Top winter athletes revealed on Sunday

March 22, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

Winter is finally fading into spring and the area’s high school athletes and schools are making the transition from the indoors to the outdoors.

That means it’s time to recognize The Vindicator’s Winter Athletes of the Year, as selected by members of the newspaper’s sports department.

Check out Sunday’s Vindicator sports section to read about the area’s best basketball players, bowlers, swimmers, hockey player and wrestler. The stories also will be available online at Vindy.com, along with video interviews with each athletes.

Can you guess who our selections are?

This year’s winter choices are from Canfield, Austintown Fitch, Hubbard, LaBrae, Struthers, Warren Harding and West Branch. But that’s the only hint we’re offering. You’ll have to read Sunday’s Vindicator and visit Vindy.com to see if you guessed right.

Local officials work state tournaments

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning Valley Basketball Officials Association announced that two local officials have been selected to work in the boys basketball state tournament this weekend. Rob Lee of Newton Falls has been selected for his sixth state tournament game. He has 32 years of officiating experience. Mike Vaschak of Boardman has been selected for his 10th state tournament game. He has 33 years of officiating experience.

Also, the association was represented last weekend at the girls basketball state tournament. Rob Luklan of Boardman, with 27 years of experience, was selected for his sixth state tournament, and Rob Todor of Salem, with 12 years of experience, was selected for his first state tournament.

Whittaker’s hire at Ridge made official

MINERAL RIDGE

The Weathersfield Schools board of education on Wednesday officially hired Jeff Whittaker as varsity football coach for the 2014-15 school year. Superintendent of Schools Damon Dohar had announced March 12 that Whittaker, a Mineral Ridge graduate, was the choice for the job pending board approval.

The board also hired Claire Ferrando as varsity volleyball coach for 2014-15. She replaces Jennifer Staunton who retired after a 32-year stint as the Rams’ head coach. Ferrando teaches physical education at the high school.

Bowl Over Cancer scheduled April 26

COLUMBIANA

The annual Bowl Over Cancer fundraiser is scheduled April 26 at Arrowhead Lanes. The evening includes three games of bowling, prizes, an auction, raffles and food. Registration starts at 8:30 p.m. The cost is $20 per person and proceeds benefit the Yellow Brick Place ACS Relay for Life team. For more information, contact Jerry at 330-482-3493 or Donna at 330-770-0808.

Springfield seeks Hall of Fame nominations

NEW MIDDLETOWN

Applications are being accepted for the 2014-15 Springfield Local Schools Athletic Hall of Fame induction class.

Nomination forms and procedures can be found on the school’s website, www.springfield.k12.oh.us. Follow the links to Athletics and look for the Hall of Fame Nomination Form.

Contact Mike Shane at 330-717-7974 or athletic director Mark Carden at 330-542-3626 for more information.

Staff reports