Sports Roundup: Pistons Lose Again

Pistons

The Detroit Pistons lost to the Charlotte Bobcats for the second straight night, this time 116-98.  Brandon Jennings led Detroit with 20 points, Rodney Stuckey had 15 and Will Bynum and Josh Smith each contributed 14.  The Pistons earned four technical fouls, including Brandon Jennings deciding he had enough in the waning minutes and getting hit with two quick T's arguing with the officials to earn an early shower.  The loss puts the Pistons two and a half games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Detroit returns home to host the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow.

NBA Trade Deadline

The NBA trade deadline is today. Teams have until 3 p.m. Eastern to make a move for the stretch run.  The Pistons have reportedly contacted the Cavs about the availability of forward Luol Deng, who would be a free agent next season.

Olympics

The U.S. is atop the medal count with 23.  Russia and the Netherlands have 22. Norway is next with 21 medals, 10 of them Gold, while Canada has 18 medals.

The U.S. skaters had a solid showing in the Women’s Figure Skating short program.  Ashley Wagner received a downgrade on a triple jump that was under-rotated and wound up slightly lower than she (and the commentators) expected her to be prior to her skate. The Team USA girls are in 4th (Gracie Gold), 6th (Wagner) and 7th (Polina Edmunds).

It’s ladies free skating at 10 this morning.

In women’s hockey….Switzerland leads Sweden 1-0…the US plays Canada at Noon.

In Men’s hockey…Sweden will next play Finland on Friday. The Finns eliminated host Russia with a 3-1 win. The United States will next face Canada.

Former Detroit resident Lauryn Williams came up just a bit short of making history at the Olympics, as the Track and Field star was trying to become just the second person to win gold medals in both the Winter and Summer Games.  Williams won a silver medal to in the woman's two-person bobsled.

College Basketball

In Mid American Conference..Western Michigan beat Ohio University, 73-63. David Brown poured in a game-high 23 points to lead the Broncos.  Central Michigan beat Ball State 101-95 in Triple OT. Braylon Rayson finished with a career-high 30 points.  Michigan State plays at Purdue tonight ….6pm on 95.3 WBCK-FM.   Michigan hosts the Spartans on Sunday.  The Boston College Eagles have handed top-ranked Syracuse its first loss of the season.

Boys Basketball
Battle Creek Central 71, Holt 48 Mafiaion Joyner led the Bearcats scoring with 15-points. Mohammed Albagami  had 13-points.   Game photos by Art Frith will be up later this morning at wbckfm.com.

Harper Creek 72, Coldwater 49 James Cadena with 16 points. Khylen Watkins and Travon Johnson had 14 points apiece

Quincy 53, Athens 33

Maple Valley 59, Galesburg-Augusta 54  Sam Benedict had 18.
Concord 60, Union City 54

Girls Basketball
Gull Lake 48, Lakeview 25 Mackenzie Latt scored 13 to lead Gull Lake to a 17-1 record.
Harper Creek 45, Coldwater 27 Nicole Gilbert with 16 points and four assists.
Pennfield 51, Kalamazoo Hackett 27 Shelby Miller with 14 points

Calhoun Christian 49, Holt Lutheran 23. Claire Tribbett had 16 points and four steals in the win for Calhoun Christian.

Galesburg-Augusta 45, Maple Valley 21 Kati Thompson with 12 points.

Red Wings

The members of the Detroit Red Wings who are not playing in the Olympic Games returned to practice yesterday afternoon at Joe Louis Arena. Johan Franzen, who has been dealing with post-concussion symptoms, and Stephen Weiss, who had sports hernia surgery in December, were both back on the ice. Weiss could return to the lineup for Detroit's first game after the Olympic break next Wednesday in Montreal, but Franzen is still not sure when he will be back. The Wings will continue drills today.

Tigers

The Tigers will play their annual exhibition game against Florida Southern next Tuesday, and then begin Grapefruit League play against the Braves next Wednesday.

Teen with Down’s Syndrome gets signed to NBA Team

Kevin Grow is a superstar. The 18-year-old, who has Down syndrome, has been the team manager for the Bensalem High School boys’ basketball team for the past four years, but now he has the spotlight all to himself. Earlier this year, head coach John Mullin decided to let Kevin play in his last two games and man did he come through. In the final game, Kevin played for the last two minutes and scored 14 points, including three, three-pointers; one that beat the buzzer. “It’s terrific,” said Kevin. “I hit a buzzer beater and it was a party time in the locker room.” Well, Kevin’s teammates weren’t the only ones to think his performance was magical.  Not only did the video go viral, but earlier this week the Philadelphia 76ers signed him to a two-day contract.  As a symbolic member of the NBA team, Kevin got a custom jersey and his own locker.  And on Tuesday, Kevin participated in pre-game festivities at the Wells Fargo Center, taking part in the high-five tunnel and standing with the team during the National Anthem. He even received a standing ovation from the crowd.