While Bucknell athletic director John Hardt has said that no information about the university’s search for a new head men’s basketball coach will be released before a hire is made, there’s plenty of speculation out there.
New York Daily News hoops writer and college basketball writers’ Hall of Famer Dick Weiss reported this week that Bucknell appears to have narrowed its focus to three candidates — Ohio University’s Tim O’Shea, Columbia mentor Joe Jones and Yale head man James Jones. He later took Joe Jones off the list as Columbia reported he would stay in New York.

WILLIAMSPORT — For hundreds of area scholastic softball fans in attendance Thursday night for the USA Softball Women’s National Team exhibition at Historic Bowman Field, the chance to see the best players in the world perform was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

WILLIAMSPORT — It didn’t take long for the USA Women’s Softball Team to flex its muscle Thursday in an exhibition against the Longstreth All-Stars, a group of regional standouts, at Historic Bowman Field.
After Olympic gold-medalist Jennie Finch set Longstreth down in order in the top of the first, Team USA proceeded to send 12 hitters to the plate in the bottom half, plating eight runs on seven hits.

Milton’s Tom Aber doesn’t need to strap on the protective equipment, don the blue and assume his position behind the plate. He does it because he loves the sport.
Aber was behind the plate Thursday evening at Historic Bowman Field for a truly historic event as the USA Softball Women’s National Team took on Longstreth All-Stars during the 45-city tour that passed through Williamsport — part of the team’s “Bound 4 Beijing” pre-Olympics tour.

MIFFLINBURG — Milton looked to play the spoiler Wednesday afternoon at Mifflinburg, where the Wildcats were looking to pick up win No. 10 and punch yet another ticket to the District 4 Class AAA playoffs. And, they almost did.
Armed with a 5-0 lead heading into the top of the fifth, Mifflinburg watched as Milton paraded 11 hitters to the plate and pushed six across to nab a 6-5 lead. Senior Tony Fannick did the brunt of the damage with a three-run triple to right-center.

Girls softball
Milton 14
Selinsgrove 2 (6)
SELINSGROVE — Milton pounded out 15 hits and scored runs in all but one inning of a six-inning, mercy-rule shortened victory over Selinsgrove Wednesday in Susquehanna Valley League action at Selinsgrove.

There are still three exciting weekends left of the track and field season, but for the vast majority of area track and field athletes, their season effectively ended Tuesday with the last dual meets of the season.
We were reminded Wednesday just how important that part of the season is to the area teams — many seeking that last dual win — when the Lewisburg and Milton boys put everything on the line to secure that goal.

SUNBURY — It came down to the final event, and the experienced Milton lineup of Mike Grasso, Garrett Brought, Stephen Moore and Brandon Smith ran to victory in the 1600 relay propelling the Black Panthers to a 76-74 Susquehanna Valley Conference-I victory over Shikellamy Tuesday in Sunbury.

CATAWISSA — It’s a source of pride on the Lewisburg boys track team — the Susquehanna Valley Conference Division II regular-season title.
So, with the last SVC-II crown on the line Tuesday in the dual meet between the Green Dragons and Southern Columbia, you could expect Lewisburg coach Mark Sundberg to pull out all the stops.

SUNBURY — When Milton junior Naomi Brunson steps into the shot put circle, it’s Brunson against Brunson. It almost has to be as the Black Panther thrower has little in the way of competition this season.

MIFFLINBURG — The players on Milton High School’s softball team have fashioned comebacks from coast-to-coast.
That’s the case when most of your team is made up of players who won a Little League Senior Division world title.

MILTON — Monday’s Susquehanna Valley League matchup pitting Milton against a postseason-hungry Hughesville team could be summed up in one word — confidence. Hughesville has got it. Milton is struggling with it.
The Spartans jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two innings and made it stand up en route to a 9-4 victory at Milton High.

HUGHESVILLE — It’s hard not to be anxious at the plate. It’s hard not to swing as hard as possible at every pitch.
But Beth Bonnell is learning to relax at bat and also cut down her swing.
The Warrior Run sophomore first baseman Monday showed how much she has learned.

Boys baseball
Mifflinburg 3
Jersey Shore 2
MIFFLINBURG — Still seeking that all-important 10th win, Mifflinburg not only got a step closer to playoff baseball, but knocked the league-leading Bulldogs off their perch in the battle for the Susquehanna Valley League crown with an upset win at Mifflinburg.
Cory Dorman scored the game winner when he ran all the way home from first on a Billy Sheakley single to left that was misplayed.

MILTON — Tom Aber sat at the back of his truck on Friday afternoon and pondered a trip to Lock Haven for the second day of the PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) Championships at Lock Haven University. After a few moments, he said, “Nah. I’ll just wish I could be out there on the field.”