A slow start doomed the Mad Ants in Texas on Wednesday night.
Rio Grande Valley dropped the Ants down an 18-point hole after a quarter in Hidalgo, Texas, and the Ants could never quite dig themselves out, falling 104-97 to the Vipers. Five Ants scored in double figures, led by Gilbert Brown with 15 points. Sean Sonderleiter (14), Darington Hobson (13), Ron Howard (12) and Mike Tisdale (11) also hit doubles for Fort Wayne (9-15).
Kelvin Lewis led all scorers for Rio Grande Valley (16-9) with 22 points.
AUTO RACING
NASCAR ends secret penalties
NASCAR says it will stop issuing undisclosed fines and will no longer keep certain penalties private. The practice of NASCAR issuing “secret fines” came to light midway through the 2010 season when Denny Hamlin was penalized for comments he made on Twitter.
BASEBALL
MLB news
St. Louis closer Jason Motte has agreed to a $1.95 million, one-year contract. … Boston reliever Andrew Bailey agreed to a one-year contract worth $3.9 million. …
Outfielder Andruw Jones and the Yankees have finalized a $2 million, one-year contract. … Cincinnati acquired infielder Wilson Valdez from the Phillies for minor league pitcher Jeremy Horst. … Colorado and closer Rafael Betancourt have agreed on a new contract that runs through 2013 with an option for 2014.
BASKETBALL
Lakers pass Knicks as most valuable
The Los Angeles Lakers have surpassed the New York Knicks as the NBA’s most valuable team, according to Forbes’ annual report. The magazine said that the Lakers’ value had increased 40 percent since last year to $900 million thanks to its blockbuster Time Warner TV deal. The Knicks, Bulls, Mavericks and Celtics round out the top five.
Around the NBA
Kevin Love and Minnesota agreed to a four-year contract extension worth between $60 million and $62 million. Love ranks fifth in the league with 24.9 points per game and second with 13.9 rebounds. … Danilo Gallinari and Denver agreed to a four-year, roughly $42 million extension. Gallinari, 23, is averaging 17.4 points.
FOOTBALL
Irish fill out coaching staff
Notre Dame announced that Harry Hiestand was hired as the offensive line coach and running game coordinator. Hiestand, who spent the last two seasons at Tennessee, replaces Ed Warinner, who departed to join new Ohio State coach Urban Meyer’s staff after the season. The Irish had to replace three spots on their staff after offensive coordinator Charley Molnar left to become the head coach at Massachusetts, and former running back coach Tim Hinton left with Warinner to work at Ohio State. Notre Dame previously promoted offensive intern Scott Booker to the staff and hired Bob Elliott to coach safeties.
Woodlan player make college picks
Woodlan’s Zac Haydock will sign a national letter of intent to play at Saint Francis in the fall.
Raiders hire coach
Oakland is finalizing a deal with Denver defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to make him their new head coach. The 39-year-old Allen will be the first new Raiders coach to come from the defensive side of the ball since late owner Al Davis hired linebackers coach John Madden before the 1969 season.
Around the NFL
New England tight end Rob Gronkowski was listed as unable to practice on the team’s first injury report since he injured his left ankle in the AFC title game against Baltimore. … Commissioner Roger Goodell has had his contract extended through 2018.
SOFTBALL
Cougars land Vikings standout
Huntington North standout Jordie Close has announced she’ll be playing at Saint Francis next. Close was a first-team All-North Central Conference selection as a junior last year.
