Bobcats moving in on McDyess?

November 20, 2008

The Charlotte Bobcats waived little-used forwards Andre Brown and Linton Johnson yesterday and were on the verge of signing center Dwayne Jones. The Bobcats were also one of several teams pursuing forward Antonio McDyess as the Bobcats look for ways to boost a thin front line. General manager Rod Higgins said the 6-foot-11-inch Jones would likely sign today. The former Saint Joseph's big man has played 74 games for Cleveland and Boston, and had been playing overseas. Higgins said he has been in contact with McDyess's agent, but nothing is imminent with the free agent, who was waived by Denver last week. Several teams have contacted McDyess, who could end up returning to the Pistons. "In Detroit they used to call him my second son," Bobcats coach Larry Brown said. "The last thing I want to do is pressure him. But he would be perfect for this team."

Harvard senior safety Ryan Barnes and Plymouth State senior tailback Jeff Mack received this week's Gold Helmets from the New England Football Writers. In his first game in three weeks, the 6-foot-2-inch, 200-pound Barnes intercepted three passes, including a pick in the end zone in the final minute to secure a 24-21 win at Penn. He was also named the national Defensive Player of the Week by the Sports Network. The 5-11, 215-pound Mack collected his second helmet of the season, rushing for 139 yards and two touchdowns to power the Panthers to a 46-16 victory at Maine Maritime in the New England Football Conference championship game . . . Bentley football coach Peter Yetten, who won a New England Division 2-record 154 games, retired after 30 seasons. His overall record is 225-60-1, including 154-60-1 in 21 varsity seasons. "We are where we are in football because of Peter's persistence, perseverance, and commitment," said Bentley athletic director Bob DeFelice . . . North Carolina forward Tyler Zeller will likely miss the rest of the season with a broken wrist. School officials say the freshman, who started in place of injured star Tyler Hansbrough, had surgery yesterday . . . Sampson Carter of Memphis, who is currently playing basketball for Winchendon School, signed a national Letter of Intent to play for the University of Massachusetts . . . The NCAA said the men's basketball Final Four will be played at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington, Texas, in 2014, and at Houston's Reliant Stadium in 2016.

Wimbledon organizers will pay $83 million to regain total control of the All England Club, buying back the 50 percent it gave away in 1934. The amount will be paid to Britain's Lawn Tennis Association in installments over a likely five-year period from 2013, after the existing agreement expires, All England Club chairman Tim Phillips said. Under the 40-year deal, which will go to a vote Dec. 10, the All England Club will keep 10 percent of the profits instead of giving it all to the LTA, the governing body of British tennis. The 2008 tournament generated a profit of $39 million . . . Carole Caldwell Graebner, a No. 1 doubles player who won titles at the US and Australian championships in the 1960s, died at age 65 in New York following a brief battle with cancer. Obituary, B11.

The Columbus Blue Jackets placed defenseman Rostislav Klesla on injured reserve because of an ankle injury. Klesla has missed the last two games and will likely miss at least one more with what coach Ken Hitchcock called a high ankle sprain he sustained in Friday's 6-1 win at Buffalo.

Heidi Watney and NESN agreed to a multiyear contract extension. Watney joined NESN in May 2008 and served as the network's Red Sox game day reporter. She also works as an anchor/reporter for NESN's SportsDesk and contributes to NESN.com. "Heidi is a talented reporter whose versatility and work ethic help her deliver the news and stories that consistently connect the fans with the team," said Joel Feld, NESN's executive vice president of programming and executive producer . . . Edward "Ned" Allard won the lifetime achievement award when the New England Turf Writers Association announced its awards. Allard began his training career in 1970 and became one of the leading trainers in New England. Over his career, Allard has amassed approximately 2,600 wins, including 175 stakes, nearly half of which were at New England tracks. Other winners: 2-year-old filly, Snow Down; 2-year-old male, Mr. Jolson; 3-year-old filly, Shorty Puffs; 3-year-old colt, Hold On Smokey; older female, Nijinsky Bullet; older male, Southern Rainbow; turf, Gator's Tracks; sprinter, Nijinsky Bullet; New England-bred, Flirt for Fame; special achievement, Donald Kielty, Little Tara; outstanding jockey, Winston Thompson; outstanding trainer, Rafael Ramos, yearly achievement, Lorita Lindemann . . . World Cup overall and downhill champion Lindsey Vonn bruised her knee when she fell during a routine training session in Vail, Colo., for a super-G at Copper Mountain in Colorado. Alpine ski team doctor William Sterett said there is no ligament or cartilage damage.