Maple Leafs’ Nylander forces OT with 20th goal of the season — and more

What's the formula behind Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing's scorching hot start to the 2026 NASCAR season? How has Tyler Reddick emerged from the pack to win three consecutive races? "Is it the car? Is it the driver? First and foremost: What is it that Michael Jordan brings to that organization?" Will Buxton asked fellow co-host Kevin Harvick on Monday's episode of "SPEED With Harvick And Buxton." "I would answer that question: Yes," Harvick said. "It’s all of that." It starts with Jordan's winning prowess, his experience as a six-time NBA champion, Harvick explained. He has the "aura" to run a NASCAR team, and certainly, the money to fund it. Then there are the orchestrators — co-owner Denny Hamlin, crew chief Billy Scott, the team that selected the drivers and is responsible for the cars. "Well [Jordan] said it after the race. His biggest piece of the puzzle that he brings to the table is the financial stability for the team, the investment they have made in the team," Harvick said. "But in his words, it’s Denny Hamlin. Denny Hamlin was able to help him put the pieces together, and actually, he said he put the pieces together to go out and find Billy Scott — Tyler Reddick’s crew chief — to go get Tyler Reddick, to put Bubba Wallace and the crew chief pairings that they have, the personnel inside it. Because as you know, you can have fast cars and you can have the coolest trick of the week, but if you don’t have the right people, this is no different than any other business. It’s all about the people." [INSIDE THE GARAGE: What to Make of Tyler Reddick's Historic Start] And this season, those people in the 23XI Racing paddock have jelled. From Jordan down to each mechanic, they've discovered greatness. They became the first team to win the opening three races of the NASCAR Cup Series season since Petty Enterprises did it in 1963. As a team, they're making their mark on the NASCAR season and introducing a new contender to the field. "I don’t think there’s any resentment," Hamlin said following Reddick's latest win at Circuit of The Americas. "I think that everybody understands the significance of 23XI being able to be successful in our sport, and what that brings to the table.

HAMDEN - Abdou Toure finished with a game-high 28 points for No. 2 seed Notre Dame-West Haven, which defeated No. 5 Fairfield Prep 73-51  to win its fifth-straight SCC boys basketball championship Monday night.

The game was a sellout, featuring 3,214 in attendance at Quinnipac's M&T Bank Arena, topping last year's total of 3,000.

The Green Knights (20-3), the No. 1 team in the GametimeCT Top 10 poll, started to pull away late in the third quarter. They closed out the game on a 21-7 run.

Jon Jones added 12 points for Notre Dame. Drew Kane led Fairfield Prep (18-6) with 19 points, the only player in double figures for the Jesuits.

Notre Dame has gone 91-1 against SCC competition since the 2021-22 season began.

This story will be updated.

This article originally published at No. 1 Notre Dame-West Haven beats Fairfield Prep, claims fifth-straight SCC basketball championship.

The study, which analysed data from prisons across the country, found that the vast majority of strip searches yield no contraband.

Researchers argue that the practice is traumatic and degrading, and they urge authorities to discontinue it.

On Feb. 23, NC State landed one of its biggest wins on the recruiting trail in recent memory. Fairhope (Ala.) St. Michael Catholic four-star quarterback Gunner Rivers committed to the Wolfpack.

The name is of course familiar, as Gunner is the son of former NC State star and longtime NFL QB Philip Rivers. Set to follow in his father’s footsteps, Gunner opted to lock in with the ACC program early.

On Monday, the Rivers duo made their way to Raleigh to watch NC State men’s basketball host Duke.

Rivers fielded some interest from the likes of Auburn and Texas, but he was trending to his father’s alma mater for some time. Last week, he discussed his decision in an exclusive interview with TheWolfpacker.com’s Noah Fleischman.

“How much they wanted me compared to the other schools was a big thing for me,” Rivers said. “Some other places were like, ‘Yeah, we want you, but we wouldn’t care if another dude came instead of you.’ But NC State was like, ‘We want you to be our guy for the future.’”

Gunner has had a record-breaking high school career and is coming off a junior season where he completed 208 of 290 passes (72%) for 2,813 yards, 44 touchdowns and just five interceptions. In the process, he led St. Michael Catholic to a 13-1 record and an appearance in the state title game vs. powerhouse Jackson.

NC State potentially eyeing big 2027 class

Rivers’ commitment is more than a feel-good story, too. He’s a blue-chip recruit, now checking in as the No. 117 overall prospect and No. 12 QB in the 2027 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies.

He’s one of four commits for head coach Dave Doeren and Co. to date. Homerville (Ga.) Clinch County three-star safety Kamarion Johnson, Raleigh (N.C.) Cardinal Gibbons three-star tight end Griffin Cockerham and Southeast Raleigh three-star running back Christian Freeman are also pledged early on.

Last cycle, NC State signed the nation’s No. 46 class, according to the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. It’s early, but the addition of Rivers could provide the Wolfpack with some serious recruiting momentum heading into the spring.

NC State has not signed a top-25 class in the internet recruiting era. Its highest-ranked haul came in the 2008 cycle, when it landed the No. 26 class that was headlined by four-star QB and eventual NFL veteran Mike Glennon.