Brice Belden

💯💯💯

Congratulations to our @KSHSAA All State selections! 🔰

2026 Sports in Kansas 6A Girls 🏀 Coach of the Year: Mark Western, Shawnee Mission South Mark Western led Shawnee Mission South to a 6A state championship, defeating Blue Valley Northwest 57-45 in the title game to finish 24-3 on the season in what is widely considered the top league in the state, the Sunflower League. Western, also the 2024 Sports in Kansas 6A Coach of the Year, has built Shawnee Mission South into a consistent championship contender, winning two state titles in the past three years. “We were as connected as any team that I’ve been around,” Western said. “Each player compromised in terms of minutes and scoring, but still showed up every day with a positive attitude. They had lofty team goals and did everything in their control to make sure they reached those goals.” His teams have been defined by unselfishness, chemistry and a commitment to team success, continuing a track record of winning that spans multiple programs. Western holds a 202-72 overall record in 12 seasons, including 115-44 at Shawnee Mission South and 87-28 at Schlagle, where he made four state appearances from 2016-2019, including a third-place finish in 2019. A native of Overland Park and graduate of Shawnee Mission North, Western attended the University of Kansas and credits Jeff Neal, a high school coach in Colorado, as a major influence on his coaching career. With two state titles in three years, sustained success at the highest level and a championship run through one of the toughest leagues in Kansas, Western has proven himself as one of the top coaches in the state. Expect SMS to remain a contender with a young team coming back. #sportsinkansas

Congrats to everybody on this list, especially our @LadyRaidersSMS HC @CoachWestern on SIK 6A COY!!! 👏👏👏👏👏

Let’s go, @CoachWestern!!!! Well-deserved 👏👏👏👏.

2026 Sports in Kansas Girls🏀 Coach of the Year Finalists. #sportsinkansas

Let our reps know what coaches need!

I agree with @CoachClintRider. This specific legislation doesn't create rest or solutions at all. It should be either ignored by the KS Legislature or voted down!

@CoachAllen1965 @BishopMiegeHS @CoachAllen1965, congratulations on an exceptional career in both teaching and coaching! Enjoy the extra time with your family, Coach. Thank you for giving younger coaches like me a standard to aspire to!👍👏👏👏.

I’m going to retire from teaching and coaching at the end of the school year. Thank you @BishopMiegeHS for hiring me three years ago. What an incredible school to be at to end my career. Blessed for sure! #GoStagsGo

@CoachJesseOwen This is a terrible idea. It shortchanges practice time for sub varsity squads, many of whom practice later than 5:30-6 pm on Wednesdays. It's cutting in on time coaches need with kids who need reps. Film sessions help, but you need actual practice time just as much, if not more!

Placing restrictions on motivated kids and families is not the answer. Family rest, faith time, and personal schedules should be decided by families, not legislated by the state.

@coachbrettflory @BShark5 Disclaimer: Self’s still a HOF HC and IMO calls for his job are ridiculous. But I think we can all agree he’ll probably rethink that Elmarko-for-Kohl sub for a while. Thought Kohl earned the right to finish the game. Shame the season had to end like that 🤷🏻‍♂️.

@BShark5 Passable defender. Plus rebounder. Great kid by all counts. Hustles hard. Guessing NIL obligations? Best spot shooter on a team that badly needed a good spot shooter out there… genuinely confused all year and today just put it front and center for everyone to see.

The mystery of the season is why he didn't play more. It's especially baffling when you consider he started the first few games. The way he battled with effort plays when thrown into a mostly hopeless situation after racking up DNPs tells me all I need to know about him.

@Thatsnellguy Congrats, Coach!!! Well-deserved. Enjoy it!!! 🏆💍👏

To God be the Glory!! 🙏🏾 Blessed beyond measure! #favor IYKYK

Sounds pretty good to me! #Winner #StateChampX2

STATE CHAMPS AGAIN!!!!! Grateful to be part of this group!!!!!

@DAllan70 @CoachWestern Thanks, @DAllan70 !!!! Special group of kids, doing special things!!!!

Congrats @CoachWestern @CoachBriceKC!

Shawnee Mission South 73 Olathe East 32 Raiders move to 20-3 and most importantly, we earned a practice tomorrow! We’re going to enjoy every day we get together🔰 #RaidersFamily

New season starts today 🔰 0-0

@YaoDing26 @on_barstool @barstoolsms What a terrible example of someone who allegedly loves Charlie Kirk 😂😂😂😂

He gon be real upset tn @barstoolsms

@YaoDing26 @on_barstool @barstoolsms Kiss my state championship ring. 💍 You don’t know ball, so stay at little kids table and learn to speak English, commie. Maybe you’ll turn into a better person and not a POS …. I doubt it but 🤷🏻‍♂️.