sábado, 31 de marzo de 2012

Business briefs

BUSINESS

Marts up

US stocks ended their strongest quarter in more than two years. For the quarter, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 8.1 percent, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index climbed 12 percent and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 18.7 percent.

Dunkin’

Dunkin’ Brands Group priced a stock offering of 26.4 million shares at $29.50 a share. Including an overallotment for underwriters of 3.96 million shares, the Canton, Mass., doughnut and coffee chain will raise up to $896 million.

LA dreams

Billionaire Philip Anschutz is moving ahead with plans to build a $1 billion stadium in Los Angeles and lure two NFL teams.

Yahoo! cuts

Yahoo! will begin layoffs of thousands of employees next week and will announce a plan to restructure the company the week after that, according to AllThingsD. Yahoo! declined to comment.

BNY lawsuit

Bank of New York Mellon must face a suit by an LA pension fund accusing the bank of overcharging for forex transactions, a judge ruled.

Reuters

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Philip Anschutz, Nasdaq Composite, Brands Group, Dow Jones industrial, Yahoo!

Nypost.com

Islanders stun Penguins, help Rangers again

With the Islanders’ chance of playoff hockey almost officially gone for a fifth straight season, they are managing to help the team they dislike the most.

The Islanders won their second straight game from the Penguins Thursday night, 5-3 at the Coliseum, keeping the rival Rangers’ lead atop the Eastern Conference at five points. Both the Penguins at Rangers now have five games left.

“They’re both pretty big rivals of our and we want to beat both of them,” said Josh Bailey, who had two goals and three assists, continuing his points streak to six games and giving him three goals and nine assists during that span. “We just try to focus on winning.”

LOSER, BY A NOSE: Penguins star Sidney Crosby drips blood on the ice last night after taking a puck to the nose in the second period of the Islanders’ 5-3 win.

Neil Miller

LOSER, BY A NOSE: Penguins star Sidney Crosby drips blood on the ice last night after taking a puck to the nose in the second period of the Islanders’ 5-3 win.

Though it came rarely for most of the season, the Islanders recently have found a way to win with some consistency, going 5-1-0 in their past six after a 4-1-0 road trip ended with a 5-3 win in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

“We just want to win,” said Kyle Okposo, who had two goals to give him five in the past four games. “No matter where you are in the standings, you still want to win games, as a person, as a competitor. I think we showed that.”

In the process, the Islanders nearly caused more problems for the Penguins.

With 1:43 gone by in the second period, Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby took a puck to the face on a clearing attempt from Dylan Reese and was down, bleeding on the ice, for 15 seconds. Crosby went to the dressing room, but returned to the bench eight minutes later and almost immediately reentered the game.

The Islanders are at .500 (33-33-11) on the season, and though they’re nine points out of the final playoff spot, with five games left, they are still mathematically alive.

“As a coaching staff, we are staying focused,” coach Jack Capuano said. “For the guys to get back to .500, it’s a credit to them.”

Once Marty Reasoner scored his first goal as an Islander 11:07 into the first period, the team never trailed. Pascal Dupuis tied it 1-1 with a shorthanded goal in the second, but Okposo scored two (one on the power play) and Bailey added a short-handed one to make it 4-1 with 15 minutes left to play in the game.

Jordan Staal scored with 12 minutes left to make it 4-2, then with the Penguins’ net empty and 1:31 remaining, Evgeni Malkin netted his 47th of the season on a wrist shot from the slot to make it 4-3.

Thirty seconds later, Bailey won a draw against Crosby, got the puck along the sideboards and slid one into the empty net to finish it off.

“It feels really good,” Bailey said.

The Islanders signed veteran goalie John Grahame for the final five games of the regular season, meaning Evgeni Nabokov’s groin injury could keep him out for the remainder of the year.

bcyrgalis@nypost.com

Sidney Crosby ebook download, the Penguins, the Penguins, Josh Bailey, Penguins, Islanders, Kyle Okposo, Eastern Conference, Evgeni Malkin

Nypost.com

viernes, 30 de marzo de 2012

Kentucky-Louisville feud extends to senior citizens

NEW ORLEANS — Women are willing to lose their clothes — all of them.

Grown men have lost their composure.

Fans lost some skin Wednesday night on Bourbon Street.

There are a few rivalries in sports — Yankees/Red Sox; Auburn/Alabama; Lakers/Celtics — that bring out the good, the bad and the ugly in fans.

And then there’s Kentucky-Louisville where tomorrow night’s battle at the Superdome is a matter of do or dialysis.

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Even the coaches — Kentucky’s John Calipari and Louisville’s Rick Pitino — allowed themselves to get lost in the moment yesterday.

They were asked about the now infamous fist fight this week at a Kentucky dialysis center between a 68-year-old Kentucky fan and a 71-year-old Louisville fan.

“Did we win the fight?’’ asked Pitino.

Yep. Charles ‘The Comeback Card,’ Taylor clocked Ed ‘Fast Cat’ Wilson in a one-punch affair

“The Louisville fan punched out the Kentucky fan?’’ said Calipari. “I’m disappointed about that.’’

There is no scheduled rematch between Taylor and Wilson but the Cards and Cats will throw down in an NCAA tournament semifinal game.

This is not one of those games of the century. This is for eternal shame and fame in the Bluegrass State.

“I thought it was a joke when I first heard about it,’’ Kentucky guard Doron Lamb of Queens told The Post. “But I could see that happening. I know our schools hate each other.’’

“Two senior citizens?’’ asked Louisville point guard Peyton Siva. “Was it on ESPN’s Top 10? The rivalry is crazy. These fans love their Cards and they love their Cats.’’

“I wouldn’t expect a 68-year-old and a 71-year-old to fight each other, but they love their teams.’’

How much? Consider this.

“I was walking through the mall and a Kentucky fan asked me for a ticket to the game,’’ said Louisville guard Chris Smith. “She said if I give her a ticket to the game that we win, she’ll run on the court butt naked.’’

Was she pretty?

“No,’’ said Smith.

This rivalry has an ugly side. Louisville began recruiting black players in 1962. Kentucky didn’t until 1969, after one of Adolph Rupp’s team lost to an all-black Texas Western team in the 1966 NCAA title game.

Kentucky had always refused to play Louisville and that might have held had the teams not met in the 1983 NCAA Mideast Regional final. The Cards blew away the Cats, 80-68, in overtime.

Kentucky Gov. John Y. Brown mandated the schools play each other every year since. Kentucky leads the series 18-11 but the schools are 2-2 in NCAA tournament games.

“It all started with the racial lines in Louisville, Kentucky,’’ said Pitino, who coached Kentucky to the 1996 NCAA championship. “We’re the minority university and they’re the university of the privileged. so to speak.

“And then it was thrown out the window when Tubby Smith became the first African-American coach. The hatred wasn’t based on race any longer. That was over. Now the lines are no longer racially motivated. It’s just pure hatred.’’

Calipari steered clear of the rhetoric. His No.1-ranked team is 36-2 and the prohibitive favorite to win tomorrow. The last thing he needs is to shine more of a spotlight on his Cats.

“It’s always been that way, it’s Louisville and Kentucky,’’ said Calipari. “The thing with us, at this time of the year, rivalries do not matter.

“You’re playing a basketball game and whether the schools are 15 miles away from you or a thousand miles away from you, you’re trying to advance.’’

The schools are 77 miles apart and they watch each other like sentries on the border of North and South Korea. Louisville recently built the $238 million KFC Yum! Center. Kentucky countered with a $150 million renovation of Rupp Arena.

Wednesday a group of inebriated Louisville fans and an equally soused group of Kentucky fans tried to turn Bourbon Street into Beatdown Street.

“Now that we get to play them in the Final Four, it’s more over the top,’’ said Smith. “This is for all the marbles.’’

Unless everyone loses their marbles first.

lenn.robbins@nypost.com

John Calipari, Louisville, Kentucky, Rick Pitino, John Y. Brown, NCAA tournament, NCAA tournament

Nypost.com

jueves, 29 de marzo de 2012

Deja vu all over again as Midwood shocks Grand Street

Midwood did it again.

For the second straight year, it upset powerhouse Grand Street Campus and this time the Hornets pulled the shocker the day after they were run-ruled.

“Crazy, man, crazy,” Midwood coach Charlie Barbieri said after the Hornets’ dramatic 9-8 victory on Tuesday. “We talked about being resilient and fighting – that’s what we did. We kind of were looking forward to the early challenge. Even though we got mercied, we felt like we competed with them. We didn’t feel overmatched. We came in today feeling pretty good.”

Designated hitter Danny Kaye drew a bases-loaded walk from Grand Street reliever Jose Cuas to force in the winning run and added a two-run single in the sixth. Midwood (1-1) scored three in the seventh to win, aided by walks. Grand Street pitchers walked eight over the final two frames. Shortstop Brandon Eng and first baseman Joseph DiLeo each scored three times, Mike McCann drove in two and Matt Croak and Milo Sklar also added an RBI apiece. Reliever Raad Gheith picked up the win by going the final 2 1/3.

“It was definitely a big win,” Barbieri said. “They may not lose another game all year. To win that game is just huge for us. Last year it kind of catapulted us into the playoffs. Hopefully this year, it catapults us into a strong season.”

zbraziller@nypost.com

Midwood coach Charlie Barbieri, Midwood, Hornets, Danny Kaye ebook download, Shortstop Brandon Eng, Matt Croak, powerhouse Grand Street Campus

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Nike sues Reebok over 'unauthorized' Tebow gear

Now that's unsportsmanlike conduct!

A trademark suit made public today charges Reebok with illegally cashing in on Tebowmania by peddling unauthorized Jets gear bearing the name of the team's new celebrity quarterback.

Nike, which signed Tim Tebow to an exclusive licensing deal in 2010, says Reebok did an end run around around that agreement to capitalize on the "vociferous demand for Tebow Jets products."

Reebok is allegedly "in the process of shipping large volumes of Tebow-identified apparel products" that are expected to hit stores this week.

"The opportunity to sell the first Tebow-identified Jets apparel is a unique and short-lived opportunity," Nike's suit says.

REUTERS

Tim Tebow after his first news conference as a Jet.

"It is unlikely that a consumer who purchases an unauthorized Tebow-identified NFL jersey or t-shirt from Reebok will purchase an authorized Tebow Jersey or t-shirt from Nike the following week."

The Manhattan federal court filing seeks a restraining order against Reebok so Nike can "fully realize the benefits of this unique period of demand."

The suit also demands the recall and destruction of "all unauthorized Tebow product" and unspecified damages for "misappropriation of rights of publicity" and unjust enrichment.

Reebok didn't immediately return a request for comment.

Tim Tebow, Reebok, Tebow Jets, Nike, Jets, Tebow Jersey, trademark suit, apparel products

Nypost.com

miércoles, 28 de marzo de 2012

Google's $150 handheld device could trigger tablet war

Forget $200 for a tablet.

Tech watchers expect Google to roll out an entry-level handheld device this year that could sell for as little as $150.

It’s not lost on Google that Amazon’s $199 Kindle Fire was the only slate to grab a sizeable chunk of the market beyond Apple’s iPad last year.

With Apple winning the high-end tablet wars, Google and Amazon are left to fight over the low end of the market.

When a Google-branded tablet finally launches — likely in the third quarter — it will have to be heavily subsidized to carry a $150 price tag, analysts said.

“It will cost more to build than it will sell for, which means Google will pay a heavy subsidy for its tablet,” said analyst Tony Berkman of ITG Research. “There is no choice but to do that, if Google wants to compete.”

Analysts expect the Google tablet will be made by Asus, the Taiwan-based company that already makes the Android-powered Transformer Prime. The Google tablet would likely carry the Nexus name, which it also uses for it proprietary smartphones.

Yesterday, reports out of China suggested Amazon also was working on next-generation Kindle Fire tablets and will continue to undersell the iPad at $200.

Apple’s iPad starts at $499, and the company sells as many as it can build, giving credence to CEO Tim Cook’s claims that his company has been unaffected by inexpensive rivals.

Still, Apple has a cheaper model of its own, the old iPad 2, which it now sells starting at $399, since the new iPad hit shelves earlier this month.

gsloane@nypost.com

Google, Amazon, Apple, tablet, iPad

Nypost.com

lunes, 26 de marzo de 2012

Saints coach contacts Parcells about filling in: report

NEW ORLEANS -- Suspended New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has approached NFL coaching legend Bill Parcells about taking over the team on an interim basis, ESPN reported Monday.

Payton, who was hit with a one-year ban following the league’s investigation into illegal bounties, reportedly reached out to his former boss and mentor, seeking advice on how to configure his staff for the 2012 season.

Parcells, who turns 71 in August, is expected to meet with Payton this week in Florida, where the league’s owners, coaches and front office personnel have gathered for the annual NFL meetings, according to FOXSports.com.

New Orleans is faced with the challenge of organizing its coaching staff after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell handed down a slew of penalties on Wednesday for the team’s pay-for-performance scheme, whereby defensive players received cash bonuses for injuring opponents.

Besides Payton’s one-year ban, the league suspended Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt for six games, and general manager Mickey Loomis received an eight-game ban.

Payton is reportedly contemplating an appeal of his suspension, which is set to begin April 1.

Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. was seen as the likely candidate to fill in for Payton during the upcoming season, but the team could decide to seek outside help which would allow Carmichael to maintain his focus on the Saints’ potent offense.

It was unclear Monday whether Saints owner Tom Benson, who ultimately has final say on who runs the team, had spoken to Parcells or any other candidate.

Parcells won two Super Bowls as head coach of the Giants from 1983 to 1990. After stints with the Patriots and Jets, Parcells moved on to coach the Cowboys, where Payton served as his assistant from 2003 to 2005.

Parcells last coached in 2006 in Dallas. He served as the Dolphins executive vice president of football operations from 2008 to 2010.

Parcells, who works as an NFL analyst for ESPN, did not return phone calls Monday afternoon, according to the network.

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Bill Parcells, Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints, NFL, NFL, ESPN, Saints assistant head coach, Joe Vitt, Pete Carmichael Jr., coaching staff, Mickey Loomis

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Private schools girls lacrosse preview

Poly Prep’s girls lacrosse team has a bull’s eye on its back and it’s something the team relishing.

The Blue Devils, who lost in the NYSAISAA finals last year to Riverdale, come into this season thinking they are the favorite. With the taste of defeat still fresh in their mouths, they know nothing will be easy, and are looking to fulfill their lofty expectations.

“Everyone is going to be gunning for us,” coach Anni Zukauskas said. “We have that target on our back and I think it will bring the best out of us.”

Zukauskas coaches a Poly Prep team that returns five seniors, three of which are core midfielders, with the other two playing attack. The Blue Devils also return their starting defense. Top to bottom, they have the experience that is critical for the pursuit of a championship.

Denis Gostev

Poly Prep's Jessica Dahldorf wants to lead her team to the NYSAISAA title.

“We have an incredible senior class,” Zukauskas said. “They’re up to the challenge that they face, and it’s critical to have them here.”

Zukauskas notes just how hungry her girls are for the championship, saying that the loss in the finals is still very fresh in their minds, and is a big driving force for the team.

“They’re still feeling that sting of losing last year,” Zukauskas said. “I’m glad they haven’t forgotten.”

One senior who wants to leave Poly Prep with a trophy is Jessica Dahldorf. The Northwestern recruit was named the The Post’s All-City girls lacrosse Player of the Year last season. She had an amazing 80 goals and 16 assists is joined by star midfielders Sam Domurat and Kayla Metelenis, both of whom are major goal scoring threats. Anna Lisa Westfield will be back in goal.

“She’s really accepting the challenge of being the best player in the city,” Zukauskas said.

Zukauskas calls Dahldorf the hardest worker she’s ever coached and stated that despite Dahldorf signing with Northwestern, she’s remained focused on Poly Prep and leading the Blue Devils.

“Our league is only getting better,” Zukauskas said. “By no means is this season going to be easy for us, but we know everyone is after us, and we’re going to give it our all.”

One team gunning for Poly Prep will be Fieldston, which struggled last year and was under .500 . Head coach Sara Gorman believes her team is stronger than last year, and much more seasoned.

“We bring back five seniors,” Gorman said. “They’re great leaders for our team out ther and I’m just trying to push everyone to the next level. “

One of those leaders, senior Annie Smith, will have the task of anchoring Fieldston’s defense. Smith and her fellow defensemen will aid junior goalie Sydney Bryant in keeping opponents off the scoreboard.

“She’s another year older,” Gorman said of Bryant. “She has the skills to get the job done, and she’s going to be great for us.”

On the offensive side, Fieldston’s sophomore Chloe Chasanoff leads the squad after producing numbers last season as a freshman. Gorman believes she will only improve this season after having a year of experience under her belt.

“Overall, we’re a better team across the board,” Gorman said. “I don’t know how far we can go, but we will definitely improve.

Over in the AAIS is Staten Island Academy, which looks to win its league after losing to Chapin by one goal in the championship game last season.

SIA has four seniors returning, all of which are four-year starters. They have Bridget O’Hara and Bethany Claps on defense, Gabby Tricorico as a midfielder and Erin Gibbons as an attacker.

Gibbons, who was named to the The Post’s All-City girls lacrosse first team, scored 55 goals and had 17 assists last year.

“We’re going to go out there and try to win our league,” coach Mike Bowler said. “We have an exciting mixture of youth and experience, so it should be a good season.”

Poly Prep, Blue Devils, Anni Zukauskas, Jessica Dahldorf, Zukauskas, Poly Prep’s girls lacrosse, NYSAISAA, Fieldston, Sara Gorman, Dahldorf

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viernes, 23 de marzo de 2012

New training regimen has lefty on roll

headshotKevin Kernan
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TAMPA — The Yankees will go as far as CC Sabathia carries them. Be sure of that.

So there was a moment of concern yesterday when the big left-hander was hit on the right shin by a hard-hit one-hopper off the bat of minor league infielder Jose Pirela in the first inning on a back field in a minor league game.

The “new’’ athletic Sabathia got himself in trouble on the play.

“Actually, I tried to kick it,’’ a smiling Sabathia said later about the infield hit.

As he talked, Sabathia had a bandage on his right shin, but proclaimed the bruise to be “no problem at all.’’

LEAN AND MEAN: Yankees ace CC Sabathia is a leaner, meaner pitcher this spring, courtesy of a new training regimen that has made him more athletic, but nearly led to an injury yesterday when a batted ball bruised his right shin.

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LEAN AND MEAN: Yankees ace CC Sabathia is a leaner, meaner pitcher this spring, courtesy of a new training regimen that has made him more athletic, but nearly led to an injury yesterday when a batted ball bruised his right shin.

It was no problem for him pitching and fielding. Sabathia did give up a triple past third to the next batter, David Adams, but then mowed down the Double-A Yankees, breezing through six innings, using only 65 pitches, 50 of them strikes. He gave up five hits, including a single to Preston Mattingly, only one walk and one run as he struck out four.

Sabathia was sharp and much more athletic on the mound, one of the reasons he worked hard to get himself in shape over the winter. In fact, two batters after being hit, he went far to his right make a play and throw out Cody Johnson.

“I feel like [the conditioning program is] paying off,’’ Sabathia said. “I just want to keep the momentum going, keep the intensity up. I felt good getting off the mound today, so that’s definitely encouraging.

“I had lost that [athleticism] for a little bit,’’ Sabathia said, referring to his weight gain last season. “Getting back down [in weight] I’m doing the things that I am supposed to do.’’

Over the last two postseasons, Sabathia’s ERA is 6.27. Those are not ace-like numbers.

Sabathia will start Tuesday, follow that with a Sunday start at new Marlins Park, and be ready for the season opener against the Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla. He thinks the Yankees are stronger than last year and is completely in the corner of the team’s new big pitcher, young Michael Pineda.

“I think we can be better than we were last year, and we were really good last year,’’ Sabathia said of the pitching staff, which now includes Andy Pettitte. “I’m excited about the team. It’s pretty much the same core guys coming back. The team chemistry is strong.’’

Sabathia said he has to laugh over comments regarding Pineda’s loss of velocity. How good will Pineda be?

“He’s going to be great,’’ Sabathia said. “Michael is feeling well and is throwing awesome. He’s a big strong kid, we know he’s healthy and we know the velocity will be there. It’s early, it’s March and we don’t really need him to start throwing hard until August.’’

Hopefully, Pineda finds his velocity long before then, but Sabathia’s point was down the stretch is where it’s at.

“[Pineda is] genuinely a good person and sometimes when you are that way, you have the tendency to speak the truth a lot,’’ Sabathia added. “That can be good and bad. He’ll learn. He’s got all the talent in the world and he’s a good person and he works hard. I’m glad they put [his locker] next to me.’’

The chemistry got better, too, with the comeback kid, Pettitte.

“Anytime you can get a guy like that it’s huge,’’ Sabathia said. “We expect him to pitch well and do what he always does. Just having him in the clubhouse is big. I’m excited about hanging out with him.’’

Sabathia loves the Oakland Raiders, and had this to say about the Jets landing Tim Tebow: “It should be exciting. I don’t know what to expect from him or what they expect from him but he’s a good football player and we’ll just wait and see what happens.’’

Did he want his Raiders to go after the QB?

“I didn’t,’’ Sabathia said. “I’m good with [Carson Palmer as] the quarterback. I have to be, we gave up so many picks for him.’’

Sabathia knows quarterbacks and aces must come up big.

kevin.kernan@nypost.com

CC Sabathia, Sabathia, Yankees ace CC Sabathia

Nypost.com

jueves, 22 de marzo de 2012

Richards' rush sparks Rangers

For a quick five seconds last night it seems as if No. 19 in blue was No. 4 in black, doing his best Bobby Orr imitation.

With about five minutes remaining in the first period, Rangers forward Brad Richards took the puck from behind his own net, split the Red Wings defense like the Red Sea, and put one between Ty Conklin’s legs to make it 1-1.

That kept the momentum going in the Rangers’ favor, and it was the only goal they scored until Ryan Callahan’s overtime wrist shot gave them a 2-1 win at Madison Square Garden.

“They took away the delay, so I just tried to take my ice to see what would happen, if someone would come to me,” Richards said of his power-play goal, his 24th of the season. “I got a head of steam and had a lot of ice to play on, so I just decided to keep going.”

In game that was often defined by bouncing pucks and the quick-stick checks of the Red Wings, Richards’ end-to-end score was a rare moment of elegance.

“It just parted for Richie and he took it,” coach John Tortorella said. “Brad’s game — he’s just seeing things better. He’s allowing himself to play. That’s just creativity on his part.”

Richards was acutely aware of the struggles that he went through in the middle part of the season, scoring just three goals in a 27-game stretch from mid-January to mid-March. But he’s now scored six in his past seven games, in addition to five assists to take his season point total to 57, second on the team behind only Marian Gaborik’s 66.

“Through the middle of the season I fought it,” Richards said. “I probably carried it a little too much, and it got to me.”

Richards is turning it on at the right time, and he knows it.

“This time of year comes, it’s exciting,’’ he said. “Obviously, when you get a few you start to feel better about yourself.’’

bcyrgalis@nypost.com

Brad Richards, Richards, Rangers, Red Wings, Bobby Orr, John Tortorella, Ryan Callahan’s, the Red Wings defense

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No longer an underdog, All Hallows adjusting to contender status

All Hallows had never advanced all the way to the CHSAA championship at the highest classification before last year. Now the entire landscape has changed for the Gaels. No longer are they viewed as an also-ran.

“I explained to the kids, there’s a target on us now, especially within our division,” coach Ed Gutierrez said. “They have to be ready to play every single day. I think they’re understanding that.”

Of course, this isn’t the same team that fell to Xaverian in the finals in 2011. There’s one very big absence: James Norwood, who was arguably the top pitcher in New York City last year and also a slugger in the middle of the order. The hard-throwing righthander is at St. Louis now, which means All Hallows will be relying heavily on former No. 2 starter Jayson Reyes.

Christina Santucci

All Hallows shortstop Stephen Alemais returns for the Gaels, who made their first-ever CHSAA finals at the highest classification last year.

“He carried us last year and now he’s not here,” Gutierrez said of Norwood. “Jayson is gonna have to pick up the slack. We’re not as deep pitching wise as we were last year. Norwood covered a lot of ground.”

The good news is that, other than Norwood, the Gaels were young last year – and they’re still young. Stud shortstop Stephen Alemais, who has Division I interest, returns and will also be the team’s closer like he was last season. First baseman Lance Montano will again be in the middle of the order and be expected to help fill the void left by Norwood’s bat.

Then there’s first baseman/third baseman Jonathan Aponte, who transferred from Monroe. Aponte didn’t play last year for the PSAL program, but could help the Gaels. Justin Soto, who came off the bench last year, will see time at first base and second baseman Kevin Almonte is expected to make an impact. Reyes will play second when he’s not pitching.

Joe Morel will start in center field and also be the No. 2 starter, while Phoenix Deschamps returns to left field and will hit at the top of the order.

“It’ll be a grind,” Gutierrez said. “We play in a tough division. Hopefully we’ll be able to hang in there. We’ll have a big bull’s eye on our back.”

The coach figures defense and pitching to be the strength, but the lineup will be deep and versatile. All Hallows could be in the mix for a deep playoff run once again, but Gutierrez says he’s still in the evaluation period.

The Gaels come into the season as one of the favorites in the CHSAA. Their coach, though, will miss the underdog label All Hallows carried into last year’s postseason.

“No one thought we had a shot to contend last year,” he said, “and we wound up going to the championship.”

mraimondi@nypost.com

James Norwood, Norwood, All Hallows, All Hallows, CHSAA, CHSAA, Stephen Alemais, Gaels, coach Ed Gutierrez, Gutierrez, Jonathan Aponte, Phoenix Deschamps

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miércoles, 21 de marzo de 2012

Parents, players want suspended Moore football program restored

Moore Catholic parents and players are caught in a numbers game as they try to get the school’s football program restored.

“This is devastating for these boys,” said Dr. Olen Yarborough, grandmother of junior two-way player Chris Andrews.

The Staten Island Catholic school announced on March 1 that it would be dropping the football team due to low interest and safety issues. According to the school, just 18 players were scheduled to return from last year’s squad which finished 9-0 playing an independent schedule. Some of those players were also academically ineligible.

Joseph E. Amaturo

Moore Catholic suspended its football program because of ack of interest and safety issues.

Money and overall school enrollment was not a part of the decision, but its population has become 65 percent female, limiting the pool of boys to play sports.

“I cannot fault [coach] Greg Rocco or any of the parents involved with football,” Moore principal Doug McManus said. “They were doing an amazing recruiting job. The numbers just felt short.”

The parents have compiled a list of 35 to 37 boys who said they are committed to playing football next season. That does not include any students who are graduating or possible incoming freshmen. The school, parents said, is not interested in their list. The Mavericks played their final game last season with 28 players on their roster.

“Every year we had a fear that the team was going to fade away,” Andrews said. “Coach Rocco kept recruiting. We did everything we could do. ... It just didn’t seem like they want to try anymore.”

Rocco, who spent five seasons as coach -- two as a member of the CHSFL, said he and the school made one final push to increase and gauge numbers. Only 8-to-15 kids were regularly attending offseason workouts, they said, and many of the players who they hoped would join the team were no longer interested in playing. Safety was also an issue, having kids who had never played football before competing at the varsity level.

The uncertainty left Rocco unable to schedule any independent games. He never saw the number the parents are trying to present. McManus said that only five incoming freshmen from a group of 60 who were asked showed any real intentions of playing football.

“I’m disappointed in a lot of things,” Rocco said. “Mostly, I feel bad for the parents and the kids. Honestly, the school tried.”

The parents contest that the players who were academically ineligible could still work their way back on the team and other boys who were interested in playing football were playing other varsity sports and unable to attend workouts. They feel the school didn’t do enough and blindsided them with the news.

“You pulled the foundation from under these boys,” said one parent, speaking under condition of anonymity because of fear of backlash from the school.

The players were still working out for next season season just days before the meeting was called to announce the program’s suspension. Parents expected the news to be the exact opposite with rumors of the end of the team disspelled. They say it left their sons depressed over losing what they consider family, feeling like something is missing from their lives and fearing it will impact their chances of playing in college.

“Why would you do that?” said one parent. “Why would anybody do that? This is a Catholic school? We are not teaching them team work.”

Added McManus: “I’m not sure if we blindsided them. I certainly think we did everything that we could."

Multiple parents said players have already transferred from the school to play football elsewhere and more could follow suit. Rocco is still helping other sports with their offseason workouts and has yet to decide where and in what capacity he will coach next.

“It would make sense for me to get back into the PSAL, but only time will tell,” Rocco said. “Hopefully somebody will want me.

The former McKee/Staten Island Tech head coach went 28-22 during his tenure at Moore, but was involved in an ugly incident during halftime of a Thanksgiving charity game in 2010 at Tottenville against Susan Wagner. He was accused of cursing Tottenville players, who were playing in the PSAL semifinals the next day, collecting their belongings from their locker room. He allegedly shoved Pirates defensive back Niheem Chavis, sparking a locker room brawl after Chavis threw a punch at the coach. Rocco has denied the allegations and was never disciplined by the school.

Moore started the program in 2001, went 9-1 in 2003 and beat St. Joseph by the Sea for the CHSFL Class A title under coach Bill Sullivan. Moore fell in the ‘AA' championship game the next season to Holy Cross, its only loss that year. After the 2008 season, Rocco’s second year, the Mavericks left the CHSFL and enjoyed two undefeated seasons as an independent squad.

Yarborough said she, the parents and players' goal is to find a way to get the program back next season, but the school has turned a deaf ear.

"You are killing their aspirations," Yarborough said.

jstaszewski@nypost.com

Olen Yarborough, Greg Rocco, CHSFL, Moore Catholic parents, football program, Moore principal Doug McManus, Coach Rocco, The Mavericks, Yarborough, Staten Island Catholic school, Rocco, Rocco

Nypost.com

viernes, 16 de marzo de 2012

Senate panel urges trustee to drop MF Global bonus plan

A Senate committee probing the collapse of MF Global Holdings Ltd. sent a letter asking the trustee overseeing the failed financial firm to abandon a plan to pay bonuses to former top executives.

Members of the Senate Agriculture Committee told the trustee, former FBI director Louis Freeh, in the letter that it would be "outrageous" to proceed with a proposal to a bankruptcy judge that could result in payouts of hundreds of thousands of dollars each for MF Global's chief operating officer, finance chief and general counsel. All three were at MF Global when it tumbled into bankruptcy protection and an estimated $1.6 billion went missing from customer accounts.

The letter, written by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), the panel's chairwoman, was signed by all 21 Democrats and Republicans on the committee.

A spokeswoman for Freeh referred to a letter he sent Mar. 12 to another senator in which Freeh said he hadn't made any decisions on the bonuses or their amounts, and hadn't yet filed court papers requesting them. The bankruptcy court and a Justice Department representative monitoring MF Global's case, among others, will have an opportunity to weigh in on any bonus proposal when it is made, and the court would ultimately have to approve it, he added.

The backlash comes after The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Freeh planned to ask the bankruptcy judge in charge of MF Global's case to approve potential bonuses for Bradley I. Abelow, Henri J. Steenkamp and Laurie R. Ferber. They were lieutenants of former Chairman and CEO Jon S. Corzine, the former Goldman Sachs Group chairman and New Jersey governor whose bets on bonds of troubled European countries led to a run on MF Global last fall. He resigned in November right after MF Global sought bankruptcy protection.

Federal prosecutors, regulators and other investigators are still trying to uncover what happened to funds that went missing from MF Global customer accounts.

To read more, go to The Wall Street Journal

MF Global Holdings Ltd., FBI director Louis Freeh, MF Global, Senate Agriculture Committee, bankruptcy protection, Henri J. Steenkamp, Laurie R. Ferber, bankruptcy judge, Debbie Stabenow

Nypost.com

jueves, 15 de marzo de 2012

Citi’s stress mess

Citigroup was one of just four firms to flunk its annual financial checkup, sending the shares down as much as 5 percent in late trading.

MetLife, SunTrust Bank and Ally Financial also failed to get passing grades from the Federal Reserve, which released the results of its bank stress tests after the close of markets yesterday.

The vast majority of the banking industry — 15 out of 19 firms — passed the Fed’s exam, paving the way for them to boost their dividends and buy back shares.

JPMorgan’s clearance from regulators allowed the bank and its outspoken CEO, Jamie Dimon, to repurchase some $12 billion in stock and increase its dividend by a nickel, to 30 cents a share.

The moves, announced during regular trading and before the Fed officially released results, sent the broader market soaring.

Citi said that it would have passed its stress test if not for its request to increase its dividend.

“The Federal Reserve advised Citi that it has no objection to our continuing the existing dividend levels on our preferred stock and our common stock, and we plan to do so,” the bank said in a statement.

Bank holding companies underwent a hypothetical stress test that assumed equity markets plunged by 50 percent, home prices declined 21 percent and unemployment rose to 13 percent from the current 8.3 percent.

Bank officials argued with the Fed for weeks over the severity of the test and the treatment of potential loan losses from mortgages and trading operations under those worst-case scenarios.

“We are deeply disappointed with the Federal Reserve’s announcement,” MetLife said in a statement.

Ally also disagreed with the Fed’s conclusions. The mortgage giant said the Fed overstated its mortgage risks and doesn’t account for “management’s track record or commitment to address the legacy contingent mortgage risks.”

Initially scheduled to be released on Thursday, the results were bumped up two days due to media leaks of the results, sources said.

Some industry observers also speculated that JPMorgan Chase forced the Fed’s hand by issuing its own statement just after 3 p.m. yesterday, sending its stock and those of its rivals soaring.

The banks were informed yesterday that they would be receiving the results early, according to sources.

The sources also believed that the banks needed to wait until after the Fed made its results public before individually releasing their own statements. One source described JPMorgan’s early disclosure as a “miscommunication.”

mark.decambre@nypost.com

the Federal Reserve, SunTrust Bank, Ally Financial, bank stress tests, stress test, Jamie Dimon, preferred stock, JPMorgan Chase, common stock, MetLife

Nypost.com

lunes, 12 de marzo de 2012

Rose holds off Watson to win at Doral

DORAL, Fla. — After Rory McIlroy’s ascent to the No. 1 ranking in the world a week ago, Tiger Woods making big noise again and Phil Mickelson playing for the first time since his back-to-back win at Pebble Beach and runner-up at Riviera, the week began with high anticipation of star power dominating Doral.

But by the time the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral’s Blue Monster ended yesterday, Woods was already on his way home, having withdrawn on the 12th hole with an Achilles injury, and Mickelson was halfway across the country on his private jet, having never been in contention all week.

McIlroy made a spirited Sunday run up the leaderboard, doing his best to validate his No. 1 ranking, but he came up short.

The last man standing was Justin Rose, a polite, quiet and proper Englishman, who shot a final-round 70 to finish at 16-under par, one shot ahead of third-round leader Bubba Watson.

Aside from the drama of Woods’ stunning exit, most of the attention all day was on Watson, who had been the face of the tournament all week with his long-bombing driver and unorthodox style. He took a three-shot lead into yesterday’s final round and stumbled his way around to a disappointing 75.

To his credit, Watson, who shot 39 on the front and was zig-zagging his way around the course, hitting no fairways, rallied late and had a chance to send the tournament to a playoff.

Needing a birdie to tie on the 18th hole, where there only three players had birdied all day, Watson drilled a 4-iron approach shot to 10 feet but slid the birdie putt tantalizing by the left side of the cup to clinch victory for Rose, who had finished moments before.

For Rose, it was his fourth career PGA Tour win and he became the first European player to win this event.

“This moment is incredibly sweet,’’ Rose said. “These moments are few and far between as a golfer. My little boy said to me, ‘Daddy, can you win the trophy this week?’ Ninety nine percent of the time you’re not bringing home the trophy and you have to tell him, ‘No.’ So this is sweet.”

The day was not as sweet for Sergio Garcia, who hit four balls in the water for a 12 on the par-4 third hole and finished with a 76.

He hit his tee shot into the water on the 438-yard hole, with a pond down the entire right side. He dropped into the rough, and tried three times to clear the water, failing with each shot. Garcia finally went over the green with his ninth shot, chipped onto the green to 35 feet and two-putted for a 12.

Rose had played with the explosive Watson for the first three rounds of the tournament, so he knew what he was capable of on the 18th hole.

“The two good shots he hit into 18 had me sweating there,’’ Rose said.

“I hit a great shot in there and that would have been huge for me to have a chance to be able to win,’’ Watson said. “Over the putt, all I thought about was my line and I hit my line and we just didn’t read it right.’’

Tiger Woods, Justin Rose, DORAL, Fla., Sergio Garcia

Nypost.com

sábado, 10 de marzo de 2012

Preston, playing with a heavy heart, wins first-ever 'B' city title

A storybook season reached an all-time high Friday night as Preston clinched its first-ever city championship.

While the Panthers offense wasn’t in top form, their defense stood up in a huge way against Brooklyn/Queens champion Fontbonne Hall and was instrumental in a 38-29 victory in the CHSAA Class B city title game at Sacred Heart HS in Yonkers.

“To me, there’s no words,” junior guard Jasmina Dzurlic said. “We said junior year we were gonna win it and to do it feels amazing. Today’s game was won by defense and [coach John Martin] always preaches defense.”

Courtesy of Preston

Preston celebrates its CHSAA Class B city title.

Preston was led on both sides of the ball by Dzurlic, who played aggressive defense and paced the team by putting up almost a third of its points with a team-leading 12. Dzurlic also had two of Preston’s 11 steals.

“All playoffs I’ve preached about being patient defensively,” Martin said. “We struggled a lot offensively today, but during our struggles, our defense has kept us in the lead the entire time.”

Preston, which remains without star player Megan Triano (torn ACL), continued its memorable playoff run due to having a close-knit group of girls with great chemistry.

“It’s a year round sport for us,” Dzurlic said. “We’ve all played with each other since fifth grade and last game I even said I don’t even have to look, I know where everyone is.”

The team camaraderie stretched out to the court Friday as once again the Panthers spread the points all around the lineup. While Dzurlic led the team in points, Victoria Sorrell put up eight, Victoria McCaffery added six and Melissa Cwikla contributed five.

Preston (25-5) held the Bonnies (17-6) to just 15 first-half points and went into the third quarter with a 22-15 lead. The Panthers never relinquished the lead, but Fontbonne scored eight unanswered points to come within three with 4:46 remaining in the game before Preston went on a 9-3 run to close out the contest and its first city title. Bad offensive decisions got the better of Fontbonne throughout the game.

“We had a few turnovers and a lack of kids looking to shoot,” Bonnies head coach Steve Oliver said. “We needed to be a little more aggressive with the ball. We fought hard and defensively we left it all on the court. I’m proud of my girls.”

For Preston, this is a victory that goes beyond basketball as they dedicated their postseason run and subsequent championship win to Margaret Donnelly, a former player and school guidance counselor who died tragically in a car accident over the holidays.

“Once we started the playoffs, we put these shirts on with her name and number,” Martin said. “We play with her in our heart and whenever it gets tough out there we reflect on Margaret. It’s the first time we won the city championship and it’s in her memory.”

“She was the drive behind us wanting to win the championship,” Dzurlic added. “To be able to win it in front of her family in attendance was a great feeling.”

Preston moves on to play Cardinal O’Hara (Buffalo) Saturday at 3 p.m. at Christ the King for the CHSAA Class B state championship with a trip upstate to play in the New York State Federation Class B tournament on the line.

“We don’t know much about [Cardinal O’Hara], but we’re doing our research,” Martin said. “I don’t like to look too far ahead but I’ll enjoy this win for about a half hour then start to work on tomorrow.”

Jasmina Dzurlic, Fontbonne Hall, Panthers, Panthers, John Martin, CHSAA, Cardinal O’Hara, city championship, Preston, Preston, aggressive defense

Nypost.com

Knicks’ 3-point ace Novak getting notice from opponents

MILWAUKEE — Not only is Jeremy Lin seeing tougher coverages, Knicks forward Steve Novak said he never got more attention than Wednesday in San Antonio against his former club.

Novak, the 3-point ace who got cut by San Antonio in December by mutual agreement, got off just two 3-point attempts and scored four points in the Knicks’ 118-105 loss to the Spurs.

“They stayed on the perimeter the entire time,’’ said Novak, who is third in 3-point field goal percentage at 47.8. “It’s definitely a different look I’ve seen all year.

“It was a different look, and we have to take advantage of when they take one thing away. Be able to punish them another way, in the middle.’’

Novak returns to his hometown tonight where he starred at Marquette, which played its games at Bradley Center. Novak grew up in the Milwaukee suburbs as a big Packers fan.

Rodgers tweeted congratulations to Novak after the Cavaliers game last week. After hitting a big 3-pointer, Novak mimics Rodgers’ commercial in which he pretends he’s locking on a heavyweight belt.

Novak’s grandparents used to live two blocks from Lambeau Field, where he parked cars on their property for $5 a car.

Novak’s parents, including his father Mike, who coached him at Brown Deer High, only will attend the second half of tonight’s game.

The Novaks first will attend his sister’s Maggie’s high-school playoff game.

“It’s how they’ve always done it,’’ Novak said. “At younger ages, they don’t miss anything. I’m glad. They’re good parents.’’

marc.berman@nypost.com

Steve Novak, Knicks, San Antonio, Jeremy Lin online

Nypost.com

jueves, 8 de marzo de 2012

Sweet & sour charity

Charity is in short supply as a thrift-store battle brews.

Savers, a fast-growing thrift chain owned by buyout firm Freeman Spogli, has been bad-mouthing nonprofit giant Goodwill as it mounts a sales pitch to prospective acquirers, sources told The Post.

The 225-store retailer hopes to fetch more than $1 billion as it touts annual revenue north of $900 million that last year generated $130 million in Ebitda, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Those fat profits are coming despite the fact that privately owned Savers’ business model relies on deep ties with charitable organizations.

If that jarring juxtaposition makes some investors squeamish, sources said Savers has sought to soothe their worries by characterizing Goodwill — the 800-pound gorilla in a retail niche that’s dominated by mom-and-pops — as an inefficient bureaucracy staffed by overpaid execs.

Upping the ante, bankers for Savers have likewise characterized their client as a better community citizen.

“They claim they are more philanthropically oriented (than Goodwill),” according to one potential suitor who has heard the sales pitch for Savers.

Representatives for Barclays Capital and Moelis & Co., the banks hired to manage the sale, declined to comment.

Savers spokeswoman Sara Gaugl said the thrift chain “is focused on its own business and does not comment on the operations of other companies.”

Goodwill spokeswoman Lauren Lawson responded in an e-mail that “84 percent of the collective revenue of the sale of donated goods is funneled right back into community programs.”

Meanwhile, Savers has told investors that as much as half of donations to Goodwill end up in landfills, versus just 10 percent at Savers, which shunts much of its unsold clothing to Third World outlets.

“Goodwill diverts more than 2 billion pounds of goods from landfills each year,” Lawson countered in an e-mailed response.

Bellevue, Wash.-based Savers — which aims to double in size over the next five years — is working to convince investors that thrift stores are becoming more mainstream as shoppers become more wallet-conscious.

“The pitch is that consumers are now accustomed to bargains . . . like those they find on eBay,” according to a source.

For its part, some charities say Savers has played a crucial — if somewhat quiet — role as a supporter, paying by the pound for donated clothes, toys, electronics and housewares.

At Big Brothers & Big Sisters in southwestern Connecticut, payments for donated goods by local Savers stores have been “significant enough for us to maintain more case managers,” says Vincent Rodriguez, an operations supervisor at the mentoring program.

While the charity doesn’t actively alert donors that their goods are going to a for-profit retailer, those who ask generally are “happy that funds are being created,” Rodriguez says. “A lot of folks understand that grants are hard to come by these days.”

He adds that all donors get a receipt that comes with a coupon for “$3 off at Savers.”

jkosman@nypost.com

Freeman Spogli, sales pitch, thrift stores, Barclays Capital and Moelis , Savers, Lauren Lawson, Savers.Representatives

Nypost.com

Sports Shorts

NCAA: Sandusky to get secret testimony before trial

Jerry Sandusky will get about 581 pages of secret grand jury testimony before the start of his pending trial on child sexual abuse charges, but not as soon as he had requested, under a judge’s order made public yesterday.

Judge Barry Feudale’s three-page order said “the interests of justice” would be served by providing the records earlier than required under state trial rules.

The trial for the 68-year-old former Penn State assistant football coach is scheduled to begin May 14 with jury selection.

ETC.: Wizards beat Lakers for first time since 2006

Roger Mason led a fourth-quarter comeback, Kobe Bryant lost his shooting touch, and the Wizards rallied from a 21-point, third-quarter deficit to stun the visiting Lakers 106-101.

Bryant scored 30 points , but went 1 for 10 from the field in the fourth quarter. Mason his three 3-pointers in the fourth to finish with 14 points as the Wizards beat the Lakers for the first time since 2006.

Anthony Veteri Sr., a former NFL official who worked four Super Bowls during his 23 years as a head linesman, died in Mount Vernon Monday at the age of 88 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Jose Canseco denied reports he has been barred from the Mexican League because he admitted to taking a banned substance.

The NBA has fined Mavericks guard Jason Kidd $25,000 for criticizing the officiating following Monday’s 95-91 loss to the Thunder.

Lionel Messi became the first player to score five goals in a Champions League game as Barcelona thrashed visiting Bayer Leverkusen 7-1 to ease into the quarterfinals.

Lakers, Kobe Bryant, child sexual abuse, Wizards, grand jury testimony, Penn State, Sandusky

Nypost.com

lunes, 5 de marzo de 2012

Post experts pick the winners

DaSilva

Fountaine

Affrunti

Debbie L.

Vic C.

Consensus

1

Gorgeous Weather

St Merlin

St. Merlin

St. Merlin

Moreforyourmoney

St. Merlin

18

St. Merlin

Book the Crook

Book the Crook

Double Dutch Bus

Double Dutch Bus

Moreforyourmoney

7

Moreforyourmoney

Senor Chill

Double Dutch Bus

Moreforyourmoney

Book the Crook

Book the Crook

7

2

Preciado Entry

Allen's Star

Allen's Star

Allen's Star

Mad Tunes

Allen's Score

20

Military Pike

Settle the Score

Mad Tunes

Mad Tunes

Settle the Socre

Mad Tunes

12

Secondthat Emotion

Mad Tunes

Military Pike

Settle the Score

Secondthat Emotion

Settle the Score

7

3

Red Doctober

Mr Weaver

Mr Weaver

Written Rule

Mr Weaver

Mr Weaver

19

Mr Weaver

Written Rule

Written Rule

I'm On Fire

Red Doctober

Written Rule

11

I'm On Fire

I'm On Fire

Red Doctober

Mr Weaver

Winning Deal

Red Doctober

9

4

She Wears It Well

From Gray to Gold

She Wears It Well

She Wears It Well

She Wears It Well

She Wears It Well

21

From Gray to Gold

She Wants

From Gray to Gold

From Gray to Gold

She Wants

From Gray to Gold

15

She Wants

Mysterious Marissa

She Wants

Popsicle Toes

From Gray to Gold

She Wants

8

5

Granite Run

Uniquely

South Fleet

Chief Thundercloud

South Fleet

South Fleet

14

Uniquely

Scavezzato

Chief Thundercloud

South Fleet

Uniquely

Uniquely

13

Doublethestyle

Chief Thundercloud

Uniquely

Uniquely

Scavezzato

Chief Thundercloud

9

6

Passion Punch

Mi Preciosa

Passion Punch

Mi Preciosa

Allegheny Moon

Mi Preciosa

15

Nuevo Dinero

Forest Machi

Mi Preciosa

Allegheny Moon

Passion Punch

Passion Punch

14

Mi Preciosa

Passion Punch

Allegheny Moon

Forest Machi

Mi Preciosa

Allegheny Moon

9

7

Nafta

Sharp Pick

Pull

Nafta

Nafta

Nafta

18

Sharp Pick

Certifiable

Nafta

Pull

Certifiable

Sharp Pick

10

Classical Chant

Pull

Straight Arrow

Sharp Pick

Sharp Pick

Pull

9

8

Dixie Notion

Wildcat Lake

Wildcat Lake

Wildcat Lake

Cantona

Wildcat Lake

20

Couldbeaghostrider

Cantona

Cantona

Cantona

Wildcat Lake

Cantona

14

Forest Justice

Dixie Notion

Forest Justice

Couldbeaghostrider

Dixie Notion

Dixie Notion

7

9

Union Victory

Union Victory

Select Cat

Tippy Toes

Tippy Toes

Union Victory

16

Select Cat

Mikey Likes It

Union Victory

Select Cat

Select Cat

Select Cat

15

Seaside Magic

Select Cat

Mikey Likes It

Union Victory

Union Victory

Tippy Toes

10

10

Rhyad

Rhyad

Meow Gibson

Rhyad

Johnny Two by Four

Rhyad

15

Palazzo Reale

Maximoso

Johnny Two by Four

Fire King

Palazzo Reale

Johnny Two by Four

9

Meow Gibson

Fire King

Palazzo Reale

Meow Gibson

Devils Lust

Meow Gibson

7

Consensus is based on 5-3-1 point system. Extra point given for BEST BET.

CrookBook, StarAllen

Nypost.com

AIG sells Blackstone stake

American International Group, the insurer majority owned by the US government, sold a $500 million stake in Blackstone Group, according to a person familiar with the matter.

AIG exited the stake in a block trade before US markets opened, said the person, who declined to be identified because he isn’t permitted to speak about the transaction. AIG notified Blackstone in 2010 that it would convert 35.7 million Blackstone partnership units into common shares, which trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

AIG has sold non-US life insurers, a consumer lender, an asset manager and other businesses to help repay a 2008 government rescue that swelled to $182.3 billion.

Christine Anderson, a spokeswoman for Blackstone, declined to comment on the deal, as did an AIG spokesperson.

.

Blackstone Group ebook download, Blackstone, American International Group, block trade

Nypost.com

domingo, 4 de marzo de 2012

Alexei Navalny: The Man Putin Fears Most

Moscow

The outcome is a foregone conclusion. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Russia's paramount ruler since 2000, will reclaim his old job as president in Sunday's elections. The drama comes in the aftermath.

Anticorruption blogger and activist Alexei Navalny will be in the middle of it—as he has been over the past three months of Russia's unexpected political awakening. By the tens of thousands, Russians shed their fear and apathy to protest December's fraud-ridden parliamentary elections and Mr. Putin's hold on power. From a crowded stage of opposition figures, Mr. Navalny has emerged as the charismatic and fresh face of the movement.

The next phase will test him and the opposition. The series of large demonstrations after December exposed the shallowness of support for Mr. Putin in the large cities and public frustration with the political stagnation and lack of accountability in Russia. Yet the rallies forced no notable government concessions. Though weakened, Mr. Putin gets a new term and possibly energy to reverse his slide or to crack down.

Among the opposition, Mr. Navalny has carved out the harder line. He says it's time to "escalate" with regular protests, a permanent encampment in downtown Moscow, and maybe calls for nationwide strikes. "We need a real tent city in the heart of Moscow," he says. The opposition wants political reforms, including the return of direct elections for governors and easing rules on political parties, and elections for a new Duma next year and for president in 2014.

"All our protests were very kind of friendly," Mr. Navalny says. "I'm not going to appeal to violence or aggression—of course not. But the mood of the protests should be more and more political. It's not just about the fun, hipster stuff. It has to be a kind of real political protest. The Kremlin should understand these tens of thousands of people will never leave the streets. We will never consider Putin as a president with legitimacy."

As the authorities here know, protests and the occupation of public spaces were used in Ukraine's Orange Revolution, and last year's uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia to depose authoritarian rulers. Suggesting the depth of official paranoia, Moscow police earlier this week rounded up a few activists in a car who turned up in the city center to pass out free tents, keeping them in jail overnight.

Escalation carries risks for the opposition. Confrontation with police and the Kremlin's Nashi youth shock troops may scare away middle-class Muscovites who pinned white ribbons to their coats and joined in the winter's protests.

Some would prefer to start small to revive Russia's experiment with democracy, running candidates in local elections and building new parties. Some want compromises with the authorities, who might look to co-opt parts of the movement. Not Mr. Navalny, who says any change will be "driven by 1% of the population, the politically active part, which lives in the capital," and sees no other option to force the Kremlin's hand.

Enlarge Image

winterkaminski

Close

winterkaminski

Zina Saunders

To start it off, the anti-Putin coalition wanted to hold a Monday evening rally on Lubyanka, down the street from Red Square. As we talk on Thursday night, an aide enters to tell Mr. Navalny that the city and his opposition colleagues have agreed instead to use Pushkin Square. He makes a sour face and bites his tongue. Mr. Navalny wanted it in the center of town, but to keep everyone happy he won't criticize the decision.

The Kremlin acts as if it fears Mr. Navalny most of all the dissident figures. Websites and television stations friendly to the regime have tried to smear him as a CIA operative or Hitler-like nationalist. His emails were hacked into and published. He is the sole opposition leader still barred from state-controlled television.

"I'm on the very blackest part of the black list," says Mr. Navalny. When television host and Putin family friend Ksenia Sobchak invited him on her popular show on Russian MTV, it was yanked off the air—everyone presumes on government orders. "Sometimes it seems to me that there is a small crazy guy in the Kremlin who works for me," Mr. Navalny jokes. "Relatively few people watch such shows. But because they banned it, there are millions of Russians now who wonder, 'Who is he? Why do they fear him so much?'"

Mr. Navalny, who is 35 years old, leads no party. He oversees a staff of 11 and works from an office of four rooms and barren walls off the Moscow ring road. A couple of young men sit behind laptops and work on his latest civic Internet initiative to register election monitors for Sunday's vote. The Kremlin barred credible challengers and put Mr. Putin up against several stalking horses. Yet election day won't come without suspense. Thousands of people in big cities are going to fan out to prevent and document the fraud everyone expects will be needed to assure Mr. Putin his first-round victory.

Russia last saw this level of civic engagement in the late glasnost years of the Soviet Union. Many of the people behind the current protests have no memory of it. Until recently, opposition politics was the province of marginal activists and Moscow intellectuals beaten down by 12 years of Mr. Putin's "sovereign democracy."

Yet in a matter of weeks, politics went mainstream, even cool. How much so is shown by the presence of Ms. Sobchak, a 30-year-old who runs her own fashion line, at the rallies: The so-called "Paris Hilton of Moscow" is the daughter of the former St. Petersburg mayor, Anatoly Sobchak, who was Mr. Putin's mentor. "It's a very positive sign when all this establishment—the TV people, the writers—who enjoyed life in the Putin years are now escaping it," says Mr. Navalny. "They're deserters."

The Internet virtually created the Navalny phenomenon. Trained as a lawyer, he got into politics through the liberal Yabloko (or Apple) party. He missed out on the politics of the 1990s, a toxic decade of economic chaos. In contrast with older, less popular opposition figures like Boris Nemtsov or Mikhail Kasyanov who served in government, he brings no baggage from that time.

Mr. Navalny dabbled with youth and nationalist groups in the 2000s. Nothing took off. He then found a calling and voice as an anticorruption activist. He bought small stakes in large companies and tried to invoke shareholder rights to open their books. Another effort involves looking into government procurement contracts to find fraud. In Russia, poking into corruption is a serious health risk.

Mr. Navalny publicized his findings on his LiveJournal blog, which has become one of the most popular blogs in Russia. His writing style in posts and tweets is personal, emotional and direct. He can turn a phrase, and stuck the memorable "party of crooks and thieves" label on the ruling United Russia Party. He also brings a common touch, rare among the Moscow liberal crowd, to his public speaking.

Internet entrepreneur Anton Nossik says the Web offered "a platform for samizdat." It freed Mr. Navalny in another sense, providing an easy way to raise money directly and quickly online. Other NGOs have since adopted his funding model.

Three days before the elections, Mr. Navalny fields calls at his office. Wearing blue jeans and a blue shirt, he has an easy charm about him in his confident English. He is saltier in Russian. Mr. Navalny spent a semester at Yale as a "world fellow" in 2010, which Kremlin propagandists say was part of an American "program to initiate an 'orange coup' in Russia."

It would be inaccurate to say that Mr. Navalny leads the movement, which includes many different faces from the worlds of media, art, business and politics. There are also concerns voiced about his "nationalist tendencies." He clashed with opposition leaders to let ultra-nationalist speakers on stage at the rallies. He has called for a visa requirement for people from Central Asia and said that ethnic Russians are mistreated in neighboring ex-Soviet republics.

Yet for now, the nationalism seems to be worn lightly, and if anything is a political asset. "The left liberals thought it was dangerous to talk about such things—that it will bring problems because it will touch the dark side of the Russian soul, and all that sort of stuff, but it's totally bull—," he says. "People in their kitchens discuss such problems. That's why I am supported more widely [than they are] because I discuss these problems."

Others question his tactical judgment. He provoked the police into arresting him after the first large rally in December. In jail for 15 days, he missed an opportunity to submit an application to run for president. He says it was pointless; the Kremlin would have disallowed his candidacy.

The Kremlin faces its own tough choices. Barring an Egypt-style overthrow, any transition from Mr. Putin to someone new may have to include security guarantees for him and his family. Previous leader Boris Yeltsin negotiated such an arrangement with Mr. Putin. But the former KGB colonel could also "escalate," to use Mr. Navalny's word, the confrontation with the opposition.

Against Mr. Navalny's office wall sits a large framed photograph of two men smiling and shaking hands: Libya's late Moammar Gadhafi and Vladimir Putin. It is a gift from a real-estate mogul who relies on the Kremlin for his good fortune but has turned against Mr. Putin. "The guy told me, 'the worst enemy is the former friend,'" says Mr. Navalny.

'Putin did a lot of good stuff from 1999 until 2003," he says, referring to Mr. Putin's early years, when the economy recovered and some reforms were introduced. But it's the high price of oil that has kept the economy going and notably enriched a clique of Putin friends from St. Petersburg. "People don't believe in positive changes anymore. It's 20 years that he wants to keep absolute power. It's obvious now that his system of power is based on corruption, and people around him depend only on money and corruption."

As his popularity has slid, Mr. Putin's rhetoric has hardened. Earlier this week, he said the opposition would fake evidence of electoral fraud to embarrass him—maybe even kill one of their leaders. Mr. Putin also was badly rattled by the Arab uprising, most of all Gadhafi's fall and murder.

Pointing to the dead Libyan leader in the photograph, Mr. Navalny says, "The history of this guy drives [Putin] crazy. He thinks the only way for him to be alive and healthy and rich is to be president. It's a big problem for us. This guy is trapped."

Mr. Kaminski is a member of The Journal's editorial board.

A version of this article appeared Mar. 3, 2012, on page A13 in some U.S. editions of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: The Man Vladimir Putin Fears Most.
Online.wsj.com

sábado, 3 de marzo de 2012

Seoul Pressures China on Defector Repatriation

SEOUL—South Korean leaders urged China to halt its pursuit and repatriation of North Korean defectors, bringing to the forefront a difficult issue that has long lurked in the background of the countries' relationship.

Both President Lee Myung-bak and Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan raised the matter in meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Friday. The issue has become the focus of growing protests in South Korea after the North's new leader Kim Jong Eun reportedly threatened death penalties on returned citizens and their relatives.

Mr. Lee "called for China to actively cooperate in resolving the North Korean defector issue," a presidential spokesman said. The spokesman added Mr. Yang acknowledged South Korea's concern and would convey it to Chinese President Hu Jintao.

The South Korean foreign ministry separately reported that Mr. Yang repeated to Mr. Kim China's oft-stated view that North Koreans who are illegally in China are economic migrants, not political refugees deserving of protections set out in international law.

Mr. Yang also told his Korean counterpart that China dislikes the "politicization and internationalization" of the issue, a stance that Chinese officials have also expressed repeatedly in recent weeks. Earlier this week, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry called on South Koreans to stop discussing the issue.

But protests about China's repatriation practices have grown in South Korea, which is now home to approximately 25,000 North Korean defectors, as reports emerged that the North Korean regime cracked down on activity in the North Korea-China border region since the death of Kim Jong Il in December.

Tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of North Koreans are believed to be in China. Some try to move on to South Korea with help from brokers and activists who must hide them while moving through China to other countries. South Korea's embassy and consulates in China for years have coped with North Koreans trying to enter in mad dashes past Chinese police.

Most of the recent protests have concentrated on the fate of approximately 40 North Koreans believed to be held in Chinese prisons awaiting transport back to the North.

Earlier this week, South Korea's parliament passed a resolution urging China not to return the arrested North Koreans, and a South Korean diplomat raised the issue at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Meanwhile, activist groups and politicians in South Korea and the U.S. have staged protests and other events. A U.S. congressional commission scheduled a hearing on the repatriation issue for Monday.

In Seoul on Friday, Park Sun-young, a member of parliament, collapsed at a protest rally on the 11th day of a hunger strike to call attention to the plight of the North Koreans. She was in serious condition at a hospital Friday night.

—Soo-ah Shin contributed to this article.

Write to Evan Ramstad at evan.ramstad@wsj.com

South Korea, North Korean defectors, China, Kim Jong Eun, the North, Kim Jong Il, Kim China, Lee Myung-bak, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, North Koreans, repatriation, Kim Sung-hwan

Online.wsj.com

Meadowlands Graded Entries

Post Time: 7:00 p.m.

Best Bet: Four Starz Credit (9th)

FIRST: mile trot; $10,500; cond

5 Marian's Man

(YGingras)

1-1-5

4-1

4 Two Shot Lead

(JCampbell)

6-1-6

7-2

7 Windsun Galaxie

(BSears)

2-7-4

5-2

1 Rev It Now

(AMiller)

4-4-4

6-1

2 Doully

(BDobson)

1-10-5

15-1

3 Mystical Con

(TTetrick)

3-3-4

10-1

6 Stir Me Up

(MLancaster)

1-2-4

12-1

8 Halfpipe

(RPierce)

3-4-5

8-1

9 Berkshire

(CCallahan)

5-5-8

12-1

10 A Fortune's Legacy

(DMiller)

8-1-9

20-1

SECOND: mile pace; $14,000; cond

4 Shaky Hanover

(TTetrick)

6-3-9

5-2

6 Winning It

(YGingras)

8-1-1

3-1

8 ShesaBragnDragon

(Smpsn)

4-2-7

8-1

1 Just A Glimpse

(AMiller)

10-x-x 12-1

2 Lr Dancing Dream

(PBerry)

5-4-7

15-1

3 Lookinforagoodtime

(DMller)

8-4-2

15-1

5 Cruzin Angel

(SSmith)

7-6-5

15-1

7 Shayna Baby

(RPierce)

10-1-2

6-1

9 Smoke Pan Mirrors

(BSears)

1-6-8

9-2

10 Odds On Aventure

(DDube)

6-6-6

12-1

THIRD: mile trot; $14,000; cond

4 Bank President

(BSears)

8-5-1

3-1

3 King's Cavalier

(TTetrick)

4-7-3

6-1

8 In Nomine Patri

(RPierce)

2-6-4

9-2

1 JailhouseScorpion

(Callahn)

8-7-7

8-1

2 MamaMadeMeBle

(BSmpsn)

6-2-1

20-1

5 Heidi Falls

(DMiller)

4-3-3

7-2

6 SusquehannaBelle

(EAbbtell)

4-4-3

12-1

7 Macdeen Star

(AMiller)

2-5-6

15-1

9 R Sam

(JCampbell)

5-2-10

15-1

10 Dc's Piggy Bank

(YGingras)

1-4-2

6-1

FOURTH: mile trot; $44,500

Singer Memorial

7 Connie Lauxmont

(BSears)

2-1-1

7-2

5 Man's Treasure

(JCampbell)

1-2-1

3-1

1 Trouble

(AMiller)

1-1-2

2-1

1 BAnddiditmyway

(Johnssn)

3-4-10

2-1

1 ARacintowarddrem

(Tetrck)

3-4-6

2-1

2 A White Russian

(YGingras)

4-3-2

5-1

2 Automatic

(DMiller)

2-5-5

5-1

3 Not Afraid

(RPierce)

2-2-1

6-1

4 Strong Arm

(MForte)

4-6-9

20-1

6 Kingstone

(MKakaley)

5-3-1

10-1

FIFTH: mile pace; $15,000; Rags To Riches

2 Colonel Moffitt

(BSears)

1-1-2

5-2

10 Oscar Oscar

(AMiller)

1-1-1

2-1

4 Blade Runner

(TTetrick)

2-3-8

6-1

1 WainuiTabmanN

(Campbell)

3-4-3

15-1

3 Gold Like U

(DMiller)

2-1-2

5-1

5 Mattador D

(BDobson)

3-2-4

12-1

6 In Kenny's Honor

(RPierce)

5-1-3

10-1

7 Tyree

(YGingras)

5-3-8

20-1

8 Sgt Charlie

(CPage)

4-2-2

15-1

9 Lies Lies Lies

(DDube)

3-3-2

12-1

SIXTH: mile pace; $40,000; Overbid

5 Anndrovette

(TTetrick)

1-1-7

5-2

3 Higher And Higher

(DBier)

2-1-1

4-1

9 Put On A Show

(BSears)

1-1-2

7-2

1 Rock N Soul

(MKakaley)

9-2-5

8-1

1 A Ginger And Fred

(DMiller)

3-4-1

8-1

1 B Rocklamation

(YGingras)

1-3-1

8-1

2 Save My Shark

(DDube)

4-6-3

20-1

4 SymphonyInMotion

(Pierce)

1-3-4

5-1

6 Royal Cee Cee N

(BSimpson)

8-2-2

12-1

7 Chancey Lady

(AMiller)

2-2-2

8-1

8 TeaPartyPrincess

(JCmpbell)

1-1-5

10-1

SEVENTH: mile pace; $14,000; cond

4 Elleofnxample

(RPierce)

8-2-2

4-1

1 Classieriverboat N

(DDube)

3-8-6

12-1

10 WhatsNewPussycat

(Miller)

4-2-3

3-1

2 Heres Matty

(CPage)

9-4-6

20-1

3 Everymileamemory

(Gingrs)

2-7-5

10-1

5 Ronettica

(BSears)

9-8-1

15-1

6 Crown Lady

(JCampbell)

3-4-1

8-1

7 Shabalabadingdong

(Miller)

5-2-1

6-1

8 Bling

(TTetrick)

2-8-7

6-1

9 Run On Luck

(CCallahan)

1-8-2

9-2

EIGHTH: mile pace; $15,000

Rags To Riches

1 Alastair Hanover

(TTetrick)

1-4-6

3-1

4 Kentucky Rebel

(DMiller)

2-1-1

7-2

8 Rockin Glass

(BSears)

1-2-8

4-1

2 Artie Bacardi

(MKakaley)

4-4-7

15-1

3 Jk Kinahurra

(AMiller)

4-5-1

15-1

5 Laguna Beach

(YGingras)

3-1-1

5-1

6 Trophy Hunter

(CPage)

6-4-4

20-1

7 Float Blue Chip

(RPierce)

2-1-4

6-1

9 HurrikaneAnthony

(Bongirn)

4-2-4

12-1

10 Scotian Laddie

(DDube)

5-4-3

15-1

NINTH: mile trot; $14,000; cond

9 Four Starz Credit

(RPierce)

2-8-8

5-2

1 Soapy Sap

(TTetrick)

9-1-7

8-1

5 Tsmlil Orphan Andy

(DMiller)

2-2-1

4-1

2 Winnin Image

(JMarshall)

8-4-3

12-1

3 Up Front Ben

(AMiller)

3-3-3

6-1

4 Marion Matilda

(JCampbell)

10-3-1

15-1

6 Foggy Lane K

(DDube)

3-4-4

10-1

7 Pegasus BlueChip

(YGingras)

1-8-2

12-1

8 Whybabywhy

(BSimpson)

6-2-7

20-1

10 Chaplin Hall

(BSears)

1-2-2

7-2

TENTH: mile pace; $10,500; cond

3 Still Electric

(CCallahan)

1-6-1

3-1

2 Buck Stops Here

(DMiller)

8-2-3

9-2

7 Julias Song N

(RPierce)

3-8-2

10-1

1 Cmybest

(MKakaley)

8-3-5

12-1

4 Southwest

(YGingras)

8-10-4

15-1

5 Odds On Jan

(AMiller)

5-4-5

15-1

6 PayAttentionJack

(BSimpsn)

4-6-9

15-1

8 Sand Pleasure

(BSears)

6-3-1

5-2

9 Orphan Annie

(TTetrick)

2-3-7

6-1

10 Ivana Dance

(DDube)

2-3-6

8-1

ELEVENTH: mile pace; $8,500; claiming

6 Tamayo

(YGingras)

7-8-8

5-2

4 Equinox Seelster

(DMiller)

3-5-4

6-1

2 Payne's Landing

(AMiller)

7-3-7

15-1

1 Logan M

(BSimpson)

8-10-3

20-1

3 Lily's Hi Ho

(HLandy)

5-7-7

15-1

5 Mr Vitti

(TTetrick)

1-3-4

9-2

7 Iron Byron

(CCallahan)

8-2-1

12-1

8 Rathbone N

(RPierce)

6-3-2

10-1

9 Lemon Drop Hall

(BSears)

2-2-6

3-1

10 Trey

(DDube)

3-1-6

8-1

mile pace, mile pace, mile pace, AMiller

Nypost.com

viernes, 2 de marzo de 2012

Sumner to miss mtg.

Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone won’t attend the company’s annual meeting on March 8 in New York.

Redstone, 88, will address investors in a video, Carl Folta, a spokesman, said in a statement yesterday. The absence isn’t health-related, he said.

The chairman, who controls Viacom and CBS through his National Amusements, attended the Academy Awards ceremony on Feb. 26 and on March 28 will be presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“Due to an unavoidable conflict, Mr. Redstone will be addressing shareholders on a video presentation,” according to the statement.

Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone, Carl Folta, National Amusements, Viacom

Nypost.com

jueves, 1 de marzo de 2012

INSIDE PSAL BOYS HOOPS: Crump, Wadleigh set for small screen

Mike Crump will finally have an audience for his infamous rants.

The nutty Wadleigh boys basketball coach and his players will be the subject of a two-part documentary, titled “Nothing but Net” in the spring on MTV2 in tandem with Douglass High School from Oklahoma City, The Post has learned.

Camera crews have been following the team since early January, documenting their everyday life, from the basketball court to the classroom to what they do in their free time. Whereas some coaches might’ve been apprehensive about such an idea, Crump said it has motivated his kids to excel, and the cameras have mostly stayed out of his way.

Denis Gostev

Wadleigh and coach Mike Crump will be the subject of a documentary, entitled "Nothing but Net," on MTV2 in the spring.

“If it something that’s gonna make them go to school and get good grades and come to practice, I’m cool with it,” he said. “It’s good for the program. If you’re on MTV2, how could it not be good?”

As part of the deal, Wadleigh has received sneakers and uniforms from Nike, and Tyson Chandler has come to spend a few days with the team. Kevin Durant, meanwhile, has visited with Douglass.

“They’ve brought a lot to the team,” Crump said.

Producer Jeff Spriet said they chose a New York City team to get basically the exact opposite of the Oklahoma City school, and went with Wadleigh because they not only wanted an untold story, but a team few knew about yet was still successful.

“What’s great about having a team from Oklahoma and New York City – both inner-city schools – is how different Oklahoma City is from Harlem,” said Spriet, the principal of Chokolat, an independent Canadian television production company MTV2 hired to create the show. “Even though both have similar economic situations, you’re gonna see the disparity – not just in the scenery, but also in the style of basketball they play.”

Shortly after shooting began, Spriet realized he had struck gold. Crump hasn’t toned down his act one bit -- "I've given it to them 100 percent raw," he said. After Wednesday’s 77-70 playoff win over Bayside, he made a point of criticizing a few seniors in front of the cameras and offered a few of his odd metaphors.

“He’s a walking sound bite,” Spriet said. “Crump tells it like it is. He’s not gonna mince words. That’s why he’s so perfect for the show. He’s as real as it gets.”

With the end of the season looming, taping could be coming to a close soon. Wadleigh takes on No. 1 Jefferson in the quarterfinals Sunday at 5 p.m. Spriet is crossing his fingers as Wadleigh has never even reached the semis in Crump’s eight seasons.

Former Wadleigh standout Bloodman blowing up at Illinois JUCO: Upon graduating from Wadleigh, Trivante Bloodman had prep school options. Instead, he took the road less traveled – junior college despite qualifying out of high school.

Next >

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Mike Crump, MTV2, Oklahoma City, Jeff Spriet, Douglass High School, Wadleigh online, Oklahoma, coach Mike Crump, Crump, basketball court

Nypost.com