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Sylla and Sellers combine for 36 points in UCF’s rout of Jacksonville

South Florida Local News - Wed, 12/06/2023 - 23:35

Thierno Sylla had career highs with 20 points and 11 rebounds, Jaylin Sellers scored 16 points and UCF rolled to a 94-52 home victory over Jacksonville on Wednesday night.

Sylla was 7-of-11 shooting from the field and Sellers made 4 of 10 shots. The pair combined for five of the Knights’ 15 3-pointers and nine of their 17 free throws.

Marchelus Avery added 12 points for UCF (6-2). Avery’s 3-pointer with 10:17 to play stretched the Knights’ lead to 40 points.

UCF opened on a 19-2 run and led 48-18 at the break.

“I think it’s probably the fastest start we’ve gotten off to in a game this season,” coach Johnny Dawkins said. “I thought due to our guys being locked in defensively, we turned that into some good offense. We beat a good Jacksonville team. We came out ready and I’m proud of our guys’ overall effort for 40 minutes.”

Sellers and Sylla combined for 27 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Sellers made three from long range and Sylla grabbed 8 rebounds.

UCF also forced 19 turnovers in the game, and Sylla had two of its 8 blocks. The Knights entered averaging 5.3 block per game.

Behind UCF’s highest-scoring first half since its 96-52 win over Tulsa on Feb. 11, the Knights recorded a season-high 94 points, representing their overall highest-scoring contest since their 44-point victory over the Golden Hurricane.

The team also improved to 35-11 in the month of December under Dawkins, with the month representing the coach’s career best by win percentage since taking the reins prior to the 2016 season.

UCF entered the contest averaging 71.3 points per game in the month of December with Dawkins while holding foes to just 61.9 points per game, a near double-digit margin of 9.4 points per contest.

“We picked up more in the full-court; we pressed a little more,” Dawkins said. “Our guys were really engaged and got out there right from the tip. They were working and forced 14 turnovers, so we were doing a good job turning our defense into offense.”

Robert McCray V scored 12 points and Marcus Niblack had 9 for Jacksonville (6-3), which had its four-game win streak end.

UCF and Jacksonville were conference mates in the Atlantic Sun Conference from 1998-2005. The Knights lead the all-time series 14-12, including winning the last three meetings.

UCF also claimed its 14th win over Jacksonville in the teams’ last 20 meetings as well as its third straight win against the Dolphins dating to Dec. 17, 2013.

The Knights now face perhaps their biggest test of the young season when UCF welcomes Ole Miss (8-0) to Orlando for a 4 p.m. Sunday game for the fifth all-time meeting between the programs. The Knights met the Rebels last year as well, topping Ole Miss 72-61 on the road.

A bartender’s guide to hot cocktails for winter

South Florida Local News - Wed, 12/06/2023 - 23:19
Hot cocktails for cold weather

When the weather starts to chill out for the year, many of us retreat indoors to stay warm and cozy, but what if you want to get a little tipsy while keeping the temperature up? Although high-proof spirits are known for their apparent body-warming capabilities, with some choice ingredients and a stove, you can make hot cocktails that will warm the body as well as the soul.

What you need to make hot cocktails

When it comes to hot cocktails, not all spirits are suited for the heat. Generally speaking, clear liquor doesn’t stand up to the other ingredients in most hot cocktails. Darker spirits, on the other hand, enhance the warm drink experience with their richer flavors.

Best alcohol to use for hot drinks

Other ingredients and tools for making hot cocktails

Some other ingredients you will need, depending on the recipe, include a variety of whole spices (allspice, cloves, cardamom, star anise and cinnamon), lemons for juicing, other fruit such as apples, oranges or cherries, plus extras like honey and coffee. For equipment, you’ll need a stainless-steel saucepan, a hand juicer for citrus, a muddler, an electric kettle and some Irish coffee mugs. Don’t forget a jigger or mini measuring cup for properly pouring your liquor!

Hot cocktail recipes for winter

What you need to buy for making hot cocktails

Bodum Melior Electric Gooseneck Kettle ]

With this electric kettle, not only will you have a necessary tool for making hot cocktails, you have all your hot water needs for brewing pour-over coffee or loose-leaf tea. You can also preheat your drinking mugs by pouring hot water and warming them before making your cocktail.

Zulay Metal Manual Citrus Press ]

A hand-press juicer comes in handy when making hot and chilled cocktails. It’s easy to use and requires minimal cleanup.

Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop ]

This isn’t a necessity, but an induction burner is the best appliance for making mulled wines, glogg and hot cider. You can more accurately heat your mixture with digital temperature settings and hold your drink at a proper serving temp. It’s also more energy-efficient than gas or electric stoves.

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Matt Fleming writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

100+ best gifts for kids to shop this holiday season

South Florida Local News - Wed, 12/06/2023 - 23:14
What are the hottest holiday toys for kids in 2023?

The holidays are the most magical time of the year when families gather and the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafts through the air. For parents and those with little ones on their Christmas list, seeing the joy of children may be the best part of the holidays, even if it means strolling the aisles of busy stores to find the perfect gift. As a bonus, retailers are slowly releasing their holiday gift guides to help you figure out what’s trending this year. So, whether you’re looking for toys or tech, here are the 100 best gifts for kids this holiday season.

Tech and video games

Nintendo Switch Lite ]

For on-the-go gaming, no handheld device is better than the Nintendo Switch Lite. It features a built-in control pad and comes in a variety of colors to suit any style. With unlimited games of all levels, it’s fun for all ages.

VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX ]

Kids love to be just like adults, and this smartwatch is a top age-appropriate option that lets kids do more than just tell time. In addition to an alarm and stopwatch, it also features a calculator, camera, voice recorder, games and a motion sensor.

Razer Kraken X Ultralight Gaming Headset ]

Since it’s 40% lighter than comparable gaming headsets, this one will be comfortable all day. It features a noise-canceling microphone that reduces background and ambient noises and audio controls in the headset for convenient adjustments.

Apple AirPods Pro ]

These AirPods are perfect for kids who have a long commute, watch videos on their tablet or just want to listen to music. And they ensure parents don’t have to listen to every TikTok video. They feature active noise cancellation and adaptive transparency mode to reduce or let in background noise. Also included is a charging case and lanyard loop.

All-New Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet ]

From reading books to playing games to watching videos, this tablet does everything a kid needs. Plus, parents can feel safe with the easy-to-use controls that allow adults to set limits, block inappropriate sites, approve downloads and more.

Other top tech and video game deals 

Toys

Little Live Pets Mama Surprise with Guinea Pig and Hutch ]

As one of this season’s hottest toys, kids will love this interactive toy that features a surprise element. After nurturing the mama guinea pig, put it back into the hutch and wake up to three new babies.

LEGO Minecraft The Crafting Box ]

Minecraft fans will love this Lego set with over 500 pieces that let kids create adventures from the real Minecraft world. It comes with popular mini-figures, including Steve, Alex, Creeper, a pig and a zombie.

Magic Mixies Magical Misting Crystal Ball ]

This interactive toy combines magic and surprises in one exciting toy that won the 2022 Toy of the Year award. Kids use a magic wand to create a fortune-telling pet that plays games and casts spells.

Crazy Forts Playset ]

With this fort kit, kids can use their imagination to build a castle, tunnel, rocket and more fun forts. It comes with 44 sticks and 25 balls that are effortless to reposition, deconstruct and put back together again.

Gabby’s Dollhouse Cakey Kitchen Set ]

Toys inspired by popular TV shows are trending this year, and fans of “Gabby’s Dollhouse” will love this play kitchen. It features over 20 sounds and phrases and stands over 3 feet tall.

Other top toys

STEM and educational

National Geographic Geode STEM Kit  ]

Learn about geology and have fun discovering treasures with this kit. Included are 10 geodes, safety goggles, display stands and a learning guide.

Harry Potter Paperback Box Set ]

Experience spellbinding magic and excitement through reading, thanks to the Harry Potter books. It comes with all seven books in a gorgeously designed box.

Gskyer Telescope for Kids ]

This telescope is straightforward enough for kids to understand and powerful enough to view the moon, stars, Jupiter and more. It also comes with 10mm and 25mm eyepieces.

Osmo-Coding Starter Kit for Fire Tablet ]

Kids will feel like they’re playing a game with this coding kit. It features three games from beginner to advanced levels that let kids create music, puzzles and more.

Magna-Tiles Arctic Animals 25-Piece Set ]

Even a toy as simple as magnetic tiles promotes mental growth in kids with STEM concepts and critical thinking skills without using a screen.

Other top STEM and educational deals 

Board games

Alderac Entertainment Group Cascadia ]

Take a journey to the Pacific Northwest while creating a harmonious ecosystem and fulfilling wildlife goals. It’s recommended for kids over 10 years old and takes between 30 minutes to an hour to complete.

Ravensburger Minecraft: Builders and Biomes ]

Experience Minecraft without screens, thanks to this adventurous game. It’s straightforward to learn and lets up to four people play at a time.

Days of Wonder Ticket to Ride First Journey ]

While collecting cards and creating train routes is exciting for young kids, it also teaches kids how to strategize and think critically. Plus, this game is suitable for the whole family.

Pokemon Battle Academy ]

This game comes with three complete Pokemon TCG decks that have 60 cards each and a two-player game board. Lead your team in a heads-up battle against another trainer to see who wins.

Trekking the National Parks ]

Those who enjoy nature will love this board game that allows users to explore the best national parks in the United States. While it’s suitable for kids as young as 8, even adults will want to participate.

Other top board game deals 

Toddlers

Paw Patrol True Metal Movie Pack of 6 Collectible Toy Cars ]

From Marshall to Chase to Skye, this collection includes six colorful toy cars from the beloved Paw Patrol movie. The cars feature working wheels and metal material.

Melissa and Doug Vroom N Zoom Interactive Wooden Dashboard ]

Let toddlers feel like real racecar drivers with this interactive driving toy. It features a realistic steering wheel, working lights and sounds, a scrolling GPS and a twisting key.

Playskool Sit ‘n Spin ]

This classic spinning activity is still a favorite for toddlers today. It’s controlled entirely by the toddler who can choose to go round and round as much as they want.

Sereed Toddler Balance Bike ]

This toddler bike is not only a ton of fun but also helps develop balance, coordination and other motor skills. It comes in several colors.

Hide N Side Ball Pit Tunnel Playset ]

This playset comes with five tent pieces to create the ultimate obstacle course, including a ball pit, tunnels and a target dart wall. Plus, it pops open and is ready to use in seconds.

Other top toddlers deal

Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.

Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.

Bre Richey writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Miami Dolphins vs. Tennessee Titans: Who has the edge?

South Florida Local News - Wed, 12/06/2023 - 21:18

Here’s a look at how the Miami Dolphins (9-3) and Tennessee Titans (4-8) match up in six key areas ahead of Monday’s Week 14 game at Hard Rock Stadium (8:15 p.m., ESPN):

When the Dolphins run: The combination of De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert is back together again. In a game where the Dolphins had two deep touchdown connections between Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill and scored a defensive touchdown, the Dolphins finished off the Washington Commanders last Sunday with the run game and finished with 123 yards on the ground.

Mostert had 11 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown. Achane had 17 attempts — 14 in the second half — for 73 yards and two touchdowns. The status of left tackle Terron Armstead and right guard Robert Hunt will factor into the run game, but the Dolphins can also be effective when Kendall Lamm, Kion Smith and Lester Cotton are in.

The Titans, who have the league’s No. 13 run defense, are expected to be without two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, dealing with a knee injury. Linebacker and former FAU standout Azeez Al-Shaair leads his new team with 114 tackles this season after starting his NFL career in San Francisco. Edge: Dolphins

When the Titans runs: After running back Derrick Henry was evaluated for concussion in the Titans’ loss to the Colts, he did not remain in concussion protocol to start the week. A month away from turning 30, Henry is still producing but not handling nearly the workload he has in recent years. He’s still capable of handling 20 carries in a game, though. Henry averages 4.3 yards per carry, which is on par with his previous two seasons but not the 5.4 and 5.1 he posted in 2020 and 2019.

The Titans have the league’s 17th-ranked rushing attack with left guard Peter Skoronski, a rookie first-round pick, one to watch on the offensive line. The Dolphins have the NFL’s eighth-ranked run defense, and since Week 5, they’re third in that category. With linebacker Jerome Baker likely out with his knee injury, Duke Riley will be called upon to step up and also make the defensive calls. Edge: Dolphins

When the Dolphins pass: Tagovailoa threw his two deep touchdowns to Hill and he also didn’t turn the ball over in Sunday’s win over the Commanders. That’s a good sign as he snapped out of his recent flurry of turnovers. The Dolphins quarterback and NFL’s leader in Pro Bowl fan votes, in his fourth year, is one passing yard and one touchdown from career highs.

Hill remains ahead of the pace for an NFL record 2,000-yard receiving season with 1,481 through 12 games. He and Jaylen Waddle will match up with Sean Murphy-Bunting and Kristian Fulton on the outside in a Titans secondary that only has three interceptions this season and traded Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this season.

Denico Autry has nine sacks this season. Outside linebacker Harold Landry has 5½, and Simmons’ interior pressure will be missed. It’s on right tackle Austin Jackson to continue to protect the left-handed Tagovailoa’s blind side. Edge: Dolphins

When the Titans pass: No Ryan Tannehill start in his first game back at Hard Rock Stadium since he left the Dolphins. The Titans are going the way of rookie Will Levis at quarterback. He has shown some flashes, but in six starts he is completing 57.8 percent of passes for 1,266 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Dolphins secondary with cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard and possibly the return of safety Jevon Holland will focus on limiting veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who leads Tennessee with 50 receptions, 774 yards and five touchdowns. Tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo will also have to be accounted for.

Miami can keep its vaunted pass rush going, even with Jaelan Phillips out for season. Andrew Van Ginkel showed that and more Sunday at Washington, as he also had a pick-six intercepting a Sam Howell screen. The Titans have allowed 42 sacks, fifth-worst in the league. It’s been a team effort for the Dolphins, as Bradley Chubb, Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler are all tied with Phillips for the team lead with 6½ sacks. Emmanuel Ogbah has five in limited reps and Van Ginkel has four. Edge: Dolphins

Special teams: The Titans have one of the best kicker-punter combinations in the league, but punter Ryan Stonehouse was lost for the season with a knee injury. They’ll have to replace him. Kicker Nick Folk, however, is 24 of 25 on field goals this season, including 4 of 5 from 50-plus.

Dolphins special teams, as maligned as it has been under coordinator Danny Crossman, has been solid for several weeks now. Kicker Jason Sanders made from 49 yards out against the Commanders. It’ll be interesting to see how lineups change with Riley playing an expanded role on defense. Edge: Even

Intangibles: Miami is good at home. It’s good against losing teams. The Dolphins should keep rolling on the prime-time stage and remain No. 1 in the AFC heading into Week 15. Edge: Dolphins

PREDICTION: Dolphins 34, Titans 16.

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