Latest news with #Week
IOL News
19 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Golden Fireballs wary of late wobble despite perfect Telkom Netball League run
Owethu Ngubane of the Fireballs tries to get a shot off while Jamie van Wyk of the Jaguars tries to make the block during a tense Gauteng derby in TNL Power Week 2. The Fireballs are unbeaten so far in the country's premier netball competition. Image: Netball South Africa The Golden Fireballs have scorched through the first two rounds of the Telkom Netball League unbeaten, but know that they can't go off the boil in Power Week 3 if they are to win the title. The Joburg side, who have won all nine matches so far at Sun City in North West, were in a similarly strong position in the past two seasons of the country's premier netball competition. Under the mentorship of former Proteas and SA Under-21s coach Dr Elsje Jordaan, assisted by former Proteas skipper Bongi Msomi, they hope to finally add to their 2022 title. 'This is my fourth year with the Fireballs. We won it in 2022 when I just took over and they were actually a struggling team,' Jordaan told Independent Media Sport. 'In 2022 and 2023 we ended third. We lost in our semifinals by one and two goals respectively, so we just fell short. But actually we had a great run in 2022 and 2023 and ended top of the log, then just fell short in the semi-final, which was heartbreaking.' This year, the Fireballs have a perfect record of nine wins in nine games in Division 1 from the first two power weeks at Sun City, North West. They top the log with 18 points, four ahead of defending champions the Crinums, heading into Power Week 3 at the Durban ICC from July 14. 'Obviously you never go out and say it's going to be a perfect run but for now, having eight or nine wins for us is just massive and we're very excited about that,' Jordaan said. 'It's the first time in the history of the Fireballs that we managed to beat the Jaguars and the Crinums twice in a row, so it's big for us.' The Free State Crinums and Gauteng Jaguars boast the most TNL titles between them and are among the perennial favourites to lift the trophy. 'I though there were a couple of teams that actually pushed us quite hard. The first power week was extremely tough – we had to play eight games in seven days,' Jordaan admitted. 'And then when we came up against the Flames and the Aloes, they made us dig really deep. So we're looking forwards to playing them again in the third power week and seeing the growth in our systems.' The veteran coach credits their strong campaign so far to a blend of exciting young stars and senior players who have stepped up at key moments. 'Owethu 'Sammy' Ngubane, our captain Tanita van Dyk, who can play on both sides of the circle, attack or defence, have definitely put up their hands,' she said. 'I think Cornelia Mupenda has been great for us. She also won four Player-of-the-Match awards. Tarle Mathe is our engine in the middle. These senior players are leading by example at the moment.' Jordaan also praised the value of team unity off the court for the side based at Wits University. On the court the Fireballs play an adaptable, fast-paced game. The Golden Fireballs boast a blend of exciting young payers and veterans who have all stepped up in their unbeaten TNL 2025 campaign so far. Image: Netball South Africa 'In our circles we can easily play a holding circle or a moving circle. Then we're very versatile at the back,' she said. 'We've got great players, we've got height, we've got speed so that we can counter other teams' style of play. 'But the way the players are coming together, the belief in one another, the trust, that is just massive to watch. And then how they execute the game plan is really important.' The Fireballs mentor is all too aware that a loss of focus or intensity in the final stage could still see them end the season empty-handed. She will be keen to keep her charges grounded heading to Durban. 'For us there's still three pool games, and it's important that we keep the winning momentum,' she said. 'Often they say losing is a culture, but winning is also a culture. You need to know how to win, you need to know how to close games, and that's what we're going to try keep doing.' The Fireballs' title charge has been boosted by a clean bill of health. TNL Power Week 3 runs from July 14 to 20 at the Durban ICC.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Tyler Boyd rumored to replace Jahan Dotson as Eagles' WR3 spot sparks controversy
Boyd linked to Eagles as Dotson's WR3 spot comes under fire (Image via: Getty Images) The Philadelphia Eagles are entering training camp with an explosive wide receiver duo but it's the WR3 spot that's sparking real drama. With Jahan Dotson on shaky ground after a disappointing 2024 season, the team is now rumored to be eyeing free-agent Tyler Boyd. Could this bold move redefine Philly's passing game heading into 2025? Dotson vs. Boyd : Eagles ' most underrated roster battle could define 2025 offense The Eagles' top receivers—A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith—are untouchable. But the battle for WR3 could define the team's offensive depth in 2025. Jahan Dotson, acquired to bring speed and agility to the slot, fell flat last season. He caught just 19 passes, with seven of those coming in a meaningless Week 18 game where Philly rested starters. The Eagles declined his fifth-year option, raising doubts about his future with the franchise. — aj_muse_ (@aj_muse_) Still unsigned for the 2025 season, Boyd is one of the most accomplished free agents on the market. He logged multiple 1,000-yard campaigns with the Bengals, becoming a trusted target for Joe Burrow during Cincinnati's playoff runs. His experience, reliability on third down, and ability to work the middle of the field make him a prime candidate for WR3 in Philadelphia. ESPN's Aaron Schatz recently suggested the Eagles should pounce on Boyd and move on from Dotson, turning what once looked like a back-end roster question into a headline-grabbing debate. In Nick Sirianni's offense, the WR3 rarely sees consistent volume. The Eagles ran the ball heavily during their 2024 Super Bowl run and attempted the fewest passes in the league. Most of the receiving work is funneled to Brown, Smith, tight end Dallas Goedert, and dual-threat backs Saquon Barkley and rookie Will Shipley. That leaves Dotson supporters arguing he never truly had a chance. With only 33 targets all season, it's hard to judge his value fairly. He's affordable, doesn't demand touches, and has built chemistry with Jalen Hurts. With rookies Ainias Smith, Johnny Wilson, and Danny Gray also fighting for a roster spot, the WR3 battle is far from settled. Also Read: NFL Trade: Chiefs urged to make bold move for 7x Pro Bowler Jalen Ramsey after Super Bowl setback Whether Dotson holds on, a rookie breaks out, or Boyd joins the fold, this may be the most underrated and most crucial position battle on the Eagles' 2025 roster. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
BusinessToday
5 days ago
- Health
- BusinessToday
COVID-19 Cases In Selangor Jump 35%, But Remains Below Alert Level
AFP Selangor continues to record a rise in Covid-19 infections over the past couple of months, with 1,082 cases reported in Epidemiological Week 24 (June 9–15) alone. The figure marks a 36 per cent increase from the 795 cases reported the previous week and is the 10th consecutive week of rising infections in the state, according to data provided by the Selangor State Health Department. However, state executive councillor for public health Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the number of cases remains below the alert threshold of 5,670, which is based on the trend of infections in Selangor from 2022 to 2024. Cases would need to reach 10,386 before any intervention measures are triggered. The total number of cases recorded so far this year — 7,582 — is also well below the 18,231 cases reported during the same period last year. According to Jamaliah, Petaling remains the district with the highest number of Covid-19 infections this year (2,475), followed by Hulu Langat (1,435), Klang (974), Gombak (927), and Sepang (615). Northern districts Sabak Bernam (137) and Hulu Selangor (148) recorded the fewest number of cases. 'It was found that adults aged 31 to 59 make up the highest proportion of infections this year (44 per cent), followed by youth aged 18 to 39 (27 per cent) and children aged 1 to 6 (9 per cent),' she said in a statement today. Meanwhile, Jamaliah said 7,582 individuals have been screened for Covid-19 by health facilities across the state this year, with 353 requiring hospital admission for further treatment. 'In Epidemiological Week 24, one patient was admitted to the intensive care unit due to pregnancy and a dengue fever infection. The patient was transferred to a general ward three days ago and is still receiving treatment there.' 'No confirmed Covid-19 deaths have been reported in Selangor in 2025,' she added. On June 19, it was reported that Malaysia recorded its first Covid-19 death of 2025 during Epidemiological Week 24. The individual had serious comorbidities, namely heart disease and diabetes, and no second booster vaccine shot. The Health Ministry said in a statement that the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases nationwide stood at 21,738 so far this year, with weekly averages holding steady at around 900 cases. However, Epidemiological Week 24 saw a spike to 3,379 cases — a 14 per cent increase from the 2,961 cases reported the previous week. Related
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans QB C.J. Stroud jokingly takes jab at Bears QB Caleb Williams for Week 2 comments
Caleb Williams and C.J. Stroud haven't seen each other since Week 2, when the Houston Texans' second-year quarterback passed on some words of wisdom over to his Chicago Bears' counterpart. People, as per usual, took it out of context and made it a bigger deal because of the age gap. After all, Stroud was only one year into his NFL tenure and yet some assumed he was talking down to the quarterback who beat him out for the Heisman Trophy in 2022. For the first time since Stroud told Williams to "stop taking so many hits," the two met in public during a panel session hosted by the Manning brothers at the Fanatics Fest in New York City on Saturday. When asked if the third-year quarterback had any advice for the Bears' top pick last season, Stroud cracked with a smile at the crowd. 'I don't know if Caleb likes my advice," Stroud joked, to which Williams laughed. Stroud might not have much room to talk after being sacked 52 times, but he still wasn't the league's most hit quarterback. That title belongs to Williams, who was sacked 68 times over 17 games. Although a poor offensive line took much of the blame, the former No. 1 overall often needed to get rid of the ball, which is what Stroud meant after a Week 2 win on Sunday Night Football. At the moment, Williams put it off. He had just thrown two late picks that cemented a 2-0 start for the Texans and cost the Bears a promising start. After eight months and a full offseason running the show for Ben Johnson's revamped offensive system two young franchise quarterbacks can now laugh about the famous intercations. Also, Stroud can say he was right for giving the advice since it led to the firing of a coach and a record-setting number of hits in Bears' history against a quarterback.
USA Today
20-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ohio State basketball head coach Jake Diebler provides summer program update
Ohio State basketball head coach Jake Diebler provides summer program update The Ohio State basketball team has started its offseason workouts as it prepares to put the pieces in place for the 2025-2026 season. It welcomed in some former players the last few days for "Vet Week," has done a lot of five-on-five scrimmaging, gone through conditioning, and worked through many drills and skill development already. The hope is that this year is going to be much, much better than what we've seen over the last three years when the Buckeyes missed the NCAA Tournament. It'll be head coach Jake Diebler's second year, and he sorely needs to build some momentum to turn this program around and get it where everyone believes it should be. Diebler met with the media this week to provide an update on summer workouts, where the team stands, how the House Settlement impacts the program, and much more. We are sharing the entire video of the press conference thanks to the Columbus Dispatch, so you can get Diebler's full comments. Dielber and his staff have a good mix of returning scorers and new blood that will need to mix together and find the chemistry and identity to make a big leap forward. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen, but we're all here putting the optimism out in the universe hoping it all comes to fruition this season. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
