Falcons holding out Jones, Mack

Matt Ryan wasn’t worried that he didn’t have his center and top receiver with him for the Falcons’ first Super Bowl practice on Wednesday or for the remainder of the week. The quarterback says he trusts Alex Mack and Julio Jones will do what is necessary to be ready despite missing this week’s practice schedule with injuries.

Final: Lakers squander fourth-quarter lead, lose to Blazers

After having three days to rebound from a 49-point blowout loss in Dallas, the Lakers squandered a fourth-quarter lead, falling to the Portland Trail Blazers, 105-98. After trailing by as many as 14 points in the third quarter of a game they had trailed by one at halftime, the Lakers crawled back behind 11 quick points from Lou Williams, who scored a game-high 31. They pulled even at 94 on a 3-pointer by Nick Young with 6:23 left in the game, then Young gave the Lakers the lead with another 3-pointer 42 seconds later.

Venus Williams books place in second Australian Open final

Venus Williams held up her end of the deal for another all-sisters Australian Open final with a 6-7 , 6-2, 6-3 win over Coco Vandeweghe, becoming the oldest player to reach the final of the tournament in the Open era. The 36-year-old Williams is back in a Grand Slam final for the first time since Wimbledon in 2009 and her first here since 2003, when she lost to her younger sister, Serena.

Venus Williams into Australian Open final

Veteran Venus Williams has ended CoCo Vandeweghe’s giantkilling run to become the oldest Australian Open women’s finalist in professional tennis history. Turning 37 in June, Williams battled back from a set down to defeat her gallant American compatriot 6-7 6-2 6-3 in Thursday’s first semifinal at Melbourne Park.

Interior trip next for Spruce Kings

… and has been a workhorse since Stefan Wornig left the team in December for medical reasons. The WHL Cougars’ prospect sports a 3.37 goals-against average and .883 save percentage and van Diemen knows he will have to have stingier netminding from …

UNC-Wilmington Tough Test For James Madison

The Dukes have allowed a mere 60.9 points per game in conference play – the second-best mark in the league – but have only scored 62.6 points against CAA foes – the second-worst average. They have gutted out victories with hard work, intense focus and timely execution.

Prices up, sales brisk in Trump’s South American tower

In recent weeks, the massive head shot of Donald Trump that greeted visitors to the Trump Tower Punta del Este “ultra exclusive” apartment project in this well-heeled South American beach destination vanished. The photo of Trump and his three adult children behind the marble counter in the vanilla-scented showroom also was taken down.

Dukes Ready To Focus On Next Season

On Jan. 14 – only a week removed from winning the FCS national title and just moments removed from walking the streets of downtown Harrisonburg in their team’s championship parade – Stinnie and Sharp couldn’t help but peek ahead. Stinnie, the starting left tackle for James Madison and Sharp, a reserve running back, were already thinking forward even though many of the fans that had gathered for the parade hadn’t even cleared Court Square yet.

Photo Gallery: Wenatchee and Eastmont play a game of Unified basketball

Stars of the show: Wenatchee’s Esquivel, Eastmont’s Lisson are leading their very different teams in very different ways 1/25/2017 World photo/Don Seabrook Wenatchee High School teacher Shelly Jelsing gives Jesse Marcuson a high five after Jesse scored a basket for Wenatchee High School’s Unified basketball team Wednesday night in Wenatchee. Eastmont High School’s team beat Wenatchee 39-31 although fans and players from both teams cheered each other on.

Wild suffer first loss of 2017 with 7-1 loss in Langley

Stars of the show: Wenatchee’s Esquivel, Eastmont’s Lisson are leading their very different teams in very different ways LANGLEY, British Columbia – During a rare Wednesday evening contest in the British Columbia Hockey League north of the border, the Wenatchee Wild got a wake up call against host Langley in a 7-1 loss to the Rivermen at George Preston Arena. Langley got on the board first just over three minutes into the first period on an unassisted goal from Gavin Payne.

The Latest: Williams levels AO semifinal vs Vandeweghe

Venus Williams has beaten CoCo Vandeweghe 6-7 , 6-2, 6-3 to reach the final of the Australian Open, becoming the oldest finalist in the tournament’s history The Latest: Venus reaches 1st Aussie Open final in 14 years Venus Williams has beaten CoCo Vandeweghe 6-7 , 6-2, 6-3 to reach the final of the Australian Open, becoming the oldest finalist in the tournament’s history Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2jrxyYE United States’ Venus Williams celebrates after defeating compatriot Coco Vandeweghe during their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017.

Venus Williams beats Coco Vandweghe to reach surprise Australian Open final

Venus Williams beats Coco Vandeweghe to reach surprise Australian Open final Venus Williams beat Coco Vandeweghe in three sets to reach her first Grand Slam final since 2009. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2jrDX6o Venus Williams will return to the Australian Open final for the first time in 14 years after rallying to beat Coco Vandeweghe 6-7 , 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday.