UFC champ Jon Bones Jones arrested on suspicion of DUI
AHN Sports Staff Binghamton, NY, United States (AHN Sports) – UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence early Saturday morning. The incident happened in upstate New York, and was confirmed by his management team after news of the arrest was reported by TMZ.com. According to the TMZ report, Jones was involved in a car accident at around 5 a.m. in Binghamton, N.Y., near his hometown of Ithaca. TMZ reported that Jones crashed his Bentley into a pole and was arrested on the scene. First Round Management, which represents Jones, sent out a statement confirming the arrest and asking for privacy on behalf of the fighter and his family. “I can confirm that Jon Jones was arrested early this morning on suspicion of DUI,” First Round Management’s Malki Kawa said in the statement. “While the facts of this situation are still being gathered and situated, First Round Management fully supports Jon and we are asking for fans and media to respect the privacy of Jon and his family during this time.” There’s no word yet as to whether Jones sustained any injuries in the incident. TMZ reported Jones was taken into custody by the Broome County Sheriff and released after his mother posted his bond. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
MLS: Whitecaps, Sounders battle to draw in Cascadia Cup
Fitzgerald Cecilio – AHN Sports Reporter Vancouver, BC, Canada (AHN Sports) – The Seattle Sounders and the Vancouver Whitecaps kicked off the Cascadia Cup rivalry series with a wild 2-2 draw at the BC Place Saturday. Seattle forward Fredy Montero scored on a sensational curling shot in the 90th minute that left Vancouver goalkeeper Joe Cannon stunned. Left back Alain Rochat opened scoring in the 12th minute for the Whitecaps, who had several scoring opportunities but failed to capitalize. In the 33rd minute, Omar Salgado outmuscled Jeff Parke before scuffing his shot wide and Rochat set up rookie Darren Mattocks but the Jamaican’s weak effort failed to find the target. In the 46th minute, Mattocks broke free but couldn’t hit the frame, firing well over. The Whitecaps’ missed opportunities came to haunt them in the 47th minute when Eddie Johnson tied the count with a header from a cross by Mauro Rosales. Camilo’s free kick found a way through a crowded penalty area and gave Vancouver a 2-1 lead in the 83rd minute before Montero scored the game-tying goal. The Whitecaps, now 5-3-3 (win-loss-draw), are now preparing prepare for the decisive second leg of the Canadian Championship Wednesday at BMO Field. The Sounders host the Columbus Crew Wednesday in MLS action at CenturyLink Field, after falling to 7-2-2. The Cascadia Cup is the name of the trophy created in 2004 by supporters of the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which is awarded each season to the best soccer team in the Pacific Northwest. The Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps have roots dating to the days of the North American Soccer League. It was first contested in 2004, and was claimed by the Whitecaps. In 2011 the competition continued with the MLS sides Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders FC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The Whitecaps and Sounders have three Cascadia Cup apiece. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Ice hockey federation accepts Jamaica, Qatar as members
Fitzgerald Cecilio – AHN Sports Reporter Helsinki, Finland (AHN Sports) – Jamaica and Qatar, two countries not affiliated with cold weather or snow, have been accepted by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) as its newest members. During the IIHF Annual Congress in Helsinki, Jamaica and Qatar were accepted as the 71st and 72nd members, joining hockey superpowers Canada, Russia, Sweden and the United States. Jamaica joins the IIHF as an associate member, and Qatar as a full member under the pre-condition of an audit. Qatar became the third country from the Gulf Region to be accepted into the IIHF, following United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Currently, Qatar has two hockey rinks and its two-year-old hockey program features a senior league with five teams and 70 players. The country also has an ice hockey school with more than 100 registered participants. The Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Federation (JOIHF) was founded last winter. The Caribbean country has one ice rink and currently 20 players but aims to grow and fulfill the criteria to participate in IIHF tournaments in the future. Jamaica hockey federation’s ultimate dream is to participate in the Olympics, like the Jamaican bobsled team in Calgary 1988 that became famous in the film “Cool Runnings”. The country’s original goal was to participate in the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia but with such short notice, Jamaica is now focusing on the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. But with its status as an associate member, Jamaica is not yet ready to participate in any IIHF events. The Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Federation was founded last winter. The Caribbean country has one ice rink and currently 20 players but aims to grow the game and fulfill the criteria to participate in IIHF tournaments in the future. And the dream is to once participate at the Olympics like the Jamaican bobsled team in Calgary 1988 that became famous in the film “Cool Runnings”. The JOIHF is chaired by Edmond L. Phillipps Jr., and his son Edmond R. Phillipps, a player and Level 4 coach, is the CEO. They are Americans of Jamaican descent who want to develop their favorite sport in the country of their heritage. The Jamaica ice hockey team will not require financial support from Jamaica’s already cash-strapped coffers, but have budgeted that to achieve their goals it will cost about $1.7 million, money that they claim they are well on the way to acquiring from donors. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Table Tennis taking off as sport in Maryland
Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor Annapolis, MD, United States (AHN Sports) – Though it has held a strong following in Montgomery County since the early 1990s following its establishment as an Olympic sport in 1988, table tennis is emerging as a fast-growing sport in Maryland and the entire country. The expansion of the Maryland Table Tennis Center in April to about 10,000 square feet in size and 16 tables is indicative of the sports increasing popularity. At present, Maryland has eight clubs sanctioned by USA Table Tennis, the national association for the sport. Five of those clubs are based in Montgomery County. Table tennis has given the state dozens of winners in the junior Olympic table tennis, including last year’s gold medalists for Boys Team play under 18, according to USA Table Tennis records. The sport’s popularity can also be seen in the collegiate level. Last year, there were 148 schools in the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association tournaments, a huge increase from about 30 schools in 2001, according to the group. Incidentally, Peter Li, who ruled the 2011 U.S. Nationals, the countrywide table tennis tournament, trains in private clubs in Rockville and Gaithersburg. Interest in the sport has been sustained by local and regional tournaments. The Potomac Country Table Tennis Club, which has 145 members, has maintained almost the same number in terms of membership due to the regular weekly competitions. The club plays in two recreation centers in Potomac. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Kobe, Lakers hand Thunder first playoff loss, trail series 2-1
Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN Sports) – Kobe Bryant once again carried his team by scoring eight of Lakers’ final 10 points, helping Los Angeles get back in the series with a 99-96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 Friday night at Staples Center. Bryant finished with 36 points, but made up for a 9-of-25 shooting by making all 18 of his free throws, and the Lakers now trail this Western Conference semifinals 2-1. Struggling to find his range, Bryant willed his team to win by making huge shots and hitting clutch free throws. Bryant, who also had seven boards and six assists, aggressively attacked the basket, which resulted in 18 successful trips to the charity line. Bryant, who scored 14 in the decisive fourth, made six free throws in the final 1:08 of the period, including the final pair with 9.8 seconds remaining for the final margin. The Lakers, who were blown out in the series opener and fell in Game 2 despite holding a lead in the final minutes, were nearly perfect from the charity stripes as they finished 41-of-42. Andrew Bynum also struggled on the floor on a 2-of-13 shooting, but asserted his defensive presence all night in the paint and challenging shooters on perimeters. He finished with 15 points and 11 boards. Pau Gasol chipped in 12 markers and 11 boards, while Steve Blake, who missed a potential game-winning three-pointer in Game 2, was 4-of-5 from the floor and 2 for 2 from 3-point range for 12 points. The Lakers roared out from the gate with a 16-4 lead in the first. They took a 50-47 lead into intermission following a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Metta World Peace, who finished with 10 points. The Thunder started to regain some momentum in the third frame and surged ahead by as much as seven with three minutes remaining in the period. James Harden, who scored 21 points, sparked a 7-0 burst that gave the Thunder their largest lead in the fourth stanza, 83-78. The Lakers were unfazed and took control down the stretch, with the contest decided at the foul line. Los Angeles outscored the Thunder 12-4 down the stretch. Kevin Durant finished with 31 points on 12-of-23 shooting from the floor. He had some huge baskets in the fourth to help keep Oklahoma City ahead, but missed a potential tying 3-pointer on the game’s final possession. The Thunder, poised to moved to the brink of their second straight trip to the Western Conference finals, suffered their first setback of this postseason after sweeping the defending NBA-champion
Sixers claw back from 18-point deficit to top Celtics, level series
AHN Sports Staff Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN Sports) – Evan Turner and Andre Iguodala each scored 16 points to fuel The Philadelphia 76ers to a 92-83 come-from-behind victory over the Boston Celtics and even up the series at 2-2 Friday in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinals showdown at Wells Fargo Arena. The Sixers are making their second-round series with the Celtics more interesting than expected, engineering a big second half rally to overcome an 18-point deficit and take a crucial series-tying victory in Game 4. Turner, Iguodala, and Jrue Holiday once again delivered their usual all-around game, while the Sixers bench produced 44 points to offset another frustrating game for starting bigman Elton Brand (3 pts) and Spencer Hawes (2 pts). Lou Williams chipped in with 15 points and 8 assists and Thaddeus Young had 12 points and 9 boards to spearhead the Sixers bench mob. Rookie Lavoy Allen also recorded 8 points and 10 boards and came up with an outstanding defensive job on the shaded lane Coming off a 107-91 victory in Game 3, the Celtics dominated the first half and even looked poised to get another blowout win after building an 18-point lead just two minutes into the third quarter. However, with steady defense and great interior passing, the Sixers willed themselves back into the game and outscored the Celtics in the last two quarters. Kevin Garnett, who racked up double-doubles in the first three games, faced a stiffer challenge from the Sixers defense and contributed only 9 points (3-for-12 shooting) and 11 boards with seven turnovers. Paul Pierce led the way with a team-high 24 points while Rajon Rondo tallied 15 points and 15 assists for the Celtics, who could not stop the Sixers’ explosive run in the second half. The Sixers shot just .378 percent from the field but Doug Collins’ guys dominated the battle for the boards 52-38 and forced the Celtics to commit 17 turnovers. With the series locked at 2-2, the Sixers and Celtics will try to gain a decisive 3-2 edge in Monday’s Game 5 at TD Garden. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Verlander loses no-hit bid in ninth, but Tigers blank Pirates
Fitzgerald Cecilio – AHN Sports Reporter Detroit, MI, United States (AHN Sports) – Justin Verlander carried a no-hit bid into the ninth Friday and the Detroit Tigers snapped a two-game slump with a 6-0 blanking of the Pittsburgh Pirates in interleague play at Comerica Park. Verlander (5-1) was cruising his way to a third career no-hitter until a one-out single by Josh Harrelson – the 28th batter he faced — in the ninth inning spoiled the 2011 Most Valuable Player’s no-hit attempt. The right-hander retired the last two batters via groundout to settle for his second one-hitter of his career. The 2011 American League Cy Young winner, struck out a season-high 12 and walked two in his second complete game this season. He failed in his bid to become the fourth pitcher since 1919, and the sixth in history, to throw three no-hitters. Verlander posted his first career no-hitter on June 12, 2007 against the Milwaukee Brewers. On May 7, 2011, he had his second no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays. Designated hitter Delmon Young homered in the fourth inning and had a two-run double in the seventh to spearhead the Tigers’ attack. Prince Fielder, Don Kelly Miguel Cabrera had an RBI apiece for Detroit (19-20). The Pirates had no answer for Verlander, who mixed in his pitches early and saved his upper-90s fastball for the later innings. Charlie Morton (2-4) earned the loss after allowing nine hits and four runs in six innings for the Pirates (18-21). The win came as a relief for the Tigers, whose inconsistent play has left manager Jim Leyland and their fans frustrated, despite the acquisition of power hitter Fielder. “We have to take that,” Leyland told mlb.com. “We have it coming right now. You’d better have broad shoulders. Does anybody like it? No. But do we expect it? Yes, I expect it. We got it last year, and we turned it around and that changed it.” But Leyland said he isn’t going to yell and scream at his players to show frustration over their start. “The yelling and screaming and throwing stuff like I did 20
Verlander takes no-hit bid into 9th, Tigers blank Pirates, 6-0
Fitzgerald Cecilio – AHN Sports Reporter Detroit, MI, United States (AHN Sports) – Justin Verlander carried a no-hit bid into the ninth Friday and the Detroit Tigers snapped a two-game slump with a 6-0 blanking of the Pittsburgh Pirates in interleague play at Comerica Park. Verlander (5-1) was cruising his way to a third career no-hitter until a one-out single by Josh Harrelson – the 28th batter he faced — in the ninth inning spoiled the 2011 Most Valuable Player’s no-hit attempt. The right-hander retired the last two batters via groundout to settle for his second one-hitter of his career. The 2011 American League Cy Young winner, struck out a season-high 12 and walked two in his second complete game this season. He failed in his bid to become the fourth pitcher since 1919, and the sixth in history, to throw three no-hitters. Verlander posted his first career no-hitter on June 12, 2007 against the Milwaukee Brewers. On May 7, 2011, he had his second no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays. Designated hitter Delmon Young homered in the fourth inning and had a two-run double in the seventh to spearhead the Tigers’ attack. Prince Fielder, Don Kelly Miguel Cabrera had an RBI apiece for Detroit (19-20). The Pirates had no answer for Verlander, who mixed in his pitches early and saved his upper-90s fastball for the later innings. Charlie Morton (2-4) earned the loss after allowing nine hits and four runs in six innings for the Pirates (18-21). The win came as a relief for the Tigers, whose inconsistent play has left manager Jim Leyland and their fans frustrated, despite the acquisition of power hitter Fielder. “We have to take that,” Leyland told mlb.com. “We have it coming right now. You’d better have broad shoulders. Does anybody like it? No. But do we expect it? Yes, I expect it. We got it last year, and we turned it around and that changed it.” But Leyland said he isn’t going to yell and scream at his players to show frustration over their start. “The yelling and screaming and throwing stuff like I did 20 years ago, that doesn’t work anymore. Forget it. It’s a whole different society, whether it’s your kid, my kid, ballplayers, whatever, that doesn’t work anymore,” he said. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Phillies manager Manuel, umpire Davidson suspended one game
AHN Sports Staff Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN Sports) – Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has been suspended one game, Major League Baseball announced Friday. Manuel served the suspension Friday night in the opener of a three-game series with the Boston Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park. Manuel was suspended for arguing with umpires during Tuesday’s game against Houston after a dispute over a dropped third strike. Umpire Bob Davidson was suspended after the incident for “repeated violations of the Office of the Commissioner’s standards for situation handling,” the league announced. Davidson also served his suspension on Friday, missing the Minnesota Twins’ interleague game at Milwaukee. A minor league call-up umpire took his place. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
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