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In brief
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 27, 2003
CLEVELAND -- LeBron James continues to surpass expectations.
The 18-year-old high school senior, an almost-certain No.1 pick in this summer's NBA draft, scored 27 to lead the East to a 122-107 victory over the West in the 26th annual McDonald's All-American basketball game Wednesday night.
James added seven rebounds and seven assists. He received a standing ovation as he received the MVP trophy from former UCLA coach John Wooden.
Many of the record crowd of 18,728 came from James' hometown of Akron, about 40 miles away. James led St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School to three state championships in his four seasons.
GIRLS GAME: Future Purdue teammates Katie Gearlds and Erin Lawless led the West over the East 92-72. Gearlds was named the MVP after scoring 17. She added three rebounds and four assists. Lawless had 16 points, six rebounds and three assists.
The Tour de France is considering tighter security for this summer's race after four-time defending champion Lance Armstrong expressed concerns about his team's safety because of the U.S.-led war with Iraq. Officials have not yet made additional security plans for the July 5-27 event. "If we do take extra precautions, we will not decide this until one or two months before the race," spokesman Philippe Sudres said.
Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles met with Fayetteville police chief Rick Hoyt last year to discuss Broyles' concern about racial profiling of black athletes, Broyles said this week. Broyles disclosed the meeting after two more Razorback players were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana. Broyles declined to say what the two discussed, other than that he was satisfied that the police were doing their jobs well. Seven black players have been arrested or cited in the past 10 months.
FLORIDA STATE: Linebacker Michael Boulware will miss the rest of spring practice after deciding to have his shoulder scoped. He sustained the injury last summer. Boulware said he decided to wait to have the surgery until coaches made a decision about his position change to safety. Also, fullback Torrance Washington was carted off the field with a left knee injury.
An American University player had surgery for a broken leg after a flagrant foul by D.C. United forward Hristo Stoitchkov. Freshman midfielder Freddy Angel Llerena-Aspiazu was injured Tuesday during a scrimmage on the Washington campus. A 4-inch plate was inserted in his right leg, and team officials said he could be training in 6-8 weeks. MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis said the league is investigating.
WUSA CHAMPIONSHIP: The third title game will be played in San Diego on Aug.24, the first time it's been held on the West Coast.
EXHIBITION: The U.S. team will play Wales for the first time May 26 at San Jose, Calif. It is part of the American preparations for the FIFA Confederations Cup in June.
ARENA FOOTBALL: The Storm signed fullback/linebacker Andre Bowden, the second-leading rusher in league history with 1,194 yards. Bowden, whose 1,104 rushing yards, 73 rushing touchdowns and 31.5 sacks in five seasons with Tampa Bay are team records, spent last season with the Carolina Cobras. To make room, the team placed defensive specialist John Williams on the injured list.
HORSE JUMPING: Laura Kraut qualified for next month's World Cup when she won the Winter Equestrian Festival Challenge Cup in Tampa. Kraut rode May to a fault-free round in 36.87 seconds.
OLYMPICS: Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell has no interest in running the U.S. Committee. The former Olympian said he already is campaigning to represent Colorado for a third term in the Senate, adding it would be unseemly for him to seek the USOC job after pressuring former CEO Lloyd Ward to resign.