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Live updates: Cleveland Indians vs. San Diego Padres (chat)

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Tonight's game between the Indians and Padres has been postponed due to rain. The two teams will play tomorrow night at 7 p.m. and a doubleheader on Wednesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tonight's game between the Indians and Padres has been postponed due to rain. The two teams will play tomorrow night at 7 p.m. and a doubleheader on Wednesday.


Is the fight to change the NCAA and college sports coming to Ohio?

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"I think we have to find more ways to serve student-athletes and I think what Kain Colter and others are trying to do is a good thing," Ohio State AD Gene Smith said. "But I think there are better ways to do it. I just don't think unions are the right way to go."

COLUMBUS, Ohio –- It’s a political state and a football state, the place where presidents are made and home to the largest athletic department in the nation.

If the battle to change college athletics needs a field, it would only make sense if it comes to Ohio.

A Republican-backed amendment in the Ohio House was introduced to the state’s budget review Monday, one that says that college athletes in Ohio are not employees. It is a long way from becoming law. The final decision may rest in the courts. But it was a pre-emptive statement by legislators in reaction to the movement by Northwestern football players to form a union.

An Ohio State spokesperson said that no one involved with Ohio State's government affairs office was aware of the amendment beforehand or had anything to do with it being introduced. Athletic director Gene Smith said no one with the OSU athletic department was involved with the amendment, either.

The National Labor Relations Board last month ruled that Northwestern players could take such a step. They’ll vote on whether to unionize on April 25. But that ruling only applied to private universities.

For the same thing to happen in Ohio, a state board may have to rule. When contacted by cleveland.com after the Northwestern ruling, the general counsel for the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) said he wouldn’t touch the issue.

And for the same thing to happen in Ohio, there would need to be a Kain Colter, a player like the former Northwestern quarterback willing to lead the charge for a team here. There is at least some interest. Former Ohio State receiver Corey Brown told cleveland.com he had been in contact with Colter and passed out wristbands supporting the cause to some Buckeyes.

And there would need to be a team willing to follow him. Maybe it wouldn’t be as complicated as dealing with SERB. Joyce Goldstein, a labor lawyer in Cleveland, said that all players would need to do to attempt to exercise their economic power, if they so chose, would be to decide to do it.

If state legislators are beginning to react, maybe it’s because someone thinks something could be on the horizon in Ohio.

In a phone interview after the introduction of the amendment, Smith said he’s not aware of anything happening at Ohio State. But he supports the amendment introduced Monday.

“I do believe that student-athletes are not employees,” Smith said. “I think we have to find more ways to serve student-athletes, and I think what Kain Colter and others are trying to do is a good thing, but I think there are better ways to do it. I just don’t think unions are the right way to go.”

That’s the opinion of athletic directors and college presidents around the nation, and seemingly much of the public as well. Potential unionization may be a drastic step, but at its roots, the push is more about changing the landscape, and less about the specifics of the steps that create that change.

Smith understands that push for change. He has favored stipends for athletes and has favored an NCAA structure that would allow larger schools to take steps that small schools may not be willing or able to do. He called the fact that structural change didn’t happen at the NCAA five years ago unfortunate, “because I think a lot of these things would have been dealt with.”

Smith thinks those changes could come to the NCAA soon. That change would be top-down. But there could also be change forced by the athletes – maybe someday forced by athletes in Ohio.

“My guess is we have athletes who have the same interests (as at Northwestern) in trying to get more benefits,” Smith said. “I’m certain of that. I have not heard of any attempt to unionize, but who knows?”

What’s known is that if you want to play a game of football, of politics, or of both, Ohio isn't a bad place to do it.


Monday's game between the Indians and Padres has been postponed

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The Indians and Padres will play a double header on Wednesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- An unrelenting rain has washed away Monday's affair between the Indians and Padres.

The teams will play Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET and will reconvene at Progressive Field for a traditional double header on Wednesday beginning at 12:05 p.m.

Corey Kluber will square off against San Diego's Tyson Ross on Tuesday.

This marks the Indians' second rainout of the season. Their game in Oakland last Tuesday was postponed because of rain. The teams played a twin bill the following day.

From the Indians' press release: Ticket Holders can exchange tickets for both doubleheader games on April 9. Exchanges must be made at Progressive Field Ticket Office. Fans unable to attend the April 9 doubleheader can exchange their April 7 tickets, subject to availability, for many of the remaining home games this season. The deadline for exchanges is May 31.

Lake Catholic boys basketball coach Mark Chicone resigns citing family reasons

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MENTOR, Ohio -- After seven seasons as the boys basketball coach at Lake Catholic, Mark Chicone has decided to resign. The decision was due to family, as he hopes to spend more time with his wife and six children. Chicone explained that he wanted to be able to attend more of the events that his own children were participating...

MENTOR, Ohio -- After seven seasons as the boys basketball coach at Lake Catholic, Mark Chicone has decided to resign. The decision was due to family, as he hopes to spend more time with his wife and six children.

Chicone explained that he wanted to be able to attend more of the events that his own children were participating in.

"It's tough because you want to do what you enjoy, but I'm missing all this stuff and you don't get that back," Chicone said.

Chicone has been coaching for 25 years and is a teacher at Mentor High School. He stressed that family was the only reason why he made this decision.

"The seven years at Lake Catholic have been first class," Chicone said. "The administration and students have been great."

In his final season at Lake Catholic, Chicone led the Cougars to a 19-6 record. They advanced to a Division II regional semifinal before losing to St. Vincent-St. Mary.

In 2012, Chicone led Lake Catholic to the Division II state semifinal. He took Villa Angela-St. Joseph girls basketball to a state championship in 1999. He was also the girls basketball coach at Mentor.

Making this choice was not an overnight decision. It was something he thought about all season and made a final decision on Sunday.

"The minuses start to outweigh the pluses a little bit," Chicone said. "I love to coach, and I love all that goes all along with it. But I need to put more time into basketball, and I also have my family which requires time."

While his coaching days are done for now, Chicone did add that he would not rule out a return at some point in his life.

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.

Cavs Insider: Plain Dealer's Jodie Valade on the relationship between Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters (video)

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On Cavs Insider, cleveland.com's Chris Fedor is joined by The Plain Dealer's Jodie Valade to talk about the Cavs off-season and the future of Kyrie Irving.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - What's Kyrie Irving's future in Cleveland? Will David Griffin be retained this off-season? Is it time to split up Irving and Dion Waiters?

On Cavs Insider, Chris Fedor talked about the team's final seven games with The Plain Dealer's Jodie Valade.

Among the topics discussed today: 
  • What needs to happen for the Cavs to take the next step?
  • Will Spencer Hawes be kept past this season?
  • Is there truly a rift between Waiters and Irving?
  • How is David Griffin viewed around the NBA?
NOTE: We apologize for the technical issues near the start of the video. Our equipment malfunctioned. 

Cavs Insider airs every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. on cleveland.com. Be sure to join them for the next show on April 15. 

RHP Trevor Bauer will start Game 2 of DH against San Diego on Wednesday

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RHP Trevor Bauer will start Game 2 of a doubleheader Wednesday against San Diego. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Trevor Bauer will start the second game of a doubleheader against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday at Progressive Field.

Tribe righty Zach McAllister will start the first game. Scheduled first pitch is 12:05 p.m. The second game will begin approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the first.

Bauer, who had been with Class AAA Columbus, made the most sense for the spot-start because it was in line with his schedule. On Friday against Indianapolis, he gave up one run on two hits and struck out nine in six innings of a no-decision.

Bauer, acquired from Arizona in a three-way trade in December 2012, made his Indians debut on April 6, 2013. He allowed three runs on two hits in five innings of a 6-0 loss at Tampa Bay. He walked seven.

Bauer did not pitch again for Cleveland until May 1. In two starts in May, he went 1-1, giving up two earned runs in a combined 11 1/3 innings against the Phillies and Yankees. He walked eight in those starts.

Bauer's fourth and final start with the Tribe last season was a disaster. On June 28 in Chicago, he pitched the first game of a doubleheader and allowed five runs on six hits in two-thirds of an inning. At one point, he pitched from the stretch with nobody on. His offense bailed him out; the Indians won, 19-10.

Bauer retooled his delivery in the offseason to add velocity and improve command.


Terry Pluto is talking to himself about the Cleveland Browns as the draft is only a month away

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It still doesn't look like the Browns will take a quarterback at No. 4.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Talking to myself as the NFL draft is exactly one month away.

Question: So who will the Browns take in the first round?

Answer: Not a quarterback, at least not at No. 4.

Q: You know that for a fact?

A: Not at all. But I believe that's the case. I'm convinced General Manager Ray Farmer and coach Mike Pettine want an impact player at No. 4.

Q: What about Johnny Manziel?

A: I'd be shocked if they took him. Perhaps I'm projecting my concerns about Manziel onto the Browns -- too much scrambling, high risk of injury. But I don't think they'd take a quarterback at No. 4.

Q: Would you?

A: The only one I'd consider is Teddy Bridgewater. I know he's a a slight 6-foot-2, but he looks more like an NFL quarterback in terms of how he runs a team and his college offense than Blake Bortles (Central Florida) or Manziel. But I'm not sure the Browns like him, compared to some of their other options.

Q: Wait a minute, why Bridgewater?

A: I quote this from Chris Fedor's story: "According to ESPN Stats & Information, last season Bridgewater posted a 70.1 percent completion rate when the opposing team sent five or more pass rushers, which was second-best in the nation. He also had an incredible 15-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in that situation."

Q: OK, you love Bridgewater …

A: I like Bridgewater.

Q: And you think the Browns will skip a quarterback at No. 4. If you are right, then what?

A: There are big-time offensive linemen available, but I'd be shocked if they used the No. 4 pick on someone to block. Blocking is important, but this team is looking for players to make a major impact right now. That's why they signed four free agents who are at least 30 -- Nate Burleson, Karlos Dansby, Isaiah Trufant and Paul McQuistan. Andre Hawkins and Donte Whitner are 28. All of this screams, "WE GOTTA WIN SOME GAMES NOW!"

Q: So who do they draft?

A: In the excellent book on the 2011 New York Jets (Collision Low Crossovers), Pettine is one of the stars. He was the defensive coordinator. At one point, author Nicolas Dawidoff writes: "Pettine's theory of scouting held that you determine a player's peak level of skill, and then it was up to his coaches to get the player to play up to it consistently."

Q: Meaning what?

A: Meaning I'd pass on South Carolina pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney, but that may not be true of the Browns. They may not be scared off by his total of 3.0 sacks and 11.5 tackles for last last season -- by far, the worst of his three-year career. ESPN's Mel Kiper and Todd McShay believe he's the most talented player in the draft. And he may slip to No. 4. And the Browns may take him.

Q: Didn't you write they may take Khalil Mack at No. 4?

A: Yes, I did, in Sunday's notes. I prefer Mack over Clowney because I want production and potential at No. 4. I don't know how the Browns view the two players. I do know that Pettine loves speed and pass rushers. You know how Tribe manager Terry Francona can't have enough relievers? That's how Pettine is with pass rushers. That's why Mack and Clowney are real possibilities.

Q: What about Sammy Watkins?

A: He also makes sense. He's a big-time receiver, a true playmaker. The idea of Josh Gordon and Watkins together makes so much sense.

Q: Why not wait until later in the draft for a receiver?

A: This is supposed to be a strong draft for receivers. Maybe that's why they grab a defensive player at No. 4 and wait for the receiver. But I believe the Browns are looking at Watkins, Mack and Clowney at No. 4. I heard a while ago that they liked Bridgewater the best of any quarterback, but I'm not sure if that remains true. Even if it does, do they pass up some of these other players for Bridgewater? I'm not sure they do.

Q: So you don't want a quarterback?

A: I absolutely want one in this draft. It could be at No. 26, or in the second round. But I want the Browns to draft at guy at No. 4 who is a Pro Bowl-caliber player right away. And I want them to look at other positions such as inside linebacker (talk about thin), wide receiver, offensive line and cornerback.

Q: How about running back?

A: Signing Ben Tate really helped, but picking one low in the draft is OK. Remember, the Browns have 10 picks.

Q: So how can they mess it up?

A: One word: 2012.

Q: That's one word?

A: That's one draft … with 11 picks. Guess how many are still with the team two years later?

Q: How do I know? Not enough?

A: Four.

Q: Four?

A: Four out of 11: Mitchell Schwartz, John Hughes, Travis Benjamin and Billy Winn.

Q: I guess that's only four.

A: And only Schwartz started every game. I like Hughes, Winn and Benjamin. But that's not much. And long gone are the likes of Trent Richardson, Brandon Weeden, James-Michael Johnson, Ryan Miller, Samuel Acho, Trevin Wade and Brad Smelley.

Q: Thanks a lot, Mr. Sunshine, is that the best you can do?

A: I think this front office can do better than the 2012 model. … Oh, do I hope so, for the sake of the fans.


Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving can end the speculation any time - Bud Shaw's Sports Spin

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Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving shouldn't be surprised that his future is the subject of speculation. He's done nothing to squash it. Until he does, he needs to grow tougher skin.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Kyrie, Kyrie, Kyrie.

That’s not a chant. That's one exasperated Kyrie for each of his recent Tweets decrying media speculation about his future in a Cavaliers uniform.





He’s actually had more opportunities than that to put it all to rest. A lot more.

If we count every media report or whisper that he’s privately telling friends and family he’s interested in moving along, Kyrie Irving has had the floor more often than he did at Duke (11 games). And he hasn’t come close to dispelling the speculation.

One line -- “I can’t wait to sign my extension on July 1” – would do. So why hasn’t he? Because he can wait. Because he isn't at all sure this is the place for him.

To be fair, I don’t blame him if he isn't sold on the organization, or his twice-fired head coach or the makeup of the roster. If that's how he feels, fine. Then deal with the blowback. Don't act surprised and hurt.

The fan base deserves his embrace, but beyond that, I can’t blame him for keeping everything else at arm’s length.

His first coach is gone. So is the general manager who drafted him. His team has won 21, 24 and 31 (and counting) in his short career. You can question his toughness and leadership, but you could make a list of the Top 10 reasons the Cavs are a Lotto team yet again and not come across his name.

Whatever his shortcomings, you know the Cavaliers will offer him a max deal. And they should.

LeBron James probably isn’t walking through that door. You can hope for it all you want. Bet on it, even. But keep your shrink's number handy just in case he doesn't.

It’s also a waste of breath to discuss Irving’s worthiness. The Cavs have to offer him the world and hope for two results. One, he accepts it. Two, he matures.

As it stands, he’s not just coming off as unconvincing about his commitment to the organization but ultra sensitive. The Cavs are watching another season gurgle and die, and their best player is answering claims contained in a blog interview?

That’s a waste of time. It’s a bigger waste of time if you’re going to do what Irving did, parse the details, and deny you have a “camp” of advisors. That's not quite the same as saying you want to be here.

The Cavs are falling well short of owner Dan Gilbert's declaration to never return to the lottery, and Irving is lashing out at Browns receiver Josh Gordon for referring to an Alpha dog rift between Irving and Gordon’s friend, Dion Waiters?

Irving and Gordon have since talked and declared everything is fine. But if you felt you were in the middle of a high school spat, that’s on Irving for responding to outside voices in the first place.

Funny, but the Cavs would be better off if Irving were actually a bigger Alpha dog; if he declared himself great enough to lift this franchise out of the gutter and carry it to a NBA championship; if he said he wanted his legacy to include a banner hung high in the rafters instead of leaving just another jersey number up there.

Until he signs the max deal that says it for him, everything is just noise.

The speculation, yes. But also his thin-skinned responses to it.

For more of Bud Shaw's Sports Spin, see Spinoffs and You Said It.



Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier to Browns at No. 26 among latest projections for Buckeyes in mock NFL Drafts

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Bradley Roby going to Philadelphia at No. 22 is a popular projection among draft analysts.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Bradley Roby is landing in the first round of most mock drafts these days. Carlos Hyde seems to go more often in the second. Ryan Shazier is the guy who shuffles more between those two rounds.

So how about the Ohio State linebacker winding up with the Browns at No. 26 in the first round? That's what CBSSports.com draft analyst Rob Rang projects in his latest mock draft posted Tuesday.

He also has Roby at No. 22 in the first round to the Philadelphia Eagles. He projects Hyde at No. 44 overall, the No. 12 pick in second round, to St. Louis.

Here are a few other mock drafts for the Buckeyes, with the real NFL Draft now one month away, with the first round to be held on May 8.

Here at Cleveland.com, our Chris Fedor has Roby at No. 25 to San Diego and no Shazier or Hyde in the first round.

Dane Brugler, also at CBSSports.com, also updated his mock Tuesday and also has Roby at No. 22 to Philadelphia. He lists Shazier as the first pick of the second round, No. 33 overall to Houston, and Hyde at No. 50 overall and No. 18 in the second round to Miami.

• In Mel Kiper's latest exercise, running through how an ideal draft might go for all 32 teams, the ESPN analyst had four Buckeyes going in the first three rounds.

- Roby in the first round, No. 24 overall, to Cincinnati

- Shazier in the second round, No. 37 overall, to Atlanta

- Hyde in the second round, No. 42 overall, to Tennessee

- Jack Mewhort in the third round, No. 81 overall, to Miami

Todd McShay's lastest mock at ESPN.com, posted Sunday, only goes through the first round. it too has Roby at No. 22 to Philadelphia. He doesn't have Shazier or Hyde in the first round.

The most recent mock at SI.com comes from Doug Farrar on April 1. He doesn't have any Buckeyes in the first round. Also at SI.com from March 25, Chris Burke has Shazier to New Orleans at No. 27 and no Roby or Hyde in the first round.

• The most recently updated mock at NFL.com is from Chase Goodbread on Monday. He projects Roby to Cincinnati at No. 24 and Shazier to San Diego at No. 25. He doesn't have Hyde in the first round. From March 25 at NFL.com, Bucky Brooks has Roby at No. 22 to the Eagles. He projects Shazier to Cincinnati at No. 24 and doesn't have Hyde in the first round. Daniel Jeremiah from March 20 lists Roby to Arizona at No. 20 and Shazier to Denver at No. 31.

Three teams look to return to state playoff action: Girls Lacrosse Weekly Rundown

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The lacrosse season is in full swing as some of the top girls teams in the area from last season look to return to their winning ways in 2014.  Medina made it to the Division I state semifinals last season, while Chagrin Falls and Hathaway Brown both made appearances in the Division II state semifinals. 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The lacrosse season is in full swing as some of the top girls teams in the area from last season look to return to their winning ways in 2014. 

Medina made it to the Division I state semifinals last season, while Chagrin Falls and Hathaway Brown both made appearances in the Division II state semifinals. 

Get a taste of how some of the big name schools in girls lax are faring so far and what schools could be up-and-coming contenders for the state playoffs.

DIVISION I STORYLINES

Medina hopes to get back to states

Medina's 2013 season concluded with a 10-3 loss to Sycamore in the state semifinals, ending the Bees' streak of three consecutive state championships from 2010 to 2012.

The loss was also the first and only one coach Amanda Wilson's team suffered all season. The team finished with an overall record of 14-1-2.  

Medina was the only local Division I team to make the state semifinals last season. 

The Bees lost some of their most valuable players from last year, including senior captains Amanda Getto, Megan Wolfgang, who led the team in ground balls last season, and Seirra Thomas. 

The team only has three seniors this year in Katherine Grenfell, Elena Schorr and Amanda Rom. Schorr led the team in assists when she was just a sophomore and Rom earned the Most Improved Player award last year.

Medina is no stranger to turning to younger players for production on the field. Ally Villeneuve and Sarah Vanadia both started as freshmen last season.  

Coming off a 13-7 win against Mason to begin the season, followed by a 7-2 defeat of Magnificat, Medina will enter its upcoming matchup against Cleveland Heights on Thursday with a bit of momentum. 

Magnificat returns eight seniors, off to another slow start

The Blue Streaks concluded their 2013 season with a heartbreaking, 9-8, loss to Massillon Jackson in the Division I regional finals. 

Magnificat went 14-5 in 2013 and has eight seniors back from that team. Those seniors are Colleen Malloy, Heidi Danckers, Caroline Coughlin, Alyvia Wilkins, Valeria Tkacik, Cailyn Ward, Christine Samanich and Maddison Cintron. 

So far, however, the Blue Streaks' veteran roster is struggling to rack up wins. The Blue Streaks have dropped three of their first four contests this season, including losses to Medina, 7-2, Hudson, 8-6, and Chagrin Falls, 14-9. 

Maginificat's win came on Thursday against Cleveland Heights, 7-1. Last season, the Blue Streaks defeated the Tigers, 13-10, in overtime to propel the team to the regional finals. 

Now, anyone who followed the team last season knows Magnificat started the 2013 season 1-3 as well and then went on to only lose two more games the entire year. This means it's probably still too early for Blue Streak fans to start feeling anxious.

DIVISION II STORYLINES

Kenston Bombers off to strong start against strong opposition

Kenston has already showed its might this year, beating three of the four Division I opponents the Bombers have faced. 

Those wins came against Shaker Heights, 10-9, Brecksville, 14-3, and most recently against Mentor, 12-8, on Monday. 

Kenston has eight seniors at the team's disposal -- Samantha DiSanto, Danielle Lukes, Kendal Bodlack, Megan Lyons, Sarah Newcomb, Katelyn Gillday, Marion Margaret Brosko and Eleni Bruzik. 

The Bombers went 12-5-1 last season, losing to Olentangy, 13-12, in a bid to make the Division II regional finals. 

Kenston will look to improve on its 6-1 record against winless Lake Catholic at 6:30 p.m. today on the Bombers' home field. The team will take on crosstown-rival Chagrin Falls on Thursday.

Fourteen is a magic number for Chagrin Falls thus far

Coming off of a 16-3 season and a trip to the Division II state semifinals last season, the Chagrin Falls Tigers are off to a 3-0 start this year and keeping things consistent in the process. 

The team scored 14 goals in each of its first three victories. 

Chagrin Falls started the season with a 14-9 win against Rocky River this past Wednesday and then went on to beat Division I Hudson in overtime, 14-13, three days later. 

The Tigers will enter their Thursday matchup against Kenston fresh off of 14-9 win against Maginificat, another Division I opponent, on Monday. 

INSIDE ROLL PODCAST WITH HATHAWAY BROWN COACH

Be sure to leave your questions for the third installment of the Inside Roll Podcast, which will go live on Thursday. This week's guest is Hathaway Brown coach Meghan Brennan. 

Brennan's Blazers compiled a 12-7 record last season, earning the team a trip to the Division II state semifinals.

Hathaway Brown dropped its first two games of this season and will look for its first win against Magnificat on Thursday. 

AT A GLANCE

Hudson made a statement when the Explorers defeated Magnificat, 8-6, in the team's season-opener. Jackie Kisthardt tallied four goals for the Explorers in the game. 

While the Blue Streaks made it to the Division I regional finals last season, the Explorers took a first round playoff exit courtesy of a 12-8 loss to Shaker Heights. The Explorers finished the 2013 season with a 7-10 record. 

After a 14-13 overtime loss to Chagrin Falls on Saturday, Hudson will hope to bounce back against Massillon Jackson today at 5:30 p.m. 

Contact high school sports reporter Robert Rozboril by email (rrozboril@cleveland.com), Twitter (@rrozboril) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/rrozboril). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

 

Three players exit Kent State basketball program

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Kent State looking for help on baseline with three open roster spots.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Kent State men's basketball coach Rob Senderoff is clearly looking at a makeover for his team that finished the 2013-14 season at 16-16. Tuesday he announced three players will not be returning to the program, which opens some scholarships for the upcoming April 16 signing period.

Guards K.K. Simmons, Devin Carter and Tyler Scott will be moving on after this semester.

"At the end of the year, our staff meets with every player individually," Senderoff said. "A mutual decision was made that they would transfer out at the end of the year. We appreciate their contributions to the basketball program during their time at Kent State and support these decisions."

Of the three sophomores, Simmons will be the most visible departure. A transfer from North Carolina-Wilmington, he was expected to be a tough defender and quality shooter. He had his shooting moments, averaging 4.4 points and 41.2 percent on 3-pointers, but not enough.

Carter, a junior college transfer, just never found his niche. The same could be said for Scott, a product of Pittsburgh.

While all three were guards, that is KSU's deepest position as starters Kellen Thomas, Kris Brewer, and Derek Jackson all return, along with sixth man Dev Manley. Where Kent looks to improve next season is along the baseline.

Newcomers locked in for next season are 6-7 forward Jimmie Hall, a sophomore transfer from Hofstra; freshman forward Raasean Davis, a 6-7, 230-pound native of Georgia, and 6-6 Rosel Hurley, a small forward from Shaker Heights.

Davis offers the most promise as he not only fits Kent's major need for a big physical presence inside, but comes with a quality rating from Dave Telep, a former college talent evaluator now with the San Antonio Spurs. Davis made one of Telep's last evaluation lists in September 2013.

Before taking the NBA job, he had Davis ranked as the sixth-best power forward still available, just behind two players that landed at Stanford and BYU, and just ahead of players recruited to Georgia and UAB.

"Owner of legit post moves, solid length, a good motor and can run the floor,'' Telep wrote. "Gut says this kid can really play. He's a hoss inside and has more pop off the floor than you think. Likes contact, communicates and has big, soft hands. … One of the few kids that sets up and commands the ball in the paint."

Hurley is expected to mature into that multi-position player Kent has had success with in the past. With the open scholarships, Senderoff hopes to add a veteran wing player who can play immediately, and the best player available who may or may not have to sit out.

Spencer Hawes fits in with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but will it be long-term?

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The 7-foot center is a free agent in the off-season, and it's unclear whether the Cavaliers will re-sign him.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – As the season winds down, as the possibility of the playoffs becomes a memory, the Cavaliers have begun the process of both reflecting and looking forward.

What went right in this season in which "better" wasn't good enough? What can still be accomplished in the final four games of the season, including Wednesday night's contest against Detroit?

And what can be corrected in the off-season, and improved upon in time for next fall?

One promising sign is 7-footer Spencer Hawes' performance in the 23 games since he arrived in Cleveland. The center has fit in from the start, averaging a career-best 14.0 points, and shooting a career-high .440 from 3-point range.

Coach Mike Brown likes Hawes' versatility, the spacing he provides for guards Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters to create plays, and simply the overall approach to the game from the 25-year-old who will be a free agent this off-season.

"He's very intense about games and situations and very in-tune," Brown said. "He's an intelligent player. He's long. Obviously, he's shot the three-ball well for us throughout the course of the year. He can pass the basketball. He doesn't necessarily have the athleticism that Blake Griffin has, but his determination and hard work and length and intelligence makes up for what some people may think is a lack of athleticism."

From his perspective, Hawes thinks there's still much to work on for him to fit in with his Cavaliers teammates. After 3½ seasons in Philadelphia, he had to adjust to a role where he's expected to be more of a facilitator than primary option.

"I think earlier on when I first got here, it was more scoring, more playing off the ball," Hawes said. "Now, getting more comfortable trying to get the ball in my hands a little more and trying to make things easy for [Irving and Waiters]."

While the backcourt still is trying to figure out how to co-exist both on and off the court, Hawes, at least, has realized that his best option is to get the ball to them.

"When we're moving the ball, we play better on both ends when we're sharing it," Hawes said. "When it's sticking, it affects us on offense, obviously, but on defense, as well."

Although the Cavaliers' defense is better – up to 13th in the league in opponent field goal percentage (.454) from 30th last season (.476) – it's still not where Brown wants it.

"The guys have done a good job of buying in on that side of the floor," Brown said. "We talked about that as being one of the primary areas of focus coming in, so you feel good for the guys. We've still got games left to close out the right way. But to go from [13th] to fifth is going to be even harder. So we're going to have to continue executing and buying in and doing the little things that we can defensively in order to have that success. But I give the guys credit for making that jump in a short amount of time."

Now, the team must look forward to how it can improve – which includes whether it re-signs Hawes. And whether he wants to return.

"I like it here, I think it's a good fit," Hawes said. "And when July comes you kind of see how the other side of the game, how that all fits together."

CAVS vs. PISTONS

Time: 7 p.m. Wednesday.

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

Notable: The Cavaliers are 2-1 against Detroit this season. ... The Pistons are on the second night of a back-to-back, playing in Atlanta on Tuesday. ... Will Bynum (sore left foot), Chauncey Billups (left knee surgery) and Josh Harrellson (knee) are out for Detroit.

Don't forget about Ohio State's Devan Bogard, the Glenville grad who tore his ACL twice but is loved by Urban Meyer

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Bogard, a Glenville grad, is coming back from his second torn ACL, and he said he'll be ready for the fall.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There’s not much new going on with Devan Bogard. Just don’t forget about him. Don’t forget.

After Saturday’s scrimmage at Ohio State, reporters had a rare opportunity to mingle and find players on their own, grabbing interviews as the players took photos with fans rather than waiting for certain players – usually starters – who had been assigned to talk to the media.

It was a mad dash to find as many guys as you could. I spent 50 seconds with Bogard. In another world, he easily could have been a popular interview. Because he could easily be a guy the coaches are praising.

Urban Meyer has been happy this spring with two players he thinks fit Ohio State’s walkout linebacker spot, a position that requires a player to cover and hit. Darron Lee and Chris Worley have been mentioned by Meyer a lot.

If Bogard wasn't coming off a second torn ACL, maybe he would be, too. Because that’s exactly the type of player he might be.

When Bogard, a Glenville grad like Worley, was healthy, he was a Meyer favorite. He was the first freshman in the Class of 2012 to lose his black stripe, signifying he was ready to be a real college player. The Buckeyes liked him on special teams.

Then he tore his ACL in late October of his freshman season, in the eighth game of the season against Purdue.

He rehabbed. He came back. He was moved to linebacker. He got bigger, up to 210 pounds now, he said. The coaches still liked him. And he tore his ACL again as a sophomore, again in the season’s eighth game, this time against Penn State.

He rehabbed again. He has been limited in the spring again. But he was there with his teammates after Saturday’s scrimmage, laughing with them and talking to fans. He’s doing some work, but not everything.

But he'll be back again. He said he'll be ready for the fall.

“I’m coming along real good,” Bogard said. “I’m just taking it real slow.”

He knows how this goes. Knows the grind. And knows the coaches like him.

“I've just got to get healthy, that's all,” Bogard said. “I'll be good. I'll be straight. I can do anything I want to do.”

What he wants to do is get back. And stay back. So don't forget.


Tribe and Padres have ties that bind: Cleveland Indians chatter

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The Padres and Indians are playing only the fourth interleague series ever between the two teams, but they are far from strangers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Seen and heard around Progressive Field on Tuesday.

Clubhouse confidential: The Indians and Padres have played only nine regular season games entering this three-game interleague series, but there are plenty of ties that bind the two teams.

Padre GM Josh Byrnes got his start with the Tribe’s front office in 1994. San Diego manager Bud Black pitched for the Indians (1988-1990, 1995), worked in their front office and was their Class AAA pitching coach in 1998. Padre coaches Dave Roberts and Willie Blair played for the Tribe. Corey Kluber, who started against San Diego on Tuesday night, was a fourth round pick by the Padres in 2007 and first base coach Sandy Alomar made his big-league debut with the Padres.

Ice down below: Cleveland’s wicked winter still hasn’t loosened its grip. Head groundskeeper Brandon Koehnke was taking soil temperatures Tuesday morning in front of the mound at Progressive Field.

Two inches down the soil temperature was 34 degrees. Four inches down it was 32 degrees.

Stat of the day: The Indians entered Tuesday’s game having scored 13 of their 26 runs in the seventh inning or later. On the flip side, they’ve been outscored, 19-3, in the first three innings.


Red Sox hero, now Padres coach, Dave Roberts talks about 'The Steal' (video)

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Dave Roberts, a former Indian, is in town with the Padres as the bench coach for manager Bud Black. He sat down with The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff to relive what turned out to be a historic steal nearly ten years ago.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – On Oct. 17, 2004, Dave Roberts stole one of the most significant bases in postseason history.

As a member of the Boston Red Sox, Roberts pinch-ran in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the Yankees at Fenway Park. The Yankees led the series, 3-0, and Game 4 by one run entering the ninth inning. When closer Mariano Rivera walked leadoff batter Kevin Millar, Boston manager Terry Francona summoned Roberts.

With Bill Mueller batting, Roberts stole second with a head-first slide. TV replays confirmed second-base umpire Joe West had made the correct call on what was a bang-bang play. Roberts scored on Mueller’s single to tie it.

The Red Sox went on to win, 6-4, in 12 innings. They won Game 5 in 14 before the series returned to New York. The Red Sox won Games 6 and 7 to complete the stunning comeback and reach the World Series. They swept the Cardinals for the franchise’s first World Series title since 1918.

Roberts, a former Indian, is in town with the Padres as the bench coach for manager Bud Black. He sat down with The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff to relive what turned out to be a historic steal.


Boys and girls lacrosse schedules for Wednesday, April 9, 2014

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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here is the list of boys and girls lacrosse games scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2014. BOYS

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here is the list of boys and girls lacrosse games scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2014.

BOYS

Brunswick at Andrews Osborne Academy, 5

Olmsted Falls Club at Avon Lake, 5:30

Revere at Cardinal Mooney, 7

GIRLS

Bay at Orange, 7  

Benedictine at Holy Name, 5    

Gilmour at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, 6  

Roosevelt at Canton Central Catholic, 7    

University at Jackson, 7:30  

Western Reserve Academy at St. Ignatius, 7

Rocky River softball wins on the road against Bay

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BAY VILLAGE, Ohio -- Rocky River softball team earned a win on the road Tuesday defeating Bay, 6-4. Pitcher Lauren Ihnot, of Rocky River, was the winning pitcher of the game through seven innings. She also hit a double, stole a base and brought in a run to help the Pirates offense.

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio -- Rocky River softball team earned a win on the road Tuesday defeating Bay, 6-4.

Pitcher Lauren Ihnot, of Rocky River, was the winning pitcher of the game through seven innings. She also hit a double, stole a base and brought in a run to help the Pirates offense.

Bay's sophomore Meredith Brewer stole two bases, hit a triple, brought in a run and scored another for the Rockets. Junior Liz Burns followed the offensive attack for the Rockets hitting a double, stealing a base and scoring a run. Senior Kelly Cooper hit a double and also brought in a run.

Hathaway Brown softball defeats Cleveland Central Catholic

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hathaway Brown softball team earned their first victory on the road defeating Cleveland Central Catholic on Tuesday, 11-3. Logan Paul, of Hathaway Brown, led the Blazers offense going 3-4 from the plate and bringing in two runs.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hathaway Brown softball team earned their first victory on the road defeating Cleveland Central Catholic on Tuesday, 11-3.

Logan Paul, of Hathaway Brown, led the Blazers offense going 3-4 from the plate and bringing in two runs.

Live updates: Indians vs. Padres (chat)

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Get scoring updates and analysis as the Indians take on the Padres at Progressive Field and chat in the comments section. Live pregame show at 5 p.m. with first pitch at 7:05 p.m.



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Get scoring updates and analysis as the Indians take on the Padres at Progressive Field and chat with cleveland.com's Joey Morona in the comments section.


FREQUENTLY REFRESH this page to get the latest updates. If you're viewing this on a mobile app, click here to get updates and comment.




Third inning

Gomes walked. Murphy walked. Gomes to third on passed ball. Morgan grounds into fielder's choice, goes to 2nd on error. Murphy to third. Swisher grounds to 2nd, Murphy scores. Kipnis hits sacrifice fly to left, Morgan scores. Santana grounds out to second. » Indians 3, Padres 0.

Alex Mack set to receive and sign five-year offer from Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Browns can match

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Browns center visited recently with the Jaguars, who are ready to make him a multiyear offer. The Browns would have five days to match.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Jaguars will offer Browns center Alex Mack a five-year deal on Friday and he's expected to sign it that day, a league source told cleveland.com.

The Browns will then have five days to match.

ESPN's Adam Schefter, who first reported that the five-year deal is coming, also stated that Mack prefers to play in Jacksonville. But sources told cleveland.com that Mack is fully aware that the Browns might match the offer and he's prepared to return to Cleveland to play under the same contract here.

In order for the two-time Pro Bowler to sign the deal, it likely includes a record amount of guaranteed money and a record yearly average for a center.

But if Mack thinks he's changing addresses, he might want to think again.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam indicated Tuesday that he'll match any offer the Jaguars come up with.

“We remain optimistic that Alex Mack will be a Cleveland Brown for a long time,'' Haslam said on the "orange carpet'' at the local premiere of the movie "Draft Day" at Cinemark Valley View theaters. "We want him to be. I think we’ve made it very clear that he’s the kind of person, the kind of player we want in our organization.”

Asked specifically if he'd match any offer the Jaguars concoct, he smiled and said, "We want Alex to be a Cleveland Brown.”

Mack's close friend, left tackle Joe Thomas, who also attended the local premiere of the Browns-based movie, was also confident his linemate will be wearing orange and brown again in 2014.

"Well, there’s no doubt that he’ll be here at least this year,'' said Thomas. "I think that’s for certain. I certainly hope we can sign him to a long-term deal and keep him here for much longer than I'm here.''

He said he's talked to Mack, who received the transition tag last month, but not about his contract. If Mack does turn down the Jaguars' offer and signs the transition tender, he'd make a guaranteed $10.039 million for 2014. The tender would make him the highest-paid center in the league by about $2 million. Currently, the highest-paid center is Carolina's Ryan Kalil at an average of about $8.186 million a year.

Mack, the Browns' two-time Pro Bowler, met with the Jaguars on Friday night and both sides felt it was a good fit, sources said. The Jaguars, who have more than $25 million in cap space, are seeking to replace retired center Brad Meester and want Mack to anchor their line. The Jaguars offer could include $27 million to $30 million over the first three years of the deal.

And although it might seem like a no-brainer for a Browns team that still has more than $30 million in cap room, it might not be that simple for Cleveland to match. Mack's agents, Marvin Demoff and Tim Younger, have stressed they can structure a deal in such a way that the Browns might balk.

But the Browns made it their No. 1 priority in the offseason to re-sign Mack, and they will lean strongly toward matching the deal.


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