Sports – Page 633 – North Platte Post Archive

Huskers Drop Hoosiers, 30-10

Posted on January 11, 2014

Lincoln, Neb. – Colton McCrystal (133) and TJ Dudley (184) each earned pins as seven Huskers won their matches in a 30-10 rout of Indiana on Friday night at the Devaney Center.

No. 8 Nebraska improves to 7-0 on the season, with a 2-0 record in Big Ten duals. The Hoosiers fall to 8-3-1 and suffer their second Big Ten loss of the 2013-14 campaign.

The dual started at 133 pounds, where McCrystal battled Chris Caton before the Husker freshman pinned the Hoosier in5:19. McCrystal improves to 12-5 and earns his third pin of the season.

Senior Adam Joseph earned his first-career dual start for the Huskers, but fell by a 6-4 decision to Ethan Raley at 141 pounds. Nebraska bounced back to win the next two matches as juniors Jake Sueflohn (149) and James Green (157) each recorded their 20th wins of the season.

Sueflohn achieved a pair of takedowns in the first period and added an additional one in the second period before earning one point for riding time at the conclusion of the third period. He defeated Indiana’s Eric Roach by an 8-3 margin.

Green, a two-time All-American, dominated in his match from start to finish in a 7-1 victory over No. 6 Taylor Walsh. Green struck first with a takedown in the opening period and added a near fall to take a 5-0 lead into the second period. Following a scoreless second period, the Nebraska junior picked up a reversal from the down position before giving up a late escape

At 165 pounds, No. 14 Austin Wilson earned a last-second takedown but it wasn’t enough in a 3-2 setback to Ryan LeBlanc. The Huskers responded at 174, 184 and 197 pounds, however, to increase the NU lead to 24-6.

No. 4 Robert Kokesh (174) picked up his 90th career victory by taking down the Hoosiers’ Nate Jackson, 6-3. Dudley (184) continued Nebraska’s run with his pin of No. 19 Luke Sheridan in 3:50. Dudley, a redshirt freshman, picks up his seventh fall of the season to improve to 19-3 and keep his perfect dual record alive at 7-0.

At 197 pounds, Spencer Johnson notched a 6-1 decision over Garret Goldman. After a scoreless first period, Johnson earned an escape and takedown in the second period before an additional takedown in the third period. He gave up a late escape but earned an extra point for riding time.

Collin Jensen (HWT) lost by a 10-2 major decision to No. 7 Adam Chalfant but Nebraska’s 125-pounder Tim Lambert won by forfeit to conclude the match and wrap up a 30-10 triumph.

The Huskers return to the mat on Saturday night to face Penn at the Devaney Center starting at 6 p.m. The dual will be part of “Tumble and Rumble,” an event that will feature the wrestling and women’s gymnastics teams competing simultaneously on the same floor.

No. 8 Nebraska 30, Indiana 10
Bob Devaney Sports Center
Friday, Jan. 10, 2014
Attendance: 542

Official Results
133: Colton McCrystal (NEB) by pin over Chris Caton (IND), 5:19 (NEB 6, IND 0)
141: Ethan Raley (IND) by dec. over Adam Joseph (NEB), 6-4 (NEB 6, IND 3)
149: #6 Jake Sueflohn (NEB) by dec. over Eric Roach (IND), 8-3 (NEB 9, IND 3)
157: #3 James Green (NEB) by dec. over #6 Taylor Walsh (IND), 7-1 (NEB 12, IND 3)
165: Ryan LeBlanc (IND) by dec. over #14 Austin Wilson (NEB), 3-2 (NEB 12, IND 6)
174: #4 Robert Kokesh (NEB) by dec. over Nate Jackson (IND), 6-3 (NEB 15, IND 6)
184: #15 TJ Dudley (NEB) by pin over #19 Luke Sheridan (IND), 3:50 (NEB 21, IND 6)
197: Spencer Johnson (NEB) by dec. over Garret Goldman (IND), 6-1 (NEB 24, IND 6)
HWT: #7 Adam Chalfant (IND) by major dec. over Collin Jensen (NEB), 10-2 (NEB 24, IND 10)
125: #9 Tim Lambert (NEB) by forfeit (NEB 30, IND 10)

Huskers Hit Road Again to Face Fighting Illini

Posted on January 10, 2014

The No. 16 Nebraska women’s basketball team returns to Big Ten Conference road action on Sunday afternoon to take on Illinois in Champaign.

Tip-off between the Huskers (11-3, 1-1 Big Ten) and the Fighting Illini (7-8, 0-2 Big Ten) is set for 1 p.m. (CT) with live national television coverage by the Big Ten Network with Lisa Byington and Patricia Babcock-McGraw on the call.

Nebraska had its five-game winning streak come to an end with a 70-57 loss to Michigan State on Thursday night in East Lansing. The Huskers, who suffered through their worst shooting night of the season (30.8 percent) opened the game hitting just 12-of-48 shots before heating up late in the game.

All-American Jordan Hooper led a talented and experienced starting five for the Big Red with 21 points and eight rebounds. The two-time first-team All-Big Ten forward from Alliance, Neb., ranks among the top three players in the Big Ten by averaging 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. She owns seven double-doubles this season and 33 in her career. Hooper heads to Illinois needing 32 points to become just the fourth player in Husker history with 2,000 career points. She needs just eight points to catch fellow Alliance, Neb., great Amy Stephens at No. 4 on the NU career scoring list with 1,978 points. Hooper is 32 points and 41 rebounds away from becoming just the third Husker and fifth Big Ten player in history to reach career milestones of 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.

Hooper, who is expected to make her 113th consecutive start, has been joined in Nebraska’s starting five by junior forwards Emily Cady (13.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.2 apg) and Hailie Sample (6.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.8 apg) for each of the past 81 games. Cady notched her fifth double-double of the year with 16 points and 12 rebounds in the loss at Michigan State.

NFL: 2 Players Violated Concussion Protocol

Posted on January 10, 2014

BOSTON (AP) — Two players violated league concussion protocol during last weekend’s wild-card games, according to a letter sent by the NFL’s head, neck and spine committee chairmen to all team doctors and trainers.

In a document obtained by The Associated Press, Drs. Hunt Batjer and Richard Ellenbogen said one player re-entered the game and another refused to leave the sideline.

The doctors did not identify the players, but one was Green Bay tackle David Bakhtiari, who went into the game for an extra-point try despite being examined for a concussion and not cleared. The other player was Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis, who remained on the sideline but did not get back on the field.

“On two occasions last weekend, and contrary to the advice of the team medical staffs, players who had been diagnosed with a concussion and therefore declared ineligible for play nonetheless refused to leave the sidelines as required by league concussion protocols,” the letter said. “In one case, the player went back onto the field for one play before being removed from the game.”

The doctors found “no fault” in how the team medical staffs conducted themselves.

“If a player refuses to follow your advice and leave the sidelines after being diagnosed with a concussion, we recommend that the head athletic trainer seek assistance from the player’s position coach (or another member of the coaching staff) or from another team official to remove the player from the sidelines as soon as possible,” the letter said.

The NFL’s Madden Rule requires a player diagnosed with a concussion to be taken to the locker room or another quiet location.

The Saints and Packers declined comment. The NFL Players Association did not immediately respond to a message from the AP seeking comment.

No fines will be imposed for the violations.

Bakhtiari’s season is over because Green Bay lost to San Francisco. But Lewis’ Saints are playing Saturday at Seattle and he has been practicing.

Batjer and Ellenbogen noted in the letter how players may resist being kept out of the game, particularly during the postseason.

“But (the rule) is an important element of the league’s protocol and intended to safeguard the player’s well-being and enhance his ability to recover from his injury,” they wrote.

Steve Morgan’s March Madness Volleyball at Ogallala

Posted on January 10, 2014

The dates for Steve Morgan’s annual March Madness Volleyball at Ogallala have been announced.

Morgan will host the tournament in Ogallala March 21-22 and April 11-12. Twenty teams maximum will be allowed to participate in the event. Each team will play approximately twelve games before the tournament begins. It begins on Friday night with a coach meeting, followed by pool play throughout the evening and Saturday morning. Over the noon hour, teams will be divided into a gold, silver, and bronze tournament division. Tournament play will begin at approximately 1 p.m. Medals will be awarded for the first three places in gold, silver, and bronze divisions.

The cost for the event is $25 per team member with a minimum number of eight team members. Camp t-shirts are available and lodging information is available upon request. For more information go online to www.stevemorgancamps.com.

Michigan Wins 71-70 Over Nebraska on Walton Layup

Posted on January 9, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Derrick Walton Jr. scored the go-ahead layup with 21.8 seconds left and Nebraska missed two inside shots during a scramble before the buzzer, giving Michigan a 71-70 victory on Thursday night.

The Wolverines (11-4, 3-0 Big Ten) prevailed in a game that included 11 lead changes and 10 ties. The Cornhuskers (8-7, 0-3) lost for the first time in eight games at the new Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Glen Robinson III scored 19 points to lead five Michigan players in double figures. Jordan Morgan had 15 points, Nik Stauskas added 12 and Walton and Caris LeVert had 10 apiece.

Terran Petteway scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half for the Huskers. Ray Gallegos and Deverell Biggs added 14 points and Walter Pitchford had 12.

Huskers Fall at Michigan State, 70-57

Posted on January 9, 2014

East Lansing, Mich. – Cold-shooting Nebraska had its five-game winning streak snapped as Michigan State ran to a 70-57 women’s basketball win at the Breslin Center on Thursday night.

No. 16 Nebraska slipped to 11-3 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten, while Michigan State improved to 10-5 overall and 2-0 in the conference by notching its fourth consecutive victory.

The Spartans used a 19-3 surge over the final two minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half to build a 21-point lead, and Nebraska was unable to recover. MSU’s lead grew as large as 25 points, before eight straight points from Emily Cady in a 1:52 span pulled the Huskers back to 64-48 with 6:07 left.

Nebraska got the margin to 13 points at 67-54 with 1:51 left, but could get no closer.

Cady, a 6-2 junior forward from Seward, Neb., notched her fifth double-double of the season and 13th of her career with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Jordan Hooper added a game-high 21 points and eight boards for the Huskers. Sophomore guard Rachel Theriot added 11 points and eight assists for the Big Red.

The rest of the Huskers combined to score just nine points in 93 total minutes, as Nebraska hit just 20-of-65 shots (.308) from the field, including 6-of-17 (.353) three-pointers. NU also went 11-of-14 from the free throw line (.786).

Nebraska battled from start to finish and outrebounded MSU, 46-43 on the night. MSU won the turnover battle 15-12, and the Spartans finished 25-of-63 from the field (.397), including 8-of-19 (.421) from three-point range. MSU also became the first team this season to outscore Nebraska at the free throw line, going 12-of-18.

Aerial Powers led the Spartans with 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Annalise Pickrel added a double-double of her own with 17 points and 10 boards. Becca Mills and Tori Jankoska each added 10 points for the Spartans in the win.

Michigan State took control early. The Spartans never trailed, and after Mills scored her second basket of the half to make it 6-4, MSU did not relinquish the lead. The bucket sparked a 9-0 run by the Spartans, who pushed the lead to double-digits the first time at 20-9 on a Kiona Johnson layup with 11:29 left in the period.

Nebraska rallied to cut the MSU lead to five points on two occasions, the last on a Hooper three-pointer with 2:41 left made it 29-24. But Hooper picked up her second foul with two minutes left, as Pickrel converted a three-point play. That play ignited an 8-0 Spartan surge to end the half, which included a buzzer-beater putback by Powers.

The Huskers hit just 10-of-35 shots (.286) in the first half, including 2-of-7 threes and 2-of-2 free throws. NU outrebounded Michigan State, 24-22, but lost the first-half turnover battle, 8-6.

Michigan State outscored Nebraska 22-12 in the paint in the first half, including 12-3 on second-chance points. The Huskers lost that battle in the opening period, despite getting eight offensive rebounds compared to six by MSU. The Spartans hit 15-of-34 field goals (.441) and 3-of-8 three-pointers. MSU was also 4-of-6 at the line.

Hooper led all scorers with 11 first-half points, while Cady added six points and nine rebounds for the Big Red. Mills led MSU with eight points, while the Spartans got seven points each from Pickrel and Jankoska.

Nebraska continues its two-game Big Ten road swing by traveling to Illinois on Sunday afternoon. Tip-off between the Huskers and Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill., is set for 1 p.m. with live national television coverage on the Big Ten Network.

McMurphy Pursues Road Less Traveled

Posted on January 9, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. – Growing up in Broken Arrow, Okla., a suburb of Tulsa, Tri-City Storm forward Ryan McMurphy took a different path to Kearney.

Admittedly, he had some different interests than some of the other kids his age.

“When I was little, everyone was riding their bikes around the neighborhood and I didn’t know how to ride mine so I just roller skated everywhere,” said McMurphy. “I was like hey, maybe hockey’s just my sport.”

McMurphy started playing roller hockey when he was five, but didn’t start on the ice until he was seven.

“My dad had a friend with a son who played roller hockey so I went to a game and watched him,” McMurphy said. “I decided I wanted to play too. Two years later the roller rink shut down, so I switched over to ice and I fell in love with it.”

After working his way through the local Tulsa Flames hockey program, McMurphy had a decision to make. If hockey was a sport he truly wanted to pursue, he would have to leave home.

“Once I became a second year bantam (age 13), I got a call from a coach in Dallas asking me to come play AAA for the Stars program,” McMurphy said. “So at the beginning of my freshman year of high school I moved to Dallas to play down there.”

The forward spent all four of his high school years in Dallas, living with two different billet families. Although he was originally drafted in the USHL by Cedar Rapids, McMurphy didn’t make the roster. He got a second chance with the Storm, who picked up his rights and invited him to training camp.

Now in his second season in the USHL, McMurphy is starting to get the results he’s been dreaming of. He’s been a big contributor during the team’s four-game winning streak, and was named forward of the week by the league office on Monday after three goals and an assist last weekend in Sioux Falls.

“I think just knowing the league more has helped me,” McMurphy said. “I’ve got more patience with the puck, I’m seeing the ice better, and I’ve gotten used to a faster pace. The game tends to slow down a bit once you’re a veteran.”

The 19-year-old now has six goals and three assists in 26 games this season. His totals have already surpassed last year’s effort, when he suited up in 58 games.

“To me, Ryan epitomizes what we want to be all about,” said Storm head coach Jim Hulton. “He’s got a terrific work ethic, and he’s a team-first guy. He does a lot of the unsung hero roles, and he’s a top notch face-off guy, a great penalty killer, and he plays foremost on a checking line that shuts down the other team’s top units. He often times doesn’t get recognized on the scoresheet, but through the coach’s eyes, he does a terrific job night in and night out.”

One of only two Oklahomans in the league, McMurphy said he’s had a rivalry with Des Moines Buccaneers forward Tanner Karty since the two grew up playing against one another.

“He played for Oklahoma City, I played for Tulsa,” McMurphy said. “He’s the only one I know from Oklahoma who has made it to this level.”

The first Oklahoma native in the NHL was Matt Donovan, who made his debut two seasons ago and is currently with the New York Islanders. Donovan played two years in Cedar Rapids with the RoughRiders before attending the University of Denver.

Just like Donovan, the next step for McMurphy is to play in college at the division I level. But one advantage the Storm forward has on a lot of other hockey players his age is his grades. It turns out hockey wasn’t the only thing he was working on in Dallas.

“Growing up my parents always harped on me about grades so I take school pretty seriously,” McMurphy said. “I’ve got a good GPA so I’m looking at some Ivy League schools right now. I’m also looking at schools in Colorado because those are the closest to Oklahoma.”

The majors he is considering include pharmacy and petroleum engineering; not necessarily the classes a normal collegiate athlete is enrolled in.

When he does head to college, McMurphy might have an easier time explaining what he’s studying than the sport he is playing, as the locals in Oklahoma are still learning about the sport.

“When I’m down south I feel like I have to explain things to the same person three different times before they get the hang of it,” McMurphy said. “But no matter what everyone is still there to support me.”

The Storm return home for two games this weekend while riding a four-game winning streak, their longest run of the season. On Friday night Tri-City will host Omaha at 7:30 p.m. before welcoming in Sioux Fallson Saturday night at 7:05.

Omaha to Host World Volleyball Tournament

Posted on January 9, 2014January 9, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha has been chosen to host the final round of a top women’s world volleyball tournament in 2015.

The Omaha Sports Commission says the International Volleyball Federation’s Volleyball World Grand Prix is the premier annual international women’s volleyball tournament run by the federation.

U.S. women’s national volleyball team head coach Karch Kiraly (kur-RYE’) says that outside of the Olympics in 1984 and 1996, this will be the first major federation event the United States has ever hosted.

The final round will be played July 22-26, 2015, at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha.

Abdullah to Come Back for Senior Season

Posted on January 9, 2014

Nebraska junior running back Ameer Abdullah has decided to come back to Lincoln for his senior season with the Huskers football team.

Abdullah just finished a season where he was named third-team All-American by the Associated Press and racked up 1,690 yards rushing, 232 yards receiving and scored a total of 11 touchdowns.

Abdullah said in a statement that he took into account a lot of factors to make his decision, including his family’s economic status, the fact that his older siblings have degrees, his possible draft position and how long an NFL career typically lasts.

Statements from both Abdullah and Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini can be seen below.

Statement from Nebraska Junior I-Back Ameer Abdullah:

I would like to start off by thanking everyone for their patience as I reached this decision. I cannot begin to tell you how truly thankful I am for the Husker coaching staff, my teammates, and the Nebraska fans. My time here at Nebraska has been memorable and more than I could have ever hoped. It is truly an honor to play for this program.

As you know, since the midway point the season I have been asked, repeatedly, whether I would return for my senior season. In reaching my decision I have had to consider a number of factors such as my family’s economic condition, my projected draft position, and my long term success, not just in football, but in life in general. In order to fully understand my decision one must know who I am and where I come from.

I come from a very modest upbringing. As the youngest of my parents’ nine children, I have had to fight for just about everything I have gotten. Despite these apparent obstacles, my parents were able to instill in their children the importance of family, education, and taking advantage of life’s many opportunities.

In holding true to these values, all of my siblings have completed their college education with many of them even going on to obtain advanced degrees. Despite my family’s tradition of completing its college education, I find myself in a very unique situation of having to decide between pursing my dream of playing in the National Football League and breaking from my family’s tradition of completing our education.

While it may be true that none of my siblings were presented with the possibility of playing professional sports, it is equally true that the average NFL career, because of the violent nature of the sport, is less than five years. In analyzing these truths, I have come to realize that life is bigger than football, and that my chances of long-term success in life will be greatly enhanced by completing my college education. Although I have always wanted to play in the NFL, at this time I would like to formally announce my intentions of returning to Nebraska for my senior season.

If playing in the NFL is truly in God’s plans for me, then God will again present this opportunity to me after I complete my college education.

Statement from Head Coach Bo Pelini:

I know Ameer was very thoughtful about his decision and, as you would expect with Ameer, he has handled this the right way. As I have told Ameer and other players who have had to make this same choice, I fully support whatever decision they make, and am willing to help in any way I possibly can.

Ameer comes from a great family, has great character and is a great leader in our program. He stands for all the right things as a student-athlete, and I know it is important for him to leave the University of Nebraska with a degree.

We look forward to having Ameer represent the Nebraska football program for another season. Ameer has the opportunity to leave a legacy at Nebraska that will put him among the all-time greats to play here. He is a young man that is deserving of being a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy and other national awards in 2014.

NE High School Sports Hall of Fame Adds to its Staff

Posted on January 9, 2014

The Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Foundation is pleased to announce that Mike Rasmussen of Lincoln, recently retired Assistant Athletic Director at Lincoln Southeast High School, has been appointed as Assistant to the Executive Director of the NHSSHOFF. Mike’s primary responsibility will be in the supervision of the new Hall of Fame Exhibit Hall, which opened on December 9^th, 2013.

Mike served as Assistant Athletic Director at LSE for 12 years. Prior to that time he worked as a teacher and coach at Exeter, Centennial, and McCook High Schools, as well as Athletic Director at Plattsmouth High School.

The NHSSHOFF is also pleased to announce operating hours of the Exhibit Hall, located in the NSAA office building in Lincoln at 500 Charleston Street. The hall will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and will also be open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. during the boys’ & girls’ state basketball tournaments. Service clubs, schools, and other community organizations may make arrangements for special presentations by calling Larry Munksgaard at 402-432-8049, or emailing larry.munksgaard@neb.rr.com.