SPORTS digest

Springfield hires basketball coach

NEW MIDDLETOWN

Steve French, who was the boys basketball coach at Jefferson for four seasons, will replace Eric Fender as Springfield’s varsity basketball head coach.

Broadcast partner WFMJ Channel 21 says Jefferson compiled a 73-24 record in his four seasons with the Falcons. He was Ashtabula County Coach of the Year three times.

His tams won two All-American Conference titles.

Fender stepped down recently after eight seasons.

Boardman to host pupil activity course

BOARDMAN

Boardman High School will host a pupil activity validation course on Thursday, from 5:30-8 p.m.

Participants should enter through Door 9 and the class will be in the cafeteria. There is no preregistration required to attend.

For more information, call the Boardman Athletic Office at 330-726-3423.

Salem High to induct five Hall of Famers

SALEM

Five individuals plus the 1960 football team will be inducted into the Salem High School Athletic Hall of Fame on Aug. 24 at Salem Community Center.

The athletes are: Russell Myers, track and field, 1916; Dayne Popa, football, 1983; Kelly Paxson, basketball and volleyball, 2000; Landon Heath, football, basketball and baseball, 2004; and Lizzie Jesko Nemeth, basketball and track, 2004.

Tickets cost $30 and are on sale at the center. To purchase by phone, call 330-332-5885.

Durant takes pay cut to stay with Warriors

A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that Kevin Durant has agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth about $53 million to remain with the Golden State Warriors.

The deal calls for about $25 million in the first year with a player option for the second season. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract cannot be signed until Thursday.

It represents a significant giveback for the NBA Finals MVP, who could have signed a max deal that would have paid him millions more next season. The concession from Durant gave the Warriors enough room to lock up Steph Curry to a max contract and bring back Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston.

Durant joined Golden State last season after 10 years in Oklahoma City and helped lead the Warriors to their second championship in three seasons.

Sagan wins third stage of Tour de France

LONGWY, FRANCE

Peter Sagan has sprinted to his eighth career Tour de France stage victory, and Geraint Thomas preserved the overall race lead.

On the final short, sharp climb to the Stage 3 finish in Longwy, Sagan was cruising until one of his feet slipped from its pedal. But the Slovak rider for the Bora-Hansgrohe team quickly recovered and held off Michael Matthews and Dan Martin to the line.

Australian Richie Porte, a contender for overall victory, showed he’s in strong form by powering away from the pack in the final climb up the Nuns’ Hill in the former steel town. But Sagan was watching closely and reeled him in.

Ex-Chelsea captain Terry joins Aston Villa

BIRMINGHAM, England

Former England and Chelsea captain John Terry has signed a one-year deal with Aston Villa.

Terry says he is “delighted” to join the second-division side and is looking to “help the squad achieve something special this season.”

The 36-year-old Terry ended a 22-year association with Chelsea on Friday, making the defender a free agent the following day.

Terry made over 700 appearances for Chelsea, captaining them on almost 600 occasions, and won 15 major trophies including five Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Staff/wire report