KEARNEY BASKETBALL RETURNS TO ACTION IN HAC TOURNAMENT:
The Heartland Athletic Conference basketball tournament continues into second round action today, as all conference teams have competitions coming directly out of the NSAA mandated moratorium.
All Nebraska high school athletics have been required to be off from regular practices and competitions since Saturday, Dec. 23.
On the girls bracket, #7 Kearney aims for another year of second round upsets as the Bearcats travel to #2 Lincoln Pius for a 2 PM tip-off.
The boys bracket features top-seeded Kearney as the host of No. 9 Grand Island after the Islanders took down Lincoln High on the road last Friday. KGFW will cover the rivalry and conference clash at Kearney High School, with pregame set to begin at 3:30 PM.
Hear Kearney Boys basketball on 1340 KGFW, 96.1 FM, on the free KGFW mobile app, and online at KGFW.com.
PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME FINALISTS ANNOUNCED:
The Pro Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday announced the modern-era finalists for the Class of 2024.
The list is highlighted by former Chicago Bears return specialist Devin Hester, former Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers and former San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates.
Other notables include: Colts’ receiver Reggie Wayne, Texans receiver Andre Johnson, Rams’ receiver Torry Holt, former Chiefs, Vikings, and Bears defensive end Jared Allen, cornerback Eric Allen, Bengals tackle Willie Anderson, Saints guard Jahri Evans, Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney, Chargers and Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis, and Cowboys safety Darren Woodson.
RUSSELL WILSON BENCHED BY BRONCOS FOR FINANCES; STIDHAM TO START:
The Denver Broncos are benching quarterback Russell Wilson in a move that could have major ramifications for both his future and theirs.
Although the move keeps open the team’s options next year and could ultimately save the Broncos $37 million, coach Sean Payton on Wednesday called the switch to journeyman Jarrett Stidham more of a football decision than a financial one.
The Broncos (7-8) have a narrow path to the playoffs. They’d have to win out and Kansas City (9-5) would have to lose out for Denver to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 season.
If Wilson doesn’t play another down this season, however, the Broncos will have kept open their options in 2024 — although his five-year, $242.6 million contract extension that kicks in next season carries massive dead money chargers over the next two years if Denver decides to part ways with Wilson.
HEARTLAND ATHLETIC CONFERENCE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SCORES/SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY – GIRLS SECOND ROUND:
No. 8 Lincoln East @ No. 1 Lincoln Southwest – 2 PM
No. 5 Lincoln Southeast @ No. 4 Lincoln North Star – 2 PM
No. 7 Kearney @ No. 2 Lincoln Pius X – 2 PM
No. 6 Columbus @ No. 3 Lincoln Northeast – 2 PM
THURSDAY – BOYS SECOND ROUND:
No. 9 Grand Island @ No. 1 Kearney – 3:45 PM (KGFW Pregame at 3:30 PM)
No. 5 Lincoln Southeast @ #4 Lincoln North Star – 3:45 PM
No. 7 Lincoln East @ No. 2 Lincoln Southwest – 3:45 PM
No. 6 Lincoln Northeast @ No. 3 Lincoln Pius X – 3:45 PM
COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL SEASON SCORES/SCHEDULE:
WEDNESDAY RESULTS:
Military Bowl: VIRGINIA TECH 41-20 No. 23 Tulane
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: WEST VIRGINIA 30-10 North Carolina
Holiday Bowl: USC 42-28 No. 16 Louisville
Texas Bowl: No. 22 OKLAHOMA STATE 31-23 Texas A&M
THURSDAY SCHEDULE:
Fenway Bowl: No. 17 SMU v. Boston College – 10 AM
Pinstripe Bowl: Rutgers v. Miami (FL) – 1:15 PM
Pop-Tarts Bowl: No. 19 NC State v. Kansas State – 4:45 PM
Alamo Bowl: No. 14 Arizona v. No. 12 Oklahoma – 8:15 PM
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
New York Jets @ Cleveland Browns – 7:15 PM (Amazon Prime)
