Liberty County downs defending Alabama state champs
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – The Liberty County softball team opened the Florida-USA Softball Challenge with a 3-1 victory over the defending 3A Alabama State Champions, Opp.
The Bulldogs improved to 5-1 and will have three more matchups in the FL-USA Challenge.
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CBS News
26 minutes ago
- CBS News
Getting better with age: Marchand scores twice in Florida Panthers' Game 5 win over Edmonton Oilers
At 37, Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand might not only be getting better with age in the 14 years since winning his first and only Stanley Cup title. Some might even suggest he's still got his looks, too, as Marchand joked on Saturday night. "Man, that guy's good looking," Marchand said with a laugh when asked what the 23-year-old version of himself might have to say in reflecting back to winning the Cup in his second NHL season with the Boston Bruins in 2011. Looks aside, what's definitely not changed is Marchand's scoring touch, which has placed him in elite company in Stanley Cup Final lore. Florida Panthers' Brad Marchand (63) scores against Edmonton Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard (30) during the first period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) JASON FRANSON / AP The former Bruins captain, acquired by Florida at the NHL trade deadline in March, scored twice, including being credited with the winner, in a 5-2 victory over Edmonton to give the Panthers a 3-2 edge in their Cup final series. The series shifts to Florida on Tuesday night. "Like I've said plenty of times, trying to enjoy the moment. It's a pretty special group to be a part of, and I'm having a lot of fun," said Marchand, who has scored 10 times this postseason, six in the final. "It's just how it plays out sometimes. Sometimes you get bounces. Sometimes you don't." Lucky bounces had little to do with Marchand's goals on Saturday night, with both coming with him putting his head down, out-muscling defenders and driving to the net. Marchand opened the scoring 9:12 in by pouncing on a loose puck off a center-ice faceoff, pushing past defender Mattias Ekholm and sneaking the puck through the legs of goalie Calvin Pickard. Marchand then made it 3-0 some five minutes into the third period by driving up the left wing, jumping by Jake Walman, and backhanding a shot under Pickard for what stood as the decisive goal. He became the 18th player — and oldest — to score six times in one final series, and first since Edmonton's Esa Tikkanen scored that many in 1988. And Marchand, who scored five times in Boston's 2011 Cup-winning final series over Vancouver, joined Mario Lemieux in becoming just the second player over the past 50 years to score five or more times in multiple Cup finals. It also marked his 16th career playoff game-winning goal, moving Marchand into a tie for 10th on the NHL list with Jaromir Jagr and Patrick Marleau. Florida Panthers' Anton Lundell (15) and Brad Marchand (63) celebrate after a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, June 14, 2025. ( Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) JASON FRANSON / AP "He's amazing. He's been a leader for us," goalie Sergei Bobrovsky said of Marchand. "He has been scoring big goals for us, and tonight he made a hell of an effort by himself." Teammate Anton Lundell was in awe in helping set up Marchand's opening goal by winning the faceoff. "That's just him. He just has that passion, which you saw today," Lundell said. "He decided he wanted to go there and be the difference maker, and he did that. Unbelievable player, and we're all pretty amazed by him." The Panthers maintained their road dominance by improving to 10-3 away from Florida to match the 2019 St. Louis Blues' record for most road wins in one postseason. Sam Bennett scored his team-leading 15th goal — and 13th on the road — of the playoffs, while Bobrovsky made 19 saves as the Panthers essentially suffocated the high-scoring Oilers. The win came two days after Florida blew a 3-0 lead in a 5-4 overtime loss in Game 4. And it puts the Panthers in position to join Tampa Bay (2020 and '21) as the only two teams to repeat as champions in the 2000s. Marchand is making his fourth Cup final appearance after Boston lost to St. Louis in 2019 and Chicago in 2013. "I'm not there yet," he said, when asked of the prospect of winning a second title. "It's about process. That's all we're going to worry about, process, structure. So we'll look at a few things and get prepared."


Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Washington Post
Magic are landing Bane in trade with Grizzlies for Anthony, Caldwell-Pope and picks, AP source says
The Orlando Magic wanted to find scoring and shooting this summer. Desmond Bane was their answer, and the first big move of the NBA summer — before the NBA summer even officially begins — has arrived. The Magic are completing a trade to acquire Bane from Memphis in a deal that sends Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony and a big amount of draft capital to the Grizzlies, a person with knowledge of the agreement said Sunday. Part of the package of picks going to Memphis are three of Orlando's future first-round picks, including the 16th selection in the draft set for later this month, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was still awaiting NBA approval. Another first-round pick that originally was Phoenix's in 2026 also is part of the deal, along with a possible pick swap. ESPN first reported the agreement. Bane averaged 19.2 points this season for the Grizzlies, plus he connected on 39% of his shots from 3-point range. He would figure to be an upgrade for a Magic team that has made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons — going out in the first round both years — but has sought more shooting to pair with star forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Bane has an ignitability to his game that the Magic have long lacked from the perimeter as well. He has scored 30 points in 29 different regular-season games, topping the 40-point mark twice. His career high for 3-pointers in a game is eight; the Magic haven't had anyone make eight 3s in a single regular-season game in more than four years. And the 3-pointers, for a Magic team looking to become a serious contender in the East, are a big deal. Orlando was last in the NBA this season — by significant margins — in both 3-pointers per game (11.2) and 3-point percentage (.318). The Magic were 28th in scoring (105.4), barely ahead of Brooklyn and Charlotte (both 105.1). Orlando won games with defense, and Bane will fit in on that end as well. He averaged 1.2 steals per game this season. Bane was Memphis' most productive 3-point shooter this season and the Grizzlies' third-leading scorer behind Ja Morant (23.2 points in 50 games) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (22.2 points in 74 games). He is an 88% free throw shooter for his career, which should help an Orlando team that was average at best in that department last season — 77.5%, or 19th in the 30-team league. Caldwell-Pope — a two-time NBA champion, having won titles with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and Denver in 2023 — started more games than anyone else on the Magic roster this season. He was in the opening five 77 times, averaging 8.7 points on 44% shooting. Anthony averaged 9.4 points in his fifth pro season, all with Orlando. His five years there were decidedly up and down; sometimes he would start, sometimes he would be out of the rotation entirely. ___ AP NBA:
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Oilers dealing with Stanley Cup Final goalie debate. Panthers, 1 win from repeating, have Bobrovsky
Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky looks on during a stoppage in play during the second period in Game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers, in Edmonton, on Friday, June 6, 2025. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP) Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a save against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard (30) takes a break during the second period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the Florida June 12, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner makes a save against the Florida Panthers during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) stands on the ice before the start of Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup final against the Edmonton Oilers Monday, June 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) stands on the ice before the start of Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup final against the Edmonton Oilers Monday, June 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky looks on during a stoppage in play during the second period in Game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers, in Edmonton, on Friday, June 6, 2025. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP) Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a save against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard (30) takes a break during the second period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the Florida June 12, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner makes a save against the Florida Panthers during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) stands on the ice before the start of Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup final against the Edmonton Oilers Monday, June 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) When the Edmonton Oilers face elimination in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers, either Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard will lead them on to the ice as their starting goaltender. The defending champion Panthers have no such debate. Two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky has started 63 consecutive playoff games going back to early in the playoffs in 2023, and he is a big reason they are on the cusp of winning a second consecutive title. Advertisement 'He puts so much time into his focus and his ability and then the experience that he has, so there's a calmness that comes with Sergei that's spread throughout the team,' coach Paul Maurice said Sunday. 'He's the incredible, elite player that gets totally underappreciated: taken for granted, I guess, by us because he's so consistent with his game.' Bobrovsky has stopped 165 of the 181 shots on net during the final, allowing 16 goals with a save percentage of .912. Skinner and Pickard have combined to stop 141 of 163, allowing 22 with respective save percentages of .860 and .878. Many of those goals scored by Florida and allowed by Edmonton had more to do with the skaters in front of whoever is in the crease, hence a rotating door at hockey's most important position in the final. Skinner started the first four, Pickard entered Game 4 and won in relief, then lost Game 5. Skinner will probably get the nod in Game 6, but coach Kris Knoblauch is not saying which way he's leaning. Advertisement 'It's not an easy decision,' Knoblauch said. 'We've got two goalies that have shown that they can play extremely well, win hockey games and we feel that no matter who we choose, they can win the game." That confidence is even stronger around the Panthers, given how steady Bobrovsky has been. Even though Game 5 turned into a rout, Maurice credited the goalie known as 'Bob' for a handful of important early saves to make it possible. It is something Bobrovsky has done all series, all playoffs and all season for a long time. 'He keeps us in the game so many times at key moments and is making huge saves," top defenseman Gustav Forsling said. "He always gives us a chance to win every night. He's been amazing for us.' Advertisement Bobrovsky at 36 is adored by teammates. Aaron Ekblad, who has played with him for six seasons, called him simply the best. 'We love him,' Ekblad said. 'There's no doubt about it.' That admiration has been earned. Bobrovsky has developed a reputation for his tireless work on dry land and the practice habits on the ice that have translated into results: a lot of winning. It's no coincidence the Panthers have won 10 of 11 playoff series since Bobrovsky took over for Alex Lyon three games into the first round in 2023. 'He just sticks kind of to the same routine, and his preparation is unlike anything I've ever seen while being in this league,' forward Evan Rodrigues said. 'It almost becomes routine some of the incredible saves he makes.' Advertisement There is nothing routine about how the Oilers' goaltending has developed over the course of the final. Skinner and Pickard have each been hung out to dry by turnovers, mistakes and missed coverages. They have also made some unexpected stops along the way to keep this series going. 'They've both been amazing," veteran winger Corey Perry said. "It doesn't matter who's in the net or who's back there. We have trust in both of them.' Maurice, who has coached more games in the NHL than anyone but nine-time Stanley Cup champion Scotty Bowman, has made it clear he knows nothing about goaltending and has no interest in learning about it. But he has defended all the goaltenders in this final between 'two really powerful offensive teams' with plenty of star power. Advertisement Still, Bobrovsky has the ability to swing it in Florida's direction with another of the performances his team has come to expect from him. "His ability to focus is trained — maybe it's a talent," Maurice said. 'If one gets by him that he doesn't like, it has nothing to do with what's going to happen next.' ___ AP NHL playoffs: and