The Charlotte Observer from Charlotte, North Carolina • 42

2C THURSDAY AUGUST 10 2000 THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER TODAY'S TY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SAN DIEGO AT PHILA (FOXSS) 7:30 pm ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE TENNESSEE AT QUAD CITY (TNN) 3 pm NFL WNBA Mystics get first berth in playoffs IN BRIEF Ailing back puts Agassi on sidelines CAROLINA AT PITTSBURGH (Ch9) 7:30 pm GOLF BRITISH MASTERS (GOLF) 10 am OZARKS OPEN (GOLF) 1 pm US AMATEUR (ESPN) 3 pm BUICK OPEN (GOLF FOXSS) 4 pm DU MAURIER CLASSIC (ESPN2) 5 pm TENNIS MASTERS SERIES (ESPN) 1 pm MASTERS SERIES (ESPN2) 8 pm RADIO HIGHLIGHTS MINOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL HICKORY AT HAGERSTOWN 7:05 pm WMNC-FM (921 Morganton) NORFOLK AT CHARLOTTE 7:15 pm WFNZ-AM (610 Charlotte) NFL CAROLINA AT PITTSBURGH 7:30 pm Observer News Services WASHINGTON Putting aside a year of struggles on the last day of the season the Washington Mystics made a defensive stand to get into the playoffs for the first time Nikki McCray scored 20 points Chamique Holdsclaw added 18 and Washington held Cleveland to 11 field goals over the final 31 minutes as the Mystics beat the Rockers 60-48 to clinch the last Eastern Conference playoff berth The Mystics (14-18) needing a win or a Detroit loss to advance made the postseason despite losing five of their last eight games and finishing four games below 500 The Shock and Mystics finished with identical 14-18 records but Detroit lost aU three meetings to Washington Comets 77 Lynx 64: Tina Thompson scored 25 points including 14-of-16 shooting on free throws as host Houston defeated Minnesota (15-17) Houston (27-5) scored 27 points off a season-high 19 steals and shot 26-for-31 from the free-throw Une Katie Smith had 22 points for Minnesota (15-17) Sheryl Swoopes had 17 points for the Comets and finished with a 207-point average to beat Smith (202) for the scoring title Starzz 89 Sparks 77: NataUe WUliams had 26 points and 13 rebounds for her 19th doubledouble as host Utah (18-14) beat Los Angeles snapping the 12-game winning streak Lisa Leslie had 18 points and 10 rebounds and AUison Feaster added 13 points for Los Angeles (28-4) Sol 68 Miracle 64 (20T): Sheri Sam had 24 points and nine rebounds as host Miami (13-19) defeated Orlando (16-16) A starter in Orlando last season before being cut by coach Carolyn Peck Sam opened the second overtime with a three-pointer and closed scoring when she hit one of two free throws Shock 66 Liberty 63: Astou Ndiaye-Diatta scored 19 points and Wendy Palmer added 17 for host Detroit Observer Staff and News Services Top-seeded Andre Agassi retired from his second-round match at Tennis Masters Series-Cincinnati on Wednesday because of back problems as a result of a minor fender-bender July 8 Agassi won the first set from Fernando Vicente 6-3 in Mason Ohio then lost the second 3-6 During the crossover after the first game of the third set Agassi asked for a trainer and retired Conchita Martinez trailed 3-1 in the first set and 4-1 in the second but beat Alexandra Stevenson 6-4 7-6 (7-2) in the second round of file estylecom Classic in Manhattan Beach Calif NHL: The assault trial of Boston Bruins enforcer Marty McSorley will begin Sept 25 in Vancouver British Columbia McSorley was charged with assault with a weapon in February after Vancouver forward Donald Brashear was clubbed on the side of the head crashed to the ice and lay unconscious The Carolina Hurricanes signed free-agent goaltender Tyler Moss who spent last season in the American and International hockey leagues Lanny McDonald unexpectedly resigned as vice president of corporate relations for the Calgary Flames amid a report he clashed with the team president The Florida Panthers were awarded the 2001 NHL entry draft a first for a Sim Belt city FOOTBALL: Galen HaH the former footbaH coach at the University of Florida was named coach of XFL team Tuesday ALSO: Federal marshals brought sports agent William Black from South Carolina to an undisclosed location in Michigan pending an appearance today before US District Judge Lawrence Zatkoff on drug and money laundering charges COLLEGES: Appalachian State opens its 2000-2001 basketbaU season against North Carolina at its new Seby Jones Arena on Nov 14 Road games with Duke and Georgia Tech and a trip to the Top of the World Classic in Fairbanks Alaska are included in basketbaU schedule Schedules in Update 8C Notre Dame basketbaU coach Mike Brey named Anthony Solomon who was director of basketbaU operations at Clemson and Lewis Preston who was an assistant at Coastal Carolina last season as assistants on his staff BOXING: Boston promoter Douglas Pendarvis received $125000 plus interest after a Massachusetts commission found the owner of the Roseland Ballroom in Taunton refused to rent to him because he is black MOTORSPORTS: Cesare Fiorio gave up his post as sporting director and manager for Formula One team amid a disagreement over strategic issues GOLF: Aree Wongluekiet advanced to the third round of the US Amateur in Portland Ore with a 1-up victory over MoUie Fankhauser while her twin sister Naree caddied for her after losing a first-round match Sting guard Dawn Staley who contributed five points makes a move around Fever guard Chantel Tremitiere in the first half Wednesday night in Indianapolis Sting falls in finale Team goes scoreless for 8 minutes in loss to Fever minutes Wolters hit a basket and two free throws as the Fever scored 10 unanswered points to run their lead to 61-45 with 2:04 remaining After cutting lead to three points early in the second half the Sting (8-24) missed 15 of its next 16 shots Indiana won both of its home games with Charlotte to win the three-game series INDIANA 67: Maxwell 3-7 0-0 8 Thompson 6-13 2-3 15 Wolters 4-9 3-6 11 Grubin 1-8 3-3 5 Williams 2-7 3-4 9 McCulley 1-2 1-4 3 Tremitiere 0-13-4 3 McCarty 2-2 2-2 7 Streimikyte 2-6 2-2 6 Qumney 0-0 0-0 0 Gaither 0-1 0-0 0 Totals 21-56 19-2867 CHARLOTTE 51: Retd 4-11 4-5 12 Smith 0-0 0-0 0 Bauer 1-5 0-0 2 Staley 2-4 0-0 5 Stinson 6-19 5-6 17 Braziel 0-3 2-2 2 Travis 3-10 0-0 6 Jones 1-4 0-0 2 Hill 0-2 0-0 0 Erb 2-4 1-2 5 Totals 19-62 12-15 51 Three-Point Charlotte 1-8 (Staley 1-t Travis 0-1 Jones 0-2 Stinson 0-4) Indiana 6-18 (R Williams 2-4 Maxwell 2-5 McCarty 1-1 Thompson 1-4 Grubin 0-4) Fouled None Charlotte 42 (Reid Smith 6) Indiana 48 (Maxwell 8) Charlotte 11 (Smith 3) Indiana 18 (Grubin 6) Total Charlotte 21 Indiana 14 Att-11701 (18500) Observer News Services INDIANAPOLIS The Indiana Fever held the Charlotte Sting scoreless for eight minutes late in the second half to post a 67-51 victory Wednesday in the season finale for both teams The Sting finished with the second-worst rec- fi7 ord in the WNBA reyer Of AUcia Thompson led Indiana Sting 51 with 15 points Kara Wolters scored 11 and Monica MaxweU had eight rebounds as the Fever (9-23) escaped the Eastern Conference ceHar with the victory Charlotte guard Andrea Stinson the No 7 scorer with a 177 average finished with 17 points Tracy Reid added 12 points and six rebounds Indiana leading by six points with 10 minutes left held Charlotte scoreless over the next eight WRFX-FM (997 Charlotte) WCOS-AM (1400 Columbia) WCZI-FM (983 Greenville NC) WPEK-FM (981 Greenville SC) WIRC-AM (630 Hickory) WKVS-FM (1033 Lenoir) WNNC-AM (1230 Newton) WRHM-FM (1071 Rock Hill) WCAB-AM (590 Rutherfordton) WADA-AM (1930 Shelby) WASC-AM (1530 Spartanburg) WSIC-AM (1400 Statesville) Tar Heels tossing out jerseys By DAVID SCOn Staff Writer This decision quite as earth shaking as the one this summer that brought a new basketbaU coach to North Carolina but the Tar Heels had more news on Wednesday North 1999-2000 basketbaU uniform the Michael Jordan-designed jersey with an interlocking on the chest has been scrapped after one year Returning is the more familiar Tar Heels uniform that was replaced last season with on top of the uniform number and below Coach Matt Doherty likes the new-old look which is a good thing since the decision made by former coach BH1 Guthridge and athletics director Dick Baddour came before Doherty was hired in July told (Guthridge and Baddour) we won three national championships with on them so that was fine by said Doherty in a prepared statement North CaroUna has used the logo in other areas since the early 1900s In a recent poH conducted by a Tar Heels Web site 91 percent of the more than 8000 respondents favored getting rid of it on the basketbaU uniforms think both (uniforms) were said former Tar Heels player Bobby Jones now the basketbaU coach at Charlotte Christian other was not as weU known because it was so long ago people are used to seeing on the jersey and a comfort level they can Uve Another hot-button issue for North Carolina fans: Baddour is looking at ways to seat student body closer to the floor in the Dean Smith Center but no decision has been made Pacers star agrees to stay home NBA NOTEBOOK Indiana has kept 4 free agents Observer Staff and News Services INDIANAPOLIS Reggie Miller is staying right where he is hoping to add a championship ring to his coUection of franchise records from 13 years with the Indiana Pacers The all-time leader in three-point attempts and baskets signed a new contract Wednesday with the Pacers becoming the fourth of the six free agents to resign The 6-foot-7 guard earned $9 million last season and was eUgible to receive up to $14 million next season Contract terms were not disclosed ESPN and The India- Trail Blazers The (Portland) Oregonian reported The Blazers are considering re-signing Grant to a long-term contract starting at about $92 million and trading him to Miami the newspaper reported The deal could take place within days and would allow Grant to reap close to $90 million over seven years talking about a bunch of different agent Mark Bartelstein said this point Brian feels Miami is the best opportunity for him He would like to do that if it can get Bartelstein aU but ruled out the New York Knicks who have also pursued Grant The Knicks instead face the prospect of seeing Atlantic Division rival Miami land the defensive-minded forward cago could be reached for comment MiHer a restricted free agent is second-year pro from Purdue The Hornets could retain him by matching any offers he receives up to the league-average salary of about $39 miHion His only remaining suitors other than the Hornets are Chicago and Toronto sources said Potential Hornets targets in a sign-and-trade deal with the Raptors are shooting guards Doug Christie and backup DeH Curry a longtime Hornet Leonard Laye Kemp-Grant deal ahead? Portland Miami and Cleveland are trying to finaUze one of several three-way trade scenarios that would send CavaHers forward Shawn Kemp to the napolis Star reported Miller had agreed to a three-year $36 milUon deal Report: Miller courted The Toronto Star reported that the Toronto Raptors are in the hunt for Hornets backup center Brad MiHer either in a sign-and-trade with Charlotte or by signing him as a free agent The Star attributed the information to NBA and Raptors sources Neither Hornets vice president Bob Bass MiHer nor agent Mark Bartelstein of Chi HIGH SCHOOLS Mistake costs View $17000 Wolfpack freshman makes early mark COLLEGE FOOTBALL By GREGG D0YEL Raleigh Bureau EAST CAROLINA: Junior has been moved to WE WANT YOUR OPINION The NFL and fantasy football season is just around the corner If you had the top five picks in your fantasy draft which players would you select? Rank your Top 5 and tell us why Observer News Services HOPE MILLS South View High has forfeited all its 1999 football victories and must repay more than $17000 in playoff gate receipts to the NC High School Athletic Association The school used an ineUgible player last season last faU was the ninth semester at the school and reported itself to the state association Tuesday The forfeits cost the Tigers their share of the Mid-South Conference title aU 12 wins and $1766373 in playoff gate receipts TTie player dressed for aU 14 South View games NCHSAA executive director Dick Knox said the only larger fine he remembered was $18334 in playoff money and a $300 penalty assessed to West Charlotte in 1998 The school reported itself for using an out-of-district player Christshawn Gilliam linebacker because of excess depth at running back MIAMI: Santonio Thomas a 6-4 285-pound freshman defensive lineman who originally committed to Florida signed with the Hurricanes Defensive tackle Adrian Terrance Wilson probably wiU be reinstated after a battery charge It had been aUeged that Wilson pushed a date down a flight of stairs NORTH CAROUNA: Defensive backfield coach Ron Case 62 was on the field two months after quintuple bypass surgery last checkup the doctor told me to come back in a year so pretty said Case who had surgery June 2 after severe chest pains dropped him to his knees RALEIGH NC State footbaU coach Chuck Amato put his entire team through a practice yet but he has identified one player as a potential two-way performer The player is freshman James Walker a 1999 signee from South Mills who reported in January The 6-foot 186-pound Walker the second-leading receiver in spring scrimmages with 11 catches for 174 yards also wiU be tried at comerback Amato said The Wolfpack is in need at comerback after backup Marcus EUerbe was kicked off the team last week Other freshmen expected to contribute heavily are quarterback PhiUp Rivers the starter entering first full practice and Austin Herbert Herbert wiU punt and could chaUenge kicker Kent Passingham In other news Amato said senior tight end Tramayne Simmons wiU get a look at fuUback and freshman defensive end Alan Dawson of FayettevUle has left the team departure comes after the unexpected losses of the likely starters at end Clint Johnson (quit the team after last season) and Drew Wimsatt (out six to eight weeks after back surgery) Chapel HiU High senior Devonte Edwards one of the top receivers in the state committed to NC State The 6-foot-2 180-pound Edwards who had 69 catches for 1349 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior also is an accomplished basketbaU player and could walk on to the Wolfpack basketbaU team Send letters to Mailbox Observer Sports PO Box 30308 Charlotte NC 28230-0308 fax them to (704) 358-5110 ore-mail us at obsportscharlotteobservercom Phone number and town or city of residence must be included Letters will be edited for brevity clarity and grammar Observer staff and news services contributed to this article 33 0H AlreadvRedwe32 25 Men's Ladies' and fids' Red Tab Ckrthii PC'Ji 0495 OH- to 94 After Mfrs $15 Mail-in Rebate Abu Garcia Anti-Backlash Reels Automatically controls the spool before overruns can occur Indudes casting plug and instructional video 5Ww After Mfrs $15 Mail-in Rebate C4 Ambassadeur Baitcast Reels 63:1 gearing 3 hill bearings plus 1 roller bearing Instant After Mfrs $15 Mail-in Rebate Ambassadeur Reels steel ball bearings roller bearing Instant to 79" Reg 8999-9999 Freestyle Combo Ski or Jr Profile 350 Combo 3w Pro TouchPower Plus Spinning Combos 2 ball bearings and a balanced rotor Matched with Oftshore Angler' Pbwer Plus rod Skitter 099 IU 4 Reg 695-2199 Popm Reg 499 Trophy Excet Balsa topwatcr lure with an Has a hard smooth finish for oval concave lip for serious easy casting and abrasion popping Available in 3 resistance in tough conditions sizes and 5 colois 8181 Concord Mills Blvd Concord NC 28027 C3 Baitcast 2 stainless plus 1 Anti-Reverse Phone: (704) 979-2200 Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-10pm Sat 7am-10pm Sun 11am-7pm wwwbassprocom "I.