Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

England Awaits: U.S. Faces Tough Test In World Cup Group C Play

Posted: 08 Jun 2010 11:51 AM PDT

Rustenburg, South Africa (AHN) – The United States will travel to South Africa in high spirits after its impressive showing in the country in last year’s Confederations Cup.

A runners-up medal following a victory over European Champions and World Cup favorites, Spain will ensure the US return full of confidence.

However a tough looking Group C in this year’s 2010 World Cup, will mean the team will need to reach similar levels of performance to even go close to repeating those feats.

Led by Bob Bradley, and with a team littered with English Premier League sides, the US has a good chance of making the knockout stages and a quarterfinal place should be seen as a huge acheivement back home.

The US’ main rivals in Group C will also be its first opponents, England.

With a team packed full of world class stars, England goes into the tournament believing it can repeat its 1966 sucess.

If Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and co. can stay fully fit, then England have a side as talented as any, and with Italian Head Coach Fabio Capello a notable tactician anything less than a semifinal will probably be deemed a failure.

With the winner of Group C facing an easier passage into the last four than most, much will depend on the Group’s opening match between the US and Engand in Rustenburg on Saturday.

Lurking behind the US and England will be Slovenia who, despite being the smallest nation ever to qualify for two consecutive tournaments, believes it can pip one of the bigger nations to the second knockout berth.

Slovenia face the US in their second match and the game could be crucial in determining who advances, with likely group Winners, England.

Group C’s underdogs are African side Algeria.

Having pipped fierce rivals Egypt to the final African berth at the tournament in a game that provoked an angry diplomatic war of words, Algeria will not want to just make up the numbers and can pose a dangerous side on their day.

Sadly a total lack of discipline permeates the team, highlighted in their bad-tempered return match vs Egypt in the African Nations where four Algerians were sent off.

If this ugly side of the Algerian game rears it’s head in South Africa, expect them on the first plane home.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Heat’s Magloire Comes to Aid of Murder Victim’s Son

Posted: 08 Jun 2010 11:39 AM PDT

Toronto, ON, Canada (AHN) – It was a quiet gesture, one Jamaal Magloire wanted to make without publicity, one that athletes do still make, albeit seemingly too infrequently these days.

Magloire, a 10-year NBA veteran who plays for the Miami Heat, is a Toronto native who was stirred emotionally by the recent murder of single mother Lucita Charles, another victim in the city’s rising crime rate.

Charles had a 7-year-old son with cerebral palsy, and as Doug Smith of the Toronto Sun wrote, “not only did Jamaal Magloire think he could help out, he did help out.”

Magloire paid for the woman’s funeral and planned to set up a trust fund for her orphaned son.

"When we see things like this in the news, we don't know what to do. I wanted to show I could do something," Magloire told Smith. "It just really touched me, the fact it was a single mother and she left behind a special-needs child."

Magloire grew up in Toronto and returns in the offseason to spend time there. He didn’t know Charles or her family.

“But, as a resident of the city and as someone who takes being a role model for youngsters seriously, he knew if he could help he had to,” Smith wrote. “He didn't do it for the publicity — he was upset that news of his actions first leaked out — but because he cares a bit.”

A simple, quiet gesture done with class and integrity. One that deserves to be noticed and applauded.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Todd Bodine Extends Truck Points Lead

Posted: 08 Jun 2010 11:37 AM PDT

Daytona Beach, FL, United States (AHN) – Todd Bodine took possession of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points lead last week and he followed it up with a win this week, allowing him to extended his points lead to 65 over Aric Almirola.

Bodine leads the points standings with 1,263 and is trailed by Almirola (1,198), Timothy Peters (1,228), Ron Hornaday Jr. (1,108) and Johnny Sauter (1,058).

Mike Skinner sits sixth with 1,044 and in seventh is Matt Crafton (1,001). Rounding out the top-10 are Jason White (999), David Starr (990) and ricky Carmichael (989).

In positions 11-20 are: Austin Dillon (933), Justin Lofton (886), Mario Gosselin (855), Tayler Malsam (798), Kyle Busch (787), Ryan Sieg (781), Brett Butler (751), Jennifer Jo Cobb (740), Johnny Benson (735) and Norm Benning (728).

In points positions 21-30 is a group that includes: James Buescher (719), Kevin Harvick (560), Brent Raymer (535), Rick Crawford (527), Stacy Compton (519), Donny Lia (476), Narain Karthikeyan (421), Nelson Piquet (407), Chris Fontaine (379) and Ken Schrader (372).

In spots 31-40 are Chris Eggleston (370), Elliott Sadler (359), Donnie Neuenberger (351), Brian Ickler (330), Tony Jackson Jr. (326), Max Papis (323), Dennis Setzer (319), Shane Sieg (317), Steve Wallace (292) and Terry Jones (279).

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Keselowski Extends Nationwide Points Lead To 196

Posted: 08 Jun 2010 11:36 AM PDT

Daytona Beach, FL, United States (AHN) – Every time Kyle Busch gets close in the points race it seems as though Brad Keselowski takes it upon himself to win a NASCAR Nationwide Series race.

That’s what Keselowski did last weekend at Nashville to extended his points lead over Busch from to 196.

Keselowski is still out front with 2,141 points and Busch has 1,945, while former series champion Carl Edwards has 1,864 and rounding out the top-five in points are Kevin Harvick (1,852) and Justin Allgaier (1,846).

Paul Menard (1,678), Jason Leffler (1,411), Joey Logano (1,398), Steve Wallace (1,382) and Greg Biffle (1,368) make up the top-10 in points.

In positions 11-20 are: Brendan Gaughan (1,355), Tony Raines (1,343), Michael Annett (1,337), Brian Scott (1,324), Trevor Bayne (1,302), Reed Sorenson (1,246), Kenny Wallace (1,230), Scott Lagasse Jr. (1,213), Mike Wallace (1,176) and Mike Bliss (1,153).

Michael McDowell (1,117), Eric McClure (1,109), Joe Nemechek (1,046), Jason Keller (985), Ricky Stenhouse (934), Jamie McMurray (906), James Buescher (903), Josh Wise (812) and Robert Richardson Jr. (776) make up postions 21-30.

Rounding out positions 31-45 are: Colin Braun (760), Willie Allen (734), Brian Vickers (733), Clint Bowyer (700), Kelly Bires (673), Shelby Howard (643), Scott Riggs (603), Mark Green (559), Morgan Shepherd (542), Scott Wimmer (527), Kasey Kahne (522), Denny Hamlin (502), John Wes Townley (484), Kevin Lepage (460) and Danny Efland (438).

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Messi, Maradona Lead Argentina Into World Cup Group B Play

Posted: 08 Jun 2010 11:35 AM PDT

Cape Town, South Africa (AHN) – Teams from four different continents will face off in Group B  in South Africa.

Clear favorites amongst those will be South American’s, Argentina.

Inspired by the world’s greatest player in Lionel Messi and coached by former world-beater Diego Maradona, but having scraped through qualification, Argentina head into the 2010 Finals as something of a mystery.

Maradona is a rookie head coach and his decision to use over 100 players in his 18 months in the job, suggests a manager still finding his feet.

Unconvincing results haven’t helped Maradona’s cause, but having made it to South Africa, the two-time winners will expect a quarterfinal place at the very least, whether they can go any further depends much on Messi.

Challenging Argentina and hoping for a place in the knockout phase will be three evenly matched sides, each capable of beating the other on their day.

Euro 2004 Winners Greece, failed to reach the last Finals, but will feel that a return to the defensive style that saw the Greeks shock the world six years ago, will again bring joy.

Led again by Otto Rehnhagel, Greece could make the last 16, although anything beyond that would be a monumental acheivement.

South Korea, are another side to have recently shocked the footballing world after an incredible run to the Semi-Finals in 2002.

Built on teamwork and dogged determination then, like now, South Korea have potential to unsettle bigger opponents.

However the success of eight years ago came on home soil, and if they can match their last-16 finish in 2006, they will consider this tournament a success.

Like Greece and South Korea, Nigeria, will harbour hopes of following Argentina into the knockout stages.

Nigeria have long been the favourites to be the first ever World Cup Champions from Africa, but the tag has lain heavily on their shoulders just as long.

Third place in the 2010 African Cup of Nations was a fair showing for the men in green, but not enough to keep former Head Coach Shaibu Amodu in a job.

Instead Nigeria will be led into the tournament by a new man, Lars Lagerback of Sweden.

While those within the country will hope they can possibly challenge for the crown, getting out of the Group would represent a job well done for a team who make up for its chronic lack of flair with a stiff defense.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Harvick Leads Kyle Busch By 19 In Cup Points Race

Posted: 08 Jun 2010 11:34 AM PDT

Daytona Beach, FL, United States (AHN) – Kevin Harvick holds the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points lead by just 19 points over Kyle Busch after last weekend’s race at Pocono Raceway.

Busch closed the gap by 10 points 14 races into the season as Harvick sits atop the points standings with 2,063 and behind him is Busch (2,044), who has one less (9) top-10 finish than Harvick.

Denny Hamlin is third with 1,927 and rounding out the top-five are Matt Kenseth (1,893) and Kurt Busch (1,881). Jimmie Johnson (1,849), Jeff Gordon (1,827), Jeff Burton (1,803), Carl Edwards (1,729) and Greg Biffle (1,727) comprise those drivers in the top-10 in the standings.

In positions 11-20 are: Mark Martin (1,71), Clint Bowyer (1,686), Tony Stewart (1,685), Ryan Newman (1,668), Martin Truex (1,621), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1,589), Joey Logano (1,585), Jamie McMurray (1,576), David Reutimann (1,540) and Juan Montoya (1,513).

Paul Menard (1,474), AJ Allmendinger (1,457), Kasey Kahne (1,446), Brad Keselowki (1,418), David Ragan (1,408), Scott Speed (1,361), Sam Hornish Jr. (1,260), Regan Smith (1,116), Eilliott Sadler (1,220) and Marcos Ambrose (1,196) make up the 21-30 positions.

Rounding out positions 31 through 45 are: Travis Kvapil (1,161), Brian Vickers (1,158), Bobby Labonte (1,069), David Gilliland (971), Robby Gordon (963), Kevin Conway (859), Mike Bliss (621), David Stremme (565), Max Papis (560), Joe Nemechek (543), Dave Blaney (499), Michael McDowell (431), Casey Mears (425), Bill Elliott (372) and Boris Said (252).

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

U.S. Open Qualifier Too Tough For Rose, Fowler and Romo

Posted: 08 Jun 2010 11:32 AM PDT

Columbus, OH, United States (AHN) – The beauty of the U.S. Open is that it is everyman’s tournament. Any amateur or professional with a USGA handicap index of 1.4 or less can give it a go.

It starts out with local qualifying and ends up with the sectionals, that were held around the country on Monday.

It’s always surprising at the sectional qualifiers. More than 700 golfers tried to gain just 60 spots. And big names were among the non-qualifier casualties. Memorial winner Justin Rose, runnerup Rickie Fowler and Rocco Mediate, who dueled down the stretch with Tiger Woods at Torrey PInes, all failed to gain entry into the Pebble Beach field for next week’s championship.

The Woodlands site gained national attention when Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo teed it up seeking one of the only two spots available.

Romo created a lot of excitement Monday morning when he overcame some weather stoppages and shot a one-under par 71 and was in contention for a spot. It came to an end for him in the afternoon. He was eight-over par after only eight holes when a storm forced the second 18 to a Tuesday finish.

At that point, to show up to finish the second round was a conflict of interest for Romo. Dallas had OTA workouts on Tuesday and Romo is committed to his craft. “I would have waited it out, sure, if I didn’t have to be back for practice,” Romo said. And that should come as good news to Cowboy fans.

Back in Columbus, 68-72 wasn’t good enough for Rose to qualify. Neither was the 70-73 effort of Fowler. Mediate shot 67-70, lost in a playoff for the 15th spot and will be an alternate for the big show in Pebble Beach.

Medaling in Columbus was Eric Axley, who shot rounds of 64-63, 17-under par and an astonishing seven shots ahead of the next lowest scores, 10-under.

Former major champions Tom Lehman, Davis Love III and Ben Curtis were in the top 15 in the Columbus sectional and punched their tickets to Pebble.

In Memphis, former PGA champion Shaun Micheel got into the Open field. Jordan Spieth, the schoolboy hero of the Byron Nelson, did not. Spieth had a very respectable showing Monday with rounds of 68-72 but missed a playoff for the last spot in Memphis by four shots.

He will be in the field for the St. Jude Classic which begins on Thursday.

Two well-known former Open champions missed in their bids for Pebble. Tom Kite, who won at Pebble Beach in 1992, missed by a shot in Colorado and Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin the winner at Shinnecock Hills in 1995, missed by two shots in Chicago.

Billy Haas, a winner at the Bob Hope Classic this season, was another casualty in the Columbus qualifier.

Admission to the U.S. Open has never been easy and this year’s list of non-qualifiers is testament to that. For those who were lucky enough to make it, the hardest part is yet to come.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Ravens Slapped With Penalty For Violating Practice Policy

Posted: 08 Jun 2010 11:29 AM PDT

Baltimore, MD, United States (AHN) – Officially lodging a complaint about the intensity of practices doesn’t seem to fit the image of an NFL player.

Or maybe Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh got a little carried away and somehow thought his players were lining up against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Whatever, the Ravens now don’t have to worry about next week’s workouts after they were canceled due to violations of the collective bargaining agreement rules covering offseason camps.

In a rare joint statement Monday from the NFL and players union, it was agreed the Ravens had broken policy over the intensity and tempo of drills and length of time players were required to spend at the team’s facility.

The players union had lodged the complaint, meaning at least two Ravens had initiated things by calling to complain about Harbaugh working them too hard.

“The NFL informed us of the situation, and the action they’ve taken is appropriate,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement issued by the team. “We made a mistake, and it won’t happen again. We’ll complete our organized team activity days this week and then turn our focus to the start of training camp.”

So add mystery and intrigue to the Ravens offseason about which players made the call. The Ravens also can’t reschedule the canceled workouts, which were supposed to be a special teams camp June 15-16, the last before preseason workouts begin at the end of July.

Players aren’t allowed at the team facility on those days, either.

“When you make a mistake, you step up. We’re accountable,” Harbaugh said in a statement. “As Ozzie said, it won’t happen again.”

The Oakland Raiders were the last team penalized for similar violations. Three years ago, they lost a week of offseason practices under rookie coach Lane Kiffin.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

50 Year Old Coach Assaults 12-Year-Old Hockey Player

Posted: 08 Jun 2010 11:28 AM PDT

Hansen Sinclair – AHN News Reporter

Orange County, FL, United States (AHN) – A youth hockey coach in Winter Park, Florida, is accused of attacking a player on the opposing team during a match.

Maitland police reported 50-year-old Ronald Synan Jr. dashed across the hockey rink at the RDV Sportplex and started punching a 12-year-old player who was sitting in the penalty box of the opposing team.

According to witnesses, the player had gotten into a fight with Synan's son on the ice.

Referees broke up the fight, but Synan – and assistant coach – decided to get revenge on his own.

Synan was released on $5,000 obnd from the Orange County jail.

He is banned from the RDV Sportplex.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Reports: Bolts To Hire Boucher As Head Coach

Posted: 08 Jun 2010 11:27 AM PDT

Tampa, FL, United States (AHN) – The Tampa Bay Lightning are expected to name Guy Boucher as the team’s new head coach at a Wednesday press conference, according to various Canadian media reports.

Boucher resigned as head coach of Hamilton in the American Hockey League, the top farm team of the Montreal Canadiens, and turned down an offer to be head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier Monday, sports television RDS in Montreal reported.

Boucher would replace Rick Tocchet, who was fired April 12, and join the Lightning under new general manager Steve Yzerman.

Boucher, who at 38 would be the NHL’s youngest coach, reportedly will bring his Hamilton assistant coaching staff of Martin Raymond and Daniel Lacroix to Tampa.

Boucher led the Hamilton Bulldogs to a 52-11-17 record in his first season with the team. Hamilton reached the conference finals in the playoffs, and Boucher was named the top coach in the AHL.

The Lightning missed the playoffs by eight points this season, finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference at 34-36-12.

The team had been sold to new owner Jeff Vinik, who began cleaning house by firing general manger Brian Lawton and Tocchet shortly after the season.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.
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