The Browns are looking for inside linebacker help. Davis, 6-2, 235, started all 16 games for the Jets in each of the last three seasons.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns are hosting former Jets inside linebacker Demario Davis Tuesday for a free agent visit, a source confirmed for cleveland.com.

Davis, 6-2, 235, started all 16 games for the Jets in each of the last three seasons.

Browns fans might remember Davis as the player who earholed Browns quarterback Josh McCown on the opening drive of the 2015 season opener and sent him helicoptering into the end zone. The hit was legal, but McCown suffered a concussion on the play and sat out the next game.

The Browns might lose reserve inside linebacker Craig Robertson, and Davis would provide depth at the position. Robertson has visited the Seahawks and is in New Orleans today.

A third-round pick of the Jets in 2012 out of Arkansas State, Davis started three games as a rookie and then become a full-time starter in 2013, although Erin Henderson saw more playing time than Davis as the season wound down.

Kim Martin of Newsday first reported Davis' visit to Cleveland. She reported he's drawn interest from other teams as well.

In his four seasons, Davis (6-2, 235) has 313 tackles, 6.5 sacks and an interception. Last season, he was second on the team with 89 tackles, including 57 solo. He also had two sacks.

The Browns have signed only two free agents so far: offensive lineman Alvin Bailey and linebacker Justin Tuggle. Both were restricted free agents entering their fourth seasons and both were originally signed as undrafted rookies.

The Browns also have veterans Christian Kirksey and Karlos Dansby at inside linebacker.
 

Cleveland sports fans wonder about the Ivy League front office, the Browns long Super Bowl odds and the national media's focus on Kevin Love -- Bud Shaw's You Said It

Bud Shaw, Chris Fedor and Dan Labbe discuss whether Channing Frye is a better fit than Kevin Love. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Even though his minutes have been sporadic since coming to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a midseason trade, Channing Frye has shown recently why the Cavaliers targeted him. 

With his shooting prowess and versatility, Cleveland has started to experiment with different lineups as the playoffs approach. Head coach Tyronn Lue has used Frye at both center and power forward -- sometimes with James at the "four." That lineup makes playing Kevin Love a challenge, as he tries to find his fit. 

Is Frye a better fit than Love for the Cavs? Should Frye be getting more minutes?

Bud Shaw, Dan Labbe and I discussed that. Watch the video above. 

Vaughn retired in 2003 and founded a trucking company, Mo Vaughn Transport. The business is one of three companies to partner with the Indians this offseason in an effort to enhance the franchise's youth service programs in the area. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Some believe Albert Belle, on the merits of his 50 home runs and 52 doubles, deserved the 1995 American League Most Valuable Player Award.

Instead, Mo Vaughn captured the hardware in the first of his three All-Star campaigns with the Boston Red Sox. Awards aside, Vaughn and Belle were two of the most feared sluggers in the AL in the '90s, before injuries curtailed their careers.

Vaughn retired in 2003 and later founded a trucking company, Mo Vaughn Transport. The business is one of three companies to partner with the Indians this off-season in an effort to enhance the franchise's youth service programs in the area.

Minute Men Staffing, a full-service staffing agency, and Victory Park Ohio, a sport and entertainment complex, have also joined the fold. The Indians first partnered with MCPc last year. The latter three companies have their logos displayed in the upper deck in right field at Progressive Field. Mo Vaughn's Transport recently underwent a logo alteration. Eventually, its branding will also be advertised.

"These partners will play a pivotal role in helping us enrich the lives of children in greater Cleveland, while also helping us improve the quality of baseball and softball programs and infrastructure in the city," said Rebecca Kodysh, the Indians' executive directory of community outreach, in a statement.

As a result of the partnerships, the Indians have established two new initiatives, in addition to the organization's effort to create youth baseball and softball opportunities throughout the city. The Tribe Scholars program will reward students for their academic success at inner-city suburban schools. The team will also hold Career Day at the ballpark, where Cleveland Baseball Federation and Cleveland Metropolitan School District baseball and softball players will tour the Indians' executive offices.

Corey Kluber and Francisco Lindor will also be involved in the organization's enterprises. Through Kluber's Kids, the team will host a Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital patient at each Wednesday home game. The child will watch batting practice, meet Kluber and receive club tickets, food and an autographed uniform.

Through The Lindor Smile Squad, the team will host an athlete from the Miracle League -- an organization that provides those with special needs to play baseball on a specialized field -- at every Monday home game. The selected athlete will watch batting practice, meet Lindor and receive club tickets and food.

The 2015-16 Associated Press Division II All-Ohio boys basketball team was released Tuesday. Division I and Mr. Basketball will be announced Wednesday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 2015-16 Associated Press Division II All-Ohio boys basketball team was released Tuesday. Division I and Mr. Basketball will be announced Wednesday. Selections are based on the recommendations of a media panel, with school, height, class and scoring average:

DIVISION II

First team: Jason Carter, Johnstown-Monroe, 6-foot-7, senior, 20.9 points per game; Drew Rackley, New Concord John Glenn, 6-2, sr., 21.6; Henry Baddley, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, 6-5, sr., 19.0; Markell Johnson, Cleveland East Tech, 6-1, jr., 31.2; Jayrese Williams, Sandusky, 5-10, jr., 20.1; Griffin Lutz, Athens, 6-1, jr., 25.9; Carlik Jones, Cincinnati Aiken, 5-11, sr., 22.3; Danyon Hempy, River Valley, 6-5, sr., 28.0; Tervell Beck, Cleveland Central Catholic, 6-8, sr., 25.2; Torrey Patten, Trotwood-Madison, 6-4, jr., 21.1.

Players of the year: Markell Johnson, Cleveland East Tech; Drew Rackley, New Concord John Glenn; Henry Baddley, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.

Coaches of the year: Greg Woodard, New Concord John Glenn; Larry Kukura, Alliance

Second team: Matt Weir, New Concord John Glenn, 6-0, sr., 15.0; Isaac Davidson, East Liverpool, 6-3, sr., 27.3; Greg Parella, Ursuline, 6-2, sr., 23.4; Jayvon Graves, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, 6-2, jr., 17.0; Joey Zahn, Lexington, 5-11, sr., 15.4; Shay Smiddy, Defiance, 6-5, sr., 13.9; Tristan Bartoe, McArthur Vinton County, 5-11, jr., 21.0; Cameron Kane-Johnson, Niles McKinley, 5-9, sr., 25.4; Frank Royles, Cincinnati Taft, 6-2, sr., 19.8; Darnell Hoskins Jr., Dayton Thurgood Marshall, 5-11, sr., 17.0.

Third team: Antoine Vaughn, Whitehall-Yearling, 6-0, sr., 11.0; Dalton Bolon, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley, 6-4, sr., 20.7; Jordan Fabry, Crestwood, 6-3, jr., 23.6; Justin Layne, Cleveland Benedictine, 6-4, sr.,15.5; Jackson Burdyshaw, Perry, 6-6, sr., 22.1; Wes Vent, Upper Sandusky, 6-3, jr., 22.4; Erique Hosley, Chillicothe Unioto, 6-4, sr., 10.4; Terrance Landers, Dayton Dunbar, 6-4, sr., 16.8; Jaden O'Neal, Lima Shawnee, 6-1, sr., 22.9; Ridge Young, Circleville Logan Elm, 6-0, jr., 23.9.

Special mention: Caden Sanchez, Columbus St. Francis DeSales; Tamal Watkins, Columbus South; Charles Reeves, Steubenville; Marcus Mayle, McConnelsville Morgan; Logan McCort, St. Clairsville; Parker Black, Byesville Meadowbrook; Josh Lewis, Cambridge; Jai'Ron Brackett, Alliance; Mason Mangapora, Canfield; Conner Wess, Akron Coventry; Jerry Judd, Streetsboro; John Koz, Bay Village Bay; Jack Corrigan, Rocky River; Dwayne Cohill, Parma Heights Holy Name; Cameron Copeland, Toledo Rogers; Colin Woodside, Lancaster Fairfield Union; Max Knisley, Washington Court House Washington; Michael Camp, Circleville; Luke Drayer, Vincent Warren; Kaileb Sheets, Pomeroy Meigs.

Honorable mention: Jake Fischer, Columbus Hartley; DeAnthony Griffin, Columbus Linden; Denton Jacob, Heath; Andrew Koenig, Plain City Jonathan Alder; Mike Schweitzer, Columbus Watterson;

Justin Cork, Byesville Meadowbrook; Tanner Slack, New Concord John Glenn; Aaron Foldi, Wintersville Indian Creek; Mason Edgell, McConnelsville Morgan; Patrick Buchanan, St. Clairsville; Wyatt Carder, Duncan Falls Philo; Michael Karl, New Philadelphia;

Bryce Hargrove, Akron Coventry; Matt Baker, Poland Seminary; Trell Thomas, Cardinal Mooney; Malik Campbell, Canton South; D.J. Pullie, Salem; Jared Burkert, Poland Seminary; Andrew Armstrong, Cardinal Mooney; Andrew Carbon, Struthers; D.J. Hancock, Alliance;

Sam Hitchcock, Jefferson Area; Brandon Kuhl, LaGrange Keystone; Justin Sylver, Cleveland Benedictine; Miryne Thomas, Cleveland Central Catholic; Marcus Ernst, Ashtabula Edgewood; RJ Sunahara, Bay Village Bay; Connor Fitzgerald, Mentor Lake Catholic;

Kam Singleton, Defiance; Brett Lauf, Napoleon; Austin Rotroff, Wauseon; Tyrell Ajian, Mansfield Madison; Corey Thomas, Ontario; Jordan Verhoff, Ottawa-Glandorf; Larry Green, Toledo Scott;

Cole Cottrill, Chillicothe Unioto; Branden Maughmer, Chillicothe; DeAndre Pettiford, Washington Court House Miami Trace; Blake Pittser, Washington Court House Miami Trace; Cameron Eckles, Washington Court House Washington; Kyler Dennis, Vincent Warren; Trent Dawson, Marietta; Wes Jarrell, Gallipolis Gallia Academy; Dylan Dupler, Thornville Sheridan; Jordan Albright, McArthur Vinton County; Jake Henderson, Waverly;

Seth Gray, Springfield Shawnee; Lonnie Berry, Cincinnati Aiken; Amari Davis, Trotwood-Madison; Joey Laravie, Kettering Archbishop Alter; Zach Larkin, Hamilton Badin.

The 2015-16 Associated Press Division III All-Ohio boys basketball team was released Tuesday. Division I and Mr. Basketball will be announced Wednesday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio —The 2015-16 Associated Press Division III All-Ohio boys basketball team was released Tuesday. Division I and Mr. Basketball will be announced Wednesday. Selections are based on the recommendations of a media panel, with school, height, class and scoring average:

DIVISION III

First team: Jay Joseph, Worthington Christian, 6-foot-4, junior, 15.9 points per game; Sam Gebhardt, Sugarcreek Garaway, 5-10, sr., 12.9; Derek Koch, West Salem Northwestern, 6-8, jr., 21.7; Tyrone Gibson, Beachwood, 6-3, sr.,17.8; Dantez Walton, Lima Central Catholic, 6-5, sr., 17.7; Ky're Allison, Portsmouth, 6-1, sr., 21.5; Drew Ogletree, Dayton Northridge, 6-6, sr., 14.5; Tre Cobbs, Lima Central Catholic, 6-0, sr., 20.2; Sherman Dean III, Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph, 6-2, sr., 15.5; Gage Rhoades, Chesapeake, 5-11, sr., 20.6.

Players of the year: Dantez Walton, Lima Central Catholic; Ky're Allison, Portsmouth

Coaches of the year: Andy Cauley, Centerburg; Kevin Lower, Massillon Tuslaw

Second team: Trenton Tipton, Belmont Union Local, 6-5, sr., 17.0; Jacob Paul, Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas, 5-10, sr., 17.0; Maishe Dailey, Beachwood, 6-6, sr., 13.2; Ethan Linder, Haviland Wayne Trace, 6-3, jr., 23.6; Devin Pierson, Lynchburg-Clay, 6-1, sr., 19.6; Rashaad Ali-Shakir, Cincinnati Purcell Marian, 6-1, sr., 15.4; Isaiah Williams, Dayton Stivers School for the Arts, 6-7, sr., 17.0; Lukas Isaly, Hannibal River, 5-10, so., 22.0; John Carroll, Massillon Tuslaw, 6-11, sr., 13.6; Trey Smith, Delphos Jefferson, 6-5, sr., 24.4.

Third team: Micah Miller, Grandview Heights, 6-2, sr., 12.0; Turner Horn, Berlin Hiland, 6-2, jr., 14.2; Jaden Walton, Newton Falls, 6-2, sr., 27.1; Bailey Breitenstine, Doylestown Chippewa, 5-9, sr., 19.8; Yavari Hall, Warrensville Heights, 6-3, sr., 17.0; Bryce McComb, Swanton, 6-1, sr., 16.2; Bryan Rolfe, Lucasville Valley, 6-3, sr., 23.4; Damien Mackesy, Casstown Miami East, 6-5, sr., 21.2; Justin Ahrens, Versailles, 6-5, so., 22.7; Dustin Redish, Cadiz Harrison Central, 6-2, sr., 17.3.

Special mention: Ryan Alexander, Columbus Academy; Kirk Manns, Fredericktown; Nico Sansotta, Marion Pleasant; Chase Yoho, Bellaire; Carter Kiefer, Beverly Fort Frye; Conner Roahrig, Coshocton; Graham Mincher, New Middletown Springfield; Nate Weinman, Creston Norwayne; Dalton Fall, Garrettsville Garfield; Preston Stitt, North Lima South Range; Jake Kuchta, Elyria Catholic; David Delahunty, Columbia Station Columbia; Caleb Hughley, Oberlin; Keegan Hall, Milan Edison; Jonathan Thomas, Frankfort Adena; Corey Wyman, Williamsport Westfall; Pierce Mowery, Chillicothe Zane Trace; Dylan Swingle, Bainbridge Paint Valley; Mason Chapman, Albany Alexander; Kollin Van Horn, Proctorville Fairland; Brandon Rowe, Minford; Elijah Fulton, St. Bernard Roger Bacon.

Honorable mention: Blake Bramer, Centerburg; Tyler Brehm, Baltimore Liberty Union; Jake Bush, Grandview Heights; Zack Hosack, Mount Gilead; Grant Smith, Elgin;

Keith Leindecker, West Lafayette Ridgewood; Ty Hamsher, Sugarcreek Garaway; John Michael Schuetz, Bellaire; Emilio Appollini, Martins Ferry; Chad Neisel, Magnolia Sandy Valley; Andrew Mason, Coshocton; Brandon Mitchell, Cadiz Harrison Central; Chris Kline, Berlin Hiland;

Lucas Nasonti, Warren Champion; Luke Smith, Orrville; Mark Meyer, Massillon Tuslaw; Nate Emens, Garrettsville Garfield; Shawn Swindall, Loudonville; Brevin Riebe, Waynedale; Isaiah Viator, Smithville; Mark Mokros, Canton Central Catholic; Zane Rummell, Mineral Ridge;

Desmond Crosby, Beachwood; Brandon Peters, Warrensville Heights; Jerry Higgins, Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph; Darin Guice, Elyria Catholic; Jarett Smetana, Burton Berkshire; Jackson Clark, Gates Mills Gilmour Academy; Donald Johnson, Oberlin;

Nathan Craft, Findlay Liberty-Benton; Jaret Griffith, Collins Western Reserve; Dakota Prichard, Spencerville; Alex Arellano, Paulding; Logan Bailey, Defiance Tinora; Hunter Sieben, Toledo Ottawa Hills; Andy Brunet, Coldwater;

Seth Richardson, Albany Alexander; Phillip Kratzenberg, Ironton; Brad Meadows, Chesapeake; Luke Thomas, Proctorville Fairland; Kyle Davis, Wheelersburg; Blake Howard, Lucasville Valley; Trey Kelley, Minford; Trey Meade, Seaman North Adams; Kendal Reynolds, Portsmouth; Tayshaun Fox, South Point; Charles Bellamy, Sardinia Eastern Brown;

Daulton Butler, Carlisle; Averon Ely Jr., Dayton Northridge; Caleb South, Tipp City Bethel; Jordan Gaines, Cincinnati Purcell Marian; Darius Dazley, Cincinnati Finneytown.

Markell Johnson of East Tech and St. Vincent-St. Mary's Henry Baddley shared AP All-Ohio Division II Player of the Year honors with John Glenn's Drew Rackley.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – If this were a track awards stand, first place would be crowded.

The Associated Press released its All-Ohio boys basketball teams for Divisions II and III on Wednesday. Division IV came Monday with Cornerstone Christian’s Michael Bothwell receiving player-of-the-year honors. Division I and the Mr. Basketball winner will be announced Wednesday.

When Tuesday’s teams were released, three players shared the Division II Player of the Year award: East Tech’s Markell Johnson, St. Vincent-St. Mary’s Henry Baddley and New Concord John Glenn’s Drew Rackley.

Here is a breakdown of area players who received honors in Division II and Division III.

• Click here for the full Division II list.

• Click here for the full Division III list.

DIVISION II PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

Markell Johnson, East Tech: The 6-foot-1 junior guard averaged 31.2 points during the regular season, helped the Scarabs win their third straight Senate League championship and nearly pushed a deep postseason run. East Tech lost in overtime of its district semifinal to Central Catholic in Stow. Johnson still had a handful of 40-point games and picked up college offers from Ohio State, North Carolina State, Louisville and others along the way.

Henry Baddley, STVM: Baddley is headed to Butler after this school year. In the meantime, he and John Glenn’s Drew Rackley are alive in the state semifinals. They could meet in the championship game on Saturday, which would be a rematch of the Muskies’ close win earlier this season in Akron. Baddley averaged 19.0 points, which he scored in the Fighting Irish’s Canton Regional final win against Benedictine.

DIVISION II FIRST TEAM

Tervell Beck, Central Catholic: A Mr. Basketball candidate entering this season like Johnson and Baddley, Beck averaged 25.2 points and helped the Ironmen to the Stow District final, where they lost to Benedictine. The 6-8 forward is considering his college options, which includes a handful of mid-majors.

DIVISION II SECOND TEAM

Jayvon Graves, STVM: The electric junior guard averaged 17.0 points for Dru Joyce’s club.

DIVISION II THIRD TEAM

Jordan Fabry, Crestwood: Fabry has another year to go. Scary, considering he averaged 23.6 points this season.

Justin Layne, Benedictine: The Michigan State recruit at receiver showed he can be just as good as a point guard. Layne averaged 15.5 points while helping the Bengals reach the regional championship vs. STVM a year after just eight wins.

Jackson Burdyshaw, Perry: The 6-6 quarterback on the Perry football team can play basketball just like Layne. In fact, his season ended against Layne and Benedictine in the regional semifinals. Burdyshaw averaged 22.1 points.

DIVISION III FIRST TEAM

Tyrone Gibson, Beachwood: The senior led the Bison in scoring with 17.8 points, which is not easy to do in a talented guard-oriented lineup that helped the team finish 22-3.

Sherman Dean III, VASJ: The senior wing averaged 15.5 points and set a school 3-point record. More importantly, he has the Vikings back in the state semifinals a year after they lost all five starters to graduation.

DIVISION III SECOND TEAM

Maishe Dailey, Beachwood: The 6-6 Rutgers commit averaged 13.2 points, but filled the stat sheet for Matt Miller’s Bison.

DIVISION III THIRD TEAM

Yavari Hall, Warrensville Heights: Without Hall in the lineup because of injury, the Tigers sunk below .500. With him, they climbed back up and reached the district semifinals at Garfield Heights. It took a two-point win by VASJ to end their season.

Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.

Giovanny Urshela hit a home run, his team-high fourth of the spring. The third baseman then left the game after he was plunked in the back by a pitch.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Rangers topped the Indians, 5-4, at Surprise Stadium on Tuesday. Here are some highlights.

* Carlos Carrasco surrendered his first runs of the spring, including one on a Prince Fielder home run in the third inning. Carrasco allowed two runs on seven hits over four frames. He struck out five and didn't walk a batter. Carrasco told reporters his approach was to pitch inside to both lefties and righties. He felt he did that.

Francona: "He pitched with a little bit of traffic. Again, as they start to get stretched out, it's good for them, because they're going to have to start pitching with runners on and [while] getting a little bit tired. I think that's good for them."

* Giovanny Urshela hit a home run, his team-high fourth of the spring. The third baseman then left the game after he was plunked in the back by a pitch. Francona told reporters that Urshela is fine and was going to come out after one more inning anyway.

Francona: "He's done a good job. The ball's coming off his bat. He's swinging at strikes."

Urshela is batting .346 with a 1.316 OPS this spring. In 288 plate appearances with the Indians last season, he clubbed six home runs. He has four in 25 trips to the plate this spring. He is still slated to begin the year at Triple-A Columbus, with Juan Uribe in the fold. 

* Tom Gorzelanny, in the competition for a bullpen spot, served up a two-run home run to Rangers prospect Joey Gallo. Francona described the home run as being "majestic."

Francona: "We'll probably [see] it on the way home."

* Rajai Davis entered Tuesday's action with one hit in 22 at-bats this spring. He collected three base knocks in four at-bats on Tuesday, as he started in center field and hit leadoff.

* Roberto Perez struck out in all three of his at-bats.

* Utility man Michael Martinez homered and doubled in his two at-bats.

Francona: "I'm going to be surprised if he doesn't find his way to the big leagues at some point."

* Joba Chamberlain and Giovanni Soto each logged scoreless inning of relief.

Terry Francona and the art of spring training evaluations

Bud Shaw, Chris Fedor and Dan Labbe discuss what the right price is for the Cleveland Browns if they are interested in a trade for Colin Kaepernick. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns are one of two teams reportedly interested in a trade for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, but the cost remains high. 

The Broncos reportedly believe the 28-year-old signal caller is worth a fourth-round pick. The Browns could be willing to sacrifice a third-rounder. Even that compensation doesn't guarantee a move, as Kaepernick's hefty contract could also be an obstacle. 

What's the right price for Kaepernick? How high should the Browns go? Bud Shaw, Dan Labbe and I discussed that. 

Watch the video above and vote below.

Get ready for the OHSAA state basketball tournament by finding out who is Cornerstone Christian Academy.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Close to 200 boys and girls basketball teams vied for a spot in the Division IV state tournament this year. For the first time in Cornerstone Christian Academy’s 14-year history, the boys and girls teams have earned their first appearance to the state final four.

Before this year, Cornerstone had never had a sports team qualify for the state tournament. Now, Cornerstone and Jackson Center, another Division IV team, are the only schools in Ohio this season to send both their boys and girls basketball teams to state. The Cornerstone and Jackson Center girls teams both fell in the semifinals last week. 

Cornerstone Christian, which was birthed from Willow Hill, was established in 1999 and is a non-denominational school that supports grades K4-12. The school joined the OHSAA in 1999 and has enrollment of approximately 120. The girls team rejoined the OHSAA this year after spending the last two with the National Association of Christian Athletes.

Here is what boys basketball coach Dan Selle and athletic director Marian Adamo shared about who is Cornerstone Christian Academy before the state semifinals on Friday.

Selle: This is the farthest we’ve made in our 14-year school history. Two years ago we made it to the regional semis and St. Thomas Aquinas brought that wonderful experience to a quick end…we won four games in the tournament, but in the previous 11 years we won only three games. So, its been quite a change from nine years when I took over as head coach.

See related: Cornerstone boys pick up some new followers.

Cleveland.com: The boys were at the girls state semifinal game. What did you think of the girls making their first state appearance last week?

Selle: She [coach Lisa Stopp] has done a phenomenal job. Last Friday, it was fun to go see the girls at the Schott play at 1 o’clock, and then we drove back north to Canton to play our regional final game. It’s been a great time for our school, school spirit and our community. If you watch us on Twitter or at any of our games, our student section is phenomenal.

Players, students, family and friends gather at center court! Chant CCA and thank the Lord for this opportunity! pic.twitter.com/eGfPAUbB0n

— Cornerstone Hoops (@CCA_HOOPS) March 12, 2016

See related: Cornerstone among local state qualifiers heading to Columbus.

Cleveland.com: Playing Beachwood, Garfield Heights, VASJ, Cincinnati Walnut Hills and Bedford during the regular season was helpful?

Selle: We played an extremely difficult schedule. I think if anything it helps us in the postseason because there is not a team that we face that we haven’t played that caliber of basketball before. Sometimes what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Cleveland.com: Michael Bothwell named co-player of the year in Ohio. What does that say about your team?

Selle: We have a really strong core group of kids. They have great chemistry, work extremely hard and our culture is really in defense. You’ll enjoy seeing them play if you get a chance.

See related: Bothwell named co-player of the year.

So blessed at CCA! Both boys and girls team win Regionals and go to States! #notdoneyet #road2states #ccasquad pic.twitter.com/CFQ1bh2dU1

— Cornerstone Hoops (@CCA_HOOPS) March 12, 2016

Cleveland.com: Marian, is Cornerstone Christian using basketball as a way to increase interest in the Academy?

Adamo: No. We’ve had all of our sports since the inception of the school. I think basketball is the most notable sport of all the sports…its an easy sport for kids to pick up, practice, and be a part of. I think over the years the church that runs the Upward Sports and an elementary programs have helped to garner interest in the younger grades.

Cleveland.com: Coach, do you have a hard time putting a team together?

Selle: There’s no shortage of kids that want to come to Cornerstone Christian Academy and play basketball. It’s a school with a spiritual foundation, we put Christ first, strong academics and we have an excellent basketball program that has really developed over the years thanks to some great coaches and people that have mentored us…We’re one of the smallest Division IV schools in Ohio and we have three teams. I would say half of the boys in the high school play basketball.

Cleveland.com: Students wearing matching outfits and school colors. What is the motivation behind the school spirit?

Adamo: We’re a family. We are truly a family. Many of these students have been in school together for a long time…we really do foster a sense of school pride. It wasn’t even a question the boys would be there to support the girls [in the state semifinals] and the girls to support the boys.

May the force be with CCA! Let's go squad! #road2states #ccasquad pic.twitter.com/hrqdrDowmh

— Cornerstone Hoops (@CCA_HOOPS) March 9, 2016

Bay's high-powered offense has helped lead the Rockets to their first state semifinal appearance in school history.

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio — When Bay boys basketball coach Jared Shetzer first became the head coach of the Rockets in 2013-14, he felt he had the ingredients to create a team that would push the tempo throughout a game.

He called Bay Village a "running community" because of how often he saw people running outside throughout the city. Shetzer felt he could use that to build a team in the mold of legendary Loyola Marymount coach Paul Westhead from the 1980s and his run-and-gun offense.

It has taken just three seasons for Shetzer's high-tempo Rockets to have a record-breaking season with a 24-3 record and its first state semifinal appearance.

Bay secured its first trip to Columbus on Saturday when it defeated Ottawa-Glandorf, 76-65, in the Division II Bowling Green Regional final.

"I've always envisioned a program that runs and guns and scores a lot of points," Shetzer said. "It helps when you have guys like (guards John Koz and Jack Jelen) that can fill it up. It fits their strong suits for sure."

Westhead's philosophy has been something Shetzer has tried to impress on his players. He often gives his players quotes from Westhead as well as legendary UCLA coach John Wooden and tries to give some of his players more background on what Westhead's offensive strategy was.

"You've got to talk to them about it," Shetzer said. "I try to explain to them what Paul Westhead was all about and the fact that he still coaches today. He was coaching those Laker teams way back when. I was still probably in elementary school when that was happening.

"But I spend a lot of time looking at it. So I want to make sure I give these guys the tools to understand what Paul Westhead was trying to do, and we try to emulate it the best we can."

The Rockets are averaging 80.9 points per game and set the school record for points in a season.

Koz, a senior and Bay's all-time leading scorer, has played for Shetzer for the last three seasons. Koz admitted that while Shetzer's style is a bit different, he feels the system fits this year's team very well.

"Once your whole team starts playing it every day in practice and every game, you kind of just become used to it," Koz said. "I think this is the year we've really had the right pieces for this offense."

Koz leads the team in scoring with 22.1 points per game, one of four Rockets to average double figures. Koz was also the quarterback for Bay's football team, which went to the playoffs each of the last two years and won at least one playoff game each year. Prior to that, Bay had never won a playoff football game.

"The last couple of grades kind of brought a winning culture around Bay," Koz said. "It's nice to know that we were kind of one of the classes that really brought a new kind of winning culture to basketball and football to this community."

Jelen, a junior, has been the engine to power Bay's up-tempo offense from the point guard spot. He is averaging 7.2 assists per game to go with 10.4 points and four rebounds. He became Bay's all-time assist leader in Saturday's win.

"I think its good that even when we have a lead not to slow down, keep playing fast," Jelen said. "A lot of it just comes from experience, playing fast tempo the last few years probably gotten better as the season's gone on."

Also joining Koz and Jelen in double-digit scoring are freshman guard Erik Painter (12.4 ppg) and sophomore forward R.J. Sunahara (13.2 ppg).

Thursday, Bay will face New Concord John Glenn in the Division II state semifinals. Like Bay, the Muskies (26-1) are an up-tempo team. They average 85.4 points per game and enter the state tournament as the top-ranked team in Division II according to the Associated Press.

John Glenn also has four players averaging double figures offensively led by senior Drew Rackley's 22 ppg.

"The last couple of games, we know going into the game, the (other teams), their gameplan is around trying to slow us down," Koz said. "It's nice going into a game knowing a team is going to try and battle us head-to-head with their strength against our strength."

Both teams will be making their first appearance in the state semifinals at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus. Shetzer isn't worried about how his players will react to playing at Ohio State after games at Bowling Green and Quicken Loans Arena in recent years.

"I've got to be the calmest guy in the room just to keep them levelheaded," Shetzer added. "I probably wouldn't have done that my first year. Now that it's my third year, I've learned a little more about big environments. I've got to be the calmest guy there.

"These guys are going to take care of it. They're going to play hard and if we're the best team, we're the best team. If we're not, we're not. But we're going to give it our best effort."

Valentine, Michigan State's guard, night be the best all-around player in the country. Here are others vital to their teams in the NCAA Tournament.

Ty Lue took over from David Blatt and it seemed like he was the longterm choice, but what if he's not? Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers fired David Blatt earlier this season and replaced him with Tyronn Lue. Despite reports to the contrary, Lue does not have a longterm deal in place at the moment to coach the team.

Not to put Lue on the hot seat -- General Manager David Griffin came out in strong support of Lue after promoting him -- but what does Lue need to do this season to keep the job longterm? I posed that question to Bud Shaw and Chris Fedor as part of our weekly series of sports videos. Watch their answers above.

Safety Donte Whitner is fully prepared to come back and try to help the Browns win games this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In the wake of linebacker Karlos Dansby and receiver Dwayne Bowe being released Wednesday, Safety Donte Whitner said Wednesday he hasn't been given any indication by the Browns that he's next, and is eager to get back to work.

"I'm not thinking about that,'' Whitner told cleveland.com. "I'm just working out, getting in the best shape possible. It's really unfortunate that they let Karlos go. He's a really good player. A really talented player for a long time in this league and I do believe that he'll find work and catch on somewhere because he says he wants to win a championship.

"But I want to win a championship in Cleveland myself, so I wish him the best of luck and I'm just getting ready for the season.''

Whitner, 30, said he's talked to Browns Executive Vice President Sashi Brown, but didn't feel the need to ask about his future. The Browns are determined to get younger, and are ushering older players out the door, including Alex Mack, 30, who left in free agency, and receiver Dwayne Bowe, who was cut Wednesday.  They're also lopping off bigger salaries.

"No no one has mentioned anything like that to me,'' said Whitner, who's under contract for $6.2 million in 2016 and $6.3 million in 2017. "I'm always confident in myself. I'm confident in the team and looking forward to working with this coaching staff and going out there and winning some games.''

As for his conversation with Brown, "we didn't really talk about football. There was no reassurance of anything but I don't think I need to be reassured. I'll just go out there and work there and work and see where we go.

Whitner isn't fazed by the notion of a rebuild. In addition to Mack, they let safety Tashuan Gipson, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz and Travis Benjamin walk in free agency. They also signed free agent offensive lineman Alvin Bailey, linebacker Justin Tuggle and inside linebacker Demario Davis, who will start opposite Chris Kirksey.

"Everybody's saying rebuild, but I think any team in the National Football League talent-wise you're not far off,'' he said. "It's just the small things that you do well, and there's a lot of teams that do a lot of small things well.  They put players in there, they coach them up and teach them the right way to play the game of football and the way to win football games, and those are the people that you need.

"I don't know about rebuild. I just now that we have to win some games.''

Cleveland native Ron Johnson is returning to the ring after several years off.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ron Johnson decided shortly after his no-decision bout seven years ago to redirect himself in boxing. He hung up his gloves after winning 11 of 12 fights, traded in his boxing shorts for a three-piece suit.

Johnson, a native of Cleveland who resides in Las Vegas, went full-time into promoting and co-promoting local and regional boxing events. Despite some success, Johnson could not rid himself of a longing to return to the ring.

"I got burned out boxing and doing promotions at the same time," Johnson said. "It also didn't help not having a full team of loyal people. I got exhausted. Looking back, I'm glad I took the time off. I don't have a lot of wear and tear on my body. I took care of myself."

Johnson, a light heavyweight, will fight as a cruiser weight on May 27 in Orlando against an opponent yet to be named. Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Mike McCallum will co-train Johnson. Mayweather Sr. is the head trainer.

"I know it's been a long time but I didn't want to get too old and regret not going all the way or finding out what could have been," said Johnson, 30.

The current situation in the light heavyweight division also motivated Johnson's return. He said the division could use fresher faces.

"Champions like Sergey Kovalev and Adonis Stevenson are fighting the same guys," Johnson said. "The division could use someone like me who can compete with the guys in the division, if not beat those guys."

About time

Cleveland native junior middleweight Willie Nelson (24-2-1) returns to the ring on March 25 against Marcus Willis (16-4-2) on Showtime. It's Nelson's first fight since his TKO victory over Tony Harrison last July.

Harrison suffered his first loss in 22 fights in what was supposed to be a major step in his direction as the next elite fighter.

Those plans were dashed when Nelson took Harrison out in the ninth round. But the victory for Nelson stalled his career. Nelson was supposed to be fodder in Harrison's upward mobility but the TKO changed Harrison's fortunes ... and Nelson's.

Maybe another impressive Nelson victory will grant him the respect he deserves.

Quick jabs

• Universal picks up amateur boxer Claressa Shields.
• Manny Pacquiao's trainer says Timothy Bradley is no Floyd Mayweather.
• Charles Martin also wants a crack at Tyson Furry.
• Tyson Fury wants biggest British fight ever.
• Is Errol Spence Jr. the next big thing in boxing?
• It looks like June 4 is the date for Fury-Klitschko II.
• Ruslan Provodnikov is most likely Terence Crawford's next opponent this summer.
• False documents led to Zab Judah's latest fight cancellation.
• If Canelo fails to make weight Khan says fight is off.
• This is how Klitschko can beat Fury in the rematch.

This week in boxing history

March 16, 1974: Roberto Duran knock outs out Esteban De Jesus in round 11 to retain the World Lightweight Title. Duran avenged and earlier loss (a 10-round non-title decision) to De Jesus.

Boxing Schedule

Friday

(Telemundo): Alejandro Hernandez vs. Isao Carranza, junior featherweights; Emmanuel Dominguez vs. Salvador Juarez, junior featherweights; Daniel Garcia vs. Uriel Del Valle, flyweights.

Saturday

(UniMas): Juan Diaz vs. Fernando Garcia, lightweights; Mike Alvarado vs. Saul Corral, welterweights; Esquiva Falcao vs. Joe McCreedy, middleweights; Christopher Turton vs. Jesse Garcia, junior lightweights.

March 25

(Showtime): Regis Prograis vs. Aaron Herrera, junior welterweights; Ivan Baranchyk vs. Nick Givhan, junior welterweights; Ivan Golub vs. Marlon Aguas, welterweights; Dillon Cook vs. Justin DeLoach, junior middleweights, Willie Nelson vs. Marcus Willis, junior middleweights.

Veteran linebacker Karlos Dansby joined Alex Mack, Mitchell Schwartz, Travis Benjamin and Tashaun Gipson as departed Browns starters. It made sense given Dansby's age. But it's only fair for fans to ask where the tear-down ends and the rebuild begins -- Bud Shaw's Sports Spin.

CLEVELAND, OH - Browns chief strategist Paul DePodesta calls criticism of the new world order in Berea "part of the fun."

Well, let the fun begin. Anytime now would be fine.

The easiest part of the rebuild is always the tear-down. It's also the least enjoyable, though many Browns fans are willing to make an exception for the news that Dwayne Bowe - one of the most beloved Browns teammates, in his opinion - is moving on.

Adding Karlos Dansby to the list of departed starters - he joins Alex Mack, Mitchell Schwartz, Travis Benjamin and Tashaun Gipson - fits the presiding philosophy in Berea.

Younger. Cheaper. Worse.

Not exactly the equal of the Olympic motto:

Faster. Higher. Stronger.

But it's the working slogan, so best get used to it at least until the draft brings reinforcements. 

Dansby follows others out the door in Berea? Who's next?

DePodesta told Baseball America at MIT's Sloan Analytics Conference last week the story of standing in line at the Indianapolis airport after the NFL Scouting Combine and hearing criticism of the Browns' approach. He likened it to the blowback he heard in Oakland when he introduced "Moneyball" analytics.

Great story. Even better if it has some application to the NFL.

For now what the Browns are doing is about as much fun for fans as watching dominoes topple. The latest, Dansby, told cleveland.com of a conversation he had with another over-30 Browns veteran.

"I told Donte Whitner 'you have to be ready for anything,' '' Dansby said.

Why keep Whitner? Is Joe Thomas next? He could bring a high draft pick, so why not?

Joe Haden? The Browns already let players go from the same mid-20s age group (Gipson, Schwartz, Benjamin). He has lots of guaranteed money coming. Could he be traded?

The Browns don't have to explain to the rest of the NFL what they're doing or why they're doing it. If they're right, other teams may even copy them. It's a copy-cat league.

But they might take a cue from a former employer of DePodesta's and explain the plan to the fan base. 

The Indians and John Hart did a good job of that back in the day when the Tribe was tearing down and building the team that rocked the American League in the '90s.

The Browns will be asking more patience from their paying customers than has been asked of fans since 1999.

There are already mixed signals to clear up.

Sashi Brown, the VP of Football Operations, said at the NFL Combine it was important for the Browns to keep their own free agents, that it sent a message to the locker room that players will be taken care of if they do great work.

Then came The Exodus.

Was that part of the plan?

Building a winner is part of the fun for DePodesta? Good. That means he believes in what the Browns are doing, and relishes the chance to prove doubters wrong again.

When he said what he said at the analytics conference he was preaching to the choir.

The Browns congregation might be a harder sell but it's only right to give it a try.

Rahim Moore will compete for time at free safety with Jordan Poyer.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns have signed former Texans safety Rahim Moore to a one-year deal, a league source told cleveland.com.

He'll compete for time at free safety with Jordan Poyer.

Moore, 26, was a second-round pick of the Broncos in 2011 out of UCLA and spent his first four seasons in Denver.

He was signed by the Texans to a three-year deal worth $12 million last offseason, but was cut March 3 after just one season.

His replacement, Andre Hal, intercepted four passes.

When he was benched midway through last season, Moore was upset.

"It was mortifying," Moore told reporters. "Crying and all kinds of stuff. But that's because I love football a lot. You want to be out there. The good feeling about it is that we won yesterday. That's a great thing."

More on Moore soon.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers are 47-19 and lead the Eastern Conference, but they have issues that need to be resolved before the playoffs begin in April. Among them: Kevin Love's shooting. Love is supposed to be part of a "Big 3'' in Cleveland, but he enters Wednesday's game against Dallas shooting 41.0 percent from the field and...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers are 47-19 and lead the Eastern Conference, but they have issues that need to be resolved before the playoffs begin in April.

Among them: Kevin Love's shooting.

Love is supposed to be part of a "Big 3'' in Cleveland, but he enters Wednesday's game against Dallas shooting 41.0 percent from the field and averaging 15.6 points. His respective career averages are 44.4 percent and 18.3 percent.

Love has shot better than 50 percent from the field just eight times since Dec. 1.

Love is shooting 38.2 percent and averaging 13.9 points in Cavs losses. 

Love, who averages 9.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists, has been good. But the Cavs need him to be max-player good. Misfires are holding him back.

I spoke about Love with Cinesport.

Players such as Buddy Hield, Denzel Valentine and Jaylen Brown could highlight the 2016 NCAA Tournament. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This week's College Basketball Spotlight is on several players involved in March Madness.

A possible matchup between Kentucky Wildcats point guard Tyler Ulis and Indiana Hoosiers point guard Yogi Ferrell could happen if each school wins its first-round game.

A matchup between Ulis and Ferrell is quick vs. quick. The matchup could also determine who is the better point guard between the two.

Michigan State's Bryn Forbes may not have an intriguing one-on-one matchup but Elton Alexander thinks Forbes, the Cleveland State transfer, could become the key to the Spartans' run because of his outstanding 3-point shooting.

Other players who could make some noise during the tournament include: Denzel Valentine (Michigan State), Jaylen Brown (Cal), Buddy Hield (Oklahoma), Grayson Allen (Duke), Kyle Wiltjer (Gonzaga) and Marvelle Harris (Fresno State).

In this week's Thursday Conversation, we'll converse with Lauderdale about the challenges in recovering from an injury that he thought might end his career. He'll share what it's like to be part of the March Madness whirlwind and discuss the state of the OSU program.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The 10-year anniversary is approaching.

On June 1, 2006, Dallas Lauderdale, donning a red tie, sat at a table in his high school's gym and revealed his plan to attend Ohio State. Lauderdale was a larger-than-life figure at Solon High School and he was larger than most on the basketball court.

Nearly a decade later, his NBA dreams still hang in the balance. He played for four years under Thad Matta in Columbus. He played for various NBA summer league teams, spent time in training camps and logged preseason minutes. Then, near the end of training camp with the Charlotte Hornets in 2014, Lauderdale ruptured a bundle of tendons and ligaments in his right foot.

He underwent surgery. He feared he might never play basketball again. He pondered whether he would ever walk or run the same way.

Lauderdale estimates, almost a year and a half removed from the operation, that he is 85-90 percent healthy. He attends physical therapy sessions each morning. He works out and plays basketball at the Schottenstein Center, where he played many of his 138 college games. He has poured time and energy into his Direction Up basketball camp, which returns for a second year in June.

His sights are set on another NBA summer league run, but he knows he has been wrong before. He was hoping to return to action long before this.

In this week's Thursday Conversation, we'll converse with Lauderdale about the challenges in recovering from an injury that he thought might end his career. Lauderdale said he now appreciates the nuances of the game, and doesn't take anything for granted, such as the ability to run up and down the court.

The NCAA Tournament also begins on Thursday. Lauderdale participated in the event on three occasions. He'll share what it's like to be part of the March whirlwind.

Ohio State, however, was relegated to the NIT this year for the first time since 2008. Lauderdale was a freshman on that team and he has some insight on what it's like to fall short of the NCAA Tournament and whether the program is on solid footing.

Check back Thursday for this week's conversation.