News Herald from Port Clinton, Ohio • 8

B2 Scoreboard News Herald, Port Clinton, Ohio, Tuesday, February 26, 2008 On TV Today MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 7 p.m. Ohio St. at Indiana ESPN2 -S. Illinois at Bradley 9 p.m. ESPN Tennessee at Vanderbilt NHL HOCKEY 7 p.m.

VERSUS -I Minnesota at Washington Basketball NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division Pct GB Boston 12 .778 Toronto ................30 24 .556 12 ...........25 31 .446 18 Philadelph ....25 32 .439 New 39 .304 26 Southeast Division Pct GB 22 .621 29 .473 Atlanta 31 .415 Charlotte. 37 .339 16 44 .170 Central Division Pet GB 15 .732 24 .571 9 Chicago ...22 33 .400 34 .393 19 35 .375 20 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division Pct GB New 17 .685 San Antonio ..........37 17 .685 Dallas ..................37 19 .661 Houston ...............36 20 .643 2 ...14 42 .250 24 Northwest Division Pct GB 20 .643 Denver ...........33 22 .600 Portland ......29 27 .518 7 Seattle. ..................15 40 .273 43 .204 24 Pacific Division Pct GB L.A. 17 .696 Phoenix ................38 18 .679 Golden 22 .600 Sacramento ..........26 29 .473 L.A. Clippers.

.........19 34 .358 Monday's Games Toronto 102, Indiana 98 Washington 95, New Orleans 92 Atlanta at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. Chicago at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. Detroit at Denver, 9 p.m. Boston L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

Today's Games Orlando at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. Sacramento at Miami, 7:30 p.m. Phoenix at Memphis, 8 p.m. Utah at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Cleveland at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.

Washington at Houston, 8:30 p.m. Seattle at Golden State, 10:30 p.m. Portland at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. College Men The Top Twenty Five The top 25 teams in The Associated Press' college basketball poll, with firstplace votes in parentheses, records through Feb.

24, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and previous ranking: Record Pts Pvs 1. Tennessee (69) 1,797 2 2. Memphis 1,682 3. North Carolina (2) 1,668 3 4. UCLA 1,593 6.

Kansas. 1,368 5. Texas 1,478 7. Duke 1,344 nANO 8. Stanford 1,264 9 9.

1.228 10 10. Wisconsin 1,175 11 11. Georgetown. 1,101 12 12. Indiana 969 15 13.

Louisville 828 18 14. Butler 752 00 15. 688 13 16. Purdue 655 14 17. Notre Dame 630 21 18.

627 20 19. Michigan 625 19 20. Drake 621 16 21. 389 25 22. Washington 364 17 23.

Kent St. 125 24. Gonzaga 94 25. Saint Mary's, Calif.23-4 77 23 Others receiving votes: Miami 62, Davidson 40, Clemson 26, Texas 21, BYU 20, Kansas St. 14, South Alabama 14, Arizona 11, Southern Cal 11, Mississippi St.

8, Pittsburgh 7, Stephen F.Austin 7, Va. Commonwealth 4, Florida 3, Kentucky 3, W. Kentucky 3, Arizona St. 1, Cornell 1, New Mexico 1, UAB 1. Top 25 Fared Monday 1.

Tennessee (25-2) did not play. Next: at No. 18 Vanderbilt, Tuesday. 2. Memphis (26-1) did not play.

Next: vs. Tulsa, Wednesday. 3. North Carolina (26-2) did not play. Next: at Boston College, Saturday.

4. UCLA (24-3) did not play. Next: at Arizona State, Thursday. 5. Texas (23-4) at Kansas State.

Next: at Texas Tech, Saturday. 6. Kansas (24-3) did not play. Next: at Iowa State, Wednesday. 7.

Duke (23-3) did not play. Next: vs. Georgia Tech, Wednesday. 8. Stanford (22-4) did not play.

Next: vs. Washington, Thursday. 9. Xavier (24-4) did not play. Next: vs.

George Washington, Saturday. 10. Wisconsin (23-4) did not play. Next: vs. No.

19 Michigan State, Thursday. 11. Georgetown (22-4) did not play. Next: vs. St.

John's, Wednesday. 12. Indiana (23-4) did not play. Next: vs. Ohio State, Tuesday.

13. Louisville (22-6) did not play. Next: vs. No. 17 Notre Dame, Thursday.

14. Butler (25-3) did not play. Next: vs. Wright State, Thursday. 15.

Connecticut (21-6) did not play. Next: at Rutgers, Tuesday. 16. Purdue (21-6) did not play. Next: vs.

Minnesota, Wednesday. 17. Notre Dame (21-5) did not play. Next: at No. 13 Louisville, Thursday.

18. Vanderbilt (23-4) did not play, Next: vs. No. 1 Tennessee, Tuesday. 19.

Michigan State (22-5) did not play. Next: at No. 10 Wisconsin, Thursday. 20. Drake (24-3) did not play.

Next: at Missouri State, Tuesday. 21. Marquette (21-6) beat Villanova 85- 75. Next: vs. No.

11 Georgetown, Saturday. 22. Washington State (21-6) did not play. Next: at California, Thursday. 23.

Kent State (23-5) did not play. Next: at Bowling Green, Saturday. 24. Gonzaga (21-6) at Portland. Next: vs.

No. 25 Saint Mary's, Saturday. 25. Saint Mary's, Calif. (23-4) vs.

San Diego. Next: at No. 24 Gonzaga, Saturday. High School Boys District 7 Coaches Association All-District Division I Player of the Year: Ryne Smith (Whitmer). Coach of the Year: Dave Boyce (Perrysburg).

First Team Tim Zac Taylor Khari Riley Waite Michael Taylor John's Kevin Francis Kyle Wayne Neal Linthicum Second Team David Sweeney Scott Brent Meredith. Waite David Boyce Dwain Galladay. Mike Schaffer Antwan Willis. Whitmer For the Record SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT There will be a Snowball softball tournament Saturday at Williams Park in Gibsonburg. Cost is $100 including umpires.

The draw will be Thursday at Kate and Al's in Gibsonburg. For more information, call Keith Krotzer at (419) 637-2850. OAK HARBOR FOOTBALL Rocket Head Football Coach Mike May will be holding a meeting for any male student athlete and his parents in grades 6-11 who is interested in playing football in the fall. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday at Oak Harbor High School.

Tim Simmons John's Division Player of the Year: William Buford (Libbey). Coach of the Year: Rick Renz (Fostoria). First Team Richard Russell Chase Matt Collins Chad Fairbanks Ryan Fleck Julius Chase Second Team Brad Kevin Elson Sandridge. Cory Tommy Lehman Kralovic via Rossford Micah Wes Jason Faykosh. Honorable Mention Oak Harbor: JC Hemminger, Brandon Wasserman.

Division Ill Player of the Year: Gene Goering (Archbold). Coach of the Year: Doug Krauss First Team Phillip Beans. Ottawa Hills Brad Betz Matt Kreglow Ben Wonderly Chad Lewis Josh Vandemark Brent Ottawa Hills Second Team Brock Bates Jon Gerken Ben Sutter Ross Ben Hammer Trey Eric Vaughn Honorable Mention Genoa: Matt Bassitt, Derrick Vicars. Gibsonburg: Tony Egbert, Jordan Kirwen. Lakota: Brett Filliater.

Woodmore: Aaron Haar, Chris Jacobson, Chris Noe, Corey Witker." Division IV Player of the Year: Aaron Hockenberry (Wayne Trace). Coach of the Year: Marv Retcher (Ayersville), First Team Kyle Tietje Henry Ethan Michael Toledo Christian Logan Wolfrum Ayersville Pettisville Boston Hormann Jordan Stryker Nick Wiedenhoft Second Team Cory Kevin Henry Kyle Whitlow. Toledo Christian Mathew Martin. Ayersville Riley Linder Wayne Trace Stephen Behen Christian Kevin Sheehy Stitch Honorable Mention Danbury: Michael Hamann, Travis Waggoner. AIl-TAAC First Team Ethan Michael Toledo Christian Phillip Beans Hills Brent Hills Kyle Whitlow Toledo Christian Nick Wiedenhoft Danbury Kevin Sheehy Stritch Second Team Eliot Hills Stephen Christian Michael Hamann Danbury Carter Bayer.

Grant Toledo Christian Will Stritch Honorable Mention Danbury: Travis Waggoner High School Girls District 7 Coaches Association All-District Division I Player of the Year: Allison Papenfuss (Anthony Wayne). Coach of the Year: Bob Brown (Start). First Team Natasha Howard. Waite Sharise Patrice Lalor Notre Dame Yolanda Richardson Nicole Parrish Brianne Jones Olivia Second Team TT Arnold. Tiara Roberts Bowsher Amanda Watson Jasmine Dame Amanda Gregory Erica Donovan Notre Dame Kenya Middlebrook.

Division Il Player of the Year: Taylor Creager (Wauseon). Coach of the Year: Brad Myers (Wauseon). First Team Aja Hall Fostoria Brooke Haines Erica Harbor Alexis Wauseon Danielle Zurvalec Harbor Brigette Kaszmaul. Brooke Zachrich Second Team Chloe Stiriz Wauseon Lisa Griffith Sara Lipstraw Harbor Jacquelyn Sindelar. Krista Roe Meredith Small Sara Emily Oak Harbor Honorable mention Oak Harbor: Jillian McFarlan, Kimberly Meyer.

Division Ill Player of the Year: Taylor Langenderfer (Evergreen). of the Year: Rich Thiel (Tinora) First Team Brooke Brittany Darling Kaitlin Center Simone Paige Renee Bidlack Wayne Trace Dani Newman Second Team Rachel Daman Tinora Kasie Chelsie Timmons Tasha Patek. Evergreen Lindsay Hill Nicole Lamb Stritch Liz Wagner Honorable Mention Genoa: Ashley Robertson. Gibsonburg: Emily Clark, Katie Jones. Lakota: Cara Lentz, Cami Wasserman.

Woodmore: Kristen Jacobs. Division IV Player of the Year: Molly Boetz (Stryker). Coach of the Year: Steve Brown (Stryker). First Team Beth Giesige Erica King Bryn Marissa Reighard. Stefini Kosa Danbury Katherine Jamieson Hills Kasey Hagerman Second Team Jennifer Headley Sarah Clark Tami DuVall.

Toledo Christian Jodi Spots Autumn Goebel Henry Kristen Nicely Makayla Edon Honorable Mention Danbury: Heather Bahnsen, Tori England, Christine Longer, Destiny Taylor. AIlFirst Team Tami Duval Toledo Christian Katherine Jamieson Hills Stefi Kosa Marissa Nicole Lamb Stritch Christine Longer Second Team Katie Cardinal Stritch Cierra Dempsey Cardinal Stritch Kara Toledo Christian Lauren Hills Lacy Christian Tori England, Michelle Klenke Honorable Mention Danbury: Destiny Taylor. Hockey NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division LOT Pts GF GA New Jersey ....37 21 79 170 148 Pittsburgh ......35 21 7 77 186 171 N. Y. Rangers ..32 24 8 72 166 158 Philadelphia ..30 25 7 67 188 179 N.

Y. Islanders 30 26 7 67 156 180 Northeast Division LOT Pts GF GA 20 6 78 210 183 Montreal ........33 21 9 75 196 180 23 6 70 165 167 Buffalo ............30 24 8 68 185 174 Toronto ..........26 28 9 61 172 200 Southeast Division LOT Pts GF GA 28 5 69 194 207 27 8 64 177 196 7 63 .175 189 30 4 62 169 203 Tampa Bay ....25 30 7 57 177 203 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division LOT Pts GF GA Detroit 17 5 89 200 141 Nashville ........32 24 8 72 186 181 Columbus ......29 26 9 67 156 166 St. Louis ........28 24 10 66 159 173 27 6 64 178 180 Northwest Division LOT Pts GF GA Calgary ..........33 22 8 74 180 178 Minnesota ......34 23 5 73 170 168 Vancouver ......32 22 8 72 167 157 Colorado ........31 26 6 68 172 174 Edmonton ......28 30 5 61 169 190 Pacific Division LOT Pts GF GA Dallas ............39 22 5 83 196 163 Anaheim ........36 23 7 79 167 163 San Jose ........33 21 8 74 161 151 26 5 69 173 171 Los Angeles ..26 34 4 56 186 212 Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss or shootout loss. Monday's Games Philadelphia 4, Buffalo 3, SO Toronto 5, Ottawa 0 Today's Games New Jersey at Carolina, 7 p.m. Minnesota at Washington, 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh at N. Y. Islanders, 7 p.m. Ottawa at Boston, 7:30 p.m. Atlanta at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

Dallas St. Louis, 8:30 p.m. Detroit at Edmonton, 9 Colorado at Calgary, 9 p.m. Auto Racing NASCAR Nationwide-Stater Bros. 300 Results Monday At Auto Club Speedway Fontana, Calif.

Lap length: 2 miles (Start position in parentheses) 1. (2) Tony Stewart, Toyota, 150 laps, 150.0 rating, 195 points, $77,245. 2. (14) Busch, Toyota, 150, 120.9, 175, $62,350. 3.

(6) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 150, 113.1, 170, $50,800. 4. (5) David Reutimann, Toyota, 150, 121.1, 160, $45,643. 5. (3) Carl Edwards, Ford, 150, 112.2, 155, $35,700.

(10) Jamie McMurray, Ford, 150, 104.2, 155, $30,700. 7. (9) Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet, 150, 94.1, 151, $27,700. 8. (1) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 150, 100.1, 147, $26,650.

9. (4) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 150, 105.0, 143, $26,260. 10. (25) Stephen Leicht, Chevrolet, 150, 87.3, 134, $33,893. 11.

(8) Jason Leffler, Toyota, 150, 95.4, 130, $32,718. 12. (12) David Ragan, Ford, 150, 95.6, 127, $25,900. 13. (11) Mike Bliss, Dodge, 150, 85.3, 129, $34,618.

14. (32) Jason Keller, Chevrolet, 150, 78.7, 121, $33,633. 15. (27) Steve Wallace, Chevrolet, 150, 80.9, 118, $31,848. 16.

(17) Mike Wallace, Toyota, 150, 79.9, 115, $31,788. 17. (26) David Stremme, Chevrolet, 150, 73.5, 112, $24,710. 18. (36) Kenny Wallace, Dodge, 150, 64.7, 109, $31,043.

19. (20) Brad Coleman, Ford, 150, 68.0, 106, $30,933. 20. (13) Bobby Hamilton Ford, 150, 70.2, 103, $31,823. 21.

(23) Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, 150, 63.4, 100, $24,545. 22. (18) Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 149, 56.7, 97, $30,578. 23. (37) Kevin Lepage, Ford, 149, 55.9, 94, $24,425.

24. (22) Dario Franchitti, Dodge, 149, 73.3, 91, $31,333. 25. (19) Robert Richardson, Chevrolet, 146, 39.4, 88, $30,373. 26.

(31) D.J. Kennington, Dodge, 146, 42.7, 85, $30,088. 27. (7) Elliott Sadler, Dodge, 145, 52.0, 82, $23,485. 28.

(28) Eric McClure, Chevrolet, 142, 37.8, 79, $29,833. 29. (42) Johnny Borneman III, Chevrolet, 140, 41.2, 76, $23,215. 30. (24) Kelly Bires, Ford, 140, 56.0, 73, $30,023.

31. (30) Kertus Davis, Chevrolet, rear end, 123, 51.7, 70, $29,463. 32. (15) Brad Keselowski, Chevrolet, transmission, 111, 76.2, 67, $29,353. 33.

(29) Brian Keselowski, Chevrolet, engine, 98, 43.3, 64, $29,243. 34. (16) Bryan Clauson, Dodge, accident, 63, 57.7, 61, $29,133. 35. (39) Brett Rowe, Chevrolet, handling, 44, 38.5, 58, $29,023.

36. (38) Derrike Cope, Chevrolet, engine, 41, 32.8, 55, $28,913. 37. (34) Morgan Shepherd, Dodge, handling, 25, 45.9, 57, $28,803. 38.

(41) Dwayne Leik, Chevrolet, vibration, 13, 33.2, 49, $28,693. 39. (21) Brad Baker, Ford, rear end, 9, 37.5, 46, $28,658. 40. (40) Mike Harmon, Chevrolet, handing, 9, 30.0, 43, $22,155.

41. (33) Scott Lynch, Chevrolet, brakes, 5, 30.0, 40, $22,095. 42. (35) Larry Gunselman, Chevrolet, vibration, 3, 31.0, 37, $22,015. Race Statistics Average Speed of Race Winner: 141.769 mph.

of Race: 2 hours, 6 minutes, 58 seconds. Margin of Victory: 2.408 seconds. Caution Flags: 5 for 19 laps. Lead Changes: 11 among 9 drivers. Lap Leaders: T.

Stewart 1-23; M. Shepherd 24; T. Stewart 25-97; K. Harvick 98; C. Bowyer 99; K.

Busch 100-101; D. Earnhardt Jr. 102; M. Bliss 103-105; J. Burton 106-108; J.

McMurray 109-110; T. Stewart 111-150. Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): Tony Stewart 3 times for 136 laps; Mike Bliss 1 time for 3 laps; Jeff Burton 1 time for 3 laps; Kyle Busch 1 time for 2 laps; Jamie McMurray 1 time for 2 laps; Clint Bowyer 1 time for 1 lap; Kevin Harvick 1 time for 1 lap; Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1 time for 1 lap; Morgan Shepherd 1 time for 1 lap. Top 10 in Points: 1, T.

Stewart, 385. 2. Ky. Busch, 355. 3, C.

Edwards, 289. 4, D. Reutimann, 281. 5, D. Ragan, 270.

6, K. Harvick, 270. 7, D. Earnhardt 266. 8, M.

Bliss, 241. 9, J. Leffler, 236. 10, C. Bowyer, 231.

NASCAR Driver Rating Formula A maximum of 150 points can be attained in a race. The formula combines the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest 1 Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Transactions Monday's Sports Transactions BASEBALL American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES -Named Matt Klentak director of baseball operations. BOSTON RED SOX-Agreed to terms with RHP Bartolo Colon on a minor league contract. Named Bruce Hurst special instructor for player development.

TEXAS RANGERS -Named Jerry Narron Agreed to terms with RHP Omar Beltre, RHP Wes Littleton, RHP Brandon McCarthy, INF Travis Metcalf, OF David Murphy, LHP A.J. Murray and RHP Alexi Ogando on one- contracts. National League CINCINNATI REDS Agreed to terms with INF-OF Jeff Keppinger, RHP Marcus McBeth and RHP Ramon Ramirez on one-year contracts. FLORIDA MARLINS--Agreed to terms with RHP Harvey, Garcia, RHP Logan Kensing, Owens and OF Brett Carroll on one contracts. Atlantic League NEWARK BEARS -Agreed to terms with INF Bobby Hill.

League FARGO-MOORHEAD REDHAWKSReleased RHP Gerrit Simpson and RHP Doug Young. BASKETBALL Women's National Basketball Association WASHINGTON MYSTICS--Signed Alana Beard to a four-year contract. NBA Development League AUSTIN -Traded Justin Reed to Bakersfield for Andre Barrett FORT WAYNE MAD ANTS -Acquired Harry Good. Waived F-C Nate Gerwig. IDAHO STAMPEDE--Signed G-F Luke Jackson.

IOWA -Signed Courtney Sims. TULSA 66ERS-Waived Glen McGowan. Continental Basketball Association CBA-Announced Great Falls will cease operations, effective immediately. FOOTBALL National Football League DETROIT LIONS- CB Fernando Bryant. Arena Football League PHILADELPHIA SOUL- signed LB Rod Davis, OL Steve Edwards, DB Dee Webb, DL George Gause and WR Darius Watts.

Traded WR Chris Horn to New Orleans for DL Michael Landry. Signed FB John Peaua. Waived OL Jason Thomas, OL Jabari Levey, OL Van Nelson, DL Delbert Cowsette, DB Rob Keefe, FB Cory Anderson and FB Matt Bernstein. HOCKEY National Hockey League COLORADO AVALANCHE--Agreed to terms with Peter Forsberg on a contract through the end of the season. DALLAS STARS -Activated Philippe Boucher from injured reserve.

DETROIT RED WINGS--Signed RW Darren McCarty to a one-year contract and assigned him to Grand Rapids (AHL). PITTSBURGH PENGUINS- Assigned Nathan Smith to Wilkes-Barre Scranton (AHL). American Hockey League AHL-Suspended Rockford Kris Versteeg one game for his actions during a Feb. 24 game against Milwaukee. PEORIA RIVERMEN -Announced St.

Louis (NHL) recalled Hannu Toivonen and assigned Chris Beckford-Tseu to the team. Recalled Marek Schwarz from Alaska (ECHL). ECHL CHARLOTTE CHECKERS ed Dusty Jamieson. PHOENIX ROADRUNNERS-Acquired Nicolas Bachand from Johnstown for future considerations. COLLEGE DELAWARE VALLEY-Fired Denny Surovec, men's basketball coach.

Mike McCarty offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. JAMES MADISON- Mickey Matthews, football coach, to a three-year contract extension through 2012. NORTH CAROLINA-Named Everett Withers defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Spotlight Feb. 26 1935 Babe Ruth is released by the New York Yankees and signed by the Boston Braves.

1960 Dave Jenkins of the United States wins the figure skating gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, Calif. 1962 -Philadelphia Warrior center Wilt Chamberlain scores 67 points in a 149- 135 win over the New York Knicks. 1968 Thirty-two African nations agree to boycott the Olympics because of the presence of South Africa. 1981 The Boston Bruins beat the Minnesota North Stars 5-1 in a game marred by fights. The teams set an NHL record with 84 penalties worth 392 minutes, and 12 players are ejected.

1987 Michael Jordan scores 58 points, the most by a Chicago player in a regular-season game, to lead the Bulls over the New Jersey Nets 128-113. 1994 In Lillehammer, Norway, Vreni Schneider of Switzerland wins the slalom for the fifth medal of her career, the most of any woman in Alpine Olympic history. 2005 Jim Boeheim notches his 700th victory when Syracuse, led by Hakim Warrick's career-high 36 points, overwhelms Providence for a 91-66 victory. 2006 Sweden beats Finland 3-2 to win the Olympic men's hockey gold. Germany leaves Turin with the most overall medals with 29, 11 of them gold, while the Americans win 25 medals overall, including nine gold.

2007 Roger Federer reaches a new milestone breaking Jimmy Connors' 30- year-old mark with his 161st week at the top of the ATP rankings. Connors set his record from July 1974 to August 1977. The ATP rankings began on Aug. 23, 1973. Federer took the No.

1 spot on Feb. 2, 2004. 2007 Shaquille O'Neal passes the mark for his career midway through the first quarter of Miami's 99-93 loss to New York. O'Neal is the seventh player to reach 25,000 points and 10,000 rebounds. NFL McFadden makes mark By JARRETT BELL off the line of scrimmage and driveGannett News Service blocking," McCloughan said.

"But you can get to that point. INDIANAPOLIS Darren McFad- "You see guys coming in at 315, 320 den is a long way from proving he will (pounds) and they have a chance to be set the NFL on fire like Adrian Peter- 340 and still have their son did as the signature player from Size vs. speed: California wide relast year's draft. ceiver DeSean Jackson is one of the But the Arkansas running back is most intriguing prospects in the draft. out of the blocks fast.

Jackson just 169 pounds. But, as McFadden wowed scouts with a 40- demonstrated with a 4.35-second mark yard dash Sunday officially timed at in the 40-yard dash, the 5-9 dynamo has 4.33 seconds (as low as 4.27 hand- game-changing jets. And, like the timed), backing up his declaration that Chicago Bears' Devin Hester, he might he is the best player in the April 26-27 make a quicker impact as a returner. draft. Jackson, a junior, scored TDs on his "He absolutely helped himself," said first catch and first punt return in colMike Mayock, The NFL Network's lege.

"I consider myself a receiver draft guru. "He is what I thought he first," he said. was. He has great burst and accelera- It hasn't hurt that Jackson worked extensively for 10 days before the comPeterson, weighing 217 pounds, bine with future Hall of Famer Jerry timed at 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at last Rice. year's combine and then set the NFL's But he knows people wonder about single-game rushing record (296 his size.

yards) en route to rookie of the year "If there's something I feel I have to honors. McFadden, 6-2, weighed 211 work on, that's something I could impounds. prove on and get stronger and put a litYet a blazing 40 goes only so far tle bulk to me," he said. "But heart, when determining the draft's top pick, dedication and my will to be great is which belongs to Dolphins. something I have." the Miami Peterson wasn't drafted until seventh overall by the Minnesota Vikings.

wasn't impressed that two of the High-profile spectators: Mayock And with Ronnie Brown returning, the criti- draft's top-rated quarterbacks, Boston cal Dolphins needs than apparently running have back. more College's Matt Ryan and Kentucky's Wherever he lands, McFadden wel- Andre Woodson, elected not to particicomes the comparisons to Peterson. "I pate in drills Sunday. Ryan, projected as a possible No. 1 pick, said he has admire Adrian Peterson," he said.

"He's a great running back. If I go in opted a for March 18 campus workout and do all the work that I should I more where he will be comfortable in his own environment. Woodson, whose could have the type of season he did." Billy Devaney, the St. Louis Rams' a pro slightly day workout is March 5, as pointed to new executive vice president-player pulled hamstring enough said the similarities are to keep him from combine drills. personnel, on the surface.

He said Peterson is a "vi- "I go back to the whole 'bright cious runner" while McFadden is an lights' theory that Tony Dungy and a athletic "glider" more skilled as a re- of other guys espouse to me," Mayceiver. ock said. "They want guys not afraid "Probably the comparison is last to compete. The guys doing the evaluyear," Devaney said. "Peterson was the ations are smart enough to realize that best back.

And McFadden is the best if the ball hits the ground it's not necback this year, in most people's eyes. essarily the quarterback's fault. The But that's where the comparison ends. unfamiliarity with the receivers plays They're two totally different styles." into that. They want to see where your Vintage year? Personnel experts footwork is.

They want see how the ball are drooling over the depth at offen- comes out of your hand. Tape is sive tackle in this draft. It starts with great, but you have to see them in perMichigan's Jake Long and could be re- son." flected with a half-dozen tackles draft- Carrying the banner: John Hared in the first round. baugh figures he received the best group I've seen in 24 tory calls from about 80 percent of the years," said Kevin Colbert, the Pitts- NFL's special-teams coaches after beburgh Steelers' director of football op- coming the Baltimore Ravens' head erations. "It was a good group before coach last month.

Harbaugh, previthe juniors were added to it. Those ously the Philadelphia Eagles' secguys enhanced what we really think is ondary coach, made his mark as a spea strong group." cial-teams coach. He's aware that he's Colbert said teams needing a tackle carrying a flag for special-teams could find quality prospects as late as coaches. Last weekend, true to his the third round this year. co 49ers GM Scot McCloughan the sentiment, pointing to San Francis- roots, echoes tional dinner the athleti- teams coach Harbaugh attended the tradithat dictates the specialfor the Super Bowl cham- cism of top prospects and the develop- pion springs for the tab for his colment of pass-protection techniques in leagues.

wide open college offenses as keys. "It was fun," Harbaugh said. "I got "You don't see a lot of power any-. a little ovation. And a lot of, "You'd betmore you don't see anybody coming ter not mess it Racing Kyle Busch shows versatility By NATE RYAN fans who had a less-than-perfect weekGannett News Service end at the 2-mile oval that was plagued by delays for rain and water seepage.

FONTANA, Calif. With a victory in A crowd estimated by NASCAR as Monday's postponed Stater Bros. 300 at 25,000 (of an original 70,000) returned Auto Club Speedway, Tony Stewart is unbeaten in the Nationwide Series this Monday for the pair of postponed races. season. But Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch have Stewart said their dedication was impressive overall record in NASCAR.

driven home by a hospitality visit might a more outA few hours after finishing fourth in side the track's grandstands Sunday the Auto Club 500 Sprint Cup event, morning. Busch finished second to Stewart in the "We watched everyone walk around Nationwide race. Coupled with a 1 victo- in the mist, and they were all cold and ry in Saturday's San Bernardino Coun- wet all day long, and a lot of them ty 200, Busch now has top-five finishes came back," he said. in all six races run in NASCAR's three Stewart, who can sympathize with national series (having placed fourth keeping crowds happy as the owner of in Cup and second in Nationwide and Eldora Speedway, wouldn't fault Truck at Daytona). NASCAR for trying to dry the track for He is leading the Cup and Truck five hours Sunday.

points standings and is 30 points be- "NASCAR did a great job, and the hind Stewart in Nationwide. track staff did a great job trying to do "Kyle has shown how capable he is everything to get all the dilemmas and to go fast no matter what it is," Jim- dramas fixed," he said. mie Johnson said of his former Hen- More competitive? In its first race drick Motorsports teammate. "Put him on an "intermediate" track (the 1.5- to on a tricycle, and he's going to haul 2-mile butt. I think he's to make ovals that make up the bulk of and (Hamlin) drive and the Cup schedule), NASCAR's nextgoing Tony elevate Denny the status of (Joe) Gibbs harder generation car produced a record 33 Rac- lead ing on his own." changes and 12 caution flags as Busch is slated to run 14 Truck and well as several "dominant" perfor30 Nationwide races in 2008.

While mances, according to a news release open to expanding the schedule, he is- touting seven drivers with ratings n't ready to declare himself a triple ti- above 100. tle threat. Johnson, though, said aerodynamics "Yay for me," the 22-year-old said. played a bigger role, and his Hendrick "It's only two weeks in, and we still teammate was surprised by the lack of have 30-something to drafting. -Crowd tribute: After leading 136 of "I was anticipating a little more ac150 laps for his fourth Nationwide vic- tion," Jeff Gordon said.

"You've got tory (and first outside Daytona), Stew- some guys that are really hitting it art called his team's performance with this car, and some that weren't. It "flawless" but dedicated the win to spread the field out." Hemminger named 2nd team Continued from BI Brandon Wasserman were honorable Genoa's Matt Bassitt and Derrick mention in Division II. Sara Lipstraw Vicars, and Woodmore's Aaron and Emily Hemminger were second Chris Chris Haar, team while Jillian McFarlan Jacobson, Noe and Corey honorable and Kim Witker were honorable mention in Di- The mention. Meyer Lakers' Mike Hamann and vision III. Travis The Comets' Ashley Robertson and tion in menWaggoner were honorable the Wildcats' Division IV.

Heather Bahnsen, Kristen Jacobs were hon- Tori England, Christine Longer orable mention. Destiny Taylor were also honorable Oak Harbor's JC Hemminger and mention..