NEW ORLEANS -- Anthony Davis called it one of the five best alley-oops in his career.

According to DeMarcus Cousins, it was all about the pass.

"I put it right on the money for A," Cousins said with a big smile underneath a hood and circular sunglasses. "And he did the easy part: He finished it."

Either way, Davis' 180-degree finish of Cousins' lob from the top of the key early in the third quarter was a triumphant moment for the much-parsed new pairing of the elite NBA big men, one Cousins underlined by raising his arms above his head, Maximus Decimus Meridus-style, as he backpedaled the other way.

"He threw it a little short so I had to go get it," Davis said.

"Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah," Cousins interjected from one locker over.

"Nah, he actually threw a good pass," Davis conceded. "When I caught it, my intention was to dunk it backward, but I can't remember who it was, but he was going to tip it. And then I caught it and, I don't know, it just happened."

That combination of ease and surprise could easily extend to the entirety of the New Orleans Pelicans' 100-77 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers came into the game winners of five of their previous six, looking very much like the biggest threat to Denver Nuggets in the race for the Western Conference's eighth and final playoff spot. The Pelicans emerged from Saturday's overtime matchup in Charlotte with their third win since the All-Star break, but it was clouded by the late-game benching of their second star big man.

Their fourth win since the break, and first consecutive victories, was more decisive. The Pelicans finished with a season-low five turnovers, allowed a season-low 77 points and a season-low 30.3 percent from the floor and earned another big mark in the positive side of the ledger for their 25-game evaluation of their new big-to-big connection.

"It's -- excuse my French -- it's a b---- for bigs," Cousins said. "You think you get a break when one guy goes out and another one is coming in. Or you've got to pick your poison with both of us."

The Pelicans didn't have much of a choice in the second quarter, when a rolled left ankle led Davis to check out with 5:46 left in the first half, conceding the floor to Cousins.

In the eight prior games in which Cousins has suited up for New Orleans, the Pelicans had thrived with Davis and not Cousins on the court but struggled when Cousins played without Davis. The Pelicans had a 114.4 offensive rating and a plus-8.3 net rating with Davis but no Cousins, but an 87.6 offensive rating and a minus-16.2 net rating with Cousins but no Davis, according to NBA.com/Stats.

Cousins responded in Davis' immediate absence, scoring six points on three shots, earning a trip to the free-throw line and recording a steal in less than four minutes of work. A five-point lead when Davis checked out ultimately became a 14-point advantage before Davis could return to start the third quarter. Overall, Cousins was plus-17 on the night, with the Pelicans sporting a 110.4 offensive rating and a plus-27.4 net rating with him on the floor.

"I was watching the game," Davis said. "Everyone was playing well, and we're going to need this if we want to continue to make this push."

Indeed, unlike in games past, the "other" Pelicans not only held their own but proved to be a source of strength. While Cousins and Davis again did much of the heavy lifting, combining for 37 points and 24 rebounds in less than 31 minutes apiece, the non-Boogie/Brow Pelicans shot 56 percent from the floor.

While Jrue Holiday (10 points on 4-for-6 shooting, two assists, three steals, two turnovers) again appeared to struggle to find a groove in a less-prominent offensive role, he and Solomon Hill continued to serve as the backbone of a defense that has maintained its elite look despite the addition of Cousins and a rotating cast of 10-day additions.

"We have the same system," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. "[Associate coach Darren Erman] has done a great job of working overtime with those guys. When we get new guys on our team, we spend time with them in a team situation but we also try to break it down individually. He does a great job of walking them through what we try to do as far as weak-side rotations, pull-ins and things like that, and the guys have really caught on."

Check out the team site for more game coverage

Check out the team site for more game coverage

Damian Lillard (29 points) and CJ McCollum (eight points) combined to shoot 40 percent from the floor, and the rest of the Blazers combined shot just 24 percent.

"I've just kind of been taking it personal," Hill said. "I respect whoever's on the other end of the court, but it's almost like that can change the game. CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard can put up 65 together easily. We take one of the heads of the snake away and it can change the game."

The Golden State Warriors, led by Draymond Green, overcame a 16-point deficit to beat the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday.

Warriors surge late, snap losing streak Pelicans realize powers in rout Cavs hot shooting leads to blowout win

On the other end, the Pelicans' star duo teemed with excitement over the possibilities that lie ahead.

Cousins said he and Davis have talked often lately, including about utilizing more big-to-big pick-and-rolls similar to the ones deployed by Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

"It's hard to stop," Cousins said about the Clippers' screen-roll combo. "If me and A get involved in that, it could be something special as well."

Much like those eagerly tracking their game-to-game progression, Cousins couldn't help think a bit broader, too.

"I guess you can say it's something that hasn't really been seen," he said. "And if it has been seen, it's been a while since it's been seen. It's different, but it can become something special. It's just going to take time."

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Pelicans realize powers of new-look team in rout of Trail Blazers - ESPN (blog)

USA TODAY Sports' Jorge Ortiz takes a look at how the major teams will fare in the second round of the World Baseball Classic. USA TODAY Sports

USA celebrates after clinching a spot in the second round.(Photo: Logan Bowles, USA TODAY Sports)

After a first round packed with thrilling games and a sprinkle of controversy, the Western Hemisphere half of the World Baseball Classic moves on to San Diegos Petco Park, where four teams will play a round-robin to determine two semifinalists. USA TODAY Sports Jorge L. Ortiz breaks down the bracket:

How they got here: Won Pool C with a 3-0 record

What went right: Dominican hitters swung the bat well, even if did take them several innings to get going at times. They produced 26 runs in the first round, 11 from the eighth inning on. Jeurys Familia, confirmed as the closer, has been untouchable in his three appearances, and fellow relievers Dellin Betances and Alex Colome have combined to give up one hit and zero runs in 4 1/3 innings. The club in general is riding a wave of confidence, not to mention an 11-game winning streak.

Cause for concern: The Dominicans didnt exactly run away with their pool. They trailed the U.S. most of the game and needed a sensational play at the plate by catcher Welington Castillo to survive against Colombia. The stakes get higher and the opposition possibly tougher now, and nothing but a spot in the finals will suffice for the DR.

Additions: Veteran right-hander Ervin Santana is moving into the rotation in place of Wily Peralta, but general manager Moises Alou told USA TODAY Sports that Carlos Martinez will still start against Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

Outlook: Hot-hitting Puerto Rico presents a big challenge right off the bat, but the Dominicans history of success against their Caribbean neighbors they beat Puerto Rico three times in the 2013 WBC, including the final adds to their swagger. Bringing in Santana boosts their rotation considerably. Until further notice, the DR is favored to advance to the semis.

MORE WBC:

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Israel, darlings of World Baseball Classic, vows to keep 'emotional' run going

How they got here: Won Pool D with a 3-0 record

What went right: Puerto Rican hitters hammered just about every pitcher put in front of them, piling up 29 runs in three lopsided victories and never scoring fewer than nine. The dynamic trio of Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa and Javier Baez combined for five home runs. Puerto Rico also got excellent starts from Seth Lugo and Jorge Lopez.

Cause for concern: Other than making sure their relatives are in a safe area of the ballpark, the Puerto Ricans havent had much to worry about. Its hard to find many flaws when you outscore the opposition 29-7, including a mercy-rule win over Venezuela. Perhaps the one concern is Puerto Rico hasnt been tested Mexico played it close until surrendering a four-inning ninth in a 9-4 loss but so far it has been the tournaments most impressive team.

Additions: Tampa Bay Rays prospect Jose de Leon may join the club in San Diego and possibly start against the DR on Tuesday, when Lugo will have only three days of rest.

Outlook: Its hard to imagine the Puerto Rican offense keeping up this pace, but the club is well balanced and has outstanding leadership from catcher Yadier Molina and DH Carlos Beltran, both playing in their fourth WBC. If the pitching holds up, they will be a tough out.

How they got here: Advanced from Pool C with a 2-1 record

What went right: The starting pitching was outstanding, with Chris Archer, Marcus Stroman and Danny Duffy combining to throw 12 2/3 innings of five-hit, scoreless ball. The tight win over Colombia and the crushing loss to the Dominican Republic provided valuable experience for the previously uninitiated U.S. players about the passion and intensity these games engender. They wont encounter an opposing crowd as raucous as they dealt with Saturday at Marlins Park, and will likely draw the most support the rest of the way. Lefty hitters Christian Yelich, Brandon Crawford and Eric Hosmer have been swinging hot bats.

Cause for concern: The potent U.S. lineup hasnt gotten untracked yet, with the likes of Paul Goldschmidt, Giancarlo Stanton and Nolan Arenado all batting below .150, although the latter hit a three-run homer Sunday. The bigger question may be whether the bullpen can deliver extended effective stretches, a necessity when the starters are limited by pitch counts. Andrew Miller, Tanner Roark and Mychal Givens coughed up a total of nine runs in four innings over the first three games.

Additions: The Seattle Mariners Drew Smyly will join the U.S. and start Wednesdays game against Venezuela or Italy. Former Rays teammate Jake Odorizzi is under consideration for a later game.

Outlook: Team USA bounced back nicely from the Saturday loss to the Dominican Republic, in which the Americans blew a five-run lead, and put away Canada in an 8-0 rout the next day. With Tuesday off, they have a chance to adjust to the three-hour time change, and they may be starting to peak at the right time.

How they got here: Advanced from Pool D with a 2-2 record after a 4-3 win over Italy in the tiebreaker game.

What went right: After the embarrassing 11-0 loss to Puerto Rico, Venezuela engaged in two wild games, outlasting Italy 11-10 and losing to Mexico 11-9, yet barely squeaking into a tiebreaker. Martin Prado (.583 batting average) has been on a tear, and the rest of the lineup features three former batting champions in Miguel Cabrera, Jose Altuve and Carlos Gonzalez.

Cause for concern: Its hard to overestimate the impact of losing catcher Salvador Perez for the rest of the tournament due to a knee injury. The pitching staff struggled even before he was hurt and doesnt figure to do better in his absence. Starters Felix Hernandez, Martin Perez and Yusmeiro Petit failed to pitch more than 3 1/3 innings, and the last two gave up a total of nine runs.

Additions: To be determined.

Outlook: Venezuela has no business advancing with that pitching staff, but the club has a collection of major league stars and, given a fresh slate, it could make life difficult for any opponent.

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World Baseball Classic: Breaking down the second round in San Diego - USA TODAY

LEXINGTONBuilt in 1928, the old Dawson County Jail originally looked like a brick two-story cozy Georgian home.

As the decades went by, one or more additions made the jail larger. These changes also made the building look more like a jail. A concrete step entryway was taken away with its grassy knoll front yard. Also the large windows with dark shingles were replaced with long, narrow vertical-style windows.

Perhaps very few locals know as much about the old jailhouse, set to be demolished this year to accommodate more parking, than sisters Jo Swartz and Cindy Flint.

Both are daughters of the late Dawson County Sheriff John Rohnert. Both were raised in the jailhouse at a time when the sheriff's residence was the first floor of the jail.

On a windy, chilly afternoon in January, Swartz and Flint, accompanied by family members, visited the jailhouse one last time.

The inside of the building is cold and run-down. Decades of no use and no heating can be seen in holes in the walls and felt with the chill in the air. Boxes, used to store files of county departments, fill the entrance facing Washington Street.

"If these walls could talk, they would have a lot to talk about," said Keith Swartz, husband of Jo Swartz.

Entering the empty kitchen, the visitors pause as nostalgia sets in. To the left of the kitchen sink is an open compartment in the wallthe pull operated tray elevator used to transport meals to inmates on the second floor. Grandchildren of the Rohnerts would often fight to see who would operate it, the group reported.

A small room filled with scraps of cardboard and boxes was the bathroom. A cozy room with large windows and slabs of plywood resting on the side was the sisters' bedroom.

A closet door next to the entrance door of the room holds memories of a story.

As teenagers, when Jo was dating Keith, her mother told her she couldn't leave the house until she cleaned her room. Jo got all her clothing lying around and dumped it onto a pile, hidden in the closet.

When Keith entered Jo's room, mother Doris, wanting to compliment her daughter told him what he was getting into, he said.

"Mom said, she's (referring to Jo) going to make a good wife, pointing out how clean the room was. Then she opened the closet door and all the clothes fell everywhere," Jo said laughing.

A small room next to the stairway going up to the second floor is completely filled with piles and piles of paper files. This was Rohnert's office.

Most of the paper files left in the jail are found in the hallway leading to the jail cells on the second floor. Trash bins filled with junk and trash also line this hallway.

Housed in this hallway area is a cell with red metal door with a small horizontal opening for a food tray. It was the drunk tank for drunken offenders.

Past this is a room with two large glass windows and a small table. It was the communication room for visits.

Multiple sections of rows of jail cells, framed by red sliding bars form a labyrinth of habitations for inmates of the past.

One more isolated hallway with fewer cells once housed an infamous inmate, Keith said. The cell room at the end of this hallway, directly facing the west entrance to the Dawson County Courthouse, once housed Dennis Sell, convicted rapist and murderer, he said.

A relative of one of his victims was known to have parked west of the courthouse with a firearm waiting to get a chance to shoot Sell through the window opening, Keith said.

Ultimately, Rohnert had to cover up the windows of Sell's jail cell, he said.

With one truck trailer filled and transported from the jailhouse filled with shredded documents that had once been in storage, at least another truck will be needed to dispose of old documents, said Brian Woldt with the Emergency Management for Dawson County.

Woldt has been assigned to oversee emptying the building to prepare it for demolition.

Youth needing community service hours have helped him empty the jail of storage file paper so far, he said.

Woldt said he is in great need of more helpers, be they students or community members, to expedite the clearing of files from the jailhouse.

He noted that the Dawson County Commissioners have told him the county would be willing to make a donation to any school team or group in exchange for helping remove paper from the jail.

Dawson County Commissioners approved the demolition of the old jail in late 2016. Commissioners are waiting for Woldt and helpers to completely clear the jail of storage files from county departments before soliciting bids for demolition work.

Woldt said the more helpers he gets the sooner the jail can be ready.

For Keith, Gary and their wives, Jo and Cindy, the jailhouse always has been and will be more home than jail.

During their visit they took pictures of one jail cell where an inmate hand marked the days of his or her stay by scratching ones on the wall.

If the jailhouse was a place of confinement for inmates, it was a place of comfort and memories for the Swartz and Flint families.

"I didn't think of it as a jail, when you lived there, it was your home," Gary told Cindy.

The old jailhouse was a home, one filled with "so many memories," as one granddaughter of Rohnert said.

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Visiting the jailhouse one last time: Sisters say good-bye to childhood home - Lexington Clipper Herald

Cover art by Zachary Baldus

STORY:Vivek J. Tiwary; Scott Bryan Wilson

ART:Hugo Petrus; Caspar Wijngaard

COLORS:

Fran Gamboa

PUBLISHER:IDW

As a lifelong Star Wars fan, jumping ship and paying attention to what is happening with on the other side of the cosmic street has been a daunting task. While Ive never been the most avid Star Trek fan, I enjoy delving into that universe from time to time to break up my life-long obsessions with the galactic minutia of Skywalker and Co. Until recently, however, Ive never dedicated enough time to check out the excellent comics that explore the exploits of the Federation and the captains of the USS Enterprise. I was excited then to see what was happening with IDWs Star Trek: Waypoint, a rollicking adventure anthology that sets out to explore (if you will) the manifold stories that havent yet been told about our favorite galactic wayfarers.

Truly interesting panel placements and use of white space from the first story in this issue by Vivek J. Tiwary & Hugo Petrus

Star Trek: Waypoint #4 is a solid title packed with two entertaining, yet distinct, stories. Each tells a story from a different timeline from the Star Trek universe while concomitantly being able to be compositionally distinctive and visually engrossing. Indeed, one of the most appealing aspects of this collection has been its ability to skip around the universe non-linearly, pairing up stories from the classic series to iterations of The Next Generation, Voyager, and Enterprise.

Indeed, its during the Enterprise era where the first of the two storiesThe Fragile Beauty of Loyaltyis set; interestingly, this also the first time this period has been depicted in a comic book. With a story written by Vivek J. Tiwary (The Fifth Beatle) and drawn by Hugo Petrus, this is a restrained but affecting tale from Johnny Archers (the future Captain of the Enterprise) childhood. Johnny, moving with his family from upstate New York to San Francisco, decides to some exploring in the icy expanses of the hills near his home. Refusing the companionship of his beagle, Archer almost drowns under a frozen lake after being accosted by a member of the Suliban Cartel (I had to look up this info, just to confirm what exactly had happened).

Art by Hugo Petrus

What should immediately draw in readers is the lush art and Tiwarys direct use of space, silence, and vivid, frenetic action to create a story that toes the line between sentimentality and mortal danger.

The second story, set during The Next Generation timeline, has a feel of a lost episode of the series and a more sweeping, classically Star Trek philosophical tone to it. Titled Mirror, Mirror, Mirror, Mirroran enticing titled indeed!the yarn follows fan favorite Worf and Dr. Crusher as deal with the ramifications of discovering a device that temporally replicates objects down to the atomic structure. As one could probably guess, this causes massive headaches for the crew as they try to discern which Worf is the original. Its a droll tale, and writer Scott Bryan Wilson & artist Caspar Wijngaard imbue the story with a witticism befitting the understated nature of these characters.

Overall, this is a solid story collection that will keep both long-term and new fans entertained by all the Star Trek minutiae that inhabit every page, and its bright diverse palette. Fans of the lore will surely debate the place that these stories have in the canon, but from what I could tell, they are welcome additions to the rich tapestry of the Enterprise and her crews mission.

Art by Caspar Wijngaard

Is that not the most epic depictionof Worf ever? You can just hear him thinking Good tea Nice house!

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REVIEW: Exploring New Edges of the Galaxy with STAR TREK: WAYPOINT #4 - Comics Beat

Hector Rondon stepped aside last July when the Cubs brought in closer Aroldis Chapman, and the addition of veteran Koji Uehara is another sign that roles in the bullpen will be as fluid as they've ever been under manager Joe Maddon.

"We've got a lot of talent and are deep and will be ready for any situation that arises during the season," Maddon said. "It's a good thing."

Understanding that Rondon might have taken the acquisition of Chapman personally, Maddon called Rondon shortly before the Cubs traded for Wade Davis on Dec. 7.

"(Rondon) was magnanimous, he was fine," Maddon said. "But I'm sure there might be a part of him that might have been injured by that a little bit. However, I anticipate he'll fit in within his new role well."

Before leaving Tuesday for San Diego to join Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, Rondon didn't seem worried about his role with the additions of Davis and Uehara.

"We have more experience, and that will be good for us," Rondon said. "We don't care what inning (we pitch). We only prepare to do our job and be healthy all year."

Rondon will be used in numerous situations, from perhaps sharing eighth-inning duties with Uehara based on matchups to even closing games when Davis has worked on consecutive days.

"I've got an open mind to all this," Maddon said.

Maddon already is looking at the possibilities for the first week of the season, when the Cubs will have two days off in the first five days.

"I don't have answers yet, but the only thing I feel strong about is we should spread the work and keep everyone frisky," Maddon said.

Uehara averaged 12.06 strikeouts per nine innings with the Red Sox last season. But he will turn 42 on April 3 and was twice placed on the 15-day disabled list last summer with right arm injuries.

Rondon struggled in non-save situations in September after returning from a strained right triceps, but he allowed only one of nine inherited baserunners to score in 2016.

Pedro Strop, 31, could emerge as the Cubs' most versatile reliever if he can duplicate last season's performance, when he ranked second among National League relievers with an 0.89 WHIP, fourth in opponents' batting average at .163 and limited left-handed batters to a .143 batting average.

With the help of catching/strategy coach Mike Borzello, Justin Grimm hopes to rekindle the success he had in 2015, when he posted a 1.99 ERA in 62 appearances and limited left-handed batters to a .140 batting average.

"We've got some thoughts that are going to make me dominant against both sides," said Grimm, who allowed 16 earned runs in 21 innings in May and June last year before putting together a 14-inning scoreless streak. "I know I have very good stuff.

"It's finding that consistency and staying at that level. Every year I have two or three months where I'm as dominant as anybody, and you have that one month where it's off and it's been my kryptonite. So it's just minimizing that and how to get through that."

mgonzales@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @MDGonzales

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Joe Maddon wants Cubs relievers ready for any situation - Chicago Tribune

John Kennett, jkennett@mdn.net

Proposed renovation to Midland County Courthouse

Proposed renovation to Midland County Courthouse

Midland County Courthouse proposed rear entrance

Midland County Courthouse proposed rear entrance

Groundbreaking ceremony for courthouse Friday

Midland County residents will see a new entryway to their historic downtown courthouse when a construction project is completed.

Local officials will join together with representatives from local foundations and members of the public for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the official start of the $7.8 million Midland County Courthouse renovation and addition project. The ceremony will take place on the front steps of the courthouse, 301 W. Main St., beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Friday. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

Ninety years after Dr. Herbert Henry Dow laid the original cornerstone for the building, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, The Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation and The Dow Chemical Company Foundation have partnered with Midland County to fund the construction and renovations.

When completed, visitors to the courthouse will see a new entryway on the H Hotel side of the courthouse. The new entrance will allow visitors to enter from Main Street or the rear courthouse parking lot through one secure entryway.

We needed to address some serious safety and traffic flow issues, Midland County Circuit Court Judge Stephen P. Carras said at an earlier Midland County board meeting. Fortunately, the foundations were willing to help us and once again make the county courthouse truly a part of downtown Midland.

Visitors entering from Main Street will be directed to the new entrance through a plaza area, where the existing three flagpoles will stand.

From the rear, visitors will be greeted to a new entryway, to the right of the present one. The new entrance, will include a two-story atrium and has been angled to aid visitors in locating the new access. The actual entrance will be elevated, with a ramp and steps, to remove it from the floodplain.

Interior work will improve safety for employees and the public, and provide enlarged working room for some departments. Safety will be improved for employees by separating from the public along with having multiple exits in case of emergencies. There also will be a designated hallway built for transportation of inmates from the sally port to the courtrooms, again increasing public safety.

In conjunction with the renovation, Midland County commissioners have approved the advancement of several deferred (courthouse) maintenance projects that were originally scheduled to be implemented over the next five years. If completed now, the advancement would result in a projected savings of approximately $750,000 as they could be completed in a more efficient and cost effective manner.

The projects would be completed in two phases: first, those projects that enhance energy efficiency and improved air exchange; and, second, projects that deal with internal appearance, security and access controls.

The Midland County Courthouse, which officially opened in 1926, is a registered historic landmark and believed to be the first in the nation to be built entirely out of materials found within the county in which it was built. Herbert H. Dow was the driving force and visionary for the design, working in concert with nationally renowned architect Bloodgood Tuttle to create a unique, but timeless design.

Over the years, the courthouse has undergone two major additions, in 1958 and 1979.

The 1958 addition, designed by Alden B. Dow, added a jail, sheriffs living quarters and offices. The 1979 expansion created new quarters for judges, accessibility for people with disabilities and a barrier free design.

The new construction interfaces with the existing courthouse. One of the genius of this design is that it doesnt touch the existing murals or obstruct the windows that we restored, Carras said earlier. The architects have designed this so that the addition will join the courthouse at the 1979 addition.

The opening of a new jail on Fast Ice Drive in 2009 launched the present renovation. April of 2013 saw three county departments prosecuting attorney, friend of the court and 42nd Circuit Court Probation office move from the courthouse to the fourth floor of the Midland County Services Building, opening up space in the courthouse. The demolition of the 1958 addition, just over a year ago, allowed for construction of a new entrance.

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Groundbreaking ceremony for courthouse Friday - Midland Daily News

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said each season is like a rookie season as a manager. He is excited about the depth of the 2017 club with new additions such as Cameron Maybin and Danny Espinosa

His hire date of Nov. 16, 1999, was in the waning days of the last century. The big league skipper who's been with his current team for the second-longest period of time is Bruce Bochy, who was hired by the San Francisco Giants almost seven years after Scioscia got the Angels gig.

Spring Training: Info | Tickets | Schedule | Gear

The secret to his staying power, according to Scioscia, isn't such a secret.

"We've had good players," Scioscia said. "You have good players, and obviously, a manager or coaching staff, you get a long opportunity if you continue to move in the right direction.

"And I think it starts with ownership. Those guys have supported us very well, and given us the talent. You want to keep growing and getting better."

Scioscia was hired by former general manager Bill Stoneman to provide stability to a team that had fractured in the clubhouse. It was what the franchise needed, and it paid off in 2002 with the team's only World Series championship. Since then, Scioscia's Angels have won six division titles.

"Our goal is very clear, and we're as motivated now as we've ever been," Scioscia said. "And our expectations are as high as they've ever been to continue to work toward that goal, and nothing has dampened in my love or passion for this game."

Scioscia spends a lot of time in the car on the way to Anaheim during the course of the regular season, but he says he does not think about the past. That helps him concentrate on the present, which keeps his outlook fresh even though he's well into his second decade on the job.

"You learn from the past, but every year is new," Scioscia said. "You're like a rookie manager. You've got to earn the trust of the players, and bring them together, and that's what we work on."

Doug Miller is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @DougMillerMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Scioscia: Longevity linked to talented players - MLB.com

Mike Smith is general manager of the State Gazette

As the final seconds ticked away on Saturday at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, and it became clear that Riverdale would win its second straight Class AAA state championship, its fair to say there were more than a few people in Dyersburg thrilled at the accomplishment.

Considering Riverdale head coach Randy Coffman spent close to two decades guiding the Lady Trojan program at DHS, there good reason to understand why there were many of us happy as the final horn sounded. While some were happy, personally, I was thrilled.

Coffman was the first coach former DHS principal Sam Miles introduced me to when coming on board at the paper back in August of 2004. Coffman and I kind of hit it off right away, and I liked the mans confidence. It was never about him, but always about the team he was coaching.

That season, the Lady Trojans had a very special team. Though nearly three years removed from the sports desk, the one picture I said I would never take down still remains. Its one presented to me by the senior members that year. They came within minutes of a state title before falling to a very talented Mt. Juliet squad.

Reflecting on a few things on Saturday after watching the Riverdale win, it was a moment during that 2004-05 season that came rushing into my head.

Prior to the state title game in 2005, Coffman and I stood along the rail at the Murphy Center watching the Class AA title game. Dyersburg was moving to Class AA the following season, and we talked of the opportunity to win a state title in the years to come.

At the time, I never would have realized that Coffman would have to leave Dyersburg to accomplish what we spoke about over a decade ago. However, in life, things change. At the time Coffman interviewed for the Riverdale position, we had several conversations. He wanted our talks to remain private, and I was happy to do so.

When he made the decision to leave, for selfish reasons, I hated to see him and his family leave.

Looking at it now, the decision may turn out to be the best one of his career.

Over the last two years, all Coffman has done is lead the program to a 66-4 overall mark. The Lady Warriors are now back-to-back state champions, a feat rarely accomplished in high school sports. Also, running the table this year to finish a staggering 34-0 is a remarkable accomplishment.

Coffmans special Saturday was capped off when his daughter Sydney gave birth to a granddaughter. I know that was the highlight of the day for the Coffman family that includes son Cade and wife Angie. Talk about being born on a good day.

Lets not forget that Riverdale ended the season as the No.1 team in not only Tennessee, but the entire nation in the USA Today Super 25 poll.

On Monday morning, Coffman was notified that he had been named the 2017 Naismith High School Girls Coach of the Year.

Not too shabby for a man I remember sharing many laughs with over the years. Weve had so many conversations about this and that, I even think I know what he was thinking when receiving word about the honor.

Im sure he gave all the credit to the kids in the program, thanked the administration, and the community for the fantastic amount of support shown throughout the last two seasons.

The success at Riverdale hasnt changed Coffman. We still text back and forth though not talking like when he was 5 minutes away. Its fair to say there are more state titles in Coffmans future, considering that there was one lone starting senior in Saturdays lineup for the championship game against Memphis Central.

Theres no question Coffman walked into a great situation at Riverdale, and hes made the most of the opportunity.

The only way I would have been happier is if it would have happened at Dyersburg. Maybe one day both teams will be at the state tournament at the same time. That would be pretty cool.

So, congrats my good friend on all the success you have worked so hard to achieve. Back-to-back state titles, an undefeated season, a No.1 ranking in the state as well as the entire nation, and today named the national coach of the year.

Many deserving accolades there my friend, but knowing Coffman like I do, Id bet his greatest joy comes when holding the newest addition to the family.

I guarantee that smile is wider than the one seen while holding a gold ball.

Excerpt from:
High School Sports: Coffman welcomes new additions ... - State Gazette

Each four-story, brick townhouse would have an elevator, according to architect Albert Hinckley. This view shows how the development would look from Waterloo Street.

The applicant will discuss the proposals changes in a work session with the ARB on Thursday, March 23.

H&C Investors LLC of Manassas Park owns the half-acre lot that sits in the historic district at a transition between residential to commercial uses in Old Town.

The applicant seeks a certificate of appropriateness from the ARB, required for construction in the Warrenton Historic District.

To address concerns from the ARB work session in March 2016, Albert Hinckley, senior architect with Hinckley, Shepherd, Norden Architects, altered the project by eliminating the sawtooth arrangement of townhouses along Diagonal and Smith streets and addressing the relationship to Waterloo Street.

Theyre much simpler, less in-your-face, Mr. Hinckley said of the new design. Its much more Waterloo-oriented.

Measuring 26 feet wide and 42 feet deep, each townhouse would be slightly larger than previously planned.

Two units would front Waterloo Street, with three facing Diagonal Street and five along Smith Street.

Mr. Hinckley described the townhouses as pretty up-market, geared toward people retiring.

Each brick unit would have an elevator, two-car garage and a roof deck. The first floor of each townhouse would contain storage space and a library.

A living room, kitchen, breakfast nook and dining room would occupy the second floor.

Three bedrooms and a laundry room would occupy the third floor, and a sunroom and deck would occupy the roof.

The townhouses facing Waterloo would have porches above the entryways.

I had presented (the new plans) to Melissa Wiedenfeld (former ARB chairwoman) and she seemed to like it, Mr. Hinckley said.

The ARB has two new members, Laura Bartee and Kevin Roop, who replaced Ms. Wiedenfeld and James J Tucker after their January resignations.

We hope they will like it, Mr. Hinckley said.

citizen observer March 13, 2017 at 12:13 pm

It's sad the ARB couldn't get together over an argument about slave quarters and save a historic building and restaurant. Now it's just going to be more houses, about all that can be built in this town and county.

Read the rest here:
Napoleon's site townhouses heading back to ARB - Fauquier Now

Year one was all about figuring things out.

The Orlando Pride needed to build an expansion roster, survive top players leaving for the Olympics, adapt to regularly shifting training grounds and handle all the other logistical challenges that go with launching a top-tier professional soccer team.

Preparation for year two began Monday, the first day of Orlando training ahead of the 2017 National Womans Soccer League season, and Pride head coach Tom Sermanni said the team is more stable.

Last year was difficult for everybody, Sermanni said to a herd of reporters gathered around after training. We ended up training at Sanford Airport [area,] training other places. This year, generally, were far more settled than we were. The staff is much more experienced at working together, much more comfortable together, were able to sort of plan things better.

So, generally I think everybody just feels a lot more settled.

The players were ready, too. Sermanni said the first day of training had a good tempo and the players came in more fit and ready to play compared to last year. The main goal on the first day is to observe players, get a base line on their fitness and evaluate new additions.

The Pride lost Alex Morgan to French side Olympique Lyonnais until July, but they signed U.S. womens national team defender Ali Krieger. Other new signees include striker Chioma Ubogagu and defender Camila Pereira. The club also brought in former University of Colorado striker Danica Evans and Penn State midfielder Nickolette Driesse through the college draft. Multiple trialists also joined training Monday, including former Ball State defender Lorina White, midfielder Jocelyn Blankenship and UCF grad Carol Rodrigues, who led the Knights with 12 goals last year.

The Pride expect to add one more player to the roster before opening the season April 15 in Portland. They have an international roster spot open after waiving Australian defender Lisa De Vanna last week.

I would love to get that filled as soon as possible with the right player, and if that comes together that would be a fantastic result for us, Sermanni said, alluding to rampant rumors the Pride are in talks with Brazilian star Marta.

Among the big names returning for the Prides sophomore season are goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, Australian national team members Steph Catley and Laura Alleway and Brazilian international Monica.

Kristen Edmonds is another after a breakout 2016 season. She gained attention as a versatile talent who played in every area of the field and led the team with six goals. The Pride finished second to last in the league with a 6-13-1 record, but Edmonds performance earned her two call-ups to U.S. womens national team camps during the offseason.

She wore a wide grin as she stepped in front of a backdrop decorated with the Prides logo on Monday.

It was a good first day, Edmonds said. It was a bit hectic, but I think everybody is just so excited that were finally back into everything and its going to start flowing pretty quickly.

Our honeymoon stage is over and everybody knows that. We want to win now and wins matter the most. Nobody is looking at us as the new team in the league anymore. We have a point to prove and everybody knows that.

ardelgallo@orlandosentinel.com

Excerpt from:
Orlando Pride more settled entering second year of preseason training - Orlando Sentinel