The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current, December 05, 2018, Image 10
2B Wednesday, December 5, 2018 The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com SPORTS RED ■ Continued from 1B do,” Griffin said. Tamori Plantin (14 points) quickly broke the scoreless tie with a layup off a bounce pass 10 seconds from the opening tip, and the Lady Spartans jumped out to a 6-0 lead out the gates. Blackwell knocked down the first of two first-quar ter 3s to put the Lady Red Elephants on the board at the 6:29 mark. And from there, the hosts clawed back as Blackwell’s second trey made it 8-all midway through the period, then a Teasley layup gave Gaines ville its first lead at 12-10. GAC mixed in a half-court trap at times to force seven Gainesville turnovers in the period. Meanwhile, Kaleigh Addie (16 points) scored the final five points for the visitors in the frame. She drained a 3 before snatch ing a defensive board and finished with a basket on the other end to give the Lady Spartans a 21-18 lead at the buzzer. Blackwell scored 10 of Gainesville’s 12 second- quarter points, but GAC’s Ava Irvin made a 3 to beat the buzzer to keep the Lady Spartans up 35-30 at halftime. Gainesville will look to keep that positivity going at home for the next two games, beginning with Southwest Atlanta Christian for a 6 p.m. tipoff Friday night in Gainesville. EAST ■ Continued from 1B Jackson on the same possession. “He can block shots from anywhere,” Thompson said. “.. He changes the game for us. He makes us a bet ter team, and his effort was really high.” East Hall’s strong defen sive performance allowed the team to hold a two-point advantage after one quarter, but the Vikings still struggled to pull away. A pair of goal tending calls against Rucker got the Tro jans back to within a point early in the second frame, but a flurry of three makes from Curry brought the Vikings out of the offensive rut and kept them ahead on the scoreboard. “Taking big shots for my team, I’m just helping them out,” Curry said. “And they tell me to go with it, so I go with it. They get me going.” East Hall briefly looked like it would take command of the game, but a 5-0 run from the Trojans to end the half brought North Hall to within a point going into the break. Both teams brought the same high level of defense into the third quarter, with neither managing to find any room until late in the frame. But a timely 7-0 run from the Vikings gave them a bit of separation as they carried a four-point lead into the final eight minutes of regulation. But when East Hall needed a basket most, it turned to its playmakers in Curry and Rucker, and the duo delivered. After driving toward the basket, Curry dished the ball back to Rucker who buried a mid range jumper to tie things up and send the game to overtime. The teams exchanged buckets to start the extra period, but East Hall locked down defensively from there. One more Rucker block and some timely offensive rebounding from Hill were enough to give the Vikings their first region win of the year. NORTH HALL GIRLS 51, EAST HALL 45: Maci Gil lespie scored 11 points and grabbed six steals as North Hall fought back from a two- point, halftime deficit to get the win at home against East Hall. After jumping out to an early lead over the Vikings, things appeared to take a turn for the worse when the Trojan forward Grace Hol- lifield, who scored seven quick points to start the game, went down with an apparent ankle injury. North Hall coach Kristi House said after Hollifield was forced out of the game, the team turned to Gillespie’s leader ship to keep things on track. Gillespie seemed to take the message to heart. After falling into a two-point hole heading into halftime, she led the charge as the Trojans came back to outscore East Hall by seven in a clutch third quarter performance. Hollifield was eventu ally able to come back into the game, and played a key role in locking things down defensively. SCORES ■ Continued from 1B FLOWERY BRANCH GIRLS 59, WEST HALL 25: The Lady Falcons were led by Caroline Wysocki with 22 points. Also in double figures, Ashley Woodroffe scored 18 points and Ashlee Locke added 11 for Flowery Branch (3-1). For West Hall, Kinsey Wilson scored eight. On Friday, Flowery Branch hosts Chestatee at 7 p.m. JOHNSON BOYS 69, OGLETHORPE COUNTY 49: Jonathan Williams led the Knights with 21 points, while Jesse Harbin scored 13. DAWSON COUNTY GIRLS 70, FANNIN COUNTY 44: Clemson signee Kaylee Sticker fin ished with a team-high 23 points for the Lady Tigers. Outscoring their opponent in every quarter, Dawson County (4-2) was assisted by Sophia D’Oliveira with 11 points and Rachel Swafford with seven. Racking up six points each were Shyla Shef field, Marlie Townley and Maddie Anglin for Dawson County. Dawson County hosts Greater Christian Atlanta at 7 p.m. on Friday in Dawsonville. CHEROKEE CHRIS TIAN GIRLS 38, LANIER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 28: Madison Hughes had 12 points for the Lady Light ning, while Ashley Avery had eight points and six assists. Also chipping in for Lanier Christian (3-4), Lexie Robertson finished with four points and six steals. Lanier Christian Acad emy visits Westminister in Atlanta on Friday. High School sports can be reported each night by 10:30 p.m. by calling 770- 718-3409 or email sports@ gainesvilletimes.com Football/NFL AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pet PF PA New England 9 3 0 .750 331 259 Miami 6 6 0 .500 244 300 Buffalo 4 8 0 .333 178 293 N.Y. Jets 3 9 0 .250 243 307 South W L T Pet PF PA Houston 9 3 0 .750 302 235 Indianapolis 6 6 0 .500 325 279 Tennessee 6 6 0 .500 221 245 Jacksonville 4 8 0 .333 203 243 North W L T Pet PF PA Pittsburgh 7 4 1 .625 346 282 Baltimore 7 5 0 .583 297 214 Cincinnati 5 7 0 .417 286 371 Cleveland 4 7 1 .375 266 312 West W L T Pet PF PA Kansas City 10 2 0 .833 444 327 L.A. Chargers 9 3 0 .750 340 249 Denver 6 6 0 .500 276 262 Oakland 2 10 0 .167 220 367 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East W L T Pet PF PA Dallas 7 5 0 .583 247 223 Philadelphia 6 6 0 .500 258 266 Washington 6 6 0 .500 233 257 N.Y. Giants 4 8 0 .333 267 315 South W L T Pet PF PA New Orleans 10 2 0 .833 419 269 Carolina 6 6 0 .500 304 306 Tampa Bay 5 7 0 .417 318 355 Atlanta 4 8 0 .333 296 333 North W L T Pet PF PA Chicago 8 4 0 .667 344 241 Minnesota 6 5 1 .542 275 270 Green Bay 4 7 1 .375 281 287 Detroit 4 8 0 .333 254 316 West W L T Pet PF PA y-L.A. Rams 11 1 0 .917 419 298 Seattle 7 5 0 .583 319 259 Arizona 3 9 0 .250 175 310 San Francisco 2 10 0 .167 255 336 y-clinched division Monday’s Games Philadelphia 28, Washington 13 Thursday’s game Jacksonville at Tennessee, 8:20 p.m. Sunday’s games New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. N.Y. Giants at Washington, 1 p.m. Atlanta at Green Bay, 1 p.m. Indianapolis at Houston, 1 p.m. N.Y. Jets at Buffalo, 1 p.m. Carolina at Cleveland, 1 p.m. New England at Miami, 1 p.m. Baltimore at Kansas City, 1 p.m. Cincinnati at L.A. Chargers, 4:05 p.m. Denver at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m. Detroit at Arizona, 4:25 p.m. Philadelphia at Dallas, 4:25 p.m. Pittsburgh at Oakland, 4:25 p.m. L.A. Rams at Chicago, 8:20 p.m. Transactions BASEBALL American League DETROIT TIGERS—Agreed to terms with LHP Matt Moore on a one-year contract. TAMPA BAY RAYS — Promoted Paul Hoover to field coordinator. Named Jonathan Erlichman process and analytics coach and Justin Su’a mental skills coach. TEXAS RANGERS — Named Oscar Marin bull pen coach, Callix Crabbe assistant hitting coach and Regan Wong physical therapist. Promoted Jacob Newburn to assistant trainer. FOOTBALL National Football League GREEN BAY PACKERS — Placed S Ibraheim Campbell on injured reserve. Signed LB Kendall Donnerson from the practice squad and Ss Tray Matthews and Jason Thompson to the practice squad. PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Placed WR Justin Hunter on injured reserve. COLLEGE ARKANSAS — Announced QB Cole Kelley will transfer. MISSISSIPPI — WR A.J. Brown will enter the NFL draft. OHIO STATE — Announced the retirement of football coach Urban Meyer. Promoted co offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ryan Day to head coach, effective at the end of the season. STOCKTON — Named John Bancheri row ing coach. Football/college FCS playoffs schedule Quarterfinals Friday’s games Maine (9-3) vs. Weber State (10-2), 8 p.m. Saturday’s games Colgate (10-1) at North Dakota State (12- 0), Noon South Dakota State (9-2) at Kennesaw State (11-1), 2 p.m. UC Davis (10-2) at Eastern Washington (10- 2), 4 p.m. Semifinals Friday, Dec. 14 or Saturday, Dec. 15 TBD Championship Saturday, Jan. 5 At Toyota Stadium Frisco, Texas Semifinal winners, Noon Division II playoff schedule Semifinals Saturday’s games Notre Dame (Ohio) (13-0) at Valdosta State (12-0), Noon Ferris State (14-0) at Minnesota State- Mankato (13-0), 3 p.m. Championship Saturday, Dec. 15 At McKinney, Texas Semifinal winners, 4 p.m. Basketball/college Men’s Top 25 Tuesday’s results 1. Gonzaga (8-0) did not play. Next: vs. Washington, Wednesday. 2. Kansas (7-0) beat Wofford 72-47. Next: vs. New Mexico State, Saturday. 3. Duke (7-1) did not play. Next: vs. Hartford, Wednesday. 4. Virginia (8-0) did not play. Next: vs. VCU, Sunday. 5. Michigan (8-0) at Northwestern. Next: vs. South Carolina, Saturday. 6. Nevada (8-0) did not play. Next: vs. No. 20 Arizona State, Friday. 7. Tennessee (6-1) did not play. Next: vs. No. 1 Gonzaga, Sunday. 8. Auburn (7-1) beat UNC Asheville 67-41. Next: vs. Dayton, Saturday. 9. Kentucky (7-1) did not play. Next: vs. Seton Hall, Saturday. 10. Michigan State (7-2) did not play. Next: at Florida, Saturday. 11. Florida State (7-1) did not play. Next: vs. UConn, Saturday. 12. Wisconsin (8-1) did not play. Next: at Marquette, Saturday. 13. Texas Tech (7-0) did not play. Next: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Wednesday. 14. North Carolina (6-2) did not play. Next: vs. UNC Wilmington, Wednesday. 15. Virginia Tech (6-1) did not play. Next: vs. VMI, Wednesday. 16. Kansas State (6-1) did not play. Next: at Tulsa, Saturday. 17. Buffalo (7-0) did not play. Next: vs. Le Moyne, Wednesday. 18. Iowa (6-2) did not play. Next: vs. Iowa State, Thursday. 19. Ohio State (7-1) did not play. Next: vs. Illinois, Wednesday. 20. Arizona State (7-0) did not play. Next: vs. No. 6 Nevada, Friday. 21. Villanova (6-2) did not play. Next: vs. Temple, Wednesday. 22. Mississippi State (7-1) beat McNeese 90-77. Next: vs. Clemson, Saturday. 23. Maryland (7-1) did not play. Next: at Purdue, Thursday. 24. Nebraska (7-1) did not play. Next: at Minnesota, Wednesday. 25. Furman (9-0) beat Elon 98-74. Next: at South Carolina Upstate, Saturday. Top 25 schedule Today’s Games No. 1 Gonzaga vs. Washington, 11 p.m. No. 3 Duke vs. Hartford, 7 p.m. No. 13 Texas Tech vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 7:30 p.m. No. 14 North Carolina vs. UNC Wilmington, 9 p.m. No. 15 Virginia Tech vs. VMI, 7 p.m. No. 17 Buffalo vs. Le Moyne, 7 p.m. No. 19 Ohio State vs. Illinois at the United Center, 7 p.m. No. 21 Villanova vs. Temple, 8:30 p.m. No. 24 Nebraska at Minnesota, 9 p.m. Thursday’s Games No. 18 Iowa vs. Iowa State, 8 p.m. No. 23 Maryland at Purdue, 7 p.m. TODAY ON TV BASKETBALL ■ NBAG-league: Iowa Wolves at Raptors 905, 11 a.m., ESPNU ■ Lafayette at Connecticut, 6 p.m., ESPNU ■ Ohio at Xavier, 6:30 p.m., FS1 ■ Hartford at Duke, 7 p.m., ESPN2 ■ NBA: Wizards at Hawks, 7:30 p.m., FSSE ■ NBA: 76ers at Raptors, 8 p.m., ESPN ■ VCU at Texas, 8 p.m., ESPNU ■ Temple at Villanova, 8:30 p.m., FS1 ■ North Carolina (Wilmington) at North Carolina, 9 p.m., ESPN2 ■ TCUatSMU, 10 p.m., ESPNU ■ NBA: Spurs at Lakers, 10:30 p.m., ESPN ■ Washington at Gonzaga, 11 p.m., ESPN2 SOCCER ■ Premier League: Manchester United vs. Arsenal, 2:55 p.m., NBCSN COLLEGE FOOTBALL I Heisman Trophy Looking to finish strong CARLOS OSORIO I The Associated Press Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs for a touchdown ahead of Kansas cornerback Shakial Taylor (8) as Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (2) looks on during the second half of the game Nov. 17 in Norman, Oklahoma. While baseball is his future, Murray has dazzled at quarterback for Oklahoma Associated Press Oklahoma’s Kyler Mur ray pulled off an impressive triple play during a brutal 30-hour stretch in April. On a Friday night, he played center field for the Sooners’ baseball team. The next day, he played quarter back in the football team’s spring game. After that, he played another baseball game Saturday night. It was a mental and physi cal grind for Murray, but his dedication to both sports has paid off. Two months later, the Oakland A’s selected him in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft. He chose to continue playing football, and after posting one of the most impressive statistical sea sons in FBS history, he was named a Heisman Trophy finalist on Monday. Murray easily could have quit football after being drafted, but his reason for returning offers a window into his mentality. After a disappointing freshman sea son at Texas A&M in 2015, he transferred to Oklahoma. He sat out a year because of transfer rules, then waited last season behind Heisman winner Baker Mayfield. Murray’s sudden rise in baseball left him facing the possibility that his last sig nificant football memories would come from the rough year at Texas A&M. He wasn’t having it. “I’ve been playing this game my whole life,” he said. “To leave this game with a bad taste in my mouth after my freshman year at A&M is just not who I am. I’ve worked my whole life for this, and we’re here. So for me, leaving after get ting drafted was never an option. And they (the A’s) knew that. They gave me the opportunity to do what I’m doing. I’m thankful. “For the people that say I’m crazy for doing it (com ing back), it’s (quitting) just not who I am. I’ve played this game since I was 4 years old. I love this game, and I couldn’t go out like that.” Instead, he goes out with a 205.7 passer efficiency rat ing, which would be an FBS record. He has rushed for 892 yards to lead the fourth- ranked Sooners to a Big 12 title and a College Foot ball Playoff meeting with Alabama. None of Murray’s success has surprised Tom West- erberg, his coach at Allen (Texas) High School who watched him go 43-0 and win three state titles. Even with the time off between his freshman year and this season, Westerberg thought Murray had the tools to pick up where he left off in high school, especially under Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley’s direction. “I always thought he could do it,” said Westerberg, who now coaches at Barbers Hill (Texas). “He’s doing what he did in high school at the college level. Knowing him and his confidence, with the right situation with the right surrounding cast — and he Heisman Ceremony When: 8 p.m. Saturday TV: ESPN is totally in the right place — when that gets around him, it’s pretty dang good. ” Murray’s decision to return and play football gave Oklahoma a rare ath lete who excels in football and another sport. Kirk Gibson was a star receiver at Michigan State and a first- round draft pick in base ball who famously helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 1988 World Series. Florida State cornerback Deion Sanders is a Pro Foot ball Hall of Famer who also played in the majors. Flor ida State quarterback Char lie Ward won the Heisman in 1993 before enjoying an 11-year NBA career. But the comparison most often made is to Bo Jackson, the Auburn running back who won the Heisman in 1985 and eventually played in the NFL and was an MLB All-Star. Murray and Okla homa even revisited the famed Jackson photo with the baseball bat and shoul der pads and did a “Kyler Knows” video that included famous Oklahomans, simi lar to the “Bo Knows” Nike campaign. Oklahoma baseball coach Skip Johnson said it took a lot of cooperation between the football and baseball staffs to help Murray elevate his game to elite levels in both sports. Ohio State’s Meyer says he’ll retire after Rose Bowl Ohio State coach Urban Meyer abruptly announced his retirement Tuesday, cit ing health concerns and a difficult year that included a three-game suspension over his handling of domestic violence allegations against a now-fired assistant coach. He will step down after the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. Meyer is leav ing at the top of his profession after three national champion ships in a career spanning three decades, the last seven years at Ohio State, where he has an 82-9 record. The 54-year-old Meyer has an arachnoid cyst in his brain that causes severe head aches, and he had shown obvious effects of being in pain on the sideline this season. At a packed news conference, Meyer explained that the head aches became severe last season during Ohio State’s game at Penn State and have become a persistent prob lem this season. But he didn’t blame only his health for stepping away. Meyer said he believed he could no longer coach the way he has from the early days at Bowling Green to Utah, Flor ida and, finally, with the Buckeyes. Meyer said leav ing would have been more difficult if the program wasn’t healthy. The Buckeyes are 12-1 after winning the Big Ten championship and Meyer said he felt good about his replacement: Assistant coach Ryan Day will take over as the 25th coach of the storied program where Meyer won a national title in 2014 after two at Florida (2006,2008). It was Day who led the Buckeyes when Meyer was suspended before the sea son opener over his role in the handling of assistant coach Zach Smith, who was accused by his ex-wife of domestic abuse. Meyer said he knew about the allegations against Smith — grandson of former Ohio State coach Earle Bruce — but wasn’t sure they were true and kept Smith on staff because no criminal charges were filed. The university cited that lapse in suspend ing Meyer after an investi gation. A report issued by an investigative committee left a lasting stain, detail ing behavior by Meyer that could have taken down a coach of lesser stature. The investigation showed he tolerated bad behavior for years from Smith, including domestic-violence accusa tions, drug addiction, lies and other acts that directly clash with the values Meyer touts publicly. All-ACC Coach of the Year Dino Babers, Syracuse, and Dabo Swinney, Clemson (tie). Offensive Player of the Year Travis Etienne, Clemson. Defensive Player of the Year Clelin Ferrell, Clemson. Newcomer of the Year Trevor Lawrence, Clemson. First team Offense Quarterback — Ryan Finley, North Carolina State, 6-4,212, sr., Phoenix. Running back — AJ Dillon, Boston College, 6-0, 245, soph., New London, Connecticut; u-Travis Etienne, Clemson, 5-10, 200, soph., Jennings, Louisiana. Tackles — u-Mitch Hyatt, Clemson, 6-5, 305, sr., Suwanee, Georgia; Tyler Jones, North Carolina State, 6-3, 306, sr., Stone Mountain, Georgia. Guards — Parker Braun, Georgia Tech, 6-3, 280, jr., Hallsville, Texas; Chris Lindstrom, Boston College, 6-4, 310, sr., Dudley, Massachusetts. Center — Garrett Bradbury, North Carolina State, 6-3,300, sr., Charlotte, North Carolina. Tight end — Tommy Sweeney, Boston College, 6-5,260, sr., Ramsey, New Jersey. Wide receiver — Kelvin Harmon, North Carolina State, 6-3, 214, jr., Palmyra, New Jersey; Olamide Zaccheaus, Virginia, 5-8,190, sr., Philadelphia. All-purpose player — Greg Dortch, Wake Forest, 5-9,170, soph., Richmond, Virginia. Kicker — Andre Szmyt, Syracuse, 6-1, 195, fr., Vernon Hills, Illinois. Defense Defensive ends — Brian Burns, Florida State, 6-5, 231, jr., Fort Lauderdale, Florida; u-Cle- lin Ferrell, Clemson, 6-5, 260, jr., Richmond, Virginia. Defensive tackles — Dexter Lawrence, Clemson, 6-4, 340, jr., Wake Forest, North Carolina; u-Christian Wilkins, Clemson, 6-4, 300, sr., Springfield, Massachusetts; Linebackers — Joe Giles-Harris, Duke, 6-2, 240, jr., Nyack, New York; Germaine Pratt, North Carolina State, 6-3, 140, sr., High Point, North Carolina; Shaquille Quarterman, Miami, 6-1, 235, jr., Orange Park, Florida. Cornerbacks — Hamp Cheevers, Boston College, 5-10, 180, jr., Trenton, Florida; Bryce Hall, Virginia, 6-3, 200, jr., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Safeties — Andre Cisco, Syracuse, 6-0,199, fr., Valley Stream, New York; Juan Thornhill, Virginia, 6-1, 200, sr., Altavista, Virginia. Punter — Sterling Hofrichter, Syracuse, 5-9, 197, jr., Valrico, Florida. Second Team Offense Quarterback — Eric Dungey, Syracuse, 6-4, 226, sr., Lake Oswego, Oregon. Running back — Travis Homer, Miami, 5-11, 205, jr., West Palm Beach, Florida; Qadree Ollison, Pittsburgh, 6-2, 225, sr., Niagara Falls, New York. Tackles — Tremayne Anchrum, Clemson, 6-2, 290, jr., Powder Springs, Georgia; Stefano Millin, Pittsburgh, 6-5,300, sr., Massillon, Ohio. Guards — Phil Haynes, Wake Forest, 6-4, 310, sr., Raleigh, North Carolina; John Simpson, Clemson, 6-4, 320, jr., North Charleston, South Carolina. Center — Justin Falcinelli, Clemson, 6-4, 305, sr., Middletown, Maryland. Tight end — Brevin Jordan, Miami, 6-3,245, fr., Las Vegas. Wide receivers — Tee Higgins, Clemson, 6-4, 200, soph., Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Jakobi Meyers, North Carolina State, 6-2, 203, jr., Lithonia, Georgia. All-purpose player — Deon Jackson, Duke, 6-0,225, soph., Atlanta. Kicker — Christopher Dunn, North Carolina State, 5-8,177, fr., Lexington, North Carolina. Defense Defensive ends — Zach Allen, Boston College, 6-3,285, sr., New Canaan, Connecticut; Alton Robinson, Syracuse, 6-4, 249, jr., Converse, Texas. Defensive tackles — Ricky Walker, Virginia Tech, 6-2, 300, sr., Hampton, Virginia; Gerald Willis III, Miami, 6-4,300, sr., New Orleans. Linebackers — Ryan Guthrie, Syracuse, 6-2, 224, sr., Cumming, Georgia; Cole Holcomb, North Carolina, 6-1, 235, sr., New Smyrna Beach, Florida; Tre Lamar, Clemson, 6-4,250, jr., Roswell, Georgia. Cornerbacks — Essang Bassey, Wake Forest, 5- 10, 185, jr., Columbus, Georgia; Trayvon Mullen, Clemson, 6-2,190, jr., Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Safeties — Cameron Glenn, Wake Forest, 6- 1, 200, sr., Stone Mountain, Georgia; Jaquan Johnson, Miami, 5-11,195, sr., Miami. Punter — Pressley Harvin III, Georgia Tech, 6-0,245, soph., Alcolu, South Carolina. Associated Press