By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Quincy Pondexter drove for a tiebreaking
bank shot with 1.7 seconds left, and 11th-seeded Washington
extended its remarkable late-season run into the NCAA tournament
with an 80-78 victory over Marquette in the first round of the East
Regional on Thursday night.
Pondexter scored 18 points and Isaiah Thomas 19 as the Huskies
(25-9) won their eighth straight game in dramatic fashion, rallying
from a 15-point deficit with 13 1/2 minutes left.
Washington made two late defensive stops before its senior
leader drove by Jimmy Butler from the perimeter and scored the
winning basket.
Lazar Hayward missed a half-court heave at the buzzer for the
sixth-seeded Golden Eagles (23-11), who didn't manage a field goal
in the final 4:33.
Washington will face the winner of third-seeded New Mexico's
late game against Montana at the Shark Tank, which was filled with
Huskies fans.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Chargers send little-used Whitehurst to Seattle
SAN DIEGO (AP) - The San Diego Chargers have traded third-string
quarterback Charlie Whitehurst to the Seattle Seahawks.
Whitehurst has never thrown a pass in the NFL and has played in
only two games, both as a rookie in 2006.
The teams swapped second-round picks in this year's draft,
allowing the Chargers to move up 20 spots to No. 40 overall, while
giving up the 60th choice. San Diego also receives a 2011 pick,
believed to be a third-rounder.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
M's finish Kotchman deal, send Celestino to BoSox
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - The Seattle Mariners have completed their
January trade for first baseman Casey Kotchman, sending
right-handed pitcher Miguel Celestino to the Boston Red Sox on
Thursday.
Boston had earlier received outfielder Bill Hall as part of the
deal, which also included a player to be named and cash.
The 20-year-old Celestino was 5-3 with a 4.73 ERA in 13 games
with the Rookie League's Arizona Mariners. Celestino, who signed
with the Mariners as a free agent in December 2006, played for
Seattle's Dominican Summer League team in 2007 and 2008.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Rockies beat Mariners 9-2
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - Carlos Gonzalez, Ryan Spilborghs and Eric
Young had two hits each, and Colorado starter Jason Hammel tossed
five strong innings to lead the Rockies past the Seattle Mariners
9-2 on Thursday.
Gonzalez and Cole Garner each drove in two runs for the Rockies,
who knocked out 13 hits against six pitchers.
The Mariners managed only four hits over the first eight
innings. Mike Sweeney tripled off the right field wall in the
fourth inning and scored on a wild pitch, and Mark Tuiasosopo added
an RBI single in the ninth for Seattle.
Hammel, who has not walked a batter in 14 innings this spring,
struck out six and allowed just three hits. Colorado's projected
No. 5 starter dropped his ERA to 1.93.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Cliff Lee suspended for 1st five games of season
NEW YORK (AP) - Seattle Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee has been
suspended for the first five games of the regular season for
throwing a pitch over the head of Arizona's Chris Snyder in an
exhibition game this week.
Lee is in his first season with Seattle. The former AL Cy Young
winner was ejected from Monday's game.
Major League Baseball vice president Bob Watson issued the
suspension and a fine on Wednesday. If the players' association
appeals, the penalty would be delayed until after a hearing and a
decision.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Basketball Classic on the radio
The 24th annual Boys and Girls Club of Whatcom County’s Basketball
classic is Friday at Lynden’s Jake Mayberry Gymnasium. It’s one final
opportunity to see the areas best prep seniors play one more time.
There will also be a three-point shootout and a slam- dunk competition.
The girls’ game begins at 6 with the boys’ game scheduled for 8. You
can hear it all on our sister station KGMI and on-line at kgmi.com. (KPUG NEWSROOM)
Huskies: Abdul Gaddy to train with select squad
Washington Husky freshman guard Abdul Gaddy has accepted an
invitation to attend training camp for the 2010 USA Men’s basketball
U18 National Team. The camp will be held June 14th, 15th and 16th at
the University of Texas at San Antonio and will be used to select the
12-member team that will represent the USA at the FIBA Championships
in late June.
(KPUG Newsroom)
WWU: Brown named Track and Field Athlete of the Year
Western Washington University’s Ryan Brown has been named the Great
Northwest Athletic Conference Male Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the
Year. Brown won the national title in the pole vault.
The Viking’s Anthony Zackery was selected as the league’s Outstanding
Male Newcomer.
WWU: Anderson, Webb and Jackson all honored by NABC
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University guard Morris
Anderson (Sr., Federal Way) received first-team honors and forward Derrick
Webb (Sr., Port Orchard/South Kitsap) earned second-team recognition
on the 2009-10 National Association of Basketball Coaches/NCAA Division II
West All-District Team announced Wednesday.
NABC West co-Coach of the Year accolades went to Western's Brad Jackson.
Anderson finished second among the Vikings in scoring at 14.7 points a game,
and led the team in assists (5.2 avg.), 3-point makes (2.3), and steals (2.5),
topping the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and ranking 14th nationally
in the latter category. He also paced the conference in free throw percentage at
86.2 percent (94-of-109), at one point making a school record 39 consecutive free throws.
Webb led Western in scoring at 16.3 points a game, which ranked fourth in the GNAC,
reaching double figures in 26 games. He was second on the team in rebounds (6.3),
assists (2.3) and steals (1.2).
Jackson directed Western to a 26-6 record, the Vikings earning the No.1-seed in the
West Regional where they reached the semifinal round before falling 76-75 in overtime
to eventual champion Cal Poly Pomona, and ranked No.15 in the final regular-season
NABC coaches' poll.
Anderson and Webb were earlier named first-team GNAC all-stars. Anderson also was
a first-team pick and Webb a second-team choice on the Daktronics West Region All-Star
team.
(wwuvikings.com)
Bellingham Bells sign 5 Pac-10 players
The Bellingham Bells have added five players from the Pac-10 conference.
UCLA catcher Steve Rodriguez and pitchers Scott Griggs and
Chase Brewer will join Oregon State pitcher Tony Bryant and Washington
State pitcher James on the Bells roster this summer.
Bellingham will open the season June 4th at Joe Martin Field against the
Kelowna Falcons.
(KPUG Newsroom)
Eagles sign former Seahawk DE Tapp to 3-year contract
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Philadelphia Eagles have signed newly
acquired defensive end Darryl Tapp to a three-year contract.
The contract was announced Thursday, a day after Tapp joined
Philadelphia in a trade that sent defensive end Chris Clemons and a
fourth-round pick in next month's draft to Seattle.
A second-round draft pick by the Seahawks in 2006, Tapp has 18
sacks, two interceptions, eight forced fumbles and four fumble
recoveries in 65 games.
Tapp will compete for a starting spot at left defensive end. Pro
Bowl end Trent Cole starts on the right side.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Canucks winger Samuelsson to miss up to 3 weeks
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - Canucks winger Mikael
Samuelsson will be out up to three weeks with an undisclosed upper
body injury during Tuesday night's 5-2 loss to the Islanders.
Samuelsson left during the third period of a contest that also
saw his seven-game point streak come to an end. The 33-year-old had
seven of his nine goals during that span in the five games since
being moved onto the Canucks' No. 1 line with fellow Swedes Daniel
and Henrik Sedin.
"He's been playing really well," Vancouver coach Alain
Vigneault said. "Obviously he was contributing to our success and
it's something we'll have to deal with."
Samuelsson signed a three-year, $7.5-million free agent deal in
Vancouver last summer after four seasons in Detroit. He has already
set career highs with 30 goals and 53 points.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Islanders stun Canucks with 5-2 win
VANCOUVER, B.C. - John Tavares scored two goals and added three
assists as the New York Islanders upset the Vancouver Canucks 5-2
on Tuesday night.
Tavares, 19, the first overall selection in last year's NHL
draft, broke out of a prolonged scoring slump in a big way as he
recorded his best game as a pro. The five-point night came after
Tavares, considered a strong rookie of the year candidate in the
season's early going, had produced just nine points in his previous
37 games and only one goal in 22 contests.
Fellow rookie Dylan Reese, with his first NHL career goal, Matt
Moulson and Freddy Meyer also scored for the Islanders (29-32-9),
as they posted their third straight victory before a shocked and
disappointed sell-out crowd of 18,810 at General Motors Place.
New York ended Vancouver's home winning streak at seven games.
Kyle Wellwood and Alex Burrows replied for the Canucks (43-24-3)
with goals two minutes apart in the second period.
Tavares scored his second into an empty net with 2:20 left in
the game to put the Islanders ahead 5-2 and erase what little doubt
there was left about the outcome.
(The Canadian Press) (from Broadcast News Ltd.)
Penn out as Portland's VP of basketball operations
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The Portland Trail Blazers have dismissed
Tom Penn as vice president of basketball operations.
The team issued a statement that said Penn was dismissed Tuesday
for "philosophical differences." No details were offered.
Penn, who was regarded as a salary cap specialist, joined the
Blazers as an assistant general manager in 2007.
He was a candidate for the general manager's job with the
Minnesota Timberwolves last May. He removed himself from
consideration when the Blazers promoted him.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Mariners send 2nd overall pick Ackley to Double A
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - The Seattle Mariners have sent second
overall draft choice Dustin Ackley to Double-A West Tennessee,
where the impressive 22-year-old will likely begin his first full
professional season.
Last August, the Mariners and Ackley agreed on a five-year major
league contract worth $7.5 million. Seattle has since tried the
sweet-swinging former first baseman and outfielder at North
Carolina at second base.
He had three hits in 19 at-bats (a .158 batting average) with
three RBIs and one error in 10 spring games.
The Mariners have said they expect Ackley to reach the major
leagues soon, though he was expected to begin this season in the
minors.
Seattle also optioned outfielder Ezequiel Carrera to Triple-A
Tacoma on Tuesday.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Mariners like Ackley's bat, defense
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - The Mariners were attracted to Dustin
Ackley by his magic bat.
But now that they see the former North Carolina star's work
ethic when it comes to defense, they are excited about the 2009 No.
2 overall draft selection all over again.
Ackley, who played outfield and then first base with the Tar
Heels after undergoing Tommy John surgery, has been hard at work
for more than three months adjusting to second base.
He is headed to Double-A West Tennessee this season but is
showing that could be a very temporary situation. Ackley has looked
smooth in the field and typically at home at the plate.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Former Mariners catcher Johjima set to lead Tigers
TOKYO (AP) - Former Seattle Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima
(KEHN'-jee JOH'-jih-muh) says he still has plenty to learn in Japan
after returning from four seasons in the major leagues.
Johjima, the first Japanese catcher to play Major League
Baseball, has returned to play for the Hanshin Tigers, one of the
most popular teams in Japan.
Coming home may seem like an easy transition for the 33-year-old
veteran, but Johjima knows there's plenty to learn, including a new
pitching staff in a league he's never played in.
Before he left Japan, Johjima was a standout for the
small-market Fukuoka (foo-koo-oh-kah) Daiei Hawks of the Pacific
League.
Playing for the Central League's Tigers is a whole new ballgame.
Zags prepare to face Florida State
By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS
Associated Press Writer
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Gonzaga's 12th straight trip to the NCAA
tournament is shaping up as one of its toughest.
Even though they were ranked in the top 25 most of the season,
the Zags got a No. 8 seed and were shipped to Buffalo, N.Y., to
play ninth-seeded Florida State on Friday.
If they win, their likely opponent is top-seeded Syracuse.
Gonzaga (26-6) is making the 13th trip to the NCAAs in program
history. The 12 straight trips are tied with Texas and Wisconsin
for third-longest current streak, after Kansas (21), Duke (15) and
Michigan State (13).
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Gonzaga, Washington traveling in NCAA tournament
SEATTLE (AP) - Gonzaga is a No. 8 seed and will travel to
Buffalo, N.Y., to face ninth-seeded Florida State on Friday in the
first round of its 12th consecutive NCAA tournament.
And Pac-10 tournament champion Washington is an 11th seed in its
second consecutive tournament. The surging Huskies will meet
sixth-seeded Marquette in San Jose, Calif., on Friday.
The NCAA announced Sunday that Gonzaga and Washington are again
among the 65 teams in its tournament.
The Bulldogs lost a chance to play their first NCAA games at
home in Spokane when they lost in the West Coast Conference finals
to Saint Mary's.
The Huskies rallied after they spent January and February
wondering how they could possibly make the field of 65.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Bone: Cougars 'not that far off'
By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS
Associated Press Writer
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Coach Ken Bone didn't expect to finish
last in his first season at Washington State, but he says a couple
of breaks in close games would have lifted the Cougars into the
thick of the Pac-10 race.
Washington State (16-15, 6-12 Pac-10) could have finished in the
middle of the muddled Pac-10 most of the season. Their six
conference wins were the most ever for a last-place team in the
league.
The Cougars were one of the youngest teams in the nation,
featuring only one senior in Nik Koprivica, and no juniors.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Puck in gold-medal game heads to Hall of Fame
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - The gold-medal puck is going
to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Sidney Crosby used it to score the game-winner in the 3-2
overtime thriller against the U.S. in the Olympic final on Feb. 28.
It will be displayed at the Hall in Toronto.
"I am happy to see that the puck is going to the Hockey Hall of
Fame," Crosby said in a statement Tuesday. "I feel very lucky to
have been part of that team and that game as well, and I am glad
hockey fans will get the chance to share the moment by seeing
things like the overtime-winning puck up close."
After the game, officials accidentally shipped the puck to the
International Ice Hockey Federation offices in Switzerland.
The IIHF, along with the Vancouver Olympic organizers, decided
it would go to the Hall of Fame.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Portland's Roy wins Player of the Week honors
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy
has been named the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week.
The All-Star averaged 27 points while leading the Trail Blazers
to four victories last week. He had 41 points in a comeback win at
Golden State.
This is the fifth time Roy has won the award in his career.
Clyde Drexler is the only other player in franchise history to
win it that often.
Gonzaga sent to Seattle for second consecutive year
SEATTLE (AP) - While the Gonzaga men got shipped across the
country, the Gonzaga women are just going across the state.
The Bulldogs were given a No. 7 seed in the Sacramento region of
the NCAA women's tournament on Monday. They will open play on
Saturday night against No. 10 seed North Carolina in the first
round.
The other first-round matchup to be played in Seattle will
feature No. 2 seed Texas A&M, champions of the Big 12 Conference
tournament, against No. 15 seed Portland State, winners of the Big
Sky tourney.
The two winners will play on Monday night in the second round.
This is the second consecutive year Gonzaga has been placed in
Seattle.
Last year as a No. 12 seed, the Bulldogs upset Xavier before
losing to Pittsburgh 65-60 in the second round.
UW in women's postseason tourney
SEATTLE (AP) - Though it's not the NCAA tournament, the
University of Washington women's basketball team has reached its
first postseason event in four years.
The Huskies on Monday accepted a bid to the inaugural, 16-team
Women's Basketball Invitational. Washington will host Portland on
Wednesday night.
Huskies coach Tia Jackson says the team is "thrilled" to have
another opportunity to play. It is her first postseason tournament
as a head coach.
Washington finished 12-17, but tied for sixth in the Pac-10 with
a late-season winning streak. The Huskies had been picked to finish
last in the conference.
Portland was 18-12, 7-7 in the West Coast Conference.
EWU to play Oregon in WNIT
CHENEY, Wash. (AP) - The Eastern Washington women will play at
Oregon in the first round of the WNIT on Thursday.
It will be the first national tournament for the Eagles since
1987.
It's also their second game this season in Eugene. They lost
86-48 at Oregon (16-15) on Nov. 16.
Eastern (19-11) earned an automatic berth into the WNIT by
winning its first Big Sky Conference regular season title. Their
NCAA tournament hopes ended with a 65-57 loss to sixth-seeded
Montana State in the tournament semifinals.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
