Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Fitch hosting Hall of Fame Weekend
Austintown Fitch will have its Athletic Hall of Fame Weekend from Sept. 22-23.
The weekend opens up with a Hall of Fame Game at 7 p.m. on Sept. 22 against East at Falcon Stadium.
The Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will be Sept. 23 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Center.
For ticket information call Daniel J. Bokesch at 330-797-3900 ext. 1088 or 330-728-4477.
Forms for nominating athletes, coaches or contributors can be found at the Austintown School District website or at the District Transportation Office from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Those interested can call Bokesch for other nomination arrangements.
Nominations must be made by April 15.
Charles Oakley’s MSG ban lifted by Knicks
new york
Charles Oakley is allowed back in Madison Square Garden, though the former New York Knicks star says he wants an apology before he would return.
MSG chairman James Dolan banned Oakley last week, two days after the former power forward had an altercation with security guards while attending a game and was arrested.
But the sides reconciled, helped by a meeting Monday at NBA headquarters with Commissioner Adam Silver, with Hall of Famer Michael Jordan participating in by phone. Jordan and Oakley were teammates in Chicago before Oakley was traded to New York, where he became a fan favorite with the Knicks from 1988-98.
Dolan then decided Oakley is welcome back at the arena, a person briefed on the discussions told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions were to remain private. ESPN.com first reported the decision.
Oakley later told ESPN: “It’s not about being at the Garden. It’s about the fans. I want them to apologize to the fans. I told the commissioner I want them to apologize to the fans.”
Raptors acquire Ibaka for playoff push
The Raptors acquired Serge Ibaka, the veteran power forward from Orlando, on Tuesday for Terrence Ross and a 2017 first round draft pick.
Orlando general manager Rob Hennigan said Tuesday evening the trade of Ibaka for Ross was necessary for the Magic to have a chance of salvaging a season that has gone drastically off course.
The Raptors made the move with the postseason and possible championship run in mind.
“Any time you can add a talent who has got playoff experience, (NBA) Finals experience, and a defender and two-way player like Ibaka has got to give us a boost,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said Tuesday night in Chicago before the Raptors-Bulls game. “Ibaka fills a huge need.
“His style of play fits our style of play. There’s nothing we’re doing that he hasn’t seen before.”
Barcelona stunned in Champions League
paris
Angel Di Maria scored two superb goals as Paris Saint-Germain battered Barcelona from start to finish on Tuesday, hammering the five-time European champion 4-0 to take a huge advantage into the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 knockout match.
The Argentina winger, totally out of form for much of the season, celebrated his 29th birthday in style, rifling in an 18th-minute free kick and then skipping past two weak challenges before curling in a superb second from 25 yards out, 10 minutes after the break.
Germany winger Julian Draxler continued his rich form since joining from Wolfsburg, smacking in the second goal late in the first half.
Top scorer Edinson Cavani emphatically drilled home the fourth in the 72nd minute — his 34th goal of a rampant season.
Barcelona will need to match or surpass PSG’s performance in the second leg to avoid an early exit.
Staff/Wire reports