Eastie blasts Brighton

EAST BOSTON 58, BRIGHTON 26

Jets are riding high after blowout victory
Globe Correspondent | October 23, 2010

After a 40-22 drubbing last week at the hands of Blue Hills and sophomore Vincent Burton’s career night of five touchdowns, the Jets decided to play a little role reversal yesterday against Brighton at Harvard Stadium.

The Best of Boston squared off, the North represented by Eastie and the South by Brighton, both teams entering 5-2, 2-0 in league play. This week, though, Eastie handed out the punishment, dismantling Brighton’s defense for 40 minutes in a 58-26 blowout.

Led by senior Brandon Campbell’s career-high four touchdowns, the Jets snapped Brighton’s five-game streak, just as Blue Hills ended their streak a week ago.

“We were coming off a loss and I think that’s what made us hungrier for the win,’’ Campbell said. “Since I’ve been at this school, we haven’t lost two in a row.’’

It was a mismatch from the opening kickoff, as Brighton mishandled a squib kick, handing East Boston the ball on the 36-yard line.

“It was huge for us to kick the ball off and recover it right after and march downfield and score. That was big,’’ said coach John Parziale.

Four plays, and just a minute and a half into the game, Campbell flaunted his speed and elusiveness, rushing 25 yards for the first score of the game, putting Eastie up, 6-0.

The Jets went up, 14-0, on Campbell’s 10-yard run and Kyle Jimenez-Fox ran 22 yards for a TD to make it 22-0 at the end of the quarter.

Eastie boosted its lead to 28-0 with five minutes left in the half on a 33-yard run by Andre Rickerson.

Andrew Maestre gave Brighton some life, dragging three Jets players 6 yards into the end zone for Brighton’s first score.

Brighton’s celebration didn’t last long though, as Campbell broke loose again and turned on the jets, returning the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for his third touchdown of the half.

The Bengals responded one last time before the half when Jonathan Marrero hooked up with Dwight Kennedy on a wide receiver screen pass for a 15-yard touchdown, cutting their deficit to 36-14.

Rickerson’s 3-yard romp on Eastie’s opening drive of the third quarter made it 44-14, ending the suspense. Rickerson and the Jets weren’t done as he blasted through for a 16-yard TD.

“Did you see this game?’’ asked Brighton coach James Philip in disgust. “We got our hats handed to us.’’

“It was important this win. You never want to go into a bye week with back-to-back losses, this was a good win for us,’’ said Parziale.

Bulls name Salem's Rick Brinson assistant coach

Ron Adams, Andy Greer, Rick Brunson and Adrian Griffin have been hired as assistant coaches on Tom Thibodeau's staff.
Also: Adrian Griffin rounds out Bulls' coaching staff

September 9, 2010 — The Chicago Bulls announced today that Ron Adams, Andy Greer, Rick Brunson and Adrian Griffin have been hired as assistant coaches on Tom Thibodeau’s coaching staff. In addition, Randy Brown has been named Special Assistant to the General Manager and Pete Myers has been named a Scout. In accordance with club policy, terms of the contracts were not announced.

Adams, 63, begins his second stint with the Bulls after spending the last one-and-a-half seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Prior to his stint with the Thunder, Adams spent six seasons with the Bulls as an assistant coach (2003-08) and special assignments scout (2008). While an assistant, Adams helped guide the Bulls to three consecutive playoff appearances (2004-07). Adams also held assistant coaching stints with the Milwaukee Bucks (1998-03), San Antonio Spurs (1992-94) and the Philadelphia 76ers (1994-96). He also served as a player personnel-scout for the Portland Trail Blazers (1996-98). Prior to his work in the NBA, Adams coached at the collegiate level. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Fresno Pacific University in 1969. He was promoted to head coach in 1972, a position he held for three years. Adams was also an assistant coach at U.S. International, University of Cal-Santa Barbara, Fresno State University and University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He was head coach at Fresno State during a second tour of duty from 1986-90.

Greer, 48, has held three different assistant coaching positions in the NBA, most recently with the Memphis Grizzlies (2007-09), as a member of Marc Iavaroni’s staff. Prior to his time with the Grizzlies, Greer spent four seasons with the Houston Rockets (2003-07) under Jeff Van Gundy and two seasons with the New York Knicks (2001-03) under head coach Don Chaney. In addition to his NBA experience, Greer coached at the collegiate level for nearly two decades. Prior to joining the Knicks, he spent four years at Northern Illinois University, where he logged three-and-a-half seasons as an assistant coach and a half-season as the team’s interim head coach. Greer received his first coaching job as an assistant coach at Genesee Community College in 1983.

Griffin, 36, spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach/player development with the Milwaukee Bucks. He enjoyed a nine-year NBA career that included stops in Boston (1999-01), Dallas (2001-03, 2005-06), Houston (2003-04), Chicago (2004-05, 2006-08) and Seattle (2007-08). Undrafted out of Seton Hall, Griffin played one season in Italy and three seasons in the CBA and was named league MVP and Finals MVP while playing with CBA champion Connecticut Pride in 1998-99. Following that season, he moved on to the NBA where he started 47 of the 72 games that he appeared in as a rookie with the Celtics. The Wichita, Kan. native advanced to the postseason in five of his nine seasons in the NBA.

Brunson, 38, a former Bull, returns to Chicago as he makes his transition to the sidelines of the NBA. In 2009-10, he served as an assistant coach at the University of Hartford. Prior to his year in Hartford, he spent two seasons at the University of Virginia, where he was the Director of Basketball Operations. A veteran of nine seasons in the NBA, Brunson played for seven different teams, including two stints with the Bulls (2002-03, 2003-04). A native of Salem, Mass., the 38-year old former point guard played collegiately at Temple University under Hall of Fame head coach John Chaney.

Brown, 42, served as the Director of Player Development for the Bulls during the 2009-10 campaign. Prior to his return to Chicago, he spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings. A 12-year veteran of the NBA, Brown played for the Sacramento Kings (1991-1995), Chicago Bulls (1995-2000), Boston Celtics (2000-02), and Phoenix Suns (2002-03). During his five seasons as a member of the Bulls, the Chicago native was a member of three NBA Championship teams (1996, 1997, 1998), including the 1996 squad that won an NBA-record 72 games during the regular season.

Myers, 46, joined the Bulls during the 2000-01 campaign as a scout and will enter his 11th season with the organization. Last season, he completed his ninth season as an assistant coach. He served as Bulls interim head coach for two games (at Dallas 11/25/03 and at San Antonio 11/26/03) during the 2003-04 season and one game (at San Antonio 12/26/07) during the 2007-08 season. During his eight-year NBA career, he played for five teams, including three seasons with the Bulls (1986-87, 1993-95).

MIAA COACHES REQUIRED TO TAKE CONCUSSION EDUCATION COURSE

MASSACHUSETTS INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
33 Forge Parkway Franklin, MA 02038
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY CONTACT: PAUL WETZEL781-982-8899

MIAA COACHES REQUIRED TO TAKE CONCUSSION EDUCATION COURSE

Franklin, MA - - Coaches at Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) member schools will be required to take a concussion education course offered by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) prior to the start of the Winter season. The MIAA Board of Directors voted recently to add this requirement to its existing wellness program for students, coaches and others involved in high school athletics.

“This summer the state enacted a Concussion Law directed at MIAA member schools. We now are waiting for the Department of Public Health (DPH) to develop resultant regulations,” Barry Haley, Athletic Director of Concord Carlisle High School and MIAA President said. “Meanwhile, we have advised our members to follow the wellness protocols already in place for many years and any other aspects of the new law they can meet until new regulations are established by the DPH.”

As part of the wellness program MIAA member school coaches are required to participate in an education course within one of year being hired. The course includes first aid instruction, recognizing the signs of head injuries and drug or steroid use among other wellness issues. In addition, member schools continue to require physical examinations for student/athletes and submission from a parent or guardian of a health history. The MIAA has long had a rule requiring a medical clearance before an athlete who has suffered a head injury can return to play.

“Many of our schools go beyond the Association’s requirements and programs, working with physicians, trainers, school nurses, parents and outside consultants to expand awareness of safety issues in different sports,” Haley said. He reported that more than 4,700 Massachusetts people have taken the NFHS on-line concussion program voluntarily this Fall. Visit the MIAA website (www.miaa.net) for a comprehensive concussion resource menu, developed by the Association’s Sports Medicine Committee.

The MIAA Wellness Program is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary of promoting the health and safety of the student-athlete. The program consists of extensive programming and policies focusing on helping students make healthy life choices. This month the MIAA held its 14th Annual Wellness Summit at which hundreds of students, coaches and administrators participated in the daylong conference.

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10/21/2010

Top national prospect Austin Rivers chooses Duke over Kansas, UNC

WINTER PARK, Fla. (AP) -- The son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers and one of the nation's most highly recruited players says he is heading to Duke.

Austin Rivers posted on his Twitter site Thursday: "World i have decided to go to duke! Let's go blue devils ha'." Rivers, who later made the announcement on ESPN, chose Duke over Kansas and North Carolina.

The 6-foot-4 guard of Winter Park, Fla., is considered a terrific athlete and prolific scorer. He verbally committed to Florida in 2008 but reopened his search after the Gators struggled to sustain the success that won them back-to-back national titles.

Rivers led Winter Park High School to the Class 6A championship last season. He also played for the world champion USA Basketball 18-under team.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/highschool/09/30/duke.rivers.ap/index.html#ixzz113uWfh2t

Maryland's Gary Williams: Colleges Can Pay Players, and Should

By David Steele (CNN)

At least one prominent college basketball coach says that athletes in revenue-producing sports should be paid, and he said he is not alone.

Maryland's Gary Williams told a Baltimore radio station Tuesday afternoon that he would be in favor of athletes receiving a monthly stipend, that the NCAA undoubtedly could afford it without taking away from the non-revenue sports, and that as a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the topic is discussed constantly among his colleagues.

"The problem we have, anything we bring up with the NCAA, they kind of look at it as, 'What do these coaches -- what are they doing now, what do they want? This is just to help them,''' Williams told the "Sports With Coleman'' show on Baltimore's Fox 1370 Sports Radio. "But it's not, and I know with all the stuff that's in the paper right now, there's a ton of coaches out there who care about their players and do a great job, and hopefully will be heard in the future.''

Williams was referring to last week's return of the Heisman Trophy by Reggie Bush in the wake of NCAA findings that he received benefits while playing for USC, as well as the spate of agent-related controversies in college football, including at fellow ACC member North Carolina. Williams, entering his 22nd season at Maryland and his 32nd overall in college coaching, pointed to the new $11 billion television contract for the NCAA basketball tournament as a rebuttal to the idea that
there is not enough money to go around for all sports to give some to the football and basketball players.

"That's what the NCAA will tell you,'' he said, "but if you did pay the revenue-producing sports athletes, you would still have that money coming in that they exist on now. There's plenty of money off the men's basketball tournament that you can pay men's basketball players, football players, whatever, the revenue-producing sports, and still have enough money to run your other sports, and I think that's why a lot of people (believe) they should be paid.''

The figure Williams suggested was $200 a month -- based, he said, on the fact that when he played at Maryland in the mid-1960s, he and other athletes got $15 a month spending money as part of their scholarship. Even today, he added, regular students are allowed to receive living expenses and spending money as part of financial aid, but athletes on scholarship are not -- even though, he said, "they say that they want student-athletes to be treated just like everybody else.

"These guys don't receive anything except room, board, books, tuition and fees, which doesn't put any cash in their pockets,'' Williams said. "And some of these guys are pretty poor coming here, and a lot of college students have some money -- you feel out of place, you don't feel competitive academically sometimes, and I think it could do a lot of good.

"Plus, hopefully, it would keep away some of the unscrupulous people that do hang around the great athletes, where an athlete wouldn't befriend a guy just because a guy gave him 100 bucks or something like that.''

Better yet, Williams pointed out, it might keep players in school longer and decrease the temptation to go to the pros before they are truly ready, or if they are not ready at all. "The thing is, $200 is not gonna keep a kid in school if he's got a chance to be a first-round pick,'' he said, "but it's the other athletes, the four-year players and things like that, that might need money that, instead of taking a chance at going into the draft, they might stay another year so that they can afford to stay on the campus and they don't need that money and take the risk of not making a pro team.

"The whole thing was set up with college sports ... it was entertainment value for the other students on campus, but also to give people a chance to get an education because of the skill they do have. They shouldn't be discouraged, they should be encouraged in any way possible.''

Paying players is, he said, "a tough argument, I understand, but amateurs make money now,'' pointing to track and field athletes among others whose definition of "amateur'' has changed over the years.

"In college, you're kind of on an island now in terms of these guys,'' he said. "They do get a scholarship -- the scholarship's probably worth here, at Maryland, about $40,000 (a year), so it's not a bad thing. But it gets tough when you see what's out there, and you see the people that kind of take advantage of that situation with the players.''

Williams, who coached Maryland to the 2002 NCAA title, will be inducted next week into the new Hall of Legends at Baltimore's Sports Legends at Camden Yards Museum; also in the inaugural class of state honorees are Babe Ruth, Johnny Unitas, Brooks Robinson, broadcaster Jim McKay and former Ravens owner Art Modell, who moved the Browns to Baltimore in 1995.

Michael Vick shines in Eagles' 35-32 win vs. Lions

DETROIT (AP) -- On the bus ride to his first start at quarterback since 2006, Michael Vick thought of everything that has happened the last several years.

Then he went out and took full advantage of the opportunity. Vick looked like the Pro Bowler he used to be by effortlessly flicking the football down the field and avoiding sacks with slick steps.

Vick's second touchdown pass put the Philadelphia Eagles ahead just before halftime and they had to hold on to beat the Detroit Lions 35-32 Sunday.

He didn't take the first snap in a game the past three seasons because he served an 18-month prison sentence for his role in a dogfighting operation and spent last year as a backup.

Vick said he reflects "all the time" on his journey back onto an NFL field.

"It's been a long road for me," he said softly. "It's been tough. Throughout it all, I had to be resilient and overcome a lot of adversity and self-inflicted wounds."

The electrifying athlete was 21 of 34 - connecting with nine teammates - for 284 yards with two TDs, ran for 37 yards and escaped losses with the spin moves of a dancer and speed of a sprinter.

"A lot of people doubted him and said he wasn't able to do this," said DeSean Jackson , who caught four of Vick's passes for 135 yards and a TD. "He's been able to prove everybody wrong."

LeSean McCoy gave the Eagles (1-1) an 18-point lead on his third score with 6:17 left, but they gave Detroit comeback hopes.

The Lions (0-2) rallied to pull within three points and recovered an onside kick with 1:48 left, but turned the ball over on downs without gaining a yard.

"I'm proud to stand among the players," coach Jim Schwartz said. "This is a tough team, a team that's resilient, that fights through a lot of situations."

Detroit has had to deal with a lot of tough times, winning just twice last year after enduring the league's first 0-16 season. The franchise is a league-worst 33-113 since 2001.

The Lions lost their franchise QB - Matthew Stafford - in the season-opening loss at Chicago with an injured right shoulder and had to turn to Shaun Hill . He was 25 of 45 for 335 yards with two TDs, including one to Calvin Johnson late in the game, and had two interceptions.

"The losses are tough, but you can only worry about them for a day," Hill said. "You can't dwell on mistakes."

The Eagles didn't dwell on Vick's, giving him a shot to revive his career last year.

He was more than ready to take the first snap in place of Kevin Kolb , who missed the game because of a concussion.

Eagles coach Andy Reid insisted before the game he didn't need to reassure Kolb he was still the team's starting QB. Even though Vick seemed to do enough to make it tough to put him back on the bench, Reid said it won't be difficult to turn him back into a part-time player.

"We've got more plays for him than we did a year ago, so he'll be on the field," Reid said. "It isn't going to be five or six plays this year."

Vick passed his first test, rolling left and throwing back across the field against pressure to convert a third down on his opening drive to set up a 45-yard TD pass to Jackson.

After rookie Jahvid Best turned a short pass into a 75-yard reception to put Detroit ahead 17-7 midway through the second quarter, Vick ran and threw for first downs to set up McCoy's 14-yard run for his first TD.

Vick easily lofted a 53-yard pass that perfectly hit Jackson in stride before connecting with Jeremy Maclin on a 9-yard pass that put Philadelphia ahead 21-17 with 13 seconds left in the first half.

"You should have seen him before the game," Reid said. "He was like a kid in a candy store. He was so excited about getting a second chance at being a starter in this league."

The Lions, meanwhile, didn't have much to be proud about.

Best was an exception, catching nine passes for 154 yards and a score and running 17 times for 78 yards and two TDs.

He created a buzz at Ford Field, but by the time he scored for a third time against the Eagles - and fifth time in two games - most of the fans had left after growing tired of seeing the Lions lose again.

Detroit didn't give up, but it also couldn't come close enough to attempt a field goal that could've sent the game into overtime.

"We can't wait until the end of the game," Lions center Dominic Raiola lamented.

Hubbard’s suspension over, cleared to practice

By Kelly Hodge
Press Managing Sports Editor

East Tennessee State basketball coach Murry Bartow says senior forward Tommy Hubbard still has obligations to fulfill, but his suspension is officially over.

Hubbard was suspended indefinitely after an altercation on April 7 in which he reportedly damaged his girlfriend’s laptop. The charges were later dropped with certain conditions attached.

“Based on what happened, based on the agreement, based on things Tommy and I have discussed, there could still be some things that have to take place before he’s fully in good standing,” Bartow said Wednesday from Atlanta, where he was recruiting. “But he has been reinstated and is very much a part of our team. His suspension is over.”

Hubbard led the Bucs in scoring (13.9) and rebounding (8.2) as a junior. He’ll be part of a core of four seniors this season as the team shoots for its third straight Atlantic Sun Conference championship.

• Bartow certainly expects Hubbard to be a positive influence on his freshman roommate. Point guard Ryan Woumn is also from the Boston area and is the only scholarship freshman on the roster.

“Tommy and Ryan are from the same AAU program up in Boston,” said Bartow. “To have Tommy here for Ryan is huge. He’s got to be like a big brother and set a good example.”

Woumn said Tuesday that he’s still getting a feel for the East Tennessee scene. It’s obviously a world away from where he grew up in Lynn, Mass.

“It’s different than back home. Real different,” said Woumn. “But I’m getting used to it. I really like it here, to tell you the truth.”

Woumn averaged over 26 points and five assists as a senior at Lynn English High School and is expected to blossom into an outstanding playmaker for the Bucs. To his credit, he comes in with no preconceived notions about how his first season of college basketball will unfold.

“This year will be a learning experience, which is not a bad thing,” said Woumn. “People want to come in and start, but I think my first year will be about getting to know how coach Bartow runs his offense and defense. I’m going to watch Adam (Sollazzo) and the other guys to see how they do things.”

Woumn, 6-foot-3 and 170 pounds, has already gotten a glimpse of what his teammates are capable of.

“We’ve played pickup a whole bunch of times,” he said. “These guys are good.”

Woumn is one of four newcomers, along with junior-college forwards Anthony Johnson and Curtis Wilkinson, and Josh Johnson, the 6-10 walk-on from Gate City, Va.

Bartow and his staff always keep a closer eye on the players this time of year.

“We’re concerned about all the guys and want to make sure everybody gets off to a good start,” he said. “As I look at our team this year, Ryan is the youngest and a long way from home. The junior-college kids have come in from California, so they’re a long, long way from home.

“Those three could potentially be homesick, and they’re having to learn new faces, new terminology and a new system along with just going to school. They can be overwhelmed the first three or four weeks.”

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