News sport : Teen hits 18 threes as he leads team to 131-80 win

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Talk about making it rain. Scott Meredith hit 18 threes as he led Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, Va.) to a 131-80 win.



Meredith is a 5-foot-11 guard at Hargrave, the prep school in Virginia where Josh Howard, David West, and Jordan Crawford have played. Meredith played high school ball in North Carolina before attending the postgraduate academy.


His 55-point performance Thursday set a school record.


“He was just on fire,” coach A.W. Hamilton told MaxPreps. “He hit three or four in a row to start and I told our guys we were going to ride this thing until he cools down. He really never did."


Hamilton added that Meredith's skills go beyond what he can do on the court.


“The kid has a 5.0 GPA and he’s never made a B in his life," the coach said. "He’s fun to be around, just a special person.”


Hargrave has broken the 100-point mark 16 times this season en route to a 29-5 record. Four of Meredith's teammates have already signed to play with Division 1 programs next year; Meredith remains unsigned.



____

Danielle Elliot is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact her at delliot@yahoo-inc.com or find her on Twitter.







from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1B6SZSO
Read More

News sport : Media Day Notes: Stewart-Haas Racing has a backup plan for Kurt Busch

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Stewart-Haas Racing is prepared to be without Kurt Busch in the Daytona 500.


That doesn't mean that Busch will miss the race. And right now, there are no indications he will. But with a decision still looming from the Delaware attorney general's office regarding charges from his ex-girlfriend's accusation of assault, the team has a backup plan in place just in case.


"We're waiting to see, and I'm very hopeful we won't have to worry about it," SHR co-owner Tony Stewart said Thursday via ESPN. "I feel bad he's in that situation right now, and they're both in that situation. But we have to be smart, and we have to have a plan if it doesn't work out for whatever reason."


Patricial Driscoll has accused Busch of slamming her head into the wall of his motorhome on Sep. 26. Busch denies the accusations and says he cupped her face in his hands and told her to leave repeatedly.


Presumably, charges would have to be announced between now and the Daytona 500 for Busch to miss the race. In November, NASCAR CEO Brian France referenced the lack of a decision regarding charges when asked about any NASCAR punishment for Busch. A week before France spoke, Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner Gene Haas said he wasn't pulling Busch from the car.


Delaware Attorney General Matt Denn told Delaware Online that his office is thoroughly investigating the case.


Busch said Thursday that he saw the lengthy process as good news.


"Normal situations like this take 30 minutes, so we’re going close to day 100, so we all have to be patient," Busch said. " We all have to understand that there’s a process that we have to respect, and the fact that no announcement has come out, each day that goes by continues to be good news, and with the team and their support, they’ve been fantastic, Gene Haas especially, it’s amazing to have the comfort level that I have as well as to have told them the truth and understanding of everything. It’s easy to be here and be pumped up about the season that’s 10 days away."


A decision is also being awaited in the hearing regarding a request for a no-contact order by Driscoll. In testimony during the hearing, the two parties leveled allegations against each other. Busch said Driscoll told him that she was a trained assassin while she said he struggles with alcholism and depression and can't separate fact from fiction.


In closing arguments, Busch's lawyer accused Driscoll of perjury and her lawyer said Busch has a domestic violence problem.


• Brad Keselowski said Thursday that he feels like he's a top three driver in the Sprint Cup Series.


“I feel like I am a top-three driver in the Sprint Cup Series," Keselowski said. "I feel really good about my position week to week based on whether it is the track or rules changes I feel like I can be either the best driver or all the way back to a tenth place driver.”


If you're a Keselowski hater, your blood pressure probably started to rise when you read that quote. But after the 2012 title and six wins in 2014, there's not much of a case against what Keselowski is saying. He's certainly within the top 10 range he also mentions.


And if Keselowski is a top three driver, who does he think is in the three with him? Well, here's the answer. No. 1 may be a bit of a surprise to you.


“I personally think just from watching, and I am not afraid to say it, that Carl Edwards is the best driver in Sprint Cup," Keselowski said. "That is my personal opinion. It doesn’t make it law or fact but I think to go with that you could probably place an argument for Kevin [Harvick] as the second best. It is a bit subjective.”


Why Edwards?


“I have seen what Carl has done in cars that didn’t have the speed," Keselowski said. "He has a very diverse skill set. He has been able to win at tracks like Sonoma and has won at every type of track and I feel like he does the best job of any driver I have seen out there at taking a car that is not fast and finding speed out of it. I think when the times have come that he has had dominant cars he has showed dominant performances which is what you have to do. He has kind of shown to me, the skill set at every level to be a top driver.”


• Speaking of the new Joe Gibbs Racing driver, he said Thursday that Matt Kenseth has been instrumental in his transition to JGR. In Kenseth's first season at JGR in 2013 after he left Roush Fenway Racing (like Edwards), he had seven wins and finished second in the points standings. While Edwards' stated 2015 goal is the Sprint Cup Series title, a repeat of what Kenseth did in his first year would undoubtedly be a success.


"Matt has been huge in my transition," Edwards said. "Matt kind of does things under the radar. He put together some meetings early on and some things I needed to be very aware of and really helped me a lot. He'll be a guy I lean on a lot. He's a quiet guy, but he's a very good leader and he has all the experience and success, so hopefully I can keep learning from him."


- - - - - - -


Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1KTpEv3
Read More

News sport : Cal S Avery Sebastian transfers to Notre Dame

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Notre Dame received a boost to its secondary on Thursday night when safety Avery Sebastian, a graduate transfer from Cal, committed to play his fifth year for the Fighting Irish.


Sebastian, who will be eligible to play immediately, announced his decision on Twitter.



After an injury-plagued career at Cal, Sebastian announced his intent to transfer two months ago.


A four-star recruit out of McDonough, Ga., the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Sebastian made an impact on special teams as a true freshman in 2011 before making four starts and recording 56 tackles as a sophomore in 2012.


He was the full-time starter heading into the 2013 season, but tore his Achilles tendon in the Bears’ season-opener, ending his season. Sebastian was then listed as the team’s starter at safety coming out of spring practice, but he played only seven games and made 21 tackles while dealing with another leg injury.


Notre Dame returns just four scholarship safeties from the 2014 team – two of which (Drue Tranquill and Nicky Baratti) were injured when the season ended. Sebastian provides a much-needed veteran presence to the unit.


For more Notre Dame news, visit BlueAndGold.com.


- - - - - - -


Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!







from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1D40b2C
Read More

News sport : Magic's All-Star moment, plus: Jordan vs. Ditka, who ya got? (Video)

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Magic Johnson's return to the NBA All-Star Game in 1992 following his HIV-positive diagnosis stands as a transcendent moment not just in the NBA, but across all of sports. So it's an easy choice for the best All-Star moment ever. But what about on-court action? How about Michael Jordan's final All-Star bow, more than a decade ago? In this video clip, Yahoo Sports' Kevin Kaduk (@kevinkaduk) and Jay Busbee (@jaybusbee) consider both moments, as well as the eternal question of Jordan vs. Ditka. Plus: we rank the All-Star games of various sports. How does the NBA's game stack up against baseball, football, hockey and NASCAR?


And now it's your turn. Which All-Star moment gets your vote for the best? Have your say in the comments below or on Twitter at #kbarguments.


____

Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter.



And keep up with Jay over on Facebook, too.







from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1ElHch2
Read More

News sport : Roquan Smith announces he's heading to Georgia

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Roquan Smith has committed to Georgia.


The four-star linebacker announced his decision Friday morning.



He originally committed to UCLA on National Signing Day but had second thoughts after making the decision (He said he entered his signing ceremony torn between UCLA and Georgia). Smith then said he was going to wait to make his decision after UCLA defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich left to become the Atlanta Falcons linebackers coach.


Georgia coaches were the ones who texted Smith's coaches to tell them that Ulbrich was leaving UCLA. The strategy apparently worked, as the Georgia native is now staying close to home.


Previously, Smith's high school coach said Smith would sign his scholarship papers with his official commitment, but not his Letter of Intent and become an official enrollee on the first day of summer classes.


Smith told UGASports.com earlier in the week that he "kind of" felt misled by UCLA coaches and that Ulbrich had told him he had turned down the Falcons' job offer.


His commitment to Georgia would give the Bulldogs 29 signees once he enrolls. Before his commitment, Georgia's class was ranked No. 7 in the country according to Rivals.


For more Georgia news, visit UGASports.com.


- - - - - - -


Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/173g9Mc
Read More

United travel to Preston

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

This season's cup competitions are providing Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal with the opportunity to visit some of England's more obscure footballing outposts in his first year in Britain.


|||

This season's cup competitions are providing Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal with the opportunity to visit some of England's more obscure footballing outposts in his first year in Britain.


After a stunning 4-0 loss at third-tier Milton Keynes Dons in the second round of the League Cup in August, Van Gaal and his team have been sent to two more unheralded lower-league teams in the FA Cup.


United was hardly convincing in eliminating third-tier Yeovil and fourth-tier Cambridge - after a replay - in the past two rounds. Next up for England's biggest club is a trip to Preston North End, which plays in the third division and is the club that United sent David Beckham on loan to as a 19-year-old - before he returned to Old Trafford to begin his illustrious top-flight career.


The draw has been kind to Van Gaal as he looks to claim his first trophy as United manager, and he's also been helped by one of the most stunning set of results in the FA Cup's proud history.


Chelsea, Manchester City, Southampton and Tottenham were all humbled in the fourth round, throwing the cup wide open.


The biggest threats to United are fierce rival Liverpool, which visits Crystal Palace on Saturday in one of three all-Premier League matchups in the last 16, and FA Cup holder Arsenal, which is at home on Sunday to Middlesbrough - the second-tier team that knocked out Man City. United plays Preston on Monday.


Here are some other things to know about the fifth round:


ROONEY'S ROLE


Wayne Rooney hasn't scored in 2015 and has picked up more yellow cards than goals in his last 13 games for Man United. He is on his longest run without a goal for United since 2006.


It comes as no surprise, given that the player who will likely finish his career as the top all-time scorer for United and England is being played in midfield as Van Gaal looks to accommodate all his squad's star attackers.


Rooney has played attacking midfield, right midfield, central midfield -and even as a holding midfielder in the 3-1 league win over Burnley on Wednesday.


“Maybe he can better play in a striker's position,” Van Gaal said, “but then I have a problem in midfield.”


With Daley Blind joining Michael Carrick on the sidelines, Rooney could start at the base of a midfield diamond against Preston, which is a founding member of the football league and won the league-FA Cup double in its inaugural season, in 1888-89.


BALOTELLI DILEMMA


Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers must decide whether Mario Balotelli's late winning goal against Tottenham in the league as a substitute on Tuesday is enough to earn the Italy striker a return to the starting lineup against Palace.


Rodgers may not want to start Daniel Sturridge for the second time in five days because the England international has just returned from five months out injured.


With Raheem Sterling nursing a foot injury, the door could be open for a first start for Balotelli since November. Sturridge raised the possibility of starting alongside Balotelli, which happened once - to great effect in a big away win at Tottenham - before his injury.


“I am sure we will strike up a partnership in the future, I have no doubts about that,” Sturridge said.


MANAGERLESS VILLA


Aston Villa begins life without Paul Lambert in a home match against Leicester, after the manager was fired on Wednesday.


The FA Cup had provided Villa and Lambert with some respite from its miserable campaign in the Premier League, where it is in the bottom three after Tuesday's 2-0 loss at Hull. The team has scored just one goal in eight league games, and Lambert's departure was inevitable.


The first thing that Villa's caretaker coaches, Scott Marshall and Andy Marshall, may do is recall top striker Christian Benteke to the team after the Belgium international was dropped against Hull.


On Saturday, Stoke travels to second-tier Blackburn, West Bromwich Albion hosts West Ham, and a non-Premier League team is guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals when Derby plays Reading.


Bradford was rewarded for beating Chelsea in the last 32 with a home match against Sunderland on Sunday. – Sapa-AP






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1KSXNuU
Read More

Arsenal Cup exit won’t surprise Wenger

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Holders Arsenal will not be surprised if Middlesbrough beat them in the fifth round of the FA Cup, manager Arsene Wenger said.


|||

London - Holders Arsenal will not be surprised if Middlesbrough beat them in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday after the Championship leaders knocked Manchester City out in the previous round, manager Arsene Wenger said.


The fourth round of football's oldest knockout competition was full of major upsets as League One (third tier) Bradford City knocked Chelsea out before second tier Middlesbrough set up a trip to the Emirates, thanks to a 2-0 win at Manchester City.


“We won't be surprised by them. We don't have the excuse to be surprised as they beat Manchester City in a convincing way,” Wenger told a news conference on Friday.


“That is a good warning for us. Boro are not afraid to take on the big boys. They are well organised, play good football and they are very creative.


“The squad will not be rotated especially because it's the FA Cup. Some players will play who have not played recently, but we treat this game exactly the same as a Premier League game.”


Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka said his side, who top the Championship table by a point from Bournemouth, have what it takes to cause another Cup shock.


“With the result at Manchester City in the last round, people are getting to know about us,” the Spaniard said.


“We've also gone top of the Championship as well, so I don't think there will be any surprises for Arsenal on Sunday.


“Arsenal will of course pose a threat, but we can cause them problems when they don't have the ball. The problem for us is how to keep the ball.


“We've not shown any fear against Premier League sides this season, and it will be the same against Arsenal. We want to show everyone what we can do.”


Karanka will come up against German World Cup winner Mesut Ozil on Sunday, a player he knows well from his time serving as Jose Mourinho's assistant at Real Madrid.


“He's a very good lad. I spent three seasons with him - he's an amazing player and I hope on Sunday he doesn't have his best day,” Karanka said.


“I hope he can rest for the league they have some important games coming up. But it's not just Ozil... They have a lot of (dangerous) players.” – Reuters






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1zA8rjA
Read More

'Continental football not for wimps'

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Kaizer Chiefs begin their 2015 CAF Champions League campaign with a home clash against Botswana's Township Rollers.


|||

Stuart Baxter believes continental football is not for sissies and the Kaizer Chiefs coach is hoping he has none in his squad as he prepares to lead Amakhosi’s assault on African club football’s biggest prize starting tomorrow.


Chiefs begin their 2015 CAF Champions League campaign with a home clash against Botswana’s Township Rollers at the FNB Stadium tomorrow night amidst a general feeling that they just cannot be bothered with testing their skills against Africa’s best.


And with good reason too given that Chiefs had long lamented the expensive and high demanding nature of the continental competition and often fielded weakened teams as they gave priority to the local game.


After being eliminated early in the premier competition last year, they treated the second-tier CAF Cup with such disdain that Baxter actually did not go to a match, leaving his assistant Doctor Khumalo in charge of the side.


Things seem to be different this year, talk from Naturena regarding the Champions League giving the impression of a side keen on emulating their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates by capturing the title. And Baxter seems to know just what it is that is needed for Chiefs to add that much-coveted star to their jersey. “Obviously there’s no guarantee that you will get it right,” he said of Amakhosi’s being involved in three competitions – the local Premiership, the Nedbank Cup as well as the Champions League “But you tackle the challenges head on and make sure that you don’t have wimps on board for Africa. If you’re going to complain, then don’t be in a team that goes to Africa.”


Given their fantastic performances on the local front this season though, it would appear there are no wimps in the Amakhosi side. And with key players such as goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo and midfielders Mandla Masango having been part of the Bafana Bafana side at the Africa Cup of Nations, Baxter can be confident in the knowledge that he has the warriors to take to the continental battle.


That though will only be proven in the later stages of the competition, with this preliminary clash against neighbours Rollers unlikely to be a true test of Chiefs’ character. And, while in no way underestimating the Botswana side, Baxter hinted as much. “The early stages are not a problem because the journeys are short and the squad still fresh. It is when the competition gets on that you find that you travel ten hours, the hotels are not good and the training grounds are also not good too.”


He was yet to do any research on the opposition, his focus having been on Wednesday night’s league clash at Bloemfontein Celtic. Speaking after that entertaining goalless draw, Baxter said he is likely to change the team slightly for tomorrow’s tie. “We will make some changes but we won’t weaken the team much. The key will be to just get a result and make sure we don’t have a knife on our throat going away for the second leg. So we need to try and score and hope they don’t.”


Meanwhile Mamelodi Sundowns are also in the same competition and are away to St Michel of the Seychelles for their first leg, preliminary tie. - The Star






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1yvClFp
Read More

When will Rooney question midfield role?

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has been asked by Louis Van Gaal to play a midfiled role for a big part of the season so far. Can it really work?


|||

Four years ago yesterday Wayne Rooney scored one of the best goals of his career, a stunning overhead kick against Manchester City. United won the Barclays Premier League that season.


Rooney’s return of 16 club goals was modest for him, but many of them were important.


He scored against Liverpool, Chelsea (twice), Arsenal and in a Champions League semi-final and final against Schalke and Barcelona respectively.


Today Rooney is having to adjust to changed circumstances at United, and one wonders just how long England’s most celebrated modern centre forward will allow it to last.


The statistics of Rooney’s season are remarkable. He is in the middle of his worst scoring run since 2006, having scored in just one of his last 11United games, and has not managed to have a single shot on goal since the turn of the calendar year.


That last statistic is so startling, Rooney himself was stunned to learn of it. But when he looks back at his latest 90 minutes, against Burnley on Wednesday night, he will begin to understand it.Rooney has not always played as a traditional No 9 at United.


Far from it. In Louis van Gaal’s team, however,Rooney has been asked to perform a conventional midfield role.


On Wednesday, after an injury to Daley Blind, he spent an hour playing in front of his own back four.It was an unedifying sight as United’s most potent forward player scuffled about in the cheap seats simply because Van Gaal, by his own admission, had no one else in his squad he could trust to do it.In the second half he was booked.


Those of us who have watched Rooney recognised the pattern. As his frustration built, he began to niggle at opponents, snipe at the officials. He was eventually cautioned for persistent offending. Classic Rooney.


As always, he did his utmost to drag his team through the game. Up ahead of him, though, the pairing of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao lumbered through the night like a couple on a rather uncomfortable first date.


Publicly or privately, Rooney has said nothing about his current role. He admires Van Gaal, is impressed by his c.v. and his thoroughness.Be under no illusion, though, this will be irritating the hell out him.


Eventually we can expect the dam to burst and if that happens Van Gaal will have a problem.Still only 29, Rooney remains ambitious and, more importantly, he still sees himself as a centre forward.


The longer Rooney remains stuck 25 goals behind Sir Bobby Charlton’s club record of 249 and the longer United remain detached from title contention, the greater the risk of disenfranchising the player Van Gaal’s team really should be built around.


After all, when he signed his big new contract in February 2014, he did not do so thinking that only a year later he would be spending his time doing a less than convincing impression of Michael Carrick. – Daily Mail






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1B5sixM
Read More

Chelsea aren’t that good - Nasri

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Manchester City star Samir Nasri has launched an attack on title rivals Chelsea, claiming Jose Mourinho’s team ‘are not special at all’.


|||

Manchester City star Samir Nasri has launched an attack on title rivals Chelsea, claiming Jose Mourinho’s team ‘are not special at all’ and predicting a slip-up to allow his team back into the title race.


French playmaker Nasri accused Chelsea of being a one-man team in Diego Costa who rely too much on physical strength.


‘I’m a big fan of Mourinho, but I am not impressed with his team, not at all,’ said Nasri. ‘We have played Chelsea twice this season, once with 10 men, and were better than them.


‘When I have seen someof their games, I don’t think they are that fantastic — they are just strong, and have a good striker up front.


‘For me they are not special at all, and I think they are going to make some mistakes. We just have to perform, to win our games, and see what’s going to happen.’


Chelsea stayed seven points clear of City by beating Everton with a late goal from Willian on Wednesday night while Manuel Pellegrini’s side won 4-1 at Stoke. It was City’s first Premier League win since New Year’s Day, with Sergio Aguero scoring his first goals since returning from injury. To add to the feelgood mood, £28million January signing Wilfried Bony and Yaya Toure are now available after helping Ivory Coast to win the Africa Cup of Nations.


‘No-one will win the league 10 games before the end of the season,’ Nasri said. ‘We let other people write us off — we know that the two times we won the league, we were behind at this time of the year.


‘Two months ago we were eight points behind Chelsea and came back and went level with them.


‘We will just try to get as many points as possible and wait for the mistake. We have 42 points to fight for, and if we reach 90 points we will be champions of England.’


Nasri’s optimism has been defiantly echoed by some of the senior players at the Etihad.


Pablo Zabaleta argued: ‘We are Manchester City and we never give up, simple as that.


‘We have 13 games to go to the end. We have belief in the team and if we play like we did at Stoke, we will have a great chance to catch them. We cannot afford to drop points though.’ – Daily Mail






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1zQVTcy
Read More

Kane set for England call up

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane is set to be called up by England for the first time when manager Roy Hodgson names his next squad.


|||

London - Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Burnley's Danny Ings are set to be called up by England for the first time when manager Roy Hodgson names his squad next month for internationals against Lithuania and Italy.


Hodgson, holding a media briefing on Thursday, was full of praise for both players, who have impressed him with a series of outstanding performances for their clubs, and gave the strongest indication that they would be called up.


Kane, 21, has scored 23 goals for Spurs in all competitions while Ings, 22, has hit nine for Burnley, who are battling relegation from the Premier League.


He scored 26 goals for Burnley in the league and cup last season when they won promotion from the second tier.


Hodgson, looking ahead to the March 27 Euro 2016 qualifying tie with Lithuania at Wembley and a friendly with Italy in Turin four days later, also said he had no plans to employ captain Wayne Rooney in the central midfield role he has been playing for Manchester United.


Describing Kane's impact, Hodgson said: “Playing games is important and if you can be a star in a top team like Tottenham at the age of 21 you are doing pretty well - Harry's only problem now is to keep that going for the next 13 years.


“The question might be 'is he worthy of a place ahead of Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck or Daniel Sturridge?'


“Well that is something he will have to prove, and unless I give him a chance in the squad we will never know.”


Hodgson has been aware of Kane's qualities for some time as he has played 10 times for England's Under-21s over the last two seasons.


Yet the manager admitted he has come a long way in that time.


“Eighteen months ago Harry was not a starter in the Under-21s,” he said.


“He came on and he scored if I remember correctly, but there is no doubt he has moved on enormously since then.”


He also said that Ings, who has played seven times and scored four goals for the Under-21s, had impressed him this season.


“We have the best of both worlds,” the manager said.


“Sometimes we have had to split centre forwards... this one is the target and that one isn't much of a target but does run behind the defenders.


“But with Harry and Danny you've got the best of both - both can do both jobs.”


Although they may get their chances next month, Rooney, now England's third highest scorer with 46 goals, remains Hodgson's first choice in attack even though he has been playing for United in midfield for much of this season.


Asked if Rooney would play in a deeper role for England, Hodgson replied: “We will only use him in the position that suits the England team best and I don't know that that would be centre midfield.


“He has been playing there for Manchester United because they think that's where he does his best job for them... but I don't think that would be his best position for us and I don't have any immediate plans to be play him there,” he said. – Reuters






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1yuUzad
Read More

Chelsea, Everton charged for mass scuffle

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Chelsea and Everton have been charged by the FA after Wednesday's stormy Premier League encounter.


|||

London - Chelsea and Everton have been charged by the FA after Wednesday's stormy Premier League encounter but Branislav Ivanovic will face no action for his clash with James McCarthy.


“Both Chelsea and Everton have been charged by the FA for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour,” the governing body said in a statement on Thursday.


Tempers flared in the 86th minute of Chelsea's 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge as players from both teams confronted each other and Chelsea defender Ivanovic went unpunished after grabbing Everton midfielder McCarthy in an unseemly tussle.


Serb Ivanovic will face no action, however, after the FA said a three-member panel that reviewed the incident did not agree it was a sending-off offence.


Chelsea, who are seven points clear at the top of the table, have been without striker Diego Costa for the last three matches after he was banned for stamping.


Manager Jose Mourinho was also recently fined by the FA for suggesting there was a “campaign” to influence referees' decisions against his team. – Reuters






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1B5cmM3
Read More

News sport : Winnipeg Jets acquisitions jump into action against Predators

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

NASHVILLE – With about four minutes left in Nashville’s 3-1 win over Winnipeg, Predators defenseman Shea Weber wound up and fired his signature slap shot, wired directly for the lower body of Jets defenseman Tyler Myers.


And as the 6-foot-8 blueliner, acquired from Buffalo Wednesday as part of a mega-deal for Evander Kane winced in pain and limped around the ice and struggled to finish his shift, there was a sense of worry and dread for the Jets.


Myers was sort of the big name the Jets got back in the trade – with all due respect to Drew Stafford. And Winnipeg also gave up defenseman Zach Bogosian. With one blast the big deal could have turned into a big dud.


Instead Myers ended up being fine – his only real wound an ice pack in his left knee area after the game. He returned after a brief locker room visit.


“I didn’t really know what to think at the time,” Myers said. “It just went completely dead on me, it was tough to stand. Looking back I maybe should have just stayed down to get a whistle, but try and fight through it. I think it’s OK now.”


Said coach Paul Maurice, “I was glad it was high enough up … (Weber) has such a big bomb back there. It’s not the first time he’s caught somebody and he went down, so he’s going to be fine.”


Besides that near disaster, the game went fine for the two new acquisitions. Myers played 21:23, and probably would have had more ice-time if he didn’t leave after the play to make sure Weber’s shot didn’t sever his lower body.


Stafford mainly tried to play a mistake-free game in 14:25 of action and 3:06 of power-play time.


“Just getting thrown in there and kind of trying to make sure I played my part and tried to work and keep it simple as much as I could,” he said.


But if there was one common theme from both after the game, it was that reality hit that they weren’t in Buffalo anymore. And they were extremely grateful to be somewhere else – at least from a hockey perspective.


No longer did they have to hear the names Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel every two seconds. They didn’t have to deal with losses, questions about ‘perceived’ tanking. They were with a team real NHL-level personnel and in a game that meant something against the NHL-leading Predators – a possible first round opponent for the Jets.


“I mean, I was playing a lot of minutes in Buffalo, and they were tough minutes back there,” Myers said. “Come in here there was a little more time in the offensive zone. Not as hard on the body. I felt pretty good.”


And overall, Winnipeg, which currently resides in the playoffs with 66 points held its own against Nashville in the Predators’ building – where teams not in yellowish gold appear to always lose. They were physical, they were strong, and if not for a standout game by Nashville netminder Pekka Rinne, the Jets could have won. Per naturalstattrick, Winnipeg out-Corsi’d the Preds 42-29 even strength and overall 65-49.


“So far so good. I’m sick of losing,” Stafford said. “But at the same time the atmosphere, the guys, the general confidence, the little bit of swagger that’s around here, they know what’s at stake. They know the type of team they have and they know they have a great chance to do some damage here and make a run at the playoffs.”


One game in February doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of a season. But Stafford and Myers didn’t seem to have a problem fitting in. Especially Myers whose size, mobility and minute-crunching ways will make him a powerful weapon for Winnipeg as it makes its push.


“Just the range Tyler has back there in the corner, he can jump in, and I thought Drew was on the puck really well, really involved in the play,” Maurice said. “These guys have been through a lot, and there’s a lot to learn, and I think as soon as they learn they’re going to be even better.”


- - - - - - -


Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!


MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY









from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1vpsQXZ
Read More

News sport : PGA Tour player proposes to girlfriend on Pebble Beach's 18th hole

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Pebble Beach is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It makes a great setting for a golf course. It also, apparently, is the perfect setting for a wedding proposal.


PGA Tour player Mark Hubbard got down on one knee behind Pebble Beach's iconic par-5 18th hole on Thursday to ask his girlfriend Meghan to marry him. Since we're posting this, Meghan obviously said yes.



Hubbard is in his rookie season on the PGA Tour, earning his way last season by finishing 18th on the Web.com Tour money list. So far, the 24-year-old has made seven cuts in eight starts this season -- enough money to pay for that rock.


Well done, young man.



Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.







from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1AtzcM7
Read More

News sport : Former Tennessee LB A.J. Johnson, current CB Michael Williams indicted in rape case

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Tennessee linebacker A.J. Johnson sits on the bench during an NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Oklahoma. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) Following an investigation that lasted nearly three months, former Tennessee linebacker A.J. Johnson and current UT cornerback Michael Williams have been indicted in a rape case by a Knox County grand jury.


Attorneys representing both Johnson and Williams confirmed the indictment to the Knoxville News Sentinel.


“I will confirm that I received a notification (from the Knox County District Attorney General’s office) that a presentment had been returned against him alleging rape,” said Williams’ attorney, David Eldridge. “Mr. Williams turned himself in to the Knox County jail and was released on a $40,000 bond.”


Johnson’s attorney told the News Sentinel that he was informed earlier on Thursday.


“We’re making plans for him to surrender,” Dillard said of Johnson.


No specific charges have been revealed.


The indictment stems from a November incident in which a 19-year-old female UT student accused Johnson, 23, and Williams, 21, of rape at approximately 1:45 a.m. during a party at Johnson’s apartment. Johnson was also accused of sexual assaulting another woman in the same incident. The second woman told police in November that she will not pursue charges.


Tennessee head coach Butch Jones suspended both players indefinitely after the news of the allegations emerged and neither played for the rest of the season. Johnson, a 2013 All-SEC selection who was the Vols’ leading tackler at the time, graduated in December. Williams, who is still enrolled at Tennessee, started five games and made 23 tackles for the Vols in 2014.


For more Tennessee news, visit VolQuest.com.


- - - - - - -


Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!







from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1FEraAb
Read More