ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Defensive end Antonio Smith is absent from the Denver Broncos’ organized team activities while prosecutors in Texas investigate a criminal sexual complaint against him.
Smith met with general manager John Elway, team president and CEO Joe Ellis and coach Gary Kubiak and they all agreed it was best for Smith to skip the voluntary workouts that began Wednesday.
Smith, 33, has not been arrested and no charges have been filed in the case. Sheriff Troy Nehls of Fort Bend County near Houston said a complaint was made against Smith in November and it was “sexual in nature.” His department’s findings were forwarded to prosecutors in February.
District Attorney John Healey last week said the investigation was ongoing and stressed the “complaint at this point is an allegation only.”
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Tim Miles has received a 21-percent raise that makes him the first Nebraska basketball coach to be paid $2 million a year.
The school released Miles’ new salary on Wednesday, a day after he received a one-year contract extension through the 2019-20 season. Miles was paid $1.65 million in 2014-15.
Miles’ pay bump comes after the Cornhuskers slipped to 13-18 last season and lost their final nine games. They had finished fourth in the Big Ten in 2013-14 and went to the NCAA tournament.
Senior associate athletic director and chief financial officer John Jentz wrote in an email to The Associated Press that though Miles received a significant raise, “be aware there are other financial terms that may be adjusted in the final contract to round out the full scope.”
Rachel Theriot will lead Nebraska against NC State in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. (Photo Courtesy Nate Olsen/NU Media Relations)
Lincoln – Nebraska will welcome a North Carolina school to Pinnacle Bank Arena for the second straight season, when the Huskers take on North Carolina State on Thursday, Dec. 3, in the 2015 Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
The Huskers, who defeated No. 9 Duke, 60-54 in Lincoln on Dec. 3, 2014 in the annual challenge, will play host to the Wolfpack exactly one year after beating the Blue Devils in the series between two of the nation’s best women’s basketball conferences.
“We’re excited about adding another quality opponent to our home schedule this season,” Nebraska Coach Connie Yori said. “We know that NC State is a great basketball school with outstanding tradition. I think it is a matchup that our fans and our players will be excited about.”
It will mark the third consecutive season that Nebraska has faced a North Carolina school as part of the challenge, after losing at North Carolina, 75-62, on Dec. 4, 2013.
Nebraska’s clash with NC State gives the Huskers marquee non-conference home contests in back-to-back games, joining a Sunday, Dec. 6 battle with Creighton.
The young Huskers will expect to have their hands full with a Wolfpack team that returns four starters from last year’s squad that finished 18-15 overall and 7-9 in the ACC. NC State advanced to the third round of the Postseason WNIT, ending its season with an 80-79 loss at Temple on March 26. It was one of 11 losses by single digits for the Wolfpack last season, including a pair of one-point losses and an overtime setback late in the season.
NC State returns its top two scorers, Miah Spencer (14.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.2 apg) and Dominique Wilson (13.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.2 apg) from last year’s team, along with fellow starters Carlee Schumacher (7.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and Jennifer Mathurin (7.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg). Spencer and Wilson, both 5-8 guards, will be juniors this season along with the 6-1 Mathurin. Schumacher, a 6-1 forward, will be one of three seniors on NC State’s roster.
Two years ago, the Wolfpack joined the Huskers in the four-team NCAA first- and second-round games at UCLA. The 2014 Big Ten Tournament champion Huskers ran to a win over Fresno State, while NC State suffered a setback to eventual Sweet 16 qualifier BYU. NC State finished with a 25-8 overall record in Wes Moore’s first season as head coach of the Wolfpack.
Nebraska Coach Connie Yori and the Huskers had a more direct meeting with Moore in the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Moore, who spent 15 seasons as the head coach at Chattanooga, led his Mocs into a first-round NCAA Tournament game against Nebraska at College Station, Texas. The Huskers handed the SoCon regular-season and tournament champion Mocs a 73-59 loss at Reed Arena on March 23, 2013, before knocking off the hosts from Texas A&M to advance to the 2013 NCAA Sweet 16. Moore’s final Chattanooga team finished with a 29-4 overall record.
Point guard Rachel Theriot, who missed Nebraska’s final 11 games of 2014-15 with an ankle injury, is expected to be NU’s lone returning starter in 2015-16. The 2014 All-American and Big Ten Tournament MVP averaged 16.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists through Nebraska’s first 21 games last season. The Huskers were 17-4 with Theriot in the lineup before finishing with a 21-11 record and a first-round NCAA Tournament loss to ACC member Syracuse.
Theriot is expected to be joined by two-time Nebraska Gatorade Player-of-the-Year Jess Shepard. The 6-4 forward from Fremont is also returning from injury, but was the No. 1 post player and No. 3 overall recruit in the nation according to ESPN last year. She suffered an ACL tear on Dec. 29.
Sophomore Natalie Romeo, who averaged 9.0 points and 2.5 rebounds as a part-time starter last year, also will return for the Huskers. Romeo averaged 15.4 points per game over the final eight games as a true freshman, including a career-high 26 points and a school-record seven three-pointers in a win over Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament on March 5.
The Big Ten/ACC Challenge matchup between Nebraska and NC State at Pinnacle Bank Arena will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools on a home court. Nebraska a 2-1 series advantage over the Wolfpack, with all three meetings coming on neutral courts. The last time Nebraska face NC State, the Huskers rolled to a 94-74 win on Dec. 28, 2006 in the opening round of the State Farm Classic in Gainesville, Fla. NC State and legendary coach Kay Yow had defeated Nebraska, 55-45, two years earlier at the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, on Nov. 26, 2004.
The first meeting between the two schools dates all the way back to March 19, 1976, at the National Women’s Invitational Tournament in Amarillo, Texas, when the Huskers beat the Wolfpack, 72-69.
2015 Big Ten ACC Challenge Games
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015 Illinois at Miami
Georgia Tech at Indiana
Iowa at Virginia
Syracuse at Maryland
Northwestern at North Carolina
Ohio State at Notre Dame
Wisconsin at Wake Forest
Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015 Pittsburgh at Michigan
Louisville at Michigan State
Minnesota at Duke North Carolina State at Nebraska
Virginia Tech at Penn State
Boston College at Purdue
Rutgers at Florida State
NORTH PLATTE, NE – The second annual Lake to Lake Relay will be held Saturday, May 30. The race is hosted by Great Plains Health Care Foundation in partnership with Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD). The relay is a sanctioned event of the Platte River Fitness Series, an initiative that promotes fitness as part of a healthy lifestyle. People of all fitness levels are encouraged to participate.
Participants will begin the 23-mile event at Oregon Trail Golf Course near Sutherland Reservoir, with registration from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. and relay start times beginning between 7:45 and 8:15 a.m. Participants will run or walk along the NPPD canal and finish at Lake Maloney Golf Course, south of North Platte.
Teams are made up of four, three or two persons who will take turns running or walking eight race legs. There are seven designated exchange points where each team will trade their team members, relay style. The remaining team members will drive to the next exchange point to drop off and pick up their team member for the next leg.
The length of each of the eight legs varies; the shortest is 2.3 miles and the longest is 3.7 miles. The event will end at the Lake Maloney Golf Course, where a post-race celebration will take place with food and live music provided by Rascal.
The entry fee is $30 per person, and each runner will receive a race t-shirt and food at the Lake Maloney Golf Course.
All proceeds stay local to support the Great Plains Health Care Foundation. Sponsors for the Lake to Lake relay include Great Western Bank, Wells Fargo, Nebraska Public Power District and First National Bank.
Please contact the Foundation office at 308.696.7411 for more information. Registration forms and race day information is available online at gphealth.org/laketolake or platteriverfitness.com.
NEW YORK (AP) — Mark Teixeira homered and drove in four runs, Adam Warren pitched two-hit ball into the seventh inning and the New York Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 5-1 Tuesday night to send the AL champions to their first three-game skid this season.
Warren (3-3) was perfect until Mike Moustakas beat out a hit to second baseman Stephen Drew on the outfield grass in right-center with one out in the fourth. The only other hit he allowed was Paulo Orlando’s first major league homer in the sixth.
Lifted after 6 1-3 innings, Warren struck out five without walking a batter in the best of his 12 big league starts.
Teixeira was the only Yankees’ starter without a hit during their 14-1 rout of Kansas City on Monday, which stopped a six-game losing streak. He more than made up as New York won consecutive games for the first time since May 10-11.
CINCINNATI (AP) — The stream of players reached Skip Schumaker as he crossed second base on his game-ending double. Pitcher Johnny Cueto splashed water from a bottle over the scrum, christening the celebration.
The Reds acted like they had won something important. They had finally won, and that alone was reason enough for a party.
Schumaker’s pinch-hit double ended the Reds’ nine-game losing streak — their longest in 17 years — with a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.
“We need to smile around here,” Schumaker said. “Winning never gets old.”
The Reds pulled out of their longest slump since they dropped 11 straight under manager Jack McKeon in 1998. They ended the second-longest losing streak in the majors this season, trailing Colorado’s 11-game slide from April 28 to May 13.
“I hope that lifts the weight off of our shoulders and we can get back to having fun,” manager Bryan Price said.
Brooks Brown (0-2) walked Marlon Byrd opening the ninth. Kristopher Negron sacrificed, and Schumaker hit an opposite-field liner that landed just inside the left-field foul line. It was only his second RBI in 19 pinch-hit appearances.
“I just tried to hit the ball,” Schumaker said. “I’m not good enough to try to direct it.”
As soon as he crossed second base, his teammates were there to slap his back, rub his head and sprinkle him with water.
“The good thing was we didn’t get used to losing,” starter Michael Lorenzen said. “Now we have to get used to winning.”
Aroldis Chapman (3-3), who had given up runs in each of his last two appearances, escaped a two-on threat in the ninth by striking out Nolan Arenado.
Colorado switched starters before the game, deciding to give left-hander Jorge De La Rosa a couple of extra days to let a cut on his pitching hand heal. Left-hander Chris Rusin, who made 20 starts for the Cubs from 2012-13, was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to fill in.
Rusin gave up Billy Hamilton’s RBI single and four hits overall during seven innings.
Lorenzen gave up two hits in seven innings, including Nick Hundley’s fifth homer, in his return to the rotation. The right-hander started three games and was moved to the bullpen for two appearances before making another start on Tuesday.
Colorado’s DJ LeMahieu singled off Chapman in the ninth, extending his hitting streak to nine games. Cincinnati’s Todd Frazier went 0 for 3, ending his seven-game streak.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs kicked off the third phase of the offseason workout program Tuesday with the first set of voluntary organized team activities, with nine players missing.
The biggest name absent from the practice field didn’t come as a surprise.
All-Pro outside linebacker Justin Houston, who has yet to sign a non-exclusive franchise tender, was not present as he seeks a long-term contract. The 26-year-old Houston also did not report April 20 for the start of the offseason workout program, following the same path he took in 2014 while entering the final year of his contract.
That missed time a year ago didn’t hurt Houston, who went on to a third straight Pro Bowl selection after establishing a franchise-record and league-high 22 sacks.
Mai’Zhrae Zeno of West Brook High School of Beaumont, Texas signs letter of intent to play basketball for North Platte Community College Lady Knights. /Courtesy Photo
The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team announce the signing of Mai’Zhrae Zeno from Beaumont, Texas.
Zeno, a 5’ 7” forward played high school basketball for the West Brook High School Lady Bruins and led the Lady Bruins in scoring with 14.9 points per game and 10 rebounds this past season.
Lady Bruin Head Coach said, “Mai’Zhrae is a very athletic and versatile player. She is a defensive machine and versatile. She can play the post and shoot from the perimeter.
During her junior season, Zeno was a teammate of current Lady Knight player Djimonii Jackson. Zeno averaged 7.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 0.4 blocks per game during her junior year.
In her senior season, Zeno was a First team All-21-6A District player, a Super Gold player and was selected to play in two all- star games.
Zeno was also a co-captain of the Lady Bruin volleyball team.
Lady Knight Head Coach Richard Thurin, said “Zeno is quick and a very good rebounder.
SCOTTSBLUFF—The players have been selected for the East and West teams for the 37th annual West Nebraska All-Star Football Game. The 64 members of the all star football teams were nominated by their respective high school coach and selected by the all star coaches. These rosters are subject to change.
The East team will be led by Jeff Rowan from Lexington High School. The East assistant coaches are; Ryan Jones from Maxwell High School, Jayce Dueland from Elm Creek High School and Dreu Young from Cozad High School. The West will be led by Ryan Smith from Hershey High School. The West assistant coaches are; Randy Heimstra from Hemingford High School, Nick Kuxhausen from Kimball High School, and CJ Bach from Chadron High School.
The 2015 West Nebraska All-Star Football Game will be played Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Bearcat Stadium in Scottsbluff, NE. Game time is 7 p.m. MDT.
A portion of the proceeds from the West Nebraska All-Star Games benefit local charities in Scotts Bluff County. In 2014, a total of $5,000 was donated to three local charities.
2015 WEST NEBRASKA ALL-STAR FOOTBALL ROSTERS
WEST TEAM
Stetson Anderson, Scottsbluff
Chance Anglin, Sidney
Cole Beckius, Ogallala
Alex Closson, Gering
Chayton Crow, Hershey
Jackson Dickerson, Chadron
Jeffrey Dickey, Chase County
Tristan Donelson, Scottsbluff
Kelton Fisher, Chase County
Colt Foster, Hemingford
Dalton Goodenberger, McCook
Jacob Hand, Valentine
Bryce Hargens, Bayard
Mathew Hessler, Morrill
Jackson Hinze, Scottsbluff
Keenan Johnson, Chadron
Jacob Kugler, Hershey
Colton Lashley, McCook
Justin Lee, Thedford
Gaige Marshall, Hershey
Trever Matson, McCook
Seth Nowak, Hay Springs
Spencer Powell, McCook
Damien Rutledge, Kimball
Vonsinh Sayaloune, Chadron
Ethan Skinner, Hemingford
Michael Isaac Sorensen, Chase County
Garrett Sterkel, Mitchell
Brady Turek, Hemingford
Jonathon Withrow, Kimball
Matthew Wood, Hemingford
Nathan Woodrum, Sioux County
Head Coach: Ryan Smith (Hershey)
Assistant Coach: CJ Bach (Chadron)
Assistant Coach: Randy Hiemstra (Hemingford)
Assistant Coach: Nick Kuxhausen (Kimball)
EAST TEAM
Brandon Araujo, Lexington
Cody Aspenleiter, Medicine Valley
Christian Best, Elm Creek
Alex Burke, Cambridge
Jacob Clark, Gothenburg
Joey Colfack, Bertrand
Nicholas Crowley, Elm Creek
Brayden Davis, Sargent
Levi DeStefano, Brady
Layton Dockweiler, South Loup
Jason Finnegan, Cozad
Mitchell Fischer, Cozad
Dylan Folkers, Gothenburg
Kolbey Fourtner, North Platte St. Pat’s
Austin French, Broken Bow
Trent Geiser, Anselmo-Merna
Devon Halliwell, Elm Creek
Jeffrey Harms, Wallace
Jeremiah Keith, Maxwell
Kolin Kenton, Lexington
Tyler Knox, Rock County
Brennan Koller, Arapahoe
Trevor Mann, Brady
Migue Martinez, North Platte St. Pat’s
Britt McIntosh, Mullen
Andrew O’Neill, North Platte St. Pat’s
Armando Pinedo, Lexington
Robbie Sturdivant, Maxwell
Kylen Thompson, Aneslmo-Merna
Colin Wetovick, Cozad
Zach Wolf, Gothenburg
Tyler Yarrington, Broken Bow
Head Coach: Jeff Rowan (Lexington)
Assistant Coach: Jayce Dueland (Elm Creek)
Assistant Coach: Ryan Jones (Maxwell)
Assistant Coach: Dreu Young (Cozad)
SCOTTSBLUFF—The players have been selected for the East and West teams for the 31st annual West Nebraska All-Star Volleyball Game. The 13 members of each all-star volleyball team were selected from nominations by their respective high school coach. These rosters are subject to change.
The East squad will be led by Katie Helms from Cambridge High School. Lynne Johnson from Brady High School will assist her. The West will be led by Jodi Schuller from Chase County High School. Angie Hiemstra from Alliance High School will be the assistant coach.
The 2015 West Nebraska All-Star Volleyball Game will be played Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Cougar Palace on the campus of Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff. Game time is 2 p.m. MDT.
A portion of the proceeds from the West Nebraska All-Star Games benefit local charities in Scotts Bluff County. In 2014, a total of $5,000 was donated to three local charities.
2015 WEST NEBRASKA ALL-STAR VOLLEYBALL ROSTERS
WEST TEAM
Jill Behrends, Creek Valley
Kennedy Cyza, Alliance
Kelsey Higgins, Thedford
Emily Jensen, Alliance
Madison Kelber, Valentine
MaKenna Ketter, Chase County
Katelyn Lower, Mitchell
Leah Newman, Gering
Chellani Parriott, Bayard
Paige Spady, Chase County
Kaylee Spreier, Gering
Precious Williams, Alliance
McKenna Zulkoski, Mitchell
Head Coach: Jodie Schuller (Chase County)
Assistant Coach: Angie Hiemstra (Alliance)
EAST TEAM
Shayla Dockweiler, South Loup
Sydnee Harchelroad, Wauneta-Palisade
Brooke Hays, Southern Valley
Jessy Hunt, North Platte
Sloan Johnson, Cambridge
Bailee Keller, Maxwell
Hanna Lane, Ansley
Jessica Lovitt, Mullen
Shawna Paitz, Litchfield
Josie Palmer, Brady
Kayla Reynolds, Litchfield
Jordan Rush, South Loup
Lesley Towery, Wauneta-Palisade
Head Coach: Katie Helms (Cambridge)
Assistant Coach: Lynne Johnson (Brady)
