UCLA’s Kiki Rice AP Diary: excited to play in March Madness

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:37:30 GMT

UCLA’s Kiki Rice AP Diary: excited to play in March Madness LOS ANGELES (AP) — It’s finally here, my chance to play in March Madness.I grew up a huge college basketball fan, watching the NCAA Tournament and college games all the time. I used to do NCAA pools when I was younger and did pretty well. I took them seriously and made my brackets based off what I had seen throughout the season. I admit I did pretty well and usually ended up on the winning side of things.While I can’t do brackets pools anymore, I still am watching the men’s games. My roommates and I cheered on the men’s team from our dorm room the other night. Gabriela’s (Jaquez) brother plays on the men’s team and we were screaming at the TV rooting them on.Now it’s our turn to play in March Madness and it’s an awesome feeling. I’m excited to play in front of our home fans and it should be a great atmosphere. It’s not the easiest thing having the last game of the first round as I’ll be hyped up from watching the game...

Michigan women end UNLV’s 22-game win streak in 1st round

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:37:30 GMT

Michigan women end UNLV’s 22-game win streak in 1st round BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Emily Kiser leads Michigan, by far, in the basketball equivalent of football helmet stickers for the number of winning plays she’s made this season — from diving for loose balls to taking charges.There are more than 40 stickers in her locker now, according to coach Kim Barnes Arico — more than double the number of any teammate. And there will be more to come before the women’s NCAA Tournament is over.Kiser had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Maddie Nolan added 18 points, and sixth-seeded Michigan beat 11th-seeded UNLV 71-59 in the first round on Friday, snapping the Rebels’ 22-game winning streak.“Our team had a little bit of a chip on their shoulder,” said Barnes Arico, whose team had entered the tournament having lost three of four. “We lost a couple games down the stretch but we weren’t completely healthy.“With everyone back, I think our players really have that confidence,” added Barnes Arico, whose team made the Elite Eight last ...

Altitude lawsuit settled, but still no games on Comcast

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:37:30 GMT

Altitude lawsuit settled, but still no games on Comcast DENVER (KDVR) — Altitude and Comcast have settled a long-running lawsuit, but that does not mean Comcast subscribers will now get to watch Nuggets or Avalanche games.The settlement terms for the years-old federal lawsuit are confidential "except that the parties acknowledge that the settlement does not involve the carriage of Altitude on Comcast’s cable systems," Comcast said in a statement on Friday. "Comcast and Altitude remain willing to discuss potential future business and distribution arrangements." Expect to see more police downtown during NCAA, St. Patrick’s Day events Comcast said they've offered to provide a subscription-based arrangement to broadcast the regional sports network, "so that those customers who want it can get it and the vast majority who did not watch the network do not have to pay for it."Kroenke Sports and Entertainment owns the teams and Altitude, along with the venues where they play and other media entities. FOX31 has reached out to the company's repr...

Phyllis Miller Elementary’s Don Clerveaux named Teacher of the Year, gifted new Corolla

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:37:30 GMT

Phyllis Miller Elementary’s Don Clerveaux named Teacher of the Year, gifted new Corolla A South Florida schoolteacher received a special honor in front of his students, as well as some brand-new wheels to go with it.Aspecial ceremony took place at Phyllis Ruth Miller Elementary School in Miami on Friday.“We are proud of you, and we are proud of you,” cheerleaders chanted as they took to the field.They were talking about the man of the hour, science and social studies teacher Don Clerveaux, who won the 2024 Francisco R. Walker Teacher of the Year Award for Miami-Dade County Public Schools.United Teachers of Dade President Karla Hernandez-Mats was on hand to give the honoree an official Miami-Dade School Board proclamation.“We would like to say congratulations to Mr. Clerveaux,” said four students in unison.Clerveaux was treated to performances from his students, but the celebration did not end there.The teacher was given the keys to a brand-new Toyota Corolla.“It’s so humbling to have other people look at what I do and what teachers d...

West JFK Causeway drawbridge reopens after mechanical issue prompts closure

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:37:30 GMT

West JFK Causeway drawbridge reopens after mechanical issue prompts closure The west drawbridge along the John F. Kennedy Causeway in Miami has reopened after an hours-long closure caused a major traffic headache in the middle of rush hour.A mechanical issue caused the eastern span of the drawbridge to become stuck, Friday afternoon.Traffic was rerouted while crews made repairs.It has since reopened to traffic.

Heat hope Cody Zeller can return from broken nose soon

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:37:30 GMT

Heat hope Cody Zeller can return from broken nose soon Miami Heat center Cody Zeller underwent a procedure on his broken nose on Friday, and he is working his way back to the court.Zeller, who the Heat picked up after the All-Star Game, suffered the broken nose — the second of his career — against Orlando on Saturday. Fortunately for Miami, the Heat expect him back soon.“Everything looks encouraging,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I know what he wants to do and I know, based on previous history of guys with these kind of procedures, it will be sooner than later. But you just have to see how the swelling is and all that. He does have his old mask, so that will be a good thing.”Zeller has played 10 games with the Heat, averaging 13 minutes per game off the bench. He has scored 4.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.Yurtseven readjusting in his first games backHeat center Omer Yurtseven finally made it back on the court after missing Miami’s first 68 games due to ankle surgery.“It’s be...

BU beats Providence 2-1 in OT to advance to the HE title game

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:37:30 GMT

BU beats Providence 2-1 in OT to advance to the HE title game The Providence College Friars dominated Boston University in regulation only to let their upset bid slip away in overtime.BU freshman right wing Quinn Hutson scored the game winner at 10:52 of OT to lift the Terriers to a 2-1 victory in the opening game of the Hockey East semifinals on Friday night at the TD Garden. Left wing Luke Tuch set up Hutson for his 14th of the season.BU goalie Drew Commesso backboned the effort with 37 saves. Providence outshot BU 33-14 in regulation but the Terriers were 10-4 better in the OT.“It was pretty crazy and it was slow motion when I saw it go in but I wasn’t sure,” said Hutson. “Then I saw everybody celebrating.”Boston University celebrates its game-winning goal in overtime during a 2-1 Hockey East semifinal win over Providence on Friday night. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)The No. 5 ranked and top seed Terriers (26-10-0, 19-6-0) advanced to the final for the 13th time and will take on the winner of the Merrimack-UMass Lowell game on Saturday nigh...

Magic needing to become more consistent with the game’s ‘little situations’

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:37:30 GMT

Magic needing to become more consistent with the game’s ‘little situations’ As cliche as it may sound, the message from Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley has been consistent: nailing the little things throughout a game can be the difference between a win or loss.Thursday’s 116-113 road defeat to the Phoenix Suns was another example of the Magic learning this lesson the hard way.It’s easy to point to Josh Okogie blocking Paolo Banchero’s potential game-tying 3-point attempt with 3.1 seconds remaining to seal the win for Phoenix as the game-defining play.But it shouldn’t be viewed that way.“Coming up short, it’s not just about that one play,” Mosley said. “It’s not about that possession there. There’s fouling where we don’t need to foul. Fouling shooters. Little situations like that we have to keep understanding, those are the possessions that get you into end-of-game situations.”Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz fouling 3-point shooters at the end of the first and second quarters resu...

Malden Catholic tops Mansfield, repeats as state champs

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:37:30 GMT

Malden Catholic tops Mansfield, repeats as state champs LOWELL — Nick Martinez saved his finest performance for the season’s biggest stage.Martinez scored a game-high 28 points while Malden Catholic’s defense stifled what had been a prolific Mansfield offense as the No. 1 Lancers won their second consecutive Division 2 state title with a 72-54 win over the No. 2 Hornets on Friday night at the Tsongas Center.The win gives Malden Catholic (23-2) coach John Walsh his fifth career state championship with three coming at Danvers High School.“Mansfield’s offense is very difficult to defend. They’re a real tough team to stop, but our kids listened and paid attention to what we needed to do,” Walsh said. “I just love Malden Catholic and seeing the kids celebrate – it’s special.”Mansfield’s Caden Colby (3) fouls Malden Catholic’s Nicholas Martinez during the second half of the MIAA Div. 2 boys basketball championship. Malden Catholic captured the title. (Photo by Mark Stockwe...

Heat veteran Kyle Lowry adjusting to new role coming off bench

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:37:30 GMT

Heat veteran Kyle Lowry adjusting to new role coming off bench Miami Heat point guard Kyle Lowry has been a steady presence in the starting lineup for nearly his entire career.The veteran had started 677 consecutive games that he was active for, dating back to his rookie season with the Toronto Raptors.But after returning from a knee injury that sidelined him for 15 games, Lowry was forced to adjust to a new role: coming off the bench.“It’s different,” Lowry said Friday. “But right now I’m just trying to help my team win and they just want to kind of ease me back in. Whatever decisions coach makes long term, that’s going to be that. But right now it’s about staying healthy and getting myself in rhythm and in shape.”The 36-year-old Lowry played 36 minutes in his first game back from injury — an overtime loss to Orlando on March 11 — then played 19 and 20 minutes against Utah and Memphis on March 13th and March 15th, respectively. He has averaged 9.7 point, four assists and 2.3 rebounds ...