Ralph Tasker Arena is in the midst of a facelift as the high school basketball season tips off. A coat of “Tasker Gold” paint here, a video message board there and a good cleaning of the 17 boys and one girls state championship trophies that reside in the trophy cases at the front of the arena are just some of the changes and improvements taking place to the cathedral …

Cardinals dominate to win quarterfinal By Tom Mulherin EUNICE – The undefeated Eunice football team has won several one-sided affairs throughout the season, but the Cardinals walked away Saturday with their most lopsided victory yet. Senior Kari York rushed for a career-high four touchdowns, the defense allowed -6 total yards in an eighth straight shutout, and Eunice beat visiting Newcomb …

Tyrin Pacheco has had one dream for a long time. He wanted to play college baseball at the University of New Mexico. Wednesday afternoon, that dream became a reality when the Hobbs High School senior signed his national letter of intent to play for the Lobos in Albuquerque next season. “This is literally a dream come true. The thought of …

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — The idea for one of the most clever touchdown celebrations of the season was hatched in Minnesota tight end Kyle Rudolph’s mind right before the pass play was called that night. “‘If we score here,'” he told his teammates in the huddle, “‘whoever scores, you get to be the ducker, and everybody else sit.'” Fittingly …

Lovington brothers reflect in last high school football season together By Tom Mulherin Red in the face, Elijah Cesareo can’t stop laughing. Sitting in the Lovington football film room before practice, the senior lineman starts shaking his head and shading his eyes with his hand. He can’t control himself. And with Elijah’s contagious smile beaming ear to ear, junior Evan …

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dallas owner Jerry Jones said the NFL can’t leave the impression it tolerates players disrespecting the flag and any Cowboys making such displays won’t play.Jones had his strongest comments so far on the national anthem controversy Sunday night. They started with his response to a question about Vice President Mike Pence leaving the game in Indianapolis …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Five New Mexico football players knelt as the Lobos band played “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the conclusion of the first half of Saturday’s game against Air Force. With lightning causing officials to keep the stadium closed until a half-hour before the game, most of the pre-game ceremonies were wiped out. An hour-long lightning delay at the …

More than 200 professional football players around the NFL kneeled or sat during the national anthem during week three of the season, according to the Associated Press. The NFL players did so in protest of President Donald Trump’s criticism on Friday of players who protest police brutality during “The Star Spangled Banner” by refusing to stand or conduct other acts …

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s make some noise” — those words are how Abel Arriaga, a Hobbs resident and local DJ, is trying to make it big as a boxing ring announcer. Arriaga has caught a break in the boxing industry by being hired as the ring announcer for a Roy Jones Jr. Boxing event on Friday at Gilley’s in Dallas …