Sunday, November 14, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

X-Games Star Travis Pastrana Going Nationwide Racing In 2011

Posted: 13 Nov 2010 07:14 PM PST

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Concord, NC, United States (AHN) – Travis Pastrana is putting aside his stunt-defying television shows and motocross-winning ways to jump into the world of NASCAR in 2011.

The star of MTV’s “Nitro Circus” and winner of countless jumping records on both motorcycles and automobiles, Pastrana is teaming with Gary and Blake Bechtel and Michael Waltrip Racing to form Pastrana-Waltrip Racing and field cars in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2011.

“I’ve been following NASCAR closely for years as a fan of the sport with competing in the sport a life-long dream,” Pastrana said. “I decided it was time to try and turn that dream into reality and with the help of the Bechtel family, Michael Waltrip Racing and Wasserman Media Group I’m now one step closer.”

Pastrana-Waltrip Racing will focus exposing the action sports world’s fans to NASCAR.

The Initial plans are for Pastrana to run seven NASCAR Nationwide races in 2011 and 20 races in 2012 in Toyotas that comes out of the Michael Waltrip Racing shop in Cornelius, N.C.

“Travis has built an enormous and unique following all over the world,” said Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 champion. “As a race team owner, we are always looking for ways to deliver to our partners and engage our fans better. This is an opportunity to showcase our company and our sport to a new generation of young fans.”

“We’re also looking for that next big star. Travis already is one and action sports is full of talented athletes. Having Travis as a part of our program adds another great dimension to our team and NASCAR.”

Pastrana owns 16 X Games gold medals along with multiple supercross, motocross and rally championships in his career.

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Second-Year Guard Ty Lawson Contributing Steadily For Nuggets

Posted: 13 Nov 2010 07:14 PM PST

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AHN Sports Staff

Denver, CO, United States (AHN) – Second-year guard Ty Lawson delivered another efficient outing Thursday night, scoring 17 points in 23 minutes to help the Denver Nuggets take a 118-112 victory over the previously undefeated Los Angeles Lakers.

The 22-year-old Lawson shot 5-of-10 from the field and dished out 5 assists in the first regular-season meeting between the Nuggets and Lakers.

After a decent rookie season, Lawson has found his role in George Karl’s system as he continued to post quality stats despite playing just under 25 minutes per game.

Lawson has been solid through his first nine games this season, averaging 9.1 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 boards in 22.9 minutes per contest.

Moreover, his steady play at the point allowed the 34-year-old guard Chauncey Billups to take a breather without compromising the team’s cohesiveness.

Lawson, who won a national title at North Carolina in 2009, can also hold his ground in pressure-packed situations and play solid defense as well.

Touted as the Nuggets point-guard of the future, Lawson should play a large role for the franchise with or without star Carmelo Anthony in the coming years.

For now, Lawson is apparently content to play a supporting role, as he continues to evolve into a mature player under Billups’ tutelage.

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Kentucky Center Kanter Ruled Ineligible By NCAA; School To Appeal

Posted: 13 Nov 2010 07:14 PM PST

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Indianapolis, IN, United States (AHN) – The Kentucky Wildcats’ campaign suffered a major blow even before it began after it was announced Thursday that freshman Enes Kanter has been ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA for receiving unnecessary benefits while playing club basketball abroad.

According to the NCAA release, the 6-foot-11, 262-pound center, considered the wild card for this class in John Calipari’s team, received benefits above his actual and necessary expenses while playing for a professional team in Turkey.

Kanter, who spent last season at Stoneridge Prep in California, received $33,033 more than his expenses for the 2008-09 season, when he competed on the senior team for Turkish sport club Fenerbahce.

According to reports, Kanter played three years in the Fenerbahce system from 2006-07. He played primarily on the under-18 junior team.

But he also appeared in nine contests in the 2008-09 season with the club’s senior squad.

Under the NCAA guidelines, prospective student-athletes are allowed to compete on team with professionals as long as they maintain amateur status.

Kentucky is set to file an appeal to the Division I Reinstatement Committee at the end of the month.

Kanter, who moved to the United States in 2009, can resume practice but cannot compete or travel with the team while the appeal is pending.

The Wildcats, who lost more talent to the NBA Draft than any other team in the nation, that included John Wall, the top draft pick, and DeMarcus Cousins, who went fifth overall, was expecting Kanter to fill the gap in the middle left by Cousins.

Instead, Kentucky is expected to tab senior Josh Harrelson and junior college transfer Eloy Vargas to take up the load.

The Wildcats open the season Friday against East Tennessee State.

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Roland Thatcher On A Roll At Disney; Shoots Second-Round 63

Posted: 13 Nov 2010 07:14 PM PST

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Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Orlando, FL, United States (AHN) – Roland Thatcher sits a lowly 179th on the PGA Tour money list and has a reservation for the qualifyiing school.

He made a move on Friday at Disney World’s Magnolia course to make a major change to his plans.

Thatcher, who opened with 65, went lower Friday with a nine-under par 63 and holds the 36-hole lead at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic with an eye-opening 16-under par 128 total.

“Pun intended, I wouldn’t mind behing referred to as Cinderella for the week,” said Thatcher, who is 36-holes form his first PGA Tour win. At 16-under, he’s only two strokes from last year’s winning 18-under total of Stephen Ames.

He has a four-shot lead over one of his playing partners for the first two days, Chris Stroud, the first round leader.

Stroud added a 70 to his first round 62 and is four back of Thatcher at 12-under, 132 along with Brian Gay, whose 65 tied him with Stroud.

“Obviously after 65, 63 my goals have changed quite a bit,” Thatcher said. “I’m hoping to have a nice long off season and start the year early next year,” he said, referring to a possible first tour victory.

He is five shots in front of Robert Garrigus, who shot 65 for a 133 total, 11-under par.

“I played very solid yesterday,” Thatcher said of his opening round 65. “And I really didn’t make a whole lot of putts. I tried to keep pace with Chris Stroud who shot 10-under. Today, I really made a lot more putts. I actually made a good number of 15-20 footers,” said Thatcher, who had only 24 putts after hitting 15 of 18 greens.

Thatcher’s best finish on tour was a runnerup in the 2009 Buick to Tiger Woods. He had three wins on the Nationwide Tour but has only one top 10 finish this season and needs a victory to keep his tour card.

The tournament within this tournament, the $1 million Kodak Challenge took an interesting turn. Rickie Fowler holed a birdie putt from seven feet at the par four 17th on the Magnolia course and is now tied with Troy Merritt and Aaron Baddeley at 17-under par.

All three golfers will have two more days to sort out the winner-take all prize. If Merritt makes one birdie, he’ll win unless Fowler or Baddeley made an eagle two on the 480-yard par four 17th.

All three players made the cut. Fowler is at eight under, 136, Merritt at four-under and Baddeley made the cut on the number at three-under, 141.

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Paula Creamer Moves Into Lead At Ochoa Invitational

Posted: 13 Nov 2010 07:14 PM PST

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Guadalajara, Mexico (AHN) – Cristie Kerr did little wrong during the opening round at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

During Friday’s second round, she could do little right and that opened the door for Paula Creamer. Creamer fashioned a six-under par 66 and holds the 36-hole lead at the Guadalajara Country Club.

Creamer’s 10-under par 134 put her a shot ahead of Suzann Pettersen, who shot 65 and is by herself in second at 135, nine-under par.

Stacy Lewis bogeyed her final hole of the day for a 69 and an eight-under 136 total.

Kerr, who was near flawless with a course-record 64 on Thursday, fell apart on the back nine and finished 12 shots higher than her opening round with a 76 that left her six shots off Creamer’s lead at four-under par, 140.

“I played pretty solid. I had a minor hiccup in the middle of the round, but 66 is a pretty good score on just about any course,” Creamer said after her round.

She finished second in this event last year to Michelle Wie. Wie, who battled a bad back Thursday, withdrew prior to the second round.

Kerr had the lead at nine-under through 12 holes, but her troubles started at the par three 13th when her tee shot hit on the bank short of the green and rolled back into the water hazard.

She would make double-bogey there then added another at the par four 15th when she was short of the green in three, chipped to six feet and missed her bogey putt.

Pettersen shot a six-under par 30 on the back nine and is looking for her first win of the year after registering five runner-up finishes this season.

Lewis, the former University of Arkansas golfer, is looking for her first LPGA victory. She finished third last week in the Mizuno Classic and her closing bogey was her first in her last 79 holes.

After Lewis at eight-under, there were six players tied at seven-under par 137 including Ai Miyazato.

“So far, so good,” Lewis said. “I’m hitting a lot of good shots.”

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Accuser In Pay For Play To Meet With NCAA; Newton`s Status Uncertain

Posted: 13 Nov 2010 07:14 PM PST

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Auburn, AL, United States (AHN) – Initially, Auburn coach Gene Chizik was adamant in saying the controversy surrounding Cameron Newton will not prevent the standout quarterback from playing Saturday against Georgia.

Since the revelation that Newton’s accuser Kenny Rogers will meet with NCAA officials, Auburn officials have offered all major media outlets a consistent “no comment” on Newton’s status.

Rogers caused the uproar when he claimed Newton’s family had demanded around $150,000 to have the standout delivered to the University of Mississippi. His lawyer, Doug Zeit, spoke to USA Today.

“We’ve had some discussions about (meeting) potentially next week. But that’s not etched in stone,” Zeit told the paper. “They want to talk to us, and I believe he probably has some responsibility to talk to the NCAA. … So yeah, we’ll make some inroads there.”

The NCAA could “recommend” Auburn sit Newton, leaving his eligibility up in the air. Though the Tigers have been accused of no wrong-doing, the loss of Newton could will likely cripple their national title hopes.

Auburn currently ranks No. 2 in the BCS standings, thanks mostly to Newton’s 1,890 passing yards and 1,146 rushing yards for a combined 34 touchdowns this season. The junior sat out last season after transferring from Florida, and is now the obvious current frontrunner for the Heisman.

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Jaguars Defensive End Kampman Out For Season; Torn ACL

Posted: 13 Nov 2010 07:14 PM PST

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Jacksonville, FL, United States (AHN) – Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Aaron Kampman tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee Thursday during practice and will miss the remainder of the season following surgery and rehab.

“I spoke to the team that things happen. We talked about it’s a part of football. It’s a shame because he’s a special man,” head coach Jack Del Rio told reporters after practice.

Kampman missed the last six weeks of last season with the same injury in his right knee. He should be available for the start of 2011 training camp.

The two-time Prow Bowler, brought in to bolster one of the league’s weakest pass defenses (league low 14.0 sacks in 2009), has four sacks and 30 quarterback pressures.

Third-year veteran Derrick Harvey will fill in on pass defense.

Rookies Austin Lane and Larry Hart will likely get more playing time on the left side.

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Georgetown`s Ayegba Ruled Ineligible To Start Season; Will Miss Nine Tilts

Posted: 13 Nov 2010 07:14 PM PST

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – Georgetown Hoyas freshman center Moses Ayegba was ruled ineligible by the NCAA for the first nine games of the men’s basketball season for violating pre-enrollment rules.

The Kano, Nigeria native allegedly received a free plane ticket to the United States from someone other than a family member. The 6-foot-8, 250-lb Ayegba attended nearby Progressive Christian in Maryland.

In a statement, head coach John Thompson expressed his disappointment and explained the incident happened before Georgetown’s recruitment of the potential star big man.

“Because of this (incident), the NCAA has ruled that he is ineligible for the first nine contests,” Thompson said in the statement. “We are disappointed that the NCAA rejected our appeal of this ruling.”

The No. 21 Hoyas (ESPN/USAToday) start their season at old Dominion Friday.

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Vikes Quarterback Brett Favre Says He Won`t Return For 2011 Season

Posted: 13 Nov 2010 07:14 PM PST

AHN Sports Staff

Minneapolis, MN, United States (AHN) – Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre brought up again his retirement plan Friday, saying he’s all done after the season.

The 41-year-old Favre announced he wants to hang up his cleats for good after his 20th year in the NFL.

Though it was not the first time Favre flirted with retirement, the three-time NFL MVP looks certain to pursue his retirement plan, especially now that he ‘s playing in the last year of his current deal (2-year, $25 million) with the Vikings.

Favre, NFL’s all-time leader in almost every passing category, is currently under investigation after being tagged in a sexual harassment scandal involving former New York Jets sideline reporter Jenn Sterger.

Favre, who allegedly sent voice mails and x-rated photos as part of his campaign to seduce the reporter, could face hefty fines and suspensions, putting his record-setting 293 consecutive starts at quarterback in jeopardy.

When asked by former NFL coach Steve Mariucci if he has plan to extend his career on the NFL Network this week, Favre answered only a modest “No.”

Favre added he was not sure if people would believe him after all his foiled retirement bids.

Favre announced his first retirement attempt in 2008 as a member of the Green Bay Packers, which later on traded the quarterback to the New York Jets.

In New York, Favre abandoned his retirement plans and started in 16 games with the Jets.

Favre led the Jets to an impressive 8-3 start but his performance suddenly faltered in his last five games due in part to a torn biceps tendon in his right shoulder.

Bothered with the injuries, Favre announced retirement for the second time, but eventually joined the Minnesota Vikings during the 2009 offseason.

With the Vikings, Favre had another Pro Bowl season, leading the team to the NFC Championship game against the eventual Super Bowl champion, the New Orleans Saints.

During the 2010 offseason, Favre underwent ankle surgery and was iffy to return for the season.

However, after months of rehabilitation, Favre returned in the Vikes second preseason game in August and started every game this season.

He has shown flashes of brilliance, but Favre has also illustrated why retirement should be an option in throwing more interceptions than touchdowns this season.

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