Sports briefs

CLOQUET -- Pine River-Backus managed only three points in the first quarter and went on to a 55-40 girls' basketball loss to Cloquet Saturday. Chelsa Schwegel led the Tigers with 17 points.

Pine River-Backus 3 12 13 12-- 40

Cloquet 17 16 8 14-- 55

PINE RIVER-BACKUS (40)

Kayla Anderson 6, Erin Cusac 2, Lara Marvin 2, Chelsea Dabill 9, Erica Richards 4, Chelsa Schwegel 17. Team totals: 16 FG, FT 6-13 (40 percent).

CLOQUET (55)

Sam Battaglia 7, Britta Hall 8, Abbi Johnson 8, Cassi Johnson 10, Liz Johnson 6, Jenny Pavelich 4, Katie Rodd 3, Teresa Staffon 7.

3-point baskets -- PRB Dabill 2, C Johnson 2.

Vince Carter returns

Associated Press

Vince Carter returned to the Toronto Raptors' starting lineup after missing 23 games with a strained right knee.

Playing in his first game since Dec. 8, Carter scored 22 points as Toronto defeated the Sacramento Kings to snap a five-game losing streak.

McGrady misses game

Tracy McGrady missed Orlando's game against the Boston Celtics after his fiancee gave birth to a daughter.

McGrady, who leads the NBA in scoring, stayed in Orlando after Layla Clarise was born to ClaRenda Harris.

James' ruling expected

LeBron James will soon learn if he's still allowed to drive to the basket.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association is expected to end its two-week investigation to determine whether James, the nation's top player, compromised his amateur status by accepting a Hummer H2 sports utility vehicle as a gift.

Mayorga unifies class

Ricardo Mayorga is the king of the welterweight division after knocking out previously undefeated Vernon Forrest in the third round to unify the WBA and WBC titles.