Directory

The San Francisco 49ers are poking around on the trade market for Tampa Bay Buccaneers star defensive tackle Vita Vea. NFL Media's Mike Garafolo on Friday before the Buccaneers game vs. the New York Jets reported the 49ers are among the teams that have inquired with the Buccaneers about trading their disgruntled defensive lineman. The Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills have also made calls per Garafolo.Vea requested a trade when the Buccaneers reported for training camp and is holding in during training camp while he seeks a new deal. The average annual value on his current deal, which ends after this season, is $17.75 million according to Spotrac. Defensive tackles Jalen Carter, Quinnen Williams and Jeffrey Simmons all got contracts this offseason that pay them north of $35 million annually. Garafolo reported there's no deal imminent between the Buccaneers and their 31-year-old two-time Pro Bowler. It makes sense the 49ers would be looking to bolster their pass rush with a player like Vea. He posted 4.5 sacks last season, but he racked up 51 pressures which tied for seventh among interior defensive linemen according to Pro Football Focus. Lining him up alongside Osa Odighizuwa (52 pressures last season) would give the 49ers added pass rush help in the event they struggle to stay healthy at defensive end again this season. DE Nick Bosa is already dealing with tendinitis in his knee while recovering from an ACL tear he suffered last season. For now the Buccaneers aren't interested in trading Vea, but they also don't appear to be interested in negotiating a contract extension with their former first-round pick. This will be something the 49ers should keep a close eye on, and expect them to remain involved in any trade conversations that do happen. More 49ers: 49ers work out trio of CBs after new wave of injuriesThis article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers aggressive in trade market, called on star D-lineman per report

DARWIN, Australia (AP) — A half-century for Mehidy Hasan Miraz helped guide Bangladesh to 417-8 at lunch on Day 3 as it continued to dominate the series-opening cricket test against Australia.Resuming Saturday at 351-6, Bangladesh added a further 66 runs in the morning session for the loss of two wickets as it lifted its lead over a battered and sloppy Australia to 219 runs. At lunch, Mehidy was unbeaten on 65 from 152 balls, including a towering six off Cameron Green from the final ball of the session, to underline the tourists' dominance in all facets of this test so far.Taskin Ahmed was 12 not out at the break, sharing a handy 45-run partnership with Mehidy. Josh Hazelwood claimed both wickets to fall on Saturday and has 4-86 in his return to test cricket from injury on what was another poor session for the hosts.Dropped catches from Steve Smith, Green and Travis Head ensured yesterday's brief rally in the field fizzled out and allowed Bangladesh to bat itself into an almost impregnable position. Mehidy also shared a partnership of 46 with Hasan Mahmud (14) through Saturday morning before Hazlewood got his third wicket of the innings with a full and straight delivery that cannoned into the tailenders pads to be out leg before wicket.Hazlewood also captured Taijul Islam, taken at gully by Green for 17. Mehidy brought up his 50 shortly before lunch off 117 balls, with five boundaries.On Thursday's opening day Bangladesh dismissed Australia for 198 in 53 overs, after the hosts had won the toss and batted. The two-test “Top End” series starts a heavy 12-month schedule for the Australians that will feature 20 test matches, including tours to South Africa, India and England.___See AP’s full cricket coverage here

BOCA RATON, FL — Sometimes, you just have to let your best player go make plays.That's what first-year Carol City (Miami, Fla.) coach Toro Wallace did. He put the game in Nick Lennear's hands.The five-star wide receiver answered the call in overtime, helping Carol City, which ranks No. 20 in USA TODAY Sports preseason Super 25 rankings, score a come-from-behind 24-23 win in overtime against West Boca Raton, the two-time defending FHSAA champions in Class 6A."I told the coach to put the game in my hands," said Lennear, a second-teamer on USA TODAY Sports Southeast Region ALL-USA team. "I'm gonna come down with it every time. Coach gave me a shot, and I came down with it."Lennear, who had largely been quiet up until the overtime period against West Boca Raton, had just three touches for 8 yards heading into the fourth quarter. Then the Miami commit woke up, finishing with 6 receptions for 48 yards and the game-winning touchdown against the Bulls."We can't take no credit for that," Wallace said. "That's all Nicholas Lennear. He said, 'Hey coach, it's overtime, it's my team. Give me the ball and get out the way.' I said, 'Y'all heard what he said, get him the ball.' And we all saw the rest."Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow @usatodayhss on Instagram and X.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch as Miami football commit, 5-star WR Nick Lennear makes wild catch in OT

"WWE SmackDown" was in Boston on Friday to deliver three title matches in the TD Garden. Outside of the ring, bad blood continued to boil between four of the brand's hottest stars. But overall, this show was very clearly about one person.The Chelsea Green showWow. Just wow. WWE really maximized the impending "absence" of Chelsea Green by giving her the entire first 30 minutes of "SmackDown," weaving her beautifully into three different angles.This. Was. Exceptional.Honestly, it's getting funnier and funnier by the week to see the investment in "SmackDown" creative rise while "Raw's" goes down.It was a rollercoaster in the best way. "SmackDown" general manager Nick Aldis welcomed Green to the ring to strip her of the recently won Women's Championship due to her broken orbital bone from last week. This segment was played perfectly between the two characters, with Green continuously leaning into her "second-fiddle" role that Michael Hayes had given her on Netflix's "WWE: Unreal."Nick Aldis has informed Chelsea Green that she must relinquish the WWE Women's Title due to injury! 🤯@RealNickAldis | @ImChelseaGreenpic.twitter.com/ohjtil4S5g— WWE (@WWE) August 15, 2026Then she compared the doubtful looks people gave her and Aldis ahead of the latter's SummerSlam match against Gunther. It was a nice touch, reminding the audience that Aldis did indeed return to action. You wouldn't have realized it last week.Green reluctantly gave Aldis the title before walking to the back. Aldis declined and instead gave her 30 days to get medically cleared before a title transfer must take place.Everyone in the Boston crowd was fully behind those two, and rightfully so. Stunningly, Gunther was the one to make the interruption, after missing the whole show last week.WOW 👏Nick Aldis is giving @ImChelseaGreen 30 days to get healthy and defend the Women's WWE Title! pic.twitter.com/CsH8FDQTa1— WWE (@WWE) August 15, 2026Matt Cardona wants Gunther to KEEP HIS WIFE'S NAME OUT OF HIS MOUTH!! 😳 pic.twitter.com/woZXCdBZpb— WWE (@WWE) August 15, 2026If there was one negative to all of this, it was how Gunther very clearly buried the importance of the Women's Championship. He labeled it as less important than his matters, demanding an explanation from Aldis for screwing him in the Fatal-4-Way contender match.The banter was great between Aldis and Gunther, then even better between Green and Gunther, of all people. As Gunther grew more aggravated, it felt inevitable for Matt Cardona to arrive on the scene to defend his wife. But the duo has never been presented together on TV, so it was a toss-up. Ultimately, Cardona arrived and was held back by Green for as long as he could be.It led to an "impromptu" match between the two— in their pants! That was a very small but great wrinkle in all of this. When the wrestlers aren't in their gear, these days, you never expect them to wrestle on the spot.The match was fine, and largely a one-sided beatdown from Gunther, as it should have been.The Ring General Gunther forces Matt Cardona to tap out! 😯@Gunther_AUTpic.twitter.com/um6DuTqO21— WWE (@WWE) August 15, 2026Gunther hit the bricks from there, and out came the Irresistible Forces. Nia Jax threatened to beat down Green and take the title, while Lash Legend stood there menacingly. That forced the ill-advised Tiffany Stratton save attempt.Stratton got destroyed, yet she maintained that she would defend her U.S. title against Jacy Jayne later on. So there was the easy out regarding a Stratton loss. Not that she needed protection from a Jayne loss, but that's exactly what we got, as they put on an absolute banger match rather than a quick title change.OH NO 😟The Irresistible Forces have brutalized Tiffy Time! pic.twitter.com/NyEmH7tmVx— WWE (@WWE) August 15, 2026NEW WOMEN'S UNITED STATES CHAMPION 🏆@jacyjaynewwe has DONE IT! pic.twitter.com/ucvPD9dpMt— WWE (@WWE) August 15, 2026The change, however, was the right move, more for Jayne's sake. All of this Green utilization that flowed through the show together was fantastic. You know. Like a real TV show.And in the end, Green cost Stratton the title by essentially distracting Stratton by staring down with Fatal Influence on the outside.Therapy sessionMother of God. I have no words. Kevin Owen and CM Punk have made magic. This is one of those rare cases where you should just watch the full segment and take it in. These guys went everywhere you would hope before their epic first match next week.And spoiler alert, I feel like Owens almost has to win.Aside from the fact that Owens has only wrestled once since his return, the story is so good with the history and relationships shared. Every line delivered feels like it isn't a line from either, but Owens' mic work is wildly refreshing. He has a different believability. Gripping doesn't even begin to describe this interaction.🚗 Car Crash of the NightWWE went ahead and crowned the Tongans, who are, for some reason, still going by MFT despite Solo Sikoa's absence. Presumably, the integration of Haku will stir up some intrigue between the new champions.The triple-threat title tilt was a pretty solid, expected car crash. Mostly, it's just nice to have a real tag team as champion again.We have NEW WWE Tag Team Champions! 🏆With Haku by their side, the MFTs have stormed to the Titles! pic.twitter.com/7VUy6VEs1t— WWE (@WWE) August 15, 2026Out of nowhere!Another Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn match was supposed to happen to close "SmackDown." That came about when Zayn continued to point out Rhodes' backstage privileges. So, should he have won, he'd be next in line for the winner of Punk vs. Owens.Unfortunately for Zayn, Randy Orton still exists..@CodyRhodes vs @SamiZayn TONIGHT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/w8cXtmsDQY— WWE (@WWE) August 15, 2026The match didn't happen, thanks to Orton attacking Rhodes during Zayn's entrance. It was largely a Rhodes beatdown that bled into the crowd, where he would rally until they got near the announce table. Orton aimed to repeat his pre-WrestleMania steps-chair spot, but Rhodes turned the tables (literally) and went for it himself. The producers who came out to halt and break everything up grabbed the chair, and that was that. Their match will seemingly go down at Sunday Night's Main Event.OH MY GOD 😱Randy Orton is hearing VOICES IN HIS HEAD! pic.twitter.com/MrKhfn6DuK— WWE (@WWE) August 15, 2026An absolutely WILD ending to SmackDown! 🤯@CodyRhodes | @RandyOrtonpic.twitter.com/RHdbmxpFWD— WWE (@WWE) August 15, 2026Admittedly, the whole time that final sequence was going down, I couldn't help but wonder why the hell Aldis didn't get physical with either. The man just returned to in-ring action. How are we supposed to believe he's scared of anyone when in "GM" mode? A nitpick, to say the least.👑 Uncrowned Gem of the Night 👑This whole show was a gem, as you'll see by the score. But, obviously, if one single entity deserves the shine, it was Green. She was the main character in this episode of "SmackDown" and hopefully continues to play a major role while injured.More of this, please. I give Friday's "SmackDown" a crown score of: 👑 10/10 👑WWE SmackDown full-card results and grades:Women's U.S. Championship: Jacy Jayne def. Tiffany Stratton (c.) — 👑 4.5/5 👑WWE Tag Team Championship: The MFTs (Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga) def. Damian Priest & R-Truth (c.), The War Raiders (Erik and Ivar) — 👑 3/5 👑U.S. Championship: Baron Corbin (c.) def. Carmelo Hayes — 👑 3.5/5 👑Gunther def. Matt Cardona — 👑 2.5/5 👑

MADISON – Ahead of a gauntlet of early-season challenges, Wisconsin volleyball had anything but a challenge in the three sets of its exhibition match that officially counted.The Badgers bested Butler in straight sets, 25-14, 25-10, 25-13, in an Aug. 14 exhibition at the UW Field House. The Bulldogs put up much more of a fight in the unofficial fourth set until UW pulled away with a 30-28 win.Wisconsin had a 38-11 advantage in kills while hitting .338 in the three consequential sets. Six UW players finished with at least four kills. No Butler player had more than one kill until the third set.Here are three takeaways from the Badgers’ highs and lows of the exhibition win:Grace Lopez, Grace Egan set tone at service lineGrace Lopez wasted little time in making a statement in her first match against another collegiate team since missing more than a year with a knee injury.The former Miami (FL) transfer had four service aces in the first set alone as Butler had seemingly no answers for her topspin serve.“In case anybody has forgotten what kind of talent she is, I think that was a reminder today of what we knew that we were getting when she decided to come here,” Sheffield said.Wisconsin’s other topspin-serving player, Grace Egan, delivered another two aces. Lopez and Egan’s combined six aces were in addition to other plays where the topspin serve seemed to keep the Bulldogs out of sorts.“Our spin servers set the tone at the beginning of the match – Grace times two – and just really put a lot of pressure until our float servers could get a little bit more comfortable behind the service line,” Sheffield said.The Badgers’ other servers eventually found their groove as well, helping the Badgers finish with 14 aces in the first three sets. (Had it not been an exhibition, the Badgers would have neared the program record for service aces in a three-set match – 16 in a 1989 win over Northern Illinois.)Other players with aces included setters Charlie Fuerbringer and Isabelle Hoppe with two each. Egan had another two aces in later sets to match Lopez’s team-high four. Kristen Simon and Natalie Wardlow each had one ace.Egan had another two aces later in the match and finished the first three sets with a team-high nine kills while hitting .467. That was while playing two sets at opposite hitter and one at outside hitter.Wisconsin overcomes 'sleepy' start in fourth setButler – a team that posted a 12-17 overall record and 5-11 Big East record in 2025 – had the Badgers reeling early in the fourth set.The Bulldogs forced an early Sheffield timeout as they jumped to a 10-2 lead. They also held a 12-4 lead and had more kills in that stretch than they did in the first two sets combined.“I thought we came out a little bit sleepy in the start of the fourth set,” Sheffield said.At the same time, Sheffield thought the Kyle Shondell-coached Bulldogs “showed a lot of fight” in the fourth set and “made us work for it.”“Kyle’s out there fighting along with his team and just gave us exactly what we were hoping we were going to get tonight,” Sheffield said.Then the Badgers, as Sheffield aptly put it, “dug in.” UW won 12 of the next 17 points to cut the deficit to one. Butler pulled ahead and faced set point four times. Wisconsin ultimately won the nail-biting set, 30-28.Freshman outside hitter Audrey Flanagan, who was coming off a 17-kill performance in the alumni match, recorded nine kills in the extra long fourth set. UC-Santa Barbara transfer Eva Travis had six kills in the set.“The ability of never giving up on yourselves or the team or what it is is a quality that elite teams have to have,” Sheffield said.It was all in front of a Field House crowd – officially measured at 6,261 people – that brought plenty of enthusiasm at key moments.“The crowd always does a really good job pouring into us,” Simon said. “Their energy means so much to us at every point, especially when they get up on their feet. … Every time that they just stand up and cheer for us, I think it really fires us up a lot and keeps us going.”How Wisconsin fared at middle blocker without Jaela AugusteWisconsin kept Jaela Auguste – the 2025 third-team All-American and Florida transfer – out of the lineup for both the alumni match and exhibition. Sheffield said earlier in the week that her and Halle Thompson’s injuries “aren’t long-term things, but certainly we want no setbacks right now.”Sheffield thought the other middle blockers “looked a little sluggish” in the exhibition against Butler while partly taking responsibility for that.“We put them through a pretty tough practice yesterday – a lot tougher than what we typically do going into a match,” Sheffield said. “And I think it probably showed a little bit.”Natalie Wardlow finished with four kills while hitting .800 in the three sets that officially counted. Sheffield noticed "a couple really, really nice swings" from the sophomore whose past playing time was often in serving situations.“And then her serving got a little bit better in the second half of the match when she started adding her drop serve,” Sheffield said.Freshman Lynney Tarnow had seven kills and two blocks although Sheffield thought UW was not “setting her as high as what she kind of needs.” Fellow freshman Kymora Scott appeared in the third set and the unofficial fourth set and had one kill and one attack error in each set.“We’ve got some talent in that middle,” Sheffield said. “I feel comfortable with any one of those three, and certainly Jaela getting in the lineup and her potential is exciting.”This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 3 takeaways from Wisconsin's exhibition win, surprising fourth set

COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 03: James Pearce Jr. #27 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during the fourth quarter between the Atlanta Dream and the Los Angeles Sparks at Gateway Center Arena on September 03, 2025 in College Park, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Pearce, a first-round pick of the Falcons in 2025, did not appeal his suspension after a February arrest where he was charged with three felony counts, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest.The NFL handed down its punishment of Atlanta Falcons player James Pearce Jr. on Friday, suspending the former first-round pick for the first eight games of the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. His suspension begins on Aug. 30, and while he is eligible to participate in preseason activity for the team, he won’t be eligible to play his first game of the season until November.Pearce was arrested in February after allegedly using a car to run into a vehicle driven by his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, who was attempting to reach a police station in Doral, Florida. Officers responded to Jackson’s 911 call, and Pearce fled the scene, later crashing his vehicle. He was charged with multiple felonies, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, as well as resisting arrest.In May, Pearce entered a pretrial intervention program in which he agreed to several conditions. If he avoids any legal trouble, passes random drug tests and stays away from Jackson, all of his charges will be dismissed.Pearce opted not to appeal his suspension and the decision is final, per the league office.Yale Sanford, Pearce’s attorney, told The Athletic in April that his client has “taken responsibility for his mental health” following the alleged incident with Jackson and had full confidence that he would complete the pretrial program.“His eyes have been opened, and he will continue to learn and grow and be a better person,” Sanford said. “He understands the ramifications of what just occurred. He knows what was on the line here. As a human being, he understands that he’s in a much better place.”More must-reads:Rashad Bilal of Earn Your Lesiure sounds off on Invest Fest backlash, reiterates its not a ‘Black’ conferenceJudge refuses attempt to block a Mississippi county’s majority Black juidicial districts, for nowJason Arday, Cambridge’s youngest-ever Black professor, found dead at 41

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Stephanie White was greeted by cheers instead of boos. And the Indiana Fever and their fans had plenty of reasons to be happy before the night was over.Caitlin Clark had 29 points and 10 assists in an entertaining duel with fellow No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers, and the Fever beat the Dallas Wings 98-87 on Friday night in a rare game that wasn't marred by on-court or off-court controversies.“We love each other in that locker room and we know there are a lot of people out there that are trying to tear it apart,” White said, three days Indiana's coach denounced the “divisiveness” around the WNBA in a 2 1/2-minute pregame rant. “When we say we’re a family, we mean that. It doesn’t always mean we get along, It doesn’t mean we always agree. But at the end of the day, it means we circle are wagons and we have each other’s back.”White had drawn the wrath of Fever fans — and even Indiana Lt. Gov Micah Beckwith — after what some saw as her downplaying a flagrant foul by Chicago's DiJonai Carrington on Indiana's Sophie Cunningham.After White called the foul on Cunningham “egregious” during her table-pounding pregame speech on Tuesday and said she always backed her players, the Fever went out and beat the New York Liberty 106-92 as Clark and her teammates rallied around their coach.All appeared to be forgiven on Friday as the Fever picked up their third straight win.“I think our fans, you know the true Indiana Fever fans, are amazing. They’ve been incredible to me for a long time,” White said. “But more than anything, I’m thankful for this group of women and the men on our staff, and I’m thankful we can all lift each other up when need to be and they’ve been lifting me up. I’m happy about that.”All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell continued scoring at a high clip, finishing with 23 points. All-Star center Aliyah Boston scored 10 of her 16 points in the fourth quarter, and even Indiana’s oft-criticized defense played well through the first half and in the closing minutes.Friday’s game and next week’s game in Dallas could be a playoff preview.Indiana has won eight of 10 and finished the night as the league's fourth-place team, a half-game ahead of the Atlanta Dream — its opponent on Sunday. The Wings have lost seven of 10 to fall into a tie for seventh with Washington.Bueckers matched Clark with 29 points, but it wasn't enough for Dallas.“Obviously, she is an incredible player, makes it really hard on us defensively,” Clark said. “We tried to throw a lot of different things at her. She’s so good in the mid-range. I felt like we had a few miscommunications, especially in that third-quarter spurt where she was completely wide open. That’s on our group to figure it out.”___AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Noah Schultz provided a glimmer of hope in his rebound start for the Knights. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Rochester Red Wings 5,Charlotte Knights 2 In his first start since being demoted from the parent club, Noah Schultz rolled out four strong innings, sacrificing a solo home run in the first for three scoreless innings. Although hanging a cutter down the middle is far from desirable for Sox fans hoping Schultz can prove he’s still the best lefty arm on the farm, Schultz’s rebound in the second through fourth frames was a positive sign.The Knights worked with Schultz’s adequate backing. Charlotte’s scoring started with Mario Camilletti’s RBI single in the third, and followed with Andy Weber’s lone jack in the fifth to capture the lead: Your browser does not support the video tag. Unfortunately, this narrow 2-1 lead wasn’t sustainable. After Nick Altermatt’s two-frame shutout, Tyler Davis stepped on for what would be another disappointing outing. The struggling southpaw put two on early and couldn’t get himself out of trouble before Rochester’s Liover Peguero lined a two-run RBI drive to center field to give the Red Wings the go-ahead runs. Peyton Pallette dug the Knights further into a hole when he replaced Peguero in the eighth, giving up two runs on four pitches to seal Charlotte’s fate.MVPNoah Schultz: 4 IP, 3 H, R, HRRunners-UpNick Altermatt: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 3 KDru Baker: 2-for-4, R, KAndy Weber: 1-for-4, R, RBI, 2 KCold CatTyler Davis: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 KRunners-UpPeyton Pallette: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 3 KTim Elko: 0-for-4, 3 KMario Camilletti: 1-for-5, RBI, 3 KRiley Unroe: 1-for-3, KColumbus Clingstones 6, Birmingham Barons 2Once again, the Barons disappointingly dropped another game. Caleb Bonemer, the game’s hero, supplied both of Bham’s runs with a triple and a double. Meanwhile, the rest of the lineup collected eight strikeouts and combined for just five hits. Shane Murphy had a bumpy start, allowing five runs, three walks, and five strikeouts in five long frames. Phil Fox added to Columbus’ 5-2 lead in the eighth, but by then it was only a minor blunder. When the lineup goes 2-for-10, it’s easy to see why Bham is 18 games worse than .500.MVPCaleb Bonemer: 2-for-4, 2 RBIRunners-UpCarson Jacobs: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 KDylan Campbell: 1-for-4, R, KSamuel Zavala: 1-for-3, R, KCold CatShane Murphy: 5 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 5 K, HRRunner-UpPhil Fox: 1 IP, 2 H, R, KColby Shelton: 0-for-4, 2 KGrant Magill: 0-for-3James Taussig: 0-for-3Winston-Salem Dash 9, Greensboro Grasshoppers 4Although catching up to first-place Bowling Green in the South Atlantic League South will be a challenge, this win keeps the Dash a half-game ahead in the second-place race, a finish that will land them in the playoffs. Kyle Lodise and Shalin Polanco traded runs in the second, Lodise with a solo homer and Polanco with a bases-loaded walk.View LinkWinston-Salem began pulling ahead in the fifth when Roch Cholowsky delivered a two-out, two-run line drive past first base, before the Dash ran away with the lead in the seventh. Cholowsky tacked on another RBI, George Wolkow extended his hit streak to five games with an RBI single, and Lodise delivered a second home run, to name a few other highlights.Overall, the Dash’s pitching put up one of its strongest performances in the second half of the season — until the bottom of the ninth, when Landen Payne reduced Winston-Salem’s lead by two. But before the ninth-inning slip-up, and aside from a questionable bases-juiced walk and a well-hit double early, Winston-Salem’s arms had proved why this team has been competitive all season.MVPKyle Lodise: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, KRunners-UpRoch Cholowsky: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, BBJeral Perez: 2-for-4, R, BB, 2 KKaleb Freeman: 1-for-2, 2 R, 3 BB, KJack Young: 2 1/3 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 KCold CatJesus Mendez: 2/3 IP, 0 H, 2 R, BB, 2 KRunner-UpMason Moore: 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, R, 2 BBDrew Conover: 2 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 3 KNick McLain: 0-for-6, R, KKannapolis Cannon Ballers 4, Hickory Crawdads 3Everything came together for Kanny to help pull the CBs back into a tie with the August GreenJackets for third place in the Carolina League South. Fabian Ysalla redeemed himself for his last outing, twirling five innings while holding Hickory to six hits, two runs, and a walk. The bullpen mostly shut down the Crawdads from the sixth on, although Grant Cleavinger did make the final three outs interesting.At the plate, Grayson Fitzwater and Stiven Flores cranked out two hits apiece, with Flores scoring three of the night’s four runs. With Billy Carlson on the IL, it’s not surprising that the offense was fairly limited. And although nothing went yard from Kanny, the offense stacked up plenty of chances to lengthen their lead but only managed to bring one of eight runners in scoring position around the diamond.MVPStiven Flores: 2-for-4, 2 RBIRunners-UpGrayson Fitzwater: 2-for-4, R, RBIFabian Ysalla: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, BB, K, HRJaden Fauske: 1-for-4, R, KMarco Barrios: 1 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, KCold CatGrant Cleavinger: 1 IP, 2 H, R, 3 KRunners-UpClay Burdette: 1-for-4, R, 3 KCrew McChesney: 0-for-3, RBI, KDSL Rockies 19, DSL White Sox 18 (8 innings)Although the DSL White Sox couldn’t put a bow on it, this slugfest had a bit of everything: Two home runs by Ronald Cardozo and Samuel Luis; extra-base hits from half of the lineup, including a triple from Orland Patino; three stolen bases; and six walks. The DSLers left just six on base but only went 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Everyone in the lineup contributed in some meaningful way, so it’s hard to get down on this team. While no DSL White Sox arm could escape without allowing a few runs, the DSL Rockies’ equally weak pitching made it an all-around horrible day on the mound, evening it out. In extras, the Good Guys led off the top of the inning by getting the ghost runner thrown out at third on a sac bunt attempt, leading to a scoreless frame, while a passed ball and single from Colorado provided the 37th and final tally of the game.

Owen Ansah of Germany celebrates with his gold medal after winning the men's 200 meters final at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, England, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Morgan Harlow)2026-08-14T22:22:10Z BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — German sprinter Owen Ansah won the 200-meter final at the European championships Friday despite facing a potential ban at home for allegedly failing to comply with a doping test.Ansah crossed the line in 19.95 seconds for the gold medal at Alexander Stadium three nights after taking the bronze in the 100 meters.“I hope everyone will know my name now,” Ansah said. “This was the goal, to leave the Europeans with two medals. A bronze and gold is amazing for me.”The 200 was “was always the main goal,” he added. “This race was just more for me. At a championship you never know what can happen.”Last week, the National Anti Doping Agency of Germany alleged Ansah “committed a violation of Article 2.3 of the National Anti-Doping Code ... (refusal or failure to submit to sample collection).”There was no provisional suspension, however, so Ansah remains eligible to compete. NADA Germany’s “letter of charge” calls for a four-year ban. Ansah had 20 days to either accept the findings “or request the initiation of disciplinary proceedings before the German Court of Arbitration for Sport.”Ansah told German site sport1 that an anti-doping official came to his house for an out-of-competition test last month as he was leaving to travel to Monaco. Ansah reportedly said he couldn’t immediately give a urine sample and wasn’t aware of the consequences. Athletes across multiple sports have received lengthy bans under such rules. In June, former Wimbledon tennis champion Marketa Vondrousova was given the maximum four-year ban for refusing a test.___See full AP coverage of European sports here

The man struck a member of the congregation and a security guard at Central Synagogue while he was being escorted out, the police said. A motive has not been determined.

The 10th edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) gets underway on August 4, with eight teams battling for the state T20 title over 32 matches across two venues.Defending champions iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans begin their title defence against Dindigul Dragons in the tournament opener, while the final will take place on August 28.MAKE YOUR BET WITH DAFABET AND GET UP TO 200% WELCOME BONUSThe opening match and the Dindigul league leg, till August 15, will be staged at NPR College Ground in Dindigul.Following a two-day break, the remaining league games, playoffs and the final will be held at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.Fans in India can follow every match live on television as well as via online streaming, with afternoon and evening fixtures scheduled throughout the competition.The Sporting News has all the details on how to watch the Tamil Nadu Premier League 2026.Add The Sporting News as a preferred news sourceHow to watch Tamil Nadu Premier League 2026: TV channel, live streamHere's how to watch the Tamil Nadu Premier League 2026 live from India:TV channel: Sony Sports 4 & TamilLive stream: YouTubeLive telecast of TNPL 2026 matches will be available on the Sony Sports 4, along with Tamil commentary on Sony Sports Tamil, with live streaming on the official Tamil Nadu Premier League YouTube channel.Which teams are participating in Tamil Nadu Premier League 2026?The following eight teams feature in Tamil Nadu Premier League 2026:Chepauk Super GilliesDindigul DragonsiDream Tiruppur TamizhansNellai Royal KingsSiechem Madurai PanthersSKM Salem SpartansTrichy Grand CholasVIDA Kovai KingsTamil Nadu Premier League 2026 formatThe eight teams plays each other once during the league stage, making it a single round-robin series with 28 games played before the knockouts. The top four teams in the league make it to the playoffs.The top two teams play against each other in Qualifier 1, with the winner advancing to the final, while the third and fourth-ranked teams compete against each other in the Eliminator. The loser in Qualifier 1 then competes against the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2 for the second finalist spot.MORE: Visit Cricket News for all the latest cricket coverage and opinionTamil Nadu Premier League 2026: Schedule & resultsDateMatchVenueTime (IST)ResultAug. 4iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans vs Dindigul DragonsDindigul7:30 p.m.Dragons won by 7 wktsAug. 5Trichy Grand Cholas vs Siechem Madurai PanthersDindigul3:30 p.m.Panthers won by 2 wktsAug. 5Chepauk Super Gillies vs Nellai Royal KingsDindigul7:30 p.m.Kings won by 50 runsAug. 6SKM Salem Spartans vs VIDA Kovai KingsDindigul7:30 p.m.Kings won by 34 runsAug. 7Chepauk Super Gillies vs iDream Tiruppur TamizhansDindigul3:30 p.m.Tamizhans won by 7 wktsAug. 7Nellai Royal Kings vs Dindigul DragonsDindigul7:30 p.m.Kings won by 6 wktsAug. 8Siechem Madurai Panthers vs VIDA Kovai KingsDindigul3:30 p.m.Panthers won by 6 wktsAug. 8SKM Salem Spartans vs Trichy Grand CholasDindigul7:30 p.m.Cholas won by 7 wktsAug. 9Dindigul Dragons vs Chepauk Super GilliesDindigul3:30 p.m.Gillies won by 7 wktsAug. 9iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans vs Nellai Royal KingsDindigul7:30 p.m.Tamizhans won by 8 wktsAug. 10SKM Salem Spartans vs Siechem Madurai PanthersDindigul7:30 p.m.Panthers won by 36 runsAug. 11Nellai Royal Kings vs Trichy Grand CholasDindigul3:30 p.m.Cholas won by 45 runsAug. 11VIDA Kovai Kings vs iDream Tiruppur TamizhansDindigul7:30 p.m.Tamizhans won by 4 wktsAug. 12Chepauk Super Gillies vs SKM Salem SpartansDindigul3:30 p.m.Gillies won by 5 wktsAug. 12Dindigul Dragons vs Siechem Madurai PanthersDindigul7:30 p.m.Panthers won by 21 runsAug. 13VIDA Kovai Kings vs Nellai Royal KingsDindigul3:30 p.m.NRK won by two wicketsAug. 13Trichy Grand Cholas vs iDream Tiruppur TamizhansDindigul7:30 p.m.Cholas won by 17 runsAug. 14SKM Salem Spartans vs Dindigul DragonsDindigul3:30 p.m.Dragons won by 81 runsAug. 14Siechem Madurai Panthers vs Chepauk Super GilliesDindigul7:30 p.m.Gillies won by 39 runsAug. 15VIDA Kovai Kings vs Trichy Grand CholasDindigul7:30 p.m.—Aug. 18Chepauk Super Gillies vs VIDA Kovai KingsChennai7:30 p.m.—Aug. 19Dindigul Dragons vs Trichy Grand CholasChennai7:30 p.m.—Aug. 20Siechem Madurai Panthers vs iDream Tiruppur TamizhansChennai3:30 p.m.—Aug. 20Nellai Royal Kings vs SKM Salem SpartansChennai7:30 p.m.—Aug. 21VIDA Kovai Kings vs Dindigul DragonsChennai3:30 p.m.—Aug. 21Trichy Grand Cholas vs Chepauk Super GilliesChennai7:30 p.m.—Aug. 22iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans vs SKM Salem SpartansChennai3:30 p.m.—Aug. 22Nellai Royal Kings vs Siechem Madurai PanthersChennai7:30 p.m.—Aug. 23Qualifier 1: TBC vs TBCChennai7:30 p.m.—Aug. 24Eliminator: TBC vs TBCChennai7:30 p.m.—Aug. 26Qualifier 2: TBC vs TBCChennai7:30 p.m.—Aug. 28Final: TBC vs TBCChennai7:30 p.m.—Tamil Nadu Premier League 2026: Points tablePosTeamMWLN/RPTSNRR1Madurai Panthers440080.8642Trichy Grand Cholas431061.1353Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans532060.2014Nellai Royal Kings532060.1335Chepauk Super Gillies422040.0556Vida Kovai Kings413020.0737Dindigul Dragons41302-0.7888SKM Salem Spartans40400-1.747DafabetMAKE YOUR BET WITH DAFABET AND GET UP TO 200% WELCOME BONUSCLICK TO BET

PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) -- The defending state champion Parrott Academy hosted Wayne Christian tonight to kick off the new year.FINAL:WAYNE CHRISTIAN 42PARROTT ACADEMY 7 FINALClick the video above for more. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.

Broncos coach Sean Payton has a history with Atlanta, dating back to the intense rivalry between the Saints (whom he coached from 2006 through 2021) and the Falcons. Payton's current team was back in Georgia tonight for a preseason game.And Payton couldn't resist making a crack about the crowd in Atlanta, or the lack of one."There's a lot of people dressed up as empty seats today," Payton said at a halftime interview, via Awful Announcing.The official game book for the Broncos-Falcons contest lists attendance at 68,183. That may have been the tickets sold, not the tickets used.Whether the seats will be filled during the Falcons' regular-season home games depends on whether the team performs better than it did on Friday night. Preseason or not, the Falcons trailed 24-0 at the half. The final score was 27-7.The Falcons have reason for optimism. They finished in a three-way tie for the NFC South crown. If they can get something/anything out of the quarterback position, they could win the division in 2026.They'll need to win early in the season to get the fans on board. Three of the first four games are on the road, and three of the first four teams they play made it to the playoffs in 2025.

Diana Taurasi's hopes of joining the Mercury ownership in the next year or two wouldn't be the first time an athlete has joined a team's ownership group.In fact, many former athletes are still vying for championships in a different role than before. Many leagues, including the WNBA, have former and current athletes as part of ownership groups. Here are some of the athletes in ownership groups.Michael Jordan, Charlotte HornetsJordan became the first former player to be a majority owner in the NBA when he bought the then Charlotte Bobcats in his home state of North Carolina in 2010.Sue Bird, Seattle StormBird, Taurasi's former UConn teammate and longtime best friend, joined the Storm's ownership group, Force 10 Hoops, ahead of the 2024 season. Bird retired in 2022 following 19 seasons with the Storm and is the WNBA's all-time leader in games played and assists.Tom Brady, Las Vegas Aces, Las Vegas Raiders, Birmingham CitySeven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady acquired a minority stake in the Aces in 2023 and, in 2024, was approved for a minority stake in the Raiders. Both teams share a majority owner in Mark Davis.Brady is also a minority owner of Birmingham City, a club in English soccer's second-tier Championship.Alex Rodriguez, Minnesota Timberwolves, LynxThe former MLB player, who starred with the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees, became a co-owner of the Timberwolves and Lynx in 2025.David Beckham, Inter MiamiBeckham exercised an option from his five-year contract with the LA Galaxy to buy an MLS expansion team for $25 million after he retired and chose Miami in 2014. He's been part of the ownership group since.Renee Montgomery, Atlanta DreamMontgomery, who played from 2009-19, became the first former WNBA player to hold a team ownership stake and an executive role after purchasing the Dream in 2021.She was part of the three-member ownership group with Larry Gottesdiener and Suzanne Abair.Magic Johnson, Los Angeles DodgersIn 2012, Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson was part of a group that bought the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has since been part of three World Series titles.Dwyane Wade, Utah Jazz, Chicago SkyThe Miami Heat great purchased an ownership stake in the Utah Jazz in 2021, and then became a minority owner of the Chicago Sky in 2023.Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh PenguinsThe former NHL star played parts of 17 seasons between 1984 and 2006 for the Penguins, who drafted him No. 1 overall. He took ownership of the team in 1999 and for several seasons was a player on the team he owned.Reach the reporter or send tips for stories atjenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com,as well as@jennarortiz on X. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up forAzcentral Preps Now.And be sure to subscribe to ourdaily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former athletes joining sports ownership groups

IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — Lani Pallister of Australia defeated Katie Ledecky to win the 400-meter freestyle at the Pan Pacific Championships on Friday night in a final that lacked some luster without world record holder Summer McIntosh.Pallister was under world-record pace through 150 meters before touching in 3 minutes, 58.42 seconds. Ledecky had over a second to make up on the final lap and took silver in 4:00.15. “I could see Katie catching me on the last 150 and that’s a very nerve-wracking feeling,” Pallister said. Erika Fairweather of New Zealand was third.“It was OK, not super happy with it,” Ledecky said. “I never like being over 4 minutes in an international final, but I put together the best race I could. I thought I had a good back half, just wasn't out quick enough.”Pallister has firmly established herself as one of Ledecky's top rivals two years out from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The 24-year-old Aussie who cites the 29-year-old American as her inspiration has been piling up international medals in freestyle events ranging from 200 to 1,500 meters.Pallister won the 200 free over McIntosh and Fairweather on Wednesday. Ledecky didn’t compete in the event this week. Ledecky topped Pallister in the 1,500 free that same night. “I've never taken my competition for granted, even when I was winning by big margins,” Ledecky said. “I just have a lot of great competition from all over the world right now.”McIntosh surprisingly failed to advance to the evening final. The 19-year-old Canadian's time of 4:08.56 was ninth-fastest in the preliminaries and more than 14 seconds slower than her world-record time.“I take full responsibility for my misjudgment in this morning’s heats,” McIntosh posted on her Instagram account.McIntosh led all the way in winning the ‘B’ final in 4:00.58, which would have earned her the bronze in the final.She's had mixed results in Irvine. She was second in the 200 freestyle and then won the 400 individual medley with a time that was about 3 1/2 seconds slower than her fastest time.Sam Short gave Australia a sweep in the 400 free, winning the men's final in 3:40.52, breaking the 27-year-old championship record of 3:41.03 set by his countryman Ian Thorpe.“I had so much left at the end,” Short said.Zhang Zhanshuo of China took silver. The Aussies went 1-2 in the men's 100 butterfly. Matthew Temple won gold and teammate Ben Armbruster earned silver. American Gretchen Walsh won the women's race in 55.15 seconds. Taylor Ruck of Canada took silver in 56.71. Regan Smith led a 1-2 U.S. finish in the 200 backstroke. She was under world-record pace after 100 meters and touched in 2:05.57. Teammate Claire Curzan earned silver in 2:06.44.___AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports