Thursday Afternoon Sports – McGowens Aims for First Round of NBA Draft, Runza Seniors Continue Creighton Prep Tournament, Wednesday Sports Recap, Thursday Sports Schedule

McGOWENS AIMS FOR FIRST ROUND IN NBA DRAFT:

The NBA’s annual draft is being held tonight with all 30 franchises angling for some of the top young talent from across the world. 

Nebraska’s Bryce McGowens helped aid the Huskers through a down year this past season, as the freshman slogged through the 10-22 season. The freshman did put together a productive season, however. 

Across 31 games for the Cornhuskers, McGowens averaged 16.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, both of which were team highs. He ultimately was named third team All-Big Ten and made the Big Ten all-freshman team.

McGowens is projected to be either a late-first round or early-second round pick

RUNZA SENIORS DROP FIRST CONTESTS OF CREIGHTON PREP CWS TOURNEY:

The Runza Seniors battled in the heat of the Metro Wednesday morning, falling to Gretna and Post 22 Rapid City. 

Game One went the way of Gretna in the first inning with a defensive showing following the entirety of the contest. Gretna won on their home turf 1-0. 

Game Two was battled back-and-forth as Runza trailed 5-3 entering the fourth inning, but scores in the fifth and seventh innings allowed Rapid City to earn the victory 9-3. 

Kearney continues play tonight at 5 PM against Bryant at Gretna High School. 

FORMER HUSKER HEAD COACH NAMED USFL COACH OF THE YEAR:

The Generals’ fortitude following that 28-24 defeat to Birmingham in Week 1 is a credit to head coach Mike Riley, who guided his team to a 9-1 regular-season record and a top seed in the USFL playoffs. Now, Riley has been rewarded for his expertise by being named the USFL’s 2022 Coach of the Year.

Riley, a former Alabama defensive back who went on to a long coaching career that included head positions in college (Oregon State, Nebraska), the Canadian Football League (Winnipeg) and the NFL (Chargers), took to the USFL with an infectious enthusiasm that carried over to his team.

FOUR HUSKERS TO COMPETE AT USATF CHAMPIONSHIPS:

Four Nebraska track and field student-athletes will compete at the USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., this week. 

Jenna Rogers (high jump), Maddie Harris (javelin), Alex Talley (hammer throw) and Mayson Conner (high jump) will all make the trip to Hayward Field. The four Huskers combined to win six Big Ten titles and seven All-America honors in the 2022 season. 

The four-day event will serve as the qualifying meet for the 2022 World Athletics Championships. which are also set to be contested in Eugene this July.

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

WEDNESDAY:

• STANLEY CUP FINALS: Game 4 @ Tampa Bay
  • Colorado Avalanche 3 – 2 Tampa Bay Lightning (OT) (COL 3-1)

• COLLEGE WORLD SERIES:
  • Oklahoma v. Texas A&M
    • Oklahoma 5-1
  • Ole Miss v. Arkansas
    • Arkansas 3-2
• POST 52: @ Lexington
  • Game 1: POST 52 32-0
  • Game 2: POST 52 13-0
• Runza Seniors: @ Creighton Prep Tournament
  • @ Gretna Post 216
    • Gretna 1-0
  • v. Post 22 Hardhats (Rapid City)
    • Post 22 Rapid City 9-3

THURSDAY:

• POST 52: v. GI Dinsdale – 6 PM
• POST 52: v. Grand Island 5 Points Bank – 8:30 PM
• Runza Seniors: @ Creighton Prep Tournament
  • v. Bryant Black Sox Seniors – 5 PM
• COLLEGE WORLD SERIES:
  • Arkansas v. Ole Miss – 3 PM (ESPN2)

FRIDAY:

• STANLEY CUP FINALS: Game 5 @ Colorado – 7 PM
  • Tampa Bay Lightning @ Colorado Avalanche (COL 3-1)

SATURDAY:

• COLLEGE WORLD SERIES FINALS: Game 1
  • Oklahoma v. Arkansas/Ole Miss

SUNDAY:

• COLLEGE WORLD SERIES FINALS: Game 2
  • Oklahoma v. Arkansas/Ole Miss
• STANLEY CUP FINALS: TBA Game 6 @ Tampa Bay – 7 PM
  • Colorado Avalanche @ Tampa Bay Lightning