THURSDAY SPORTS: Beasley, Watkins accolades; Dozier to play in Shrine game; MLB to ban home plate collisions

The Seneca Bobcat basketball program will host a unique triple header Thursday night against the Westside Rams. The JV boys will join the varsity girls and boys tonight.

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Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley has been named a first-team All-American by USA Today and receiver Sammy Watkins has been named to the second-team. Beasley is a junior from Adairsville, GA in his first year as a starter. Watkins, who was a first-team All-American as an all-purpose player in 2011 as a freshman, has 85 receptions for 1237 yards and 10 touchdowns this year.

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Clemson juniors Sammy Watkins and Vic Beasley and senior tackle Brandon Thomas were named first-team All-ACC by the Atlantic Coast Conference Coaches on Wednesday. Overall, 13 Clemson players were named to various All-ACC teams as chosen by the 14 league coaches. In addition, coach Dabo Swinney is one of 10 finalists for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year.

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Furman All-American offensive tackle Dakota Dozier has accepted an invitation to play in the 89th annual East-West Shrine Game, scheduled for Jan. 18, 2014, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., it has been announced. The longest running college all-star game in the country (1925), this year’s contest will be broadcast on the NFL Network.

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Major League Baseball plans to ban home plate collisions, with safety and concern over concussions major factors in the decision. New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, chairman of the rules committee, made the announcement at the winter meetings, saying the change would go into effect next season if the players’ association approved. If they don’t approve, the changes could be implemented the following year without approval needed.

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In the NBA Wednesday, Jameer Nelson had 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and the Orlando Magic snapped a six-game losing streak with a 92-83 win over the Charlotte Bobcats.