COLUMBUS, Ohio -- On Thursday, St. Vincent-St. Mary boys basketball lost to Columbus Bishop Watterson, 56-51, in the Division II state semifinal. It was the second straight season that the Eagles ended the Irish's season in Columbus. Check out the game story here, and a story on senior Jalen Hudson's uncertain future. Below are some additional observations about St....

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- On Thursday, St. Vincent-St. Mary boys basketball lost to Columbus Bishop Watterson, 56-51, in the Division II state semifinal. It was the second straight season that the Eagles ended the Irish's season in Columbus.

Check out the game story here, and a story on senior Jalen Hudson's uncertain future. Below are some additional observations about St. Vincent-St. Mary's loss.

King struggles from the field

St. Vincent-St. Mary coach Dru Joyce knows VJ King has been struggling from the field for a month. His struggles continued in Thursday’s game against Bishop Watterson when he shot just 3-for-13 from the field and 0-for-4 from three.

The Eagles changed their defensive looks up continuously through the game, but Joyce felt King’s struggles had more to do with him than the defense.

“When you’re young and you’re used to having a lot of success and things start not going your way, you press a little bit. And I think he’s been pressing a little bit,” Joyce said. “But he’ll grow through this. This is what life is about. These are some of the life lessons that basketball can teach you because sometimes, that’s how life’s going to be.”

St. Vincent-St. Mary has rough day from three

King wasn’t the only St. Vincent-St. Mary player who struggled on the day. The team was not able to find the range, only going 5 or 20 from 3-point range, including just 3 of 14 in the second half.

Only one player shot better than 50 percent from three.

Bishop Watterson coach Vince Lombardo was willing to defend the three-point line at all costs even if it meant St. Vincent-St. Mary might get more offensive rebounds. It did, getting 15 to just five by the Eagles.

“Coming into this building on this stage is going to be a difficult adjustment for anybody although both teams have been here a year ago,” Lombardo said. “With our zone looks, we know we’re going to give up a bit on the offensive glass. And they have a lot of length on the perimeter. So when King and Hudson are hitting the boards, it’s tough to contain them in that regard.” 

Matt Lehmann plays closer for Bishop Watterson

St. Vincent-St. Mary twice tied the game in the fourth quarter. Bishop Watterson, however, had a big quarter from Matt Lehmann to pull away and secure the victory.

Lehmann, who had a game-high 19 points, scored 12 in the fourth quarter and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.

“I tried to the best of my ability to block out all the noise around me and just focus on the rim, the back of the rim, and just let it go,” Lehmann said.

After slow start, Bishop Watterson recovers

Early on, St. Vincent-St. Mary was playing the game it wanted to. The Irish were pushing the pace and getting to the basket. The result was a 15-10 lead after the first quarter.

But after the quarter ended, Bishop Watterson started playing the game it wanted to. The Eagles switched up defenses, slowed the pace and forced the Irish to take tough shots. The changes led the Eagles to outscore the Irish, 20-6, in the second quarter.

Bishop Watterson makes a sacrifice

By playing a zone defense for most of the game, Bishop Watterson knew it might need to sacrifice its ability to rebound. The Eagles gave up 15 offensive rebounds to the Irish, and for the game lost the rebounding edge, 27-24.

However, that was partly because the zone defense led to a lot of missed shots. The Irish shot just 18-for-50 from the field in the loss.

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

Wildlife officers are back on the job after charges of deer hunting while on the clock were dismissed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – If someone is spotlighting deer in your back yard late at night, or trespassers are hunting in your woodlot on a sunny Sunday morning, it might be more difficult to get a local wildlife officer to respond to your complaint.

It's not that they don't want to come out at those times of day or night. Ohio Division of Wildlife officers have often worked a few extra hours when there's an emergency. Over the years, rather than get approval for overtime, officers just jotted down a 40-hour week on their time slips.

That was before the Ohio Inspector General's office charged 18 wildlife officers in mid-December for hunting while on the clock. The officer's names were released and they were to be interviewed by investigators working for Inspector General Randall Meyer. All 18 declined the opportunity.

Director James Zehringer of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources took away their vehicles, guns and badges and had them assigned them to desk jobs. The ODNR's own investigation revealed wildlife officers indeed worked a flexible schedule, but had been told for years by their superiors a "straight 8" time slip was the way to go.

Wildlife officers were encouraged to list eight straight hours for five days of each week. After an ODNR investigation, 17 of the 18 officers were exonerated and are back on the job.

A couple of officers, who didn't want to be named, said they'll now work their 40 hours and put away their gun, badge and citation book.

Chief Scott Zody doesn't want that to happen. While he expects the officers to be more meticulous in filling out their time slips with hours actually worked, Zody said on Thursday they can work overtime without first getting approval.

"Generally, overtime has to be approved ahead of time, like working during the deer gun season," said Zody. "If it's a situation where they have to immediately respond to an incident such as stream pollution (and a fish kill), they can go ahead and later notify their supervisor.

"It's a matter of common sense."

The IG's office hasn't been using a lot of common sense when dealing with members of the wildlife agency. When the 18 officers were being investigated by the IG's office, their personal information, including social security numbers, was mistakenly released.

The Brown County Five, a group of top wildlife agency officials that included Chief David Graham, was investigated by the IG's office and indicted by Brown County Prosecutor Jessica Little a couple of years ago. That didn't go well. Last May, the Ohio Supreme Court said statements by the five to the IG's office couldn't be used in court and Little had to dismiss the charges.

The five have filed a $2 million lawsuit against Little. A hearing has been set for April 4 on Little's motion for dismissal.

Kids and gobblers: It's time to take the kids out to pattern their shotguns for spring turkey hunting, with the special youth season on April 19-20. They can also enter a lottery for special youth turkey hunts, and enjoy a Jake's Day event.

A lottery for kid's hunts at the Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area is April 5 at the Trumbull Rod and Gun Club, 6575 Phillips-Rice Rd., Cortland. A lottery for kids to hunt Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area in Holmes County is April 12 at the East Holmes Sportsmen's Club, 2.5 miles southeast of Millersburg on Twp. Rd. 310.

Kids can sign up for the lottery starting at 8:30 a.m., and then enjoy a Jake's Day morning program of shooting events and turkey calling, followed by lunch. The lottery is at 1 p.m. The controlled youth hunts are on Saturdays and Sundays from April 19-May 18.

Safety course: First-time Ohio hunters need to pass an Ohio Hunter Education Course. Just in time for the spring turkey seasons, the South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association has a weekend course March 28-29 at its Erhart Rd. grounds in Chatham Twp. Pre-register with Lynn Taylor (330-606-2683) or Tim Dobriansky (440-220-2232).

Air rifle marksmen: The top junior air rifle shooters from around the country compete in the Three-Position National Championships Friday (March 21) and Saturday at the state-of-the-art air rifle range at Camp Perry. The range is in the Camp Perry complex just west of Port Clinton on Rt. 2, and the public is invited to watch.

On the calendar: The Bowhunting Supershow is on this weekend at the Columbus Convention Center. ... The North Coast Chapter of Ducks Unlimited and the Medina County Chapter of Pheasants Forever have Saturday banquets. ... The Ohio Huskie Muskie Club Awards Banquet is Saturday. ... Steelhead trout fishing will be the topic as Eric Lindstrom of the Backpacker's Shop entertains the Firelands Fly Fishers on March 26, and angling author Jerry Darkes of Strongsville is featured at the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders meeting on March 27. All of the details are in the Outdoor Calendar at cleveland.com/outdoors.

Going to the dogs: The final regular-season event on the All-Breed Hunter's Trial circuit will have pointing and flushing dogs in action Sunday at the South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association in Chatham Twp. The top dogs from this year's field trials compete in the 47^th annual Invitational Winner's Trial on April 5 at the Wayne Coon Hunters Association in Wooster.

"I thought it was going in. I thought it was going in," Dayton coach Archie Miller said. "I've seen a bunch of those since I've been at Dayton, but more importantly, I've watched Ohio State in particular. I've watched those guys win that game a thousand times."

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Ohio State inbounded the ball with 3.8 seconds to play Thursday, and Aaron Craft basically knew he was taking the Buckeyes' last shot. 

Three dribbles later, Craft's runner from about 12 feet, after he lowered his shoulder around the 3-point line and bowled through three Dayton defenders, hit off the backboard, then the back of the rim, and Ohio State's season ended with a 60-59 loss to Dayton.

"I didn't shoot it hard enough," Craft said. "That's how our season has gone."

It was the Buckeyes' first first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament since 2009.

"I thought it was going in. I thought it was going in," Dayton coach Archie Miller said. "I've seen a bunch of those since I've been at Dayton, but more importantly, I've watched Ohio State in particular. I've watched those guys win that game a thousand times. He's a bulldozer with the ball. He got it down there in about three dribbles, and he got a good look. It just ended up rimming out, and we got lucky."

Could Craft or the Buckeyes have done anything different?

The idea of getting the ball inbounds quickly, after Dayton's Vee Sanford had given Dayton the lead, was the way to go. There's no reason to call a timeout and let the defense set something up, especially with a team that doesn't specialize in making jump shots.

Sam Thompson inbounded to Craft and was basically taken out of the play from there. Getting the ball to Craft was the right call.

"I can get it down the floor in four seconds if I need to," Craft said.

Craft did have a regret, though.

"I probably shouldn't have gone with my right hand, to be honest," Craft said. "But I got it up there and gave it a chance."

Craft had scored on Ohio State's previous possession by going with his left-hand dribble, then getting a right-handed layup to go on the left side of the rim. Maybe a crossover to his left hand would have been there, but it would have had to come at top speed.

As for making a pass, LaQuinton Ross was in the middle of the court but behind Craft, and there was a defender between them. He wasn't really an option.

The other choices were Lenzelle Smith on the left side, and Shannon Scott on the right.

"You've got to know where your teammates are, where their defense is and try to get the best possible shot. Being one on five is not the best shot to take, but you know, Craft got a good shot up on the rim," Smith said. "It just happened not to fall for him. It was a good shot, I thought, and it came off."

Were there shooters he could have found?

"Yeah, there were," Smith said. "But you know, Aaron made a great play. I don't know what was going through his mind, I'm not him. I commend him, it takes guts to take those types of shots, late-game shots. Just before that he had made a tremendous, acrobatic shot and it went through for him, so I'm pretty sure in his mind he was thinking he can do another one. And it just sucks it didn't go in."

Will the Browns still pursue quarterback Matt Schaub? Will they draft a running back? These and other questions are answered in this week's edition of Hey Mary Kay!

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hey Mary Kay!

Hey Mary Kay: Is Texans quarterback Matt Schaub still an option for the Browns?

-- Scott B., Rocky River, Ohio

Hey Scott: Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan still likes his former Texans quarterback, but Houston isn't willing to part with him right now even though he's due to make more than $10 million in 2014. John McClain of the Houston Chronicle says a report that the Texans are currently shopping Schaub isn't true. The situation could come down to draft day, when the Texans and Browns have to decide what they're going to do at No. 1 and No. 4 respectively, and what that means for Schaub and Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer. Ironically, Shanahan likes Schaub and Texans coach Bill O'Brien likes Hoyer from their days together in New England. Will they wind up trading places?

Hey Mary Kay: Will the Browns still draft a running back even though they've signed Ben Tate?

-- Kevin Young, Sugar Hill, Georgia

Hey Kevin: Yes, I think it's entirely possible that the Browns will draft a running back in the middle or late rounds. Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan knows firsthand that quality running backs can be found in later rounds. He coached sixth-round pick Alfred Morris the past two seasons in Washington, and watch the young back roll up more than 2,800 yards rushing. Tate is a good back, but he played with cracked ribs last season and sat out his rookie year in 2010 with a broken ankle. Backs get injured, and teams need three or four good ones.

Hey, Mary Kay:  Is Alex Mack and his agent handling free agency correctly?  Is the intent to burn the bridge with Cleveland ownership, coaching, and the fans?  At what point does the team say enough is enough with this spectacle and determine that everyone is replaceable?

- Joshua  Hole, Plain City, Ohio

Hey Joshua: I believe that Mack and his agents were disappointed to get the transition tag because he wanted to test the open market and perhaps have a change of scenery. I think it will leave a bad taste in Mack's mouth and he'll be inclined to play out the $10.039 million tag and leave after this season. With Mack's agent Marvin Demoff telling Sports Illustrated that he can craft a deal the Browns might not match, it's evident the transition tag isn't sitting well. The Browns probably would've been better off franchising him. As of right now, Mack hasn't made any official visits, but his agent told me last week he's in no hurry to sign the transition tender, and he has until July 22 to do so.

Hey, Mary Kay: Aren't Andrew Hawkins and Travis Benjamin clones? Don't they do the same things?

-- Thanks, Vic Meyers, Allen, Texas

Hey Vic: Benjamin is listed at 5-10, 175 and Hawkins is 5-7, 180, so they are similar in size. They both also possess world-class speed, with Hawkins running a 4.34 coming out of Toledo in 2007 and Benjamin clocking a 4.31 coming out of Miami. But Hawkins has more experience as a receiver (51 catches for and 533 yards and 4 TDs in 2012) and can be plugged in right away in the slot and also as an outside threat. Benjamin, who's coming of a torn anterior cruciate ligament, will probably be used more as a returner when healthy. When Benjamin's healthy, I'd love to see them in a footrace.

Hey, Mary Kay:  Mary Kay: Newspapers report the Browns have been very active in free agency. I don't see it that way. Karlos Dansby and Donte Whitner are simply exchanges for D'Qwell Jackson and T.J. Ward. The net in free agency is zero. Meanwhile, the Browns desperately need a quarterback, cornerback, two offensive guards and a wide receiver. Where's all the under the cap money going?

- William McCormick, La Canada, Calif.

 Hey William: The Browns also picked up running back Ben Tate, which fills a huge hole, blocking tight end Jim Dray and receiver Andrew Hawkins. The Browns also hosted former Bills defensive end Alex Carrington and guard Paul McQuistan on Wednesday, and will probably sign a few more role players in this second wave of free agency. I do think Dansby adds a big-playing dimension from the inside 'backer spot. He had 6.5 sacks, four interceptions, two returned for TDs and team-high 19 passes defensed. He's motivated this year by his snub for NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.

Hey, Mary Kay: I have a two-part question about Brandon Weeden.

First, if the Browns had not drafted him in 2012 at No. 22, what teams were realistically considering drafting him and when? Brock Osweiler (No. 57), Russell Wilson (No. 75), Nick Foles (No, 88), and Kirk Cousins (No. 102) were the next four off the board.  I remember screaming at the TV that day for the Browns to pass on Weeden and take Wilson in the 2nd or 3rd round. Second, will Weeden latch on somewhere else, let alone actually appear in a regular season NFL game again?  Thanks!

- Dave F, Wesley Chapel, Fla.

Hey Dave: I think the Browns were concerned that the Broncos might take Weeden at No. 36 overall, one pick ahead of the Browns in the second round. Mike Holmgren liked Russell Wilson, but felt he was too short. The Cowboys signed Weeden to a two-year deal this week, but there's no guaranteed money and he came extremely cheap. The Cowboys haven't kept three QBS on the roster since 2011, but Weeden came at a bargain basement price so it wouldn't hurt to keep him even if Kyle Orton plays in 2014.

Hey Mary Kay: Why haven't the Browns signed a cornerback in free agency?

-- Maddie Hannah, Rocky River, Ohio

Hey Maddie: Good question. I kept waiting for the Browns to sign one, but they flew off the shelves quickly before they could land one. They were reportedly interested in Sam Shields, but he re-signed with the Packers before he hit the market. They were also reportedly interested in Darrelle Revis, but he manipulated the system and signed with the Patriots. Plenty of other quality cornerbacks such as Vontae Davis and Nolan Caroll signed with other teams, meaning the Browns will most likely have to draft a cornerback fairly high. I don't get the sense they have high hopes for 2013 third-round pick Leon McFadden this season.

With a matchup at Toronto the following evening, the Thunder might decide to rest the star guard Russell Westbrook Thursday night when they visit a Cleveland Cavaliers team that could be missing what are arguably its top two players.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With a matchup at Toronto the following evening, the Thunder might decide to rest the star guard Russell Westbrook Thursday night when they visit a Cleveland Cavaliers team that could be missing what are arguably its top two players. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

Where to find the game: TV: Fox Sports Ohio; Radio: WTAM AM 1100

Get updates from The Plain Dealer on Twitter @PDCavsInsider and post your comments during the game here.

Tweets by @PDcavsinsider

"Honestly, me telling him how to play defense would be like me telling somebody how to build a rocket ship," Thad Matta said of Craft. "I'll live and die with that kid any day of the year of what he's going to do defensively. The kid made a tough shot, a runner that went in. These things happen."

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The tough shots he made late in the second half, the energy plays when he had no more energy, the defense, all of it. That's not what Aaron Craft knows will be remembered about the last game of his career.

He gave up a game-winning shot – one that ended Ohio State's season in a 60-59 loss to Dayton. 

"If you are going to write an article on the last play of the game," coach Thad Matta said, "you don't know anything about college basketball."

It was one last attempt for Matta to put everything in perspective for the player that kept Ohio State in the game, and in so many others during his four-year career. But Craft braced himself. He knows what's coming.

Referred to as the best on-ball defender in college basketball more times than anyone can venture to remember, Craft allowed Dayton reserve Vee Sanford to hit a tough runner in the lane in the final seconds. That play lifted the No. 11-seeded Flyers to the upset of No. 6 OSU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday.

"It's amazing the way that, you know, defense has kind of been my thing, and it's amazing how it's going to end with a kid getting the game winner on me," Craft said.

View full sizeOhio State senior Aaron Craft reacts to the No. 6 Buckeyes' first-round NCAA Tournament loss to No. 11 Dayton. Associated Press

That wasn't the last play of the game. Craft pushed the ball out of the in-bounds, drove inside the paint and threw up one final attempt to keep Ohio State's season alive. 

He was thoroughly defended – maybe he could have kicked it to an open shooter – but he wanted that shot. His game-winning attempt rolled off the rim.

Craft hunched over for a second, then staggered off the floor as if he was going to lose his feet. By the time his legs looked ready to give out, he landed on assistant coach Greg Paulus. Crafted rested his head on his shoulder.

A year ago Paulus draped his arms around Craft's neck after he hit a game-winning shot over Iowa State to send Ohio State to the Sweet 16. This time the embrace was needed.

"From the first time we met, we just kind of connected on a lot of levels," Paulus said. "Sometimes there's nothing to say. Sometimes you just have to wrap your arm around someone, in the positive or the negative, and this was one of those that didn't go the way we wanted it to. We lifted each other in that moment, and that said enough."

Only when there was no more time did Craft need to be lifted. While Ohio State still had seconds, still had a breath, the senior was the most influential player on the floor.

Craft made his first bucket of the second half with 3:32 remaining to give Ohio State a 52-51 lead, but he wasn't without his mistakes. A minute later, Craft was whistled for an intentional foul on former Buckeye Jordan Sibert, who made two free throws before Dayton kept possession.

"Sir," Craft said to the ref after the call. "I was going for the ball."

Less than 30 seconds later, he had it in his hands. And he put a tough shot – much like the final attempt of the game – and that one went in. All the action was there in this quintessential NCAA Tournament game, and Craft was at the center of it all ... before the game ended with him at the center of it all.

Now the Buckeyes are sent home before the Sweet 16 for the first time in five years, and for the first time Craft had anything to do with it. Ohio State (25-10) had not lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament since losing to Siena in 2009, the year before Craft came to Ohio State.

"He got us back in this game," Matta said. "My God did he play his tail off. The guy hit a tough shot. That's college basketball. We get a shot, it doesn't go. But what that kid did, the energy he played with for 38 minutes was unlike anything I've ever seen."

And as far as Dayton's final shot?

View full sizeDayton's Vee Sanford made a game-winning shot over Buckeyes senior Aaron Craft in the Flyers' upset of Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Associated Press

"Honestly, me telling him how to play defense would be like me telling somebody how to build a rocket ship," Matta said. "I'll live and die with that kid any day of the year of what he's going to do defensively. The kid made a tough shot, a runner that went in. These things happen."

Craft scoffed when given the opportunity to talk about his legacy, and he said he was more upset with the way the Buckeyes lost than he was that his time is up. But how he'll be remembered goes so much further than how good he was.

It was that he was relentless, even on a team this year that had to be constantly reminded by Matta to wake up. Craft is outside of the realm of that judgment, which is why Matta found it so preposterous that a story could be written about the last defensive stand of his career.

So this isn't an article about how Craft gave up the final shot.

This is about how everything he does wasn't enough. 

Syracuse tops Western Michigan, while Oregon handles BYU.

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Syracuse guard Trevor Cooney was mired in a shooting slump, and his woes coincided with a late-season swoon by the Orange.

Say goodbye to both.

Cooney scored 18 points, fellow guard Tyler Ennis had 16, and the Orange defense clamped down in a 77-53 victory over Western Michigan on Thursday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Cooney hit 4 of 8 from beyond the arc and Ennis had six assists with one turnover to spark the Orange, who shot 28 of 57 (49.1 percent) from the field and hit 7 of 17 from long range.

"It was just good to see one go in," Cooney said. "It adds to your confidence a little bit, and I was able to get into a good rhythm and guys found me in good spots. The ball just went in today."

Since matching a school record with nine 3-pointers that keyed a six-point win over Notre Dame last month, Cooney had hit just 10 of 51 (19.6 percent) from beyond the arc. That abysmal shooting came during Syracuse's swoon, which included a three-point loss to North Carolina State in the ACC tournament last week.

That's all forgotten now.

HIGHLIGHT: A @Cuse spin move and slam dunk forces W. Michigan to call a timeout. (by @CokeZero) #MarchMadness http://t.co/DosYZavNtq

-- NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 20, 2014

OREGON 87, BYU 68

MILWAUKEE -- This was one sweet homecoming for Elgin Cook. The rest of the Oregon Ducks made themselves at home, too.

Cook scored a career-high 23 points and the seventh-seeded Ducks pulled away for an 87-68 victory over No. 10 seed BYU in the NCAA tournament on Thursday.

Joseph Young had 19 points for the Ducks (24-9), who had to stage a big comeback to beat the Cougars 100-96 in overtime in December. There was no comeback needed this time, with Oregon turning away every charge by BYU in the second half.

Led by Cook, a Milwaukee native who starred at nearby Hamilton High School, the Ducks advanced to a third-round game against No. 2 seed Wisconsin on Saturday. Wisconsin beat American 75-35.

Tyler Haws scored 19 points for BYU (23-12), which returned to the NCAA tournament after a one-year absence. Matt Carlino and Eric Mika had 15 points apiece.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hundreds of fans, former players and community leaders were on hand Thursday inside the East Tech gymnasium for a rally to see the Scarabs off to Columbus for their date with St. Edward in the OHSAA boys basketball state tournament. Former Ohio State and NBA player Brad Sellers, a Warrensville Heights alum, emceed the rally and told...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hundreds of fans, former players and community leaders were on hand Thursday inside the East Tech gymnasium for a rally to see the Scarabs off to Columbus for their date with St. Edward in the OHSAA boys basketball state tournament.

Former Ohio State and NBA player Brad Sellers, a Warrensville Heights alum, emceed the rally and told those in attendance that for years East Tech embodied what it meant to be a basketball powerhouse.

"I grew up watching East Tech basketball," Sellers said. "When you said 'basketball' in the city of Cleveland, it started with East Technical High School."

The event included remarks from about a dozen dignitaries and officials, including legendary East Tech basketball players from the Scarabs' championship teams of 1958, 1959 and 1972. Afterward the team headed to Columbus, where it will play St. Edward on Friday at 5:15 p.m. in a Division I semifinal at Ohio State's Value City Arena.

Comments from public officials at the rally included:

Ward 5 Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland: "We live these exciting days through you young men. To the alumnae - you can't let it stop here. You've got to come back Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and every day after that. The students need you. The school needs you. Our community needs you."

Patrick Zohn, chief operating officer of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District: "They are living what the word Scarab means. It means 'the gift of life' and they are giving life back to this school, back to this district and back to this city."

Greta Humphrey, president of the East Tech Alumni Association: "We were there in 1972 and now we are there for you. Have pride. Be brave. We are behind you 100 percent."

Ike Smith, a member of the 1958 and 1959 state championship teams, said the rally brought back memories of the pride he felt being a part of the East Tech community during its glory days. 

"Back then there were two types of people - those who went to East Tech and those who wished they did," he said.

LaMoyne Porter, also a member of the 1958 and 1959 squads, encouraged the current Scarabs to play as a team, because that is how they got this far. 

"They're not going to give it to you," Porter said. "You're going to have to take it."

Robert Lucas, a member of the 1972 state championship team, praised the Scarabs players for the way they have conducted themselves as a team throughout the season.

"You men know what real adversity is about," Lucas said. "If you want to be state champions, you have to attack."

Scarabs coach Brett Moore praised his team for the way it has hung together through tough times. Moore objected to the characterization of his team as an underdog.

He insisted East Tech's tradition far outweighs that of the other schools in the Division I field, and that his players are the ones who stand on the shoulders of giants who walked before them. 

"I'm blessed to have been chosen to lead this resurrection," Moore said. "But we are not done."

"We've been knocking on the door for four seasons. We are the giants. We've been the giants since 1938, we've just been asleep.

"But you've woken up the giants."

The Buckeyes had strange fouls and missed some easy baskets inside in their 60-59 loss to Dayton.

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Thad Matta showed his team a video while the Buckeyes were in Buffalo of plays that cost Ohio State games in their previous NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2013 Ohio State lost in the Elite Eight by 4; in 2012's Final Four by 2; in 2011 in the Sweet 16 by 2; in 2010's Sweet 16 by 3; and in 2009 in the first round by 2, in overtime.

After Ohio State's one-point loss to Dayton on Thursday, 60-59, Matta will have more plays to show next season. Ohio State committed 14 turnovers to 13 for Dayton and shot 48 percent compared to the Flyers' 44.9 and lost.

Here were five plays that contributed to that outcome.

Shannon Scott fouling the 3-point shooter

The Buckeyes were leading 57-55 with 27 seconds left when Shannon Scott fouled Dayton's Pierre Dyshawn in the corner on what was going to be a hurried 3-pointer. After going ahead on a Sam Thompson jumper with 57 seconds left, Ohio State played good defense for most of the possession before the ball found Pierre in the corner. He's a 38.6 percent 3-point shooter. And Scott hit him.

Pierre's head snapped back a bit, but it looked like Scott hit him on the arm. The foul was called, and Pierre, a 65.8 percent foul shooter, went to the line and made all three shots to give Dayton the lead.

Ohio State couldn't afford to give up a 3-pointer there, because defending the arc and forcing Dayton into a tough two would have made sure, at the worst, the Buckeyes were tied with a chance at the last shot. Fouling a 3-point shooter was the absolute worst thing that could have happened.

“I put a hand in his face and he shot the ball into my hand,” Scott said, “but the ref saw something else I guess. So I’ll live with that.”

Aaron Craft's intentional foul

Ohio State was trailing 53-52 when a careless turnover on a pass from Scott to Aaron Craft led to a Dayton break. Jordan Sibert was in transition when Craft reached in and grabbed Sibert and was called for an intentional foul. Sibert made both free throws to extend the Dayton lead to three, and the Flyers kept the ball. It could have been a devastating turn, as Dayton could have taken a two-possession lead with under two minutes to play. Instead, the Buckeyes forced a turnover and kept the Dayton lead at three.

But the foul itself was a rough moment.

"I was going to foul him," Craft said, "but he pulled it over my head so I couldn't hit the ball. It is what it is."

LaQuinton Ross' turnover and lack of a dive

This one probably drove Matta crazy. Ross, who has had turnover issues, had a sloppy turnover on the sideline right in front of the Ohio State bench. With the ball on the court, Ross looked like he was throwing up his hands wanting a foul on the strip, while Dayton was getting down on the ground for the loose ball. Ohio State was down six, and in the danger zone, with just under 14 minutes to play, and Dayton converted the turnover into a tough drive and basket for an eight-point lead.

Amir Williams' miss underneath

Ohio State's first possession of the second half, with the Buckeyes down three, was a feed to the post for Williams. He made a perfect post move, was right at the basket, and didn't even hit the rim with his shot attempt off the backboard. That shot alone, of course, wasn't a killer. But it was symbolic of the OSU big men, who were even less visible than usual, Williams going scoreless in 18 minutes on 0-of-2 shooting and Trey McDonald not taking a shot in nine minutes.

That's 27 minutes and no points from the center spot. Dayton center Matt Kavanaugh scored nine points in 21 minutes. Quite a difference in a one-point game.

I mistakenly thought that the Flyers were an opponent against whom Williams might have a chance to get his offense going.

In the first 25 games of the season, Williams scored in double figures 12 times and averaged 9.1 points per game. In the final 10, which included two games with zero points, Williams never hit double digits and averaged 4.6 points.

Sam Thompson's missed layup

The teams hit a particularly frantic stretch in the middle of the second half, with the Buckeyes trailing by four. It included two Dayton turnovers and a missed Ohio State 3-pointer. It also included a confusing missed layup by Thompson, who had his head above the rim and blew the layup.

The Buckeyes finally ended the sequence on their next possession with a Thompson dunk. But for a team that has had trouble finishing at the rim all season, their best leaper and leading scorer on the day (Thompson had 18) missing a layup like that was about right.

C.J. Miles has tried everything but his sprained left ankle just won't heel. He missed his 13th game in the last 14 for the Cavs on Thursday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- C.J. Miles has tried everything, but his sprained left ankle just won't heal.

"I've been doing everything I can, trust me,'' said Miles, who could play only two minutes against Miami on Tuesday after missing 12 games and was out again for Thursday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. "I've tried ankle braces. Different tape ways. Different everything. I've tried stuff in my shoe. I've tried less socks, more socks, tie my shoe extra tight, tie my shoe looser. The only thing I didn't do is get a new ankle.''

Miles was trying to avoid exactly what happened -- coming back too soon and suffering a setback that would keep him out longer.

"I knew it was going to be tough,'' he said of trying to play on Tuesday. "I knew I wasn't completely 100 percent, but eventually I was going to have to try to push through it.

Being in the game and doing workouts are two different things. In a workout, everything is pretty much scripted. In the game, there are so many variables that you don't know -- so many ways you've got to turn -- and, at the same time, I haven't played a basketball game in a month.

"So getting out there and trying, I remember one time I tried to turn and run, and I just couldn't go. I couldn't take off. I came out of the game, and it just started throbbing and I had a little bit of pain. So I'm working on trying to make sure that swelling stays out so I can have movement. That's the biggest problem. I can't move it. I have two or three days where I feel good and I take that extra step to push it more and it's like coming back three steps.''

Miles insists he's not ready to shut things down -- even for a few days.

"I'm not shutting down," he said before last night's game. "I didn't talk to anybody about shutting down. I may ease off a little bit so it's not like I just keep beating a dead horse. I think you just slow down a little bit and when it starts to feel good again maybe take it one step slower than the last time. My biggest thing now is getting to a point where I can go in a live practice really good before I can do it in a game.''

But next time he wants to make sure he's ready before trying to return.

"It's like I'm not helping myself or the team out there if I can't do anything,'' he said. "So, it's like why? That's selfish on my part trying to get out there and say I can go when I can't.''

New face: Veteran forward Caron Butler signed with the Thunder on March 1, and coach Scott Brooks thinks he has been a good addition. Before Thursday, Butler was averaging 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 26.8 minutes in seven games.

"It's a small sample size, but I like what he brings,'' Brooks said before last night's game. "He brings some toughness. He adds some experience to our group, and he can make shots. He's not afraid to take those shots. We like that. He's a big body that can bang and can guard multiple players. he's definitely helped us in the short time he's been here so far.''

The last word: From Cavs coach Mike Brown, explaining why he didn't fill out an NCAA bracket for the first time in several years, "It's my own protest because my son's team didn't make the NCAA tournament. I figured if I picked another team, I'd be not loyal to the Butler Bulldogs.''

"I knew if I was going right that I had a high chance of hitting that floater off the glass," Dayton's Vee Sanford said of his game-wining shot. "He's a great defender, it was just a tough shot that I practiced. I felt comfortable doing it."

BUFFALO, N.Y. – This wasn't the first time Vee Sanford banked a floater off the glass to win a basketball game. It is just the first time it didn't happen in the park with his dad counting down the final seconds.

Oh, and it was the first time Aaron Craft, one of the most respected defenders in college basketball, was standing in the way.

"My dad was Aaron Craft," Sanford said. "He used to push me, rough me up while we would practice in the park. It was the perfect place to practice with the wind and everything."

That practice helped Dayton advance in the NCAA Tournament after the No. 11-seeded Flyers knocked off No. 6 Ohio State in the first round on Thursday in the First Niagara Center. 

Sanford drove right, as Craft expected, then rose up with his right hand and hit a tough shot. Craft regrets the play, saying he wishes he would have at least tried to strip the ball. 

Junior LaQuinton Ross said there was nothing more Craft could have done. 

"Craft was in front of him the entire time, he just scored over him, " Ross said. "Even if we had helped, we probably wouldn't have been able to block him. He just hit a tough shot."   

A reserve for the Flyers, the 6-foot-4 Sanford averages 9.9 points per game. After hitting the biggest shot of his career, Sanford finished 10 points. 

He said he wasn't intentionally trying to take on Craft, but saw the distinctive size advantage and wanted to attack the hoop. He was successful.

"I knew if I was going right that I had a high chance of hitting that floater off the glass," Sanford said. "He's a great defender, it was just a tough shot that I practiced. I felt comfortable doing it."

Josh Tomlin has impressed everyone with his strong spring, and even has hit 93 mph on the radar gun.

GOODYEAR, Arizona -- Dating back to last season, I wanted to put Carlos Carrasco in the Tribe's bullpen.

Nothing that has happened this spring has changed that opinion, other than it's now even stronger because of the emergence of Josh Tomlin.

Carrasco gave up eight runs (five earned) in 2 2/3 innings during the Tribe's 13-3 loss on Wednesday to Oakland. Lonnie Chisenhall's error at third base didn't help Carrasco -- but the pitcher said there were no excuses for his dismal performance.

As Tribe manager Terry Francona said afterward: "We started off an inning where we didn't convert a play. But then he didn't limit the damage."

Francona called it "a frustrating outing," adding that "it was a little disappointing."

That's about as negative as you'll hear Francona get during spring training. A few days ago, Zach McAllister was shelled for six runs (including three homers) in three innings. Francona admitted that McAllister delivered "a few" bad pitches, but the manager insisted, "I thought he threw pretty well."

He didn't offer that with Carrasco. In fact, Francona was bothered that Carrasco didn't stick with his fastball. He said that was the same issue that Carrasco had in a recent "B" game, and "we had just talked about it last week."

Francona is patient. So the Tribe will continue to work with Carrasco. It is only spring training. No decision on the final rotation spot will be made for several more days, probably not until Carrasco makes another start.

Terry Francona says Josh Tomlin "has been terrific" this spring.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

Tomlin as advertised

Before Carrasco's most recent start, I asked Francona about Tomlin, who has a 2.57 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 14 innings against only two walks.

Tomlin spent most of 2012 recovering from elbow surgery. He worked at several minor-league levels late in the season -- his ERA was 1.65 with 21 strikeouts and zero walks in 27 innings late in 2013.

This spring, he has hit 93 mph on the radar gun a few times -- very high for him. His curve is sharp. He looks like the Tomlin who was 12-7 with a 4.25 ERA in 2011, who pitched at least five innings in all 26 of his starts.

Here's what Francona said about Tomlin:

1. He's "come as advertised."

2. He's a "good teammate."

3. He "doesn't walk anyone."

4. He "doesn't beat himself."

Then Francona put this exclamation point on it: "He's been terrific."

Tomlin will give up some home runs. He is not an ace. But he is consistent. He does some subtle things, such as fielding his position well. In his career, only 10 base runners have attempted to steal with him on the mound. Five have been thrown out.

The pitcher called "The Little Cowboy" by former Tribe manager Manny Acta is a tough hombre when it comes to his poise and ability to stay away from big innings.

Carlos Carrasco would never clear waivers as other teams would want to see if they can find a spot for his strong arm.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

About options

Tomlin has minor league options left. Carrasco does not.

If Carrasco fails to make the rotation, he will be in the bullpen. He was effective in that role last season with a 1.32 ERA.

So why not just do that now? The Indians point at Carrasco's 1.29 ERA with nine strikeouts and only one walk in his previous seven innings of "A" games. He was not very good in his last start, a morning "B" game. But they don't keep those stats.

Carrasco threw some fastballs in the 98 mph range last season. Even in his dismal Wednesday performance, he was clocked between 91-96 mph. He has "electric stuff," as Francona has said more than once.

That's why the Indians are giving Carrasco every chance to make the rotation.

Trevor Bauer's up and down spring hasn't helped clear up the pitching situation.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

Other options

If Carrasco goes to the bullpen, there is a fear that his arm "won't be stretched out" to pitch a lot of innings if he needs to return to the rotation later in the season.

Usually, you need 8-10 starters over the course of 162 games because of injuries and ineffectiveness from some members of the rotation.

The easy answer would be to send Carrasco to Class AAA and let him start. But to do that, he'd need to pass through waivers. He would certainly be claimed by another team, because they'd view him as a good option in the bullpen. Other teams may may think they can fix the 26-year-old right-hander.

The Indians don't want to risk losing Carrasco -- and that's wise. He has value if he can find the right role.

I don't think it will happen, but there is a possibility that Tomlin could be sent to Columbus. That's because the other Class AAA starters are Trevor Bauer (not ready yet), T.J. House and some others.

Veteran Aaron Harang has had a solid camp (two runs in nine innings). It's doubtful the 35-year-old will be interested in pitching in Columbus. Near the end of spring training, Harang can leave the Indians for another big-league team -- assuming he's not needed in Cleveland. Odds are some team will want Harang.

It would help if Bauer seemed nearly MLB ready, but he's still working through his control problems.

Now what?

The Indians could start Carrasco and put Tomlin in the bullpen, where he worked in his first few pro seasons. But Tomlin would have the same issue as Carrasco -- if he stays in the bullpen for too long, will he be ready to start if needed?

That's why my guess is Tomlin either makes the rotation or is sent to Columbus.

Right now, Tomlin belongs in the rotation.

The fight to stop the Asian carp invasion has continued on a variety of fronts, with researchers and legislators struggling to get the upper hand.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The fight to stop the Asian carp invasion continues on a variety of fronts as researchers and legislators struggle to get the upper hand and protect native fisheries.

The carp now infest new stretches of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, legislators are demanding swifter action to stop them from entering the Great Lakes and researchers are scrambling to develop ways to slow the spread and eventually eliminate the noxious invasive fish.

The Ohio River's locks and dams haven't been able to stop Asian carp as they head toward Pittsburgh and the Three Rivers area, a little more than 200 miles away. The carp are excellent swimmers, said Midwest Regional Director Leon Carl of U.S. Geological Survey, and neither the Falls of the Ohio in Louisville, Ky., nor a series of locks and dams have thwarted the assault of jumping silver carp and bulky bighead carp.

Carp are established in the Little Miami River, an Ohio River tributary in the Cincinnati area. West Virginia officials have spotted them east of Portsmouth, Ohio in the Greenup Pool of the Ohio River.

USGS scientists were recently surprised to find Asian carp eggs as far north as Lynxville, Wisc., on the Upper Mississippi River. It is 250 miles upstream of previously known spawning areas and only 200 miles downstream of Minneapolis.

Asian carp have spawned in the Sandusky Bay region of Lake Erie, but not the fearful silver and bighead carp. Grass carp hatched in 2011 were caught last year by Ohio commercial netters.

"The carp were a little more than a year old, and their strontium levels were much higher than in grass carp shipped from southern states (for weed control)," Carl said. Triploid grass carp, which are sterile, are legal for weed control in Ohio ponds and lakes.

"The grass carp had spawned in a 14- to 15-mile stretch of the Sandusky River," Carl said. "We previously thought Asian carp needed about 60 miles of free-flowing water to spawn, so now we know there are a lot more (rivers and streams around the Great Lakes) where they could spawn."

"We're most concerned about silver and bighead carp, which eat tiny animals and plants," said Carl. "If they get into Western Lake Erie, they would compete with recently-hatched walleye and yellow perch for critical plankton."

Western Lake Erie is considered ground zero for an Asian carp explosion. The waters from the Lake Erie Islands to the Michigan shoreline average about 30 feet in depth. The shallow, fertile area is the Great Lakes major walleye spawning grounds.

Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman are among 11 senators this week urging swifter action on one of eight published plans to stop Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes. So is the Great Lakes Commission. The strategies were outlined in January in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Inter-basin Study (GLMRIS), with the preferred plans costing $15 billion to $18 billion.

"We want to ensure that you are advancing the options that look most promising and implementing measures that are already available," said the legislators in a letter to Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.

Scientists around the country are trying to find ways to stop Asian carp. One method would be to develop a "silver bullet," a fish toxin that selectively kills carp. Asian carp are also attracted to certain plumes of algae, which can kick off a feeding frenzy. Toxins could be incorporated into those plumes of algae.

There is a worry Asian carp are slipping into rivers and lakes in the bait buckets of sport anglers. Carl said scientists have developed a new portable eDNA kit to quickly determine if a single small Asian carp is hiding among a crowd of baitfish in tackle shop minnow tanks.

"Along the Ohio River, tactics we could use to depress the Asian carp populations range from hydro guns, which fire high-energy pulses of water to deny them access to spawning or lock and dam areas, to electric barriers (already in use on the Chicago Waterway System)," said Carl.

Eliminating Asian carp is a long-term goal, said Carl. For now, stopping the spread of Asian carp is critical in protecting America's waterways and native fish, including a $7 billion sport and commercial Great Lakes fishery.

Mercer wrecks brackets and starts a new dance craze.

Mercer shocked the college basketball world Friday. The No. 14 seed Bears knocked off the mighty Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA tournament's round of 64, then launched a memorable on-court celebration that will always be remembered for guard Kevin Canevari's dance moves. But the postgame eruption was just as lively on social media, where folks praised Mercer as the new Cinderella and reveled in the Blue Devils' elimination.

Bedford product knows defense must regain 'Silver Bullets identity.'

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Sophomore Tyvis Powell is entering an experimental phase at Ohio State.

After all, who among us didn’t crave new experiences during our college days? Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer is not only aware of Powell’s activities, he’s encouraging them.

“Coach Meyer helped me with (confidence) when he told me, ‘If you get beat deep, it doesn’t matter for now,” Powell said Thursday. “Basically, that right there is giving me the 'OK, Tyvis if you see something and you believe in it than just go for it.'”

Such advice to a first-year safety might sound audacious coming off a season in which the Buckeyes ranked 112th nationally in pass defense. But Meyer and new co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash want the unit to adapt a more aggressive mindset and not play scared. It’s a philosophy consistent with the message Meyer apparently delivered to Powell, who’s making the transition from nickel back to last line of defense.

Spring ball is a time to take risks and roll out new ideas. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Bedford High product appreciates the latitude the coaching staff is granting him. He believes it will benefit the defense when the plays start to count again come September.

View full sizeBuckeyes' Tyvis Powell sealed a wild 42-41 win over Michigan with an interception on a two-point try by the Wolverines.Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer

“I’m making plays I really didn’t think I could make,” Powell said. “You can’t be scared to take shots or try to go for a play if you think you’re going to make it. I think that’s what the game of college football and football in general is about – building confidence. Once you become a confident player you start making more plays.”

The Buckeyes’ secondary was a mess last season, compromised by the injury to safety Christian Bryant and ineffective play. Over the final three games, it yielded an average of 377 passing yards.

Its Orange Bowl strategy against Clemson seemed to be rooted in the faint hope wideout Sammy Watkins would run himself to death with yards after the catch. The presumptive top-10 pick in NFL Draft responded with 16 receptions for 227 yards and two touchdowns.

Enter Ash, who joins the staff from Arkansas, and a more combative approach to pass coverage. The Buckeyes aim to press receivers and make more plays.

His initial impressions of Powell are positive ones.

“Tyvis Powell has stood out." Ash said. "It looks like he has a chance to be real (good). He’s long, he’s tall, he can run, he’s got great ball skills and he’s a very smart player. ... (He’s) got a little bit of everything.”

Powell is part of a revamped secondary that will include a pair of first-year starters at safety. Sophomore Vonn Bell, sidelined with a knee injury, is expected to play alongside Powell. Freshman Cam Burrows is taking Bell’s reps in spring practice.

Powell finished his first season with 48 tackles and an interception. He also made one of the year’s biggest defensive plays, picking off a Devin Gardner pass on a game-deciding, two-point try to preserve a 42-41 win over Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The coaching staff switched Powell from to nickel to safety for the Orange Bowl in place of a struggling Corey Brown. Powell believes that one game of experience, albeit in a 40-35 loss, was invaluable.

“Going against that ACC team in Clemson and the speed of the receivers gave me a feel for the game.” he said.

Powell understands nothing is won at this time of year, when every coach and teammate boasts of improvements in play and attitude. It sounds nice that defenders are flying to ball carriers and coaches are demanding maximum effort in practice.

But the Buckeyes were an embarrassment on defense a year ago and Powell knows they can’t expect Braxton Miller and the offense to outscore opponents again.

"We’re just trying to learn from our mistakes from last year,” Powell said. “We’re trying to get back to what the world is used to – the Silver Bullets, how it was when they won the national championship (in 2002) and stuff like that. We’re basically just trying to get the identity of the Silver Bullets back. Just flying around to the ball, hitting hard, running fast.”

And maybe taking a few more chances to make a play.

Teddy Bridgewater made a tactical error at his Pro Day, shedding the glove that helped him win 30 games at Louisville. On Friday he told NFL Network that he'll use it from here on out.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Teddy Bridgewater realizes now that he shouldn't have shown his hand Monday at his Pro Day.

Literally.

The quarterback shed his trademark glove -- one that helped him win 30 games at Louisville including a school-record 12 last year -- for the showcase in front of 29 NFL teams Monday at Louisville and it proved to be a colossal mistake.

Like Samson without his hair, Bridgewater just wasn't the same without his glove. He completed only 57 of 65 attempts, including two drops. His Pro Day was ripped from coast to coast by analysts such as NFL Network's Mike Mayock, who dubbed it "average at best'' with a "lot of inaccuracy.''

With a bare hand, he wasn't the same quarterback who finished second in the NCAA in 2013 with a 71 percent completion percentage and set a school-record with a career mark of 68.3 percent.

“From this day forward, I’m going to do what got me here, and that’s wearing a glove,'' he said on NFL Network on Friday. "I was able to learn that from the Pro Day, to continue to do what you’re comfortable doing, continue to do what got you in this situation in the first place. I’ve been wearing gloves the past three years, so I’ll get back into the glove business.”

 So why did he pick that all-important day to let his digits roam free?

“I was training down in Florida,'' he said. "It was 80-degree weather, sunny outside, so I was letting the ball spin without the glove and I just felt confident going into the Pro Day. I trust my training, I’m always confident in my training, so going into competition I trust preparation. So I went back to Louisville and the weather changed, it was a little cold outside, the ball gets a little rough and I still decided to go without the glove.”

Browns general manager Ray Farmer, who is deciding how to spend his No. 4 overall pick, attended Bridgewater's Pro Day and will conduct a private workout with him, too. What's more, Bridgewater knows what he has put on film and isn't concerned about the bad reviews he received Monday.

"I just pay no attention to it,'' he told NFL Network. "Keep my head down, stay focused on what I have to work on. If something is being said in a negative way about me, I use it as growth, I learn from it. If it’s something being said positive about me, I still can learn from it. I’m just on a mission to be the best player that I can be, so I keep my head down and just keep moving forward.”

He still has no regrets about not throwing at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month.

“I’m still confident.'' he said. "I feel that we made that decision and it was a smart decision knowing that going into Pro Day I would be able to throw to some of my guys that I was able to throw at the University of Louisville. Coming out of both the combine and Pro Day, I’m still confident and I’m still happy that I made that decision.”

Bridgewater's shaky Pro Day was compared unfavorably to that of that of Central Florida's Blake Bortles on Wednesday, but it didn't faze him.

"I’m in a competition with no one but myself, because I’m trying to be the best person and the best player that I can be,'' he said. "I pay no attention to those guys. I’m happy for those guys that they’re competing and they’re playing at high levels also, but I’m in competition with myself, and I feel that in order to be the best player that I can be, I have to compete with myself from within.”

 He still feels he's worthy of going No. 1 overall to the Texans.

"The biggest reason I feel is I’m a servant leader,'' he said. "I’m someone who wants to make everyone else around me better people, better players with nothing in return. I’m not looking for any recognition or anything like that; I’m a team player, someone that’s willing to go the extra mile, willing to come in early and go the opposite way. Not go in that locker room and try to win guys over, but win guys over by going in that film room and that offensive room and learning the playbook right away; breaking down film, showing the guys that I understand what’s going on.

"Once guys see that you know your job, you know what you’re supposed to do, you’re responsible, then they’ll begin to trust you more. I feel that I have that capability. From a playing side, I feel that I’m an accurate passer, I’m smart with the football, I’m a winner. The past three years I was able to win I believe 30 games, and I’ve made progress each year. Each year I’m just on a mission to become better and better.”

Glove or no glove, he plans to make his mark on the NFL.

"Basically I grew up watching Donovan McNabb, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and those guys,'' he said. "But I told myself that I want to be something that the NFL has yet to see.

"I want to be a guy that can run like Michael Vick, (be) accurate with the football like Drew Brees, (be a) decisive decision-maker like Peyton Manning, someone who is a winner like Tom Brady, a competitor like Tom Brady, and then someone who has the big arm like Aaron Rodgers. The list goes on and on, but I just want to continue to just apply what those guys do in their games to my game.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Martyce Kimbrough, an Associated Press co-player of the year, scored 19 points and Lima Central Catholic dominated the second half for a 63-44 victory against St. Bernard Roger Bacon on Friday in a Division III boys state semifinal at Ohio State's Value City Arena. The Thunderbirds (24-4) advanced to play Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph for...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Martyce Kimbrough, an Associated Press co-player of the year, scored 19 points and Lima Central Catholic dominated the second half for a 63-44 victory against St. Bernard Roger Bacon on Friday in a Division III boys state semifinal at Ohio State's Value City Arena.

The Thunderbirds (24-4) advanced to play Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph for its second state championship in Saturday's title game.

Central Catholic led 32-25 at halftime but built the lead to 26, 61-35, with three minutes left in the game as Roger Bacon (22-5) finished 12 for 39 percent from the floor.

Xavier Simpson had 14 points and Tre Cobbs 13 for Central Catholic in a game that had 46 fouls, 25 committed by Roger Bacon.

For Ohioans reach tonight's semifinals: Ohio State's Logan Stieber, Kent State's Ian Miller, Penn State's David Taylor and Virginia's Nick Sulzer.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Four Ohioans have advanced to Friday night's semifinals and secured All-America status at the NCAA Division I Wresting Championships in Oklahoma City.

Two are returning champions – Ohio State two-time champion Logan Stieber of Monroeville and Penn State 2012 champ David Taylor of St. Paris. Two are Northeast Ohioans on a roll – Kent State's Ian Miller and Virginia's Nick Sulzer, a St. Edward graduate and son of a Cleveland police captain.

The semifinals will be broadcast on ESPN at 8 p.m.

Eight other Ohioans remain alive in the consolation bracket, and if they win their next match tonight, secure top-eight placement and will be All-Americans.

Three-time defending champion Penn State continues to lead the team standings with 61 points. The Nittany Lions have four semifinalists: Taylor, Nico Megaludis (125), Zain Retherford (141) and Ed Ruth (184).

Minnesota is second with 59 points and four in the semis, including Dylan Ness, who upset No. 1 seed James Green at 157 pounds and wrestles Miller in the semifinals. The Gophers' other semifinalists are Logan Storely (174), Scott Schiller (197) and Tony Nelson (heavyweight).

Oklahoma State is third (56 points), followed by Iowa (42.5), Cornell (39.5) and Ohio State (38). The Buckeyes have four wrestlers still alive – Stieber and Nick Heflin (197 pounds) in the semifinals, as well as Kenny Courts (184) and Wadsworth graduate Nick Tavanello (heavyweight) in the consolation brackets.

One of the tournament's most anticipated semifinals will feature Stieber against freshman sensation Zain Retherford of Penn State. Retherford upset Stieber, 4-2, in a dual meet last December, and Stieber beat Retherford in the Big Ten tournament final, 7-3.

Stieber pinned his first three opponents. Retherford has won three decisions, 5-0, 3-0, and 5-2.

The other 141-pound semifinal matches Virginia Tech No. 4 seed Devin Carter against North Carolina No. 9 seed Evan Henderson, who knocked off No. 1 see Michael Port of Edinboro in a quarterfinal, 5-3.

Sulzer, a 35-1 junior who placed eighth last year, is the No. 3 seed at 165 pounds. Sulzer's quarterfinal went into overtime against The Citadel's Turtog Luvsandorj, a senior two-time Southern Conference Wrestler of the Year from Mongolia. Sulzer won in the first tiebreaker, 4-3.

Sulzer's semifinal opponent is Oklahoma State No. 2 seed Tyler Caldwell (27-3), who handed Sulzer his only defeat in the Southern Scuffle. The weight class has gone according to seed. The other semifinal matches North Dakota State No. 4 Steven Monk against Penn State senior Taylor (St. Paris Graham), who is seeking his fourth career final and arguably is the best wrestler in the tournament regardless of weight class.

Sulzer extended St. Edward's streak of having at least one NCAA Division I All-American to 24 consecutive years.

Miller, a 30-4 redshirt sophomore from Oak Harbor, defeated Wisconsin redshirt freshman Isaac Jordan (St. Paris Graham), 6-2, in a 157-pound quarterfinal Friday No. 4 seed Miller got the first takedown against Jordan, the No. 5 seed. Miller began the third with an escape and ended it with another takedown for a 5-0 lead.

The winner of tonight's consolation-bracket matches secure top-eight finishes and All-American status, and eight of the original 31 Ohio qualifiers are still alive.

The heavyweight consolation bracket is full of Northeast Ohio intrigue.

If he wins tonight, Ohio State's Tavanello will have taken the longest possible route to All-America. He wrestled a “pig-tail” match before the first round and lost. He had to win another match just to earn a spot in the consolation-bracket first round, and Tavanello pinned in 47 seconds. He won his next three matches by pin, 4-2 decision and 3-1 overtime sudden-victory.

Also in the heavyweight consolation bracket, Ohio University's Jeremy Johnson (Brecksville) eliminated Virginia Tech's Ty Walz (St. Edward), 6-2, on Friday. Johnson won again and wrestles tonight for All-America status.

Other Ohioans wresting consolation matches tonight for placement an All-America status are: Oklahoma State 's Anthony Collica (141, Solon), Virginia Tech's Zach Neibert (149, St. Paris Graham), Edinboro's David Habat (149, St. Ignatius), Wisconsin's Jordan (157, St. Paris Graham), Northwestern's Pierce Harger (165, Cincinnati Moeller), Pittsburgh's Max Thomusseit (184, St. Paris Graham),

Ohio State junior Johnni DiJulius (Walsh Jesuit) was eliminated in a third-round consolation bout.

It's Friday. And here are 5 Moore Observations from cleveland.com's Glenn Moore.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's been a crazy week in the world of sports. The NCAA Tournament has started. Justin Masterson might not be in Cleveland next season. And Ben Tate really likes being a Brown.

Dayton trolling Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/L0mrP9YY2Q

— Glenn Moore (@GlennMooreCLE) March 21, 2014

My guys @TheJK_Kid and @VinnieP52 out dressed me today! That never happens on the course #Clevelandstyle pic.twitter.com/NqL35mPHsR

— Jimmy Hanlin (@JimmyHanlin) March 21, 2014

Is this Booby Jones or @VinnieP52 ?? Balance is the key he tells me!! pic.twitter.com/2afphnL0wy

— Jimmy Hanlin (@JimmyHanlin) March 21, 2014

Yep RT @Greek_QB: @BenTateRB Are you keeping no.44? pic.twitter.com/fLQKDc2FjS

— Ben Tate (@BenTateRB) March 18, 2014

Gladiators QB Chris Dieker helped his team win the season opener at Pittsburgh.

Chris Dieker AFL photo

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Gladiators quarterback Chris Dieker was voted Arena Football League "MVP'' for Week 1.

Dieker accounted for nine touchdowns in Cleveland’s 63-53 victory at the Pittsburgh Power. Dieker, a third-year pro, completed 24 of 36 passes for 251 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 29 yards and four scores.

Fans had 24 hours to vote for the AFL MVP award on ArenaFootball.com. Other candidates included Orlando Predators quarterback Jason Boltus and Spokane Shock quarterback Erik Meyer.

The Gladiators are off this weekend. They are at New Orleans on March 29 before opening at The Q on April 4 against Iowa.