Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe talk about the news of the day from Berea. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Hue Jackson officially named Robert Griffin III his starting quarterback for Sunday's game against Cincinnati. It will be RG3's first start since Week 1 against the Eagles. Meanwhile, John Greco is concerned that he might need lisfranc surgery, the same injury suffered by linemate Joel Bitonio. Then, of course, there was news today that a plan is in the works to move training camp to Columbus beginning in 2018.

Mary Kay Cabot and I talked about that following practice on Thursday. Check out the video above to get caught up on everything that happened and hear what we had to say about it.

Jackson will go with the rookie out of USC as his backup over veteran Josh McCown on Sunday.

BEREA, Ohio -- It wasn't much of a surprise on Thursday when Hue Jackson named quarterback Robert Griffin III his starter for Sunday's game against Cincinnati. Jackson's choice for backup might have been one, though.

At least a little.

Jackson said rookie Cody Kessler will be next in line behind Griffin.

"Cody has played," Jackson said. "As I told you guys, I think he is fine from a medical standpoint, and I'd like to see him play some more as we move throughout the year. There is a possibility for that to happen. That is kind of the way I see it right now."

Kessler left the Browns' Nov. 20 game against Pittsburgh with a concussion and missed the Giants the following week. Veteran Josh McCown started in his place. McCown, who opened the season behind Griffin, started the Browns' second game against Baltimore and also Week 8 against the Jets. He replaced a struggling Kessler during the team's Thursday night loss in Baltimore.

"You guys know how I feel about Josh," Jackson said. "Josh is one of my favorites, but I think in the situation that we are in now, it is about seeing guys for the future. I know what Josh is, and I appreciate everything Josh is and has been, but I think we have to give these younger guys right now an opportunity so we know more."

The real interesting piece in all of this is Kevin Hogan. The rookie was initially used in a running package the first time the Browns played the Bengals. He took over the game after Kessler left with a concussion and rushed for 104 yards. He is the last Brown to rush for over 100 yards this season.

Jackson said he wasn't sure if Hogan would be active on Sunday.

"That part I have not really been through," Jackson said, "but that could be a possibility."

As we've seen all season long, anything is possible with the quarterback situation.

Green misses practice again: Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green missed practice again on Thursday. Green, who suffered a strained hamstring on the second play of the Bengals' game against Buffalo on Nov. 20, hasn't played since. He's missed two games so far, but is expected to return before the end of the season.

Green has 52 catches, 824 yards and six career touchdowns against the Browns. He caught eight passes for 169 yards in the teams' first meeting and made a bobbling catch on a Hail Mary from quarterback Andy Dalton to end the first half.

More injuries: Linebacker Dominique Alexander (groin), who has played mostly on special teams this season, and tight end Seth DeValve (hamstring) were added to the Browns injury report on Thursday. They were both full participants in practice. Cornerback Joe Haden (groin) was downgraded to limited, but Thursday has been a scheduled limited day for Haden since he returned from his second groin injury. Tight end Randall Telfer, who had thumb surgery last week, was limited in practice as was cornerback Jamar Taylor (groin).

The Bengals added safety George Iloka (groin) to their injury report. He was limited. Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick did not practice due to illness. Wide receiver Brandon LaFell (knee) was a full participant after being limited on Wednesday. Guard Clint Boling (shoulder) and long snapper Clark Harris (groin) remained limited.

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Baseball's regular season and postseason come to screeching halts. But the winter meetings go on and on.

HARBOR PLACE, Md. - The baseball season always comes to an abrupt halt. Be it the regular season or the postseason, it's a finite thing. One day somebody is busting it from first to third, the next day he's packing his bags for home.

The winter meetings aren't like that. They go from Sunday through Thursday every winter, but when they end the signings and trades keep going. Like a Mike Napoli home run, they have good carry.

This year's meetings ended Thursday at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. Some teams prospered, some faltered and others stayed in the background, plotting.

So while we list the winners, losers and unexpected happenings among MLB's 30 teams from the last five days in December, remember this thing isn't over. It's a long way to opening day and much is going to happen between now and then.

Winners:

Red Sox: They added left-hander Chris Sale to a rotation that already has Rick Porcello and David Price and a cast of thousands to fill the two spots behind them. Then they signed first baseman-DH Mitch Moreland to help fill the void by retired David Ortiz and acquired set-up man Tyler Thornburg from Milwaukee for Travis Shaw.

Yankees: It's good to see the Yankees acting like the Yankees again. They say they're rebuilding and then dropped $86 million on closer Aroldis Chapman for the next five years. They also signed Matt Holliday this week to a one-year $13 million contract.

Chapman started last season with the Yankees, but they traded him to the Cubs on July 26 for four prospects. The key to the trade was shortstop Gleyber Torres as GM Brian Cashman began a campaign to infuse more youth into the organization.

So how's this for a plan coming together? Not too long after Torres won the MVP of the Arizona Fall League, the Yankees were able to reacquire Chapman and didn't have to give up a No.1 draft pick to do it.

Chicago Cubs: The World Series champs were apparently never serious about re-signing Chapman. Still, they needed a closer and found one in Kansas City's Wade Davis.

If Davis is healthy - he had elbow issues last year - it's a great one-year rental because for the free agent in waiting. He was the Royals' closer when they won the World Series in 2015. All it cost the Cubs was outfielder Jorge Soler, a talented player who couldn't get enough at-bats in Chicago's outfield.

Chicago White Sox: They made the difficult decision to rebuild and GM Rick Hahn didn't waste time starting the process. Tuesday he sent ace Sale to Boston and Wednesday he sent outfielder Adam Eaton to Washington.

He received switch-hitting Yoan Moncada, right-hander Michael Kopech, outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe and right-hander Victor Diaz for Sale. The switch-hitting Moncada, expected to play second base, is regarded as baseball's top prospect. It should be fun to watch shortstop Tim Anderson and Moncada grow together.

The Eaton trade brought three young right-handers to the White Sox - Lucas Giolitto, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning. Giolito was one of MLB's top rated right-handers last season, while Dunning was Washington's No.1 pick in 2016.

The housecleaning has just begun in Chicago. As Hahn left the winter meetings Thursday morning, he told reporters to be ready for more action.

San Francisco: The Giants didn't need a lot of help, but they filled their one big need by signing free agent closer Mark Melancon to a four-year, $62 million contract. The Giants blew 30 saves last year so Melancon's presence will be appreciated.

Toronto: The Blue Jays watched big boppers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion leave through free agency. They signed Kendrys Morales to a three-year, $33 million deal before the meetings. Then they signed 1B/DH Steve Pearce during the meetings to a two-year, $12.5 million deal just because.

Someone pinch Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins and tell them it's not a dream. It's Toronto.

What's going on here?

Royals: GM Dayton Moore sent his closer, Davis, to the Cubs for Soler. Kelvin Herrera will replace Davis as closer and Soler will get a chance to start every day in right field.

But the Royals, with so many core players eligible for free agency after 2017, are teetering between contention or revamping.

Nationals: Maybe it's just me, but don't you think the Nationals gave up a lot to get Eaton? He's a good player, but Indians fans have seen him with the White Sox for three years and what exactly jumps out about this guy?

You get the impression that the Nationals were just as interested in Eaton's club-friendly contract - he's under control for the next five years for $37 million - as for what he can do on the field.

Give the White Sox's Hahn credit for that. He signed his young stars to club friendly multiyear deals that made them easier to trade than, say, Miguel Cabrera or Justin Verlander.

Pablo Sandoval: GM David Dombrowski said he felt comfortable trading Travis Shaw to the Brewers because Pablo Sandoval has recovered from his season-ending shoulder injury from 2015. He has also reportedly dropped some weight.

A skinny Kung Fu Panda? Can't wait to see that.

Losers

Andrew McCutchen: Has any former MVP watched his stock fall as much as McCutchen this winter? The Pirates are openly trying to trade him and as of yet they haven't found a buyer.

The Nationals were talking to the Pirates, but decided to go for Eaton instead. Has McCutchen's game gone south that fast?

Sluggers Anonymous: Free agent hitters Napoli, Mark Trumbo, Bautista, Encarnacion, Chris Carter and Adam Lind are still on the open market. The teams looking for their particular skills are shrinking. It's going to be interesting to see where they land.

The Indians' door, at the right price, of course, is always open.

One final thought: Timing is everything in life.

The Yankees just paid Chapman $86 million. The Giants paid Melancon $62 million and Kenley Jansen, the other prominent closer on the free agent market, is expected to land somewhere between those two numbers.

You have to wonder how Cody Allen feels about all that. Allen had a strong regular season for the Indians, averaging 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings with 32 saves. In the postseason, he was perfect, throwing 10 2/3 scoreless innings with 24 strikeouts.

He made $4.15 million last season and is eligible for arbitration this year. And he isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2018 season.

A fifth-year senior who is in his first year playing center, Elflein became Ohio State's first national award winner since 2008. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Pat Elflein didn't have to come back to Ohio State. He could be in the NFL right now. 

But he has been recognized over and over again for his elite-level play, most recently on Thursday night when he won the Rimington Trophy, which is given annually to the nation's best center. 

"It's unbelievable," Elflein said Tuesday. "It's somewhere I never thought I'd be.

"It couldn't work out any better. Coming back, personally I wanted to be up for the Rimington, I wanted to win the Rimington, be an All-American and get a Buckeye tree, some of the great traditions here. And now all of that is set out in front of me.

"We're playing for a national championship in the playoff, so you couldn't write it any better."

A fifth-year senior who is in his first year playing center, Elflein became Ohio State's first national award winner since 2008 when former cornerback Malcolm Jenkins won the Jim Thorpe Award for the nation's top defensive back. 

Elflein was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy, which was won by Alabama's Cam Robinson. That award is given annually to the best interior offensive lineman. 

Elflein is the second Ohio State center to win the Rimington Trophy, joining LeCharles Bentley, who won the award back in 2001. 

Ohio State punter Cameron Johnston was one of three Australian finalists for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation's best punter. Utah's Mitch Wishnowsky won. 

See OSU's national award winners

The BEST center in the nation.

CONGRATS @elflein65! pic.twitter.com/cvvyl3BwXN

-- Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 8, 2016

Urban Meyer, Dabo Swinney, Nick Saban and Chris Petersen spoke on Thursday in Atlanta.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer looks at Clemson's offense and sees a lot of Ohio State.

So it should be easy for the Buckeyes to prepare for the Tigers heading into the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl, right? Not really.

That's because of Deshaun Watson, Clemson's Heisman Trophy-candidate quarterback. Before Ohio State worries about stopping Watson, they have to find the guy on the scout team who can mimic (as best he can) what Watson does and give Ohio State the best look in bowl prep.

"Our offenses are somewhat similar. We play with tempo, we have some run-pass options. The difference is the athlete," Meyer said Thursday during a joint College Football Playoff news conference with Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, Alabama coach Nick Saban and Washington coach Chris Petersen in Atlanta.

"Very rarely do you have a guy who's that big and athletic who can throw. We're still trying to figure that out ... Game planning will take place next week, so we'll have those conversations this weekend. Who will play Deshaun, and then as difficult are those three receivers we have to defend as well."

Here's more from that news conference:

* Swinney echoed Meyer's comments when asked about Ohio State's offense:

"They're a tempo team, a lot of shifts and motions built into what they do," Swinney said. "They're gonna run their quarterback, similar to us. It's not just those guys. They're surrounded by a great talent. Two really good football teams, and we've got a lot of respect for Ohio State."

* Meyer spoke again about celebrating the birth of his first grandchild and getting into the College Football Playoff on the same day.

"It was a great day. That was a day you put in the win column," Meyer said.

More on Meyer's big day

* Alabama owns the nation's No. 1 defense in yards allowed per game, but Saban said the Peach Bowl semifinal against Washington will bring a task unlike anything they've seen this year.

"This is the most explosive, most balanced offensive team we've played all year long," Saban said.

Saban, who was in California recruiting on Wednesday, said he spent the entire flight there and back watching Washington tape and was impressed with Huskies quarterback Jake Browning.

"This is probably as good of an all-around player as we played against at that position," Saban said.

* Speaking of Watson, Swinney was asked if the Heisman voting should be pushed back until after the National Championship. Some thought Watson would've won last year if voters were able to watch him play in the playoff before voting.

Swinney didn't answer, but Saban had a thought.

"I don't have a vote, but I'd vote for him," Saban said.

What's funny is that Saban's running back, Alabama's Derrick Henry, beat Watson out for the Heisman last year.

* Petersen, the only coach on the stage to never coach in the playoff, joked that he wasn't exactly happy watching Alabama tape preparing for the Peach Bowl.

"I watched them a little bit," Petersen said. "I was coming out here today on the plane. I know about their offense, and I know about their defense. I didn't get real excited about watching them, so I put on their special teams and I was even more depressed showing up here today."

Hue Jackson says Robert Griffin still has a chance to be the Browns quarterback of the future, and Sunday's game against Cincinnati will be the first step in determining that. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Hue Jackson will have another chance to prove that one man's trash is another man's treasure. Robert Griffin will have at least a few more opportunities to remind everyone "no pressure, no diamonds."

Jackson not only named Griffin his starter Thursday for Sunday's game against the Bengals, he promised that Griffin has a legitimate chance to prove he can still be the Browns' franchise quarterback.

"The fact that we're putting him out there says that," said Jackson. "I want to know more. I've only seen him really play for not even a full game. The more information, the more time I get an opportunity to evaluate him, the better it's going to be. I will say it again, I am not expecting for everything to go perfect. It's not. I don't want to put that kind of pressure on anybody.

"It's his second game in a little over maybe two years so hopefully it'll go right, but if it doesn't that's OK, too. We have to go get him to play and hopefully play well, but we all understand the situation that he's in. I think he is up to the challenge."

Griffin, donning a "No Pressure, No Diamonds" Griffin Foundation sweatshirt, has already made clear his belief that he can accomplish the goal set when he signed a two-year deal in the off-season: Establish himself as the quarterback and get back to the winning football he played as a rookie. The plans were derailed by his fractured left shoulder in the opener, but he's eager to get back after it.

"Every single day that you come into the building, you have to show the coaches, show the organization you're going to do what it takes to be that guy," he said. "That doesn't change just because they name you the starter or just because you're playing. It's an everyday thing. Not just a Sunday thing.''

Will four games be enough to place Griffin on the inside track on the 2017 starting job? The Browns might have the No. 1 overall pick, and also have Philadelphia's first-rounder, which is currently a top 10. They'll likely have a shot at the best quarterback in the draft, which might be North Carolina's Mitch Trubisky of Mentor, Ohio.

"I don't know that for sure (if four games is enough), but it'll definitely provide information,'' said Jackson. "It'll provide more than what we have now. The more you know, the better you're equipped to make decisions."

He acknowledged, however, that starting Griffin is also about trying to win a game. The Bengals are 4-7-1 and will be without running back Gio Bernard and probably A.J. Green (hamstring). They're coming off a victory over the Eagles, but the Browns are motivated to bust their 0-12 skid.

"It's important (to evaluate him) but it's important that he's able to go out there and play well,'' Jackson said. "What I've seen in practice is that he's up to the challenge so we will put him out there and let him have at it."

Despite the sweatshirt and his favorite mantra, Griffin insisted he's not putting pressure on himself.

RG3: 'I still think I can be they guy'

"Not at all,'' he said. "I'm just trying to do everything I can here with this team to try to help us win games and that's the bottom line.

"There are guys in here that are all banged up, and they'll go out there on Sunday and they'll ball out, so there is no pressure as far as those other things. You can't focus on those big picture things. We have to focus on the little things and everything else will fall into place.''

The game marks Griffin's first start at home after losing the opener in Philadelphia, 29-10.

"It's special,'' he said. "As soon as I signed here, all the rave was about how awesome the Dawg Pound is and we're going to need them there. I know it's going to be cold and it's going to be snowing, but we want them to come out and support us.

"We know we haven't done very much to make 'em excited but we plan on doing that not only in this game but for the three after. Right now, all we have is Cincy."

Terrelle Pryor is hoping they can regain the chemistry developed in the off-season.

"Today's practice was pretty good," Pryor said. "[Griffin] threw the ball pretty darn good, so it's a process and it's continuing to get better and keep on working on that. I think we've got a great chance for Sunday."

Griffin's Thursday practice was especially remarkable considering the cold and wind, which is in the forecast for Sunday along with snow.

"Today was brutal,'' said Pryor. "It was pretty amazing to see the way he threw it in the cold. Anytime we took off our gloves you felt like your hand was numb. But he threw the ball well and it gets you excited to have a good game on Sunday.''

Griffin has waited 11 weeks for the opportunity, so he'll take, wind, rain, sleet or snow. He knows the game can be taken from him at any time.  

"You definitely realize that and it's a blessing,'' he said. "It's a blessing to have a team in your corner. It's a blessing to have brothers that are going to go to battle with you, it's a blessing to have coaches that are in your corner, so it's all about being in the right situation at the right time.

"It's an honor and you want to go out and have legendary Sundays.''

See who won and lost around the OHSAA on Thursday in girls basketball.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Here are Thursday's girls basketball scores from around the state, courtesy of The Associated Press:

Akr. Buchtel 58, Akr. Firestone 45

Akr. Ellet 39, Akr. Garfield 23

Albany Alexander 67, Athens 19

Arcadia 75, Cory-Rawson 16

Arlington 88, Vanlue 19

Ashland 62, Bellville Clear Fork 30

Bascom Hopewell-Loudon 56, Van Buren 21

Batavia 45, New Richmond 31

Bellevue 48, Ontario 25

Belmont Union Local 65, Cadiz Harrison Cent. 28

Belpre 53, Stewart Federal Hocking 51

Bethel-Tate 54, Georgetown 36

Beverly Ft. Frye 58, Woodsfield Monroe Cent. 25

Bidwell River Valley 42, Wellston 40

Bloomdale Elmwood 56, Pemberville Eastwood 31

Bluffton 52, Convoy Crestview 42

Botkins 60, DeGraff Riverside 33

Canfield S. Range 58, Hanoverton United 37

Carlisle 53, New Lebanon Dixie 36

Casstown Miami E. 68, W. Alexandria Twin Valley S. 22

Cedarville 79, Spring. NE 30

Chesapeake 52, S. Point 47

Chillicothe Huntington 61, Grove City Christian 41

Chillicothe Unioto 69, Circleville Logan Elm 53

Cin. McAuley 46, Seton 17

Cle. Horizon Science 57, Andrews Osborne Academy 49

Coldwater 50, Maria Stein Marion Local 41

Collins Western Reserve 49, Monroeville 36

Cols. International 41, Powell Village Academy 39

Cols. Mifflin 44, Cols. Wellington 27

Columbus Grove 66, Ada 36

Cuyahoga Falls CVCA 47, Akr. Kenmore 14

Defiance 48, Lima Shawnee 26

Defiance Ayersville 43, Miller City 35

Defiance Tinora 65, Continental 30

Doylestown Chippewa 63, Dalton 49

Dublin Coffman 69, Hilliard Davidson 26

Dublin Scioto 59, Cols. Ready 39

Fayetteville-Perry 77, W. Union 54

Findlay Liberty-Benton 75, Mt. Blanchard Riverdale 53

Franklin Co., Ind. 71, Harrison 24

Franklin Middletown Christian 60, East Dayton Christian School 15

Fremont Ross 57, Lima Sr. 50

Fremont St. Joseph 54, Huron 37

Ft. Recovery 38, New Knoxville 33

Gahanna Christian 39, Cols. Cristo Rey 17

Genoa Area 53, Fostoria 44

Genoa Christian 24, Ohio Deaf 6

Gibsonburg 53, Tol. Ottawa Hills 41

Goshen 63, Mt. Orab Western Brown 57

Hamilton Badin 49, Cin. Taft 16

Hicksville 53, Sherwood Fairview 48

Ironton Rock Hill 63, Gallipolis Gallia 37

Jamestown Greeneview 45, S. Charleston SE 38

Kalida 48, Antwerp 39

Kenton 50, Celina 24

Leesburg Fairfield 58, Peebles 43

Leetonia 48, Salineville Southern 22

Leipsic 61, McComb 26

Lexington 52, Mansfield Madison 42

Lima Bath 57, Elida 45

Lima Cent. Cath. 58, Spencerville 40

Linsly, W.Va. 52, Hannibal River 36

Lynchburg-Clay 63, Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington 28

Mansfield Sr. 42, Mt. Vernon 41

Marion Pleasant 63, Canal Winchester Harvest Prep 20

Martins Ferry 53, St. Clairsville 50

McGuffey Upper Scioto Valley 92, Lima Perry 22

Mechanicsburg 66, Milford Center Fairbanks 50

Metamora Evergreen 44, Swanton 30

Millbury Lake 30, Rossford 26

Millersburg W. Holmes 56, Wooster 49

Millersport 59, Gahanna Cols. Academy 18

Mineral Ridge 40, Sebring McKinley 27

Minford 96, Portsmouth W. 47

Minster 67, Rockford Parkway 44

Mt. Notre Dame 46, Cin. St. Ursula 19

N. Ridgeville Lake Ridge 68, Cle. Hts. Lutheran E. 55

Napoleon 37, Maumee 22

Nelsonville-York 43, McArthur Vinton County 37, OT

New London 52, Ashland Crestview 44

New Madison Tri-Village 84, Union City Mississinawa Valley 34

New Middletown Spring. 43, E. Palestine 33

New Paris National Trail 65, Day. Northridge 34

Norwalk St. Paul 44, Greenwich S. Cent. 14

Notre Dame Academy 43, Tol. Whitmer 39

Orwell Grand Valley 53, Andover Pymatuning Valley 37

Ottawa-Glandorf 57, St. Marys Memorial 46

Oxford Talawanda 45, Eaton 37

Pandora-Gilboa 39, N. Baltimore 31

Perrysburg 58, Sylvania Northview 53, 2OT

Pitsburg Franklin-Monroe 54, Ansonia 49

Pomeroy Meigs 63, Point Pleasant, W.Va. 27

Portsmouth Notre Dame 51, Portsmouth Clay 31

Powell Olentangy Liberty 57, Lewis Center Olentangy Orange 53

Proctorville Fairland 49, Ironton 41

Racine Southern 53, Wahama, W.Va. 31

Reedsville Eastern 56, Corning Miller 36

Richmond Edison 44, Rayland Buckeye 36

Ridgeway Ridgemont 50, Waynesfield-Goshen 36

Rittman 52, Apple Creek Waynedale 27

Sandusky St. Mary 55, Lakeside Danbury 52

Sardinia Eastern Brown 71, Manchester 32

Seaman N. Adams 61, Mowrystown Whiteoak 30

Shadyside 59, Cameron, W.Va. 57

Southeastern 51, Amanda-Clearcreek 46

Southington Chalker 51, Bristol 40

St. Henry 48, New Bremen 40

Tipp City Bethel 56, Bradford 27

Tol. Cent. Cath. 47, Oregon Clay 44

Tol. Emmanuel Baptist 61, Tol. Christian 52

Tol. Maumee Valley 54, Northwood 45

Tol. St. Ursula 54, Findlay 50

Tontogany Otsego 44, Elmore Woodmore 41

Ursuline Academy 65, Cin. Mercy 52

Van Wert Lincolnview 53, Paulding 37

Versailles 51, Delphos St. John's 28

Vienna Mathews 50, Youngs. Liberty 33

W. Jefferson 55, Williamsport Westfall 30

W. Liberty-Salem 77, Spring. Cath. Cent. 23

W. Salem NW 58, Smithville 38

Wapakoneta 50, Van Wert 28

Warren Lordstown 39, Newbury 20

Waverly 65, McDermott Scioto NW 31

Waynesville 60, Franklin 50

Wheelersburg 58, Oak Hill 42

Whitehouse Anthony Wayne 49, Bowling Green 45

Willard 48, Sandusky 45

Williamsburg 57, Batavia Clermont NE 29

Willow Wood Symmes Valley 62, Latham Western 39

Windham 47, Campbell Memorial 28

Wintersville Indian Creek 34, E. Liverpool 20

What would Miller command on the open market? He boasts a 1.93 ERA over the last four years, with 374 strikeouts and only 133 hits allowed in 229 innings. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Aroldis Chapman's new deal with the Yankees will reportedly pay him $15 million per season for the next five years.

Throw in a hefty signing bonus and the average annual value of his contract is worth $17.2 million per year.

That's nearly twice what Andrew Miller will earn with the Indians in 2017 and 2018.

Miller demonstrated to the baseball universe in October how valuable a lockdown reliever can be. Now, his talented colleagues are securing paychecks that reflect that worth. In turn, Miller's deal -- originally granted to him by the Yankees prior to the 2015 campaign -- looks like a bargain.

Truth is, the Indians got a steal.

Just look at some of the salaries and the players who earn -- that term is used loosely for certain guys -- those wages.

We'll call this a game of "Guess the Salary."

Name: Brett Cecil

Age: 30

Numbers: 3.93 ERA, 36 2/3 innings in 54 appearances, 39 hits allowed, 45 strikeouts, 2.90 ERA the last four years.

A. Two years, $8 million

B. Two years, $12 million

C. Three years, $16.5 million

D. Four years, $30.5 million

Name: Joaquin Benoit

Age: 39

Numbers: 2.81 ERA, 48 innings in 51 appearances, 37 hits allowed, 52 strikeouts, 2.15 ERA the last four years.

A. One year, $4 million

B. One year, $7.5 million

C. Two years, $6 million

D. Two years, $9 million

Name: Jesse Chavez

Age: 33

Numbers: 4.43 ERA, 67 innings, 71 hits allowed, 63 strikeouts, 3.94 ERA the last four years (47 of 159 outings as a starter), 5.99 ERA the first five years of his career.

A. One year, $1.5 million

B. One year, $2.5 million

C. One year, $3.5 million

D. One year, $5.75 million

Name: Marc Rzepczynski

Age: 31

Numbers: 2.64 ERA, 47 2/3 innings in 70 appearances, 46 hits and 29 walks allowed, 46 strikeouts, 3.45 ERA the last four years.

A. One year, $2 million

B. One year, $3 million

C. Two years, $5 million

D. Two years, $11 million

Name: Mark Melancon

Age: 31

Numbers: 1.64 ERA, 71 1/3 innings, 52 hits allowed, 65 strikeouts, 1.80 ERA the last four years.

A. Three years, $21 million

B. Three years, $30 million

C. Four years, $44 million

D. Four years, $62 million

Answers: D, B, D, D, D

Kenley Jansen, who could wind up with the Marlins, Dodgers or Nationals, seems to be in line for a long-term deal similar to the one Chapman signed with New York. The 29 year old owns a 2.19 ERA over the last four years, with 396 strikeouts in 263 innings.

Andrew Miller makes hitters fall to the ground

Mark Lowe, who signed a two-year, $11 million contract with Detroit prior to last season, logged a 7.11 ERA in 54 outings for the Tigers.

Drew Storen earned $8.4 million last season while compiling a 5.23 ERA for Toronto and Seattle.

Kansas City paid Joakim Soria $7 million last season to post a 4.05 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. They'll pay him $8 million in 2017 and $9 million in 2018.

The Angels received a 6.45 ERA across 26 outings from Huston Street in exchange for $8 million in 2016. They'll pay the veteran $9 million in 2017.

What would Miller command on the open market? He boasts a 1.93 ERA over the last four years, with 374 strikeouts and only 133 hits allowed in 229 innings. The 31-year-old totaled nine walks and 123 strikeouts (boldfaced because, well, duh) in 74 1/3 innings during the 2016 regular season, to go along with a 1.45 ERA.

Want him to pitch the ninth and fill the traditional "closer" role? He went 36-for-38 in save opportunities with the Yankees in 2015.

Want him to pitch in the situations that carry the highest leverage and importance? He posted a 1.55 ERA and 0.55 WHIP with the Tribe last summer. Not to mention, he owns a 0.98 ERA in 16 career playoff outings.

With Miller, bullpen roles were made to be broken

What would be a fair free-agent contract for Miller? Five years, $75 million? As much as or more than what Chapman received?

That's a conversation for November 2018.

For now, the Indians will pay him his $9 million per season and sit back and watch as other teams dish out wads of cash for run-of-the-mill relievers.

Miller changed the game for the Tribe in 2016

The Browns could be among the teams headed to England in 2017 as part of the NFL's series of regular-season games there, cleveland.com has learned.

BEREA, Ohio --  The Browns might be playing one of their games in London in 2017, league sources have told cleveland.com.

The NFL has increased its commitment to the U.K. market by scheduling four games in London next season, and the Browns could be playing in one of those games.

The NFL will announce the four matchups on Tuesday morning.

As of last year, the Browns were on the short list for a game in London in 2017 or 2018. They're either already scheduled for 2017, or will be in the running for one in 2018.

League sources said a Browns contingent observed the proceedings while the Bengals played there this season.

It's unknown yet if the Browns would be giving up a home game to make the trip.

One of the matchups in London will feature the Dolphins vs. the Saints, which was announced by the NFL in October. Another will be the Jaguars, and they might be playing the Ravens, sources told cleveland.com.

Spokesmen from the Browns and the NFL declined to comment.

"We continue to be incredibly excited by the passion and love for the NFL shown by our millions of U.K. fans," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday in a release. "London is an amazing city. We have had tremendous support from our fans, from Mayor (Saliq) Khan and other government leaders and business partners, and we are looking forward to taking the next step in the U.K. by playing four games in London next season."

Joe Haden: 'We're the laughingstock of every joke''

In each of the past three seasons, the NFL has played three games in London to sold-out crowds. With four games in 2017, the league will have played 21 games there since the inaugural one in 2007.

"London staging a fourth NFL game is fantastic news -- not only for the millions of sports fans who get to enjoy our iconic stadiums -- but also because it confirms our status as the go-to choice for hosting the world's biggest sporting events," said Mayor Khan.

"London is the international home of the NFL and staging the equivalent of what would be half an American football team's home games in the city is a huge step towards my ambition of bringing a franchise to the capital.

"I am really excited to welcome more NFL teams to London next year, as well as thousands of American football fans from around the globe, showing that London is open to the very best sporting events and the world's greatest athletes."

Browns plan to move most of training camp to Columbus by 2018

American football in the U.K. is booming. Sunday television audiences have more than doubled, and the Super Bowl audience has increased more than 75 percent. According to internal research, the U.K. has almost four million avid fans, with a growing fan base of more than 13 million.

The Cavs and LeBron James are home from New York where they delivered a couple of different messages.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cavs' water bottle challenge on the sidelines during a blowout win over the Knicks could be taken one of two ways.

It was either a pre-meditated jab at Knicks president Phil Jackson or a completely spur-of-the-moment show of disrespect for Jackson's overmatched team.

Sure, there's a possibility the Cavs were just having fun and didn't think it was disrespectful to their opponents.

Or at least the first part of that.

* Jackson had a novel way of ending the conversation about his "posse" comment regarding LeBron James.

On the occasion of the Cavs playing in New York this week, he said he couldn't say much because he's not supposed to be talking about other teams' players.

"That's "out of the box," according to Jackson.

Which is maybe - you know -- what he should've said when asked about LeBron first time around.

* Jackson has moved on from making James angry in part by making James' good friend Carmelo Anthony angry.

Jackson told CBS SportsNetwork Anthony has a tendency to hold the ball a little too long.

Anthony wasn't happy about hearing that.

Truth, apparently, being no defense.

* James had an answer for why he decided not to stay in the Donald Trump-branded team hotel in New York. He said it was not meant as a political statement.

"It would be the same if I went to a restaurant and decided to eat chicken and not steak," James said.

Except for being nothing like that.

* The only way that explanation works is if he's swearing off chicken for the next four years.

* There is an unmarketed alternative to that "No Pressure No Diamonds" slogan Robert Griffin III is trying to popularize.

Its one we're pretty familiar with after watching the procession of quarterbacks in Berea since 1999.

"Pressure, Still no Diamonds."

It just doesn't make for much of a T-shirt.

* Yahoo Sports headline: "(Dak) Prescott's 'America's Team' comment might help you hate the Cowboys again."

I'm from Philadelphia. Again?

* Dallas vs. Tampa Bay has been flexed to Sunday night, meaning the Cowboys are once again a prime-time attraction.

"We're America's Team," Prescott told reporters. "I feel like everybody wants to see us play. It's exciting. I feel like the Cowboys are always on prime time, but to be in the position we're in, winning like we are, playing the way we are, it makes for better football."

Yes, the Cowboys are America's Team. And we all know how united America is these days.

* Tyreek Hill is doing things in Kansas City that make the Chiefs a dangerous team and likely a tough out in the AFC playoffs.

Hill scored two touchdowns Thursday in the Chiefs 21-13 win over Oakland, one on a punt return.

Leaving fans all over the country to marvel at his speed. And fans in Cleveland to say, "So, that's a punt return?"

* The Yankees' idea of rebuilding mode somehow leaves room for bringing back closer Aroldis Chapman (traded to Chicago this past summer) and paying him $82 million.

If the Yankees went Tiny House hunting on HGTV they'd be looking for one with a chandelier and gold-plated toilet.

And only 15,000 square feet.

* Yankees' GM Brian Cashman watched the Red Sox trade with Chicago for Chris Sale, adding the left hander to an already imposing starting rotation.

"Boston is the Golden State Warriors of baseball now," Chapman said. "They've got their Durant, and Green, and Thompson, and Curry."

First, that's a strained comparison.

Secondly, it must be tough for the Yankees to see the rich get richer.

* Orioles GM Dan Duquette says the Orioles have no interest in free agent Jose Bautista for one not very important reason.

"We told (Bautista's) agent that we are not interested because our fans don't like him," Duquette told Sportsnet Radio 590 The Fan. "Our fans don't like Jose Bautista, with good reason."

For the record, Bautista's agent says the conversation never happened.

So, the lack of interest had nothing to do with Bautista's asking price or age (36 ) or that he hit .234 a year ago. Right.

* Bautista's penchant for conspiracy theories didn't enter into it, either, though Indians' fans remember him for that from the ALCS. He famously cited "circumstances" that apparently stacked the series in the Indians' favor.

 "All you gotta do is look at video and count how many times [Indians pitchers have] thrown pitches over the heart of the plate," he said. "It hasn't been many."

The suggestion, I guess, was the umps and Major League Baseball somehow wanted the Indians to win and face the Cubs in the World Series. 

Had Bautista played for the Indians last year in the World Series we can only assume he'd have blamed the 17-minute rain delay on Harry Caray from the great beyond.

* Could a player have been less loved by a rival fan base than when Albert Belle signed with the White Sox following the 1996 season?

Here's what Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf said after signing Belle to the big deal:

"The people of Chicago have shown in the case of the fellow with the pink hair (Dennis Rodman) that if you are playing for us, and you are playing your heart out, we're going to embrace you.''

The bigger issue for Duquette in Baltimore. His locker room doesn't like Bautista. And Bautista's still relatively expensive.

 * Gregg Popovich ripped the Spurs after a loss in Chicago Thursday.  He said his team went through the motions.

Some brave soul asked if that was a reflection on him.

"I don't remember playing tonight," Popovich said. "No Knute Rockne speeches. It's your job. If you're a plumber and you don't do your job, you don't get any work. I don't think a plumber needs a pep talk.

"A doctor botches operations, and he's not a doctor anymore. If you're a basketball player, you come ready. It's called maturity. It's your job."

Imagine if the Spurs had lost to Chicago by a bigger margin than 95-91.

Or they weren't 18-5.

And 8-2 in their last 10.

Or now 13-1 on the road.

* Something tells me being Pop's plumber isn't such a cushy job.

You think you're just expected to fix a leak. But he'd like you to install a Fountain of Youth.

The Buckeyes allowed the media to watch the first 15 minutes of practice on Friday. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State basketball's game against Connecticut on Saturday is about as must-win as a game can be in December.

The Buckeyes (7-2) are coming off a loss to Florida Atlantic on Tuesday night and need to show they're capable of contending with the major nonconference opponents on this year's schedule -- and that that loss to the Owls was a fluke.

Ohio State gave us a window into its preparations for Saturday's game by allowing the media to watch the first 15 minutes of Friday's practice. You can see some video from the practice here.

Some quick notes from the viewing period:

* Everyone was accounted for and participating, including junior forward Keita Bates-Diop. Bates-Diop played 20 minutes against Florida Atlantic after missing the previous five with an ankle injury. Thad Matta expects him to be ready for Saturday.

"I thought he was OK, but you can tell he's still not where he needs to be completely," Matta said Friday. "He's serviceable -- hit a couple shots, and blocked a couple -- but he's still not where he wants to be and where we need him to be. I'm assuming he's gonna play tomorrow."

* Greg Oden, in his new role as student manager, was rebounding for Trevor Thomspon during the shoot-around before practice.

* The Buckeyes were focusing on defensive assignments in the early portion of practice, and it was assistant Greg Paulus running the show. Let that be the final reminder that Chris Jent is running the offense, and Paulus is running the defense.

* Jent was seen working on the corner with Derek Funderburk on his jumpshot technique in the early part of practice. Funderburk, who will redshirt this year, was working with the scout team in practice.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- J.R. Smith (left knee) is out tonight against the Miami Heat and Kevin Love (back) is a game-time decision, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. Lue said Love's back "locked up" late in the third quarter of the Cavs' easy win over the New York Knicks Wednesday night. Smith missed the Knicks game with a hyperextended left...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- J.R. Smith (left knee) is out tonight against the Miami Heat and Kevin Love (back) is a game-time decision, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said.

Lue said Love's back "locked up" late in the third quarter of the Cavs' easy win over the New York Knicks Wednesday night.

Smith missed the Knicks game with a hyperextended left knee and is day to day. DeAndre Liggins will make his second start in Smith's place. Lue said it was more likely Smith would play Saturday against the Hornets.

Both Love and Smith participated in shootaround Friday morning. If Love can't play, Lue said he would consider starting LeBron James or James Jones at power forward.

The Cavs are also without Channing Frye all weekend. He's been excused to attend his father's funeral, Lue said. 

Get the latest updates and analysis from the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 21 against the Miami Heat.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers face the Miami Heat on Friday in Game 21 of the 2016 NBA regular season.

Follow along in the comments section as Joe Vardon and Chris Fedor bring you observations and analysis throughout the game.

Make sure to follow Vardon and Fedor on Twitter.

Game 21: Cavs (15-5) vs. Heat (7-15)

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.

TV/radio: FoxSports Ohio; WTAM 1100 AM; 87.7 FM (ESP).

Cavs probable starting lineup: LeBron James, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, DeAndre Liggins, Kyrie Irving.

Heat probable starting lineup: Wayne Ellington, Josh McRoberts, Hassan Whiteside, Rodney McGruder, Goran Dragic.

FREQUENTLY REFRESH this page to get the latest updates. If you're viewing this on a mobile app, click here.

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Adam Jones disrespected Terrelle Pryor in the same way Janoris Jenkins did before the Giants game.

BEREA, Ohio - Another week, another starting cornerback disrespecting Browns receiver Terrelle Pryor.

Last time, it was the Giants' Janoris Jenkins, who ripped Pryor before and after the game. This time, it's the Bengals' Adam Jones, who was reluctant to talk about Pryor at first.

"He pushes off, every route. He's an OK receiver," Jones told cincinnati.com. "They do feature him a little bit so he does get more looks than a guy who would be in his situation. He's just a guy to me."

Jones also criticized Pryor's performance in the first meeting, a 31-17 Bengals victory. Pryor, suffering from a pulled hamstring that game and severely limited, caught only two of his four targets for 18 yards.

"He can't push at the top of a route, so you've just got to be in good position," Jones said of how to defend Pryor. "We played him last game and he didn't do (expletive)."

The remarks weren't lost on Pryor, who tweeted, "Talk is talk, I'll be at the stadium Sunday.'' He added "viente cuatro reasons'' which stands for Jones' No. 24 in Spanish.

Pryor was complimented by other Bengals defensive backs.

"I think he's a very good athlete that obviously is becoming more and more of a polished receiver as the weeks go on," defensive back Josh Shaw said. "But if I had to pinpoint one thing I would say he's pretty good at attacking the ball. He's bigger than most defensive backs he plays. They give him some jump balls and he's won most of his 50-50 battles this year. I think that is his strongest asset."

As always, Pryor focuses more on his own performance than on the defender's.

"I go into every week just trying to dominate the other corners,'' he said. "It's not about what they do because at the end of the day, they have to guard me. They have to guard the deep ball and make sure I don't get on top of them. I've got to control what I do, and I've got to worry about myself. There's some stuff I've got to study. You guys got some guys over there in Jones and (Dre) Kirkpatrick, they are solid players."

Talk is talk I'll be at the stadium sunday @1pm! #GoBrowns veintecuatro reasons! pic.twitter.com/j1heAyu4iw

-- Terrelle Pryor SR (@TerrellePryor) December 9, 2016

Before the Giants game before the bye, a 27-13 Browns loss, Jenkins snubbed Pryor in similar fashion, saying he wasn't a big challenge for him.  He also referred to him as "another receiver, just bigger.''

Pryor also responded that time, Tweeting, "never wanted to play the game as much as I do this Sunday!''

Then, after he caught six passes for 131 yards, Jenkins ripped him even more on Twitter, calling him a derogatory name.

Pryor took the high road, tweeting "you are a great corner. Solid defender! You played a solid game. God Bless!! Good luck rest of year.''

Joe Haden: 'We're the laughingstock of every joke'

If Pryor responds to Jones on the field the same way he did to Jenkins, he'll be close to 1,000 yards in his first season as a receiver, with four different quarterbacks.

Wearing bright orange uniforms, with special sneakers to match, the arena transformed into another era, as the music and customary in-arena production was 80's-themed for the night.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Cavaliers threw it back to the 80's for Friday night's game against the Miami Heat.

Wearing bright orange uniforms, with special sneakers to match, the arena transformed into something from another era, as the music and customary in-game production was 80's-themed for the night.  

These dudes are ready to roll.#ALLinORANGE || #CavsHWC pic.twitter.com/0sK196Xy4m

-- Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 10, 2016

Prior to the game, scrapping their usual pregame introduction video set to DMX, the Cavs unveiled a new one, which featured Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" while players danced, wore wigs and throwback outfits during the hilarious intro.

You can watch the video below courtesy of the official Cavs Twitter account. 

We're bringing back the '80s ...
It's time to get Cavs Roll'd!#ALLinORANGE || #CavsHWC pic.twitter.com/C2zCVNCR3T

-- Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 10, 2016

St. Edward used five players in double figures to beat Cornerstone Christian in a matchup of a Division I power and the defending OHSAA Division IV state boys basketball champion.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio – Freshman Grant Huffman started his first game.

Senior Tommy Schmock played his third at point guard.

Five St. Edward players scored in double figures, and the Eagles turned away Cornerstone Christian, 88-73, on Friday night in a boys basketball matchup of two cleveland.com Top 25 teams.

The Eagles (3-0), ranked No. 3 in the preseason poll, led throughout in their home win against the defending Division IV state champions. No. 12 Cornerstone (2-2) kept close for the first three quarters, but a 10-point spurt to open the fourth pushed it away.

“I think it was good we got a huge piece of humble pie,” Cornerstone coach Dan Selle said. “In fact, we didn’t just get a piece of it. We got the whole pie tonight and second servings.”

The Eagles established a 16-point lead in the first-quarter that junior Emmett Chambers capped with a steal and score under the basket. A 6-foot-8 forward off the bench, Chambers scored a career-high 18 points.

A sample of what Emmett Chambers is bringing for @SEHS_BASKETBALL. pic.twitter.com/EpecoMsz0K

— Matt Goul (@mgoul) December 10, 2016

Huffman also had 18, and both hit two 3-pointers. St. Edward knocked down 11 shots behind the arc.

Chambers thought this was his best game, and Schmock said the same for Huffman.

“First day of practice, Grant showed signs of being great,” Schmock said. “It’s easy playing with him.”

A 6-0 senior bound for Findlay next year, Schmock added 15 points and nine assists.

“I think Schmock was the best player on the court,” Selle said. “We had trouble staying in front of him. He broke us down and got penetration for them.”

Cornerstone pulled within six, but a 9-0 run midway through the third quarter changed that threat. A 10-point spurt to start the fourth quarter separated the two sides even further.

Junior guard Michael Bothwell, last season’s All-Ohio Player of the Year in Division IV, scored a game-high 28 points. Senior guard Tre Williams added 16, and Brandon McQueen scored 14 for the Patriots, who play again Saturday at home vs. Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas.

St. Edward is off until Saturday, Dec. 17, when it plays host to Glenville.

“That’s the first team we’ve had that pressured us,” Schmock said. “I just settled down and made some easy plays.”

Cornerstone loaded up its schedule last season with Division I teams and entered the postseason with a sub-.500 record.

That doesn’t change this season, and St. Edward coach Eric Flannery said his young team felt a push that Cornerstone provided. The Patriots have more players with varsity experience in Division I games than his team.

“Divisions don’t matter in basketball when you get to a higher level,” Flannery said. “Cornerstone is right there. They have Division I college basketball players. I think the advantage is we have a little bit more depth.”

That depth came with a 6-8 player in Chambers that Cornerstone doesn’t possess.

Or 6-7 Kelvin Calhoun in the middle. He scored eight of his 10 points in the first quarter, as the Eagles seized control.

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.

LeBron James scored 27 points and moved into ninth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list during the Cavs' romp over the Heat on 80s night at The Q.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit's basketball time at The Q.

The Cavs beat the Miami Heat 114-84 on 80s night, in which the home team wore orange uniforms commemorating those Cavs iterations from 1983-87. LeBron James scored 27 points and passed Elvin Hayes (27,313 points) for ninth on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

The whole game was an 80s theme, beginning with the intro video with James lip-syncing Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" to Tiffany (of "I Think We're Alone Now" fame) performing at halftime.

We'll do our part to play along by presenting the story of this game with our best impression of long-time Cavs broadcaster Joe Tait, the voice of the team when it used to wear those beautiful unis on the regular who retired after the 2010-11 season.

See Cavs crazy 80s intro

The Cavs are in their special orange tops and shorts with the white and blue trim. The Miami Heat in their traveling black uniforms with the red and white trim. Cleveland will be moving from right to left on your radio dial.

The 3 in the air...it's good ... Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and he comes from Lubbock Texas.... OK, so Kevin Love isn't from Lubbock -- that was Craig Ehlo. And it was Ehlo's 3 at the end of a game to beat the Utah Jazz that triggered Tait's 'yes Virginia' line.

But Love first and foremost beat the Heat. He led both teams with 28 points and 15 boards, overcoming some back spasms he developed Wednesday night in the second half against New York that caused the Cavs to list him as questionable for Friday's game.

And, yes, Love led Cleveland with three 3s. Miami, ravaged by injury received 17 points off the bench from Derrick Williams. Goran Dragic added 15.

Flips it up and in. What a shot by LeBron ... So, obviously Tait never said this in the 80s, but he was the Cavs' radio man for James' first seven seasons here. And listeners would've heard it a few times in this game. James was 12-of-22 from the field and added eight rebounds and eight assists. He needs just four assists to become the first forward to reach 7,000 career assists. James' milestone-securing basket was, of course, a driving layup with 6:57 left in the fourth quarter. He flipped it up off the glass and in with the right hand.

Irving to the line, Irving to the lane, scoops it up and in.... Tait missed Kyrie Irving by one season. He'd love the player Irving has become. Irving added 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including a nifty drive down the left side of the lane for a high-arching layup at the buzzer for an 18-point lead at the end of the third.

Joe TaitJOHN KUNTZ 

It's halftime here at The Q (for this story), a perfect time for you to head to your refrigerators and pop in the oven a delicious, Digiorno Pizza.

Wham with the right hand...Iman Shumpert (10 points) drove baseline and crushed a reverse slam with, you guessed it, his right hand at 5:19 of the fourth. That's the "wham with the right hand" award winner. Cleveland posted five dunks total. Tristan Thompson slammed one home on a pass from James and James followed with a steal and two-handed slam on consecutive possessions that put Cleveland ahead 68-50 with 9:18 left in the third, prompting a "timeout Heat, timeout on the floor." Or so we imagine.

Three balllll, got it ... The Cavs set a franchise regular-season record with 22 3s on Wednesday; on Friday it was a more modest 9-of-24. Two of their top 3-point shooters -- Channing Frye and J.R. Smith -- were out. Smith (left knee) may play Saturday, while Frye is excused to attend his father's funeral, coach Tyronn Lue said. Frye won't play Saturday, either.

Now, what?... The Cavs host the Charlotte Hornets Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The Monsters have won two straight and four of their last five.

Two Ryan Craig goals in the second period ignited a Cleveland Monsters rally which led to a 5-1 victory over Manitoba Moose on Friday night at AllState Arena.

It was the Monsters' second straight victory and their fourth in five games.

On an assist by Dean Kukan, Daniel Zaar scored at 15:18 of the first period for a 1-0 lead. The Monsters led 2-0 at 15:18 of the second period on a goal by Alex Broadhurst and assists by John Ramage and T.J. Tynan.

The Monsters remained in an offensive mood when Craig knocked in the puck early in the second period for the score. Two minutes later, Craig scored his second goal of the period and the Monsters held a comfortable 4-0 lead.

Monsters goalie Anton Forsberg finished with 35 saves. He gave up his only goal midway in the third period.

The Monsters are now 10-11-1-1. Manitoba is 11-9.

• Game summary
• AHL standings

Moving on up

The NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets added Monsters' second-year right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand on emergency recall. A native of Herning, Demark, Bjorkstrand posted 8-4-12 with six penalty minutes and a 7 rating in 19 appearances for Cleveland this season and supplied four penalty minutes and a 2 rating in three appearances for the Blue Jackets in 2016-17.

Last year in his rookie season, Bjorkstrand, a third-round selection by Columbus (89th overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, posted 4-4-8 with a +6 rating in 12 appearances for the Blue Jackets and contributed 17-12-29 with ten penalty minutes and an even rating in 51 regular-season appearances for the Monsters.

Bjorkstrand added 10-6-16 with two penalty minutes in 17 playoff appearances for the Monsters, en route to Calder Cup Playoff MVP honors and a Calder Cup Championship. In last year's AHL postseason, Bjorkstrand posted a league-record three overtime goals, including the Cup-clinching score in the Monsters overtime victory over the Hershey Bears in game four of the Calder Cup Finals.

Up next: The Monsters are at the Manitoba Moose Saturday at 3 p.m. They return to the Q to host the Iowa Wild next Wednesday and Friday, both at 7 p.m. 

Junior point guard Bernie McGivern scores 31 points to lead Strongsville over Shaker Heights in boys basketball, 76-71.

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- In a back and forth, down-to-the-wire contest, junior point guard Bernie McGivern scored 31 points, adding some clutch free throws down the stretch, as Strongsville won an overtime boys basketball thriller over Shaker Heights, 76-71.

"We bounced back after last week's loss against Olmsted Falls," said Strongsville head coach Darren Collins. "We did the right things when we had to. Shaker Heights is a good team, and it was crucial for us to stay focused and engaged. It was a great team win in a tough environment."

With less than three minutes left, Shaker Heights guard Dale Bonner scored a layup to put Shaker Heights up by three. Strongsville forward Peter Mocho added a tip-in off a McGivern miss to cut the lead to one. Strongsville senior guard Brandon Kagan split two free throws to tie the score going into overtime.

In the overtime period, Bernie McGovern and Shaker Heights guard Isaiah Wright traded buckets, and the game was tied at 69. McGivern and forward Peter Mocho added clutch free throws down the stretch, giving Strongsville a lead that it would not relinquish.

"Even though I had a good game individually, all I cared about was getting the victory." said McGivern.

Strongsville junior forward Shaun Csire had 17 points, and Mocho added 10 points, all of them coming in the fourth quarter and overtime.

In the loss, senior guard Amani Redus led Shaker with 17 points, and senior guard J'Von Beasley scored 13 points off the bench.

With the win, Strongsville improves to 1-1, and hosts Brecksville on Tuesday night.

Shaker Heights falls to 0-1, and plays against Toledo Woodward on Saturday evening.

Catch up on Friday's boys basketball scores from around the OHSAA.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Here are Friday night's boys basketball scores from around the state.

Akr. Coventry 76, Lodi Cloverleaf 42

Albany Alexander 39, Wellston 30

Anna 73, Houston 41

Archbishop Carroll, Pa. 77, Cle. St. Ignatius 73

Ashland 57, Bellville Clear Fork 49

Ashland Mapleton 76, Plymouth 52

Ashville Teays Valley 68, Cols. Hamilton Twp. 56

Athens 69, Bidwell River Valley 30

Bascom Hopewell-Loudon 60, Mt. Blanchard Riverdale 51

Batavia Amelia 60, Norwood 52

Beaver Eastern 58, Portsmouth Clay 41

Beavercreek 70, Springfield 69

Bellefontaine 58, Spring. Shawnee 39

Bellevue 78, Willard 52

Belmont Union Local 52, Cadiz Harrison Cent. 50

Belpre 75, Wahama, W.Va. 71

Bethel-Tate 62, Georgetown 39

Beverly Ft. Frye 71, Lore City Buckeye Trail 58

Boyd Co., Ky. 64, Chesapeake 33

Byesville Meadowbrook 82, Uhrichsville Claymont 57

Can. Heritage Christian 65, Atwater Waterloo 58

Canal Winchester 62, Sunbury Big Walnut 57

Casstown Miami E. 54, Bradford 52

Chagrin Falls 64, Painesville Harvey 39

Chillicothe 59, Greenfield McClain 40

Chillicothe Unioto 60, Chillicothe Huntington 38

Chillicothe Zane Trace 61, Bainbridge Paint Valley 47

Cin. Elder 51, Cin. Walnut Hills 43

Cin. Madeira 68, Cin. Finneytown 53

Cin. NW 63, Trenton Edgewood 56

Cin. Oak Hills 60, Hamilton 58

Cin. Sycamore 71, Cin. Colerain 57

Cin. Taft 58, Cin. Woodward 39

Circleville 62, Amanda-Clearcreek 53

Cle. Benedictine 64, Cle. Cent. Cath. 43

Cle. E. Tech 81, Cle. Collinwood 64

Cle. Glenville 86, Cle. Max Hayes 39

Cle. VASJ 68, Cle. Hts. Lutheran E. 66

Collins Western Reserve 77, Monroeville 40

Cols. Bexley 68, Cols. Horizon Science 30

Cols. Grandview Hts. 54, W. Jefferson 31

Cols. Ready 51, Cols. Watterson 47

Cols. St. Charles 66, Akr. Hoban 60

Cols. Upper Arlington 84, Grove City Cent. Crossing 54

Cory-Rawson 48, Vanlue 38

Dalton 61, Rittman 58

Day. Chaminade Julienne 60, Cin. McNicholas 58

Defiance 59, Paulding 43

Defiance Tinora 48, Delta 43

Delaware Hayes 48, Hilliard Darby 34

Dover 47, Cambridge 41

Dublin Coffman 51, Hilliard Davidson 49

Dublin Jerome 50, Worthington Kilbourne 45

Elida 47, Spencerville 33

Elmore Woodmore 74, Millbury Lake 67

Findlay Liberty-Benton 76, N. Baltimore 73

Ft. Jennings 57, Antwerp 50

Ft. Loramie 71, Botkins 34

Ft. Recovery 64, Delphos Jefferson 50

Gates Mills Gilmour 93, Chagrin Falls Kenston 75

Genoa Area 50, Tontogany Otsego 34

Glouster Trimble 43, Reedsville Eastern 33

Gnadenhutten Indian Valley 65, Navarre Fairless 39

Greenville 75, Troy 67

Grove City 59, Lancaster 55

Groveport-Madison 68, Cols. Franklin Hts. 40

Hannibal River 60, Woodsfield Monroe Cent. 44

Harrod Allen E. 69, Ridgeway Ridgemont 56

Hicksville 72, Continental 69, OT

Hilliard Bradley 51, Thomas Worthington 26

Hillsboro 68, Clarksville Clinton-Massie 64

Huber Hts. Wayne 65, Kettering Fairmont 57

Huron 63, Oak Harbor 47

Jackson 63, Pomeroy Meigs 46

Kalida 62, Ada 59

Kettering Alter 68, Cin. Purcell Marian 41

Lakewood St. Edward 88, Cornerstone Christian 73

Lancaster Fairfield Union 53, Circleville Logan Elm 45

Latham Western 65, Portsmouth Sciotoville 60

Lebanon 71, Clayton Northmont 50

Leesburg Fairfield 60, Mowrystown Whiteoak 48

Leipsic 67, Arlington 55

Lewistown Indian Lake 65, Spring. Greenon 30

Lexington 51, Mansfield Madison 49, OT

Liberty Twp. Lakota E. 61, W. Chester Lakota W. 39

Lima Bath 47, Bluffton 38, OT

Lima Temple Christian 52, Rockford Parkway 50

Loveland 58, Cin. Turpin 31

Lucas 37, Kidron Cent. Christian 31

Lynchburg-Clay 45, Peebles 42

Manchester 71, Fayetteville-Perry 63

Mansfield Christian 71, Danville 50

Mansfield Sr. 62, Mt. Vernon 60, 3OT

Mansfield St. Peter's 92, Loudonville 56

Marietta 66, Zanesville 63

Mason 59, Fairfield 44

McArthur Vinton County 69, Nelsonville-York 48

McGuffey Upper Scioto Valley 59, Van Wert Lincolnview 50

Medina 100, Solon 79

Medina Buckeye 72, Wellington 55

Medina Highland 76, Richfield Revere 67

Metamora Evergreen 64, Swanton 62

Miamisburg 65, W. Carrollton 47

Middletown 53, Cin. Princeton 45

Middletown Fenwick 61, Hamilton Badin 48

Milford Center Fairbanks 58, W. Liberty-Salem 50

Mt. Orab Western Brown 35, Goshen 32

N. Olmsted 63, Grafton Midview 46

N. Royalton 51, Twinsburg 44

New Carlisle Tecumseh 51, Spring. Kenton Ridge 50

New Knoxville 47, Waynesfield-Goshen 30

New London 68, Ashland Crestview 30

New Philadelphia 65, Warsaw River View 38

New Riegel 60, Kansas Lakota 37

Newark 68, New Albany 44

Newcomerstown 65, Tuscarawas Cent. Cath. 41

Norton 63, Mogadore Field 45

Oak Hill 53, McDermott Scioto NW 33

Oregon Stritch 54, Tol. Ottawa Hills 43

Ottawa-Glandorf 73, Liberty Center 53

Ottoville 53, Columbus Grove 47

Parma 64, Parma Normandy 57

Parma Hts. Holy Name 72, Elyria Cath. 61

Parma Padua 71, Chesterland W. Geauga 57

Pemberville Eastwood 53, Bloomdale Elmwood 47

Peninsula Woodridge 80, Ravenna 56

Perrysburg 70, Holland Springfield 47

Pickerington Cent. 59, Pickerington N. 48

Piketon 64, Frankfort Adena 60

Point Pleasant, W.Va. 66, Gallipolis Gallia 64, OT

Portsmouth Notre Dame 62, New Boston Glenwood 39

Powell Olentangy Liberty 55, Lewis Center Olentangy Orange 45

Racine Southern 74, Corning Miller 47

Reading 40, Cin. Deer Park 37

Reynoldsburg 66, Gahanna Lincoln 52

Rocky River 68, Parma Hts. Valley Forge 58

Rootstown 51, Ravenna SE 42

Russia 41, Jackson Center 31

S. Webster 47, Minford 33

Sandusky 67, Ontario 57

Sandusky Perkins 66, Clyde 44

Sandusky St. Mary 73, Fostoria St. Wendelin 40

Sarahsville Shenandoah 43, Caldwell 40

Seaman N. Adams 45, Sardinia Eastern Brown 41

Sheffield Brookside 79, Sullivan Black River 71

Shelby 63, Norwalk 44

Sidney 80, Tipp City Tippecanoe 76

Sidney Fairlawn 74, DeGraff Riverside 37

Smithville 82, Jeromesville Hillsdale 78, OT

Southeastern 51, Williamsport Westfall 48, OT

St. Bernard Roger Bacon 52, Day. Carroll 46

St. Henry 65, St. Marys Memorial 49

Stow-Munroe Falls 71, Wadsworth 69

Streetsboro 82, Akr. Springfield 78

Sylvania Northview 52, Maumee 37

Sylvania Southview 87, Bowling Green 47

Thornville Sheridan 50, New Concord John Glenn 33

Tiffin Calvert 48, Fremont St. Joseph 35

Tiffin Columbian 51, Kenton 48

Tipp City Bethel 73, Union City Mississinawa Valley 54

Tol. St. Francis 69, Lima Sr. 64

Tol. St. John's 72, Fremont Ross 35

Tol. Whitmer 86, Oregon Clay 53

Trotwood-Madison 95, Fairborn 71

Urbana 69, Bellefontaine Benjamin Logan 60

Van Buren 56, Arcadia 12

Vermilion 74, Port Clinton 38

Versailles 67, Delphos St. John's 54

W. Salem NW 85, Apple Creek Waynedale 44

W. Union 54, Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington 44

Washington C.H. 69, Lees Creek E. Clinton 55

Washington C.H. Miami Trace 57, Wilmington 52

Waterford 76, Stewart Federal Hocking 15

Waverly 69, Portsmouth W. 54

Wellsville 79, Hanoverton United 57

Westerville N. 63, Westerville Cent. 62

Westerville S. 60, Lewis Center Olentangy 52

Wheelersburg 62, Lucasville Valley 54

Whitehall-Yearling 69, Gahanna Cols. Academy 63

Williamsburg 60, Batavia Clermont NE 51

Willow Wood Symmes Valley 60, Franklin Furnace Green 48

Windham 70, Southington Chalker 53

Wooster 87, Millersburg W. Holmes 50

Worthington Christian 80, London 41

Defiance Ayersville vs. Miller City, ppd. to Feb 23.

Pandora-Gilboa vs. McComb, ppd. to Feb 14.

Tol. Cent. Cath. vs. Findlay, ppd. to Jan 10.

Van Wert vs. Minster, ccd.

Wapakoneta vs. Maria Stein Marion Local, ppd. to Dec 31.