Category: Saturday Sports Slam

CCBC players of the Game Thursday January 30, 2020

Central Valley: Christiane Frye

Blackhawk: Jolie Strati

Versatile race-car driver John Andretti dies at 56

Versatile race-car driver John Andretti dies at 56
By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer
Former race-car driver John Andretti has died at the age of 56 after battling colon cancer. His death was announced by the IndyCar team Andretti Autosport owned by his cousin, Michael. Andretti was a member of one of the world’s most famous racing families. Mario and Michael Andretti have been longtime fan favorites in the IndyCar Series and beyond. Mario Andretti is John’s uncle. John Andretti carved out his own niche by becoming the first driver to attempt running the Indianapolis 500 and Charlotte’s 600-mile NASCAR race on the same day.

Gibbs brings Stewart and Labonte into NASCAR Hall of Fame

Gibbs brings Stewart and Labonte into NASCAR Hall of Fame
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
Joe Gibbs will be inducted into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame Friday night alongside Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart. Both drivers won championships driving for Gibbs, who is already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after winning three Super Bowls as a coach. The induction trio caps a historic year for Gibbs. A year ago, his eldest son died and his team went 1-2-3 in the Daytona 500 a month later. Gibbs drivers won a record 19 races and the the Cup Series championship. Now he celebrates at the Hall of Fame.

PHOTOS: CCBC Sweeps Men’s/Women’s Doubleheader Against Butler CC

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Two teams, two different records, two different reasons to achieve their goal, and one goal to achieve.

And that’s just the home teams.

In this case it was the men’s and women’s Titan basketball squads representing the Community College of Beaver County, and both teams achieved that goal–a win–last night in their matchups against Butler County Community College. The ladies started the night by rallying for a 49-39 victory that improves their record to 8-9 on the year, and breaking their two-game losing streak.

In game two, Yazid Powell powered the the men’s offense by scoring 75 of CCBC’s 100 first-half points. Powell then added 6 more in the second half to reach 81, letting that total stand in honor of the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant (who reached that career high back in January 2006 against Toronto). The men cruised to a 147-61 victory–their 17th straight–and now hold an overall record of 18-1.

Photos from last night’s contests, courtesy of Bob Barrickman, can be seen below:

Diamondbacks acquire OF Starling Marte from Pirates

Diamondbacks acquire OF Starling Marte from Pirates
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
Starling Marte is heading to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Pittsburgh Pirates sent the two-time Gold Glove outfielder and 2016 All-Star to the Diamondbacks for prospects Liover Peguero and Brennan Malone. The Diamondbacks received cash considerations as part of the deal Monday while Pittsburgh obtained $250,000 in international signing money. The 31-year-old Marte is coming off a stellar 2019 in which he hit .295 and set career-highs with 23 home runs and 81 RBIs. He has two years left on a contract extension he signed on the eve of the 2014 season.

The Latest: 9 dead in helicopter crash that killed Bryant

The Latest: 9 dead in helicopter crash that killed Bryant
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the death of retired NBA superstar Kobe Bryant (all times local):
3:45 p.m.
Authorities say nine people died in the helicopter crash that killed former NBA star Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva provided the updated death toll at a news conference Sunday.
Initial reports indicated that Bryant was among five people killed in the crash.
At the news conference, authorities also described the fiery wreckage and scene that was difficult to access after the crash at 10 a.m.
___
1:45 p.m.
A source familiar with the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant says the former NBA star’s 13-year-old daughter was among those onboard who were killed.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the crash had not been released publicly. The crash happened around 10 a.m. Sunday about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
Five people were killed in the crash, which remains under investigation.
— Tim Reynolds
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12:35 p.m.
The Grammy Awards pre-telecast ceremony opened with a moment of silence for Kobe Bryant.
Interim Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. opened the ceremony where dozens of Grammys are handed out before the main show, telling attendees, “As most of you may know, we lost Kobe Bryant in a tragic helicopter accident today.”
“Since we are in his house, I would ask you to join me in a moment of silence,” Mason said.
Artists arriving at the show reacted to Bryant’s death and his influence.
Blues artist and Grammys nominee Keb’ Mo’ called Bryant’s death “a huge loss.”
“He’s just a huge role model,” Keb’ Mo’ said.
British artist Labrinth said: “It was insane news to hear this morning. He’s been part of my life for a very long time. … I couldn’t believe it.”
___
12 p.m.
Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash Sunday. He was 41. A person familiar with the situation tells the AP that Bryant died in a crash near Calabasas, California.
It was unclear if other family members were on the helicopter.
Bryant was an 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant retired in 2016 as the third-leading scorer in NBA history and held that spot until LeBron James overtook him Saturday night.
— Tim Reynolds

Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash

Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash
Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash Sunday. He was 41. Bryant died in a crash near Calabasas, California, a source told The Associated Press. It was unclear if other family members were on the helicopter.

Larry Bruno Foundation Announces 2020 Class, Expansion Plans

60 years since Joe Namath and Larry Bruno guided Beaver Falls to WPIAL gold. 50 years since Frank Chan led the Tigers to PIAA gold on the hardwood. 10 years since the Larry Bruno Foundation began celebrating the history of the coach and the town he called home.

2020 has presented a lot of reasons to have a celebration.

Those plans were explained and discussed as Foundation director Ron Main joined Greg Benedetti & Matt Drzik in the St. Barnabas Studio on the January 25 edition of the Saturday Sports Slam. Main announced the 2020 class live on air:

  • Dwight Collins
  • Lou Cynkar
  • Mike DeChellis
  • Elizabeth Asche “Betty” Douglas
  • Cheryl Main
  • Rich McMillen
  • The Granati Brothers

Main made clear that the inductees were a mix of both athletics and arts, which both have had major impacts on the history of the city, county, and culture–the latter word being indicated and used several times in presenting the understanding behind what bases the Larry Bruno Foundation.

The induction ceremony will be on July 25, site and time to be determined.

Also brought up during the interview was Main’s announcement of the Bruno Foundation’s expansion to its new building on 7th Avenue in Beaver Falls, which will include a retail store, museum and conference center, and learning center. The plan, according to Main, is to expand the learning of the culture of leadership and tradition that Coach Bruno had on his players and students, and to pass that on to future generations.

To listen to the full interview, click on the player below!