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High School sports
Liberty athletic director Eric Gardner smiles with his father-in-law Lee Harsh Sept. 11 before a football game against Highland. Gardner had a cancerous tumor removed from the back of his head June 12 at Barrow Neurological Institute.
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North Peoria sports leader Gardner gets back to work at Liberty
The Millennium girls volleyball team poses for a photo Sept. 5 after placing second in the House of Payne Volleyball Tournament at Chandler High School. The Tigers are, front row, from left: senior Cassidy Armstrong, sophomore Kaitlyn Freeman, freshman Ellie Millhiser, junior Anabella Maynes, senior Aubrey Burns, senior Amaya Cruz, senior Layla Hernandez and senior Adelaide Millhiser. Second row, from left: Assistant coach Alyssa Avitia, assistant coach Terayah Stukes, Sophomore Amiyah Roberson, senior Jayda Hunt, junior J.J. Taula, senior Riian Warner, senior Gianna Fierros, senior Natalia Malachowska, junior Allison Veres, senior Katelyn McKinney and coach Nicole Hoff
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New volleyball coach in Goodyear leads first team that stirs memories
Willow Canyon junior Shia Chancellor hits an attack against Sunrise Mountain in a Sept. 15, 2025 home game. Chancellor is back for the Wildcats this season.
WEST VALLEY PREPS
West Valley Preps' 2026 Goodyear/Surprise girls volleyball preview
Ironwood's 2026 football captains are, from left, senior offensive lineman Amir Woods, senior safety Gavin Bernal, senior linebacker Demari Frazier, senior linebacker Shayne Newberry and senior offensive/defensive guard Jaxson Jaregui.
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2026 Preps football preview: Ironwood
The 2026 Estrella Foothills football team poses for a photo during camp in July at Cal Lutheran University.
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2026 Preps football preview: Estrella Foothills

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Cardinals Football
The 2026 Estrella Foothills football team poses for a photo during camp in July at Cal Lutheran University.
J.J. McCarthy is practicing for the first time since joining the New York Giants following a trade from Minnesota. But coach John Harbaugh has said repeatedly that Jameis Winston will start at …
The 2026 Estrella Foothills football team poses for a photo during camp in July at Cal Lutheran University.
The Arizona Cardinals of 2026 looked a lot like the 2025 version against the San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals lost their second game in a row, falling to the 49ers 36-30 on Sunday for their eight …
The 2026 Estrella Foothills football team poses for a photo during camp in July at Cal Lutheran University.
The San Francisco 49ers finally got some good news on the injury front, with receiver Mike Evans and left tackle Trent Williams both having a chance to play this week after being sidelined in a win …

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NFL
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks Baker Mayfield (6) and Jalon Daniels (10) enter the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Jalon Daniels didn’t hear his name called during the NFL draft like 10 other quarterbacks. The undrafted rookie— not No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza or first-round pick Ty Simpson — will be …

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks Baker Mayfield (6) and Jalon Daniels (10) enter the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The Dallas Cowboys have shuffled their roster in anticipation of dealing with multiple injuries in the secondary going into a visit to the Houston Texans. The Cowboys put safety Jalen Thompson and …
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks Baker Mayfield (6) and Jalon Daniels (10) enter the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Safety Talanoa Hufanga shined in Denver's comeback win over the Los Angeles Rams with a pair of picks on Matthew Stafford passes. Hufanga's handiwork included a 66-yard pick-6 in helping the Broncos …
Suns
FILE - Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks plays in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Feb. 11, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks has been charged with driving under the influence related to his arrest in March by police in Scottsdale, Arizona. Court records show that Brooks has a court date …

FILE - Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks plays in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Feb. 11, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
It’s well-known at this point that billionaire Mat Ishbia’s mortgage company has had a rough financial stretch. The owner of the Phoenix Suns says that will have “zero” effect on his spending …
FILE - Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks plays in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Feb. 11, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams is expected to miss a significant part of the upcoming season after undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The team says the injury occurred …

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NBA

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 30, 2026--Fueled by record audience engagement, category-defining partnerships and continued innovation bridging media and sports, Overtime today announced a new …

Andre Drummond was a Knicks fan growing up just outside New York City and recognized right away when they had finally put together a team that could win a title. Drummond was playing for the …
Coach Mike Brown says the New York Knicks are still deciding if they will become the first NBA champions to visit the White House under President Donald Trump. The president has traditionally invited …
Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo pauses in the team dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged he is uncertain about his future with the club after Arizona barely missed the playoffs yet again on the final day of the regular season. Lovullo …

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo pauses in the team dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Arizona Diamondbacks have missed the playoffs for the eighth time in nine seasons. They lost 9-4 to the postseason-bound San Diego Padres shortly after the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the …
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo pauses in the team dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Kyle Schwarber delivered a clutch two-run double, helping the Phillies clinch the final NL wild-card berth. His slide into second base on Sunday had fans roaring, as the Phillies beat the Rays. Zack …

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MLB
The New York Yankees take a group photo on the field to celebrate after winning baseball's American League Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox in Game 2, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

The New York Yankees figure to face a tougher challenge against the Tampa Bay Rays in an AL Division Series starting Saturday. The Yankees swept the Red Sox in the Wild Card Series with strong …

The New York Yankees take a group photo on the field to celebrate after winning baseball's American League Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox in Game 2, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
The San Diego Padres are playing their best baseball after sweeping the Chicago Cubs out of the NL Wild Card Series. The Padres have won 20 of their past 23 games as they prepare to face the MLB-best …
The New York Yankees take a group photo on the field to celebrate after winning baseball's American League Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox in Game 2, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
The Chicago White Sox swept the Astros in their two-game AL Wild Card Series for their first playoff series win since beating Houston in the World Series in 2005. Under the direction of manager Will …
College sports
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, left, looks to pass the ball as Colorado State defensive lineman Brandon Kelley (10) pursues in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

BYU opens 9-game stretch at TCU as the No. 10 Cougars chase another Big 12 run

BYU coach Kalani Sitake and the No. 10 Cougars are gearing up for a nine-game stretch after an early open date. They play at TCU on Saturday night. The Cougars, who missed the College Football …
Notre Dame running back Aneyas Williams (22) leaps over Purdue defensive back John Slaughter (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

No. 3 Notre Dame visits North Carolina with a revamped rushing game after NFL departures

Third-ranked Notre Dame has a rushing attack that coach Marcus Freeman considers to be improving entering Saturday's trip to North Carolina. The Fighting Irish average 141.8 yards on the ground to …
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, left, tries to get open against Kent State defensive back A'tiq Muhammad during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

No. 5 Ohio State sees visit to No. 14 Iowa as an opportunity to create momentum for rest of season

Ohio State coach Ryan Day sees good things ahead for his No. 5 Buckeyes if they can pass the test Kinnick Stadium presents Saturday. Iowa enjoys a big home-field advantage because the crowd is …
Indiana running back Turbo Richard (1) breaks away from a tackle-attempt by Northwestern defensive backs Josh Fussell (13) and Robert Fitzgerald (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Old teammates, new roles: Turbo Richard and No. 6 Indiana visit Dylan Lonergan and Rutgers

Indiana running back Turbo Richard and Rutgers quarterback Dylan Lonergan, former teammates at Boston College, are set for a reunion Saturday. Richard is now a key player for the sixth-ranked …
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah looks to pass the ball against Wake Forest during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Heavily-favored No. 4 Miami, Clemson meet in clash for sole possession of first place in ACC

Miami is determined to make the Atlantic Coast Conference championship this season after missing out last year. The Hurricanes have been dominant, outscoring opponents 207-36, and have the top …
National Sports
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo arrives for training in Copenhagen, Denmark, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, ahead of their Nations League soccer match against Denmark. (Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

'Is this the end?' Cristiano Ronaldo's future with Portugal unclear after veteran star leaves team

Cristiano Ronaldo’s abrupt decision to leave Portugal’s training camp after an apparent rift with coach Jorge Jesus has left many wondering what his future in international soccer will be. Is he …

Upper Deck Introduces Real-Time Trading Card Program, Upper Deck Moments™

CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upper Deck, the worldwide leader in sports and entertainment collectibles, is introducing Upper Deck Moments™ as the new brand for its revamped …
FILE - Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn, left, is congratulated by center Tyler Seguin for a goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the third period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Well-rested Dallas Stars hope long offseason sets them up to make another deep playoff run

The Dallas Stars are ready for the new season after their longest offseason in five years. Captain Jamie Benn and his teammates used the extra time to rest, recover and train. The Stars were …
Arizona running back Kedrick Reescano (3) runs the ball past the attempted tackle of BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker (16) during the first half an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

Big 12 slate has Cincinnati going for 5-0 start vs. Arizona after 5 losses in a row to end 2025

Cincinnati has gone from a five-game losing streak to finish last season to a chance for a 5-0 start this year. The Bearcats play at 3-1 Arizona in a late-night Big 12 matchup. Three of the Big 12's …
Alabama tight end Kaleb Edwards (81) and wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams (1) celebrate after a score by Coleman-Williams during the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

SEC Week 5: No. 7 Alabama visits No. 16 Mississippi State in unbeaten ranked matchup

Alabama and Mississippi State meet in the SEC’s biggest game of the week, with both teams entering 4-0 and ranked in the AP Top 25. Alabama has rolled through its first four games behind …