Sports – Page 232 – North Platte Post Archive

NPCC Knights Basketball Players Move-On to Play at the Next Level

Posted on April 16, 2015

NPCC Knights basketball players CJ Polk, Marco Pascolo and Riley Rice sign national letter of intent to continue their career with Knights Head Coach Kevin O’Connor and Assistant Coach Ryan Glenney.

Three North Platte Community College Knights basketball players signed national letters of intent to play basketball at the next level on Wednesday. Marco Pascolo will continue his playing career with the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Hardrockers. Riley Rice and CJ Polk will both play for the Golden Eagles of the University of Minnesota – Crookston.

Pascolo, who came to North Platte from Udine, Italy started 53 of the 65 total games including all 33 games this past season.

In his North Platte career, Pascolo averaged 11.0 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.4 blocks per game. Pascolo made 104 out of 236 three-point shot attempts for a 44.1 percentage. This past season, Pascolo was elected to the All Nebraska Community College Athletics Conference first team.

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Hardrockers, located in Rapid City, S.D., were 9 – 17 this past season. The Hardrockers are a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II college and a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Pascolo said “The school is a perfect fit for me. Academics played a big part in my decision. I had several schools that were interested in me. I chose the School of Mines because of the reputation in engineering program nationwide. That is something very important to me”.

Pascolo said that playing for NPCC and Coach O’Connor helped prepare him to play in the NCAA coming from overseas

Pascolo is a straight-A student and plans to major in engineering. Pascolo was recently inducted into the Alpha Beta Theta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, a junior college honor society.

CJ Polk is moving on to play at the University of Minnesota – Crookston.

Polk came to North Platte from Milwaukee, Wis. This past season for the Knights, Polk played in all 33 games averaging 9.1 points a game. Polk started 14 games., averaged 2.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.9 steals a game.

Polk said “I always wanted to play NCAA basketball, Division I or II, it doesn’t matter as long as I can keep playing basketball. Coach Dan (Weisse) is pretty nice. The business department is pretty nice, which is what I am going to school for.“

Crookston plan on using Polk as a point guard, having him handle the ball all the time and hit key last second shots.

Joining Polk at Crookston is teammate Riley Rice. Rice, a Mullen native, played sparingly his freshman year, but developed over his sophomore season and started 14 games. He averaged 3.6 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game and 1.2 assists per game in his sophomore year. Rice, although he played primarily under the basket, could step out and hit a three-pointer.

Rice plans on studying sports and recreation management at Crookston.

Rice said “They took me there for a visit, the school and coach were nice. The school was amazing. I fell in love right away with the place.”

Rice said that he enjoyed the experience at NPCC. “I wouldn’t be going where I’m going if it wasn’t for here. North Platte was a huge stepping stone to the next level”.

University of Minnesota-Crookston is a NJCAA Division II school. They are a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Crookston was 7 – 20 this past season.

Knights Head Coach Kevin O’Connor said “We are extremely happy for all three of these guys to be able to pursue their athletic and academic goals at the four-year level. One of the main priorities for our program has been trying to help guys prepare and get an opportunity to go to the four-year level when they are done here. Marco, Riley and CJ, all were very instrumental in our team success this past year winning 24 games.”

The two seasons that Pascolo and Rice were members of the Knights, the Knights went 51 – 14, making the Region IX semifinals both seasons.

O’Connor said “Not only were they tremendous players on the court, they were super individuals in the classroom and off the court. We will miss them, but wish them the best of luck. I think a couple of programs are getting some quality people.”

Rockies Make Several Defensive Gems to Beat Giants 4-1

Posted on April 15, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado made a sensational falling catch over the tarp in foul territory, Corey Dickerson had an RBI single among his three hits and the Rockies established their best road start in franchise history with a 4-1 win against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night.

A sprinting Arenado crashed into the tarp and went over the rail along the left-field line while catching a popup by Gregor Blanco in the eighth. He immediately made the throw from his knees while still on the tarp then toppled to the dirt. Center fielder Charlie Blackmon followed with his own gem when he chased down a deep fly at the fence to rob pinch-hitter Buster Posey to end the inning.

Scott Oberg (1-0) pitched the fifth for the win in his major league debut as the Rockies moved to 5-0 on the road to start a season for the first time..

Placzek Delivers Again in 7-6 Win at Creighton

Posted on April 14, 2015

Lincoln – The No. 23 Nebraska baseball team (27-11, 5-4 Big Ten) came away with a 7-6 victory on Tuesday night at TD Ameritrade Park and for the third time in four games against the Creighton Bluejays (20-9, 5-1 Big East), Nebraska’s Jake Placzek delivered the game-winning hit.

A junior from La Vista, Neb., Placzek came through with a RBI single in the top of the ninth to give the Huskers a 7-6 lead. Last season, Placzek produced a walk-off single in Lincoln on March 19 and later delivered an eighth-inning two-RBI single in a 4-2 win at TD Ameritrade Park on April 8.

Josh Roeder got the final five outs of the game for the Huskers and picked up his first win of the season after notching 11 saves on the year. The senior closer last notched a win against Illinois on May 17 of last season.

The Huskers had a 6-2 lead after the third, but the Jays scored three in the seventh and one in the eighth to tie the game. Nebraska matched a season high with three errors on the evening, that resulted in three unearned runs.

Freshman Garett King started for the Huskers and left the game with a lead, but didn’t factor into the decision. After going a career-high 8.0 innings in a 5-1 win over the Jays in Lincoln on March 31, King gave up five runs, only three earned, over 6.1 innings on Tuesday night. King allowed two hits the first inning on, but then that Anaheim Hills, Calif., native found a grove allowed four hits over the next 5.1 innings. In two starts against the Jays this season, King has allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks over 14.1 innings, while striking out eight.

After the Jays took a 2-0 lead in the first on a pair of hits and a NU error, the Husker offense responded and tied the game in the top of the second, with the tying run scoring out a two-out double off the bat of Ryan Boldt.

The two-out hits continued in the third when the Huskers plated four runs, all with two outs, to take a 6-2 lead. With Tanner Lubach on second, Austin Darby got the two-out rally started with a single that put runners on first and third. Scott Schreiber then gave the Huskers a 3-2 lead with a RBI single and Christian Cox followed with a two-RBI double. The Jays went reliever Connor Miller, but the Huskers kept hitting, as Jake Schleppenbach lined the first offering he saw from Miller into right field for a RBI single. Schleppenbach stole second to put himself in scoring position, but Miller put an end to the bleeding when he got Boldt to groundout.

Miller kept the Jays in the game by retiring the Huskers in order in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Miller’s effort gave the Jays’ offense a chance and they took advantage in the seventh with three runs on two hits and NU’s second error of the night. After King struck out Ryan Fitzgerald to start the inning, Harrison Crawford notched his first career home run with a blast to left field. King then gave up a single and walk, and with the tying run at the plate the Huskers went to Jeff Chesnut. The junior reliever got the ground ball he needed for a double play, but Schleppenbach committed an error and a run scored. Daniel Woodrow tacked on another run with a sacrifice fly before Chesnut got out of the inning with back-to-back groundouts, but NU’s lead was cut to 6-5.

After Miller had sent down 13 straight Huskers, NU’s Ben Miller snapped the streak with a leadoff double in the eighth. Elijah Dilday entered the game as a pinch runner and was soon 90 feet from home following a sac bunt by Darby. Dilday tried to score on a ground ball off the bat of pinch-hitter Austin Christensen, but was out on the play, 4-2-5-1.

Colton Howell took the mound for the Huskers in the eighth and was quickly in trouble after Reagan Fowler started the frame with a double and Fitzgerald later produced a one-out single to put runners on the corners. NU turned the ball over to Roeder, who struck out Crawford, but on the play Fitzgerald stole second base and a throwing error by Lubach allowed Fowler to score and tie the game, 6-6. Roeder then struck out Matt Gandy to strand the go-ahead run at second base.

With the game tied, Schleppenbach led off the ninth with a double to put the go-ahead run in scoring position for the top of NU’s lineup. Creighton turned the ball over to David Gerber, who was welcome by an infield single by Boldt that put runners on the corners. Placzek stepped lined the seventh pitch he saw from Gerber back through the box for a go-ahead RBI single. Gerber then got a double play and a ground out to end the top of the ninth.

Roeder came back to the mound and struck out Kevin Connolly to start the frame, Roeder’s third strikeout of the night. Kevin Lamb then singled up the middle to put the tying run on base with the top of CU’s order coming to the plate, but Roeder stranded Lamb at first base with a fly out and a 4-3 putout, sealing the Huskers’ 27^th win of the season.

Nebraska will be back home at Hawks Field tomorrow night to host the Omaha Mavericks, with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m. The game will be streamed live on BTN Plus.

Valesano Strikes Twice, Leads Storm To Game 1 Win

Posted on April 14, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. – Conner Valesano’s two goals were enough for the Tri-City Storm to defeat the Omaha Lancers 2-1 in Game 1 of the USHL’s Western Conference Semifinal at the Ralston Arena on Tuesday night.

Storm goaltender Alec Dillon made 25 saves to earn the victory in a defensive game between the two in-state rivals. Defensemen Mattias Goransson and Vince Pedrie each had assists on Valesano’s goals.

Valesano gave Tri-City the lead in the opening period, scoring the first goal of the playoff season on a face-off win. The Duluth, Minn. native won the draw back to Goransson for a shot to the net and got in position to deflect it past Omaha goaltender Kris Oldham to give the Storm a 1-0 lead after the first period.

The center then extended the lead in the middle period, scoring as his team finished killing off a penalty. The infraction had been to Pedrie for slashing. As the defenseman exited the box, the puck was shot wide of the Tri-City net by Omaha, with the rebound caroming right to Pedrie in neutral ice.

Pedrie, a Penn State commit, found Valesano on the left wing with a pass, and the forward unleashed a quick wrist shot over Oldham’s left shoulder and into the top corner of the net.

The Lancers got on the board with a tally from Anthony Angello at 15:00 of the second to make it 2-1.

But the two Valesano goals were enough for the Storm to hold off Omaha, holding the Lancers to just five shots in a scoreless third period.

Oldham stopped 21 shots for Omaha, while the Lancers outshot Tri-City 26-23.

The Western Conference Semifinal series continues on Thursday with Game 2 from Kearney at the Viaero Event Center. Game time is at 7:05 p.m.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Matthew Freytag and Nolan Aibel, along with defenseman Jason Krych…

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period
Tri-City – Conner Valesano (Mattias Goransson) 6:49

2nd Period

Tri-City – Conner Valesano (Vince Pedrie) 5:59
Omaha – Anthony Angello (Louie Rowe, Brendan Smith) 15:00

3rd Period
(no scoring)

PENALTIES

1st Period
Omaha – Nash Worden – (Roughing), 2 min, 4:37

2nd Period
Tri-City – Jalen Schulz – (Roughing), 2 min, 2:32
Omaha – Louie Rowe – (Roughing), 2 min, 2:32
Tri-City – Tory Dello – (Roughing), 2 min, 3:02
Omaha – Steven Spinner – (Roughing), 2 min, 3:02
Tri-City – Vince Pedrie – (Slashing), 2 min, 3:51
Tri-City – Jalen Schulz – (Cross Checking), 2 min, 6:21
Omaha – Louie Rowe – (Holding), 2 min, 12:52
Omaha – Steven Spinner – (Slashing), 2 min, 16:55

3rd Period
(no penalties)

Power Play

Tri-City – 0/3

Omaha – 0/2

Shots

Tri-City: 9, 11, 3 = Total: 23
Omaha: 7, 14, 5 = Total: 26

Saves
Tri-City – Alec Dillon – 25/26
Omaha – Kris Oldham – 21/23

APNewsBreak: New Concussions Deal with NCAA Proposed

Posted on April 14, 2015

CHICAGO (AP) — There is a new proposed settlement in a head injury lawsuit against the NCAA brought by football players and other college athletes.

Notice of a new deal came in a filing in federal court in Chicago late Tuesday night.

It’s the second proposal in the case. U.S. District Judge John Lee rejected the initial settlement in December.

The core of the new agreement is the same as the one Lee rejected. The new one also would toughen return-to-play rules after a concussion and would create a $70 million fund to test current and former athletes in contact and non-contact sports for brain trauma.

The new proposal also seeks to address Lee’s criticism. That includes his concern there was a lack of clarity about how athletes normally designated as non-contact sports could benefit if they suffer concussions.

Maniohuta Archery Club’s 3D Shoot Schedule Released

Posted on April 14, 2015

North Platte’s Maniohuta Archery Club released its 3D Shoot schedule for 2015 on Tuesday.

The 3D Shoots will take place the third Saturday of each month from April through September. The dates are as follows: April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15 and September 19.

Registration for the 3D Shoots begins at 9:00 am and will be a continuous line until 1:00 pm on the day of the shoot. The cost is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. Kids 11 and under are $5.

The shoots will take place at 204 Pheasant Run Rd., by Lake Maloney and concessions will be available. You can get more information by going to the Maniohuta Archers Facebook page or by emailing maniohutaarchers@gmail.com.

No Winston or Mariota at Draft, 26 Others Accept

Posted on April 14, 2015

CHICAGO (AP) — While 26 draft-eligible players have accepted invitations from the NFL to attend the proceedings later this month, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota are not among them.

The two most recent Heisman Trophy winners and highest-profile players in this year’s crop have opted to stay home with their families for the April 30-May 2 draft. The quarterbacks are projected to go at the outset of the draft, which has moved to Chicago from New York this year. It was last held in Chicago in 1964.

Agreeing to attend are such All-Americans as running back Melvin Gordon, defensive end Vic Beasley, offensive tackle Brandon Scherff, defensive tackle Danny Shelton and safety Landon Collins.

Wide receiver Devin Smith of national champion Ohio State, and DE Arik Armstead, Mariota’s teammate at national runner-up Oregon, have agreed to attend.

NPCC Lady Knights Basketball Signs Two Players

Posted on April 14, 2015

The North Platte Community College Lady Knights announce the signing of two players for the 2015 – 2016 season. They are Thomesha Wilson from Omaha, Neb., and Suhmer Mitchell from Big Sandy, Texas.

Wilson, a 5’ 8” forward from Omaha North averaged 3.7 points per game and played in the Omaha Metro High School All Star game.

Lady Knights Head Coach said,”Thomesha is very athletic and a good defensive player.”

Omaha North upset Millard West, the number one team in the district this past season. They were defeated by Norfolk in the district finals. Norfolk was the Class A state tournament runner-up.

Mitchell is a 6’2” post player from Big Sandy High School, averaged 13.5 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per game. Mitchell shot 48 percent from the field.

Thurin said, “Suhmer is a very good rebounder and inside player in the post area.”

Suhmer Mitchell of Big Sandy (TX) High School signs letter of intent to play basketball for North Platte Community College

Royals Outfielder Alex Rios Breaks Hand, Out Indefinitely

Posted on April 14, 2015

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kansas City right fielder Alex Rios is out indefinitely after suffering a broken bone in his left hand when he was hit by a pitch in Minnesota earlier this week.

The team said Tuesday that Rios has a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal in his left hand. He was hit by J.R. Graham’s first pitch in the eighth. He eventually scored but was removed as a precaution in the bottom of the inning and sent for X-rays.

The team said no timetable has been set in terms of his return.

Rios was batting .321 with eight RBIs and a home run through Kansas City’s 7-0 start to the season.

MPCC Rodeo Team Competes at South Dakota State

Posted on April 14, 2015

The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo team traveled to Brookings, S. D. and competed in the South Dakota State University Rodeo on April 10 – 11.

Mid-Plains finished in seventh place in the men’s team standings with 60 points and 10th in the women’s team standings with five points.

Individually, in steer wrestling, Tyler Murray finished in fourth at 15.7 seconds and Tyler Wriedt finished in eighth at 18.8 seconds. In breakaway roping, Kalie Jacobson finished in eighth with 3.1 seconds in the long round.

In the updated Great Plains region, Mid-Plains is seventh in the men’s team standings and the women are 10th.

In the individual standings, Duell Puttergill is fifth with 230 points in saddle bronc riding. Tyler Murray is tied for eighth with 200 points in steer wrestling. In bull riding, Mid-Plains has four cowboys in the top 15 in the region. Keali’i’aukai Kaai is in fourth place with 290 points; Colter Glendy is in fifth with 230 points; Tyler Viers and Dakota Rice are tied for 10th place with 70 points.

The Mid-Plains rodeo team’s next action is April 17 – 18 at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln rodeo.