Friday, October 22, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Indian Paddlers Optimistic For Golden Feat In Guangzhou

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 05:33 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

New Delhi, India (AHN) – India’s table tennis squad is gearing up for a tough event at the Asian Games, but is expected to carry the momentum from its solid performance in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games.

In this year’s Delhi Games, the Indian paddlers gave the home crowd proud moments by bagging five medals, including the men’s doubles gold.

India’s table tennis coach Massimo Constantini, however, is conscious of the tougher challenge in the Asian Games with China and Korea participating there.

“Competing against the players in the world will not be easy. The team is improving constantly. The performance in Delhi was highly satisfying,” Constantini told The Times of India. “Now lets see how the players fare in China.”

Constantini, along with former international player Kamlesh Mehta, will accompany the Indians during the November 12-27 event at Guangzhou, China.

India’s 10-member table tennis squad will be bannered by Olympian Achanta Sharath Kamal.

World No. 40 Sharath Kamal will lead the men’s charge, while reigning national champion Poulomi Ghatak and Mouma Das, who captured the doubles’ bronze in the Delhi Games, will headline the women’s side.

Young Sanil Shetty, who replaced defensive player Abhishek Ravichandran in the men’s team, will be the lone new face to be featured in the Indian squad.

Also included in the men’s team are former national champion Subhajit Saha, Soumyadeep Roy and Anthony Amalraj. Sourav Chakraborty and Ravichandran Abhishek were named as reserves.

Also expected to carry the hopes of the women’s paddlers Kumaresan Shamini, Madhurika Patkar and Mamta Prabhu. The Indian women will have Olympian Neha Aggarwal and Pooja Sahasrabudhe in reserve roles.

The Indian paddlers are slated to undergo a 10-day training camp in NIS Patiala starting on Nov. 1.

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Sooners Volley Belles Ready To Contend This Season

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 05:33 PM PDT

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Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Norman, OK, United States (AHN) – Oklahoma, which coming off a five-set conquest of Texas A&M Wednesday, is looking to bolster their current campaign Saturday when they clash against Texas Tech.

On Wednesday, the Sooners hammered A&M by hitting .278 as a team en route to a 25-22, 20-25, 25-20, 24-26, 15-10 triumph that helped them to improve to 15-6 and 7-3 in conference play.

It marked the second straight contest that the Sooners have registered .250 or better.

Suzy Boulavsky paced the Sooners victory Wednesday with 20 kills, two shy of her career-high set earlier this year.

Sallie McLaurin finished with 10 kills and five total blocks. She also accounted for the Sooners lone service ace.

OU will be looking to extend its current overall winning streak to three matches and could even snag its first volleyball crown.

It is expected to carry the momentum against the Red Raiders, who have dominated A&M in their last 10 encounters.

Oklahoma is one of the many teams in the Big 12 that has yet to capture a title in the sport. Nebraska has bagged 11 titles, Texas has won four while Kansas State has one.

Texas A&M, which leads the series with Oklahoma at 34-23, will try to improve its record on the year.

The Red Raiders are currently 3-16 and 1-9 in conference play.

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Bustin` Out: Giants Rookie Catcher Is No Poser

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 04:20 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) – If the San Francisco Giants pull off a monumental upset in the NLCS by toppling the Philadelphia Phillies they will have one player to thank as much as several others: catcher Buster Posey.

The rookie has been terrific in hitting over .300 and making a key defensive play in game 4.

Posey is no fluke, either, collecting 11 hits in just 32 postseason at-bats with three doubles and two RBI.

Alhough the Phils drew most of the pre-series press, understandably. with their remarkable pitching trio, Posey has called nice games behind the plate for the surprising Giants and their solid staff.

San Francisco leads the best of seven series 3-1 thanks in part to Posey’s terrific tag of Carlos Ruiz at home in the fifth.

Posey showed toughness and ability on the play, handling Aaron Rowand’s throw while blocking Ruiz off the plate while applying the tag.

So Posey’s night consisted of four hits and a key block…almost sounds like he could help the 49ers, as well.

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US Sailing To Select New Set Officials Saturday

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 04:20 PM PDT

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AHN Sports Staff

Phoenix, AZ, United States (AHN) – US Sailing is set to elect three new members to its board of directors Saturday in conjunction with its four-day annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.

Over 150 individuals have participated in this year’s US Sailing annual meeting, which started Wednesday.

Aside from more than 50 scheduled meeting and forums, US Sailing will also hold an election to determine the three new members of its board of directors Saturday.

Though online voting was already closed, adult delegates and their family members can still vote the candidate who deserves to assume a seat on the board of directors for three years.

The four candidates selected by the US Sailing nominating committee are: Ed Adams (Middletown, R.I), Mitch Brindley (Smithfield, Va.), Scott Iklé (Geneva, N.Y.), and Maureen McKinnon-Tucker (Marblehead, Mass.).

Only two of the four candidates will be named to join Susan Epstein (Sharon, Mass), an unopposed candidate nominated by the House of Delegates, on the board of directors.

The US Sailing team will also bestow several awards for deserving individuals or clubs who contributed well for the good of the sport.

These awards include The Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy (US Sailing most coveted award), the Harman Hawkins Trophy, the Timothea Larr Trophy, and the St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy, which is presented for the club that best exemplifies excellence in race management.

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Deanna Favre Says Faith Helped Her Deal With Allegations Involving Husband

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 04:20 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

New York, NY, United States (AHN) – In the midst of sexual misconduct allegations against her husband, Deanna Favre indicated in her national TV appearance Thursday that “faith” will help her get through the turmoil.

The wife of the embattled Vikings quarterback, who appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America to promote her new book, was asked during the interview how she’s handling the accusations against her husband, Brett.

“I can tell you that faith, I’m a woman of faith,” Deanna, 41, a breast cancer survivor and activist, said. “And faith has gotten me through many difficult struggles. It will get me through this one.”

On the question on how she and Brett, who have been married for 14 years, are handling the stress of the allegations, Deanna indicated, “I’m handling this through faith.”

After it was reported that Deanna Favre was set to appear to “Good Morning America” and “FOX and Friends” Thursday, speculations arose that she could break her silence about the allegations of improper behavior against the legendary quarterback.

But she sidestepped the questions about her husband’s scandal, responding to only two questions host Robin Roberts asked with a commentary about her faith.

She also did not address whether the allegations against her husband are true or false.

According to ABC, Deanna had already been scheduled to appear on the show to discuss her latest book about overcoming cancer and other struggles before the allegations came out.

Deanna, who is the author of “Don’t Bet Against Me”, co-authored “The Cure of the Chronic Life: Overcoming the Hopelessness That Holds You Back” with Shane Stanford.

She is also the creator of the Deanna Favre Hope Foundation, a group that supports breast cancer awareness.

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Heat SG Miller Likely To Miss Season Opener With Serious Thumb Injury

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 04:20 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Miami, FL, United States (AHN) – The Miami Heat are expected to mix up their lineup after it was reported that veteran swingman Mike Miller suffered a thumb injury in practice Wednesday and could miss several week’s worth of action.

Miller, one of the NBA’s top three-point shooters, was starting at shooting guard during the preseason in place of Dwayne Wade, who has been sidelined since the exhibition opener with a strained right hamstring.

Miller injured the thumb on his shooting hand when the hand got tangled in a teammate’s jersey during Wednesday’s practice at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Although the Heat have not revealed a formal diagnosis or a possible recovery period, the injury is reportedly believed to be serious. Miller is not on the trip with Heat for Thursday night’s exhibition tilt against the Atlanta Hawks.

According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Miller is scheduled to see a hand specialist to determine the extent of the injury.

His absence could affect the Heat, who need shooters to space the floor in order to give Wade and LeBron James room to operate.

As result, James Jones, who is coming off a shoulder problem, is expected to step up and drain shots from the perimeter.

Miller was averaging 9.4 points, 3.6 assists in the preseason with the Heat.

The 30-year-old guard/forward inked a $25 million, five-year deal with Miami this summer after spending the 2009-10 season with the Washington Wizards, his fourth NBA team.

Last season, Miller averaged 13.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Wizards. He was also the NBA’s second best three-point shooter last year, registering 48 percent from the beyond the arc.

Miller has averaged 13.7 points and converted 41 percent from the 3-point range in his career. He was recognized with the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2001.

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Five Players Share First-Round Lead At Shriners Open

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 04:20 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Las Vegas, NV, United States (AHN) – The TPC Summerlin was ripe for scoring Thursday. The result was a crowded leaderboard.

Robert Garrigus, Will MacKenzie, Michael Letzig, Cameron Tringale and John Senden took advantage of a day made for scoring and shot seven-under par 64s and held the first-round lead at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

“It was really soft out there,” Garrigus explained after his round. “Had a great round. Conditions were perfect. No wind. When that happens, you can go low. I ended up making a bunch of putts and shooting seven-under. Great round,” he said after using only 26 putts.

Most of the leaders find themselves in a familiar position with many players in the field going into the final two events of the season.

Garrigus is 122nd on the money list and can clinch his playing privileges for next season with a good showing Sunday. MacKenzie has farther to go. He is 146th, a long way from the magical 125 position.

“I’ve got to have a big finish. I’ve to have two good finishes,” MacKenzie said of his chances to move up the money list. “I need two good finishes or either one fantastic one.”

Senden had a chance to share the lead by himself. He played the back nine first then as he closed out his round, he left a birdie putt at the eighth hole just short on the lip. At the par five ninth, he was just short of the green in two, chipped to three feet and made the putt for his 64.

Tringale is the least-known of the leaders and rightfully so. The former Georgia Tech All-American, who earned his tour card at last year’s qualifying school, has appeared in 20 tournaments this season and made only four cuts. He is 186th on the money list and short of a victory this week, he will most likely be heading back to the q-school next month.

John Daly got off to a fast start with a 66 and finds himself close to the lead and in need of a victory to regain his exempt status.

“I hit the ball good, there was a lot of opportunity out there for me,” said Daly after he hit 16 of 18 greens for the day. “I’ll play 16 holes really really great and two bad ones,” he said of his season-long struggle. “I can’t figure it out. It’s been a weird year.”

Rickie Fowler, a pre-tournament favorite who now makes his home in Las Vegas, opened with a three-under par 68. Hunter Mahan, playing in his first event since the Ryder Cup, was one shot better with a 67.

Four players were a shot off the pace with 65s, including Vaughn Taylor, Ryan Palmer, Ncholas Thompson and George McNeill.

Low scores were the theme of the day as more than two-thirds of the field shot under par at the TPC Summerlin.

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Bergeron`s Two Assists Lift Bruins Past Caps In Home Opener

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 04:20 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – Patrice Bergeron dished out an assist each to Michael Ryder and Jordan Caron as the Boston Bruins skated past the Washington Capitals 4-1 Thursday night.

Nathan Horton and Zdeno Chara each scored for Boston, which took a 1-0 lead in the first period and went up 3-0 before Washington even got on the board.

Bruins goalie Tim Thomas withstood an onslaught, finishing with 38 saves in the win. Caps keeper Semyon Varlamov stopped 34 shots in place of Michal Neuvirth, who is battling the flu.

Jason Chimera scored unassisted the lone goal for the Caps (4-3-0, 8 pts), who host the Atlanta Thrashers Saturday.

Boston (4-1-0, 8 pts) is off to a strong start to the young NHL season, hosting the Rangers Saturday.

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Strong All-Around Effort Lifts Red Bulls Past Revolution

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 04:20 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Harrison, NJ, United States (AHN) – Dane Richards scored in the 17th minute and Joel Lindpere added the dagger in extra time as the New York Red Bulls secured their second Eastern Conference regular season crown with a 2-0 win over the New England Revolution Thursday.

A valiant strike capped an impressive 35-yard scamper for the Jamaican-born Richards, right past keeper Bobby Shuttleworth.

 

Captain Juan Pablo Angel, who fed Richards the ball at the perfect time, grabbed his fourth assist of the season.

The Red Bulls maintained the majority of possession and were getting to loose balls faster than their New England counterparts.

The Revolution had a few shots at goal, but couldn’t get a well-targeted shot past Bulls keeper Bouna Coundoul, who finished with four tough saves on the day.

New York (15-9-6, 51 pts) is guaranteed home field advantage throughout the MLS Playoffs, which starts Oct. 28.

New England (9-16-5) missed the playoffs for the fifth time in the past seven years, eliminated in the first round both times it made the playoffs.

 

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Johnson Pours In 27 Points; Hawks Crush Heat

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 04:20 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Atlanta, GA, United States (AHN) – Joe Johnson went 11-for-23 for 27 points, six rebounds and six assists as the Atlanta Hawks took care of the Miami Heat 98-89 Thursday night.

Johnson and the Hawks withstood a 38-point performance from new Heat LeBron James, who went 3-for-4 from three and pulled down 11 rebounds in 38 minutes.

Atlanta overcame a 51-46 halftime deficit by shooting 42.4 percent from the field while limiting Miami to 36.7 percent shooting.

Mike Bibby had 13 points and Al Horford added 12. Josh Smith and reigning sixth-man of the year Jamal Crawford each scored 11 for Atlanta.

Chris Bosh had 14 points and 14 rebounds for Miami and Udonis Haslem added 10 and eight off the bench.

Atlanta (2-4) closes its preseason at Charlotte Friday, getting ready for the season opener Wednesday at Memphis.

Miami (3-4) hosts Orlando Friday before starting their 2010-11 campaign against defending Eastern Conference champs the Celtics Wednesday.

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