Sports – Page 344 – North Platte Post Archive

NPCC Lady Knights Stun Northeastern JC

Posted on December 10, 2014

The North Platte Community College Lady Knights defeated the Northeastern Junior College Plainswomen 63-55 Tuesday night at McDonald- Belton Gymnasium. The North Platte win broke a seven game winning streak by the Plainswomen.

The first half was a tightly contested half. There were seven lead changes and 4 ties. The largest lead in the half was by the Plainswomen 20-15 with five minutes to go. The score was tied at 24 at intermission.

The Lady Knights started the second half on a 16-5 run to lead 40-29 with 15:11 to play in the game. The Lady Knights never relinquished the lead, even though the Plainswomen cut the lead to two a couple of times.

Lady Knights Head Coach Richard Thurin said: “We played great defense and played a full game. It was a big win.”

April Stull and Sarah Mahr led the Lady Knights with 14 points. Stull has now scored 533 points in her career which ties her with Karman Widick and Cecilia Bieber for 22^nd on
the North Platte Community College All-Time scoring list. Stull also grabbed 14 rebounds for the team lead.

The only other Lady Knight to score in double figures was Ester Micheva, who scored 11 points. Micheva also had six steals and nine rebounds.

The Plainswomen were led in scoring by Arianne Sheka, who led all scorers with 17 points. The only other Plainswoman to score in double figures was Raynisha Washington with 11 points. Washington also led the Plainswomen with 8 rebounds.

The Knights improved to 7-5 on the year. The Plainswomen dropped to 12-2.

The Lady Knights travel to York, Nebraska Friday, December 12 to face York College Junior Varsity.

Creighton Outlasts South Dakota 91-88 in 2OT

Posted on December 9, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — James Milliken came off the bench to score a career-high 23 points to lead Creighton to a 91-88 double overtime victory over South Dakota on Tuesday night.

Milliken nailed a 3-pointer, drove the baseline for a layup and hit another trey to give Creighton an 85-80 lead with 1:09 remaining in the second overtime. Austin Chatman, who was scoreless in the first half but finished with 24 points, made five free throws to seal the win for Creighton (8-2).

South Dakota was trailing 65-62 with three seconds left in regulation when Tyler Larson made a 3 to force overtime.

Chatman made a 3 to start the first overtime. South Dakota’s Trey Norris nailed a 3-pointer to tie at 76 and go into the second overtime.

Larson had 25 points, Tre Burnette had a career-high 24 and Brandon Bos chipped in 23 for the Coyotes (3-7).

Forsberg has Goal, Assist in Preds’ Win over Avs

Posted on December 9, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Filip Forsberg scored 2:23 in and added a late assist, and Pekka Rinne earned his third shutout of the season as the Nashville Predators beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-0 on Tuesday night.

Gabriel Bourque and James Neal scored empty-net goals in the closing minutes for the Predators, who avoided their first two-game losing streak of the season.

Forsberg scored the 12th goal of his rookie season. Bourque sent a pass through the sticks of two Avalanche players, and the 20-year-old Swede broke into the open ice and flipped the puck over Calvin Pickard’s left shoulder.

Rinne did the rest, stopping 26 shots. He has won eight of his past 10 starts, limiting opponents to two goals or fewer in those games.

Pickard made 33 saves in place of Semyon Varlamov, who missed his 10th game of the season after aggravating a groin injury during practice on Monday.

Allison’s First USHL Goal Propels Storm To Win

Posted on December 9, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. – Wade Allison’s first USHL goal turned out to be the game-winner for the Tri-City Storm (11-7-3) on Tuesday night in a 2-1 victory over the Lincoln Stars (6-11-3) at the Viaero Event Center.

Defenseman Bobby Nardella factored in both of the Tri-City goals, scoring the first at 10:19 of the second period before assisting on Allison’s winning tally less than two minutes later.

Storm netminder Alec Dillon picked up his 10th win of the year, making 29 saves. The Victoria, B.C. native allowed just one goal for the second consecutive game, after holding Dubuque to a single tally on Saturday night.

The game was scoreless through the first 20 minutes, but Tri-City limited Lincoln’s opportunities, controlling puck possession while outshooting the Stars 11-5.

In the second, Lincoln took an initial 1-0 lead on Chris Dodero’s first tally of the season at 10:10.

However just 19 seconds later, Tri-City responded with Nardella’s third strike of the year.

After the game, Storm head coach Jim Hulton called the goal a turning point for his team, and gave the squad a renewed energy.

Less than two minutes later, Tri-City took the lead on Allison’s tally. While Nardella had the second assist, forward Joel Herbert got the puck directly to the Western Michigan commit, picking up his third helper of the year.

Lincoln netminder Cam Hackett made 28 saves for the Stars in the loss.

The Storm now continue their home stretch with a weekend series against the Youngstown Phantoms. Friday’s game gets underway at 7:30 p.m., whileSaturday’s contest starts at 3:05.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Garrett Gamez and Nolan Aibel along with defenseman Gordi Myer…

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period

(no scoring)

2nd Period

Lincoln – Chris Dodero (August VonUngern Sternberg, Biagio Lerario) 10:10
Tri-City – Bobby Nardella (unassisted) 10:29
Tri-City – Wade Allison (Joel Herbert, Bobby Nardella) 13:10

3rd Period

(no scoring)

PENALTIES

1st Period

Tri-City – Nick Master – (Hooking), 2 min, 17:31

2nd Period

(no penalties)

3rd Period

Tri-City – Jake Wahlin – (Roughing), 2 min, 5:09
Lincoln – Miguel Fidler – (Slashing), 2 min, 6:05
Tri-City – Tory Dello – (Holding), 2 min, 16:58
Tri-City – Jim Hulton – (Abuse of Officials) (Game Misconduct), 10 min, 20:00

Power Play

Lincoln – 0/3

Tri-City – 0/1

Shots

Lincoln: 5, 15, 10 = Total: 30
Tri-City: 11, 14, 5 = Total: 30

Saves
Lincoln – Cam Hackett – 28/30
Tri-City – Alec Dillon – 29/30

Huskers Announce Roster Change

Posted on December 9, 2014

Nebraska women’s basketball coach Connie Yori announced Tuesday that freshman Kaylee Page has left the program.

Page, who averaged 5.6 minutes in five games for the Huskers, played four first-half minutes at Alabama Sunday. She scored the only two points of her career in 11 minutes in Nebraska’s win over Alcorn State on Nov. 16.

“We understand that young people will go through some tough times in their growth toward maturity,” Yori said. “The transition into college is often difficult for student-athletes and their parents. In our program, we encourage our student-athletes to trust the process and work hard to improve each day, and good things will happen.”

Yori said Nebraska has released Kaylee Page from her scholarship and also released her younger sister, Lanie, from her National Letter of Intent, at the Pages’ request.

Conlan, Thomas Inducted into College Hall of Fame

Posted on December 9, 2014

Derrick Thomas playing for the Kansas City Chiefs

NEW YORK (AP) — Shane Conlan and Derrick Thomas, two of the most dominant college linebackers of the 1980s, are part of a class of 14 former players and two coaches being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in New York.

Thomas had 27 sacks and won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker in 1988 before going on to a successful NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was paralyzed in an automobile wreck in 2000 and died from complications about a month later. He was 33.

Conlan was a two-time All-American. He had two interceptions in his final college game as Penn State upset Miami 14-10 in the Fiesta Bowl to win the national title.

The rest of the class is highlighted by TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson, South Carolina receiver Sterling Sharpe and Southern California tackle Tony Boselli.

Tri-City Acquires Goaltender Rutledge

Posted on December 9, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. – Tri-City Storm Head Coach Jim Hulton announced the acquisition of goaltender Jared Rutledge from the Janesville Jets of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) Tuesday in exchange for goaltender Blake Weyrick.

Rutledge is no stranger to the USHL, having played in a total of 81 contests over four seasons with both Team USA and the Green Bay Gamblers.

Last season, Rutledge appeared in 45 regular season games for Green Bay, mounting a record of 25-16-4 with a goals against average of 2.77 and a save percentage at .907.

A big part of the team’s success down the stretch, Rutledge helped the Gamblers secure a spot in the 2014 Clark Cup playoffs and started all of the team’s four postseason games in the opening round. In the final two playoff games, both 1-0 losses, Rutledge made a total of 52 saves while attempting to keep his team in the series.

The Skokie, Ill. native played for the United States National Team Development Program for two seasons from 2010-12, before joining the University of Michigan Wolverines for the 2012-13 season. Rutledge saw action in 10 games at the NCAA level, but decided to return to the USHL with Green Bay the following year.

“With Jared we know we’re acquiring a guy who has been a veteran of not only our league but also of Team USA and Michigan,” Hulton said. “I think the thing that impressed us was his experience as a starter last year for Green Bay and his playoff experience. We think that’s going to be important heading down the road. It was a concern of ours to have two goalies of the same age, both lacking playoff experience.”

Rutledge was traded to Janesville by the Gamblers on Oct. 28. In six NAHL games, the netminder had a 4-2-0 record with a GAA of 1.99 and a save percentage at .919.

“Blake is a terrific young man with a bright future,” Hulton said of Weyrick. “He was an outstanding teammate and worked very hard for us here. We’re hoping that this opportunity allows him to become a No. 1 goaltender and fulfill his dream of getting a scholarship.”

The Storm will battle the Lincoln Stars at the Viaero Event Center tonight at 7:05 p.m.

For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Viaero Event Center Box Office at 308.338.8011 or visit www.stormhockey.com.

3 AFC Teams can Clinch Divisions this Week

Posted on December 9, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — The Patriots, Broncos and Colts can clinch their division titles this week.

New England (10-3) hosts Miami (7-6) and will own the NFC East with a victory. The Patriots can earn an AFC first-round playoff bye if they win while Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati lose, or win and the Colts, Steelers and Broncos lose.

Denver gets the AFC West crown by beating San Diego. Indy owns the AFC South by beating Houston this Sunday.

The Broncos get a first-round playoff bye with a win and losses by the Colts and Steelers, or by the Colts and Bengals — provided Denver has a strength-of-schedule tiebreaker over Pittsburgh.

Denver also can get at least a wild card with a loss and defeats by Miami, Houston, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, or Miami, Houston, Baltimore and Cleveland, or Miami, Houston and Baltimore, plus a Pittsburgh win.

NPCC to Host Northwest Kansas Tech

Posted on December 9, 2014

The North Platte Community College Knights men’s basketball team will host the Northwest Kansas Technical College Mavericks on Wednesday, December 10 at McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m. CST

The Mavericks are 9-5 on the season, averaging 77.4 points per game. Defensively, the Mavericks allow 55.3 points per game.

Northwest Kansas Technical College has four players who are scoring in double figures, led by DeAngelo Stewart with 14.6 points per game. Other players averaging double figures are: Montrell Williams with 12.9 points per game, James Sylvester at 10.3 points per game, and Brodrick Robinson at 10 points per game.

The Knights are 9-2 on the year, scoring 82.4 points per game, while allowing 64.3 points per game.

The Knights are led in scoring by Cameron Williams at 19.4 points per game, followed by Marco Pascolo and Shyquinn Dix, who are averaging 12.4 points per game and 11.5 points per game respectively.

The game may be heard on ESPN Radio 1410 or on the internet at www.northplattepost.com. It is also available in video live stream at www.coachesaid.com .

Big Ten Announces Significant Partnership with Madison Square Garden, including 2018 Men’s Basketball Tournament Headed to New York City

Posted on December 9, 2014

ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Big Ten Conference announced today an extensive agreement with Madison Square Garden to feature the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament in New York City for the first time in 2018, along with men’s basketball and hockey doubleheaders hosted by the legendary arena from 2016 through 2019 and a significant branding presence both inside and outside the building.

“We are thrilled to establish this long-term partnership with Madison Square Garden, one of the most-revered brands and buildings in all of sports,” Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany said. “This pairing is a natural fit for us as we continue to extend our brand and live in two regions of the country. The Garden has been the site of countless iconic moments throughout history, and we look forward to showcasing some of the best basketball and hockey programs in the country through this partnership.”

“We are proud and honored to collaborate with the Big Ten on this unprecedented partnership,” Joel Fisher, executive vice president, MSG Sports, said. “Teaming up with the Big Ten for the men’s basketball tournament and the basketball and hockey doubleheaders will be a win for college sports fans and the nearly 100,000 conference alumni that live in the New York metropolitan area.”

The 2018 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament will be held at Madison Square Garden from Wednesday, Feb. 28, through Sunday, March 4, with all 14 conference programs competing for the Big Ten’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. The 2018 event will be held one week earlier than previous tournaments, ending seven days before NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday.

Big Ten men’s basketball and hockey programs will also be featured at Madison Square Garden during the regular season, with four consecutive doubleheaders featuring conference competition held in late January or early February from 2016 through 2019. The first doubleheader will feature the Michigan and Penn State basketball and hockey teams playing at The Mecca on Jan. 30, 2016.

In addition, the Big Ten will receive year-round branding opportunities at Madison Square Garden, including signage inside and outside of the facility and select promotion through print, television and social media outlets affiliated with the arena and its tenants.

Madison Square Garden is celebrating 80 years of college basketball this season, with the first games held on December 29^th, 1934, when Westminster defeated St. John’s and NYU beat Notre Dame. The Garden is home to many historic moments in its illustrious history – NCAA and NIT Championships, Big East Tournaments, “The Sweater Game,” Oscar Robertson’s 56 point outburst against Seton Hall and the historic CCNY Double Championship. And, for the first time in 53 years the NCAA Tournament returned to The Garden last season, including an appearance by Michigan State from the Big Ten. The Garden is poised again to deliver New York area fans many more thrilling moments well into the future.

The Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament has been held in either Chicago or Indianapolis through the first 17 years of its existence. The annual event returns to the United Center for the ninth time in 2015 and will be held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for the 10th time in 2016, before making its first appearance on the East Coast when the 2017 event is held at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The tournament will return to Chicago in 2019 and 2021 and Indianapolis in 2020 and 2022.

Six different Big Ten programs have officially won the tournament, including Michigan State claiming a fourth crown last March. Each of the last two tournaments have been sold out, including a conference record of more than 124,000 fans at the United Center in 2013 and over 111,000 fans at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2014, the largest attendance in Indianapolis. More than 1.6 million fans have enjoyed the tournament since the inaugural event in 1998.

The Big Ten has made a series of announcements highlighting the conference’s increased presence on the East Coast, beginning with the addition of Maryland and Rutgers as future conference members in November 2012. In June 2013, the Big Ten announced the acceptance of Johns Hopkins University as the conference’s first sport affiliate member for men’s lacrosse, and also announced an agreement to take part in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, sending conference football teams to play at Yankee Stadium on an annual basis.

In May, the conference unveiled plans to take part in the Gavitt Tipoff Games, an annual early-season men’s basketball series with the Big East named in honor of Dave Gavitt, and announced that the 2017 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament will be held at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. In June, the Big Ten officially opened a second office in New York City and has also secured access to satellite office space in Washington, D.C. Maryland and Rutgers officially joined the Big Ten on July 1, and with broader East Coast distribution, BTN now has more than 60 million subscribers.

The 2014 Big Ten football season has featured increased attendance numbers for both Maryland and Rutgers. The Terrapins and Scarlet Knights filled their stadiums to 95 percent capacity in conference games this season with five sellouts, after combining to sell out two conference home games the previous four seasons combined. The fall sport season has also featured Big Ten Championships for Maryland in field hockey and men’s soccer, and the Terrapins won the Big Ten Men’s Soccer Tournament. The inaugural Big Ten Lacrosse Tournaments will debut in spring of 2015 with Maryland hosting the men’s event and Rutgers serving as the site of the women’s tournament.