Read about some of the top girls lacrosse teams and players to watch as the year goes on.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Northeast Ohio is a haven of talent for girls lacrosse and the proof is already evident early in the season. 

Below, is a list of some of the top teams and players to watch as the year goes on. 

Teams to watch

Chagrin Falls: The Tigers (3-2) return a strong, experienced team this year, featuring second team All-Ohio winner Kelsey Owen. Owen is one of 11 seniors at Chagrin Falls' disposal. Between Owen and senior attacker Kirsten Hendricks, among others, the Tigers have plenty of scoring ability while senior defenders Quinn O'Brien and Claudia Lewis lead the charge to keep opposing teams off the board. Goalie Molly Hopkins is averaging better than seven goals per game so far. Chagrin Falls is ranked 11th in the state by LaxPower.com, the highest ranking of any Northeast Ohio team. The Tigers played No. 3-ranked Worthington Kilbourne close but lost 12-8 on Saturday and will have another daunting challenge when they take on fifth-ranked Massillon Jackson on Thursday. 

Green: The Bulldogs are easily one of the biggest surprises of the young season. Green already has more victories than it did a year ago when the team finished 3-11 and has yet to score fewer than 13 goals through five games, all of which ended up in the "W" column. The Bulldogs' most impressive victory came against North Canton Hoover on Saturday as it represented the Vikings first and only loss in their first eight games. The team will have more opportunities to prove its might with games scheduled against the likes of No. 5-ranked Massillon Jackson and other strong Northeast Ohio programs such as Shaker Heights and Walsh Jesuit. 

Medina: The Bees made it to the second round of the postseason a year ago before losing to Sycamore, 14-6. Medina lost a few key players to graduation from last season, such as Amanda Rom and Elena Schorr. The team still has several talented athletes, including first team All-Ohio winner Sarah Vanadia. The Bees (2-3) will need all of their players to step up in order to duplicate the type of success Medina lax fans are accustomed to. The team is out to a slow start so far and has some challenging matchups on the horizon against the likes of New Albany and Massillon Jackson, which are ranked first and fifth in the state, respectively, by LaxPower.com. 

Magnificat: The Blue Streaks are proving tough as they tackle a schedule fraught with challenges. None of their first six opponents had records below .500 and neither does Magnificat (3-3). The Blue Streaks have scored in double-digits in four of their first six matchups and scored at least seven in all of them.  

Rocky River: The Pirates (3-2) are playing well, for the most part, against a some difficult opponents. Rocky River has some experience that they can build on in players like junior Andrea Chiviles who won second team All-Ohio for Division II a season ago. The team is about to enter a tough stretch with matchups against Walsh Jesuit, Toledo St. Ursula and Hudson consecutively. 

Shaker Heights: Coming off a 12-7 victory against Magnificat, the Raiders (3-1-1) enter Thursday's matchup against Hudson without a loss in their last four games. Shaker Heights had an impressive showing on Saturday when the Raiders tied Dublin Coffman, 6-6. Coffman is ranked seventh in the state by LaxPower.com. The team is on a good pace to rival last year's 14-4-1 mark. 

Walsh Jesuit: The Warriors have one of the most consistent offenses in Northeast Ohio, averaging 11.5 goals per game through their first six contests. The team's scoring attack is led by junior Kate Carlos who was recognized as second team All-Ohio last year for Division II. Walsh Jesuit has already faced some stiff competition and will continue to play a difficult schedule throughout the year with matchups slated against Chagrin Falls and Rocky River, among other tough opponents. 

Players to watch

Kasidy Anderson, Shaker Heights: The senior multisport athlete was Division I second team All-Ohio last season and provides the Raiders with solid, experienced leadership. 

Kristen Belisario, Brecksville: The senior midfielder leads the Bees with 10 goals and six assists through their first three games. Brecksville will likely rely on her heavily as the team enters the most challenging two games of the season against Hoover and Green in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. 

Kate Carlos, Walsh Jesuit: The junior attacker earned Division II second team All-Ohio honors last season and is a key scoring threat for a Warriors team that has scored 10 or more goals in five of its six games this season, with the only exception being its season-opening overtime loss to North Canton Hoover, 9-8. 

Andrea Chiviles, Rocky River: The junior earned Division II second team All-Ohio last year and continues to be a key factor for the team this year. 

Kirsten Kendricks, Chagrin Falls: The senior attacker is a dangerous scorer for opposing teams to reackon with and one of 11 seniors on the Tigers' roster. 

Alexia Jones, Hathaway Brown: The sophomore goalkeeper has had her work with a team heavy on youth and light on experience. She's recorded 30 saves through the Blazers' first three games. 

Quinn O'Brien, Chagrin Falls: The senior defender is among the Tigers' leaders in ground balls and interceptions. 

Kelsey Owen, Chagrin Falls: The senior midfielder earned Division II first team All-Ohio honors last season and won the girls lacrosse player of the year award from cleveland.com. 

Claudia Lewis, Chagrin Falls: The senior defender is a key component of a Tiger team poised to do big things this season. 

Sarah Vanadia, Medina: The junior earned first team All-Ohio honors last season and has been a huge impact player for the Bees since her freshman year. Vanadia was the only player from Northeast Ohio to make first team all-state for Division I. 

Get live updates and analysis as cleveland.com's reporters bring you the latest on the game between the Cavs and Wizards.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers will wrap up the regular season on Wednesday night against the Washington Wizards.

Get live updates and analysis as cleveland.com's reporters bring you the latest on the game in the comments section below.

Make sure you're following Chris Fedor, Chris Haynes and Joe Vardon on Twitter.

Game 82: Cavs (52-29) vs. Wizards (46-35)

Tip off: 8 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena

TV/radio: Fox Sports Ohio; WTAM AM/1100, WMMS 100.7 FM

Cavs probable starting lineup: Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, Shawn Marion, Kevin Love and Timofey Mozgov.

Wizards probable starting lineup: Ramon Sessions, Rasual Butler, Otto Porter, Kris Humphries and Marcin Gortat.

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

Inside the Indians' locker room after Wednesday's victory. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio. -- Here's what the Indians had to say Wednesday after their 4-2 victory over the White Sox at Progressive Field.

Manager Terry Francona on:

Trevor Bauer's six-inning victory

"He started out pretty good, which is always a good sign with Trevor. I thought he looked like he was getting a little tired toward the end. He started elevating some pitches and he got away with a couple. Then they scored the two runs.

"Where he got us to was good enough because we didn't have to overexpose our bullpen. Then Scott Atchison came in and did a really great job."

Explanation: Atchison started the seventh in relief of Bauer and struck out the side.

On Bauer's ability to pitch out of jams

"He's walked more guys than he's comfortable with, but he doesn't give in. If he gets mad, he waits until he gets to the dugout. He doesn't do it on the field. He competes while he's out there."

Explanation: In 12 innings this season, Bauer has allowed just three earned runs with 19 strikeouts. However, he's walked nine batters.

On taking a 1-0 lead in the third inning, the first time the Indians had scored first during this five-game homestand

"Playing with a lead is good. We scored early. We tacked on. I thought we put pressure on them most of the day."

On scoring and then shutting the White Sox down the next inning

"When somebody asks me what's the most important inning of the game, I say it's right after you score. You have to shutdown the other team. We haven't been real good at that.

"To play winning baseball, that's one of the key ingredients."

On shortstop Jose Ramirez's diving stop against Melky Cabrera in the ninth with runners on first and second and one out

"That's a heckuva play. If that ball gets by him that inning is going to get a little uglier than we wanted it to."

Explanation: Ramirez stopped Cabrera's hot shot to short and threw to Jason Kipnis at second to force Micah Johnson. Kipnis' relay to first just missed doubling up Cabrera.

Cody Allen finished he game by striking out Jose Abreu for his second save.

On finally beating a left-handed starter, Chicago's John Danks

"Lonnie Chisenhall had a couple of big hits for us. We kept the line moving a little bit. Ryan Raburn had a hit. Jerry Sands hit two balls that went 45 feet, but he gets two hits. Bournie (Michael Bourn) had a bunt hit.

"We did some things one through nine to keep the pressure on them."

Shortstop Jose Ramirez on: 

When he knew he'd catch Cabrera's ball in the ninth inning

"When it came off the bat."

Trevor Bauer (2-0, 1.50) on:

The start to his season

"Overall I think I'm off to a good start. I'm not happy with my fastball command, but I'll take where I'm at right now."

His body language on the mound this year compared to 2014

"I'm trying to send the appropriate message with my body language not only to my teammates and the opposition, but also for me I want to stay with the approach that whatever has happened is out of my control and whatever is going to happen is out of my control. All I can control is my next pitch. I think I've done a decent job of it. It's a work in progress."

Catcher Roberto Perez on: 

Bauer

"He threw the ball well. He worked guys in and out. His cutter was effective and we didn't have to throw many breaking balls."

Bauer pitching out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth

"We tried to go in on (J.B.) Shuck with a fastball and he popped it up. It was a good pitch to hit, he just missed it.

"(Giovany) Soto was probably sitting on an off-speed pitch the whole time and we got him with a back-door two-seam fastball. It was a good pitch."

Urban Meyer hired Tim Beck to recruit Texas. Beck made a splash on Wednesday with the commitment of four-star quarterback Tristen Wallace. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Tristen Wallace was standing against the black and white wall in the long hallway that leads into the weight room under the football stadium at DeSoto High School.

Then, he was a Texas kid committed to Texas Tech, but wasn't necessarily closing the door to anybody at that point. During an interview with Northeast Ohio Media Group at DeSoto after Ohio State's National Championship win, Wallace said he was still thinking about the Buckeyes. But that dynamic had changed a bit.

It was known then that quarterbacks coach Tom Herman was leaving Ohio State for the head coaching job at Houston. Herman had done the early groundwork on Ohio State's pursuit of Wallace, and Wallace was in the middle of explaining how Herman's departure could change things.

Then DeSoto offensive coordinator Todd Peterman -- now the Eagles head coach -- jumped in.

"You know who they hired, right Tristen?" Peterman asked.

Wallace shook his head no.

"Coach Beck," Peterman said.

Wallace's facial expression changed a bit. "Ohhhhh," Wallace said with a smile.

He smiled because he knew Tim Beck, the former Nebraska assistant whom Urban Meyer hired as Herman's replacement. Wallace didn't know then that Beck was working for Ohio State. He knew two days later when Beck showed up at DeSoto wearing Buckeyes gear.

Standing in that DeSoto hallway, it seemed evident Meyer's decision to hire Beck might have been the right move. It paid full dividends on Wednesday when Wallace announced his commitment to Ohio State.

The exchange with Wallace was funny because it was similar to one NEOMG had with Peterman earlier that day. During a conversation about Ohio State's recruiting presence in Texas, Peterman was talking about how imperative it was for the Buckeyes to find a replacement for Herman with similar Texas ties.

When he was told about Beck's hire, Peterman stopped mid-thought.

"Oh, there won't be any drop off as far as recruiting goes," Peterman said.

That was Meyer's plan. Part of the reason he hired Beck was because Beck is a former Texas high school coach with a history of recruiting the state. But it was tough to gauge what kind of impact replacing Herman would have. Herman after all went into Wichita Falls and got J.T. Barrett. As the point man in Texas, Herman also helped bring in H-back Dontre Wilson from DeSoto and offensive lineman Demetrius Knox from Forth Worth.

He was laying the groundwork on future prospects in Texas before leaving for Houston, and that's where Beck comes in. Consider Wallace's commitment a feather in Beck's cap, but it's just a start when it comes to getting players from a state Meyer has pinpointed as an area of attack.

Wallace had a previous relationship with Beck, that's why he was so excited to hear the Buckeyes had hired him as Herman's replacement. Beck was the first coach to offer Wallace, who took a visit with his father to Nebraska during Wallace's sophomore year.

Ohio State obviously has plenty to sell -- a national championship and a reputation for developing quarterbacks included -- but Beck's presence on the staff helped in selling Wallace on the Buckeyes.

"I think it's very important as far as trust, feeling comfortable. It's important, no question," Peterman told NEOMG Wednesday. "Not taking anything away from Coach Meyer, but when a young man has talked to a coach -- he's the first guy that offered him a scholarship, he's stayed in contact with him over the last couple of years. You're gonna have a familiarity there, and actually get to know the coach, and that's huge."

It's a strong start for Beck. Like Herman, he went into Texas and grabbed a dynamic player for Ohio State's most important position. Now comes the next part: Can Beck carry over that momentum and help Ohio State land some other high-priority prospects from Texas?

Ohio State has 16 other offers out to 2016 Texas players according to 247Sports. Among them are four-star corner Jared Mayden from Sachse and five-star safety Brandon Jones from Nagadoches.

Landing them or another player from Texas will be an even bigger coup for Beck.

"Coach Beck has ties here in Texas," Peterman said. "They're gonna do as good as they want to in Texas. If they wanna go after Texas kids they're gonna get them. Will they get everyone? No. But he's gonna be able to pull some good ones out of the state, no question."

LeBron James, four Washington starters to sit in tonight's regular-season finale.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James will sit out the Cavaliers' final game before the playoffs tonight against the Washington Wizards, coach David Blatt said.

Kyrie Irving (right hip) will play some, according to Blatt. James is the only rotation player not scheduled to play at all in the regular-season finale.

"That's something we had already talked about over the last week as a possibility," Blatt said of James' absence against the Wizards. "We looked at the Boston game on Sunday and also today's game. We talked about it yesterday, just felt it was best for him to rest today."

This will make 13 games James has missed this season -- a career-high -- with 11 caused by injury. The Cavs are 2-10 without him.

James finished the regular season with averages of 25.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game -- his lowest in each category since his rookie season. But his assists -- 7.4 per night -- are the highest since his last season with the Cavs in 2009-10 and the second-best of his 12-year career.

Irving missed games Friday and Sunday and sat out the second half of Monday's game because of right hip soreness. Blatt said Irving "is feeling better and we'll see him out there a little bit tonight.

"Overall we'll be very cautious and conscious minutes wise," Blatt said. "Guys will be on minutes restrictions and we'll give everybody a chance to play, and hopefully play hard and well."

The Wizards will rest starters Paul Pierce, John Wall, Bradley Beal and Nene.

Both the Cavs (No. 2 seed) and Washington (No. 5) have locked up their playoff positions. The Wizards will either play Chicago or Toronto in the first round; Cleveland will host Boston.

Cleveland State reverses decision to eliminate wrestling, and will go forward with plan to add men's lacrosse.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State saved its wrestling team Wednesday. The university announced it will restore and fund wrestling, reversing an earlier decision to defund the program. The school still plans to add men's lacrosse in 2016.

CSU is to raise student fees $1 per credit hour, or about $15 a semester, to assure wrestling's future.

"I can't overstate how excited we are,'' junior co-captain Riley Shaw said. "This obviously was pretty stressful. Me and my teammates, there was a lot of, 'What are we going to do?' This weight has been lifted off a lot of guys' shoulders.''

CSU chief marketing officer Rob Spademan said the decision to restore wrestling was reached at a senior staff meeting Wednesday afternoon. He said university took note of reaction to the March 30 announcement the team was to be defunded following the 2015-16 season to make room for men's lacrosse.

That announcement was met with swift reaction at the school and across Northeast Ohio, a wrestling hotbed for decades, as well as within the national wrestling community.

Last week, CSU students voted, 975-650, in favor of a non-binding referendum to raise student fees $4-6 per credit hour to pay for wrestling and a women's sport.

"The key thing is we, as an administration, listened to the students, and we figured out a way to do it without a major (fee) increase to the students,'' Spademan said. "This started with us adding lacrosse with lots of good reasons, but not wanting to raise fees.''

Spademan said CSU will look at adding or expanding a women's sport once men's lacrosse is up and running.

The wrestling team received the good news while attending a volunteer appreciation dinner at Crossroads Hospice in Valley View, where the team frequently visits and helps patients and staff.

"This is awesome,'' freshman Nick DeRosa said. "I was thinking about my options and now I'm glad I don't have to. I'm here, and I'm here to stay.''

Initially, CSU planned to add men's lacrosse and an undetermined women's sport. When funding wasn't available, Athletic Director John Parry said he chose to defund wrestling. Parry is a former lacrosse coach who pushed the fast-growing sport at the school to help attract students from out-ring suburbs.

"I think they weren't as in touch with the community in Northeast Ohio and especially at Cleveland State as they should be,'' Shaw said. "I think the analysis John Parry did was biased and I think it was a mistake.''

Wrestling coach Ben Stehura said that while recruiting was paused for about three weeks, none of the four recruits already committed has changed his mind. He said the attention and the support the team received could be a positive in the long run.

"This has united a lot of people behind us,'' Stehura said.

Parry recently said he set the the lacrosse budget at $475,000 compared to wrestling's $384,000, with both offering about 10 scholarships.

On March 30, CSU gave the wrestling team and its supporters one year to raise $800,000 to fund wrestling for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, at the end of which it was required to have a $5 million endowment to continue, which many wrestling observers considered a death sentence and a bad precedent for the sport.

Officials from the National Wrestling Coaches Association and Cleveland-based Wrestlers in Business Network met with Parry and made the case to keep the program alive with a partnership that included both external and university funding.

Spademan said the university will continue to seek a partnership.

Cleveland State is coming off its best wrestling season in about 10 years. It was 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the highly regarded Eastern Wrestling League, and had two national qualifiers. The bulk of the lineup is to return next season. CSU also is among the league's best wrestling teams academically. One of the national qualifiers, senior Ben Willieford, recently received CSU's highest student-athlete honor, the John McLendon Award for integrity, honor, and leadership with a commitment to civility and service.

The wrestling team operates a USA Wrestling regional training center geared toward youth wrestlers, which the wrestling community considers a valuable asset for the sport's success locally.

Cleveland and the Mid-American Conference is to host the 2018 NCAA Division I wrestling championships. The city hosted the Division II championships in 2014.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will begin their playoff run on Sunday afternoon.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers will begin their playoff run on Sunday afternoon.

The Cavs, No. 2 in the Eastern Conference, will host No. 7 Boston at Quicken Loans Arena in a time yet to be determined by the NBA. While some teams have been slated for Saturday games, the Cavs will have an extra day to get ready for a team with the second-best record since Feb. 2.  

"We have three days to prep and that's great," James said when informed of the schedule. "We will be ready."

For James, the series against Boston means things have come full circle. His first stint with Cleveland ended in the TD Garden with him ripping off his jersey following a Game Six loss. Now his playoff journey, one that he hopes lasts into June, will start against that same franchise, albeit with a different group of players.

"I've seen them numerous times in my career and definitely going to bring back memories to go against them and also when I go back to the Garden to play them for Game Three," he said. "It's going to be exciting."

The top-seeded Atlanta Hawks, who are still awaiting their first-round playoff opponent, will also play on Sunday. 

As for the Cavs, they still have one game left in the regular season, an opportunity for a 53rd win Wednesday night. They've climbed the standings since a slow start, one that saw them dip below .500 at nearly the halfway point, and are considered one of the favorites entering the playoffs.

"I don't know," James said when asked about the talent level on this team compared to others in Cleveland. "We've had some very, very talented teams here in the past. It's still to be seen. We have an opportunity to do something special and it kicks off this weekend."

Carlos Carrasco, hit in the jaw by a line drive on Tuesday night, will make his next start Monday against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Carlos Carrasco watched the replay on Wednesday morning in the locker room. On video it looked like he should have easily made the catch.

Well, in a manner of speaking Carrasco did. But he caught it with his chin, not his glove.

"When I watched the video I thought, "I can catch that,'" said Carrasco. "But no, it was a different story. It was hit harder than I thought."

Carrasco started Tuesday night's game for the Indians by allowing a single to Chicago's Adam Eaton. Melky Cabrera was the second hitter of the night.

Cabrera lined a 1-2 pitch back to the mound. Carrasco was in a good fielding position, but there was no way he could make the catch. It was fortunate he partially deflected the ball with his glove before it hit him on the right side of his jaw.

"Everything went black for about 10 seconds," said Carrasco, who hit the ground face first at the base of the mound.

The next thing Carrasco heard was the voice of Indians head trainer James Quinlan talking to him. Quinlan, bent over Carrasco, was telling him to be calm and lie still.

Carrasco was eventually helped to his feet. He was sat on the back end of a cart, holding the left side of his face, and was driven off the field. Quinlan sat next to him. A battery of tests followed at Lutheran Medical Center.

The prognosis was a swollen jaw and nothing else. No concussion, no fracture.

"It's pretty much a miracle," said manager Terry Francona.

Before the end of Tuesday night's game, Carrasco was back in the locker room at Progressive Field doing arm exercises. His next start will be Monday against the same Chicago team at U.S. Cellular Field.

"It was scary a little bit," said Carrasco. "But everything feels good. My start gets pushed back one day. So I'll pitch Monday."

Carrasco's normal turn would have been Sunday against the Twins at Target Field. The Indians still haven't announced a starter for that game.

Carrasco's wife, Karelis, and his four children were watching on TV from their home in Florida. They were frantic with worry.

"She called me so many times," said Carrasco. "She was worried. My kids watched the game and they started crying. Now, everything is fine."

Carrasco's cellphone has been buzzing with text messages. They all ask the same question, "Are you all right?"

"I haven't responded to them yet," said Carrasco. "I had to see if I was OK first."

In spring training, Francona and other coaches hit "rag balls' at pitchers from a short distance to help their reflexes. The rag balls are a softer version of a baseball.

"We prepare for this in spring training," said Carrasco. "But you don't have that reaction in a game."

Carrasco has never been hit in the head before by a battled ball. Still, he doesn't think he'll have any problem facing the White Sox on Monday.

"I've already put it behind me," he said. "I'm getting ready for my next start."

There are a couple of things Carrasco still can't do because of his bruised jaw. One is laugh and the other is eat solid foods.

For the good-natured Carrasco, who just happens to be nicknamed Cookie because of his love for that treat, that might be tougher to deal with than anything he experiences Monday night in Chicago.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Plain Dealer and Northeast Ohio Media Group photographers are at Quicken Loans Arena as the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Washington Wizards. Check back to see all their photos as the gallery is updated. 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Plain Dealer and Northeast Ohio Media Group photographers are at Quicken Loans Arena as the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Washington Wizards. Check back to see all their photos as the gallery is updated. 

Right-hander Trevor Bauer pitched six innings to win his second game in as many starts for the Indians.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On the last day of their first homestand of the season, the Indians did something different. They won a game.

After four straight losses, the Indians beat the White Sox, 4-2, Wednesday at Progressive Field for just their third victory of the season. The four-game losing streak to start the home season was the longest for the Indians since 1987.

Trevor Bauer earned his second win in as many starts and his first ever against the White Sox. Bauer allowed two runs on four hits over six innings. He struck out eight and walked four on 103 pitches.

Bauer (2-0, 1.50 ERA) opened with five scoreless innings before allowing two runs in the sixth. The right-hander was at his best in the fourth when he loaded the bases with one out. Bauer proceeded to retire J.B. Shuck on a foul pop to third, and strike out Geovanny Soto on a 94 mph fastball.

In 12 innings this season, Bauer has allowed two runs with nine walks and 19 strikeouts.

Shaky ninth

Closer Cody Allen had another tough ninth inning before earning his second save.

He walked pinch-hitter Emilio Bonifacio to start the inning. Then he hit No. 9 hitter Micah Johnson with a pitch. The Indians challenged, but plate umpire Vic Carapazza's call was upheld by replay. 

Adam Eaton struck out when he bunted a third strike foul, but Melky Cabrera lined a shot to short. Jose Ramirez made a great diving stop and throw to second for the second out. Jason Kipnis just missed doubling up Cabrera at first, but Allen finally found himself and struck out dangerous Jose Abreu to end the game.

End of the line

Bauer's string of hitless innings ended at nine when Abreu opened the fourth with a clean single to right.

In his first start of the season, Bauer threw six hitless and scoreless innings in a 5-1 win over Houston. He followed that with three hitless innings Wednesday.

In the game against Houston, the Indians took a combined no-hitter into the ninth inning before Nick Hagadone gave up a homer to Jed Lowrie.

Left on left

The Indians finally beat a left-handed starter.

Facing a left-handed starter for the fifth time in eight games, the Indians scored four runs on six hits against Chicago lefty John Danks. The victory gave them a 12-5 record against Danks.

Danks lasted 4 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked two.

The Tribe has faced lefties Dallas Keuchel, David Price, Kyle Lobstein, Jose Quintana and Danks in their first eight games. Keuchel, Lobstein and Quintana beat the Indians. Price had a no-decision.

Short way to early lead

The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the third. Lonnie Chisenhall opened with a single against Danks. Roberto Perez bunted in front of the plate and catcher Geovanny Soto made a bad throw to second to put runners on first and second with no one out.

Ramirez followed with another sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, and Michael Bourn delivered Chisenhall with a grounder to second despite the White Sox playing the infield in.

The Indians made it 3-0 on Chisenhall's two-run double in the fourth as Jerry Sands and Ryan Raburn scored. They made it 4-0 on Carlos Santana's bloop single to center in the fifth.

Thanks for coming

Attendance for Wednesday's game was 11,042.

What's next?

The Indians are off Thursday before starting a nine-game trip to Minneapolis, Chicago and Detroit. They open a three-game series against the Twins at Target Field on Friday, with Corey Kluber starting. The Twins have yet to name a starting pitcher.

SportsTime Ohio, WTAM and WMMS will carry the three-game series against the Twins.

Danny Salazar returns to the Indians rotation on Saturday against the Twins. Now for the big question -- how long does he stay?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Danny Salazar, optioned to Class AAA Columbus in spring training, will be recalled for a start Saturday against the Twins at Target Field. It's not known how long Salazar will stay in the rotation.

Manager Terry Francona told reporters Wednesday that the Indians would need a starter for the weekend series because Carlos Carrasco's scheduled turn was pushed back to Monday in Chicago after he was hit in the jaw by a line drive Tuesday night against the White Sox.

The addition of Salazar means Corey Kluber will face Mike Pelfrey on Friday, Salazar will start against Phil Hughes on Saturday and TJ House will face Trevor May on Sunday.

Salazar made one start at Columbus, earning the victory by pitching six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and no walks. He allowed four hits.

In spring training Salazar struggled to throw strikes and keep the ball down in the strike zone. It led to his early demotion to Columbus.

Salazar went 1-2 with a 8.18 ERA in four Cactus League starts. He struck out 15, but allowed five homers and 10 earned runs in 11 innings. Salazar walked five and had a .304 batting average against.

The good thing to come out of spring training was that Salazar's right arm was healthy. He was throwing 95 mph in camp, something he didn't do until April of the 2014 season because of a shoulder problem.

Salazar will travel with the Indians to Minneapolis and be activated before Saturday's game. If he stays with the club, he could move into the rotation while Zach McAllister stays in the bullpen.

McAllister broke camp in the rotation.

The Indians said Carrasco is still scheduled to start Monday in Chicago.

The NBA and NBPA announce that HGH testing will go into affect to start the 2015-16 season.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the league's players union have agreed on new testing for Human Growth Hormone before the 2015 season.AP file 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The NBA and NBPA announced on Thursday that they would be implementing blood testing for Human Growth Hormone into the league's anti-drug program for the 2015-16 season.

Beginning at the start of 2015 NBA training camps, all players will have to undergo three random, surprise HGH tests annually. Two will be conducted in-season and one in the off-season.

Violating the league's new program will have some stiff penalties.

If a player tests positive for HGH during their first examination, they will be hit with a 20-game suspension. A second failed test will warrant a 45-game suspension and a third positive test will lead to the player being dismissed and disqualified from the NBA altogether.

Many have advocated for years that the NBA and NBPA agree to terms on adopting such a testing program to weed out HGH users. Talks were initiated during 2011 collective bargaining agreement negotiations.

See the Players of the Week for April 16, 2015.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here are the cleveland.com Players of the Week for April 16. Players of the Week win a free SAT or ACT class with College Review. Call 216-831-2557 or visit collegereview.org online.

Scroll to the bottom for information on how coaches can nominate an athlete for this honor. Also see below for a poll asking which athlete had the most impressive week.

Players of the Week are awarded every week in the regular season. Look for the feature Thursdays on cleveland.com and Fridays in The Plain Dealer.

BASEBALL

Name: Kyle Hegedus.

School: St. Edward.

Year: Senior.

Position: Outfielder.

Height, weight: 5-10, 185.

College: Youngstown State for football.

What Kyle did last week: Went 5 for 6 at the plate, with six runs scored, three RBIs, three walks, two stolen bases, one double and one home run. Reached base in 9 of 10 plate appearances, including two hit by pitch Also recorded eight putouts in centerfield and did not commit an error.

Three Questions with Kyle

Q: Who is your favorite baseball player?

A: ‪"Mike Trout is a player that I look up to and enjoy to watch. He has power, speed, a good arm, and plays center field too. He plays with 100 percent effort and I try to model that every time I step onto the field."

Q: How did you get into the game of baseball?

A: ‪"The biggest reason I am involved with baseball is because I love the game and I love the competition. My dad played a lot so I just got hooked when I was younger."

Q: As a great football player as well, as there any similarities to how you play baseball compared to football?

A: "‪Some similarities in the way I play football and baseball are that I have loads of energy, extreme focus, and give everything that I have. Even though they are different sports, I mentally and physically prepare the same for both."

- Mark Kern

SOFTBALL

Name: Abbey Yaugher.

School: Holy Name.

Year: Senior.

Positions: Catcher and shortstop.

Height: 5-8.

College: Walsh University.

What Abbey did last week: Helped the team go 6-1 last week, with five of those games in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
She had a huge week, hitting .667 with four home runs, three triples and 16 runs batted in.

Three Questions with Abbey

Q: Who was the biggest reason for you getting into softball?

A: "My older sister played softball for many years and I loved going to the games. I started playing when I was 8-years-old and knew it was a sport I wanted to play in college."

Q: Who is a softball player that you looked up to?

A: "Back when I started playing for MC Madness, Jenna Yost was a catcher on the older Madness team. Our teams practiced together and she helped me develop into a better catcher. Jenna Yost was someone I always looked up to and learned from. I gained a lot of fundamentals and skills from her that I use every time I play softball. I am now lucky enough to have her as my high school assistant coach."

Q: If you could play on any softball field, which one would you choose?

A: “If I could play on any softball field, I would play on the College World Series field in Oklahoma. ”

- Mark Kern

BOYS TRACK

Name: Cam Brandon.

School: Bedford.

Year: Junior.

Height, weight: 5-9, 145.

College: Undecided.

What Cam did last week: He was the boys MVP of the Kimberly Relays at Bedford. Won the 110-meter hurdles in 15 seconds and ran on the winning shuttle hurdles relay team.

Three Questions with Cam

Q: What does it mean to be the MVP of your home meet?

A: “It feels pretty good. I was happy with my performance. But I know I have a long way to go if I want to go further, like to go to states, I have a long way to go.”

Q: What makes you as strong as you are at the hurdles?

A: “I've been running track for a long time. I'm just willing to work hard and get better.”

Q: How did you become a hurdler?

A: “Just one day at track, we were just playing around and I decided to go over a couple of hurdles. I thought I was pretty good at it so I just stuck with it.”

- Tim Bielik

GIRLS TRACK

Name: Brittany Morrison.

School: St. Joseph Academy.

Year: Senior.

Height: 5-10.

College: Buffalo for basketball.

What Brittany did last week: She won the shot put and the discus at the Nordonia Knight Relays. Morrison threw 117 feet, six inches in the discus and 36-6 in the shot put.

Three Questions with Brittany

Q: How much has your experience at the state meet helped?

A: “I started throwing my sophomore year so my junior year, the first year going to state, it was something new. I definitely think I still have so much fire in my belly, like I just want to go farther. The last time at state didn't exactly go my way. So this year, I'm pretty pumped and determined to work even harder and place even higher, possibly win. That would be great.”

Q: Do you feel like you're better at the shot put or the discus?

A: “At first I liked shot more. Then last year, I threw discus more. This year, there’s something about throwing the discus I love. I like them both this year.”

Q: After winning a team regional championship last year, has it raised your team's expectation level for this season?

A: “Definitely because we're really used to doing really well at districts. We have a great selection of athletes. We knew we were going to do well at regionals, but in no way did we expect winning regionals. So we know what we're capable of.”

- Tim Bielik

How to nominate an athlete for Players of the Week:Players of the Week are chosen every week in the regular season. Coaches can nominate an athlete anytime between the end of all games in a week and Monday at noon. Go to cleveland.com/potw to access the nomination form. Fill in all the blanks, especially the part on what the athlete did that week. Again, the deadline is Monday at noon. Only coaches can nominate an athlete.

Chris Haynes, Mary Kay Cabot and Paul Hoynes joined us to talk all things Cleveland sports. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers will make their return to the NBA Playoffs on Sunday afternoon against Boston. The Indians hit the road for a key, early-season string of divisional games. The Browns unveiled new uniforms -- oh, and have a draft coming up.

Chris Fedor and I talked about all of that on Thursday's Sports Insider. Cavaliers beat reporter Chris Haynes explained why he's predicting a Cavaliers sweep in the first round. Mary Kay Cabot talked about the Browns' thinking as the draft approaches and picks her favorite uniform combination. Paul Hoynes talked about the Indians' early injury troubles and Trevor Bauer's start. Bud Shaw brought the show home with his weekly spinoffs.

Watch the show above and make sure to check us out live every week at noon at cleveland.com/sports.

Here are highlights from the Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors’ April meeting.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Here are highlights from the Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors’ April meeting. Complete meeting minutes will be posted at OHSAA.org. 

-- The board approved a contract extension with Branin Natatorium in Canton to host the OHSAA state swimming tournament through 2025. With 2,500 seats, Branin is the largest natatorium in Ohio and has hosted the state tournament for the last 33 years.

-- The board was provided with the final slate of 10 referendum items (nine high school and one 7th-8th grade) that will go to the membership for voting in May. The annual referendum voting period is May 1-15. Referendum items will be released Friday.

-- The attendance and financial reports from the 2014 regional and state fall tournaments except football were presented to the board. The football reports will be presented at the Board’s June meeting.

The state cross country championships drew 10,239 fans and resulted in a profit of $25,695, but when combined with the regionals, which have not been able to sell tickets, the overall tournament resulted in a loss of $44,621.

The field hockey district and state tournaments (both run by the OHSAA state office) resulted in a profit of $3,405.

The golf state tournaments drew 3,988 fans and resulted in a loss of $10,061.

The girls tennis state tournament had 1,321 fans and resulted in a loss of $4,146.

The soccer state championships at Crew Stadium drew 11,125 fans (second-highest in OHSAA history) and, when combined with the regional tournaments and the state semifinals, resulted in an overall profit of $142,191.

The volleyball state tournament drew 12,105 fans and, when combined with the regional tournaments, resulted in overall profit of $65,135.

-- The board approved a recommendation from the OHSAA District Athletic Board Review Committee to rescind a district-to-state representation regulation in the sport of golf that had required the number of teams included in each district tournament to be such that at least two state qualifiers came from each district tournament. The regulation was put into place in 1988, was reaffirmed by the Board in 1997 and meant that in some divisions districts would be combined in order to assure that representation resulted in at least two state qualifiers.

-- Local schools with infractions or penalties reviewed by the Board of Directors included:

Valley Forge had a student-athlete in varsity boys swimming and diving violate Bylaw 4-4-1, Scholarship, and, in accordance with Bylaw 10-2-5, Forfeitures, the school must forfeit four contests in which the ineligible student participated (all eligible participants may keep their individual placements, records and/or awards). In addition, in accordance with Bylaw 11, Penalties, the Commissioner’s Office has fined the school’s coach $200 since the student was permitted to participate in the four events despite the coach being notified that the student was ineligible.

Brunswick had a student-athlete in varsity wrestling violate Bylaw 4-4-1, Scholarship, and, in accordance with Bylaw 10-2-5, Forfeitures, the school must forfeit five contests in which the ineligible student participated (all eligible participants may keep their individual placements, records and/or awards). 

Normandy had a student-athlete in varsity and junior varsity wrestling violate Bylaw 4-4-1, Scholarship, and, in accordance with Bylaw 10-2-5, Forfeitures, the school must forfeit six contests in which the ineligible student participated (all eligible participants may keep their individual placements, records and/or awards).

East Tech varsity girls basketball team violated Basketball Regulation B.7.), Maximum Number of Contests Permitted (schools are permitted a maximum of 22 regular season contests), when it self-reported that it played 23 regular season contests. In accordance with Sports Regulation 20, the Commissioner’s Office has removed the school from the OHSAA tournament and required that it reimburse the Northeast District Athletic Board the amount that would have been paid three contracted contest officials whose services were not rendered since East Tech’s position on the tournament bracket was vacated.

Lakewood had a student-athlete in varsity boys basketball violate Bylaw 4-4-1, Scholarship, and, in accordance with Bylaw 10-2-1, Forfeitures, the school must forfeit a victorious contest in which the ineligible student participated.

Manchester had a student-athlete in varsity baseball violate Bylaw 4-4-1, Scholarship, when he participated in a scrimmage as an ineligible student-athlete. The school was reprimanded but no official forfeitures were required due to the contest being a scrimmage.  

-- Other infractions and penalties reviewed by the board of directors included:

Dayton Christian had two student-athletes in varsity wrestling transfer to the school and, in accordance with Bylaw 4-7-2, Transfers, were ineligible for participation until after the first 50 percent of the maximum allowable regular season matches were completed (wrestling utilizes a point system to determine allowable matches permitted). Due to an administrative error, the students violated the requirements of the transfer bylaw. In accordance with Bylaw 11, Penalties, the Commissioner’s Office ruled the students ineligible for wrestling for the OHSAA Dual Team State Tournament and, in accordance with Bylaw 10-2-5, Forfeitures, the school must forfeit five contests in which the ineligible students participated (all eligible participants may keep their individual placements, records and/or awards). In addition, the Commissioner’s Office placed the school on probation through the 2017-18 school year, fined the school $5,000 and requested that an administrator attend the OHSAA New Administrators Workshop each year during the three-year probationary period.

Gahanna Columbus Academy had seven student-athletes in varsity field hockey violate General Sports Regulation 7.3.1 and Field Hockey Regulation 4.2 when they participated in six non-interscholastic events together, which was in excess of the five-player 50 percent limitation. The Commissioner’s Office has ruled that each student shall be ineligible for six contests during the 2015 season, and, due to the large number of students involved, the school is permitted to rotate their period of ineligibility so that they all do not have to sit out at the same time. 

For the complete list of recent infractions and penalties, visit OHSAA.org. 

Follow our high school sports Twitter account @NEOVarsity and tag your related Tweets and score updates with the #NEOVarsity hashtag. Contact high school sports reporter Scott Patsko on Twitter (@ScottPatsko) by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

The spring fishing is sizzling all around the area as anglers report good catches of walleye, steelhead trout, rainbow trout and largemouth bass.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Fishermen won't be able to take advantage of all of the great fishing around the area this weekend. There are just too many red-hot waters available right now where anglers can wet a line, from the steelhead streams to Western Lake Erie walleye.

Rainbow trout have been released in ponds and rivers for some great family fishing in the Cleveland Metroparks and the Lake Metroparks. To add to the mix, largemouth bass, catfish and bluegill have also been stocked by both park systems in recent days.

The inland lakes lit up over the weekend with outstanding catches of trophy largemouth bass at Mogadore Reservoir and the Portage Lakes. The walleye continue to bite at Berlin, Mosquito and Pymatuning reservoirs. Crappies and bluegills are moving shallow and are biting.

CLEVELAND AREA

Rainbow trout stockings provide a lot of angling opportunities.

The Cleveland Metroparks stocked the East Branch of the Rocky River from Strongsville to the covered bridge with another 700 pounds of rainbow trout this week. Wallace Lake has had recent trout transfusions, as well as Shadow and Hinckley lakes.

The Cleveland Metroparks also captured about 1,500 catchable-sized bass, bluegill and crappie from a private lake being drained and released the fish in Wallace and Shadow lakes.

The Lake Metroparks released largemouth bass, catfish and bluegills into Hidden Lake in Leroy Township and Veterans Park in Mentor earlier this week. Veterans Park was also stocked with a hefty load of 2,000 rainbow trout on Wednesday. Paine Creek at Indian Point Park in Leroy Township is being stocked by the Lake Metroparks today with 800 pounds of rainbow trout.

Westlake Recreation Center's pond, Forest Hill Pond in East Cleveland, Little Turtle Pond in Akron and Punderson Lake in Geauga County were recently stocked with rainbow trout.

Cleveland shoreline anglers are already prowling the piers and breakwalls at night to cast for walleye.

CENTRAL LAKE ERIE

The walleye bite is starting to fire up from Vermilion to Huron for daytime fishermen trolling minnow-style plugs. Night walleye anglers are starting to cast lures from shore. Boat fishermen report fair to good catches of yellow perch, but only in the clearer waters around the Lorain area.

WESTERN LAKE ERIE

Western Lake Erie has been crowded this week, with boat anglers trolling minnow-style plugs or casting lead-head jigs with hair skirts for big walleye. Limits of walleye are still common as the spring spawning season begins to wind down.

The best fishing continues to be concentrated around the reef complex off Camp Perry and the Davis-Besse Power Plant. Trolling fishermen are relying on Reef Runner, Smithwick Perfect 10 and Rapala Husky Jerk lures and side planer boards. A few walleye are also being caught on spinner-nightcrawler rigs.

Anglers are also casting lead-head jigs with hair skirts, blade baits and jigging spoons for walleye around the shallower reefs.

RIVERS AND STREAMS

All of the Northeast Ohio steelhead trout rivers and streams are in play right now, although some rain is in the forecast. Anglers are reporting very good success with spawn bags or jig-maggot rigs worked under a float. Fly fishermen are scoring with the usual collection of egg patterns, small streamers and nymphs.

Steelhead trout are mostly in a spawning mode right now and moving to shallow-water spawning beds. Snagging trout is a common problem while fishing those waters.

Spawning white suckers are plentiful in the rivers and a few smallmouth bass have made an early arrival. Conneaut Creek anglers need to be aware the stream will undergo lampricide treatments next week to kill invasive sea lamprey larvae.

The walleye runs continue on the Maumee and Sandusky rivers. A lot of walleye jacks and spawned-out females are being caught on brightly-colored floating jig heads tipping a Carolina-style rig with a 1/2-ounce sinker.

PONDS, LAKES, RESERVOIRS

This is a good time of year to catch a trophy bass at Mogadore, Mosquito and Pymatuning reservoirs and the Portage Lakes. The big bass are hungry and less wary after the long winter, and tournament anglers last weekend weighed some of the biggest largemouth bass of the season from Mogadore and the Portage Lakes.

The walleye are biting at Pymatuning, Mosquito and Berlin reservoirs. Fishermen are casting blade baits and minnow-style plugs, as well as jigs tipped with plastic twister tails or minnows.

The yellow perch fishing has been fair to good at Pymatuning. Mosquito's crappies are biting around the north end of the lake and the state park marina on the south end. Mosquito will be busy on Saturday with a large bass tournament on site.

The Portage Lakes crappie fishing has been good at East, Turkeyfoot and Nimisila reservoirs. Wingfoot lake crappies are biting and bluegills are being caught around Mogadore Reservoir.

FISHING TOURNAMENT RESULTS

Lake Erie Walleye Trail (Lake Erie at Magee East Marina and Campground): 1. Marc Schulte and Mel Parker, 5 walleye, 52.60 pounds; 2. Aaron Humbert and Wyatt Humbert, 5, 50.34; Jason Kopf and Roger Riggs, 5, 50.15; 4. Kevin Hays and Glenn Reedy, 5, 49.54; 5. Tom Nordyke and Chris Morris, 5, 47.70. Big Walleye: Schulte and Parker, 12.82 pounds.

Ohio Walleye Federation (Mosquito Reservoir): 1. Jeff Metzger and James Dean, 14.26 pounds; 2. Brian Davies and Paul Kerr, 13.38; 3. Amanda Yackmack and Joe Yackmack, 12.82. Big Walleye: Davies and Kerr, 5.96 pounds.

Elite Electric Invitational (Mogadore Reservoir): 1. John Shriver and Steve McClung, 5 bass, 22,67 pounds, $1,133; 2. Bill Arensburg and Dennis Gerhart, 5, 15.68, $333; 3. Trevor White and Greg Perry, 5, 15,07, $233. Big Bass: John Shriver, 6.99 pounds.

X-Series Bass Tournament Trail (Portage Lakes): 1. Brandon Zart and B. Gron, 5 bass, 21.10 pounds; 2. A. Ditty and M. White, 5, 19.15; 3. E. Hankins and J. Lecon, 5, 19.09. Big Bass: Brandon Zart, 6.8 pounds.

Bedford Bass Club (East Harbor): 1. Tony Matis, 14.19 pounds; 2. Charlie Hoag, 10.72; 3. Ray halter Jr., 9.17. Big Bass: Al Hustosky, 4.22 pounds.

Paddlers can wear their "mad hats" and compete in the annual Grand River Canoe & Kayak Race on April 18.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Outdoors Calendar for April 17.

April 16-19: Holy Mackerel Fishing Tackle Flea Market, New Russian Township Hall, 46300 Butternut Ridge Rd., Oberlin (north of Oberlin and west of Ohio 58). Free admission and parking. Show hours: Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For information, call Mike Wohlever, 440-988-9264 or 440-213-6396.

April 17: Archery Games for Adults, Friday, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Firestone Metro Park / Coventry Oaks Area, 40 Axline Ave., Akron. Ages 18 and older will play different games to build archery skills. Participants must have already taken one of our intro to archery programs. All equipment and hands-on instruction provided. Advance registration required. Call 330-865-8065.

April 18: Chagrin River Clean-Up, 9 a.m., Chagrin River Salmon Association, Erie Rd., Eastlake. Glove, bags and lunch provided. Call Bruce Fraley, 440-946-1605.

April 18: Grand River Canoe & Kayak Race. The race course is from the Harpersfield Dam Park in Ashtabula County to Hidden Valley Park in Madison on the wild and scenic Grand River. Races begin at 8 a.m. Featured is the annual Mad Hatter Contest. Pre-registration required. Call 440-358-7275 or 1-800-669-9226. For race day conditions, information call 440-256-2118 (Ext. 4178).

April 18: Archery Games for Kids, 10-11:30 a.m., Firestone Metro Park / Coventry Oaks Area, 40 Axline Ave., Akron. Ages 9-12 will play different games to build archery skills. Participants must have already taken one of our intro to archery programs. All equipment and hands-on instruction provided. Advance registration required. Call 330-865-8065.

April 18: Archery Games for Teens, Friday, 12:30-2 p.m., Firestone Metro Park / Coventry Oaks Area, 40 Axline Ave., Akron. Ages 9-12 will play different games to build archery skills. Participants must have already taken one of our intro to archery programs. All equipment and hands-on instruction provided. Advance registration required. Call 330-865-8065.

April 18: Northern Open Anglers Association bass tournament trail, Mosquito Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

April 18: King Kat Tournament Trail, Ohio and Muskingum rivers at Marietta. Pre-register at kingkatusa.com or 270-395-6774. Late registration April 17 from 5-7 p.m. at the Microtel Inn & Suites, Marietta. Weigh-in at Indian Acres Park Boat Ramp, 146 Linwood Ave., Marietta. Free Kids Fishing Rodeo 9-11 a.m., Buckeye park pond, West Fay St., Marietta.

April 22: Fly Tying Sessions with the Firelands Fly Fishers, 6-9 p.m., Gus's Village Grill, 4343 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village. Open to the public. For information visit firelandsflyfishers.org.

April 24: 2^nd annual Tinker's Creek Freedom Dinner, Tinker's Creek Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited, The Venue South, Days Inn, 4742 Brecksville Rd., Richfield. Featuring dinner, raffles, game and Travis "T-Bone" Turner of the Bone Collectors television show. Call Matt McCann, 330-467-1729 or visit whitetailsunlimited.com. Tickets $50, spouse or child $30.

April 24: Archery Games for Adults, 6:30-8 p.m., Firestone Metro Park / Coventry Oaks Area, 40 Axline Ave., Akron. Ages 18 and older will play different games to build archery skills. Participants must have already taken one of our intro to archery programs. All equipment and hands-on instruction provided. Advance registration required. Call 330-865-8065.

April 25: Hunters Night Out with the Western Reserve/Geauga County Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited, 5 p.m., E.O.U.V. Club, 8336 Pekin Rd., Novelty. Featuring dinner, raffles, game and Travis "T-Bone" Turner of the Bone Collectors television show. Tickets $50, spouse or child $30. Ticket dealine April 22. Call Dave Takacs, 440-335-0183 or Denny Malloy, 330-507-9489 or visit whitetailsunlimited.com

April 25: 36^th annual Trout Club Banquet and Auction, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval, Cleveland. Fishing exhibits, raffles and auction. For information contact Karen Menn, 216-231-4600 (Ext. 3278) or go to cmnh.org.

April 25: Lake Erie Walleye Trail hosted by the Western Basin Anglers Association. Two-angler teams, Lake Erie at Lakevue Marina, Marblehead. For information visit wbsa.us or contact Tournament Director Jeff Lash, jlash3@gmail.com.

April 25: Electric Elite Invitational Bass Tournament, lake TBA. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

April 25: Archery Games for Kids at 10-11:30 a.m.; Archery Games for Teens, 12:30-2 p.m. Kids 9-12 and teens 13-17 will play different games to build archery skills. Kids must be 50 inches or taller. Participants must have already taken one of our intro to archery programs. All equipment and hands-on instruction provided. Advance registration required starting April 14. Call 330-865-8065.

April 25-26: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

April 26: Electric Elite Invitational Spring Open Bass Tournament, Mogadore Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com. Tournament was originally scheduled for March 28.

April 26: Walleye Madness Tournament, Mosquito Reservoir. Two-angler teams, $150 entry. Visit walleyemadness.net to enter, or call WMT Director Greg Bentz, 440-390-8054.

April 29: Fly Tying Sessions with the Firelands Fly Fishers, 6-9 p.m., Gus's Village Grill, 4343 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village. Open to the public. For information visit firelandsflyfishers.org.

April 30: Monthly meeting of the Chagrin River Salmon Association, 7 p.m., Erie Rd., Eastlake. New members welcome. Call Bruce Fraley, 440-946-1605.

May 1-3: Lake and Trails Fishing Camp, FFA Camp Muskingum, Carrollton. For information visit lakeandtrails.org

May 2: 15^th annual Trumbull County Sportsmen's Gun Raffle featuring more than 60 firearms. Yankee Lake Ballroom, Yankee Lake, Ohio. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets $20. Lunch available from noon-3 p.m. For tickets call Joe (330-782-0958) or Jerry (330-847-6259).

May 1-3: Lake and Trails Youth Fishing Camp hosted by the Lake and Trails Organization, FFA Camp Muskingum, Carrollton. For kids 9-17 years old and accompanied by an adult. Fee for weekend, room and board is $75 per youth, $85 for adults. Registrations open Feb. 15. Visit lakeandtrails.org or contact President Karen Metzker, Karen @lakeandtrails.org.

May 2-3: Mosquito Madness X Bass Tournament, Mosquito Reservoir. Field of 100 teams is full. Waiting list available. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

May 3: Lake Erie Fish Crazy Walleye Derby, Lake Erie. Derby runs through June 27. Entry $50, $55 online. Derby registration deadline for full derby is April 11. All competing anglers on a boat must be registered for the derby. One-day registration is $25. For rules information visit lakeeriewalleyederby.com. Weekly, monthly and overall winners.

May 3: Ohio Walleye Federation/Inland Lake Circuit, two-angler teams, Pymatuning Reservoir. For information visit fishowf.com.

May 3: Veterans Memorial 3-D Archery Shoot, Lone Eagle Bowmen, 2276 Seeman St. SW (off Battlesburg Rd.) Canton. All veterans shoot free. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com or call Matt Williams (330-575-0744) or Gary Williams (330-484-6535).

May 5: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

May 6: Fly Tying Sessions with the Firelands Fly Fishers, 6-9 p.m., Gus's Village Grill, 4343 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village. Open to the public. For information visit firelandsflyfishers.org.

May 9: Goodyear Hunting & Fishing Club Special Needs Children's and Adults Trout Derby, 9 - 2 p.m., Firestone Metro Park / Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron. Wheelchair accessible. Bring fishing gear. Minnows cannot be used as bait; worms will be available for purchase. Adults are not permitted to fish. Sponsored by the Goodyear Hunting & Fishing Club and the Ohio Division of Wildlife. For information, call 330-865-8065.

May 9: 2015 Buckeye Bamboo Bash, Mohican Fly Fishers of Ohio, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., American Legion Pavilion on the Clear Fork River, state routes 97 and 13, Bellville, Ohio. Show, buy or sell bamboo fly fishing rods. For information visit mohicanflyfisheersofohio.com or call 419-566-4002.

May 9: Electric Elite Invitational Bass Tournament, Walborn Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

May 9-10: 3-D Archery Swap & Shoot, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

May 16: KSU LaDO Bass Series, LaDue Reservoir. Two-angler teams, electric motors only. Gas boats now permitted. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

May 16: Lake Erie Walleye Trail hosted by the Western Basin Anglers Association. Two-angler teams, Lake Erie at Shelby Street Boat Launch, Sandusky. For information visit wbsa.us or contact Tournament Director Jeff Lash, jlash3@gmail.com.

May 16: FLW Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division Pro-Am Bass Tournament, Grand Lake St. Marys, West Bank Ramp, Celina. For information visit flwoutdoors.com.

May 16: Ohio Walleye Federation/Inland Lake Circuit, two-angler teams, Berlin Reservoir. For information visit fishowf.com.

May 16-17: Cleveland Metroparks Children's Spring Fishing Derbies - May 16 at Wallace Lake, Mill Stream Reservation, Berea; May 17 at Ohio & Erie Canal reservation, Cuyahoga Heights. Fishing sessions both days for kids 4-8 from 9 a.m.-noon and for kids 9-15 from 1-4 p.m. Loaner rods, bait available. For information visit clevelandmetroparks.com

May 17: Fly Fishing from a Kayak Symposium, Firelands Fly Fishers at Lakeview Park, Lorain, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

May 17: The X-Series Bass Tournaments presented by Vic's Sports Center, The Spring Sting, state park ramp, Mosquito Reservoir. For information visit thex-series.com or call George Byers, 330-559-6454 (evenings).

May 17: Walleye Madness Tournament, Berlin Reservoir. Two-anglers teams, $150 entry. Visit walleyemadness.net to enter, or call WMT Director Greg Bentz, 440-390-8054.

May 20: Fly Tying Sessions with the Firelands Fly Fishers, 6-9 p.m., Gus's Village Grill, 4343 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village. Open to the public. For information visit firelandsflyfishers.org.

May 23-24: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

May 27: Fly Tying Sessions with the Firelands Fly Fishers, 6-9 p.m., Gus's Village Grill, 4343 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village. Open to the public. For information visit firelandsflyfishers.org.

May 30: Mahoning Valley United Way Bass Classic, Evans Lake and Pine Lake. Pro-Am two-angler teams. Hosted by Muransky Companies. Visit ymvunitedway.org/bass-classic or call Jack Wollitz, 330-716-0731.

May 30: Electric Elite Invitational Bass Tournament, Deer Creek Lake. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

May 30-31: 3-D Archery Camp Out Shoot, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

May 30-31: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

June 2: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

June 6: Walleye Madness Tournament, Lake Erie at Cleveland Metroparks Wildwood Launch Ramp. Two-anglers teams, $150 entry. Visit walleyemadness.net to enter, or call WMT Director Greg Bentz, 440-390-8054.

June 6: Northern Open Anglers Association bass tournament trail, Berlin Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

June 6-7: Lake Erie Walleye Trail Championship hosted by the Western Basin Anglers Association. Two-angler teams, Lake Erie at Huron City Boat Launch, Huron. For information visit wbsa.us or contact Tournament Director Jeff Lash, jlash3@gmail.com.

June 7: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lone Eagle Bowmen, 2276 Seeman St. SW (off Battlesburg Rd.) Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com or call Matt Williams (330-575-0744) or Gary Williams (330-484-6535).

June 7: Electric Elite Invitational Summer Open Bass Tournament, Mogadore Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

June 13: KSU LaDO Bass Series, LaDue Reservoir. Two-angler teams, electric motors only. Gas boats now permitted. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

June 13-14: Ohio Walleye Federation/Inland Lake Circuit Championship, two-angler teams. Day One at Lake Milton; Day Two at Mosquito Reservoir. For information visit fishowf.com.

June 13-14: 3-D Native American Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

June 27: Warm Water Conclave of the Ohio Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., American Legion Pavilion on the Clear Fork River, state routes 97 and 13, Bellville, Ohio. Fly fishing seminars, raffles and displays. Admission $5, families $10. For information visit mohicanflyfisheersofohio.com or call 419-566-4002.

June 27: Walleye Madness Tournament, Lake Erie at Geneva State Park Ramp. Two-anglers teams, $150 entry. Visit walleyemadness.net to enter, or call WMT Director Greg Bentz, 440-390-8054.

June 27: FLW Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division Pro-Am Bass Tournament, Ohio River at Maysville River Park, Maysville, Kentucky. For information visit flwoutdoors.com.

June 27-28: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

June 28: The X-Series Bass Tournaments presented by Vic's Sports Center, The Smallmouth Slam, Chautauqua Lake, N.Y. For information visit thex-series.com or call George Byers, 330-559-6454 (evenings).

July 5: Four-Man Team 3-D Archery Shoot, Blind Draw, Lone Eagle Bowmen, 2276 Seeman St. SW (off Battlesburg Rd.) Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com or call Matt Williams (330-575-0744) or Gary Williams (330-484-6535).

July 7: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

July 11: Ohio Walleye Federation Open Tournament, Lake Erie at Geneva. OWF membership not needed. For information visit fishowf.com.

July 11: KSU LaDO Bass Series, LaDue Reservoir. Two-angler teams, electric motors only. Gas boats now permitted. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

July 11: FLW College Fishing - Northern Division, Indian Lake at Indian Lake State park, Lakeview, Ohio. For information visit collegefishing.com.

July 11-12: 3-D Archery Cook Out-Shoot Out Shoot, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

July 18: Northern Open Anglers Association bass tournament trail, Mosquito Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

July 18: FLW Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division Pro-Am Bass Tournament, Ohio River at Tanners Creek Ramp, Lawrenceburg, Indiana. For information visit flwoutdoors.com.

July 19: The X-Series Bass Tournaments presented by Vic's Sports Center, The Rumble on the River, Black River Ramp, Lorain. For information visit thex-series.com or call George Byers, 330-559-6454 (evenings).

July 25: Electric Elite Invitational Bass Tournament, LaDue Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

July 25-26: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

July 31: Youth Fishing Day for kids 6-15 years old, South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association, North Royalton. Sponsored by the Woods and Waters Club, Cuyahoga Limbhangers Chapter of the NWTF and Ohio Division of Wildlife. Free, with pre-registration and a refundable $5 deposit. Send check for $5 to James Faddoul, 23876 Maple Ridge Rd., North Olmsted, Ohio 44070 before July 20.

Aug. 2: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lone Eagle Bowmen, 2276 Seeman St. SW (off Battlesburg Rd.) Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com or call Matt Williams (330-575-0744) or Gary Williams (330-484-6535).

Aug. 2: Northern Open Anglers Association Super NOAA bass tournament, Chautauqua Lake, N.Y. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

Aug. 4: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

Aug. 8: Ohio Walleye Cup points tournament, Ohio Walleye Federation, two-angler teams, Lake Erie at Ashtabula. For information visit fishowf.com.

Aug. 8: Fly Casting Seminar, noon-5 p.m., Lake Erie Waterfest, Miller Road Park, Avon Lake.

Aug. 8-9: 3-D African Safari Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visitwww.geaugabowmen.com.

Aug. 9: The X-Series Bass Tournaments presented by Vic's Sports Center, The Cortland Lake Challenge, state park ramp, Mosquito Reservoir. For information visit thex-series.com or call George Byers, 330-559-6454 (evenings).

Aug. 15: KSU LaDO Bass Series, LaDue Reservoir. Two-angler teams, electric motors only. Gas boats now permitted. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

Aug. 15: FLW Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division Pro-Am Bass Tournament, Ohio River at Maysville River Park, Maysville, Kentucky. For information visit flwoutdoors.com.

Aug. 22: Ohio Walleye Cup points tournament, Ohio Walleye Federation, two-angler teams, Lake Erie at Ashtabula. For information visit fishowf.com.

Aug. 22-23: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Aug. 27-29: Rayovac FLW Series Pro-Am Bass Tournament, Northern Division, Lake Erie at Shelby Street Boat Launch, Sandusky. For information visit flwfishing.com.

Aug. 29: Northern Open Anglers Association bass tournament trail, West Branch Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

Aug. 29-30: 3-D Dog Days Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

Aug. 29-30: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Sept. 1: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

Sept. 6: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lone Eagle Bowmen, 2276 Seeman St. SW (off Battlesburg Rd.) Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com or call Matt Williams (330-575-0744) or Gary Williams (330-484-6535).

Sept. 12: KSU LaDO Bass Series, LaDue Reservoir. Two-angler teams, electric motors only. Gas boats now permitted. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

Sept. 12-13: 3-D Deer Archery Shoot and Corn Roast, Geauga Bowmen Archery, 12575 Sperry Rd. Chesterland. Registration from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Public welcome, youth equipment available. Entry $10, kids $5. For information call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756, or visit www.geaugabowmen.com.

Sept. 19-20: 3-D Archery Shoot at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Open to the public, crossbows permitted. Registration on Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Adults $10, kids $5. Breakfast 8-10 a.m., lunch after 10 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or contact Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Sept. 19-20: FLW Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division Pro-Am Bass Tournament, Indian Lake, Indian Lake State Park, Lakeview. For information visit flwoutdoors.com.

Sept. 19-20: The X-Series Bass Tournaments Championship presented by Vic's Sports Center, The Long Point Shootout, Chautauqua Lake, N.Y. For information visit thex-series.com or call George Byers, 330-559-6454 (evenings).

Sept. 20: Bowhunter Warmup 3-D Archery Shoot, Lone Eagle Bowmen, 2276 Seeman St. SW (off Battlesburg Rd.) Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com or call Matt Williams (330-575-0744) or Gary Williams (330-484-6535).

Sept. 24-26: Bassmaster Northern Open, Lake Erie at Sandusky. Weigh-ins on first two days at Shelby Street Public Boat Launch in Sandusky at 3 p.m. Final-day weigh-in at 4:15 p.m. at Bass Pro Shop, Rossford, Ohio. For information visit the Bass anglers Sportsman Society at bassmaster.com.

Sept. 26: Electric Elite Invitational Bass Tournament, Mogadore Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

Sept. 27: KSU LaDO Bass Series Championship, LaDue Reservoir. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

Oct. 1-4: Lake and Trails Youth Outdoor Camp hosted by the Lake and Trails Organization, FFA Camp Muskingum, Carrollton. Registration opens July 15. Visit lakeandtrails.org or contact President Karen Metzker, Karen@lakeandtrails.org.

Oct. 6: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

Oct. 11: Electric Elite Invitational Fall Open Bass Tournament, Mogadore Reservoir. Two-angler teams. Visit Franks Bass Fishing Promotions at dobass.com.

Oct. 22-24: Cabela's MWC World Walleye Championship, Masters Walleye Circuit, Huron City Ramp, Huron. For information visit masterswalleyecircuit.com.

Nov. 3: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

Dec. 1: Northeast Ohio Walleye Association monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jack's Riverside Grill, 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby. New members welcome. Contact Joe Hrovat, 440-479-2488, walleyejoeh@yahoo.com

2015-2016 HUNTING SEASONS

• Youth Turkey: April 18-19
• Spring Turkey: April 20-May 17
• Mourning Dove: Sept. 1 -TBA
• Squirrel: Sept. 1 -Jan. 31
• Ruffed Grouse: Oct. 10-Jan. 31
• Woodcock: Oct. 10-TBA
• Youth Small Game: Oct. 24-25 and Oct. 31-Nov. 1
• Cottontail Rabbit: Nov. 6-Feb. 29
• Pheasant: Nov. 6-Jan. 10
• Bobwhite Quail: Nov. 6-Nov. 29
• Fox, raccoon: Nov. 10-Jan. 31
• Fall wild turkey: Oct. 10-Nov. 29
• Coyote and wild boar: No closed season
• Groundhog: Closed only during deer gun season.

2015-2016 DEER SEASONS

• Archery: Sept. 26-Feb. 7
• Youth Gun Season: Nov. 21-22
• Gun Season: Nov. 30-Dec. 6 and Dec. 28-29
• Muzzleloader Season: Jan. 9-12, 2016

SPRING 2016 SEASONS

• Youth Turkey: April 16-17, 2016
• Spring Turkey: April 18-May 15, 2016

On Friday, the Northeast Ohio Media Group will examine how LeBron James lived up to his primary stated goal at the season's outset of being the Cavs' leader.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As we laid out for you this morning, LeBron James' first regular season back with the Cavaliers since 2010 was a good, strange, wild ride.

And James was unquestionably the ring leader, something he said he wanted to do way back in September at the start of training camp when he said "I will be the leader of this team."

On Friday, the Northeast Ohio Media Group will examine James' leadership skills with the help of an expert whose work typically takes place far, far away from a basketball court. And we'll show you the work notes, too.

This evening, we want to know how you feel James performed as the leader. Are the facts that they are the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and the favorite to win the NBA Finals enough? Or did you want more from James, especially earlier in the season when he seemed to struggle to re-acclimate to Cleveland?

Should he have even declared himself the team's alpha "leader" in the first place?

"It was absolutely called for to step in and say I am the leader and I am going to lead," said Hall-of-Famer Isiah Thomas, who spoke with the Northeast Ohio Media Group for this project (though he's not the expert referred to above).

"He was hired, even though he technically chose to come back, he was hired to be CEO and leader of franchise. If he didn't come and say 'I am the leader of the franchise,' then that would be very problematic."

What do you think? And be sure to check back on cleveland.com in the morning.

Villa Angela-St. Joseph celebrated its 2015 Division III boys basketball state championship Thursday in front of students and faculty at the high school.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Villa Angela-St. Joseph celebrated its 2015 Division III boys basketball state championship Thursday in front of students and faculty at the high school. 

The Vikings defeated Lima Central Catholic 63-50 on March 28 to win the school’s sixth state championship in boys basketball. The victory also made them the first program to win state titles in four divisions.

The Vikings finished 23-4 and were No. 1 in the final Associated Press state poll. They were No. 4 in the final cleveland.com Top 25.

Senior Carlton Bragg, who in January announced his commitment to Kansas, was a member of the 2015 cleveland.com boys basketball All-Stars.

Follow our high school sports Twitter account @NEOVarsity and tag your related Tweets and score updates with the #NEOVarsity hashtag. Contact high school sports reporter Scott Patsko on Twitter (@ScottPatsko) by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Noted Wisconsin spinner blade maker Tommy Harris tested the Western Lake Erie walleye waters this week with skippers Randy Raudabaugh and Ray Leach of Mark I Charters.

PORT CLINTON, Ohio -- If you are an old-timer on Lake Erie's western walleye waters, and all of us aboard Mark I Charters this week easily qualified, you'd still have to be surprised at the spring walleye explosion.

Chugging out of West Harbor with veteran captains Randy Raudabaugh and Ray Leach, noted spinner blade maker Tommy Harris of Kenosha, Wisconsin and I had been recruited to handle the fishing rods -- if a walleye should bite. Raudabaugh and Leach put out the big planer boards, picked the right lures, put out the fishing lines and handled the net.

We knew the walleye bite had begun, but the crowd of boats was amazing for this time of year. There was a Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament going on, the Western Basin guides were out in full force and the rest were most likely on an early-season shakedown cruise, just like us.

When the tip of one of the eight trolling rods began its dance, I picked it out of the rod holder and began a slow, steady retrieve to bring a feisty 10-pounder to Raudabaugh's waiting net.

Harris was up next, and his walleye was a twin sister to mine. The next fish was almost as large. Before the morning was over, the back well in the 30-foot Sport Craft was filled with wriggling walleye. Every one of the fish would have been considered a wall-hanger a couple of decades ago.

At the end of the day, I rounded up the results of the LEWT tournament. Marc Schulte and Mel Parker needed a five-fish limit weighing 52.60 pounds to win. You had to go to 30^th place to find a team that did not average more than 8 pounds per walleye.

"Lake Erie has a reputation for big walleye, but this is ridiculous," said Harris, with a laugh. "I can't wait to see how they do out here with some of my new spinner blade colors when that bite begins."

In early spring, slowly swimming minnow-style plugs attract a walleye's attention in chilly waters. As Lake Erie warms, walleye prefer a more substantial spinner rig tipped with a fat nightcrawler.

"The color and sparkle of the spinner blade can make it a deadly lure," said Harris. "I've been making custom blades for more than 35 years, and in hundreds of styles and colors. Long ago, I started out by using an old inner tube to power the air brush I used to paint blades and lures.

"These days, I'm using space age paints and components to give spinner blades amazing sparkle and appeal. I even produce a better, more colorful bead for building spinner rigs."

Harris was in town to fill display pegs at the new Bay's Edge Bait & Tackle with his unique blades, all with a special spider trademark. Owned by Mark Cahlik, the Port Clinton bait shop sits in a complex off the Route 269 exit at the west end of the Sandusky Bay Bridge. It includes Bay's Edge Fishing Cleaning, Bay's Edge Townhouses and is home to the Mark I Charters fleet.

The bait shop's grand opening is April 28, while the fish-cleaning operation has been swamped with big walleye this week.

Sitting around a table at Crow's Nest Restaurant and dining on our fresh-caught walleye, Harris was still marveling about the number and size of the walleye we'd caught. Raudabaugh and Leach, both veteran walleye guides, are happy just to have a fantastic fishery their customers could enjoy.

"In the last few years, the walleye fishing has seemed to get better and better," said Raudabaugh. "But we're also getting better at what we do. If it's a nice day out there and the fish are biting, we love to drift and have people cast for walleye.

"When the bite is tough, or the crew that's aboard is inexperienced, we'll often switch to trolling. We provide all of the fishing tackle and lures, and more often than not we can turn a difficult day of fishing into a full cooler of walleye."

Gobble, gobble: The spring wild turkey hunting season is kicking off this weekend with the annual youth turkey hunt. The regular season begins Monday and runs through May 17. Only male turkeys, or gobblers, are legal game.

Hunters bagged 16,556 gobblers in 2014, down from 18,391 in 2013. A cold, wet spring breeding season in 2014 hampered turkey production and could limit success this spring.

"Hunters getting ready for the spring turkey season should be out scouting this weekend," said Jamey Emmert of the Ohio Division of Wildlife. "If hunters haven't sighted in their turkey guns, it's certainly a good idea to head to the range. The Grand River Shooting Range at the Grand River Wildlife Area is open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m."

Shooters must buy a range permit online or at a license agent. A season permit is $25, a daily permit $5.

T-Bone's in town: This is a big week for a couple of local chapters of Whitetails Unlimited. TV star Travis "T-Bone" Turner of the Bone Collector and Realtree Roadtrips shows is hanging out with deer hunters at the Tinker's Creek Chapter Freedom Dinner on Friday, April 25 in Richfield and the Hunters Night Out hosted by the Western Reserve/Geauga County Chapter in Novelty on Saturday, April 25.

"The Tinker's Creek Chapter banquet always draws a big crowd, and we're trying to rejuvenate the Western Reserve/Geauga County Chapter annual banquet this year," said WU regional head Denny Malloy. "This is an especially critical time for Ohio deer hunters to support WU, and good deer management in the Buckeye State."

Tickets are $50, $30 for a spouse or child. Contact Dave Takacs (440-335-0183) for the Novelty banquet and Matt McCann (330-467-1729) for the Richfield event.

Beautiful bass: The local largemouth bass fishing tournaments kicked off last weekend with some monster catches. John Shriver weighed in a 6.99-pound largemouth bass while fishing in the Elite Electric Invitational at Mogadore Reservoir. In the X-Series bass tournament trail. Brian Zart took the big fish award with a 6.8-pound largemouth bass.