Shea Ralph of Vanderbilt was named The Associated Press women's basketball Coach of the Year on Thursday after turning the Commodores into one of the top teams in the nation.Ralph led a team that returned just one starter to the most successful season in school history. The team went 29-5, with 13 of those wins coming in the regular season against a rugged Southeastern Conference schedule. The Commodores finished tied for second in the conference, which matched the best finish in program history. They earned a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament and reached the Sweet 16.It's wild. Its hard to wrap my mind around it. This whole year we havent slowed down, Ralph told the AP. I love basketball, I love the group that I coach.I love they stayed with me. Its been hard and its been challenging, but in a good way.Ralph received 23 votes from the 31-member national media panel that votes on the AP Top 25 each week. UCLAs Cori Close, who was the AP Coach of the Year last season, was next with four. Ralphs mentor at UConn, Geno Auriemma, received two votes while Mark Kellogg of West Virginia and Kara Lawson of Duke each received one.The thing I love the most of where I'm at is the vision never changed," Ralph said. That's really important to me. Do it at a high level at Vanderbilt is really improtant to me. They've shown what that looks like to invest in women. Really invest in women. The resources and money, but also the development and academics.Ralph is the first Vanderbilt coach to win the award, which was launched in 1994-95. Her team, which won seven more games than the year before and was ranked as high as No. 5 in the AP poll, was led by All-America guard Mikayla Blakes.Shes someone you would want to run through a brick wall for, Blakes said. She has bought so much into us that its only right that we continue to fight in this game for her, and shes someone who in tough moments you want to lean on. And thats the reason why I came here.Vanderbilt started out 20-0 and had seven wins over ranked teams this season. I think truly we never talked about it, Ralph said of the undefeated start. I chuckled to some of my staff members this is what Im used to. I feel comfortable here. Keep kicking their butts in practice and challenging them and keep preparing the same way no matter what our record is.___AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker contributed to this story.___AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

This weeks Rhythm Energy Athlete of the Week hails from Alvin ISDs Iowa Colony High school. Chase Wiley is a standout for the Pioneers boys basketball program which won district and finished the season 29-8 advancing to the Regional tournament. Chase has been a leader for Head Coach Trent Olivier both on and off the basketball court this season earning 20-5A District MVP honors.Chase plays at a high level but his passions go beyond basketball. Chase, whos father is famous comedian Marcus D. Wiley, is active in Iowa Colonys theatre arts program earning UIL honors.

A jockey has found himself at the centre of a racing controversy after footage of his ride sparked widespread criticism and an official investigation.The clip from Parx Racing in Pennsylvania on March 31 quickly spread across social media.Viewers questioned why Eliseo Ruiz appeared to remain virtually stationary as his mount Bailout Billy surrendered the lead in the closing stages.Australian broadcaster Bruce Clark shared the footage on X, remarking: "This is no April Fools joke."TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayThe Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission has since confirmed that its Bureau of Thoroughbred Horse Racing is examining the race.The four-year-old filly, trained by J. Guadalupe Guerrero, had established a commanding two-length advantage as the field turned into the home straight during the six-furlong contest.However, as rivals began to close the gap, Ruiz could be seen glancing between his legs and over his shoulder rather than urging his mount forward.The jockey neither pushed with his hands and heels nor reached for his whip as the favourite Cocktail Humor swept past in the final strides to claim victory by half a length.Bailout Billy, who went off at 5/1 as the third choice in the betting, had to settle for second place.Thomas Chuckas, director of the Bureau of Thoroughbred Horse Racing for the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission, confirmed to the Paulick Report that an inquiry into the contest was under way.The scrutiny comes despite Bailout Billy's impressive recent form, having secured four consecutive victories in late 2025.Ruiz's agent, Troy Matty, has pointed out that those previous wins came under a similar riding approach, arguing that the filly simply does not respond well to aggressive encouragement.LATEST SPORT NEWSPolice release footage of Tiger Woods as they question golf star moments after DUI crashOlympic ban on transgender women in female competition hailed for 'common sense' by UNRoberto De Zerbi issues apology to Tottenham fans after criticism over Mason Greenwood commentsThe agent maintained that the horse has particular characteristics that require a more restrained style in the saddle.Ruiz issued a statement on Wednesday defending his conduct.He said: "I understand that some individuals have expressed concern regarding what they perceive as a lack of action during my ride. "However, it is important to note that I followed the trainer's instructions precisely at all times."The jockey urged critics to examine Bailout Billy's racing history.They said: "It is evident that this is a horse with particular characteristics, one that cannot be urged with the whip nor ridden aggressively in a conventional manner.""I am a professional who is fully committed to the integrity of this sport and holds its principles in the highest regard."I would never act in a way that compromises those values."Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

Bondi's time as America's top law enforcement officer was overshadowed by the justice department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Overtime-Drama im Eisstadion am Pulverturm in Straubing: Die Tigers verkrzen gegen Titelverteidiger Eisbren Berlin in der Serie auf 2:3 und erkmpfen ein sechstes Spiel. Torschtze in der Nachspielzeit ist Elis Hede.[mehr]

Thursday, April 2, 2026 l Game #1Jackson Field l Lansing, Mich. l 6:05 p.m.Radio: Fox Sports 980 WONETV: MLB App, MiLB TV, Bally Sports Li... - MWL Dayton Dragons

L'OM et Monaco s'affrontent ce dimanche en Principaut. Et ce choc est capital dans la course au podium pour des Marseillais qui n'ont plus que trois longueurs d'avance sur des Mongasques bien plus flamboyants depuis qu'ils sont dlests de la Ligue des champions (7 victoires et 2 nuls sur les 9 derniers matches). Un vritable tournant dans le sprint final pour l'After.

Sports authorities in Ukraine asked the International Olympic Committee yesterday to examine the neutral status

As global healthcare systems pivot toward value-based care and home-based recovery, the infrastructure for managing chronic fluid accumulation is undergoing a significant clinical shift. New market data reveals the global Edema Management Devices Market is projected to grow from USD 3.73 billion in 2026 to USD 6.52 billion by 2036, advancing at a steady 5.7% CAGR....

Is Lionel Messi still the best soccer player in the world at 38 years old? It's debatable. However, what is undeniable is that Messi will be one of the focal points of the 2026 FIFA World Cup should he choose to participate in a record-setting sixth World Cup, which is why the "First Things First" crew ranked Messi the No. 1 player in their top 26 players that could define the 2026 World Cup. But what does the rest of the list look like? Let's dive in with Nick Wright, Chris Broussard and Kevin Wildes: Wright: A sixth World Cup that would be the most ever, tied with Cristiano Ronaldo. He already has the World Cup record for games and minutes. Hes already the only person to ever score goals in the World Cup as a teenager, in his 20s and in his 30s. He already has multiple Golden Ball awards for most goals in the World Cup and, in the last World Cup, he scored in every. Single. Round. Argentina, as I mentioned earlier, is trying to become just the second country ever, joining Italy in the 30s and Brazil with Pele to win consecutive World Cups. Argentina winning this would put Messi in Gretzky territory as far as GOAT conversation. Uncatchable. I dont know if they could do it, but no one thought he would be playing in this World Cup and hes going to. Broussard: Can he go down as the best ever without winning the World Cup? Thats what we want to know. I think probably not, but can he lead Portugal on a great run and get to the final and win it? He locks it up if that happens. Wildes: Hes 18, he debuted at 15. If anyones star is going to go to the stratosphere, I think its Yamal. I think hes an electric player. Hes dynamic the way he crosses through. He has one sort of signature move that everyone knows is coming and cant stop it. He was runner-up to Dembele for the Ballon DOr, but to see a teenager assert himself as the best player in the world would just be fascinating if he could pull it off with Spain. Broussard: I told you guys I picked France to win it all. He is the main reason why. Now, if they do win this, is he already the best ever? I think hes playing that well. Hes become a legend. Hes only 27. Can he become the second player ever to appear in three straight World Cup finals? That would be and thats what Im talking about, maybe the best that weve ever seen. Kylian Mbappe. It gets no better than him. Wright: The single most intimidating force in professional soccer. Norway might not make it out of the group stage. Theyre in the same group as France and Senegal Just making it into the knockout round is an accomplishment for this country which only four times, has even qualified for the World Cup. Only twice made it to the knockout round. What you know is if Norways playing, hes scoring. In their eight World Cup qualifiers this year, he scored 16 goals. He averages more than a goal a game for his International Career. But again, this is not a country with a rich soccer history. If they go on a deep run, he will be in the running for the Golden Boot, which is the most goals scored in the tournament. Even if they only make it to the quarterfinals, it might take 10 goals for him. Broussard: Well, look, he may be the greatest American soccer player of all time. Certainly, most people arent thinking we have a chance to win it. Obviously if he can lead us to that he probably definitely goes down with that title. Hes already got 30 career goals for USA. Thats in the top five for our nation. Hes only 27 years old. And the good thing is, hes been productive in big games on the big stage. 2022 World Cup, 2024 Copa America, hes got 2 goals, 3 assists. I think this guy is going to play well. Its just a matter of how well. Can he lead us to a surprisingly high finish? Wildes: Hes the face of Brazilian soccer. The 25-year old forward for Real Madrid. In my lifetime, it has gone from Ronaldo to Ronaldinho to Neymar, to this young man as the face of, in my humble opinion, the most beautiful style of soccer for the greatest soccer country in world history, Brazil. With that said, theyve only made it past the quarters once since their last win in 2002. I believe he should have won the Ballon DOr in 2024. They are really going to need his scoring. As loaded as Brazill is, Rodrygo, his fellow forward, is out with a torn ACL. Theyre going to need my guy Raphina to be great. Hes going to have to be great if Brazil is finally going to get back where they belong. Wildes: Englands all-time leading goal-scorer. Eight goals in the World Cup. Missed a penalty in 2022. It wasnt great. England goes home. Hes 32. Had a renaissance at Bayern. This would obviously be the crowning achievement of his career. I loved him at Tottenham, he was playing with Son. Im rooting for Harry Kane. I think its one of the best stories, I know people like to root against England, it would be great for Harry Kane to win one time. Broussard: Last time we saw him in the World Cup. Tough outing for him. He had the penalty against Argentina, the foul led to their penalty kick and opened the scoring for them. Then got substituted for in the first half. That game went down as one of the best ever. But since then? He has been on a tear. You mentioned the Ballon DOr, hes the reigning winner of the Ballon DOr award. Hes an amazing player and will he continue his rise? Because hes on a historic run and if he caps it off with a World Cup win this surge will go down as one of the best weve seen. Wright: Hes the oldest player on our list by a mile, hes 40-years old. And because of his playing style, which relies so little on athleticism, it feels like he could play forever. He also has been the reason that Croatia has been one of the biggest stories of each of the last two World Cups. There are only two teams to make back-to-back World Cup semifinals in each of the last two. France, a perennial favorite and Croatia, led by Luka Modric. Hes teammates with Christian Pulisic on the club side and here is my favorite stat from our entire list: From 2008 to 2021 the 14 Ballon DOr Trophies that were given out. One didnt go to Messi or Ronaldo. 2018: It went to this man, Luka Modric. Hes an all-time legend, see if he can get Croatia on its third consecutive deep run in this tournament. Wright: Quite simply, I think, certainly arguably, maybe in-arguably, the greatest center back in the world of this century. Hes 34 years old, he plays for Liverpool. Also, the last World Cup for his country, the Netherlands, ended in utter heartbreak. They played Argentina, obviously the eventual champs. Theyre down 2 late, they get it even, they get to penalties, they lose on penalties, including a missed penalty by Virgil Van Djik. His country Netherlands is one of six countries to ever play in three World Cup finals. They are the only one of those six to never win a World Cup. If theyre finally going to do it, hell be the player of the tournament. Broussard: Hes one of the most beloved players in the world because he grew the game in Asia in a way that goals and assists cant measure. Hes one of the greatest Asian players ever, if not, the greatest. 10-time Best Footballer in Asia award-winner. 10-times. Hes lost some of his top-end speed but still can be dynamic on the counter-attack which has always been one of his signature traits. He also played 4 years for Mauricio Pochettino, the Team USA coach, they won a championship back in 2019 together so thats a storyline to look at as well. Wildes: Torn loyalties here for me because Germany is in Group E with Curacao, my squad. He had some setbacks with his ankle. Seems to be OK. Playing for Bayern. Electric player, great ball control. Germany, looking for their fifth World Cup, open up with Curacao in Houston, June 14. Wright: Last World Cup, as a teenager, he started every World Cup match for England, but now he's a team leader and some believe he's the best player on the team. He scored one of the best goals of the decade in the 2024 Euros against Slovakia. If England is finally going to break through, this young man, who finished third in Ballon d'Or voting in 2024, is going to have to be brilliant. Broussard: He's going to have to be huge for Senegal. He's 34 years old, he's kind of past his prime, but he's one of the best African players of all time, and in 2025, he was the AFCON Player of the Tournament. He still has a lot left and we'll see if he can turn back the clock and lead Senegal to another great run. Wildes: A friend of the show and anchor of the United States' defense. He talks a little bit of trash. He had some choice words for Paraguay when we got into it in a friendly. He grew up in Alabama and ended our interview with "Roll Tide." 2025 U.S. Men's Player of the Year. I think his star is going to shine brightly. Wright: I watched him in person, in Milan, score and assist on a goal in their first game as the defending Serie A champions. He's an electric player for what flatly is a historically great Argentina squad. They won the Copa in 21 and 24, and in the middle of that, they won the World Cup. In that 2024 Copa run, he scored five goals as Argentina went on a historic run of international dominance. Broussard: I love this guy. He's making his World Cup debut. He is one of the most exciting and entertaining players in the world and might have the fastest feet in the world when he has the ball. He tries the audacious moves and plays during the game you're almost shocked that he tries them, but then he actually completes a lot of them. I can't wait to see what this guy does in his first time on the big stage. Wildes: Is he the best player in the world? Some people say yes. He reminds me a little bit of Kyrie Irving the way that he handles the ball. It's classic Spanish possession football. Spain, of course, is always a powerhouse but hasn't made it past the Round of 16 in the last three World Cups. Wright: 27-year-old defender for PSG. Fresh off of carrying Morocco to the semis of the 2022 World Cup. He's the reigning African Player of the Year. His defense was the story of their run in 2022. In the five games before their semifinal loss, they allowed one total goal. However, despite being a defender, he is a legitimate goal-scoring threat. Broussard: This guy lives under a microscope as the captain of Manchester United. He's one of the great leaders in the post. He's really passionate and it comes out. Everyone will love him because of that. But can he get Portugal a World Cup win? That's what this is all about. He's creative, his passing range is limitless, he covers all types of ground on the field. It's almost like having two guys in one body. He's fun to watch. Wildes: Born in Brooklyn, "First Things First" mainstay when he went on that scoring tear in the Champions League, five goals in 10 games. At the Copa America, he had two goals in three games. We're going to have a lot of eyes on Pulisic as our goalscorer, but Balogun can put the ball in the back of the net as well. I'm expecting a quality tournament from Flo Balogun. Wright: 29-year-old Brazilian midfielder. The very rare late bloomer for Brazil. He gets overshadowed with his club team because of Lamine Yamal; he gets overshadowed for Brazil sometimes because of Vini Jr., but he's fresh off of a top-five Ballon d'Or finish. He is my pick for the Golden Ball, and Brazil will return to its birthright, winning the World Cup for the first time since 2002. Broussard: Can he return to form that he showed a year or so ago when he led Egypt to the knockout rounds? He's one of the greatest African players of all time, a two-time African Footballer of the Year; last year, he was phenomenal for Liverpool, leading them to the Premier League championship, but he's kind of gone into a slump since then. But, here comes to African Cup of Nations, he turns it around and plays tremendously. He seems to be rounding back into form at just the right time. Wildes: Only 24 years old and already in his second World Cup. He has three goals for England in 2022 and he's already one of the best passers in the world. He plays with a joy, he's fun to watch. I have England to win it, or at least go further than usual. Wright: Listen, he's 27 years old, he plays for Juventus, he can play literally any position but keeper. He's in the midst of his best club league season, including scoring four goals in the Champions League. If the United States is finally going to make it past their glass ceiling of the round of 16 and return to the quarterfinals, he might be the single most influential player. He might be the X-Factor for the United States.