Michigan State QB named overall MVP of Tropical Bowl

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Michigan State quarterback Anthony Russo got to spend a little more time on the football field this past week, participating in the Tropical Bowl from January 12-15. The former Spartan turned some heads, too.

Russo was named the Overall MVP of the Tropical Bowl after an impressive week of practice and through Saturday’s game. It’s a great accomplishment for a quarterback who didn’t see much time on the field in East Lansing this past season.

Russo posted about the accomplishment on Twitter:

God is Good 🙏🏼 Thank you to @TropicalBowlUSA for a great experience !! pic.twitter.com/mt875BaeXy — Anthony Russo (@Anthony_Russo15) January 16, 2022

Russo spent just one season at Michigan State, transferring in from Temple. He threw 9 passes for the Spartans, completing 7 for 43 yards. He also rushed 3 times for 10 yards during the team’s 11-2 run.

Before arriving in East Lansing, Russo spent five seasons at Temple. With the Owls, Russo threw for 6,292 yards and 44 touchdowns while completing 59.6% of his passes. His most prolific year came in 2019, when he accounted for 2,861 yards and 21 touchdowns through the air.

He also had a pair of rushing touchdowns that season. Russo reached the end zone a total of 7 times on the ground while at Temple.

W-FL TUESDAY: Troy Kabat leads Mynderse past Wayne; Clyde-Savannah girls keep rolling

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Kyle covers local high school, college, and professional sports on FingerLakes1.com. Click here to contribute to our Sports Page or connect with Kyle using [email protected]

After a couple days off, Wayne-Finger Lakes boys and girls basketball was back in action on Tuesday night.

Check out scores, stats and Wednesday’s slate of games below.

W-FL BOYS SCOREBOARD (1/18):

Mynderse 61 @ Wayne 53

MYN – Troy Kabat 29; Jaydan Ryrko 7; Will Korzeniewski 6; Max Santana 5

WAY – Devon Forrest 20; Nate Coleman 10; PJ Ostrowski 7; Sean Nellis 5; Shamus Fanning 5

– Radio Replay: Kyle French and Paul Russo had the call on FL1 Radio

NE Douglas 51 @ Newark 71

NEW – Raeshawn Howard 24, 8 reb; Isaiah Camp 18, 15 reb, 4 ast, 4 blk; Brayden Steve 13; Gabriel Caraballo 5

Bito Carabalo locks down as the Reds are up 16-9 on NE/NW Douglass after 1. #GoReds @SecVBBasketball pic.twitter.com/q0mID3BzxD — Newark Athletics (@NewarkAthletics) January 19, 2022

Williamson 44 @ Lyons 92

WIL – Matthew DeFisher 15; Matthew Jackson 13; Troy Ingham 7; Riley O’Neil 6

LYO – JC Walker 28, 22 reb, 6 ast, 4 stl; Jacob Sides 14; Jaiden Lopez 11; Jymeer Linzy 9; CyQuire Norvell 9; Matt Briggs 7; Michael Briggs 7; Jaylen Battle 6

Clyde-Savannah 24 @ Gananda 73

Midlakes 63 @ Honeoye 50

Eastridge 52 @ Canandaigua 72

Sodus 20 @ Marion 34

Penn Yan 33 @ Palmyra-Macedon 66

PY – Carter Earl 10; Tanyon Dunning 7; Griffin Emerson 6

PM – Paul Goodness 18; Ian Goodness 17; Robert Kinslow 10; Damian Knaak 9; Aiden Nice 6

Geneva @ Marcus Whitman – Postponed

South Seneca @ Waterloo – Postponed

East Rochester @ Northstar Christian – Postponed

North Rose-Wolcott @ Red Creek – Postponed

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BOYS SCHEDULE (1/19):

Haverling @ Penn Yan

Romulus @ HAC

Dundee-Bradford @ Bloomfield

Midlakes @ Red Jacket

Naples @ Honeoye

Victor @ Pittsford-Mendon

W-FL GIRLS SCOREBOARD (1/18):

Rochester Academy Charter 49 @ HAC 53

HAC – Eliza Nicosia 24, 20 reb, 5 blk; Anna Thomas 13, 5 ast, 6stl; Chloe Fowler 10, 8 reb

Gananda 48 @ Clyde-Savannah 55

GAN – Kaylee Marvin 16; Eva Jenny 12

Close game up until the end but couldn’t pull off the W. 55-48 Final Clyde-Savannah.

Kaylee Marvin led the team with 16

Eva Jenny put up 12 pic.twitter.com/IOJWNkCdCy — Gananda Girls Hoops (@GanandaGhoops) January 19, 2022

Red Creek 32 @ North Rose-Wolcott/Sodus 55

RC – Maddy Mayville 12; Alexandria Cleveland 8; Mackenzie Ferguson 6; Ryleigh Holliday 6

NRW – Emma Grace Humbert 28; Hailey Peters 11

Naples 12 @ Marcus Whitman 37

MW – Olivia Herod 13; Katie Bootes 12; Lily Carroll 6

Lyons @ Williamson – Postponed

WEDNESDAY NIGHT GIRLS SCHEDULE (1/19):

Wayne @ Mynderse

Newark @ Waterloo

Midlakes @ Geneva

Palmyra-Macedon @ Penn Yan – Ted Baker and Paul Russo will have the call on FL1 Radio

Red Jacket @ South Seneca

Gates-Chili @ Canandaigua

Dansville @ Victor

Cavaliers vs. Thunder: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

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I asked Evan Mobley if he can tell when there is a mindset switch in Darius Garland to take over a game:“You can just tell, he has a certain swagger when he’s on fire. When he’s like that, every shot that he shoots, I think it’s going in. He has the IT factor.” 🔥 – 12:20 AM

DG Should Be First Cavs All-Star Since LeBron James - The Shadow League

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The Cleveland Cavaliers are the surprise team in the Eastern Conference and point guard Darius Garland is a huge reason why.

Currently in the No. 4 spot at 27-18, the Cavaliers have been led by an infusion of youth and some savvy veterans.

But Garland is the piece that makes it all go, and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff knows that.

Garland was just named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, as he averaged 20.5 points, 12.8 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game.

The Cavaliers have gone 5-1 in their past six games, with their only setback coming at Golden State in Klay Thompson’s return to the court after missing two seasons and 941 days.

After being named “ECFPOW,” DG then went out and put up a 22/12/6 slash line in a 114-107 MLK Day win over the Kevin Durant-less Brooklyn Nets.

Garland set and controlled the tempo all game in the Cavs’ upset victory.

In a December interview with The Athletic’s Kelley Russo, Bickerstaff discussed the challenges of the NBA grind and how Garland paid his dues and can now reap the benefits of his hard work with a possible All-Star selection:

“I think that’s where you see guys become special. All these guys have an amazing skill set, or they wouldn’t be here. I think there’s a group that separates themselves because they have a commitment to being great and a willingness to do all the things that it takes to get there. And Darius puts the time in. He listens when you talk to him about what he needs to do. And then he has the ability to implement it as well. So, again, it’s a testament to him.”

Darius Garland tonight: 27 points

18 assists

5 rebounds

55% FG#DariusGarland #NBAAIIStar pic.twitter.com/bShMKLgbZq — NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) January 16, 2022

Garland Should Be An All-Star, Representing The City Where This Year’s Festivities Will Take Place:

“Believeland” hasn’t had a player sniff the All-Star Game since LeBron James departed the shores of Lake Erie for the second time following being swept by the Warriors in the 2018 NBA Finals.

As the host city for this year’s All-Star Weekend, one would think Garland gets the nod from the coaches if he’s not chosen as a starter by the fans.

Garland has been simply sensational without his backcourt mate Collin Sexton (injured and out for the season), displaying a poise and smoothness beyong his years. His play in the half court has been a welcome sight for a team searching for an identity coming into the season.

Garland is the team’s leading scorer, shooting efficient splits of 47.6 percent from the field, 39.2 percent from three and 89.9 percent from the charity stripe.

DG is also the team’s top facilitator, setting up teammates for quality looks. It’s not unfair to call Garland the best Cavs guard since Kyrie Irving.

Darius Garland dimes it to Isaac Okoro for the slam! Watch Now on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/oz9UCQxdQa pic.twitter.com/WW6l2navZI — NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2022

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell offered his support to Garland’s All-Star campaign after a surprising loss to the upstart Cavs.

“Gotta give credit where credit is due.” Mitchell said. “And Darius Garland deserves to be in the All-Star Game.”

That night DG torched the Jazz for his first triple-double with 15 assists. Since then DG has had an 18-assist game against the Thunder.

Garland Was A Five-Star Recruit Who Attended Vanderbilt: He’s Also The Son Of Former NBA Player Winston Garland

Garland was the No. 2 ranked point guard in the class of 2018. He chose to play his college ball at Vandy, bypassing offers from traditional blue-blood programs like Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, UCLA and Indiana.

Considered the most complete guard in the 2018 class, Garland only played five games for the Commodores before tearing his meniscus, effectively ending his collegiate career.

He was selected No. 5 overall by the Cavs in the 2019 NBA Draft. His shot-making ability and decision-making were likened to those of NBA superstar Damian Lillard prior to the draft.

It’s safe to say DG unexpectedly crashed what was thought to be a three-player draft with Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and RJ Barrett the top three picks and considered most NBA-ready talents.

Garland has a special pedigree as the son of former NBA player Winston Garland, who played eight seasons in the league with the Warriors, Clippers, Nuggets, Rockets, and TWolves.

The sky is the limit for this young Cleveland team, and Garland is one of the cornerstones that can’t be overlooked for long.

Cavaliers vs. Spurs: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

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Jarrett Allen on the importance of being an All-Star (1/2): “I’m not going to lie, I do want to be an All Star. I’m playing to win but I really do feel like I can be one this year, but then looking at my teammates, I saw Darius say it – he’s playing for the team & I felt that…” – 12:58 AM