Miami, FL
Rookie Kel’el Ware Catching Fire for Miami Heat
Few teams in the entire NBA have done more with mid-first NBA Draft picks than the Miami Heat. And it seems that sentiment will hold true with 2024’s No. 15 pick in center Kel’el Ware.
Despite a slow start to his season, mostly caused by injury, Ware is quickly heating up for a Miami team that continues to find itself among league-wide drama.
In just the second start of his short career, Ware saw another blistering performance versus the Bucks, scoring 22 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, nabbing one steal and dishing two blocks. He shot 9-for-15 overall and hit two of his seven attempted 3-pointers.
Ware was similarly impactful against both the Spurs and Trail Blazers earlier in the week, adding 25 points against San Antonio and 20 against Portland. In those two games, he added 23 total rebounds and two blocks apiece in looking like the team’s center of the future.
In his last five games, Ware’s picked up the pace overall, averaging 16.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks with 52% shooting overall and 39% from three. Those numbers would put him at or ahead of most in the ’25 rookie class, which is performing as many experts expected.
Ware’s play hasn’t yet translated into wins for the Heat, as they suffered double-digit losses in each of their last two contests. But his improved counting stats in such a short tenure in the NBA so far are cause for celebration on Miami’s end.
If Ware can continue to hone his game, he’ll quickly become a crucial part of the up-and-coming Heat core.
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New details are emerging in the death of a woman whose body was found on Hollywood Beach the day after Christmas.
Police say 56‑year‑old Heather Asendorf was discovered by a passerby. People who frequent the beach say she was a familiar sight at the bandshell near Margaritaville, where she danced most nights in brightly lit shoes.
Harrison, a frequent visitor who did not want to give his last name, said he saw her nearly every day.
“She was very friendly, polite. She loved to dance,” he said.
Suspect arrested four days later
Four days after she was found, Hollywood police arrested 28‑year‑old Brandon McCray and charged him with sexual battery, kidnapping, and battery by strangulation.
McCray was taken into custody at a Hollywood motel off Federal Highway. His permanent address is listed in Coconut Creek, where no one answered the door when approached for comment about his arrest.
Police are still working to determine how Asendorf’s path crossed with McCray’s.
Tributes pour in from friends
Tributes for Asendorf are pouring in, especially from the annual State College Townie Reunion community in central Pennsylvania, where she had deep roots.
Among the messages shared:
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“A beautiful friend forever in our hearts.”
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“Unforgettable. A sweet soul.”
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“I still can’t wrap my mind around this one. She was so amazing.”
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“One of our shining stars has left the stage.”
Investigation remains active
Hollywood police say their investigation is ongoing, and McCray could face additional charges as detectives continue to piece together what happened.
Should the CFP committee rethink the playoff schedule format?
Extended breaks and logistical challenges have reopened questions about whether the College Football Playoff committee should adjust the playoff schedule format.
Mississippi football’s Nick Cull avoided an ejection during the College Football Playoff Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Thursday, Jan. 8.
As Malachi Toney reeled in a catch from Carson Beck at the Miami 49 in the first quarter, he was hit by Cull in a helmet-to-helmet collision. Right away, the officials flagged Cull for targeting, with both Toney and Cull staying down on the field with an injury.
After officials reviewed the play, the call on the field was overturned, as the officials determined that Cull did not launch and the collision seemed to be incidental. Replay assistant Matt Austin concurred with the call on the field.
The play had a major impact on the game as well. If the call had been upheld, Miami would have had the ball at the Ole Miss 34-yard line with a chance to expand its 3-0 lead. However, a few plays later, the Hurricanes were forced to punt from the 49-yard line.
On the first play of the second quarter, Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacey scored on a 73-yard run to give the Rebels a 7-3 lead.
Because he was not called for targeting, Cull was not ejected from the game, which means Ole Miss will have him for the remainder of the game, if he can clear the concussion protocol. He was in the tent following the play.
Cull has 15 total tackles and three pass deflections this season for the Rebels.
Meanwhile, Toney went to the medical tent briefly for the Hurricanes, but returned to the game.
A crash involving an unmarked Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office vehicle was reported in Northwest Miami-Dade on Thursday morning, and the morning commute was impacted as a result.
Few details have been released, but the crash was reported in the area of Northwest 79th street and Interstate 95.
Video from the scene showed that the vehicles had heavy damage.
The sheriff’s office said the crash also involved a civilian vehicle, and no injuries were reported.
No other information was released.
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