Coates. Coates had 10 points and 12 rebounds by halftime to collect her secon

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Star return specialist Devin Hester was released by the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday following an injury-shortened 2015 season.The 33-year-old Hester is a three-time All-Pro who set an NFL record with 20 career returns for touchdowns. He began his career with the Chicago Bears before signing a three-year, $9 million deal with Atlanta before the 2014 season.A turf toe injury knocked out most of his season in 2015. He had 269 total return yards during the last five games of the year. He had surgery in January, preventing him from full participation in offseason workouts.General manager Thomas Dimitroff said the decision to release Hester -- two days before the first practice of training camp -- was about more than the toe injury.He passed his physical, Dimitroff said Tuesday. It was a football decision for us at the very end. Not to be evasive about it, we wish him all the luck. We think its best for the organization for us to move forward.Coach Dan Quinn said wide receiver Eric Weems will continue to work on punt and kickoff returns. Wide receivers Justin Hardy, Nick Williams and Devin Fuller, a rookie, also will compete on punt returns. Running back Tevin Coleman, the top backup to starter Devonta Freeman, is an option on kickoff returns.The long list of candidates on returns was a factor in the move.Weve got some guys were pretty pumped up about to see what they can do, Quinn said.Hester apparently saw his release coming. On Wednesday, he posted on his Twitter account That look on your face when they count you out!!!!!(hash)motivationHester was drafted by the Bears as a cornerback from Miami in 2006. He switched to wide receiver and has 255 career catches for 3,311 yards and 16 touchdowns. He had 38 catches for 504 yards with Atlanta in 2014.Hester holds the record with 14 punt returns for touchdowns, including a 68-yarder with the Falcons in 2014. He had a career-high four punt returns for touchdowns in 2007, when he also returned two kickoffs for scores.Quinn described Hester as a guy I have tons of respect for.Devin is a real pro so we wish him nothing but the best, he added.Players report Wednesday and open camp Thursday.---Online:AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Shoes Cheap Online . Capitals head coach Adam Oates said Ovechkin was injured in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and clarified it was not a head injury. Shoes Wholesale China Suppliers . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. http://www.shoescheap.net/ . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. Discount Shoes Online . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. Authentic Shoes For Cheap . It is a cliché dragged out by fans and pundits regularly when discussions take place around which teams are better than others. COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Alaina Coates thinks she and post partner Aja Wilson have picked up right where they left off -- and thats a bad sign for No. 3 South Carolinas opponents.I pretty much feel like were back to where we were, Coates said.Theyd get no arguments from Maine after the Gamecocks ran off to a 79-42 victory on Monday night in the Basketball Hall of Fame Womens Challenge.The 6-foot-5 Wilson had 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting while 6-4 Coates had 12 points and 14 rebounds. The two did about whatever they wanted most of the way against the undersized, young Black Bears (2-3).Theyre good, Maine coach Richard Barron said. What else can you say?The Gamecocks (3-0) used their defense to make quick work of Maine, starting on a 15-0 run, then outscoring their opponents 13-0 to open the third quarter. South Carolina eventually grew the lead to 41 points in the final period.Freshman Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, at 6-2 the primary post backup for Wilson and Coates, added 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting and picked up eight boards.South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said when Coates and Wilson play with efficiency and speed, it helps in teaching Herbert Harrigan the right way to play.When she sees our two bigs clicking like that, it kind of becomes contagious, Staley said. She had a pretty good basketball game.The Gamecocks outrebounded Maine 42-27 while Wilson had four of their five blocked shots. Coates swatted away the other.South Carolinas two high-profile transfers, Kaela Davis and Allisha Gray, also finished in double figures with 10 points each. Julie Brosseau had 11 points, including three 3-pointers, to lead the Black Bears.BIG PICTUREMaine: The Black Bears opened with a surprise win at Purdue, but lost for the third time in the past four games. They dont have the size to match up with teams like No. 7 Mississippi State (a 44-point loss on Nov. 12) or the third-ranked Gamecocks. But Maine, which starts four freshmen, showed off some shooting touch in a 59-43 win over St.dddddddddddd Peters on Sunday night. Laia Sole, who scored 16 points in the St. Peters win, was named the American East rookie of the week for the second straight time this season.Whats it like starting four freshmen? Its a little bit better than starting five, Maines Barron said.South Carolina: The Gamecocks wont go wrong going inside this season to Wilson and Coates. Coates had 10 points and 12 rebounds by halftime to collect her second double-double of the season and 44th of her career.POLL IMPLICATIONSSouth Carolina will have one more tune up on Tuesday night before things get serious when it faces No. 4 Louisville on Sunday. Lose that one and count on the Gamecocks to tumble from the top five.YOUNG GAMECOCKSAfter taking its big lead, South Carolina played several young players in the final quarter like Herbert Harrigan, Victoria Patrick, Araion Bradshaw and Tyasha Harris, all freshmen. Staley said the group has to get experience because the Gamecocks have only four juniors or seniors returning with significant experience Wilson, Coates, point guard Bianca Cuevas-Moore and guard Tiffany Davis.We may need the young players at some point this season, Staley said.STREAK ENDERWilson set a school record on Sunday night, going 14 of 14 from the foul line in defeating Hampton 92-38. Could Wilson keep it going? No as she missed her first free throw against Maine and finished 0-2 at the line.UP NEXTMaine takes on Hampton here at the Colonial Life Arena on Tuesday night as part of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Challenge.South Carolina finishes a three-game homestand on Tuesday, facing St. Peters as part of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Challenge. ' ' '