Sports

DELAND -- A defensive play in overtime resulted in a 92-yard touchdown that led the New Smyrna Beach 'Cudas over the DeLand Bulldogs, 41-35, Friday night at Spec Mark Stadium.

DeLand led 21-0, in what looked to be a blowout, but New Smyrna Beach came back strong in the second half to tie the game at the end of regulation.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Cudas football squad showed a lot of heart during the 2011-'12 season led by quarterback Josh Brisbois -- a young team with as many as 20 starters coming back next season.

DAYTONA BEACH -- It was only the second day of pre-season practice for Bethune-Cookman volleyball, but coach Isaac Raphael was nonetheless pleased with his team's progress.

"We're way ahead of where we were last year," Raphael said after Friday's second session. "We may be ahead of where we were at the middle of last season. The newcomers may not be physically accustomed to two-a-days, but volleyball-wise, they have the fundamentals."

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Bethune-Cookman University will open its 2012 football training camp Thursday at the New Smyrna Beach Sports Complex while enhancements to its on-campus facilities in Daytona Beach near completion.

Inclement weather delayed renovations, including a re-sodding of the practice field, in addition to a new practice track, pole vault and jump pits for the track and field program. When it became apparent that on-campus facilities would be not be available, the B-CU administration employed its contingency plan.

"We've exercised the option of relocating the first two weeks of practice," said Lynn W. Thompson B-CU's director of athletics. "We're honored that the City of New Smyrna Beach has welcomed our program and has extended its facilities to us."

Chipper Jones, shown here in a photo from his website, was all smiles at Tuesday night's MLB All-Star Game in Kansas City, Mo., hitting a single in the 6th inning.

PIERSON -- Chipper Jones -- the pride of Pierson, Florida --  rallied his National League All-Stars in a pre-game speech Tuesday night before they took to the field in Kansas City and shut out their American League counterparts, 8-0.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Tony Stewart stayed clear of the carnage in tonight's Coke Zero 400 to take the checkered flag for his third NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory of the season.

"I don't even remeber what happened in the last lap," Stewart said, when asked about the multitude of wrecks including one on the final lap. "Anytime you win at Daytona it's special."

Fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr., who got caught up in the biggest pile-up, to finish 15th, said of the wreckfest, "I was getting shoved. It was pretty wild. We were all running into each other."

Photo credit Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images / Kurt Busch celebrates in Victory Lane on Friday after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway.

DAYTONA BEACH -- They call it the "Big One" and Friday's Subway Jalapeno 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway lived up to the billing with a crash on lap 66 that collected 15 cars. Kurt Busch escaped with some damage to later take the checkered flag in his battered No. 1 Chevrolet.

ORLANDO -- After his first four years in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, Shaquille O'Neal left the Orlando Magic as a free agent for the riches of the Los Angeles Lakers. Now he may be headed to the Magic as their new general manager.

Multiple sports outlets are reporting what was first reported by ESPN's Chris Brousard who tweeted: "As first reported on @NBAonESPN, the Orlando Magic will interview @SHAQ for their vacant GM position, sources say."