Senators wants MU-WVU every year

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A state senator wants to force the men’s basketball teams from Marshall and West Virginia to play each other every year.

Cabell County Democratic Sen. Mike Woelfel says he plans to introduce a bill requiring WVU and Marshall to meet once each season if school administrators can’t first reach an agreement.

Marshall and WVU have met every year since 1978, including in Charleston since 1992. WVU has won five straight meetings and nine of the last 10, including an 86-68 win last month.

Woelfel noted that he’s both a Marshall alumnus and a graduate of WVU’s law school.

 

Clarett cited for impaired driving

COLUMBUS (AP) — The State Highway Patrol says a former Ohio State University football star was cited for impaired driving after another motorist reported a vehicle swerving erratically and nearly hitting others on Interstate 71.

Maurice Clarett was arrested Sunday afternoon in Morrow County on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

A patrol spokesman says Clarett was alone and refused a full sobriety test, resulting in his driver’s license being suspended for a year.

The 32-year-old from Canal Winchester is scheduled for a court appearance Thursday. He didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment through the website where he advertises himself as an inspirational speaker after a stint in prison for robbery and other charges.

Before that, he helped the Buckeyes win the 2002 national championship.

 

James cuts ties with Manziel

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James and his business partners will no longer work with Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel.

A spokesman for James said the sides mutually agreed to end their relationship, which began shortly after Manziel was drafted into the NFL.

Cleveland.com first reported that James’ LRMR marketing was cutting ties with Manziel, who missed Cleveland’s season finale Sunday after he was spotted partying in Las Vegas over the weekend. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said the 23-year-old Manziel missed a medical treatment Sunday as part of concussion protocol he’s following. Manziel was back at the team’s facility Monday for exit meetings.

Earlier on Wednesday, James expressed concern for Manziel “individually.” James said he wasn’t sure of all the details on Manziel’s latest escapades, but called it “a distraction.”

“I’ve heard a little bit of it and it’s just a distraction for not only himself but for everyone that’s around him, including family, people that represent him, the people around him,” James said. “He’ll figure it out at some point — we all hope.”

 

Coach put on leave for head-butt of ref

LANGHORNE, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania high school basketball coach who apparently head-butted a referee during a game has been put on leave.

Videos posted online show Neshaminy High School boys basketball coach Jerry Devine confronting a referee Tuesday night after he disagreed with a foul call. The team was trailing Pennsbury High School 46-42 with less than 40 seconds left in the game.

As Devine charges onto the court, another referee approaches him and the coach appears to head-butt the ref, knocking him to the floor.

Devine was ejected from the game.

The school district says in a statement Wednesday that the coach, who also teaches algebra and history, has been placed on administrative leave pending a review of the incident.

Devine’s home phone rang unanswered Wednesday morning.

Pennsbury won the game 49-42.