MELBOURNE, Australia — Down to what sure felt like her last chance, Serena Williams came through with a cross-court forehand winner to close a 24-stroke point, then raised her arms, held that celebratory pose and looked over toward her guest box.

LANCASTER — The Lancaster girls’ basketball team has always been the hunted. Especially the last handful of years.

No. 3 UConn 60, 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There was a moment during practice last week, while the Kansas City Chiefs were prepping for their AFC title game against Tennessee, that caused linebackers coach Matt House to seek out defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

CARSON — Javier Hernández has been to the top of the soccer world. He spent the last 10 years in Europe’s top leagues, winning trophies and representing some of the biggest clubs.

The fish report is weekly. Its accuracy depends on marina operators, tackle shops, and local fishermen we contact. Anglers catching large fish should send the information to Outdoor News Service, P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427, or telephone 909-887-3444, so it can be included in thi…

SANTA CLARA — Maybe it was fitting that Jimmy Garoppolo did his best Bob Griese impersonation in the victory that sent the San Francisco 49ers to Griese’s old stomping grounds in Miami for the Super Bowl.

SAN DIEGO — Tiger Woods had his lowest opening round of the year since 2011. It wasn’t enough to be among the leaders Thursday at the Farmers Insurance Open, but it was fine with him.

Joel Quenneville remembers years past when NHL teams leading going into the third period could feel comfortable chalking up two points. A win was a pretty sure bet.

NEW YORK — LeBron James is on his way to Philadelphia, set to pass Kobe Bryant on the NBA’s career scoring list in the former Lakers star’s hometown.

EUGENE, Ore. — Paying close attention paid off for Oregon's Chris Duarte.

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Big 12 suspended four players from Kansas and Kansas State a combined 25 games Wednesday for their roles in a melee that spilled off the court and into a section of disabled seating in Allen Fieldhouse near the end of the third-ranked Jayhawks’ win over the Wildcats.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlie Kimball and his longtime sponsor will move to AJ Foyt Racing for the upcoming IndyCar season. Kimball is the only driver so far announced for Texas-based team, which is seeking funding to keep two cars on the track in 2020. 

Red dust and rain combined to give some of the blue courts at the Australian Open a more Roland Garros hue, adding yet another element to the freakish conditions that have plagued the first four days of the tournament.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Eli Manning is ending a 16-year NFL career that saw him recognized as a great quarterback, a leader, a solid citizen and the man who led the New York Giants back into prominence with two Super Bowl titles.

ATLANTA — With Trae Young cheering him on from the bench, two-way player Brandon Goodwin did a pretty good impression of the Atlanta Hawks’ star.

 Fourth Saturday Classic Car Show: 4 to 8 p.m. the fourth Saturday of each month in the Rancho Vista shopping center at 30th Street West and Rancho Vista Boulevard (Avenue P). Registration is a $5 donation. For details, call (661) 816-2216.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The way Kyle Busch sees it, there is a flaw in the championship ring NASCAR awarded him last month. 

NEW YORK — LeBron James spent the first half showing why he will soon pass Kobe Bryant for third place on the NBA’s career scoring list.

LANCASTER — The Paraclete basketball teams are always looking for something fun to entertain their home crowds with in between the girls and boys games.

LITTLEROCK — The Quartz Hill wrestling team rose to the challenge of competing for the Golden League title at Littlerock High on Wednesday.

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks brought back one big man but lost another Tuesday night, and in the end, they couldn’t rein in the reigning Finals MVP.

NEW YORK — Known for two decades as No. 2, Derek Jeter is now linked to the number 1 — as in, who was the lone Hall of Fame voter who didn’t put a check mark next to his name?

LOS ANGELES — The biggest star in Mexican soccer is coming to the LA Galaxy.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Clark Hunt remembers well the celebrations four years ago that surrounded the golden anniversary of the Super Bowl, the championship game whose name was coined by his late father and Kansas City Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Plenty was going badly for Coco Gauff in the second round of the Australian Open. 

No. 3 Kansas 81, Kansas State 60

SANTA CLARA — Before taking the field each week, Raheem Mostert seeks out motivation.

LANCASTER — The Knight boys basketball team defeated Lancaster on the road with a 62-58 overtime victory on Tuesday.

LANCASTER — The defensive pressure by the Quartz Hill girls soccer team was unrelenting at Eastside High on Tuesday.

Valley Press sports columnist Brian Golden is out on medical disability for the next six weeks.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Maria Sharapova hasn’t won a tournament since 2017, and her ranking slipped to 136th by the end of last year.

SANTA CLARA — As the celebration raged in the victorious 49ers locker room, general manager John Lynch showed off a “Mobile to Miami” T-shirt that symbolized the turnaround in San Francisco.