Perry signs with Iowa Energy

Perry signs with Iowa Energy

Former Youngstown State University standout Kendrick Perry has signed with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League.

In 28 games with the Sydney Kings of the NBL, Perry averaged 10.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

Sharper pleads no contest in rape case

LOS ANGELES

Former NFL star Darren Sharper has pleaded no contest in a Los Angeles court to charges of drugging and raping two women.

The pleas Monday are part of an agreement with prosecutors to resolve cases against the former all-pro player in four states.

Earlier in the day he pleaded guilty by video to sexual assault and attempted sexual assault in Arizona and was immediately sentenced to nine years in prison.

Sharper was accused in each state of slipping drugs in the drinks of women and sexually abusing them while they were unconscious or unable to resist or consent.

The safety who won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints also faces charges in Louisiana and Nevada.

Luklan picked for state basketball tournament

Rob Luklan of Canfield has been picked to official the 2015 boys basketball state tournament. He is in his 28th season, and this is his eighth state tournament selection.

The official was selected on a process that includes rating by coaches and voting by athletic administrators, league assigners, the OHSAA and Northeast District Board, and by fellow officials.

Four Buckeyes coming to Eastwood Mall

Niles

Four members of the Ohio State football will be signing autographs at the Everything Buckeyes store in Eastwood Mall on Saturday from 12-2 p.m. The players are Jeff Heuerman, Evan Spencer, Darryl Baldwin and JT Moore. You can order tickets by calling 330-349-9014.

Mineral Ridge softball league holding meeting

Mineral Ridge

The Mineral Ridge fast-pitch softball league will have its first meeting on Wednesday at the Comfort Inn on Route 46. The meeting will start at 7 p.m.

For more information call Bill Croft at 330-717-1414 or Bill Sferra at 330-770-3966.

NFL gives out compensatory picks

PHOENIX

NFC champion Seattle, Denver and Kansas City each were awarded four compensatory picks in this year’s draft.

The NFL handed out 32 such picks to 14 teams on Monday. They begin at the conclusion of the third round when Super Bowl winner New England gets the 97th overall choice.

New England lost LeGarrette Blount, Dane Fletcher, Brandon Spikes and Aqib Talib in 2014 free agency, while adding Brandon Browner and Brandon LaFell. Blount returned to the Patriots after being cut by Pittsburgh.

A team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory picks. The draft will be held April 30-May 2 in Chicago.

Astrodome to turn into large park, civic space

HOUSTON

A nonprofit group estimates that it would cost nearly $243 million to convert the iconic but shuttered Houston Astrodome into a massive indoor park and surrounding green space.

The Urban Land Institute on Monday released its final report on the Astrodome proposal, saying the stadium “can and should live on.”

The group’s report outlines a plan to create a civic space out of the stadium that opened in 1965 and closed in 2009. It includes a park inside the Astrodome, and outdoor covered pavilions and additional parking spaces.

The structure’s future has been in limbo since voters in 2013 didn’t authorize the issuing of $217 million in bonds to turn it into a multipurpose venue.

Staff/wire reports