The Record, Bergen County, NJ

Qbs Set to Fill the Void If Favre Retires ; Clemens: I'm Ready to Become a Starter

FLORHAM PARK -- Kellen Clemens was surrounded by reporters and cameras Monday as Jet players cleaned out their lockers. But when someone else deemed more important by the media suddenly became available, most of the crowd quickly dispersed. That was Clemens' season in microcosm. When training camp began in July, the third-year quarterback and teammate Chad Pennington got most of the attention as they engaged in a daily duel for the starting job. But once Brett Favre arrived, Clemens become an...

Knicks Find Way to End 6-Game Slide

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Changing on the fly is hard, according to the former Knicks' coach. Tell me about it, the current Knicks' coach said, with Mike D'Antoni's team arriving to play Larry Brown's mired in a six-game losing streak.

Knicks Notes

Larry on Knicks Even though he's now two-plus seasons removed from the Knicks, Larry Brown can't help talking about them and Tuesday, he offered a variety of opinions on his former players and team.

Nets at Home On the Road

EAST RUTHERFORD -- Near an exit door at Nets' practice Tuesday, a row of packed bags awaited transfer to the bus bound for the airport, and then on to the afternoon charter to Detroit. Also next to the door, one of coach Lawrence Frank's inspirational signs is conveniently posted. It reads: "Champions Win on the Road."

Quiet Knick Plays Loud in Streak-Buster

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Breaking a long losing streak often requires a go-to guy down the stretch and Tuesday, Wilson Chandler, who's as quiet as Nate Robinson is as loud as Times Square with the New Year's ball dropping, stepped up and delivered for the Knicks. Sometimes, too, breaking a losing streak requires a little bit of luck, such as a foul call Chris Duhon got with 25.5 seconds to play - - one that even he thought wasn't a foul -- although he thought he got whacked earlier.

Go Away, Mcnabb ; Philly Appears to Be Giants' Biggest Threat

No use beating yourself up trying to determine which team will come into Giants Stadium for the Jan. 11 playoff game. That's the attitude the Giants are taking as they go through their bye week uncertain as to who will be their next opponent. The winner of Saturday's Atlanta-Arizona game becomes the Giants' foe if Minnesota beats Philadelphia on Sunday. If the Eagles win, however, they automatically make a return trip to the Meadowlands.

Jets Report Card

Running game: A A weakness last season became a strength in 2008, as Thomas Jones averaged 4.5 yards per carry and gained 1,312 yards, the second- highest total of his nine-year career. FB Tony Richardson and the revamped offensive line deserve much of the credit, and they also helped change-of-pace back Leon Washington rush for 448 yards at 5.9 yards per attempt. Jones' 13 rushing TDs are a team record.

Jets: Cowher Not Interested

Bill Cowher is not interested in the Jets' coaching vacancy, a team spokesman said Tuesday night. "After reaching out to coach Cowher's representatives, we were informed that he is not a candidate for this position," Jets spokesman Bruce Speight said.

Working in the Garden ; Prucha's Energy Earns Him a Place in Rangers' Lineup - for Now

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- That Petr Prucha brings a certain level of needed energy to the Rangers' lineup has never been in doubt. Now, it's just a matter of determining whether Prucha can show "sustainability."

Lighten Up Woody, Jets' Gm

The Eric Mangini Era is over. But other than his absence, it seemed like business as usual Monday at the Jets' Florham Park complex. That must change, or throwing Mangini overboard won't have solved very much.

Fdu's Grier Gets Some Satisfaction Despite Loss

HACKENSACK - Terence Grier wasn't homesick, but he realized he preferred to be in New Jersey after spending a year in Rhode Island. It certainly made his family happy when the Cranford native decided to transfer to Fairleigh Dickinson after his freshman season with the Rams. Grier clearly was fired up to face his old team on Tuesday at the Rothman Center, even if Rhode Island handed the Knights a 95-80 loss.

Butler Puts End to Skid of 30 Games

STANHOPE -- For the Butler boys basketball team, this was a long time coming. A really, really long time coming.

Dominguez, St. Joseph Shoot Down Bergen C.

OAKLAND -- Kai Dominguez and St. Joseph would like to bottle this shooting performance and sip from this success again and again. Defensive-minded St. Joseph erupted on offense in Tuesday night's final of the Indian Hills Holiday Festival and blistered Bergen Catholic, 74-42.

Iha Does It with Defense ; Defeats Rutherford to Capture Poli Tournament

HILLSDALE -- Immaculate Heart went into the Joe Poli tournament with two distinct goals. "Win and find ourselves," said junior guard Tara Schwitter after the Blue Eagles, ranked No. 4 in The Record Top 25, walked away with a hard-fought 35-28 girls basketball victory over No. 6 Rutherford in Tuesday's Poli final. "We did both."

Brown, Allen Show Their Speed Again

Three of North Jersey's top girls track performers enjoyed outstanding days Monday at the Holiday Relay Carnival at the Jersey City Armory. Kristen Brown of Englewood won her second 55-meter dash of the winter, running a speedy 7.2 to easily beat Chantel King of Sayreville. Amber Allen of Passaic Tech ran a personal-best 1:41.8 to win the 600 meters with last year's All-Bergen 600 runner, Michelle McCourt of Immaculate Heart, third in 1:42.4.

Teaneck Extends Title Run to Four

OAKLAND -- Their pregame ritual was the same, with a shootaround in their gym, then a ride on the bus to the game. And yet, the Teaneck girls basketball team came out flat. So lethargic that the three-time defending Indian Hills holiday tournament champions saw themselves down throughout the first half Tuesday to a spirited Immaculate Conception squad.

Wrestling

BCCA GEORGE JOCKISH HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT at Rockland Community College, Suffern, N.Y.

Spartans Buck the County Trend

SUFFERN, N.Y. - Nobody told Mark Cirello what was riding on his 140-pound final at the BCCA George Jockish Holiday Wrestling Tournament on Tuesday. They didn't have to. "It was no secret that if he won, we won," Paramus coach Steve Klass said.

Surprise Endings ; Comets' Schneider Completes Title Run

SUFFERN, N.Y. - Brian Schneider never got his dream match Tuesday in the BCCA George Jockish Holiday Wrestling Tournament. What the Hackensack junior got instead was something more thrilling than even he could have imagined.

Spataro a Headache for Opponents ; Bc Senior Wins 3rd County Title

SUFFERN, N.Y. - Matt Spataro's headache wouldn't go away. For five days he kept hoping the concussion he suffered, and subsequent headache that developed would evaporate. But every morning when he woke up, he was greeted with a sharp pain in his head.