Warinner cracked two jokes about the Wolverines at a luncheon for Buckeye boosters on Wednesday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - "I guess only between the gentlemen."

Jim Tressel's quote from six years ago when asked a question about the gentleman's agreement by Big Ten coaches agreeing not to recruit committed players may as well have happened 100 years ago. It's impossible to imagine Urban Meyer being asked that question today, given how aggressively the Buckeyes and most other major schools recruit.

Times have changed.

But in that moment, it seemed like an honest answer from Tressel. And it could have been viewed as a shot at new Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, who had previously been called "a guy in a wizard hat selling snake oil" by Purdue coach Joe Tiller.

At the very least, it was interesting. It came out of the annual spring football kickoff luncheon that raises money to fight Alzheimer's, a luncheon attended by Ohio State fans and boosters. Ohio State coaches talk to the fans and call up a few players to briefly speak.

It's the kind of event where coaches can play to the Ohio State diehards. And you always wonder if they might say something more interesting than they say in a news conference. If they might let loose a little.

Like Tressel's comment. And it seems like Michigan coach Brady Hoke's comment at an event last year that Notre Dame was "chickening out" of its series with the Wolverines might fit that.

I'm not sure if Ed Warriner's canned jokes Wednesday fit into that. But they caused a stir on Twitter, it seems, so in the name of a little context, here they are.

After Urban Meyer spoke, Warinner, the offensive line coach, was tasked with talking about the offense and introducing a few offensive players. In the course of that, he made two jokes about Michigan that were straight out of the coaches handbook for speaking to booster groups.

They were certainly not off the cuff. They were fill-in-the-blank jabs at a rival.

The first:

“Late in the fall, a lot of people get nervous because of a lot of loud and annoying wolverines. If that makes you nervous and bothers you, if you move your family out to Pasadena for a month, you’ll be fine. You never have to deal with it.”

The second:

"That team up north, I heard someone came in and stole some playbooks. And I hear Brady was really upset because he hadn’t finished coloring them.”

And then, Warriner added soon after to the crowd, "Please don't put that on Twitter."

Too late.

So if you read those comments, or heard about those comments, that's the context. Do they secretly reveal Warinner's true feeling about Michigan or Brady Hoke? Do they tell us something about the rivalry we didn't know before? Certainly, there have been times when coaches have said things in similar settings where maybe those truths were revealed.

You can decide if you think that was the case here. Because it was way too late for them to not wind up on Twitter.

This is why I love rivalries: #Buckeyes' Ed Warinner (@4Warinner) cracks jokes about #Michigan « Big Ten Network http://t.co/qMJJRzVtX8

— Tom Dienhart (@BTNTomDienhart) April 2, 2014

DAMN RT @marcushartman OSU's Warinner on lost playbooks in Michigan: "I heard Brady was upset because he hadn't finished coloring them."

— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) April 2, 2014

Ohio State football assistant coach Ed Warriner trolls Michigan http://t.co/X2zWp5FCes

— Mark Snyder (@Mark__Snyder) April 2, 2014

For those who remember the reaction Hoke's "chickened out" comment got last year at a similar function, these will resonate as well.

— Mark Snyder (@Mark__Snyder) April 2, 2014

Whoa, whoa ... OSU can talk smack on Michigan all it wants, folks. Bucks own the rivalry at moment. But personal shots coach-to-coach? Yikes

— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) April 2, 2014

CC Lee will join the Indians for the second game of Wednesday's day-night doubleheader against the A's.

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Indians will add right-hander Chen-Chang Lee for the second game of Wednesday’s day-night doubleheader against the A’s at O.co Coliseum. It is the first day-night doubleheader in the history of the Coliseum following Tuesday’s rainout.

Lee impressed the Indians in spring training. One of the reasons he did not make the club is because he still has development to do and can get regular work at Class AAA Columbus.

After the game, Lee will fly back to Cleveland with the Indians and then drive to Columbus. The Indians are off Thursday and will open the home season Friday against the Twins with Danny Salazar facing right-hander Mike Pelfrey at 3:05 p.m. at Progressive Field.

Lee is available only for the second game of the doubleheader because it was scheduled for the day after Tuesday’s rainout. If it would have been scheduled for later in the season, he would have been eligible for both games.

He will receive a day’s pay and service time at the major league level.

Lee, 27, saved two games and posted a 3.24 ERA in nine games in spring training. He struck out 12, walked five and allowed three earned runs in 8 1/3 innings.

“The organization loves him, myself included,” said Francona. ”Early in the year, you don’t know what innings are going to be available here, but you can get a guy consistent innings at Triple-A.

“He is going to help us. No doubt, he’s going to help us this year.”

Francona said the Indians had two available dates to play the A’s later in the season to make up for Tuesday’s rainout, but they didn’t want to start back-loading games into the schedule so early in the season.

“One was on a trip to Arizona (June 23) and one was on a trip to Minnesota (Aug. 18),” said Francona. “Oakland got to choose. We had to be careful with what we wished for. A long day in April is way better than a doubleheader later in the year.

“It’s too easy to push off a game and say we’ll get to it ... If you look at it this way, we’re going to be three games into a season and everyone will have played at least one game. That will help us rather than going from our last exhibition game on Saturday to Friday with some guys not playing. “

The addition of Lee will give Francona a nine-man bullpen and three bench players. Carlos Santana will start at third in the first game and catch in the second. Francona said they couldn’t bring up another catcher because they didn’t have one of the 40-man roster.

Today's lineups (first game):

Indians: DH Asdrubal Cabrera, 1B Nick Swisher, 2B Jason Kipnis, 3B Carlos Santana, LF Ryan Raburn, CF Michael Brantley, SS Mike Aviles, C Yan Gomes, RF Elliot Johnson, RHP Corey Kluber.

Athletics: CF Coco Crisp, DH Josh Donaldson, SS Jed Lowrie, 1B Brandon Moss, LF Yoenis Cespedes, RF Josh Reddick, 3B Alberto Callaspo, C Derek Norris, 2B Eric Sogard, LHP Scott Kazmir.

Umpires: H Mark Wegner, 1B Mike Muchlinski, 2B Mike Winters*, 3B Gabe Morales. Winters, crew chief.

News and notes from college basketball and the Final Four.

When it comes to wagers, political officials sometimes like to get involved in big sporting events.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear is not waiting for the national title game. The Democrat placed a wager with Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Saturday's basketball game between the Wildcats and Badgers.

According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, Beshear is putting up a "fully stocked bourbon bar" against Walker's beer, bratwurst and cheese.

Here's more college basketball and Final Four news from Wednesday:

The Indians look for their second win in a row to start the 2014 season tonight at 3:35 p.m. against the Oakland Athletics.

OAKLAND, California -

Get scoring updates and analysis from the Indians-Athletics game and join cleveland.com's Glenn Moore and other reporters in the comments section as the Indians take on the Athletics in Oakland.

Oakland has a 6-0 lead on the Indians in the seventh inning. Brandon Moss hit a two-out double off Vinnie Pestano to drive home a run. Callaspo hit a two-run homer in the third.

The A's took a 1-0 on the Indians in the first after Corey Kluber gave up a run in the first on a Cespedes RBI single. Coco Crisp drove home the second run of the second inning on a sacrifice fly. Jed Lowrie then singled to left to score Sogard.

FREQUENTLY REFRESH this page to get the latest updates. If you're viewing this on your mobile app, click here for comments.

This weekend will go a long way toward determining the Cavaliers' playoff chances as they play at Atlanta on Friday and against Charlotte on Saturday.

ATLANTA -- Caught up in the excitement of Wednesday's 119-98 victory over the Orlando Magic and flush with the potential of the playoffs, Dion Waiters got a little carried away.

"We are in the driver's seat right now,'' Waiters said after leading the Cavs with 26 points and meshing perfectly with Kyrie Irving. "We control our own destiny.''

Actually, no -- at least not as far as the playoffs are concerned.

Since the Cavs struggled so much in the first half of the season and only recently finally got things together, they will need considerable help if they're going to achieve their stated goal of avoiding the lottery and playing in the postseason this year.

But this weekend will go a long way toward determining what happens. It's not just Friday's game at the Atlanta Hawks. Saturday's home game against the Charlotte Bobcats is equally -- if not more -- important, given how badly the Hawks have been playing (1-7 in last eight) and that the Cavs are 0-3 against the Bobcats this season.

Here's an in-depth look at where things stand for the three teams -- Cavs, Hawks and New York Knicks -- vying for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference heading into Friday night.

8. KNICKS: Six games remaining (three home, three away) -- vs Washington (Friday), at Miami (Sunday), at Toronto (4/11), vs. Chicago (4/13), at Brooklyn (4/15), vs. Toronto (4/16). Winning percentage of remaining teams on schedule is .6234.

9. HAWKS: Eight games remaining (five home, three away) -- vs. Cleveland (Friday), at Indiana (Sunday), vs. Detroit (Tuesday), vs. Boston (Wednesday), at Brooklyn (4/11), vs. Miami (4/12), vs. Charlotte (4/14), at Milwaukee (4/16). Winning percentage of remaining teams on schedule is .4657.

10. CAVS: Six games remaining (two away, four home) -- at Atlanta (Friday), vs. Charlotte (Saturday), vs. Detroit (Wednesday), at Milwaukee (4/11), vs. Boston (4/12), vs. Brooklyn (4/16). Winning percentage of remaining teams on schedule is .3410.

The tie-breaking procedures do not favor the Cavs, who are 0-2 against the Hawks and 2-2 against the Knicks, but have a far worse winning percentage in the conference (.413) than the Knicks (.478), which is the third tiebreaker.

Also of note is that while Cleveland's remaining opponents have a .341 winning percentage, the Cavs have not fared well against them. They are 0-2 against the Hawks, 0-3 against the Bobcats, 2-1 against the Pistons, 2-1 against the Bucks, 0-2 against the Celtics and 1-2 against the Nets. That's 5-11 or .312. Granted, they're playing much better now than they were in some of those losses.

But unfortunately for the Cavs, they are neither in the driver's seat nor controlling their own destiny.

On a roll: According to the Elias Sports Bureau, with his 26 points at Orlando, Waiters has scored 202 points in nine games since he was inserted into the Cavs starting lineup on March 18 due to Kyrie Irving's strained left biceps. That's the most points any Cleveland player has scored over that span. Waiters has led the Cavs in scoring -- tied or outright -- in six of the nine games.

(-) Tie breaker not needed (better overall winning percentage).

(1) Division leader wins tie from team not leading a division.

(2) Head-to-head won-lost percentage.

(3) Conference won-lost percentage.

(4) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, own conference.

(5) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, other conference.

(6) Net Points, all games.

Cavaliers at Hawks

Time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Philips Arena.

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

Notable: Cavs have won two straight and five of six. … Cavs are 0-2 against the Hawks this season, have lost three straight overall and two straight in Atlanta. … Hawks have lost seven of eight.

Watch Sports Insider where we discussed the Browns and the Indians opening the season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - What can be read into the Browns not sending GM Ray Farmer to certain pro days? What will it take for the Indians to catch the Detroit Tigers?

Recapping the weather Cleveland Indians fans have experienced over the years, with a year-by-year listing.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The forecast calls for a strong chance of rain Friday for the Cleveland Indians' scheduled 2014 home opener.

In past years, sometimes it has snowed. Sometimes it has been warm. And sometimes it has been been cold. Long-time baseball fans in northern Ohio know the weather is erratic this time of the year. The 71-degree high in Cleveland for opening day 2013 is not the norm.

Below is a snapshot of the weather for each Indians opener since 1901. This doesn't take into account days in which the opener has been postponed because of weather.

When the games actually were played, the average official high has been about 58 degrees. There has been no measurable amount of snow since a tenth of an inch in 1986. (Ballpark weather could differ some as the official readings for Cleveland are recorded a bit south at Hopkins International Airport.)

But other days in which the opener was on the schedule, things have been worse.

• In 2007, the Indians actually staged their official home opener in Milwaukee after being snowed out repeatedly at home. The umpires stopped the scheduled opener in Cleveland April 6 with the Indians holding a 4-0 lead and just one out before the game would have been considered official. Cleveland received 2.9 inches of snow that day and 4.4 inches the next.
• In 1990, the first scheduled home opener was rained out, and the second was snowed out. When the Indians finally did play at home a week later, only 6,000 people showed up.
• And in 1996, the year fans eagerly awaited the return of their team after the first trip to the World Series in decades, the scheduled opener was snowed out on April Fools' Day. There were 7.1 inches of snow. The Indians lost the next day.

Also:

• Cleveland weather for any date since 1900, including an option to search for Browns game days
• Home opener results, box scores and game stories
• Database: Top 100 Cleveland Indians for the team's first 100 seasons.
• All-time list of Cleveland Indians managers, with records and photos.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here is a look at this week's top area boys and girls track meets. Check back each week for preview capsules featuring the best local runners and teams.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here is a look at this week's top area boys and girls track meets.

Check back each week for preview capsules featuring the best local runners and teams.

Avon Lake Invitational

When: Saturday, 9 a.m.

Where: Avon Lake Memorial Stadium, 175 Avon-Belden Road, Avon Lake.

Teams: Avon, Avon Lake, Bay, Chardon, Eastlake North, Lorain, Mentor, Midview, Rocky River, Strongsville.

What to watch: Future Ohio State Buckeyes Nicholas Elswick of Chardon and Max Seipel of host Avon Lake highlight the boys field as Elswick will be one of the ones to beat on the track and Seipel should bring his team a lot of points in the throwing and jumping events. Mentor has a good chance as well to come away with a win, led by senior thrower John Maurins and junior jumper Eddie Daugherty.

The girls competition between Bay and Lorain should be one of the big things to watch. Maddie Britton of Bay and Jocelynn Rogers of Lorain are two of the West Side's top senior runners and they should have a big impact on the competition. But Stephanie Ferrante and Chardon will be a top contender as well to win the meet.

Maralyn H. West Invitational

When: Saturday, preliminaries and field events begin at 11 a.m.; finals start at 1:30 p.m.

Where: Collinwood Athletic Complex, 1070 E. 152nd St., Cleveland.

Teams: Berea-Midpark, Buchtel, Cleveland Heights, Euclid, Glenville, Magnificat, Shaker Heights, Shaw, Solon, Villa Angela-St. Joseph, and others.

What to watch: Both defending champion Euclid and runner-up Cleveland Heights return on the boys side. The Panthers got wins last year in the shot put and discus by Jeremiah Peters and held off the Tigers 132-125, despite being disqualified in the 4x200 relay.

Glenville was third at the event in 2013, but should get a boost from South Carolina transfer Davon Anderson in the sprint and hurdle events. Anderson won the 100 meter state title in South Carolina last year. 

This is the fifth year for the event, named in honor of West, a longtime track administrator for the Cleveland schools who passed away in 2011.

On the girls side, defending champ Cleveland Heights returns with Ashanti Abshaw, who won the 100 last year and ran on the winning 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays. Magnificat finished nine points behind the Tigers (144-135) and Buchtel was third (107).

Asya Reynolds of Shaker Heights was the girls MVP last year after winning the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and long jump.

Keep an eye on Magnificat sprinter Annie Ubbing, who was second in the 100 and won a closely-contested 200 in 26.38, and Buchtel's Emani Griffin, who won the 800, led off the runner-up 4x800 and was second in the 1,600.

St. Joseph Academy Jaguar Invitational

When: Saturday, 9 a.m.

Where: Fairview, 4507 W. 213th St., Fairview Park.

Teams: Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Gilmour, St. Edward, St. Joseph Academy, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Walsh Jesuit (boys), and others.

What to watch: With both the defending Division I (St. Edward) and Division II (St. Vincent-St. Mary) boys teams in the field, anything could happen. But a lot depends on the weather conditions and whether or not the top athletes from those schools participate in the meet.

Last year, St. Joseph Academy dominated the girls side, winning with 212.5 points, ahead of second-place Brecksville-Broadview Heights (114.5). Kyrielle Williams won the 100 and finished second in the 200 for the Jaguars.

On the boys side, Walsh Jesuit claimed the team title with 175.5 points, ahead of St. Edward (156). The Warriors picked up wins in the 4x800 meter relay, the 4x200 relay and finished second in the 4x400. Steele Wasik of St. Edward is the defending meet champion in the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles and the high jump.

Other meets of note:

Bill Dodd Normandy Invitational

When: Saturday, 9 a.m.

Where: Byers Field, 7600 Day Dr., Parma.

Teams: Berea-Midpark, Holy Name, Independence, Maple Heights, Normandy, North Royalton, Padua, Valley Forge and Wickliffe.

Don Faix Invitational

When: Saturday, 9 a.m.

Where: Crestwood, 10919 Main St., Mantua.

Teams: Cardinal, Coventry, Crestwood, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Firestone, Kenston, Stow. 

The high quality of play throughout NCAA Tournament 2014 has been impressive for area college basketball coaches.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The word from Akron basketball coach Keith Dambrot, Kent State coach Rob Senderoff and Cleveland State coach Gary Waters was unanimous regarding NCAA Tournament 2014.

"Just quality basketball throughout the tournament so far,'' Waters said after the Final Four was set with Florida, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Connecticut. "This is what college basketball should look like."

The semifinal games in are Saturday in Arlington, Texas with Florida facing UConn and Kentucky facing Wisconsin. The winners play for the championship on Monday.

The string of close, competitive games have been compelling, along with big plays and strong individual performances.

"What has stuck out to me, from all these teams, is point guard play, point guard play, point guard play,'' Senderoff said. "Every team has a good one, all of them are kind of different, and all of them have been very, very good."

UConn's Shabazz Napier, Florida's Scottie Wilbekin, Kentucky's Aaron Harrison and Wisconsin's Traevon Jackson have all had a shining moment already. Interestingly, two of those four are coached by former point guards in UConn's Kevin Ollie and Florida's Billy Donovan.

"These have been some of the best games I've seen,'' Dambrot said. "Really good games, going down to the last seconds.

"These teams are so close, that it's unpredictable. Nobody is head and shoulders over anybody else.''

But each team also has something special in their favor, starting with Wisconsin, which is the team few expected to get to the Final Four, but has arguably been the most consistent all season and in tournament play.

"UConn is probably the biggest dark horse, but they also probably have the best guard,'' Dambrot said. "You knew Kentucky had it in them, it was just a matter if they ever got it right. Florida, they have been consistent, too, but now that doesn't mean anything. It's who plays the best two games."

All three coaches will be in Arlington for the national coaches convention. In some years it is not unusual for the coaches to shy away from actually attending the semifinals and finals for the tournament, but that does not seem to be the case this year.

"I think it will be the best Saturday semifinals in quite some time," Waters said.

The 32-year-old is productive when healthy and valued for his leadership.

BEREA, Ohio – The Browns might not be finished reshaping their receiving corps in free agency.

Detroit Lions veteran Nate Burleson is scheduled to visit the Browns on Saturday, according to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports. The 32-year-old, who’s battled injuries in recent seasons, is expected to meet with the Miami Dolphins prior to talking with the Browns.

Burleson has 457 catches for 5,630 yards and 39 touchdowns in an 11-year career with Minnesota, Seattle and Detroit. The 6-foot, 192-pounder is considered a productive target when healthy and a valued leader inside the locker room.

The Browns already signed slot receiver Andrew Hawkins from the Cincinnati Bengals on March 18.

Burleson would have carried a $7.5 million salary cap for the Lions, who released him last month. He played just 15 games over that past two years due to injury. He made national headlines in 2013 breaking his left arm in a single-car accident while trying to rescue a pizza falling off his passenger’s seat. The frozen pizza giant DiGiorno offered him a year’s worth of free pies along with a cutter.

Beyond his on-field contributions, Burleson could help mentor Josh Gordon, a role he filled in Detroit with Calvin Johnson. The Browns had hoped Davone Bess would provide similar leadership, but his off-field troubles led to his release last month.

In his last full season with the Lions, Burleson caught 73 passes for 757 yards and three TDs. Even if they signed him, the Browns probably still would pursue a receiver in the upcoming NFL Draft.

The spring white sucker run is on around the Lake Erie tributaries this week, a fish disdained by most anglers even though it can be easy to hook, is great fun to catch and surprisingly good to eat.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The spring white sucker run is on around the Lake Erie tributaries this week, a fish disdained by most anglers even though it can be easy to hook, is great fun to catch and surprisingly good to eat.

To catch a few, tie on a small sinker, swivel, foot-long leader and a No. 6 or No. 8 hook tipped with a hunk of nightcrawler. Lead-head jigs and sections of crawlers also tempt suckers. Work the rigs along the bottom in the slack water below rapids or along the edges of the deeper pools.

Since this is also steelhead trout time on the Lake Erie tributaries, be aware the rig could also tempt one of the hard-fighting silver bullets, or even a smallmouth bass.

While suckers are seldom table fare these days, I relish the memory of the sucker patties that some of the veteran anglers brought to the Rocky River more than 50 years ago to enjoy for lunch. The flaky white sucker meat was delicious and the sucker patties and sucker fish cakes were a spring mainstay for many immigrant families around the Great Lakes a century ago.

Suckers have a lot of small bones. Fishermen back then skinned and filleted their catch, cut the fillets into half-inch strips and put them through a food grinder. The general recipe was a mix of a pound of ground sucker, an egg, half a cup of cracker crumbs and a small chopped onion. Season with salt and pepper.

Form the mix into patties and fry in butter or margarine. When done, sprinkle with a little hot sauce.

To create sucker fish cakes, combine ground sucker, leftover mashed potatoes, crackers, a chopped onion and a couple of eggs. For a little pizzazz, add garlic or crushed red pepper flakes.

Trout fishing tips: Dan Pribanic of Chagrin River Outfitters in Chagrin Falls will tackle early-season trout tips, tackle and techniques on Saturday from 1-2:30 p.m. The local rivers and streams are expected to be high, muddy and difficult to fish, making it a well-timed seminar before the spring season finally warms up.

Goodyear fishing derby: The Goodyear Hunting & Fishing Club hosts its annual youth trout derby on April 12 at Little Turtle Pond at Firestone Metropolitan Park, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron. Kids 15 and under are allowed to fish for stocked trout and trophies from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Adult supervision is required. Registration isn't needed.

Boat restrictions eased: Fishermen will be allowed to launch their gas-powered boats at LaDue, Mogadore and East Branch reservoirs this season for the first time. Boaters won't be allowed to fire up the gas motors on the trio of electric-only lakes, but the new rule opens the door to fish from those boats using the electric motors they have on board.

If a boat is outfitted with a removable fuel tank, it must be left on shore. Boats with inboard fuel tanks are allowed to launch, but the gas motors can't be used, according to an agreement with the Ohio Division of Wildlife and the City of Akron.

MWC opens season: Scott Rhodes of Interlochen, Mich. and Jeff Koester of Brookville, Ind. won the season opener of the Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit last weekend on the Illinois River at Spring Valley, Ill. They checked a limit of 10 walleye weighing 26 pounds, 4 ounces.

Ohio teams in the top 25 included: Matt Davis of Marion and Dan Gies of Huron (10th, 21-06); Mike Knippenberg of Huron and Jake Huth of Suffield (11th, 21-06); Greg Yarbrough of Port Clinton and Ryan Buddie of North Ridgeville (12th, 21-04); and Scott Geitgey of Canton and Jay Gullet of Willard (22nd, 19-02). The MWC visits Lake Erie at Huron on Sept. 26-27, the site of the circuit's 2015 championship.

Coming right up: Saturday is loaded with outdoor events, and they're all listed in the Outdoor Calendar at cleveland.com/outdoors. The Trout Club of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History hosts its gala annual banquet at the museum. ... The top dogs at the All-Breed Hunter's Trials compete in the 47th annual circuit championship at the Wayne County Coon Hunters Association in Wooster. ... The Lake County Chapter hosts its annual Ducks Unlimited banquet. ... Lotteries are being held for youth turkey hunts on public wildlife areas.

Christmas trees a bonus: The Ohio Division of Wildlife converted 1,100 Christmas trees into fish-attracting structures this winter in 3,280-acre Berlin Reservoir. With help from the Mahoning County Green Team, the pods of trees were dropped into Berlin Reservoir southwest of the Price Street Bridge that bisects the lake. The structure is shallow enough to benefit shore anglers and boat fishermen this spring.

Leave wild critters alone: It's that time of year when well-meaning folks rescue abandoned deer fawns and young raccoons, rabbits and songbirds. Mona Rutger of the Back to the Wild rehabilitation center in Castalia gets hundreds of calls, and has sound advice: Leave them alone.

The parent may be gone for long periods of time, says Rutger, but the youngsters are usually not abandoned. Yes, you can place a baby bird back in the nest or return a bunch of bunnies to a ground nest. Keeping the little critters is illegal, according to wildlife officials.

The spring fishing will most likely be put on hold this weekend as radical weather patterns sweep through the area. Thunderstorms will threaten the river fishing for steelhead trout.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The spring fishing will most likely be put on hold this weekend as radical weather patterns sweep through the area. Thunderstorms and potential heavy rains will threaten the river fishing for steelhead trout.

Westerly gale force winds are expected on Friday, probably shutting the door on casting lead-head jigs to the Western Lake Erie reefs for spawning walleye.

Rainbow trout have been released around the area, providing good fishing. The crappie, walleye and yellow perch fishing on the inland lakes has slowed.

INLAND LAKES, RESERVOIRS

With rain expected to kick up river levels, the Cleveland Metroparks switched a stocking of 500 pounds of 14- to 15-inch rainbow trout to Wallace Lake in Berea, where the trout fishing should be good over the weekend. The Ohio Division of Wildlife released foot-long rainbow trout on Tuesday in Hinckley Lake in Hinckley, Shadow Lake in Solon and the pond at the Westlake Recreation Center. Hinckley Lake should be a little muddy, but Shadow Lake trout are reported to be biting.

Suspend tiny ice jigs and larval baits under a stick float for stocked trout, or mold a small hunk of PowerBait on the hook. Casting small in-line spinners or spoons will also tempt trout.

Trout stockings are being made on Friday at Forest Hill Pond in East Cleveland and the Painesville Recreation Park Pond. Stocked trout are also being caught from Granger Pond at Mentor’s Veterans Park in the Lake County Metroparks, the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights and Judges and Ledge lakes in Hinckley.

The walleye, crappie and yellow perch fishing around Northeast Ohio has slowed, but should heat up again as warmer weather arrives. Some of the small ponds still have ice cover.

RIVERS AND STREAMS

There are steelhead trout swimming up the Northeast Ohio rivers and streams, but the rain and sleet should kick up river levels and make it difficult to catch them this weekend. Expect the upstream tributaries to clear first, with small spawn bags and jigs tipped with larval baits a top choice.

The warm rains should lure more steelhead trout into the rivers from Lake Erie. There has been a noticeable increase in the number of "skippers," or 15- to 20-inch two-year-old steelhead trout, making an appearance.

The local tributaries are loaded with suckers, providing very good fishing. The Rocky River has been a hot spot, with Morley Ford ground zero for sucker fans. Work small catfish-style rigs in the pools, combining a sliding sinker with a swivel, foot-long leader and pieces of nightcrawler.

The walleye runs on the Maumee and Sandusky rivers have begun, with fair numbers of walleye reported caught from both rivers. Rain and sleet on Friday could boost river levels and cool off the fishing. Brightly colored floating jig heads and twister tails behind a slip sinker have been the most productive rigs.

LAKE ERIE

Fair numbers of walleye were being caught this week on hair jigs tipped with minnows or twister tails cast around the reef complex off Port Clinton and the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station. Adding a short leader and small stinger hook helps to fool short-striking walleye.

With gale force winds in the NOAA forecast for Friday and Saturday, boaters must be extremely cautious before heading out. High waves are in the forecast for Friday night and early Saturday.

Around Cleveland Harbor, anglers in small boats or casting from shore should be catching a few crappie, largemouth bass and northern pike. White spinnerbaits are tops for northern pike, and the East 55th St. area is a spring hot spot.

The 47th annual Invitational Winner's Trial is being held on Saturday at the Wayne Coon Hunters Association in Wooster. The event matches the top dogs in All-Breed hunter's Trials at seven area sportsmen's clubs.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Outdoor Calendar for April 4. Hunting dates at the end.

April 4: Hunting Heritage Banquet hosted by the North Coast Limbhangers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, North Olmsted Party Center, 29227 Lorain Rd., North Olmsted. Tickets $65, couples $90, Jakes $35. Call Niki Bolling, 440-547-2738, northcoastlimbhangers@yahoo.com. Raffles, exhibits, games. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m.

April 4: Rainbow trout stockings by the Ohio Division of Wildlife at Forest Hill Pond in East Cleveland; and Painesville Recreation Park Pond in Painesville. For information visit wildohio.com.

April 4-6: Ohio Taxidermy Association annual show and awards, Roberts Centre, Interstate 71 (Exit 50), Wilmington. Wildlife Display open to the public on April 5 from 1-3 p.m. OTA membership open to amateur, youth taxidermists. Visit www.ohiotaxidermists.com.

April 5: 47th annual Invitational Winner’s Trial of the All-Breed Hunter’s Trial Circuit, 8 a.m., Wayne Coon Hunters Association, 4900 Secrest Rd., Wooster. Entries closed. Open to the public.

April 5: The 36th annual banquet of the Trout Club of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval, Cleveland. Tickets $80, $150 per couple. Silent and live auctions, raffles and dinner. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner, live auction and raffle at 7:30 p.m. Contact Karen Menn (216-231-4600 Ext. 3278) or visit www.cmnh.org.

April 5: Early Season Trout Tactics with Dan Pribanic, 1-2:30 p.m., Chagrin River Outfitters, 100 N. Main St., Chagrin Falls. Free. Techniques, flies and approaches to targeting early season steelhead trout. How to deal with cold water, high water, early season hatches and matching the hatch.

April 5: Annual Banquet of the Lake County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, 5-10 p.m., St. Noel’s Banquet Center, 35200 Chardon Rd., Willoughby Hills. Raffles, exhibits, silent auction. Tickets $45, couple $75. Includes Ducks Unlimited annual membership. Call Time Cline, 440-749-5182.

April 5: Lottery drawing for controlled youth turkey hunts at the Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area and the Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center. Hunting dates at the Mosquito Area are Saturdays and Sundays from April 19-May 18, and April 19 only at Camp Ravenna. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. at the Trumbull Rod and Gun Club, 6575 Phillips-Rice Rd. (1 mile north of Rt. 88), Cortland. Jakes Day begins at 9:30 a.m. with lottery drawing at 1 p.m.

April 5: 5th annual Vance Outdoors Buckeye Lake Open Bass Tournament, Liebs Island Ramp, Buckeye Lake. Contact Ron Groves (rgroves@vanceoutdoors.com, 740-928-9474.

April 6: Turkey Shoot at the South Cuyahoga Sportsmen’s Association, 19300 Ridge Rd., North Royalton. Breakfast begins at 6 a.m., shoot begins at 9 a.m. Visit www.scsasportsmen.com.

April 9: Ohio Wildlife Council monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus. OWC will vote on proposed regulations, dates for 2014-2015 seasons. For information call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit www.wildohio.com.

April 9: Firelands Fly Fishers meeting featuring fly fishing expert Jerry Darkes and his new book, The Inland Seas, French Creek Nature Center, 6:30 p.m., 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village. For information visit www.firelandsflyfishers.org.

April 11: Annual banquet for the Huron River Fantails Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Elks Lodge 285, 120 E. Adams St., Sandusky. Contact Doug Johnston, 419-684-7158, dougmjmarcia@att.net.

April 12: Castapalooza! A Celebration of All Things Fly Fishing, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Lake Metroparks Hidden Valley Reservation, Klassen Rd. (south of I-90 off Rt. 528), Madison. Free. Fly casting, fly tying and rigging demonstrations. Fly casting games and prizes.

April 12: Rainbow trout stockings by the Ohio Division of Wildlife at Little Turtle Pond in Akron; and Punderson Lake in Newbury. Both stockings have been listed as hosting youth fishing events on April 12, with adult fishing allowed afterward. For information visit wildohio.com.

April 12: Rescheduled Lake Erie Walleye Trail Tournament on Lake Erie at Magee East Marina & Campground. Two-angler teams. Sponsored by the Western Basin Sportfishing Association. For information visit www.wbsa.us or contact Joe Yingling, 419-621-4751, joe.yingling@yahoo.com.

April 12: Annual banquet of the Medina County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, 5-11 p.m., The Galaxy, 201 Park Center Dr., Wadsworth. Tickets $70, couples $100. Call Rick Hawk, 330-338-4871, or visit www.ducks.org/ohio.

April 12: Goodyear Hunting & Fishing Club Trout Derby, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Little Turtle Ponds, Firestone Metropark, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron. Anglers 15 and under. A $1 cash prize for catching tagged fish. A limited number of rods and reels available. Worm available for purchase; minnows not allowed. Call 330-865-8065.

April 12: Youth turkey lottery for Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area hunts on Saturdays and Sunday from April 19-May 18. The drawing is at the East Holmes Sportsmen’s Club, 2.5 miles southeast of Millersburg on Twp. Rd. 310. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Jakes Day events will be held before the 1 p.m. lottery.

April 12: Doug Hanes Memorial Ice Breaker Bass Tournament, Moundwood Ramp, Indian Lake. Contact Bill Cochensparger (bluegillbill@woh.rr.com, 419-201-9031).

April 12: Ottawa County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited annual banquet and fundraiser, Camp Perry Banquet Hall, Ohio 2, Oak Harbor. Tickets $60, couples $85, greenwings $25. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., dinneer at 6:30 p.m., auction at 8 p.m. Visit www.ducks.org/ohio.

April 12-13: Traditional Turkey Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen, 12575 Sperry Rd., Chesterland. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Fee $10, kids $5. Call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756 or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

April 13: Great Lakes Largemouth Series Open Bass Tournament, Cullen Park Boat Launch, 4526 Summit St., Toledo. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Craig Burwell (birdie2277@yahoo.com, 419-701-8440).

April 13: Turkey Shoot at the South Cuyahoga Sportsmen’s Association, 19300 Ridge Rd., North Royalton. Breakfast begins at 6 a.m., shoot begins at 9 a.m. Visit www.scsasportsmen.com.

April 13: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lost Arrow Archery Club, 3370 17th St. S.W., Massillon. Open to the public, crossbows allowed. Registration 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee $10, $5 for members. Visit www.lostarrowarcheryclub.com or contact Kandi Schane, 330-933-0980 or Janine Harman, 330-828-2372.

April 16: Rainbow trout stockings by the Ohio Division of Wildlife at Silver Creek Lake in Norton. For information visit wildohio.com.

April 16: Youth Fishing Program Workshop to teach volunteers to become certified Passport to Fishing instructors with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., ODOW District 3 Headquarters, 912 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron. Free, with pre-registration required. All participants required to have a background check. Volunteers will learn to teach the basics of fishing and how to run a four-station fishing program. To pre-register contact Ken Fry, 330-245-3030.

April 17: Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders meeting featuring Dave Dyer on fishing Indiana’s Trail Creek and Lake Michigan for Skamania trout in spring and early summer. Meeting from 7:30-9 p.m. at Ampol Club Hall, 4737 Pearl Rd., Cleveland. Visit www.ohiosteelheaders.com.

April 19: Ohio Mega Bass Tournament Trail, Buckeye Lake. For information visit www.ombtt.com.

April 19: Spring Fling Walleye Derby pre-derby party, 1-3 p.m., Shines Bait & Tackle, 1287 East 55th St., Cleveland.

April 19-20, 2014: Youth wild turkey hunting spring season. For information visit www.wildohio.com or call 1-800-WILDLIFE.

April 20: Turkey Shoot at the South Cuyahoga Sportsmen’s Association, 19300 Ridge Rd., North Royalton. Breakfast begins at 6 a.m., shoot begins at 9 a.m. Visit www.scsasportsmen.com.

April 20: South Cuyahoga Bowmen 3-D Archery Shoots, South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association, 5370 Erhart Rd., Chatham Township. Registration 8-11 a.m. Rinehart targets featured. Crossbows welcome. Visit www.scsasportsmen.com.

April 21: Spring wild turkey hunting season opens through May 18, 2014. For information visit www.wildohio.com or call 1-800-WILDLIFE.

April 23: Black Bear Informational Program, 6-8 p.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District Three Office, 912 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron. Topics include bear ecology, life history, population trends and current status, management. Free, pre-registration required at 330-644-2293.

April 24-May 19: Walleye Spring Fling fishing derby, Ohio waters of Lake Erie. Entry $25. Derby begins at 12:01 a.m. on April 24 and ends at 8 a.m. on May 19. Awards party on May 23 from 6-9 p.m. at Elmwood Park Cabin, 600 Elmwood Rd., Rocky River. For information call Frank Murphy, 440-221-2822, visit www.lakeeriefishingderby.com or email lakeeriefishingderby@gmail.com.

April 25: 2nd Amendment Freedom Dinner held by the Tinkers Creek Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited, Days Inn & Suites, 4742 Brecksville Rd., Richfield. Featured are dinner, raffles, exhibits, games and Travis “T-Bone” Turner of Michael Waddell’s Bone Collector television show. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets $50, $30 for spouse or child. Ticket deadline is April 22. Call Matt McCann, 330-467-1729 or Denny Malloy, 330-507-9489.

April 26: Fishing Instructor Certification Workshop, Passport to Fishing program, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District Three Office, 912 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron. Pre-registration required. Contact Ken Fry, 330-245-3030, Kenneth.fry@dnr.state.oh.us.

April 26: Rainbow trout stockings by the Ohio Division of Wildlife at Ohio Canal Lock No. 4, Canal Fulton. For information visit wildohio.com.

April 26-27: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Adults $10, cubs $5. Open to the public. For information visit www.lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

April 27: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

April 27: Team Bass Xtreme/Central Ohio Division, Buckeye Lake. For information visit www.TeamBassExtreme.com.

May 2-4: Catawba Island Boat Show, Catawba Island Club, Catawba Island. For information visit lemta.com.

May 2-4: Lake and Trails Fishing Camp, FFA Camp Muskingum on Leesville Lake, Carrollton. Registration opens Feb. 15 for youngsters 9 to 17 years old. An adult must accompany youth attendees. For information or to sign up visit www.lakeandtrails.org or call Karen Metzger, 330-725-8747.

May 3: 14th annual Mosquito Creek 60 Gun Raffle, Mosquito Creek Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited, Yankee Lake Ballroom, 1814 Rt. 7, Brookfield. For information, tickets contact Denny Malloy, 330-507-9489.

May 3: Lake Erie Walleye Trail Tournament on Lake Erie at Lakevue Marina, Lakeside. Two-angler teams. Sponsored by the Western Basin Sportfishing Association. For information visit www.wbsa.us or contact Joe Yingling, 419-621-4751, joe.yingling@yahoo.com.

May 4: National Field Archery Association Shoot, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. For information visit www.lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

May 4: 3-D Archery League and National Field Archery Association League begin weekly shoots begin at Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Visit www.lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795. Leagues held each Sunday for 10 weeks.

May 4-June 28: Lake Erie FishCrazy Spring Walleye Derby. Visit www.lakeeriewalleyederby.com for rules. Entry $50, $10 for one-day entry. Weekly, monthly and overall winners.

May 10: Intro to Kayaking and Canoeing, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Silver Creek Metro Park Boathouse, 5171 S. Medina Line Rd., Norton. Learn about kayak and canoe safety, paddling techniques and proper equipment. Advance registration opens May 2. Call 330-865-8065.

May 10: Ohio Mega Bass Tournament Trail, Grand Lake St. Marys. For information visit www.ombtt.com.

May 10-11: Swap Meet and 3-D Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen, 12575 Sperry Rd., Chesterland. Bring outdoor-related gear to swap or sell. Shoot registration opens at 8 a.m. Fee $10, kids $5. Call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756 or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

May 11: MOMS 3-D Archery Shoot, Lost Arrow Archery Club, 3370 17th St. S.W., Massillon. Mothers shoot for free. Open to the public, crossbows allowed. Registration 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee $10, $5 for members. Visit www.lostarrowarcheryclub.com or contact Kandi Schane, 330-933-0980 or Janine Harman, 330-828-2372.

May 14: Fly Casting Night with Firelands Fly Fishers, Walker Road Park, Walker Rd., Avon Lake. For information visit www.firelandsflyfishers.org.

May 16: Rainbow trout stockings by the Ohio Division of Wildlife at Ohio & Erie Canal, Cuyahoga Heights. For information visit wildohio.com.

May 17: Lake Erie Walleye Trail Tournament on Lake Erie at Sandusky. Two-angler teams. Sponsored by the Western Basin Sportfishing Association. For information visit www.wbsa.us or contact Joe Yingling, 419-621-4751, joe.yingling@yahoo.com.

May 17: Kids' Fishing, Firestone Metro Park/Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron. Kids 15 and under learn the basics of fishing. Some rods and reels available. Bait is provided. Adults are not allowed to fish. Call 330-865-8065.

May 17: Paddle the Parks, Tannery Park, 100 Stow St., Kent. Kayak or canoe 4.5 miles down the Cuyahoga River to Brust Park in Munroe Falls with certified instructors and Metro Parks naturalist. Learn the basic while observing wildlife, shoreline habitat. No experience needed. Registration required with Crooked River Adventures, 330-541-7467. Cost $20 for kayak, $30 for canoe.

May 17: Walmart Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division, Grand Lake St. Marys. For entries, information visit www.flwoutdoors.com.

May 17-18: Cleveland Metroparks Kid’s Fishing Derby. Saturday at Wallace Lake in Berea; Sunday at Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights. Stocked rainbow trout and catfish. Youngsters 4-8 years old from 9 a.m.-noon; 9-15 years old from 1-4 p.m. Free, pre-registration not needed, kids-only fishing until 4 p.m. Prizes for biggest, smallest fish. Bring fishing tackle, coolers for fish.

May 23: 7th annual Western Reserve Friends of NRA Banquet, LaMalfa Party Center, 5785 Hensley Rd., Mentor. Admission $130 ($120 before March 15). Doors open at 6 p.m., buffet at 7 p.m., gun raffles, games and prizes. Contact chairman@westernreservefnra.org.

May 24-25: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Adults $10, cubs $5. Open to the public. For information visit www.lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

May 31: Introduction to Family Camping, 10 a.m., F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Campfire Area, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron. Learn the basics of family camping. Optional weekend in a Metro Park on June 13-15. Advance registration opens May 23. Call 330-865-8065.

May 31: Introduction to Backpacking, 2 p.m. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron. Learn about proper clothing, gear, food and first aid. Optional backpacking trips in a Metro Park, including a women-only trip in June and October. Ages 10 to adult. Advance registration begins May 23. Call 330-865-8065.

June 7: Youth Fishing Program Workshop to teach volunteers to become certified Passport to Fishing instructors with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., ODOW District 3 Headquarters, 912 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron. Free, with pre-registration required. All participants required to have a background check. Volunteers will learn to teach the basics of fishing and how to run a four-station fishing program. To pre-register contact Ken Fry, 330-245-3030.

June 7: Ohio Mega Bass Tournament Trail, Indian Lake. For information visit www.ombtt.com.

June 7-8: Cleveland Lakefront Boating & Fishing Festival, Cleveland Lakefront State Park/East 55th St. Marina. Boating, water safety and fishing exhibits. Free. Fishing trips for yellow perch on the Holiday party fishing boat. Free boat rides and casting instructions.

June 7-8: Native American Fun Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen, 12575 Sperry Rd., Chesterland. Shoot registration opens at 8 a.m. Fee $10, kids $5. Call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756 or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

June 7-8: Championship of the Lake Erie Walleye Trail Tournament on Lake Erie at Huron Public Launch Ramps, Huron. Two-angler teams. Sponsored by the Western Basin Sportfishing Association. For information visit www.wbsa.us or contact Joe Yingling, 419-621-4751, joe.yingling@yahoo.com.

June 8: Team Bass Xtreme/Central Ohio Division, Alum Creek Lake. For information visit www.TeamBassExtreme.com.

June 8: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lost Arrow Archery Club, 3370 17th St. S.W., Massillon. Open to the public, crossbows allowed. Registration 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee $10, $5 for members. Visit www.lostarrowarcheryclub.com or contact Kandi Schane, 330-933-0980 or Janine Harman, 330-828-2372.

June 21-22: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Adults $10, cubs $5. Open to the public. For information visit www.lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

June 28: Cleveland Hailers Chapter of Ducks Unlimited annual Family Fish Fry/Game Dinner Picnic, 1 p.m., home of Dave and April Blaylock, Cleveland. Tickets $35, couples $60, children $25. DU membership included. Reservations needed. Call 216-749-7758. Games, raffles, family swimming. Texas Hold’em tournament at 11 a.m. Entry $30.

June 28: Walmart Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division, Tanner’s Creek on the Ohio River. For entries, information visit www.flwoutdoors.com.

June 28-29: Campout and Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen, 12575 Sperry Rd., Chesterland. Shoot registration opens at 8 a.m. Fee $10, kids $5. Call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756 or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

June 28-29: Ohio Archery Association Championship, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Archers can pre-register at

www.OhioArchers.com. Walk-in reservations open at 8 a.m. Fee $40, 28 targets. visit www.lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

June 29: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

June 29: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Presque Isle Division, Marina Ramp, Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or call Aaron Gast, 814-314-9847.

June 29: South Cuyahoga Bowmen 3-D Archery Shoots, South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association, 5370 Erhart Rd., Chatham Township. Registration 8-11 a.m. Rinehart targets featured. Crossbows welcome. Visit www.scsasportsmen.com.

June 29: Ohio Mega Bass Tournament Trail, Alum Creek Reservoir. For information visit www.ombtt.com.

July 6: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Mentor Lagoons Division, Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Boat Ramp, Mentor Lagoons, Mentor. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Joel Prince (jcprince193@gmail.com, 330-936-6434).

July 6: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Toledo Division, Cullen Park Boat Launch, 4526 Summit St., Toledo. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Craig Burwell (birdie2277@yahoo.com, 419-701-8440).

July 6: National Field Archery Association Shoot, 28 targets, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. For information visit www.lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

July 12-13: Cookout and Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen, 12575 Sperry Rd., Chesterland. Shoot registration opens at 8 a.m. Fee $10, kids $5. Call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756 or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

July 13: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

July 13: 6th annual Catch A Dream 3-D Archery Shoot, Lost Arrow Archery Club, 3370 17th St. S.W., Massillon. Open to the public, crossbows allowed. Registration 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee $10, $5 for members. Visit www.lostarrowarcheryclub.com or contact Kandi Schane, 330-933-0980 or Janine Harman, 330-828-2372.

July 13: Team Bass Xtreme/Central Ohio Division, O’Shaughnessy Reservoir. For information visit www.TeamBassExtreme.com.

July 16: Ohio Wildlife Council monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus. For information call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit www.wildohio.com.

July 19: Walmart Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division, Ohio River at Maysville. For entries, information visit www.flwoutdoors.com.

July 20: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Toledo Division, Cullen Park Boat Launch, 4526 Summit St., Toledo. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Craig Burwell (birdie2277@yahoo.com, 419-701-8440).

July 20: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Presque Isle Division, Marina Ramp, Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or call Aaron Gast, 814-314-9847.

July 26: Ohio Mega Bass Tournament Trail, Indian Lake. For information visit www.ombtt.com.

July 26-27: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Adults $10, cubs $5. Open to the public. For information visit www.lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

July 27: South Cuyahoga Bowmen 3-D Archery Shoots, South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association, 5370 Erhart Rd., Chatham Township. Registration 8-11 a.m. Rinehart targets featured. Crossbows welcome. Visit www.scsasportsmen.com.

July 27: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Aug. 2-3: Archery Clinic, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration required before July 26. Open to the public. For information visit www.lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Aug. 3: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/ Mentor Lagoons Division, Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Boat Ramp, Mentor Lagoons, Mentor. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Joel Prince (jcprince193@gmail.com, 330-936-6434).

Aug. 3: National Field Archery Association Shoot, 28 targets, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. For information visit www.lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Aug. 7: Annual banquet for the Medina County Strutters Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Buffalo Creek Retreat, 8708 Hubbard Valley Rd., Seville. Contact Bill Suliks, 330-635-0878, bsuliks@aol.com.

Aug. 9: Walmart Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division, Tanner’s Creek on the Ohio River. For entries, information visit www.flwoutdoors.com.

Aug. 9-10: African Safari Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen, 12575 Sperry Rd., Chesterland. Shoot registration opens at 8 a.m. Fee $10, kids $5. Call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756 or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

Aug. 10: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Aug. 10: South Cuyahoga Bowmen 3-D Archery Shoots, South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association, 5370 Erhart Rd., Chatham Township. Registration 8-11 a.m. Rinehart targets featured. Crossbows welcome. Visit www.scsasportsmen.com.

Aug. 10: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Presque Isle Division, Marina Ramp, Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or call Aaron Gast, 814-314-9847.

Aug. 10: 3-D Hunter Course Archery Shoot, Lost Arrow Archery Club, 3370 17th St. S.W., Massillon. Open to the public, crossbows allowed. Registration 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee $10, $5 for members. Visit www.lostarrowarcheryclub.com or contact Kandi Schane, 330-933-0980 or Janine Harman, 330-828-2372.

Aug. 17: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/ Mentor Lagoons Division, Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Boat Ramp, Mentor Lagoons, Mentor. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Joel Prince (jcprince193@gmail.com, 330-936-6434).

Aug. 17: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Toledo Division, Cullen Park Boat Launch, 4526 Summit St., Toledo. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Craig Burwell (birdie2277@yahoo.com, 419-701-8440).

Aug. 20: Ohio Wildlife Council monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus. For information call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit www.wildohio.com.

Aug. 23-24: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Adults $10, cubs $5. Open to the public. For information visit www.lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Aug. 24: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Aug. 30-31: Dog Days Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen, 12575 Sperry Rd., Chesterland. Shoot registration opens at 8 a.m. Fee $10, kids $5. Call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756 or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

Aug. 31: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Toledo Division, Cullen Park Boat Launch, 4526 Summit St., Toledo. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Craig Burwell (birdie2277@yahoo.com, 419-701-8440).

Sept. 6-7: Fall Rendezvous Archery Shoot, Lost Arrow Archery Club, 3370 17th St. S.W., Massillon. Open to the public, crossbows allowed. Registration 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee $10, $5 for members. Visit www.lostarrowarcheryclub.com or contact Kandi Schane, 330-933-0980 or Janine Harman, 330-828-2372.

Sept. 6-7: Walmart Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division, Indian Lake. For entries, information visit www.flwoutdoors.com.

Sept. 7: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Sept. 7: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Presque Isle Division, Marina Ramp, Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or call Aaron Gast, 814-314-9847.

Sept. 9: Youth Fishing Program Workshop to teach volunteers to become certified Passport to Fishing instructors with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., ODOW District 3 Headquarters, 912 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron. Free, with pre-registration required. All participants required to have a background check. Volunteers will learn to teach the basics of fishing and how to run a four-station fishing program. To pre-register contact Ken Fry, 330-245-3030.

Sept. 11-14: North American In-Water Boat Show, Cedar Point Marina, Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky. For information visit lemta.com.

Sept. 13-14: Deer Archery Shoot and Corn Roast, Geauga Bowmen, 12575 Sperry Rd., Chesterland. Shoot registration opens at 8 a.m. Fee $10, kids $5. Call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756 or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

Sept. 13-14: 3rd annual Ladies 3-D Archery Shoot on Saturday and Early Bird 3-D Shoot on Sunday, Lost Arrow Archery Club, 3370 17th St. S.W., Massillon. Open to the public, crossbows allowed. Registration 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee $10, $5 for members. Visit www.lostarrowarcheryclub.com or contact Kandi Schane, 330-933-0980 or Janine Harman, 330-828-2372.

Sept. 14: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/ Mentor Lagoons Division, Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Boat Ramp, Mentor Lagoons, Mentor. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Joel Prince (jcprince193@gmail.com, 330-936-6434).

Sept. 14: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Toledo Division, Cullen Park Boat Launch, 4526 Summit St., Toledo. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Craig Burwell (birdie2277@yahoo.com, 419-701-8440).

Sept. 17: Ohio Wildlife Council monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus. For information call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit www.wildohio.com.

Sept. 18: State Fish and Wildlife Hearing, 9 a.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus. For information call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit www.wildohio.com. Public comments on season dates, regulations.

Sept. 20-21: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Adults $10, cubs $5. Open to the public. For information visit www.lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Sept. 21: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Sept. 21: Great Lakes Largemouth Series, Marina Ramp, Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or call Aaron Gast, 814-314-9847.

Sept. 27: Ohio Mega Bass Tournament Trail, Delaware Lake. For information visit www.ombtt.com.

Sept. 26-27: Masters Walleye Circuit qualifying tournament, two-angler teams, Lake Erie at Huron, Ohio. For information, entries visit www.masterswalleyecircuit.com. MWC Championship to be held Oct. 8-11 at Devils Lake, N.D.

Oct. 11-12: Championship of the Great Lakes Largemouth Series, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit www.greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Oct. 15: Ohio Wildlife Council monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus. For information call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit www.wildohio.com.

Oct.16-18: Walmart Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division Regional Championship, Kentucky Lake. For entries, information visit www.flwoutdoors.com.

Nov. 6: Youth Fishing Program Workshop to teach volunteers to become certified Passport to Fishing instructors with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., ODOW District 3 Headquarters, 912 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron. Free, with pre-registration required. All participants required to have a background check. Volunteers will learn to teach the basics of fishing and how to run a four-station fishing program. To pre-register contact Ken Fry, 330-245-3030.

HUNTING SEASONS

Youth spring wild turkey: April 19-20, 2014

Spring wild turkey: April 21-May 18, 2014

June 6, 2014-March 7, 2015 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday only)

Coyote and wild boar: No closed season

Groundhog: Closed only during deer gun season.

END OUTDOORS CALENDAR

LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- St. Edward boys basketball got to celebrate all over again on Thursday, as the school held a ceremony to commemorate the team's Division I state title. With the school's spring break falling last week, the celebration came 12 days after the victory over Upper Arlington but plenty of fans have already showed their support.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- St. Edward boys basketball got to celebrate all over again on Thursday, as the school held a ceremony to commemorate the team's Division I state title.

With the school's spring break falling last week, the celebration came 12 days after the victory over Upper Arlington but plenty of fans have already showed their support.

"Wherever I go, people come up to me and say something about that shot," said senior Marsalis Hamilton, whose 3-pointer at the end of regulation sent the state title game to overtime.

The ceremony began with honoring the school's indoor track team, which also won a state title this season.

Then, it was boys basketball coach Eric Flannery who took to the podium. He thanked administrators, coaches and volunteers while also speaking on his own time at St. Edward.

"It has been the greatest journey of my life being the head coach here," Flannery said.

On March 22, St. Edward beat Upper Arlington, 62-58, to win the Division I state title. The win capped a 26-2 season for the Eagles that included just one loss in the state of Ohio.

Flannery went on to speak about the last time that he won a state title in 1998.

"The wait has been well worth it," Flannery said. "16 years I ago I raised the trophy and here I am again raising our second."

St. Edward returns two starters, Kipper Nichols and Mike Ryan, next season and will be gearing up for a state title defense.

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.

"After he got in the NFL and made a little money, you kind of get used to a little money, and he didn't see any other way of doing it because he never finished college," Ken Small said of his son, sentenced to four years Thursday on drug charges.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Don’t wait for a 30 for 30 film on Ray Small.

Former Ohio State star Maurice Clarett, featured in the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “Youngstown Boys,” along with former OSU coach Jim Tressel, was compelling as a player who had it all and threw it away. Clarett wound up in prison, then rehabilitated his life and has found new purpose since his release.

Small, the former Ohio State player (not star) never got what he wanted, nor expected, out of his football life. And that’s at least part of why he now shares two things in common with Clarett – life as a Buckeye and life as an inmate.

Small was sentenced to four years in prison on drug charges Thursday, though he could petition the judge for release after a year. It was a stark reality for the Cleveland native once seen as the heir apparent to Ted Ginn Jr., as the next Buckeye stud receiver from Glenville High.

Called into the courtroom just before 11 a.m. in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, his last name was mispronounced as Smalls. A TV camera in place earlier in the day had been taken away after filming a 30-year-old woman sentenced to prison time who sobbed, hopped in place and cried for her mother as she was escorted to jail.

Small, 27, who flashed a quick smile to his parents as he entered the courtroom, was stoic, apologetic and anonymous, just another case number on a busy docket.

In a text message after Small initially offered a guilty plea to these charges in February, Tressel said he hadn’t spoken with Small “in quite some time.” Questions in recent weeks to anyone associated with Glenville revealed no one with recent contact with Small.

“I’m just going to say his time in the NFL didn’t go like he planned. Actually, his college didn’t go like he planned,” Small’s father, Ken, said after the sentencing. “He just got caught up with some guys who were at the wrong end of the spectrum and he just made some stupid mistakes. He’s a good kid, good football player, but he made some stupid mistakes and he’s got to pay for them.”

Mistakes aren’t new for Small, but the real world introduced ramifications far beyond the slaps for his college missteps.

Playing at Ohio State from 2006-09, Small was a familiar name to every fan, more for what he did off the field than on it. He finished his four-year career with 61 catches for 659 yards and three touchdowns, never catching more than 20 passes in a season. It was his untapped potential and penchant for punishment that kept him in the spotlight.

Ray Small had his number switched from No. 4 to No. 82 as a punishment while playing for the Buckeyes from 2006-09.Associated Press

But trouble used to have a different definition.

As a junior, Small landed in Tressel’s doghouse for saying the difference between Ohio State and USC, another school he had visited, was a “class thing.”

“Here at Ohio State, they teach you to be a better man,” Small said then. “There, it’s just all about football.”

Before that season, Small wasn’t given the full, typical page in the team media guide. He had his jersey switched from No. 4 to No. 82, an attempt at shaking him up suggested by Ted Ginn Sr., his former coach at Glenville High. But by the end of that season, Small was suspended for two games. Ken Small said then that Ohio State and Tressel were “intentionally blowing his whole career.”

There was transfer talk. But Small returned for his senior season, and in an interview before his Senior Day he spoke of missed opportunities. At Glenville, there is always talk of creating opportunities for the next generation of Tarblooders, of adding to Glenville’s reputation, not diminishing it. Small knew there would be more Glenville players heading to Ohio State, and he was right.

"The next one is always here," Small said then. "You can tell him what to do. And what not to do."

Weeks later, Small was suspended for the Rose Bowl, his OSU career over. Though he spoke before Senior Day of nearing his degree, he never graduated. He wasn’t taken in the 2010 NFL Draft, but signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent. He was in camp with Minnesota but was cut, and he later landed on the practice squads of the Washington Redskins and Indianapolis Colts. He never played in an NFL game, but he got a brief taste of the league.

“After he got in the NFL and made a little money, you kind of get used to a little money, and he didn’t see any other way of doing it because he never finished college,” Ken Small said.

But Small appeared back on the radar of Ohio State fans, telling the student newspaper The Lantern in May of 2011 that he had sold memorabilia while playing at Ohio State. His comments came after Ohio State’s NCAA violations regarding other players selling merchandise. Other former players disputed or were angered by Small’s comments, as were many fans. A week later, Tressel was fired.

“A lot of people can’t accept the truth,” Ken Small said Thursday. “A lot of people call it snitching, but when a big college like Ohio State does something, they don’t really want to own up to it.”

As Ken Small stood in a hallway outside the courtroom, his son taken away and awaiting transport back to the Franklin County Correction Center, what Ray Small had said about Ohio State or done while wearing the scarlet and gray didn’t seem like it mattered. But it also couldn’t be separated from what had happened to his life, because that had been such a part of it.

Some fans in the past had expressed displeasure with the blame Ken Small had placed on Ohio State for Ray falling short of his football goals. Now Ken Small was talking about how difficult it could be for a high school player to adjust. Tressel once said he’d given Small so many shots at Ohio State, it was “more than LeBron takes.”

He's out of chances now. But if Small didn’t have the talent to stick in the NFL, or didn’t know how to use the talent he had in the best way, why was this the outcome?

Clarett, in leading the Buckeyes to the national title in 2002, reached the top before crashing to the bottom. He had a rise before his fall. In football, Ray Small never reached the heights he had hoped for. But he still must find his own way back up.

“I’m hoping that he will take and use this productively,” Ken Small said. “When we talked to him he seems to have done that. But when you’re locked up, maybe you’ll say anything. It’s when you get out, what are you going to do?”

Small's lawyer, Eric Brehm, said his client would be a great candidate to speak to college athletes or any young men about getting caught up with the wrong crowd.

"A lot of times, you're dealing with the byproduct of your personal life," Brehm said. "That bad decision cost him a lot."

If Small spoke, his weight would come not from what he accomplished as a football player. It would come from what he didn't -- and what went wrong after that.

Joey Davis is halfway to his goal of winning four NCAA championships.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Notre Dame College two-time national wrestling champion Joey Davis will not transfer to another school, according to his father.

“He's going to stay where he is. He created a dynasty there. He's critical to the new recruits and their success. If he would leave, he would hurt the school,'' Joey Davis Sr. said in a phone interview Thursday from his home in Compton, Calif.

Davis Sr. said a major factor in Joey staying at NDC is his son's progress toward a degree, which he worried would be irreparably disrupted if he transferred.

“I like the small, individualized attention they give him (academically),'' Davis Sr. said.

Joey Davis is 72-0 and won NCAA Division II national championship at 165 and 174 pounds in his first two seasons. He told The Plain Dealer last month before the NCAA tournament he would consider transferring to a Division I school if he won a second title. After winning the championship, he said of transferring, “I don't know. We'll see.''

Davis also said his goal was to win four NCAA titles.

Davis led NDC to its first NCAA team championship in any sport at the Division II Championships last month in Cleveland, and he is the only NCAA individual champ in school history.

Davis dipped his toes in the waters of freestyle wrestling last summer and placed fifth at the USA Wrestling junior world team trials, including a pair of controversial and close losses. Davis Sr. said his son will take this summer off to recover from a minor shoulder injury and finger surgery.

Hiram hire: Hiram named Chris Kibler its new men's basketball coach this week, replacing Steve Fleming, who coached eight seasons at the school. Kibler returns to Hiram, where he was an assistant from 2010 to 2013. This season, he was an assistant at Charleston (W.Va.) and helped the Golden Eagles claim the inaugural Mount East Tournament Championship.

“Chris Kibler is a seasoned collegiate basketball coach who has been a part of many championship programs,” Hiram Athletic Director Ellen Dempsey said in a statement. “Chris is a proven recruiter in the collegiate coaching ranks, who has earned the opportunity to take the helm.''

Kibler is a Baldwin Wallace graduate and former assistant there. He also had stints at Lakeland Community College and Gannon University.

“Becoming a head coach has been a childhood dream of mine,” Kibler said in a statement. “It’s not a job, it’s a lifestyle and I couldn’t have gotten to this point without the help of former and current head coaches who I have worked with in the my career.''

Whiteout: Notre Dame College senior right-hander Matt “Whitey” Kastelic pitched the first no-hitter in school history Saturday in a 5-0 win against Charleston in All Pro Freight Stadium.

Kastelic (3-3) was one walk shy of a perfect game. He retired the first 12 batters, walked Jordan Banks on a full count, then retired the next nine, ending the game with a strikeout of Banks. Kastelic struck out 10, a season high.

The Brunswick grad was named Mountain East Conference Pitcher of the Week and NCAA Division II NCBWA National Pitcher of the Week.

The second game of the scheduled doubleheader against Charleston was canceled due to an actual whiteout.

BW baseball upsets: Baldwin Wallace split doubleheaders with No. 23 Heidelberg last week and No. 11 Marietta on Sunday. The Yellow Jackets knocked off No. 21 Case Western Reserve, 6-1, on Wednesday to improve to 12-8. Against Case's potent offense, BW's Jon Capadona (2-1) pitched seven innings and allowed one run on seven hits.

Case standout reliever Rob Winemiller threw a scoreless inning in the loss.

Combined milestone: Baldwin Wallace men's tennis coach Brian Rector has 449 career wins in 25 seasons and women's coach Jack Bethlenfalvy has 351 in 31 years to give the pair a combined total of 800 career wins. They are the winningest men's and women's tennis coaches in Ohio collegiate history, according to BW.

Gibbons signs: After enjoying one of the more successful careers in Canisius College hockey history, Westlake grad Kyle Gibbons signed recently with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL.

“Taking the next step in my career is awesome and something that I always dreamed about as a kid,” Gibbons said in a statement. “It’s really exciting to sign my first contract and I can’t thank Canisius enough for that.''

In four seasons, Gibbons had 130 points (57 goals, 73 assists). He ranks fourth in Canisius career points and second in career goals. He also led Canisius to the its first conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2013, and was named the Atlantic Hockey Championship MVP.

CCC's Szalay is POTW: Cuyahoga Community College softball player Aubrey Szalay has been named Player of the Week by the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference after going 6-for-9 with three runs scored, two doubles, one home run and eight RBI – including seven in one game – in a split against Sinclair.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio — St. Edward's boys basketball team celebrated its state championship in front of its students on Thursday at St. Edward. The Eagles finished the 2013-14 season with a 26-2 record, winning the Division I state championship against Upper Arlington, 62-58, in overtime. St. Edward trailed by three points with five seconds left before senior Marsalis Hamilton hit a...

LAKEWOOD, Ohio — St. Edward's boys basketball team celebrated its state championship in front of its students on Thursday at St. Edward.

The Eagles finished the 2013-14 season with a 26-2 record, winning the Division I state championship against Upper Arlington, 62-58, in overtime. St. Edward trailed by three points with five seconds left before senior Marsalis Hamilton hit a game-tying three to send the game into overtime.

The Eagles had a very strong regular season, losing just once to a team from the state of Ohio and ended the season ranked No. 1 in the final cleveland.com Top 25. They continued that success into the playoffs where they only had one of their playoff games decided by fewer than 10 points.

Coach Eric Flannery addressed the students of St. Edward and expressed deep gratitude to the school administration who had named him the head coach when he was 24 years old. He won his first state championship in 1998, beating rival St. Ignatius to do so.

He has taken the Eagles to the Final Four eight times, but had only made it to the final game twice before this season.

"16 years ago," Flannery said, "it's been a long time for me. And the wait has been well worth it. So 16 years ago, I raised the trophy. And here I am again today to raise our second state championship trophy."

The rally also celebrated the St. Edward boys indoor track team, which recently won its third consecutive state championship.

Also check out David Cassilo's story from the championship rally, featuring a photo gallery from the event.

The Indians opened 2014 by winning a series in Oakland. The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff and CineSport's Brian Clark discuss the highs and lows of the series, and preview Friday's home opener against the Twins.

 

Click play to watch the video.

Struggling Boston College selects Ohio University head coach Jim Christian to revive its hoops program.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Popular Mid-American Conference basketball coach Jim Christian has taken the job as head coach at Boston College after two years of success at Ohio University.

Christian, 49, began his head coaching career at Kent State. He also coached at Texas Christian before his stop at OU.

"Boston College is a tremendous fit,'' Christian said via teleconference.

He takes over a program that built a national reputation in the Big East under coaches Tom Davis, Jim O'Brien and Al Skinner. But after initial success with Skinner in the ACC, with four NCAA appearances in five seasons, BC has struggled.

Three straight losing seasons have led Boston College to Christian. He was hired by athletic director Brad Bates -- also with MAC ties -- and is being asked to get the Eagles back in full flight.

"Jim Christian brings three remarkable traits to Boston College basketball," Bates, the former Miami AD, said in a release. "First, he sincerely cares about his student-athletes and will be a catalyst for their development as basketball players, scholars, servers and leaders, while creating a family culture that brings pride to the BC community.

"Second, his energy is contagious and his passion inspiring, which will resonate throughout our program.

"Finally, he is a proven winner with an outstanding winning percentage and three conference championships. We are very excited to have Jim Christian leading Boston College basketball."

After serving one season as an assistant at Kent, Christian took over and had a 138-58 record over the next six seasons, winning a pair of MAC regular-season titles and making two trips to the NCAA Tournament (2006, 2008).

He then became head coach at TCU and went 56-73 in four years before taking the head job with the Bobcats in 2012. Christian was 49-22 at OU, including a shared regular-season title in 2013.

Christian leaves as the MAC's winningest coach by percentage (.700) and won 20 or more games every year he coached in the league. Along with his NCAA Tournament appearances, he also had four NIT appearances, and this season was 2-1 in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

"The opportunity for growth (at BC) is what excites you," Christian said. "The guys who have had success (at Boston College) have had backgrounds just like me."

A native of Bethpage, N.Y., who played his college basketball at Boston University and Rhode Island, Christian is returning to his native Northeast. His career mark as a head coach stands at 243-153 (.614).

Michael Brantley is a career .317 hitter with runners in scoring position.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For too many years, Tribe fans could look forward to opening day…

And … well, there's always opening day.

And isn't the home opener great? A packed stadium! Great introductions! A chance to cheer one more time for coach Sandy Alomar and any other Tribe players from the 1990s who might be part of the pregame ceremonies.

But last season changed all that with the shocking 92-70 record and a wild-card berth in the playoffs.

Now that was a baseball season, ending with a 10-game regular season winning streak.

OK, the Indians were shut out, 4-0, at home by Tampa Bay in the playoff game.

But if you are a Tribe fan, that was a fun year.

And perhaps, something like that can happen again as the team opens its home season against Minnesota on Friday at 3:05 p.m.

The Indians return home after winning two of three in Oakland. You may not know the names of many of those guys in gaudy A's uniforms, just remember they have been to the playoffs in the last two seasons -- and may do it again this year.

But Justin Masterson, Cody Allen and John Axford shut them out, 2-0, in Monday's opener.

And the Tribe came from behind in the ninth inning to beat Oakland, 6-4, in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader.

That came after a dismal 6-1 loss in the first game.

"We were all talking about it after the first game," Nick Swisher told reporters. "We were saying, 'Man, that wasn't us, guys.' I mean we had to go out and play that second game."

Wahoo baseball

And they went out and played Wahoo baseball, the kind that helped them win 92 games last season.

Admit it. You didn't see it coming in the second game.

OK, I didn't see it coming.

I saw Michael Brantley drop a fly ball. Michael Brantley has not made an error since Tris Speaker was in the Tribe outfield.

Michael Brantley doesn't make errors. Actually, it may not even have been his fault, as Brantley and Ryan Raburn seemed confused about who was supposed to catch it.

Anyway, the ball popped in and out of Brantley's glove. It was his first error in 248 games.

"Probably the most conscientious guy on the field was kicking himself," Manager Terry Francona said after the game.

At that moment, it appeared the Tribe would lose, 4-3.

But when Michael Brantley came to bat with the bases loaded and one out…

I thought, "Michael Brantley might get a hit right now."

That's because Michael Brantley batted .375 with runners in scoring position last year…

And he's at .317 for his career in these situations.

And he's Michael Brantley, perhaps the most clutch player on the team.

And Brantley delivered a two-run single.

And David Murphy followed with a sacrifice fly, the same David Murphy who looked lost at the bat nearly all of spring training.

And the Indians were ahead, 6-4.

And Axford had a 1-2-3 ninth-inning save. He now is 2-of-2 in saves this season after being 0-of-7 in saves a year ago.

And doesn't a game like that make your baseball heart beat a little faster with the team getting ready to open the home season?

Brantley shows class

After the game, Brantley dismissed the end of his errorless streak to reporters by saying: "That's an individual goal. We don't teach individual goals around here. It's all about team effort. "

Then he credited his teammates for getting on base, so he had a chance to win the game.

Yes, players are trained to utter the right things about team play, but when those words come from Brantley's lips -- you know it's true.

Brantley is willing to bat anywhere in the lineup. He is a natural center fielder who moved to left field when Michael Bourn was signed, then back to center when Bourn was hurt.

He never complains … about anything.

Brantley personifies how Francona wants his team to play, think and talk.

Brantley says he likes the team and proved it by signing an extension to stay with the Tribe through 2017, with a team option for 2018.

So when the quiet Brantley speaks, the message is for real.

And perhaps, the same can be said of the Tribe this season.