The Sutherland Lady Sailors and Brady Lady Eagles are heading to Grand Island for next week’s state volleyball tournament. For Sutherland, it’s the third consecutive trip. The Lady Sailors pasted Potter-Dix in three sets, 25-11, 25-11, 25-10, in the D1-6 district final. Sam Kennedy led the Sutherland attack with 17 kills. In the D2-5 district final, Brady defeated Wallace in four sets, 25-22, 25-10, 23-25, 25-15, to make it to state for the second straight season. The Lady Eagles were third at state last year. Tonight the St. Patrick’s Lady Irish face Bridgeport in the C2-6 district championship at Creek Valley High School in Chappell. The Lady Irish are first in Class C2 in wild card points, meaning a trip to state is all but assured regardless of tonight’s outcome, but they’d love to capture a second straight district crown. First serve is set for 7:30.
Category: Sports
Confident ‘Blackshirts’ Ready For Spartans’ Impotent Attack
The Husker football team wrapped up preparations yesterday for their trip to East Lansing and Saturday’s contest against Michigan State. They practiced in shorts and shells for 90 minutes, splitting their time between indoors and outdoors. Head coach Bo Pelini wouldn’t rule out running back Rex Burkhead from playing in the game, but the senior sat out practice for the fourth straight day. The Huskers defense has climbed to 26th in the nation in total defense, and has been clad all week in the coveted ‘Blackshirts’. They have a chance to continue their defensive momentum against a Michigan State team that ranks 97th in the country in total offense. Last season the Husker D had their way with the Spartans in a 24-3 Husker win in Lincoln. Kickoff at Spartan Stadium is scheduled for 2:30 tomorrow afternoon. The game will be broadcast regionally on ABC.
Huskers Ready for Weekend in Michigan: Wolverines Tonight, Spartans Tomorrow Night
The fourth-ranked Husker volleyball team plays the first of back-to-back games in the Great Lakes State tonight, taking on the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor. Nebraska’s most recent game was a five-set win over previously top-ranked Penn State. They’re now 18-3 on the season and 10-2 in conference play. After facing the Wolverines tonight at 6 PM, Nebraska takes on Michigan State tomorrow night at 7 PM.
Rockies Down to Four Managerial Candidates
The Colorado Rockies have reportedly narrowed their search for a new manager down to four candidates, three of whom have current or previous ties to the organization. Sources told the Denver Post that the candidates will be coming to Coors Field for further interviews over the next few days. The candidates are current player Jason Giambi, current bench coach Tom Runnells, former Rockies shortstop Walt Weiss, and current Arizona Diamondbacks bench coach Matt Williams.
Maxwell Wildcat Sports Update – November 1
Both the football team and volleyball team at Maxwell saw their seasons end this week. For the Wildcat gridders, their losing effort in the second round of the playoffs was still one to be proud of. Head coach Ryan Jones talks about the work ethic of his team and how much he’ll miss working with them. It’s all here in this week’s Maxwell Wildcat sports update!
Thursday Sports Day – AFC West Battle and NBA Western Finals Rematch On Tap Tonight
Ex-Penn St. president charged in Sandusky case
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Penn State’s former president is accused of perjury, endangering children and other charges in the Jerry Sandusky molestation scandal.
According to online court records, charges were filed Thursday against Graham Spanier (SPAN’-yer) and two other administrators.
Spanier had been the school’s president for 16 years until the scandal broke a year ago and had widely been considered vulnerable to charges.
New charges also were filed against Athletic Director Tim Curley and retired Vice President Gary Schultz, who were arrested last year with perjury and failure to properly report suspected child abuse. That case is scheduled for trial in January.
Sandusky is a former assistant football coach. He was convicted in June of molesting boys but maintains his innocence.
Spanier, Curley and Schultz have denied accusations they concealed allegations against Sandusky to protect Penn State from bad publicity.
AP source: Redmond hired as Marlins manager
MIAMI (AP) — A person familiar with the Miami Marlins’ managerial search says former major league catcher Mike Redmond has been hired to replace Ozzie Guillen, who was fired last week.
The person confirmed the hiring to The Associated Press on Thursday and spoke on condition of anonymity because the Marlins hadn’t made an announcement.
Redmond spent the past two years managing Class A teams in the Toronto Blue Jays’ system. He had not previously interviewed for a big league job.
A .287 hitter over 13 seasons, Redmond played seven years for the Marlins and helped them win the World Series in 2003. Because of his ties to owner Jeffrey Loria and president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest, he was considered the front-runner for the job.
Police: Ex-Yankee Pascual Perez killed in home
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Police in the Dominican Republic say former major league pitcher Pascual Perez has been killed in his home during an apparent robbery.
A statement from police in the Caribbean country says Perez was attacked by several people inside his home in a town west of the capital. He had been struck in the head but the cause of death has not been released. No suspects are in custody.
The 55-year-old Perez last played in the majors with the New York Yankees in 1991. He was suspended in 1992 following two positive tests for cocaine. In recent years, he has had kidney problems.
He made his major league debut in 1980 with the Pirates and played 11 seasons, including stints with the Braves and Expos.
Chargers entertain Chiefs
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The NFL game tonight is being played in San Diego as the Chargers play host to the Chiefs. Both teams are coming off a loss as the Chiefs were beaten by the Raiders last Sunday, 26-16, and the Chargers were dumped by the Browns, in the wind and rain of Cleveland, 7-6.
On the year the Chiefs are 1-6, in last place in the AFC West, while the Chargers are tied for second in the division with Oakland, a game back of first place Denver, with a record of 3-4.
Neither team is doing that well as the Chiefs have lost four in a row and the Chargers three straight.
Spurs playing host to Thunder
UNDATED (AP) — There is only one game on tap in the NBA tonight.
Two games were on the schedule but the season opening home game for the Brooklyn Nets against the cross-town Knicks has been postponed because of damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.
The lone game that will be played has Oklahoma City at San Antonio. This is the Thunders’ first game of the season while the Spurs are 1-0, having beaten New Orleans last night.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Kansas City at San Diego 7:20 p.m.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Oklahoma City at San Antonio 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday Sports Wrap – Let’s All Laugh at the Lakers Some More
Sixers win opener…Harden sparkles in Rockets debut
UNDATED (AP) — James Harden received a five-year, $80 million contract extension just before making his Houston Rockets debut Wednesday night. He immediately demonstrated his worthiness by pouring in 37 points and providing a career-high 12 assists in the Rockets’ 105-96 comeback win at Detroit.
The Pistons led 83-72 early in the fourth quarter before Harden hit a three-pointer to ignite Houston’s game-ending, 33-13 run. The NBA’s Reigning Sixth Man of the Year was playing just four days after being acquired from Oklahoma City.
Carlos Delfino hit four three-pointers in the final period and finished with 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
Jeremy Lin added 12 points, eight assists, four steals and four turnovers in his Houston debut.
In other NBA action, Chicago was a 93-87 winner over Sacramento behind Joakim Noah’s 23 points and 10 rebounds. Richard Hamilton added 19 points, while Carlos Boozer chipped in with 18 points and eight boards.
Dallas is 1-1 after Mo Williams and Marvin Williams each scored 21 points to lead Utah’s 113-94 rout of the Mavericks. The score was tied at 70 before Mo Williams hit back-to-back 3-pointers then scored on a driving layup.
First-overall draft pick Anthony Davis finished with 21 points and seven rebounds in his NBA debut, but New Orleans fell 99-95 to San Antonio. Tim Duncan scored 24 points and Tony Parker added 23, including a go-ahead, three-pointer with 50 seconds left.
Spencer Hawes had 16 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks off the bench as Philadelphia downed Denver 84-75. Jrue (juh-ROO’) Holiday added 14 points and 11 assists for Philadelphia.
Indiana was a 90-88 winner at Toronto on George Hill’s bucket with two seconds left. David West scored 14 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter for the Pacers, who closed on a 16-4 run to win.
Angels and Royals deal
UNDATED (AP) — The Angels have traded right-hander Ervin Santana to Kansas City for a minor league reliever.
The Angels exercised Santana’s $13 million option for next season before trading the Dominican veteran and cash to the Royals.
Santana has been a fixture in Los Angeles’ rotation since 2005, going 96-80 with a 4.33 ERA. He struggled for much of last season, going 9-13 with a 5.16 ERA despite significant improvements over the final two months.
In other baseball news:
— Yankees closer Rafael Soriano has opted out of the final year of his three-year, $35 contact for a chance to test the free-agent market. The right-hander had 42 saves for the Yankees last season after longtime closer Mariano Rivera tore knee ligaments in early May.
— Reds outfielder Ryan Ludwick and reliever Ryan Madson are free agents after declining their contract options with the NL Central champs. Ludwick was the Reds’ top hitter while first baseman Joey Votto missed 48 games with a knee injury, batting .340 with 12 homers and 36 RBIs.
— The New York Mets have picked up the contract options for All-Stars David Wright and R.A. Dickey. General manager Sandy Alderson has said signing the two players to long-term deals is his top priority this offseason. The 30-year-old Wright has been the team’s third baseman since 2004. Dickey, a 37-year-old late-blooming knuckleballer was a strong contender for the NL Cy Young Award.
— The Pirates have picked up the option on third baseman Pedro Alvarez and parted ways with catcher Rod Barajas. The 25-year-old Alvarez enjoyed a breakout season in 2012, batting .244 with a career-high 30 home runs and 85 RBIs in 149 games. Barajas hit just .206 with 11 homers and 31 RBI while throwing out just six of 99 base stealers.
— New Indians manager Terry Francona has chosen Sandy Alomar Jr. as his bench coach. Alomar starred for the Indians before beginning his coaching career. He was former skipper Manny Acta’s bench coach last season and served as interim manager after Acta was fired with six games left in the season.
— Cleveland picked up the option on pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez and declined a $13 million option on designated hitter Travis Hafner and a $6 million option on pitcher Roberto Hernandez, the former Fausto Carmona.
— The Royals have declined their 2013 option on former All-Star pitcher Joakim Soria after he missed all of last season because of Tommy John surgery. He gets a $750,000 buyout.
— The Orioles have exercised their 2013 club option on right-handed reliever Luis Ayala and declined their option on first baseman Mark Reynolds. Reynolds would have made $11 million next year. He gets a $500,000 buyout.
— Utilityman Don Kelly is set to become a free agent after the Tigers outrighted him to Toledo. He declined the assignment after hitting .186 in 75 games for the AL champs this year.
Reid sticking by veteran QB
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Eagles coach Andy Reid says he’s decided to stick with Michael Vick at quarterback. Philadelphia has lost three straight and Vick has struggled all season with turnovers. Philadelphia is at New Orleans on Monday night.
Unproven rookie Nick Foles remains the backup in Philly.
Elsewhere around the NFL:
— Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is practicing on a limited basis after leaving Sunday’s victory over the New York Jets in the first quarter with left knee and thigh injuries. Tannehill wore a brace and thigh-to-ankle sleeve on his left leg for Wednesday’s workout.
— Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon is unlikely to play again this week, postponing his return until after the bye. Garcon has missed five of the last seven games with a torn toe ligament in his right foot.
— The Titans have signed veteran offensive lineman Kyle DeVan, whom they waived in the last round of preseason roster cuts. The 6-foot-2, 306-pounder has played 36 games with 25 starts at guard over three seasons at Indianapolis and Philadelphia.
— Colts interim coach Bruce Arians says rookie tight end Coby Fleener and cornerback Vontae Davis will not play Sunday against Miami. Both were injured last weekend at Tennessee.
FOOTBALL: Panthers, Irish, Swedes and Raiders Move to Quarterfinals
The glass slipper in the state football playoffs fits the paw of a Panther. Two interception returns for touchdowns in the fourth quarter lifted twelfth-seed Hershey to a 34-20 victory over Blue Hill and into the Class C2 quarterfinals for the first time ever. Colton Marshall and Dylan Johnson had the pick-sixes that helped Hershey stave off the Bobcats rally. Also moving on to the state quarterfinals in C2 are the St. Patrick’s Irish. Sean Keenan threw a touchdown pass and ran for three scores in a 32-6 win over West Holt. In class C1, thirteen-seed Gothenburg posted their second straight shutout, blanking Chadron 12-0 to advance. In Class D2, Medicine Valley also moved on, beating Creek Valley 64-42. Elsewhere, Chase County fell to Boone Central/Newman Grove 48-20 in class C1, and Maxwell lost 16-0 to Arapahoe in class D1.
VOLLEYBALL: Bulldogs Fall in District Final; Class D District Finals Tonight
The North Platte Lady Bulldogs lost in the finals of the A6 district volleyball tournament, falling in four sets to Lincoln Pius X 17-25, 21-25, 31-29, 20-25. Their season ends with a 19-12 record. Three Lincoln County teams play for the right to go to state tonight. In the D1-6 district final, Sutherland battles Potter-Dix at Creek Valley High School in Chappell. In the D2-5 district final at North Platte’s McGahan Activities Center, Brady faces Wallace. Both games are scheduled for 7 PM starts.
Burkhead Misses Practice For Third Straight Day
Husker senior running back Rex Burkhead did not practice for the third straight day, and it appears unlikely that he will play Saturday when the Huskers visit Michigan State. Burkhead hasn’t practiced since re-injuring his left knee in the win at Northwestern two Saturdays ago. If Burkhead can not go, Ameer Abdullah would make his second straight start. If Abdullah cracked the century mark in rushing yards against the Spartans, he’d be the first Husker running back since 1994 to rush for over 100 yards in his first four career starts.