Charlie Pierce

My story on Illinois star Keaton Wagler has been reposted, after he helped guide the Illini to the Final Four. On a basketball savant overlooked by big programs, and a skinny kid who bloomed late and is now blossoming. "Everyone has to run their own race." espn.com/mens-college-b…

We would like to thank the Hutchinson YMCA, YMCA Football Coaches, Middle School Football Coaches, and Coach Berblinger for hosting a football coaching clinic last weekend. We appreciate the time these youth coaches dedicate to mentoring youth football players in Hutchinson.

It’s actually so awesome that 2 of my guys @thacoachmike and @CoachUnderwood have helped their teams to Final 4. Keep being great

The South Region MOP grew up minutes from my house, went to my old high school, was a classmate of my son’s and I’ve been playing pickup with him for a few years. My hometown is so proud of Keaton Wagler. Was my honor to tell his story this year. ICYMI: nytimes.com/athletic/69929…

Congratulations to @CoachUnderwood for making the Final Four!!! Well deserved!!!

THE RISE OF KEATON WAGLER 1 Year Ago: • UNRANKED by ESPN • Under-recruited Freshman Season: • 17.7 PPG | 5.1 RPG | 4.3 APG • Big Ten Freshman of the Year • 2nd-Team All-American Today: • Drops 25 PTS in the Elite 8 • LEADS ILLINOIS TO THE FINAL FOUR One of the greatest stories in college basketball.

Two past Kansas Amateur champs currently at the top of the leaderboard @TCHouOpen w/ Woodland and Stevens.

#Illini head coach Brad Underwood shouts out his hometown: McPherson, Kansas - in the Elite 8 preview press conference. "An unbelievable little basketball community in Kansas." Here's Coach on his long journey to getting to this point, saying he always worked for winners. "It's been maybe a different path than most, but there's not one step of that I would give up." (Video from NCAA)

Brad Underwood on Keaton Wagler: "The first time I saw him live, we'd already signed him. And it was a game where he had 2 points. I walked out, and I couldn't wait to get my son on the phone, and said, 'We just got an incredible talent.' He wasn't selfish, he didn't force things, he made every right play... He's just very, very mature... I'm proud as heck of him."

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.

@JakeTrout Those old guys could play. . .and didn't have the equipment or yardage info. . .

Bottle Biology starting in zero hour today! Let’s goooo

@Evan_Schiller @thegenesisinv @prairiedunescc might be just as good

Allison Jefferson received her AD Astra Radio Athlete of the week award today. She continues to improve and has made a big impact for the Salthawk Bowling Team.

@pickmusicguitar @KellisRobinett Football, Volleyball, Soccer, Track, Women's B-ball. All have improved. Heck track is #1!

@KellisRobinett It’s nice to see him not doing that idiotic Wabash Cannonball. How does the AD keep his job? What is going right at KSU?

Jerome Tang took two questions and then bailed on his postgame news conference. That is as angry as I've ever seen him after a game.

Congratulations to Lamar Govain on making All-Tournament Team

Congratulations Tenley Keeton on making All-Tournament Team

@kstateman14 Im all behind Coach Tang! These young men are not the same as back in Winter, Gardner, and Hartmans days!

Keaton's grandfather, father, mother, uncle, and brother were all Hutchinson CC @bluedragonsport student-athletes. Good people. Outstanding family.