ADAMSTWP — Mars senior forward Ian Finney was named the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League's Class AHighmark Player of the Month for November.

Finney recorded 11 goals and 15 assists in seven games that month. He had two goals and seven assists against Deer Lakes, and four goals and four assists against Forest Hills.

He ended the month leading the PIHLin scoring.

SLIPPERYROCK — Slippery Rock University senior offensive tackle Mike Butterworth accepted an invitation to play in the Cactus Bowl, a Division IIall-star game slated for Jan. 12 in Kingsville, Texas.The 6-foot-7, 330-pound Butterworth will be a member of the East squad. He will be the 14th SRUplayer to participate in the Cactus Bowl since its inception in 1994.

SLIPPERYROCK — Emily Boosahda was named the women's lacrosse coach at Slippery Rock University.She replaces Stacey Hart, who held the position for one year and will now focus her attention on serving as SRU's field hockey coach.Boosahda was a head coach at Tri-State (Ind.) University and Nichols (Mass.) College.

PITTSBURGH — Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is likely to miss Pittsburgh's game Sunday at New England after sitting out practice for the second day in a row Friday because of a sprained knee.Polamalu, who has missed the Steelers' last two games, aggravated the injury during practice Wednesday and has been unable to practice since. He is listed as doubtful, meaning he has a 25 percent chance of playing.The Steelers hardly ever allow players to play in a game when they are physically unable to practice on Friday — one reason why wide receiver Santonio Holmes struggled through the team's workout on a sprained right ankle.Holmes, also out for two games, continues to have pain in the ankle and was urged earlier this week to sit out another game. Holmes said the game against New England (12-0) is too important to the Steelers (9-3) to miss and he plans to play.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Ohio State's James Laurinaitis won the Butkus Award on Friday night as the nation's best linebacker.The junior became the second Buckeyes player to win the Butkus, joining Andy Katzenmoyer in 1997. Laurinaitis beat out Penn State's Dan Connor and Colorado's Jordan Dizon.