The first day of Black History Month 2025 was marked by a Big Ten women’s gymnastics meet in Los Angeles, where both UCLA and Michigan State had their share of Black gymnasts, with UCLA’s Madisyn Anyimi and Jordan Chiles both posting perfect 10 scores in their floor exercises.
Sports
Local and national sports reporting and commentary by the state’s leading African American sportswriters, including award-winning columnists Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, with a special emphasis on the local prep scene and disparities in sports administration and media coverage.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Everything is go, go, go in this Gopher’s final season
Minnesota graduate student Alexsia Rose, who wears the number 0, has proven to be a valuable asset to the team, averaging 15 minutes per game and logging a season-high 10 points against Nebraska in December.
Posted inSports
HBCUAC Tournament: Highlights from Days 2 and 3
The HBCUAC tournament saw Wiley’s 95-72 win over UVI, while Philander Smith edged Fisk 43-40, with both teams advancing to the semifinals on Saturday.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Glover’s timely three-pointer leads North to Twin City title
Minneapolis North won their first Twin City girls basketball championship in 20 years with a three-pointer from Shanya Glover with three seconds left in a 63-60 victory over St. Paul Como Park.
Posted inSports
Netflix’s ‘Last Chance U’ doc draws players’ lawsuit
Six former junior college football players are suing Netflix and their former school for at least $30 million, alleging that they were not compensated or given the chance to consult an attorney or fully read their contracts before being portrayed on-screen.
Posted inHigh School Basketball
Battle of Woodbury: East Ridge Edges Out Woodbury in a Thriller
The East Ridge Raptors and the Woodbury Royals clashed in a high-energy game, with the Raptors ultimately winning 65-63 in a battle for city bragging rights.
Posted inAnother View
Omaha a leader in Black college coaching
Carrie Banks is in her fifth season as the head coach of the Nebraska Omaha women’s basketball program, making her one of the few all-Black coaching staffs in college basketball, while Leonard Hamilton retires after 22 seasons as the winningest coach in Florida State history.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Publication in ‘Essence’ is ‘surreal’ for student of Black sports history
Bria Felician, a graduate student at Georgia State, has a passion for Black women’s history in sports, which she showcased in her “100 Years of Black women in sports + a catch up” newsletter and an article in “Essence Magazine.”
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Fab Five: Cretin Derham Hall’s thrilling victory over DeLaSalle
Cretin Derham Hall’s boys basketball team secured a 74-60 victory over DeLaSalle, with standout performances from point guard Jason Johnson, shooting guard Jojo Mitchell, forward Monteff Dixon, guard Jeaden Udean, and teammate Dorian Pruitt.
Posted inHigh School Basketball
North High Polars edge Washburn Millers 71-69 in intense game
North High Polars secured a 71-69 win over Washburn Millers, thanks to standout performances from sophomore Marcus Marshall (26 points) and junior guard J’Marion Sanders (20 points).
Posted inBlack College Sports Weekly
Norfolk State’s Larry Vickers leads HBCU coaches in MEAC undefeated streak
Norfolk State’s Larry Vickers is one of three Black head coaches and the only HBCU head coach among 12 Division I undefeated WBB teams in conference play.
Posted inSports
March Madness Black college style
The 2025 HBCUAC women’s and men’s basketball postseason tournament will be held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with Tuscaloosa being the home of the University of Alabama and the regional center of industry, commerce, health care and education for the area locally known as West Alabama.
Posted inSports
WER Announces Market Teams, Logos, and Descriptions for Inaugural Season
Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) has unveiled the names, logos, and colors for its six market teams, representing the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, and Twin Cities, and will launch its inaugural season in March 2025.
Posted inReporter's Notebook
St. Thomas roll into Summit League first place
St. Thomas secured a 95-84 win over Omaha, moving the Tommies into first place in the Summit League and knocking Omaha out of first place, while also putting the team in history as the only team to transition to Division I and record 19 wins three straight seasons.
Posted inAnother View
UCLA’s first Black coach underappreciated
UCLA’s forgotten legacy: Kenny Washington, the first Black head coach in school’s women’s basketball history
Posted inOdds and Ends
A Black woman coaching women is a privilege
Tasha Brown, UCLA assistant coach, emphasizes the importance of defense in her interactions with the team, and is proud of the collective effort of her coaching staff in making the Bruins the number-one team.
Posted inTimberwolves/NBA
Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves: A Reunion Finally Within Reach
With Glen Taylor’s ownership of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx coming to an end, Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez’s takeover signals a potential shift in leadership, potentially leading to Kevin Garnett’s jersey retirement and reconnection with the franchise.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Four boys basketball coaches who made their mark
Four boys basketball coaches who made their mark
Posted inSports
Stillman to host HBCU Basketball Championships
Tuscaloosa, Alabama will host the 2025 HBCU Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, marking a boost to the area’s economic fortunes and featuring a new tradition of a Family Reunion Community Tailgate.
Posted inBlack College Sports Weekly
Howard University men’s and women’s basketball teams continue winning streaks
The Howard University basketball teams are on a roll, with the women’s team extending their win streak to three and the men’s team ending a five-game losing streak, both improving their overall records and earning MEAC weekly honors.