Mickey Callaway said he thinks the Tribe pitching is in better shape now than how he felt about it in January of 2013.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Thinking Tribe in the dead of winter:

1. When I was a kid, I wish there was something like this weekend's Tribe Fest. I'd have loved to walk through the bowels of the stadium and the clubhouse with my father. It would have been neat to see some of the players, and yes -- the broadcasters. I grew up loving Jimmy Dudley, the Tribe's radio voice from 1948-68. But to many kids today, that voice is Tom Hamilton -- and he was all over the place this weekend.

2. The Indians had planned this event for months to grab some attention for their team. Then here's what happened: a) The Browns hired a new coach on Thursday; b) A fierce snowstorm hit this weekend.

3. The Tribe still had great crowds for the event and good media coverage, but it still was Browns … Browns … Browns.

4. Pitching coach Mickey Callaway said he is feeling better about the Tribe's pitching right now than he did at this time last year. At first, I thought that was just being upbeat for the media, but then I thought back to a year ago: a) No one knew Scott Kazmir would win one game, much less 11; b) The thought of Ubaldo Jimenez in the rotation made me reach for he Tums; c) Justin Masterson was coming off the worst season of his career (11-15, 4.93); d) I had no idea Corey Kluber would win one game, much less be 11-5.

5. Callaway's point was the same made by Terry Francona earlier in the week, when he talked about wanting to see Josh Tomlin, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer pitch this spring. Shaun Marcum could surprise, but the Tribe wants to be careful with him as he's coming off July arm surgery.

6. Callaway also said Masterson "can win a Cy Young." He said the Tribe pitcher has the stuff to do it. Not sure about that, but Masterson was 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA in 2011 and 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA in 2013. He had the stinker of the season in 2012. He really clicks with Francona and Callaway, so there is reason to believe Masterson can have a big year.

7. Callaway finally said what most of us believed -- Vinnie Pestano hurt himself last spring in the World Baseball Classic and never was quite right after that. The WBC has led to so many pitchers getting hurt because they are throwing under game conditions too soon. So maybe, Pestano can have a strong comeback. He is supposed to be in the best physical shape of his career.

Cleveland Indians alumni Jim Thome signs the back of an Indians jersey for Callie Channell of Sagamore Hills, Ohio, during Tribefest. Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer

8. Every time I hear about the Jim Thome statue, I think Larry Doby is the next one who should get a statue. I know, the street behind the Stadium was named after him. But Doby is a major historic baseball figure, the first black player in the American League. I have written how the transition for Doby was in many ways harder than that faced by Jackie Robinson, because Doby was brought to the Tribe in the middle of the 1947 season -- no preparation was made to fit him into the team.

9. Nick Swisher said trying to live up to the contract was not a factor in his so-so season. He admitted his performance (.246, .763 OPS, 22 HR, 63 RBI) was "not where I wanted it to be … I set higher goals."

10. I think two factors led to Swisher's very slow start. No. 1, he did want to live up to the contract and to batting No. 4 in the order. He is not a pure power hitter, and he was over-swinging. No. 2, he had shoulder issues for the first time in his career. He needed to do certain exercises to strengthen the shoulder, which paid off late in the season.

11. Swisher batted .263 with seven homers and 17 RBI in 26 games in September. He was a big reason the Tribe was 21-5 that final month. I'm hoping Francona leaves Swisher in the No. 2 spot of the batting order, where he finished the year.

12. As always, Swisher was excited about the team, the season and sincerely grateful to be in this position with the Tribe. It is refreshing.

13. Francona believes that Asdrubal Cabrera will have a good season, adding the shortstop "has something to prove." That something meaning that his season (.242, 14 HR, 64 RBI, .700 OPS) is not the new normal. Francona was pleased that Cabrera cut his errors from 15 and 19 in the previous two seasons to only nine in 2013.

14. Francona and Callaway both sounded very optimistic about Bauer. Hope they are right, but the key will be how Bauer reacts when he struggles. Will he junk his new windup ? It's "a drastic change from last year" according to Callaway. The pitching coach also thinks it's a good fit for Bauer.

15. Nice to have Charlie Nagy with the team in a special advisor role. He had been pitching coach with the Diamondbacks.

Omar Vizquel totaled 2,877 hits and an endless bounty of defensive gems over 24 Major League seasons.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Omar Vizquel pictures his as a diminutive sculpture, the figure's right arm raised, its bare hand gripping a baseball and plotting a throw to first.

He isn't getting a statue on the periphery of Progressive Field, though. Not yet, at least. The Indians will unveil a Jim Thome statue outside of the ballpark on Aug. 2.

For now, Vizquel will gladly settle for induction into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame. That ceremony will take place on June 21, though the former shortstop will be donning the colors of the team that topped the Indians for the American League Central crown last season.

Vizquel will coach first base for the Tigers this year, so on 10 occasions, he'll stand beside the same infield over which he reigned for 11 seasons. On that summer evening in June, he'll join former teammates Roberto Alomar, Sandy Alomar Jr., Carlos Baerga, Kenny Lofton and Charles Nagy and manager Mike Hargrove in the franchise's lexicon of legends.

"It's a great piece of history for me that I get to be inducted," Vizquel said Sunday at Tribe Fest. "When they talk about Omar Vizquel, they always relate the Indians to it. There wasn't any other team. I played in Seattle for five years and I played with the Giants for four years, but I played 11 years here and this is where I really established myself."

From the time he was dealt in 1993 from the Mariners to the Indians -- a trade that forced his wife to tears -- Vizquel graced Cleveland with his flashy glove. He eventually developed some ability with his bat as well, which led to him tallying 2,877 hits over his 24-year career. He was named to three All-Star teams and garnered 11 Gold Glove awards.

Will the numbers and the endless bounty of defensive highlights be enough to convince voters to check his name on their ballots in four years?

"I never really pictured myself as a Hall of Famer," Vizquel said. "I have some great numbers out there and if people recognize that and put me in that spot, that would be amazing. But I never compare myself to the other shortstops or anything like that. Everybody has their games.

"I just hope that they can recognize that it's worth it for me to be there. Obviously, just being in the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame is a little step that they can recognize that and maybe someday they can vote for me."

In the meantime, Vizquel continues to work his way toward becoming a Major League manager. He spent the final five years of his career as a part-time player and mentor with the Giants, Rangers, White Sox and Blue Jays. He served as the Angels' roving Minor League fielding instructor last year.

Now, he'll try to hone the skills of defensively gifted shortstop Jose Iglesias and the Tigers' other infielders. He said the group will endure drills of fielding ground balls with their bare hands. That includes two-time Most Valuable Player award winner Miguel Cabrera, the burly slugger who will shift across the diamond to first base.

"As a player, you think you're ready to manage and then last year when I was coaching a little bit," Vizquel said, "you see a lot of things that fall into place that sometimes you're not ready for. I think anybody can make the decision to change the pitcher or call a hit-and-run or stuff like that, but there is much more to what a manager can be and that's one of the things that I'm trying to learn right now."

Perhaps Vizquel will one day become a big league skipper. Perhaps he will earn induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Perhaps he and Thome will even share a weekend in Cooperstown, N.Y. Both players are eligible for induction in 2018.

Maybe he'll even get that statue, one that lures eyeballs to the hand and the seldom-used glove, rather than the hefty bat pointed at the sky above center field. To Vizquel, everything that has happened for the little shortstop from Caracas, Venezuela, and everything that remains, has resulted from his tenure in Cleveland.

"Everybody knows how successful the teams were in the '90s," Vizquel said, "and to be part of that organization and part of that period of time being an Indian, it made me a better player. … I was just fortunate to be in that situation. I was lucky that I got to stick around for a long time, so people could see a little bit of my growth as a player and a person."

Jason Kipnis believes the Indians are ready to build on last season's success.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Last offseason Jason Kipnis tried yoga to improve his flexibility. This winter, to break the boredom of weight lifting, he’s taking boxing and Muay Thai classes.

No explanation is needed for the sweet science of punching someone in the nose while not getting hit. Muay Tai, however, isn’t an umbrella drink. Rather it’s a form of kick boxing.

Perhaps, if things get tough in the clinches, Kipnis can use his new found skills when it comes to negotiating a multiyear deal with the Indians. At the moment, that doesn’t seem necessary.

“Absolutely,” said Kipnis, when asked Sunday at Tribe Fest if he’d entertain a multiyear offer from the Indians. “We haven’t talked about it yet. My guess is if we started it would probably start in spring training when everyone reports. I think they have their hands full with arbitration cases right now. “

Justin Masterson, Michael Brantley, Vinnie Pestano and Josh Tomlin are headed toward arbitration hearings with the Tribe.

The Indians and Kipnis’ agents talked about a multiyear deal last season.

“It just didn’t work out,” said Kipnis. “We put a deadline on it for the start of the season. That’s why it stopped.

“Both sides were trying to get something done. We just didn’t come to the middle point yet. We didn’t agree on years or numbers yet. Both of us are still trying and looking for the right number.”

Should negotiations take place before opening day, Kipnis said he’d prefer to keep the season opener as a deadline.

“It’s just something me and my agents thought would be a good idea,’ said Kipnis, eligible for arbitration after the 2014 season. “When the season starts, just concentrate on the season and playing rather than it being a distraction.”

Kipnis said boxing and Muay Thai have helped his conditioning and flexibility.

“Mau Thai is like MMA (mixed martial arts),” he said. “I’m not sparring with anyone in a ring. It’s more about movements that really help the body.”

Kipnis said he’s gained about 10 to 15 pounds.

“It’s good weight,” he said.

Last season Kipnis hit .284 (160-for-564) with 17 homers, 84 RBI, 86 runs and 30 steals. He led the Indians in runs, hits, RBI and steals. Kipnis was the first second baseman to lead the Indians outright in RBI since Hall of Famer Joe Gordon in 1948.

Kipnis’ production, along with a 21-6 record in September, helped the Indians clinch a wild card spot for their first postseason appearance since 2007. Kipnis believes they’re in a position to win again.

He began to feel it last offseason after the Indians added Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn, Scott Kazmir, Jason Giambi, Ryan Raburn, Mike Aviles, Yan Gomes, Bryan Shaw, Matt Albers and Rich Hill through free agency and trades. He saw how quickly the team bonded and how it handled losing and winning streaks.

“We’re just one year down the road,” said Kipnis. “Everyone is just looking toward spring training and getting started. I don’t know if you could say that in years past where you tried to be optimistic, but you didn't know about the team you had or the players in the locker room.”

Such is not the case this year.

NORTH CANTON, Ohio - It's rare to see a losing head coach leave the court with a smile on his face, but Warrensville Heights coach Brian Swift had every reason to on Sunday. The Tigers fell 57-54 to La Lumiere (Ind.), ranked 13th in the country in the USA Today boys basketball poll, in the Dunk 4 Diabetes Shootout...

NORTH CANTON, Ohio - It's rare to see a losing head coach leave the court with a smile on his face, but Warrensville Heights coach Brian Swift had every reason to on Sunday.

The Tigers fell 57-54 to La Lumiere (Ind.), ranked 13th in the country in the USA Today boys basketball poll, in the Dunk 4 Diabetes Shootout at Walsh University.

"To play a team like that and take it down to the last seconds is incredible," said Warrensville Heights coach Brian Swift.

For a team that lost to Bedford on Friday, bouncing back like this is a big statement for what Warrensville Heights (8-7) can do.

"It's real big for us because we needed the confidence once we start going into the playoffs," said Tigers guard Jalen Jackson. "We lost to today, but we played hard and coach is proud of us."

A layup by Jermaine Brown gave the Tigers a brief 50-49 lead in the fourth quarter. The team had a chance to tie at the end of the game, but a 3-pointer by Yavari Hall was off the mark.

The defeat completes and up-and-down week that saw the Tigers beat No. 7 St. Vincent-St. Mary and lose to Bedford and La Lumiere.

"It's a roller coaster," Jackson said. "We need to beat the teams we should beat and beat the teams they don't think we should."

Warrensville Heights started the game fast. It controlled the tempo and got plenty of open looks to take an 18-14 lead. La Lumiere responded with a 21-2 run to put itself in front.

However, the Tigers did not back down. Brian Swift's team finished the half on an 8-0 run and only trailed 35-28 at the break.

It was a balanced effort for Warrensville Heights early, as Jackson led his team with eight points and Hall had seven points. Jackson finished the game with a team-high 18 points.

The Tigers were able to get back in the game mostly because of its defense. Standout junior Jalen Coleman had 17 points in the first half for the Lakers, but he only finished the game with 20 points.

"We face guarded him, and when he got his touches, we had a body on him," Swift said. "We just limited his touches and got a little physical with him."

Nine days ago Warrensville Heights received a boost when transfers Quinton Wells, Jermaine Brown and Ziounti Taylor-Watts were cleared to play. Their presence showed on Sunday.

"Everybody is ready to play and everybody can play," Jackson said. "When we need players to come off the bench, they're ready and that's terrific for us."

This was the second game for La Lumiere in the Dunk 4 Diabetes Shootout. On Saturday, the Lakers defeated No. 5 Central Catholic, 68-43.

The Tigers will try to bounce back from two straight losses when they host Euclid on Friday in a Lake Erie League contest.

Contact high school sports reporter David Cassilo by email (dcassilo@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@dcassilo). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Join cleveland.com's Zack Meisel and The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff for live coverage from Tribe Fest at Progressive Field. Watch our live video stream from 4-6 p.m. in the player in this post. Watch video

LIVE FROM TRIBE FEST: Click play to watch live from 4-6 p.m.

Cleveland Indians alumni Jim Thome talks with the Indians radio voice Tom Hamilton during Tribefest inside Progressive Field on Jan. 26, 2014Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Join cleveland.com's Zack Meisel and The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff for live coverage from Tribe Fest at Progressive Field. Watch our live video stream from 4-6 p.m. in the player at the top of this post.

Zack and D-Man will look ahead to spring training and try to talk to players, fans and special guests during the two-hour broadcast.

On Day One of Tribe Fest, fans heard from Jim Thome, who talked about the long-awaited unveiling his statue on August 2.

“All I can tell you it’s going to be pretty awesome,” he said. In an extended interview with cleveland.com, Thome talked about those glory days in the '90s and his decision to leave for Philadelphia in 2003.

Kenny Lofton was also there to entertain the crowd, sign autographs and talk with the media. He reminisced about that mad dash from second in Game 6 of the 1997 ALCS, in a column by Terry Pluto.

"I saw the catcher had his back turned, bending over to pick up the ball," he said. "It was a reaction thing. I felt I could make it."

In an extended interview with cleveland.com, Lofton talked about how he loved playing with Omar Vizquel and his Hall of Fame chances.

First baseman Nick Swisher told us how fans helped bring him back up after the disappointment of last season's early exit from the playoffs. Still, he was overwhelmed by the crowd that showed up at Tribe Fest in a snowstorm.

“I’m saying to myself, there’s not going to be anybody here,” he said. “Then you walk in and the place is packed.”

Indians pitcher Danny Salazar talked about going from the obscurity of the minor leagues to the national stage, starting a postseason game for the Indians.

"I hope that if we repeat that and I know we will, it's going to be different," he said. (Watch the full interview here)

Salazar's skipper -- AL Manager of the Year Terry Francona -- thinks it'll be different too.

"To go through that with a lot of young guys who hadn't done it before and to get into that playoff game against Tampa, I think if anything, it'll make guys hungier to get back there," he said.

Francona joined cleveland.com's live broadcast for more than 25 minutes Saturday, also talking about a wide range of topics, including what he expects in Year Two, the pitching staff and what it was like managing Manny Ramirez. You can watch that interview here.

Tribe Fest doors open today at noon. The event, which goes on until 8 p.m., features autograph sessions with Indians players past and present, Q&As with team members, hitting in the batting cages, clubhouse tours and more. In addition to the players mentioned above, others scheduled to appear include Charles Nagy, Jason Kipnis, Michael Bourn, Trevor Bauer, Ryan Raburn, Michael Brantley, Yan Gomes, Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Mike Aviles, Yan Gomes, David Murphy, Zack McAllister and Slider. Admission is $10 with an extra fee for the autograph sessions. Go to indians.com/tribefest for more details.

• After induction into Indians Hall of Fame, will Cooperstown be next for Omar Vizquel?

• Terry Pluto has the Indians on his mind as the snow piles up and the temperature drops

• D-Man's live look at Tribe Fest: Callaway talks Bauer, Carrasco and pitching

• Inside Tribe Fest: D-Man's Tweets and photos from Progressive Field

• Indians bring Charlie Nagy back home as pitching instructor

• Yan Gomes ready to carry load as No. 1 catcher for Indians

• Interview with Indians senior communications director Curtis Danburg

• Interview with Indians assistant general manager Mike Chernoff

Photos: Day 1 from Tribe Fest

 

Newcomer Luol Deng says his Cavaliers teammates are too nice to each other, and need to become angry at the losing before things will turn around in Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – This is not easy for Luol Deng. He's still the new guy here in Cleveland, still the Cavaliers player who joined the team via trade just about three weeks ago. It's difficult to jump right in after nine games with the Cavaliers and spout off a list of everything that needs to improve.

Still, after watching the second-half debacle against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, after the Cavaliers scored just six points in the third quarter en route to a crushing 99-90 loss, the 28-year-old Deng offered his observations on what is wrong with the 16-28 Cavaliers and what needs to change.

In essence, it's time for the Cavaliers to get angry. They are too nice to each other, too accepting of defeat. The Cavaliers are a very talented group, but they will never win unless they confront their issues head-on and demand more as a team.

"We did a lot of good things (Sunday), but we did a lot of disappointing things -- things that reminds us that we're not that good," Deng told The Plain Dealer. "And we've got to be honest with ourselves. We've got to realize what we're playing for. There's got to be more sense of urgency. We can't keep waiting. This is not a waiting league, it's not a waiting game. You've got to do your job. When I say that, I'm talking about everybody. I've got to do a better job of leading when things like that happen. That's why I'm here. And I've got to get better than that."

Deng pointed specifically to how the Suns knocked in five consecutive 3-pointers at the start of the third quarter as an instance where he and his teammates didn't react in a way that might have stopped Phoenix's run.

"At some point, you've got to compete," he said. "You've got to get upset and demand more of your guys."

Deng has been trying to tell his new teammates that screaming at each other and demanding more effort is not only acceptable, but it's necessary.

"I'll be honest with you, and I really want to put Chicago behind me, but me and Joakim (Noah) weren't so nice to each other on the court if one of us didn't play hard," Deng said. "And it made us better friends, and play harder. The same with Derrick (Rose). We knew when Derrick didn't play defense. As good as he is, even his MVP year, if he didn't play defense, we all said, 'Yo, you're not playing defense. You've got to step it up.'

"I think guys here are young, but I think they'll realize that you're only as good as the guy next to you. It's never personal. I've never had an issue with a guy telling me I'm not giving it my all on the court. My first 2-3 years in the league, did I know this stuff? No. But I had good vets who did the stuff I'm trying to do now, and it paid off for me. That's what I'm trying to do now."

All this is what Deng has noticed in just nine games with Cleveland, and he has been hesitant to scream in his teammates' faces, even if the Cavaliers covet and value his leadership.

"One thing I always say is there's a right way of saying things," Deng said. "First, you've got to let the guys know what angle I'm coming in. I'm not trying to jump in here and scream at everybody thinking that I'm better. I'm just trying to help everyone to be better. And vise versa. They know some things that I don't know."

So, even he has been slow to show anger to his own teammates – at least until now.

"I think we all love each other in this locker room, and I see it," Deng said. "Guys are so close to each other. The one message we keep telling each other is it's OK to scream at each other. If Kyrie (Irving), Dion (Waiters) or Andy (Varejao) come up to me and demand more from me, I would never take it personally. It's going to make me better, it's going to make us better as a team. I think that's what we've got to get to – that kind of mindset where it's OK to scream at each other and not take it personal."

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The ninth cleveland.com Top 25 boys basketball poll is out. Click here to take a look. Each week after posting the updated Top 25, we'll post another story like this with talking points, including insight into why some teams moved up or down, or in or out of the rankings.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The ninth cleveland.com Top 25 boys basketball poll is out. Click here to take a look.

Each week after posting the updated Top 25, we'll post another story like this with talking points, including insight into why some teams moved up or down, or in or out of the rankings.

Do you have additional questions about our poll decisions? Post your questions in the comments section below and we will answer you.

We also invite you to provide your input in the comments section, a new feature added to high school stories this school year. Tell us what you agree or don't agree with. You can even post your own rankings, which we welcome.

Talking point No. 1: Is Olmsted Falls the real deal?

Anytime you beat two teams which are undefeated heading into January, you're doing something right.

In the case of No. 9 Olmsted Falls, it did so in the same week, knocking off Berea-Midpark and Westlake back-to-back to not only move to the top of the Southwestern Conference, but into the top ten.

The Bulldogs didn't do anything fancy in either game. Coach Chris DeLisio's team is very fundamentally sound and has a tremendous amount of chemistry and versatility.

There's no doubt Olmsted Falls is for real. Wins over Glenville, Berea-Midpark and Westlake, all teams in the top 15, have more than validated it.

Talking point No. 2: How good is the Southwestern Conference?

Lately, the Southwestern Conference has been so good it decided to launch its own website.

On a more serious note, the SWC is having a great year in boys basketball with its top three teams — Berea-Midpark, Olmsted Falls and Westlake — in the top 14 of the poll. Only the Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division can say that.

With Olmsted Falls beating Berea-Midpark and Westlake last week, that conference race got much more interesting as we head to the final month of the season.

The Titans and Demons still have to play each other twice.

Talking point No. 3: Who is the hardest team to figure out?

Three teams in particular are tough to figure out at this point in the season.

St. Vincent-St. Mary blew a late lead to Warrensville Heights and lost a close game to Dayton Dunbar. Mentor defeated Garfield Heights for the second time and hung around with Villa Angela-St. Joseph at Dunk 4 Diabetes.

But Warrensville Heights, which moved up to No. 16, is still a team that's hard to figure out.

The Tigers beat St. Vincent-St. Mary on Tuesday despite trailing by 13 points in the fourth quarter, then lost by 10 to Bedford. They followed it up with a close 58-54 loss to La Lumiere (Ind.) at Dunk 4 Diabetes.

Warrensville Heights is 8-7, but Coach Brian Swift hasn't let those inconsistencies deter his optimism.

I think we the best 8-7 team in the state!! LOL

— Brian Swift (@Brian_Swift216) January 27, 2014

Talking point No. 4: Why did North Royalton drop despite winning two games?

North Royalton won both of its games this week, yet dropped three spots in the poll from No. 14 to No. 17.

Despite being 11-1. the Bears don't have the resume that the teams in front of them do. Their schedule is light at this stage of the season with only one ranked team left.

There won't be much they can do to move up with the light schedule ahead, unless teams in front of them lose.

Contact high school sports reporter David Cassilo by email (dcassilo@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@dcassilo), and high school sports reporter Tim Bielik by email (tbielik@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@bielik_tim). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Severe winds and frigid weather have caused Northfield Park to shut down its live racing programs on Monday and Tuesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Severe winds and frigid weather have caused Northfield Park to shut down its live racing programs on Monday and Tuesday. The harness racing track will have live racing on Wednesday through Saturday to make up racing nights lost to Arctic weather this month.

Race programs already drawn have been pushed back two days with approval from the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and the Ohio State Racing Commission. The Saturday program is a makeup day for live racing cancelled earlier in January.

Do you want to know who is going to win this year's Super Bowl between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks? There's no need to break down the matchups, look at past history, try to find an X-Factor or take weather into account.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Do you want to know who is going to win this year's Super Bowl between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks? There's no need to break down the matchups, look at past history, try to find an X-Factor or take weather into account.

Madden NFL 25 has already figured out the winner, with the Broncos edging the Seahawks in an overtime thriller, 31-28. EA Sports used the Xbox One version of the video game to determine the outcome.

According to the simulation, it was a snow-filled battle, with memorable moments and comebacks by both teams.

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning tested Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman early, but the outspoken leader of the Seattle D backed up his big talk, grabbing an interception and returning it for a touchdown. With the Broncos high-powered offense stymied in the first half, they went into halftime trailing 10-7.

After Bruno Mars energized the MetLife Stadium crowd with an unforgettable halftime performance, the Broncos offense came to life, and Manning took over. 

Denver took a 21-10 lead into the final quarter.

The last 15 minutes belonged to Seattle. It converted a two-point conversion late in the game, capping off a comeback and sending the Super Bowl into overtime.

A quick three-and-out by the Seahawks gave the ball back to Manning. The record-setting quarterback made sure Seattle wouldn't get another shot.

Manning fired a strike to receiver Demaryius Thomas, who hauled in the pass along the sidelines, putting the Broncos in field goal range for Matt Prater. In a memorable Super Bowl, where stars shined the brightest for both teams, it was the kicker that put the final exclamation point on a historical season for Denver, splitting the uprights on a 48-yard field goal that traveled end over end through the New York snow and wind.

That's just the prediction of a Madden NFL 25. There's no reason for Denver fans to start ordering their Super Bowl gear yet. But the video game does have a strong track record, correctly identifying eight of the last 10 Super Bowl champs. 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Another round of cold weather hit Northeast Ohio and cancelled or postponed many of the girls basketball games. Yet the ones that were played didn't seem to offer any upsets.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Another round of cold weather hit Northeast Ohio and cancelled or postponed many of the girls basketball games.

Yet the ones that were played didn't seem to offer any upsets.

Check with us every Monday and Thursday of a rewind that looks back on all the action that happened in Northeast Ohio girls basketball. 

Here we go.

No. 9 Cuyahoga Heights wins 17th straight

Cuyahoga Heights junior point guard Jenna Stegmaier is the catalyst of the Redskins. Stegmaier put up 15 of Cuyahoga Heights 28 points in its win against Independence, 28-18.

Cuyahoga Heights moved to 17-0.

#hoops Girls 🏀 Cuyahoga Heights 28. Independence 18. Final.

— Paul Force (@coachforce) January 25, 2014

Both JV and Varsity fall to a very good Cuyahoga Heights. HUGE thanks to all of our fans that showed up! At Parma on Monday! 💙💛🏀

— IHS Girls Basketball (@IHSGirlsBball) January 25, 2014

No. 4 Solon slows No. 8 Mentor

Four scorers for the No. 4-ranked Comets drained more than 10 points, led by Jordan Bekelja with 20 points.

Kayla Gabor led Mentor with 11 points, while Christine Dawson contribute 10. No other Cardinal scored more than 10 points.

Solon showing why the are undefeated in NOC lead the Cards 60-28 after 3

— MentorAthletics (@MentorAthletics) January 25, 2014

Solon won 78-45.

Comets put the finishing touches on a big road win at Mentor topping the Cardinals by a final of 76-45, nice win Comets!

— Comet Athletics (@SolonAthletics) January 25, 2014

Solon takes down the lady Cards today 76-45. Host Hudson on Tuesday

— MentorAthletics (@MentorAthletics) January 25, 2014

No. 11 Magnificat beat No. 14 St. Joseph Academy

Magnificat is in the toughest stretch of its schedule, but Sarah Scelza helped get them through.

Scelza led with a game-high 13 points in the Blue Streaks' 52-38 victory against No. 14 St. Joseph Academy.

"We are in the middle of a five-game in nine-day stretch, and this is a great opportunity for us to get better as a team," Hubach said. "We are treating it as a tournament. Are we going to be able to move on to the next round, or are we going home. Today was a very difficult game because both teams played extremely hard, and these games are the type of games we will be playing in the future."

Full house at Magnificat! #gostreakspic.twitter.com/7mcRQT1Whk

— Magnificat H.S. (@magsbluestreaks) January 25, 2014

No. 7 Stow pulls out a victory against Shaker Heights, 40-38

Both Madi Baer and Chrissie Vaughn scored eight points against Shaker Heights, a low-scoring total for both.

The Bulldogs were able to pull out the victory, 40-38. 

Girls basketball/Stow 40,⁰ Shaker Heights 38: Bulldogs hold out for a win over the Raiders http://t.co/PDXXSCItwV

— Stow_ohiodotcom (@Stow_ohiodotcom) January 26, 2014

In ranked action

Kim Cook leads No. 13 Holy Name to a win against St. Thomas Aquinas

In unranked action ...

Kenston beat Aurora, 51-42

Gabi Neale leads Strongsville to victory with her 23 points

Bay defeats Vermilion, 52-40

Jaelah Day's 20 points lead Rhodes against Warrensville Heights

Contact high school sports reporter Stephanie Kuzydym by email (skuzydym@cleveland.com) or on Twitter (@stephkuzy). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

The plunge continued, as the Buckeyes dropped to No. 23 and No. 24 in the latest polls, their lowest rankings since they fell out of the polls in the 2009-10 season while Turner, their star, was hurt.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State stopped its losing streak with Wednesday's win over Illinois, but the Buckeyes couldn't halt their slide in the rankings.

No. 3 in both the AP and coaches polls three weeks ago, when they were 15-0, the 16-4 Buckeyes were No. 24 in the AP poll and No. 23 in the coaches poll that were released on Monday.

Watch as Jim Thome, Kenny Lofton and Charles Nagy talk about what led up to the Cleveland Indians American League Championships in 1995 and 1997.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – This was truly a Tribe Town in the 1990's.

The fans flocked to what was then called Jacobs Field to watch the Indians play during a time when the Browns had moved out of town.

The team, featuring a lineup of Kenny Lofton, Omar Vizquel, Carlos Baerga, Albert Belle, Eddie Murray, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Paul Sorrento and Sandy Alomar, made World Series appearance in 1995 and 1997.

Jim Thome, Kenny Lofton and Charles Nagy appeared at this year's Tribe Fest and talked about the special teams during the American League Championship years.

On Twitter: @CLEvideos

The Browns are adding Mike Pettine's longtime associate Chuck Driesbach to the defensive staff, a source told cleveland.com.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns are hiring former Bills linebackers coach Chuck Driesbach, who has a long history with coach Mike Pettine, a league source told cleveland.com Monday.

Driesbach, 61, was fired by the Bills on Jan. 13, saying he was stunned by the move. He will join the defensive staff in some capacity.

"(Coach Doug Marrone said) they just wanted to change the dynamic of the staff and they had to let me go," Driesbach told the Bucks County (Pennsylvania) Courier Times newspaper. "He said I hadn't done anything wrong, shook my hand and I walked out of the office.

"I have no idea what happened. I don't know if they felt like I did a (poor) job or somebody better became available. I don't know and probably never will. It's the bad part of the business."

Driesbach, who spent 36 years in the college ranks before joining the Bills last year, attended the same high school as Pettine and Bills linebackers coach Jim O'Neil, whom Pettine is trying to hire as his defensive coordinator.

They attended Central Bucks West High School in Pennsylvania, where Driesbach also played for Pettine's father.

Driesbach also gave Pettine his first college coaching job, as a graduate assistant at Pitt in 1993 when Driesbach was defensive coordinator there.

Driesbach, part of the NFL's No. 10 defense, said he never had any problems with Marrone.

"[Marrone] never got sideways with me once," Driesbach told the newspaper. "He let me coach ... I gave my (weekly) reports and we agreed on everything. It's a little bit of a shocker. The organization was absolutely fabulous. That's why it's so crazy. It was a great experience. I was treated wonderfully by everybody in that building, then this bombshell fell."

Prior to joining the Bills, who just hired Jim Schwartz as their defensive coordinator, Driesbach worked at 11 different colleges, including Rice, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Western Michigan, Cornell and Kansas State. In 2000, he earned the Frank Broyles Award for the nation's top assistant.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Bad weather and a light schedule kept many area teams off the mat last weekend, but some still got in tough duals and tournaments before this week's conference tournaments. Here's a look back:

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Bad weather and a light schedule kept many area teams off the mat last weekend, but some still got in tough duals and tournaments before this week's conference tournaments.

Here's a look back:

GRIZZLY INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

Wadsworth welcomed 15 teams to its 28^th annual GIT on Saturday, then went on to win the tournament for the 13^th consecutive time.

The Grizzlies finished comfortably ahead of runner-up Oregon Clay (466.5-406.5). North Canton Hoover was third (327.5).

Noah Baughman (106), Tim Knipl (170) and Clayton Brandenburg (195) each won individual titles for the Grizzlies, who also advanced to the dual team tournament regional semifinals last week. The Grizzlies' Alex Carrell (182) was runner-up.

Other area runners-up included: Cory Simpson, Field (113), Walker Chieffe, University (126); Jim Kubitza, Field (138); Jeff Hojnacki, CVCA (152); Andy Eckhart, Field (195), Michael Meadows, CVCA (220); Kostas Parrish, University (285).

NO. 2 ST. EDWARD AT BLAIR ACADEMY

St. Edward stepped on to the mat with the top wrestling team in the country on Saturday. And like those before them, the Eagles were turned away in defeat.

Blair Academy, ranked No. 1 in the country by multiple wrestling websites, beat the Eagles 46-12, winning 10 of 14 matches. The Eagles, No. 2 in the cleveland.com wrestling Top 10, got wins from

Gabe Dzuro (195), Parker Knapp (220), Ralph Nichols (285) and Alan Hart (106).

Knapp's win came in overtime, and Nichols got a takedown in the final 15 seconds to win his match.

Also on Saturday, the Eagles beat Smyrna, 38-31, and lost to Don Bosco Prep, 31-19, and Tulsa Union 36-28.

JOSH HEPHNER MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

No. 7 St. Vincent-St. Mary won the Josh Hephner Memorial Tournament at Austintown-Fitch on Saturday, finishing atop the 30-team field that also included Willoughby South (third) and North Royalton (fifth).

Champions for the Irish included Sal Ferrise (120), Ryan Skonieczny (138), Aaron Adkins (182) and Dre'k Brumley (285). Garrett Carter (132) and Tony Adkins (195) were runners-up.

Andre Herron (113) and Garrett Snyder (220) won titles for North Royalton.

Willoughby South had seven placers, but no finalists.

STVM takes first place in the Josh Hephner Wrestling Tournament! #greatjobboys#stvmwrestlingpic.twitter.com/CxHGsTvpme

— STVM Wrestling (@STVMWrestling) January 26, 2014

HOW THE TOP 10 FARED

Here's a look at how the cleveland.com Top 10 wrestling teams did last week. The Top 10 is updated every Wednesday.

1. Brecksville-Broadview Heights – Defeated North Olmsted 72-0; Amherst 53-12; Ellet 72-0; Maple Heignts 65-12.

2. St. Edward – Defeated Normandy 63-6; Shaker Heights 70-3; Smyrna 38-31; Lost to Don Bosco Prep 31-19; Tulsa Union 36-28; Blair Academy 46-12.

3. Perry – Defeated Jefferson Area 81-0; West Branch 46-16.

4. Wadsworth – Defeated Highland 74-0; North Royalton 49-13.

5. Brunswick – Defeated Berea-Midpark 70-10; Parma 48-25.

6. Nordonia – Defeated Twinsburg 65-3; Hudson 38-18.

7. St. Vincent-St. Mary – Defeated Kenmore 70-12; Coventry 49-24; First at Josh Hephner Memorial Tournament.

8. Elyria – Defeated Madison Comprehensive 61-18; Lorain 65-14.

9. Crestwood – Defeated Salem 67-0; Alliance 46-24.

10. Lake Catholic  - Defeated West Geauga 46-27; Lost to Canfield 39-23.

MORE RANKINGS

InterMat: Intermatwrestle.com

Flowrestling: Flowrestling.org

Greater Cleveland Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association

Big week! State Duals and CVC's. The awards are in sight! #whatsyourgoal? #workharder#steppingstones

— Greenmen Wrestling (@AuroraWrestling) January 27, 2014

WHAT OTHERS ARE WRITING ABOUT

Wadsworth won its 13^th straight Grizzly Invitational Tournament Saturday. (Akron Beacon Journal)

Brecksville-Broadview Heights didn't meet much resistance in claiming SWC regular-season title. (Chronicle-Telegram)

Contact high school sports reporter Scott Patsko by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@ScottPatsko). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below

Five-star linebacker Raekwon McMillan has enrolled early at Ohio State with the hopes of contributing for the Buckeyes as a freshman. His full recruiting profile inside.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – In anticipation of National Signing Day on Feb. 5, Cleveland.com is putting together player profiles for each prospect Ohio State will soon officially add to its roster.

Raekwon McMillan

School: Hinesville (Ga.) Liberty County

Position: Linebacker

Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 235 pounds

Rivals.com rating: A five-star prospect, McMillan is rated as the top inside linebacker in the 2014 recruiting class.

Other schools: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, UCLA, USC and others

How he fits into Ohio State’s plans: McMillan may be the most influential member of Ohio State’s recruiting class, and that’s not only because he’s the only five-star prospect in the 22-person group. Though McMillan is highly rated and one of the most sought after prospects in the 2014 class, his importance to Ohio State about the position he plays. Ohio State desperately needs linebackers.

The Buckeyes were weak at that position last year, and that was with All-Big Ten linebacker Ryan Shazier leading the group. But now Shazier has opted to forgo his senior season at Ohio State and enter the NFL Draft, so the Buckeyes’ defensive coaches are left scrambling trying to figure out who will fill the gap – literally and figuratively. McMillan could be a leading candidate, especially because he has enrolled early at Ohio State and will take part in the Buckeyes’ spring practices in March.

Projections for 2014: If you analyze the recent past, Ohio State’s five-star linebacker prospects haven’t developed into dynamic playmakers. Whether you look at Curtis Grant or Etienne Sabino – both of which were rated similarly rated as McMillan – neither of them, though contributors, never panned out to the great expectations. A.J. Hawks don’t grow on trees.

But it’s hard to bet against a player with McMillan’s ability, it just may take some time. Ohio State’s 2013 recruiting class had five-star linebacker Mike Mitchell, and he ended up redshirting last year even with Ohio State’s issues at the position. So a projection? For McMillan, even as an early-enrollee, it will likely take at least a year of transitioning before he is ready to take over games like he did at the high school level. But if anyone is going to advance faster than expected, it’s a prospect like McMillan.

What we’ve written about McMillan:

• Raekwon McMillan is a big get, but growing talent depth at previously thin linebacker spot is what matters for Ohio State

• Five-star linebacker Raekwon McMillan announces commitment to Ohio State over Alabama and Clemson

• Breaking down the early enrollees: Ohio State welcomes seven players from '14 class that could find early roles

What others have written about McMillan:

• Urban Meyer says 'all great athletes have huge butts'

• Scouting report on LB Raekwon McMillan

• Determining Where Raekwon McMillan Will Go to College Based on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Lyrics

Videos:

Five-star defensive end Malik McDowell of Southfield, Mich., will officially visit Ohio State the weekend of Jan. 31. It is his final official visit before National Signing Day on Feb. 5.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Let the pre-National Signing Day fireworks begin.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has secured the final official visit from five-star defensive end Malik McDowell of Southfield, Mich., who will visit Columbus the weekend of Jan. 31.

Rated by Rivals.com the No. 2 defensive end and the No. 26 overall player in the 2014 recruiting class, McDowell has been one of Ohio State’s top remaining targets. McDowell has also officially visited Florida State, Michigan, Michigan State and LSU.

The Buckeyes, who will have McDowell’s final official visit before signing day, already have 22 oral commitments in their recruiting class, but adding McDowell could put Ohio State in the running for the 2014 recruiting crown in Rivals’ team rankings. Ohio State already has the No. 2 overall class according to Rivals, behind only Alabama. 

McDowell will announce his final decision on National Singing Day at his high school. 

The roster includes 105 women and 125 men. There are 19 fathers, three mothers, seven enlisted Army personnel and three Ohioans.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The 230 U.S. athletes headed to Sochi, Russia, next month comprise the largest Winter Olympics delegation for any country in the history of the Winter Olympics.

The U.S. Olympic Committee announced its team Monday afternoon. The final pieces were put in place Sunday when the 22-person Alpine ski team was determined.

The roster includes 105 women and 125 men. There are 19 fathers, three mothers, seven enlisted Army personnel and three Ohioans.

The Ohioans are women's hockey players Kelli Stack of Brooklyn Heights and Brianne McLaughlin of Sheffield Village, and speedskater Kelly Gunther, who grew up in Lorain.

Stack and McLaughlin will compete in their second Olympics after bringing home silver medals from Vancouver in 2010. Stack, who is coming off a major knee injury, is the starting center and McLaughlin is the third-string goalie on a team that is considered a strong gold-medal contender. Their first game is Feb. 8 against Finland.

Gunther initially made the 2010 longtrack team, but was removed when another skater was given a second chance at the 2010 trials. She suffered a devastating ankle injury later that winter, but came back and recently skated a career-best time in her event, the 1,000 meters. She races Feb. 13.

Olympic veteran snowboarders and Ohio natives Louie Vito and Gretchen Bleiler failed to qualify.

The Ohio connection to the Sochi Games grows to eight athletes when including the five Columbus Blue Jackets rostered for Russia and Slovakia. Playing for team Russia will be defensemen Fedor Tyutin and Nikita Nikitin, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and center Artem Anisimov. Forward Marian Gaborik is on the Slovakia's roster, but he is injured and his status won't be determined until next month.

In addition, Blue Jackets coach Todd Stephens is a Team USA assistant hockey coach.

The U.S. team also features 106 returning Olympians, 99 of whom competed at the 2010 Vancouver games, where the U.S. led with 37 total medals.

There are 49 returning medalists, including 13 champions.

Nordic combined skier Todd Lodwick becomes the first American to compete at six Olympic Winter Games. Billy Demong (Nordic combined) and Bode Miller (alpine skiing) are headed to their fifth games. Miller owns five medals, three short of the U.S. winter record held by Apolo Ohno.

Women’s bobsled push athletes Lolo Jones -– a two-time Olympic hurdler – and Lauryn Williams – a three-time Olympic sprinter – become the ninth and 10th Americans to compete at both the winter and summer Olympics.

Longtrack speedskater Shani Davis and snowboarder Shaun White can become the first American men to win three gold medals in the same events at consecutive Olympic Winter Games.

Alpine skier Julia Mancuso is the most decorated U.S. Olympic female alpine skier with a gold and two silver medals.

The USOC said the oldest and youngest Olympians are women’s curler Ann Swishelm, 46, and freestyle skier Maggie Voisin, 15, and the average age of the team is 26.

The seven members of the U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program are men’s bobsled athletes Nick Cunningham, Chris Fogt, Steven Holcomb, Justin Olsen and Dallas Robinson, and luge athletes Preston Griffall and Matt Mortensen.

Should Ohio State worry about losing Jamarco Jones to Michigan State? What are the chances of Ohio State pulling off a stunner and getting five-star defensive end Malik McDowell to commit to Ohio State? Our Ohio State beat reporter Ari Wasserman answered those questions and more during today's podcast.

Should Ohio State worry about losing Jamarco Jones to Michigan State? What are the chances of Ohio State pulling off a stunner and getting five-star defensive end Malik McDowell to commit to Ohio State?

Cleveland.com's Ohio State beat reporter Ari Wasserman answered those questions and more during today's podcast with cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.

Among other topics discussed:

• Which local recruit will have the biggest impact as a freshman?

• How does Ohio State plan on replacing Ryan Shazier?

You can download the MP3 or listen with the player to the right.

An MRI confirmed Anderson Varejao's left knee contusion, but there was little else in the way of news or explanation as the Cavs returned to practice on Monday after the team's 99-90 loss to Phoenix on Sunday at The Q.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Expecting explanations at Cavaliers practice on Monday afternoon? Or perhaps outrage?

There was none of that.

After Sunday's monumental flop against Phoenix, in which the Cavs lost a 20-point first-half lead in what became a 99-90 loss at The Q, there was no word from owner Dan Gilbert, general manager Chris Grant or even the players, who took part in a regularly scheduled post-practice meeting with league representatives.

Instead, coach Mike Brown was left to try and explain what's wrong. Again.

Brown did say that an MRI confirmed Anderson Varejao's left knee contusion. He did not practice, nor did Luol Deng (sore left Achilles) or Carrick Felix (sore left knee). Felix will have an MRI.

But asked what the level of concern is after Sunday's performance, which was booed heartily by those in attendance, Brown tiptoed around an answer.

"It was disappointing,'' Brown said."You want to win any game you step out on the floor and you play. But, again, the way we came out in the third quarter, or in the second half, and didn't respond to their flurry or to their run until later in the game … and then we got a little composed and we started fighting back. We got consecutive stops in a row, which helped our offense. We got a couple run outs. We got a couple drags in transition where the defense wasn't set. We got some early flow where the defense wasn't set because we ended up getting some stops.

"So my disappointment is in the fact that it didn't happen until later. In some of these recent losses, it seems like the trend. We go out, we played good and then at one point in the game, the second or third quarter, wherever it is, we get into a little lull, we get into a little hole, and we fight back and give ourselves a chance at the end of the game. You like the fight, but now can we be consistent for 48 minutes? Or close to 48 minutes? That to me is the disappointing part.''

Brown said his staff watched the entire third quarter, in which the Cavs were outscored, 25-6. Then the entire team watched it. But when asked how the session went, the coach made it sound like any other film session.

"A lot of times during film sessions, I'll talk,'' he said. "I'll ask questions here or make a statement here. Sometimes a guy may step up and may say something, just like any other film session.''

Cavaliers vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Time: 7 p.m. Tuesday at The Q.

TV/radio: Fox Sports Ohio, WTAM AM/1100.

Notable: Last game in longest homestand of the season, though the Cavs are 1-3 in the first four games and are now 11-11 at home. … They lost the first matchup with the Pelicans this season, 104-100, on Nov. 22 in New Orleans and have lost two straight to New Orleans. … Pelicans are 18-25 this season, 8-14 on the road. … They are without Ryan Anderson (herniated disc), Jrue Holiday (right tibia stress fracture) and Jason Smith (right knee cartilage).

David Cassilo, Mark Kern and Bill Landis break down another week of college basketball and discuss some of the biggest story lines.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — This week’s college basketball podcast features a discussion on Coach of the Year candidates, surprise teams, and the impact freshmen have had on the game over the last few years.

David Cassilo (@dcassilo), Mark Kern (@MarkKern11) and Bill Landis (@blandis25) of cleveland.com will break down what is going on in college basketball; and talk with Evansville freshman guard and former Villa Angela-St. Joseph star Duane Gibson.

Here’s a rundown of this week’s podcast:

0:00-5:42: Coach of the Year discussion.

5:43-10:44: Discussion of biggest surprises in college basketball this season.

10:45-15:58: Discussion on the impact of freshmen.

15:59-19:23: Interview with Evansville guard and former Villa Angel-St. Joseph star Duane Gibson.

19:24-23:10: Game picks.

23:11-26:44: The Mascot Game, where Mark and David try to guess some of the more obscure mascots in Division I basketball.

The College basketball podcast is a weekly discussion, featuring insight from David, Mark and Bill as well as discussions with players, coaches and writers from around college basketball.

Share your thoughts in the comments section below and offer discussion topics for next week’s podcast.