action is heating up, with the Oil- pearances on “The Tonight Show” Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Ca- the season was 75% complete. and berwolves jumped up two spots to 38-22; Minnesota Timberwolves ers acquiring defenseman Connor and a visit to the White House. Jack nadiens and New York Islanders 75 teams on the top will be playing #7. Meanwhile Denver Nuggets 38-23, Denver Nuggets 38-24; Los Murphy from the Blackhawks. Hughes, who scored the winning points, Boston Bruins 71 points hard not to fall in the standings. fell 2 spots to #8 and the Houston Angeles Lakers 36-24. San Antonio The 2026 NHL trade deadline is goal in overtime, has been praised Western Conference: Colora- Meanwhile, there are new power Rockets fell one spot top #9. Spurs is 9-1 in the last 10 games, Friday, March 6, with intense focus for his performance both on the ice do Avalanche 89-points, Dallas 83 rankings and games stats that are The Conference standings are as and Oklahoma, Houston and Min- on teams looking for depth. The and on social media, where his fol- points, Minnesota Wild 80-points, interesting. First, in interconfer- follows (no changes in the top six): nesota are 7-3. Edmonton Oilers strengthened lowers increased by 60%. Vegas Golden Knights 70-points, ence games, the West beat the East Eastern Conference: Detroit Pis- their defense by acquiring Connor And the same with the women’s Anaheim Ducks 69-points, Seattle 9-7. tons 45-14; Boston Celtics 41-20; NHL- Murphy from Chicago. The Min- team, who has made appearances Kraken 67-points, Utah Mamooth In the Power Rankings, San An- New York Knicks 39-22, Cleveland Now that our Hockey starts are nesota Wild are considered front- in different networks, though they and Edmonton Oilers 66-points. tonio Spurs has the highest power Cavaliers 38-24; Toronto Raptors back from the Olympics, the NHL runners for Rangers center Vin- refused an invitation to the White Sources: ESPN, MSN Sports, ranking at #1, followed by Detroit 35-25; Philadelphia 76ers 33-27. is back in full form. As of March 3, cent Trocheck, who has indicated House. Google, On-Line media sports. Pistons at #2 and Oklahoma City Both, Boston Celtics and Detroit 2026, the NHL is dominated by the a preference for East Coast teams CONFERENCE STANDINGS Thunder at #3, despite of win/loss Pistons are 8-2 in the last 10 games, Colorado Avalanche becoming the and has placed West Coast teams ARE AS FOLLOWS: Professional Individual Sports By Alex Alvarez three-shot lead over Colombian one. Meanwhile, playing a group ter, and the subsequent double bo- and Autin Smotherman, who had Nico Echavarria, leading at 19 un- ahead, Nico Echavarria made bird- gey gave Nico a two-shot lead going the first day’s lead with a 62. Ricky DP WORLD TOUR: INVESTEC PGA TOUR: COGNIZANT der par to Nico’s 16 under par. After ie on the tough par-3 #17 while into the Par-5 #18. Nico made par Castillo (-13), and in a tie for 6th SOUTHAFRICAN OPEN CLASSIC (FORMERLY a solid par on #15, Shane seemed to Shane was watching from the tee as well as Shane 15 minutes later, Nicolai Hojgaard, William Mouw Casey Jarvis continued his great HONDA CLASSIC) have solidified his lead, but a bad to tie for the lead. What happened giving Nico his third PGA Tour and Keith Mitchel (-11), and next play with a 3-undr par 67, won Jack Nicklaus “Bear-Trap” of tee shot with an iron on the par-4 next was not what anyone expect- victory. Shane was the local favorite was Brooks Koepka in a tie for 9th the championship at 14 under par, holes 15-17 proved to be the differ- #16, proved to be the beginning of ed from the man who has won an as he lives in the area and is a mem- (his first top 10 since coming back three ahead of Hennie Du Plessis, ence between winning and a very a downslide. Shane missed the fair- Open Championship (AKA British ber at the host club, PGA Nation- from LIV) with three others at 10 Frederick Lacroix and Francesco tough loss for local Irishman, in- way by 30 yards from the right edge Open), and who has been a hero in al, Champion Course in the Palm under par. Laportga. Eddie Peperell had a solo ternational star Shane Lowry. With and finished the hole with a double the Rydr Cup. Again, his iron shot, Beaches. Coming up: Arnold Palmer Invi- five holes to go, Shane enjoyed a bogey, and his lead shrank to only went too far right and into the wa- Toed for 2nd were Taylor Moore tational, Orlando Florida See INDIVIDUAL page 9