Earvin "Magic" Johnson, a basketball legend who built a wide-ranging business focusing on underserved urban communities, will be the keynote speaker at the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation's 2015 Presidential Scholarship Luncheon.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Earvin "Magic" Johnson, a basketball legend who built a wide-ranging business focusing on underserved urban communities, will be the keynote speaker at Cuyahoga Community College Foundation's Presidential Scholarship Luncheon.

The event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8 at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.

The Hall of Fame basketball player won five NBA championships and three Most Valuable Player awards while playing 13 years with the Los Angeles Lakers.

He retired after announcing he had contracted HIV and has been an advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex.

Johnson, 55, serves as chair and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises. The company provides blueprints for redeveloping urban communities through a variety of business ventures.

As a member of Guggenheim Baseball Management, Johnson became an owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team in 2012. He and some of the partners at GBM bought the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA in 2014.

Johnson also serves as chair and founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation.

As a keynote speaker at Tri-C, Johnson joins politicians, including Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Since its inception in 1992, the luncheon has raised more than $15 million to help Tri-C students.

More than 1,100 community and business leaders pack the ballroom. In recent years, the cost to attend has ranged from $1,000 for a seat to $25,000 or more for a table of 10.

Contact the foundation at 216-987-4868 or at foundation@tri-c.edu.

Former head coach and ESPN analyst impressed by what David Blatt has done this season.

David Blatt probably felt like he was getting hit from all angles during his first season coaching in the NBA. It's why former NBA head coach and ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy called him a "coaching pinata" during a conference call on Monday prior to the start of the NBA Finals.

"Throughout the course of the season, every leaked article that came out was attacking this guy's talent, acumen, abilities," Van Gundy said, "and he took all the blame and the players took all the credit for the wins."

Van Gundy, who serves as part of ABC's NBA Finals broadcast crew along with Mike Breen, former coach and player Mark Jackson and Doris Burke, didn't stop his praise there.

"I think he was masterful in, he simplified the game," Van Gundy said. "You know, he might have had one idea in how he was gonna come in and play, and then he saw what the players could do, should do and were willing to do and he modified his approach and it's been very successful."

Blatt's first season in the NBA after a long, successful career overseas, was a sometimes rocky one that bottomed out with a six-game losing streak in January that dropped the Cavaliers' record to 19-20. Prior to the start of that streak -- and smack in the middle of dropping ten of 12 games -- Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin backed his head coach, saying, "Coach Blatt is our coach. He's going to remain our coach. Do not write that as a vote of confidence. He never needed one. It was never a question. So don't write it that way."

Griffin's support, Van Gundy said, was vital. "I think [Blatt] and David Griffin really have shown tremendous leadership qualities throughout this turbulent year. David [Griffin] and his unwavering support, without giving a vote of confidence, but, like, this unwavering support that all the coaching turnover was done in Cleveland, that they were going to stay the course, even when they struggled."

Van Gundy spent 11 seasons as a coach, seven with the New York Knicks and four with the Houston Rockets. In response to a question about reports that LeBron James was deviating from Blatt and calling his own plays, Van Gundy said that's nothing new.

"You give particular leeway to great players who have earned it, who have earned the right to speak," Van Gundy said. "You got some guys on your team, and every team has this, who have earned the right to speak."

In regards to James redrawing Blatt's end-of-game play in Game 4 against Chicago in the conference semifinals leading to his game-winning three, Van Gundy said the problem wasn't that the incident happened, it was that the media found out at all.

"Some of the great things are kept behind closed doors. Some of the ugly things are kept behind closed doors. And so when something like that is told to the media, then the media runs with it and presents a perception to the fan base that David Blatt's not in control. And that's the furthest thing from the truth.

"That's why I think it would have been better if James had just kept it to himself," Van Gundy said, "or said, even this, 'Great call by Coach Blatt, and we got a great shot and we won the game,' because to me that eliminates a lot of the chatter -- the negative chatter -- that's unnecessary."

The matchups

Van Gundy told reporters on the call that one matchup he is looking forward to involves two relative newcomers on the big stage.

"It's Tristan Thompson vs. Draymond Green. I can't wait. I love how both people approach their jobs," Van Gundy said.

Thompson is averaging 9.9 rebounds per game in the postseason, including four offensive rebounds. Green finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, despite receiving more first-place votes than award winner Kawhi Leonard.

"Thompson is versatile between [power forward] and [center]. I think moving LeBron to the four really makes him difficult and when he's teamed with Thompson at the five, really hard to guard their pick-and-rolls," Van Gundy said. "I really love Thompson's ability to switch."

Complementing the King

A healthy Kyrie Irving and LeBron James are a nightmare for any defense. Van Gundy thinks J.R. Smith is the perfect complement to both of their games:

"As far as an offensive player to complement LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, he is an absolute bargain at his salary and with his skillset, a great, great fit."

Thanks to the ability of both Irving and James to penetrate, Smith sees plenty of open looks. "It's hard to take away James and Irving at the rim," Van Gundy said, "and then not give up the three-point shot."

The MAC has added CBS Sports Net to its yearly TV package starting with the upcoming football and basketball seasons.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Mid-American Conference continues to upgrade its TV sports package and has now added CBS Sports Network to its list.

The MAC and CBS Sports Network have reached a multi-year deal to televise football and basketball games beginning this season and running through 2018-19. This is done through a sub-license agreement with ESPN.

CBS Sports Network will air up to 12 football and 12 basketball games per year. This upcoming season will have six football games and up to seven basketball games.

This season's football games will include two on Thursday, three Saturday and one the Friday after Thanksgiving.

MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher called this "another important step in the continued growth of Mid-American Conference television coverage.

"Having CBS Sports Network join us is part of our vision for the growth of live national coverage for our fan base. This agreement provides another platform to showcase the outstanding students attending Mid-American Conference member institutions. I look forward to joining forces with the CBS family."

Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports said; "With high-quality competition, as well as loyal and enthusiastic fans, the (MAC) is a great addition to our robust schedule of live programming."

CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers.

Less than a year ago the MAC signed a big deal with ESPN that extended its existing deal through the 2026-2027 season for an estimated $100 million. There have been no numbers on the deal with CBS Sports Net.

According to MAC media relations director Ken Mather, the deal was done through ESPN as part of its sub-licensing agreement with the MAC, so the MAC will not get a cut of that deal.

This season he also reports the majority of the football games on CBSSN, but not exclusively, will be conference games. Mather also said that in the near future there will be an updated TV football schedule that will include the first three weeks of the season, along with the traditional slate of televised midweek games in November.

ESPN announced its Arthur Ashe Courage Award will go to Caitlyn Jenner, leaving admirers of the late Lauren Hill upset and, in some cases, incensed -- Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - So the Arthur Ashe Courage Award goes to...Caitlyn Jenner?

Not Lauren Hill?

Not Noah Galloway?

 Not O.J. Brigance?

One more question: This can't possibly have anything to do with ratings, can it?

Would Jenner be so honored if the award weren't presented as part of the ESPYs next month?

 Or if the Caitlyn Jenner Twitter feed didn't bust the internet upon its launch?

Or if there'd been no Vanity Fair magazine cover?

I guess that's more than one question.

This is not meant to diminish the recipient. It's a reminder of the obvious motive in play for the network bestowing the honor. (TV ratings? Publicity? Who knew?)

ESPN made its case, as it did when it gave the same award to Michael Sam a year ago.

"Bruce has received many accolades over the years for being one of the greatest Olympians of our time but The ESPYS are honored to celebrate Bruce becoming Caitlyn," said ESPN executive producer Maura Mandt.

"She has shown the courage to embrace a truth that had been hidden for years, and to embark on a journey that may not only give comfort to those facing similar circumstances, but can also help to educate people on the challenges that the transgender community faces."

Would ESPN have been so inspired by Bruce Jenner's Caitlyn transformation had Jenner chosen to avoid the spotlight -- at least as much as a celebrity possibly can.

Instead of playing it out in a network interview, then a magazine cover shoot with Annie Leibovitz behind the lens?

Hill would've been my choice. She used the final months of her life to raise awareness and money for cancer. 

Through The Cure Starts Now, she helped raise $1.5 million.

She was 19 when she passed away in April.

Having shown so much grace and courage in a life taken away far too soon.

DiGiovanni leaves the Comets after 30 years, with a Division I state title (1990) and 19 state champions during his watch.

SOLON, Ohio – Solon wrestling coach Tony DiGiovanni is making the 2014-15 season his last with the Comets. 

He leaves the Comets after 30 years, with a Division I state title (1990) and 19 state champions during his watch.

“All those things were done because the kids put in their time and believed in the program and the coaches. They bought in,” said DiGiovanni, 62, who is also retiring after 30 years as a physical education teacher.

DiGiovanni said he recommended to school administrators that former Solon assistant coach Audi Atienza be his successor.

While a lot of things went into his retirement decision, said DiGiovanni, one of the main ones was being able spend time with family, especially holidays, which often were dominated by wrestling events.

“I really haven’t had a Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter for about 45 years,” said DiGiovanni, who wrestled at Kenston and Cleveland State.

DiGiovanni collected almost every type of coach of the year award during his career, from conference (16 times) to county to state. He was also a finalist for National Wrestling Coaches Association Coach of the Year.

He is the founder of Solon Open Mats, which has provided local wrestlers with a free place to train for the past 30 years. Opening doors to wrestlers paid off for his program, which produced 100 state qualifiers and 24 high school All-Americans.

The Comets finished in the top five at the state tournament seven times under DiGiovanni. In 2013, he coached two three-time state champions – Brandon Thompson and Anthony Collica.

“We’re the only public school in Division I to ever do that,” said DiGiovanni, who also coached his son, Vinny, to a state title in 2002. “I don’t want to take anything away from the coaches before me, but a highlight for me has been putting Solon on Ohio’s wrestling map. Putting Solon up at a high level with the high-level programs year after year.”

DiGiovanni said he is as fulfilled by the wrestlers who achieved great things on the mat as the team managers who blossomed as part of the program.

He plans to remain close to the wrestling community, perhaps volunteering his time and being present at open mats.

“If my life is a book, I’m pretty happy with the page on I’m right now,” said DiGiovanni.  “I think I stole that quote. But I can’t think of anything that better describes how I feel.”

For more high school sports news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. 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.

It's a beer bet on the Cavs: Sherrod Brown will pay up with brew from Ohio, or Barbara Boxer with beer from California.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Not only are the Cleveland Cavs better than any possible opponent, including the Golden State Warriors. Small-batch beer from Akron's Hoppin' Frog Brewery -- the city of LeBron James' birth -- is better than any brew from California.

At least, so goes the suggestion at the heart of a bet between Ohio U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and California U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer over the NBA championship title. The series starts at Oakland's Oracle Arena on Thursday night, and the beer wager is one of what could be several bets between politicians from the respective states.

Ohio's Rob Portman and California's Dianne Feinstein are negotiating their own wager, the terms of which should be settled this afternoon.

Meantime, Brown has put his money, or his Hoppin' Frog, where his mouth is. If the Cavs lose, he'll have to deliver the beer while wearing a Golden State jersey.

But Brown feels confident that instead, he'll be enjoying some Peet's "Warrior Grounds" coffee and a case of Linden Street Brewery's "New Oakland Glow" pilsner. Boxer has offered to deliver those -- in a Cavaliers jersey -- if Golden State loses the championship series.

"Like many fans, I go back to the days of the Cavs playing at Richfield and remember watching Bingo Smith, Mel Turpin, and Dick Snyder, World B. Free, and Nate Thurmond," Brown said in a statement announcing the bet. "This year, it's going to be different - we're going to win it all. This Cavaliers team is the pride of Cleveland - showing perseverance through adversity and true grit throughout the season. As the Cavs travel to the West Coast, I'm proud to join my fellow Clevelanders and Cavs fans around Ohio in saying that I'm ALL IN!"

Boxer, too, is impressed with the Cavs.

But they're going to lose, she predicts.

"The Golden State Warriors have been the best team in basketball all season long because of their selfless style of play and some of the best shooting that the NBA has ever seen," her statement said. "LeBron James is a huge talent, but he's no match for Stephen and Riley Curry!"

Check out a comparison between current NBA Most Valuable Player, Stephen Curry, and LeBron James, a four-time winner of the award. The two are set to square off Thursday in the 2015 NBA Finals.

Januzzi spent four seasons at Lutheran West.

OBERLIN, Ohio -- For 18 years, Alan Januzzi has lived in the Firelands school district. Now he will have a chance to coach the boys basketball team there.

Januzzi is leaving Lutheran West after four seasons to be the head coach in his hometown. It was an opportunity he just couldn't pass up.

"Although the timing feels a little bit early, it feels like the right thing to do right now," Januzzi said. "It's a great way for me to give back to the community that my wife and I have raised five children in."

Januzzi takes over for Brett Bartlett, who left last month to take over the program at Sanbury Big Walnut. This is the second time Januzzi will be part of the coaching staff.

"I had spent a year as an assistant at Firelands before I went to Lutheran West, and I had a great experience," Januzzi said.

Januzzi finished strong in his four seasons at Lutheran West. In his final two seasons, he had a combined record of 37-10. Prior to Lutheran West, he coached at Elyria Catholic and Open Door Christian, where he made a state semifinal.

Although it was a brief stay with Lutheran West, it made a lasting impact on Januzzi.

"It's been a great four years," Januzzi said. "Not only have we had the success on the floor, but we've established some really good relationships."

Now Januzzi turns his attention to Firelands. Joining him will be his son, Dominic Januzzi, who will transfer from Lutheran West to Firelands for his junior season.

That's one player the new coach already knows, and he will get moving quickly to get his new team prepared for next season.

"Obviously it's June already, so we'll need to get moving with the summer schedule," Januzzi said. "Being a new coach, we have 10 coaching days to get a system in place."

Contact high school sports reporter David Cassilo by email (dcassilo@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@dcassilo). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

American Pharoah is the strong 3-5 morning line favorite to start from the middle of an eight-horse field and win Saturday's 147th running of the Belmont Stakes.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - American Pharoah is the strong 3-5 morning line favorite to start from the middle of an eight-horse field and win Saturday's 147^th running of the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes at New York's Belmont Park and become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

The Ahmed Zayat-owned colt drew the No. 5 slot in the starting gate. It is a number said trainer Bob Baffert said he's always liked.

"I always do well with (the No. 5 post)," Baffert told reporters. "It's more important that (American Pharoah) has been doing great. We had him out today, but it was just jogging. He was going the wrong way on the track, and didn't learn a thing."

Asked how American Pharoah will handle the extended 11/2-mile distance needed to win the Belmont Stakes, Baffert was complacent.

"It's a rare distance for a three-year-old, and a rare distance for me," he said. "It's up to me to get him ready. If he's a great horse, he'll get it done.

"(American Pharoah) is deserving of a Triple Crown. He's an exciting horse to watch and an exciting horse to train."

Preakness Stakes (G1)

Post time: 6:50 p.m. Saturday at Belmont Park, Elmont, New York. Purse: $1.5 million. Distance: 1-1/2 miles. TV: WKYC Channel 3.

Post, horse, jockey/trainer, odds

1. Mubtaahij, Irad Ortiz Jr./Michael de Kock, 10-1

2. Tale of Verve, Gary Stevens/Dallas Stewart, 15-1

3. Madefromlucky, Todd Pletcher/TBD, 12-1

4. Frammento, Mike Smith/Nick Zito, 30-1

5. American Pharoah, Victor Espinoza/Bob Baffert, 3-5

6. Frosted, Joel Rosario/Kiaran McLaughlin, 5-1

7. Keen Ice, Kent Desourmeaux/Dale Romans, 20-1

8. Materiality, John Velasquez/Todd Pletcher, 6-1

Mount Union's Bill Borchert is joined by Ohio State's Keith Byers, Jim Otis and Tom Cousineau are on the 2016 College Football Hall of Fame ballot.

ALLIANCE, Ohio - Former Mount Union quarterback and Parma native Bill Borchert is on the 2016 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Borchert guided Mount Union to NCAA Division III championships in 1996 and 1997 and four Ohio Athletic Conference championships. The Purple Raiders were 50-3 in his four seasons as a starter from 1994 to 1997.

The Hall of Fame released the ballot this week, and it includes 76 players and five coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 92 players and 27 coaches from the divisional ranks.

Bill Borchert (left) and his wife Erin pose with Bobby Brown at the 2009 Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame Induction. Bill Borchert and Brown were inductees. Bob Migra, The Plain Dealer 

Borchert won the 1997 Gagliardi Trophy, given to NCAA Division III's top all-around player, and was a two-time All-American.

Borchert holds several school career records. He passed for 14,482 yards and 189 touchdowns and accounted for a record 15,308 yards of total offense and 200 total TDs. He threw a school-record 63 touchdown passes in 1997.

The Holy Name graduate was inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Mount Union M-Club Hall of Fame in 2013.

He is a sales executive with IBM and lives in Richfield.

UMU quarterback Jim Ballard was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

Three Buckeyes on list: Also on the ballot are three Ohio State stars in running back Keith Byars, linebacker Tom Cousineau and fullback Jim Otis, Ashland linebacker Bill Royce and Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch, who was a Browns No. 1 draft pick

Selection process: The ballot was emailed this week to more than 12,000 National Football Foundation members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Courts, which deliberate and select the class.

The tradition of announcing the College Football Hall of Fame inductees on the Friday before the national title game does not have an impact on the induction ceremonies, which continue to take place during the NFF Awards Dinner in New York. The 2016 Class will be inducted on Dec. 6, 2016.

Rated the No. 7 offensive guard in the 2016 recruiting class, Onwenu announced via Twitter late Tuesday evening that he has decided to commit to Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines. Mark that as a Michigan victory over Ohio State.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Four-star offensive lineman Michael Onwenu of Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech was on Ohio State's campus on Sunday as he participated in Nike's Columbus regional for The Opening Camp.

A few days later he's headed to Michigan. Permanently.

Rated the No. 7 offensive guard in the 2016 recruiting class, Onwenu announced via Twitter late Tuesday evening that he has decided to commit to Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines. Mark that as a Michigan victory over Ohio State.

* How Urban Meyer and Ohio State have attacked Detroit and infiltrated Michigan pipeline Cass Tech

Cass Tech was once a pipeline to Michigan, but Urban Meyer and Ohio State infiltrated the high school powerhouse the last few years by earning signatures from four-star cornerback Damon Webb in 2014 and four-star running back Mike Weber and three-star defensive end Joshua Alabi in 2015.

However, there were some complications with Weber's signing. The day after he committed and signed with the Buckeyes, Ohio State running backs coach Stan Drayton announced he was taking a job with the NFL's Chicago Bears.

Weber was hurt by that, and Cass Tech coach Thomas Wilcher said both of them felt deceived by Ohio State.

That situation quickly blew over and everything is good with Wilcher, Weber and Ohio State, but one has to wonder if Harbaugh's presence at Michigan is going to turn the tide back in Michigan's favor. Remember, Wilcher and Harbaugh played on the same team at Michigan.

The first major Cass Tech recruit that Ohio State and Michigan battled for in the 2016 class has committed to Michigan.

Is that going to be the new trend?

LeBron James' current run to the NBA finals is as impressive as ever, and more NBA links leading up to Game 1 of NBA Finals.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- See all the headlines from Cleveland and Northern California as the Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors are only one day away from Game 1 of the 2015 NBA Finals.

Below is a collection of stories, podcasts, videos and more, broken down by content from Cleveland and content from Northern California media outlets. At the bottom is general NBA/Finals links of note.

See an interesting article or column about the NBA Finals online? We invite you to share a link to it in the comments section below.

The NBA Finals begin Thursday in Oakland, Calif., at 9 p.m. on ESPN.

cleveland.com content

X and O analysis: How LeBron James was defended by Golden State Warriors in first meeting.

LeBron James became leader he is today because he spent four years with Miami Heat, says Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto.

Cavaliers vs. Golden State in NBA Finals is almost here (finally), says Northeast Ohio Media Group columnist Bud Shaw.

Doctor Donald Goodfellow of University Hospitals shares more on knee tendinitis and what it means for Kyrie Irving.

51-year title drought nearing an end? No fan base has been more patient, more persevering, more tormented. A championship would change the group's disposition, writes NEOMG's Zack Meisel.

Charles Barkley on LeBron James: 'He's at the peak of his superpowers right now.'

Former Cavs player Delonte West opens up about how LeBron James helped to put him on the right path and saved his life.

LeBron James' supporting cast is among the worst for an NBA Finals team, an analysis by fivethirtyeight.com shows. What's your take?

Cavaliers and coach David Blatt have shown great perseverance, says Northeast Ohio Media Group columnist Bud Shaw.

Prediction from the zoo: At Akron Zoo, the mom of LeBron the jaguar picked the Cavaliers to win NBA Championship.

The season in pictures: See photographs from playoffs series against Chicago Bulls.

After seeing the movie San Andreas, Iman Shumpert joked about keeping the series in Cleveland.

Podcast: Listen as Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto discusses Cavaliers and Game 1.

Northern California content

LeBron James unfazed by the amount of versatile defenders on Golden State Warriors. (San Francisco Chronicle)

Cavs getting mostly the good out of J.R. Smith at the end of the game. (San Francisco Chronicle)

Klay Thompson is cleared to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. (San Francisco Chronicle)

Curry's alter ego destroys opponents. (San Jose Mercury News)

LeBron James saw something special in Steph Curry. (San Jose Mercury News)

Other notable NBA/Finals links

How the NBA learned to love the 3-point shot. (ESPN.com)

Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova puts hurt aside, looks to NBA Finals in a story from native Australia. (The Sydney Morning Herald)

LeBron James and the Cavaliers need to win this series for Cleveland. (Boston Globe)

LeBron vs. Steph -- on Facebook. The data team at Facebook analyzed comments and likes about the Cavs and Warriors since the playoffs began on April 18. Check out how mentions of LeBron James and Stephen Curry map out across the US. One player has a huge advantage.

Steve Nash thinks that Steph Curry is the best shooter of all time. (Bleacher Report)

Monty Williams is joining the Oklahoma City Thunder coaching staff. (SB Nation)

As of right now, the Nets do not plan on buying out Deron Williams contract. (CBS Sports)

See everything you need to know about this weekend's OHSAA baseball tournament state championships.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here is a scouting report on the Division I baseball state tournament, the only division that involves local teams. The semifinals take place on Thursday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with the championship game set for Saturday. All games will be at Huntington Park in Columbus.

DIVISION I

At Huntington Park

Where: Huntington Park: 330 Huntington Park Lane, Columbus. Call (614) 462-5250.

Semifinals: St. Ignatius (26-5) vs. Westerville Central (24-4), 10 a.m. Thursday; Aurora (22-5) vs. Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller (29-3), 1 p.m. Thursday.

Final: Winners of each game will play on Saturday, 10 a.m.

What to watch: St. Ignatius is making its 12th appearance at the state tournament as a program, most recently in 2013, with some of its current players in tow. The Wildcats got to this point by defeating rival St. Edward in the regional semifinals, 2-0 and Toledo St. Francis in the regional final, 3-1. 

St. Ignatius’ offense was really clicking as recently as May 16, defeating Brunswick 15-0 and Gilmour 13-0, but in the regional games, the Wildcats relied on stout defending and tough pitching. Shortstop Jacob Kucia, junior Dennis Grosel, catcher Alex Panstares, St. Bonaventure commit Sam Fuller and Dylan Smolen have all made spectacular defensive plays this postseason run and keep pitchers MJ Nara and Connor Adams confident in their delivery. 

Nara pitched 4 1/3 innings in last week’s regional semifinal and gave up three hits and one walk, and was consistently able to get himself out of a jam when needed. Adams, who’s left-hande, pitched a complete game in the regional final and allowed four hits, improving his season record to 7-0 with an earned run average fewer than one, according to head coach Brad Ganor.

St. Ignatius hasn’t won a title since 2002, but has had two runner-up finishes since then, in 2008 and 2013.

Westerville Central defeated Pickerington North and Powell Olentangy Liberty (the Associated Press No. 5 team) in the regional semifinal and final, respectively, to advance to its first-ever state tournament appearance. 

If Westerville is going to win the game, similarly to St. Ignatius, it’s going to be relying on pitching and defense. Pitchers Gavin Lyon (Ohio State), Daniel Kreuzer (Wright State), Nick Buchanan (Florida Southern) Nick Stone (Ashland) and Austin Sherry (Oakland, Mich.) are all viable options for Westerville, who with just two possible game remaining in the season, is going to give it all it has to be the first team from the school to win a title in baseball.

Aurora is not a traditional baseball power in Northeast Ohio, but has found some recent success, advancing to their second state tournament in the last three years, most recently in 2013. The Greenmen advanced to the state tournament with wins against Willoughby South and defending Division I state champion Massillon Jackson in the regional semifinals and finals, respectively. 

The Greenmen, like the rest of the field, have a good defense and top-notch pitching. The difference in this team is that it has two Division I prospects in the middle of the infield who can both hit and defend well. Matt Carpenter (Ohio State) and Adam Weber (Virginia) have helped each other set a school record for double plays in 2013.

On the mound for the Greenmen, A.J. Kimes and Adam Long can take Aurora deep into games without giving up much to the other team, before Carter Semancik comes in to shut the door.

If Aurora is going to win a state title or even advance past Thursday’s semifinal, it’s going to have to defeat the Associated Press No. 1 team in Division I, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller. A state championship would be the eighth for Moeller, which is making its 12th appearance at the state tournament. Head coach Tim Held will be reaching for his fourth state title. 

The Crusaders are likely the most experienced team still left playing. Seniors Josh Hollander (Kent State), Jordan Ramey (Cincinnati), Grant Macciochi (Missouri), Bailey Montoya (Dayton), Joe Vranesic (Kent State), Kyle Docks (Wright State) all have championship experience and this time of year has become something of a pastime for Moeller’s team. If it’s a close game, don’t be surprised if Moeller, which has been to state in each of the previous three seasons, knows how to will itself to a berth in the championship game or the actual title itself.

The undrafted free agent was a pleasant surprise in the Browns secondary a season ago. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - Diminutive K'Waun Williams arrived here a year ago as a rookie tryout only to prove he belonged on the field.

The defensive back's latest challenge is geared toward remaining healthy enough to stay on it.

The Pitt product was a revelation in the Browns' secondary, making plays with his quickness, surprising strength and football acumen. But a productive rookie year was compromised by a series of injuries, including a pair of concussions.

You only need to be a casual fan of the sport to realize what concern head traumas are becoming around the league. Williams, who jokes about the stigma of being an "undrafted free agent," isn't worried about the label "injury prone."

"Not so much because I go out there and (play) my heart out," said the nickel back who missed two games with a pulled hamstring, another with a concussion and was knocked out of the season finale in Baltimore with a second concussion. "It's football, injuries are going to happen, but I'm just trying to prevent them."

The 5-foot-9 Williams added eight pounds to his frame in the offseason and weighs 183 pounds. Taking care of his body has become an off-season priority, he said, with extra massages and trips to the cold tub.

His goal is to play in all 16 games, which would be a boon for a Browns secondary considered among the league's top five. Coach Mike Pettine and defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil love to deploy six and seven DBs in packages, a tactic that helped the club lead the NFL in passes defensed (99) and opponent passer rating (74.1) a season ago.

There's little question the coaching staff values Williams, discovered by Browns assistant Jeff Hafley, who recruited and coached the youngster at Pitt. The defensive back could fill a role similar to the one Isaiah Trufant played under Pettine with the Jets.

"He's one of the guys this spring that if you kind of had to rate the guys that have taken a big leap from the previous year, K'Waun is up there," Pettine said. "A lot of it's just a credit to him. He took that time from January to April. You could see he looks different physically. He's bigger, but he's leaner. He's moving better."

Pettine enjoys watching the flyweight battles between Williams and Andrew Hawkins when the receiver lines up in the slot. The 5-foot-7, 180-pound Hawkins is a difficult mark because he's so quick and shifty. Williams' fleet feet and patience, coupled with his strong hands, make him a worthy match, however.

Pro Bowl corner Joe Haden believes Williams has a promising future at the position. With Buster Skrine (Jets) lost to free agency, the Browns are counting on Williams to improve.

"He's a scrappy dude, and he makes plays (and) plays very, very physical," Haden said. "He's confident in himself, and he just knows the game. He takes coaching very well, and he's one of the best nickel backs I've ever seen. As far as playing the slot, he can get his hands on guys, and he's able to guard the Hawkinses, the (Wes) Welkers, those types of dudes that are smaller and can move inside."

Williams registered 31 tackles, eight pass breakups and one sack, while earning snaps ahead of first-round pick Justin Gilbert. He was a ProFootballFocus.com darling, ranking 13^th among all NFL corners and was rated tops among the Browns.

For a team with three Pro Bowlers in the secondary - Haden, Tashaun Gipson and Donte Whitner - Williams is a luxury rarely afforded this franchise since 1999.

The defense looks forward to running the same scheme for a second straight season and Williams has spent the offseason trying to learn the "graduate details," as Pettine calls them, while also talking to veterans such as Haden and Tramon Williams about their craft.

"You have to play with a chip on your shoulder," said the Paterson, NJ., native who grew up on the same street as Giants receiver Victor Cruz. "After every play you make the (announcers) say 'undrafted.' That's the first thing they tag you with. So, I just play with it and try to prove that anyone can make it in this league. If you have heart and you play hard you can make it on our team."

Provided you stay healthy.

There have been 11 Triple Crown winners since Sir Barton in 1919. See photos and some videos of those champions.

Phil Steele puts 11 players from Kent and Akron on one of his four All-MAC teams for 2015.

MAC 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Respected college football analyst Phil Steele has included 11 players from Akron and Kent State on one of his four preseason All-Mid-American Conference football teams for the 2015 season.

They are listed in his annual magazine, Phil Steele's College Football preview.

Kent's lone first team representative is junior safety Nate Holley. The native of Toledo ranked third in the nation in tackles per game (12.5) last season, which led the MAC.

Akron's senior linebacker Jatavis Brown, a two-time, first-team All-MAC selection, also made the first team. Brown, Akron's defensive MVP in 2013 and 2014, led the Zips with 99 tackles last season, including a team-best 64 solos, and a team-best 14.5 tackles for loss.

Kent's other safety, senior Jordan Italiano, was picked to the second team along with KSU senior punter, Anthony Melchiori. The third team included three Zips -- senior nose tackle Cody Grice, senior linebacker Darryl Monroe and junior defensive lineman Se'Von Pittman.

The fourth team had a pair of Golden Flashes, senior defensive lineman Nate Terhune and senior linebacker Matt Dellinger. The Zips had three players on the No. 4 unit -- senior offensive lineman Dylan Brumbaugh, junior defensive back Larry Hope and junior defensive lineman Jamal Marcus.

Check out a scouting report for the Division I and II boys lacrosse state semifinal games involving local teams.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here is a scouting report for the Division I and II boys lacrosse state semifinal matchups involving local teams. 

Semifinal winners advance to the state finals on Saturday in New Albany, near Columbus. 

DIVISION I

At Wooster

Where: Wooster High School, 515 Oldman Road, Wooster. Call (330) 345-4000. 

Semifinals: St. Ignatius (17-2) vs. Upper Arlington (16-5), 7 p.m.

Finals: June 6, 3:30 p.m. 

What to watch: St. Ignatius pulled off an upset to reach the state semifinals by beating Hudson, 10-8, in Saturday's regional final and now faces the daunting task of trying to beat the three-time defending state champions in Upper Arlington. 

The Wildcats effectively avenged their 12-10 loss to the Explorers early in the season and sport a 14-game winning streak entering the state final four for the second time in three years. 

Heading into today's matchup against Upper Arlington, St. Ignatius coach Pat McManamon is going with the mentality that if it's not broken, don't fix it.

"For us, it's been the same game plan for awhile," he said. "Hudson has one of the best face-off guys in the state and we had to keep them from having clean breaks and have to spend time on defense and have to work for their shots." 

McManamon felt his team got a huge lift from freshman Anthony Ameo III who won about 50 percent of his face-offs against Hudson's Chris Motter. 

Crew Cintron, who's been an offensive powerhouse for the Wildcats, scored four goals against the Explorers and will be looked upon for more production against the Golden Bears. 

Alex Maruna played a strong game, defensively, doling out some well-executed checks, according to McManamon. 

"Our team is predicated on defense," he said. "It's a matter of being in control and limiting our turnovers."

McManamon is familiar with Upper Arlington and feels his team is well-equipped for the task of getting a win although he does not underestimate the challenge the Golden Bears present. 

"They are a fantastic, well-disciplined team," he said. "I see a very similar team to us as far as size-wise and athleticism. They do don't turn the ball over. Our players need to play like they did in the Solon game where they limited themselves to five turnovers and played solid defense." 

Upper Arlington is coming off a 15-6 win against Solon in the regional finals. 

The Golden Bears are led on offense by the likes of Ben Baker, Justin Wick and Danny Logan. Baker scored six goals against Solon while Wick and Logan netted four and three, respectively. 

The winner of today's game will face either Olentangy Liberty or St. Xavier in the state championship on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at New Albany. 

DIVISION II

At Medina

Where: Medina High School, 777 E. Union St., Medina. Call (330) 636-3200. 

Semifinals: Chagrin Falls (15-3) vs. Hawken (15-4), 7 p.m.

Finals: June 6, 12:30 p.m. 

What to watch: Chagrin Falls has been tested against some of the top teams in the state and held its own. That fact combined with the team's postseason experience make the Tigers the team to beat today. 

The Tigers knocked Hawken out of the playoffs last season, beating the Hawks, 15-4, in the regional semifinals before going on to finish state runners-up. 

Of Chagrin Falls' three losses this year, two came against Division I programs currently ranked in the Top 5 in the state by LaxPower.com, those being a 9-8 loss to Solon and an 8-6 loss to Hudson. 

Griffen Stephens, Sean Mackin and TJ Subel have been key players for the Tigers all year. Stephens has 39 goals and 24 assists, Mackin has 48 goals and 15 assists and Subel has won 73 percent of his face-offs and picked up 65 ground balls while also contributing 21 goals and 15 assists on offense. 

Chagrin Falls enters the final four fresh off of an 11-4 win against Kenston in the regional finals on Saturday. 

Hawken comes into to today's game having won eight straight, including a 13-9 regional final victory against rival University School on Saturday. The win was the Hawks' first against the Preppers since 2006. 

"I've coached 125 games at Hawken and that was the sweetest win, given the circumstances," said Hawken coach Jim Scully. 

Scully said he likes the way his team has practiced this week and got some positive feedback from Hawken alums like Sam Lincoln who've come by to visit as the postseason wears on, which gives Scully even more confidence in his players as they prepare to face a team they haven't beaten since 2012. Lincoln played from the 2009 Hawks team which was the last to make the state semifinals. 

"Last year, (the Tigers) beat us 8-5 and we were proud to just hold them to eight," Scully said. "We're doing everything we can and everything we should be to play the best game that we can and I really feel good right now." 

The Hawks are led on offense by the likes of Adam Stilson who has 81 goals, two shy of a school, single-season record. Ethan Scully leads the team's defense, which has held all but three opponents to single-digit scoring figures. 

The winner of today's semifinal matchup up will take on either Toledo St. Francis or Mariemont in the state championship on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at New Albany. 

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

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

Research suggests NBA fans have little impact on distracting free-throw shooters from the visiting team, but they may have an impact on the officials. Home teams shoot more free throws during the playoffs.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - All that energy spent by NBA fans trying to distract free-throw shooters with waving hands, loud boos and thundersticks just might be a waste of time.

Their energy might better be spent trying to influence the referees to favor the home team.

Referees -- you fill in the reason -- more often send the home team to the free-throw line, I found in going through statistics for the more than 400 NBA playoff games over the last five seasons.

With fan frenzy at a peak for the start of NBA Finals 2015 on Thursday between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the question arose: Does channeling energy at opposing players while they are isolated on the free-throw line make a difference?

Almost no difference was found. Players made 75.2 percent of their free throws at home and 75.7 percent on the road. There also was almost no difference in shooting percentage on 2-point and 3-point attempts.

Where there was a difference, however, was in the number of free-throw opportunities.

• Officials sent players from the home teams to the line for 10,773 free throws, an average of 26 a game.
• Players from visiting teams took 9,593 free throws, about three fewer per game in contests where a point or two often can make a difference.

One possible explanation is that since the home team usually wins playoff games -- about 63 percent of the time -- they're more likely to be fouled by the visiting team trying to catch up. This appears to account for some of the discrepancy, but not all of it.

• In games won by the home team, the home team took 6,939 free throws and the away team took 5,812.
• In games won by the visiting team, the home team took 3,834 free throws and the away team took 3,781.

The idea that officials could be influenced by the home crowd has been studied previously. Sportswriter L. Jon Wertheim and economist Tobias J. Moskowitz authored a 2011 book: "Scorecasting: The Hidden Influences Behind How Sports are Played and Games are Won."

Among their findings: Home teams were more likely to benefit from added time in soccer games; strike zones were wider for home pitchers in baseball; and some calls favored the home team in basketball games.

Note: Individual game statistics by Sports Reference LLC were used to make the calculations.

Rich Exner is data analysis editor for the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

Chris Fedor and Dan Labbe talked with Chris Haynes about the feeling around the team going into the first game of the NBA Finals, what can be expected of Kyrie Irving and why he believes the Cavs have a chance despite being labeled underdogs. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's been eight days since the Cleveland Cavaliers reserved their spot in the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history.

All the anticipation and the buildup has led to Game 1 of the 2015 NBA Finals, which takes place Thursday night between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.

Prior to the game, Chris Fedor and Dan Labbe talked with Chris Haynes about the feeling around the team going into the series opener, what can be expected of Kyrie Irving, which under-the-radar player will have the biggest impact on the outcome and why Haynes believes the Cavs have a chance despite being labeled underdogs.

Jordan Spieth was one shot off the lead midway through the first round of The Memorial PGA Tour event at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin. Tiger Wood struggled to a one-over 73.

DUBLIN, Ohio -- Tiger Woods sprayed tee shots like a 2-year-old with a toy soaker while Jordan Spieth was steady and trailed four co-leaders by one stoke during Thursday's first round at The Memorial Tournament.

Ken Duke, Ryan Moore, Todd Brendon and Harris English finished tied for the lead 5-under 67 with about half the field still on the Muirfield Village course. Spieth was among six golfers at 68 when he finished his round.

• Click here for a live leaderboard, TV schedule and tee times.

Tiger rebounds: Woods rescued a rough start with a one-over 73.

Woods, who started on No. 10, played the back nine at four-over, including a double-bogey on No. 18. His 33 on the front nine was tour de force of scrambling. He missed 10 of 14 fairways overall. He played five holes over par and five under par.

He appeared disgusted while muttering to himself at the turn.

"I just grinded. I just grinded, that's all I did. I didn't really have much,'' he said.

Backing up: Woods continued to emphasize he is working on his swing while coming off last year's back surgery.

"I was just trying to stay committed to what we're working on, to what we're doing,'' he said. "I hit it awful, yeah. So what?

"I was going to go through this phase and stick with it, keep sticking with it. And some of the shots I hit were really, really good, but then I also had some really bad shots, too. And we need to work on that, too and omit the bad ones.''

Woods has played one tournament since the Masters and is beginning a run of five tournaments in eight weeks.

Fairly speaking: Hitting fairways, which Woods could not do, will be key to winning the tournament, according to Spieth.

"Driving the ball is key,'' Spieth said. "The fairways aren't the narrowest and they're soft right now, so they're playing pretty wide. But you really need to be in the fairway to get to any of these hole locations with the speed of the greens. Driving the ball is key and obviously leaving the ball below the hole.''

Spieth steady: Masters champion Spieth was a group behind Woods. His outstanding iron work constantly put him in good position on the greens. He one-putted his first six holes, including birdies at the par-3 14th hole and the par-4 15th. He also sank a 14-foot putt on No. 1 for his third birdie.

Tiger Woods reacts after hitting a shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the Memorial golf tournament Thursday.Darron Cummings / Associated Press 

Spieth left a 26-inch eagle putt on the lip at No. 5, then followed with another birdie at the par-3 sixth hole.

A bogey on the par-5 seventh cost him the early lead.

"I just hit a bad bunker shot,'' he said. "I was just kind of compounding bad breaks, which led to six shots on that hole, where really it should be four, and it's four from that shot on the fairway more than half the time.

"So, kind of a tough finish to swallow after such a great round of golf. But still in a good position after day one.''

Spieth, 21, is coming off a 30th place finish last week at the AT&T Byron Nelson.

Fast greens: Even with a brief morning drizzle, the greens appeared extra quick.

"The only greens that we play faster than these is Augusta, the Masters,'' Spieth said. "I enjoy trying to see more lines, kind of use more of an imagination on the greens and around the greens. I feel like it's an advantage of mine.''

Eagle edge: Moore's eagle on No. 3 propelled him to a 31 on the front nine. He put a 215-yard approach shot to within five feet of the pin and made the putt. 

Moore won the CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in November.

Grateful co-leader: Ken Duke is playing on a sponsor's exemption and responded with a 67.

"I"m very thankful (for the exemption),'' he said. "Out of 20 years, I've received a couple, and I'm very honored for that. The Nicklaus family is very special.''

Duke, 46, birdied both par-3s, including a 15-foot put on No. 16.

"No. 8 was a perfect 8-iron and I hit it (within) a couple feet,'' he said. "On 16, it was really quick and it went right in.

"The greens are really, really fast.''

Tied with Spieth: Among the early finishers, Michigan native Brian Stuard was 4-under.

"I played pretty solid,'' said Stuard, who has never won on the PGA Tour. "I hit it great off the tee. I hit my irons pretty good. And I didn't putt great. I made a couple, but I missed quite a few tees.''

Also tied at 4-under were Italy's Francesco Molinari, Pat Perez, Keegan Bradley and Justin Rose.

On the course: Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama, Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson teed off at 1:16 p.m.. Jim Fuyrk, Cleveland native Jason Dufner and last year's Memorial runner-up, Kevin Na, teed off at 1:27 p.m.

Close to home: Louisville native Justin Thomas shot a 69 and had a supportive gallery of friends and family, more of whom are scheduled to arrive this weekend.

"I don't get that very often, so I'm excited for it,'' he said.