Basketball: Sager remembered at emotional memorial

Longtime TNT broadcaster Craig Sager was remembered for his love of family, sports and colorful attire on Wednesday at a memorial service that produced laughs and tears. Among those attending the service were San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and members of Sager’s Turner Sports TV family, including Ernie Johnson and Reggie Miller.

Southern Premier player-boss to stand down

MARK Jermyn tendered his resignation as Dorchester Town player-manager following Saturday’s 3-3 draw at King’s Lynn Town. Both Jermyn and assistant Nick Crittenden will be leaving the club following the Ridgeway derby against Weymouth at the Avenue Stadium on Boxing Day.

Suspended Eastleigh skipper to miss Brentford FA Cup clash

EASTLEIGH’S Joe Partington has been hit by a three-match suspension, ruling him out of the Spitfires’ big FA Cup third round clash at Brentford on January 7. The Spitfires skipper was sent off for serious foul play in Saturday’s feisty 4-3 National League defeat at Southport which saw three players red-carded. Southport’s Liam Hynes was the first to go for a lunge on Eastleigh ‘s new signing Sam Togwell from Barnet.

Spend an Evening With Eric Cantona

ONE of the most influential footballers of all time takes to the stage next year for a handful of selected UK dates including Bournemouth. Superstar Eric Cantona will play six dates only next February and will be at the Bournemouth International Centre on February 21. Eric Cantona is known not just for his skilful footwork and adept acting skills but also his timely comments.

Newton-led Panthers roll past Redskins

Cam Newton passed for 300 yards and two touchdowns, Jonathan Stewart rushed for 132 yards and the Carolina Panthers defeated the Washington Redskins 26-15 Monday night at FedEx Field. Newton completed 21 of 37 passes and tight end Greg Olsen had six catches for 85 yards for Carolina, which scored 10 points in the third quarter to go up by 14. Graham Gano kicked four field goals as the Panthers held on for its second straight win.

Preview: St. Louis Blues @ Dallas Stars

… a .943 SV% with a 1.81 GAA and has recorded wins in four of his last five starts on home ice. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Niemi ranks second among NHL goaltenders in SV% and third in GAA on home ice this season (minimum 10 games started). …

The Peter Pan Cup: London’s Coldest Race

Every Christmas Day, London’s hardiest swimmers take a dip in Hyde Park’s Serpentine, in a competition for the Peter Pan Cup . The 9am spectacle sees members of the Serpentine Swimming Club battle it out over a 100-yard handicap in the icy December waters to the south of the lake.

Dutch study: Synthetic fields with rubber crumbs are safe

A Dutch government public health organization said Tuesday it is safe to play soccer and other sports on artificial turf fields covered in rubber crumbs, following an investigation triggered by fears over dangerous chemicals in the granules. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment published a report saying that the health risk from playing on such fields, which are common throughout the Netherlands and elsewhere as low-maintenance alternatives to natural grass, is “virtually negligible.”

Bayern winger Robben fit for crunch game against Leipzig

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will be able to count on fit-again winger Arjen Robben when they host second-placed RB Leipzig on Wednesday in the final league match of the year, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday. Soccer Football – Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich – UEFA Champions League Group Stage – Group D – Vicente Calderon, Madrid, Spain – 28/9/16 Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben warms up before the match Reuters / Paul Hanna MUNICH, Germany: Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will be able to count on fit-again winger Arjen Robben when they host second-placed RB Leipzig on Wednesday in the final league match of the year, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday.

NFL: Washington dealt blow with loss to Panthers

Kirk Cousins threw an interception and fumbled near his goal line as Washington coughed up their easiest path to the playoffs with a 26-15 loss to the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers. Washington could have clinched a playoff berth by winning its final three games but now needs help.

Redskins lose control of playoff hopes with loss to Panthers

Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert rolls over Washington Redskins outside linebacker Martrell Spaight for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton celebrates wide receiver Ted Ginn’s touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 19, 2016.

Huggins, Jones lead New Mexico St past UC Irvine, 85-79, OT

Braxton Huggins scored eight of his 24 points in overtime, Jemerrio Jones and Eli Chuha each had double-doubles and New Mexico state beat UC Irvine 85-79 in overtime on Monday night. Jones sandwiched two buckets around back-to-back 3-pointers by Huggins to give New Mexico State an 82-74 lead with 34 seconds to play.

Flames catch fire on power play in 4-2 win over Coyotes

Kris Versteeg put Calgary ahead with its third power-play goal of the game in the third period and the Flames beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-2 on Monday night. Versteeg and Troy Brouwer had a goal and assist each for Calgary, which had lost its last two games but has at least one power-play goal in its past eight contests.

Cricket: Nair triple ton puts India in command against England

Karun Nair cracked a brilliant triple century as India took total control against England in Chennai on Monday, posting their highest-ever Test score. Right-hander Nair, who finished on 303 not out, reached the landmark with a boundary before India declared their first innings on a huge 759-7 for a lead of 282 in the fifth and final Test.

Southland fall short in one-day cricket clash with Canterbury Country Emerging Players team

Southland fell 10 runs short of victory in their one-day hit out against a Canterbury Country Emerging Players team at Queens Park in Invercargill on Tuesday. The Southland team was made up mainly of development players but had a scattering of Hawke Cup squad members in the playing 11. Mitch Ross lines up the ball while batting for Canterbury Country as Southland’s Hamish O’Brien looks on at Queens Park in Invercargill.