THE HOT CORNER

1

PRO CYCLING: Belgian rider Dries De Bondt won a four-man sprint to take the last flat stage of a Giro d’italia that appears likely to be decided on the last day Sunday. Richard Carapaz, the 2019 champion and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist, maintained a three-second lead in the overall standings over Australia’s Jai Hindley, who was runner-up in 2020. Mikel Landa stayed third overall, 1:05 behind Carapaz.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Reggie 2

Warford, who was Kentucky’s second Black men’s basketball player and first Black basketball player to graduate, has died. He was 67. In 1972, Warford was coach Joe B. Hall’s first signee after the former assistant succeeded the legendary Adolph Rupp. He went on to become the Wildcats’ first Black four-year player and graduated in 1976.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Alonzo

3

Highsmith is back with the Miami Hurricanes, with the university announcing Thursday that the former player and NFL executive is its new general manager of football operations. Highsmith has spent nearly 30 years in NFL front offices, the majority of that time with the Green Bay Packers’ player personnel department.

COLLEGE BASEBALL: Dylan

4

Ray struck out the only batter he faced to close out 11th-seeded Alabama’s 4-3 win over thirdseeded Arkansas on Wednesday night in the second round of the SEC Tournament. Alabama, which beat Arkansas in the final two games of the regular season, next faces the winner of Thursday’s late Florida-texas A&M game.

COLLEGE BASEBALL: Freshman 5

Tommy White hit three home runs as N.C. State beat sixth-ranked Miami 9-6 Wednesday night to advance to the semifinals of the ACC Tournament. The No. 10-seeded Wolfpack (35-20) play No. 11 seed Pittsburgh on Saturday for a berth in Sunday’s championship game.