Quantcast
Channel: Cleveland Sports News
Viewing all 53367 articles
Browse latest View live

Tuesday’s winter sports roundup: Basketball, swimming and bowling highlights

0
0

East Tech junior point guard Markell Johnson reached 1,000 points for his career and the Bedford boys basketball team needed a fourth-quarter run to earn its first victory.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – East Tech junior point guard Markell Johnson reached 1,000 points for his career and the Bedford boys basketball team needed a fourth-quarter run to earn its first victory.

Read more about those games and others from around Northeast Ohio in Tuesday’s high school sports roundup:


Boys basketball


No. 1 Garfield Heights 79, Euclid 63: Shawn Christian scored 20 points to lead the Bulldogs’ road victory. Point guard Marreon Jackson added 12 points and nine assists. Louisville commit Frankie Hughes added 18 points, six rebounds and five steals. Missouri commit Willie Jackson provided 17 points and 11 rebounds.


No. 3 Lorain 83, Elyria Catholic 69: The host Panthers led 28-22 after one quarter, but Daviere Andrews scored 25 points and Nazihar Bohannon added 20 to lead Lorain.


Down by three entering the fourth, the Titans used a 24-7 fourth quarter to win. Anfernee Smothers scored 17 points for Lorain, while Kevin Davis had 11.


Darin Guice paced Elyria Catholic, which fell to 3-1, with 21 points.


No. 6 East Tech 102, Collinwood 62: Markell Johnson needed 12 points to reach 1,000 for his career. He got 32 to lead the Scarabs’ Senate Athletic League win against Collinwood. Johnson also had eight blocks, as his career scoring total increased to 1,020.


Treal White added 14 points and Tyshaun Howard scored 12 for East Tech.


No. 7 Beachwood 57, Chagrin Falls 40: After a sluggish, eight-point first quarter, the Bison left victorious behind 21 points from Tyrone Gibson and 10 from Dassan Rhodes. Desmond Crosby and Maishe Dailey each scored eight points for Beachwood.


No. 8 Medina 66, Ashland 54: Jon Teske scored 16 points, Luke Schaefer added 15 points and Jackson Sartain had 10 to lead the Bees. Jim Daw added nine points for Medina, which led throughout.


No. 10 Bedford 53, Kenston 48: The Bearcats picked up their first victory with a 15-6 run to close the fourth quarter on the road. Lamont Rhodes scored 12 points, Tre Granger added 11 and Armond Perry had 10 for the Bearcats, who lost twice last week to open the season against No. 1 Garfield Heights and No. 9 St. Edward.


Josh Kain and C.J. Maynard led Kenston with 13 points each.


Youngstown Ursuline 71, No. 16 Archbishop Hoban 67: Less than a week after its state championship win in football, Hoban fell on the road to open its basketball season. The Knights led after a 22-14 second quarter before Ursuline closed out the win late. Anthony Christian and Collen Gurley each scored 19 points for Hoban.


No. 19 Benedictine 92, Brush 53: The Bengals jumped out to a 55-21 lead at halftime. Justin Layne scored a game-high 21 points, Justin Sylver added 14 and Marlon Moore provided 10. Ten players scored for Benedictine.


Rob Bearden led Brush with 19 points and freshman D.J. Dial added 11. No Benedictine stats were available.


No. 20 Ellet 57, Tallmadge 51: The Orangemen won at home to improve to 3-0.


No. 22 North Olmsted 50, Westlake 44: Josh Hufstetler’s game-high 21 points paced North Olmsted, which rallied at home after an early 17-11 deficit.


No. 23 Strongsville 77, Rocky River 66: The Mustangs improved to 4-0 as Sean Aske’s 20 points led the way on the road. Jacob Yezbak added 15 points and Bernie McGivern added 13 for Strongsville.



  • Orange 71, No. 24 Perry 59: Mark Belle scored 26 points, Jaylan Hewitt added 15, and Orange won an early Chagrin Valley Conference game at home. Jackson Burdyshaw led the Pirates with 18 points.


Andrews Osborne Academy 74, New Day Academy 66: Three players scored at least 20 points to lead Andrews Osborne. Arturo Sanchez supplied 26, Enrique Gil-Garcia scored 23 and Te’John Chapman added 20.


Avon 53, Midview 48 (OT): An 11-point overtime pushed the Eagles at home. They rallied from deficits of 10 at halftime and eight to start the fourth quarter.


Berea-Midpark 69, Amherst 64: The Titans pulled back to .500 and won their first Southwestern Conference game this season while holding off a fourth-quarter Amherst rally. Chad Elliott scored 22 points, and Brett Swinnerton added 16 for Berea-Midpark. Casey McConihe led the Comets with 22 points.


Berkshire 70, Cardinal 54: Jarett Smetana’s 28 points led the Badgers on the road. Craig Kaser paced Cardinal with 13 points.


Buckeye 66, Fairview 43: Nathan Polidori scored 18 points, Liam Murray added 17, and the Bucks cruised at home. Jared Butler led Fairview with 19 points.


Cornerstone Christian 64, Twinsburg 59: Cornerstone rallied from a 19-9 first quarter deficit at home.


Cuyahoga Falls 62, Normandy 61 (OT): Four players scored in double figures for Cuyahoga Falls, which won on the road and overcame Seth Norton’s 21 points for Normandy.


Cuyahoga Heights 39, Richmond Heights 32: Brett Lowther scored 14 points, and Cuyahoga Heights jumped out to a 14-1 lead.


Gilmour 59, Chardon 51: Gilmour rode big second and third quarters to win at home.


Harvey 78, West Geauga 66: Harvey opened with a 23-3 first quarter and held off the visiting Wolverines.


Hawken 49, Independence 39: Hawken used a strong defensive first quarter to win at home. Hugh Brown scored 12 points and Cam Mazzone added 11 to lead Hawken.


Hudson 61, Maple Heights 53: The Explorers overcame a five-point first quarter at home.


John Marshall 58, Cleveland JFK 57: The Lawyers’ Quentin Williams hit a late jumper and stole an inbounds pass to seal a home win. Patrick McNeal scored 25 points to lead John Marshall. Montez Day led JFK with 21 points.


Lake Catholic 60, Willoughby South 53: Connor Fitzgerald scored 14 points, Joe Meola added 12 and Marty Caja had 10, as Lake Catholic pulled away in the fourth quarter. Jaylen Jenkins led Willoughby South with 15 points.


Lakewood 59, Avon Lake 58: The Rangers rallied from an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit to win at home. Logan Swift scored 20 points to lead Lakewood and teammate Eddie Khawam added 11. Logan Good led Avon Lake with 16 points.


Lakewood trailed for most of the game until Jack Witri’s 3-pointer with 11 seconds left.


Lutheran East 96, Community Christian 39: The Falcons picked up their second win in convincing fashion, four days after a 16-point loss at top-ranked Garfield Heights.


Mayfield 78, Solon 71: The Wildcats overcame a six-point first-quarter deficit and four Comets in double figures to win on the road. Sincere Carry led Solon with 18 points. No Mayfield stats were available.


Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 63, Madison 49: Despite a five-point second quarter, NDCL won at home. Three players scored in double figures for NDCL, as Tyler Sabath had 15, Brendan Leininger provided 14 and Mark Kostelac added 13. Vince Primer’s 19 points led Madison.


Parma 62, Revere 54: Parma overcame an 18-9 first-quarter deficit and 21 points by Revere’s Teddy Hughes to win at home. Ray Mercado scored 15 points and Nicasio Agosto had 14 to lead Parma.


Olmsted Falls 53, North Ridgeville 46: The Bulldogs remained in first place of the SWC standings with North Olmsted, as Kevin Meehan scored 22 points to lead the way. Isa Abdul-Alim led North Ridgeville with 19 points.


Stow 54, Kent Roosevelt 38: Nathan Bower-Malone scored 13 points to lead the Bulldogs. Dean Gray had 13 points, and Christian Mehlmann added 11 for Roosevelt.


Girls basketball


Glenville 78, Max Hayes 5: Lawrence Nelson scored 21 points, Marlece Adams added 16 and four Glenville players scored in double figures.


Community Christian 54, Lutheran East 49: Maddie Markovich’s 27 points led Community Christian on the road. Darla Allen added 13 for Community Christian, while Darjanay Edwards led Lutheran East with 19 points. Jazmyne Darby added 15 for the Falcons.


John Adams 56, Lincoln West 26: John Adams jumped out to a 13-3 first-quarter lead.


John Hay 79, Whitney Young 6: Angel Cannon’s 26 points led John Hay at home.


Rhodes 43, Martin Luther King Jr. 42: Evelyn Kelly scored 13 points and Tyiesha Jackson added 11 to lift Rhodes.


Boys swimming


Madison 99, Cleveland Heights 67: Madison won on the road.


Girls swimming


Hathaway Brown 202, Gilmour 145: Hathaway Brown put together a victory at home.


Madison 124, Cleveland Heights 54: Madison won on the road, as Erika Koleno won in the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly. Emma Balish took the 50 free and 100 backstroke, while Meghan Sill won the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke.


Bowling


Willoughby South 2,653, Mayfield 2,179: Sam Niemczura rolled a 537 in two games, Dean Vargo completed a 456 and Kaylee Cooper had a 400. Quinn Weber’s 389 led Mayfield, and South won three of four baker games.


North Olmsted 2,485, Cleveland Heights 1,484: The Eagles won away from their home alley.


How your team can be included in these roundups


These roundups are based on box scores and game notes entered in cleveland.com’s database by school or team representatives. If your team is not participating in the box score program please contact your athletic director or coach and encourage them to do so. They can obtain instructions and database login information from High School Sports Manager Kristen Davis at kdavis@cleveland.com.


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


Statewide boys basketball scores for Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015

0
0

Here are Tuesday's boys basketball scores from around Ohio.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here are Tuesday's boys basketball scores from around Ohio:

Akr. Coventry 69, Mogadore Field 52


Akr. Firestone 81, Akr. East 54


Albany Alexander 63, Bidwell River Valley 21


Amherst Steele 69, Berea-Midpark 64


Ashtabula Edgewood 49, Hubbard 37


Avon 53, Grafton Midview 48


Beachwood 57, Chagrin Falls 40


Bedford 53, Chagrin Falls Kenston 48


Bellaire 86, Shadyside 58


Bellefontaine Benjamin Logan 73, Spring. Kenton Ridge 66


Belmont Union Local 68, Barnesville 50


Belpre 77, Reedsville Eastern 68, 2OT


Berlin Hiland 84, Newcomerstown 54


Bloom-Carroll 57, Circleville Logan Elm 55


Botkins 64, Houston 51


Brooke, W.Va. 69, Wintersville Indian Creek 43


Brookfield 53, Youngs. Liberty 52, 2OT


Burton Berkshire 70, Middlefield Cardinal 54


Byesville Meadowbrook 51, Zanesville Rosecrans 49


Cadiz Harrison Cent. 59, Richmond Edison 57


Caldwell 56, Lore City Buckeye Trail 35


Carlisle 51, Monroe 42


Carrollton 65, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley 61


Castalia Margaretta 63, Norwalk St. Paul 50


Chardon NDCL 63, Madison 49


Chesapeake 69, Saint Joseph Central, W.Va. 61


Chillicothe 61, Greenfield McClain 39


Cin. La Salle 47, Cin. NW 41


Cin. Oak Hills 67, Fairfield 45


Cin. Purcell Marian 58, Day. Carroll 49


Cin. Walnut Hills 45, Cin. Glen Este 27


Cin. Winton Woods 70, Cin. St. Xavier 65


Cle. Cent. Cath. 68, Parma Hts. Holy Name 58


Cle. E. Tech 102, Cle. Collinwood 62


Cle. Hts. Lutheran E. 96, Christian Community School 39


Cols. Briggs 48, Cols. Eastmoor 45


Cols. Centennial 74, Cols. Beechcroft 61


Cols. DeSales 55, Johnstown-Monroe 50


Cols. Mifflin 73, Cols. International 53


Cols. Northland 79, Cols. Whetstone 37


Cols. South 78, Cols. Africentric 67


Cols. St. Charles 61, Pataskala Watkins Memorial 45


Cols. Walnut Ridge 78, Cols. Marion-Franklin 52


Copley 59, Alliance 53


Cornerstone Christian 64, Twinsburg 59


Crooksville 52, Philo 43


Crown City S. Gallia 73, Stewart Federal Hocking 49


Cuyahoga Hts. 39, Richmond Hts. 31


Day. Chaminade Julienne 51, Hamilton Badin 38


Day. Miami Valley 47, Franklin Middletown Christian 39


Day. Oakwood 51, Waynesville 39


Day. Thurgood Marshall 68, Centerville 41


Delta 49, Pettisville 36


Dover 64, Marietta 37


Dresden Tri-Valley 75, New Lexington 26


Dublin Coffman 54, Thomas Worthington 34


Dublin Jerome 68, Westerville N. 57


E. Palestine 66, N. Jackson Jackson-Milton 33


Fairfield Christian 66, Newark Cath. 65, OT


Franklin 60, Lewisburg Tri-County N. 44


Gahanna Cols. Academy 52, W. Jefferson 36


Gahanna Lincoln 60, Reynoldsburg 57


Gates Mills Gilmour 59, Chardon 51


Gates Mills Hawken 49, Independence 39


Genoa Area 62, Kansas Lakota 28


Glouster Trimble 61, Wahama, W.Va. 43


Goshen 58, Batavia 50


Grove City Christian 45, Fredericktown 36


Groveport-Madison 54, Lancaster 43


Hamilton 66, Cin. Princeton 60


Hamilton Ross 37, Trenton Edgewood 34


Hilliard Bradley 63, Westerville Cent. 45


Hilliard Darby 57, Canal Winchester 39


Hilliard Davidson 59, Galloway Westland 45


Holland Springfield 72, Tol. Bowsher 66


Hudson 61, Maple Hts. 53


Ironton St. Joseph 69, Ironton Rock Hill 57


Kalida 48, Pandora-Gilboa 33


LaGrange Keystone 53, Oberlin 37


Lakewood 59, Avon Lake 58


Lancaster Fairfield Union 50, Cols. Hamilton Twp. 36


Lewis Center Olentangy 70, Cols. Franklin Hts. 37


Lewis Center Olentangy Orange 61, Mt. Vernon 41


Liberty Twp. Lakota E. 73, Cin. Colerain 41


Lima Sr. 67, Tol. St. John's 66


Linsly, W.Va. 79, Bellaire St. John 51


Lorain 83, Elyria Cath. 69


Lorain Clearview 76, Sullivan Black River 64


Louisville Aquinas 59, Dalton 52


Loveland 61, Cin. Turpin 45


Lowellville 70, Hanoverton United 38


Lucasville Valley 41, Beaver Eastern 40


Lynchburg-Clay 82, W. Union 49


Malvern 55, W. Lafayette Ridgewood 42


Manchester 63, Leesburg Fairfield 57


Marysville 52, Powell Olentangy Liberty 43


Mason 58, Cin. Sycamore 42


Massillon Washington 59, Can. South 53


Mayfield 78, Solon 71


McArthur Vinton County 83, Athens 48


Medina 66, Ashland 54


Medina Buckeye 66, Fairview 43


Mentor Lake Cath. 60, Willoughby S. 53


Miamisburg 65, Bellbrook 47


Milan Edison 86, Attica Seneca E. 57


Mineral Ridge 81, Columbiana Crestview 38


N. Olmsted 50, Westlake 44


New Albany 56, Delaware Hayes 37


New Carlisle Tecumseh 71, Lewistown Indian Lake 65


New Concord John Glenn 105, Zanesville W. Muskingum 44


Newark 74, Grove City 41


Newton Falls 89, Southington Chalker 60


Norton 81, Lodi Cloverleaf 35


Oak Hill 61, Willow Wood Symmes Valley 34


Olmsted Falls 53, N. Ridgeville 46


Orange 71, Perry 59


Oregon Stritch 38, Tol. Emmanuel Baptist 25


Orrville 62, Smithville 48


Oxford Talawanda 74, Eaton 73


Painesville Harvey 78, Chesterland W. Geauga 66


Parma 62, Richfield Revere 54


Peninsula Woodridge 57, Streetsboro 51


Pitsburg Franklin-Monroe 55, Milton-Union 46


Pomeroy Meigs 76, Wellston 39


Raceland, Ky. 55, Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant 48


Ravenna 45, Akr. Springfield 41


Ridgeway Ridgemont 71, Ada 52


Rittman 69, Kidron Cent. Christian 52


Riverside Stebbins 76, Spring. Greenon 50


Russia 51, Anna 36


S. Webster 66, Franklin Furnace Green 39


St. Bernard Roger Bacon 75, Kettering Alter 69


Stow-Munroe Falls 54, Kent Roosevelt 38


Strongsville 77, Rocky River 66


Thornville Sheridan 58, McConnelsville Morgan 53


Tiffin Calvert 71, Gibsonburg 65


Tiffin Columbian 72, Bowling Green 67


Tipp City Tippecanoe 59, St. Paris Graham 33


Tol. Ottawa Hills 55, Northwood 31


Tol. Whitmer 42, Tol. St. Francis 31


Troy 54, Fairborn 53


Tuscarawas Cent. Cath. 55, Magnolia Sandy Valley 40


Urbana 65, Spring. Shawnee 42


Versailles 81, Ansonia 23


Vincent Warren 68, Beverly Ft. Frye 54


W. Alexandria Twin Valley S. 49, Germantown Valley View 39


W. Chester Lakota W. 64, Middletown 43


Wapakoneta 71, Piqua 54


Warren Harding 70, Austintown Fitch 57


Washington C.H. 76, Lees Creek E. Clinton 48


Waterford 74, Racine Southern 38


Westerville S. 78, Dublin Scioto 32


Wickliffe 67, Geneva 54


Williamsburg 50, Georgetown 43


Wilmington 81, Washington C.H. Miami Trace 47


Wooster Triway 59, Canal Fulton Northwest 55


Yellow Springs 73, Xenia Christian 44


Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley 45, Strasburg-Franklin 43

Statewide girls basketball scores for Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015

0
0

Here are Tuesday's girls basketball scores from around Ohio.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here are Tuesday's girls basketball scores from around Ohio:

Antwerp 56, Pioneer N. Central 38


Bellevue 69, Norwalk 56


Brookville 40, New Paris National Trail 25


Bucyrus 50, Sycamore Mohawk 42


Caledonia River Valley 67, Galion Northmor 61


Carey 69, Bucyrus Wynford 45


Celina 45, Coldwater 32


Centerburg 62, Worthington Christian 56


Chillicothe Huntington 45, Chillicothe Zane Trace 41


Cin. Gamble Montessori 54, Cin. SCPA 26


Cin. McAuley 58, Cin. Mercy 46


Cin. Shroder 61, Cin. Woodward 15


Cle. Glenville 78, Cle. Max Hayes 5


Cle. Hay 79, Cle. Whitney Young 6


Cle. John Adams 56, Cle. Lincoln W. 26


Cols. Africentric 100, Cols. South 11


Cols. Centennial 84, Cols. Beechcroft 32


Cols. Grandview Hts. 55, Gahanna Cols. Academy 42


Cols. Linden McKinley 69, Cols. East 30


Cols. Northland 65, Cols. Whetstone 48


Cols. Walnut Ridge 93, Cols. Marion-Franklin 12


Cols. Wellington 58, Millersport 17


Columbus Grove 68, Hamler Patrick Henry 34


Day. Chaminade Julienne 53, Kettering Fairmont 40


Defiance 45, Archbold 35


Delta 52, W. Unity Hilltop 47


Dola Hardin Northern 72, Mansfield Temple Christian 19


Elmore Woodmore 48, Pemberville Eastwood 38


Fostoria St. Wendelin 60, Old Fort 57


Ft. Recovery 45, Maria Stein Marion Local 31


Genoa Area 61, Bloomdale Elmwood 37


Gorham Fayette 69, Edgerton 32


Hilliard Darby 38, Canal Winchester 37


Hilliard Davidson 53, Galloway Westland 46


Holland Springfield 53, Metamora Evergreen 49


Lancaster Fisher Cath. 28, Corning Miller 17


Marion Pleasant 79, Sparta Highland 39


McComb 38, New Riegel 32


McGuffey Upper Scioto Valley 60, Kenton 46


Milton-Union 52, Day. Northridge 28


Montpelier 48, Edon 33


Mt. Notre Dame 58, Ursuline Academy 44


New Albany 60, Delaware Hayes 32


New Hope Christian 41, Cols. School for Girls 35


Newton Local 51, Casstown Miami E. 46


Piketon 51, Chillicothe Unioto 46


Powell Olentangy Liberty 62, Marysville 46


Rossford 50, Fostoria 38


Sandusky 47, Mansfield Madison 40


Shelby 47, Ontario 42


Sherwood Fairview 48, Continental 45


Southeastern 71, Bainbridge Paint Valley 40


Spencerville 44, Van Wert 28


St. Marys Memorial 44, Delphos St. John's 41


Sylvania Northview 71, Tol. St. Ursula 28


Upper Sandusky 61, New Washington Buckeye Cent. 44


Wapakoneta 56, Harrod Allen E. 17


Westerville N. 46, Dublin Jerome 42


Westerville S. 49, Dublin Scioto 33


Whitehouse Anthony Wayne 45, Wauseon 29


Williamsport Westfall 51, Frankfort Adena 37


Worthington Kilbourne 63, Sunbury Big Walnut 37

Ohio State basketball: Daniel Giddens misses second straight game as hamstring issue pops up

0
0

The Buckeyes freshman center missed his second straight game on Tuesday night. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State freshman center Daniel Giddens missed his second straight game on Tuesday night, this time for a hamstring issue that's been bothering him since the Buckeyes loss to Virginia last week.

Giddens also missed last Saturday's game against VMI, but that was because he was dealing with flu-like symptoms the week leading up to it. He wasn't even on the Buckeyes bench for that game.

On Tuesday he spent the entirety of Ohio State's 74-50 win over Air Force on the bench in a warmup suit. The Buckeyes didn't need him, and after the game Thad Matta made it sound like it was more precautionary than anything.

"He's got a little bit of a hamstring issue. We don't want it to linger, so we made an executive decision today that we would hold him out again," Matta said. "Hopefully we get him back sooner than later."

As it stands now, it's nothing serious. Though Giddens' availability for Saturday's game at UConn is not known.

The fear with an injury like this is that it lingers and slows a guy like Giddens, who's shown he plays with a high motor and a lot of energy. Matta wouldn't have to think back very far to remember a nagging groin injury sidelining center Anthony Lee for a big chunk of last season.

We've seen this on the football side of things, too, with Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore being sideline by nagging hamstring issues before this season. That's not to say all hamstring issues are the same, but holding Giddens out was the plan in the hopes that his injury can heal and get him ready for a stretch that has Ohio State playing against UConn and Kentucky in the next 11 days.

Until Giddens returns, Ohio State will be without a player who is averaging 5.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, and had started at center against Louisiana Tech, Memphis and Virginia before missing time. Giddens is seventh in the country and first in the Big Ten in blocks per game with 3.33.

"I don't know if you guys have noticed this, but he has a little bit different body than most of us," Matta said. "When you have a body like that, these things can linger a little bit more.

"We're trying to be as precautionary as we possibly can. This type of injury could lend itself to being around Christmas, and it's still hampering him. (Trainer) Vince (O'Brien) has been working on him twice a day. He was dressed tonight, but we didn't want to use him."

No. 5 Central Catholic boys basketball knocks off No. 11 Holy Name, 68-58

0
0

Tervell Beck scores team-high 31 points as Central Catholic boys basketball knocks off Holy Name, 68-58.


PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio – If there’s one thing Central Catholic's boys basketball team learned and took with it from last year's Division II state finals loss, it’s confidence.


It’s that same confidence growing in the eyes and heart of senior star Tervell Beck, who led the way for the Ironmen on Tuesday in a 68-58 win over host Holy Name.


Pinned against each other in an early cleveland.com Top 25 matchup of former conference rivals, first-year coach Jordan Duke knew it was going to be a battle for both sides.


“Playing down here in Holy Name it’s always a great game,” said Duke, whose team is ranked fifth by cleveland.com. “They always play well and are coached well, and we knew coming in it was going to be a grinder.”


Fresh off its second straight win against Bay on Friday, No. 11 Holy Name (2-1) held tough early, closing out the first quarter on a buzzer beating three-pointer from sophomore Sean Hickey a step inside half court to tie the game as time expired.


The Ironmen defense had other ideas however, stepping up big to hold the Green Wave to just five second quarter points, taking a 32-23 lead into halftime.


“We just tried to stay with our game plan, which was to hit the post,” Duke said. “We got away with it in the beginning, but then we went back to it toward the end.”


Enter Beck, the 6-foot-7 forward who scored 18 of his team-high 31 points in the second half to send Central Catholic (2-0) to another hard fought victory.


“He’s a special talent,” Duke said. “Right now we’re working on him becoming more and more of a leader. On past teams he’s always had senior leadership, so this is his year, this is his team. He’s becoming a great leader and a great leader on the floor, that’s what we need out of him on a nightly basis.”


On the other side, Holy Name sophomore standout Dwayne Cohill almost matched Beck on the floor, trying anything to ignite his team and scoring 25 points.


Pushing through adversity in another hard fought battle, Duke likes what he sees from his team so far.


“It’s doing nothing but giving them confidence to be able to play at this level,” he said. “They have confidence in themselves right now and we just want to ride this thing into Friday in our first conference game. We still have a lot to work on, but it’s a long season.”


Duke and the Ironmen host No. 21 Villa Angela-St. Joseph (2-0) on Friday, while Holy Name looks to rebound in a big game on the road against 3-1 Elyria Catholic.


Jim Berdysz is a freelancer from Cleveland.

Cavaliers third quarter lineup change makes difference and dominance against the West continues: Fedor's five observations

0
0

Following the team's shootaround, LeBron James spoke about taking the right approach heading into Tuesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Following the team's shootaround, LeBron James spoke about taking the right approach heading into Tuesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Cavs had a few days off to recover from a tough back-to-back against New Orleans and Miami over the weekend and were looking to snap their three-game losing streak.

They were rested while the Blazers were in the midst of a lengthy road trip, playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

Those circumstances certainly favored the Cavs -- at least they should have.

Instead, the Blazers stormed out to a 19-6 edge midway through the first quarter and extended their lead to 18 points at one point in the first half. It didn't look promising. But thanks to James' excellence, David Blatt's lineup switch and a furious second half rally -- fueled by their suffocating defense -- the Cavs rallied and picked up their largest come-from-behind win since Nov. 14, 2014 against the Boston Celtics.

Here are five observations from the 105-100 win:

Second quarter surge - The Blazers were making it look easy on offense. Scoring inside and outside, they were shooting nearly 60 percent from the field and their dazzling backcourt tandem -- C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard -- was controlling the game.

With 4:41 remaining in the first half, the Blazers had just extended their lead to a game-high 18 points. The Cavs looked sluggish and perplexed, on the verge of heading into the locker room facing a steep deficit.

Then the game turned.

An 18-9 sprint cut the lead to 56-47, a much more manageable deficit, and gave the Cavs momentum heading to the locker room.

"You approach every possession as your last and you just try to get a couple of timely stops, try to finish out the quarter the right way," James said. "I think we did that in the second quarter. It gave us a better feeling going into halftime."

During that run, James scored or assisted on four of the five made buckets. He scored nine of his team-high 33 in the final 3:34 of the first half to keep his team alive.

"It was very important, I felt," Blatt said about the late-quarter surge. "We'll look at the second half and we'll say, yeah, what a great second half we played -- 58-44 -- and defending on every possession and doing the right things on offense, taking care of the ball, getting good shots, Bron making big plays for himself and others and other guys making big plays -- Kevin doing a great job, as he did at the five tonight for good parts of the game. But really I felt that what really kind of gave us a chance to win that game was the fact that at the end of the second quarter we locked in. We made a minor run. We got ourselves into the game and gave ourselves a little hope. And I really thought that was critical."

It started on the defensive end, as the Cavs began contesting shots at the rim, especially James, who had one jaw-dropping swat against McCollum that caused the crowd to erupt.

As has been the case a lot this season, the Cavs defense helped fuel the offense. 

"That gave us confidence going into the second half," Love said. "We just dialed in on the defensive end and got stuff going on the offensive end by picking up the pace, getting good shots and just came out in the third quarter and hit first."

Blatt's lineup call - When the Cavs emerged from the locker room, ready to begin the third quarter, center Timofey Mozgov yanked off his warmups, ready to go into the game.

But Blatt, unhappy with the way the first half went, especially on the defensive end, made a lineup change.

"This was a particular kind of game with a very particular kind of matchup," Blatt said. "And if you get on top of it, or ahead of the pack so to speak with your lineup, then you can afford to stay bigger and perhaps heavier and slower and work the game that way. We did not. We went down. We went down significantly. We had to do something to shake it up. Timo is getting better physically. He's practicing better. He's working hard. No problems now from that standpoint.

"We just played the lineup that we had to play in order to win that game. That's what you got to do sometimes and maybe it's not exactly how you want to do it or even comfortable for somebody, but you got to play to win and you got to play the lineup that you think you can win with. We've done it with other guys than Timo. And he's just got to keep working and keep improving himself and get back to where he was."

Mozgov put his head down, walked back to his cushioned seat on the Cavs bench and didn't see the court for the remainder of the game.

Blatt went to a smaller lineup, electing to start Jared Cunningham, hoping to matchup better with the Portland backcourt.

"They have terrific perimeter players that can do things off the dribble," Blatt said. "They can catch and shoot. They move without the basketball. They are athletic and quick and really challenge you. Both in a team framework and in terms of their ability to play 1-on-1 and break you down, score, create for somebody else. Jared is a guy that can defend people and we needed his intensity, his 1-on-1 defending capability to slow those guys down a little bit."

Blatt's new lineup, one that hadn't been used this season, worked.

The Cavs bewildered Portland, forcing it into nine third quarter turnovers, one more than the entire first half.

"The sense of urgency," Blatt said of the change. "I thought we really defended extremely well throughout. We competed on every play. And we needed to because that's a good team and that's an excellent offensive team with those guards that they have that can make the plays the way that they did and the shots that they do."

Love the aggressor - Blatt's lineup move also seemed to help Love, who switched to the "five" in the smaller lineup.

"Not much," Love said about his work at center this season. "But when we want to mix up lineups that's something that we will go to. We've done that a couple of times in the first 20 or 21 games here so depending on how we want to match up, go small, play LeBron at the four or five, we will do that."

After a quiet first half, scoring eight points, grabbing three rebounds in 15 minutes and getting exposed on the defensive end, Love went inside and got to the free throw line, helping ignite a personal 10-point quarter.

"I was aggressive," he said. "Didn't necessarily show up in the rebounding category but I got myself in the paint and got a lot good looks. Thought in the first half I got a lot of good shots, but it was just defensively, one through five, needed to pick it up and at the end of the second quarter we did that."

Love had struggled mightily during Cleveland's three-game losing streak, averaging 9.3 points on 10-of-36 (27.7 percent) from the field, including 0-for-12 from three-point range. But bounced back Tuesday, scoring 18 points on 5-of-12 from the field, including 6-of-8 from the free throw line.

He played all 12 minutes of the third quarter, helping Cleveland take a two-point lead into the final period.

"It was noticeable," Blatt said of Love's aggressiveness. "Kev was just really engaged at both ends and really competed and look, Kev's a critical player for us and we need him to play well and to play as hard as he played tonight. It was an important factor in the game."

Cunningham carving his niche - Cunningham arrived to Cavs' training camp just hoping for a shot. With Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert sidelined due to injury, the Cavs were looking for help in their backcourt.

A few months ago, I can't imagine anyone in the Cavs organization believing Cunningham would make a significant contribution, but he put his mark on Tuesday's win.

"If you're a young player or if you're a player that doesn't normally get a lot of minutes or is looking for a chance to play, you go out there and you defend your man and you hold your ground, then you're going to earn minutes," Blatt said. "And he's playing because he earned minutes because he was able to do those things for us. And I think that's a very positive thing."

Cunningham scored seven points on 2-of-3 from the field, hardly an impressive box score. But that doesn't begin to show his impact.

"Jared was awesome tonight," Love said. "Played 34 minutes and he did a lot of great things, things that didn't show up in the stat sheet. We have a lot of guys on the team that do that."

The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Cunningham found himself in the middle of Cleveland's third quarter run, playing all 12 minutes and taking on the challenge against Lillard while also switching onto McCollum. 

"Definitely hard," Cunningham said of the matchup. "When you have elite guards out there, two of the guys on the other team like tonight, but you just have to keep going every play and keep going through, fighting, just playing with a lot of energy."

Energy is exactly what he brought, earning him a spot in Blatt's closing lineup, getting those late-game minutes instead of J.R. Smith, who spent the entire fourth quarter watching Cunningham pile a career-high minute total.

"It's definitely encouraging," Cunningham said. "It's kind of tiring, too, knowing my situation and being up and down. All I can do is just go out there and give them the most, contribute to this team and help us get a win we needed tonight."

That's going to be Cunningham's role for the Cavs, especially as Shumpert continues to recover from surgery on his right wrist. He's not Shumpert, of course. I mean, Lillard (33) and McCollum (24) combined for 57 points. But he has the length, speed and athleticism just like Shumpert, and those traits help Cleveland show off its versatility on the perimeter. 

"Definitely," he said about his niche as a defender. "If that's what they need from me, my ability to do that and do that at a high level if that's what they need I think I can be great at that."

There's no telling what Cunningham's role will be moving forward, but he understands how each game presents a different opportunity.

Take Saturday for instance.

It was a blowout in Miami, the most embarrassing performance of the season. Love was a no-show. The same goes for a number of other players. But Cunningham, fighting for his NBA life, was one of the few players that gave an effort. He played 32 hard-fought minutes in the loss, performing well and getting Blatt's attention after playing two combined minutes in the previous four games.

The playing time against the Heat -- that others seemed to be taking for granted -- earned him another shot against Portland. He made the most of it. 

Taking it personal - LeBron has spoken about how the Eastern Conference has been viewed recently and didn't shy away from the question prior to Tuesday's game against Portland, a borderline playoff contender in the West.

"It's a very good team coming out of the West in our building," he said. "We take this whole Eastern Conferece-Western Conference thing real seriously in our league. We've got to hold up our end of the bargain."

The Cavs have.

Tuesday's win marked the third this year against the West, improving their record to 3-1 and 17-2 in their last 19 regular season games against the stronger conference. That includes 10 straight at The Q.

"I think certainly in our time here the last couple of years we have shown that we're pretty competitive against Western Conference teams," Blatt said. "If you look at this year's records between Eastern Conference and Western Conference teams, minus a couple of teams at the bottom, you'll see that the East stacks up favorably. You should take pride in that. I understand exactly where (LeBron) is coming from. I don't know that's the No. 1 priority but I certainly see that as something there's value in considering."

LeBron James' 33 points anchors Cleveland Cavaliers to 105-100 win over Portland Trail Blazers to end losing streak

0
0

The Cavaliers, with the help of LeBron James' 33 points, defeated the Trail Blazers 105-100 Tuesday evening at The Q.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Once again the Cleveland Cavaliers dug themselves an unnecessary hole, but eventually climbed out in time to end their three-game losing skid.

The Cavaliers, while sporting their alternative black-sleeved jerseys, defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 105-100, Tuesday evening at The Q.

LeBron James led Cleveland (14-7) with 33 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocks in 41 minutes. The four-time MVP scored 14 of his points in the final 12 minutes.

After a 2-for-11 performance that equated to five points in Miami, Kevin Love had a solid outing with 18 points and four boards. Matthew Dellavedova supplied 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting to go with three assists. Mo Williams added 13 points off the bench.

Slow before things picked up

Despite not playing since Saturday, the Cavaliers still started slowly. Portland (9-14) was playing its second game in as many nights and looked like the fresher team.

The Trail Blazers jumped out to a 19-6 start. They connected on eight of their first 10 field goal attempts and held the Cavaliers to 17 first-quarter points, which tied their lowest opening quarter of the season.

The first quarter and a half for Cleveland was filled with missed layups, defensive breakdowns, balls being inadvertently kicked out of bounds and casual effort. Before you knew it, Portland had a 47-29 advantage with 4:41 remaining in the half.

The onlookers were baffled. It has been a disturbing trend.

Damian Lillard, who had 33 points and and C.J. McCollum, who put in 24, got the shots they wanted off pick-and-roll action. Cleveland's defense failed to rotate over properly to eliminate those open looks.

The frustration was evident on the faces of the Eastern Conference champs. Lillard and McCollum made them pay. James had seen enough. He scored nine points to help the Cavaliers close the half on an 18-9 run to trim the lead to nine.

The momentum had shifted. Then a strategic move reinforced it.

To begin the third quarter, head coach David Blatt used a small-ball lineup by removing Timofey Mozgov and inserting Jared Cunningham, who was playing phenomenal defense in the second quarter.

Portland struggled against the heightened defensive pressure. They had trouble getting into the offense and struggled to make routine passes. The Cavaliers forced nine Trail Blazers turnovers in the quarter. On the other side of the ball, Love recorded 10 points in the period to help the Cavaliers take a two-point lead heading into the fourth.

There was very little doubt the Cavaliers would let a young Trail Blazer squad out-execute them down the stretch. One night after failing to make key last-minute plays in a loss in Milwaukee, Portland couldn't fully reverse their second-half issues against Cleveland.

Dellavedova, who finished with 17 points and three 3-pointers, tossed seven-footer Mason Plumlee to the hardwood late in the fourth quarter, earning a Flagrant 1 foul. Despite giving up two free throws, that toughness is what was absent in the first half.

Portland made the game interesting by cutting the deficit to three with two seconds left, but two Mo Williams free throws ended any suspense. Mozgov did not play the entire second half. In seven minutes, the big man had all zeros on his box score.

The Cavaliers showed resolve, but an 18-point first-half deficit made this one far more difficult than it should have been.

On deck

The Cavaliers' next pair of games is on the road beginning with Orlando on Friday at 7 p.m., followed by Boston on Tuesday.

Should the Cleveland Indians deal a starting pitcher? Examining the pros and cons (video)

0
0

Should the Indians opt to send one of their starters packing, how much would the rotation suffer? Indians reporters Paul Hoynes and Zack Meisel discuss the pros and cons of dealing a starting pitcher. Watch video

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Chris Antonetti reiterated on Tuesday that the Indians would have to be blown away to deal a starting pitcher.

"We're not looking to trade any of these guys at all," Antonetti, the Tribe's president of baseball operations said. "That's not something that we're motivated to do. But, again, for any player, there's a right value where it would make sense. So, our criteria would be, 'Does it make us a better team in 2016 and beyond?' All of those guys are very meaningful parts of our 2016 team, so any trade would have to meet a pretty high criteria to make it."

Should the Indians opt to send one of their starters packing, how much would the rotation suffer? The Indians might not have much immediate help beyond the sextet of Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Trevor Bauer, Cody Anderson and Josh Tomlin.

"I'm not sure we'd ever have enough [depth]," Antonetti said, "because we understand it's important to have a lot of quality alternatives, but we do feel good about the group of guys we have. I mean, not only the guys returning at the major-league level, but some of the guys at the upper levels of our minor leagues."

So, how should the Indians proceed? They won't be forking over any considerable amount of cash for a free agent, but they have a glaring need in the lineup, especially in the outfield. Should they dangle prospects instead?

Indians reporters Paul Hoynes and Zack Meisel discuss the pros and cons of dealing a starting pitcher in the video above. Chime in with your own thoughts on the club's strategy in the comments section below.

Indians' preference is to keep rotation intact


No. 15 Richmond Heights vs. Cuyahoga Heights highlight list of girls basketball games for week of Dec. 9, 2015 (videos)

0
0

See the list of area girls basketball games to see during the week of Dec. 9 highlighted by Richmond Heights vs. Cuyahoga Heights.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Richmond Heights’ girls basketball is projected by analysts to be a local favorite in the Division IV playoff race, but the Orwell District champions Cuyahoga Heights still remain in the mix as well.

On Wednesday, Cuyahoga Heights will host Richmond Heights, ranked No. 15 in the cleveland.com Top 25, in a Chagrin Valley Conference matchup. This could also be a future Division IV playoff matchup based on projections after Richmond Heights was moved from Division III following the new enrollment figures were announced by OHSAA.


Cuyahoga Heights, minus four starters including division IV player of the year Jenna Stegmaier, will have to find a away of stopping Seton Hall signee Deja Winters who is Richmond Heights leading scorer averaging 33 points per game through three games. Lily Adams and Dayna Denner are the leaders on offense combining for 80 of the team’s 192 total points through five games.


Wednesday


Parma at Elyria Catholic: There are no clear leaders just yet in the competitive Great Lakes Conference. However, Wednesday’s matchup could shed some light as Sam Robinson reports from this game where sharp shooters Erin Bukach (Parma) and Baldwin Wallace commit Riley Schill (Elyria Catholic) square off.

No. 21 Stow at No. 10 Twinsburg: Notre Dame college commit Jessica Stout and the Stow Bulldogs are looking to pick up their first win in the Suburban League. Twinsburg is currently tied with Wadsworth at 2-0.

Thursday

No. 25 Shaw at Kenston: North Carolina A&T signee Alexus Lessears from Shaw and Kenston’s Michaela Barnes, signed with Edinboro University (PA), square off for the first time this season. The Cardinals debutted in the Cleveland.com rankings this week at No. 25.

Friday

No. 23 Laurel at Cornerstone Christian: Division I prospect Alex Cade has not made in college decisions yet. In the meantime, the Gators are exploding on offense after the loss of leading scorer Nicole Felice to graduation. Keep an eye out for Cade’s running mates Peighton Taylor and Christina Steele.

Saturday

No. 2 Magnificat at No. 6 Hathaway Brown: Magnificat has been brilliant to start the season. However, the talented Blazers on their home court could be the perfect scenario to give Hathaway Brown a win. Magnificat’s Elise Keshock and Hathaway Brown’s Dani Lawson should provide a great show for spectators in the painted area. Below meet some of the players from Magnificat's girls basketball team.

This week’s games

Click here to see a scoreboard of games Wednesday-Saturday.

Follow girls basketball all season

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

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

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

Contact Nathaniel Cline via email ncline@cleveland.com or Twitter @nathanielcline.

Hot Rod Williams illness spurs reaction from Cleveland Cavaliers teammates, fans (photos)

0
0

Former Cavaliers center John "Hot Rod" Williams has cancer and is said to be fighting for his life at a hospital in Baton Rouge, La.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Cleveland Cavaliers center-forward John "Hot Rod" Williams' serious illness has spurred an outpouring from former teammates, fans and others who knew and admired the personable forward who overcame adversity to become one of the franchise's most beloved players.

Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto reported Tuesday that Williams, 53, has cancer and is fighting for his life at a hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana near his hometown of Sorrento.

Williams played 13 seasons in the NBA, the first nine with the Cavaliers from 1986-95. His Cleveland teammates included Mark Price, Brad Daugherty, Larry Nance, Craig Ehlo and Ron Harper.

Price and former teammates Ron Harper and Michael Cage asked for prayers for their friend.

Williams also played for the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks and retired in 1999 with career averages of 11 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, while shooting 48 percent from the field in almost 900 games.

#Believeland1994 asked Twitter followers to change their profile pic to one of Willams.

Akron most recent champion in College Cup 2015 soccer tournament (photos)

0
0

The Akron Zips are the most recent winner in of the four College Cup finalists to earn a NCAA Soccer Championship.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- College Cup 2015, the final rung in the NCAA Soccer Championship ladder, features the Akron Zips going for their second crown in school history against three of the remaining top teams in the country.

Here is a quick look at the field for matches that begin Friday in Sporting Park with Clemson vs. Syracuse at 6 p.m. That match will be followed by Akron vs. Stanford. Both matches will be shown live on ESPNU.

No. 3 Clemson, 17-2-3: Clemson defeated Maryland on penalty kicks to advance the Tigers to their eighth soccer finals, but only their first in the last 10 years. Clemson won NCAA soccer crowns in 1984 and 1987, and has an overall 50-25-3 slate in championship play.

While this is the fourth time for Clemson and Syracuse to meet overall, it is the third time this season. Syracuse defeated Clemson, 2-0, in the ACC Tournament, after Clemson won the match in the regular season, 1-0.

Forward T.J. Casner leads the Tigers with 10 goals scored this season, including a pair on penalty kicks. Clemson is 5-for-5 on penalty kicks this season.

Goalkeepere Andrew Tarbell, who was stellar vs. Maryland with two saves in the shootout and five for the match, has allowed just 18 goals this season with 75 saves and eight shutouts. Clemson's opponents have a combined slate of 251-150-66. Clemson posted 52 goals for and 18 against this season.

No. 6 Syracuse, 16-5-3: The Orangemen are making their first College Cup appearance. The ACC regular-season champions defeated Boston College, 1-0, to advance, recording their fourth shutout in the last seven matches.

The match with Clemson will be the third this season, with each winning on the other's turf. Of the four teams in the field, Syracuse has the fewest wins on the season and the most losses.

The Orangemen are led by forward Ben Polk with 12 goals and four assists. It was Polk's header off a corner kick that proved to be the difference in the victory over BC. Syracuse also has a hot goalkeeper in Hendrik Hilpert. He is 10-3-2 this season with 31 saves and five shutouts.

He has allowed just 13 goals in 1,390 minutes this season. Syracuse' opponents have a combined record of 282-154-62 for the toughest in the field. The Orangemen had 46 goals for and 22 against this season.

No. 7 Stanford, 17-2-2: The Pac 12 champion Cardinal are playing in their third straight NCAA but are in the finals for only the third time (1998, 2001, 2002). Stanford has never won a title, finishing second in 1998 and 2002. Stanford is 18-12-3 in NCAA Tournament play.

Stanford upset No. 1 Wake Forest on the road to advance, as well as Ohio State in the early rounds. This will mark the third time the Zips and the Cardinal have played with Akron owning a 2-0 record. That includes a 2-0 NCAA Tournament victory in 2009.

The Cardinal can score, averaging 2.67 goals per match on the season. Forward Jordan Morris is tied with Akron's Stuart Holthusen with three goals scored in 2015 post-season play. Keeper Andrew Goldstein has 56 saves and recorded seven shutouts.

The combined record for Stanford's opponents is 210-168-55. That's the fewest combined win total in the field. Stanford has 39 goals for and 15 against. The Cardinal have not scored more than three goals in a match all season, but do have nine shutouts.

No. 5 Akron, 18-3-2: The Mid-American Conference regular season and MAC Tournament champions advance to the College Cup as the most recent champion (2010) in the field. Clemson is the only other title holder and those crowns came more than 25 years ago.

The Zips, who advanced to the College Cup with a 3-2 double-overtime victory over Creighton, are also the offensive juggernaut among the four teams with 11 goals scored already in NCAA Tournament play.

The Zips are on a roll with 19 goals in their last six matches, and have only suffered a shutout loss just once this season. They have scored four or more goals seven times this season.

Adam Najem, who sent Akron to the College Cup with a penalty kick in double-overtime, leads the Zips with 10 goals and 11 assists on the season. Stuart Holthusen is not far behind with eight goals and six assists. Keeper Jake Fenlason has eight shutouts and 99 saves. Akron's opponents are 257-164-54. Akron has 59 goals for and 29 against.

Links of interest:

Here's how to send a card to former Cleveland Cavalier John 'Hot Rod' Williams and his family -- Terry Pluto (photos)

0
0

Former Cleveland Cavalier John Williams feeling a bit better today, but still in serious condition.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I've been hearing from so many fans wanting to reach out to former Cavalier John "Hot Rod" Williams.

The 53-year-old Williams is in a battle for his life with cancer. He is in a hospital in the Baton Rouge, La. area.

Many of his former teammates and fans are praying for and thinking about him.

Mark Bartelstein (Williams' agent) reports that Williams is feeling a bit better today and has started to breathe on his own. It remains a serious situation. I talked to Bartelstein about how to send notes and cards to Williams.

Here is his address:

John Williams

44423 Braud Street

Sorrento, LA. 70778

Joe Haden 'close to the end' of concussion protocol: Cleveland Browns notebook

0
0

Cornerback remains in the NFL's concussion protocol. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Joe Haden's struggles on the field in 2015 are nothing compared to his struggles just to get on it. The sixth-year cornerback out of Florida has appeared in just five of 12 games this season and last played against Arizona in Week 8.

"He's around. He is towards the end of the protocol, but he is still in it," head coach Mike Pettine said on Wednesday. "Hopefully, in the next couple of days, we will be able to shed a little bit more light on it."

Pettine said that he doesn't have all the details. 

"I just know in all of the steps that he is close to the end," he said.

Haden's injury troubles started when he left the team's loss to Oakland with a rib injury. His decision to not play the following week in San Diego due to a broken finger caused some controversy, fueled by Pettine stating that it was left up to the cornerback.

He returned the following week in Baltimore and suffered a concussion. He cleared the protocol and played in the Browns' loss to Arizona three weeks later. He suffered his second concussion in that game.

Pettine was asked last week if injured reserve was a possibility for Haden.

"When you deal with a topic as sensitive as concussions, the longer guys are out, I think those conversations will come up," he said. "We're not there yet."

The holdup at the time was apparently the testing part of the protocol.

"I think it's you get to the testing part of it where there's a written test and a computer test," Pettine said on Nov. 27. "That, right now, is the obstacle.

"There's a sequence of testing and it's compared to your baseline. I know there's a written part of it. There's a computer part of it that goes back and compares. I know there's different -- I'm not exactly sure of the exact protocol. It's a memory test. It's all different pieces of it that, once you clear all those, then you simulate contact and then you get cleared by the independent [neurologist]."

Secondary coach Jeff Hafley said on Nov. 18 that missing Haden was hurting the continuity in the secondary.

"As far as all the injuries, the biggest thing that I will say is in the secondary you need continuity," he said. "Even if it is not with your starters, you need a group that goes out there and plays together every day. When you are out there on the field and I look at you a certain way after we have played together for so many games, you know what I am going to do. If a guy motions and we have to check to a coverage and it is loud, there is verbal and non-verbal communication."

Haden has missed more games this season due to injury than at any point in his career.

Terrelle PryorTerrelle Pryor was inactive on Sunday during the Browns' loss to the Bengals. 

Pryor debut: Pettine said there's a "reasonable chance" wide receiver Terrelle Pryor could be up this week against the 49ers.

"To his credit, he came in here in very good shape, and the knowledge that he gained of our system quickly came back to him," Pettine said. "That was a positive. You assume the worst when a guy just gets here, 'Let's assume he hasn't done much and is out of shape and he has forgotten a lot of what we have done.' That is not the case with Terrelle. Hopefully we can get him out there sooner than later."

Pasztor ready: Rookie Cameron Erving is heading to the bench. In his place on Sunday against the 49ers will be third-year lineman Austin Pasztor.

Pasztor signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He was cut following camp and signed with Jacksonville's practice squad. He started the final three games for the Jaguars in 2012 at left guard and started 12 games in 2013 and eight games last season at right tackle. He was waived by the Jaguars prior to the start of this season and the Browns claimed him via waivers.

"Last year I was dealing with some injuries," Pasztor said. "That's why I missed eight games. Now that I have the chance to be healthy and play I'm looking forward to taking advantage of the opportunity."

One of the benefits for Pasztor is playing between a couple of Pro Bowlers in left tackle Joe Thomas and center Alex Mack.

"What a great experience that's going to be," Pasztor said. "I have the utmost respect for both of those guys and I think it's going to help me tremendously, playing beside two such great talents and guys that, they communicate well, they teach well, so it should help to make it an easier transition for me."

Injuries: The following players did not practice on Wednesday -- wide receivers Travis Benjamin (shoulder), Taylor Gabriel (concussion), Andrew Hawkins (concussion) and Dwyane Bowe (not injury related), cornerbacks Haden and Justin Gilbert (concussion), Thomas (not injury related) and defensive lineman Randy Starks (not injury related).

Tight end Gary Barnidge (ankle), Erving (ankle) and wide receiver Marlon Moore (ribs) were limited.

Wide receiver Brian Hartline (hip) and quarterback Johnny Manziel (right elbow) were full participants.

Will Golden State Warriors break '95-96 Chicago Bulls' 72-10 record? Chris Haynes' analysis

0
0

Chris Haynes breaks down why he thinks the Golden State Warriors will fall short of the Chicago Bulls' 72-10 season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - I was 14 when I saw the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls make history by obliterating the competition and finishing with an NBA-best 72-10 record.

Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman on the same team in their prime was a magical experience night after night. Phil Jackson was cool as they came on the sidelines. They had flair, an unwavering confidence and charisma as an essence of their being.

The opposition was intimidated upon arrival and beaten before tipoff. It just took 48 minutes to make it official. I remember stating to family and friends that there would never be a team capable of breaking that illustrious regular-season record.

And over the last five years or so, my stance grew stronger. NBA players play year-round nowadays. In-season injuries are rampant. Franchises have seen their championship hopes vanish with superstars and high-level players succumbing to season-ending injuries.

Teams rest players more than ever. Body maintenance programs are instituted during predetermined parts of the season. Wins are sacrificed for health going into the postseason.

In order for a team to beat the Bulls, its main players have to play close to 80 games. The importance of regular-season win totals has been minimized with health being the No. 1 priority.

However, slowly but surely my stance is changing. The Golden State Warriors are the truth. They're not necessarily intimidating, but they're efficient in all that they do and having fun in the process.

Stephen Curry is arguably the best shooter in basketball history. All he needs is a split second of space. Klay Thompson epitomizes the meaning of a 3-D player (three-point specialist and defensive-stopper). Draymond Green doesn't do one great thing, but is a force in every aspect of the game.

They're filled with team-oriented, complimentary players who understand their roles. This blend of talent has translated to a 23-0 start, an NBA record. They look unstoppable.

Will they break the Bulls' 72-10 record? No, though I'm not writing this with the utmost confidence. I just tend to wonder when they're going to rest guys, because eventually they have to, right? Also, for the most part, they've dodged serious injuries and every team goes through a rough patch during the season.

The Bulls went through a two-game losing streak in early February, but bounced back like it never occurred.

How will the Warriors handle the adversity of losing a string of games? Would they sink or continue to swim? We just don't know, and maybe we won't find out if they continue to win games.

For the time being, I'm going with them falling just short. But it's important to keep this in mind: Not many foresaw Curry or the team reaching such an astonishing level this season. Some called their championship year journey a product of other teams suffering injuries to key guys.

So, if that record is ever going to come down, this Warriors squad seems to be equipped for making history.

Johnny Manziel won't say he agreed with benching: 'I was forced to learn a hard lesson'

0
0

Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel couldn't say he agreed with his benching, and said he had to sit with the "bad taste'' in his mouth. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio --  Johnny Manziel didn't pretend to agree with Mike Pettine's decision to bench him. Nor did he apologize for being a distraction or promise he'd never do it again.

"I was forced to learn a hard lesson,'' he said. "I had to learn the hard way and I'm lucky to be back in the position that I'm in and being the starter again so I'm definitely not taking that lightly. That's for sure."

And what exactly did he learn?

"Obviously, there's a way to conduct yourself that 31 other guys in the league do each and every week,'' he said. "You have to follow that example and realize that this is a very prestigious situation that I'm in being a starting quarterback in the NFL so I have to take pride in that and act accordingly."

He made it clear that he wasn't happy with Pettine's decision to demote him to third string two weeks ago and backup last week.

"Um. In coach Pettine's mind, he thought that was necessary to get the harsh point across to me,'' said Manziel. "Did I like it? No. Did I have to sit there with a bad taste in my mouth and accept the consequences for my actions? Sure. I did and I tried to help the guys out these past couple weeks as best I could and it was hard going into the uncertainty of last week and not know was going to happen either and have to sit another week.

"So I'm just sitting here today very thankful to be back in this role and be back in front of these guys and being in the huddle calling plays again and trying to go out and salvage what's left of this season and take some pride in these last four games."

How much did it hurt not to start the Monday Night Football game against the Ravens?

"It sucked,'' he said.

He wouldn't admit he lied to Pettine about partying over the bye weekend, which is what got him demoted from starter to third-string quarterback in the first place.  In fact, he sounded more miffed that someone leaked the fib than contrite that it happened.

"What was said between me and coach Pettine and (offensive coordinator John DeFilippo and quarterbacks coach Kevin O'Connell) stays in that room,'' said Manziel. "I'm a firm believer in what coach Pett has preached, and that's there's certain things that are family business and stay within this organization.

"What I told them is between me and them. I'm not going to speak on it any further.''

Asked how he didn't realize his partying video from an Austin, Texas nightclub, in which he rapped vulgar lyrics and danced with a bottle of champagne in his hand, he said,  "It was a lapse in judgment, that's what it comes down to."

And did he need yet another off-the-field incident to wake him up?

 "I don't know, but there's nothing you can do now to go back and change that."

Manziel, who spent 73 days in an addiction treatment center, continues to defend his off-the-field actions despite the fact he's been seen out drinking on numerous occasions, including back at Texas A&M over the mini-bye weekend after the Cincinnati game and in Austin over the regular bye weekend. He also admitted to having a few drinks four hours before his roadway incident with his girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, on Oct. 12.

"I, by far, in a way have improved from where I was last year,'' he said. "Now am I perfect by any means? No. But there has been improvement all the way around from the way I've conducted myself in the building and for the majority of the time for the way I conducted myself off the field.

"Now is there obviously times where I need to be better and like I said act the way I want to each and every day, every second of every day? Sure. But from where I was last year to where I am today, I'm still extremely proud of where I am."

Pettine is a little less proud at this point after Manziel lied to him just seven days after he named him the starter for the final six games of the season on Nov. 17th -- the same day Manziel was cleared by the NFL of harming his girlfriend during their in-car argument. Manziel's violation of trust still has the coach on high alert and skeptical about his 2014 first-round pick.

"It would be hard for me to sit here and say, 'We have a zero-tolerance policy,''' said Pettine. "But if something were to occur, I could imagine that the repercussions would be harsh."

He acknowledged the club knew Manziel had issues before they drafted him, but didn't realize how bad it it was. Ultimately, things came to a head in the offseason when checked himself into inpatient rehab after a season of hard partying from coast to coast.

"I don't think we anticipated that his problems, his issues, maybe how deep-rooted they were, the extent of it,'' Pettine said. "You have to decide how much of this is maturity. Was it early in his college year? Is it continuing? You do as much research as you can. ...That's why the draft is hit or miss with so many guys.''

But Manziel isn't viewing this as his last chance with the Browns, even though Pettine's patience is wearing thin.

 "No. I haven't gotten that impression from this organization,'' Manziel said. "These last four weeks for me are just a chance to go out and take pride in this job and this position and get these guys rallied around and try and provide a spark.

"I'm completely bunkered in for these last four weeks, I'm going to come in here every day and give every ounce of energy that I have to try and win these last four games, whether the odds are against us, whether we're favored, whether we're huge dogs or whatever the case may be, we need to win some of these games.''

Related: Mike Pettine says the 'repercussions will be harsh' if Johnny Manziel messes up off the field

So, with the way things have transpired -- and with Manziel obviously in disagreement with Pettine over his benching -- wouldn't he rather play with a team like the Cowboys, where Jerry Jones is still effusive in his praise of Manziel despite all of the transgressions?

"I'm not giving up on myself being here,'' he said. "That's been talked about since the day I came out to enter the draft, leaving A&M. I'm not giving up on my situation here. I was brought here and I believe I still have people in this organization that want me to be here and I'm still here for a reason.

"So I'm here now and controlling what I control, and that's going out on Sunday and trying to play well. That's what it comes down to, I want to play well. I still have a lot to prove in this league, obviously I haven't really done anything. So that's my focus.''

Manziel turned 23 on Sunday, the same day the Browns got blown out 37-3 by the Bengals with Austin Davis as the starter and Manziel the backup. Later that night, he tweeted a photo of himself from last season flashing his trademark money sign, which he said in June was no longer part of his life. The caption read, "23 and blessed.'' Was the money sign an act of rebellion? A statement that Manziel is going to live his life he way he wants to?

"It was just a happy birthday thing on the internet,'' he said. "So that's kind of just a non-factor, at least from my point of view. I know you guys like to talk about it a lot, but I wouldn't look too much into it.''

Despite the benching, Manziel believes he can get his mind right to face the 4-8 49ers on Sunday.

"I'm not looking at it as anything else in the past,'' he said. "I put that behind me and I'm moving forward and really focusing on this San Francisco gameplan.

After about half a dozen questions about off-the-field incidents, Manziel tried to shift the focus to football.

"I've answered the majority of the questions and I've answered those adequately,'' he said. "We do have a game this week, so as much as everybody wants to talk about what's gone on off the field, we do play the Niners on Sunday at home so I would love to sit here and talk to you guys about that and I'll stay up here as long as you guys would like. But for the most part, I think I've answered the way that I wanted to about everything that happened the past weekends.''

The Browns are hoping that over the next four weekends, Manziel has nothing to talk about but football.


Terry Francona: Cleveland Indians' goal is to boost offense 'without sacrificing the pitching or defense'

0
0

"We have to try to score more runs," Francona said, "but if we do it at the risk of giving up more runs, it's almost a wash. So we don't want to do that. We're trying to balance both, and that's hard." Watch video

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The good news, according to Terry Francona, is that the regular season does not begin this week.

"We're not ready to start the season," the Indians' manager said. "We have some holes to fill. We know we have some things to do."

The Indians could use a jolt in the outfield. An addition at a corner infield spot or designated hitter wouldn't hurt, either. Those kinds of upgrades come at a cost, and the Indians -- like all teams (save the Diamondbacks, perhaps) -- are wary of parting with too much.

"We'd like to find a way to score some more runs," Francona said. "But we value our young pitching so much -- and I think rightfully so -- that the goal would be to try to get more offense without sacrificing the pitching or the defense that really helped us the second part of the year."

Front office members of every team have had conversations with the front office members of just about every other team at the Gaylord Opryland resort in Nashville this week. Tribe General Manager Mike Chernoff said the Winter Meetings help to facilitate dialogue between organizations, but they don't necessarily spur the completion of a deal just because everyone is under one roof.

"That doesn't mean if you don't do something here, that you're not going to," Francona said. "I mean, sometimes things happen here. Sometimes the groundwork is laid for later. But we know that we are not ready to go down to spring training. Now, it's December, but we know that."

The Indians have had discussions with the Reds about third baseman Todd Frazier and the Diamondbacks about center fielder A.J. Pollock. They have been linked to Oakland infielder Brett Lawrie and free agent outfielder Rajai Davis. So when will they begin to pounce on an opportunity to upgrade their position player pool?

"I don't think we have to fill any [holes]," Chernoff said. "I think we have a really strong group of players. I think we have some spots that we can fill and can potentially improve. We also have places where some young players or guys like Chris Johnson as a bounceback guy can come in and take over a spot.

"I don't think there's any one place where we have to find some sort of upgrade, but at the same time, there are plenty of places where you can always improve."

A long list of teams have checked in with the Indians since the start of the off-season to request the asking price of Carlos Carrasco and/or Danny Salazar. Those kinds of talks have continued this week. The Astros joined the fray on Wednesday in discussing Carrasco. The Giants reportedly inquired about Salazar.

Chris Antonetti, the Indians' president of baseball operations, has not strayed from his claim that the club's preference is to keep the starting rotation intact. Francona relayed the same message on Wednesday.

"We have to try to score more runs," Francona said, "but if we do it at the risk of giving up more runs, it's almost a wash. So we don't want to do that. We're trying to balance both, and that's hard."

Antonetti: Indians prefer to keep starting rotation intact

As other teams gauge progress of young QBs, Johnny Manziel and Cleveland Browns face same old questions: Tom Reed

0
0

The evolution of Johnny Manziel with all its fits and starts is a frustrating, maddening process. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - In Oakland, Derek Carr is preparing to make his 29th start for the Raiders.

In Minnesota, Teddy Bridgewater is keeping the Vikings in the playoff hunt. In Tennessee, Marcus Mariota is showing all the preseason concerns about his game translating to the NFL are unfounded.

And in Cleveland, Johnny Manziel is still answering questions about off-the-field issues and the prospects of finally starting more than two straight games.

Twenty months after the Browns drafted Manziel, it's astonishing how little we know about one of the league's most publicized players.

Is he big enough to withstand the pounding NFL quarterbacks absorb on a week-to-week basis? Can he consistently make enough plays from the pocket to ensure he won't flame out like Robert Griffin III or Colin Kaepernick? Has he demonstrated the requisite growth away from the training facility to gain the trust of franchise decision makers?

As Manziel approaches the end of his second season, the response to all these questions is "no." One day, they might be answered in the affirmative, but we're not there yet. Not even close.

Johnny Manziel reacts to latest off-field issues, next start

Listening to coach Mike Pettine talk Wednesday about the need for his quarterback to mature and Manziel speak of how he was "forced to learn hard lessons" regarding his latest benching, you're struck by one thought:

How little progress has been made in the evolution of Johnny Football.

For everyone involved, it's been a frustrating, exhausting process, one which finds the Browns (2-10) no closer to knowing whether Manziel represents the future. He's definitely exhibited on-field improvement, but is yet to make three consecutive starts. He's thrown all of 163 passes - or 268 fewer than Mariota in just 10 games.

The talking points at Manziel's introductory news conference in May 2014 remain, by and large, the same talking points as he prepares for his sixth career start Sunday against the Niners. It's not been wasted time, but it's hardly been a period of great discovery.

His fans still believe Pettine has it in for their man. His detractors continue to think Manziel's insouciance will never allow him to develop into a top-flight quarterback. The fits and starts are maddening.

"Obviously, there's a way to conduct yourself that 31 other (starters) in the league do each and every week," Manziel said. "You have to follow that example and realize that this is a very prestigious situation that I'm in, being a starting quarterback in the NFL. So I have to take pride in that and act accordingly."

And yet Manziel is still answering questions about party videos and issuing statements regarding a domestic incident months after leaving a 10-week stint in rehab. His supporters point to former nightlife-loving star quarterbacks such as Bobby Layne, Joe Namath and Ken Stabler.

Fair enough, but Manziel's next NFL win will be his second. Before you party like Gronk it's advisable to produce like him.

The quarterback said he's "extremely proud of where I am," compared to a year ago when he was utterly unprepared for his rookie season. There's an element of truth in that statement, especially when you watch how he performed against the Titans and Steelers.

But it's naive to think Manziel will change his ways off the field - or whether he believes it's even necessary. Pettine demoted him to third string three weeks ago because the coach thought the quarterback was dishonest in his accounts of his recent escapades in Austin, Texas.

Did Manziel agree with the punishment?

"Um. In coach Pettine's mind, he thought that was necessary to get the harsh point across to me," an unapologetic Manziel said. "Did I like it? No."

The answers and the outrage from the pro- and anti-Manziel crowds sound so familiar. Everyone is spinning their wheels in Berea while other young quarterbacks are either making progress or playing enough to allow their franchises to make accurate evaluations on them.

The energy the Browns invest in teaching, mentoring, scolding and, in some cases, enabling Manziel is extraordinary. He would have remained tethered to the sideline if Josh McCown's 36-year-old body hadn't been battered into submission.

What everybody in the organization needs is for Manziel to make the season's final four starts. If he plays well with a depleted lineup against the Niners, Seahawks, Chiefs and Steelers, Manziel will have earned the right to enter the off-season as a potential 2016 starter. Four consecutive starts should supply the organization a good gauge on his game. It also should give the Browns an idea of whether he's worth all the off-field drama.

The club would be wise to use its first pick, perhaps No. 1 overall, on a quarterback. That opinion could change, of course.

Hopefully, we'll all know more in a month. Meanwhile in Oakland, Minnesota and Tennessee they aren't seeking clarity - only complementary pieces.  

Cuyahoga Heights girls basketball upsets No. 15 Richmond Heights, 33-29 (photos, videos)

0
0

Richmond Heights' girls basketball team falls on the road to Cuyahoga Heights, 33-29.

CUYAHOGHA HEIGHTS, Ohio – Richmond Heights and host team Cuyahoga Heights shot the basketball well on Wednesday Chagrin Valley Conference girls basketball matchup.

By the end of regulation, Cuyahoga Heights came out on top defeating Richmond Heights, ranked No. 15 in the cleveland.com Top 25, 33-29.


Check back later for video interviews and photos from the game.


“They have some really talented players like Makea Scott and Deja Winters,” Cuyahoga Heights coach Al Martin said. “Makea hit some late and Deja got going late, but she struggled with her shot today and she’s not going to struggle with her shot that often. We were fortunate tonight.”


Cuyahoga Heights defense held Richmond Heights to a season-low scoring this season shooting 10 of 44 from the field and 3 of 23 from the 3-point arc. Seton Hall signee Deja Winters was limited to 14 points and Scott finished with eight after earning three straight wins.


“We’ve got to get better in practice and work harder,” Winters said. “Those other three games, we just can’t be satisfied with those. We’ve got to get better.”


Richmond Heights was late to game after being caught in traffic. The team scored only one point in the first quarter.


“That’s no excuse you have to come in and play basketball,” Richmond Heights coach Demarris Winters said. “It was just an off night for us. We have to figure out what to do when Deja is not scoring. Someone else has to step up.”


Wednesday’s game could be playoff preview looking ahead to the New Year. This comes after Richmond Heights was moved from Division III to IV following the two-year postseason division assignments based on new enrollment figures. Cuyahoga Heights won the Division IV Orwell District last season.


The Skins lost four starters including Division IV Player of the Year Jenna Stegmaier. However, freshman Lily Adams looks to be a projected to succeed Stegmaier. She finished with a team high eights points followed and Dayna Denner with 10.


“She does a lot of things for us,” Martin said. “I think there is a lot of upside. She’s going to continue to get better.”


On Saturday, Cuyahoga Heights (5-1 overall, 3-0 CVC) will travel to Kirtland while Richmond Heights (3-1, 2-1) host Cardinal. Both games are conference matchups.


Contact Nathaniel Cline via email ncline@cleveland.com or Twitter @nathanielcline.

Ohio State's Taylor Decker will get a tree in Buckeye Grove as All-America awards start to roll out

0
0

Decker and Joey Bosa have earned first-team All-America nods from USA Today and CBS Sports.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Taylor Decker is going to be immortalized forever, by a tree just outside of the south stands of Ohio Stadium.

The Ohio State senior offensive tackle was named a first-team All-American by CBS Sports on Wednesday night, meaning Decker will get a tree planted in his honor in Buckeye Grove.

Buckeyes junior defensive end Joey Bosa was also named a first-team All-American by CBS Sports, and earned the same nod from USA Today on Tuesday. But Bosa already has his space in Buckeye Grove reserved. He was a consensus All-American last year, and could be on his way to another nod this year.

The NCAA uses five All-American lists to name consensus All-Americans, neither USA Today nor CBS Sports are taken into consideration. The All-America lists for the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation have yet to be released. Those are the lists that determine consensus All-Americans.

But Decker doesn't have to wait for those lists to come out to know that he'll be getting a tree. Ohio State requires a first-team selection from any reputable source, that includes CBS Sports.

So Decker will be there with Ohio State's greats, including Bosa.

How Ohio State players earn a tree in Buckeye Grove?

Last year Bosa and defensive tackle Michael Bennett earned first-team All-America nods.

Another candidate to earn a tree in Buckeye Grove could be running back Ezekiel Elliott, but he has not yet earned a first-team selection. The Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year was a second-team selection by USA Today, along with Decker.

Defensive tackle Adolphus Washington was named second-team All-America by CBS Sports.

Gallery preview 

Riley Schill helps Elyria Catholic girls basketball zoom past Parma, 56-36

0
0

Riley Schill helps elevate Elyria Catholic girls basketball past Parma, 56-36

ELYRIA, Ohio -- Riley Schill's agility triggered a first-quarter blitz from Elyria Catholic girls basketball against Parma, rendering any subsequent Redmen adjustments moot. 

The Baldwin Wallace commit led a Panthers press that the Redmen struggled to negotiate, and an 11-point Elyria Catholic lead less than four minutes into play keyed a 56-36 victory for the host Wednesday night. 


"They had a hard time stopping (Schill) in the first half. She's very quick," said Elyria Catholic coach Eric Rothgery of Schill, who led all scorers with 18 points. "When she gets her shoulders turned toward the basket, it's tough to stop. If she's getting to the basket, we're tough to beat.


"She always has the green light. She's had the green light since she was a freshman here." 


After the Panthers (5-1, 2-1 Great Lakes Conference) scored the game's first six points, a diverse Schill sequence orchestrated a second 6-0 burst to put Parma (3-2, 1-1 GLC) down 12-1 with 4 minutes, 10 seconds remaining in the opening period. 


The 5-foot-7 senior point guard found Nora Hopkins for a layup on a swift basket cut, then located the junior for another layup after a backcourt steal. Schill sank a floater on the ensuing possession to finish the game-defining start. 


Both Elyria Catholic, which sat seventh in last week's cleveland.com Top 25 before a loss to Normandy, and Parma, which beat Normandy 42-23 on Saturday, are beginning their initial forays in the newly formed GLC. The Panthers won the West Shore Conference last season, with the Redmen winning 18 games with a still-intact core. 


Wednesday, however, the Panthers' deployment of a trapping 2-3 zone forced early turnovers while helping negate the Redmen's size edge. It also enabled Elyria Catholic to often escape in transition. 


Two Schill coast-to-coast layups followed 3-pointers from Josie Carandang and Megan Scheibelhut (12 points) and lifted Elyria Catholic to a 29-15 halftime advantage.


"I have a veteran team, which is why I didn’t call timeout to start the game after the (12-1) run. I thought we could handle it," Parma coach Cassie Seth said. "They just simply played harder than us in the first half, and that’s what it came down to."


Hopkins (11 points) swished back-to-back layups -- the first on a backcourt theft, the second after a slick one-handed pass from Carandang -- to ignite a 12-0 run to start the second half. 


"I was proud of the way we pushed the ball," Schill said. "We wanted to push the tempo, and we got a lot of good transition baskets out of that." 


Parma 6-foot sophomore Lindsay Humbel led the Redmen with 16 points. 

Viewing all 53367 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images