SPORTS digest

Phantoms walloped for lost weekend

YOUNGSTOWN

In possibly their biggest game of the season, the Youngstown Phantoms suffered their worst loss, falling to the Bloomington Thunder, 10-1, on Saturday at the Covelli Centre.

After being swept by Bloomington in a two-game series, the Phantoms are five points out of a playoff spot with just 13 games remaining.

Jason Cotton scored in the first period for the Phantoms. The Thunder responded with 10 unanswered goals.

In the second period, Phantoms defenseman Kris Myllari was assessed a major for elbowing and received a game misconduct. The Thunder scored three times on the ensuing power play.

Bloomington converted six of eight power play chances and added a shorthanded tally.

Next weekend, the Phantoms will host the Madison Capitols for two games at the Covelli Centre.

Mancini will speak to Curbstone Coaches

BEAVER TOWNSHIP

Former lightweight world champion boxer Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini will be the guest speaker at Monday’s Curbstone Coaches luncheon at the Avion Banquet Center on Western Reserve Road.

The meeting begins at noon and is open to the public.

The Curbstone Coaches’ 49th annual Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will be May 1 at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman. Randy Gradishar, a former linebacker for Ohio State and the Denver Broncos who hails from Champion, will be the keynote speaker. Tickets are available by contacting Mariel Sallee at 330-519-6819.

Springfield, Poland are selling tickets

The Springfield and Poland athletic departments are selling advance tickets for their boys basketball games this week.

Springfield will sell tickets on Monday during school hours for that night’s game against St. Thomas Aquinas at Salem High School. Prices are $6 for adults and $4 for students.

Poland will sell tickets for Thursday’s game against Salem at Boardman High School from Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m.-noon.

Tickets at the games cost $6 for everyone.

Houghton celebrates 5,500th winning ride

AUSTINTOWN

Terry Houghton became the 20th North American jockey to ride 5,500 winners when he guided Superstardom to victory in Saturday’s third race at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.

Superstardom rallied while racing wide to take over the lead in the upper-stretch and gradually edged clear to win the $7,500 claiming event by more than 1 Ω lengths. The Kentucky bred 9-year-old daughter of Smarty Jones returned $9.60 for the victory.

“I have had a blessed career,” Houghton said. The 46-year-old native of Burlington, Ky., began his riding career in 1987 and has averaged more than 180 wins a year.

Houghton has ridden in 33,470 races and his mounts have earned more than $54 million.

Steelers’ Harrison posts rescue photos

MIAMI

A Carnival Cruise Line ship that is hosting a tour centered on Pittsburgh sports has rescued 16 migrants in the Gulf of Mexico.

Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz said the Carnival Sensation found the 15 men and one woman Saturday about 50 miles north of Cuba and brought them aboard.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Jon-Paul Rios said they would be turned over to Mexican immigration officials at the ship’s next stop, Cozumel.

The rescue got wide notice when former Pittsburgh Steelers player James Harrison posted rescue photos online.

The cruise started Thursday in Miami. Former Pittsburgh athletes whom organizers said would be on the cruise include Steeler Rocky Bleier, Pirate Manny Sanguillen and Penguin Bryan Trottier.

Staff/wire report