Sports – Page 321 – North Platte Post Archive

DePaul Alone in 1st in Big East with 70-60 Win over Bluejays

Posted on January 8, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Forrest Robinson made his first five 3-pointers, all in the first six minutes of the game, and scored a career-high 20 points as DePaul took sole possession of first place in the Big East with a 70-60 victory over Creighton on Wednesday night.

The Blue Demons (9-7, 3-0) have won their first three Big East games for the first time since they joined the conference in 2005-06.

Creighton (9-7, 0-3) has lost its first three conference games for the first time since 1993-94, when it was in the Missouri Valley, and four in a row overall for the first time since 1999-2000. The Bluejays also had their 11-game home conference win streak end.

Myke Henry added 11 points for DePaul.

Toby Hegner had 15 points and Avery Dingman added 10 for Creighton.

AP Source: Chiefs Sign QB Terrelle Pryor to 1-Year Deal

Posted on January 8, 2015January 8, 2015

Terrelle Pryor when playing for the Oakland Raiders.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have signed Terrelle Pryor to a one-year deal to provide competition at the backup quarterback spot, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the Chiefs had not announced the deal. Pryor worked out for the team earlier in the day, and later tweeted a picture of himself carrying a notebook with the Chiefs’ logo on it.

The signing could mean the end of backup Chase Daniel’s run in Kansas City. The Chiefs are tight against the salary cap, and parting with Daniel could save nearly $4 million.

The Chiefs also have developmental quarterbacks Tyler Bray and Aaron Murray on the roster.

Cavaliers land Center Timofey Mozgov in Trade with Nuggets

Posted on January 8, 2015

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers have filled their biggest need, acquiring center Timofey Mozgov from the Denver Nuggets for two future first-round draft picks.

The Cavs announced their second major trade in three days during the first half of Wednesday night’s game against Houston. Cleveland sent two protected 2015 first-round picks — one acquired in 2013 from Memphis, the other from Oklahoma City this week — to Denver for the 7-foot-1 Mozgov and a 2015 second-round pick.

Mozgov averaged 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds this season for the Nuggets.

The Cavs targeted Mozgov for months. He played for Cavs coach David Blatt on the Russian national team.

On Monday, the Cavs dealt Waiters to the Thunder and acquired guards J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert from the Knicks.

Burwell Woman uses Rodeo to Pursue Academic Goals

Posted on January 8, 2015

Julie Timmerman, of Burwell, is the 2014 Miss Old West Trail Rodeo queen. She is currently enrolled at Mid-Plains Community College.

She may be rodeo royalty, but Julie Timmerman doesn’t let the status go to her head. The Burwell native is too busy focusing on a prize bigger than any crown she could ever win – a quality education.

Timmerman, 21, is Crawford’s reigning Old West Trail Rodeo queen. She is also a student at Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte where she competes on the MPCC rodeo team. Timmerman credits her crown, MPCC and rodeo with helping her achieve her career goal of becoming a veterinarian.

“They go hand in hand and have done a great job of preparing me for the real world,” said Timmerman.

She said the college has taught her the importance of hard work, rodeo competition instilled the values of perseverance and self-discipline and rodeo queen contests sharpened her public speaking and interview skills.

“I’m definitely a lot more confident than I was before I started trying out for queen contests,” said Timmerman. “I feel like I’ve grown up a lot.”

Timmerman’s love of rodeo dates back to fourth grade when her mother bought her a horse.

“I’ve always loved going fast on a horse,” said Timmerman. “There’s a freedom to it.”

Subsequent participation in 4-H and high school rodeo fueled the interest.

“I competed in pole bending, barrel racing and goat tying for four years and tried for the Nebraska High School Rodeo queen title my junior year,” said Timmerman. “I knew I couldn’t leave all that behind when it came time for college.”

She began looking for schools that offered rodeo and narrowed her selections down to two.

“It was between MPCC and Torrington,” said Timmerman. “The MPCC rodeo team was just starting up, and I was excited about the idea of being part of that. I’m glad I chose MPCC. The instructors are excellent, are always available outside of class and are very flexible with my rodeo schedule.”

Timmerman represents the college in barrel racing and goat tying. The rodeo queen aspect has helped fund her education. She plans to graduate this spring with an Associate of Science degree from MPCC and transfer to Chadron State College next fall.

“I got a one-year, full-tuition scholarship to Chadron State College for winning the queen title,” said Timmerman. “So, after I leave Mid-Plains I will take my pre-vet classes at CSC. MPCC and CSC have a great working relationship, which makes it really easy to transfer credits.”

When she’s not studying, competing in rodeo or fulfilling her queen duties, Timmerman is gaining on-the-job experience working at the Sjeklocha Veterinary Clinic in North Platte.

Timmerman hopes to eventually open her own practice in rural Nebraska, possibly back in Burwell. Her dream is to become an equine and bovine specialist and serve as an on-call vet for area rodeos.

NPCC Basketball Teams to Host Eastern Wyoming on Boy Scout Night

Posted on January 8, 2015

The North Platte Community College Knights and Lady Knights will be hosting the Eastern Wyoming College Lancers in a basketball doubleheader on Saturday January 10 at the McDonald – Belton Gymnasium.

The games have been designated as Boy Scout Night. Area Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorers and their families are invited to a free evening of basketball action at North Platte Community College All Scouts in uniform will also be treated to a free bag of popcorn. They will have the opportunity to meet the NPCC Knights men’s basketball team at an autograph session following the men’s game.

Eastern Wyoming Lady Lancers are 9-5 on the season and have four players scoring in double figures. Joanna Perez leads the Lady Lancers in scoring with 16.0 points per game. Kara Babola is next in scoring with a 15.2 points per game average. The other two Lady Lancers in double figures are Arriel Fort, averaging 10.5 points per game, and Asia Roper, averaging 10.4 a game.

The Lady Knights, 8-5 on the season, are led by April Stull, who is averaging 16.8 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game. Aliyah Brown is averaging just under ten with 9.7 points per game.

Stull is currently in 21^st place on the Lady Knights scoring list. She needs two points to pass Mindy Humphrey to move into the Top 20

In the men’s game, which is a Region IX south sub-region matchup, the Lancers are 6-8 overall and 1-2 in sub-region play. The Lancers are led by Kalil Potts, who is averaging 15.4 points per game. Three other Lancers are scoring in double figures: Arthur Santana, who is averaging 11.7 points per game; Rich Williams, who is averaging 11.2 points per game; and Malcom Glover, who averaging 10.7 points per game. Jeff Uju leads the Lancers in rebounding with 6.6 boards a game

The Knights are 10-4 overall and 3-1 in sub-region play are led by Cameron Williams with 23.1 points per game. Williams is ninth in the nation in scoring and leads Region IX.

Other Knights in double figures are Marco Pascolo, averaging 11.2 points a game, and Shyquinn Dix, averaging 11.1 points per game. Pascolo leads the Knights in rebounding with 8.4 rebounds per game.

The Lady Knights game will begin at 2:00 p.m. CST and the Knights game will follow at 4:00 p.m. CST.

The games will be live streamed at www.coachesaid.com .

Nebraska’s Riley has 1 Staff Spot Open after Naming 4 Aides

Posted on January 8, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — New Nebraska football coach Mike Riley has hired four assistant coaches, leaving him with one spot to fill on his staff.

The assistants named Wednesday are running backs coach Reggie Davis, defensive line coach Hank Hughes, offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf and secondary coach Charlton Warren.

Langsdorf was the New York Giants quarterbacks coach this season after working nine years as Riley’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Oregon State.

Davis was an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers. Hughes was co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the University of Cincinnati. Warren, hired by former Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, is being retained.

Riley has already hired defensive coordinator Mark Banker, linebackers coach Trent Bray, offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh and special teams coordinator Bruce Read.

Huskers Begin Two-Game Homestand With Rutgers Thursday Night

Posted on January 7, 2015

The Nebraska men’s basketball team returns to action Thursday night, as the Huskers hosts Big Ten newcomer Rutgers at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Tipoff for Thursday’s matchup between the Huskers and Scarlet Knights is set for 8:05 p.m. and the game will be nationally televised on ESPNU with Adam Amin and Craig Robinson on the call. The game is also available online and on mobile devices on the WatchESPN app.

The game will be broadcast across the state of Nebraska on the IMG Husker Sports Radio Network, including KLIN 1400 AM in Lincoln, 1110 KFAB in Omaha and KRVN 880 AM in Lexington with Kent Pavelka calling the action and Matt Davison adding color commentary. The game can be heard for free on Huskers.com and available on the Huskers’ app on iOS or android devices, as well as on TuneIn Radio and on SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

A limited number of tickets for Thursday’s game, ranging from $10 (300 Level) to $30 (100 Level) are available on Huskers.com or at the Pinnacle Bank Arena Ticket Office beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening.

The Huskers (8-6, 0-2 Big Ten) look to avoid an 0-3 conference start after falling at Iowa, 70-59, on Monday night in Iowa City. Junior forward Shavon Shields led Nebraska with 25 points and six rebounds, but Iowa went 31-of-38 from the foul line, including 9-of-11 in the final 2:38 to pull away in the final minute.

Shields has become one of the Big Ten’s most consistent scorers this season and is averaging 22.3 points per game over the last three contests. Entering Wednesday’s action, Shields leads the Big Ten in scoring in conference play at 22.5 points per game. He combines with All-American candidate Terran Petteway to give the Huskers a pair of high-scoring wings.

Thursday’s matchup features a pair of teams who defend well. Nebraska is holding opponents to 38.7 percent shooting this season, including 29 percent from 3-point range, while Rutgers has limited teams to 38.9 percent shooting, including just 30 percent from 3-point range. Nebraska has limited four of its last five teams to under 40 percent shooting, while Rutgers (9-6, 1-1 Big Ten) is allowing a Big Ten-low 48.5 points per game in Big Ten play.

Thursday’s contest continues a busy week for the Huskers, as they are in the middle of playing three games in a seven-day stretch. After Sunday’s home game with Illinois, they play only once until Jan. 20. The game with Rutgers also begins a stretch where four of the next five are at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Riley Continues to Add to Husker Staff

Posted on January 7, 2015

University of Nebraska Head Football Coach Mike Riley announced on Wednesday the addition of four assistant football coaches to the four full-time coaches announced in mid-December.

The new additions bring coaching experience from the Power Five conferences as well as the National Football League. The full-time assistant coaches officially announced on Wednesday include running backs coach Reggie Davis, defensive line coach Hank Hughes, offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf and secondary coach Charlton Warren.

Riley had previously announced the hiring of four assistant coaches on Dec. 11, including defensive coordinator Mark Banker, linebackers coach Trent Bray, offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh and special teams coordinator Bruce Read.

Including Riley, Nebraska’s staff has a combined 216 years of coaching experience, while boasting a combined 56 bowl game appearances and 38 years coaching in the professional ranks.

“We are thrilled with the staff we have assembled at the University of Nebraska,” Riley said. “This is a successful group of outstanding teachers, coaches and recruiters, and I know they will represent our school and program very well.”

Danny Langsdorf will reunite with Riley in Lincoln as the Huskers’ offensive coordinator. Langsdorf returns to the college game after spending the 2014 season as the quarterbacks coach for the New York Giants. Langsdorf worked directly with two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Eli Manning.

Under Langsdorf’s tutelage, Manning completed a career-best 63.1 percent of his passes, and his 4,410 passing yards were the second-most in his 11-year NFL career. Manning also threw for 30 touchdowns, an increase of 12 from the 2013, while throwing 13 fewer interceptions than the previous year. Manning’s passer rating of 92.1 was the third-best of his career.

Before joining the Giants’ staff, Langsdorf spent the previous nine seasons as Riley’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Oregon State. Langsdorf’s Oregon State offenses were regularly among the most productive in the Pac-12 Conference, and nine of OSU’s top 13 single-season yardage outputs came under Langsdorf’s coaching.

Langsdorf also worked with Riley at Oregon State in 1997 and 1998, before stints in the professional ranks with the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos and the New Orleans Saints.

Reggie Davis will coach the Husker running backs and also joins the Nebraska program from the NFL. Davis has spent the previous four seasons on the San Francisco 49ers staff under Coach Jim Harbaugh. In Davis’ time in San Francisco, the 49ers reached the NFC Championship Game three consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2013, and played in Super Bowl XLVII following the 2012 season.

Davis spent the 2014 season as San Francisco’s offensive line coach, following three seasons working as the tight ends coach. Davis coached 49ers tight end Vernon Davis to a Pro Bowl appearance and All-Pro honors in 2013, when Vernon Davis had a career-high 13 touchdown receptions.

Reggie Davis worked for Riley as Oregon State’s running backs coach from 2008 to 2010. While with the Beavers, Davis helped tutor Jacquizz Rodgers who set numbers OSU rushing records in his time in Corvallis. Davis also had assistant coaching stops at UNLV and the University of San Diego, following a two-year NFL playing career.

Hank Hughes comes to Nebraska after spending the 2014 season as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Cincinnati under Head Coach Tommy Tuberville. A 36-year veteran of the coaching profession, Hughes has served as a defensive line coach for 27 of those seasons.

Hughes’ one season at Cincinnati followed a 13-year tenure on the defensive coaching staff at the University of Connecticut. With the Huskies, Hughes served as the defensive line coach for all 13 seasons and was the defensive coordinator for four years, while he also served as assistant head coach from 2005 to 2010.

With Hughes on staff, the Connecticut program made five bowl appearances including a trip to the Fiesta Bowl following the 2010 season. Connecticut won a share of two conference championships with Hughes on staff. The Huskie defenses regularly ranked among the nation’s top rush defenses, in large part due to the play of Hughes’ defensive line, and UConn ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense in 2006, 2008 and 2012.

Other stops in Hughes’ coaching career include assistant coaching positions at Memphis and Harvard.

Charlton Warren will be in his second season at Nebraska as the secondary coach in 2015. His 2014 secondary helped the Huskers rank among the nation’s top defense against the pass. Nebraska ranked fifth nationally in pass efficiency defense, and held nine of 13 opponents to less than 50 percent passing and ranked second nationally in opponent pass completion percentage.

Sophomore safety Nate Gerry was among the Big Ten leaders in interceptions with five and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in his first season as a starter.

Warren joined the Nebraska program after nine seasons on the defensive staff at the Air Force Academy. Warren worked directly with the Falcon defensive backs each of his nine seasons in Colorado Springs, and was the associate head coach and defensive coordinator in 2012 and 2013. Warren was also regarded as Air Force’s top recruiter and coordinated recruiting efforts from 2006 to 2011.

Riley has also added several members of the Nebraska football support staff.

Mark Phillipp will be the Huskers’ Football Head Strength Coach. Phillipp spent the past two seasons on the strength and conditioning staff at the University of Southern California, and also has prior experience on the strength staff at Oregon State.

Dan Van de Riet is Nebraska’s new Associate Athletic Director for Football Operations. Van de Riet has spent the past 12 seasons in a similar role with Riley at Oregon State, and was on the OSU staff for 14 years overall. Van de Riet will be in charge of the program’s day-to-day operations, including budget and team travel.

Other members of University of Nebraska football staff include….

Hilary O’Bryan, Assistant Director of Football Operations

Ryan Gunderson, Director of Player Personnel

Andy Vaughn, Director of Football & Recruiting Operations

Todd McShane, Assistant Director of Player Personnel

Kenny Wilhite, Assistant Director of Player Personnel

Greg Vaughn, Video Director

Tate Guillotte, Video Assistant Coordinator

Tim Rabas, Football Associate Strength Coach

Willie Jones, Football Assistant Strength Coach

Joni Duff, Football Staff Secretary – Defense/Special Teams

Teri Riggins, Football Staff Secretary – Offense/Recruiting

Max Onyegbule, Graduate Assistant Coach – Assistant Defensive Line Coach

Tavita Thompson, Graduate Assistant Coach – Tight Ends Coach

Nick Hallberg, Graduate Manager – Offensive Quality Control

Beau Walker, Graduate Manager – Offensive Assistant

Hardie Buck, Graduate Manager – Special Teams Quality Control

Keaton Kristick, Graduate Manager – Defensive Quality Control

Brooks Armstrong, Graduate Manager – Operations

NPCC Knights Host Western Nebraska in South Sub-Region Contest

Posted on January 7, 2015January 7, 2015

The North Platte Community College Knights basketball team will host the Western Nebraska Community College Cougars on Friday, January 9 at McDonald – Belton Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CST.

The Knights enter the contest with a 10-4 record, 3-1 in the Region IX south sub-region, while the Cougars are 6-9 and 2-1 in the sub-region.

The Cougars are led in scoring by Preston Christensen with a 16.9 average. Two other Cougars are averaging in double figures: Diante Mitchell who is averaging 14.7 points per game and Damion Rashford, who is averaging 13.5 points per game. Julio Guity leads the Cougars in rebounding with 4.6 boards per game.

North Platte has three players averaging in double figures. Cameron Williams leads the way with 23.2 points per game. Marco Pascolo is averaging 11.2 points per game and Shyquinn Dix is averaging 11.1 points per game.

Williams, currently 9^th in the country in scoring, leads the region in scoring and is 36^th on the Knights all-time scoring list and needs 6 points to pass Kent Brown for 35^thplace.

The game will be live streamed on the internet at www.coachesaid.com .

NPCC Lady Knights Host Colorado Christian JV

Posted on January 7, 2015

The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team will host the Colorado Christian University Junior Varsity Lady Cougars on Friday, January 9 at McDonald – Belton Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CST.

The Lady Knights enter the contest with an 8-5 record, while the Lady Cougars are 1-7.

The Lady Cougars are led by Cassaundra Rindels and Rachel Nakamura.

North Platte is led by sophomore April Stull. Stull is averaging 16.8 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game. Stull is leading Region IX Division II in both categories.

Aliyah Brown is averaging 9.7 points per game and 2.1 assists per game.

The game will be live streamed on the internet at www.coachesaid.com .