ReportWire

Tag: playoff

  • Mercury close with 9-0 win, grab series edge over Lynx

    [ad_1]

    (Photo credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images)

    Satou Sabally scored 15 of her 23 points in the fourth quarter and the host Phoenix Mercury beat the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 84-76 on Friday to take a 2-1 edge in their WNBA semifinal series.

    Alyssa Thomas amassed 21 points, nine rebounds and eight assists while Kahleah Copper also scored 21 points for Phoenix. Thomas passed Sue Bird for the second-most assists in WNBA playoff history.

    The fourth-seeded Mercury, who finished the game on a 9-0 run in the last 3 1/2 minutes, can close out the best-of-five series on Sunday at home for their first WNBA Finals appearance since 2021.

    Natisha Hiedeman had a career-playoff high 19 points, Napheesa Collier added 17 and Courtney Williams contributed 14 for the Lynx, who have lost two games in a row for only the second time this season.

    Thomas stole the ball from Collier and made a layup for an 82-76 lead with 21.8 seconds remaining, after which Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve stormed the court in protest. Reeve, who was arguing what she considered to be excessive contract on Collier, was given a second technical foul on the night and was ejected.

    Collier went to the floor and grabbed her left ankle on the play, and she was helped to the locker room.

    Sabally made all 11 of her free-throws attempts, hitting the final two after the technical foul on Reeve and another at the same time on Minnesota associate head coach Eric Thibault.

    Collier, Williams and Hiedeman did not score in the fourth quarter, going a combined 0-for-7 from the floor against a Mercury defense that limited the Lynx to nine fourth-quarter points on 3-of-16 (18.8 percent) shooting from the floor. The Lynx hit 42.3 percent of their field-goal attempts on the night, while the Mercury made 46.2 percent.

    Maria Kliundikova gave Minnesota a 76-75 lead on a driving layup with 3:31 remaining, but the Lynx did not score again. Klkiundikova scored six of her eight points in the fourth.

    The Mercury’s eight-point winning margin was their largest of the game, which had 15 lead changes.

    –Field Level Media

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Cubs eager to clinch playoff berth with sweep of Pirates

    [ad_1]

    (Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

    The Chicago Cubs will look to punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time in five years when they pursue a three-game series sweep of the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday afternoon.

    The Cubs (87-64) recorded their third straight win and sixth in their past seven outings with a 4-1 victory over the reeling Pirates (65-87) on Tuesday. Chicago’s magic number to clinch a playoff berth rests at one.

    ‘We’re excited about it. We’re ready for it,’ said Michael Busch, who greeted Pittsburgh phenom Paul Skenes by belting his team-high-tying 29th homer of the season to lead off the game on Tuesday.

    Busch added a pair of doubles, and teammate Nico Hoerner also had three hits to highlight the Cubs’ 14-hit attack.

    While appreciative of his team’s late surge, Busch was quick to note that the campaign is far from over.

    ‘We still got a week-and-a-half left of regular-season baseball, but we’re excited just about the push,’ he said.

    Busch is 9-for-25 (.360) with three home runs, three doubles and four RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

    ‘Ball’s going far. That’s what Michael does when he gets into those modes,’ Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. ‘The ball is in the air, line drives to the wall. (He) hit a great pitch out.’

    Not to be overshadowed, Hoerner is batting .404 (23-for-57) this month.

    ‘We’re getting good offense,’ Counsell said. ‘Nico continues to stay hot.’

    The Pirates, in turn, have been cold, losing 10 of their past 11 games. They have mustered just one run on seven hits in the first two games of the current series and have lost all four series against Chicago this season, going 3-9.

    ‘Offensively, on the whole, just struggling at the plate,’ Pirates manager Don Kelly said. ‘We need to find a way to continue to grind those at-bats out and find a way to do what we did when things were going well.’

    Pittsburgh struck out 12 times on Tuesday and went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.

    Chicago left-hander Matthew Boyd (13-8, 3.05 ERA) will look to fluster the Pirates on Wednesday when he starts against right-hander Johan Oviedo (2-0, 2.81).

    Boyd improved to 2-5 in his last seven decisions despite allowing four runs on five hits in five innings of a 6-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.

    He has pitched well in a pair of outings against Pittsburgh this season, posting a 1-0 record with a 2.45 ERA. Overall, Boyd sports a 1-3 record and a 5.70 ERA in seven career appearances (all starts) vs. the Pirates.

    Oviedo settled for his second straight no-decision on Thursday after permitting two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings in his team’s 3-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. He yielded three walks for the third straight outing to drive up his pitch count.

    Oviedo is 2-4 with a 3.67 ERA in 10 career appearances (nine starts) against the Cubs.

    –Field Level Media

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • The NFL is finally back. Here are 5 things to know ahead of kickoff

    [ad_1]

    The NFL is back at long last, and we are going to be treated to 16 games over four days to start the season.Here are five things to know heading into Week One. (And get to the end of the article for a fantasy tip that could help you win Week One!)Super Bowl champs open the season vs. Cowboys and Friday night footballThe Philadelphia Eagles are set to begin their title defense Thursday night when they host their NFC East rival, the Dallas Cowboys.The Philly faithful will still have plenty to cheer about as they are bringing back pretty much all of the core from their championship team. And some extra good news for the Eagles: the so-called “tush push” was not banned, and they can continue to dominate short-yardage scenarios with Jalen Hurts and their powerful offensive line.Hurts is extra happy for this matchup after the Cowboys shocked the NFL world by trading All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons last week to the Packers for two first-round picks and Kenny Clark. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said part of the reason they made the trade was to stop the run. Let’s see how they do against Saquon Barkley on opening night.The second game of the NFL season will be just one night later, as the league returns to São Paulo, Brazil, for a second straight season. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will take on the Los Angeles Chargers.In last year’s Brazil game at Arena Corinthians, the field was very slick and drew much criticism from the Eagles and Packers. The NFL says it is aware of the problem and will make sure it does not happen this time.The Buffalo Bills are Super Bowl favoritesNeither Hurts and the Eagles, nor Mahomes and the Chiefs, are the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season. Oddsmakers have Josh Allen and the Bills as the most likely to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.At some point the Bills’ luck has to change, right?They are one of 12 NFL teams to have never won the Super Bowl, along with the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans.They just better hope they don’t run into the Chiefs. Allen is 0-4 against Mahomes in the playoffs. The Bills have a monster opener Sunday night at home against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.Aaron Rodgers revenge gameRight out of the gate we get Aaron Rodgers, who is now the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, going up against his former team, the New York Jets. New York fans will likely not be giving Rodgers a warm welcome when he gets under center at MetLife Stadium. In his two seasons in New York the Jets went just 6-12 in games he played – and he spent much of the time injured.Rodgers turns 42 in December. Here is the list of quarterbacks who have started 10 or more games in their age-42 season: Tom Brady.That’s it.Rodgers will need to stay healthy and find the fountain of youth if the Steelers are to realize their Super Bowl dreams.The 49ers are fire and iceHistory has told us one thing about the 49ers: They are either going to be really good or really bad. This is an amazing stat: Over the last 22 years, the Niners have either made at least the NFC Championship Game or not made the playoffs at all. They don’t mess around with any first- or second-round exits.This season they are coming off a very disappointing 6-11 record. But the good news is that finish was good for last place in the NFC West, which means they get to play a last-place schedule this season. Expect a big bounce-back year from Brock Purdy and company, as they officially have the easiest schedule in the NFL.They open at Seattle on Sunday.Bengals yearn for hot startNo team needs to get off to a fast start more than the Cincinnati Bengals. Over the last three seasons they’ve started 0-2, and last season they started 0-3. For this reason, coach Zac Taylor had his starters playing more than usual during the preseason to get them ready for Week One against the Browns.Joe Burrow and company have missed the playoffs the past two seasons. They will look to end the drought behind their high-powered offense.Fantasy tip: Start Jerome FordSpeaking of the Bengals … while their offense is good, their defense is expected to be one of the worst in the NFL. Browns running back Jerome Ford is rostered in about 70% of ESPN leagues. If he’s available, or if you already have him, start him against the Bengals.

    The NFL is back at long last, and we are going to be treated to 16 games over four days to start the season.

    Here are five things to know heading into Week One. (And get to the end of the article for a fantasy tip that could help you win Week One!)

    Super Bowl champs open the season vs. Cowboys and Friday night football

    The Philadelphia Eagles are set to begin their title defense Thursday night when they host their NFC East rival, the Dallas Cowboys.

    The Philly faithful will still have plenty to cheer about as they are bringing back pretty much all of the core from their championship team. And some extra good news for the Eagles: the so-called “tush push” was not banned, and they can continue to dominate short-yardage scenarios with Jalen Hurts and their powerful offensive line.

    Hurts is extra happy for this matchup after the Cowboys shocked the NFL world by trading All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons last week to the Packers for two first-round picks and Kenny Clark. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said part of the reason they made the trade was to stop the run. Let’s see how they do against Saquon Barkley on opening night.

    The second game of the NFL season will be just one night later, as the league returns to São Paulo, Brazil, for a second straight season. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will take on the Los Angeles Chargers.

    In last year’s Brazil game at Arena Corinthians, the field was very slick and drew much criticism from the Eagles and Packers. The NFL says it is aware of the problem and will make sure it does not happen this time.

    The Buffalo Bills are Super Bowl favorites

    Neither Hurts and the Eagles, nor Mahomes and the Chiefs, are the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season. Oddsmakers have Josh Allen and the Bills as the most likely to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

    At some point the Bills’ luck has to change, right?

    They are one of 12 NFL teams to have never won the Super Bowl, along with the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans.

    They just better hope they don’t run into the Chiefs. Allen is 0-4 against Mahomes in the playoffs. The Bills have a monster opener Sunday night at home against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.

    Aaron Rodgers revenge game

    Right out of the gate we get Aaron Rodgers, who is now the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, going up against his former team, the New York Jets. New York fans will likely not be giving Rodgers a warm welcome when he gets under center at MetLife Stadium. In his two seasons in New York the Jets went just 6-12 in games he played – and he spent much of the time injured.

    Rodgers turns 42 in December. Here is the list of quarterbacks who have started 10 or more games in their age-42 season: Tom Brady.

    That’s it.

    Rodgers will need to stay healthy and find the fountain of youth if the Steelers are to realize their Super Bowl dreams.

    The 49ers are fire and ice

    History has told us one thing about the 49ers: They are either going to be really good or really bad. This is an amazing stat: Over the last 22 years, the Niners have either made at least the NFC Championship Game or not made the playoffs at all. They don’t mess around with any first- or second-round exits.

    This season they are coming off a very disappointing 6-11 record. But the good news is that finish was good for last place in the NFC West, which means they get to play a last-place schedule this season. Expect a big bounce-back year from Brock Purdy and company, as they officially have the easiest schedule in the NFL.

    They open at Seattle on Sunday.

    Bengals yearn for hot start

    No team needs to get off to a fast start more than the Cincinnati Bengals. Over the last three seasons they’ve started 0-2, and last season they started 0-3. For this reason, coach Zac Taylor had his starters playing more than usual during the preseason to get them ready for Week One against the Browns.

    Joe Burrow and company have missed the playoffs the past two seasons. They will look to end the drought behind their high-powered offense.

    Fantasy tip: Start Jerome Ford

    Speaking of the Bengals … while their offense is good, their defense is expected to be one of the worst in the NFL. Browns running back Jerome Ford is rostered in about 70% of ESPN leagues. If he’s available, or if you already have him, start him against the Bengals.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Owen-Withee, WIAA disagree on what caused team to miss out on post-season

    Owen-Withee, WIAA disagree on what caused team to miss out on post-season

    [ad_1]









    The pandemic, students getting jobs, other hobbies and losing interest, on the first day of football practice in 2020 Owen-Withee’s had just 13 athletes show up.

    After the 2019 season, they made the tough decision to take their football program down to the 8-man division, with the school administration filing the paperwork in November of 2020.

    They knew they would have to serve a two-year playoff ban, but were told they’d be eligible to play in the postseason in 2022.

    Over a year later, that statement was retracted.

    “I don’t know where things ultimately got switched, changed, whatever,” said Terry Laube, long-time Blackhawk head coach. “We feel we had done everything she asked us to do and we’re all good to go and all of the sudden the rug gets pulled from under us.”

    With documentation from the WIAA stating they’d be playoff eligible in 2022, the school took the decision to appeals.

    The WIAA effectively ruled it was a clerical error, made by a former employee.

    Not counting the 2019 season, the Blackhawks competed in junior-varsity season as a varsity sit out, however, it wouldn’t count to their two-year playoff ban, as the school had originally interpreted.

    “I’ve had the great fortune to coach for 34 years,” said Laube. “I don’t think I’ve ever been gut shot like this before. We have to go in and have to look 22 boys in the eyes and say, ‘I’m so sorry, you know what our appeal was denied’.”

    The error, made by a now retired WIAA official, was conveyed to the school over email, with WIAA Executive Director Stephanie Hauser, and other elected officials included. However, the correction of the error wasn’t caught until nearly a year later in September 2021.

    Although the WIAA admitted to the error, they said it comes down to what is written in the rulebook in place.

    “Every conversation we have in this office, when it comes to eligibility, it comes down to finding a way it can be done within the membership’s rules that have been voted on and implemented to find a way to make either schools programs, or individuals eligible for our tournament series,” said WIAA Director of Communications Todd Clark.

    “It’s pretty clear what the season regulations call for in a situation like this, and that’s why from a staff and a board perspective, we weren’t able to just ignore the rule.”

    Now, Owen-Withee, who is ranked third in the state in 8-man, will have their season end Friday with no trip to the postseason for the third consecutive year.

    “You know people make decisions that truly you don’t understand,” Laube said. “Life isn’t fair all the time, I guess. That’s it, life isn’t fair and a great lesson for them.”

    “We all have opportunities to make mistakes in our lives,” continued Laube. “To just acknowledge those mistakes and then say, ‘”in the best interest of the student athletes, this is what we need to do, we need to allow them to go ahead and experience the playoffs.’”

    Owen-Withee, 7-0, will conclude its season Friday against the also undefeated Thorp Cardinals.

    [ad_2]

    Source link