samedi 31 mars 2012

Lionsgate share sale

Former Lionsgate Entertainment Co-Chief Operating Officer Joe Drake, who helped shepherd “The Hunger Games” to a record opening weekend, sold $12.3 million of the company’s stock, a regulatory filing said. Drake sold 623,330 shares in three transactions on March 19, 20 and 21 as the stock rose to a record in anticipation of the movie’s release.

Joe Drake, Former Lionsgate Entertainment, opening weekend, The Hunger Games

Nypost.com

vendredi 30 mars 2012

Molloy bounces back from season-opening loss to rout Mary Louis

Archbishop Molloy did not look like the defending CHSAA state champion when it was upset by Fontbonne on Tuesday. Returning to championship form was the goal coming into Thursday’s contest against Mary Louis and that’s exactly what the Stanners did.

“We were really psyched to come out and play today and we’ve been working really hard to get back to where we were last season,” Molloy star shortstop Maria Palmeri said. “It seems like we’re back and we are going to try our hardest to repeat – it’s what we want, after all.”

Molloy took its first step toward a second straight championship by dismantling Mary Louis, 10-0 in five innings via the run rule, at Cunningham Park in Fresh Meadows. Palmeri led the hot-hitting Stanners with three runs batted in on three hits, falling a home run shy of the cycle, while Victoria Goldbach excelled on the mound, striking out seven and only surrendering three hits over five innings.

Denis Gostev

Archbishop Molloy's Theresa Conway scores a run.

Photos: Molloy-Mary Louis

Denis Gostev

Archbishop Molloy's Victoria Goldbach tossed a three-hitter against Mary Louis.

Photos: Molloy-Mary Louis

“I just really wanted to win today after losing the other day,” Goldbach said. “I think we really got into a groove all around and it was contagious.”

“Tori was really good today, she was on her game,” Palmeri added. “I think we can expect games like this from her a lot going forward.”

Goldbach dominated the Mary Louis lineup from top to bottom right from the first pitch. She didn’t allow a base runner through the first three innings and only allowed two runners to reach second base the entire game. Utilizing an effective mix of her fast ball and changeup, she had Mary Louis off balance all afternoon, something Molloy coach Maureen Rosenbaum was elated to see.

“She came out really confident and strong, she used all of her pitches very well, too,” Rosenbaum said. “It was a good challenge for her, and going forward I would like to see double-digit strikeout games from her.”

By the end of the fourth inning, the Molloy offense had already wrapped up its first win of the season, as it plated seven runs, bringing up eleven hitters to the plate in total. Three walks issued by Mary Louis pitcher Nicole Hubert loaded the bases for leadoff hitter Theresa Conway, who smashed a single that got by right fielder Gabby Malave, leading to three runners crossing the plate.

A Palmeri RBI triple followed by a run-scoring sacrifice fly from Taylor Moss and an RBI double from Fallon McCarthy put the game well out of reach and showed that the surprising loss to Fontbonne was an aberration instead of a trend.

“We got everything together today, offensively and defensively,” Rosenbaum said. “Winning big like this will hopefully get us in motion and gives us confidence moving forward,”

Mary Louis, on the other hand, has suffered two tough losses to begin its season, with the first being a 4-2 loss to St. Francis Prep in nine innings Tuesday. Despite the less-than-ideal start to the 2012 campaign, coach Ginny Peiser isn’t worried going forward.

“Goldbach kept us off balance all day, and it’s another tough loss mentally, but I definitely think we can bounce back,” she said. “We’re stuck in neutral right now, but we always believe we can end up on top at the end of the season.”

Meanwhile, Molloy is looking to put its season into fifth gear, and Goldbach is hoping that the dominant victory is just the first of many.

“It’s better to lose in March than in May, so hopefully we got our tough loss out of the way early already,” she said. “If everyone does their job like they did today, I think we can repeat.”

Mary Louis, Archbishop Molloy, Molloy star shortstop Maria Palmeri, Victoria Goldbach, Theresa Conway, Theresa Conway, Fontbonne, Goldbach, Molloy coach Maureen Rosenbaum, championship

Nypost.com

jeudi 29 mars 2012

Naming his price

Wasserman Media Group, which has become a force in the sports and entertainment worlds, is making a growth play, thanks to a $25 million investment from Highbridge Capital Management, The Post has learned.

The infusion will help WMG push into Asia and South America, as well as expand its athlete management practice, sources familiar with the matter said.

Sources said the Highbridge investment values privately held WMG at $250 million. A spokeswoman for the firm declined to comment.

WMG, which specializes in corporate sponsorships and naming rights for sports and entertainment projects, negotiated the 20-year deal with MetLife to buy the naming rights to the Giants and Jets’ stadium in the Meadowlands.

<a href=Casey Wasserman of Wasserman Media, which scored the Met Life Stadium naming rights deal, is winning a whopping $25 million investment from Highbridge Capital." title="Casey Wasserman of Wasserman Media, which scored the Met Life Stadium naming rights deal, is winning a whopping $25 million investment from Highbridge Capital." width="300" height="300" src="/rw/nypost/2012/03/30/business/web_photos/wasserman--300x300.jpg" />

Getty Images

Casey Wasserman of Wasserman Media, which scored the Met Life Stadium naming rights deal, is winning a whopping $25 million investment from Highbridge Capital.

The firm also reps sports stars such as the NFL’s Andrew Luck and the NBA’s Derrick Rose.

WMG was founded in 2002 by Casey Wasserman, the grandson of legendary talent agent and MCA owner Lew Wasserman.

More players are jumping into the sports agency business, which is being fueled in part by lucrative sports TV rights.

At the same time, some of the biggest players are in flux.

Hollywood talent agency CAA has branched out into sports management and has partnered with an investment venture, Evolution Media Capital, although sources said its efforts in Europe have been fraught with difficulties.

The firm’s European boss, Peter Kenyon, a former CEO of Manchester United and Chelsea, quit in October amid reports of a dispute between CAA and soccer association FIFA. CAA is part owned by private-equity giant TPG.

Separately, sports and entertainment powerhouse IMG has been dealing with a management transition following the death of owner, Teddy Forstmann. IMG is now under the leadership of CEO Mike Dolan, the former CFO of Viacom.

catkinson@nypost.com

Highbridge Capital Management, Wasserman Media Group, sports and entertainment, Casey Wasserman, investment, Wasserman Media, sports management, Evolution Media Capital, CAA, sports stars, Andrew Luck, Highbridge investment online

Nypost.com

PSAL Bronx baseball preview

Adam Droz never talks big. He never looks ahead. He prefers to take every game, every inning, every pitch in fact, as it comes. This may be the perfect team for the Lehman baseball coach.

After consecutive Bronx A West titles and back-to-back PSAL Class AA semifinal berths, the Lions are working in an extremely new, young and inexperienced team.

Center fielder/pitcher Steve Pinales (13 RBIs, 13 runs scored, two wins on the mound last year) and first baseman Jesse Garcia are all that is left from last year’s final four club.

“We’re relying on them to set the tone for the new guys this year,” Droz said. “[Steven] is very important to show the young guys on the team what it takes [to succeed]. He has a lot of experience. He’s been involved with being in a championship game.”

Christina Santucci

Lehman will be counting on senior Steven Pinales to be its leader, ace and one of its top hitters this season.

Droz is high on third baseman Christopher Lopez and outfielder Anthony Delgado along with pitchers Elvis Haziraj and Jerry Ramirez. He hopes to challenge for a division title.

“Now it’s time for the younger kids to step up and do as well as the other players that were involved in the program the last few years,” Droz said. “We’re a pretty young team, but if the team listens to what the staff is trying to show them and teach them, we should be OK.”

Charis Britt doesn’t want his players to talk about last year or think about last year. The Taft coach wants them to forget about their successful first season in Bronx A East, their upset of Cardozo in the second round of the city playoffs.

“We’re not going to live on last year’s accomplishments,” he said.

The Eagles, after all, should be able to create their own memories this spring. While Taft lacks the depth it has enjoyed in past years, it does return plenty of starters. Pedro Pereyra is back and will move over from second base to shortstop. So is third baseman/catcher Rudy Romero, outfielders Anthony Ferrer and Moises Alejo and pitcher/center fielder Brian Vidal.

After a two-year absence, catcher Laiky Uribe is expected to contribute and junior varsity call-up Jairon Concepcion will see time at various infield spots.

“Our goal is to make the playoffs,” Britt said. “We’re going to work towards that. If we stay healthy – we’re not as deep as we were last year – and play to the potential we have, we should be in the dance again. … We’re going to do what we always do, we’ll compete. We’ll play fundamentally sound baseball, we’ll make the plays we’re supposed to play. Hopefully we’ll win games we’re supposed to win and we’ll win a few games we’re not supposed to win.”

Next >

1

2

Steve Pinales, Adam Droz, PSAL Class AA semifinal, Steven Pinales, Jesse Garcia, Droz, Jerry Ramirez, Anthony Delgado, Elvis Haziraj, Pedro Pereyra, Christopher Lopez

Nypost.com

mercredi 28 mars 2012

Turf Paradise Results

FIRST-5 1/2f; $10,000; cl($16,000); 3up

7

Italan Star (Brton)

32.20

10.80

7.40

3

Humor and Hert (Collns)

6.80

3.60

1

Actionable Offense (Stevens)

6.80

* $1 Exacta (7-3) $83.60 * $1 Quinella (3-7) $56.40 * $1 Superfecta (7-3-1-6) $1,754.50 * $1 Trifecta (7-3-1) $553.20

SECOND-6f; $5,500; cl($3,500); 3up; (f&m)

8

Shs Amrtnlvr (Prmrn)

32.20

14.00

8.80

1

Riggs Flat (Keith)

3.40

2.60

6

Taylor's Girl (Medina)

3.80

* $1 Daily Double (7-8) $227.00 * $1 Exacta (8-1) $55.20 * $1 Quinella (1-8) $16.70 * $1 Superfecta (8-1-6-7) $2,012.20 * $1 Trifecta (8-1-6) $440.70

THIRD-6 1/2f; $10,500; cl($16,000); 3up; (f&m)

6

Camino (Keith)

14.20

7.00

5.20

2

Wee Hghland Lss (Frnco)

13.60

8.00

8

Jenny's First Gear (Lopez)

4.40

* $1 Pick 3 (7-8-6) 3 Correct $4,689.00 * $1 Daily Double (8-6) $140.00 * $1 Exacta (6-2) $83.20 * $1 Quinella (2-6) $41.80 * $1 Superfecta (6-2-8-1) $2,802.10 * $1 Trifecta (6-2-8) $339.10

FOURTH-5f(T); $8,000; cl($6,250); 3up

6

Wstrn Twst (Bdnr)

9.60

5.00

4.00

5

Angelc Fddler (Iammrno)

4.20

3.40

3

Swiss Alpine (Lopez)

4.20

Scr: Summer Snow.

* $0.5 Pick 4 (7-8-6-6) 4 Correct $25,261.85 * $1 Pick 3 (8-6-6) 3 Correct $1,474.50 * $1 Quinella (5-6) $9.30 * $1 Superfecta (6-5-3-9) $822.10 * $1 Trifecta (6-5-3) $116.60 * $1 Daily Double (6-6) $38.70 * $1 Exacta (6-5) $16.40

FIFTH-4 1/2f; $6,400; mdn cl($8,000); 3up; (f&m)

5

Jl's Brry (Arosmn)

26.00

11.40

5.20

1

Looking Golden (Collins)

12.40

5.20

8

Keyed to Rock (Dieguez)

2.60

* $1 Pick 3 (6-6-5) 3 Correct $712.40 * $1 Daily Double (6-5) $58.40 * $1 Exacta (5-1) $154.90 * $1 Quinella (1-5) $99.40 * $1 Superfecta (5-1-8-6) $5,083.90 * $1 Trifecta (5-1-8) $707.60

SIXTH-1m; $15,700; alw opt clm; 3up

1

Dunscmb (VnRsn)

4.40

3.00

2.40

4

King of the Sky (Deguez)

9.80

5.60

7

Jamaican Memories (Rivera)

4.80

* $1 Pick 3 (6-5-1) 3 Correct $304.20 * $1 Daily Double (5-1) $31.90 * $1 Exacta (1-4) $27.10 * $1 Quinella (1-4) $13.30 * $1 Superfecta (1-4-7-3) $506.40 * $1 Trifecta (1-4-7) $138.80

SEVENTH-1m; $5,700; cl($3,500); 3up; (f&m)

4

P Town Blus (Rvr)

10.20

4.60

4.20

9

Dawa (Piermarini)

5.40

4.60

3

Tru Tudi (Collins)

9.00

* $1 Pick 3 (5-1-4) 3 Correct $217.80 * $1 Daily Double (1-4) $15.40 * $1 Exacta (4-9) $35.30 * $1 Quinella (4-9) $20.50 * $1 Superfecta (4-9-3-6) $2,281.60 * $1 Trifecta (4-9-3) $327.00

EIGHTH-7 1/2f(T); $11,000; cl; 3up

7

Chow Mn (VnRsn)

6.00

3.00

2.40

9

Palace of Wsdom (Brton)

9.20

5.20

4

She's a Hit (Kato)

3.00

Scr: Musical Wings, Diamond Ice Girl.

* $1 Pick 3 (1-4-7) 3 Correct $39.00 * $1 Exacta (7-9) $23.30 * $1 Quinella (7-9) $14.70 * $1 Superfecta (7-9-4-1) $551.60 * $1 Trifecta (7-9-4) $103.40 * $1 Consolation Double (4-5) $4.80 * $1 Daily Double (4-7) $17.10

Winner picked by Affrunti

NINTH- 6 1/2f; $5,500; cl; 3up

10

Wrld f Clr (Immrn)

76.40

30.60

12.00

6

Far Flung (Franco)

3.80

3.00

2

Nathan's Special (Williams)

12.00

Scr: Call for Justice, Souvenir Summer.. Goodfellow, Ironsides, Luvs a Courting

* $0.5 Pick 5 (5-1-4-7-10) 4 Correct $99.40 * $0.5 Pick 4 (1-4-7-10) 4 Correct $3,286.85 * $1 Pick 3 (4-7-10) 3 Correct $1,578.80 * $1 Superfecta (10-6-2-11) $32,243.10 * $1 Trifecta (10-6-2) $9,678.30 * Consolation Double (7-4/9) $2.60 * $1 Daily Double (7-10) $122.10 * $1 Exacta (10-6) $243.90 * $1 Quinella (6-10) $54.80

Attendance 1,404.

Handle $60,367.

Total Handle $1,463,583.

Trifecta, Daily Double, cl, cl, Superfecta, Quinella, Quinella online

Nypost.com

mardi 27 mars 2012

Brooklyn's Williams leads UMass into NIT at Garden

Chaz Williams may be small by basketball standards, but the Brooklyn-born point guard is making a very big impression.

Williams, whose UMass Minutemen will play Stanford in the NIT Semifinals on Tuesday in Madison Square Garden, is averaging more than 22 points, six rebounds and five assists in three NIT games, but his impact is felt beyond the box score.

"The biggest thing he’s brought to the table is his demeanor, his ability to compete and the energy he’s brought to the program. He’s brought that New York City toughness," UMass head coach Derek Kellogg said. "His basketball qualities are pretty good, too."

Listed at 5 feet, 9 inches, Williams was cast aside by bigger programs that dismissed the Bishop Ford alum because of his height.

"My size had a lot to do with it," Williams said. "A lot of big schools didn’t want to take a risk on me because of my size and other schools didn’t want to give me a chance because of my size. It’s overcoming obstacles at the time and going for whoever wanted me."

Williams joined the Minutemen for the 2010-11 season but was forced to sit out after transferring from Hofstra. In his first full season with UMass, Williams was named first-team All-Atlantic 10.

"The season started, I gave him the keys to the vehicle and I was going to feel out what we had and how good he can be," Kellogg said. "Then he comes out and has 20 points and nine rebounds in our first game. From that point on it’s kind of been, let me guide him to what I’m looking for rather than jamming him and coaching him."

Williams credits his time watching his teammates for his breakout sophomore campaign.

"[Sitting on the bench} you learn everything, it’s a different aspect of the game, a different view of the game," Williams said. "You get to learn how guys appreciate the ball, how guys want the ball and how guys like the ball. It is just learning and reading guys. It’s just doing homework, as a basketball coach would say."

Following in the footsteps of other undersized players who have had success on the collegiate and NBA levels, Williams uses his size and gritty play as an advantage.

"I model my game after [Nate Robinson and Muggsy Bogues] because I watched how they did it and get around the floor," Williams said. "Those guys are pretty tough, pretty physical, and that’s what I had to work on growing up."

Williams landed in the perfect situation under Kellogg at UMass. A former Minutemen point guard himself, Kellogg implements an up-tempo system where the position has more freedom on the court.

"Coach Kellogg was great, he played here years ago and I always wanted to play for a coach that played point guard and played on a big stage," Williams said. "I always have to keep my ears open and I can never not listen to him because he knows what he’s talking about, day in and day out."

Williams’ stellar play is still looked at with praise from Fordham’s head coach Tom Pecora, who coached Williams in his final season at Hofstra before both made the jump to the Atlantic 10.

Williams scored 20 points, adding eight assists and seven rebounds when UMass played Fordham at home on Jan. 5.

"He’s a special one, there’s no better example of it’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog," Pecora said. "He goes after it, competes, and is one of the best competitors I’ve ever been around. He really loves to play."

Despite being the Minutemen’s leading scorer, Williams is as likely to pass the ball to his teammates in crunch time and they enjoy the trust he has in their abilities.

"It’s fun, he knows his game," UMass forward Terrell Vinson said. "He pushes tempo, he likes to play fast and it’s fun to run with him."

Relishing his role as the Minutemen’s floor general and leader, Williams admitted he was more excited for his teammates, many of who will be playing at Madison Square Garden for the first time. Williams likely will likely have a large cheering section and has played at the Garden three times in his career.

"It’s a great experience, I’m more happy for my brothers, they get a chance to play in New York City under the bright lights in the Mecca of basketball, one of the best arenas in the world," Williams said. "I’m happy to be here with these guys."

Chaz Williams, Madison Square Garden, Madison Square Garden, UMass Minutemen, UMass, Derek Kellogg, Kellogg, the Minutemen, Williams

Nypost.com

lundi 26 mars 2012

Sweet success: Poly Prep lax looking for NYSAISAA repeat

Poly Prep coach Brooks Sweet will tell you the key to any championship team is depth and that’s something he has to wait to see if his team encompasses.

“I think our starting 10 is as good as anybody’s out there,” Sweet said. “But it takes more than that – you need 16 guys.”

That’s what Sweet and the Blue Devils had last year, when they won the NYSAISAA title with a victory over Hackley, completing their 17-3 season. Poly Prep graduated nine seniors off that team, citing depth as a key attribute to the championship, so Sweet’s concern over the issue is warranted.

Robert Cole

Poly Prep's Hugo Francis will be the senior leader for the Blue Devils, who are looking to win a second straight NYSAISAA title.

“We have a good group of seniors that were a part of the team last year,” Sweet said. “But we’re out here testing these younger guys during spring break to see who’s going to step up.”

Sweet knows one thing for certain: senior midfielder Hugo Francis will be a leader for his team out on the field.

“He was close to the best middy in the league last year,” Sweet said. “I have no problem with saying he will be the best middy this year.”

Sweet went on to call his senior midfielder one of the most well rounded players in the city, saying that he is both skilled and smart in every aspect of the game. Helping out Francis will be fellow senior Max Goupit, who scored 51 goals last year.

“He was on target all last year, and we’re hoping to have some more of the same this year,” Sweet said.

Another key veteran returning to the team is goalie Dylan Moser, that is if you can consider a sophomore a “veteran.” Moser was the goalie for last year’s team that captured the championship and Sweet is confident that he will only get better this year.

“Right now, he’s actually getting corrective laser eye surgery,” Sweet said. “It’s nothing too serious, just correcting some vision, and he’ll be ready to go in time for our first game.”

Playing in front of Moser will be the Blue Devils’ defensemen, a trio of juniors that Sweet describes as “solid.” Henry Plageman, Tommy Walker and Adam Loeman fall under the heading of the “new guys” who Sweet is looking to step up.

Overall, Sweet knows his Poly Prep team has some questions to answer and some holes to fill. He does not doubt this team at all though.

“We’re going to have some sophomores and juniors fight to fill some roles,” Sweet said. “But I think it’ll make us better, and we’re hoping to have a good season.”

That season opens up April 4 as Poly Prep will take on Riverdale, it Ivy League rival, and a team that handed the Blue Devils one of their three losses last season.

Blue Devils, Blue Devils, Poly Prep coach Brooks Sweet, Poly Prep, Poly Prep, championship team, Hugo Francis, NYSAISAA

Nypost.com

dimanche 25 mars 2012

The week's winners and losers

WINNERS

JOHN FELTHEIMER

Lionsgate CEO sitting in Fat City as "Hunger Games" breaks box-office records.

DON THOMPSON

McDonald's names him its next CEO. He's lovin' it!

ETCH A SKETCH

It's a toy. It's a thinly traded stock. It's the reason Ohio Art gained 141% in one day.

LOSERS

IRENE ROSENFELD

That dull thud the Kraft CEO hears is the reaction to her new "Mondelez" corporate brand.

JOE RATTERMAN

Chief of BATS Global Exchange forced to cancel IPO after glitches drive system, um, batty.

IRVING PICARD

Madoff trustee strikes deal with Mets, then sees traders slash claims price.

Hunger Games, BATS Global Exchange, Ohio Art, Fat City

Nypost.com

vendredi 23 mars 2012

Nets lose to Wizards; Williams, Johnson ejected

The frustration got to be too much. First for Deron Williams. Then for Avery Johnson.

Perturbed by several missed calls, Williams earned his second career ejection at 5:18 of the third quarter and moments later was followed by Johnson, who was banished for the second time as Nets coach.

PHOTOS: NETS FALL TO WIZARDS

So they were excused from watching the Nets lose, 108-89, to Washington Wednesday night at the Prudential Center, and finish a gosh-awful 0-for-3 home run against the Hornets, Cavaliers and Wizards, three teams who started the night a combined 56 games under .500.

NBAE/Getty Images

Deron Williams

“We’re disappointed, but we’re not an elite team yet, OK?” Johnson said of the 0-3 stand.

The fireworks officially began after Williams drove to the basket, was hit twice and received only a turnover. The Wizards (11-34) — who had Nene (22 points) debut — converted the opportunity into a John Wall jumper and an eight-point lead.

Williams, still irate over at least one obvious blown 8-second call, argued with ref Josh Tiven, who assessed him a technical foul. Williams protested. Second T. Gone. Johnson got his in rapid succession, too, also from Tiven.

“It all started with a drive to the basket, and we had a little bit of a disagreement on two 8-second violations in the backcourt,” Johnson said. “Just a difference in opinion. We’ll leave it at that.”

Williams (17 points) left without commenting — he did the same Monday after the loss to Cleveland when he also received a technical. He later said he didn’t want to risk a fine.

Johnson, though, wasn’t done commenting. For the first time in more than a month, he expressed disappointment with the Nets’ effort. The defense was dreadful again.

“We have to get back to playing some defense…I know we’re pretty challenged in certain situations, but we’ve always been a team that when we practice, we have good carryover,” he said after the Nets lost their fourth straight and sixth in seven games. “And we just didn’t get it. So it was a combination of reasons, and unfortunately [the ejection] didn’t spark our team.”

Johnson said the effort “could have been better. And you know I’m always one that’s tried to be really, really positive.”

That was hard last night. The technical parade started with the Nets down eight. After Jordan Crawford (23 points) hit all four free throws, the Nets never got closer than eight points, despite a 13-point, 16-rebound double-double by Kris Humphries and three other double-figure scorers.

“We’re just not clicking,” Humphries said.“Obviously, things didn’t go our way,” said Gerald Wallace, who scored 13 points on 5-of-17 shooting. “Washington got the benefit of the doubt on everything. They made some shots, they got some fast-break points and we didn’t convert, we didn’t execute.”

Before the game, much of the discussion came in dissecting Williams’ comment earlier in the day about the remainder of the season. The All-Star, who will opt out of his contract and become a free agent come July, was asked if anything that happened in the last 19 games would affect his decision.

“Not really,” Williams said.

Linguistics experts, philosophers and psychiatrists were asked to uncover the true meaning of Williams’ statement. Did they come up with anything? Not really.

The statement probably means Williams will stand by what he has said since Day 1: He will play out the season, then decide his move. The Nets have stressed confidence he will stay put and not leave early — as he did last night.

fred.kerber@nypost.com

Deron Williams, Williams, Nets, Wizards, Kris Humphries

Nypost.com

Buzz brings Marquette into matchup woth Florida

PHOENIX — If third-seeded Marquette (27-7) is able to hold off seventh-seeded Florida (25-10) tonight, coach Buzz Williams promises he won’t celebrate by doing a dance at center court. He already has gotten in enough trouble for that.

Williams broke out into a solo two-step at midcourt moments after the Golden Eagles defeated West Virginia 61-60 in Morgantown, W. Va., on Feb. 24. Mountaineers fans didn’t appreciate Williams’ dancing to John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads,” and security was needed to keep the crowd from getting at Williams, who later apologized and did so again yesterday.

COMPLETE NCAA COVERAGE

TOURNAMENT BRACKET

VIDEO: COACH, PLAYER REACTIONS

“My dancing career is over,” he said. “That was unprofessional. I have apologized repeatedly. I continue to apologize and will continue to apologize. It was not the appropriate thing to do.”

He doesn’t have to apologize for his team, which defeated BYU (88-68) and Murray State (62-53) to reach tonight’s NCAA tournament West Region semifinal. Marquette’s defense has been stifling: BYU and Murray State combined to shoot just 34.4 percent from the field.

Florida defeated Virginia (71-45) and Norfolk State (84-50) to also reach the Sweet 16 for the second straight year and become the first team in NCAA tournament history to score 70-plus points and allow 50 or fewer in its first two games.

“I think Florida has a great team,” said Marquette senior guard Darius Johnson-Odom. “But I think we know when to play fast and we know when to play in the half-court game.”

Williams’ players wouldn’t mind admiring his dance skills again.

“There’s no telling what you might see from our coach,” Johnson-Odom said. “He’s very enthusiastic about what he does. ... And his players, I think it’s a joy to see. He just gets very happy. How couldn’t you love a guy like that?”

george.willis@nypost.com

Buzz Williams, Marquette, Marquette, West Virginia, Florida, Florida, Golden Eagles, Murray State, BYU, Darius Johnson-Odom, center court, NCAA tournament West Region

Nypost.com

mercredi 21 mars 2012

Hostess to court time

Bankrupt Hostess Brands is expected to ask a judge this week for more time to negotiate a new deal with its unions, The Post has learned.

The Teamsters and the company have shown some flexibility on the issue of whether to maintain the pensions, and the delay is seen as a positive development, sources said.

Failure to reach a new deal could result in a strike by the Teamsters union or a move by the company to force the business and its 19,000 workers into liquidation. Josh Kosman

jkosman@nypost.com

Bankrupt Hostess Brands, Teamsters

Nypost.com

samedi 17 mars 2012

Sprint ends deal with Phil Falcone's troubled LightSquared

RESTON, Va. -- LightSquared was dealt another blow Friday, as Sprint said it would officially end its deal with billionaire Phil Falcone's wireless start-up, which has been unable to launch its 4G wireless network over interference concerns.

"Sprint has been and continues to be supportive of LightSquared's business plans and appreciates the company's efforts to find a resolution to the interference issues impacting its ability to offer service on the 1.6 GHz spectrum," Sprint said in a statement on Friday. "However, due to these unresolved issues, and subject to the provisions of the agreement, Sprint has elected to exercise its right to terminate the agreement announced last summer."

Sprint said it remains open to a new deal when and if LightSquared resolves the interference issues.

As part of ending the deal, Sprint returned $65 million in prepayments that LightSquared had made to cover Sprint's future costs.

Earlier this week, LightSquared hired a high-powered legal team to help it fight a potential death blow from regulators who say the company cannot overcome potential interference issues with GPS devices.

To read more, go to AllThingsDigital

Sprint, LightSquared, interference issues, RESTON, Va., Phil Falcone

Nypost.com

vendredi 16 mars 2012

Healthy Jose a contrast to forlorn former team

headshotKevin Kernan
Follow Kevin on Twitter

JUPITER, Fla. — Jose Reyes was supposed to be the injured one. Four hours before Reyes played against the Mets as a Marlin for the first time yesterday, the Miami shortstop was asking for a medical update on his friend David Wright.

“How did David get hurt?’’ Reyes asked. After he got the details, the Miami shortstop was told that his Mets replacement Ruben Tejada was out with a slight groin pull. Reyes shook his head and said, “No way.’’

Reyes is gone, but injuries keep happening to the Mets. Reyes then made this prediction, telling the Post, “I think this year I am going to play a full season. I’ve prepared myself to do that. Right now there is nothing to worry about and all my focus is on the field.’’

AP

Jose Reyes

Reyes got one at-bat in the Marlins 3-1 win over the Mets at Roger Dean Stadium, grounding back to pitcher R.A. Dickey. Rains came and Reyes was out of the game in the third. You can’t be too careful with your $106 million shortstop. He seems convinced everything is going to come up gold now that he has the gold.

The Marlins are spending money. The Madoff Mets are not.

“I’m very happy here,’’ Reyes said. “This team wants to win.’’

The Mets are just trying to hold onto the life preserver.

With this latest batch of injury news his old team is facing, Reyes noted, “I always say nobody ever wants to get hurt. Injuries just happen, especially for the kind of game that I play. I play the game hard,

and with my speed, everything I do, I do quick. Injuries are going to happen sometime.

“It’s like when you pull a hamstring when you’re just running to first base, you don’t want to pull the hamstring, that thing could happen to anybody,’’ Reyes said. “How many players in the big leagues don’t pull a hamstring?’’

Reyes has brought energy to the Marlins, who are moving into their new spectacular art-filled Miami park.

“It’s big like Citi Field. There will be a lot of triples,’’ Reyes said with a smile. He is the just latest piece of expensive art owner Jeffrey Loria has collected.

His addition has energized the team and brightened the Marlins’ world in many ways. Just read to what outfielder Logan Morrison said of Reyes: “When I’m tired, I just look at him,’’ said Morrison, whose locker sits two doors down from Reyes. “He’s like a cup of coffee for the eyes.’’

This new Marlin is fully caffeinated and fully healthy.

“I always have a lot of energy since I was a little kid,’’ Reyes said with a laugh. “It’s not something I do one day and two days, I am this way every day.’’

Reyes’ wife likes his hair short, so he is keeping it, although he has dyed the tops brown. What’s his favorite thing about being a Marlin?

“Everything,’’ Reyes said. “The way the players are, the way the coaches are, everybody has the right attitude, starting from the manager.’’ Reyes then offered this about manager Ozzie Guillen: “He has a lot of energy, bro. I don’t know if he has as much as me, but he’s there.’’

He admitted he misses the New York fans “because they supported me there when I had a lot of ups and downs,’’ but added, “I have to get used to it, I’m no longer there.’’

He’s looking forward to when the Marlins come to New York April 24-26. “It’s going to be crazy,’’ he said.

Reyes will be renting a home in Miami this season. He will continue to live in New York for at least one more offseason. He has taken over the Marlins’ clubhouse and has spent a lot of time with his new third baseman Hanley Ramirez, taking him on in “MLB 2K12” nearly every day. When they play, Reyes is the Red Sox, Ramirez is the Phillies.

“We have a very good relationship. We’re very happy to be on the same team,’’ Reyes said.

They’re happy and healthy right now.

kevin.kernan@nypost.com

Jose Reyes, the Mets, Mets, Marlins, Marlins, Madoff Mets, Fla.

Nypost.com

jeudi 15 mars 2012

Howard signs waiver, will stay with Magic

Orlando, Fla. -- Magic center Dwight Howard signed a contract extension in 2007 hoping he would be in Orlando as long as the city's famous mouse.

For at least another season that remains a possibility.

Howard signed papers Thursday agreeing to waive the early termination option in his contract, guaranteeing he will be with the Magic at the beginning of the 2012-13 season. His decision ends the season-long drama of whether he would be dealt prior to the trade deadline and before the Magic risked losing him in free agency.

The Magic center had the option of ending his five-year deal in July and entering the open market.

"I'm glad this is finally over," Howard said at a press conference to announce the new pact. "...It's not as easy as some people think. It's been very hard. We're talking a career-changing event. Most people don't see that.

"I'm very loyal and I've always put loyalty above anything."

Howard requested a trade in the preseason and maintained that stance until changing his mind this week and expressing a desire to remain in Orlando this season.

The move provides some temporary stability in what has been a tension-filled regular season for the Magic. Howard had requested to be traded and gave the Magic a list of three teams - the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks - that he wanted his agent to be allowed to talk to.

At the time Howard expressed frustration with Magic management and what he felt was an unwillingness to include him in personnel decisions or to improve the roster around him. He went as far as to praise the relationship he felt All-Star Dirk Nowitzki has with Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban.

Following those December revelations a daily drama began trailing the Magic and upset a fan base that lived through Shaquille O'Neal leaving town to join the Lakers in 1996.

The soap opera included a very awkward All-Star weekend in Orlando last month. Talk centered on Howard and his plans for the summer of 2012. During the weekend, the 26-year-old center repeatedly stated his affinity for the only city he has played for during his eight NBA seasons.

He maintained that position until a surprise statement following the Magic's home victory over Miami Tuesday in which he pulled back his trade request, saying he wanted to stay in Orlando this season.

Howard said Thursday's decision was in part, to give the Magic a chance to win a NBA title. He said "he's all in" and ready to give the organization a full season to improve the roster going forward.

Next >

1

2

Dwight Howard, ORLANDO, Fla., Orlando, Dallas Mavericks, Magic management, Los Angeles Lakers, Magic, Shaquille O'Neal

Nypost.com

lundi 12 mars 2012

Knicks playing like dead team walking

headshotGeorge Willis
Follow George on Twitter
Blog: By George

Heading into the fourth quarter of yesterday’s game at the Garden, the Jumbotron that hangs over the court flashed images of various Knicks and celebrities pleading with the crowd “to make some noise.” By the end of the game the noise heard was an assortment of boos and, coming from the rafters, some chants of “Fire D’Antoni.” The disenchantment was well-deserved.

The Knicks are lost, lost as much as Gilligan and The Skipper were on the island with little hope of being rescued. Yesterday’s 106-94 loss to the Sixers was the kind of eyesore that makes you think it’s never going to get any better.

Despite playing at home for the first time since an 0-4 road trip, the Knicks looked lethargic and detached. The most troubling sign is everyone from head coach Mike D’Antoni on down has no solution for how to end a five-game losing streak that has turned the Knicks into zombies in sneakers.

The worst thing you can say about a team is it has no heart, but that’s basically what D’Antoni said about his Knicks after they were outscored 38-24 in the third quarter and trailed by as many as 21 points in the fourth. When asked if it was the offense or defense that troubled him more, D’Antoni said it was the team’s “spirit” he questioned.

“We hit a snag and we seem to wither,” the exasperated coach said. “For some reason, we haven’t overcome any kind of obstacles.”

He talked about fighting hard and playing with more of a sense of urgency, but that’s nothing the Knicks haven’t heard before.

“It just doesn’t resonate all the time,” D’Antoni said.

Therein lies the problem.

It’s clear D’Antoni is in danger of losing this team — if he hasn’t already. The body language on the court and in the locker room is that of a team without an identity or direction. Anything associated with “Linsanity” should be considered memorabilia. The Knicks looked so bad yesterday they might as well drop the “L.”

D’Antoni all but gave up on his team in the fourth quarter yesterday, pulling Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire and finishing the game with J.R. Smith, Steve Novak, Tyson Chandler, Jeremy Lin and Landry Fields. D’Antoni insisted he wasn’t trying to send a message to his stars.

“It didn’t feel like it was fair to take them out and try something else,” he said of sticking with Smith and Novak.

Stoudemire and Anthony tried to be good soldiers about being benched, guessing D’Antoni was trying to save them for tonight’s game against the Bulls at Chicago. But the expression on Stoudemire’s face was one of frustration.

“Right now we’re not having fun,” he said. “We’re just going through the motions.”

Observations from his teammates weren’t any more encouraging.

“I’m disappointed with our effort,” Chandler said. “That’s one thing you can control.”

Baron Davis added, “A lot of times we’re playing on our heels. We’re trying to figure things out instead of forcing our will on the game.”

And the obvious from Iman Shumpert: “Sometimes we play with energy and sometimes we don’t. When we put 48 minutes together, we’ll be good. But until we do we’ll be an up and down team.”

D’Antoni knows he needs to fix this mess or the Knicks will get someone who can. The season and a playoff spot are quickly slipping away. If this week’s games against the Bulls, the Blazers and the Pacers don’t produce any encouraging results then a change will need to be made to salvage the season. Right now, D’Antoni seems clueless.

“Collectively, we just didn’t play well,” he said. “Collectively, our spirit’s not good and collectively our defense is not very good at all. Collectively, we just didn’t do what we’re supposed to do. We’ve got to solve that somehow.”

If not, the noise for his firing is only going to get louder.

george.willis@nypost.com

Knicks, Knicks, D’Antoni, Mike D’Antoni

Nypost.com

samedi 10 mars 2012

Santa Anita Results

FIRST-1 1/16m; $23,000; clm($30,000); 3YO

2

Fluxx (Flores)

2.80

2.10

2.10

1

Freckles Galore (Bejrno)

4.20

2.40

6

Singmeasong (Flores)

2.40

* $1 Exacta (2-1) $4.00 * $1 Superfecta (2-1-6-5) $53.10 * $1 Trifecta (2-1-6) $13.50

Winner picked by Vic C

SECOND-5 1/2 fur; $19,000; clm($20,000) 4up

5

Goux Wuld D (Flrs)

3.20

2.40

2.10

1

Cut n' Deal (Stra)

11.20

5.20

8

Our Last Monte (Garcia)

2.10

* Daily Double (2-5) $5.40 * $1 Exacta (5-1) $16.70 * $1 Superfecta (5-1-8-4) $480.30 * $1 Trifecta (5-1-8) $35.30

Double picked by Vic C

THIRD-6 fur; $60,000; alw; 3YO(f)

5

Vck Vctor (Bejrno)

10.20

4.00

2.40

1

Briteness (Rosario)

2.80

2.40

4

Twelve Folds (Pedroza)

2.60

* $1 Pick 3 (2-5-5) 3 Correct $19.20 * Daily Double (5-5) $20.60 * $1 Exacta (5-1) $14.00 * $1 Trifecta (5-1-4) $23.80

Pick Three picked by Vic C

FOURTH-6 fur; $23,000; clm($30,000); 3YO

5

Lemon Hro (Krggr)

5.60

3.80

2.80

1

Wrrens Vndlucy (Pdroz)

10.80

4.60

3

Nifty Dream (SantiagoReyes)

3.20

* $1 Pick 3 (5-5-5) 3 Correct $31.90 * Daily Double (5-5) $41.80 * $1 Exacta (5-1) $31.70 * $1 Superfecta (5-1-3-7) $539.50 * $1 Trifecta (5-1-3) $170.40

FIFTH-6 1/2 fur(T); $35,000; clm($32,0); 3YO

6

Tasty Treat (Tlmo)

21.20

7.00

4.00

5

Love My Way (Bejarano)

3.40

2.60

1

Belle Gallantey (Maldonado)

3.80

Scr: Candy and Thunder.

* $0.5 Pick 5 (2-5-5-5-6) 5 Correct $355.90 * $0.5 Pick 4 (5-5-5-6) 4 Correct $257.15 * $1 Pick 3 (5-5-6) 3 Correct $145.50 * $1 Trifecta (6-5-1) $144.70 * $1 Superfecta (6-5-1-7) $371.70 * Daily Double (5-6) $71.80 * $1 Exacta (6-5) $26.00

SIXTH-1 1/16m; $19,000; clm($10,000); 4up

4

Blu Tmburn (Tlm)

14.00

6.80

3.40

3

R Vicarious Girl (Flores)

5.60

3.20

7

Lauren C (Krigger)

3.00

* $1 Pick 3 (5-6-4) 3 Correct $179.40 * Daily Double (6-4) $114.80 * $1 Exacta (4-3) $31.90 * $1 Superfecta (4-3-7-6) $645.70 * $1 Trifecta (4-3-7) $130.80

SEVENTH-mile; $58,000; alw; 4up

6

Gm of Sul (Espnz)

18.00

9.00

6.40

5

Caelis (Krigger)

5.60

3.60

8

Let's Go Cheyenne (Talamo)

4.40

* $1 Pick 3 (6-4-6) 3 Correct $609.10 * Daily Double (4-6) $121.60 * $1 Exacta (6-5) $50.20 * $1 Superfecta (6-5-8-2) $844.50 * $1 Trifecta (6-5-8) $248.90

EIGHTH-$56,000, mdn spl wt, 3YO, 6f, clear.

4

Lov Tht Actn (Tlm)

38.60

12.60

8.60

5

Derby Gold (Garcia)

2.60

2.40

1

Bringon the Wain (Krigger)

4.40

Scr: Pork Chop.

* Pick 6 (5-5-6-4-6-4) 6 Correct $65,896.40, 5 Correct $2,353.40 * $0.5 Pick 4 (6-4-6-4) 4 Correct $2,169.65 * $1 Pick 3 (4-6-4) 3 Correct $1,000.00 * Daily Double (6-4) $258.40 * $1 Exacta (4-5) $51.50 * $1 Superfecta (4-5-1-2) $2,062.60 * $1 Trifecta (4-5-1) $296.40

Attendance 3,492.

Handle $759,871.

Total Handle $5,634,331.

Trifecta, Daily Double

Nypost.com

vendredi 9 mars 2012

Rangers’ power play flops again

OTTAWA — The Rangers’ power play continued to struggle during Thursday night’s 4-1 loss to the Senators, going 0-for-4 during 7:27 of total time. That makes it 8-for-46 of the past 15 games.

“I think as the power play progressed through the game it got better because we were shooting the puck,” Tortorella said. “We just don’t shot the puck enough.

“We don’t’ have a big shot from the point, first of all,” Tortorella added. “I thought it got better as we were banging away.”

What is normally a boost to a team’s momentum, the power play has become a burden for the Rangers. Look no further than when they started the second period on the man-advantage, down 2-1, and over 1:29 they couldn’t generate a single shot.

REUTERS

Ottawa Senators' goalie Ben Bishop stops a shot on net by Brian Boyle.

“It doesn’t help us tonight when we need something for us to work for us to get into the game,” Tortorella said.

The first unit was made up of Michael Del Zotto, Derek Stepan, Brad Richards, Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan.

***

In his second game back from injuring his foot, captain Callahan played 17:59 and scored his 26th goal of the season on a diving tip-in of a cross-ice pass from Brad Richards. He has tallied 12 points (nine goals, three assists) in his last 12 games, including three goals in his last four games.

Callahan did not participate in the morning skate — which is not unusual — but was seen leaving Scotiabank Place Thursday afternoon with his right foot in a walking boot. He injured the right foot blocking a shot by Ilya Kovalchuk on Feb. 27 and missed three games.

This was just the second time this season the Rangers have lost after scoring the first goal, their record an astounding 30-2-3.

***

It was a one-game swap on defense, as Anton Stralman re-entered the lineup in place of rookie Steve Eminger. Though Stralman has gone through his fair share of troubles this season — all acutely recognized by Tortorella — he played a solid 13:53 and recorded an assist on Callahan’s goal.

Though Eminger came out for warm-ups, he was scratched for the seventh time in his past eight games.

***

Martin Biron’s start snapped Henrik Lundqvist’s 26-game appearance streak against the Senators, dating back to Dec. 26, 2005. ... With Friday night’s game in Chicago, the Rangers will complete their 12th of 14 back-to-backs this season. Thursday night’s loss took their season record in the first game to 8-1-3 (3-0-0 at home, 5-1-3 on the road). In the second game, they are 8-1-2 (6-0-0 at home, 2-1-2 on the road). Since 2009-10, the team is 29-9-4 in the second game of back-to-backs, with a 15-3-1 mark at the Garden and 14-6-3 on the road over that span.

bcyraglis@nypost.com

Brad Richards, Tortorella, Rangers, Senators, Senators, Michael Del Zotto, Marian Gaborik, Derek Stepan, Anton Stralman, power play, Steve Eminger, Ilya Kovalchuk

Nypost.com

Hooray for Hollywood and Carmike

Shares of Carmike Cinemas, the fourth-largest US theater chain, rose 6.4 percent, to $8.47 after a Piper Jaffray analyst predicted movie ticket sales in the US and Canada will rebound this year.

Carmike is positioned to benefit from a rebound in box-office revenue in the US and Canada, James Marsh, an analyst for Piper Jaffray, said in a note to investors.

Marsh raised his 2012 profit estimate to 80 cents a share, from 52 cents. He estimated 2012 sales of $509 million, up from his previous figure of $465 million.

Marsh upgraded Carmike shares to “overweight,” from “neutral” in a January report.

Ticket sales in the US and Canada will increase 6.7 percent this year, Marsh said in the note. Theaters sold $10.2 billion in tickets last year, a 3.4 percent decline from 2010, according to Hollywood.com Box-Office.

Carmike Cinemas, Carmike, Piper Jaffray, James Marsh, Canada, movie ticket, US theater chain, online

Nypost.com

jeudi 8 mars 2012

CHSAA Class AA girls basketball state tournament preview

All the debate will finally be settled.

By week’s end the CHSAA’s top girls basketball team will be crowned in a tournament that rivals any in the country with talent and its grueling nature.

Nationally ranked Nazareth will look for a second straight crown and a trip upstate to defend its state Federation Class AA title in Albany. Christ the King, tje winner two years ago, is hoping to get back to the mountaintop after winning its 26th Brooklyn/Queens title in 28 tries. St. Anthony’s, also nationally ranked, is trying to erase the memory of last year’s defeat to Nazareth in the semifinals and earn its first trip upstate in the highest classification.

Denis Gostev

Nazareth's Darius Faulk will try to lead her team to a second straight CHSAA Class AA state title.

Denis Gostev

Christ the King and Rayne Connell head into the tournament off winning the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens title.

Bishop Ford coach Mike Toro felt all year he had a group talented enough to finally get the Falcons to Albany and they have proven that. A loss to CK in the diocesan final notwithstanding, Ford has been arguably the city most consistent team. A year ago, Molloy was on the road to claiming a state Federation Class A crown and this year was about accomplishing more. A deep run to a title would certainly be that.

St. John the Baptist started the season slow, but ever since getting star Anastasia Williams back the Cougars have become a force playing at the level expected by coach Ted Oberg. With St. Peter’s and St. Michael Academy closed, Moore Catholic has developed into the premier Archdiocesan program. Some success in the Class AA state tournament is the next step.

SCHEDULE

March 7

Quarterfinals @ St. Francis Prep

4 p.m. – Bishop Ford vs. Moore Catholic

5:45 p.m. – Nazareth vs. St. John the Baptist

7:30 p.m. – Archbishop Molloy vs. St. Anthony’s

March 9

Semifinals @ Archbishop Molloy

5 p.m. – Bishop Ford/Moore vs. Molloy/St. Anthony’s

7 p.m. – Christ the King vs. Nazareth/St. John the Baptist

March 10

Final @ Christ the King

7 p.m. – Semifinal winners

Archbishop Molloy Stanners

Head coach: Scott Lagas

Record: 18-9

Player to watch: Amani Tatum

Outlook: The Stanners may not be the sexy pick in this tournament, but there is no reason why they can’t make a run. Molloy does own two wins over CK, beat Ford and only fell to Nazareth by 10 in their last meeting. There may not be a tougher competitor than point guard Amani Tatu, who can get to the basket at will. Forward Carolyn Gallagher can score in bunches and will try to rebound from a tough outing against Ford. Nyasha Irizarry and Kamille Ejerta can both light things up from the outside. Patti Drogler adds a toughness inside.

Bishop Ford Falcons

Head coach: Mike Toro

Record: 22-5

Next >

1

2

Nazareth, CHSAA Class AA state, Darius Faulk, Christ the King, Archbishop Molloy, Anastasia Williams, St. Michael Academy, Bishop Ford, CHSAA, Ted Oberg, Amani Tatu

Nypost.com

mercredi 7 mars 2012

CHSAA Class AA girls basketball state tournament preview

All the debate will finally be settled.

By week’s end the CHSAA’s top girls basketball team will be crowned in a tournament that rivals any in the country with talent and its grueling nature.

Nationally ranked Nazareth will look for a second straight crown and a trip upstate to defend its state Federation Class AA title in Albany. Christ the King, tje winner two years ago, is hoping to get back to the mountaintop after winning its 26th Brooklyn/Queens title in 28 tries. St. Anthony’s, also nationally ranked, is trying to erase the memory of last year’s defeat to Nazareth in the semifinals and earn its first trip upstate in the highest classification.

Denis Gostev

Nazareth's Darius Faulk will try to lead her team to a second straight CHSAA Class AA state title.

Denis Gostev

Christ the King and Rayne Connell head into the tournament off winning the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens title.

Bishop Ford coach Mike Toro felt all year he had a group talented enough to finally get the Falcons to Albany and they have proven that. A loss to CK in the diocesan final notwithstanding, Ford has been arguably the city most consistent team. A year ago, Molloy was on the road to claiming a state Federation Class A crown and this year was about accomplishing more. A deep run to a title would certainly be that.

St. John the Baptist started the season slow, but ever since getting star Anastasia Williams back the Cougars have become a force playing at the level expected by coach Ted Oberg. With St. Peter’s and St. Michael Academy closed, Moore Catholic has developed into the premier Archdiocesan program. Some success in the Class AA state tournament is the next step.

SCHEDULE

March 7

Quarterfinals @ St. Francis Prep

4 p.m. – Bishop Ford vs. Moore Catholic

5:45 p.m. – Nazareth vs. St. John the Baptist

7:30 p.m. – Archbishop Molloy vs. St. Anthony’s

March 9

Semifinals @ Archbishop Molloy

5 p.m. – Bishop Ford/Moore vs. Molloy/St. Anthony’s

7 p.m. – Christ the King vs. Nazareth/St. John the Baptist

March 10

Final @ Christ the King

7 p.m. – Semifinal winners

Archbishop Molloy Stanners

Head coach: Scott Lagas

Record: 18-9

Player to watch: Amani Tatum

Outlook: The Stanners may not be the sexy pick in this tournament, but there is no reason why they can’t make a run. Molloy does own two wins over CK, beat Ford and only fell to Nazareth by 10 in their last meeting. There may not be a tougher competitor than point guard Amani Tatu, who can get to the basket at will. Forward Carolyn Gallagher can score in bunches and will try to rebound from a tough outing against Ford. Nyasha Irizarry and Kamille Ejerta can both light things up from the outside. Patti Drogler adds a toughness inside.

Bishop Ford Falcons

Head coach: Mike Toro

Record: 22-5

Next >

1

2

Nazareth, Nazareth, CHSAA Class AA state, Darius Faulk, Christ the King, Archbishop Molloy, Anastasia Williams, St. Michael Academy, Bishop Ford, CHSAA, Ted Oberg, Amani Tatu

Nypost.com

dimanche 4 mars 2012

St. John's Harkless, Harrison make Big East rookie team

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Marquette seniors Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom are among the six players who have been chosen first-team All-Big East.

Connecticut sophomore Jeremy Lamb, the only non-senior, was joined Sunday on the first team by Jason Clark of Georgetown, Kevin Jones of West Virginia and Kris Joseph of conference champion Syracuse.

Crowder, who averaged 18.0 points and 8.3 rebounds in conference play, was the only unanimous pick in the voting by the league's coaches.

Jones led the conference in scoring (19.0) and rebounding (10.9). He edged Johnson-Odom for the scoring title by one point.

Seniors Scoop Jardine of Syracuse and Jordan Theodore were joined on the second team by juniors Jack Cooley of Notre Dame and Maalik Wayns of Villanova and sophomore Sean Kilpatrick of Cincinnati.

The third team was seniors Henry Sims of Georgetown, Herb Pope of Seton Hall and Darryl Bryant of West Virginia, junior Vincent Council of Providence and sophomore Dion Waiters of Syracuse.

St. John's D'Angelo Harrison and Moe Harkless, the top two freshmen scorers in the conference, were joined on the seven-man all-rookie team by Andre Drummond of Connecticut, Chane Behanan of Louisville, Jerian Grant of Notre Dame, LaDontae Henton of Providence and Anthony Collins of South Florida.

The league's player of the year, who will come from the first team, will be announced Tuesday, along with coach of the year and rookie of the year.

Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette seniors Jae Crowder, Kevin Jones, Johnson-Odom, Kris Joseph, Jordan Theodore, West Virginia, Syracuse, Scoop Jardine, Jason Clark, Jeremy Lamb, Sean Kilpatrick, conference, Maalik Wayns, Georgetown, Darryl Bryant, Jack Cooley, Notre Dame, D'Angelo Harrison, Connecticut, Jerian Grant of Notre Dame, Moe Harkless

Nypost.com

samedi 3 mars 2012

Santa Anita Graded Entries

Post Time: 4:00 p.m.

FIRST-6 1/2 fur; $56,000; mdn; 4up(f)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

5 Jaredella(L),122

JRosari

2-2-2

6-5

4 Oulaoulala(M),122

JSteinr

4-x-x

2-1

1 SisterEsperanzL122

JTalam

6-x-x

8-1

2 WithaMiracle(L)122

RBejrn

2-x-x

3-1

3 BudandBrandyL122

MSmth

2-4-2

10-1

6 Luckyvic(L),122

CSthrln

4-3-2

8-1

SECOND-1 1/16m; $21,000; cl($12,50); 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 All My Chips(L),119

KKriggr

1-1-4

9-5

3 WaytooMuch(L)121

MLinrs

6-1-3

7-2

2 SummerMovieL117

DVergr

7-6-1

5-2

4 LowGearPowerL117

HBerris

5-2-7

6-1

5 Rocket Roan(L),116

EFlores

2-3-5

4-1

6 ManChestrMnL119

FLencld

4-8-8

6-1

THIRD-1m(T); $28,000; clm($25,000); 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

4 SarasotaSnshnL123

JRosari

5-5-2

7-5

1 FiveSilverStarsL123

RBejrn

2-2-2

8-5

2 Cactus Flyer(L),123

KKriggr

5-3-3

5-2

3 WarrnsMystryL121

JSteinr

5-4-7

30-1

5 Quiet Advice(L),123

RGdgm

6-6-5

30-1

6 Tiz a BudGirl(L),121

MGtrrz

9-7-6

4-1

FOURTH-6 fur; $31,000; clm($50,000); 3YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

3 Lady Vivien(L),121

VEspnz

8-2-x

5-2

7 TJ'sStormyWitL114

EFlores

2-x-x

3-1

1 Selleria(L),117

ADlgdll

6-x-x

6-1

2 DanceThewyyrL117

DVergr

2-9-6

7-2

4 Poppy Field(L),121

CSntgR

2-x-x

6-1

5 TooFiven'Ten(L)121

JTalam

x-x-x

4-1

6 Wild Bella(L),117

VCarrr

3-4-6

8-1

FIFTH-6 1/2 fur(T); $45,000; clm($50,0); 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

7 Salty Sarah(L),121

MGarci

5-1-6

5-2

2 Linda Lou(L),121

JRosari

8-1-5

3-1

1 MissdealorndlL121

RBejrn

5-1-2

5-1

3 Nice Meidel(L),121

KKriggr

5-1-5

6-1

4 Yer Woman(L),121

DFlores

2-9-9

15-1

5 CaliforniaHeatL121

EMldnd

2-8-5

8-1

6 CatchLorraine(L121

MPedrz

3-3-1

12-1

8 Talktoomuch(L)121

JTalam

4-3-1

7-2

9 She'll Heir(L),121

VEspnz

9-7-10

15-1

SIXTH-5 1/2 fur; $26,000; clm($20,000); 3YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

4 OneMagicalGrlL120

JRosari

4-5-4

2-1

6 Real Dream(L),120

JTalam

5-5-4

5-2

1 Enlightened(L),120

CSntgR

6-1-x

20-1

2 HelpMeHannhL120

CNaktn

5-1-x

4-1

3 Bulletgirl(L),118

MLinrs

5-5-4

30-1

5 PurpleStardstrL113

EFlores

2-10-5

4-1

7 Maryjean(L),120

VEspnz

1-6-1

3-1

SEVENTH-1 1/8 milesT; $60,000; alw; 4upf

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 CameliaRose(M119

JRosari

2-5-5

8-5

5 Thisismystage(L119

VEspnz

2-1-2

5-2

2 ScoreBoyera(L),119

MSmth

2-3-2

10-1

3 GlowingSpirit(L)121

MGarci

1-6-5

6-1

4 AnniversaryGrlL119

CNaktn

5-5-3

4-1

6 ChokechrymryL121

RBejrn

1-2-3

4-1

7 WarrensGtGmL119

JTalam

7-4-5

15-1

EIGHTH-5 1/2 fur; $23,000; clm($30,0); 3YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

9 LivetheForth(L),120

JRosari

4-3-x

4-1

2 Zenett(L),120

CNaktn

4-3-x

9-2

1 Lewkodonia(L),118

MPedrz

x-x-x

8-1

3 Conkate(L),120

AQnnz

x-x-x

15-1

4 JulietMyLove(L)120

EMldnd

x-x-x

20-1

5 SunlandVintagL118

MGtrrz

x-x-x

10-1

6 QueenMercuryL120

JTalam

4-x-x

6-1

7 ArinyesLove(M)115

EFlores

3-4-8

6-1

8 TribalChatter(L)120

KKriggr

x-x-x

6-1

10 Banana Split(L),120

VEspnz

x-x-x

8-1

11 ChillngCmmndL120

ADlgdll

7-2-5

6-1

4upPN Horse, PN Horse, Horse, fur ebook download

Nypost.com

A confident Miguel Cotto makes no apologies for who he isn't

Miguel Cotto

Miguel Cotto will put his WBA super-welterweight championship belt on the line when he fights unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 5 in Las Vegas. (Seth Wenig / Associated Press / March 1, 2012)

Tired of being disappointed because there isn't a Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight?

Miguel Cotto is here to try to slug out your frustrations.

"I didn't care about hearing one more thing about that," Cotto said Thursday, appearing in Hollywood to promote his May 5 bout against the unbeaten Mayweather. "My next step is Mayweather. If people want to see that [Mayweather-Pacquiao] fight, they have to wait until I beat Mayweather."

Cotto (37-2, 30 knockouts), the World Boxing Assn. super-welterweight champion, is to defend his belt in a pay-per-view bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. That hotel's sports book lists Cotto as more than a 6-1 underdog, lacking confidence that the 31-year-old's body-punching skills can overcome the 35-year-old Mayweather's speed, defense and ring wizardry.

"I'm a little different fighter than Antonio Margarito," Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs) said of the Tijuana fighter whom Cotto defeated by ringside doctor's stoppage in a December rematch. "I'm faster and my defense is a lot better."

And Mayweather expressed little concern about fighting at the increased weight of 154 pounds, where he hasn't fought since defeating Oscar De La Hoya in a split decision in 2007.

"The 10-ounce heavyweight gloves they made me use against Oscar were like pillows," Mayweather said. "If I didn't have those pillows on, I could've chopped him up the way I wanted. I couldn't choose my gloves, the weight, anything in that fight."

This time, the camp of pay-per-view king Mayweather secured eight-ounce gloves for the Cotto bout.

Mayweather agreed to fight Cotto only after talks to stage Mayweather-Pacquiao failed. Pacquiao wanted a 50-50 split of revenues and Mayweather extended no more than a $40-million guarantee.

Earlier this week, Mayweather said Pacquiao isn't "one of the sharpest knives in the drawer," and he said the Filipino superstar doesn't deserve 50% of the financial pie.

But Thursday Mayweather tried to answer Pacquiao-related questions only by selling his May 5 fight. What does Mayweather think of the Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley fight June 9?

"May the best man win," Mayweather said.

"My job is not to worry about other fighters," he added.

Meanwhile, Cotto thinks he's back at the peak of his craft.

Cotto suffered the first loss of his career — to Margarito in 2008 — one fight before the Mexican brawler was suspended for having plaster in his hand wraps before a bout. But in their rematch in December, Cotto dominated Margarito in every round.

"[Margarito] took from me a lot of things — confidence included — in the 2008 fight, but as soon as I started training for this fight two weeks ago, I understood all those things he'd taken have come back to me," Cotto said.

lance.pugmire@latimes.com

twitter.com/latimespugmire

Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Mayweather-Pacquiao, Mayweather-Pacquiao, Pacquiao, Mayweather, Antonio Margarito, Thursday Mayweather

Latimes.com

vendredi 2 mars 2012

Tech tweaks help car sales shift into high gear

America’s love affair with cars is vrooming back — fueled by an accelerating passion for tech-tweaked models.

US carmakers reported yesterday that sales in February hit an annualized 14 million rate for a second straight month.

It’s the first back-to-back 14 million pace since 2008 — and analysts attribute the brisk sales to new on-board tech gadgets that are making the driver’s seat as cool as some living rooms.

“People are buying more bells and whistles than ever because technology is giving them so much for their vehicles,” said senior auto analyst Kristen Anderssen of TrueCar.com, which tracks the industry.

That rising demand helped drive up sales for the best February in four years, reviving Detroit to levels it lost during the recession.

Prices are also higher.

Indeed, the new high-tech features that help you shop electronically, download entertainment, monitor your habits behind the wheel, and stay in touch with civilization everywhere, have pushed up the average price of light vehicles to $30,605, a gain of nearly $2,000, or 6.8 percent, for the year.

In monthly sales reported yesterday by automakers, General Motors stumped analysts with a 1.1 percent gain instead of a big decline that many had predicted. GM shares rose 1.7 percent to $26.45, up 45 cents.

Ford sales jumped 14 percent, with its Focus sales doubling in February. Ford stock rose 2.3 percent to $12.66. Both GM and Ford expect profits in 2012. Chrysler sales jumped 40 percent from a year earlier.

Analysts said rising stock markets, growing consumer confidence and improvements in the unemployment rate helped bring buyers back to dealers in recent weeks.
Nypost.com

jeudi 1 mars 2012

Pettitte, Rivera an elite teaching duo for Yankees

TAMPA -- Mariano Rivera had completed a 35-pitch bullpen session and walked to where Andy Pettitte had watched baseball’s all-time closer work as if it was the middle of July.

For 10 minutes Wednesday, the pitching cornerstones of the latest Yankees dynasty chatted inside the Steinbrenner Field bullpen as a hot morning sun worked its way through vanishing clouds.

Was Pettitte, a guest instructor, giving Rivera tips? Was Rivera attempting to talk Pettitte into coming out of retirement?

“We were talking about the young pitchers in camp,’’ a sweating Rivera said following the completion of a running program.

On his way to watch Rivera throw, Pettitte said, “There are a lot of young studs here.’’

Once, Rivera and Pettitte were the young studs, and Rivera remembers being around the legends.

“Whitey [Ford], Tommy John and Gator [Ron Guidry], those were the guys,’’ Rivera said of the special instructors on hand during his first camp in 1993 when the Yankees trained in Fort Lauderdale. “I had my [elbow] surgery and I was rehabbing.’’

Rivera (42) is older than Pettitte (39) and though he is an active player, Rivera teaches.

“I have instructed since I came to the big leagues, that’s what I do,’’ Rivera said.

As for the pitching program, Rivera threw a second bullpen session and is nearing the point where he will begin throwing batting practice.

“Friday or Saturday,’’ Rivera said of his next bullpen session. After that he will throw batting practice.

According to manager Joe Girardi, don’t look for Rivera to work an exhibition game for about two weeks.

Rivera historically needs eight innings to be ready for the season. As usual, all of Rivera’s appearances will be at GMS Field, though he will work in one of three games played on the Florida’s east coast at the end of spring training. The Yankees play the Marlins April 1 and 2 in Miami and the Mets in Port St. Lucie on April 3.

george.king@nypost.com

Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte

Nypost.com

Lien on me: Arrears here

headshotLois Weiss

BETWEEN THE BRICKS

The city’s annual lien sale list is out and property owners should check it even if they are up to date on their property taxes.

Owners could land on the list for unpaid water and sewer charges, emergency repairs or by some clerical error. They have until May 17 to cut a deal with the city that does not require a down payment. Then the city sells the liens to investors and surcharges apply.

Citywide, 21,910 buildings owe $439,493,333 in property taxes with $649,185,512 due in overall late charges. Properties owe over $130 million for water with $66 million of that from 5,090 multi-family residential buildings. Another 12,584 small homes owe another $65 million in water fees. “Other” Department of Environmental Protection bills add up to more than $150 million.

There are also emergency repair charges of $47.7 million citywide that are racked up when property owners don’t fix things like boilers fast enough or leave up dangerous buildings that need to be demolished.

We found several properties with spotless property tax payments but outstanding water or other charges.

The virtually empty Knickerbocker Hotel, which is undergoing renovations and is now divided up into commercial condominiums, has a water charge of around $44,000 and a late penalty of $2,000. The water bill was still attached to the main address. Did the water fall into The Gap, which is the only thing running there besides some workmen? One of the owners is now flushing this out.

The Daryl Roth Theater also had an outstanding water bill of nearly $34,000, including the $2,000 penalty. The theater is owned by and named after Vornado Realty Trust Chairman Steve Roth’s Tony award-winning wife, Daryl. A person at the theater said they had just became aware of the bill and were taking care of it. You’d think that this sophisticated real-estate company has a handle on their bills.

Think again.

We found credits of $100,579.32 on one of Vornado’s retail lots at 731 Lexington Ave. because the Jan. 1 tax bill was paid using the July bill amount and not the legislatively adjusted amount reduced in mid-November. Yes, the city owes Vornado money.

The statement of account you get in the mail tells you that the city owes you money since promises were made 20 years ago that the Department of Finance would alert owners when there are credits.

Lawyers sometimes have liens on refund checks for overpayments, and when properties sell, credits may belong to different entities.

The supportive housing community also has problems that surfaced in the lien list. Two small apartment buildings owned by Clinton Housing Development Co. are still being charged for taxes after over a year of waiting. In one case, the deed was filed by a prominent lawyer with “N/A” for an address. Guess what? No bill could be sent anywhere. Finance officials quickly fixed that glitch this week and have always been responsive as we bring misfilings to their attention.

In one misfiling we uncovered, the addresses for two different water meters at the residential 260 Park Ave. South are attached through computer files to the JPMorgan Chase office building at 270 Park Ave. This is because the original document filings and deeds were not properly written by those that filed the documents. DEP is looking into this now.

Along with the often-made mistake of leaving out “South” for Park Avenue South addresses, we’ve also found address numbers transposed, causing documents to be filed on the wrong block and lot. This can be a headache for owners as one page states property and water bills will be sent to this address. And if the number is missing or wrong, the bill goes into the Twilight Zone.

Don’t think the 99 percent are immune to missed property tax payments, as residential condos are often purchased as investments or pieds-a-terre. We found missed bills by folks that own at the Plaza Hotel, Trump World Tower and 845 UN Plaza, as well as condominiums owned by a ritzy doctor on Park Avenue.

Properties that owe the most in city water charges are also on the lien list.

The largest water bills are owed by buildings in Queens where one factory owes over $1 million in water charges and is a regular on the lien list.

lois@betweenthebricks.com

property tax payments, property tax payments, Daryl Roth Theater, property owners, Vornado Realty Trust Chairman Steve Roth’s Tony, Department of Environmental Protection bills, water bills, water bill, property taxes, Clinton Housing Development Co., Knickerbocker Hotel

Nypost.com