The Record, Bergen County, NJ

Mcnabb Ailing in the Huddle?

Donovan McNabb was so ill in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl that a Philadelphia Eagles teammate called one play in the huddle, center Hank Fraley told a TV station. "He fought to the end. He gave it his all," Fraley said Monday night on Comcast SportsNet. "He could hardly call the plays - that's how exhausted he was trying to give it his all. If you remember back when we played Jacksonville two years ago and he ended up puking, it was close to that scene. He exhausted everything he had."

Freshmen Provide Lift for Wayne Valley

WAYNE - Nicole D'Amato sat on the bench with her legs crossed. Jen Eng and Jared Tactuk each iced their shins to ease the pain, a product of their all-out hustle. As Wayne Valley continued to celebrate Tuesday's 56-42 girls basketball victory over Mount St. Dominic, its trio of freshmen put on their warm-ups and returned to the court for another game.

A Good Start for Sweeper

NEW YORK - While Kennedy's Shaquan Brown was setting a national record of 1:17.9 in the 600 meters Monday night at the Varsity Classic at the Armory Track Center, Passaic's Sable Sweeper was approaching a simpler goal. Sweeper, who won the girls shot put at 39 feet 6 1/4 inches, shook off some butterflies and got closer to the technique she hopes to show at the State Group 4 meet Feb. 20 at Princeton.

Varsity Classic

Varsity Classic At the Armory Track Center

Cresskill Coach Sits Out Victory ; Stays Away After Ridgefield Balked at Blowout

RIDGEFIELD - The most noticeable difference in the Cresskill team that faced Ridgefield on Tuesday night was the coach. Cresskill head coach Danny Brown was on the sideline the first time his girls basketball team faced the Royals. He wasn't there for the rematch. Brown wasn't even in the uncomfortably warm Ridgefield gymnasium to watch the Cougars defeat the Royals, 66-41. Presumably, this blowout was more palatable than Cresskill's 87-32 win on Jan. 7.

The Top 10

The Record counts down the best plays, players and teams Tuesday in North Jersey, ranked by their impact and importance: 10

Angels Come Up Big ; Employ Zone Defense to Shut Down Eastside

DEMAREST - Holy Angels needed to control the tempo or Tuesday's game against Eastside would get out of hand quickly. So, coach Sue Liddy implemented the same 2-3 zone defense the Angels used to beat Kennedy in January, and it was effective. It nearly worked to perfection in the third quarter.

Duncan-Less Spurs Roll

Not even the absence of Tim Duncan could slow the San Antonio Spurs, who got a big lift from the return of Rasho Nesterovic in their 104-85 win over the Bobcats on Tuesday in Charlotte, N.C. With Duncan out for the first time this season with a sprained ankle, Nesterovic (ankle) marked his return to the starting lineup after a six-game absence with 15 points and eight rebounds in just 22 minutes.

Irish Knock Off Boston College

Then there was one. While No. 1 Illinois survived a scare against Michigan on Tuesday night, Boston College, the only other men's basketball team to start the day undefeated, was not so lucky.

Crucial Fouls Destroy Hall ; Pirates Can't Get Key Stops

PISCATAWAY - Nothing is automatic for Seton Hall this season. It used to be that a win over Rutgers was a foregone conclusion, as the Pirates had beaten the Scarlet Knights five consecutive times and six of the last seven.

Hall at a Loss Over Whistle ; Orr Irate After Deciding Call

PISCATAWAY - With the score tied and the clock winding down, Donald Copeland wanted to prevent Quincy Douby from going to his right. He did that. He wanted to prevent Douby from getting off a good shot. He did that, too.

Chad's Surgery More Complex Than Expected

Chad Pennington underwent surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday afternoon that was more involved than hoped, leaving doctors and Pennington's father, Elwood, using phrases like "cautiously optimistic" about the quarterback's return for the first day of Jets training camp in late July. Noted shoulder specialist Dr. James Andrews performed the 3 1/2- hour surgery at HealthSouth Clinic in Birmingham, Ala.

Pedro Arrives, Set to Work ; Martinez Reports to Camp Nine Days Before the Doors Open

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The questions that faced Pedro Martinez when he signed a $53 million deal with the Mets were not just whether his arm could still carry a team, but also how would he fit in moving from the world champion Boston Red Sox to the Mets. He got an early taste of it on Tuesday by reporting to spring training nine days before the Feb. 17 report date for pitchers and catchers. Joining a group of approximately 20 players already at the team's complex here, Martinez beat even his ...

Teaneck's Glanville Right at Home with Yanks

In Doug Glanville's words, "I mess with the piano," compared to Bernie Williams, who is a virtuoso at the guitar. Yet, the best jazz ensembles are made up of major and minor parts.

Shaq Is Knicks' Next Test

A red carpet would have been overkill as the Knicks returned from their 1-5 road trip early Tuesday morning - but what awaits them tonight isn't exactly a warm welcome home, either. Shaquille O'Neal's in town.

Kidd's Taking It Easy ; Happy to Get All-Star Rest

EAST RUTHERFORD - As he stretched out on the massage table Tuesday afternoon at the Nets' practice facility, Jason Kidd might have been picturing himself relaxing on the beach with his family in Mexico. That's where Kidd will spend NBA All-Star weekend instead of in Denver. Kidd was not among the reserves, as voted by the coaches, announced Tuesday.

Douby Does It ; Ot Foul Shot Helps Rutgers Survive Hall

PISCATAWAY - Yes, that was Quincy Douby firing off a lightning- quick three and swishing it, just like he used to. And yeah, that was Douby kissing a floater in the lane and swishing it.

Passaic Outruns Teaneck ; Crockett Scores 24 Points to Lead the Indians

PASSAIC - Passaic moved its feet fast, moved the ball even faster and made Teaneck look slow, which is not an easy trick to pull off. The Indians used their quickness and execution and led for all but the first couple of minutes of their 64-50 NNJIL victory over the Highwaymen Tuesday night.

Nhl Prepares to Kill Season Within a Week

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - The NHL is poised to issue a deadline of Monday or Tuesday for the players' association to agree to a labor deal and will initiate a final round of talks before it becomes the first major professional sports league to cancel an entire season. With schedules of 28, 30 and 32 games in hand, NHL executives calculated that they must have a general agreement by next Tuesday and start the season around Feb. 25. The league will set a "drop- dead" date and present a proposal eith...

Police Say Man Stalking Anna

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - A homeless man obsessed with tennis star Anna Kournikova swam naked across Biscayne Bay in search of her home and got caught lounging in the buff at her neighbor's pool, police said. Police said William Lepeska screamed, "Anna! Save me!" as he was arrested Jan. 30 from the house three doors down from Kournikova's $5 million home. He faced a court appearance Friday.