First Posted: 1/11/2015
DALLAS — Ohio native, Buckeyes fan and Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James is making sure that Ohio State’s players are getting an earful at the national championship game.
James helped each of the Buckeyes, who play Oregon on Monday night, get a pair of Beats By Dre headphones.
Ohio State officials say that the gift was not a violation of improper benefits to athletes, and that the value of the headphones will be subtracted from the total permissible gift allowance offered to players in the game.
A team spokesman said James, who represents the product, “facilitated” the players receiving the headphones.
A message was posted on Ohio State coach Urban Meyer’s Twitter account on Saturday thanking James for the headphones, which were pictured.
Kari Miller, Brent Miller win City Singles titles
Kari Miller and Brent Miller, who aren’t related, won the Lima City Singles bowling championship on Sunday.
Kari dominated action on Saturday and Sunday, on her way to her sixth City Singles title with a 235-200 victory over Deb Laudick in the finals on Sunday.
Brent, who dedicated this season and this tournament to the memory of his mother, defeated Brian Sharp in the finals, 212-162.
For a complete report, see Tuesday’s Lima News.
Grizzlies, Pelicans, Celtics agree on Green trade
NEW ORLEANS — The Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans have agreed on a five-player trade that would send forward Jeff Green from Boston to Memphis, a person familiar with the situation said Saturday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade hasn’t been announced and formal approval by the NBA is not expected until this morning.
Forward Tayshaun Prince would go from Memphis to Boston and forward Quincy Pondexter from Memphis to New Orleans.
The trade also would send guard Austin Rivers, the 10th overall pick in 2012, from New Orleans to Boston, and 2014 second-round pick Russ Smith, a point guard, from New Orleans to Memphis. Memphis also will send a protected first-round draft choice to Boston and a second-rounder to New Orleans.
Green is averaging a team-high 17.6 points for Boston, but the Celtics (12-23) are rebuilding.
Reds’ caravan coming to Lima on Jan. 23
LIMA — The Cincinnati Reds’ caravan will come to the Lima Mall on Friday, Jan. 23. The tour will be in Lima from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
There will be a very brief question and answer period, followed by autographs.
On the north end of the tour, which will be in Lima, will be Reds manager Bryan Price and All-Star catcher Devin Mesoraco. Also on the tour will be minor league shortstop Alex Blandino, director of player development Jeff Graupe and Reds mascot Mr. Red.
Michigan State holds off Northwestern
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Travis Trice had 18 points and 10 assists, and Michigan State outlasted Northwestern 84-77 in overtime Sunday.
The extra session was finally kind to the Spartans, who had lost their first three overtime games this season, including a double-OT defeat against Maryland late last month. Michigan State (12-5, 3-1 Big Ten) held the Wildcats (10-6, 1-2) without a point in the overtime until the final minute.
Denzel Valentine scored 17 points for Michigan State, and Branden Dawson and Gavin Schilling added 13 each.
Bryant McIntosh led Northwestern with 18 points. Tre Demps added 17 and JerShon Cobb had 12.
