FACES MILITARY NCAA TOURNAMENT Ringo’s new EP Air Force chaplain cleanses Four teams driven driven by major homes at Yokota Air Base by disappointment Starr power where ‘odd things occur’ of 2020 cancellation Page 14 Page 4 Page 24

Study: Male Special Forces largely oppose unisex bathrooms ›› Page 3

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Volume 79 Edition 238 ©SS 2021 CONTINGENCY EDITION FRIDAY,MARCH 19, 2021 Free to Deployed Areas GAO: Troops in Japan, S. Korea also benefit US

BY COREY DICKSTEIN Stars and Stripes ‘Warrior The roughly $8.5 billion spent each year by the Pentagon to house tens of thousands of Amer- ican troops in Japan and South Korea benefits the Asia-Pacific region and the U.S. homeland, ac- restaurants’? cording to a congressional watch- dog group. The U.S. military spent approx- imately $34.3 billion between 2016 and 2019 to station more than 83,000 troops permanently in Ja- pan and South Korea, which paid dividends by maintaining strong alliances with those nations, de- terring aggression of potential enemies, and ensuring stability in the broader region, according to a Government Accountability Of- fice report published Wednesday. The report was mandated by Con- gress in the 2020 National De- fense Authorization Act as then- President Donald Trump’s ad- ministration considered remov- ing some U.S. troops from coun- tries around the world, including South Korea. The GAO said its new report leaned largely on nongovernment experts and reviewed Defense and State Department policies. It PHOTOS BY KELVIN RINGOLD/U.S. Army was released as Defense Secreta- Spc. Stephanie Bryant, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, prepares food during a “Taste Fest” at Fort Hood, Texas, on March 12. Some base cafeterias ry Lloyd Austin on Wednesday have begun experimenting with more meatless meals as the Army looks to fight obesity and increase soldier fitness. visited Seoul, the South Korean capital, as part of his first interna- tional trip as the Pentagon’s lead- How the Army hopes to fight fat and boost DFAC usage with rebranding er. Austin visited Japan earlier this week. BY CHAD GARLAND my’s Joint Culinary Center of Excellence said Austin, in public remarks in Se- Stars and Stripes in a statement in January. Use of the term has oul on Wednesday and Tokyo on ase cafeterias will always be “chow been percolating on social media, mostly Tuesday, said he visited those two halls” for many, while others call through the facilities’ official accounts and by nations first to reaffirm the U.S. them DFACs. But the Army is trying Army leaders promoting them. commitment to the long-standing Bto add a new term to the lexicon: “I miss just calling it a DFAC,” Command partnerships, which are seen as warrior restaurant. Sgt. Maj. Jason Towns said in a recent tweet. critical in efforts to dissuade Chi- In an effort to change how and what soldiers “It’s still a challenge to remember to call it a nese and North Korean aggres- eat, the service has begun rebranding its din- Warrior Restaurant.” sion in the region. Austin has said ing facilities, modernizing them and upgrading The dining facility overhaul comes as the Ar- he considers China’s growing mil- their offerings to prioritize fresh or frozen in- my looks to combat obesity and boost soldier itary ambitions his primary inter- gredients over heavily processed foods. A pan-seared teriyaki tofu steak with fitness, and after Army and Air Force officials “Warrior restaurant” is the preferred no- couscous and grilled asparagus is on display SEE GAO ON PAGE 6 menclature, Sgt. Maj. Ken Fauska of the Ar- March 12 at Fort Hood. SEE WARRIOR ON PAGE 5 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, March 19, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER Fed to keep key rate near zero til 2023 EXCHANGE RATES

Military rates South Korea (Won) 1,128.03 Associated Press jection in December of 4.2%. And sury note, which has surged in re- Switzerland (Franc) .9297 Euro costs (March 19) $1.17 Thailand (Baht) 30.87 WASHINGTON — The Federal the Fed raised its forecast for in- cent weeks on inflation concerns, Dollar buys (March 19) 0.8162 Turkey (NewLira) 7.3675 British pound (March 19) $1.36 Reserve foresees the economy ac- flation by the end of this year from declined slightly. Japanese yen (March 19) 106.00 (Military exchange rates are those available celerating quickly this year yet 1.8% to 2.4% after years of chron- Still, the Fed’s upgraded fore- South Korean won (March 19) 1,095.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ still expects to keep its benchmark ically low price increases. casts raised questions about what many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain(Dinar) .3770 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ interest rate pinned near zero The Fed also said it would con- would cause it eventually to raise Britain (Pound) 1.3902 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2449 your local military banking facility. Commercial through 2023, despite concerns in tinue its monthly purchases of its key short-term rate, which af- China(Yuan) 6.5087 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.2408 financial markets about potential- $120 billion in bonds, which are in- fects many consumer and busi- Egypt (Pound) 15.6997 when buying currency. All figures are foreign ly higher inflation. tended to keep longer-term bor- ness loans. As the economy Euro .8393 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7654 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ With its brightening outlook, the rowing costs low. strengthens, the policymakers Hungary (Forint) 309.50 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.2973 Fed on Wednesday significantly On Wall Street, investors regis- think the unemployment rate will Japan (Yen) 109.18 INTEREST RATES upgraded its forecasts for growth tered their approval of the Fed’s drop faster than they thought in Kuwait(Dinar) .3021 Norway (Krone) 8.4747 Prime rate 3.25 and inflation. It now expects the low-rate message, sending stock December: They foresee unem- Philippines (Peso) 48.66 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.88 Federal funds market rate 0.07 economy to expand 6.5% this year, indexes higher. And the closely ployment falling from its current Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7504 3­month bill 0.02 up sharply from its previous pro- watched yield on the 10-year Trea- 6.2% to 4.5% by year’s end. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3441 30­year bond 2.44 WEATHER OUTLOOK FRIDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY IN EUROPE SATURDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 39/34

Kabul Seoul 58/42 48/44 Baghdad 72/50 Tokyo Drawsko Osan Kandahar Mildenhall/ 48/44 53/44 81/46 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 34/27 54/48 47/40 Iwakuni Kuwait City Bahrain 56/49 Brussels Zagan Sasebo Guam 79/63 72/68 Ramstein 37/30 64/56 45/35 38/26 83/79 Riyadh Lajes, 90/65 Doha Azores Stuttgart 88/69 61/57 38/32 Pápa Aviano/ 43/25 Vicenza 43/28

Naples 52/39 Okinawa Morón 73/69 64/43 Sigonella Rota 55/41 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 63/48 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 84/73 59/52 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 12 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 14 Opinion ...... 15 Sports ...... 17-24 Friday, March 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Men more shy about unisex bathrooms

BY NIKKI WENTLING main concerns. said Shannon Portillo, associate Bathrooms were often cited as a members. Stars and Stripes The study, titled “Maintaining dean for academic affairs at the reason male service members “Men’s discomfort with poten- WASHINGTON — A study of Male Exclusivity: Porcelain Priv- university’s Edwards Campus. were against the integration. His- tially sharing toilets and team Special Forces service members ilege in the Military,” was pub- “We were focused on larger ques- torically, researchers said, bath- room spaces with women, in con- found that male and female troops lished recently in the journal tions of military integration, but rooms have been used as a way to trast to the women’s readiness for hold drastically different views on Armed Forces and Society. Re- we saw a stark gender difference keep women out of certain work- such conditions, is an indication gender-neutral bathrooms, with searchers at the University of on this topic. The results clearly places, such as police stations, that the underlying logic of sex- many men firmly opposed to Kansas conducted focus groups showed men were concerned firehouses and Congress. ism needs to be addressed,” the them. with members of the U.S. Army about continuing a sex-separated When male-dominated work- study states. About 33% of men who partici- Special Forces about their atmosphere.” places have been integrated, The study did not include or ask pated in the study said they would thoughts on women integrating The researchers held 27 focus some workers attempted to fight about transgender service mem- be willing to share a unisex bath- into combat roles. Researchers groups with a total of 198 partici- back by “doubling down on the bers because it was conducted room with women, while 61% of didn’t ask service members about pants at Fort Bragg in North Car- existing sexist culture,” said when transgender people were women said they would be willing bathrooms, but the issue kept olina and Fort Leavenworth in Alesha Doan, a professor in KU’s barred from military service, the to share a unisex bathroom with coming up, they said. Kansas. department of women, gender researchers wrote. men. “We weren’t focused on bath- The study found that there is and sexuality studies. The re-

Male service members cited rooms originally, but they kept still resistance of women integrat- searchers found this same dy- [email protected] hygiene, risk and privacy as their coming up, more than 300 times,” ing into Special Forces positions. namic in their study of service Twitter: @nikkiwentling Disproportionately more whites nominated to academies BY NIKKI WENTLING the population in his district, Stars and Stripes which is 59% Black, 25% Hispan- WASHINGTON — Members of ic, 13% white, 2% Asian or Pacific Congress nominate white stu- Islander. dents to military service acade- In the Senate, Sen. Patrick Lea- mies at disproportionately high hy, D-Vt., most closely matched rates, leading to an underrepre- the population he represents, sentation of minorities there and which is 89% white and 3% His- among the military’s pool of gen- panic, 3% Asian or Pacific Islan- eral officers. der and 2% Black. The nomina- The Connecticut Veterans Le- tions of Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, gal Center explained the discre- depart most from his district, pancy Wednesday in a report ti- which is 45% Hispanic, 34% tled, “Gatekeepers to Opportuni- white, 13% Black and 4% Asian ty.” Researchers analyzed data and Pacific Islander. from 1994 to 2020 using congres- As a result of the discrepan- sional nominations to the coun- cies, minority students don’t have try’s three largest service acade- equitable access to the acade- mies: U.S. Air Force Academy, mies and the opportunities they U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. present, the report states. Military Academy at West Point. The consequences extend past White students received 74% of the academies and into the mili- nominations from lawmakers, tary, said Richard Brookshire, despite comprising only 54% of executive director of the Black the total U.S. population age 18 to Veterans Project. 24, researchers found. Only 6% of “Beyond the academy walls, the nominations went to Black these disparities are compound- students, and 8% went to Hispan- ed: Black soldiers and sailors are ic students. overrepresented in the enlisted “The congressional nomina- ranks and underrepresented tions system is leaving Black and among general officers,” Latinx students behind,” said DAVID ZALUBOWSKI/AP Brookshire said. “And over one- Liam Brennan, executive direc- Cadets practice social distancing as they march to their seats to start the graduation ceremony for the half of service members of color tor of the Connecticut Veterans class of 2020 at the U.S. Air Force Academy at Air Force Academy, Colo. have witnessed evidence of white Legal Center. “[The] bottleneck supremacy or racist ideologies in ultimately impacts diversity at races of students who applied. dations to Congress that they be- bers are making good-faith ef- the military.” the highest levels of military That information is only sporad- lieve would help boost diversity forts to promote students of color, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D- leadership.” ically collected and isn’t subject at the academies. They asked that the data point to a clear and ur- N.Y., said in a statement Wednes- Admission to a service acade- to the Freedom of Information lawmakers reach out to Title I gent need for improvement day that she supported changes my is highly competitive, and all Act, said Sarah Purtill, a law stu- schools, which enroll large num- across Congress and in the acad- to the nomination system. Gilli- applications must secure a nomi- dent intern at the center. bers of students from underrep- emy admissions process at brand was a sponsor of the Pano- nation from a member of Con- A measure passed by Congress resented backgrounds. They also large,” Brennan said. rama Act that passed through gress or another source, such as in the National Defense Autho- want Congress to require the De- In its report, the center listed Congress in January. the president, vice president, rization Act of 2021 will change fense Department to expand its the lawmakers in the current “Our nation’s service acade- secretaries of each military that. The Panorama Act requires Junior Reserve Officers’ Train- congressional session who were mies cultivate exceptional offi- branch or the superintendents of the Department of Defense to re- ing Course program into more Ti- doing the best and worst at nomi- cers, but we must do more to en- the academies. Lawmakers ac- port data on the race, ethnicity tle I schools. nating students who represented sure they reflect our country’s di- count for most nominations — re- and gender of applicants to ser- The Connecticut Veterans Le- the populations of their districts. versity,” she said. “[The] con- sulting in 60% to 70% of the stu- vice academies. gal Center also recommended The nominations of Rep. Ed gressional nomination system dent populations. A 2019 report by the Connecti- that the Pentagon allow some Case, D-Hawaii, most closely must be refocused to strengthen Researchers heard from law- cut Veterans Legal Center lawmakers to nominate more stu- matched the population he repre- the diversity of our service aca- makers that students of color ap- showed that lawmakers nominat- dents. The supplementary nomi- sents, which is 34% Asian or Pa- demies. I will keep working until plied for the nominations at lower ed more than three times as many nations would be given to law- cific Islander, 24% white, 16% every student has an equal rates, contributing to the under- male students as female students. makers who are shown to equita- Hispanic and 4% Black. The nom- chance to serve, regardless of representation. However, there In the newest report, research- bly nominate minority students. inations of Rep. Alcee Hastings, race, gender or socioeconomic is no data available about the ers included a list of recommen- “While some congressmem- D-Fla., stray the furthest from status.” PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, March 19, 2021 PACIFIC N. Korea, denuclearization top agenda in Seoul talks

BY SETH ROBSON fer systematic abuses at the hands acted in 2018 after former Presi- Stars and Stripes of their leaders.” dent Donald Trump’s first summit North Korea and denucleariza- The ministers’ discussion also with North Korean leader Kim tion of the Korean Peninsula focused on diplomatic efforts to Jong Un, Austin said the military topped a list of issues the U.S. sec- resolve the nuclear issue and the is always looking for ways to make retaries of state and defense tack- need for a strategy that includes training better. led with their South Korean coun- Japan, Chung said. “We have looked to be flexible; terparts during meetings this There is potential for future di- we have looked to be adaptive and South Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs week in Seoul. plomacy with North Korea, Blin- we have always been effective,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks at a press conference in Secretary of State Antony Blin- ken said, adding that China has a he said, adding that future train- Seoul with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and their South Korean ken and Pentagon chief Lloyd critical role to play in working to ing on the peninsula will be deter- counterparts, Minister of Defense Suh Wook and Foreign Minister Austin held a press conference convince North Korea to denu- mined in coordination with South Chung Eui­yong, on Thursday. with South Korea’s defense minis- clearize. Korea. ter, Suh Wook, and foreign minis- “Virtually all of North Korea’s Meanwhile, North Korea an- U.S. and South Korean officials talks a “time-delaying trick.” ter, Chung Eui-yong, following economic relationships, its trade, nounced it would disregard any met in Seoul. He repeated Pyongyang’s posi- Thursday’s so-called 2+2 talks. go through China,” he said. U.S. offer of dialogue unless it “What has been heard from the tion that no “dialogue of any kind” The allies’ goals are clear, Blin- Readiness remains the top pri- changes its “hostile policy,” after U.S. since the emergence of the is possible unless the U.S. dials ken said: the denuclearization of ority for U.S. forces on the penin- Washington contacted Pyongyang new regime is only a lunatic theo- back its hostility. North Korea, reducing the threat sula, Austin told reporters. in an effort to restart nuclear talks. ry of ‘threat from North Korea’ that country presents and “im- Asked about the impact of North Korea’s foreign minister, and groundless rhetoric about Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report. proving the lives of all Koreans, scaled back joint military exercis- Choe Son Hui, issued a statement ‘complete denuclearization,’ ” [email protected] including North Koreans who suf- es on the peninsula, a change en- rejecting the offer Thursday as the Choe said, calling the offer for Twitter: @SethRobson1 Air Force chaplain cleanses Yokota Air Base homes of spirits BY ERICA EARL ren’t certain exactly how many Stars and Stripes calls they have received on Yokota YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — but explained that they receive a The headquarters of U.S. Forces steady flow of requests, and had a Japan may also be home to super- cleansing arranged for right after natural activity, according to a their interview with Stars and couple who claim to help anyone Stripes. dealing with paranormal disturb- Belief in hauntings, dark spirits ances to rid their homes of unwant- and exorcisms is rooted in several ed spirits. factors, including religious beliefs Chaplain (Capt.) Lance Brown, about the afterlife and people’s de- of Yokota’s 374th Wing Staff Agen- sire to connect and find patterns cy, and his wife, Karen Brown, and significance in unusual or who is working on a master’s in seemingly inexplicable incidents, counseling, have been performing according to Michael Shermer, a home cleanses, or anointings, for science historian and the founder the past eight years in homes of The Skeptics Society in Altade- where “odd things occur.” na, Calif. Supernatural activity is report- “Incidents seem significant ed so often at this base in western ERICA EARL/Stars and Stripes when you are looking for it,” he Tokyo that it inspired a Facebook Chaplain (Capt.) Lance Brown and his wife, Karen Brown, perform cleanses at Yokota Air Base. said in a phone interview March 9. group, Yokota Ghost Hunter Club. The uncertainty and restric- Its members post about paranor- her home last year. The family found the Browns on cense and holy water. tions associated with the yearlong mal phenomena they’ve experi- “My 3-year-old daughter has Facebook, and, despite not identi- “It’s not as intense as movies like coronavirus pandemic possibly enced at their homes and work- been experiencing sleep regres- fying with any religion, decided to ‘The Exorcist’ or anything like amplifies stress and emotion, places. sion the past year,” she told Stars give it a try. that,” Karen Brown said. “After Lance Brown said. Add to that the Lance Brown is endorsed by the and Stripes over Facebook Mess- “I know it won’t happen over- we have left, the situation has nev- feeling of isolation and separation Pentecostal Church of God, and enger early this month. “There night, but I’m hoping we can all er gotten worse, ever.” from family and friends that the home cleanses are not official- have been several times when I live more comfortably in our home The Popes, who had their home comes with living in a foreign ly sanctioned by the Air Force, he would be watching her video mon- regardless if there was a spirit ex- anointed March 1, are hopeful that country. told Stars and Stripes in an inter- itor and I would see orbs of light in isting here,” Laurie Pope said. the process worked for her family. “These feelings can make some- view earlier this month. her room. There have been a few The Browns’ anointing process “My daughter still isn’t sleeping one more heightened to portals for “Ghosts or spiritual demonic ac- instances where I’d be in my bed- starts with talking to the family through the night,” Laurie Pope spiritual activity,” he said. tivity, things of an evil nature, God room and I would see a white about what is happening at home. said. “But I feel a much greater The Browns declined to share combats that,” he said. “We have streak of light run past the foot of “We discuss what they are see- sense of peace being home alone, the details of specific cleansings, the ability to be that beacon of hope my bed. And, more recently, my ing, hearing and sensing to deter- especially at night.” but said they have experienced as people invite us.” daughter has been saying she’s mine if it’s just a creaky house or if The Browns do the cleanses free fear and emotional responses The Browns said their cleans- seeing monsters and that she’s something evil is going on here,” of cost, judgment or disclosure, themselves during some visits. ings are sometimes about helping scared.” Lance Brown said. “Some people they said. People need not be reli- “It’s not anything of Hollywood, someone cope with anxiety, heart- Pope and her husband, Master call it a ‘spidey sense,’ but we refer gious to have a home cleansing, but evil is a very real thing,” Lance break or a troubled past than about Sgt. Austin Pope of the 374th Main- to it as a discernment of spirits, a and the Browns said their objec- Brown said. “You just sense an ab- literal evil spirits, though Lance tenance Squadron, decided that heightened sense of things that are tive is not to convert anyone’s be- solute darkness, and your skin tin- said they are not suggesting the since Laurie Pope is six months different or off.” lief systems. gles and the hair on the back of supposed presence of spirits is “all pregnant, they needed to do some- They then apply anointing oil — The couple said they received your neck raises and you get a in the person’s head.” thing to help their daughter feel a mixture of frankincense, myrrh, more calls at Yokota over the past sense of ‘I don’t want to be here.’” Laurie Pope, who lives in one of less afraid and sleep through the aloes and herbs — to anything that year than they did at their previous

Yokota’s garden units, said she night before bringing a new baby needs to be blessed, including peo- assignment in Fort McConnell Air [email protected] started to feel uncomfortable in home. ple and objects. They also use in- Force Base, Kan. The Browns we- Twitter: @ThisEarlGirl Friday, March 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY Warrior: Dining facilities promote healthy eating to draw more troops in FROM PAGE 1 While some DFACs have been stressing began exploring a university campus-style their value and menu variety, bases are also dining plan that would let soldiers use meal launching food trucks, in-barracks kiosks cards outside DFACs, at places where and late-night or extended meal times to they’ve been paying out of pocket. better serve the troops. To draw customers in, some DFACs have Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston begun experimenting with more meatless touted the “transition to the warrior restau- meals, some of which were offered last rant” at the Association of the U.S. Army’s week to troops at Fort Hood, Texas, during a annual meeting and expo in October, saying “Taste Fest” at the Always Ready Warrior the mess hall makeover aims to create Restaurant. “someplace you’d be proud to eat with your After a four-day training event with a squad.” Florida-based chef, Fort Hood culinary spe- They’re adding ID card scanners to cut cialists served up samples of vegan break- down on wait times, starting to allow credit fast burritos with scrambled tofu, vegan card payments and working to improve the spelt pancakes topped with fresh berries, food quality. stuffed avocados with quinoa salad and Installations are partnering with chefs pan-seared teriyaki tofu steak with cous- off-base to improve kitchen staff mentor- cous and grilled asparagus. ship and training. The service has recruited To promote healthier eating, facilities are Food Network chef Robert Irvine, a fixture also placing salad bars more prominently, at holiday USO shows downrange in recent deep-sixing deep fat fryers and switching to years, to help find ways to attract younger air frying ovens. troops to the DFACs. On social media, chow halls boast about “If you give soldiers what they want, they meals with more whole grains, lean meats, will eat there,” Irvine said in August. fruits and vegetables — sometimes pitting KELVIN RINGOLD/U.S. Army But will anyone really call them by the them against fast food joints or other com- Pfc. Edwin Villareal, center, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, explains the new vegan and new name, especially without a catchy mil- petitors. vegetarian items during Taste Fest on March 12, at Fort Hood, Texas. itary acronym? Last weekend, U.S. Army “Don’t waste your money at Burger King WTF Moments posted a variation of the ... hmmmm!” said a recent 3rd Infantry Di- diers fail to use about half that entitlement. volumes in the chow halls,” former Army “woman yelling at cat” meme depicting the vision Food Service post on Facebook with That means each soldier leaves about Secretary Ryan McCarthy told lawmakers renaming struggle. photos of fruits, vegetables and what looked $170 a month “on the table,” partly because at the hearing. “Warrior Restaurant? WTF!” retired Ar- like baked fish filet. of difficulty getting to DFACs at meal times Soldiers know about them, but “the mil- my Brig. Gen. Bill Shea wrote in response. DFAC meals are subsidized through food for various reasons, Rep. Tim Ryan, D- lion-dollar question” is how to get them eat- “It’s a Chow Hall!” allowances, which let soldiers who live in Ohio, said during a committee hearing last ing there, said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mi- the barracks use meal cards to pay for year. chael Barnes, a food service adviser at Fort [email protected] breakfast, lunch and dinner. But many sol- There is a “lack of participation in large Polk, La. Twitter: @chadgarland PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, March 19, 2021 PACIFIC Okinawa drill focuses on sea lane control

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE Stars and Stripes “For us, it’s like IE SHIMA, Okinawa — U.S. Marines, soldiers and airmen a road for nearly two weeks polished a new approach to island warfare intersection, but in the Western Pacific designed to deny surrounding seas to po- on the water.” tential adversaries. Lt. Col. Roe Lemons Jr. They deployed small groups of highly trained troops, fast- 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines moving artillery and stealthy commander fighter jets to grab territory from which rockets could tenant general for the Japan launch. Ground Self-Defense Force. Exercise Castaway, which “It works as a deterrent to concludes Saturday on this is- have both a larger diplomatic land just off Okinawa’s north- framework and military exer- west coast, demonstrates how a cises,” he told Stars and Stripes relatively small, widely dis- by phone Tuesday. Castaway persed force could seize and “shows the U.S. military’s capa- hold useful territory in the bility to deploy reliable weap- early stages of a conflict. ons in a timely and appropriate The tactic is called expedi- manner. It is important to show tionary advanced base oper- rather than just talking about ations. The potential adversary, it.” left unsaid, is widely under- PHOTOS BY MATTHEW M. BURKE/Stars and Stripes The exercise took place as stood to be China. Marines guard an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System on Monday during Exercise Castaway on IeU.S. attention becomes more Castaway is the second exer- Shima, Okinawa. focused on the Indo-Pacific re- cise like it since Noble Fury in gion. The U.S. secretaries of de- October, but it’s the most com- Air Force 320th Special Tactics fense and state met with their prehensive expeditionary ad- Squadron led the way. Behind counterparts in Seoul and To- vanced base exercise, so far, them came the main force from kyo this week, a show of soli- 3rd Marine Division spokes- the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines. darity for rivals China and man Maj. Kurt Stahl told Stars From Marine Corps Air Sta- North Korea. and Stripes on Monday. tion Iwakuni came four F-35B On March 9, the head of Indo- Noble Fury involved Marines Lightning II stealth fighters, Pacific Command, Adm. Philip and sailors practicing an island capable of short runway take- Davidson, told the Senate airfield seizure and deploying a offs and vertical landings, to Armed Services Committee Marine M142 High Mobility Ar- provide air cover and seek po- that China could launch an at- tillery Rocket System, or HI- tential targets. tack on Taiwan in the next six MARS. Castaway largely went A week into the scenario, the years. through the same motions but HIMARS from 3rd Battalion, The U.S. helps deter China had the added layers of an ac- 12th Marines’ Sierra Battery from using force to assert con- tual wartime scenario. rolled out the back of a Marine trol over Taiwan by selling it They also demonstrated how C-130 Hercules airlifter, raised arms and by routinely sending to sustain the force for a period its tubes for a mock fire, then Navy warships through the 110- afterward. The long-range fire disappeared into the nearby rived. “For us, it’s like a road persed forces can administer mile-wide Taiwan Strait. of the HIMARS would deny ad- jungle. intersection, but on the water.” punishing, precision strikes And the U.S. is also commit- versaries easy movement “What we’re doing is working The expeditionary advanced without having to destroy all of ted to helping Japan defend the through the surrounding seas. on establishing an austere posi- base concept relies on an “al- an adversary’s forces. Senkaku Islands, a handful of The exercise started March 8 tion where we can basically ternative forward force,” that is Marines in the field referred barren, rocky islets whose pos- and involved a force more than prosecute long-range precision “difficult to target” and “lethal, consistently to a “peer” adver- session is contested by China 300 strong. Marines from 3rd fires, and that allows us to basi- yet resilient,” according to a sary. But Castaway was clearly and Taiwan. Reconnaissance Battalion cally deny the sea lane,” said June 2018 handbook prepared designed to counter an increas- joined by U.S. Army Green Be- 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines by the Marine Corps Warfight- ingly assertive China, accord- Stars and Stripes reporter Hana Kusumoto contributed to this report. rets of 1st Battalion, 1st Special commander Lt. Col. Roe Lem- ing Laboratory at Quantico, Va. ing to Toshiyuki Shikata, a se- [email protected] Forces Group and airmen of the ons Jr. after the battery ar- These smaller, widely dis- curity expert and former lieu- Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 GAO: Report finds US presence in Japan, S. Korea boosts regional security including regular assurances the GAO studied, and the organi- said. funding to offset some of the costs FROM PAGE 1 those country’s military forces zation said experts concluded lo- In all, the United States spent to U.S. taxpayers, according to the national threat. could fight alongside U.S. troops, cals were largely supportive of some $20.9 billion in Japan be- GAO. The long-standing alliances close proximity to respond to nat- the U.S. military presences in tween 2016 and 2019 to maintain Japan paid the United States with Japan and South Korea, Aus- ural disasters or security events their countries. the roughly 55,000 troops there, some $12.6 billion and South Ko- tin said this week, contribute to “a in the region, and support for nu- However, the GAO also said lo- the GAO reported. rea paid some $5.8 billion, be- free and open Indo-Pacific” re- clear nonproliferation among its cals in some locations near U.S. It spent another $13.4 billion in tween 2016 and 2019, to support gion. allies in the region. bases object to U.S. troops’ pres- South Korea for the approximate- pay for labor, construction, utili- The GAO report reached the The experts polled by GAO also ence, especially on Okinawa, Ja- ly 28,500 troops stationed in there. ties and training costs. same conclusion, including analy- agreed the U.S. military presence pan, and can strain bilateral rela- Those totals largely include South Korea and the United sis that American troops in Japan in Japan and South Korea streng- tionships. money spent on troops’ salaries, States announced this month a and South Korea were important thened the overall relationships A long-held and often-delayed military operations, and con- deal to increase South Korean to maintain supply lines and trade the United States maintains with U.S. plan to remove some 9,000 struction and maintenance of mil- payments for housing American routes through the region. those host nations. Okinawa-based Marines to other itary and family housing facili- troops there by 13.9% for 2021. GAO found permanent U.S. The size of U.S. forces in South locations including Guam, Ha- ties, according to the GAO. military presences in Japan and Korea and Japan has changed waii and the U.S. mainland could Japan and South Korea provid- [email protected] South Korea had other benefits, minimally during the period that help quell those issues, experts ed the United States some direct Twitter: @CDicksteinDC Friday, March 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 WAR/MILITARY

Guam-based Russia hosts airman killed in motorcycle crash ID’d Stars and Stripes Afghan forum Andersen Air Force Base on Thursday identified Staff Sgt. Will Gonzales as the airman killed Tuesday in a motorcycle crash about 12 miles from the installa- to boost talks tion. Gonzales, of the 36th Security Forces Squadron, died when he BY VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the lost control of his Associated Press start of the meeting. motorcycle and MOSCOW — Russia hosted a The Moscow conference is at- collided with a peace conference for Afghanistan tended by U.S. peace envoy Zal- raised cement on Thursday, bringing together may Khalilzad, Abdullah Abdul- median, Guam government representatives and lah, head of Afghanistan’s Nation- Police Sgt. Paul their Taliban adversaries along al Reconciliation Council, and Ta- ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/AP Tapao told the with international observers in a liban co-founder Mullah Abdul Taliban co­founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, center, arrives with Pacific Daily bid to help jump-start the coun- Ghani Baradar. Representatives other members of the Taliban delegation Thursday for an international News. peace conference in Moscow. try’s stalled peace process. of Pakistan, Iran, India and China The accident Gonzales The one-day gathering is the are also participating. occurred on San- first of three planned internation- Moscow, which fought a 10-year tions and compromises,” Lavrov da is still present in Afghanistan, tos Hill near a residential area, al conferences ahead of a May 1 war in Afghanistan that ended said. “It’s important to sign an and an affiliate of the Islamic State Casa de Isa, according to the deadline for the final withdrawal agreement that would serve the group has taken root in the east of newspaper report. with Soviet troops’ withdrawal in of U.S. and NATO troops from the interests of all key ethnic and po- the country. Guam police are still investigat- 1989, has made a diplomatic country, a date fixed under a year- litical forces of the country and de- Many Afghans fear the with- ing the crash. comeback as a mediator in Af- old agreement between the termine the vector of its develop- drawal of U.S. and NATO troops Gonzales worked at the armory, ghanistan, reaching out to feuding Trump administration and the Ta- ment.” could lead to an upsurge in fight- according to a 2019 news release factions as it jockeys with the U.S. liban. He emphasized that it was im- ing between the country’s rival from the 36th Wing. Moscow’s attempt at mediation for influence in the country. In portant to quickly reach a peace factions. “Will was an outstanding mem- comes as talks in Doha between 2019, it hosted talks between vari- deal “amid the deteriorating mil- The Taliban now want more ber of Team Andersen and he will the Afghan government and the ous Afghan factions. itary-political situation” before prisoners released from Afghan be deeply missed,” Brig. Gen. Jer- Taliban, still waging an insurgen- Lavrov on Thursday urged the the summer when an upsurge in prisons and their leaders removed emy Sloane, the wing commander, cy, have stalled. Washington and Afghan government and the Tali- fighting is likely. from the U.N.’s so-called blacklist. said in a statement from Andersen Kabul have been pressing for a ban to take a constructive stance The U.S. has waged a war in Af- The Taliban, who during their on Thursday. cease-fire while the Taliban say and make compromises, adding ghanistan for 20 years following rule imposed a harsh brand of Is- “We express our deepest sym- they will negotiate it as part of that international participants the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks lam on Afghanistan, now control pathies to Will’s family and peace talks with the Afghan gov- should help create the necessary masterminded by al-Qaida leader about half of the country, and U.S. friends as we navigate through ernment. conditions for reaching a deal. Osama bin Laden from Afghanis- Secretary of State Antony Blinken this difficult time together.” “We hope that today’s talks will “The Afghan parties interested tan, making it America’s longest has warned that it could make help achieve progress in the inter- in the national reconciliation can conflict. But despite the U.S. quick gains without U.S. and NA- Afghan talks,” Russian Foreign reach peace only through negotia- spending nearly $1 trillion, al-Qai- TO troops. [email protected] Helicopter crash kills 9 Afghan troops BY RAHIM FAIEZ Separately Thursday, a bomb- old child and wounded 13 others, Associated Press ing killed four state employees according to security officials. KABUL, Afghanistan — A hel- commuting in a minibus in the Afghanistan is experiencing a icopter crash overnight has taken capital Kabul, police said. Fer- nationwide spike in bombings, the lives of at least nine Afghan daws Faramarz, spokesman for targeted killings and other vio- military personnel in a central the Kabul police chief, said a lence as peace negotiations in Qa- province, the defense ministry woman was among the dead and tar between Taliban insurgents said Thursday. nine other people were wounded and the Afghan government stall. In a statement, it said that four in the attack in the city’s north. The Islamic State’s local affil- crew members of the MI-17 heli- No one immediately claimed re- iate has claimed responsibility for copter along with five security sponsibility for the Kabul attack, some of the violence, but many at- personnel were killed in the crash, but government employees have tacks go unclaimed, with the Af- in the Behsud district of Maidan been targeted before. On Monday, ghan government putting the Wardak province. It gave no fur- another bombing on a minibus blame on the Taliban. The insur- MARIAM ZUHAIB/AP ther detail except to say that inves- carrying state workers in Kabul gents have denied responsibility Security personnel inspect a damaged minibus after a bomb tigations were ongoing. killed three women and a 3-year- for most of the attacks. explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday. PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, March 19, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK Doctors go virtual to cut virus exposure

BY NANCY MONTGOMERY lowed inside as Italy’s coronavirus Stars and Stripes cases spiked and most of the coun- The U.S. military has seen a try again locked down. surge in the use of virtual medical Patients like virtual care be- U.S. ARMY HEALTH CENTER VICENZA care, as patients avoid doctor’s of- cause it’s discreet and convenient, Dr. Rafael Nunez, a pediatrician at the U.S. Army Health Center in Vicenza, Italy, speaks on the phone fices and health care workers said Col. Andrew Baxter, Region- March 9, with a parent about their child's diagnosis in one of many virtual health appointments he has daily. work to minimize their exposure al Health Command Europe nurse to the coronavirus. executive. geon in Germany instructed. In specialist at Naval Medical Center ber, some clinics began to contin- The Defense Health Agency Doctors like it because it’s effi- another case, troops in Ukraine Portsmouth, Va., and Baloch. uously monitor COVID-19 pa- long planned to expand its use of cient, allows for more collabora- resolved behavioral health issues “It prevented the evacuation of tients’ blood oxygen levels at telemedicine, which could include tion and provides more timely ap- with an Army provider in Poland. the patient,” Baloch said. home. everything from a nurse display- pointments and access to health Behavioral health is especially For a few months last year when “One of the big advantages of ing an X-ray of a soldier’s broken care. Commanders like it because suited to virtual sessions, Baxter Landstuhl had no oncologist, a virtual health care is it can and foot and discussing rehabilitation, it saves travel costs and mission said. Troops with anxiety, depres- Walter Reed National Military does reduce the need to use more to doctors in different countries days. sion, PTSD or other problems are Medical Center doctor filled the complex services,” he said. “If you diagnosing cancer. In a way, virtual health care is a known to dislike being seen seek- gap. can consult, you can avoid a visit to “We basically in a couple of back-to-the-future endeavor, Bax- ing help. A virtual visit may draw “Even Landstuhl might not the emergency room.” months had a growth in what we ter said. “It’s kind of going back in no more attention than a phone have the specialty a patient However, there will always be a were planning to do in a couple of time to the house call.” call. needs,” Baxter said. “This brings place for doctors and nurses to in- years,” said Jamie Adler, lead for The U.S. military in Europe had Complex physical ailments can us global reach.” teract in person. the Defense Health Agency’s Vir- a five-year head start adapting also be addressed. Virtual medicine had grown “If you have the resources and tual Health Clinical Integration virtual care because of the disper- Endocrinologist Maj. Harris more slowly in the continental the specialists or you’re there for a Office. “With patients and many sal of troops under its responsib- Baloch, a specialist in glandular U.S. than in Europe until now, physical exam it makes sense to providers at home, we really had ility. Its clinics provide primary disorders like diabetes and hy- Adler said. to step up.” care to operational troops de- pothyroidism, prefers seeing pa- “The need wasn’t staring them deliver it in person,” Adler said. “I Health caregivers across the ployed to Europe, Africa, Afghan- tients in person for a first appoint- in the face” until the pandemic think there’ll be a balance. military have found that many ap- istan and the Middle East. ment and physical exam at Land- happened, he said. “But it’ll be a new balance. pointments can be done just as “We have small groups of sol- stuhl Regional Medical Center, Along with the increased use We’ve discovered we can do well and more conveniently using diers throughout Europe, some- the largest U.S. military hospital came new guidance on how to use things we didn’t know we could do. technology as simple as a cell- times in the middle of a field,” in Europe. After that, he sees them the technology safely, confiden- And if you can talk to a mental phone. Baxter said. primarily through secure video. tially and effectively. Additional health provider or a primary care Need a child’s rash seen to? The region’s telemedicine calls Baloch also confers frequently Defense Department security re- physician in the privacy and com- “The parent sends us pictures, swelled from 7,000 in 2019 to more with other physicians that way. A quirements were developed to fort of your home ... I think pa- then we can make the diagnosis than 20,000 over the past year, recent video conference to discuss safeguard appointments, Adler tients are going to insist we contin- and talk to them,” said Dr. Rafael Baxter said. an England-based Lakenheath Air said. ue to do this.” Nunez, of U.S. Army Health Cen- Among them was a surgical Base patient’s case and devise Although most telemedicine us- ter Vicenza. The clinic this week dressing change performed by a testing and treatment included es phones and video, other appli- [email protected] limited the number of patients al- medic in remote Bulgaria as a sur- her Lakenheath doctor, a kidney cations have emerged. In Decem- Twitter:@montgomerynance Japanese PM won’t extend Tokyo emergency limit

BY JOSEPH DITZLER A panel of health experts that businesses, such as bars and large a mandatory quarantine for trav- Facebook Live video. Stars and Stripes advises the government on the indoor gatherings, are still pro- elers entering the country. The South Korea reported 445 new TOKYO — Japanese Prime coronavirus recommended lifting hibited. second person acquired the virus coronavirus cases on Wednesday, Minister Yoshihide Suga said a the emergency first declared Jan. The government’s emergency from a previously infected indi- including 155 in Gyeonggi prov- coronavirus state of emergency 7and extended twice as case num- measures are largely voluntary. vidual, according to a base Face- ince, where Humphreys and Osan will expire Sunday as planned in bers peaked and ebbed and hospi- Employers encourage telework book post. Air Base are located, and 124 in the capital city and three sur- talizations increased, The Maini- and commuters are expected to At Kadena, one person tested Seoul, according to the Korea Dis- rounding prefectures that make chi newspaper reported Thurs- reduce their travel on mass tran- positive before exiting quaran- ease Control and Prevention up the greater Tokyo metro area, day. The emergency at one stage sit. Businesses, especially restau- tine, according to a base Facebook Agency. Japanese media reported Thurs- covered 11 prefectures, mostly on rants, are incentivized to close be- post. The other two new patients The South Korean military mo- day. Honshu, the largest of the four tween 8 p.m. and 5 p.m. became ill with COVID-19 symp- bilized 1,664 medical and admin- Suga said the 2½-month-old main islands and where Japan’s Tokyo on Thursday reported toms, self-isolated and tested pos- istrative support personnel to aid emergency would end, but the largest cities are located. Only To- another 323 people tested positive itive for the virus. Public health epidemiologic surveys, quaran- public should remain cautious kyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chi- for the coronavirus, according to authorities quarantined an un- tines, the transportation of CO- and avoid activities likely to ba remain under the declaration. public broadcaster NHK. Daily specified number of close con- VID-19 vaccines and other tasks, spread the virus, according to The Travel restrictions are easing at counts in the city of 14 million the tacts. defense ministry spokesman Japan Times. U.S. installation in Japan, but all past month have typically ho- In South Korea, the commander Moon Honk-sik said Thursday. Meanwhile, a pair of U.S. mili- or part of Tokyo is still off-limits to vered between 220 and 350, ac- of Camp Humphreys, Col. Mi- The Korean military reported tary bases in Japan reported five U.S. military personnel — uni- cording to metro government da- chael Tremblay, on Thursday three new cases of COVID-19 for a new infections as of 6 p.m. Thurs- formed and civilian — except for ta. On Wednesday, new infections closed base convenience stores, a pandemic total of 632, Moon said. day, two at Naval Air Facility At- work or essential services. Only reached 409, the highest one-day post office and other facilities to sugi, 26 miles southeast of central Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo count since Feb. 18. accommodate contact tracing af- Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report. Tokyo, and three at Kadena Air permits its population to visit the NAF Atsugi reported one per- ter someone tested positive there [email protected] Base on Okinawa. city center. Some activities and son tested positive before exiting earlier in the week, he said in a Twitter: @JosephDitzler Friday, March 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Jobless claims rise to 770K; layoffs still high Associated Press beela Farooqi, chief U.S. econo- WASHINGTON — The number mist at High Frequency Econom- of Americans seeking unemploy- ics, said in a research note. “As ment benefits rose last week to businesses return to full capacity, 770,000, a sign that layoffs remain job and income prospects will im- high even as much of the U.S. prove and, combined with fiscal economy is steadily recovering support, will provide a powerful from the coronavirus recession. lift to the economy.’’ Thursday’s report from the La- At the same time, the nation is bor Department showed that job- still roughly 9.5 million short of less claims climbed from 725,000 the number of jobs it had in Febru- the week before. The numbers ary 2020. And Federal Reserve have dropped sharply since the Chair Jerome Powell suggested depths of the recession last spring Wednesday after the Fed’s latest but still show that employers in policy meeting that the overall ec- some industries continue to lay off onomic outlook remained cloudy. workers. Before the pandemic “The state of the economy in two struck, applications for unemploy- or three years is highly uncer- ment aid had never topped tain,” Powell said at a news con- 700,000 in any one week. ference after the Fed signaled that The four-week average of it expects to keep its key interest claims, which smooths out weekly rate near zero through 2023 de- variations, dropped to 746,000, the spite some solid economic gains lowest since late November. CHARLES KRUPA/AP and concerns about rising infla- A total of 4.1 million people are A man walks past the signs of an employment agency March 2 in Manchester, N.H. tion pressures. continuing to collect traditional By most barometers, business state unemployment benefits, curring even as the overall job will increasingly travel, shop, eat September will provide support, activity in the economy’s vast and down 18,000 from the previous market has shown solid improve- out and spend freely after a year of too, along with money for vaccines hard-hit service sector is still far week. Including separate federal ment. Last month, U.S. employers virus-induced restraint. and treatments, school re-open- from normal. The data firm programs that are intended to help added a robust 379,000 jobs, the President Joe Biden’s $1.9 tril- ings, state and local governments Womply said, for example, that as workers displaced by the health most since October and a sign that lion relief package is also expect- and ailing industries ranging from of early last week 63% of movie crisis, 18.2 million Americans the economy is strengthening as ed to help accelerate growth, espe- airlines to concert halls. theaters, galleries and other en- were receiving some form of job- consumers spend more and states cially with most adults this week “Labor market strains are ongo- tertainment venues were closed. less aid in the week of Feb. 27, and cities ease business restric- receiving $1,400 stimulus checks ing, but we expect filings (for un- So were 39% of bars, 32% of gyms down by 1.9 million from the week tions. that should fuel more spending. employment aid) to start declining and other sports and recreation before. With vaccinations accelerating, An extension of $300 weekly un- as restrictions are lifted and more businesses and 30% of restau- The continuing layoffs are oc- hopes are rising that Americans employment benefits into early normal operations resume,” Ru- rants. IRS will delay tax filing due date until May 17 Associated Press Commissioner Chuck Rettig said for the chronically underfunded Dame Law School’s Tax Clinic, Americans will be getting extra in a statement. IRS. The pandemic hit in the mid- said in a statement. time to prepare their taxes. The The decision postpones when dle of last year’s tax filing season, The IRS must issue guidance Internal Revenue Service says it’s individual taxpayers must file setting the agency back in terms of for taxpayers and tax preparers delaying the traditional tax filing their return and when their pay- processing. The IRS has also been alike as millions of returns al- deadline from April 15 until May ment is due. The IRS said tax- a key player in doling out govern- ready filed likely do not account 17. payers who owe money would not ment relief payments, and is cur- for this change. PATRICK SISON/AP The IRS announced the deci- face any further penalties or inter- rently helping to send out the third A number of lawmakers and The traditional April 15 tax filing sion Wednesday and said it would est if they pay by May 17. The new round of payments in the middle professionals from the tax com- due date is delayed until May 17. provide further guidance in the deadline also applies to individu- of the current tax filing season. munity have urged the tax filing coming days. The move provides als who pay self-employment tax. Additionally, the extension season be extended to accommo- Rettig was to to speak to the more breathing room for tax- Taxpayers do not need to take gives the IRS time to issue guid- date for these pressures. The committee Thursday about how payers and the IRS alike to cope any action to take advantage of the ance on recent tax law changes. House Ways and Means Commit- the IRS is managing this filing sea- with changes brought on by the new deadline. Those who need The American Rescue Plan ex- tee applauded the move. son and the need for this exten- pandemic. more time beyond May 17 can re- cludes the first $10,200 of unem- “This extension is absolutely sion. “The IRS wants to continue to quest an extension until Oct. 15. ployment benefits from federal necessary to give Americans some The IRS continues to urge peo- do everything possible to help tax- The new deadline does not ap- taxes for those making less than needed flexibility in a time of un- ple to file as soon as possible, par- payers navigate the unusual cir- ply to estimated tax payments that $150,000. precedented crisis,” said Chair- ticularly those who are owed re- cumstances related to the pan- are due on April 15; those remain “Never before has the law man Richard Neal, D-Mass. and funds. In some cases filing will demic, while also working on im- due by that day. changed so substantially in the Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-N.J., help taxpayers more quickly get portant tax administration re- The decision to extend the dead- middle of tax filing season,” Pa- chairman of the panel’s oversight any remaining relief payments sponsibilities,” IRS line comes after an intense year trick Thomas, director of Notre subcommittee. they are entitled to. Treasury Department says $242B in new relief payments already sent

Associated Press starting seeing in their bank ac- direct payments of up to $1,400 earlier rounds of COVID-19 re- ceived their first and second WASHINGTON — The Trea- counts last weekend, officials to qualifying individuals. lief payments. round of economic impact pay- sury Department says it has said Wednesday. Treasury said the first batch Officials said additional ments in 2020. sent out 90 million economic In addition, Treasury has of payments went to eligible batches of payments will be The payments, which are be- impact payments totaling $242 mailed out roughly 150,000 taxpayers who provided direct- sent in coming weeks by direct ing made to cushion the blow billion since President Joe Bi- checks worth about $442 mil- deposit information on their deposit and through the mail as from the coronvirus pandemic, den signed a $1.9 trillion pan- lion. 2019 or 2020 tax returns. In- a check or debit card. started with $1,200 payments in demic relief plan last week. Processing of the payments cluded were people who don't No action is needed by most the first round last spring and The bulk of those payments began last Friday, the day after typically file a return but who taxpayers to receive the pay- $600 payments in a second were made by the IRS as direct Biden signed the American used a non-filers tool at IRS.gov ments, which will be automatic round of payments approved by deposits, which recipients Rescue Plan, which authorized last year to be included in two and similar to how people re- Congress in December. PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, March 19, 2021 NATION Republicans seize on immigration as crossings increase

BY JILL COLVIN 9,297 unaccompanied children en- Associated Press countered in February — an in- WASHINGTON — Delegation crease of 168% and 63% from the trips to the border. Apocalyptic month before, according to the Pew warnings. A flurry of news confer- Research Center. That creates an ences. enormous logistical challenge, since Republicans still divided over for- children, in particular, require high- ELI HARTMAN/AP mer President Donald Trump’s leg- er standards of care and coordina- Department of Homeland Security officers wait for the arrival of migrant children and teenagers from the acy are seizing on his signature cam- tion across agencies. southern border of the United States at the site of a temporary holding facility that opened south of Mid­ paign issue, turning their focus to Still, the encounters of both unac- land, Texas. immigration as they try to regain the companied minors and families re- political upper hand. main lower than at various points Faced with President Joe Biden’s during the Trump administration, early popularity, good news about including in spring 2019. That May, Despite headwinds, House set vaccinations and Americans’ em- authorities encountered more than brace of the COVID-19 relief bill 55,000 migrant children, including Washington Republicans opposed, 11,500 unaccompanied minors, and to OK Dems’ immigration bills the GOP is leaning in on the highly around 84,500 migrants traveling in BY ALAN FRAM tizens. The partisan battle shows affect those trying to cross the charged issue amid a spike in border family units. Associated Press little promise of easing before next boundary, top Republicans were crossings. They hope immigration But that hasn’t stopped Republi- WASHINGTON — Democrats year’s elections, when Republi- urging rank-and-file lawmakers can unite the party heading into next cans from seizing on the issue, led by seem poised to claim victory in the cans could use it in their effort to to oppose both measures. year’s elections, when control of Trump himself. They blame Biden, House’s first votes this year on im- regain House and Senate control. “By failing to include enforce- Congress is at stake. who has been deeply critical of migration, but moving legislation Work on the legislation comes ment provisions to deal with the “Heading into the midterms, I Trump’s approach, for rolling back on the divisive issue all the way as the number of migrants at- tide of illegal immigration or pro- think that Republicans are increas- many of the former president’s through Congress to President Joe tempting to cross the border has visions to address the humanitar- ingly realizing that this can be one of hard-line deterrence policies. And Biden is an uphill fight. been growing since April and has ian crisis at the border, the bill the most potent issues, both to moti- they liken Biden’s new, kinder tone The House was set to vote hit its highest level since March would only worsen the flow of ille- vate our voters, but equally as im- to an invitation to would-be border Thursday on one bill giving over 2 2019. Homeland Security Secreta- gal immigrants to the U.S.,” an portant, to appeal to” swing voters — crossers. million young “Dreamer” immi- ry Alejandro Mayorkas said Tues- email No. 2 House GOP leader especially in suburban swing dis- “They’re destroying our country. grants and others legal status and day that figure is on track to reach Steve Scalise of Louisiana sent his tricts — who voted for Democrats in People are coming in by the hun- a chance for citizenship. A second a 20-year high. colleagues said of the “Dreamers” 2020, said former Trump aide Ste- dreds of thousands,” warned Trump measure would do the same for Scores of groups supporting the measure. phen Miller, the architect of his im- in an interview Tuesday night with around 1 million immigrant farm bills include the U.S. Chamber of Democrats were showing no migration policies. He said the issue Fox News Channel. workers. Both seemed certain to Commerce. Among those arrayed signs of wavering from either bill, has been a subject of discussion in Democrats and immigration ac- pass. in opposition is the conservative similar versions of which the his recent conversations with law- tivists see it differently. They deride But party divisions and solid Heritage Action for America. House approved in 2019. Seven makers as child border crossings the policies Trump implemented to Republican opposition mean GOP lawmakers have been sin- Republicans voted for the have surged, straining U.S. facilities. deter asylum as cruel and inhu- pushing legislation through the gularly focused on the growing “Dreamers” bill and 34 backed the The situation at the southern bor- mane, and an abdication of the coun- Senate on immigration remains wave of migrants, including chil- farm workers measure that year, der is complex. Since Biden’s inau- try’s humanitarian responsibilities. difficult, especially for Biden’s dren, trying to enter the U.S. from but GOP support was expected to guration, the country has seen a dra- That includes the decision to forci- goal of a sweeping measure help- Mexico and blaming Biden ad- plummet this time as the party ral- matic spike in the number of people bly separate more than 3,000 chil- ing all 11 million immigrants in the ministration policies for it. lies behind demands for stiffer encountered by border officials, dren from their parents, with no sys- United States illegally become ci- Though neither House bill would border restrictions. with 18,945 family members and tem in place to reunite them. Jan. 6 commission stalls, for now, amid ongoing partisan dissension

BY MARY CLARE JALONICK Republicans further apart, even played the severity of the attack. porters who broke into the Capitol real causes of the violent attack. Associated Press on the basic question of what “The problem is the scope,” Pe- to “fight like hell” to overturn his “We can pass a bill, but that’s WASHINGTON — Legislation should be investigated. losi said Wednesday. “Are we go- presidential election defeat. But not the point,” Pelosi said in an in- creating an independent, biparti- It’s a symptom not just of the ing to seek the truth or are we go- Republicans swiftly decried the terview on MSNBC. “You want it san panel to investigate the Jan. 6 partisan tensions that run high in ing to say we’re not stipulating broad latitude that the commis- to be bipartisan. And it cannot be insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is Congress but of a legislative that anything really happened sion would have to investigate the bipartisan if the scope of it is to not stalled, for now, with Democrats branch reeling from the fallout of that day?” causes of the insurrection. They draw any conclusion about what and Republicans split over the the Trump era, with lawmakers Republicans immediately ob- also objected to a series of findings happened that day as the premise scope and structure of a review unable to find common ground, or jected last month to Pelosi’s pro- in the bill that quoted FBI Director for how we would go forward and that would revisit the deadly at- a common set of facts, even after a posal for the commission, which Christopher Wray saying that ra- investigate it.” tack and assess former President mob smashed into the Capitol and would create a panel of four Re- cially motivated violent extre- Failure to set up a commission Donald Trump’s role. threatened their lives. publicans and seven Democrats to mism, and especially white su- would leave it to committees in the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Democrats say Republicans “conduct an investigation of the premacy, is one of the biggest House and Senate to explore what has pushed for the commission, helped provoke the attack by aid- relevant facts and circumstances threats to domestic security. went wrong on Jan. 6, which is which would be modeled after the ing and abetting Trump’s false- relating to the domestic terrorist The Republicans said the inves- what some lawmakers prefer. panel that investigated the Sept. hoods about the election — many attack on the Capitol.” She has sig- tigation should not just focus on Those investigations are well un- 11, 2001, attacks on New York and signed onto a failed lawsuit chal- naled she is open to negotiations what led to the Jan. 6 insurrection, derway on a bipartisan basis and Washington. But unlike 9/11, lenging Joe Biden’s victory — and on the commission’s partisan but also on violence in the summer have already identified problems which engendered some unity in question whether GOP lawmak- makeup but has drawn a harder of 2020 during protests over police with Capitol Police. But those Congress almost two decades ago, ers had ties to the rioters. Some line on the scope. brutality — a touchstone among probes are unlikely to attain the the insurrection by Trump’s sup- Republicans, including Wisconsin The legislation does not men- GOP voters and an idea that Dem- stature and credibility of an out- porters has pulled Democrats and Sen. Ron Johnson, have down- tion Trump or his calls for his sup- ocrats say is a distraction from the side investigation. Friday, March 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 NATION Storms move on, leaving trail of damage in South

BY JAY REEVES grateful for, as it could have been Associated Press much worse,” Alabama Gov. Kay BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Ivey said in a statement. Storms that left splintered homes Forecasters issued a string of and broken trees across Alabama tornado warnings around the re- and Mississippi moved into Ge- gion where Alabama, Georgia orgia and Florida on Thursday, and Florida intersect, but there rousing residents with early were no immediate reports of morning warnings as forecasters major damage. VASHA HUNT/AP said the threat of dangerous The National Weather Service Debris is tangled in an uprooted tree laying on a weather­damaged property Thursday in Clanton, Ala., the weather would move up the south office in central Alabama said morning following a large outbreak of severe storms across the southeast. Atlantic seaboard. teams were fanning out Thurs- About 20,000 homes and busi- day to assess damage in at least were possible from southern chians.” More than 70,000 homes and ness were without power and the 12 counties where tornadoes may Ohio into the central Appala- Damage was reported in Loui- businesses were without power weather service said at least two have touched down. chians. siana, Tennessee and Mississip- at one point from Texas to Alaba- people were hurt when an appar- Scattered severe thunder- “Significant tornadoes, wind pi, where video showed an appar- ma, and radar showed additional ent tornado struck southwest storms were expected to spread damage and large hail will be ent tornado at Brookhaven. High storms moving across the region Alabama, destroying a house, but into portions of eastern Georgia, possible from morning into after- winds blew down signs and trees as initial cleanup work began. the region appeared to escape the through the Carolinas into ex- noon,” the Storm Prediction Cen- in northeast Texas, and hail- Alabama was under a state of kind of horrific toll many feared treme southeast Virginia, ac- ter said. “Severe thunderstorms stones the size of baseballs were emergency, and communities after ominous predictions of cording to the National Weather will also be possible from parts of reported near the Alabama-Mis- across the South used social monster twisters and huge hail. Service’s Storm Prediction Cen- the eastern Gulf Coast into the sissippi line, the weather service media to share the location of tor- “Overall, we have a lot to be ter. Other isolated severe storms southern and central Appala- said. nado shelters. Asian Americans grieve, Chauvin jury organize in wake of attacks grows despite Associated Press ried that not classifying the attack as a hate Asian Americans were already worn crime will “absolutely discourage others $27M accord down by a year of pandemic-fueled racist from coming forward and seeking help.” Associated Press attacks when a white gunman was charged She also cringed at the comments of a MINNEAPOLIS — Concern appears to with killing eight people, most of them sheriff’s captain who said of the gunman, “It be fading that a massive settlement for Ge- Asian women, at three Atlanta-area mas- was a really bad day for him.” orge Floyd’s family will derail the trial of a sage parlors. The remark “appeared to be trying to ex- former police officer accused in his death, Hundreds of Asian Americans and Pacif- plain and justify” the suspect’s actions. with most potential jurors saying they ic Islanders turned to social media to air “Hopefully it was a misstatement,” Huang avoided news of the settlement or could set their anger, sadness, fear and hopelessness. said. it aside. The hashtag #StopAsianHate was a top Since then, it has come out that a Face- Two jurors seated before news of the trending topic on Twitter hours after the book account tied to Cherokee County sher- city’s $27 million settlement broke last shootings that happened Tuesday evening. iff’s Capt. Jay Baker promoted a T-shirt CURTIS COMPTON, ATLANTA JOURNAL­CONSTITUTION/AP week were dismissed Wednesday after be- “I think the reason why people are feeling with racist language about China and the Jesus Estrella, of Kennesaw, Ga., stands ing re-questioned by Hennepin County so hopeless is because Asian Americans coronavirus last year. The account was de- outside Youngs Asian Massage on Judge Peter Cahill, but five others were re- have been ringing the bell on this issue for leted Wednesday night. Asian American ac- Wednesday, in Acworth, Ga., where four tained. so long. ... We’ve been raising the red flag,” tivists say it undermines public trust in the people were fatally shot Tuesday. One of those who was retained, a Black said Aisha Yaqoob Mahmood, executive di- investigation. Baker did not respond to voi- man, told Cahill he heard about the settle- rector of the Atlanta-based Asian American cemails and an email requesting comment phia, Asian American organizations nation- ment on the radio Friday but that he could Advocacy Fund, which does political and on the Facebook post. The sheriff’s office al- wide organized events aimed at showing put it aside and decide the case only on the advocacy work across Georgia. so did not respond to a message seeking unity. evidence that was presented. Many were also outraged that the sus- comment. Asian Americans United, the Asian Pacif- “It hasn’t affected me at all because I pect, Robert Aaron Long, 21, was not imme- Mahmood said Asian American business ic Islander Political Alliance and several don’t know the details,” he said. diately charged with hate crimes. Author- owners in the Atlanta area were already other partner groups held a vigil Wednes- Two new jurors were seated later in the ities said Long told police the attack was not fearful because of incidents like graffiti and day afternoon in Philadelphia’s Chinatown day, putting the jury back at nine. Five are racially motivated, and he claimed that he break-ins. The shootings will raise that wor- neighborhood. men and four are women. According to the targeted the spas because of a “sex addic- ry to new heights. “After the month and year we had, we court, four are white, two are multiracial tion.” Six of the seven slain women were “A lot of Asian American business own- knew our folks needed the time to come to- and three are Black, and their ages range identified as Asian. ers in the beauty parlor industry and food gether safely just to grieve and heal and from 20s to 50s. Law enforcement needs “some training service — these are often the most visible mourn and speak to what’s happening,” Cahill has set March 29 for opening state- understanding what a hate crime is,” said front-line faces in the community,” Mah- said Mohan Seshadri, Asian Pacific Islan- ments if the jury is complete by then. Chau- Margaret Huang, president and CEO of the mood said. der Political Alliance co-executive director. vin attorney Eric Nelson, who requested ju- Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks Her organization is partnering with other As much despair as Asian Americans rors be recalled for re-questioning because hate groups. “This man identified targets groups such as the Atlanta chapter of Asian feel, Seshadri said, the shootings also mark of the settlement, has also asked that the owned by Asians.” Americans Advancing Justice to offer re- a flashpoint. trial be delayed or moved elsewhere. Cahill The gunman “was very clearly going af- sources in multiple languages, including “Our folks are pissed off and ready to said he would rule Friday on those motions, ter a targeted group of people,” Huang said. mental health assistance, self-defense fight,” Seshadri said. “The way we get but he has previously rejected moving it, Being Asian American herself, Huang training and bystander training. through this is together by organizing our saying publicity about Floyd’s death has re- said the shootings felt personal. She is wor- Meanwhile, from Phoenix to Philadel- people and feeling solidarity.” ached every corner of the state. PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, March 19, 2021 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Tesla on autopilot drives into trooper’s patrol car LANSING — A Tesla on MI autopilot crashed into a Lansing-area state trooper’s pa- trol car early Wednesday, Michi- gan State Police said. Neither the trooper nor the 22- year-old Lansing man who was driving the Tesla were injured in the 1:10 a.m. crash on Interstate 96 in Eaton County, police said. The crash occurred as the trooper was investigating a colli- sion between a car and a deer, WLNS-TV reported. The patrol car’s emergency lights were acti- vated when the Tesla drove into it, police said. The Tesla’s driver was issued citations for failure to move over and driving with a license suspended. Tesla has said previously that its autopilot and “full self-driving” are driver-assistance systems and that the driver must be ready to in- tervene at all times. Man sentenced for lying about hurricane damage DARYN SLOVER, (LEWISTON, MAINE) SUN JOURNAL/AP ORLANDO — A Florida FL man has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for A fine field trip fishing lying about damage caused by Hurricane Irma. Craig Hallowell of Greene, Maine, his son Dexter, 8, and dog, Millie, collect their ice fishing traps Tuesday after fishing on the Androscoggin River in Turner, Maine. Hallowell said one nice perk to remote school days is that it allows him more time to spend with his son. After finishing a Steven Rembert, 49, of Orange few homework assignments Tuesday morning, the third grader said he and his dad pulled in one Northern pike, two pickerel and one bass. County, was sentenced Monday in Orlando federal court, according by emergency crews saved two 69, came two weeks after a judge to court records. He pleaded THE CENSUS people after their pickup truck rejected a plea deal that would guilty in December to disaster as- plunged off a bridge, leaving them The amount of money, in dollars, that a Washington state have given her probation for a pre- sistance fraud. dangling above a deep gorge in 12M man pocketed from mislabeling, pyramid and real estate in- vious attempt to stowaway on a In September 2017, Rembert southern Idaho. vestment schemes. Christopher Claypool, of Spokane, pleaded guilty Monday flight. Hartman is being held on a falsified records concerning his Idaho State Police responded to to conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering in federal court in trespassing charge. primary residence when submit- the accident at about 2:45 p.m. Portland, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Prosecutors will seek a four- Hartman allegedly left the facil- ting an application for assistance Monday, said ISP spokeswoman year prison term for Claypool, 52, a former manager of a Washington-based ity where she had been staying to the Federal Emergency Man- Lynn Hightower. A trooper found company that produced and sold grass seed and turfgrass to independent Ore- while on electronic monitoring. gon growers, if he follows the conditions of his pre-sentencing release, includ- agement Agency, according to an a man and a woman inside the The device allowed Cook County indictment. ing paying $8.3 million in restitution plus unpaid taxes. Prosecutors said Clay- pickup truck that was dangling, pool’s schemes include packaging seed varieties with false and misleading la- sheriff’s deputies to track her as nose-down, off the side of the bels, embezzling more than $12 million while posing as a foreign sales partner she headed for O’Hare. Deputies Police: Man threw Molotov bridge spanning the Malad Gorge. and conspiring with a travel agency to inflate costs of his international travel. activated an alarm on Hartman’s cocktail at day care The gorge is narrow but is roughly device as she neared Terminal 1, 100 feet deep below the bridge. where she was arrested. PHILADELPHIA — A The only thing keeping the 2004 reported that $200,000 worth of dead. PA man threw a Molotov Ford F-305 pickup from falling damage was done Saturday at the Court documents said police School board votes to cocktail at a north Philadelphia was the set of “safety chains” at- Hollywood Cemetery. found the car that was involved in drop nickname, mascot day care center, breaking a win- taching it to the 30-foot camper The cemetery spans 135 acres the crash partially submerged in a dow, but no children were present trailer, which remained on the and overlooks the James River in creek. Surveillance video showed CAMANCHE — An east- and there were no injuries, police bridge. A state trooper and local Richmond. More than 18,000 Con- a car belonging to Cowell’s daugh- IA ern Iowa school board said. sheriff’s deputy first used an addi- federate soldiers and generals are ter, Casey Maxfield, and a car that has voted to drop the district’s “In- The fire resulting from the in- tional set of chains from a nearby buried there. police said was Cowell’s pulling dians” nickname and mascot fol- cendiary device thrown just after semi-truck to help support the The damage was done in the into a parking lot in the area. lowing renewed appeals this year 9 a.m. Tuesday at the German- dangling pickup truck until addi- Presidents Circle section of the “I mistakenly thought what I to do so from Native American town Avenue day care center tional rescuers with cranes and cemetery. That’s where Presi- could do to help my daughter in- tribes and organizations. burned only outside the building rope rescue gear could arrive. dents James Monroe and John stead of thinking about the person The Camanche Community and didn’t reach inside, police Emergency crews rappelled to Tyler are buried. Their graves we- she hit,” she said. Schools board voted 5-1 Monday said. the hanging truck and attached a ren’t disturbed. Lancaster County District night to stop use of the mascot by Police said the man, who was harness to each occupant, who Judge Robert Otte sentenced the end of the school year, the tele- wearing a black mask, got into the were taken to hospitals with non- Mom sentenced after Cowell to 360 days in the county vision station KWQC reported. passenger side of a vehicle and life-threatening injuries, Hight- daughter’s hit-and-run jail but allowed her to get into a The mascot was adopted in 1961 fled but was apprehended nearby. ower said. Two small dogs inside program that will allow her to stay when the school opened. The driver of the vehicle wasn’t the pickup were also rescued. LINCOLN — A Lincoln out of jail and be monitored. “Quite honestly, our school found at the location. NE woman has been sen- mascot is a stereotype,” Ca- The fire marshal declared the Cemetery with presidents, tenced to jail but may be able to Woman with stowaway manche Superintendent Thomas blaze an arson. The suspect was Confederates is damaged avoid time behind bars for helping history arrested again Parker said. arrested and was being processed, her daughter dump her car after A new mascot was not immedi- police said. RICHMOND — Grave- she was involved in a hit-and-run CHICAGO — A woman ately chosen. VA stones and memorials crash that killed a pedestrian. IL with a history of stowing The decision comes as teams on Rescuers save 2 from were toppled and spray-painted at The Lincoln Journal Star re- away on airliners was arrested all levels across the country are truck dangling over gorge a cemetery in Virginia that holds ported that Kimberly Cowell, 52, Tuesday for attempting to sneak changing or reconsidering mas- the graves of two U.S. presidents said at her sentencing Tuesday onto a flight at Chicago’s O’Hare cots considered to be culturally in- BOISE — Authorities say as well as Confederate soldiers that she responded “in the worst International Airport, authorities sensitive. ID a set of camp trailer safe- and generals. way possible” after the Oct. 18 said. ty chains and quick, careful work The Richmond Times-Dispatch crash that left Tina Mortensen The arrest of Marilyn Hartman, From wire reports Friday, March 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 WORLD Biden labels Putin ‘killer,’ draws fire Associated Press Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Pes- MOSCOW — Russian President kov deplored what he called “very Vladimir Putin said Thursday that bad remarks by the U.S. president” U.S. President Joe Biden’s remarks that made it clear that “he doesn’t about him reflect America’s own want to normalize relations.” past and current problems. “We will proceed accordingly,” Biden was asked in an interview Peskov said in a conference call whether he thought Russian Presi- with reporters, noting that “there dent Vladimir Putin is a killer and was nothing like that in history.” He said “I do.” Russia on Wednesday wouldn’t answer if Russia could go announced it’s recalling its ambas- as far as to rupture diplomatic ties sador in Washington for consulta- with the U.S. tions. Commenting on the Russian Asked about Biden’s remarks move Wednesday, White House during a video call with residents of spokeswoman Jen Psaki empha- Crimea marking the anniversary of sized that “we will be direct, we will its 2014 annexation from Ukraine, speak out on areas where we have Putin charged that they reflect the concerns, and it will certainly be, as United States’ own troubled past. the president said last night — cer- The Russian leader pointed at tainly, the Russians will be held ac- America’s past history of slaughter- countable for the actions that they ing Native Americans and slavery, have taken.” arguing that the painful legacy has The exchange of tough state- weighed on the U.S. ments comes on the heels of a de- “Otherwise where would the classified report from the U.S. na- Black Lives Matter movement tional intelligence director’s office come from,” he said. that finds Putin authorized influen- He added that Russia would still ce operations to help Donald Trump cooperate with the U.S. where it an- in last November’s presidential swers Moscow’s interests. election. PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, March 19, 2021 FACES Cannon repentant after anti-Semitic remarks

Los Angeles Times Black people were “the true He- Nick Cannon, whose career took brews.” a hit last summer after he made The network’s move earned a anti-Semitic comments during a swift rebuke from Cannon, who podcast with former Public Ene- then demanded full ownership of my rapper Professor Griff, says the program. he’s working to understand how he He later issued hurt people with his remarks. an apology on “Ultimately I’ve always said social media that apologies are empty. Apol- and connected ogies are weightless,” Cannon said with Jewish in an interview Tuesday night on leaders, and last ABC’s miniseries “Soul of a Na- month he was tion.” That, he said, is why he’s go- Cannon brought back on ing through a repentance process board at the where, in the future, he hopes to show. make different decisions when “Nick has not only apologized placed in a similar situation. and taken responsibility for his Cannon explained that the ini- comments but he has also worked tial purpose of his comments about to educate himself and others “melanated” and “non-melanat- through engagement with Jewish ed” people “was to say we are all leaders and on his platforms,” an the same people. That’s ultimately MTV Entertainment Group repre- what I was saying. How can you sentative said in a statement to the hate when you believe that you LA Times in early February. come from the same people that Tuesday’s episode of “Soul of a are saying you are being hateful?” Nation” — the third in a six-part He acknowledged his mistakes, newsmagazine series that centers saying, “I hurt people. I’m gonna around Black life in America — CHRIS PIZZELLO, INVISION/AP lean into it. I want to understand was hosted by gospel singer BeBe Ringo Starr gestures as he presents the award Sunday for record of the year at the 63rd annual Grammy why I hurt you. What did I say? Winans and focused on issues of Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Starr released a new 5­track EP titled “Zoom in” on Friday.What are these tropes? Educate faith. me.” “My journey’s not going to stop MTV and parent company Via- whether the person watching this comCBS cut ties with its longtime forgives me or not,” he told ABC “Wild ‘N Out” host last summer af- News’ Linsey Davis. “I’m still gon- Better with friends ter the controversial “Cannon’s na hopefully do this process, be on Class” episode in which the per- the right side of history, and bring former claimed he and his fellow people closer together.” For ‘Here’s to the Nights,’ Ringo Starr adds even more star power AMC opening more by the industry’s biggest stars. BY MARCELA ISAZA poned hopeful plans to go back on the road in May And viewers still stayed away. Associate Press and June. It’s just too soon. movie theaters CBS’ Grammys telecast reac- f Ringo Starr calls to ask if you’ll sing on a song “I was really sad in the beginning because I It’s showtime! AMC Theatres hed 9.2 million — television and for him, who could possibly say no? couldn’t go on the road,” he said. “I love to play. I love says it will have 98% of its U.S. mo- streaming — viewers Sunday, the The beloved Beatle dug into his contacts for the audience. They love me. I’ll go anywhere to be vie theaters open on Friday, with lowest number on record and a Ihelp on the chorus of “Here’s to the Nights,” his loved!” more expected to open by March precipitous 51% drop from last most recent song written by Diane Warren, and he He chuckled at that remark. It’s one of the things 26. year, the Nielsen company said. recruited quite a choir. he has in common with his other surviving Beatles Movie theaters all over shut- That followed the Golden Paul McCartney. Sheryl Crow. Dave Grohl. Lenny mate. They both stay very active musically, love to tered their doors a year ago as the Globes’ 63% decline in ratings a Kravitz. Joe Walsh. Ben Harper. Finneas. Chris Sta- perform and, with vegetarian diets, are both in the coronavirus pandemic swept the few weeks ago and record low rat- pleton. Yola. Jenny Lewis. Corinne Bailey Rae. Eric type of shape that others their age would envy. globe. While some movie theaters ings for the Emmy Awards last Burton (of the Black Pumas). Steve Lukather. For Starr, his vehicle for the past three decades has have opened over the past few fall. “Here’s to the nights we won’t remember, with the been the All-Starr Band, a simple concept that con- months with limited capacity and That’s enough for television ex- friends we won’t forget,” they all sing. It’s a perfect tinually regenerates. He invites a rotating crew of enhanced safety protocols, the an- ecutives to worry about whether sentiment for the 80-year-old drummer who, as veteran musicians, the main requirement being they nouncement by AMC to open this is just pandemic-related or if McCartney once sang, “has memories longer than must have been part of some hit songs, in order to nearly all of its U.S. theaters by they can no longer depend on the road that stretches out ahead.” keep the set list varied and fresh. month’s end means more people these traditional attention-getting “Everyone was really kind to me to do what they He said he was so insecure the first time he brought will have more locations to choose events. The Oscars, coming up did,” Starr told The Associated Press recently. along two fellow drummers: Levon Helm and Jim from if they want to see a film on next month on ABC, has often Two people did say no, actually. Ringo won’t reveal Keltner. the big screen. been the year’s most-watched tel- who, but they must have been REALLY busy. It turned out to be great fun for Starr, who loves AMC said that California is ex- evision event after the Super Starr’s EP of five new songs comes out Friday. The being in a band, as is obvious from his beaming face pected to open 52 of its 54 loca- Bowl. project gave him something to do during COVID-19 when he sits behind a drum kit. tions by Monday. The company is lockdown in his Los Angeles home. He said he divid- “Every time I’d finish an All-Starr tour, I’d come preparing to resume operations at Other news ed much of his time between making music, painting home and tell Barbara, ‘that’s it, I’ve done it, I’ve had the rest of its California locations ■ Conductor James Levine, and working out. enough,’” he said. “She’d say, ‘certainly, darling.’ once the proper local approvals who ruled over the Metropolitan “Last year I left the house no more than seven Weeks later, I’d be saying I’ve got to get on the road. are in place. AMC previously Opera for more than four decades times, and I think I’m exaggerating,” he said. “I’m a I’ve got to call people. That’s just who I am.” opened more than 500 of its thea- before being eased aside when his prime target for this COVID. Now I’ve had my shots. I He’s also promoting a limited-edition book, “Ringo ters elsewhere around the coun- health declined and then was fired feel groovy and there’s nowhere to go!” Rocks: 30 Years of the All-Starrs.” try. for sexual improprieties, has died. One place was Sunday’s Grammy Awards, where It’s not a bad track record for a sickly boy who grew Grammy Award ratings He was 77. Levine died March 9 in he presented the record of the year honor to Billie Eil- up in a rough section of Liverpool, an only child who Palm Springs, Calif., of natural ish, who — let’s do the math here — was born 31 years joined a band that gave him three brothers for life. drop 51% to record low causes, his physician of 17 years, after the Beatles broke up. “It was a super-incredible connection of peace and Grammy producers avoided the Dr. Len Horovitz, said Wednes- Even a Beatle gets the blues, and Starr said he felt it love,” Starr said. “It was so great. I still miss John and Zoom awkwardness of other pan- day. during the long layoff. He had to cancel gigs with his George, but that’s how life is. Paul and I are still great demic-era awards shows and gave All-Starr Band last year and, most recently, post- friends and we support each other.” music-starved fans performances From wire reports Friday, March 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Biden’s tax hike wouldn’t spare the middle class BY MICHAEL R. STRAIN tax return on additional investment. Less in- use their tax savings appropriately, and ig- Bloomberg Opinion vestment makes workers less productive, noring the key fact that the mechanism by EDITORIAL resident Joe Biden is reportedly which in turn makes them less valuable. If which tax changes affect wages is through Terry Leonard, Editor considering the first major tax in- workers are less valuable, then businesses changing incentives for future behavior. [email protected] crease in several decades. It won’t will reduce efforts to attract and retain That misleading debate will color Biden’s be clear whether higher taxes are them, putting downward pressure on start- attempt to raise the corporate rate. But the Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor P worth paying until more is known about the ing salaries and restraining wage growth. So conversation will be even more distorted by [email protected] spending programs they would finance. the burden of the corporate tax increase former President Donald Trump’s trade Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content But it’s not too soon to say that at least one would fall on workers in the form of lower wars. Supporters of Biden’s proposed cor- [email protected] aspect of Biden’s approach doesn’t add up: wages. porate-rate increase will argue that the 2017 Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation the promise to leave middle-class taxpayers Like any economic theory, this one has cut didn’t boost investment or wages. That [email protected] alone. holes. For example, to the extent that corpo- argument would be a lot less persuasive if A top White House economist made clear rate profits are generated by a brand name Trump hadn’t restrained investment Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital on Monday that Biden doesn’t want to im- and not by additional investment, then a through his trade policies, which acted to re- [email protected] pose costs on anyone earning less than higher tax rate wouldn’t be expected to low- duce business spending at the same time the $400,000 per year. At the same time, the er wages. But the theory is the right place to 2017 tax law was encouraging it. BUREAU STAFF White House is likely to push for a higher start. Still, the quality and winner of the politi- corporate tax rate. These goals are incom- The idea that wages go down when busi- cal debate won’t change the fact that work- Europe/Mideast patible. If the corporate rate goes up, it will ness taxes go up is the consensus view of ers — very much including those with in- Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] reduce the incomes of the middle class. economists. The Tax Policy Center (a joint comes below $400,000 — will see their wag- +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 The corporate tax rate was lowered from venture of the Urban Institute and Brook- es fall if Biden hikes the corporate rate. Pacific 35% to 21% as part of the 2017 tax law. Biden ings Institution) assigns 20% of the burden That’s only one reason not to do it. Future Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief is said to be considering an increase to 28%. of the corporate tax to workers in its eco- prosperity will be strengthened if the U.S. [email protected] Tempting though it is to wish that faceless nomic models. The nonpartisan Congres- continues to be thought of as the place for +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 entities like corporations would shoulder sional Budget Office concludes that work- corporations to set up shop and do business. Washington the burden, sparing individuals the pain, in ers bear 25% of the tax’s burden. A tax rate at least as low as the ones in Eu- Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief reality corporate taxes are always financed The noisy and rancorous debates over the rope and most other advanced economies is [email protected] by people. The only question is which ones. 2017 tax law will make it harder to sort out one way to help ensure U.S. global compet- (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News Economists used to think that the burden the pros and cons of Biden’s proposal now itiveness. [email protected] of corporate taxation fell almost entirely on because both sides of that debate retreated If you tax something, you get less of it. the owners of capital in the form of lower to political talking points that gave short Does the U.S. want less corporate income? I CIRCULATION share prices or, say, smaller dividend shrift to economic knowledge. don’t think so. checks. It takes time for a change in the corporate Biden’s proposal to pay for new spending Mideast That view became outdated as it became rate to affect wages, but supporters of the instead of financing it by piling on more debt Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager [email protected] easier for capital to cross national borders. 2017 cut argued that wages and incomes is refreshing and laudable. But Mr. Presi- [email protected] Workers, by contrast, are much less inter- would quickly increase. Some corporations dent, please look elsewhere to raise reve- DSN (314)583-9111 nationally mobile. This leaves them more decided to credit the 2017 law when issuing nue. Europe vulnerable when business owners are one-time bonuses in late 2017 and 2018, rath- Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager forced to pony up higher taxes on their busi- er than the tight labor markets that actually Bloomberg Opinion columnist Michael R. Strain is director of [email protected] ness income. drove them. Opponents pointed to stock economic policy studies and Arthur F. Burns Scholar in Political [email protected] Economy at the American Enterprise Institute and the author of +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 A higher corporate rate lowers the after- buybacks, arguing that corporations didn’t “The American Dream Is Not Dead: (But Populism Could Kill It).” Pacific Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 The all-electric vehicle future is now – or is it? CONTACT US BY CHARLES LANE with gasoline, carried and consumed in motor thousands of dollars less than the ID.4, with Washington The Washington Post vehicles, and that associated with electricity none of the “range anxiety” — and still feel tel: (+1)202.886.0003 s the day of the electric vehicle at hand? from a natural gas-coal blend, transmitted via good about a green purchase. (It gets 41 mpg 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 Judging by the headlines, you’d have to the grid (with inevitable energy losses). The on the highway.) Reader letters say yes. General Motors has announced bottom line, though, is that a 90% EV fleet That American car-buyers now keep vehi- [email protected] Ian “aspiration” to sell only EVs by 2035. would not reduce carbon output by 90% — far cles for an average of 12 years, up from 9.6 Volkswagen just held a “Power Day” to tout in- from it. Such are the real-world challenges of years in 2002, according to IHS Markit, is a Additional contacts vestments in batteries and charging stations. trying to transform U.S. energy consumption, tribute to the automotive industry’s quality stripes.com/contactus Competition from GM, VW and others hurt one car-buying decision at a time. improvements. It also reflects rising new-car OMBUDSMAN Tesla’s stock price a bit, but its market capital- To repeat: The above is a mere thought ex- prices, which put them out of reach for lower- ization, $675 billion, still exceeds all but five periment. On March 10, The New York Times income families. Either way, vehicle electrifi- Ernie Gates other U.S. corporations. published a more realistic projection from cation will produce disappointing near-term The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow Time for a reality check on what this means IHS Markit, an economic forecasting firm, in carbon emissions unless the U.S. fleet turns of news and information, reporting any attempts by the for cutting carbon emissions — starting with which EVs reach 60% of new-vehicle sales over far faster, and dealers sell far more new military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns two numbers. over the next three decades. In that scenario, plug-ins, than would occur if consumers were and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for The first is 281.4 million, which is how many 20% of cars would be plug-ins by 2040; emis- left on their own. fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by vehicles there are in the United States’ light- sions reductions would be correspondingly There may be ways to change that — but email at [email protected], or by phone at 202.886.0003. duty fleet, 99% of them powered by internal modest. probably not without spending lots of tax- combustion engines. The second is 19.6, which Even this projection seems ambitious, giv- payer money, perhaps through a proposal by Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- is how many years it would take for this fleet to en consumer preferences: Seventy-six per- Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday become 90% electric — assuming it stayed at cent of the 14.5 million new vehicles sold in N.Y., for a 10-year, $392 billion program to through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals around 280 million and that every new vehicle 2020 were either SUVs or pickups. subsidize trade-ins of older gas-powered vehi- postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send sold from now on is an EV. The real difference-maker would be an cles for plug-ins. Another option: coercive address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the What’s more, even in this implausible sce- electric equivalent of popular models, availa- steps, such as Britain’s ban on new internal Department of Defense for members of the military services nario, which is derived from the U.S. fleet’s ble at the same price, which in turn depends on combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales after overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views turnover rate as estimated by MIT professor rapid advancements in EVs’ most expensive 2030. Achieving an all-electric fleet by 2050 of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- David Keith, the reduction in carbon emis- component, the battery. The number of such could require the United States to put in a 2035 per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to sions would not be as dramatic as you might vehicles available today is: zero. Tesla’s Model new-ICE ban, the Times reports. remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. think. X SUV starts at $79,990; the most practical For now, carmakers, politicians, Silicon The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or As of 2040, the U.S. electric grid will still run version of its planned Cybertruck pickup is Valley and Wall Street are pushing an upbeat Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. Products or services advertised shall be made available for on 11% coal and 40% natural gas, according to $69,900. Volkswagen has an all-electric SUV, EV narrative in which the U.S. automotive purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, Energy Department forecasts. That is, the fuel the ID.4. The model Car and Driver magazine fleet goes clean and green painlessly, with no religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of for our imagined 90% plug-in fleet would still tested retails for $45,190 — and in cold weath- trade-offs or hard choices for anyone. the purchaser, user or patron. be half fossil. er its battery ran out after just 190 miles.

© Stars and Stripes 2021 It’s hard to do an apples-to-apples compari- Meanwhile, a consumer could have a fully Charles Lane is a Washington Post editorial writer specializing stripes.com son between the carbon emissions associated loaded Toyota RAV-4 gas-powered hybrid for in economic and fiscal policy, and a weekly columnist. PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, March 19, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 54 Diplomacy 24 Smoke an e-cig 1 River blocker 55 Cry 25 Eventful periods 4 Nevada city 26 Russell of 8 Flag feature DOWN “Waitress” 12 “Where did 1 French perfume 27 Utah city Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before — wrong?” brand 28 Scrambled wd. 13 Baseball’s 2 Water, in Mexico 29 Skillet Moises 3 Abolitionist 32 Disappear 14 Fade away Lucretia gradually 15 Get the better of 4 Holiday Inn 33 Humidor item 17 Author Bagnold rival 35 Trim the grass 18 Wicker material 5 Serengeti 36 Most certain 19 Napkin’s place antelope 38 Solemn promises 21 Peculiar 6 Neither here 39 Army doc 22 Not passive — there 42 “— and Lovers”

Non Sequitur 26 Eucalyptus 7 Endure (D.H. Lawrence muncher longer than novel) 29 Letter addenda, 8 Used a broom 43 Modern money for short 9 Light brown 44 Wild guess 30 Standard 10 Blackbird 45 Schlep 31 Sea flier 11 Flushed 46 4, on a phone 32 Corpulent 16 Stylish wrap 47 Glitch 33 Nightclub 20 Rm. coolers 49 Genetic of song 23 Apple product letters 34 Actor Stephen Answer to Previous Puzzle

Candorville 35 Chess piece 36 Factions 37 “Nothing for me, thanks” 39 Coffee holder 40 Shock partner 41 Obliterates 45 Pride parade initials 48 Have food delivered Carpe Diem 50 “Nope!” 51 “Les États- —” 52 Gun lobby org. 53 Bands’ bookings Beetle Bailey Bizarro Friday, March 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 SCOREBOARD/BASEBALL

COLLEGE BASKETBALL TENNIS

Men’s NIT RIVER WALK REGION Mexican Open Marton Fucsovics, Hungary, def. Dusan First Round Lajovic (11), Serbia, 6­1, 4­6, 6­4. Computer First Round Sunday, March 21 Wednesday Andrey Rublev (2), Russia, def. Taylor Wednesday, March 17 At San Antonio At Fairmont Acapulco Princess Fritz (15), United States, 6­3, 6­1. At Denton, Texas Acapulco, Mexico Lloyd Harris, South Africa, def. Filip Kra­ UConn (24­1) vs. High Point (22­6) jinovic (14), Serbia, 7­6 (5), 6­4. Richmond 76, Toledo 66 Iowa (18­9) vs. Cent. Michigan (18­8) Purse: $1,053,910 At Frisco, Texas Kentucky (17­8) vs. Idaho St. (22­3) Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Monterrey Open W. Kentucky 69, Saint Mary’s (Cal) 67 Michigan (14­5) vs. Florida Gulf Coast Men’s Singles Thursday, March 18 (26­2) Round of 16 Wednesday umpires At Denton, Texas Baylor (25­2) vs. Jackson St. (18­5) Dominik Koepfer, Germany, def. Milos At Club Sonoma Davidson (13­8) vs. NC State At Austin, Texas Raonic (4), Canada, 6­4, 6­2. Monterrey, Mexico At Frisco, Texas Syracuse (14­8) vs. S. Dakota St. (21­3) Felix Auger­Aliassime (7), Canada, def. Purse: $235,238 Boise State (18­8) vs. SMU (11­5) Tennessee (16­7) vs. Middle Tennessee Sebastian Korda, United States, 6­3, 6­4. Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Friday, March 19 (17­7) Lorenzo Musetti, Italy, def. Frances Tia­ Women’s Singles At Denton, Texas At San Marcos, Texas foe, United States, 2­6, 6­3, 7­6 (1). Round of 16 Grigor Dimitrov (5), Bulgaria, def. Mio­ coming Colorado State (18­6) vs. Buffalo (16­8) Virginia Tech (14­9) vs. Marquette (19­6) Viktoria Kuzmova, Slovakia, def. Harriet At Frisco, Texas MERCADO REGION mir Kecmanovic, Serbia, 6­4, 6­2. Dart, Britain, 6­4, 6­3. Mississippi (16­11) vs. Louisiana Tech First Round Alexander Zverev (2), Germany, def. Anna­Karolina Schmiedlova, Slovakia, (21­7) Sunday, March 21 Laslo Djere, Serbia, 6­4, 6­3. def. Jasmine Paolini, Italy, 2­6, 6­2, 6­2. Saturday, March 20 At San Marcos, Texas Casper Ruud (8), Norway, def. Tallon Sara Sorribes Tormo (7), Spain, def. Kaja At Denton, Texas NC State (20­2) vs. NC A&T (14­2) Griekspoor, Netherlands, 4­6, 6­3, 7­6 (3). Juvan, Slovenia, walkover. Memphis (16­7) vs. Dayton (14­9) At Austin, Texas Stefanos Tsitsipas (1), Greece, def. John Leylah Annie Fernandez, Canada, def. to minors At Frisco, Texas South Florida (18­3) vs. Washington St. Isner, United States, 6­3, 6­2. Kristina Kucova, Slovakia, 6­1, 6­4. St. Louis (14­6) vs. Mississippi State (15­ (12­11) Cameron Norrie, Britain, def. Fabio Fog­ BY RONALD BLUM 14) nini (6), Italy, 6­4, 6­3. St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy Monday, March 22 Associated Press CBI At San Marcos, Texas Dubai Duty Free Championships Wednesday Gonzaga (23­3) vs. Belmont (20­5) At Sport Club Dinamo NEW YORK — If a minor Quarterfinals Rutgers (14­4) vs. BYU (18­5) Wednesday St. Petersburg, Russia Monday, March 22 At San Antonio At Dubai Tennis Stadium Purse: $565,530 league player says an umpire is Stetson (11­14) vs. Bowling Green (14­ Indiana (18­5) vs. VCU (16­10) Dubai, United Arab Emirates Surface: Hardcourt indoor 11) Arizona (16­5) vs. Stony Brook (15­5) Purse: $1,897,805 Women’s Singles acting like a robot this year, he Coastal Carolina (16­7) vs. Bryant (15­6) Iowa St. (16­10) vs. Michigan St. (15­8) Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Round of 32 might be right. Longwood (12­16) vs. Pepperdine (12­ At Austin, Texas Men’s Singles Anastasia Gasanova, Russia, def. Kata­ 12) Texas A&M (23­2) vs. Troy (22­5) Round of 16 rina Zavatska, Ukraine, 6­2, 6­7 (6), 7­5. Computer umpires for balls Bellarmine (13­7) vs. Army (12­9) Denis Shapovalov (3), Canada, def. Hub­ Round of 16 and strikes are coming to a low- NCAA Men’s Division II Women’s NIT ert Hurkacz (13), Poland, 6­4, 6­3. Vera Zvonareva, Russia, def. Fiona Ferro FORT WORTH REGIONAL Jeremy Chardy, France, def. Karen Kha­ (3), France, 6­7 (6), 7­5, 7­6 (2). level minor league but are a chanov (8), Russia, 6­7 (3), 6­4, 6­4. Tournament At Fort Worth, Texas Svetlana Kuznetsova (4), Russia, def. Xi­ Jannik Sinner (16), Italy, def. Roberto nyu Wang, China, 6­1, 7­5. while away from the big leagues. Quarterfinals First Round Bautista Agut (4), Spain, 6­4, 3­6, 7­5. Ekaterina Alexandrova (1), Russia, def. At Evansville, Ind. Friday, March 19 Aslan Karatsev, Russia, def. Lorenzo So­ Tereza Martincova, Czech Republic, 6­3, Major League Baseball plans Wednesday, March 24 Rice (18­4) vs. Arizona St. (11­10) nego (17), Italy, 3­6, 6­3, 6­4. 6­4. to use Automated Ball-Strike Lincoln Memorial vs. Colorado Mines Missouri (9­11) vs. Fresno St. (16­10) Kei Nishikori, Japan, def. Aljaz Bedene, Jaqueline Adina Cristian, Romania, def. West Texas A&M vs. Daemen Houston (16­7) vs. San Francisco (15­10) Slovenia, 6­4, 6­4. Jelena Ostapenko (17), Latvia, 6­3, 7­6 (9). technology (ABS) in eight of NW Missouri St. vs. West Liberty New Mexico (15­4) vs. Cal Baptist (24­0) Flagler vs. Truman CHARLOTTE REGIONAL COLLEGE HOCKEY AP SPORTLIGHT nine ballparks at the Low-A Women’s NCAA Tournament At Charlotte, N.C. Southeast League, which starts First Round Wednesday’s scores March 19 ALAMO REGION Friday, March 19 play May 4 across Florida as mi- First Round Delaware (21­4) vs. Fordham (12­4) EAST 1950 — Babe Didrikson Zaharias shoots nor league baseball resumes af- Sunday, March 21 Clemson (11­13) vs. Ohio (14­8) UMass Lowell 6, Boston College 5, 2OT a record 298 and beats Clair Doran by eight At San Antonio Florida (11­13) vs. Charlotte (10­10) UMass 5, Providence 2 strokes to capture the U.S. Women's Open. Villanova (15­6) vs. UMass (14­7) ter a one-year break caused by Stanford (25­2) vs. Utah Valley (13­6) MEMPHIS REGIONAL the coronavirus pandemic. Oklahoma St. (18­8) vs. Wake Forest (12­ At Collierville, Tenn. DEALS 12) First Round The Major League Baseball Missouri St. (21­2) vs. UC Davis (13­2) Oregon (13­8) vs. South Dakota (19­5) Friday, March 19 Wednesday’s transactions es. Released CBs Quenton Meeks, Rash­ Umpires Association agreed in Georgia (20­6) vs. Drexel (14­8) Nebraska (12­12) vs. UT Martin (20­5) aan Melvin and Josh Nurse, P Cameron Ni­ Northwestern (15­8) vs. UCF (16­4) Colorado (10­10) vs. Louisiana­La­ BASEBALL zialek, RB Craig Reynolds and DTs Donta­ its labor contract that started in Louisville (23­3) vs. Marist (18­3) fayette (16­6) Major League Baseball vius Russell, Al Woods and Gabe Wright. At Austin, Texas Mississippi (11­11) vs. Samford (14­9) American League LAS VEGAS RAIDERS — Re­signed G Ri­ 2020 to cooperate and assist if Arkansas (19­8) vs. Wright St. (18­7) Tulane (17­8) vs. Illinois St. (15­7) BOSTON RED SOX — Optioned RHP Tan­ chie Incognito. Commissioner Rob Manfred de- HEMISFAIR REGION ROCKFORD REGIONAL ner Houck to the alternate training site. MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Agreed to terms First Round At Rockford, Ill. Reassigned C Kole Cottam, RHP Daniel with T Rashod Hill, DT Dalvin Tomlinson cides to utilize the system at the Sunday, March 21 First Round Gossett, LHP Stephen Gonsalves, 1B Josh and LB Nick Vigil. Agreed to terms with WR major league level. MLB intends At San Antonio Friday, March 19 Ockimey, 1B/3B Triston Casas, OF Jarren Chad Beebe on a one­year contract. South Carolina (22­4) vs. Mercer (19­6) Dayton (14­3) vs. N. Iowa (14­12) Duran, and INF/OF Yairo Muñoz to minor NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — Released WR to include the subject in talks Georgia Tech (15­8) vs. Stephen F. Austin Bowling Green (20­6) vs. Creighton (9­ league camp. Emmanuel Sanders. (24­2) 11) DETROIT TIGERS — Optioned OF Derek NEW YORK GIANTS — Re­signed LS this year to replace the agree- West Virginia (21­6) vs. Lehigh (10­5) DePaul (14­8) vs. Saint Louis (12­4) Hill to Toledo (Triple­A East). Casey Kreiter, WR C.J. Board and DT Austin ment with the players’ associ- At San Marcos, Texas Drake (16­11) vs. Milwaukee (19­7) HOUSTON ASTROS — Optioned RHPs Ro­ Johnson. Oregon St. (11­7) vs. Florida St. (10­8) NCAA Women’s Division II nel Blanco and Austin Hansen, OF Pedro NEW YORK JETS — Re­signed RB Josh ation that expires Dec. 1. Monday, March 22 Leon and C Scott Manea to minor league Adams to a one­year contract. “It’s hard to handicap if, when At Austin, Texas Tournament camp. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Traded QB UCLA (16­5) vs. Wyoming (14­9) TEXAS RANGERS — Assigned RHPs Drew Carson Wentz to Indianapolis in exchange or how it might be employed at At San Marcos, Texas Quarterfinals Anderson, Jason Behr, Jharel Cotton and for a 2021 third­round pick and a 2022 con­ Texas (18­9) vs. Bradley (17­11) At Columbus, Ohio Luis Ortiz to minor league camp. ditional second­round pick in the NFL the major league level, because At San Antonio Tuesday, March 23 National League Draft. Signed RB Adrian Killins Jr. it is a pretty substantial differ- Alabama (16­9) vs. North Carolina (13­ Drury vs. Charleston, W.Va. PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Reassigned INF SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Released WR 10) Lander vs. Azusa Pacific Ji­hwan Bae and Cs Christian Kelley and Marquise Goodwin. ence from the way the game is Maryland (24­2) vs. Mount St. Mary’s Lubbock Christian vs. Daemen Arden Pabst, RHP Yerry De Los Santos and TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Re­signed (17­6) Belmont Abbey vs. Central Miss. LHP Blake Weiman to minor league camp. G Aaron Stinnie to a one­year contract. called today,” Chris Marinak, SAN DIEGO PADRES — Optioned RHPs TENNESSEE TITANS — Signed TEs Antho­ MLB’s chief operations and PRO BASEBALL Mason Thompson to El Paso (Triple­A ny Firkser and Geoff Swaim to a one­year West), Jordan Humphreys and Reggie contract extensions. Traded OT Isaiah strategy officer, said Wednes- Lawson to San Antonio (Double­A Cen­ Wilson to Miami for two seventh­round Spring training Philadelphia vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, tral). Assigned Pedro Avila, Ivan Castillo, day during an on-line presenta- Fla. picks in 2021 and 2022. Texas vs. L.A. Dodgers at Glendale, Ariz. Ethan Elliott, Brady Feigl, Juan Fernandez, HOCKEY tion on 2021 innovation and fan Wednesday’s games Chicago White Sox vs. Seattle at Peoria, Mason Fox, Robert Hassell III, Jagger National Hockey League Tampa Bay 10, Pittsburgh 9 Ariz. Haynes, Jonny Homza, Chase Johnson, Pa­ NHL — Suspended Minnesota D Carson engagement. Boston 9, Minnesota 1 Cincinnati vs. San Francisco at Scotts­ trick Kivlehan, Justin Lange, Aaron Leash­ Soucy one game for charging against Ari­ MLB tracks the accuracy of Philadelphia 2, Detroit 0 dale, Ariz. er, Parker Markel, Joshua Mears, Evan zona F Conor Garland during a March 16 Miller, Jacob Nix, James Reeves, Jacob Miami 3, N.Y. Mets 2 game. ball-strike calls by its plate um- Saturday’s games Rhame, Eguy Rosario, Wynston Sawyer, N.Y. Yankees 1, Toronto 0 — Designated D Steven Wilson to minor league camp. NASHVILLE PREDATORS L.A. Dodgers 4, Chicago White Sox 3 Pittsburgh vs. Detroit at Lakeland, Fla. Alexandre Carrier for assignment to the pires but doesn’t release the fig- Oakland 10, Kansas City 5 Houston vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla. BASKETBALL National Basketball Association taxi squad. ures. Umpire Ángel Hernández, San Francisco 11, Colorado 8 Toronto vs. Philadelphia at Clearwater, NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Assigned LW MIAMI HEAT — Traded F Meyers Leonard Baltimore 5, Atlanta 2 Fla. Jesper Boqvist and RW Nick Merkley to in a lawsuit filed against Major St. Louis 4, Houston 4 Boston vs. Atlanta at North Port, Fla. and a draft consideration to Oklahoma City for F Trevor Ariza. Binghamton (AHL). League Baseball, said his accu- Chicago Cubs 8, San Diego 2 Colorado vs. Chicago Cubs at Mesa, Ariz. NEW YORK RANGERS — Recalled G Keith Texas 3, Arizona 0 Cleveland vs. Chicago White Sox at FOOTBALL Cincinnati 12, Cleveland 7 National Football League Kinkaid, D Jack Johnson and RW Ksaapo racy on ball-strike calls in- Glendale, Ariz. Kakko from the minor league taxi squad. L.A. Angels 7, Seattle 4 L.A. Dodgers vs. San Diego at Peoria, ARIZONA CARDINALS — Acquired OL OTTAWA SENATORS — Claimed G Anton creased from 92.19% in 2012 to Thursday’s games Ariz. Rodney Hudson and a seventh­round pick Kansas City vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, in the 2021 NFL Draft from Las Vegas in ex­ Forsberg off waivers. Recalled G Kevin 96.88% in 2016. Mandolese from Belleville (AHL) loan. Washington vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lu­ Ariz. change for a third­round 2021 pick. Agreed The independent Atlantic cie, Fla. Oakland vs. L.A. Angels at Tempe, Ariz. to terms with WR A.J. Green on a one­year TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS — Assigned LW Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland at Miami vs. Washington at West Palm contract. Re­signed LB Tanner Vallejo to a Kenny Agostino to Toronto (AHL). Re­ League became the first Amer- Goodyear, Ariz. Beach, Fla. two­year contract. called F Alexander Barabanov from the Kansas City vs. Chicago White Sox at N.Y. Yankees vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, ATLANTA FALCONS — Acquired TE Lee minor league taxi squad. ican professional league to let a Glendale, Ariz. Fla. Smith from Buffalo in exchange for a sev­ VANCOUVER CANUCKS — Claimed RW computer call balls and strikes Oakland vs. San Diego at Peoria, Ariz. Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, enth­round 2022 NFL Draft pick. Jimmy Vesey off waivers. L.A. Dodgers vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, Fla. CHICAGO BEARS — Released DB Buster VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS — Recalled G at its All-Star Game in July 2019 Ariz. Seattle vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz. Skrine. Agreed to terms with QB Andy Dal­ Oscar Dansk form Henderson (AHL) loan. Milwaukee vs. L.A. Angels at Tempe, Milwaukee vs. Cincinnati at Goodyear, ton, DB Deon Bush and OL Germain Ifedi on Reassigned Gs Logan Thompson and Dy­ and experimented with ABS Ariz. Ariz. one­year contracts. lan Ferguson to Henderson (AHL). during the second half of that Miami vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla. CLEVELAND BROWNS — Agreed to terms SOCCER Cincinnati vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz. MLB calendar with S John Johnson and DE Takkarist Major League Soccer season. It also was used in the Seattle vs. San Francisco at Scottsdale, McKinley on a one­year contracts. DC UNITED — Acquired general alloca­ Ariz. March 27 — Last day to offer a retention tion money (GAM) and future agreed upon Arizona Fall League for top pro- bonus to an eligible player attending DALLAS COWBOYS — Released P Chris Friday’s games Jones. incentives from FC United in exchange for spects that year, drawing com- spring training with a minor league con­ MF Luciano Acosta. Tampa Bay vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla. tract. DENVER BRONCOS — Agreed to terms with CB Ronald Darby on a three­year con­ FC CINCINNATI — Signed MF Luciano plaints of its calls of breaking Toronto vs. Detroit at Lakeland, Fla. March 30 — Last day to place a player on Acosta to a three­year contract. St. Louis vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lucie, waivers for 45 days termination pay. tract. — Signed MF Victor Vazquez. balls. Fla. April 1 — Opening day, active rosters re­ DETROIT LIONS — Signed DE Romeo Ok­ LA GALAXY L.A. Angels vs. Kansas City at Surprise, duced to 26 players. wara to a contract extension. Re­signed SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES — Announced “The goal here is really to fo- Ariz. July 11-13 — Amateur draft. LB Jalen Reeves­Maybin. Released CB Des­ MF Jackson Yueill was selected as captain Chicago Cubs vs. Oakland at Mesa, Ariz. July 13 — All­Star Game, Atlanta. mond Trufant. of the United States U­23 National Team. cus on demonstrating system re- Arizona vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix July 25 — Hall of Fame induction, Coo­ HOUSTON TEXANS — Signed CB Vernon COLLEGE liability and to start to get more Cleveland vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, perstown, N.Y. Hargreaves III to a contract extension. Re­ AUSTIN PEAY — Named Brittany Young Ariz. Aug. 12 — New York Yankees vs. Chicago leased C/G Zach Fulton. head women’s basketball coach. athlete feedback from more Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, White Sox at Dyersville, Iowa. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Waived DT An­ VANDERBILT — Named Brooks Webb Fla. Aug. 22 — Los Angeles Angels vs. Cleve­ drew Brown. Claimed DT Andrew Brown general manager/chief of staff, Amy Elkus players, coaches and umpires,” Minnesota vs. Atlanta at North Port, Fla. land at Williamsport, Pa. off waivers from Houston. director of operations and Kalista Gioglio Marinak said. “The technology Washington vs. Houston at West Palm Dec. 1 — Collective bargaining agree­ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Re­signed TE program assistant/assistant to the head Beach, Fla. ment expires, 11:59 p.m. EST. James O’Shaughnessy and K Aldrick Ros­ coach of men’s baseball. is really in pretty good shape.” PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, March 19, 2021 NBA Bucks take out 76ers in overtime Scoreboard Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division Antetokounmpo scores 10 WLPct GB of his 32 points in OT Philadelphia 28 13 .683 — Brooklyn 28 13 .683 — Boston 20 20 .500 7½ BY AARON BRACY New York 20 21 .488 8 Associated Press Toronto 17 23 .425 10½ PHILADELPHIA — Giannis Southeast Division Antetokounmpo came up big in WLPct GB overtime, and then took a seat — Miami 22 19 .537 — right on the court. Charlotte 20 19 .513 1 Antetokounmpo scored 10 of his Atlanta 20 20 .500 1½ 32 points in the extra session to Washington 14 25 .359 7 Orlando 13 26 .333 8 lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 109-105 victory over the Philadel- Central Division phia 76ers on Wednesday night in WLPct GB a matchup of two of the Eastern Milwaukee 26 14 .650 — Conference’s best teams. Chicago 18 21 .462 7½ Indiana 17 22 .436 8½ After being hounded by Phila- Cleveland 15 25 .375 11 delphia All-Star Ben Simmons for Detroit 11 29 .275 15 most of the game, Antetokounmpo Western Conference found his offense late with Sim- mons in foul trouble. Southwest Division He scored 10 straight Bucks WLPct GB points, the last a 10-foot jumper in San Antonio 21 16 .568 — the lane that pushed Milwaukee’s Dallas 21 18 .538 1 lead to 105-98 with 1:11 left in over- Memphis 18 19 .486 3 time. He sat on the court near the New Orleans 17 23 .425 5½ Houston 11 28 .282 11 76ers bench after the bucket, Northwest Division drawing boos from the fans. MATT SLOCUM / AP WLPct GB “I haven’t seen that, that’s what Milwaukee Bucks center Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers for­ I felt like I wanted to do at the ward Ben Simmons during the Bucks’ 109­105 overtime win Wednesday in Philadelphia. Utah 29 10 .744 — Denver 24 16 .600 5½ time,” he said. “I was just trying to Portland 23 16 .590 6 have fun and enjoy the moment.” don’t want to talk trash or say any- added 19 for the Bucks, who have including a three-point attempt Oklahoma City 17 23 .425 12½ Philadelphia wasn’t thrilled thing negative, but we’ll see him won five in a row and 10 of 11. that was woefully short, in the Minnesota 9 31 .225 20½ with the show of joy. again.” Antetokounmpo finished with opening 24 minutes. Pacific Division “I wanted to go and Stone Cold With P.J. Tucker reportedly 15 rebounds and five assists, end- Tobias Harris scored 19 points WLPct GB Stunner him, but I already had one headed to Milwaukee in a trade ing a streak of three straight tri- and Danny Green added 18 for Phoenix 26 12 .684 — tech,” the 76ers’ Dwight Howard with Houston, Donte DiVincenzo ple-doubles. The two-time MVP Philadelphia, which had its six- L.A. Lakers 27 13 .675 — said. “He had a hell of a game. I scored 20 points and Jrue Holiday had just four points and four shots, game winning streak snapped. L.A. Clippers 26 16 .619 2 Golden State 21 20 .512 6½ Sacramento 16 24 .400 11 ROUNDUP Wednesday’s games Sacramento 121, Washington 119 Brooklyn 124, Indiana 115 Detroit 116, Toronto 112 Milwaukee 109, Philadelphia 105, OT San Antonio 106, Chicago 99 Golden State 108, Houston 94 Doncic helps Mavs gain split with Clippers Cleveland 117, Boston 110 Denver 129, Charlotte 104 Associated Press 18th straight loss. Memphis 89, Miami 85 DALLAS — Luka Doncic thrilled the crowd The Rockets’ skid surpasses the 17 straight Dallas 105, L.A. Clippers 89 Thursday’s games early with a four-point play after getting fouled losses by the San Diego Rockets in 1968, when Utah at Washington by Kawhi Leonard, then turned for a lengthy ac- they went 15-67 in their first year as a franchise. Oklahoma City at Atlanta Orlando at New York knowledgement of those fans after one of several It’s the first time Houston has lost nine consec- Minnesota at Phoenix New Orleans at Portland late buckets that helped keep Dallas comfortably utive home games since it dropped 11 straight in Charlotte at L.A. Lakers in front. 1983. Friday’s games In a two-game set with the feel of a playoff se- Cavaliers 117, Celtics 110: Collin Sexton Sacramento at Boston San Antonio at Cleveland ries, the Mavericks got the split behind their scored 29 points, Darius Garland added 25 and Brooklyn at Orlando young sensation. Cleveland’s young guards made big plays down Detroit at Houston Golden State at Memphis Doncic scored 42 points, and Dallas answered the stretch to beat visiting Boston. Indiana at Miami Utah at Toronto a loss against its first-round playoff opponent The Cavs ended a four-game losing streak and Chicago at Denver Dallas at Portland from last season, beating the Los Angeles Clip- a nine-game skid against the Celtics. Minnesota at Phoenix pers 105-89 on Wednesday night. Nuggets 129, Hornets 104:Nikola Jokic had Saturday’s games Josh Richardson scored 14 points and was a 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for another Atlanta at L.A. Lakers TONY GUTIERREZ / AP Golden State at Memphis defensive spark as the Mavericks followed a 109- triple-double, Michael Porter Jr. added 28 points Sacramento at Philadelphia 99 defeat two nights earlier and won the season Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic, left, and host Denver beat Charlotte. San Antonio at Milwaukee Charlotte at L.A. Clippers series, 2-1. The other Dallas victory was by 51 and Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George Jokic has 10 triple-doubles this season and 51 Leaders greet each other after the Mavs’ 105­89 win points in LA three games into the season in De- overall. Through Tuesday Wednesday in Dallas. cember, about four months after the Clippers Grizzlies 89, Heat 85: Ja Morant dribbled the Scoring finished off the Mavs in six games in the NBA’s length of the court for a tiebreaking layup with GFG FT PTS AVG playoff bubble. ple-double of the season, leading Brooklyn to a 1.2 seconds left to lift Memphis past visiting Mia- Beal, WAS 35 395 260 1130 32.3 “They’re a really good defensive team,” said win at Indiana. mi. Lillard, POR 38 357 278 1158 30.5 Doncic, who was 16-for-28 from the field, includ- The Nets were without fellow All-Stars Kyrie Kings 121, Wizards 119: De’Aaron Fox Embiid, PHI 31 293 304 928 29.9 ing 6-for-11 from three-point range. “It’s kind of Irving (groin) and Kevin Durant (hamstring) scored 28 points and hit a jumper over Bradley Rebounds tough, back-to-back games like the playoffs. and newcomer Blake Griffin (knee). Beal with 0.7 seconds remaining to give lift Sac- GOFF DEF TOT AVG That’s why we’ve got to be ready for the playoffs Harden hit a runner in the lane to tie it at 96 ramento to a win at Washington. Capela, ATL 34 172 314 486 14.3 if we make it.” early in the fourth. That started a 13-4 run that Spurs 106, Bulls 99: Jakob Poeltl tied a ca- Gobert, UTA 39 131 394 525 13.5 Paul George had 28 points for Los Angeles, in- included Harden’s three-pointer and another reer high with 20 points and set one with 16 re- Assists cluding a pair of three-pointers in the final min- layup that pushed it to 109-100. bounds and San Antonio used a huge fourth GAST AVG ute of the third quarter that cut a 12-point deficit Warriors 108, Rockets 94:Draymond Green quarter to win at Chicago. Harden, BKN 34 378 11.1 in half going to the fourth. had 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his Pistons 116, Raptors: Saddiq Bey had 28 Westbrook, WAS 31 312 10.1 Nets 125, Pacers 115: James Harden had 40 third triple-double of the season and Golden points and 12 rebounds and host Detroit over- Young, ATL 38 356 9.4 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds for his 11th tri- State handed host Houston its franchise-record came Norman Powell’s 43 points to beat Toronto. Doncic, DAL 35 327 9.3 Friday, March 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 NHL/NFL

FREE AGENT ROUNDUP Some vets prosper as business season begins in the NFL BY BARRY WILNER negotiations, speaking on condi- The Associated Press tion of anonymity to the AP be- As the NFL opened its business cause the team had yet to an- year Wednesday, veterans Trent nounce the deal. Williams, A.J. Green and Emma- ■ The Panthers went for de- nuel Sanders prospered. fense with linebackers Haason Some teams officially an- Reddick and Denzel Perryman nounced deals that consistently and end Morgan Fox. leaked during the “legal tamper- Reddick played under Panthers ing” period that began Monday, coach Matt Rhule at Temple. The and others stayed pretty silent. 13th overall pick in the 2017 draft That trio of players with a total of is coming off a breakout season BRUCE BENNETT / AP 31 pro seasons made out very well with 12 ½ sacks, six forced fum- The New York Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad, left, celebrates his power­play goal during the Rangers’ despite not getting big offers im- bles and 15 tackles for a loss. seven­goal second period in a 9­0 defeat of the Philadelphia Flyers in New York on Wednesday. Zibanejad mediately. ■ Raiders coach Jon Gruden, had three goals and three assists in the period. The 49ers held onto the best who likes speedy wideouts as tackle who could have become a much as he enjoys watching game free agent by giving Williams the film, added John Brown, recently NHL ROUNDUP NHL scoreboard richest contract ever for an offen- cut by Buffalo. Brown could be a sive lineman. Williams is a partic- veteran deep threat in Las Vegas East Division ularly intriguing case. His agents after Nelson Agholor left in free GP WLOT Pts GF GA at Elite Loyalty Sports said the agency for New England. deal agreed to early Wednesday ■ Seattle made its first big Washington 29 19 6 4 42 103 88 Rangers score 7 N.Y. Islanders will pay Williams $138.1 million move to bolster its offensive line 30 19 7 4 42 87 67 Pittsburgh 29 18 10 1 37 94 82 over the next six years, surpassing and appease quarterback Russell Boston 27 15 8 4 34 73 65 the $138 million deal David Bak- Wilson by acquiring veteran Philadelphia 27 14 10 3 31 88 96 htiari got from Green Bay a year guard Gabe Jackson from Las Ve- N.Y. Rangers 28 12 12 4 28 85 76 goals in second New Jersey 26 9 13 4 22 65 84 ago. Williams also will get the big- gas for a fifth-round draft pick. Buffalo 28 6 18 4 16 60 97 gest signing bonus ever for an of- ■ Kansas City agreed to a $5 Central Division fensive lineman at $30.1 million, million contract for next season

GP WLOT Pts GF GA as well as $55.1 million guaran- with three-time Pro Bowl guard teed. Kyle Long, who will come out of period, rout Flyers Tampa Bay 28 20 6 2 42 102 67 Florida 28 19 5 4 42 99 81 Green joins the Cardinals and retirement. Earlier this week, the Associated Press goal and two assists and Edmon- Carolina 28 20 7 1 41 97 72 ends a decade in Cincinnati, Chiefs gave an $80 million, five- NEW YORK — Mika Zibanejad ton won at Calgary to split the two- Chicago 30 14 11 5 33 92 98 though he has been plagued by in- year deal to Patriots offensive li- had three goals and three assists in game series. Columbus 30 11 12 7 29 80 99 juries recently and sat out 2019. neman Joe Thuney. KC’s offen- Dallas 25 9 9 7 25 72 68 New York’s seven-goal second pe- McDavid has 18 goals and leads Nashville 29 12 16 1 25 71 97 Arizona, which also acquired cen- sive line was a sieve in its Super riod and the Rangers beat the Phi- the NHL with 38 assists and 56 Detroit 30 9 17 4 22 68 99 ter Rodney Hudson from the Bowl loss to Tampa Bay. ladelphia Flyers 9-0 on Wednes- points. West Division Raiders for a third-round draft The Chiefs also agreed to one- day night. Kings 4, Blues 1: Drew Dough- GP WLOT Pts GF GA pick, already has a No. 1 receiver year deals to keep running back Pavel Buchnevich had two goals ty, Carl Grundstrom and Trevor in DeAndre Hopkins, and long- Darrel Williams, linebacker Ben Vegas 27 20 6 1 41 90 61 and two assists — all in the second Moore scored in a dominant first Minnesota 27 18 8 1 37 86 64 time star Larry Fitzgerald has not Niemann and defensive end Taco period — and Brendan Lemieux, period, leading host Los Angeles Colorado 27 17 8 2 36 86 64 made a decision on returning for Charlton. Artemi Panarin, Jacob Trouba past St. Louis. St. Louis 29 14 10 5 33 89 96 an 18th season. He got a one-year ■ Detroit took away one of divi- and Filip Chytil also scored in New Moore had a goal and an assist Los Angeles 28 12 10 6 30 83 79 deal worth $8 million. The Cardi- sion-rival Green Bay’s offense Arizona 29 12 13 4 28 70 88 York’s most decisive victory since for his first multipoint game of the San Jose 27 11 13 3 25 80 96 nals added veteran placekicker pieces, giving a two-year contract beating New Jersey 9-0 on March season, while captain Anze Kopi- Anaheim 30 8 16 6 22 67 103 Matt Prater, who owns the NFL to running back Jamaal Williams. 31, 1986. tar scored an empty-net goal from North Division record with a 64-yard field goal He was a backup to Aaron Jones Alexandar Georgiev stopped 26 the opposite goal line and added an made in 2013 with Denver. with the Packers, and figures to GP WLOT Pts GF GA shots for his sixth career shutout. assist. Cal Petersen made 19 saves Sanders, joining his fourth fran- fill the same role in Detroit behind The Rangers were without head to end his five-start losing streak. Toronto 30 19 9 2 40 102 79 chise, didn’t make out quite so D’Andre Swift and Kerryon John- Winnipeg 29 18 9 2 38 97 85 coach David Quinn and assistants Jets 4, Canadiens 3 (OT):Niko- Edmonton 32 19 13 0 38 110 94 well as Green as he heads to Buffa- son. The Lions also arranged a Jacques Martin, David Oliver and laj Ehlers scored at 55 seconds of Montreal 29 13 8 8 34 93 80 lo. But he gets to join All-Pro re- trade with the Rams for steady de- Greg Brown were due to NHL CO- overtime to push Winnipeg past Vancouver 33 15 16 2 32 92 104 ceiver Stefon Diggs catching balls fensive tackle Michael Brockers VID-19 protocols. Hartford Wolf visiting Montreal. Calgary 30 14 13 3 31 83 92 from Josh Allen. as they attempt to rebuild one of Ottawa 33 10 20 3 23 87 130 Pack coach Kris Knoblauch and Kyle Connor scored twice, Elsewhere: the NFL’s worst units. They re- Wednesday’s games ■ associate head coach Gord Mur- Blake Wheeler connected on the Vancouver 3, Ottawa 2, SO Quarterback Tyrod Taylor leased veteran cornerback Des- phy, and Rangers associate gener- first shot of the game, and Connor N.Y. Rangers 9, Philadelphia 0 agreed to a one-year contract with mond Trufant. Winnipeg 4, Montreal 3, OT al manager Chris Drury were be- Hellebuyck made 33 saves. Los Angeles 4, St. Louis 1 Houston, giving the Texans an in- ■ Washington stayed busy by Edmonton 7, Calgary 3 hind the bench. Knights 5, Sharks 4: Ryan Vegas 5, San Jose 4 surance policy if they trade Desh- agreeing with wide receiver Cur- Brian Elliott started in goal for Reaves broke a tie during a run of Thursday’s games aun Watson or if they don’t trade tis Samuel, who becomes the No. 2 Philadelphia and allowed five four straight Vegas goals in the Boston at Buffalo him and he decides to sit out this wide receiver behind Terry Chicago at Tampa Bay goals on 13 shots before being re- third period in a defeat of visiting Columbus at Carolina season. Watson has been unhappy McLaurin. The 24-year-old placed midway through the sec- San Jose. Nashville at Florida with the direction of the team and shined in Carolina’s victory at Philadelphia at N.Y. Islanders ond period as the Flyers lost for Canucks 3, Senators 2 (SO): Pittsburgh at New Jersey has requested a trade. Washington last season, setting Dallas at Detroit the third time in four games. Adam Gaudette scored in a shoo- Minnesota at Colorado ■ Eight-time Pro Bowl corner- career highs with 106 yards re- Winnipeg at Edmonton Zibanejad scored three consec- tout to lift Vancouver to a win at Arizona at Anaheim back Patrick Peterson left Arizona ceiving and 52 yards rushing. utive goals in a 10:10 span of the Ottawa. Friday’s games after 10 seasons to join the Minne- Washington also agreed with cor- second for his fifth career hat Bo Horvat had a goal and an as- Calgary at Toronto sota Vikings, who agreed with the nerback William Jackson on a N.Y. Rangers at Washington trick. sist, Brock Boeser also scored in Vancouver at Montreal 30-year-old on a one-year contract contract worth $42 million over Oilers 7, Flames 3: NHL scor- regulation and Thatcher Demko St. Louis at San Jose worth up to $10 million, according three years with $26 million guar- Vegas at Los Angeles ing leader Connor McDavid had a made 30 saves for the Canucks. to a person with knowledge of the anteed. PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, March 19, 2021 NCAA TOURNAMENT Three deep Baylor’s talented guard trio has made Bears top seed for first time

BY STEPHEN HAWKINS Associated Press There really are no tougher matchups for Baylor guards Jared Butler, Davion Mitch- ell and MaCio Teague than in those long hours they spend in the gym going 1-on-1 against each other. It is a difficult matchup for opposing teams when that trio is on the court together for the Bears, the Big 12 champions and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time. “I think that it comes from chemistry. Just off the court, we want to see one anoth- er do great,” Mitchell said. “We all knew we had to sacrifice just because we all knew how good we could be. Each one of us could score 20 (points) every night. That’s what makes our team great. Everyone had to sac- rifice something.” Butler is the first Baylor player ever to be a first-team AP All-American and was also the AP Big 12 player of the year. The 6- foot-3 junior, who bypassed the chance for early entry in last year’s NBA Draft, averag- /AP es 17.1 points a game while leading the con- CHARLIE NEIBERGALL, ABOVE, AND GERRY BROOME, LEFT ference in three-point shooting and steals. Above: Baylor guard MaCio Teague, left, drives to the basket ahead of Iowa State guard Teague, who averages 16.2 points, is the Jalen Coleman­Lands. Left: Baylor guards Davion Mitchell, left, and Jared Butler. fifth-year senior who in his final home game tied a school record with 10 made three- of 2018, but never took part in any offseason great job sharing, rotating and making sure pointers while scoring 35 points. He is also workouts before getting released from his everybody has a feel. ... They’re concerned the nation’s only player with more than letter of intent and going to Baylor. for each other, and concerned for winning, 1,500 career points, 500 rebounds, 250 as- While Butler was able to play immediate- and knowing we’re a much better team sists, 125 steals and 250 made threes. ly for the Bears, and averaged 10.2 points as when all three are clicking.” Mitchell, a third-team AP All-American, a freshman, the other guards had to red- During that season when Mitchell and is the lightning-quick guard who averages shirt that 2018-19 season after transferring. Teague were having to redshirt, and unable 14.1 points a game and leads the Big 12 with Mitchell played 34 games as a freshman at to play for the Bears, they were constantly his 51.5% field-goal shooting; Butler and Auburn, and Teague had started 66 of his going against each other in ultracompeti- Teague both shoot nearly 49% from the field 67 games over two seasons at UNC Ashe- tive 1-on-1 matchups after hard workouts to rank fourth and fifth. Mitchell has also ville. with coaches. Every shot taken by the 6- earned the nickname “Off Night” for his The Bears are 48-6 in the two seasons foot-2 Mitchell was contested by Teague’s reputation as a defender and making it since Mitchell and Teague became eligible impressive 6-11 wing span — seven inches tough on whoever he is going against in a to play. Baylor set a Big 12 record with a 23- more than how tall he is. game. around this group of guys.” game winning streak last year, and its 18-0 “It’s definitely helped me offensively to “I think it’s the most sacrificial group of All three guards got to Baylor after start- start this season was the best in school histo- be able to create my shot off the bounce,” guys I’ve been around. Sacrificing their ing college at other schools, and all are ex- ry on the way to the school’s first conference Mitchell said. “And for him, I mean, I think time in the gym to be better for the team, pected to be playing their final games for title in any league since 1950. I’m a pretty good defender, so I just make it sacrificing stats for the betterment of the the Bears (22-2) in the NCAA Tournament. “It really goes back to the character and hard for him. And you can see he can do team, just sacrificing egos, and that’s a hard Their first-round game is Friday against makeup of them individually because they things off the bounce. He became a better thing to do among 20 and 21-year-old men,” Hartford (15-8) at Lucas Oil Stadium in In- do care about the team, they care about win- defender, just by those 1-on-1 sessions. He Butler said. “Everybody across the board dianapolis. ning. It’s not about their stats, their acco- made it hard for me sometimes just keeping has had to sacrifice something, and we’ve Butler initially signed with Alabama, and lades,” coach Scott Drew said. “Knowing me away from the basket.... Just playing all done that. ... It’s truly a blessing to be enrolled in school there during the summer one guy gets to bring the ball up, they all do a MaCio 1-on-1 help me.” 101-year-old Sister Jean thrilled to join Loyola Chicago again BY ANDREW SELIGMAN the team. I want championship for an Illinois nament, which Loyola won for the cause the facility she lives in Associated Press to be present for school. second time in four years. Though doesn’t have all the channels. CHICAGO — Loyola Chicago is them. I want to Above all else, at age 98, Sister she is fully vaccinated, there were Sometimes, she listens on the radio back in the NCAA Tournament. be present for Jean became a celebrity, with na- safety and logistical issues, and it and follows the play-by-play on- And Sister Jean will be there, too. (coach Porter tional TV interviews and even her was the same with the NCAA Tour- line. The 101-year-old team chap- Moser) and I own bobblehead. nament. When she goes to Indianapolis, lain’s lobbying paid off Tuesday want to be pre- It was quite a ride. But it was not “It was a little struggle going she will have a nurse and security when the school reversed course sent for Loyola. I clear if she would be along — in along the journeyed path,” she with her and will eat in her hotel and announced she will go. That Schmidt said you have to person, anyway — this time. said, “but I finally said to one of our room. She’s not sure where she’ll means she gets to watch her be- remember what Loyola (24-4) leaped into the AP executives, ‘You know, I’m just go- be seated when Loyola meets loved Ramblers in person for the happened in 2018.” Top 25 for the first time since ing to sound like the old woman in ninth-seeded Georgia Tech at But- first time this season when Loyola Who can forget? March 1985 and hit the 20-win the Gospel who kept after the ler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse, one of a meets Georgia Tech in Indianapo- Loyola made a surprising run to mark for the fourth year in a row. judge and after the judge for what half-dozen Indiana venues being lis on Friday. the Final Four, charming the na- The eighth-seeded Ramblers she wanted. And finally the judge used to host the tournament, but Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt tion with one last-second victory come in with the nation’s stingiest said, ‘Let her do what she wants.’ ” she’ll be safe. couldn’t be happier. after another. Along the way, it defense, allowing 55.5 points per Sister Jean acknowledged she She won’t be allowed up-close “I kept saying to people I want to shined a light on the 1963 team that game. has felt “lonely” not being around contact with the Ramblers be- go not because of myself,” she said broke racial barriers on the way to Sister Jean did not travel to St. the team. It’s been “very difficult” cause teams are isolating. But just Tuesday. “I want to go because of what remains the lone NCAA Louis for the Missouri Valley tour- for her to watch games on TV be- being there figures to be a boost. Friday, March 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 NCAA TOURNAMENT Hartford’s Carter leading the battle against violence

BY PAT EATON-ROBB Semaj a target of the shooting. But Associated Press Carter said his brother also had a Traci Carter vowed to help make gift for engineering and could take a difference for at-risk youth when almost anything apart and put it he lost his brother to gun violence back together without directions. less than a year ago. He has kept at He doesn’t think his younger it while leading the University of brother ever saw a way to turn Hartford to its first NCAA Tourna- those skills into a better life. The ment appearance. goal of Anchors Camp, Carter said, Carter, a 24-year-old graduate is to demonstrate career paths that transfer, started Anchors Camp af- don’t involve sports and entertain- ter his brother was slain last sum- ment — or drugs — but still lead to mer in their hometown of Philadel- success. phia. City kids travel to a farm near Following Semaj’s death, Hart- tiny Madison, N.Y., where they ford coach John Gallagher took the participate in traditional camp ac- guard on a beach vacation as a GERRY BROOME / AP tivities but also tour Colgate Uni- break from Philadelphia. Carter Duke guard Tre Jones, left, and Winthrop guard Chandler Vaudrin reach for the ball during the second halfversity and are introduced at the was introduced to Jim Newfrock, a of their game on Nov. 29, 2019 in Durham, N.C. camp to basic skills in fields such former Korn Ferry executive who as plumbing, electrical work and owned a farm in New York. barbering. The idea for the camp was born Hartford plays Baylor on Friday during conversations and three night and Carter, a point guard weeks later, Carter brought his ne- who averages about 12 points a phews and six other kids from his Do Winthrop, Colgate game, can again showcase the neighborhood to Newfrock’s farm. work he’s done off the court. He They were introduced to volunteer speaks openly about losing his tradesmen and grief counselors, brother, including how it hap- an experience that changed the pened — and how it prompted him lives of Carter’s nephews. to take action. One discovered plumbing and need change of pace? “Philly, we’re the murder capi- currently is applying for intern- tal right now,” he said. “I had to fig- ships with the help of camp offi- BY STEVE MEGARGEE DID YOU KNOW? Raiders do have some confidence ure out something to do to make a cials. Another learned the electri- Associated Press based on their 2019 NCAA Tourna- change.” cal skills needed to fix an outlet in inthrop coach Pat Winthrop won the Big South while ment experience, when Burns Carter’s brother, 21-year-old Se- the family home. Kelsey says he ranking 11th among all Division I scored 32 points as Colgate was tied maj Carter, and two nephews, ages “This is how you change neigh- learned his philoso- teams in adjusted tempo, according midway through the second half 18 and 15, were shot last July while borhoods, this is how you change phy of basketball to college basketball stats guru Ken before falling 77-70 to Tennessee. sitting in a car after a recreation communities,” Gallagher said. W Pomeroy. Adjusted tempo measures while playing for the late Skip Colgate coach Matt Langel notes league basketball game. One neph- “For Traci’s brother this could Prosser at Xavier in the 1990s. the number of possessions a team the Raiders don’t just run up and ew was shot in the face, the other in have been an outlet that maybe would have per 40 minutes against “He had a famous quote that he down the floor in all situations. the ribs, but both survived. would have changed his life. Be- an opponent with an average tem- said all the time,” Kelsey recalled. po. The only NCAA Tournament They need their defense to set the Semaj, one of six of Carter’s sib- cause the system is set up the way it “The older he got, teams ranked higher in that cate- pace. lings, did not. is, there is no opportunity.” the faster he gory are Gonzaga and Alabama. “A big part of our scoring and our He’d been raised primarily by a Carter is now raising funds for wanted to play. I SOURCE: Associated Press high number of possessions and grandmother because, Carter said, weeklong camps this summer and think that applies playing fast is we’ve been able to their mother suffered from drug has filed paperwork to make An- to me.” to keep doing what it’s done all sea- stop the opposition,” Langel said. problems. Just three years older, chors Camp an official charity. Ev- The 45-year- son. Colgate may have to adapt its “We’re not one of those teams that Carter said he was a father figure er the point guard, he said he is old Kelsey style to knock off Arkansas (22-6). when the other team makes a bas- to Semaj and recalls fixing his bot- working with Newfrock, schools watched his Win- If Colgate tries to run, it could be ket, we’re firing it inbounds and fly- tles when his brother was a baby. and other charities to help direct throp squad win playing right into the Razorbacks’ ing down the court and scoring in Carter acknowledged that poor campers to educational and voca- Kelsey the Big South hands. Although Colgate ranks fifth the first seven seconds. That’s not life decisions by his brother made tional opportunities. while ranking 11th among all Divi- among all NCAA Tournament how we’re built. I think that Arkan- sion I teams in adjusted tempo, ac- teams in adjusted tempo, Arkansas sas has been in a number of games cording to college basketball stats is fourth in the same category. in that way, that they’re trying to get guru Ken Pomeroy. Adjusted tem- “During the Patriot League up and up and down and up and po measures the number of posses- schedule ... it benefited us to play down.” sions a team would have per 40 faster, get more shots up and try to The Winthrop-Villanova game minutes against an opponent with run the score up,” Colgate guard represents a contrast of styles. Vil- an average tempo. The only NCAA Jordan Burns said. “We didn’t be- lanova ranks 320th ahead of adjust- Tournament teams ranked higher lieve that a lot of teams had guys ed tempo. in that category are Gonzaga and like ours, where we could score in a Winthrop has 11 different guys Alabama. bunch of different ways every sin- who play at least 11 minutes per Winthrop (23-1) and Colgate gle night. Going against Arkansas, game. Villanova plays a much (14-1), which ranks second nation- obviously we’re going to have a dif- smaller rotation and is adapting to ally in scoring, are two of the more ferent game plan. It’s not a Patriot the loss of injured guard Collin Gil- exciting NCAA Tournament teams League team. It’s not to say we lespie. from one-bid leagues because they won’t do what we do, but it just may “Matchups are a big deal,” Villa- play fast. Now they’re ready to see look a little different.” nova coach Jay Wright said. “We how they fare against quality teams Colgate is one of the more myste- expect this to be a really difficult from stronger conferences. rious teams in this tournament be- game because we don’t play with KASSI JACKSON / AP Their first-round matchups sug- cause it has faced only five oppo- that much depth. We don’t play Hartford guard Traci Carter, left, is a 24­year­old graduate transfer gest that Winthrop’s best hope for nents all season and hasn’t played with as much speed. And they do, who is trying to make a difference for at­risk youth after losing his success against Villanova (16-6) is anyone outside its league. The and they’re good at it.” younger brother to gun violence. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, March 19, 2021 NCAA TOURNAMENT Road to March Madness fraught with adversity Huggins’ Mountaineers among teams with more challenges 18-9 than typical under pandemic West Virginia’s record heading into the NCAA Tournament, where the No. 3-seeded Mounati- BY JOHN RABY neers will play 14th-seeded Morehead State Associated Press (23-7) on Friday night in Indianapolis. Two days apart in late December, West SOURCE: Associated Press Virginia coach Bob Huggins got a double dose of bad news: A promising freshman was Florida (19-12) is a No. 7 seed and will meet lost for the season with a torn Achilles ten- 10th-seeded Virginia Tech (15-6) on Friday. don. Then one of the few five-star recruits in The Hokies have had plenty of their own program history quit the team. ups and downs. They’ve played just three Huggins needed to make some fast adjust- games over the past five weeks due to CO- ments. The ensuing roster tweaks helped the VID-19 issues. Mountaineers get through a rugged Big 12 Backup guard Cartier Diarra, a Kansas season and has put them on solid ground en- State graduate transfer, opted out of the sea- tering the NCAA Tournament. son due to COVID-19 concerns. Second-lead- In a season full of adversity and challeng- ing scorer and rebounder Tyrece Radford es, in addition to dodging the usual stops and served a four-game suspension after a Janu- starts of the coronavirus pandemic, West ary arrest. Jalen Cone has not played since a Virginia didn’t just survive. Feb. 6 ankle injury. It got better. Drake (25-4) won its first 18 games, then “It changed the way we played,” Huggins lost leading scorer and rebounder ShanQuan said Wednesday. “But I think it changed the KATHY BATTEN/AP Hemphill and point guard Roman Penn to way we played for a positive.” West Virginia coach Bob Huggins had to adjust quickly after learning 260­pound foot injuries two weeks apart. The Bulldogs The Mountaineers (18-9) earned a No. 3 sophomore forward Oscar Tshiebwe had decided to quit the team in December, news lost three of their final nine games yet still seed and will play 14th-seeded Morehead that came on the heels of losing talented freshman Isaiah Cottrell for the season to a made the tournament. State (23-7) on Friday in Indianapolis. torn Achilles tendon. For Ohio, the problem wasn’t a grueling West Virginia wasn’t alone in adapting on stretch of games, but simply a lack of them. the fly. Look at Florida’s resolve after losing hurt. Johnson, the Southeastern Conference With fresh legs, the Bobcats won their first Keyontae Johnson to a health scare, Drake West Virginia was 8-2 at the time. Huggins preseason player of the year, collapsed on MAC championship since 2012 after playing losing two key players to injury in February decided to use a group of talented guards the court during a Dec. 12 game. The Gators three times over 36 days prior to the league or Ohio University pushing through a long along with redshirt freshman forward Jalen postponed their next four contests and John- tournament due to pandemic-related post- pandemic pause to win the Mid-American Bridges to spread out opposing defenses who son was released from a hospital 10 days lat- ponements or cancellations. Conference tournament. otherwise had packed the lane trying to fend er. “The most proud I am of this group is their The decision to quit by 260-pound Oscar off the tandem of Tshiebwe and forward De- With Johnson out for the season, the Ga- character, what they’ve been able to go Tshiebwe, one of the Big 12’s top freshmen a rek Culver. tors went 11-8 the rest of the way. Sophomore through in the last month-and-a-half to get to year ago, wasn’t as big a surprise to West Vir- West Virginia allowed an average of seven Tre Mann took over the team scoring lead, this point,” Ohio coach Jeff Boals said. “This ginia as his production: Tshiebwe’s scoring more points per game after Tshiebwe’s exit, including four of his top five performances group is going to have a memory of a lifetime and rebounding were down compared to a although that coincided with the conference heading into the NCAA Tournament. now.” year ago by the time he left. schedule that included six ranked oppo- Mann’s role “has continued to grow here Don’t count them out in the Big Dance, ei- Like Tshiebwe, 6-foot-10 freshman Isaiah nents. over the course of this year, and he continues ther. The Bobcats lost at Illinois by a basket, Cottrell could attack the rim and was a solid “The reality is, is when Oscar left, we be- to get better,” Florida coach Mike White 77-75, on Nov. 27. They’re a 13 seed and will passer. Cottrell gave the Mountaineers some came a much better offensive team,” Hug- said. “Hopefully, he can finish really meet fourth-seeded Virginia (18-6) on Satur- valuable minutes off the bench before he got gins said. strong.” day night. Driven: Memory of 2020’s missed opportunity motivation to make this year special

FROM PAGE 24 Liberty also earned its berth thing. Kelsey, the team’s ninth- antine,” Kelsey said Tuesday. with a third consecutive Atlantic year coach, could see this past “This is a very driven team.” Sun Conference Tournament title spring that players weren’t hang- The Bulldogs, who’ve built in as many years in the league. ing their heads about what they themselves into a modern day, col- The regrets of a season ago, lost, but looking forward to what lege basketball powerhouse, are Flames coach Ritchie McKay was possible. the tournament’s No. 1 overall said, didn’t keep this group from The Eagles won their first 16 seed and, at 26-0, are seeking to pointing toward its next opportu- games before falling, 57-55, to become the sport’s first undefeat- nity to play in the NCAA Tourna- UNC Asheville on Jan. 29. Win- ed champion since Indiana did it ment. throp ran off seven straight wins in 1976. McKay got an early glimpse of heading into the NCAAs, includ- There was little chance Gonza- that resolve when the Flames de- ing an 80-53 victory over Camp- ga would’ve missed this year’s Big feated a pair of Southeastern Con- bell for the Big South Tournament Dance even if it hadn’t won the ference teams in Mississippi State crown. Western Coast Conference Tour- and South Carolina back-to-back Winthrop (23-1), the 12th seed in nament crown again. in late November. the South Region, faces No. 5 seed Not so for the other three. “I think we have a sense of con- Villanova on Friday night. “Nothing is a given,” Utah State fidence that is reflective of how The Eagles’ Chandler Vaudrin, forward Justin Bean said. ISAAC BREKKEN/AP hard they’ve worked and how a 6-foot-7 point guard who leads And fewer prospects after the The Utah State bench reacts as Aggies guard Brock Miller (22) sinks united they are,” said McKay, the NCAA with three triple-dou- Aggies started their season losing a three against San Diego State in the championship game of the whose 13th-seeded team faces Ok- bles, believes his team’s latest run three of their first four games. In- Mountain West Conference Tournament. lahoma State on Friday. was fueled as much by its lone loss stead, the team called on the bonds Darius McGhee, the Atlantic as all its victories. “That loss, I forged in winning Mountain West lost to top seed San Diego State in Friday. Sun player of the year, said Liber- think, really propelled us in the Conference Tournament titles in the championship game, and Bean “We knew we had the pieces to ty has used last year’s loss of its second half of the year to continue 2019 and 2020. said there were a few moments of make something special and to be tournament trip as inspiration this to grow and continue to play good Utah State rolled off winning worry Sunday wondering if they’d something special,” Bean said. “It time around: “There’s a lot of mo- basketball” streaks of 11 and six games follow- see their name called. But there was just up to us to work extra tivation. Guys are super excited to “Now, we’re at the same place” ing the slow start. The road back were the Aggies, seeded 11th and hard and put in the time to earn see how far we can go.” as last year, Vaudrin said. “We did hit a speedbump when the Aggies facing No. 6 seed Texas Tech on that spot.” Winthrop believes the same what we needed to do.” Friday, March 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 NCAA TOURNAMENT

Scoreboard

EAST REGIONAL First Round What to watch the first week Saturday, March 20 Michigan (20-4) vs. Mount St. Mary's- Texas Southern winner. AFN­Sports, 7:30 p.m. Saturday CET; 3:30 a.m. Sunday JKT. BY JOHN MARSHALL LSU (18-9) vs. St. Bonaventure (16-4) Associated Press Colorado (22-8) vs. Georgetown (13-12). AFN­Sports, 5 p.m. Saturday CET; 1 a.m. The 2020 NCAA Tournament Sunday JKT. Florida State (16-6) vs. UNC-Greensboro was wiped out by the coronavirus, (21-8). AFN­Sports2, 5:30 p.m. Saturday CET; 1:30 a.m. Sunday JKT. robbing the sports world of one of BYU (20-6) vs. Michigan State-UCLA win- ner. AFN­Sports, 2:30 a.m. Sunday its greatest spectacles. CET; 10:30 a.m. Sunday JKT. After a chaotic season through a Texas (19-7) vs. Abilene Christian (23-4). AFN­Sports2, 3 a.m. Sunday CET; 11 a.m­ pandemic, March Madness is . Sunday JKT. UConn (15-7) vs. Maryland (16-13). AFN­ back. Sports, midnight Saturday CET; 8 a.m. Sun­ You know the players are ready. day JKT. Alabama (24-6) vs. Iona (12-5). AFN­At­ So are the coaches. The fans, too. lantic, 8:50 p.m. Saturday CET; 4:50 a.m. Sunday JKT. This year’s bracket will be like Second Round no other, played entirely in Indi- Monday, March 22 Michigan-Mount. St. Mary's—Texas ana over a span of three weeks. Southern winner vs. LSU-St. Bonaventure There’s no Duke, no Kentucky, winner Florida State-UNC Greensboro winner but plenty of new favorites and up- vs. Colorado-Georgetown winner Texas-Abilene Christian winner vs. BYU- starts who have waited a long time Michigan State—UCLA winner Alabam-Iona winner vs. UConn-Mary- for their chance. land winner To get you ready, we’ve got a SOUTH REGIONAL First Round rundown of the teams, players and Friday, March 19 games to watch for when the Baylor (22-2) vs. Hartford (15-8). AFN­ Sports2, 8 p.m. Friday CET; 4 a.m. Saturday bracket fires up with the First JKT. Four on Thursday in Blooming- North Carolina (18-10) vs. Wisconsin (17- 12). AFN­Sports2, Mid Friday CET; 8 a.m. ton: Saturday JKT. Villanova (16-6) vs. Winthrop (23-1) Purdue (18-9) vs. North Texas (17-9) The favorites Texas Tech (17-10) vs. Utah State (20-8) Arkansas (22-6) vs. Colgate (14-1). AFN­ Gonzaga. Wire-to-wire No. 1 Sports2, 5:30 p.m. Friday CET; 1:30 a.m. Sat­ urday JKT. pursuing the perfect 1976 Indiana Florida (14-9) vs. Virginia Tech (15-6). GARETT FISBECK / AP AFN­Sports, 5 p.m. Friday CET; 1 a.m. Satur­ Hoosiers. day JKT. Illinois. Tough, talented, load- Ohio St. (21-9) vs. Oral Roberts (16-10). Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham shoots against Oklahoma’s Austin Reaves. Cunningham a first­team AFN­Sports, 7:30 p.m. Friday CET; 3:30 a.m. ed. Ayo and Kofi may be the All­America selection, might be the top overall pick in the NBA because of his dynamic all­around skills. Saturday JKT. Second Round bracket’s best 1-2 punch. Sunday, March 21 Baylor. Shooters everywhere, son. Baylor-Hartford winner vs. North Caroli- na-Wisconsin winner tenacious on D, lost once all year. No. 10 Rutgers over No. 7 Clem- Purdue-North Texas winner vs. Villano- Michigan. Wolverines have son, Midwest Region, Friday. The va-Winthrop winner Arkansas-Colgate winner vs. Texas done great things in a short period Scarlet Knights may not have Tech-Utah State winner Ohio State-Oral Roberts winner vs. Flor- under Juwan Howard. Hopefully been here for a long time, but odd- ida-Virginia Tech winner Isaiah Livers’ foot injury won’t smakers made them a favorite MIDWEST REGIONAL First Round cause them problems. over the Tigers. Friday, March 19 Iowa. Hawkeyes can light it up No. 12 Georgetown over No. 5 Illinois (23-6) vs. Drexel (12-7). AFN­Pa­ cific, 6 p.m. Friday CET; 2 a.m. Saturday when they’re on and have one of Colorado, East Region, Saturday. JKT. Workers at Madison Square Gar- Loyola Chicago (24-4) vs. Georgia Tech the nation’s best players in Luka (17-8). AFN­Pacific, 8:50 p.m. Friday Garza. den finally figured out who Pa- CET; 4:50 a.m. Saturday JKT. Tennessee (18-8) vs. Oregon State (17- trick Ewing is after Hoyas won the 12) Oklahoma State (20-8) vs. Liberty (23-5). New faces Big East title. The Buffaloes may AFN­Pacific, 11:45 p.m. Friday CET; 7:45 The Hawks are in the find out, too. a.m. Saturday JKT. Hartford. San Diego State (23-4) vs. Syracuse NCAA Tournament for the first No. 13 Ohio over No. 4 Virginia, (16-9). AFN­Sports, 2:30 a.m. Saturday CET; 10:30 a.m. Saturday JKT. time in 27 years as a Division I West Region, Saturday. The Cava- West Virginia (18-9) vs. Morehead State liers had to bow out of the ACC (23-7). AFN­Sports2, 3 a.m. Saturday program after winning the Amer- CET; 11 a.m. Saturday JKT. ica East Tournament. Tournament due to a positive CO- Clemson (16-7) vs. Rutgers (15-11) AFN­ Pacific, 2:15 a.m. Saturday CET; 10:15 a.m. Grand Canyon. Bryce Drew VID-19 test and have been Saturday JKT. / AP bounced early before. The Bob- Houston (24-3) vs. Cleveland State worked some quick magic in the JOHN MUNSON (19-7). AFN­Sports2, 12:15 a.m. Saturday cats have some upset history, too, CET; 8:15 a.m. Saturday JKT. desert, needing one season to lead Colgate’s Nelly Cummings, left, drives to the basket during the final of Second Round the Antelopes to the NCAA Tour- the Patriot League tournament. The Raiders play Arkansas in a game beating Michigan on the way to Sunday, March 21 nament for the first time in eight that is likely to be the highest scoring of the first round. the 2012 Sweet 16. Illinois-Drexel winner vs. Loyola Chica- go-Georgia Tech winner years in DI. Mid-major monsters Oklahoma State-Liberty winner vs. Ten- nessee-Oregon State winner Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights sharpshooter makes the Zags go. run. Georgia Tech was the sur- Max Abmas, Oral Roberts. Led West Virginia-Morehead State winner had their dreams crushed last sea- Jared Butler, Baylor. Shoots, prise ACC Tournament champ. vs. San Diego State-Syracuse winner the nation with 24.2 points per Houston-Cleveland State winner vs. son when the NCAA Tournament leads and plays D, too. And hopefully Sister Jean gets a Clemson-Rutgers winner game and shot 43% from three WEST REGIONAL was canceled. They got a second Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma chance to go to Indy. while majoring in biomedical First Round chance and made the most of it, State. Potential No. 1 pick in the Oregon vs. Virginia Common- Saturday, March 20 chemistry. He’s going to be all Gonzaga (26-0) vs. Norfolk State-Appa- playing their way into the bracket NBA Draft is a scorer, distributor, wealth, West Region, Saturday. right after the tournament no mat- lachian State winner.AFN­Atlantic, 2:10 for the first time since 1991. dominator. VCU plays stifling defense. Ore- a.m. Sunday CET; 10:15 Sunday JKT. ter what happens. Oklahoma (15-10) vs. Missouri (16-9) Drexel. The Dragons won 12 gon can light up the scoreboard. Jason Preston, Ohio. Might be Creighton vs. UC Santa Barbara (22-4). Top games AFN­Sports2, 8 p.m. Saturday CET; 4 a.m­ games all season, but three of Strength vs. strength. the best player non-diehard col- . Sunday JKT. those were in the Colonial Athletic Colgate vs. Arkansas, South Re- Virginia (18-6) vs. Ohio (16-7). AFN­ lege hoops fans don’t know. Aver- Sports2, 12:15 a.m. Sunday CET; 8:15 Sun­ Association Tournament, putting gion, Friday. Leave the couch for a Upset potential aged 17.1 points, 6.9 assists and 6.7 day JKT. Southern Cal vs. Wichita State-Drake them in the bracket for the first minute and you might miss a bas- No. 12 UC Santa Barbara over rebounds. winner Kansas (20-8 vs. E. Washington (16-7). time in 25 years. ket — or 10. And take the over, No. 5 Creighton, West Region. Neemias Queta, Utah State. Ab- AFN­Atlantic, 6 p.m. Saturday CET; 2 a.m. whatever it is. There’s a chance the Bluejays Sunday JKT. solutely dominating force inside Oregon (20-6) vs. VCU (19-7) Star players Texas Tech vs. Utah State, could shoot the Gauchos out of the at both ends. Iowa (21-8) vs. Grand Canyon (17-6). AFN­Atlantic, 11:15 p.m. Saturday CET; 7:15 Luka Garza, Iowa. Big Ten South Region, Friday. Baskets gym. If they’re off, watch out for Camron Krutwig, Loyola Chi- a.m. Sunday JKT. beast ready to bull through the will be hard to come by between UCSB, which has lost once in the cago. The beefy, agile-footed, deft Second Round Monday, March 22 bracket. these two defensive-oriented new year. passing center of the Ramblers’ Gonzaga-Norfolk St.—Appalachian St. Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois. Athlet- teams. No. 12 Winthrop over No. 5 Vil- Final Four is still playing. winner vs. Oklahoma-Missouri winner Creighton-UC Santa Barbara winner vs. ic, clutch, poised to become the Loyola Chicago vs. Georgia lanova, East Region. The Wildcats Isaiah Miller, UNC Greensbo- Virginia-Ohio winner Kansas-E. Washington winner vs. South- latest one-name NCAA Tourna- Tech, Midwest Region, Friday. are without point guard Collin Gil- ro. Can hurt with his scoring (19.3 ern Cal-Wichita State—Drake winnerTBA ment star. Ramblers are back for the first lespie for the rest of the season. ppg) and will get up in your grill on Iowa-Grand Canyon winner vs. Oregon- VCU winner Corey Kispert, Gonzaga. The time since their 2018 Final Four The Eagles have lost once all sea- D. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, March 19, 2021

Open for business SPORTS OT Trent Williams among free agents cashing in Wednesday ›› NFL, Page 19

NCAA TOURNAMENT Driven by disappointment For teams robbed of postseason dreams by pandemic last season, tourney bids mean a bit more

BY PETE IACOBELLI ference tournament in 2020 and were among a State and the Eagles — from that group of Associated Press dozen teams that earned bids and were eagerly 12 reached this year’s field of 68. inthrop coach Pat Kelsey smiles as awaiting their chance to play. Instead, the start “To have the disappointment that we had he considered the nearly two-year of the coronavirus pandemic robbed those teams a year ago and to not be deterred, to have journey to play in the NCAA Tour- of that opportunity — leaving them a full year to the type of focus, determination and ap- Wnament. dream, scheme and hope for another opportuni- proach they had since they got out of quar- “We did it the hard way,” Kelsey said. ty. Kelsey and the Eagles won the Big South Con- Just four schools — Gonzaga, Liberty, Utah SEE DRIVEN ON PAGE 22 Gonzaga celebrates after defeating BYU in the West Coast Conference tournament championship on March 9. Of the dozen teams that won their conference tournaments to lock up bids to the NCAA Tournament before it was canceled last year, the Bulldogs are one of just four — along with Winthrop, Liberty, and Utah State — to earn a bid again this year after being denied the opportunity to play in the tournament last season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

DAVID BECKER/AP

Balls, strikes will be called by computer umps in minors ›› Page 17