FanFare 1/31/03

Briefly

Baseball

Infielder Ron Coomer reached agreement with the Dodgers on a minor league contract Thursday and was invited to spring training. An AL All-Star with Twins in 1999, Coomer spent last season with the Yankees, hitting .264 with three homers and 17 RBIs in 148 at-bats over 55 games. He played first base, third base and was a designated hitter.

Basketball

Due to Chris Webber's ankle injury, Peja Stojakovic will be an All-Star for the second straight season. NBA commissioner David Stern selected Stojakovic as Webber's replacement, allowing the Kings to remain represented on the court at the league's showcase event.

College football

Two more charges were filed against former Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson for his role in a November check scam at an auto accessories company. McPherson was initially arrested on a felony and misdemeanor charge of taking a blank check from the Tallahassee company. The check was later made out for $3,500 and cashed. Prosecutors contend handwriting analysis shows McPherson wrote the check. On Wednesday they added the felony charges of making out the check and then cashing the forged document.

Football

The Super Bowl champion Buccaneers demonstrated their commitment to keep Monte Kiffin from moving to the 49ers or anywhere else, signing their defensive coordinator to a new three-year contract. Terms were not disclosed.

Former 49ers coach Steve Mariucci interviewed for the Lions coaching vacancy. Mariucci arrived Wednesday evening in Detroit to tour Ford Field and meet with Bill Ford, team vice chairman and Ford Motor Co.'s chairman and chief executive. Mariucci spent most of Thursday at the Lions' training facility in Allen Park before heading home, team president Matt Millen said in a statement.

Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt apologized to coach Tony Dungy, quarterback Peyton Manning and the rest of his teammates for criticisms he said came from his frustration with losing. In a Canadian cable TV interview earlier this week, Vanderjagt said Manning should show more emotion, Dungy is too nice to be effective and many other Colts players lack a passion for the game.

Golf

Jay Haas shot a 61, the second 11-under round of the day, to take a one-shot lead as scores went low on a sunny, windless day at the Bob Hope Classic. Haas, who won the Hope in 1988, rolled in a 3-foot putt on No. 18 for his third birdie in a row and the best round of his 26 years on the tour.

High school

First it was LeBron James' Hummer. Now, it's his clothes. Just a few days after James was cleared of any wrongdoing for accepting a sports utility vehicle as a gift, Ohio high school officials are reviewing a report he received complimentary clothing. Last Saturday, James, the nation's top high school player, was apparently given two free "throwback" jerseys worth $845 at a local clothing store. The story was first reported by The Plain Dealer.

Hockey

It was hard to tell what was more surprising at the Rangers' practice: Glen Sather's guarantee they'd make the playoffs or that he was best suited to lead them there. Sather, the team's president and general manager, added head coach to his responsibilities, one day after he fired rookie Bryan Trottier 54 games into the season.

Attempting to end a three-year postseason drought, the Mighty Ducks acquired All-Star defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh and left wing/defenseman Lance Ward from Florida for center Matt Cullen, defenseman Pavel Trnka and a fourth-round pick in next year's NHL entry draft.

On the air

BoxingLight heavyweights, Charles Brewer (38-9-0) vs. Etienne Whitaker (27-8-2), 9p.m., ESPN2

Golf

PGA Tour, Bob Hope Classic, 2 p.m., USA

Champions Tour, MasterCard Championship, 7 p.m., GOLF

PGA Tour of Australasia, Heineken Classic, 12:30 p.m., GOLF

High school basketballPoplar Bluff at Central, 7 p.m., KGIR-1220

NBA

San Antonio at Orlando, 7 p.m., ESPN

L.A. Lakers at Sacramento, 9:30 p.m., ESPN

CHARTER CABLE SPORTS KEY --CNBC (ch. 53), ESPN (42), ESPN2 (43), Lifetime (49)Fox-Midwest (45), Fox-Central (352), Fox-Pacific (353), Fox-Sunshine (351), Fox-World (350), FX(50), Golf Channel (46), MSNBC (55), Outdoors (38), Outdoor Life Network (74), Oxygen (75), Speed Channel (44), TNT (48). Listings and times are provided by the networks and individual stations and are subject to change.

Area events

High school boys' basketballPoplar Bluff at Central, 7:30 p.m.

Hayti at Scott City, 7:30 p.m.

Scott County Central at Chaffee, 7:30 p.m.

Zalma at Marquand, 7:30 p.m.

New Salem at Blytheville (Ark.) Pathway Christian, 7:30 p.m.

Delta at Oak Ridge, 8 p.m.

Sikeston at Kelly, 8 p.m.

Leopold at Oran, 8 p.m.

Stoddard County Conference Tournament, Bloomfield: third place, 5:30 p.m.; championship, 8:30 p.m.

High school girls' basketballNew Salem at Blytheville (Ark.) Pathway Christian, 6 p.m.

Nerinx Hall at Jackson, 7:30 p.m.

Correction

Because of a schedule change, Jackson High's wrestling meet against Farmington on Feb. 4 will be at Farmington. Incorrect information appeared in Wednesday's Southeast Missourian.