PHS girls tennis team wins opener
PORTSMOUTH - After several years of missing the Class L tournament, the Portsmouth High School girls tennis team turned the corner last year with an 8-4 record and a spot in the postseason in its last year in Class L.

Boys Lacrosse Capsules
NEW HAMPSHIRE, EXETER
Coach: Gerry Holly, ninth season
2006 results: Lost to Pinkerton Academy in the Division I semifinals.

Defense will be Bruins' primary concern
BOSTON - General manager Peter Chiarelli and coach Dave Lewis left successful teams for a chance to turn the Boston Bruins into one.

Red Sox ready for today's home opener
BOSTON - The Red Sox open their home season today with plenty of fanfare, just a warmup for the excitement that will fill Fenway Park one day later.

St. Thomas boys set to defend lacrosse title
In 2005, the St. Thomas Aquinas High School boys lacrosse team made it to the Division II championship game, only to suffer a last-second 7-6 decision to Dover.

A smorgasbord of thoughts on the sporting world
A sampling of sporting tidbits as we try to decide if it's really spring or if this is some kind of cruel winter Jedi mind trick "¦

Johnson holds off Woods, wins Masters
AUGUSTA, Ga. - It all seemed surreal to Zach Johnson. Three clutch birdies on the back nine at the Masters. His name atop the leaderboard. Toppling Tiger Woods. Slipping on the green jacket.

Ortiz leads Red Sox past Rangers
ARLINGTON, Texas - David Ortiz snapped out of a 2-for-18 slump with his first two home runs of the season and Curt Schilling bounced back from his horrendous season debut to help Boston beat Texas 3-2 on Sunday night to avoid a three-game sweep.

Exeter's Hoffman ready for senior tennis season
EXETER - Eric Hoffman was 5 years old when he started playing tennis, 9 when he started getting serious about it, and 16 when he beat his father for the first time.

Bruins suffered through another poor season
BOSTON - Last offseason brought the Boston Bruins a front office shake-up and a slew of new players, including their best forward and best defenseman.

High school boys tennis capsules
NEW HAMPSHIRE, Exeter - Coach: Scott Kramer, 12th year - 2006 result: 12-3, lost to Manchester Central in Class L quarterfinals

Shorthanded Celtics no match
INDIANAPOLIS -- Mike Dunleavy scored 22 points and Jermaine O'Neal added 14 points and 14 rebounds, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 105-98 victory over the short-handed Boston Celtics on Saturday night.

Fitting finale for Bruins
BOSTON -- Dany Heatley's 50th goal of the season gave the Ottawa Senators the lead for good, and they clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.

Tiger close after wild day at Masters
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tiger Woods is in the final group at the Masters, courtesy of the toughest Saturday at Augusta National in more than 50 years and a series of collapses after he left the course with one of his own.

Michigan St. tops BC in title game
ST. LOUIS -- Justin Abdelkader snapped a tie with 18.9 seconds to go, seconds after ringing a shot off the post in Michigan State's 3-1 victory over Boston College in the NCAA hockey championship game Saturday night.

Sports Shorts
Seacoast hoop: Clippers win

Wildcats' defensive depth will be tested
DURHAM -- It's tough to get a clear read on the University of New Hampshire football team's defense this spring, and not just because a snowy practice field has postponed the first two scheduled workouts.

Taking note of early-season fantasy trends
OK, fellow fantasy geeks, let's review some of what we learned during baseball's first week.

Lacrosse: UNH women top Albany
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Sarah Von Bargen and Alexa Webster both scored two goals and Natalie Jones made nine saves to lead the University of New Hampshire women's lacrosse team to a 6-4 win against Albany on Saturday.

High school baseball previews
NEW HAMPSHIRE

Coaches debate merits of aluminum bats
Much like the designated hitter has done in Major League Baseball, the use of aluminum bats has fractured high school baseball's fan base.

O'Neal lifts Heat past Celtics
BOSTON -- Shaquille O'Neal had 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Miami Heat to an 88-85 victory over the Boston Celtics on Friday night after blowing a 14-point, third-quarter lead.

Sports Shorts
Moe's edges Marshwood for title

High school girls tennis capsules
NEW HAMPSHIRE

Augusta National not playing favorites
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tiger Woods played one shot left-handed and put two balls in the water at Amen Corner. Phil Mickelson spent most of the day scrambling out of the woods.

Martinen replaces O'Neil at York
YORK, Maine -- For Kathy O'Neil, a desire to do one thing well won out over giving two things less attention than they deserved.

Rangers silence Red Sox bats
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Sammy Sosa was laughing when he got to first base after giving the Texas Rangers their first lead of the season.

Boston College aiming for hockey title
ST. LOUIS -- Boston College takes a 13-game winning streak into the Frozen Four final against Michigan State tonight. The Eagles also brought the learning experience from last year's title-game loss to Wisconsin.

Maine islands provide nesting space for wildlife
There are 3,000 to 4,000 islands and exposed ledges off the Maine coast. Prior to the last ice age, these exposed features were actually the tops of ancient mountains.

NHAAGs gymnasts have successful season
The boys gymnastics team at the New Hampshire Academy of Artistic Gymnastics (NHAAGs) in North Hampton is celebrating a successful competition season, which culminated in both state and regional championship wins.

Rose, Wetterich share first-round lead at the Masters
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Augusta National is called the "cathedral of golf," and it sure sounded like one Thursday.

Donovan staying at Florida, star players leaving
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Florida coach Billy Donovan wanted to stay. His star players knew it was time to go.

Atlantic Gymnastics team wins state title
Atlantic Gymnastics Training Center's Level 9 team recently capped off a near perfect season with a 5½-point victory at the Level 9 state championship held April 1 at Atlantic's Portsmouth gym.

How well do you know high school baseball rules?
High school baseball in both Maine and New Hampshire is scheduled to begin next week, and if you attend a game this spring here's something you're sure to see: a man hounding the home-plate umpire about ball-and-strike calls from some faraway perch like the top row of the bleachers behind the third-base dugout.

Maine topped by Michigan State in Frozen Four
ST. LOUIS - Just like the last time Michigan State played Maine, the Spartans found themselves in an early hole.

Sabres defeat Bruins
BUFFALO, N.Y. €" Thomas Vanek scored twice and the Buffalo Sabres matched a franchise record with their 52nd victory, following a 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.

Former Patriot Stingley dead at age 55
Darryl Stingley spent more than half his life in a wheelchair, a symbol of the violence of the NFL, where large bodies collide at high speeds on every play.

Matsuzaka wins first start for Red Sox
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - After striking out three times, Ryan Shealy sounded amazed.

Exeter News-Letter Top to Bottom
Greer earns honor

Brentwood's Brown wins youth wrestling title
PORTLAND, Maine - As stories go, it was the day Hayden Brown got a note from the "Tooth Fairy" and won his 44-pound weight Bantam division in the New England Youth Wrestling Classic.

Perry will help lead Exeter softball team
EXETER - Softball, says Grace Perry, is the one constant variable in her life.

WHS boys tennis team ready for new season
Forget that song about Christmas. Because, to most sports fans, spring is the most wonderful time of the year, when all of the snow and ice from winter has melted and becomes an afterthought, temperatures begin to rise and the games are played outdoors again, on fields rather than in gymnasiums.

WHS girls tennis team ready for opener
A brand new season of Winnacunnet High School girls tennis has arrived, and with it the opportunity for a fresh start for Paul Testa's Warriors.

Hampton Union Top to Bottom
Greer earns honor

New England resorts still offering great ski conditions
If you are looking out your window at bare ground and daffodils popping out, it could lead you to believe that the ski and ride season here in the Northeast has come to an abrupt end.

Sanborn softball team ready for new season
In 2003 and 2004, the Sanborn Regional High School softball team began the return to its glory days, advancing to the quarterfinals both seasons. Then, in 2005, the Indians went 23-1 while winning the Class M championship.

Sanborn baseball team looking to improve
Led by returning first team All-State outfielder and pitcher Jeff Dennis, the Sanborn Regional High School baseball team is looking to improve on its 9-11 record of a year ago and climb over the .500 mark this season.

Rockingham News Top to Bottom
Farmer earns win

Raymond softball team optimistic
On the Chinese calendar 2007 is the year of the pig. But in New Hampshire softball circles some are asking if it could also be the year of the Ram.

Wells preview
Head Coach: Kevin Fox (9th season)

Teams get ready to race 'down South'
The second annual Easter Bunny 150 is scheduled for this weekend at Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, North Carolina.

Thornton Academy preview
Coach: Jack Morrison (2nd season)

Sports Shorts
Team Metayer collecting pledges for walk

The tooth of the lion is nothing to fear
Do you remember when you were young and when you and your friends would take the fuzzy headed dandelion flower that had gone to seed and then blow hard on the ball to disperse its little seed attached to a thin hair-like parachute?

Kennebunk preview
Coach: Stephanie Coleman (2nd season)

Time for more Tiger ball
BIDDEFORD — Down the stretch of last year's playoff run, culminating in the Class A state championship, first-year head coach Leon Paquin said he didn't have to do much — he just let the girls play.

Biddeford preview
Coach: Leon Paquin (2nd season)

Boykins lifts Bucks past Celtics
MILWAUKEE — Earl Boykins scored 32 points to help a skeleton crew from the Milwaukee Bucks beat what was left of the Boston Celtics, 98-89, Wednesday night.

Red Sox rout Royals for first win
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell hit back-to-back doubles in a three-run first inning and Josh Beckett held Kansas City to two hits through five chilly innings Wednesday night, leading the Boston Red Sox past the Royals 7-1.

Frozen Four is homecoming for Maine's Bishop
ST. LOUIS — Goalie Ben Bishop will attempt to lead Maine to its third national title just miles from his suburban hometown and on the home ice of the NHL team that drafted him.

Fisher Cats leaning on Romero, Purcey
MANCHESTER — A lot of eyes will be on Ricky Romero in the coming weeks, and that's just the way he likes it.

Sports Shorts
LOCAL

Heavy hitters favored at the Masters
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tiger Woods doesn't own the lowest score on the back nine at Augusta National, nor the most memorable. But that 30 he posted in the first round in 1997 sent him to a record-setting victory at the Masters that ultimately changed many things.

Former Grambling coach Robinson dies
RUSTON, La. — Eddie Robinson, the longtime coach whose tireless work in breaking down racial barriers transformed a small, black college into a football power that produced hundreds of NFL players, has died. He was 88.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend
By Laura Dolce

Canadiens blank struggling Bruins
MONTREAL - Saku Koivu scored twice, including his career-high 22nd goal in the third period, and Jaroslav Halak got his second shutout in the Montreal Canadiens' 2-0 win over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night before the Bell Centre's 100th straight sellout crowd.

Tennessee wins women's basketball title
CLEVELAND - Everyone is gazing up at good ol' Rocky Top again.

Football puts spring in Devine's step
DURHAM - For those University of New Hampshire football fans worried that the departure of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly leaves an irreplaceable void in the brain trust, know this about his replacement: Sean Devine eats, breathes and sleeps the game.

Champion Gators bracing for change
ATLANTA - Coach Billy Donovan spent several hours after the national championship game mingling with family and friends, and socializing with school officials.

Sports Shorts
LOCAL - PORTSMOUTH - Terrence Herbert scored 15 points to lead the Seacoast Clippers past South Berwick, 58-41, and into the finals of the fifth- and sixth-grade boys division at the Seacoast Basketball Tournament Tuesday.

Fisher Cats have reason for optimism
MANCHESTER - If the New Hampshire Fisher Cats wanted to personify their ragged 2006 season, starting pitcher Kyle Yates would be the face on the jersey.

Beckett hopes to build on first full season
Josh Beckett is counting.

Tennessee will face Rutgers for women's basketball title
CLEVELAND - They've been dear friends - extended basketball family - for nearly as long as they've been college coaches.

Patriots' exhibition game in China cancelled
NEW YORK - The exhibition game scheduled for China in August was postponed Monday by the NFL, which said it wanted to concentrate its "global resources" on next October's regular-season game in London.

Florida wins NCAA basketball title "” again
ATLANTA - A long, tough season ended with a Gator chomp again.

UNH gymnasts advance to NCAA regionals
INDIANAPOLIS - The University of New Hampshire women's gymnastics team has earned a bid as one of six teams competing at the NCAA Northeast Regional championships to be held at the University of Michigan on April 14.

Schilling critical of his effort in opener
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Royals beat up Curt Schilling for four innings.

Younger players will challenge Woods at the Masters
Everybody but his opponents has conceded the Masters, which starts on Thursday, to Tiger Woods. But here are a few 20-somethings and one barely 30-something who could win the all-too-green jacket - blinding green, really.

Red Sox fall to Royals in season opener
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - More than 41,000 fans got on their feet and gave Gil Meche a standing ovation.

Rugby is a growing sport on the Seacoast
Rugby, like any sport, has certain stereotypes that accompany it. When you hear the word "rugby," you probably think of a drunken frat or sorority house sport that involves more fighting than actual rugby playing. Hey, if there are enough kegs lined up, who even needs a ball, right?

Exeter goalies bring own unique style
EXETER - One likes it loud on the lacrosse field, the other more reserved, and the third is eager just to be out there.

Husband, wife tandem take a walk
NEWMARKET - Walk, don't run.

O'Brien, Gosztyla win Great Bay Half Marathon titles
NEWMARKET - Runners and walkers invaded Newmarket on Sunday, and that was no April Fool's joke.

Exeter News-Letter Top to Bottom
Get Fit In May 5K on tap

Hampton Union Top to Bottom
Softball coaches clinic set

O'Brien, Gosztyla win Great Bay Half Marathon titles
NEWMARKET - Runners and walkers invaded Newmarket on Sunday, and that was no April Fool's joke.

Tennessee will face Rutgers for women's NCAA title
CLEVELAND With Candace Parker making the biggest steal, Tennessee snuck back into the NCAA championship.

Smith leaves UNH hockey to turn pro
Trevor Smith, the University of New Hampshire hockey team's leading scorer last season, has played his last collegiate game in a UNH uniform.

Devils ease past Bruins
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. Brian Gionta scored the game-winner in his first game in almost a month, Jay Pandolfo tallied twice and the New Jersey Devils took the division lead from Pittsburgh with a 3-1 victory over the Boston Bruins on Sunday.

Celtics defeat Cavaliers
BOSTON - With LeBron James and Paul Pierce sitting out, Delonte West made two free throws with 1.9 seconds left and the Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-96 on Sunday night.

Florida will face Ohio State for NCAA basketball title
ATLANTA Poets produced odes to honor the champions of the Ancient Olympics. Their towns often lauded those champions by punching holes in their fortifying walls, proclaiming that they did not need such protection with a hero in their midst.

Rugby is a growing sport on the Seacoast
Rugby, like any sport, has certain stereotypes that accompany it. When you hear the word "rugby," you probably think of a drunken frat or sorority house sport that involves more fighting than actual rugby playing. Hey, if there are enough kegs lined up, who even needs a ball, right?

Red Sox open 2007 season today at Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. Some of the most high-profile additions either team has ever had will be in uniform when the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals open their season today.

O'Brien, Gosztyla win Great Bay Half Marathon titles
NEWMARKET Runners and walkers invaded Newmarket on Sunday, and that was no April Fool's joke.

Bruins lose in final seconds
BOSTON -- When the Atlanta Thrashers traded for Keith Tkachuk and Alexei Zhitnik last month, they were in the midst of a free fall.

NBA stretch run could be rest area
With two No. 1 and a pair of No. 2 seeds reaching the Final Four, college basketball didn't provide much madness this March.

UNH beats Vermont in lacrosse
DURHAM -- Sophomore Michaela Hardy netted a career-high five goals to help propel the University of New Hampshire women's lacrosse team past Vermont, 16-8, in America East action at Memorial Field on Saturday.

Sports shorts
Local

Special teams have Black Bears on brink
His team's starting goaltender appears to be healthy again, but that isn't the only reason University of Maine coach Tim Whitehead has reason to be optimistic heading into Thursday's Frozen Four matchup against Michigan State.

Oden, OSU head to final
ATLANTA -- Take Greg Oden away from Ohio State and the Buckeyes still play for the national championship. Take Roy Hibbert away from Georgetown and ... the Buckeyes still play for the national championship.

April goofs can be costly
This is a perfect day to remember that, in fantasy baseball, April can make you look like a fool.

Red Sox think they have title make-up
Daisuke Matsuzaka and all the cameras that focused on the star right-hander from Japan were just some of the newcomers to Boston's training camp.

Dice-K shaky in Sox win
PHILADELPHIA -- Jimmy Rollins is a believer in Dice-K and the mysterious gyroball.

National League team capsules
east

American League team capsules
east

Fuld set to open in Double-A
Sam Fuld has waited most of his adult life to reach the Double-A level of minor league baseball. He figures he can wait a few more days.