Simpson, Kline receive honors

March 22, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

HOWLAND

Warren Harding’s Gabe Simpson and Newton Falls’ Gabby Kline were selected as the Trumbul County Basketball Players of the Year during a banquet on Monday at Leo’s Restaurant.

The awards were sponsored by the Trumbull County Coaches Association.

Simpson was named to the Associated Press’ All-Ohio third team after averaging 20.5 points per game for Warren Harding.

The Raiders went 23-4 this season, losing to Garfield Heights in the Division I regional semfinals.

“To us, [Simpson] is their best player. I think they ran a lot of stuff for him,” Garfield Heights coach Sonny Johnson said. “He changes pace well, he scores, he gets the big guys easy layups and a big part of what we wanted to do was contain him.”

Kline was voted to the All-Ohio third team after averaging 19.1 points. The Tigers went 24-2 this season, losing in the regional semifinal to Doylestown Chippewa.

“It’s really sad that it’s over and I’ve enjoyed my four years here a lot,” Kline said after scoring 11 points in her final game. “But I’m on to a new chapter in my life and it’s time to move on.

“Everyone loses unless you’re a state champ and I guess it was our time,” Kline said.

New Castle bowling tournament schedule

NEW CASTLE, PA.

The 15th Annual Michael “Mickey” Michalojko Memorial Scratch Bowling Tournament is set for April 10 at Colonial Lanes.

This bowling tournament matches some of the best bowlers in the tri-state area competing for a guaranteed first prize of $2,200.

The format will consist of two, four-game qualifying squads competing at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Qualifiers then will compete in a finals format.

Space for each qualifying squad is limited to 72 bowlers. The entry fee is $70 in advance and $85 on April 10.

Anyone interested in competing should contact Colonial Lanes (724) 654-5000 or stop by and complete an entry form. Entries are on a first-come, first-serve basis and must be accompanied with entry fee.

Browns hint RGIII is more likely

BEREA

Browns head of football operations Sashi Brown suggested Monday the possibility of the team signing free-agent quarterback Robert Griffin III is much more likely than it trading for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Brown also said acquiring a veteran quarterback wouldn’t preclude the organization from drafting a quarterback high April 28. The Browns have the second overall pick and could use to it select California’s Jared Goff or North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz as the franchise’s quarterback of the future.

Brown, coach Hue Jackson and chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta spoke to four local beat writers during breakfast at the NFL owners meetings in Boca Raton, Fla.

Griffin visited the Browns on Saturday and left without a contract, but the team’s brass hasn’t ruled out signing him.

UConn rolls over Duquesne, 97-51

STORRS, Conn.

Breanna Stewart, Morgan Tuck and Moriah Jefferson each scored 20 points in their final game together at Gampel Pavilion to the lead UConn to a 97-51 victory over Duquesne on Monday night in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Stewart also grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked five shots. Tuck added nine rebounds and both she and Jefferson had seven assists as the Huskies (34-0) moved into the regional semifinals for the 23rd consecutive year.

Deva’Nyar Workman scored 13 of her 17 points in the second half for Duquesne (28-6).

Staff/wire report