Pollin

WASHINGTON — Abe Pollin was the NBA's patriarch, an old-school owner who won a championship and had the mettle to stand up to Michael Jordan. He introduced luxury boxes and the large replay screen to big-time professional sports. He used to have 3-point shooting contests with Wes Unseld.

That's plenty to admire for the rest of the country. In the nation's capital, Pollin will be remembered for so much more.

Hours after Pollin died Tuesday at the age of 85, the Washington Wizards played the Philadelphia 76ers in a neighborhood that was torched during the 1968 riots, on a street that most everyone avoided only 15 years ago.

Now the street is called "Abe Pollin Way," and it sits in front of Verizon Center, an arena Pollin risked much of his fortune to build. The building anchors a downtown area flush with theaters, shops and restaurants — all owing their existence to a man loyal to his city.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.— J'Covan Brown scored 12 points, replacing guard Varez Ward who was injured in pregame warmups, and helped third-ranked Texas beat Pittsburgh 78-62 Tuesday night in the championship game of the CBE Basketball Classic.Damion James had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Longhorns (4-0), who took charge with a 14-3 run in the second half that ended the Panthers' remarkable run of 38 consecutive victories in the month of November.Pitt (4-1) was led by Brad Wanamaker with 13 points and Gary McGhee with 11.The Panthers had not lost in November since South Florida won 69-63 Nov. 25, 2001.

MOON TWP — Several Butler County senior high school boys soccer players will be in action at the Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association All-Star Game Saturday at Moon High School.Butler players C.J. Berger and Cory Werth and Seneca Valley's Tyler Izenas will play in the Class AAA game, which begins at 3 p.m.Knoch's Kevin Wood and Mars players Chris Karns, Tanner Panza, Jack Leslie, Tim Vandall and Ryan McKenzie will appear in the Class AA game at 1 p.m.