Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 149

49ers bypass QB Shedeur Sanders for nickel back Upton Stout late in third round

SANTA CLARA — Friday night’s third round wound down, the 49ers owned the third-to-last pick, and this draft’s most notorious quarterback was still available.

Shedeur Sanders, son of 1994 49ers’ Super Bowl champion Deion Sanders, would not be selected and/or rescued by the 49ers at pick No. 100.

Instead, Western Kentucky cornerback Upton Stout was the 49ers’ selection, and the Sanders’ downward slide resumed.

Stout, seen by the 49ers’ as a fiesty nickel back, was the fourth defensive player taken in as many picks by the the 49ers this draft, following defensive end Mykel Williams (first round, No. 11 overall), defensive tackle Alfred Collins (second round, No. 43) and linebacker Nick Martin (No. 75).

“I told John (Lynch) it was the first day I kind of exhaled since free agency,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “You lose a lot of guys two months ago, a month ago. You come to work, you look at your board, and there are a lot of empty spots. You’re in the draft, you don’t know how it’s going to pan out. We were really hoping we could fill out of a lot of those spots and we did today, which is the start of it.

“We added some competition and hopefully we add more tomorrow,” Shanahan added. “But it definitely was a good feeling to add some guys, because we lost more than we ever have before.”

Stout made a pre-draft visit to the 49ers and was enamoured with the coaches’ energy, stating: “I was excited. when i took my visit out there, I knew this was the spot for me, with all the players they had and all the dogs.”

The 49ers’ scout who studied Stout, Warren Ball, relayed that Stout had “the heart of a lion.”

“When I’m in nickel, it showcases who I am,” said Stout, adding that defending the run is “part of my game, I like to get dirty.”

Their plan is to insert Stout as the nickel back and allow Deommodore Lenoir to remain an outside cornerback, likely with Renardo Green at the other spot.

As for quarterback, Brock Purdy’s backups on the 49ers remain Mac Jones and Tanner Mordecai. Purdy, of course, is three years removed from being the 262nd and final pick of the 2022 draft.

FIve quarterbacks have been drafted through two days, including Jalen Milroe (Seattle Seahawks, No. 92) and Dillon Gabriel (Cleveland Browns, No. 94) in the third round.

The 49ers’ final selection Friday night came after the Raiders’ back-to-back picks of offensive linemen, Caelb Rogers and Charles Grant.

“This was a huge weekend for our organization. We love our core of guys, but there’s a lot of opportunity on this roster,” Lynch said. “There’s also a lot of necessity to infuse some youth and quality young players. This draft, we felt this was the case there’d be a lot of quality starters into Day 2 and 3. That’s how it played out. We still have a lot of work to do.”

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49ers add a new sidekick for Warner with linebacker Nick Martin in third round

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers moved to the second level of defense with their third pick of the 2025 NFL Draft Friday with the selection of linebacker Nick Martin of Oklahoma State.

Martin was selected  in the third round with the No. 75 pick overall.

With their first two selections, the 49ers began to rebuild their stripped down defensive line with the selection of Mykel Williams of Georgia Thursday night at No. 11 overall, and then 332-pound defensive tackle Alfred Collins of Texas in the second round Friday night at No. 43.

At 6-foot, 221 pounds and a 4.43 time in the 40-yard dash, Martin is built along the lines of Dre Greenlaw, a 49ers starting linebacker who was sidelined with an Achilles tear for all but 30 snaps last season but signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent.

General manager John Lynch didn’t shy away from the comparison.

“He swarms to the football and you feel him on the field,” Lynch said. “He’s not the biggest guy but has long arms and kind of mimics Dre in a lot of ways. That’s high praise and he’s got a long way to go to show he can be like that, but that was a guy that was reminiscent of that.”

Martin becomes a candidate to step in and start alongside four-time All-Pro Fred Warner.

“I watch him all the time,” Martin said in a conference call with local writers. “He’s the guy I respect the most at the linebacker position in the league. It’s an honor to work with him and learn from him and be the guy next to him, learning and growing.

“I like his ballhawk mentality, he’s always going after the ball, whether that’s punching it out or interceptions.He’s always around guys with the ball and finding ways to force turnovers. That’s something he’s imprinted on and has mastered.”

Martin excels in space, making him a candidate to assume Greenlaw’s spot, another player he has watched closely.

“I thought they were like the dynamic duo and to be able to come in and be that piece, it’s going to be a fun thing for me and I’m super excited.”

Even Martin’s give-no-quarter philosophy is reminiscent of the way Greenlaw played.

“I’m very athletic, so I like to use that to my advantage,” Martin said. “I’m relentless, thew ay I always go for the kill shot, whether that’s maximum effort or punishing the person with the ball. Just figuring out ways to change the tone of the game.

“I’m explosive and somebody that cares about the guy next to him. I understand no rep should be taken for granted and give my all every down.”

Although the 49ers don’t often blitz their linebackers, Martin believes he has that skill in his toolbox.

“We had certain calls I’d go on the edge,” Martin said. “In ’23, I was more of a balancing rush guy so the front could eat. I would get the feel for it and picked it up pretty easy. Rushing is something I love to do. Who doesn’t like sacking the quarterback? It’s something I consider a great part of my game.”

Other candidates to start at weakside linebacker include Dee Winters and Jalen Graham.

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A breakout player in 2023 as a first-team All-Big 12 linebacker with 140 tackles that set a school record. Of some concern is a knee injury that cost him seven game sin 2024. Martin, who described himself as “very athletic and relentless,” said there is no need for concern.

“I had an MCL tear, I healed from it, I didn’t have surgery and went to the combine,” Martin said. “I’m 100 percent.”

The 49ers are scheduled for another pick in the third round, No. 100 overall. Barring trades, the 49ers will be looking for bargains with eight picks in Rounds 4 through 7 with No. 113, No. 138, No. 147, No. 160, No 227, No 249 and No. 252.

 

 

With Bochy’s Rangers in town, SF Giants set to honor Crawford’s career

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants held back on the pomp and circumstance when Brandon Crawford played his final game with the orange and black on Oct. 1, 2023. Crawford, at the time, hadn’t announced his retirement, leaving a cloud of uncertainty hanging over that afternoon.

On Saturday, Crawford will receive a proper celebration as the Giants will host “Brandon Crawford Celebration Day” in honor of one of the greatest shortstops in franchise history following his retirement this past offseason.

The decision to host the celebration on April 27 is no coincidence. This weekend, the Giants will host the Bruce Bochy-led Texas Rangers, allowing Crawford’s manager from 2011-19 to be in attendance for the festivities. President of baseball operations Buster Posey, who played alongside Crawford for 10 seasons, will also be in attendance.

The game starts at 1:05 p.m., but fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 12:20 p.m. for the on-field pregame ceremony. Crawford’s parents will serve as honorary captains while Crawford’s children will be the “Play Ball” kids. The first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a Brandon Crawford graphic t-shirt.

“I’m very appreciative that I am here to see his retirement tomorrow,” Bochy said. “This man did so much for us, helping us win championships. Tremendous player, gifted defender, but also clutch hitter. A lot of great memories will go through my head when I see him out there tomorrow.”

The same can be said for the thousands of Giants fans who will be in attendance.

Crawford spent 13 seasons with his hometown team and helped the Giants capture two World Series titles in 2012 and 2014. His resumé features a Silver Slugger Award, three All-Star appearances and four Gold Gloves, his 1,617 games at shortstop for the Giants is the most in franchise history.

“He was so creative how he could come up with plays,” Bochy said. “There (wasn’t) a play he (didn’t) think he (couldn’t) make — that’s what you loved about him. There’s times he came up with a way to make the play.”

Along with his accolades and numbers — 1,404 hits, 147 homers, 748 RBIs — Crawford orchestrated some of the most iconic moments in franchise history. In the 2014 NL Wild Card Game, Crawford’s grand slam off Pitsburgh’s Edinson Volquez silenced PNC Park’s raucous crowd and propelled the Giants into the next round. In Game 7 in that year’s World Series, Crawford and second baseman Joe Panik turned an iconic and crucial double play.

“The one that will always stand out is the double play in the World Series, with what was at stake,” Bochy said. “He and Panik, what a beautiful chemistry those two had and how well that play worked.”

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Crawford, born in Mountain View and raised in Pleasanton, was all the more beloved because of his status as a hometown kid.

On Sept. 27, 1992, which was nearly the Giants’ final game in San Francisco, a five-year-old Crawford was photographed next to a sign reading, “Mr. White: Do what’s right! Keep Giants in SF.”

The Giants remained in San Francisco thanks to a last-minute sale to a group led by the late Peter Magowan, and two decades later, Crawford brought two championships to The City.

Horoscopes April 25, 2025: Renee Zellweger, do what you need to do

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Jason Lee, 55; Renee Zellweger, 56; Hank Azaria, 61; Al Pacino, 85.

Happy Birthday: Follow through. Do what you need to do, change what is no longer working for you and start fresh. Put your energy into building the life you want and need to achieve stability and peace of mind. Refuse to let stubbornness stop you from making the right choices. Take responsibility for your mistakes and be forthright about what you want and intend to do. Replace rage with composure. Your numbers are 8, 13, 20, 24, 31, 36, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Hit the reset button and start again, using your experience to expedite getting to the place you want to be. Do what you must, don’t look back and make everything you say and do count. Let your words flow and your actions unfold, and you will enjoy positive results. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You can weather any storm you encounter if you remain calm. Keep your thoughts to yourself, assess situations from a distance and don’t participate in other people’s drama. It’s up to you to dodge whatever and whomever you feel is detrimental to your emotional, physical or financial well-being. Put yourself first. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Reach out and connect. Attending a reunion, conference or event you want to participate in will positively impact your life. When in doubt, keep your life and interactions with others simple, pointed and friendly. Refuse to take health risks or put yourself in harm’s way. Choose digital gatherings over in-person ones. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Mismanagement is apparent when dealing with contracts, financial and legal issues. Negotiate on your behalf; if left to someone else, you will fall short of your expectations. Stick to your plan, make recommendations and present incentives to ensure success. Updating your look and appeal is favored if you stay within budget. 2 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Choose wisely. Swap anxiety for peace of mind by tackling your to-do list and handling the issues causing you stress. Refuse to let what you cannot control precede what you can take care of yourself. Learn from past mistakes, make wise choices and face opposition with composure, experience and solutions. 5 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Observe the reactions of others. Nurture relationships and your reputation at all costs. Stick to the truth and question anything you hear that sounds preposterous. High standards, morals and ethics will keep you on top and above scrutiny. Choose the high road. Make commitments and follow through. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Keep an open mind, look at the big picture and consider the prospects and the cost of whatever you choose to pursue before you go public with your plans. Protect your position, possessions and the people you love to avoid regret and maintain your status quo. Cap spending; avoid deception and indulgent behavior. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Put your troubles aside, refuse to let anyone bait you into an argument and turn your attention to the people, activities and pursuits that make you happy. Feeling good about life, who you are and what you do is where you’ll find comfort. Personal growth, peace and love are in the stars. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Restrict your actions, promises and debt, and use your imagination to find new and exciting ways to make the most of your time, money and energy, and you will accomplish something worthwhile. Rearrange your space to accommodate your pursuits, and draw up an agreement if considering a joint venture. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): When in doubt, ask questions. Don’t agree with anything that sounds misleading or doesn’t offer statistics that put your mind at ease. If you want change, go about it by doing thorough research before you start. Eliminating uncertainty will encourage confidence and better negotiating skills. Self-improvement is favored. 4 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You can be blunt, but refrain from letting anger take over. Maintaining a calm and honest articulation of your thoughts and feelings will get you much further than brute force. Let innovation, imagination and intuition guide you, and you’ll discover how to handle situations with diplomacy. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You can get things done if you work alone. Tuck yourself somewhere you won’t be bothered and take care of unfinished business. The relief you feel when you put pressing matters behind you will lead to long-overdue rewards. Treat yourself to something special. Personal gain and self-improvement are favored. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are entrepreneurial, quick-witted and helpful. You are intuitive and dedicated.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

49ers’ brass relieved top pick Mykel Williams fell out of top 10

SANTA CLARA — On the eve of his ninth NFL Draft as the 49ers’ coach, Kyle Shanahan confided in his wife, Mandy, and their three kids about his ideal pick.

“I told them, ‘Mykel, but I don’t think he’s going to be there,’” Shanahan told the media Thursday night. “My wife calls me this morning and says she read a mock draft where he was going 28th and she was worried we were dead wrong about everything. We had a good idea he was going earlier.”

Defensive end Mykel Williams went No. 11 overall to a 49ers defense desperately seeking help, more of which will come via the team’s 10 remaing  picks rover the draft’s final two days.

General manager John Lynch confirmed he was so antsy to pursue Williams that he attempted to trade up with an unnamed team, stating: “We tried and thank god they took someone else because he was still there.”

Only one defensive end went in the top 10 — Abdul Carter, to the New York Giants at No. 3 overall.

Williams became the second, much to his delight after making what he considered a sincere connection with the 49ers during an April 7 pre-draft visit.

“He came through on a visit and we really got a feel for the kid and all of that led us to him being a Niner,” Lynch said after reeling off every compliment imaginable about a first-round defensive end. “He fits who we are and we pounced when he was there.”

Added Shanahan: “We stuck there and waited for our guy, and we got the guy we wanted.”

Williams was also a wanted man by the two men who’ll more directly coach him: defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, the latter of whom told Lynch that Williams was the best edge setter in college football last season. That element is key for a defense that got uncharacteristically gashed in the run game last season, leading to their 6-11 finish.

“That’s the premise and hallmark in what we want from an edge guy. He does it extremely well,” Lynch said. “He plays outside, can come inside in the sub-rush packages and rush over guards.”

The goal now is to turn Williams loose on a defensive front that is still anchored by Nick Bosa but certainly needs another dynamic pass rusher.

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Added Lynch: “He has a lot of upside. He can rush with power. He’s a good enough athlete where he has some wiggle. He’s extremely proficient when they run games. For as big of an athlete, he’s got a really good stop/start, and when a quarterback changes directions, he can do that really well. He’s got a lot of attributes and he has to put them all together.”

“It’s awesome when you see a guy the more you watch him, the better he gets,” Shanahan said. “When you see how he uses his length and arms, that doesn’t jump off the tape right away.

“When Nick was at Ohio State, you don’t appreciate him the first time you watch him, but the more you watch, you realize how much of a ninja he is with his hand placement. That is how Mykel grows on you, too. I knew he was good but he’s a lot better than I thought. To have that versatility, it can help us a lot, and to be physical in the run guy, that’s what the guy we’ve hoped for, for a while.”

Williams is giddy over the prospect of playing under Saleh and alongside Bosa, among others.

“After my (April 7) visit, I felt we had a great connection. I connected well with the whole staff. It went great,” Williams said. “We talked ball, we toured the facility. I ended up here so it’s a blessing.

“I’m excited to play for Coach Saleh and play in his scheme,” Williams added. “He lets the front do what the front does, which is rush, set edges and play the run. I’m excited to play with the great players I’ll be with like Nick Bosa. I can’t wait.”

Jimmy Butler injury update: Warriors forward “in serious jeopardy” for Game 3, per report

Jimmy Butler could miss Saturday’s Game 3 of the Warriors’ first-round playoff series with the Rockets, according to a report Thursday, but his MRI results showed no sign of structural damage or a fracture.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday evening that Butler had a “deep glute muscle contusion” from a fall in Wednesday’s Game 2 and his status for Saturday was in “serious jeopardy”.

The Warriors have not released any information on Butler’s injury since ruling him out of Wednesday’s game late in the first half.

Butler was injured in the first quarter of Wednesday night’s Game 2 in Houston when he went up for a rebound and was undercut by Rockets forward Amen Thompson, who was following his own shot.

Butler landed hard on his backside and remained in the game initially, splitting two free throws, but came out soon after and went to the locker room before the end of the quarter.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he and the Warriors’ coaching staff didn’t think it was a dirty play by Thompson, who squeezed between Draymond Green and Houston’s Steven Adams, stumbling into the legs of an airborne Butler.

“We didn’t think there was anything wrong with the play,” Kerr said. “It was just one of those plays.”

With Butler out, Kerr turned to Jonathan Kuminga, who had not played in the Warriors’ three most important games of the season over the last week and a half.

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Kuminga, a pending restricted free agent, finished with 11 points in 26 minutes on 4-of-12 shooting.

The Warriors became a whole new team after acquiring Butler in February, going 23-8 through the rest of the regular season after he arrived, including a loss in the only game he missed.

They have the NBA’s No. 1 defense by points per possession after Butler joined the fold, and he has given them offensive direction during the key minutes when Steph Curry is off the floor.

49ers spend first-round draft pick on defensive end Mykel Williams

SANTA CLARA – Step 1 in the 49ers’ defensive reboot finally came Thursday night, when their first-round draft pick brought in defensive end Mykel Williams from Georgia.

Then again, the first overall step came three months ago with the re-hiring of Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator.

Now, Saleh, thanks to general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan, gets a major addition to a defensive front that got leveled by this offseason’s roster purge, which included last month’s release of defensive end Leonard Floyd and defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins.

“Saleh is back in the building ladies and gentlemen #trenches,” 49ers owner Jed York posted on the social-media platform X, 10 minutes before Williams’ selection was officially announced at 6:24 p.m.

Williams celebrated his selection while surrounded by friends and family at an Atlanta home.

“I’m excited to play for Coach Saleh and play in his scheme,” Williams said in a video conference with reporters. “He lets the front do what the front does, which is rush, set edges and play the run. So I’m excited to play for Coach Saleh, play in his system, and play with the great players like Nick Bosa. I can’t wait.”

Only two defensive linemen — edge rusher Abdul Carter, at No. 3 to the New York Giants; defensive tackle Mason Graham, No. 5 to the Cleveland Browns — went in the NFL Draft’s first 10 picks before the 49ers landed Williams at No. 11.

Williams (6-foot-5, 267 pounds) does not turn 21 until June 29. He started 17 of 40 games in his three seasons at Georgia, the same state where he was born (Warm Springs). He never had more than five sacks in a season at Georgia, but he labored through an ankle injury last season en route to repeating with All-SEC second-team honors.

Lynch made a brief attempt to trade up for Williams, whom he never saw play in person but was further won over upon meeting him in an April 7 visit here.

“We liked the totality of the whole process. The film is very impressive,” Lynch said. “Mykel is a big, good-looking kid in every way – he’s big, he’s tall, he’s long, he’s a great athlete, he’s tough, he’s smart, he’s versatile.”

Shanahan said he told his wife and kids Wednesday night that Williams was his top choice but didn’t expect him to last until the 49ers’ pick. “We stuck there and waited for our guy, and we got the guy we wanted,” Shanahan said.

Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek relayed to Lynch that Williams was the best edge setter in college football, and while that trait is key to the 49ers’ desires, his versatility to also play inside is what the 49ers also covet.

“Him being 20 years old but having a maturity and a way about him when he came through here, we felt that presence,” Lynch added. “He’s very comfortable in his own skin.”

“After my (April 7) visit, I felt we had a great connection,” Williams said. “I connected well with the whole staff. It went great,” Williams said on a video conference call with reporters. “We talked ball, we toured the facility. I ended up here so it’s a blessing.”

This marks the seventh time in 11 years the 49ers banked their top draft pick on a defensive lineman, the predecessors being Arik Armstead (2015), DeForest Buckner (2016), Solomon Thomas (2017), Nick Bosa (2019), Javon Kinlaw (2020) and Drake Jackson (2022).

The 49ers did not draft a defensive end among last year’s eight selections, having instead relied on the free agency acquisitions of Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos. Floyd started all 17 games but got released last month, and that had thrust Gross-Matos into the likely starting spot opposite Nick Bosa, at least before Thursday’s draft.

Now both Gross-Matos and Williams have the ability to slide inside when needed.

“Because of his size, this guy can play on the edge but also down on the tackle. He can be an inside rusher if he needs to be,” former Alabama and NFL coach Nick Saban said on ESPN’s broadcast. “I like this pick. They need somebody opposite (Nick) Bosa.”

The last defensive end the 49ers drafted was Robert Beal, a 2022 Georgia teammate of Williams and a fifth-round pick who’s produced just one sack through two seasons.

Williams attended but did not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine drills. He was timed at 4.75 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Georgia’s pro day last month, and he held a private workout on campus last week with teammate Jalon Walker, a linebacker who got drafted No. 15 by Atlanta.

The 49ers have been on an annual hunt to find the perfect complement to Bosa. He’s made five Pro Bowls in six seasons and was the 2022 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, but he had just nine sacks in 14 games last season.

“He won’t be the only D-linemen. We’ll keep going,” said Lynch, who has 10 picks left to use. “But this guy is a great core piece, and he’s a great bookend to Bosa, along with Yetur able to play across the line.”

A year ago, the 49ers were coming off a Super Bowl loss, and they supplemented their receiving corps with No. 31st overall pick Ricky Pearsall. Miraculously, he would survive a Labor Day shooting and finish his rookie season strong, but the 49ers still lost seven of their final eight games for a 6-11, last-place record.

Choosing Williams to start their defense’s refurbishment is fitting in that, according to the 49ers’ bio, he aspires to pursue a career in real estate after football, in which he buys homes and flips them into rental properties.

Saleh, who left in 2021 to become the New York Jets’ coach, inherited a stripped-down defense. Last season’s key defenders who’ve signed elsewhere: defensive linemen Leonard Floyd, Javon Hargrave, and Maliek Collins; linebackers Dre Greenlaw and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles; cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Isaac Yiadom; and safety Talanoa Hufanga.

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“That is how Mykel grows on you, too. I knew he was good but he’s a lot better than I thought. To have that versatility, it can help us a lot, and to be physical in the run guy, that’s what the guy we’ve hoped for, for a while.”

 

High School basketball: GBA Basketball All-Star game rosters

Rosters for the 16th Gil Basketball Academy High School All-Star Game

Friday, May 2 at Alisal High School

Girls

South Roster

Aileen Gonzalez-Pacheco, Alisal

Angelina Navarro, Gonzales

Evelyn Perea, Gonzales

Brooke Mullins, Rancho San Juan

Lesley Santiago, Greenfield

Mai Martin, Marina

Amity Hearne, King City

Jocelyn Romero, King City

Francesca Rossi, Palma

Amani Hobson, Alvarez

Savanna Rodriguez, Carmel

Coach: Angel Trujillo, King City

North Roster

Addie Payne, Pacific Collegiate

Ashley Torres, North County

Berkeley Ashby, Aptos

Ana Maurer, Soquel

Madison Barwick, Soquel

Fernanda Lazo, Watsonville

Brianna Leon, Watsonville

Hailey Brooks, Watsonville

Coach: Zachary Cook, Watsonville

Boys

South Roster

Kike Jacinto, Alisal

Misael Palafox-Silva, Alisal

Jesse Mendez, North Salinas

Kekoa Williams, Stevenson

Pablo Morales, Soledad

Anikan Tavarez, Soledad

Abner Galope, Rancho San Juan

Hudson Rutherford, Carmel

Simeon Brown, Carmel

Warren Blut, Carmel

Nayte Hernandez, Greenfield

Chris Morris, Greenfield

JJ Roth, Monterey

Jamar Aquino, Monterey

Coach: Nick Twitchell, Soledad

North Roster

Will Schilling, Scotts Valley

Jacob Sanders, Scotts Valley

Taylor Knox, Scotts Valley

AJ Gomez, North County

Kenji Mellin, North County

Nico Downing, Monte Vista

Anthony Felix, Oakwood

Mateo Juarez, Oakwood

Chandler Crutcher, Hollister

Devin Townsend, Hollister

Coach: Roger Jones, North County

Trump pardons Nevada politician who paid for her plastic surgery with funds to honor a slain officer

By RIO YAMAT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — President Donald Trump has pardoned a Nevada Republican politician who was awaiting sentencing on federal charges that she used money meant for a statue honoring a slain police officer for personal costs, including plastic surgery.

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Michele Fiore, a former Las Vegas city councilwoman and state lawmaker who ran unsuccessfully in 2022 for state treasurer, was found guilty in October of six counts of federal wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She was out of custody ahead of her sentencing, which had been scheduled for next month.

In a lengthy statement Thursday on Facebook, the loyal Trump supporter expressed gratitude to the president while also accusing the U.S. government and “select media outlets” of a broad, decade-long conspiracy to “target and dismantle” her life.

The pardon, issued Wednesday, comes less than a week after Fiore lost a bid for a new trial. She had been facing the possibility of decades in prison.

Federal prosecutors said at trial that Fiore, 54, had raised more than $70,000 for the statue of a Las Vegas police officer who was fatally shot in 2014 in the line of duty, but had instead spent some of it on cosmetic surgery, rent and her daughter’s wedding.

“Michele Fiore used a tragedy to line her pockets,” federal prosecutor Dahoud Askar said.

FBI agents in 2021 subpoenaed records and searched Fiore’s home in Las Vegas in connection with her campaign spending.

In a statement, Nevada Democratic Party Executive Director Hilary Barrett called the pardon “reckless” and a “slap in the face” to law enforcement officers.

Fiore, who does not have a law degree, was appointed as a judge in deep-red Nye County in 2022 shortly after she lost her campaign for state treasurer.

She was elected last June to complete the unexpired term of a judge who died but had been suspended without pay amid her legal troubles. Pahrump is an hour’s drive west of Las Vegas.

In her statement Thursday, Fiore also said she plans to return to the bench next week.

Nye County said in an email to The Associated Press that it is awaiting an update from the state Commission on Judicial Discipline on Fiore’s current suspension. The AP sent emails seeking comment to the commission, as well as Fiore’s lawyer.

Fiore served in the state Legislature from 2012 to 2016. She was a Las Vegas councilwoman from 2017 to 2022.

While serving as a state lawmaker, Fiore gained national attention for her support of rancher Cliven Bundy and his family during armed standoffs between militiamen and federal law enforcement officers in Bunkerville, Nevada, in 2014 and Malheur, Oregon, in 2016.

Draymond Green misses out on second Defensive Player of the Year award

HOUSTON – Draymond Green came up short in his bid to win a second Defensive Player of the Year award when results were announced on Thursday afternoon after the Warriors’ Game 2 loss to Houston.

Cleveland’s Evan Mobley, a 6-foot-10 center from Riverside County in Southern California, took home the prestigious honor. Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels took second place, and Green placed third.

The award, voted on by media members and broadcasters, is only concerned with the regular season. Mobley received 35 first-place votes and 285 points in all. Daniels had 197 points (he received 25 first-place votes) and Green received 15 first-place votes and finished with 154 points.

Mobley and Green are both playing in the first round, while Daniels’ Hawks were knocked out in the play-in tournament.

Green has played against Houston’s Amen Thompson, another defensive standout who was not a finalist for the award, in a chippy first round series that has seen Houston fans chant derogatory phrases at the Warriors’ leader.

Green previously won the award after the 2016-17 season, the same year the Warriors captured their second NBA title of their dynastic run over the last decade.

Green, who is all but a lock to make his ninth all-defense team, averaged 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game this season. Aside from those more traditional stats, he also contests 9.4 shots per game. 

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The Warriors led the league in defensive rating (109.0) since February’s blockbuster trade for Jimmy Butler, but voters proved that they assigned the majority of the credit to Green for the turnaround. 

Green was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Month for March after the Warriors went 11-4.

Both Green and the team were vocal in their belief that the 35-year-old center was the league’s top defender. 

“Draymond is the Defensive Player of the Year,” Kerr said after a recent game. “I can’t imagine him not winning at this point. What I witness every single night, the incredible versatility of his defensive game and how powerful his brain is. He’s an amazing player and he’s had a great, great year. I think he should win it.”