BRIEFS

Wildcats break into win column

JJ Lattimore scored 15 points and Josh Elmore added 12 to lead the Blacksburg boys varsity basketball team to its first win of the season, beating the Scuth Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, 77-65, on Thursday.

Brandon Wilson added 10 points for the Wildcats, who erased a 1-point deficit at the end of the first quarter to lead 44-34 at the break.

"It was an ugly game but it was a win," Blacksburg coach Travis Miller said.

The Wildcats, who improve to 1- 3, host Broome on Tuesday.

Track team holds fundraiser at Zaxby's

The Gaffney High track team will be holding a fundraiser at Zaxby's on Monday, Dec. 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Blacksburg Middle sweeps Pacolet

Blacksburg Middle boys basketball team defeated Pacolet, 48-32, Thursday.

Nick Hames led Blacksburg with 16 points. Treyvon Parker had 12 points and Taylor Raines added 9 points.

In girls basketball, Blacksburg Middle beat Pacolet 24-19.

Jessicaa Riggs scored 8 points for Blacksburg. Abby Pruitt scored six points while Teddi Thomas had 4 points.

The Blacksburg Middle boys team improved its record to 4-0. The Blacksburg Middle girls are now 2-2.

Gould's field goal lifts Bears to OT win

Robbie Gould raced over to his tee on the Chicago Bears sideline after the New Orleans Saints tried to ice him with a timeout in overtime Thursday night.

After a practice kick, Gould walked back onto the field and booted the Saints out of Soldier Field with another devastating loss. He connected from 35 yards on Chicago's first possession of overtime, lifting the Bears to a 27- 24 victory that boosted their playoff hopes.

"I like it," Gould said. "I get an opportunity to get a warmup kick in but also see and judge exactly how the wind is blowing. For me, I wish every coach would do that and give me the opportunity. They say ice, but I don't think it really works."

After leaving Chicago with season ending losses the past two years, the Saints looked as if they were ready to end their frustration. Instead, their slim playoff hopes took another blow thanks to Gould, who also converted a 28- yarder on the final play of regulation. Drew Brees hit Marques Colston for an 11-yard touchdown pass with just over 3 minutes left in regulation to give New Orleans its first lead at 24-21.

New York teams big winners

Two teams from New York took over the town at baseball's winter meetings.It helps to arrive in Vegas carrying plenty of cash.

As baseball's annual swap session broke up Thursday, the boys from the Big Apple went home big winners. Highlighting a hectic week, the Yankees landed pitching prize CC Sabathia while the Mets solidified their previously wretched bullpen with All-Star relievers Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz.

The New York teams, we have I guess the flexibility and the ability to do things — sometimes financially," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said."But look, it's not that other clubs, I mean, there's a lot of financial parity out there right now. There might be 10 teams or more that are over $100 million in the game. So it's not that teams don't have money now. It's just the desire to make some moves."