Four local teams were still alive with a chance to make it to the state final 4

The state semifinals will be played next week in Lakeland

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Wolfpack coach Bruce Rosebrock brought his team to the regional finals last year and lost.  2012 is a different story for Wolfson as they advance to the class 6A final four with a 70-69 win at home against Pensacola Pine Forest.

The Eagles led by as many as 11 in the 1st half, but the Wolfpack started the 2nd half with a 14-2 run to take the lead, sparked by 6 3-pointers in the half.  Wolfson held on to win thanks to big free throws by guard Kerry White with 8 seconds to play.

Wolfson will next face Leesburg in the 6A state semifinal next Friday.

Providence will have a chance to bring home their second state title as they advanced to the class 3A final four with a win at home against Daytona Beach Father Lopez by a score of 52-41.

This is Providence's second trip to Lakeland in the last 3 years.  They won the class 2A state title there in 2010.

The 29-2 Stallions will face Tampa Prep next Tuesday in the state semifinal game.

Also advancing to Lakeland was Terry Parker behind a 64-59 road win at Panama City Rutherford.  Keith Williams led the Braves with 24.  Parker will face Nature Coast Tech on Thursday in the class 5A semifinal.

In other action, the Raines Vikings postseason run came to an end in Tallahassee as they fall to Godby 45-40.  Raines finishes their season at 15-15.

Boxing takes a hit from MMA’s growing popularity

Morgan Campbell

Mixed martial arts hasn’t killed boxing, but the fast-growing sport has sidelined the sweet science at Casino Rama.

On Saturday night, the casino will host the Reckoning, the first ever legal MMA show in Ontario, and the first of three mixed martial arts cards Rama has planned this year.

The packed MMA schedule means the casino won’t host any boxing shows this year, said Jeff Craik, the casino’s VP of Marketing.

“All of the excitement from the public is all MMA, MMA, MMA,” Craik said. “We have done better with this than with any of our boxing events.”

Craik insisted the casino hasn’t abandoned boxing. From 2007 to 2010, Rama hosted 13 boxing cards, including eight title bouts involving former IBF 122-pound champ Steve Molitor.

But the legalization of MMA last August has introduced both the casino and fight promoters to a different set of combat sports aficionados — younger than boxing fans and more numerous.
And more insistent.
Promoter Robert Waterman said he has staged boxing matches in England with stars like Ricky Hatton that haven’t generated the buzz among fans that he’s heard for Saturday’s card.
“I’ve got people phoning me up just to talk to me about it. I’ve never had that before anywhere,” said Waterman, who promoted the last boxing show at Rama in October. “Maybe the absence of (MMA) from Ontario has created an extra pent-up demand.”

If the Ultimate Fighting Championship is the major leagues of mixed martial arts, Saturday’s card is roughly double-A — a mix of rising prospects, faded UFC vets and fighters who will spend entire careers on the undercard.

But the lack of star power hasn’t dulled ticket demand. While every “sold-out” show at Rama includes a mix of paying customers and casino regulars on complimentary tickets, Craik said about 35 per cent of Saturday’s crowd will have actually bought their seats.

Boxing crowds generally have a lower percentage of paying customers, Craik said, mainly because of demand.

Meanwhile, boxing promoters realize they’ll struggle to pack arenas in southern Ontario with a card the calibre of Saturday’s show.

Casino Rama officials said they would resume staging boxing events in 2012 if a promoter offered matchups with enough importance and action to make the card appealing.

And boxing promoter Adam Harris, who attended Thursday’s news conference, agrees the legalization of MMA means boxing promoters need to offer stronger cards or step aside.

“The pecking order is going to change for the time being,” said Harris, head of Hennessy Sports Canada. “We’ve gone as far as we could go with the grassroots level (boxing shows). Now we need to step it up.”

Carson-Newman AD David Barger to Retire

Carson-Newman College Athletics Director David Barger announced today that he will retire from fulltime service on April 30. The longest serving AD in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC), Barger will “for the foreseeable future” raise funds and make friends for his alma mater on a part-time basis.

“Everything’s good but the legs,” said Barger, a 1970 C-N alumnus who was diagnosed with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy as an eight-year-old. Though not in pain or on medication – “whatsoever, other than maybe ibuprofen for soreness or normal stuff” – Barger is sure the time is right.

“I just can’t do it full speed like I want to, like I have been able to, and I’ve always thought that should be the point when I try to find another way to help Carson-Newman,” he stated.

When the subject comes to what he calls the D-word – “because we don’t say disabled” – Barger’s voice takes on a certain resolve. “I have always been competitive; always had an athletic mindset. I’m a pretty stubborn guy with a determined point of view.”

C-N President Randall O’Brien shared Barger’s decision with members of the Board of Trustees’ executive committee during their regular spring meeting this morning. Committee members then acted on a motion that deemed Barger will receive emeritus status on May 1, putting him in a two-member club with the legendary Frosty Holt, who is credited with developing C-N’s strong athletic tradition from 1929 until 1968.

“David’s career at Carson-Newman has epitomized our motto of Truth, Beauty and Goodness,” praised Dr. O’Brien. “His work here is a testament to his character, his devotion to God and his dedication to serving others. David’s commitment to our student-athletes, our mission, our coaches and staff, and to making the program vital and viable is unsurpassed.”

O’Brien championed Barger’s more than five decades of C-N service as vital to future growth.

“David knows approximately 90 percent of our living athletic alumni. He knows who they played with, how they fared and what matters to them. I am excited that he wants to continue his commitment by raising support for our athletics program,” the president said.

An accounting graduate and banking industry veteran, Barger joined C-N’s athletic department in 1980, becoming the director of athletic promotions. After serving in that role for nine years, he was named the director of athletic development. He took over the operation’s helm in 1990 when he replaced football coach Ken Sparks as AD.

During the year he spent between promotions and overseeing the entire program, Barger broke the fundraising century ceiling in 1990, raising more than $100K in a year.

“I have enjoyed administration and day to day operations, but I am looking forward to concentrating on helping coaches raise support for things they need,” he said. “I see myself as setting the table by helping our coaches secure resources and keeping alumni and friends involved in our great athletic tradition.”

As athletics director, Barger has benefitted from what he learned in promotions, fundraising and administration, plus lessons from the private sector as well. Within a year of becoming AD, Barger was involved in helping overhaul Holt Fieldhouse, including developing new office space and incorporating the 1960s structure to be part of the Maddox Student Activities Center.

Among other things of which he is most proud is navigating the locks and dams involved in transitioning between NAIA status and membership at the NCAA’s Division II level through 1993 and 1994. “You know, there are a couple of years in there when you are becoming compliant with the NCAA’s regulations while also being in good standing with the NAIA, so you’re keeping two sets of rules simultaneously.”

Barger is credited with building one of Division II’s premier athletic programs with noted success in most of the 14 sports it fields, fostering a 20 percent increase in student-athletes and leading changes in gender equity.

“David’s tenure includes balancing women’s athletics with the men’s program, which had a head start of some 95 years,” said O’Brien. “That’s been one of the great developments nationally and at Carson-Newman, thanks to David, because so many young women have had the chance to compete and use their talent as the springboard to a great education.”

Barger’s strong commitment to C-N predates his employment. Following graduation, he served as both vice president and president of the National Alumni Association and president of the Eagle Club. He also served as a member of the Alumni Executive Committee, member of the Board of Advisors and president of the Chattanooga alumni chapter. In 1978, the C-N letterman was presented the Eagle Club’s Booster of the Year Award.

He is a Hall of Fame member at Chattanooga Red Bank High School and on February 27 will receive the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame’s Morgan-Morris Award, given to those who have overcome adversity and inspired others through sports.

Barger resides in Talbott with his wife, Malinda. They are faithful members of Manley Baptist Church where David serves as a deacon. They have three adult children and three grandchildren.

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Phi Beta Sigma Meets with Underworld Group

Avengers Movie Super Bowl Trailer: Five Big Questions Raised



Image via Wikipedia



By: Scott Johnson

Image via Wikipedia

Earlier this week we raised the question of whether the Avengers Super Bowl movie commercial and/or the Super Bowl would live up to the hype. The resounding answer was they both lived up to the hype and then some. The Super Bowl came down to an unsuccessful Hail Mary pass into the end zone, and the Avengers movie preview offered extended footage online.

However, while we definitely know who won the Super Bowl, the Avengers movie trailer left us with some big questions. Here are our top five big questions from the Avengers movie footage.

Who are the aliens? It’s the big mystery of the Avengers movie. Everyone has a theory. Some say Badoons, others say Frost Giants, still others say Atlanteans, and maybe even Annihilus and his minions. The extended trailer gives us the best look yet of the aliens, and while it’s easy to rule out some alien races from the comics, the images aren’t quite clear enough to make a one hundred percent positive id

What are the aliens jumping off of? And speaking of the aliens, what exactly are they jumping off of. Is it some type of giant spaceship? Or are they coming out of an interdimensional portal?  Or is it the tale of the much rumored Leviathan (sea monster)?


Will Thor ever wear his helmet again? There are a lot of big name stars in The Avengers, so we get that Marvel wants to show their faces. But Captain America is shown wearing his mask and Iron Man is shown wearing his full suit of armor, so why does Thor never seem to be wearing his helmet, even in the midst of battle. Did someone in Marvel’s market research department do a study that determined Chris Hemsworth’s hair was too gorgeous to ever cover up?


Has the Hulk gotten smaller? If you noticed the Incredible Hulk appears to be a little bit smaller than he was in his previous solo movie. The images above that show Hulk standing in a circle with the Avengers show he is just a little taller than the rest of the group, while in the Incredible Hulk movie he towered over normal-sized people. Previous comments by Marvel Studios head had suggested Hulk could be smaller in The Avengers, but now we know for sure.


Who is this guy with the bow and arrow? We don’t recognize this guy from any of the promotional material. He only shows up briefly in a group shot and once solo where he appears to be falling to his death. (We’re kidding of course. We know it’s Hawkeye. Just making a little joke about him getting less screen time than all the other Avengers.)

Cocoa Continues To Surge In 2012 With Heavy Momentum (NIB, HSY, RSX, EWG, EWQ)

Jared Cummans: Cocoa, one of the most popular soft commodities, has been surging to start off 2012 after a rough end to last year. From their high point in March, cocoa futures endured a drop of more than 41% through the end of 2011. But this year is already looking up, with futures up approximately 7.6% through the first half of January. In fact, the only commodity to turn in a better performance over the two week period was orange juice. The big story for cocoa last year came from the Ivory Coast which suffered through a civil war that put significant pressures on the production from the world’s most significant cocoa nation. But this year seems to be a different story, and the start of a trend that may help traders rake in some healthy gains [see also Ultimate Guide To Cocoa Investing].

Cocoa: The Facts

The commodity cocoa, refers to cocoa beans, which are the dried seeds from the, Theobroma Cacao,  or cocoa tree. The tree is native to the Americas, specifically the  Southern Hemisphere, and has been a major part of the area’s history,  though now the vast majority of the trees exist in West Africa. The most visible use of cocoa beans is present in candies and beverages,  most often chocolate. But, cocoa bean can also be used to make cocoa butter, which is used for many pharmaceutical drugs, as it makes for a  nice substance to encapsulate various drugs. Cocoa beans are also  present in cosmetics, including various kinds of makeup, lotions, and  even soaps [see also Invest Like Jim Rogers With These Three Agriculture Stocks].

From a production standpoint, no one even comes close to the Ivory Coast, as they nearly double the output of the second-placed Indonesia. Other notable big name producers are Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. From a consumption standpoint, the country list is the polar opposite of  the producing markets, featuring a who’s who of developed nations. The  list of the top five global consumers are as follows: U.S., Germany (NYSEARCA:EWG),  France (NYSEARCA:EWQ), United Kingdom, and Russia (NYSEARCA:RSX). The real story here, lies in the emerging market countries that produce this important commodity, as a number of factors have combined to push cocoa higher on the year.

The most pressing issues comes from the Ivory Coast, who has seen a steep drop in recent production. “Cocoa arrivals at ports in top grower Ivory Coast are down nearly 4  percent to around 763,000 tonnes by Jan 15, exporters estimated on  Monday, compared with 793,772 tonnes in the same period of the previous  season as dry harmattan hits farm output” writes Ange Aboa. With cocoa exports taking a hit, there are two key factors that analysts are turning to: the lack of treatment of diseased plantations and dry weather. One agent even noted that the decline will continue in coming weeks because there are no more cocoa pods on trees. With demand for the commodity still high across the world, a lack of production could continue to inflate the price of cocoa, creating a juicy opportunity for traders to make a play [see also 12 High-Yielding Commodities For 2012].

Cocoa Investing

The speculation for high cocoa prices ranges from a few weeks, to all the way through March, meaning that now may be the perfect time to establish a short-term positions for the commodity. When it comes to cocoa investing, the options are not very wide, but that does not mean that they do not exist. The most direct way to take advantage of this temporary price spike comes from the March contract offered on the NYMEX at the CME Group. This is currently the most active contract and it also expires when analysts predict that cocoa may start to see some relief. Though futures require active monitoring, a position in one of these contracts could turn into a healthy short-term return for you portfolio [see also 2011′s Best Performing Commodity Was……Milk?].

Other options include an exchange traded product for those who are weary of direct futures investing. The Dow Jones-UBS Cocoa Total Return Sub-Index ETN (NYSEARCA:NIB) tracks front month futures on cocoa with an expense ratio of 0.75%. For those who are uncomfortable with futures investing, this ETN will alleviate the risks of outright owning a futures contract, while still offering direct exposure to the commodity. And finally, for those looking to make a more indirect play, The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) relies heavily on cocoa for their chocolate production. Note that high cocoa prices could mean bad news for this stock so if you believe that cocoa will rise, HSY may potentially be a good short opportunity [see also Top 5 Commodity ETFs Of 2011].

Written By Jared Cummans From CommodityHQ Disclosure: No positions at time of writing.

CommodityHQ offers educational content, analysis, and commentary on global commodity markets. Whether you’re looking to speculate on a short-term jump in crude or establish a long-term allocation to natural resources, CommodityHQ has the information you need.

Super Bowl final: Giants 21, Patriots 17

Posted by Staff  February 5, 2012 06:03 PM

INDIANAPOLIS -- On one last Hail Mary try, Tom Brady heaved it up for his two star tight ends in the end zone. Neither Rob Gronkowski or Aaron Hernandez, who both got a hand in the play, could come down with it.

The New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI, the second time the Giants beat the Patriots in the last four years in the NFL's title game.

Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw scored the go-ahead touchdown with 0:57 left in the game.

0:35 4th quarter: Giants 21, Patriots 17 -- Justin Tuck just sacked Tom Brady on third-and-10. The Patriots are facing fourth down with second remaining.
0:57 4th quarter: Giants 21, Patriots 17 -- Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for a 6-yard touchdown with less than a minute remaining in the game. The Patriots kept the Giants' D.J. Ware from getting in the end zone on the 2-point try.
Eli Manning completed five passes on the drive. It's crunch time for Tom Brady and the Patriots.
2:00 4th quarter: Patriots 17, Giants 15 -- With time in consideration, and down and distance to consider (first-and-10 at the Patriots' 18), the Giants are in a prime position to win this game. Eli Manning has completed three passes in the last drive to get the Giants to this point, including a 38-yarder to Mario Manningham down the sideline that was upheld after a Bill Belichick review.
3:53 4th quarter: Patriots 17, Giants 15 -- Tom Brady couldn't connect with a wide open Wes Welker, thorwing behind him before Welker spun around only to drop it. Then on third down, he couldn't hit Deion Branch while he was still open to keep the drive alive. The Giants have the ball with a little less than four minutes remaining.
9:24 4th quarter: Patriots 17, Giants 15 -- The Patriots defense finally got off the field thanks to Sterling Moore. The Patriots CB broke up a pass to Mario Manningham on third-and-10 after a lengthy Giants drive that saw Eli Manning convert three other third downs.
9:35 4th quarter: Patriots 17, Giants 15 -- The Giants are driving and have now blown their second timeout since taking possession. They've faced three third downs on this drive and have converted on them all.
14:17 4th quarter: Patriots 17, Giants 15 -- After getting away from a sack, Tom Brady heaved the ball up for Rob Gronkowski 40 yards down the field and was intercepted by Chase Blackburn who was in coverage.
End of the 3d quarter: Patriots 17, Giants 15 -- We're headed into the final quarter of the NFL season. The Patriots are driving. Tom Brady connected with Deion Branch for an 11-yard pass and BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushed up the gut for a seven-yard gain. They'll start in the fourth quarter on 2-and-3 at the Patriots 38-yard line.
0:35 3d quarter: Patriots 17, Giants 15 -- Lawrence Tynes kicked a 33-yard field goal, bringing the Giants within two points. Rob Ninkovich had a huge sack on Eli Manning on third down to force the kick. Ninkovich was one of only three Patriots rushing Manning on the play, as the rest dropped back into coverage.
5:57 3d quarter: Patriots 17, Giants 12 -- Justin Tuck sacked Tom Brady on third down to force a Patriots punt and a three and out.
Brady's streak of completions ended at 16, tying his own postseason record and setting a new Super Bowl record.
6:43 3d quarter: Patriots 17, Giants 12 -- Lawrence Tynes booted a 38-yard field goal as the Patriots' secondary came up with two big plays to hold the Giants.
Patrick Chung delivered a crushing hit to Hakeem Nicks to break up a pass and on the following play Sterling Moore smothered Giants receiver Mario Manningham before he could gain any extra yardage on third down.
11:20 3d quarter: Patriots 17, Giants 9 -- Tom Brady hit Aaron Hernandez for a 12-yard touchdown as the tight end bounced off two Giants defenders before ending up in the end zone upright.
Brady got things going with a 21-yard pass to Chad Ochocinco to open up the second half. Then BenJarvus Green-Ellis busted off a 16-yard run. Wes Welker caught two passes on the drive, including an eight-yard reception that set up Hernandez's touchdown.
15:00 3d quarter: Patriots 10, Giants 9 -- The third quarter is underway with the Giants kicking off to the Patriots.
Halftime: Patriots 10, Giants 9 -- Tom Brady is 15 of 18 for 147 yards and a touchdown at half. He got off to a rocky start, getting flagged for intentional grounding while standing in the end zone, resulting in a safety. But he bounced back, particularly in the second half. He completed 11 passes in the final drive of the first half, including a 4-yard touchdown to Danny Woodhead.
Eli Manning has done his best to put the Giants ahead. He completed his first nine passes, an NFL record, and threw a 2-yard touchdown to UMass alumnus Victor Cruz. Ahmad Bradshaw has been steady for the Giants with 44 yards on nine carries.
End of the 2d quarter: Patriots 10, Giants 9 -- Tom Brady connected with Danny Woodhead for a 4-yard touchdown pass across the middle of the end zone after a rocky 96-yard drive over 14 plays with 8 seconds left in the half.
The drive tied for the longest in Super Bowl history. In completing 11 passes on the drive, Brady passed Brett Favre for most postseason completions in NFL history. Favre had 482 for his record.
2:00 2d quarter: Giants 9, Patriots 3 -- Rob Gronkowski has finally gotten on the board. He registered a 20-yard catch before the two-minute warning, a sign that he's more than a decoy in today's game. He had played in limited snaps up until this drive where he has taken part in the team's hurry up offense.
4:03 2d quarter: Giants 9, Patriots 3 -- Sterling Moore broke up a pass to Mario Manningham on third and 10 to force the Giants to punt.
The Patriots were helped on the drive by a holding call on OL Kevin Boothe that if not caught would have resulted in a first down on a run by Brandon Jacobs.
8:50 2d quarter: Giants 9, Patriots 3 -- Jason Pierre-Paul batted down another Tom Brady pass and a throw to Wes Welker was just shy of a first down as the Patriots went three and out.
Giants tight end Travis Beckum, who was injured on the Giants' previous drive, has a torn ACL and is out for the game.
10:20 2d quarter: Giants 9, Patriots 3 -- The Giants were whistled for 12 men in the huddle and Patrick Chung broke up a pass to Hakeem Nicks, forcing the Giants to punt and giving the Patriots a chance to tie or take the lead in the game.
Eli Manning had another huge throw on the drive though, completing a 17-yard pass to Nicks.
13:48 2d quarter: Giants 9, Patriots 3 -- Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 29-yard field goal as the Patriots couldn't punch it into the end zone after a 9-play drive.
Tom Brady's pass on third down at the 11-yard line was deflected by the Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul.
It should be noted that Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski has played a very limited role in the game.
End of the 1st quarter: Giants 9, Patriots 0 -- The Patriots are just warming now as the game heads into the second quarter. A 15-yard pass from Tom Brady to Deion Branch and a 19-yard pass to Wes Welker has got the Patriots into the red zone.
3:24 1st quarter: Giants 9, Patriots 0 -- Two uncharacteristic mistakes by the Patriots have led to an early Giants lead. Giants QB Eli Manning hit WR Victor Cruz on slant for a 2-yard touchdown, as New York capitalized on a Tom Brady intentional grounding that resulted in a safety.
The Patriots appeared to hold the Giants in the red zone with CB Sterling Moore stripping receiver Hakeem Nicks on third down. But the Patriots were flagged for 12 men on the field, resulting in a first down at the Patriots' six-yard line for the Giants. Two plays later, Cruz was salsa dancing in the end zone. Patriots LB Jerod Mayo, who was in coverage on the play, didn't see as Manning's pass went behind his head to Cruz.
8:52 1st quarter: Giants 2, Patriots 0 -- Tom Brady dropped back on a play-action pass on the Patriots' first possession, and before getting hit in the pocket in the end zone, he fired the ball down field to no one in particular. He was called for intentional grounding, thus resulting in a safety for the Giants. The Giants will now receive a Patriots punt.
9:14 1st quarter: Patriots 0, Giants 0 -- Mark Anderson sacked Eli Manning on third down and Brandon Deaderick added a sack on first down as the Patriots slowed down a steady attack from the Giants on their first drive of Super Bowl XLVI. Manning connected with Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz to convert on two third downs for the Giants. After a Giants punt, the Patriots take over at their own 6-yard line.
15:00 1st quarter: Patriots 0, Giants 0 -- The Patriots won the toss. They deferred and the Giants will receive to open the game. Game on!
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Is all the hoopla over yet? Not quite. But it will be in the next 20 minutes or so. We'll have kickoff and then updates right here like we have had all year.
You can also take part in our fan chat at the Fan Zone on Boston.com and see all of the photos from Globe Staff and the wires right here.
Enjoy the game. And thanks for following along all year, right here.
-- Zuri Berry, Globe Staff