As the Chicago Bulls approach the fall with an open roster spot, theyve been linked to LA Clippers restricted free agent guard Bennedict Mathurin. The Bulls reported interest in Mathurin, though, has been overstated, according to a league source who was granted anonymity to describe ongoing deliberations.New York TimesNew York TimesMore on Bennedict Mathurin: Recent HoopsHype RumorsMarc Stein: The Pelicans and Bulls remain engaged suitors for Clippers RFA Bennedict Mathurin, says one source close to the process. The source adds: "Dallas has not expressed interest at a serious level" thus far. @MikeAScotto reported today that Milwaukee has joined the Mathurin chase. 7/31/2026 x.comWhile the Los Angeles Clippers remain interested in re-signing restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin, the New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and Dallas Mavericks have expressed sign-and-trade interest in the 24-year-old swingman, league sources told HoopsHype. With that said, theres work to be done by each team if theyre going to add Mathurin. 7/31/2026 HoopsHypeThe Stein Line on Tuesday learned that Chicago is Mathurin's other current suitor. You'll recall that The Stein Line also revealed recently (July 23 to be exact) that New Orleans has been trying to shed Jordan Hawkins' contract via trade to move further away from the first apron. Among the options available to the Pelicans, if they succeed in those efforts, would be opening up the use of a healthy portion of its midlevel exception to assemble an offer sheet to Mathurin. 7/29/2026 marcstein.substack.comShamit Dua: I'll have more thoughts on this. But in a hypothetical Mathurin sign and trade that sends Herb to the Clippers, the Pelicans would be severely downgrading in terms of guys who impact winning. Herb's 3 year RAPM is +3.2, Mathurin's is -2.9. The difference equal to adding a star 7/28/2026 BlueskyAfter the publication of this story, The Stein Line heard from two sources that our Intel needed to be updated because the Pelicans as they did before the trade deadline have indeed shown recent interest in Mathurin as well as an unnamed second suitor. League sources relayed that there has been recent dialogue between New Orleans and Mathurin's camp. 7/28/2026 marcstein.substack.comThe Clippers unlike Detroit's stance with restricted free agent big man Duren have not ruled out participating in a sign-and-trade that lands Bennedict Mathurin elsewhere. Word is they would consider that outcome as well. Yet the Clippers' preferred outcome, wehear, is striking their own deal with Mathurin. 7/23/2026 marcstein.substack.comThe Los Angeles Clippers remain interested in re-signing restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin, league sources told HoopsHype. However, the Clippers are hesitant to make significant roster decisions as Kawhi Leonards Aspiration investigation remains ongoing and has held up his expected trade to the Toronto Raptors. 7/22/2026 HoopsHypeSources with knowledge of the talks told me Thursday that the Nuggets' sign-and-trade asking price has to this juncture been too steep for the Clippers to deeply consider. As a result, sources say, there is an increasing possibility that the Clippers opt from here to focus on re-signing their own restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin instead. 7/10/2026 marcstein.substack.comThe Clippers, league sources said, have shown legitimate interest in Watson but are also navigating their own restricted free agency situation with Bennedict Mathurin, which complicates matters. Several teams are known to have registered interest in a sign-and-trade for Watson. 7/5/2026 New York TimesAPHoops: The LA Clippers are not done, but it appears as though a pursuit of Peyton Watson appears less likely than before, per @JakeLFischer. There was talk that LA was strongly considering not tendering a QO to Bennedict Mathurin in order to operate as a cap space team. 7/1/2026 x.comThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Bulls not that interested in Bennedict Mathurin?

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 30: Edward Cabrera #30 of the Chicago Cubs delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels during the second inning at Wrigley Field on March 30, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesIowa Cubs pitcher Connor Noland was activated off the Development List.Second baseman Dom Krupinski was promoted from the ACL Cubs to low-A Myrtle Beach.Iowa CubsThe Iowa Cubs were tied to the tracks by the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Yankees), 9-5.Edward Cabrera started this game on a rehab assignment. Cabrera only threw 1.2 innings and 43 pitches. He was charged with three runs on two hits and two walks, although two of the runs scored in the second inning after he was relieved by Ty Blach. Cabrera struck out three. He struggled with control as only 26 of his 43 pitches were strikes. However, his velocity was consistently between 94 and 98 miles per hour. First baseman Jonathonn Long went 3 for 5 with a double and one run scored.Center fielder Brett Bateman was 2 for 5. Catcher Owen Ayers went 1 for 2 with two walks and an RBI.Right fielder Kevin Alcntara extended his on-base streak to 39 games by going 1 for 4. He drove in one and scored one run.A strikeout for Cabrera.The battle of the Cabrera's is won by Edward! pic.twitter.com/VxonEyorMY Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) August 1, 2026RBI single for Ayers.Owen Ayers get us on the board! pic.twitter.com/tZqddEG99n Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) August 1, 2026The Jaguars RBI single.Kevin Alcantara drives in a run and extends his on-base streak to 39 games! pic.twitter.com/wAQTTuE6tP Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) August 1, 2026Knoxville SmokiesThe Knoxville Smokies let the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Marlins) be the one that got away, 5-4.Luis Martinez-Gomez started and gave the Smokies a solid six innings, giving up three runs on five hits. All three runs scored on the two home runs he allowed. Martinez-Gomez walked two and struck out five.The loss went to Kenyi Perez, who pitched the seventh inning and surrendered two runs on two hits. Perez struck out two and did not walk anyone, but he did hit one batter that came around to scored.Center fielder Alex Ramrez hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning, his 13th on the year. Ramrez was 3 for 5 with a double and the home run. He also stole a base.Third baseman Jefferson Rojas went 1 for 2 with a double and two walks. He scored two runs. RBI single for left fielder Carter Trice, who went 1 for 4 with a walk.Carter Trice evens us up in the third pic.twitter.com/6pV5LuQf9Z Knoxville Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) August 1, 2026The Ramrez home run.Pretty in pink pic.twitter.com/VEP7hIuO8H Knoxville Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) August 1, 2026South Bend CubsThe South Bend Cubs impressed the Lake County Captains (Guardians), 15-7.Kohl Franklin started this game on a rehab assignment and gave up one run on three hits over 1.2 innings. Franklin walked three and struck out one.Nate Williams relieved Franklin and got the win because Franklin didnt go five. Williams allowed one run on two hits over 2.1 innings. Williams walked three and struck out three.South Bend scored nine runs in the top of the second inning, sending 13 batters to the plate. The Cubs hit three home runs in the second. The first one was a three-run home run by center fielder Kane Kepley. It was Kepleys seventh home run on the season. Kepley went 1 for 4 with two walks, a hit-by-pitch, the home run and his 50th steal of the season. He scored twice.Later in the second, right fielder Kade Snell hit a two-run home run, his sixth of the year and third in two nights. Snell went 1 for 6. Shortstop Angel Cepeda then went back-to-back with Snell. It was Cepedas third South Bend home run and fourth overall. Cepeda was 2 for 4 with two walks and a stolen base. He scored twice in the second inning.Third baseman Matt Halbach hit the Cubs fourth home run of the game in the sixth inning with the bases empty. It was Halbachs eighth home run. Halbach went 1 for 4 with two walks. Second baseman Ty Southisene was 3 for 4 with three walks. Southisene scored twice and drove in two.Left fielder Jose Escobar doubled twice in a 3 for 6 game. He scored one run and had three runs batted in.DH Logan Poteet was 2 for 5 with a double and a walk. He scored twice and had one RBI.First baseman Josiah Hartshorn went 1 for 6 with a two-rum double and a walk. I mention this because the switch-hitter hit the double left-handed off a lefty. Hartshorn scored twiceHere are the highlights of the nine-run second.Please, have a seat and enjoy this nine-run second inning. @hoosierlottery Home Run (x3) | #SBCubspic.twitter.com/YIal7pdjxG South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) August 1, 2026Halbachs home run.Matt Halbach-to-back games with a homer!@hoosierlottery Home Run | #SBCubspic.twitter.com/obKS0dTJTg South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) August 1, 2026Hartshorns left-on-left double.A left-on-left double from Josiah Hartshorn, because why not?#SBCubspic.twitter.com/0BMi6qzC1p South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) August 1, 2026Myrtle Beach PelicansThe Myrtle Beach Pelicans were hunted down by the Charleston RiverDogs (Rays), 13-1.David Avita started and took the loss. Avita pitched three innings and surrendered five runs on seven hits. Avita struck out one, walked one and hit one batter.The only Pelicans run came in the fourth inning when right fielder Eli Lovich singled home shortstop Alexis Hernandez. Both players were 1 for 4.Third baseman Corey Nunez is off to a great start to his pro career. Tonight he was 2 for 4 with a double.

Luruent: Dillon Brooks had a WILD response when N3on asked about LeBron joining the 76ers. "He's trying everything he can to get another ring and get more footage for his Last Dance documentary."x.comx.comMore on Dillon Brooks & LeBron James: Recent HoopsHype RumorsNBA Courtside: Dillon Brooks says he would want to Box Jimmy Butler ? Jimmy Butler. Its all about basketball for sure. But I feel like some things went to far. I always feel the animosity 7/31/2026 x.comNBA Courtside: Dillon Brooks says Russell Westbrook play style is hard to coach: His play style is so different. Its hard to coach. He needs the ball. He has to have the ball in his hands 7/31/2026 x.comHeat Central: Dillon Brooks with high praise for Giannis Antetokounmpo: Theres nothing you can hate about Giannis. The media always tries to find things to hate on him, or discredit him, you cant. Hes had a crazy story, good person, freak of nature, and hes really good at the game and what he does. 7/31/2026 x.comFearBuck: Dillon Brooks tells Neon that the Kawhi Leonard trade to the Toronto Raptors WONT happen 7/31/2026 x.comAnfernee Simons on LeBron James joining 76ers: I mean obviously you see everything thats going on like in the media and stuff so you see like that you know, LeBron could potentially go there and you know, to me I gotta see it to believe it. So, I forgot what I was doing. I might have been working out or actually I woke up. I just woke up and I saw the news and I was like, Dang, this is crazy. 7/31/2026 YouTubeHeat Central: Rick Carlisle explains how the Mavericks beat the the Big 3 Heat in the finals in 2011: A picture from the finals where Kidd was picking up full court against LeBron James. We were going to be full court, make nothing easy, and be persistent. Always going to be there. We had a zone defense we developed during the previous summer to prepare for that season. We knew our zone would have to help us in that series because the matchups werent there. We were going to be in attack mode, play fast, play random for great opportunities We had great chemistry. Nowitzki showed that year and in those finals how great he was. (Via @DraymondShow) 7/31/2026 x.comSam Amick: "I had a really strange experience about three weeks before (LeBron) made his decision. I got a reminder that in this job, on the one hand, we're playing in the sandbox, right? It's not that serious. On the other, you clearly have fans and people out there who think it would be funny to get us to report things incorrectly. So a few weeks before he made his decision, I basically got catfished from a reporting standpoint and it was pretty wild. Somebody gets your number, and I'm assuming maybe they used AI to write some of it, a pretty compelling text message, claiming that they were somebody else who I knew but didn't know all that well. Long story short, it was weird because it was like, they said that it was Philly. And on the one hand, you might go, oh, did you get an early tip? And it's like, without getting in the weeds too much, no, it absolutely was not an early tip. It was a total scam." 7/31/2026 YouTubeAmid active sign-and-trade interest from the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, along with the possibility of re-signing with the Atlanta Hawks, another suitor has expressed interest in free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. After missing out on their pursuit of LeBron James, the Minnesota Timberwolves have also expressed interest in Kuminga with their starting power forward spot up for grabs and their $6.06 million taxpayer mid-level exception available for the taking, league sources told HoopsHype. 7/31/2026 HoopsHypeLeBron James joins the 76ers as their jersey patch deal with Crypto.com is set to expire after this season. His presence, should it continue past this year, could turn the next jersey sponsorship into one of the NBAs most coveted sponsorship opportunities. The partnership between the 76ers and Crypto.com was announced in 2021. Although no terms were disclosed, reports at the time said it was a six-year deal worth more than $10 million annually. The Golden State Warriors are believed to have the leagues most lucrative patch deal, with an artificial intelligence company paying the team more than $50 million annually. The Sixers deal will expire at the end of the 2026-27 NBA season, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to Front Office Sports. 7/31/2026 Front Office SportsIts hard to overstate the significance of James joining the 76ers just ahead of a potential bidding war for the jersey patch, according to consultant and former Citi executive Ian Cropp. Its a huge deal to have him there from a sponsorship perspective, Cropp tells FOS. I know hes not quite [Lionel] Messi going to Inter Miami in terms of his ability to win games single-handedly, but from a global star power perspective its on par. The star power James brings could widen the field of interested suitors, according to Cropp, who runs sports consultancy 575 Partners. The 76ers could receive calls from international companies, as well as those in sectors that in the past may not have considered an NBA jersey patch. 7/31/2026 Front Office SportsMultiple reports have suggested that James, who agreed to sign with Philly last week, may not actually live in the city where hell play. Instead, James could reside in New York City and commute the 100 miles to Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia or to the Sixers practice facility in Camden, N.J., just across the Delaware River. To speed up the trip, he could do so via helicopter, those reports say, which would take approximately 45 minutes. James has not publicly commented on his living arrangements. His plans have yet to be finalized, according to a league source who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. 7/31/2026 New York TimesNew York has been conservative with allowing helipads on tops of buildings since 1977, when a helicopter tipped over while attempting to land on the MetLife building in Midtown Manhattan. Some remain, but they are not for commercial use; instead, they are allowed for hospitals or police. Though he has yet to change the citys policies, New York mayor Zohran Mamdani campaigned on further restrictions for air travel, saying last April that we must end non-essential helicopter flights immediately. Conditions must be ideal. Visibility is the most common reason for helicopter delays or cancellations. And remember, the environment around James matters here. LA Clippers wing Kawhi Leonard famously commuted from San Diego via helicopter, while Kobe Bryant choppered from his home in Orange County, Calif., to Los Angeles Lakers games. But that was in Southern California, where skies are clearer than they are in the Northeast. Fog is common in the New York-to-Philadelphia corridor, especially in the mornings. 7/31/2026 New York TimesNBA Courtside: Rich Paul on why LeBron didnt choose the Spurs: Its similar to the Knicks these are two teams that finished last two teams in the season. Spurs were the runner up. And when you have a guy like Wemby you have to respect his growth, his position on the Spurs. Its not easy LeBron James shows up it just doesnt matter who you are. (Via Game Over) 7/31/2026 x.comAnthony Slater: "Rui Hachimura is a guy that (Warriors) looked at. They wouldn't have gone to the full mid-level type number that they were willing to get to for LeBron James because again that would have cost Moses Moody on a trade and then a Draymond Green pay cut that clearly Draymond was executing only for LeBron James." 7/31/2026 YouTubeDillon Brooks on the viral meme of him laughing at LeBron James from the stands: Whats funny is I got a ticket [for the game] from Rich Paul. Its a good meme. He was talking to a LA fan, he was like I know you throwing shade at me. I know, I know. So Im looking at him like oh my god hes really worried about this fan right here? Youre down 3-0 now. Im just cracking up. Im telling my agent on the side damn hes really focused on the wrong sh*t right now. 7/23/2026 YouTubeThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Dillon Brooks on LeBron James: He's trying everything he can to get another ring and get footage for his Last Dance documentary

Milwaukee Brewers No. 1 prospect Jess Made went 5 for 5 with two homers, including a grand slam, in a prospect showcase for Class AA Biloxi on July 31, a 14-8 win for the Shuckers over the visiting Montgomery Biscuits.Highly regarded prospects Andrew Fischer and Blake Burke also went deep to continue their incredible 2026 seasons, but it was the No. 1 prospect in baseball who took center stage. He finished with seven RBIs and four runs scored.JESS MADE GRAND SLAM BAs No. 1 prospect is 5-for-5 with seven RBI and two homers (@BiloxiShuckers) pic.twitter.com/ydfrmQI5YC Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) August 1, 2026Made's grand slam in the bottom of the eighth turned a two-run game into a laugher. He also hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth. He now has five straight games with an extra-base hit and a seven-game hitting streak overall. The 19-year-old has an .823 OPS this season as one of the youngest players in Class AA, with 12 homers, 29 stolen bases and 74 RBIs.Burke, meanwhile, who already owns the Shuckers' single-season home run record, upped his total to 30 with his blast. He's the fourth hitter since 2005 to have a 30-homer season exclusively in the Southern League. THIRTY BURKE BOMBS!! pic.twitter.com/qiQrpYVhjN Biloxi Shuckers (@BiloxiShuckers) August 1, 2026Burke, a first baseman who was a first-round draft choice in 2024, also doubled in the game, scored three times and drove in two runs. The 23-year-old has a gaudy .990 OPS this year with 25 stolen bases to accompany his 30 bombs.Then, there's Fischer, who already had reached the 30-homer threshold this season. The team's first-round pick 2025 hit a solo shot in the second inning that tied the game at 1-1 and gave him 34 homers for the season across two levels, with 14 at Double-A. Andrew Fischers 14th Double-A homer of the season just stays fair The @BrewersPD prospect has gone yard in five of his last seven games.(@BiloxiShuckers) pic.twitter.com/voVGh3TmX6 Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) August 1, 2026Fischer has homered in five of his last seven games. He's got a 1.053 OPS at Biloxi and a 1.093 OPS overall between the Shuckers and Class High A Wisconsin. He's up to 78 RBIs for the year, and he leads all of minor-league baseball in homers this season.MLB Pipeline regards Fischer as the No. 6 prospect in the Brewers organization and Burke as No. 17. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jess Made has outrageous night for homer-happy Biloxi on July 31

On Friday night, Boston turned to JC Higginbotham in net, who delivered in his first start of the season, helping the Cannons to an 11-7 win over the Archers in Columbus and snapping Utahs four-game win streak.After Colin Kirst posted save percentages below 50% over the previous three games, head coach Brian Holman made the decision earlier in the week to startHigginbotham.Part of this job that I absolutely detest is doing what I had to do this week, Holman said. But at the end of the day, my job is to help these guys be in the best position they could possibly be to compete for a championship.It was just the third PLL appearance and first start for Higginbotham, who went undrafted out of Bellarmine in 2024.The move paid off early as the 25-year-old stopped four shots in the opening minutes, weathering an aggressive Archers attack and helping Boston find its footing.Offensively, the Cannons looked more like themselves from the start. Brian Kelly opened the scoring with a leaping finish before Coulter Mackesy buried a two-point shot from range. After being held off the scoresheet last weekend, Mackesy quickly returned to form.BK cleared for takeoff pic.twitter.com/ft90e39nyC Boston Cannons (@PLLCannons) August 1, 2026It was an exciting matchup at the stripe as rookie Andrew McMeekin continued to impress in a dominating 71% performance against the Archers Mike Sisselberger.For a Boston team that has been striving to find its identity this season, Holman feels its starting to take shape.We dont have a dominant guy, like we dont have one of these all-world attackmen and middies that these other teams have, Holman said at halftime. So we have to share the rock, play together as a team and thats really our identity, so thats not gonna change.An already physical, penalty-filled game reached a boiling point in the third quarter when Kelly was pushed into the crease. Archers goalie Brett Dobson responded by cross-checking Kelly,sparking a scuffle involving players from both teams.Were kind of a gritty bunch, Holman said. Nobodys left behind, and credit Mic [Kelly] for going in there and standing up for his teammate. Its just part of the game.It didnt disrupt the flow for Boston. Brian Kelly ended the night with four goals, putting in two back-to-back with under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.The Cannons secured the win ahead of their Homecoming Weekend at Harvard Stadium.I just cant wait to be at home again, Mackesy said. But at the end of the day, were gonna write our own destiny. Next Friday is a new game, a new chapter for this team, and thats what were focused on now.

A hometown celebration was held in Fayette County on Friday.The community welcomed home the Bullskin 10-U softball team with a full parade through the community.The team captured state, Mid-Atlantic, and Eastern Regional Championships.The celebration continued at the ball field with music, food and fireworks to honor the girls unforgettable season.They play for each other, they play for themselves and they play for all these people here. They put Bullskin on the map, head coach Jeremy Nunamaker said.The coach tells us this group is the first team in the leagues history to win all three championships.Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

SEQUOYAH Last season's growing pains may become this season's biggest strength.After relying heavily on freshmen during a 12-win campaign in 2025, Sequoyah returns nearly its entire roster with another year of experience, and the Lady Eagles believe that could make all the difference.Sequoyah enters the volleyball season with high expectations after finishing 12-15 a year ago. Although the Lady Eagles dropped 10 of their final 13 matches, coach Zoe Kersey said she believes the experience gained by one of the area's youngest teams has positioned the program for a breakout campaign.We're obviously going to be young again, but I think we've got some serious potential, Kersey said. A lot of the girls coming from being freshmen up to sophomores now have put in a lot of work outside of our gym. They've gone to the rec and done club. They've put in a lot of hours and really, really improved.The improvement hasn't been limited to natural development.Kersey said many of her underclassmen spent the offseason putting in extra work outside the gym, while accountability has become a defining characteristic of the program.That accountability extends beyond players holding one another responsible.She noted there have even been moments during practice when players have reminded the coaching staff to stay on task, creating an environment where everyone is invested in the team's success.Focus has kind of been an issue with us in the past, but I think we've been holding each other accountable a lot more, Kersey said. Coaches to kids, kids coaches, kid to kid, so I'd say accountability has been huge. Keeping everybody locked in, everybody focused. I lose focus just like a kid does. I mean, it happens. They gotta help us out and keep us accountable.The Lady Eagles will once again lean on an experienced core led by Claremore Progress All-County Most Valuable Player Emmyn Gibson, who led all of Rogers County in kills [418] and kill attempts [1,218] with a .200 hitting percentage and .343 kill rate in addition to recording 334 digs, 47 aces and 1.83 serve-receive rating.Kersey hopes Gibson's leadership will allow the younger players around her to flourish.Emmyn shouldered a lot of what we did last year with a very, very young team, even herself being only a sophomore, Kersey said. But I think Emmyns not going to have to shoulder that burden quite as much this year. I'm hoping she'll take more of a leadership role in kind of helping all of her teammates out. Of course, she's Emmyn Gibson she's gonna do what she's gonna do. But I think she's going to be able to pull back a little bit and let those underclassmen shine a bit more.Joining Gibson are All-County first-team selection Hailey Budgick, sophomore All-County first-teamer Alice Michaels, sophomore Bella Brown, sophomore Avery Conger and sophomore Haydon Charles, giving Sequoyah one of the deeper returning groups in Rogers County. Senior duo Lexi Dunfee and Greidys Morales are also expected to make an impact.Budgick logged 328 digs, a team-high 1.91 SR rating and 20 aces in addition to 36 digs in a regional match after moving to libero. Offensively efficient, she added 100 kills [.387 hitting percentage / .578 kill rate] and ranks second in career aces.As a freshman, Michaels recorded 611 assists, setting a school single-season record, while adding 295 digs and 47 aces. Her quick reactions, awareness and composure stood out well beyond her age.The Lady Eagles are also experimenting with a few new wrinkles.One of the biggest changes could be the implementation of a two-libero system, while freshman Emerson Walke is pushing for playing time at middle. Standing nearly 6 feet tall, Walke is the tallest player on the roster, and Kersey said she believes her coordination gives her the opportunity to make an immediate impact.Shes a talented kiddo, Kersey said of Walke. Im pretty sure shes our tallest player. Shes not blowing holes through the ceiling, but I think shes pushing 6 feet.That flexibility comes as the Lady Eagles continue refining offensive and defensive systems during preseason workouts.Sequoyah has already gained valuable experience through summer team camps, including the Licking Summer Camp in Branson, Missouri, where the Lady Eagles played two days of live matches against a variety of opponents before competing in a single-elimination tournament.We learned a lot, Kersey said. That was a new experience for our kids. They absolutely loved the experience. It's been a very productive summer They came in ready to go, and they've been very dedicated. We've broken down a lot of things. We've had a lot more time to just hone in on little things, and it's been really good for them.Now the focus shifts to the regular season.The Lady Eagles will once again navigate a challenging Class 3A schedule that includes private-school powers such as Rejoice Christian and Holland Hall, while an early-season matchup with Inola has become one of the team's biggest measuring-stick contests.We're branching out a little bit more, Kersey said. We're trying to push ourselves, get a little bit more competitive. Our conference is always a really good one. I have yet to beat Inola. I'm really hoping that happens this year, and that's early. But like I said, we're branching out a little bit. We're playing a little bit more private-school teams.Sequoyah also recently added another home match to its schedule after what Kersey described as a scheduling miscommunication was corrected.Before the regular season begins, fans will get an early look at the program during Meet the Eagles on Thursday, Aug. 6.The event will feature introductions of every team in the program, scrimmages involving the seventh grade through varsity squads and a varsity-versus-alumni exhibition.For a team that returns nearly everyone from last year's roster, the excitement is evident.They're doing a really good job putting work in, and I'm eager to see how it all plays out, Kersey said. We have yet to see what I believe will be our starting rotation. We went to team camp and didn't get to see it. We didn't get to see it at all during our summer league. We're gonna try it at practice and see how it goes.

Alexis Morton wouldn't let Muskogee's third-inning rally linger for long.Moments after the Lady Roughers erased Claremore's early lead, Morton helped the Lady Zebras answer with her bat before shutting the door in the circle to secure a 3-1 preseason scrimmage victory Friday.Morton was outstanding on both sides of the ball, allowing just 1 run on 7 hits over 6.1 innings while striking out 3 without issuing a walk. At the plate, she collected 2 extra-base hits a triple and a double and scored a run.The Lady Zebras backed their ace with a flawless defensive effort, committing no errors.Tilly Andrews handled a team-high 6 defensive chances at first base, while Addison Reavis paced the offense with a perfect 3-for-3 performance. Caroline Messner and Morton each added 2 hits, and Claremore finished with 8 hits overall.The Lady Zebras manufactured the game's first run in the opening inning.After Claire Pilkington singled and Reavis followed with another base hit, Andrews hit a ground ball that was misplayed by the Muskogee shortstop, allowing Pilkington to score for a 1-0 advantage. The Lady Zebras threatened for more, but Muskogee turned an inning-ending double play to limit the damage.Morton settled in immediately, working around 2 first-inning singles before retiring 6 of the next 7 batters. She struck out the side's final hitter in the second and faced the minimum through two innings.The Lady Roughers finally broke through in the third, though.A pair of singles put runners on the corners before a sacrifice fly tied the game at 1. Claremore quickly escaped further trouble when catcher Pilkington threw out a runner attempting to steal third to end the inning.Morton opened the fourth with a triple into right field before Riley Fay brought her home with a sacrifice bunt, putting the Lady Zebras back on top 2-1. Two batters later, Messner tripled to right and scored on Bella Michael's sacrifice fly, extending the advantage to 3-1.That proved to be all the offense Morton needed.The senior retired Muskogee in order in the fourth, worked around a bunt single in the fifth and escaped the sixth after the Lady Roughers put runners at the corners with two outs. Michael fielded a ground ball cleanly and threw to Andrews for the final out of the inning.Claremore had another scoring opportunity in the sixth after Morton doubled, but the Lady Roughers prevented the deficit from growing.Muskogee mounted one final threat in the bottom of the sixth with a pair of singles surrounding a sacrifice bunt, but Morton induced another groundout to strand the tying runs.

The Arizona Cardinals made a roster move on Friday ahead of their final practice before an off day. They placed cornerback Jaden Davis on injured reserve, and they signed cornerback Quinton Newsome.Davis, drafted in the seventh round in 2024, he spent almost two seasons on the practice squad before being signed to the 53-man roster and appearing in three games last season. Now his season is over unless he is waived later on with an injury settlement. Newsome had a tryout with the Cardinals earlier in the week. Newsome is six feet tall and 185 pounds. He most recently played in the UFL for the Houston Gamblers. He entered the league as a rookie free agent in 2024, signing with the Denver Broncos after going undrafted out of Nebraska. He spent parts of the last two seasons with the Broncos. He will most likely be a back-of-the-roster practice player who perhaps gets work in the Hall of Fame Game next week if he learns the defense well enough. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify,YouTubeorApple Podcasts.This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals sign CB Quinton Newsome after Jaden Davis lands on IR