News - Sports

Tuesday, May. 13, 2008

Clemson's Bennett to be honored by hall

CLEMSON-- George Bennett, a former head of Clemson's athletic booster group, will be honored by the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame.

Bennett will receive the group's distinguished service award at ceremonies May 19.

For 22 years, Bennett led IPTAY, an acronym for "I Pay Ten A Year" when it was founded in 1934. During his undergraduate days, Bennett was a Clemson cheerleader and began the tradition of firing the cannon after the Tigers scored touchdowns -- a practice that continues today.

Bennett was also Furman's athletic director when the football Paladins won the NCAA Division I-AA national championship in 1988.

• COLLEGE BASKETBALL -- The head of the sports agency representing O.J. Mayo denied any illegal activity involving the Southern California star, a day after ESPN reported Bill Duffy Associates gave cash to an event promoter who provided gifts.

Louis Johnson, a former associate of Mayo's, told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" that BDA Sports provided Rodney Guillory with about $200,000 before Mayo arrived at USC. Johnson said a portion of that money was given to Mayo.

"I haven't seen any evidence of them saying we gave O.J. Mayo a dime, and that has not happened," Duffy told The Associated Press. "I don't see any evidence of any other type of transaction. This is what this guy is saying. Obviously his credibility should be in question as well."

Mayo has declared for the NBA draft and hired BDA Sports' Calvin Andrews as his agent. ESPN reported Sunday that Mayo received about $30,000 and other benefits while in high school and during his lone season at USC, then entered into a verbal agreement that allowed the agency to represent him when he turned pro.

• PRO BASKETBALL -- League MVP Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett were selected to the NBA All-Defensive Team, along with Marcus Camby, Bruce Bowen and Tim Duncan.

The second team is Shane Battier of the Houston Rockets, Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, Tayshaun Prince of the Detroit Pistons and Raja Bell of the Phoenix Suns.

• LOCAL BASEBALL -- The 9U Carolina Reds won the 10U USSSA Hub City Classic in Spartanburg over the weekend. The Reds beat the Carolina Crush 11-6, the Upstate Tigers 10-2 and the Athletic Eagles 13-4.

Team members are: Wade Harris, Will Gardiner, Will Hagood, Andrew Shipman, Bo Taylor, Thomas Kuchenbrod, Nick Catan, Wes Bostic, Cameron Smith and Aaron Groller.

The Reds' next tournament is Saturday-Sunday in Lexington.

• MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL -- The Charlotte Knights have swept the International League's awards this week.

Knights pitcher Lance Broadway and 1B Brad Eldred were named IL Pitcher and Batter of the week. It marks the first time since July 2006 that players from the same team took home the awards.

Broadway is the League's only hurler to win multiple games since May 5. Making his victories more impressive is the fact that they came against the teams with the top two records in the International League.

Broadway defeated IL North leading Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday, holding the Yankees scoreless in 5.0 innings. On Saturday Broadway tossed a complete game against IL West leading Toledo in Game 1 of a doubleheader.