Times wires
Monday, April 16, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Now 72, Jack Nicklaus jokes that he can't remember what happened yesterday.

Yet he never has forgotten what it was like to hit the most famous shots of his illustrious career.

"I can still feel it, it feels the same," he said Monday at a charity luncheon affiliated with the Memorial Tournament, which he founded and hosts. "You can still feel the shot, the way it came off your hands, 30 or 40 years later. I still have that same feeling. I haven't matched it lately. I do know that feeling, though. And it's kind of fun to know what it feels like in golf."

The years have not dimmed the sweet spot he hit on the 1 iron that he drilled through the wind and off the pin at 17 to take the 1972 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, or the 5 iron with a slight draw at 16 that helped him win the 1986 Masters at age 46.

Nicklaus, who helped raise $275,000 at the luncheon for Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, appeared with defending Memorial winner Steve Stricker and two-time U.S. Open champion and golf analyst, Andy North.

For his charitable works and golf feats, the House voted to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal on Nicklaus. The honor is awarded to prominent military leaders, public servants, athletes and artists. The legislation now goes to the Senate for a vote.

Though he no longer plays much — he said his five kids and 22 grandchildren all lead busy lives and don't usually have time — Nicklaus said he hasn't forgotten his signature shots.

Funny, he said, how many of them were 1 irons — a club rarely used anymore. There was the shot at Pebble Beach that helped him hold off Bruce Crampton. There was another 1 iron at Augusta National, with Tom Weiskopf and Johnny Miller chasing, that led to his Masters victory in 1975.

Stricker remains impressed by the 5 iron that Nicklaus carved into the back-left pin placement on Sunday at the '86 Masters.

"I still can't get over that shot," Stricker said. "… One little flick over there and you're in the water."

With some embarrassment, Nicklaus said that shot was memorable because of his reaction to it.

"On that particular shot, I made probably the cockiest remark I've ever made in my life on a golf course," he said. "It was 175 yards and a 5 iron that I had to take a little off of, but I hit it exactly the way I wanted to hit it. I hit it just to the right of the flag, with a slight draw. I hit the shot and I knew where it was. I reached down to pick up my tee and (son) Jackie, who was caddying for me, said, 'Be right!' I said, 'It is.' "

To loud laughter, he added, "That remark can get you in a lot of trouble when the ball's still in the air."

North said all of those shots are memorable but it was much shorter ones that made them so.

"When I think of Jack Nicklaus, I think of (those), and 100,000 8-footers he made when he needed to make them," he said.

Bubba Watson's hooked wedge shot from the trees right of the 10th fairway in a playoff at this year's Masters ranks with the greatest shots of all time, Nicklaus said. Watson's dramatic shot landed on the green and spun within range of an easy two-putt par that gave him his first major championship, defeating Louis Oosthuizen.

Nicklaus said it was hard to even imagine the difficulty of the wedge shot.

"I'd never been where he was," he cracked.

Monday, April 16, 2012

BOSTON — Trailing the leaders by 200 yards when the Boston Marathon slogged through Heartbreak Hill, Wesley Korir passed them one by one until he took the lead on his way out of Kenmore Square.

That's when leg cramps forced him to slow down and relinquish the lead.

"It's hot out there, in case you didn't know," he told reporters after enduring temperatures in the mid 80s to win the 116th Boston Marathon on Monday. "I knew it was going to be hot, and one important thing that I had to take care of today … was really hydrate as much as possible. I guess my biology degree kicked in a little bit."

Singing religious songs as he trudged along the scorching pavement, the native Kenyan — a permanent resident of the United States — retook the lead from Levy Matebo in the final mile to cross the finish line in 84.8-degree temperatures with a time of 2 hours, 12 minutes, 40 seconds.

It was almost 10 minutes behind the world best established here a year ago by Geoffrey Mutai and the second-slowest Boston victory since 1985. Mutai, who was hoping a repeat victory would earn him a spot on the Kenyan Olympic team, dropped out after 18 miles with stomach cramps.

Instead, it was Korir who may have won a ticket to the London Games.

"To me, I think running the Boston Marathon is an Olympic event," he said. "I don't care what comes up after this, but I'm really, really happy to win Boston."

Sharon Cherop won the women's race to complete the Kenyan sweep, outkicking Jemima Jelagat Sumgong to win by 2 seconds in 2:31:50. The women's winner was decided by a sprint down Boylston Street for the fifth consecutive race, all decided by 3 seconds or less.

Cherop, who was also hoping to be selected for the Kenyan Olympic team, was third at the world championships and third in Boston last year.

"This time around, I was really prepared," she said. "Last time the race went so fast and I didn't know I was about to finish. I didn't know the course well and I didn't know the finish line was coming."

Matebo finished 26 seconds behind Korir, and Bernard Kipyego was third as Kenyans swept the podium in both genders. Jason Hartmann, of Boulder, Colo., was in fourth place and the top American.

"The pace wasn't blasting, so it wasn't anything that was over my head," Hartmann said. "There were so many times that you wanted to throw in the towel, but you just fought on. I don't think that anyone coming to this race really could say they were prepared for this heat."

The heat slowed the leaders and led to warnings that may have convinced as many as 4,300 no-shows to sit this one out. Race organizers offered those who picked up their registration packets but did not start the opportunity to save a place in next year's race.

"It was brutal, just brutally hot," said Jason Warick, 38, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, who took an ice bath before the race to cool his body. "Around 15 miles the wheels just came off. Then it was just about getting home."

Organizers said just less than 2,000 participants received some level of medical attention, and about 120 were taken to hospitals in ambulances.

Times wires
Monday, April 16, 2012

Playoffs

East

Rangers 2, Senators 1

Game 1: Rangers 4, Senators 2

Game 2: Senators 3, Rangers 2 OT

Monday: Rangers 1, Senators 0

Wednesday: at Ottawa, 7:30, CNBC

Saturday: at New York, 7, NBCSN

April 23: at Ottawa, TBD, TBD *

April 26: at New York, TBD, TBD *

Bruins 2, Capitals 1

Game 1: Bruins 1, Capitals 0 OT

Game 2: Capitals 2, Bruins 1 2OT

Monday: Bruins 4, Capitals 3

Thursday: at Washington, 7:30, NBCSN

Saturday: at Boston, 3, Ch. 8

Sunday: at Washington, TBD, TBD *

April 25: at Boston, TBD, TBD *

Devils 1, Panthers 1

Game 1: Devils 3, Panthers 2

Game 2: Panthers 4, Devils 2

Today: at New Jersey, 7, NHL

Thursday: at New Jersey, 7, NHL

Saturday: at Florida, 6:30, NHL

April 24: at New Jersey, TBD, TBD *

April 26: at Florida, TBD, TBD *

Flyers 3, Penguins 0

Game 1: Flyers 4, Penguins 3 OT

Game 2: Flyers 8, Penguins 5

Game 3: Flyers 8, Penguins 4

Wednesday: at Philadelphia, 7:30, NBCSN

Friday: at Pittsburgh, 7:30, NBCSN *

Sunday: at Philadelphia, TBD, TBD *

April 24: at Pittsburgh, TBD, TBD *

West

Kings 3, Canucks 0

Game 1: Kings 4, Canucks 2

Game 2: Kings 4, Canucks 2

Game 3: Kings 1, Canucks 0

Wednesday: at Los Angeles, 10, NBCSN

Sunday: at Vancouver, TBD, TBD *

April 24: at Los Angeles, TBD, TBD *

April 26: at Vancouver, TBD, TBD *

Sharks 1, Blues 1

Game 1: Sharks 3, Blues 2 2OT

Game 2: Blues 3, Sharks 0

Monday: at San Jose, late

Thursday: at San Jose, 10:30, NBCSN

Saturday: at St. Louis, 7:30, CNBC

April 23: at San Jose, TBD, TBD *

April 25: at St. Louis, TBD, TBD *

Coyotes 1, blackhawks 1

Game 1: Coyotes 3, Blackhawks 2 OT

Game 2: Blackhawks 4, Coyotes 3 OT

Today: at Chicago, 9, CNBC

Thursday: at Chicago, 8, CNBC

Saturday: at Phoenix, 10, NBCSN

April 23: at Chicago, TBD, TBD *

April 25: at Phoenix, TBD, TBD *

Predators 2, Red Wings 1

Game 1: Predators 3, Red Wings 2

Game 2: Red Wings 3, Predators 2

Sunday: Predators 3, Red Wings 2

Today: at Detroit, 7:30, NBCSN

Friday: at Nashville, 8, CNBC

Sunday: at Detroit, TBD, TBD *

April 24: at Nashville, TBD, TBD *

* If necessary

Times wires
Monday, April 16, 2012

Nationals 6, Astros 3

WASHINGTON — Stephen Strasburg pitched six innings for his second win of the season, leading Washington. Strasburg looked nearly unhittable for five innings, allowing three singles, but Houston got to him in the sixth for two runs and three hits. Steve Lombardozzi had three singles and a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth off Kyle Weiland.

Times wires
Monday, April 16, 2012

Twins 7, Yankees 3

NEW YORK — Carl Pavano quieted an unfriendly Yankee Stadium crowd with seven solid innings, Justin Morneau played in the field for the first time this season and hit a long homer and Minnesota earned a rare victory in New York. Every position player had a hit for the Twins, who won for the sixth time in 34 regular-season games in the Bronx since Ron Gardenhire took over as manager in 2002.

Times wires
Monday, April 16, 2012

ATLANTA — The Mets are trying to send an early message in the NL East: This isn't the same team that finished last a year ago.

The Braves are certainly taking note.

Ike Davis hit a tiebreaking three-run homer and Dillon Gee pitched seven four-hit innings, leading New York to another victory over Atlanta, 6-1 Monday night.

The Mets snapped the Braves' five-game winning streak and kept up their early dominance in the NL East rivalry after a three-game sweep of Atlanta in the Big Apple to start the season.

"I don't think this is just a nice little start for that team," Braves second baseman Dan Uggla said. "They're a good, solid ballclub. All the attention was on the Phillies and us and Miami and Washington. But I've been telling people not to count out this Mets team."

With the score tied at 1 in the sixth, Atlanta intentionally walked hot-hitting David Wright with two outs to get to Davis, who was batting .118. The strategy backfired when Davis drove a 2-and-2 curve from Tommy Hanson into the rightfield seats.

Times wires
Monday, April 16, 2012

BOSTON — Kevin Youkilis' teammates came to his defense Monday after Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine questioned his commitment to the game then apologized to his third baseman.

During an interview aired Sunday night on WHDH-TV, Valentine said he didn't think Youkilis was "as physically or emotionally into the game."

That drew a sharp response from 2B Dustin Pedroia on Monday.

"I know he plays as hard as anybody I've ever seen in my life. I have his back and his teammates have his back," Pedroia said.

After a 1-0 loss to the Rays, 1B Adrian Gonzalez also supported his teammate.

"All you can do is tell Youk we love him. All it says is we have each others' backs," he said. "We're pulling for each other on the field and in the clubhouse. We've got a strong bond."

Monday, Valentine said he apologized when Youkilis came into his office and asked for an explanation.

"I don't know if he accepted my apology," Valentine said. "It was sincere."

Youkilis had a poor spring training and is batting .200 (6-for-30), but Valentine said his comments weren't aimed at motivating him.

"I'm more confused than anything," Youkilis said before the game. "Everybody knows I go out and play the game as hard as I can."

GIANTS LOCK UP PITCHER: LHP Madison Bumgarner and the Giants have agreed to a new six-year contract through the 2017 season, locking him up through his arbitration seasons and his first year of free agency. The deal includes this year and also has options for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Bumgarner, 22, has a 3.12 ERA and a 21-20 record in three-plus seasons in San Francisco.

CLEMENS SAGA: Seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens was back in court in Washington D.C. for jury selection in the government's second attempt to prove that he misled a House committee at a landmark drugs-and-sports hearing in 2008. A July trial ended in a mistrial when prosecutors introduced inadmissible evidence after only two witnesses had been called.

BONDS APPEAL: Home run king Barry Bonds was given an extension until May 4 to file written arguments in his appeal to overturn his obstruction of justice conviction. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a second extension request by Bonds' lawyers.

HONOR FOR SMOLTZ: The Braves plan to retire John Smoltz's No. 29 and induct the right-hander into the team Hall of Fame at Turner Field in a June 8 ceremony.

OBITUARY: Ron Plaza, a minor-league roving instructor for the Athletics who spent more than six decades in pro ball, died Sunday night at a rehabilitation nursing home in St. Petersburg. He was 77.

MARINERS: Dominican OF Hersin Martinez, 17, signed for a $1.1 million bonus. The 6-foot-5 Martinez is considered one of Latin America's top power prospects.

TWINS: An MRI exam on LHP Glen Perkins revealed no structural damage on his sore pitching arm, and he was diagnosed with forearm inflammation.

YANKEES: SS Derek Jeter will receive an honorary doctorate from Siena during its May 13 commencement. Siena, in Loudonville, N.Y., says it chose to give the degree to Jeter in honor of his Turn 2 Foundation.

Times wires
Monday, April 16, 2012

LOS ANGELES — When Jonathan Quick rapped his goal stick on his posts as the buzzer sounded, the sellout crowd unleashed 11 years of deferred playoff frenzy on their Kings.

After so many false starts and failures, the long-suffering Kings are on the verge of an unlikely breakthrough.

The mighty Canucks? They're on the brink of collapse.

Quick made 41 saves, Dustin Brown scored on a long rebound with 13:30 to play, and the eighth-seeded Kings pushed Vancouver to the edge of a shocking playoff ouster late Sunday with a 1-0 victory in Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series.

Brown sparked the Kings with a crushing second-period hit on Vancouver captain Henrik Sedin, and his fourth goal of a stellar series put the Kings one win from their first playoff series victory since 2001.

"We've gone through a lot this year, but we've always battled out and found a way," Brown said. "It's important for us to understand that we can't take it easy now that we have a three-game lead … but it feels great to have an opportunity to close out a series at home."

Game 4 is Wednesday night in Los Angeles, where the Kings have suddenly regained a bit of the glamor that they have not seen since Wayne Gretzky wore the silver and black. Kobe Bryant stuck around after his Lakers went overtime in the afternoon to watch the game with his two daughters, and soccer star David Beckham of the Los Angeles Galaxy watched both the Lakers and Kings games.

After barely making the playoffs and blowing the Pacific Division title in the final week of the regular season, the Kings stunned the defending West champions with two 4-2 victories in Vancouver last week, taking a 2-0 lead in a seven-game series for the first time since their debut season in 1968. Then Los Angeles snapped a five-game playoff losing streak at Staples Center.

Vancouver has lost seven of its past eight postseason games since taking a 2-0 lead in last summer's Stanley Cup final.

"I think you know the stats," Sedin said. "It's not easy, but I think we have the team in here to do it. It's going to turn around, and we all know what can happen. We were there last year. Chicago was one game away from (rallying from an 0-3 first-round series deficit against the Canucks), and we're in the same spot right now."

His twin brother, Daniel Sedin, will be at the next practice in L.A. after missing 12 games with an apparent concussion.

Three of the previous six Presidents' Trophy winners lost their first-round playoff series. But none have been swept.

Canucks coach Alain Vigneault switched goalies for Game 3, benching veteran Roberto Luongo in favor of Schneider's second career playoff start. That made only a slight difference.

"Playing against that team, sometimes you have to be perfect," Schneider said.

From here on, the Canucks certainly need to be.

Times wires
Monday, April 16, 2012

Tigers 3, Royals 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Justin Verlander improved to 14-2 against Kansas City, surviving a shaky ninth inning to lift Detroit. Austin Jackson hit a leadoff homer and Brandon Inge added a two-run shot in the fifth for the Tigers. Verlander allowed an RBI single by Humberto Quintero with two outs in the ninth then loaded the bases when he walked Mitch Maier and plunked Alcides Escobar on the elbow. Verlander struck out Alex Gordon looking, sending the Royals to their fifth straight loss.

Times wires
Monday, April 16, 2012

OTTAWA — Brian Boyle is quickly becoming a huge thorn in the Senators side.

It's one thing to have to deal with the physical side of the 6-foot-7 Rangers forward, but his sudden burst of offense is a whole other problem.

Henrik Lundqvist made 39 saves for his fourth NHL playoff shutout Monday night, and Boyle scored for the third straight game to break a third-period tie as New York beat Ottawa 1-0.

Boyle has scored in every game and been a dominant physical presence for the Rangers.

"We've got to make sure we pay attention to him," Senators coach Paul MacLean said. "He's a big, strong guy and went to the net and got himself a goal, and that's the way he's been doing it."

Even the 27-year-old center didn't expect this kind of success.

"If I'm the villain to them that's good," Boyle said. "If I knew (I would score this often) I probably would have tried to do it a lot earlier. It's been fortunate bounces."

Lundqvist's biggest save came in the last minute when he robbed Kyle Turris on the doorstep with a quick pad stop. Craig Anderson was nearly as good, keeping the Senators in it with 22 saves.

Also, the league fined the Senators $10,000 and forward Zenon Konopka $2,500 for Konopka's conduct before Saturday's Game 2. Konopka, a former Lightning player, was fined for verbal abuse directed at a Rangers player conducting a live TV interview.

BRUINS 4, CAPITALS 3: Zdeno Chara scored the winner with less than 2 minutes left, and the Bruins finally solved playoff rookie Braden Holtby to take a 2-1 series lead.

Tim Thomas, last season's playoff MVP, made 29 saves and ignored taunting fans who held up photos of President Barack Obama, reminding Boston's goalie that he turned down a trip to the White House in January with his teammates. He said at the time he believes the federal government "has grown out of control."

Brooks Laich scored on a breakaway with 6 minutes left to tie it at 3, but Chara came through with 1:53 remaining for second-seeded Boston.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: The NHL suspended Penguins forward Craig Adams for Wednesday's Game 4 against Philadelphia for instigating a fight with Scott Hartnell. Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma was fined $10,000 for the fight. … Three Coyotes players, including former Lightning goalie Mike Smith, did not practice. Coach Dave Tippett would not say if Smith, center Martin Hanzal and left wing Lauri Korpikoski would be available for tonight's Game 3 against Chicago. … The Islanders dismissed assistants Dean Chynoweth and Scott Allen, clearing out the remainder of former coach Scott Gordon's staff.

First—None. Penalties—Spezza, Ott (cross-checking), 2:21; Staal, NYR (interference), 5:11; Boyle, NYR (roughing), 14:21; Prust, NYR (roughing), 14:21; Spezza, Ott (roughing), 14:21.

Second—None. Penalties—Girardi, NYR (interference), 4:27; Foligno, Ott (roughing), 4:27; Spezza, Ott (holding), 15:00.

Third—1, N.Y. Rangers, Boyle 3 (Girardi, Callahan), 7:35. Penalties—Callahan, NYR (tripping), 12:51; Phillips, Ott (slashing), 13:18. Shots on Goal—N.Y. Rangers 8-8-7—23. Ottawa 12-13-14—39. Power-play opportunities—N.Y. Rangers 0 of 3; Ottawa 0 of 3. Goalies—N.Y. Rangers, Lundqvist 2-1-0 (39 shots-39 saves). Ottawa, Anderson 1-2-0 (23-22). A—20,182 (19,153). T—2:15.

First—1, Washington, Semin 1 (Laich, Ovechkin), 16:00 (pp). Penalties—Semin, Was (tripping), 1:14; Chara, Bos (roughing), 15:31; Aucoin, Was (tripping), 17:22; Lucic, Bos (roughing), 20:00; Backstrom, Was (cross-checking), 20:00.

Second—2, Boston, Peverley 1 (Chara, Ference), :35. 3, Washington, Ovechkin 1 (Laich, Hamrlik), :48. 4, Boston, Paille 1 (Zanon, Campbell), 9:38. Penalties—Peverley, Bos (hooking), 5:18; Backstrom, Was (tripping), 6:03; Lucic, Bos (unsportsmanlike conduct), 13:19; Laich, Was (unsportsmanlike conduct), 13:19.

Third—5, Boston, Rolston 1 (Kelly, Chara), 1:02. 6, Washington, Laich 1 (Backstrom, Green), 14:00. 7, Boston, Chara 1 (Bergeron, Seidenberg), 18:07. Penalties—Chimera, Was (slashing), 3:01; Seidenberg, Bos (roughing), 10:17; Backstrom, Was (cross-checking), 16:46; Lucic, Bos, double minor (roughing), 17:34; Hendricks, Was (roughing), 17:34; Backstrom, Was match penalty (match—deliberate injury), 20:00. Shots on Goal—Boston 8-11-10—29. Washington 7-14-11—32. Power-play opportunities—Boston 0 of 5; Washington 1 of 4. Goalies—Boston, Thomas 2-1-0 (32 shots-29 saves). Washington, Holtby 1-2-0 (29-25). A—18,506 (18,398). T—2:44.

Times wires
Monday, April 16, 2012

Padres 7, Rockies 1

DENVER — Cory Luebke pitched seven efficient innings and Chase Headley tied a team record with three doubles, helping San Diego snap a four-game skid. The Padres have won seven of their past nine games at Coors Field. They did the bulk of their damage in this one with doubles, hitting seven. Jeremy Guthrie pitched despite a sore throat and was able to hang in for seven inning to rest a taxed Rockies bullpen.

Times wires
Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Orioles 10, White Sox 4

10 innings

CHICAGO — Matt Wieters homered twice, including a 10th-inning grand slam, lifting Baltimore. Chicago took a 4-1 lead into the eighth, but the Orioles hit three solo homers against two relievers to force extra innings.

Times staff
Tuesday, April 17, 2012

TODAY

Baseball

Cubs at Marlins, 12:30 p.m., FSN, WGN, MLB

Rays at Blue Jays, 7 p.m., Sun Sports; 620-AM

Twins at Yankees, 7 p.m., MLB; 820-AM

Athletics at Angels, 10 p.m., MLB

College baseball

Tennessee at Mississippi State, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU

College basketball

Tennessee/Pat Summitt news conference, 1:30 p.m., ESPNU

College softball

Alabama at Georgia, 8 p.m., ESPN2

Golf

PGA Europe: China Open (taped), 9 a.m., Golf

PGA: Texas Open, 3 p.m., Golf

LPGA: Lotte Championship, 6:30 p.m., Golf

High school baseball

Clearwater Central Catholic at Jesuit, 7 p.m., BHSN

NBA

Bulls at Heat, 8 p.m., TNT

Clippers at Suns, 10:30 p.m., TNT

NHL

East quarterfinal: Panthers at Devils, 7 p.m., NHL

East quarterfinal: Bruins at Capitals, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN

West quarterfinal: Coyotes at Blackhawks, 8 p.m., CNBC

West quarterfinal: Blues at Sharks, 10:30 p.m., NBCSN

Tennis

ATP: Rolex Masters, 6 a.m., Tennis

TV: BHSN: Bright House Sports Network; NBCSN: NBC Sports Network; CBSSN: CBS Sports Network

Times wires
Tuesday, April 17, 2012

D'backs 5, Pirates 1

PHOENIX — Chris Young had three hits including his team-best fifth home run, and Joe Saunders pitched seven strong innings to lead Arizona. Aaron Hill and Gerardo Parra also homered for the Diamondbacks, who have won two straight. Arizona has won 25 of its past 29 home games. Neil Walker drove in the run for Pittsburgh, which has lost six of seven.

Times wires
Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Phillies 5, Giants 2

SAN FRANCISCO — Roy Halladay outlasted Tim Lincecum in a matchup of two-time Cy Young Award winners, leading Philadelphia. Halladay pitched eight effective innings and had an RBI single in a rematch of aces from the 2010 NL Championship Series. Laynce Nix's two-run double highlighted a four-run first off Lincecum that produced all the power the Phillies needed as they chased the struggling right-hander after six innings.

Times wires
Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Angels 6, Athletics 0

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Kendrys Morales hit his first homer in nearly two years and drove in four runs, and Jered Weaver recorded his 1,000th career strikeout while pitching five-hit ball into the seventh for Los Angeles. Morales followed his three-run homer in the first with an eighth-inning double to score Albert Pujols, who went 2-for-4 with a double but hasn't homered in 10 games with the Angels. Weaver retired his first 11 batters.

Times staff
Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Hillsborough Community College point guard Yashira "Cheetah" Delgado signed Tuesday with the Florida State Seminoles.

Delgado, a 5-foot-2 player from Kissimmee, led the National Junior College Athletic Association in assists with 10.8 per game this season at HCC. She also averaged 12.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 4.8 spg (fourth-most in the NJCAA).

"We are very excited to add 'Cheetah' to our Florida State family,' " coach Sue Semrau said in a statement. "She is a true point guard who has the potential to make an immediate impact on our program and provides much needed depth in the backcourt. She is extremely quick, a fantastic passer — and most importantly — she is a natural leader whose character will fit in well with our Seminole family."

Delgado spent the 2010-11 season at Arkansas before transferring to the Hawks for her sophomore season.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Florida Gators men's basketball coach Billy Donovan has been selected as the head coach for the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, which will be held June 16-20 in Sao Sebastiao do Paraiso, Brazil.

The coaching staff will also include Gonzaga head coach Mark Few and VCU head coach Shaka Smart as assistant coaches. Smart is also a former Florida assistant.

"It's always an honor to be selected to represent your country, and I'm incredibly thankful for this opportunity to be a part of USA Basketball," Donovan said. "I have great respect for Shaka Smart and Mark Few, and I'm looking forward to working alongside them."

Training camp will open on June 5 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo., with approximately 25-30 players competing for roster spots. Finalists will be selected after the first three or four days of training camp, which will continue through June 12. The final 12-man roster will be selected prior to the team's departure for the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship.

Eight teams will compete in the 2012 U18 zone qualifier, including the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Mexico, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. The top four finishing teams in the tournament will qualify for next summer's 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship.

The USA is the reigning champion from the 2010 U18 tournament, and won silver in 2008.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 17, 2012

The June draft will be a different experience for the Tampa Bay Rays this year, after their haul of top picks last summer.

In the order released by MLB on Tuesday, the Rays pick 25th and then not again until 88th.

Last year, due to a bevy of compensation picks for free-agent departures, they had 12 of the first 89 picks, including 10 of the top 60.

The Rays didn't get any compensation picks this year, nor lose any, though two were awarded for signings they made (and thus move their second pick back a few more spots): The Cubs get an additional pick at 56 for the signing of Carlos Pena and the Blue Jays at 60 for Jose Molina.

Bryan Burns, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Through two games, Rowdies coach Ricky Hill has been most pleased with his team's attitude and fitness level.

That, and the fact the Rowdies have conceded just one goal, a goal that could easily have been avoided in the coach's estimation.

"Still need to do better regarding ball retention in good areas of the field," Hill said. "…Overall though, very pleased with the spirit and the attitude."

Tampa Bay proved very capable in defense during the preseason — a 4-3 loss to Fort Lauderdale in the preseason finale not withstanding — by shutting out five straight college opponents, and the solid play of starting defenders Andres Arango, J.P. Rodrigues, Frankie Sanfilippo and Takuya Yamada along with goalkeeper Jeff Attinella has continued into the regular season.

Both Puerto Rico and FC Edmonton elected to play long balls into the Rowdies' box, hoping to create a scoring opportunity off a carom. The Rowdies defense, for the most part, has withstood the more direct attacks.

"It's been good for us because mentally we've had to be alert, mentally we've had to stay keen and alive to ensure that we don't concede off the first or the second ball when it falls, so that's been pleasing likewise," Hill said.

Carolina blues: Tampa Bay struggled mightily with Carolina in 2011, losing all four matches by a combined 10-3 score. In fact, the RailHawks were the only NASL team Tampa Bay failed to earn a point against last season.

But this isn't the same Carolina team that finished at the top of the NASL regular season standings each of the last two seasons. Gone is dynamic forward Etienne Barbara, who led the NASL with 20 goals and was awarded the league's Golden Ball trophy as its most valuable player in 2011. Barbara currently plays for MLS's Vancouver Whitecaps FC, where he's teamed up with former Tampa Bay standout Long Tan.

Barbara's partner up top, Pablo Campos, has also moved on. Campos was second in the NASL with 12 goals in 2011, including both goals in a 2-0 win over Tampa Bay in the teams' last meeting on Sept. 3. Campos signed with NASL expansion club San Antonio in the offseason.

"Those Carolina games are a poor indictment on the ability that we had last year," Hill said. "For whatever reason, we never managed to come out with a good enough result for me. I can't say they were vastly better than us in any of those games. …We were always in it, but we always ended up shooting ourselves in the foot more often than not by defensive lapse in concentration or tracking or set pieces."

Tampa Bay has beaten Carolina only once in six tries, a 2-1 road victory in the first meeting between the two sides.

"They've been our nemesis over the past," Hill said. "But we aim to put that right (Wednesday)."

Injury update: F Fafa Picault continues to wear a walking boot on his right foot to protect a broken bone in his big toe. Hill is hopeful that the boot will come off later this week.

"Once it's off, maybe he can start joining in straight away," Hill said. "I would think within two weeks, he'll be really ingrained in the squad."