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Captain's Corner: Sardine search

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By Dave Walker Times Correspondent
Friday, March 4, 2011

What's hot: Spring has begun, and fishing has really heated up in Tampa Bay. Typically, this is the best time for shallow-water fishing in our area. If last week was any indication, we are in for a banner year on the flats. The snook population seems to have recovered from last year's deadly repetitive freezing temperatures. Encouraging numbers are cruising around and sunning in the shallows.

Bait collection has been hit and miss. Most sardines are still in deep water, but they should emerge on the flats any day. "He who controls the spice, controls the universe". That quote from Dune could not be more relevant. Those persevering and giving the necessary commitment of time and effort have been rewarded with the "spice" – live, scaled sardines that are extremely enticing to hungry snook. This time of year live bait can be a real chore. Live shrimp or soft plastic jigs are a good substitute.

Tip: Any seasonal preparations should be rushed to completion because time is running out. Soon all tackle and marine service shops will be horribly busy. Down time in prime season is inexcusable.

Dave Walker charters out of Tampa and can be reached at captdavewalker@verizon.net, snookfish.com or (813) 310-6531.


Men's basketball preview: USF Bulls at No. 15 St. John's Red Storm

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 4, 2011

USF at No. 15 St. John's

When/where: 8; Carnesecca Arena, New York

TV/radio: BHSN; 1250-AM

Records: USF 9-20, 3-13 Big East; St. John's 19-10, 11-6

Notable: The Red Storm has been the league's surprise team under first-year coach Steve Lavin. It has beaten six teams that were ranked among the top 13 at the time: Georgetown, Notre Dame, Duke, Connecticut, Pittsburgh and Villanova. Senior guard Dwight Hardy, who averages 18.1 points, scored 34 against Villanova, 33 against UConn and 26 against Duke. … Bulls senior center Jarrid Famous, who is from the Bronx, had a double double in Wednesday's loss to Pittsburgh. … After the game, USF will stay in New York for the Big East tournament, which starts Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

College basketball preview: No. 14 Florida Gators at No. 21 Vanderbilt Commodores

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 4, 2011

No. 14 Florida at No. 21 Vanderbilt

When/where: 6; Memorial Gymnasium, Nashville

TV/radio: ESPN; 970-AM

Records: Florida 23-6, 12-3 SEC; Vanderbilt 21-8, 9-6

Notable: Having already clinched at least a share of the SEC regular-season championship, Florida can win it outright with a win or Alabama loss to Georgia today. … Since its overtime loss at Florida on Feb. 1, Vanderbilt is 6-2 in SEC play. Overall, it ranks second in the league in scoring (76.7 points per game), field-goal percentage (45.8) and 3-point percentage (38.6). Junior G John Jenkins leads the SEC in scoring at 19.4 points per game. … For Florida's Billy Donovan, coaching his 500th game today, a major concern is keeping his players focused. Florida has won 16 of the past 21 games against the Commodores. But Donovan's teams are 6-8 in Nashville. "I think that there are teams traditionally that have played really exceptional at home," he said. "And Vanderbilt is one of those teams."

Antonya English, Times staff writer

Kyle and Kurt Busch ride into hometown 1-2 in points

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Times wires
Friday, March 4, 2011

LAS VEGAS — A seven-year age gap prevented Kurt and Kyle Busch from racing against each other for championships as they were growing up in Las Vegas.

Now stars in NASCAR, their early season results have many wondering if this could be the year the Busch brothers battle for the Sprint Cup title.

They returned to their home track, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, on Friday ranked first and second in the standings, with Kyle holding a three-point lead over his older brother. They are the only two drivers to nab top-10 finishes in the season's first two races.

"I think it would be great for us two to battle each other," Kurt said. "Every time there is a Chase we are involved in together, it seems to draw more attention. If we could do this for a season-long battle, it definitely would draw more attention to what two brothers are doing out there on the racetrack. You see the Williams sisters play against each other in tennis, you see every now and then the (Mannings) play against each other. There's all that extra attention and hype around it."

The brothers have yet to be at the same level at the same time in NASCAR. Kurt won the inaugural 2004 Chase for the Championship. Kyle has flirted with the Cup but has yet to put together a complete 10-race Chase. The closest they've ever been in final points was 2007, when Kyle finished fifth and Kurt seventh.

But Kyle, 25, has emerged as an annual title contender, racking up 16 races over the past four years to Kurt's seven victories.

One of those wins was at Las Vegas in 2008, when Kyle became the first Busch to visit Victory Lane here. It was a monumental moment for the Busch family, who as children watched the track develop..

Kurt, 32, who is winless at Las Vegas, admitted Friday that there's a twinge of resentment that his little brother was the victor.

"The fact that he's won here, yeah, it stings a little bit," Kurt said. "I've been on pole here, he's been on pole, and it's Vegas, one of the top five marquee events of the year. With him winning here, it was great for our family and all the friends who have supported us over the years.

"I just want to be able to do it as well."

There has been hope that the brothers would stage a showdown in Sunday's Kobalt Tools 400 in pursuit of the victory. But Kurt downplayed that possibility because his Dodge was less than impressive all day Friday.

"It just seems like we've been off since we unloaded the car," he said. "We're just heading back with everything to how we ran this race one year ago. Maybe that's something we need to do, just get back to some of the basics. This has been a tough track for me over the years, with engine failures and getting caught up in wrecks. We just hope for a nice smooth run this time around."

Kurt's average finish at Las Vegas is 21.9, and he hasn't finished higher than 23rd the past four years. He qualified 22nd in Friday's session, marking the lowest qualifying effort of his 10 previous visits home.

Kyle, meanwhile, qualified fifth, then took a moment to note the significance of this weekend for his family.

"Coming to Vegas and leading the points … it's cool, it's a great opportunity for both of us to be leading coming to the hometown," Kyle said. "I don't know that there's any added pressure, but there's definitely some resilience there where we're feeling blessed to be in the position we're in."

Wind shifts leaders at Honda Classic

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Times wires
Friday, March 4, 2011

PALM BEACH GARDENS — Delighted to be 5 under at the midway point of the windy Honda Classic, Rory Sabbatini predicted the score would be enough to win the tournament.

A few hours later, his lead was gone.

The gusts of more than 20 mph abated some, and Kyle Stanley took advantage with his late tee time Friday. He shot 4-under 66 for a one-stroke lead over Sabbatini.

Stanley, 23, seeking his first PGA Tour title, was at 6-under 134. Sabbatini was second after shooting 64, matching the tournament's best round since it moved to PGA National in 2007. Charl Schwartzel was third at 3 under after 69.

Stanley had six birdies, including three in a row, to offset two bogeys. He was 1 under on holes 15 through 17, the daunting stretch known as the Bear Trap.

"The wind probably wasn't as strong as it was Thursday," Stanley said. "Late in my round, it wasn't really a factor."

Stanley played at Clemson, turned pro in 2009 and had a career-best 13th-place finish last week in the Mayakoba Golf Classic. "I feel like I've been playing well all year but haven't quite put four good rounds together," he said. "I'm getting better, and that's the main thing."

Among those five shots behind at 1 under were Lee Westwood, who fell to No. 2 in the world rankings this week behind Martin Kaymer, and first-round leader Spencer Levin. Westwood shot 69, Levin 72.

The cut was at 6 over, highest on the tour this year. But the scores improved Friday to an average of 72.3, compared with 73.9 in the opening round.

The wind had many players scrambling. Defending champion and former Gator Camilo Villegas missed the cut, shooting 78 to sit 17 over. Mike Weir had four double bogeys and a triple bogey en route to a career-worst 85, leaving him 22 over.

Obit: Frank Chirkinian, a longtime golf producer for CBS who helped turn the Masters into one of the most-watched sports events on TV, died after a long bout with lung cancer. He was 84. Mr. Chirkinian, who died at his home in North Palm Beach, was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame last month in an emergency vote after it became widely known he was being treated for cancer. He would have been inducted May 9 in St. Augustine.

Game preview: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 4, 2011

Sports in brief

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Times wires
Friday, March 4, 2011

Tennis

U.S., chile split first two davis cup matches

SANTIAGO, Chile — Tampa resident John Isner played another long match Friday. This one, however, he lost.

Isner, who last year won the longest match ever at Wimbledon, fell to Paul Capdeville 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, leaving the United States tied at 1 in its first-round Davis Cup match against Chile. Earlier, Andy Roddick beat Nicolas Massu 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Capdeville, ranked No. 165, had the only break of the 4-hour, 21-minute match, on the next-to-last game.

"I didn't play the big points well," said the No. 32 Isner, who beat Nicolas Mahut 70-68 in the fifth set after 11 hours, 5 minutes over two days at Wimbledon.

Roddick, No. 8, had little trouble with the No. 241 Massu in his first Davis Cup match since 2009.

"It was fun to get out there and battle again," he said.

Wesley Chapel residents Bob and Mike Bryan face Massu and Jorge Aguilar today.

More Davis Cup: Rafael Nadal, in his first match since injuring his left thigh at the Australian Open, beat Ruben Bemelmans 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 as visiting Spain took a 2-0 lead over Belgium.

Boxing

Title fight remains on

Mexico's Saul Alvarez, 20, will fight Matthew Hatton for the vacant WBC super welterweight title tonight in Anaheim, Calif., despite not making weight. Alvarez (35-0-1, 26 knockouts) came in about 2 pounds over the 150-pound limit. Given an extra two hours, he lost only about a half-pound. But Hatton, (41-4-2, 16 knockouts), brother of former 140-pound champion Ricky Hatton, agreed to fight in exchange for an undisclosed financial penalty.

Soccer

Ronaldo out 10-15 days

Forward Cristiano Ronaldo could miss the second leg of Real Madrid's Champions League round of 16 matchup against Lyon with an unspecified leg injury sustained in a league game Thursday. The team said he's out 10-15 days. Madrid earned a 1-1 tie at Lyon in the first leg. The second is March 16.

U.S. women: Lindsay Tarpley and Carli Lloyd scored in a 2-0 win over Norway that clinched a spot in the Algarve Cup final in Portugal. Wednesday's opponent hasn't been set.

Et cetera

Swimming: Michael Phelps won his third gold in three events at the Indianapolis Grand Prix. A day after posting the world's fastest times in 2011 in the 200-meter free and 100 fly, he did the same in the 200 fly, 1 minute, 55.34 seconds. Today, he is set for the 200 individual medley and 100 free.

Bowling: Clermont's Jason Couch and hometown star Ryan Ciminelli earned the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds, respectively, for Sunday's finals of the PBA Mark Roth Plastic Ball Champion­ship in Cheektowaga, N.Y. Parker Bohn and Tom Smallwood also qualified.

Times wires

After leading his basketball team to perfect regular season, Michigan teen collapses and dies

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Times wires
Friday, March 4, 2011

FENNVILLE, Mich. — One moment: a perfect shot to end a perfect season. The star player, 16, lifted up in celebration. Teenagers triumphant, crowds cheering, the district playoffs ahead.

The next: Wes Leonard on the gym floor, his enlarged heart failing, his life fading just a few moments after his victory layup. Packed bleachers stunned by an event that made basketball seem a distant, unimportant memory.

A day after Leonard died from an enlarged heart, this small town near Lake Michigan remembered an "all-American kid" whose athletic heroics had been local legend since middle school.

"He was a good kid, a good friend to have and a good person to hang around with," DeMarcus McGee, who played football and basketball with Leonard, said between sobs. "You never thought it could be him. He was so healthy. It shouldn't happen."

On Thursday evening, Leonard sent the ball through the hoop from close range with less than 30 seconds left in overtime. The shot gave Fennville High a 57-55 victory over Bridgman and a 20-0 regular season.

After the teams exchanged handshakes, Fennville players celebrated. Some tried to organize a team photo. That's when the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Leonard collapsed, with an estimated 1,400 fans watching.

"Thirty seconds earlier, he was laying in the winning bucket," basketball coach Ryan Klingler said. "And then 10 seconds later … everything's pulled out from under you, from out of nowhere."

Leonard was tended to first by a parent EMT, then he was rushed to Holland Hospital. Paramedics performed CPR, and doctors were unable to restart his heart after more than an hour. He was pronounced dead about 10:40 p.m.

An autopsy conducted Friday by the chief medical examiner for Ottawa County showed Leonard died of cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart. Medical examiner David Start said the stress Leonard placed on his heart through athletics could have played a role, but his death could not be easily explained. Leonard likely didn't know he had the condition.

"It shouldn't have been like this," teammate Adam Siegel said. "Too young."

Leonard was a three-year starter on the football team, first as a receiver then as a quarterback and defensive end.

"He had a personality that, when people were around him, they played better," said Tim Schipper, Leonard's football coach. "Everybody around him played better, because he was a leader and the best athlete."

Leonard played basketball as a freshman then spent two seasons as a starter.

"He was just an amazing kid," Klingler said. "What made him special is he had a passion about everything he did."

The Fennville team is scheduled to compete in the Class C district playoffs Monday, but officials at the high school with more than 400 students had not decided whether to play the game.

A visitation for Leonard is Sunday, with a funeral Tuesday.

Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer remembered Leonard, whose mother, Jocelyn, is a choir teacher at the middle and high schools, as "the quintessential all-American kid."

"Beyond his outstanding athletic abilities, Wes was a better person," Weeldreyer said. "His fellow students liked and respected him. Their grief speaks volumes about the high regard in which Wes was held."


Softball: Special spectator on hand as Schinella lifts Newsome over East Bay

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Steve Lee, Times Correspondent
Friday, March 4, 2011

LITHIA — The last time Bailey Schinella's father watched her pitch was tragic. Friday night was a happier occasion with the senior pitching host Newsome to a 6-1 win over East Bay.

Jerry Schinella, who went into cardiac arrest during the seventh inning of a Feb. 8 game against visiting Chamberlain, watched from the parking lot Friday. He is recovering just fine, his daughter said.

"He's always been my coach and it's important for him to come out and see me play," Schinella said.

Schinella scattered four hits and struck out 11 in the decisive win over the Wolves' Class 5A, District 8 rival.

The Indians (5-5) scored their lone run in their first at-bat on Nicole Kennedy's RBI triple. Starting pitcher Sierra Rock hit a two-out single and pinch-runner Hannah Heathley scored on Kennedy's hit.

Newsome (4-1-1 including the forfeit vs. Chamberlain) went ahead with two runs in the bottom of the second. Nicolette Levine and Kylie Brown hit singles with Levine scoring on a wild pitch and Brown racing home on a subsequent throwing error by East Bay catcher Aliceson Holliday.

The Wolves broke open a close game with a three-run fifth highlighted by Schinella's two-run double and two-base error. Caitie Lytle led off that inning with a double and Felecia Heason singled with both runners coming in before Schinella.

"She bats third for me," Newsome coach Dawn Vanella said. "No doubt, she's one of our top hitters."

As for Schinella performing well in front of her father, Vanella said: "I think it means a lot for the whole team."

Auto racing news and notes

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Times wires
Friday, March 4, 2011

Unfamiliar perch for quick Kenseth

LAS VEGAS — Matt Ken­seth was all too aware of his lousy qualifying record, and even with a fast car, he figured he'd screw up his Friday lap around Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

He didn't, though, instead turning a flawless lap at 188.884 mph to set a track record. It was the fifth pole of his Sprint Cup career and first since Darlington in 2009.

"Five in 12 years? That's a little better than I thought," he deadpanned. "Qualifying is not my strong suit, but I knew we had a really fast car. Honestly this is the most nervous I have been before qualifying in probably five years because I knew we had a shot at the pole."

Kenseth, who broke Kurt Busch's year-old qualifying record of 188.719, last won a race in 2009 at California.

Carl Edwards, Kenseth's teammate at Roush Fenway Racing, qualified second followed by Marcos Ambrose and Greg Biffle, another Roush driver, as Fords powered by Roush engines swept the top four spots. Ambrose drives for Richard Petty Motorsports.

Elsewhere

The Indianapolis Star reported Friday that Firestone is leaving IndyCar at the end of this season. The company has been the exclusive supplier for the series for 16 years. … Jon Fogarty earned the pole for today's Grand Prix of Miami grand-Am race at Homestead-Miami Speedway with a lap of 112.415 mph. He teams with Alex Gurney.

NHRA Gatornationals

When: Thursday-March 13

Where: Gainesville Raceway, 11211 N County Road 225

Who: Four pro classes, several other classes

Directions: Take Interstate 75 north to exit 382, turn right (east) at Williston Road (CR 331), go about 5.5 miles to Waldo Road (SR 24), continue north 4 miles, turn left onto NE 53rd Avenue then an immediate right on CR 225 (NE 39th Street), go 3.5 miles north to the track.

Tickets: From $10 daily junior general admission to $360 full-week Top Eliminator Club seats

Websites: NHRA.com or gainesvilleraceway.com

Times wires

Tampa Bay Rays news and notes

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 4, 2011

Announcement of the day

1B Chris Richard, 36, a longtime Triple-A Durham Bull and briefly a Ray, announced his retirement Friday at the Bulls' Fan Fest. Richard played for the Bulls the past four seasons and is the Triple-A club's all-time leader in home runs and RBIs. "He's a great professional; he really served us well," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "He did a lot of good work on the Triple-A level. Great personality. I am certain he's going to be very successful whatever he chooses to do next."

Flashback of the day

RHP Matt Bush, who threw a scoreless inning Friday against the host Twins, said he had mixed memories of Hammond Stadium. It was the last place he pitched last season for Class A Charlotte before being shut down and having radial nerve surgery on his arm. But in 2003, when Bush was a high school shortstop prospect in San Diego, he hit a homer in an all-America game. He became the top overall pick in the 2004 draft.

Rays vs. Twins

When/where: 1:05 today; Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte

Radio: 620-AM

Tickets: Reserved seats $19-$27, berm/boardwalk $10. Through raysbaseball.com and Ticketmaster, at Tropicana Field and Charlotte Sports Park box offices and Tampa team store.

Gates open: 11 a.m.

Directions: Driving time from bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 south to Exit 179 (Toledo Blade Road), go west 6½ miles (crossing U.S. 41) to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, complex is on left.

Parking: $10, lots open at 10

Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)

Pitchers: Rays — Andy Sonnanstine, Adam Russell, Chris Bootcheck, Chris Archer; Twins — Nick Blackburn, Matt Capps, Jeff Manship, Pat Neshek, Dusty Hughes, Deolis Guerra

Heads-up

RHP Andy Sonnanstine will try to bounce back from his outing Tuesday, when he gave up five homers vs. the Orioles. RHP Chris Archer, a key prospect acquired in the Matt Garza trade, will pitch in relief.

Who is this Ray?

This utilityman from Sacramento, Calif., who spent three seasons with the Blue Jays, has actually pitched one game, for the Brewers last season. He was signed as a minor-league free agent last month.

On deck

Sunday: at Phillies (ss), 1:05. Rays — Wade Davis; Phillies — Cliff Lee

Upcoming schedule

March

7: at Pirates

8: Blue Jays

9: Blue Jays, and vs. Netherlands at St. Petersburg

10: Red Sox

11: Pirates

12: at Phillies (ss)

13: at Blue Jays

14: Off

15: Marlins

16: at Marlins

17:- at Yankees, 7:05

18: Red Sox (ss), 7:05

19: at Twins

20: Orioles

21: Yankees, 7:05

22: at Red Sox, 7:05

23: Phillies

24: at Astros

25: Pirates

26: Orioles

27: at Pirates

28: at Yankees, 7:05

29: at Red Sox

30: vs. Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, 4:10

Who is this Ray answer: INF Joe Inglett

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Silva takes blame for Cubs scuffle

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Times wires
Friday, March 4, 2011

MESA, Ariz. — Cubs pitcher Carlos Silva said he accepts the blame for his dugout confrontation with third baseman Aramis Ramirez, but he insisted he made an innocuous comment that was taken the wrong way.

"I don't feel like the bad guy," Silva told reporters Friday, adding that he apologized to Ramirez and they would "talk later," but that conversation apparently had not happened.

The two scuffled after a six-run first inning vs. Milwaukee on Wednesday in which Silva gave up two homers and the Cubs committed three errors, one by Ramirez.

Silva said he made an offhand comment that the Cubs "need to start making plays here," and his third baseman took exception.

"It was my fault because you don't say anything," Silva said. "But he took it personally."

More Cubs: Former Rays pitcher Matt Garza gave up one single in two scoreless innings in a 5-4 loss to the Royals after he was hit by a liner off the bat of Jeff Francoeur.

The ball ricocheted off Garza to shortstop Starlin Castro, who threw out Francoeur at first base. Cubs manager Mike Quade and the trainer rushed to the mound, but Garza shook off the pain and finished the inning by retiring two more hitters.

"Everything's fine," said Garza, who had a welt on his back after throwing 20 strikes in 26 pitches.

Indians: Centerfielder Grady Sizemore took part in some team drills for the first time as he works his way back from knee surgery. This week, general manager Chris Antonetti said it was unlikely that Sizemore will be ready for opening day. … Shin Soo-Choo was in rightfield for the first time and reported no problems with his left elbow after playing five innings.

Padres: Bench coach Rick Renteria had surgery to fix a facial bone after being hit by a line drive in batting practice Thursday and could return today.

Rangers: GM Jon Daniels agreed to terms on a four-year extension through 2015.

Red Sox: Right-hander Josh Beckett threw 40 pitches with no problems in a three-inning, simulated game. Beckett missed his scheduled start after he experienced mild concussion symptoms after being hit in the left temple Monday by an errant ball while shagging flies during batting practice. Beckett is expected to make his start Tuesday.

Twins: Right-hander Joe Nathan pitched a perfect inning against the Rays in the closer's second appearance in his comeback from major elbow surgery.

White Sox: Right-hander Jake Peavy pitched two scoreless innings against the Angels in his first outing since ripping his right shoulder in July. The 2007 NL Cy Young winner struck out two and walked one. Peavy reached 92 mph with a fastball that Torii Hunter grounded into a double play. "It was a good day, get big-league hitters out and feel good about it," he said.

Rose divorcing: Court records in Los Angeles show all-time hits leader Pete Rose, 69, has filed for divorce from his wife of nearly 27 years, Carol, citing irreconcilable differences.

UM depth chart has a big QB surprise

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Times wires
Friday, March 4, 2011

CORAL GABLES — First-year Miami coach Al Golden warned that the opening depth chart for spring football would have some "wake-up calls." And as the Hurricanes open practice today, he wasn't kidding.

At quarterback, Jacory Harris and Stephen Morris, who last season started nine and four games, respectively, are ultimately expected to compete for the starting job. But atop the depth chart is Spencer Whipple (6-of-12 for 54 yards and two interceptions), the son of former offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. Harris is second, Morris third.

In Golden's mind, Miami has no returning starters.

"My plan for choosing a starter," Golden said, "is (the players are) going to choose a starter."

At left tackle, Seantrel Henderson, who started nine games as a freshman last season, is No. 2 behind Malcolm Bunche. Other surprises include converted fullback John Calhoun as the first-string tight end (Asante Cleveland will miss the spring because of an undisclosed injury) and sophomore-to-be Jimmy Gaines over senior-to-be Jordan Futch at middle linebacker.

"Some guys got their butts beat out in the offseason program," Golden said. "And now it's going to be up to them to try to win this second phase. We made sure the kids knew how it was going to be declared, how the depth was going to be listed going into spring. And that was based on the offseason."

Clemson: Star tailback Andre Ellington, who had offseason toe surgery, was cleared to run but will miss spring drills. He's expected to be ready for fall practice.

Georgia: Redshirt sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray said he will be 100 percent by spring practice, which starts Thursday. The Plant High graduate sprained his right ankle during a pickup soccer game Feb. 19.

Oregon: The school said it has been contacted by the NCAA to provide documentation about its use of two recruiting services. Yahoo Sports and ESPN reported Oregon paid a combined $28,000 to two men who ran recruiting services that typically provide biographical information and video about players. If either guided a recruit to Oregon, it would violate NCAA rules. Coach Chip Kelly and athletic director Rob Mullens said the school believes its use of such services is allowed.

Men's basketball

Duke: Coach Mike Krzyzewski said star freshman point guard Kyrie Irving has been cleared for "a few basketball-related activities" as he recovers from a right big toe injury. But he added he doesn't expect Irving, who averaged 17 points while starting all eight games before the injury, to return this season.

Tampa: Idris Mays, a two-time first-team all-conference pick who led the Spartans to three NCAA Tournament berths in 1991-95, was inducted into the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame.

Wash. St.: Klay Thompson, the Pac-10's leading scorer at 21.4 per game, won't play in today's game against UCLA, which is critical for the Cougars' tournament hopes, after being cited for suspicion of misdemeanor marijuana possession. Police in Pullman, Wash., said after Thursday's win against USC, Thompson was stopped because of a broken headlight and a search turned up the marijuana. An arraignment hasn't been scheduled.

Baseball: Brian Johnson struck out nine over five scoreless innings to lead host Florida (8-1) past Miami (4-5) 8-3. … Randy Fontanez allowed five hits and struck out eight over eight innings as host USF (3-5) beat Florida A&M (4-7) 5-0. The final two games of the series will be a doubleheader starting at 4 today. Sunday's game was moved up because of anticipated bad weather.

UM depth chart has QB surprise

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Times wires
Friday, March 4, 2011

CORAL GABLES — First-year Miami coach Al Golden warned that the opening depth chart for spring football would have some "wake-up calls." And as the Hurricanes open practice today, he wasn't kidding.

At quarterback, Jacory Harris and Stephen Morris, who last season started nine and four games, respectively, are ultimately expected to compete for the starting job. But atop the depth chart is Spencer Whipple, the son of former offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. Harris is second, Morris third.

Whipple barely played last season, going 6-of-12 for 54 yards and two interceptions. But in Golden's mind, the Hurricanes have no returning starters.

"My plan for choosing a starter," Golden said, "is (the players are) going to choose a starter."

At left tackle, 6-foot-8, 340-pound Seantrel Henderson, who started nine games as a freshman last season, is No. 2 behind Malcolm Bunche. Other surprises include converted fullback John Calhoun as the first-string tight end (Asante Cleveland will miss the spring because of an undisclosed injury) and sophomore-to-be Jimmy Gaines over senior-to-be Jordan Futch at middle linebacker.

"Some guys got their butts beat out in the offseason program," Golden said. "And now it's going to be up to them to try to win this second phase. We made sure the kids knew how it was going to be declared, how the depth was going to be listed going into spring. And that was based on the offseason."

Clemson: Star tailback Andre Ellington, who had offseason toe surgery, was cleared to run but will miss spring drills. He's expected to be ready for fall practice.

Georgia: Redshirt sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray said he will be 100 percent by spring practice, which starts Thursday. The Plant High graduate sprained his right ankle during a pickup soccer game Feb. 19.

Oregon: The school said it has been contacted by the NCAA to provide documentation about its use of two recruiting services. Yahoo Sports and ESPN reported Oregon paid a combined $28,000 to two men who ran recruiting services that typically provide biographical information and video about players. If either guided a recruit to Oregon, it would violate NCAA rules. Coach Chip Kelly and athletic director Rob Mullens said the school believes its use of such services is allowed.

Men basketball

Duke: Coach Mike Krzyzewski said star freshman point guard Kyrie Irving has been cleared for "a few basketball-related activities" as he recovers from a right big toe injury. But he added he doesn't expect Irving, who averaged 17 points while starting all eight games before the injury, to return this season: "(Duke has) a responsibility that … we take care of his future."

Wash. St.: Klay Thompson, the Pac-10's leading scorer at 21.4 per game, won't play in today's game against UCLA, which is critical for the Cougars' tournament hopes, after being cited for suspicion of misdemeanor marijuana possession. Police in Pullman, Wash., said after Thursday's home win against Southern Cal, Thompson was stopped because of a broken headlight and a search turned up the marijuana. An arraignment hasn't been scheduled.

Baseball: Brian Johnson struck out nine over five scoreless innings to lead host Florida (8-1) past Miami (4-5) 8-3. … Randy Fontanez allowed five hits and struck out eight over eight innings as host USF (3-5) beat Florida A&M (4-7) 5-0. The final two games of the series will be a doubleheader starting at 4 today. Sunday's game was moved up because of anticipated bad weather.

Injury muddies Yanks' backup catching spot

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Times wires
Friday, March 4, 2011

TAMPA — Yankees backup C Francisco Cervelli will be in a protective boot for at least four weeks because of a broken left foot, and it's uncertain when he will be able to play again, the team said Friday.

Cervelli was hurt when he fouled a ball off his foot Wednesday; the break is above the toes.

Test results will be reviewed by a foot specialist.

"How long it would take after, if it was healed, you don't know," manager Joe Girardi said before a 5-3 loss to the Red Sox.

Girardi said there are no plans to use Jorge Posada, who is moving from catcher to designated hitter, behind the plate in spring games.

Jesus Montero, Austin Romine and Gustavo Molina are the contenders to back up starter Russell Martin, who is hitless in nine at-bats so far.

Good Outing: RHP Bartolo Colon allowed two hits and struck out five in three innings vs. Red Sox backups. The 2005 AL Cy Young winner, who was out of baseball last year, is trying to earn a rotation spot.

Soriano session: RHP Rafael Soriano, the former Rays closer turned setup man, threw 20 pitches in a batting practice session. Three of 11 swings resulted in the ball being put in play. "Probably as many swings and misses in a batting practice session as I've ever seen," Girardi said.

Jays: Litsch shines

KISSIMMEE — RHP Jesse Litsch, a Pinellas Park native and former Rays bat boy, fared well in his second spring start, shutting out the Braves over three innings in a 7-5 victory. He struck out four, allowing one hit.

"We have two spots in the rotation up for grabs," manager John Farrell said. "If he keeps going like this, he has a great chance."

Litsch was 1-5 in nine starts last season, but Farrell said he sees a new pitcher this year. "The competition is still open, but he made a statement," he said.

Phils: Shaky, but okay

BRADENTON — RHP Joe Blanton didn't let a handful of early hits get in the way of having a productive outing.

Blanton allowed two runs and four hits in 3 2/3 innings as the Phillies beat the Pirates 7-4.

"I would have liked to finish that inning, definitely, but I feel more comfortable, which is a positive step at this time," said Blanton, the fifth starter in the vaunted rotation.

He gave up a one-out double in the first inning then three singles. But Blanton retired the next eight batters.

First Time out: LHP Antonio Bastardo, who had soreness in his throwing elbow, made his spring debut for the Phillies and earned the save with two strikeouts in a hitless ninth.

Short Hops: 1B Ryan Howard hit a tiebreaking homer for the Phillies in the sixth inning. Howard and SS Jimmy Rollins each got two hits. … The Phillies took the lead with three runs in the seventh inning against Fernando Nieve and Michael Dubee, son of Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee.


One more week for league, union

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Times wires
Friday, March 4, 2011

WASHINGTON — Timeout, NFL. And NFLPA.

Buying time to try to close big gaps on big issues, the NFL and the players union agreed Friday to extend the deadline for negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement by a week.

The current labor deal had been set to run out Thursday night. But the sides used an initial 24-hour extension to discuss and vote on the second, lengthier delay. Now the league and union will take a break over the weekend to assess their positions, resume mediation Monday, then have until the end of next Friday to talk.

"We're obviously having a lot of dialogue," commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday, the 11th day that he and NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith have spent time at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. "We met for a lot of days. And we are going to meet for more."

The sides have delayed a lockout but are still not close to a new CBA

"It's a challenge," NFL general counsel and lead labor negotiator Jeff Pash said. "We've got very serious issues. We've got significant differences."

Most significant: money.

The Associated Press reported that the union has not agreed to any major economic concessions — and that the NFL has not agreed to the union's demand that the league completely open its books and share all financial information.

Goodell and Pash declined to discuss any details as they spoke outside federal mediator George Cohen's office about 3 p.m., and Smith did the same on a sidewalk in front of the NFLPA's headquarters about three city blocks away.

Referring to next week's round of bargaining, Smith said: "We look forward to a deal coming out of that."

BURRESS FREE EARLIER: Former Giants Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress is to get out of prison in June, after officials agreed to shave about three months off his time in a gun case. A committee of prison-system staffers decided the receiver was eligible for time off for good behavior, so he can be freed after about 21 months of his two-year sentence, system spokeswoman Linda Foglia said. Burress' release is set for June 6.

DRIVE-UP LEADS TO ARREST: Eagles tackle King Dunlap has been charged with reckless driving and disorderly conduct for driving his Cadillac Escalade onto the plaza outside the arena hosting the SEC women's basketball tournament. Nashville police say Dunlap drove his 2004 Escalade onto the sidewalk and parked near the front doors Friday. He told officers he was picking up his father, who uses a wheelchair. Police say they asked Dunlap to move to the nearby street while offering to help with his father. Dunlap refused and was arrested.

MORE JURISPRUDENCE: Authorities say former Raiders defensive end Anthony Wayne Smith, who played for the team from 1991-97, and two others have been charged with murder in the 2008 beating and shooting death of a 31-year-old man in northern Los Angeles County. A district attorney's spokeswoman said a judge postponed arraignment for Smith, 43, and two other suspects until March 17.

LIONS: Cornerback Nathan Vasher was re-signed to a one-year contract. … Former UCF running back Kevin Smith did not receive a tender offer, likely ending his three-year stint with Detroit.

PACKERS: Super Bowl-winning coach Mike McCarthy signed a three-year extension expected to boost his salary from $4 million per year to around $5 million, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

RAIDERS: The team tendered deals to tight end Zach Miller and running back Michael Bush, keeping the right to match any offers they get if they become restricted free agents.

TITANS: Coach Mike Munchak filled out his coaching staff by hiring Curtis Fuller as assistant secondary coach and Charles London as offensive assistant/quality control.

Kovalchuk a winner again

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Times wires
Friday, March 4, 2011

NEWARK, N.J. — Ilya Kovalchuk scored on a power play with 24.9 seconds left in overtime and the Devils continued their remarkable playoff push with a 2-1 victory over the Penguins on Friday night.

The goal was the second straight winner for Kovalchuk — he scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over the Lightning on Wednesday — his sixth in the past 12 games and his ninth of the season.

More important, it gave New Jersey its 19th win in 23 games (19-2-2) and handed the injury-ravaged Penguins their eighth loss in 10 (2-5-3).

Travis Zajac scored for the Devils in regulation, and Tyler Kennedy tallied for Pittsburgh, which, while slowly getting healthy, is without top forwards Evgeni Malkin (season-ending knee injury), Sidney Crosby (concussion) and Chris Kunitz (lower body), and top-four defenseman Brooks Orpik (broken finger).

Pittsburgh played with five defensemen for most of the game after Kris Letang got a game misconduct for not having his jersey tied down in a fight with Travis Zajac 6:14 into the first period.

Game highlights: Derek Stepan had a goal and an assist, Mats Zuccarello and Artem Anisimov scored 12 seconds apart in the second, and the Rangers ended a three-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the host Senators.

Islanders' Gillies gets 10-game suspension

Islanders forward Trevor Gillies was suspended by the league for 10 games for a hit to the head in his first game back from a nine-game suspension for the same thing.

Gillies, a key combatant in New York's fight-filled win over Pittsburgh on Feb. 11, played four shifts totaling 1:51 of ice time Wednesday before he was ejected for throwing an elbow at the head of Wild forward Cal Clutterbuck 2:23 into the second period of the Islanders' 4-1 win.

Gillies was given a major penalty for checking from behind and ejected. Clutterbuck stayed in the game and played Thursday against the Rangers.

"There can be no justification for a player delivering a dangerous check to an opponent in this manner," league disciplinarian Colin Campbell said in a statement.

Gillies said there was "no intent to injure him at all" and he was trying to finish his check on Clutterbuck, who had boarded New York's Justin DiBenedetto moments before.

Clutterbuck called the hit a "big joke."

Gillies — who has 220 penalty minutes and two points in 48 career games — earned a nine-game suspension for charging Pittsburgh forward Eric Tangradi, hitting him high with an elbow and punching him as he lay on the ice in the brawl-marred Feb. 11 game. Tangradi remains out with a concussion.

Bruins: The team will be without defenseman Steve Kampfer and leading scorer Patrice Bergeron against the Penguins tonight. Kampfer sustained what coach Claude Julien called a mild concussion against the Lightning on Thursday and is expected to miss about a week. Bergeron was excused for personal reasons and was out of town, ESPN reported. Kampfer left Thursday's game in the second after a hit by Mattias Ritola and never returned.

Devils: Center David Steckel said he reached out to apologize to the Penguins' Sidney Crosby for his hit to the head that contributed to Crosby's concussion. The hit occurred during the Jan. 1 Winter Classic while he was with the Capitals. Steckel said he reached out through Penguins defenseman Deryk Engelland, who was his AHL teammate in Hershey. "I said, 'Tell Sid I'm really sorry. I didn't see him at all,' " said Steckel, acquired from Washington in a trade Monday. "And I haven't talked to him since." Four days after that hit, Crosby was hit from behind into the boards by the Lightning's Victor Hedman. He hasn't played since. The Penguins say he still has concussion symptoms.

Oilers: Wing Taylor Hall, the first overall pick in last year's draft, will miss the rest of the season with a high left ankle sprain sustained in his first NHL fight, Thursday vs. the Blue Jackets.

at Devils01012
Penguins01001

First PeriodNone. PenaltiesLetang, Pit, major-game misconduct (fighting), 6:14; Zajac, NJ, major (fighting), 6:14.

Second Period1, New Jersey, Zajac 10 (Palmieri, Greene), 3:43. 2, Pittsburgh, Kennedy 15, 5:58. PenaltiesZubrus, NJ (high-sticking), 14:03.

Third PeriodNone. PenaltiesWhite, NJ (boarding), 7:33.

Overtime3, New Jersey, Kovalchuk 23 (Elias, Rolston), 4:35 (pp). PenaltiesMichalek, Pit (hooking), 2:46. Shots on GoalPittsburgh 9-7-10-0—26. New Jersey 8-13-6-3—30. Power-play opportunitiesPittsburgh 0 of 2; New Jersey 1 of 1. GoaliesPittsburgh, B.Johnson 9-5-3 (30 shots-28 saves). New Jersey, Brodeur 16-19-2 (26-25). A17,625 (17,625).

Rangers1214
at Senators0011

First Period1, N.Y. Rangers, Prospal 4 (Avery), 10:08. PenaltiesCallahan, NYR (holding), 7:17; Svatos, Ott (tripping), 11:45; Zuccarello, NYR (boarding), 16:13.

Second Period2, N.Y. Rangers, Zuccarello 4 (Stepan, Wolski), 6:26. 3, N.Y. Rangers, Anisimov 15 (Callahan, Girardi), 6:38. PenaltiesKarlsson, Ott (tripping), 8:49.

Third Period4, N.Y. Rangers, Stepan 18 (Wolski, Eminger), 2:25. 5, Ottawa, Gonchar 7 (Spezza, Karlsson), 4:56 (pp). PenaltiesBoyle, NYR (roughing), 1:28; Neil, Ott (roughing), 1:28; Gilroy, NYR (high-sticking), 4:06; Foligno, Ott (tripping), 15:51; Karlsson, Ott (tripping), 18:52. Shots on GoalN.Y. Rangers 8-9-10—27. Ottawa 8-10-11—29. Power-play opportunitiesN.Y. Rangers 0 of 4; Ottawa 1 of 3. GoaliesN.Y. Rangers, Lundqvist 26-23-4 (29 shots-28 saves). Ottawa, Anderson 17-18-3 (27-23). A17,497 (19,153).

Playoff chase

With nonshootout wins (the first tiebreaker) and games remaining. Division winners get the top three seeds:

East Pts. Wins GR

1. Flyers 86 38 19

2. Bruins 83 37 18

3. Lightning 81 32 18

4. Penguins82 32 16

5. Capitals 80 33 17

6. Canadiens 77 33 17

7. Rangers72 27 15

8. Hurricanes* 71 27 17

9. Sabres 68 25 19

10. Maple Leafs 67 25 17

11. Thrashers 63 23 17

West Pts. Wins GR

1. Canucks 89 37 17

2. Red Wings 85 35 17

3. Sharks 82 33 17

4. Blackhawks* 76 30 18

5. Kings 76 29 18

6. Coyotes 76 30 16

7. Predators 75 27 17

8. Flames* 75 26 16

9. Stars* 74 29 19

10. Wild 74 32 17

11. Ducks* 73 30 18

12. Blue Jackets* 69 27 19

* Late result not included

Track: Seniors help Ridgewood top field

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Andy Villamarzo, Times Correspondent
Friday, March 4, 2011

NEW PORT RICHEY — It's early in the season, but Ridgewood is starting to shape into midseason form.

The Rams are counting on key contributors such as jumper Ricki Goff and sprinter Karissa Bertling to help lift the Rams to their first conference crown in seven seasons.

Friday night demonstrated Ridgewood, competing in its second meet of the season, may end that drought in a couple months as it easily topped the girls field with 171 points and the boys edged Pasco 104-96 at Des Little Stadium.

"I have 13 or 14 seniors and they're definitely stepping up this season," Ridgewood coach Sue Vien said. "I'm pleased and I know some of the stronger teams were here tonight, but with Wiregrass in the picture, I hope we see them soon. I don't know when we will see them before conference, but it was a team effort to win this meet tonight and that's what it's going to take every time."

Goff and teammate Ashley Rodriguez finished second and third in both the high hurdles (16.88, 17.78) and 300-meter hurdles (50.89, 53.16). Bertling had a strong meet showing, as the senior claimed victories in the 100 (12.05), 200 (25.89) and 400 (1:00) and finished second in the high jump (4 feet, 8 inches).

"I improved upon on all my times, but it's still the beginning of the year," Bertling said.

Others who performed well were Land O'Lakes' Nicole Woodard, who took the high jump (4-10) and long jump (16-6), and Wesley Chapel's Ravin Gilbert was second in the 100 (12.38) and 200 (26.57).

On the boys side, Max Livingstone led the way for the Rams by taking the 200 (25.89) and 400 (52.45). Pasco's Anthony Plourde won the 3200 with a time of 10:03, and Janarion Grant won the long jump (22-11/2). Wesley Chapel's Hunter Joyer easily won the shot put (58-8) and discus (127.9).

Once again, FSU is one and done at ACC

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Times wires
Friday, March 4, 2011

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Laura Broomfield had 15 points and 11 rebounds to help No. 19 North Carolina beat No. 14 Florida State 78-65 in the ACC quarterfinals Friday.

North Carolina had lost four straight entering the tournament but has won two to reach today's semis against No. 10 Miami. Meanwhile, this marks the second straight season FSU (23-7) lost its first game after earning a bye.

Down 17 in the second half, the Seminoles got five points from Cierra Bravard and two 3-pointers from Courtney Ward during a 17-4 run that pulled them within 58-57 with 9:28 left.

But Ward's second 3, with 10:50 left, was FSU's last field goal. It missed its final 18 shots.

"I don't think we really attacked the basket or got the ball inside as much as we should have," said Bravard, who had 20 points and 12 rebounds. "And we got outplayed."

More ACC: No. 10 Miami pulled away to beat N.C. State 93-85. After losing all but one point of a 19-point lead, it went on a 15-6 run. … Jasmine Thomas capped first-half runs of 12-0 and 18-3 with baskets to help No. 8 Duke beat Wake Forest 79-50. Duke faces Georgia Tech, which upset No. 13 Maryland 70-64. Sasha Goodlett scored eight of her 18 during an 18-5 second-half run for the Yellow Jackets.

SEC: Gators fade

NASHVILLE — Glory Johnson scored a career-high 25 to help lead No. 4 Tennessee past Florida 92-75 in the SEC quarterfinals. The Gators (18-14) trailed just 38-36 at halftime, but Johnson scored the second half's first six over 1:25.

"I told the team in the locker room there were a lot of things we could have done better, but there's no way we could have fought any harder than we did," Florida coach Amanda Butler said. "However, we didn't come here to put up a good fight."

More SEC: Georgia scored the game's first seven points and did not trail in beating South Carolina 66-34. … A'dia Mathies' three-point play with 38.8 seconds left lifted No. 16 Kentucky past LSU 60-58. The Wildcats face the winner of Friday's late game between Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.

Big East: USF falls

HARTFORD, Conn. — Playing without top scorer Andrea Smith for all but 58 seconds, USF lost to Pittsburgh 63-60 in the first round of the Big East tournament. Smith, a second-team All-Big East selection, injured her knee. Results of Friday's MRI exam were not available.

Down 15 in the second half, the Bulls (12-19) rallied to take the lead with 49 seconds left on Leondra Doomes-Stephens' free throw. Pitt, which faces No. 20 Marquette today, retook the lead on a three-point play by Chelsea Cole with 28 seconds left.

More Big East: Syracuse used a 20-5 run bridging the halves to rout Seton Hall 74-44. It faces No. 17 Georgetown. … West Virginia held Cincinnati scoreless for the first 6:40 of the second half in a 66-41 win. Up next is St. John's. … Freshman Devon Kane made the go-ahead layup with a minute left as Villanova beat Providence 52-50 in overtime. Next is Louisville.

No. 11 Mich. St. 56, N'western 25: The Spartans forced 23 turnovers in the Big Ten quarterfinals in Indianapolis. The Wildcats made just 10 of 46 shots and 0 of 16 3-pointers but fell shy of the Division I record for points. That's 11 by Tennessee State in an 82-11 loss to Georgia Tech on Dec. 30.

No. 21 Marist 61, St. Peter's 33: Erica Allenspach scored all 16 of her points in the first half, including consecutive 3-pointers that started a 10-0 run, as the Red Foxes won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference quarterfinal in Bridgeport, Conn.

Ohio St. 71, No. 24 Iowa 61: Brittany Johnson made seven 3s and scored 17 of her 23 in the second half for the Buckeyes in the Big Ten quarterfinals.

Tampa: Senior Gianna Messina made her third consecutive All-Sunshine State Conference first team. Teammate Lindsey Watson was named freshman of the year.

. Fast facts

Sunshine State Conference

All games at Florida Tech in Melbourne.

Women

Today's semis: Tampa vs. Florida Tech, noon; Eckerd vs. Florida Southern, 2:30

Sunday's final: 1, BHSN

Men

Today's semis: Eckerd vs. Florida Southern, 5; Tampa vs. Rollins, 7:30

Sunday's final: 3:30, BHSN

Gators keep it close before Vols pull away

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Times wires
Friday, March 4, 2011

NASHVILLE — Glory Johnson had 11 rebounds and a career-high 25 points and Shekinna Stricklen 20 points to help lead No. 4 Tennessee past Florida 92-75 in the SEC tournament quarterfinals Friday.

"Being a post player, you have to get your touches from the guards," said Johnson, whose team faces Georgia in today's semifinals. "I'm not trying to take all the credit. I have off games. There's times where I'm not hitting shots and pulling rebounds. That's why I rely on my teammates. (Friday), they relied on me and Shekinna."

The Gators (18-14) trailed just 38-36 at halftime. But Johnson scored the second half's first six points — a long-range jumper, shot in the paint and fastbreak layup — over the first 1:25.

"We knew they were going to come out at halftime and come out on a run," Florida guard Deana Allen said. "When Glory was scoring back to back to back, it deflated us in a way. We knew we had to answer."

Jordan Jones' ensuing 3-pointer made it 44-39. But that was as close as Florida got.

"I told the team in the locker room there were a lot of things we could have done better, but there's no way we could have fought any harder than we did," Florida coach Amanda Butler said. "However, we didn't come here to put up a good fight."

More SEC: Georgia scored the game's first seven points and did not trail in beating South Carolina 66-34. … A'dia Mathies' three-point play with 38.8 seconds left lifted No. 16 Kentucky past LSU 60-58. Victoria Dunlap made a free throw with 12.5 seconds left for the Wildcats, who face the winner of Friday's late game between Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. Then the Tigers missed two shots.

Big East: USF falls

HARTFORD, Conn. — Playing without top scorer Andrea Smith for all but 58 seconds, USF lost to Pittsburgh 63-60 in the first round of the Big East tournament.

Smith, a second-team All-Big East selection, injured her knee. Results of Friday's MRI exam were not available.

Down 15 in the second half, the Bulls (12-19) rallied to take the lead with 49 seconds left on Leondra Doomes-Stephens' free throw. Pittsburgh, which faces No. 20 Marquette today, retook the lead on a three-point play by Chelsea Cole with 28 seconds left. And Doomes-Stephens and Andrell Smith missed 3-pointers during the final five seconds.

More Big East: Syracuse used a 20-5 run bridging the halves to rout Seton Hall 74-44. The Orange, which faces No. 17 Georgetown, has won games in consecutive conference tournaments for the first time since 1985 and 1986. … Up 37-23, West Virginia held Cincinnati scoreless for the first 6:40 of the second half on its way to a 66-41 victory. Up next is St. John's.

ACC: No. 10 Miami pulled away late to beat N.C. State 93-85 in the quarterfinals in Greensboro, N.C. After losing all but one point of their 19-point lead, the Hurricanes, who play the winner of the late game between No. 14 Florida State and No. 19 North Carolina, went on a 15-6 run. … Jasmine Thomas capped first-half runs of 12-0 and 18-3 with baskets to help No. 8 Duke beat Wake Forest 79-50. The Blue Devils have beaten the Demon Deacons 35 consecutive times dating to the 1993 ACC tournament. Duke faces Georgia Tech, which upset No. 13 Maryland 70-64. Sasha Goodlett tied a season high with 18, eight during an 18-5 second-half run for the Yellow Jackets.

No. 11 Mich. St. 56, N'western 25: The Spartans forced 23 turnovers in the Big Ten quarterfinals in Indianapolis. The Wildcats made just 10 of 46 shots and 0 of 16 3-pointers but fell shy of the Division I record for points. That's 11 by Tennessee State in an 82-11 loss to Georgia Tech on Dec. 30.

No. 21 Marist 61, St. Peter's 33: Erica Allenspach scored all 16 of her points in the first half, including consecutive 3-pointers that started a 10-0 run, as the Red Foxes won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference quarterfinal in Bridgeport, Conn.

. Fast facts

Sunshine State Conference

All games at Florida Tech in Melbourne.

Women

Today's semis: Tampa vs. Florida Tech, noon; Eckerd vs. Florida Southern, 2:30

Sunday's final: 1, BHSN

Men

Today's semis: Eckerd vs. Florida Southern, 5; Tampa vs. Rollins, 7:30

Sunday's final: 3:30, BHSN

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