Cougars’ Casto cited for assault

Men’s basketball: Washington State University starting center DeAngelo Casto was arrested and cited for fourth-degree assault just after midnight Friday morning.

“The coaches are aware of the situation and are gathering information,” WSU assistant sports information director Jessica Schmick said.

Police responded to a report of a fight on NE B St., according to Cmdr. Chris Tennant of the Pullman Police. They talked with a man who had a laceration on his head, the result, the man and witnesses told police, of a punch delivered by Casto. The injury did not require hospitalization, according to Tennant.

Casto was arrested two blocks away, taken to the police department, cited and later released.

Fourth-degree assault is a gross misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

The 6-foot-8 Casto, from Ferris High, averaged 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds his sophomore year.

Vince Grippi

Frail Burns accepts honor

Hockey: A thin and frail Pat Burns said he’s honored to have an arena named after him, even as he conceded he likely won’t live to see it completed.

The Pat Burns Arena will be built in Stanstead, Quebec. The former NHL coach, his voice left raspy by the cancer attacking his lungs, flew up from his home in Florida for the ceremony.

Burns was forced to leave coaching in 2004 because of colon cancer. When he was diagnosed with lung cancer last year, he opted against treatment.

“I probably won’t be here when (the arena) is finished, but I’ll be looking down on it,” Burns said.

Associated Press

Branyan watches from dugout

Baseball: Russell Branyan’s dream has turned into the Cleveland Indians’ nightmare.

Signed to a $2 million free-agent deal in February and made the starting first baseman, Branyan has yet to play this spring with less than two weeks until the season opens.

“It’s frustrating,” said Branyan, sidelined by a herniated disc in his back.

Branyan played regularly for the first time in his 12-year career in 2009 with Seattle and responded with career highs of 31 homers and 76 RBIs, though he missed much of the second half with severe back pain. Associated Press