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Williams selected by Patriot League

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Howland High graduate Alexa Williams was tabbed Patriot League Rookie of the Week for the second time this season after averaging 11 points and 8.5 rebounds in two Lehigh wins.

In the Mountain Hawks’ triumph over NJIT, Williams scored a career-high 15 points and matched a career-high with eight rebounds. She finished 4-of-7 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. She also closed the night with two blocks, a steal and an assist.

Against Binghamton, Williams provided the Mountain Hawks with seven points and a career-high nine rebounds. She also chipped in three steals and one assist. For the week, Williams shot 58 percent from the field and 73 percent from the line.

Verrelli picked

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. — Wilmington High School veteran football coach Terry Verrelli was picked the Associated Press Pennsylvania Class AA high school football coach of the year.

Verrelli is the coach of the year after guiding a young Greyhounds team to its first state title.

In 30 seasons at Wilmington, he’s won 233 games. However, Verrelli had not won a PIAA championship until this year.

With underclassmen starting at 10 positions, the Greyhounds won three of their final four playoff games in overtime and the other by two points.

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Stoops extension

TUCSON, Ariz. — Fresh off its first bowl win in 10 years, Arizona plans to extend coach Mike Stoops’ contract by three years, through 2013.

Details of the deal have yet to be worked out. It is subject to the approval of the Arizona Board of Regents.

“We’re very pleased with the progress of Arizona football under Mike’s direction,” athletic director Jim Livengood said Tuesday. “His personal growth as a coach has been outstanding and we’re glad to continue moving forward with him as the steward for Arizona football.”

Stoops, who inherited a 2-10 team in 2003, is coming off the best season at Arizona. The Wildcats went 8-5 and defeated No. 17 BYU 31-21 in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Stoops is 25-34 and has seven wins over Top 25 teams.

Teixeira agrees to $180M Yankees deal

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees reeled in another prime free agent, reaching a preliminary agreement Tuesday with first baseman Mark Teixeira for $180 million over eight years.

Two people familiar with the negotiations disclosed the agreement, which is subject to a physical.

They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet final.

Teixeira’s deal raises the Yankees’ offseason spending spree to $423.5 million.

Just last Thursday, the Yankees completed agreements with two highly prized pitchers, giving CC Sabathia a $161 million, seven-year contract and A.J. Burnett an $82.5 million, five-year deal.

Saban AP top coach

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Four straight losses were bad enough for Alabama, and one humbling defeat to Louisiana-Monroe was even worse.

Nick Saban could have lost his team right there. Instead, he might well have claimed it.

“Coach came in and talked to us and was like, ’We’ve got an opportunity to change things with this bowl game,”’ Crimson Tide safety Rashad Johnson said.

The Tide won the Independence Bowl over Colorado to end last season.

It then won the following 12 as well, spending much of the 2008 season ranked No. 1.

That startling turnaround and Alabama’s return to national prominence brought Saban another honor Tuesday — Associated Press Coach of the Year. He also won the AP award with LSU in 2003.

Parker selected AP female athlete of year

It’s been a whirlwind year for Candace Parker.

She led Tennessee to a second straight national championship in women’s basketball and was the first pick in the WNBA draft.

Parker took the league’s MVP and rookie of the year awards, and helped the U.S. win a fourth-straight Olympic gold medal.

Now Parker has been selected female athlete of the year by members of The Associated Press.

“Wow, that’s amazing,” the 22-year-old Parker said.

“It’s been a great year from so many standpoints.

“I haven’t really had a chance to sit back and let it all sink in.”

Vindicator staff/wire reports