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TODAY'S SCOREBOARD
Bombers seek WMass titles
By CHRIS PUTZ
Staff Writer
WESTFIELD — This weekend is officially dubbed, “Bomb Squad” weekend.
Come Monday, fans of the Westfield High School boys’ basketball and hockey teams may have a bad case of laryngitis. But for many fans of the Bombers that may be a welcome thought.
Westfield will be the center of attention when the basketball and hockey teams vie for Western Massachusetts championships this weekend.
“It’s wonderful,” Westfield High School principal Raymond Broderick said. “Any time one of our teams makes it beyond (the first round of the playoffs), it’s a great experience for our fans.”
“It’s the same feeling we get when (football coach) Bill Moore takes his team to the Super Bowl, (field hockey coach) Julie Little takes her team to the finals….when our girls finish second in alpine skiing, or a junior (Carolyn Stocker) can finish first in a state meet and head to New England.”
“It’s great for the school spirit, the athletic programs, and the city of Westfield.”
The Bombers’ hoops team, seeded fourth, tips off the weekend festivities Saturday evening against No. 2 East Longmeadow (17-4) at the Curry Hicks Cage on the campus of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst at 7:30 p.m.
The two teams split the regular-season series.
Westfield (14-8), who is coming off a thrilling win over Northampton before a packed house at American International College in Springfield, is seeking its first title in decades.
Bombers coach Bill Daley, in his 9th season, is seeking to add some championship hardware. All he has to do is look to the school’s longtime hockey coach C.B. “Moose” Matthews, whose team won two state titles during a six-year span, and traditionally appears in WMass title games.
“‘Moose’ always says to me, ‘get it done,’” Daley said.
“They are an elite team. Can we get to that level? We’re not the hockey program, but we’d love to be that.”
“East Longmeadow has five seniors. They’re loaded. We’ll play them, but it’s going to be tough.”
The task for the Westfield High School hockey team is equally as tough.
No. 2 Westfield (15-6) faces off against top-seeded Longmeadow (20-1) in the D3 championship on Sunday at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, beginning at 4 p.m.
Longmeadow, which boasts some of Western Mass’ premier high school talent, swept Westfield during the regular season.
Coach Matthews has repeatedly stated that this season’s current version of the Lancers is by far their best team ever.
That is big time praise for a coach who has battled Longmeadow for title of “Western Mass champ” throughout much of the last decade.
Longmeadow last won a state championship in 2006.
“It’s going to be a challenge,” Matthews said. “We’re going to have to play our best game of the year and have a little luck.”
Matthews said he has been game-planning for Longmeadow over the last week. While not revealing too much about his strategy, the longtime coach noted that Westfield will have to sneak in a goal or two, and shut down the Lancers’ top offensive guns.
“It’s a one-game series now,” Matthews said. “You never know.”
Coach Matthews moved Saturday night’s practice to early morning to allow his players to go to the basketball game at night.
OLYMPIAN COMES HOME: The championship theme will be ever present this weekend when Team USA defenseman Kacey Bellamy returns to Westfield to display her silver medal, sign autographs, and pose for photographs at Amelia Park. The celebration, orignally planned for Monday evening, has been moved to Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. …Kacey’s brothers, Corey and Rob, both played for the Bombers’ hockey team. Rob is a hockey player in the AHL now.
STOCKER GOES FOR GOLD: Westfield junior distance runner Carolyn Stocker attempts to continue her perfect postseason run when she competes in the New England Interscholastic Athletic Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Published Saturday, March 6, 2010
HIGH SCHOOL POSTSEASON ROUNDUP:Westfield hockeyheaded to final
By CHRIS PUTZ
Staff Writer
WESTFIELD — It was destined to be.
For much of the last decade, the Western Massachusetts Division 3 hockey finals have come down to the Westfield and Longmeadow high school teams battling for the title, and ultimately, state supremacy.
Last season, Westfield suffered a disappointing loss to Longmeadow after blowing a lead late in the first round of the tournament. Two years ago, the Bombers topped the Lancers in the title game before becoming state champs.
The two teams will meet again this Sunday for the Western Mass crown after Westfield advanced with a 6-2 win over East Longmeadow on Saturday at the Olympia in West Springfield.
Longmeadow defeated Ludlow, 7-1.
“We are going to have to have a perfect game,” said Westfield coach C.B. “Moose” Matthews. “They’re the best team I’ve seen come out of Longmeadow in all of my years coaching.”
“They’ve had superstars on many of their teams, but this year they are spread pretty even.”
Westfield’s spread offense appeared to be an effective weapon against East Longmeadow in their semifinal game.
Five different players scored for Westfield (15-6) with senior forward Matt Crosby leading the way with two goals.
Crosby scored the equalizer with 5:05 remaining in the second period as he wedged a shot in between a mob of players out in front of the Longmeadow net. The puck trickled past Spartans junior goalie Chris Footit for a 2-2 tie.
Crosby added an insurance goal late in the game.
Westfield also received goals from Conner Laraway, Ryan Leonard, Brandon Kubik, and Kevin Carr.
Laraway had two assists as well.
Westfield freshman goalie Nick Liberto finished with 15 saves.
STOCKING THE SHELVES WITH TROPHIES: Westfield junior track star Carolyn Stocker held off the competition again, winning a thrilling All-State championship on Friday evening. Stocker finished the 2-mile run in 11:06.36.
Erin Murphy, of Bishop Feehan High in Attleboro, was second in 11:06.51.
Stocker already owns titles in cross country, and is seeking the trifecta this spring with a championship in outdoor track.
HOOPS HEAVEN: A pair of star-studded matchups are on tap this Tuesday evening when four of the area’s top boys’ basketball teams will meet at American International College in Western Mass’ Final Four.
The first game will feature the defending champion Central Golden Eagles against the No. 2 East Longmeadow Spartans, beginning at 6 p.m. Top-seeded Northampton and No. 4 Westfield will tip off around 8 p.m.
Westfield advanced to the semifinals with a 67-60 win over the Sci-Tech Cybercats on Friday evening before a packed Bombers’ gymnasium.
SKIING FOR GOLD: After a one-week delay due to snow, the state’s best skiers will compete at Wachusett Mountain, Wednesday, at 9:30 a.m.
SAINTS GIVE THANKS: St. Mary athletic director Matt Collins offered a word of congratulations to the St. Mary hockey team for its brilliant run and to the middle schools for use of their gyms for the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams.
Published , Monday, March 1, 2010
Bombers chase ‘Cats’: Westfield advances to play top seed in semis
By CHRIS PUTZ
Staff Writer
WESTFIELD — The Westfield High School boys’ basketball team may have played the role of a dog — not an underdog but an animal — Friday evening.
No. 4 Westfield chased fifth-seeded Sci-Tech from a packed gymasium last night, 67-60, to advance to the semifinals where the Bombers will take on the No. 1 Northampton Blue Devils. The game is scheduled to be played Tuesday at AIC at 8 p.m.
“It was hectic, crazy,” said guard Alex Garstka, who tied teammate Aaron Rogers with a game-high 25 points. “The environment helped us. We kept our composure. We didn’t panic.”
Garstka and Rogers helped Westfield rally from a nine-point deficit in the third quarter.
Garstka drilled consecutive 3s to cut Sci-Tech’s lead to one late in the third quarter. Westfield took their first lead of the game when Rogers made a strong move in the low post in between two defenders, and Garstka followed with another 3. It was the beginning of a 14-0 run.
Sci-Tech cut the lead to six with 1:03 remaining in the game, but Westfield converted the majority of their free throws down the stretch.
“We got great lift from obviously our two superstars, but we didn’t win that game without our bench,” said Westfield coach Bill Daley.
“(Sophomore guard) Billy Smith was tough as nails, Peter (Fiorentino) hit a big 3, David Boardman helped shut down (6-4) Theo Robinson….and Dylan Willey made two big 3-pointers.”
“We executed our sets all the way through. At times, it was the best we moved the ball around all year.”
Rogers kept Westfield involved in the ball game, scoring 14 of the team’s 26 points in the first half, and Garstka’s 15-point, third-quarter explosion brought the fans to their feet.
Rogers, whose second-quarter dunk brought the “Bomb Squad,” Westfield High’s student cheering section, to its feet, also had 17 rebounds.
Robinson and teammate Chrys Malone had 17 apiece.
Published ,Saturday, February 27, 2010
Palmer rolls past Southwick
By CHRIS PUTZ
Staff Writer
SOUTHWICK — The Southwick-Tolland Regional High School girls’ basketball team got a taste of what it is like to be every opponent of the Lady Huskies.
While Palmer did not win the WMass Division II tournament last season — the Panthers (14-0) are unbeaten through two regular seasons — they are clearly one of the region’s top teams.
The undefeated Panthers — much like the UConn women’s college basketball team — rolled through town last night in convincing fashion, soundly defeating Southwick by double digits, 53-15.
Alyssa Orszulak scored 17 points and hauled in nearly a dozen rebounds.
Palmer came out fast and furious, racing to a 12-0 lead. Orszulak had six points during the run, including two baskets on a pair of strong, inside post moves.
Southwick employed solid defense early, holding Palmer to just four points in the first half quarter of Wednesday’s game.
Southwick sophomore Melissa O’Neill got her team on the board at the 2:16 mark, scoring from the paint. O’Neill finished with six points as she also nailed a buzzer beater at the end of the quarter to bring the Rams within nine, 15-6.
Palmer, faced with a brief flash of adversity, went on a tear.
The Panthers went on another run, 15-0 to take a commanding 30-6 lead. O’Neill stopped the streak, scoring the Rams only points of the quarter on a free throw just before the half.
Another sophomore, Southwick’s Emily Hickey had a nice second half as she pumped in eight points. Hickey hit a tough 2-point shot from the corner early in the third quarter.
Palmer had yet another run, 11-0, to begin the final quarter. The Panthers led 49-11. Southwick used the second half to make mass substitutions, sending in waves of players from the bench.
Published Thursday, January 28, 2010
Rondo lifts Celtics again!
Celtics 113, 76ers 110
BOSTON (AP) — Rajon Rondo scored six points during a key run early in the fourth quarter, nailed a shot clock-beating jumper on the baseline in the closing seconds, and the Celtics overcame poor 3-point shooting to beat the 76ers.
Paul Pierce led Boston with 27 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer early in the 14-3 spurt. Kevin Garnett had 19 points and Ray Allen 18. Rondo finished with 10 points and seven assists.
Andre Iguodala paced the undermanned 76ers with 25 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Jason Kapono had a season-high 20 points on 8 of 11 shooting off the bench. Willie Green added 18 points.
Trail Blazers 93, Nets 83
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The New Jersey Nets moved a loss closer to the record for the NBA’s worst start to a season on Wednesday night when they dropped their 15th straight game, 93-83 to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Greg Oden continued a recent run of strong play with 18 points and eight rebounds for the Blazers, who have won 10 of their last 12. Portland has won six straight at home.
The NBA record is 17 straight losses to start a season, set by the 1988-89 expansion Miami Heat and matched by the Los Angeles Clippers in the lockout-shortened 1999 season.
Nuggets 124, Timberwolves 111
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points and Nene had 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the Nuggets handed the Timberwolves their 14th straight loss.
The Timberwolves have not won since an opening night victory over New Jersey. Their 1-14 mark is the worst 15-game start in team history.
Corey Brewer had the first double-double of his career with a career-high 22 points and 13 rebounds. Jonny Flynn scored 20 points for the Wolves, who cut the lead to eight points in the fourth before fading to yet another loss.
Kings 117, Knicks 97
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Donte Greene made six 3-pointers and tied a career high with 24 points, and the Kings never trailed in a victory over the Knicks.
Leading by 10 points at the half, the Kings built the margin to 93-73 with an impressive third quarter and the lead remained in double figures the rest of the game.
Rookie Tyreke Evans had 19 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for Sacramento, which snapped a four-game losing streak. It was the first time in eight games that the rookie from Memphis failed to score 20 or more.
David Lee had 25 points and 12 rebounds for the struggling Knicks. Nate Robinson also scored 25 points and Al Harrington added 17 for New York, which shot 38 percent.
Cavaliers 98, Pistons 88
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — LeBron James scored 12 of his 34 points in the first quarter, helping the Cavaliers build a cushion it used to cruise to a win over the Pistons.
James’ strong start gave the Cavs a nine-point lead to start the second quarter. Reserve Daniel Gibson and Mo Williams combined to score 18 points in the second quarter to put them ahead by 18 at halftime.
When the Pistons pulled within 10 midway through the fourth quarter, James responded with a 3-pointer and a double-pump dunk. Detroit cut its deficit to eight points with 4:15 left and James made plays at both ends of the court to give the Cavs another double-digit lead.
Pacers 86, Clippers 73
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Troy Murphy had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and the Pacers beat the Clippers to snap their four-game losing streak.
Dahntay Jones scored 18 and Brandon Rush added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Pacers (6-7). Indiana played without All-Star swingman Danny Granger, who missed the game with a sprained ligament in his left knee.
Baron Davis had 25 points and Marcus Camby added 15 points and 21 rebounds for the Clippers (6-10), who dropped their third straight road game.
Bobcats 116, Raptors 81
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Gerald Wallace broke out of his shooting slump with 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, helping the Bobcats to the most lopsided victory in team history, over the Raptors.
Stephen Jackson added 23 points for Charlotte, which dominated the listless Raptors. The sixth-year Bobcats’ previous biggest win was a 32-point rout of Indiana on Nov. 16, 2005.
While Wallace entered as the NBA’s third-leading rebounder, he was shooting 38 percent from the field and averaging only 13.7 points. But he took advantage of one of the NBA’s worst defenses by beating numerous defenders off the dribble.
Chris Bosh had 18 points and 14 rebounds, and Andrea Bargnani scored 15 for the Raptors.
Heat 99, Magic 98
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Michael Beasley dunked a missed shot by Dwyane Wade with 1.6 seconds remaining, lifting the Heat to a victory over the Magic.
Wade’s jumper was short, and Beasley soared in the air to take the rebound and seal the victory, which didn’t come without controversy. Dwight Howard and the Magic bench pleaded for a goaltending call to no avail.
A desperation heave by Vince Carter wasn’t close on the other end, and he tumbled into the stands off balance. All this came after Jason Williams missed two free throws that could have put Orlando ahead by three.
Beasley had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Wade overcame a slow start to finish with 24 points to help Miami rally from an 11-point deficit.
Spurs 118, Warriors 104
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Tony Parker scored 32 points and the Spurs overcame another iron man performance by Monta Ellis in a victory over the Warriors.
Tim Duncan had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs, who used a 22-3 run spanning the third and fourth quarters for their season-best third consecutive victory.
One night after a season-high, 37-point performance in a 111-103 victory at Dallas, Ellis topped it by scoring 42 points on 16-of-25 shooting to tie his career high.
After playing all 48 minutes in each of the Warriors’ previous two games, Ellis finally left Wednesday’s midway through the fourth quarter but came back in with a little more than 3 minutes remaining. He finished with 44 minutes.
Mavericks 130, Rockets 99
HOUSTON (AP) — Jason Kidd moved into second place on the NBA’s career assists list, Jason Terry scored 27 points and the Dallas Mavericks shot 65.5 percent in a 130-99 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.
Kidd delivered seven assists to reach 10,337 in his career. He came in needing five to pass Mark Jackson’s career total (10,334), and now trails only John Stockton (15,806).
Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 and Tim Thomas added a season-high 23 for the Mavericks, who went 9 for 17 from 3-point range. Shawn Marion, who missed the last three games with a sprained left ankle, started and scored 12 in 31 minutes.
Carl Landry scored 24 points for the Rockets, who’ve lost 14 of their last 18 games against Dallas.
Hornets 102, Bucks 99
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — David West had 27 points and 10 rebounds, and the Hornets defeated the Bucks.
Rookie point guard Darren Collison scored 18 points, including a 3-pointer to tie it with 7.5 seconds left in regulation. Collison also stole the ball from fellow rookie Brandon Jennings and drew a foul late in overtime, then hit two free throws to help New Orleans extend its home overtime winning streak to 11.
Luke Ridnour scored a season-high 23 points and Hakim Warrick added 22 points and 10 rebounds for Milwaukee, which lost its second straight when Michael Redd’s attempted game-tying 3 bounced out as time expired in overtime.
Suns 126, Grizzlies 111
PHOENIX (AP) — Amare Stoudemire scored 18 of his 28 points during a torrid third quarter and the Suns beat the Grizzlies for their 15th consecutive home victory.
In the third quarter, the scintillating, high-scoring Suns hit their first 12 field-goal attempts and finished the quarter 17 for 20.
The Suns are 12-3, the best record in the NBA. They are the only team in the league to score at least 100 points in every game this season. They also have scored at least 100 points in 32 consecutive home games. Their 126 points against Memphis were a season high — home or away.
Dolphins rally past Patriots 22-21
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits on the bench in the closing minutes of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. The Dolphins won 22-21. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer
MIAMI (AP) — The New England Patriots’ road woes sent Tom Brady to his knees Sunday. When his final desperation pass was intercepted, he stooped over and buried his face in the turf, as if trying to hide.
There was no escaping the blown opportunities for Brady and the Patriots, who missed repeated chances to put the game away in the fourth quarter before the Miami Dolphins rallied for a 22-21 victory.
Chad Henne threw for a career-high 335 yards and directed a 51-yard drive for the winning field goal with 1:02 left.
“When you lose, it’s an awful feeling,” Brady said. “We’re just not closing the game out when we have an opportunity.”
AFC East leader New England (7-5) remained winless in five games in opponents’ stadiums. For the third time on the road, the Patriots lost after leading in the fourth quarter.
“If things don’t go your way, you’ve got to fight back,” Brady said. “At times we do, and at other times I don’t think we fight very hard.”
The Dolphins (6-6) overcame an early 14-point deficit to keep their playoff prospects alive.
“It puts us right back in the thick of things,” coach Tony Sparano said.
The verdict was sealed when Channing Crowder made his first career interception, picking off Brady at the Patriots 40 with 35 seconds left.
Brady went to the locker room early in the game for treatment of an arm injury, but he returned without missing a play. He finished 19 for 29 for 352 yards and two long touchdowns, but he also threw two fourth-quarter interceptions, and New England scored only once in the final 44 minutes.
Brady declined to blame his health, even though he came in with right shoulder and finger injuries.
“There are a lot of guys who are banged up,” he said. “I don’t think many guys are 100 percent. It’s late in the year. It’s a physical game. You’ve still got to go out and get the job done.”
Leading 21-19, the Patriots had first-and-goal at the 4 with 10 minutes left, but Brady was intercepted in the end zone by rookie Vontae Davis, who stepped in front of Randy Moss to make the play.
“Going against the top receivers week in and week out, you’ve got to grow up sometime,” Davis said. “Today was one of those days to grow up.”
New England subsequently forced Miami to punt twice, but each time Brady and the Patriots went three and out. On one play Brady overthrew an open Sam Aiken deep.
The Dolphins started from their 26 with 3:44 to go. On fourth-and-6, Henne hit Greg Camarillo for 13 yards to the Patriots 28. That set up Dan Carpenter’s third field goal, a 41-yarder.
Brady threw touchdown passes of 58 yards to Moss and 81 yards to Aiken, and he also had a 58-yard completion to Wes Welker.
But New England twice failed to score inside the Miami 10. The Patriots were stopped on downs at the 6 in the second quarter.
“I have to coach better,” coach Bill Belichick said. “We have to play better, just do a better job.”
Welker had 10 receptions for 167 yards, but Moss was held to two catches.
“They’re focusing a lot on him,” Brady said. “You’ve got to get the ball to other guys when they do that.”
Henne went 29 for 52 with one interception. It was the most passes thrown by the run-oriented Dolphins since 2006, and Henne endorsed Sparano’s surprising game plan.
“If he wants to, we can throw all day,” Henne said. “I love it. Put it in my hands in pressure situations.”
Brady hurt his arm taking a hit as he threw the touchdown bomb to Moss on the opening series. While the Patriots celebrated, their quarterback trotted off the field and kept going, vanishing through the tunnel.
He returned five minutes later, and following a Miami punt he was back in the game to direct a 13-play, 80-yard drive for a 14-0 lead.
On the Patriots’ first play of the second half, Aiken caught a pass near midfield by snatching the ball away from rookie Sean Smith, who fell and then watched the receiver dash to the end zone.
But the Patriots didn’t score again, and they couldn’t stop the Dolphins at the end.
“You have to be mentally tough to win on the road,” Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather said. “Right now, our team isn’t mentally tough like it’s supposed to be.”
NOTES: For the first time this season, Miami didn’t run a wildcat play. … Broadcaster Larry King joined the Dolphins’ radio team for part of the game. King did color commentary for the Dolphins in 1969-71 and in 1977. … Miami’s Davone Bess had 10 catches for 117 yards, both career highs. … In the past nine games, Brady has thrown only one fourth-quarter touchdown pass.
Authorities: Tiger Woods seriously hurt in crash
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods was seriously injured early Friday when he hit a fire hydrant and a tree near his Florida home, authorities said.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the PGA star hit the fire hydrant and tree as he pulled out of his driveway in his 2009 Cadillac sport utility vehicle.
Woods was taken to Health Central Hospital. Officials there did not have record of him as a patient, though the news release said Woods’ injuries were serious.
The highway patrol said the crash is still under investigation, and charges are pending. However, the highway patrol said the crash was not alcohol-related.
Woods, 33, owns a home in the exclusive subdivision of Isleworth near Orlando. Orange County property records indicate his home is valued at $2.4 million.
Jets beat Brady at home for 1st time
DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Rex Ryan sent a message to the fans. His New York Jets delivered one of their own.
Rookie Mark Sanchez outplayed a Super Bowl champion quarterback and the Jets backed up their big talk, shutting down Tom Brady and the New England Patriots 16-9 on Sunday.
“We believe that we are the better team today,” Ryan said. “We went out and showed it. I think our fans are huge in this victory.”
So huge, in fact, that Ryan said he was giving the fans a gameball that would be placed in the team’s trophy case.
“I thought they were the difference,” Ryan said.
The victory was the first for the Jets (2-0) over Brady at home, and the first over the Patriots (1-1) at the Meadowlands since 2000. And, it came after a week during which Ryan reiterated his offseason comments that he didn’t come to “kiss Bill Belichick’s rings” and sent a voicemail to season ticket holders, urging them to be loud.
The fans clearly answered the call, causing a tough time for the Patriots’ offense all game. Brady was forced into consecutive delay of game penalties in the third quarter.
“I’ve got to do a better job,” Brady said. “They don’t come up very often, but when they do, they hurt. And they hurt us today.”
Ryan also said the Patriots had the better coach and quarterback coming in.
Hold on, Rex. Don’t sell yourself short.
“The big deal is, we’re a football team that should be respected,” Ryan said. “Sometimes we talk a little bit, but only because we have confidence in our football team.”
Earlier in the week, Jets safety Kerry Rhodes said New York wanted to “embarrass” New England.
“Kerry made a statement, we stood behind him and we had his back,” defensive end Shaun Ellis said.
Sanchez came out throwing in the second half after a quiet first two quarters and connected with Dustin Keller on a go-ahead touchdown, and the Jets’ defense clamped down on the Patriots.
“It’s a major win for us,” Ellis said. “To close that out and put an end to that, it’s great.”
Brady had a chance to tie it for the Patriots, getting the ball at the Patriots 10 with 1:48 left, but the Jets’ defense stopped him as Dwight Lowery knocked away a pass to Joey Galloway on fourth down.
“Honestly, I was thinking interception,” Lowery said, “but the angle I was at, I couldn’t really get a pick. Knocking it down was the second thought and I just got it out of there.”
Brady was unable to engineer his 30th comeback victory as Sanchez took a knee twice to seal it. Brady had beaten the Jets in 12 of the previous 14 games he had faced them overall.
“We had a chance there,” Brady said. “We just didn’t execute in that 2-minute possession. It’s something we’ve been good at, but the Jets were better at it today. It’s frustrating. I think we had really high expectations for this game. We just didn’t put it together very well.”
Sanchez finished 14 of 22 for 163 yards and the touchdown to Keller, while Brady was 23 of 47 for 216 yards and an interception. He was without one of his favorite targets as Wes Welker sat out with a knee injury, and Randy Moss was held to four catches for 24 yards.
“We’re not really firing on all cylinders right now,” Brady said. “To not get the ball in the end zone is unacceptable.”
The Patriots got three field goals from Stephen Gostkowski a week after the Jets’ defense held the high-scoring Houston Texans without an offensive touchdown in a 24-7 win.
“That’s a statement not just to us,” cornerback Darrelle Revis said, “but to the league that every week we’re going to come out here and try to get a shutout.”
Sanchez was 3 of 5 for 15 yards in the first half, but connected with Jerricho Cotchery for a 45-yard gain to the Patriots 11 on the first play of the third quarter. After a 2-yard run by Thomas Jones, Sanchez found Keller in the back of the end zone to give the Jets a 10-9 lead 1:03 into the third quarter.
“We just needed to relax and find our game,” Sanchez said. “As soon as we do, we are going to get this thing started and rolling, and that’s what we did.”
Jay Feely added two field goals to make it 16-9 with 9:48 remaining.
“Give the Jets credit,” Belichick said. “They just did a better job than we did today and I don’t think there’s really a while lot more to say about it.”
Gostkowski’s 29-yarder with 17 seconds left in the first half gave the Patriots a 9-3 lead. It capped a 14-play, 79-yard drive that almost resulted in a touchdown.
Brady’s throw on third-and-3 from the 11 was tipped by Lowery and almost grabbed in the back of the end zone by Moss, who couldn’t bring in the ball when was shoved in the back and out of bounds by Jim Leonhard.
—
NOTES: Jets CB Lito Sheppard left with a right quadriceps injury after breaking up the throw to Galloway in the end zone, and didn’t return. CB Donald Strickland injured an ankle in the third quarter and also didn’t return. … Rookie Julian Edelman had eight catches for 98 yards in place of Welker.
Brady rallies Patriots past Bills
Brady is back!
BARRY WILNER
AP Football Writer
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Back on center stage, Tom Brady acted like, well, the NFL’s biggest star.
It seemed to take forever, though.
A year after being sidelined with torn knee ligaments, Brady resembled a rusty game manager more than the invincible record-setting quarterback who guided the Patriots to a perfect 2007 regular season. Yet, he threw two touchdown passes in the final 2:06 as New England beat the Buffalo Bills 25-24 on Monday night.
When the spotlight hit, Brady lived up to the advance billing. But he needed help in the form of Leodis McKelvin’s fumble on a kickoff return after the Patriots pulled within five points.
Placekicker Stephen Gostkowski, of all people, recovered at the Buffalo 31. Brady needed three plays before hitting Benjamin Watson over the middle for the decisive 16-yard touchdown with 50 seconds to go.
Just 1:16 earlier, he found Watson on a similar play for an 18-yard score. It was vintage Brady, who threw for a record 50 TDs two years ago in leading New England to a perfect record.
That season was spoiled in Brady’s last full game that counted, the February 2008 Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants. He was hurt in last season’s opener.
Now he’s back, although for much of the game he and the Patriots played conservatively, even passively. Indeed, Buffalo seemed ready to break an 11-game losing streak against New England and win for the first time in Gillette Stadium.
Then came the late fireworks, demonstrating that Tom Terrific hasn’t lost his touch.
“That’s not how we drew it up, but I’ll take it,” Brady said. “We did a lot of things poorly but we got the win.”
Buffalo did a lot of things well, but got a shocking loss.
Coming off a 1-4 preseason in which the offense flopped, the Bills made plenty of big plays.
Trent Edwards outperformed Brady for much of the game and threw for two scores. A 10-yard screen pass TD to Fred Jackson put Buffalo ahead 24-13 with 5:32 to go — even though its new spotlight-grabber, Terrell Owens, barely caused a ripple. Owens had two catches for 46 yards.
When the offense wasn’t doing the damage, defensive end Aaron Schobel was rambling 26 yards with an interception for a first-half TD.
Still, these are the Patriots, who have not lost a regular-season game with Brady at quarterback since Dec. 10, 2006. And they still have all those threats in the passing game, from Randy Moss (12 catches, 141 yards) to Wes Welker (12, 93) to tight end Watson (6, 77, two TDs).
Although Brady had those impressive stats, he never looked deep and struggled to convert key plays until the final moments. Perhaps that big hit he took on his shoulder from Albert Haynesworth 2½ weeks ago limited Brady. And maybe his team was uncomfortable in the throwback red uniforms or being introduced as the Boston Patriots for the first of the NFL’s tribute games to the old AFL. Something wasn’t right in Foxborough — until the end.
Mass. team headed to Little League World Series
Massachusetts Peabody Western's Matt Hosman celebrates his game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning as he rounds first base against Rhode Island Lincoln in the New England Regional championship little league baseball game in Bristol, Conn., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, Peabody Western won 11-7 (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — Matt Hosman hit a game-winning grand slam in the seventh inning, and Massachusetts has beaten Rhode Island 11-7 to earn a spot in the Little League World Series.
The Massachusetts team, Peabody West, advances to play Southwest Region champion Texas West, a team from San Antonio, on Friday in Williamsport, Pa.
The Rhode Island team, Lincoln, took a 7-6 lead in the sixth inning of Saturday’s game on a sacrifice fly by Christopher Leclaire before Massachusetts rallied in the bottom half in the inning.
Nick Bona and A.J. DiFillipo singled to start the inning and Matt Gonick walked to load the bases. Matt Correale walked to force in the tying run and Hosman hit the first pitch he saw over the left-field fence.
Massachusetts went 6-0 in the New England Region tournament.
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Local Roundup
High School Sports Roundup, Nov. 4, 2008
At Roberts Field in Holyoke, the Westfield High School soccer team dropped its final regular season game yesterday to the Purple Knights, 4-2. With the loss, the Bombers end the season at 2-11-5. Holyoke, meanwhile, earned its first win of the season, closing out 2008 with a 1-13-4 record. Westfield got a pair of goals from Chris [...]
Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:05:51 +0000
High School Sports Roundup, Oct. 31, 2008
BOYS SOCCER Westfield Voke 3, Commerce 2 At Springfield, the Tigers (12-2-2) improved to 5-0-1 in their last six games behind three goals from three different players. Jack Davis, Devin Haskell and Serge Ryhal each put home tallies to lead Voke, which also received a stellar effort on defense from Steve Ramos, Will Teter and Jake Wrenn. [...]
Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:31:05 +0000
High School Sports Roundup, Oct. 30, 2008
BOYS SOCCER Westfield 1, Central 1 At Westfield, Jordan Santiago’s goal from Brett Pierce in the first half was good enough for the Bombers (2-9-5) to earn a tie with the Golden Eagles, who got a goal from Nick Burrage. Playing well for Westfield were seniors Mike Crow, Tyler Cumberlander, Ben DiSanto, Tyler Modlish and Kris LeClair. [...]
Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:21:46 +0000
High School Sports Roundup, Oct. 23, 2008
HUNTINGTON – The Gateway Regional High School girls soccer team lost last night, as visiting Palmer (9-1-5) was awarded a goal late in the game after a red-card hand ball by the Gators (3-7-5). Despite the loss, the game was evenly matched as each team had eight shots on goal. Gator goal keeper Jess Pittsinger recorded [...]
Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:17:31 +0000
High School Sports Roundup, Oct. 24, 2008
BOYS SOCCER Southwick 2, Easthampton 0 At Easthampton, the Rams (8-7-1) got goals from Dustin Teich and Stuart Kinsman, while Matt O’Neill chipped in with an assist. Jesse Feldman had seven saves in the shutout. GIRLS SOCCER Agawam 4, Westfield 0 At Westfield, Taylor Hartman had a hat trick for the Brownies (2-10-2) and assisted Jamie Corriveau for Agawam’s fourth [...]
Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:10:27 +0000
High School Sports Roundup, Oct. 22, 2008
BOYS SOCCER Westfield Voke 2, Smith 0 At Westfield, the Tigers (9-2-1) qualified for the Western Mass. Tournament with the victory, as Jack Davis and Jan Feldmann each scored goals. Davis scored with two minutes left in the first half from Steve Ramos while Feldmann’s goal was unassisted. Westfield Voke’s next game is Friday at Pioneer Valley [...]
Sat, 25 Oct 2008 15:11:02 +0000
High School Sports Roundup, Oct. 21, 2008
BOYS SOCCER Westfield Voke 2, Ware 0 At Ware, the Tigers (8-2-1) got goals from Devin Haskell and Jan Feldmann as Luke Cimmino tallied seven saves in the shutout. Also playing well for Voke on defense were Steve Ramos, Will Teter, Jake Wrenn and Brett Worden. GIRLS SOCCER Westfield 2, Longmeadow 1 At Westfield, the Bombers (7-6-2) scored two second-half [...]
Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:33:31 +0000
High School Sports Roundup, Oct. 17, 2008
GIRLS SOCCER Westfield 1, Cathedral 0 At Springfield, Haley Dorval scored on a corner kick from Ashley Jaskula with seven minutes left in regulation to lift the Panthers (7-4-2) over the Bombers (6-6-2). Westfield keeper Ashley Lamagdeleine had 10 saves in the loss. Panther keeper Emily Troczynski had four stops in the shutout victory. Southwick 1, Central 0 At [...]
Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:28:00 +0000
High School Sports Roundup, Oct. 16, 2008
BOYS SOCCER Westfield 0, Northampton 0 At Westfield, the Bombers (1-9-3) tied for the second straight game as goalies Adam Mayhew and Greg Frost combined for the 10-save shutout. “We had four or five great chances in the span of five minutes that their keepers just made great saves on,” Westfield coach Greg Strycharz said. “We played well, [...]
Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:25:15 +0000
High School Sports Roundup, Oct. 15, 2008
GIRLS SOCCER Westfield Voke 3, Commerce 1 At Westfield, Kelsey Benoit and Julyia Kovylyak each had goals while teammate Ashleigh Pieczarka tallied two assists for the host Tigers (3-6-2). In net, Amanda Hawley had 12 saves. Gateway 0, Central 0 At Springfield, Jessica Pitsinger made 10 stops for Gateway (3-5-5) as neither team could break through for the game-winner. Southwick [...]
Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:11:49 +0000
Photo Gallery
Ohio State University police guard the scene at a campus maintenance building, left, after an employee opened fire at the building, killing a co-worker and wounding another Tuesday, March 9, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio. The suspect also was wounded and is in custody, according to authorities. (AP Photo/The Columbus Dispatch, Tom Dodge)
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Mar 09, 2010tate University
The sandwich board at the Panera store shows the calorie count for each item in Brookline, Mass., Monday, March 8, 2010. Panera bread company is announcing that they will become the first chain to post calories on menus nationally. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
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Mar 09, 2010Posting Calories
In this film publicity image released by Paramount Pictures, Alice Eve, right, and Jay Baruchel are shown in a scene from, "She's Out of My League." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Darren Michaels)
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Mar 09, 2010She's Out of My League
In this film publicity image released by Paramount Pictures, Alice Eve, right, and Jay Baruchel are shown in a scene from, "She's Out of My League." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Darren Michaels)
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Mar 09, 2010She's Out of My League
An Afghan policeman looks at remains of an attacker who blew himself up after storming an abandoned government building in Khost, east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, March 8, 2010. Police say attackers have detonated a bomb near a government building in eastern Afghanistan and have holed up in another building nearby where they are firing on Afghan police and U.S. troops.
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Mar 09, 2010Eastern Afghanistan Attack
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Feb 08, 2010Westfield Colleen
Orlando Magic guard Vince Carter, right, and Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo battle for a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. The Magic won 96-94. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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Jan 29, 2010Rondo on the floor
98 views
Dec 11, 2009Comics for Saturday, December 12, 2009
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Dec 11, 2009Christmas Carol Songbook For Monday, December 14, 2009
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Dec 01, 2009Amahl and the Night Visitors at WSC Dec. 4th and 5th.
TOP AP SPORTS
Dunleavy, Los Angeles Clippers sever ties
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Mike Dunleavy and the Los Angeles Clippers parted company for good Tuesday, barely a month after he relinquished his head coaching duties to focus solely on being general manager....
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No. 12 Butler routs Wright St. 70-45
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Greene leads No. 1 UConn to 16th Big East title
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Free agent Terrell Owens will meet with Bengals
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Chiefs sign free agent RB Thomas Jones
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North Texas edges Troy 66-63 for Sun Belt bid
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Nelson carries Oakland to Summit title, NCAA berth
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Pulse of the People
Physical Fitness Presentation at the Westfield Senior Center
WESTFIELD - In the next session of the Westfield Council On Aging's Understanding the Language of Medicine series, "Get Going! Understanding Physical Fitness in Everyday Life," Dr. Melissa Roti, Assistant Professor in the Movement Science Department at...
Westfield State's Musical Theatre Guild to present Once on This Island
WESTFIELD - Westfield State College’s Musical Theatre Guild will present Once on This Island, a musical that takes place in Haiti, for its spring production. The show will take place at Dever Auditorium at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, March 4-...
SOUTHWICK - Pomeroy Sugar House - Friday, March 19, 2010. Leave the Sr. Center at 9:00 AM. Cost is $2.00 for Transportation. Sign up at Center or call Alice 569-5498
Pizza Party - Wed. March 31st PIZZA PARTY in the Dining Center. Sign up with Nancy by...
John Root to Speak on Wildflowers of the Northeast
SOUTHWICK - The Southwick Public Library, through the generosity of its Friends Association, will present Wildflowers of the Northeast just in time for spring! John Root, a naturalist and educator, will deliver the informative, free program Tuesda...
WESTFIELD - On Friday, March 19th from 3:00pm-8:00pm and Saturday, March 20th from 9:00am-5:00pm, Cope and the Kinship Fund will sponsor a PROM GOWN EXTRAVAGANZA” in the Westfield High School cafeteria. This is a fundraiser for the Kinship Fund which...
Evening News Online
Bombers seek WMass titles
By CHRIS PUTZ Staff Writer WESTFIELD — This weekend is officially dubbed, “Bomb Squad” weekend. Come Monday, fans of the Westfield High School boys’ basketball and hockey teams may have a bad case of laryngitis. But for many fans of the Bombers that may be a welcome thought. Westfield will be the center of attention when the basketball [...]
HIGH SCHOOL POSTSEASON ROUNDUP:Westfield hockeyheaded to final
By CHRIS PUTZ Staff Writer WESTFIELD — It was destined to be. For much of the last decade, the Western Massachusetts Division 3 hockey finals have come down to the Westfield and Longmeadow high school teams battling for the title, and ultimately, state supremacy. Last season, Westfield suffered a disappointing loss to Longmeadow after blowing a lead late in [...]
Bombers chase ‘Cats’: Westfield advances to play top seed in semis
By CHRIS PUTZ Staff Writer WESTFIELD — The Westfield High School boys’ basketball team may have played the role of a dog — not an underdog but an animal — Friday evening. No. 4 Westfield chased fifth-seeded Sci-Tech from a packed gymasium last night, 67-60, to advance to the semifinals where the Bombers will take on the No. [...]
Palmer rolls past Southwick
By CHRIS PUTZ Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — The Southwick-Tolland Regional High School girls’ basketball team got a taste of what it is like to be every opponent of the Lady Huskies. While Palmer did not win the WMass Division II tournament last season — the Panthers (14-0) are unbeaten through two regular seasons — they are clearly one [...]
Cathedral rolls over Southwick
By CHRIS PUTZ Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — While Cathedral’s glory days as a sports powerhouse may be well behind them, one local coach might just have to disagree with that statement. “They’ve been down for a couple of years, but it’s tough to compete with them,” Southwick-Tolland Regional third-year coach Mike Gill said after the Panthers defeated his [...]
Rondo lifts Celtics again!
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Dolphins rally past Patriots 22-21
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits on the bench in the closing minutes of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. The Dolphins won 22-21. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) STEVEN WINE AP Sports Writer MIAMI (AP) — The New England Patriots’ road woes sent Tom Brady to his knees [...]
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Jets beat Brady at home for 1st time
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Brady rallies Patriots past Bills
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