Sports – Page 441 – North Platte Post Archive

Webster Helps New Zealand Advance in FIBA Basketball World Cup

Posted on September 4, 2014

It went down to the final shot, but Tai Webster and New Zealand advanced to the Round of 16 at the FIBA Basketball World Cup with a 67-65 win over Finland on Thursday.

Webster finished with five points on 2-of-4 shooting before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. He has started all five games for New Zealand, averaging 5.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. New Zealand will now take on Lithuania, which won Group D, in Barcelona on Sunday at 9 a.m. central.

New Zealand, which placed fourth in Group C with a 2-3 record, were seemingly in control and built a 20-point lead, at 53-33 with 6:22 left in the third quarter. They led 57-39 with 1:27 left in the third quarter before Finland stormed back, scoring the final six points of the quarter and then nearly erased the entire deficit in the fourth quarter, outscoring New Zealand, 20-10 in the final 10 minutes.

Finland pulled to within 66-65 and had a pair of possessions to take the lead in the final minute before Mika Vukona’s free throw with four seconds pushed the margin back to two points. Finland had one final chance to send the game into overtime, but Petteri Koponen’s jumper at the buzzer was off the mark, sending New Zealand into the next round.

Puerto Rico and Jorge Brian Diaz were not as fortunate Thursday, falling to Croatia, 103-82, and finished with a 1-4 record in Group B. Diaz played five minutes off the bench and was held scoreless.

Diaz, who played in four of five games while making his international debut for the Puerto Rican National Team, averaged 1.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per game while averaging 9.2 minutes per outing. He played at Nebraska from 2009 until 2012.

Barrie Signs 2-Year Deal with Avalanche

Posted on September 4, 2014

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche signed Tyson Barrie to a two-year deal after a breakout season by the defenseman.

Barrie gave the Avalanche an offensive presence at the blue line as he led the defensemen with 13 goals.

The 23-year-old played a big role in helping the team advance to the playoffs under first-year coach Patrick Roy. Barrie was a key loss when he went out in Game 3 of the postseason series against Minnesota following a knee-to-knee hit from Matt Cooke, who drew a seven-game suspension.

Avalanche executive Joe Sakic described Barrie as “a big part of the young nucleus of our team.”

With three overtime goals last season, Barrie tied Colorado’s single-season record set by David Jones in 2010-11.

NFL Reviewing Enunwa’s Domestic Violence Arrest

Posted on September 4, 2014

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The NFL is reviewing the arrest of New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa under its new domestic violence policy as police released details of last weekend’s incident.

Enunwa, a member of the Jets’ practice squad, was arrested and charged with domestic violence and simple assault Sunday night, according to an arrest report released by the Florham Park Police Dept. on Thursday. The 22-year-old Enunwa pleaded not guilty Wednesday.

Police say Enunwa, a sixth-round draft pick out of Nebraska, grabbed the woman by her ankle and pulled her off a bed, “causing her to strike and injure both her head and finger,” according to a police complaint obtained by NJ.com.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced last week tougher penalties for players accused of domestic violence, including a six-week suspension for a first offense and at least a year for a second.

Rockies, LHP De La Rosa Agree to 2-Year Extension (Update)

Posted on September 4, 2014September 4, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa and the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a $25 million, two-year contract through 2016.

The announcement was made by the Rockies on their Twitter account late Wednesday night. De La Rosa, who has an $11 million salary this year, gets $12.5 million in each of the next two seasons.

The 33-year-old has been a dependable arm in a rotation hampered by injuries. He’s 13-10 with a 4.26 ERA as the Rockies try to avoid the team’s first 100-loss season.

De La Rosa’s 68 wins while with the Rockies trail only Aaron Cook (72) for most in franchise history.

In recent seasons, De La Rosa’s relied just as much on a strong changeup as his fastball. He underwent elbow surgery in 2011.

Huskers Cross Country Hope to Carry Momentum into 2014

Posted on September 4, 2014

An experienced nucleus of junior runners, strong sophomores and a talented group of freshmen hope to help the Nebraska men’s cross country team build off a strong 2013 finish as the Huskers head into the 2014 campaign.

In his third season at the helm of the Huskers, Coach David Harris is excited about the prospects for NU men following a ninth-place finish at the 2013 NCAA Midwest Regional Championships.

“That was the performance that we needed,” Harris said. “The confidence they had after their performance at the regional is key for the upcoming season. It was our best performance in four years, and I keep sounding the board to build and have confidence from that performance going into the 2014 season.”

The men’s team that Harris will put on the course will be Nebraska’s most talented and deep group in his tenure with the Huskers.

Seniors Connor Gibson, Sidney Madlock and Alney Tobias are expected to join four talented juniors in providing leadership for the Big Red.

The junior class is led by Jonah Heng, who was named Nebraska’s Most Improved Runner in 2013. Heng, who produced a pair of top six overall finishes while placing among NU’s top six in every competition last year, was joined by Jacob Olson, Matt Bloch and Matt Gilbert in Harris’ first recruiting class at Nebraska.

“The men’s team’s first recruiting class when I got here has come along, contributing as freshmen to now being juniors in our program,” Harris said. “Jacob Olson, Matt Bloch, Matt Gilbert and Jonah Heng are the type of guys that we want to lead our program and we have that this year.”

Olson, a native of Kearney, Neb., could be poised for strong third season in the program. Last season, Olson finished in the top five overall at three of Nebraska’s four regular-season meets. He was also NU’s No. 2 finisher at the Roy Griak Invitational and finished in the Huskers’ top five at both the Big Ten and NCAA Midwest Regional Championships.

“Jacob is a tremendous leader,” Harris said. “He has done a lot of things during the summer communicating with team, showing his true leadership qualities.”

Bloch and Gilbert both regularly finished among Nebraska’s top six runners last season, and will be looked to for improved performances as junior to help compensate for the loss of 2013 seniors Trevor Vidlak and Jarren Heng.

Another runner who could make a major jump in 2014 is sophomore Joe Harter. The two-time Nebraska High School Runner of the Year out of Millard West in Omaha was NU’s No. 1 finisher as a freshman at the 2013 Big Ten Championships. He added a No. 2 finish among the Huskers at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships. He added runner-up overall performances at the Augustana Twilight and the Tim Young Invitational last season.

“Joe is potentially our best runner going into the season. He has had a great summer and is ready to go. I am expecting really good things out of Joe this season,” Harris said. “The confidence is there, and I think he is more determined. Last year he figured out that collegiate cross country is a lot of work and he struggled sometimes, but he has responded really well. He knows he has to work hard in order to be a great runner in the Big Ten.”

In addition to Nebraska’s seven returning lettermen, a group of six true freshmen will be joined by a pair of redshirt freshmen and a junior college transfer in providing NU’s most depth under Harris.

The leader of Nebraska’s incoming freshman could be Wyatt McGuire. The native of North Platte, Neb., captured the 2013 Nebraska Class A State Cross Country Championship in a state record time of 15:26.6.

5 Ex-Chiefs Back at Arrowhead Stadium with Titans

Posted on September 4, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It’ll be a reunion Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Tennessee Titans are visiting Kansas City in what amounts to a homecoming for wide receiver Dexter McCluster, kicker Ryan Succop and a slew of other former Chiefs players.

In this modern era of free agency, it’s not uncommon for players to face their former teams. A few members of the Chiefs have a history with Tennessee, including wide receiver Donnie Avery.

But when McCluster and Succop are lumped together with safety Bernard Pollard, defensive end Ropati Pitoitua and running back Jackie Battle, well, that’s a whole lot of familiarity.

What makes it even stranger? Succop was waived by the Chiefs just this past weekend.

US Tops Ukraine to Finish Basketball Worlds Group

Posted on September 4, 2014

BILBAO, Spain (AP) — James Harden scored 17 points, Stephen Curry added 14 and the unbeaten U.S. national team wrapped up pool play with a 95-71 victory over Ukraine on Thursday at the Basketball World Cup.

Anthony Davis finished with 12 points for the Americans, who were still waiting out the final results from Group D in the Canary Islands to determine who they would play Saturday night in Barcelona. They would draw the fourth-place finisher in the round of 16.

The margin was far closer than the U.S. result against a methodical Ukraine team coached by former NBA coach Mike Fratello, but the Americans were never in any danger of losing in the second half after seizing control just before halftime.

September Call-Ups Have Purpose for These Royals

Posted on September 4, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — For years, the Royals have called up players in September to get a good look at what they hoped would be their future.

This year, they’re calling up players for help in winning a pennant.

Guys such as speedster Terrance Gore, power hitter Carlos Peguero and left-hander Brandon Finnegan are giving Royals manager Ned Yost the pieces he hopes will be able to help Kansas City to an AL Central title and its first postseason appearance since 1985.

The Royals were off Thursday. They have a 1 1/2-game lead over Detroit in the AL Central as they prepare for a crucial trip through the wild card-contending Yankees and a three-game set against the Tigers.

TD Ameritrade Becoming Official NFL Sponsor

Posted on September 4, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Online brokerage TD Ameritrade is becoming an official NFL sponsor this fall to teach fans more about its services and increase the chances of its ads being seen.

The Omaha, Nebraska, based company plans to announce the three-year sponsorship Thursday morning.

Chief Marketing Officer Denise Karkos says the company already advertised during NFL games, but she hopes the sponsorship will help TD Ameritrade reach more of the league’s huge audience.

Because most fans watch NFL games lives, there’s a greater change that TD Ameritrade’s ads will be seen instead of being skipped with a digital video recorder.

TD Ameritrade has long been a leader in online stock trading, but the company also offers asset-management services and education. The company plans to launch a new ad campaign this fall.

Gordon’s 2-Run Shot Leads Royals over Rangers 4-1

Posted on September 3, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alex Gordon hit a two-run homer, Jason Vargas pitched into the seventh inning and the Kansas City Royals beat the Texas Rangers 4-1 on Wednesday night to finish off a three-game sweep.

Vargas (11-7) stranded four runners in scoring position before turning over a two-on, two-out mess to Kelvin Herrera, who escaped the jam. Louis Coleman gave up a run in the eighth before Wade Davis finished off the inning, and Greg Holland worked a perfect ninth for his 42nd save.

The victory along with Detroit’s 7-0 loss to Cleveland allowed the Royals to extend their lead to 1 1/2 games over the Tigers in the AL Central. They are off Thursday before a crucial trip that takes them through the wild card-chasing Yankees and into a three-game set in Detroit.

Nick Tepesch (4-9) allowed all four runs over 6 2-3 innings for Texas.