Sports briefs – a quick glance around the Tri-Parishes

Hornets president issues statement regarding sale

Multiple reports and media outlets have speculated a deal is close between current Hornets owner George Shinn and local businessman Gary Chouest that would give Chouest control of the franchise.

Team President Hugh Weber released a statement this week, and for the first time confirmed a deal was close to being reached. He also said negotiations are ongoing, and the team will continue to operate normally until a resolution is reached.

“Transfer of ownership is a very sophisticated and involved transaction, but the goal of both parties is still to finalize all the legalities and announce a deal sooner than later,” Weber said. “In the meantime, our day to day execution of plans including the search for a head coach has not changed, and the leadership by both owners remains committed to continuity and the priorities to build a championship franchise.”

The Hornets’ front office has spent the better part of the past month looking for a new head coach.

According to the Associated Press, Lawrence Frank, Monty Williams, Avery Johnson, Dwane Casey, Mike Fratello, Mark Jackson and Tom Thibodeau have all been interviewed for the position that was made vacant when former coach Jeff Bower resigned and resumed his duties as general manager.

Nicholls’ Bose withdraws from NBA Draft

Nicholls junior basketball player Anatoly Bose officially withdrew his name from the NBA Draft, and will return to Thibodaux for his senior season.

Bose had initially declared for the Draft, but did not hire an agent, which always gave him the option to return to school.

Bose said he never seriously considered going to the NBA next season, but applied for the Draft to gather information about his strengths and weaknesses to help prepare for his senior season.

The junior was one of the most prolific scorers in the NCAA in the 2009-10 season and averaged 21.1 points per game.

Even without NBA ambition, the summer figures to be busy for Bose, who will compete in a five-day camp to try and make the Australian national team.

If he makes the roster, he would compete with the team in the World Championships in August.

Several Tigers land on All-SEC Softball squad

LSU senior outfielder Kirsten Shortridge has been named First-Team All-Southeastern Conference, following another dominant season.

She landed on the first team following a senior season that has seen her hit .418 so far with 44 stolen bases.

Also being awarded for the Tigers were senior outfielder Rachel Mitchell, junior infielder Jessica Mouse and freshman pitcher Rachele Fico.

Mitchell was placed on the second-team thanks to her current .352 batting average. She has also swatted seven home runs on the season.

Mouse landed on the All-Defensive team at third base thanks to a .989 fielding percentage so far.

And Fico was named to the Second-Team and also named Co-Freshman of the Year. She currently has a 1.17 ERA in the circle for the Tigers.

Shortridge, Fico and Mitchell were all also on the Defensive team with Mouse – giving LSU the most players on that squad.

Four Colonels earn All-Southland honors

Like LSU, Nicholls also fielded four all-conference performers in softball.

Senior Audrey Wood was named to the Southland’s First Team, thanks to a nine home run season.

Joining Wood on the list are sophomore third baseman Kayla Watterson, senior pitcher Lacey Gros and sophomore outfielder Megan Gaspard, all of whom were selected to the Third Team.

“I’m very proud of Audrey, Kayla, Lacey, and Megan for being recognized by the conference,” said Nicholls softball coach Jenny Parsons in a release. “They all have worked hard individually to be the best they can be, battling through adversity. We are all happy for them.”

Saints announce preseason schedule:

Fans who just can’t get enough of the Saints will be pleased with the team’s preseason schedule.

The Black and Gold will be on national television in two of their four preseason games.

The team announced its preseason schedule last week, and the Saints will play two home and two away games – all against AFC competition.

The team will kick off for the first time on Aug. 12 against the New England Patriots and will also play the Houston Texans, San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans.

Award named after former Tiger, now PGA pro Toms:

PGA Tour professional and former LSU golfer David Toms has gotten used to winning awards in his now storied golfing career.

Toms will now have his own award, as the Golf Coaches Association of America has instituted the David Toms Award, which will now be given annually during the collegiate golfing season.

The award will be given to the collegiate golfer who has overcome adversity to achieve excellence in the college game.

This year’s selection was Billy Shida of Georgia College.

“Congratulations to Billy for winning the award,” Toms said in a release. “He has shown a great deal of perseverance to overcome illness and other personal issues to not only excel on the golf course, but the classroom as well.”