Richard Boeckman

The Barton County Commission and USD 428 Board of Education have regularly scheduled meetings Monday with questions and rumors swirling about both current and former leadership.

Barton County Commissioners meet a 9:00 a.m. Monday for a light agenda that doesn’t include any discussion of a reported Kansas Bureau of Investigation that concerns former Administrator and Counselor Richard Boeckman.

The story was first reported by Mary Clarkin of the Hutchinson News last week that the KBI initiated its case on October 27th at the request of Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir. That was confirmed by KBI Communications Director Melissa Underwood who says the case is ongoing. Boeckman resigned at the request of Commissioners in October after reaching a $27,500 buyout settlement.

The 428 School Board meets later today at 5:00 p.m. with questions swirling about the status of Superintendent Brad Reed. The Board had two special meetings last week on Monday and Thursday where they went into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel issues. The board spent 90 minutes in executive session Monday, but only used 20 minutes Thursday. Reed did not participate in Monday’s meeting and after an attorney talked with Reed, the Superintendent left. Reed was not present for Thursday’s special meeting.

Eagle Radio news reporter Cole Reif asked the board after the meeting Thursday if Reed was still employed by the District or if he had been at work during the week. Board members including President Joyce Carter did not respond saying that they could not comment on personnel issues.

An executive session is scheduled for today’s meeting that begins at 5:00 p.m at the District Education Office on Patton Road.

A’viands is seeking a Cooks and Cook Supervisors to work at the Larned State Hospital located in Larned, KS. $11.00 pr hour. Qualified applicants must 18 years old and pass a pre-employment background check. Training will be provided.

Apply online today at www.passion4foodservice.com or by calling 1-855-436-6373.

Stop by the Kansas Workforce Center located at 1025 Main Street in Great Bend on Monday December 12th from 1pm to 5pm to learn more.

RK TEAM RECORD PTS
1 Villanova (56) 10-0 1,613
2 UCLA (3) 10-0 1,505
3 Kansas 9-1 1,455
4 Baylor (6) 8-0 1,439
5 Duke 10-1 1,391
6 Kentucky 9-1 1,277
7 North Carolina 10-1 1,222
8 Gonzaga 10-0 1,195
9 Indiana 8-1 1,124
10 Creighton 10-0 1,043
11 Louisville 9-1 981
12 West Virginia 8-1 864
13 Virginia 8-1 848
14 Wisconsin 9-2 779
15 Purdue 8-2 652
16 South Carolina 8-0 598
17 Xavier 8-2 526
18 Butler 9-1 492
19 Arizona 8-2 436
20 Saint Mary’s 7-1 391
21 Notre Dame 9-1 310
22 Oregon 8-2 251
23 Florida State 10-1 227
24 USC 9-0 158
25 Cincinnati 7-2 155
Others receiving votes: Florida 44, Wichita St 33, Virginia Tech 32, Maryland 31, Valparaiso 9, TCU 8, Middle Tennessee 7, Miami 6, Minnesota 6, Kansas State 4, UCF 2, Syracuse 2, Ohio State 2, Pittsburgh 2, Michigan State 2, Iowa State 1, Clemson 1, Loyola (CHI) 1

Several years ago USD 428 began a project to streamline the district’s English Language Arts program. The goal was to come up with one curriculum that could be used in all elementary school’s at all levels. The project is getting close to completion. This week the K-6 ELA committee will meet to decide on one ELA curriculum. John Popp is the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Human Resources for USD 428.

Popp is excited to see the culmination of 1 ½ years of work, a semester of an intensive pilot that involved fourteen teachers, all the instructional coaches, and hours of professional development.

It’s anticipated that the final curriculum that is decided upon will be presented to the board in March for approval.

Messerschmidt- photo Sedgwick Co.

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment Wednesday charging a Wichita woman with bank robbery, according to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

Christina A. Messerschmidt, 25, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of bank robbery. The indictment alleges that on Dec. 16, 2016, Messerschmidt robbed Intrust Bank at 1544 S. Webb in Wichita. Court documents allege she gave a teller a note written on a deposit slip saying, “Give me $1,000 or I will shoot you.” She told the teller, “If you push it, I’ll do it.”

Bank employees told police they recognized the woman as a customer who had opened an account in November and they provided police with her address, leading to her arrest.

If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI and the Wichita Police investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.

staffordecodevo.com

Stafford County residents may notice an increase in new housing construction after Stafford County Economic Development was awarded a $100,000 Moderate Income Housing grant through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation.

This grant will provide $25,000 down-payment assistance for four individuals or families to construct a new house. Buyers will have the option to choose between three house plans that range from 1,098 sq. ft. to 1,250 and cost $170,000 to construct. Each plan includes three bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on the main level and an unfinished basement with roughed in plumbing and two egress windows that would allow two more bedrooms to be finished in.

“Getting financing for new housing construction in rural towns is often a challenge for a number of reasons,” said Carolyn Dunn, Executive Director for Stafford County Economic Development. “With this program in place, we can jump-start new construction and make it easier for families to own a home they can be proud of.”

The buyer will have choices in colors and finishes for the inside and outside of the home. Construction will be on vacant lots within Stafford County towns. Re-developing existing lots helps revitalize towns and uses existing utility infrastructure, thereby keeping costs lower. The buyer must live in the home for five years or pay back the $25,000 on a pro-rated basis.

How it works:
Buyers must provide documentation of pre-approval from their bank to finance a $145,000 purchase. A lot must be identified and ownership transferred to Stafford EcoDevo. Several citizens in each town have pledged to donate lots if there are buyers that are willing to commit to construction. Once these documents are in hand, buyer will provide $5,000 in earnest money and sign a purchase contract. EcoDevo will be responsible for payments to the contractor during the construction process. Once the house is complete, the buyer will purchase the house and the $25,000 will be provided at closing toward the purchase price.

If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn Dunn at (620) 549-3527 or cdunn@staffordecodevo.com

Due to impending bad weather, the Hoisington Chamber board has decided to postpone the Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet until Saturday, January 28th.

If you are unable to attend the banquet on the 28th and you have already RSVP’d or paidcall the Chamber to arrange a full refund.

This does mean that that the Chamber is re-opening the time for RSVP’s until Monday, January 23rd for people who may have wanted to come but couldn’t for some reason this weekend.

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH (11-5) at KANSAS CITY (12-4)

Sunday, 7:20 p.m. CST, NBC

OPENING LINE — Chiefs by 2

RECORD VS. SPREAD — Steelers 10-7, Chiefs 9-6-1

SERIES RECORD — Steelers lead 21-11

LAST MEETING — Steelers beat Chiefs 43-14, Oct. 2, 2016

LAST WEEK — Steelers beat Dolphins 30-12; Chiefs had bye, beat Chargers 37-27 in season finale

AP PRO32 RANKING — Steelers No. 5, Chiefs No. 3

STEELERS OFFENSE — OVERALL (17), RUSH (14), PASS (T5)

STEELERS DEFENSE — OVERALL (12), RUSH (13), PASS (19)

CHIEFS OFFENSE — OVERALL (20), RUSH (15), PASS (19)

CHIEFS DEFENSE — OVERALL (24), RUSH (26), PASS (16)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — The game was scheduled to kickoff at 1:05 p.m. EDT, but was changed to a night game because of an expected ice storm. … Second postseason meeting after Chiefs beat Steelers 27-24 in wild-card round Jan. 8, 1994. Chiefs have not won home playoff game since. … Steelers and Chiefs have combined to lose once since Nov. 20. … Steelers scored franchise record 22 first-quarter points in win over Chiefs in October. … Steelers won four straight divisional playoff games before losing at Denver last year. … RB Le’Veon Bell set Pittsburgh playoff record with 167 yards rushing in win over Miami last Sunday. … Bell ran for 144 yards vs. Kansas City in October in first game after three-game suspension for violating NFL’s substance abuse policy. … Pittsburgh defense had five sacks against Dolphins, matching Heinz Field record. … Steelers All-Pro WR Antonio Brown had five catches for 124 yards receiving and two TDs vs. Dolphins. … Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley was Chiefs head coach last time Kansas City hosted playoff game in January 2011. … QB Ben Roethlisberger will tie Mel Blount and Terry Bradshaw (19) for most playoff games in Steelers history. … Roethlisberger needs eight completions to pass Donovan McNabb (341) for seventh most in NFL playoff history. He needs 22 to pass John Elway (355) for sixth. … Roethlisberger threw five TD passes to four different targets against Chiefs in October. … LB James Harrison needs 1 1/2 sacks to pass LaMarr Woodley (11) for most in Pittsburgh playoff history since sacks became official in 1982. … Chiefs have lost four straight home playoff games, three in divisional round. … Kansas City has lost four of last five to Pittsburgh. … Chiefs coach Andy Reid has 11 playoff wins, second to Patriots’ Bill Belichick (23) among active head coaches. … Chiefs All-Pro CB Marcus Peters had six interceptions, one behind Chargers’ Casey Hayward for NFL lead. Peters has 14 picks in 31 career games. … Chiefs’ Travis Kelce led all TEs with 1,125 yards receiving this season. … Kansas City S Eric Berry had two interception returns for TDs this season, giving him five for career. … QB Alex Smith averaged 262 yards passing in five playoff games, three with Kansas City. He’s thrown 11 TD passes against one interception. … Chiefs had plus-16 turnover differential this season, tied for NFL lead. … Kansas City went 22-4 over last 26 regular-season games, best record in league during that span. … Chiefs K Cairo Santos was 31 of 36 on FG attempts, kicking winners against Carolina and Denver. … Fantasy Tip: Chiefs rookie WR Tyreek Hill has 10 TDs since Week 10, most in NFL over that span, and made All-Pro team has punt returner.

bartonsports.com

The No. 19 Barton Community College Wrestling team nearly pulled off a top ten upset Friday in their opening match of the Midwest Duals in Kearney, Nebraska, before going 3-1 in the remaining matches of the one day event.   Overall the Cougars outscored their five opponents 127-99 mixing in a victory over the No. 17 ranked team with their other loss coming to a No. 32 ranked NAIA level opponent to bring their season dual record to 4-6.

Surrendering the opening 125 division for each of the five matches, the Cougars’ battled back from their six point deficit to No. 9 Iowa Western Community College drawing to within one point through four matches.  The teams trading victories their rest of the way with the Cougars coming out on the short end of a 24-21 upset bid.

In the next match against the Air Force Prep Academy, the Cougars rallied from behind twice before seizing the match dominating the final three matchups to earn a 29-15 win.  The Cougars then faced No. 17 North Iowa Area Community College and after a double-forfeit in the opening 125 and receiving a forfeit win in the 133, never trailed in the match in going on for a 24-15 victory.

The day took a different turn in the ensuing match as Barton took it on the chin to NAIA division No. 32 ranked Doane University 36-12.  The Cougars rebounded though in their final match giving up just three competitive points in the nine matches for a dominating 41-9 win over Northeastern Junior College.

Five Cougars finished the day with 4-1 records led by No. 8 ranked Brix Brickey anchoring the Barton lineup.  Brickey began his day in the 285 division with a pin of Iowa Western’s No. 7 ranked Stephen Boone in 2:02 with his lone blemish on the day coming in a 3-2 loss to North Iowa’s No. 3 ranked Mario Pena.

Devon Baker rolled through the 184 division with three falls having his lone loss coming against an NAIA opponent as was Sean Taborsky’s lone 149 pound loss also coming in his match versus Doane.  Jaden McRoberts, who began his day with an 18-0 tech fall against Iowa Western, took his lone 141 division loss in the match against No. 17 North Iowa before earning a quick thirty-two second pin against No. 32 Doane and a forfeit win in his final match.  Kendall Biddle’s lone loss came against Air Force as the 165 pound Winfield freshman battled to three tough victories wrapping up his day with a 14-5 major decision.

Complete results of each of the Cougars’ five matches can be found at www.BartonSports.com.

The Cougars will have short rest before their next competitive action as Barton hosts its lone home event of the season coming Tuesday in the Cougar Duals.  Barton will take on Pratt Community College at 4:00 p.m. followed by duals with nationally receiving votes Labette Community College and No. 16 ranked Northwest Kansas Technical College.  Simultaneously the lineup of matches will have Labette versus Northwest Tech, Pratt taking on Northwest Tech, and concluding with Pratt versus Labette.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP — Manu Lecomte scored 26 points after battling early foul trouble, Ish Wainright and Al Freeman had key baskets down the stretch and top-ranked Baylor outlasted No. 25 Kansas State 77-68 on Saturday.

Wainright and Freeman had 15 points apiece for the Bears (15-1, 3-1 Big 12), who bounced back from a lopsided loss at No. 10 West Virginia in their first game as the nation’s No. 1 team to deal the Wildcats (13-4, 2-3) another close, disheartening conference defeat.

Johnathan Motley was held to seven points and nine rebounds before fouling out with 4:34 left and the Bears leading 62-55. But they managed to hang on down the stretch without their most dependable player.

D.J. Johnson scored 20 points for Kansas State, including two free throws that got the Wildcats within five with just over four minutes to go. But the Wildcats were unable to make key stops the rest of the way, and the trio of Wainwright, Freeman and Lecomte seemed to will the Bears to victory.

Freeman scored with just over three minutes left to make it 66-58, and Wainwright threw down a putback with about two minutes remaining that gave the Bears a 68-60 advantage.

Kamau Stokes made a pair of foul shots moments later to give Kansas State a chance, but Lecomte’s floater made it 70-62 with 1:35 left, and the Bears held on from there.

Barry Brown finished with 13 points, Xavier Sneed added 12 and Stokes had 10 for the Wildcats, while Dean Wade was held to five points and two rebounds in 35 minutes.

BIG PICTURE

Baylor answered a lot of critics after its ugly showing in Morgantown by beating the Wildcats on the road. The Bears have won six of their last seven against Kansas State.

Kansas State has lost three of its last four games, including a last-second loss at No. 2 Kansas and a loss at Texas Tech where the Wildcats also led late. Those defeats coupled with a weak nonconference schedule could haunt the Wildcats when the NCAA Tournament field is set.

UP NEXT

Baylor heads home to face Texas on Tuesday night.

Kansas State heads to Oklahoma State on Wednesday night.

The Kansas City Royals are coming to 1590 KVGB this spring!

To celebrate the 2017 Royals FanFest, presented by Commerce Bank, 1590 KVGB and the Royals are going to send one lucky KVGB listener and three of their friends or family to Kansas City for FanFest!   The event will feature autograph sessions with current and former Royals, interactive games for fans of all ages, main stage programming and more!

• THE PRIZE
  (4) four all-day FanFest passes for Friday, January 27th and Saturday, January 28th
• (1) one Hotel room in downtown Kansas City, within walking distance to FanFest, for Friday night, January 27th.
• (1) one $100 Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue Gift Card

Contest Rules:

1. One Entry Per Person
2. Must Be 18 to Enter
3. Must Be a Kansas Resident
4. Winner will be drawn at random at 12:00 PM on Friday, January 20th, 2017

The city of Pratt announced this week that they would assist residents in removing their downed tree limbs that were the result of the weekend ice storm. This summer the city of Hays removed tons of limbs that came down during a wicked thunderstorm that hit that city.

In Great Bend, branches that fell in yards this past weekend, remain the responsibility of the property owner according to City Sanitarian Tom Holmes.

Tom Holmes Audio

Holmes says the policy of the city to not assist in tree limb removal remains unchanged. Holmes says unlike Hays and Pratt, the city does not operate its own trash service which means they do not have the equipment or manpower that it would take to tackle such a large project.

Tom Holmes Audio

Holmes did say that his department would give residents some extra time to clean up from the ice storm that downed thousands of tree branches throughout the city. However, if those limbs remain in yards for an extended period of time, those residents can expect to be receiving a letter from his department with a notice that they must be removed in a timely matter.

ELLIS COUNTY -The Hays Police Department has cancelled the missing person report for Mary Jenkins.

According to a press release from the Hays Police Chief Don Schiebler, Jenkins is no longer considered a missing person.

Jenkins has been in contact with her family, according to the release and is no longer considered in danger.

ELLIS COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a woman reported missing over the weekend in Hays.

The Hays Police Department shared a missing person poster on their Facebook page Sunday evening asking for assistance in locating Mary Jenkins.

She was in Hays for her grandmother’s funeral and was last seen Saturday morning at 4 a.m. when she was apparently take to her hotel room, according to police.

Jenkins has blonde hair and blue eyes and is 5’3” tall and weighs 104 pounds.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the Hays PD at 785-625-1030.

Girls

Hilltop Classic @ Barton
TBA

Pratt Tournament
Larned vs Pratt

Boys and Girls Varsity
Hoisington @ Chapman
Ellinwood @ Lyons
Otis-Bison @ Sylvan
Lacrosse @ Victoria
Chase @ Pike Valley
Minneapolis @ Russell
Dodge City @ Hays
Liberal @ Hugoton
Ellsworth @ S.E. Saline
Abilene @ TMP
Pratt @ Macksville (Boys only)

12A-5A Coast to Coast with George Noory

5A-6A “America in the Morning”

6A-7A “This Morning, America’s First News,” with Gordon Deal

7A-9A Early Morning Show with Dakota Tucker – News – Sports –Obits, Entertainment

8:30-9A “K-State Research and Extension Show” Three Shows in One
Plantorama: “Ice Damaged Trees”
Sound Living: “Promoting a Health Lifestyle”
Out Bound Kansas: “Hunting and Camping in Kansas”

9A-10A Trading Post with John O’Connor

10A-11A Agri-Talk with Mike Adams – The Friday Free for All.

11A-12P Health Insurance Advocate Show

12P-12:25 KVGB Noon Report – News, Sports, Weather, and other info.

12:25-1P “Sports Day” with Steve Webster and Cole Reif

1P-4P Dave Ramsey Show

4P-5P “Market Rally” hosted by Chip Flory

5P-6P KVGB 5pm Report – News, Sports, Weather, and other info

6P-8P ESPN Radio – “Jalen & Jacoby”

8P-10P ESPN Radio – “Izzy & Spain”

10P-MID ESPN Radio – “Freddie & Fitz”

Several years ago USD 428 began a project to streamline the district’s English Language Arts program. The goal was to come up with one curriculum that could be used in all elementary school’s at all levels. The project is getting close to completion. This week the K-6 ELA committee will meet to decide on one ELA curriculum. John Popp is the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Human Resources for USD 428.

Popp is excited to see the culmination of 1 ½ years of work, a semester of an intensive pilot that involved fourteen teachers, all the instructional coaches, and hours of professional development.

It’s anticipated that the final curriculum that is decided upon will be presented to the board in March for approval.

Western Athletic Conference
Great Bend @ Derby
Dodge City @ Garden City
Hays @ Salina South

Central Kansas League
Hoisington @ Smoky Valley
Larned @ Nickerson
Hesston @ Haven
Pratt @ Kingman
Halstead @ Lyons
Hillsboro @ Council Grove

Central Prairie League
Otis-Bison @ Central Plains
Victoria @ Ellinwood
Norwich @ St. John
Lacrosse @ Macksville
Ness City @ Hill City
South Central @ Kinsley

Other area games
Russell @ Ellsworth
Chase @ Central Christian

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Jevon Carter was pretty excited to exact revenge against Kansas State.

“Revenge was a factor,” he said. “That’s what the Big 12’s all about. You get to play everybody twice. If you lose, you get a chance at redemption.”

His 19 points and nine rebounds led No. 13 West Virginia in a foul-plagued 85-66 victory over the Wildcats on Saturday.

West Virginia (20-5, 8-4) struggled at the start making two of its first eight shots over the first 4 minutes. James “Beetle” Bolden then led the Mountaineers on a 12-1 scoring run to take the lead.

Kansas State rallied to tie the game at 34 at halftime.

After a 3-pointer by Xavier Sneed early in the second half, the Wildcats (16-9, 5-7) went on a cold snap from the field that lasted over 6 minutes. West Virginia capitalized and held a 13-point lead midway through the second half.

Kansas State never recovered.

Fouls dominated the game, as 54 were called throughout the game although no player fouled out.

“The reason officials don’t come in and do a press conference like the coaches do is because they are independent contractors,” West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins said. “I think it would be a great move on the NCAA’s part to bring them in house.”

Nathan Adrian added 11 points for West Virginia and Bolden finished with nine.

Wesley Iwundu led five Wildcats in double figures with 14 points.

“We didn’t always make the right pass,” Kansas State head coach Bruce Weber said. “We didn’t always make the right play, and we missed open shots. The way they play, you have to jump up and make open shots. We had open shots and just didn’t make them.”

DJ Johnson did not play for Kansas State due to an ankle injury suffered late in their loss to No. 3 Kansas on Monday.

BIG PICTURE

The NCAA Tournament selection committee announced that West Virginia was the 14th overall seed in their bracket preview. The Mountaineers would be a 4 seed in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament if the season ended today. The SAP Center in San Jose, California is hosting the West Region on March 23 and 25.

BURSTING THE BUBBLE

Kansas State does not have any more games against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25 remaining on their schedule. With tough games against Iowa State, Oklahoma State and TCU looming, it is unlikely the Wildcats can escape the bubble before the Big 12 Tournament in March.

“It’s disappointing,” Weber said, “but you have to get ready for the next one.”

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Along with their lackluster win at Oklahoma on Wednesday, expect West Virginia to possibly enter the top 10 when the AP Poll is released Monday.

UP NEXT

Kansas State hosts Iowa State on Wednesday night.

West Virginia travels to take on No. 3 Kansas on Monday night.

WACO, Texas (AP) — No. 3 Kansas never seems to be too far behind to rally for victories.

After another comeback victory against a fellow top-10 team, the Jayhawks are probably too far ahead in the standings for anyone to keep them from winning their 13th consecutive Big 12 title.

Landen Lucas made two free throws with 11 seconds left, and Kansas didn’t allow No. 4 Baylor to get the ball to Johnathan Motley on the final possession, as the Jayhawks grabbed a stranglehold on the Big 12 race with a 67-65 victory Saturday.

“As far as a mental toughness team, I would take this team and go to the house and let it ride however it goes,” Kansas coach Bill Self said.

Five days after overcoming a 14-point deficit in the final 2:43 of regulation and then winning in overtime at home against No. 9 West Virginia, the Jayhawks had to come back from six points down in the final 3½ minutes this time.

“We were down by more than that last game,” said Frank Mason III, who led Kansas with 23 points. “We just showed toughness and leadership as far as the older guys, and I think the younger guys did a great job of following.”

The Jayhawks (24-3, 12-2) have a three-game lead in the Big 12 with four games to play. With one more win, Kansas will match the UCLA teams of the 1960s and ’70s by winning 13 consecutive conference championships, though Self still isn’t ready to talk about that.

“Well, we put ourselves in a great position,” Self said. “We’re not going to take it for granted. … Certainly with a different outcome, you’re up one [game] with four to play, so I’m really proud of our guys and how hard they compete.”

Lucas was fouled after his offensive rebound of Devonte Graham’s miss.

Baylor (22-5, 9-5) had one more chance, but after being unable to get the ball inside, Manu Lecomte missed on a last-ditch shot he took surrounded by defenders.

“There was no way we could get it,” said Motley, who was surrounded by Landen and Josh Jackson.

Motley had 19 points for Baylor, which has lost four of its last six games. Lecomte had 16 and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. 11.

The Bears led 65-59 after King McClure made two free throws with 3:34 left. But they didn’t score again.

Jackson, who had 16 points, then had a layup and a one-handed windmill slam. Graham’s two free throws with 2:16 tied the game and were the last points before Lucas, who had missed his only two attempts earlier in the game, went to the line.

“I actually was very confident. I thought he’d make them. I did,” Self said. “I think he was confident too. … I’m not even sure they were close early, but these were pure and I don’t think there was much doubt.”

BIG PICTURE

Kansas: Being behind was no problem for the Jayhawks, who for the second time this season have won consecutive games over top-10 teams. With the conference title in reach, the next three games are against teams in the lower half of the Big 12 standings. Kansas has won 10 in a row against Baylor, though the last four were decided by six points or less.

Baylor: Not too long ago, Baylor was considered a potential No. 1 seed for the NCAA tournament. But the Bears now need to focus on getting back on track for March instead of chasing a Big 12 title. “We all want a conference championship, but I think everybody on our team definitely would rather have an NCAA Final Four or championship more,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “So that’s what we’ve got to gear for and get ready for and look forward to that opportunity.”

LONG TIME BEHIND

In a raucous Ferrell Center, with all the Baylor fans wearing neon yellow highlighter-colored T-shirts, Kansas never led until Mason’s jumper with 10:56 left made it 49-47. That was part of an 11-0 run before the Jayhawks went nearly 6½ minutes without a field goal while Baylor scored nine points in a row.

DOWN TO HALF-DOZEN

The Bears led by 12 before Mason and Jackson hit 3s in the final 38 seconds of the first half. “If it’s at 12, they have total control and momentum, but we kind of got a little bit of that back with those two plays,” Self said.

UP NEXT

Kansas: Home against TCU on Wednesday night.

Baylor: Home against Oklahoma on Tuesday night.

THOMAS COUNTY— Three Colby High School students have been confirmed with cases of mumps.

Thomas County Health Department administrator Emily Strange says the Thomas County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirmed the first case Monday.

Read the note to parents. USD 315 Mumps Information

Strange says the departments are working to find where the students contracted the illness.

Five cases were reported in Crawford County earlier this month. and a possible case was also reported last week at Great Bend High School.

The most common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite and swollen and tender salivary glands.  These glands are located under the ears.  The swelling may be on one side or both sides.  Some people who get the mumps have very mild or no symptoms and may not know they have the disease.