Jeff Hart

Order is restored in international basketball. The United States is back on top, but not by that much anymore. Culminating a three-year mission to end years of embarrassment, the U.S. Olympic team survived a huge challenge from Spain, winning 118-107 Sunday in the gold-medal game.

Megan Rogers struck out 13 batters and allowed just two hits as the North Hall girls softball team shut out East Hall 8-0 in Region 7-AAA Thursday.

The Flowery Branch girls softball team continued its strong start to the season scoring four runs in the bottom seventh to rally past Gilmer 4-3 Thursday in Region 7-AAA action.

Melissa Dickie tossed a two-hit shutout Thursday to lead the Buford girls softball team a 1-0 win over Dacula in the Hawk/Bulldog Invitational Tournament at North Gwinnett High School.

Emily Hammond pitched a perfect game to lead the West Hall girls softball team to a 23-0, three-inning rout of Johnson Tuesday in both teams' Region 7B-AAA opener.

Cast in the unlikely role of last man standing among the Braves' four former 20-game winners, Mike Hampton prospered. Hampton gave up two runs in six innings and Atlanta beat the San Francisco Giants 11-5 on Saturday night to end a five-game losing streak, including four straight at Turner Field.

Braves pitcher Tom Glavine is out for the season, and his illustrious career could be over if he needs major surgery on his injured left elbow. The 42-year-old Glavine still hopes to return next year - unless he needs elbow ligament replacement surgery.

Joey Love earned his 15th win of the season passing Scott Armstrong midway through the race and then cruising to the finish line in the 25-lap open-wheeled modified race Saturday night to highlight the action Lanier National Speedway.

Habersham Central girls softball coach Stephanie Thomas was curious to see if her young Lady Raiders squad was ready to take the next step in a program on the rise. The Lady Raiders answered the call using a five-run third inning to take the lead and then held off a late rally by Union County to take an 8-6 win and win the Lanier Point Invitational Saturday night.

GAINESVILLE