After OT thriller, Wisconsin heads to the Final Four

LEFT: Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) blocks the shot of Arizona Wildcats guard Jordin Mayes (20) in the first half of a NCAA West Regional Final at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, March 29, 2014. RIGHT: Kaminsky (44) reacts to his three-pointer in the first half. M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Arizona Wildcats guard Nick Johnson (13) attempts a shot after time expires in his team's overtime loss to the Wisconsin Badgers.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Badgers players celebrate their overtime win over the Arizona Wildcats.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 

 Wisconsin Badgers players take a "selfie" photograph while celebrating their win over the Arizona Wildcats.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan cuts down a net after his team's win over the Arizona Wildcats.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Bears down, Wisconsin advances to Elite 8

LEFT: Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) blocks a shot by Baylor Bears guard Gary Franklin (4) in the first half of a NCAA Sweet 16 game at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, March 27, 2014.  RIGHT: Kaminsky (44) dives for a loose ball as Baylor Bears forward Cory Jefferson (34) follows the play in the second half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Baylor Bears head coach Scott Drew, center, sits on his team's bench with his coaching staff in the second half of the team's loss to the Wisconsin Badgers.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Badgers players, from left, center Evan Anderson (32), forward Vitto Brown (30), and guard Traevon Jackson (12) walk off the floor after their win over the Baylor Bears.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Ready for the Sweet 16

 

Wisconsin Badgers guard Zak Showalter (33) practices fast-paced dribbling with two balls on the baseline as teammates shoot around at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, March 26, 2014. The Badgers play a Sweet 16 game against the Baylor Bears Thursday evening.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

March Madness: Wisconsin advances to the Sweet 16

Wisconsin Badgers guard Traevon Jackson (12) brings the ball up the court guarded by Oregon Ducks guard Johnathan Loyd (10) in the first half of a third round NCAA tournament game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Saturday, March 22, 2014.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) gets two points on a put-back as forward Sam Dekker (15) slides out of bounds in the first half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) reacts to being hit in the face late in the first half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) comes to the bench injured late in the first half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 LEFT: Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) is fouled by Oregon Ducks guard Damyean Dotson (21) late in the first half. RIGHT: Kaminsky (44) blocks a shot by Oregon Ducks guard Jason Calliste (12) in the second half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Heading back to the bench for a timeout, Wisconsin Badgers guard Josh Gasser (21) celebrates his team's comeback in the second half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal 

 LEFT: Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) unsuccessfully defends against a three-pointer made by Oregon Ducks guard Joseph Young (3) in the second half. RIGHT: Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan reacts to a missed shot by his team in the second half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Badgers guard Traevon Jackson (12) is shoved by Oregon Ducks guard Jason Calliste (12), leading to a technical foul in the final seconds of the game.  M.P. KING -- State Journal 

 Wisconsin Badgers guard Traevon Jackson (12), facing, left, and teammates celebrate their win over the Oregon Ducks.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

LEFT: Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan and his team leave the floor celebrating their win over the Oregon Ducks. RIGHT: Oregon Ducks guard Joseph Young (3) leaves the floor after the game. M.P. KING -- State Journal

March Madness: Wisconsin dominates American, 75-35

The Badgers start their dance in Milwaukee and I'm along for the ride. They'll play the seventh-seeded Oregon Ducks on Saturday evening for the chance to head to the regional rounds in Anaheim, Calif.

 Fans line up before the gates open for a second round NCAA tournament game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the American University Eagles at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Thursday, March 20, 2014.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10), left, smiles as guard Ben Brust (1) sings along to "Wagon Wheel" playing over the arena sound system before their second round NCAA tournament game against the American University Eagles.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

LEFT: American University Eagles center Tony Wroblicky (34) is guarded by Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44), background, forcing the ball loose for a turnover in the first half. RIGHT: Wroblicky (34) reaches through the hoop to block a shot by Kaminsky (44) in the first half. Goaltending was not called.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan argues a foul called on forward Frank Kaminsky (44) in the first half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 

 The University of Wisconsin band plays for fans before the start of the second half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Badgers guard Ben Brust (1) follows a three-point basket in the second half. Behind at the team's bench are head coach Bo Ryan, guard Traevon Jackson (12), forward Sam Dekker (15), and forward Frank Kaminsky (44).  M.P. KING -- State Journal

LEFT: Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) dunks the ball in the second half. RIGHT: Wisconsin Badgers guard Traevon Jackson (12) drives between American University Eagles guard Marko Vasic (5) and guard Darius Gardner (0), back, for two points in the second half. M.P. KING -- State Journal

 

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan, center, and his players get lighthearted on the bench in the final minutes of their 75-35 win over American University.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Resident lephrechaun

Joe Herr, dressed in festive leprechaun attire, visits with one-day-old Na'havea Mays, held by her uncle Cleaster Moon in the Family Care Suites at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, Wis., on Saint Patrick's Day, Monday morning, March 17, 2014. Herr has been visiting local hospitals, schools, nursing homes and hospices, giving small dolls and playing Irish tunes on a harmonica for about eight years. Monday at St. Mary's, he visited patients in a pediatric unit and the NICU, as well as newborns in the Family Care Suites.

"As adults we sometimes forget about the magic and wonderment in life, and seeing these kids reminds you of it," he says. St. Mary's Hospital has a special place in Herr's heart, as his son Logan was both born and died there. "The biggest reason I feel compelled to do this is I know what it's like to have your child in the hospital. The frustration, the anguish, and the unknown," Herr says. "I was touched one year, when one of the parents said, 'Thank you. You gave us five minutes to not think about what we were dealing with.' Nobody ever has a frown when they get to see a leprechaun. Everybody's smiling."  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Quinceanera expo

Rociry Morel of Madison, center, straightens her hair while trying on her Quinceanera dress with Brittany Miranda of Janesville, reflected far right, at Moments to Cherish Bridals in Fitchburg, Wis., Wednesday, March 12, 2014. Morel and Miranda are two of three contestants in Mis Quince Madison at Saturday's 15 Expo, Madison's first Quinceanera Expo. M.P. KING -- State Journal

CBD legalization

From our story by David Wahlberg:

Seizures cause Nic Volker to shake or stare blankly dozens of times most days, despite medication and a special diet, his mother says. 

She wants the 9-year-old to try something that has helped children with seizure disorders: cannabidiol, or CBD, an ingredient in marijuana that isn’t psychoactive but is illegal in Wisconsin and most states.

Nic Volker, 9, glances away while taking a break from a video game after school at his family's home in Monona, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014. M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Amylynne Santiago Volker brings her son, Nic Volker, 9, a cup of ice water as he eats an after-school snack at their home. M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Nic Volker, 9, plays with the family dog. M.P. KING -- State Journal