Bryant headlines finalists for HOF

Kobe Bryant was one of eight finalists announced Feb. 14 as candidates for enshrinement into the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, a decision that came as absolutely no surprise in his first year of eligibility.

Joining Bryant as first-time finalists for the Hall: 15-time All-Star Tim Duncan, fellow 15time All-Star Kevin Garnett and 10-time WNBA All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings.

The other finalists have all been to this point previously: Baylor women’s coach Kim Mulkey, former Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich, five-time Division II women’s coach of the year Barbara Stevens of Bentley, and four-time national men’s college coach of the year Eddie Sutton.

This year’s enshrinement class will be announced on April 4 at the final four.

The induction ceremony in Springfield, Mass. is Aug. 29.

U.S. WINS RISING STARS GAME » Miles Bridges scored 20 points and took MVP honors, Eric Paschall added 23 more and the U.S. beat the World, 151-131, in the Rising Stars Challenge in Chicago.

Zion Williamson scored 14 points, and the Cavaliers Collin Sexton had 21 points.

RJ Barrett of New York led the World with 27 points, and Washington’s Brandon Clarke scored 22.

Hockey

MONSTERS LOSE AT ROCKFORD » Host Rockford scored two goals in the final two minutes of regulation to defeat the Monsters, 4-2, on Feb. 14.

Turner Elson’s goal at 18:37 of the third broke a 2-2 tie, and Joe Veleno’s empty-netter with 10 seconds remaining clinched the victory.

Kole Sherwood’s goal gave Cleveland (23-24-22) a 1-0 lead in the first period.

Calvin Thurkauf scored early in the third to tie the game at 2.

ICE BREAKERS DROP ROAD GAME » The visiting Ice Breakers lost at Port Huron, 7-2, on Feb. 14.

Mentor (14-22-0-0-3) led, 2-1, in the first period on goals by Stepan Jirovec and Steven Fowler but the home team answered with five second-period goals and cruised to the victory.

Austin Fetterly’s three goals led Port Huron.