The Browns would be better served using the Nos. 12 and 19 picks on other positions of needs, while still addressing quarterback.

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns would be well positioned to draft Marcus Mariota if two of the NFL's most perennially underachievers had played to form a season ago.

In a race to the bottom of the standings the Browns and Bills are usually a good exacta bet. Instead, the Browns won seven games, the most since 2007. The Bills, who surrendered their 2015 first-round pick for the right to draft receiver Sammy Watkins, finished 9-7 on the strength of a terrific defense.

As the Browns head to the NFL Scouting Combine, six weeks ahead of the draft, they are armed with picks 12 and 19 in the first round. The club needs a franchise quarterback -- a statement established in 1999 -- and again has the ammunition to trade up and potentially take Florida State's Jameis Winston or Mariota.

Winston played in a pro-style offense with the Seminoles, and is the most NFL-ready quarterback in the draft. The Buccaneers or Titans likely will take him. That's probably fine with the Browns. His list of off-field transgressions would be a hard sell in Cleveland, where coach Mike Pettine doubled as a pre-school teacher placing Johnny Manziel, Justin Gilbert and Josh Gordon in timeout.

That leaves Mariota, who presents big college numbers and a bigger risk to a team that mortgages its future to move up and snatch him. It's believed the Browns have serious interest in such a bold maneuver.

Despite their obvious need they should not surrender their two first-round picks, and perhaps more, for a dual-threat quarterback who flourished in a spread system.

If the Browns held a top-5 pick along with another first rounder, then my willingness to gamble on another quarterback transitioning to a pro-style offense would be greater. But after whiffing on Brandon Weeden and enduring a tumultuous first season with Manziel the Browns must stop reaching for quarterbacks. Especially in a year when the class is weak.

They need a high-end receiver to replace the suspended Gordon, a run-stopping defensive lineman and perhaps a right tackle. They can address two deficiencies in the first round with little jockeying.

Absent an established quarterback, Pettine's philosophy of trying to win with defense and running the ball is a logical one. It produced a 7-9 record with Brian Hoyer, who faltered down the stretch. If they had not lost All-Pro center Alex Mack in Week 5, however, the Browns might have won nine games.

Why not keep fortifying the team's core to give the eventual franchise quarterback the best chance of succeeding? The Seahawks did it with Russell Wilson. The Ravens did it with Joe Flacco. And, fans sometimes forget the Steelers did it with Ben Roethlisbeger, who arrived in Pittsburgh two seasons after Pittsburgh beat the Browns in the playoffs with Vince Gill impersonator Tommy Maddox.

It's early and much can change between now and the draft, but here's a possible three-point scenario for the Browns' quarterback situation in 2015:

* re-sign Hoyer or trade for Nick Foles or Sam Bradford;

* draft a best-of-the-rest quarterback (Brett Hundley, Garrett Grayson, Bryce Petty, etc.) with a mid-round pick and the idea of developing him; and

* give Manziel at least another season provided he's more committed after emerging from rehab.

I wasn't in favor of the Browns drafting Manziel a year ago. I'm also not ready to cut him without affording him another opportunity.

Despite his made-for-TMZ lifestyle, the biggest red flag regarding Manziel was whether his game would translate to the NFL. Early returns aren't encouraging. That's also the concern with Mariota, who's spent his entire high school and college career in spread offenses.

One of the biggest challenges now facing NFL talent evaluators is projecting system/spread quarterbacks. They don't line up under center. They rarely need to go through progressions. They don't develop pocket awareness or rely heavily on their field vision because they're often making quick, one-read throws.

It doesn't mean they won't become good NFL quarterbacks, but there's more reprogramming involved. It's also troubling the best spread quarterbacks graduating to the league in recent years, Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III, are regressing as they have had to rely more on their arms.

The fact new quarterback coach Kevin O'Connell has been working with Mariota and Baylor's Petty the past month should provide the team with good insight. There's certainly plenty to like about Mariota, a quarterback who's guided the Ducks to back-to-back BCS bowl appearances, including the title game against the Buckeyes.

Mariotta possesses size, a strong arm, good character and the ability to run and process the game. If his former coach Chip Kelly traded up to acquire him, perhaps the Eagles would run a college-style offense suited to Mariota's strengths.

Senior Bowl executive director Phil Savage, a former Browns general manager, told cleveland.com whatever team drafted Manziel needed to make the same sacrifice. The Broncos did something similar with Tim Tebow in 2011 before acquiring Peyton Manning the following year.

Perhaps, that's the direction the NFL is ultimately headed with the influx of spread offenses. O'Connell is a former dual-threat quarterback who bounced around the league as a backup. He understands more than most coaches the environment awaiting Mariota.

NFL defenses are more complex and play the kind of press-man coverage the Heisman Trophy winner seldom saw at Oregon. He wasn't nearly as good throwing into tight windows as Winston. He also had 27 career fumbles with the Ducks.

In a Monday conference call, NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock took a dim view of the Browns moving up to draft either quarterback. Here's his assessment of Mariota:

"You don't have any worries off the field and all the individual components are there,'' Mayock said. "He's athletic, he's got a big arm, he's 6-4, 215 pounds, he's got great feet, he's going to run 4.5, 4.55, all of the individual components are available.

"However, can he put them together in a pro-style offense where he has to throw with anticipation, has to go through progressions?"

Sometimes, the best trades are the ones you don't make. Just ask the Redskins, who surrendered three first-round picks to the Rams for Griffin.

Working for a trigger-happy owner, Browns General Manager Ray Farmer and Pettine might feel pressured into making a play for a big-name prospect at the position of greatest need.

Where did that get them with Manziel?

Unless they are convinced Mariota can make a difference next season, the Browns must resist temptation. The alternatives at quarterback aren't particularly attractive or long term, but they allow the Browns to address other needs and build a better all-around team the way the Bengals have.

Are the Bengals, who have made four consecutive trips to the playoffs, any closer to a Super Bowl with Andy Dalton? Maybe not, then again their owner is not having to hold annual press conferences to deny dysfunction within the organization.

See what to expect and what to look for during the 2015 OHSAA State Hockey Kent District Tournament.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Teams are revving up for the 2015 OHSAA State Hockey Tournament and the Kent District should provide for some of the closest matchups in the state as it did last year.  

Here is a breakdown of the tournament schedule and some things to keep in mind about some of the top seeds in the district: 

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Where: Kent State Ice Arena, 650 Loop Road, Kent. 

Round 1: Feb. 17-19.

Round 2: Feb. 20-22.

Quarterfinals: Feb. 27-28. 

Semifinals: March 2-3 (7:30 p.m. for both). 

Final: March 6, 7:30 p.m.

See a printable version of the Kent District bracket. 

Teams by seeding: 1. University School; 2. Lake Catholic; 3. Walsh Jesuit; 4. Shaker Heights; 5. Gilmour; 6. Kenston; 7. Kent Roosevelt; 8. Hudson; 9. Cleveland Heights; 10. Solon; 11. Mentor; 12. Orange; 13. West Geauga; 14. North Canton Hoover; 15. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin; 16. Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy; 17. Mayfield; 18. Canfield; 19. Twinsburg; 20. Aurora; 21. Nordonia; 22. Brush. 

WHAT TO WATCH

University School: With the No. 1 seed in the tournament for the second year in a row and one of the top players in the area, according to multiple coaches, in Evan Krueger, the Preppers are poised to make another run at a Kent District title. Last year's tournament came down to a thrilling matchup against third-seeded Lake Catholic. The Cougars won in three overtimes. In addition to Krueger, who scored five goals for US in the team's Cleveland Cup semifinal win against St. Edward, the Preppers have key weapons in Ryan Gorbett, Robby Engoglia and Matt Yopko. In Alec Silver, US has a playoff-tested goalkeeper who is about as good as they come. 

Lake Catholic: After beating University School, 5-4, three overtimes to win last year's Kent District final, the Cougars went on to lose to St. Ignatius in the state semifinals. Lake Catholic lost a lot of experienced players to graduation but still were able to grab the No. 2 seed in this year's tournament. Alex Piazza, who was a huge part of the Cougars' offense last season, is an even bigger piece of the puzzle for the team now, being one of six seniors. Another key senior leader is goalie Charlie Denner who has done more than his part in keeping the team in games. Denner racked up 74 saves in the Cleveland Cup semifinals against St. Ignatius, 32 of which came in the first period. 

Walsh Jesuit: The Warriors are another young team in the tournament that had made due with limited senior leadership. Walsh Jesuit's biggest scorer is Kevin Van Bokkelen, a senior who, with the help of heavy assist-earners like freshman Matt Morris, sophomore Logan Rossiter and junior Drew Musgrave, has helped give the Warriors a chance to win every time they've taken the ice. Walsh has one of the youngest goalies in the tournament with freshman Jakhari Desphy who has had to learn through trial-by-fire this season and proven up to the challenge for the most part. The Warriors lost to Lake Catholic, 1-0, in the district semifinals last season. 

Shaker Heights: The Raiders made a quick exit during last year's tournament, losing to Hudson, 4-3, in Round 2 after a first round bye. Shaker Heights ranks one seed higher than a year ago and is set to face either No. 9-seeded Cleveland Heights or No. 11 Mentor on Sunday after a first round bye. Daniel Ritts and Peter Shick are team's greatest offensive leaders in terms of points. Matt Milgram also has made significant contributions in the assist department. Grant Passell has manned the goal for the Raiders all season and recorded eight shutouts. 

Gilmour: The Lancers struggled to put up "W's" this season facing a myriad of talent-rich opponents. Gilmour holds the No. 5 seed in the Kent District and could make a decent run in the tournament if the team can harness the lessons learned during the year and put them into practice in the postseason. Seniors such as Calvin Bleick and Joey Young as well as juniors like Tyler Kallay will be integral pieces for Gilmour as the team looks to match and improve on last year when the Lancers were the No. 4 seed and lost to University School, 4-1, in the district semifinals.  

Former John Carroll coach Regis Scafe takes over for Jim Hilvert at Division III football power Thomas More.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Regis Scafe is back on the football sidelines. The former John Carroll and Case Western Reserve coach was named head coach at Thomas More College, a perennial Division III power in Crestview Hills, Ky.

Scafe replaces Jim Hilvert, who resigned last month to become head coach at Cincinnati LaSalle High School. Hilvert was the most successful coach in Thomas More history, with a 67-19 record, six Presidents Athletic Conference championships and two undefeated seasons in eight years.

"It's an honor and privilege to take over a tradition-rich program at Thomas More, and to follow a coach like Jim Hilvert,'' Scafe said in a press release issued by the school. "During the interview process, I witnessed the good vibes and attitude of the team and the campus and I'm excited to get started."

Scafe has more than 30 years coaching experience, almost all of them in Greater Cleveland, and he has a 104-90 career collegiate record. He was John Carroll's coach from 1998 to 2012 and compiled an 88-56 record with nine winning seasons, but just one playoff berth. He was fired in 2012 after a 6-4 season.

He coached five seasons at CWRU, his alma mater, from 1994-98. He also coached nine years at St. Peter Chanel High School in Bedford, and was a John Carroll assistant coach for seven years.

Scafe has produced 23 college All-Americans, 13 conference Most Valuable Players and five first-team Academic All-Americans.

"We were unfortunate to lose a legendary coach in Jim Hilvert. But we are fortunate to gain a legendary coach in Regis Scafe,'' TMC President David A. Armstrong said in a statement. "Coach Scafe is one of the most respected head coaches in Division III and he has won at nationally prominent institutions like John Carroll University and Case Western Reserve University. To be able to hire a coach of his caliber speaks volumes about all those who came before him at TMC.''

Staley returns to JCU: John Carroll re-hired former defensive coordinator Brandon Staley last week, one year after he left to coach at James Madison. Staley returns to his old job as defensive coordinator.

Staley left JCU following the 2013 season to become defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at James Madison, an FCS program. The Dukes were 9-4 last season, earned a playoff berth and were ranked 11^th nationally in with 28 turnovers forced.

Staley replaces Chris Shula, who was hired by the San Diego Chargers as a defensive quality control assistant.

Winters heating up: Baldwin Wallace junior All-American track athlete Melanie Winters (Stow) had a memorable All-Ohio Championship Meet last week, winning four events while setting two meet records and two school marks. Her 19-4 winning long jump ranks No. 1 nationally in Division III, her 60-meter hurdles time (8.99) ranks fifth. Two weeks ago, she won the All-Ohio pentathlon with a meet-record 3,589 points.

Cleveland sports fans wonder about Jameis Winston, the NFL Scouting Combine and defense in the NBA All-Star Game -- Bud Shaw's You Said It.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- You Said It is based on the premise that the only thing Cleveland sports fans need more than a championship is a sense of humor...

YOU SAID IT

(The Tuesday Edition)

Bud: Are the broadcasters and sportswriters who vote for the NBA defensive player of the year award permitted to watch the All-Star Game? -- Jim Corrigan, Fairview Park

It's hard to say which effort was worse Sunday night. Defense in the NBA All-Star game or Eddie Murphy in the SNL 40-year anniversary show.

Bud: How did you do at the Sportswriter's Combine? -- Ron Corbut, Hudson

Based on the picture of Jameis Winston that appeared online this past weekend, I'd say he's going after my record in the three sugar cone drill.  

Hey Bud: I see Mel Kiper's latest mock draft has the Browns taking DeVante Parker with the 12^th pick. Do you think that will change? - Paul Ferko, Parma

Unless he renounces his wide receivership before God and Ray Farmer, yes. 

Bud: In a bit of shameless ingratiating, I must admit your "YSI" answers on 8 Feb were funnier than the questions. Has that ever happened before and can we expect it again? -- Tom Geraci, North Ridgeville

That's like debating whether Dane Cook is funnier than Yakov Smirnoff.

Bud: If the Browns draft Jameis Winston, will the fans get a free crab night, too? -- Michael Sarro

Allegedly.

Hey Bud: How long before Brian Williams accepts a sales position with the Sarchione Auto Group? -- Bob H, Strongsville

First-time You Said It winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection. Repeat winners claim they were promised another shirt but they misremember.

"I have already been to Ohio State and I wanted to go to Oregon for an unofficial, so that's kind of where the money went," Mayden said. "I can still see myself taking three official visits even if I commit during the summer." Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Four-star cornerback Jared Mayden II of Sachse, Texas, earned a scholarship offer from Texas Tech on Tuesday. It was an epiphany for Mayden, a moment of realization that his recruiting process is just getting started. 

So Mayden changed his mind. He no longer has a final three that once consisted of Ohio State, Oregon and TCU. There's way too much out there to see still. 

* Meet four-star CB Jared Mayden, an elite Texas prospect Ohio State has a real shot to land

"I'd say I'm pretty open right now," Mayden told cleveland.com in a phone interview Tuesday afternoon. "I still want to take my visits and see places." 

Rated by 247Sports the No. 8 cornerback in the 2016 recruiting class, Mayden also has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Louisville, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Mississippi, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UCLA, Wisconsin and others. 

The 6-foot, 190-pound Mayden told Northeast Ohio Media Group during an in-person interview in January that he hoped to narrow his list to three in the near future. He did, and the Buckeyes made the cut, but now he's back to considering everyone. 

Mayden still hopes to earn an invitation to "The Opening" camp in Oregon during the summer, one that hosts the nation's top prospects. If invited, it's still his plan to announce his commitment there. 

But first, visits. 

Mayden is taking a trip to TCU this weekend, he has a visit to Alabama scheduled and he's going to Oregon in April. 

"I have already been to Ohio State and I wanted to go to Oregon for an unofficial, so that's kind of where the money went," Mayden said. "I can still see myself taking three official visits even if I commit during the summer." 

Elliott is scheduled for a second wrist surgery on Friday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- To repeat, that wasn't Ezekiel Elliott at his best.

A second wrist surgery on Friday could be the first step in making the Ohio State tailback even better as a junior than he was as a sophomore.

Elliott wrote on Twitter on Tuesday that he'll have surgery again on his left wrist Friday. Bucknuts.com initially reported the planned surgery for this week. It's not a shock. Elliott said during the Buckeyes National Championship season that he expected to have the wrist repaired again.

After Ohio State beat Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship behind Elliott's 220 yards, but before he dropped 230 yards on Alabama and 246 yards on Oregon, the back said that was the plan.

And he explained then how the preseason surgery on his left wrist in the second week of August affected his game.

"I can't carry the ball in my left wrist. I'm probably going to end up getting surgery after the end of the season," Elliott said on Dec. 17. "I've left a lot of yards on the field this year just because of my wrist, I can't really carry the ball in my left hand, and can't really use my stiff-arm. I can't really use my hand to post on the ground. I have left a lot of yards on the field, something we are going to improve on next year."

Improve?

Elliott finished third in the nation with 1,878 rushing yards. That was after averaging just 47 yards an outing during the first three games of the season while the Buckeyes eased him into the season following the first surgery required after he fractured the wrist during a preseason practice.

After what he did to the Badgers, Crimson Tide and Ducks, assuming the surgery goes well, Elliott should be more prepared for a fast start in 2015.

This surgery for the early Heisman favorite is part of that plan.

I head into surgery for my wrist Friday morning. [?]

-- EzekielElliott#15 (@EzekielElliott) February 17, 2015

Get ready for some good tweets Friday though lol

-- EzekielElliott#15 (@EzekielElliott) February 17, 2015

The schedule, considered the toughest of any team in the Eastern Conference following the break, will make the chase tougher.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers have just recently started playing like the team everyone expected when they tilted the axis toward Cleveland this summer.

After an unwieldy start dotted with injuries, drama, finger pointing and rumors about the coaching future of David Blatt, the Cavaliers hit their stride prior to the All-Star break, winning 14 of their last 16 games.

Since the calendar flipped to 2015, the Cavs have the fifth-best winning percentage.

James' health, following a two-week hiatus, is the biggest change. But a pair of trades have bolstered the bench and covered the leaks, giving Cleveland a new big man to patrol the paint (Timofey Mozgov), a lethal outside shooter (J.R. Smith) and defensive stopper (Iman Shumpert). 

On the surface it would seem the All-Star break arrived at the worst possible time, threatening to slow down a tidal wave of momentum headed right for the rest of the Eastern Conference.

But a few days prior to the break, James had a different view.

"The break will allow me to get healthy," James said, while smiling, recently. "We'll be all right." 

For the first time in his career, staying on the court has been elusive for James. He has missed 10 games. First, it was knee and back injuries. Most recently it's been a troublesome right wrist, which has been wrapped since a nasty fall in a January win against Detroit. A healthy James changes Cleveland's outlook. The Cavs are 31-14 with him, 2-8 without.

This is James' 12^th season. He's seen it all. He's been there before. He knows what's ahead. And he knows his health is vital. 

He's not the only player who will benefit from time off. Kevin Love, despite numerous denials, hasn't appeared to be at full strength recently and Shumpert is still trying to regain his form after an early season injury.

The entire team needed to get away for a while, out of the spotlight, far from the expectations that took a stranglehold earlier in the season. The Cavs needed to recharge for a playoff push foreign to many of the roster's key components.

Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson and Love have never been in this position before. Mozgov hasn't seen the postseason since his second year in the NBA, 2011-12.

The Cavs enter the latter part of their season with plenty of ground to make up in the Eastern Conference. Now fifth in the East, they continue to chase Atlanta, Toronto, Chicago and Washington.

The good news: There are still two months left for Cleveland to reposition itself before the playoffs start. They are four games back of the Raptors, one and a half behind the Bulls and a half game back of the Wizards, who stumbled into the break losing six of 10.

The Hawks, with the most wins in the NBA, are a different challenge.

"That's a tall task, specific to Atlanta," Blatt said recently. "We're really trying to improve our position, and we have. There have been some changes since we talked about that. We are going to see a really competitive race here going down to the wire for homecourt advantage and we are in that race."

The schedule, considered the toughest of any team in the Eastern Conference following the break, will make the chase tougher. When the Cavs tip off on Friday night in Washington D.C., it will be the first of a stretch with nine of the next 14 games against playoff teams; 11 of 14 on the road; and seven of 14 against teams with a better record.

The Cavs' recent play shows a group equipped to dispatch any team standing in their way. It also shows plenty of reasons to believe their best basketball is yet to come. But the test is only beginning and new challenges lie ahead, which is exactly what the Cavs need before the playoffs.

According to NBA.com stats, the Cavs have played the sixth-fewest clutch minutes this season. Only 15 of their 55 games have been decided by two possessions or less, and they hold a record of 9-6 in those contests.

Still, they need to face adversity. They need to play in tight contests. They need to learn to make the proper plays during crunch time.

Soon, the game will slow down, the pressure will build and execution will be even more important.

This season has been a learning experience for many, including the coach. While the true test won't come until the postseason, the final 27 games will give a barometer of what's on the horizon.

See, print all 64 sectional/district girls basketball brackets statewide for 2015.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Get set for the girls basketball playoffs with links below to 64 statewide, division-by-division sectional/district brackets for the 2015 OHSAA tournament.

Click the links below to access the brackets, which are printable. The brackets also are interactive. Click on the game to see more about the matchup, particularly after the game has been played.

These brackets will be updated daily from all the playoff games across the state. Come back often to follow all the postseason action, including new brackets at the regional and state final four levels. Local games are scheduled to begin on Saturday.

Click each link below to see a cleveland.com bracket of that sectional/district tournament.

DIVISION I

Canton Region

Akron

Euclid

North Canton

Perry

Norwalk Region

Elyria

Medina

Millbury 

Parma

Kettering Region

Harrison 1

Harrison 2 

Harrison 3

Harrison 4

Westerville

Columbus 1

Columbus 2

Columbus 3

Columbus 4 

DIVISION II

Barberton Region

Austintown

Macedonia

Elyria

Orwell

Ontario Region

Ashland

Paulding 

Perrysburg

Uniontown

Springfield Region

Mason 1

Mason 2 

Mason 3

Westerville 2

Zanesville Region

Belmont 

Chillicothe

Dresden

Westerville 1

DIVISION III

Ada Region

Attica

Columbus 1

Elida

Whitehouse

Cuyahoga Falls Region

North Ridgeville

Ravenna 

Struthers

Wooster

Logan Region

Steubenville

Waverly 1

Waverly 2

Waverly 3

Springfield Region

Columbus 2

Springfield 1

Springfield 2

Springfield 3

DIVISION IV

Elida Region

Archbold 

Gibsonburg 

Lima

Shelby

Massillon Region

Creston

Mineral Ridge 

New Philadelphia

Orwell

Pickerington Region

Jackson 1

Jackson 2 

New Albany 1

New Albany 2

Tipp City Region

Tipp City 1

Tipp City 2

Tipp City 3

Wapakoneta

Follow girls basketball all season

Bookmark the girls basketball webpage at cleveland.com to see every post, podcast and video pertaining to the sport.

Follow our high school sports Twitter account @neovarsity and tag your high school sports tweets and score updates with the #NEOVarsity hashtag.

Chris Fedor, Bud Shaw and Chris Haynes talk Cavaliers and preview the NBA trade deadline. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers are gearing up for their first game following the extended All-Star break. They are also keeping their eye on possible additions as the NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m.

On today's Cavs Insider, cleveland.com's Chris Fedor, Bud Shaw and Chris Haynes discussed the latest with the Cavs and previewed the second half of the season.

Among other topics:

• Will Ray Allen come to Cleveland?
• Which Eastern Conference foe is the biggest threat?
• Is there any interest in Larry Sanders?
• Kevin Love's role.

You can watch the video above.

See preview capsules for 2015 district boys and girls high school swimming competitions in the Northeast and Northwest districts.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are preview capsules for 2015 district boys and girls high school swimming competitions in the Northeast and Northwest districts.

NORTHEAST DISTRICT

Where: Cleveland State University, Robert F. Busbey Natatorium, 2451 Euclid Ave., Cleveland.

Tickets: $6 adults, $4 students.

Schedule: Thursday — Division I girls diving, 11:30 a.m.; Division I boys diving, 6:30 p.m.; Friday — Division II boys and girls timed swimming finals, 3 p.m.; Saturday — Division I boys and girls timed swimming finals, noon.

Notable: In Division I and II boys and girls swimming, the top two individuals/relays automatically qualify for state next week. The remaining 16 at-large individuals/relays will be determined by times at all the district meets.

Division I boys: Hudson looks to have the inside track to the team title, but the Explorers will have plenty of challengers including Brecksville, Wooster, Walsh Jesuit and Solon. The Explorers have the top qualifying time in the 200 medley relay and rank at or near the top in several individual events. Hudson senior Ross Palazzo has dominated in the individual medley and breaststroke all season, but he will have to get past senior Matthew Dyer of Wooster in both events. Hudson senior Brendon Mulcahey has the top qualifying times in both the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle. Solon senior Grant Pinchot will challenge both Walsh Jesuit's Michael Reilman in the backstroke, and Brecksville junior Mark Krusinski in the butterfly.

Division I girls: Hudson, Brecksville, Walsh Jesuit, Medina and Massillon Jackson figure to be in the hunt for the team title. Brecksville has the top teams in the medley and 400 free relays and is second in the 200 free relay. Hudson is near the top in all three events with the top time in the 200 free relay. Walsh Jesuit will put up plenty of points with sophomore Hanna Gresser, who is the top qualifier in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke. The Warriors could go 1-2 in the breaststroke as sophomore Carly Hart is the second-fastest qualifier behind Gresser. Copley senior Madison Myers will challenge Gresser in the 200 IM and is the top qualifier in the 100 butterfly. Hudson senior Caitlin Weigel will face off against Massillon Jackson junior Kaitlyn Daiger in both the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle. Medina sophomore Lexi Agee is the top qualifier in the 500 freestyle and also has one of the top times in the 200 freestyle.

Division II boys: University School is the favorite, but expect Bay, Canfield, Gilmour, Hawken and Rocky River to be in the mix. Points will be at a premium in all three relays, with University (200 medley relay), Bay (200 free relay) and Canfield (400 free relay) the top qualifiers in each. The Preppers are led by senior Kingsley Bowen, who enters the meet with the top time in the 100 backstroke and is No. 2 in the 100 butterfly. Junior Charlie Stewart-Bates is near the top in qualifying for both the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle. But all eyes will be on Bay senior Trevor Lake, the defending state champion in both the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle. Gilmour's Zachary Hostoffer will attempt to take down Lake in the 100, while Bay teammate Colin MacMillan challenges him in the 50. Hostoffer also has the top qualifying time in the 100 breaststroke. Chagrin Falls junior Jason Quinn will look to qualify to the state meet in multiple events with the top times in the 200 individual medley and the 500 freestyle.

Division II girls: Hawken should once again dominate the district as the Hawks continue their quest for a 17th straight state title. The defending champions have a new coach in Jim Bocci, but still boast the top times in all three relays while also returning state champions in sophomore Crile Hart (200 individual medley) and junior Claire Doerr (500 freestyle). Gilmour was second to Hawken at state last year and returns 100 butterfly state champ Kiley Eble, who also has the top time in the 100 backstroke. Juniors Mary Motch of Hathaway Brown and Ashley Rega of Independence will battle for the 50 freestyle title.

NORTHWEST DISTRICT

(Only local Division I teams here)

Where: Bowling Green State University Recreation Center, Cooper Pool, 1411 Ridge Road, Bowling Green, 43403.

Tickets: $6 adults, $4 students.

Schedule: Saturday – boys and girls timed swimming finals, 3 p.m.

Notable: The top two individuals/relays automatically qualify for the state meet next week. The remaining 16 at-large individuals/relays qualifiers will be determined by times from all statewide district sites.

Division I boys: Strongsville, St. Ignatius, St. Edward and Toledo St. Francis de Sales should finish near the top of the team chase. The Mustangs and Wildcats are 1-2 in all three relay events with Strongsville ahead in the 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay. Senior Mike Pichette leads the Mustangs with the top qualifying times in the 100 backstroke and the 100 butterfly, while junior D.J. Arslanian has the top qualifying time in the 100 freestyle and is right behind Pichette in the butterfly. Junior Rayon Artis paces the Wildcats with the top time in the 50 freestyle. Avon's Ben Brooks has the district's top time in the 100 breaststroke and leads the 200 individual medley by more than three seconds over Christian Sobczak of Toledo St. Francis de Sales.

Division I girls: Strongsville, Rocky River and Bowling Green will be among the team leaders, with the Mustangs eying another district title. Strongsville has the top qualifying times in all three relay events, and has leading district qualifiers in Karley Mattson (100 breaststroke) and Julia Newbould (100 butterfly). Mustangs senior Brooke Delventhal will also challenge for titles in both the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle. Rocky River junior Lauren Devorace has the best qualifying time in the 500 freestyle and is second in the 200 freestyle. Lakewood's Kelly Reis will face Taryn Zwissler of Magnificat in the 100 backstroke chase, while Emma Flyn of Rocky River will try to hold off challengers from Fremont Ross and Strongsville in the 200 individual medley.

Follow our high school sports Twitter account @NEOvarsity and tag your related Tweets and score updates with the #NEOvarsity hashtag. 

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The majority of Indians players, including pitchers and position players, are already in camp which is one of the reason GM Chris Antonetti is excited about this season.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- All Indians pitchers and catchers were accounted for Wednesday on the day they were scheduled to report to spring training. In fact, nearly the whole team is already in camp.

"Guys are excited to be here," said GM Chris Antonetti. "You probably got a feel for not just the number of people in camp, but the attitude and spirit. Guys are champing at the bit to get started.

"Myself included."

Antonetti touched on a number of subjects with reporters after the workout.

Lefty Bruce Chen, who signed a minor-league contract Wednesday: "We'll stretch him out. He pitched this winter in Panama and he's ready to go. We'll mix him into the competition for one of the spots in the rotation. He's pitched out of the bullpen, as well, so depending on our needs he could fit there too."

The Indians were honest with Chen, telling him that the competition for a spot in the rotation will be difficult.

Antonetti said head trainer James Quinlan will give an update Thursday on the Indians who had been recovering from injuries. They include Nick Swisher, Ryan Raburn, Brandon Moss, Jason Kipnis, Michael Bourn and Gavin Floyd.

Antonetti, manager Terry Francona and their staffs spent Monday talking about every position player in camp and Tuesday about every pitcher.

When the full squad arrives next week, there should be 62 players in camp.

Antonetti, Francona and other staff members on Thursday will conduct individual meetings with all pitchers and catchers.

"The meetings aren't one on one," said Antonetti. "It's usually me, Tito and sometimes a coach."

Antonetti on John McDonald, one of the team's new special assistants to baseball operations: "There will be a learning curve for John because this is his first time being a coach rather than a player, but he has so much to offer an organization. This is a guy who primarily made a 16-year big-league career out of playing exceptional infield defense."

Browns coach Mike Pettine as to keep looking for a starting quarterback, did fine Josh Gordon for his tardies and is open to having Brian Hoyer back. He addressed all of these issues at the NFL Combine. Watch video

INDIANAPOLIS -- Browns coach Mike Pettine took the podium at the NFL combine and then talked to reporters off to the side afterward for another 10 minutes.  He addressed all the major issues facing the Browns right now, including Johnny Manziel's rehab, Josh Gordon's future and Ray Farmer's texting scandal.

Here are few quick highlights:

* He said he went to visit Manziel in rehab last week "to see how he's doing and let him know we're proud of him.''

* He said Manziel decided on his own to go to rehab and that the Browns didn't encourage him to go. He said Manziel is "in a much better place than when he went in'' and is determined to be even better when he gets out.

* Having said that, Pettine stressed that the Browns have to proceed as if they need to find a starting quarterback. He said there are too many unknowns for the Browns to be able to be to count on him. He said they'll look for a quarterback in the draft or amongst available veterans.

* Pettine said he believes offensive coordinator John DeFilippo and  QB coach Kevin O'Connell will maximize the talents of Manziel and other quarterbacks on the roster.

* He confirmed Northeast Ohio Media Group's report that the Browns are interested in 13th-year quarterback Josh McCown. "It's an option that's being discussed.''

* He said he did fine Josh Gordon for his tardies leading up to his suspension, which is contrary to what the NFLPA is arguing in its grievance filed against the Browns.

* Pettine said he wasn't thrilled with Ray Farmer texting from a prohibited area during games, but that Farmer has admitted he made a mistake. He said his relationship with Farmer is good and that they're on the same page.

* He said linebacker Barkevious Mingo recently underwent surgery on his shoulder and that it went well. Mingo played all season with the injury.

* He said he had a good meeting with No. 8 overall pick Justin Gilbert after the season, but re-iterated that talk is cheap.

* As for Brian Hoyer, he said "the door hasn't closed. We're open to him coming back. I did have a good meeting with Brian.''

* He said receivers coach Mike McDaniel, who flew to Las Vegas with Gordon and other players, resigned and was not fired. He admitted that he wasn't thrilled by the sight of McDaniel accompanying players to Vegas on the private plane.

* He said the Browns are discussing resigning tight end Jordan Cameron but that the price has to be right.

The Browns' rebranding effort will accompany new Nike-developed uniforms. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns announced this week that they will be unveiling a new logo for the team next week. According to Tom Reed, the rebranding effort will accompany new Nike-developed uniforms. The team's color schemes will remain orange, brown and white and Jimmy Haslam has said that no logos will be added to the orange helmets.  

Last year readers responded in kind when asked to submit their uniform redesign ideas, so this year we want to see your take on a new logo as well. Tell us what you want to see in the comments or create a design of your own and send it to us. We may feature it online!

Browns head coach Mike Pettine talks about Johnny Manziel entering rehab and what it means for the quarterback's future. Watch video

INDIANAPOLIS -- Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine met with the media on Wednesday at the 2015 NFL Draft Combine. Pettine's press conference led off with questions about quarterback Johnny Manziel, who entered rehab shortly after the season ended.

Pettine discussed Manziel's decision to enter rehab, what the team knew about Manziel before the draft and the impact this will have on Manziel's future.

Watch the video above of Pettine talking about Manziel and check out cleveland.com/browns for more video of Pettine, plus complete coverage from Tom Reed and Mary Kay Cabot of the combine.

The Buckeyes set the original price last year at $20 for the spring game before dropping the price the day before the game. That won't be an issue this year for the game on April 18.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State learned its pricing lesson last year and on Wednesday set the tickets for the 2015 spring football game at $5.

The annual spring game will be played on April 18 in Ohio Stadium. Kickoff time is 1:30, to follow the men's lacrosse game between Ohio State and Maryland that begins at 11 a.m.

The date was known before. The price was not. And the price was quite an issue last year.

For the 2014 spring game, Ohio State initially set the price at $20. That was high and didn't go over well, and with sales slow and coach Urban Meyer pushing for a big crowd, Ohio State dropped the price to $5 the day before the game.

"We overpriced it," athletic director Gene Smith told Northeast Ohio Media Group then.

The expectation then was that the Buckeyes would stick with $5 for the foreseeable future. So that's the price this year. And Ohio State's mistake last year actually may have worked out for fans.

The $5 price is back to the 2010 cost. And there was no mention in Ohio State's news release about the price on the day of the game being higher at the gate.

Tickets can be purchased online, at Ticketmaster or the Ohio State ticket office or by calling 1-800-GOBUCKS. Kids age 6 and under are free, as are Ohio State students. There are some club seats available for $15.

The last time the Buckeyes were in Ohio Stadium, for the National Championship Celebration on Jan. 24 (photos above), there was no fee to get in. The next time the Buckeyes are in Ohio Stadium won't cost that much more.

Here's the recent history of Ohio State spring game ticket pricing:

2015: $5

2014: $5 (originally planned to be $20 at gate)

2013: $12 (at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati)

2012: $7 ($12 at gate)

2011: $7 ($12 at gate)

2010: $5 ($10 at gate)

2009: $5

2008: $5

Browns head coach Mike Pettine addressed GM Ray Farmer texting the coaching staff during games. Watch video

INDIANAPOLIS -- Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine addressed what has become known as 'Textgate' on Wednesday at the 2015 NFL Draft Combine. General Manager Ray Farmer sent texts to the Browns coaching staff during games and is facing a possible suspension and the team could lose a draft pick.

Pettine talked about his feelings about the incident and his relationship with Farmer. You can see everything he had to say about it in the video above.

Visit cleveland.com/browns to see more video from Pettine and read stories from Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed.

Right-hander Tyler Sturdevant is the third Indians farmhand to be suspended this off-season for a violation of MLB's minor-league drug policy.

Indians minor league right-hander Tyler Sturdevant was suspended for 50 games for a violation of the minor league drug program.Jae C. Hong, AP 

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- A third Indians minor-league player has been suspended this off-season for violating MLB's minor league drug program.

Right-hander Tyler Sturdevant was suspended for 50 games without pay Wednesday after testing positive for an amphetamine. Sturdevant, 29, must serve the suspension at the start of the 2015 season.

Sturdevant, on the Class AAA Columbus roster, was a combined 2-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 46 combined appearances at Class AA Akron and Columbus. He was drafted in the 27^th round out of New Mexico State in 2009.

Class A outfielder Brian Ruiz and Class AA right-hander Duke von Schamann were also hit with suspensions this off-season. Ruiz, who attended Lincoln West High School in Cleveland, was suspended 80 games without pay for the use of a steroid while playing for Class A Lake County.

Von Schamann, acquired in a trade with the Dodgers early last season, was suspended for 50 games for his second violation of a drug of abuse (recreational drugs).

Ruiz and von Schamann must serve their suspensions at the start of this season.

Longtime Clevelander and SABR co-founder Joe Simenic, who died Feb. 7, left a legacy for baseball fans and researchers in the dusty volumes of the sport's cherished history.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Baseball loves history, and nearly every major-league player has had his biography researched by those who love the game as much as anyone.

But what of the historians? Longtime Clevelander Joe Simenic toiled in relative obscurity, except among baseball researchers and writers, who revered him, and now mourn his passing. Simenic died Feb. 7 in Westerville, Ohio. He was 91.

He was "one of the true giants of baseball research,'' baseball historian Peter Morris wrote in a biographical essay.

Simenic was among the 16 co-founders of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), which was formed at the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971 and was based in Cleveland for many years.

His passion for baseball research predated SABR by a quarter century and he would spend parts of seven decades in the research trenches. The main trench, in this case, was a full basement library he built in his Euclid ranch home, complete with a microfilm machine and baseball yearbooks that dated back to the 1800s, as well as hundreds of books.

View full sizeJoe Simenic poses with a print of Indians pitcher Mel Harder, one of Simenic's favorite players. The two became close friends after Harder retired. Roadell Hickman / The Plain Dealer 

His sons, Steve and Tom, dubbed it "The Simenic Baseball Museum and Research Center.''

Steve attended some of SABR's annual conventions with his father. Think Comic-Con for baseball researchers and statisticians.

"In 2008, in Cleveland, I got to go with my dad and see him in his own element,'' Steve Simenic said. "He was like a rock star. People coming up to him and saying, 'Oh, Mr. Simenic, we really love your work.' He was calm, cool and collected. It was nice see him finally get the recognition he'd built up over the years.''

Joe Simenic not only had a knack for uncovering baseball history, but also for witnessing it. Steve said two wonderful baseball memories were being with his father at no-hitters pitched by the Indians' Sonny Siebert in 1966 and the Cardinals' Jose Jimenez in 1999.

A player's gift sparks love of baseball research

Joe Simenic was born in Kostanjevac, Croatia, in 1923 and immigrated to the United States as a boy with his family. He told The Plain Dealer in a 1995 interview he was too small to amount to much as a baseball player, and he became interested in baseball history growing up near E. 78^th and St. Clair. A neighbor, John Mihalic, who played for the Washington Senators in the 1930s, gave him a "Baseball Guide.''

"I was fascinated by it and started getting other books on baseball," Simenic said.

After returning home from his service in the Army Air Corps in Europe during World War II, he took up the hobby in earnest while working at The Cleveland News, and later The Plain Dealer, where he became an assistant to Publisher Thomas Vail.

As an assistant to the general manager at the News, he befriended and did some research for sports editor Ed Bang, who had been at the paper since 1907 and had an extensive library. Simenic eventually inherited much of that library.

"(I) came across a copy of the Baseball Register published by The Sporting News, found a lot of mistakes in the book and sent them to publisher J.G. Taylor Spink,'' Simenic told Morris. "He sent me a check for $50 and asked if I would consider working in St. Louis but I decided to stay in Cleveland."

After the News folded, Simenic became a trusted researcher for Plain Dealer sports editor Hal Lebovitz.

"Hal had a lot to do with Joe's baseball education,'' said former Plain Dealer baseball writer Russ Schneider.

Simenic developed long research relationships with Baseball Hall of Fame historians Lee Allen and Cliff Kachline. He was part of their quests to uncover biographies of what at one time was more than 4,000 unidentified former Major League players and now is down to fewer than 100.

"I was happy to follow my main interest, which was biographies of the ball players,'' Simenic told SABR's Jacob Pomrenke in a 2011 interview.

Joe Simenic was here

Morris wrote in his biography of Simenic it is quite common for researchers at the Hall of Fame to come across notes by Simenic in files of obscure players and players whose biographical information remains a mystery. Few go where he has not already been, and in 1986 SABR gave Simenic its second Bob Davids Award for "contributions to SABR and baseball (that) reflect the ingenuity, integrity, and self-sacrifice of the founder and past president of SABR, Bob Davids."

Once on the trail of a forgotten player, Simenic was like a bloodhound on the hunt. He recounted tracking down a player known only as "Marion Hawley,'' eventually visiting his grave in Painesville to confirm his real first name, Marvin, and his date of death in 1904.

Tom Hufford, one of four surviving SABR co-founders, said this week he often would stop at out-of-the-way cemeteries while on vacation to do similar research, hoping to learn something new about a ballplayer.

"I can't tell you how many times I'd get to a cemetery office they'd pull a file on a guy I was looking for, and they'd find a note in the file and say, 'Here's someone you might want to talk to. A fellow from Cleveland named Joe Simenic. He's already been here.' That happened again and again,'' Hufford said. "Joe will certainly be missed. He was a big influence on me.''

A favorite Simenic story, one he retold many times, came full circle. He had a difficult time unearthing information on a player listed in box scores only as "Davis'' for the 1916 Philadelphia A's. Turned out his name was Edward George "Moxie" Divis, a Cleveland native who played three games and had one hit. He worked at The Cleveland News for much of his life, and died in 1955, but Simenic never met him.

"Joe said, 'I spent all these years trying to find a guy named 'Davis,' and I worked in the same building as this guy,'" Hufford said.

It is worth noting, of course, this research predated the Internet and Google by several decades, but if you Google search "Moxie Divis" today, the information found began with Simenic and his colleagues going through volumes of moldy phone books and dusty bound newspaper volumes.

Simenic was a devout Indians fan, particularly of the late pitcher and coach, Mel Harder, with whom Simenic became close friends.

In 1997, Simenic and Schneider co-authored the 670-page Cleveland Indians Encyclopedia. Simenic opened up his home library to Schneider, and was equally generous to researchers and writers from around the country. Schneider said Simenic gave him much of his collection, which included parts of Bang's original Cleveland News library. Schneider recently donated the materials to the Cleveland Public Library.

"I can't think of many guys that were more accommodating and as nice as Joe Simenic,'' Schneider said. "I was dedicated to baseball, but I don't think anybody was as dedicated to baseball as Joe.''

East Tech girls basketball team is disqualified from the playoffs because squad played 23 regular season games.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – East Tech’s girls basketball team was disqualified from the playoffs before the postseason tournament began.

The Scarabs, 19-4 and a state contender in Division II, were ruled ineligible for the playoffs by the Ohio High School Athletic Association on Wednesday. The Scarabs were disqualified from the postseason because they played 23 regular season games, which is a violation of Sports Regulation 20.

Basketball teams are permitted 22 regular season contests under OHSAA rules, which was increased last season. Prior to the 2013-14 season, boys and girls basketball teams were limited to 20 regular season games, but the OHSAA's penalty for exceeding the limit has been stiff for many years.

East Tech has been ranked all season in cleveland.com’s Top 25 poll, and entered the final week of the regular season ranked No. 5.

The Scarabs also earned the No. 1 seed in the Division II Orwell District. They were slotted to face No. 12 seed Collinwood on Saturday at 1 p.m. at East Tech in a sectional semifinal.

Collinwood will advance to face No. 11 seed Ashtabula Edgewood on Feb. 26 in a 7 p.m. sectional final at Edgewood. The game against East Tech will not be considered as a win for Collinwood or a loss or forfeit for East Tech.

On Tuesday, East Tech coach Melvin Burke told the Northeast Ohio Media Group the Scarabs are 19-3 because Whitney Young apparently didn’t have a team when they played Jan. 27, an 83-15 Scarabs win.

“But during the season they put a team together last minute type of thing,” Burke said. “So we played them, but it was like a JV game or something. I don’t even think they are OHSAA certified.”

According to the box score, East Tech’s varsity players participated in the game.

East Tech won the city championship and also finished undefeated in the Senate Athletic League at 13-0. The Scarabs lost only four games this season, but none to a Cleveland-area team. The Scarabs lost their first game of the year against Gahanna Lincoln, then to St. Joseph Central Catholic (W.Va.), Erie McDowell (Pa.) and Canton GlenOak.

The Scarabs were led by junior guard Shantell Bostick, who reached the 1,000 career point mark at the start of the season. They had serious 3-point threats in Morgan Daniels and Jymirra Sanders, as well as an inside force in Corrione Cardwell.

Follow our new high school sports Twitter account @NEOvarsity and tag your high school sports tweets and score updates with the #NEOvarsity hashtag. 

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

Listen to our live NFL combine wrap-up show at 8 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Wednesday is in the books at Lucas Oil Stadium on the first day of media availability at the 2015 NFL Draft Combine. I'm going to recap it all in a live show tonight at 8 p.m.

Here's a list of guests tonight:

8:10 p.m.: Nola.com's Jim Kleinpeter.

8:20 p.m.: NEOMG's Doug Lesmerises.

Listen at 8 in the player below and check back for an archive if you miss any of the show.