SPORTS BRIEFS: Albany Dizzy Dean 10U All-Stars fall

Albany Dizzy Dean 10U All-Stars eliminated

The Albany Dizzy Dean 10U All-Stars were eliminated from the World Series on Monday in Southaven, Miss., losing a pair of heartbreakers in the double-elimination tournament to finish fifth in the tournament.

The All-Stars lost 6-5 to Greenville in the first game of the day, falling in the last inning to drop into the loser’s bracket.

Then after a short break, the All-Stars lost 18-15 in eight innings to Odenville, a team they defeated 4-3 on Sunday.

“It was a long day,” coach Mitch Summerell said. “The boys played hard. It was a total team effort.”

Albany State releases cross country schedule

The Albany State University men and women’s cross country teams have released their 2015 schedule. The two teams will compete in meets in different areas of the southeast region, and both will be looking to gain valuable experience and confidence during the season.

“The schedule is challenging, but it’s designed to help build confidence and improve the conditioning of our student athletes,” ASU head coach Kenneth Taylor said. “The idea is to peak during the period just before our conference meet. I’m looking forward to a great, challenging season for both our men and women.”

The Rams and Lady Rams will open the season on Sept. 4 at the Georgia College Bobcat Classic in Milledgeville, Ga. The teams will then travel to Carrollton, Ga. on Sept. 11 to compete in the UWG Wolves Invitational. On Sept. 26, ASU will run in the Florida A&M Bobby Lang Invite in Tallahassee, Fla.

Albany State will host its own cross country meet on Oct. 3 with its annual Willie Laster Invitational. That event will be followed with a trip to Valdosta State University to compete in the VSU Cross Country Challenge on Oct. 9. Both teams will compete again the following day at the Georgia College Division II Challenge.

On Oct. 18, both teams will vie for conference championships. Albany State will compete in the 2015 SIAC Cross Country Championships in Rock Hill, S.C.

Heat trade Dragic to Celtics

The Miami Heat traded guard Zoran Dragic to the Boston Celtics on Monday, along with a 2020 second-round draft pick and cash considerations, in exchange for a protected 2019 draft pick.

The Heat are trying to trim their salary and luxury-tax bill, already trading guard Shabazz Napier to the Orlando Magic.

Dragic split last season between the Heat and Phoenix Suns, appearing in 16 games (one start), averaging 1.8 points in 4.7 minutes. He previously spent time with Unicaja Malaga in Spain, appearing in 22 Euroleague games where he averaged 10.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 22.5 minutes while shooting 41.3 percent from the field.

Dragic was acquired by the Heat on Feb. 19, along with his brother, Goran, in a three-team trade. Goran Dragic signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the Heat earlier this month.

The Heat also waived forward Henry Walker, who appeared in 24 games (13 starts) last season, averaging 7.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 26.1 minutes per game.

Walker also appeared in 17 games (eight starts) for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League last season, averaging 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 27.8 minutes, while shooting 46.8 percent from the field.

Boston pulls out of 2024 Olympics bidding

Boston has rescinded its bid to host the 2024 Olympics, leaving the U.S. Olympic Committee looking for another city to compete against potential international hosts.

The USOC had asked Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to sign a contract now, and he said Monday, “I cannot commit to putting the taxpayers at risk. If committing to signing a guarantee today is what’s required to move forward, then Boston is no longer pursuing the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Walsh said he did not have enough time to put an insurance plan in place that would protect taxpayers against cost overruns.

“I will not sign a document that puts one dollar of taxpayers’ money on the line for one penny of overruns on the Olympics,” he said.

That leaves Los Angeles as the most likely fallback option if the U.S. is going to make a bid by the International Olympic Committee’s Sept. 15 deadline.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Monday, “I would be happy to engage in discussions with the USOC about how to present the strongest and most fiscally responsible bid on behalf of our city and nation.”

The IOC will not select the host city until 2017, but the USOC wants an early commitment by a U.S. city to avoid the problems that occurred with the bids by New York for the 2012 Games and Chicago for the 2016 Games.

The United States last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1996, when they were staged in Atlanta. Los Angeles last hosted the Olympics in 1984.