McDonald’s seeks nominations for awards
AUBURN, Maine — Organizers of the Maine McDonald’s High School Senior All-Star Basketball Games are looking for nominations for two awards — the Maine McDonald’s Spirit of the Game Award and the Maine McDonald’s & Maine Red Claws Team of the Year Award.
Nomination forms can be completed electronically at http://vote.mainemcdonaldsbasketball.org/.
The Maine McDonald’s and Maine Red Claws Team of the Year Award honors two Maine high
school varsity basketball teams — one boys and one girls — that have made an exceptional impact on Maine High School Basketball and in the lives of others.
The Maine McDonald’s Spirit of the Game Award honors two high school seniors – one from the East division, one from the West — who embody the spirit of the sport, exemplify sportsmanship, support and inspire their teammates and coaching staff, and show an ability to overcome obstacles and boundaries.
Coaches, parents, principals, community organizations, athletic directors and sports fans are
encouraged to submit a nomination form for either or both awards. Nomination forms can be completed electronically at http://vote.mainemcdonaldsbasketball.org/. To request a nomination form, call Kevin Mitchell at (207) 755-9470, ext .105. The deadline to receive nominations is midnight Feb. 20.
Royals, Dyson settle on one-year deal
The Kansas City Royals avoided arbitration with outfielder Jarrod Dyson, reaching agreement Tuesday on a one-year, $1,225,000 contract.
Additional incentives include $25,000 for 350 plate appearances and $50,000 for making the All-Star game.
The 30-year-old Dyson, projected as the Royals’ fourth outfielder in 2015, is getting a healthy pay boost from $530,000 last season. He requested $1.6 million in arbitration for this season and the Royals offered $900,000.
In 290 plate appearances last year for the American League champions, Dyson batted .269 with one home run, 24 RBIs and 36 stolen bases.
Wisconsin governor unveils plan to help finance arena
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker unveiled a plan Tuesday that would help fund a new arena for the Milwaukee Bucks. Nearly $220 million of the projected $500 needed for the downtown Milwaukee facility would be funded by projected growth in income taxes from NBA players.
The Bucks’ new owners have pledged about $150 million toward the costs of the new arena. Former Bucks owner Herb Kohl has promised $100 million of his own money toward the project.
The Bucks have been playing in the BMO Harris Bradley Center, which was built in 1998.
Younger Mariota plans to be a Duck
Marcus Mariota led the Oregon Ducks to the national championship game this season before declaring for the NFL Draft. His younger brother has decided to follow in his Heisman Trophy winning brother’s footsteps.
Matthew Mariota told a Hawaiian radio station that he will head to Eugene next year to hopefully carry on the Mariota legacy.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound defensive end is not as highly recruited as his brother and most likely will be a preferred walk-on at Oregon.
Matthew Mariota played at St. Louis High School in Honolulu and was an All-State defensive end in his senior season.
Sharper’s court appearance set
Former All-Pro safety Darren Sharper, who is facing charged that he drugged and raped two women, is scheduled to appear in a California court on Feb. 17.
Sharper has been in custody in Los Angeles County since last February. He is being held without bond.
The 39-year-old Sharper also faces extradition to Louisiana where he faces additional charges of drugging and raping two women in New Orleans.
According to the Times-Picayune, a U.S. District Court judge last month ordered Los Angeles officials to hand over Sharper to federal officials in time for a Feb. 23 arraignment.
Sharper is expected to remain in California until his preliminary hearing on Feb. 17. He then will be handed over to federal officials and extradited to Louisiana.
He also faces charges of rape in Arizona.
If he is found guilty in New Orleans, Sharper could get a life sentence in prison, the harshest penalty he faces in any of the three states, the Times-Picayune reported.