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Thunder gets players via tryout

BOARDMAN — The Mahoning Valley Thunder, in conjunction with the arenafootball2 League Office, were assigned two players from last Friday’s open tryout. Lineman Maurice Smith (6’2, 250), and Frashon McGee (6’5, 280) join the Thunder roster with training camp slated to begin in early March. Both players are af2 rookies.

Smith played at Howland High School, then at Michigan State before transferring to YSU.

McGee, a former college basketball player at Cleveland State University, brings athleticism and size to Mahoning Valley. After starting his collegiate career at Indian Hills College, McGee transferred to Des Moines Area Community College before finishing at CSU. With the Vikings, McGee averaged five points, four rebounds and an assist for a CSU team that accumulated 19 wins in his two seasons. As a prep in Iowa, McGee was named All-State, All-District and All-Conference twice.

Class B League tryout Sunday

NILES — The Class B League will conduct free open tryouts this Sunday for baseball players ages 14 to 18 at OTN Performance, a new indoor baseball facility in the Eastwood Mall Complex.

“We’re trying to make this available to individuals of high school age who are not committed to some team,” said B League vice-president Tom Otto. “We’re trying to reach as many players as we can and get the best local talent.”

Otto said that the open tryout involving the 10 Class B League teams and their Little B counterparts is a first-time undertaking.

“We’re even hoping to have these tryouts a couple times a year,” Otto said of the tryouts session that begins with player registration at noon, followed by the tryout from 1-4.

Candidates are asked to bring tennis shoes, workout gear and any baseball equipment. The three hours will allow the coaches to assess talent via a 60-yard dash and hitting, pitching and infield drills and activities.

Judge Miller is busy guy

YOUNGSTOWN — Boxing judge Tom Miller of Mineral Ridge is working the six-bout undercard of the Pavlik-Rubio title fight show.

On Feb. 28, Miller will be working the WBA featherweight world title fight in Houston, between champion Chris John of Indonesia and challenger Rocky Juarez of the United States. The fight is to be shown live on HBO.

On March 7, Miller is working the amateur boxing show in the Wedgewood Plaza that is a tribute to local boxing historian Sal Marino.

Miller is judging the WBO cruiserweight title bout in Manchester, England on Mar. 14 between challengers Enzo Maccarinelli of England and Ola Afolabi of the United States.

That same night, Miller will be judging the WBO junior lightweight title fight in Manchester, between champion Nicky Cook of England and challenger Roman Matinez of Puerto Rico. Both fights will be shown live on PPV.

Bill Lovell Bossone bowling champion

YOUNGSTOWN — Bill Lovell Sr. beat Tim Graham, 238-216, to win the 2009 John Bossone Senior Masters bowling championship.

In the stepladder matches, Duane Beatty defeated John Doughton Jr., 247-203, and Lovell defeated Beatty, 224-188.

There were 43 bowlers ranging in age from 50 to 70-plus.

Bowling sectionals

WARREN — The Mahoning-Trumbull County sectional for area high school bowling teams is Saturday at Crest Lanes.

The girls begin at 9 a.m. with the boys competition starting at 2.

Ridge boys win

VIENNA — With the score tied 49-49, Cody Graham, who scored 14 points. made a pair of free throws as Mineral Ridge (3-16) edged Mathews 51-49 Tuesday. Zach Kiger chipped in with 14 points. Chris Morgan led the Mustangs (10-7) with 19 points.

Waterloo wins

RAVENNA — The Waterloo High School boys basketball team pulled away from a close game in the second half as it outscored Southeast 33-14 in the second half in posting a 67-43 victory Tuesday.

Ozzie Thomas and Joe Le-Mon scored 12 and 11 points respectively for the Pirates.

Region

Oakland swimmer Ungaro is qualifier

ROCHESTER, Mich. — Gina Ungaro who swims for the Youngstown YMCA Neptunes has qualified for 4 events in the Great Lakes Zones Championships at Oakland University on March 20th-22nd. She is a 9 year old competing in the 9-10 age group. Gina will swim the 50Free, 100Free, and 50Fly. She will also team up with Maggie Beistel, Tess Emerson and Madeline Graziano in the 200IM Relay.