SPORTS DIGEST || Scherr leads YSU golf at Firestone

Scherr leads YSU golf at Firestone

AKRON

Sophomore Kevin Scherr was Youngstown State’s top finisher for the second time in four events this fall as the men’s golf team concluded play in the Firestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club on Tuesday.

The Penguins finished 16th with a three-round team total of 913. YSU posted team marks of 299 and 309 in the first two rounds on Monday before finishing with a 305 in the final round on Tuesday.

Scherr led the Penguins with a three-round 222 (76-74-72) to finish tied for 48th. The sophomore’s even-par 72 in the final round was the team’s lowest single-round mark of the event.

Ken Keller carded a three-round 228 (73-77-78). The sophomore was one-under with eight pars and a birdie on the back nine during the first round of play.

Bryan Kordupel finished the tournament with a 233 (73-79-81). The freshman’s first-round 73 matched his lowest round of the season.

Nighthawks to host tryouts

CORTLAND

The mens and womens sides of the Youngstown Nighthawks will host tryouts on Oct. 20 in Farmer Jim’s Sports Complex in Cortland.

Tryouts cost $40 per person and applicants must be 18 or older.

The Nighthawks play in the Premier Arena Soccer League.

College basketball trial gets underway

NEW YORK

A prosecutor says three men hatched a scheme to exploit blue-chip college basketball recruits for profit by showering their families with cash.

The accusations came on Tuesday in opening arguments at the federal trial of former sports business manager Christian Dawkins, former amateur league coach Merl Code and former Adidas executive James Gatto. All have pleaded not guilty.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Mark accused the men of funneling money provided by Gatto to the families of the top recruits to steer them to Adidas-sponsored schools. He said those players included Brian Bowman Jr., whose family was offered $100,000 to commit to Louisville.

Defense attorney Casey Donnelly admitted NCAA rules were broken, but argued that was because the schools were so “desperate” land them.

Jets’ Crowell fined for ‘wipe’

NEW YORK

Jets running back Isaiah Crowell has been fined $13,369 by the NFL for his crude touchdown celebration in Cleveland.

After scoring a touchdown against his former team on Sept. 20, Crowell took the football and wiped it against his rear end before firing it into the stands. It made for a viral moment from New York’s loss to previously winless Cleveland, and earned Crowell a scolding from coach Todd Bowles.

The news isn’t all bad for Crowell, who landed a promotional deal with Dude Wipes — a company that sells a toilet paper substitute for men.

Among other fines: Atlanta’s Brian Poole was docked $20,054 for a horse-collar tackle and $20,054 for roughing the passer for a total of $40,108; and Minnesota’s Anthony Barr was fined $10,026 for a facemask call and $20,054 for a horse-collar tackle for a total of $30,080.

Fan throws cabbage at Aston Villa manager

BIRMINGHAM, England

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce had a cabbage thrown at him by an unhappy fan before the team’s match in England’s second-tier League Championship on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, it sums up the society we are in at the moment. There’s no respect for anyone,” Bruce said after Villa’s 3-3 draw. “Certainly for someone like him, I’m surprised he knew what a cabbage was. I find the whole thing hugely disrespectful.”

Villa, which was relegated from the Premier League in 2016, has won just one of its last 10 games in all competitions, and is in 12th place in the 24-team Championship.

Staff/wire report