Jasmine Peaks, Taylor Jameson and Princess Anderson continue our series on Shocker basketball newcomers. We talk about why they chose Wichita State, their favorite NBA and WNBA stars and summer workouts. Wichita State leaves for the Virgin Islands later this month where it will play two exhibition games.
AfterShocks coach Zach Bush gets us ready for The Basketball Tournament (which starts July 20 at Koch Arena). We break down newcomers to the roster and how the recruiting timeline works. We talk about returners such as Conner Frankamp, Rashard Kelly and Darral Willis. We also discuss Bush’s high school coaching career and why it would be fun and fitting for Joe Ragland to get a moment one summer as a member of the AfterShocks.The AfterShocks play July 20 at noon against Midtown Prestige at Koch Arena, televised on FS1. Midtown Prestige is also a Wichita-based team with several local athletes on the roster or coaching. The winner plays July 22.
Emily Hiebert, general manager of Wheat Shock Collective, joins the podcast to talk about her role helping Wichita State with name, image and likeness efforts. We discuss how she is working with Shockers on the community engagement part of NIL and how businesses can work with the collective and the Shockers. We talk about the importance of NIL and how Shocker coaches explain its role in building and maintaining their programs. We also talk about her volleyball days as a Shocker, her favorite story from coach Chris Lamb and her advice for athletes navigating the new world of college athletics.
Wichita State basketball freshmen TJ Williams and Zion Pipkin join our series on the newcomers. Williams talks about staying at home to play, his time as a Shockers ball boy and his understanding of the history of Heights High School basketball. Pipkin, from Houston, describes what it takes to be a great point guard and how he is improving his leadership skills. He also talks about playing in high school for former Shocker P.J. Couisnard, who demands his athletes work on defense and likes to remind them of his performance in the 2006 NCAA Tournament win over Tennessee.
Wichita State women’s bowling is an NCAA sport and brings its championship tradition to the university’s athletic department after winning its 11th national title in April. Coach Holly Harris and senior Piper Reams explain why the move makes sense and how NCAA membership benefits the program. We also discuss the growth of bowling in Kansas, how recruiting changes and how the NCAA tournament field is determined.
Wichita State women’s basketball newcomers K.P. Parr, Bre White and Kyleigh Ortiz join us to talk about their first weeks as Shockers. They describe the family atmosphere that WSU coaches create during recruiting. Parr discusses why it’s important to be remembered for more than basketball. White reveals her musical side and Ortiz tells us why she is Kevin Durant fan. We also talk TV shows, advice for young athletes and jersey numbers.
Hurdler Joseph Holthusen, a senior from Bishop Carroll, is wrapping up a standout career with the Shockers. We talk about his football roots, the importance of family and Luke Holthusen, his brother and future Shocker. We discuss how Holthusen worked through an injury that cost him much of the 2022 season. We also talk about “Survival,” a board game he developed and sells, a recruiting snub and the generation gap he encounters as a redshirt senior. The AAC Championships begin Friday in San Antonio and Holthusen ranks first in the conference in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.84 seconds.
Infielders CC Wong and Krystin Nelson join the podcast to prepare fans for the AAC Championship this week at Wilkins Stadium. They discuss how pitching and defense is coming together in recent weeks to lift the Shockers on a hot streak. They talk about pitcher Chloe Barber and how she’s improved over her freshman season. Wong tells us about her aspirations to play for Canada this summer. Nelson reveals why she gave up No. 12 and now wears No. 21. We also talk about Addison Barnard’s career with the Shockers and their advice for choosing a college.
Wichita State volleyball coach Chris Lamb gives us his perspective on spring practices and scrimmages. We get into how Emerson Wilford’s role will increase and why her talents remind Lamb of former Shocker Emily Adney. He breaks down how he thinks Sarah Barham, a transfer from Wofford, and returner Morgan Stout will give the Shockers strong blocking in the middle next fall. Point-scoring is a big question on Lamb’s mind, so he discusses sophomore Maddie Wilson and her versatility as an attacker. To wrap up, Lamb talks about how Shocker coaches are using the transfer portal.
Wichita State’s Harlond Beverly joins the podcast with the story of why his dad wanted him to wear No. 20 and the NBA player who also wore that number. We discuss Beverly’s admiration of LeBron James and his growing affection for UFC. We also talk about why the Shockers improved over the season’s final weeks. He describes how coach Paul Mills challenged him to be a better offensive player and how Mills’ work building relationships pays off. We wrap up with movie talk, diving into Beverly’s favorite films by Christopher Nolan.
