Sports Log
BASKETBALL
Lamell McMorris, the lead negotiator and spokesman for the NBA referees union, said yesterday a lockout appears “imminent and unavoidable’’ following the latest breakdown in talks. McMorris said the officials made another $1 million in concessions in their proposal, but believes it’s evident the league is not interested in further discussions. The officials then headed home after spending 24 hours meeting in Chicago. The contract between the NBA and its officials expired Sept. 1 and the sides have been trying to reach a two-year deal. McMorris said they largely agree on salaries, but the union has balked at the league’s attempt to change retirement benefits . . . Sophia Young scored 24 points to lead the host San Antonio Silver Stars to a 92-91 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in the opening game of the WNBA’s Western Conference first-round series . . . Tamika Catchings had 26 points and 12 rebounds, and the top-seeded Indiana Fever defeated the Washington Mystics for an 88-79 victory in their Eastern Conference opener at College Park, Md.Howard, Trail Blazers agree to a deal
Forward Juwan Howard signed a one-year contract with the Trail Blazers. The 15-year veteran averaged 4.1 points in 42 games with Denver and Charlotte last season . . . The Timberwolves signed 6-foot-7-inch shooting guard Sasha Pavlovic to a one-year deal. Pavlovic agreed to a buyout with the Suns earlier this week. The Cavaliers traded him to Phoenix as part of the deal that brought Shaquille O’Neal to Cleveland . . . The Knicks signed free agent guard Sun Yue. The 6-9, 205-pound Sun averaged 0.6 points, 0.2 assists, and 2.8 minutes as a rookie last season with the Lakers . . . Free agent swingman Desmond Mason is expected to sign with the Kings after taking a physical and meeting with team officials . . . BC coach Al Skinner named senior forward Tyler Roche and junior guard Biko Paris cocaptains for the upcoming season.HOCKEY
Islander Okposo taken off on stretcher
Islanders forward Kyle Okposo was removed from the ice immobilized on a stretcher after being knocked out early in the second period from a hit by Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf in last night’s exhibition game at Calgary. Okposo, the seventh pick in the 2006 draft, remained motionless on the ice for more than six minutes as he was attended to by trainers from both teams and other medical personnel. A medical update was not immediately available. . . . The Wild signed right wing Petr Sykora to a one-year contract. The 32-year-old had 25 goals and 46 points in 76 games with the Stanley Cup champion Penguins last season . . . Harvard’s men’s hockey team will be the first Division 1 squad to wear helmets designed to provide extra protection from concussions.TENNIS
Federer fined $1,500 for Open outburst
Roger Federer was fined $1,500 for using a profanity while arguing with the chair umpire during the US Open final. Television microphones picked up the exchange. Tournament spokesman Chris Widmaier says Federer is being docked the same amount as two other players - Vera Zvonareva and Daniel Koellerer - for audible obscenity. Widmaier says $31,500 in fines was collected by the tournament, topped by Serena Williams’s $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct. She also was fined $500 for racket abuse.GOLF
Kim, Shin share lead at Torrey Pines
Song-Hee Kim and Jiyai Shin each shot a 6-under 66 to share the lead atop the elite 20-player field in the opening round of the LPGA’s Samsung World Championship at Torrey Pines in San Diego. Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa and Sophie Gustafson were one stroke behind the leaders. Ochoa said the low scores were the result of easy pin placements and little wind on the municipal course overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Paula Creamer was seventh with a 69 . . . Carnegie Abbey Club’s Scott Spence fired a 1-over 72 (206 total) to secure the New England Open title at Walpole Country Club . . . Brian Higgins of Franklin CC cruised to victory in the Mass. Mid-Amateur at Haverhill CC, shooting a 5-under 65 for a 14-under 196 total.BASEBALL
Reversal of ruling sought in Bonds case
Federal prosecutors urged a federal appellate court in San Francisco to reverse a trial judge and let them present critical evidence they say shows Barry Bonds knowingly used steroids. In a case stemming from Bonds’s grand jury testimony in December 2003, the home run king pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of making false statements and one count of obstruction of justice. At issue is whether evidence directly tied to Bonds’s personal trainer, Greg Anderson, could be shown to the jury that will hear Bonds’s case.MISCELLANY
NU ’s Grinold to get meritorious award
Northeastern associate AD Jack Grinold will receive the Commissioner’s Award, given for meritorious service to the ECAC . . . Former Kentucky high school football coach David Jason Stinson was found not guilty in Louisville in the death of a player who collapsed at a practice where the team was put through a series of sprints on a hot summer day. In a rare criminal prosecution of a coach, Stinson, 37, was charged after 15-year-old Max Gilpin collapsed in August 2008 . . . Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko’s fight against Brett Rogers Nov. 7 will be aired on CBS, the first time mixed martial arts will be on network TV since last year.
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