Sports

By JOHN ZENOR AP Sports Writer Alabama’s basketball team appears likely to enjoy a brief stay at No. 1 after rising to the top of the rankings for the second time in program history. These Crimson Tide are hoping that’s where the similarities end with the only other Alabama team to top the rankings, their

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — New Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown hopes some of Cristian Javier’s teammates follow the pitcher’s example and agree to longterm contracts. Javier agreed last week to a $64 million, five-year deal. Brown said he’s in negotiations with the agents for outfielder Kyle Tucker and pitcher Framber Valdez. Tucker

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Outfielder David Peralta finalized a $6.5 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who reached one-year deals with pitchers Jimmy Nelson for $1.2 million and Alex Reyes for $1.1 million. Reyes’ agreement includes a club option for 2024 along with escalators and bonuses that could make the deal worth $10

By ANDREW DAMPF and ERIC WILLEMSEN Associated Press MERIBEL, France (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin covered her mouth with her fluorescent orange mittens and then collapsed to the snow, still breathing heavily as her entire body pulsated from the exertion of her gold medal-winning run. What a relief after a hectic week for the American skier.

By JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writer Baltimore Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson and Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll are among the majors’ most promising rookies heading into the season. The 21-year-old Henderson made his big league debut last summer, batting .259 with four homers and 18 RBIs in 34 games. The 22-year-old Carroll hit 24 homers

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The Spanish league says Barcelona is not facing sanctions for having made payments for technical reports on referees to a company that belonged to the vice president of the refereeing committee. League president Javier Tebas says sports sanctions such as loss of points or relegation are not possible because there was

By JOHN WAWROW AP Hockey Writer QUEBEC CITY (AP) — The coach of a boys hockey team of Ukrainian refugees has told his players they’ve already won no matter their outcome at the International Peewee Tournament in Quebec City. Evgheniy Pysarenko says his players have symbolized peace and hope to people around the world, including

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Right-hander Michael Wacha and the San Diego Padres finalized a contract that guarantees $26 million over four seasons and could be worth $39 million over three years. Wacha gets a $3.5 million signing bonus and a $4 million salary this year. San Diego must decide after this year’s World Series whether

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — If so inclined, and if fellow captain LeBron James was to cooperate with his own selections, Giannis Antetokounmpo could pick Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Lauri Markkanen to play on his team Sunday night. Imagine an All-International All-Star starting lineup. It’s one

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Red Wings have signed defenseman Olli Maatta to a two-year, $6 million extension to keep him under contract through the 2024-2025 season. The Red Wings announced the deal on Thursday, two weeks before the NHL trade deadline. Maatta has five goals and 17 points this season, entering Thursday night’s game

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — USA Basketball has picked the 12 players for the final two games of World Cup qualifying later this month. They are tasked with giving the Americans a berth in this summer’s tournament and moving them one step closer to the Paris Olympics. Of the 12, four have been in past

ATLANTA (AP) — Brandon Gaudin, the former voice of Georgia Tech broadcasts, is the new play-by-play announcer for the Atlanta Braves on Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast. Gaudin replaces Chip Caray, who on Jan. 30 was named the television play-by-play voice of the St. Louis Cardinals, following the path set by his grandfather,

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — Lisa Klaveness is aiming to become one of the few women in world soccer politics to win an election against men. The Norwegian Football Federation president is running for a seat on UEFA’s executive committee. Klaveness is among 11 European officials aiming to win one of

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a $7.25 million, two-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Dominguez gets $2.5 million this season and $4.25 million next year. The deal includes an $8 million team option for 2025 with a $500,000 buyout. Domínguez had Tommy John surgery on July 30,

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana jury has found the NCAA not liable in the death of former Grand Valley State quarterback Cullen Finnerty, whose widow accused the college sports governing body of failing to warn athletes about the risks of head injuries while playing football. The NCAA argued that Finnerty’s death did not result from

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Bars and restaurants with DirecTV can still show Major League Soccer games. The satellite service announced on Thursday that it has reached an agreement to provide MLS Season Pass to commercial establishments through DirecTV for Business. DirecTV’s residential customers will still need to access MLS Season Pass through the Apple

By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer DENVER (AP) — The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and NCAA announced new programming in an attempt to employ college sports settings to increase visibility and possible gold-medal pathways for Paralympians. The organizations are planning a wheelchair college All-Star event featuring the U.S. Paralympic team at the women’s Division

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics have named Joe Mazzulla their full-time head coach, removing the interim tag he has held throughout the season after stepping in for Ime Udoka. Udoka was initially given a yearlong suspension before training camp for having an inappropriate relationship with a woman in