Six draft prospects raising city's hoops profile

The general consensus nationwide over the last decade is New York City basketball has taken a hit, from the NBA to the grassroots level.

If Thursday night’s NBA Draft is any indication, that assumption is either incorrect or may be invalid in the years to come. Four Queens products – shooting guard Doron Lamb from Kentucky, forward Maurice Harkless out of St. John’s, Norfolk State power forward Kyle O’Quinn and Iona College point guard Scott Machado, who led the nation in assists – are likely to be selected. The St. John’s dynamo Harkless a consensus first-round pick.

Anthony J. Causi

Queens native Maurice Harkless of St. John's is one of six New Yorkers expected to be selected in Thursday night''s NBA Draft.

Jason Szenes

Kentucky's Doron Lamb is another local product expected to be picked on Thursday.

Additionally, former Mount Vernon star Kevin Jones of West Virginia and Hempstead point guard Tu Holloway from Xavier are expected to have their names called.

“A lot of people say New York basketball has fallen off. This is an indication it hasn’t,” the 6-foot-8 Harkless said. “We’re putting New York back on the map.”

The boon began two years ago, when Queens’ Devin Ebanks and Lance Stephenson went in the second round, to the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers, respectively, and continued last year. Kemba Walker of The Bronx was the city’s highest pick since Charlie Villanueva in 2005, going ninth overall to the Charlotte Bobcats, and Queens product Charles Jenkins was taken in the second round (44th overall) by the Golden State Warriors.

Aside from Harkless, who led the shorthanded Red Storm to a 13-19 campaign and was the Big East Rookie of the Year, the crop of draft hopefuls won big in college.

Lamb was a key member to Kentucky’s national championship team, scoring 22 points in the NCAA Tournament finals victory over Kansas. Machado led Iona to the MAAC regular season title and its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2006. Holloway made the NCAA Tournament all four years at Xavier, including three Sweet 16 appearances, and Jones improved each year in Morgantown, West Va., averaging 19.9 points per game as a senior and helped the Mountaineers reach the Final Four as a sophomore.

O’Quinn, the 6-foot-8 forward out of Campus Magnet in Queens, was one of the stars of the tournament this year, going for 26 points and 14 rebounds in a huge upset of Missouri, just the fifth time a 15th seed has taken down a No. 2.

“It’s going to show we haven’t lost any talent,” predicted Machado, projected as a second-round pick. “There’s a chance and an opportunity for everyone to showcase their talent. We can prove New York basketball has always been there, we’re trying to continue it and keep it going.”

St. John’s assistant Tony Chiles, a Bronx product who has recruited the city for much of his coaching career, doesn’t think this year’s draft will change the perception of the five boroughs because the area has taken a hit with hyped prospects such as Stephenson and Sebastian Telfair failing to pan out.

“These guys have to prove they belong in the league and show something before people start saying New York is back,” Chiles said. “It’s one thing to get drafted, but another to be a good player [in the NBA].”

Of the six players likely to be taken tomorrow night, Harkless has the best chance to break the recent mold of underwhelming pros from the area, Chiles believes. NBA scouting director Ryan Blake agrees, lauding Harkless’ athleticism, length, shooting ability and ability to play both ends of the floor.

“His upside is there,” Blake said.

Harkless' decision to go pro after one year at St. John's was met with doubts, but after an impressive series of workouts with 10 teams, those questions have faded. He is expected to go somewhere in the middle of the first round.

"I want to play against the best competition," Harkless said. "I think I'm ready for the next level."

He isn't picky. Harkless just wants to land with a team where he has an opportunity to play and improve.

"It will be the best feeling in the world," he predicted. Harkless added: "It's a blessing to be where I'm at now."

He's not alone in that feeling, joined by the five other New Yorkers. Blake thinks all six of said prospects can stick depending on the situation, led by Harkless and Machado, who he said “has a good chance to be a surprise.”

The Iona College point guard plans to watch the draft with his family and will keep a close eye on his fellow New Yorkers.

“I’m going to be hoping for the best for all of them," he said.

zbraziller@nypost.com

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Finger Lakes Results

FIRST-1m&70y; $9,000; mdn cl($4,500); 3up

1

Brsstwn Shrff (Cmj)

23.00

5.40

3.20

2

Digby B (Rodriguez)

2.10

2.10

5

Grand Rapture (Ignacio)

8.50

* Exacta (1-2) $45.60 * $1 Superfecta (1-2-5-3) $675.50 * Trifecta (1-2-5) $471.00

SECOND-5f; $9,000; mdn cl($4,500); 3up

6

Hrolds Wrrr (Yng)

3.50

2.50

2.10

4

Mllennum Prd (Rodrguz)

12.40

7.30

2

Ziggy's Island (Ignacio)

2.40

* Daily Double (1-6) $79.00 * Exacta (6-4) $45.20 * $1 Superfecta (6-4-2-7) $164.50 * Trifecta (6-4-2) $105.50

Winner picked by Affrunti

THIRD-5 1/2f; $9,000; cl($4,500); 3up; (f&m)

4

Lost Bdge (Rohen)

6.90

3.80

2.60

1

Oh Heavenly Day (Ignco)

3.30

2.40

6

Iwaspaidlate (Camejo)

4.20

* Exacta (4-1) $19.20 * $1 Superfecta (4-1-6-3) $268.00 * Trifecta (4-1-6) $91.00

FOURTH-6f; $10,200; mdn cl($7,500); 3up; (f&m)

2

Brdstrke (Guterrz)

4.40

3.10

2.30

3

Dita (Suarez)

2.70

2.50

7

Sizzlin Samantha (Davila,Jr.)

3.20

* Exacta (2-3) $12.40 * $1 Superfecta (2-3-7-5) $108.70 * Trifecta (2-3-7) $52.00

Exacta picked by Affrunti

FIFTH-6f; $9,000; mdn cl($4,500); 3up

5

Hr Cms Fxy (Mrls)

7.80

3.10

2.40

6

Mikemambo (Perez)

2.90

2.30

4

Kiss Me On T V G (Laredo)

5.60

Scr: Lionator, Vodka Bob.

* Pick 4 (6-4-2-5) 4 Correct $193.50 * Pick 3 (4-2-5) 3 Correct $73.50 * Daily Double (2-5) $25.40 * Exacta (5-6) $17.00 * $1 Superfecta (5-6-4-1) $92.00 * Trifecta (5-6-4) $88.00

SIXTH-1m&70y; $9,000; cl($4,500); 3up

6

Grt Addctn (Cruz)

17.20

5.80

3.00

4

Hi Poppy (Gutierrez)

3.30

2.20

2

Small Town (Perez)

2.20

* Daily Double (5-6) $54.50 * Exacta (6-4) $42.00 * $1 Superfecta (6-4-2-3) $104.50 * Trifecta (6-4-2) $63.50

SEVENTH-5 1/2f; $9,000; cl($4,500); 3up

4

Smokn Lu (Gutrrz)

6.20

3.60

2.50

7

Burn On Turn On (DvlJr.)

2.80

2.30

3

Tell Me First (Rodriguez)

2.50

Scr: You Willgo Broke, Bedside Tales.

* Exacta (4-7) $15.40 * $1 Superfecta (4-7-3-2) $106.70 * Trifecta (4-7-3) $50.00

EIGHTH-1m; $17,800; alw; 3up

4

Smokn Cndy (Rhn)

3.70

2.60

2.80

3

Parrelo (Davila,Jr.)

3.70

5.30

2

No Flaws (Perez)

13.00

* Exacta (4-3) $8.80 * Trifecta (4-3-2) $36.20

Winner picked by Affrunti

NINTH-4 1/2f; $9,000; cl($4,500); 3up

8

Fried (Suarez)

9.30

4.50

2.10

4

President Eaton (Gomez)

8.10

4.30

2

Molly's Ship (Flores)

2.90

* Pick 4 (6-4-4-8) 4 Correct $466.00 * Pick 3 (4-4-8) 3 Correct $61.00 * Daily Double (4-8) $19.00 * Exacta (8-4) $81.00 * $1 Superfecta (8-4-2-7) $1,376.50 * Trifecta (8-4-2) $259.00

Attendance unavailable.

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Trifecta, cl, cl, Superfecta

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IKEA Knocks on India's Door

NEW DELHI—Swedish furniture giant IKEA Group asked India for permission to invest €1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) in the country to set up 25 stores in coming years, bringing some relief to New Delhi policy makers, as they try to bolster foreign investors' sagging sentiment.

IKEA's foray into India, made possible by a policy change last year that allows some retailers to own 100% of their Indian units, could help transform India's largely unorganized $500 billion retail sector. But the company will face significant challenges, including meeting the government's mandate that it source 30% of inventory from small-scale local industries.

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An Ikea store in Stockholm

IKEA, which has 298 stores world-wide and is known for selling affordable, modern furniture and household goods, said that if the Indian government approves its application it could have a significant impact on the country's retail sector, "vastly improving availability of high-quality, low-price products."

The company unveiled its plan after Chief Executive Mikael Ohlsson met with Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma on Friday at a conference in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Foreign companies have soured on India over the past year because of concerns about increased regulatory uncertainty, slowing economic growth and stalled proposals to liberalize foreign-ownership caps. Dwindling foreign capital flows have helped push the rupee to record lows against the dollar in recent weeks.

An IKEA investment could help Indian policy makers send a signal to other foreign investors that the country is still an attractive investment destination. "It's more about the image of India and the Indian story," said Arvind Singhal, chairman of consulting firm Technopak Advisors. "This is a very good endorsement."

India's move last fall to allow foreign firms to own 100% of some Indian retail ventures, up from a previous 51%, came after lobbying by IKEA and others who wanted to have full operational control of their businesses in India, rather than working with local joint-venture partners. IKEA's investment would mark the largest by a major foreign company to take advantage of that change.

It could take several years for IKEA to set up its first store, retailing experts say. The company will have competition when it arrives, as India already has at least two big-box housewares retailers. One chain, Lifestyle's Home Centre, which is controlled by Dubai's Landmark Group, has 12 home-furnishing superstores across India that sell most of the same items as IKEA, including sofas, bedroom sets, and kitchen and bathroom items.

While some Indian consumers still prefer to have their furniture custom-made or go to small-time retailers, many appear to be embracing the one-stop-shop concept. Jaspreet Singh Goomer, a 22-year-old accounting student, drove an hour and a half on Saturday from western Delhi to a Home Centre store on the city's eastern outskirts to buy furniture for his family's new house. "You can find anything here: it's all under one roof," he said.

Mr. Goomer said he hasn't heard of IKEA but would welcomemore furniture stores.

An Indian Commerce Ministry spokesman said IKEA submitted an application that envisions two stages of investment, a €600 million tranche in the first part, followed by a €900 million infusion later. The company didn't indicate a timetable.

The application seeks permission to engage in import, export, distribution, marketing, and warehousing, and spells out features of standard IKEA stores that would be present in Indian outlets, such cafés and children's play areas, the Indian ministry spokesman said. It wasn't clear how soon India would respond to the proposal.

IKEA's plans are a vote of confidence for India, but the pressure is still on the government to carry out economic reforms, analysts say. Gross-domestic-product growth was just 5.3% in the most recent quarter, the lowest level in nine years. A widening trade gap has left the country with a current-account deficit of about 4% of GDP, pressuring it to attract international capital.

"It doesn't take the pressure off the government," Seema Desai, India analyst for the risk-advisory firm Eurasia Group, said of IKEA's investment proposal. "India's balance-of-payments situation requires some more reforms for foreign-direct-investment flows to strengthen."

Lately, the Congress party that heads the current coalition government has struggled to build consensus with allies and opposition parties alike for almost all major initiatives. C. Raj Kumar, dean of the Jindal Global Law School outside New Delhi, said Congress needs to do more to persuade those opponents of the urgency of the required economic fixes. "It is possible to bring together widely divergent parties in the interest of the nation," he said. "There needs to be greater efforts at consensus-building."

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, speaking to reporters Sunday aboard his official plane, Air India One, urged "all political parties to work with the government to restore the momentum of growth that this country is capable of and which this country needs."

Foreign investors say that while opening the "single brand" retail market to 100% foreign ownership was a positive step, allowing in "multibrand" retailers—such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Tesco PLC—would have a much greater economic impact. Such companies currently aren't allowed to hold even minority investments in Indian retail firms.

Backers of letting in Wal-Mart and its peers say they would help modernize India's creaky infrastructure and farm-to-market supply chain. Critics, including one key Congress ally—Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress party—say those multinational firms would put out of business millions of small-time shopkeepers, who account for more than 90% of retail revenues.

To meet the mandate of buying 30% of its products from small-scale local industries, IKEA would have to help those vendors modernize their infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities to ensurethey can offerworld-class quality. "The Indian manufacturing base could get a lot more efficient over time," Mr. Singhal said.

In its statement, IKEA said it believes it can "live up to the guidelines and keep within the spirit of the policy" by building upon relationships it already has in India, where it works closely with 70 suppliers of good ranging from textiles to rugs to ceramics for its global stores. In 2011, the firm sourced $450 million of products from India. IKEA spokeswoman Malin Pettersson-Beckeman said the retailer plans to exceed $1 billion in purchases from India in the next few years.

But in its statement, the company said the 30% mandate will remain a challenge in coming years and urged the government to be flexible in what it defines as small-enterprise suppliers for purposes of the requirement. IKEA's biggest markets include Germany, the U.S., France and the U.K. Mr. Ohlsson said in an interview last year that high urbanization and growing middle classes in emerging markets make them an important source of revenue growth.

"Consumption in Russia and China is tremendously strong, while countries like Portugal and Spain are struggling," Mr. Ohlsson said in the interview last year. The furniture giant's sales in China have risen by more than 20% this fiscal year. The company has 11 stores in China and plans to open three more annually between now and 2016.

Indeed, some developing countries are fast outpacing European markets in sales growth.

Ms. Pettersson-Beckeman said IKEA will provide more details about its intentions for India operations once the Indian government approves its application.

Write to Amol Sharma at amol.sharma@wsj.com and Jens Hansegard at jens.hansegard@dowjones.com

A version of this article appeared June 25, 2012, on page B1 in the U.S. edition of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: IKEA Says It Is Ready To Give India a Try.

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Greece set to ‘fight’ Germany

Gdansk, Poland — Germany’s most prominent fan will be in the stands for today’s quarterfinal against Greece at the European Championship.

Chancellor Angela Merkel, however, wins no popularity contests among the Greek contingent. So the political dimension of today’s game only heightens what is already an intriguing match in strictly soccer terms.

Germany is a three-time champion. Greece is the surprise winner of the 2004 Euro title, and the Greeks are still standing again, with an unexpected place in the knockout stages.

“It was always our main aim to reach the quarterfinals. So now we have nothing to lose,” said defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos, one of the many Greece players with Bundesliga experience. “We are playing against one of the best teams here. All I can say is that we’ll fight. If we get the win, that would be a huge result.”

Greece has plenty of reason to be thankful to Germany — the 2004 championship team was coached by a German, Otto Rehhagel.

German and Greek officials are trying to play down the politics. Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, has been a major contributor to international bailouts for Greece and was instrumental in demanding structural reforms and hugely unpopular spending cuts in return. Greek fans are unlikely to take kindly to Merkel’s presence at Gdansk Arena.

“We are playing for our shirt, our flag and for the people back home,” midfielder Costas Katsouranis said.

Added Greek forward Dimitris Salpigidis: “I don’t think anyone on the team believes this will be our last game at this tournament. People have so many problems in their everyday lives. We’re really hoping that we can put a smile on their face.”

Gdansk also was also the scene of the first battle of World War II, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. A German soccer federation delegation laid a wreath Wednesday at a memorial for Poles at the Westerplatte peninsula on the outskirts of the Baltic city.

Germany has two Poland-born players in its squad, Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski, and Polish fans could throw their support behind the Germans. By winning its group, Germany got to stay in Gdansk and was spared having to travel. — AP

Merkel attended Germany’s 4-0 rout of Argentina at the 2010 World Cup and saw Germany beat Turkey in Berlin in the most important Euro 2012 qualifier for her team. She has visited the German locker room and briefly spent time with the team in Gdansk before the tournament.

“She seems to bring us luck,” midfielder Sami Khedira said.

Germany is the only team to have won all three group games and goes into the quarterfinal as the overwhelming favorite. But the Germans understand the ability of the Greeks.

“They are a very good team, underestimated by many. They create few chances but score from them. Technically, they are strong and play well one-on-one,” Khedira said.

“It will be tough to crack their defense, but we have the means. We have to be patient, but we also have to be constantly on the move. They will try to disrupt our game and beat us, but they will not succeed.”

Added midfielder Thomas Mueller: “We know what we have to do, but it’s not going to be a piece of cake.”

Greece will be missing playmaker and captain Giorgos Karagounis because of suspension.

There is speculation Germany coach Joachim Loew will return Klose to the starting lineup, although Mario Gomez scored three goals that won matches against Portugal and the Netherlands. Klose, a 34-year-old striker, scored the last time these teams played each other, a World Cup qualifier in 2001.

Six Greece players have either played or still play in the Bundesliga. Greece has five defeats and three draws in the eight games it has played Germany or the former West Germany.

“We are not too bothered about statistics. ... That doesn’t really matter,” Salpigidis said. — AP

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Germany, Miroslav Klose, Angela Merkel, Gdansk, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, Otto Rehhagel.German, Bundesliga, GDANSK, Poland, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Greek officials, Sami Khedira, quarterfinal, quarterfinal, Dimitris Salpigidis

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Thunder's Harden knows it’s on him

MIAMI — He has spoken with his former coaches, guys who trained him in high school and college. He has received calls of encouragement from the top to the bottom of the Thunder organization. But James Harden is fully aware the only person who can help him get out of his NBA Finals funk is James Harden.

“They’re telling me to stick with it,” Harden, his left hand surrounded by an ice bag and elastic bandage, said yesterday of the calls of encouragement, including one from Thunder general manager Sam Presti, he has received. “He said, ‘You put in the work every single day so stick with it and just try to be consistent and stay positive.’ Things like that help me, helps everybody in that locker room have that positive energy.”

Well, the Thunder need all the help they can get. Oklahoma City faces a 3-1 deficit against the Heat, who can close it out tonight in Game 5. No team, in 30 different scenarios, ever has come back from 3-1 down to win the finals.

“All of us understand the mood,” Harden said. “No team, has ever come back from 3-1 in the finals, but we’ll try to make history.”

Harden is coming off back-to-back 2-of-10 shooting games. The third prong in Oklahoma City’s version of the Big Three has failed horribly in two defeats on the biggest stage.

“Can’t worry about what other people are talking about. It’s just go and play,” Harden said.

LeBron James still felt a little soreness yesterday from his Game 4 bout with leg cramps. But he said he was feeling much better.

“A lot better,” said James, who pointed out how he simply was walking better. “I’m still a little sore because of the muscles just kind of being at an intense level, very tight. ... I was able to get some treatment last night. I was able to get some treatment this morning. ... But I think I’m going to use today as an opportunity to continue to improve my legs.”

Though the Heat knocked down 10-of-26 3-pointers in Game 4, the Thunder were a woeful 3-of-16.

“We’ve just got to play the right way,” Kevin Durant said. “We’ve got to find each other. James [Harden] missed three wide open 3’s that looked good. I missed a few wide-open ones. We had some good looks. Unfortunately, they didn’t fall.”

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Garden City Hotel to be sold

The renowned Garden City Hotel, owned by the Nelkin family, is under contract to be sold to Fortuna Realty Group’s Morris Moinian, sources said.

The 272-room, nine-story hotel sits on 8.5 acres of manicured grounds in the posh Long Island community. It is topped by a distinctive clock tower and boasts a popular and extensive catering and event space.

No price was disclosed. The hotel had been marketed in 2008, but a deal for nearly $100 million was never completed. Moinian did not return a call for comment.

The hotel, where high society, diplomats and celebrities have long hobnobbed, opened in 1874 and has been refurbished several times, most recently in 1983 by the late Myron Nelkin. His daughter, Cathy Nelkin Miller, is the current president of the hotel, which is now a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.

Garden City Hotel, Fortuna Realty Group, Morris Moinian, Myron Nelkin, Cathy Nelkin Miller, Nelkin, Moinian

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Hollywood Graded Entries

Post Time: 4:00 p.m.

FIRST-6 1/2 fur; $20,000; clm($10,000); 3YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

2 TribalDreams(L)117

EFlores

1-1-2

2-1

6 CallMeJones(L),118

AQnnz

3-6-3

5-2

1 Pop the Cork(L),120

MPedrz

5-3-3

5-1

3 WhatsforDinnrL120

MGtrrz

1-5-5

5-1

4 Wise Guise(L),118

DFlores

4-2-1

8-1

5 Congrats Ski(L),118

KKriggr

11-5-6

6-1

7 Super Candy(L),118

AJimnz

4-7-2

10-1

SECOND-5 fur(T); $50,000; mdn; 2YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

7 SpednthrthctyL115

JTalam

x-x-x

3-1

6 Manewal(L),118

KKriggr

2-x-x

9-5

1 SalutosAmigosL118

MGarci

x-x-x

3-1

2 Rob's Pal(L),118

CSthrln

x-x-x

6-1

3 Collation(L),118

MLinrs

7-x-x

15-1

4 Boozer(L),118

VEspnz

x-x-x

8-1

5 Miceli(L),118

JVldvJr

x-x-x

8-1

THIRD-4 1/2 fur; $29,000; clm($50,0); 2YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

8 DivasndDmndsL118

MPedrz

5-x-x

2-1

9 Iotapa(L),120

RBejrn

x-x-x

5-2

1 TangledRock(L),118

MGtrrz

8-x-x

15-1

2 HalfMonGmblrL118

DVergr

x-x-x

12-1

3 Gambulina(L),111

VBednr

4-x-x

9-2

4 Snackable(M),118

EMldnd

2-x-x

5-1

5 Bellisime(L),120

J Scott

x-x-x

20-1

6 PursuitofprdsM118

CSthrln

5-x-x

8-1

7 Pat's Back(L),120

S Arias

x-x-x

20-1

FOURTH-6 fur; $25,000; clm($25,000); 3up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 RunawayBnddL122

AQnnz

6-6-8

5-2

6 Panettone(L),117

VEspnz

6-9-3

3-1

2 ZmbyslyrmrdrcL12

ACstnn

3-2-8

5-1

3 HollywoodHestL122

MPedrz

6-6-5

6-1

4 Magic Beam(L),122

ADlgdll

2-5-6

5-1

5 GeorgiasFrindM122

PValnzl

9-5-5

20-1

7 ChapmansPekL122

MGarci

5-9-5

3-1

FIFTH-1 1/16 miles(T); $52,000; alw; 3up(f)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

8 MissSpedDtngL124

GGomz

1-2-x

7-2

1 Highly Rated(L),117

RBejrn

1-7-x

5-2

2 WarrensGoldieL113

VEspnz

1-5-3

8-1

3 Elana Mar(L),124

DFlores

2-5-1

3-1

4 Plazarita(L),115

EFlores

1-4-1

20-1

5 LongLeggdLvlyL120

JTalam

4-4-1

4-1

6 RuffledFeathrsL124

MPedrz

5-7-3

12-1

7 Coconino(L),122

EMldnd

2-1-2

10-1

SIXTH-1 1/16m; $19,000; clm($20,000); 3up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

7 Malibu Love(L),117

IPuglisi

2-2-2

2-1

1 Zenett(L),115

VEspnz

4-2-9

5-2

2 SweetCeliaMnL115

VBednr

11-7-x

20-1

3 Geri's Car(L),117

EFlores

9-8-12

10-1

4 ImAlwaysHopflL117

AQnnz

5-4-6

5-2

5 Red Intrigue(L),117

EMldnd

3-5-8

6-1

6 Silic's Valley(L),124

S Arias

8-x-x

10-1

8 Aredhel(L),117

DVergr

6-8-5

20-1

SEVENTH-6 1/2 fur; $55,000; alw; 3up(f)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

2 Orientatious(L),120

RBejrn

1-1-2

6-5

4 SparklingStyleL124

JTalam

1-1-6

5-2

1 Gem of Soul(L),122

VEspnz

4-4-6

4-1

3 TrueWayofGrcL122

MGarci

1-7-5

12-1

5 Glamorista(L),122

CSthrln

2-1-5

3-1

EIGHTH-4 1/2 fur; $29,000; clm($50,0); 2YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

6 YodelinMoon(L)120

RBejrn

8-x-x

3-1

8 CitizenBernstnL120

VEspnz

2-x-x

5-2

1 Renee'sTitan(L),120

MGarci

x-x-x

5-1

2 Kiptiddy Do(L),119

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Heat's pain is nearly gone after 104-98 win over Thunder in Game 4

Miami's LeBron James, right, puts up a shot over Oklahoma City's Thabo Sefolosha during the second half of the Heat's 104-98 victory in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday. (Mike Segar / Associated Press / June 19, 2012)

MIAMI — It was an implausible sequence, spanning only a few minutes.

LeBron James was cramping so badly midway through the fourth quarter Tuesday night that he had to be carried off the court, seemingly taking with him the NBA title hopes of the Miami Heat.

He returned shortly thereafter to lift the spirits of a city.

James capped one of the gutsiest performances in NBA Finals history by making the three-point shot that put Miami ahead in a spine-tingling 104-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4.

Now the Heat is one victory from hoisting a championship trophy, holding a 3-1 advantage in a best-of-seven series it can close out here Thursday in Game 5 at AmericanAirlines Arena.

On the plus side for the Thunder, it could make history by becoming the first team to rally from such a daunting deficit in the Finals to win a title. None of the previous 30 teams in the same spot could do it.

There was already a party atmosphere in South Beach after James shook off his leg cramps to make the go-ahead three-pointer with 2 minutes 51 seconds left, providing the Heat a 97-94 lead.

"Playing on one leg," Heat center Chris Bosh said, "I don't know how he did it."

James nearly finished with a triple-double, collecting 26 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds in 44 minutes.

But he could never shake the discomfort from his cramps, limping to the timeout huddle with 55 seconds left. He stayed on the bench as Mario Chalmers drove for a scoop layup that extended the Heat's advantage to 101-96 with 44 seconds to go.

"It's basically like your body just shuts down, your legs shut down on you and there's nothing really you can do about it," James said.

Oklahoma City made one last push behind Russell Westbrook, who banked in a jumper with 40 seconds left to pull the Thunder to within 101-98.

But a subsequent jump ball was tipped to Chalmers, who was fouled by Westbrook despite there only being a few seconds left on the shot clock. He made two free throws to secure the Heat's third consecutive win in the series.

Chalmers finished with 25 points, an unexpected boost that matched the scoring output of more ballyhooed teammate Dwyane Wade.

Westbrook was the most brilliant player on the floor for much of the game, scoring a career playoff high 43 points on 20-for-32 shooting. He scored 13 consecutive points for Oklahoma City to start the fourth quarter amid an array of driving layups, floaters and pull-up jumpers.

It wasn't enough.

"It really doesn't mean nothing," Westbrook said. "We didn't come out with the win."

The Thunder couldn't find any reliable scoring options beyond Westbrook and Kevin Durant, who had 28 points and gave his team a short-lived 94-92 lead with a 19-foot jumper. No other player on Oklahoma City's roster finished in double figures.

James' cramps intensified after he drove toward the basket and slipped with 5:49 left. He rose and started to run gingerly back down the court before Wade blocked Derek Fisher's layup, starting a possession that ended with a short jumper by James.

But James could not gut it out for long, getting carried off the court by Juwan Howard and trainer Jay Sabol during a timeout with 5:15 remaining.

"I wanted to walk to the bench," James said, "but my legs wouldn't allow me."

The crowd roared as James checked back in with 4:05 to go and the Heat trailing, 94-92. A driving layup by Bosh tied the score before James elevated for the three-pointer over Thabo Sefolosha that will probably be shown on an endless loop on highlight shows.

"The ball was swung to me and the shot clock was going down," James said. "I just wanted to step up and make a play and I was able to drain that three and give us a lift."

ben.bolch@latimes.com

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, LeBron James, the Heat, the Heat, Thabo Sefolosha, Thabo Sefolosha, Russell Westbrook, Westbrook, Mario Chalmers, Thunder, NBA Finals, Miami

Latimes.com

Pitching Form

(Game time)

2012

'12 vs OPP

CAREER

LAST 3 STARTS

LINE

W-L

ERA

*REC

W-L

ERA

vs OPP

W-L

IP

ERA

*AHW

Braves

Minor (L)

(7:05pm)

3-4

6.01

6-6

0-0

1.23

0-0

1-0

17.1

3.12

11.9

Yankees

Sabathia (L)

9-11

8-3

3.70

9-4

1-0

5.14

2-1

2-1

21.0

3.86

12.9

Orioles

Arrieta (R)

(7:10pm)

3-8

5.89

5-9

—

—

0-0

1-2

15.2

8.04

14.4

Mets

Dickey (R)

8-9

10-1

2.20

11-2

—

—

1-2

3-0

25.1

0.00

5.0

Reds

Latos (R)

(7:05pm)

5-2

4.64

8-5

1-0

2.57

1-0

1-0

16.2

4.86

13.5

Indians

Lowe (R)

Even-6

7-5

3.78

7-6

0-1

4.50

4-4

1-2

17.2

5.60

13.8

Royals

Sanchez (L)

(8:05pm)

1-2

5.93

3-4

—

—

1-2

0-1

13.0

4.85

14.5

Astros

Happ (L)

Pick

4-7

5.33

5-8

—

—

0-0

0-3

15.0

9.00

17.4

Blue Jays

Alvarez (R)

(8:10pm)

3-6

3.87

3-10

—

—

0-0

0-2

20.1

4.87

11.5

Brewers

Wolf (L)

5 1/2-6 1/2

2-5

5.06

4-9

—

—

1-0

0-1

19.2

3.20

11.9

Cubs

Garza (R)

(8:10pm)

2-5

4.04

3-9

—

—

1-3

0-2

18.0

3.50

8.5

White Sox

Stewart (R)

Pick

1-1

5.18

0-0

0-0

36.00

0-0

---

----

----

----

Mariners

Noesi (R)

(9:40pm)

2-7

5.54

5-8

—

—

0-0

0-1

15.1

7.63

14.1

D'Backs

Miley (L)

7 1/2-8 1/2

7-3

2.39

7-3

—

—

0-0

1-2

23.0

2.35

5.1

Rangers

Harrison (L)

8 1/2-10

8-3

3.54

9-4

—

—

0-0

2-0

23.0

1.17

7.8

Padres

Marquis (R)

(10:05pm)

3-5

6.60

3-6

—

—

1-1

1-2

14.0

6.43

18.6

Giants

Cain (R)

5 1/2-6 1/2

8-2

2.18

10-3

—

—

1-0

3-0

24.0

0.38

5.6

Angels

Williams (R)

(10:05pm)

6-4

4.20

6-5

—

—

0-1

1-2

20.1

5.31

12.0

* REC: Won-lost record of pitcher's team in games he has started.

* AHW: Average total of hits and walks yielded per nine innings.
Nypost.com

Hollywood Results

FIRST-6 fur; $29,000; clm($20,000); 3up

2

Yu Cn Drm (Dlgdll)

6.20

3.20

2.60

4

So Tempted (Pedroza)

2.80

2.20

1

Laura's Pleasure (Flores)

3.00

* $1 Exacta (2-4) $8.00 * Quinella (2-4) $5.80 * $1 Superfecta (2-4-1-5) $66.20 * $1 Trifecta (2-4-1) $23.60

Winner picked by Vic C

SECOND-6 fur(T); $32,000; clm($25,000); 3up

5

Mssdlornodl (Bjrn)

2.80

2.20

2.10

3

Folk Dancer (Delgadillo)

5.80

4.60

6

Three Cuties (Puglisi)

8.60

* Daily Double (2-5) $8.80 * $1 Exacta (5-3) $7.90 * Quinella (3-5) $9.60 * $1 Superfecta (5-3-6-1) $724.40 * $1 Trifecta (5-3-6) $128.20

Double picked by Vic C

THIRD-5 1/2 fur; $100,000; 2YO

Willard Proctor Memorial

6

Amarsh (Mldondo)

3.40

2.60

2.10

5

Moreno's Mne (Delgdllo)

13.80

4.60

8

Undrafted (Garcia)

2.20

Scr: Forest Boy.

* $1 Pick 3 (2-5-6) 3 Correct $11.10 * Daily Double (5-6) $4.40 * $1 Exacta (6-5) $21.30 * Quinella (5-6) $45.00 * $1 Superfecta (6-5-8-3) $362.30 * $1 Trifecta (6-5-8) $71.20

Pick Three picked by Vic C

FOURTH-1 1/8 miles(T); $60,000; alw; 4up

6

Interacton (Blanc)

8.80

3.60

2.80

5

Norvsky (Bejarano)

2.40

2.10

1

Romp (Garcia)

4.20

Scr: Haimish Hy.

* $1 Pick 3 (5-6-6) 3 Correct $18.90 * Daily Double (6-6) $18.00 * $1 Exacta (6-5) $7.70 * Quinella (5-6) $7.00 * $1 Superfecta (6-5-1-2) $112.00 * $1 Trifecta (6-5-1) $45.10

FIFTH-6 fur; $29,000; clm($20,000); 3up

5

Mster Chef (Tlmo)

8.40

4.60

3.60

6

Vadertore (Gutierrez)

5.60

3.80

3

Format V. (Bejarano)

4.80

* $0.5 Pick 5 (2-5-2/6-6-5) 5 Correct $155.75 * $0.5 Pick 4 (5-2/6-6-5) 4 Correct $49.05 * $1 Pick 3 (6-6-5) 3 Correct $43.10 * $1 Superfecta (5-6-3-4) $536.40 * $1 Trifecta (5-6-3) $122.00 * Daily Double (6-5) $37.60 * $1 Exacta (5-6) $23.60 * Quinella (5-6) $20.80

Winner picked by Vic C.

SIXTH-6 fur(T); $50,000; mdn; 3up

6

U S Ctzen (Bejrno)

4.20

3.20

2.40

11

Warrior's Ridge (Garcia)

5.60

3.80

7

English Prep (Valenzuela)

3.60

* $1 Pick 3 (6-5-6) 3 Correct $46.40 * Daily Double (5-6) $23.80 * $1 Exacta (6-11) $12.70 * Quinella (6-11) $16.00 * $1 Superfecta (6-11-7-9) $326.90 * $1 Trifecta (6-11-7) $50.40

Winner picked by Vic C.

SEVENTH-5 1/2 fur; $100,000; 2YO(f), Cinderella

4

Mss Empr (Krggr)

19.80

7.60

5.00

1

Awesome Anne (Pedroz)

6.80

5.00

5

Tilde (Bejarano)

3.60

* $1 Pick 3 (5-6-4) 3 Correct $95.70 * Daily Double (6-4) $46.40 * $1 Exacta (4-1) $67.10 * Quinella (1-4) $73.00 * $1 Superfecta (4-1-5-7) $1,707.00 * $1 Trifecta (4-1-5) $291.50

EIGHTH-1 mile(T); $55,000; alw; 3up

5

Ky Dcson (Espnoz)

18.60

8.00

5.60

7

Akkadian (Garcia)

5.00

3.60

3

Massone (Gomez)

3.20

Scr: Huntingman, Fire With Fire, Tippety Tap Tap.

* $1 Pick 3 (6-4-5) 3 Correct $236.90 * Daily Double (4-5) $151.00 * $1 Exacta (5-7) $53.80 * Quinella (5-7) $67.80 * $1 Superfecta (5-7-3-8) $521.10 * $1 Trifecta (5-7-3) $194.40

NINTH-$250,000, 3up, 1[mi,; Vanity H.

5

Lv Thwy Yr (Gmz)

38.00

6.20

4.20

2

Include Me Out (Talamo)

2.40

2.10

6

Zafeen's Pearl (Sutherland)

4.00

Scr: Ellafitz, Zazu.

* $1 Pick 3 (4-5-5) 3 Correct $4,949.30 * Daily Double (5-5) $253.40 * $1 Exacta (5-2) $48.80 * Quinella (2-5) $17.20 * $1 Superfecta (5-2-6-7) $843.30 * $1 Trifecta (5-2-6) $267.80

TENTH-$19,000, mdn cl, 3YO up F&M, 7f

3

Brtydnbshytl (Gmz)

5.20

3.00

2.20

10

Unusual Jewel (Arias)

31.40

15.80

2

Sing And Swing (Gutierrez)

6.20

Scr: Swift Anticipation, Willetta.

* Pick 6 (5-6-4-5-5-3/8) 5 Correct $1,674.80 * $0.5 Pick 4 (4-5-5-3/8) 4 Correct $7,293.10 * $1 Pick 3 (5-5-3) 3 Correct $817.10 * $1 Trifecta (3-10-2) $1,356.80 * Daily Double (5-3) $166.60 * $1 Exacta (3-10) $105.10 * Quinella (3-10) $126.80 * $1 Superfecta (3-10-2-7) $8,187.00

Attendance unavailable.

Quinella, Trifecta, Daily Double, Superfecta

Nypost.com

Pitching Form

(Game time)

2012

'12 vs OPP

CAREER

LAST 3 STARTS

LINE

W-L

ERA

*REC

W-L

ERA

vs OPP

W-L

IP

ERA

*AHW

Yankees

Nova (R)

(1:35pm)

8-2

4.64

10-2

—

—

0-0

3-0

21.2

2.49

9.1

Nationals

Jackson (R)

Even-6

3-3

3.02

4-8

—

—

2-6

2-1

21.2

2.08

9.1

Reds

Cueto (R)

6-7

7-3

2.46

9-4

—

—

0-3

2-1

23.2

2.28

8.4

Mets

Young (R)

(1:10pm)

1-0

3.37

1-1

—

—

0-0

1-0

10.2

3.37

15.2

Pirates

Lincoln (R)

(1:05pm)

3-2

3.15

1-2

—

—

0-0

1-2

14.1

6.91

14.4

Indians

Gomez (R)

6-7

4-5

4.71

6-5

—

—

0-0

1-2

15.0

7.20

17.4

Rockies

Guthrie (R)

(1:05pm)

3-5

6.91

5-5

—

—

3-2

1-2

15.1

11.15

20.5

Tigers

Scherzer (R)

8-9

5-4

5.76

7-6

—

—

0-3

1-1

16.1

6.06

16.0

Phillies

Kendrick (R)

(1:07pm)

2-6

5.08

3-6

—

—

0-0

1-2

15.0

7.80

18.0

Blue Jays

Cecil (L)

Even-6

---

----

---

—

—

8.1

---

----

----

----

Orioles

Chen (L)

(1:35pm)

6-2

3.68

8-4

—

—

0-0

2-1

19.0

4.74

12.3

Braves

Delgado (R)

5 1/2-6 1/2

4-6

4.34

5-7

—

—

0-0

2-1

16.2

3.78

12.4

Marlins

Johnson (R)

(1:35pm)

4-4

4.27

8-5

—

—

1-0

2-1

20.2

2.61

9.6

Rays

Cobb (R)

Even-6

2-3

4.70

2-3

—

—

1-0

0-3

18.2

6.27

12.5

Brewers

Greinke (R)

6-7

7-2

2.96

9-4

1-0

1.35

4-8

2-0

20.0

0.90

9.0

Twins

Blackburn (R)

(2:10pm)

3-4

7.68

4-5

—

—

1-2

2-0

12.0

9.00

18.8

Royals

Mendoza (R)

(2:15pm)

2-3

4.89

2-4

—

—

0-0

1-0

16.2

3.78

9.2

Cardinals

Wainwrght (R)

8-9

5-7

4.75

5-8

—

—

2-1

1-2

19.0

5.68

11.4

Astros

Keuchel (L)

(3:05pm)

---

----

---

—

—

—

---

----

----

---

Rangers

Lewis (R)

10-12

5-5

3.13

7-6

1-0

1.13

3-1

1-2

23.2

1.90

6.1

D'Backs

Kennedy (R)

(3:35pm)

5-6

4.32

5-8

—

—

0-1

2-1

19.1

3.26

11.2

Angels

Richards (R)

5 1/2-6 1/2

1-0

1.38

2-0

—

—

0-0

1-0

12.0

1.50

12.0

Padres

Richard (L)

(4:05pm)

3-7

4.30

4-9

—

—

0-1

1-1

19.1

2.79

12.6

Athletics

Colon (R)

6 1/2-7 1/2

6-6

4.21

7-7

—

—

1-1

2-1

20.0

3.15

12.6

Giants

Bumgarner (L)

(4:10pm)

8-4

3.08

9-4

—

—

0-0

3-0

21.2

2.91

10.4

Mariners

Hernandez (R)

Even-6

4-5

3.70

5-8

—

—

2-0

0-2

17.0

7.41

16.9

White Sox

Quintana (L)

(4:10pm)

2-1

1.98

3-1

—

—

0-0

1-1

15.0

2.40

12.6

Dodgers

Capuano (L)

6-7

8-2

2.87

9-4

—

—

0-0

1-1

15.1

5.87

16.4

Red Sox

Morales (L)

Even-6

0-1

3.04

0-0

—

—

0-0

---

----

----

----

Cubs

Maholm (L)

(8:00pm)

4-5

4.91

5-7

—

—

1-0

0-2

15.1

5.87

14.1

* REC: Won-lost record of pitcher's team in games he has started.

* AHW: Average total of hits and walks yielded per nine innings.
Nypost.com

Stony silenced in Series opener

OMAHA, Neb. — Even Cinderella got to dance a little.

Stony Brook’s sensational run is only one loss from ending after the team from Long Island gave up five first-inning runs and dropped the College World Series opener 9-1 to top-seeded UCLA yesterday at TD Ameritrade Park.

The Seawolves (52-14), only the second No. 4 seed to reach the College World Series, will attempt to extend their season tomorrow against the loser of last night’s game between Florida State and Arizona.

“Even if they haven’t scored as much as they did early, you go up against a team like that, you’re only going to get a couple of chances to score,” Stony Brook coach Matt Senk said. “We were never able to gather any momentum at all.”

AP

HOME LATE: Stony Brook’s Kevin Courtney is called out after a close tag play by UCLA catcher Tyler Heineman in the fifth inning of the underdog Seawolves’ 9-1 loss in the College World Series last night in Omaha, Neb.

UCLA (48-14) looked supremely comfortable as its first five batters reached base against Stony Brook ace Tyler Johnson. Right fielder Jeff Gelalich produced all the runs needed with a two-run, bases-loaded single and Johnson allowed five hits and a walk in a 40-pitch first inning.

With pockets of red spread all throughout the 23,000 fans in attendance, Stony Brook was rarely able to involve a crowd begging to get behind the team in its first College World Series appearance.

“Another key thing is I think we took the crowd out of the game a little bit,” UCLA coach John Savage said. “Whenever you put up five and they get zero, I think it calms things down a little bit because that crowd was ready to go.”

Facing UCLA sophomore Adam Plutko, the Seawolves looked ready to bounce back after loading the bases with one out in the second inning. But the right-hander struck out Kevin Courtney and forced Sal Intagliata to pop up with Stony Brook’s best hitter, Travis Jankowski, on deck.

“[Plutko] pounded the strike zone and threw fastballs for the most part,” said Jankowski, who went 0-for-4. “He tried to get us to chase, and that was his main pitch — fastball up in the zone — and we chased it. It was there all day.”

Plutko pitched seven innings, striking out seven. Johnson, a senior, threw a season-low 2 1/3 innings, tying a season-high with four walks, while allowing five hits.

Junior Jasvir Rakkar came on in relief, but didn’t provide much of it. The right-hander’s second pitch was drilled by Kevin Williams deep into center field for a two-run double, saddling Johnson with a season-high seven runs.

Stony Brook’s poor pitching wasn’t given much help, as only an occasional ping could be heard from the Seawolves’ silent bats.

Entering the game with a .335 batting average, second-highest in the nation, the Seawolves mustered just five hits, with catcher Pat Cantwell producing their only run on a home run in the third inning, his second of the season.

“We had some chances with people in scoring position with less than two outs, and we didn’t take advantage of that,” Senk said. “We have been taking advantage of that throughout the year. If we could have plated some people, perhaps [it would have] shifted the momentum in our direction somewhat.”

The Seawolves briefly appeared to carry a slingshot in their back pocket in the fifth inning, when Courtney led off with a walk and Intagliata double. However, on the next pitch, Jankowski grounded out to first, leading Trevor Brown to throw home. Although Courtney was under the tag, the first baseman was called out, leading to a chorus of boos as Senk came out for a futile argument.

The call wasn’t going to change, and if the Seawolves’ amazing ride is going to continue, something will have to.

howard.kussoy@nypost.com

Seawolves, Stony Brook, Seawolves, College World Series, Kevin Courtney, UCLA, fifth inning, fifth inning, Travis Jankowski, OMAHA, Neb.

Nypost.com

Cycling champ Lance Armstrong demands names of secret witnesses who saw him doping

Lance Armstrong is demanding access to evidence gathered by anti-doping investigators — including the names of witnesses who say they saw him take performance-enhancing drugs.

The seven-time Tour de France champ is also asking for all test results from the US Anti-Doping Agency, which is formally charging him with taking the drugs.

“I’m exploring all my options,” he said in Paris.

Armstrong has until June 22 to answer the charges.

He had planned to compete June 24 in the Ironman France triathlon, but organizers yesterday said they were now barring him over the USADA charges.

AFP/Getty Images

Lance Armstrong

He says he never tested positive for barred drugs.

His lawyer, Robert Luskin, wrote the USADA, asking for the names of those accusing his client of doping.

“Even at this preliminary stage, your reliance on secret witnesses making deliberately vague charges is unconscionable,” he wrote.

The USADA says it has damaging testimony from 10 former teammates and support personnel but is concealing their identities to protect them.

Lance Armstrong, USADA, Tour de France champ, US Anti-Doping Agency, Ironman France triathlon, Robert Luskin

Nypost.com

College player from Connecticut poised on eve of first major

SAN FRANCISCO — Cameron Wilson doesn’t appear to be in a rush.

He’s all of 19 years old, just finished his sophomore year at Stanford and is playing in his first major championship. Yet Wilson carried himself yesterday on the Olympic Club putting green — littered with some of the world’s best golfers — with the nonchalance of a PGA Tour veteran ho-humming his way through just another U.S. Open.

Though he’s an amateur, there doesn’t appear to be anything amateurish about Wilson, who’s from the Rowayton section of Norwalk, Conn., and qualified for the Open as the medalist in the Canoe Brook Country Club sectional last week in New Jersey.

Getty Images

PROUD TEACHER: Norwalk’s Cameron Wilson, who will tee off today in the U.S. Open, has worked with Debbie Doninger, the director of instruction at GlenArbor in Bedford, since he was 9 years old.

Wilson, who beginning today will play the first two rounds with former Stanford player Casey Martin and fellow qualifier Dennis Miller, is so close-to-the-vest cautious about his life plan — he wouldn’t say whether he wants to turn pro eventually — he’s reluctant to talk about it.

U.S. OPEN: HOLE BY HOLE

He, in fact, declined to reveal details of the pointers Tiger Woods doled out to him when they played a practice round together on Tuesday. “He told me some things, but nothing I want to reveal to The New York Post,’’ Wilson said.

“He’s very methodical,’’ Debbie Doniger, his coach since he was 9 years old, said yesterday. “He doesn’t like to rush things. He doesn’t jump the gun. That suits his personality.’’

It might also suit his game at the U.S. Open, which requires that sort of mentality.

Doniger, a former college and pro player who’s worked with renowned instructor Jim McLean in Florida and is the director of instruction at GlenArbor in Bedford, called Wilson’s time with Woods “invaluable.’’

“He was able to ask Tiger questions about how he plays majors and the kind of shots he hits,’’ she said. “It’s always nice to pick a brain like that.’’

Wilson called playing the practice round with his Stanford brethren “awesome.’’

“I had met Tiger once before with the [Stanford] team,’’ he said. “That was really cool, but playing with him was way better. I’ve been to a bunch of U.S. Opens in the [metropolitan area], but it’s awesome to be inside the ropes this time. I’m trying not to make a big a deal out of it, treat it like every other tournament I’ve played in and prepare the same way.’’

If Wilson has the kind of success this week he had while tearing up Canoe Brook with his second-round 65 earlier this month, he might think about accelerating his plans to turn pro.

“Obviously, I’d love to play pro golf, but that’s so far away right now it’s not something I think about,’’ he said.

“He’s focused and he has a plan,’’ Cameron’s father, Dave, said yesterday. “I don’t know how it will play out, but he’ll probably try to play professionally. But his plan is to go through Stanford and not leave early.

“I would say this [U.S. Open qualification] came a little early. It’s a nice reward. He’s worked hard for it, but I’m not sure he anticipated getting in this year. He’s on a good track.’’

Cameron Wilson, Tiger Woods, Stanford, Stanford, Wilson, Canoe Brook Country Club, Stanford player Casey Martin, Debbie Doniger, Debbie Doninger

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Giants' Coughlin peeved about Reese’s fleecing on Ballard

Tom Coughlin did not go ahead and blast his own front office, but it was clear yesterday that he was more than irritated about losing injured tight end Jake Ballard to the Patriots and less than pleased this situation could have been avoided if only the Giants had protected Ballard’s rights.

“Very disappointing,’’ said Coughlin, who added to characterize him as discouraged was “a minor description’’ of his emotional state. “I don’t have a lot to say about that one. Just the fact we’re disappointed, very disappointed.’’

Oh, but Coughlin did have more to say.

Jake Ballard get scooped up by the Patriots, but it was pretty clear the Giants coach was upset the tight end got away." title="BLAME GAME : Tom Coughlin wouldn’t go as far as openly blaming GM Jerry Reese for letting Jake Ballard get scooped up by the Patriots, but it was pretty clear the Giants coach was upset the tight end got away." width="300" height="300" src="/rw/nypost/2012/06/14/sports/web_photos/14.1s068.giants.C.TA--300x300.jpg" />

Charles Wenzelberg

BLAME GAME : Tom Coughlin wouldn’t go as far as openly blaming GM Jerry Reese for letting Jake Ballard get scooped up by the Patriots, but it was pretty clear the Giants coach was upset the tight end got away.

Charles Wenzelberg

Jerry Reese

The Giants were stunned Tuesday when the Patriots claimed Ballard off waivers. Ballard can’t play this season while he recovers from a devastating knee injury suffered in the third quarter of Super Bowl XLVI — playing for the Giants and against the Patriots. On Monday, Ballard as expected failed his physical and the Giants waived him, believing this was simply a procedural move and that once he cleared waivers he’d revert back to their Physically Unable to Perform/reserve list to spend the 2012 season rehabbing his knee, hoping to make a return in 2013.

To ensure that Ballard’s rights were protected, the Giants could have kept him on their 90-man training camp roster until moving him to PUP after camp. But the Giants front office did not take that safer option, feeling fairly certain no team would put in a waiver claim on a tight end who can’t play at all this season.

“I could explain it but I don’t want to explain it because it’s really irrelevant at this point,’’ general manager Jerry Reese said on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

Asked why the Giants didn’t simply keep Ballard protected on the roster, Coughlin snapped.

“Don’t ask me those questions,” he said. “I’m not the ... I don’t have the answers for you. We’re all disappointed, that’s all.’’

Reese admitted, “Yes we thought that he would clear’’ and said, “It’s rare but it’s not the first time something like that has happened. It’s disappointing for us that we didn’t get him back. He did a tremendous job for us and we hope he gets well soon and that he can finish his career, whether it’s with New England or whatever team he ends up with. It was disappointing, but that does happen, every blue moon.’’

Coughlin said it was his belief Ballard could return in 2013 and be a productive player.

“I certainly thought so, for sure,’’ he said. “So did everybody, the whole building felt that way.’’

Putting Ballard on waivers, in Coughlin’s view, was “a calculated risk that didn’t work.’’

The Patriots are well-stocked at tight end with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, but Bill Belichick has made these types of unconventional moves before. Belichick scoffed at the notion he broke some unwritten rule about claiming an injured player.

“First of all, there aren’t any unwrittens,’’ Belichick said in New England. “Any time you put a player on waivers, you know there are 31 teams out there that can take him if they want him. We all know that.”

Coughlin seemed to agree, saying “All is fair.’’

Reese said there is no bad blood with the Patriots.

“There is no reason for us to have hard feelings about it,’’ he said. “They think that they can salvage the situation, so we will see what happens.’’

Ballard, 24, caught 38 passes last season, was a revelation for the Giants and wanted to stay. He arrived at the Giants facility on Tuesday figuring he’d cleared waivers but was informed that the Patriots claimed him at 3:50 p.m., 10 minutes before the waiver deadline.

“Obviously he built a reputation here, he’s very close with the guys here, the staff, the team,’’ tight end Travis Beckum said, “and I think if he could have picked he would have picked to stay here, but that is not how the NFL works.’’

paul.schwartz@nypost.com

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Tom Coughlin, Jake Ballard, Ballard, Patriots, the Giants, Giants, the Giants, the Patriots, The Patriots, Jerry Reese

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Business briefs

Hope floats

Stocks had a rebound rally as investors cheered the potential for more stimulus from the Fed.

Ponzi sweep

The SEC charged 14 sales agents associated with swindler Nicholas Cosmo with misleading more than 5,000 investors in Long Island and elsewhere into buying securities to fuel his $415 million Ponzi scheme.

Facebook

In a study partially commissioned by Facebook, research firm comScore found that being a fan of a brand on Facebook causes people to purchase that brand more frequently.

Walmart

Walmart lawyers flagged Brazil, China, India, South Africa and Mexico, as countries that represent the highest corruption risk in a global review, according to a letter from lawmakers investigating the company.

Women MDs

A new study says women physician-scientists are paid on average about $12,000 less per year than male counterparts. The study’s authors surveyed 800 doctors/researchers who had received prestigious federal grants. Results are published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters. Click For Restrictions

Facebook, Nicholas Cosmo, comScore, investors, SEC, rebound

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Belgium Reaps Benefits of Stability

BRUSSELS—Belgium has seen its borrowing costs fall as a combination of a growing economy, an end to a political impasse and the resilient performance of its neighbor Germany have restored market confidence in the country's ability to survive the euro-zone debt crisis, economists said Wednesday.

The lower funding costs should equate to savings of about €100 million ($125 million) this year, ING economist Philippe Ledent said in an interview, adding that "investors are classing us as one of the good students again."

The 10-year Belgian bond yield was at 3.29% Wednesday, unchanged from Tuesday, having been as high as 5.85% in November. Spreads with current safe-haven Germany for 10-year debt have narrowed to 1.82 percentage points, after having widened to 3.62 percentage points in November.

"Consumer confidence, deficit reduction and the budget measures all show we've made a vast amount of progress since last year," a spokesman for Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo said. "We've gone from comparisons with Iraq, because of the lack of government, to spreads that show we're back in the euro-zone core."

Belgium lost favor with investors late last year when its rating was downgraded after political infighting left it in the hands of a caretaker government for 18 months. Mr. Di Rupo eventually put together a six-party coalition, which has since trimmed over €11 billion off the country's budget to comply with European Union rules on deficits this year.

"Markets have understood that Belgium should not be compared with Italy, Spain or any other Mediterranean countries," National Bank of Belgium Governor Luc Coene said Monday. "The government has worked hard to find the right balance, though it's clear we need some more efforts."

Mr. Coene said the government's reforms would enable the country to meet its deficit target of 2.8% of gross domestic product this year. On the same day, the Belgian Debt Agency updated its funding plan for 2012, cutting gross financing requirements to €37.93 billion from €38.57 billion.

Still, it isn't all clear sailing for the country of 11 million. Its national bank warned that additional measures will be necessary to meet deficit targets in 2013, and local elections are due this October, risking a resurgence of the political tensions between the Dutch-speaking north and the Francophone south that led to the previous political crisis.

"I'm a bit worried this growth is artificial, that it's just riding on Germany's coat-tails," said Mr. Ledent. "Jobs have been created, but in the nontradable sector, and this just isn't translating into consumption."

Mr. Di Rupo's government will next month unveil a plan to spur the economy by restoring the country's competitiveness and boost competition in network industries, according to documents seen by Dow Jones Newswires.

The draft plan also calls for measures to tackle inflation, a perennial problem for the country, which still indexes wages to consumer-price increases, rather than productivity. Inflation reached 4% in July 2011 and is seen at 2.6% this year, and is linked to energy prices in particular. The country's inflation should be in line with the European Central Bank target of below, but close to, 2%.

However, with 63.8% of its funding needs met this year and the savings on lower interest rates set to feed into the budget-deficit reduction plans, Belgium is a more attractive option for investors.

"The perception around Belgium has changed markedly since November last year when it fell victim to peripheral contagion," Belfius Bank analyst Willem Glorie said in a note to clients. "The country has in the meantime regained its place among the (semi-)core."

Write to Frances Robinson at frances.robinson@dowjones.com

SmartMoney Glossary:

Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, Germany, Germany, Belgium, Belgium, Di Rupo, Di Rupo, National Bank of Belgium Governor Luc Coene, Philippe Ledent, Belgium, government, government, caretaker government

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From newbie to scholarship player, Curtis' O'Gara becomes dominant force

Four years ago, Taylor O’Gara would never have imagined all she would accomplished. The Curtis star only picked up a lacrosse stick as a freshman and turned into one of the city's best players.

“I never thought it would get this big,” the senior said. “I’m so grateful and happy to be here.”

Here was the Brooklyn Marriott Monday night, where O’Gara was honored with the PSAL girls lacrosse Wingate Award, given to the top senior in each spot. She described it an amazing honor to be in the same room with so many of the athletes she had only seen or read about over the years.

Denis Gostev

Taylor O'Gara of Curtis was the girls lacrosse PSAL Wingate Award winner.

Not bad for a kid who never heard of the sport until she entered Curtis, trying out at the behest of friend Erin Jacobson, the Warriors eventual goalie.

“I really loved it ever since then,” O’Gara said. “I’m happy to have made such a great choice.”

She ended up having of the best careers ever by a PSAL player. O’Gara scored 189 league goals in her career. That included a remarkable 98 this year, a PSAL single-season record, to go along with 17 assists. The Warriors went 41-18 in league play during her four years on the team and made three trips to the PSAL Class A final.

“By sophomore year, the end of it, she started putting in goals and we knew we had a really good player on our hands,” Curtis coach Matt Gonzalez said.

O’Gara tried her hardest to bring home a title to the St. George school this spring. She scored six goals in a semifinal win over Midwood and six more, including the tying score with 42 seconds left in the first overtime, in a championship game loss to Tottenville. It earned her MVP honors, despite the loss. Before the final contest, all of her teammates dyed their hair her signature red.

“[They] said it was for me,” O’Gara said. “It was just really nice for them to do it.”

She will continue her career at Robert Morris University in Illinois, an NAIA school where she received a full scholarship. O’Gara visited in November, felt comfortable playing with the girls on the team and fell in love with the area. She loved their cohesiveness and picked them over Detroit Mercy.

“It’s something I never thought I’d be able to do,” O’Gara said of playing in college.

Gonzalez believes because of her limited time playing the sport, she still has plenty of growing to do and her best is still to be seen.

“I could be more proud of her,” Gonzalez said. “She started as a freshman and improved every year and this year to have the season she had. ... I think she is going to improve and be a big asset to that program.”

jstaszewski@nypost.com

Taylor O’Gara, PSAL, O’Gara, Curtis coach Matt Gonzalez, Gara, The Warriors

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Warner Fusselle dead

Warner Fusselle, a great, odd character of sports broadcasting — after Mel Allen’s passing he was the voice of “This Week In Baseball,” yet he was a professional communicator who never owned a telephone — died Sunday night of a heart attack at the offices of Phoenix Communications, his longtime employer. He was 68.

Most recently the Voice of the Brooklyn Cyclones, Fusselle devoted his career to smaller-stage radio sportscasting, including Seton Hall basketball and several minor league baseball teams. And he gladly mentored young sportscasters as the go-to savant at Phoenix and MLB Productions.

Fusselle was a man of few needs and a peculiar, almost spooky, lifestyle. He often slept overnight in his offices — and looked it. He had no home telephone — never — and a cell phone was out of the question. One could reach him only at work, and that often meant at ballparks. But he always was worth the effort.

Born in Georgia, a graduate of Wake Forest and an Army vet, he’s survived by his sister, two nephews and scores who fondly recall his eccentricities, his guidance and his wisdom.

“In 1977 [the year TWIB first appeared], Warner showed up and found two historical errors in a script,” said Phoenix VP Geoff Belinfante. “He said, ‘I think I can help. I think you need me.’ He never left.”

phil.mushnick@nypost.com

Phoenix Communications, Warner Fusselle, Brooklyn Cyclones, professional communicator, minor league baseball teams, Phoenix

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Mayweather seeks early release from 'inhumane' prison

LAS VEGAS — Boxing champ Floyd Mayweather Jr. is seeking an emergency release from jail just 12 days into his three-month sentence on a domestic battery count, citing “inhumane conditions” that could end his boxing career.

Mayweather’s attorney Richard Wright filed a motion seeking his client’s release late Monday, asking that the 35-year-old be allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

The motion claims Mayweather’s personal physician Dr. Robert Voy “expressed deep concern for Mr. Mayweather’s health and explained that any lengthy period of time with an inappropriate diet, coupled with lack of regular exercise, will most likely lead to irreversible damage to Mr. Mayweather’s physique.

“Such damage could and, most likely, would lead to Mr. Mayweather being unable to continue his boxing career,” the motion said, according to the Review-Journal.

The motion complained that Mayweather has been confined to his cell 23 hours per day and that he is alone and unable to use the detention center’s training facilities during his one hour of recreation time.

The undefeated five-division champion is being held away from the general population due to his celebrity status.

Mayweather was due to serve time in January for assaulting his ex-girlfriend, but Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa pushed back the sentence to allow him to fight Miguel Cotto, whom he defeated May 5 in a unanimous decision.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. ebook download, Las Vegas Review-Journal, attorney Richard Wright, Robert Voy, Mayweather, motion

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Today's Sports on the Air

Baseball

4 p.m.

NCAA Super Regionals: Arkansas vs. Baylor, Game 3
ESPN2

7 p.m.

Red Sox at Marlins ESPN

7 p.m.

NCAA Super Regionals: Oklahoma vs. South Carolina, Game 3, if nec. ESPN2

7 p.m.

NCAA Super Regionals: Oregon vs. Kent State, Game 3 ESPNU

7 p.m.

AAA: Tides at Bison SNY

7 p.m.

Yankees at Braves YES, WCBS (880 AM)

Stanley Cup Finals

8 p.m.

Devils at Kings, Game 6
NBC, WFAN (660 AM)

Soccer

Noon

Euro 2012, Group D:
England vs. France ESPN

2:45 p.m.

Euro 2012, Group D:
Sweden vs. Ukraine ESPN

Tennis

7 a.m.

French Open: Men’s Final (cont.): NBCSN

Horse Racing

12:25 p.m.

Parx Ch. 71

Kent State, WCBS, South Carolina, Marlins online, WFAN, Baylor, Sox, Braves YES

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Newkirk leads Team SCAN 16s to Rumble title

When the city’s top sophomores are discussed, the names you usually hear are Isaiah Whitehead, Khadeen Carrington and C.J. Davis.

Shavar Newkirk should be in the conversation, particularly after this weekend. The Cardinal Hayes guard led Team SCAN to the Rumble in the Bronx 16U title and garnered MVP honors after the program’s fifth title this spring.

“I think he’s second behind Whitehead,” Team SCAN coach Terrence (Munch) Williams said. “I think he’s the No. 1 point guard in 2014. I don’t think it’s a race. That kid wins, he wins at every level. He wins in high school, he wins in AAU. When it’s all said and done, he’ll be between a top 50 and a top 100 kid in the country.”

Denis Gostev

Cardinal Hayes' Shavar Newkirk led Team SCAN to the Rumble in the Bronx 16U crown over the weekend.

Newkirk has played so well this spring, Williams said, he’s been the team’s most valuable player, and the group includes nationally ranked sophomore Chris McCullough.

“He runs a team, he rarely turns the ball over, he gets a few points, assists, steals rebounds,” Williams said of the 5-foot-11 Newkirk, who has scholarship offers from Providence, Seton Hall, Manhattan, Iona and Iowa State. “He’s having a wonderful [AAU] season.”

Newkirk stood out in the loaded event, but he was not alone. McCullough, an uber-talented 6-foot-9 Bronx native, played well at both ends of the floor, especially on defense, an area of his game he has looked to improve upon, Williams said. He also excelled offensively, as expected, hitting 3-pointers and throwing down emphatic dunks.

“Chris is at times a man amongst boys,” Williams said. “He dominated at times. He’s everyone’s focal point every time he steps on the court.”

Williams also singled out the play of Conrad Chambers, Quincy McKnight and Cheick Diallo. In fact, SCAN had 14 players for the event, a first this spring, and each one had a hand in the title.

“Each kid was able to play an important role, whether it was starting or coming off the bench,” Williams said.

Team SCAN had to earn the crown, going through Canada powerhouse CIA Bounce and Texas Select in the playoffs just to get to the finals. In the championship, they took down The City, 59-38, and defeated King Street Kings, Kendall Madison Playaz and Brooklyn Leaders in pool play.

Williams played down the significance of the tournament title – his team’s goal is to win every time it takes the court and to leave each tournament with hardware. He was happy to see his team perform so well locally in front of friends and family because it is so often on the road.

“Us playing this weekend here allowed people to see us in action, good bad or indifferent,” Williams said. “We showed we’re a talented group with kids who play together.”

Williams does think his team proved one thing over the weekend: it is the premier program in New York City. Not only did the 16s win a title, the 15s reached the championship, losing to the New Jersey Playaz Club, and the weekend before, the 14s made it to the finals as well.

“While New York is quote-unquote down, Team SCAN is not down – we’re up,” he said. “We’re having a great season. Some would say what we’re doing is unprecedented.”

zbraziller@nypost.com

Team SCAN, Team SCAN, Shavar Newkirk, Williams, Isaiah Whitehead, Newkirk, Khadeen Carrington, Rumble in the Bronx, SCAN, ebook download

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Two-wheel strive

The price of gas being what it is, a motorcycle could help you beat the pump and cut a dashing figure at the same time. Plus, with your helmet you won’t be tempted to talk on your cell phone.

Baby Boomer bikers dominating their growing pastime with $15,000 road bikes are finding doses of needed nostalgia in Motorcycle Classics. It’s become a hit with its spreads on scores of icons from yesteryear, such as the 1971 Honda 100 and 1981 Yamaha 550, modest favorites of their day. Articles and photos extol the beauty and mechanical virtures of other classics such as the 1921 Indian, the 1934 Husqvarna and the beloved 1975 Norton Commando. Vintage bike auctions, the magazine reports, are the hottest sector among motoring collectibles, for example $6,500 for a fixed-up 1974 Honda 350, one of America’s most popular starter bikes of its time.

At last we get the answer to how motorcycle riders cope with bug splats. Some people who are curious about motorcycles but who have never ridden one have perhaps thought about this uncomfortable issue. Sport Rider’s Jeff Buchanan tells us, “There will be bugs.” Also, a feature on the Japanese father of the sport bike, Tadao Baba, takes readers into Honda’s heyday. Baba is a bike rider/engineer and used to personalize bikes off the production line with “happy riding” notes. This month’s edition squares off Ducati and Triumph with a surprise victor in performance.

Motorcycle Cruiser is a California-based title offering just what you’d expect from this magazine category. There are endless machine reviews, comparisons of the latest helmets and a buyer’s guide on bike-to-bike communication: apparently gesturing to friends isn’t high tech enough. If you’re into the scene, though, you’ll no doubt enjoy the cover story comparing two unique models, the Harley Switchback and the Victory Hard-Ball. Winner: The Hard-Ball, for reasons we can’t fathom, since reviewers loved both.

Cycle World appears aimed at an older crowd with its blocky layout and several pen and ink drawings of bikes. Editors try to ascribe human qualities to their bike reviews and in one roundup they decide to define a set of bikes with character. Each one gets a little strap with a photo of a film character that most expresses the bike’s qualities. The Ducati Diavel Carbon is “Batman Dark Knight’s ride of choice.” The Triumph Scrambler is Steve McQueen trying to escape from prison, and Indiana Jones is Ural M70. Each bike gets marks for badassness, crowd magnetism, bang for buck, escape artistry and Union Jack of all trades, whatever that means. Wait, did we say this title is for grown-ups?

New Yorker wonders what President Obama would do if he is re-elected. He could find a model in Ronald Reagan, whose advisers worked hard to shape his legacy. Speaking of leaving a footprint, a Tupelo, Miss.-based broadcaster named Bryan Fischer wants to make bias against gays the official stance of the Republican Party. He wants the next president to criminalize all abortions, wants schools to be able to teach intelligent design and seeks to make contraception available only to married couples. Elsewhere, an anecdotal history of the Supreme Court seems to have no purpose other than to offer the less-than-profound observation that “What people think about judicial review usually depends on what they think about the composition of the Court.” In other words, when your guy is in charge, you like judicial review.

Time offers a profile of Justice Anthony Kennedy, who could be casting the deciding Supreme Court vote on Obamacare, gay marriage, affirmative action and juvenile sentencing. Also under the microscope is the global economic crisis, though the story is hard to take seriously when it opens with not one, but two, references to Lady Gaga lyrics. Then comes a look at Elon Musk, an emerging leader in space exploration by a private company. Golfers may enjoy an article on Masters champion Bubba Watson that raises the question of whether he could fill the void left by Tiger Woods’ fall from grace.

Newsweek still believes we are British subjects. Tina Brown’s British slant is very apparent in the new edition featuring a cover story on Queen Elizabeth’s 60-year Jubilee. Fortunately, there is more here than the Jubilee. A feature on Penn State outcast Mike McQueary, who exposed alleged child molester Jerry Sandusky, helps illuminate the whole saga. Columnist Paul Begala offers a convincing argument on the hypocrisy of businessmen who call for the government to reduce the deficit, and then ask for subsidies. The big feature is on how Obama came to embrace drone strikes. Seems a little late to the game. Locally, Newsweek profiles the likely 2016 Democratic presidential primary race between Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and Andrew Cuomo.

Ducati, President Obama, Norton Commando, Tadao Baba, Supreme Court, Honda, Motorcycle Classics, motorcycle, Ducati Diavel Carbon

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Kuroda-for-Gardner a fine trade for Yanks

Ken Davidoff
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Blog: Baseball Insider

Hiroki Kuroda said his left foot felt “much better” yesterday at Yankee Stadium, while Brett Gardner, stationed in Charleston, S.C., told his bosses his right elbow was worse.

And with that confluence of events, the Yankees’ game plan seems likely to change. Suddenly, as teams head toward the period of serious trade discussions, this team might have to prioritize an outfield upgrade over one for its starting rotation.

Gardner couldn’t even make it through a full game Friday night with Single-A Charleston, leaving in the top of the sixth inning. He’ll see noted orthopedists James Andrews and Tim Kremchek this coming week, and it’s natural for baseball fans to anticipate the worst when Andrews’ name in particular is mentioned.

the Yankees’ 4-2 home victory over the Mets last night, may get a new neighbor in left field if the team ventures into the trade market to replace Brett Gardner, who suffered a setback in rehabbing an injured elbow." title="GOOD JOB! Curtis Granderson, bumping fists with Robinson Cano after a solo home run in the Yankees’ 4-2 home victory over the Mets last night, may get a new neighbor in left field if the team ventures into the trade market to replace Brett Gardner, who suffered a setback in rehabbing an injured elbow." width="300" height="300" src="/rw/nypost/2012/06/10/sports/web_photos/10.3s086.DavidoffC--300x300.jpg" />

AP

GOOD JOB! Curtis Granderson, bumping fists with Robinson Cano after a solo home run in the Yankees’ 4-2 home victory over the Mets last night, may get a new neighbor in left field if the team ventures into the trade market to replace Brett Gardner, who suffered a setback in rehabbing an injured elbow.

In the best-case scenario, the Yankees don’t expect to get Gardner back until after the All-Star break next month. The worst case would call for the Yankees to lose Gardner for the duration of the season.

The Yankees haven’t missed Gardner severely because Raul Ibanez, 40, signed primarily to serve as the team’s designated hitter against right-handed pitching, started his 32nd game in the outfield last night as the Yankees defeated the Mets, 4-2, in the second Subway Series game at the Stadium.

Ibanez doesn’t cover the sort of ground Gardner does out there, but he represents a considerable upgrade in the slugging department and is even one of the few Yankees performing well with runners in scoring position.

Andruw Jones, 35, has helped the team as he did last year, with occasional starts in the outfield and others at DH, though his splits oddly have reversed with better numbers against righties than lefties.

Nevertheless, no less an authority than Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said, “I don’t want to overexpose the old guys.”

And there’s no disputing the Yankees’ offense has lost its speed dimension with the injury to Gardner and the demotion of Eduardo Nunez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Internally, the Yankees have Chris Dickerson, who spent some time in the majors last year and is currently with Scranton; he’s more of a backup, as you recall. They also have Nunez, whom the Yankees not long ago envisioned as someone who could help as a super utility player. He’s out with a right-thumb injury, however, and not ready to return any time soon.

Outside the organization? Well, this will be a challenging year because the addition of the second wild card means fewer teams will surrender and trade veteran players. A wrinkle of the new collective bargaining agreement — free agents acquired midseason can’t be offered arbitration and therefore can’t bring back up a compensatory draft pick — will further increase the difficulty of completing a deal.

There surely will be options, though. The Padres will listen to offers on free-agent-to-be Carlos Quentin; his pro is his power, while his cons are his right-handedness and that he’s returning from right knee surgery.

The Cubs would throw a party if they found a taker for former Yankee Alfonso Soriano, who is enjoying a decent season and is owed $18 million annually through 2014. This one just doesn’t make enough sense. Besides, at 36, Soriano is older than Jones, and he’s worse defensively than Ibanez.

The Angels’ Torii Hunter? Maybe. The Angels do have a glut in their outfield. The Phillies’ Shane Victorino? For sure, if Philadelphia gives up, which probably won’t happen. The Twins’ Denard Span? He’s under control through 2014, so the price would be high.

It doesn’t look like a great market, yet it looks like a place where the Yankees might be able to find some sort of solution if Gardner can’t make it back. The starting pitching shopping list looks to be even worse, so if the Yankees have to choose a poison, they probably are better off with yesterday’s news going the way it did.

There could be more twists of fate that shift the Yankees’ radar once again. However, this felt like a significant shift, one we’ll probably be talking about for a while. As will the Yankees themselves.

kdavidoff@nypost.com

Brett Gardner, the Yankees, the Yankees, Yankees

Nypost.com

Corona's performance, leadership not enough for Queens Vocational

Daniel Corona knew despite the high stakes nothing was different in this game than the rest of the season.

“I couldn’t lose my composure,” the Queens Vocational right-hander said after giving up two runs in the third. “If I did, the whole team would have crumbled. They are dependent on me as their ace, as their senior pitcher.”

Corona certainly did his part.

He scattered six hits, struck out seven and walked just one, but the third-seeded Tigers bats couldn’t muster enough run support as they fell 2-1 to No. 1 South Bronx in the PSAL Class B baseball championship game Friday at MCU Park. Queens Vocational won the title in 2007.

Christina Santucci

Queens Vocational pitcher Daniel Corona allowed just two runs.

“Danny is an emotional kid and he can get the team cranked up,” Tigers coach Robert Schimenz. … “There has really been no time this year where Danny’s emotions cost us.”

The third was the only frame he was hit hard allowing three straight, two-out extra base hits including an RBI double by Danauris Baez and a booming triple to pitcher Kevin Victoriano that brought home the second run for South Bronx (21-0). Corona stranded two runners in the fourth and picked off Rodriguez in the fifth to erase a leadoff single. He began mixing in more curves and tried to work away more.

Queens Vocational (19-2) scored its lone run in the top of the sixth on a double by Jose Monegro, who Schimenz said blossomed this year. A wild pitch eventually brought him home to make it 2-1. Victoriano stifled them all day, striking out 11, including the game’s final batter and allowed just two hits. The Tigers scouted his curve ball, but struggled with it.

“We didn’t handle it and we have a great batting team,” Schimenz said.

His team, which includes nine seniors, grew up playing together and really matured as this season wore on to reach the finals. Schimenz said there is talk of the Tigers moving to the ‘A’ league, but he believes they are fine where they are with a bulk of their talent graduating, crediting the kids with how hard they worked to get the program to this point.

“It was surreal,” Corona said. “Getting here was a huge journey and very difficult for me and my team. … We all worked together and helped out and then we noticed we were in the championship game. It didn’t feel like it. I was like, ‘Wow. We made it.’”

jstaszewski@nypost.com

Daniel Corona, Queens Vocational, Tigers coach Robert Schimenz., Tigers, Kevin Victoriano, Jose Monegro, Danauris Baez, South Bronx ebook download, the Tigers

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