Sports – Page 586 – North Platte Post Archive

No. 24 Ohio State Comes Back to Beat Nebraska

Posted on March 14, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — LaQuinton Ross had 26 points and 13 rebounds and No. 24 Ohio State rallied from an 18-point second-half deficit to beat fourth-seeded Nebraska 71-67 on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament.

The victory sends No. 5 seed Ohio State (25-8) into a semifinal matchup with No. 1 seed Michigan on Saturday. The Wolverines defeated No. 9 seed Illinois 64-63 in another quarterfinal on Friday.

Amedeo Della Valle added 12 points for the Buckeyes, who led for all but the final minute of the first half, then had to rally past the Cornhuskers (19-12).

Terran Petteway led Nebraska with 20 points, but fouled out while defending Ross late in the game. Walter Pitchford added 15 points and Shavon Shields scored 12 for Nebraska, playing after a first-round bye for the first time since joining the Big Ten.

Ohio State led for almost the entire first half. But Nebraska’s switch to a zone defense held Ohio State’s offense in check, and the Huskers finally took their first lead of the game on a layup by Shavon Shields with 51 seconds left in the half.

That put Nebraska in front 29-28, and after a missed 3-pointer by Ross, Ray Gallegos hit a jumper at the other end to send Nebraska into halftime with a 31-28 lead.

Nebraska scored the first five points of the second half to build a 36-28 lead, prompting an Ohio State timeout. The Buckeyes’ struggles at the free-throw line in the first two minutes of the second half didn’t help their cause. Amir Williams and Sam Thompson were both 0-for-2 in that stretch.

Meanwhile, Petteway (1-of-2) and David Rivers (2-of-2) were hitting their free throws, and a Rivers jumper gave Nebraska an eight-point lead.

Ross scored to stop the Huskers’ run. But Petteway answered a 3-second violation on Ohio State with a jumper to put Nebraska ahead 38-30.

That started a 12-0 run for Nebraska, including two free throws by Petteawy after a technical foul on Ross for shoving.

Ross responded with a 3-pointer to stop Nebraska’s run and kickstart a 9-0 stretch for the Buckeyes to make it 48-39.

Both teams reached the double bonus with 9:36 to play and the score 54-44 Nebraska. Ohio State closed to 58-56 on a Thompson dunk with 4:42 to play.

Pitchford hit a 3-pointer to put Nebraska ahead 61-56. But after two free throws by Aaron Craft and two free throws by Shields, Della Valle hit a 3-pointer with 2:47 to play to pull Ohio State back within 63-61. Petteway fouled Ross on a dunk attempt, and Ross hit both free throws to tie the game at 63 with 1:52 to play.

Nebraska couldn’t get a good look at the other end, then Petteway was called for his fifth foul while defending Ross. His two free throws put Ohio State ahead 65-63.

Become a Certified Youth Fishing Instructor in North Platte

Posted on March 14, 2014

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors April 5 in North Platte. The free workshop will be held at the Mid-Plains Center for Enterprise, Room 202, at 1101 Halligan Drive, from 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Youth fishing instructors will receive training and tools to conduct fishing clinics. These volunteers will have access to Game and Parks’ loaner fishing equipment and educational materials for events and will receive program incentives. They also are encouraged to volunteer for such Game and Parks programs as Family Fishing Nights and Outdoor Expos.

To reserve a spot in this workshop, contact Lindsey Chizinski by April 2 at 402-332-4204 or lindsey.chizinski@nebraska.gov.

Urban Adventure Race to Raise Money for Trail Project

Posted on March 14, 2014

: Adventure teams look over instructions before setting out in last year’s Urban Adventure Race in North Platte. — Adventure teams look over instructions before setting out in last year’s Urban Adventure Race in North Platte.

People from across the state are invited to become adventurous in support of the Lake Maloney Trail Project. The trail is in its first phase of the project, which will start this spring. The cement trail will be on the south side of the lake and can be used for walking, jogging or bicycling.

This is the second year for the event in North Platte directed by Toni Guthrie. The event last year exceeded her expectations raising nearly $2000 for the trail project.

Adventure races are exciting – they are for any age and ability and help promote fitness as well as being a fundraiser. “Adventure races have become popular nation-wide. I have had a team in the Kearney race and thought it would be fun to have one in North Platte where we have a growing, active community,” Guthrie said.

Teams do not know in advance what the course will involve. Just prior to the start of the event teams are given a packet with instructions, a map, punch card and other items.

Racers have three hours to complete the course, which consist of gathering team points, not speed. Adventure racing promotes team work, strategizing, reading maps, and other skills adding to the excitement level of the race.

“This event is fun for friends and families to do together,“ Guthrie said. “The element of surprise adds to the fun and challenge of the race.”

The course may have North Platte business addresses that will punch the team’s card or teams will have a challenge to execute at a location. Each punch is worth points as are the different challenges. Teams can do as much or as little of the course as they want as long as they check in by the three hour time limit.

A bicycle and helmet is required to enter the competition – participants will bike in certain areas, and run or walk in others as they collect their points.

On March 28 at 7 p.m. there will be an Adventurous Race 101 class at the North Platte Recreation Center where people can learn more about the event and how to make bicycle repairs.

Deadline to register for the event is midnight, March 24. The race starts at noon March 29, with a check-in of 10 a.m. A Mandatory pre-race meeting is at 11:30 a.m.

Teams of up to three people can enter with a fee or $35 per person. The fee includes a chili feed after the race and a T-shirt. Prizes are given to the top three teams in the male, female and co-ed divisions.

For more information about the race visit platteriverfitness.com or view their Facebook page at NP Urban Adventure Race.

NPCC Lady Knights Earn Postseason Honors

Posted on March 14, 2014

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team had several players earn post-season for their play during the 2013-2014 season. DaVontaye Merritt and Courtney Widick were named All-NCCAC (Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference) while Jordan Dickerson was named Honorable Mention All-NCCAC. Head coach Richard Thurin was named Co-Coach of the Year for the NCCAC. In Region IX Division II, Merritt and Widick were named All-Region along with April Stull. Richard Thurin was named Region IX Division II Coach of the Year. Merritt, Widick and Dickerson were also all named to the Region IX Division II All-Tournament team.

Sophomore DaVontaye Merritt was named All-NCCAC, All-Region IX Division II and All-Tournament Team for Region IX Division II. Merritt is a repeat selection on all three teams from a year ago. Merritt finished her career with 863 points, good for 3rd All-Time on the Lady Knights career scoring list after scoring 16.0 points per game. Merritt averaged a double-double as she pulled down 10.3 rebounds per game. Merritt had 14 games this season where she recorded a double-double.

Sophomore Courtney Widick was named All-NCCAC, All-Region IX Division II and All-Tournament Team for Region IX Division II. Last year Widick was an Honorable Mention All-NCCAC selection. Widick finished her career with 570 points, good for 18th All-Time on the Lady Knights career scoring list after scoring 9.5 points per game this season. Widick also pulled down 4.6 rebounds while averaging 2.0 assists per game and a team high 2.8 steals per game. Widick made 41 3-pointers at a 33 percent clip.

Sophomore Jordan Dickerson was named All-Tournament Team for Region IX Division II and Honorable Mention All-NCCAC. Dickerson was also named to the All-Tournament Team for Region IX Division II last year. Dickerson averaged 8.6 points and 3.6 rebounds to go along with a team high 3.9 assists per game and 1.4 steals per game. Dickerson made the most 3-pointers on the team at 45, making 33 percent of the 3s she attempted.

Freshman April Stull was named All-Region IX Division II. Stull was the Lady Knights second-leading scorer and rebounder at 11.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Stull shot 51 percent from the field this season.

Head Coach Richard Thurin was named Co-Coach of the Year in the NCCAC for leading his team to a 4-2 record in the conference and the first ever NCCAC Championship in school history. Coach Thurin was also named the Region IX Division II Coach of the Year after leading his team to a 3-1 record during the regular season and winning the Region IX Division II Tournament title by defeating Central Community College.

5 Cities Submit Bid Files for 2022 Winter Olympics

Posted on March 14, 2014

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — All five contenders for the 2022 Winter Games have submitted their bid files to the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC says the five cities met Friday’s deadline for delivering their application documents outlining their vision and concept for the games.

The five candidates are Almaty, Kazakhstan; Beijing; Krakow, Poland; Lviv, Ukraine; and Oslo.

The IOC executive board will decide which cites go through to the final phase at a meeting in Lausanne on July 7-9.

The full IOC will select the host city on July 31, 2015, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Beijing, which hosted the 2008 Olympics, is seeking to become the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Games. Oslo hosted the 1952 Winter Games.

McDermott Shines in Big East Tournament Win over DePaul

Posted on March 13, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Doug McDermott put on a dazzling shooting display in his Big East tournament debut, scoring a record 27 of his 35 points in the first half for Creighton during a victory over DePaul.

The nation’s leading scorer hit six of his first seven 3-point attempts, sending the second-seeded Bluejays (25-6) into the semifinals Friday night against third-seeded Xavier or No. 6 seed Marquette.

Jahenns Manigat added 14 points for Creighton, which left the Missouri Valley Conference for the new-look Big East this season, and Austin Chatman had 11. Led by McDermott, the league’s player of the year and a heavy favorite for several national awards, the Bluejays shot a sizzling 14 for 22 from 3-point range (63.6 percent) against 10th-seeded DePaul (12-21).

Brandon Young had 22 points in his final college game for the Blue Demons.

NCAA Approves SEC Request for Replay in Postseason

Posted on March 13, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The Southeastern Conference will use experimental instant replay rules during its conference baseball tournament in May.

The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee approved the SEC’s request to use replay Wednesday. Two other conferences — the West Coast Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference — already gained approval to use replay at their tournaments.

The replay can be used for four situations:

—Deciding if an apparent home run is fair or foul.

—Deciding whether a batted ball is a home run or ground-rule double.

—Spectator interference plays involving home run balls.

—Deciding if a batted ball is fair or foul.

The same system was used at the College World Series in 2012 and 2013, though there were no reviews either year.

Two Big Ten Quarterfinals to Air on ESPN, Including NU-OSU

Posted on March 13, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS – The Big Ten announced that Friday’s first two quarterfinal games of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament will be televised on ESPN. Eighth-seeded Illinois will take on top-seeded Michigan at Noon ET, while fifth-seeded Ohio State will face fourth-seeded Nebraska beginning at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Illinois advanced to the quarterfinals after a 64-54 win over Indiana, while Ohio State defeated Purdue, 63-61, to move onto the quarterfinal round.

Friday’s evening session will feature two games on BTN. Second-seeded Wisconsin will take on either Minnesota or Penn State beginning at 6:30 p.m., while third-seeded Michigan State will face either Iowa or Northwestern at approximately 9 p.m.

Indoor Tennis Court Collapses in Lincoln, No Injuries Reported

Posted on March 13, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An enclosed tennis court at a sports complex in Lincoln has collapsed, though authorities say there are no reported injuries.

Crews from Lincoln Fire & Rescue responded to the collapse Thursday afternoon at the Ethel S. Abbott Sports Complex.

Assistant Chief Pat Borer says the cause of the collapse is under investigation. He says the balloon-like structure encompassed 80,000 square feet.

Borer says crews have searched the area and believe no one was inside at the time of the collapse. Electricity to the building has been shut off to ensure electrical wiring doesn’t pose a threat.

A staffer told the Lincoln Journal Star that she heard a loud pop before seeing the bubble collapsing.

Area High School Basketball Roundup March 10-15

Posted on March 13, 2014March 13, 2014

Area high school basketball scores for the week of March 10-15.

Boys Basketball

Class D1 State Tournament

No. 7 Clearwater/Orchard 46 No. 2 St. Patrick’s 42

2014 NSAA State Boys Basketball Championships Class D1