Sports briefs
Nixon inducted into Mercer County hall
The Mercer County Hall of Fame held its 75th anniversary banquet Wednesday at The Park Inn by Radisson, near West Middlesex.
The Diamond Anniversary for the “oldest local hall of fame in the world” included the induction of 11 former athletes or contributors, including current Bentworth High School track and field coach Jerome Nixon.
Nixon was a key part of the legendary Farrell High basketball program under Hall of Fame coach Eddie McCluskey.
He was a three-year letterman and two-year starter for the Steelers, highlighted by his role as starting center on the 1969 PIAA Class A (biggest class) state championship club that posted a 27-1 overall record. That season he shined on defense and led the team in blocked shots.
During his career the team had a combined mark of 62-12, winning two WPIAL Section III crowns and falling one game short of a third. He was honorable mention All-Section 3.
Nixon was a 3-year letterwinner on the Farrell track team.
Nixon has been head track coach at Bentworth since starting the program in 2003. He has coached nine WPIAL individual or relay champions and one state champion. He also coached two TSTCA individual indoor champions.
In high school wrestling
Fort Cherry chalked up a combination of five forfeits and pins to earn a 37-27 victory over West Greene in a nonsection dual meet.
Nashaun Sutton (152), Braedon Welsh (160) and Anthony Salvini (189) had pins for the Rangers (4-5).
West Greene (3-3) had four forfeits.
n Bentworth took advantage of five forfeits to knock off South Side Beaver 51-16 in a non-section match.
Max Ivcic (113) and Maxx Weishner (152) had pins for the Bearcats.
In college basketball
Zach Edey scored 22 points and Jaden Ivey added 17 Friday night as the No. 7 Purdue Boilermakers routed Nebraska 92-65.
The Boilermakers (3-2 Big Ten, 14-2) have won two straight. Coach Matt Painter also captured his 183rd victory in league play, which broke a tie with former Michigan State coach Jud Heathcote for seventh in career wins among conference coaches.