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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Themus Fulks scored 24 points and made his only two foul shots of the night with three seconds left and UCF beat Utah 73-71 on Saturday night.

Jordan Burks added 14 points for UCF (19-7, 8-6 Big 12) which shot 53% (30 of 57) including 44% (7 of 16) from 3-point range. The Knights have won two straight following a three-game losing streak.

Terrence Brown scored 21 points, Don McHenry scored 19 points and Keanu Dawes 15 and grabbed 12 rebounds for Utah (10-17, 2-12).

McHenry tied it at 68-all with a 3-pointer with 56 seconds left before Burks countered with a 3 with 31 seconds remaining. On Utah’s next possession, Jamichael Stillwell fouled McHenry on a 3-point attempt who then went to the foul line and sank all three free throws with 13 seconds remaining.

UCF ran its record against Utah to 4-0.

It was the first time the Knights ever played Utah in Salt Lake City. Each previous matchup was either at home or neutral territory.

Before Saturday, the last matchup between the two was in the opening round of the Big 12 Championship last year when the Knights won 87-72.

No Big 12 team has missed the NCAA Tournament after finishing above .500 in conference play since 2009.

The Knights will stay in Utah and next face a tougher challenge in No. 23 BYU on Tuesday at 11 p.m.

By GREG BEACHAM

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami got off to a rough start in their MLS Cup title defense when David Martínez, Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz scored in Los Angeles FC’s 3-0 victory Saturday night.

Son Heung-min set up Martínez’s opening goal for LAFC, which emphasized its status as a primary threat to Miami’s crown during a lively MLS season opener between two of the league’s marquee clubs.

The matchup drew 75,673 fans — the second-largest crowd in MLS history — to the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which is next-door to LAFC’s home BMO Stadium.

“This game would have sold out five times at BMO, but we wanted to do something special,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “This is a seminal year in the history of our sport and a big moment in the history of our league, so why not go into this historic stadium, bring Miami here, our champion, and have them play against LAFC?”

The huge crowd got an entertaining match and a good look at Messi, who played despite dealing with a strained hamstring this month. His every move was greeted with cheers and boos by the California fans.

The superstar is still working out his dynamic with his new teammates, however: The Herons lost Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to retirement and added forward Germán Berterame and elite MLS goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, whose positioning mistake greatly simplified Bouanga’s goal.

LAFC won for head coach Marc Dos Santos in his MLS debut as the third head coach in club history. The former Vancouver head coach and longtime LAFC assistant led his team to a 6-1 win over Real España earlier this week in its CONCACAF Champions Cup opener in Honduras.

LAFC went ahead in the 38th minute when Son controlled the ball in traffic and slotted a perfect pass to Martínez, who found the far bottom corner in stride. The 20-year-old Martínez has started his MLS career slowly, but LAFC remains confident the Venezuelan forward will be a star.

Bouanga had a hat trick in CONCACAF Champions Cup play earlier this week, and he added his first MLS goal of the season in the 73rd minute. The Frenchman, who finished second to Messi in the Golden Boot race last season, converted a long pass from Timothy Tillman, adroitly heading it over the charging St. Clair before banging it home.

LAFC added a third goal in second-half injury time when Ordaz converted a centering pass from Bouanga.

LAFC improved to 4-2-0 against Miami in the clubs’ history. LAFC also remained unbeaten in its season openers, improving to 9-0-0.

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday night’s 136-120 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies:

– The benefit of this soft stretch of the schedule has been the ability to reformulate.

– Which seemingly was what Friday night in Atlanta and this one were about.

– Before the competition stiffens this coming week against the 76ers and then Rockets.

– So Heat coach Erik Spoelstra again went in emphasizing strength in numbers.

– “Look, I have a lot of positive feelings about our team and our depth,” he said. “We’ve used it all season long. You could feel the level of talent that we have on the roster.”

– With greater availability of depth, Spoelstra has had the optionality of subbing in four-man units.

– “It’s not far from what we typically do when we have everybody available,” he said, “but we’re just trying to maximize the talents in each unit, and that hopefully will help the consistency.”

– He said the approach is an attempt to get more evenhanded efforts.

– “We’ve had some great moments, as we’ve talked about,” he said. “We’ve blown the doors off of teams in first halves. We’ve struggled in third quarters. Sometimes I think that’s been some lineup things that we can shore up. Some of it also, we just have to be better.”

– He added, “I also know that there will be times we have to go deeper into the bench, and I feel very comfortable doing that.”

– Among those line shifts has been getting Tyler Herro and Kasparas Jakucionis together on the court.

– “Just without them spending a ton of time together, you can see how there can be a synergy,” Spoelstra said. “Kas is a playmaker. He plays with pace. He wants to get the ball ahead. He wants to get the ball to guys almost to a fault.”

– There wasn’t much Herro-Jakucionis in this one, with Davion Mitchell out.

– With Mitchell (illness) out, the Heat opened with Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Pelle Larsson, Norman Powell and Jakucionis, which had Herro again coming off the bench.

– It was Jakucionis’ ninth start.

– The tanking Grizzlies opened with the eclectic first five of Ty Jerome, Taylor Hendricks, Jaylen Wells, Walter Clayton Jr. and Jahmai Mashack.

– Kel’el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr. were first together off the Heat bench.

– Herro then followed.

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–  And then Dru Smith, who was back in the rotation after being held out Friday night in Atlanta.

– With a jolt of Myron Gardner again in the second period.

– So Simone Fontecchio again out of the rotation.

– With Nikola Jovic sidelined by back problems.

– With the Grizzlies clearly in tank mode following the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade, coach Tuomas Iisalo was left to have to answer pregame for his team’s approach.

– “Well, we’re trying to accomplish a lot,” he said. “The expectations have not changed. It doesn’t have anything to do with the roster we play. We still expect everybody to give max effort, max focus, play for the team and learn new things. And whether it’s a practice or a game, those things apply.”

– He added, “Also seeing the young guys in action and knowing what they can do. And they have a great opportunity, obviously, to play, but also for us to evaluate them going forward. And for us, the competitiveness is everything.”

– The game concluded the 14th of the Heat’s NBA-high 17 back-to-back sets this season.

– Herro extended his streak of games with at least 17 points to 23 games, dating to last season.

– The only other players in franchise history with such a streak at least as long were Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.

MIAMI – The last time an opponent arrived to Kaseya Center looking to lose, the Miami Heat denied them that privilege.

In that regard, consider Saturday night’s 136-120 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies a lesson learned.

Prioritizing improving their odds for the draft lottery, just as the Utah Jazz did in the Heat’s precious home game, the Grizzlies, stopped short of making the mistake of  winning.

So even with the Heat’s defense shaky for much of the night, Erik Spoelstra’s team got the victory it needed, the Grizzlies got the loss they wanted, and and the Heat’s Andrew Wiggins and Norman Powell got to feast on a buffet of high-percentage shots, with Wiggins scoring 28 and Powell 25.

Factor in 14 points, six assists and five rebounds from Tyler Herro in his second game back from a month off with a rib injury, and it hardly mattered that Bam Adebayo was limited to 13 points. The Heat also got 11 points and 15 rebounds from backup center Kel’el Ware.

“I like a lot what’s happening offensively the last two games,” Spoelstra said, “playing a real collective game, sharing the ball, being aggressive.”

The last time the Heat played at home, they lost to a Jazz team so set on tanking that Utah was fined $500,000 by the NBA even though they beat the Heat that night.

This time, the team trying to win won, and the team needing to lose lost.

About the only true emotion both ways on the night came in a late dustup between Heat guard Myron Gardner and the Grizzlies’ Scotty Pippen Jr., with both ejected with 1:55 to play.

“His greatest strength is this unbridled intensity and effort and energy,” Spoelstra said of Gardner. “His heart is in a great place, and he’s wired like us competitively. You add that type of intensity to this competitive will that will boil over at times.

“I don’t want to take away from that competitiveness. I just want to see where it is right now.”

Five Degrees of Heat from Saturday night’s game:

1. Game flow: The Heat led 39-33 after the first period and 73-68 at halftime, after going up 10 late in the second period.

Then, as so often is the case with tanking teams, the Grizzlies took their foot off the gas, with the Heat moving to a 20 lead early in the third before standing ahead 112-94 at the start of the fourth.

But with the Grizzlies trimming the deficit, Spoelstra in the fourth quarter was forced to go back to Powell, Wiggins and Adebayo, before finally being able to pull his starters with 2:29 to play.

“I think we’re really starting to buy into the collective effort and trust in one another and work in a game,” Powell said.

2. And another one: The Heat for the 10th consecutive game changed their starting lineup from the previous game, this time forced into a move with Davion Mitchell out due to illness.

That had rookie Kasparas Jakucionis with his ninth start of the season, opening in a lineup with Adebayo, Wiggins, Powell and Pelle Larsson.

“We just look like we have a lot more sustainable, consistent talent out there,” Spoelstra said. ” And the guys are complementing each other in the different lineups.”

3. Herro in reserve: That, in turn, had Tyler Herro off the bench for the second time in as many games back after missing 15 with a rib issue.

Herro played as the Heat’s third reserve, entering midway through the opening period and closing the quarter 3 of 3 from the field and 2 of 2 from line the, with two assists.

It again largely was a case of either Herro or Powell on the court, yet to be reestablished as a tandem. The two, though, did close the second period together, when the Heat moved to their largest lead to that stage.

Herro did struggle with his shooting, closing 5 of 15 from the field.

“I missed obviously a lot of time and a lot of time I was just sitting and  relaxing and letting my rib heal,” Herro said. “So it just feels good to be out here again. I woke up this morning like it was the first day of school again, to be able to play another game so like I’m just excited to be back out here.”

4. Powell sizzle: No, it was not the best of starts for Powell, who fouled on his initial 3-point shot and proceeded to miss all free throws.

Powell, who, like Mitchell, has been battling an illness, then came around with almost flawless offensive play, taking advantage of open driving lanes offered by the Grizzlies’ defense.

Powell closed 10 of 16 from the field, but just 2 of 7 from the line.

“I expect to make all my free throws, but sometimes it doesn’t happen,” he said. “But just staying even keeled, assessing the situation,  seeing how I can improve and get better, and then moving forward with that.”

5. Wiggins boost: With Herro and Powell in place to handle the leading offensive roles, Wiggins has shown considerable comfort as a complementary scorer, up to 19 points by intermission in this one.

Wiggins closed 9 of 10 from the field, including 4 of 4 on 3-pointers, as well as 6 of 6 from the line. His 21st point gave him 15,000 for his career.

‘”I knew nothing. I thought it was a timeout, just a regular timeout. I didn’t know until like 15K,” said Wiggins, who was surprised by his teammates’ celebration. “I was like, I didn’t know how much I had before this.”

General Daily Insight for February 22, 2026

There’s no need to be sharp with one another. Fiery Mars leaps into a supportive sextile to healing Chiron, encouraging us to make the first move in mending strained bonds of any type. This is furthered by the affectionate trine between fond Venus and lucky Jupiter at 3:01 pm EST, inviting us to give and receive appreciation in equal measure. Creative solutions could be necessary for any remaining tension, which means we’ve got permission to have fun with the process of figuring things out.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

What support would help you lead kindly? Cooperative energy fills your circles as action-oriented Mars moves through your 11th House of Friendship, sextiling therapeutic Chiron in your lively sign. If a group chat gets tense, name a simple need and invite others to share theirs. Thoughtfully directing conversations like that can help organize scattered energy. You might share a story from your experience to model courage while still leaving room for different opinions. Speak and lead deliberately to earn trust and respect.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Today’s energy favors warm, steady connections. Your 11th House of Society lights up as loving Venus trines jovial Jupiter in your 3rd House of Nearby Connections, which files the rough edges off of potentially pointed comments. Consider reaching out to a neighbor or colleague and suggesting a get-together — something fun for everyone. If you join a team brainstorm, you can combine ideas to get the best parts of all of them. When in doubt, ask your community for advice. Shared knowledge is invaluable.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Certain no-nonsense aspects of life could seem lighter today. In particular, with Venus in your prideful 10th house trining Jupiter in your financial 2nd house, you might feel less intimidated by money talks or professional debates. You may find great success pitching your ideas to a wider audience, especially if you focus on the ways everyone would benefit from your plans. Just make sure you have the numbers right! Once you do, it’ll be hard to go wrong. State your value and stick to it!

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Following your whims is the perfect way to spend today. Curiosity widens your world as idealistic Venus moves through your 9th House of Philosophy, trining optimistic Jupiter in your thoughtful sign. This makes any adventures extra personal! Consider booking a day trip or signing up for a class, because fresh ideas nurture your confidence. If someone close states a belief you don’t share, ask a question that shows you care before jumping to conclusions. Say yes to learning, because it expands your heart beautifully.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

The universe is tossing you into the emotional deep end. Venus in your intense 8th house is enabling overbearing Jupiter in your secretive 12th house, so you may bear witness to knowledge about a sensitive subject. You could also end up on the other side of the table, so start thinking about the people you’d trust with discussions of money or other vulnerable topics. This isn’t a bad thing — you might even notice hidden worries softening as you name them aloud.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Where can patience make work smoother? Your 6th House of Routine hums as ambitious Mars gets busy there, sextiling wounded healer Chiron in your 8th House of Sharing to support all sorts of pragmatic fixes. If chores pile up or a co-worker leaves tasks unfinished, define what needs to happen on your end before taking action. You shouldn’t have to do someone else’s work for them! Precision ensures you have energy for better work, so measure out your day with care.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Sweetness is all around you right now! Your 5th House of Joy warms as passionate Mars moves through it, sextiling tender Chiron in your 7th House of Alliances and encouraging playful healing. Suggest a lighthearted date plan or propose a fun project to a collaborator. Set easy expectations in all relationships so balance stays intact. If a disagreement surfaces, state your point of view without blame (and be sure to let others share as well). Fairness invites cooperation and harmony for all.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Today is brimming with joyful potential! You may crave the stage with this Venus-Jupiter trine, though you could be doing something less theatrical and more prose-based. Consider performing at an open mic or submitting a bold concept to a mentor, because courage grows as you share. If you don’t want to worry about quality, you can go out for karaoke with friends or bake something just for yourself. Trust your soul above all else for the time being — if it feels right, you’ll know.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Honest words bring playful understanding today. Your 3rd House of Debate sparks against your upbeat 5th house during this Mars-Chiron trine. Any lies will come back to haunt you sooner rather than later. Pay attention to your words during your daily conversations (particularly those that involve children). Younger people could take your statements more literally than you’d like! When making suggestions, you may need to accept some small edits for the good of the team. Say what is true to invite blissful bonding.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Words can build bridges — okay, not literal ones. Still, don’t discount the power of comforting or reprimanding statements, because both are necessary in their own ways. Gracious Venus is connecting with exuberant Jupiter, aligning your talkative 3rd house with your partner-oriented 7th house. They’re nudging you to check on someone who matters to ward off a weakened bond. If you need to negotiate terms, keep sentences clear and leave space for genuine questions. Direct statements lead to the sturdiest agreements.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Your best pace at present may not be the one you’ve usually maintained. Impassioned Mars in your sign sextiles vulnerable Chiron in your 3rd House of Correspondence, nudging you to assert your needs. Go ahead and state your availability clearly — ideally in writing, so there’s no room for someone to push for more. Of course, that doesn’t mean they won’t try. You can offer a compromise that preserves your priorities and keeps the door open for adjustments (but you can also politely decline).

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Almost anything is possible at this time! Venus is boosting your sign with maximum charm — plus, she trines joyous Jupiter in your 5th House of Ingenuity, lifting your confidence and inviting playful self-expression. This is the time to wear colors you adore and share your art with those who’ll most appreciate it. Fun is also highly encouraged. If possible, keep plans flexible so you have plenty of time to follow your heart. Show your true colors bravely, and they should attract meaningful connections.

By MIKE BARBER

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Chance Mallory drew a foul on a 3-point attempt with 3.6 seconds to play, and then sank all three free throws to lift No. 14 Virginia to an 86-83 win over Miami on Saturday.

Jacari White came off the bench to score 17 points, hitting five 3-pointers for the Cavaliers (24-3, 12-2 Atlantic Coast), who won their eighth straight.

Sam Lewis had 15 points, Thijs De Ridder scored 14, and Mallory had all 12 of his points in the second half.

Shelton Henderson and Tre Donaldson each scored 18 to lead Miami (21-6, 10-4), which saw its four-game win streak snapped. The Hurricanes out rebounded UVA 30-23 and outscored Virginia 18-2 on second-chance points.

The win kept the second-place Cavaliers ahead of third-place Miami in the conference standings and robbed the Hurricanes of a chance for a big Quad 1 victory.

UVA honored former coach Tony Bennett in a pregame ceremony, naming the court at John Paul Jones Arena after him. With a collection of his former players joining him on the court, Bennett watched as a logo of his signature was unveiled.

Miami jumped out to an early 11-point lead, but seven first-half 3-pointers kept UVA in the game. The Hurricanes scored the final eight points of the half and went to the locker room ahead 44-39.

The teams were tied at 59 with 11:33 to play. Mallory and De Ridder led the Cavaliers in opening up their largest lead of the game, 68-61 with 8:54 to go.

Miami fought back to set up a back-and-forth finish.

Malik Reneau’s layup at 7 seconds tied the game 83-83. Mallory took the inbounds pass and raced across the half-court line, elevating for a shot attempt and getting fouled.

 

The King’s Academy girls’ soccer team had to work overtime and then some in winning the first state soccer championship in school history at Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale.

King’s Academy sophomore Sabrina Callejas made three acrobatic saves and converted her own for good measure in the sudden-death penalty kick shootout as the Lions topped Miami Palmer Trinity 1-0 (5-4 PKs) on Wednesday to claim the 2A state title.

It marked the second straight day they had to go to PKs after the game wasn’t decided after 100 minutes of regulation and two overtimes.

As Lions coach Bri Mackrey hung the championship medal around her goalkeeper’s neck in the postgame awards ceremony, chants of “MVP, MVP” broke out from the crowd. Later in the celebration, it became official as Mackrey tossed the game ball to her. Of course, she caught it.

“I don’t really get nervous for PKs,” Callejas said. “I was just doing my part for the team. I read the shooter’s body language, so I know they are mostly going to kick to my right.

“Sabrina is insane,” said Mackrey, whose team finished a program-best 23-1.

This is her eighth season in charge and said the team overcame obstacles along the way, including a red card to Callejas after she used her hands outside the box in the regional semifinals. The Lions appealed, and Callejas was reinstated for the regional final. “She saved 5 PKs in the two days at states, and made some insane saves during the game to get us to PKs. She was on fire.”

Mackrey also cited her team’s win over Benjamin for the district title as the other key goal. The Lions only allowed seven goals all season, with Callejas earning her 18th clean sheet on Wednesday.

“This team hasn’t ever shown this much grit and perseverance in their life,” Mackrey said. “When I came in eight years ago, they were a little weak, and it’s great to see your hard work finally pay off. You really have to trust the process of building a team. Five of these players were starting as middle school players.”

Sophia Cueto converted the winning penalty kick. Callejas, Deionce Storey, Juliette Turner, and Lola Hathorne also scored.

“I felt the responsibility to finish the job after all of Sabrina’s saves,” Cueto said. “

Hathorne, an FAU commit, said the team had a ritual in their locker room with the No. 13 written on a paper towel signifying how many overall state championships the school would have if the girls prevailed.

“It was a long time coming,” Hathorne said. “This feels absolutely amazing. We wanted to be the 13th state championship the school had won. We had a motto that if you were able to walk, you could give it your all. We knew they won 8-0 the day before, and we had to go overtime. I kept telling my team to put their bodies on the line.”

Junior defender Mia Mackrey, also a key contributor in the win, said it was special to win for the school and to do it with her mom.

“We have both wanted it for so long and worked so hard for it,” Mia Mackrey said. “To win it with her is doubly rewarding. “It was pretty stressful to go to PKs on both days, but we knew Sabrina had our back. When the ref blew the whistle, it was ultimate bliss.”

The Lions, who started the year 15-0 before falling 1-0 to 7A regional finalist Wellington, closed the year winning its last eight games. It included the back-to-back penalty-kicks wins over perennial state champion Lakeland Christian and Palmer.

King’s Academy was on its heels early as Palmer (18-3-1) dominated the first 10 minutes, showing how they were able to mercy-rule Providence 8-0 in the state semifinal 8-0, but then King’s settled in.

Cardinal Gibbons sophomore defender Abigail Gillette (10) brings the ball upfield as Montverde sophomore midfielder Joy Palacios (23) closes in. Cardinal Gibbons saw its hopes for both an undefeated season and a Class 3A state championship come to an end on Saturday morning with a 2-0 loss to Montverde Academy in a battle of nationally ranked teams. (Robson Lopes, Photoyou4life) Gibbons’ bid for undefeated season thwarted

Cardinal Gibbons saw its hopes for both an undefeated season and a 3A state championship come to an end on Saturday morning with a crushing 2-0 loss to Montverde Academy in a battle of nationally ranked teams.

Montverde Academy (21-1-1) got two goals in the final 12 minutes — from junior midfielder Lola Rey (68th minute) and junior forward Marta Arbenina (75th minute) — to win their 10th consecutive game since its only loss of the season, at St. Thomas Aquinas on Dec. 13.

Rey had a hat trick in the state semifinal and eight tallies in her last four games for the Eagles, ranked No. 2 in the nation by MaxPreps.

“I can’t be upset at all with what our girls did out there,” said Cardinal Gibbons coach Margo Flack, who won the school’s lone girls soccer title in 2021. It was their fourth runner-up finish. “There’s been times where we’ve gone down, and they could have quit, and they have not.”

“We’ve had different heroes throughout the postseason,” Flack added. “We knew our legs were going to be tired after the semifinal, and we knew we’d get a couple of chances, and we would need to finish them, and we didn’t. We continued to fight, and that’s all we asked of them.”

In the state semi, Cardinal Gibbons sophomore Reagan Hood scored early, and the Chiefs’ defense did the rest as they held off crosstown rival North Broward Prep 1-0 in the 3A state semifinal.

Senior Caroline Findley dribbled into the area and took a shot that rebounded to Hood, who chipped it over senior goalkeeper Zoie Brown’s head in the 15th minute, and senior Kennedy McCausland recorded her 13thshutout of the season for the Chiefs.

“I think that helped settle us down,” said Flack of Hood’s goal in the semifinal. “I don’t think the pressure ever gets to them. I think they thrive on pressure. Throughout this season, when adversity has hit us, we have responded well.”

Sophomore Abigail Gillette, and junior Shiloh Simmons also helped anchor the backline for the Chiefs, ranked No. 7 nationally.

“It hasn’t been just me,” said McCausland, a three-year starter who reclassified this year and is headed to Belmont University. “When we got the early goal, we settled down, and towards the end it got a little chaotic. I don’t think it is pressure. I think it is more excitement than anything else.”

Hood, who fired off eight shots in the first half alone, was running free in the midfield for most of the match.

“That was definitely one of my top 5 goals,” Hood said. “As a team, we have literally taken it day by day. We are a very technical team that works hard. I think that has been the aura of this team.”

North Broward Prep coach Tricia Amrhein said the team always believed they could come back from the deficit, having done so twice before, knocking off defending state champion Somerset Canyons in both the district and regional finals.

“The focus was on surviving the first half, regrouping, and motivating the players for a strong second half,” she said. “I think we created more opportunities in the second half, but for the first time this season, we just ran out of gas and hit a wall. We just couldn’t find the back of the net early on.”

Junior two-sport star Jayda Palumbo had a few early chances for the Eagles, but couldn’t get on the scoring sheet.

Amrhein said losing to a local rival in the semifinals was especially painful, made harder by the close bonds with the senior class.

“I told them that this is going to be something that they’re always going to remember, and I know that it hurt, but that I was just super proud of them,” she continued. “When we lost to Benjamin in the state semifinals, it was just a 40-minute ride (to West Palm). This was an actual trip. This group of seniors is just truly, truly special. I have been coaching many years, and a group like this only comes ever so often.”

Berean falls to Canterbury in semi

Canterbury (Fort Myers) got two goals each from freshman forward Mia Accola and senior Mackenzie Molina as the Cougars defeated Berean Christian 4-0 in the 1A state semifinals on Friday morning at the Lake Myrtle Sport Complex in Auburndale.

Berean’s girls (16-5) were the first team in any sport in school history to advance to the state final four in any sport. Bulldogs coach Jon Iverson, who has been at the school since 2009, was an assistant coach the following year and has been the head girls coach since 2011, noted that the program has come on as of late, winning three straight district titles.

“This was awesome. If I had known it would be this great, I would have done it before,” Iverson joked by phone. “I didn’t know until we won regionals that we were the first team to go to state. The whole experience, getting a police escort to the Turnpike and having a guy holding a cardboard sign at the entrance stand up from his wheelchair and salute us, is something we will never forget.

“(The school) kept that a secret from us,” he added. “The girls were crying on the bus, and they were Facetiming their moms at work, and their moms were crying. It was such a great experience.”

Despite being outshot 6-2 in the first half and 15-3 in the game, Berean Christian was still in the contest at halftime, trailing 1-0. Molina, however, doubled the margin with a tally in the 66th minute.

Downtown Doral Academy got first-half goals from senior forwards Victor Villalobos and Edgar Mata, and cruised past Somerset Canyons 5-0 to capture the 3A state title.

Villalobos scored in the eighth minute, and Mata doubled the lead in the 30th minute for the state’s top-ranked 3A boys team. The Dolphins (19-1-3), also ranked second in the country, according to MaxPreps, rolled to the title at Lake Myrtle Sport Complex in Auburndale on Saturday afternoon.

Villalobos made it 3-0 in the 50th minute with his second goal, and senior midfielder Santiago Ramos tallied in the 64th minute — both long-range goals from 25 yards out. Junior defender Rodrigo Perez added another for good measure just two minutes later.

“They were as good as I thought they were going to be and even better in person,” said Somerset Canyons coach Eric De Sousa, whose team finished with a school-best mark of 16-3-2 and was playing in its first state final. “Obviously, it is bittersweet. I’m so proud of what we accomplished, and there is history for the badge and the school.”

De Sousa said they had to switch tactics pretty early after the first goal.

“We gave up an early goal off a tactical mistake, and then I thought we did pretty well before they scored goals we could do nothing about,” he added. “I know we can stick with them, but the ball just didn’t bounce our way. They are number two in the nation for a reason.”

The Cougars made the most of their state tournament debut as they picked up a 3-0 win over Alachua Santa Fe in the state semifinals. Junior midfielder Juan Casallas played a huge role in the semifinals with a goal and an assist in sending the state’s second-ranked 3A squad to the finals.

Gabriel Abadia scored in the 47th minute off a header from Giovanni Sanchez to give the Cougars the only goal it needed. In the 65th minute, Denali Swift got on the end of a pass from Casallas and scored in the lower left-hand corner. Casallas closed out the scoring with a penalty kick with 15 minutes remaining.

Casallas said the team has been his family after moving to the United States and living with a host family.

“I am so happy to enjoy that moment with them,” Casallas continued. “America is really different than in Colombia, but it has been unique, and this is my first time playing in something like this.”

Cougars sophomore goalkeeper Jayden Rios needed to make one save, but it was a key one, coming just 15 minutes in with the match scoreless. He also knocked away a cross that was headed to a player on the far post.

“We planned to play assertively, controlling possession and attacking wide flanks, to take the game to them,” De Sousa said. “We wanted to control possession, hit them wide, and activate our press. We had chances, but we didn’t put them away early. At halftime, we adjusted our formation to add midfielders, and that seemed to work.”

“The first goal off the set piece was key because we spend a lot of time in training working on them,” De Sousa added. “They (set pieces) have been a weapon for us all year. After the first goal, we settled into our own skin and played our game.”

Somerset Canyons was the second-ranked team in 3A. They had won four straight since dropping the district title to last year’s state champion, American Heritage-Delray, 2-1. They avenged that setback in the regional final, winning 3-2 (6-5 PKs).

The Somerset Canyons boys joined the Somerset girls soccer team, who won last year’s state title, along with the girls basketball and girls flag football teams, as the only teams in school history to reach the state.

AVENTURA — When an NFL draft prospect walks into the office at Bommarito Performance Systems for his first visit, there’s tangible evidence of the potential that can be achieved from working with South Florida-based trainer Pete Bommarito — just from a glance at the walls.

A few of the names of football players on those plaques: reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, Frank Gore, Rob Gronkowski, Le’Veon Bell, Ezekiel Elliott, Vernon Davis, Jimmy Graham, NaVorro Bowman.

For prospects who recently completed their college careers and now hope to show their best when they test for professional teams at the upcoming NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, that’s an impressive list.

As football players try to transform themselves into track athletes to run the 40-yard dash at Lucas Oil Stadium this coming week, Bommarito, who has been called “the 40, combine guru,” helps them navigate that unfamiliar territory.

“We’re training to be trackstars right now instead of being football players,” said Georgia and former Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Colbie Young, who has been back in South Florida training before the combine. “So just eliminating those little dips, anything that can clock a millisecond of a time, just eliminating that from our stances, our starts and making sure that we’re at top-end speed.”

And Bommarito does it by not just maximizing their sprint technique, but relying on his medical background to put his athletes in position to peak athletically when it’s time to perform with added emphasis on recovery, nutrition and joint alignment.

“There’s a difference between training hard and training smart,” said Bommarito, as he has been putting prospects in this year’s draft class through mock combines each of the past two weeks.

“I am a lunatic with recovery and regeneration.”

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That aspect of it is invaluable, especially since he has several prospects from both Miami and Indiana who were playing in the final college football game of the season, the Jan. 19 title game. Some of them may run at the combine, others may wait until their pro day to maximize their training on what’s ideally an eight-week program Bommarito puts them through.

“He’s got the right staff, the right medical and things like that to get me healthy,” Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds said. “I feel like, as long as I’m healthy, I’m going to run fast, and I felt like Pete was the right person to go to for that.”

A mock combine day at Bommarito Performance Systems has prospects divided in groups by positions. They’ll line up for two runs each of either the 40-yard dash or the 20, depending on what they’re working on that day.

Bommarito positions himself at those markers, and he has cameras propped up every 10 yards, plus staffers both monitoring the start and taking video of each athlete’s sprint.

He holds his stopwatch up as each prospect crosses him to get as accurate a time as possible. All the while, Bommarito observes each runner, taking down meticulous notes he’ll bring back to the group as it gathers between runs.

This level of diligence is vital when these draft prospects have already completed their résumé of film on the field and has been given an initial draft grade by scouts and analysts. Now, it’s about optimizing the measurables that surface between combine and schools’ pro days before the late April draft.

• Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson works out at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• University of Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor works out at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• Indiana University cornerback D'Angelo Ponds works out at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. Ponds is a graduate of Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• Georgia wide receiver Colbie Young runs at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• Boston College offensive tackle Logan Taylor runs at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• Pete Bommarito instructs players on how to improve at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami on Feb. 11. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson runs the 40-yard dash at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• University of Miami linebacker Wesley Bissainthe works out at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• Pete Bommarito times an athlete in the 40-yard dash at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• University of Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor is seen at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Show Caption1 of 10Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson works out at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)Expand

“You can’t overdraft a workout warrior,” Bommarito said. “It’s proven to be right. Even linemen, they want athletic freaks. Whether it transfers or not, when you lay down elite athletic wins across the board, that’s what moves the needle. … If you’re winning in the 5, 10, 20, 40, broad jump, (vertical jump) and you’ve got wins across the board, it’s almost inevitable that you will go up to the top of your grade.

“You look at the positional average, and you see who beat it and you see who didn’t — and you see who really beat it and who laid an egg — look at their draft grade coming in, look at where they got picked. Ninety percent of guys who beat the average will move up at the top of the grade. … Ninety percent of the guys will rise or fall based on the numbers.”

Bommarito adjusts schedules for his athletes’ peak performance depending on whether they participated in postseason all-star games like the Senior Bowl or when their college season ended. Miami and Indiana players — like the Hoosiers’ Ponds or UM defensive end Akheem Mesidor and linebacker Wesley Bissainthe — will be on a different training timeline.

On the medical side, Bommarito tracks everything from nutrition to sleep and how his athletes can develop bodily symmetry between left and right.

“The technology we have today, we can not guess anymore. Everything is mathematically calculated,” he said.

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“We’re not just rehabbing injuries and recovering from the season — that’s a big part of it — but the main thing is, if they want to peak performance-wise, whether it’s football drills, football games, all-star games or the 40, right needs to equal left. We mathematically calculate that, literally on a daily basis. Neuromuscular therapy exams, physical therapy stress tests, force-plate metrics, motion analysis, all of it.”

Word of mouth from past draft prospects, many of whom come back to do offseason training once they’re firmly in the NFL, spreads as far as the results seen by the athletes.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about Bommarito’s, just from former players, my friends that I know,” Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson said. “I knew that this was a place to get my speed the fastest, and also just good recovery. The medical’s great here.”

Added Boston College offensive lineman Logan Taylor: “Just the track history that comes out of this place. It was kind of a no-brainer when I was looking at all the facilities, and Pete’s just a great overall coach to have on your side. Statistics that I was looking at, coming to this place was just a no-brainer for me.”

By the end of next week, when you survey a list of top performers at the combine, odds are you will read some names of players who trained in South Florida with Bommarito.

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MIAMI — Those Los Angeles Lakers players with statues outside of the team’s arena in downtown Los Angeles? They now will have a coach to guide them.

Sunday, Heat president Pat Riley, who guided the Lakers during their championship Showtime era in the ’80s, will become the first coach honored by the Lakers with an arena-front statue, in a ceremony scheduled before the team’s game against the Boston Celtics.

Among those scheduled to be alongside Riley are Heat scout Bob McAdoo, one of Riley’s championship Lakers players, and Heat vice president Alonzo Mourning.

Riley guided the Lakers from 1981 to 1990 as part of his Hall of Fame coaching career, with championships in 1982, ’85, ’87 and ’88. The Lakers went 533-194 (.733) over Riley’s tenure, winning at least 50 games in each of his nine seasons and at least 60 games in five consecutive seasons.

Current Lakers coach JJ Redick, 41, said Riley’s Lakers’ legacy came before his time, but is appreciative of what Riley has done for the profession and for the Lakers franchise.

“I grew up watching 90s basketball and those Knicks and Heat teams,” Redick said of Riley’s post-Lakers coaching stops, “and just how physical and tough minded they were and then obviously played against Riles in Orlando when he was still coaching — the culture word is overused, but the sustainable level of consistency that Miami has had since he’s been there.

“I wish I was alive and well to watch 1980s basketball. But when you don’t have a TV until 1992, it makes it tough nor the memory capacity of 2-6 years-old to really watch those (Lakers) games. But, what he was able to do as a head coach for the Lakers is, I think it’s the North Star for any coach to be at one place for basically close to a decade and win a bunch of championships. That’s all we can ask for.”

Riley, 80, joins Lakers statues honoring former Lakers players Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal and broadcaster Chick Hearn.

“My father, obviously, has had the biggest impact on me in my life,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Jon Spoelstra, a longtime former NBA executive, “but Pat has had the second-biggest impact, certainly professionally, but also in life. He’s the greatest mentor that I’ve had. And he continues to be that, not only for me but for so many in the organization.”

The Heat schedule precluded more organizational presence, with the team hosting the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night at Kaseya Center, where the court a year ago was named in Riley’s honor, and then returning for a practice there Monday ahead of a two-game trip.

Glue guy

With point guard Davion Mitchell having played through fever in Friday night’s victory in Atlanta, he was listed as doubtful for Saturday against the Grizzlies.

But no matter the lineup permutation, which included the Heat opening with a different lineup for the ninth consecutive game on Friday night, Spoelstra’s preference continues to be a role in that first five for Pelle Larsson.

“He’s the glue that really can help maximize lineups,” Spoelstra said of the second-year wing. “Whenever he’s been with that starting unit, it’s been incredibly dynamic. He does all the little things that aren’t seen or not really noticed on the outside, but we notice it. The cuts, the movement, taking charges, running the floor, just moving the basketball, being a ball mover, allowing the scorers to just focus on their strengths.”

On a roll

With Friday night’s 128-97 victory in Atlanta, the Heat now have four 30-point victories in calendar 2026.

As a matter of perspective, the Heat have had only 45 such wins over their 38 seasons, with the three in February the most in any month in franchise history. Six previous times, the Heat had a pair of such wins in a calendar month.

The only calendar year the Heat had more than four such wins were in 1994 and 2012.

ATLANTA — Observations and other notes of interest from Friday night’s 128-97 victory over the Atlanta Hawks:

– For now, it appears it will start with the stagger, with so many options back in play for Erik Spoelstra with an injury-free roster.

– Which not only makes it appear it will be either/or with Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware, but also plenty of a similar either/or approach with Tyler Herro and Norman Powell.

– Neither Herro nor Ware started in this one, making the stagger easier for Spoelstra.

– In the first half, only in the later stages did we see Herro and Powell together.

– To maximize this roster, Herro and Powell can’t solely be splitting the minutes.

– This roster was built on the premise of more.

– Then again, Powell has the look of a player somewhat wearing down.

– So the Herro-only minutes could help in that regard.

– With Adebayo and Ware, it has never been as clear.

– With Ware again drawing an askance glare from Spoelstra.

– Even with Herro back, the Heat opened with a lineup of Adebayo, Powell, Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell and Pelle Larsson.

– It was the ninth consecutive game the Heat have gone with a different lineup from the previous game.

– Mitchell had been questionable prior to the game with a head illness.

– Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Ware entered first together off the Heat bench.

– Herro and Kasparas Jakucionis then followed together.

– With Myron Gardner making it 10 deep.

– With Gardner playing ahead of both Dru Smith and Nikola Jovic.

– And also no Simone Fontecchio in the rotation.

– Spoelstra ended the morning shootaround by putting an emphatic spin on what he hopes comes next.

– “I want them to enjoy this time of year,” he said of his players. ‘There’s been all the narratives all year long, but this is what competitors want. You want to be able to fight for something, compete for something. We have an opportunity in front of us, and we’re all looking forward to it.”

– He then continued the theme pregame.

– “We have a great opportunity in front of us,” he said. “Look, there’s been a lot of narratives around the league, a bunch of different things. We just see opportunity in front of us. We’re getting healthier right now, just at the right time.”

– He continued, “We feel like we have everything we need, to make a run, but we have to prove it. And that’s what’s exhilarating about it, is the competition.”

– He added, “We’re just looking forward to this final run. It’s the best time of year. The playoff picture is starting to become a little bit more clear. The games are really competitive. You can see what’s about to happen in the middle of April. And I know our guys are competitors and we’re looking forward to it.”

– Herro stressed he was just glad to be back.

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– “Just happy to be playing basketball again,” he said. “It’s been a rough couple of months going through different nicknack injuries, nothing really like super big of an injury that’s going to affect my whole body, career long term.”

– Herro indicated at Friday morning’s shootaround that the plan was to play both ends of the back-to-back set that concludes Saturday at home against the Hawks.

– “Over the last like week or so, I really ramped up trying to get ready for tonight and tomorrow and really for the rest of the season after the break,” he said. “But it responded well and just got to continue to see how it feels after I continue to do more.”

– Spoelstra downplayed a specific minutes limit.

– “But we’ll be certainly mindful,” he said. “I’m not going to play him 38 minutes. He hasn’t played a game in a while. He doesn’t have the build-up of a lot of games, but he always keeps himself in great condition.”

– Spoelstra downplayed being whole as being a panacea.

– “You have to just manage whatever is going on,” he said of his team’s previous injury situation. “These are things that you can’t control.”

– Powell didn’t downplay it at all.

– “It’s something that we’ve been wanting to have all year long,” he said, “finally having it, and it’s an important part of the season. It’s really crucial for us to build chemistry and start to stack together some really important wins going down the stretch of this season.”

– Said Adebayo, “It’s always good to go into the second half of the season fully healthy. It’s time to make a push.”

– The game opened the 14th of the Heat’s NBA-high 17 back-to-back sets this season. The Heat are 9-4 on the second nights of such pairings.

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ERIC TUCKER

WASHINGTON (AP) — A lawyer picked by judges to serve as the top federal prosecutor for a Virginia office that pursued cases against foes of President Donald Trump was swiftly fired Friday by the Justice Department in the latest clash over the appointments of powerful U.S. attorneys.

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Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the firing of James Hundley on social media shortly after he was unanimously chosen by judges to replace former Trump lawyer Lindsey Halligan as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. While the law says that the district court may choose U.S. attorneys when an initial appointment expires, the Trump administration has insisted that the power lies only in the hands of the executive branch.

“EDVA judges do not pick our US Attorney. POTUS does. James Hundley, you’re fired!” Blanche said in a post on X.

Hundley, who has handled criminal and civil cases for more than 30 years, didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday evening.

The firing of Hundley is the latest reflection of tumult in one of the Justice Department’s most elite prosecution offices, which since September has been mired in upheaval following the resignation of a veteran prosecutor amid Trump administration pressure to prosecute two of the president’s biggest political foes, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

That prosecutor, Erik Siebert, was effectively forced out and swiftly replaced by Halligan, a White House aide who secured indictments against Comey and James but was later deemed by a judge to have been unlawfully appointed. The cases were dismissed, but the Justice Department has appealed that decision.

Halligan resigned from the position last month after judges in the district signaled continued skepticism over the legitimacy of her appointment.

U.S. attorneys, the top federal prosecutors in regional Justice Department offices around the country, typically require Senate confirmation but the law does permit attorneys general to make temporary appointments for limited time periods. In several instances, though, the Justice Department has attempted to leave its temporary appointees in place in ways that have invited court challenges and drawn resistance from judges who have found the appointments unlawful.

Last week, a lawyer appointed by judges to be the U.S. attorney for northern New York was fired by the Justice Department after spending less than a day in the job. Judges in the district appointed Kinsella after declining to keep the Trump administration’s pick, John Sarcone, in place after his 120-day term elapsed.

By MARK SHERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s vision of the Supreme Court, in which his three appointees are personally loyal to him, collided with the court’s view of itself Friday when six justices voted to strike down Trump’s signature economic policy — global tariffs imposed under an emergency powers law.

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The outcome led Trump to launch an unusually stark personal attack on the justices, with special rancor reserved for the two Trump appointees who defied him.

The case represented a challenge of Trump’s many untested, yet forcefully stated imperatives on everything from trade to immigration policy and the court’s ability to maintain its independence and, at times, act as a check on presidential authority.

“The Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing and I’m ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed, for not having the courage to do what’s right for the country,” Trump said in the White House briefing room several hours after the court issued its decision, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts.

Trump said he expected as much from the three Democratic appointees on the court. “But you can’t knock their loyalty,” he said. “It’s one thing you can do with some of our people.”

Asked specifically about Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, who were part of the majority, Trump said, “I think it’s an embarrassment to their families, if you want to know the truth, the two of them.”

Vice President JD Vance, whose wife, Usha, spent a year as a law clerk to Roberts, echoed the president’s criticism, though he didn’t make it personal. “This is lawlessness from the Court, plain and simple,” Vance wrote on X.

Legal opposition to the tariffs crossed political lines, with a key challenge coming from the libertarian-leaning Liberty Justice Center and support from pro-business groups like the Chamber of Commerce.

Trump has had a checkered history with the court dating back to the start of his first White House term in 2017, though he won his biggest court battle in 2024, a presidential immunity ruling that prevented him from being prosecuted over efforts to undo his 2020 election loss.

In the first year of his second term, he won repeated emergency appeals that allowed him to implement major aspects of his immigration crackdown and other key parts of his agenda.

Presidential criticism of Supreme Court decisions has its own long history. President Thomas Jefferson was critical of the court’s landmark Marbury v. Madison case, which established the concept of judicial review of congressional and executive action. President Franklin Roosevelt, frustrated about decisions he thought blunted parts of the New Deal, talked about older justices as infirm and sought to expand the court, a failed effort.

In 2010, President Barack Obama used his State of the Union speech, with several members of the court in attendance, to take aim at the court’s just-announced Citizens United decision that helped open the floodgates to independent spending in federal elections. Justice Samuel Alito, who hasn’t attended the annual address since, mouthed the words “not true” in response from his seat.

Trump, though, crossed a line in the way he assailed the justices who voted against him, Ed Whelan, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a former law clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia, wrote in an email.

“It’s entirely fine for a president to criticize a Supreme Court ruling that goes against him. But it’s demagogic for President Trump to contend that the justices who voted against him did so because of lack of courage,” Whelan wrote.

Some presidents also have criticized justices they appointed for decisions they’ve made.

Following the seminal Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower told friends that appointing Chief Justice Earl Warren had been his biggest mistake, according to biographer Stephen E. Ambrose.

Objecting to a dissenting vote in an antitrust case, President Theodore Roosevelt once allegedly said of Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, wounded in action during the Civil War, that he ”could carve out of a banana a judge with more backbone.”

But these remarks were conveyed in private, not at a livestreamed presidential appearance in the White House briefing room.

On a personal level, Trump has had a sometimes tense relationship with Roberts, who has twice issued public rebukes of the president over attacks on federal judges.

Trump didn’t mention Roberts by name on Friday, but he seemed to be assailing the chief justice when he said he lost the case because the justices “want to be politically correct,” “catering to a group of people in D.C.”

Trump used similar language when he criticized Roberts’ vote in 2012 that upheld Obamacare.

Similar to the timing following the Citizens United ruling, the president and some members of the court, dressed in their black robes, are likely to be in the same room Tuesday when Trump delivers his State of the Union address.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once nodded off during a presidential speech in the House of Representatives, attributing her drowsiness to some fine California wine. No justice is likely to be napping Tuesday night.

By SETH BORENSTEIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The natural El Niño cycle, which warps weather worldwide, is both adding to and shaped by a warming world, meteorologists said.

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A new study calculated that an unusual recent twist in the warming and cooling cycle that includes El Niño and its counterpart La Niña can help explain the scientific mystery of why Earth’s already rising temperature spiked to a new level over the past three years.

Separately, scientists have had to update how they label El Niño and La Niña because of rapid weather changes cause by global warming. Increasingly hot waters globally have caused the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration this month to alter how it calculates when the weather pattern has flipped into a new cycle. It’s likely to mean that more events will be considered La Niña and fewer qualify as an El Niño for warming tropical waters.

Earth’s average monthly temperature took a noticeable jump up from the long-term upward trend connected to human-caused climate change in early 2023, and that increase continued through 2025. Scientists have many theories about what’s happening, including an acceleration of greenhouse gas warming, a reduction in particle pollution from ships, an underwater volcano eruption and increased solar output.

In a new study in Nature Geoscience this month, Japanese researchers look at how the difference in energy coming to and leaving the planet — called Earth’s energy imbalance — increased in 2022. An increased imbalance, or more trapped heat, then leads to warmer temperatures, scientists said. The researchers calculate that about three-quarters of the change in Earth’s energy imbalance can be attributed to the combination of long-term human-caused climate change and a shift from a three-year cooling La Niña cycle to a warm El Niño one.

El Niño vs. La Niña

El Niño is a cyclical and natural warming of patches of the equatorial Pacific that then alters the world’s weather patterns, while La Niña is marked by cooler than average waters.

Both shift precipitation and temperature patterns, but in different ways. El Niños tend to increase global temperatures and La Niñas depress the long-term rise.

La Niñas tend to cause more damage in the United States because of increased hurricane activity and drought, studies have shown.

FILE – Villagers fetch water from a makeshift borehole in Mudzi, Zimbabwe, Tuesday, July 2, 2024. as the United Nations’ food agency says months of drought in southern Africa, triggered by the El Nino weather phenomenon, has had a devastating impact on more than 27 million people and caused the region’s worst hunger crisis in decades. (AP Photo/Aaron Ufumeli, File) Why weather cycles switch from warm to cool

From 2020 to 2023, Earth had an unusual “triple dip” La Niña without an El Niño in between. In a La Niña , warm water sticks to a deeper depth, resulting in a cooler surface. And that reduces how much energy goes out into space, said study co-author Yu Kosaka, a climate scientist at the University of Tokyo.

She compared it to what happens when people have fevers.

“If our body’s temperature is high then it tends to emit its energy out, and the Earth has the same situation happening. And as the temperatures increase, it acts to emit more energy outward. And for three-year La Niña , it’s opposite,” Kosaka said.

So more energy — which becomes heat — is trapped on Earth, she said. La Niñas more typically correspond to a one- or two-year buildup of extra energy imbalance, but this time it was longer so the difference was more noticeable and included hotter temperatures, Kosaka said.

“When there is a transition from La Niña to El Niño , it’s like the lid is popped off,” releasing the heat, explained former NOAA meteorologist Tom Di Liberto, who’s now with Climate Central.

About 23% of the energy imbalance driving the recent higher temperatures comes from this unusually long La Niña pattern, with slightly more than half coming from gases from the burning of coal, oil and gas, the study authors said. The rest can be other factors.

Scientist Jennifer Francis of the Woodwell Climate Research Center, which wasn’t involved in the study, said the research makes sense and explains an increase in energy imbalance that some scientists were attributing to accelerated warming.

Changing how El Niños and La Niñas are labeled

For 75 years when meteorologists calculated El Niños and La Niñas , it was based on the difference in temperature in three tropical Pacific regions compared to normal. An El Nino was 0.5 degrees Celsius (0.9 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than normal and La Nina was cooler than normal by the same amount.

FILE – A man carries usable belongings salvaged from his flood-hit home across a flooded area in Shikarpur district of Sindh province, of Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan, File)

The trouble in a warming world is what’s considered normal keeps shifting.

Until now, NOAA used the 30-year average as normal. It updated the 30-year average every decade, which is how often it updates most climate and weather measurements. Then the water warmed so much for El Niños and La Niñas that NOAA updated its definition of normal every five years, but that wasn’t enough either, said Nat Johnson, a meteorologist at NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Lab.

So NOAA came up with an El Niño index that’s relative, starting this month. This new index compares temperatures to the rest of Earth’s tropics. Recently that difference between the old and new methods has been as much as half a degree Celsius (0.9 degrees Fahrenheit), and “that’s enough to have an impact,” Johnson said.

That’s because what really matters with El Niños and La Niñas is the way the waters interact with the atmosphere. And recently the interactions didn’t match the old labeling, but they do match the new method, Johnson said.

This will likely mean a bit more La Niñas and fewer El Niños than in the old system, Johnson said.

Here comes another El Niño

NOAA’s forecast is for an El Niño to develop later this year in the late summer or fall. If it comes early enough, it could dampen Atlantic hurricane activity. But it would also mean warmer global temperatures in 2027.

“When El Niño develops, we’re likely to set a new global temperature record,” Woodwell’s Francis said in an email. “’Normal’ was left in the dust decades ago. And with this much heat in the system, everyone should buckle up for the extreme weather it will fuel.”

The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

By MICHAEL PHILLIS

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration said Friday it backs a 10-year deadline for most cities and towns to replace their harmful lead pipes, giving notice that it will support a tough rule approved under the Biden administration to reduce lead in drinking water.

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The Environmental Protection Agency told a federal appeals court in Washington that it would defend the strongest overhaul of lead-in-water standards in three decades against a court challenge by a utility industry association.

The Trump administration has typically favored rapid deregulation, including reducing or killing rules on air and water pollution. On Friday, for example, it repealed tight limits on mercury and other toxic emissions from coal plants. But the agency has taken a different approach to drinking water.

“After intensive stakeholder involvement, EPA concluded that the only way to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act’s mandate to prevent anticipated adverse health effects ‘to the extent feasible’ is to require replacement of lead service lines,” the agency’s court filing said.

Doing so by a 10-year deadline is feasible, the agency added, supporting a rule that was based in part of the finding that old rules that relied on chemical treatment and monitoring to reduce lead “failed to prevent system-wide lead contamination and widespread adverse health effects.”

The EPA said in August it planned to defend the Biden administration’s aggressive rule, but added that it would also “develop new tools and information to support practical implementation flexibilities and regulatory clarity.” Some environmental activists worried that that meant the EPA was looking to create loopholes.

Lead, a heavy metal once common in products like pipes and paints, is a neurotoxin that can stunt children’s development, lower IQ scores and increase blood pressure in adults. Lead pipes can corrode and contaminate drinking water. The previous Trump administration’s rule had looser standards and did not mandate the replacement of all pipes.

Standards aimed at protecting kids

The Biden administration finalized its lead-in-water overhaul in 2024. It mandated that utilities act to combat lead in water at lower concentrations, with just 10 parts per billion as a trigger, down from 15. If higher levels were found, water systems had to inform their consumers, take immediate action to reduce lead and work to replace lead pipes that are commonly the main source of lead in drinking water.

The Biden administration at the time estimated the stricter standards would protect up to 900,000 infants from having low birth weight and avoid up to 1,500 premature deaths a year from heart disease.

“People power and years of lead-contaminated communities fighting to clean up tap water have made it a third rail to oppose rules to protect our health from the scourge of toxic lead. Maybe only a hidebound water utility trade group is willing to attack this basic public health measure,” said Erik Olson, senior director at the Natural Resource Defense Council, an environmental nonprofit.

The American Water Works Association, a utility industry association, had challenged the rule in court, arguing the EPA lacks authority to regulate the portion of the pipe that’s on private property and therefore cannot require water systems to replace them.

The agency countered on Friday that utilities can be required to replace the entire lead pipe because they have sufficient control over them.

The AWWA also said the 10-year deadline wasn’t feasible, noting it’s hard to find enough labor to do the work and water utilities face other significant infrastructure challenges simultaneously. Water utilities were given three years to prepare before the 10-year timeframe starts and some cities with a lot of lead were given longer.

The agency said they looked closely at data from dozens of water utilities and concluded that the vast majority could replace their lead pipes in 10 years or less.

Replacing decades-old standards

The original lead and copper rule for drinking water was enacted by the EPA more than 30 years ago. The rules have significantly reduced lead in water but have been criticized for letting cities move too slowly when levels rose too high.

Lead pipes are most commonly found in older, industrial parts of the country, including major cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee. The rule also revises the way lead amounts are measured, which could significantly expand the number of communities found violating the rules.

The EPA under President Donald Trump has celebrated deregulation. Officials have sought to slash climate change programs and promote fossil fuel development. On drinking water issues, however, their initial actions have been more nuanced.

In March, for example, the EPA announced plans to partially roll back rules to reduce so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water — the other major Biden-era tap water protection. That change sought to keep tough limits for some common PFAS, but also proposed scrapping and reconsidering standards for other types and extending deadlines.

PFAS and lead pipes are both costly threats to safe water. There are some federal funds to help communities.

The Biden administration estimated about 9 million lead pipes provide water to homes and businesses in the United States. The Trump administration updated the analysis and now projects there are roughly 4 million lead pipes. Changes in methodology, including assuming that communities that did not submit data did not have lead pipes, resulted in the significant shift. The new estimate does correct odd results from some states — activists said that the agency’s initial assumptions for Florida, for example, seemed far too high.

The EPA did not immediately return a request for comment. The AWWA pointed to their previous court filing when asked for comment.

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment.

By MICHAEL BIESECKER and JESSE BEDAYN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Newly released records show a U.S. citizen was shot and killed in Texas by a federal immigration agent last year during a late-night traffic encounter that was not publicly disclosed by the Department of Homeland Security.

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The death of Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, would mark the earliest of at least six deadly shootings by federal officers since the start of a nationwide immigration crackdown in President Donald Trump’s second term. On Friday, DHS said the shooting on South Padre Island last March occurred after the driver intentionally struck an agent.

The shooting involved a Homeland Security Investigations team that was conducting an immigration enforcement operation in conjunction with local police, according to documents obtained by American Oversight, a nonprofit watchdog group based in Washington.

The records are part of a tranche of heavily redacted internal documents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement that the nonprofit obtained as part of a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.

Though Martinez’s death on March 15, 2025, was reported by local media outlets at the time, federal and state authorities did not disclose that the shooting involved the team from HSI. In a statement Friday, DHS said the driver who was killed “intentionally ran over a Homeland Security Investigation special agent,” resulting in another agent firing “defensive shots to protect himself, his fellow agents, and the general public.”

The department did not respond to questions about why it had made no media release or other public notification of the officer-involved shooting over the last 11 months.

Martinez’s mother, Rachel Reyes, said her son was just days past his 23rd birthday when he and his best friend drove from San Antonio down to the beach for the weekend to celebrate. South Padre Island, located on the Gulf Coast just north of the U.S.-Mexico border, is a renowned spring break destination that attracts tens of thousands of college-aged partiers each March.

Martinez worked at an Amazon warehouse, liked to play video games and hang out with friends. His mother said he had never had any prior run-ins with law enforcement.

“He was a typical young guy,” Reyes told The Associated Press. “He never really got a chance to go out and experience things. It was his first time getting to go out of town. He was a nice guy, humble guy. And he wasn’t a violent person at all.”

Records show federal agents were assisting police

According to an internal two-page ICE incident report included in the newly disclosed documents, shortly after midnight, HSI officers were assisting South Padre Island police by redirecting traffic through a busy intersection after a vehicle accident with several injuries.

A blue, four-door Ford with a driver and passenger approached the officers, who ordered the driver to stop. The report does not say why. Initially, the driver didn’t respond to commands but did eventually come to a stop, according to the report.

Agents then surrounded the vehicle, telling those inside to get out, but the driver “accelerated forward” and struck an HSI special agent “who wound up on the hood of the vehicle,” the report said. An HSI supervisory special agent standing by the side of the car then fired his weapon multiple times through the open driver’s side window, and the vehicle stopped.

Paramedics already on the scene of the accident quickly provided medical aid and the driver was taken by ambulance to a regional hospital in Brownsville, where he was pronounced dead, according to the report. The passenger, also a U.S. citizen, was taken into custody.

The HSI officer who the report says was struck by the vehicle was treated for an unspecified knee injury at a nearby hospital and released.

The names of the two HSI agents involved in the shooting and the names of the two men in the car were all redacted from the ICE report, but Reyes confirmed the dead driver was her son. She said he was shot three times.

State investigation into shooting is still ‘active’

The report says the Texas Rangers responded to the shooting scene and took the lead as the primary agency investigating the shooting.

Reyes said she first learned her son had been shot by a federal agent, rather than a local police officer, about a week after he was killed. She was contacted by an investigator from the Rangers who she said told her there were videos of the shooting that contradicted the account provided by federal agents. DHS did not immediately respond to an email Friday about the claim that there is video showing a different account.

She said she was told by the investigator that the state report into the shooting was completed in October and that the case would be presented to a grand jury for potential criminal charges.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, which includes the Rangers, said in a statement Friday that the investigation into the shooting is still “active” and declined to offer more information.

Messages left with the office of Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz, an elected Democrat whose jurisdiction includes South Padre Island, received no response Friday. South Padre Island Police Chief Claudine O’Carroll also did not respond to requests for comment.

Attorneys for the family said Friday they have spent the past year pursuing accountability and transparency.

“It is critical that there is a full and fair investigation into why HSI was present at the scene of a traffic collision and why a federal officer shot and killed a U.S. citizen as he was trying to comply with instructions from the local law enforcement officers directing traffic,” attorneys Charles M. Stam and Alex Stamm said in a statement.

Agents involved were part of a border task force

According to the ICE report, the HSI agents involved in the shooting were part of a maritime border enforcement security task force typically focused on combating transnational criminal organizations at seaports. Over the last year, however, officers from across multiple federal agencies have been reassigned to prioritize immigration enforcement.

In January, Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother in Minneapolis, was killed in the driver’s seat of her SUV by ICE officer Jonathan Ross. Trump administration officials initially attempted to paint Good as a “domestic terrorist” who tried to ram officers with her vehicle before multiple videos emerged of the incident that cast doubt on the government’s narrative.

As in the Good case, experts in police training and tactics questioned why a federal officer apparently positioned himself in front of Martinez’s vehicle.

“You don’t stand in front of the car, you don’t put yourself in harm’s way,” said Geoffrey Alpert, a police use-of-force expert at the University of South Carolina. He added that there’s never a scenario where it’s justified, “because you don’t know whether this person is going to flee, and if he flees, you could be dead.”

Alpert said investigators will likely review any available body camera video or other footage to examine how swiftly Martinez moved the car forward, if he merely took his foot off the break or pressed down hard on the accelerator.

Martinez’s mother said she didn’t believe he would ever intentionally assault a law enforcement officer.

“They didn’t give him a chance,” Reyes said. “It’s so excessive. They could have done anything else besides that. It’s like they shoot first and ask questions later.”

Bedayn reported from Denver.

General Daily Insight for February 21, 2026

When we can’t find stable ground, we must build it ourselves. Our actions today could reopen old scars, but if they do, those wounds probably need to air out once more to truly heal. This will be especially poignant around the Moon’s merge with thoughtful Chiron this morning. We’re ready to choose empathy. Luna then settles into Taurus at 6:30 pm EST, inviting us to take our time building the life we want. Success comes from a lifetime of responsible routines and healthy choices.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

You can channel courage into careful moves. The moody Moon conjoins tender Chiron in your sign, which impacts your 1st House of Individuality. Healing is possible, but you won’t be unchanged by your pains — and that’s okay! You might notice raw edges during introductions or while asking for help, but that’s a part of being human. Be honest when something hurts, and trust your loved ones to do the same. Consistent care teaches your body that you are (and will continue to be) safe.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Confidence grows as you trust your senses. The intuitive Moon is trotting into your sign, empowering your ability to get in touch with your soul and stay that way. Put your body in charge of your actions — this is not a day to do a ton of stuff that makes you uncomfortable. If you have a meeting, pick an outfit you love and keep your message simple, because ease in your skin helps others relax, too. Keep checking in with yourself throughout the day.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Patience is the key to ongoing success. Your 12th House of Subtlety welcomes the Moon, asking you to step back from noise so you have a chance to weave scattered thoughts into a gorgeous tapestry. If messages pile up, mute alerts and answer the main conversation first — it deserves your full powers of thought! A brief solo walk or a few hours alone should settle any nerves, allowing your wit to return in time. Protect quiet pockets, since silence helps ideas connect.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Morning soreness can lead you to evening satisfaction. Before Luna leaves your public 10th house, she’ll embrace cautious Chiron there, giving you a chance to grow your reputation without bowling over your softer side. You might feel sensitive about feedback from a leader, but they probably have excellent advice to offer. Even if they don’t, conversing with them could inspire valuable insights. Utilize teamwork moments to rebuild trust without draining your reserves. Offer a calm structure so progress can happen with care.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

A calm focus fuels your ambition more than chaotic passion. Let the Moon’s entry into your ambitious 10th house invite you to commit to your goals with your whole soul. Your intuition should be a superb guide at present, especially if you must present something in a public setting. Whenever you’re posting visible updates, keep it simple, because confidence helps people trust your direction. Keep the big picture in mind, even on minor tasks. Skipping steps isn’t the way to gain satisfying results.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Things don’t have to be so intricate — at least, not right now. Practical planning steadies curiosity as the Moon sails into your 9th House of Travel, turning big ideas into progress without overcomplicating details. If a class invite or adventurous plan calls your name, outline the next steps and set a deadline to ensure they actually happen. Your precise eye shines when you pace yourself, and you gain confidence as each box gets checked with care. Trust yourself to confirm your chosen path.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Good fences make good neighbors, and that currently goes for all relationships. Strong rules make for strong connections with the Moon-Chiron conjunction in your amicable 7th house. These personal agreements don’t have to resemble those in popular culture — romantic or otherwise. They just have to work for you and your loved ones! If a promise feels lopsided or chores aren’t shared equally, talk about it. Fairness grows when expectations are specific and kind. Speak clearly and gently to nurture continued goodwill.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Pain — emotional or physical — demands attention. That said, it doesn’t necessarily demand anger or conflict. Your 7th House of Partnership opens as the delicate Moon arrives, urging honest exchanges that respect privacy while naming what matters in a contract or friendship. If someone pushes for quick answers, don’t let them talk over you! Careful pacing protects trust. Your perceptive nature spots hidden pressure and opportunities to uncover deeper truths. Seeking shared clarity allows you and your loved ones to grow in tandem.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Progress is practically your middle name! The instinctive Moon slips into your 6th House of Work, nudging you to adjust routines so your energy stretches further. If your calendar feels packed, try to move a meeting or start with the toughest task first. That way, even if you can’t get anything else done, you can be certain you’ve done your best on whatever’s most vital. Don’t beat yourself up about not finishing every single task. Your body will thank you for setting a kinder rhythm.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Steady patience supports your long-term plans. The home-centered Moon is in your 4th House of Security, where she conjoins vulnerable Chiron in the same zone. This offers an opportunity for domestic repairs (literal and metaphorical). It’s possible that certain tasks will bring up unpleasant memories, but such discomfort can be vanquished by simply completing the task. If necessary, you can delegate to someone trustworthy, or have them comfort you as you work through your painful history. Tend your base so your bravest goals are supported.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Which comforts currently help you think more clearly? Your 4th House of Heritage welcomes the family-focused Moon, encouraging you to return to your foundational lessons. They may not directly apply to your recent life, but they probably have some sort of insight that you can put to good use. Maybe you no longer have toys to share during playdates, but you could have an appliance or power tool to lend to your loved ones. When you give support, you’re exponentially more likely to get it.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Understanding grows as conversations slow down. Your 3rd House of Communication welcomes the Moon, asking you to say less and mean more in all conversations (in-person or not). If a digital or written message feels off, you might want to pick up the phone and talk in a way where you can actually hear each other. Your empathy turns superficial chats into healing moments, and your peers should mirror back the kindness you offered. Speak softly and plainly, so confusion melts away.

By RIO YAMAT

The ability of federal safety regulators to oversee airplane maintenance at United Airlines has been hindered by inadequate staffing, high employee turnover and the improper use of virtual inspections instead of on-site reviews in some cases, according to a government watchdog audit released Friday.

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The U.S. Transportation Department’s inspector general said the Federal Aviation Administration lacks sufficient staffing and workforce planning to effectively monitor United’s large fleet. Past audits by the government watchdog also highlighted FAA challenges overseeing other airline maintenance programs, including at American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Allegiant Air.

The FAA declined to comment on the findings but referred The Associated Press to a letter it sent the inspector general’s office that was included in the audit report. In it, the FAA said it agreed with most of the recommendations and was taking steps to address them by the end of the year.

“FAA will implement a more systemic approach to strengthen inspector capacity and will take other measures to ensure that staffing levels remain sufficient to meet surveillance requirements,” the letter said.

The recommendations included a reevaluation of staffing rules, an independent workplace survey of inspector workloads and office culture, and improved training on accessing and using United’s safety data — a current gap that the report said currently keeps inspectors from fully evaluating maintenance issues and safety risk trends.

In a statement to AP, United said it works closely with the FAA on a daily basis in addition to employing its own internal safety management system.

“United has long advocated in favor of providing the FAA with the resources it needs for its important work,” the carrier said.

The inspector general’s office said the audit was conducted between May 2024 and December 2025, amid a series of maintenance-linked incidents at United.

It found that the FAA sometimes had its personnel conduct inspections “virtually” when it lacked staffing or funding for travel even though agency policy requires postponing reviews that can’t be done on site. Doing the work remotely can create safety risks because inspectors may miss or misidentify maintenance problems, the reported stated.

“Inspectors we spoke with stated that their front-line managers instructed them to perform inspections virtually rather than postponing inspections,” the report said.

The audit also found that ongoing staffing shortages at the FAA inspection offices tasked with United’s oversight have resulted in fewer inspections being conducted, limited surveillance of the carrier’s maintenance operations and an “overall loss of institutional knowledge.”

In March 2024, passengers had to be evacuated from a United plane that rolled off a runway after landing in Houston. The next day, a United jetliner bound for Japan lost a tire while taking off from San Francisco but later landed safely in Los Angeles.

In December 2025, a United flight experienced an engine failure during takeoff from Dulles International Airport before safely returning to the airport.

Associated Press writer Josh Funk contributed.

By EDDIE PELLS, AP National Writer

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — The next time you see a senior citizen barreling down the mountain, maybe doing a double-cork while he’s at it, don’t think twice. That might just be your neighborhood’s friendly new Olympic champion.

Alex Ferreira, the freeskier who occasionally dons prosthetics to look 80 and calls his alter ego “Hotdog Hans” when he’s not kicking butt in the halfpipe, added a gold medal Friday night to the silver and bronze he’d won at the last two games to “finish the rainbow,” as his mother said.

The 31-year-old, a longtime fixture on the slopes and in the schools and rec centers in Aspen, Colorado, also put America in the win column for the first time in two weeks of halfpipe, slopestyle and big air action at the Livigno Snow Park.

“I’m going to drink copious amounts of beer,” Ferreira said when asked how he would celebrate.

• United States’ Alex Ferreira celebrates during the men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
• United States’ Alex Ferreira competes during the men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
• United States’ Alex Ferreira reacts during the men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
• Estonia’s Henry Sildaru competes during the men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
• United States’ Alex Ferreira reacts during the men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Show Caption1 of 5United States’ Alex Ferreira celebrates during the men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Expand

He’s fun like that. This was a popular victory all across the park, squeezed out of a tight, brutal, all-night battle with Estonia’s Henry Sildaru — who skis slopestyle and big air, too, just like Eileen Gu — and Canada’s Brendan Mackay.

Bedlam and tears broke out in the stands after Mackay laid down the night’s last run, a solid one, but came up 2.75 points short of Ferreira’s winning score: 93.75.

When the Canadian’s mark came up, Ferreira bent to one knee and flashed a smile that lit up the mountain.

“Best moment of my life,” he said.

Asked what the best thing about the new gold medalist was, Mackay said there was too much to list.

“But honestly, the biggest thing that stands out about Alex, is that he is just an incredibly nice guy,” he said.

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Among those near the medal stand to congratulate Ferreira was two-time Olympic titlist David Wise, who made the trip despite not making the Olympic team. He was ranked eighth in the world in halfpipe this season — a true sign of how deep the American team runs.

Also sharing hugs was Nick Goepper, the American three-time medalist in slopestyle who switched to the halfpipe in search of his first gold.

In the evening’s most visceral sign of what this contest really meant, Goepper threw caution to the wind on his last run and flung his body high above the halfpipe, his back slamming wickedly on the deck before he bounced to the bottom of the pipe.

He was lucky to walk away from that — not as fortunate that Mackay’s 91 on the last run of the night bumped him from third to fourth by a scant 2 points.

“To go for it in that moment took serious guts,” Ferreira said. “He is a real man.”

Drama involving Hess extended beyond the halfpipe

Clutch skiing and huge crashes were only part of the drama that played out among these halfpipe riders. The show started two weeks earlier.

American Hunter Hess opened the morning’s qualifying by landing a good run, then putting his thumb and forefinger in the shape of an “L,” in a nod to the eruption that occurred Feb. 8 when President Donald Trump called Hess a “total Loser,” in response to Hess’ saying “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

“I had a week that was pretty challenging,” Hess said after qualifying, speaking of the threats and vitriol lobbed his way after the president weighed in. He finished 10th in the final and did not stop for interviews.

Ferreira fills in the final missing piece to a fantastic career

Ferreira, not surprisingly, spent the entire aftermath of the contest smiling. There’s more to come.

He has already shot six episodes of his YouTube streamer “Hotdog Hans,” an entertaining trip to the mountain in which the 80-something daredevil does truck-driver grabs and 1080s in front of unsuspecting resort goers who cannot believe their eyes.

“Just trying to bring some humor and funniness to the world,” he explained.

In between the fun and games lies a more serious pursuit.

Ferreira went 7 for 7 in World Cup events in 2024 — the sort of undefeated streak that really doesn’t happen much in sports, especially not in this one, where talent, like the medals, are spread very evenly across the United States, Canada, Estonia — the world.

Those sort of streaks, in Olympic off-years, can sometimes leave a guy wondering.

“You don’t want to peak two years before the Games,” said Gus Kenworthy, the 2014 slopestyle silver medalist who finished sixth in this one. “But I’m stoked for him that it worked out tonight. It was one of the best runs I’ve seen him do in a long time, maybe ever, and I’m happy.”

When Ferreira’s skis smacked down lightly on the fifth of five butter-smooth landings in the contest winner, he started whipping around his right ski pole — his signature move in what now goes down as his signature win.

A few minutes later, his sisters and parents were crying and he was on the top step of the podium, singing out loud as the “Star-Spangled Banner” played for the first time at the Livigno Snow Park.

He used to be the best freeskier in the world without an Olympic title. Not anymore.

“He had the silver, the bronze and he needed the gold,” said Alex’s mother, Colleen Ferreira. “He was driven. A year ago, he said he was going to do this, and he did it.”

AP Sports Writer Joseph Wilson contributed.

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

By STEPHEN WHYNO, AP Hockey Writer

MILAN (AP) — The much-anticipated but never guaranteed U.S.-Canada showdown for gold in men’s hockey at the Olympics is on.

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Jack Hughes scored two goals, including one with a highlight-reel individual effort, and the Americans rolled into the final by routing Slovakia 6-2 in the semifinals on Friday night.

They’ll meet tournament favorite and top-seeded Canada on Sunday for the title, a year since the North American rivals played two memorable games against each other at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

That NHL-run event ended a drought of nearly a decade without an international tournament featuring the best hockey players in the world. Three fights in the first nine seconds in the first meeting put the 4 Nations in the spotlight, and their epic final won by Canada in overtime only built the anticipation for the Olympics.

After Canada did its part by rallying to beat Finland earlier in the day, the U.S. had no trouble against the Slovaks, who made an improbable run and were simply overmatched. They’ll face the Finns for bronze on Saturday night, looking for just the second hockey medal in the country’s history after getting the first with a third-place finish in Beijing in 2022.

• United States’ Tage Thompson (72) celebrates with Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Jack Eichel (9) after Thompson scored against Slovakia during the first period of a men’s ice hockey semifinal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
• United States’ Tage Thompson skates past the bench after scoring a goal against Slovakia during the first period of a men’s ice hockey semifinal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
• United States’ Dylan Larkin (21) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during a men’s ice hockey semifinal game between United States and Slovakia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
• United States’ Jack Hughes (86) celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal during a men’s ice hockey semifinal game between United States and Slovakia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
• United States’ Dylan Larkin (21) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during a men’s ice hockey semifinal game between United States and Slovakia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Show Caption1 of 5United States’ Tage Thompson (72) celebrates with Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Jack Eichel (9) after Thompson scored against Slovakia during the first period of a men’s ice hockey semifinal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Expand

The U.S. is playing for gold after the semifinals were a much easier go than the quarterfinals against Sweden, when overtime was needed to survive a scare. Dylan Larkin, Tage Thompson, Hughes and Eichel scored the four goals on 23 shots that chased Samuel Hlavaj out of Slovakia’s net past the midway point of the second period.

Thompson, one of just a handful of newcomers who did not play at the 4 Nations, exited later in the second after blocking a shot. He was held out the rest of the way, according to the NBC broadcast.

Hughes got his second just after a power play expired, and Brady Tkachuk scored on a breakaway with just over nine minutes left to provide some more breathing room.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck did his job as his teammates outshot Slovakia by a substantial margin. Everything he has done at the Olympics has validated coach Mike Sullivan’s decision to go with Hellebuyck as the U.S. starter over Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman.

The U.S. last reached the final in 2010 when it lost to Canada in overtime on Sidney Crosby’s famous golden goal. Crosby’s status is uncertain this time after getting injured in the quarterfinals Wednesday and not playing Friday against Finland.

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics