Sports in brief: Shock placed in West Division

Football: The Spokane Shock will play in the West Division of the National Conference when the new Arena Football One league begins in April, the league announced Tuesday from Tulsa, Okla.

Under the unveiled alignments, three of the four divisions will have four teams each and Spokane’s division will have three teams, including Utah and Arizona.

The 15 teams are one fewer team than officials promised during September when they announced the league’s formation. The lineup didn’t include previously announced teams in Little Rock, Ark.; Fresno, Calif.; Lexington, Ky.; or Kennewick, but it does include teams in Tampa, Fla.; Dallas and Cleveland.

The National Conference will also include Chicago, Cleveland, Iowa and Milwaukee playing in the Midwest Division.

Associated Press

Jaguars stick with Del Rio

Football: After conducting his most extensive review in 15 years, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver decided to stick with coach Jack Del Rio.

At least for another year.

Weaver held a half-day meeting with Del Rio, then said the two would continue their rebuilding project with the Jaguars.

“I believe in Jack, that’s he’s the guy,” Weaver said two days before his 75th birthday. “After going through this process, Jack is the guy that can get us there. The fans have to have enough trust in me to believe that I’m making the right decision for the franchise.”

Associated Press

Authorities question Wizards

Basketball: Two more Washington Wizards players are speaking to authorities about the Gilbert Arenas gun investigation.

Coach Flip Saunders said JaVale McGee and Mike Miller were called away Tuesday. Saunders and at least seven players have been questioned about what happened with Arenas, who was suspended indefinitely by the NBA last week.

The Wizards were down to eight players for the morning shootaround ahead of Tuesday night’s game against Detroit, which the struggling Pistons won 99-90.

Along with Arenas, McGee and Miller, others missing included Andray Blatche (suspended) and Caron Butler.

Associated Press