The Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division II boys volleyball playoffs began Thursday night on the leeward side of the island, setting up the quarterfinal matchups this afternoon. Semifinals will take place Monday, followed by the championship match at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Hilo High School.

INDIANAPOLIS — Tyrese Haliburton struggled to find his shooting touch Friday night.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Michael Penix Jr., the biggest surprise of the NFL draft’s first round, received a congratulatory call from Kirk Cousins on Thursday night even as Cousins’ agent was second-guessing the Atlanta Falcons adding depth to their quarterback spot.

DETROIT — Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.

For the second time in the past two weeks, a pair of Kea‘au High senior football players inked college commitments — as center Josh Nihoa and receiver Sean Randall held a ceremony announcing their pledges to play for Santa Rosa Junior College on Thursday afternoon at the Kea‘au HS gym.

ORLANDO, Fla. — After never even having a lead in Cleveland, the Orlando Magic came back with the biggest postseason victory ever over the Cavaliers.

LOS ANGELES — With one championship ring and a tenacious veteran core, the Denver Nuggets are a daunting matchup for any opponent in the NBA.

PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid is suffering from Bell’s palsy and played Game 3 with a bulky knee brace to sturdy the 7-footer after dealing with injuries all season.

BOSTON — Tyler Herro had 24 points and 14 assists, hitting six of Miami’s franchise playoff-record 23 3-pointers, to lead the Heat to a 111-101 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night and tie their first-round playoff series at one game apiece.

In coach Rich Hill’s first two years as the University of Hawaii baseball coach, the Rainbows heated up around the middle of both seasons.

The No. 1 pick in the NFL draft already has traded hands, with Carolina sending it more than a year ago to Chicago in a trade to move up to take Bryce Young first overall in 2023.

It was a successful start to another season of youth kickbocing as Toughman Hawaii Next Generation held its first show of the year last Saturday in Hilo.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New Orleans Pelicans 124-92 on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round Western Conference playoff series.

KAILUA-KONA — The Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division I and II softball semifinal playoffs continued Wednesday afternoon across the isle, with all of the winning teams advancing to the championship round — which starts early next month.

The 2024 Central Pacific Bank/Big Island Interscholastic Association Division II boys volleyball playoffs begin today, as four teams — all of which happen to be from the isle’s north side — will clash in the first round tonight in Waimea.

NEW YORK — Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad each had a goal and an assist and the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers held on to beat the Washington Capitals 4-3 Tuesday night for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

MILWAUKEE — Pascal Siakam scored 37 points and the Indiana Pacers overcame another fantastic first-half performance from Damian Lillard to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 125-108 on Tuesday night and tie their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at a game apiece.

MINNEAPOLIS — Jaden McDaniels scored 25 points for a career best in the playoffs and spearheaded another stifling defensive performance by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 105-93 victory over the Phoenix Suns to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round series on Tuesday night.