March 2015 – Page 27 – North Platte Post Archive

Kokesh, Green Each Finish Third at NCAAs

Posted on March 21, 2015

St. Louis, Mo. – Seniors Robert Kokesh (174) and James Green (157) finished their Husker careers by each finishing third at the 2015 NCAA Championships at the Scottrade Center on Saturday.

Kokesh, a three-time All-American, won a pair of sudden victories against Big Ten foes. He downed third-seeded Mike Evans of Iowa, 6-4, before topping No. 6 seed Logan Storley of Minnesota by the same margin in the third-place match.

Kokesh finished his season with a 39-1 record, which is tied for the sixth-most wins in a season in school history. He concluded his career at Nebraska with a 144-15 record, good for second in school history. He collected a third-place finish after taking fourth in 2014 and third in 2013.

Green, who became the second four-time All-American in school history on Friday, defeated No. 7 seed Ian Miller of Kent State by a 13-4 major decision before taking down Virginia Tech’s Nick Brascetta, 3-2, in the third-place match. Green finished the season with a 35-5 mark.

With his win in the third-place match, Green passed Jordan Burroughs for fifth in school history with his 129th career victory. Green took third place for the second consecutive year after finishing seventh in 2012 and 2013.

Sophomore TJ Dudley (184) finished eighth after falling to Missouri’s Willie Miklus by a 6-5 decision. Dudley went 31-11 this season and collected All-America honors for the first time.

As a team, Nebraska is in ninth place with 59 points. Ohio State leads the team race with 94 points, while Iowa (84) and Edinboro (75.5) round out the top three.

The NCAA Championships conclude with Session VI, consisting of the finals, on Saturday night at 7 p.m. (CT). Every match will be televised on ESPN.

NCAA Championships
March 19-21, 2015
Scottrade Center
St. Louis, Mo.

125 pounds
First Round: #2 Nahshon Garrett (CORN) by dec. over Tim Lambert (NEB), 10-6
Consolation First Round: Tim Lambert (NEB) by major dec. over #15 Chasen Tolbert (UV), 9-1
Consolation Second Round: Conor Youtsey (MICH) by dec. over Tim Lambert (NEB), 10-7

133 pounds
First Round: #6 Earl Hall (ISU) by dec. over Eric Montoya (NEB), 7-4
Consolation First Round: Eric Montoya (NEB) by dec. over Zach Synon (MIZZ), 4-0
Consolation Second Round: Eric Montoya (NEB) by major dec. over #5 Zane Richards (ILL), 10-1
Consolation Third Round: Eric Montoya (NEB) by dec. over #4 Johnni DiJulius (OHST), 7-4
Consolation Fourth Round: #2 Ryan Taylor (WIS) by sudden victory-1 over Eric Montoya (NEB), 3-1

141 pounds
First Round: #9 Anthony Abidin (NEB) by major dec. over Nick Lawrence (PUR), 8-0
Second Round: #9 Anthony Abidin (NEB) by dec. over #8 Geo Martinez (BSU), 6-4
Quarterfinals: #1 Logan Stieber (OHST) by tech. fall over #9 Anthony Abidin (NEB), 16-1
Consolation Fourth Round: #3 Lavion Mayes (MIZZ) by major dec. over #9 Anthony Abidin (NEB), 16-8

157 pounds
First Round: #4 James Green (NEB) by major dec. over Markus Scheidel (COL), 13-4
Second Round: #4 James Green (NEB) by tech. fall over Noel Blanco (DREX), 20-5
Quarterfinals: #4 James Green (NEB) by major dec. over #12 Mitchell Minotti (LEH), 12-4
Semifinals: #1 Isaiah Martinez (ILL) by dec. over #4 James Green (NEB), 3-2
Consolation Semifinals: #4 James Green (NEB) by major dec. over #7 Ian Miller (KSU), 13-4
Third-Place Match: #4 James Green (NEB) by dec. over Nick Brascetta (VT), 3-2

165 pounds
First Round: Austin Wilson (NEB) by dec. over #2 Michael Moreno (ISU), 7-5
Second Round: #15 Ethan Ramos (UNC) by dec. over Austin Wilson (NEB), 6-3
Consolation Second Round: #16 Harrison Hightower (OHIO) by sudden victory-1 over Austin Wilson (NEB), 5-3

174 pounds
First Round: #1 Robert Kokesh (NEB) by major dec. over Taylor Massa (MICH), 9-0
Second Round: #1 Robert Kokesh (NEB) by major dec. over Chad Welch (PUR), 11-0
Quarterfinals: #8 Tyler Wilps (PITT) by dec. over #1 Robert Kokesh (NEB), 3-2
Consolation Fourth Round: #1 Robert Kokesh (NEB) by major dec. over #11 Zac Brunson (ILL), 8-0
Consolation Quarterfinals: #1 Robert Kokesh (NEB) by major dec. over Kurtis Julson (NDSU), 11-3
Consolation Semifinals: #1 Robert Kokesh (NEB) by sudden victory-1 over #3 Mike Evans (IOWA), 6-4
Third-Place Match: #1 Robert Kokesh (NEB) by sudden victory-1 over #6 Logan Storley (MINN), 6-4

184 pounds
First Round: #16 TJ Dudley (NEB) by major dec. over Ophir Bernstein (BRO), 9-0
Second Round: #1 Gabe Dean (CORN) by dec. over #16 TJ Dudley (NEB), 9-8
Consolation Second Round: #16 TJ Dudley (NEB) by major dec. over Brett Harner (PRIN), 9-0
Consolation Third Round: #16 TJ Dudley (NEB) by major dec. over #10 Lorenzo Thomas (PENN), 17-5
Consolation Fourth Round: #16 TJ Dudley (NEB) by dec. over #14 Matt McCutcheon (PSU), 5-2
Consolation Quarterfinals: #6 Hayden Zillmer (NDSU) by dec. over #16 TJ Dudley (NEB), 3-2
Seventh-Place Match: Willie Miklus (MIZZ) by dec. over #16 TJ Dudley (NEB), 6-5

197 pounds
First Round: #15 Aaron Studebaker (NEB) by dec. over Jake Smith (WVU), 3-1
Second Round: #2 Morgan McIntosh (PSU) by major dec. over #15 Aaron Studebaker (NEB), 14-5
Consolation Second Round: #15 Aaron Studebaker (NEB) by pin over Scottie Boykin (CHAT), 3:40
Consolation Third Round: #15 Aaron Studebaker (NEB) by pin over #9 Jace Bennett (CORN), 6:12
Consolation Fourth Round: #5 Scott Schiller (MINN) by dec. over #15 Aaron Studebaker (NEB), 8-6

Heavyweight
First Round: #6 Adam Coon (MICH) by pin over Collin Jensen (NEB), 4:29
Consolation First Round: Collin Jensen (NEB) by dec. over Nathan Butler (STAN), 5-3
Consolation Second Round: Collin Jensen (NEB) by dec. over #12 Denzel Dejournette (APST), 3-1
Consolation Third Round: #3 Bobby Telford (IOWA) by dec. over Collin Jensen (NEB), 9-2

Lawsuit Could End Sports Leagues’ All-or-Nothing TV Packages

Posted on March 21, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) — A high-stakes federal case playing out in New York could lead to the end of pro sports’ all-or-nothing TV packages that force fans to buy hundreds of games from around the league instead of just the games of their favorite teams.

Fans of pro sports have long asked for tailored options to view live games on TV and other devices, saying league-wide packages offer more games than they can possibly watch.

Lawyers for pro baseball and hockey argued in court last week that if fans win, prices will probably go up for packages to see all the leagues’ games.

The plaintiffs say that’s not true. They say prices will likely drop as fans buy only teams they are interested in. They also said all-league packages would probably be cheaper.

Nebraska Again Holding National Essay-Writing Contest

Posted on March 21, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska is again holding an essay-writing contest for seventh- and eighth-graders to encourage participation in a state-sponsored college savings plan.

The 13th “Why I Want to Go to College” contest is open to students in Nebraska and across the country.

Judges will pick three winners from each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts and three winners from out of the state. First-place winners will receive a $2,000 contribution to a Nebraska college savings plan. Second-place winners will receive a $1,000 contribution, and third-place winners will each receive a $500 contribution.

Essays are limited to 750 words and are due before March 27. The contest is organized by the Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office and the Omaha Storm Chasers baseball team. More details are available on the treasurer’s website.

Nebraska’s 6th Lymphoma Walk to Be Held in April at Mahoney State Park

Posted on March 21, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s Lymphoma Walk will be held next month at Mahoney State Park near Ashland in eastern Nebraska.

The free event is hosted by the Lymphoma Research Foundation and will begin at 10 a.m. April 18, with registration at 9 a.m. at the park pavilion.

Although the event is free, vehicles must buy a $5 park permit at the park gate.

Proceeds from the non-competitive event benefit Nebraskans through research grants and patient services. The five past walks have raised $418,000 through walk participants and sponsors.

About 450 new cases of lymphoma are diagnosed in Nebraskans each year.

Perry’s Goal Wins it for Ducks, 3-2 in OT over Avalanche

Posted on March 21, 2015March 21, 2015

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Corey Perry scored the winner as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in overtime on Friday night to sweep their three-game homestand.

Perry corralled the puck after Sami Vatanen knocked it out of the Ducks’ zone and raced down the ice before sending it past Semyon Varlamov 1:25 into the extra period, securing another dramatic late-game victory.

The Ducks are now 29-1-7 in games decided by one goal this season.

Frederik Andersen stopped 38 shots for the Ducks, picking up his second win in four starts since suffering a neck injury in February.

Varlamov made 37 saves, as the Avalanche’s streak of four consecutive road wins came to an end.

Berger’s OT Winner Gives Storm Spot In Playoffs

Posted on March 21, 2015March 21, 2015

KEARNEY, Neb. – Chase Berger’s short-handed overtime winning goal gave the Tri-City Storm (33-14-6) a 5-4 win over the Des Moines Buccaneers (21-18-13) and secured the team a berth in the 2015 Clark Cup Playoffs on Friday night at the Viaero Event Center.

Berger’s tally was his 10th of the season, while Mason Appleton, Jake Wahlin and Kevin Kerr each had two point nights for Tri-City.

Appleton, who returned after missing three games with an injury, scored on the team’s first shot of the game. The forward deflected a shot from Chris Wilkie past Des Moines goaltender Ryan Ruck to make it 1-0 Tri-City at 1:23 of the opening period. Wahlin picked up the second assist on the goal.

After a penalty to Dan Labosky had Tri-City short-handed, Des Moines tied the game at 1-1 on a goal by Ryan Dmowski.

But the Storm responded to take a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period on defenseman Bobby Nardella’s eighth goal of the season. The tally came with assists by defenseman Mattias Goransson and forward Kyle Eastman.

Tri-City increased their lead in the middle period on goals by Kerr and Nick Master. Kerr scored on a rush into the offensive zone with pass from Wahlin. The defenseman put a shot up high that went into the top shelf of the net to make it 3-1. Appleton was credited with the second assist on Kerr’s sixth of the season.

After a Brennan Sanford goal brought Des Moines back within a goal, Kerr sprung Master free on a breakaway and the forward made it count for his 23rd goal of the year.

Two Des Moines goals from Dmowski and Georgy Gorodetsky tied the game for the Buccaneers in the first seven minutes of the third period.

With seconds left in regulation, Kerr took a double-minor penalty for high sticking that put his team short-handed for the final 27 seconds of the game and into the overtime period.

While the Storm were killing the penalty in overtime, Berger picked up a loose puck in neutral ice and raced into the Des Moines end. The forward made a backhand pass to defenseman Vince Pedrie who had joined the rush up the ice. After an initial shot by Pedie was stopped, Berger put the rebound into the net for the game-winner.

Ruck made 39 saves in defeat for the Buccaneers, while Jared Rutledge stopped 15 shots to earn the victory for Tri-City.

The Storm remain in first place in the USHL’s Western Conference with 72 points with seven games remaining.

Tri-City and Des Moines will complete their weekend series on Saturday night at the Viaero Event Center at 7:05 p.m.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Matthew Freytag, Wade Allison and Nolan Aibel…

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period
Tri-City – Mason Appleton (Chris Wilkie, Jake Wahlin) 1:23
Des Moines – Ryan Dmowski (power play) (Georgy Gorodetsky, Alec Rauhauser) 9:55
Tri-City – Bobby Nardella (Mattias Goransson, Kyle Eastman) 15:48

2nd Period

Tri-City – Kevin Kerr (Jake Wahlin, Mason Appleton) 5:36
Des Moines – Brennan Sanford (Patrick Grasso) 11:32
Tri-City – Nick Master (Kevin Kerr) 15:15

3rd Period
Des Moines – Ryan Dmowski (Georgy Gorodetsky, Ara Nazarian) 4:07
Des Moines – Georgy Gorodetsky (power play) (Alec Rauhauser, Patrick Grasso) 6:53

Overtime
Tri-City – Chase Berger (short-handed) (Vince Pedrie) 1:29

PENALTIES

1st Period
Tri-City – Dan Labosky – (Hooking), 2 min, 9:41

2nd Period
Tri-City – Jalen Schulz – (Slashing), 2 min, 11:32

3rd Period
Tri-City – Christopher Brown – (Hooking), 2 min, 6:30
Des Moines – Zach Jordan – (Tripping), 2 min, 8:55
Des Moines – Nicky Wolff – (Head Contact), 5 min, 9:46
Des Moines – Nicky Wolff – (Head Contact) (Game Misconduct) 10 min, 9:46
Tri-City – Chase Berger – (Roughing), 2 min, 12:35
Tri-City – Kevin Kerr – (High Sticking), 4 min, 19:33

Overtime
(no penalties)

Power Play

Des Moines – 2/4

Tri-City – 0/3

Shots

Des Moines: 8, 4, 7, 0 = Total: 19
Tri-City: 14, 13, 15, 2 = Total: 44

Saves
Des Moines – Ryan Ruck – 39/44
Tri-City – Jared Rutledge – 15/19

Kokesh, Dudley Join Green as All-Americans

Posted on March 20, 2015March 21, 2015

St. Louis, Mo. – James Green (157) fell in his semifinal match, but Robert Kokesh (174) and TJ Dudley (184) each captured All-America honors during Session IV of the NCAA Championships at the Scottrade Center on Friday night.

Green, who earned his fourth career All-America accolade in Session III, battled top-seeded Isaiah Martinez of Illinois for a spot in the finals, but lost a 3-2 decision. Green held a 2-1 advantage after his reversal in the second period, but allowed a Martinez escape in the third before the Illini freshman tacked on a point for riding time. Green will battle Ian Miller of Kent State in Saturday’s consolation semifinals.

Kokesh became an All-American for the third time in his career after an 8-0 major decision over Illinois’ Zac Brunson in the consolation bracket. The senior from Wagner, S.D., wasn’t done racking up bonus points, though, as he notched an 11-3 major decision over North Dakota State’s Kurtis Julson in the following round. Kokesh will face Iowa’s Mike Evans in Session V on Saturday.

No. 16 seed TJ Dudley (184) clinched his first career All-America honor after a 5-2 decision over Matt McCutcheon of Penn State. Dudley, making his second NCAA Championships appearance, lost a narrow decision to North Dakota State’s Hayden Zillmer in the subsequent round and will wrestle for seventh place on Saturday.

Eric Montoya (133), Anthony Abidin (141) and Aaron Studebaker (197) all advanced to the Round of 12, but saw their tournament come to an end in Session IV.

As a team, Nebraska is tied for ninth with 49 points. Ohio State leads the team race with 86.5 points, while Iowa (73) and Cornell (66.5) round out the top three.

Session V starts on Saturday at 10 a.m. (CT) on ESPNU. Session VI, consisting of the championship finals, begins at 7 p.m. on ESPN. Every match will be streamed on ESPN3.

NCAA Championships
March 19-21, 2015
Scottrade Center
St. Louis, Mo.

Huskers Open Big Ten Play with 14-3 Win

Posted on March 20, 2015March 21, 2015

Lincoln – The Nebraska baseball team (15-6, 1-0 Big Ten) opened Big Ten Conference play on Friday night at Hawks Field with a 14-3 win over the Michigan Wolverines (11-9, 0-1 Big Ten). The Huskers’ season-high 14 runs came on 13 hits and a season-high 13 walks, including 11 walks from NU’s first five batters.

Four Huskers produced a pair of his on the night, including Tanner Lubach, who reached base five times on two singles and three walks. Ryan Boldt also notched three walks and launched his first home run of the season in the third inning, a two-run opposite-field shot. Lubach and Boldt also each scored a team-high three runs.

The Huskers jumped on Michigan starter Brett Adcock in the first with five runs on four hits, as they sent 11 batters to the plate. Adcock retired Boldt to start the game, but then walked the bases loaded and Ben Miller drove in the game’s first run with a single. Adcock bounced back and got the second out of the inning on a fielder’s choice, but with the bases still loaded the Huskers delivered three-straight two-out singles from Austin Darby, Jake Meyers and Steven Reveles that drove in four more runs. Adcock then walked Boldt, his fourth walk of the inning, before getting Jake Placzek to end the inning with a fly out.

The sophomore lefty lasted a season-low 1.2 inning in the start, allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits and five walks.

With a 5-0 lead after the first inning, senior Chance Sinclair cruised to his third win of the season. The right hander improved to 7-0 in Big Ten starts and is now 2-0 against the Wolverines. Sinclair went 6.0 innings for the Huskers on 84 pitches, allowing one run on eight hits and no walks, while striking out four.

After the Huskers took a 14-1 lead following a three-run sixth inning, lefty relievers Nate Fisher, Miller and Max Knutson each worked an inning down the stretch.

The Huskers and Wolverines continue their series tomorrow at 2:05 p.m., with NU’s Kyle Kubat facing UM’s Ryan Nutof.

Heat Stay Hot at Home, Pull Away from Nuggets 108-91

Posted on March 20, 2015March 21, 2015

MIAMI (AP) — Dwyane Wade scored 22 points, Goran Dragic added 18 and the Miami Heat clamped down in the fourth quarter to beat the Denver Nuggets 108-91 on Friday night.

Luol Deng scored 15, Hassan Whiteside added 14 and Mario Chalmers had 10 for Miami, which won its third straight game — its longest such streak since starting 3-0.

Michael Beasley added nine points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Heat.

Kenneth Faried scored 20 for Denver, which got 16 apiece from Jusef Nurkic and Randy Foye.

The Nuggets missed 13 of their first 14 shots from the field in the fourth — plus their first six tries from the foul line in that quarter. Miami wasn’t much better, but even 10 points in the first 9 minutes of the final period were enough for the Heat to pull away.

The Heat have won a season-best four straight at home.

Butler’s Bucket lifts Syracuse to NCAA Tournament Win over Nebraska

Posted on March 20, 2015March 21, 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Brianna Butler scored 17 points, including the go-ahead basket with 58.7 seconds left, to lift eighth-seeded Syracuse to a 72-69 victory over Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament on Friday night.

The Huskers had a chance to tie it once more with 15.8 seconds left, but Emily Cady missed the second of two foul shots. Alexis Peterson followed with two free throws to extend the Syracuse lead to 70-67 and the Huskers turned the ball on their next possession with getting a shot off.

Peterson capped the victory for the Orange (22-9) with two more foul shots. She finished with a game-high 24 points.

Syracuse will take on top-seeded South Carolina, which earlier defeated Savannah State 81-48 to advance.

The Orange gave highly ranked South Carolina one of its toughest contests this season, losing 67-63 last November.

Emily Cady led Nebraska with 18 points.