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wolf casino amatic GLENS FALLS — There were tense expressions on the faces of the Half Hollow Hills West crowd on various occasions. When the state champion was announced, those faces all were painted with unbridled excitement. Hills West defeated Fayetteville Manlius (Section III), 25-17, 13-25, 25-27, 25-17, 16-14, in the state Class AA girls volleyball championship at Cool Insuring Arena on Saturday night. “We’ve been here before. We’ve been down and in tough situations,” Mary Wolcott said. “We knew we had to fight and that’s what we did.” With the Colts facing match point in the fifth set, trailing 14-13, Alexis Pelis had back-to-back kills each assisted by Wolcott. Now with their own match point, Wolcott faked a set and lofted the ball over the net, landing between four diving defenders to earn the win. “That play is all about reading the blockers,” Wolcott said. “People aren’t expecting you to go for that move on game point, so I knew they weren’t ready for it.” Mary’s younger sister, Morgan, had three kills in the final set. The younger Wolcott suffered an injury in the Long Island championship that she has played through. “I’ve had so much help from everyone,” Morgan Wolcott said. “I was in a cast, in a wheelchair last week, but this team is why I play. I’m grateful to them and all the parents that helped me.” “I knew she could push through it,” Mary Wolcott said. “She wanted to do this for us and there’s no one else I’d rather play with.” Mary Wolcott finished with 22 assists and 16 kills. Emily Dantona had 12 kills, Alexis Pelis had 10, and Ella Corso eight. The Colts looked to be in strong position, leading the third set 22-14, after splitting the first two. The Hornets went on a 13-1 run to take a 24-23 lead and won the set 27-25. Hills West responded by jumping to a 21-10 lead after Pelis’ kill in the fourth set. The Colts took the set 25-17 to force a winner-take-all fifth set. Mary Wolcott had nine assists and two kills in the set. Veronica Pelis had an ace and anchored the defense keeping numerous attacks in play. “I was just thinking this could be my last time playing with my sister (Alexis),” Veronica Pelis said. “I didn’t want this to be our last memory on the court, I wanted it to be positive.” The Colts finished 21-0 with the program’s first Long Island and state championships since 2000. “It feels great, we did this with family,” Morgan Wolcott said. “Everyone that came here, everyone back at home, they were all a part of this.” Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.

The common murre, a large black-and-white seabird native to northern waters, has become far less common in Alaska over the past decade due to the impacts of climate change. A study published Thursday in Science reveals that a record-breaking marine heat wave in the northeast Pacific from 2014 to 2016 triggered a catastrophic population collapse, wiping out four million birds -- about half the species in the region. Strikingly, they have shown little signs of rebounding, suggesting long-term shifts in the food web that have locked the ecosystem into a troubling new equilibrium. "There's a lot of talk about declines of species that are tied to changes in temperature, but in this case, it was not a long term result," lead author Heather Renner of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge told AFP. "To our knowledge, this is the largest mortality event of any wildlife species reported during the modern era," she and her colleagues emphasized in their paper. The finding triggers "alarm bells," Renner said in an interview, as human-caused climate change makes heat waves more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting. With their dapper, tuxedoed look, common murres are sometimes called the "penguins of the north." Their slender wings power them across vast distances in search of food and make them expert divers. But even these hardy seabirds were no match for an unprecedented environmental catastrophe. The largest marine heat wave ever recorded began in the late fall of 2014, spanning a massive swath of the northeast Pacific Ocean from California to Alaska. It persisted for over two years, leaving devastation in its wake. During this time, some 62,000 emaciated murres washed ashore along the North American Pacific coastline -- dead or dying from starvation. Experts point to two key reasons for the bird deaths: elevated ocean temperatures reduced both the quality and quantity of phytoplankton, impacting fish like herring, sardines, and anchovies -- the mainstay of the murre diet. At the same time, warmer waters increased the energy demands of larger fish, such as salmon and Pacific cod, which compete with murres for the same prey. "We knew then it was a big deal, but unfortunately, we couldn't really quantify the effects," explained Renner. For years after the event, breeding colonies failed to produce chicks, complicating efforts to assess the full impact. Earlier estimates pegged the number of deaths at around a million, but a more robust analysis -- drawing on data from 13 murre colonies -- revealed the toll was four times higher. "It is just so much worse than we thought it was," Renner said of the new findings. The marine heat wave didn't just impact common murres. Pacific cod stocks collapsed, king salmon populations dwindled, and as many as 7,000 humpback whales perished. Yet the crisis created an uneven playing field: some species emerged unscathed, while others even thrived. Thick-billed murres, which often share nesting cliffs with common murres, were largely unaffected, possibly due to their more adaptable diet, Renner noted. For common murres, however, the fallout lingers. Despite nearly a decade since the heat wave, their numbers show no sign of bouncing back -- and the losses may well be permanent. Part of the reason lies in the long-term decline of some of their prey. Another factor is murres' survival strategy relies on numbers: they aggregate in massive colonies to protect their eggs from opportunistic predators like eagles and gulls. With their populations slashed, these birds have lost their critical safety buffer. Still, Renner offered a glimmer of hope. While addressing global warming is essential for curbing long-term climate change, conservation efforts can make a difference in the short term, she said. Removing invasive species like foxes and rats from murre nesting islands could also provide the beleaguered birds with a fighting chance. ia/desASML Holding ( NASDAQ:ASML – Get Free Report )’s share price fell 0.2% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $708.93 and last traded at $714.55. 322,488 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 78% from the average session volume of 1,449,681 shares. The stock had previously closed at $715.86. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of ASML from $1,207.00 to $1,148.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Berenberg Bank raised shares of ASML to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. UBS Group cut ASML from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their target price on ASML from $815.00 to $767.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 29th. Finally, BNP Paribas started coverage on ASML in a report on Tuesday, December 3rd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $858.00 price target on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $943.83. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ASML ASML Trading Down 0.3 % ASML ( NASDAQ:ASML – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 15th. The semiconductor company reported $5.80 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.24 by $0.56. The company had revenue of $8.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.66 billion. ASML had a return on equity of 47.61% and a net margin of 26.40%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that ASML Holding will post 20.68 EPS for the current year. ASML Cuts Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 7th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 29th were paid a dividend of $1.407 per share. This represents a $5.63 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, October 29th. ASML’s payout ratio is 29.21%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On ASML Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ASML. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. lifted its stake in ASML by 24.5% in the third quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. now owns 61 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares during the last quarter. Matrix Private Capital Group LLC grew its position in ASML by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. Matrix Private Capital Group LLC now owns 248 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $254,000 after acquiring an additional 13 shares during the last quarter. Private Ocean LLC increased its stake in ASML by 58.3% in the second quarter. Private Ocean LLC now owns 38 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the period. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise lifted its position in shares of ASML by 17.9% during the second quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 92 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $94,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blue Square Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of ASML by 0.8% during the second quarter. Blue Square Asset Management LLC now owns 1,850 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $1,892,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 26.07% of the company’s stock. About ASML ( Get Free Report ) ASML Holding N.V. develops, produces, markets, sells, and services advanced semiconductor equipment systems for chipmakers. It offers advanced semiconductor equipment systems, including lithography, metrology, and inspection systems. The company also provides extreme ultraviolet lithography systems; and deep ultraviolet lithography systems comprising immersion and dry lithography solutions to manufacture various range of semiconductor nodes and technologies. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for ASML Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ASML and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Timothée Chalamet Just Earned Bob Dylan's Stamp of Approval for Biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’

As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books. But he also had tasks his party comrades could know nothing about: snooping on mail, copying phone numbers from scratch pads and rummaging through waste baskets. Hadesbeck, known to his RCMP handlers as agent 810, would pass along any information he could glean to the national police force. His lengthy tenure as a paid informant for the Mounties’ security branch is chronicled in “A Communist for the RCMP” by Dennis Gruending, a former New Democrat MP who has worked as a journalist and authored several books. Before the First World War, Hadesbeck’s family left what was then southern Hungary for Canada, settling in Saskatchewan. Frank had a difficult childhood. He was orphaned at age 11, worked on farms, spent time in the United States, and did a number of jobs in the Regina area in the 1930s. He was among the Canadians who volunteered to fight on the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War against Gen. Francisco Franco. Hadesbeck was alone, broke and looking for work in Alberta when the RCMP recruited him as an informant, on condition he join the Communist Party to establish a cover. Several days later, he was fingerprinted, weighed and photographed at an RCMP office. “My contact said I was not an informer or a stool pigeon or a snitch as other informers were classified,” Hadesbeck recorded in his notes. “I was part of a team on a monthly salary, plus expenses and was given a number.” The RCMP has always jealously guarded information about its sources, even decades after events, Gruending writes. He formally requested Hadesbeck’s file through the Access to Information Act, but an official would neither confirm nor deny such records exist. However, Hadesbeck thoroughly documented his efforts for the RCMP over the decades. Gruending acquired a box of his papers through an acquaintance, and managed to corroborate and flesh out many of Hadesbeck’s claims. The files contain the names of hundreds of people on so-called Watch Out lists — individuals of interest to RCMP security officials who grew increasingly concerned about the perceived menace of Communism during the Cold War. The records also describe in detail how Hadesbeck operated as an agent, his dealings with handlers, and his thoughts about the ethics and wisdom of his double life, Gruending notes. RCMP security officials wanted information on people they considered subversive, but were not interested in understanding why those individuals were critical of the existing economic and political system, the book says. Hadesbeck appeared to have a clear sense of his mission. “I soon realized that I was being paid to collect information only, not to think about why they wanted all this information about people who I thought were honest Canadian citizens.” Hadesbeck would meet a handler every couple of weeks, often in a hotel room. The officer typically provided names and photos of people of interest, and told him to make discreet inquiries. The RCMP’s cash payments supplemented the salary from his steady job, from the early 1950s on, at a Regina company that salvaged old tractors. Hadesbeck’s notes and Watch Out lists from the 1950s point to RCMP suspicions about Communist control of the peace movement. Socialist trailblazer Tommy Douglas, who attended numerous peace-related events, turned up alongside dozens of others on Watch Out lists. A handwritten list labelled the Canadian Peace Conference and Voice of Women as Communist Party fronts. Douglas was premier of Saskatchewan and went on to lead the federal New Democratic Party, but Gruending contends the RCMP did not bother much with distinctions between Communists and social democrats. “The force continued to believe that Douglas was secretly a Communist, or at least was unduly influenced by them.” Indeed, a multi-volume RCMP file on Douglas of more than 1,100 pages came to light through Access to Information in 2006. Hadesbeck scribbled half a dozen notes about writer Farley Mowat, another subject of curiosity for the security service. Many prominent Canadians appeared on his Watch Out lists, including author Pierre Berton, journalist June Callwood, musician Stompin’ Tom Connors, Liberal cabinet ministers Walter Gordon and Herb Gray, and broadcaster Adrienne Clarkson — who would later be governor general. Gruending says Hadesbeck not only routinely betrayed Communist Party members, but was reckless in passing along information about many other people. “Often, he implied that they might be party members when they were not,” he writes. Sometimes such scrutiny could have serious consequences. People deemed suspect by the RCMP were harassed, denied employment and promotions, or even fired from government, unions, the media and academia, Gruending notes. Gay and lesbian members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP and the public service were among those targeted. “Careers were ruined and lives shattered.” At a November gathering in Ottawa to promote the book, Gruending said he was left with mixed feelings about Hadesbeck, “and I think he was somewhat conflicted in the way he felt about the people that he was surveilling.” “I have a good deal of sympathy towards him, but ultimately, he betrayed a lot of people.” In September 1976, Hadesbeck was invited to a meeting at a Regina Holiday Inn with several RCMP officers. He was told his career as an informant was over. “I had to sign a paper, but got no copy for myself, that I would keep my connections with the security force secret and not contact them again in any way,” Hadesbeck’s notes say. He was handed 15 $100 bills as a parting bonus. Even so, Hadesbeck supplied information to the RCMP until 1977, and occasionally for a few more years. “Hadesbeck’s behaviour is difficult to understand because he found his abrupt dismissal to be traumatic,” the book says. “He believed that he deserved, and had been promised, a pension when he retired.” Hadesbeck seemed eager to tell his story in the 1980s, but plans for a book fell through. He died in 2006, shortly after turning 100. In his later jottings, Hadesbeck tried to portray himself as a patriot and anti-Communist, but the pronouncements seem half-hearted, Gruending writes. “It is easy to see Hadesbeck as deceitful, cynical and self-serving. He did not become an informant for ideological reasons or as an act of patriotism. He did it for the money and perhaps a sense of power and excitement.”

How to invest in Adani, Ambani, Tata and Birla stocks with just one mutual fund scheme‘Intrusive and presumptuous’: Fury in Germany after Musk backs far-right party ahead of electionsTaylor Swift made a surprise appearance at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City days after wrapping her record-breaking Eras Tour. Swift, 34, was spotted meeting hospital staff and patients on Thursday, December 12. “When the Queen shows up to work @taylorswift,” one staffer wrote via Instagram Story, tagging the pop star’s account. Swift stunned in an emerald-colored flannel shirtdress with knee-high brown boots. She also gifted signed copies of her Eras Tour Book to young patients. “To Rylie, it was so awesome to meet you,” Swift wrote on the book’s cover , adding the date and her signature. “And to meet your mom and Bo! Love, Taylor.” Swift, who turns 35 on Friday, December 13, finished her Eras Tour this past weekend. She’s now in Kansas City with her boyfriend, Travis Kelce , the tight end for the Chiefs. 📸| Taylor at the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City today ❤️ pic.twitter.com/57mxCod3Wx — Taylor Swift Updates 🩶 (@swifferupdates) December 12, 2024 Swift kicked off her Eras Tour , a three-hour concert celebrating most of her past and present albums, in March 2023. After traversing continents for nearly two years, the Grammy winner played her final show in Vancouver on Sunday, December 8. “I’ve never played more shows on tour or toured longer than I have with the Eras Tour ,” Swift said during her Friday, December 6. “There are so many reasons for that, like, nobody’s backstage saying, ‘You gotta do more shows.’ I decided to make this tour the longest I’ve ever done because you have made this feel like so much more than a concert tour in so many ways.” She continued, “I’ve been going on tour since I was 15 years old, and this has felt different in every single way. It’s felt like this escape to a planet where nothing but joy and passion and togetherness and camaraderie exists every night coming out to these crowds.” Swift also made sure that her touring crew received recognition, gifting them $197 million in bonuses over the past two years. Us Weekly confirmed that recipients included the truck drivers, caterers, instrument techs, merch team, lighting, sound, production staff and assistants, carpenters, dancers, band, security, choreographers, pyrotechnics, riggers, hair, makeup, wardrobe, physical therapists and video team. Kelce, however, was unable to attend the final concert as he had a football game that same night. After the Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Chargers, he gave “Tay” a sweet shout-out on his “New Heights” podcast. You have successfully subscribed. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News “Shout-out to Tay, and the unbelievable Eras Tour has finally come to an end,” he gushed on the Wednesday, December 11, episode. “[She played] 149 or 152. I forget which one it was. Somewhere in there. A f— ton is how I sum it up. It’s pretty crazy.” He added, “Shout-out to everybody that was a part of that show. Obviously, it’s her music, her tour and everything, but that was a full production, man. That thing was the best tour in the world because of a lot of people, but mostly because of Taylor.” Kelce had attended tens of Eras concerts, even telling Us in May that the production was “unbelievable.”

The signer said he is awaiting more tests to determine the extent of the issues and what surgery he may need. The Wanted star Max George has said he will be spending Christmas in hospital after doctors discovered “some issues” with his heart. The singer, 36, provided the health update in an Instagram post alongside a photo of him giving a thumbs up while lying in a hospital bed. He revealed he is awaiting more tests to determine the extent of the issues and what surgery he may need, but said he is expecting it to be a “difficult few weeks/months”. He wrote: “Hey everyone, yesterday I felt really unwell and was taken in to hospital. Unfortunately after some tests they’ve found that I have some issues with my heart. “I have a lot more tests to determine the extent of the problems and what surgery I will need to get me back on my feet. “It’s gonna be a difficult few weeks/months... and Christmas in a hospital bed wasn’t exactly what I had planned.” The singer said he is “surrounded with love and support” from his “wonderful” partner, actress Maisie Smith, as well as his family and friends. He added: “Although this is a huge shock and no doubt a set back, it’s something I’ll take on with all I’ve got. “I count myself very lucky that this was caught when it was.” Friends and famous faces were among those to offer their support including his bandmate Siva Kaneswaran who said: “Here for you brother. Rest up and get well soon.” JLS stars JB Gill and Marvin Humes also commented. Gill wrote: “God bless you bro, wishing you better soon. Sending lots of love”, while Humes added: “Sorry to hear you’re not well geezer, you’re strong and will fight through. Big love mate.” George rose to fame in the 2010s with The Wanted, who had a number of hit songs including All Time Low and Heart Vacancy. His bandmate Tom Parker died in 2022 at the age of 33 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. George, who helped carry Parker’s coffin at his funeral alongside fellow bandmates Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes, previously said on This Morning that he continued to message his late bandmate following his death as it brought him “a bit of comfort”. He also appeared in the US musical series Glee as Clint and in his band’s reality series The Wanted Life. Over the years, he has competed in a number of competition series including Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive and Richard Osman’s House of Games. Earlier this year he made his stage debut in the theatrical adaption of a BBC TV show about a lottery syndicate by Kay Mellor titled The Syndicate. George and soap actress Smith first met when they both competed on Strictly Come Dancing, but have previously said that romantic sparks only began to fly in 2022.iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EPP) Shares Sold by JPMorgan Chase & Co.PHOTOS: Jacksonville, Havelock clash in fourth round of playoffsA $1,000 investment might not sound like a lot of money to invest, but the power of compounding and the right stock choices can transform this modest sum into a hefty gain over time. It’s all about picking companies with strong fundamentals, a history of growth, and future potential that promises consistent returns. Right now, two Canadian stocks fit this bill perfectly, those being ( ) and ( ). Let’s dive into why these two are worth every penny of your investment. The stocks TFI International, one of North America’s largest trucking and logistics companies, is a perfect example of resilience and growth. Over the past year, TFII’s stock has soared by over 36%, outperforming the broader market. Its recent quarterly revenue of $8.3 billion, with a net profit margin of 5.7%, highlights its ability to maintain profitability even during economic fluctuations. Although quarterly earnings dipped slightly by 4% year-over-year, the Canadian stock’s forward-thinking strategies, such as diversifying operations and embracing technology, point toward a promising future. Meanwhile, WSP Global stands out as a leader in and consulting services, particularly in infrastructure and environmental projects. Over the last year, the Canadian stock climbed by an impressive 33.8%, signalling robust investor confidence. The Canadian stock’s revenue of $15.2 billion in the trailing 12 months reflects 10.7% year-over-year growth. With a quarterly earnings surge of 30.3%, WSP is capitalizing on global infrastructure and sustainability trends. This kind of performance isn’t just a flash in the pan. It’s a sign of long-term growth potential. Compelling choices What makes TFII a compelling buy is its focus on optimizing operations and expanding its footprint across North America. The Canadian stock has a history of acquiring smaller, strategic players in the logistics space, which bolsters its revenue streams and operational efficiency. With a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 19.5, TFII offers a fair valuation given its growth trajectory, and its dividend yield of 1.2% adds a cherry on top for income-focused investors. WSP, on the other hand, is riding the wave of global megatrends like urbanization and green energy projects. Its forward P/E of 27.2 reflects premium pricing. Yet this is justified by its stellar performance and growth prospects. The Canadian stock’s operating cash flow of $1.4 billion and a manageable debt-to-equity ratio of 82% showcase its financial health and ability to fund ambitious projects without jeopardizing shareholder value. Low volatility For those wary of risk, both Canadian stocks exhibit robust management effectiveness. TFII boasts a return on equity (ROE) of 17.5%, while WSP delivers a respectable 9.9%. These figures indicate that your $1,000 investment would be placed in capable hands, with management teams dedicated to generating strong returns on shareholder equity. Furthermore, dividends are always a bonus. TFII offers a forward annual dividend rate of $2.48, translating to a yield of 1.2%, while WSP’s $1.50 forward dividend provides a 0.59% yield. Though not high-yield stocks, these dividends signal stability and commitment to rewarding shareholders – a key factor for those looking to compound returns over time. The future outlook for both stocks looks equally promising. TFII is positioned to benefit from ongoing e-commerce growth and supply chain shifts, while WSP will likely ride the infrastructure spending wave fuelled by government initiatives worldwide. Both Canadian stocks have strategies that align well with long-term economic and environmental trends, ensuring each remain relevant and profitable. Bottom line In conclusion, $1,000 can indeed go a long way when invested wisely. TFII and WSP are not just stocks. These are opportunities to tap into industries that are vital to the global economy. The solid financials, proven performance, and growth potential make them top picks for Canadian investors looking to maximize returns. So why wait? Your future gains might be just an investment away!

Jimmy Carter, who rose from humble peanut farmer to president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, dies aged 100Cowboys' Stephen Jones: 'Whole Team' Endorses Mike McCarthy amid Dak Prescott Remarks

It took a controversial last-minute call to seal it, but the Rockets finally ended their 15-game losing streak to the Golden State Warriors and stayed alive in the NBA Cup. It was the biggest game of the young core ‘s careers and might have locked up a 2024-25 All-Star spot for one Rocket in particular. Nobody Beats This Rockets Star 16 Times In A Row In the end, the Rockets broke the Warriors’ stranglehold by a single point, 91 to 90. As with most close games, refereeing controversy did occur. This time over a call widely recognized as correct. Down two points with four seconds to go, Jalen Green was awarded free throws for a personal foul by Jonathan Kuminga . The Rockets Still Learning the Dark Arts of “Physicality” As for the call, it’s understandable that fans want crunch-time moments to have as little intervention from referees as possible, especially when other calls could just as easily have been made instead. Complaints from Warriors coach Steve Kerr are understandable as well, though he essentially acknowledged its correctness himself when he was asked why he didn’t challenge it. The Last Two Minute Report is likely to concur. To Kerr’s point, though, it’s likely to be littered with various other uncalled violations as well, some benefiting the Warriors, some benefiting the Rockets. The reality is that the NBA is a league where the team that can get away with the most uncalled fouls usually wins the game. The euphemism is “playing physical.” The mantra is something along the lines of “they can’t call everything.” The Warriors have become experts at this over their championship run, chief enforcer Draymond Green especially. The Rockets’ young players still have more to learn in these dark arts. Every game like this is an opportunity to do so. They matched the Warriors’ physicality in this one and got lucky when it mattered. That means that soon, they’ll get another chance to learn some more. Sengun Delivered Under the Bright Lights While playoff-level physicality is an essential tool, playoff success is usually just as much about star power. As important as Green’s contributions were, it was Houston’s other star who asserted himself all night long. Alperen Sengun had a game-high 26 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Despite not being around from the beginning of Houston’s losing streak, Sengun seemed to take it personally. In a slug-fest where only one other player on either team breached 20 points (Kuminga tried to do it to the Rockets again ), Sengun was a hay-maker. Nickname aficionado Shaquille O’Neal called Sengun the “Turkish Tim Duncan .” As far as raising expectations is concerned, that’s even worse than all the Nikola Jokic comparisons. Nonetheless, in an early noughties-style (compared to your average game in 2024) defensive exhibition like this one, the moniker seemed appropriate. The whole NBA community saw it too. That means Sengun probably booked his place on the 2024-25 All-Star roster. Last season, Sengun almost squeaked in as a starter due to international fan votes. The team’s improved record might have been enough to get him over the line on its own, but a high-stakes statement game like he put together in the NBA Cup Quarterfinals is the kind of thing that sticks in voters’ minds. That’s even true when the voters are the coaches, as is the case for reserves. The NBA Cup Continues Sengun showing he has what it takes to be a star in big moments is probably the big-picture takeaway from last night. The fact they won the game and will get to progress in the NBA Cup is a pretty big one, too though. It’s a huge blank canvas for the Rockets to make of what they will. Win or lose, this young core can use all the high-stakes gameplay it can get. THE SEMIFINALS ARE SET It's all going down in Las Vegas... the #EmiratesNBACup Knockout Rounds continue with the Semifinals on Saturday on TNT and ABC! pic.twitter.com/eT7LxkYZ5R — NBA (@NBA) December 12, 2024 Their NBA Cup semi-final opponent will be the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder. In their last matchup , Sengun was one assist shy of a 20-point triple-double despite the best efforts of former Rocket Isaiah Hartenstein . The Rockets still couldn’t have won without the heroics of Fred VanVleet, though. The Rockets will need something like that again, whether that’s from VanVleet, Green, or one of Houston’s many other exceptional young talents . The Last Word The Rockets’ season can pretty much already be called a huge success . The nightmarish second-ranked defense and relentless offensive rebounding are the team’s most dependable skills. Sengun’s offensive versatility is slowly working its way onto that list as well. The Rockets star will need other big offensive contributions to help him chew through the exceptional Thunder defense and make the NBA Cup final. Luckily for Houston, with so many ravenous young mouths to feed, they’ll have plenty of volunteers. This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.Ashi Chouksey shot 466.7 in the final to beat Olympian Anjum Moudgil by 3.1 points in the women’s 50-metre rifle 3-position event of the 67th National shooting championship at the Madhya Pradesh Academy on Sunday. Ashi took the lead early and sustained it till the end in the 45-shot final, winding up with a 10.6 last shot in recording a comprehensive victory. The rest of the field was unable to catch up with her at any stage. Sakshi Padekar climbed to the third spot, ahead of Melvina Angeline, Shriyanka Sadangi, Bhakti Khamkar, Priya and Vanshika Shahi. Qualification topper, Bhakti Khamkar (592) placed sixth. Asian Games gold medallist and world record holder Sift Kaur Samra shot 586 and missed the final by one point. Anushka Thokur of Karnataka surprised the junior field as she won the gold after having qualified in the eighth place with a modest score of 580. She wound up with 460.5 in the final while beating Sakshi Padekar by 4.2 points. Nischal won the bronze ahead of junior topper Melvina Angeline (588). Khushi, Nupur Kumrawat, Mahit Sandhu and Prachi Gaikwad were the others to make the junior final. The results: 50m rifle 3-position: Women: 1. Ashi Chouksey 466.7 (590); 2. Anjum Moudgil 463.6 (590); 3. Sakshi Padekar 451.3 (587). Juniors: 1. Anushka Thokur 460.5 (580); 2. Sakshi Padekar 456.3 (587); 3. Nischal 443.9 (585). = = = EOM Published - December 30, 2024 03:18 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit sport / shooting