Category: Sports

Harlem Globetrotters great Curly Neal dies at 77

Harlem Globetrotters great Curly Neal dies at 77
By JOHN MARSHALL AP Basketball Writer
Fred “Curly” Neal, the dribbling wizard who entertained millions with the Harlem Globetrotters for parts of three decades, has died. He was 77. The Globetrotters say Neal died in his home outside of Houston, but did not provide any other details. Neal played for the Globetrotters from 1963 to 1985, appearing in more than 6,000 games in 97 countries for the exhibition team known for its combination of comedy and athleticism. He became one of five Globetrotters to have his jersey retired when his No. 22 was lifted to the rafters during a ceremony at Madison Square Garden in 2008.

Indianapolis 500 postponed until August because of COVID-19

Indianapolis 500 postponed until August because of COVID-19
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
The Indianapolis 500 scheduled for May 24 has been postponed until August because of the coronavirus pandemic and won’t run on Memorial Day weekend for the first time since 1946. The race will instead be held Aug. 23. IndyCar initially said it would resume racing May 9 on the road course at Indianapolis. That race will now be run on July 4, a day before NASCAR races at The Brickyard.

Injured Penguins F Guentzel on schedule for possible return

Injured Penguins F Guentzel on schedule for possible return
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins All-Star forward Jake Guentzel’s recovery from shoulder surgery is on schedule, opening the door for him to play at some point this season should the NHL return to play. General manager Jim Rutherford says Guentzel has not endured any setbacks since undergoing surgery on Dec. 31. Guentzel injured the shoulder when he awkwardly slammed into the end boards shortly after scoring his 20th goal of the season against Ottawa on Dec. 30. The 25-year-old had been selected to the All-Star team for the first time just hours before the injury.

Goodell orders all NFL team facilities closed for 2 weeks

Goodell orders all NFL team facilities closed for 2 weeks
By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has instructed the 32 teams to close their facilities to all but a select few employees by 6 p.m. Wednesday. In a memo to the teams, Goodell said the restrictions meant as a safeguard against the new coronavirus will be in force until at least April 8. Then the league will re-evaluate, using advice from medical experts and health authorities. The few exceptions include trainers and doctors treating players, security and technology personnel.

Washington State safety Bryce Beekman found dead

Police: Washington State safety Bryce Beekman found dead
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — Washington State senior defensive back Bryce Beekman has died. Police in Pullman, Washington, say the 22-year-old Beekman was found dead in his apartment Tuesday afternoon. Police Chief Gary Jenkins says there is no sign of foul play. Jenkins says more information will be released by the Whitman County coroner’s office. Beekman started all 13 games last season for Washington State after transferring from Arizona Western College. He was expected to be part of an experienced Washington State secondary going into this season.

Bucco Rewind Games Announced!!!

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced the remainder of the Bucco Rewind Series of Games.  You can listen to the games on 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, and 99.3 FM. It all gets under way with Game 7 of the 1960 World Series Thursday March 26, 2020 at 1 pm. The entire schedule and dates are below:

Thursday, 3/26 – 1PM  – 1960 World Series Game 7 

 Monday, 3/30 – 8PM –  1990 NLCS Game 5

 Thursday, 4/2 – 1PM – Wildcard 10/1/13

 Wednesday, 4/8– 8PM – 1991 NLCS Game 1

 Monday, 4/13 – 8PM – 1991 NLCS Game 4

 Wednesday, 4/15 – 8PM – 1979 World Series Game 2

 Monday, 4/20 – 8PM – 1979 World Series Game 5

 Wednesday, 4/22 – 8PM – 1979 World Series Game 6

 Monday, 4/27 – 8PM – 1979 World Series Game 7

Wednesday, April 29 –  8PM – TBD

Beaver County Radio Announces Bucco Re-wind, Game 7 of the 1960 World Series March 2\6, 2020 at 1 pm.

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Beaver County Radio along with the Pittsburgh Pirates Radio Network announce Bucco rewind. Bucco rewind will be a replay of games of the past that are important in Pittsburgh Pirates history.

The first game is this Thursday afternoon, March 26, 2020, at 1pm. We go back in time to 1960 and Game 7 of the World Series. The Bucs took on the Yankees. One of the most magical days in baseball history as Pirate Bill Mazeroski hit a walk off home run in extra innings to make the Pirates the 1960 Major League Baseball Champions.

The second game will be Monday, March 30, 2020 at 8pm and the Pirates have not released the full schedule and games that will be broadcast at this point.

Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio for when the full schedule is revealed.

Barefoot Hamlin wins virtual Homestead as NASCAR races again

Barefoot Hamlin wins virtual Homestead as NASCAR races again
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR provided live action to its fans with a virtual race at Homestead-Miami Speedway that was televised nationally. NASCAR got 35 of its drivers to participate in the event, which was won by three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin. He raced barefoot on a simulator in the living room of his North Carolina home. NASCAR has suspended racing until at least May 9 so series executives and iRacing put together the inaugural eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series. The first event was at Homestead, where NASCAR was supposed to be racing Sunday before COVID-19 brought sports to a halt.

Steelers reach agreements with TE Ebron, OG Wisniewski

Steelers reach agreements with TE Ebron, OG Wisniewski
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms with veteran tight end Eric Ebron, giving quarterback Ben Roethlisberger another proven red zone target. Ebron reached the Pro Bowl in 2018 while catching 13 touchdowns but was limited most of last season while battling an ankle injury. Pittsburgh hopes Ebron’s arrival can provide a welcome jolt to an offense that struggled in 2019 with Roethlisberger sidelined most of the year with a right elbow injury. The Steelers also agreed to terms with guard Stefen Wisniewski, a Pittsburgh native.

Missing the PIAA State Play-offs? Beaver County Radio is replaying some of the classic High School Play-off games of all-time

Chuck Wilson in the WBVP basketball broadcast booth. Photo Courtesy of Bobbie Wilson-Tkacik

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Are you board and bummed out that the PIAA State Basketball Play-offs were cut short? Well we’ve got the perfect thing to bring your spirits back up as we wake up the High School play-off spirits of the past. 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 FM, and beavercountyradio.com are jumping back in time to some of the classic Boys and Girls play-off games in Beaver County Radio History.  It all gets underway this Friday with the 1949 PIAA State Championship Game featuring Aliquippa vs. York. Beaver County Radio legend Chuck Wilson had the call of this classic that saw Aliquppa bring home the first ever state championship in any sport to Beaver County. The pregame gets underway at 7:00 pm Friday night March 19, 2020 on 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 FM and on beavercountyradio.com.

The action will continue over the next three weeks as we bring you more classic match-ups. You can view the schedule below:

  • Tuesday March 24, 2020 from 1974 the PIAA State Basketball Championship featuring Midland vs. Exetor. This classic game featured Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame Coach Ed Olkowski and his Leopards as they became the first school in Beaver County to win back to back state titles.
  • Friday March 27, 2020 from 2006 the Hopewell Girls brought home the gold against Allentown Central Catholic in the PIAA State Final
  • Tuesday March 31, 2020 from 2005 in what is probably one of if not the classical WPIAL Championships games of all-time, Beaver Falls took on Aliquippa. In this game Lance Jeter game up big for the Tigers hit buzzer beaters to continue through 3 overtimes before he sank a basket as time expired in the third over time to send the Tigers home with WPIAL gold.
  • Friday April 3, 2020 from 1996 Blackhawk vs. Franklin in the West Final in the PIAA State Play-offs Archie Miller came up big with time running out in the second over time to send the Cougars to the state final.
  • Tuesday April 6, 2020 from 2000 Blackhawk Girls beat West Mifflin in the WPIAL Girls Basketball Championship. The game went into 3 over times before the Lady Cougars could finally bring home the gold. The game featured West Mifflin’s Tanisha Wright who scored 51 points for West Mifflin. Wright went on to play in the WNBA.

The pre-game gets underway at 7:00 pm for each game. you can listen to the games on 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 FM, and beavercountyradio.com