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Elyria’s Ben Darmstadt tops second cleveland.com Wrestling Power Poll (poll)

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The cleveland.com Wrestling Power Poll is a weekly rundown of the top local wrestlers based on how they performed the previous week.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The cleveland.com Wrestling Power Poll is a weekly rundown of the top local wrestlers based on how they performed the previous week. 

Rankings do not carry over week to week, so the power poll spots are up for grabs each Tuesday. This is the second weekly poll for 2015-16.


See last week’s wrestling power poll.


Also, check out the voting poll below. You can vote on which wrestler you think had the best week, and even let us know who we might have missed. 


Here is this week’s cleveland.com Wrestling Power Poll:  


1. Ben Darmstadt, Elyria




Last week: Won the 195-pound title at the Beast of the East tournament, defeating Blair Academy’s Chris Singletary 2-0 in the final. It avenged a semifinal loss to Singletary in the Walsh Jesuit Ironman earlier this season.


2. Josh Burger, Aurora


Last week: Defeated state placer Mitch Bischoff of Norton in the 285-pound final (2-1) at the Hudson Holiday Tournament.


3. Kyle Minor, Hudson


Last week: Defeated state placer Luke Sorboro of Rootstown (10-6) in the 182-pound final at the Hudson Holiday Tournament.


4. Austin Hiles, Brecksville


Last week: Finished sixth at the Beast of the East tournament, reaching the quarterfinals before dropping to the consolation bracket.


5. Cody Surratt, Wadsworth


Last week: Won the 152-pound final at the North Canton Holiday Tournament with a pin in 1:02 against Willy Plaisir of Dublin Coffman.


6. Chris Motter, Hudson


Last week: Defeated state placer Jason Sadler of Rootstown (7-3) in the 152-pound finals at the Hudson Holiday Tournament.


7. Stan Bleich, Elyria Catholic


Last week: Defeated state placer Andre Stowers of Maple Heights (3-1) in the 132 finals at the Hudson Holiday Tournament.


8. Aaron Kelly, Rocky River


Last week: Defeated two-time state qualifier Tony Paolucci of Rootstown (6-4) in the 126-pound final at the Hudson Holiday Tournament.


9. Floyd Rogers, Green


Last week: Won the 220-pound class at the North Canton Holiday Tournament with an 8-5 decision against Ben Higgins of Marlington.


10.  Josh Nelly, Garfield Heights


Last week: Nelly was named MVP of the Brooklyn Tournament after winning the 120-pound weight class, improving to 14-0.


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.


A year of shifting fitness priorities: Top 10 'Stretching Out' workouts of 2015

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Gathered here at the 10 workouts, programs and devices featured in "Stretching Out" that made best use of my limited time, that convinced me of their value and struck me as something worth pursuing.

Stretching Out

zachary-lewis-sig2.jpgZachary Lewis

WHAT NEXT?
Have a suggestion for an activity you think I should try? Send me an e-mail.

Previously
New indoor paddleboard yoga class proves invigorating balancing act

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Call me a hypocrite, but fitness was not my top priority much of this year.

All the way through last spring, I was still going about my regular business, trying out new workouts and activities every single week. Then, in May, came a family health crisis, and a whole new meaning to the term endurance.

In an instant, "Stretching Out" took a back seat to my musical obligations, and to my wife and children. I continued exercising, of course, and serving as your fitness guinea pig, but not with my usual passion or regularity.

Today, I'm happy to say I'm back, and that my family appears to be out of the woods. Alas, however, as I sat down to pick my favorite "Stretching Out" topics of 2015, I found myself with far fewer options than usual to choose from.

My benchmark, then, became this: efficacy. Below are the 10 workouts, programs and devices that made best use of my limited time, that convinced me of their value and struck me (or actually served) as something worth pursuing.

Your time is no less precious, I know. As you look to lighten your load in 2016, these, I promise, will serve you well.

Amp Fitness: Larry Tedor's training studio in Beachwood hooked me right from the start. Competitive by nature, I loved not only the all-inclusive workout he put me through but also seeing in real time how my working heart-rate stacked up against others. Still, what kept me coming back on a private basis was the stretching. For months, Tedor's vigorous therapeutic work on my calves, hamstrings, hips and quadriceps gave me all the energy I needed.

Barre3: I don't remember all the details of the class I took at the Legacy Village branch of Barre3, a national group exercise chain where all the workouts take place at a ballet barre. But my body sure remembers the fatigue I felt the next day, after performing an enormous range of core exercises as well as endless squats and lunges. Never mind that I'm a fitness columnist. When it came to this "barre," I went belly up.

Beer Mile: OK, so running a mile while chugging four beers isn't exactly healthy. It is, however, a legitimate running discipline, and a test of stamina. It's also great fun. I took part in Cleveland's first official beer mile this fall, and I have to say: I had a blast. I won't pretend it's serious exercise. Neither, though, will I pretend it's something I won't do again.

Combo Hitter: The appeal of the device itself, a variation on the boxing speed-bag, was undeniable. But what really won me over in this case was the workout Euphoria Health & Fitness owner Kyle Amsdell put me through using it. More than just a sweat bath, it was a wake-up call, proof that running isn't even close to all I need. I'd return on a weekly basis if the place weren't on the other side of town from me.

F3: Outdoor exercise in early morning may be torture to some. Not to me. My 6 a.m. encounter in the dark with the local branch of F3 (Fitness, Fellowship and Faith), a national organization for men, was thoroughly enjoyable. Out of it I gained a solid whole-body workout, a goofy nickname, and a genuine sense of camaraderie. Can't beat the price, either. All F3 workouts are free.

Indoor Cycling: I spent a fair amount of time in the stationary saddle this year, dropping in on three new cycling studios in Northeast Ohio: Psycle (Westlake), Sol Sprint (Mentor) and GrooveRyde (Woodmere). All of it was quality. The environment, music and regimen varied from place to place, but all three studios offered intense, well-rounded exercise involving weights and upper-body moves as well as furious pedaling on high-caliber bikes. I'd be happy riding regularly at any one.

Iron Strength Workout: I spent much of last summer and early fall in a running funk, unwilling or unable to do much more than the bare minimum. This snapped me out of it. After playing and performing Jordan Metzl's popular and thorough DVD workout stocked with exercises of special benefit to runners, I felt like a new man. Or rather, my old self again, ready and eager to tear up the road.

Revision Pilates: It'll be a long time until my posture and ranges of motion resemble those of a normal person. But at least I'm on the right track today, thanks to Matthew Gregor, owner of Revision Pilates in Mayfield Heights. Ever since August, when I tried and wrote about his custom equipment and workouts, I've been dropping in for one-on-one training sessions targeting my arms, back and shoulders. I wouldn't be doing that if it weren't working.

Shaka Fitness: About this new indoor paddle-board yoga class, I thought there would be little to like. After all, yoga is not, and never has been, my friend. But I cannot deny the benefits here. Yes, I struggled, and yes, I felt a mite ridiculous. But when I stepped off the board and out of the pool, I also felt newly alive and invigorated, able to leap tall buildings. That's all the proof I need. Consider this my first "favorite" yoga class.

Slide Fit: I don't spend much time at dance studios. Outside my role as dance critic, that is. But I found good cause in "Slide Fit" to hang out at The Turning Pointe in Solon. This class, conducted in socks on slippery platforms, was surprisingly strenuous and complex, working and stretching muscles most traditional workouts ignore. I have yet to experience anything else like it.

Ohio State RB Mike Weber as Beanie Wells: Waking up the Echo of the 2006 Buckeyes

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Can Mike Weber in 2016 be like Chris "Beanie" Wells in 2006?

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Both the 2005 and 2015 Ohio State football teams were stocked with talent that was headed to the NFL, and both played Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. For the 2005 team, a win in Arizona was the first step of a 2006 season that led to the national title game, with players in changing roles leading the way.

Can the 2015 team use a win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta as a springboard for 2016. And can these current Buckeyes emerge with more important roles next year, the way their 2006 counterparts did?

In the days leading up to the New Year's Day game, we will look back at a 2005 Buckeye who had a big 2006 season, and look at a 2015 player who could have the same impact in 2016. 

Facing Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl - How 2005/2006 Ohio State could be like 2015/2016 Ohio State

Running Back

Can Mike Weber be Chris "Beanie" Wells?

What Wells was in 2005: Wells was nothing for the 2005 Buckeyes because he wasn't on the team yet. Instead, he was a five-star prospect from Akron who was rated in the 247Sports composite rankings as the No. 1 running back prospect in the 2006 recruiting class. A big 6-foot-1, 225-pound running back, Wells chose the Buckeyes over Michigan and Southern California, who made a late push in his recruitment. Wells was the perfect fit for Jim Tressel's offense because he was a fast, pound-first type of running back that could take over games. 

What Weber was in 2015: Weber differs from Wells a little because he was already on Ohio State's roster as a freshman who was redshirting, but the parallels are there. A former four-star running back of Detroit Cass Tech, Weber is also a powerful running back that is much more in the mold of a guy like Wells than he is of current running back Ezekiel Elliott. A 5-foot-10, 225-pound running back, Weber made promise early in training camp as a true freshman before suffering a knee injury that forced him to redshirt instead of contribute in Ohio State's backfield early. However, his dramatic recruitment and the big things being said about him made Weber an interesting guy to watch in 2015. 

What Wells was in 2006: Ohio State returned its leading rusher from 2005 in Antonio Pittman, but Wells was an instant contributor as a freshman in a stacked Buckeyes offense. He served as a change-of--pace back because he was bigger and more powerful than Pittman. 

Wells carried the ball 104 times as a freshman, racking up 576 yards and seven touchdowns. He had his big moments, though, like in the legendary No 1. vs. No. 2 Ohio State-Michigan game when he ripped off a season-long 52-yard touchdown up the gut of the Wolverines defense in the second quarter of the Buckeyes 42-39 win. 

Pittman was Ohio State's leading rusher in 2006 with 242 carries for 1,233 yards and 14 touchdowns, but it was clear from the beginning of Wells' career that he was going to be a Buckeyes star. 

What Weber could be in 2016: The biggest difference in this comparison is that Ohio State isn't returning a Pittman next year. Elliott has already announced his intentions to enter the NFL Draft after this season, so Urban Meyer is going to need a new featured back in 2016. 

That could be Weber.

Though Weber didn't play in 2015, the early returns on what he did in practice show that he should be in competition -- if not the leading candidate -- to lead Ohio State in carries next season and take over as the tough runner that boosts the Buckeyes offense like Wells did in 2006. 

How about a bonus comparison, though? If Weber earns the starting running back role, the Buckeyes could turn to four-star running back Antonio Williams of New London (N.C.) North Stanly. Williams is a 5-foot-11, 210-pound running back who could come in as a freshman and team up with Weber the way Wells did with Pittman in 2006. 

But next season, no matter what, Ohio State is going to have some new young freshman faces at running back. 

 

Cleveland Browns season snapshot focuses on an underwhelming defense -- Bud Shaw's Spinoffs

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You could sum up the Browns 3-11 season in a variety of ways but whatever snapshot you choose should focus on its over-hyped and under-performing defense -- Bud Shaw's Spinoffs.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Pick the moment from Sunday's 30-13 loss to Seattle that best exemplified the Browns season.

OK, now take that list of 32 (in honor of Kyle Shanahan's Power Point presentation) and narrow it down to three:

1) The Seahawks kicking an untimed field goal after Tramon Williams' facemask penalty at halftime.

2) Christian Kirksey cupping his hand to his earhole and taunting an angry Seattle crowd after a non-interference call on a Russell Wilson pass.

With the 3-10 Browns trailing by two touchdowns.

3) Rookie corner Charles Gaines pushing safety Donte Whitner away from him after a sideline disagreement.

Bad look for Gaines. Bad game for Browns safeties, too.

Don't overthink it. You can't go wrong.

Not as long as you stick to defense in making your selections. 

You're welcome, every wide receiver who dropped a pass.


* The Steve Harvey mistake at the Miss Universe pageant is a Saturday Night Live skit waiting to happen.

Or, according to my emails, a "Draft Day 2" subplot with Harvey as Ray Farmer.

"Did I say Justin Gilbert? My mistake. Didn't mean that."

* The answer to the question of Russell Wilson's "elite" status?

Hold a NFL quarterback-only draft today, the goal being to win a title in 2016.

Where would Wilson go, assuming Seattle didn't have a top pick?

Ahead of any of the following: Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers?

If not, how about ahead of a healthy Andrew Luck, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and (this year) Carson Palmer?

Of that group, I'd take Brady, Roethlisberger, Newton and Rodgers, for sure, ahead of Wilson.

So he's either top tier, or - as Mike Pettine said -- next tier working his way up to the level of the game's best.

Whatever it is, it's not a slight.

* The Buffalo Bills have lost four in a row to fall to 6-8 and are eliminated from playoff contention.

"There's no question it doesn't get much worse than this," said Bills' head coach Rex Ryan, who must not have looked at the AFC North standings lately.

Or talked with his old defensive coordinator.

* You suspected when Chip Kelly became Eagles head coach it wouldn't take long for him to turn them into the NFL's version of the Oregon Ducks.

You just didn't think he meant on defense.


* Odell Beckham Jr. got carried away, dangerously so, in his matchup with Carolina cornerback Josh Norman.

The NFL suspended Beckham a game for his intentional head shot on Norman, who called Beckham a "ballerina" and more.

"That's no Joker, man, that's no Joker," said Norman, who calls himself "Batman." That's Harvey Dent, that's Two-Face. That's who he is."

Dent is Two-Face's alter ego.

"I can respect the Joker because at least he would give me a sweet contest," said Norman. "He would give me a sweet epic battle, but that right there was a melee. How can you respect a guy like that, that was ridiculous."

 Norman obviously means more ridiculous than a grown man calling himself Batman.

* A NFL source allegedly told Adam Schefter, a Carolina practice squad player carried a bat to the field during warmups and motioned toward Beckham, who said he felt threatened.

The Panthers supposedly carry the bat to symbolize "bringing the wood."

Ridiculous enough yet?

* Panthers Bat immediately became a Twitter handle and had 600 followers as of 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Now?

* The serious issue is Beckham's head hunting and why it didn't get him ejected.

The other issue is what precipitated it. Giants players supposedly said Carolina players hurled anti-gay slurs at Beckham pre-game.

Hopefully, the league looks into it.

In the meantime, does high school ever really end?

* Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said he talked with Beckham about keeping his cool.

"We had discussed before the game, going in, what the expectations would be," said Coughlin.

Imagine if they hadn't.

* I don't want to say Beckham was as over-the-top as a wrestling villain but he made the Iron Sheik look warm and fuzzy.

* Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano said Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is "beat up from the feet up."

Or what Josh McCown calls "probable."

* Jason Dufner is a good Twitter follow and not only because he introduced "Duferning" to the lexicon.

Via Yahoo, Duffner asked an innocent question on Twitter:


And got this in response:


And answered.


* Kobe Bryant named his top five opponents and included Michael Jordan and LeBron James on the list.

Sorry, Ricky Davis.

* Barry Bonds has signed a contract to work as the Miami Marlins hitting coach.

"I'm going to try it out and give it my best shot," Bonds told MLB.com. "I'll see. By about July I might (no longer want to do it). Who knows?"

So he's committed.

At least until the All-Star break.

* Bonds is honest enough to wonder if he can handle the travel, the late hours, the bus rides to and from ball parks.

He was never exactly a man of the people.

Now we'll see if he can mingle with .220 hitters.

Who is the Cleveland Cavaliers' second most important player? (video)

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Bud Shaw, Michael Reghi, Dan Labbe and Chris Fedor discuss who is the second most important player on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James is a four-time MVP and arguably the best player in the NBA. He's also the unquestioned leader of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the most important player on the roster.

But finding the second most important player in a talented and deep group is much more difficult.

Bud Shaw, Michael Reghi, Dan Labbe and I share our thoughts on that question. We also discuss whether there's a difference between a player's overall talent level and his importance. 

Watch the video above. 

SMU rocks Kent State as Larry Brown returns from suspension

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Larry Brown returned from a nine-game suspension and led SMU to a 90-74 victory over Kent State on Tuesday in the Las Vegas Classic.

LAS VEGAS -- Larry Brown returned from a nine-game suspension and No. 18 SMU remained unbeaten with a 90-74 win over Kent State on Tuesday night in the Las Vegas Classic.

Brown was suspended after the NCAA ruled in September that a former men's basketball administrative assistant completed online course work for a student to meet eligibility requirements. He received warm applause before the game from SMU fans making the trip while walking onto the court for the first time since last March's NCAA Tournament.

Kent State will play the winner of Colorado-Penn State on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Nic Moore scored 25 points and Keith Frazier added 19 and 10 rebounds to lead SMU (10-0).

Jordan Tolbert added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the winners, while Ben Moore had 10 points.

SMU also shot from the field 29 of 58 for 50 percent, including 7 of 14 from 3-point range.

Jaylin Walker led Kent State (7-3) with a career-high 20 points. The Golden Flashes battled foul trouble for much of the game. Walker finished with a stat line of 20 points, six rebounds and four assists in 33 minutes--all career-bests. He shot 5-for-9 from the three-point line and 5-for-6 from the charity stripe.

SMU, which led throughout, outrebounded the Golden Flashes 40-30. The Mustangs lead the nation in rebounding.

The Mustangs started the game quickly, jumping to 14-4 advantage. The Golden Flashes cut their deficit to 22-19 with 7:17 until halftime. SMU responded with an 11-1 run, but only led 41-33 at halftime after Kent State ended the half scoring six of the final eight points.

The Golden Flashes cut the lead to 52-47 five minutes into the second half, but SMU was relentless the rest of the way, keeping the lead in double digits shortly after that Kent State run.

Moore had season-highs in assists and steals. This was Tolbert's fifth double-double of the season.

Girls Golf All-Stars 2015: Green's Abbie Pearce player of year, see all honorees (photos, video)

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See cleveland.com's Girls Golf All-Stars and Player of the Year 2015, Abbie Pearce.

Boys Golf All-Stars 2015: Hudson's Will Kurtz player of year, see all honorees (photos, video)

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See cleveland.com's Boys Golf All-Stars and Player of the Year 2015, Will Kurtz.


Where St. Edward football finished in final national rankings for the 2015 season

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The Eagles were ranked in the final top 10 of every major national ranking.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – St. Edward remained the top Ohio high school football team ranked in final national polls this week.

The Eagles (14-1), who defeated Huber Heights Wayne in the Division I state final, were ranked in the top 10 of all major national polls. Archbishop Hoban, (14-1), which won the Division III state final against Toledo Central Catholic, was the second-highest ranked Northeast Ohio school among computer polls.


Here’s a look at where the Eagles – as well as other Ohio teams – finished their season in national rankings:


High School Football America National Top 25


Who’s No. 1: Colquitt County (Ga.).


Top Ohio school: No. 6 St. Edward.


Other Ohio schools: No. 15 Cincinnati LaSalle; No. 17 Huber Heights Wayne; No. 18 Cincinnati Colerain.


MaxPreps Xcellent 25


Who’s No. 1: Katy (Texas).


Top Ohio school: No. 8 St. Edward.


Other Ohio schools: None.


MaxPreps Freeman Rankings


Who’s No. 1: De La Salle (Calif.).


Top Ohio school: No. 6 St. Edward.


Other Ohio schools in top 25: No. 8 Wayne; No. 11 LaSalle; No. 12 Colerain.


Other NE Ohio schools: No. 57 Archbishop Hoban.


PrepNation National Prep Football Poll


Who’s No. 1: Katy (Texas).


Top Ohio school: No. 7 St. Edward.


Other Ohio schools: None.


USA Today Super 25 Computer Rankings


Who’s No. 1: Katy (Texas).


Top Ohio school: No. 7 St. Edward.


Other Ohio schools:  No. 10 Wayne; No. 15 Colerain; No. 19 LaSalle.


Other NE Ohio schools: No. 57 Archbishop Hoban.


USA Today Super 25 Expert Rankings


Who’s No. 1: Bishop Gorman (Nev.).


Top Ohio school: No. 6 St. Edward.


Other Ohio schools: None.


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.

Notre Dame embassies in Ohio: Why the Irish have challenged Ohio State more than anyone in recruiting

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Notre Dame has taken eight prospects with Ohio State offers out of Ohio since 2013. Why is that happening? Watch video

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Elder High School is a familiar place where something unfamiliar has been happening to Urban Meyer. 

When Meyer visits the private Catholic school in Cincinnati, he walks into an Ohio high school coach's office and visits with the top offensive lineman in the state. And he's beat. 

The prospect Meyer wants, four-star offensive lineman Tommy Kraemer, is committed to Notre Dame. But Meyer visits anyway, refusing to believe a coveted Ohio prospect could leave the state for college, that he could possibly choose another program besides Ohio State. 

Then Meyer looks around and finds a reminder. It all makes sense again. 

The crucifix hanging over the weight room, the cathedral-styled buildings, the football stadium at the heart of the campus, surrounded by those buildings. It's just like Notre Dame. 

So look at Elder as a Notre Dame embassy in foreign Ohio territory. When you're at Elder -- and other Catholic schools like it in Ohio -- you don't quite know who owns the land. 

Is it Ohio State's because it's located in Ohio?

Or is it Notre Dame's claimed territory within Ohio? 

"These parents are spending good money to send their kids to St. Xavier High School (and schools like it) for a faith-based education," Cincinnati St. Xavier head football coach Steve Specht told cleveland.com. "You don't think Mom and Dad have an input on the blue chip scholarship guy and Notre Dame comes calling? You don't think they're going to have some input in that decision?" 

That there's even a territorial debate explains how Notre Dame has challenged Ohio State in recruiting more than any other program in the country.

The Fighting Irish have come into Ohio, into these private Catholic high schools (or embassies), and taken prospects with Ohio State offers away from Meyer and the Buckeyes. Nobody else -- not Michigan, not Michigan State, not Penn State, not Alabama -- has been able to do that. 

Meyer has been dominant at keeping the players he wants in Ohio. He signed five-star linebacker Justin Hilliard from St. Xavier last year. The Ohio borders have been sealed, which is Meyer keeping one of his first promises when he accepted the Ohio State job 2011. 

But Notre Dame is causing a leak. 

Here are all the prospects Notre Dame has taken or will take out of Ohio with Ohio State offers: Kraemer (2016); four-star offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg of St. Ignatius (2016); four-star cornerback Shawn Crawford of St. Edward; four-star defensive tackle Elijah Taylor of Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller; quarterback DeShone Kizer of Toledo Central Catholic (2014); offensive guard Jimmy Byrne of St. Ignatius (2014); and quarterback Malik Zaire of Dayton (Ohio) Archbishop Alter (2013).

That's eight total and at least one per year since Meyer began assembling full recruiting classes at Ohio State starting with the 2013 recruiting class.

Eight prospects in three years may not seem like a lot, but in comparison to every other major competing program -- who are lucky if they have at least one since 2013 -- that's borderline mindblowing.

"Ohio State usually gets who they want in Ohio, but when it comes to Catholic schools, it's just not automatic," Ignatius coach Chuck Kyle told cleveland.com during an in-person interview last week. "All the recruits they have gotten out of Ohio with Ohio State offers were from Catholic schools? Well, I think you have your answer." 

Look, it's not new that Notre Dame is able to recruit private Catholic schools well. It's the only major program in college football that has the private Catholic mentality -- other than Boston College -- and it competes at the highest level. 

What is new is that Notre Dame is sometimes beating Meyer, who has refused to lose prospects he wants from his home state. So there's something that can beat Meyer and everything Ohio State has to sell, and that's a threat. 

Notre Dame has the facilities, the tradition and is competing for national championships. It'll face Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1. 

But Notre Dame has that one thing with which Ohio State can't possibly compete -- the continued Catholic education, the theology in the curriculum, the religious foundation that's at the very base of everything Notre Dame does. 

DeShone KizerNotre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer is one of eight prospects with Ohio State offers the Irish took out of Ohio.  

"It was so much nicer," Eichenberg told cleveland.com when describing Notre Dame. "Just the buildings, the weight room, the facilities. It felt just like my school, but obviously a step above. If I have a full ride somewhere, I should go to the best place possible. Why should I go somewhere where everything isn't the top?" 

Eichenberg is another Ohio prospect like Kraemer that Ohio State wanted and didn't get. Considering the Buckeyes are losing a good chunk of their offensive line after this season, not adding Eichenberg and Kramer hurts. It hurts bad. 

Eichenberg said he thought he was an Ohio State lock at the beginning of his recruitment, but when he became interested in the Irish after Byrne signed, his eyes were opened to things he didn't consider when he was younger. 

While on Notre Dame visits, he discovered it was so much more than just football. The Irish showed him the stadium and the facilities -- of course -- but he saw the famous Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and he got a deep look into the academic side of things. 

"When I went up to Ohio State, I didn't leave the Woody Hayes facility," Eichenberg said. "I went up there like five or six times, and until my last time, I never left the facility. When I went up to Notre Dame, they showed my all the academics and school part along with the football. I feel like Ohio State just didn't show me the academic part as much." 

Ohio State's academics are on par with places like Notre Dame and Michigan, but its most sellable features to highly-rated football prospects are found in the Woody Hayes Center. 

What's most interesting about Notre Dame's success in Ohio is that it's understandable when the Buckeyes get beat. Imagine if Kraemer or Eichenberg were going to Michigan and not Notre Dame. There would outrage. 

Meyer gets it. A former Notre Dame assistant with a Catholic background, Meyer himself has a strong connection to the Irish. Remember, he's named after a Pope. 

"I've recruited for Notre Dame for many years and there is a built-in (advantage)," Meyer said, "especially with a Catholic school. They've done a good job." 

So remember, Ohio State is going to get beat in Ohio by Notre Dame. 

The scary thing for the Buckeyes is that sometimes there's nothing they can do about it. 

Cleveland Browns owners giving $10 million to Breakthrough charter schools

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Cleveland Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam are giving $10 million to the Breakthrough charter schools to add more schools in the city.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam are giving $10 million to the Breakthrough charter schools to add more schools in the city.

The donation is the largest in the history of the 11-school partnership that is widely considered to be the strongest charter school network in the state.

It's also among the largest donations ever to any charter school in the nation, said Nina Rees, head of the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools. Though some schools have received much more over time, the single grant is at or near the top.

With the one donation, Breakthrough is already halfway to its fundraising goal of $20 million to meet its aim of having 20 schools in the city by 2020. The network has 11 schools in the city today and is planning a 12th for the West Side in the fall of 2016.

Breakthrough will need a total of $40 million to update and maintain all of its buildings between now and 2020, said John Zitzner, president of Friends of Breakthrough Schools, the network's fundraising organization.

"The Haslams' contribution is a powerful first step in our ability to open nine more high-performing schools," Zitzner said. 

Zitzner said that the donation will help "fundamentally transform the educational landscape in Cleveland."

Dee Haslam and the Haslam 3 Foundation have become increasing supporters of Breakthrough over the last few years, since she first visited one of the network's schools in 2013.

The Haslams gave Breakthrough $1 million for expansion in March. They also looked to Breakthrough's Village Prep elementary schools and E Prep middle schools as models for a new charter school in Knoxville, Tenn., where they come from.

Emerald Academy opened there this summer as the first charter school in the city.

Dee Haslam said that she and her husband believe that every child deserves a great education and Breakthrough's schools have brought good opportunities for kids in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

"We feel like excellent charter schools and especially Breakthrough can make a big difference," Haslam said. "It allows for kids wherever they live to go to a school that is excellent."

Haslam said he wants Breakthrough's 20 schools by 2020 plan to succeed.

"We want to make sure we get these schools in place so kids have access to great education," Haslam said. "It will transform lives. We really believe that this is transformational to these kids' lives."

"It's important to us and it's important to the community," she said.

Breakthrough is a one of the highest performing charter school operators in the country, according to Stanford University's Center for Research of Educational Outcomes (CREDO).

It's Citizens Academy, Intergenerational Schools and E-Prep and Village Prep models are routinely cited by state officials and charter school supporters as examples of how charter schools can outperform the urban school districts around them.

Rees said that Breakthrough is more "decentralized" than most of the better charter networks in the country, but is "highly effective" and one of the strongest.

Breakthrough has a strong partnership with the Cleveland school district and receives money from the 2012 school levy that voters passed. Breakthrough also leases some old schools from the district for its schools.

Zitzner was unable to announce the location of the new Breakthrough school coming in 2016 because the network is still negotiating for the property. But he said it will be on the West Side in a former Cleveland school district building that has a different owner now.

The school will follow the E Prep and Village Prep model. Zitzner said it will probably start as a Village Prep elementary school with just kindergarten and first grade, then add an additional grade each year

. It might also open with a fifth grade, too, and add 6th grade and up in successive years.

Breakthrough has been almost entirely on the East Side so far, with the only school to break that pattern being the Near West Intergenerational School in Ohio City.

Zitzner said he believes a majority of the new nine schools will go on the West Side.

"There are so many underserved kids over there and we don't have a presence," he said.

6 high school sports stories worth another look from Tuesday

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If you missed cleveland.com's high school sports coverage on Tuesday, here are some stories that are worth checking out.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In case you missed cleveland.com's high school sports coverage on Tuesday, here are six stories worth checking out.  

1. The No. 23 Brecksville boys basketball team used some stingy defense to defeat North Royalton, 48-33, in what has been one of the most anticipated neighborhood rivalry games in the region for years. 


2. Naz Bohannon had a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds to help lead the No. 3 Lorain boys basketball past No. 14 North Olmsted, 74-72


3. Desmond Crosby’s last-second jumper lifted No. 6 Beachwood boys basketball to a 75-74 win against No. 8 St. Edward, 75-74


4. Find out who the boys soccer player, goalie and coach of the year honors went to as well as which players earned a spot among the honorable mentions. 


5. Medina and North Royalton moved up in the cleveland.com girls basketball Top 25 as Mentor dropped down this weeek. See where other teams stand and read the reasons why they landed where they did. 


6. Elyria’s Ben Darmstadt sits atop the second cleveland.com Wrestling Power Poll. Find out how he got there and share your thoughts in the comments. 


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

See how No. 6 Beachwood held off No. 8 St. Edward for 75-74 boys basketball win (video gallery)

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Beachwood's 6-foot-6 senior guard, Maishe Dailey, was supposed to take the last shot. Instead, Desmond Crosby took it and delivered the Bison a 75-74 win against St. Edward.

BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- The final play was not supposed to go to Desmond Crosby.

Beachwood's 6-foot-6 senior guard, Maishe Dailey, was supposed to take the last shot Tuesday night. Instead, Crosby took it and delivered the Bison, No. 6 in the cleveland.com Top 25, a 75-74 win against No. 8 St. Edward.


Listed to what Crosby, teammates Ronald Jones and Tyrone Gibson, plus coach Matt Miller had to say with highlights. If that's not enough, look below for more video on how the game developed.


Crosby did not start. He overslept and missed the start of a practice. In his place, Dassan Rhodes set the tone early. He scored five of his seven points in the first quarter.






Kelvin Calhoun kept the Eagles within striking distance early. Four first-quarter rebounds were all on the offensive end for the 6-5 post player. Calhoun finished with 16 points and six boards.






A spark plug for the Bison, Gibson scored a team-high 22 points with 10 rebounds and two blocks.






Beachwood's lead pushed toward double digits in the second quarter. This Gibson to Dailey finish, forced St. Edward to take a timeout with a 27-18 score.






Then the difference increased to 15. It grew to 17.










With University of Michigan coach Jon Beilein and Rutgers watching, Dailey put together a 10-rebound, four-assist performance. Beachwood didn't need him to score on this night, and he did not press the issue.






After giving up easy baskets, the Eagles began to fight back in the second half. Here is one of point guard Sean Flannery's two steals. He finished with seven points and seven assists.






Tommy Schmock scored all 25 of his points in the second half, which included four 3-pointers.


St. Edward cut the Beachwood lead to 68-67 in the third quarter on this Dan Chambers 3.










The Eagles tied it at 70 on a Jack Sullivan 3. Beachwood went up two before Flannery's two free throws with 39.5 seconds left put St. Edward in front for the first time, 74-73. That set the stage for Crosby.






With 0.6 seconds left on the clock, St. Edward got a clean look at one last shot.






For more high school sports news, like NEOvarsity on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Contact high school sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.


Will it be a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns' first pick? NFL mock draft roundup

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The Browns would guarantee a top-two pick if they lose their final two contests. In that time, will Johnny Manziel show enough to convince those making the draft choice -- whoever they may be -- that selecting a quarterback with a top-five pick is an unnecessary action? Many forecasters are convinced the Browns will walk away from April's draft with either Memphis' Paxton Lynch or California's Jared Goff.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's a battle between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns for the first pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

It's not exactly a heavyweight bout.

The Titans, expected to start backup Zach Mettenberger at quarterback for the final two weeks, have the inside track at the top selection. Quarterback isn't a question for the Titans moving forward, though. Marcus Mariota figures to be the guy for the foreseeable future.

The Browns would guarantee a top-two pick if they lose their final two contests. In that time, will Johnny Manziel show enough to convince those making the draft choice -- whoever they may be -- that selecting a quarterback with a top-five pick is an unnecessary action? Many forecasters are convinced the Browns will walk away from April's draft with either Memphis' Paxton Lynch or California's Jared Goff.

If that's the case, it might not matter if the Browns claim the first or second pick, unless Tennessee trades its selection.

Strength of schedule serves as the first tiebreaker, as the team with the worst opponents' record earns the higher pick. Let's check out the draft order as it stands and what those piecing together mock drafts have in store for the Browns in the spring.

Draft order (through Week 15):

1. Tennessee Titans (3-11)

Opponents' record: 96-100

Remaining games: vs. Texans, at Colts

Remaining opponents' record: 13-15

2. Cleveland Browns (3-11)

Opponents' record: 102-94

Remaining games: at Chiefs, vs. Steelers

Remaining opponents' record: 18-10

3. Baltimore Ravens (4-10)

Remaining games: vs. Steelers, at Bengals

4. San Diego Chargers (4-10)

Remaining games: at Raiders, at Broncos

5. Dallas Cowboys (4-10)

Remaining games: at Bills, vs. Redskins

6. San Francisco 49ers (4-10)

Remaining games: at Lions, vs. Rams

7. Miami Dolphins (5-9)

Remaining games: vs. Colts, vs. Patriots

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9)

Remaining games: at Saints, at Texans

9. New Orleans Saints (5-9)

Remaining games: vs. Jaguars, at Falcons

10. Chicago Bears (5-9)

Remaining games: at Buccaneers, vs. Lions

ESPN (Todd McShay)

Browns' pick: Paxton Lynch, quarterback, Memphis

Explanation: "Lynch has been an extremely efficient passer for the Tigers this season (69.0 completion rate, 28 TDs vs. 3 INTs) -- and he showed up in a big way against Memphis' best opponent (Ole Miss). He has not yet declared for the draft -- and I still have a lot of work to do on him in terms of analyzing his work ethic, leadership skills, mental makeup and durability history -- but Lynch has the physical skills to develop into a good starting NFL QB, which Cleveland needs."

Top 10 (note: ESPN uses Football Power Index to project final order):

1. Titans: Joey Bosa, defensive end, Ohio State

2. Browns: Lynch

3. Chargers: Robert Nkemdiche, defensive tackle, Ole Miss

4. Ravens: Jalen Ramsey, defensive back, Florida State

5. 49ers: Jared Goff, quarterback, California

6. Cowboys: Jaylon Smith, linebacker, Notre Dame

7. Lions: Laremy Tunsil, offensive tackle, Ole Miss

8. Dolphins: Ronnie Stanley, offensive tackle, Notre Dame

9. Jaguars: Vernon Hargreaves, cornerback, Florida

10. Rams: Laquon Treadwell, receiver, Ole Miss

SB Nation (Dan Kadar)

Browns' pick: Jared Goff, quarterback, California

Explanation: "Clearly this move for the Browns would mean the team is ready to move on from Johnny Manziel as a starting quarterback. Between Goff and Paxton Lynch of Memphis, the California junior is more pro-ready right now. That shouldn't be construed as a slight on his talent, though. Goff's arm strength is good enough, and he's shown good maneuverability in the pocket."

Top 10:

1. Titans: Tunsil

2. Browns: Goff

3. Ravens: Ramsey

4. Chargers: Bosa

5. Cowboys: Hargreaves

6. 49ers: Lynch

7. Lions: Nkemdiche

8. Saints: Mackensie Alexander, cornerback, Clemson

9. Jaguars: Smith

10. Dolphins: Reggie Ragland, linebacker, Alabama

CBS Sports (Dane Brugler)

Browns' pick: Bosa

Explanation: "There is a lot of unknown with the future of the Browns franchise right now, including what the depth chart at quarterback will look like next season. If Johnny Manziel can do enough to keep Cleveland from drafting a quarterback in the top-five, Bosa will just need to hop on I-71 North."

Top 10:

1. Titans: Tunsil

2. Browns: Bosa

3. Ravens: Ronnie Stanley

4. Chargers: Ramsey

5. Cowboys: Myles Jack, linebacker, UCLA

6. Lions: DeForest Buckner, defensive end, Oregon

7. 49ers: Goff

8. Dolphins: Smith

9. Jaguars: Hargreaves

10. Bears: Lynch

CBS Sports (Rob Rang)

Browns' pick: Lynch

Explanation: "Johnny Manziel has given Cleveland a spark since taking over as the starting quarterback, but he may need to provide more than a few splashy plays a game to keep the Browns from moving on. Lynch isn't as highly regarded by scouts as Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota a year ago but he possesses exciting traits, including size (listed at 6-feet-7, 230 pounds), mobility and arm talent. He has made steady progress throughout his career and scouts feel he may be just scratching the surface of his potential."

Top 10:

1. Titans: Tunsil

2. Browns: Lynch

3. Ravens: Ramsey

4. Chargers: Bosa

5. Cowboys: Smith

6. Lions: Stanley

7. 49ers: Goff

8. Dolphins: Jack

9. Jaguars: Nkemdiche

10. Bears: Buckner

Ohio State's Mickey Mitchell debuts: 'You can't expect me to come out there and look like Magic Johnson'

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The freshman forward played eight minutes in his Ohio State debut in Tuesday's win over Mercer. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Eight minutes, three rebounds, a steal, a turnover, a foul and a missed runner in the lane.

So went the debut of Ohio State freshman Mickey Mitchell on Tuesday night in Ohio State's 64-44 win over Mercer. After missing 10 games waiting for the NCAA to clear him, and an 11th because playing his first college game against Kentucky maybe wasn't the best idea, the 6-foot-7 forward hit the floor for the first time as a Buckeye.

And he didn't throw a single no-look pass. 

Where's the guy from the crazy AAU highlights?

"I'm just getting adjusted to college basketball, I mean that was my first couple of minutes, so you can't expect me to come out there and look like Magic Johnson," Mitchell said. "I'm not that good."

Here are five thoughts on what Mitchell might be and how he reached this point.

1. "We're going to make room for him," is how Thad Matta described sliding Mitchell into the rotation. It sounds like he'll most likely fit as a backup to wing men Keita Bates-Diop, Jae'Sean Tate and Marc Loving. That's not a bad thing, because Kam Williams is the only other backup there.

Matta said he likes how those three are playing but knows depth will matter more as the season wears on. 

2. Mitchell is friends with former Buckeye Austin Grandstaff, the freshman who transferred 10 games into the season last week. While Mitchell waited for his chance to play, he said he didn't consider looking for that chance at another school.

"If I were to leave I wouldn't play anywhere else anyway," Mitchell said, knowing the NCAA wait would have followed him. "So no, I never thought about it."

3. Jokes about his highlight passes aside, Mitchell does have that natural ability to find teammates, and he's a unique player on the roster.

"He brings something to the team we don't have right now," Matta said.

What Matta said Mitchell needs most is just playing time. He could practice while he waited for clearance, but his main role was basically as the scout team point guard, running the next opponent's offense.

4. Mitchell thought he matured while sitting, learning how to better talk to his coaches and teammates. It's the kind of thing everyone says while looking for something good in a 10-game absence, the exact cause of which Mitchell still wouldn't discuss Tuesday.

He figures he needs to ease back in more than jump back in.

"One of my mentors told me, 'Don't try to regain all your eligibility back in one play,'" Mitchell said. "So I'm not trying to rush anything. I try to do what I need to do for my team right now to get a win."

5. Mitchell really isn't a shooter, so if he's not going to be firing behind-the-back passes yet or attacking the lane, he has to do something else. His greatest contributions Tuesday were an offensive rebound and a charge that counted as his first real play in college. 

Not what he expected.

"I've taken them before, it's not like that's my first one ever," Mitchell said. "I was just on help (defense) so I took it."

"You see glimpses of it in practice every day," freshman point guard JaQuan Lyle said of Mitchell. "He can bring a lot to the table. He had a big-time offensive rebound in the first half and I noticed that. It's the little things things that help, so once he gets into the flow I expect a lot."


Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Fiesta Bowl: Can a load of NFL talent make up for lack of playoff luster?

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This Fiesta Bowl arguably has a better assortment of NFL talent than any other bowl game on this year's schedule.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa wanted to make sure he got the name right. It's the least that one surefire top 10 NFL draft pick could do for another. 

Bosa was asked last week to evaluate Notre Dame from a talent standpoint as Ohio State gets ready to play the Fighting Irish on Jan. 1 in the Fiesta Bowl. Usually college players just stick to numbers, it's easier to not get things wrong and that's how the opponent is talked about when breaking down film.

But the really good ones get their name thrown out there sometimes.

"Talent-wise, they have great players everywhere you look," Bosa started to say. "They have two big, athletic tackles. Obviously their left tackle, Ronnie ... I hope I got that right."

He did. It's Ronnie Stanley. Bosa will get to know him well in a few days. And if he wasn't quite sure on the name, Bosa will hear it blare over the speakers at the NFL Draft right around the same time his name gets called by commissioner Roger Goodell.

In fact, you're going to hear the words "Ohio State" and "Notre Dame" a lot when watching the draft in a few months. Both teams are loaded with NFL talent. That's nothing surprising, you'd expect that from Notre Dame and we've been telling you since last year's draft how special that weekend could be for the Buckeyes this time around.

How much NFL talent are we talking about? Put it this way, the NFL's gaze will be fixed heavily on University of Phoenix Stadium, this game will be an NFL scout's dream. This Fiesta Bowl arguably has a better assortment of NFL talent than any other bowl game on this year's schedule, including the playoff games.

Consider that:

* On ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper's most recent big board, which features the 25 best draft prospects, there are four Ohio State players and two Notre Dame players.

Representing the Buckeyes are Bosa (1), running back Ezekiel Elliott (15), offensive tackle Taylor Decker (23) and receiver Michael Thomas (25). Representing Notre Dame are linebacker Jaylon Smith (2) and Stanley (7).

The only other bowl matchups that feature the same kind of talent on Kiper's board are the Sugar Bowl and Cotton Bowl. The Sugar Bowl has three players from Ole Miss and one from Oklahoma State, while the Cotton bowl has three from Alabama and one from Michigan State.

* Sports Illustrated's most recent big board, which ranks the top 40 prospects, features six players from Ohio State and two from Notre Dame. Linebacker Darron Lee and safety Vonn Bell join the mix there for Ohio State.

The SI list features four Alabama players and three Michigan State players, giving the Cotton Bowl six total players.

Podcast: Which Ohio State players will be NFL stars?

* ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay has four Ohio State players and three Notre Dame players in the first round of his most recent mock draft.

Bosa (1), Thomas (16), Decker (18) and Lee (23) make McShay's list, as do Smith (6) and Stanley (8). Notre Dame receiver Will Fuller is No. 29. So that's seven Fiesta Bowl players in McShay's first round, no other bowl matchup has more than four.

CBS draft analyst Dane Brugler has three Ohio State players and two Notre Dame players in the first round of his latest mock. Bosa (2), Decker (12) and Elliott (20) make it for Ohio State, while Stanley (3) and Smith (8) are there for Notre Dame.

You get the point, Ohio State and Notre Dame have good players. What makes this bowl matchup unique is that two programs with a ton of high-caliber NFL talent that will be leaving this year are playing against each other, and that's not really happening in other games.

And neither of these teams are top heavy when it comes to the draft either.

Notre Dame defensive tackle Sheldon Day and center Nick Martin are well-regarded by the NFL, and should join the previously mentioned three players as selections at some point during draft weekend.

Regardless of who stays and who goes, Ohio State will be very well represented. Seniors like linebacker Joshua Perry and tight end Nick Vannett will be drafted. Don't forget about Braxton Miller, either. Other eligible players like cornerback Eli Apple, receiver Jalin Marshall and safety Tyvis Powell could be on the move as well.

When it's all said and done, we could be talking about nearly 20 picks in the 2016 NFL Draft playing in one bowl game. Think about that number for a second.

That might be enough to get you excited for this game even though you were hoping for the playoff.

After turbulent upbringing, basketball brings Desmond Crosby back to Beachwood (photos, video)

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Now a high school senior, Desmond Crosby transferred to Beachwood in the summer from Central Catholic. The 5-foot-9 point guard is used to changes.

BEACHWOOD, Ohio – Desmond Crosby's father just received residential custody of him with a move to Beachwood in the fall of 2008.

Back then, Desmond had his mother’s last name of Abdullah.


His father, Desmond Crosby, wanted him to take the family name. The legal name change was small compared to the other adjustments in young Desmond's life.


In a new home and school, his introduction to Beachwood’s intramural sports camps began with a call to his father. The 11-year-old Crosby was about to be kicked out of a camp.


“He was playing too rough,” the father said. “We clashed a lot. Still do.”


Now a high school senior, Desmond Crosby transferred this past summer from Central Catholic back to Beachwood. The 5-foot-9 point guard on the Bison basketball team is used to changes, and his whirlwind upbringing is finally settling.


Search for stability


Crosby remembers living in about 10 different places around Cleveland as a child with his mother, Monique Abdullah.


His parents were not together. His grades suffered and his attitude wore thin.


He had one constant: his grandmother, Diana Crosby. They hung out, walked to her favorite stores. She bought him toys.


“He was kind of a little spoiled kid,” Abdullah said, “especially when his grandmother was alive.”


After she died, Abdullah and Desmond Crosby agreed their son needed a change of scenery.


“It was a lot going on with him. It came out in his school work,” Abdullah said. “He was falling behind.”


The parents decided their son needed to try living with his father, who had an apartment in Beachwood.


The move jarred young Crosby socially. His new classmates had nicer clothes, which some teased him about. Difficult schoolwork compounded Crosby’s frustration, so his father sought a tutor for help and intramural sports as an outlet.


Damion Creel and Matt Miller, now Beachwood’s varsity football and basketball coaches, respectively, served as supervisors for those sports programs.


“I remember seeing him all the time,” Miller said. “‘Des’ is coming in and going hard. I don’t remember him getting in trouble, but I could see it happening.”


Crosby’s father remembers his son’s rough edges getting him into trouble, enough that Creel had to call him about it.


“I was a Cleveland kid and not really used to the suburban kids, so I was a little more aggressive in what I did,” Crosby said.


The father did not fully know how to handle discipline with his only child. He learned with the help of other fathers, whose sons befriended young Desmond.


Those intramural games – too rough or not – led to classmate Jalen Davis nudging Crosby to play on their youth basketball team.


“The sports really helped that transition,” Crosby’s father said.


While Crosby began to fit in with Davis and Ronald Jones, both of their fathers helped his dad. Davis’ father, John Davis, coached the kids’ middle school team and Crosby’s father, too.


“He was my first mentor on how to be a father and raise my son,” Crosby’s father said. “Ron Jones was another father figure with me helping raise Desmond.”


As his parenting improved, so did young Desmond Crosby’s grades. The young basketball team at Beachwood showed promise, too, with undefeated seventh- and eighth-grade seasons.


Trust developed between the father and his son.


“I realized my dad is a bigger piece of my life,” Crosby said. “Ever since then, we’ve been fine.”


A move to Central Catholic


Before Crosby’s freshman year of high school, an urge tugged at him.

Two of his older cousins attended Central Catholic. Darren Crosby played football and came to many of Desmond’s games. Dan Crosby played basketball with Earl Boykins, who went on to Eastern Michigan and the NBA.

Darren died in 2008 of Legionnaires’ disease, so attending Central Catholic would not only keep up a family tradition, but serve as a tribute to him.

Desmond Crosby entered Central Catholic as one of two promising freshman point guards for then-coach Jonathan Harris. The other was current Warrensville Heights point guard Brandon Peters.

As sophomores, Peters won the starting varsity job. When he transferred to Warrensville for the 2014-15 season, Crosby seized the opening. He helped the Ironmen to a Division II state championship game appearance, taking the mantra of an underdog. That mindset remained with Central Catholic through a run that included a regional final win against St. Vincent-St. Mary.

Their ride lasted until an overtime loss to Defiance for the state title.

“It was tough,” Crosby said. “It would be tougher if I was a senior, but it was still tough. I knew we had that.”

Crosby thought he would come back this season to a Central Catholic team with momentum. Then, coach Jeremy Holmes departed for Cleveland Heights, his alma mater. Holmes said he considered the move a homecoming.

Another followed for Crosby.

Back to Beachwood

Desmond Crosby and his father lived in the Collinwood area while he attended Central Catholic, a private school in Slavic Village. The drives to school and extra trips for basketball practice, mixed with the father’s two jobs, were taxing during the winter months.

Crosby’s mother had since moved to Youngstown. Beachwood made sense, Crosby’s father said, so they moved back.

“I was a little more comfortable there,” said Crosby, back with a Beachwood team hoping to improve on a 19-6 run that took it to last season’s Division III district final.

The Bison already returned all starters without Crosby, so how would they welcome him back? It meant some would sacrifice playing time and maybe a starting spot.

“I honestly wasn’t worried about it,” coach Miller said. “It just worked itself out with rotation spots. We play fast, so we’re subbing a lot and guys are getting in.”

Dassan Rhodes, one of four returning guards who started last season, said he considered Crosby the missing piece.

“He’s still the same,” Rhodes said. “It’s good having him back.”

Nowhere was that more evident than Tuesday's game against St. Edward, a bigger Division I squad that beat the Bison last season by 53 points. Crosby came off the bench for the first time this season because he overslept and missed the start to practice as the school began winter break. He made up for it by sinking a jump shot with 0.6 seconds left to keep Beachwood unbeaten through its first six games.

The Bison are ranked sixth in the cleveland.com Top 25, but opposing St. Edward coach Eric Flannery said he thinks they're better.

“Talent-wise, they’re top three or four in the city of Cleveland,” he said. “I knew that coming in because I’ve seen a bunch of teams. They’re top seven players can all perform.”

Maybe six had Crosby stayed at Central Catholic, but the senior said he feels like he never left. The rough exterior he brought to Beachwood in middle school remained part of his mindset as a basketball player at Central Catholic.

“Nobody talked about me. I was under the radar,” Crosby said. “I felt like I was an afterthought.”

While last season’s experience changed that, he goes about practice as if he’s still struggling to be noticed. That might be true in terms of college recruiting. Crosby said Division II schools and junior colleges have expressed interest.

He takes it as an honest assessment of his basketball skill.

“I still feel like I can be better than where I’m at,” he said.

Wherever Crosby goes, he wants to pick a major that allows him to work with youth.

He might encounter someone like him.

For more high school sports news, like NEOvarsity on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Contact high school sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.

Golf All-Stars 2015: Green's Abbie Pearce and Hudson's Will Kurtz win top awards (photos, videos)

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See photos and videos of cleveland.com's 2015 boys and girls golf All-Stars.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are cleveland.com’s boys and girls golfers of the year for 2015 and honorable mention performers.

Hudson junior Will Kurtz, the Division I boys individual state champion, is the boys golfer of the year.


Green junior Abbie Pearce, who helped her team to a second-place finish in its first state tournament appearance, is the girls golfer of the year.


Check out the 2015 Boys Golf All-Stars gallery




And the 2015 Girls Golf All-Stars gallery




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



15 from '15: Craziest plays from the year in sports

Former Cleveland Browns guard Robert Jackson calls play of current line inconsistent: Brunch with a Brown (video)

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Former Cleveland Browns guard Robert Jackson says the offensive line play has been inconsistent and below standard this season. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Robert Jackson has seen many holes that have led to his former team's current state, but the inconsistent play of the Cleveland Browns offensive line has led to his disappointment.

"The offensive line play has been below standard of what I thought they'd be," said Jackson, who played offensive line for the Browns from 1975-85. "Individually there's some good athletes there but it hasn't been as good of year collectively. We didn't establish a running game. They've done a good job of pass blocking but it's been inconsistent overall."

Each week, a former Browns player will discuss the team over brunch at an area restaurant. In this video at Ironwood Cafe in Westlake, Jackson talked about the offensive line, optimism in the team's future, and what he hopes for in the final two games.

Jackson was a durable guard for the Browns. He missed only two games. He was a member of the 1980 "Kardiac Kids" and his blocking helped quarterback Brian Sipe become the league's MVP that season.

The play of the offensive line was as important then as it is now.

"The name of the game is protecting the quarterback and pressuring the quarterback," Jackson said. "A lineman can miss a couple of run blocks and no one would really know. But if I give up a quarterback hit, I failed all five of the guys up front. That's the bottom line."

Jackson is the president of Jackson, Dieken and Associates. It is an insurance company run by Jackson and his former Browns teammate Doug Dieken.

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