Memo to MLB: Stop worrying about time of games.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- OneUp Sports called to ask about Major League Baseball's most recent "idea'' to decrease time of games.
That MLB is even considering beginning extra innings with a runner on second base is laughable. MLB continues to obsess over time of games -- to its detriment.
The Indians already have a lot of candidates for the utility infielder job, but they're still talking to veteran Chase Utley
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have talked to veteran infielder Chase Utley. The chances of him fitting on the team are said to be "unlikely,' but no one is coming out and delivering a definite no.
Utley, 38, is a friend of manager Terry Francona. He could fill two roles on the Indians - utility infielder and the latest recreation of the Jason Giambi/Mike Napoli clubhouse guru.
Napoli, who set career highs in homers and RBI last season, just signed a one-year deal with Texas after the Indians replaced him with free agent Edwin Encarnacion. Giambi played for the Tribe in 2013 and 2014, Francona's first two seasons as manager. He filled the role of DH, pinch hitter and locker room Yoda.
Utley has played 14 years in the big leagues. He spent the first 12 1/2 years with the Phillies before being traded to the Dodgers in 2015. Last year he hit .252 (129-for-512) with 14 homers and 52 RBI in 138 games.
Francona managed the Phillies from 1997 through 2000. The Phillies drafted Utley with their first pick in 2000.
If the Indians signed Utley, he'd be joining a crowded field for the utility infielder's job. Michael Martinez, a Francona favorite, will be in camp as a minor league invitee. Infielder Erik Gonzalez, who made his big-league debut last year, will be in camp. Jose Ramirez, scheduled to start at third base, can move around the infield and showed he can play left field as well. Yandy Diaz, coming to big-league camp for the first time this spring, is another possibility.
Utley, a six-time All-Star, has played mostly second base in the big leagues where Jason Kipnis is locked in for the Tribe. He has played first and third as well, but at-bats would be hard to come by.
The left-handed hitting Utley has played in 59 postseason games in his career. Last year he went 0-for-12 with the Dodgers.
In 2015, Utley ushered in a new rule to protect infielders at second base when he slid into Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada and broke Tejada's right leg in Game 2 of the NLDS. After Utley's slide the rules were changed for the 2016 season. The new rules state baserunners must hit the dirt before the bag and slide directly into second base.
Utley was suspended for Games 3 and 4 of the NLDS for the slide.
So why did the Cavs choose to go down this road? It's about June, as the Cavs continue to search for players that fit in a potential NBA Finals rematch. Watch video
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue mentioned the possibility nearly two weeks ago when he said the final roster spot wasn't being held for a backup point guard, the obvious hole on the depth chart.
But no one took him seriously until Thursday, as the Cavs officially signed swingman Derrick Williams to a 10-day contract.
And as my colleague Joe Vardon wrote, Williams, who scored 12 points in his debut, has a good chance to stick beyond this brief stint.
So why did the Cavs choose to go down this road? Why did they bypass signing one of the four guards that auditioned recently? It's about June, as the Cavs continue to search for players that fit in a potential NBA Finals rematch.
I explain in the video above.
Lyle is back home in Indiana dealing with a family issue, while the Buckeyes prepare to travel to Maryland.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State basketball will be without point guard JaQuan Lyle for Saturday's game against No. 21 Maryland, Buckeyes coach Thad Matta announced Friday.
Lyle is back home in Indiana dealing with a serious family emergency.
"His 19-year-old sister had a baby a few days ago, and there's been some complications," Matta said. "He texted me a little bit ago and said she's (his sister) taken a turn for the worse. What that means I'm not sure. We've spoken with his mother and advised him to stay with her."
Lyle will not travel with the team to Maryland.
Nor will forward Keita Bates-Diop, who is also dealing with family trouble.
Matta said Bates-Diop's younger brother, Kai, suffered a heart attack and collapsed during his high school basketball practice on Thursday. Matta said Kai was revived, alert and was flown to a hospital in Peoria, Ill. Keita Bates-Diop is now there with his family.
Kai Bates-Diop is a Class of 2019 forward who is being recruited by Ohio State.
Keita Bates-Diop is out for the season after recently undergoing surgery for a stress fracture in his leg.
Lyle returned home to Indiana on Thursday morning, and Bates-Diop returned home to Illinois on Thursday night.
"Hopefully everything is going to be OK with those guys," Matta said, fighting back tears. "It's been a rough 24 hours for our program here."
Matta said they didn't find out about the situation with Lyle's sister until after Wednesday's game against Rutgers.
Lyle played in that game with an injured ankle, and Matta said Lyle came into the locker room at halftime and said he was done playing. He played for two minutes in the second half before sitting for the rest of the game.
"We didn't find out about JaQuan's situation until after game, but he knew," Matta said. "He didn't play well, and there's probably a lot on his mind."
Without Lyle, Ohio State has only one point guard on its roster.
C.J. Jackson has started the last two games since Lyle's ankle injury, and he'll start again on Saturday against Maryland. Matta said who logs backup point guard minutes will be determined by matchups.
Jackson played a season-high 28 minutes in each of the last two games.
"What's hard is these guys are your kids, man," Matta said. "You hate to see them going through this with family members at their age.
"Not having JaQuan will be tough for us," Matta said. "For our guys, we got a job to do and we gotta get ourselves ready to do it. Obviously that's stuff that's very important to us, as it should be, and we'll roll from there"
The Indians are bringing lefty Luis Perez and Wily Mo Pena to minor league camp in March after slugger Edwin Encarnacion suggested they scout them in the Dominican Republic.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Indians have traded right-hander Austin Adams and signed left-hander Luis Perez, who pitched in Japan last year.
Adams was sent to the Angels for cash. The Tribe's fifth round pick in 2009 was designated for assignment earlier this week when the Indians officially came to terms with left-hander Boone Logan.
The hard-throwing Adams, in parts of three seasons with the Indians, went 2-0 with a 6.28 ERA and one save in 53 appearances. He struck out 44 and walked 21, while the opposition hit .299 against him. Adams appeared in 19 games for the Tribe last year.
In the Tribe's minor league system, Adams went 32-26 with a 3.33 ERA and 23 saves. He made 203 appearances, including 46 starts. He has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen, in the minors and big leagues, since 2013.
Last year Perez, 32, made 19 appearances for the Yakult Swallows in Japan. He spent parts of three years with Toronto from 2011 through 2013.
Edwin Encarnacion asked the Indians to go to the Dominican Republic and take a look at Perez and Wily Mo Pena. Encarnacion, who signed a three-year $60 million deal with the Indians in December, works out with Pere and Pena.
The Indians signed Perez and Pena to minor league contracts. The two veterans will report to Goodyear, Ariz. with the Tribe's minor leaguers in March.
Cleveland sports fans wonder about Gregg Williams immediate impact as Browns defensive coordinator and the possibility that MLB might some day change its extra innings rules.
Ohio State basketball is back on the road on Saturday to take on the Terrapins. Watch video
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Ohio State basketball is back on the road on Saturday to take on Maryland. Here's everything you need to know before tip-off:
GAME INFORMATION
Who: Ohio State Buckeyes (15-10, 5-7 Big Ten) at No. 21 Maryland Terrapins (20-4, 8-3).
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Xfinity Center (17,950)
TV: ESPN, with Dave Flemming and Dan Dakich on the call.
Latest line: Maryland -8.
Series record: The all-time series between Ohio State and Maryland is tied 5-5, but the Terrapins have won the last three. That includes a 77-71 win in Columbus this season on Jan. 31.
PROBABLE STARTERS
* Ohio State: G C.J. Jackson (6-1, Soph., 4.2 ppg); G Kam Williams (6-2, Jr., 10.6 ppg); F Marc Loving (6-8, Sr., 11.7 ppg); F Jae'Sean Tate (6-4, Jr., 14.1 ppg); C Trevor Thompson (7-0, Jr., 10.8 ppg).
* Maryland: G Melo Trimble (6-3, Jr., 16. 9 ppg); G Anthony Cowan (6-0, Fr., 10.2 ppg); G Kevin Huerter (6-7, Fr., 8.9 ppg); F Justin Jackson (6-7, Fr., 11.4 ppg); F Damonte Dodd (6-11, Sr., 6.5 ppg).
GAME NOTES
* Ohio State has won two straight and is coming off a 70-64 win over Rutgers on Wednesday night. Maryland has lost two straight since beating Ohio State on Jan. 31, including a 70-64 loss at Penn State last Tuesday.
* The Buckeyes will be without point guard JaQuan Lyle, who is at home in Indiana dealing with a family emergency. Lyle had been Ohio State's second-leading scorer in Big Ten play (12.0 ppg). C.J. Jackson, who's started the last two games at point guard, is now the only point guard left on the Buckeyes' roster. That puts the onus on other players to take turns bringing the ball up the floor so that Jackson can get a rest.
"Not saying that we have to run point, but bringing the ball up the floor depending on the matchup," forward Jae'Sean Tate said. "Once we get into our set, all offensive parts are interchangeable."
Lyle, Bates-Diop away from team due to family emergencies
* The last time Ohio State played at Maryland, the Buckeyes lost 100-65. That loss was the worst of the Thad Matta era.
"Hopefully it taught us that Maryland is really good," Matta said. "They could not miss. We had a terrible end to the first half and it snowballed from there. That is not a game I like to remember. I haven't looked at it since then."
The Buckeyes have lost twice against Maryland, both at home, since that loss in College Park.
* Maryland freshman forward Justin Jackson is averaging 18 points per game over the last four, including 22 against the Buckeyes on Jan. 31. Buckeyes freshman forward Andre Wesson found some defensive success against Jackson last time out, though.
Jackson went without a field goal in the final 12 minutes of that win. So you could see a lot of more of Wesson on him Saturday.
"We knew that he could be a guy that could guard multiple positions," Matta said of Wesson. "He did a good job with the things we did defensively in Game 1. He's starting to shoot it better, we knew he could shoot it. He's starting to become more of a complete player, which I love about him."
* Ohio State still has a small chance of earning an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. Three big games loom that could be resume builders: Saturday at Maryland, Tuesday night at Michigan State and Feb. 23 against Wisconsin. There's one projection out there now that has the Buckeyes as a No. 12 seed in the tournament.
Buckeyes entering make or break stretch
PREDICTION
* Bill's pick: Maryland 75, Ohio State 66. Tough spot for Ohio State with one point guard available against a team with strong guard play like Maryland. But I don't think the Buckeyes get run off the floor like they did here last year. I see it playing out like most of Ohio State's road games: Play even with the opponent for most of the game but one key stretch puts them in a hole they can't get out of. If Kam Williams carries his hot shooting the other night into this one, that can be a difference.
Myles Garrett, whom most experts have the Browns drafting at No. 1, pleaded with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to trade up and draft him. Watch video
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Myles Garrett, whom most experts predict the Browns will draft No. 1 overall, didn't do himself any favors with the club on Friday -- but maybe that's by design.
In a video posted Friday by ESPN, the Texas A&M pass-rusher pleaded with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to trade up to the top spot to draft him. Dallas has the No. 28 pick.
"I'm speaking to you, Jerry," Garrett said. "Mr. (coach Jason) Garrett, make it happen. Dak Prescott leads our team right now. I need you to take Tony Romo, take a couple picks, and give them to Cleveland so you can pick me up. Please, I'd love to play in Dallas, just make it happen."
It wasn't the first time Garrett has indicated that he doesn't want to play for the Browns -- but it was certainly the strongest.
Projected No. 1 pick Myles Garrett makes a plea to the Dallas Cowboys to trade up and select him.
Watch https://t.co/ysSdr5rOsq
-- NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 10, 2017
A Texas native, Garrett recently told the Houston Chronicle that he doesn't want to play in a cold-weather city.
"Doesn't matter (who drafts me) but I'd like not to go anywhere cold," he said. "Whoever picks me up, I'm going to try and play my best for, to be the best player on the field at any given time. It doesn't matter who picks me up, I'm going to try and be a franchise player for them."
But the Browns might get the last laugh on this one. Sources told cleveland.com at the Senior Bowl that the Browns aren't as high on Garrett as most experts seem to think they are.
ESPN recently reported that the Browns had "an astronomical'' grade on him, but there's no consensus on that, and if the draft were tomorrow, there's a decent chance Garrett wouldn't be their top pick. Others on the radar are North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and Alabama pass-rusher Jonathan Allen.
Of course, there's still plenty of time before the April 27th draft, and anything can happen by then. The Browns also have a new defensive coordinator in Gregg Williams, and he'll play a huge role in drafting defensive players, coach Hue Jackson said at the Senior Bowl.
Besides, Garrett told Houston's Fox 26 on Thursday that he'd be fine playing for the Browns.
.@AggieFootball DE Myles Garrett would love to play for the @Browns. pic.twitter.com/Sj3W2tqbnx
-- Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 10, 2017
Garrett also declared Friday that he won't be attending the NFL draft, which is in Philadelphia this year. The first round is Thursday, April 27.
"I'm staying at home," Garrett told the Houston Chronicle.
If he does so, he'll follow in the footsteps of Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston, the No. 1 overall pick who stayed home from the draft in 2015.
"I know at the draft you can only have a select amount of people there," Garrett said. "I knew I wanted to have everybody who's ever affected my life positively and helped me, build me up all the way to where I am now -- I wanted them to see what I've achieved and be a part of this big moment in my life, and I'm happy to include anyone in there who's been along that process."
If you eat meat, it's tough to rage against the ethics of hunting.
Sixteen million Americans went hunting this past spring, and consider it both pastime and sport. But anti-hunting groups call it a "cruel, needless killing spree," and argue killing animals for pleasure is sick and wrong. Hunting advocates say hunters conserve wildlife and animal habitats (though many animal rights groups disagree). Plus, if you eat meat, someone had to kill that animal. Why should we malign hunters who do the killing themselves? What do you think?
PERSPECTIVES
Hunting species that are plentiful and commonly consumed -- like elk, deer, and rabbit -- is one thing, but "trophy hunters" who pay fortunes to kill endangered animals like leopards, elephants and grizzly bears are generally looked upon with disgust:
If it were about conservation, we'd recommend these "hunters" donate money for preservation efforts ... The simple fact is there something wrong with a person who feels the need to travel to the other side of the globe to kill an endangered animal."
If you eat meat, it's tougher to rage against the ethics of hunting. At least hunters are killing the animals themselves, rather than letting someone else do it. Plus, ethical hunters pay high fees for licenses, which contribute to wildlife and habitat conservation:
"Hunters and anglers were among the first crusaders for conservation and we remain today's most important conservation leaders."
But other people argue anyone who eats meat has no room to judge hunters. If you buy meat at a grocery store, aren't you allowing someone else to do the killing for you? And given how most meat is produced in the United States, is factory farming really less cruel to animals than being hunted? Which system imposes more suffering on animals, and is more damaging to their habitat?
Hunting critics argue that it's not only unnecessary, it's cruel.
"Hunting is a violent and cowardly form of outdoor entertainment that kills hundreds of millions of animals every year, many of whom are wounded and die a slow and painful death."
Most Americans find hunting for sport more immoral than abortion.
Surprising to me: on average, Americans think "hunting animals for sport" is more morally wrong than abortion https://t.co/rTNmKLjn81 pic.twitter.com/o7NavCnUin
-- Matt Blackwell (@matt_blackwell) January 26, 2017
But many hunters take the ethics of the practice seriously and see themselves as stewards of the environment.
I don't attack your for your "save the environment" anti hunting posts, so don't attack me when I post pictures of animals I kill ethically
-- Hunter (@Hsehman_56) January 24, 2016
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His family released a statement saying Ilitch died on Friday at a local hospital. They called him a visionary who set the tone for his company and his family.
DETROIT -- Billionaire businessman Mike Ilitch, who founded the Little Caesars pizza empire before buying the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers, and won praise for keeping the professional sports teams in the city as others relocated to new suburban stadiums, has died. He was 87.
His family released a statement saying Ilitch died on Friday at a local hospital. They called him a visionary who set the tone for his company and his family.
"He made such a positive impact in the world of sports, in business and in the community, and we will remember him for his unwavering commitment to his employees, his passion for Detroit, his generosity to others and his devotion to his family and friends," his son Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings Inc., said in the statement.
Family spokesman Doug Kuiper confirmed the death, but no other details were provided.
Ilitch and his wife, Marian, founded Little Caesars -- later known for its "Pizza! Pizza!" ads featuring an animated "Little Caeser" -- in suburban Detroit in 1959. They eventually grew the business into one of the world's largest carry-out pizza chains with several spin-off companies.
Known simply as "Mr. I" to most people in Michigan, Ilitch was as much a fan of the often-struggling Detroit as he was of sports. When approached in 2009 by organizers of the Motor City Bowl in Detroit, Ilitch agreed to sponsor the annual college football bowl game despite a poor local economy. The game was renamed the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
"It's a sporting event, and we need sporting events," Ilitch said at the time. "It picks our community up to no end, with all the great colleges we have in this state and the professional teams that we have. Thank God for 'em, especially at times that are rough right now."
Mike Ilitch, who owned Red Wings and Tigers, always had passion for sports
The son of Macedonian immigrants, Ilitch was born on July 20, 1929. He played baseball at Detroit's Cooley High School and was signed by his hometown Tigers after his four-year stint in the U.S. Marines, spending three years in the team's farm system before a knee injury ended his playing career.
But he found his niche in business. His family's companies had combined revenues of $2.4 billion in 2011.
It started with that first Little Caesars restaurant in Garden City, a working-class suburb west of Detroit. A food service distribution company soon followed to supply ingredients and other products for the growing number of restaurants. Blue Line Foodservice grew into one of the largest program account food service distribution companies in the U.S.
Ilitch Holdings Inc. was established in 1999 to manage the family's interests in food, sports and entertainment, and the company remained family focused. His son, Christopher, was president and CEO, while his wife, Marian, was vice chairwoman as well as sole owner of MotorCity Casino, one of Detroit's three casinos.
Ilitch broke into sports ownership in 1982, when he paid a reported $8 million for the struggling Red Wings. Once a National Hockey League powerhouse, the team had bottomed out to mediocrity, but it began winning again under Ilitch. The Red Wings took home the Stanley Cup in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008.
Ilitch was inducted into the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003, and into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame and Michigan Sports Hall of Fame a year later.
"Mr. and Mrs. Ilitch are incredibly passionate about Detroit and their teams," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland told The Associated Press in a 2010 interview. "They create a family atmosphere with stability, loyalty and a personal touch. But we all understand we have to produce to be around for a long time."
As part of his long-term plan to build a Detroit-based business empire, Ilitch also bought Olympia Entertainment, which manages several restaurants, sports and entertainment venues, in 1982.
Husband and wife bought the downtown Fox Theatre five years later and started a massive, $12 million restoration. It reopened a year later and became a lucrative venue for musicals, plays and other productions. The Little Caesars world headquarters also was moved downtown.
Then, in 1992, the man who once dreamed of playing for the Detroit Tigers bought the team for $85 million. He moved it in 2000 from the storied but fading Tiger Stadium to Comerica Park, across from the Fox Theatre.
Unlike previous owners of both sports franchises, Ilitch opened his checkbook to sign top players -- finding solid success in hockey, and a rollercoaster in baseball.
The Tigers lost an American League record 119 games in 2003, but advanced to the World Series three years later, losing in five games to the St. Louis Cardinals. Near the end of a disappointing 2008 season, Ilitch said he and the team would review everything done to put the roster together but focusing on the $138 million payroll wasn't the priority.
"I'm not afraid to go out and spend money," he said. "It's been very costly, but I'm not going to change my ways."
The Tigers made the American League playoffs in 2011, a return to winning that brought more fans to Comerica Park.
Tigers react to Mike Ilitch's death: He was 'truly one of the great ones'
Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said Ilitch was simply driven to win.
"He has a good feel for sports, baseball in particular, and that's always good when you're working for someone like that," Dombrowski said in 2010, shortly after Ilitch announced he would try to buy the Detroit Pistons. Ilitch had jumped in amid speculation another buyer might move the pro basketball team.
"When I read in the paper there was the chance that this great sports town could lose one of its professional sports franchises, I just didn't see how we could let that happen," Ilitch told The Associated Press in 2010. "The Pistons, just like the Red Wings, Tigers and the (Detroit) Lions, have a rich and storied tradition in this community."
California billionaire and Michigan State University graduate Tom Gores eventually bought the Pistons and kept the team at its stadium in Auburn Hills, north of Detroit.
Ilitch's admiration of Detroit also was put on display in 2009, when General Motors -- struggling under the threat of bankruptcy -- discontinued its sponsorship of the popular General Motors Fountain at Comerica Park. Instead of selling the space to other bidders, Ilitch gave the advertising spot to each of the area's car companies that season at no cost.
"He cares about the city of Detroit. This is something he wanted to do. It's for the Big Three," Ron Colangelo, the Tigers' spokesman, said at the time.
Philanthropy always was a major focus. In 1985, he established the Little Caesars Love Kitchen, a restaurant on wheels to feed the hungry and help with food distribution following national disasters.
Ilitch founded the Little Caesars Veterans Program in 2006 to provide honorably discharged veterans the chance to own a Little Caesars franchise, and his Ilitch Charities invests in programs promoting economic and job growth. Contributions, sponsorships and in-kind donations from the Ilitch companies total more than $4 million per year.
Ilitch is survived by his wife, seven adult children, 22 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mike Ilitch watches live stream as Wayne State breaks ground on his namesake business school
Garfield Heights boys basketball seniors Marreon Jackson and Shawn Christian combined to score 36 points as the Bulldogs beat Lutheran East, 65-52.
GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — Marreon Jackson and Shawn Christian shined on Friday night as they have done numerous times this season, combining for 36 points in Garfield Heights’ 65-52 win vs. Lutheran East on Friday.
Jackson, a Toledo signee, had a team-high 19 points and Christian, who signed with Cleveland State, added 17 for the Bulldogs (15-4), ranked No. 6 in the cleveland.com Top 25.
Jackson missed most of the first quarter with foul trouble, but came back in the second and sparked a 17-2 run.
“My coach told me when I go back in, be patient, let the ball move around a couple of times and come back to it, and then get into something,” Jackson said. “We were trying to go a little one-on-one (in the first quarter). That’s all. They were just trapping us, running and jumping us. We were undisciplined in the first half.”
Nursing a one-point lead at the end of the first quarter thanks to Maurico Tate’s halfcourt buzzer-beater, Garfield Heights coach Sonny Johnson switched to a zone defense to start the second quarter. The zone held the Falcons (12-8) to just eight points in the quarter.
RELATED: Watch Tate’s half-court shot.
“I thought the fact that (Jackson) was on the floor as well was very important because he found the right people,” Johnson said. “He can find you. He can also get his shot. But he does a great job distributing.”
Donovan Forte added 11 points for Garfield Heights, providing size in the middle at 6-foot-7. The junior center has started to emerge more with six double-doubles in his last eight games.
“He’s Mr. Reliable. We call him Big Fundamental,” Johnson said. “Next to Shawn and Marreon, he’s our third guy. He’s proven that.”
FINAL: Garfield Heights 65, Lutheran East 52. Shawn Christian and Marreon Jackson combined for 36. #neovarsity pic.twitter.com/qICNlIh6UE
— Tim Bielik (@bielik_tim) February 11, 2017
Lutheran East’s Tyler Powell had a game-high 20 points. The Falcons were without talented junior Keandre Graves, who broke his hand during a practice late in January. Lutheran East coach Anthony Jones said Graves probably will need the cast for two more weeks and his status will be reevaluated after that.
“We don’t make excuses,” Jones said. “Since Keandre’s been hurt, we’ve played phenomenal games against Bedford, St. Ed’s, Glenville. We’re more than just one guy. We play 10 guys and everybody knows their role.”
Tate had 13 points including his half-court shot to end the first quarter.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday when Garfield Heights hosts Martin Luther King Jr., and Lutheran East travels to Maple Heights.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Wingers Oliver Bjorkstrand and Daniel Zaar scored in the shootout as the Cleveland Monsters defeated the Manitoba Moose, 3-2, Friday night in front of 11,625 at The Q. The Monsters (23-18-2-3) have won three straight. They extended their point streak to four games. The Monsters improved to 3-2-0-0 in the eight-game season series against Manitoba. The...
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Wingers Oliver Bjorkstrand and Daniel Zaar scored in the shootout as the Cleveland Monsters defeated the Manitoba Moose, 3-2, Friday night in front of 11,625 at The Q.
The Monsters (23-18-2-3) have won three straight. They extended their point streak to four games.
The Monsters improved to 3-2-0-0 in the eight-game season series against Manitoba. The sixth meeting is Sunday afternoon at The Q.
Manitoba led the shootout, 1-0, after the first of three scheduled rounds. Both teams failed to convert in the second round.
Bjorkstrand's wrister beat goalie Eric Comrie in the top of the third. The Moose failed to answer, stretching the shootout to sudden death.
Zaar opened the fourth round with a tally. Brendan Lemieux was wide for Manitoba.
Monsters goalie Joonas Korpisalo made 39 saves. Earlier in the day, Korpisalo and Bjorkstrand were assigned to Cleveland by the parent Columbus Blue Jackets. Goalie Anton Forsberg went from Cleveland to Columbus for the fourth time this season.
The Monsters-Moose score was tied, 1-1, after one period. The Moose led in shots, 13-7, but went 0-for-3 on the power play.
Markus Hannikainen's power-play goal (No. 10) gave the Monsters a 1-0 lead at 11:37. Hannikainen zipped up the left side in transition and flicked in a wrister from the circle. Credit Dean Kukan and Bjorkstrand with the assists.
Late in the period, Comrie made a terrific pad save, then used the glove to deny a rebound shot.
The Moose broke through at 19:41 when captain Patrice Cormier poked in a rebound (No. 6). Kyle Connor and JC Lipon earned the assists.
Early in the second period, the Moose grabbed its first lead. Cormier tapped a rebound (No. 7) past Korpisalo's right skate to make it 2-1 at 3:58. Lipon and Connor earned the assists.
The Monsters responded at 11:02. Defenseman Dillon Heatherington skated in alone and beat Comrie over the left pad (No. 1). The assists went to Bjorkstrand and T.J. Tynan.
Comrie and Korpisalo were superb in the third period. Korpisalo made a fantastic save against Connor midway through the period and denied Lipon in the final seconds.
The Monsters controlled play in overtime.
Manitoba finished with a 41-32 advantage in shots but was 0-for-4 on the power play.
Matt Davet scored 31 points, Austen Yarian added 23 and St. Ignatius beat their rivals for the second time in a boys basketball game that reached overtime.
LAKEWOOD, Ohio – Matt Davet left St. Edward High School looking for a Gatorade 12-pack.
Davet and St. Ignatius just played their fourth overtime game in their last five meetings with the Eagles. Davet scored 31 points Friday night, while Austen Yarian added 23 to lead the Wildcats’ rally and 75-72 win.
“They’re an up-and-down team,” said Davet, who also grabbed six rebounds and blocked three shots.
He spent much of his night battling inside against St. Edward’s 6-foot-7 Kelvin Calhoun and others. Yarian, a 6-7 forward, defended the perimeter and worked his way inside en route to 10 rebounds and five blocks.
Their collective effort helped the No. 1-ranked team in the cleveland.com boys basketball Top 25 likely keep that distinction along with an inside track on the top seed in the Division I Strongsville District. Coaches must submit their votes by noon Saturday. Their choices include the Wildcats (13-4) and No. 3 St. Edward (13-5).
Working to that stage is what remains on the minds of both teams.
“This was a great game, but the playoff games are what counts,” Yarian said.
St. Ignatius beat St. Edward last season for the district title. It didn’t go into overtime, but was played at Cleveland State following two overtime games in the regular season.
They split those games, but not this time.
St. Ignatius’ win Friday night follows a 90-80 overtime victory Jan. 13 in this rivalry.
That time, Davet forced OT with a 3-pointer that hit glass from the top of the arc and sent St. Ignatius’ home crowd into a frenzy. On this night, St. Edward drew up a play in attempt to win it in regulation with 10 seconds left. Davet and Michael Spear met freshman Grant Huffman as he charged toward the basket, blocking his shot.
The Wildcats then evaded another St. Edward chance to win it in overtime with nine seconds left. A 3-point try by Tommy Schmock missed the rim.
Schmock led St. Edward with 24 points and seven assists. He ignited the Eagles with a dazzling first half that included 15 points and three of his four 3-pointers.
St. Edward built a 29-17 lead behind Schmock in the second quarter. It led by nine points with four minutes left, but the Wildcats closed on a 13-4 run to force overtime.
“The difference right now is one team is executing down the stretch and the other is not,” St. Edward coach Eric Flannery said. “That’s what’s disappointing.”
Yarian scored all but three of his points in the second half. He had 14 in the fourth quarter and overtime, thriving off transition baskets down the stretch. Sometimes he traded shots with Schmock, who gave St. Edward its last lead at 72-71 with about 30 seconds to go in overtime.
Yarian scored the final go-ahead basket. After St. Edward couldn’t convert, Davet added free throws with 1.4 seconds left to set up one last heave.
It conjured memories of the scenario Davet faced at home four weeks earlier.
“The way that stuff goes down it’s kind of ridiculous it’s like that in this rivalry,” he said.
Davet soon left searching for Gatorade. Last season’s district championship followed with a regional semifinal against Solon, and the Wildcats face them again Saturday.
Weary of another team capable of speeding up games with its guards, Davet needed hydration.
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.
Check out Friday's boys basketball scores from around the OHSAA, courtesy of The Associated Press.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Check out Friday's boys basketball scores from around the state, courtesy of The Associated Press.
Akr. Coventry 64, Akr. Springfield 28
Akr. Ellet 81, Massillon Washington 75
Akr. Garfield 66, Kent Roosevelt 48
Akr. Hoban 76, Mentor Lake Cath. 59
Akr. Manchester 58, Wooster Triway 48
Alliance 58, Beloit W. Branch 40
Alliance Marlington 64, Salem 59
Amherst Steele 73, N. Olmsted 63, OT
Anna 63, Botkins 54
Arcanum 59, W. Alexandria Twin Valley S. 53
Archbold 69, Liberty Center 42
Arlington 51, McComb 38
Ashland 90, Millersburg W. Holmes 60
Ashland Mapleton 74, Monroeville 57
Austintown Fitch 55, Warren Howland 53
Avon 63, N. Ridgeville 47
Bainbridge Paint Valley 62, Chillicothe Huntington 50
Batavia Amelia 45, Batavia 39
Beachwood 49, Painesville Harvey 48
Beaver Eastern 56, Portsmouth Notre Dame 43
Beavercreek 53, Riverside Stebbins 46
Bellefontaine 73, Spring. Kenton Ridge 29
Belpre 73, Stewart Federal Hocking 48
Berlin Hiland 54, Tuscarawas Cent. Cath. 42
Bethel-Tate 68, Blanchester 55
Beverly Ft. Frye 66, New Matamoras Frontier 38
Bidwell River Valley 69, Nelsonville-York 66
Bloomdale Elmwood 50, Millbury Lake 33
Bluffton 57, Ada 45
Brecksville-Broadview Hts. 62, N. Royalton 32
Bristol 78, Windham 57
Brookville 64, Bellbrook 40
Brunswick 52, Strongsville 38
Bryan 61, Delta 32
Burton Berkshire 40, Independence 35
Byesville Meadowbrook 67, Uhrichsville Claymont 32
Camden Preble Shawnee 42, Middletown Madison Senior 33
Can. Glenoak 61, Can. McKinley 52
Canal Winchester 51, New Albany 47
Canfield 61, Ashtabula Lakeside 52
Canfield S. Range 88, E. Palestine 35
Cardington-Lincoln 77, Centerburg 69
Carlisle 64, Waynesville 62
Carrollton 41, Minerva 40
Casstown Miami E. 50, Union City Mississinawa Valley 42
Castalia Margaretta 61, Oak Harbor 56
Centerville 60, Kettering Fairmont 48
Chagrin Falls 67, Kirtland 47
Chardon 70, Eastlake N. 66
Chillicothe 71, Hillsboro 50
Chillicothe Unioto 62, Southeastern 36
Cin. Christian 71, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place 38
Cin. Clark Montessori 67, Lockland 57
Cin. Country Day 79, Hamilton New Miami 47
Cin. Hughes 83, Cin. Aiken 50
Cin. Indian Hill 69, Cin. Deer Park 48
Cin. La Salle 52, Cin. Elder 34
Cin. Madeira 60, N. Bend (Cleves) Taylor 51
Cin. Mariemont 63, Cin. Finneytown 53
Cin. McNicholas 42, Cin. Purcell Marian 34
Cin. Moeller 62, Cin. St. Xavier 40
Cin. Mt. Healthy 56, Harrison 38
Cin. N. College Hill 60, Cin. Seven Hills 35
Cin. NW 72, Oxford Talawanda 71
Cin. Oak Hills 51, Cin. Princeton 34
Cin. Summit Country Day 67, Cin. Hills Christian Academy 35
Cin. Taft 79, Cin. Shroder 57
Cin. Walnut Hills 77, Milford 75, 3OT
Cin. Withrow 52, Cin. Glen Este 36
Cin. Woodward 64, Cin. Western Hills 45
Cin. Wyoming 87, Reading 45
Clarksville Clinton-Massie 56, Greenfield McClain 50
Clayton Northmont 70, Springboro 61
Cle. Benedictine 63, Chardon NDCL 51
Cle. Cent. Cath. 60, Garfield Hts. Trinity 23
Cle. St. Ignatius 75, Lakewood St. Edward 72
Cle. VASJ 69, Cle. JFK 57
Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant 45, Chesapeake 35
Coldwater 66, Ft. Recovery 63
Collins Western Reserve 68, Ashland Crestview 46
Cols. Africentric 64, Cols. Independence 49
Cols. Beechcroft 90, Cols. Whetstone 50
Cols. East 100, Cols. International 40
Cols. Eastmoor 63, Cols. Briggs 49
Cols. Hartley 52, Cols. DeSales 41
Cols. Linden McKinley 53, Cols. Centennial 35
Cols. Northland 76, Cols. Mifflin 56
Cols. South 93, Cols. West 42
Cols. St. Charles 38, Cols. Watterson 36
Cols. Upper Arlington 90, Marysville 57
Cols. Walnut Ridge 74, Cols. Marion-Franklin 49
Cols. Wellington 59, Worthington Christian 42
Columbus Grove 48, Harrod Allen E. 46
Continental 45, Ottoville 34
Copley 70, Medina Highland 59
Cornerstone Christian 80, Gates Mills Gilmour 70
Cortland Maplewood 64, Orwell Grand Valley 57, OT
Cory-Rawson 66, Mt. Blanchard Riverdale 43
Covington 65, Newton Local 49
Creston Norwayne 67, Apple Creek Waynedale 60
Crooksville 63, Zanesville Maysville 53
Cuyahoga Falls CVCA 55, Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley 35
Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 51, Parma Padua 49
Dalton 51, Smithville 45
Day. Carroll 65, Day. Chaminade Julienne 63
Day. Christian 54, Franklin Middletown Christian 47
Day. Dunbar 75, Day. Stivers 71
Day. Jefferson 63, East Dayton Christian School 41
Day. Miami Valley 55, Hamilton Ross 49
Day. Oakwood 39, Monroe 30
Day. Ponitz Tech. 59, Day. Meadowdale 54
Defiance 53, St. Marys Memorial 33
DeGraff Riverside 71, McGuffey Upper Scioto Valley 69
Delaware Christian 69, Tree of Life 50
Delphos Jefferson 51, Paulding 36
Dover 42, Zanesville 30
Dresden Tri-Valley 52, Thornville Sheridan 47
Dublin Coffman 78, Grove City Cent. Crossing 56
Dublin Jerome 58, Delaware Hayes 40
E. Cle. Shaw 37, Bedford 31
Edgerton 49, Antwerp 35
Elida 65, Kenton 57
Elyria 68, Medina 55
Elyria Cath. 82, Bay Village Bay 67
Fairborn 58, W. Carrollton 38
Fairfield 66, Cin. Colerain 38
Findlay 63, Tol. St. Francis 61
Findlay Liberty-Benton 68, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon 51
Frankfort Adena 58, Chillicothe Zane Trace 48
Franklin 65, Eaton 55
Fremont St. Joseph 53, Fostoria St. Wendelin 27
Gahanna Christian 73, Northside Christian 46
Gahanna Lincoln 61, Lancaster 51
Galion Northmor 51, Fredericktown 43
Garfield Hts. 65, Cle. Hts. Lutheran E. 52
Garrettsville Garfield 73, Atwater Waterloo 54
Gates Mills Hawken 72, Chesterland W. Geauga 67
Genoa Area 42, Elmore Woodmore 38
Georgetown 81, Batavia Clermont NE 53
Gibsonburg 50, Lakeside Danbury 32
Girard 69, Warren Champion 55
Glouster Trimble 68, Corning Miller 63
Gnadenhutten Indian Valley 58, Orrville 40
Goshen 59, Norwood 49
Greenville 72, Tipp City Tippecanoe 65
Greenwich S. Cent. 64, Plymouth 63
Grove City Christian 74, Sugar Grove Berne Union 44
Groveport Madison Christian 41, Granville Christian 29
Hannibal River 65, Martins Ferry 55, OT
Hanoverton United 70, Leetonia 45
Haviland Wayne Trace 85, Hicksville 65
Hilliard Bradley 46, Dublin Scioto 33
Hilliard Davidson 64, Galloway Westland 34
Holgate 41, Defiance Ayersville 36
Hubbard 55, Jefferson Area 51
Huron 63, Clyde 43
Ironton 50, S. Point 36
Jackson Center 40, Ft. Loramie 35, OT
Johnstown Northridge 69, Newark Cath. 41
Johnstown-Monroe 60, Utica 33
Kalida 65, Miller City 57
Kidron Cent. Christian 59, Danville 49
Kings Mills Kings 57, Cin. Turpin 47
LaGrange Keystone 66, Sullivan Black River 47
Leavittsburg LaBrae 93, Campbell Memorial 47
Lebanon 42, Miamisburg 40
Leesburg Fairfield 66, Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington 60
Lewis Center Olentangy 64, Lewis Center Olentangy Orange 52
Lewisburg Tri-County N. 59, Bradford 49
Lewistown Indian Lake 45, Bellefontaine Benjamin Logan 38
Liberty Twp. Lakota E. 45, Hamilton 39
Lima Perry 76, Lima Temple Christian 37
Lima Shawnee 53, Lima Bath 49
Lima Sr. 66, Fremont Ross 49
Linsly, W.Va. 53, Hudson WRA 47
Lisbon David Anderson 60, Columbiana 51
London Madison Plains 55, Cedarville 50
Lorain 80, Warrensville Hts. 49
Lorain Clearview 68, Columbia Station Columbia 50
Louisville 84, Can. South 56
Louisville Aquinas 68, Youngs. Valley Christian 27
Lowellville 93, Mineral Ridge 46
Lucas 69, Loudonville 51
Lynchburg-Clay 68, Fayetteville-Perry 62
Lyndhurst Brush 70, Chagrin Falls Kenston 57
Macedonia Nordonia 49, Cuyahoga Falls 36
Madison 62, Willoughby S. 59
Malvern 67, E. Can. 58
Manchester 84, W. Union 67
Mansfield Sr. 43, Mansfield Madison 41
Mansfield St. Peter's 63, Mansfield Christian 42
Mantua Crestwood 68, Hartville Lake Center Christian 58
Maple Hts. 87, Cle. Hts. 85
Maria Stein Marion Local 55, Delphos St. John's 47
Marion Harding 59, Richwood N. Union 53
Marion Pleasant 69, Galion 39
Mason 68, W. Chester Lakota W. 40
Massillon Jackson 69, Uniontown Lake 48
Massillon Perry 43, Can. Cent. Cath. 38
Massillon Tuslaw 65, Navarre Fairless 51
Maumee 53, Bowling Green 50
McArthur Vinton County 70, Albany Alexander 45
McConnelsville Morgan 69, Zanesville W. Muskingum 52
McDonald 96, Berlin Center Western Reserve 80
Medina Buckeye 68, Sheffield Brookside 33
Mentor 83, Shaker Hts. 74
Mercyhurst Prep, Pa. 72, Conneaut 46
Metamora Evergreen 46, Hamler Patrick Henry 37
Miami Valley Christian Academy 42, Cin. Immaculate Conception 31
Middletown 42, Cin. Sycamore 31
Middletown Fenwick 61, Kettering Alter 57
Milan Edison 51, Port Clinton 34
Milford Center Fairbanks 72, N. Lewisburg Triad 37
Minford 51, Lucasville Valley 41
Minster 64, New Knoxville 59
Mogadore 63, Rootstown 58
Mogadore Field 58, Lodi Cloverleaf 45
Montpelier 44, Gorham Fayette 36
Morrow Little Miami 50, Trenton Edgewood 47
Mt. Vernon 59, Lexington 35
N. Baltimore 69, Arcadia 36
N. Can. Hoover 61, Green 49
Napoleon 72, Holland Springfield 58
New Concord John Glenn 61, Philo 46
New Middletown Spring. 75, Columbiana Crestview 54
New Philadelphia 58, Cambridge 48
New Richmond 55, Mt. Orab Western Brown 48
New Riegel 62, Tiffin Calvert 41
Newark 66, Groveport-Madison 47
Newton Falls 48, Brookfield 38
Norwalk 65, Willard 50
Norwalk St. Paul 42, New London 40
Oak Hill 53, Portsmouth W. 48
Oberlin 53, Fairview 52
Oberlin Firelands 67, Wellington 65
Old Fort 64, Kansas Lakota 35
Olmsted Falls 76, Grafton Midview 69
Ontario 69, Tiffin Columbian 60
Oregon Stritch 63, Tol. Maumee Valley 56
Ottawa-Glandorf 52, Wapakoneta 41
Painesville Riverside 73, Mayfield 57
Pandora-Gilboa 65, Vanlue 25
Parma 74, Cle. John Marshall 70
Parma Hts. Holy Name 74, Parma Hts. Valley Forge 50
Pataskala Licking Hts. 61, Newark Licking Valley 44
Pataskala Watkins Memorial 55, Hebron Lakewood 46
Peebles 46, Seaman N. Adams 45
Pemberville Eastwood 57, Rossford 39
Peninsula Woodridge 63, Norton 59
Perrysburg 66, Sylvania Southview 63
Pickerington Cent. 85, Grove City 60
Pickerington N. 62, Reynoldsburg 46
Piketon 65, Williamsport Westfall 51
Pitsburg Franklin-Monroe 45, New Paris National Trail 42
Plain City Jonathan Alder 52, Caledonia River Valley 42
Poland Seminary 61, Ashtabula Edgewood 60
Pomeroy Meigs 42, Wellston 37
Portsmouth 73, Ironton Rock Hill 64
Portsmouth Clay 70, Latham Western 49
Portsmouth Sciotoville 89, Willow Wood Symmes Valley 69
Powell Olentangy Liberty 75, Westerville Cent. 56
Proctorville Fairland 88, Gallipolis Gallia 53
Racine Southern 61, Fremont St. Joseph 52
Rayland Buckeye 65, Weir, W.Va. 43
Richfield Revere 66, Aurora 54
Rittman 53, Doylestown Chippewa 43
Rockford Parkway 57, New Bremen 42
Rocky River 58, Parma Normandy 36
Rocky River Lutheran W. 62, Brooklyn 48
Russia 48, Sidney Fairlawn 46
S. Charleston SE 51, Jamestown Greeneview 42
S. Webster 69, McDermott Scioto NW 37
Sandusky 74, Bellevue 47
Sandusky Perkins 61, Vermilion 58
Sardinia Eastern Brown 58, Mowrystown Whiteoak 38
Sebring McKinley 63, N. Jackson Jackson-Milton 54
Sherwood Fairview 34, Defiance Tinora 32
Sidney 55, Piqua 45
Sidney Lehman 86, Ridgeway Ridgemont 57
Solon 84, Euclid 81
Sparta Highland 51, Marion Elgin 33
Spencerville 43, Convoy Crestview 41
Spring. Cath. Cent. 49, Spring. NE 48
Spring. Shawnee 48, Spring. NW 46
Springfield 56, Huber Hts. Wayne 54
St. Bernard Roger Bacon 52, Hamilton Badin 37
St. Paris Graham 59, Spring. Greenon 50
Steubenville 70, Brooke, W.Va. 44
Stow-Munroe Falls 68, Hudson 37
Strasburg-Franklin 56, Magnolia Sandy Valley 51
Streetsboro 77, Ravenna 38
Struthers 52, Cortland Lakeview 45
Stryker 71, Pioneer N. Central 53
Sugarcreek Garaway 51, W. Lafayette Ridgewood 40
Sunbury Big Walnut 55, Cols. Franklin Hts. 36
Tallmadge 71, Barberton 52
Thomas Worthington 45, Hilliard Darby 38
Tipp City Bethel 73, New Madison Tri-Village 63
Tol. Bowsher 68, Tol. Scott 63
Tol. Christian 60, Tol. Ottawa Hills 43
Tol. St. John's 63, Oregon Clay 29
Tol. Waite 58, Tol. Rogers 48
Tol. Whitmer 66, Tol. Cent. Cath. 63
Tol. Woodward 60, Tol. Start 59
Tontogany Otsego 50, Fostoria 35
Toronto 58, Lisbon Beaver 38
Trotwood-Madison 97, Xenia 76
Urbana 72, New Carlisle Tecumseh 48
Van Buren 68, Leipsic 48
Van Wert 58, Celina 52
Vandalia Butler 62, Troy 49
Versailles 61, St. Henry 36
Vincent Warren 62, Jackson 51
W. Liberty-Salem 77, Mechanicsburg 40
W. Unity Hilltop 46, Pettisville 42
Wadsworth 57, Twinsburg 51
Wahama, W.Va. 46, Crown City S. Gallia 45
Warren Lordstown 51, Southington Chalker 48
Washington C.H. Miami Trace 81, Lees Creek E. Clinton 50
Waterford 76, Reedsville Eastern 37
Wauseon 48, Swanton 32
Waynesfield-Goshen 59, Dola Hardin Northern 57, OT
Wellsville 98, Salineville Southern 64
West Salem Northwestern High School 72, Jeromesville Hillsdale 58
Westerville S. 77, Westerville N. 59
Westlake 57, Lakewood 44
Wheelersburg 47, Waverly 42
Wheeling Central, W.Va. 74, St. Clairsville 71
Whitehouse Anthony Wayne 51, Sylvania Northview 36
Wickliffe 76, Cle. St. Martin De Porres 62
Williamsburg 77, Felicity-Franklin 50
Wilmington 51, Washington C.H. 45
Wintersville Indian Creek 59, Cadiz Harrison Cent. 43
Wooster 71, Bellville Clear Fork 64
Yellow Springs 54, Legacy Christian 52
Youngs. Boardman 68, Youngs. East 62
Youngs. Ursuline 58, Erie Cathedral Prep, Pa. 50
Zanesville Rosecrans 33, Coshocton 32, OT
Jordan Spieth was the clubhouse leader in the suspended second round of AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2017.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jordan Spieth was the clubhouse leader at 10-under in the suspended second round of AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2017. Inclement weather/fog halted play.
The second round concludes and the third round begins today (Feb. 11).
Spieth and Derek Fathauer were tied at end of play Friday, but Fathauer had played 17 holes.
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is the PGA Tour's annual mix of talented players, celebrities and iconic venue.
Among those competing for real: Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, Jimmy Walker and Phil Mickelson. Day, ranked No. 1 in the world, was third at 9-under through 12 holes of the second round.
The list of celebrities includes: New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who won his fifth Super Bowl as HC last week; Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young and future Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers; hockey legend Wayne Gretzky; singing sensation Justin Timberlake; and actors Bill Murray, Mark Wahlberg and Ray Romano.
One of the three courses used is world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Links. Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula CC Shore Course are the others.
Lamb, Noh and Dahmen played Spyglass on Thursday.
Belichick is teamed with Ricky Barnes; Timberlake, with Justin Rose.
PGA TOUR
AT&T PEBBLE BEACH PRO-AM
Site: Pebble Beach, Calif.
Courses: Pebble Beach GL (Yardage: 6,816. Par: 72); Spyglass Hill (Yardage: 6,953. Par: 72); Monterey Peninsula CC Shore Course (Yardage: 6,958. Par: 71).
Purse: $7.2 million (First prize: $1,296,000).
Television: Thursday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 1-2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); 3-6 p.m. (CBS); Sunday, 1-2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); 3-6:30 p.m. (CBS).
Defending champion: Vaughn Taylor.
Last week: Hideki Matsuyama won the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
Notes: The world ranking is so close among the top five that Johnson might have a mathematical chance to replace Day at No. 1, or he could drop two spots to No. 5. ... The amateur field includes a quartet of current and retired NFL quarterbacks -- Young, Manning, Rodgers and Alex Smith. ... Mickelson, runner-up last year, gets another chance to tie Mark O'Meara's record of five victories at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. ... Taylor has not won in the 28 tournaments he has played since winning at Pebble Beach. His best result is 15th at the Safeway Open in October. ... Brandt Snedeker set the 72-hole tournament record two years ago at 265. ... Mickelson, Snedeker and Johnson each has won twice at Pebble over the last 10 years. ... Spieth has finished in the top 10 in all three of his PGA Tour starts this year. He has finished in the top 20 in 16 of his last 20 starts worldwide. ... Of the 12 events on the PGA Tour 2016-17 schedule to date, only four of the winners are at Pebble Beach: Cody Gribble, Pat Perez, Mackenzie Hughes and Jon Rahm.
Next week: Genesis Open at Riviera.
Online: www.pgatour.com
(The Associated Press contributed)
The Indians haven't draw two million fans to Progressive Field since 2008. They've drawn an average of 1.6 million a season since then, but Watch video
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Do you have a question that you'd like to have answered in Hey, Hoynsie? Submit it here or Tweet him at @hoynsie.
@hoynsie what are reasonable attendance expectations for the Indians. They've put the $ up. Steve in Solon.
-- Steve Eisenberg (@SteveEis) February 10, 2017
Hey, Steve: Over the last eight years, the Indians have averaged 1.6 million in attendance. With the team's run to Game 7 of the World Series last year, and the signing of Edwin Encarnacion in December, season tickets have increase to about 11,000 from an estimated 8,500 last season, according to owner Paul Dolan.
I think it's reasonable to expect the Tribe to draw close to two million fans this season. It's something that hasn't happened since 2008 when they drew 2.2 million following the team's push to Game 7 of the ALCS against Boston in 2007.
Hey, Hoynsie: I think Cody Anderson will help the Tribe this season before it's over. Do you think he went too hard last spring when he was throwing 96 mph and above? What's his status going into spring training? - Jeff Lewis, St. Ives, England.
Hey, Jeff: In preparation for spring training in 2016, Anderson worked hard on changing his body and delivery. His velocity increased and he had a great spring, but the changes may have caused some stress in his elbow. I think he pitched most of last season with soreness in his elbow.
Anderson had surgery on Nov. 10 to correct an impingement in the elbow and needed eight weeks to recover. I checked with pitching coach Mickey Callaway on Friday and he said Anderson just finished throwing a 25-pitch bullpen and looked great. I'm sure they'll be careful with him in the early part of spring training, but so far the news is encouraging.
@hoynsie You think Santana will remain lead off hitter? Marty from Rootstown
-- Marty Reynolds (@damartyman) February 10, 2017
Hey, Marty: Carlos Santana hit 19 homers and drove in 41 runs in 85 starts from the leadoff spot last season. I think it's safe to say manager Terry Francona will use him in that spot from time to time this season.
The Indians have a number of players who could hit leadoff -- Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez and Austin Jackson, if he makes the team. If Michael Brantley proves he can be productive on a regular basis, that will give Francona a chance to alternate any of those players in the leadoff spot, while moving Santana into a run-producing position.
Hey, Hoynsie: Will the Indians ever play an exhibition game in Columbus against the Clippers? I remember the Yankees doing this when Columbus was their farm club when I was a kid. I think it would be a lot of fun. - Chris Miller, Hilliard.
Hey, Chris: The Indians played an exhibition game against the Clippers at Huntington Park before the start of the 2011 season. The game was called in the third inning because of snow. Curtis Danburg, Indians senior director of communications, said there are no exhibition games against the Clippers scheduled for the immediate future.
@hoynsie hey Hoynsie, what are the feelings in the Indians organization about Brady Aiken rehabilitation?
Ian
-- Ian Illmatic (@OilCanIan) February 10, 2017
Hey, Ian: Aiken, the Indians' No.1 pick in 2015, attended the team's prospect camp in September at Progressive Field. He is no longer in rehab mode in regards to his Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.
Last year Aiken made 14 appearances, including 13 starts, for the Arizona Rookie League Indians and Class A Mahoning Valley. He struck out 57 in 46 1/3 innings and said his velocity arm have come back well.
Hey, Hoynsie: This new proposed extra-inning rule that would put a runner on second base with no outs in the 11th inning to speed up the game goes too far. My opinion is to leave the game alone; I enjoy the time it takes to complete a game. It's what you pay for. I'm just a concerned baseball fan hoping the game doesn't become a joke. -- Shawn Marshall, Garfield Heights.
Hey, Shawn: I couldn't agree more. Remember, it's a proposal, not a rule. There's no need to storm the beaches yet.
@hoynsie Would the @Indians listen to offers for Roberto Perez? I don't think his value will ever be higher. John in Olmsted township
-- John Goetz (@john26933) February 10, 2017
Hey, John: I agree Perez's showing in the postseason last year established his value throughout the big leagues, but Yan Gomes hasn't been healthy for two years. What happens if he gets hurt again?
And there's always a chance to Perez comes out of spring training as the starter. Sometimes the best trades are the one you don't make.
Hey, Hoynsie: If Trevor Bauer isn't mature enough to keep his mouth shut about politics, the Indians should look for the highest bidder and trade him. This is like a cancer and can destroy a team's togetherness. - Jim Martin, Crewe, Va.
Hey, Jim: I like the fact that we live in a country where you have freedom of speech. Everyone has an opinion and Bauer frequently voices his.
As for Bauer's politics fracturing the clubhouse, the Indians seemed to do just fine in the postseason last year after he incapacitated himself in a one-sided duel with a rogue drone. All things considered, sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
@hoynsie Any idea if Chris Perez's dog ever got the help he needed? - Kevin, Olmsted Falls
-- withagoat (@withagoat) February 10, 2017
Hey, Kevin: Now that's funny. I hope Brody is walking the straight and narrow.
Hey @hoynsie what are the chances the @Indians invite @BrianWilson38 to spring training on a minor league deal? -Kyle Eastlake, OH
-- ky (h) le bak (@kjhlebak24) February 11, 2017
Hey, Kyle: The Indians drafted The Beard in 2000 when he could throw the ball through a brick wall, but they didn't sign him.
Now you want them to bring him back as a would-be knuckleball pitcher following two Tommy John surgeries? I think you've been taking Brody for too many long walks.
Hey, Hoynsie: Who do you think will reach the majors first, Bradley Zimmer or Clint Frazier? -- John Jefferson.
Hey, John: I would think Frazier would have an advantage because the Yankees are in a rare rebuilding period and I think they're going to push their young players along quickly if they show promise.
Frazier was one of their key acquisitions from the Indians last year in the Andrew Miller deal. The Indians, meanwhile, are in a go-for-it mode and might be more reluctant to bring Zimmer to the big leagues if they have a more experienced option available.
Hey Hoynsie: I heard today that the Indians are considering playing Carlos Santana in the outfield periodically. Is there merit to Carlos playing some outfield? -- Bob Rosen, Solon.
Hey, Bob: I checked with Francona and he said he had no plans on playing Santana in the outfield this year. Then again, he added that he didn't think he'd play him out there last year either. As everyone knows Santana started not one, but two games in left field in the World Series at Wrigley Field.
So who knows what this year holds for TheRealSlamtana?
Take our "Jimmy or Carson?" quiz and wonder what the Browns might like more about Garoppolo than they did about Wentz, when both played at smaller FCS college programs. Watch video
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Quarterbacks are more than just the school they came from, but if the Browns go after Jimmy Garoppolo, there's one question that needs to be answered at some point.
What do they like about Garoppolo that they didn't like about Carson Wentz?
Both played in lower-level FCS football, Garoppolo at Eastern Illinois, Wentz at North Dakota State. Garoppolo started most of four years, while Wentz started as a junior and then lost half his senior year to injury. Wentz, though, played in a pro-style system, while Garoppolo took most of his snaps out of the shotgun in a spread offense.
So there has to be a reason here, if Garoppolo is the Browns' answer, and it must be deeper than the fact that Bill Belichick and Tom Brady babysat Garoppolo for the last three seasons.
* Play "Is it Jimmy or is it Carson?" Watch our video for a 10-question QB quiz.
We know Kyle Shanahan liked Garoppolo in the 2014 draft. But if Garoppolo were a college senior right now, would the Browns front office like him more than they liked Wentz a year ago? If not, then why would you trade for him? Marinating in New England juices for three years, and playing six quarters in Brady's place this season, isn't enough.
Draft analyst Cian Fahey said as much this week on Twitter.
It's been repeatedly proven that being in the league as a backup doesn't necessarily give you a better chance to succeed.
-- Cian Fahey (@Cianaf) February 10, 2017
Every delay in your quarterback decision costs you time. The Browns may like the idea that Garoppolo is ready to step in and start, no questions asked. But you know who else would be ready to start in Cleveland in 2017? Wentz, as a second-year quarterback.
Wentz now has 16 career starts. Garoppolo has two. So if time in the league and maturity is a factor in the Browns wanting Garoppolo, that's not enough. Because by now, Wentz has eight times more experience as as starter.
The judgment has to be on upside. Garoppolo may have it. Josh McCown told cleveland.com he thinks Garoppolo can carry a franchise. But if the Browns don't see enough of that, then a rookie makes more sense. Sign Tyrod Taylor and take the shot in the draft.
Top-20 quarterback is the bar the Browns set with their Wentz evaluation last year. If the Browns are going after Garoppolo on the trade market, they have to believe he's that kind of quarterback.
* Did the Browns win the Carson Wentz trade?
Because of his New England experience, Garoppolo may be the safer choice. And if he doesn't cost the Browns a first-rounder - maybe a couple second-rounders instead - then that's fine. Go ahead. That's worth it, upside or not.
But the Browns didn't mess up the quarterback spot for 15 years to now trade for safe. Safe quarterbacks don't win Super Bowls. If there's something the Browns like about Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson or DeShone Kizer or Patrick Mahomes, but they're unsure, they can't be afraid of uncertainty. They can't be afraid to fail.
What they can be afraid of is trading a first-round pick for a guy who can't be great. Maybe Garoppolo can be that. If the Browns get him, you hope they saw something they didn't see a year ago.
Takes by the Lake podcast - Talking Jimmy Garoppolo
Austen Yarian used his 6-foot-8 frame to scored 23 points, grab 10 rebounds and block five shots. He also bothered opposing guards on the perimeter.
LAKEWOOD, Ohio – Like many times before, St. Ignatius coach Brian Becker did not shy from assigning Austen Yarian to the opposition’s point guard.
What makes it a unique assignment is Yarian’s 6-foot-8 height advantage on the smaller foe. In the case of No. 1 St. Ignatius’ 75-72 overtime win Friday, that left 5-11 Tommy Schmock sometimes looking up when he brought up the basketball.
For Yarian, this requires lateral movement unusual for players with his size.
“I love the challenge,” Yarian said after the win at St. Edward, ranked third in the cleveland.com Top 25. “I love getting down and playing defense. It’s one of my favorite things to do.”
Yarian played inside and out. He guarded Schmock on the perimeter and moved inside to block five shots and grab 10 rebounds.
He and Schmock hope this isn’t the last time they will meet. Two of the top teams in the Division I Strongsville District, they could meet a third time.
Even then, Yarian does not expect it to be the last time.
He is heading to Hillsdale College, while Schmock is bound for Findlay. Both are members of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
So they’ll remain rivals.
BEAT THE CLOCK
A handful shots beat the buzzer Friday around Northeast Ohio. Perhaps, none was bigger than Maple Heights’ shot to shock Cleveland Heights, 85-84.
Point guard Fonse Hale’s push up court led to a feed, a miss and a tip-in as Hale and Daray Menefield leaped to force up the last shot.
@NEO_Spotlight @mgoul 💯 pic.twitter.com/RfsjwvlB7z
— Fonse ⛹ (@Isofonse) February 11, 2017
The 12th-ranked Mustangs rallied from 14 points down to beat No. 13 Cleveland Heights a second time this season.
If that’s not enough. St. Edward’s Will Henry beat the clock twice in the first half against St. Ignatius. He missed a chance for a third buzzer-beater when coach Eric Flannery pulled him from the floor with 2.9 seconds left in the third quarter.
If you prefer a longer shot, try Maurico Tate’s halfcourt heave for Lutheran East. The Falcons lost at No. 6 Garfield Heights, 65-52.
CLOSE CALLS IN CONFERENCE
Four teams are now tied atop the Southwestern Conference, and a fifth team is just a game back.
Avon Lake’s 44-36 win against Berea-Midpark forced the logjam, dropping the Titans from sole possession of the top spot. Senior Mark Pappas continued his long-distance accuracy from the football season. Instead of playing quarterback, the 6-2 guard connected on five 3-pointers and finished with 19 points.
Elsewhere, Avon’s Ryan Bertrand also scored 19 points and Vlasi Pappas added 17 to lead the Eagles’ 63-47 win against North Ridgeville. The Eagles, who started the season 9-0, had lost four of their last five.
Josh Goodwin’s 20 points led Olmsted Falls to a 76-69 home win vs. Midview.
That leaves Avon, Avon Lake and Olmsted Falls now tied with Berea-Midpark at 11-4 in the SWC. Westlake, which is just a game back, cruised to a 57-44 win at Lakewood. Noah Meek and Anthony Rego led the Demons with 17 points each.
As for other conference races …
CLICK HERE FOR FRIDAY’S SCOREBOARD
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Valley Forge's Jordan Felice is the cleveland.com Player of the Week. Felice, a 6-3 senior forward, had 38 points and 22 rebounds Feb. 4 in a 73-50 win at Mayfield. He had another double-double, 16 points and 12 rebounds, the previous night against Parma.
Felice received 3,527 votes from readers, nearly half of the 7,122 votes in this week’s Game Balls contest.
Coaches are encouraged to submit nominations to mgoul@cleveland.com by Monday evening.
WHAT’S AHEAD
Two intriguing matchups highlight Saturday night’s events. And remember, coaches will have submitted their district seeding votes by noon Saturday. These games will not impact how teams are seeding for the postseason.
Coaches will select their positions in their respective district tournaments, by seed, on Sunday.
No. 10 Holy Name (16-2) at No. 19 Central Catholic (11-6), Saturday: Both teams are capable of reaching the regional tournament in Division II, but Holy Name (North Ridgeville District) and Central Catholic (Stow District) have no chance to meet again unless they reach Columbus.
No. 15 Solon (14-5) at No. 1 St. Ignatius (13-4), Saturday: Coach Tony DeCesare’s Comets had their Cinderella run last season end against his alma mater at Cleveland State. Solon enters this one enjoying a better year after entering last postseason with a sub-.500 record.
CLICK HERE FOR SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
JANUARY’S BEST
See the top plays from last month and click here to vote for your favorite.
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.
Here's where to watch, listen and stream the Cleveland Cavaliers' game vs. the Denver Nuggets tonight.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers play Game 53 of the 2016 NBA season Saturday against the Denver Nuggets. Here's how to watch, listen and stream the action online.
What: Cleveland Cavaliers (36-16) vs. Denver Nuggets (24-29).
Where: Quicken Loans Arena.
When: 7:30 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Ohio.
Radio: WTAM 1100 AM; 87.7 FM La Mega.
Online: Fox Sports Go.
Denver notable: The Nuggets offense has been spectacular as of late, scoring 120+ in seven of their last 15 games while shooting over 50% from the field in six of those games.
Cleveland notable: The Cavaliers swept the two-game series against Denver last season and are 5-1 in their last six matchups against the Nuggets.
Catch the coverage from before the game; join in the live chat starting at tipoff; and stick around for full postgame coverage. For all Cavs information, be sure to check out cleveland.com/cavs.
Looking at the college stats of Mitch Trubisky and Carson Wentz, you find they have a lot in common.
ABOUT MITCH TRUBISKY
I was talking to an NFL executive, and he mentioned in passing how Mitch Trubisky "is rated the top quarterback in this draft."
"He is?" I said.
"From what I hear, most teams have him rated that way," he said. I checked around, and that seems to be the case for the Mentor native.
Some executives are like Mike Mayock (NFL Network), who said he'd be "scared to death" to take any quarterback this year in the top 10. But it seems Trubisky has the edge. The biggest objection is only 13 college starts at North Carolina.
As Mayock asked, "Why couldn't he beat out Marquise Williams at North Carolina? What is the answer to that?"
Williams started for three years for North Carolina. Twice, he was second-team all-ACC. Trubisky was behind him all three seasons, the first being a redshirt year.
Williams was not picked in the 2016 NFL draft. He was signed by Green Bay, then cut.
The discussion I had with some NFL executives was Trubisky vs. Carson Wentz. It was inspired by an email from Jerry Sulecki. He looked at the college stats of Wentz and Trubisky, and discovered they are about the same.
1. Wentz started 23 games at North Dakota State, Trubisky started 13 for the Tar Heels.
2. For their college careers, Wentz was 392-of-612 passing. Trubisky was 386-of-572.
3. Wentz was in a pro-style offense for the Bisons, and they ran the ball more than North Carolina. That's why the passing stats are about the same.
4. Wentz threw 45 TD passes (14 interceptions), Trubisky threw 41 TD passes (10 interceptions). Even their yards per attempt are the same -- 8.4.
THE WENTZ IMPACT
A lot of NFL people were leery of Wentz. Part of it was his playing at a lower division of college football rather than a top-rated school. Part of it was the lack of college starts.
1. Wentz was behind a quarterback named Brock Jensen for three years. First, Wentz was a redshirt. Then he was a backup to Jensen.
2. North Dakota State won three national titles with Jensen, but he wasn't drafted. He was signed and cut by the Miami Dolphins. He played four games in Canada in 2016.
3. Wentz started all 16 games as a junior. But he made only seven starts as a senior, missing the rest because of a broken wrist.
4. It's fair to ask, "Why didn't Trubisky beat out Marquise Williams?" But it's fair to ask, "Why didn't Wentz beat out Brock Jensen?" The coaches were sticking with known commodities.
5. In 2015, Williams led North Carolina to an 11-3 record and was 8-0 in the ACC. In 2016, North Carolina was 8-5 with Trubisky, 5-3 in the ACC.
6. North Dakota State won five consecutive FCS national titles, three with Jensen and two with Wentz. So it was hard to know if the success had to do with Wentz being in a powerhouse system, or was it more?
7. This is not to turn Wentz into a star. In his first four starts for Philadelphia, he threw five TD passes without an interception. In the next 12 games, it was 11 TD passes compared to 14 interceptions. He fumbled nine times.
8. Overall, Wentz was the 25th-ranked QB in the league. So questions remain about how he will perform long-term, but certainly he showed potential while starting all 16 games as a rookie.
9. Wentz is part of the reason why Trubisky will probably be picked in the top three. The Browns/49ers/Bears all need a quarterback. A lot of NFL people wonder if Deshaun Watson can adapt to the pro game, despite all his success at Clemson. Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer has a lot of raw talent, but seems very inconsistent.
10. If Trubisky is the top quarterback picked, he can thank Wentz, who is causing several teams to reconsider how they view quarterbacks in the draft.
ABOUT DAVID LEE
The Browns hired David Lee as quarterback coach, a job he had for nine years with four NFL teams. He was a long-time QB coach and offensive coordinator for several major college programs.
He has a lot of experience, and Hue Jackson needs that. While Jackson will call the plays again, Lee can run meetings for the offense and help Jackson with the quarterbacks. He takes over for Pep Hamilton, who left the Browns for a similar job with the University of Michigan.
Lee spent the last two years with Buffalo, and was let go when head coach Rex Ryan was fired. Which brings us to Tyrod Taylor, the Bills quarterback who probably will become a free agent. Taylor is due $30 million on his contract, and it's doubtful the Bills will pick up that option. He will then become a free agent.
I'm told Taylor is interested in going somewhere he can start. The Browns have to look at him closely. Lee brings an intimate coaching knowledge of Taylor, who was 12-12 as a starter for Buffalo.
I hear Lee likes Taylor. But don't automatically assume hiring Lee means Taylor is coming to Cleveland. Lee is considered an experienced QB coach who works on mechanics.
ABOUT THE BROWNS
1. David Lee is 63 years old. New offensive line coach Bob Wylie will be 66 on Feb. 16. New defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is 58.
2. What's the point of listing ages? It indicates Jackson is surrounding himself with very experienced coaches. He knows the team will be very young -- again. Last season, the Browns had more rookies taking snaps than any NFL team since 2012. He wants veterans to help him coach the kids.
3. Wylie was with Jackson in Oakland. He did not work with Lee or Williams. Jackson hired them as "best available." It was not the buddy system.
4. Remember, it's not easy to convince assistants to come to Cleveland -- or Buffalo -- or anywhere else that loses often and continually fires coaches. The reason Williams came is some teams didn't want to touch him because of the "Bounty-gate" scandal. That was a break for the Browns because he is an impact defensive coach.
5. Lee interviewed with Jackson at the Senior Bowl. Greg Seamon was the interim quarterbacks coach, but I never thought Seamon would keep the job. He's a good tight ends coach with a strong background in scouting. He was a Bengals scout from 2003-15. Before that, he had been an offensive coordinator at four other schools, including Akron (1991-94).
6. Jackson knows whatever the Browns do about a quarterback, coaching will be critical, whether it's Jimmy Garoppolo (two pro starts) or Taylor (24) or a rookie. There's still Cody Kessler (eight).
7. They still have Robert Griffin III on the roster, but I doubt he'll be the starter. Maybe I'm projecting my opinion onto the Browns, but I know the team was very concerned about Griffin's injury issues last season. I doubt that has changed.
