The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
No-look shot helps Serena win at Australian Open
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA >> Serena Williams needed a bit of everything, including one on-the-run, back-tothe-net, no-look, over-theshoulder shot, to get past a challenge at the Australian Open from a player who’s 20 years younger than she is.
A year after a surprising loss in the third round at Melbourne Park, Williams managed to get past that stage by beating Russian teen Anastasia
Potapova 7-6 (5), 6-2.
Potapova served for the opening set at 5-3. But the 2016 Wimbledon junior champion double-faulted five times in that game, including twice on set point.
Williams — who has won seven of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles in Australia — then trailed 5-3 in the tiebreaker. But she took the next four points, the last on a 21-stroke exchange that ended with Potapova putting a forehand into the net.
Potapova, 19 and ranked 101st, edged ahead by breaking to begin the second set, but the 39-year-old Williams broke right back with the help of that remarkable get on a lob. She smiled at herself, assuming the point was over — and then laughed upon realizing she won the point, because Potapova responded by missing an overhead into the net.
Garbiñe Muguruza continues to breeze through the draw, defeating Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan 6-1, 6-1 to reach the fourth round for the sixth time.
Muguruza saved all five break points she faced in the match, including while serving for the match at 6-1, 5-1, when she hit a backhand passing shot winner to end a 29-shot rally.
Gonzaga’s Mark Few isn’t being asked the usual question of where his team should be seeded for next month’s NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs remain unbeaten and have been the top-ranked team all season, making them a virtual shoo-in for a top seed.
Instead, he is being asked if it makes any sense for Gonzaga to compete in its conference tournament given ongoing pandemic concerns.
“I think everybody is kind of waiting to see what’s going to be the best thing for the league moving forward,” Few said. “So, we’ll just see how it goes.”
With a little more than four weeks remaining until Selection Sunday, all 30 conferences playing this season are planning to hold tournaments to determine their automatic bids to the 68-team field. The deadline is Feb. 26 for leagues to notify the selection committee if they plan to shift the bid to their regular-season champion.
Coaches appear split on holding conference tournaments. A recent CBS Sports survey of 41 coaches found 27% were opposed.
Few would love to get
his team two more games in a tournament setting and help raise the West Coast Conference’s profile a couple more notches, but not at the expense of his team missing March Madness due to COVID-19. The NCAA has mandated that teams must have seven straight days of negative tests prior to arriving in Indiana. Players must have an additional two negative PCR tests before starting practice.
“There are some really stringent and strict protocols
that we are going to really hit here to get ourselves ready,” Few said. “We kind of discovered with our own little COVID-19 experience with all our guys, seven, nine days is kind of that window that if you’re around somebody that is exposed and you can make it past that, you should be good. That’s going to be really tight with the conference tournament.”
Gonzaga’s only advantage if it has a positive test
is that the WCC final would take place March 9 while most conferences have their finals either March 13 or 14.
Two of the Power Five conferences have moved their tournaments to limit travel. The Big Ten moved its tournament from Chicago to Indianapolis earlier this week. The Atlantic Coast earlier decided to play its games in Greensboro, North Carolina, instead of Washington.
The SEC (Nashville) and Big 12 (Kansas City) are remaining in their current locations. Baylor coach Scott Drew said the Big 12 has told coaches their setup would be like a bubble similar to the NCAA Tournament.
The Pac-12 and West Coast — along with the Mountain West, Western Athletic and Big West — are playing in Las Vegas, with all five conferences discussing the best practices. The Big West had been held in Anaheim, California, since 2001 but moved to Vegas this year to set up a bubble.
Even though most conferences aren’t expected to have fans at their games, they would lose more money via television contracts if a tournament had to be scrapped. For some, that would be a second straight season of conference tournament disruptions since the pandemic’s onset came in the midst of championship week last year.
Instead of tournaments, some coaches would like to see teams make up postponed games, but it is nearly impossible to make up everything at this point. For example, No. 2 Baylor has had six Big 12 games postponed, including both against West Virginia.
With the unbalanced schedules, the tournaments might also be the only equitable way to ensure all teams in a conference get a shot at making the big dance.
“Given what these kids have already dealt with all season long, do you really want to take that opportunity away? The answer to that is probably not,” Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. “Fortunately, there are people a lot smarter than me that are going to make those decisions. Like usual, I’ll just do what I’m told.”
Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski is in favor of the ACC tournament for two reasons — it is one of the oldest in the country and the automatic bid might be the Blue Devils’ only shot to make the field.
“The ACC tournament is such an important thing. I would want that more than making up a game during that time because of how important that is for our conference than a singular game,” he said.
Louisville coach Chris Mack believes some teams will opt out of their conference postseason if they have an NCAA berth secured.
However, Kentucky coach John Calipari said teams opting out this year could have negative effects down the road.
BEAUMONT>>GIRLS BASKETBALL SENIOR>>FORWARD
On the court: In a win over Andrews Osborne, had 21 points, including 14 in the second half, 17 rebounds, five blocked shots and two steals. Had nine points and 10rebounds in a loss to Walsh Jesuit.
Off the court: Chester Township resident will play basketball at Wheeling University. Favorite sports memories including winning against Cleveland Central Catholic last year to clinch the NCL White Division title and defeating St. Vincent-St. Mary in double overtime earlier this season. Enjoys hanging out with friends and shopping in her free time. Favorite subject is math. Favorite food is Japanese hibachi, and her favorite teams are the Browns and Cavaliers.
Jonah Waag MENTOR>>BOYS BASKETBALL SENIOR>>GUARD
On the court: In a win over Brunswick, had 26points, eight rebounds, one assist and one steal. In a win over Medina, had 20points, nine rebounds, one assist and two steals. In a win over South, had 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists and five steals. In a win over Lakewood, had 29points, 11rebounds, six steals and three assists.
Off the court: “Big Jone” is undecided on a college, but if he doesn’t play basketball, he plans to go into the military. “I love my family more than anything. I have grown up playing sports and I truly enjoy them. When I’m not playing sports I am looking at clothes and shoes. My favorite memories are playing basketball with my friends, Luke Chicone, Ian Kipp, Kyle Culler, Cael Gray and Steven Key. I started to pray every day and have seen a huge improvement with my maturity.” Favorite show is “Chicago P.D.” Adds: “I have been on varsity since I was a freshman, and this year’s locker room is the best I have experienced.”
Abby Carter NORTH>>GIRLS BASKETBALL SENIOR>>WING
On the court: In wins over South and Riverside, had 35 points, 22 rebounds, five steals, three assists and a blocked shot. Also led the charge on defense.
Off the court: “Wilson” will play basketball at the University of Akron. Favorite sports memories are trips to Canton for the regional tournament. Enjoys hanging out with friends and family. Favorite food is chocolate. Favorite show is “New Girl.”
Brady Toth CHARDON>>BOYS BASKETBALL SENIOR>>FORWARD
On the court: In wins over North and Riverside, had 50 points, 35 rebounds and 14 assists.
Off the court: Favorite sports memory is basketball team camp at the University of Pittsburgh. Favorite subject is history. Favorite food is chicken. Favorite movie is “Step Brothers.” Enjoys the music of Migos.
Catara DeJarnette KENSTON>>GIRLS BASKETBALL JUNIOR>>POINT GUARD
On the court: Had a career-high 35 points (including seven 3-pointers), seven rebounds, four steals and three assists in a win over South. Also had 16 points, five assists and five rebounds in a loss to Brush.
Off the court: Nicknames include “Cat” and “C.” Enjoys shopping, collecting shoes and playing basketball. Favorite subjects are English and social studies. Favorite food is meatball sub. Favorite movie is “Love and Basketball.” Favorite show is “All-American.” Favorite team is the Brooklyn Nets (“Wherever Kyrie Irving is at”).
Tyler Sauric NORTH>>BOYS BOWLING SOPHOMORE
On the lanes: Against unbeaten South, rolled a 225-251.
Off the lanes: Favorite sports are golf and bowling. One of his favorite sports memories was when the Rangers advance in the postseason last year by one pin. Enjoys snowboarding.
Jocelyn Janda CHARDON>>GIRLS BASKETBALL SENIOR>>POINT GUARD
On the court: In five games this week, including wins over North and Perry, she averaged 14.4points, 3.2assists, 2.5 steals and 2.8rebounds per game.
Off the court: Will attend Westminster College. Nicknames include “Jo,” “JoJo” and “Joey.” Favorite sports memories include beating North her senior year. “I had a great game with seven 3-pointers.” Favorite hobby is art. Favorite subject is math. Favorite show is “Grey’s Anatomy.” Favorite color is yellow.
Andrew McBride MENTOR>>HOCKEY SENIOR>>CENTER
On the ice: Had two goals and two assists in three games, including a goal in a loss to Gilmour that marked his 200th career point. Has four goals and 10 assists this season.
Off the court: “Andy” enjoys playing pond hockey and lacrosse with friends. “My favorite high school hockey memory is being selected for first team News-Herald, second team All-Ohio and playing hockey with my brother and best friend, Evan.” Plans to pursue a career in health care as a firefighter and paramedic. Favorite movie is “Step Brothers.”
Varsity coaches from all sports can nominate athletes for Players of the Week until 8p.m. every Monday. They can be emailed to Scores@News-Herald.com. We do not take nominations via social media or text message.