Sportshorts for Friday, March 8, 2013

Three locals tabbed all-BNC West

Rock Falls senior Steven Armoska and Oregon senior Caleb Mowry were unanimous Big Northern West all-conference firstteam selections, the league announced Thursday.

Rock Falls senior Alex Leaf was also named to the 11-member first team.

A full list of the squad can be found on B5.

Two near-misses for locals in 3 contest

Erie senior Jacob Johnston came up short in a shoot-off during the Class 1A Three-Point Showdown, and Prophetstown junior Ethan Howard missed the tiebreaker by one on Thursday at Carver Arena in Peoria.

Johnston hit 10 attempts, but his five made shots in the shoot-off were two shy of the seven made by West Prairie’s Jamie Cousins.

In 2A, Fulton’s Matt Dail hit six 3s. He needed to make nine in order to reach the tiebreaking shoot-off.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Lambrigtsen leads all-BNC West locals

Oregon junior Sam Lambrigtsen was one of three unanimous first-team selections on the Big Northern West all-conference team, released Thursday.

Rock Falls seniors Morgan Mammosser and Jordan Giddings joined Lambrigtsen on the first team, as did Oregon sophomore Emylyn Wright. Hawks senior Bree Tourtillott and Rockets sophomore Bailey Schrader were honorable-mention selections.

A full list of the squad can be found on B5.

MLB

Yankees’ Rivera to retire after season

Mariano Rivera will announce his retirement from the New York Yankees following this season at a Saturday morning news conference, according to the New York Post.

Rivera, who missed all of last season because of injury, will make his spring debut Saturday.

NHL

Players Association approves realignment

The NHL Players Association approved the league’s latest realignment proposal for next season Thursday with the provision that it be revisited in 2015.

The Winnipeg Jets will move to the Western Conference, while the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets will switch to the East. The divisions will be reduced from six to four.