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Northeast Ohio College Prep fires athletic director after girls basketball's 107-point loss

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Following the girls basketball's 108-1 loss in the playoffs, Northeast Ohio College Prep fires athletic director.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Justin Shillick has been released from duties on Friday as the athletic director at Northeast Ohio College Preparatory as reported by Fox 8.

This comes after the girls basketball team fell 108-1 on Wednesday in the Division III sectional playoffs to Gilmour. In an attempt to schedule an interview on Friday, cleveland.com learned Shillick would not be available.

Gilmour scores 108 points against Northeast Ohio College Prep

"We strive to assure that our athletic program is as successful as our academic model," Prep made in a statement. "On Thursday, February 18, we took steps that would move our athletic program in a new direction. While we cannot discuss any personnel matters, we felt it was necessary to embark upon a different path regarding our athletic department. We are always seeking additional support that will enhance our athletic programming and offer opportunities for our scholars to be successful not only with their academics, but also with their athletic interests."

Contact Nathaniel Cline via email (ncline@cleveland.com) and Twitter (@nathanielcline).


Community rallies after Northeast Ohio College Prep girls basketball's 107-point loss

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Northeast Ohio College Prep girls basketball receives community support after 108-1 loss.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The emotions of a 107-point loss carried over on Friday for the Northeast Ohio College Preparatory girls basketball team.

But the squad ended the week with some newfound support from the Tremont area where the five-year school is located.

"I said to myself 'where is this school and how did I not know about this I've been down here for almost 20 years,'" said Fat Cats restaurant owner Ricardo Sandoval. "I need to know more about this school, I need to be a fan of their team and I need to reach out to them."

Gilmour girls coach: 'We took steps to not disrespect our opponent'

Sandoval offered a free brunch to the team after Prep's 108-1 loss on Wednesday to Gilmour in the OHSAA Division III sectional playoffs. It was the first playoff game for Prep, seeded No. 13 in the sectional tournament, against top-seeded Gilmour.

"When I received that email this afternoon it made me feel really good that people are trying to uplift our children even in defeat," said Prep principal Vada Giles-Weeks.

Prep, in its third season, won only a single game playing mostly home schools this season. Out of the eight players who suited up, the principal said at most two have experience playing basketball.

"The school is feeling downhearted and the girls are devastated," Giles-Weeks said. "They played their hardest, gave it their all and many of them have never played basketball."

Friday afternoon, the school fired its athletic director, Justin Shillick.

Next to the school's mission of preparing students for college, the principal said she wants to continue to see the athletic program grow and offer organized sports for the students that travel from around the Cleveland area. Prep, an enrollment size of 271, became a member of the OHSAA this school year.

The team practices on a non-regulation court splitting time with the boys team and plays home games at a local recreational center. Practice typically is an hour long, as some students travel up to an hour to get home on public transportation.

The basketball team has not scheduled a trip yet to Fat Cats restaurant, located a couple of blocks away from the school. However, the 19-year owner said he looks forward to the squad's arrival.

"I think as a business owner it's not just about making money, but it's about helping people," Sandoval said. "It's about being neighbors and helping everyone around you become better, and that's what I believe in."

Contact Nathaniel Cline via email (ncline@cleveland.com) and Twitter (@nathanielcline).

Why Alex Mack will likely opt out by March 4 if the Browns don't redo his deal by then

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Browns Pro Bowl center Alex Mack stands to hit the jackpot again on the open market. The Browns will have to make him an offer he can't refuse to keep him.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Pro Bowl center Alex Mack will likely opt out of his contract by 4 p.m. March 4 if the Browns haven't made him a deal by then that he can't refuse.

But even if he voids the contract, it doesn't mean he's gone. It just means the Browns will have to reach deep into their pockets and join the Mack sweepstakes again.

Their first-round pick in 2009, Mack has deep roots in Cleveland and has said he'd like to be back. Like Joe Thomas, Mack met with Hue Jackson at the Super Bowl and came away impressed, a source said. He respects Jackson, likes him as a person and thinks he's a fantastic coach.

What's more, Mack might have a chance to block for fellow Cal star Jared Goff, whom the Browns are considering drafting with the No. 2 overall pick.

The addition of Jackson and Goff -- or another top quarterback prospect such as Carson Wentz of North Dakota State or Paxton Lynch of Memphis -- would likely be as appealing to Mack as it is to Thomas, who said last week "the future is really bright for the Cleveland Browns" as long as they pick the right quarterback.

The changes would also likely satisfy one of Mack's late-season criteria for wanting to return.

"I will say that winning is really important to me,'' he said then.

But the Browns will have to pay up if they want to keep him, because Mack stands to hit the jackpot again in free agency, which opens March 9. Joel Corry of nationalfootballpost.com predicted that the three-time Pro Bowler could become the first $10 million a year center in the NFL.

In 2014, after placing the rarely-used transition tag on Mack, the Browns matched Jacksonville's lucrative and creative offer sheet. It was a five-year deal worth $42 million, including $18 million guaranteed over the first two years and another $8 million guaranteed in 2016 if he's on the roster April 5. The deal averaged $8.4 million a year, which made him the highest paid center in the NFL at the time. Now he's fifth.

The pact included a no-trade clause and an opt-out clause after two years. If he waits until after March 1 to voide the deal, the Browns can't place the franchise or transition tag on him.

Mack's contract can be viewed as two separate deals: the two-year, $18 million fully-guaranteed portion that he just completed; and the three-year, $24 million ($8 million average) segment with $8 million guaranteed that he has left.

To make voiding the contract worthwhile, all Mack has to do is beat his remaining three-year, $24 million payout, including $8 million guaranteed, on the open market.

That's a layup.

For comparison's sake, Miami's Mike Pouncey signed a five-year, $44.75 million contract last season, including a $5 million signing bonus and $22 million guaranteed. His average annual annual salary is $8.95 million -- making him the highest-paid center in the NFL. Like Mack, Pouncey is a three-time Pro Bowler.

Mack also earned theEd Block Courage Award from his teammates this year for his comeback from a broken fibula and ligament damage that cost him the final 11 games of 2014.

"It's impressive that a guy that comes off of such a bad broken leg, and other injuries, is able to come back and he's to the point now where you don't even think about it,'' Thomas said when Mack was voted to the Pro Bowl this season. "You wouldn't even know, except for the scar on his leg, that he had a bad injury last year.''

Related: Mack says winning is paramount

The Browns found out the hard way in 2014 just how valuable Mack was to the team. Without him, the offense tanked and the Browns lost six of their last seven games. They drafted offensive lineman Cam Erving No. 19 overall as insurance against Mack's departure, but he hasn't yet demonstrated that he's ready to start.

"I'm not saying that Cam can't go in, compete and win a job,'' top offensive assistant Pep Hamilton said Thursday. "It was good to see that there were times when he was a dominant player. We expect that over time the more that he plays and once he has a chance to work with the offensive line coaches that we have here, he can be an every-down player for us."

He acknowledged that the thought of losing both Mack and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz is unnerving.

"I try not to think about it, but at the same time, I'm optimistic that things are going to work out,'' Hamilton said. "Just looking at what they put on film over the course of their careers across the board, those guys up front, it's exciting to see that the core, probably the most important component besides your quarterback of your offense, we have a strong group in place."

Related: Free agent offensive linemen

Thomas cast his vote to keep the line intact.

"I feel like we have a lot of salary cap space (an estimated $40 million) to spend on it,'' he said. "I'm not in the salary cap meetings but I'd certainly like to keep them. I think we have the best right tackle and the best center in the NFL and I'd certainly like to keep those guys. You're not going to make your team better by getting a worse player at those positions.''

The Browns now have two weeks to try to wrap up their center before he becomes fair game again.

Terry Francona likes Cleveland Indians' catchers, but needs them to stay healthy

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Indians' pitchers are in good hands with catchers Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez, but they have to stay healthy.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Manager Terry Francona told reporters in Goodyear, Arizona Friday after the first day or workouts that he feels good about the Indians' catching situation with Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez.

Gomes finished third in Friday's endurance test for pitchers and catchers and Perez reported 20 pounds lighter than last year. Now they just have to stay healthy.

That was not the case last year when Gomes, coming off a strong 2014 in which he won the Silver Slugger award for American League catchers, suffered a knee injury in early April and missed six weeks. When Gomes returned, he had a tough time finding his swing, hitting .231 (84-for-363) with 12 homers and 45 RBI.

"You never know when a guy comes back (from injury) how he's going to do," said Francona. "There's no way to have a crystal ball.

"We've seen where guys get off to a great start and hardly had any spring training. We've also seen where guys miss time early and they seem to miss something. They miss that chance to get those at-bats and get in a groove."

Such was the case with Gomes.

"You could tell the whole year it just wasn't quite the same (for him)," said Francona. "I fall back on that's what good players do. They try to come back and play and we appreciate it. We knew his numbers were going to suffer a little bit because of it."

Tribe catcher Yan Gomes' knee injury revisited

New teammate Rajai Davis is the player who injured Gomes, sliding into his right heel while scoring a run for the Detroit Tigers on April 12. Gomes was out until May 23.

Perez replaced Gomes and didn't play well early, but got better.

"When he started to catch every day, we weren't playing very well," said Francona. "I think he had a couple of minutes of saying, 'Oh, oh.' But to his credit he kept at it and really did a pretty good job.

"We're fortunate to have those two guys. In a lot of scenarios, Roberto is a front-line catcher and there's no doubt in my mind that some day somewhere he'll be an everyday catcher. But right now he needs to back up Gomer."

But Perez's role comes with an asterisk.

Roberto Perez draws interest from Atlanta

"We need him to treat spring training like he's the everyday guy," said Francona. "One, this is spring training and things happen. Two, it's best for his development. We're going to involve him more in scouting when he's not playing so we don't hurt his development."

Perez hit .228 (42-for-184) with seven homers and 21 RBI last season. He posted a .751 OPS.

The Tribe's two catchers controlled the running game. Perez threw out 39 percent (16-41) of the runners to challenge him to lead all big league catchers who faced at least 40 stolen-base attempts. Gomes threw out 31.6 percent (18-57) of the runners he faced.

Run, Cody, run: Right-hander Cody Anderson won the endurance test Friday for pitchers and catchers. Anderson has revamped his body for the second year in a row and the results showed.

The surprise second-place finisher was Dave Wallace, Akron's Class AA manager.

"I guess that says a lot about Wally, but I did not want him to win," said Francona. "It would have cost me a lot of money."

The coaches were betting on players and Francona had Zach McAllister, who had a good showing last year. McAllister did not finish in the money.

"He said if he won he won he wouldn't have to make a road trip this spring," said Francona. "He doesn't have to worry about that now."

Finally: Position players are scheduled to report Sunday. The first full-squad workout is Tuesday.

Kent State's dominant inside effort topples Akron, 85-76

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All the hounds were loose for both Kent State and Akron, but it was the Golden Flashes who howled last, 85-76 over the Zips.

KENT, Ohio -- All the hounds were loose for Kent State and Akron Friday night, but it was the Golden Flashes who howled loudest and longest with an 85-76 victory over Akron before a packed house in the M.A.C. Center.

Kent's perimeter defense kept Akron's 3-point shooters quiet most of the night leaving the battle almost entirely inside. Akron's 6-10, 275-pound Isaiah (Big Dog) Johnson finished with 24 points to lead the Zips.

But the Golden Flashes countered with a combined 39 points from center Khaliq Spicer and forward Jimmy Hall, plus a critical 22 from guard Kellon Thomas.

Kent held Akron to 10-of-33 on 3-point shooting, with four of those coming the final 2:23. The Zips entered the game No. 4 in the nation averaging 11.7 3-pointers a game.

"Probably our best game of the year for 40 minutes,'' Kent coach Rob Senderoff said. 

Credit Akron for trimming a 15-point second-half deficit to a 61-61 tie. This was the first game in quite a while the Zips had to grind from start to finish. But that's Kent State's game.

"They played well. They never shot a ball outside of three feet the second half,'' Akron coach Keith Dambrot said. "Our finesse did not beat their physical play inside."

After a 3-pointer tied it for the Zips, the Flashes responded with a 12-1 run, pounding the ball inside for layups or free throws for a 73-62 lead with 3:04 to play.

Closing games has been an issue for Kent, but not Friday. The Flashes went 10-of-12 from the line down the stretch to improve to 18-9, 9-5 in the MAC, while Akron is 21-6, 10-4.

"We battled as hard as we could,'' Senderoff said. "We made the plays we needed to to win."

Kent State got exactly what it needed in the opening half, some cold perimeter shooting from the Zips and a solid effort on the boards to build a 42-32 lead. The Zips were 3-of-15 on 3-pointers in the opening half.

For Kent, the key was Thomas, who delivered 16 points primarily driving hard to the rim, coupled with a pair of timely 3-pointers.

"I can definitely say I fed off the crowd,'' Thomas said. "I tried to attack when I could. I tried to do whatever I could do."

The end result is Kent, left by the side of the road three weeks ago with two of its top four scorers out for the season, now solidly in the hunt for a bye to the MAC Tournament and sniffing first place, just one game in back of the Zips.

Akron finishes with three straight at home following a road game at last-place Miami. Kent plays three of its final four on the road, including the season-ender at Akron.

But at least for now, the Golden 'Hounds' are back in the hunt.

"Two and a half weeks ago, I thought this game would mean nothing," Senderoff said. "A great, great win for our guys."

Lake Erie Monsters edge San Antonio Rampage in overtime, 4-3

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Michael Chaput's overtime goal gave the Lake Erie Monsters a 4-3 victory over the San Antonio Rampage on Friday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Michael Chaput scored in overtime Friday to lift the Lake Erie Monsters over the San Antonio Rampage, 4-3, in an American Hockey League game at Quicken Loans Arena.

Chaput had tied the game with a goal midway through the third period, then got the game-winner at 4:02 of the overtime session, his 12th of the season. Dillon Heatherington and T.J. Tynan assisted.

It was hard to tell who had the home ice advantage. The Rampage are the top affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche and played in Cleveland through last season. They are led by former Monsters coach Dean Chynoweth and his roster is filled with players who had been here last year, before Cleveland became an affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado moved its affiliate to San Antonio. It was the first meeting between the teams this season.

Daniel Zaar put the Monsters on the board at 4:28 of the first period with his 13th goal of the season, but former Monsters winger Andrew Agozzino tied it just 30 seconds later, scoring his 10th goal of the season on a power play.

The Rampage took the lead at 15:33 of the first on another power play, Reid Petryk notching his 12th of the season.

San Antonio made it 3-1 at 17:43 of the second on a goal by Michael Schumacher, but the Monsters responded when Oliver Bjorkstrand scored on a power play with just 20 seconds left in the second.

The Monsters tied the game on Chaput's 11th goal of the season at 8:34 of the third to force the overtime.

Brad Thiessen replaced starter Anton Forsberg in goal to get the win. Thiessen stopped all nine shots he faced in his 27:17 minutes on the ice. Forsberg stopped 15 of 18. Rampage goalie Roman Will had 22 saves.

Zaar finished with a goal and two assists for the Monsters.

Welcome back: The Rampage roster, consisting of several Colorado Avalanche prospects that previously called Cleveland home, boasts a combined 1,227 career games played for Lake Erie.

Welcome back II: Forsberg returned Monday from the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he was 1-3-0 with a 3.03 goals against average and .907 save percentage in four games. The Harnosand, Sweden native has posted a 1-7-0 record with a 4.01 goals against average and .882 save percentage in nine career NHL games with the Blue Jackets.

Up next: The Monsters and Rampage close out their two-game set Saturday at 7 in the Q. ... The Monsters play three at home next week, Thursday vs. Rochester at 7, Friday vs. Rockford at 7, and Saturday vs. Rockford at 7:30.

No. 9 Copley boys basketball defeats Green, 67-48, to complete third undefeated regular season in school history (photos, video)

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Larnell Nealy's 28 points helped Copley complete a 22-0 regular season.

COPLEY, Ohio — Copley's boys basketball team completed an undefeated regular season by defeating Green, 67-48, on Friday.

The win completed Copley's third undefeated season in program history. The school had undefeated seasons in 1978-79, and in 2006-07.


The Indians (22-0), ranked No. 9 in the cleveland.com Top 25, were the only undefeated team left in cleveland.com's seven-county coverage area headed into Friday. Three teams went undefeated last season, including Lorain, St. Vincent-St. Mary and Green.


Larnell Nealy led the way for Copley with 28 points, including 15 of his team's 20 second-quarter points.


"We came out knowing that our season was on the line and we wanted to have an undefeated season," Nealy said. "We wanted this our freshman year and we got it."




As they have done all season, the Indians relied on their pressure defense to speed up the game, force their opponents to make mistakes and turn those mistakes into easy points.


Copley forced eight turnovers in the first quarter to take control of the game.


"We try to go constant pressure all the time on the guards, try to front the post, try to get uptempo, get runouts, get fast-break 3s or get layups, or get to the line," Copley coach Mark Dente said. "That's the way we've played all year. We've been averaging 80 points a game. We even slowed the ball down a little bit, played some zone and still got to 67."


Dente was eight years old when the 1978-79 team went undefeated, and was an assistant on the 2006-07 team.


"Being the head coach is a little bit different," Dente said. "To have my family sitting across from me and winning in our home gym on Senior Night, to win that 22nd game, it really hasn't even sunk in yet."


Friday's game was Senior Night for the Indians' eight seniors. Four of Copley's five starters are seniors, including guard Bryce Harvey, who had 15 points and nine rebounds. Like Nealy, Harvey felt the goal of an undefeated season was a realistic goal.


"I think, honestly, in a modest way, I think it's no surprise," Harvey said. "We took it one game at a time. It's something we just kept knocking off one at a time. We didn't fall off. It's kind of what I expected."


As Dente took his starters off the court with less than a minute, Copley fans and students started holding up yellow papers with "22-0" typed on them, celebrating their team's undefeated season.




Green (6-16) went 22-0 last season and defeated Copley twice that season, including in overtime in February of 2015.


"It's a heck of an accomplishment to go 22-0," Green coach Mark Kinsley said. "Not many teams are able to do that. To be able to get through a season healthy, get a couple of breaks to go your way, you're going to need those things. I just want to congratulate those guys."


Bobby Staudt led Green with 19 points and Noah Glass added 17.


Copley opens postseason play on Wednesday against Akron East in Division I Alliance District play, and Green will play either Massillon or Canton McKinley on Feb. 27 in a Division I Canton District sectional final.

Anderson Varejao reportedly receiving interest from numerous contenders, including Golden State Warriors

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Former Cleveland Cavaliers big man Anderson Varejao is reportedly receiving plenty of interest around the NBA, with the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors eyeing the 12-year veteran.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Cleveland Cavaliers big man Anderson Varejao is reportedly receiving plenty of interest around the NBA, with the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors headlining his potential suitors. 

Varejao was sent to Portland in a three-team deal that brought Channing Frye to Cleveland. The Trail Blazers released Varejao the same day and he is scheduled to clear waivers on Sunday afternoon. 

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Warriors are just one of several teams showing interest. Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Dallas are among the others in pursuit.

As for the Warriors, they don't currently have a roster spot available so any interest in Varejao would require them to make another move. With them having a well-established rotation, it's tough to see where Varejao would fit, but Golden State will be without Festus Ezeli for around six weeks following knee surgery and having an extra body with playoff experience wouldn't hurt. 

Varejao's former teammates, still processing the deal after a 106-95 win against the Chicago Bulls Thursday night, believe he will make for a quality addition. 

"I think he can bring a lot to a team whether it's him playing or him being one of those locker room guys, a guy that can come off the bench and give you a lot of energy," Kevin Love said. "I think he has a lot left in the tank."

Varejao, 33, is averaging career-lows in minutes (10.0), points (2.6) and rebounds (2.9). He spent much of the season out of the rotation. 

"He'll be fine. He's a smart player," Kyrie Irving said of his former teammate. "Veteran leadership and can bring a lot to the team. That waive factor doesn't really matter Andy and it doesn't really matter in terms of the stature and high value that I hold him at as an NBA basketball player. I played with him for five years. Obviously some injuries have stopped him over the last few years."

Beloved by fans and teammates, Varejao thanked the city of Cleveland with a heartfelt letter via Facebook on Friday afternoon. 

"For the last 12 years, I have had the honor of representing the city of Cleveland and the Cavaliers organization, and for that I will forever be grateful," Varejao wrote.

"Coming over from Spain at the young age of 21 was not easy, but as soon as I put on a Cavs jersey and stepped on the court, I felt at home."

When Varejao signs with another team, it will be the first time he has worn a different jersey in his career. 

"I have seen players and coaches come and go, but through it all I have always known Cleveland is where I want to retire," he added. "But life doesn't always work the way you want it to, and at the end of the day, the saying 'this is a business' is unfortunately true.

"So with that, I say goodbye. But more importantly, I say thank you. Thank you for your support. Thank you for coming out every night whether we were winning or losing. And thank you for giving me the best 12 years of my life.

Home is where the heart is, and my heart will forever be in Cleveland."


Ohio high school boys basketball statewide scores for Friday, Feb. 19, 2016

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

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here are Friday's boys basketball scores from around Ohio.

Ada 53, Columbus Grove 52


Akr. Coventry 84, Norton 62


Akr. Firestone 67, Uniontown Lake 62


Akr. SVSM 75, Can. McKinley 70


Arcadia 52, Cory-Rawson 45


Arlington 71, Vanlue 30


Ashland Crestview 74, Monroeville 65


Attica Seneca E. 51, Morral Ridgedale 47


Austintown Fitch 64, Youngs. Boardman 42


Avon Lake 64, Columbia Station Columbia 52


Barberton 57, Richfield Revere 44


Bay Village Bay 60, Parma 55


Bedford 79, Maple Hts. 55


Bloomdale Elmwood 49, Fostoria 39


Brecksville-Broadview Hts. 65, Hudson 58


Brunswick 72, Shaker Hts. 63


Bryan 67, Archbold 54


Bucyrus Wynford 74, Bucyrus 51


Can. Cent. Cath. 45, Canal Fulton Northwest 42


Can. Glenoak 79, Massillon Washington 74, 2OT


Canfield S. Range 75, Ashtabula Lakeside 45


Celina 67, Kenton 39


Centerburg 58, Cardington-Lincoln 55


Chagrin Falls Kenston 74, Willoughby S. 59


Cle. Cent. Cath. 68, Youngs. Valley Christian 37


Cle. VASJ 61, Louisville Aquinas 51


Clyde 64, Castalia Margaretta 47


Collins Western Reserve 63, Greenwich S. Cent. 60


Continental 63, Hamler Patrick Henry 35


Convoy Crestview 47, Bluffton 45


Copley 67, Green 48


Cornerstone Christian 85, Cle. Collinwood 62


Coshocton 72, Navarre Fairless 45


Cuyahoga Falls 57, Twinsburg 51


Cuyahoga Falls CVCA 48, Cle. Rhodes 39


Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 57, Cle. Benedictine 37


Dalton 68, Akr. Kenmore 62


Delphos Jefferson 74, Harrod Allen E. 60


Delphos St. John's 42, Rockford Parkway 19


Delta 42, Metamora Evergreen 29


Elida 55, Lima Bath 53


Elyria Cath. 85, Parma Hts. Valley Forge 52


Findlay Liberty-Benton 58, Pandora-Gilboa 41


Fremont St. Joseph 42, Fostoria St. Wendelin 38


Ft. Recovery 58, Maria Stein Marion Local 32


Gates Mills Gilmour 57, Gates Mills Hawken 34


Gorham Fayette 55, Edon 19


Grafton Midview 69, N. Ridgeville 58


Hartville Lake Center Christian 73, Ravenna SE 59


Haviland Wayne Trace 79, Ottoville 38


Holland Springfield 77, Perrysburg 75


Huron 75, Bellevue 59


Kalida 49, Sherwood Fairview 39


Kent Roosevelt 44, Medina Highland 40


Kingsway Christian 55, Gospel Haven 48


Lakeside Danbury 63, Tiffin Calvert 57


Leipsic 72, Ft. Jennings 49


Lexington 74, Mansfield Sr. 63


Lima Cent. Cath. 84, Spencerville 66


Lima Shawnee 57, Defiance 52, 2OT


Lima Sr. 76, Oregon Clay 48


Lorain 90, Cle. Hts. 84


Loudonville 51, Smithville 50


Lowellville 49, Hubbard 38


Lucas 67, Howard E. Knox 58


Madison 75, Lyndhurst Brush 69, OT


Mansfield Madison 54, Orrville 53


Mansfield St. Peter's 49, Mansfield Christian 43


Massillon Jackson 60, Warren Harding 45


Maumee 41, Napoleon 32


Mayfield 70, Eastlake N. 43


Medina 59, Mentor 47


Milan Edison 44, Sandusky Perkins 43


Millbury Lake 45, Genoa Area 42


Miller City 54, Hicksville 44


Mogadore 70, Garrettsville Garfield 46


Mogadore Field 61, Ravenna 50


Mt. Blanchard Riverdale 55, McComb 46


N. Can. Hoover 73, Akr. Ellet 54


N. Olmsted 74, Medina Buckeye 62


N. Robinson Col. Crawford 69, Carey 47


New Knoxville 61, Minster 45


New London 52, Plymouth 42


New Middletown Spring. 73, Sebring McKinley 64


New Riegel 67, Old Fort 51


New Washington Buckeye Cent. 62, Sycamore Mohawk 27


Niles McKinley 56, Campbell Memorial 52


Norwalk St. Paul 66, Ashland Mapleton 63


Olmsted Falls 56, Avon 49


Ontario 61, Willard 47


Orange 56, Richmond Hts. 45


Ottawa-Glandorf 87, St. Marys Memorial 39


Painesville Riverside 61, Chardon 59


Parma Normandy 57, Parma Hts. Holy Name 47


Parma Padua 75, Mentor Lake Cath. 73


Pemberville Eastwood 56, Tontogany Otsego 44


Peninsula Woodridge 68, Akr. Springfield 46


Pettisville 40, Pioneer N. Central 25


Poland Seminary 95, Jefferson Area 55


Port Clinton 57, Oak Harbor 39


Portsmouth Sciotoville 71, Latham Western 63


Ridgeway Ridgemont 68, Mansfield Temple Christian 65


Rocky River 64, Oberlin 34


Rocky River Lutheran W. 70, Cle. Hts. Lutheran E. 52


Rootstown 75, Atwater Waterloo 40


Rossford 63, Elmore Woodmore 39


Salem 90, Columbiana Crestview 59


Sandusky 65, Shelby 61


Sandusky St. Mary 81, Kansas Lakota 27


Solon 60, Elyria 55


St. Henry 70, Coldwater 67


Stewart Federal Hocking 78, Reedsville Eastern 70


Stow-Munroe Falls 51, N. Royalton 44


Streetsboro 75, Lodi Cloverleaf 59


Strongsville 64, Euclid 57


Struthers 76, Youngs. Liberty 43


Swanton 68, Liberty Center 65


Sylvania Northview 80, Bowling Green 63


Sylvania Southview 64, Whitehouse Anthony Wayne 63


Tallmadge 61, Aurora 58, 2OT


Tiffin Columbian 57, Norwalk 48


Tol. Christian 74, Tol. Emmanuel Baptist 54


Tol. Maumee Valley 47, Northwood 40


Tol. Ottawa Hills 65, Gibsonburg 40


Tol. St. Francis 65, Fremont Ross 57


Tol. St. John's 55, Tol. Cent. Cath. 36


Tol. Whitmer 54, Findlay 48


Van Buren 80, N. Baltimore 57


Van Wert Lincolnview 50, Paulding 38


W. Unity Hilltop 72, Stryker 67


Wadsworth 64, Macedonia Nordonia 49


Wapakoneta 65, Van Wert 53


Warren Champion 85, Mineral Ridge 79


Warren JFK 55, Garfield Hts. Trinity 40


Warrensville Hts. 68, E. Cle. Shaw 51


Wauseon 67, Montpelier 36


Wellington 54, Oberlin Firelands 47


Wickliffe 72, Fairport Harbor Harding 43


Woodlan, Ind. 75, Antwerp 52


Wooster 76, Ashland 62


Youngs. Mooney 53, Brookfield 35








Division I

Centerville 42, Kettering Fairmont 39


Cin. Withrow 52, Cin. St. Xavier 50


Cols. St. Charles 87, Reynoldsburg 54


Cols. Upper Arlington 62, Mt. Vernon 41


Marysville 72, Cols. West 55


Middletown 38, Milford 35


Newark 67, Zanesville 40


Sidney 94, New Carlisle Tecumseh 73


Xenia 88, Troy 60








Division II

Cin. Aiken 82, N. Bend (Cleves) Taylor 42


Cin. Taft 91, Reading 44


Day. Dunbar 87, Clarksville Clinton-Massie 52


Day. Ponitz Tech. 57, Day. Chaminade Julienne 53


McArthur Vinton County 54, Vincent Warren 52


McConnelsville Morgan 66, Uhrichsville Claymont 42


New Concord John Glenn 103, Minerva 32


New Philadelphia 71, Millersburg W. Holmes 45


Philo 69, Warsaw River View 60


Trotwood-Madison 100, Hamilton Ross 31


Washington C.H. Miami Trace 40, Washington C.H. 39








Division III

Albany Alexander 52, Minford 42


Berlin Hiland 73, Newcomerstown 45


Bethel-Tate 52, Blanchester 38


Beverly Ft. Frye 42, Magnolia Sandy Valley 40


Cin. Madeira 52, Williamsburg 31


Cin. N. College Hill 84, Lees Creek E. Clinton 36


Cin. Purcell Marian 85, Cin. Riverview East 20


Cin. Shroder 61, Cin. Seven Hills 47


Coshocton 72, Woodsfield Monroe Cent. 45


Day. Stivers 73, Carlisle 48


Frankfort Adena 59, Williamsport Westfall 52


Lucasville Valley 64, Southeastern 50


Proctorville Fairland 52, Oak Hill 47


St. Bernard 49, Cin. Oyler 48


W. Liberty-Salem 57, Day. Christian 45


Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley 71, Bellaire 50








Division IV

Caldwell 76, Bridgeport 37


Ft. Loramie 75, Mechanicsburg 50


Malvern 116, Beallsville 54


Russia 69, Bradford 32


Union City Mississinawa Valley 54, Houston 36

Anderson Varejao says 'thank you' to the city of Cleveland

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A day after being traded to Portland and then subsequently waived, Varejao took time out to write a heartfelt letter to Cleveland and the surrounding areas to express his appreciation for always supporting "The Wild Thing."

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Northeast Ohio and the Cleveland Cavaliers meant the world to Anderson Varejao. He spent all 12 years playing with one organization, one fan base that he loved.

A day after being traded to Portland and then subsequently waived, Varejao took time out to write a heartfelt letter to Cleveland and the surrounding areas to express his appreciation for always supporting "The Wild Thing."

Here's his "thank you" letter.

--

Dear Cavs Fans Everywhere,

For the last 12 years, I have had the honor of representing the city of Cleveland and the Cavaliers organization, and for that I will forever be grateful. Coming over from Spain at the young age of 21 was not easy, but as soon as I put on a Cavs jersey and stepped on the court, I felt at home.

There were seasons we played well together, and there were seasons we struggled together. We had playoff runs, and we had championship runs. Over the last 12 seasons we have had many ups and downs, but no matter the product on the court one thing never changed... The unwavering support from all of you, the fans.

Whether you were watching on TV, listening on the radio, or in the Q screaming at the top of your lungs, we felt your energy and support. Cleveland fans are simply the best.

There is nothing like walking on the streets on a freezing cold day and hearing fans scream your name, then stopping to talk to those same fans. There is nothing like looking into the crowd at the Q and seeing over 20,000 people wearing wigs to match your hair. Those are feelings I will cherish for the rest of my life and never forget.

In a similar way to how Brazil holds a special place in my heart, Cleveland has also become a part of me. I consider everyone in the organization as family - from ownership, the entire front office, all of the coaches I have had over the years, and every single employee from top to bottom - thank you.

The city of Cleveland is truly a special place.

I have seen players and coaches come and go, but through it all I have always known Cleveland is where I want to retire. But life doesn't always work the way you want it to, and at the end of the day, the saying "this is a business" is unfortunately true.

So with that, I say goodbye. But more importantly, I say thank you. Thank you for your support. Thank you for coming out every night whether we were winning or losing. And thank you for giving me the best 12 years of my life.

Home is where the heart is, and my heart will forever be in Cleveland.

Anderson Varejao

What time, which channel is the Ohio State basketball vs. Nebraska game on? (preview)

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The Ohio State basketball team takes on Nebraska on Saturday night. Watch video

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Ohio State basketball team takes on Nebraska on Saturday night.

Who: Ohio State Buckeyes (17-10, 9-5 Big Ten) at Nebraska Cornhuskers

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena

TV: Big Ten Network, with Kevin Kugler and Shon Morris on the call

Ohio State projected starters: G JaQuan Lyle (Fr., 6-5, 10 ppg); F Marc Loving (Jr., 6-7, 12.6 ppg); F Keita Bates-Diop (Soph., 6-7, 11.9 ppg); F Jae'Sean Tate (Soph., 6-4, 11.6 ppg); C Trevor Thompson (Soph., 6-11, 7 ppg)

Nebraska projected starters: G Benny Parker (Sr., 5-9, 4.6 ppg); G Glynn Watson (Fr., 6-0, 8.8 ppg); F Andrew White III (Jr., 6-7, 17.5 ppg); F Jack McVeigh (Fr., 6-8, 5.4 ppg); F Michael Jacobson (Fr., 6-8, 4.9 ppg)

Breaking down the Buckeyes: Ohio State is coming off a 76-66 win over Michigan on Tuesday. It was Ohio State's third win in a row ... A win against Nebraska would give Ohio State its first four-game winning streak in Big Ten since the 2012-13 season ... Ohio State has to bank on a balanced offense, and has four players averaging double figures in Big Ten play. That number is nearly five with JaQuan Lyle averaging 9.9 points per game in conference play ... Sophomore forward Jae'Sean Tate, who leads the Buckeyes in scoring in Big Ten play, scored a career-high 22 points in a win over Nebraska the last time these teams met ... Ohio State is 12-3 all-time vs. the Cornhuskers, but 3-2 in Lincoln ... Thad Matta's Buckeyes teams are 56-28 in the month of February ... Ohio State is 10th in the Big Ten in scoring offense (71.1 ppg), and 9th in field goal percentage (44.7 percent) ... The Buckeyes are 5th in the Big Ten in scoring defense (66.3 ppg) and 3rd in field goal percentage defense (39.3 percent) ... Ohio State is 66th in the KenPom ratings, and 78th in the RPI.

Do recent Big Ten upsets give Buckeyes more hope?

Breaking down the Cornhuskers: Nebraska is coming off an 84-60 loss at No. 22 Indiana on Wednesday ... The Huskers are 3-4 in Big Ten home games this season ... Senior forward Shavon Shields, who averages better than 15 points per game, has missed the last three games due to a concussion and is expected to miss Saturday's game. The Huskers are 1-2 with Shields out of the lineup ... Forward Jack McVeigh has averaged 9.3 points per game over the last three games in place of Shields ... In Big Ten play, 41 percent of Nebraska's total minutes have come from freshmen ... Nebraska is 8th in the Big Ten in scoring offense (73.3 ppg), and 6th in field goal percentage (45.8 percent) ... The Huskers are 8th in the Big Ten in scoring defense (68.6 ppg) and 9th in field goal percentage defense (43.5 percent) ... Nebraska is 94th in the KenPom ratings, and No. 157 in the RPI.

Bill's prediction: Ohio State 69, Nebraska 66

From the last game: Ohio State earns its best Big Ten win, beats Michigan

* Beating Michigan was step one to having a good finish

Oklahoma has major road test at West Virginia: Today's College Basketball Schedule, Scores, TV and updates

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Oklahoma needs a road victory at West Virginia to keep a firm grasp on its potential No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 10 West Virginia (3 p.m., ESPN) has become a very big and dangerous game for the Sooners, who have suddenly lost two straight. Another setback puts Oklahoma's once solid No. 1 seed to the 2016 NCAA Tournament into question.

This is just one of 13 games involving teams in the Associated Press Top 25 on Saturday's docket, with No. 5 North Carolina hosting No. 11 Miami and trying to bounce back from a home loss against rival Duke.

Also today, Ohio State is at Nebraska (7 p.m., BTN) hoping to keep its at-large chances alive.

You can track team and player stats right here on our live scoreboard, along with game previews, TV times, scores and updates.

Saturday's Top 25 schedule

  • No. 1 Villanova vs. Butler, 2:30 p.m., FOX
  • No. 2 Kansas at Kansas State, 6 p.m., ESPN2
  • No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 10 West Virginia, 3 p.m., ESPN
  • No. 5 North Carolina vs. No. 11 Miami, 1 p.m., CBS
  • No. 8 Xavier at Georgetown, Noon, FOX
  • No. 13 Iowa State vs. TCU, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU
  • No. 14 Kentucky at Texas A&M, 6:30 p.m., ESPN
  • No. 15 Dayton vs. St. Bonaventure, Noon, NBCS
  • No. 16 Oregon vs. Oregon State, 10 p.m., PACN
  • No. 17 Purdue at No. 22 Indiana, Noon, ESPN
  • No. 18 Louisville vs. No. 20 Duke, Noon, ESPN
  • No. 19 Notre Dame at Georgia Tech, 8 p.m., ESPN2
  • No. 24 Texas vs. No. 25 Baylor, 2 p.m., ESPN

Sunday's Top 25 schedule

  • No. 6 Maryland vs. Michigan, 1 p.m., CBS
  • No. 21 SMU vs. East Carolina, 2 p.m., ESPW

Saturday's MAC schedule

  • Toledo at Eastern Michigan, Noon, ESPN3
  • Central Michigan at Western Michigan, 2 p.m., ESPN3
  • Miami at Ohio University, 2 p.m.
  • Bowling Green at Buffalo, Noon, ESPN3

Saturday's Horizon League schedule

  • Cleveland State at Milwaukee, 4 p.m., ESPN3
  • Youngstown State at Green Bay, 2 p.m., ESPN3
  • Northern Kentucky at Wright State, 7 p.m., ESPN3

About last night: A very big victory for Kent State over Akron, 85-76, that closes the gap in the Mid-American Conference race. This marked the second time in the last three seasons Kent pulled the homecourt upset over the Zips, who were Vegas favorites on the road.

At the same time Akron (21-6, 10-4) remains the choice to win the 2016 MAC title with a one-game lead and its final three games at home following a road game at last place Miami next.

KSU (18-9, 9-5) kept its hopes alive for one of the four byes to the upcoming MAC Tournament, but arguably has to navigate the toughest remaining slate in the MAC with three of its final four on the road, including a rematch at Akron.

Cleveland Cavaliers have Terry Talkin' Kevin Love, trades, salary cap and title contention -- Terry Pluto (photos)

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Cleveland Cavaliers need time for all their key players to grow together as a team ready for the playoffs.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Can the Cavs win the title?

Let's start with this stat: 53-11. That's the team's record with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love all playing together since January of 2015. They have only played 66 games together since the Cavs made their big trades, adding Timofey Mozgov, Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith early in January of 2015.

That 53-11 record counts the four playoff victories over Boston in the first round. The Cavs went to the 2015 Finals with Love lost after the first round because of a major shoulder injury.

Irving was never close to 100 percent after that four-game sweep of the Celtics. In the next three rounds, he missed some games due to knee problems, limped through some others. He fractured his kneecap in the opener of The Finals.

Would they have defeated Golden State with a healthy Irving and Love? We don't know. Golden State needed six games to put away the Cavs, who actually had a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

But I go back to Love and Irving. Both players have been All-Stars. Neither had played in the postseason until 2015. Both found it to be a frustrating experience because of injuries.

Missing a chance to play in The Finals is part of the reason Love quickly signed his maximum contract last summer to return. He wants to play for a title.

Kevin Love, a stand-up guy -- Pluto

Irving gave a hint of what he could do when reasonably healthy in Game 1 of the Finals. The Cavs lost to the Warriors in overtime. Irving delivered 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals in 44 minutes. He matched Stephen Curry, who had 26 points. But Irving fractured his kneecap late in the 108-100 loss.

It was James who carried them into The Finals. But in the end, he had very little help.

If Love and Irving stay reasonably healthy, that won't be the case this season.

KEEPING LOVE

"You guys are still stuck with me," Love told the media after Thursday's trading deadline.

I had been writing the Cavs had no real interest in dealing Love, and that was the case. He's one of only six NBA players averaging at least 15 points and 10 rebounds this season. In most years, far more players average 20 points than 10 rebounds in the NBA. This season 21 players are averaging at least 20 points, 11 average at least 10 rebounds.

Love had 15 rebounds in Thursday's impressive victory over the Bulls. It was the seventh time this season that he's had at least 15 points and 15 rebounds in a game.

I like how the Cavs have three big men -- Tristan Thompson, Timofey Mozgov and Love -- to throw at a big team such as the Bulls. They may face similiar teams in the playoffs.

DEADLINE WORRIES

I was told Mozgov was worried about being traded. He played with more confidence in Thursday's game, delivering 11 points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes. Iman Shumpert also was concerned, as he was mentioned in rumors.

Both players were relieved after the deadline passed and they remained in Cleveland. You could see it in their excitement during Thursday's game.

Channing Frye should help in playoffs

Channing Frye gives the Cavs another big man, but he is a 3-point shooter. General manager David Griffin talked about Frye being "a great fit for our club," and mentioned the versatility of the 6-foot-11 veteran.

"He's not a defensive stopper," said Griffin. "But he's a smart defensive player. We have two rim protectors (Mozgov and Thompson) and now two floor spacers (Love and Frye)."

Griffin's stats people targeted Frye as someone who can really prosper here because there are so many open shots created by Irving and James driving to the basket.

The stats guys have a category called "Catch & Shoot 3-pointers" -- catch a pass and shoot without a dribble. The Cavs were looking for a center/forward who can do that. In the last two years (counting playoffs), ranked No. 1 was ... Frye at 40 percent.

That's a big reason why they wanted him. At No. 4 was Love (38 percent). Frye also is an outstanding clubhouse presence and was one of the Magic's captains.

Finally, Frye is comfortable playing either center or power forward. Love has struggled a bit when filling in at center this season.

PLAYING TOGETHER

In the 12 games since Tyronn Lue took over, the Cavs are 9-3. They are outscoring the opposition by an average of 108-100. Lue's demand to run more has added four more points to the offense. They also are allowing five more on defense.

If the Cavs play Love and Irving heavy minutes, they are not going to be the same gritty defensive team that appeared in the 2015 playoffs. That's because Blatt had them playing a slower pace and Matthew Dellavedova and Thompson played big minutes, and are better defenders.

The Cavs can use the remaining 29 regular-season games to prepare this group for the playoffs.

PASSING THE BALL

Lue has been drilling the players on ball movement, and pounding away with stats to prove his point. For example, here's how the Cavs shoot 3-pointers in different situations:

  • After 0-1 passes: 27 percent.
  • After 2-3 passes: 32 percent.
  • After 4-5 passes: 39 percent.
  • After at least 6 passes: 43 percent.

THE GAME CHANGED

When the Cavs gave Anderson Varejao a contract extension in the summer of 2014, part of the reason was to create an expiring contract in the summer of 2017.

Here's what happened with the trade:

1. Varejao's contract is $10 million for 2017-18, but only $1 million guaranteed. This gets into some very complicated stuff. But a contract like that used to be worth something to trade.

2. But the salary cap is expected to rise about $20 million in the summer of 2016 and close to $30 million in the summer of 2017. Varejao's expiring contract has lost its value because every NBA team will have extra cap room after this season.

3. The Cavs were able to save at least $9 million on the salary cap by trading Varejao and Jared Cunningham for Frye in the three-team deal.

4. Orlando sent Frye to the Cavs. The Magic are dumping money with the goal of having $45 million available this summer for free agents.

5. Frye's contract has three years left at $8.2 million, $7.8 million and $7.4 million.

6. The Magic cut Cunningham, who came to them in the deal. Portland cut Varejao. The Blazers made the trade to take the Cavs' 2018 first-round pick (1-10 protected). They basically bought the pick by paying off Varejao's contract.

7. In 2010, the Cavs traded Zydrunas Ilgauskas to Washington for Antwan Jamison. They knew Ilgauskas would be cut, and when he was the Cavs re-signed him. Such deals are now illegal. The Cavs can't sign Varejao for 12 months. But he can sign with other teams.

Xfinity race on track today: 2016 Daytona 500 schedule, TV, live leaderboard, qualifying results, lineups

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NASCAR's Xfinity Series takes the spotlight today with its season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway, part of Daytona 500 weekend.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- NASCAR's Xfinity Series kicks off its season as today's highlight event of the Daytona 500 weekend in Daytona Beach, Fla. Qualifying begins at 10 a.m. and the race is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., both televised on Fox Sports 1. You can also follow along on NASCAR's live race leaderboard.

The Daytona 500 is Sunday at 1 p.m. on Fox, with the pre-race show scheduled to begin at noon. The final practice session is today at noon (FS1). You can get the lineup, pit assignments, qualifying results and more at NASCAR's Race Center.

And you can check out the new paint schemes for Daytona.

DAYTONA 500

Site: Daytona Beach, Florida.

Schedule: Saturday, practice (Fox Sports 1, noon-2 p.m.); Sunday, race, 1 p.m. (Fox, noon-5 p.m.).

Track: Daytona International Speedway (tri-oval, 2.5 miles).

Race distance: 500 miles, 200 laps.

Last year: Joey Logano won the season-opening race. He surged ahead of the pack on a two-lap sprint to the finish and had command when a wreck behind him brought out a caution.

Last week: Denny Hamlin won the Sprint Unlimited exhibition race.

Fast facts: Chase Elliott became the youngest pole winner in race history at 20, topping front-row qualifying Sunday. He has replaced the retired Jeff Gordon in Hendrick Motorsports' No. 24 Chevrolet. Matt Kenseth qualified second.  ... Tony Stewart is sidelined after fracturing his back in an accident on an all-terrain vehicle. He's retiring at the end of the season. Brian Vickers is driving Stewart-Haas Racing's No. 14 Chevrolet. ... Kyle Busch won the season title last year. He missed the first 11 races of the season after breaking his right leg and left foot in the Xfinity opener at Daytona. ... Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the July race at the track.

Next race: Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500, Feb. 28, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Georgia.

Other NASCAR series:

Xfinity, Powershares QQQ 300, Daytona Beach, Fla.

Schedule: Saturday, qualifying (Fox Sports 1, 10-11:30 p.m.), race, 3:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1, 3-6 p.m.).

Camping World Truck, Nextera Energy Resources 250, Daytona Beach, Fla.

Johnny Sauter won Friday's season-opener.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Why it's a pivotal year for Cleveland Browns' inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (video)

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The third-year linebacker needs to step up and reach his full potential for the unit to improve. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Chris Kirksey is entering the most pivotal season of his young career.

The Browns possess one of the NFL's most pedestrian linebacking corps and they need the third-year pro from Iowa to elevate his game and blossom into a full-time starter.

Karlos Dansby enjoyed another solid year in 2015, but he turns 35 in November and the Browns must develop his heir apparent. New defensive coordinator Ray Horton hinted last week Kirksey will get the first shot at starting alongside Dansby this season.

Inside linebackers Craig Robertson and Tank Carder are potential free agents and valued for their special teams contributions. With the Browns likely to hold 11 picks come April it makes sense for them to draft an inside linebacker and develop him.

In the meantime, it looks like Kirksey's position to lose. 


Johnny Manziel probe to be addressed by Dallas police today; no major details to be released

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Dallas police will provide a brief update on the Johnny Manziel investigation today, but no major details are expected to be released.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Dallas police will provide a brief update Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on the Johnny Manziel investigation, a department spokesperson told cleveland.com.

However, no major details are being released, spokesperson Debra Webb said.

Manziel is under investigation for possible domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley stemming from their Jan. 30th argument.

Manziel has been ordered to stay away from Crowley for two years, and she wrote in her application for the protective order that he beat and kidnapped her and threatened to kill her as well as himself. She also wrote that he struck her so hard she lost hearing in one year.

Her lawyer, Kathy Kinser, told NBC5 in Dallas that Manziel punctured Crowley's eardrum with the blow.

Manziel faces possible felony charges if prosecutors can establish that dating violence occurred. He's also under investigation by the NFL under its personal conduct policy and faces a lengthy suspension if the league believes he committed domestic violence.

Related: Manziel was in good spirits at Mike Evans' wedding

The Browns will release Manziel March 9 when the league year opens.

Johnny Manziel could be charged with domestic violence as early as late next week

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Johnny Manziel could be charged with domestic violence as early as late next week.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel could face domestic violence charges as early as next week, according to a report.

Maj. Midge Boyle, head of the domestic violence unit, told The Dallas Morning News Friday that police hope to wrap up their probe by the end of next week.

Boyle also conducted a press conference Saturday in which she confirmed that police are close to determining what charges to bring against Manziel, if any. She noted that they've obtained medical records from Manziel's ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley and surveillance videos from where the argument took place.

It began at Hotel ZaZa in uptown Dallas, continued in Crowley's car and persisted through a trip to Crowley's apartment in Fort Worth.

Crowley's attorney Kathy Kinser told NBC5 in Dallas that Manziel struck her client hard enough to rupture her eardrum. Based on Crowley's sworn affidavit, Manziel faces possible felony charges for dating violence and/or aggravated assault.

"We would like to finish the investigation as soon as possible, but detectives work around the victim's and witnesses' schedules which can sometimes delay the process,'' Boyle said in the press conference, initially reading from a statement. "As of today, there has been no determination as to what type of charge, if any, will be filed against Mr. Manziel. Updates to this case will be made as information becomes available.''

Boyle said detectives have been in communication with Crowley, but have not talked to Manziel.

"Up to this point in the investigation, detectives have continued communicating with the complainant, interviewed witnesses, received medical records from the complainant, and obtained video from surveillance cameras,'' Boyle read. "Detectives are continuing with their efforts to fully investigate the facts of this case. As this remains an on-going investigation, no details of the investigation will be released at this time.''

Boyle answered a few questions during the two-minute briefing, but provided no new information. As for whether or not Manziel would be interviewed, said, "I'm going to leave that up to the detective as she puts her case together.''

But she told The News Friday that detectives are trying to build their best case against Manziel before talking to him.

"I can't imagine his attorneys would want him to," Boyle said. "I don't know. It depends on what kind of attorney it is and what else is going on. There might be a lot of back story to this."

She said Manziel's attorney has called police to inquire about the probe.

Crowley suffered punctured eardrum in fight, lawyer says

During the press conference, Boyle was asked why an arrest hasn't been made yet considering police have a sworn affidavit and medical records and that "in a lot of family violence cases, you make an arrest with far less information.''

Boyle responded, "we're letting the officer and the detective do their due diligence. We want to make sure that all of the facts are there and clear and we'll present it to the prosecutors.''

As for whether or a warrant will be out for Manziel's arrest or whether it will be referred to a grand jury, she said, "We don't know at this point until we get all the facts together.''

Pressed further, she said, "it's been two weeks since this investigation started and it is high profile and we realize that you guys want to know what's going on. That's why we're out here today, to say the detective is working on it and gathering information and as soon as we have anything pertinent to put out we will let you know.''

Boyle told The News that police are still searching for witnesses, but have interviewed at least one from Hotel ZaZa.

In her application for a protective order, Crowley wrote that a valet from the hotel witnessed Manziel getting rough with her.

"When we got to the valet, I was crying and begged the valet, "Please
don't let him take me. I'm scared for my life." She said the valet told her he didn't know what to do, and Manziel subsequently threw her into the car, hit her, dragged her by hair and also threatened "shut up or I'll kill us both.''

Boyle explained to The News that domestic violence suspects are often arrested immediately after a 9-1-1 to prevent further harm to the victim. But that didn't happen in this instance because Crowley first reported the incident to Fort Worth police and then told them she was worried about Manziel's well being.

They searched for Manziel via helicopter and didn't find him that night, but were told by his father that he was safe. Crowley didn't file her complaint to Dallas police until a week later.

By then, Manziel had already been ordered by a Tarrant County judge to stay away from Crowley for two years and police didn't believe she was in immediate danger. However, Boyle acknowledged that the "piece of paper'' is often ignored.

She said Crowley, who's cooperating fully, isn't expressing that she feels in danger and that police want to be thorough in their probe. She said as far as she knows, Manziel hasn't contacted Crowley.

"There's nothing urgent about this right now," Boyle told The News. "We just want to make sure that we investigate the case thoroughly so it gets prosecuted the right way, if it goes that far."

Despite what it may seem, Boyle stressed that Manziel isn't receiving special treatment because of his star status.

"The only difference between this case and any other case is really that it's in the media," she said. "We're not treating it any different than if it was, I don't know, a teacher at a school. We're just trying to make sure we're fair to both parties."

While awaiting possible charges, Manziel served as a groomsmann at the wedding last weekend of Bucs receiver Mike Evans, his former Texas A&M teammate.

If the investigation drags on long enough, Manziel might no longer be a Brown by the time he's charged. The Browns will release him March 9, when the new league year opens. He's also under investigation by the NFL under its personal conduct policy.

Manziel's father, Paul, told the Dallas Morning News on Feb. 5th that he feared Manziel was suicidal and that without help "he won't live to see his 24th birthday.

Browns coach Hue Jackson told cleveland.com that his first concern was Crowley and that his message to Manziel was "you are not alone.''

No Channing Frye, maybe no Iman Shumpert, but path to victory still there for LeBron James and Cavaliers

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The Cavs could be without Channing Frye and Iman Shumpert against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but can still beat Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant with LeBron James. They did it before.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - The Cavaliers could be missing two rotation players for their big showdown Sunday with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Newly acquired big man Channing Frye will not travel with the Cavs and hadn't completed his physical as of Saturday. Meanwhile, Iman Shumpert (sprained left shoulder) didn't practice and is a game-time decision.

The silver lining is the Cavs beat Oklahoma City, the No. 3 team in the West, on Dec. 17 without Shumpert or Kyrie Irving.

By comparison, Cleveland would seem to rely far more on Irving than Frye - who is expected to come off the bench as a perimeter shooter and rim defender if and when he joins the team.

The Cavs have until Tuesday to test Frye physically and add him to the roster, or the trade is voided. He missed the entire season in 2012-13 with a heart condition, but played all 82 games the following year.

Multiple sources said the team is being extra cautious with Frye, given his medical history, but has found no pressing issue to this point. There's a chance Frye, 32, could make his Cleveland debut Monday at home against the Pistons.

"No concern. No concern at all," coach Tyronn Lue said. "We're just being as thorough as we need to be. We have until Tuesday, and that's the doctor's job."

On Thursday, Cleveland sent Jared Cunningham and a second-round pick to the Magic for Frye. Orlando can't play or waive Cunningham until Frye officially joins the Cavs.

Also, if the Cavs find an issue with Frye that causes the trade to be voided, they don't get Anderson Varejao back. Varejao was traded separately to Portland in return for that second-round pick the Cavs packed to Orlando. The Blazers have already waived Varejao, and he cannot resign with Cleveland for a full year.

Shumpert, meanwhile, is nursing what Lue characterized as a minor issue to the shoulder he dislocated early last season that caused him to miss about six weeks. He suffered the latest injury on Thursday in a win over Chicago.

"It's just a stinger," Lue said.

Now, for what it all means against Thunder, who have two of the top players in the NBA in Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

Shumpert was out with a sore groin and Irving had yet to return from knee surgery when the Cavs beat the Thunder at The Q, 104-100, on Dec. 17.

LeBron James scored 33 points and dished out 11 assists, while Matthew Dellavedova opened the game guarding Westbrook and J.R. Smith started on Durant. Westbrook led the Thunder with 27 points, while Durant (who was also guarded by James), finished with 25.

Lue said that Shumpert, if available, would spend time guarding both of Oklahoma City's perennial All-Stars.

"Shump, being our best defender on ball, we need him," Lue said. "He's got to guard both players."

Lue said James would start the game guarding Durant and Irving would open on Westbrook.

James is averaging 29.7 points in 22 regular-season games against the Thunder, tied for his highest average against any opponent (Boston).

"I would like to say we match up well versus anyone, not just those guys," James said. "They're a matchup problem. When you have two guys that can give you 40 or 50 on any given night (Westbrook and Durant), it's a matchup problem. And for our team we just have to defend them the best way we can, try to make it tough on those guys and live with the result."

Cleveland State's struggles continue in lopsided loss at Milwaukee

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Cleveland State fell at UW-Milwaukee in a Horizon League game on Saturday, 88-54.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Cleveland State's offensive woes continued as UW-Milwaukee rolled to an 88-54 victory in a Horizon League men's basketball game Saturday at UWM Panther Arena.

CSU made just 18 of 51 shots from the field for 35 percent in falling to 8-20 overall, 3-12 in the Horizon League. The Vikings have now lost seven of their last eight games. Milwaukee improved to 17-11, 8-7.

With Jibri Blount sidelined with an ankle injury, the Vikings struggled to get their offense untracked. They committed 16 turnovers that led to 25 points for Milwaukee.

The game was tied twice in the first three minutes, but then Milwaukee pulled away with a 39-11 run to make it 44-16 with 3:01 in the half and it was 52-18 at the intermission. CSU made just 6 of 25 shots in the half (24 percent).

Rob Edwards led CSU with 18 points and Demonte Flannigan added 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Matt Tiby led the Panthers with 16 points, while Cody Wichmann had 12 and Brock Stull had 11.

Up next: CSU closes out its Wisconsin trip at Green Bay on Monday at 8 p.m. ...    The Vikings return home to face Northern Kentucky on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Wolstein Center, then close the regular season against Wright State on Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.

When it comes to the Cleveland Indians' rotation, Terry Francona says not to forget about Zach McAllister

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When considering options for the Indians' rotation, don't dismiss Zach McAllister. The right-hander will be stretched out at the start of camp, manager Terry Francona revealed.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When considering options for the Indians' rotation, don't dismiss Zach McAllister.

The right-hander will be stretched out at the start of camp, manager Terry Francona revealed to reporters on Saturday. That doesn't mean McAllister has a favorable chance of securing the final spot in the Tribe's rotation, with Josh Tomlin, Cody Anderson and TJ House also in the running.

It does mean, however, that the Indians aren't shutting the door on the concept of McAllister as a starting pitcher.

"He'd love a chance to start," Francona said.

Last season, McAllister opened the season in Cleveland's rotation. His tenure lasted one outing. He relocated to the bullpen, where he posted a 2.49 ERA, with 79 strikeouts in 65 innings, as the bridge to Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen.

Francona said the team will reassess McAllister's status "at the midpoint of camp." Spring training doesn't always unfold as planned. A year ago, Danny Salazar and Gavin Floyd were pegged to open the season with the Indians. Instead, Salazar started at Triple-A and Floyd underwent elbow surgery. So, having another alternative can't hurt.

"We're not telling him he can't start," Francona said. "But from where we are now, it looks like he's probably a better weapon in the bullpen. That can change."

Does McAllister have the secondary pitches to excel as a starter?

"If you're a starter and you're coming through a lineup a second time and you're having trouble with your off-speed," Francona said, "so many times you look up and you're at 100 pitches after five innings because you have to work so hard. Out of the bullpen, especially with the extra velocity, he's seeing hitters one time and he's a weapon, as opposed to a guy who's throwing too many pitches and working too hard.

"If those secondary pitches start to firm up, because of his size and frame and the velocity, there's a lot to like there."

Much has been made about the competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, but what about the No. 4 spot? Francona said the Indians "would really like for Trevor [Bauer] to start." Bauer went 11-12 with a 4.55 ERA last season. He led the league with 4.0 walks per nine innings, though he averaged nearly a strikeout per frame.

"We told him that we want him to be one of our starters," Francona said. "You look at his skill set and his pitches, what he has done in spurts. It's a lot like [Carlos] Carrasco. If you're not patient sometimes, you can miss out on something good. We don't want to be that team that misses out. Sometimes you have to be a little more patient than people want you to be."

No matter who the Indians select to round out their rotation, Francona might have to conduct some difficult conversations as camp winds down.

"I hope it ends up being tough," Francona said, "[and] not that somebody got hurt and we're thin or worried. I hope we have to make that decision because people feel we have too much pitching."

On the hunt

Francona surmised that reliever Tommy Hunter, who underwent core muscle surgery over the winter, could be ready to join the club in the middle of May.

Hunter, Stammen won't open season on time

Extra help

Jason Giambi will join the club this week as a guest instructor. Francona said he has talked with Giambi "several times over the last couple years" to gauge his interest in future involvement in the game.

"I told him I'd like him to stay longer," Francona said. "Hopefully he'll really like it and want to come back."

Carlos Baerga, Mike Hargrove and Travis Hafner will also serve as guest instructors throughout spring training.

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