Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/271933
By Janie McCauley AP Sports Writer SAN JOSE » — For years, Chris Wondolowski waited for this chance. He kept push- ing through training as he was passed over to play for his coun- try, hoping the opportunity would eventually come. All the while, he kept scor- ing goals. Now that that the former Chico State star has finally gained some valuable expe - rience with the U.S. national team and proven to be a reli- able playmaker up front, Won- dolowski's next challenge will be making the 23-man World Cup roster for this year's tour- nament in Brazil. So far, he is doing everything in his power to land a spot. He scored both U.S. goals in a 2-0 win against South Korea on Feb. 1 and is likely to be on the roster for the April 2 exhi - bition against Mexico at Glen- dale, Ariz. "I'm going to try to keep do- ing what I'm doing. It's helped get me here for a reason, so I can't change it, can't try to press too hard," he said. "Let it happen. That's what they tell you, just continue to try to get better and continue and try to improve in all aspects and keep that going." He hopes to keep that mo - mentum going with the Earth- quakes, who open Sunday against Colorado. The Ameri- cans are using a mostly Europe- based roster for Wednesday's exhibition against Ukraine in Cyprus. When Wondolowski left the U.S. national team and re - turned to the Earthquakes last month following the game and a 2 ½-week training camp in Sao Paulo, American coach Jurgen Klinsmann didn't want him to change much but to keep im - proving. In 2012, the coaches wanted Wondolowski to work on his first touch, and now some minor work with his back to the goal. "Wondo's Wondo. He scores goals, he does a lot of the dirty work," said defender Clarence Goodson, Wondolowski's team - mate on the U.S. and Earth- quakes. "He does a lot of things that don't show up on the score- board, but still he scores a heck SOCCEr Wondolowski working for spot on U.S. team Former Chico State star does all he can to play in World Cup this June AP File Photo—Rick BowmeR in this July 13, 2013 file photo, the United States' chris wondolowski celebrates aer scoring against cuba during the second half of a coNcAcAF Gold cup soccer game in Sandy, Utah. By Michael Marot AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS » Klay Thomp- son made a 12-foot turnaround jumper with 0.6 seconds left, and the Golden State Warriors held off Indiana 98-96 Tuesday night to hand the Pacers only their fourth home loss this sea - son. Thompson scored 16 of his 25 points in the fourth quar- ter. Stephen Curry finished with 19 points for the Warriors, who have won five of six. It was their first win at Indiana in seven years. David West led the Pacers with 27 points and Paul George added 26 as Indiana's five-game winning streak ended. The Warriors were in con - trol most of the night, taking the lead at 10-8 and holding it until midway through the third quarter. They regained control with a 7-0 run late in the third and led 92-79 with 6:23 to play. But the Pacers tied the score at 94 with a 12-0 run. After Thompson put Golden NBA Warriors hand Pacers rare home defeat Thompson makes game-winning shot in final second to li\ Golden State to victory WARRIORS 98, PACERS 96 Up next: today, warriors at Boston celtics, 4:30 p.m., tV on cSNBA THE SCORE A cold, gray day greeted revel- ers — but didn't deter them — along parade routes tuesday as the carnival season in New orleans headed to a crest with the unabashed celebration of mardi Gras in the streets. MArDI grAS Cold day in New Orleans for annual celebration PAGE B3 corning high's track and field team travels to orland high School for a 3 p.m. scrimmage today. SPrINg SPOrtS Track and field teams off to the races corning high's No. 2 girls basketball team will host No. 11 central Valley at 6:30 p.m. today. the No. 1 corning boys host No. 5 west Valley at 8 p.m. BASKEtBALL PLAYOFFS Corning girls, boys tip off in semifinals tonight Staff Reports rED BLUFF » Red Bluff High's girls soccer team had a quartet of play- ers honored with Sacramento River all-league honors for their play on the pitch this season. Mikenna Corry and Jordan Vazquez, both juniors, earned spots on the SRL all-league team. Marissa Chase and K.K. Gibson took home honorable mentions. Red Bluff missed the playofs this year and finished the season with an overall record of 6-9-4. The team had a league record of 3-6-3. Corry, who played forward, tal - lied 12 goals and four assists on the season. Vazquez played fullback and midfielder and notched three goals on the season. The team is coached by Javier Vazquez. PrEP gIrLS SOCCEr 4 Spartans earn SRL all-league honors Corry, Vazquez, Gibson, Chase acknowledged the Red Bluff high girls soccer team had four players earn Sacramento River all-league honors. Pictured from le to right are marissa chase, mikenna corry, k.k. Gibson and Jordan Vazquez. Staff Reports rED BLUFF » The 10th annual West Coast Outlaw Kart Nationals are set to return Friday and Satur- day to the Tehama District Fair- ground. Teams and drivers from across the U.S. will descend upon the oval track at the fairgrounds' Pauline Davis Pavilion starting Friday, when qualifiers are scheduled at 3:30 p.m. and trophy dashes are set for 6 p.m. On Saturday, the second round of qualifiers will start at 9 a.m. fol - lowed by the main qualifiers and main events throughout the day. Spectator tickets are $15, and tickets for kids age 6 to 12 are $12. Kids under 6 get in free. For more information visit rboutlaws.com or contact Ali Ab - bassi at 567-5286. OUtLAW KArtS 10th annual West Coast Nationals set for weekend SCOttSDALE, ArIz. » Madison Bumgarner took another positive step in preparation for his first opening-day start, throwing three scoreless innings Tuesday in the San Francisco Giants' 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Bumgarner allowed a ground single and a bloop single while striking out one. He's thrown five scoreless innings this spring train - ing. Ryan Vogelsong followed and allowed one run and three hits in three innings. Ryan Wheeler's double in the sixth scored the first run allowed by the Giants' projected starting rotation in 14 innings. SPrINg BASEBALL Giants win for Bumgarner WONDO » PAgE 2 when it comes to the contro- versial fruit, it doesn't have to be impossible to eat. PAGE B4 FOOD A better way to eat grapefruit AP Photo—DARRoN cUmmiNGS the indiana Pacers' Paul George (le) and the Golden State warriors' Stephen curry eye a loose ball tuesday in indianapolis. WArrIOrS » PAgE 2 SPORTS » redbluffdailynews.com Wednesday, March 5, 2014 » moRe At FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS B1