Area sports digest

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Halfhill honored

CHICAGO — Awards continue to flow in for Bryanne Halfhill of Canfield, a 5-foot-9 freshman guard on the University of Chicago women’s basketball team this past season.

Halfhill, a Canfield High graduate, has been selected to the women’s DIII News 2008-09 Freshman All-America Team.

Just recently, Halfhill was named to the All-University Athletic Association Second Team,

And previous to that, she was picked as a UAA Athlete of the Week and as the Midway Classic Most Valuable Player.

Starting 23 of 25 games, Halfhill led Chicago (17-8, 8-6 UAA) in two statistical categories: scoring average (11.6) and 3-point goals (48) of 141 for 34 percent.

She also was No. 2 in field goals (241) and assists (2.2) and steals (35), and No. 3 in rebounding (4.8).

Fitch hall to meet

AUSTINTOWN — The Austintown Fitch athletic hall of fame committee will meet April 7 to finalize this year’s inductions.

The meeting will be at the school at 6 p.m.

Fauth garners award

WEXFORD, Pa. — Bethany junior Bridgette Fauth has been selected as the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Hitter of the Week for March 30.

Fauth earned the honor after batting .636 (7-11) and scoring five runs in four games last week for the Bison. She was instrumental in BC (6-8, 2-0) opening up league play with a pair of wins over Chatham Saturday. In the opener, she went 2-for-3 with a triple, one RBI and two runs scored in a 9-0 victory.

Trio selected

WEXFORD, Pa. — Three Grove City College student-athletes earned weekly honors from the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Monday evening.

Junior Peter Davis is the PAC’s men’s tennis Player of the Week while junior Derek Kruse is the PAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week.

In women’s track and field, senior Kristen Carter is the Co-Women’s Track Athlete of the Week.

nation

Roddick beats Monfils

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Andy Roddick is finding his way to the net for a change, which has helped him reach the quarterfinals at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Roddick won 22 points at the net and beat Gael Monfils 7-6 (2), 6-4 in the fourth round Tuesday.

The willingness to move forward is part of Roddick’s more well-rounded game under Larry Stefanki, who became his coach in December. Roddick leads the ATP Tour in victories this year with a record of 26-4.

While the No. 5-seeded Roddick has improved his volley and backhand in recent months, he still possesses an overpowering serve and won 38 of 44 first-serve points against the No. 9-seeded Monfils.

Vick to pay Falcons at least $6.5 million

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Michael Vick has agreed to pay the Atlanta Falcons at least $6.5 million as part of his bankruptcy case, moving closer to cutting ties with a team that doesn’t want him back.

The settlement was reached ahead of Vick’s bankruptcy hearing in Virginia on Thursday. The suspended quarterback arrived in his home state Monday afternoon and was being held at Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk, Va.

The Falcons are trying to trade Vick, who is still barred from the NFL as he serves out a nearly two-year sentence for operating a gruesome dogfighting ring. If no deal is reached, Atlanta will likely cut its former star before the start of training camp.

John Calipari to leave Memphis for Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. — John Calipari has accepted an offer to leave Memphis to coach the tradition-rich Kentucky basketball program, according to reports.

Calipari spent the day considering the Wildcats’ lucrative offer and calling former Kentucky coaches, including Joe B. Hall.

Hall said the informal chat centered on what it takes to survive one of college basketball’s most prestigious, most scrutinized and most lucrative jobs. Kentucky fired Billy Gillispie last Friday after two disappointing seasons.

Broncos to trade QB Jay Cutler

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos said Tuesday they will grant Jay Cutler his request and try to trade the disgruntled Pro Bowl quarterback.

There is no shortage of teams interested in the 25-year-old rocket-armed Pro Bowl quarterback.

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen released a statement saying both he and coach Josh McDaniels had been unable to get Cutler to call them back over the last 10 days. Bowlen said he spoke with Cutler’s agent, Bus Cook, on Tuesday and came away convinced “that Jay no longer has any desire to play for the Denver Broncos.”

Vhindicator staff/wire reports