Will Heimbrodt’s Career Night Lifts Redhawks to 87-80 Road Win vs. Waves
WCC play has been up and down for Wiil Heimbrodt, but in the wake of guard Brayden Maldonado's injury, the playmaking forward has stepped up. On Wednesday night, the sophomore put together the best performance of his career at the perfect time to lead the Redhawks to an 87-80 win over the Pepperdine Waves.
Igniting a hot Seattle U offense, Heimbrodt finished with 24 points on 10-13 shooting from the field, matching a career-high, along with five assists, five blocks, four rebounds, and four steals. From the tip, he represented a matchup nightmare for the Waves. No one in the backcourt could match his physicality, and no one in the front court could keep up with his speed. Niine of his field goals came in the paint, and he got to the rim in a multitude of ways.
Gonzaga Cruises in Senior Night Win Over Portland, Clinches No. 1 Seed in WCC
There was no semblance of an upset this time around. In Gonzaga’s final game of the season at the McCarthey Athletic Center, the Bulldogs (28-2, 16-1) annihilated Portland (12-18, 5-12) on Senior Night 89-48, clinching the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament and at least a share of the regular season title in the program’s final year as a member of the WCC.
It capped off their first undefeated season at home since 2021-22, and with the Zags cutting down the net on their home court afterwards, the postgame emotions were certainly different compared to when they suffered their lone conference loss to the Pilots three weeks ago. It was a true beatdown on both ends, as GU notched its largest margin of defeat of West Coast play, and its most lopsided victory since Dec. 7, when it beat North Florida by 51.
Fueling Portland in its previous matchup against Gonzaga was freshman Joel Foxwell, who drilled several contested and back-breaking shots on the way to a 27-point performance. His game tonight started similarly, as he knocked down two stepback three-pointers over Mario Saint-Supéry before drawing a foul on a third attempt from distance. But his scoring magic did not continue, with the Bulldogs locking in defensively on Foxwell – who finished with just 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting – and the rest of the Pilots’ offense to hold them to several scoreless stretches.
Jedd Fisch Will Replace Departed Offensive Coordinator Jimmie Dougherty with… Jedd Fisch
During an appearance on the On3 Andy & Ari podcast on Wednesday, Washington Huskies head football coach Jedd Fisch offered some clarity about the offensive coordinator position.
The new OC will essentially be Jedd Fisch.
Kraken Stumble Out of Olympic Break With 4-1 Loss to Stars
Coming off the extended Olympic break, the Seattle Kraken managed to put together the kind of start they wanted against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday.
Playing physical from the jump, Seattle did not allow a shot on goal from Dallas between 5:21 and 12:40 in the first period, and put together a productive power-play opportunity in that span, albeit without scoring.
However, the Stars picked up the pressure in the final minutes of the first, scoring just 1:19 before the intermission before taking a 2-0 lead 1:43 into the second. Before the second period was half over, the Kraken trailed 4-0 en route to a 4-1 loss.
Free Agent Primer: Will Seahawks Lock Up Riq Woolen Long-Term in Secondary?
With a new league year slated to kick off on March 11, the Seahawks have nine unrestricted free agents scheduled to test the market along with seven restricted free agents and two exclusive rights free agents. Compared to prior seasons, general manager John Schneider has more financial flexibility at his disposal with OverTheCap.com listing the franchise as sixth in available effective cap space ($62 million), but with several big name stars in line for extensions such as All-Pro receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the team won’t be able to keep everyone after running the table to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Over the next several weeks, using statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and TruMedia, I will break down each and every one of the Seahawks' unrestricted free agents by revisiting their 2025 seasons, assessing why they should or should not be re-signed, breaking down an ideal contract, and making an early prediction on whether or not the player will return in 2026.
Though his production in the defensive backfield proved to be a bit too feast or famine at times over the past four seasons, Riq Woolen has easily been one of Seattle’s best late round success stories. Will the next chapter remain with the Seahawks? Or will he head to greener pastures in free agency?
The Montlake Report: Could Huskies’ Road Win at Rutgers Start Late Season Run in Big Ten?
While the NCAA tournament remains unlikely, if near impossible at this point, the Huskies did themselves a major favor by winning at Rutgers on Tuesday, jumping into a bye slot for the Big Ten tournament.
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Aaron Coe breaks down how Washington held off a late Rutgers rally to pick up a much-needed road win, why building positive momentum for next season should be the top priority for Danny Sprinkle given all the injuries that have derailed the team in 2025-26, and takes a look at Jedd Fisch's 2027 recruiting class on the gridiron, examining which incoming prospects have a chance to be game changers for UW in the future.
Seahawks Need Not Think Twice Making Jaxon Smith-Njigba ‘Highest Paid’ Receiver
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba established himself as one of, if not the best wideout in the entire NFL in 2026. The Ohio State product led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards (a Seahawks franchise record and the eighth-highest single-season totals in league history). He averaged 15.1 yards per reception and had consistent big-play production (ten 100+ yard games). This earned him AP Offensive Player of the Year, first-team All-Pro honors, and a Pro Bowl nod, one of the most decorated seasons by any Seahawks player ever.
At just 24 years old, Smith-Njigba is a former first-round pick (No. 20 overall in 2023) who has rapidly ascended to superstar status. Soon, he will be paid like one.
True to the Blue: Early Signs Positive for Mariners Slugger Julio Rodriguez in Spring Training?
Already a multi-time All-Star, Julio Rodriguez has been a face of the franchise for the Mariners since his arrival as a top prospect. But he's still yet to put together a complete season.
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Callaghan Bluechel breaks down early indicators from spring training that could be positive signs for Rodriguez overcoming his prior early season struggles, examines the swings of prospects Michael Arroyo and Jonny Farmelo from four spring training games thus far, and checks out several other prospects and veteran newcomers from the first week of Cactus League action.
Huskies Avoid Big Ten Cellar with Hannes Steinbach’s Big Game at Rutgers
It’s “celebrate the little wins” season for the Washington men’s basketball team.
Behind Hannes Steinbach’s 17th double-double, the Huskies put themselves in a strong position to earn a Big Ten Tournament bye heading into the final three games of a disappointing, injury-riddled season with a 79-72 win at Rutgers.
Kraken Re-Sign Ben Meyers, Ryan Winterton to Extensions
Ben Meyers and Ryan Winterton are sticking around. Coming out of the Olympic break, the Seattle Kraken announced contract extensions for both forwards, each of whom has impressed in bottom-six roles in their first full-time stints with the club this season, in a press release on Tuesday.
Meyers, 27, agreed to a two-year, $2 million contract ($1 million AAV), lasting through the 2027-28 season. After starting the season in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Meyers was called up to Seattle for a nine-game stint from Oct. 21-Nov. 13, tallying three assists before being sent back down to Coachella Valley. Following the reassignment, Meyers authored an eight-game point streak (seven goals and four assists) before returning to Seattle on Dec. 10, where he’s played since.
In 31 NHL games this season, Meyers has five goals and 11 points. Since his last recall in December, the Delano, Minn. native has carved out a key role on Seattle’s fourth line, displaying good chemistry and production with Winterton, Tye Kartye and Jacob Melanson.
John Schneider, Seahawks Back to Business Fresh Off Super Bowl Title at NFL Combine
Capturing the ultimate prize in professional sports in Santa Clara, John Schneider and the Seattle Seahawks made the most of their opportunity to bask in the limelight as Super Bowl champions earlier this month, including celebrating with nearly a million fans in downtown in a parade for the ages as they stood atop the NFL world.
But eventually, the confetti disappears and the suds stop flowing. After climbing back to the mountaintop for the second time in franchise history, it’s time for Schneider, coach Mike Macdonald, and the Seahawks to get back to work with sights on defending their title, and that process officially starts with the annual NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis this week.
From the outside, the combine draws the most attention for the measurements and athletic testing that takes place in Lucas Oil Stadium as more than 300 NFL hopefuls descend upon the Circle City, and the league milks that process with live televised workouts starting on Thursday. But for Schneider, Macdonald, and the rest of Seattle’s brass that flies in for the festivities, while they will be monitoring the testing process closely and value athleticism as much as anyone, it’s far from the most important business to tend to.
Four More Mariners Hitting Prospects Looking to Prove Themselves in Peoria
Spring training has started in earnest for the Seattle Mariners, with a few games under their belts and just under a week left in February. Prospects and stars alike have started to get in their reps under the bluest Arizona skies, but with the World Baseball Classic starting up on March 4, some of the hitters further down in the system will get quite a bit of playing time. Now, they’ll mostly be working against prospects and four-A guys from other squads, but their time in Peoria will still give an idea of where they are in their development.
This article is the finale of a series of four discussing some of the Mariners’ notable prospect non-roster invites (NRIs) to Spring Training. The other three can be found here, here, and here.
SS Felnin Celesten, 20 years old, High-A.
When the M’s released their list of NRIs, Celesten didn’t make an appearance, but some play on Sunday during a 14-8 win over the Cincinnati Reds - he went 1-2 with a double - evidently means he got the invite after all.
WNBA Sets CBA Deadline to Avoid Impacts on 2026 Season
The clock is ticking on a new collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA and WNBPA after the league notified its teams that a new deal must be struck by March 10 to not impact the 2026 season, per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.
That deadline was delivered in a Monday morning meeting between league staff, the league’s labor relations committee, team owners and 50 players, per Philippou — the second meeting this month between all parties involved.
Free Agent Primer: Will Seahawks Open Up Checkbook to Re-Sign Ken Walker III?
With a new league year slated to kick off on March 11, the Seahawks have nine unrestricted free agents scheduled to test the market along with seven restricted free agents and two exclusive rights free agents. Compared to prior seasons, general manager John Schneider has more financial flexibility at his disposal with OverTheCap.com listing the franchise as sixth in available effective cap space ($62 million), but with several big name stars in line for extensions such as All-Pro receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the team won’t be able to keep everyone after running the table to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Over the next several weeks, using statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and TruMedia, I will break down each and every one of the Seahawks' unrestricted free agents by revisiting their 2025 seasons, assessing why they should or should not be re-signed, breaking down an ideal contract, and making an early prediction on whether or not the player will return in 2026.
Launching the annual series, Ken Walker III couldn’t have possibly improved his value more than he did during a remarkable playoff run that culminated with a Super Bowl MVP. Will the Seahawks pony up the cash to keep their explosive back? Or did his postseason performance ultimately price him out of Seattle’s plans?
Gonzaga Baseball Loses Two of Three at Texas State, Falls to 2-5
Continuing a tough stretch to begin the season, Gonzaga baseball (2-5) took on Texas State (5-2) this past weekend, but once again succumbed on the road. Although they had opportunities to win the series, the Bulldogs instead lost two of three games to the Bobcats.
Texas State scored first in all three contests, with the Zags needing to play catch-up constantly throughout the set. The first game was the toughest pill to swallow for the Zags, as they blew a three-run cushion, with the Bobcats plating four runs in the eighth to steal it. GU’s bats were quieted by the opposing starters in each of the final two games, sparking a rally late in the middle game but not being able to repeat its heroics in the rubber match.
How did another series squeeze out of Gonzaga’s grasp?
Sounders Overcome Tough Calls, Injuries in 2-0 Season-Opening Win
In one of the clunkier games of soccer ever played under the lights of Lumen Field, the hometown Sounders emerged with a 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids to open the 2026 season.
Paul Rothrock took over early for an injured Jordan Morris, picking up a hustle-driven assist and a second-half goal to add to his local legend. Keeper Andrew Thomas wasn't tested much, but logged a clean sheet in his first game after being named the starter.
All in all, the Sounders were in another weight class from a younger Colorado squad, winning practically every moment of the game.
Analysis: How Does Zach Charbonnet Injury Impact Seahawks’ Offseason Game Plan?
Winning the Super Bowl in the NFL requires a talented roster and strong coaching. But teams that make it all the way to the mountaintop also need good fortune, particularly when it comes to injuries.
Capturing the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in franchise history earlier this month, the Seattle Seahawks checked off all three of those boxes. General manager John Schneider assembled the deepest, most talented roster in the league with coach Mike Macdonald and a fantastic staff maximizing on that talent, and health-wise, the team suffered far fewer significant injuries than other playoff teams.
With that said, the Seahawks didn’t escape the season without a substantial injury happening in the playoffs as they orchestrated their run to the Super Bowl, as standout running back Zach Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL in a 41-6 Divisional Round beatdown of the 49ers. There’s never a good time for such an injury to occur, but in the case of Charbonnet, blowing out his knee so late in the season creates a conundrum that the organization will have to navigate heading into free agency and the upcoming NFL draft.
Washington State Fizzles in Second Half, Saint Mary’s Pulls Away for 83-67 Win
The Washington State Cougars hung with Saint Mary's for nearly 27 minutes on Saturday night, but a cold half from beyond the arc and a lack of stops down the stretch allowed the favored Gaels to pull away for an 83–67 victory in Pullman.
For much of the game, the Cougars showed they were capable of competing with one of the top teams in the West Coast Conference. However, they needed to play at their best for 40 minutes and once Saint Mary’s started to pull away, Washington State wasn’t able to make another run to get back in it in the closing minutes.
Washington State shot the ball from three-point range really well in the first half, going 7-12 from downtown, sending coach David Riley’s team into the break trailing 40-39.
John Christofilis, Seniors Step Up in Redhawks 71-59 Win Over Pilots
With Seattle U celebrating senior night at the Connolly Center, all three seniors that dressed were in the starting lineup together for the first time this season, and all made a significant impact in the Redhawks 71-59 win over the Portland Pilots on Saturday night.
Prior to his senior season, John Christofilis started 50 games over his sophomore and junior seasons with the Redhawks. This year, however, his minutes and opportunities have all been reduced in a bench role. However, the savvy guard has not hung his head, instead fitting into whatever role Chris Victor needed from him and on Saturday, he made the most of his chance in a return to the lineup with Brayden Maldonado still out due to injury.
Gonzaga Wins Clunky Contest Against Pacific 71-62
It sure wasn’t pretty. There were plenty of ill-advised shots, rushed possessions, and a bunch of missed free throws, but Gonzaga (27-2, 16-1) still found a way to get past Pacific (17-13, 8-9) 71-62 at home for its fifth consecutive victory.
Watching the Tigers on tape, Mark Few figured the game would be far from a smooth operation. His prediction was taken to the extreme, with Gonzaga playing one of its rougher stretches of basketball this season in the first half.
Eight and a half hours earlier, there was a bracket preview held for the NCAA Tournament, where the Zags were listed as one of the No.3 seeds. One of the committee chairs, Keith Gill, shared that the group was seriously considering GU as a No.4 seed prior to a season-ending injury to Texas Tech’s JT Toppin, with the Bulldogs’ lone conference loss to Portland still looming large in the eyes of the committee.
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