By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor
Friday, April 29, 2011

Coming off a win at the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship, 21-year-old Kaitlin Shiver isn't worried about lining up against a veteran field at Sunday's St. Anthony's Triathlon.

"I'm excited," the recent University of Florida graduate said. "Once the gun goes off, I'm in a zone. Then all you can do is race as hard as you can and see how you finish."

Shiver, who will enroll in UF's doctorate of physical therapy program next year, dominated the collegiate nationals April 9 in Tuscaloosa, Ala., finishing nearly four minutes ahead of her nearest competitor.

"I feel really strong going into this race," she said. "I enjoy the swim, am getting better on the bike and consider myself a strong runner. I just think it will be a lot of fun to see how I finish against the pros."

Race organizers said the water in Tampa Bay is hovering around 80 degrees, which means the top triathletes in Sunday's race will have to swim without wetsuits.

This should give an advantage to the strongest swimmers, who typically do better without the added buoyancy of a wetsuit. The 1.5-kilometer swim, 40K bike and 10K run event is usually fast, which is one reason so many professionals come to this area to kick off their season.

This year's event will be part of the new global 5150 Triathlon Series from the same race organizers who put together the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. The top finishers in each professional division of Sunday's race will split $65,000 in cash and more than $10,000 in prizes.

Shiver, a native of Satellite Beach, will compete against a star-studded women's field.

Sarah Haskins, last year's winner in 1 hour, 58 minutes, 49 seconds, is a strong favorite. The Olympian and 2009 USA Triathlon athlete of the year finished 14th in the International Triathlon Union World Championship Series last year. An excellent swimmer, Haskins was hampered by a calf injury for much of last year but still won the Chicago Triathlon on Aug. 29.

Another perennial favorite is Laura Bennett, Olympic team member and four-time ITU World Championship medalist. A member of the USA Triathlon national team, she won her second career USA Triathlon elite national title in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 25.

Rebeccah Wassner, the 2009 St. Anthony's winner and two-time New York City Triathlon champion, is back as well.

In the men's field, Cameron Dye will try to defend the title he won in 1:48:44. Dye represented the United States at the 2009 ITU World Championship Series Grand Finale in Gold Coast, Australia. He began swimming competitively at age 8 and later was on the University of Iowa swim team.

Another veteran in the men's field is Australia native Greg Bennett, a former Olympian and six-time World Cup champion. Bennett is a member of the USA Triathlon Project 2012 program and competed for much of 2010 under the ITU flag as he transitioned his affiliation from Australia to the United States. He will be eligible to compete for the United States this spring.

The field also includes Matt Reed, another Olympian and Ironman 70.3 champion, as well as a former St. Anthony's winner (2008). Reed raced for his native New Zealand until 2004, when he switched his affiliation to the United States. He was a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team and placed 32nd in Beijing.

Reed, nicknamed "Boom Boom," stands 6 feet 5 and is the tallest professional triathlete in the world.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 29, 2011

Games 3, 4 and 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Capitals at the St. Pete Times Forum are sold out, the Lightning announced.

Several hundred potentially unused team tickets might become available, so fans are urged to periodically check with Ticketmaster.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 29, 2011

Angels at Rays: 1 p.m. on Ch. 13. Fox's Game of the Week with Josh Lewin and Eric Karros calling the action.

NCAA Winter Highlight Show: 2 p.m. on Ch. 10. CBS airs the highlights from the NCAA winter sports season.

Rocky marathon: On AMC. Yo, Adrian, it's a marathon of the Rocky movies, starting with the first one at 3 p.m. and continuing through to Rocky V, which airs at 12:30 a.m.

By Bill Hardman, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 29, 2011

What's hot: The water temperature and the cobia are heating up. The past three years have been great for cobia, inshore and offshore. This year, many of our divers started seeing the occasional cobia about three to four weeks ago. At first they gravitate to wrecks, then they work their way to ledges and rock piles.

Tips: Whether fishing or spearfishing, the same rule is true — strong fish like cobia will find the weakest link in your equipment. When these fish encounter worn gear, they win. Take the time to replace worn line, on rods and spearguns. For spearfishermen, this is also a good time to replace latex speargun bands. Don't wait until you see cracking of the bands. That's way too late. You need strong bands to keep your gun accurate and ensure enough kinetic energy to make a deep, penetrating shot. This is especially important when you get your chance at a big brown bruiser.

Bill Hardman teaches scuba, spearfishing and free diving through Aquatic Obsessions Scuba in St. Petersburg and can be reached at CaptainBillHardman@gmail.com or (727) 344-3483.

Times wires
Friday, April 29, 2011

Times wires

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Lindy Ruff, the third-longest-tenured coach in the four major pro sports leagues, signed a multiyear contract extension with the Sabres on Friday, keeping him in the fold for another crack at the Stanley Cup championship that has eluded the team since its birth in 1970.

No terms were announced.

"I'm extremely excited," said Ruff, hired in 1997. He declined an extension offer from ex-owner Tom Golisano before the team was sold to Pennsylvania billionaire Terry Pegula in February.

The only other coaches in the major pro leagues who have been with their teams longer are the Cardinals' Tony LaRussa and the Spurs' Gregg Popovich.

Penguins: Sidney Crosby said he had a setback in his concussion recovery about two weeks ago, experiencing symptoms after skating, but is confident he'll be ready to play next season. Crosby went out Jan. 5 after two hits to the head in four days, from then-Capital David Steckel and the Lightning's Victor Hedman, and missed the rest of the season. … Matt Cooke said he left the team for a week after being suspended March 21 for an elbow to the head of the Rangers' Ryan McDonagh to work on "some things I needed some help with." Cooke, suspended for the fourth time since 2008 for bad hits, said he worked with people "outside of hockey" and will continue to do so. He didn't give details. Cooke, suspended for the rest of the regular season and the first playoff round, missed 17 games.

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 29, 2011

OLDSMAR — When Jamie Ness isn't working with thoroughbreds, he welcomes a game of H-O-R-S-E.

An avid basketball fan, Ness will have to hold off a surging Gerald Bennett to win his fifth consecutive training title at Tampa Bay Downs. After leading comfortably, Ness' advantage over Bennett has been sliced to 55-54 with five racing days remaining in the track's 85th season. The meet ends May 8.

"Competition only makes you better, and it's always kind of fun," Ness said. "So if there's somebody to compete with for leading trainer, that's only going to make me better."

Ness, 36, is in a different position than last year, when he rallied from a double-digit deficit to tie Kathleen O'Connell on the final day. Ness has been the one to catch despite a limited stable.

"A lot of my good horses went to Oaklawn (Park in Hot Springs, Ark.)," he said. "We're running here about 60 percent strength. Our 60 percent is still pretty good."

Midwest Thoroughbreds, Ness' major client, will repeat as the Downs' leading owner.

Ness, a native of Huron, S.D., is the only conditioner to capture a stakes at every Downs meet since 2006-07. He won two this year with See I A in the $60,000 Pelican and a record-setting Sneaking Uponyou in the $75,000 Sprint on Florida Cup Day. One of two horses owned by Ness, Sneaking Uponyou eclipsed the track's oldest sprint mark with a 6-furlong clocking of 1 minute, 8.69 seconds. It bettered the 1:09 mark set by Bootlegger's Pet in 1974, giving Ness his 10th lifetime stakes win at the Downs.

In March, Ness married former Downs stakes coordinator Mandy McKeever at Lake Tahoe, Nev. They bought a home in Odessa.

"I finally have a place to hang my hat," he said. "Mandy has two teenaged daughters, and school becomes a priority for us. (The Downs) is really home now."

Ness will branch out again this summer with 90 stalls at Delaware Park in Wilmington, Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa., and Thistledown in North Randall, Ohio. Next season, he plans to have a stronger presence at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, where he had seven victories and 16 top-three finishes from 19 starts this year.

"I don't come into a meet gung ho that I want to be leading trainer," he said. "We just like to win races and compete at a high percentage. If we don't win, we always like to be in the money."

Bennett, 67, is having his best Downs season. In the past six meets, he averaged 22 victories, 16 last year. Bennett, whose Crimson Knight ran second to Watch Me Go in the Tampa Bay Derby, is the nation's 20th all-time win leader with 3,186.

NO JOCKEY YET: Churchill Downs reported Friday that no rider has been confirmed for Watch Me Go in the Kentucky Derby on May 7. The Louisville, Ky., track originally announced Luis Garcia had the mount. Eclipse Award winning jockey Garrett Gomez will ride Master of Hounds in the Derby.

Friday, April 29, 2011

BY DON JENSEN

Times Correspondent

OLDSMAR - When Jamie Ness isnâ?™t working with thoroughbreds, he welcomes a game of H-O-R-S-E.

An avid basketball fan, Ness will have to hold off a surging Gerald Bennett to win his fifth consecutive training title at Tampa Bay Downs. After leading comfortably all season, Nessâ?™ win advantage over Bennett has been sliced to 55-54 with five racing days remaining in the trackâ?™s 85th season. The meet ends May 8.

â?œCompetition only makes you better and itâ?™s always kind of fun,â?? Ness said. â?œSo if thereâ?™s somebody to compete with for leading trainer, thatâ?™s only going to make me better.â??

Ness, 36, is in a different position than last year, when he rallied from a double-digit deficit to tie Kathleen Oâ?™Connell on the final day. Ness has been the one to catch despite a limited stable. â?œA lot of my good horses went to Oaklawn (Park in Hot Springs, Ark.),â?? Ness said. â?œWeâ?™re running here about 60-percent strength. Our 60 percent is still pretty good.â??

Midwest Thoroughbreds, Nessâ?™ major client, will repeat as the Downs leading owner.

Ness, a native of Huron, S.D., is the only conditioner to capture a stakes at every Downs meet since 2006-07. He won two this year with See I A in the $60,000 Pelican and a record-setting Sneaking Uponyou in the $75,000 Sprint on Florida Cup Day. One of two horses owned by Ness, Sneaking Uponyou eclipsed the trackâ?™s oldest sprint mark with a 6-furlong clocking of 1 minute, 8.69 seconds. It bettered the previous mark of 1:09 set by Bootleggerâ?™s Pet in 1974, giving Ness his 10th lifetime stakes win at the Downs.

In March, Ness married former Downs stakes coordinator Mandy McKeever at Lake Tahoe, Nev. They purchased a home in Odessa. â?œI finally have a place to hang my hat,â?? Ness said. â?œMandy has two teen-aged daughters, and school becomes a priority for us. (The Downs) is really home now.â??

Ness will branch out again this summer with 90 stalls at Delaware Park in Wilmington, Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa., and Thistledown in North Randall, Ohio. Next season, Ness plans to have a stronger presence at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, where he had seven victories and 16 top-three finishes from 19 starts this year.

â?œI donâ?™t come into a meet gung ho that I want to be leading trainer,â?? Ness said. â?œWe just like to win races and compete at a high percentage. If we donâ?™t win, we always like to be in the money.â??

Bennett, 67, is having his best Downs season. In the past six meets, he averaged 22 victories, 16 last year. Bennett, whose Crimson Knight ran second to Watch Me Go in the Tampa Bay Derby, is the nationâ?™s 20th all-time win leader with 3,186.

NO JOCKEY YET. Churchill Downs reported Friday that no rider has been confirmed for Watch Me Go in the May 7 Kentucky Derby. The Louisville, Ky., track originally announced Luis Garcia had the mount.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 29, 2011

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers doubled down on defensive ends Friday, drafting Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers with their second-round pick, 51st overall.

On Thursday, the Bucs drafted Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn. Bowers led the nation with 15.5 sacks and tied for the most tackles for loss with 26.

Bowers was considered the most pure pass rusher in the draft, but his stock fell because of a torn meniscus in his knee.

Several NFL teams reportedly took Bowers off their draft board after his medical evaluation. It's been speculated that he could be a one-contract player.

But the Bucs obviously believed Bowers was a great value late in the second round and wanted to upgrade their pass rush. The Bucs finished tied for 30th in the NFL with only 26 sacks.

The pick was announced by former Bucs safety John Lynch.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 29, 2011

TAMPA — As general manager Mark Dominik left One Buc Place after the first round of the NFL draft early Friday, he could not stop thinking about free-falling Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers.

Listed as the No. 1 pick in at least one ESPN mock draft as recently as Feb. 10, Bowers led the nation with 151/2 sacks and 26 tackles for loss last year. But that was before a torn meniscus in Bowers' right knee caused teams to give a stiff arm to the best pass rusher in college football.

"In my mind — and I said to a few people in the organization — if Da'Quan is there at (No.) 51, we're going to take him," Dominik said Friday. "And I stuck to that."

The Bucs completed their set of bookend defensive ends, selecting Bowers in the second round, 51st overall. Thursday, the Bucs drafted Iowa's Adrian Clayborn 20th in the first round.

Bowers had arthroscopic surgery in January. But Dominik said that without the knee injury, Bowers was "obviously a top-10 talent. No debate."

The Bucs' emphasis on defense continued in the third round when they selected Washington linebacker Mason Foster.

Barrett Ruud, Quincy Black and Adam Hayward are all potential free agents. And the 6-foot-1, 241-pound Foster has been a good pass rusher, with 61/2 sacks last season.

"He's one of the guys who has the mental makeup to play all three linebacker positions," coach Raheem Morris said. "The thing that intrigued the most … was at the Senior Bowl. I watched him practice, and he hit everything that moved. Then you got a chance to meet him and you could see how much he loves football."

While Clayborn, who arrived at One Buc Place on Friday, was Tampa Bay's first-round pick, Bowers might create the most buzz.

Dominik said Bucs team doctors don't believe Bowers will have any long-term affects from his knee surgery and expect him to play in 2011.

"The last 24 hours have been crazy long. It's been grueling, just waiting for that one phone call," Bowers said. "I'm just glad for the opportunity Tampa Bay gave me. I just want to show them they made a great pick and it wasn't a mistake picking me.

"I didn't expect the wait to be this long. I was expecting to go off the board in the first round."

Bowers, who will play left end, completes the construction of a new defensive front for the Bucs, who finished tied for 30th in the NFL in sacks last season with 26.

A year ago, Tampa Bay used their first- and second-round picks on defensive tackles — Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy and UCLA's Brian Price.

McCoy went nine games without a sack and finished with three despite missing the final month of the season with a torn left biceps. Price was limited with a stress fracture near his pelvis and was placed on injured reserve. Both are expected to recover fully.

Several NFL teams reportedly took Bowers off their draft board after his medical evaluation. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Friday that Bowers might eventually need another surgery and could take more than six months to recover.

But the Bucs obviously believed Bowers was a great value late in the second round and wanted to upgrade their pass rush.

"For me, the value for this pick was too strong," Dominik said. "I feel like we're in a spot on the defensive line and really as an organization where we're building this thing. I felt like it was worth this selection."

The plan, Dominik said, is to give Bowers time to let his knee completely heal. But he is confident the Clemson star will play next season.

"I'm sure this has been a tough ordeal on Da'Quan," said former Bucs safety John Lynch, who read Tampa Bay's second-round pick at New York's Radio City Music Hall. "His name was on everybody's draft board before the injury and to have this fall, it felt good to break the good news.

"I love what the Bucs are doing there. I'm a huge believer you build up front on back and from the middle on out and good things will happen. Last year, they got the two defensive tackles and now they get two bookends. I applaud them for having the guts to pull the trigger."

Times wires
Friday, April 29, 2011

RICHMOND, Va. — Clint Bowyer's NASCAR season started with a chance to win the Daytona 500. A late-race wreck ended his opportunity and set the tone for a miserable opening month.

The low point came after a blown engine at Bristol dropped Bowyer to 24th in Sprint Cup points, and there were few indications that his Richard Childress Racing team could climb out of the hole.

But it did.

Bowyer goes into tonight's race, the Matthew and Daniel Hansen 400 at Richmond International Raceway, as the hottest driver in the series. Four consecutive top-10s, including back-to-back second-place finishes, have vaulted him all the way up to 10th in the standings.

"A month ago I was worried, very much so," Bowyer said. "But at the end of the day, the reality was it was still way early in the season, still is even today. … But it feels good to be able to get on a little bit of a roll here, and hopefully we can continue to ride that wave."

Now comes Richmond, one of his best tracks. Bowyer has five top-10s in 10 career starts, and his average finish of 9.8 at Richmond is his best at any track.

He'll start third tonight behind pole-sitter Juan Montoya and Regan Smith.

And Bowyer's Richmond victory in 2008 was one of his most memorable.

Denny Hamlin led 381 of the first 382 laps until a tire issue let Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. sail past him for the lead with 17 remaining. Caution eventually was called for Hamlin, setting up a five-lap sprint to the finish with Earnhardt, Busch and Bowyer holding the first three spots.

Busch then made contact with Earnhardt's car, sending Earnhardt spinning into the wall — and opening a hole for Bowyer to slide past and steal the victory.

"That win was probably the most fun I've ever had in Victory Lane because it was a surprise," Bowyer said. "I knew we had a fast car, and we put ourselves up there and put ourselves in position, and the right circumstances played out, and we were able to win the race."

But wins don't come easily — Bowyer has made four trips to Victory Lane in his Cup career.

His team made changes when the No. 33 Chevrolet was not running nearly as well as teammates Kevin Harvick and Paul Menard. Bowyer's crew chief, Shane Wilson, began to use setups closer to Harvick's and Menard's, resulting in a seventh-place finish at California, ninth at Martinsville — where Bowyer led 91 laps and Harvick won — and then seconds at Texas and Talladega.

"(I'm) very proud of our race team to get things turned around," Bowyer said. "The first four races were just terrible, and we dug in deep and had a decent run at Martinsville and just kind of continued to build on that and get that ball rolling, get the monkey off your back."

Harvick said he never doubted the No. 33 team would snap its slump.

"It was good to see what they were doing, they could change the direction and turn it around instantly," Harvick said.

The past month has given Bowyer reasons not to look too far outside RCR during his current contract negotiations. He's in the final year of his deal.

"I've talked to Richard a couple of times, and hopefully we're getting close on that," Bowyer said. "I've just been having fun at the racetrack, focusing on what I can do. … If you go have fun at the racetrack, then I feel like the rest will come."

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 29, 2011

The Tampa Bay Lightning says wing Simon Gagne is alert and being evaluated by team doctors after appearing to hit his head on the ice in the first period of Friday's Eastern Conference semifinal against the Washington Capitals.

In a scary moment for the Lightning, Gagne left the game after it appeared he hit his head hit the ice following a hit by Capitals defenseman Scott Hannan.

According to TSN, Gagne took a minute to call his wife after leaving the game.

With just under 13 minutes remaining in the first, Gagne raced to the corner in the Capitals zone to retrieve the puck, but was checked into the boards by Hannan. Gagne lost his balance and appeared to hit his head on the ice as he fell hard to the ground.

Gagne remained on the ice for a few minutes, not moving very much but talking, as Lightning training staff tended to him. A stretcher was brought out, and several teammates came to his side.

Gagne got up, and was helped off the ice, getting cheers from the Verizon Center crowd. Hannan appeared concerned, and approached Gagne as he was leaving the game.

With Gagne's history of concussions, they'll likely take this very seriously. Gagne missed most of the 2007-08 season with the Flyers due to two concussions, and had at least one other concussion earlier in his career. Gagne missed time this year due to a nerve injury, with the Lightning believing a scar-tissue mass in the muscles in the back of his neck at least contributed to it.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 29, 2011

WASHINGTON — In a bit of a surprise, Lightning coach Guy Boucher is not a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, given to the NHL's top coach.

Pittsburgh's Dan Bylsma, Nashville's Barry Trotz and Vancouver's Alain Vigneault were named in a vote by the NHL Broadcasters Association. The winner will be announced June 22.

Boucher, who led Tampa Bay to its first playoff berth in four years, said he was not disappointed.

"I'm so happy Steve is nominated," Boucher said of Steve Yzerman's nomination for GM of the year. "I'm happy we have players who are nominated. That's most important to me."

"For us, we know what he's meant to this team and how he's brought the winning way," said W Marty St. Louis, a finalist for league MVP. "I don't think he needs a trophy to feel respected by his players. It would have been nice, but that's not going to change how we appreciate the hard work he puts in and what he does for the team."

Boucher, 39, in his first NHL season, guided the Lightning to 103 points, second in team history and 23 more than 2009-10.

Bylsma was rewarded for leading the Penguins to a 106-point season without, for the most part, stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Trotz was nominated for his success with a small-market playoff team, and Vigneault led the Canucks to a league-best 117 points.

"I can't comment on the other coaches," Lightning D Randy Jones said. "But I think any coach in the league would take the job that (Boucher) has done to turn this team around. He's been great on and off the ice with the guys, teaching and being positive. He's definitely turned this organization around."

FLIP THE SWITCH: The Lightning had one day off after its seven-game series with the Penguins. The Capitals, who clinched their first-round series with the Rangers on April 23, had five days off.

"You have to realize the Pittsburgh series is over," St. Louis said. "We can't wait now. We can't give (Washington) freebies because we're happy about the Pittsburgh series. We're proud, but we know there's more that we have to do to attain our goal, and it starts (Friday). We can't wait to start Sunday or when we're at home. It starts now. Hopefully the guys understand that."

SEEING STAMKOS: The numbers are not overwhelming — two goals, four points in seven games against Pittsburgh — but Boucher said C Steven Stamkos is better understanding the intensity of the playoffs.

"A deer in the headlights those first few games," Boucher said. "But I was really impressed by him learning fast. Last games he was paying the price, going to the net, back-checking, doing all the little things that we want to see in a winner, not a star."

ODDS AND ENDS: F Dana Tyrell did not skate while nursing a left foot injury sustained when he was hit by a puck during a practice in Pittsburgh. … The Lightning called up forwards Mike Angelidis and Marc-Antoine Pouliot and D Mathieu Roy from AHL Norfolk, which lost its first-round playoff series to Penguins affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. … Forwards Blair Jones and Mattias Ritola, defensemen Randy Jones and Matt Smaby, and G Dustin Tokarski also were scratched.

By Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 29, 2011

TAMPA — When first-year FC Tampa Bay coach Ricky Hill sat down to examine his new team in film sessions during the offseason, the England native noticed a glaring weakness in its defensive philosophy.

Much like it has this season, Tampa Bay played with four defenders on its back line. Often, though, Hill noticed the two fullbacks would move up into the attack, forcing the two central defenders to cover the entire width of the field at times.

The result led to plenty of breakaways and one-on-one opportunities against goalkeeper Daryl Sattler. Tampa Bay surrendered 46 goals during its inaugural season, fourth most in USSF Division 2, and that was one of the major reasons the team was one of four to miss the playoffs.

"It was very novel and also very brave of the side of how they played," Hill said. " … In a romantic type of way, that's (a lovely style to play). Barcelona play it, and some of the best teams in the world play that style. Unfortunately, my take or stance on it is the fact that they are defenders. Their first job is to defend."

One of Hill's first on-the-job adjustments was to revamp the way the team held its position along the back line. When one wing back advances upfield to create another attacking option, the opposite wing back locks in with the central defenders to keep three players in front of Sattler at all times.

"Your net is basically like your banking account. You don't want people going in and stealing your money, scoring goals," said Sattler, who has recorded two clean sheets in three games this season and on Monday was named NASL defender of the week. " … We're allowing the outside backs to go forward, but, first and foremost, do your role. If it's on, go for it, and the other three will shift over and defend the goal. Right now, I mean, it's delightful."

During the offseason, Tampa Bay did almost a complete overhaul of its back line. Of the four defenders with the most game appearances from 2010 — Yendry Diaz, Graham Tatters, Julian Valentin and Rob Valentino — only Diaz is still with the team, though unavailable after a season-ending ACL tear in his right knee.

Tampa Bay brought in Andres Arango from Minnesota and Tampa native J.P. Rodrigues from Miami FC. Frankie Sanfilippo played in 30 games for USL Conference champion Rochester in 2010 and took over as Tampa Bay captain from Valentin. Omar Jarun, who played the past two seasons in the Polish First League, was signed after Diaz went down.

The roster changes appear to be working, at least through the team's first three games. Tampa Bay is tied with Puerto Rico for fewest goals allowed (two) in the NASL.

How, then, are the new players able to mesh so cohesively in such a short amount of time together?

"It can be a long process that could take half a season or it could happen like we're doing it where it comes together pretty fast. I think it depends on the personalities of the players that you acquire," Jarun said. " … Last year with my team in Poland, when I was transferred in January to my new club, it was difficult to mesh with a lot of the guys. Guys had different ideas about how they wanted to play and the coach had a different philosophy, and it became a disaster."

The key, Hill said, is having experienced players.

"Football is such a universal game," he said. "We have players who speak different languages, but the principles of the game never really change. So if you have good players, they can play with other good players. And good players know positions and tactically where to take up positions irrespective of who the personnel are alongside them."

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 29, 2011

Friday brought an encouraging break for USF men's basketball in 2011, as junior power forward Augustus Gilchrist, who had been pondering skipping his senior season to enter the NBA Draft, was not among 69 college underclassmen who officially submitted their names as early-entry candidates.

Gilchrist had told USF coach Stan Heath he was putting his name in but leaving open the option of withdrawing before the deadline for underclassmen next weekend, but after receiving an evaluation from the league, Gilchrist clearly got enough of an answer to opt not to test the waters. The Bulls are now likely to get back their top scorer from this past season, a major boost as Heath looks to improve on a disappointing 10-win season.

Gilchrist is on pace to graduate this summer and could still technically leave to play overseas, but if that were his intent, he would have logically gone through the NBA pre-draft workout process to showcase himself for such a move. With Gilchrist back, the Bulls will have seven of their top eight scorers returning next season (all but center Jarrid Famous), plus five newcomers, including Arizona State transfer Victor Rudd.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 29, 2011

Tampa Bay (2-4) at Milwaukee (1-5)

When/where: 8 tonight; Bradley Center

Radio/TV: 620-AM; niftytv.com

The skinny: The Storm has dropped four of its past five games. Tampa Bay is fourth in the South Division, one game ahead of New Orleans, while Milwaukee, on a two-game losing streak, shares the cellar with Philadelphia in the East. … The Storm holds a 5-3 advantage all time vs. Milwaukee, but Tampa Bay lost 72-61 on the road in the last meeting. … Mustangs receiver and former Seminole Damian Harrell is the Arena Football League's all-time leader in catches (1,126), receiving yards (14,717) and receiving touchdowns (352). … The Storm leads the AFL with 15 team sacks, and LB Cliff Dukes is tops in the league with seven. … Storm WR Huey Whittaker was named AFL offensive player of the week after catching 15 balls for 195 yards and five touchdowns in a 67-61 loss to Dallas on April 23.

Brandon Wright, Times correspondent

Times wires
Friday, April 29, 2011

MEMPHIS — Zach Randolph had 31 points and 11 rebounds as the Grizzlies won their first playoff series, beating the top-seeded Spurs 99-91 in Game 6 on Friday.

Memphis, which began play in Vancouver in 1996, had been best known for empty seats and playoff futility, having gone 0-12 in being swept in each of its first three playoff series. This time, a third consecutive sellout crowd cheered every basket with signs telling the Grizzlies to "Finish Them."

Next for Memphis is Oklahoma City.

The Spurs, who won 61 games during the regular season, got a reprieve in Game 5 on Wednesday, when Gary Neal's 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left got them to overtime. Friday, they led only twice, 2-0 and 80-79 after Antonio McDyess hit a 15-footer with 4:41 left.

That's when Randolph took over, scoring 17 of the Grizzlies' 29 fourth-quarter points.

His hook put them ahead to stay at 81-80. Mike Conley added a jumper. Then while San Antonio turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions, Randolph hit a fallaway jumper, two free throws and another fallaway jumper for an 89-82 lead with 1:55 left.

The Spurs ended this season dropping nine of their last 10 on the road, including all three in Memphis.

Grizzlies 99, Spurs 91

SAN ANTONIO (91): Jefferson 0-2 0-0 0, Duncan 5-13 2-2 12, McDyess 4-7 2-2 10, Parker 10-17 3-4 23, Ginobili 6-14 2-2 16, Hill 3-10 0-0 6, Neal 3-12 2-2 8, Splitter 2-4 0-0 4, Bonner 3-4 1-2 9, Green 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 37-85 12-14 91.

MEMPHIS (99): Young 4-6 0-0 9, Randolph 12-22 7-8 31, Gasol 6-9 0-2 12, Conley 3-9 3-4 9, Allen 4-9 3-4 11, Vasquez 4-8 3-4 11, Battier 1-1 0-0 2, Mayo 1-3 4-6 6, Arthur 3-6 2-2 8, Haddadi 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 38-73 22-30 99.

San Antonio 16 27 23 25— 91

Memphis 24 22 24 29— 99

3-Point Goals—San Antonio 5-22 (Bonner 2-3, Ginobili 2-8, Green 1-2, Jefferson 0-1, Parker 0-1, Hill 0-2, Neal 0-5), Memphis 1-9 (Young 1-1, Allen 0-1, Conley 0-2, Randolph 0-2, Vasquez 0-3). Fouled Out—Hill. Rebounds—San Antonio 44 (Duncan 10), Memphis 49 (Gasol 13). Assists—San Antonio 15 (Parker 4), Memphis 12 (Conley 3). Total Fouls—San Antonio 26, Memphis 18. A—18,119 (18,119).

Bulls: Forward Carlos Boozer sat out practice because of turf toe, a painful sprain to the ligaments around the right big toe joint. Coach Tom Thibodeau said "it's hard to say" if Boozer will be ready for Game 1 against the Hawks on Monday but, "I'm thinking that he will be able to (play)."

Pacers: Owner Herb Simon said he will meet with team president Larry Bird in the next 10 days to determine his future. Bird, hired in 2003, is in the final year of his contract.

Times wires
Friday, April 29, 2011

Hamlin takes win in Nationwide

RICHMOND, Va. — Make it two wins in two nights for Denny Hamlin at his home track.

Hamlin, who was born in Brandon but raised in Virginia, grabbed the lead for the first time 44 laps into Friday night's NASCAR Nationwide series race at Richmond International Raceway and dominated from there.

He lost the lead briefly in the Bubba Burger 250 when he pitted under a green flag and again when Tampa's Aric Almirola got underneath him after the first restart then grabbed it back for good six laps later.

The victory was Hamlin's 11th in NASCAR's second-tier series and came one night after he passed Kyle Busch on the last lap to win his charity race at the track.

"It's one big snowball that's rolling and rolling," he said. "Hopefully it keeps going."

Another Sprint Cup regular, Paul Menard, finished second, followed by Justin Allgaier, who took the series points lead.

Almirola ran out of gas in the closing laps and came back to cross the finish line fifth only to be penalized for speeding on pit road. He wound up 14th.

Hamlin has hosted a charity race in the Richmond area for a few years, but Thursday was the first one at RIR. He said he will give 10 percent of the proceeds from that event to help victims of this week's tornados. His usual charities (the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, St. Jude Children's Hospital and Children's Hospital in Richmond) will get the other 90 percent of money raised.

Montoya takes Richmond pole

Juan Montoya took the pole Friday for tonight's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Richmond with a lap of 128.639 mph on the 0.75-mile oval.

Montoya, still seeking his first oval victory in the series to go with his two road-course wins, earned his second No. 1 starting spot of the season and first ever on a short track.

"If the cars runs somewhere near what it did in practice, we might have a chance," Montoya said.

Regan Smith qualified second, the best starting spot of his career, at 128.352 mph.

Who are they?

Tonight's Cup race is named for U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Matthew Hansen, who won a contest, and his late brother, Daniel. Matthew Hansen, who has been deployed to Iraq three times, won a name-the-race contest in February and shares the honor with his twin brother and fellow Marine, who was killed in action Feb. 14, 2009.

Elsewhere

Kasey Kahne said he expects to feel some soreness in his surgically repaired right knee during tonight's Cup race. He had surgery April 18 on the meniscus. He also had surgery on both knees in November but said he re-injured the right one this season when he slipped while exercising. … Former Indianapolis 500 champ Buddy Rice returns with Panther Racing for the May 29 race. The 2004 Indy winner hasn't raced in IndyCar in two years. … Tony Schumacher set the fast time in the first two rounds of Top Fuel qualifying at the Spring Nationals in Baytown, Texas, with a run of 3.817 seconds at 323.81 mph. John Force (Funny Car), Ronnie Humphrey (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also led their classes.

Times wires

Tribute of the day

Indianapolis 500 officials plan to honor the late Tom Carnegie on May 21 during pole qualifying day. The track's longtime public address announcer died Feb. 11 at 91. Track officials are expected to name the new public address stand in Carnegie's honor, will replay his signature calls throughout qualifying and will play highlights of Carnegie's career on the track's video boards. Carnegie's baritone bellowed trademark phrases such as "He's on it!" and "It's a new track record!" from 1946 to 2006. Even after his retirement, his voice was still heard frequently in May on the track's sound system.

Number of the day

4 Consecutive Sprint Cup wins for Toyota — all by Joe Gibbs Racing — at Richmond, site of tonight's race. Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin have two each.

Times wires
Friday, April 29, 2011

Colleges

USF's top scorer won't go to NBA

TAMPA — Augustus Gilchrist, USF's top scorer last season, will return for his senior season. The power forward's name was not among the 69 of underclassmen submitted to the NBA on Friday, the last day they could do so.

Gilchrist, who scored 13.4 points per game, told USF coach Stan Heath he was putting his name in the draft but leaving open the option of withdrawing before the deadline. He also asked for an evaluation from the league.

With Gilchrist back, the Bulls will have seven of their top eight scorers back next season (all but C Jarrid Famous) plus five newcomers, including Arizona State transfer Victor Rudd.

More basketball: Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan received an extension through 2015-16. Terms were not disclosed.

football: N.C. State granted Russell Wilson, who led the ACC with 3,563 passing yards last season, a release from his scholarship, meaning he is free to transfer. He is playing baseball in the Rockies' system and hasn't decided if he will return for his final season of eligibility. Coach Tom O'Brien previously said redshirt junior Mike Glennon will start.

Tennis

Djokovic remains unbeaten in 2011

Novak Djokovic beat Blaz Kavcic 6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the Serbia Open in Belgrade to improve to 26-0 this year. Djokovic is off to the best start to an ATP season since Ivan Lendl went 29-0 in 1986. John McEnroe set the record of 42-0 in 1984. Djokovic, ranked No. 2, has won 63 of 69 sets and four tournament titles, including the Australian Open. In the semifinals, Djokovic plays fellow Serb Janko Tipsarevic, who beat Somdev Devvarman 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

Estoril Open: Juan Martin del Potro reached the semifinals by beating top-seeded Robin Soderling 6-4, 7-5 in Oeiras, Portugal. The former U.S. Open champ, who missed most of last season after wrist surgery, next faces Pablo Cuevas, who beat Thomaz Belluci 6-4, 6-2.

Figure skating

Olympic champion takes lead at worlds

Olympic champion Kim Yu-na of South Korea led after the short program of the world championships in Moscow. In her first competition since last year's worlds, she scored 65.91 points despite stepping out of her opening triple lutz. Japan's Miki Ando was second, 0.33 behind. U.S. champion Alissa Czisny was fourth. The free skate is today.

Ice dancing: Defending champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada won the short dance. They earned 74.29 points, 0.53 more than Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White. The free dance is today.

ET CETERA

Hockey: Dennis Endras, who plays in the German league, made 31 saves as Germany upset Russia 2-0 on the first day of the world championships in Slovakia. The Oilers' Jordan Eberle scored twice to lead Canada past Belarus 4-1. The United States opens today against Austria.

Obituary: Poland's Waldemar Baszanowski, among the top weightlifters ever, died in Warsaw. He was 75. Mr. Baszanowski was lightweight Olympic champion in 1964 and 1968 and world champion in 1961, 1964, 1965, 1968 and 1969.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer; Times wires

Times wires
Friday, April 29, 2011

AVONDALE, La. — Bubba Watson's mother knew best.

Playing the Zurich Classic of New Orleans only because his mother, Molly, talked him into it because she wanted to watch him play, Watson shot 4-under 68 in shifting winds Friday to take a one-stroke lead over Josh Teater after the second round at TPC Louisiana.

"Mom knew I was going to play pretty good the first two rounds," said Watson, playing a four-hour drive from his hometown, Bagdad, Fla. "We've got two more to go, but she's right so far."

Watson, the Farmers Insurance Open winner in January at Torrey Pines, had a 10-under 134 total on the Pete Dye-designed course, a layout that he doesn't think fits his game.

"For me, it's daunting," Watson said. "There were a lot of tough tee shots for me. A lot of times the water's on the left for me being left-handed. It's hard to overcome, but somehow I'm overcoming it right now."

Teater shot 66, dropping two strokes with double bogey on the par-5 18th. John Rollins was 8 under after 69.

Dean Wilson matched the course record with 64 to join John Senden (67), Jason Dufner (69), Matt Jones (71) and Webb Simpson (69) at 7 under.

The long-hitting Watson eagled the par-5 11th — his second hole of the round — for the second time, holing a 20-footer to get to 8 under. He added a 4-foot birdie putt on 13 and a 13-footer on 14. He bogeyed the 18th when he hit his third shot over the green from a bunker.

"You're not sure what the wind's doing on some holes," said Watson, who has failed to win the three previous times he had the 36-hole lead. "So, you're always watching and trying to see what's going on to figure out how to play the holes."

LPGA: Sandra Gal birdied five of the final eight holes for 5-under 67 and a one-stroke lead over Amy Yang (68) in the LPGA Classic in Mobile, Ala., the tour's only event in a six-week stretch. Gal, who won the Kia Classic last month for her first title, was at 7-under 137. Stacy Lewis (71), the Kraft Nabisco winner three weeks ago, was two strokes back with Karen Stupples (71) and Song-Hee Kim (72). Seminole's Brittany Lincicome (73) was at par 144.

Westwood bounces back: World No. 1 Lee Westwood shot 4-under 68 in the second round of the Ballantine's Championship, bouncing back from a rough first day to stay six strokes off the pace in Seoul, South Korea. Brett Rumford shot 63 to lead at 10-under 134 in the tournament co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the European Tour and the Korea PGA.

Times wires
Friday, April 29, 2011

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers owner Frank McCourt spoke Friday about his divorce and MLB's seizure of the team, saying his sons have released him from a vow he made in 2009 to keep family issues private.

McCourt told KCAL-TV that he would defend himself and his plans to pull the team out of financial trouble.

McCourt said a proposed $30 million loan from television partner Fox would solve the financial problems, but baseball has been too slow to approve it.

He said commissioner Bud Selig would not talk to him, but McCourt did not elaborate.

McCourt said the deal did not need approval from his ex-wife and former Dodgers CEO, Jamie McCourt.

"I'm allowed here to run this business," Frank McCourt said. " … This deal is a great deal for the Dodgers. … It's ready to go, and any questions about the Dodgers' financial stability are solved simply by these documents."

Rob Manfred, MLB's executive vice president of labor relations, said Selig has not vetoed the deal but was waiting for a full investigation into the finances before making a decision.

MLB sent Tom Schieffer to oversee the team's operations. Schieffer said he got his first detailed look at the finances and approved the latest payroll. "It was all within budget," he said.

Meanwhile, attorneys for McCourt filed notice that they are going to appeal the ruling that determined the team is jointly owned by Frank and Jamie McCourt.

More Dodgers: 3B Casey Blake is expected to be out up to six weeks after developing a staph infection in his left elbow.

Guillen sits over tweet

CHICAGO — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was suspended by MLB officials for two games for arguing balls and strikes and then complaining about his ejection on Twitter during a game. MLB also said Guillen, who sat his first game Friday, had been fined an undisclosed amount. Guillen was tossed Wednesday and went on Twitter to say the ejection was pathetic.

"They told me why they're going to do it and they talked to me about taking responsibility," Guillen said. " … I shouldn't be (tweeting) during the game." He added that he will not stop using Twitter at other times.

Braves put pitching coach on leave

ATLANTA — The Braves placed pitching coach Roger McDowell on administrative leave while they investigate allegations he made homophobic comments and crude gestures toward fans before a game in San Francisco last weekend.

McDowell also is accused of using a baseball bat to threaten a fan objecting to his actions.

The former reliever apologized in a statement, but the team barred him from the bench heading into a series against St. Louis.

Lowe charged with DUI: Braves P Derek Lowe apologized after he was charged with drunken driving. He was stopped at 10 p.m. Thursday racing another car down an Atlanta street. The Braves said they would wait for the case to be resolved in the courts before they considered any disciplinary action against Lowe, who will start Sunday vs. the Cardinals.

Blue Jays: OF Rajai Davis (sprained right ankle) was activated, and rookie David Cooper, the team's No. 1 draft pick in 2008, was promoted.

Reds: P Mike Leake was sentenced to counseling and 30 hours of community service after pleading guilty to a charge reduced from theft to unauthorized use of property. He was arrested April 18 after trying to leave a Macy's in Cincinnati with six T-shirts valued at $59.88. He said he wanted to exchange shirts he had bought April 2 because they were too small. Instead of seeking a clerk, he left the small shirts, picked up new ones and tried to leave. Macy's and the Hamilton County court agreed to reduce the charge.