Boston Celtics guard Paul Pierce passes the ball as he is pressured by Toronto Raptors center Andrea Bargnani (center) and forward Joey Graham (left) in Boston on Monday.

BOSTON – Kevin Garnett shut down Chris Bosh then suggested some musical accompaniment for Paul Pierce, the Celtics star none of the Raptors could stop.

“Y’all need to start playing some of that “Superman” theme music in the building when he’s going like that,” Garnett said after Pierce scored nine of his season-high 39 points in overtime to lead Boston to a 115-109 win over Toronto on Monday night.

“I’ll be Batman. I’ll be Robin,” he said while sitting next to Pierce at a post-game news conference. “I’ll be anybody you want me to be. I’ll be the garbage man. But this is Clark Kent right here.”

Clark Kent with one balky knee.

Pierce played 49 minutes despite coach Doc Rivers’ pre-game fears that the right knee he hurt in Sunday’s 94-88 win at Toronto might sideline him.

“There’s players who play the game. There’s players who absolutely love the game,” Rivers said. “Paul’s one of those ‘love’ guys. He’s tough as nails.”

One day after Ray Allen’s 36 points carried Boston in Toronto, Pierce led a comeback from a 10-point deficit midway through the third quarter and carried the Celtics to their second straight win after four consecutive losses.

And he wasn’t overly tired.

“Actually, I feel pretty good,” Pierce said. “Could have played another quarter, I think.”

He hurt his knee Sunday in a collision with teammate Brian Scalabrine, who scored eight clutch points in the third quarter in place of injured center Kendrick Perkins.

“Hopefully, I don’t hit it again so it can kind of heal,” Pierce said. “Doc’s been around long enough to know that it takes a lot to keep me off the court.”

Pierce also had nine rebounds, while Garnett added 20 points and 12 rebounds and held Bosh to 1-of-4 shooting in 12 minutes of the fourth quarter and kept him from shooting in all five minutes of overtime.

Andrea Bargnani, whose 3-pointer with 1 second left sent the game into overtime tied at 93, led the Raptors with 23 points.

Other games

Bucks 97, Wizards 91: At Washington, Michael Redd scored 29 points, a healthy Andrew Bogut added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Washington blew another fourth-quarter lead.

Nets 103, Thunder 99, OT: At East Rutherford, N.J., rookie Brook Lopez scored a career-high 31 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.

Knicks 101, Hornets 95: At New Orleans, David Lee scored 24 points and New York ended a three-game losing streak.

Jazz 120, Pacers 113: At Salt Lake City, Mehmet Okur scored a career-high 43 points and the Jazz held off a late rally.

Trail Blazers 109, Bulls 95: At Chicago, Travis Outlaw had a season-high 33 points, Greg Oden scored 17 while grabbing 13 rebounds, and Portland won.

Salpointe Catholic High School entered Monday’s Class 5A-I Southern Region boys soccer match with visiting Casa Grande holding all the cards.

The Lancers were ranked No. 1 in the Class 5A Division I Power Rankings. Casa Grande was on the outside looking into the projected 16-team playoff picture.

The Lancers were riding a nine-match unbeaten streak. Casa Grande was 1-6 in Power Point games and losers of its last two.

They played the game anyway, and Casa Grande is glad for that after it edged the powerful Lancers 2-1 (7-6 in penalty kicks).

“I don’t want to take anything away from how well Casa Grande played,” Salpointe coach Wolfgang Weber said. “They played real well and this is somewhat disappointing, but I don’t want to say it was just about us not playing well.

“Casa Grande deserves a lot of credit.”

Salpointe, which has won three penalty-kick games this season, got its lone regulation goal from Dylan Kelly in the 27th minute.

Casa Grande’s equalizer came in the 48th minute off the foot of Chris Alexander.

“We’re doing well, but as a coach, I hope this shows us that if we don’t come prepared, we are vulnerable,” Weber said.

Pusch Ridge 8, Tanque Verde 1: At Tanque Verde, Pusch Ridge senior Casey Vick and junior Mitch Woody put on a show.

Vick scored a pair of goals – in the seventh and 39th minutes – in his team’s 8-1 win and assisted on three more.

Woody scored three goals – in the 37th, 62nd and 70th minutes – and assisted Vick on his first goal.

Matt Horrigan, Frank Parker and Chad Schafer scored the other goals for 2A Pusch Ridge, which improved to 11-2 on the year and has only lost to 5A-I teams Salpointe and Sierra Vista Buena.

Tanque Verde (5-5) got its lone goal in the 45th minute from Simon Yoklic.

Pusch Ridge swept Tanque Verde this season, winning earlier 6-0.

All high school scores and statistics are as reported to the Citizen by the coaches of the designated home team. Coaches can call in scores to 573-4635, fax them to 573-4569 or e-mail them to sports@tucsoncitizen.com (sports@tucsoncitizen.com).

Boys Soccer

Casa Grande 2, Salpointe 1 PK (Casa Grande 7-6 in penalty kicks)

SAL – Dylan Kelly (Blake Brennan) 27:00. CG – Chris Alexander (Ramses Vargas) 48:00.

Halftime – SAL 1-0. Shots on goal – CG 5, SAL 13. Saves – CG (Nick Hutton 12), SAL (Ben Eyde 4).

—–

Pusch Ridge 8, Tanque Verde 1

PR – Casey Vick (Mitch Woody) 7:00. PR – Matt Horrigan (Vick) 19:00. PR – Woody (Vick) 37:00. PR – Vick 39:00. TV – Simon Yoklic 45:00. PR – Woody (Vick) 62:00. PR – Woody 70:00. PR – Frank Parker 76:00. PR – Chad Schafer 79:00.

Halftime – PR 4-0. Shots on goal – PR 13, TV 4. Saves – PR (Daniel Vavrusa 3), TV (David Novak 3).

—–

Empire 3, Thatcher 0 (No stats reported)

Girls Soccer

Salpointe 5, Casa Grande 1

SAL – Kelli Ford (Whitely Figge) 1:00. SAL – Ashley Wright 4:00. SAL – Aundria Montoya (Wright) 39:00. SAL – Belen Conto 51:00. CG – Tiffany Tevenal 72:00. SAL – Wright 79:00.

Halftime – Sal 3-0. Shots on goal – SAL 9, CG 1. Saves – SAL (Cat Lena 1), CG (Jamee Mason 7).

—–

Pusch Ridge 7, St. Gregory 0 (No stats reported)

Boys Basketball

Sahuarita 53, Nogales 47

Sahuarita 6 15 9 23–53

Nogales 20 8 6 13–47

SAHR – Daniel Conorque 20, Kyle Dawicki 7, Alex Barrett 7, Josh Mott 6, Ruben Villa 6, Tyler Stephenson 5, Allonte Singfield 2. Totals 20 10-16 53.

NOG – Willie Armenta 10, Eloy Cortez 8, Rodulfo Suarez 8, Manny Castro 8, Matt Nash 6, Victor Mendoza 5, David Rojas 2.

Three Pointers – SAHR 3 (Barett, Dawicki, Stephenson), NOG 5 (Armenta 3, Suarez 1, Cortez 1). Total fouls – SAHR 16, NOG 17.

Girls Basketball

Tombstone 60, ASDB 41

Wrestling

Mountain View 62, Casa Grande 9

103 – Collin Tierney, MV, dec. Chris Rothoe, CG, 11-9

112 – Orlando Aguirre, CG, dec. Ethan Wyerich, MV, 7-4

119 – Justin Rascon, MV, dec. Colton Davenport, CG, 19-3

125 – Kyle Gamez, MV, fall Jarrod Taylo, CG, 1:35

130 – Adam Jungbluth, MV, win by forfeit

135 – Devon McPeek, MV, win by forfeit

140 – Brian Cantrell, MV, fall Andre Alejandro, CG, 3:12

145 – Gabe Capanear, MV, fall Brandon Schlarv, CG, 3:30

152 – Caleb Clump, MV, dec. David Ide, CG, 10-6

160 – Erik Shinault, CG, fall Galen Fadley, MV, 0:30

171 – Tony Ponce, MV, fall John McCaspin, CG, 0:30

189 – Jordan Haag, MV, fall Austin Orosco, CG, 1:00

215 – Bell Vorgart, MV, fall Brett Myer CG, 4:06

270 – Tony Valsino, MV, dec. Wade Gay, CG, 8-3

For more on high school sports, check out the Grammer School sports blog.

Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia, shown in this September photo, has reason to smile. He has a new deal with the team.

LOS ANGELES – Mike Scioscia’s extension with the Los Angeles Angels puts the most successful manager in franchise history under contract through the 2018 season.

Two people with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press the parties agreed to a 10-year deal that allows Scioscia to opt out after the 2015 season.

The contract length and opt-out clause were first reported on BigJoeonline.com, a Los Angeles-based sports Web site.

“It’s a significant commitment from myself, (Angels owner and Tucson native) Arte Moreno and (general manager) Tony Reagins,” Scioscia said Monday. “I think it reflects on their confidence that we’re moving in the right direction and will continue to move in the right direction until we get back to the World Series and win a championship. That’s our goal.”

The Angels announced earlier that the parties agreed in principle on a multiyear extension. Previously, Scioscia was under contract through next season with a club option for 2010 for about $2 million per season. Reagins would only say the extension “goes well beyond” 2010.

“This is where I want to be,” Scioscia said. “I think it’s a great place to be if you love this game.”

The Angels have an 803-655 record for a winning percentage of .551 in nine seasons under Scioscia, who turned 50 in November. They won the World Series in 2002 and have won four of the last five AL West titles.

Valverde gets new deal

HOUSTON – Closer Jose Valverde and the Houston Astros avoided salary arbitration when they agreed Monday to an $8 million, one-year contract.

The 30-year-old right-hander, who can become a free agent after next season, led the NL with 44 saves last season.

Elsewhere

BRAVES: Japanese all-star pitcher Kenshin Kawakami was in Atlanta on Monday for a physical needed to finalize an agreement with the Braves, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations.

INDIANS: Cleveland agreed to a $1.95 million, one-year contract Monday with catcher Kelly Shoppach, extending their streak of avoiding salary arbitration to 18 years. Shoppach batted .261 with 21 homers, 27 doubles and 55 RBIs in 112 games last season.

METS: Tim Redding completed his $2.25 million, one-year deal with the Mets on Monday, saying he would pitch in whatever role the team wants.

Redding made 33 starts for Washington last year and went 3-1 against the two-time NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies. He was 10-11 overall with a 4.95 ERA.

RAYS: Tampa Bay agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract with outfielder Gabe Kapler. He hit .301 with eight homers and 38 RBIs last year with Milwaukee.

NHL: Stars top Wings

DALLAS – Trevor Daley knocked his own rebound into the goal 1:51 into overtime to give the Dallas Stars a 5-4 victory over Detroit on Monday night, ending the Red Wings’ six-game winning streak.

In a flurry of activity in front of Detroit goalie Chris Osgood, Daley took a shot that got knocked down but was still on the ice when he followed up for his fourth goal of the season.

The Stars, who trailed 3-1 after the first period, forced overtime when Steve Ott scored with 3 minutes left in regulation.

In Monday’s only other game, Tampa Bay topped Los Angeles 3-1.

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Fire Department has launched an investigation after a woman was found dead inside her burned out home Monday afternoon.

Firefighters responded after a neighbor reported hearing a smoke alarm go off and saw smoke coming from the home.

Officials say heat from the flames was intense and firefighters were forced to retreat after the air conditioning unit caved in from the roof.

Fire crews then re-entered through another part of the house to put out the flames.

The 50-year-old woman lived alone. Officials say her body was found near a bedroom where the fire burned heaviest.

Two bull dogs were rescued from the yard, along with cages of snakes from one portion of the house.

No one else was injured and no surrounding homes were affected.

Shaun Haley and Paula Morrison were the winners for the 2008 Southern Arizona Roadrunners annual Grand Prix.

The Grand Prix is a cumulative points derby for 11 SAR road race events.

Haley totaled 334 men’s points in running in 10 events. Morrison notched 320 women’s points in competing in eight of the 11 events.

Sun Run begins SAR slate

The Southern Arizona Roadrunners’ 2009 season begins Jan. 25 with the annual Sun Run for Pima Community College Cross Country and Track & Field.

The road race will start near Ramada 31 at Reid Park. Events are a USA Track and Field certified 10K and 5K Run/Walk.

For information call 326-9383 or 977-4072. The SAR Web address is azroadrunners. org.

TBC set for March

The annual Tucson Bicycle Classic tops the lineup of Arizona Bicycle Racing local and area events in 2009.

The 21st annual TBC will be March 6-9 with time trial, road race and circuit race events.

The Picacho Time Trial Series will be July 25, Aug. 16 and Sept. 6.

Other local and area races are:

• Colossal Cave Time Trial and Road Race, March 28-29

• Tumacacori Road Race and University of Arizona Criterium, April 4-5

• Downtown Saturday Night Criterium, April 18

• Sonoita-Patagonia Time Trial, May 17

• Thunder Road Time Trial, May 31

• Mount Lemmon Hillclimb Time Trial, June 28

• Kitt Peak Hillclimb Time Trial, Sept. 20

• Mount Graham time trial hillclimb state championship, Sept. 27

ABRA calendar available

The 2009 Arizona Bicycle Racing Association wall calendar is currently on sale.

The calendar features Mason Ibas photography from past local and state events.

Featured among the 28 pages is the 2009 schedule, full color photography, information on Arizona racing and cycling quotes.

It is a specialty item and supplies are limited. The calendar sells for $13.99 and is available online at masonibas.com or at local bicycle shops.

Schreiber points victor

Tucson’s Nick Schreiber was the winner of the senior Pro 1-2 category for 2008, the Arizona Bicycle Racing Association announced.

Schreiber totaled 447 points of ABRA sanctioned events with Brian Forbes of Mesa second at 310. In women’s 1-2, Melanie Meyers of the University of Arizona team was the winner (161) over Marisa Russell (130) of Chandler.

Other Tucson division winners included David Swanson, Master Men 30-34; Lisa Ribes, Master Women 30-34; Scott Biaggi, Master Men 40-44; Jo Roberts, Master Women 45-49; and Thomas Jondall, Junior Men 17-18.

Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin shoots over Texas center Dexter Pittman in the second half Monday in Norman, Okla. Griffin's 14th double-double of the season helped Oklahoma end a six-game losing streak against Texas.

NORMAN, Okla. – Blake Griffin and Oklahoma finally had enough of losing to Texas.

Griffin racked up his 14th double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the sixth-ranked Sooners to a 78-63 victory over the 11th-ranked Longhorns on Monday night, snapping a six-game losing streak to their Red River rivals.

Only two players on Oklahoma’s team had ever beaten the Longhorns. Even third-year coach Jeff Capel didn’t have a victory in the rivalry.

“For us to come in and get that first one, it feels good,” Griffin said, “and hopefully it kind of sets the tone for the rest of the Big 12 season.”

Oklahoma’s last win in the series came in Norman in 2006, but the Longhorns routed the Sooners 72-48 in the rematch that season and went on to win each of the next five meetings by double digits as well.

Texas never even took the lead on Monday.

Willie Warren scored 17 points and Tony Crocker added 16 points and nine rebounds as the Sooners (16-1, 2-0) built a 16-point lead early and then thwarted a second-half rally.

“It means a lot to all of us just to get this win,” said Crocker, who lost his first five games against the Longhorns.

Damion James brought Texas (12-4, 1-1) within 54-50 with a 3-pointer from the right wing with 11:13 to play, but the Longhorns then went 6 1/2 minutes without scoring.

Warren’s driving layup started a 12-0 run for the Sooners, and Taylor Griffin’s two free throws pushed the lead to 66-50 with 5:05 remaining.

A.J. Abrams led Texas with 22 points on 8-for-27 shooting including 3-for-15 from 3-point range, and James scored 12 points.

“Any time we’re forced into a situation where A.J.’s got to take 27 shots, it’s not going to be good,” Texas coach Rick Barnes said.

Women’s top 25

DURHAM, N.C. – Jasmine Thomas scored 15 points and hit four clutch free throws in the closing seconds to help No. 4 Duke beat No. 12 Maryland 68-65 on Monday night for its 12th straight victory.

Joy Cheek had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Chante Black added 13 points and 14 rebounds against a team that always seems to frustrate her for the Blue Devils (14-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference).

No. 15 Ohio State 67, Illinois 35: At Champaign, Ill., Jantel Lavender had 14 points and 14 rebounds and Star Allen added 13 points and 12 rebounds to lead Ohio State (14-2, 5-0) to a rout of Illinois.

No. 24 Georgia Tech 68, Miami 50: At Coral Gables, Fla., Jacqua Williams and Alex Montgomery each scored 18 points to lead Georgia Tech (13-3, 1-1) to a win over Miami.

Sunny Tuesday, with a high near 69. Clear Tuesday night, with a low around 38.

Monday’s high, 70.

For a comprehensive look at Tucson-area weather, go to our online forecast.

A Tucson man working as a contract mechanic for U.S. Customs and Border Protection was sentenced to three years of federal probation for stealing a pair of $7,000 night vision goggles from the agency and selling them on eBay, said Sandy Raynor, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix.

The goggles were purchased by the law enforcement agency in 2005, Raynor said in a news release.

James Williams, 37, of Tucson was sentenced Friday by Judge John Roll. He also was ordered to pay restitution, Raynor said.

Williams pleaded guilty on Sept. 23, 2008. He admitted stealing the goggles, a carrying case and battery pack from the law enforcement agency, Raynor said.

At the time, he was working at the agency’s aircraft facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson.

A Tucson woman was sentenced to two years in prison after she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport an illegal immigrant, said Sandy Raynor, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix.

Gloria Eva Rodriguez, 35, drove to the Nogales port of entry in a rental car on Aug. 1 with a 3-year-old boy, Raynor said. Rodriguez reportedly said the boy was her son.

Rodriguez presented authorities with her twin sister’s identification documents. She also presented a birth certificate for her sister’s son.

The boy is not a U.S. citizen and is not related to Rodriguez or her sister, Raynor said.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection official became suspicious, Raynor said in a news release, and interviewed Rodriguez.

The Tucsonan admitted she had agreed to be paid $100 to smuggle the child into the United States and take him to “Aunt Jasmine” in Tucson. Rodriguez’s sister did not know her sister had taken her and her son’s identity papers.

Rodriguez was sentenced Friday in federal court by Judge John M. Roll in Tucson.

José Rincon earned straight "A's" and won the MVP award from Lute Olson's basketball camp, which was later named for him and dedicated in his honor.

Colorful posters fluttered on every wall of the St. Michael’s campus when I visited it almost a year ago.

It was after school, and everything was quiet. The students had emptied the classrooms after a day spent struggling to believe a truth that should not have been.

From each poster, the face of a young man with glasses grinned in the afternoon light.

His smile was the kind that makes others want to smile, the kind that reminds them what it feels like to be alive.

Surrounding his photograph were messages, handwritten by friends in bright marker. “We love you, José,” they said. “We miss you.”

Fourteen-year-old José “Guapo” Rincon had been killed by a drunken driver two nights before, while José and another student were riding their bicycles.

The aftermath was a storm of mixed emotions, from outrage to deepening sorrow to denial.

In a split second, everything in the Rincon family’s life changed. Its members found themselves reeling from the loss of a son, a brother and a friend.

It only took a moment for their son to be stolen from the world before his amazing potential could be realized.

Loss is always difficult, but recovering from the loss of José was, if possible, even harder. He was barely 14 years old, excited about beginning high school and finishing off the eighth grade.

By all accounts he was the ideal student: He earned straight “A’s” and won the MVP award from Lute Olson’s basketball camp, which was later named for him and dedicated in his honor.

His personality was so warm that, though my experience of him is limited to passing him daily in the hallways, I am able to vouch for his extraordinary kindness.

The last, and perhaps the most tragic, piece of the puzzle is that he was killed by a driver whose blood-alcohol level was approximately three times the legal limit. And that data was taken two hours after the accident that claimed José’s life.

Part of living as a community is the fundamental idea that our actions can have an effect not only in our own lives, but also on the lives of others.

José is one example; his was a life well lived, and one whose absence leaves a gaping hole in the society he left behind.

The driver, Glenda Rumsey, will have to live on knowing that for many, her mistake may always define her. Hers was an error in judgment that would take a boy’s life and land her in a courtroom.

It is one year and one day after José’s death, and the bright posters no longer hang on the walls of St. Michael’s Parish Day School.

His class has moved on to take seats in high schools across the city, attending homecomings and winter formals, and one day all too soon, graduations.

But no stretch of time or distance will erase that, for José, a desk will always sit empty.

That is a burden we all must bear, and a responsibility we must never forget.

Natalee Dawson, a sophomore at Salpointe Catholic High School, is news editor of the Crusader, the school’s newspaper. E-mail: nd-27@hotmail.com

Natalee Dawson

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida quarterback Tim Tebow had surgery on his right shoulder Monday and was expected to be ready for spring practice in April.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner had surgery at Shands Florida Surgical Center to remove a bone spur and hopefully reduce chronic inflammation.

Tebow announced Sunday that he will return for his senior season.

He injured his nonthrowing shoulder against Kentucky in October 2007 and re-aggravated it earlier this season.

He had painkilling injections before each of the final six games last season. It was unclear whether he received shots this season.

“The surgery went well,” team physician Dr. Pete Indelicato said in a statement. “He should be able to begin throwing in the next three to four weeks and a full recovery is expected.”

Utah duo leaving for NFL

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah defensive end Paul Kruger and defensive back Sean Smith are entering the NFL draft.

Both were first-team all-Mountain West picks in 2008.

Kruger, a sophomore, had a team-high 7.5 sacks and added 61 tackles for the Utes (13-0), who finished the season No. 2 in The Associated Press poll.

Smith, a junior, led the Utes with five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He broke up a team-high nine passes.

Elsewhere

AUBURN: Former Auburn All-American defensive lineman Tracy Rocker is returning to his alma mater as defensive line coach, head coach Gene Chizik announced Monday.

NEBRASKA: All-Big 12 defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh said he will return to Nebraska for his senior season. Suh led the Huskers with 76 tackles, including 7.5 sacks.

SOUTHERN MISS: The school gave first-year football coach Larry Fedora a contract extension following a strong finish. The Golden Eagles (7-6) ended the season with five straight wins.

TEXAS: Linebacker Sergio Kindle said he will return to the Longhorns for his senior season. Kindle had 10 sacks this year.

Wildcats softball coach hasn’t changed goals

Arizona softball coach Mike Candrea (seated) conducts infield drills during the team's first practice of the year on Monday at Hillenbrand Stadium.

First season, first practice, 23 years ago. Mike Candrea, the rookie coach at a so-so Arizona softball program, had a succinct message to his team.

“I want to win a national championship,” he told his players, “and we’re going to do it with or without you.”

For those unwilling to put in the work to try to make that happen, Candrea had another message.

“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out,” he said.

Assistant coach Larry Ray was there.

“I kind of looked at him and thought, ‘Are you for real?’ ” Ray said. “But then it was, ‘All right, let’s do it.’ ”

Eight national championships and all these years later, Candrea, having risen to the world’s foremost softball coach, hasn’t much changed the message on the first day of practice, although his methods have become a bit more sophisticated.

“He told us that he wants us to be in the last game of the college season,” sophomore outfielder Brittany Lastrapes said Monday before the team’s first practice.

With Candrea in charge, that’s often the case. Twelve of Candrea’s past 16 teams have played in the season’s final game.

So, yeah, welcome back, Mike.

Candrea missed last season, as he did in 2004, while coaching the U.S. Olympic team. The Wildcats, led by Ray as the interim head coach, advanced to the World Series. They were ousted in two games, unable to recapture the magic that led to national titles in 2006 and 2007.

Candrea returns to a team that lacks experienced pitching, but has a dangerous and powerful lineup.

“Amazing,” senior first baseman Laine Roth said of having Candrea back.

“He will just talk to you, and you feel pumped up to do amazing at everything.”

Candrea can talk. And talk. One player estimated Candrea’s speech at the first team meeting of the spring Monday morning went on for 45 minutes.

It was then when he introduced a technique he last tried with the 2004 Olympic team.

This hard-hitting Arizona lineup might end up being Sultanas of swat, but the team first will be Sultanas of SWOT.

Candrea put his team through a session of SWOT analysis, a tool often used in business, to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

SWOT.

He separated the players into four groups, and the staff into another, to gather diverse opinions of where the team thought it was at.

“This is kind of the beginning of me trying to get them to start understanding all the little things that it takes for this team to be successful,” Candrea said.

“The next step is we will get together and I will put on the board everything we listed. We will go through it and prioritize it and really give them a snapshot of where they’re at right now, and what can get in our way.

“I think that’s the big thing for me – them understanding the little things that can get in your way of having a great season. . . . This is a an exercise that gets people to talk.”

If Candrea, 53, has said it once, he has said it a million times. It’s all about the process. Nobody is better at relentlessly working the process than Candrea.

He delivered a PowerPoint presentation this weekend at a clinic in Myrtle Beach, S.C., on practice preparation. He lives for that. He has the Wildcats’ next six weeks meticulously planned.

He expects tough times after the season starts at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe on Feb. 6. In fact, he welcomes them. They, too, are part of the process.

“Conflict is good. Conflict is healthy,” Candrea said. “But you have to understand how to handle the conflict. That is what you have to teach these kids.”

Candrea went on to say he feels rested and eager to begin his 22nd season.

In other words, he wants to win another national championship – the same as it ever was.

The process began Monday.

Arizona coach Mike Candrea talks to the media before the softball team's first practice on Monday at Hillenbrand Stadium.

Arizona Softball practice

Arizona Softball gears up for the 2009 season with its first official practice, Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at Hillenbrand Stadium.

With Mike Candrea back as head coach, the team’s hopes are high for a winning season.

Producer: Renee Bracamonte

Slide 1 of 22.
Arizona head coach Mike Candrea (right) takes a seat in the dugout before his softball team's first practice Jan. 12.
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The first pitch: Arizona head coach Mike Candrea talks with the media before the softball team's Jan. 12 practice at Hillenbrand Stadium.
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Mike Candrea, head coach for the University of Arizona women's softball team, talks to the media.
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Calm before the storm: Coach Mike Candrea and Arizona softball players gear up for practice Jan. 12.
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Arizona softball players warm up for their first practice of the season.
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Arizona softball players run laps around the field at Hillenbrand Stadium before practice Jan. 12.
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Benders in the grass. Arizona softball players stretch for their first practice of the 2009 season.
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Arizona softball players warm up at the beginning of practice Jan. 12.
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UA player Lindsey Sisk (left) warms up her arm in the beginning of softball practice.
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Coach Mike Candrea gets a good seat from which to conduct infield drills.
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UA softball coach Mike Candrea tosses players some grounders during drills.
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Softball coach Mike Candrea oversees infield drills Jan. 12.
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Arizona Softball player Sarah Akamine pitches during practice.
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Arizona softball player Sarah Akamine builds up speed for a pitch during the team's first practice
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Arizona softball player Lindsey Sisk unleashes a pitch at practice Jan. 12.
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Arizona softball Coach Mike Candrea covers a lot of bases as the team prepares for the season.
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Arizona player Sam Banister (foreground) covers first base during infield drills.
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UA softball coach Mike Candrea catches players' catching action Jan. 12.
Source: Renee Bracamonte/Tucson CitizenSlide 19 of 22.
UA softball player Brittany Lastrapes participates in outfield drills at practice.
Source: Renee Bracamonte/Tucson CitizenSlide 20 of 22.
Yep, softball coach Mike Candrea directs batting practice, too.
Source: Renee Bracamonte/Tucson CitizenSlide 21 of 22.
Arizona softball player Kristen Arriola awaits a throw to second base during infield drills.
Source: Renee Bracamonte/Tucson CitizenSlide 22 of 22.
Keep your eye on the ball: Softball coach Mike Candrea and a few of his players apparently are during practice Jan. 12.
Source: Renee Bracamonte/Tucson Citizen

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UA’S PROJECTED STARTERS

C – Stacie Chambers, Jr./Lini Koria, Fr.

1B – Laine Roth, Sr./Sam Banister, Sr.

2B – Victoria Kemp, So./Kristen Arriola, Fr.

3B – Janae Leles, Sr.

SS – K’Lee Arredondo, Jr.

LF – Brittany Lastrapes, So.

CF – Lindsey Schutzler, So.

RF – Karissa Buchanan, Fr.

DP – Chambers/Koria/Roth/Banister

P – Lindsey Sisk, So./Sarah Akamine, Jr.

SEASON OPENER

Arizona vs. Kansas, 4:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Kajikawa Classic in Tempe

<h4>Congrats to Cardinals: </h4>

Jose Alatorre (left) and Joe Martinez hang a banner congratulating the Arizona Cardinals on Monday in Glendale. The Cardinals face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday for the NFC championship in the playoffs.

Arizona freshman Garland Judkins will be back at practice Tuesday and his situation “will be taken day by day.”

He was with the team Monday while it reviewed game film in preparation for Thursday’s game at No. 9 UCLA.

Judkins was suspended for the second time this season, sitting out Saturday’s win over Oregon State in what interim coach Russ Pennell called “a coaches’ decision.”

What does Judkins have to do to get back in good graces?

“He just has to show me something all the time,” said Pennell.

Judkins’ situation with the team has clearly frustrated Pennell. Saturday, he didn’t even want to discuss Judkins. Monday, Pennell spoke about the situation in general terms.

“Anything that distracts from the team bothers me,” Pennell said. “Whether that’s an uniformed fan or a player not doing right, anything that takes away from this basketball team.”

Pennell said when he’s at his weekly news conference, he’s there to speak about people who “are with us and 100 percent on board.”

Judkins has played in 13 games, starting four. He was suspended for the Texas A&M game on Dec. 5 after having started the first four games. He’s averaging 3.0 points and 1.2 rebounds a game.

Shaq is back for Suns

PHOENIX – If you feel as if you’re seeing more vintage Shaquille O’Neal than just old Shaquille O’Neal with the Suns this season, you’re probably right.

O’Neal said he is physically able to dip into his repertoire and pull out some low-post moves that were gathering dust when he arrived in exchange for Shawn Marion last season.

The result is a revitalized O’Neal, who goes into Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks at US Airways Center making a pretty convincing case for a reserve spot on the Western Conference All-Star team.

“I’m using a lot more,” O’Neal said of his low-post options. “My game is different. It’s a mixture of everybody’s game.

“When I was coming up I was like, ‘OK, spin lob – David Robinson. Get the knees up – Rony Seikaly. Elbow people in the face and look mean – Patrick Ewing. Then I just added a little of my own.”

Like his signature drop-step spin move. It’s back.

“You always take what the defense gives you, but I couldn’t always do that last year,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of young, energetic, new-millennium trainers here and they’re really into their craft.”

O’Neal said his problem was major.

“A muscle in my (rear) wasn’t firing,” he explained. “So they left me for dead.

‘He’s old. He don’t have it anymore.’ Now I’m doing things I couldn’t do last year because my (rear) wasn’t firing.”

Makes sense. O’Neal without his gluteus muscles is like Allen Iverson without his crossover, Tim Duncan without his bank shot, Rasheed Wallace without his rants.

O’Neal is averaging 17.4 points and nine rebounds a game.

But since telling management, “If you want me to be Shaq, let me be Shaq,” he has averaged 22.8 points and 10 boards over the past 10 games.

BOB YOUNG The Arizona Republic

Knight, Packer teaming up

LAS VEGAS – Bob Knight, the winningest coach in Division I history, and former CBS sportscaster Billy Packer plan to analyze the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in a series of one-hour television programs taped at a race and sports book on the Las Vegas Strip.

Packer told reporters on Monday that the show wouldn’t mention gambling even though it is to be filmed at the race and sports book at the Wynn Las Vegas.

Packer says he wanted the shows to be part of the experience of watching games in Las Vegas, which he says ranks second to watching games from courtside.

The programs are expected to begin March 15 and air on Fox Sports Net.

Packer left CBS after last season following 27 years as the network’s lead college basketball analyst.

The Associated Press

Grand jury looking at Clemens

WASHINGTON – Nearly a year after Roger Clemens told Congress he did not use performance-enhancing drugs, a federal grand jury is being asked to determine whether he should be indicted on charges of lying under oath.

The grand-jury probe was confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday by two people who were briefed on the matter. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because grand jury proceedings are supposed to be secret.

Congress asked the Justice Department to look into whether the seven-time Cy Young Award winner lied last February, when he testified under oath at a deposition and a public House hearing that he never took illegal performance enhancers.

That contradicted the sworn testimony of his former personal trainer, Brian McNamee, who said under oath that he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone.

Clemens last played in the major leagues in 2007, with the New York Yankees.

The Associated Press

QUOTABLE

'I didn't think we got their best shot when they were here. I didn't think that was their best game.'

ANDY REID,

Eagles coach, on his team's 48-20 win over the Cardinals in Philadelphia on Thanksgiving night

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ON THIS DATE

1962: Wilt Chamberlain scores an NBA regulation-game record 73 points to lead the Philadelphia Warriors to a 135-117 triumph over the Chicago Packers.

1974: The Dolphins win their second straight Super Bowl in their third straight appearance with a 24-7 victory over the Vikings. Larry Csonka, the game’s MVP, gains 145 yards on 33 carries and scores a touchdown.

1991: Phil Mickelson overcomes an 8 on the 14th hole to become the second amateur since 1954 to win a PGA Tour event as he posts a one-shot victory in the Northern Telecom Open.

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SPORTS SOUND-OFF

Wildcats may lack swagger

Re: UA hoops visits UCLA and USC this week

Effort and smart play must go hand in hand. That being said, I believe that this team also lacks confidence, or swagger. Budinger and Hill, in my opinion, could start for UCLA and Wise and Horne would also play significant minutes. We do have some good players; it is a now a matter of getting them to believe in themselves, and to play with some attitude. How much can coaching do toward this end is debatable in that it still boils down to player execution.

BOB57

TOKYO – Japanese are taking their noses global with a Web site that describes different odors around the world and pinpoints where they can be found on a map.

Launched in December, the “Nioi-bu,” or Smell Club, has registered more than 160 scents around the world, ranging from “steam coming out of a rice cooker” to “used socks in the summer,” and pinpointed their locations on a Google map.

Nearly 200 members, called “smellists,” have joined the Japanese-language site, said Kayo Matsubara, spokeswoman of its operator, KAYAC Inc.

Users can either click on a balloon on the world map on the Web site, or use an index to find each scent if they’re not yet on the map.