Free agent Nick Swisher is visiting the Cleveland Indians, who have a hole to fill in right field.

Nick Swisher hit .272 with 24 home runs and 93 RBI for the Yankees last season. Associated Press

 CLEVELAND — Free agent Nick Swisher is visiting the Cleveland Indians, who have a hole to fill in right field.

Swisher, who won a World Series in his first of four seasons with the New York Yankees in 2009, was scheduled to arrive in Cleveland last night and will tour the team's facilities at Progressive Field today.

Last week, the Indians traded right fielder Shin-Soo Choo to Cincinnati as part of a three-team, nine-player deal. The team can entice Swisher, who hit 24 homers last season for the Yankees, with the chance to be their full-time right fielder.

Swisher is a career .256 hitter in stops with the Athletics, White Sox and Yankees. He had 93 RBIs last season, as well, as New York won the American League East. (Associated Press)

Blue Jays complete trade for Cy Young winner: Eager for a new challenge and certainly a better chance to win, R.A. Dickey broke the news of his trade even before the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets.

A few minutes ahead of the teams announcing the seven-player swap Monday that sent the National League Cy Young winner to Toronto, he Tweeted his thanks to Mets fans and added he was all set to pitch for the Blue Jays.

“Now that its official, I want to say that I don't have the words to express how grateful I am to you for the steadfast support,” Dickey posted on Twitter. “Thank you for making me feel wanted.”

Toronto acquired the 38-year-old knuckleballer and catchers Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas. The Mets got top catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud and catcher John Buck, plus minor-league right-hander Noah Syndergaard and outfielder Wuilmer Becerra.

Earlier in the day, Dickey and the busy Blue Jays agreed to a new contract, clearing the way for the Mets to send him to a team that's spending a lot of money trying to join baseball's elite. Toronto has now acquired All-Stars Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Melky Cabrera and Dickey since the season ended.

Dickey was already signed for $5.25 million next year. His new contract adds two more seasons for $25 million – he will get $12 million in both 2014 and 2015, plus there's a club option for 2016 at $12 million with a $1 million buyout.

Dickey was 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA last season, capping his rapid rise from the majors' scrap heap to an ace pitcher. He did it by perfecting a way to throw his floater faster than previous knuckleballers, and tossing it with exceptional control.

Around the majors

Astros: Houston signed veteran Carlos Pena to be their designated hitter, addressing a key need as they prepare for their first season in the American League. The 34-year-old Pena, who spent last season in his second stint with Tampa Bay, hit .197 with 19 home runs and 61 RBI in 2012. Terms were not released.

Athletics: Two people with knowledge of the negotiations say Oakland has agreed to sign shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima of Japan's Seibu Lions. Nakajima agreed to a $6.5 million, two-year contract. The deal also includes a $5.5 million option for a third season, one of the people said.

Nakajima, a seven-time Pacific League All-Star, has a .302 batting average with 149 home runs, 664 RBI and 134 stolen bases over 11 seasons with Seibu.

Tigers: Detroit agreed to a five-year contract with right-handed pitcher Anibal Sanchez. The team didn't disclose financial terms, but a person familiar with it told The Associated Press last week on condition of anonymity that the deal is worth $80 million.

Sanchez, 28, helped Detroit reach the World Series this year. He had a 1.77 ERA in 20 1/3 innings over three postseason starts, but was 1-2 because the Tigers were shut out in each of his losses.

"I'm in good spirits," said Shawn Porter, who now stands 20-0-1, with 14 knockouts. "Word of mouth is that I won. I think he got me out of my game plan a little bit. I just got stuck on the step that night."

"I'm in good spirits," said Shawn Porter, who now stands 20-0-1, with 14 knockouts. "Word of mouth is that I won. I think he got me out of my game plan a little bit. I just got stuck on the step that night." Gus Chan, Plain Dealer File Photo

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Shawn Porter wants 13 to be his lucky number. That’s 13 as in 2013.

The Cleveland welterweight could have used a little more good fortune in ending this year as he wound up with a 10-round draw against veteran Julio Diaz on Saturday in the nationally televised bout from Los Angeles. Two judges split in their voting, going 96-94 for each boxer, while the third called it even at 95-95.

That is not what Team Porter had in mind as it looked for an impressive win to get a jump on the new year.

"I'm in good spirits," said Porter, who now stands 20-0-1, with 14 knockouts. "Word of mouth is that I won. I think he got me out of my game plan a little bit. I just got stuck on the step that night."

 Ken Porter, who trains his son, said that not getting a knockout made it very tough to win a decision.

“I understood we were in his area,” said Ken Porter. “With that being the case, with the all-Mexican crowd, it had to affect the judges.”

But the father also understood his fighter needed to assert himself in the hostile environment. The 32-year-old Diaz (40-7-1, 29 KOs), a two-time lightweight champion, got through some early trouble and managed to stifle the younger Porter with punches to both the head and body.

According to the trainer, the inability to work to the body was a disappointing factor.

“I wanted more body punches to slow him down,” said Ken Porter. “We worked on that in camp and ever since he turned pro. It wasn’t being tentative, it was just the way [Shawn] wanted to fight him.”

Obviously, it was not a loss, so it may not hurt in the long run. It may actually help to land one of the better opponents since they may be more inclined to take on a vulnerable fighter.

Still, it could have worked out much better.

“It was an opportunity that needed to be seized,” said Ken Porter, who returned to town on Sunday night. “When you get a step-up fight, you’ve got to take control. We’re going to be in position to get that opportunity in ’13, but he’s got to be ready for it.”

In fact, dad said he would be on the phone Monday night to sound out his son’s next move.

Around the ring: Former junior welterweight champion Amir Khan (27-3, 19 KOs) was on his game against Carlos Molina (17-1, 7 KOs) in the feature following Porter-Diaz in Los Angeles. Khan landed at will much of the night and did not get careless in leaving himself open as Molina tried his best to connect. With Molina cut and frustrated from the outset, his corner stopped it after the 10th round. . . . Also looking very sharp, WBO 122-pound champion Nonito Donaire (31-1, 20 KOs) used a big left hand to stop former champion Jorge Arce (61-7-2, 46 KOs) with one second left in the third round of their bout on Saturday in Houston. Arce was down in the second round after Donaire connected with a right. Retirement should be Arce’s reward. . . . WBO 168-pound Arthur Abraham (35-3, 27 KOs) was successful in his first title defense as he stopped Mehdi Bouadla (26-4, 11 KOs) in the eighth round on Saturday in Germany.

History: Archie Moore decisioned Cleveland’s Joey Maxim over 15 rounds on Dec. 17, 1952, to begin a nine-year run as light heavyweight champion.

Saturday: One week after CBS returned boxing to the network, NBC will do the same when it televises heavyweights Tomasz Adamek (47-2, 29 KOs) and Steve Cunningham (25-4, 12 KOs) from Bethlehem, Pa., at 4 p.m.

Cunningham was IBF cruiserweight champion when he lost a split decision to Adamek four years ago in Newark, N.J. Adamek was stopped in the 10th round by champion Vitali Klitschko in a bid for the WBC heavyweight title in September 2011.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

On Twitter: @JoeMaxse

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at 2 p.m. as he talks Cleveland sports.

Terry Pluto tackles your questions today at 2 p.m.

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at 2 p.m. as he talks Cleveland sports.

Terry will talk with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore about the Browns' loss to the Redskins, Nick Swisher in town to meet with the Tribe and the play of Kyrie Irving with his mask.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Terry’s remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.

Voting closes this afternoon in the online poll asking what the biggest high school sports stories of 2012 were.

Mentor basketball player Justin Fritts helped the Cardinals sweep the Mr. Awards annually given by the Associated Press. Fritts won Mr. Basketball in March before Mentor quarterback Mitch Trubisky was named Mr. Football in November. The sweep has been voted as one of the top 12 high school sports stories of 2012 by The Plain Dealer. How will it rank in the reader poll? Vote below. Allison Carey, The Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND, Ohio - What do you think were the biggest high school sports stories of 2012 across the area?

The Plain Dealer's high school staff has compiled its ranking of the top 12 stories from the calendar year, and now we want to gather the public vote through a separate online poll for fans, coaches and players.

Vote in the poll on this webpage below right that asks what stories you think were the biggest. You may vote for up to five of the 12 selections.

Hurry, the poll closes this afternoon. We will publish the results Thursday on The Locker Room pages in Sports, along with The Plain Dealer's staff ranking of the top 12 stories.

For a refresher to help you decide, here are links on the top 12 stories to vote on as decided by The Plain Dealer's high school staff. They are listed in alphabetical order. See The PD's Nos. 1-12 order Thursday in The Locker Room.

• A seventh football division is approved to help address the large enrollment disparity in Division I. It will go into effect next fall.

• Berea track standout Donovan Robertson sweeps 110- and 300-meter hurdles state titles for the second year in a row, breaks 300 state record and breaks national indoor 60 hurdles record.

• Court battle for final spots in football playoffs: Cleveland Heights and Beachwood fight unsuccessfully to replace Mayfield and Ashtabula Edgewood in Divisions I and IV, respectively.

• Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy wrestler Nathan Tomasello wins third state title and becomes rare two-time national USA Wrestling freestyle champ.

• Mentor defeats top-seeded St. Edward and No. 2 St. Ignatius in consecutive weeks in the football playoffs.

• Mentor quarterback Mitch Trubisky wins Mr. Football while setting season and career passing records in the area.

• Mentor sweeps 2012 Mr. Awards with Mr. Basketball Justin Fritts and Mr. Football Mitch Trubisky.

• National top 100 boys basketball prospect Tony Farmer of Garfield Heights is sentenced to prison for three years for kidnapping, felonious assault and other crimes against an ex-girlfriend.

• News that principals statewide will vote on whether to separate private and public schools for the playoffs after the required petition signatures were gathered, forcing the OHSAA to put the item on the annual referendum this spring.

• Schools statewide vote down the Ohio High School Athletic Association's competitive balance referendum for the second year in a row. It was aimed at helping level the playing field between private and public schools.

• St. Edward's football team defeats St. Ignatius, 20-13, in the 50th meeting between the rivals to finish regular season at 10-0 and ranked No. 1 in the state.

• Westlake's success in several sports during winter, spring and fall seasons, capped by 9-2 football playoff team.

Age becomes the issue again when it comes to quarterback Brandon Weeden.

CLEVELAND - Quarterback Brandon Weeden is fresh off another bad start, and as usual, writes News-Herald reporter Jeff Schudel, Weeden's age has become a hot topic.

Weeden, who turns 30 next October, is ranked No. 32 among quarterbacks. He threw interceptions 16 and 17 against the Washington Redskins.

Coach Pat Shurmur has his own rating system when it comes to Weeden. Shurmur said he evaluates Weeden on every throw. And that comes down to decision-making, timing and accuracy.

"What's important is that we all try to do what we can to play winning football, and we didn't. I think the same can be said for a lot of the team. I'm looking forward to him having a much better game this week against Denver. I think that's where the focus needs to be."
 

The Jets fall to the Titans on Monday night (CBSSports.com).

Cincinnati Bengals can atone for lost chances (Cincinnati.com).

Dimitri Patterson cut after signing big deal last spring (Ohio.com).

Browns coach Pat Shurmur says Weeden will start in Denver (Cleveland.com).

Don Paul is No. 51 on the Browns' 100 best all-time list (Cleveland.com).

London Fletcher's relatives are facing charges (Cleveland.com).

Ronde Barber defying the odds at 37 (Yahoo.com).

No Saban, but here are the other candidates (ESPNCleveland.com).

"Play It Again" with Trent Richardson of the Browns (Cleveland.com).

Baltimore Ravens can still control their destiny (Baltimore Sun).

Ben Roethlisberger questions team's play-calling (NFL.com).

No one sees Shurmur remaining as coach (CantonRep.com).

The Denver Broncos have their eyes on the Browns (Denver Post).

Will Brandon Weeden be the starting QB in 2013? CineSport's Tara Petrolino and The Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw discuss.

 

What are the chances Browns head coach Pat Shurmur returns after the season? Will Brandon Weeden be the starting QB in 2013? CineSport's Tara Petrolino and The Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw discuss.

Cavs are 5-19, but Toronto has just one more win than they. Jose Calderon outplayed then-rookie Kyrie Irving twice early last season. More Cavaliers story links.

The point guard matchup of Toronto's Jose Calderon (left) and Cleveland's Kyrie Irving (right) is a key to tonight's Raptors vs. Cavaliers game at Quicken Loans Arena. Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer  

The Cavaliers are 5-20, with losses in 18 of their last 21 games. Toronto has won its last two games, but is 6-19.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes Jodie Valade's story that the return of rookie guard Dion Waiters restores the Cavs' lineup. Waiters, averaging 15.2 points, will play tonight after missing the last eight games with an ankle injury. Also, Mary Schmitt Boyer's story that despite Tristan Thompson's offensive struggles, coach Byron Scott sees progress being made by the second-year power forward.

Jason Lloyd previews tonight's Cavaliers vs. Raptors game and writes other Cavaliers notes for the Akron Beacon Journal, including (referring to Cavs coach Byron Scott and point guard Kyrie Irving):

Scott said the key tonight is the point guard matchup between Irving and Jose Calderon simply because Calderon outplayed Irving in both meetings last season. The first head-to-head meeting was Irving's pro debut and the second was his first time playing on the second night of a back-to-back. Still, Calderon averaged 14 points, 11 assists and six rebounds against him.

Opinions on whether five accomplished NBA players should be traded or not, including Cavs center Anderson Varejao. (ESPN.com)

Explaining the first-round pick the Cavs will get in the 2013 draft that will be in the slot held by either the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat or Sacramento Kings. (By Sam Vecenie, Fear The Sword)

Video: Coach Byron Scott talks with the media following this morning's shootaround, as the Cavs prepare to play Toronto tonight. (nba.com/cavaliers)

Previewing tonight's Cavs vs. Raptors game. (By Sam Amico, FoxSportsOhio.com)

The Cavaliers need to be careful about how many minutes Anderson Varejao plays. (By Greg Swartz, Bleacher Report)

The Cavs tonight will be at full health for the first time in a month, with the return of guard Dion Waiters. (By Jason Lloyd, Akron Beacon Journal)

A preview of the Cavaliers' home game tonight against the Toronto Raptors. (nba.com/cavaliers)

Dion Waiters is ready to play after missing eight games with an ankle injury. (By Rick Noland, Medina County Gazette and Elyria Chronicle-Telegram)

The Cavaliers' full roster is now available to play. (By Bob Finnan, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

While growing up in Columbus, it was an easy choice between the Browns and the Bengals for John Hughes. Watch video

CLEVELAND - In this week's edition of "Talking Shop" at the Eldorado Barbershop on East 40th, we learn why John Hughes, a native of Columbus, chose the Cleveland Browns over the Cincinnati Bengals as his favorite team while growing up.

It's one or the other for pro football fans living in the capital city. And the choice was decided for Hughes at a young age.

"I was a Browns fan," said Hughes, rookie defensive tackle for the Browns. "I played for the Browns during Pee Wee. The choice was easy."

The Browns chose Hughes in the third round (87th overall) in the 2012 draft. It was a blessing in many ways. Not only did Hughes get drafted by his favorite team, but he also was able to stay close to his grandmother and mother.

Hughes' grandmother helped raise her grandchildren on a budget provided by her job as a bus driver. She has since retired, and Hughes is not only thankful for the proximity of Cleveland to his hometown, but also for how he is able to ease some of his family's financial burdens.

"She doesn't have to take care of me anymore financially," said Hughes about his grandmother. "I can take care of her now, and that's a great feeling."

Twitter: @BransonWright

Former Ohio State assistant Paul Haynes wants to keep building on what Darrell Hazell has started with the Flashes.

New Kent State football coach Paul Haynes
File photo




 

KENT, Ohio -- The smile was broad on the face of Kent State's new head football coach, Paul Haynes as he was introduced today.

For all the names in the football coaching profession with Kent State on their resumes -- college and NFL -- Haynes is just the second asked to come back home and lead the charge.

The first was Jim Corrigall, who was given the enviable task of salvaging the end of the Pete Cordelli era.

Through the years, Nick Saban, Perry Fewell, Jon Hoke, Gary Pinkel and Lou Holtz, to name just a few, have been passed over in favor of others to coach the Golden Flashes.

Until Darrell Hazell, who recently became head man at Purdue, most Kent coaches had failed.

Now one of Kent's own is expected to keep the suddenly good times rolling after an 11-2 regular season, at the cost of $375,000 per year with up to $200,000 in incentives.

"That's exciting," KSU junior defensive lineman Roosevelt Nix said. "He obviously knows what the tradition was. And I'm sure he aspired to come into the new Kent State. I know he didn't like the feeling of losing here. So he'll want to keep this thing going."

Many of the former Kent players who stood in the back of a press conference years ago, scowling with arms folded, when Pinkel and Saban in particular were passed over, sat in the front row for Haynes' announcement.

"This is as good as it gets," former Kent quarterback Joe Dalpra said. "He's the same guy we played with, the same guy we loved. We couldn't be more happy."

Only Haynes himself topped their glee. A very short introduction to the team -- less than 10 minutes -- spoke volumes.

"Very emotional," Kent defensive back Luke Wollet said.

"He gathered it back," athletic director Joel Nielsen said. "But it took a moment, because I thought he was done."

Haynes, who called the past few days a whirlwind of interviews, said the fact the job was his sunk in when he met the team and told them, "I know what you've been through. I wore these colors."

"I was trying to be tough," Haynes said of his introduction, "but I couldn't hold it back. It all hit me."

While there are now six alums coaching at Kent, Nielsen said the push to get Haynes into the football fold was privately intensive. The former players and coaches he heard from on Haynes' behalf was stunning.

"I got enough emails from them," Nielsen said. "Some people were writing two- and three-page letters."

Haynes said he will not take part in Kent's preparations for the Jan. 6. GoDaddy.com Bowl, but he will attend as he will focus on getting a staff together.

Haynes was the 2012 defensive coordinator at Arkansas, after spending seven seasons as an Ohio State assistant coach under Jim Tressel and Luke Fickell -- the last year as co-defensive coordinator with the Buckeyes.

Haynes is a Columbus native who walked on at Kent State in 1987. During his career he would play for three different head coaches: Glen Mason, Dick Crum and Cordelli. This alone should give Haynes credibility in the KSU locker room, as many of the players he inherits will also be playing for their third head coach at Kent State: Doug Martin, Hazell and now Haynes.

Haynes led Kent in interceptions as a freshman with three. As a sophomore in 1988 he led the Flashes in tackles with 116. Haynes missed 1989 with a knee injury, but led Kent in tackles again in 1990 with 133. He finished his career as the seventh-leading tackler in KSU history with 440.

Haynes has coached in the Big Ten at OSU and Michigan State. He coached at Kent State under Dean Pees in 1999 as associate head coach, and coached one season in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered your Cleveland sport's questions and more in his weekly podcast with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore.

View full size Should Colt McCoy, left, come in if Brandon Weeden continues to struggle? John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer  

Should Colt McCoy come in if Brandon Weeden continues to struggle? What is the backup plan if Nick Swisher doesn't sign with the Indians?

Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast with cleveland.com’s Glenn Moore.

Among other topics discussed:

• Future of Pat Shurmur.

• Tribe's pitching staff next season.

• Cavaliers' recent play.

• Who will start winning on a consistent basis first?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.

Be sure to also like Terry Pluto on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

The Cavaliers star guard admits he might have taken a step back in defense recently.

View full size Kyrie Irving (against the Knicks' J.R. Smith on Dec. 15) needs to play better defense, says coach Byron Scott, in order to be a truly elite NBA player. Bill Kostroun, Associated Press  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Last week, Kyrie Irving returned to the lineup after missing 11 games with a broken left finger and Byron Scott was reminded all over again why as good as Irving is, as valuable as he is to the success of the Cavaliers, he still has much to work on.

On the one hand, the Cleveland guard faced Kobe Bryant in a battle against the Lakers star, and held his own. He scored a career-high 41 points against the New York Knicks a few days later.

He also had to be removed from defending Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings and the Knicks' Raymond Felton when both guards found points too easily. Early against Toronto Tuesday night, the Cavaliers' top defender, Alonzo Gee, switched to guard Jose Calderon when he scored 11 points in the first quarter.

For Irving, it's not enough simply to score points.

"I want it all," Scott said. "I'm serious. I do. I want him to be a complete basketball player. That means giving it on both ends every single night. If you ask Kyrie he wants to be a complete basketball player. From that standpoint I'm going to be very demanding. The biggest thing with him is he's getting to that point where he has to want to take that challenge every single night."

Irving admits he might have taken a step back in defense recently, and said part of his job also is pressuring opposing point guards into playing tough defense on him.

"It's just finding a balance," Irving said. "I need to keep my man from scoring, and stay solid the whole entire game."

Dark knight, no more: Irving switched to a clear mask to protect his fractured upper jaw for Tuesday's game.

The move from the black mask he wore in New York came despite scoring a career-high 41 points and the nickname Dark Knight with the original mask. The clear mask is made of a harder material, a Cavaliers spokesman said, but could not be readied in time for Irving to play against the Knicks on Saturday.

All masks must be approved by the NBA before being worn in a game, the spokesman said, and it was unclear whether the black mask would have been allowed permanently.

"He scored 41 with the black one and you've got to switch to the clear one?" Scott mused. "I don't understand that."

Starter to inactive: Jeremy Pargo started 11 games when Irving sat with his fractured injury. Against Toronto, he was inactive. Scott has shifted to Donald Sloan as his backup point guard, primarily due to a steadier performance.

Pargo is averaging 10.5 points on 40-percent shooting in 16 games. Sloan is averaging 4.3 points on 34 percent shooting in 18 games. Pargo also is averaging 2.1 turnovers, while Sloan averages 0.7.

"The one thing I know about [Sloan] is he's going to be steady," Scott said. "He's not going to turn the ball over a lot, he's going to take his shot if he has a shot, but he's going to run the team. Jeremy is like the wild card right now. I can put him in the game and he can get 20. Or I can put him in the game and he can get six turnovers."

Dribbles: A large contingent of Lithuanian fans attended Tuesday's game -- clad all in green and waving green, yellow and red Lithuania flags -- to watch Toronto's Jonas Valanciunas. ... Scott walked through the locker room before the game to check on the baby dolls each one of the Cleveland rookies has to push in a stroller. "Just making sure they're OK," Scott said. Waiters' baby still wears a black wrap on its left ankle, the same ankle Waiters injured.

Kelsey spoke after the Eagles' loss to the Buckeyes on Tuesday night.

View full size Pat Kelsey  

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- First-year Winthrop coach Pat Kelsey, a Xavier grad and Ohio native, was proud to bring his basketball team back to his home state Tuesday night, where the Eagles pushed Ohio State before losing, 65-55.

Kelsey is also a father of two young daughters. So before he left the post-game news conference, he asked if he could say one more thing. We told him to go ahead.

And for the next two minutes, he said this:

"The last thing I wanna say is I'm really, really lucky, 'cause I'm gonna get on an eight-hour bus ride, and I'm gonna arrive in Rock Hill, S.C., and I'm gonna walk into my house, and I'm gonna walk upstairs, and I'm gonna walk into two pink rooms, OK, with a 5-year-old and a 4-year-old laying in that pink room, with a bunch of teddy bears laying in that room.

"And I'm gonna give them the biggest hug and the biggest kiss I've ever given them. And there's 20 families in Newtown, Conn., that are walking into a pink room with a bunch of teddy bears with nobody laying in those beds. And it's tragic.

"And I don't know what needs to be done. I'm not smart enough to know what needs to be done, OK? I know this country's got issues. Is it a gun issue? Is it a mental illness issue? Or is it a society that has lost the fact, the understanding, that decent human values are important?

"And our leaders -- I didn't vote for President Obama. But you know what? He's my president now. He's my leader. I need him to step up. Mr. Boehner, the Speaker of the House, he's a Xavier guy, he's a Cincinnati guy, OK, he needs to step up.

"Parents, teachers, rabbis, priests, coaches, everybody needs to step up. This has to be a time for change. And I know this microphone's powerful right now, because we're playing the fourth-best team in the country. I'm not going to have a microphone like this the rest of the year, maybe the rest of my life.

"And I'm going to be an agent of change with the 13 young men I get to coach every day and the two little girls that I get to raise. But hopefully things start changing, because it's really, really disappointing.

"I'm proud to grow up American. I'm proud to say I'm part of the greatest country ever. And that's got to stay that way. And it'll stay that way if we change. But we gotta change." 

Scheiner was involved with the planning and construction of the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium.

Alec Scheiner www.sloansportsconference.com  

BEREA, Ohio -- Alec Scheiner, the first hire by Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner, promises to make the fan experience at Cleveland Browns Stadium as inviting and exciting as Cowboys Stadium, the NFL's crown jewel which he helped build.

"We created something that is perfectly fit for the Dallas Cowboys and I'd like to do the same thing in Cleveland," the Browns' new president said on a conference call Tuesday. "Create something that links us to the past and links us to the community in a way that when Browns fans outside Cleveland come, they know exactly where they are and they enjoy it."

Scheiner, who will start Jan. 7, spent the previous eight years with the Cowboys, the last five as senior vice president and general counsel. He replaces Mike Holmgren as president, but his role will be different.

Holmgren oversaw the business and football operations, while Scheiner will focus on the business side. His primary duties will include stadium enhancements and local TV/radio broadcasting.

In addition, Executive VP-Business Operations Bryan Wiedmeier will take a new role in which he'll work closely with CEO Banner, focusing on long-term strategic planning for the organization, including stadium projects and other capital endeavors.

Scheiner, who began talking to Banner in June, views the Browns as a marketing gem similar to the Cowboys.

"I do because the brand is so iconic and there's so much history behind it and the fans clearly care about the team," he said. "We just have to harness it. We have to harness it everywhere. We have to harness it with our employees, we have to harness it with people in the community, everyone can be a Browns fan. Everyone in Northeast Ohio, everyone in Ohio can be a Browns fan. We just have to reach out to people and kind of prove our value on the field and off the field."

Haslam has been impressed with the marketing genius of Dallas owner Jerry Jones, and hopes to bring some of that magic here. But how will Scheiner do some of the innovative things the Cowboys do in a town where the mention of logos on helmets is taboo?

"I'm not sure you need to change those things to pull the team forward," he said. "I really think it's really more about connecting with what we have already in more effective ways. That's not to say it hasn't been done well in the past, but you can always do better.

"I'm not sure we have to change any of the things that have made the Browns so great. We just have to keep doing them better and keep working harder at it."

As for his early thoughts on a dome on the stadium, he said, "I'd have to sit down with Joe and Jimmy and talk about that. ... I think that's part of a much bigger conversation about how to enhance our stadium for the fans."

Banner said Scheiner fit his criteria of searching for the "best of the best" at every position. "In my opinion, there's nobody better" at what he does, said Banner.

Jones, in a statement, praised the new hire.

"Alec is a bright and talented executive who has provided our organization with nine years of quality service. He knows his way around the NFL and has fine leadership ability. He is a tireless taskmaster and will be a great addition to the Browns front office."

Scheiner was a lead advisor on the purchase of the Baltimore Ravens by Steve Bisciotti, the relocation of the Charlotte Hornets to New Orleans, in addition to the partial sales of several other pro sports franchises. He and his wife, Nadya, have a daughter, Norah (6), and two sons, Rafe (3) and Max (8 months).

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Trailing by six at halftime and with junior guard Ryan Badowski lighting up the scoreboard for Brunswick on Tuesday night, Garfield Heights coach Sonny Johnson knew the Bulldogs would need to make changes during the break. Johnson switched Garfield's defense to more tightly guard Badowski and got his team to make a mental adjustment on...

GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Trailing by six at halftime and with junior guard Ryan Badowski lighting up the scoreboard for Brunswick on Tuesday night, Garfield Heights coach Sonny Johnson knew the Bulldogs would need to make changes during the break. Johnson switched Garfield's defense to more tightly guard Badowski and got his team to make a mental adjustment on offense.

The switch in strategies worked. The No. 9 Bulldogs went on a 7-1 run to start the third quarter and pulled out to a 70-59 Northeast Ohio Conference victory against the No. 8 Blue Devils.

"We were getting the looks that we wanted, but we weren't finishing on the other end," Johnson said. "Basically we just challenged the guys to make shots and to make plays. We knew we would make a run if we finished on the inside."

Junior guard Al Burge led the comeback for Garfield (5-1, 2-0), scoring 14 points in the third quarter. Beginning with a four-point play, Burge scored the final seven points of the quarter, giving Garfield a 50-43 lead with eight minutes to play.

"I thought that was the turning point of the game," Brunswick coach Joe Mackey said. "We were late getting out. It was a simple rotation."

Burge, who finished with 17 points, had one field goal in the first half. He said he got into a better mind-set at halftime.

"The halftime talk was the best thing for me," Burge said. "I had to get loose. I wasn't loose. Coach talked to me and I had to turn it up. That's all I had to do."

Garfield's talented guards proved to be too much for Brunswick. Senior Robert Hurst also scored 17 for the Bulldogs and senior Richard Parker added 12 points.

Brunswick held the lead at halftime thanks in large part to the play of Badowski and senior guard Kyle Wheeler. Badowski scored 15 points in the first half and Wheeler added 11. Each finished the night with a game-high 20 points.

The Blue Devils (4-4, 0-2) have played a difficult schedule and have lost three games in a row. Brunswick lost to No. 1 Shaker Heights and defending state champion Pickerington Central before falling to Garfield on Tuesday.

"We feel we have enough guys to compete against teams like this, but you just can't make those kind of mistakes," Mackey said. "Give Garfield Heights credit. Every time we made a mistake defensively, they capitalized on it."

The physical nature of the game also was costly to the Blue Devils. Senior center Taylor Armagost injured his right ankle just one minute into the second quarter and did not return. He left the game with two points.

The game didn't just feature two top-10 teams. It also had enough talent to bring out a variety of college recruiters, including Cleveland State coach Gary Waters.

Deshaun Thomas missed nine straight shots during one stretch but still finished with a game-high 21 points.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – When they needed it during the second half Tuesday night, Ohio State leaned on what the Buckeyes think will always be there: Deshaun Thomas' scoring and the defense of guards Aaron Craft and Shannon Scott.

After missing nine straight shots at one point, Thomas scored 10 points in less than three minutes. And the Buckeyes stopped Winthrop on 10 straight possessions thanks to their backcourt, with Winthrop coach Pat Kelsey calling Craft a “piranha” on defense. Eventually those two parts of the game paved the way for the No. 7 Buckeyes (9-1) to hold off the Eagles 65-55.

But with Ohio State getting ready to host No. 9 Kansas on Saturday, the first half and parts of the second half showed the Buckeyes at their worst, slacking on both ends of the floor and unable to generate any offense outside of Thomas, who was still desperate, and desperately needed by his team, to shoot despite going 2-for-9 in the first half.

Kelsey said the underdog Eagles (4-5) had to “muddy” the game and limit possessions, and they did.

“It's certainly not a work of art,” Kelsey said. “It looks like a tractor pull sometimes.”

After scoring 90 points and running and pushing the tempo almost at will in Saturday's win over UNC Asheville, the Buckeyes on Tuesday didn't know how to get out of the muck.

“You shoot 34 percent in the first half and have four offensive rebounds and it tells you you probably aren't tuned in the way we need to be,” OSU coach Thad Matta said. “You're still trying to learn your team a little bit and have a little understanding of what do you need to say, what do you need to do to get the guys going out there? When things weren't gong as well as we wanted them to go, I didn't think we came together as well as we needed to.”

Eventually, thanks to the two building blocks of the team, they did turn it around. But if the Buckeyes try this act against the Jayhawks, who blew out Richmond 87-59 on Tuesday, it's not going to work.

“It goes without saying that with the game we have coming up Saturday and then getting into the Big Ten season, we need to get better every day,” Craft said. “It's not like we play tomorrow. We have time to watch and get better from it. But we can't just put it behind us and expect that it doesn't mean that much, because it does. Every game can show us something and we can learn from it. We can't be down on ourselves or frustrated, but at the same time we have to have a sense of urgency. We can't stay the same as a basketball team. We have to get better or we're going to get worse.”

Ohio State didn't practice well going into Tuesday said Thomas, who admitted maybe the team got caught looking ahead to the weekend rematch of last year's Final Four showdown, won by Kansas. Or maybe Tuesday's first half was a glimpse of what can happen to Ohio State on nights when Thomas is cold and the defense isn't there to fall back on.

“We can't have the start we did for this game,” Thomas said.

That's for sure. But the Buckeyes had their sure things on Tuesday. Thomas finished with 21 points on 7-of-21 shooting, while Lenzelle Smith added 14.

“Deshaun Thomas just started being Deshaun Thomas,” Kelsey said, “and he did what All-Americans do. He put the game on his shoulders and grabbed it by the neck.”

And, according to Matta, Craft and Scott on defense were the best part of the game,

“I watched (Craft) on tape and he is phenomenal,” Kelsey said. “He is a tiger on the ball. I've never seen more relentless on the ball defense than Aaron Craft. And when that ball is loose, it's an Aaron Craft ball, because I've never seen someone dive on the ball like that cat. … There was a loose ball in front of our bench and he put his teeth on the ball.”

So the Buckeyes have that. There's a lot they're still looking for.

After much urging from coach Keith Dambrot, the Zips go on a 23-0 run in the second half to take command.

AKRON, Ohio -- Normally, Keith Dambrot's intensity rubs off on his Akron men's basketball team.

On Tuesday night, however, Dambrot pleaded with his players to get it together. He stomped. He barked. And, finally, the Zips responded to their leader's urging and put away road-weary Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 76-46, before 2,639 at James A. Rhodes Arena.

"We should have been up 25 points at halftime if we shoot a reasonable percentage," said Dambrot, after seeing his team snap a two-game skid and win for the first time since Dec. 2.

Akron (5-4) used a 23-0 run midway through the second half to take a 62-29 lead with 8:42 to play.

"I felt like defensively we played pretty good," said 7-0 senior center Zeke Marshall, who finished with 13 points, six rebounds and five blocks in 21 minutes.

Regardless, Dambrot knows his team will have to play much better on Sunday to gain a victory over visiting Cleveland State. The Zips had 25 field goals and 25 turnovers against Pine Bluff.

"[Cleveland State] is going to beat us if they turn us over," said Dambrot. "And if they don't turn us over, we're going to beat them. That's as simple as that."

Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-9) pulled within 39-29 with 17:40 left, but did not score again until the 6:28 mark.

"The biggest issue we have is [Alex] Abreu," Dambrot said of his junior point guard. "He still doesn't look right to me."

The team's catalyst, Abreu has been hampered during the early stages of the season by an ankle sprain. Senior guard Brian Walsh (14 points), Marshall and freshman wing Reggie McAdams (11 points) were Akron's chief offensive threats against the undermanned Golden Lions. Abreu managed two points and six assists against four turnovers.

"We came out a little rusty," said Walsh. "We'll take the win. It just wasn't pretty."

The Zips missed their first seven shots and fell behind, 6-0, before rallying to take a 34-21 lead at the half. Akron connected on 39.4 percent of its shots from the field in the first 20 minutes (13-of-33).

"We've been home run, strikeout all year," said Dambrot. "We'll make some great plays for three or four minutes and then we'll look like we've never played the game."

Arkansas-Pine Bluff will have played 11 games in eight states over five time zones and traveled 20,272 miles before playing its first home game Jan. 2 against Mississippi Valley State, according to an early season report.

Sophomore guard Tevin Hammond led coach George Ivory's Pine Bluff team with 14 points. The Golden Lions shot 29 percent from the floor.

John Hay got the offense and defense when it counted most. Senior guard Josh Lumbus hit a layup with four seconds to play as the Hornets defeated visiting Glenville, 51-50, handing the Tarblooders their first loss of the season in a Senate Athletic League boys basketball game Tuesday night.

John Hay got the offense and defense when it counted most.

Senior guard Josh Lumbus hit a layup with four seconds to play as the Hornets defeated visiting Glenville, 51-50, handing the Tarblooders their first loss of the season in a Senate Athletic League boys basketball game Tuesday night.

The Tarblooders (5-1, 4-1) had trouble getting off a final shot as the John Hay defense came up with the stop.

Senior forward Maurice O'Field and Lumbus each had 15 points for the Hornets, with senior Tijani Umar hauling down 15 rebounds.

Glenville, ranked No. 25 by The Plain Dealer, was paced by senior guard Craig Eubanks with 14 points. Jimond Ivey had 10. No. 14 Brush 69, Twinsburg 67 Senior forward Brandon Dawson scored 16 points for the host Arcs (4-2, 2-0) in a Northeast Ohio Conference River Division game. Senior A.J. Edwards had 21 points for the Tigers (3-2, 1-2). No. 18 North Royalton 72, Parma 33 The host Bears (5-0, 2-0) scored the first 21 points to run off with the NOC Lake Division game. Barberton 64, Brecksville-Broadview Hts. 53 Sophomore point guard Josh Williams scored 26 points as the visiting Magic (3-2) handed the Bees (4-1) their first loss of the season. Mark Chrzanowski had 26 for the Bees.

Girls basketball

Chagrin Falls 41, Cuyahoga Hts. 27 Sophomore center Hallie Thome paced the host Tigers with 16 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks as they improved to 6-1, 2-1 in the Chagrin Valley Conference crossover game. Twin sister Hannah Thome had 11 points. The Redskins (6-1, 2-0) dropped their first game.

Boys swimming

Chagrin Falls 106, Gilmour 63 Senior Austin Quinn won the individual medley and breaststroke, with sophomore Jason Quinn taking the 200 and 500 freestyles as the Tigers prevailed. The Quinn brothers also were on the winning medley and 200 free relays. Teammate George Cashy won the backstroke and was on the winning relays.

Girls swimming

Gilmour 109, Chagrin Falls 61 Junior Macie McNichols won the 50 and 500 frees, sophomore Kiley Eble took the butterfly and breastroke, and Abby Koerwitz the 100 free and individual medley for the Lancers. Koerwitz was on the winning 200 and medley relays.

Boys bowling

Brunswick 2,103, Mentor 1,841 Eric Bator rolled a 471 series and Mitch Andzelik had a high 264 game as the Blue Devils improved to 7-1. Shawn Stanic was high for the Cardinals (1-6) with a 435 two-game series.

Girls bowling

Mentor 1,659, Brunswick 1,464 Ashley Fortuna rolled a 207-243--450 series as the Cardinals improved to 7-0 on the season. Amanda Ohler had a team-high 384 for the Blue Devils (3-3).

Highlights include Cavaliers at Boston.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

HOCKEY  

7 p.m. Toronto at LAKE ERIE MONSTERS, AM/850 

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL  

7 p.m. Cornell at Duke, ESPNU 

7 p.m. St. Marys at Indiana, Big Ten Network 

7 p.m. Xavier at Cincinnati, ESPN2 

7 p.m. Western Michigan at Duquesne, NBCSN 

8 p.m. Oregon at UTEP, CBSSN  

9 p.m. Oakland at West Virginia, ESPNU 

9 p.m. South Carolina State at Iowa, Big Ten Network 

9 p.m. North Carolina at Texas, ESPN2 

11 p.m. Mississippi at Loyola Marymount, ESPNU 

NBA  

7 p.m. Brooklyn at New York, ESPN 

7:30 p.m. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS at Boston, Fox Sports Ohio; AM/1100 

9:30 p.m. Milwaukee at Memphis, ESPN 

The American Hockey League on Tuesday suspended Lake Erie left wing Patrick Bordeleau three games for an elbowing incident in Saturday’s game against Chicago.

Monsters winger Patrick Bordeleau

"Josh McDaniel would not be an improvement over Shurmur. He was lousy in Denver, that's why he's not still in Denver. Nick Saban, maybe, just maybe could make the transition back to the NFL. But I'm not holding my breath." - floribob

View full size One cleveland.com reader says there is no better option at head coach for next season than Pat Shurmur. Joshua Gunter/ The Plain Dealer  

"Josh McDaniel would not be an improvement over Shurmur. He was lousy in Denver, that's why he's not still in Denver. Nick Saban, maybe, just maybe could make the transition back to the NFL. But I'm not holding my breath. If those are the choices, I say stick with Shurmur. And I think any strategy that doesn't include Heckert is probably not a good one, either."