LOCAL

LOCAL
Toledo skates pastYoungstown Phantoms
BOARDMAN -- The Youngstown Phantoms dropped a 3-2 decision to the Toledo Ice Diggers, losing in a shootout in the weekend finale of a two-game series at The Ice Zone.
The score was tied 2-2 after regulation, but the Ice Diggers won the shootout 3-1.
Youngstown led 1-0 after the first period on a goal by Anthony Canzoneri at the 13:28 mark. The Phantoms dominated the first period, outshooting Toledo 17-5.
The Ice Diggers responded in the second period with two goals in less than two minutes, by Steve Murphy at 7:34 and Dan Peace at 9:30, to take a 2-1 lead. But Neal Sheehan tied it at 2-2, beating goaltender Justin Marriott shorthanded at the 17:22 mark of the middle period. Phantoms defenseman Mark Zarbo assisted on both goals.
In the shootout, Rob Rassey scored the only Phantoms goal on their fourth shootout attempt, but Eric Giosa clinched the win for Toledo on their next shot, their fifth, stuffing a backhand past Youngstown goaltender John Murray. For the game, the Phantoms outshot Toledo, 37-32.
Next weekend, the Phantoms will travel to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., to take on the division-leading Soo Kewadin Indians on Feb. 27-28. The Phantoms will return home to face the Springfield Jr. Blues March 5-6.
Harding freshmenclaim championship
YOUNGSTOWN -- Warren Harding defeated Cardinal Mooney 76-70 in overtime to win the championship of the Rayen freshman boys basketball tournament Saturday.
Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary defeated Wilson 67-28 in the third-place game, and Rayen defeated Ursuline 63-41 in the fifth-place game.
The all-tournament team consisted of Kiev Ransome from Rayen, Keith Tubbs from Wilson, Jeremy Petit from St. Vincent-St. Mary, D'Aundray Brown from Mooney and Daniel Herron from Warren Harding.
Touch leaguechanges format
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Touch Football League will be changing its format from 7-on-7 to 8-on-8 (flag).
All rules and interpretations will comply with the USTFL. The change is necessary for local teams to qualify for the state tournament in Columbus, the national tournament in Orlando, Fla., and other tournaments throughout the year.
All teams are encouraged to adapt to the new format for the fall season, and teams from Warren and surrounding areas are encouraged to join. All teams will be sanctioned by the USTFL and will have the opportunity to qualify for a paid bid (or entry fee) to the national tournament.
Dates, times and sites have yet to be determined. Coaches and captains should contact the Youngstown Touch Football League office as soon as possible (330-717-0784).
Curbstoners
BOARDMAN -- Youngstown native E.J. Borghetti, the assistant athletic director in charge of media relations at the University of Pittsburgh, will be the featured speaker at the noontime luncheon of the Curbstone Coaches Monday at the Lockwood House.
Wheelchair games
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- The best women wheelchair basketball players in the country will come to Slippery Rock University from March 4-7 for a tournament and tryouts for the 2004 Paralympics in Athens.
The Paralympics are Olympics Games for people with disabilities. The games are hosted by the Olympics host city using the same venues.
The USA Women's Wheelchair Basketball team will be picked from 125 players who participate in the National Women's Wheelchair Basketball Tournament at the university that weekend. The Paralympics tryouts will follow the tournament on March 7.
Pennsylvania has never hosted the national tournament before. It was held in Warm Springs, Ga., last year.
All games and tryouts are free and open to the public.
McGranahan winsbowling title
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Gary McGranahan of Greenville won $1,700 in the Mickey Michalojko Memorial Scratch Bowling Tournament at Colonial Lanes.
McGranahan captured the title by averaging 228 for the four games of qualification and posting a two-game match play final score of 448.
Over 120 entries from around the tri-state area competed for the top prize.
The other contestants in the finals were Brian Chec of Wheatland, Pa., who finished second; Brian Fuzie of Willoughby (third); and Bill DeVault of Weirton, W.Va. (fourth).
Phantoms pee-weesadvance in tourney
MENTOR -- The Jr. Phantoms Peewee AA minor hockey team won its first-round game in the Cleveland Suburban Hockey League playoffs by beating Rocky River, 6-4.
The team was led in scoring by Ryan Taylor, who had four goals, followed by Ryan Rinko with two. Jon Vanasdale had a big game, generating four assists, with Ben Jensen, Devrim Olgun and Hunter Thompson all contributing one apiece. The team will play Euclid today at 9:15 a.m. at Mentor Ice Arena.
Squirts lose in OT
GARFIELD HEIGHTS -- In Cleveland Suburban Hockey League playoff action Saturday at Garfield Hts., the Youngstown Jr. Phantoms (Squirt A major) lost 17 seconds into overtime to North Olmsted 3-2.
North Olmsted got on the board first 42 seconds into the game, and neither team would score again until 3:00 into the third period when Jared Taylor evened the score at 1.
Later in the third North Olmsted jumped ahead 2-1, and with 1:46 remaining in the third, Nick Malvasi tied the score again at 2, with a power play goal.
Taylor, Riley Emery and Brandon Nightingale picked up assists in the contest as the Jr. Phantoms ended their seven-game winning streak and CSHL season.
Mooney/Ursulineearns 5-5 tie
STRONGSVILLE -- Brady Hankinson scored two goals and an assist Saturday to help the Mooney/Ursuline club ice hockey team tie North Royalton, 5-5.
For M/U (8-14-4), Allen Neher scored one goal and two assists, while Jeff Hayat and Oleg Vaytsev each had one goal.
Goalkeeper Joe Carothers made 39 saves.
For North Royalton (18-18-5), Chris Welsh netted two goals.
Boardman falls
BOARDMAN -- Despite taking 51 shots, the Boardman club ice hockey team lost to Ft. LeBoeuf 7-5 Saturday at the Ice Zone.
Boardman got its goals from Mike Matter, Arman Olgun, Frank DoVidio, Jim Pipoly and Zack Skook.
REGION
Reds sell out
CINCINNATI -- The Reds sold out tickets for their first regular season home game in 16 minutes Saturday, the fastest-ever for opening day, a team spokesman said.
Vindicator staff/wire reports