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Who has the best NCAA Tournament fans in Cleveland? (photos, poll)

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Who has the best NCAA Tournament fans in Cleveland? Kentucky, Notre Dame, West Virginia and Wichita State bring passion to the Midwest Regional.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- First, we're sorry about the weather, NCAA Tournament fans.

Spring in Cleveland is dicey, but we welcome it in all its muddy splendor. See that ice still melting out there on Lake Erie? That's what we were buried under from New Year's Day until a couple weeks ago.

This is why we walk around in light jackets when it's 35 degrees.

We persevere with some of the best restaurants and bars anywhere, and with the knowledge that our summers and falls are as pretty as city in the Midwest.

We're glad you're here, and we are infinitely impressed with your passion.

So, take our poll, and let us know which college has the best fans in town this week for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight.

Also, chime in with your thoughts in the comments section below.

Enjoy the games, and come back in the summer. You'll love it.


How Central Catholic boys basketball can beat Columbus Walnut Ridge in a state semifinal

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The Ironmen return to the state tournament for the first time since 2011.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- For the first time in four seasons, Central Catholic is headed to the state tournament. The Ironmen knocked off previously undefeated St. Vincent-St. Mary to get here.

On Friday, Central Catholic plays Columbus Walnut Ridge in a Division II state semifinal at 10:45 a.m. Check out how the Ironmen could win, and how they could lose:


4 REASONS CENTRAL CATHOLIC CAN WIN


1. Their defense is clicking


The Ironmen played probably the best defensive game of any Northeast Ohio team all season when they defeated St. Vincent-St. Mary on Saturday. In that game, the Irish scored just 36 points, which was 16 points below their previous season-low.


The difference was perimeter defense, as the Irish, normally an excellent 3-point shooting team, failed to hit a 3-pointer in the first half.


2. They are deeper


Part of the reason Central Catholic is in the state tournament is its bench. The Ironmen could bring in a full starting five off their bench that could compete with some local teams on both ends of the floor.


Columbus Walnut Ridge is not a very deep team, which means Central Catholic is better positioned in case of foul trouble. The Ironmen also might be able to wear down the Scots by rotating fresh bodies in throughout the game.


3. They are unable to be double-teamed


Every player in Central Catholic's starting lineup can score. While teams may want to send extra attention toward Tervell Beck or Antwon Lillard, that would leave open looks for Desmond Crosby, Montell McRae or Drevon Mills.


The problem is when Beck and Lillard work one-on-one, they are tough to slow down. The Scots will likely need to pick their poison with defensive schemes and might even run a zone.


4. They have passed their toughest test


Columbus Walnut Ridge is a good basketball team, but is not as good as St. Vincent-St. Mary. That win for Central Catholic on Saturday gave the team confidence and swagger. They do not believe anyone can beat them.


And St. Vincent-St. Mary beat Dayton Dunbar this season, so some simple math might suggest that this Division II tournament is now Central Catholic's to lose.




3 REASONS COLUMBUS WALNUT RIDGE CAN WIN


1. Central Catholic can go on scoring droughts


Even in Saturday's win against St. Vincent-St. Mary, the offense did not look terrific for the Ironmen, as they were held to just 41 points. Central Catholic prefers low-scoring games and has not hit the 70-point mark since early February.


If either Lillard or Beck aren't in their flow offensively, the game can turn quickly in Walnut Ridge's favor.


2. Walnut Ridge can match the Ironmen's inside presence


Against most teams, Central Catholic has an edge down low with Beck and McRae. That might not be the case on Friday, as Malik Harrison, who plays bigger than his 6-foot-4 size, can cause trouble for the Ironmen in the post.


Central Catholic's fear, like most teams, is foul trouble. A couple of early fouls on Beck or McRae could make it more difficult for the Ironmen to play the style they want.


3. The moment and early start hurts Central Catholic


There's no way to account for how a team will enter a game mentally. Central Catholic has been a mentally tough team all season, but playing on the big stage and playing much earlier than usual (10:45 a.m.) might cause the Ironmen to start slow.


If Walnut Ridge, which is also new to this experience, gets off to a quick start, it could force Central Catholic to play from behind and force a few shots.


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.

Paul Hoynes talks Indians, Joe Vardon talks LeBron and the Cavaliers and Mary Kay Cabot talks Browns: Sports Insider

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We talked Indians, Browns and Cavaliers on today's show and Bud Shaw offered his weekly spinoffs. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- How many games will the Indians win in 2015? Does the relationship between LeBron James and Kevin Love really matter?

Chris Fedor and I talked about all that and more on today's Sports Insider. Paul Hoynes looked ahead to the Indians' regular season by giving a wins prediction, talking Nick Swisher and more. Joe Vardon talked about the Cavaliers' win over Memphis and the LeBron/Kevin Love dynamic. Mary Kay Cabot talked about the "franchise-swap" rumors, "text-gate" punishment and the draft. Bud Shaw joined us for his weekly spinoffs.

Watch the show above and make sure to tune in every Thursday at noon at cleveland.com/sports to watch live.

Live updates and chat: Cleveland Indians vs. Cincinnati Reds at 4:05 p.m.

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Danny Salazar will start for the Tribe. Get live updates and chat with Zack Meisel and Paul Hoynes.

Goodyear, Ariz. -- Get scoring updates and analysis as the Indians take on the Reds and join Indians reporters Zack Meisel and Paul Hoynes in the comments section.

Where to watch/listen: SportsTime Ohio, Indians.com

Pitchers: Danny Salazar, Bryan Shaw, Scott Atchison, Marc Rzepczynski and Bryan Price

Indians lineup:

CF Michael Bourn

2B Jason Kipnis

DH David Murphy

1B Carlos Santana

RF Brandon Moss

C Yan Gomes

3B Lonnie Chisenhall

LF Mike Aviles

SS Jose Ramirez

P Danny Salazar

Reds lineup:

CF Billy Hamilton

1B Joey Votto

3B Todd Frazier

DH Brandon Phillips

C Devin Mesoraco

RF Brennan Boesch

LF Chris Dominguez

SS Kristopher Negron

2B Ivan DeJesus Jr

P Michael Lorenzen

David Blatt ranked in lower half among NBA coaches and Timofey Mozgov's new commercial: Cavs and NBA links

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Cleveland Cavaliers' David Blatt arrived this off-season as a rookie head coach, leaving behind a wealth of overseas experience and success.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt arrived this off-season as an NBA rookie, leaving behind a wealth of overseas experience and success. 

While the resume was sterling, it didn't mean much in the NBA, a different game with different players. Blatt has gone through growing pains, but has also helped the Cavs crawl out of an early season hole and clinch their first playoff spot since 2010. 

The Cavs are 47-26, have won 14 of their last 18 games and ascended to the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference. LeBron James is at the center of the success, vaulting back into the MVP conversation, but Blatt deserves credit as well for being able to fit new pieces Timofey Mozgov, Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith so easily into the rotation. 

ESPN.com released its rankings for the top head coaches on Thursday. The diverse panel was asked to rate each coach on guidance and leadership in terms of how it affects overall on-court success, both in the short and long term.

Blatt ranked 19th out of 30.

There are five coaches (Indiana's Frank Vogel, Suns' Jeff Hornacek, Sacramento's George Karl, Detroit's Stan Van Gundy and Utah's Quin Snyder) slotted ahead of him who wouldn't be in the playoffs if the season ended today. He is one of three coaches (Oklahoma City's Scott Brooks and Washington's Randy Wittman) with their teams currently occupying a playoff spot ranked outside the top 15.

It's a tough conversation when it comes to Blatt, but the panel likely looked at him coaching arguably the best personnel in the league and concluding the talent, not the coach, is the driving force behind the success. 

ESPN ranks top executives 

Just as the site did with coaches, ESPN.com listed the top executives -- team presidents, general managers and owners -- the people that have the strongest say in transactions. 

David Griffin, responsible for the Kevin Love blockbuster this off-season, signing Shawn Marion, Mike Miller and James Jones and pulling off two shrewd in-season trades, fared better than Blatt.

Griffin ranks 11th out of 30, higher than the other No. 2 seed, Memphis, and above Chicago's executives. Just like the coaching rankings, the San Antonio Spurs hold down the top spot. 

Mark Price takes head coaching job

After his terrific playing career came to an end, former Cavaliers point guard Mark Price turned to coaching. He returned to the NBA in 2007 as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets. He then spent time with Golden State, Atlanta and Orlando before his most recent stint with the Charlotte Hornets.

Now, Price is ready to leave the NBA. He accepted a five-year contract to become the head coach at UNC Charlotte. Price will replace Alan Major, who parted ways with the school last week after five seasons in which he took two medical leaves of absence.

Mozgov's first commercial

When he's not swatting shots, finishing alley-oops or picking up technical fouls because of his feisty attitude, Mozgov is stepping in front of the camera, recording epic commercials.

OK, well maybe just one, his first one. Sporting a backwards jersey, Mozgov slams it home for the Brew Garden. 

More Cavs links

Dominant Love makes Cavs scary (cleveland.com)

James still behind in MVP race (USA Today)

Cavs, Mozgov proving to be near-perfect fit (NBA.com)

Say Watt? The Cleveland Browns need to hit paydirt at the wide receiver position -- Bud Shaw's You Said It

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Cleveland sports fans wonder about the Cavs' Kevin Love (sort of) and the newest wide receiver acquisitions for the Browns -- 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 Early Weekend Edition)

Hey Bud: I see where the NFL has a new rule where an athletic trainer can call a timeout if a player appears disoriented. What's the rule if the front office appears disoriented? -- Ted, Concord

The operative rule requires someone to stop the GM who thinks he's a coach from sending text messages during games.

Bud: Now that Ohio State AD Gene Smith will get a bonus for all his hard work on the mats, do you have a clause in your contract that you get a bonus when you fill the "You Said It" column? -- George, Avon

My only reward comes from the greater-good satisfaction of knowing I'm keeping You Said It contributors off the streets.

Bud: As a Browns season ticket holder of 40 years, am I better off drinking the purple Kool-Aid or should I just not pay attention to the man behind the slightly darker orange and brown curtain? -- Mark A, Bainbridge Township

Just be thankful that for the first time in 2015 the Kool-Aid will come in nine color combinations.



Bud: Is Joey Crawford related to Don Rickles? -- Jim Lefkowitz, Pepper Pike.

Yes. And Rickles is known as "the nice cousin."

Bud: Are you at all concerned that JJ Watt, a defensive lineman for the Houston Texans, caught more touchdown passes (3) last season than Josh (I shall return) Gordon, Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline combined (2)? - Ed Stagl, Berea

First-time You Said It winners are eligible receivers of high praise.

Hey Bud: Heard on the radio that Kevin Love felt his teammates were having trouble getting him the ball where he liked it. Are they looking for Love in all the wrong places? -- Pat

Repeat winners often have to settle for amusing themselves. 

Cleveland Indians right in giving Francisco Lindor a little more time in minors: Terry Pluto (photos)

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Because they have Jose Ramirez, the Indians don't need to push Francisco Lindor to the Majors at the age of 21.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The last time the Indians had a prospect like Francisco Lindor was ... when?

When you factor in age, it's hard to know.

"Remember, he's only 21," said Terry Francona.

The Tribe manager spent part of Thursday morning explaining why Lindor was being sent to the minors. This is no surprise. During the winter, the Tribe said Lindor would not make the team out of spring training. They said it again at the start of camp, and they gave Lindor the same message when he reported to Goodyear.

Lindor responded with what Francona called "a great camp."

He won the endurance tests at the opening of camp. He batted .297 (.903 OPS) with two homers, three doubles and a triple in 37 at-bats. He struck out only five times, made one error in 16 games at shortstop.

Maturity? Francona raved about the "way he conducts himself." But it went back to being only 21. He won't be 22 until Nov. 14. And the experience factor -- having played only 38 games at Class AAA, where he batted .273 (.695 OPS) with five homers and 14 RBI for Columbus.

"The fact that we are talking about Francisco (being major-league ready) is a testimony to how well he prepared himself in the off-season and then how he handled himself in camp," said General Manager Chris Antonetti. "He keeps making great strides."

Then Antonetti paused.

"He's only 21," he said. "Think about that. College juniors are 21."

THEN THERE'S JOSE

If the Tribe didn't have Jose Ramirez, there would be a temptation to rush Lindor. But the 22-year-old Ramirez took over at short after the All-Star Game and stabilized the defense. For the season, he batted .262 (.646 OPS) with two homers and 17 RBI in 237 at-bats.

Ramirez was a 21-year-old shortstop a year ago. He won't turn 23 until Sept. 17.

Ramirez tied for the American League lead with 13 sacrifice bunts. He was 10-of-11 in stolen bases. He made only four errors in 58 games and his range was well above average. This spring, Ramirez is batting .286 (.653 OPS) with one homer and five RBI. If the Indians didn't have Lindor, Ramirez would be receiving raves as a prospect.

Ramirez was a career .306 hitter in the minors. Like Lindor, he bats from both sides of the plate.

No Ramirez, and Lindor probably opens the season in Cleveland.

For the Indians to keep Lindor, they'd probably send Ramirez to the minors -- because they'd want him to play regularly.

"Given how well Jose played for us last year, that would be a very hard decision," said Antonetti. "Jose did a really good job. We feel very good about him as our shortstop."

REASON FOR WAITING

The Indians have some internal stats about how prospects tend to play better when they receive their first big-league promotion during the season.

Why? Because a promotion usually comes after a strong performance in the minors. They arrive with confidence. In 2007, the Indians called up Asdrubal Cabrera, Francisco Gutierrez and Raffy Perez in the middle of the season and all played key roles on the Central Division champions.

The Indians have Jason Kipnis at second, and he was an All-Star in 2013. They have Ramirez at short. Veteran Mike Aviles is the utility man. There is no compelling need for Lindor right now.

Since the end of last season, the plan has been for Lindor to open at Columbus -- play well -- and force the Indians to put him at shortstop at some point in the summer.

Because when Lindor is summoned, it's to be the starter.

THINKING BACK

I was trying to remember when the Indians last had a prospect such as Lindor, a prospect valued so highly at the age of 21 -- and that prospect opened the season in Cleveland.

The closest was Brandon Phillips. He was promoted to the Tribe at the end of the 2002 season, receiving 31 at-bats. Then, at 22, Phillips opened the 2003 season at second base. He had a dismal time, batting .208 (.533 OPS). He was sent back to the minors after 393 plate appearances.

He wasn't ready. Then Phillips fell out of favor with former manager Eric Wedge. In 2004-05, he had a grand total of 31 at-bats with the Tribe. He ran out of minor league options, was traded to the Reds for minor-league pitcher Jeff Stevens.

It was a real mess, as Phillips has made three All-Star teams and won four Gold Gloves.

Grady Sizemore was 22 when he came to the Tribe. Only C.C. Sabathia was younger -- 20 in 2000 when he jumped straight from Class AA Akron to the big leagues.

"When you open the season with a rookie and he struggles, those problems are really magnified," said Antonetti. If it happens in the minors, it's much easier to work through the problems and then come up."

LOOKING AHEAD

Something always happens.

Maybe Ramirez has a sophomore slump. Maybe Kipnis doesn't stay healthy; he's battled some minor injuries this spring. Maybe an enormous trade possibility emerges involving one of the Tribe's middle infielders.

"Francisco has had a terrific spring," said Francona. He has a really, really bright future."

Lindor's minor-league batting average is .278 (.736 OPS). The numbers are not extremely impressive, but you must factor in the age. Most seasons, he was the youngest player in his league.

He's listed at 5-11, 190 pounds. It's not hard to imagine him adding more strength.

Lindor is ranked as the No. 4 prospect in all of baseball by MLB.com.

"The bar is set pretty high (for Lindor), and it should be," said Francona.

And the Indians want to make sure that Lindor doesn't trip on all the expectations when he finally arrives in Cleveland.

Buster Skrine to the Jets one of NFL free agency's worst signings & filling the tight end need: Cleveland Browns links

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Former Browns cornerback's new deal with the New York Jets is rated as one of the worst free agent signings of the offseason.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns haven't exactly earned gold stars for their free agency season. Earlier this month I told you about Josh McCown making Grantland's list of worst free agent signings. Elsewhere, ESPN.com doesn't give the Browns much of a passing grade. (That's an Insider link, but, long story short if you don't have access, they give the Browns a 'D.') On top of that, they lost their tight end (more on that later), lost one of their pass rushers in Jabaal Sheard and lost a defensive tackle in Ahtyba Rubin (though that might not really be that big of a loss).

They also lost starting cornerback Buster Skrine, the guy who played most of the snaps at cornerback alongside Joe Haden in 2014. Browns fans were generally mixed about losing Skrine. Some were glad to see him go, others thought he was a young player improving and losing him leaves the team dangerously thin at a key position.

In terms of his signing with the Jets, though, Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus is not a fan:

"This one didn't make sense at the time, but made even less sense after the Jets signed Antonio Cromartie for an even more lucrative deal just days later. Performance aside, they paid Skrine the 15th-most guaranteed money (four-year, $25m, $13m guaranteed) of any cornerback in the league to come in and be the Jets' nickel corner. That's bad business from the outset."

Still, like I said above, it seemed Skrine was getting better during his time with the Browns. He was a penalty flag-in-waiting at times, but he played hurt and seemed to play well for a guy who was supposed to be a nickelback, right?

Right?

"The fifth-year cornerback was the weak link in the Browns' secondary ever since he was thrust into the nickelback role in 2012. Skrine was promoted to starter in 2013 and turned in overall grades of -12.1 and -6.3 in the two subsequent seasons. He's simply been a below-average player over the course of his career, and even though he has played slot corner, he's never stood out."

Well, that's a cold shower.

Say what you will about the Browns' philosophy in free agency, but it's clear that they weren't going to overpay and they weren't going to be aggressive. They said as much. Letting Skrine walk fits that bill. Pro Football Focus, at least, sees that as addition by subtraction.

(Pro Football Focus: Free Agency: Five Worst Signings)

Now, about that tight end

Jordan Cameron's gone. Cameron, when healthy, was probably the Browns' most dynamic playmaker in the passing game. Even in his injury-riddled 2014 season, he notched some of the team's best catches (that catch over the middle against Pittsburgh at FirstEnergy Stadium and the catch-and-run against the Panthers that gave the Browns the lead).

That health thing, though, was always an issue and it appears that Cameron preferred Miami despite reports of him nearly re-signing here. The current duo of Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge is OK, but with a receiving group that isn't equipped to replace the big, rangy Cameron (and, by the way, I think this group is better than people give them credit for) a new tight end is on the shopping list.

Bleacher Report's Andrea Hangst writes that, with the free agency market for tight ends thinning thanks to Charles Clay picking the Bills and Jermaine Gresham undergoing back surgery, the Browns will likely look draft-ward for their tight end need:

"There are perhaps three tight ends that the Browns could consider in the first two rounds of the draft and only one -- Minnesota's Maxx Williams -- who would be worthy of one of the Browns' two first-round selections.

"The other two, Miami's Clive Walford and Florida State's Nick O'Leary, could also find their services in high demand, potentially to the point that all three are spoken for by the time Round 2 ends."

Does this mean that tight end joins the ever-lengthening list of possibilities for one of the Browns first-day picks? Hangst believes so:

"Therefore, if the Browns view tight end as a need -- and they should -- then they may have to get aggressive in their pursuit of Williams. That could put him in play at 12th-overall. Waiting until their second pick in the round at 19 might see him already selected."

April 30 just keeps getting more and more interesting.

(Bleacher Report: Where Do Cleveland Browns Turn for a TE Now?)

More Browns links

Trying to be fair to Jimmy Haslam and the Browns (WaitingForNextYear.com)

What did we learn about the Cleveland Browns at the NFL meetings? (ESPN.com)


Cleveland Gladiators open Arena Football League season Friday at Tampa Bay

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A year after being picked near last, the ArenaBowl runner-up Cleveland Gladiators are among the teams to beat in the Arena Football League heading into Friday's season opener.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- What a difference a year makes. The Cleveland Gladiators have gone from the hunters to the hunted in the Arena Football League.

"We obviously have a bullseye on our backs, and that's a good thing,'' Coach Steve Thonn said.

With quarterback Shane Austin and several other key regulars returning, Cleveland opens its 18-game schedule Friday at Tampa Bay.

The Gladiators set a regular-season record for victories last season (17-1) and were ArenaBowl runners-up, one year after winning just four games in 2013.

"Last year, we were kind of picked to finish about last,'' said, Thonn, the 2014 AFL Coach of the Year.  "There were no expectations, although we thought we were going to be pretty good. Expectations will be a little different this year. It means we were successful, and we were able to pick up some good arena guys who wanted to be here.''

Following a second road game at New Orleans, the Gladiators open at home April 11 against three-time defending ArenaBowl champion Arizona. The Rattlers torched Cleveland, 72-32, the largest margin of victory in ArenaBowl history.

AFL teams play 18 games over a 20-week season.

There are 12 teams in the league this year. Pittsburgh and San Antonio folded, and Iowa moved to the smaller Indoor Football League.

A new team was added in Las Vegas. The Outlaws are owned by Motley Crue lead singer Vince Neil, and the AFL hopes to create a rivalry with the Los Angeles Kiss, owned by fellow rock star Gene Simmons.

The Gladiators play their 50-yard, indoor home games at Quicken Loans Arena.

Austin (6-0, 200), a career backup in college and the pros, had a breakout year after taking over as the starter early in the season. Five of Cleveland's six last-minute comebacks were led by Austin. He threw 99 touchdowns and 15 interceptions and his 65-percent completion rate, 117.9 QB rating and 12 rushing TDs all ranked third in the AFL among quarterbacks.

It was his first season in Cleveland.

"He's healthy ready to go,'' Thonn said. "The good thing is he knows me and I know him and it's not a learning curve any more. He's had a good camp.''

Cleveland lost free agent receiver Thyron "T-Lew" Lewis to the Kiss. His 37 TD catches led the team, but possession receiver Dominick "Goody" Goodman returns after an All-AFL season. The Glads added AFL veteran receiver Amarri Jackson.

Ohio State and Benedictine grad Tim Cheatwood came out of retirement and is back as a blitzing linebacker. He was an assistant coach last year, but learned he still has the itch to play.

"He's in great shape,'' Thonn said.

Other key returners include defensive back Dominic Jones, nose tackle Willie McGinnis and DB/LB Joe Phinisee, however DB LaRoche Jackson is not back.

The Gladiators acquired defensive linemen Jeremy Richardson from San Antonio and Jesse Peterson, who was with New Orleans for part of last season.

C.J. Cobb, Kitt O'Brien and Strongsville native Chad Schofield anchor the offensive line. They initiated the "Yes" chant that became popular at home games last year.

Lineman Marcus Hall, from Glenville and Ohio State, signed in the offseason, but told Thonn he is pursuing a Canadian Football League deal.

Ballville Dam on the Sandusky River to finally come tumbling down -- Outdoor Notes

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The Sandusky River could return to its glory days of walleye fishing once the Ballville Dam is finally removed this fall.

FREMONT, Ohio - The Sandusky River is full of spawning walleye this week, and could return to its glory days of walleye fishing once the Ballville Dam here is finally removed this fall.

"We still have to contend with a lawsuit by the Save the Ballville Dam group that is pending in Sixth District Court of Appeals in Toledo," said Mayor Jim Ellis. "Our law department doesn't believe the lawsuit has merit, and contractor MWH Construction is already doing the studies to let us begin chipping away at the dam in September."

It is a victory for the Ohio Division of Wildlife, which has long wanted the substandard structure torn down and the Sandusky River to become a free-flowing waterway once again. It would open 22 miles of the river to spawning walleye, fish whose minimal spawning areas below the dam had become severely degraded over the years.

"When I was running for mayor, I was a proponent of keeping the dam," said Ellis. "I made a campaign promise to study both options, to see what it would cost to take down the dam or repair it."

Renovation of the Ballville Dam was recently estimated at $27 million. To remove it would cost $9.5 million. In the mix long ago was a reservoir to provide water to Fremont once the dam was removed. The reservoir was completed before Ellis took office and the $54 million cost was way over budget.

"Studies show the river can return to environmental equilibrium in a year," said Ellis. "The sediment behind the dam could be flushed down the river within two years."

Ballville Dam sign .jpgBaker/Bonningson, a Fremont auction house, thought it would be nice to sell the antiquated Ballville Dam. It picked April's Fools Day as the perfect time.  

Once an equal to the mighty Maumee River to the west in numbers of walleye caught during the spring walleye spawning run, the Sandusky River could also regain its status as a recreational river. The Maumee River produces 42 percent of the walleye caught in Lake Erie these days, say wildlife officials, while the Sandusky River walleye make up only 1 percent of the catch.

Buckeye boats, walleye: Walleye fishing seminars and exhibits are featured at the Buckeye Sports Center Boat Open House today (March 27) through Sunday in Peninsula.

On stage Sunday are walleye tournament veterans Travis Hartman at 1 p.m. and Mark Brumbaugh at 2:30 p.m. Anglers from the Walleye Madness Tournaments will have walleye fishing tips throughout the show, and register anglers for its tournament circuit.

The U.S. Power Squadron is giving boaters a ride in its Boating Skills Virtual Trainer. Buckeye Sports Center is at 4610 State Rd., Peninsula. Show hours are: Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Big water fishermen can sign up at the door on Saturday for Lance Valentine's Walleye 101 Seminar Series, an all-day presentation offering tips and techniques for sonar and GPS gear. The fee is $50.

Walleye Madness to begin: The Walleye Madness Tournament Trail for two-angler teams kicks off April 26 at Mosquito Reservoir, followed by Berlin Reservoir (May 17), Lake Erie at Cleveland (June 6) and Lake Erie at Geneva (June 27). Top anglers qualify for the Cabela's National Team Championship.

Coming right up: The North Coast Chapter of Ducks Unlimited has drawings, raffles and prizes at its annual banquet Saturday at Tom's Country Place in Avon ... The Northcoast Limbhangers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has its big banquet Saturday at North Olmsted Party Center ... The Great Lakes Decoy Show visits the Hilton Doubletree, the old Westlake Holiday Inn, today through Sunday. Details on all of these events are at cleveland.com/outdoors.

Trout Club wish list: The 37th annual Trout Club Banquet at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History on April 25 has more than the usual wish list of auction and raffle prizes, with more than 30 pages of exotic fly fishing gear and fishing trips. While fly fishers will be delighted with the J.D. Wagner bamboo fly rod and other exotic fly fishing gear, the weeklong trips to Wyoming and Colorado are the stuff of angling dreams.

For the full list, check out the Trout Club's blog at cmnh.org. Tickets are $80, $150 per couple. The deadline is April 13. Call Karen Menn, 216-231-4600 (Ext. 3278).

LaDue bridge news: While the State Route 44 bridge at LaDue Reservoir is being replaced between April and October, boaters will not be allowed to go under the bridge and only one lane of traffic can go over the bridge. Lake levels will be lowered about two feet during construction.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are scary, but a dominant Kevin Love makes them even scarier

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When producing at a high level, Kevin Love takes the Cavaliers to another level.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Right about now you can make a case that the Cleveland Cavaliers are the best team in the NBA.

An NBA-best 28-6 record since Jan. 15 is plenty enough sample size to make one conclusion: The Cavaliers are a bad (not in the literal sense) team.

It's not easy disposing of the Memphis Grizzlies 111-89 on their home floor. It's not easy dominating their robust front line. It's not easy to rattle a team with a nucleus that has been together for a decent amount of years.

Cleveland walked into a hostile environment, did whatever it wanted, and walked out of FedEx Forum as if nothing happened. Staff workers of the Grizzlies were saying it was the worst loss they've witnessed in five years.

On this night Memphis didn't stand a chance, and the Grizzlies possess the second-best record in the mighty Western Conference.

The Cavaliers are 14-1 against the West in their last 15 games with victories over Portland, the Los Angeles Clippers (twice), San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Golden State in that span.

Who's exactly mighty here?

This confidence, this poise that's oozing out of the Cavaliers is frightening. There's no telling what they can accomplish. There's no telling how much better they'll become. They're just stomping through the opposition and keeping it moving.

They have won 17 games by 15 or more points, the most in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta may be ahead of them in the standings, but that might be about it. This team has something special going on.

"I think the most important thing is we don't get too high or get too low," Cavs guard Kyrie Irving said after leading the team in scoring with 24 points. "We don't worry about any external things or issues of what's going on. We take care of our business in the locker room as brothers."

The Kevin Love Cavalier that fans have been waiting for returned to his true form on Wednesday. He went for 22 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks, but it was the way in how he orchestrated.

For the first time in a long time he carved up the painted area. He posted up for successful baby hooks, he caught an alley-oop and smashed in a couple of two-handed jams in a half-court sets. He camped out in the interior. He was 10-of-13 from the field and only took four threes, converting on two.

That's the balance everyone has been waiting for.

"Kevin was terrific," Cavs coach David Blatt said. "I just thought we were able to mix it up for him inside and outside, and he responded beautifully. He really worked hard to get his spots on the floor. He made his plays when he had the opportunity to and he facilitated extremely well for others when the situation called for it."

Immediately after the game, Love video-bombed LeBron James' postgame interview to say Happy Birthday to his mother, Karen. He said he spoke to her the night before and she wished him well in Memphis.

"I'm glad I played well on her birthday," Love said. "Her birthday didn't fuel me. If you can't get up for a game like this, you shouldn't be playing, but I'm glad I had a good game for her."

Loved credited the ball movement, which allowed him to get into a rhythm.

"I felt like as a team, we moved the ball around a lot and were hitting the next guy out there," he said. "So it's just 'next man up' and that gave us a lot of success tonight."

There's still time for Love to locate a consistent groove. He said he's getting more and more comfortable with time. The Cavaliers know what the outcome looks like when Love is engaged and involved.

A 29-point lead in the third quarter Wednesday is evidence. With nine games remaining in the regular season, it would have been easy for the Cavaliers to stick to what has been working. However, they're continually coming up with ways to  maximize Love's potential, knowing he takes them to another level.

When he's been mediocre, the Cavaliers are a very good team. When he's producing, they're arguably the best team in the league.

"When you get a dunk, that kind of sets the tone," LeBron James said of Love's aggressiveness. "I think he had three of them tonight, and in order for us to do what we need to do at the end of the day and be great, the Big Three has to play at a high level and we did that tonight."

--

LeBron James isn't the only one with a clique that's clicking.

What time and which channel is the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets game on?

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The Cleveland Cavaliers look for their fifth straight win on Friday night as they travel to Brooklyn. Tipoff against the Nets is at 7:30 p.m. and the game will be shown on Fox Sports Ohio.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers look for their fifth straight win on Friday night as they travel to Brooklyn. Tipoff against the Nets is at 7:30 p.m. and the game will be shown on Fox Sports Ohio. On radio, it will be simulcast on WMMS-FM 100.7, 87.7 FM (ESP) and WTAM-AM 1100.

The Cavs (47-26) are coming off an impressive road win on Wednesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, 111-89. It was the fifth win in the last six tries away from Quicken Loans Arena. Kyrie Irving, LeBron James and Kevin Love combined to score 66 points.

Friday night marks the final meeting of the regular season between the two teams. The Cavs have won the first three contests, most recently blowing out Brooklyn, 117-92, on March 18.

For the Nets (30-40), it's the beginning of a three-game homestand as they continue to battle for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Winners of three of the last four, the Nets are a half game back of the Boston Celtics.

The Nets' balanced attack is led by center Brook Lopez, who was nearly traded at the deadline. Lopez is averaging 16.3 points in 60 games. Thaddeus Young, the third-leading scorer, averaging 13.6 points, will not play because of a knee injury.

Later, catch the coverage from before the game; join in the live chat starting at tipoff; and stick around for full postgame coverage.

Inside Central Catholic boys basketball's 54-38 win against Columbus Walnut Ridge in Division II state semifinal (photos, video)

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Central Catholic used a big second half to beat Columbus Walnut Ridge and advance to the Division II state championship game.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A strong second-half performance led Central Catholic's boys basketball team to a 54-38 win against Columbus Walnut Ridge in their Division II state semifinal on Friday at Value City Arena at The Ohio State University.

Central Catholic will face either Defiance or Dayton Dunbar at 4:30 p.m., on Saturday in the Division II state championship game.


The Ironmen scored only two points in the second quarter, but bounced back by outscoring the Scots, 35-18, in the second half.


"For us, it's always been the team with the most easy buckets wins," Central Catholic coach Jeremy Holmes said. "We couldn't make a bucket in the first half I felt like. But to only be down one (at halftime), we really needed some easy buckets. For them to go out and get some layups, it always turns into defense for us."


Slideshow coming shortly.


Antwon Lillard led Central Catholic (24-4) with 15 points and Desmond Crosby added 14.


The Ironmen forced 19 turnovers and had 19 points off of turnovers.


What it means


In its fourth trip to the state tournament, Central Catholic will play for its second state championship on Saturday. The Ironmen won a championship in 2009, but lost in the championship game in 2011.


Central Catholic's defense is a big reason why the Ironmen are playing for a championship. They have held their last two opponents, St. Vincent-St. Mary and Columbus Walnut Ridge, to season-lows in scoring.


"We probably spend 75 percent of our practice on defense," Holmes said. "They just have learned to love it. It's the one thing that most people don't want to do for that long. But our team, they've learned to love to play defense."

Play of the game

Desmond Crosby set up Montel McRae with a perfect alley-oop, which McRae finished with 5:50 left in the third quarter to give the Ironmen a 26-20 lead.

Critical run

After trailing by one at halftime, Central Catholic took the lead for good with a 9-0 run capped by McRae's alley-oop.

The Ironmen's run was aided by the fact that Central Catholic's fans, who showed up late after their bus broke down on the way, filled up their side of the stands.

Who stood out for Central Catholic

Lillard: Despite three fouls in the first half, the senior led all scorers with 15 points. He was 5-for-10 from the field and also grabbed six rebounds.

Crosby: Known more for his defense, the junior guard stepped up on offense with 14 points and a team-high three assists. He and Lillard each had three steals.

Who stood out for Walnut Ridge

Malik Harrison: He battled some foul trouble most of the game, but was productive with 11 points and five rebounds.

Azende Johnson: He came off the bench and provided quick offense with 11 points, including three 3-pointers.

Central Catholic sound bites

Holmes on Crosby: "Desmond is an outstanding defender, an outstanding leader at the point guard. That's him every night. It just so happens that he added more points today."

Lillard on the atmosphere: "It's a great feeling. We always preached we wanted to come down here and to win states. So to come out here and pull out a big win down here at Columbus and Ohio State, it's a great feeling."

Holmes on reaching the state championship game in his first year: "I planned this. This is not something that we lucked up on. When I got the job and I walked in the door, the first thing I told these guys is we will go and compete for a state championship. And I meant that wholeheartedly. I've said it every day. They've never heard me say anything else."

Key stats

6 - Steals for Central Catholic.

0 - Steals for Columbus Walnut Ridge.

19 - Points off turnovers for Central Catholic.

71.4 - Central Catholic's shooting percentage in the second half.

16 - Combined points from McRae and Beck in the second half. They combined for one in the first half.

What's next

Central Catholic vs. Defiance-Dayton Dunbar winner in Division II state championship, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Late-arriving Central Catholic boys basketball fans spark defensive push in second half of state semifinal

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The fan bus for the Ironmen broke down on the way to the game.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A 10:45 a.m. start wasn't the only reason that Value City Arena felt a little quiet for the Division II state semifinal. The Central Catholic fan bus broke down halfway to Columbus leaving the Ironmen a little short on support.

"We found out the bus broke down, and we had to hold down for our fans," said senior guard Antwon Lillard.


The Ironmen struggled a little early and lacked some energy. They hit halftime down 20-19 and only scored two points in the second quarter, while shooting 31.8 percent from the field.


But when Central Catholic came out after halftime, they had their whole support system waiting for them. The Ironmen fans filled up the section behind the basket and were ready to go.


"It was a real big lift to see our crowd come out," Lillard said. "They said they were going to come out and support us. The support helps us out, but if they're not there we need to continue to support ourselves on the bench."


Central Catholic came out like a different team after halftime. The Ironmen started the half on a 9-0 run and never trailed again on the way to a 54-38 Division II state semifinal win. In the second half, Central Catholic shot 71.4 percent from the field.


Part of the reason for the success was defense. The Ironmen played an extended zone defense in the second half. The result was a just six field goals made for Columbues Walnut Ridge after halftime, and at one point, Central Catholic had a 19-1 advantage in points off turnovers.


"Because we go so hard in practice, it just carries over to the game," said Central Catholic coach Jeremy Holmes. "We probably spend 75 percent of our practice on defense. They have just learned to love it."


Central Catholic has now held its opponent to a season-low in two games in a row. The tough, defensive style has endeared the Ironmen to their fans that came out and supported them today.


"The level of support is great, and we are going to need them again tomorrow," Holmes said. "There are people that I haven't seen in a long time, and to see them out there is motivating."


Central Catholic will play the winner of Dayton Dunbar and Defiance in a Division II state final on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.


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.

A (way too) early girls basketball Top 10 for 2015-16 season (poll)

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See which teams were ranked in the (way too) early girls basketball poll.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – It's been a week since the girls basketball season came to end following the OHSAA state tournament.

But now begins the speculation of who will return, what teams will dominate the area and what are areas of concern for squads moving forward.


DISCLAIMER: This is not a preseason poll. That will be voted on by staff in late fall when its expanded to 25 teams. Instead, this is what we think that poll could look like, based on what we know now. Obviously the landscape could change with coaching changes and transfers.


And, as always, we want to hear what you think. What is your take on the 2015 girls basketball scene in Northeast Ohio? Who should be No. 1 in the preseason poll? Which teams are likely to rise or fall from this season’s finish? What off-the-radar teams will surprise next season? Share you thoughts on all that and more in the comments section below.


See below the (way too early) Cleveland.com Top 10 teams that are expected to do well next season.




1. Solon


The Comets entered the final week of their season on a 13-game win streak before falling in the Division I state semifinal to Toledo Notre Dame, 61-48. Still the Comets return most of their squad led by Valencia Myers and All-Ohio member Dee Bekelja. One area of concern will be the development of their bench after losing such notable seniors as Chelbi Graham, Jordan Bekelja and Isis Parker.


2. Wadsworth


The Grizzlies have been known for playing a lot of girls during a single game, so losing two seniors in Aubrey Virgin and Kaile Pappas to graduation should not be a hindrance for Wadsworth. The Grizzlies capped off the season with a 75-game win streak in the Suburban League, which will dissolve after this school year. The Grizzlies also expect to return Jodi Johnson, who was voted the Northeast Inland All-District Division I player of the year.


3. Magnificat


The regional champions expect to remain intact as they lose seniors Rylie Matthews and Eileen Carey to graduation. With their skill sets and chemistry developed thus far, the Blue Streaks will be another dangerous team to start next season led by notable guard Phoebe Sterba.


4. North Royalton


The Bears will take a hit with the loss of Alison Smolinski and three other seniors graduating this school year. Gabby White, who has come on proficient scorer, is expected to return for the Bears. A challenge for the Bears will be to add another scorer in replace Smolinski, who reached 1,000 career points, and return to form after their 18-game win streak was snapped in the Division I regional semifinals by Wadsworth.


5. East Tech


The Scarabs lose only one senior from a talented squad who is presumably motivated to start the 2015-2016 season. East Tech was denied a spot in the playoffs after playing more regular season games than any high school team was permitted. As a result, East tech was forced to sit out the postseason. If the Scarabs needed to play with a chip on the shoulder, they’ve got it.




6. Mentor


Mentor had questions about its talent coming into the season, but by the end of the year answered them with their rising basketball players. Minus seniors Erika Motiejunas and Bri Overly graduating this year, the Cardinals expect to return everyone else after an exit in the Division I district semifinals to Shaw.


7. Gilmour


The Lancers falling in the district finals to Richmond Heights came as a surprise to many after reaching the fifth spot in the Division III AP Rankings. Gilmour is expected to return all of their players after losing senior post player Courtney Pleasant to graduation.


8. Elyria Catholic


The Panthers finished the regular season among the Top 10 teams in the Cleveland.com Top 25 and look to return everyone from their squad. With the loss of notable guard Josie Carandang due to injury, the Panthers silenced naysayers as they won the West Shore Conference title before falling in the Division III district semifinals to Richmond Heights.


9. Revere


The Minutemen struggled to shoot the basketball resulting in a district semifinals loss to Hathaway Brown, but they return with their roster mostly intact for next season after losses of two seniors. Point guard Camyrn Brown and forward Caitlin Vari highlight a number of talented ball players expected to return next season.


10 Berea-Midpark


Not to put too much pressure on rising sophomore Jada Marone, but she could be the difference maker for the Titans next season as she kept back courts peddling on their heels this year with her quickness. Coach Kevin Braaten lost four seniors to graduation, but looks to get an upgrade on his roster with size and depth.


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.


Missed something, have a story idea you would like to submit a comment? Please leave them in the comments section below. Sign up for an account here.


See video highlights from the win for Central Catholic boys basketball over Columbus Walnut Ridge

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The Ironmen advanced to the state title game.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With a 54-38 win over Columbus Walnut Ridge on Friday, Central Catholic advanced to the Division II state title game. See below for video highlights from the game:

First half highlights

Second half highlights

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.

Live updates, audio broadcast, chat room during 5:15 p.m. Garfield Heights boys basketball OHSAA state semifinal vs. Westerville South

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Get live updates and analysis, an audio broadcast and chat with fans and our reporters Friday at 5:15 p.m. as Garfield Heights' boys basketball team plays Westerville South in a state semifinal.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Get live updates, analysis and an audio broadcast -- plus a chat room with fellow fans and reporters -- Friday at 5:15 p.m. as Garfield Heights' boys basketball team plays in the OHSAA state final four in Columbus.

And look for a similar post for the 8:30 p.m. game involving St. Edward.


The Bulldogs play Westerville South in a Division I semifinal at Ohio State's Value City Arena. Check out the keys to victory for Garfield Heights.


Listen to the game live in the player below as Dan Labbe and Chris Fedor of the Northeast Ohio Media Group call the action from Value City Arena. The pregame show will start around 5 p.m.



Live streaming video by Ustream


Northeast Ohio Media Group reporters David Cassilo, Tim Bielik and Mark Kern will be providing live updates in the comments section below from press row.


The comments section also is a place to interact with fellow fans and the reporters. Post your questions for the reporters in the comments section and they will answer you.


To comment, all you need is a free cleveland.com community account. It takes two, maybe three minutes, to sign up. Click here for an account. You’ll be able to post comments on all cleveland.com stories once you register.

Postgame video: Cleveland Central Catholic on their win over Walnut Ridge

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Jeremy Holmes, Desmond Crosby and Antwon Lillard talk about the Ironmen's win over Walnut Ridge.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Cleveland Central Catholic beat Walnut Ridge in a Division II state semifinal game on Friday morning. The win advances the Ironmen to the Division II state championship game.


Watch video above of Cleveland Central Catholic's postgame press conference as they talk about the win.

OHSAA basketball tournament 2015: Garfield Heights vs. Westerville South live at 5:15 p.m.

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Listen live to the Division II semifinal game between Garfield Heights and Westerville South.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Garfield Heights is back in the state final four on Friday evening. The Bulldogs beat Shaker Heights last Saturday in the regional final to advance to Columbus. They take on Westerville South in a Division I state semifinal. The winner will play on Saturday for the Division I state championship at 8:30 p.m.

Dan Labbe and Chris Fedor will have the game live with tip-off set for 5:15 p.m. Our pregame begins at 4:45 with the OHSAA Tournament Tipoff Show.


Click play below when the red on-air button appears at the bottom of the player.


North Coast League stands out, Central Catholic sets infamous record: Boys basketball state tournament notebook

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Two North Coast League White Division teams will play for state titles.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- For the second season in a row, the North Coast League White Division has sent two teams to state title games, as Central Catholic and Villa Angela-St. Joseph have moved forward.

"Playing the schedule we played and being here before has really helped us," said Villa Angela-St. Joseph coach Babe Kwasniak. "I think playing a stronger schedule really paid off."


Last season, it was the Villa Angela-St. Joseph and Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas that reached the state title. Both teams, however, lost in their respective title games.


As a whole, Northeast Ohio and its conferences have left a large imprint on the state tournament. Four of the eight teams that made the trip from Columbus are from Northeast Ohio.


Central Catholic sets infamous state record


Although Central Catholic won, it set a state record in Division II for lowest points in a quarter for a state semifinal game by scoring two points in the second quarter.


The previous record was set by Columbus Beechcroft, which scored three points in a quarter in a 2002 state semifinal.


Ironmen overcome Tervell Beck's struggles


Central Catholic junior Tervell Beck had a difficult game on Friday against Columbus Walnut Ridge, going 2-for-10 from the field. But his two field goals were a pair of key 3-pointers to help the Ironmen prevail, 54-38.


Beck finished with nine points, eight of which came in the fourth quarter.


The win sends the Ironmen to the state championship game for the third time in four trips to Columbus. Central Catholic won a title in 2009, but lost in the championship game in 2011. 


For the third time in this postseason, the Ironmen held their opponents to fewer than 40 points. They held St. Vincent-St. Mary and Columbus Walnut Ridge, their last two opponents, to their lowest point totals of the season.


Ohio State commit A.J. Harris sees high school career end


It wasn't the end to a college career that A.J. Harris had hoped for as his Dayton Dunbar team fell to Defiance, 48-45, in a Division II state semifinal.


Harris, an Ohio State commit, finished with 19 points while playing on his future home floor. No other player on his team scored in double-figures.


Fans come out to support local teams at state tournament


Thursday and Friday brought strong crowds to Value City Arena. Locally, the Central Catholic game had 8,732 fans, while the Villa Angela-St. Joseph game brought 7,659 fans to the arena.


For the most part, each of the Division II and Division III games got close to filling the lower bowl, while spilling a little into the upper bowl. The largest crowd to this point was 10,629 fans for the game between Defiance and Dayton Dunbar.


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.

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