Gary Shelton
Zags zig into hearts of underdog lovers
ATLANTA -- you have to hand it to those Gonzaga Bulldogs. Darned if those guys don't even lose loveably.
Devil Rays/baseball
Control meltdown keeps White puzzled
In 13 fourth-inning pitches, he walks one, hits three and throws two wild ones.
Yeah, yeah, he pitched very well, but how about that hard single?!
KISSIMMEE -- Jason Standridge made the most of his first start of the spring. And that doesn't even include his strong three-inning performance on the mound Friday in a 10-2 loss to Houston.
Area camps round-up
Daal enjoys "best spring"
Around the American League
Rangers, Royals moving spring home to Arizona
Around the National League
Morris tells Reds he's retiring
College basketball
Pitino not impressed after workouts
Louisville coach Rick Pitino likes the work ethic of his new players. But after his second day on the job, he's not satisfied with their talent.
NIT files suit vs. the NCAA
The National Invitation Tournament, which returns to Madison Square Garden next week, might soon find itself extinct, according to a report in New York's Daily News.
Stanford's twin towers find strength in numbers
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Tonight could be the final game together for the Collins twins, who give Stanford one of the nation's best inside games, when the top-seeded Cardinal meets No. 3 seed Maryland for the region championship and a trip to the Final Four.
Loss disappointing, but Kentucky is happy with season
PHILADELPHIA -- Kentucky coach Tubby Smith was disappointed in his team's play Thursday night, but not in his team's season.
Paterno enjoying Penn St. success
ATLANTA -- Just like the rest of Happy Valley, Joe Paterno was swept up in hoops fever Friday.
Duke on its guard against underdog
Southern Cal is on a hot streak with a trip to the Final Four on the line.
Trepagnier earns respect
PHILADELPHIA -- Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski may have been guilty of exaggeration Friday afternoon, but he genuinely admires USC senior guard Jeff Trepagnier.
Big 12 has all 4 regions covered
The Big 12 has been clamoring for attention ever since it was formed in 1996. Now the league has its best chance to get noticed -- and to put a team in the Final Four for the first time.
Ole Miss still dealing with racial issues
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Neither the University of Mississippi nor the state itself has enjoyed the most progressive reputation when it comes to America's civil rights struggle. A bit of scrutiny was placed back on the school in the past week when athletic administrators decided to have the pep band stop playing Dixie.
Coaches wonder what Vols' Green did to deserve firing
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Temple coach John Chaney had some harsh words for the University of Tennessee at the NCAA South Region, sharply criticizing the school Thursday for buying out the contract of Jerry Green.
Lightning/NHL
Neckar brings new sounds to Lightning
Defenseman obtained in Khabibulin deal plays drums and solid defense. But . . .
NHL briefs
Devils shut out Canucks, win 13th straight
Golf
No. 17 again causes fits for world's best players
The hole shapes the 2nd round of the Players Championship. Winless Jerry Kelly takes the lead.
Kelly prepared for nerve attack
PONTE VEDRA BEACH -- No one has made the Players Championship his first career victory on the PGA Tour. Jerry Kelly will try to change that this weekend at the TPC-Sawgrass Stadium Course.
Hurst gets comfy at Nabisco Championship
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -- A lot has changed in Pat Hurst's life since she first played what was then the Nabisco Dinah Shore as a 17-year-old amateur in 1987. She has gotten married, had a baby and found success on the LPGA Tour.
Motorsports
Driver rankings
Times staff writer Kevin Kelly rates the top drivers in the world based on performance from the CART, Formula One, IRL, NASCAR and NHRA circuits:
NASCAR is bucking sports ratings trend
It seems even in death, Dale Earnhardt is influencing the growth of his sport.
Outdoors
Captain's corner
The speckled trout fishery is a staple for Tampa Bay anglers. In good weather or bad, rain or shine, trout provide consistent action. They aren't as finicky as other species, and they are excellent to eat.
Et cetera
Area ABC affiliate shuts outworld event
Want to watch Michelle Kwan try to defend her world title tonight? Set your VCR.
Sports brief
Venus hears all cheers in victory
Preps
All-star basketball game
WHO: Pinellas County vs. Hillsborough County
First-time starter mystifies Panthers
Flint Whitelaw is perfect through five innings as he leads Citrus to a 4-1 victory.
Chamberlain routs Gaither
TAMPA -- Chamberlain and Gaither used the final game of pool play to do something they haven't done all season.
Gators leave little doubt in crushing Bears 10-0
Land O'Lakes scores all of its runs in the first three innings on its way to an easy victory.
Sharks win, but Hawks advance to semis
TAMPA -- Armwood coach Joey Fernandez passed Durant assistant Rick Tosca in the parking lot following the Hawks' 3-2 loss to Riverview on Friday.
Bears' depth overcomes miscues
Central's boys, Ridgewood's girls claim titles at Hudson Invitational.
Gryphons surprise by reaching semis
TAMPA -- The semifinals are set, and at least one of the participants, Sickles, is a major surprise.
Lakewood feels effects of new rules
On March 13, the Times ran a story about the new rules regarding bats.
Top pitchers dominate Spring Fling
BRANDON -- Stacey Bronson of Bloomingdale and Beth DiPietro of Riverview, two of the top guns in the county, pitched shutouts in opening-round games of the Spring Fling Tournament on Friday at J.C. Handly Field in Brandon.
Around the county
The Admiral Farragut celebrity invitational will be May 12 at Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club. Wrestler Randy "Macho Man" Savage will serve as the master of ceremonies. Celebrity players scheduled to appear include Warren Sapp, Warrick Dunn, Mike Alstott, Martin Gramatica, Mark Royals, Otto Graham and Phil Esposito. All proceeds will go to the school. For information, call Randy Harris at (727) 409-3762.
