North Alabama Pulls Away from JU Dolphins in Second Half

FLORENCE, Ala. - Jacksonville University men's basketball was outscored by 19 points in the second half, falling 80-62 at North Alabama on Thursday night in CB&S Bank Arena.

JU (11-9, 4-5) did not trail in the first half and led by one at the break, but could not sustain that performance in the last 20 minutes.

The game began with JU scoring 13 of the first 15 points, prompting UNA to call a timeout after Mike Marsh hit a hook shoot to go up by double-figures just 3:22 into the game. From there, the Lions started to find some rhythm on offense, cutting the deficit to three halfway through the first.

JU kept them at bay, with a 6-1 run pushing the lead to 29-21 when Osifo hit a second-chance layup. He made a pair of free throws a few minutes later to keep the lead at eight, but the Dolphins struggled offensively down the stretch in the half, not making a field goal for the last 5:10. Dylan O'Hearn drew a foul and split a pair of free throws with three seconds left to give JU a 33-32 lead at the half.

The second half started well, with Kevion Nolan driving all the way in for a finger roll to push the advantage to three, but UNA quickly tied it. Marsh hit another hook shot, but once again, UNA responded to tie it. After Nolan was called for an offensive foul, the Lions drew another one on the other end and made both free throws to go in front with 17:13, a lead it would not relinquish.

JU kept it to single digits until a fast-break three-pointer made it 52-42 with 12:14 to play, and the lead grew to 16 over the next four minutes while Nolan picked up his fourth foul and went to the bench. The Dolphins tried a rally, with Jarius Cook swishing a corner three and Gyasi Powell burying three-pointers on consecutive possessions to trim the deficit to nine with 6:34 left. UNA called timeout and came out by scoring five quick points to push the lead back to 14 and never looked back.

Jacksonville travels to Central Arkansas to face the Bears in Conway for the first time as conference foes on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.

ECHL: Rangers Recall Icemen Netminder Lindbom to Hartford

(SportsDay) The New York Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack announced that the Rangers have reassigned goaltender Olof Lindbom to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack from the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen.

Lindbom, 22, has appeared in 16 games with the Icemen during his rookie North American professional season. He’s posted a record of 11-5-0 and collected one shutout during his ECHL debut season.

Selected in the second round, 39th overall, of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Lindbom spent the 2021-22 season in his native Sweden playing for Kristianstads IK of the HockeyAllsvenskan. He posted a record of 10-15-0 in 27 appearances.

Lindbom helped lead Sweden to a Bronze medal at the U18 World Junior Championship during the 2017-18 season. He was named the tournament’s best goaltender and to the tournament’s All-Star Team. (File Photo/Nancy Beecher)

#jaxicemen #sportsday #echl #hartfordwolfpack #NYRangers #AHL

Orlando City SC Acquires Argentine Forward Ramiro Enrique as U22 Initiative Signing

ORLANDO (Florida Sports Wire) – Orlando City has acquired 21-year-old forward Ramiro Enrique from Club Atlético Banfield of Argentina’s Primera División.

Enrique will join the Lions on a three-year contract through 2025, with Club options in 2026 and 2027. He will be added to the Lions’ roster as a part of the U22 initiative, pending the receipt of his P-1 Visa, ITC and medical evaluation. 

“We are excited to welcome Ramiro to our Club ahead of the 2023 season, as we look to complete our roster and contend for more championships,” said Orlando City EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi. “Ramiro is a very mobile and fast attacker that can create many opportunities in the attacking third. His versatility at the top of the formation gives us a ton of options to be creative in the attack and we can’t wait to get him integrated into the group.”

“Still early on in his professional career, he had a great season with Banfield and we are excited to be able to progress and elevate his skills here in Orlando. He is able to play a few different positions on the field and creates space both for himself and his teammates making him difficult to defend against. Ramiro is a great acquisition for us and we are excited to have him here.”

A product of Banfield’s academy system, Enrique signed his first professional contract with the club back in July 2019. The Argentine international made his professional debut on Feb. 12, 2021, in a Copa de la Liga match against Racing Club when he came on as a 73rd-minute substitute. 

The Burzaco, Argentina native, has appeared in 73 professional matches, scoring 12 goals and dishing out three assists in just under 4,000 minutes across all competitions. Enrique has experience playing in the Copa Sudamericana, Copa de la Liga, Copa Argentina, Copa de la Liga Playoffs along with playing in Argentina’s Primera División.

FSU Retiring Buster Posey in a Ceremony March 11

TALLAHASSEE (Florida Sports Wire) -- Florida State will retire the jersey of Buster Posey in a ceremony prior to the start of the Seminoles’ game against Pittsburgh on Saturday, March 11 with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m.  

Posey, who was a two-time first team All-America catcher for the Seminoles in 2007 and 2008, won virtually every award in baseball including the Golden Spikes Award, Dick Howser Trophy, Brooks Wallace, Johnny Bench and Player of the Year honors by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball and Rivals.com in his junior season.  

Posey also earned All-America honors as a freshman in 2006 at shortstop for the Seminoles before moving behind the plate. 

Posey’s records from his consensus All-America junior season included leading the nation in six offensive categories including batting average (.463), hits (119), RBI (93), total bases (226), on-base percentage (.566) and slugging percentage (.879). 

His batting average was the highest recorded in a single season in Seminole baseball history. He led FSU to the College World Series in 2008, the Seminoles’ first trip to Omaha since 2000.  

He also led the ACC in eight categories en route to being named 2008 Player of the Year and became just the fourth player in ACC history to capture the triple crown as he led the league in batting average, home runs (26) and RBI.

A seven-time All-Star with the San Francisco Giants, Posey was the 2010 Rookie of the Year, the 2012 National League MVP, a five-time Silver Slugger winner and the 2016 Gold Glove winner. 

The Giants won World Series titles with Posey behind the plate in 2010, 2012, and 2014. Posey retired after the 2021 season, when he hit .304, won his second Comeback Player of the Year award and made his seventh all-star team while leading the Giants to a team-record 107 wins.

Posey’s jersey will be just the fourth retired in the storied history of the Seminole baseball program joining Dick Howser, J.D. Drew and Mike Martin in the honor.

General admission tickets will go on sale for the game Monday on Seminoles.com.

College Basketball: Miami Dominates Florida State, 86-63, in Tallahassee

By Alex Schwartz

MiamiHurricanes.com

 

TALLAHASSEE – The University of Miami men’s basketball team posted a resounding 23-point victory Tuesday night at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, defeating Florida State, 86-63.

 

Third-year sophomore guard Nijel Pack and fourth-year junior guard Isaiah Wong co-led No. 20/19 Miami (16-4, 7-3 ACC) with a game-high 18 points in the largest road win by either side in the history of the storied in-state rivalry.

 

After Florida State (7-14, 5-5 ACC) scored four of the first five points, Miami went on an 18-0 run in just 2:41 to grab a 19-4 edge with 15:38 on the first-half clock. The burst included a trio of 3-pointers by Pack and one by sophomore guard Wooga Poplar.

 

The Hurricanes extended the lead up to 22 points, 39-17, with 8:46 on the clock after an 18-8 burst that included four more 3-pointers. Miami started 8-of-11 (72.7 percent) from beyond the arc, including hitting seven of its first nine attempts, and 15-of-22 (68.2 percent) overall.

 

Miami pushed its advantage as high as 28, 52-24, in the opening session and took a 26-point edge, 54-28, into the locker room. It shot 20-of-33 (60.6 percent) from the floor, including 9-of-14 (63.3 percent) from deep, and had a 19-0 margin in second-chance points through 20 minutes.

 

“Well, I thought we got off to a great start with a lot of energy and a lot of determination at both ends of the court. We defended very well in the first half; we only gave up 28 points, which is really good,” Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga said. “But we also shot the ball extremely well. We shared the ball. [We had] 14 assists and 54 points. When we’re sharing the ball and shooting the ball like that, it gives me a lot of confidence. I’m sure our players felt great about it.”

 

The Hurricanes’ stellar first half proved more than enough, as Florida State never got any closer than 21 after the intermission. Miami, meanwhile, stretched its cushion back up to 28 on multiple occasions on the way to the 112th ACC win of Larrañaga 12-year tenure, good for sole possession of 10th place in league history.

 

Miami ended the night with a staggering 40-23 edge on the glass—it was 22-6 in the first half alone—and led for nearly 38 minutes. The Hurricanes made 29 of their first 47 shots and finished 31-of-55 (56.4 percent). They also hit 11 of their first 19 long-range shots on the way to an 11-of-22 (50.0 percent) mark, while holding the Seminoles to a 3-of-22 (13.6 percent) 3-point ledger at the other end.

 

Pack, who made his first four 3-pointers, shot 6-of-10 from the floor and led all players with a season-high-tying five assists. Wong went 5-of-9 overall, 4-of-7 from deep and 4-of-4 at the line, as well as pulled down a season-best nine rebounds to go along with three assists and zero turnovers.

 

Poplar totaled 14 points, his most ever in ACC play, while fifth-year senior guard Jordan Miller recorded 12 points on a perfect 5-of-5 field-goal clip. Third-year sophomore forward Norchad Omier recorded his 45th collegiate double-double, including his 10th this year, with 12 points and a game-best 11 rebounds, adding a career-high-tying four assists.

 

While Miami had five players with 12-plus points, no Seminole exceeded that number. Redshirt junior guard Caleb Mills paced the team with 12, but the Hurricanes held him to 4-of-12 shooting. Junior center Naheem McLeod logged 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting and sophomore guard Matthew Cleveland posted 10 points.

Golf: Jeff Dailey Award will Go to APGA Tour Player of the Year

Officials with the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour, a non-profit organization with the mission to prepare African Americans and other minority golfers to compete and win at the highest level of professional golf, today announced that the top player at the end of each season will receive the Jeff Dailey APGA Tour Player of the Year award. 

This honor will be given to the APGA Tour Member who earns the most combined points in APGA Tour competition throughout the Lexus Cup season, the Farmers Insurance® Fall Series and two Cisco Invitational events. The award, named after former Farmers Insurance® CEO Jeff Dailey as recognition of his long-time support of the APGA Tour, will include a $25,000 bonus for the winner.

“We launched the APGA Tour in 2010 thanks to a $10,000 contribution that came from Farmers Insurance and through the support of Jeff Dailey,” said APGA Tour CEO Ken Bentley. “The APGA Tour has made incredible progress over the years and Jeff has been a catalyst of our momentum and success. As we look at the future, we want to make sure that his impact on our Tour isn’t forgotten. Having this award in his name is fitting and will serve as a reminder that with the sustained help of dedicated and passionate supporters, change can happen.”

 

The announcement comes just days before the kickoff to the APGA Tour’s 2023 season at the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance® Invitational which includes a collection of the top, young, minority professional golfers in a 36-hole event played opposite the PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open. For the second straight year, Sunday’s play will be broadcast live on Golf Channel.

 

In November of 2022, Farmers committed an additional $25,000 in prize and bonus money for the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance® Fall Series Finale. This additional prize money meant that for the first time in APGA Tour history prize and bonus payouts for players will reach $1 million in a single season. Removing the financial burden and providing opportunities associated with the game are a top priority for both Farmers® and the APGA Tour. The organizations are also focused on ensuring players have access to the tools and support they need, allowing them to better focus on their career paths and development in the game. In 2023, the APGA Tour is again positioned to succeed with as many as 19 events on the schedule at top courses including six TPC properties, Torrey Pines, Valhalla GC, Baltusrol, Concession and many more. In 2022, three players from the APGA Tour earned full-time status on different levels of PGA TOUR sanctioned circuits with Tim O’Neal earning his PGA TOUR Champions card, Willie Mack III earning Korn Ferry Tour status and Kamaiu Johnson playing on PGA TOUR LatinoAmerica.

 

Farmers leaders have taken time to listen to APGA Tour players, APGA Tour leadership and many others throughout the golf industry, and recognized the importance of offering additional support on the collegiate level, resulting in Farmers sponsorship of the Black College Golf Coaches Association (BCGCA) and their HBCU events.  As part of the organization’s efforts to help grow golf and increase access, Farmers has also expanded its relationship with the APGA Tour and the APGA Foundation to help provide assistance for players at all stages of their journey.

 

Tampa Bay Honors Eric Bledsoe as Lightning Community Hero

TAMPA BAY (Florida Sports Wire) – The Tampa Bay Lightning honored Eric Bledsoe as the Lightning Community Hero this evening during the first period of tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild. Bledsoe, who received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program, presented by Jabil, will donate the money to The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. 

  

Currently, Bledsoe serves as the Director of the Gateway Contact Center, which fields calls from throughout the community struggling mentally. He initially started with the Crisis Center two years ago as a Veteran Care Coordinator, assisting veteran peers on the Florida Veterans Support Line. Bledsoe has repeatedly put others over himself in his roles, even camping out at the Gateway Contact Center through Hurricane Ian to ensure that the team felt supported as they were inundated with calls from anxious community members. He continues to work diligently to ensure his team has the support and resources they need in order to support those who are struggling throughout our community.  

  

The grant tonight will be used to support the mission of The Crisis Center. Specifically, this funding will allow The Crisis Center to provide staff training in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and enhanced Psychological First Aid (PFA), which is required to take 988 calls in their Gateway Contact Center. The funding will enable The Crisis Center to fund 10 employees to become ASIST Trainers, which in turn will result in training to 100 Crisis Center employees over two years.  

  

Bledsoe became the 526th Lightning Community Hero since Jeff and Penny Vinik introduced the Lightning Community Hero program in 2011-12 with a $10 million, five-season commitment to the Tampa Bay community. Through tonight’s game, in total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $28.67 million to more than 700 unique nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2021, the Viniks announced that the community hero program will give away another $10 million over the next five seasons.         

Bowl Season: Gator Bowl Extends Taxslayer Sponsorship Through 2027

JACKSONVILLE (Florida Sports Wire)  — Gator Bowl Sports Board of Trustees and TaxSlayer, as the title sponsor of the Gator Bowl game since 2012, announced today a sponsorship extension which will last through 2027.  

The new term makes TaxSlayer the longest tenured entitlement sponsor in Gator Bowl Sports history.

“We express our gratitude to the TaxSlayer family for extending their sponsorship of our historical post-season bowl game,” said Greg McGarity, Gator Bowl Sports President & CEO.  “As we enter our second decade of this sponsorship, we are blessed to work alongside such an incredible partner as TaxSlayer.”

In 2023, the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl will enter into the second half of its current agreement with the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference to host a team from each conference in the annual game and will be broadcast on ESPN.

The 78^th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, held on Dec. 30, 2022, showcased a dynamic match-up between Notre Dame and South Carolina and boasted impressive results.  This year’s TaxSlayer Gator Bowl was the fifth-highest attended Bowl game of the season, coming in behind the CFP National Championship, Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl and Fiesta Bowl. The game also received impressive television viewership, making it the most-watched non-NY6 (New Year’s Six) bowl game of the year.  

TaxSlayer’s title sponsorship of the Gator Bowl began in 2012 and was the company’s first entry into the college sports sponsorship space. The partnership extension places TaxSlayer as the eighth longest running title sponsor across college football bowl games.

Like the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, TaxSlayer embodies a rich history and a commitment to excellence. For over 50 years, the Augusta-based fintech company has given America's taxpayers the tools that they need to file their taxes online and get the refunds they deserve, all at an exceptional value.

“The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl is an exciting opportunity for us to engage with college football fans across the country,” said TaxSlayer CEO Jamie Saxe. “We’re honored to connect our name with this prestigious event and to reach such a significant milestone in Gator Bowl Sports history.”

The 79^th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl date and time will be announced in May 2023. For further information on TaxSlayer or the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, visit www.taxslayergatorbowl.com.  

Orlando Pride Acquires Brazilian National Team Forward Adriana

ORLANDO (Florida Sports Wire) — The Orlando Pride has acquired Adriana Leal da Silva, more commonly known as Adriana, via transfer from Brazilian side Corinthians, it was announced today. Adriana joins the Pride on a three-year contract, pending receipt of a P-1 visa and ITC, with Allocation Money used in both the signing and transfer.

“Adriana is an exciting, dynamic and entertaining player with an eye for the goal. She possesses great technical ability and an incredible work rate, and we’re extremely happy to have her as part of the Pride,” Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said. “She’s a player that thrives in one-on-one situations and one that will bring new attacking power to our front line. Adriana is already a winner for club and country but still has an ambition to take her career to the next level, and we’re happy to have her do so here in Orlando.”

"I am very happy to have signed with Orlando Pride, a special club. I am happy and excited to arrive there quickly and be able to do my best on the field to help Orlando win titles,” Adriana said. “It’s a big challenge ahead and we athletes are motivated by challenges. I’m ready to face all of them with all our strength as a team and fight tooth-and-nail. I hope it’s a very successful season for myself and for Orlando. Again, I am very happy to be part of this great club."

Nicknamed “the Wizard”, Adriana has spent the previous five seasons with Brazilian side Corinthians, with her 2019 season shortened due to injury. Over her career in São Paulo, Adriana made 143 appearances, with 120 of them starts, scoring 72 goals, the second-highest in Corinthians history. 

The forward led “Meu Timão” to a decorated history, with 10 total titles and a 116-9-18 record in games in which she appeared. Through her time, Adriana and Corinthians won the Brazilian Championship in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022; Copa Libertadores in 2021; the Paulista Championship in 2019, 2020 and 2021; as well as both the Brazilian Super Cup and Paulista Cup in 2022. 

In 2018, after scoring 26 goals in 37 games and leading her side to the Brazilian Championship, the União, Brazil, native was named “Prêmio Craque do Brasileirão” - Player of the Year - by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Adriana was named to the CBF’s Team of the Year in both 2021 and 2022, the first two years the award was given in women’s football. 

Prior to joining Corinthians, Adriana spent 2013-15 with Tiradentes and 2016-17 with Rio Preto. 

Adriana made her debut for the Brazilian national team in 2017, scoring her first goal five days after her senior team debut, in a win over China. The forward was named to Brazil’s roster for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but was ultimately replaced on the roster due to injury. 

In 2021, Adriana was part of Brazil’s squad for the SheBelieves Cup hosted at Exploria Stadium, scoring a goal on Feb. 18 in a 4-1 win over Argentina (watch). Over her national team career, Adriana has scored 12 goals for the Seleção, including back-to-back braces against Argentina and Uruguay at the 2022 Copa América Femenina. With five goals in the tournament, Adriana tied countrywoman Debinha for second-highest goalscorer of the tournament, with her country ultimately lifting the trophy. 

NFL Notes: Bucs, Dolphins Announce Coaching Changes

By Mike Bonts

After an exit from the first round of the NFL playoffs, the Bucs and Dolphins today announced coaching changes.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced that the team has parted ways with Offensive Coordinator Byron Leftwich, Specialists Coach Chris Boniol, Wide Receivers Coach Kevin Garver, Offensive Quality Control Coach Jeff Kastl, Assistant Defensive Line Coach Lori Locust and Running Backs Coach Todd McNair. In addition, Quarterbacks Coach Clyde Christensen, Senior Offensive Assistant Rick Christophel and Outside Linebackers Coach Bob Sanders have decided to retire.

“We appreciate the hard work and contributions that all of these coaches made to our successes over the past four seasons,” said Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles. “As a collective group, we did not meet the high standards that had been set for this past year and my focus now is on doing what is needed to ensure a successful 2023 season. These were very difficult decisions but something that I felt was necessary for our football team going forward.”

Miami announced that they have parted ways with defensive coordinator Josh Boyer.

“I am grateful for Josh’s contributions this year and throughout his tenure with the Dolphins,” Head Coach Mike McDaniel said. “The defense made strides through the season, so coming to this decision was not easy, but ultimately I feel it is in the best long-term interests of the Miami Dolphins and the continued growth of our players and team.”

Safeties coach Steve Gregory, outside linebackers coach Ty McKenzie and assistant linebackers coach Steve Ferentz were also relieved of their duties.

Florida Panthers Announce Event Schedule in Conjunction with 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Game in South Florida

SUNRISE, Fla. - The Florida Panthers in partnership with Visit Lauderdale announced today additional events that will take place in South Florida surrounding the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend.

 

On Sunday, Jan. 29, the Florida Panthers will host the ‘Florida Panthers FTL Beach Sweep’ to clean up the Ft. Lauderdale shores ahead of the Honda NHL All-Star Weekend and promote environmental awareness for the coastal community. Fans and community members are welcome to join this volunteer effort that will begin at 9 a.m. 

Click here to sign up and receive more information.

 

The City of Sunrise will be the home of the City of Sunrise & Florida Panthers Hockey Festival on Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 5:30-8 p.m. at Flamingo Park. This free community festival will feature live music, food trucks, street hockey clinics, appearances, photo opportunities including one with the Stanley Cup®, interactive games, enter-to-win chances and more. 

Fans who are interested in partaking in an on-site street hockey clinic for children up to age 14 can click here to sign up. This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP here for reminders and additional information. No parking will be available on site at Flamingo Park so all attendees should park at FLA Live Arena as free transportation will be provided between the park and arena.

 

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the Panthers IceDen will host the Coral Springs Hockey Festival and Alumni Game. Food trucks, appearances, games and more will begin at 5 p.m. outside of Panthers IceDen all leading up to an 8 p.m. match-up between Florida Panthers Alumni and NHL Alumni. All ticket proceeds from the event will benefit the Florida Panthers Foundation. Tickets will be limited to witness the Alumni Game and all proceeds will benefit the Florida Panthers Foundation. Stay tuned for information on how to purchase. 

 

The Coral Springs festival is free and open to the public, click here to RSVP and learn more. The Panthers IceDen will also host three on-ice clinics (Learn to Skate, Public Skate and Girls Try Hockey for Free) on Feb. 1. Those interested in registering for any clinic can visit PanthersIceDen.com.

 

Fans can participate in a culturally relevant wellness experience at ‘Saturday Sweat’ presented by Social Xchange and the Florida Panthers on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Holiday Park, near the site of the in-development Ft. Lauderdale War Memorial. These fitness classes are open to the public and encourage healthy lifestyles for all ages. Classes will include HIIT Bootcamp, Soca Step Class, Neo Soul Yoga, Kids Cardio & Yoga and feature top fitness instructors, live DJ Spinning music such as R&B, Soca, and Afrobeat, small business and minority-owned fitness and wellness vendors and more. Those interested in participating can register here.

 

On Sunday, Feb. 5, a special event to benefit the Florida Panthers Foundation will take place. ‘Meet the Mascots Breakfast’ is a limited-availability breakfast with mascots from around the NHL including Stanley C. Panther and more. Stay tuned for more information.

 

All the above events are scheduled to occur rain or shine. Please stay tuned to @FlaPanthers on social media for any schedule changes or day-of updates or visit FloridaPanthers.com/AllStar for most up to date information.

 

Limited tickets may be released for the 2023 Honda NHL® All-Star Weekend, click here to be informed when available. Fans can stay tuned to FloridaPanthers.com for more information on upcoming events throughout South Florida leading up to and during the 2023 Honda NHL® All-Star Weekend.