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sports editor Peter Rasmussen 956.683.4448 prasmussen@themonitor.com

SPORTS DAY
The Monitor

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

INSIDE
San Francisco was awarded the 50th Super Bowl in 2016 while Houston will host in 2017. | 5C

SPECTATOR

VOTE NOW
Who will be the Rio Grande Valleys girls athlete of the year? You choose! themonitor.com

Theres not much Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo can do these days other than to help coach his team after having a cyst removed from his back. | 5c
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HIGH SCHOOL | BASEBALL PLAYOFFS

Ace in the hole

clippers part ways with del negro

LOS ANGELES Vinny Del Negro is out as coach of the Los Angeles Clippers after their firstround playoff exit. The team said Tuesday he wont be offered a new contract when his current one expires at the end of June. Del Negro had a 128-102 regular-season record in three years with the team. The Clippers made the playoffs the last two seasons, including last year when they advanced to the second round for only the second time since the franchise moved to Los Angeles in 1984. This season, the Clippers won a franchise-record 56 games, had a 17-game winning streak and won the clubs first Pacific Division title before their early playoff exit. They led Memphis 2-0 before losing in six games.

Eric Gay | The Associated Press

The Spurs Tim Duncan reacts during the first half in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday in San Antonio. The Spurs won 93-89 in overtime.

Spurs hang on to beat Grizzlies

By Jeff Latzke
The Associated Press

>> San Antonio blows big lead late, needs OT to take 2-0 series lead.
Canseco in indy league for 1 series
FORT WORTH Jose Canseco is back in the independent United League as a player-coach. At least for one series. The 48-year-old Canseco will be with the Fort Worth Cats for their opening fourgame homestand, which starts Thursday night. Fort Worth opens the season against Edinburg, which is managed by Ozzie Canseco, the identical twin brother of the 1986 American League rookie of the year and 1988 league MVP.

SAN ANTONIO Tony Parker had 15 points and a career playoff-high 18 assists, Tim Duncan scored San Antonios first six points of overtime and the Spurs bounced back after squandering a 13-point lead in the fourth quarGRIZZLIES ter to beat 89 the Memphis Grizzlies 9389 on Tuesday night. The Spurs took a 2-0 SPURS lead in the 93 Western Conference finals with Game 3 on Saturday in Memphis. Duncan opened the extra period with a layup, then made a tiebreaking putback on Parkers missed jumper before making a runner that bounced high of the back iron and rattled in for a 9187 lead with 1:08 to play. The Grizzlies had a chance to tie after Jerryd Bayless hit a jumper and Parker missed one of two free throws with 14.6 seconds left, but Bayless 3-pointer from the left wing was off-target. Bayless and Mike Conley each had 18 points to lead Memphis. See SPURS | 3C

Broncs rally for win over NYIT

Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com

Hidalgo pitcher Normand Mendoza prepares to throw during a Class 3A regional quarterfinal game against Robstown last Friday in Falfurrias. Despite missing time, Mendoza has been a key for the Pirates during their playoff run.

>> Mendoza a reliable leader of Pirates pitching staff

By Todd Orodenker
The Monitor HIDALGO Normand Mendoza wanted the ball. Never mind that he threw more than 100 pitches the previous day. Never mind that he pitched seven innings. Never mind that Robstown just whacked Hidalgo 12-2 in Game 2 of their best-of-3 series and had all the momentum in the world. Mendoza wanted the rock.

SCHEDULE
Regional Semifinal Class 3A Hidalgo vs. La Grange Friday, May 24: Hidalgo vs. La Grange, 7:30 p.m. at Sinton Saturday, May 25: Hidalgo vs. La Grange, 3 p.m. at Sinton Saturday, May 25: Hidalgo vs. La Grange, 30 minutes after Game 2 (if necessary)

Class 3A regional semifinals game 1 Hidalgo vs. La Grange Time: 7:30 p.m., Friday at Sinton

Its the kind of kid he is, he always wants the bump, Hidalgo coach Karlos

Carrasco said. He always wants the ball. Mendoza struck out 14 in his complete game two-hitter last Friday night in Game 1 of Hidalgos Class 3A regional quarterfinal series with Robstown. For most pitchers, that would be it for at least two or three days. But not for Mendoza. After the Pirates were blown out in Game 2 forcing a See PIRATES | 2C

NEWARK, N.J. The UTPA baseball team rallied for four runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat NYIT 7-6 on Tuesday in the Great West Conference tournament opener. The Broncs (28-28) were down 6-3 with a runner at first and two outs when Shane Ammon and Bryan Ramirez both singled to make it 6-4. Alberto Morales then reached on an error to plate a run, and Aaron Moore followed with an RBI single to tie it. Then, after Riley Gouldings infield hit loaded the bases, Shane Klemcke drew a walk to bring in the winning run. UTPA chipped away at the lead, then rallied in the ninth to win it.

tampa Bay rays to host locAl tryout

The Tampa Bay Rays will host a tryout baseball camp on July 1 at PSJA High School. Players between the ages of 16-25 are encouraged to try out. Those interested should bring their own glove, shoes and water. All other equipment will be provided. Catchers are asked to bring their own equipment. Family and/or friends are welcomed to watch from the stands. For additional information, email associate scout Marcos Tovar Jr. at mtov20@sbcglobal. net or contact him at 956975-8477. Scouting supervisor Pat Murphy can be reached at pmurphy@raysbaseball.com.
Compiled from local and AP reports

SPRING FOOTBALL | PSJA MEMORIAL

Youth takes center stage

>> Wolverines breaking in inexperienced players
By Josh Bowe
The Monitor ALAMO When Gus Cavazos stepped onto the practice field for PSJA Memorials first spring practice last month, he noticed plenty of changes. His former offensive coordinator, Steve Marroquin, left to take the head coaching job at PSJA High School, taking with him numerous coaches from Memorial. Memorial also graduated a large senior class. Memorial only returns six starters from last years team, with just one of those returners on offense. There are plenty of unknowns for Cavazos. Thats OK, Cavazos said. Hes excited to See MEMORIAL | 2C

Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com

PSJA Memorials Eric Medellin, left, hands the ball off to Jonathan Trevio COMING UP: Thursday Mission veterans | Friday PSJA NORTH during spring practice last week in Alamo.