Cable staying on, or maybe not

NFL: After weeks of speculation and deliberation, Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis has decided to retain Tom Cable as head coach for the 2010 season, a source close to the situation told ESPN on Saturday.

Cable, a former University of Idaho player and head coach, will fulfill the final year of his contract with the Raiders, the source said.

After meeting with Cable again this week, Davis made a decision that will be popular among players by keeping his head coach in place, the source said.

The Raiders are denying the ESPN report.

Senior executive John Herrera told the Associated Press that Davis’ evaluation process of Cable “is ongoing and has not reached a conclusion.”

Cable’s status is in question after he went 5-11 in his first full season as coach and failed to develop JaMarcus Russell into a legitimate NFL quarterback. He has been talking with Davis since the season ended Jan. 3 about the direction of the franchise.

‘Hoops for Haiti’ event at Hub

Charity: Here’s an event that gives the term “charity stripe” real meaning.

“Hoops for Haiti,” a free-throw shoot-a-thon to help victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, takes place Jan. 31 at the Valley Hub in Liberty Lake, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave.

Ask your friends, family members, coaches or local businesses to donate $25 each (or more) while you shoot 250 free throws. The donations will be made to the Red Cross Spokane Haiti Relief Fund with all of the money raised going directly to pay for medical aid, food, water and shelter for the children and adults of Haiti.

You don’t have to make the free throws, you just have to shoot them. There will be food, music, prizes, and raffle tickets to shoot half court and 3-point shots for prizes.

Participants will need to bring donation checks (made out to Red Cross Haiti Relief) or cash from as many people as possible and their own basketball. Donations are due at the door. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information go online to www.94x50hoops.com or call (509) 340-3537.

Not a bad team in the bunch

NFL: It’s the can’t-lose NFL Sunday.

“There’s no booby prize in this Final Four,” writes columnist David Hyde. “No mystery meat. Every potential Super Bowl matchup works.”

Check out the previews for today’s conference championships, which pit the New York Jets against the Indianapolis Colts at noon on CBS and the Minnesota Vikings at the New Orleans Saints at 3:30 on Fox 28.

Stories, C7