LOCAL

LOCAL
Alliance to joinMetro Conference
ALLIANCE -- The Alliance Board of Education unanimously voted Tuesday to accept invitation of its athletic programs into the Metro Athletic Conference.
Alliance decided last April to leave the Federal League, of which it was a member since 1983.
The Aviators will join Canfield, Howland, Niles, Poland, Salem and Struthers in the MAC for the 2003-04 school year.
Boxer Arroyoreceives award
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Youngstown's Harry Arroyo, the former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion, was awarded the Rocky Marciano Former Champion Award by the American Association for the Improvement of Boxing.
Arroyo, now residing in North Jackson, was there to receive the award from the organization founded by Marciano more than three decades ago.
Recently crowned middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins was named the organization's "Fighter of the Year."
Hubbard pickswrestler of week
HUBBARD -- Freshman Adam Graban has been named Hubbard High wrestler of the week. He posted four wins in the Boardman Spartan Spectacular last Saturday.
Earlier in the season, the Eagles' Justin Wess and Sean Kendall shared the honors while competing in matches against Marlington and West Branch.
Football playershonored in Pa.
Three area football players received second-team honors on the Pennsylvania Small School list.
Sharpsville defensive lineman Blase Iorio, Sharon linebacker Wade Vogan and Farrell linebacker Alan Claiborne were named.
Boardman wins
BOARDMAN -- Jeff Evans and Pat Rafeedie each scored twice and five more players had one goal apiece as Boardman defeated Mooney-Ursuline 9-6 in high school hockey Tuesday.
Tim Cerimele had four assists and a goal and Josh Congelio had three assists for Boardman (7-5-2).
Phil Colucci, Luke Johnson and Joey Toth each had two goals in a losing effort.
Game tonightin Lordstown
LORDSTOWN -- Tonight's Southington-Lordstown girls basketball game will be played at Lordstown High School.
The Jan. 30 rematch will be played at Southington.
Chaney girlsbeat Timken
CANTON -- Chaney put three players in double figures and turned back Canton Timken 49-46 in its City Series opener Monday night.
Sumya McElroy led Chaney (3-4) with 16 points, while Tara Mshar and Joselyn Parker each had a double-double.
Mshar had 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Parker added 11 points and 10 assists and also had seven rebounds.
Timken's record is 2-4.
REGION
Torch bearers runthrough Portsmouth
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio -- Thousands of people lined the streets of this southern Ohio River town Tuesday waving American flags and cheering on local runners as they carried flaming Olympic torches.
Indians sign Selby,three others
CLEVELAND -- Infielder Bill Selby, who spent last season with Cincinnati after three years in Cleveland, on Tuesday signed a minor league contract with the Indians.
Also signing were pitchers Heath Murray, Dave Maurer and J.D. Brammer to minor league deals with invitations to spring training camp.
Bettis doubtful
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have won consecutive games without injured running back Jerome Bettis. They may try for a third in a row Sunday.
Two days after coach Bill Cowher said Bettis was likely to play, the 1,000-yard runner was listed as doubtful against Detroit with a groin injury.
Palko joins sonas award winner
Bob Palko of three-time PIAA Class AAA finalist West Allegheny is The Associated Press Pennsylvania Big School football coach of the year for 2001. But he's not the only statewide award winner in his own household.
Palko's son, Tyler, earlier won the Big School player of the year award, making the father-son combination the first to share the awards since their inception in 1988.
NATION
Colorado St. winsin bowl opener
NEW ORLEANS -- Justin Gallimore blocked a punt and recovered it for a touchdown as Colorado State opened the bowl season by beating North Texas 45-20 Tuesday in the inaugural New Orleans Bowl.
North Texas (5-7) was the first team with a losing record to play in a bowl game since William & amp; Mary in 1970.
Cards sign Martinez
ST. LOUIS -- Tino Martinez signed a three-year contract with St. Louis, giving the Cardinals a power-hitting replacement for Mark McGwire at first base.
Vindicator staff/wire reports