BEREA, Ohio – Joe Haden's college football coach is considered one of the nation's finest recruiters. Ohio State's Urban Meyer will be proud to know his old cornerback, who he coached at the University of Florida, can get commitments of his own. Haden reached out to Tramon Williams last month and helped woo the veteran corner from Green Bay....

BEREA, Ohio - Joe Haden's college football coach is considered one of the nation's finest recruiters.

Ohio State's Urban Meyer will be proud to know his old cornerback, who he coached at the University of Florida, can get commitments of his own.

Haden reached out to Tramon Williams last month and helped woo the veteran corner from Green Bay. A three-year, $21 million deal also had something to do with it, but the 32-year-old acknowledged Haden's correspondence played a role in his decision.

"No doubt about it," Williams said on Tuesday. "Anytime you get a great guy like Joe to call you, a guy who wants you to play next to him, a guy who respects what you've done for years since you've been in the league, it definitely hits a spot in your heart."

Recruitment is commonplace at the NFL level. Inside linebacker Karlos Dansby helped sell defensive lineman Randy Starks are joining the Browns. Williams said he received calls from other players around the league trying to entice him before settling on Cleveland.

The Browns hope the nine-year veteran will be re-energized coming off a season in which he allowed 10 touchdown passes, according to ProFootballFocus.com, and saw opposing quarterbacks record a 106.5 passer rating against him.

Williams has enjoyed a productive career in Green Bay, where he reached the playoffs seven times and won a Super Bowl. He credits voracious film study for part of his longevity.

Two corners he enjoys watching, Williams said, are Haden and Darrelle Revis. He visited just two teams, the Saints and Browns, before signing here.

Williams is anxious to join a secondary that led the NFL in opposing passer rating (74.1) and had three players earn Pro-Bowl invites.

"One of the things I did when I came in and met with the coaches, we actually watched a little bit of film," Williams said. "I saw the way those guys played, the way those guys got to the ball, the way those guys covered. I felt it was a good fit for me.

"The defense is kind of similar to what we played in Green Bay. A lot of man-to-man, a lot of match zone. I felt comfortable in that. That's what I do well."

Multi-tasking

Defensive end Armonty Bryant expects to be full go for the start of training camp a year after suffering ACL and MCL tears. The third-year pro might return to double duty for the defense.

The Browns plan to experiment with Bryant at outside linebacker. The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder has never played the position but is eager to give it a shot.

Two years ago, the club moved Jabaal Sheard from end to outside linebacker as the Browns converted to a 3-4 front. It sounds as though Bryant might toggle between the positions.

"If we do put him there I don't know how much we'll drop him (into coverage)," coach Mike Pettine said. "I think it also falls back on the concept of you fit your system to your players not your players to your system. We talk about wanting to get our best 11 out there. If he shows that ability to rush the passer, especially on early downs, it makes sense to get him out there."

Bryant will be limited during spring practices as he continues to rehab his knee.

Medical updates

Pettine said offensive lineman Michael Bowie (shoulder), linebacker Darius Eubanks (shoulder), defensive lineman Ishmaa'ily Kitchen (leg), center Alex Mack (leg), outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo (shoulder) and defensive lineman Phil Taylor (knee) are on schedule in their rehab from injury.

A look at what happened in high school sports in Northeast Ohio on April 22.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Here are spring sports highlights from Tuesday's action based on box scores reported to the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

For more information on how to report box scores, please email High School Sports Manager Kristen Davis (kdavis@cleveland.com).

Gilmour baseball picks up big victory against St. Edward

The Lancers defeated the Eagles, 6-3, behind a big performance by pitcher Connor Lesko.

Lesko had a career game as he threw his first career complete game, while also striking out a career high seven batters.

Gilmour stole four bases on Tuesday night, to increase their season total to 33.

Strongsville picks up a big victory against Mentor

The Mustangs were able to get a 3-2 win against the Cardinals, using dominating performances in singles play.

Strongsville won all three singles matches, as Ben Hrysko, Mike Reed and Matt Bringman all took care of business.

Brunswick lacrosse wins thriller against Bay

The Blue Devils had a comfortable 8-4 lead at the half against the Rockets, but had to score a goal in overtime to hang on for the 11-10 victory.

Samantha Harris had a huge game for Brunswick, as she finished with five goals. Kimberlee Rollins also finished with four goals for the Blue Devils, while Audrey Sullivan led Bay with three.

Shawn May leads Beachwood baseball with a dominating pitching performance

The Bison offense did not score a ton of runs on Tuesday night, but it did not matter as Shawn May threw a two-hitter to help Beachwood get the 2-0 win.

May went the distance, striking out 10 batters to get the win.

Chris Riley had a hit in the game for Beachwood, while also scoring a run in the victory.

See what Celtics coach Brad Stevens and PG Isaiah Thomas had to say following Eastern Conference playoffs opening round Game 2.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Here is what Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens and PG Isaiah Thomas said after Boston's 113-100 loss in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round playoff series against the Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena.

BRAD STEVENS

How much are you being hurt by Cleveland's dominance on the offensive glass?

Stevens: I thought we were great on the glass in the first half. In the second half (Tristan) Thompson separated for them. The third quarter killed us. We've been fighting from behind in both games.

In the fourth quarter, how much more difficult does it become to guard LeBron James and Kyrie Irving?

Stevens: They're great players. I thought we challenged Kyrie a little better. He's a hard one. He gets could on some of those jump shots. he's a really explosive ball handler and scorer. When LeBron puts his shoulder down and wants to get where he's going, he's hard to stop. Evan Turner did a good job. But those guys are hard to stop. That's why we have to play better in the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter you got away from double-teaming LeBron

Stevens: He wasn't on the block. He was more on the top and isolated on the wing. But he wasn't on the deep block.

LeBron 15 in the fourth when the team needed him, he put them on his back.

Stevens: He's obviously a great competitor and the most physically talented and best mental players in the game. Add that together you've got a heckuva player. Yes he made those plays. He can make those plays. One was well contested. The other was not. For the most part, we made those guys earn everything they got. That's a step in the right direction from Game 1. We can improve on those guys a little bit. But again it's the other stuff. We can't give up offensive rebounds when you work so hard to make those guys take tough shots. 

Talk about the challenge they pose inside the 3-point line

Stevens: I want to take away the transition baskets and the offensive rebound baskets. They're going to score in the lane and from 3. I hate to sound like a broken record, but it's a huge deal. If you hold them to 99 points, you have a chance to win. I thought they kicked it into a gear. We built a 7-8-9 point lead in the first half. Then bang, it's down to 2-3. You can feel like you're going very well and then you feel like you're being steamrolled very quickly. You score to stem the tide. It's easier said then done. They played good defense at their end. We're in a three-possession game and we shot 38 percent. Thats not bad.

How do you forget these two losses and move past them?

Stevens: We have another game to play. Another to prepare for. We'll prepare to the best of our ability. Our collective mindset is the only game that matters is today. That gets old to hear, but it's the only way to live in this business. And allows you to focus on the task.

You've had some rough third quarters in the first two games

Stevens: Both times I thought we were slow coming out of the gates for whatever reason. Their runs can't be 9-0 or 13-0. We've got to stop them. Make them 5-0 or 7-0. Everybody glorifies the guy who can make a last-second shot, but we've got to have guys who get stops. 

Was this as good as you can play?

Stevens: I didn't think we were great offensively. Especially in the second half. It feels like wasted effort if you don't come up with the rebounds off the glass. 

Is the margin for error smaller against this opponent?

Stevens: Nobody has ever played a perfect basketball game. You're on a quest. We were good, but we weren't near good enough. You ask how they are going to get back up and compete? I feel comfortable saying they're going to compete. Because our opponent demands that.

ISAIAH THOMAS

Every time you got within striking distance they pulled away

Thomas: It's tough. But it's little mistakes we can fix. In the fourth they outscored us by 7 or 9. That's what's so frustrating. Because it's little things we can fix and we'd be right there.

Kyrie has had his way offensively. What can you do different?

Thomas: Shrink the floor. Show bodies. Make sure he sees all five guys. Not just one-on-one. He's one of the best one-on-one guys in the NBA. We have to make it though on him. Last game he hit some tough shots. That's just what he does. We've got to make it tough on him and slow him down.

What did LeBron do differently in the fourth quarter?

Thomas: He put his head down and went to the basket. With a guy that big, you've got to try to contain him. Jae Crowder and Evan Turner did a decent job on him. But in the fourth quarter he got a little looser. You just gotta pay attention to him. And then he's one of the best passers in the game. You've got to pick your poison.

Are there any signs of encouragement you can take away from tonight?

Thomas: We're right there. We shot 37 percent and we're still in the game. With our home crowd and energy there for us, we can get the next one. We've got to get this next game. It's a must-win for us. 

Read what Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt had to say following his team's 99-91 win in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference playoffs opening round.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt's postgame remarks following his team's 99-91 win against the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference opening round series in the 2015 NBA playoffs.

Kyrie and LeBron combined for your team's last 28 points. What worked when LeBron tried to put his stamp on the fourth quarter?

Blatt: They did what they had to do. Took responsibility and made plays. We needed them to. They answered the call.

Tristan Thompson made a lot happen off the boards.

Blatt: It's not every day you see a guy play 27 minutes, not score and still be so impactful. Tristan was one of the main factors in us winning that game. Good for him.

How were able you to maintain rhythm on defense when things were struggling offensively?

Blatt: Just hung in there. Nothing comes easy. That's the nature of the playoffs. Boston is playing hard and playing well. You've got to give their defense credit for us struggling at times. I know we had a lot of open looks that we normally knock down. The intensity of the game sometimes takes away from your score. Percentages go down. We played through that. We didn't make our shots. We shot fewer 3's in the second half because we needed to. We hung in there. Got the ball downhill a number of times. We did what we needed to do to win that game.

You have a 2-0 lead in he series. How confident are you heading in to Game 3?

Blatt: No more or less than going into the fist two. Boston is a worthy opponent. Now on the road, we have to improve things no question. Nothing is coming easy. We have to meet that challenge and go down there focused and together.

Can you recall a time you had to call something to get LeBron going? Did that happen tonight?

Blatt: We call his number a lot. I thought more so than the calling of his number, I thought LeBron recognized the moment. He was very determined to create good offense for himself and others. He got to the line and made free throws. Made big plays at both ends. Rebounding, blocking a shot, getting out of the pack. I thought he imposed his will on the game and that makes him the great player he is.

Mozgov got some good looks on the block

Blatt: Most of the looks he got came from guys breaking their man down off the dribble and him dropping to the short corner where he got some looks. Overall he was really engaged. He blocked shots, rebounded, scored it when he had to. He played a high-level game.

What halftime adjustments did you make?

Blatt: If you can come out at halftime and raise your level a bit. We're playing against a good opponent. You've witnessed games we've come out and blown people out early out of the gate. That's not going to happen in the playoffs. You have to stay with it. Tonight, Boston had 15 second chance points off offensive rebounds and we had four. We're doing our job. But you're really not doing your job unless you finish. Once we committed at the defensive end to rebound, it allowed us to loosen things up and take control of the game.

You seem to have that ability to hit the reset button at halftime.

Blatt: We do our homework and make our little adjustments at the half. Boston does the same thing. So much of the game has to do with really locking in on detail and little things. There's not going to be a lot of blowouts. You've got to get rebounds, you've got to get 50-50 balls, take care of your man in your area. We turned it over 18 times, which is not typical for us and also not beneficial. Part of that was Boston's good defense. And part of it was us needing to take responsibility. It was a good hard tough game that we needed to win. We did. We're up 2-0 and now we've got to go there and win. 

In the second half of the second quarter, what did you get away from doing well?

Blatt: I'll have to look at the film. I love the thought of score and stop. We went up 14 and we stopped doing that. We stopped scoring and we stopped getting stops. They've got guys who can score and play. So they ran back at us. That's basketball.

What makes winning on the road in the playoffs tougher?

Blatt: Defensive rebounding. We did get stops. We just didn't gain possession of the ball. I liked a lot of our perimeter shots. we're a good shooting team. The ball is going to go in for us. If we move the ball, and knock down some of those looks, we'll be in better shape.

The Cavs have not exactly dazzled in their first two playoff games, but they lead the Boston Celtics, 2-0.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James had 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and Kyrie Irving scored 26 as the Cavaliers defeated the Boston Celtics, 99-91, Tuesday night at The Q. The Cavs lead the best-of-seven series, 2-0.

Bottom lines, up front: The Cavs need to play better. Much better.

The Cavs' advantage in talent decided the outcome once again (Cavs won Game 1, 113-100, Sunday.) It enabled them to overcome a sporadic performance at both ends against a young, scrappy and physical opponent. 

The road to 99: Here is a possession-by-possession look at the Cavs' offense in Game 2:

FIRST QUARTER

1. Transition: Kevin Love makes catch-and-shoot 3-pointer from right wing. Wide open. LeBron assist after Celtics turnover. Cavs, 3-0.

2. Halfcourt: Timofey Mozgov makes drop-in with 5 on shot clock. Kyrie Irving assist from topside. Mozgov walled off Tyler Zeller. Cavs, 5-1.

3. Halfcourt: J.R. Smith misses open 3-pointer from left baseline with 6 on shot clock.

4. Halfcourt: Mozgov offensive foul while receiving entry pass. Mozgov tried to shed Zeller.

5. Halfcourt: LeBron bad pass on left edge of key after being double-teamed.

6. Halfcourt: LeBron makes topside 3-pointer over Evan Turner. Catch, pause, shoot. Irving assist from left wing. Cavs, 8-7.

7. Transition: Mozgov misses lefty layup. Pocket pass from LeBron on right side.

8. Halfcourt: Smith misses 18-foot jumper from left wing with 17 on shot clock.

9. Halfcourt: Love misses 3-pointer from left wing. Airball. Challenge by Brandon Bass.

10. Halfcourt: LeBron over-and-back turnover. Possibly off Tristan Thompson's head.

11. Halfcourt: Smith misses 3-pointer from right wing after pass from Mozgov. Marcus Smart challenge.

12. Halfcourt: (Avery Bradley second foul during scramble for ball with Irving. Isaiah Thomas enters.) LeBron misses turnaround 14-footer from left side. Spun away from Turner at foul-line extended. 7 on shot clock.

13. Transition: LeBron turnover after behind-the-back dribble.

(Celtics 3-pointer, lead, 16-8, with 5:40 left. Cavs timeout.)

14. Halfcourt: Irving makes layup. Used high screen from Mozgov. Celtics, 16-10.

15. Fastbreak: Irving makes lefty layup. Thompson rebounded Boston miss, handed to LeBron, who fed Irving. Celtics, 16-12.

16. Fastbreak: Mozgov makes dunk. Smith stole Boston fastbreak pass and gave ball to LeBron, who dribbled ahead and found trailing Mozgov with bounce pass from top of key. Celtics, 16-14.

17. Transition: Irving misses 3-pointer from right wing. Cavs retains possession after Boston fails to control rebound. Halfcourt: Mozgov misses wide-open 17-foot jumper from left baseline. Thompson rebounds and feeds Mozgov, who knocks over Zeller and makes lefty dunk. Celtics furious about no-call; referees must have felt Zeller exaggerated. Tied, 16-16.

18. Halfcourt: Mozgov makes wide-open 17-footer from right baseline. LeBron dribble-penetration and pass. Lack of hustle on defense by Zeller. Tied, 18-18.

19. Transition: LeBron misses 3-pointer from right wing. Short. Thompson screen.

20. Halfcourt: Irving misses turnaround mid-range jumper from left side. Isolated on Thomas, who played good defense.

21. Halfcourt: Irving makes pull-up jumper from left foul-line extended. Created space against Thomas. Tied, 20-20.

22. Halfcourt: Kendrick Perkins bad pass in lane intended for Thompson. Jump ball. Perkins wins tap over Jared Sullinger. Smith misses wide-open 3-pointer from left wing (way off).

23. Transition: Irving makes 3-pointer from topside left. Used 360-move to create space from Thomas. Perkins helped with screen. Tied, 23-23.

24. Fastbreak: Irving offensive foul. Charged into Sullinger in lane.

25. Halfcourt: Matthew Dellavedova (somehow) draws shooting foul on Bass during mid-range jumper on right baselin. LeBron dribble-penetration/kickout set it up. Delly makes two free throws. Celtics, 26-25.

26. Iman Shumpert steals, Cavs don't get ball past timeline before first-quarter buzzer.

(Celtics lead, 26-25. Bothering Cavs with physical defense and energy.)

SECOND QUARTER

1. Halfcourt: Love bad-pass turnover on entry attempt to LeBron from left wing.

2. Halfcourt: LeBron makes pull-up 20-footer from topside left over Jae Crowder. Celtics, 28-27.

3. Halfcourt: LeBron misses 3-pointer from deep left wing.

4. Halfcourt: Dellavedova makes 3-pointer from left wing. Gets shooter's bounce. 4 on shot clock. Celtics, 31-30.

5. Fastbreak: LeBron draws shooting foul on Crowder during drive. Makes two free throws. Celtics, 33-32.

6. Halfcourt: LeBron draws blocking foul on Zeller. Shumpert makes step-back mid-range jumper from left baseline. Love pass. Kelly Olynyk contested. 4 on shot clock. Cavs, 34-33.

7. Halfcourt: Shumpert misses open 3-pointer from left baseline. Love rebounds, drops off to Shumpert cutting to basket. Shumpert misses layup; LeBron and Shumpert furious that no foul was called.

8. Halfcourt: Mozgov misses two-handed dunk against Zeller. Alley-oop from Dellavedova. Zeller definitely fouled Mozgov by slapping his left hand; no call.

9. Halfcourt: Love draws foul on floor against Olynyk. Eventually, Love misses 3-pointer from deep left wing with 5 on shot clock.

10. Halfcourt: Love draws shooting foul on Olynyk during 3-pointer from left wing. Makes two of three free throws. Celtics, 41-36.

11. Halfcourt: Irving misses mid-range jumper from right wing. Dribbled, dribbled, dribbled but couldn't shake Turner.

12. Halfcourt: LeBron misses open 3-pointer from right wing.

(Bradley layup gives Boston a 45-36 lead.)

13. Halfcourt: Mozgov makes 8-foot lefty hook over Zeller in paint. Walled off Zeller. Love assist from left wing. Celtics, 45-38.

14. Fastbreak: Smith makes dunk. Smith stole pass in Boston halfcourt. Celtics, 45-40.

15. Love bad-pass turnover after grabbing defensive rebound. Intended quick outlet to LeBron but Olynyk intercepted.

16. Smith slaps ball from Olynyk, leading to jump ball. Irving wins tap over Bradley. Halfcourt: Love makes jump-hook over Bass in paint after back-down. Smith entry from left wing. Celtics, 45-42.

(During a timeout, Celtics coach Brad Stevens tells his players in huddle: "We're the more physical team.'')

17. Halfcourt: Smith makes step-back jumper from top of key. Loses Marcus Smart with fake. Celtics, 45-44.

18.  Halfcourt: Love misses jump-hook on right edge of paint. Blocked by Bass; referee ruled the Bass blocked it off Love's hand. LeBron entry from right wing.

19. Halfcourt: Mozgov mishandles entry from Love from left wing. Mozgov had position on Sullinger.

20. Fastbreak: LeBron makes layup. LeBron went coast-to-coast, dusted Sullinger. Celtics, 48-46.

21. Transition: Irving makes 3-pointer from topside right. After Mozgov blocked Celtics shot, LeBron controlled and dribbled into the paint, drew crowd and found Irving. Cavs, 49-48.

22. Transition: LeBron misses fadeaway at left foul-line extended. Mozgov weakside rebound. Halfcourt: LeBron draws foul on floor against Thomas. LeBron makes two free throws. Cavs, 51-50.

(Cavs lead, 51-50. Celtics refuse to go away.)

THIRD QUARTER

1. Halfcourt: Mozgov 6-foot jump-hook in paint. Irving assist after dribble-penetration. Cavs, 53-50.

2. Halfcourt: Mozgov misses 17-footer from left baseline against Zeller. LeBron pass.

3. Transition: LeBron misses 5-footer in paint, rebounds, misses jumper in paint.

(LeBron 3-of-10 from field.)

4. Halfcourt: Irving draws shooting foul on Smart during 3-pointer from right wing. Used Mozgov screen. Irving makes three free throws. Cavs, 56-52.

5. Halfcourt: Irving misses 3-pointer from left wing. LeBron draws loose-ball foul on Turner. Love draws shooting foul on Zeller after posting up, and spinning on, Turner. Love makes  two free throws. Cavs, 58-52.

6. Halfcourt: Mozgov offensive foul while posting up Zeller in paint. Bad call. Just two bigs jostling for position in the playoffs. 

7. Halfcourt: LeBron misses right-to-left layup. Mozgov makes put-back. Cavs, 60-54.

8. Fastbreak: Love makes reverse dunk. Alley-oop from LeBron at timeline after Mozgoz blocked Celtics shot -- Moz's fifth block -- and had outlet. Cavs, 62-54.

9. Love grabs defensive rebound, draws foul on Crowder. Celtics over the limit. Love makes two free throws. Cavs, 64-54.

10. Halfcourt: Mozgov draws shooting foul on Sullinger during attempted power move. Smith dribble-penetration and pass. Mozgov makes two free throws. Cavs, 66-54.

11. Fastbreak: LeBron makes dunk. Alley-oop from Irving. Cavs, 68-54.

12. Halfcourt: Mozgov offensive foul (illegal screen).

13. Halfcourt: Smith misses 3-pointer from right wing.

14. Halfcourt: Love misses 3-pointer from left wing. Thompson rebounds, kicks to Smith, who makes 3-pointer from right wing. Cavs, 71-58.

15. Halfcourt: LeBron makes over-the-head 2-footer. Irving dribble-penetration and drop-pass. Cavs, 73-60.

16. Halfcourt: Irving misses contested runner from right.

17. Halfcourt: Smith misses step-back from left wing. Good defense by Turner.

18. Halfcourt: James Jones misses wide-open topside 3-pointer. Irving passed out of double-team.

19. Halfcourt: Smith misses 3-pointer from left wing. Turner closed quickly. Thompson rebounds. Irving pull-up 14-footer over Jonas Jerebko. Cavs, 75-66.

20. Halfcourt: Smith misses wide-open 3-pointer from left side. Jones pass from top.

21. Halfcourt: Irving misses 16-footer topside. Irving worked two-man game with Thompson.

22. Halfcourt: Smith loses handle in paint. Missed floater or botched lob to Thompson.

23. Halfcourt: Irving misses 3-pointer from right side. Contested by Thomas.

24. Halfcourt: Irving misses pull-up 3-pointer from right wing. Contested by Thomas.

(Cavs lead, 75-68.)

FOURTH QUARTER

1. Transition: LeBron offensive foul. Knocked over Crowder.

2. Fastbreak: LeBron draws shooting foul on Turner during right-to-left layup. Cavs, 77-68.

3. Transition: LeBron layup. Too quick for Crowder out top. Cavs, 79-70.

(LeBron with 4,458 playoff points -- seventh-most in NBA history.)

4. Halfcourt: Love bad-pass turnover. Tried to feed Thompson in paint. Thompson appeared to be held.

5. LeBron misses push-shot in lane. LeBron fouls Turner in fight for rebound.

6. Halfcourt: LeBron makes 19-foot jumper topside right. Used Thompson screen to create space. Cavs, 81-77.

(LeBron with 101 playoff games of 20+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists -- all-time leader.)

7. Halfcourt: LeBron bad-pass turnover. Attempted to connect with Shumpert on right sideline.

8. Halfcourt: Love misses open 3-pointer from left wing. Shumpert rebounds and passes to LeBron, who passes to Irving, who makes catch-and-shoot 3-pointer from topside right. Cavs, 84-79.

9. Transition: Irving misses reverse layup. Contested by Zeller.

10. Halfcourt: LeBron draws shooting foul on Turner. Makes one of two free throws. Cavs, 85-82.

11. Fastbreak: LeBron makes layup. Irving ripped defensive rebound from Zeller, dribbled ahead and fed LeBron on left. Thomas got away with foul on LeBron during shot. Cavs, 87-82.

12. Halfcourt: Irving makes pull-up 15-footer from right side. Two-man game with Mozgov. Cavs, 89-84.

13. Halfcourt: LeBron makes 21-footer from topside left. Used rub-screen from Mozgov to create space against Crowder. Cavs, 91-84.

14. Halfcourt: Love offensive foul (charging). Tried to feed Mozgov.

15. Transition: LeBron bad-pass turnover. Thrown away on left side; LeBron expected Irving to be there.

16. Halfcourt: With shot clock winding down, Irving draws foul on floor against Bradley, who is furious. Bradley had a point. LeBron misses fadeway 10-footer, Mozgov rebounds and passes to Irving, who misses 3-pointer from right wing.

17.Halfcourt: Irving draws shooting foul on Bradley on left baseline. Shot clock at 1. TNT analyst Chris Webber said: "That's a bad call. A great fall by Irving, but a bad call.'' Irving makes two free throws. Cavs, 93-87.

18. Halfcourt: LeBron makes 5-footer in paint. Backed down Bradley after iso on right and scored over Sullinger. Cavs, 95-87.

19. Halfcourt: Three-second violation late in shot clock.

(LeBron rejects Zeller on dunk attempt.)

20. Halfcourt: LeBron misses 3-pointer from topside. Thompson rebounds and Cavs reset. LeBron uses Thompson screen to create space against Crowder on left, drives and makes layup over Zeller. Cavs, 97-89.

21. Halfcourt: Smith misses open 3-pointer on right side. Thompson rebounds. Irving draws foul on floor against Smart. Irving makes two free throws. Cavs, 99-89.

22. Irving travels late in shot clock.

23. Shumpert dribbles out clock.

(Cavs win, 99-91. King and KI carry them to finish line.)       

After the game, LeBron spoke with TNT reporter Rachel Nichols. Of the Celtics, LeBron said: "That's a very-well-coached team. Very-well coached, very-well prepared.''

LeBron said he and his team need to play better. "We can make (a few more mistakes) at home than we can on the road,'' he told Nichols. "We can't play how we played in Game 1 and Game 2 come Thursday in Boston.''

Carlos Carrasco pitched five innings for the win Tuesday night and the Indians tied a season high six runs to beat Chicago. It was Carrasco first start since Chicago's Melky Cabrera hit in the jaw with a line drive on April 14.

CHICAGO - It was not a situation for the squeamish or those haunted by the past.

Carlos Carrasco took the mound Tuesday night against the same team he faced on April 14, the night he took a line drive off the jaw that knocked him out for about 10 seconds, sent him to the hospital for series of tests and still has him gingerly chewing his food.

He not only helped pitch the Indians to a 6-2 victory over the White Sox, he proved that everything in baseball is not "deja vu all over again."

On April 14, the first two batters Carrasco faced were the only two batters he faced - Adam Eaton and Melky Cabrera. Eaton reached on an infield single to second. Cabrera reached on a liner off the right side of Carrasco's jaw.

Carrasco opened Tuesday night's game against the same two batters. He struck Eaton out on six pitches and Cabrera on five.

OK, so it wasn't storybook perfect. Jose Abreu, the next batter, homered to give Chicago a 1-0 lead.

The Indians, however, don't sweat solo home runs. In fact, it's just about the only thing they can do right with a bat in their hands. Unless, of course, the guy holding the bat it Ryan Raburn.

Carlos Santana and David Murphy gave Carrasco a 2-1 lead with a pair of leadoff homers. Raburn made it 4-1 with a pinch-hit, two-run single in the sixth.

Then the floodgates opened - if that term is appropriate for a team that entered the night averaging 3.2 runs per game. A sacrifice fly by Jason Kipnis and a RBI single by Michael Brantley stretched the Indians lead to 6-1.

Five and fly

Carrasco (2-1, 2.38) was gone after five innings.

He was working on six days rest and had thrown only 6 1/3 innings in his previous two starts. He was also coming off an abbreviated spring training in which he was shutdown briefly for heart palpitations and missed time when he returned to Florida when his wife gave birth.

Carrasco made the five innings count. He struck out eight, didn't walk a batter and allowed one run on four hits.

He threw an impressive 77 percent (46-for-60) of his pitches for strikes. The big league average for a starter is 63 percent.

In 11 games against the White Sox, including 10 starts, Carrasco has 53 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings.

Bullpen night

Manager Terry Francona used six relievers to get through the last four innings. Scott Atchison, Marc Rzepczynski, Zach McAllister, Nick Hagadone, Bryan Shaw and Cody combined to allow one run to lock it up.

Allen, who wasted a 3-0 lead in the ninth inning Monday, retired the side in order Tuesday.

A rarity

Tuesday night's victory was just the third in the last 10 games for the Tribe. They're 5-8 overall.

The White Sox had won five of their last eight games before Tuesday's loss.

Going solo

Santana and Murphy gave the Indians a 2-1 lead with solo homers off starter Hector Noesi (0-2, 5.23).

Santana started the second with a homer to right. It was his third homer of the year.

In the fifth, Murphy's leadoff homer made it 2-1. The Indians have hit 11 homers this season. They've all been solos and they've all come on the road.

It could have easily been Murphy's second homer of the night. He crushed a pitch in the second inning that center fielder Adam Eaton rand down at the fence in right center.

Prospect watch

Left-hander Carlos Rodon, Chicago's top pitching prospect, made his big league debut Tuesday night.

He relieved Noesi in the sixth with two out and two on. Rodon, the White Sox No.1 pick last year out of North Carolina State, walked Brandon Moss to load the bases. Raburn, pinch-hitting for Murphy, followed with a two-run single to left.

It gave the Indians a 4-1 lead and gave Raburn 79 career RBI against Chicago.

Raburn, a .301 lifetime hitters against the White Sox, just missed his own solo homer in the eighth with a double off the yellow stripe atop the fence in right center.

Rodon allowed two runs on three hits in 2 1/3 innings. He struck out one and walked three.

Running man

Santana stole his second base of the season in the fourth inning. He's 2-for-2.

Last year Santana was 5-for-7 in stolen base attempts.

Thanks for coming

The Indians and White Sox drew 14,032 fans to U.S. Cellular Field.

What's next?

Right-hander Corey Kluber (0-1, 2.49) will face Chicago righty Jeff Samardzija (0-1, 4.29) Wednesday at 2:10 p.m. at U.S. Cellular Field. SportsTime Ohio and WTAM AM/1100 will carry the game.

Kluber will be making his fourth start and is still looking for his first win of the season. He's definitely pitched well enough to get a win and probably more. Kluber has 25 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings and the opposition is hitting .176 against him.

He is 4-2 lifetime against the White Sox in 10 appearances and nine starts.

Samardzija is also looking for his first win of the season. He's be making his fourth start for the White Sox and second at home.

This will be his first appearance against the Tribe.

Tom Lombardo's former players at Highland are sad to see him leave, but understand the opportunities ahead of him.

MEDINA, Ohio -- Highland junior defensive tackle Tyler Frederick sounded more like a kid whose best friend is moving away than a player whose coach is leaving town.

In a lot of ways, for Frederick and the Hornets, it's a little bit of both.

Word broke Wednesday that Frederick's coach for his three seasons at Highland, Tom Lombardo, is taking the open job at St. Edward, leaving behind a program he rebuilt in Medina over the past eight years. 

Lombardo met with Hornets players after their first period classes Wednesday, around 7:45 a.m. He told players that he had thought about the decision for a while, and in the end the things that come first for him are faith, family and then football. 

Frederick said the overwhelming feeling among Hornets players was that Lombardo's opportunity at St. Edward was too good to turn down. 

"He's one of the best around," Frederick said. "He really set the tone for Highland football. Regardless of who our next coach is, I think we'll always play the way Coach Lombardo instilled in our minds and in our bodies."

Frederick said that includes playing football the "right way," which is clean, 4-6 seconds of relentless effort, and to go as hard as possible all the time.

Frederick said it is tough to accept the fact that he will not be playing for Lombardo next year, but he understands and is happy for his former coach.

"You can't be mad at the guy because it's a dream job and that's what's best for him and his family," Frederick said. "There were some tears this morning. But everyone's happy for him. We're excited for the next step in his journey."

Back in January, when Lombardo turned down a chance to coach at Massillon, he did not meet with Highland players to tell them of his intentions. Frederick says none of the Hornets players thought he was going anywhere after that. 

"I was happy that he was staying," Frederick said. "It was great for our program and great for the future. But I can't be mad he's leaving now. It's his own choice. I'll still love the guy to death. He's really changed my life on and off the field."

Frederick said Lombardo raised expectations for the program.

"We're not just 'little old Highland' anymore," he said. "We're expected to be in the playoffs every single year. He really blew it up and put Hornets football on the map, and it's going to stay that way."

According to Frederick, not having Lombardo on the sideline come August will not dampen the mood surrounding Highland's new football stadium and facilities. 

"We've been playing on our grass field and not having anything all that nice forever until now," Frederick said. "Yesterday me and Coach Lombardo walked out there and just looked at it, and talked about how awesome it will be. I can't wait."

Frederick said Lombardo promised Highland players that he would help in any way he could in finding their next coach. 

"He left us with one thing today," Frederick said. "He said 'If it's to be, it's up to me.' And that's for our senior class. It doesn't' matter who our coach is, we're going to play football like Highland knows how. And we're just going to go out there and do our thing. And that's going to continue in the future with Highland after we set the tone."

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The NFL Draft is next Thursday, with the Cleveland Browns owning two picks in the first-round, a unique opportunity if they choose to take it.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The NFL Draft is next Thursday, with the Cleveland Browns owning two picks in the first-round, a unique opportunity if they choose to take it. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, after a 2-14 finish last year, will kick off the festivities with a difficult choice that will likely come down to the top two quarterbacks. Will the Buccaneers be comfortable enough with Jameis Winston's past, believing he has matured after a scandalous 2014 campaign, to take the pro-ready signal caller? Or will Tampa Bay shy away, instead electing for Marcus Mariota, a quiet leader with the gaudy college stats and a myriad on-field questions?

If Mariota doesn't go No. 1 then all eyes will turn to the Tennessee Titans. They could consider taking Mariota or entertain a trade if a team is willing to make the bold and pricey move. 

Here is Mock Draft 2.0, with one more to come during draft week:

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, Quarterback, Florida State

While the questions will continue up until draft day, the quarterback-needy Buccaneers can't afford to pass on not just the best quarterback in the class, but one of the best in the last decade.

Already advanced mentally after operating a pro-style offense, Winston is cool and calm under pressure and his QB traits (reading a defense, throwing with touch and velocity, anticipation and accuracy) all translate to being a top-level signal caller.

2. Cleveland Browns (Trade with Tennessee Titans) - Marcus Mariota, Quarterback, Oregon

It might not be popular after the Browns moved up last year for Johnny Manziel. But the dots are there to be connected.

Written on the Berea walls is the Browns' credo: Find a franchise quarterback. It's been the goal for years and Josh McCown, Manziel, Thaddeus Lewis and Connor Shaw don't qualify. If the Browns really felt comfortable with the depth chart would they have made a run at Sam Bradford?

The Browns also have the ammunition, with two first round picks after last year's swap with Buffalo. Then there's General Manager Ray Farmer's reported affinity for the Oregon signal caller, a player Farmer has liked dating back to last year. The need and resources make Cleveland the Titans' most likely trade partner, no matter how costly -- in this case at least two first rounders.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, Outside Linebacker, Clemson

Offense or defense won't be the challenge for the Jaguars. They used their last two first rounders on offense (Blake Bortles and Luke Joeckel) so the Jags will likely boost the defense.

The real debate begins with the player. Florida's Dante Fowler, Nebraksa's Randy Gregory, USC's Leonard Williams, considered the best player overall, will all get consideration. But so will Beasley, the former tight end with the athleticism off the edge the Jags are missing.

4. Oakland Raiders - Leonard Williams, Defensive Tackle, USC

In this scenario, the Raiders would torn between Williams or a much-needed speedy wide receiver for future QB Derek Carr. After landing Khalil Mack last year, the Raiders would be thrilled to see the best player in the draft still on the board. Effective against the run and the pass, Williams' versatility would make him an excellent building block on a defense the most points (28.3) last season.

5. Washington Redskins - Dante Fowler, Outside Linebacker, Florida

The Redskins will likely be looking for a trade partner because their biggest need is a pass rusher and they could still nab one in the middle of the first round. But if they can't find a fit, Fowler makes the most sense. With excellent speed (4.61 40-yard dash) and athleticism, Fowler would replace departed Brian Orakpo, who signed with Tennessee in the off-season. That would once again give the Redskins a pair of talented QB disruptors, with Ryan Kerrigan (13.5 sacks) already in the mix.

Will Todd Gurley snap the streak of running backs not being drafted in Round One?Brant Sanderlin, Atlanta Journal-Constitution 

6. New York Jets - Todd Gurley, Running Back, Georgia

A running back in the top 10? Absolutely, provided he's one of the best players in the draft, and Gurley is.

The youngster (he won't turn 21 until August) has the size, speed and vision to warrant first-round consideration even with the health concerns that stem from a torn ACL this past season.

Without an elite quarterback, New York's best chance of moving the ball consistently is utilizing the ground attack. Gurley, the one true centerpiece player in this year's draft, would become New York's focal point, masking some of Geno Smith's weaknesses.

7. Chicago Bears - Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver, Alabama

The polished receiver from 'Bama is not nearly as flashy as West Virginia's Kevin White, but Cooper understands the nuances of the position and is incredibly dangerous after the catch. He would fill the void left behind by Brandon Marshall and provide Alshon Jeffery a new running mate.  

8. Atlanta Falcons - Randy Gregory, Defensive End, Nebraska

The news of him testing positive for marijuana at the combine could be a setback. Sliding is a very real possibility, but his talent will also be tough to overlook.

The Falcons have been looking to upgrade their weak pass rush for the last few years. After finishing with 22 sacks, second-fewest in the league, and bringing in defensive-minded head coach Dan Quinn, the Falcons will likely turn their attention to defense with this pick.

9. New York Giants - Brandon Scherff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa

While the Giants have needs on defense, grabbing the best tackle in the draft to help Eli Manning find his Super Bowl form would be the best move. Scherff, who played tackle at Iowa, could kick inside to guard.

10. St. Louis Rams - Kevin White, Wide Receiver, West Virginia

The Rams have spent the last few years searching for a true No. 1 receiver, without success. The former JUCO star looks the part of a top 10 pick, with a rare combination of size, speed and strength.

DeVante Parker is one the best wide receivers in this year's draft.Garry Jones, Associated Press 

11. Minnesota Vikings - DeVante Parker, Wide Receiver, Louisville

With a defensive-minded coach, Mike Zimmer, and a division that demands a defense geared to stopping the deadly passing attacks, Minnesota could go cornerback here. But reuniting Bridgewater and Parker, a duo that created plenty of excitement at Louisville two years ago, would add to an emerging offense.

The Vikings' goal this off-season should be giving Bridgewater, the new QB of the future, as many weapons as possible. A Mike Wallace-DeVante Parker tandem would certainly fit the bill. 

12. Tennessee Titans (Trade w/ Browns) - Shane Ray, Defensive End, Missouri

Dropping out of the top 10, but gaining two first-round picks could help the rebuilding Titans. They need help in the trenches. Orakpo will help Ray Horton's versatile and attacking defense, but there are injury questions there. Ray would be a pass-rush specialist early and insurance policy before a few years of grooming could turn him into a force.

13. New Orleans Saints - Trae Waynes, Cornerback, Michigan State

The Saints have two first-round picks after a stunning off-season trade that sent all-world tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks. Improving the defense, which ranked 28^th last year, is now priority No. 1. Waynes is a fast and feisty cornerback that comes from an excellent defensive program and is a much-needed addition in a division with Julio Jones, Roddy White, Kelvin Benjamin, Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.

14. Miami Dolphins - Breshad Perriman, Wide Receiver, Central Florida

The Miami offense received a makeover this off-season. Wallace has been replaced by Kenny Stills while Jordan Cameron has taken Charles Clay's spot at tight end. Perriman is far from a finished product, but his blazing speed and incredible potential make him too tough for the Dolphins to pass up after losing Wallace's big-play ability.

15. San Francisco 49ers - Arik Armstead, Defensive End, Oregon

The 49ers defense will have a new look after Patrick Willis and Chris Borland retired. While there is no one at that position worthy of this pick, San Francisco will need to retool the defense. Armstead, while unpolished, is big (6-foot-7) and strong and his versatility would be a good fit. Chip Kelly weeps. 

16. Houston Texans - Dorial Green-Beckham, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma

There's plenty of homework to be done on Green-Beckham, who was dismissed from Missouri before landing with the Sooners. But the youngster is oozing with potential. His rare size (6-foot-5; 237 pounds) and speed (4.39 40-yard dash) make him a matchup problem for any defense and he could quickly become an elite receiver if he can keep his head on straight. Andre Johnson isn't in Houston catching passes anymore so it will be important to replace that lost size.

Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon (25) has unique speed to be a game-breaking NFL player.Chris O'Meara, Associated Press 

17. San Diego Chargers - Melvin Gordon, Running Back, Wisconsin

Trade rumors continue to center on San Diego trading Philip Rivers. The only way they would consider the swap is if they move up high enough for Mariota or get a QB in return. Staying at 17, unable to meet the Titans' demands, the Chargers try their best to take pressure off their 33-year-old QB. Gordon is explosive, able to change the complexion of the scoreboard with one touch.

18. Kansas City Chiefs - Cameron Erving, Center, Florida State

With Alex Smith's limitations, the Chiefs will continue to lean on running back Jamaal Charles and a potent ground game. But losing center Rodney Hudson to the raiders in free agency stings. Left with unproven Eric Kush as the pivot, the Chiefs turn their attention to Erving, who played both tackle and center with the Noles. 

19. Tennessee Titans (from Buffalo Bills and Browns) - Danny Shelton, Defensive Tackle, Washington

Ranked second-last against the run a season ago, the Titans continue their transformation on defense, grabbing the powerful Shelton, a plug-n-play nose tackle to anchor their hybrid defense.  

20. Philadelphia Eagles - Landon Collins, Safety, Alabama

Continuing to improve the pass defense, ranked 31^st in the NFL last year, should be the goal in the first round if the Eagles can't move up for Mariota. Cornerbacks Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond were added, but safety remains an issue.

Collins, one of the captains of the Alabama defense, hits like a linebacker while also being able to hold his own in coverage.

21. Cincinnati Bengals - La'el Collins, Offensive Tackle, LSU

Left tackle Andrew Whitworth is 34 this season and will be a free agent at the end of 2015. Right tackle Andre Smith's time in Cincinnati could be coming as well.

Knowing Andy Dalton needs as much help as possible, the Bengals should focus on rebuilding their offensive line and Collins, with experience at guard and tackle, can plug into the lineup immediately.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers - Marcus Peters, Cornerback, Washington

It's been a few years since the Steelers possessed the tough and hard-nosed AFC North defense. Troy Polamalu retired, meaning he won't be patrolling the secondary and covering up the cornerbacks' mistakes.

That puts more of an emphasis on the other areas of the secondary that finished 27th against the pass. Playing against Cincy's A.J. Green and Baltimore's Steve Smith, Pittsburgh would be wise to grab a corner. 

Peters comes to the NFL with baggage after multiple suspensions and some incidents with coaches, but has the size, strength, attitude and competitiveness that make him an ideal fit.

23. Detroit Lions - Andrus Peat, Offensive Tackle, Stanford

Protecting Matthew Stafford should be the top priority. Riley Reiff has the left side of the line locked down, but the right side is a question. Peat doesn't possess the unique measurables and he isn't as technically sound as others in the class, but he has plenty of starting experience and performs well between the lines.

Alvin "Bud" Dupree is still learning the art of pass rushing, but has unique athletic ability. David Stephenson, Associated Press 

24. Arizona Cardinals - Alvin "Bud" Dupree, Defensive End, Kentucky

With the top two running backs off the board, Arizona turns its attention to defense. Alex Okafor surprised with eight sacks last year, but penciled-in starter Matt Shaughnessy has just 18.5 in seven years, including zero last season. Dupree, a freak athlete with a basketball background, could go much higher and eventually grow into a dominant pass rusher.

Right now, he's more of an athlete than a football player.

25. Carolina Panthers - Ereck Flowers, Offensive Tackle, Miami (Fla.)

Much has been expected of QB Cam Newton since his arrival in 2011. While Newton continues to develop, carrying the Panthers to the postseason last year, he needs more help. Signing Michael Oher in free agency was a good start, but the offensive line should still be a priority.

26. Baltimore Ravens - Byron Jones, Cornerback, Connecticut

Wide receiver could be an option given the loss of Torrey Smith in free agency. But the Ravens would be passing on better options to reach for Arizona State's Jaelen Strong or Miami's Phillip Dorsett. Instead, Baltimore stays true to its board, banking on a talented player at another position of need.

An athletic freak, with an eye-popping broad jump of 12 feet, 3 inches and a show-stopping vertical jump of 44.5 inches, Jones has rare athleticism. He needs some fine tuning and Baltimore has a propensity for putting the necessary polish on raw players.

27. Dallas Cowboys - Malcom Brown, Defensive Tackle, Texas

Stopping the run is paramount in the NFC East with Alfred Morris and now the stable of running backs Kelly and the Eagles are waiting to unleash. Brown, who can play all over the defensive line, would help in that area while he learns to become a better pass rusher.

28. Denver Broncos - D.J. Humphries, Offensive Tackle, Florida

It's about one thing in Denver: Protecting Peyton Manning. Orlando Franklin's departure leaves a hole along that Denver offensive line and Humphries, known for his good feet, would provide Manning the comfort in the pocket that was lacking last year.

29. Indianapolis Colts - T.J. Clemmings, Offensive Tackle, Pittsburgh

The Colts would likely run to the podium, grabbing the last of the offensive tackles worthy of first-round consideration. Andrew Luck, the most important piece of the franchise, has taken too many hits since coming into the NFL. Clemmings, an excellent athlete with light feet, might finally give Indy its future blindside protector.

30. Green Bay Packers - Eric Rowe, Cornerback, Utah

Tramon Williams and Davon House departed, leaving a few holes in an already sketchy secondary. Rowe, with his size and physical frame, may shift to safety at the next level. Thanks to his coverage skills and versatility, he's a unique player capable of sliding into the role vacated by Charles Woodson two years ago.

31. New Orleans Saints (from Seattle Seahawks) - Nelson Agholor, Wide Receiver, USC

After adding a cornerback earlier in the draft, the Saints could go a number of different directions. Many of the top talents in the front seven have been taken already, meaning its time to shift to the other side.

Would they really take a receiver in Round One in back-to-back years? Given Drew Brees' age, Sean Payton's offensive prowess and Marques Colston's continued decline, the answer is yes. 

Kenny Stills is now in Miami and Agholor, quick and shifty with a great understanding of how to get open, would be a great replacement.

32. New England Patriots - Kevin Johnson, Cornerback, Wake Forest

The Patriots lost both Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, leaving Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler and Bradley Fletcher at the top of the depth chart. That's a rough way to start the season, no matter how bright Bill Belichick is.

Johnson, sticky in coverage, isn't getting the same attention as some of the other corners, but is every bit as worthy. 

On Wednesday, Lombardo, the former Eagles assistant and head coach at Lake Catholic and Highland was introduced as St. Edward’s latest head coach.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio – The draw to St. Edward was too strong for Tom Lombardo to ignore. 

On Wednesday, the former Eagles assistant and head coach at Lake Catholic and Highland was introduced as St. Edward’s latest head coach, filling the spot vacated in March by Rick Finotti. Lombardo’s decision to accept the job comes three months after turning down an offer to be Massillon’s coach.

“When you put it all together, the type of program that it is, the type of student-athlete that you get, the type of values that they teach these kids, that I was part of and grew up with …” said Lombardo. “When you put that all together, it’s hard to pass up, really. I’m honored and humbled to be considered for this position.”

After declining the Massillon offer, Lombardo cited it as a family decision, saying it wasn’t the right time to move his children. On Wednesday, he made it clear that his past experience with St. Edward was what led him to accept its coaching offer.

He served as an Eagles assistant coach – spending time as offensive and defensive coordinator – between 2002 and 2006 under former coach John Gibbons, Lombard’s father-in-law.

“Being here for five years and knowing a lot of people, that made easier, all the connections there,” Lombardo said. “After sitting down and thinking about it, and interviewing, it just felt right. You can’t take away what’s been instilled in your, and how you’ve been brought up in the Holy Cross and catholic education.”

Lombardo follows the most successful coach in St. Edward history. Finotti led the Eagles to their only two state titles, both during his six-year tenure. He left the Eagles with a 62-15 record, fresh off a Division I state title, to become director of football operations at the University of Michigan.

The Eagles might be defending state champions, but the group left to defend that title is much different from last season’s team. The Eagles lost 12 Division I college recruits, some of which were key two-way players.

The 2015 edition of the Eagles will feature running back Cole Gest , defensive back – and Pitt commit – Tony Butler, and defensive linemen Mike O’Malley and Cal Reynolds.

But few others will have starting experience.

On Wednesday, that didn’t matter to Lombardo. When he spoke with football players at St. Edward, he kept his message simple.

“When there’s change, there’s always going to be differences,” said Lombardo. “My message (to the players) was that the standards stay the same. Let’s get to work."

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.

LeBron James is averaging 5.5 turnovers in two playoff games and is coming off a career high from the regular season. But the Cavs largely survived those mistakes, including against Boston so far this postseason.

BOSTON - Twice on Tuesday night, LeBron James was picked off by a Celtics defender who was waiting for him to throw one of those skip passes to the weak side that normally makes him and the Cavaliers so tough to defend.

The interceptions - one by Avery Bradley in the first quarter and the other by Isaiah Thomas in the fourth - were part of Boston coach Brad Stevens' design to defend James. Sit on the skip pass and double James when possible.

But in Cleveland's 99-91 win over the Celtics in Game 2 of this Eastern Conference first-round playoff series, James committed a third turnover when a pass intended for J.R. Smith bounced off Tristan Thompson's face and rolled past halfcourt for an over-and-back call.

Another came when James tried to dribble through a double team of Evan Turner and Brandon Bass but lost the ball when he bounced it behind his back. A fifth turnover was courtesy of James flattening Jae Crowder in the paint for an offensive foul, even though James didn't have the ball.

On James' sixth turnover, he tried to push the ball in transition before tossing a no-look flip to Kyrie Irving. Only, Irving wasn't there and the ball rolled out of bounds.

In summation: James committed six turnovers in Tuesday night's win, which is a problem. But at least two were a fluke and Boston's defense deserves some credit.

With the series set to shift Thursday night to Boston's TD Garden, however, James says the turnovers he committed at The Q cannot happen in a road playoff game.

"Just got to be more conscious about certain passes, certain plays that I'm making," James said Tuesday night. He was not available to reporters Wednesday, as the Cavs watched film before flying East.

"That's 11 for me in the two games, 51/2 per game, and that's not going to cut it. You can make a couple more mistakes at home than you can on the road, so, I gotta be better with the ball in order for us to be successful."

Indeed, James was charged with five turnovers in the 113-100 win Sunday, and turnovers have plagued him this season like never before. The 3.9 turnovers per game he averaged were a career high -- an unwelcome phenomenon explained at least in part by James' increased duties running the point while Irving played off the ball.

James also cited a relative unfamiliarity with new teammates when the turnovers were flowing early in the season, but as the schedule played out - for instance, he turned it over nine times in a loss to Atlanta on March 6 - James simply took ownership for the mistakes and demanded self improvement.

Relatively speaking, James' turnovers haven't done any outsized damage to the Cavs. In the 24 games (counting playoffs) where James has committed at least five turnovers, Cleveland is 16-8 (for .666 winning percentage...well, maybe this is more serious). That means the Cavs are 39-21 (.684) when James commits no more than four turnovers.

He did not have a turnover-free game this season.

The Cavs as a team had 18 turnovers Tuesday night, costing them 22 points. There are old sayings out there about road playoff teams needing to make fewer unforced errors because of crowd noise and tougher officiating, which is why James is preaching to his younger teammates (Irving, Kevin Love, Thompson and Matthew Dellavedova are all about to play their first career road playoff game) to take better care of the ball.

"The mistakes that you can make at home, which you try to limit as much as possible, you cannot make on the road," James said. "We have to understand that."

One way to overcome individual mistakes is to score 30 points, with 15 in the fourth quarter, as James did Tuesday.

"You all know he's going to come up here and be pissed off about his turnovers, as well as mine," Irving said after the game Tuesday.

Irving was charged with two turnovers in Game 2, and, of course, was correct in his postgame assessment.

James has scored 50 points and collected 14 assists in the series' first two games, while Irving has scored 56 points.

James has been guarded by Turner, Crowder, Bass, Marcus Smart and usually sees a double team below the three-point line. Bradley, Smart, and Thomas have spent time on Irving.

"We're going to have to keep mixing up guys on Kyrie, we're going to have to keep mixing up guys on LeBron," Stevens said Wednesday, following the Celtics' brief practice in suburban Boston.

"Yesterday, obviously, (James) had 15 in the fourth, but to that point it was harder for him to get a rhythm, and maybe part of it was he was amped for Game 1," Stevens said. "And maybe it was partly because our guys were really focusing on them and trying their best. He is a hard guy to guard and he's going to get some baskets.

"Kyrie is the same way, I still think we have to find a way to slow him down a little bit, but those guys were great when they needed to be great, and there's a reason they're who they are."

"This was a hard decision because I knew I could come back and play with my teammates who I love, and to be coached by coach Thad Matta again would have been awesome, but at the same time I wanted to pursue my dream of playing in the NBA," Russell told ESPN.com. "I know what I am capable of and the sky's the limit with effort. I know I have a lot to work on."

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As time continued to pass as D'Angelo Russell pondered his future, hope started to build at Ohio State that maybe he would do the unthinkable and return for his sophomore season. 

That isn't what is happening. 

Russell, one of the best players in college basketball this past season, told ESPN.com on Wednesday that he plans to enter the NBA Draft. He's projected as a top-five pick, making it virtually impossible for him to consider a return to college. 

"This was a hard decision because I knew I could come back and play with my teammates who I love, and to be coached by coach Thad Matta again would have been awesome, but at the same time I wanted to pursue my dream of playing in the NBA," Russell told ESPN.com. "I know what I am capable of and the sky's the limit with effort. I know I have a lot to work on."

A 6-foot-5 combo guard, Russell was Ohio State's main scoring threat this past season. He showed proficiency with his jumper, creating his own shots and facilitating the Buckeyes' sometimes-stagnant offense. He averaged 19.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists as a freshman, all while sporting the type of confidence that has NBA general managers drooling. 

Before Ohio State's loss to Arizona in the third round of the NCAA Tournament, Russell was asked who the best defender he faced all season. He responded: "Nobody." 

After a 3-of-19 shooting performance in Ohio State's season-ending loss to Arizona, Russell was asked the same question. Again, he responded: "Nobody."

That's how Russell will be remembered at Ohio State, a fearless competitor who will go down with other one-and-done Buckeye greats like Mike Conley Jr. and Greg Oden. Russell has a case for being the best of them all.

Russell said throughout the entire time he was repeatedly asked about his future that he doesn't know. 

"That's the only answer I can give people," Russell told Northeast Ohio Media Group, "because it's the truth." 

Given his decision came weeks after Ohio State lost to Arizona proves that was true. But when you're a top-five pick, the decision is made for you. 

"You never know when this opportunity comes," he told ESPN.com. "I believe I am ready because my approach was to unpack my bags, get committed to winning and listening to the coaches -- as opposed to coming in and saying 'I am a pro' and trying to leave. I wasn't trying to get in and out at Ohio State."

Former Highland coach and St. Edward assistant Tom Lombardo is the perfect candidate for the Eagles job, administrators say.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio – Over 40 men applied to be the guy to replace Rick Finotti, the former St. Edward football coach who left to become the director of operations at the University of Michigan.

On Wednesday, Highland coach Tom Lombardo, a former St. Edward assistant, was named as the new coach.

According to athletic director Paul Michalko, Lombardo was simply the perfect fit.

“After going through the interview process, we were very confident that this was our guy,” Michalko said. “With him being a former assistant, he understands everything that was ask of our young men, both on and off the field. He is a great coach who understands that every year, our guys have the expectations of winning a state championship. At the end of the day, he was just the perfect fit for our program.”

During his eight years at Highland, the Hornets had a record of 61-29, with five playoff appearances, including a run to the Division II state semifinals in 2013. Lombardo also won a Division III state championship at Lake Catholic in 2001.

Lombardo knows he has big shoes to fill, as the Eagles won two state championships in six seasons under Finotti, including last season’s Division I state title.

“When I was here as an assistant, the expectations were the same that they are now,” Lombardo said. “The difference is that Rick (Finotti) was able to get the job done, and you have to give him credit. Two of the years I was here, we lost in the state semifinals and a state championship, so we were close. I think one thing that really helped is the scheduling, as they have started to go out of state more, and I think that played a role in the championships.”

One of the key returning players on next season's team will be defensive back Tony Butler.

Finally the wait is over... LET'S GET TO WORK !!

— Tony Butler (@TonyKnows2) April 22, 2015

While Butler and his teammates have gone about doing their off-season work, getting their coach in place is something he is very excited for.

"My job has been helping all the young guys work out and prepare for the season the best we can, regardless of who our coach was going to be," Butler said. "Now that we know that coach Lombardo is our guy, it is time to go to work. I am really excited to get in and learn a new defense and help my teammates learn the new system, and I think everybody is very excited to get to work and defend our championship."

Defending that state championship will be no easy task, but Michalko is confident they have the right guy leading the way.

"I know coach Lombardo is excited to get started, and we are excited to watch him get to work," Michalko said. "What Rick (Finotti) did for the program was outstanding, but we all have a lot of confidence that coach Lombardo and his staff is going to build off the past few seasons and keep up competing at a high level."

Read more reaction to the decision by Tom Lombardo to take over as head coach at St. Edward after sources confirmed the highly-anticipated hiring.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Social media users are expressing both support and melancholy regarding Tom Lombardo's decision to leave Highland for the head coaching job at St. Edward.

Fans of both schools continue to share their thoughts about the decision on social media following today's press conference at the school where Lombardo was formally introduced to the student body and faculty. 

Below is more reaction to the decision in addition to our post earlier in the day right after sources confirmed the highly-anticipated hiring. 

Isaiah Thomas could (but might not) start Game 3 against the Cavs, while Jonas Jerebko has recovered from a calf injury and could see more minutes.

BOSTON - Celtics coach Brad Stevens said he was "considering" a change to his lineup for Game 3 against the Cavs on Thursday night, but there's a single issue complicating any change he might make.

"The one thing we haven't done is started slow," Stevens told reporters Wednesday, following his team's short practice in suburban Boston.

The C's host the Cavs at 7 p.m. Thursday and trail 2-0 in the series, but have held leads at the end of the first quarter in each loss. Boston was up 26-25 after 12 minutes in Cleveland's 99-91 win Tuesday, and was ahead 31-27 in the series opener Sunday.

The Cavs have overcome both of the Celtics' hot starts, obviously, thanks mainly to the play of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, with help from a supporting cast in spots.

Stevens plays his bench big minutes, and the team's leading scorer in this series is guard Isaiah Thomas, who's poured in 22 points in each game as a reserve (and is averaging 8.5 assists). Stevens could sacrifice defense for offense with Thomas on the floor in the place of either Avery Bradley or Marcus Smart in a move that would also make a small starting lineup even smaller.

Thomas is 5-9.

Stevens might also consider making a tiny frontcourt - Tyler Zeller (7-0), Evan Turner (6-7), and Brandon Bass (6-8) are the expected starters - by inserting Jae Crowder (6-6) into the fold. Crowder has had pockets of success guarding James, though Stevens has also credited Turner for how he's played the Cavs superstar through two games.

One rotation change Stevens made in Game 2 was to award more minutes to former Ohio State standout Jared Sullinger, who scored 14 points in 22 minutes after recording four points in 14 minutes in Game 1. Sullinger's minutes were at the expense of reserve forward Jonas Jerebko, whom Stevens said "had a little calf issue the day before."

"I didn't know if he would be full go or not," Stevens said. "He said he was fine, but I also felt like with Kelly (Olynyk) and Sully we might play a little more traditional and we might be able to rebound a little bit better and still stretch the floor.

"I think that we could very well see Jerebko for a lot of minutes tomorrow night, too."

After being crushed by the Cavs on the glass in Game 1, the Cs were more competitive on Tuesday night, and at halftime had collected 15 second-chance points - a big reason for only trailing the heavily favored Cavs by one point heading to the locker room.

The Cavs ended Game 2 with a 47-39 rebounding advantage, thanks in no small part to reserve forward Tristan Thompson, who tallied 11 rebounds without taking a shot.

"That's what he does," Stevens said of Thompson. "We talked about it, he's a really good player and his value is even greater when he's surrounded by (James, Irving and Love) because we have to pay so much attention to those three guys.

"We were in much better position to rebound yesterday than we were two days ago. Now, the key is, can you come up with some of those balls?"

The Indians are 0-4 in games started by defending AL Cy Young Corey Kluber.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Corey Kluber allowed six runs on a career-high 13 hits in six-plus innings as the Indians lost to the White Sox, 6-0, Wednesday afternoon at US Cellular Field in Chicago. Here is a capsule look at the game after a dvr review of the Fox SportsTime Ohio telecast:

Stumbling: The Indians (5-9) have lost three of four.

Since opening the season by winning two of three games in Houston, the Indians are 0-3-1 in series -- all against the AL Central. They were swept by the Tigers at home (0-3), split with the White Sox at home (1-1) and lost at Minnesota (1-2) and Chicago (1-2).

It doesn't get any easier. The Indians travel to Detroit for a three-game set beginning Friday, then return to Cleveland for three against Kansas City beginning Monday. The Tigers and Royals are the class of the Central.

Fast fact: The Tribe lost the series in Chicago despite its pitchers having struck out 34 and walked five.

Shocking sight: Kluber, the 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner, entered the day with a streak of eight starts of at least six innings and two or fewer runs. In three starts this season, he had given up a total of six runs on 13 hits in 21 2/3 innings.

The White Sox were unimpressed. By the time they were finished with him, Kluber's  ERA had ballooned from 2.49 to 3.90.

Fast fact No. 2: The Indians are 0-4 in games started by Kluber (0-2).

Hit parade: Kluber, who walked one and struck out six, did not have his best stuff. If he had, of course the start would have unfolded much differently.

Kluber was unable to put pitches consistently where he wanted/needed -- specifically, on the inner half or further inside. Too many pitches got too much of the plate. The cutter, in particular, let him down: It didn't have its usual late life and became hittable.

At the same time, the White Sox deserve props for superb hitting. They were "on'' as much as Kluber was "off.'' They didn't allow Kluber to get away with mistakes. They were aggressive early in counts but didn't try to do too much, which resulted in an assortment of hits up the middle or to the opposite field.

Here is the list of their hits against Kluber (They had one single in two innings against reliever Anthony Swarzak):

First inning

1. Righty Jose Abreu homer to center (1-0 cutter on outer half).

Skinny: A mistake pitch, no question. It stayed at thigh level and didn't cut. But 2014 AL Rookie of the Year Abreu also was strong enough to send it out on a chilly afternoon -- his eighth career homer against the Tribe. One of the reasons he is so dangerous is opposite-field power.

2. Lefty Adam LaRoche single to center (0-0 fastball on outer half).

Skinny: LaRoche had been hitless in the series. He guessed, correctly, that Kluber would try to get ahead with a fastball. The swing mechanics were excellent.

Second inning

3. Righty Alexei Ramirez double to left (0-0 fastball on inner half).

Skinny: Alexeeeei is aggressive, no matter the pitcher. Kluber gave him swinging room, and he pounced.

Third inning

4. Lefty Adam Eaton double to left-center (3-2 fastball on outer half).

Skinny: Tip the cap or helmet to Eaton for a professional AB. He was down in the count, 1-2, before fouling two pitches and taking two balls. As the leadoff batter in that inning, he figured Kluber would come with a full-count fastball. When it tailed to the outer half, Eaton stayed compact and let the pitch's velocity (93 mph) do most  of the work for him.

5. Lefty Melky Cabrera single to left-center (0-1 cutter).

Skinny: After fouling a bunt attempt, Melk Man got a pitch he could handle and punched it the opposite way. Nothing fancy -- but one reason he has been a productive player. The location was a problem; Kluber needed to get the pitch much deeper inside.

Eaton advanced to third. He scored on Abreu's double-play grounder to make it 2-0.

6. Righty Avisail Garcia single to right (0-0 cutter down and away).

Skinny: Terrific approach by Garcia. He went down to get a good pitch, stayed compact, and barreled it.

Fourth inning

7. Lefty Micah Johnson infield single to short (1-2 fastball).

Skinny: Johnson slapped the pitch into the hole, where Jose Ramirez gloved with the backhand but couldn't finish the play.

With Eaton at bat, Tribe catcher Roberto Perez erased Johnson attempting to steal. Perez's catch-and-throw was as good as any MLB catcher's this season.

Sixth inning

8. Lefty Adam LaRoche single to right (2-0 cutter).

Skinny: Kluber wasn't going to throw a get-me-over fastball, but the cutter didn't do much.

Garcia followed with a first-pitch grounder to short that erased LaRoche.

9. Lefty Conor Gillaspie double to right (0-0 fastball).

Skinny: Pitch got too much of the plate and tailed onto the swing plane.

Garcia advanced to third. He scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-0.

Seventh inning

10. Lefty Micah Johnson single to center (0-1 cutter).

Skinny: Hardly smashed but effective. When No. 9 batter Johnson begins to string hits, the pitcher must know it is not his day.

Johnson moved to second on a wild pitch.

11. Lefty Adam Eaton single to left (1-0 cutter).

Skinny: Hardly smashed but effective. More professional hitting. It helped that Kluber's true cutter was missing. 

12. Lefty Melky Cabrera RBI single to left (0-0 fastball away).

Skinny: Melk Man went with the pitch in order to keep the line moving for Abreu. White Sox, 4-0.

13. Righty Jose Abreu two-run double to left (2-2 breaking pitch).

Skinny: Kluber's worst pitch of the game. Clocked at 86, it was either a hanging curve or cutter that squirted out of the hand. It stayed up and over the plate, and Abreu mashed.

Swarzak retired the next three and stranded Abreu.

Offensive offense: Even if Kluber had been good, it wouldn't have mattered. The Tribe managed eight hits and four walks against righty Jeff Samardzija and three relievers -- yet failed to score.

By the end of the fourth, Samardzija had thrown 93 pitches. But he was able to steal two more innings because he needed just 20 more pitches.

The Indians went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position. They entered the day batting .207 with an OPS of .546 with RISP.

Among the culprits was third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall. He went 0-for-2 with RISP, with both of the at-bats poor by MLB standards.

Chisenhall went 0-for-11 in the series and is batting .182 and slugging .205.

Corey Kluber and catcher Roberto Perez have combined for four wild pitches in their last two starts together. Kluber had four wild pitches all last year. Perez is replacing injured Yan Gomes.

CHICAGO -- Things are getting wild behind the plate for the Indians.

Last year Corey Kluber had three wild pitches in his Cy Young season. He has four in his last two starts this year.

The glaring difference is the guy doing the catching.

Yan Gomes caught Kluber almost exclusively last year. Gomes was injured on April 11 and will miss four to six weeks with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

Roberto Perez, who caught Kluber at Class AAA Columbus in 2013, has replaced Gomes. But the telepathy that existed between Kluber and Gomes has experienced some technical difficulties in making connections with Perez.

Kluber threw two wild pitches in Wednesday's 6-0 loss to the White Sox. The first one allowed Avisail Garcia to score in the sixth for a 3-0 lead. The second came in the seventh and was a precursor to a three-run rally that put the game away.

On Friday in Minneapolis, Kluber threw two wild pitches in the sixth against the Twins. One of them scored a run.

By all accounts Kluber's first wild pitch Thursday was wild through and through.

"I thought the (first) wild pitch today was pretty far over," said manager Terry Francona. "In Minnesota they might not have been on the same page. Today that ball was pretty far off the plate."

Said Perez, "The first one, the wild pitch where the run scored, that was way out on me. I tried my best and I couldn't get there. The second one I should have blocked it. My glove came up a little bit and the ball went through my legs.

"I'm working on it. I've just got to block those pitches for the guys."

Kluber says he has no problem throwing to Perez.

"I think our chemistry is fine," said Kluber. "Obviously, I've thrown to Yan a lot more than I've thrown to Roberto, but I don't think I feel uncomfortable with him back there at all."

How tight is tight? Carlos Carrasco was removed from Tuesday night's 6-2 victory after five innings and 60 pitches because he was having trouble getting loose before innings in the cold weather.

Francona said Carrasco was getting "tight." Asked Thursday morning if he meant Carrasco's throwing shoulder was tight, Francona said, "It was cold and when he first made three or four throws every inning it was just tight.

"It's kind of ambiguous. We kept an eye on him and took him out. He came in this morning and said he felt really good."

Carrasco played catch Thursday morning.

"Maybe I overreacted, but if that's the case that's one thing I won't apologize for," said Francona.

Big difference: What's going on with Ryan Raburn, who is hitting .364 with one homer and seven RBI?

For one thing, he is healthy. He left spring training last year with a sore right wrist and left knee from a collision with an outfield wall.

But there's something else at work in the first month of this season.

"Confidence," said Francona. "It plays a huge role with everybody, but I think with Ray - No.1 he put himself in a real good position for success by coming to camp in great shape. Even though he had his knee scoped, he wasn't limping around.

"Then when he started catching up with fastballs, he realized he didn't have to be too cute (with his swing). ... I just think confidence plays such a huge factor with Ray."

Raburn went 2-for-2 with two RBI on Tuesday night after pinch-hitting for David Murphy in the sixth inning.

"His first year here when he walked up to the plate, he was one of the most feared hitters in the game even though he was a part-time player. And he walked up to the plate like that. "

Happy B-day: Francona turned 56 on Wednesday.

"The over-under in Vegas was 541/2," said Francona. "A lot of people lost some money. I'm not even sure I'm 56. My dad told me and he might have been lying.

"I feel like I'm 80."

For his present he said he wanted to shake Kluber's hand after a victory. That didn't happen.

Finally: The Indians are wearing No.7 for Al Rosen on their sleeves. The White Sox are wearing No.9 for Minnie Minoso.

Indians right-hander Corey Kluber remains stoic, focused on his job, despite lack of run support. Watch video

CHICAGO - Corey Kluber says it's none of his business. Offense doesn't come under his job description.

It's what a pitcher is supposed to say when his team doesn't score on the day he pitches. But he's last year's AL Cy Young winner. That should put him in line for a little extra something from the hitters on his team.

Well, maybe Kluber should send those guys a text. So far the Indians hitters aren't getting the message.

When Kluber took the mound Wednesday afternoon against Chicago, the offense responded with no runs in a 6-0 loss. They did get eight hits, strand 11 runners and go 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position, but there were no runs.

In four starts this season, the Indians have totaled five runs when he's been in the game. They've been shut out in two of his starts.

Granted, Kluber didn't pitch to his normal standards Thursday as he allowed six runs and a career-high 13 hits in six innings. Still, exactly why are hitters running and hiding when their best pitcher is starting a game?

"We put Klubes in a tough situation," said center field Michael Bourn. "Every time he pitches we don't score for him. It makes it harder to make pitches when you're down 2-0 all the time. It changes how you pitch.

"I'd like to see him be able to pitch with a 3-0 or 4-0 lead where he can cut and sink and do all that he wants to do with the ball."

So what's stopping the Bourn and the Indians?

"It's just something we need to work on," he said.

The Indians had White Sox starter Jeff Samardzija in trouble throughout his six innings, but they couldn't score. They went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring against The Shark.

"That was the difference in the game," said Bourn.

The Indians aren't doing a lot of scoring in general. They're 5-9 and averaging 3.1 runs per game. In the 27 2/3 innings Kluber has pitched this season, the Indians have scored in just three of them.

"You know, it's a hard way to pitch when we're throwing up zeroes as an offense," said manager Terry Francona. "He probably feels he has to be perfect and that's a hard way to pitch."

Kluber's stoic nature is serving him well.

"For me you only focus on trying to prevent the other team from scoring," said Kluber. "Once you start letting other stuff get to you or it starts creeping into your mind, you're taking away from what your job is.

"My job is not to worry about anything but me going out there and trying to keep the other team from scoring. I didn't do that well enough today."

Jose Abreu had a lot to do with that. He hit a two-out homer in the first and a two-run double in the seventh to end Kluber's day.

Abreu is hitting .381 (8-for-21) with two homers and six RBI against Kluber.

"He's got really good (plate) coverage and quick hands," said Kluber. "He's a really good hitter and really good hitters take advantage of mistakes when you make mistakes."

Which begs the question - when are the Indians going to start taking advantage of the other guy's mistakes? Especially when Kluber is working?

"So far there hasn't been a lot of run support for Klubes," said Francona. "Hopefully, that changes. When it does, he's going to rack up some wins."

Left-handed starter Shawn Morimando combined with relievers Josh Martin and Jeff Johnson to take a no-hitter into the ninth inning.

A day after getting 13 hits at Reading, Pa., the Akron RubberDucks managed only six hits Wednesday against the Fightin' Phils.

That was still five more hits than the Phils had.

Shawn MorimandoAkron RubberDucks 

Left-handed starter Shawn Morimando combined with relievers Josh Martin and Jeff Johnson to take a no-hitter into the ninth inning, losing it with one out in a 2-0 Class AA Eastern League victory at Reading.

Morimando (1-1, 1.15 ERA) was pulled after six innings despite giving up no hits. He threw 84 pitches, 51 for strikes, struck out five and walked three. Martin pitched 2 2/3 innings, but gave up a double to pinch-hitter Brock Stassi in the ninth.

Reading right-handed starter Ben Lively also had a solid outing, giving up no runs and three hits in six innings. 

The game was scoreless when the RubberDucks scored two in the seventh off Phils reliever Ethan Stewart. First baseman Jake Lowery started the inning with a home run to right field. It was the third straight game with a RubberDucks home run after the team went the first 10 games with no homers.

Designated hitter Justin Toole followed with a single, and he scored two batters later on a triple by center fielder Todd Hankins.

It was the second straight victory for the RubberDucks (6-7), who return to Akron on Thursday night to face the Bowie BaySox after going 3-4 on the season's first road trip.

A look at what happened in high school sports in Northeast Ohio on April 22.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Here are spring sports highlights from Tuesday's action based on box scores reported to the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

For more information on how to report box scores, please email High School Sports Manager Kristen Davis (kdavis@cleveland.com).

Westlake tennis earns win on the road at Amherst

Singles players Connor Michelich and Aris Jhaveri each picked up wins on Wednesday to help lead Westlake to a 5-0 road victory against Amherst. Thomas Reusser and Ameesh also led the Demons in doubles competition.

St. Edward tennis shuts out North Olmsted

Singles player Adi Jha earned a win on Wednesday to help lead St. Edward to a 5-0 road victory against North Olmsted. Randon Rybak and AJ Singh also led the Eagles in doubles competition winning in three sets (2-6, 6-2, 7-5) against Tyler Digges and Erik Malinoski.

Chagrin Falls boys, girls track teams win against West Geauga

Chagrin Falls boys and girls track teams outscored West Geauga on Wednesday in a dual meet at home.

The Chagrin Falls’ girls team defeated West Geauga 75-53 followed by the boys winning 95-33.

Rhodes baseball tops Cleveland Heights

Senior pitcher Juan Perez earned a mound victory on Wednesday to help Rhodes defeat Cuyahoga Heights on the road, 4-3.

Perez pitched seven innings, giving up three earned runs and throwing nine strikeouts. At the plate he had two hits, scored one run and brought in another.

Cuyahoga Heights was led in hitting by Nick Frye and Ryan Oryl with two hits each. Grayson Thacker brought in one run and hit a double.

Twinsburg tennis hangs on for 3-2 win against Cuyahoga Falls

In a Northeast Ohio Conference River Division matchup, doubles teammates Anthony Cecere and Chris Nwai victory helped the Twinsburg tennis team to a 3-2 victory on the road Wednesday defeating Cuyahoga Falls.Preston Bell also helped the Tigers as well after winning in three sets.

Ryan Cvammen and Gonzalo Leon each led Cuyahoga Falls picking up victories, while doubles partners Gordon Weiss and Joey Sterling won in two sets for Twinsburg.

This was the first victory in the division for Twinsburg improving to 6-4 overall.

Brunswick tennis defends home against Lake Ridge Academy

Brunswick (6-4) picked another victory on Wednesday defeating Lake Ridge Academy at home, 4-1.

Adam Slomski led Brunwsick defeating Ben Gwinnell in three sets (6-4, 1-6, 6-0).

Henry Lin and Chris Miller picked up the lone victory for Lake Ridge.

Kenston baseball earns a victory on the road against Orange

Kenston baseball team closed out a game on Wednesday scoring nine runs in the final three innings to defeat Orange 10-1.

Ben Princic picked up the mound victory allowing one earned run and striking out five batters. At the plate, Adam Bush hit a double, a single, stole a base, scored a run and drove in three for the Bombers.

Orange’s Ben Weltman and Gabriel Blum each led the Lions with a hit. Blum brought in Weltman for the only Lions’ score.

Avon softball team wins West Shore dual against Midview

The Avon softball team scored four runs in the seventh inning on Wednesday on the way to defeating Midview on the road, 8-5.

Pitcher Anna Edwards earned a victory with the Eagles allowing three earned runs, pitching seven innings and striking out four batters. Tina Clark highlight the Eagles’ offense hitting a homerun, scoring a run and bringing in three runners.

Midview was led in batting by Hailey Ivan (2-2, RBI) and Faith Hamilton (1-1, 2RBI) each hitting a homerun.

Mayfield defense holds on for win against Cuyahoga Falls

Gina Spiccia helping to bring in Christina Curtis helped lead the Mayfield softball team to a tight 1-0 victory on Wednesday at home against Cuyahoga Falls.

Pitcher Ivori Coleman earned the victory for the Wildcats pitching seven innings, not allowing an runs, three hits and striking out three batters.

Curtis led batters with three hits including two triples.

Notre Dame Cathedral Latin tops Beaumont on the road

Lexie DeSico’s four strikeouts in seven innings helped lead the Notre Dame Cathedral Latin softball team to a 10-2 road victory on Wednesday against Beaumont.

MK Carney highlighted the action at the plate hitting a homerun and bringing in two runs.

Emily Brady led Beaumont brining in two runs, Serena Tucciarelli had two hits and Emily Lott hit the only double of the day.

Westlake’s offense key in in victory against North Olmsted

The victory on Wednesday goes to softball pitcher Eileen Guzik after striking out four batters in Westlake’s 12-2 home win against North Olmsted.

Westlake’s Danielle Dill led the Demons stealing two bases and going 2-2 from the plate while Rachel May brought in two runs. At least six Westlake players brought in a run on Wednesday.

Valley Forge baseball scores twice in the final inning against Garfield Heights

Junior Jarret Sullivan brought in three runs and hit a triple to help lead the Valley Forge baseball team to an 8-6 victory on the road Wednesday against Garfield Heights.

Sullivan was 4-4 from the plate as the team improves to 6-7 overall.

Olmsted Falls softball tops Avon Lake

Sophomore Collin Romel pitched six innings, striking out eight batters to help lead the Olmsted Falls softball team to a 9-3 victory on Wednesday at home against Avon Lake.

Junior Aaron Zawadzki chipped in going 2 for 3 from the plate stealing a base, earning a walk and bringing in a run.

North Royalton softball walks off with victory against Strongsville

Reese Albright hit a walk-off single to help lead the North Royalton softball team to a 3-2 win at home against Strongsville on Wednesday.

Albright went 3-3 from the plate and brought in two runs for the Bears.

Berea-Midpark baseball closes game after 10 innings

The Berea-Midpark baseball team closed out Wednesday’s road game with a 8-5 victory against North Olmsted after 10 innings of play.

Spenser Mraz picked up the victory for the Titans at the mound pitching 7.2 innings, allowing five runs and striking out seven. Then at the plate, Nick Gassman hit a double and brought in three runs. North Olmsted’s Cal Smith pitched nine innings and allowed three runs.

Get all the scores

Get scores from the following sports this evening: baseball, softball, boys tennis, boys track & field and girls track & field.

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Follow our high school sports Facebook, Cleveland High School Sports, and Twitter accounts, @NEOVarsity, for high school sports news and score updates and be sure to use the hashtag #NEOVarsity when Tweeting about high school sports.

A look at the high school sports scene on Wednesday, April 22.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Here’s what happened on Wednesday as reported by Northeast Ohio Media Group’s high school sports staff:

Basketball

Rob Slone resigns from coaching position at Cuyahoga Falls.

Cross Country

Amherst's Alexis Szivan commits to Miami University.

Engagement

Is Tom Lombardo the right hire?

Vote which team should be Team of the Week. Poll closes at noon on Thursday.

Vote which the best baseball cap in Northeast Ohio.

Football

Analysis of Tom Lombardo joining St. Edward.

Highland athletic department to meet, determine plan for new coach.

Highland football players remember Tom Lombardo.

Media reaction to Tom Lombardo leaving Highland for St. Edward.

Press conference welcoming Tom Lombardo as St. Edward's new football coach.

Reaction to Tom Lombardo's departure from Highland.

Tom Lombardo leaving Highland, taking over at St. Edward.

Lacrosse

Top 10 poll for week of April 20, 2015

Wednesday highlights

Spring sports highlights.

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Follow our high school sports Facebook, Cleveland High School Sports, and Twitter accounts, @NEOVarsity, for high school sports news and score updates and be sure to use the hashtag #NEOVarsity when Tweeting about high school sports.