Plan on watching the Super Bowl, cleaning out the tackle boxes or putting fresh line on the reels this weekend. The fishing is generally in the tank right now all around Northeastern Ohio.

Ohio ice fishermen are giving up hope that they'll enjoy fishing through the Lake Erie ice this winter for yellow perch and walleye. D'Arcy Egan, The Plain Dealer  

GENERAL FISHING REPORT

The fishing is generally in the tank right now, with high winds and temperatures in the teens at night. There isn't enough ice on area lakes to support an angler, the rivers and streams are high and muddy and Lake Erie is a wind-swept wasteland coming off gale force wind warnings. The tail waters below the dams at many reservoirs could provide fair fishing.

RIVERS AND STREAMS

The recent rains have all of the Northeast Ohio streams running high and muddy. As the waterways calm down, the overnight temperatures will begin to cover them with slush and ice, making the steelhead trout fishing difficult.

LAKE ERIE

Thursday's gale force winds warning should be enough for area anglers to cross the big waters from their list of places to fish for a while.

INLAND LAKES, RESERVOIRS

The ice won't be safe for fishing for a while, even though freezing temperatures will be the norm until next week. If there is open water at the Cleveland Metroparks lakes, the rainbow trout fishing could be fair to good. Suspend small lead-head jigs or bare hooks under a light float, and tip the hook with maggots, wax worms, salmon eggs or PowerBait.

The finale winter trout stocking on Monday released a total of 1,000 pounds of fish at Shadow, Judges and Ledge lakes. On Jan. 23, Wallace Lake was stocked with 850 pounds of rainbow trout, while smaller Ranger Lake received 150 pounds.

When the thick ice finally returns, anglers should consider a road trip to Grand Lake St. Marys in Western Ohio. Ice anglers there report very good catches of walleye and saugeye, with most caught near the mouth of Coldwater Creek, an area dredged recently.

The winter tailwater fishing has been a roller coaster ride at Ohio reservoirs. The best chances of catching fish will be the tail waters of Pymatuning, Mosquito, Charles Mill, Pleasant Hill and Berlin reservoirs. Jigs tipped with minnows or plastic twister tails will catch saugeye, crappie and panfish, as well as shallow-running diving plugs. The key to winter success is to fish low and slow in the fairly clear waters released below the reservoir dams.

Ohio hunters will see some changes in the 2013-14 deer rules and bag limits to be proposed to the Ohio Wildlife Council on Wednesday.

Ohio wildlife officials plan on major changes for next year's Ohio deer hunting regulations and bag limits. D'Arcy Egan, The Plain Dealer  

The Ohio Division of Wildlife's deer management experts are pouring over the results of this year's hunting seasons and top wildlife officials say changes are in the works for next fall.

"The one buck (per season) standard is sure to stay, but everything else is on the table," said Chief Scott Zody. While the wildlife agency won't reveal the plans just yet, insiders say the primitive weapons deer season might move to October in 2013, from its traditional January dates; the extra weekend of deer gun season could be scrapped; and antlerless deer bag limits will be tightened.

Hunters won't have to wait long for the proposals, or to make a comment. The new deer hunting regulations will debut at the Ohio Wildlife Council meeting on Wednesday in Columbus. Sportsmen can comment at DOW Open House events on March 2 from noon-3 p.m., and at the Statewide Fish and Game Hearing on March 7 in Columbus. Zody said he also wants comments on the DOW web site, or by letter or telephone. 

The OWC will vote on the deer regulations at its April 3 meeting in Columbus.

Busy winter for outdoorsmen: The poor winter fishing this weekend might be a wake up call for anglers - and hunters, too - that entertainment is easy to find around Northeast Ohio, even in the dead of winter.

If you're a bass fisherman, head over to the Rodmaker's Shop in Strongsville on Saturday. Rory Franks and the gang from dobass.com, a premier local bass tournament group, will announce the 2013 schedules for their popular events. The circuits range from open bass tournaments to electric motor-only events. The fishing tales begin at 1 p.m.

The Costa Fly Fishing Film Tour stops at the Trout Club of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History on Feb. 8. This year's show includes eight films focusing on fly fishing at exotic locations around the world. Admission is $10, with tickets at the Orvis shop in Woodmere, the Backpackers Shop in Sheffield Lake and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

The Columbia Game Club's annual Columbia Flea Market crowds the Medina County Fairgrounds in Medina on Feb. 9 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are $5, and only guys have to pay. Tickets are $25 for the 62d annual Buffalo Dinner held Feb. 9 by the Meyers Lake Sportsman Club at the Canton Memorial Civic Center at 6:30 p.m. The Western Reserve Chapter of the Antique Outboard Motor Club has its annual show from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Feb. 9 at Orchard Hills Park Lodge in Chester Township.

Looking ahead, the Woods and Waters Club has its 62d annual Winter Banquet on Feb. 19 at the American Croatian Lodge in Eastlake. The club is switching to a reverse raffle this year to boost attendance. The Ohio Chapter of Safari Club International has its winter banquet on March 9 at Michaud's Town and Country in Strongsville, with African and Argentina hunts in the auction.

For details on those events, and more winter happenings, check the Outdoor Calendar at cleveland.com.

Fish Michigan for free: The winter fishing around Michigan can be pretty good. To encourage Buckeye anglers to give it a try, the Michigan DNR has a Winter Free Fishing Weekend on Feb. 16-17, giving Ohioans get a free pass to fish the state's 11,000 inland lakes and 36,000 miles of rivers.

High-powered education: Don't wait to sign up for the Civilian Marksmanship Program's CMP High-Power Marksmanship Clinic and Shoot at Camp Perry on June 15. The CMP can only accept 140 new or unclassified shooters. Students are provided an AR-15 military-style match rifle for the 30-round, 200-yard shoot. Entry is $50 for juniors, $75 for adults and includes annual membership in the Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association. To register, contact Gwen Bailey (trustee.01@orpa.net or 419-929-0307). Shooters under 18 need adult supervision. Completing the clinic and shoot allows students to shop for rifles and supplies at the CMP store.

Ducks and geese: While local goose numbers soar, the drought of 2012 is expected to shrink major duck nesting areas in 2013. If the lack of water impacts duck populations, federal waterfowl managers are expected to trim season dates and bag limits, including Ohio's 60-day duck season and a daily bag of six ducks. Geese are far more resilient, nesting in cities and suburbs where hunting isn't allowed. Unlike ducks, the giant Canada geese don't migrate to the deep south. When an Arctic blast freezes favored resting waters, they sometimes head just far enough south to find open water. The geese quickly return as northern lakes and rivers thaw.

Some 35 million Facebook account holders in the United States have Liked a page for one of the 32 teams in the NFL, allowing Facebook to examine which teams are most popular in which areas.

The Browns might be able to expand their fan base if they become a consistent winner, something the team hasn't been since its five straight playoff seasons from 1985-89. Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND,Ohio -- Cleveland Browns fans, read no further if you want to avoid the realization of yet another indignity.

Browns fans like to think they are among legions, that when Cleveland loses -- as it has in 151 of 224 games since returning to the NFL as a franchise in 1999 -- the pain is shared; distributed among 48 states on the U.S. mainland, and in Alaska, Hawaii and half of Canada.

It just ain't so.

Facebook researches what NFL teams its multitude of users favor, explaining on "NFL Fans on Facebook" by Sean Taylor:

At Facebook we have about 35 million account holders in the United States who have Liked a page for one of the 32 teams in the league, representing one of the most comprehensive samples of sports fanship ever collected.

While winning seems to matter, NFL teams have local followings that are probably heavily influenced by family ties and/or where a person grew up,  so we were obviously curious to see where the fans for various teams live now. By considering the physical locations of NFL fans, we can construct a map of the top team for each county in the US. It tells an interesting story about the ways that football rivalries and allegiances alternately divide and unite the country, and sometimes even individual states.

Color codes show where NFL teams have the most fans among Facebook account holders. Facebook  

In some cases, whole states and even entire regions of the country uniformly support a single team. For instance the Vikings are easily the only game in town in Minnesota, while New England appears to be comprised of entirely Patriots fans except for a small portion of Connecticut.

There are some states which are divided into regions by teams.  Florida has three teams--the Tampa Bay Bucs, Miami Dolphins, and the Jacksonville Jaguars--and Facebook users there seem fractured in their support, with some counties even defecting to teams from the North. Ohio is another interesting story, with the Cleveland Browns in the North, Cincinatti Bengals in the South, and Pittsburgh Steelers fans occupying the middle of the state.

(Note: Click onto the above Facebook link for a larger view of the maps)

You can always hope that since Facebook's spelling (Cincinatti?) is off, its survey is faulty, too. Yes, that is a reach, but ...... Or, might the Browns be the second favorite team in a lot of places? The map doesn't account for that possibility. Would you buy that one?

There's some explanation for the Steelers being the favored team among Facebook account holders in northwest Ohio -- despite the Detroit Lions, let alone the Browns, being much closer geographically than Pittsburgh.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is from Findlay, Ohio, barely 100 miles south of Detroit. He has led Pittsburgh to two Super Bowl championships.

The Facebook map shows a small refuge for Browns fans on the Ohio River across the border with West Virginia.

In terms of square miles, though, it looks as if the Steelers own just as much of Ohio as do the Browns and the Bengals. And, probably more than half of THAT area is just as close to -- or closer to -- Cleveland or Cincinnati than to Pittsburgh.

One thing about Browns fans, they don't hold grudges -- at least to a certain extent -- as another Facebook breakdown shows. When eight teams were left in this season's playoffs, the Green Bay Packers were the favorite playoff team inside the area that swarms with Browns fans. They apparently have gotten over the Browns' 23-12 loss to the Packers in the 1965 championship game, the last year before the inception of the Super Bowl. It was also the final game in the career of famed Browns running back Jim Brown.

When the playoffs were down to the four teams in the conference title games, the New England Patriots were favored in Browns Towns. Yes, even though they're coached by Bill Belichick.

Belichick was the last Browns coach before Modell moved the team to Baltimore. He was fired months before the Ravens played their first game. Cleveland fans have essentially let the past ride when it comes to Belichick, who wasn't the Browns' most popular coach. Their feelings remain raw for the team that had its origins in Cleveland. Check the specific map (fifth one down the page) for which team area fans favor in the Super Bowl.

The future of OHSAA state tournaments could exclude ice hockey, field hockey, tennis and gymnastics.

View full size Orange's Will Carter fouls Shaker Heights' Terry Rozier during a 2011 regular-season game. In a high school sports world where private and public schools are separated, that could put Division II Orange and Division I Shaker Heights into the same district tournament in 2015-16. Lonnie Timmons III, The Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND, Ohio – It's winter of 2015-16, and the kids who were skinny freshmen back in February 2013 are seniors now.

The basketball players at Orange are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting regular season, and probably a short-lived postseason in the new Division I district where Mentor and Shaker Heights are the favorites.

Look on the bright side, Lions, you don't have to contend with Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin or Lake Catholic this year, not since the separation of public and private schools for the playoffs was approved by Ohio High School Athletic Association members in May 2013.

Berea-Midpark would have been a region favorite, but its three best players transferred to St. Edward and St. Ignatius, which now offer athletic scholarships. Those are legal in the Ohio Catholic School Association formed by St. Ignatius and St. Edward in 2014, after they left the OHSAA.

The OCSA seemed like a good idea to the Eagles and the Wildcats at the time. They figured, “If the OHSAA doesn't want us, we're outta here.'' But then the OHSAA turned the tables and passed a bylaw forbidding its members from playing schools that are not OHSAA members. Now St. Edward's and St. Ignatius' schedules consist of each other twice, four Cincinnati Catholic schools, three out-of-state schools and John Carroll's B team.

To counter Catholic school's blatant recruiting, the OHSAA added yet another transfer bylaw exception: All private-school students who transfer to a public school are eligible the next day, and coaches are free to contact those players. Coaches who don't have time for all that can turn to one of several recruiting services that now funnel players back and forth.

None of the other Northeast Ohio Catholic schools jumped ship with St. Edward and St. Ignatius, and they were happy to see big schools leave. Elyria Catholic, Benedictine and certainly not Villa Angela-St. Joseph could afford to give away free tuition, let alone pay for all that travel. Plus, they had no desire to compete with St. Edward and St. Ignatius in the lone private-school division the OHSAA set up for every sport except football, which has two private divisions.

The OHSAA chose not to add divisions when splitting the publics and privates because it was too cumbersome and costly. That's why in the new, three-division public school basketball playoffs, Avon and Rocky River are in the Division I regional with Solon and Brecksville.

The separation of public and private schools isn't a factor in every sport, though. In ice hockey, field hockey, gymnastics and tennis, the privates and publics are playing each other in the newly formed Ohio Club Sports Athletic Association.

The OCSAA – not to be confused with the Catholic's OCSA – became a necessity when the OHSAA dropped both hockeys, gymnastics and tennis because it could not afford to split tournaments in sports that already were losing money. Besides, who really wanted a state tournament for nine private-school field hockey teams, or 21 private-school ice hockey teams?

Only in ice hockey could the boys with the stinkiest locker rooms come out smelling like roses! Fans (and scalpers) eagerly are anticipating the final four, now back at tiny Brooklyn Recreation Center.

Anticipation is more like dread at the OHSAA headquarters. With the expectation of declining state tournament attendance and viewership, and the subsequent loss of its television deal with Fox Sports (formerly STO), the OHSAA's revenue is in a free fall. Hardly anyone cared about that until the OHSAA reinstated membership fees for all schools and began charging for catastrophic injury insurance. Those had been free in the old system. Cash-strapped school districts are less than thrilled with the added expenses.

None of this comes at as a surprise to high school's governing body in 2016, of course. Back in January 2013, before the state vote, then-commissioner Dan Ross told reporters many of these scenarios were definite possibilities or serious concerns in an uncertain future.

Now, the future is here and 2015-16 is the year of change in Ohio high school sports. More could be coming. It seems there's a movement afoot to level the playing field.

Wait, didn't they just do that?

Apparently, they overlooked the fact that some public districts have open enrollment and are drawing talent away from other districts. That's not fair. Those with winning traditions are really successful at doing this, and that's really not fair. Some districts have more than one high school, and the best athletes always seem to wind up on the same team, and that can't go unpunished.

So they have cooked up a scheme to make things right – some weird formula that plays games with enrollment numbers.

They're calling it “competitive balance.''

Boys basketball CLEVELAND MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS

Boys basketball

CLEVELAND MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS

Extramural Championship

Jane Addams14 9 13 16--52

Ginn Academy16 22 16 21--75

Jane Addams (5-3): Bell 0-3-3, D. Hunt 3-0-7, R. Hunt 8-5-22, McCoy 1-0-2, Pierson 3-2-11, Williams 2-0-4, Zuber 1-1-3

Ginn Academy (8-0): Clinton 1-0-2, Grayer 1-0-2, Hall 0-7-7, Poon 10-2-22, Sanders 1-0-3, Wilson 7-2-16, Worley 9-5-24

LAKE EFFECT CONFERENCE

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Lawrence School10 10 4 10--34

St. Martin Porres18 14 8 7--47

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Lawrence School: Smith 10-6-28, Zeiger 3-0-6

St. Martin Porres (9-7, 7-4): French 2-0-4, Gooch 2-1-5, Hall 1-0-2, Hooks 2-2-6, Jiles 4-0-8, Miller 2-0-4, Roberson 3-0-6, Wiley 4-4-12

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New Day Ac.15 11 11 16--53

Grand River Ac.14 11 20 17--62

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New Day Ac. (5-8): Davidson 1-1-3, Dudley 4-1-9, Hood 2-0-5, Martin 7-1-16, Moore 2-2-6, Smith 1-1-4, Stevens 3-3-9, Valerio 2-1-6

Grand River Ac.: Dugan 10-4-25, Goldman 0-1-1, Ibingira 3-0-6, Kanimba 5-3-13, Lewis 4-1-9, Winning 4-0-8

NORTHEASTERN OHIO LEAGUE

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Fuchs Mizrachi7 11 13 17--48

Lake Ridge Ac.8 8 8 15--39

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Fuchs Mizrachi (2-4, 2-3): A 4-0-8, Ashwal 4-2-10, Jaffe 3-2-9, Senders 1-0-2, Sherman 5-5-17, Shevach 1-0-2

Lake Ridge Ac. (6-11, 2-2): Chriss 2-2-8, Gabriel 5-0-12, Lyon 3-1-9, Miller 1-2-5, O'Neill 1-2-4, Reissig 0-1-1

NONLEAGUE

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Cleveland MLK16 20 13 15--64

Rhodes23 14 8 11--56

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Cleveland MLK (6-8): Carmon 9-8-26, Jones 10-1-21, Maddox 2-0-5, Mcray 4-0-8, Saliym 1-0-2, Woodson 1-0-2

Rhode: Brown 2-1-5, Douglas 4-2-12, Golson 5-1-11, Grace 1-0-2, Lewis 7-1-15, Wells 1-0-2, stewart 4-1-9

AROUND OHIO

Bellevue 60, Tiffin Columbian 47

Cle. MLK 64, Cle. Rhodes 56

Cle. St. Martin De Porres 47, Lawrence School 34

Middletown Fenwick 63, Cin. Purcell Marian 60

Steubenville 86, Weir, W.Va. 51

Willard 59, Milan Edison 42

Worthington Christian 60, Northside Christian 41

Girls basketball

AKRON CITY SERIES

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Akron East4 9 19 11--43

Firestone16 18 5 18--57

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Akron East (3-13, 1-8): Bass 0-1-1, Dancy 4-2-10, Felder 4-0-8, Gregory 0-0-0, Johnson 3-3-12, Lampley 3-0-6, Latimer 1-0-2, Minter 2-0-4, Moore 0-0-0, Reed 0-0-0

Firestone (2-5, 2-1): Forney 6-5-19, Morgan 4-1-9, Phillips 1-3-5, QAQUISH 0-1-1, Roper 1-0-2, Scott 5-2-15, perry 2-2-6

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Akron Garfield4 8 4 11--27

Buchtel15 11 14 8--48

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Akron Garfield: Brown 3-0-7, McCallister 4-3-11, Smith 2-1-5, Stone 1-0-2, Yavonovich 1-0-2

Buchtel (8-11, 7-5): Anderson 1-0-3, Dent 3-1-7, El Amin 2-0-4, Giles 1-0-2, McGuire 4-2-12, McMillan 5-0-10, Ulmer 4-2-10

PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE

County Division

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Windham15 15 10 7--47

Mogadore6 18 14 10--48

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Windham (11-9, 6-5): Collins 1-0-2, Heller 7-4-18, Isler 7-2-17, Kilgore 1-2-4, Schreiner 2-2-6

Mogadore (7-10, 6-5): Barker 6-2-16, Jeter 0-2-2, Pollock 3-0-6, Reilly 7-5-21, Schrader 1-0-3

NONLEAGUE

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Brush8 9 15 9--41

#9 St. Joseph Ac.19 16 20 14--69

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Brush (6-12): Douglas 3-9-16, Dulin 3-5-14, Koonce 1-0-2, Shabazz 1-4-6, Wilson 1-1-3

St. Joseph Ac. (17-2): Avellone 1-0-2, Battaglia 7-0-19, Burry 1-2-5, Conroy 2-3-7, Grant 1-0-2, Heneghan 1-1-3, Jones 3-1-8, Martinez 2-0-5, McManamon 3-0-8, Morrison 1-1-3, Schwind 3-0-7

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Open Door11 11 18 12--52

Fuchs Mizrachi6 11 6 10--33

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Open Door (10-7): Camera 3-2-9, Kayanja 2-1-5, Mindling 4-0-8, Rodgers 10-0-20, Turner 1-0-2, Turner 1-0-2, Worley 3-0-6

Fuchs Mizrachi (0-3): Ashwal 2-0-5, Jaffe 1-0-2, Laserson 1-2-4, Lindenberg 1-0-3, Rosenblum 7-2-16, Rubin 1-0-3

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Perry5 3 4 5--17

Geneva21 18 8 8--55

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Perry (5-5): Clark 2-1-6, Cool 4-1-9, Ferrin 1-0-2

Geneva (14-1):

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Shaw5 14 12 18--49

Glenville10 19 13 14--56

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Shaw (10-7): Bush 1-1, Hunter 2-2, Jackson 3-2-8, Marion 2-2, McLin 4-1-12, Walker 6-3-15, Wilburn 1-2-5, Wynn 2-4

Glenville (14-2): Eatmon 2-2, Henderson 3-7-13, House 3-3-9, Legion 8-9-28, Nelson 2-4

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#5 Solon18 22 20 14--74

Warren Harding7 9 7 8--31

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Solon (14-3): Bekelja 5-11, Chambers 2-3-7, Confroy 6-4-18, Graham 2-2, Gray 6-2-14, Harper 2-4, Hawkins 1-2, Kontul 3-2-8, Thompson 3-8

Warren Harding (4-13): Baldridge 3-1-7, Bell 3-5-11, Bercheim 2-2-6, Chatman 1-1-3, Simpson 1-2, diggs 1-2

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#5 Walsh Jesuit10 10 12 25--57

#12 SVSM21 12 17 15--65

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Walsh Jesuit (14-4): Bandwen 3-0-7, Gilberto 2-2-7, Hall 3-5-11, Keough 3-2-9, Piper 7-1-16, Simone 2-3-7

St. Vincent-St. Mary (12-5): Bratton 7-0-14, Jack 4-5-15, Korinek 4-0-8, May 2-9-13, Motz 2-3-7, Taylor 2-3-7, Uecker 0-1-1

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Warrensville10 10 1 12--33

John Hay23 25 29 24--101

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Warrensville Hts (0-11): Bryant 4-8, Laltimore 8-1-17, Moss 2-2, Smith 1-2-4

John Hay (17-3): Jackson 11-26, Johnson 1-2, Lurns 14-2-31, May 11-24, Montgomery 4-8, Owens 3-6, Wesley 2-4

Late results

PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE

County Division

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Garr. Garfield13 16 6 8--43

Woodridge13 9 16 10--48

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Garrettsville Garfield (4-9, 2-8): Bright 3-0-9, Brown 1-0-2, Geddes 3-0-8, Jones 0-1-1, Kirk 4-1-13, Tabor 3-0-8, Witte 0-2-2

Woodridge (8-8, 6-5): Esterak 1-2-5, Kelleher 1-1-3, LoPrinzi 1-1-3, Watson 4-8-17, Wilkinson 8-4-20

Crossover

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Field11 12 12 4--39

Norton21 10 16 13--60

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Field (12-6, 7-4): Adelman 3-0-7, Adelman 2-2-6, Eldrith 2-0-4, Peachey 2-2-7, Shondrick 1-0-2, Spaller 6-0-13

Norton (13-6, 10-1): Bergstrom 1-1-3, Blackert 2-0-4, Cook 8-2-20, Dzombic 2-0-5, Fortner 5-0-12, Ivy 5-1-14, Robinson 1-0-2

SOUTHWESTERN CONFERENCE

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#11 Midpark16 24 16 9--65

North Olmsted8 11 4 7--30

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Midpark (13-3, 10-0): Barnes 2-1-5, Carey 7-3-18, Carney 1-2, Gable 1-2, Maryo 8-2-22, Moody 2-4, Neric 1-2, Stornes 1-2, Ziska 3-8

North Olmsted (6-8, 3-6): Bukala 1-2, Kelley 2-4, Kiefer 2-1-6, Marino 1-2, Palange 3-2-8, Reines 4-8

NONLEAGUE

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Hudson26 20 24 12--82

Aurora11 22 16 6--55

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Hudson (15-2): Baylor 1-1-3, Boesinger 11-5-33, Camp 2-4, Drohan 2-2-6, Klemencic 1-2, Madar 2-1-5, Mummey 2-2-7, Prosser 2-2, Ulmer 4-8-16, Zullo 2-4

Aurora (11-4): Brown 10-1-21, Garnek 3-6, Howard 3-7, Lasky 2-2-6, McNamara 6-12, Mims 1-1

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Mayfield12 13 20 12--57

#19 Lake Catholic5 15 10 16--46

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Mayfield (11-6): Pasquale 1-0-3, Rubino 6-2-14, Shanaberger 1-0-2, Snider 3-1-7, Tritt 1-3-6, Valenti 1-0-2, Widina 2-0-4, Williams 1-3-5, Zajec 6-1-14

Lake Catholic (9-9): Gibson 6-6-18, Karako 3-2-8, Lorek 0-2-2, McCoy 1-1-3, Oster 2-0-4, Spahar 5-0-11

Around Ohio

Akr. Ellet 54, Akr. Elms 40

Akr. Firestone 57, Akr. East 43

Akr. Kenmore 81, Akr. North 59

Akr. SVSM 65, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 57

Anna 49, Tipp City Tippecanoe 39

Arcadia 52, Pandora-Gilboa 47

Archbold 55, Continental 35

Arlington 45, Cory-Rawson 33

Athens 63, McArthur Vinton County 42

Austintown Fitch 61, Warren Howland 48

Baltimore Liberty Union 51, Amanda-Clearcreek 33

Batavia Clermont NE 50, Blanchester 28

Bellville Clear Fork 38, Lexington 36

Belpre 66, Glouster Trimble 44

Beverly Ft. Frye 64, New Matamoras Frontier 32

Bidwell River Valley 39, S. Point 35

Brookfield 49, Youngs. Christian 38

Campbell Memorial 62, Newton Falls 19

Celina 57, Lima Shawnee 34

Chesapeake 67, Ironton Rock Hill 58

Chillicothe Unioto 40, Piketon 29

Chillicothe Zane Trace 48, Chillicothe Huntington 34

Cin. Madeira 54, Cin. Hills Christian Academy 36

Cin. Mercy 48, Cin. St. Ursula 33

Cin. Winton Woods 55, Cin. Glen Este 47

Cin. Withrow 55, Cin. Aiken 26

Cin. Woodward 47, Cin. Taft 42

Cin. Wyoming 50, Reading 33

Cle. Glenville 56, E. Cle. Shaw 49

Cle. St. Joseph 69, Lyndhurst Brush 41

Columbiana 62, Salineville Southern 36

Columbiana Crestview 41, New Middletown Spring. 31

Columbus Grove 44, Bluffton 28

Convoy Crestview 59, Harrod Allen E. 43

Cortland Lakeview 48, Girard 37

Covington 47, W. Alexandria Twin Valley S. 40

Creston Norwayne 55, Apple Creek Waynedale 44

Crown City S. Gallia 53, Racine Southern 23

Cuyahoga Falls 42, Barberton 30

Delaware Christian 54, Madison Christian 25

Delphos Jefferson 73, Spencerville 52

Dover 66, Steubenville 41

Doylestown Chippewa 56, Rittman 24

Elmore Woodmore 51, Fostoria 34

Fayetteville-Perry 75, Sardinia Eastern Brown 35

Felicity-Franklin 53, Batavia 41

Findlay 54, Fremont Ross 41

Frankfort Adena 69, Williamsport Westfall 27

Ft. Loramie 61, Jackson Center 26

Gahanna Christian 57, Tree of Life 17

Galion Northmor 51, Marion Elgin 49

Geneva 55, Perry 17

Georgetown 74, Williamsburg 19

Goshen 50, Bethel-Tate 44

Hubbard 37, Lisbon Beaver 35

Ironton 51, Chillicothe 32

Jefferson Area 45, Youngs. Liberty 32

Johnstown-Monroe 44, Fredericktown 39

Lancaster Fairfield Union 58, Logan 43

Lima Bath 97, Kenton 51

Lima Cent. Cath. 44, Paulding 24

Lima Sr. 49, Tol. Cent. Cath. 46

Lore City Buckeye Trail 34, Caldwell 32

Lowellville 55, Wellsville 30

Lucasville Valley 63, S. Webster 43

Mansfield Christian 37, Crestline 33

Mansfield Sr. 64, Ashland 50

Maria Stein Marion Local 64, Delphos St. John's 37

McComb 37, Findlay Liberty-Benton 36

McDermott Scioto NW 53, Waverly 45

Middletown Madison 77, Day. Northridge 21

Milford Center Fairbanks 49, Waynesfield-Goshen 47

Millersburg W. Holmes 55, Wooster 42

Minster 43, Ft. Recovery 40

Mogadore 48, Windham 47

Mt. Notre Dame 55, Ursuline Academy 52

N. Jackson Jackson-Milton 41, Mineral Ridge 29

New Bremen 54, St. Henry 44

New Knoxville 66, Rockford Parkway 46

New Madison Tri-Village 52, Pitsburg Franklin-Monroe 37

New Richmond 46, Batavia Amelia 44

Norwalk St. Paul 50, Monroeville 46

Oak Hill 43, Wheelersburg 34

Ottawa-Glandorf 52, Elida 35

Portsmouth Notre Dame 55, Portsmouth Clay 54, OT

Proctorville Fairland 45, Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant 29

Reedsville Eastern 75, Wahama, W.Va. 24

Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington 58, Fairfield 30

Russia 30, Houston 26

Seton 58, Cin. McAuley 54

Solon 74, Warren Harding 31

Southeastern 46, Bainbridge Paint Valley 38

St. Bernard 53, Hamilton New Miami 19

Stewart Federal Hocking 57, Corning Miller 47

Struthers 63, Niles McKinley 15

Tallmadge 41, Macedonia Nordonia 34

Van Buren 64, Vanlue 46

Van Wert 51, Defiance 25

Van Wert Lincolnview 61, Ada 57

Versailles 29, Coldwater 24

Wapakoneta 59, St. Marys Memorial 39

Warrensville Hts. 101, Cle. Hay 33

Weir, W.Va. 47, Rayland Buckeye 39

Wellston 57, Albany Alexander 46

Willow Wood Symmes Valley 47, Latham Western 42

Wintersville Indian Creek 71, Wheeling Park, W.Va. 57

Wrestling

Avon 42, Midview 19

106: Rizzo (A) d. Carte 2-0 (OT). 113: Grau (M) d. Stringer 11-4. 120: Taylor (M) d. Gothier 4-2. 126: Kuchenrither (A) p. Gabor 2:50. 132: Kirresh (A) d. Schatz 3-2. 138: Lupico (M) d. Campo 5-4. 145: Delorge (A) p. Hoyt 4:58. 152: Hollingsworth (M) d. Vaccarella 5-2. 160: Hirschfelder (M) d. Leopold 6-0. 170: Frambach (M) m.d. Blakely 10-1. 182: Kirresh (A) p. Croftcheck :35. 195: Stienmetz (A) p. Strebel 1:07. 220: Travagliante (A) by ff. Hvy: Cramer (A) by ff.

Hockey

Orange 3, Kent Roosevelt 2

O (21-5, 9-1): C. Sonkin, Bonda, Raupp. KR: Smith, Boger.

Goalies: O, Russell (30 saves); KR, Grootegoed (26).

University School 5, St. Edward 3

US: Dalton 2, Jones, Krueger, Heller. SE: Harkins 2, Lampron.

Goalies: US, Megerian (22 saves); SE, Gillis (37).

Late result

Rocky River 4, Walsh Jesuit 2

RR (23-6-1, 6-3-1): Sperli 2, Kopechek, Garibaldi. WJ: Matson, Musgrave.

Goalies: RR, Nicholson (30 saves); WJ, Studer (28).

Boys swimming

Late result

Normandy 118, Padua 64, Valley Forge 57

200MR: P (Gliebe, Moysaenko, Giordano, Moysaenko) 2:11.55. 200 free: Vitlin (N) 2:19.78. 200IM: Moysaenko (P) 2:36.20. 50 free: Moysaenko (P) 28.44. Diving: Schuck (N) 146.85. 100 fly: Putrino (N) 1:12.81. 100 free: Moysaenko (P) 1:03.31. 400 free: Jolley (N) 5:03.17. 200FR: N (Novak, Jensen, Silaghi, Vitlin) 1:56.17. 100 back: Novak (N) 1:18.14. 100 breast: Moysaenko (P) 1:15.64. 400FR: N (Silaghi, Jensen, Jolley, Vitlin) 4:17.69.

Girls swimming

Late result

Normandy 93, Padua 93, Valley Forge 48

200MR: P (Tomoff, Wasco, Byram, Peloso) 2:30.14. 200 free: Shevchuk (P) 2:34.78. 200IM: Steponick (N) 2:42.77. 50 free: McManis (P) 31.21. Diving: Ward (VF) 115.13. 100 fly: Ranker (P) 1:27.78. 100 free: Peloso (P) 1:12.29. 400 free: Shevchuk (P) 5:19.03. 200FR: P (McManis, Wasco, Peloso, Shevchuk) 2:10.93. 100 back: Sakacsi (N) 1:27.90. 100 breast: Steponick (N) 1:26.20. 400FR: N (Potocki, O'Donnell, Lakota, Steponick) 5:00.14.

Gymnastics

Late result

NEGC CLASSIC MEET (no team scores)

Participating teams: Perry, Wooster, Wadsworth, GlenOak, and Cloverleaf

Vault: 1. Brandt (C) 8.90; 2. Wadsworth (WO) 8.80; 3. Jackson (P) 8.75; 4. Grabowski (C) 8.35; 5. Gerber (WO) 8.20. Bars: 1. Brandt (C) 8.70; 2. Almes (WA) 8.475; 3. Bates (WA) 8.35; 4. Wadsworth (P) 8.20; 5. Maddy (WO) 8.05. Beam: 1. Brandt (C) 9.00; 2. Almes (WA) 8.80; 3. Jackson (P) 8.70; 4. Shank (WO) 8.60; 5. Bates (WA) 8.50. Floor: 1. Brandt (C) 9.50; 2. Almes (WA) 9.303. Jackson (P) 8.875; 4. Wadsworth (P) 8.85; 5. Shank (WO) 8.70. All-around: 1. Brandt (C) 36.10; 2. Almes (WA) 34.425; 3. Jackson (P) 34.225; 4. Wadsworth (WO) 34.175; 5. Bates (WA) 33.625.

Boys basketball CLEVELAND MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS

Boys basketball

CLEVELAND MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS

Extramural Championship

Jane Addams14 9 13 16--52

Ginn Academy16 22 16 21--75

Jane Addams (5-3): Bell 0-3-3, D. Hunt 3-0-7, R. Hunt 8-5-22, McCoy 1-0-2, Pierson 3-2-11, Williams 2-0-4, Zuber 1-1-3

Ginn Academy (8-0): Clinton 1-0-2, Grayer 1-0-2, Hall 0-7-7, Poon 10-2-22, Sanders 1-0-3, Wilson 7-2-16, Worley 9-5-24

LAKE EFFECT CONFERENCE

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Lawrence School10 10 4 10--34

St. Martin Porres18 14 8 7--47

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Lawrence School: Smith 10-6-28, Zeiger 3-0-6

St. Martin Porres (9-7, 7-4): French 2-0-4, Gooch 2-1-5, Hall 1-0-2, Hooks 2-2-6, Jiles 4-0-8, Miller 2-0-4, Roberson 3-0-6, Wiley 4-4-12

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New Day Ac.15 11 11 16--53

Grand River Ac.14 11 20 17--62

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New Day Ac. (5-8): Davidson 1-1-3, Dudley 4-1-9, Hood 2-0-5, Martin 7-1-16, Moore 2-2-6, Smith 1-1-4, Stevens 3-3-9, Valerio 2-1-6

Grand River Ac.: Dugan 10-4-25, Goldman 0-1-1, Ibingira 3-0-6, Kanimba 5-3-13, Lewis 4-1-9, Winning 4-0-8

NORTHEASTERN OHIO LEAGUE

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Fuchs Mizrachi7 11 13 17--48

Lake Ridge Ac.8 8 8 15--39

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Fuchs Mizrachi (2-4, 2-3): A 4-0-8, Ashwal 4-2-10, Jaffe 3-2-9, Senders 1-0-2, Sherman 5-5-17, Shevach 1-0-2

Lake Ridge Ac. (6-11, 2-2): Chriss 2-2-8, Gabriel 5-0-12, Lyon 3-1-9, Miller 1-2-5, O'Neill 1-2-4, Reissig 0-1-1

NONLEAGUE

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Cleveland MLK16 20 13 15--64

Rhodes23 14 8 11--56

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Cleveland MLK (6-8): Carmon 9-8-26, Jones 10-1-21, Maddox 2-0-5, Mcray 4-0-8, Saliym 1-0-2, Woodson 1-0-2

Rhode: Brown 2-1-5, Douglas 4-2-12, Golson 5-1-11, Grace 1-0-2, Lewis 7-1-15, Wells 1-0-2, stewart 4-1-9

AROUND OHIO

Bellevue 60, Tiffin Columbian 47

Cle. MLK 64, Cle. Rhodes 56

Cle. St. Martin De Porres 47, Lawrence School 34

Middletown Fenwick 63, Cin. Purcell Marian 60

Steubenville 86, Weir, W.Va. 51

Willard 59, Milan Edison 42

Worthington Christian 60, Northside Christian 41

Girls basketball

AKRON CITY SERIES

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Akron East4 9 19 11--43

Firestone16 18 5 18--57

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Akron East (3-13, 1-8): Bass 0-1-1, Dancy 4-2-10, Felder 4-0-8, Gregory 0-0-0, Johnson 3-3-12, Lampley 3-0-6, Latimer 1-0-2, Minter 2-0-4, Moore 0-0-0, Reed 0-0-0

Firestone (2-5, 2-1): Forney 6-5-19, Morgan 4-1-9, Phillips 1-3-5, QAQUISH 0-1-1, Roper 1-0-2, Scott 5-2-15, perry 2-2-6

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Akron Garfield4 8 4 11--27

Buchtel15 11 14 8--48

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Akron Garfield: Brown 3-0-7, McCallister 4-3-11, Smith 2-1-5, Stone 1-0-2, Yavonovich 1-0-2

Buchtel (8-11, 7-5): Anderson 1-0-3, Dent 3-1-7, El Amin 2-0-4, Giles 1-0-2, McGuire 4-2-12, McMillan 5-0-10, Ulmer 4-2-10

PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE

County Division

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Windham15 15 10 7--47

Mogadore6 18 14 10--48

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Windham (11-9, 6-5): Collins 1-0-2, Heller 7-4-18, Isler 7-2-17, Kilgore 1-2-4, Schreiner 2-2-6

Mogadore (7-10, 6-5): Barker 6-2-16, Jeter 0-2-2, Pollock 3-0-6, Reilly 7-5-21, Schrader 1-0-3

NONLEAGUE

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Brush8 9 15 9--41

#9 St. Joseph Ac.19 16 20 14--69

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Brush (6-12): Douglas 3-9-16, Dulin 3-5-14, Koonce 1-0-2, Shabazz 1-4-6, Wilson 1-1-3

St. Joseph Ac. (17-2): Avellone 1-0-2, Battaglia 7-0-19, Burry 1-2-5, Conroy 2-3-7, Grant 1-0-2, Heneghan 1-1-3, Jones 3-1-8, Martinez 2-0-5, McManamon 3-0-8, Morrison 1-1-3, Schwind 3-0-7

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Open Door11 11 18 12--52

Fuchs Mizrachi6 11 6 10--33

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Open Door (10-7): Camera 3-2-9, Kayanja 2-1-5, Mindling 4-0-8, Rodgers 10-0-20, Turner 1-0-2, Turner 1-0-2, Worley 3-0-6

Fuchs Mizrachi (0-3): Ashwal 2-0-5, Jaffe 1-0-2, Laserson 1-2-4, Lindenberg 1-0-3, Rosenblum 7-2-16, Rubin 1-0-3

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Perry5 3 4 5--17

Geneva21 18 8 8--55

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Perry (5-5): Clark 2-1-6, Cool 4-1-9, Ferrin 1-0-2

Geneva (14-1):

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Shaw5 14 12 18--49

Glenville10 19 13 14--56

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Shaw (10-7): Bush 1-1, Hunter 2-2, Jackson 3-2-8, Marion 2-2, McLin 4-1-12, Walker 6-3-15, Wilburn 1-2-5, Wynn 2-4

Glenville (14-2): Eatmon 2-2, Henderson 3-7-13, House 3-3-9, Legion 8-9-28, Nelson 2-4

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#5 Solon18 22 20 14--74

Warren Harding7 9 7 8--31

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Solon (14-3): Bekelja 5-11, Chambers 2-3-7, Confroy 6-4-18, Graham 2-2, Gray 6-2-14, Harper 2-4, Hawkins 1-2, Kontul 3-2-8, Thompson 3-8

Warren Harding (4-13): Baldridge 3-1-7, Bell 3-5-11, Bercheim 2-2-6, Chatman 1-1-3, Simpson 1-2, diggs 1-2

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#5 Walsh Jesuit10 10 12 25--57

#12 SVSM21 12 17 15--65

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Walsh Jesuit (14-4): Bandwen 3-0-7, Gilberto 2-2-7, Hall 3-5-11, Keough 3-2-9, Piper 7-1-16, Simone 2-3-7

St. Vincent-St. Mary (12-5): Bratton 7-0-14, Jack 4-5-15, Korinek 4-0-8, May 2-9-13, Motz 2-3-7, Taylor 2-3-7, Uecker 0-1-1

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Warrensville10 10 1 12--33

John Hay23 25 29 24--101

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Warrensville Hts (0-11): Bryant 4-8, Laltimore 8-1-17, Moss 2-2, Smith 1-2-4

John Hay (17-3): Jackson 11-26, Johnson 1-2, Lurns 14-2-31, May 11-24, Montgomery 4-8, Owens 3-6, Wesley 2-4

Late results

PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE

County Division

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Garr. Garfield13 16 6 8--43

Woodridge13 9 16 10--48

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Garrettsville Garfield (4-9, 2-8): Bright 3-0-9, Brown 1-0-2, Geddes 3-0-8, Jones 0-1-1, Kirk 4-1-13, Tabor 3-0-8, Witte 0-2-2

Woodridge (8-8, 6-5): Esterak 1-2-5, Kelleher 1-1-3, LoPrinzi 1-1-3, Watson 4-8-17, Wilkinson 8-4-20

Crossover

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Field11 12 12 4--39

Norton21 10 16 13--60

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Field (12-6, 7-4): Adelman 3-0-7, Adelman 2-2-6, Eldrith 2-0-4, Peachey 2-2-7, Shondrick 1-0-2, Spaller 6-0-13

Norton (13-6, 10-1): Bergstrom 1-1-3, Blackert 2-0-4, Cook 8-2-20, Dzombic 2-0-5, Fortner 5-0-12, Ivy 5-1-14, Robinson 1-0-2

SOUTHWESTERN CONFERENCE

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#11 Midpark16 24 16 9--65

North Olmsted8 11 4 7--30

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Midpark (13-3, 10-0): Barnes 2-1-5, Carey 7-3-18, Carney 1-2, Gable 1-2, Maryo 8-2-22, Moody 2-4, Neric 1-2, Stornes 1-2, Ziska 3-8

North Olmsted (6-8, 3-6): Bukala 1-2, Kelley 2-4, Kiefer 2-1-6, Marino 1-2, Palange 3-2-8, Reines 4-8

NONLEAGUE

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Hudson26 20 24 12--82

Aurora11 22 16 6--55

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Hudson (15-2): Baylor 1-1-3, Boesinger 11-5-33, Camp 2-4, Drohan 2-2-6, Klemencic 1-2, Madar 2-1-5, Mummey 2-2-7, Prosser 2-2, Ulmer 4-8-16, Zullo 2-4

Aurora (11-4): Brown 10-1-21, Garnek 3-6, Howard 3-7, Lasky 2-2-6, McNamara 6-12, Mims 1-1

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Mayfield12 13 20 12--57

#19 Lake Catholic5 15 10 16--46

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Mayfield (11-6): Pasquale 1-0-3, Rubino 6-2-14, Shanaberger 1-0-2, Snider 3-1-7, Tritt 1-3-6, Valenti 1-0-2, Widina 2-0-4, Williams 1-3-5, Zajec 6-1-14

Lake Catholic (9-9): Gibson 6-6-18, Karako 3-2-8, Lorek 0-2-2, McCoy 1-1-3, Oster 2-0-4, Spahar 5-0-11

Around Ohio

Akr. Ellet 54, Akr. Elms 40

Akr. Firestone 57, Akr. East 43

Akr. Kenmore 81, Akr. North 59

Akr. SVSM 65, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 57

Anna 49, Tipp City Tippecanoe 39

Arcadia 52, Pandora-Gilboa 47

Archbold 55, Continental 35

Arlington 45, Cory-Rawson 33

Athens 63, McArthur Vinton County 42

Austintown Fitch 61, Warren Howland 48

Baltimore Liberty Union 51, Amanda-Clearcreek 33

Batavia Clermont NE 50, Blanchester 28

Bellville Clear Fork 38, Lexington 36

Belpre 66, Glouster Trimble 44

Beverly Ft. Frye 64, New Matamoras Frontier 32

Bidwell River Valley 39, S. Point 35

Brookfield 49, Youngs. Christian 38

Campbell Memorial 62, Newton Falls 19

Celina 57, Lima Shawnee 34

Chesapeake 67, Ironton Rock Hill 58

Chillicothe Unioto 40, Piketon 29

Chillicothe Zane Trace 48, Chillicothe Huntington 34

Cin. Madeira 54, Cin. Hills Christian Academy 36

Cin. Mercy 48, Cin. St. Ursula 33

Cin. Winton Woods 55, Cin. Glen Este 47

Cin. Withrow 55, Cin. Aiken 26

Cin. Woodward 47, Cin. Taft 42

Cin. Wyoming 50, Reading 33

Cle. Glenville 56, E. Cle. Shaw 49

Cle. St. Joseph 69, Lyndhurst Brush 41

Columbiana 62, Salineville Southern 36

Columbiana Crestview 41, New Middletown Spring. 31

Columbus Grove 44, Bluffton 28

Convoy Crestview 59, Harrod Allen E. 43

Cortland Lakeview 48, Girard 37

Covington 47, W. Alexandria Twin Valley S. 40

Creston Norwayne 55, Apple Creek Waynedale 44

Crown City S. Gallia 53, Racine Southern 23

Cuyahoga Falls 42, Barberton 30

Delaware Christian 54, Madison Christian 25

Delphos Jefferson 73, Spencerville 52

Dover 66, Steubenville 41

Doylestown Chippewa 56, Rittman 24

Elmore Woodmore 51, Fostoria 34

Fayetteville-Perry 75, Sardinia Eastern Brown 35

Felicity-Franklin 53, Batavia 41

Findlay 54, Fremont Ross 41

Frankfort Adena 69, Williamsport Westfall 27

Ft. Loramie 61, Jackson Center 26

Gahanna Christian 57, Tree of Life 17

Galion Northmor 51, Marion Elgin 49

Geneva 55, Perry 17

Georgetown 74, Williamsburg 19

Goshen 50, Bethel-Tate 44

Hubbard 37, Lisbon Beaver 35

Ironton 51, Chillicothe 32

Jefferson Area 45, Youngs. Liberty 32

Johnstown-Monroe 44, Fredericktown 39

Lancaster Fairfield Union 58, Logan 43

Lima Bath 97, Kenton 51

Lima Cent. Cath. 44, Paulding 24

Lima Sr. 49, Tol. Cent. Cath. 46

Lore City Buckeye Trail 34, Caldwell 32

Lowellville 55, Wellsville 30

Lucasville Valley 63, S. Webster 43

Mansfield Christian 37, Crestline 33

Mansfield Sr. 64, Ashland 50

Maria Stein Marion Local 64, Delphos St. John's 37

McComb 37, Findlay Liberty-Benton 36

McDermott Scioto NW 53, Waverly 45

Middletown Madison 77, Day. Northridge 21

Milford Center Fairbanks 49, Waynesfield-Goshen 47

Millersburg W. Holmes 55, Wooster 42

Minster 43, Ft. Recovery 40

Mogadore 48, Windham 47

Mt. Notre Dame 55, Ursuline Academy 52

N. Jackson Jackson-Milton 41, Mineral Ridge 29

New Bremen 54, St. Henry 44

New Knoxville 66, Rockford Parkway 46

New Madison Tri-Village 52, Pitsburg Franklin-Monroe 37

New Richmond 46, Batavia Amelia 44

Norwalk St. Paul 50, Monroeville 46

Oak Hill 43, Wheelersburg 34

Ottawa-Glandorf 52, Elida 35

Portsmouth Notre Dame 55, Portsmouth Clay 54, OT

Proctorville Fairland 45, Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant 29

Reedsville Eastern 75, Wahama, W.Va. 24

Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington 58, Fairfield 30

Russia 30, Houston 26

Seton 58, Cin. McAuley 54

Solon 74, Warren Harding 31

Southeastern 46, Bainbridge Paint Valley 38

St. Bernard 53, Hamilton New Miami 19

Stewart Federal Hocking 57, Corning Miller 47

Struthers 63, Niles McKinley 15

Tallmadge 41, Macedonia Nordonia 34

Van Buren 64, Vanlue 46

Van Wert 51, Defiance 25

Van Wert Lincolnview 61, Ada 57

Versailles 29, Coldwater 24

Wapakoneta 59, St. Marys Memorial 39

Warrensville Hts. 101, Cle. Hay 33

Weir, W.Va. 47, Rayland Buckeye 39

Wellston 57, Albany Alexander 46

Willow Wood Symmes Valley 47, Latham Western 42

Wintersville Indian Creek 71, Wheeling Park, W.Va. 57

Wrestling

Avon 42, Midview 19

106: Rizzo (A) d. Carte 2-0 (OT). 113: Grau (M) d. Stringer 11-4. 120: Taylor (M) d. Gothier 4-2. 126: Kuchenrither (A) p. Gabor 2:50. 132: Kirresh (A) d. Schatz 3-2. 138: Lupico (M) d. Campo 5-4. 145: Delorge (A) p. Hoyt 4:58. 152: Hollingsworth (M) d. Vaccarella 5-2. 160: Hirschfelder (M) d. Leopold 6-0. 170: Frambach (M) m.d. Blakely 10-1. 182: Kirresh (A) p. Croftcheck :35. 195: Stienmetz (A) p. Strebel 1:07. 220: Travagliante (A) by ff. Hvy: Cramer (A) by ff.

Hockey

Orange 3, Kent Roosevelt 2

O (21-5, 9-1): C. Sonkin, Bonda, Raupp. KR: Smith, Boger.

Goalies: O, Russell (30 saves); KR, Grootegoed (26).

University School 5, St. Edward 3

US: Dalton 2, Jones, Krueger, Heller. SE: Harkins 2, Lampron.

Goalies: US, Megerian (22 saves); SE, Gillis (37).

Late result

Rocky River 4, Walsh Jesuit 2

RR (23-6-1, 6-3-1): Sperli 2, Kopechek, Garibaldi. WJ: Matson, Musgrave.

Goalies: RR, Nicholson (30 saves); WJ, Studer (28).

Boys swimming

Late result

Normandy 118, Padua 64, Valley Forge 57

200MR: P (Gliebe, Moysaenko, Giordano, Moysaenko) 2:11.55. 200 free: Vitlin (N) 2:19.78. 200IM: Moysaenko (P) 2:36.20. 50 free: Moysaenko (P) 28.44. Diving: Schuck (N) 146.85. 100 fly: Putrino (N) 1:12.81. 100 free: Moysaenko (P) 1:03.31. 400 free: Jolley (N) 5:03.17. 200FR: N (Novak, Jensen, Silaghi, Vitlin) 1:56.17. 100 back: Novak (N) 1:18.14. 100 breast: Moysaenko (P) 1:15.64. 400FR: N (Silaghi, Jensen, Jolley, Vitlin) 4:17.69.

Girls swimming

Late result

Normandy 93, Padua 93, Valley Forge 48

200MR: P (Tomoff, Wasco, Byram, Peloso) 2:30.14. 200 free: Shevchuk (P) 2:34.78. 200IM: Steponick (N) 2:42.77. 50 free: McManis (P) 31.21. Diving: Ward (VF) 115.13. 100 fly: Ranker (P) 1:27.78. 100 free: Peloso (P) 1:12.29. 400 free: Shevchuk (P) 5:19.03. 200FR: P (McManis, Wasco, Peloso, Shevchuk) 2:10.93. 100 back: Sakacsi (N) 1:27.90. 100 breast: Steponick (N) 1:26.20. 400FR: N (Potocki, O'Donnell, Lakota, Steponick) 5:00.14.

Gymnastics

Late result

NEGC CLASSIC MEET (no team scores)

Participating teams: Perry, Wooster, Wadsworth, GlenOak, and Cloverleaf

Vault: 1. Brandt (C) 8.90; 2. Wadsworth (WO) 8.80; 3. Jackson (P) 8.75; 4. Grabowski (C) 8.35; 5. Gerber (WO) 8.20. Bars: 1. Brandt (C) 8.70; 2. Almes (WA) 8.475; 3. Bates (WA) 8.35; 4. Wadsworth (P) 8.20; 5. Maddy (WO) 8.05. Beam: 1. Brandt (C) 9.00; 2. Almes (WA) 8.80; 3. Jackson (P) 8.70; 4. Shank (WO) 8.60; 5. Bates (WA) 8.50. Floor: 1. Brandt (C) 9.50; 2. Almes (WA) 9.303. Jackson (P) 8.875; 4. Wadsworth (P) 8.85; 5. Shank (WO) 8.70. All-around: 1. Brandt (C) 36.10; 2. Almes (WA) 34.425; 3. Jackson (P) 34.225; 4. Wadsworth (WO) 34.175; 5. Bates (WA) 33.625.

There was plenty of Mayhem happening on the Lake Ridge Academy hardwood Thursday night. The Fuchs Mizrachi (2-4, 2-3) boys pulled a minor Northeastern Ohio League basketball upset with a 48-39 victory over the Lions (6-11, 2-2) as Jeremy Sherman scored a game-high 17 points for the Mayhem.

There was plenty of Mayhem happening on the Lake Ridge Academy hardwood Thursday night.

The Fuchs Mizrachi (2-4, 2-3) boys pulled a minor Northeastern Ohio League basketball upset with a 48-39 victory over the Lions (6-11, 2-2) as Jeremy Sherman scored a game-high 17 points for the Mayhem.

Ginn Academy 75, Jane Addams 52 Ginn won the Cleveland Municipal School District Extramural title behind Christopher Worley's 24 points, Shango Poon's 22 points and Demann Wilson's 22 points.

Girls basketball

No. 9 St. Joseph 69, Brush 51 The Jaguars (17-2), ranked 12th in the Division I state poll, grabbed a 35-17 halftime lead and cruised to the nonleague win. Katie Battaglia finished with 19 points, including five 3-pointers, and five assists for SJA.

No. 12 St. Vincent-St. Mary 65, No. 6 Walsh Jesuit 57 The Fighting Irish (12-5) jumped out to a 21-10 first-quarter lead and kept their distance to muster the nonleague upset. Shannon Jack, Erica Bratton and Kiley May tallied 15, 14 and 13 points, respectively, for SVSM.

Glenville 56, Shaw 49 The Tarblooders (14-2) won the nonleague home game as Latrice Legion led the way with 28 points and 16 rebounds, while Keesha Henderson added 13 points and eight assists.

Mogadore 48, Windham 47 The Wildcats (7-10, 6-5) pulled the Portage Trail Conference County Division upset as Grace Reilly and Ashley Barker combined for 37 points.

Hockey

Orange 3, Kent Roosevelt 2 Evan Raupp put in the winning goal midway through the third period on assists from Chad Sonkin and Adam Rukin.

University School 5, St. Edward 3 Tylers Dalton's two goals along with goals from Clarke Jones, Evan Krueger and Ben Heller led the Preppers to the win.

Cleveland's AHL team has now won five of their past six games.

Lake Erie's Geoff Walker, left, lunges for a crossing pass in front of Abbotsford's Ben Street, center, and goalie Danny Taylor at The Q on Thursday night. John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer  

With an opportunity to be a first-place club as the calendar flipped to February, the Monsters were relentless Thursday night. They continued to pressure Abbotsford until they got what they wanted.

Center Brad Malone and defenseman Gabriel Beaupre scored early in the third period to propel the Monsters to a 4-1 victory at The Q.

The Monsters (24-16-2-2) have won five of six and extended their points streak to six. With 52 points, they lead Abbotsford by one and Toronto by two in the five-team Western Conference North Division. However, the Heat (22-14-3-4) and Marlies (23-13-2-2) have played fewer games.

Lake Erie won for the first time in five meetings with Abbotsford this season. Combined goals in those games: 15. The teams face off at The Q again tonight.

Lake Erie's goalie tonight will be Calvin Pickard or Kent Patterson because of a lower-body injury to Sami Aittokallio. Pickard made 23 saves Thursday.

When the Monsters adhere to fundamentals, they are difficult to beat because of their seemingly endless supply of speed. Their skaters simply were too fast for Heat skaters, repeatedly beating them to strategic spots, especially in the third. The Monsters held a 44-24 advantage in shots.

"We did a pretty good job of getting pucks in deep," Monsters coach Dean Chynoweth said.

With the score tied, 1-1, at :45 of the third, the puck took an odd bounce off the boards that put goalie Danny Taylor in a bad position. Malone pounced and notched his seventh. It came on Lake Erie's 35th shot.

"I have to thank the rink guys for that funny bounce," Malone said with a chuckle. "Those things happen."

Malone performed splendidly in his first game since a one-game stint with the Colorado Avalanche.

"It's part of the business," he said of the brief stay above. "You take the positives from it and keep playing hard."

At 3:01 of the third, Beaupre notched his first AHL goal in his 14th game. It came on Lake Erie's 36th shot.

Bill Thomas accounted for the final margin with a power-play goal at 16:03. Thomas has 17 goals.

"""'"In the first period, the Monsters were in position to score multiple goals. Instead, they trailed, 1-0.

Abbotsford defenseman Brett Carson committed a delay of game penalty at 7:45, then teammate Joe Callahan went to the box at 8:49 for cross-checking and tripping. But the Monsters failed to capitalize on the 5-on-3 and protracted 5-on-4.

Abbotsford set up a play inside the final minute that resulted in a shot from the right circle. The rebound landed in the vicinity of center Quintin Laing, who scored from the left side. So the Heat led after 20 minutes despite being out-shot, 16-9.

The Monsters, undaunted, tied it at 7:51 of the second. After the Heat turned over the puck in the first minute of a power play, Monsters winger Paul Carey zipped in and bagged his eighth. It was unassisted. The Monsters out-shot the Heat, 18-8, in the second.

Highlights include Cavaliers at Detroit.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

AHL

7:30 p.m. Abbotsford at LAKE ERIE MONSTERS, AM/850

BOXING

9 p.m. Carlos Molina vs. Cory Spinks, ESPN2 

4 p.m. Phoenix Open, Golf Channel

4 a.m. (Saturday morning) Dubai Desert Classic, Golf Channel 

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL

7 p.m. Columbia at Oberlin, AM/930

7 p.m. Firelands at Keystone, AM/1320

11 p.m. Shaker Heights at St. Edward (tape), TWCS-311 

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

7 p.m. Manhattan at Siena, ESPNU

9 p.m. Youngstown State at Detroit, ESPNU 

MEN'S COLLEGE HOCKEY

6:30 p.m. Michigan State at Michigan, Big Ten Network

7:30 p.m. Alaska at Miami (Ohio), SportsTime Ohio; TWCS-311 

MEN'S COLLEGE WRESTLING

9 p.m. Penn State at Iowa, Big Ten Network

NBA

7 p.m. Miami at Indiana, ESPN

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

9:30 p.m. L.A. Lakers at Minnesota, ESPN 

NHL

7:30 p.m. St. Louis at Detroit, NHL Network



Caleb Moore was a Texas kid drawn to the snow, rehearsing complicated tricks on a snowmobile into a foam pit back home until they became second nature and ready for the mountains.

In this photo taken Jan. 25, 2012 and released by ESPN Images, snomobiler Caleb Moore smiles while attending a news conference at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo. Moore was in critical condition on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, in a Colorado hospital after a dramatic crash at the Winter X Games in Aspen, and a relative said the family wasn't hopeful about the 25-year-old's chances for survival. (AP Photo/ESPN Images, Eric Lars Bakke)





 

49ers receiver Ted Ginn Jr. and safety Donte Whitner are blessed to be sharing the Super Bowl with their former Glenville High coach Ted Ginn Sr., who has battled a form of pancreatic cancer since the summer.

View full size 49ers strong safety and former Glenville High and Ohio State standout Donte Whitner. Jeff Chiu, AP  

NEW ORLEANS -- San Francisco 49ers safety and Cleveland native Donte Whitner, who will face the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl on Sunday, pointed to a tattoo on his bulging forearm during a media session Thursday that read, "Thank God for Ginn."

The indelible mark on his arm -- and on his soul -- is a tribute to his former Glenville High School coach and father figure, Ted Ginn Sr., who has been battling pancreatic cancer since August and is in New Orleans to watch Whitner and his son, 49ers receiver Ted Ginn Jr., play in the biggest game of their lives.

"Teddy and I would not be here today at the Super Bowl without Ted Ginn Sr.," said Whitner, the 49ers' starting strong safety. "Ever since we were kids, Ted pushed us to get to where we are right now -- from Glenville to Ohio State to now. And to have him here with us after everything that he's been through this year makes it all the more special."

View full size Ted Ginn Jr., right, and his dad, Ted Ginn Sr., are sharing a special week in New Orleans. Ted Jr. is a kick returner for the 49ers who played for his dad at Glenville. Ted Sr. is fighting cancer, which kept him off the Glenville sidelines last fall. Roadell Hickman, The Plain Dealer  

In late August, just before the start of the high school football season, Ginn Sr., who has transformed the lives of hundreds of inner-city kids at Glenville and Ginn Academy for underprivileged boys, was rushed to University Hospitals for emergency hernia surgery. During post-operative exams, his surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Hardacre, discovered a tumor on Ginn's pancreas that was producing excess insulin.

Ginn, 57, quietly stepped away from the Glenville sideline to begin a journey of surgeries and recovery that has left him 55 pounds lighter and more grateful than ever to be alive. Hardacre removed the tumor in mid-October, but Ginn suffered a complication that required a follow-up surgery. Subsequently, he developed fluid in his lungs and had to undergo another procedure.

All told, he spent about 60 days in the hospital and was released just after Christmas.

"He's been to hell and back," Hardacre said. "It's a miracle how well he's recovered from a difficult post-operative course. But fortunately, he has a very good chance of being cured of his form of pancreatic cancer. If you're going to have one, it's the kind you want to have."

Ginn's voice is weak but his spirit is strong. He has spent the week in New Orleans, not far from where he was born and raised, relishing in the joy of Whitner and his son being in the Super Bowl.

"There's no question, I'm a walking miracle," he said. "I'm blessed to be here. The doctors called me their miracle man. If not for God's grace, I wouldn't be here. I have good days and bad days, but I wouldn't have missed this for the world."

For Ginn Jr., who mostly returns punts and kicks for the Niners, watching his dad enjoy the Super Bowl festivities has been the highlight of his week.

"I watched him [Tuesday at media day]," said Ginn Jr. "Just to watch him look around, he wanted to cry, but he couldn't. It's big. No matter what goes on, I'll be happy that I gave him this opportunity to experience this. It's a dream come true for him."

Ginn Jr. struggled to get through this season, knowing his dad was 2,200 miles away, fighting for his life.

"I was very, very afraid of losing him," Ginn Jr. said. "It was really tough knowing I couldn't get there, couldn't be there for him every day. That was the scary part."

At midseason, the 49ers gave him a couple of days off so he could fly home and be by his father's side after one of his surgeries.

"That kind of gave him the push to get back on his feet," Ginn Jr. said.

"Ted's visit was like a shot of medicine," Ginn Sr. said. "Certain people in your life are better for you than medicine, and that's what Ted is to me."

Ginn Jr. watched his dad, a father figure to so many and a rock in the community, fight hard in the hospital, even when he had no strength.

"He doesn't depend on anybody," Ginn Jr. said. "Everybody depends on him. He's so headstrong that, when they were telling [him] in [the hospital] he couldn't get up and walk, he was telling them he could. He showed us another side of himself. We had to watch him man up and toughen up. Him doing that, it made me be a better man."

Ginn Jr. knew how much it tortured his dad not being on the sidelines with his Tarblooders.

"I watched him miss his whole football season and my whole football season," he said. "I watched him miss football, period, from the high-school level to the pro level. He'll usually catch the Ohio State games, he'll usually catch my teams, so for us to be still standing -- and for him to be with us -- it's a blessing."

Ginn Jr. has watched his father endure so much this season that he wants him to quit coaching football.

"I want him to hang it up," Ginn Jr. said. "It's time. He's done everything he could possibly do. He's had 18 Division I scholarships, and he's had 22 kids go to Division 1 schools. He had at least two or three kids in the Big Ten at each school. He had at least seven, eight, nine kids in the NFL. He's done. There's nothing more for him to accomplish.

"I want him to go home and chill with my twins [2-year-olds Ted III and Kyrsten]. I want him to smell the roses, walk his dogs and kick rocks."

But for Ginn Sr,, whose Tarblooders are as much a ministry for saving lives as a football team, a return to the sidelines is one of the things that's been keeping him going.

"I just need to get a little stronger and get my endurance back," he said. "In a month or so, I'll be back at work."

Whitner, who was hit by a car at age 6 and was told he'd never walk again, will never forget how hard Ginn Sr. pushed him to get to this point.

"When I wanted to go right, he wanted me to go left," Whitner said. "He started me and Ted Ginn on the same program as young kids. We had personal trainers five days a week together, protein shakes, extra weight lifting. Ted would drive us to a hill . . . and make us run up and down. We wanted to go to the school dance, and he wouldn't allow it."

Ginn Sr. pushed them so hard that Whitner often told his mom, Deborah, that he wanted to quit.

"Then she'd call coach, and he'd come over and sit on my couch and tell me why I shouldn't quit and motivate me to go back to the gym and work out again. He's changed so many lives that you can't put a number on it. Every college coach in the country knows who Ted Ginn Sr. is and respects him."

Ginn Sr., who currently doesn't have to undergo chemotherapy or further treatment for his cancer, had a method to his madness for driving his son and Whitner.

"I kept them the whole day -- from 6 [o'clock] to 6," he said. "That was purposely done so they could play college football and have a chance to get to the NFL. This is the moment I expected for them and that they've trained for all of their lives."

But now, Ginn Sr. said, they have to close the deal and the win the game.

"If Ted and Donte win the Super Bowl, a lot of people in our community would benefit from it," he said. "It would mean everything. Think of how many more lives could be saved because so many kids look up to them. I want to make sure that the kids walking the streets of Cleveland are be inspired by Ted and Donte and know they can achieve their goals, too."

Someday, Ginn Jr. would like to return to Cleveland and coach football, although maybe not at Glenville, where the shoes to fill are enormous. He'd also like to carry on his dad's legacy and keep Ginn Academy going strong. But for now, Ginn Jr. and Whitner on are on a mission to win this game for Ginn Sr.

Ginn Jr. has vowed to play his heart out for his dad, and Whitner has dedicated the game to him.

"If we win this game," Ginn Jr. said, "I'll give my Super Bowl ring straight to him."

Sorting through the reader mailbag for Cavaliers beat writer Mary Schmitt Boyer.

View full size There haven't been that many manhug moments between Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard this season, but Cavaliers fans should be rooting for as many as possible. Gina Ferrazzi, Los Angeles Times  

Hey, Mary: Could you let Cavs fans know that instead of rooting for the Cavs to lose, they should be rooting for the Lakers to (barely) make the playoffs? -- Mark Monroe, Martinez, Calif.

Hey, Mark: I think you just did that. If the Lakers make the playoffs, according to the terms of the trade that sent Ramon Sessions to the Lakers for Luke Walton, Jason Kapono and a No. 1 pick that the Cavs used to move up and get Tyler Zeller, the Cavs get to swap the first-round pick they're owed by the Miami Heat, which could be No. 30, with that of the Lakers, which could be as high as No. 15.

Hey, Mary: I read Jodie Valade's story in the Jan. 27 edition about the NBA's salary cap and new luxury tax structure. How can there be a current cap of $58.044 but a penalty luxury tax only kicks in if a team exceeds a total salary of $70.307? If there is a cap, how can a team exceed it without immediate penalty? Also, who gets the luxury tax payments and what is done with the money? -- Greg Schwartz, Macedonia

Hey, Greg: The NBA always has had what is known as a "soft" cap because a number of exceptions that allow teams to exceed the limit. In the latest CBA, the league sought to make the cap harder in order to level the playing field between teams with unlimited resources and teams with more limits.

So while there are still exceptions that allow teams to go over the cap, there are increasingly severe penalties, i.e. taxes, as described in Jodie's story. The league cannot prevent the wealthiest teams from spending, but the taxes are punitive enough that teams, especially teams consistently over the cap, will have to think long and hard about doing so.

As for where the money goes, I'm going to quote directly from the CBA 101 summary provided to reporters: "Up to 50 percent of tax proceeds for each season may be distributed to teams based in whole or in part on whether such teams did not owe a tax for such season (e.g., the NBA could elect to distribute 50 percent of such amounts in equal shares to all non-taxpayers in such season). The balance of tax proceeds for each season may be distributed to teams or used in such other manner (not payroll-based) as may be determined by the NBA (e.g., to fund a league program)."

Hey, Mary: I was wondering if Chris Grant has filed a disabled players exception for Anderson Varejao? If he is granted an exception, don't the Cavs get to pick up another player to replace him? -- Kevin Buford, Colorado Springs

Hey, Kevin: The disabled player exception is only available to teams over the salary cap. The Cavs are currently about $4 million under the cap. The theory is that a team over the cap doesn't have "room"' to sign another player, whereas the Cavs have up to $4 million to spend should they decide to add someone.

Hey, Mary: How is it that Danny Green is good enough to start for the San Antonio Spurs but he wasn't good enough to stay on the squad in Cleveland? Is this just a huge failure in talent evaluation by the Cavs brass? -- David McGee, Cleveland

Hey, David: Green was beaten out for a spot on the 2010-11 Cavs by Manny Harris. It was a tough decision for the Cavs, who liked Green and had made him a second-round pick in 2009, the 46th player taken overall, but they felt at the time that Harris played better in training camp. I don't think you can completely fault the Cavs because it didn't work out. I have heard Green say that getting cut made him work harder and helped him become the player he is today.

-- Mary

The financial side to the week's big deal shows the internal struggles of many NBA teams.

View full size Rudy Gay scored 20 points in his debut for Toronto Friday night, helping the Raptors defeat the Los Angeles Clippers. Nathan Dennette, Canadian Press  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If I'm a fan of the Detroit Pistons, or the Toronto Raptors, I'm pretty happy this week. If I'm a fan of the Memphis Grizzlies, not so much.

Although there were many other moving parts, the three biggest names that changed teams this week were Rudy Gay, going from Memphis to Toronto, Jose Calderon, going from Toronto to Detroit, and Tayshaun Prince, going from Detroit to Memphis.

I've read all the reviews of the trade that say Gay isn't worth the money he makes ($53.5 million the next three seasons, including a $19.3 player option in 2014-15), and that the Grizzlies will be a better team with Prince, who's a better defender and 3-point shooter who can space the floor, although he will be 33 at the end of this month. I understand that the Grizzlies had their best playoff run two seasons ago when Gay was injured and that most people think that, as constituted, they had no chance to break into the elite NBA ranks with Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Miami.

But what I also know is that Gay was the Grizzlies' leading scorer this season (17.9 points per game) and the franchise leader in games played (479), minutes (17,338) and steals. He has given the Memphis fans plenty of thrills since being obtained from Houston in the summer of 2006, after the Rockets made him the No. 8 pick in the draft.

Fans don't always want to hear about the (usually self-imposed) financial difficulties their teams are in, or why this or that move was necessary for future development or viability. If I've been a loyal Grizzlies fan and I wake up on Thursday and Rudy Gay's not on my team any more, that makes me sad.

Akron assumed sole possession of first place before a sold-out Rhodes Arena Saturday night.

AKRON, Ohio -- Putting on a clinic of power and precision over the final 30 minutes Saturday, Akron's Zips cruised to a comfortable 86-72 victory in a Mid-American Conference showdown over Ohio, taking sole possession of first place before a sold-out Rhodes Arena of 5,770 fans.

Afterward, the Zips claimed they are still looking for their swagger. But they clearly walk to the drumbeat of a front-runner.

This triumph somewhat took the sting off Akron's MAC Tournament loss to the Bobcats last spring, 64-63, and sent the message around the league the Zips are the team to beat.

"We'll be back this year and reclaim it," Akron guard Alex Abreu said of the MAC tourney title, which the Zips won in 2009 and 2011. He then took the vision beyond the March tournament at The Q.

"All I think about is a national championship," he said. "It might sound crazy, but I don't think we have anything to envy from anybody in the country. We're full at every position. We're big. We're strong. We have guard play. We have shooters. There is nothing we really lack, other than confidence."

Yet the Zips showed plenty of bravado after surviving an initial run by the Bobcats. Senior center Zeke Marshall (17 points, 12 rebounds) posed and flexed on several occasions after scoring inside, while junior forward Demetrius Treadwell (15 points, 10 rebounds) announced his presence every time he posted, or grabbed a rebound with a thunderclap.

Marshall was a flawless 8-for-8 from the field. For Treadwell, it was his fourth double double in the last five games. Their combined 22 boards matched the Bobcats roster.

"Treadwell and Marshall, when they want the ball they go get it," OU head coach Jim Christian said.

Akron pounded the glass for a 40-22 edge over the Bobcats, and held them to 32.3 percent shooting for second half, 40.7 percent for the game. The Zips built the lead to 15 points on several occasions in the second half.

The Zips (17-4, 8-0) have started slowly for many games this season. But after recovering from a 13-point deficit, Akron never let the Bobcats see the lead again. It was arguably the best 30 minutes to date for the Zips, against the clear No. 2 in the league.

"We played some of our best basketball the last two-thirds of the game," Akron coach Keith Dambrot said.

A sterling 21 points from Abreu set the table for the Zips, who have the longest winning streak in the nation at 13 games. Then some timely 3-pointers from freshman Reggie McAdams for 11 points off the bench was too much for the Bobcats (15-6, 6-1) to handle.

OU's defense forced early turnovers and a 23-10 lead. But a 30-second timeout by Dambrot sparked a furious 31-13 run to the end of the half and a 41-36 lead.

Starting 0-for-5 on 3-pointers, three straight long balls -- two from Abreu -- combined with the expected dominating board work set the tone. At the break, Abreu was 5-for-5 from the floor for 12 points while the 7-0 Marshall had seven rebounds.

The outside stroke of OU's Nick Kellogg for seven of his 15 points at halftime kept the Bobcats close. But leading scorer D.J. Cooper (14) didn't score much until late.

The Zips scored first to open the second half, and never looked back. That left the Bobcats looking for revenge when the two teams meet again, Feb. 27, in Athens.

If the Zips feel they lack confidence, the Bobcats do not.

"We're going to see them again," Kellogg said. "We're not going to worry about it."

Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks finds Kyrie Irving's youthful talent "scary."

View full size At 20, Kyrie Irving is a "scary" player to prepare for, says Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks. AP file  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks was shocked to learn recently that Kyrie Irving is only 20 years old.

"That's scary," Brooks said before the Thunder played the Cavaliers Saturday night at The Q. "I'm glad I'm not playing against him."

Brooks thought for a moment, considered his role as a bench player through his NBA career, including a season in Cleveland, and then said, "I wouldn't have played against him. He doesn't play when [his team] is up by 20 or down by 20."

Brooks said the Cavs' point guard has improved since the teams' last meeting in Oklahoma City on Nov. 11.

"What's going to separate him from a lot of the guards is his ability to shoot," Brooks said. "When you can penetrate and play the pick and roll and get to the paint and the basket with either hand and you can shoot, then it's like pick your poison. Are you going to give him jump shots or are you going to take certain things away? But he can do a lot of things.

"He's an All-Star now, but I think he has a chance to be one of the top point guards in the league."

A new day: Irving seemed to regret saying he was upset and disinterested during Friday's loss at Detroit.

"I'm good," he said on Saturday. "I'm not frustrated. I'm good."

He said it was a one-night thing.

"For the first game in my career where I said I was disinterested. ... I'm allowed to have one game," he said. "Most of the season I've been OK. I think my stats and our team wins speak for it."

Wall flowers: Byron Scott was asked if rookies Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller had hit the wall as the Cavs played their 48th game.

"Have they hit it?" Scott said. "I think they're leaning. That wall is like this [tilting his hand] ... and they're leaning a little bit, about ready to fall on it.

"I think after tonight we've got four days before our next game [and that] will be the best thing that ever happened to them. Then the All-Star break, you come back and you're rejuvenated because you have 27 games left and it's like the final run to the finish line.

"But the traveling, the schedule ... you've got to believe both those guys, their heads are spinning. But again, it's a great learning experience for both of them and I truly believe in the long run they're going to be much better basketball players for it."

Say a prayer: Scott was asked how he helped Alonzo Gee prepare to face All-Star Kevin Durant.

"I put my hand on his head and we say a prayer," Scott said, laughing. "Nobody in this league has been able to stop him. The thing I tell Zo is, 'You play him the best you can, be as aggressive and physical as you can be with him, challenge every shot and keep him off the glass.' After that, there's nothing much you can tell him.

"We're going to try to help him as much as possible. We're not going to leave him on an island. He's giving up five inches already. He's athletic enough to stay in front of him and he's strong enough. But I haven't seen one guy in this league yet who's had success guarding Kevin Durant."

On Twitter: @pdcavsinsider

Adrian Peterson's sensational season following major knee surgery has earned him The Associated Press 2012 NFL Most Valuable Player Award.

Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings accepts the NFL.com Fantasy Player of the Year award at the 2nd Annual NFL Honors on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 in New Orleans. (Photo by AJ Mast/Invision/AP)  

NEW ORLEANS — Adrian Peterson's sensational season following major knee surgery has earned him The Associated Press 2012 NFL Most Valuable Player Award.

Earlier Saturday, Peterson won Offensive Player of the Year.

The Minnesota Vikings running back finished with 2,019 yards, a mere 9 yards short of breaking Eric Dickerson's rushing record. Peterson beat out Peyton Manning, who in his first season as Denver's quarterback contended for a fifth MVP trophy. Manning's four are a record.

Peterson received 30 1-2 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL. Manning got the other 19 1-2 votes.

Peterson led the Vikings from a 3-13 mark to 10-6 and a wild-card playoff berth. He is the first running back to win MVP since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006.

Peterson accepted his award at the "2nd Annual NFL Honors" show on CBS saluting the NFL's best players, performances and plays from the 2012 season.

Witten takes Man of Year: Cowboys tight end Jason Witten won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. Browns left tackle Joe Thomas was one of three finalists, along with Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals.

Ohio State won the game at the free throw line. The Buckeyes made 23 of 28, including all 10 of their first-half attempts.

View full size DeShaun Thomas struggles to get a shot off against Nebraska's Andre Almeida during the first half of Saturday night's game in Lincoln. Thomas finished with 15 points on 6-of-18 shooting. Nati Harnik, Associated Press  

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Ohio State opened a 15-point lead with nine minutes left and still had to hold off Nebraska.

Lenzelle Smith Jr. scored 21 points and the 11th-ranked Buckeyes found themselves in a tight game down the stretch before warding off a late Cornhuskers surge in a 63-56 victory Saturday night.

"We have to find a way to correct that," Ohio State guard Aaron Craft said. "But you've got to give them a lot of credit, too. They really picked up their intensity, especially on the offensive boards, and we didn't get adjusted to it. But you've got to be happy with a road win in this league. We found a way to stay on top and finish with a win."

Ohio State (17-4, 7-2 Big Ten) led 53-38 after a pair of free throws by Craft with 9:05 left. Nebraska (11-12, 2-8) then made its comeback, outscoring the Buckeyes, 15-5, and cutting the lead to 58-53 on David Rivers' free throws with 2:40 remaining.

"We had a couple of careless possessions there that gave them easy baskets," Ohio State coach Thad Matta. "Those things you can't do on the road. But we'll take whatever it was, seven points. ... They've got the capability to kind of get rolling on you. You've got to be careful with them."

Following an Ohio State miss, Nebraska's Brandon Ubel and Andre Almeida each missed shots at the rim and Ubel missed a 3-point attempt. Craft hit a pair of free throws with 56 seconds left to put the Buckeyes up seven.

"We just stayed aggressive; we need to keep that mindset," Cornhuskers guard Dylan Talley said. "They are ranked in the top 10 for a reason, so they are going to make runs. So we needed to just stay strong and fight back and we did."

Ohio State won the game at the free throw line. The Buckeyes made 23 of 28, including all 10 of their first-half attempts. Nebraska was just 4 of 5 from the line.

"It's how you play, in terms of your style," Matta said. "They shot 26 3s, we only shot 12. We were playing two different types of basketball."

Nebraska coach Tim Miles didn't have any complaints about getting outscored by 19 from the foul line.

"You trying to get me fined here? A reprimand?" Miles jokes when asked about the disparity. "That was a huge impact on the game. They're very good when they're on the attack and they do a great job not fouling. So you have to credit Ohio State."

Ohio State won its third straight game and seventh in a row against Nebraska, including all four since the Cornhuskers joined the Big Ten. The Buckeyes travel to No. 1 Michigan on Tuesday.

Ohio State established a working margin late in the first half. Trailing 19-17, the Buckeyes went on a 13-0 run capped by LaQuinton Ross' long 3-pointer with 2:05 left. Ohio State led by nine at halftime.

Nebraska cut the lead to 38-32 on Talley's 3-pointer with 15:58 to go. Ohio State then went on a 15-6 run, going up 45-34 on Deshaun Thomas' short jumper with 13:42 remaining.

Despite the victory, Smith said Matta told the Buckeyes they didn't play well.

"There are some things we've got to work on, but we're 7-2," Smith said. "We got the win. We did what we came here to do. But we've got to get better."

Akron is the best team in the MAC, and are entertaining Final Four dreams, and the realization of them would not shock some national observers.

AKRON, Ohio -- Bob Huggins' face is at least 10 feet tall on the balcony wall at James A. Rhodes Arena, and even then it is not as big as his legend would become at Cincinnati. The likeness of Huggins, the first coach to take Akron to the NCAA Tournament at its highest level, looks over the shoulder of Keith Dambrot, the Zips' current coach, as he paces and frets on the sideline.

In the opposite balcony is a photo of Wyatt Webb, the coach of Akron's 1972 NCAA Division II Tournament runners-up. Dambrot has to look at Webb on the way to the locker room.

Much is expected this season of Dambrot and his Zips, now 17-4, 8-0 in the Mid-American Conference after an 86-72 rout of Ohio University Saturday. Possessors of the longest winning streak in the nation at 13 games, the Zips exacted revenge of sorts for the Bobcats' one-point victory in the final of the MAC Tournament last season.

Asked last weekend, in a season of parity, to name a dark-horse Final Four pick, ESPN's Dan Dakich -- a Big Ten guy by birthright (born in Gary, Ind., raised in Merrillville), schooling (Indiana) and mentoring (Bob Knight) -- said he would not be surprised at all to see Wichita State or VCU reach the big stage. As for a longshot, he said he would take Akron and Dambrot.

"Shaka Smart [Final Four participant as Virginia Commonwealth's coach and for three years an Akron assistant] and those guys are some of my best friends," Dambrot said. "We have the size to play with anybody in the country. That's why Butler and Gonzaga are good. Mid-majors usually don't have that. We're big, strong, and long everywhere but at the point-guard spot."

The point-guard spot is filled by Alex Abreu, a junior who is the best point guard in the MAC. At least he was every bit of that Saturday, when he widely outplayed D.J. Cooper, the driving force behind Ohio's Sweet 16 run last season.

The size runs through bench players like 6-7 freshman Reggie McAdams, who matched Abreu with three 3-pointers. But most of all it comes from 7-footer Zeke Marshall and 6-7 forward Demetrius Treadwell. Each had a double double against Ohio.

The frustration to which this Akron team can drive opponents was evident when Abreu threw the ball on a disrupted play to Marshall in the paint early in the second half. The big man then swished a soft hook shot with one second left on the shot clock for a 49-43 lead. With Akron's size, the last option is sometimes the best option.

"Our second five can compete in this league by [themselves]," said Abreu, citing his team's depth. The Zips had five double-figure scorers.

They also had more motivation. Asked if he were thinking about the loss in the MAC final at The Q to Ohio, Abreu said, "It was hard not to. That's a nightmare you don't want to remember."

The Zips wore special Navy blue uniforms with a "Z" on the chest that could have been designed by Zorro's sword. Before a capacity crowd of 5,770, they charged out, fell into a 23-10 hole, then simply sliced and diced Ohio.

Perhaps the biggest statistic of all was the 40-22 edge on the boards. "Zeke is big. Treadwell is 6-7. But he wants the ball. You have to want it," said Ohio coach Jim Christian.

At that moment, he looked as much like a linebacker making a goal-line stand as he ever did when he prowled the sidelines at Kent State with two NCAA Tournament teams.

Biographically, Christian has always been a follower of sorts. He followed Stan Heath and a 30-win Elite Eight team when he became Kent State's coach. He followed John Groce, now at Illinois, and a 29-win Sweet 16 team at Ohio. He followed football season in between those jobs at TCU.

Now his team follows Akron. But Ohio was not the top seed when it won any of its three MAC Tournament championships in this century.

For its part, Akron is good and not afraid to embrace the possibilities that presents. On the back of the Zips warmups is the Twitter address @ZipsMBB, for men's basketball. They are getting the word out, 140 characters at a time, if need be. "We've been flying under the radar too long," said Abreu.

On the balcony with the great coaches' pictures is another Twitter message. #ThinkBigger.

It means think bigger than the MAC. It has long been Dambrot's philosphy. It is also what is expected.

On Twitter: @LivyPD

The stars of the major storylines heading into Sunday's 5:30 p.m. kickoff at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome are quick to point out the game is about much more than them.

By Terrance Harris
NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

There are plenty of themes that can define Super Bowl 2013. There is brother vs. brother as Baltimore Ravens Coach John Harbaugh prepares to stand across the field from San Francisco 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh, marking the first time brothers have  gone head-to-head as head coaches in the Super Bowl.

Then you have the final game in the dominant 17-year run of Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis, who announced earlier that he will retire once the season is over.

But the stars of the major storylines heading into Sunday's 5:30 p.m. kickoff at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome are quick to point out the game is about much more than them.

“Looking very much forward to the game, the competition, but as I look back on the season, the greatest share is how our players played,” Jim Harbaugh said in response to matching strategies with his older brother. “The way our players have played, that is why we’re here, not because of any coaching decisions or any way that we were when we were kids. Really a credit to those men, and looking forward to the game.”

And by most accounts what a game this should be.

You have two hard-hitting defenses with arguably four the best safeties in the game taking the field with Bernard Pollard and Ed Reed for the Ravens (13-6) and Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner for the 49ers (13-4-1). They are almost certain to deliver some blows that will be talked about for weeks.

Ravens running back Ray Rice and San Francisco back Frank Gore are both game-breakers.

But the matchup that could offer the most intrigue will be between two talented young quarterbacks.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has been anything but spectacular throughout his five years in the league, but there is no arguing that his play during the Ravens' three-game playoff run has been one of the best stretches in postseason history. Then there is dual-threat second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has come off the bench for the 49ers to strike fear in opposing defenses, set to make just his 10th NFL start.

Kaepernick has a big arm but he already has set quarterback rushing marks with his legs to dispel the notion that a running quarterback can’t get his team to the big game. You can bet the Ravens' defense will be stretched to max trying to limit Kaepernick’s big runs while taking away the deep ball to Michael Crabtree or Ted Ginn Jr.

“He’s very dangerous. He can run and throw the ball,” Reed, a Destrehan product, said of Kaepernick. “Any time you have a quarterback like a (Michael) Vick, Randall Cunningham or a Doug Williams, those guys like that who can be in the pocket and also throw the ball, it poses a problem. The one thing about us as a defensive back, you have to stay in your coverage. You have to be disciplined in your coverage and rely on those other guys to make the play.”

The 49ers will have their hands full with Flacco and the rest of the Ravens' offense, which has been clicking since Jim Caldwell was promoted to offensive coordinator.

If the 49ers try to take away veteran receiver Anquan Boldin then the younger legs of Torrey Smith could take over and if both are covered that leaves more room for tight end Dennis Pitta to do work, especially in the red zone. Insert a nickel back and Rice will have a career day.

There are no easy answers when it comes to shutting down or even slowing the Ravens' versatile offense as the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos and New England Patriots found out during the playoffs. The 49ers, who haven’t been as consistent defensively as of late, have taken notice.

“The matchups in this game will be pretty tough, obviously, with Ray Rice,” 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. ”We’ll be challenged, which will be a big part of the game to see if we can cover those guys.”

The game should come down to players making extraordinary plays with even the foot of Ravens rookie kicker Justin Tucker likely to figure into the game-deciding mix. As far as the Harbaugh brothers are concerned that is the way it should be.

“If you look at the Niners' games their whole season, look at the Ravens' playoff games and the whole season, it is about the players,” John Harbaugh said. “It’s about the players playing well, playing their best.”

Lewis agrees, going as far as to say he hasn’t even pondered what is next because it would be unfair to his teammates not to give this game all of his focus.

“If I do this that means I take a selfish approach and this time ain’t me right now,” Lewis said. “This time is about my team and getting my team a Super Bowl ring. That’s the only thing on my mind.

“But that day is coming. When that confetti drops out of the sky on one of two teams. That day is coming and I’m looking forward to it because I have a lot of things to do outside of the game.”

For more coverage from New Orleans as the big game approaches, visit NOLA.com's Super Bowl Central.

With 17 points to lead the Flashes, Randal Holt passed Trevor Huffman for the all-time school career record in 3-pointers.

Joe Magill

Special to The Plain Dealer

KENT, Ohio -- On the night when Randal Holt became Kent State's career leader in made 3-pointers, he felt it was appropriate to wax philosophical.

"I don't think it's hit me yet," the Glenville graduate said Saturday after hitting five 3-pointers to give him 211 in his career to move past Trevor Huffman (210, 1998-2002).

View full size KSU guard Randal Holt. KSU photo  

The senior scored 17 points and tied a career high with six assists as the host Golden Flashes broke away early in the second half to defeat Eastern Michigan, 77-62.

"I'm just blessed to be in this situation and even be at Kent State," Holt continued. "I've been through a lot of things in my life and I'm just thankful to even be here. To be able to do something like that, to break a milestone that's held up for years, that's an amazing feeling."

The victory kept the Golden Flashes (12-10, 3-5 Mid-American Conference) from losing their fifth consecutive game, which hasn't happened since 2009. Another streak of note: Eastern has lost 17 consecutive games to Kent, dating back to Feb. 2, 1998.

• EMU-KSU final statistics

While Holt was humbled by setting the record, it wasn't foremost in his mind.

"More importantly, it felt good to get the win," he said. "We had lost four straight games, and that's not what we do here at Kent State. We're not a losing program. It was just time for us to buckle down and come together and get a win, no matter how it came."

Eastern came into the game a relatively hot team, having won three of its past four, including a 42-25 beatdown of Northern Illinois, a team that defeated Kent on Wednesday, 67-65.

The tallest team in the MAC, the Eagles employ a hybrid zone that can give teams fits. Kent struggled against it early, hitting just one of its first eight shots, but eventually the Flashes began moving the ball around and penetrating, which opened things up for Holt and Chris Evans, who had 15 points and a career-high five steals.

"I don't know if it's a 2-3 or a 3-2, but they play it the whole time," Kent coach Rob Senderoff said. "It's incredibly effective because they're as long and athletic as any team in our league at every position."

Eastern only led once, 4-2, at the 16:39 mark of the first half. Kent led, 32-26, at the half.

The key stretch came in the opening 3:39 of the second half when Kent went on a 10-0 run with Holt hitting two 3-pointers and Darren Goodson hitting two midrange jumpers.

"The start of second halves at home, we've not been great at," Senderoff said. "It's not something we talked about, but I do think it was important that the lead not get to one. We've been struggling. If the score had gotten tight, it might have been a different game."

Holt is inching closer to the top 15 in career points at Kent. He has 1,208 and sits 16th, eight points behind NFL Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates.