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
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.
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
Brady leaving Patriots, says ‘football journey’ is elsewhere
By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer
Tom Brady says he’s leaving the New England Patriots. Brady posted on social media “my football journey will take place elsewhere.” The comments by the 42-year-old quarterback were the first to indicate he would leave the franchise he’s led to six Super Bowl titles, and the only pro team he has ever known. Comments from owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick made clear Brady’s remarkable stint in New England is over. The one-year contract the four-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player and three-time league MVP signed before last season expires Wednesday afternoon.
AP source: Saints, Brees agree on 2-year, $50 million deal
By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Saints and record-setting quarterback Drew Brees have agreed on a two-year, $50 million contract. A person familiar with the situation spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Tuesday because the deal has not been announced. Brees has said repeatedly that he is taking career decision one year at a time. His new contract gives the 41-year-old, 19-year veteran the leverage to decide after this season whether he wants to continue playing. Brees is the NFL’s all-time leader in completions with 6,867, yards passing with 77,416, and touchdowns with 547.
Panthers: Newton can seek trade; QB says didn’t request it
By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Panthers are moving on from Cam Newton. The team says it has given Newton permission to seek a trade. The quarterback responded on responded saying he never requested one. Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said via Twitter that the team is working with Newton and his agent to find the best fit for him moving forward. Hurney added that Newton “will always be a Carolina Panther in our hearts.” Newton responded on Twitter by telling the Panthers to “stop the word play” and that the team is trying to manipulate the narrative and act like he wanted a trade.
Steelers place LB Shazier on reserve/retired list
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed the inside linebacker Ryan Shazier on the reserved/retired list. But the team says the move doesn’t rule out the possibility of Shazier playing again. Shazier spent the last two seasons on the Physically Unable to Perform list while recovering from a spinal injury suffered in December 2017. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert called the move “a matter of protocol” that would ensure Shazier remains involved with the team. Shazier has made remarkable progress since the injury and has continued working out in hopes of one day being cleared to play again.
NASCAR suspends season until May but will reschedule events
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR has suspended its season until early May. The sanctioning body said Monday night it will not resume racing until Martinsville Speedway on May 9. NASCAR will postpone seven races as it obeys government guidelines to avoid large public gatherings. NASCAR says it still intends to run a full 36-race season. There have been four events so far.
April NFL draft on schedule, no public events in Las Vegas
By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL will proceed with its draft but without public events next month in Las Vegas. It’s not yet clear, however, if the draft itself will be held in the city. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday the draft will take place April 23-25 as scheduled but under a modified format still being developed. The draft will be televised regardless of its venue or format.
MLB delays opening day to mid-May at earliest due to virus
By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has pushed back opening day until mid-May at the earliest because of the coronavirus. The move came Monday after the federal government recommended restricting events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement following a conference call with executives of the 30 teams. MLB says it is committed to playing as many games as possible when the season begins. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Sunday that gatherings of 50 people or more be canceled or postponed across the country for the next eight weeks.
