LOCAL

LOCAL
Fitch's Gerberrydecides on Ball State
AUSTINTOWN -- Dan Gerberry, a two-year starter at offensive tackle for the Austintown Fitch High football team, has made a verbal commitment to attend Ball State University on a full football scholarship, Falcons' coach Neal Kopp announced Tuesday.
Gerberry (6-4, 262) made the All-Northeast Ohio Inland District and All-Federal League first teams, and was an All-Ohio honorable mention.
The son of Ron and Cathy Gerberry, Dan carries a 3.8 grade-point average.
He was recruited to Ball State by Trent Boykin, an assistant coach with the Cardinals who played football for Youngstown State.
Canfield's Kucekcommits to Minnesota
CANFIELD -- Justin Kucek, a senior punter for the Canfield High football team, has verbally committed to attend the University of Minnesota on a full football scholarship, Cardinals' coach Mike Pavlansky announced.
Kucek, who had a 39.3-yard punting average, was a second-team all-state pick this season.
He also made the All-Northeast Ohio first team for the second straight year, and the All-Metro Athletic Conference squad for the third consecutive season.
Kucek is the son of Jack and Janice Kucek.
Fitch wrestlershost Massillon Perry
AUSTINTOWN -- The nationally-ranked Massillon Perry High School wrestling team will compete in a dual match at Fitch High tonight at 7 p.m.
Leone secondin racquetball event
CANFIELD -- Jim Leone recently placed second in the 30-plus Open Pro singles division at the U.S. Open World Racquetball championships in Memphis, Tenn.
After successfully completing seven rounds against opponents from Mexico, Columbia, Venezuela and the U.S., he lost a tie-breaker to Eric Williams of North Carolina.
Earlier, Leone won state championships in men's open doubles and 35-plus division men's open singles, and a regional championship.
Leone and his wife, Betty, are the parents of Jimmy and Vincent. He participates in racquetball exhibitions monthly at the downtown YMCA.
Rockers soccer teamcaptures crown
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- The Rockers girls soccer team, 17 and under, defeated Beach Sting 4-0 for the HRGSA Rose Classic Tournament title.
The undefeated Rockers advanced to the finals as they blanked Baystar Magic 1-0 and Virginia Rush Classic 2-1.
Members of the Rockers are Stephanie Armstrong, Jackie Cavalier, Maureen Malone, Jill Roemer and Tori Rumble of Poland; Morgan Hodgkins, Hickory; Sarah Arbuckle, Kasey Baker, Lyndsay Schaeffer and Rachel Taddei, Lakeview; Erin Gilmore, Kayla Martin, Kelly Peoples and Emily Phipps, Howland; Sarah Kerns, Niles; Laura Hageman and Megan Garland, Canfield.
Joe Megyesi and John Cavalier coach the team.
Mooney graduatehonored at B-W
BEREA -- Nate Wilder of Youngstown, a junior tight end for the Baldwin-Wallace College football team from Cardinal Mooney High, has been named to The Football Gazette Division III All-American Third Team.
Wilder was B-W's second-leading pass catcher this season with 20 receptions for 294 yards and a team-high six TDs.
He also made the All-Ohio Athletic Conference and All-North Region First Teams.
Wilder helped B-W to its most successful season in more than a decade with a 10-2 overall record and 8-1 OAC mark.
The Yellow Jackets now have 37 straight winning seasons -- second-longest in college football.
Bethany wins
HIRAM -- Mike Drahos scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Bethany College men's basketball team past Hiram on Tuesday, 81-65.
Jim Deep added 14 points for Bethany (6-3).
Brandon Pool had 16 points for Hiram (1-7).
REGION
DISH Networkadds Indians' slate
CLEVELAND -- Fox Sports Net Ohio and EchoStar Communications Corporation's DISH Network announced Tuesday they have reached an agreement to telecast FSN's full 150-game Cleveland Indians schedule on DISH Network beginning with the 2004 season.
The Fox Sports Net Ohio package will also include the pre-game show, Tribe Time, and the Indians Post Game Report.
The Indians telecast schedule will be announced in February.
OSU's Charles Bassplans to transfer
COLUMBUS -- Charles Bass, who banked in a free throw to upset Michigan State in last year's Big Ten tournament semifinals, has notified Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien he intends to transfer.
The 6-foot-9 sophomore center/forward from University Park, Ill., said he does not know where he will transfer.
Sign of the times
NEW YORK -- Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson was fined $10,000 by the NFL on Tuesday for holding up a sign directed at the league while celebrating a touchdown catch.
Johnson, who has repeatedly been fined by the league for uniform violations and touchdown celebrations, held up the sign that read: "Dear NFL: Please don't fine me again."
Vindicator staff/wire reports