4 first-timers to start NBA All-Star game

4 first-timers to start NBA All-Star game

NEW YORK

Kobe Bryant called for younger players in the All-Star game, and the fans listened. They still want Bryant, too.

Stephen Curry, Kevin Love, Paul George and Kyrie Irving were voted NBA All-Stars Thursday, putting four first-time starters in the Feb. 16 game in New Orleans. Bryant was elected by fans to his 16th All-Star game, second-most in NBA history, but this one is shaping up as a kids’ game.

Curry, perhaps the biggest snub last season, will join him in the Western Conference backcourt. Love passed Dwight Howard in the final days of voting and will start in the frontcourt along with Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and the Clippers’ Blake Griffin.

LeBron James was the leading vote-getter with 1.4 million and Miami teammate Dwyane Wade also was voted in Thursday. George, who has led Indiana to the league’s best record, and New York’s Carmelo Anthony are the other East forwards, and Irving will start at guard.

The reserves will be announced next Thursday. Head coaches in each conference will vote for two guards, three frontcourt players and two players regardless of position.

Nominations sought for BHS Hall of Fame

BOARDMAN

Nominations for induction into the Boardman High School Athletic Hall of Fame, sponsored annually by the Boardman Booster Club, are being solicited and accepted in the school’s Athletic Office. The deadline for submission is Feb. 21.

Nominees must be BHS graduates of good standing who graduated at least 15 years or more ago (i.e., 1999 or earlier ) or who have made significant contributions to the athletic program. Supporting data for nominations made are encouraged.

Further information can be found on the Booster website, www.boardmanboosters.org, or at the Athletic Office 330-726-3423.

Roller derby match set Saturday in Salem

SALEM

The Little Steel Derby Girls’ first roller derby match of the 2014 season is scheduled Saturday at the Salem Fun Factory, 520 E. Pershing Ave.

It will mark the team’s first appearance in Salem. Tickets are $12, while kids 10 and under are free. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the first bout at 6. For more information, visit www.littlesteelderbygirls.com.

Indians, RHP Aardsma agree to contract

CLEVELAND

The Indians have agreed to terms with free-agent reliever David Aardsma on a minor league contract with an invitation to training camp. Aardsma spent most of last season in the New York Mets’ bullpen. He went 2-2 with a 4.31 ERA in 43 games. The 32-year-old stranded all 19 runners he inherited and allowed just one run over his final nine outings. Aardsma was in training camp with the Yankees last season and with Miami before signing with the Mets in May.

Aardsma has also been with San Francisco, the Chicago Cubs, White Sox and Boston Red Sox. He has 69 career saves and a 2.90 ERA since breaking in with the Giants in 2004.

Staff reports/Associated Press