Social Check: Best video, interviews, reaction to Lady Longhorns making the Final Four
Social Check: Best video, interviews, reaction to Lady Longhorns making the Final Four
The Lady Longhorns are going to the Final Four! Texas beat TCU 58-47 to book a trip to Tampa. This is the Texas women's basketball team's first trip to the Final Four in 22 years. UT will play South Carolina for a fourth time this season in the national semifinal.
The joy from coach Vic Schaefer, Madison Booker, Rori Harmon and the rest of the team was palpable. UT has been one win away from the Final Four three of the past four seasons, only to lose the Elite Eight each time. Schaefer has now made history, becoming just the fifth coach to lead two different teams to the Final Four. The 64-year-old took Mississippi State to the Final Four twice.
The win was special for Harmon. The point guard battle back from a bad ACL injury last season that took her out of action for 11 months.
Check out some of the best video, interviews and reactions to the Longhorns' big night.
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USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Texas A&M is reportedly the 'frontrunner' for elite 2026 4-star wide receiver
Texas A&M is reportedly the 'frontrunner' for elite 2026 4-star wide receiver Two of Texas A&M's priority prospects in the 2026 recruiting class will take an official visit to College Station this weekend, as five-star wide receiver Ethan "Boobie" Feaster and five-star OL/DL Lamar Brown represents the two most essential prospects for coach Mike Elko and his staff that will make their final decision early next month. In terms of predictions, nothing has been clear regarding both prospects 'favorite landing spots over the past month, as Brown's recent OVs to Miami and Texas have shaken things up, while Feaster's recent OV to USC could complicate things moving forward. Still, it's impossible to ever keep the Aggies out of contention after several 2026 commits shut down their recruitment, combined with landing 2026 four-star safety Chance Collins over Texas Tech. However, according to On3, Texas A&M is now the front-runner to land Feaster and remains in great shape to secure four-star running back KJ Edwards, four-star linebacker DaQuives Beck, and three-star quarterback Kaeden Johnson. The fact that Feaster is still a favorite to land in College Station speaks volumes regarding Elko's ability to recruit elite wide receiver prospects compared to former head coach Jimbo Fisher. Yes, OC Collin Klein and WR coach Holmon Wiggins also deserve credit, but it starts at the top, especially battling the likes of LSU, USC, Texas, and Alabama. From a production standpoint, Featster has delivered impressive statistics that align with his recruiting expectations. He wrapped up his 2024 sophomore season with a personal best of 57 receptions, 855 yards, and 14 touchdowns. Throughout two varsity seasons, Feaster has amassed 1,489 yards and 23 touchdowns. According to On3, Feaster is currently positioned as the 44th-ranked prospect in the 2026 class, the 5th-ranked wide receiver prospect, and the 5th-ranked prospect in Texas. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
Fenway Park in Texas? The ‘incredible' Wiffle ball replica of Red Sox's iconic stadium
BELLS, Texas — Tuesday afternoon, a 75-year-old baseball enthusiast from San Antonio, visiting for the first time a particular Wiffle ball facility he'd heard so much about, turned 10 all over again. Jerry Buster, bat in hand, stepped to the plate. He saw the pitch. He connected. The ball sailed over the left-field wall, and Buster showcased his home run trot, far from a sprint but with some pep in his step, possibly fueled by the euphoria of the scene and environment. Everything in his moment felt spot-on. Advertisement Similar memories are often made at Home Run Ranch, a complex located in the heart of Grayson County, Texas, that serves as a student ministry and a safe space for high school students who travel as far as 50 miles to attend weekly Bible studies. The ranch also happens to host one of the most fascinating sites within the baseball stratosphere: the Wiffle ball field of Wiffle ball fields. In the tiny town of Bells, a Wiffle ball complex honors one of the most iconic Major League Baseball stadiums. A replica of Fenway Park rests in the front yard of the home of Stephen and Lana Newton. It's a perk for the students who are part of the weekly Bible studies, but the Newtons rarely turn away anyone simply interested in stepping out of their cars to enjoy the splendor. Visitors can treat the field as a landmark by taking photos or, after meeting the owners, touching the surface. The replica has nearly every intricacy a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan can think of. The Green Monster? Check. The outfield walls and their angles and perpendiculars? Accurate. The foul poles? Right on point. Pesky's Pole? Consider that extra credit. Tuesday was perfect timing for Buster, a Houston Astros fan who has a longtime appreciation for the Red Sox after visiting Fenway 30 years ago. He, like tens of thousands of others, is excited about the weekend series at Fenway, as the Red Sox host the hated rival New York Yankees beginning Friday evening. Tuesday brought back fond memories of his trip to Boston. That's how accurate the Wiffle ball field is. 'Somebody had to be a Red Sox fan to put this together; the Yankees are always losing on the scoreboard,' Buster said. 'But with the field, baseball is really being preserved here.' Full attention to detail was the primary goal in creating the replica built in 2021. Casual baseball fans know about the famous Green Monster in left field, but die-hard Red Sox fans can break down the most intricate features of the iconic sports venue that opened in 1912. The replica features two sets of numbers on the outfield walls. The white number represents the actual dimensions at Fenway. The yellow number represents the dimensions of the Bells field. 'The left-field foul pole at Fenway is 310 (feet). Here, it's 70 1/2 feet to left,' Stephen said. 'In center, it's 379 in Boston; it's 90 feet here. The absolute furthest point at Fenway is 420. Here, it's 94 feet. The right-field foul pole, Pesky's Pole, is 380 at Fenway and 74 1/2 feet here.' From a color scheme, the Newtons used the same official brand as the Red Sox. The limited-edition paint, created by Benjamin Moore, is dubbed the 'Fenway Collection' and features Green Monster and Foul Pole Yellow, obviously used to paint the wall and foul poles. The chef's kiss of the replica features what lurks past the left-field wall. A Citgo sign has resided in Boston's Kenmore Square since 1965 (1940 if you include the sign's days of representing Cities Service oil company). When the Newtons were building their field, a friend who is a collector chose in June 2023 to donate a random Citgo sign he'd had for quite some time. 'It was kind of the cherry on top,' Stephen said of adding the Citgo sign. A post shared by Home Run Ranch (@homerunranch) The only glaring difference is that while Fenway is a grass field, the surface at Home Run Ranch is turf. Also, the Green Monster in Bells is built out of metal to avoid rotting wood and reduce maintenance. It has become the daily movie for baseball fans that the Newtons didn't know they would be a part of. Advertisement 'I remember when we first started building, the Amazon delivery guy pulled in and said, 'What is this … Field of Dreams? Build it and they will come?'' Lana said. 'In several months, he pulls in again with another delivery and says, 'This really is like Field of Dreams.'' Lana also remembers a man wearing a Red Sox shirt visiting the facility. The man, holding a small dog, made a basic request for a dream come true. 'He said, 'Take my picture out there, because I'll never get to the real one.'' Lana said. 'That's cool, to me.' In 2021, the Newtons wanted to enhance their small Bible study for high-schoolers, which had been going on since 2017. Their son, who plays baseball, suggested a Wiffle ball field. Turf was delivered to their land in April 2021. The complex broke ground four months later. The field officially opened in October. Lights were added the following month. From there, extra highlights were slowly added. A replica Fenway scoreboard came in October 2022. Seats for the Green Monster were added in March 2023. Additional field lights were installed last month. 'The idea of a Wiffle ball field was always in our minds. The level that it got built was never in our minds,' Stephen said. Lana explained the reasoning behind building a replica of Fenway. First, Fenway is iconic. Even Yankees fans who hate the Red Sox appreciate the history. Second, the Red Sox will always have a place in the Newtons' hearts — even though Lana insists the favorite team of the house is the Atlanta Braves. 'Some people are like, 'Why Fenway?' There are only a couple of the OG stadiums still around,' Lana said. 'We took our son to Boston in the summer of 2023, and we went to a Red Sox game and took a tour of the stadium. My son fell in love with Fenway because of his connection to it from our front yard. It wasn't just an old stadium to him. 'That's what's inspired what is in our front yard. Older people appreciate it, but younger people can appreciate the original, too.' Stephen first became a Red Sox fan in 1986. A 10-year-old Stephen watched the Astros while growing up north of Houston and the Braves because their games were on TBS. The team he despised the most? The New York Mets. 'In 1986, my first sports tears were when the Astros lost that classic NLCS to the Mets,' Stephen said. 'I hated the Mets, and I have ever since. Back then, I said whoever is playing the Mets in the World Series is my new favorite American League team, because I didn't have an American League team. Advertisement 'But of course, we all know what happened in 1986.' Since then, the Red Sox have given fans four World Series championships, the latest coming in 2018. And regardless of a winning season, a Red Sox-Yankees series will always attract attention. There's tons of history involved. Expect baseball fans — and not just Red Sox and Yankees fans — to be glued to their television sets throughout the weekend. Buster's first trip to Home Run Ranch came just in time for him to prepare for the weekend. He remembers having excellent seats at Fenway during his Boston trip in the 1990s. Before the game, he had a chance to walk around Fenway. After the game, he remembers hanging out with Red Sox fans at a nearby bar, staying until it was time to close. All kinds of memories ran through his mind as he stood on the replica field. It was unexpected nostalgia. 'What's fascinating for me is, as a kid, I grew up playing Wiffle ball in the backyard. This is what I wanted to develop in my backyard,' Buster said of Home Run Ranch. 'I had one of the best curveballs. We always tried to find a flat area where we could put a field together, and here, we've got Fenway Park. Just incredible.' Nestled in a town of approximately 1,500 people, the place the locals like to call 'Bells, America' is located roughly 70 miles north of Dallas and has a total area of only 2.2 square miles. Transportation in much of the town consists of a one-lane road. Bells is a dot on the state map, relatively nonexistent on a national map. The Newtons have had numerous individuals stop by their facility, and they welcome each with open arms. They've heard from people as far as Australia and New Zealand. They've received messages from Red Sox fans globally. They've also had fans of the closest MLB team, the Texas Rangers, ask why the facility is modeled after Fenway and not Globe Life Park (opened in 2020) or The Ballpark in Arlington (1994-2019) or Arlington Stadium (1972-93). Even 2004 World Series champion Kevin Millar has chimed in on the facility. Need this immediately at the ranch!!!!! Let's gooooo — Kevin Millar (@KMillar15) May 29, 2025 Mason McCready plays soccer for Texoma FC, a USL League One soccer team based in nearby Sherman, Texas. The 22-year-old goalkeeper spent the first six years of his life in the Boston area, as he is the son of Scott McCready, a former NFL wide receiver who was on the New England Patriots practice squad when the team won Super Bowl XXXVI. The McCreadys moved to Scotland the following year, as Scott played for the Scottish Claymores of the World League of American Football (later called NFL Europe). Mason lived in Scotland until recently, when he moved to Sherman for Texoma FC. Advertisement Mason was wearing a Boston shirt when he first connected with the Newtons during a church function. He was invited to Home Run Ranch and was 'taken aback' by everything he saw. 'I've seen Fenway, but I'd never seen anything like this,' McCready said of the Wiffle ball field. 'Being a big Red Sox fan, this was just incredible. Until you see it in person … it's crazy. 'For me, without question, it was seeing the Green Monster. It's such a unique thing in all of sports, but seeing a mini version of it — and it still being so relatively big — it caught me off-guard.' Visits to the ranch happen at all times of the day. Lana mentioned it's routine to see people drive by, only to hear their cars backing up to see what they're missing. Having Massachusetts residents or individuals with Boston ties show up at the ranch is always a treat. Some will arrive wearing Red Sox gear. One fan gave the Newtons a replica 2013 World Series ring. Some will even approach the complex with a Boston accent. Home Run Ranch is truly a spectacle, almost a town secret in many ways. The goal of containing emotions seems to be the norm for visitors. The Newtons said they've witnessed several people getting out of their cars, staring at the field in awe and trying to find the words to explain what they're seeing. 'When you bump into someone who happens to have a mini Fenway … that shouldn't happen,' McCready said. 'I felt like I was in a fever dream.' As remarkable as the visual of the Wiffle ball field can be, the objective of Home Run Ranch holds the most weight. The ranch is considered a parachurch ministry, a largely self-funded mission that became a 501(c)(3) in 2018. The mission was once a youth Bible study in the Newtons' living room. Twelve students showed up for the first meeting in September 2017. From there, the number continued to grow. On Dec. 15, 2024, a record 145 students from roughly 20 high schools were in attendance, learning about Biblical scripture and how the teachings intertwine with the everyday struggles of young men and women. 'I focus a lot on creating a place where they want to come,' Lana said. 'I want it to be approachable. I want them to invite people. I want them to learn how to share their faith. I want them to have fun being a believer. 'People think it is just a Wiffle ball field, but so much more happens here. I look at it as the Lord's faithfulness.' A post shared by Home Run Ranch (@homerunranch) Home Run Ranch has a noticeable tagline: 'A home to run to.' The complex has an outdoor basketball court and a community building called 'The Dugout,' where Bible study is held. That building includes a ping-pong table and a pool table. It can also host team dinners for organizations around the northern Texas area. Advertisement The ranch is a reminder of the past for Lana. She didn't have youth Bible studies growing up. She wanted to start the mission so high school students could find a balance of building their faith while having fun doing so. The replica field has been a great asset in getting the word out. And with this weekend's Red Sox-Yankees series on deck at Fenway, the all-around publicity is a win for all involved with the ranch. 'One thing led to another, and next thing you know, we've built the cathedral for Wiffle ball fields,' Stephen said.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Miami Minicamp Confidential: OLB Jaelan Phillips locked in and ready to return to action
Miami Minicamp Confidential: OLB Jaelan Phillips locked in and ready to return to action The Miami Dolphins concluded their mandatory minicamp Thursday and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips got a chance to update South Florida media on a few topics on Wednesday. Entering a second consecutive year coming off a season-ending injury, Phillips shared his progress in rehabbing from a 2024 ACL injury and discussed the difference from his 2023 Achilles season-ender. 'Oh, it's way easier. It's like night and day, honestly. The ACL, I was walking basically a week after surgery, and then was back to day-to-day life functioning after a couple of weeks. 'In terms of coming back to play, I feel like I tend to heal pretty well. I obviously take really good care of my body and have good genetics. I've been lucky with this process where I've been pretty much feeling the same for the last couple of months," Phillips said. Phillips injured his ACL during a Week 4 game against the Tennessee Titans last year. The 6-foot-5, 263-pound linebacker remarkably started 2024 on time following his 2023 Achilles injury that he suffered against the New York Jets during Week 12 of that season. Phillips was well on his way to a career year in 2023, going into the Jets game with 5.5 sacks and adding another against them before exiting the game with injury. In his first two years, Phillips had a Miami rookie record 8.5 sacks and followed up with seven during his second season in South Florida. Clearly pacing to exceed those numbers in 2023, a full season of Phillips in 2025 could mean a potential of double-digit sacks. Of course, he will be part of a trio that together, could form an extremely potent pass rush. He joins 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson and veteran Bradley Chubb, who is also looking to return to action from his own knee injury from Week 17 in 2023. 'Yeah, man, we've been talking about it since Chop got here, for real. But it'll be cool to actually get to do it. Also just another year under the belt for our defense under 'Weave,' getting the plays together. I think you'll see things open up a little more, so it will be exciting," Phillips said of that trio of pass rushers. Phillips and Chubb were able to bond and push each other during their respective rehabilitations. 'I think we both played a big role for each other, just in the sense of being there for each other during these times. Obviously, he's someone who's dealt with several injuries in the past, but ACL specific questions I do ask him a lot because he's done three ACLs. I ask him about different things and he'll kind of give me feedback and tell me how I'm looking and stuff. Same thing, it's like some good reassurance that I'm in a good place," Phillips said. Phillips is no stranger to the injury comeback trail, and has dealt with setbacks since college, but closed the narrative that comes with it. "It's just like any other negative comments that you see on the internet, you just kind of have to ignore it. I can't feed into it. I know – for example, the knee. It's friendly fire, nothing I can do about it. How am I injury-prone if I get speared in the knee? Or even the Achilles, that's the first major injury I had in the league for real, other than the little oblique I had. 'You just hear the narrative and brush it off, do what you can do. No matter what you do, someone is going to have something to say about it. So at this point in my career, I feel like I do a pretty good job of being able to see that but not let it affect me too much," Phillips said. At this moment, Phillips enters 2025 as a team leader and vital component of a defense that will need to rely on its front seven. This is also a season in which a culture shift has been the topic and Phillips chimed in with his thoughts. 'I think the biggest thing for me that I've noticed is that with our defense especially, I can't really speak for the offense all that much, but with our defense, the leaders are leaders because of merit and because of the respect they earn on the field. They're not leaders because of name or because of how much you make or anything like that.' 'So guys like Jordyn Brooks, guys like 'T. Dot' [Tyrel Dodson], guys like Bradley, obviously, Zach Sieler, these are the humblest dudes you know. Come in, first dudes in, last dudes out type of mentality. They earn your respect in that way, which I can appreciate," Phillips said. Heading into his fifth season Phillips is all about progress and on a team full of speed on both sides of the ball, he used a pertinent reference while at the same time putting his peers on notice. 'No drag, so in F1, drag is the force that's resisting forward progress. So if you're dragging as a teammate, then you're being a bad teammate, dragging the team down, so no drag around here. All slipstream around here,' Phillips said. Phillips and the Dolphins will finish minicamp and break until July when training camp will begin at Baptist Health Training Facility. When asked about how he plans on spending that time off, Phillips mentioned he has a getaway planned along with some relaxation with family in California as well as hosting a kid's football camp. However, he seems locked into the program heading into the summer. 'Honestly, I did plenty of relaxing over the last seven months," Phillips said. "I vacationed, I went to Italy. I did all that stuff. So, for me, I'm still in go mode, for sure."
