| BG's Ayoub shows guarded optimism
As a freshman, Buffalo Grove's Ellen Ayoub was smooth as silk. Today, she's solid as gold. That slick-shooting freshman guard is now a senior for Buffalo Grove's highly-regarded girls basketball team, which returns four starters from a Class AA Elite Eight qualifier. The 5-foot-10 Ayoub makes no secret about how she would like to finish her career. "It's crazy but we're not satisfied yet," said Ayoub, referring to her team's back-to-back Elite Eight appearances. "I literally think about that loss to Bolingbrook (in overtime two years ago when the Bison lost it in the final seconds on a steal). I definitely want this to be our year." If it is, Ayoub will have to be a major factor. Earlier this week, she made a verbal commitment to play for Loyola University.
Brown joins receiving line
Bill Belichick maintained all along that there would be a role for receiver Troy Brown with the Patriots. Yet as Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Donté Stallworth exploded onto the scene this year, it was hard to see where. Belichick, despite his team being stocked with six receivers, proved to be true to his word. With Brown's time on the physically unable to perform list ending at 4 p.m. yesterday, the team essentially had three options: 1. add Brown to the roster; 2. place him on season-ending injured reserve; 3. release him. The Patriots went with the first option, activating the longtime fan favorite and waiving rookie defensive lineman Kareem Brown, the fourth-round draft choice out of the University of Miami who could return to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Finance ministers meet Dec. 12 to talk dollar and economy
Canada's federal and provincial finance ministers will meet in Ottawa in two weeks for talks on the state of the dollar and the economy. The talks come as the manufacturing sector cries for help from the effects of the resurgent Canadian dollar. The loonie regained parity with the U.S. dollar in September and peaked above $1.10 in early November. On Wednesday, the dollar was trading around $1.0072 US. The loonie's appreciation against the U.S. dollar has been a boon for Canadian consumers, who have seen retailers cutting prices here. Many consumers have also taken advantage of the dollar's rise to shop in the U.S. However, the country's manufacturers and exporters have seen their competitiveness eroded by the loonie's gains. In September, Canada's trade balance with the world fell to its lowest level since December 1998, as exports declined and imports increased.
College mens hockey: Speer pitches another shutout for UWSP
STEVENS POINT -- Thomas Speer figures he has the easy part. The guys playing in front of him for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point men's hockey team are doing all the hard work. Speer posted his second straight shutout, stopping all 16 shots he faced as the Pointers blanked Concordia (Wis.) 9-0 in a nonconference matchup at K.B. Willett Arena on Saturday night. "Any goalie could have two shutouts the way the guys are playing in front of me. They have definitely been making it really easy," Speer said. "My goal is to give out team the best opportunity to win." The back-to-back shutouts are the first for the Pointers since the 1997-98 season when UW-Stout failed to find the back of the net in a two-game series. Since surrendering five goals to St.
Evans achieves Olympic qualification
Badminton Ireland has announced that Scott Evans, has reached the qualification standard for next year's Olympic Games in Beijing. Evans is currently ranked 45 in the world and his qualification will be confirmed next May by the Olympic Council of Ireland. .
NFL NOTES
ATLANTA: Facing millions in claims from banks, creditors and prosecutors, suspended Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has put his seven bedroom, 8 1/2-bath house in Duluth, Ga., up for sale. The asking price for the sprawling home and $1.5 acres grounds? $4.5 million. Only buyers with proof of income sufficient to buy the property and house are provided access to the home. The Web listing for the house has attracted more than 10 million page views. Vick is in a Virginia jail and awaiting sentencing Dec. 10 for felony dogfighting charges. CAROLINA: Memo to Saints fans: As you watch Panthers quarterback Vinny Testaverde (Nov. 13, 1963) do his thing today at the tender age of 44, keep in mind that he is 46 days older than Saints Coach Sean Payton (Dec. 29, 1963). TAMPA BAY: Today's game between the NFC South-leading Buccaneers and Washington will be the Redskins' fourth at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., in less than 25 months and the sixth between the teams in five years.
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