Poland’s Gardner earns Horizon honor

Poland’s Gardner earns Horizon honor

Valparaiso freshman Garrett Gardner, a Poland High graduate, was named the Horizon League’s men’s tennis player of the week.

Gardner had a solid performance at No. 4 singles and No. 3 doubles, winning each of his matches. In singles against Toledo’s Garrett Cona, Gardner only dropped four games the entire match as the freshman came out with the straight-set victory, 6-2. 6-2. In doubles play with teammate Lucas Waak, the duo grabbed the sole doubles win for Valparaiso, 6-4 over the Rockets’ No. 3 pairing.

Falcons hire Seahawks’ Dan Quinn as coach

The Atlanta Falcons have announced that Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will be the team’s next coach.

The Falcons on Monday said Quinn will be introduced at a news conference on Tuesday. Quinn replaces Mike Smith, who was fired following a 6-10 finish.

A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press earlier Monday that Quinn agreed to a five-year deal. Quinn says the Falcons “felt like the right fit from the beginning.”

The 44-year-old Quinn helped Seattle reach back-to-back Super Bowls.

Vegas sports books take hit on Super Bowl

Las Vegas sports book directors say the Super Bowl didn’t quite swing their way.

In fact, the New England Patriots’ 28-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks represented the worst-case scenario for their betting business, said the directors of sports books at the Wynn and Westgate Las Vegas on Monday.

Johnny Avello from Wynn and Jay Kornegay from Westgate say that If not for side bets, their losses might have been greater. Avello says his sports book lost money. Kornegay says he eked out a small win.

Nevada officials report the state’s 191 sports books kept $3.3 million out of the total $116 million wagered on the Super Bowl. That amount is less than last year’s record-breaking bets totaling $119.4 million.

DT Cody indicted on animal cruelty charges

Online court records show former Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Terrence Cody has been indicted on animal cruelty charges.

The records show that the indictment against the 26-year-old of Reisterstown was returned Monday by a Baltimore County grand jury. The Ravens also announced Monday on their Twitter feed that the team terminated Cody’s contract. He was indicted on two counts of aggravated animal cruelty, 10 counts of animal cruelty and one count of possession of an alligator.

Baltimore County Police said on the department’s Twitter feed that Cody had been released on $10,000 bail. On Jan. 23, Cody’s agent, Peter Schaffer, called the investigation into Cody “shameful.” He said Cody took his dog to a veterinarian for treatment, and the pet subsequently died.

Boardman hosting Outback Dinner

The Boardman Athletic Department is having its second annual Outback Dinner at Boardman High School on Feb. 13 in the school cafeteria.

The dinner will run from 4:30 to 8 p.m. and the cost is $15 per person. It includes free admission to the final home game of the boy’s basketball season against Ashtabula Edgewood.

There will also be a basket auction and anyone wishing to donate a basket or buy dinner tickets should contact the athletic office at 330-726-3423.

Annual basketball tourney raises money

The sixth annual “Have A Heart Ella Rose Solak 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament” will be held at Lowellville High School on March 28, beginning at 9 a.m.

Age divisions range from 4th grade through adult, including both men’s and women’s brackets. The cost is $60 per team.

This event is used to fund the Ella Rose Solak Memorial Scholarship. Registration forms can be found on the Lowellville School website. Call 330-536-8033 for more information.

Staff/Wire reports