Sports – Page 388 – North Platte Post Archive

World Series not Gripping to TV Viewers

Posted on October 28, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — There’s a World Series going on, television fans. Not that many people seem to care.

The Fall Classic between Kansas City and San Francisco has only served to amplify baseball’s loosening grip on armchair fans. That’s especially true when you compare the games’ viewership to professional football.

Through five games, the Nielsen Company said that the Series has averaged 12.07 million viewers on Fox. Without a strong finish, that will be worse than the previous low of 12.66 million, when the Giants swept the Detroit Tigers two years ago.

Also last week, ABC’s comedy “Manhattan Love Story” earned the dubious distinction of first new prime-time series of the season to be canceled.

Vizio to Sponsor Fiesta Bowl

Posted on October 28, 2014

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Vizio will be the new title sponsor of the Fiesta Bowl.

The Fiesta Bowl is part of the six major “New Year’s Six” bowls that will rotate as semifinal hosts in the new College Football Playoff. The first two semifinals will be at the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.

This season’s Fiesta Bowl will be Dec. 31 at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Vizio replaces Tostitos, which had been the Fiesta Bowl sponsor since 1996. Vizio previously sponsored the Rose Bowl from 2011-14.

Governor Heineman, Olympian Tomasevicz to Help Honor Games Achievers, Open National Games Registration

Posted on October 28, 2014

Lincoln—The Nebraska Sports Council is expected to announce the official opening of registrations for the 2015 State Games of America Thursday, October 30 at its annual awards banquet at the Del Ray Ballroom, 817 R St. in Lincoln.

Governor Dave Heineman, Olympic Gold and Bronze Medalist Curtis Tomasevicz and Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler will be on hand to help honor award recipients and encourage participation in the National Congress of State Games’ signature biennial event.

The banquet, which is sponsored by Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, begins at 6:30 p.m. with a social hour and invocation by Father Nicholas Kipper. Award presentations take place at 7:30 p.m. followed by the State Games of America opening announcement at approximately 8 p.m.

Top award recipients from the 30^th annual Cornhusker State Games include Athletes of the Year open-water swimmer Sharessa Gutierrez, 33 of Omaha, trap-shooter Aaron Lafler, 19, of Lincoln, multi-sport athlete Dave Waggoner, 67 of Kearney and wrestler Chance Fry, 14, of Lincoln.

NCAA Graduation Rates Improve as Critics Cry Foul

Posted on October 28, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — College athletes are graduating at record numbers and with better rates than non-athletes, according to new statistics released Tuesday by the NCAA.

The annual report shows 84 percent of freshmen players who entered school in 2007-08 earned degrees within six years. That’s a 2 percentage point increase over the previous one-year record high, set in 2006-07. The four-year average is 82 percent, also a record.

NCAA President Mark Emmert calls it the best academic performance since the NCAA started tracking numbers with the 1995-96 freshmen.

Four-year federal numbers, which cover freshmen classes from 2004-07, show 65 percent of athletes graduate compared with 64 percent of non-athletes. The NCAA includes transfer students who leave school in good academic standing and earn a degree elsewhere. The feds do not count transfers.

Compassion Marks Finish at Nebraska Meet

Posted on October 28, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Competitive fire turned into compassion at the Nebraska Class C state cross-country meet in Kearney.

The Sidney Sun-Telegraph reports that Liam Murphy of Kearney Catholic High School saw Sidney High School’s Jachob Wiedeburg falter on Friday afternoon around 3,500 meters into the 5K race. Wiedeburg said later that his legs “just shut down,” but he wouldn’t quit on his last race as a high school runner.

Murphy stopped, flung his right arm around Wiedeburg’s back and helped him struggle forward. At the finish line Murphy halted to let Wiedeburg take the lead. Wiedeburg finished 88th, Murphy 89th. The newspaper says the crowd rewarded both boys with loud and lengthy applause.

Wiedeburg says Murphy’s sacrifice meant the world to him.

Free Agency Looms after World Series Concludes

Posted on October 28, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Giants star Pablo Sandoval dug into the batter’s box in Game 5 of the World Series, peering out at Royals ace James Shields standing on the mound.

By next month, both of them could be wearing different jerseys.

San Francisco was trying to wrap up its third championship in five years when it returned to Kansas City for Game 6 on Tuesday night. But once the Fall Classic ends, the attention will shift in a matter of days to next season, and the free agency that looms for several players from both pennant winners.

“It’s the business of baseball,” Royals outfielder Josh Willingham said.

Sandoval is the biggest name looming for San Francisco, but there’s also World Series starters Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong, reliever Sergio Romo and outfielder Michael Morse.

Shields is the most critical piece in limbo for Kansas City. Willingham and fellow outfielders Nori Aoki and Raul Ibanez also face uncertain futures. Designated hitter Billy Butler has a pricey club option for next season, so he could be hitting free agency for the first time, too.

“Everyone wants to get to free agency, to have some control over where they go and their circumstances,” Willingham said. “A lot of people think it’s only the money. The money is a big part, but there are other things, too, like playing in a place where you can win. I’m sure Shields and the other guys will factor those in.”

Many in this year’s World Series will have no shortage of suitors.

Sandoval, the MVP of the 2012 Series, has driven his stock up with another spectacular postseason, piling up eight hits and driving in four runs in the first five games against Kansas City. The Giants would love to keep him hitting in AT&T Park for the next few years, but with few quality third basemen on the market, several big-budget teams such as the Boston Red Sox figure to drive up the bidding.

Then again, the Giants tend to spend lavishly on their postseason heroes.

After their 2012 title, outfielder Angel Pagan got $40 million over four years. Last offseason, Hunter Pence inked a five-year, $90 million deal, and two-time Cy Young Award winner-turned-reliever Tim Lincecum signed a two-year, $35 million deal.

The Giants adore — and perhaps need — Sandoval as much as any of them.

“He’s right up there with some of the great players I’ve had, the great talents,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “He has that enthusiasm, that infectious laugh when he’s out there in the dugout. He’s a very loose guy that has a lot of fun playing. He’s not a guy that puts pressure on himself, but your good players do that, and he’s a really good player.”

Likewise, the Royals would love to keep Shields, who bounced back from a rough postseason with a strong start in a losing effort Sunday night. But just like Sandoval, there figures to be plenty of bidding for a workhorse who has rarely missed a start over his nine-year career.

The Red Sox and Tigers, who also have deep pockets, could be in the mix.

“The only way you tilt the field in your favor, especially in these markets, is to have quality starting pitching out there every single night,” said Royals general manager Dayton Moore, who plans to at least make an effort to re-sign his prized right-hander.

Still, the game’s finances might force the Royals to walk away from Shields, who helped to turn around a losing clubhouse culture when he was traded from Tampa Bay two years ago.

“When I got traded over here, my mindset was just to be myself and have fun, and I feel like I take every single day like that,” said Shields, who like Sandoval has skirted all questions about his uncertain future. “I came over here with one mindset and that was just to be myself.”

Regardless of who stays and goes in the uncertain world of free agency, one thing has been assured: The Giants and Royals players have reveled in their wild-card rides to the World Series, even those who may be playing elsewhere next season.

Nebraska AP High School Football Rankings

Posted on October 28, 2014October 28, 2014

Here are the Associated Press Nebraska high school football rankings in Classes A through D-2. Listings include name of school, season record, previous week’s ranking, previous week’s result and this week’s opponent (NR-not ranked). The rankings are based on a formula that includes ratings from the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star plus experts for each class. Class A: Dale Miller, Grand Island Independent. Class B: Jeff Fielder, Scottsbluff Star-Herald. Class C1: Tom Behmer, Norfolk Daily News. Class C2: Brent Wasinius, Fremont Tribune. Class D1: Andrew Bottrell, North Platte Telegraph. Class D2: Nick Blasnitz, Hastings Tribune.

CLASS A

1. Omaha North (9-0), 1, def. Bellevue East 48-0, Lincoln Southwest.

2. Millard North (9-0), 2, def. Papillion-La Vista 49-29, Bellevue East.

3. Creighton Preparatory School (8-1), 3, def. Papillion-La Vista South 28-10, Omaha Burke.

4. Bellevue West (6-3), 4, def. Omaha Central 34-28, Papillion-La Vista South.

5. Grand Island (8-1), 7, def. North Platte 59-7, Columbus.

6. Papillion-La Vista South (6-3), 5, lost to Creighton Preparatory School 28-10, at Bellevue West.

7. Omaha Central (6-3), 6, lost to Bellevue West 34-28, at Lincoln East.

8. Lincoln East (7-2), 8, def. Omaha Bryan 49-7, Omaha Central.

9. Millard West (6-3), 10, def. Lincoln Southeast 35-28, Omaha Westside.

10. Kearney (6-3), NR, def. Norfolk 37-24, at Norfolk.

Others receiving votes: None.

CLASS B

1. Omaha Skutt Catholic (7-2), 3, def. Elkhorn 24-21, Waverly.

2. Elkhorn South (7-2), 5, def. Gretna 42-35, Beatrice.

3. Gretna (8-1), 1, lost to Elkhorn South 42-35, Lincoln Pius X.

4. Elkhorn (7-2), 2, lost to Omaha Skutt Catholic 24-21, York.

5. McCook (8-1), 4, def. Adams Central 55-6, Omaha Gross Catholic.

6. Scottsbluff (8-1), 6, def. Alliance 45-14, Aurora.

7. Blair (6-3), 7, def. Mount Michael Benedictine 62-21, at Crete.

8. York (7-2), 8, def. Aurora 21-12, at Elkhorn.

9. Sidney (7-2), 9, def. Gering 48-0, at Seward.

10. Crete (7-2), 10, def. Norris 12-7, Blair.

Others receiving votes: Seward.

CLASS C1

1. Boone Central/Newman Grove (9-0), 1, def. Norfolk Catholic 32-16, Milford-Dorchester.

2. Ashland-Greenwood (9-0), 3, def. Douglas County West 48-7, Central City.

3. Norfolk Catholic (8-1), 2, lost to Boone Central/Newman Grove, 32-16, Falls City.

4. Columbus Scotus (8-1), 4, def. Columbus Lakeview 42-3, Pierce.

5. Wilber-Clatonia (9-0), 5, def. Milford-Dorchester 14-0, Grand Island Central Catholic.

6. Cozad (8-1), 6, def. O’Neill 39-7, Fort Calhoun.

7. Chadron (7-1), 7, bye, Ogallala.

8. Kearney Catholic (8-1), 8, def. Holdrege 27-14, Boys Town.

9. Falls City (8-1), 9, def. Conestoga 50-9, at Norfolk Catholic.

10. Grand Island Central Catholic (7-2), 10, def. St. Paul 45-34, at Wilber-Clatonia.

Others receiving votes: None.

CLASS C2

1. Battle Creek (9-0), 1, def. Lutheran High Northeast 35-0, Lutheran High Northeast.

2. North Platte St. Patrick’s (9-0), 2, def. Bayard 42-7, Southern Valley.

3. Sutton (9-0), 3, def. Superior 68-21, Hartington Cedar Catholic.

4. Aquinas Catholic (8-1), 4, def. Archbishop Bergan 28-0, Gibbon.

5. Hastings St. Cecilia (8-1), 5, def. Sandy Creek 58-0, Southern.

6. Hartington Cedar Catholic (7-2), 8, def. Ainsworth 48-0, at Sutton.

7. Oakland-Craig (8-1), 6, def. Wisner-Pilger 44-8, Fillmore Central.

8. Archbishop Bergan (7-2), 7, lost to Aquinas Catholic 28-0, Malcolm.

9. Freeman (8-1), 10, def. Elmwood-Murdock 43-7, Stanton.

10. Stanton (7-2), NR, def. Laurel-Concord-Coleridge 1-0 (forfeit), at Freeman.

Others receiving votes: Fillmore Central, Malcolm.

CLASS D1

1. Hemingford (8-0), 1, def. Sutherland 81-26, Shelton.

2. Creighton (8-0), 2, def. Hartington-Newcastle 36-0, Twin Loup.

3. Guardian Angels Central Catholic (8-0), 3, def. Omaha Nation 72-6, Pawnee City.

4. Heartland (8-0), 4, def. Nebraska Lutheran 80-20, Lourdes Central Catholic.

5. Friend (8-0), 6, def. Omaha Christian Academy 80-36, Cross County.

6. Fullerton (8-0), 7, def. High Plains Community 60-46, Sutherland.

7. BDS (7-1), 8, def. Pawnee City 50-6, Omaha Christian Academy.

8. Blue Hill (5-3), 10, def. Axtell 55-26, North Central.

9. Elm Creek (7-1), 9, def. Franklin 49-20, Arapahoe.

10. Burwell (7-1), NR, def. Amherst 52-48, Perkins County.

Others receiving votes: Amherst.

CLASS D2

1. Exeter-Milligan (8-0), 1, def. Red Cloud 50-6, Red Cloud.

2. Stuart (8-0), 2, def. St. Mary’s 38-20, Osceola.

3. Humphrey St. Francis (8-0), 3, def. Heartland Lutheran 86-6, St. Mary’s.

4. Anselmo-Merna (8-0), 4, def. Brady 70-32, Southwest.

5. Falls City Sacred Heart (6-2), 5, def. Parkview Christian 62-14, Emerson-Hubbard.

6. Kenesaw (7-1), 6, def. Elwood 29-28, Meridian.

7. Giltner (6-2), 7, def. Lawrence-Nelson 56-18, Lawrence-Nelson.

8. Garden County (8-0), 9, def. Crawford 84-46, Mullen.

9. Elwood (6-2), 8, lost to Kenesaw 29-28, Loomis.

10. Randolph (6-2), 10, def. Osmond 58-10, Bancroft-Rosalie.

Others receiving votes: Maxwell.

Royals Hope to Light up Giants and Clubhouse Deer

Posted on October 28, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A 2-foot-tall image of deer in multicolored neon with a bulls-eye on its tail is affixed to a wall in the Kansas City Royals locker room. It hangs between the stalls of Aaron Crow and Tim Collins, and has a “W” underneath a crown.

Pitcher James Shields ordered it custom made, and after wins veterans select a “King of the Game” to flip the switch that lights up the so-called “Texas Heart Shot” while a smoke machine perched atop a refrigerator fills the room with a fog more befitting a night club than a clubhouse.

Trailing 3-2 to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series, the Royals hope to light up that sign two more times this week. But if they do come back to win their first title in 29 years, it’s unlikely there will be time for their usual clubhouse ceremony given the champagne-fueled chaos.

“I doubt it. It’s going to be crazy around here if we win both games,” outfielder Lorenzo Cain said Monday.

Kansas City turns to a 23-year-old rookie to save its season, but not just any 23-year-old rookie: the hardest-throwing starting pitcher in the major leagues.

Yordano Ventura gets the ball Tuesday night with the Royals in the same position they were in in 1985 when they sent Charlie Leibrandt to the mound against St. Louis. Kansas City won 2-1 that night on pinch-hitter Dane Iorg’s two-run single in the ninth after a blown call by first base umpire Don Denkinger, and the Royals went on to blow out the Cardinals 11-0 a day later behind Bret Saberhagen for their only title.

In the 41 previous instances the World Series was 2-2 in the best-of-seven format, the Game 5 winner has taken the title 27 times. But eight of the last 10 teams to come home trailing 3-2 swept Games 6 and 7.

“We have a lot of confidence in Ventura. We have confidence that we will win every time he takes the mound,” Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said. “We know we can do it. We’re a confident group. But we can’t do anything without winning Game 6. We’re excited to get back home, where we feed off the fans and that energy.”

Kansas City hopes to light up Jake Peavy along with the deer in a rematch of Game 2 starters.

Ventura, whose fastball averaged 98 mph this season, didn’t get a decision in the second game, allowing two runs and eight hits in 5 1-3 innings before Royals manager Ned Yost went to his hard-throwing HDH relief trio of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland in the 7-2 victory.

“His confidence is just staggering,” Yost said. “You walk in that clubhouse, and he looks you square in the eye with that glint that says: ‘I’m ready for this.'”

The 33-year-old Peavy took the loss, giving up four runs and six hits in five innings-plus. He is seeking his first World Series win — he didn’t get a decision for Boston in Game 3 last year — and is well aware he could get the victory in the clincher.

“I can’t imagine anything being any sweeter than that,” he said. “This is the start that you play your whole career wanting.”

This is the first World Series in which four of the first five games were decided by five runs or more. The second all-wild card World Series has followed the pattern of the first in 2002. The Giants won the opener on the road, lost the next two games and won two in a row to take a 3-2 lead. San Francisco opened a 5-0 lead in Game 6 at Anaheim but lost 6-5, and the Angels won Game 7 the following night.

Yost hopes history repeats and Ventura is energized by the Kauffman Stadium crowd.

“Trust me, if we’re in this position, I would much rather be here than there with our fans. I think home-field advantage is huge,” he said after the team arrived back home at about 4:30 a.m. “It’s going to be a lot funner going into Game 6 here than it would be in San Francisco, that’s for sure.”

The Giants spent the night at home, chartered with player families on the flight and reached Kansas City about 12½ hour later. With the shift to the AL ballpark, designated hitters return: Billy Butler for the Royals and Michael Morse for the Giants.

San Francisco’s Tim Hudson and Kansas City’s Jeremy Guthrie would be the likely Game 7 starters if the Series is extended to Wednesday. And lurking is Madison Bumgarner, who pitched a four-hit shutout to win Game 5 on Sunday. Bumgarner, 4-0 in Series play with a record-low 0.29 ERA, could come out of the bullpen on two days’ rest for what would be his first relief appearance since throwing two scoreless innings in Game 6 of the 2010 NL Championship Series.

He wouldn’t estimate how long he could go.

“I’m not a big pitch-count guy,” he said. “So as long as you keep getting outs and you feel good, you should stay out there.”

Nuggets Waive Forward Quincy Miller

Posted on October 28, 2014

DENVER (AP) — The Nuggets have waived forward Quincy Miller after failing to find a trade partner for the 6-foot-10 third-year pro.

The Nuggets drafted Miller out of Baylor in 2012 and he appeared in 59 games over the last two seasons for Denver. He averaged 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 13.8 minutes. He played in 52 games last season.

In seven preseason games this year, Miller, 21, averaged 3 points and 2 boards.

Schedule Posters Available at Big Red Tip-Off

Posted on October 28, 2014

Lincoln — Fans who attend Big Red Tip-Off on Wednesday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena will have the first opportunity to get the 2014-15 men’s and women’s basketball schedule posters.

The new schedule posters will be available for pickup at Big Red Tip-Off, while players from both the Husker men’s and women’s teams will sign posters for 45 minutes following the conclusion of Big Red Tip-Off. Both teams will be split into two groups, allowing fans to get through lines quickly. The men’s team will be on the main concourse, while the Husker women will be signing on the floor.

Posters will be available for players to sign, as other items to autograph will be prohibited. Also as a reminder, autographs obtained for players and coaches are for personal use only. Any re-sale of an autographed item is prohibited and re-sale of an item with a student-athlete’s signature could jeopardize the player’s eligibility.

Pinnacle Bank Arena doors open at 5:45 p.m. with the program beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of the Red Zone student section behind the benches. Sports Nightly will broadcast from Pinnacle Bank Arena during the 6 p.m. hour.

The Husker women will conduct a 15-minute scrimmage first before halftime festivities take place with a 3-point shooting contest between players from both teams, a dunk contest from the Husker men and a performance by the Scarlets. The Husker men will scrimmage for 15 minutes following halftime and will feature live commentary from Coach Tim Miles.

Nebraska Basketball Tip-Off Event Schedule

5:45 p.m. – Gates open
6:00 p.m. – Sports Nightly Broadcast from Pinnacle Bank Arena
6:30 p.m. – Introductions of both men’s and women’s teams
6:50 p.m. – Women’s scrimmage for 15 minutes
7:05 p.m. – Halftime show (3-point contest, dunk contest, Scarlets performance)
7:25 p.m. – Men’s scrimmage for 15 minutes
7:45 p.m. – Autograph session until 8:30 p.m. (4 areas of MBB/WBB players)