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Tuesday Girls Hoops — Los Molinos at Hamilton, 5:30 p.m. Girls Hoops — Liberty Christian at Mercy, 6 p.m. Girls Hoops — Pleasant Valley at Red Bluff, 7:30 p.m. Boys Hoops — Liberty Christian at Mercy, 7:30 p.m. NBA— Kings at Thunder, 5 p.m., CSNC NBA — Hornets at Warriors, 7:30 p.m., CSNB Sports 1B Tuesday February 15, 2011 Giants report, ready to defend San Francisco Giants SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The lockers were filled with jerseys, pants, workouts shirts and sweat shirts, socks and belts. Some stalls had cleats lined up at the bottom, others unopened shoe boxes stacked up on the seat. Boxes of bats sat across the top. The clubhouse inside Scottsdale Stadium didn’t look much different than any other time at the start of spring training, with one exception: The miniature replica of the San Fran- cisco Giants’ World Series banner tacked to an overhang on the ceiling. One subtle change that said every- thing about what the Giants accom- plished last season and what they’re hoping to this season. ‘‘It’s the first day!’’ Giants reliever Sergio Romo said on Monday. ‘‘Holy cow, it’s the first day!’’ San Francisco’s pitchers and catch- ers reported to spring training on a postcard-perfect day in the desert, readying themselves for their first workout as defending champions the next day. With dozens of fans lining the entrance, the players trickled in one by one, sharing handshakes and hugs with teammates and club personnel they hadn’t seen in a while. One group of players gathered for a card game at a round table, others sat around chatting with reporters or club- house attendants. Catcher Buster Posey used a utility tool to work the laces on his glove and closer Brian Wilson, his shaggy black beard seem- ingly taking on a life of its own, was in full intensity mode already, complain- ing about his lunch being late before heading off for a workout. Romo practically bounded down the hallway into the clubhouse, patting backs and shaking hands all the way to his locker, where he held an animated discussion about the Twitter page devoted to his beard. Yeah, these guys are already juiced. And who can blame them? At a time when every team has the optimism that comes with spring, the Giants have the extra bounce of knowing they’re the defending champs and have nearly everyone back. ‘‘It’s going to be crazy here for the next couple of days,’’ Posey said. The Giants had a wild offseason that started with a victory parade through downtown San Francisco and ended with a fan event just over a week ago at AT&T Park that drew about 40,000 fans and many more who had to be turned away. The Giants deserve it after what they accomplished last season. Its roster filled with misfits and other teams’ unwanted, San Francisco came together at just the right time down the stretch of the regular season, clinching its first NL West crown since 2003 on the final day. The Giants then dispatched the Phillies in the National MCT file photo Giants outfielder Cody Ross kisses the World Series trophy. League Championship Series and took down Texas in five games to win their first World Series since 1954 — four years before moving cross coun- try. ‘‘What we did last year, we were just playing games, having fun with each other, never thinking this would happen,’’ Romo said. ‘‘Everything kind of fell into place, but we were just having fun. So, yeah, I’m extremely excited.’’ It’s easy to see why. San Francisco has nearly its entire roster from last season intact, losing World Series MVP Edgar Renteria and utility infielder Juan Uribe, but gaining veteran Miguel Tejada. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval lost some of his waistline through a rigor- ous offseason workout regime in hopes of shaking the funk he went through in 2010. Wilson kept growing his unusually dark and scraggily beard, hoping to keep up the mojo it gave him the last half of the season. Other than that, there weren’t a whole lot of changes. San Francisco still has ace Tim Lincecum and that deep pitching staff. Posey is looking to build on his NL Rookie of the Year season. NLCS MVP Cody Ross is still here, too, as are fellow outfielder Pat Burrell and first baseman Aubrey Huff. Lefty Barry Zito also comes back hoping to regain the form that earned him the 2002 AL Cy Young Award with Oakland and infielder-outfielder Mark DeRosa returns after playing just 26 games due to a lingering wrist injury that eventually required surgery. They’re all back together, hoping to prove last season wasn’t a once-in-52- years fluke. ‘‘After what we were able to do last year, I wanted to be back hanging with the boys,’’ left-hander Jonathan Sanchez said. ‘‘It’s fun to get together for practice, in the bullpen and joke around, have a good time.’’ They’ve already started. Few changes in playoff points BASKETBALL By RICHGREENE DN Sports Editor As far as Tehama County teams are concerned, there were very few changes in the second released week of Northern Section playoff points. The only local team to see any movement were the Corn- ing Lady Cardinals 13-12, who went up a spot to fifth. Elsewhere in the Division III rankings, Paradise (21-2) broke out of a tie with Las Plumas (12-11) and Enterprise (15-8) and took sole possession of the top ranking. Foothill (10-13) at fourth and Oroville (9-14) at sixth round of the rankings. The Corning boys (18-7) stayed in fourth, behind Foothill (18-5), Paradise (16-7) and Enterprise (11-12). Las Plumas (5-17) and Oroville (3-20) round of the boys rankings. Both Red Bluff teams stayed in the fourth position. The Lady Spartans (4-17) would be matched up against top seed Pleasant Valley (19-1) and Chico (13-7) would meet Shasta (11-12) in the other Division-II playoff game. On the boys side, the Spartans (8-15) would meet Chico (22-1) with Shasta (17-6) matching up against Pleasant Val- ley (13-10). The Mercy Warriors (12-11) were still in fifth place in the Division-VI boys rankings. That would mean no first round bye, but at least a first round home game. Paradise Adventist Academy (21-3), Happy Camp (11- 4), Westwood (17-7) and Maxwell (14-9) lead the division. The Lady Warriors (8-16) were still in 13th position, one spot out of the 12 invited to the playoffs. Westwood (18-4), Hayfork (19-6), Butte Valley (15-3) and Redding Christian (17-6) lead the division. The Los Molinos Bulldogs (13-7) held onto the No. 7 seed in the Division-V playoffs. Trinity (22-2), Liberty Christian (20-3), Portola (21-3) and Weed (18-4) were the top ranked teams. The Lady Bulldogs (6-14) were holding onto their play- off hopes with the 15th seed. Colusa (20-3), Liberty Christian (19-5), Hamilton (19-4) and Portola (22-3) topped the division. Kings fine Cousins for fight with teammate Sacramento Kings SACRAMENTO (AP) — Sacramento rookie DeMar- cus Cousins was fined by the team Monday for fighting with a teammate after a recent game and will rejoin the Kings after missing one game. Cousins got into an altercation in the locker room with Donte Greene after a 99-97 home loss to Oklahoma City on Saturday. Cousins reportedly was upset that Greene had not passed him the ball for the final shot in the game. Greene passed the ball to Tyreke Evans, who missed a 3- point attempt. President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie said there is no place for violence on or off the court in the NBA and that’s why Cousins needed to be punished. Cousins did not join the Kings for Sunday’s win in Phoenix while the team investigated. ‘‘We will now move forward together,’’ Petrie said. ‘‘We do not intend to give up on DeMarcus’ talent or potential. We look forward to watching his continued improvement and development, which has been significant since the beginning of the season.’’ This is not the first time the team has had to discipline See KINGS, page 2B Harden is back with A’s competing to be starter Oakland Athletics OAKLAND (AP) — Rich Harden spent the post- season watching the Texas Rangers win a long-awaited AL pennant and reach their first World Series. It was strange to sudden- ly be an outsider, and not to be part of it. He still consid- ered those players his team- mates, even if the Rangers had designated him for assignment after the regular season to give the right-han- der his unconditional release. Harden endured the frus- tration of yet another disap- pointing, injury-interrupted season — and went into the winter unsure of who might offer him a job. Turns out his career has come full circle: He returned to his roots with the Oakland Athletics. Harden will report to spring training Tuesday in Phoenix hoping to make a case that he can still be a reliable starter for a club that knows just how dominant he is when pitching at his best. He certainly still thinks of himself as someone best suited for the rotation — and one of the most intriguing stories around the A’s this spring will be the competi- tion for the No. 5 job in an already talented rotation. ‘‘My preference is start- ing but I’m definitely open to pitching out of the pen, too,’’ Harden said. ‘‘I feel I can go out there and make 30-plus starts. I’m going to go out and worry only about what I can control, and that’s how I pitch.’’ The fifth spot is definite- ly up for grabs. It could go to several can- didates, including Bobby Cramer, Tyson Ross or left- hander Josh Outman, who missed last year recovering from Tommy John surgery but made a strong impres- sion in the instructional league last fall. ‘‘Rich is not really com- peting with anybody,’’ man- ager Bob Geren said. ‘‘He’s just kind of competing against himself — however he comes in. If he comes in throwing the ball like he can, Rich can do anything. He’s one of the best pitchers in baseball. He’s nasty. This guy has great stuff. If he’s strong and he’s healthy, he can be one of the best starters in baseball, he can be one of the best relievers in baseball.’’ For Harden, staying healthy is the big first step. He is determined to stay ‘‘I feel I can go out there and make 30-plus starts. I’m going to go out and worry only about what I can control, and that’s how I pitch.’’ Oakland Athletics pitcher Rich Harden on the field this season after being plagued by injuries for much of his eight-year big league career. Harden received a $1.5 million, one- year contract in December to rejoin the A’s, who select- ed the hard-throwing righty in the 17th round of the 2000 draft out of Victoria, British Columbia. Harden went 5-5 with a 5.58 ERA in 20 appearances and 18 starts for the Rangers last season, when he strug- gled with injuries and con- trol. After beginning the sea- son as the Rangers’ No. 2 starter, he walked 62 batters in 92 innings. ‘‘I didn’t just go through stuff at the end of the year. It was an off year for me,’’ Harden said. ‘‘I wished those guys nothing but the best. I watched every single (playoff) game. It’s a little strange to watch it on TV. It was an outstanding group of guys and the players were some of the best guys I’ve played with. I think that’s why the team played so well. Everybody was really close and got along and there was that chemistry.’’ While many of the play- ers he knew with the A’s are gone, there still will be plen- ty of familiar faces in what is known as a loose, easygoing clubhouse that has its own share of good chemistry. ‘‘I’m happy to be back here,’’ Harden said. ‘‘It feels like home. It’s a comfortable place. Definitely the last year or two I thought about (returning to Oakland). When I came to play here last year I really enjoyed coming back and it felt good pitching here again. That’s a big reason why this winter this was somewhere I want- ed to end up.’’ Harden would like noth- ing more than to return to his form from 2008, when he went a combined 10-2 with a 2.07 ERA in 25 starts between Oakland and the Cubs. Chicago acquired him on July 8 that year in a trade with the A’s. Harden worked this win- ter in Arizona with A’s pitching coach Ron Roman- ick, regularly watching video from his standout ’08 season. ‘‘Just working hard to get back to where I need to be mechanically,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m feeling good and feel- ing strong, looking forward to starting spring.’’ The 29-year-old Harden spent two stints on the dis- abled list in 2010, first from June 12-July 30 with a strained left gluteal muscle and later with right shoulder tendinitis. Oakland saw him miss his share of time, too. Harden went 1-2 with a 2.45 ERA in only 25 2-3 innings in 2007 because of an inflamed right shoulder, and didn’t pitch after July 7 that year. He threw two sim- ulated games late in the sea- son with the hopes of mak- ing two final starts, but ulti- mately decided it wasn’t worth risking further injury. He was 4-0 in nine games in 2006, spending time on the disabled list with a strained back and then a strained elbow ligament. Geren will approach the start of spring as though Harden is going to start. If that doesn’t work out, Hard- en could fit in nicely in a deep, loaded bullpen. ‘‘We have to look how he comes in, how he feels, how he’s handling the workload and make that decision,’’ Geren said. ‘‘Obviously building him up first as a starter is what we’ll do.’’ The A’s are hoping to only improve on an out- standing showing by their young pitching staff last year. With Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill, Dallas Braden — he pitched a per- fect game against Tampa Bay last May 9 — and Gio Gonzalez leading the way, Oakland had an AL-best 3.56 ERA and also a league- leading 17 shutouts while holding opponents to a .245 batting average. ‘‘From top to bottom it’s one of the best pitching staffs in the big leagues. I don’t think anybody would disagree with that,’’ Harden said. Is it Harden’s turn to finally catch a break? ‘‘I’ve had some injuries and there are some injuries that weren’t injuries and stuff went on. I’m ready to go out there and pitch a whole season,’’ he said.