In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Stephon Castle and the San Antonio Spurs lost 105-95 to the New York Knicks because they were unable to defend their home court. Despite having home court advantage, the Spurs were outplayed by the more experienced Knicks squad. Some fans started to panic as the Spurs fell to a 1-0 lead in the series.However, Castle’s mother, Quannette Castle, doesn’t want fans to lose control and get frustrated after just one loss. On X, she reminded the fans that the Spurs also lost Game 1 of the second-round of the postseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves. San Antonio was able to bounce back and win the series after six games.Stephon Castle’s mother shared the supporters’ desire to win every game. But she did suggest that they take the series one game at a time, just like most players do.“I want to win every GAME too.. but stop jumping ship after one game. I’m sure we remember game one against Minnesota.. we had some very important people in the basketball community immediately jump ship.. we know how that worked out.. let’s not do that.. please.. Geesh,” she posted on X.“We got this true spurs fans… WE must play better and we will! GSG️️”I want to win every GAME too.. but stop jumping ship after one game. I’m sure we remember game one against Minnesota.. we had some very important people in the basketball community immediately jump ship.. we know how that worked out.. let’s not do that.. please..GeeshWe got…— MOMMA CASTLE (@quancas) June 4, 2026Castle had a somewhat productive game with 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists on 43.8% shooting. He struggled to make 3-pointers and shot 1-for-5 from deep.Stephon Castle Addressed His Defensive Approach on Jalen BrunsonMay 15, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half during game six of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn ImagesStephon Castle has been the Spurs’ best perimeter defender this postseason. In the earlier rounds, Castle was tasked to guard the opposing team’s best players. For the NBA Finals, nothing changed, and he will defend the Knicks’ best player, Jalen Brunson.Ahead of Game 1, the former UConn star discussed his approach in guarding Brunson by comparing how he defended Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder.“The biggest thing I’ll have to take away from that series and moving on to this one is probably my discipline, especially guarding the ball one-on-one,” Castle said.Stephon Castle:"Probably my discipline especially guarding the ball 1 on 1. Shai used a lot of deception and pump fakes, sweep throughs and trying to keep him off the free throw line is tough at times but I think Brunson being a smaller guard is probably gonna be amplified a… pic.twitter.com/uNx1MoaShq— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) June 3, 2026“Shai uses a lot of deception and pump fakes, sweep throughs and trying to keep him off the free throw line is tough at times but I think Brunson being a smaller guard is probably gonna be amplified a lot more. Just trying to keep him off his spots as much as I can.”Castle said that the Spurs need to stay disciplined, not to allow Brunson to dribble his way to his spots and fall for his pump fakes.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2025/26 season (Darren Staples)Manchester City are considering legal action after Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme said he would sign superstar forward Erling Haaland if elected.Riquelme made the announcement on Spanish television on Wednesday, holding up a Real shirt bearing Haaland's name and the number nine.The presidential hopeful also said he would move for Spain international Rodri, who still has a year remaining on his contract with City."Rodri plays in a position Real Madrid need and he fits the profile. If I become president, he will play for Real Madrid," Riquelme said on Antena 3."With Rodri, he is under contract and we must respect Manchester City. We would sit down to talk with the club and his representatives as early as next Monday," added the renewable energy entrepreneur."As for Haaland, it is a different situation. He has a release clause and would like to join Real Madrid," Riquelme said.City issued a strong response to the comments about Haaland on Thursday."The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue," said a club spokesman."There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it. We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context."Haaland joined City in 2022 and signed a new nine-and-a-half-year contract in January 2025.The 25-year-old Norwegian has been a prolific goalscorer since his arrival at the Etihad, winning the Premier League twice and the Champions League.Haaland won the League Cup and FA Cup this season, also picking up the Premier League Golden Boot with 27 goals.The Real Madrid election takes place on Sunday.Riquelme, a successful businessman, is challenging Florentino Perez, who has been president since 2009.The 79-year-old was first elected Real Madrid president in 2000, overseeing the club's Galactico era before resigning in 2006 but returned three years later. jw/pi

The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods you’d totally do a movie Marathon with: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, Kung_Fu_Zizou (AKA KFZ), Juninho, Ezek and, of course… yours truly.Hmm…Curious, but let’s see what happens post-election. It just… seems unlikely at this point, or at least all three starting seems unlikely.🚨 Florentino Pérez: “Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Vini Jr. will STAY at Real Madrid”.“They are players that every big club in the world would want”. pic.twitter.com/TSg7Wui1no— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 3, 2026I Mean, I See Where He’s Coming From🚨 BREAKING: Jose Mourinho is NOT convinced by Alvaro Carreras.He knows what Carreras is like from Benfica, and with what Alvaro Arbeloa has told him. He wants a left-back who can compete with or is BETTER than Carreras. @latigoserranopic.twitter.com/pduDpo4AEQ— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 3, 2026Flo Playing FM at This PointI gotta say; Perez didn’t like last season and it shows. Yes, Neves is good. Yeah, he’s likely a fit. Let’s explore what options we have anyways. ANd maybe hear what Mou has to say on the 6 (or orchestrator 8) position.🚨 JUST IN: Florentino Perez believes that Joao Neves is THE MISSING PIECE for Real Madrid's midfield.Joao is Florentino's absolute FAVORITE, and he's ready to make BIG sacrifices in the team to get him. @AlbertoPereiropic.twitter.com/AhHC3mBk0T— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 3, 2026

A rural area off Highway 14 just north of the small town of Moorcroft, in eastern Wyoming They were pillars of their church, congregants in a little-known denomination that sets itself apart from the world and teaches that even the most unconscionable acts can be wiped away — not just forgiven, but forgotten and never spoken of again. So it went in a rural Wyoming church, where a man was accused of sexually abusing young girls hundreds of times in the pews during Sunday services. Though the preacher knew of the abuse, he never reported it to police, local prosecutors said. Instead, he told the man to seek therapy. In Minnesota, a man from the same faith admitted that he began entering the bedrooms of his daughter and son at night around the time each of them turned 12. He and his siblings grew up in the church and were sexually abused themselves, and then he repeated the abuse with his own children. And in Washington state, preachers knew a member of their congregation had sexually abused several young boys. Instead of reporting him to police, they allowed him to ask for forgiveness, according to a family member, and he continued to sexually abuse children. He was later found guilty of raping the 9-year-old son of a church member and sentenced to life in prison. The abusers and victims all belonged to the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, or the OALC, a Scandinavian-rooted revivalist church that teaches its followers that heaven is reserved just for them. To get there, according to current and former members, they must follow a strict doctrine, which emphasizes asking for forgiveness for their sins and says that being forgiven by a fellow church member washes away those sins. What’s more, the church teaches that once a perpetrator is forgiven, anyone who speaks about the wrongdoing — including the victim — can be accused of harboring an unforgiving heart. Those who have left the church, as well as some who are still with it, say this means the burden of sin shifts from the person who committed the act to the person who refuses to let the matter rest. Sexual abuse survivors say these rituals have created a culture where allegations of abuse are resolved outside of the criminal justice system and the victims must bear their pain alone or risk going to hell. In some families, sexual abuse stretches across generations, ensnaring a parent, child and grandchild. “This is what I would call institutionalism of abuse of young women and children,” said DaNece Day, the prosecuting attorney for Crook County in Wyoming, whose office has charged two OALC members in the past two years. In Wyoming, Crook County Attorney DaNece Day’s office has brought charges against members of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church. Day and other prosecutors said one of the biggest obstacles to breaking the cycle is the way church members move among congregations spread across the U.S. and Canada, often hundreds of miles apart but tightly bound by large, multigenerational family networks. Last fall, ProPublica and the Minnesota Star Tribune reported that preachers in Minnesota had known for years about allegations that one of its members, a man named Clint Massie, had sexually abused young girls in the congregation. But instead of reporting it to police, church leaders urged some of the victims to take part in sessions where they were brought face-to-face with Massie and encouraged to forgive the abuse. Now, new reporting by the two news organizations shows how the sexual abuse of children in the OALC, as well as the failure by church leaders to report it to authorities, is a persistent and national problem. Some current and former OALC members are calling on elders from what the church regards as its mother congregation in Sweden — where the church originated — to intervene. In fact, those elders, who don’t have authority over the American church but wield considerable influence, are coming to the U.S. and Canada this summer to meet with congregations. What they’ll find are a growing number of criminal cases against church members and increasing legal scrutiny of leaders for failing to report allegations of sexual abuse to police. In a statement, representatives from the Swedish church said the cases are isolated incidents and they didn’t “observe any pattern” among the tens of thousands of members in 34 OALC congregations in the U.S. and Canada. They said sexual abuse should be reported to authorities and that it was possible “some matters have been handled improperly or without sufficient knowledge.” And they acknowledged that church guidelines “are being reviewed with the American missionary pastors in order to ensure compliance.” Representatives of the OALC in the U.S. and Canada said in an email that they also “do not perceive there to be a general pattern of behavior,” describing sexual abuse as a serious and persistent problem across society. They acknowledged that bringing a victim to face their abuser, as a pastor for the OALC church did with Massie, can be traumatic. But they defended the church’s doctrine of forgiveness, saying it was not a means to conceal wrongdoing or to shield offenders from legal consequences, and no one is coerced to forgive or to ask for forgiveness. If those teachings had been misapplied or misunderstood in some cases, they said, it “does not reflect an error in our doctrine.” ProPublica and the Star Tribune interviewed 20 people who said they were sexually abused, almost all as children, in OALC communities, along with parents of victims as young as 3. Reporters also traveled to OALC churches around the country and reviewed court and police documents from at least eight cases, along with victims’ statements to local authorities. Their abusers were family members, other children or men who were trusted to be alone with children because they are part of the same insular faith community. Some victims spoke anonymously for fear of retribution from the church or their own families. Others identified themselves as well as their abusers publicly, unafraid of the repercussions. Many of those victims said church leaders pressured them to keep quiet. In Minnesota, police records describe a woman telling a young girl that her abuse, which began when she was around 5 or 6 years old, was not a big deal and she “needed to get over it.” In Washington state, a police report notes a woman told law enforcement that her preacher had, for “spiritual reasons,” discouraged her from contacting authorities after her daughter told her she’d been raped by three men from church. “We’re always told that what the preachers tell us, that’s coming from God,” explained one woman, who said she, too, was told not to speak of her abuse. “Who’s going to argue with that?” The Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Moorcroft Sexual abuse in the OALC has sometimes been a legacy passed from one generation to the next — hidden, quietly endured, repeated. Lorie Peldo was sexually abused for eight years by her older brother, starting when she was only 2, she said in an interview. A quarter century later, after the memories began to resurface during therapy, Peldo’s mother told her that she’d known about the abuse. But on the advice of her preacher in Battle Ground, Washington, her parents didn’t report the crimes to the police. Instead, they took her brother to a doctor, she said. Peldo said she eventually confronted her brother, who said that it had haunted him his entire life. She tried to forgive him, she said, but the weight of what he’d done did not lift. She fell into such deep despair that she tried to commit suicide. She said she ended up in a psychiatric hospital. Her brother later died; her parents are also deceased. It didn’t stop there. On a church road trip, Clint Massie — who was sentenced for child abuse in Duluth, Minnesota, last year — sexually abused Peldo’s daughter, Tonya, when she was 11 and he was a teenager, according to Tonya Peldo’s statements to law enforcement. Peldo’s case was included in the police file involving Massie, but it wasn’t charged criminally, according to a prosecutor, because the statute of limitations had run out. Massie has not responded to repeated requests for comment. Tonya Peldo told investigators from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office in Duluth that she didn’t see Massie again until some two decades later, after she moved to the city and recognized him passing out candy to kids at the church. She said she told the pastors about what he’d done to her, yet one of the preachers told her to ask Massie for forgiveness, as if she had wronged him. “I was like, ‘No. No!’” she said in an interview. It would be more than a decade before Massie was charged with sexual abuse crimes. In 2019, Tonya’s daughter was also sexually abused, making her the third generation of Peldo girls to be victims. The daughter was 14 when a 25-year-old relative, Blake Nelson, bought her a pack of cigarettes and then invited her into his trailer in Clark County, Washington, so that he could teach her how to give a massage, according to court records. Tonya Peldo, her mother and her daughter all say they were abused by members of the OALC. Nelson pleaded guilty to charges of communication with a minor for immoral purposes and fourth-degree assault in the case involving Tonya Peldo’s daughter. At his sentencing, Tonya told the judge how church leaders had tried to keep her daughter from reporting the abuse to police. Nelson’s own lawyer, Michele Michalek, said the pastors repeatedly called her law office to insist the case should be handled internally. “They think that law enforcement shouldn’t be involved,” Michalek said. A judge in Minnesota commented on the cyclical nature of abuse in 2023, when a man from an OALC family turned himself in to police after repeatedly abusing his son and daughter. At his sentencing, the judge took into account that the man and his siblings, who grew up in the church, had also been victims of child sexual abuse. She said she found it “almost incomprehensible” that the adults in his life didn’t know about the abuse he and his siblings had suffered as children. “All I can see are the ripples of consequences for you and all of your siblings, who were abused or abusers, and then for your children,” the judge said. A clipping from a 1951 newspaper showing Eija Marttinen, seen second from right and then called Tanninen, and her family after arriving in Nova Scotia from Finland, shortly before her father started the first OALC church in Canada. Courtesy of the Marttinen/Tanninen family The OALC church is a branch of a broader faith called Laestadianism, a conservative Christian revival movement that began in the mid-1800s in northern Scandinavia. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, as millions of Scandinavians migrated to the U.S., some followers of the Laestadian movement brought with them more than language, traditions and religious devotion. Alongside the faith came a deeply insular church culture shaped by strict obedience and a doctrine of forgiveness that critics and former members say enabled the concealment of wrongdoing. One of them was Eija Marttinen. A photo in a newspaper in 1951 shows Marttinen as a little girl wearing a Finnish sailor suit and braids, standing alongside 14 family members and several large suitcases. Her family had just arrived in Nova Scotia from Finland, and they would soon launch Canada’s first Old Apostolic Lutheran Church. In the photo, Marttinen is smiling brightly toward the horizon, as if spellbound by the endless possibilities of a new world. But even then, at age 9, Marttinen harbored a secret that would be the source of a lifetime of emotional pain. Now 84 and living in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, she said in an interview that her older brother sexually assaulted her starting when she was 5. Another brother soon started abusing her, too, she said. Both brothers are now dead. Years later, Marttinen said she came to learn that there were other predators in the church. She kept silent about her abuse for most of her life, fearing she would be forced to forgive and still live with the stigma if she came forward. She only told her own daughter about the extent of the abuse in recent months, after reading the ProPublica and Star Tribune stories. “They can do whatever they want and you have to forgive them. That’s not right. But you go along because you were brought up in it. “I wish I wasn’t,” she added. The Laestadian churches in Scandinavia have faced their own reckonings. From 2009 to 2011, a Finnish child welfare scholar, Johanna Hurtig, documented widespread sexual abuse cases among Finnish church members and found that the concept of forgiveness of sins had been warped into a tool to silence victims. At first, church leaders were defensive, according to news reports. But they later acknowledged “serious mistakes” in how the church handled sexual abuse, including pressuring victims to forgive offenders instead of reporting them. They urged members to report abuse to police and child welfare authorities. Several men were convicted in Finnish courts and sentenced to long prison terms. In 2017, Norwegian police documented 151 cases of rape and abuse, many with child victims, in a remote northern village of some 2,000 people. Following a newspaper investigation, the police said they tied many of the cases to members of Laestadianism, with some incidents dating to 1953. The police found the practice of forgiving and forgetting often led to abuse being considered “settled” internally, effectively silencing victims and protecting perpetrators. Moorcroft is small but home to a thriving OALC congregation. The church’s emphasis on large families has created booms in places like Minnesota, Wyoming and southern Washington. Families rely heavily on one another socially, financially and spiritually while keeping their distance from what members often call “the world” — outsiders and secular influences viewed as dangerous or corrupting. Even ordinary activities like watching TV and dancing are treated as transgressions that must be confessed. One abuse victim said she felt anxious every time she turned on her car radio, fearing that if she listened to a pop song and died in a crash before asking forgiveness, she could go to hell. Some church members hope the Swedish elders address sexual abuse during their visit, including the mother of a 15-year-old girl who revealed in May 2025 that her father had been abusing her for years. It happened both in Minnesota and after they moved to Washington, according to court records. The mother, according to child protection services reports, said she told her preacher about the abuse. Authorities did not learn of the allegations until August, when her daughter saw a therapist after weeks of her mother trying to get help through church channels, according to the reports. That visit triggered an investigation by child protection authorities in Washington, who substantiated the complaint. Prosecutors in Minnesota charged the father with criminal sexual conduct, but he hasn’t been charged in Washington. The father has asked the court for a public defender and has not yet entered a plea. He did not respond to voice and text messages seeking comment. Asked why church officials did not immediately contact law enforcement, a spokesperson for the church declined to answer, saying the case was “complex” and in authorities’ hands. However, he said that, in general, spiritual advisers need to use counselors and other professionals “to determine if there is a reasonable cause to report as dictated by law.” But the mother said it was she — not the church — who set up the therapy session. “Their job is to pick up the phone and say, ‘Hi, I’ve got some confusing, conflicting information but I’m concerned for the safety of this person,’” she said. “They don’t have to be investigators, all they need to do is tell somebody.” The mother said she plans to raise the church’s failure to notify police with elders when they visit this summer. Nonetheless, she plans to remain in the church. Asked why, she said, “Because I want to go to heaven.” An Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Brush Prairie, Washington Last summer, in the rural expanse of eastern Wyoming, Moorcroft police drove up the long dirt road leading to the OALC church, a large brick building on the edge of town with a white cross emblazoned under the eaves. The investigators were looking for records that could verify the membership of a man who several children said had abused them during services. His name was Charles Massie — the brother of Clint Massie, who had pleaded guilty to similar crimes in Minnesota months earlier. Over 10 years, authorities alleged, Charles Massie had sexually abused at least seven girls. Some of the abuse occurred at his house and some at his businesses, where young girls worked part time. But the vast majority of the abuse occurred at church, according to court documents. Investigators tallied 832 incidents where Massie sat near the girls’ parents, allegedly fondling the girls’ genitals and breasts. One victim, who told the police she was 5 or 6 years old when she was abused by Massie, said that he “raped me with his fingers.” Wyoming has charged Charles Massie with nine counts of sexual abuse and sexual battery. He is being held in jail in Nebraska, where prosecutors also have charged him in connection with sexual assaults. He has pleaded not guilty in both states. He could not be reached for comment. When investigators in Moorcroft contacted families of the victims, they learned that the families already knew about the abuse. One had learned of it three years earlier, according to charges. But according to court records, none of them had told the police. Instead, the charges say, the father of some of the victims had told their preacher, David Lindberg, about the abuse in 2024. Charles Massie would later turn himself in, but not for another year. Day, the top prosecutor in Crook County, Wyoming, said there was “no support” for victims and the church did nothing to punish Charles Massie. “There are no consequences for him,” she said. “He’s allowed to sit in church with them every Sunday, even after they’ve come forward and said, ‘This man has been hurting us.’” She said Charles Massie turned himself in to the Moorcroft police after he admitted to a mental health provider that he had abused children; the provider told him that they would report Massie if he didn’t go to police. Lindberg disputed the characterization that he did not act when Charles Massie confessed to him. “All I can say is, when I first heard about it, he came to me and he had a problem, so I told him he needs to go get therapy and turn himself in to the police,” Lindberg said. “And he did.” He referred additional questions to a church spokesperson, Troy Massie, who is a relative of Charles and Clint Massie. In written responses, Troy Massie said the church told Charles to stop attending services after he confessed to Lindberg, though he could listen to services on the phone. “We continue to improve our efforts as needed to protect all children,” he wrote. OALC Member Speaks During His Sentencing for Rape During his sentencing hearing in 2017, Carsie Tikka, who had been convicted of raping a child, lashed out at his lawyer, the judge and his accusers. Obtained by ProPublica and the Minnesota Star Tribune The Wyoming church isn’t the only one to face accusations that it failed to report abusers. In southwestern Washington in 2017, a jury convicted church member Carsie Tikka of raping a 9-year-old boy. But one woman, who was a member of the church at the time, said that years before he was charged, Tikka had assaulted her stepchildren and the leaders had done nothing to stop him. Instead, Tikka asked her family for forgiveness. After Tikka was convicted at trial, a court-ordered psychiatrist wrote in a report that Tikka had “a history of offending 29 males,” an allegation that Tikka denied in court. At his sentencing, Tikka said his conscience was clean. He said he had already “received the testimony of sins forgiven” by one of God’s disciples. “You clearly by your statement here are not remorseful,” the judge remarked before sentencing him to life in prison without parole. “You put the blame on everyone else.” Then Tikka illustrated the central problem facing prosecutors and victims alike — a powerful religious culture that prioritizes spiritual absolution over secular justice — with his final, defiant words: “My sins have been forgiven,” Tikka told the judge. “Have yours?” The post In This Church, Child Sexual Abuse Has Gone Unchecked for So Long That It Spans Generations appeared first on ProPublica.

The stars Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf talk with the show’s director, Joe Mantello, about the exhilaration of collaborating and the trap of sentimentality.

As Republicans break up majority-Black House districts, Democrats must decide whether to preserve seats concentrated in urban areas or push them into white suburbs to target G.O.P. seats.

Internal documents show how tech giants grabbed children’s attention throughout the day, a strategy that schools say has undermined education.

Ms. Bass, a Democrat, has had a roller-coaster first term. She now faces the first runoff since 2005 for an incumbent mayor in the city.

Should Sheffield United Resist Temptation to Offer Star A New Contract – OpinionJust like in the past few summers, Sheffield United have once again been linked with a move for former Blades Academy product Kyle Walker.It is a story that seems to reappear every transfer window. Walker remains one of the biggest names ever to emerge from the club’s academy, and the thought of seeing him back in red and white certainly appeals to supporters from a sentimental perspective.However, while the romance of a homecoming is easy to understand, Sheffield United need to ask themselves a simple question: does signing Kyle Walker actually make sense for the club in 2026?The Dream Return That Refuses to Go AwayAccording to reports from The Star, Sheffield United’s hopes of re-signing Walker are hanging in the balance. The former England international has spoken openly about his desire to return to Bramall Lane before he retires.Speaking on The Overlap several weeks ago, Walker admitted that playing for Sheffield United again remains a dream.“I’d like to keep playing for another few years. It’s always been a dream to play for Sheffield United again,” Walker said.“To start there at six years old and then leaving at 19; I spent so many incredible years there. I hope to play for them again. I don’t know when that will be. I don’t know if they will want me.”There is no questioning the affection Walker still has for the club. Sheffield United supporters would undoubtedly welcome back one of their own, particularly someone who has achieved so much in the game.After all, Walker’s career has been nothing short of remarkable.A Sheffield United Academy Success StoryFrom his breakthrough at Bramall Lane, he went on to establish himself as one of the finest right-backs of his generation. Premier League titles, domestic cups, Champions League success and more than 90 England caps have cemented his place among the country’s footballing elite.If Sheffield United were signing the Kyle Walker of five or six years ago, there would be no debate whatsoever. The problem is that football does not work like that.Walker is now 36 years old. While he has maintained an impressive level of fitness throughout his career, age catches up with every player eventually. Even Walker himself acknowledged that recovery takes longer than it once did.The Championship Is UnforgivingThe Championship is one of the most physically demanding leagues in world football. The relentless schedule, the intensity of the matches and the sheer number of games place enormous demands on players. It is not uncommon to see older players struggle with the workload, regardless of their pedigree.That is not to say Walker could not still contribute. His experience alone would be valuable in the dressing room, and his winning mentality would undoubtedly set standards for younger players.But Sheffield United have to think beyond sentiment and reputation.The club’s financial situation means every major decision has to be carefully considered. The days of spending significant sums on ageing stars simply because of their name value should be behind them. Sheffield United need to build sustainably, develop assets and make decisions that benefit the club both now and in the future.That brings us to the wage issue.Reports suggest Walker would need to take a substantial pay cut to make a move happen. Even then, it is difficult to imagine him coming cheaply. Players of his stature command high salaries, and while he may be willing to reduce his demands to secure a return home, he would almost certainly still be among the club’s highest earners.For a team operating in the Championship, that represents a significant commitment. Would that money be better spent elsewhere? I would argue yes. More importantly, Sheffield United already appear to have a solution at right-back.The Seriki And Brooks Duo is Worth PreservingFemi Seriki enjoyed arguably his best season in a Sheffield United shirt last campaign. After years of injuries and setbacks threatening to derail his progress, he finally showed why the club had such high hopes for him as a youngster.His pace, athleticism and attacking intent gave the Blades a real threat down the right-hand side. Perhaps even more encouraging was the partnership he developed with Andre Brooks.The pair formed one of Sheffield United’s most exciting attacking combinations. Their understanding grew throughout the season, with Brooks’ intelligent movement complementing Seriki’s ability to drive forward from deep areas.Crucially, both players are entering the prime years of their careers rather than approaching the end of them.If Sheffield United genuinely believe Seriki can continue developing into a top Championship player, then signing Walker could potentially hinder that progression. It would be difficult to justify giving significant minutes to a 36-year-old on substantial wages ahead of a player who could still improve and potentially become an important long-term asset.That is not a criticism of Walker. It is simply recognising where Sheffield United currently are as a football club.The VerdictIf Walker were available on a heavily reduced contract, willing to accept a squad role and capable of mentoring younger players without expecting to start every week, then perhaps there could be a discussion. In that scenario, the risks would be lower and the potential benefits more balanced.As a starting right-back and one of the club’s highest earners, however, it is much harder to justify.Sheffield United have spent recent years trying to create a younger, more sustainable squad. The club must continue down that path. The priority should be identifying players who can contribute immediately while also retaining value in the years ahead.Kyle Walker’s achievements deserve enormous respect, and his desire to return to Bramall Lane speaks volumes about his connection to Sheffield United. But football decisions should be based on what a player can offer now, not what they achieved in the past.For that reason, as romantic as the idea may be, Sheffield United should resist the temptation and look elsewhere this summer.

[SNS]AC Milan captain Christy Grimshaw is ready to prove herself all over again in a Scotland shirt two years on from her last cap.Midfielder Grimshaw admits she harboured doubts for her career during a 13-month lay-off with an ACL and MCL tear.As she prepares for Scotland's World Cup qualifying double-header against Israel in Hungary, Grimshaw said: "I am absolutely buzzing. I've made sure I'm ready for this moment because it's been a good few years and I've got to prove myself now."Anyone who's had a severe knee injury doubts themselves a little bit along the way, but six months in after feeling 100%, I was determined to get back into the squad at least once."I never gave up and here I am, thank God. The process was long and you have to stay mentally strong. I am here now and there's no looking back."It has changed my whole perspective. Being out for two years, I am so thankful to just be training every day and loving every minute of being back for the last six months."We are really excited, they're must-win, two games to keep ourselves on top of the group and score as many goals as possible."On our day, we can beat anyone, the World Cup is the pinnacle, and you see the buzz around the men. Everyone wants to be on that plane."

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko has already proven that he is one of the top recruiters in the country after securing three more commitments in the No. 1-ranked 2027 recruiting class, including Florida-based four-star linebacker/defensive end Frederick Ards III, and three-star athlete Loia Valade, who announced their intentions on Tuesday.While Elko dominated the Georgia recruiting landscape in the 2026 signing class, Florida looks like the new state where the Aggies continue to reel in commits, and looking ahead to the 2028 recruiting class, four-star blue-chip quarterback Neimann Lawrence has narrowed down his options and announced that he will commit to one of five programs on Thursday, June 25.Entering his junior year at the prestigious American Heritage program in Plantation (FL), Lawrence is widely considered the best quarterback in the state, possessing an elite arm with impressive accuracy and ball placement, and has already received over 30 offers. As it stands, Notre Dame, Miami, Texas, Michigan, and Texas A&M will compete for his commitment for the next three weeks.Mike Elko offered Lawrence back in September of last year, and after watching the young signal caller throw for 1,971 yards, 32 touchdowns, and just one interception last fall, that decision was a no-brainer. While many believe the Longhorns are the clear favorites, Lawrence has yet to visit College Station, providing Elko and his staff a chance to get him on campus sooner rather than later.BREAKING: Elite 2028 QB Neimann Lawrence names 5 finalists and sets a commitment date.Finalists: Notre Dame, Miami, Texas, Michigan, Texas A&MCommitment: June 25VIP Story: https://t.co/aGLYdM79WX* DM @CfbRalb for all graphics and edits! *@247Sports . @NEIMANLAWRENCE1pic.twitter.com/gstIYIccDh— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) June 3, 2026Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M is a finalist to land 2028 4-star QB Neimann Lawrence

The DeSales girls lacrosse team is within a win of a third consecutive Division II state championship, but for the second year in a row no Columbus-area boys team will play for the Division I title.Central Ohio teams went 1-2 in state semifinals June 3, with DeSales bringing home the lone win, 14-13 over Cincinnati Mariemont at Centerville.In Division I boys, Upper Arlington fell to defending champion Cincinnati St. Xavier 8-7 at Mason and Dublin Jerome lost to Cleveland St. Ignatius 12-5 at Ashland University.Here are recaps of all three semifinals involving central Ohio teams:Cross' goal sends DeSales girls into state finalButler University commit Caroline Cross scored a game-high six goals for the Stallions, none bigger than the game-winner with 33.9 seconds remaining.Mariemont, which had tied the game at 13 with 1:22 left on a Nellie Deeter goal, had a chance to tie it again in the final seconds. Deeter's penalty shot was stopped by DeSales sophomore goalie Mackenzie Kitchen."Honestly, I didn't watch it. I turned around," DeSales coach Joe Finotti said. "I just wanted to go with the roar of the crowd. It was a pleasant surprise."The final-second save ended a thriller and advanced DeSales to play Bay Village Bay for the championship at 4 p.m. June 7 at Historic Crew Stadium.Mariemont had a 4-2 lead early in the second quarter, but DeSales ripped off a 6-2 run over the final nine-plus minutes to take an 8-6 lead into halftime. Campbell Heald scored twice in that stretch to tie it 4-4, and the Stallions got unassisted goals from Cross, Lillie Bogan and MC Willison to pull in front.DeSales had two-goal leads in the second (twice), third and fourth quarters, but Mariemont had an answer each time. Deeter led Mariemont with five goals, while Piper Farrell and Demaree Vianello each scored twice."One of our core values is grit," Mariemont coach Kevin Ferry said. "It sounds arrogant, but I don't expect anything less from our girls. This is the way they go about their business and I'm very proud of them."–Shelby Dermer, The Cincinnati EnquirerMistakes doom Dublin Jerome boys against St. IgnatiusSt. Ignatius’ Colin Roubic scored four of his six goals in the first half, helping stake the Wildcats (17-6) to a 7-1 halftime lead.Junior midfielder Luke Hegarty scored in the second quarter, senior attacker Jackson Bates and junior attacker Colin Clark added a goal apiece in the second half and junior midfielder Ty Haqq scored twice in the final 5 minutes for the Celtics (14-8), who fell to St. Ignatius in a semifinal on the same field for the second year in a row.Junior Matthew Esguerra made five saves for Jerome, which had an early goal negated because of an offsides and fell behind 4-0.“A lot of mistakes were plays we could have made and didn’t,” coach Jon Ewert said. “When we made errors, they did a great job of capitalizing on those. We dug ourselves a hole and they were very patient. They put us in bad spots.“You get to this point, you can’t make the mistakes we made.”Zander Boland added two goals and Callaway Connelly made 14 saves for St. Ignatius, which will get a chance to avenge its 2025 final loss to St. Xavier.Jerome was in its fifth state tournament in six years and seeking its first finals appearance since its most recent title in 2023.“It doesn’t make it any easier, but in sports … you rarely win your last game,” Ewert said. “There are probably 160-something schools in Ohio that would love to be in the spot that [our players] have earned.”–Dave PurpuraEmotional postseason ends for Upper Arlington boysNeither team had lost to in-state competition all season, so something had to give when St. Xavier and UA met in a state semifinal for the sixth time in seven years.After the Bombers (20-1) opened a 5-0 lead, UA (19-4) clawed back to tie it in the fourth quarter. But in the end, St. Xavier’s defense was the difference."That was probably the best defense I've seen inside any lacrosse game," Bombers coach Nate Sprong said. "They have a bunch of Division I guys that are dangerous, and we did a really good job shutting them down."St. Xavier plays St. Ignatius in the state final at 1 p.m. June 6 at Historic Crew Stadium.For UA, the loss ended a postseason that included playing with heavy hearts after the death of former coach Ted Wolford on May 28. Wolford led UA to 16 state championships over 24 seasons before stepping down in 2016."He meant so much to everyone in this program," UA coach Kyle Olson said. "... It's been a really hard week with that."Ryder Munz's hat trick and two goals from August Betz paced St. Xavier.All-American and Cornell commit Luke Backes started UA’s rally, scoring two goals in the final 2 minutes of the first half. Pete Dusseau added a goal with just seconds remaining in the first half.The Golden Bears would score the lone goal of the third quarter to make it 5-4.After Spencer Stegbauer scored to give the Bombers a two-goal lead, UA got goals from Zeke Winklevoss and Parker Old to make it 6-all with less than 6 minutes to go.Ethan Cole and DJ Frazier answered with goals for St. Xavier, scoring in quick succession near the 5-minute mark. Backes scored the final goal for UA.–Chase Souder, The Cincinnati EnquirerThe Dispatch high school sports staff can be reached at sports@dispatch.com and at @DispatchPreps on X.This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: DeSales girls lacrosse to play for OHSAA championship three-peat

The Atlanta Falcons have a few months to kill before they kick off their 2026 regular season schedule, but it's never too early for some predictions. The Falcons have missed the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons, and based on their new schedule, many expect that postseason drought to continue.While the team's overall strength of schedule is tied for fourth-easiest in the league, the projected win totals of Atlanta's opponents tell another story. The Falcons have some brutal games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and the San Francisco 49ers.So, how will the Falcons fare this season? Check out our score predictions for each game on Atlanta's 2026 schedule below.Week 1: At Pittsburgh Steelers Historically, the Steelers have had the Falcons' number. However, Pittsburgh is still waiting on Aaron Rodgers to decide if he wants to play, and there's no clear starting-caliber QB currently on the roster. The Falcons will squeak by in Week 1. Prediction: Win, 17-13 (1-0)Week 2: Carolina PanthersLast season, the Panthers swept the Falcons and won the division. Carolina is talented but I think the team will struggle under the weight of expectations this season. I think Atlanta secures a 28-24 victory at home in Week 2.Prediction: Win, 28-24(2-0)Week 3: At Green Bay Packers (Thursday Night Football)This is where things get tough. The Packers are contenders and Lambeau Field is one of the toughest places to play. Green Bay gives the Falcons their first loss of the season here in Week 3.Prediction: Loss, 24-20 (2-1)Week 4: At New Orleans Saints (Monday Night Football)This is the 20-year anniversary of the Steve Gleason game and will be played on Monday Night Football in New Orleans. The Saints should be better this season, but I think they will struggle under the bright lights of prime time. Prediction: Win, 27-23(3-1)Week 5: Baltimore Ravens (Sunday Night Football)The Ravens are a more complete team than the Falcons, and have an elite quarterback in Lamar Jackson. Even though the game is Atlanta, I think Baltimore comes out on top in this prime-time Week 5 matchup. Prediction: Loss, 21-16 (3-2)Week 6: Chicago BearsThe Bears took off under Ben Johnson last season and stole the NFC North crown. While I think the Falcons will have no problem hanging around, I'm giving the nod to Chicago here with a two-point victory. Prediction: Loss, 30-28 (3-3)Week 7: San Francisco 49ersThe 49ers just keep on rolling along regardless of who their quarterback is. The Falcons lost a close game to a banged-up San Francisco team last season, and unfortunately, I think they will suffer a similar fate this time around. The 49ers win a close game. Prediction: Loss, 21-20 (3-4)Week 8: At Tampa Bay BuccaneersThis is the Falcons' first matchup against former offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Atlanta has had Tampa's number over the last two years and I think that continues here in Week 8. The Falcons win a high-scoring matchup on the road. Prediction: Win, 35-31 (4-4)Week 9: Cincinnati Bengals (Madrid)This International Series matchup should be a good one. The Falcons will face the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain. While the Bengals appear to have improved on paper, I'm not convinced they get back to contender status this season. I think the Falcons will get the best of Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr chase and company in Week 9. Prediction: Win, 23-17 (5-4)Week 10: Kansas City ChiefsThe Chiefs finally came back to earth last season, but I can't see them being bad two years in a row. After a long trip, I think the Falcons will struggle against a revamped Kansas City team. I'm predicting a low-scoring affair with the Chiefs coming out on top. Prediction: Loss, 20-14 (5-5)Week 11: BYEThe Falcons' bye week comes right around the middle of the season following a brutal two-game stretch against the Bengals and Chiefs. Week 12: At Minnesota VikingsLast season, the Falcons crushed the Vikings on national television. Kyler Murray should be an upgrade at QB, but I don't see Minnesota improving very much overall. Atlanta will get its second win in a row over the Vikings in Week 12. Prediction: Win, 21-16 (6-5)Week 13: Detroit LionsThe Lions missed the playoffs last season, but they have been a powerhouse under head coach Dan Campbell. The Falcons will put up a good fight, but I think they will leave the Motor City with a loss here in Week 13.Prediction: Loss, 20-17 (6-6)Week 14: At Cleveland BrownsKevin Stefanski won two Coach of the Year awards in Cleveland and was still sent packing after the 2025 season ended. I think Stefanski gets his revenge here in Week 14, and the Falcons will leave Cleveland with a one-point road victory. Prediction: Win, 24-23 (7-6)Week 15: At Washington CommandersThe Commanders started out hot under Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels in 2024, but they came back to earth last season as injuries caught up with them. I like Atlanta to win a thriller on the road here in Week 15. Prediction: Win, 30-28 (8-6)Week 16: Tampa Bay BuccaneersHere in Week 16, I think the Buccaneers get some revenge for the Falcons' earlier victory. Tampa Bay escapes with a 27-24 victory over Atlanta late in the season. Prediction: Loss, 27-24 (8-7)Week 17: New Orleans SaintsThe Saints have improved, and I think head coach Kellen Moore is doing a great job. Still, I like the Falcons to pull off the series sweep over New Orleans with another close victory in Week 17.Prediction: Win, 21-20 (9-7)Week 18: At Carolina PanthersThe Panthers and Falcons always seem to play the wildest games late in the season. I think the Panthers get some payback for Week 2 loss here in the 2026 season finale. Prediction: Loss, 27-24 (9-8)Falcons final record prediction: 9-8I think the Falcons finally get over the hump with a winning record (9-8) in 2026 and possibly sneak into a wild-card spot. The NFC South is expected to be a close race again, and Atlanta should be in the mix. Considering the Falcons have been fairly quiet this offseason, any record improvement should be seen as a major step forward.This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons 2026 schedule: Score predictions for each game

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Motorsport photoCharles Leclerc says he’s never considered leaving the Ferrari Formula 1 team, having signed a new multi-year deal with the outfit.A Ferrari protege since 2016, having graduated to the Italian F1 squad in 2019, Leclerc has remained faithful ever since, competing in 155 grands prix with 27 pole positions and eight victories. The new contract will likely keep him tied to Maranello until 2028 at the earliest. Read Also: Is Charles Leclerc's Ferrari leap of faith the right choice? The Monegasque, however, has never been provided with genuine title-contending machinery, and has been winless since the 2024 United States Grand Prix, although he lies third in the 2026 standings so far.Manager Nicolas Todt presumably has received interest from other top teams regarding Leclerc, so Motorsport asked him in an exclusive interview if he’d ever felt the need to consider alternatives to Ferrari.“I’ve never really considered alternatives,” the 28-year-old replied. “There have certainly been conversations, because after 10 years in this paddock you build relationships that go beyond the professional sphere. Sometimes there are discussions that I consider natural, but I can confirm that those matters concern Nicolas much more than me.“As far as I’m concerned – and I want to emphasize this – what I wanted to do has always been very clear.”Charles Leclerc, FerrariCharles Leclerc, FerrariSo Leclerc is pledging his loyalty to Ferrari yet again, as he still believes in team principal Fred Vasseur’s plan for the Scuderia.“The main factor is believing in the project,” he insisted. “As for the love I have for this team, that’s no longer something I need to question, so from that point of view I didn’t have to think much.“Then there’s Fred: we have a unique relationship, and I have great confidence that he’s the right person to bring Ferrari back to the top.” Leclerc won the GP3 and F2 titles with Vasseur’s ART squad and made his F1 debut with the Sauber outfit, which was led by the Frenchman at the time. “There are also the signs we’ve seen this year," added Leclerc. "We’re behind Mercedes, that’s true, but I see a lot of innovation. At Maranello there’s a group pushing hard, trying to think differently from the past, even outside the box. We’ve seen new solutions on the car, and that gave me even more confidence, convincing me that this is the team I want to be with.“So, beyond my love for Ferrari – which is obvious – there was also a rational evaluation. Just as there has been with every contract renewal.”Charles Leclerc, FerrariCharles Leclerc, FerrariSo, for Leclerc, the lack of a world title so far is counterbalanced by his gratitude towards the team which has always believed in him.“Of course I’d like to have more victories, and I’d like to have won a world championship,” he admitted. “Those are things I still don’t have.“But I’ve had the chance to race for the team that always made me dream. And I also think about loyalty towards the people who helped me at a crucial moment in my career, allowing me to get where I am today. If Ferrari hadn’t believed in me, I don’t know if I’d be here now. That’s very important to me.“Sure, I’d like more success on my resume, but I think everyone always wants something more, even when they’ve already won a lot. It’s true that victories and a world title are what I’m missing and what I want to achieve. I hope it happens soon.” Read Also: Why Charles Leclerc signed a Ferrari extension and the love he has for his "dream" F1 squad To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Karl-Anthony Towns choked up when he was asked about the New York Knicks’ 105-95 Game 1 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, as he thanked his late mother for giving him a ‘calming’ presence while on the court.The New York Knicks center contributed 18 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists on 7-for-15 shooting from the field in 34 minutes, which is not too shabby for a first career NBA Finals game.“To be honest with y’all, and I don’t want to sound sugarcoating in any way… I don’t know what it was, but I just felt a calming (presence) and a peace that had to be coming from the women above,” Towns said via ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel. “You know, I felt like a kid. It was just fun out here. As a kid, things sometimes you always dream about… All day, it was just a weird feeling.”“In a way, I felt like I was seeing her in the stands. It was fun. It was really comforting… I don’t know. It felt like a certain presence that was here that was very comforting and very loving. I felt like I could have fun out here in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, which is the weirdest thing,” he added.Jun 3, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) controls the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter during game one of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn ImagesNew York Knicks News: Karl-Anthony Towns’ Game 1 performance draws plaudits from Mike BrownThe New York Knicks won’t win Game 1 without Karl-Anthony Towns. Besides producing another double-double, the six-time All-Star deserves credit for holding his ground against San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama.“He’s a problem. You put a small guy on him, he’s got a chance to offensive rebound. You put a big guy on him, he’s got a chance to pick-and-pop and go around guys,” head coach Mike Brown said.“We have to just keep trying to move him around based on who is guarding him throughout the course of the ballgame, but he was huge for us with his double-double,” he added.

Carl Rushworth, Matt Grimes, Jack Rudoni and Haji Wright all played major roles in Coventry's Championship title success [Shutterstock]Four members of Coventry City's title-winning side have been nominated for the Professional Footballers Association's Championship Players' Player of the Year award.Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, captain Matt Grimes, midfielder Jack Rudoni and striker Haji Wright are all in the running to add another trophy to the Sky Blues' successful season.Midfielder Grimes, 30, started all 46 of Coventry's league games as they finished 11 points clear at the top of the Championship while Wright, 28, scored 18 goals in all competitions and is part of the USA squad at the World Cup.Rushworth, 24, spent the season on loan at Coventry from Brighton, keeping 17 clean sheets, while 24-year-old Rudoni scored seven goals, including late winners against Derby and Stoke.Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney and Swansea striker Zan Vipotnik, who finished as the Championship's top scorer with 23 goals, have also been shortlisted for the award.PFA members will vote for the winner who will be announced at a ceremony on Tuesday, 25 August.[BBC]

The Dallas Cowboys don't make it easy for their fans to get a glimpse of their high-profile players during the NFL preseason, at least not under second-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Last season, the starters didn't play in any of the preseason games, as the first-time head coach wanted to ensure his new-look offense was kept under wraps until the games mattered.This year, it's unknown whether or not Schottenheimer will keep the same philosophy that resulted in the team beginning 1-2-1 last season. But even if Schottenheimer does play his starters more in the exhibitions, the NFL won't be allowing a large chunk of Cowboys Nation to witness it live. The Cowboys were kept off the Preseason National TV schedule that was announced on Wednesday.The NFL has released its national television schedule for the 2026 preseason:Hall of Fame Game (NBC):• Panthers vs. Cardinals — Aug. 6Week 2:• Raiders at Texans (ESPN) — Aug. 20• Seahawks at Titans (FOX) — Aug. 23Week 3:• Patriots at Browns (Prime Video) — Aug. 27… pic.twitter.com/8SmbWGSLEb— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 3, 2026According to the league's release, the following games will be nationally televised:Thursday, Aug. 6: Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals on NBC at 8 p.m. ET (Hall of Fame Game)Thursday, Aug. 20: Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans on ESPN at 8 p.m. ETSunday, Aug. 23: Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans on FOX at 8 p.m. ETThursday, Aug. 27: New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns on Amazon Prime Video at 8 p.m. ETFriday, Aug. 28: Cincinnati Bengals at Philadelphia Eagles on CBS at 8 p.m. ETDallas fans will still be able to catch the Cowboys on TV, but through local broadcasts and the NFL Network's replay machine that shows each NFL game in the days following the actual contest.The Cowboys will square off against two regular-season opponents as part of this year's exhibition slate. They start things off August 13 at 7 pm CT in Seattle against the Seahawks. They then travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals on August 22 at 9 pm CT. Things wrap up back in Dallas as they host the New Orleans Saints on August 28 at 7 pm CT at AT&T Stadium.This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys Preseason: NFL releases TV schedule, America's Team you say?

Jon Lewis took over as Gloucestershire's director of cricket in October 2025 [Getty Images]Gloucestershire director of cricket Jon Lewis says rebuilding the team to be competitive in the County Championship will take time.Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, Lewis - who came on board at the end of 2025 - also said he had no timeframe in mind for how long it would take to get the club to the top.Gloucestershire sit bottom of Division 2 with just under half of the domestic test season gone."The club has ambition to be a top-eight team across all formats of the game," said Lewis."But it will take time to build a squad able to compete at that level, to bring the right quality of players into the club to support what we have already."I am not going to put a number on it - two, three, five years, et cetera, we have a good spine of a team, but those guys need help more around them."Lewis' role is a homecoming for the 50-year-old, who spent much of his playing career with Gloucestershire.He was previously England Women head coach before being sacked following the 16-0 whitewash series Down Under at the start of 2025.The former seamer has also worked with the England men's bowling team.His latest position with Gloucestershire tasks him with "making sure we uphold the standards of the cricket club and making sure we are all pushing in the same direction".That also includes ensuring a first-class recruitment programme, something Lewis said his years of experience in the game can help with."I have developed a large network of contacts around the world, so when I pick the phone up over a 24-hour period, as long as I know the profile of the player I am looking for, I can pretty much get a sense of who we could attract. "The tricky bit is the availability and then agreeing a deal."Can we meet players' ambitions? Absolutely. What do we need to do that? We need to make sure that the aspiration of a player is to play franchise cricket and international cricket alongside being a successful domestic player."As Lewis is already finding, that task is a balance of long- and short-term projects."We lost seven fast bowlers last year; replacing that in any market is just not possible. We are lacking a balance of squad," said Lewis. "We have to look at two things: developing our own fast young bowlers, and that is longer-term, but also who is available and in the market, and then you have to compete with everyone."'Issue in English cricket'While many players have been lured elsewhere in the past year, Lewis has watched their progress and has quickly noticed a growing trend: a lack of cricket."In my view you only become more valuable as a cricketer by playing cricket. For me, sitting on the bench and coming in and out of games is unattractive," Lewis said."There seems to be an issue in English cricket at the moment where a lot of players aren't playing regular cricket, and the bigger clubs with bigger budgets are stockpiling cricketers."Players going to big clubs can find it really hard to fit in. I left Gloucester for Surrey and immediately walked into a dressing room with 10-12 internationals. I knew I would have to fight really hard because they would drop me like a stone."It's a risk-reward scenario for the players. Players go to a bigger club thinking they are going to get more opportunity, but that is a misconception among the group for me."And Lewis said there were examples out there of players getting their chances on merit."David Payne has shown that if you play really well for your club, people will notice."I have worked in franchise cricket, and I know the people who run those franchises. They don't care about where you play your cricket; they just care about what you can produce on the field."Bristol County Ground hosted four matches at the 2019 Cricket World Cup [Rex Features]Ambitious targetsBesides on-field personnel, Lewis also has the job of making sure Gloucestershire looks as appealing as possible off the field.While the county may offer opportunity, the 50-year-old is very aware that world-class infrastructure will be paramount in attracting players who match the club's ambitious targets."We need to make sure we have the facilities and coaching in place so they can come here and improve," said Lewis."We are investing in some new dressing rooms; it's a great facility that is something that we are really proud of, maybe in the top three facilities in the country in terms of changing."When I'm talking to players, it's my job to explain why Bristol is a brilliant place to come and play cricket and what a wonderful club we have here that values great cricket and is a great city to live in."

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“The Fire Agent,” by David Baerwald, is a historical novel that spans two continents and world wars.

One of the most anticipated Formula 1 races of the year is approaching. The Monaco Grand Prix, which takes place on the narrow, winding streets of Monte Carlo, will take place on Sunday, June 7. The race around the storied Circuit de Monaco is one of the longest-running on the F1 schedule, having been held in the principality every year since 1955. If you’re tuning in from home, you should know that this year, F1 has moved to streaming exclusively on Apple TV in the U.S. So if you want to catch this weekend's race live, you'll need access to Apple TV (or F1 TV Premium, now free with an Apple TV subscription). In addition to watching on Apple TV, you can also tune into F1 practice sessions and qualifying races via the Yahoo Sports Racing Hub.Here's everything you need to know about this weekend’s F1 Monaco Grand Prix, plus the full 2026 F1 Grand Prix schedule. How to watch the F1 Monaco Grand PrixDate: Sunday, June 7Time: 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PTLocation: Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, MonacoTV channel: N/AStreaming: Apple TV, F1 TV Monaco Grand Prix start time The 2026 Monaco Grand Prix will begin at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT on Sunday, June 7.Monaco Grand Prix TV channel F1 races used to air on ESPN and ESPN2 in the U.S., but Apple TV has signed an exclusive five-year deal to be the U.S. broadcaster of Formula 1 starting this season. That means the Monaco Grand Prix and every other race of the 2026 F1 season will stream live on Apple TV. For those without traditional cable, that makes watching F1 much easier. If you aren't already an Apple TV subscriber and don't want to shell out for yet another streaming service, we have a guide on how to get Apple TV for free in 2026. In addition to watching on Apple TV, you can also tune into the practice sessions and qualifying races via the Yahoo Sports Racing Hub.Watch F1 practices and qualifying via YahooHow to watch the 2026 F1 Monaco Grand Prix:Monaco Grand Prix schedule All times EasternFriday, June 5Practice 1: 7:30 a.m. — 8:30 a.m. ETPractoce 2: 11 a.m. — 12 p.m. ETSaturday, June 6Practice 3: 6:30 a.m. — 7:30 a.m. ETQualifying: 10:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m. ETSunday, June 7Monaco Grand Prix: 9:00 a.m. ETMore ways to watch the 2026 F1 seasonF1 2026 Grand Prix scheduleMarch 6-8: Australian Grand PrixMarch 13-15: Chinese Grand PrixMarch 27-29: Japanese Grand PrixApril 10-12: Bahrain Grand PrixApril 17-19: Saudi Arabian Grand PrixMay 1-3: Miami Grand PrixMay 22-24: Canadian Grand PrixJune 5-7: Monaco Grand PrixJune 12-14: Spanish Grand Prix (Barcelona-Catalunya)June 26-28: Austrian Grand PrixJuly 3-5: British Grand PrixJuly 17-19: Belgian Grand PrixJuly 24-26: Hungarian Grand PrixAug. 21-23: Dutch Grand PrixSept. 4-6: Italian Grand PrixSept. 11-13: Spanish Grand PrixSept. 24-26: Azerbaijan Grand PrixOct. 9-11: Singapore Grand PrixOct. 23-25: United States Grand PrixOct. 30-Nov. 1: Mexico City Grand PrixNov. 6-8: São Paulo Grand PrixNov. 19-21: Las Vegas Grand PrixNov. 27-29: Qatar Grand PrixDec. 4-6: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The trade of A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots has sparked understandable concern among Eagles fans.Brown was one of the NFL's premier wide receivers during his four seasons in Philadelphia, earning three All-Pro selections while helping the Eagles reach two Super Bowls and capture a Lombardi Trophy. His departure leaves a significant void in the offense, but history suggests the organization has navigated this challenge before.In fact, replacing star receivers is one of the most consistent themes throughout Eagles history.The franchise's first major transition came following the departure of Tommy McDonald, one of the most explosive receivers of his era. McDonald spent seven seasons in Philadelphia from 1957-63, recording 287 receptions for 5,499 yards and 66 touchdowns while earning five consecutive Pro Bowl selections. The immediate aftermath was difficult. In 1964, Ron Goodwin led the Eagles with just 23 receptions for 335 yards and three touchdowns, illustrating how difficult it can be to replace a true offensive centerpiece.The Eagles enjoyed a smoother transition after Pete Retzlaff retired following the 1966 season. Retzlaff spent 11 seasons in Philadelphia and remains one of the most productive pass catchers in franchise history, totaling 452 receptions for 7,412 yards and 47 touchdowns while helping the Eagles win the 1960 NFL Championship.One year later, Ben Hawkins emerged as one of the NFL's most dangerous deep threats. Hawkins posted 59 receptions for 1,265 yards and 10 touchdowns in 1967, proving the Eagles could quickly identify and develop the next featured weapon.Perhaps no receiver loomed larger over the franchise than Harold Carmichael. The Hall of Famer spent 13 seasons with Philadelphia, catching 589 passes for 8,978 yards and 79 touchdowns. His combination of size, athleticism, and production was decades ahead of its time.When Carmichael departed following the 1983 season, the Eagles didn't attempt to replace him with one player. Instead, Mike Quick emerged as the offense's new focal point. In 1984, Quick recorded 61 receptions for 1,052 yards and nine touchdowns while establishing himself as one of the NFL's elite receivers. Kenny Jackson contributed as a complementary option, but Quick's emergence allowed Philadelphia to maintain a dangerous passing attack.The transition from Quick produced a similar outcome. After Quick's final season, Fred Barnett stepped into the lead role with 62 receptions for 948 yards. Calvin Williams and tight end Keith Jackson also helped spread the production throughout the offense. Rather than finding another Mike Quick, the Eagles diversified their attack.The same pattern emerged after Terrell Owens' departure.Owens transformed Philadelphia's offense during his brief but impactful tenure. The Eagles went 17-5 in games he played, including the playoffs, and reached Super Bowl XXXIX largely because of his dominance. When Owens left following the tumultuous 2005 season, many questioned whether Philadelphia could recover.Instead, Reggie Brown developed into a productive young receiver, posting 46 receptions for 816 yards and eight touchdowns. Donte' Stallworth added 725 yards and five touchdowns. The offense adapted rather than collapsing.The most relevant example may be DeSean Jackson.One of the most electrifying players in franchise history, Jackson averaged more than 1,000 receiving yards annually during his first six NFL seasons while becoming one of the league's premier serious threats. When the Eagles moved on in 2014, Jeremy Maclin responded with one of the finest seasons of his career, catching 85 passes for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jordan Matthews added 872 receiving yards, while Riley Cooper remained a contributor.History consistently shows the same trend. The Eagles rarely replace star receivers with direct replicas. Instead, another talented player assumes a larger role while the offense evolves around its available personnel.That brings the conversation back to DeVonta Smith.Since entering the league in 2021, Smith has quietly established himself as one of the NFL's most productive receivers. He shattered Philadelphia's rookie receiving record with 916 yards and later set the franchise record for receptions by a wide receiver with 95 during the 2022 season.Over the last two seasons, Smith has recorded 145 receptions for 1,841 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 145 catches are tied with Brown for 17th in the NFL during that span, while his yardage total ranks among the league's top receivers despite sharing targets with Brown, Dallas Goedert, and one of the NFL's most run-heavy offenses.The perception that Smith cannot function as a No. 1 receiver ignores the reality of his production. Few receivers have operated as efficiently while playing alongside another All-Pro target.The Eagles also appear better positioned than many of their predecessors during previous transitions. Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, Dontayvion Wicks, and rookie Makai Lemon provide depth and versatility. Dallas Goedert remains a key piece of the passing game, while rookie tight end Eli Stowers gives Sean Mannion another athletic receiving option.Most importantly, Philadelphia has the infrastructure to withstand major personnel changes. General manager Howie Roseman acquired a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange for Brown, giving the Eagles 15 draft selections over the next two years before compensatory picks are awarded.The organization has spent decades preparing for difficult roster decisions. Carmichael gave way to Quick. Quick gave way to Barnett. Owens gave way to Brown and Stallworth. Jackson gave way to Maclin.Now, Brown gives way to Smith.If history is any indication, the Eagles won't spend much time looking backward. They'll simply move on to the next star.This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Why Eagles fans shouldn't panic after A.J. Brown trade

The Carolina Pantherscut bait with outside linebacker DJ Johnson, one of the biggest draft busts in franchise history, over eight months ago. But somehow, their decision to move up and select him back in 2023 was made to look even worse this week.Between Tuesday and Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers gladly handed over contract extensions to pass rusher Nick Herbig and tight end Darnell Washington. Herbig inked a pretty massive four-year, $100 million pact while Washington struck a cool four-year, $42 million agreement.So, what do they have to do with Johnson and the Panthers?Well, Herbig and Washington landed in Pittsburgh thanks, in large part, to the trade former Carolina general manager Scott Fitterer made to take Johnson. Fitterer sent the Steelers the 93rd and 132nd overall picks of that draft in exchange for the 80th—which would be used on the very raw 25-year-old defender.Pittsburgh then scooped up Washington with No. 93 and Herbig with No. 132. (Those picks, by the way, were initially acquired by the Panthers in their trade of superstar running back Christian McCaffrey.)Johnson went on to start in five of his 31 games for the Panthers between 2023 and 2025. He amassed just half a sack before being let go in late September of this past season.After a few months on the open market, Johnson signed a practice-squad deal with the Washington Commanders—where Fitterer now serves as a personnel executive. Johnson stuck with Washington on a reserve/futures contract in January.Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL draft: Steelers' recent extensions worsens Panthers' 2023 bust

Apr 25, 2026; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts during the first half against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn ImagesOver the past several days, Caitlin Clark has been in the headlines across the sports world after a heated exchange between Clark and Fever head coach Stephanie White went viral on social media. While Clark and White each received their fair share of criticism as a result of the incident, one sports personality is now taking that criticism directly to Clark’s fans.Earlier this season, longtime sports journalist and personality Cari Champion criticized Clark a bit for what she believed to be constant complaints at or about the officials during games. Champion did not believe that the complaints to the referees worked out in her favor, and she criticized Clark for it – a legitimate basketball opinion.Apparently, Clark supporters did not appreciate this criticism from Champion, sparking some strong reactions from her Clark’s fanbase. And it sounds like Champion was not a fan of her interactions with the Clark fans.‘So unhinged’In the latest episode of the Flagrant and Funny with Cari Champion & Jemele Hill, Champion did not hold back as she offered a pretty strong opinion on Clark’s fanbase after the backlash she received from simply stating a basketball opinion.“There is that vitriol that comes with her clan of people who support her that I can’t really get behind. I think that I understand if you’re upset and you don’t like her,” Champion said on the podcast. “It comes with all players, but it’s a layer of coded language that feels like racism, I’ve never been called so many n-words, and see you next Tuesdays and jealous.”Champion went on to call some of these fans “unhinged,” and argue that they speak to the “bigger problem” of the strong polarization in the world today.“Some of her fans are so unhinged and I think it speaks to a larger issue of what’s happening in our world today and people don’t wanna talk about it, but it is a microcosm of a bigger problem that we have with this hatred of black vs. white and being so polarized,” Champion said.‘Used Caitlin Clark as Their Avatar’Champion went on to argue that some of Clark’s fans seem to be using their support for the Fever superstar as a cover to spew hate that is politically or racially motivated and has nothing to do with sports or basketball.“Caitlin Clark clan have made it about race and made it about something that has nothing to do with what’s happening actually on the court,” Champion said.“They’re comfortable with finally being able to finally be able to say the things they’ve always wanted to say under the guise of ‘how dare you talk about our favorite player?'”Jamele Hill agreed with this assessment.“I’m not saying this about all her fans, but there is no question that there was a group of intentional people who used Caitlin Clark as their avatar to say all the [stuff] about black women and all the [stuff] about black people that they’ve always wanted to say.”Clark Has Previously Addressed Her FansDuring Clark’s rookie season in 2024, the Indiana Fever star addressed some of the racism and hate that Hill and Champion were referring to, as she made it clear that it was not acceptable.“People should not be using my name to push those agendas. It’s disappointing. It’s not acceptable,” Clark said at the time when asked about the comments from fans. “… Treating every single woman in this league with the same amount of respect, I think, it’s just a basic human thing that everybody should do.”Clark had previously said that fans bringing her up online was “not something I can control,” saying she did not pay much attention to social media.“I don’t put too much thought and time into thinking about things like that, and to be honest, I don’t see a lot of it,” Clark said. “Basketball is my job. Everything on the outside, I can’t control that, so I’m not going to spend time thinking about that.”The post ‘Her fans are so unhinged’: Jemele Hill & Cari Champion do not hold back on Caitlin Clark fans appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

The Washington Commanders had some specific goals during the offseason. Make the defense younger and faster, and find someone to take the pressure off of Terry McLaurin. General manager Adam Peters can check the first one off his list, while the latter is still up in the air.The Commanders' wide receivers' room includes Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown, Antonio Williams, Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, and Van Jefferson, with McLaurin as the undisputed WR1. The other receivers, though, have been named a position battle to watch during the offseason.Commanders wide receiver: Treylon Burks vs. Dyami Brown vs. Antonio Williams vs. Luke McCaffrey vs. Jaylin Lane vs. Van JeffersonWashington has struggled with WR depth behind Terry McLaurin for years now. Last year's solution -- Deebo Samuel -- remains a free agent as the Commanders search for a more dynamic alternative. A free agent or trade (Brandon Aiyuk?) could still fill the spot, but the Commanders need someone to emerge from this smattering of veterans and recent middle-round picks. Williams, the 2026 third-rounder, is the one to watch with his high ceiling and inside/outside versatility.First, let's address the Brandon Aiyuk situation. Even if the San Francisco 49ers decide to release him, they haven't yet, which means that no other NFL team knows how he is doing physically, or if he's in any kind of game shape. No one will know that until he reports for a physical. On top of not knowing where he stands physically, the 49ers can essentially hold him hostage for however long they see fit, giving him minimal time to prepare with whichever team he lands with.It's not that Aiyuk wouldn't be a great option; we just don't know whether he can do what the Commanders want. It's the reason Deebo Samuel is still a free agent. He produced in 2025, leading all receivers with 727 yards and five touchdowns. But he's not as dynamic as he once was. The Commanders prefer help on the outside, where Samuel is better suited to the slot. Washington likes its options in the slot, including the rookie Williams and McCaffrey. So, that leaves the players already on the roster. Of those players, Williams is definitely the most intriguing. Washington GM Adam Peters said the Commanders believe he can play outside or in the slot. Regardless of where he plays, Washington envisions Williams as a big part of its offense in 2026 and beyond. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders position battle to watch: Wide Receiver

Arena will join Gasperini’s first team in preseasonWill Antonio Arena become the number 9 of the future? It’s too early to say, but the 2009-born player has certainly caught Gasperini’s eye: “He piqued my interest in training.” Even before that, Silvio Baldini launched him into the ranks at Pescara: “He’ll go far.”In short, anyone who knows him is ready to bet on the qualities of Arena, who scored his first goal for Roma this year in the Coppa Italia against Torino: a cross from Wesley and a perfect header past Palerari.Antonio Arena is the most interesting player emerging from Roma’s youth academy. As reported by Corriere dello Sport, barring any surprises, the 2009-born player will be involved by Gian Piero Gasperini in the first days of the summer retreat to prepare for next season. This year, the former Pescara player played three years under his age in the Primavera championship, scoring 10 goals in 25 appearances and providing four assists. Arena also played in the final minutes of Roma’s Serie A matches against Cagliari and Lecce.

As the franchise works through OTAs, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown shared his excitement about Detroit's offseason addition, Greg Dortch."I watched Dortch from afar when he was at Arizona, and I love his game. I love the way he plays. I think he's crafty, he has good moves, he understands the game, and he competes."I feel like at the end of the day, you just gotta compete. I feel like you play for us, that's the biggest thing. Whether you're getting the ball, whether you're not, run game, pass game, special teams, just going out there and competing. I think Dortch has that about him," St. Brown said of the Lions' free agency wide receiver addition.Amon-Ra St. Brown says he’s been a fan of new Detroit Lions WR Greg Dortch 👀“He’s crafty, he’s got moves, he understands the game and he competes. Just going out there and competing, I think Dortch has that about him.” pic.twitter.com/KMMqYenGpL— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) May 30, 2026Dortch caught 29 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns last year in Arizona, so he will certainly serve as an extra utility receiver this season.In his six-year NFL career, the 5-foot-7, 180-pound receiver has reeled in 145 catches for 1,310 yards and 10 touchdowns. Dortch spent the past three seasons with Petzing as his OC with the Cardinals, so he will bring an understanding of Petzing's offense to the Motor City.But, he also figures to be a factor in the special teams department.Throughout his career, Dortch has impacted both the punt and kickoff return games. Dortch has 99 career punt returns for 886 yards and 75 kickoff returns for 1,773 yards. With Kalif Raymond signing with the Bears, there's an opportunity for Dortch to emerge as the primary punt and kickoff return man for Detroit.Dortch entered the league as an undrafted free agent, signing with the New York Jets in 2019. The Wake Forest product appeared in a pair of games with the Carolina Panthers in 2019. Then, after bouncing around practice squads with the Rams and Falcons, Dortch caught on in the Cardinals' organization.For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNewsThis article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Amon-Ra St. Brown excited about Lions' Greg Dortch addition

There's been a significant amount of interest in tracking New York Jets rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik at OTAs. Understandably so. The fanbase is looking for a young quarterback to attach hope to. Klubnik had impressed in early sessions, but Tuesday's was of the rougher variety.Klubnik went 2-of-5 during 11-on-11 team drills, according to ESPN. The former Clemson standout overthrew his target on one incompletion and there was an errant throw on another dropback. It's worth noting one of Klubnik's three incompletions was a dropped pass.Offensive coordinator Frank Reich's 7-on-7 drills reportedly weren't any kinder to Klubik. The fourth-round quarterback finished 3-of-9. He threw an interception down the sideline to cornerback Tre Brown. The turnover appeared to have rattled Klubnik, who followed his interception with a few more misfires. The Jets' offense reportedly worked on a lot of third-and-long, placing the rookie quarterback at a disadvantage.Tuesday's practice was a necessary reminder that Klubnik is a young quarterback who will experience growing pains, especially during OTAs and training camp. The key for Klubnik will be to embrace the struggles while stacking better days. Geno Smith had a far better practice by comparison, and that's precisely why the Jets are leaning on a veteran quarterback this season.Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 offseason. This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Cade Klubnik struggles in latest Jets OTA practice

Iowa football’s all-time leading rusher is getting the recognition he deserves.Sedrick Shaw was a Hawkeye from 1993-96. Shaw rushed for a school-record 4,156 yards and is tied with Tavian Banks for the most career rushing touchdowns with 33.Despite his name being strung across the Hawkeye football record book, Shaw hadn’t been inducted into the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame. That will change soon.On Wednesday, Iowa announced its 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame class. Shaw joins six other former Iowa athletes in the 2026 Hall of Fame class:Kim Baker-El Abiad: Women's GymnasticsKlas Bergstrom: Men's TennisDiane DeMiro Simmons: Field HockeyAmy Herrig Tanny: Women's BasketballMatt McDonough: Men's WrestlingJanet Moylan Ritter: VolleyballThis is the 37th Hall of Fame class for Iowa. The inductees will be honored and inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 4, the night before the Hawkyes open the football season against Northern Illinois.The ceremony is open to the public and will take place at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the ceremony starting at 6:30 p.m. The admission cost is $25.Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hineyThis article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football legend selected to Hawkeyes' 2026 Hall of Fame class

In the weeks leading up to the 2026 World Cup, many of the participating teams have been keeping in shape by competing in pre-tournament matches against other national teams, and tonight, Mexico will face off against Serbia in a friendly match at Estadio Nemesio Diez in Toluca, Mexico. This will be the last friendly for both teams before the tournament begins on June 11.Coverage of tonight’s Mexico vs. Serbia match will begin at 9 p.m. ET and kickoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET on TUDN and Univision, which are available on streaming services like DirecTV and YouTube TV. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch Mexico vs. Serbia.How to watch Mexico vs. SerbiaDate: Thursday, June 4Time: 10 p.m. ETChannels: Univision, TUDNStreaming: DirecTV, YouTube TV, ViX and moreWhen is the Mexico vs. Serbia match?The friendly match between Mexico and Serbia is set for Thursday, June 4.What time is the Mexico vs. Serbia match?Mexico vs. Serbia kicks off at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Coverage will begin on Univision and TUDN at 9 p.m.What channels will Mexico vs. Serbia be on?Mexico vs. Serbia will be broadcast in Spanish on Univision and TUDN.How to watch the Mexico vs. Serbia match without cable:You can find Univision and TUDN on platforms like DirecTV and YouTubeTV, and the game will also be streaming in Spanish on ViX.

Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub addressed the media on Wednesday at OTAs. He discussed Harrison Butker's long-distance kicking in early drills."He (Harrison Butker) hit a long one in our regular period, and then we did three two-minute (drills)," said Toub, "I don't know if you guys were on the field or not, but we did three in a row, and every one of them (kicks) were over 60 (yards), and it was pretty impressive. After he hit two, I said, 'Well, he'll probably miss this one,' but he made that one, too. It was good. He had a good day."Through last season's first five games, Butker surprisingly went 10-for-13 on field goals and 11-for-13 on extra points. The missed field goals were from 40, 56, and 58 yards, distances at which he's often been successful in past years.In the 2025 season, Butker converted 31 of 35 extra-point attempts and 33 of 38 field-goal attempts.This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs STC Dave Toub discusses Harrison Butker's long-distance kicking

Tad Boyle and the Colorado Buffaloes added another player to their 2026-27 roster, bringing in three-star center Eric Jacobsen.Jacobsen is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and ranks as the No. 387 overall prospect, the No. 51 center and the No. 2 player from New Mexico.At 6-foot-11, Jacobsen becomes the Buffs' tallest 2026 recruit, and continues the trend this offseason of Colorado adding size wherever they can. The Buffs struggled mightily on the glass last season and needed more athleticism in the frontcourt.The Brewster Academy product held offers from New Mexico, UAB, New Hampshire and Binghampton in addition to Colorado.Jacobsen joins a Colorado class of 2026 that is now four deep. Combo guard Rider Portela, power forward Goc Malual, and point guard Alex Dickeson make up the rest of the class that ranks No. 106 nationally and No. 12 in the Big 12 Conference.With the addition of Jacobsen, Colorado has filled all 15 sports on its roster for the 2026-27 season.Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram.Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado basketball receives commitment from center Eric Jacobsen

Yosemite National Park, California, Trees named the Bachelor and Three Graces in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum). (Photo by: Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Kansas Jayhawks NewsThe KC Star is giving you some background on Oklahoma vs Kansas this weekend Incoming freshman Taylen Kinney is playing well for Team USAIs Paul Mbiya poised to step up and take control of the starting center job with Reeves recovering from surgery?Links!There a severe Northern Lights alert in 23 states tonight and tomorrow. I’ve never heard of such a thingThis editorial from noted communist propaganda machine USA Today contends that Brendan Sorby cannot be allowed to play college formal again Arizona is drying up faster than any other state. But people keep moving here Due to a lack of clear guidance from FIFA, North American World Cup games could face lengthy weather delays Meet the 19 year old tearing up MLB despite nearly not getting draftedWhy did Canada have generic Ozempic while the US doesn’t?Question of the DayWhat’s the most underrated movie of all time?

If there is one area that Notre Dame football has struggled in recruiting the 2027 class, its at linebacker.There is currently one commit at the position, Amarri Irvin, but on Wednesday one of the Irish’s top targets committed elsewhere. Toa Satele, a 6-foot, 3-inch and 200-pound linebacker made his verbal commitment to Oregon, putting a big question mark on his plans for this weekend.The nation’s No. 63 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite was scheduled to take an official visit to South Bend this weekend, but it most likely won’t happen anymore. Satele chose the Ducks over the Irish, Texas and Cal.He made his official visit to Eugene over the weekend, and that was enough to push him to commit. Satele was the one of the top remaining target for Notre Dame at the position, as they’ll now have to look elsewhere to fill his spot. The country’s top linebacker, Kaden Henderson is still highly considering the Irish, but at the current moment he’s looks like a Miami lean. At this point, it doesn’t look like Notre Dame will land any of the top linebackers in the class, but luckily have some impressive depth already on campus and could go to the portal following the season to fill in any gaps. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChenThis article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame continues to miss out on top 2027 linebacker targets

The 2025-26 OKC Metro High School Sports Awards Show, Presented by Landmark Fine Homes, has secured two of college softball’s most dynamic rising stars as its featured guest speakers for its live show on June 11 at Young Family Athletic Center. Oklahoma Sooners standouts Allyssa Parker and Kai Minor have both entered the national spotlight backed by measurable production, elite accolades and immediate impact at the collegiate level.Parker, a freshman right‑handed pitcher and utility player from Pocola, arrived at OU following a historic high‑school career in which she was The Oklahoman's inaugural All-State Player of the Year. She also earned back‑to‑back Gatorade Oklahoma Softball Player of the Year honors in 2024 and 2025. Her senior season included a 28-1 record, 0.10 ERA, and 224 strikeouts, while opponents hit just .097 against her. She also posted a .667 batting average, 45 RBIs and 15 home runs, ranking as the nation’s No. 7 prospect in the Class of 2025.In her freshman season at Oklahoma, Parker continued to contribute on both sides of the ball. She hit .328 with 11 home runs, 26 RBIs and a 1.433 OPS across 49 games. In the circle, she made 20 appearances, recording a 5–1 record with 37 strikeouts in 45 innings.Joining her on stage is freshman outfielder Kai Minor, one of the most statistically dominant first‑year players in the country. Minor led Oklahoma with a .444 batting average, adding 84 hits, 18 doubles, 7 triples, 11 home runs, 45 RBIs and 17 stolen bases, all while maintaining a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in center field. Her performance earned her NFCA First Team All‑Midwest Region, Softball America First Team All‑American, All‑SEC First Team, and recognition as a Top‑3 finalist for NFCA Freshman of the Year.The OKC Metro High School Sports Awards Show is part of the USA TODAY Sports Awards Program. Tickets for the event can be purchased here.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: OKC Metro HSSA: Kai Minor, Allyssa Parker are speakers for live event

Seeing protests through a camera lens.

If you’re tuning in to the Women’s College World Series, there’s a chance you’ll see an interesting routine or two, whether it’s a pitcher in the circle or a batter getting set at the plate.Texas senior catcher Reese Atwood garnered attention early in the year for her routine. Throughout much of the season, broadcasts would zero in on Atwood’s face during her at-bats, and you could see her lips moving in practically constant fashion, even as opposing pitchers started their wind-up.Last year, Atwood was hitless in the World Series until Game 1 of the championship series, when, as Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady attempted to intentionally walk her with two outs and two runners on, Atwood took a step out of the batter’s box, took a deep breath and ripped a single through the left side of the infield on what was supposed to be ball four. The two runs that scored proved to be the difference as Texas won the game 2-1 on its way to the program’s first national championship.How did she calm her heart rate, erase the past and bring herself to the present moment? Let’s find out.Broadcasts throughout the season have shown you talking to yourself while you’re in the batter’s box. What exactly are you saying to yourself in those moments, and how did you get to that?A lot of times I’m honestly just saying, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,” or I’m talking to myself in the sense of that’s like nothing to do with softball. My mental approach when I’m going through that is more of taking my mind off the game and trying to be present in those moments.I’ve learned that some people can game plan and think about a pitch that’s coming, or think about certain things in their swing. For me, I just want to trust my preparation and know that I am fully confident that I am prepared for that moment. So, instead of thinking of what I can do better … I like to think of something that has zero relation, so I can just go up there and trust all the hard work I put in fully.You mentioned saying a prayer as part of your self-talk. I saw a video on social media of some of the team talking about how you get together for faith gatherings. How much of a common thread is that for this team? More and more athletes, even just here at the WCWS, are open to talking about God when it comes to their approach to playing. What does that mean to you?My faith is huge. Coming into Texas and just being able to surround myself with similar people has been really huge for my career. I’m not one to believe that God wants me to hit a home run in those moments. I like to think that in those moments, God wants me to be present and use this platform to spread my faith to others, and just showing the strength of being an athlete who is still involved in faith and (being) just a strong woman in general.In the moments when there is a lot of pressure, or let’s say if you’re struggling in a game, is there a certain teammate that you lean on? Or is there something that somebody says to you that usually gets you back in the right frame of mind?I think definitely Teagan (Kavan), my best friend, and then even my roommates, Vivi (Martinez) and Citlaly (Gutierrez), are huge people in my game that I go to, and they always offer great advice, and say things like being present and just trusting the process, trusting your preparation, and not worrying about stats or anything like that. Just being there for the team and nothing else.Mental health is becoming a more popular conversation. When you’re on such a big stage for softball as it continues to rise in popularity, how do you prioritize that kind of preparation over all of the outside noise?At this level, that preparation is bigger than any other physical preparation. I mean, every single team here in the World Series, every single team in the SEC, and all the other schools are just incredible and have all the physical attributes to be able to win national championships and win games. So the separator is your mental preparation, and just your ability to overcome pressure, overcome situations that require a lot of mental toughness.This article originally appeared in The Athletic.Texas Longhorns, Texas Longhorns, College Sports, Peak, Women's College Sports2026 The Athletic Media Company

Hold on to your hats and glasses — the FIFA men’s World Cup is now just one week away, and it promises to be the wildest ride in the history of the event.Held across three countries (Mexico, Canada and the United States) and four time zones, the event will have a larger logistical footprint than any previous tournament, which undoubtedly contributes to being the most expensive World Cup ever. It will also have the largest field in tournament history after expanding to a record 48 teams.We’ll have a lot more coming in the ensuing weeks. There will even be a World Cup-specific quiz from our soccer squad, so keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, we’ll let you warm up with just a couple of soccer questions included in this week’s quiz. Have fun, and make sure to try out our daily Connections: Sports Edition while you’re at it.Top stories mentioned in this week’s quizNBA Finals matchup guarantees another year without a repeat champVegas rallies to take early lead over Carolina in Stanley Cup FinalUSMNT captain set to be oldest American to play in World CupChampions League final was a thriller despite one team’s possession dominanceWNBA player’s debut jersey sells for record priceYankees score 13(!) runs in one inning, nearly a franchise recordFeds say NBA player took $100K from gamblers to leave a game earlyMinnesota Vikings take a chance with new GM hireAnother top French Open contender goes down, wilting in the heatCollege baseball power misses World Series, sees season end at 52-8This article originally appeared in The Athletic.NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, Soccer, Sports Business, Culture, FIFA Men's World Cup, Tennis2026 The Athletic Media Company

PROVIDENCE — Hendricken and La Salle have a new opportunity to renew their rivalry.The two programs haven’t met in a volleyball State Championship before this season. That’ll change this weekend after the top two teams in the state weaved their way through the playoffs.No. 1 La Salle’s 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 victory over the fourth-ranked North Kingstown showcased the Rams’ power at Rhode Island College on Wednesday, June 3. The Rams (15-3), now heading to their fourth state title appearance in five years, are on the state’s latest dynastic run.No. 2 Hendricken (14-3) gritted through a 25-23, 23-25, 25-18, 25-22 triumph vs. No. 6 East Greenwich in the nightcap at The Murray Center. Hendricken’s last title match was in 2021 and the Hawks haven’t won on the final day since 2011.The showdown, just the second all private-school boys volleyball State Championship, is set for 5 p.m. on Saturday at The Murray Center.“I think the program is the best in the state right now,” La Salle’s Daniel Ayorinde said. “I think in the future years we're going to be back every year.”“It feels amazing — it’s been a couple of years,” Hendricken’s Andrew Ramos said. “But I think this year we have a squad that can take it home.”For more on the semifinals, read on below:La Salle flexes its hittersThe Rams were never threatened against North Kingstown. A late 5-1 run in the opening set fed into a 7-2 start in the middle frame. Three consecutive aces from Jayden Simao put the Rams in control. Daniel Ayorinde found an extra playoff gear in the middle of La Salle’s lineup and Tavares was his usual self on the outside.The win also sends a bit of revenge NK’s way after the Skippers beat La Salle in the semifinals last year.“[Ayorinde] turned up more than I've ever seen,” Tavares said. “It was the most hype I've ever seen him. He’s putting the ball down. It was so good to see him break out of his shell and have a breakout game. He hit amazing, and it's really cool to see it.”“I was nervous, but this whole week I knew I had to fire up this game,” Ayorinde said. “They sent us home last year. Me and all my boys were crying on the bus, and everything, so I had to take care of business.”It was about as well-rounded performance that La Salle has had this year. And the Rams are accustomed to their power this late in the season. They know that they can win every point at the net and its infectious.A combined block from Tavares and Ayorinde, during a 9-0 run in the third set, was a heat check. The Rams already had their championship tickets booked, but the finishing touches were an added flash before the real match on Saturday.“Me and [Ayorinde] had that big stuff block and that's when we felt the momentum changed,”Tavares said. “We could taste it, we could taste the finals, with that run. [Simao] put us on a good run, really good serving run, and we just felt like nobody could stop us. And they didn't come back.”Hendricken grinds through opening setsThe four-set finish nearly took two hours as East Greenwich gave it all it had in an upset bid.Hendricken had seen enough after it sprinted ahead with a third-set charge. The Hawks started the frame with an 8-2 advantage after dropping the second set. They also rallied in the first frame after breaking a 21-21 tie.Ramos finished the decisive set with two kills over the final three points with Michael Zanni ending it from the middle.“After that second set, we were all feeling like we needed to lock in,” Rocco Czaja said. “We got that third set and then I felt like all the momentum was just on our side again. It just didn’t feel like we had things going our way in that second set but we made the adjustment and started to get the swings going again.”Between Ramos, Czaja, Ty Karten and Ryan Yin setting the offense, the Hawks have their own hitters that can match against La Salle. Zack Roebuck, like Ayorinde, is dangerous in the middle and provides a spark.“A lot of these guys have been on the team for four years,” Czaja said. “Making the playoffs was a goal, never mind winning a State Championship. To bring it all home … that’d be huge for this group.”This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: La Salle and Hendricken to meet for RI boys volleyball championship

🇩🇪 New Bundesliga boss, Carles Martínez takes over at LeverkusenBayer 04 Leverkusen have officially announced the appointment of Carles Martínez Novell as their new head coach. The 42-year-old Spanish manager arrives at the German club after ending his spell with Ligue 1 side FC Toulouse, where he enjoyed a notable campaign by guiding the team to ninth place in the French league. Martínez Novell will sign a contract tying him to the German club until 30 June 2028. The Catalan coach will officially take charge of the first team on 1 July 2026, the date on which the club’s new sporting project will begin. This managerial change in the Bundesliga comes after the departure of Kasper Hjulmand. The Danish coach leaves Bayer Leverkusen after having led the team for just one season. With this appointment, Leverkusen are placing their trust in the talent and potential of Spanish football to lead the squad over the next two campaigns. The new coach is expected to bring the dynamism and competitive approach he already showed in French football. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Zielinski confirms Dumfries’ Real Madrid move, makes Lewandowski Serie A admissionPiotr Zielinski admits Inter players will be ‘sorry’ to see Denzel Dumfries leave and insists Robert Lewandowski ‘can easily fit into’ Serie A.Inter and Poland midfielder Zielinski spoke to Sportmediaset while on international duty.Zielinski ‘sorry’ that Dumfries is leaving InterThe big news on the black and blue side of San Siro is that Dutch wing-back Dumfries will join Real Madrid in a €20m deal.The Merengues will activate his €20m release clause, and according to Fabrizio Romano, Dumfries has already undergone medical tests with the Ligue 1 giants.“Surely, we’ll be sorry because Dumfries is an excellent player who has made history at Inter,” Zielinski said.“Therefore, we are sorry, but certain offers can’t be rejected. If he joins Real Madrid, we can only congratulate him and wish him good luck.”MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 17: Denzel Dumfries of FC Internazionale Milano reacts as the team warms up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)Atalanta-owned Marco Palestra is Inter’s main candidate to replace Dumfries.“I don’t know if Palestra will arrive; I’m not dealing with these things. He’s strong, but you have to see if he arrives or not,” Zielinski said.Zielinski’s compatriot Lewandowski sees his Barcelona contract expire at the end of the month and his agent has already met with Juventus and Milan.Would Zielinski suggest that his compatriot move to Italy?“Surely, he’s a champion. He can easily fit into our league,” the Inter midfielder replied.Inter won the Serie A and Coppa Italia in Cristian Chivu’s first season as a coach at San Siro with Zielinski playing a key role for the Nerazzurri.ROME, ITALY – MAY 13: Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale Milanois challenged by Mattia Zaccagni of Lazio during the Coppa Italia Final match between SS Lazio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on May 13, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)Therefore, the Poland international is not considering leaving this summer.“I think so. I want to stay because it’s a big team, and I think one can always improve and do even more,” he said.“We have a deep squad; surely those in charge of the market will do something and make a competitive team. I can’t wait to get some rest and then start the pre-season again.“We must improve in the Champions League, and I’m sure we will because we are a strong team,” he concluded.“As I said before, maybe with some reinforcements, but the team is already strong and competitive, and it didn’t go as we wanted.”

The Softball Coaches Association of Indiana announced its all-state honorees for the 2026 high school softball season.Players are divided into Class A/2A and 3A/4A, with first, second and third teams for each class. Teams were selected through a process organized by the SCAI.Class 4A/3AFIRST TEAMPaige Liezert, sr., Crown PointLexi Iwema, sr., Lake CentralMaddie Such, jr., Lake CentralSienna Stilley, sr., Hanover CentralAlly Compton, jr., MunsterLogan Rumble, sr., PennTaylor Danley, sr., CarrollLeah Shappell, sr., LeoCaitlyn Denny, sr., PennMaeve Miltner, jr., FW Bishop DwengerBrynley Erb, sr., WesternHaley Schatko, sr., NoblesvilleJayden Kleiner, sr., CarmelGrace Swedarsky, sr., Hamilton SoutheasternOlivia Jones, so., YorktownBrynn Meyer, sr., Center GroveSidney Feczko, sr., CathedralLilly Heath, sr., AvonElise Baker, sr., RoncalliHarper Moore, jr., Beech GroveTaylor Barrett, jr., Center GroveRiley Byford, sr., Jennings CountyHarper Adams, jr., Greensburg CommunityKaitlyn Whitlock, sr., Silver CreekBaleigh Fish, jr., Columbus EastArian Day, jr., Jennings CountyEmma Bruggenschmidt, sr., CastleBrianna Barrix, jr., JasperLily Greenwell, sr., CastleLaney Scherer, jr., Gibson SouthernGrace Archer, sr., Vincennes LincolnSECOND TEAMAshlyn Kita, sr., Crown PointMadi Wainwright, jr., Lake CentralJillian DeYoung, so., Hanover CentralTegan Tripp, sr., Lake CentralDelilah Kincaid, jr., ValparaisoMadison Jones, jr., FairfieldKhloe Hershey, sr., MishawakaShea Crawford, so., MishawakaAva Walker, jr., ElkhartKiley Weinberg, sr., South Bend Saint JosephSavvanna Riall, sr., Greenfield CentralBrooklynn Hagerty, jr., LogansportKristen Wineinger, sr., Greenfield CentralHallie Schwieterman, jr., Jay CountyLucy George, jr., WesternAllison Bland, sr., EdgewoodMaggie Krause, sr., NorthviewDelaney Jones, sr., Indian CreekAG Pogue, sr., BrownsburgAdalynn Foster, sr., Franklin CentralSadey Hughbanks, sr., New PalestineKenzi Arnett, jr., PlainfieldCaitlyn Fox, jr., BatesvilleKendall Christie, sr., North HarrisonAva Cutter, jr., South DearbornAubrey Leugers, sr., Franklin CommunityKenzie Zigler, jr., Terre Haute NorthCarly Potts, sr., Gibson SouthernAlaina Allyn, sr., Mount VernonEmily Parker, sr., BoonvilleEmmy Miller, sr., Floyd CentralElla Wilkey, sr., SouthridgeTHIRD TEAMScarlette Tegtman, sr., Crown PointPreslee Hill, sr., LowellEvi Cuevas, jr., Crown PointCamryn Young, fr., GriffithLauren Mish, jr., Iliana ChristianCaroline Wendlinger, jr., MunsterPeyton Grindstaff, so., GarrettAubrey Helmkamp, jr., East NobleRachel Humbarger, sr., NorthridgeDellancey Jenkins, so., South Bend RileyCharlie Swiger, so., PennMakayla Watson, sr., WestfieldJaycee McCarter, fr., Hamilton SoutheasternAubrey Fox, jr., Pendleton HeightsReese Newsom, jr., NoblesvilleAdrianne Cook, sr., FishersMadison Bland, sr., EdgewoodKiley Renick, sr., Franklin CentralLacie Godby, sr., CascadeJordyn Hazelwood, so., CathedralBennie Leffler, sr., RoncalliJillian Cavanaugh, sr., LawrenceburgJaleigh Lindley, sr., Terre Haute NorthCarly Reed, sr., Bloomington SouthLola Watkins, jr., Columbus EastAnnabelle Richter, sr., Franklin CommunityKyleigh Walker, jr., Terre Haute NorthMaddie Rose, jr., CastleBrianna Canaan, jr., Evansville MemorialLily Hester, jr., North PoseyElise Coleman, sr., Floyd CentralEmma Fischer, jr., Heritage HillsClass 2A/AFIRST TEAMMadilyn Nevitt, sr., Tri-County High SchoolJordyn Botma, jr., Boone Grove High SchoolGrace Luck, sr., Tri-County High SchoolCheryl Barnes, sr., KnoxEliana Grubbs, sr., BremenGrace Swank, sr., Central NobleLauren Hardy, fr., Covington CommunitySami Leopard, so., Delphi CommunityAbie Pearson, sr., Delphi CommunityAllie Hardy, fr., Prairie HeightsKelsey Armes, sr., Elwood CommunityEmillia Andrews, sr., Eastern - GreentownElla Barry, sr., SouthmontHadley West, sr., ManchesterJaiden Moses, sr., Indiana School for the DeafKenna Streeval, sr., Edinburgh CommunityAshlyn Hittle, so., Triton CentralRyan Works, sr., Rising SunKynadee Bode, sr., MilanLanee Swindell, jr., KnightstownKarlee Smith, sr., Clay CitySydney Wilson, sr., Barr-ReeveFaith Mitchell, sr., Clay CityLila Koontz, sr., BloomfieldHallie Knepp, jr., Barr-ReeveAudrey Seiler, so., TecumsehJaylynn Hobbs, sr., SullivanAddyson Phillips, jr., Wood MemorialAvery Long, jr., TecumsehBre Harris, jr., TecumsehSECOND TEAMAshlyn Hite, sr., AndreanMaggie Keller, jr., Winamac CommunityHadley Donovan, sr., HebronMaddy McCoy, sr., AndreanLois Layer, sr., PioneerAddi Gorbettl, sr., RossvilleAutumn Paschal, sr., RossvilleVictoria Crozier, sr., WoodlanHayley Hardy, jr., Prairie HeightsBailey Bateman, fr., LakelandKeera Grizzle, so., Clinton PrairieRyleigh Myers, so., Oak HillBrynlee Humphries, jr., Alexandria-MonroeZoey Coppess, so., FranktonBria Rensberger, sr., RochesterMallory Eaglin, sr., KnightstownAvery Dungan, sr., Tri HighLily Courtney, sr., Rising SunElaina Titkemeyer, sr., Rising SunMcKenna Eaglin, fr., MilanAddilyn Rodich, fr., North DaviessLucy Wirtz, sr., Barr-ReeveAddison Lafree, sr., BloomfieldJaylee Yeadon, so., Brownstown CentralMariah Scott, fr., Clay CityBraelyn Gladish, so., South KnoxMelanie Pfeiffer, sr., TecumsehDelaney Pennington, jr., South CentralOlivia Griffith, sr., Linton-StocktonLayla Manship, sr., West WashingtonTHIRD TEAMOlivia Treece, jr., Boone GroveLayla Winrott, sr., JimtownMakayla Werner, sr., Winamac CommunityKylee Logan, sr., CastonAddison Sponaugle, jr., KnoxMolly Madsen, sr., North Judson-San PierreOlivia Timm, jr., North Judson-San PierreMeredith Hindbaugh, so., WhitkoKynee Myers, so., RossvilleKaitlyn Tilley, jr., Central NobleMackenzea Causey, sr., Eastern GreentownSavanna Hall, jr., CowanKinley Webb, jr., Alexandria MonroeAva Hubner, sr., Lewis CassAlyxandra Smith, jr., Alexandria MonroeStella Griffin, jr., Alexandria MonroeKalli Davis, sr., WabashLyla Williams, sr., Tri HighLeyla Miller, sr., Indianapolis LutheranSawyer Rogers, so., MorristownAviana Ramos, sr., Winchester Community Monte GaddisHailey Elsrod, jr., NortheasternEllie Stoelting, jr., Clay CityMadelyn Knepp, sr., North DaviessKenadie Garloch, sr., SalemHaley Huff, so., Barr-ReeveJosie Beavers, fr., Brownstown CentralEllie Allen, sr., North KnoxAudrey Sullivan, so., Linton-StocktonAddison Stepro, jr., South CentralMakenna Mills, sr., LanesvilleKeelei Brown, so., Linton-StocktonFollow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana softball All-State teams 2026: IHSAA top players