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Kara Lawson watched her Duke Blue Devils fall 70‑58 to the No. 1 UCLA Bruins in the Elite Eight, ending a 20‑year wait for a Final Four appearance. The loss followed a stunning buzzer‑beater upset of No. 2 seed LSU in the Sweet 16, but the Blue Devils couldn’t replicate that performance against UCLA.After the game, Lawson told reporters, "What a great season it’s been for us, and this group has been a joy to coach every day." She highlighted the team’s resilience after a rocky start that saw six defeats between early November and late December.Notre Dame’s season ended similarly, with a 70‑52 defeat to the defending champion UConn Huskies in the Elite Eight. Head coach Niele Ivey reflected on the journey, noting that the roster’s revival after a difficult 2025 season "gave me a lot of joy" and that coaching with joy makes her a better leader.Vanderbilt’s Commodores, coached by Shea Ralph, also saw their tournament run halted, losing 67‑64 to Notre Dame. Ralph, who inherited a program with strong support but limited recent success, deliberately built a culture of joy. Star guard Mikayla Blakes praised Ralph for restoring her love for the game, saying, "She found joy in my life and helped me enjoy basketball again."Looking ahead, the semifinals will feature two marquee matchups: South Carolina vs. UConn and UCLA vs. Texas. Both games promise high‑stakes basketball as the remaining teams vie for the championship.The tournament also underscores broader trends in women’s basketball. A decade ago, the NCAA reported that only 4.5% of high‑school players advance to college, and just 1.4% reach Division I. The WNBA’s expansion to 15 teams this season creates more professional slots, yet demand still outpaces supply, making the focus on joy and development all the more vital.Texas coach Vic Schaefer echoed the sentiment, describing the season as "the most fun" he’s had in over thirty years of coaching. With senior guard Rori Harmon preparing to graduate, Schaefer emphasized the team’s mission‑driven mindset and the pure enjoyment they find on the court.In a sport where the pipeline narrows at every level, the prevailing message from coaches and players alike is clear: joy remains the driving force that sustains teams through triumphs and setbacks alike.

Professional golfer Phil Mickelson has announced that he will not compete in next week's Masters Tournament due to an ongoing 'family health matter.'The 55-year-old, a six-time major winner, expressed his respect for Augusta National Golf Club and wished everyone the best of luck, stating he will be watching.Mickelson has had a notable career, winning the Masters in 2004, 2006, and 2010. He has also secured victories in two PGA Championships (2005 and 2021) and the Open Championship in 2013.This year's Masters would have marked Mickelson's 33rd start at Augusta. Only seven other players have achieved the feat of winning the tournament three times.Mickelson has been dealing with health issues and previously missed the first four LIV Golf events of the year. He returned to action last month at LIV Golf South Africa, finishing in a tie for 48th place.

The EFL Championship kicks off an action‑filled Easter weekend, with promotion, playoff and relegation battles all still wide open. Coventry City, under Frank Lampard, sit comfortably in the automatic promotion places, enjoying an 11‑point cushion over third‑placed Ipswich Town ahead of their upcoming clash with Derby County. One of the marquee fixtures sees Middlesbrough host Millwall. Millwall manager Alex Neil, while downplaying the match, hinted that a win could thrust the Lions back into the promotion conversation for the first time since the early 2000s. At the Hawthorns, Wrexham take on West Bromwich Albion in a game that could keep their playoff hopes alive. West Brom, after a long winless spell, have finally found form under James Morrison, securing back‑to‑back victories. In a surprising managerial change, Bristol City have dismissed Gerhard Struber and appointed a 78‑year‑old interim coach, referred to as “Mr Roy”, who will debut against Charlton Athletic. Meanwhile, Sheffield United host Swansea City in a mid‑table encounter that promises a lively atmosphere at Bramall Lane. Relegation‑battling Sheffield Wednesday aim to end a 33‑game winless streak when they face Stoke City, needing six points from their final seven games to avoid the drop. Leicester City remain under pressure after a points deduction, fighting alongside Oxford, Portsmouth, West Brom and Blackburn to stay clear of League One. Conversely, Lincoln City could clinch promotion – their first return to the second tier since 1961 – with a home win over AFC Wimbledon. In a side note, former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard praised Mohamed Salah’s extended stay at Anfield, highlighting the former’s influence on the Egyptian striker’s decision to remain.

After a prolonged period of uncertainty, the County Championship returns on Good Friday with renewed vigor, its schedule finally settled and the controversial three‑year Kookaburra ball trial abandoned.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is now trialling a full‑substitute system in domestic matches. Unlike the traditional “covering fielder” approach, a player can be replaced by a fully‑playing substitute for injury, illness or significant life events such as the birth of a child or a family health crisis.Alan Fordham, the ECB’s head of cricket operations, highlighted the change: “Most seasons we get three or four questions about a player being replaced to witness the birth of a child… the answer will now be yes.” He also recalled the Blair Tickner incident, where the New Zealander’s wife was diagnosed with leukaemia during a match, forcing him to continue playing with a ten‑man side.The substitute scheme is being tested at the ICC’s request, which asks member boards to experiment domestically before considering a similar rule for Test cricket. By allowing replacements for personal emergencies, the ECB has moved further than counterparts in India, Australia and South Africa.To curb potential abuse, any player replaced for illness or injury must observe an eight‑day “stand‑down” period before returning. Derbyshire head coach Mickey Arthur praised the intent but warned of loopholes, noting that the rule does not account for bye weeks, season‑ending fixtures or the transition from red‑ball to white‑ball cricket.Following a disappointing Ashes winter, the ECB is keen to restore the Championship’s relevance. Managing director Rob Key signalled that England‑team places are no longer guaranteed, urging county coaches and players to re‑engage.England head coach Brendon McCullum, speaking to counties via Zoom, stressed the competition’s value for talent identification, especially for players adept against high pace and spin. He also announced the return of Troy Cooley as the ECB’s pace‑bowling lead.Test captain Ben Stokes backed the message, urging players to seize the early weeks of the Championship as a platform for national selection: “It’s a great opportunity for a lot of people around the country… use it to push your case forward.”Enthusiasm is palpable across the counties. Glamorgan, back in Division One for the first time since 2005, aim to showcase their spinners. Lancashire chase promotion despite the late loss of Mitch Perry, while Surrey, Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire marshal their senior talent. Even clubs hit by setbacks—Leicestershire, plagued by injuries and the sudden withdrawal of captain Peter Handscomb, and Sussex, docked 12 points before the season began—remain determined as they kick off their fixtures at Grace Road.

Glamorgan's cricket team is gearing up for their biggest season in years, back in Division One of the County Championship for the first time since 2005. A key player to watch is Asa Tribe, who had a standout performance last season, scoring a thousand runs and earning a spot on the Lions tour in the winter.Tribe's impressive form has not gone unnoticed, with England managing director Rob Key taking note of his unbeaten 129 against Australia A in the unofficial Test. His captain, Kiran Carlson, praises Tribe's work ethic and talent, comparing him to another Glamorgan star, Marnus Labuschagne.Tribe's journey to the top has been swift, moving from the Glamorgan second team to the first team, the Lions, and then a franchise gig with Paarl Royals in the South Africa T20 within a year. He remains focused on his goals, saying, 'There's a bit of talk around it and it's quite easy to get sucked up into that thinking, but if I don't put in performances like I did last season, it becomes irrelevant whether there's hype or not.'With his sights set on Test cricket for England, Tribe is determined to continue improving and making a name for himself in the cricket world. His teammate, Carlson, has no doubt that he'll achieve his goal, saying, 'I have no doubt that he'll play a lot of Test cricket for England. His ceiling's incredibly high.'

The MCC has rejected a proposal to rescue Middlesex Cricket Club, which is struggling with financial and governance issues. Middlesex, a long-term tenant at Lord's, has been facing a crisis, prompting a group of distinguished former players, led by former England captain Mike Gatting, to call on chairman Richard Sykes to stand down.The MCC, with annual revenues of around £70m, has been mooted as a potential solution to Middlesex's problems, but it will not happen under their current leadership. While the MCC remains committed to extending Middlesex's lease at Lord's and will provide further help where possible, there are no plans to offer direct financial assistance or become more involved in the running of the club.Middlesex's financial problems are compounded by the fact that they cannot access the £24m they are theoretically owed from the ECB's part-sale of the eight Hundred franchises. The ECB insists that the counties can only use the £500m windfall to clear debt or for major infrastructure projects. Middlesex are exploring taking the club into private ownership, but the process of demutualisation would require a 75% majority vote from a turnout of at least 50% of their membership.The club starts the season against Gloucestershire on Friday in the second division of the County Championship for the third successive year, the eighth out of the last nine years they have spent in the second tier.

Cooper Lutkenhaus, a 17-year-old American high school student, has taken the athletics world by storm by becoming the youngest world champion in track and field history. He achieved this incredible feat by winning the 800m indoor world championship in Torun, Poland.Lutkenhaus's remarkable talent has drawn comparisons to top athletes like David Rudisha, with Belgian athlete Eliott Crestan saying, 'He's like David Rudisha... In 10 or 20 years' time, I'll be able to say that I ran against him.'The young athlete's coach, Chris Capeau, attributes his success to a combination of 'God's gifts, his mum and dad's genetics, and his upbringing.' Capeau also highlights Lutkenhaus's intense focus on detail and his ruthless approach to maximizing his potential.Lutkenhaus's achievements have made him a sensation in the athletics world, with many eagerly anticipating his future performances, including his participation in the Eugene and Stockholm Diamond League this summer.Despite his remarkable success, Lutkenhaus remains humble and grounded, celebrating his gold medal with a simple burger and fries with his family. His father, George, emphasizes the importance of allowing his son to enjoy the moment and not getting caught up in the hype surrounding his achievements.

While AI is transforming the workforce, certain jobs that require human expertise and dexterity are becoming increasingly valuable. Cale Mouser, a 23-year-old diesel engine repair expert, is a prime example. He earns a six-figure salary and has even taught at a college level, showcasing the complexity and demand for skilled trades.Mouser's journey into diesel technology began just five years ago. He quickly demonstrated an aptitude for the field, leading to a degree in diesel technology and a faculty position at North Dakota State College of Science. His expertise has taken him to international competitions, including WorldSkills in Lyon, France, where he earned a fifth-place medallion of excellence.His story highlights a growing trend: young adults are finding success and fulfillment in skilled trades. Eva Carroll, a 20-year-old electrical installation specialist, is another example. She and her team took silver at SkillsUSA, a nationwide workforce development organization for students. Carroll's passion for electrical work was sparked by a high school elective, and she now sees a future in construction management or estimation, with potential earnings above $90,000 a year.These fields, often referred to as 'middle-skill' jobs, require training and credentials beyond high school but not a four-year bachelor's degree. They over-index on human expertise, applying learned proficiency to problem-solving and high-stakes decisions. According to Prof David Autor, these jobs are poised to benefit in an AI-entwined economy, where humans collaborate with technologies to form new expertise.AI is not a threat to skilled trades, as Autor notes that these jobs require lots of judgment, dexterity, and adaptability, making them difficult to automate. Chelle Travis, executive director of SkillsUSA, sees a surge in interest from policymakers and CEOs in developing work-based learning programs for students. With over 440,000 students nationwide, SkillsUSA's annual championships draw thousands of competitors, showcasing the growing appeal of skilled trades.

The women's college basketball landscape has witnessed a remarkable phenomenon: for the second consecutive year, the same four teams have secured their spots in the Final Four. UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina are set to battle it out for the championship, marking a historic repeat. This achievement is a testament to the dominance of these programs, with UConn being the reigning national champion. The Huskies, led by coach Geno Auriemma, have established themselves as a standard in women's college basketball, boasting 12 national championships and 25 Final Four appearances. Under Auriemma's leadership, UConn has won an impressive 1,288 games in 41 seasons. The Huskies (38-0) have been nearly unbeatable this season, with a 54-game winning streak and an average margin of victory of 37.8 points. They are led by first-team All-Americans Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd, with eight players averaging at least 6.8 points per game. Strong emphasized the team's depth, stating, "I feel like no other team has a bench like us. We can have kind of anyone off the bench step up and change the whole pace of the game." UConn will face a familiar opponent in South Carolina, which they defeated in last year's title game. The Gamecocks (35-3) have reached the Final Four seven times in the past nine seasons under coach Dawn Staley, winning three national championships. They are led by second-team All-American Joyce Edwards, who averages 19.6 points per game. Meanwhile, UCLA (35-1) is seeking its first national championship under coach Cori Close. The Bruins are led by two-time All-American Lauren Betts, who averages 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 60.1% from the field. They will face Texas (36-3), which steamrolled its first four NCAA Tournament opponents by an average of 35.5 points per game. The Longhorns are led by fifth-year guard Rori Harmon and All-American forward Madison Booker.