"If we trade Ramon Sessions, I will officially give up on this organization. He has the highest PER on our team and has averaged 19.6 ppg and 8.9 assists a game in the month of February, which covers 8 games. He is clearly the future at point guard and doesn't cost a whole lot for this year. As far as I am concerned, he should be untouchable if this organization really wants to win." - drewpickles

View full sizePhoto by Mike Ehrmann | Getty ImagesRamon Sessions.

In response to the story Talking Cavaliers trade options and Indians spring training - WFNY Podcast, cleveland.com reader drewpickles thinks it would be a mistake to trade Ramon Sessions. This reader writes,

"If we trade Ramon Sessions, I will officially give up on this organization. He has the highest PER on our team and has averaged 19.6 ppg and 8.9 assists a game in the month of February, which covers 8 games. He is clearly the future at point guard and doesn't cost a whole lot for this year. As far as I am concerned, he should be untouchable if this organization really wants to win."

"Finally, something to look forward to. The arms mentioned in the story could be lethal - if they stay healthy and on track. Too bad there is no fast forward for these guys. I'll just have to be patient." - durhamlou

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerAlex White is one of the Indians' young power arms on the horizon.

In response to the story The 'next wave' splashes in front of Manny Acta: Cleveland Indians spring training briefing, cleveland.com reader durhamlou is trying to stay patient with the young arms. This reader writes,

"Finally, something to look forward to. The arms mentioned in the story could be lethal - if they stay healthy and on track. Too bad there is no fast forward for these guys. I'll just have to be patient."

Gray is best known around Cleveland for being the "host" of LeBron James infamous "The Decision." Gray tried to interview Johnson during a round - poor judgement - to ask about penalty assessed to Johnson.

LOS ANGELES, California -- The Golf Channel removed Jim Gray from its coverage of the Northern Trust Open on Friday for his handling of Dustin Johnson's penalty for nearly missing his tee time.

Johnson's caddie, Bobby Brown, had the wrong tee time for the opening round, leading to a two-stroke penalty.

Brown said Gray approached Johnson on his way to the 14th tee to ask him why he was late to the tee. As Johnson was signing his card, Brown told Gray that the middle of the round was not the time to be asking such a question.

"Our aim is to provide the best possible golf coverage for our viewers. Anything else is a disservice," Golf Channel spokesman Dan Higgins said in a statement. "In order not to provide further distraction, we've decided to remove Jim from this particular assignment.

The Golf Channel said Gray's future would be an internal matter that is discussed at an appropriate time.

It was the second time in the last six months that Gray has become the subject of controversy for The Golf Channel.

He got into a finger-pointing argument with Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin in the press room of the PGA Championship. Gray had reported that Pavin told him Tiger Woods was going to be a captain's pick, and Pavin denied saying it.

Pavin said Gray told him he was a "liar" during the argument. The Golf Channel said at the PGA that it stood 100 percent behind the accuracy of Gray's reporting.

Johnson nearly was disqualified Thursday. His caddie mixed up the starting time, thinking they teed off at 8:12 a.m. instead of 7:32 a.m., and they were on the practice range when they were announced on the tee. That's a two-shot penalty, and Johnson then had five minutes to get to the tee box to avoid disqualification. He made it by just under 10 seconds.

According to Brown and Steve Stricker, who was in Johnson's group, Gray was waiting on Johnson during the long walk from the 13th green to the 14th tee.

Gray later reported Johnson said he was misinformed on the tee time.

After the round, Brown took the blame for the mistake and then turned his frustration toward Gray while Johnson was signing his card for a 2-over 73. Gray walked up on the conversation and Brown said to him, "Dude, you can't come up like that in the middle of the round. It had taken us 13 holes to get over that, and then you bring it up again."

Gray was composed in debating the incident with Brown.

Johnson did not mention Gray during a brief interview with The Associated Press in the parking lot Thursday afternoon, but Stricker was visibly angry when discussing it after his round, and several other caddies were outraged when they heard about it.

The PGA Tour was not involved in the Golf Channel's decision to remove Gray, spokesman Ty Votaw said.

Reportedly, interest around NBA has grown in the guard, 24, as trade deadline nears. Meanwhile, Sessions' potential is of value to the Cavs, too.

Scott Shaw, The Plain DealerRamon Sessions (center) getting to the basket for the Cavaliers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The NBA non-waiver trade deadline is next Thursday, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are among the teams rumored to be active in trade talks.

It's assumed that none of the Cavaliers are in the "untouchable" category. Maybe the closest to such status is center-forward Anderson Varejao, whom many consider the Cavs' best player and -- more significantly in terms of tradability -- out for the season after ankle surgery.

One of the few Cavaliers who has played well during recent weeks is 6-3 guard Ramon Sessions, 24, and in his fourth NBA season.

Jason Lloyd writes for the Akron Beacon Journal:  

Interest in point guard Ramon Sessions is building throughout the league, but that doesn't mean the Cavaliers are necessarily interested in moving him.

As trade rumors heat up around the All-Star break, the New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers and Atlanta Hawks have all recently expressed interest in Sessions, according to two league sources. Nothing seems imminent on the Cavs' end, however.

Sessions, who is vacationing in Jamaica over the All-Star break, has flourished in recent weeks while starting in place of the injured Mo Williams. Over the last month, he is averaging 16.3 points and 7.6 assists in his last 16 games. Williams missed most of those with a hip injury.

Sessions is averaging 19.6 points, 8.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds and two steals in 35.6 minutes played over the last eight games. He has made 59 percent of his field goal attempts and 89 percent of his free throws, and committed an acceptable 2.5 turnovers per game. 

In the Cavs' improbable 104-99 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night, Sessions scored 32 points and delivered eight assists. For the second time in the eight-game span, he was 13-of-14 at the foul line.

Sessions has never played on a winning NBA team. The curiosity is how much he could improve his all-around game and thus be a key component of a playoff-caliber team. We do know this: The Cavs have had few players who can get to the basket as Sessions can. 

Jason Lloyd writes:

All of those performances have increased his stock around the league, but the Cavs would want at least a young impact player on a good contract, a first-round pick or both in exchange.

Sessions has two years left on his contract beyond this season, at somewhat more than $4 million per year. Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto wrote last July 28 that acquiring Sessions from the Minnesota Timberwolves could turn into a good deal for the Cavaliers.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes Mary Schmitt Boyer's Cavaliers Insider; Terry Pluto's column on the Cavs getting rewarded for playing defense; Mike Peticca's report on Don Delaney, the former Cavaliers coach and general manager who died at age 75 on Wednesday.

Post-ups

The Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls are interested in Cavaliers guard Anthony Parker, writes Marc Stein for ESPN.com.

Cavaliers notes, highlighting forward Christian Eyenga, by Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Cavs guard Daniel Gibson's spot in the All-Star Weekend's 3-point shooting contest recalls his 2008 All-Star Weekend; and, a Q&A with Gibson. On nba.com/cavaliers.

The trade deadline approaches, by Sam Amico for FOXSportsOhio.com.

How the Cavaliers could get involved in a multi-team trade featuring Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, by Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.

A Cavaliers team report on USAToday.com.

Links to reports on Carlos Santana, Jason Donald, minor league prospects, etc.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerThe Indians' Carlos Santana is considered one of baseball's best young catchers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians' pitchers and catchers officially reported to spring training in Goodyear, Arizona on Thursday.

The full squad is scheduled to be in camp on Sunday.

Most position players, though, are already at the Indians facility, trying to get any edge they can to win a starting job or big league roster spot, or trying to make an impression before being separated from the major leaguers and designated a minor leaguer, at least for now.

The primary factor for the organized chaos is that the Indians have fewer established big league veterans than do most clubs.

Opportunity beckons for players such as Jason Donald. The right-handed hitter, a shortstop by trade, had a solid rookie season with the Indians in 2010. While Asdrubal Cabrera has the Tribe's shortstop spot locked up, Donald could be in the mix at second or third base.

Jordan Bastian of MLB.com writes about Donald's status with the Indians:

Entering Spring Training, Donald was viewed as an option for second base, and he still could see time at that position this year. Right now, though, recently signed veteran Orlando Cabrera is the front-runner to land the starting job at second. That's fine with Donald.

"Orlando coming here, that's a huge addition for us," he said.

Donald said the biggest challenge at third base is getting used to the different angles and spin baseballs take off the bat. He will concentrate his workouts on third throughout the spring, but Donald has been told that he will also see action at second and short.

"Whatever's put in front of me," Donald said, "I want to take it full steam ahead."

Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes and photographer Chuck Crow are at spring training in Goodyear, Arizona with the Indians. Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage includesl Hoynes' spring training briefing; his Cleveland Indians Insider; his story on the Indians' starting pitching. 

Full counts

A story on Indians left-handed pitcher David Huff, by Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Indians catcher Carlos Santana is among baseball's young stars to watch, by Ben Reiter for Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

Indians first baseman Matt LaPorta has moved from the big-time prospect to the "time to produce" category. On Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

Indians notes, beginning with veteran infielder Orlando Cabrera, by Jim Ingraham for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

An Indians organizational depth chart on Indians Prospect Insider.

Indians Prospect Insider continues its countdown of the Indians top 50 prospects. Tony Lastoria writes about No. 28, outfielder Tyler Holt; No. 29, right-handed pitcher Corey Kluber; No. 30, left-handed pitcher Scott Barnes; No. 31, right-handed pitcher Zach McAllister.

Ohio.com lists the spring training games that will be televised by SportsTime Ohio. 

A story on Carlos Santana by Jordan Bastian for MLB.com.

If there's one constant in Hickson's basketball career, it's that his grandmother, Marie Myers, has always been there. Watch video

"I couldn't watch," said Myers, whose grandson, J.J. Hickson, had a super game Feb. 11 as the Cavaliers eventually beat the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime, 126-119, to end their losing streak at 26 games -- keeping the Cavs tied with the 1976-77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the unwanted record. "I kept asking God if we were going to win."

Hickson, who had 27 points and 14 rebounds that night, didn't have to look into the stands to see if Myers was there. If there's one constant in Hickson's basketball career, it's that his grandmother has always been there.

"My grandmother is my biggest fan," he said. "I knew she was up there in the stands supporting me. She always has my back."

Hickson, 22, owes his NBA success and growth as a man to his relationship with his 63-year-old grandmother. Despite the Cavs' disappointing season, Hickson always has a place of refuge. Myers moved to an east-side suburb of Cleveland shortly after Hickson was drafted.

"After every game, she never talks about the negatives," Hickson said of his grandmother. "She tells me to keep my head up. When I visit, I can always find peace over at her house. I even have my own room. When I go over there, it sort of brings back memories."

Those memories are not always pleasant.

Dealing with sorrow

Myers' daughter Keena, Hickson's mother, died of kidney failure when Hickson was in the seventh grade. Three years earlier, Myers' oldest daughter, Karen, died of a brain aneurysm, leaving her daughter, Altovice, with Keena. Keena's death left the two children in the hands of their grandmother. She became their caretaker.

View full sizePDThe Cavaliers' J.J. Hickson at The Q with his "biggest fan," grandmother Marie Myers.

Not only did she raise them alone, she also had to care for a granddaughter with sickle cell anemia. Altovice and Hickson moved from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Atlanta to live with Myers. Hickson's father did not have a good relationship with the mother of his child, nor with his son.

"Here I was working fulltime and taking care of Altovice and J.J.," Myers said. "And Altovice would go into crises a lot. She would go get treatments [at a hospital]. It was bittersweet. I had to sit with her because she wasn't old enough to stay by herself. I'd stay all night and go to work in the morning. I don't know how I did it, but God will equip you to do what you have to do."

Altovice, six years older than Hickson, died in 2004 from complications of her disease.

Now, Myers had to deal with another family death. This latest loss drew her and Hickson closer.

About that time, Myers began to realize her grandson had a chance to become a good basketball player. As a high school sophomore, he was nearly 6-foot-6, and his promise was as large as he was.

His fortunes on the court were left in coaches' hands, but Myers was in charge off the court. Standing 6-3, she had no difficulty letting coaches know exactly who ran Hickson's life, a lesson AAU coach Desmond Eastman found out the hard way.

In a seemingly innocent gesture, Eastman called Myers' home and invited Hickson to go to an Atlanta Hawks game. Hickson said yes.

"My phone rang back three minutes later," Eastman said. "J.J.'s grandmother was on the other end of the line."

She scolded Eastman about inviting J.J. anywhere before getting her permission.

"She said J.J. doesn't run her house, and I should have checked with her first," Eastman said. "She says, 'When you get here, you come see me first.' "

View full sizePD fileMarie Myers wipes tears from Shaquille Young's face as they warn students about the consequences of violence at St. Ignatius High School in April.

Grandparents raising grandchildren common

Marie Myers, like many grandparents, did not expect to become a full-time caregiver when she was put into the position to raise her grandson, Cavaliers forward J.J. Hickson, after his mother's death.

Myers' life parallels the plight of many in Cleveland and across the country as grandparents have increasingly become parents to their grandchildren. Rising divorce rates, child abuse, child abandonment, teenage pregnancy, death, incarceration and parental substance abuse are just some of the factors linked to this trend.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau, 6.4 million grandparents had grandchildren younger than 18 living with them in 2008. In Cuyahoga County, more than 12,000 grandparents are raising grandchildren.

Several organizations across the country and locally provide information and other forms of assistance to grandparents who find themselves as caregivers once again.

Myers is involved in several organizations as a volunteer. She helped raise more than $78,000 for Cleveland's Ronald McDonald House Charities, an organization that assists in the well-being of children. Myers also has been nominated for an award this summer in Washington, D.C. from Generations United, an organization that provides resources to help children and older people.

What Myers does is nothing new to her grandson.

"I remember her telling me stories about how her mother and grandmother would invite people to their house with open arms," Hickson said. "Whoever needed a meal could come to their house and get something to eat. From her speaking to kids and getting involved with the community is because of her upbringing."

Myers is also a public speaker. She has spoken at several different venues locally on a variety of topics that all deal with youth. A book on Myers' experiences, "Tragedy to Triumph" will debut this summer.

"It's important to give back, reach down and mentor someone else," Myers said. "It's always good to help someone else because people helped me."

— Branson Wright

---

Where to find help

Intergenerational relationships can be challenging, and several organiza tions are available for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren:

Generations United

1331 H Street NW, Suite 900

Washington, D.C. 20005

202-289-3979

gu.org

Fairhill Partners

12200 Fairhill Road

Cleveland, Ohio 44120

216-421-1350

fairhillpartners.org

Lakewood Grandparents

Raising Grandchildren

13616 Madison Ave.

Lakewood, Ohio 44107

216-529-6870

St. Martin de Porres Center

1264 E. 123rd St.

Cleveland, Ohio 44108

216-268-3909

Grandparent Group

East Park Recreation Center

1101 Prospect Street

Elyria, Ohio 44035

440-322-3028

Respite for Grandparents

Catholic Charities Services

of Lorain County

440-244-9915

As he came to pick up Hickson, Myers was waiting.

"She answers the door, looks me up and down, and J.J. is standing behind her looking like a little puppy," he said. The hang-dog look disappeared once he was given permission to go.

Growing up tough

Myers grew up tough in Augusta, Ga., the daughter of a moonshiner. She remembers being 5 years old and selling the elixir with her daddy. Later, her father taught her how to ride a motorcycle.

"He was my hero," Myers said. "I took on his personality of being strong and tough."

With that inbred toughness, Myers didn't let coaches -- or her grandson -- overstep their bounds. When Hickson strayed from doing his homework or acted like the class clown, Myers was there . . . literally.

"Whenever his grades were down, I'd go to his school," Myers said. "Once in the ninth grade, I came to the school and looked through the window of the classroom door. And he was in there talking to one of the students. I opened the door. He looked at me surprised, and I said, 'Yes, I'm here.' He was embarrassed."

Years later, Hickson relived that moment while in a theater watching the movie "Glory Road." One scene in the film showed a player's mother sitting in the classroom to the embarrassment of her son.

"When I saw that, I was like, 'There goes my grandmother,' " Hickson said. "When my grandmother came to my class, I was in shock, and I had to deal with my classmates teasing me about it."

Hickson had to deal with several so-called embarrassing moments during high school, such as the time he decided to join his friends on a street corner that had a bad reputation. He enjoyed hanging out there with his friends, although his hanging out came to a screeching halt whenever his grandmother arrived. Myers would drive up, order a contrite Hickson into the car and leave his friends, stunned, in her rearview mirror.

Myers demanded Hickson live by her strict rules, and he learned that disobedience came with a price. Once, Hickson didn't wash the dishes, a part of his daily chores, and he became angry at his grandmother when she scolded him. Hickson walked off in a huff, slamming the door to his bedroom in protest.

His grandmother's response?

"She took my door off the hinges," said Hickson, who smiles about the memory. "I couldn't have any privacy. My door was off the hinges for a week. She said, 'You want to slam doors? See if you can slam the door now.' "

One day late in Hickson's senior year, Myers would have loved the sound of a door slam followed by Hickson walking into the house. But on this night, Hickson, one of the best high school players in country, stayed out all night at a house party.

"I was sick to my stomach," Myers said. "J.J. had never stayed out all night before. At about 5 that morning, I called my pastor. He prayed with me for about 20 minutes, and here comes J.J. through the door. I ran to J.J. I kissed him, touched his face and looked under his shirt for bruises. He said, 'Grandma, I'm OK.' Then I went off [yelling] on him. It scared him to death. I told him not to ever do that again."

And he didn't.

The enforcer

Hickson did not always agree with his grandmother's methods, but he appreciates them now. It's similar to how some players feel about their coaches.

"But my grandmother was more like an enforcer than a coach," Hickson said. "She often does it in a kind way, but she's strictly business. She's a big believer in tough love. That tough love helped me to become the man I am today."

Following graduation at Wheeler High School outside of Atlanta -- he averaged 25.9 points and 13.8 rebounds per game -- Hickson enrolled at North Carolina State on a basketball scholarship. He didn't travel to N.C. State alone.

"I moved to North Carolina because I knew J.J.," said Myers, who worked a security job that year. "I knew if I didn't push him in certain areas, he wasn't going to do it."

As usual, Myers was right about her grandson. Hickson, in his one year at N.C. State, needed an occasional push from his grandmother. If Hickson's studies were not up to par, all Myers had to do was threaten a classroom visit, and Hickson would refocus. If Hickson dropped the ball, Myers was there to pick it up.

Early that school year, the North Carolina State coaches could not locate Hickson for several hours. Hickson didn't answer his cell phone. Once Myers was notified by coach Sidney Lowe, she started her search. She came to the campus, and after questioning several students, she figured out her grandson's whereabouts.

"I was told J.J. was at nearby [St. Augustine's College]," Myers said. "I drove up to the gate of that school, and one of the security guards wasn't going to allow me in. One of the other security guards could see I was determined, so they let me in."

Once in, and after speaking with several students on campus, Myers found Hickson -- in the campus gym.

"I walked into the gym, and J.J. looked at me, and his eyes got wide," Myers said. "He turned away and looked at me again and said, 'Oh my gosh.' I asked him why was he here with everyone looking for him. He didn't have an answer. If J.J. got out of line or didn't do what he was supposed to do, I'd take his car. He was too big for me to spank, so I'd take something away that he liked."

Cavs didn't hesitate

Myers, however, couldn't take away Hickson's desire to turn pro after one season, in which he was named honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference. Myers wanted him to remain in school for at least two years and wrestled with the issue, until she found the answer in prayer.

"I really prayed about his decision -- I want J.J. to graduate from college," Myers said. "I'll ask him from time to time about going back to school, and he'll just look at me funny. He's only 22, so he'll always have time to go back to school. I'm praying that he will."

Despite only one year in college, the Cavaliers didn't hesitate when they selected Hickson 19th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft. His background was an asset.

"The Cavaliers knew J.J.'s grandmother was going to move to Cleveland and live with him, and they liked that," Eastman said. "It wasn't talent alone that made the Cavaliers draft J.J. . . . They knew they were getting a good kid."

Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson said it's a plus to have someone in your corner at this level, especially for a young player.

"Guys who just want to hang around to enjoy the ride isn't good for you," Gibson said. "You need people that are here to help and support you, because coming into the NBA, you're excited about being here, but you're also nervous. So I'm sure J.J.'s grandmother had enough experiences to help ground him and let him know that everything's going to be all right."

Hickson's time on the court wasn't consistent until this season. He's averaging 12.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Maybe Hickson, now in his third season, is moving into a more confident position as a player. Off the court, maybe the time has come where he and his grandmother can create more distance between themselves.

Hickson, who has lived with his grandmother since he was 13, said that kind of space is hard to imagine.

"We've lived together for so long," he said. "I have a ton of love for her. She's the only lady in my life right now. She said once I get married, she'll let me go, but I don't believe that."

AKRON, Ohio — A game plan is only as good as its execution. Firestone's game plan for Friday's City Series championship boys basketball game with Buchtel was solid. Execution is where the Falcons faltered.

Firestone's Darius Carter gets a dunk over Buchtel's Shawntrail Smith during the second half Friday at Firestone High School in Akron. - (Karen Schiely l Akron Beacon Journal)

AKRON, Ohio — A game plan is only as good as its execution.

Firestone's game plan for Friday's City Series championship boys basketball game with Buchtel was solid. Execution is where the Falcons faltered.

Buchtel probably had something to do with that and the Griffins came from behind to win the school's second straight league title with a 63-53 victory at Firestone.

In winning the school's sixth City Series playoff championship in the past eight years, the Griffins accomplished step one in their four-step program.

"We want four trophies, and this is the first," said Buchtel coach Steve White, whose team is ranked third in the statewide Division II poll, fifth in The Plain Dealer Top 25 and seeded first in the Division II sectional at Stow. "City, district, regional, state. That's our goal."

Buchtel will have to play better than it did in the first half Friday if the Griffins expect to fulfill that goal. Firestone dictated the tempo by controlling the defensive glass and preventing the Griffins (17-2, 13-0) from using their full-court press.

"They had a great game plan," White said of Firestone coach Joe Wojcik and his staff. "You have to give them credit. They did a great job of controlling the pace."

With City Series player of the year Darius Carter scoring seven of his 10 points and getting eight of his game-high 14 rebounds, the Falcons built an early 13-6 lead and had a 36-28 lead early in the third quarter following an acrobatic drive to the basket by sophomore Kevin Gladney, who finished with eight points and six rebounds.

Firestone (11-7, 8-5) led, 36-31, with a little more than three minutes to go in the third quarter when the Griffins came alive, sparked by back-to-back 3-pointers by seniors Marlon Oden and Jazel Garrett, and a follow-up steal and layup by Oden, who finished with eight points.

After taking a 41-40 lead, the Griffins were able to get the pace more to their liking. They outscored the Falcons, 12-4, over the next 2:40 to take a 53-44 lead into the fourth quarter.

"That killed us," said Wojcik, whose team is seeded third in the Division I sectional at Copley. "We didn't do a good job of taking care of the basketball at that point. The first half was more to our pace. In the third quarter we started turning it over and we got flustered. But, they're a good team. They are quick and athletic."

Garrett led all scorers with 18 points, getting 11 in the second half, including two of four free throws to keep the Falcons at bay in the final minute.

"I had to get more involved in the second half," said Garrett, who also had nine assists. "I had to become more of a leader. I thought our press hurt them. Our press is an in-your-face press. We can throw so many bodies at you that we stay in your face. The other teams get tired and we're still fresh and in their face."

Garrett was backed by Shawntrail Smith (14 points, 12 rebounds, seven blocked shots) and sophomore Elijah Bell (11 points, six rebounds).

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: trogers@plaind.com, 216-999-5169

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Macie McNichols knew that swimming in high school was going to be different. But the Gilmour Academy freshman wanted to make a difference for the Lancers. She did her part by winning the 50-yard freestyle on Friday at the Division II Northeast District meet at Cleveland State's Busbey Natatorium. Swimming against senior Jordan Moxley, the defending...

Hawken's Sarah Koucheki is on her way to a first-place finish in the girls 100-yard butterfly during the Division II district meet Friday at Cleveland State University. - (Joshua Gunter / PD)

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Macie McNichols knew that swimming in high school was going to be different. But the Gilmour Academy freshman wanted to make a difference for the Lancers.

She did her part by winning the 50-yard freestyle on Friday at the Division II Northeast District meet at Cleveland State's Busbey Natatorium. Swimming against senior Jordan Moxley, the defending district champion from Cortland Maplewood, McNichols got the nod with a clocking of 23.94 seconds. Moxley was next at 24.02.

"Back in August, I was completely freaked out about high school," said McNichols, 14. "Jordan is just a great swimmer and never in a million years did I expect to win, not back in August. It's the first time I broke 24 [seconds]. Jordan really pushed me. I'm still shaking."

McNichols has the entire week to calm down as she prepares for the state meet in Canton next Thursday and Friday. She also qualified in the 100 free by placing third.

When it came to team competition, nearly all of the events on both the boys and girls sides were for the state qualifying finishes of second and third. As expected, the University School boys and the Hawken School girls did their district thing in dominating fashion once again.

The two-time champion Preppers, who have not lost a relay all season, won all three of those races and seven of the eight individual events. University finished with 540 team points, Chagrin Falls was second at 228.5 and Hawken third at 208.5.

University senior Mike Gaudiani won the 200 and 500 frees, junior Nicholas Crane took the 200 individual medley, junior Russell Stack the 100 free, and junior Kevin Stang the 100 backstroke.

Preppers senior Andrew Malone was untouchable as he won the 50 free with a Division II district and state record time of 20.55. He also broke his own district mark as he clocked a 55.77 in the 100 breaststroke. "We did it at all levels," said University coach Brian Perry. "We might have as many as 14 guys qualifying."

In the only race the Preppers did not win, Chagrin Falls junior Davis Staley edged University's Stack in the 100-yard butterfly, clocking a 51.34 to Stack's 51.55.

"Our races have always been close," said Staley, who won the event last year after moving here from Fort Collins, Colo.

"Whenever I race Russell, I always get psyched. We'll see how it goes at state. I'm really looking forward to it."

The Hawken girls are looking forward to their trip to Canton as well. The Hawks can tie the St. Edward wrestling team for the most consecutive state titles by notching No. 13.

The Hawks won their three relays and six of the eight individual races. They finished with 469 points. Orange was next at 209 and Revere third with 176.

Junior Morgan Cohara won the 100 and 200 frees. Sophomore Sarah Koucheki took the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly, breaking her own district mark with a clocking of 56.05. Sophomore Carrie Bencic won the 500 free and sophomore Marissa Cominelli triumphed in the 100 backstroke, breaking the district and state times with a 55.52.

"It was a very good meet for both our boys and girls," said veteran Hawken coach Jerry Holtrey. "Some of our better girls did not shave down, so we're hoping for even better results next weekend. When they are happy, I'm happy."

Walsh Jesuit sophomore Danielle Margheret repeated as champion in the 100 breaststroke, establishing a district mark with a time of 1:04.98. Walsh teammate Brittany Geyer was second in that race at 1:05.51.

The Division I district meet takes place at noon today at CSU.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

LYNDHURST, Ohio — A 21-0 run happens in freshmen games. A 21-0 run happens against teams with four wins by February.

Stow’s Mike Garrison (40) gets a hand in the face of Brush’s Pharaoh Brown during the Bulldogs’ 53-44 win Friday in Lyndhurst. No foul was called. - (Thomas Ondrey l PD)

LYNDHURST, Ohio — A 21-0 run happens in freshmen games.

A 21-0 run happens against teams with four wins by February.

A 21-0 run does not happen on the road, with a league title on the line, against a highly regarded defending champion.

But it did Friday night at Brush.

Stow's shocking, 21-0 run late in the game earned the visiting Bulldogs an improbable, 53-44 boys basketball victory over Brush.

"A game on the road of this magnitude when the momentum was 180 degrees in [Brush]'s direction, that's quite a combination," Stow coach Dave Close said.

The Bulldogs (16-2, 9-0 Northeast Ohio Conference River Division) swept the season series against Brush (13-6, 7-2) and clinched their first league title in six years.

"This feels good," said Stow junior guard David Walker, whose game-ending dunk put an exclamation point on the championship. "It's been a while since Stow has won a league title, and it's nice to bring one back, especially in a tough environment at Brush against a good team. We didn't quit."

Brush, the No. 2 seed at the Euclid district in two weeks, was left grasping for answers.

"It is a tough one," Brush coach Jayson Macauda said. "You've got a chance to at least tie for a championship. We're in control and things didn't go our way."

Brush led, 37-26, with a minute remaining in the third quarter.

"Part of you wants to think, 'We're down 11 and it's just going to keep piling up,' " Stow senior Mike Garrison said. "The other half says to grind it out."

Brush didn't score again until 42 seconds remained in the game. By then, Stow led, 47-37. The Bulldogs scored more than half their points in the game's last nine minutes.

During the run, Brush missed 16 straight shots. Stow made 6 of 7 field goals (two 3-pointers) and 7 of 8 free throws.

"We went cold from the field. We went ice cold," Macauda said. "Stow was doing a nice job scoring at the other end and their defense was pretty good. They really packed it in the lane and we weren't able to hit from the outside."

Walker led all scorers with 19 points and Garrison, coming off an ankle injury, scored 12. Guard Kyle Scelza had 11.

Walker and Scelza combined to score the first 10 points of the run on jumpers, with each hitting a 3-pointer. Garrison's inside basket over 6-6 Brush junior Pharaoh Brown put Stow ahead, 38-37, its first lead since the opening minutes.

"The kids played with a lot of fire in their eyes in that stretch, which is something we needed to do," Close said.

Stow had a big night at the line, making 23 of 28 free throws. Brush was 4-of-5.

Prior to the run, Stow had 14 turnovers compared with seven field goals. It committed just three turnovers in the fourth quarter.

Brush forward Curtis Oakley Jr. scored 15 points. Brown, who scored eight points, fouled out with 3:20 remaining.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:twarsinskey@plaind.com, 216-999-4661

Last season the Indians infield was a revolving door of injuries, players changing positions and errors. Combine that with a pitching staff that lived by the ground ball and it was easy to understand the Tribe's 93 losses. This year manager Manny Acta is seeking stability from his infield.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — In baseball, stability often is at the root of good infield defense. It doesn't come with the snap of the fingers. It comes with time, nurtured by patience and fueled by talent.

The Indians had a lot of time last year -- 162 games, to be exact -- but when the season ended, their infield was more unstable than stable. They used five different first basemen, six different second basemen, five different third basemen and five different shortstops.

Indians infielders made 72 of the team's 110 errors. The 72 infield errors were the third most in the American League behind Seattle at 76 and Kansas City at 75.

Out of last year's Opening Day infield, only shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and first baseman Matt LaPorta are expected to be in this year's lineup when the season kicks off April 1. Third baseman Jhonny Peralta was traded to Detroit and second baseman Mark Grudzielanek was released.

Other infielders who won't be wearing an Indians uniform this season include Russell Branyan, Andy Marte, Angel Hernandez and Drew Sutton.

"We have to play better defense," said manager Manny Acta. "We don't have a lot of pitchers who make hitters swing and miss, so we've got to make plays behind them."

Acta believes newcomer Orlando Cabrera will help bring peace to the infield. Cabrera, a two-time Gold Glove winner at shortstop, should be the Indians' Opening Day second baseman. He's also scheduled to play short and third base.

"Orlando is going to be a big help to us whether it's at second base or wherever he plays," said Acta. "He's a polished defender and he'll make the other guys around him better."

Jayson Nix, Luis Valbuena, Jason Kipnis and Cord Phelps will compete at second base, but the job should go to Orlando Cabrera.

Asdrubal Cabrera played only 97 games last year -- 95 of them at short. He broke his left forearm in a collision with Peralta on May 17. When he returned, he wasn't 100 percent and he did not play well defensively. Still, the Indians kept him at short when they signed Orlando Cabrera to a one-year, $1 million deal early in the week.

This winter, Asdrubal Cabrera came to Goodyear early to condition after playing 27 games over the winter for Caracas in Venezuela. The Indians feel he's ready to re-establish himself at shortstop.

All that's left is a big hole at third. After Peralta was traded, the Indians tried to fill the hole with Nix, Marte and Valbuena. They made a combined 22 errors -- 11 by Nix and nine by Marte. Nix, a second baseman, had an excuse. Marte didn't.

That explains why Jason Donald will get the first shot at third this spring as Jack Hannahan, Jared Goedert, Valbuena and Phelps wait behind him. Donald would have played third last year, but the Indians felt his circuits already were overloaded after they rushed him to the big leagues to play shortstop after Asdrubal Cabrera's injury. When Cabrera returned, Donald moved to second, a position he'd been playing at Class AAA Columbus before his promotion.

The Indians felt that asking him to make another position change during a big-league season would have been unfair. Once the season ended, however, they didn't hesitate.

Donald spent two weeks this winter in San Diego working at third with Steve Smith, the Indians' infield and third base coach. He then returned home to Clovis, Calif., and worked with his father, Tom, the baseball coach at Buchanan High School.

"My dad and his coaching staff hit me a lot of ground balls," said Donald.

Lonnie Chisenhall, one of the Indians' best prospects, is a third baseman scheduled to open the year at Columbus. He could be here at midseason. He could be here in September.

Still, this is an opportunity. How many people get a chance to win a starting job in the big leagues?

Donald has good hands, a decent arm and a bat that may surprise you. Plus, he has the right attitude. "If you say, 'I'm only a shortstop' or 'I'm only a second baseman,' you're giving yourself no chance to play this position," said Donald. "I'm embracing this opportunity. I'm excited about it."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

Aaron Laffey's left shoulder is feeling much stronger than it did last season. That's a good thing because sneaking an 81 mph fastball past hitters such as Jim Thome is a dangerous way to pitch.

View full sizeChuck Crow l The Plain DealerIndians pitcher Aaron Laffey has a healthy left shoulder and is competing for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — On July 19, in a game at Target Field, left-hander Aaron Laffey struck out Jim Thome on an 81 mph pitch. It wasn't a changeup to try to fool the power-hitting Thome.

It was a fastball, the best one Laffey had.

"I was throwing as hard as I could," said Laffey. "It wasn't painful. It just wasn't there."

Laffey said the supraspinatus muscle in his rotator cuff "shut down." The supraspinatus is one of four muscles that make up the rotator cuff.

"That's why I lost eight to nine miles per hour in velocity," he said.

The Indians placed Laffey on the disabled list four days later. He rejoined the Indians on Sept. 18 as a reliever. During the winter, rest and rehab revived Laffey's shoulder.

In the past two seasons, Laffey has made 54 appearances with the Indians, including 24 starts. Bouncing between the rotation and bullpen apparently hasn't been a good thing for Laffey's shoulder.

This week, manager Manny Acta said Laffey's bouncing days are over. He'll start spring training in competition for the fifth starter's spot. If he doesn't win the job, he'll go to the bullpen.

"Wherever he ends up, that's where he's going to say," said Acta.

Laffey, 25, said he fought himself mentally last year because he couldn't find a routine that worked for the rotation and bullpen. He has a new approach this year -- just pitch.

View full sizePDChris Perez is a lock for the Indians bullpen.

"The one thing that never changes is the mound is 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate," said Laffey. "I'm just going to take the ball and pitch."

Peek at the future: There is a reason spring training is the best time of the season. One of those reasons snuck up on Acta late in Thursday's first workout for pitchers and catchers.

As the final group of pitchers took the mounds in the bullpen on the lower part of the Indians' training complex, Acta stood behind them to watch. The group included Alex White, Drew Pomeranz, Nick Hagadone and Bryce Stowell.

"It was beautiful to see those four guys," said Acta.

White and Pomeranz are the Indians' No. 1 picks from the past two years. Hagadone was acquired from Boston in the Victor Martinez trade. He was the Red Sox's No. 1 pick in 2007. Stowell last year struck out 51 batters in 42 innings at Class AA Akron and Class AAA Columbus and was clocked at 100 mph.

"That was fun," said Acta. "I don't know how they put that group together. I told our pitching coaches, 'This is our next wave.' "

In the pen: Bullpens are not something you gamble on. From one year to the next, they can go from good to bad. Acta knows that, but he still feels the Indians' pen is a team strength.

As for members with guaranteed jobs, he named closer Chris Perez and lefties Rafael Perez and Tony Sipp. Side-armer Joe Smith and right-hander Jensen Lewis have a "leg up" on two of the other spots.

That leaves two open spots.

"We have so much depth now in the bullpen that it really helps," said Acta. "It's encouraging to see Vinnie Pestano, Josh Judy, Bryce Stowell and the way Frank Herrmann came up last year.

"The main thing is keeping our big boy [Chris Perez] healthy the whole season. Then, if we have Sipp and Raffie, both durable guys, in there we'll be fine."

The Indians didn't have a sure-fire eighth-inning set-up man. Acta used Sipp, Rafael Perez and Smith depending on the situation. Acta said if a reliever emerges who shows he can handle the eighth inning, he'd welcome him. Until then, he'll stick with the current rotation.

"If it's not broken, why fix it?" he said.

Red tape: The Indians want to honor the late Hall of Famer Bob Feller by wearing a silhouette of him pitching, including his high leg kick, on the sleeve of their regular-season uniforms, but they're having trouble getting copyright permission.

Roster move: The Indians dropped right-hander Joe Martinez from the roster Friday to make room for Orlando Cabrera. Martinez was acquired for cash on Jan. 1 from Pittsburgh. He pitched with the Pirates and Giants last season.

Finally: As a manager, Acta has heard the national anthems of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Venezuela sung before games.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

Also, the Case Western Reserve men's and women's teams fall to Emory.

Givens scored 17 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for the Dragons (18-9). Drexel's Chris Fouch added 15 points, Gerald Colds scored 13, Derrick Thomas had 12 and Dartaye Ruffin 10.

The lead changed hands five times in the first half before Drexel moved ahead for good with a 16-0 run for a 38-23 advantage at the 2:08 mark of the first half. Drexel led by at least seven the entire second half.

Drexel held Kent State (17-9) to 35.9 percent shooting (23-of-64) and outrebounded the Golden Flashes, 49-39.

Carlton Guyton scored 17 points to lead Kent State, which has lost two straight since having a six-game winning streak snapped. Michael Porrini added 12 points, Justin Greene had 11 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, and Randal Holt added 11 points.

Emory 83, CWRU 64 Emory Spartans senior Reid Anderson (St. Edward) scored his 1,000th career point and teammate Austin Fowler tied a career high with 25 points, but Case (8-15, 4-8 University Athletic Association) lost to the visiting Eagles.

Women

Emory 57, CWRU 53 Erin Hollinger (Chardon) recorded her third double double of the season, but the Spartans (12-11, 6-6 University Athletic Association) fell to the visiting Eagles (10-13, 3-9). Hollinger had 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Lake Erie is 8-1-0-1 in its past 10 games and now leads the AHL's Western Conference North Division.

Lake Erie, which is 8-1-0-1 in its past 10 games, took to the ice Friday tied with the Moose, who have lost six of seven.

Lake Erie led after the first period, 2-0, on goals by Ben Walter and Justin Mercier.

The Moose got on the board at 2:34 of the second period, but Julian Talbot put the Monsters back up two with his seventh goal of the season at 14:48.

Joel Chouinard scored a power-play goal with 59 seconds left in the second to put the Monsters up, 4-1.

Matthew Ford closed out the scoring with a power-play goal at 12:13 of the third period.

Jason Bacashihua stopped 29 shots for Lake Erie (29-22-3-5).

Earlier Friday, the Colorado Avalanche recalled Monsters goalie John Grahame and forward Ryan Stoa, the team's third-leading scorer behind Mark Olver, who was recalled Tuesday and Walter, who also had an assist Friday.

Lake Erie recalled goalie Trevor Cann from Tulsa of the CHL to replace Grahame.

James is 0-3 against the Celtics this season and is questioning whether the grand team he, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh came together to create is any better than the Cavs team he left last season.

View full sizeElise Amendola l Associated PressLeBron James, center, and the Miami Heat are winless against the Boston Celtics this season.

MIAMI, Fla. — LeBron James' nightmares all seem to start in the dank and cold TD Garden in Boston.

The personality-less gym built on top of a train station and decked out in Boston Bruins colors has been where James' dreams have gone to die over the past several years of his career. Grim results in that building were part of the reason he left the Cavaliers last summer because, he apparently thought, he couldn't get past the Celtics' green monster with that team.

This weekend might be a standard James All-Star party, complete with his high-fashion and celebrity-laden dinner with Jay-Z. But last weekend was no fun at all -- that was when James had to accept the reality that his supposed coup might not pay off as fast as he and his Miami Heat teammates thought.

James was personally hit hard by the Heat's 85-82 loss to the Celtics last Sunday. First, it came with Boston significantly banged up. Injuries to the majority of their reserves left them using just seven core players, though four of them were All-Stars.

Second, the Heat arrived on a hot streak, winning eight in a row. James himself was sizzling, too, coming off back-to-back Player of the Week honors and a Player of the Month selection that had people starting to talk about him winning a third consecutive Most Valuable Player award.

But by the end of that afternoon, James was staring at an 0-3 record against the Celtics this season and questioning whether the grand team James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh came together to create was any better than the Cavs team he left last season.

"I'm upset," James said after the defeat. "I wanted to win, we all wanted to win."

James was upset indeed. His disappointment after the game was one of the most pronounced of any regular-season loss in his career and carried over until the next day in Indianapolis, where James said at a practice it was difficult to relive the experience watching game film.

"I've got the same feeling right now as I had in my third year or my fourth year when we continued to play Detroit and could not get over the hump," James said. "It took a long time for us to finally get over the hump. I've been in this position before."

James and Wade referenced their issues with the Pistons, actually. The Cavs lost to the Pistons in the playoffs in 2006 and then lost three times to them in the 2006-07 season before rallying from 0-2 down to win the '07 Eastern Conference Finals.

When the Heat won the 2006 NBA title, it came after they had lost to the Pistons in the playoffs in 2005, and they had to beat them to reach the Finals -- an experience Wade remembers well.

While that history lesson has some merit to the current situation, it is not how James and Wade planned this season to go. When they signed in Miami, taking pay cuts to make it work, it wasn't under the belief they would wait for teams such as the Celtics, Lakers and Spurs to age so it could be their time. It was with the understanding that the Heat would start winning titles instantly.

There is still a long way to go this season, and it is impossible to predict injuries or momentum swings. But right now, it seems to be a hard sell that the Heat could beat the Celtics in a playoff series, which puts James and Wade in the same position they were in a season ago when both were eliminated by Boston.

"This is classic, typical, bigger brothers; you've got to get over it," Wade said. "We've got plenty of time, it can happen in the playoffs. That's when we'd like it to happen anyway."

There are signs the Heat's big-three idea is working and is going to be a force to be dealt with in the league for a while. After struggling initially, the Heat hit the All-Star break having gone 31-7 since Dec. 1.

Combined, James, Wade and Bosh are averaging 70 points per game on nearly 50 percent shooting, easily making them the most productive and dynamic threesome in the NBA. But issues with the supporting cast -- key reserves Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem have had injury problems, and the center and point guard spots continue to be unsteady -- don't have the Heat as the favorite for anything except its division title this season.

That was not part of the thought process last summer when there was smoke and fire on the stage in July.

"We know that Boston is in our way of getting to the Finals," James said. "They're the team we're all still trying to catch."

The Ohio State freshman power forward is using his big, ol' behind to lay claim to his domain in the paint.

View full sizeJay LaPrete l Associated PressOhio State freshman Jared Sullinger, right, often is not the tallest player on the floor, but he knows how to use his big backside to get into optimum position. Here, he works against Michigan State's Derrick Nix in Tuesday's win in Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Jared Sullinger had soft hands and nimble feet, great balance and an understanding of the nuances of the game. Yet when Michael Clouse first set his eyes upon Sullinger five years ago, and he knows how this sounds, one thing stood out.

"I immediately fell in love with his butt," Clouse said.

Now as an Ohio State freshman, Sullinger has taken that part of his body and bulled his way through the Big Ten men's basketball season, not only because he has it, but because he knows how to use it.

His butt is a feature of his athleticism as much as Dallas Lauderdale's wingspan, Aaron Craft's quick feet or David Lighty's explosion. It's a unique trait that gives Sullinger an edge at what he does best -- which is to maneuver inside, whether grabbing rebounds, pinning a defender while making a post move or creating a wall so other teammates can drive to the basket.

Sullinger remembers well the main lesson he learned from Clouse.

"My butt is my best friend," Sullinger said.

A former 6-4 power forward who played professional basketball in Greece, Clouse made his living as an undersized post player, understanding that width can be as important to a player as height. At the time he met Sullinger -- the summer between his eighth- and ninth-grade years -- Sullinger was 6-2. Many of the former NBA stars whom Sullinger draws comparisons to now -- Charles Barkley, Mark Aguirre and Adrian Dantley -- were undersized inside forces forced to compensate for their lack of height with a big backside.

Sullinger has heard Barkley mentioned as a point of comparison before.

"Mostly what I hear about me and Charles is probably my butt and the ability to rebound," Sullinger said. "I just hear he had a massive butt and he was able to move people around."

Ohio State women's basketball coach Jim Foster was coaching at St. Joseph's in Philadelphia when Barkley was a rookie with the Philadelphia 76ers, and he watched Barkley practice and play over the years as they developed a friendship. Now he watches Sullinger, and he sees it, too -- again, not just the body type, but the understanding of what a weapon it can be.

Important parts

View full sizeAPConnecticut 's Kemba Walker.

Ohio State's Jared Sullinger, a freshman power forward at 6-9 and 270 pounds, is averaging 17.8 points, 10 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game for the Buckeyes. It is his butt that's the most important body part for his game. But what about the three other major national player of the year candidates? We asked the reporters who cover them:

Jimmer Fredette

BYU, senior point guard, 6-2, 195 pounds, 27.3 ppg, 4.3 apg, 3.4 rpg

Shoulders: Fredette has a very unique build for a point guard. He's hard to defend and he can get an angle on his defender because he's so broad. He was recruited by Penn State to play receiver, so he has that kind of build. He's incredibly strong in his upper body and he has the ability to fight through contact and get his shot off, and that starts with his shoulders.

-- Jason Franchuk, Provo Daily Herald, Heraldextra.com

Kemba Walker

Connecticut, junior point guard, 6-1, 172 pounds, 23.2 ppg, 4.7 apg, 5.3 rpg

Legs: Walker has been among the fastest players in the nation since the time he arrived at UConn. But now he's learned how to turn that speed on and off and identified when to pull up or change pace and direction instead of driving toward defenders in the lane as if they were bowling pins. And he's become strong enough to consistently dart toward space that allows for an open shot, then jump straight up -- or even slightly backward -- in rising for a signature pull-up. And both attributes have everything to do with his legs.

-- Mike Anthony, Hartford Courant, Courant.com

Nolan Smith

Duke, senior point guard, 6-2, 185 pounds, 21.4 ppg, 5.4 apg, 4.7 rpg

Mind: The son of the late Derek Smith, a former NBA player and coach, has physical skills. But it's Smith's sky-high basketball IQ that makes him one of the nation's top players. Smith's role always has seemed to be in flux throughout his Duke career. This season, when Kyrie Irving was injured, Smith was asked to play point guard. He dished out a career-best 10 assists the first game following Irving's injury but scored just two points. So Smith had to adjust again. Now, he leads the ACC in scoring and assists per game, something no player has ever done.

-- Steve Wiseman, Durham Herald-Sun, Heraldsun.com

---

Ohio State at Purdue

Sunday, 1 p.m., Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, Ind., WOIO Channel 19

"That's a physical attribute and that's a good one, if you know how to use it," Foster said. "He can score with either hand and go over either shoulder, and that's what made Charles Barkley. Jared isn't as explosive as Charles, but it's the same stuff around the basket."

The difference with Sullinger is that he's 6-9, so he's not making up for a disadvantage against taller players. But he's still successful at clearing room for himself, more effectively keeping defenders at bay than thinner players. And when he gets into the post, his goal isn't to get up, but to spread out.

"It's always big with me that the low man wins," Sullinger said. "If you get low, you're going to win the battle in the post, so get low and keep fighting."

At his best, when Sullinger gets low, he uses his butt as a scouting mechanism. Lately, Wisconsin and Michigan State found success pushing Sullinger out of his comfort zone and forcing him to catch the ball farther away from the basket, where he's less effective.

Clouse said he always told Sullinger that his ideal post move came with no dribbles, or with one the maximum. Two dribbles or more, and he wasn't where he needed to be to begin with. OSU coach Thad Matta said he talked to Sullinger about that this week as the Buckeyes get ready to play at Purdue on Sunday.

"I think he's got to work on getting a little bit deeper," Matta said. "He's got to work a little harder in that regard."

When he does get in there, opponents have called him unstoppable, and that's when Sullinger and his butt get to work. His father, Satch Sullinger, who coached him at Northland High School in Columbus, said the key is the "bump, bump." His back to the basket, the first bump with the butt is to knock the defender off balance and to clear space, and the second bump is to gauge where the defender has shifted his weight, telling Jared Sullinger which way to make his move.

"Like my dad said, my butt has sensors, and it's kind of funny, because it's true," Sullinger said. "If I feel you on my right, I'm going to my left. If I feel you on my left, I'm going to my right. You can pick and choose what angle you want to go at."

That's where all the rest of Sullinger's skills come into play: the footwork his father taught him, his balance and body control that allow him to slide to the basket or between defenders as smoothly as a much smaller man.

"He'd have been an unbelievable left tackle," said Dave Richardson, OSU basketball strength and conditioning coach. "We talk about tackles having great feet, and he could punch and move his feet like you wouldn't believe."

But Richardson knows where Sullinger's power lies -- with that "big surface area," as he called it. Even while getting Sullinger into shape for the Big Ten season, he didn't want Sullinger to lose what got him this far. Sullinger

reported last summer at 292 pounds, but after a round of workouts, he was under 270 pounds by the start of the season. He has gained a few pounds back during the season, which Richardson said is unusual, but the goal is to have Sullinger's upper body match his lower body. The way Richardson wants to do that is by adding to his upper body, not by taking away from his lower body.

"He's increased his upper body, so he doesn't look like a pear anymore," Richardson said. "But you don't see a lot of guys with his body style. We didn't want him losing too much, then not having the same ability to wedge in and put his backside on somebody and score off angles and create space. He's got a big ole round thing back there."

Sullinger said his mother, Barbara, has told him that he can say it came from her. If he was a guard or wing player, his father said it might be an issue, but for the kind of player his son has proven himself to be -- a savvy, disciplined, multi-dimensional post presence -- the butt really has been his best friend.

"In middle school, my shorts were too small," Sullinger said. "That was about the only time I didn't like my butt."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dlesmerises@plaind.com, 216-999-4479

The Buckeyes peaked in 1945 by clinching the Negro American League title and beating the Homestead Grays.

View full sizePD file

As part of Black History Month, we remember League Park, the cradle of Cleveland baseball, including professional Negro League teams back when the sport was segregated.

One of the most notable of these teams -- among a roster that once included the Cleveland Browns, Elites, Hornets, Cubs, Stars, Bears and Giants -- was the Cleveland Buckeyes, who played in two Negro World Series, winning one.

The Buckeyes coped with the challenges of the peculiarly rectangular, 21,000-seat stadium at Lexington Avenue and East 66th Street, which opened in 1891 and was mostly demolished in 1951. Those challenges included a right-field line ending at a 60-foot-tall fence (23 feet taller than Boston's famed "Green Monster").

The Buckeyes peaked in 1945 by clinching the Negro American League title and beating the Homestead Grays, winners of nine straight Negro National League titles, 4-0, in the World Series. The first two games of the series were played at League Park.

The Buckeyes couldn't repeat the magic in their second World Series appearance, in 1947. By then, Jackie Robinson had broken Major League Baseball's color barrier. Others soon followed, leading to the end of the Negro Leagues.

Some 11 former Buckeyes would continue to make their mark in baseball history as members of major league teams.

-- Brian Albrecht

Talk sports today from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Digital Sports Network, cleveland.com's online sports station featuring live streaming video and audio.

Get live sports talk now at cleveland.com/dsn

The annual debate about which player the Browns should draft is on. What do you think? Receiver, front seven or something else?

We'll talk about those topics - plus college hoops  and more - all day on Digital Sports Network, cleveland.com's online sports station featuring live streaming video and audio.

Today's lineup on Digital Sports Network:

Flotsam and Jetsam: Greg Kozarik, 10 a.m.-noon

Dugout Sports Show: Glenn Moore, noon-3 p.m.


  

Collective bargaining agreement expires March 3. Players believe owners are ready to lock them out as soon as the following day, if new contract isn't yet agreed to.

Associated PressThe NFL and its players union are hoping federal mediator George Cohen (photo) can help the sides reach a new labor agreement.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The NFL and its players' union met for the second consecutive day in front of a federal mediator Saturday, an attempt to get negotiations going with less than two weeks until their labor contract expires.

Representatives of both sides were present, along with George Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, a U.S. government agency.

The league and union met with Cohen for the first time Friday in a session that lasted about six hours. Cohen announced Thursday the groups agreed to the mediation, which is not binding but is meant as a way to initiate progress in the slow and sometimes contentious bargaining.

The plan calls for several days of negotiations with Cohen present.

NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith declined to comment on his way into Saturday's meeting. He was one of about a dozen members of the union's team seen by The Associated Press as they entered the building between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., a larger contingent than appeared a day earlier.

Others representing the union Saturday included NFLPA lawyers Jeff Kessler and Richard Berthelsen — who also would not take questions because of Cohen's request that there be no public comment — along with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch and former players Pete Kendall and Sean Morey.

Two NFL spokesmen would not comment as they left the building.

The current collective bargaining agreement runs out at the end of the day March 3. The players believe that team owners are preparing to lock them out as soon as the following day, which could threaten the 2011 season.

News of the start of mediation could be a positive sign after several months of infrequent negotiations — and frequent rhetoric, including charges from each side that the other was hoping for a work stoppage.

The league and union went more than two months without any formal bargaining until Feb. 5, the day before the Super Bowl. The sides met again once last week but called off a second meeting that had been scheduled for the following day.

The most recent CBA was signed in 2006, but owners exercised an opt-out clause in 2008.

The biggest issue separating the sides is how to divide about $9 billion in annual revenues. Among the other significant points in negotiations: the owners' push to expand the regular season from 16 games to 18 while reducing the preseason by two games; a rookie wage scale; and benefits for retired players.

Cohen was involved in Major League Soccer's negotiations with its players' union last year, when a possible work stoppage was avoided.

He was the baseball players' association's lead lawyer in federal court in 1995, when the National Labor Relations Board obtained an injunction against owners from then-District Judge — and now Supreme Court Justice — Sonia Sotomayor that led players to end their 7 1/2-month strike.

The FMCS was involved in negotiations during the 2004-05 NHL lockout, and a 2005 dispute between the U.S. Soccer Federation and its players.

Third team may be needed to facilitate Anthony trade to New York or New Jersey. Cavs' trade exception and desire to acquire draft picks make them a potential partner.

John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer The Cavaliers' Antawn Jamison (left) trying to defend against the Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The NBA is in the middle of its all-star break, with the All-Star Game to be played on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Overshadowing the festivities is the ongoing speculation about what team all-star forward Carmelo Anthony will belong to come 3 p.m. on Thursday, the league's non-waiver trade deadline.

Anthony is in the final year of his contract, and it's become apparent that the Denver Nuggets are not confident they can re-sign him, and thus will trade him.

The two main suitors for Anthony are the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are among the teams who might be added as a third partner to a transaction between Denver and either New York or New Jersey. That's because a trade between the Nuggets and the Knicks or Nets probably wouldn't work under salary cap rules unless a third team's tradable assets could be worked into the equation.

Thus, the Cavs might be in the picture. The $14 million trade exception they own as part of the compensation for LeBron James' free agent departure means they could take on a large but short-term contract like Troy Murphy's with the Nets or Eddy Curry's with the Knicks. More importantly, for helping to facilitate the trade, the Cavaliers -- or, probably, any third team -- would receive a first-round draft pick, or two.

Some of the latest reporting on the status of Anthony trade talks is by Colin Stephenson for the Newark Star-Ledger and nj.com; by Marc Berman for the New York Post; by Marc Stein and Chris Broussard, citing sources, too, for ESPN.com; Bob Finnan's report for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes Branson Wright's feature story on the grandmother of J.J. Hickson, Marie Myers, who raised the Cavaliers forward for years; Brian Windhorst's report that LeBron James still faces a familiar roadblock.

Pick and rolls

Notes on Cavs guards Manny Harris and Daniel Gibson, by Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.

A recent story on Cavaliers fans by Cleveland native Joe Posnanski for Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

The Cavaliers at the all-star break, on the blog WaitingForNextYear.

A somewhat optimistic report on Friday's NBA owners and players union meeting, by Ian Thomsen for Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

Rally where fans usually celebrate wins comes after Alabama fan, 62, is charged with using herbicide to poison two 130-year-old oaks after Auburn beat rival Crimson Tide in November.

Associated PressAuburn fans gathered today to recognize two old oak trees that were poisoned by an Alabama fan after the Crimson Tide lost a football game to Auburn last season.

AUBURN, Alabama -- A steady stream of people gathered to mourn the apparent imminent demise of the poisoned oak trees at Toomer's Corner, where Auburn fans traditionally celebrate wins.

The crowd of old and young alike, many clad in orange and blue, began arriving early Saturday morning for the rally dubbed "Toomer's Tree Hug" and carried on well into the afternoon.

A fan of rival Alabama -- Harvey Updyke Jr., 62 -- has been charged with first-degree criminal mischief for allegedly using a tree-destroying herbicide to poison the two 130-year-old oaks after Auburn beat the Crimson Tide in November. He was released from the Lee County Detention Facility on bond Friday night.

It's a bitter, state-encompassing rivalry -- one where the lack of professional sports in the state and two schools dominate the sports landscape makes it different than other storied sports rivalries like North Carolina-Duke, Ohio State-Michigan, Red Sox-Yankees or Lakers-Celtics.

But the heinous act even has devout Alabama fans saying this is taking it too far. One group of 'Bama fans has started raising money for replacements for the oaks.

Alabama student Sean Phillips, wearing a crimson-and-white Mark Ingram jersey, says it is "a really sad day for Alabama as a whole."

He made the two-hour drive from home in Birmingham "to support a tradition that will soon be lost here."

"The guy that did this was crazy," Phillips said. "There might be animosity between the schools, but there's always that connection because we're all from Alabama. We're all in this together."

The Toomer's traditions -- including the famously sweet lemonade at Toomer's Drugs across the street -- are ingrained in the state's culture, like Alabama with Bear Bryant and Denny Chimes. It's where hundreds of fans celebrated the recent football national championship on Jan. 10.

Toomer's Corner separates the Auburn campus and downtown, a quick walk from Jordan-Hare Stadium.

And the vandalism has hit the Auburn community hard.

Retired Auburn athletic director David Housel tried to put its significance in terms people outside Southeastern Conference country can understand.

"In New York, Times Square is considered the crossroads of the world," Housel said. "In our world, Toomer's Corner is the crossroads of Auburn."

F.O. Ferguson of Sylacauga, Ala., who came to his first Auburn game in 1934, said Toomer's Corner is a landmark that means a lot to Auburn people.

"I don't understand why anybody would just maliciously ... a tree that's not bothering anybody." Ferguson said, shaking his head. "I don't know. We've got some crazies in this world."

Joyce Parker, an 86-year-old Auburn alum and football season ticker holder, was not about to miss the rally, driving a few hours from her home in Gadsen.

"We love Auburn," Parker said. "We love the school and we love the town. And we love the trees."