La Salle’s Larkin commits to YSU

La Salle’s Larkin commits to YSU

YOUNGSTOWN

Cincinnati La Salle senior cornerback Avery Larkin has committed to play football at Youngstown State, according to his Twitter account. Larkin (5-11, 172) helped the Lancers win a Division II state title, returning an interception for a 44-yard touchdown in a 55-20 win over Nordonia in the championship game. His cousin, Jeremy Larkin, played running back for La Salle and was the co-offensive player of the year in Ohio last fall.

West Branch 9th in state poll

COLUMBUS

The West Branch High School girls basketball team is ranked ninth in this week’s Associated Press state poll of Division II teams.

Phantoms to raise money for charity

Youngstown

On Jan. 31 against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, the Youngstown Phantoms will be crowding the Covelli Centre, as Eastwood Mall presents “Crowd the Covelli” to benefit Akron Children’s Hospital of Mahoning Valley (ACHMV). A portion of ticket sales along with the 50/50 ticket raffle will be donated to ACHMV, along with proceeds from the auction of special jerseys that the team will be wearing.

Dollars raised from this event will benefit the children helped by the local programs and services of Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley. The jerseys that the team will be wearing that night were specially designed by ACHMV, and were selected through fan voting. Jerseys will be auctioned off prior to, during and after the game via a live jersey auction. They are currently available for bid on www.youngstownphantoms.com.

Mancino suspended for inappropriate behavior

HERMITAGE, PA.

Kennedy Catholic assistant basketball coach Corey Djakovich is serving as interim head coach during a four-game suspension of head coach Rick Mancino.

Mancino’s behavior during last week’s boys varsity game against Greenville prompted the suspension.

“The suspension was issued because of the school’s primary responsibility to protect the well-being of all students under all circumstances,” said President Father Michael Allison in a press release.

“This type of behavior is not our standard as a staff member of Kennedy Catholic.”

Kennedy Catholic won the game, 56-47.

Berdych into 3rd round with win over Melzer

MELBOURNE, Australia

Seventh-seeded Tomas Berdych advanced to the third round of the Australian Open with a 7-6 (0), 6-2, 6-2 win over Austrian qualifier Jurgen Melzer on Wednesday.

Berdych, a Wimbledon finalist in 2010, lost to eventual champion Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals last year at Melbourne Park, where he has reached the quarterfinals or better ever since 2011.

In early women’s second-round matches, No. 10 Ekaterina Makarova beat Roberta Vinci 6-2, 6-4, No. 21 Peng Shuai had a 6-1, 6-1 win over Magdalena Rybarikova and Carina Witthoeft beat Christina McHale 6-3, 6-0.

First 26 players chosen for Pro Bowl teams

PHOENIX

The first 26 players have been drafted by the two Pro Bowl teams, with the remainder from more glamorous positions to be chosen in a televised event tonight.

The players were picked Tuesday after Dallas running back DeMarco Murray and Cleveland cornerback Joe Haden were selected co-captains for Michael Irvin’s team. Houston defensive end J.J. Watt and Pittsburgh wide receiver Antonio Brown were chosen by Chris Carter as co-captains of his team.

After Tuesday’s introductory news conference, Irvin and Carter drafted players from lower-profile positions — guards, centers, fullbacks, interior defensive linemen, placekickers, punters, special teams players, and return specialists.

Staff/wire reports