The Tribune from Coshocton, Ohio • 10

Scoreboard Coshocton Tribune 2BThursday, Dec. 30, 2004 High School Basketball Locker Room Trojans' struggles continue Winter Sports Schedule AREA EOVS BASKETBALL points; Wade Carley had nine points; and Cole Cathey had two steals and five assists. For Heritage, Lovette had 21 points. Newcomerstown is now 1-8 overall and 14 in the Inter-Valley League. Heritage won the junior varsity game 4645.

Chris Baker had 29 points for Staff Reports NEWCOMERSTOWN The New-comerstown High School boys basketball team fell to Canton Heritage 5944 on Wednesday. For Newcomerstown, Andy Stahl had IS points; Robert Hitchcock had 10 Thursday Dec. 30 Varsity Boys Basketball Cleveland Max Mayes at Dover, 6 p.m. Garaway at Indian Valley, 6 m. Meaoowbrook at Cambridge, 6 pm.

Strasburg at Tusky Valley, 6 p.m. Centerburg at Hiland, 6 p.m. Minerva at Malvern, 6 p.m. Sheridan at Newark Catholic, 6 p.m. Medina at Wooster, 6 p.m.

Sandusky at Mansfield Senior, 6 pm. Monroe Central at Buckeye Trail, 6 m. Loudonville at Mt. Vernon Tourney, TBA Canal Winchester at Licking Valley, 6 pm Varsity Girls Basketball West Holmes at Madison, 6 p.m. West Muskingum at Shadyside, 6 m.

New Lexington at Albany Alexander, 6 pm Fort Frye at Morgan, 6 Lakewcod at Pftilo, 6 p.m. Wooster at Ashland. 6 p.m. Mansfield Senior at Lexington, 6 m. Varsity Wrestling Rickjewood at Canton McKinley.

10 a.m. Junior High Boys Basketball Hiland at Newcomerstown, 5 p.m. Junior High Girls Basketball Newcomerstown at Hiland, 5 p.m. Friday, December 31 Varsity Swimming Coshocton, Watkins Memorial at Newark, 9 am Men's College Basketball St. Joseph at Ohio State, 6 p.m.

(ESPN Plus) ady Bears keep rollin' AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL Announcements sure," Coshocton head coach Brent Carter said. "We definitely made up for it with our defensive effort though." Ciccone paced the winners with eight points while Sam McNeely and Stacy McFarland each added four points. McNeely pulled down eight rebounds while McFarland added six caroms to go with three steals. Rachel Kimberley handed out four assists for Coshocton. Ciara Thompson led the Lady Braves with 10 points.

Coshocton is now 5-5 overall and 2-4 East Central Ohio League, while Indian Valley is now 4-3 overall and 2-3 in the league. Staff Reports CAMBRIDGE The River View High School girls basketball team improved to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the East Central Ohio League with a 46-36 win over Cambridge. For River View, Kristin Daugherty had 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists and Samantha Dickerson had 10 points, while Whitney Williams had eight points and five steals. For Cambridge, Lacie Baker had 12 points. River View outscored Cambridge 15-7 in the fourth quarter.

Cambridge won the junior varsity game in overtime 31-26. For River View, Becca Hartsock had eight points. Coshocton 28 Indian Valley 26 GNADENHUTTEN Jamie Ciccone hit a pair of free throws late in the game to give the Lady Redskins a four-point cushion to pick up the ECOL victory. Neither team shot the ball well at all as the Lady 'Skins hit just 30 percent of their field goal attempts compared to 31 percent for Indian Valley. "We didn't shoot it well tonight that's for Area Boys Boxes Coshocton Holiday Classic SPARTA HIGHLAND (48)- Zach Schriml 5-0-11 Mao Ufterman 4-M, Caleb Duncan 0-2-2, Joe Cardar 1-0-2.

Kyle Gnu 0-1-1 Chad Adams 4-4-12 Kevn Hnkle 64-12. Zach Daugherty 0- 0- 0 Tolal 20-7-48. COSHOCTON (58)- Jordan FosW 1-1-4, Mat Hetbhng 1-1-3, Derek Gnmmetl 044. Matt Swigert 7-2-19, Travis Bradford 00, Tyler Knoll 5- 2-12, Chris Wallace 00, Bryan West 6416. Totals 20-14-58.

SPARTA HIGHLAND 4 17 13 14-48 COSHOCTON i I 25 16-58 Threeijocnt goals (SH) 14. 25. (CO) 47, 57, Field goats- (SH) 20-34, 59. (CO) 20-40. 50; Free throws (SH) 7-12, 58.

(CO) 1427, 52: Rebounds (SH) 26 (Adams 8). (C0)23(West 12), Steals (SH)5(Utlerman 2). (CO) 12 (Foster 5), Assists (SH) 17 (Gnf-Wi 4), (CO) 14 (Foster 4), Turnovers (SH)16. (CO) 7, Blocked shots- (SH) 0, (CO) 1 (West Coshocton Holiday Classic RIVER VIEW (49) Ryan Raber 2-3-8, David Swanson 5-3-13, Cyrus Granger 3-1-7, Jordan Fry 2-2-6, Neil Duncan 34, Lucas Baker 3-3-9, Kyle Todd 00. Totals 18-1249.

MORRAL RIDGEDALE (43) Charlie Walker 1-0-3, David Dtting 2-0-5, Blake Rockey 0 0, Adam Wenig 5-1-11, J.R. Weston 3-5-11, Brad Laucher 00, Justin Snyder 1-1-3, Jeff Goren-tlo 1-0-2. Kent Hamilton 0-1-1. John Weston 2-3-7, John Sevems 00. Totals 15-1143.

RIVER VIEW 23 5 9 12-49 RIDGEDALE 13 10 9 11-43 Ttiree-portgcials-(RV) 1-5. 20, (MR) 2-15, 13; Field goats (RV) 18-50. 36, (MR) 15-45. 33; Free throws -(RV) 12-19, 63. (MR) 11-1 5, 73; Rebounds (RV) 36 (Swanson 8), (MR) 31 (John Weston 6); Steals- (RV) 6 (Raber 2) (MR) 10 (Rockey 3); Assists (RV) 12 (Rafter 8), (MR) 3 (Three with 1); Blocked shots (RV) 4 (Swanson 3), (MR) 5 (Frve with 1), Turnovers (RV) 14, (MR) 14.

Coshocton Holiday Classic JOHN GLENN (53) -Tyler Basham 00, Tommy Johnson 13, Ryan Stjere 2-2-7, Troy McCulley 6-2-16, Ross Hursey 0-2-2, Matt Warehime 6- 9-21, Tyler German 00, Tyler McClam 0 0. Malt Heagen 1-24. Aaron Bates 00. Totals 16-17-53. OLENTANGY LIBERTY (44) Matt Amort 0-2-2, CaMi Sautter 00.

Scott Moore 1-2-5. Cody Rogers 6-1-16, John Sansbury 2-5-9, Sean Williams 00. Chris Sansbury 12, Mark Ison 1- 3-5, Kyle Emtcott 15, MUes Moms 00. Totals 12-1644. JOHN GLENN 12 14 11 16-53 LIBERTY 9 11 9 15-44 Threes goats-(JG) 415, 27, (a) 421, 19: Field goals (JG) 16-37, 43, (OL) 12-52, 23; Free throws (JG) 17-27.

63, (Ol) 16-21, 76; Rebounds-(JG) 34 (Stiers 10), (OL) 32 (J. Sansbury 10); Steals (JG) 5 (Heagen 3) (OL) 9 (J. Sansbury 3); Assists (JG) 10 (McCulley 4), (OL) 5 (Rogers 3); Blocked shots -(JG) 2 (McCulley, Warehime), (OL) Turnovers tt NowcofliersfowTJ CANTON HERITAGE (59) Harris 5414, Moore 48, Flara 12, Best 12. Fritz 3-2-8, LrxMIe 1-24, Lovette 10-1-21. Totals 25-9-13- NEWCOMERSTOWN(44)- Jordan Taylor 13, Cote Cathey 1-24, Wade Carley 49.

Andy Start 3-8-15, Kyle Welsh 13, Robert Hitchcock 510. Totals 15-1044. HERITAGE 10 16 25 59 NEWCTOWN 9 13 6 16-44 ThnBe-pornt goals (NC) 414, 29; Field goals (NC) 1 543, 35 Rebounds (CH) 29, (NC) 26 (Welsh 8); Steals INC) 3 (Cathey 2); Assists 6 (Cathey 5); Turnovers (NC) 16 Blocked shol-(NC)0. Area Girls Boxes At Indian Valley COSHOCTON (28) Jamie Ciccone 3-2-8. Lena Cushman 12, Rachel Kimbeney 1-1-3, Sam McNeely 1-3-5.

Stacy McFarland 2-1-5. Jen-na Lucas 12, Karri Gerber 13. Totals 10-7-28. INDIAN VALLEY (26) CarSn Deetz 25, Megan Holmes 1-24. Albaugh 00.

Jen Miller 0- 1-1 Mizer 00, Stein 36, Cara Thompson 42-10. Totals 10-5-26. COSHOCTON 9 38-28 IND. VALLEY 11 4 56-26 Three-point goats (CO) 1-2, 50, (IV) 1-2, 50; Field goals (CO) 10-33, 30, (IV) 10-32, 31 Free throws (CO) 7-14, 50, (IV) 5-11 45, Rebounds (CO) 22 (McNeely 8), (IV) 20; Steals (CO) 7 (McFarland 3), (IV) Assists (CO) 6 (Kimberley 4), (IV) Turnovers -(CO) 11. (IV) 14.

At Cambridge RIVER VIEW (46) Whitney Williams 3-1-8, Ashley Owen 12, Samantha Dickerson 410, Darcey Bice 12, Emiry Lindsey 24, Brittany Bailey 48, Kristin Daugherty 44-12. Totals 19-546. CAMBRIDGE (36) Kyie Choma 12. Lacie Baker 42-12. Jar Watson 13, Ida Doupt 2- 1- 6, Morgan Linscott 12, Devaney Daugherty 12, Snoddy Tamikka 41-9.

Totals 144-36. RIVER VIEW 10 14 7 15-46 CAMBRIDGE 4 13 12 7-36 Three-point goals (RV) 34, 75, (CA) 46, BASKETBALL The Coshocton Elks Lodge 376 will host the annual local Elks Hoop Shoot Jan. 2, 2005 at Central Elementary School from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. for any boy or girl ages 8-1 3. Local winners each division will advance to district competition on Jan.

15 at Dover Middle School. Contact Brent Carter at 622-9433 with any questions or concerns. the sixth annual Black Bears boys basketball invitational for fifth and sixth grade teams will be played Jan. 29-30, 2005 at River View Junior High School. Games start at 9 a.m.

on Jan. 29 and noon on Jan. 30. Registration fee is $1 00 per team. To enter a team or for more information, contact Rod Lindsey, Tournament Director, at (740) 622-7854 or (740) 824-3521.

The sixth annual Black Bears girts basketball invitational will be held Feb. 5 and 6 at River View High School. Games will start at 9 a.m. on Feb. 5 and noon on Feb.

6. There will be a registration of $100 per team. For more information call trxirnamentrtrectw, Red Undsey.Ri 26546 SR 60 North, Warsaw, OH 43844. Home phone (740) 622-7854. School phone (740) 824-3521 School fax (740) 824-5241.

CHEERLEADING The Coshocton High School cheerleaders are sponsoring a cheerteading clinic Jan. 18-20 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 m. at the Coshocton High School commons area Sign up will be Jan. 6 from 4:30 p.m.

to 6 p.m. at Coshocton Concession Stand Area. Forms will be available at all city Elementary Schools. If you have any questions call Kelly at 623-8750. The Coshocton Cheerleader are selling Subway cards, if you have interested see any Coshocton High School cheerleader in grades 7 through 12 or can Kelly at 623-8750.

RECREATION Conesville recreation sports will meet Monday, Jan 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Conesville Cafeteria. SOCCER Kids America is currently accepting registrations for their adult soccer leagues. Any questions contact Kids America at 622-6657. Local Sportlight Dec 30 10 years ago 1994 The Ridcjewood High School wrestling team fell to three foes at the Canton Timken Tournament but Fred Angle won the 199-pound class and Bill Angle took the 1 89-pound class.

25 years ago 1 979 Bill Daugherty of River View and Mike Bruley of Claymont were among the first team selections of the Wheeling Classic All-Tourney team. Honorable mention went to Bruce Hutson of the Black Bears and Matt OHara and Tcm Archer of Claymont. The Black Bears won the consolation game. 50 years ago 1954 The Coshocton High School junior varsity basketball team nipped Warsaw, 35-34 as Sam Cherry scored 1 1 points. Green added eight points.

For Warsaw, John Husted had 10 points and Ferrell scored seven. Compiled by JIM BARSTOW AP Sportlight Dec. 30 1962 The Green Bay Packers beat the New York Giants 16-7 to win the NFL title for the second straight year. 1973 The Miami Drtphins, behind 266 yards rushing, beat the Oakland Raiders 27-10 for an unprecedented third straight AFC title. 1981 In the 39th game of the season, Edmonton's Wayne Gretzky scores five goals, Including his 50th into an empty net, to lead the Oilers to a 7-5 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

2002 TCU sets an NCAA record for fewest points allowed when the Lady Frogs beat Texas Southern 76-16. The 16 points allowed breaks the Division I record for fewest points. Prairie View scored 19 points against Jackson State in 1983 Compiled by PAUL MONTELLA Television Today COLLEGE FOOTBALL 1 p.m. ESPN2 Continental Tire Bowl, Boston College vs. North Carolina, at Charlotte, N.C.

4:30 pm. ESPN2 Emerald Bowl, New Mexico vs. Navy, at San Francisco 8 pm. ESPN Holiday Bowl, Texas Tech vs. California, at San Diego 11 p.m.

ESPN2 Silicon Valley Bowl, N. Illinois vs. Troy, at San Jose, Calif. MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 8 pm. ESPN2 Gonzaga at Missouri NBA BASKETBALL 8 p.m.

TNT Miami at Detroit 10:30 p.m. TNT San Antonio at Portland 67; Fir! goats (RV) 16-37, 43. (CA) 10-34. 29. Free throws -(RV) 57.

71 (CA4 8. 50 Rebounds (RV) 25 (Daugherty 8), (CA); 26 Steals (RV) 15 (Williams 5). (CA) 7, Assists (RV) 12 (Daugfierty 5), (CA) Turnovers (RV) 16, (CA) 19, Blocked shots (RV) 2 (Daugherty 2), (CA) 0. Wednesday's Boys Results Akr. SVSM 68, Cle Benedictine 47 BlufFlon 65.

Cory-Rawson 53 Burton Berkshire 68. Windham 51 Can. Heritage Christian 59, Newcrxnerstown 44 Can. McKiiey 44, Tot St John's 40 Carlisle (Pa 1 65. Mass Jackson 47 Cm La Sane 60.

Stephenson (Ga 43 Cin. Lockland 55, Cm Deer Park 49 On Mooter 70. W. Torrance (Calif 51 Cin. Shroder 64.

Owsley County (Ky.) 53 Cm Wilhrow 70, Toronto (Can.) Eastern Commerce 48 OrdevHe 52, AmanrJaOearcreek 37 Cle. VASJ 83. Bmghamton, N.Y 53 Cots. Brookhaven 57, Cle Hts 56 Cols. Unden-McKrrtey 75, Pittsburgh (Pa.) Cent Cath 59 Coshocton 58.

Sparta Highland 48 Delphos St John's 61 Cois Ready 48 Dola Hardin Northern 80, Kenton 76 E. Can. 52, Magnolia Sandy Valley 45 Euclid SO. Cle Rhodes 36 Garfield Hts. 61, Geneva 55 Genoa 54, Tot Wane 51 Grandview 69, Caledonia River Valley 60 Hcpkinsville (Ky.) 56, SI Bernard Roger Bacon 46 Indianapolis (tnd.) N.

Cent 73, Bowling Green 68 Jamestown Greeneview 47, Washington CH. Miami Trace 41 Lafayette Allen E. 62, Arlington 57 Lancaster 62. OS Jordan. Cafff 59 Leaviesburg LaBrae 49.

BnstoMIe Bristol 46 Liberty Twp. Lakota 74, Lakewcod SI Edward 70, OT London Madison Plains 64, London 60 Loudonvie 68, Groveport Madison 57 Mansfield Madison 81 Ontario 62 Marion Cath. 62, CariitigtmLiricorn 46 Mayfield 57, Gates Mills Gilmour 44 Mentor 65, Dublin Coftman 55 N.Olmsted 74, Sandusky 68 New Albany 71 Richwood N. Union 38 Ottoville 57, Lima Shawnee 53 Painesville Riverside 68, Victor (N.Y) Central 62 Parma Normandy 73. Westfake 53 Pekerington N.

59. Cols St Charles 55 Reading 59. Cin McNichotas 57. OT Seaman Adams 81, Peebles 31 Shaker Hts. 78, Cle.

JFK 75 St Albans (W Va.) 44, Thomas WorWngton 42 Strongsville 70. E. Cle. Shaw 58 Trotwcod-Madrson 72, E. Liverpool 51 Uncntown Lake 73.

Green 63 Upper Arlington 59, Sunbury Big Walnut 50 WarrensvUle Hts. 64, Lyndhurst Brush 73 Waynesvile 49, Cm. Madeira 37 WBrd 69. Noma 54 Wortrmgtori Christian 74, Cots. Bexley 54 Worthington Kilcoume 47, Cols.

Watterson 37 Wednesday's Girls Results Akr. Central-Hower 58, Cols. S. 49 Akr. Ellet 53, Kent Roosevelt 47 Akr.

Hoban 68, Bay Village Bay 51 Akr. Manchester 66. Massion Tuslaw 32 Waterloo 53. Buckeye Valley 50 Avon Lake 43, Reynoktsburg 38 Barberton63.Akr.SVSM42 Beree 55. Mt.

Gilead 34 Can. McKmley 85, Akr Buchtel 39 Winchester 53. Cots Walnut Ridge 17 CedarvSle 44. Tipp City Bethel 29 Centervie 42, Miard Davidson 21 Chardon NDCL 63. Wrrtoughby S.

34 Cle. Cen. Cath. 70, Akr. Fiestone 2 Cle.

Hts 91, Cle. Rhodes 50 Cle. JFK 70, Maple Hts. 33 Cols Brookhaven 51 Mason 36 Cols. Ready 68.

Ashvile Teays valley 33 Walsh Jesuit 47, Holy Name 46 Cuyahoga Hts. 60, Cle. Lmcoln-West 58 Dublin Coffman 47, Olentangy Liberty 40 FJyria 61 Lorain Clearview 43 Elyria Cath 48. LaGrange Keystone 39 Euclid 68. Lyndhurst Brush 53 Central Crossing 60, UrrAhngton 45 Heath 64.

Watkms Memorial 29 Independence 91, St Augustine 50 Lakeside Danbury 43, Ttffin Calvert 14 Maria Stem Manon Local 66. Troy 33 Mentor 71 Parma Padua 45 Minster 62, Sidney 30 N. Can. Hoover 54, Twinsburg 26 N. Royalton 49, Cle Hts.

Beaumont 41 Netsonville-York 49.Fisher Cath. 38 NewRiegel53. Bettsvite 16 Newark Cath. 59, Johnstown Northridge 22 Oberlin Firelands 50, Grafton Mrdview 40 Olmsted Falls 53, Lorain Southview 49 Riverside 55, Mentor Lake CatJi. 43 Lake Ridge 33, Elyria First Baptist 22 Plymouth 70, Heritage Christian 31 Rocky River Magnificat 47, Medina Buckeye 35 Spring.

Kenton Ridge 43, Rosw. (Ga.) Centennial Stow 73, MassiHon Jackson 37 Streetsboro74.Akr. Elms 51 wanton 54 Mrllbwy lake 36 Tiffin Catvert 50. Danbury 43 Tiffin Columbian 53. EMa 49 Tot Cent.

Cath, 58. Pickehngton Cent. 27 Unrontown Lake 44, Marysvllle 41 Urbana 76, St. Pans Graham 38 Wadsworth 46. Beavercreek 41 River View 46, Cambridge 36 Wellington 49, Huron 23 Zanesvie 46, Gahanna 44 SanAntonio 115.

Phoenix 94 New Jersey 84, Chicago 80 Dallas 113, Boston 94 Phtadetphra 114, Seattle 107 LA Lakers 117, Toronto 99 Wednesday's Games Houston 98. Cleveland 87 Detroit 107. Washington 105 Milwaukee 111. Orlando 105 Indiana 74, Charlotte 71 New York 100. Minnesota 87 Memphis 117, Boston 109 Phoenix 107, New Orleans 96 Utah at LA.

Clippers (n) Toronto at Golden Stale (n) Thursday's Games Seattle at Atlanta, 2 p.m. Indiana at New Jersey, 7: p.m. Miami at Detroit 8 p.m. San Antonio at Portland, 10:30 pm Wednesday Box Score Rockets 98, Cavaliers 87 HOUSTON (98) McGrady 13-31 56 34. Howard 7-9 3-3 17, Yao 8-16 4-8 20, Sure 1-3 00 3.

Barry 2-5 1-2 7. Mu-sxnbo 1-2 7, Taylor 4-9 00 8, Wesley 1-5 0-02. Totals 39-84 1421 98. CLEVELAND (87) James 0-5 3-5 3, Gooden 8-15 5-5 21, llgauskas 7-19 3-6 17, Mclnnis 411 10, Newt 49 6-6 14, Varejao 34 48 10, TraytorO-7 0 0, Snow 1403, Hems 2-3 4-5 9, Totals 29-77 2535 87. Houston 27 23 23 25 -98 Cleveland 26 17 26 18 -07 3Point Goals-Houston 6-12 (McGrady 3 Barry 2-3, Sura 1-1.

Wesley 0-2). Cleveland 412 (Mdmrs 2-5. Hams 1-1. Snow 1-2, James 0-1, bourids-Houslon 46 (Mutomoo 9). Cleveland 62 (Gooden 12) Assists Houston 24 (Sura 12).

Cleveland 22 Mclnnrs 10) Total fouis-Houston 24. Cleveland 17. Tectmcals-tHouslon Defensrve Three Second 2 Transactions Chris Perry on injured reserve. Signed WR Matt Cherry from Jacksonvies practice squad. GREEN BAY PACKERS Skjned WR Mike Marker and CB Art Smith to the practice souad.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS Placed LB Jim Nelson on intmed reserve. Sgned QB Travis Brown from the practice squad. Signed LB Andre Somrnersel to the practice squad NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Resigned Je Rod Cherry Announced Omare Lowe cleared warvers and was re-signed to the practice squad. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES Placed RB Thomas Tapeh on rrqured reserve. Signed RB Enc McCoo from the practice squad.

Signed WR Carlos Perez to the practice squad. WASHINGTON REDSKINS Placed RB Clinton Porlrs. LB LaVar Arrinciton and CB Ade Jimoh on infixed reserve. Released TE Dan Godspeed. Signed DE Metvm Williams and TE Kori Dickerson and signed RB Daman Drednck and CB Rufus Brown from the practice squad.

Football Leaai re COLUMBUS DESTROYERS Sgned OS Brandon Hetflin. LOS ANGELES AVENGERS Signed WR-LB Rob Turner. Bengals put rookie Chris Perry on injury list CINCINNATI (AP) Running back Chris Perry went on injured reserve Wednesday because of a hernia, giving the Cincinnati Bengals 15 players on injury lists. Rookie receiver Matt Cherry was signed off Jacksonville's practice squad to a three-year deal, taking Perry's roster spot. Perry was the Bengals' first-round draft pick out of Michigan this season, but appeared in only two games because of injuries.

He strained a hamstring in the final preseason game, and didn't play until the fourth and fifth games of the season. He had two carries for 1 yard. Perry strained abdominal muscles during practice on Oct. 20 and didn't play again. A specialist examined Perry last week and found he had a "sports hernia." He'll have surgery on Jan.

6 and will need two or three months to heal. Cherry was signed by the Jaguars as a free agent from Akron. He played in two preseason games and had one catch, then was waived and signed to their practice squad. Hard work, defense the focus of Cooper's first practice DENVER (AP) Michael Cooper began his first day as head coach of the Denver Nuggets with a team meeting, giving each player a frank assessment of his role now that Cooper is running the show. Then he took his players onto the practice court to work on defense.

If Day 1 is any indication, the Nuggets can expect a lot of unflinching honesty and demand for hard work especially on defense from their new coach. They can also expect him to push them to be more than just a little above average, which is pretty much the best the Nuggets franchise has ever been. "As Pat Riley once said, 'If you don't talk about being a champion, you'll never be a said the former Lakers star, who won five NBA titles, four with Riley as his coach. Most of the discussion will revolve around defense, just as most of Denver's first practice did Wednesday. Pro Basketball AP SPORTS BRIEFS fires football coach Paul Pasqualoni SYRACUSE, N.Y.

(AP) Syracuse fired football coach Paul Pasqualoni on Wednesday, eight days after a 37-point loss in a bowl game and less than a month after giving him a vote of confidence. Chancellor Nancy Cantor announced Dec. 6 that Pasqualoni would return for his 15th season with Syracuse, but 11 days later Daryl Gross was hired as athletic director and the Orange's humbling 51-14 loss to Georgia Tech in the Champs Sports Bowl apparently sealed Pasqualoni's fate. The decision to fire Pasqualoni was made by Gross. Pasqualoni was 107-59-1 and 6-3 in bowl games at Syracuse.

But the Orange struggled to break even the last three years after going 10-3 and finishing 14th in the nation in 2001. Outgoing athletic director Jake Crouthamel, who hired Pasqualoni to replace Dick MacPherson, gave his coach a positive evaluation after the Orange upset then-No. 17 Boston College in the season finale. That vaulted Syracuse into a four-way tie for the Big East championship and made the Orange eligible to play in the postseason. Phelps gets 18 months probation in drunken driving arrest SALISBURY, Md.

(AP) Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps was sentenced to 18 months' probation Wednesday after pleading guilty to drunken driving. Judge Lloyd O. Whitehead granted Phelps probation before judgment, meaning his record will be expunged if he follows the terms of probation. Phelps pleaded guilty to driving while impaired, and prosecutors dropped charges of driving under the influence, underage drinking and failure to stop at a stop sign. The 19-year-old Phelps was fined $250 and ordered to pay $55 in court costs, must attend a meeting sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and must give speeches to students at three local schools by June 1, advising them about making choices and warning them about the dangers of alcohol.

Black Bears Fran Pass IB The Black Bears took a 37-32 lead into the fourth quarter as both teams put nine points on the board. Ridgedale began chopping into River View's lead throughout the fourth quarter, but the Black Bears kept them at arm's length by hitting 8-of-10 free throws in the fourth quarter. "Free throws are very important and we knocked them down when we needed to," Polen said. "We just weren't getting people into the spots we needed to offensively and they were the more aggressive team after the first quarter." J.R. Weston hit a pair of free throws and John Weston followed with four points to bring Ridgedale within 4443 Pro NFL AMERICAN CONFERENCE East I Pel PF PA ytiew England 13 2 0 .867 416 253 NY Jets 10 5 0 .667 304 229 Buffalo 9 6 0 .600 371 255 Miami 4 11 0 .267 252 324 South Pet PF PA Indianapolis 12 3 0 .800 508 318 Jacksonville 8 7 0 .533 248 274 Houston 7 8 0 .467 295 317 Tennessee 4 11 0 267 320 420 North Pet PF PA yz-Pittsburgh 14 1 0 933 343 227 Baltimore 8 7 0 .533 287 245 Oncmnat 7 8 0 .467 336 362 Cleveland 3 12 0 200 254 376 West Pet PF PA y-San Diego 11 4 0 .733 422 296 Denver 9 6 0 600 348 290 KansasCity 7 8 0 .467 466 411 Oakland 5 10 0 333 314 429 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East I Pet PF PA yz-Philadelphra 13 2 0 ,867 376 222 Dallas 6 9 0 .400 269 377 Giants 5 10 0 .333 275 323 Washington 5 10 0 .333 219 247 South Pet PF PA y-Atlanta 11 4 0 .733 314 309 Caroliia 7 8 0 467 337 318 NewOrleans 7 8 0 467 327 387 TampaBay 5 10 0 333 294 292 North Pet PF PA y-Green Bay 9 6 0 600 393 366 MmesoO 8 7 0 .533 367 374 Detrort 6 9 0 400 277 326 Chicago 5 10 0 .333 217 300 West Football Pet PF PA x-Seattte 8 7 0 .533 343 347 St Louis 7 8 0 .467 287 363 Arizona 5 10 0 .333 272 315 SanFranosco 2 13 0 .133 252 431 x-dmched playoff spot ydmched division z-dmched conference Friday's Garnet Green Bay 34.

Minnesota 31 Saturday's Games Kansas City 31, Oakland 30 Denver 37, Tennessee 16 Sunday's Games Detroit 19, Chicago 13 Indianapolis 34, San Diego 31 OT Pittsburgh 20, Baltimore 7 Houston 21. Jecltsonvllle 0 New Orleans 26, Atlanta 13 Gnarra6 23.NY.Giants22 Buffalo 41, San Frarosco 7 New England 23. NY. Jets 7 Seattle 24. Arizona 21 Dallas 13, Wasfmgton 10 Miami 10.

Cleveland 7 Monday's Gams SL Lours 20. Prmadelpria 7 Sunday, Jan. 2 Detroit at Tennessee, 1 p.m. Miami at Baltimore, 1 p.m. Green Bay at Chicago, 1 p.m.

N.Y. Jets at St. Lours, 1 p.m, Cleveland at Houston, 1 p.m. Minnesota at Washington, 1 p.m. Pittsburgh at Buffalo.

1 p.m. New Crrieans at Carolina. 1 pm. San Francsco at New England, 1 p.m. Cincmnatl at PNIadeipriia.

1 p.m. Atlanta at Seattle, Tampa Bay at Arizona. 4 05 m. Kansas City at San Diego. 4 15 p.m.

Indianapoks at Denver. 4:15 p.m. Jacksonville at Oakland. 4 15 pm Dallas at NY Giants, 8 p.m. End Regular Season College Football No.

24 OHIO ST. 33, OKLAHOMA ST. 7 Oklahoma St 0 0 0 77 Ohio St 13 10 7 333 First Quarter OSU Gonzales 23 pass from Zwick (Nugent kck). 12:02. OSU FG Nugent 37.

9:53. OSU FG Nugent 35, 5:55. Second Quarter OSU Ross 1 run (Nugent lock), 1026. OSU FG Nugent 41, 4:19. Third Quarter OSU Gmn 5 run (Nugent lock), 8:13.

Fourth Quarter OSU FG Nugent 37, 10:44. Old Willis 4 run (Ricks kick), 7:29. A 65,265. Old OSU First downs 15 19 Rushes-yards 30-149 42-214 Passing 137 190 Comp-Att-lrtt 15-35-1 17-27-0 Return Yards 1 26 Pimts-Avg. 742 442 Furnbies-Lost 1-1 1-1 Penarrjes-Yards 645 2-25 Time of Possession 25:09 34 51 NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Orvrsion Pet New York 1613 .552 Philadelphia 1314 .481 Boston 1216 .429 New Jersey 1017 .370 Toronto 10 20 .333 Southeast Division Pet Miami 23 7 ,767 Orlando 1512 .556 Washington 1512 .556 Charlotte 718 .280 Atlanta 522 .185 Central Division Pd Cleveland 1712 .586 Detroit 1512 .556 Indiana 1413 .519 Milwaukee 916 .360 Chicago 917 .346 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division Pet SanAntonio 23 6 .793 Dallas 1910 .655 Houston 1415 .463 Memphis 1417 .452 GB 4 9 10 New Orleans 2 26 .071 20'i Northwest Division Pet Seattle 20 6 .769 Minnesota 1611 .593 Portland 1313 .500 Denver 1315 .464 Utah 1117 .393 Pacific Division Pd Phoenix 25 4 862 Sacramento 17 9 654 LA Lakers 1512 556 LACpers 1214 .462 Golden Stale 1018 .357 Tuesday's Games Cleveland 111.

Atlanta 102 Mfwaukee 115. Houston 87 GB 7 8 10 GB BASEBALL American League NEW YORK YANKEES Agreed to terms with RHP Jaret Wnght on a three-year contract National League CINCINNATI REDS Agreed to terms with INF Luis Lopez and Bobby Es-taleHa on mmor leaoue contracts. BASKETBALL National Basketball Association CHARLOTTE BOBCATS Activated Jahrt Whrte from the rrured bst Placed Jamal Sampson on the marred kst NEW ORLEANS HORNETS Suspended G-F Jim Jackson indefinitely tor failing to report to the team. Amencan Basketball Association ARKANSAS RIMROCKERS Signed Anthony Terrerl. KENTUCKY COLONELS Signed Jamarto Moon and John Oden.

UTAH ShIOWBEARS Signed G-F Rasnad Davis. Released David Benort. Continental Basketball Association SIOUX FALLS SKYFOfCE-Sigried Donne Harvey and waived Afoert Bur- drtl FOOTBALL National Football League CINCINNATI BENGALS Placed RB with just 39.3 seconds left in the contest. After Raber split a pair of free throws, Ridgedale had a chance to tie but turned the ball over with 17.6 left to seal their fate. The win evens the Black Bears' record at 44 heading into the new year.

"We treated these two games in the Classic like home games and we wanted to defend our home court," Polen said. "We're back to .500 so hopefully we start the new year like it is a brand new season." Swanson led the Black Bears with 13 points and eight rebounds while Raber added eight counters and eight assists. Sophomore Lucas Baker came up big for River View with a nine point, four assist night. Wenig and J.R. Weston each had 11 points to lead the Rockets (34).

ORLANDO PREDATORS Signed OS Anthony Bright. Placed OB Tony Zimmerman on recallable waivers. PHILADELPHIA SOUL Signed WR-DB Marcus Knight and WR-DB Rob Milanese. Released OL-DL Madison Johnson and FB-LB Travis McDonald. TAMFA BAY STORM Announced the retirement of WR-DB Shea Showers.

LACROSSE National Lacrosse League BUFFALO BANDITS Signed Billy Dee Smith to a two-year contract and Greg Fkxrs to a one-year contract SOCCER Major Indoor Soccer League CLEVELAND FORCE Released Eduardo Hurtado. COLLEGE DELAWARE Named Alex Kahoe and Reid Watson women's assistant lacrosse coaches. GUILFORD Announced the resignation of Mike Ketchum, football coach, to become an assistant athletic director. JACKSONVILLE Dismissed rumor Joey Robinson from the basketball teaTi tor voiat'-xi teani ooiicv NIAGARA Named Kevin Miner go coach. SYRACUSE Fred Paul Pasqualoni.

football coach. 'Classic' win From Page II In a JV game, Coshocton beat Morral Ridgedale 5644. For Coshocton, Rydell Chrisman scored 23 points and Alex Eickenberry added eight points. John Glenn 53 Olentangy Liberty 44 COSHOCTON The Little Muskies improved to 9-2 with the victory in the first game of day two of the Coshocton Holiday Classic. Matt Warehime led all scorers with 21 points and also pulled down nine rebounds.

Troy McCulley added 16 points and four assists for the winners while Ryan Stiers added seven counters and a team-high 10 boards. The Patriots (3-6) were paced by Cody Rogers with 16 points and three assists. John Sansbury added nine points. bmcgeenncogannett.com (740) 295-3444.