SPORTS digest

Prep coach retires after scuffling with student

FREDERICK, MD.

A Maryland high school football coach has retired after a player says the coach tried to choke him while kneeling on his chest.

St. John’s Catholic Prep President Thomas Powell said Thursday that John Ricca retired to pursue other opportunities.

Ricca couldn’t be reached for comment. Calls to his listed home number were eventually answered by a man saying it was a Pizza Hut.

Cellphone video verified by The Associated Press shows Ricca pulling 17-year-old Errance Meeks over a table and struggling with him on a gymnasium floor on Feb. 4.

Meeks says he initiated some horseplay that escalated. Powell says he apologized to the parents on behalf of the school.

The boy’s father says he’s pursuing an assault charges.

Basketball player pierced by wood floor

MIDDLETON, WIS.

A high school basketball player in southern Wisconsin is expected to return to the court soon after she was impaled by a piece of a gym’s wood floor.

The 14-year-old Wisconsin Heights High School player was running down the court during a basketball tournament Sunday when she fell and slid along the floor at a field house in Middleton.

Tournament organizer Perry Hibner says the girl told the referee that she couldn’t get up because there was a piece of wood stuck to her. Hibner says splinters from the broken piece of wood had pierced the girl’s stomach region.

Spectators were asked to temporarily leave the tournament as paramedics treated the girl and rushed her to a Madison hospital where she spent the night. Hibner tells WISC-TV the girl suffered no internal organ damage.

Browns release DE Starks, TE Dray

CLEVELAND

The Browns terminated the contracts of defensive lineman Randy Starks and tight end Jim Dray.

Starks started 15 games last season for Cleveland after signing a two-year, $6.5 million free agent contract in March. A two-time Pro Bowler with Miami, the 32-year-old recorded 29 tackles and one sack and was one of Browns’ steadiest linemen in 2015.

Dray spent two seasons with the Browns, who signed him as a free agent in 2014 after he spent four seasons with Arizona. Primarily a blocker, the 29-year-old made 16 starts over two seasons, catching 23 passes for 303 yards and one touchdown. Last season, he had six catches for 61 yards.

Warren JFK to honor its state champions

WARREN

Warren JFK plans to honor all of the school’s individual and team state champions tonight.

The evening will begin with a complimentary dinner for Warren JFK’s guests and their families, followed by recognition at halftime of the Eagles’ boys basketball game against Garfield Heights Trinity.

More than over 30 athletes and coaches are expected to be in attendance from the following sports or teams: 1974, 2000 and 2001 golf teams, 1991 football Team, 1979-80 and 1996-97 AP state poll title teams and the 2015 OASSA cheerleading qquad.

The Eagles’ individual track and field state champions also are expected to attend tonight’s festivities.

Contact Jill Phillips in the Warren JFK office at 330-369-1804 or at jphillips@warrenjfk.com with any questions.

Coach K expected to remain with team USA

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo expects Mike Krzyzewski to lead the Americans this summer, and the coach says he has “every intention” of being in Brazil.

Krzyzewski plans to have left knee replacement surgery following the completion of Duke’s season, and Colangelo told NBA TV during All-Star weekend in Toronto that he was “thinking about what ifs” if Coach K’s health prevented him from returning.

But Colangelo said Thursday in a statement that “at no time” have he and Krzyzewski discussed him not coaching this summer.

Staff/wire report