Gnats’ Cessa
earns SAL honor
Savannah Sand Gnats right-handed pitcher Luis Cessa was named the South Atlantic League’s Pitcher of the Week on Monday.
In his start Saturday in Kannapolis, Cessa overpowered the Intimidators by only allowing two hits and no runs in his 7 2/3 innings. He struck out 10.
The victory brings Cessa to 3-2 on the season.
The Sand Gnats are in first place in the SAL (34-22). The Sand Gnats return to Historic Grayson Stadium today at 7:05 p.m. for a three-game series against the Lexington Legends.
RHP Rainy Lara is the only other Sand Gnats pitcher to have won a Pitcher of the Week award.
BC athletics
program honored
Benedictine Military School’s athletics program has been named the top boys athletics program in southeast Georgia, according to the Georgia Athletic Directors Association.
The Cadets amassed a total of 439 points, which is best among all boys sports in the area for all classifications (A through AAAAAA). For a complete listing of Coastal Empire teams, visit gadaonline.net/Current_Standings.html.
Benedictine won five Region 2-AA championships and was undefeated at home during the regular season in football, baseball, basketball, soccer and lacrosse. BC also had the most male athletes recognized at the Savannah Morning News’ Best of Preps 2013 awards banquet in May.
Knicks’ Kidd
ends career
NEW YORK — Jason Kidd retired Monday from the NBA after 19 seasons, ending one of the greatest careers for a point guard in league history.
Kidd won an NBA title and two Olympic gold medals, is second on the career list in assists and steals, and was a 10-time All-Star. But he struggled badly in the playoffs for the Knicks shortly after turning 40 and decided to walk away with two years and more than $6 million left on the deal he signed last summer.
“My time in professional basketball has been an incredible journey, but one that must come to an end after 19 years,” Kidd said in a statement released by the Knicks. “As I reflect on my time with the four teams I represented in the NBA, I look back fondly at every season and thank each every one of my teammates and coaches that joined me on the court.”
His retirement comes two days after fellow 40-year-old Grant Hill, with whom Kidd shared Rookie of the Year honors in 1995, announced his retirement.