Thursday, February 27, 2014

John Carroll-Mount Union OAC semifinal preview

Ohio Athletic Conference Semifinals

No. 5 John Carroll (17-10) at No. 1 Mount Union (20-5)

When: 7:30 p.m., Feb. 27

Where: McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex, Alliance

What to watch for: A transient reality of the OAC Tournament: John Carroll is playing its third game at a third different venue in four days. The Blue Streaks defeated Otterbein, 95-74, at home on Feb. 24 and prevailed at fourth-seeded Ohio Northern, 92-81, on Feb. 25. ... The Purple Raiders defeated the Blue Streaks twice in the regular season by 13 points. Mount Union went 15-3 in league play to capture its first OAC regular-season title in 17 years. ... Mount Union starters Cody Dillon, T.J. Gillespie and Jarrett Ruffin average 12.6 points per game or more. Jake Hollinger (Chardon) leads John Carroll at 11.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. ... The winner will enter next season leading the all-time series, which is tied at 39-39.

Up next: Winner faces Wilmington or Marietta at 7:30 p.m. March 1

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Labels: , , ,

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Major Benedictine presence in Division I basketball

Last week's college notes led with how former Benedictine standout Derek Jackson has adjusted to basketball life at Kent State. 

The interview with Jackson rekindled memories of stacked Benedictine rosters. How talented were the Bengals during Jackson's career? Jackson played alongside four future Division I players at various times.

Jackson, a junior, is a starting guard at Kent State, where he's averaging 11.3 points per game. He started his career at Central Michigan and landed at Kent State after spending a year away from basketball for academic reasons.

Less than 15 miles from Kent State's campus, Nick Harney, one of Jackson's high school teammates, has shifted in and out of Akron's starting lineup. Harney has helped the Zips earn two straight NCAA Tournament appearances. This season, he's averaging 8.9 points per game this season, although he's currently serving a suspension for violating team rules.

Another one of Jackson's former teammates, Cameron Wright, hasn't missed an NCAA Tournament since beginning college. Wright is a junior guard at postseason regular Pitt, where he's averaging 10.8 points per game. Wright has started every game for the Panthers this season.

Wright is one of two former Benedictine players competing for a Division I basketball program in Pittsburgh. Desmond Ridenour is a freshman guard at Duquesne, where he's averaging 5.1 points per game against Atlantic 10 competition.

On other side of Pennsylvania, Mark Williams is a freshman forward at Temple, where he's averaging 4.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Williams played at Benedictine, transferred to Richmond Heights and ended his high school career at Montrose Christian (Md.).

The five players would comprise a competitive Division I starting lineup. Williams and Harney are both 6-foot-8 while Jackson, Wright and Ridenour are 6-2 or taller. The five players are averaging a combined 40.1 points per game. Ridenour is the only member of the group who hasn't started a game this winter.

Jackson said he's remained close with his former high school teammates. As seniors, Jackson, Harney and Wright led Benedictine to the state semifinals.

"I talk to those guys all the time," Jackson said. "I talk to Cameron a lot, we communicate a lot. I have to talk to Nick. We are right down the road. I just talked to Desmond. We keep up with each other. It's just good to see the people I played with in high school are still playing. All of us are still chasing our dream."

-- Guy Cipriano @newshearldguy

Labels: , , , , , ,

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Looking at Ohio State's combine performances

Bradley Roby can run fast. Carlos Hyde hurt himself running. Ryan Shazier didn't run.

Consider it a typical NFL Scouting Combine for a major college program.

Ohio State sent six players to the combine, including three of its biggest names from the 2013 roster.

As expected, Roby demonstrated the physical prowess, running the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, the seventh fastest time among combine participants. The 5-foot-11, 194-pound Roby is a draft enigma. His measurable qualities all check out well -- he also completed 17 reps in the bench press -- yet his 2013 film isn't as impressive as his 2012 tape.

Still, no Buckeye boosted his stock more in Indianapolis than Roby, a potential first-round pick.

Hyde, a physical running back, suffered a hamstring injury while running the 40-yard dash. His time of 4.66 ranked in the middle of the running back pack. The 6-foot, 230-pound Hyde, unlike Roby, has impressive 2013 film.

Shazier opted against running the 40 at the combine because of a minor hamstring injury. He participated in the bench press (25 reps), vertical jump (42.0 inches, which is higher than Roby's leap of 38.5), broad jump (130.0 inches), 3-cone drill (6.91 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.21). The 6-foot-1, 237-pound Shazier neither boosted nor hurt his draft stock. One of the nation's most productive linebackers, Shazier won't last beyond the second round.

Offensive tackle Jack Mewhort, center Corey Linsley and wide receiver Corey Brown also participated in the combine. Mewhort is the top pro prospect among the trio, but tackle is considered a deep position. Mewhort put up 28 reps in the bench press and ran the 40 in 5.37 seconds.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Labels: , , , , ,

Monday, February 24, 2014

University, VASJ alums meeting close to home

A pair of young, vibrant college basketball coaches with East Side ties are meeting close to their childhood homes when Division II Notre Dame College hosts Fairmont State (W.Va.) on Feb. 25 at Murphy Gym in South Euclid.

The Falcons are coached by University and Case Western Reserve graduate Tim Koenig. The Fighting Falcons are coached by Villa Angela-St. Joseph graduate and former Cleveland State player Jerrod Calhoun.

Koenig and Calhoun are in the early stages of their head coaching careers.

This marks Koenig's first season as NDC's head coach. The Falcons are 9-17 overall and 7-13 in Mountain East play. They stunned then-No. 1 West Liberty, 89-87, on Jan. 30.

Calhoun, who worked under Bob Huggins at West Virginia, is in his second season as Fairmont State's head coach. The Fighting Falcons went 23-9 and reached the NCAA Division II Tournament last season. This year's team is 17-9 overall and 12-8 in the Mountain East.

NDC and Fairmont State met on Feb 8 in Fairmont, W.Va., with the Fighting Falcons prevailing, 78-74.

Koenig has three players from area high schools on his first roster: guard Patrick Koenig (Unversity), forward Connor Deckard (Gilmour) and freshman guard Aurimas Morkunas (Mayfield). Former Richmond Heights standout Tommy Scales is a forward at Fairmont State.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Lindor, Frazier, Bauer on Baseball America's Top 100 Prospect List

The unveiling of baseball's most respected prospect list has become a prime-time television event.

Seriously.

Baseball America unveiled its Top 100 prospects on MLB Network on Wednesday night. Three players in the Indians' farm system were mentioned during the broadcast.

Shortstop Francisco Lindor, who played for the Lake County Captains in 2012, leads the Indians' trio at No. 13. Lindor's high ranking is no surprise. He plays a premium position, receives high praise from everybody associated with the sport and doesn't turn 21 until November. Lindor was ranked 28th on last year's Baseball America list. A strong performance at Double-A Akron, his likely 2014 starting destination, could propel Lindor into the top 10 of every credible 2015 prospect list -- assuming he doesn't reach Cleveland this season.

Outfielder Clint Frazier, the Indians' 2013 first-round draft pick who will likely begin this season with the Captains, is 48th on the list. Baseball America named Frazier the top prospect in the rookie Arizona League after Frazier cracked five homers in 44 games last season. Frazier turns 20 in September.

Pitcher Trevor Bauer is 82nd on the list despite a rough 2013. The 23-year-old Bauer was ranked 14th on last year's list following an offseason trade from the Diamondbacks to the Indians. Bauer is competing to become the Indians' No. 5 starter this spring.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Labels: , , , , ,

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Remnant of Ubaldo Jimenez could be coming to Classic Park

Ubaldo Jimenez is officially a key part of the Orioles' pitching staff.

Could a key part of the 2014 or 2015 Lake County Captains emerge because of Jimenez's decision to sign with the Orioles?

The Indians are receiving a compensatory draft pick for losing Jimenez, because they made him a one-year qualifying offer of $14.1 million. The figure isn't some random number General Manger Chris Antonetti concocted. The figure is the average salary of baseball's 125 highest-paid players. A qualifying offer must fall into this category to be tied to a compensation pick. 

As of now, the Indians will receive the 30th overall pick in this year's draft for losing Jimenez. The draft position could change depending on whether free agents Kendrys Morales, Nelson Cruz and Ervin Santana land with other teams.

This marks the second year of the current compensation system. Six teams received high compensation picks for losing free agents last year. Those picks fell into the 28th to 33rd overall slots. Three college and three high school players were selected with the picks.

Outfielder Aaron Judge (Yankees) and pitcher Ryne Stanek (Rays), who played at Fresno State and Arkansas, respectively,  didn't sign in time to play last season. They are candidates to begin their professional careers with full-season teams this season.

Pitcher Jason Hursh, the 33rd overall selection from Oklahoma State, played for Rome of the South Atlantic League last season. He quickly adapted to full-season baseball, going 1-1 with a .67 ERA in 27 innings. Hursh, coincidentally, was the player the Braves selected with the compensation pick they received for losing Michael Bourn to the Indians. The Braves made Bourn a qualifying offer, but the Indians didn't surrender a draft pick for signing him because top-10 picks are protected. The Indians selected high school outfielder Clint Frazier fifth overall in 2013. Frazier will likely begin this season with the Captains.

Draft picks often bring delayed gratification to minor-league affiliates. If the Indians select a high school player with their compensation pick, it's possible he joins the Captains in 2015 following a summer of seasoning in the rookie Arizona League.

The Captains are sitting in a desirable spot. The Indians own four picks in the first two rounds of this year's draft. They also own a competitive-balance pick, which currently rests at 37th overall.  Higher picks likely means more talent will be landing at Classic Park in 2014 and 2015 than in previous seasons.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Labels: , , ,

Monday, February 17, 2014

GLIAC, Mountain East and OAC basketball standings for Feb. 17

Men

Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

South 

Walsh   19-3, 15-3

Findlay   19-4, 15-4

Hillsdale   16-7, 12-7

Malone   13-10, 11-8

Ashland  9-14, 6-13

Lake Erie College  9-16, 6-13

Tiffin  8-15, 4-14

Ohio Dominican  5-18, 3-16

North

Lake Superior State  24-3, 16-3

Michigan Tech  18-5, 14-5

Grand Valley State  16-7, 12-7

Northwood  16-11, 12-7

Wayne State  11-11, 9-10

Ferris State  7-15, 6-12

Saginaw Valley State  9-13, 5-13

Northern Michigan  5-18, 4-15

Mountain East Conference 

West Liberty  21-2, 17-2

Shepherd  17-7, 12-6

Charleston  15-7, 12-6

West Virginia Wesleyan  17-9, 12-6

Glenville State  15-8, 12-7

Fairmont State  16-8, 11-7

Wheeling Jesuit   14-9, 11-8

Notre Dame College   9-15, 7-11

UVA-Wise   9-13, 6-12

West Virginia State  8-13, 5-13

Concord  8-16, 5-13

Urbana  0-23, 0-19

Ohio Athletic Conference 

Mount Union  19-4, 14-2

Marietta  18-5, 13-3

Wilmington  15-7, 12-4

Ohio Northern  14-9, 10-6

John Carroll  14-9, 8-8

Baldwin Wallace  12-11, 8-8

Capital  11-12, 8-8

Otterbein  4-19, 3-13

Muskingum  7-16, 2-14

Heidelberg  6-17, 2-14

Women

Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 

South

Ashland  15-8, 13-6

Malone  17-8, 12-7

Hillsdale  11-12, 10-9

Findlay  11-12, 8-11

Ohio Dominican  10-13, 7-12

Walsh  9-15, 5-13

Tiffin  7-15, 4-14

Lake Erie College  9-16, 4-15

North

Wayne State  19-4, 16-3

Michigan Tech  17-6, 15-4

Northern Michigan  16-7, 13-6

Grand Valley State  13-10, 11-8

Saginaw Valley  12-9, 10-8

Northwood  12-11, 10-9

Ferris State  7-13, 7-11

Lake Superior State  5-20, 5-14

Mountain East Conference 

Glenville State  23-2, 18-1

West Liberty  17-8, 14-5

Urbana  16-7, 13-6

Charleston  15-7, 11-7

West Virginia State  15-9, 11-7

Fairmont State  13-8, 11-7

Notre Dame College  13-9, 10-8

Wheeling Jesuit  12-11, 9-10

Concord   9-13, 7-11

UVA-Wise  8-14, 4-14

Shepherd  2-20, 2-16

West Virginia Wesleyan  2-20, 0-18

Ohio Athletic Conference 

John Carroll  18-3, 13-3

Baldwin Wallace  18-5, 13-3

Ohio Northern  19-4, 12-4

Capital  15-7, 12-4

Wilmington  12-11, 9-7

Mount Union  11-12, 5-11

Muskingum  7-15, 5-11

Heidelberg  11-12, 4-12

Marietta   10-13, 4-12

Otterbein  7-16, 3-3

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy




Labels: , , , , , ,

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Small schools will have presence at NFL Scouting Combine

It doesn't take a three- or four-year career at a major college to receive an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine, which begins Feb. 22 in Indianapolis.

The list of scheduled participants includes 14 players from Division II or III schools. Three players are familiar names to those who follow Division II conferences with area tie-ins.

Saginaw Valley State wide receiver Jeff Janis and Grand Valley State center Matt Armstrong give the GLIAC two representatives in the combine. Getting players to the combine is nothing new for the GLIAC. Grand Valley State wide receiver Charles Johnson was selected by the Packers in last year's seventh round.

The 6-foot-3, 218-pound Janis is one of the top receivers in GLIAC history and caught 83 passes for 1,572 yards this past season. Janis, who participated in the Senior Bowl last month, caught five passes for 120 yards against Lake Erie College last season.

The 6-foot-3, 296-pound Armstrong earned the Rimington Award as the best center in Division II. Armstrong is also a standout shot putter for Grand Valley's track and field team.

Shepherd defensive end Howard Jones is the first player in Mountain East Conference history invited to the combine. The 6-foot-4, 238-pound Jones helped Shepherd hold nine opponents, including Notre Dame College, under 20 points in 2013.

Eleven Division II players, including five offensive and five defensive linemen, were drafted last year.

Here's a list of small-college players invited to the 2014 combine:

Matt Armstrong, C, Grand Valley State

John Brown, WR, Pittsburg State

Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood

Brandon Dixon, CB, Northwest Missouri State

Joe Don Duncan, TE, Dixie State

Matt Feiler, OT, Bloomsburg

Jeff Janis, WR, Saginaw Valley State

Howard Jones, DE, Shepherd

Reggie Jordan, TE, Missouri Western State

Zach Moore, DE, Concordia

Mike Pennel, DT, Colorado-Pueblo

Dustin Vaughan, QB, West Texas A&M

Larry Webster, DE, Bloomsburg

Ethan Westbrooks, DE, West Texas A&M

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Labels: , , , , ,

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Why Francisco Lindor should get an up-close glimpse of Derek Jeter's final season

The "Captain" is retiring, which will leave a big void at one of baseball's glamor positions.

New York Yankees star Derek Jeter announced Wednesday his career will end following the 2014 season. For those wondering, the Yankees visit Progressive Field from July 7-10. Mariano Rivera received a gold "Enter Sandman" record when he visited Cleveland as a professional athlete for the final time. Possible Cleveland-style parting gifts for Jeter include a Lake Erie vessel, key to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and chance to interview for the Browns' head coaching job next January.

Jeter is the biggest winner from an exciting era of shortstops featuring offensive pop. Alex Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra and Miguel Tejada also played a part in changing perceptions of the position. 

With Jeter in the extra innings of his career, questions about the future of the position are surfacing. Name an elite shortstop? It's not an easy task.

Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki, Washington's Ian Desmond, Texas' Elvis Andrus and Toronto's Jose Reyes are among the game's best shortstops. No member of the quartet has a direct limo ride to Cooperstown. Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins and the Los Angeles Dodgers' Hanley Ramirez are capable of having big seasons.

One of top prospects at the position plays in the Indians' farm system: 20-year-old Francisco Lindor. Lindor will likely be playing at Double-A Akron or Triple-A Columbus when the Yankees visit Progressive Field, although a torrid start could put pressure on the Indians to promote Lindor to Cleveland by mid-summer.

Here's some developmental advice for the Indians: send Lindor to Cleveland for one of the games against the Yankees. Let him hang around the batting cages and observe Jeter's routine. Introduce Lindor to Jeter. Make sure Lindor attentively watches the game.

The debate regarding Jeter's place in the all-time shortstop hierarchy will extend past season. There's no debate that Jeter is one of the few shortstops in today's game worth emulating. Lindor can benefit from spending a night around him.  

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldy

Labels: , , ,

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Ohio college football recruiting classes

Here are links to every Ohio college football recruiting class announced Wednesday. Some schools are waiting to receive information from every incoming scholarship player to release their classes. Division III schools are non-scholarship and don't participate in national signing day events. Division I-AA Dayton also doesn't offer football scholarships.

Division I

Akron

Cincinnati

Bowling Green

Kent State

Miami

Ohio State

Ohio University

Toledo

Division I-AA

Youngstown State

Division II 

Ashland

Central State (Did not release its class)

Findlay

Lake Erie College

Malone

Notre Dame College

Ohio Dominican (Did not release its class)

Tiffin

Urbana (Did not release its class)

Walsh

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Labels: , , , , ,

Monday, February 3, 2014

GLIAC South, OAC and Mountain East basketball standings

Men

GLIAC South

Walsh  14-3, 10-3,

Findlay  14-4, 10-4

Hillsdale  13-5, 9-5

Malone  9-9, 7-7

Lake Erie College  9-11, 6-8

Ashland  8-10, 5-9

Tiffin  7-11, 3-10

Ohio Dominican  4-14, 2-12

Ohio Athletic Conference

Mount Union  15-3, 10-1

Marietta  15-4, 10-2

Wilmington  12-6, 9-3

John Carroll  12-7, 6-6

Baldwin Wallace  10-9, 6-6

Ohio Northern  10-9, 6-6

Capital  9-10, 6-6

Otterbein  4-15, 3-9

Muskingum  7-12,  2-10

Heidelberg  5-13, 1-10

Mountain East Conference

West Liberty  17-1, 13-1

Charleston  13-5, 10-4

Shepherd  14-6, 9-5

Glenville State  12-6, 9-5

Fairmont State  13-6, 8-5

West Virginia Wesleyan  13-9, 8-6

Wheeling Jesuit  9-8, 7-7

Notre Dame College  8-11, 6-7

UVa.-Wise  9-9, 6-8

West Virginia State  7-10, 4-10

Concord  6-14, 3-11

Urbana  0-18, 0-14

Women 

GLIAC South

Malone  14-6, 9-5

Ashland 10-8, 8-6

Hillsdale  8-10, 7-7

Findlay  9-9, 6-8

Lake Erie College  9-11, 4-10

Ohio Dominican  7-11, 4-10

Tiffin  6-11, 3-10

Walsh  6-13, 2-11

Ohio Athletic Conference

John Carroll  15-2, 10-2

Baldwin Wallace  14-5, 9-3

Capital  12-6, 9-3

Ohio Northern  15-4, 8-4

Wilmington  11-8, 8-4

Heidelberg  10-8, 3-8

Mount Union  9-9, 3-8

Marietta  9-10, 3-9

Otterbein  7-12, 3-9

Muskingum  5-13, 3-9

Mountain East Conference

Glenville State  18-2, 13-1

Urbana  13-5, 10-4

West Virginia State  13-7, 9-5

West Liberty  12-8, 9-5

Fairmont State  10-6, 8-5

Charleston  12-6, 8-6

Notre Dame College  10-7, 7-6

Concord  9-9, 7-7

Wheeling Jesuit  9-9, 6-8

UVa.-Wise  8-10, 4-10

Shepherd  2-16, 2-12

West Virginia Wesleyan  2-16, 0-14

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy






Labels: , , , , , ,