HEATED ARENA GILLETTE NEWS RECORD SECTION B LeBron James leaves Finals game FRIDAY SPORTS with cramps, Spurs win, B7 JUNE 6, 2014

SPORTS NEWS? Send emails to Roy Frazier at [email protected] or Grant Egger at [email protected] CLASSIFIEDS B2-B6

In brief Sharapova grits out victory in Paris PARIS — Might be easier said than done. Still, Maria Sharapova offered a tidy aph- orism to sum up the formula that’s carried her to a third con- secutive French Open final. “It’s not how you finish a first set,” Sharapova said, “it’s how you finish the last set.” Right now, no one is a bet- ter than she is on clay. Nearing a second champion- ship at Roland Garros, and fifth Grand Slam trophy over- all, Sharapova gritted her way to yet another comeback victo- ry, beating 18th-seeded Eugenie Bouchard of Canada 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the semifinals. She famously described Sample herself years ago as feeling like a “cow on ice” on clay, but Sharapova now has won her past 19 matches that went to three sets on the demanding surface. In Saturday’s final, the No. 7-seeded Sharapova will face No. 4 Simona Halep, a 22-year-old Romanian who never before had been past the quarterfinals at a major. Halep turned in a much more straightforward victory than Sharapova, eliminating No. 28 Andrea Petkovic of Germany 6-2, 7-6 (4). Astros select prep News Record Photos/Daniel Brenner Gillette Edge age 14 and younger player Kylie Hatzenbihler participates in a diving header drill Wednesday at Campbell County High School’s South with first pick Campus soccer fields. The 14U team won the Wyoming State Cup last weekend. SECAUCUS, N.J. — The had the No. 1 pick again, and this time, they took a pitcher polished beyond his years. California high school left- hander was the A chemistry Edge first selection in the Major League . The 17-year-old from San Diego’s Cathedral Catholic In Sheridan, Stumbaugh’s State Cup High School is just the third The Gillette Edge 14U goal came when she cleared a shot over prep pitcher to be selected first the Casper goalkeeper’s head. overall, joining fellow lefties girls soccer team has “I was just hoping that it went in,” (1991, Yankees) she said. and (1973, a special bond that Hatzenbihler’s scored in the second Rangers). half on a shot to the corner of the net. The Marlins made it breeds success She said it was kind of a skilled shot. the first time high school pitch- “Well, I wouldn’t say that,” ers were the top two picks in Stumbaugh said, teasing her teammate. the draft when they selected By GRANT EGGER Both girls are part of an Edge nucle- , a hard-throwing NEWS RECORD WRITER us of girls that plays together every right-hander from Shepherd [email protected] other year. Their differing ages make High School in Texas. it so they don’t always play each year Twenty were taken Team chemistry has become some- as one team under the Edge Gillette in the first round, tying the what of an overused axiom in sports. Soccer Club umbrella. Most of the girls draft record set in 2001. Coaches and players have attributed in the group have won three state titles The Astros are the first team their successes to a tight bond since since they first played all together on to select first in three consecu- team sports were brought to populari- the Edge’s 10 and under team several tive drafts, having picked short- ty. While not every team that has won years ago. stop in 2012 and championships has been close — some- Hatzenbihler said the girls’ ability to right-hander last times it’s simply the best team with the get along is one of her team’s best qual- year. best players that wins — several have ities. Aiken is in line to receive a a camaraderie that propels them to the “All other teams always fight,” she huge contract. The allotted slot proverbial mountaintop. said. bonus for the top pick is nearly In just 15 minutes of watching the “And we usually know what they are $8 million. Gillette Edge age 14 and younger Gold going to do on the field because we’ve girls soccer team, it becomes appar- Gillette Edge club players Grace Roswadovski, from left, McKenzee been together so long,” Stumbaugh Saunders returns to ent they have the skills and chemistry Nuzum, and Peyton Bellon vie for the ball Wednesday during practice at added. necessary for titles. On Wednesday Campbell County High School’s South Campus soccer fields. Their chemistry has turned into a Timberwolves’ bench evening on the Campbell County High highly successful season under coach MINNEAPOLIS — The School South Campus soccer fields, ebrated last weekend when they won championship as the Edge defeated Alex Ayers. The Edge have won all 16 Minnesota Timberwolves’ best the junior-high-aged girls laughed, the Wyoming State Cup in Sheridan. the Casper Blades 2-0. The win qual- games they’ve played and have done days came with Flip Saunders smiled, playfully tussled in front of the At the Cup, the Edge won its three ifies the team for the newly formed so impressively, outscoring oppo- on the sideline. net and all-around seemed to be having pool-play games by a combined score Northern Classic in Billings, Montana, nents 70-4. McKenzee Nuzum and Now that the organization the time of their lives. With all the good of 15-1 before advancing to the title which will be a tournament with state Kennedy Ayers have done the most is shrouded in uncertainty sur- vibes going on at practice under cloudy game. Alyssa Stumbaugh, 13, and Kylie champions from Wyoming, Montana, rounding the long-term future skies, it’s hard to imagine how they cel- Hatzenbihler, 14, scored goals in the South Dakota and North Dakota. See EDGE, Page B7 of star forward Kevin Love, Saunders is returning to the bench to try revive a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs in 10 years. With the team’s coaching search complicated by Love’s ’Riders split in Denver Annual car show status, the Timberwolves decid- ed the best course of action was to have Saunders, who Thursday’s win comes The ‘Riders held a 4-2 returns to Cam-plex was hired last season as presi- lead after the third inning, dent of basketball operations, on Durgin’s walk-off RBI but Ponderosa tied it in step in for a second stint as the fifth. Neither team This weekend’s Energy Capital Car coach until the situation stabi- against Ponderosa scored in the sixth. lized, Saunders said in a text The teams traded runs message Thursday. in the sixth and sev- Show will be the 32nd annual in Gillette Saunders previously coached By ROY FRAZIER enth innings, setting up the Timberwolves from 1995- NEWS RECORD WRITER Durgin’s late-game hero- By GRANT EGGER “I have a ‘69 Volkswagon 2005. He won 411 games in [email protected] NATE ics. NEWS RECORD WRITER Beetle that I turned into a pick- 10½ seasons in Minnesota and PERLEBERG “It’s been a lot of fun,” [email protected] up,” he said. “They call it a guided the Wolves to the only Zach Donahoo and Tyler Tennant have coach Nate Perleberg Volksrod.” eight playoff appearances in taken turns being late-inning heroes lately said about the walk-off wins. “We’ve had The Energy Capital Car Show Other car owners from around franchise history, including the for the Gillette Roughriders baseball team. more walk-off wins this year than any other is back for its 32nd incarnation the region are expected to come Western Conference finals in It was Ian Durgin’s turn Thursday. year since I’ve been here, I think. We easi- this weekend at the Cam-plex into town, bringing with them 2004. The infielder hit into a fielder’s choice ly could have been 0-2 today, but the guys Central Pavilion. their muscle-car treasures. Some in the bottom of the ninth inning of the battled.” The show runs 10 a.m. to of the entries — which start roll- IOC will contribute ‘Riders first game of the Cherry Creek Estabrook, who normally only pitches, 8 pm. Saturday and 10 a.m. ing in on Friday — are poten- Classic Tournament in Denver. The one- was pinch-running for Tennant. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Campbell tially coming from out of state to Olympic memorial out groundout to second base scored Alex “Wyatt made a joke he would have to County Classics and Customs while others are coming from MUNICH — The King and Wyatt Estabrook to give Gillette actually wash his pants after he slid into group member Robert Olson, some of Wyoming’s finest restor- International Olympic an 8-7 walk-off win over Ponderosa High home plate because he normally doesn’t do who’s been apart of at least ers. Olson said that entries can Committee will contribute School of Parker, Colorado. that,” Perleberg said. “He was the only one the last 25 car shows, expects be “any kind of car whatsoever.” $250,000 toward a memorial It was Gillette’s third walk-off win since left on our bench. We used everybody and another big turnout with plenty Those cars will be competing for the victims of the attack May 25. everybody contributed.” of eye-catching rides. for several awards in numerous on the Israeli team at the 1972 Tennant had the game-winning hit on Rogen had a great day on the mound and “We always try for 125 cars,” categories. Olson said the show Munich Games. May 25 in a 2-1 win and Donahoo did the at the plate. He allowed one earned run in he said, explaining that some will award 18 trophies and 60 The Sueddeutsche Zeitung same last Sunday in a 12-11 win. four innings of work and went 2-of-4 at the years they have fewer and some- jackets that are priced at $150 newspaper reports the IOC, “We are capitalizing on the chances given plate with an RBI. King was a perfect 3-of-3 times more. each. Awards will be presented headed by the German Thomas to us by keeping the games close,” Tanner with three runs scored. Jarran Arbach also “Sometimes we have to at 3 p.m. Sunday. Bach, pledged the contribution Rogen said. “Last year, we didn’t get very had a good game, going 2-of-5 with an RBI. squeeze them in.” Admission to the car show toward the $2.3 million project. many chances because the games weren’t Cody Eaton and Mason Bonar threw Among the cars squeezed into is $5, while kids age 10 and The IOC confirmed the as close.” two innings each and Donahoo threw one. the Central Pavilion will be a younger are free. report when contacted by The Gillette (22-11) and the Mustangs fought The ‘Riders played at 11 a.m. Friday few belonging to Olson. He has An Elvis impersonator will Associated Press on Thursday. back and fourth throughout the game against the 18U Batter’s Box team of a 1949 Ford and a Volkswagon make an appearance at 6 p.m. Thursday, with neither team leading by that will be sure to catch atten- Saturday with no additional — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS more than two runs. See DENVER, Page B7 tion and turn heads. cost.

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